Redhawk Caldera [auspex-vote] arthurian legend

It was hard for Eljay to figure out what anyone was thinking. He wished that he could see into the mind of Teya. He'd talked to Maia about what leadership meant to her, and he knew it meant a lot to her. He genuinely felt that either of them would make a great Auspex. But there was something in him, a sensation, a feeling, an intuition but nothing more than that, that made him think that maybe, Teya would be happier if she wasn't. That maybe, she was a little tired, just like himself. That maybe, she needed some time to process all of the things that had happened this year; Sorana, Reyes' disappearance. He wished that he had taken the time to talk to her about these things now, as they stood here and there was no opportunity. Maybe he would, after this meeting.

It was hard to keep up with the votes. Thankfully, most of them were for Teya and Maia; honestly, Eljay'd lost track of the other votes cast. He'd have been in trouble if suddenly there had been a lot of votes for Bridget or Bronco (or even Aiden). At first it looked like Teya would win, as three votes were cast in her favour, but then Maia gathered another additional 2 from her daughters. Eljay glanced at Teya as she was the last one left to cast her vote, and she cast it on Maia, putting her ahead.

Long before this meeting, Eljay had made up his mind already. It meant a lot to Maia, he knew, and she would make a wonderful Auspex. When he had stepped up, it should've been her all along, except she was grieving so much at the time. Now it was time for her to take the place that she seemed to think she didn't deserve nor should ever expect to get.

The Auspex glanced over to Teya, and then Maia. He knew he didn't need to vote for either of them for Maia to win, but he wanted to — he had made up his mind before anyone cast any vote, after all, and only withheld his because he didn't want to influence anyone. He smiled softly and somewhat apologetically at Teya, hoping that he had it right, and then turned to Maia and smiled fondly. Then, turning back to the pack, he said: I vote for Maia, too. He wished he had an eloquent explanation as to why, like Maia herself had when it came to Teya, but eloquence had never been his strength. Instead, he let the many votes from the many pack members speak for his mate. Congratulations, Maia — It looks like you'll be our new Auspex. His tail waved softly back and forth and he looked over the pack — his family — with a warm feeling inside. His gaze shifted over Teya, afraid that his choice might make her feel rejected; but he hoped that she knew the choice between them two was tough, and he hoped that his intuition about what was best for her was right, to boot.