Northstar Vale When Stars Align

We’ve been long overdue for a pack meeting! If you cannot make it dont worry, you can still have your toon aware of what happened! @Takeshi, @Ibis, @Yuudai, @Vespera, @Hiromi, @Awenfen, @Collision, @Clay, @Akavir, @Saarthal, @Cordelia, @Celara, and @Hime if she wishes to join! Second Round will be up on Tuesday to keep this thread moving!

With a few days to recover from the travelling and early welcome of the prince and princesses, Reiko felt it was now the time to address everyone in the Empire of news. One of which she didn’t want to happen, but for the sake of imagery to keep a peaceful and functional pack appearance - she would. 

Once the puppies were fed and Reiko felt they were tucked away comfortably, she found a place within the middle of the vast field of the vale. Not wishing to travel too far from the puppies for now and lifting her crown to the heavens to call each member to her where she stood just a few wolf-lengths away from the den. 

She was certain many of them had questions, concerns for her little disappearance and Reiko would be certain to prepare herself to explain in a non-alarming way why she had to take the little trip without demonizing Takeshi... Even if the brute did deserve whatever might come his way - she was still rather upset remembering the strike he did just a day before the birth of their litter. 

Nevertheless, she kept the image up. With a calm, composed, and poised posture she waited for the members to all come sliding in at their own pace to attend the meeting that was just called. The image of an Empress, that is what she had to do.

Celara had been hunting, when she heard the call. Unsure of what to do with the two rabbits she had killed, she decided to bring them with her, though it slowed her quite a bit. By the time she had pushed her way through the grass, several other wolves had already showed up. The wolf dropped the rabbits beside her with some embarrassment and sat down as she waited for Reiko to speak. The empress looked significantly smaller, now. Had she given birth?

The Duchess had been fretting for a while, but the comfort of Yuudai has made her feel a little more secure about her predicament, she would be okay, right? Besides, she got pregnant before the pack was official. The sudden call of the Empress was a surprise since she hadn't heard her harmonic voice in a while, where had she been? No matter, Vespera was quick to answer with quite awkward strides since her belly was getting bigger and bigger by the day and she felt like she was going to burst.

The cloaked woman would see Reiko and another member in the distance so she decided to hide her belly in some tall grass for now until the meeting was over, but she had to tell Reiko about her situation. The Empress would understand? Hopefully, Vespera would pray that the Empress was kind and would understand and the Duchess would make sure to never make this mistake again. The woman found her patch of grass and gave a warm smile to the Empress, unknown of what the woman had been through but perhaps she should wait a while before telling Reiko that she was pregnant. Either way, she sat in her place, waiting for Reiko to give her announcement.

She had made a point to stop at the lotus spring for a bath that morning. An hour or so of pleasantly bathing her troubles away was broken by the rising voice of her sister, a summons. One by one they were each called. Hime's call came last, and as she dragged herself free of the spring for a quick shake, she felt a great irritation stabbing at her. The beginnings of a tension headache forced her to squint as she hiked her way through the territory. She stopped at the edge of the stream cutting through the claim's heart and began to pick her way across, bothered further by the great toil and effort she was putting forth to make an appearance at this gathering.

By the time she found the group of them she'd painted a demure expression upon her face and forced away the ache in her eyes and head, if only to appear healthy and proper. Her coat had mostly dried, although the treck across the stream had muddied her previously pristine paws. She seemed to swim through the bodies milling around Reiko, and upon reaching her sister's side she raised her head with a prideful sheen in her eyes, and peered around at those gathered. So far the only wolf she recognized was Reiko; more importantly, she noticed the absence of the little Queen, and swiftly transitioned to a better mood because of her absence.

Despite the tribulation of his current crowned status, The Emperian heeded the call and followed the commune with pose and purpose. His emerald eyes narrowing as he watched the wolves of color stride past and flock around a sovereign cloaked in white. It was obvious to the boy that she demanded attention and respect with the air that surrounded her.

A Monarch—one like his mom.

Carefully, slowly, Clay survived the bodies among him; Their looks. Their features. It rang true that Reneian had come to collect wolves of a vast majority within their walls. Some that possed amiability. Some that didn't. The only one that caught his eye was a wolf, a highborn by the looks of it— a sheer resemblance of the queen herself.

Sucking in air, the soldier walked out of the tree line with a calm and collected presence. His fur kept and pristine as those above; An image that demanded importance and attention. A prince. Clay wouldn't dare let his first appearance to the swarm be on par with his rank. He was a highblood himself, an Apaata in blood, an Easthollian at heart.

Taking in the image of the two, the boy made his way to the side of the gathering, up within the front row where he stood with an unwavering gaze.

Takeshi arrived after a couple others, offering no greeting to any of them and coming to stand proudly at Reiko's side without hesitation. He knew what this must be about... and so his dark stormy gaze swept the crowd like a true authority, silent yet daring someone to speak out. Let it be known: he was a ruler here, equal to Reiko (and in his mind, worth even more.) His reign had begun, and he would be sure to keep the peasants on a short leash- and Yuudai on an even shorter one.

As a call rang out over the vale Cordelia waited and listen to the whole of the call. Some names were called specifically, listing off name after name. She did not hear her own, likely due to the empress never having met the secret royal, but it was clear everyone should attend. Gathering herself from the nest like place she had kept herself while under Fen's medical care, she trotted towards the summons. Her body had greatly healed over the past several weeks and her womanly form was back to normal, though it would forever be petite and youthful. Haist would have accompanied her steps if she knew the territory as well as the rest, but only having joined the pack a few weeks prior and advised to rest throughout her recovery, she had done little in the way of exploring.

Finally discovering the location of the summons, many of the other members had arrived. The only ones there she recognized were two of the wolves at the front, or perhaps just one. One of these females was Hime but Cordelia didn't know the girl's name or which of the two she was. She deduced the other must have been Reiko the empress of the land. Reiko would likely be the one to address the rest and so Cordelia made a point to note which spoke to separate the two. To the side of one of the females was a male, who she assumed had a high rank as well.

Other's were seated and waiting to hear whatever news was in store and Cordelia knew this would be the first time others would see her. Despite her royal blood needing to be a secret to all attending she could not help be exude proper pose and stature as she walked among them. Finally finding time to properly preen herself her appearance was it's usually flawlessness. She took a seat near the front of those who gathered, but not directly. At her size, she wanted to be in a spot where she could see the leadership in front of her but didn't dare sit directly in the front in case those of higher-ranking reserved such seating. In the end, she settled in a position behind a gray and white male ( @Clay | Couldn't help myself) amongst others.

The call rang through the air and roused a drowsy Saarthal from her nap. Her sudden bout of energy and motivation had dwindled away until she was left hollow and weighed down again. There was a distant twisting feeling in the depth of her gut and a certain cloudy bleariness drifted across her vision. Feeling like she was dragging herself out of the depths of an infinite pit, Saarthal pushed herself up with a muted groan and padded her way to the source of the call where a group of her packmates had already gathered. Reiko was there, along with...Reiko lookalike? Oh fuck. Instead of making her feel like absolute shit for being tricked, however, Saarthal felt somehow invigorated. The corner of her lip quirked as she searched for the lookalike's eyes and flashed her a mischievous smile before settling down on her haunches. Maybe it was time to play games again. Life had meaning still...not much, but still there.

permission to be in the den given by nokie

 Her heart was still recovering from the blow it took when she gave birth just a few days early, two babies were never to be of this world. Ghosts on her mind, the only two living children had become one just two days ago. Her tiny daughter too weak for this world, too fragile to keep fighting for life. She was now buried with her brother and sister, another ghost, another wound that was not healing. THe only good thing that had happened was that this morning her baby had squeaked in surprise as one eye seemed to be partly open, he could see slightly. She gave a deep sigh when the call went out, a summoning for those able to attend. She could have stayed, she could have remained in her den and let her husband tell her what happened but she needed to move from this place. It only gave her memories of pain and death, heartache and depression. She picked up her only living child, her fighter, her dragon. She knew her friend well enough that she would have placed her own children close by, so that was her destination. 

 Many wolves had already come, a few she knew and some she did not. She paused before glaring at both Takeshi and the sister that had her brothers killed. Hime.  She would have growled but with her pup in her grasp she would not dare shake him with such violent energy, instead she locked eyes with the woman she loved and motioned slowly to get the location of her children. When she was directed, she moved. It was not hard to find them, sounds of squeaks and the smell of them gave them away. They were really close, she would be able to hear everything clearly. It took her a moment to wiggle into place, curling around the three little ones before placing her own prince among them. Keeping them all warm and safe.

so sorry for the delay on this!

She'd not been expecting the summons, and as such it found her on the fringes of the Vale - where she'd taken to wandering whenever the anxiety curdled in her guts and that restless need to escape relentlessly persisted. 

Something had changed in the woods, ominous and unknown to the woman of low status. Suspicions fogged her paranoid mind and doubt filled her bloodstream with every thud of her heart. 

Yet, the midwife remained tethered here as surely as if she were still shackled and bound. It was a different tie than servitude, one that was far more effective: loyalty. Her subservience had belonged to Lady Reiko the moment her weary bones crossed this border. Now with the birth of her Empress' young princesses and prince, Awen was trapped by adoration and protection. The more children were born, the more she would be needed - the more her heart would grow until she could not desert this place, even if danger truly lurked around the corner. 

Unlike the many aristocrats that strutted in, Fen's arrival was perceptible only by the oddity of her features - and the unconscious, doe-like grace the fae moved with. 

Shoulders curled inward like the last stubborn leaves upon bare autumnal branches, head and ears ducked with respect, a deferential gaze flickered up to the Empress briefly as she settled in amongst the crowd. 

"Lady Corra," she whispered as she took up a perch alongside her patient, her head dipping in a polite nod.

honestly he should have been much swifter on his arrival, but he had been out of the territory. honestly, in his months here there hadn't been a gathering and so when he heard reiko summon the lot of them he had turned heel thinking she was simply in need of something. 

 it all became much clearer upon his arrival. his eyes turned over the different faces of the crowd. though, he felt the need to note there was quite a lack of color once they all stood in the same vicinity. a smile was not offered to the gathered wolves, instead, he only tried to offer a soft look. he supposed it would do for now. he knew, at least, most of them. 

 he glided in and foun a seat nearest awenfen. she was a kind and gentle soul and collision thought highly of the girl. highly enough that he felt she was the easiest choice. she was inviting and would think nothing of it. that was what he desired more than anything. this was his chance to observe.

 a white wolf took place beside reiko and collision turned his head, only slightly, in a modicum of curiosity. he knew that the man was named takeshi and that he was the father of reiko's whelps. though, he hadn't a clue he was the leader. perhaps collision should offer his services to the boy. maybe he could be made use of by the emperor as well.

all in due time.

Third round will be up Wednesday next week! There is no post order, post whenever you can, if you miss this round its no problem! If you missed last round, you can still post!

After her howl had faded in the heavens, the Empress' heart pounded in her chest as she wondered if anyone would come to her call. Did they respect her at all to do so? Did Hime and Takeshi ruin the empire already so soon after it had begun? Even as she tried to keep a poised composure, the questions plagued her thoughts in a whirlwind until finally, someone had arrived. The first was Celara, someone that she didn't know all too much about but the Empress was just as relieved to see her and offered a smile to welcome the shy female to the meeting. Then, one by one other members joined.

She knew that Hiromi was watching the puppies not too far off so not seeing her here wasn't alarming. Seeing Vespera hiding away was strange and Reiko offered a curious glance, wondering why the woman was so shy suddenly. Vespera was always the outspoken type, so what had changed? That was a conversation for a later time, for now, the meeting had to begin. 

Thank you all for being here. Ibis was missing but she was heavily pregnant and Akavir was probably with her at this time. As some of you know, we already have some puppies within the Empire, and more to come. This is a cause for celebration! I ask that there are no outside visitors until the puppies can move on their own so we can reduce any stress on the parents. Of course, this excluded Kaistleoki visitors, they were not strangers after all. Reiko was always welcoming to escorting visitors around, give them shelter before they headed off on their own, but as of today, their borders were closed until further notice.  

Queen Ibis is not here due to her pregnancy, but I will announce that Akavir and she will be wed very soon, he will be our new King and father to their children. One the puppies are a little older, we will celebrate their union. A wave of her tail was offered by the news of the happy couple and their expecting litter, but that wave soon ended as it was her turn. And finally, some of you might know already but it is time for you all to be aware. She didn't even offer Takeshi a glance as he sat next to her. The Empress was still quite angry at the Emperor, Takeshi is now Emperor. She couldn't word that they were husband and wife, the words feeling toxic in her throat as she refused to call him anything other than just Emperor - husband wasn't something she saw him as of late.

To be quite honest, Reiko didn't seem quite herself. She was happy, of course, but there was something amiss about the girl. Perhaps she was simply experiencing some post-partum angst. He dismissed the thought and continued to listen to her speech. There was little to update on that most didn't already know. Lots of pregnant women, of course, and then the announcement that Takeshi would be their renowned emperor. A law that he had already thought to be enacted. They had their reasons. That was all that mattered. The count acknowledged the changes without qualm and remained silent. he didn't want to leave until the new emperor made his address. surely he had something to say.

The midwife noted vaguely when Collision siddled up to her side, offering him a brief smile of welcome before turning her gaze back to her paws - wispy auds perked as she awaited the words of her Empress. 

Of course, she had been keeping tabs on the heat cycles and upcoming pregnancies since her arrival. The news of several litters wasn't quite a surprise but Fen knew she would have her paws full rather soon. 

The news of Ibis' future nuptials brought a smile to her wan face, though she wasn't as familiar with the Queen she seemed like a fair and just ruler; Awenfen was happy for her. 

The revelation of this Takeshi character rising to Emperor brought her gaze falteringly up to the woman she so adored, intuitive optics scanning the features of her Empress calculatingly. The Izuka did not seem joyful about this, not at all, which only heightened the former slave's suspicion and agitation. 

Seelie optics flickered briefy to Takeshi, unreadable, then to Hime. 

Remaining silent and still, no sign of her inner thoughts shone through as her gaze dropped.

Awenfen didn't care what title they held. Reiko was her Empress. Ibis was her Queen. 

She would not accept these strangers as her rulers. Ever.

More bodies gathered and Hime scrutinized each of them. Her eyes travelled from person to person, narrowing slightly when she noticed and recognized Awenfen, only to fade to indifference again as she looked to others - a glimmer of mirth entering her eyes as she peered upon Saarthal. She held her tongue while her sister spoke, declaring various truths: that the slut was to wed herself a peasant king, and that Takeshi was to be viewed as their Emperor, both of which made Hime want to roll her eyes, though she remained composed.

Finally the news faded to silence, and Hime decided to take the floor. She emphatically cleared her throat and stepped forth from where she'd been waiting alongside her sister, poised, brimming with pride. She parades before the gathered wolves as if they had all come to see her, rather than the Empress. But her words are sweet and full of love, antithetical of what the Izukas know of her.

Praise be to my lovely sister, and her noble husband! We should celebrate them foremost, of course. How fortunate that two such wonderful people see fit to house us, feed us, and love us all equally as family! There was a slight derision to her tone that she could not hide, a natural overabundance - she was speaking as truthfully as she could, utilizing her position as sister-to-royalty to hold the floor. Their love is boundless, indisputable - merely look to their children and you know that they are true royalty.

Her gaze flashes briefly upon both of them, as if she is testing the waters, watching for a response from either of them. A tremble of a lip, maybe. Anger, from Takeshi. She verbally applauds the changes as they've been outlined but there is a tension there, too. A suspicion. Hime knows there is a secret hidden here within the royals, though she does not speak openly about it, merely tugs at it as one might scratch a scab, wondering how far she can push them before a grand reveal.

She turns to them both and with a flourish, bows to them. I pledge my heart and soul to you both, my liege, Emperor Takeshi, and of course to my blood sister - Empress Reiko. May your rule be lasting and fair.

Yuudai hadn't anticipated the meeting, and so had wandered farther than he should have. He felt guilty. Of course he did. With Kazuhiko still so young, Yuu should have remained closer. Only he hadn't realized how far he had gone until the faint sound of Reiko's howl flowed on the wind.

Not catching sight of Hiromi, but finding her scent easily enough, Yuudai assumed she was in the den with the princesses and prince. The Marquis lingered at the back of the group, listening. He arrived just as Rei announced Takeshi's promotion. He had been about to sit, but instead he remained standing anger simmering in his chest. His eyes narrowed as Hime spoke. Clenching his jaw, Yuudai step forward, "Excuse me." He spoke softly as he asked any in front of him to move.

Yuudai looked at Hime, and then Takeshi, but ultimately his pale lavender gaze sought Reiko's. "No." He spoke softly, but with conviction. He had never refused Reiko or Hiromi. He had never sought to undermine his Empress, always her courteous and devoted warrior. But this? No he could not stand by. He would not stand by. "You are my Empress, your highness." The samurai dipped his head in submission to her, before rising to his full height and glared at the now Emperor. "But I will not submit to him. Never." He knew what he was doing, knew what the potentially outcome was. The consequences of his failure.

The gaze of Reiko landed on her and the woman's heart began to race, though her ice-toned eyes weren't hostile, Vespera was still feeling her anxiety take hold of her. All the wolves were taking their places, she found Clay to be of interest for the way he walked in didn't sit well with the Duchess as if he was supposed to be up there with the Empress. The Duchess took no more notice of him and rolled her eyes to herself as the boy took his seat.

But, there was one wolf that did take a seat next to Reiko, a wolf extraordinarily similar to the Empress, was that her twin or something? Either way, she still sat respectfully as she could so that she could look as normal as possible. Then as more finally gathered, Reiko had made the announcement that Takeshi would be the Emporer, and as those words were said, Vespera could have sworn that a stone dropped to her stomach. Yuudai had told the Duchess about him and she could tell by the way the samurai talked about him was that there was something more than what he had told her on their patrol. Was it the fact that Vespera was pregnant and that she was just overthinking it?

It didn't matter for Yuudai was the one who would oppose this.

Vespera turned her head to see that the samurai wolf was standing his ground and making a statement that he did not except Takeshi as his Emporer which reminded the Duchess so much of how she would stand against Greyback for she saw that the role of Patriarch had made him arrogant and controlling, unlike Valette. But the dark woman didn't know much about Takeshi so she really couldn't pass judgment, but one thing was for certain, that trip to Sagtannet told the Duchess that Reiko was not pleased with Takeshi, she didn't feel comfortable around him.

And Vespera trusted Yuudai, she trusted Reiko.

Although she didn't want to stand, her violet gaze was kept on to Yuudai, to show the samurai that she would support his outburst, she believed that not everyone deserved authority, and her experiences gave her more of a reason to gaze at both Reiko and Takeshi, waiting to see what they will have to say with a firm glance.

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.

So - that girl had been Reiko's sister. Saarthal had been tricked, manipulated, played with like a toy. That was not a feeling she much liked, probably because she was usually the one who fucked around and messed with people. But, watching as the sister rose and spoke, she felt a strange, perhaps twisted sense of admiration. She reminded Saarthal of Reyna. Reyna who she had loved, Reyna who was now married to - dear pluto, what the hell is happening? The Roman was shaken out of her thoughts as one of the wolves faced someone who she presumed to be Takeshi, the Emperor. Damn. Well, this was interesting. Remaining quiet and situated by the shadows, she watched as the scuffle ended with Takeshi on top and felt momentarily disappointed. She had been rooting for the rebellious man. Granted, that was mostly because she wanted to see a bit of chaos, a bit of disorder (why am I so twisted, christ) but still. She didn't have a good feeling about the new Emperor. Saarthal cast a quick glance in Reiko, and then the sister's direction. Wondering.

I know this is a day early for the next round but I wanted to go ahead and get this posted on here. #feed the flames. :3

The botanist had expected to remain isolated in the sea of turmoil - alone, silently brewing over the wrongness of it all without an ally to share her treason. How wrong she was. 

Her gaze snapped to Yuudai as he stood, auds standing at attention to capture the treacherous words. Admiration could be found in the misty mire of her gaze, which quickly gave way to alarm as the scene turned to one of violence. 

The samurai's confession, though badly met, inspired the druid's own - all it took was one to stand, others would follow. 

"I deny ye," the midwife lilted, squaring her shoulders as she drew through the crowd. At the head of the congregation, where the origins of the soft spoken disagreement were visible in the guarded sheen of a gunmetal gaze, Awenfen leveled an even, judgemental expression against the tyrant. 

"Zis is...wrong, mi'lady," seelie optics flickered up to Reiko's beseechingly. Yuudai, her loyal and trustworthy knight, should not be silenced and stripped of status for voicing his concerns.

"I am vith Yuudai. Ye are my Empress," Fen bowed slightly in respect as she said it. "But I cannae accept zis man as my Emperor." 

Not when he is so clearly a venomous snake, poisoning and draining the life from you.

Suddenly he is overcome with confusion. So much begins to happen so fast. So much distaste for what Reiko had stated was law. The voice of the masses swirling into firm agreement that this was not okay....that this new ordinance and change in leadership could not be supported. What was happening? What...had @Takeshi done to earn such a bitter taste in the mouths of the Vale wolves? More important was the question that resounded like a drum beat: What was he going to do?

 There is @Yuudai who stands firmly against their new...dictator. That was the only word Collision felt fit him based on what happened all too quickly. There was a skirmish--one that he did not involve himself in. He rooted silently for Yuudai. Praying that the samarai would usurp this psedo king. But he would fall. Collision's spirit would break and bolden all at the same time. 

 He readies to speak thoughts that are still forming and then there is an alarm that stops him in his tracks. 

 @Awenfen. 

 The young girl, so full of spirit, speaks her mind. Did she not just see the consequence of her actions? Did she not just see what was bound to come her way for her verbal transgression. 

 He wouldn't allow any harm to befall her. He had already moved to a standing position when the fight between Yuudai and Takeshi began. He hadn't noticed. Now, though, he could feel his blood boil as the Emperor stripped Yuudai down. Took away any power he might have held before. This man was doing nothing but peacocking his assumed superiority. 

 He moves and his body aims to stand in front of Awenfen. If Takeshi, or anyone, deemed her worthy of the same fate the Collision would act as a wall. And he prayed she would run. He was confident in his ability, but he had also witnessed reason to have confidence in Takeshi's ability. He wouldn't be arrogant about any of this. 

 His teeth bared violently and readily and his eyes grew angry. A feeling and an expression that was mostly foreign to the guard. He didn't do well with witnessing the mistreatment of others and he certainly didn't think it possible that it could happen here. This...what was happening? 

 His eyes moved to Takeshi and he continued to do nothing but express his rage. Yuudai needed his help and he would not deny him. He would not stay silent any longer, "Get. Off. Him," His words were sharp, aggressive, and spoken with all the power he had to offer. He was attempting to protect Awenfen with his body, Yuudai with his words, but the attack he unleashed without hesitation was not the physical kind...

 His eyes moved to @Reiko. The wildness within him all too visible. There was so much disappointment that carried his soul now and he spoke before he fully understood the levity of what he said, "You allow this? You accept this? If this is what you will tolerate then I have been wrong about my loyalty. I have been wrong about you,"

Then...his heart broke.

It seemed that Takeshi didn't take Yuudai's little outburst well because, in a flash, the false Emporer had struck Yuudai down and pinned the samurai with ill intent as he declared that Yuudai would be stripped of his rank for defying both him and Reiko. But as Vespera saw this whole fiasco go down, something snapped in the girl, like the last thread that had been tied to her neck and it finally gave weigh. The Duchess stared at the scene, her eyes glued to the two men as outcry rumbled within the pack.

The voices started to fade into the background.


The only thing that Vespera could see was a void, darkness plagued her vision with only Yuudai and Takeshi in her view as if there was a small projector illustrating this unreal experience.

No, this wasn't unreal.

                                            It was happening again.

                                                                                      It was happening again.

The Duchess watched as the two men's bodies morphed disgustingly into a scene she was all too familiar with, a scene that she so desperately tried to run away from.

                                                                                                             It was Easthollow all over again.

The slimy Emporer that was Takeshi transformed into Greyback, the man that she hated so much with Yuudai transforming into the Duchess herself. Her body was pinned to the ground as he raked her neck with her blood spilling on the ground as it echoed in her eardrums. More of her blood spilled with it creating a linear stream down to her paws as it got between her pads and stained her beautiful dark fur. Though this wasn't happening in real-time, it felt as if she was walking in a swamp of her disgusting blood as the sticky substance submerged her paws. Vespera watched helplessly as the scenario played over and over again as if someone jammed the replay button on a TV remote and it was stuck in a loop. The girl's beautiful purple orbs started to visibly shake as if they wanted to pop out of their sockets and roll away, her breathing started to become short and curt with her chest heaving unevenly.

But.

She felt the little lives in her stomach squirm and wriggle.

Vespera couldn't move, her paws were rooted in the ground as she had a front-row seat to this madness.


                                                                              The girl would quietly have her panic attack as she sat in the long patch of grass.

new ppl coming to RE like:

also, actions here pre-approved!!!

Noise. All that fucking noise that erupted around him. Why couldn't he get a moment of peace? Here he was, a simple man trying to support his wife, raise his kids and provide strong leadership- and these people wanted to deny him that. He had never wronged them, and yet they looked upon him like filth. Was it terrible to strike down someone with such obvious disrespect? If Yuudai could not heed Reiko's decision, how could he go unchecked? All Shi wished to do was to show these people that they ought to be good, obedient subjects. Was that so wrong? 

The pretty little sprite was the first to voice her added disrespect in a gentle voice, which only infuriated Takeshi further- the nature by which she made her thoughts known so softly. The way she spoke screamed holier-than-thou and he wished she would scream instead. She had balls of steel for such a little thing, and he knew in that moment he could snap her neck if he wished it, and yet refused to see it descend into violence where violence was not necessary. Yuudai's flame could not be easily put out and Shi knew he had to subdue him in what way he could, but could not remove him- he was a staple here just as Shi was. 

One thing at a time, though. This little woman, voman as she might put it, was a nobody in Takeshi's eyes. Before? Having no relation with the pale beast didn't mean much. But now that he was emperor, everybody ought to start making a damn good impression on him, because otherwise they were just another face that would fade with time. And being a nobody, was perhaps even worse than being an enemy- because they could be swept away without a thought. 

Collision spoke up then too, having the guts to command Takeshi in his own realm. Dark gaze shot to the fool, eyes narrowing even as he spoke against Reiko. That was a fault on his part, too- Shi did not wish to see Reiko disrespected by all. Only he had that right- others that lashed out at her were harming his own wife. His family. He stepped off of Yuudai, but towards Coll, snapping his fangs in the empty air as a warning. Watch your mouth, He snarled, Who do you think you are, to talk to my wife that way? To disrespect Reiko like that? He hissed, gaze darting to the empress who he figured might be emotional by now. Back to Collision, If you want to act like a peasant, you'll be a peasant. Same for goddamn anyone else. He drawled, stepping away from the bodyguard then. 

But his eyes never left him, and soon fell to the pale figure he guarded. 

I cannae accept zis man as my Emperor.

Her words echoed in his mind as he eyed her like a jungle cat eyes its breakfast, all pointed and feral, unforgiving. You said you can't accept me as your emperor, eh dear? He inquired in mock kindness, tone suddenly gentle in a fearsome contrast to his icy gaze. Then I won't be your emperor. You think you can speak against the empress' decision so freely? You're out. Be gone within the week, He hissed, straightening his posture and raising his tail in a display of ultimate authority. Demotion here, exile there- how many more of them wished to line up for their consequences? It seemed they had much to learn.

It felt like the last thing she truly remembered was watching as Yuudai prepared to step in, a few words were shared and then everything seemed to tumble into what could only be described as chaos. Their eyes, one by one eventually turned to her.

Don't look at me like that.

She felt small in response, trying to get a hold of the situation and yet her words didn't seem to be heard. Was she being ignored? No, the words didn't come out. What could she do? Jump in and separate the men? 

Coward.

Of course, she couldn't... Her whole body froze in a state, she had been so tired and all this was such a shock to her system. Like waking up by being thrown into a frozen lake; and even in her own little world to make sense of it all, even here she still couldn't swim.

Cerulean eyes flashed at pivotal moments, blood. She saw blood. Takeshi's words rang sour in the air. So much blood, from him. From Yuudai. By Takeshi.

Why were they doing this?

Should she accept Yuudai's offer to kill Takeshi, would that bring the peace she craved for the Empire?

Murderer!

Awenfen spoke up, Collision did too. Their eyes met hers again, one by one, and only an empty owlish stare could be offered back. Awenfen begged silently for help, Collision accused for his trust to be misplaced. 

They hate you.

Takeshi spoke again, this time they fell on deaf ears as her throat felt suffocating. Like a gag had been placed. She wanted to leave, she had to stay! It felt like every fiber of her very being was being shredded right here and now, every decision to try and keep the peace erupting in this very moment and it was all her fault. It hurt. She couldn't breathe. She looked at each of them one last time before everything went black. Crashing to the ground with all the grace of a fallen oak, eyes wide and gulping for air like a fish out of water - all she could see now was the comforting image of her. Yuuki, mom. 

What would she do? With all the grace of a true Queen. 

And just like that, the Empress, no, the child retreated into her own little world between mother and daughter.

Cameo. Feel free to reference seeing a mass of black in the foliage before he disappears. Tags only for reference.

The pack was gathering, but Akavir was favouring his time with @Ibis. She was so near her time, and so neither of them moved far from the den. Only when she nestled within the confines of their den, promising to him she would sleep and he would attend the meeting to represent them both did he finally leave her side. He left her with @Viinturuth, who was new to the realm and less enticed to meet with so many fresh faces at once. Ibis was in good hands. Exhaustion wore on her, and it wracked at his nerves—birthing could be dangerous. What if something were to happen to her?

Before he could witness it, the raised voices and damnations met his ears, now strained forward. His pace slowed, his pale eyes catching briefly upon those in the gathering as all hell broke loose. There were angry voices—someone ousted from the ranks—snarls.

The flurry of movement was a blur to the swarthy wolf. He remained a distance—not venturing closer to better see the commotion. Instead, in that moment, his thoughts turned to Ibis and Viinturuth—his family. Not wishing to draw any attention to the Queen, Akavir crept back.

Questioned by his brother and wife of the happenings, he remained tight-lipped. To tell Ibis would upset her—worry her. She didn’t need the stress, and while he believed Viinturuth would see the barest glimpse of his raised hackles, he would simply tell his brother that they would be selective on who could see the Queen. For now, they would keep their heads low—and he would keep careful eye to ensure nothing endangered his family.