Northstar Vale When Stars Align

Powerplay approved by Keg.

 

The word of puppies caused his chest to swell with fatherly pride as he gazed across the crowd, surveying their reactions with a smile on his maw that met his eyes too. Then there was word of the pretty little queen's marriage- whom he intended to acknowledge with a congratulatory nod, but found her absent. Ah well. Next was his personal favorite news.

Takeshi is now Emperor.

He did not care how Reiko worded it, whether or not it came affectionately did not matter. He had equal power now. Gaze swept the crowd, feeling very proud, very strong, and ultimately... superior, to all of them. Hume's words caused his head to swivel to her- and though he did not trust her, especially around Reiko- he couldn't deny that he enjoyed her speech. Being painted in a positive light by someone, for once! It was a good feeling, and he offered her a slight grin, appreciative of her words before turning his attention back to the members. Ah, yes, a speech! He cleared his throat, Thank you all for- 

Excuse me.

His stormy gaze found Yuudai, where it settled with great irritation. Outrage boiled on his face as the words fell from that bastard's lips, like a curse upon his reign, a smudge on a white shoe. As the man rose to his full height, denying Takeshi as emperor, Takeshi rose too, taking a step forward. By denying my leadership, you deny Reiko's decree as well, He snarled suddenly, fur pricking along his spine. He closed the distance between them, hoping to give him a deserved slap across the face- but it was hard to tell who started the spat that broke out there. They battled for a flash of moments that felt like hours, but it was over as soon as it started, leaving Takeshi above Yuudai with the older man pinned to the earth. Their heavy breathing consumed the silence as Takeshi's gaze, having lost all of its friendliness, swept the crowd. What he wanted was to throw Yuudai out right there- but he knew he could not go that far without Reiko being angry, and Hiromi. They liked him, even if he did not. 

And so he met the crowd coldly with piercing stare that dared each and every one to speak up. Yuudai, I'm stripping you of your rank. Failure to abide by Reiko, and my own word... you will be demoted to a peasant, He spat, making sure his voice projected through the crowd. It was a message to Yuudai, but a warning to all of them- crossing him came with great consequence.