Redhawk Caldera [auspex-vote] arthurian legend

pack meeting to choose the new Auspex! I presumed all were gathered so you can just write about your character's vote right away in your post. <3 This will be open until October 10th or until everybody has posted.

Now, what had Teya said again precisely? Eljay's memory was failing him bits and pieces, but he had remembered the most important detail: Everyone in the pack got a vote. It felt good to lay down the mantle of Auspex, but at the same time, Eljay was nervous. He hadn't fully decided himself whether he would vote for Teya or Maia (to him, it made sense that it would be one of them, though he realised that others had a full choice themselves on who to vote for and things could go a completely different way).

Eljay had gathered the wolves of the pack on a little hill near the lake, near the rendezvous site, and after they had all gathered he said: I've decided to step down as Auspex. I'll still be around and you can ask me for advice or help any time, but it won't be as Brecheliant's Auspex any longer. As is customary in Brecheliant, we will have a vote now for the next Auspex. It can be anyone — even someone who isn't a leader right now. You can vote for anyone you think would make a good leader, no matter who it is in the pack. He glanced at the pups and added, Everyone gets a vote, even the new or young ones. That's the way Brecheliant works. Just say who you will vote for, and I'll keep track and tally the votes.

Eljay smiled at Teya and Maia, and he hoped he had done well enough by Wraen's memory with this. He then sat down and waited for everybody to cast their vote while he considered his own.

Maia gathered the children near her as Eljay called the pack together. Before he spoke, she quietly explained what would be happening. Papa is going to let someone else lead decisions now. We all get to say who we trust to be in charge. You can vote for whoever you want. She nuzzled Jay playfully as he opened his mouth to ask a question. Even each other or yourselves. But it's a big responsibility, and would definitely not give you much time for playing or scaring your poor mom to death. She could tell he'd been ready to ask if he could vote for himself.

Then she shushed them softly and listened as Eljay spoke. He said essentially the exact same thing she just had, so she needn't have clarified, but she did want to make sure the pups took this at least somewhat seriously. No matter what Chickadee might think of her friend, Maia wasn't sure Jeffrey would have made a great Auspex.

She'd made her decision a while ago and stepped forward to deliver it first. My vote goes to Teya. Maia looked at the other woman and smiled, her expression full of warm appreciation. She's been here since the beginning and has helped to guide us through all of everything as a Raven. She's earned our trust so many times and she's still, even when things are hard, always there whenever anyone needs to talk. I think you would make an amazing Auspex.

She didn't think her vote needed the justification exactly, but she didn't want anyone thinking she wasn't voting for herself for any reason other than how much she felt her friend deserved it. Besides... sometimes it was just good to hear someone say how they felt, like that. It helped you to believe you could do it too.

For Maia the choice was obvious... but she sat down and waited attentively for everyone else to give their choices.

Jay was absolutely going to vote for himself until mom made the terrible point that he wouldn't have time for games and stuff.  Did that mean anyone he voted for wouldn't have time for it either?  He didn't want that!

But papa still had time.  He played with Jay and Aiden and the girls every day, mostly.  Maybe he was just a kinda bad "Aspecks", but that was okay.

Oh, oh!!  Guess who would be the coolest Aspecks!

I'd pick Bronco!  Because he's cool and he's got lotsa scars 'n stuff.  That meant he knew things, from what he knew from mom's stories.  That or he was totally evil, which was still super cool.  If Bronco was evil and in charge, did that mean mom had to be evil too?

Even cooler!

Of course, it was wildly tempting to vote for herself just because she could. But as the token baby of the group, Shenanigans kept her lips clamped firmly shut and waited to see what her elders had to say. She was particularly keen to know how her siblings would vote, especially her favorite.

Mama Maia voted for Teya, prompting the pup to glance over at the svelte fisherwoman. She bit at her lip. That was a solid choice! But then Jay piped up, suggesting Bronco. Her eyes sought out the man who looked so rough on the outside, with such a gentle soul on the inside. Little Ani knew Uncle Norbert would also make a great ruler.

Could there only be one? Her eyes drifted back to Papa Eljay. Truth be told, she hadn’t even realized he was the leader here. Shenanigans didn’t pay much attention to things like politics and ranks. But just looking at his expression, she understood this was serious business.

She couldn’t possibly pick between some of her favorite people in the world, so Shenanigans settled on saying, I vote for whoever Chicky-D votes for! and then turning huge, curious eyes upon her beloved big sister.

The first vote was for Teya, which made Sora's stomach swoop unpleasantly.

She glanced sideways at her mom from where she stood among the pack, chewing on the inside of her cheek. Since Reyes' disappearance, Sora had been torn about her mother's additional pack duties. They took Teya away from her more than she liked. Becoming the Auspex would only add more to Teya's plate, and Sora couldn't bear to get less time with her than she did already. It was selfish — she was far from neglected, got plenty of mom time, and had the entire pack as well — but Teya was the only parent she had left. Reyes had walked out; of this, she now felt certain. Could she be blamed for wanting every minute of her mother's free time?

She looked to Maia next, considering. Maia was the next most obvious choice for Auspex, but that meant she would be busier, and Sorana didn't want that for her friends either. Then again, whispered a little voice in her head, they still had their dad, and each other, and he had been the Auspex before. They probably wouldn't even notice the change.

The thought felt uncharitable, making Sora draw her ears back. She couldn't do that to them. That left only a handful of wolves, and of those available, she chose the one she knew the best. Her face burned and her eyes were glued to her feet, certain her mom would be disappointed in her choice, as she mumbled, I vote Bridget.

Bridget had been waiting to vote. Her choice seemed like it would be natural. She'd backed Teya in her leadership from the very start and didn't plan on stopping now. She trusted her friend and the choices she made, and if Teya was willing to accept the title of Auspex, that meant that she truly wanted it.

Then Sorana voted for her.

Bridget looked at her and could tell immediately that something was off. As touched as she was by the recommendation, she didn't necessarily want the role. Certainly not over the other two clear options. The fact that Sorana hadn't voted for her mother wasn't a hard one for the insightful medic to read. She didn't want Teya to lead.

It would be disrespectful for her to make a decision for her friend. She didn't think the same, though, for making a decision for Sorana. It wasn't as if this was final - the Auspex position was made to change as they wished for it to. Maia had made it clear she recognized that Teya deserved it and that was good enough for her.

My vote is for Maia.

Having said that, she moved so that she could position herself on the other side of Sorana, reclining down and letting her shoulder brush against her in a subtle motion of silent solidarity. She shouldn't feel guilty for wanting her mom to have the time she needed. There was nothing wrong with that.

Called together for a meeting, Bronco arrived and sat amongst the crowd. It would have been too tempting for him to sit with the kids, where he could goof off and then blame any misbehaviours on them. That’s what uncles did. 

But Eljay, even as he announced that he was retiring from his position as Auspex, deserved their attention and respect. Now it was down to a vote, and Bronco assumed it would be mostly between Maia and Teya.

That was a difficult choice. Jay’s voice caused him to break out in a smile, and he winked at the kid appreciatively- but he wouldn’t take the nomination seriously as he thought that the role would go to one of the two ravens. But at the end of the day, the children very well could swing the vote one way or another. They very nearly outnumbered the adults, anyway. 

Maia was one of their Ravens, and deserved the rank if she wanted it- but he sensed when she voted for Teya that she sincerely wanted it to be the golden wolf. A vote came for Maia, but he’d be the first to lend a second vote for the other Auspex. ”I’ll vote for Teya too.” He said softly, denying her a glance in case it might say too much.

Names were spread and shared, votes put here and there.

His voice could not join in like the others. Some part of him even wondered if he should be here, voting upon such important matters. The two he knew best had been voted for each.

Truthfully he did not understand the differences between Auspex and Raven. Nor did he know if just because one was a good Raven, they would be a good Auspex. Politics exhausted him greatly.

Yet he supposed if he had to vote for any who was present, it may as well be the fire Raven.

Teya.

So his blue gaze fell to her, gently stamping a paw into the ground to give his vote some form of sound.

Aiden didn't like that his father was stepping down as leader of the pack. He had earned that right, hadn't he? Why would he just give it away like that? It was unfathomable for the youngster. He watched as others gathered and voted. So far, most voted for Teya, and there were a few stray other votes. Aiden couldn't think of many who would live up to the image he had crafted in his mind of his father, however. Most simply wouldn't do. As a matter of fact, he could think of only one wolf who was competent enough. I vote for myself, said Aiden, confidently, and he looked around in a silent dare for anyone to challenge him on the matter. He was young, maybe, but he was strong, too! Aiden knew that he would do well, and so he put his vote on the wolf that he most trusted in to lead this pack beside his father (well, okay, and maybe his mother or aunt Teya might do well too, but he selfishly wanted something for himself, too!): Himself.

it was her first pack meeting and chickadee was very excited. she followed her mother and siblings eagerly, scampering off to nip at shenanigans the first chance she got. her eyes were wide as she watched the others gather.
they were all familiar to the girl, but having the entirety of brecheliant around her was quite a novelty!
daddy spoke first. she watched him with a happy look, not quite understanding. she did however comprehend that there was going to be a change.
daddy said teya's name. she looked over at the raven, then laughed loudly when jay said bronco. nanny said she would vote with her, and chickadee chortled. sorana said bridget, and she blinked in the other's direction, wondering why she didn't say her mom. bridget said maia. bronco said teya. the man she didn't know said teya too. chickadee sniffed curiously in his direction.
aiden voted for himself! chickadee audibly gasped! were they allowed to do that?
she hmmed and drummed her paws, then shouted: "i want mama!"
she grinned all around, then settled down, though her tail still beat a tattoo against the ground.

they gathered together. of course she knew what was to come, but having the whole pack nearby made it feel final. omniscient. she tried to focus on eljay. he looked strong, standing before them. but she knew the situation had its own hidden sensations.
somehow votes came for her.
had she expected it? her own gaze did shift briefly to bronco when jay was mentioned — then to sorana when her daughter gave bridget's name. there had not been a part of teya which anticipated any answer, but for some reason that made her stumble briefly in thought.
maia, teya, maia, teya, aiden. she smiled as the boy spoke. they needed another raven after all.
and then it felt her turn to speak; if any eyes shifted to the violet now they might see her head turn — toward her fellow leader.
"i vote maia."

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.

Although Eljay had said he would keep track, Maia couldn't help but count the votes herself as well. There were two or three votes she'd considered set ahead of time and not a single one went the way she thought. Bridget voted for her. Bronco for Teya. The latter she could pass off easily since her own reasons likely made sense to him also, but Bridget was so close to Teya. She didn't understand it.

It was her only vote for a while. She smiled when Aiden voted for himself. Maia had expected Shenanigans to do the same thing, with all of her talk of queens, but she hadn't! Instead she chose to follow Chickadee, which wasn't exactly a decision, but it did show trust. It warmed her heart to see the two growing so close.

Three for herself, three for Teya. Teya and Eljay would be the deciding votes, and it felt fitting that they would bookend it like this. All the other Raven needed to do was put her own name forward and the position would be hers. Considering one of Maia's own votes had come to her a bit by default, it was probably the best outcome too.

But that didn't happen.

Maia looked at Teya with shock as the Raven put her name forward instead. Are you sure?!. She almost blurted it out without even thinking, but managed to stop herself. If Teya had wanted it, it had been hers. Maia didn't think that Eljay would have caused a tie, and if he had, she'd have obviously deferred. But Teya had voted for her.

Maia didn't know what to say. She looked around and was suddenly hit with the deep, uncomfortable feeling of a lot of eyes focused on her. Eyes that were probably pretty disappointed now with how this vote turned out. Oh, oh no....

She'd wanted this. But she'd known she wouldn't deserve it in the eyes of the pack and somehow, despite winning, she couldn't help but still feel that way. Maia swallowed some of the panic and nodded. She needed to say something.

Thanks. I'll... do my best.

It wasn't even that big of a deal. Being Auspex was barely different than being a Raven; she knew this. It didn't really help.

In the end his mom got it, which was fine.  Bluejay didn't really care who the Auspex was (and still didn't honestly know what it even meant) but it seemed like things were done now, so he didn't have to sit here and listen anymore. 

There was another guy with scars, not as much as Bronco, but Jay stared for a bit.  Then he decided that he absolutely needed to work on earning some scars of his own because apparently, outside of his dad, that was a thing guys did.

After a few moments caught up in the dream, he was bounding off in search of someone to play with.

Shenanigans tittered when Aiden voted for himself, though otherwise she didn’t pay too much attention to anyone else’s votes. She kept staring at Chickadee, waiting and wondering which candidate they would be supporting. It felt like hours before the little girl declared their vote for Mama Maia.

Yay! Mama Maia! she chirped, equally happy to support Chickadee and Maia, who had become her sister and mother, respectively.

Papa Eljay formally declared Maia the new leader a few minutes later. Shenanigans wriggled excitedly, twirling and bumping into Chickadee. There was a sense of victory, even though any of the wolves who had been named today would have made a wonderful Auspex too.

Like Jay, Shenanigans wanted to go play now. But before she left, she ran up to the new “king,” bowed and even lifted one of Maia’s paws to kiss it, giggling all the while. The affectionate respect was genuine, even if the flair came straight out of one of her Mama Maia’s fairytales.

Your Majesty, Shenanigans said soberly, eyes twinkling as she set the new Auspex’s foot back on the ground and whirled, running off to play with a cry of her favorite sister’s name.

this was how it should be. teya's lips trembled a little as eljay announced maia. it was not grief nor regret; it was pride.
and a thousand other things, watching the man support his wife in this moment of accomplishment.
it was envy, not of maia's status but of maia's marriage.
the children dispelled much of the moment by issuing forward. teya laughed, nudging any of them near playfully before tilting her head back in a song of praise and pride.

it was going to be mama! chickadee danced in place, even as jay took off! she wanted to follow, but kept close to shenanigans.
she kissed mama and then daddy, then barked happily to sorana, to join she and the others as they ran after her brother.
she had known no other home than brecheliant, and the caldera would be her fondest memory.

Bridget enjoyed the look of shock on Maia's face as the vote met its conclusion and felt a strong rush of affection for her and for Eljay. For this entire pack, really, and the way that no one in it seemed to hold themselves with any more importance than the others. It felt rarer than she'd like.

Great job, ladybug. Bridget murmured to Sorana, giving the girl a brief and glowing smile. She didn't want the job but she'd appreciated the vote of confidence. Then she stood, leaving the young friends to mingle as she joined in on the call.

Aiden wasn't picked in the end, which was a mild disappointment, but he vowed to prove himself for the future. For now, he got up to wander off to his mother and the gathering there. Aiden pushed his sisters out of the way somewhat to get to Maia and he nipped at her chin in a silent gesture of 'congratulations'.

All at once, Sorana was hit with a tidal wave of suffocating guilt.

She wanted to withdraw her vote the moment it left her lips. It wasn't that she felt Bridget wasn't capable. In fact, of all the wolves Sora knew, she would say Bridget was the most capable, given that she lived life on three legs and still performed as well as any other wolf in Brecheliant. It was knowing that her vote was made selfishly, knowing her mom was qualified and capable, and feeling she would be disappointed in Sora for not voting for her.

Shame rolled over her, followed by anxiety, then more shame. It came off her in waves that strengthened with every vote cast for Teya. Her mom deserved the recognition, but Sora needed her, but she deserved it, and the pack deserved a great Auspex, but Sora needed her—

Then it was done, and at the end of it, Maia was the one. Sorana let out a silent sigh of relief, only to swallow it back with another crushing bout of shame. Now Aiden, Chickadee, Jay, and Ceridwen would have to deal with their mom being more busy than before, and how was that fair to them? Sorana could handle it, they didn't deserve it, and now everyone would see how selfish she was because she hadn't voted for her own mom...

Bridget whispered to her, but Sora didn't feel at all like she'd done a great job. Her friends were running off to play, but she felt like she didn't deserve to join them. She had been selfish today and now her friends would pay for that; nevermind that their dad had been Auspex before and now had the time their mother would be devoting to the job. The adults would notice if she acted differently — although there was no way they hadn't noticed already that something was wrong — so she made as though to chase after her friends, just until she was out of sight, and then she tore away through the trees in another direction, seeking to hide from everyone's judgment.

just wrapping up. feel free to tack on another post whoever wants (no post order), if not i'll archive it next week. <3

All responded in each their own way. Some excited, some hard to read on the matter. The kids went off to play, but Sorana oddly stayed behind. Eljay noticed this, but he was too wrapped up in Maia and Teya to really pay it too much notice. Besides, Bridget was already talking to Sorana as well.

Maia looked positively nervous, but Eljay had a feeling that she would get over that in due time - she just needed to get used to the idea, and she would do great. Teya seemed to agree with that, for she tipped her head back in a joyous song that Eljay joined in on.

Eventually the wolves all dispersed, and Eljay felt good. Relieved that he did not have to carry the burden of leadership anymore, for he could feel that his body was not what it used to be and his mind had trouble keeping up, too; he needed to focus on his family now, and he'd never been really leadership material to begin with. Besides that, he felt a strong feeling of unity and camaraderie; of family. This was what Brecheliant was about and had always been about. This was the way it was supposed to feel. Relaxed and easy.

I hope you're proud of what we've built, Wraen, he thought quietly to himself as he sat in the meeting place until all the others had left and it was finally time for him and the new Auspex to head back to their home.