Lamb to the Slaughter [pack meeting]

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 She returned after an outing across the desert, little white tail bobbing with each step. She'd been restless, thinking of ideas for this. Her teeth gleamed, reflected in the light of the full moon high above. Oh yes, she and her little playthings - that is, her Children - would be shining like gems across the fields of sand. She wondered if @Caligula would still be near, present to witness her pack's first meeting.

 She swept into the Eye, circling the Pupil and rubbing herself against it giddily.

 A circumnavigation complete, she would stop at the entrance and would howl down into it. “My Children, come, join me under the light of the Full Moon!” The call would be repeated into the night's sky for those of hers who preferred to sleep in their own little dens of their own making. After shaking out her pelt, the woman climbed the precarious path up the Pupil and sat atop the stone tower, waiting for her group to ascend and meet her.

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Nyra watched the return of Mother from the mouth of her den in the Eye, head tilted slightly at the giddy pep in her step.
Eventually a gleeful call arose, and the Wardog made her way out at once, finding a place to sit where she could see Mother and hear everything to be said. 

What was happening?
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^^

Mr. Big was on her way… somewhere, with a mixture of items in her mouth that ranged from birb feathers and herbs, and maybe even a bone. She’d not seen the Mother yet today, but noted the call with the twist of a very large ear.

Ah, this sounded fun. She, too, would avert her course to be seen, of course stashing the feathers and herbs in her own coat for safe keeping right now, while she settled down, within sight, redorange eyes narrowing as ears continued to turn this way and that.

What was this about?

^^
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When the call had gone up, Draco had been playing with little lizards, digging into their nests and watching them scatter. The call had made him pause, mid-dig, as his broken ears swerved around. Ah, Andraste was calling for her pack, her children. Draco wasn’t exactly sure if he would consider himself a Child to this Mother, he knew he was a follower of this Right Hand to the Goddess of Death.

Draco was quick to make his way towards her call and could see some other pack members looking up at the Pupil, which stood their Queen. Draco sat close to the pupil, as much as he could, and still saw Andraste atop the stone. Maybe this was a call to hunt, or at least plans to hunt. They shared the same hungers, and he assumed the rest of Sanitorium did as well. He watched with contained excitement.

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“Fuckin... Evenin' mommy.” Leathery vibrato, a vision of death and blood; Zagreus, with all his bastard might, appeared out of thin air with that same old familiar big-dick waddle. He didn't know why he'd been summoned, if it weren't for the fact he was already out and about taking a piss, he likely would have slept through her call. Things were boring around here, what else was there to do but sleep?

Regardless, he flung himself onto the sands, allowing a yawn to show off his sabers to all those who wished to see. “And mom-ettes.”

—

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Editing to acknowledge Zag and Drac! Didn’t see their posts LOL

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It was night and everyone was up and about — including the World Eater. He would hear the Mother’s call from a mile or so away from The Eye. Promptly stopping himself as he eyes down another large jackrabbit. He would resist the urge to hunt in that moment, steeling his features into a more grim expression as he begins a steady trot towards the summons.

Jumping down gracefully into The Eye and slinking around to stand beside Nyra, his head and eyes move to take in a woman he has not seen yet. Staring at her with hellfire orbs filled with scrutinizing interest, his gaze would only remain on her for some time before looking towards the one known and Draco. He doesn’t know his name of course, but he does know he’s never seen him before. He would stare at him with confident, but searching eyes as well. Stopping the new and deeper scowl from taking over his face. It doesn’t help when the black and white male with the long fangs shows up too. Alduin would visibly scowl then, turning his gaze away from the rest to finally land on the Mother. Patiently awaiting whatever order, or speech, she may give, he stands beside his pale war maiden silently.
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Night descended and as it did, Mehalt emerged from the den that she had claimed her own, smelling of fresh poisons brewed in the dim lights, new experiments to be tested. The walls of the eye loomed, moonlight obscured, and Mehalt followed Andraste's voice without question until she saw the pale wolf standing under the starlight. She saw her circling the center of the eye, rock reaching towards the moon -- full and prominent against the blackness of the sky.

Curiosity filled her, and Mehalt watched as Andraste mounted the rock to sit above the rest of her Children that had gathered. Mehalt came a respectable distance from the rock, staying a few lengths away from the rest of the group, keeping a slight distance but not enough to be questionable. She did not know these wolves so well yet, and she did not want to venture too close.
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Misha was sleeping soundly in the den at the outskirts. The ear-splitting howl of Mother woke him up with a start and he found himself snarling. Can't a damn man get some sleep for once, sometimes he swore joining a nocturnal pack was the dumbest thing he could have done. He was going to rip everyone's tongues out and use them as a pillow at this rate.

Perhaps just a 'bit' grumpy from being awoken, Misha head to the iris, the source of the sounds, leaving no time to deviate and yet he was so sluggish it seemed like most have even beat him to the punch, freaks, all of them. As he surveyed all the familiar, and still unfamiliar faces, he spotted one that was in a middle-ground. Was that Draco? It was! Misha made sure to walk leisurely towards his side where he would proceed to sit down next to him with a charming smile and a wink. Nice to see more cuties joining the pack.

Misha then focused his attention onto Andraste, a yawn escaping his maw in the process.
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He recognized two of them, unfortunately. Caligula's attention swept towards Alduin and Nyra immediately, his concern evident. They were two creatures he would certainly need to inform @Andraste about when they had a moment. Their loyalties were worth bringing into question considering how desperately they had tried to force themselves into the Nightwalkers, and now.. now they were here? Curious. Still, Caligula didn't expose himself but settled among the shadows, watching with intent as the woman called together her brood. Mother was an interesting term, not one he would have chosen himself.. clearly. Caligula watched intently, his attention never wavering for long.

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 Last, but no less loyal than all the others she would slip from her den. Eyes would lift upwards to see the almighty form of Andraste perched on high. The woman would give a quick grin to the Mother before settling amongst the others. Many others. My, how they'd grown.

Oh wait, there was Zag! Hastily she would make her way over to sit next to him. He was freaking hot, could anyone blame her? Besides, she was certain that she had his attention.

 Her gaze would raise up, ready to listen to the reason for the summoning.

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NPC'd in Scarecrow for the first round! No posting order, but if we could get everyone in by the... 6th of September, that would keep it moving decently!

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 Movement struck her eyes and she watched in delight as faces began appearing. One, two, until all of her Children were present. She even spotted the delightful one-eyed man in the shadows, her own eyes brightening as she gazed upon him. She would glance at Exalted, wondering if the girl had noticed their visitor - one whom the witch had spoken to her about at least twice. With this she would notice the girl's attention towards Zagreus - her lips tweaked in approval. After seeing the blessed girl fighting among Misha and Scarecrow, it was good to see her bonding with at least one of them.

 Nevertheless, most were silently watching, hungry for her words - besides Zagreus who flung his lewdities about as often as not. He entertained her, though she still could not figure out what was going on in his brain. The strange little prophecy from the coyote in the sands came to mind and she considered it.

 Was Zagreus the red bird? Or Nosebleed, who she never did hesitate to humiliate. No, that was far too obvious. Misha? Not Exalted. Perhaps one of the two newcomers.

 She cleared it from her mind.

 “Good Eve, my Children - and our esteemed guest from the west,” her tongue would flash up over her teeth. Perhaps... perhaps he might be a Father as she was a Mother. After all, he was father to at least some of those within her womb. It would be fitting, she thought with amusement and no small amount of desire. Did he have to stay loyal to a man who stank as if he purposefully rolled in every dead thing he ever came across?

 “Tonight, on this full moon, I have two subjects to discuss with all of you.” Besides Caligula, she thought sadly, “The first is this - What Discipleship you each shall have. There are four distinct ones at current and they are all equal to one another.”

 “The first: Disciple of the Body. These are diplomats to those outside, peacekeepers within. Sparring and bickering is normal in a family, but bloodshed must be watched to ensure no true harm befalls any of us from within.” She would not be lenient on any wolf - or otherwise - who was to weaken the pack by injuring one of their own. A missing leg (or tail, ironically) would cause unnecessary strain upon their kind. With how often the Children seemed to fight, they needed this.

 “The second: Disciple of the Soul. These speak of the Truth - of our part in Death's bidding. When,” not if “We bring home captured wolves or otherwise who are worth more than just their bodies, these Disciples shall be those who take these captives - the Damned - and... lead them to belief.” In what ever way necessary, she added silently and with a smirk. This would be a role of mental manipulation, of twisting the mind and bringing it to the light.

 “Thirdly, the Disciples of the Flesh. These are our hunters. If you are one of these, it is your task to bring home the Damned who may benefit us - be it alive or dead. The lesser meats, also, are supplements and supplied by these Disciples.” She pondered for a moment who might desire this savage role - perhaps her two newest playthings.

 “Finally, the Disciples of the Bone.” Her eyes flashed to Mehalt, then to Moira. “These are those skilled in both medicine and poison. If you are one of these, you keep us alive while keeping those who call themselves our enemies...” her teeth gleamed with implication.

 Finally done with describing the roles, she looked out over the group. “Speak which Discipleship you desire,” or become simple Sinners. “Or offer a Fifth.” She licked her lips again and glanced Caligula's way. Was he entertained by her show? She was entertaining herself, for certain - an actress, a witch. A manipulator... but how fun it was!

 She spoke as if she believed every word she said.

 Perhaps she did.

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Nyra noted the incoming form of Alduin, who placed himself beside her. She smiled at him and offered a brief bump to his shoulder with her own, a silent hello, brother as Misha, Exalted, Zagreus The Grumpy, a wholesome-looking fox (Moira) and others arrived.
Glancing toward Caligula, Nyra forced herself to stay seated, a sudden rise to her hackles and a low, unseen growl as her hellfire-gold hues took the man in as he did to her. No doubt he'd end up talking to Andraste to try and get her and Alduin thrown out.
She wouldn't put it past the asshole. The assumptions ate at her mind, as did a swelling desire to tear Caligula apart, crunch his windpipe and devour him from the inside out like a fresh kill-- 
No.
Not yet. Best to stay put, not make a scene. Andraste must've let the grizzled fuckface in. 
Nyra glanced to Alduin sidelong, to see if he also noticed. 

Then, Mother spoke. She explained the reason of summons, and listed the discipleships currently available. Or offer a fifth? Perhaps warriors, protectors? A Discipleship of the Blood... 

Nyra would suggest this personally at a later point. For now, she would take... 

"Disciple of the Flesh for myself, Mother." Nyra raised her voice for the Divine Mother to hear, while also briefly meeting her eyes to try and hint at the desire to suggest a fifth path. A warriors path. Would it work? 

​​​​​Her gaze flicked to Alduin again. Would he choose similarly?
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So the Mother wished to know where and how to place her children, and Mr. Big found herself wondering if she ought to hit the door. It was clear that she did not belong - as if size and species hadn’t been the first clue.

None of the Disciples reached out or called to her; none of them would benefit someone of her size; everything required muscle that Mr. Big just didn’t have, in comparison to the rest of the baddies here.

The Body seemed nice, she supposed, but oh - who would take her seriously, when they could just throw their weight around and eat her, as Mother herself had already suggested. Not that she minded being eaten; death would come eventually, and Mr.Big did not fear it. Though it seemed rude to continuously threaten it and toss it around like it mattered.

And while she supposed she could take up the life of medicines and poisons -- she already knew about the tasty herbs, that line of work was not up her alley. One of the white ones spoke up, and Mr. Big sighed, flickering an ear. Too bad there wasn’t a Disciple for her to put these gigamax’d ears to use.

Offer a fifth? Seemed promising, but she had no ideas and was not creative enough to think of a fifth on the spot that would appeal to the Mother.

“I will go with the Body, for now, I guess.”

Because any answer was better than no answer at all.

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Misha found himself listening, tuning out all the other clowns. He could be entertained and or deal with them another time. This moment was far too important he realized. This was when he would be granted power, and he wanted much as possible. The white male could feel himself instinctively licking his lips in anticipation ever-so slowly. He expected her to mention him with his own rank of strength. Any minute now... But she never did. Didn't she agree to let him be her apprentice? To teach him how to kill gods?! Hot anger boiled in himself but on the outside he wore that same cold smile. He was not about to allow himself to be swindled as another cog in the machine.

"Um excuse me..." he would begin to get her attention, his movements aloof and yet serpent-like due to the rigid movements being mixed with the elegance and dexterity of a dancer. The slavic tone already entering his voice.

"I mean yes, if I was a normal wolf, being a disciple of soul would be of course my choice. Alas, I am not, so while this is interesting and all..." He trailed off as he causally examined his paw in the manner you would expect from a petty bitch before she was about to stick her pointed words into you. For the act he made sure to look back with an expression that was unusual of Misha. A solid frown, no smile, no games to be played here. This was as serious as he could be and even his voice seemed to reflect that with his next words as he spoke Russian to her.

"YA stoyu bol'shego. Ty sdelal menya svoim uchenikom, pomnish'? Togda ya trebuyu zvaniye, podkhodyashcheye dlya takoy roli. YA otdal tebe svoyu vechnuyu dushu. YA vyshe obychnykh roley i zvaniy, my s toboy dolzhny khorosho eto znat', Andraste."

(I am worth more. You made me your apprentice, remember? I demand a rank suited for such a role then. I gave you my eternal soul. I am above normal roles and ranks, you and I should know this well, Andraste.)

He would finish, with a look that was not challenging but prompting. Calling her by her actual name to show he was ready to struggle on this hill.
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Zagreus hadn't beckoned her, but she came. Thick and busty, seating herself at his side like the good little girl she was. He glanced up at her from his bed within the sands, possessively wrapping his daddled tail around her waist like a belt that only she could notch up. The male wasn't a faithful sort, but for now, she was his favourite toy. Rightfully earned, too.

Momentarily did his eyes begin to close, but Mommy opened her slutty lips and began rambling off ranks as if he fit into one. For a second he had spread his toothy muzzle, attempting to offer a rank for the more... Intelligent, manipulative lot like he was... But then suddenly his ears were covered in shit as Misha busted a nut of self-pity onto the ground in front of them. He'd never heard such horrible Russian, or maybe he just had too much sand in his ears to follow. “...Why is the Russian coming out of his ass...” Muttering up at Ex, a chuckle in his teeth.

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The children of the mother gathered, and Draco sat among them. As his eyes glanced around, he actually recognized Misha. They had met before, and Draco hadn’t exactly gotten the cannibal vibes from him, but it seemed they shared preferences. Plus, it seemed Andraste had done well. There were a good number of followers, each willing to dedicate to her. It was truly convincing Draco that maybe she was the right hand of death.

As Andraste went over the ranks, he instantly knew what he would be, but he also felt kind of up in the air with it. “Either Soul or Flesh.” He licked his teeth while meeting her eyes when they would fall upon him. There was the need to hunt, to kill, but if he could be used elsewhere while maintaining his diet, then he could live with that.

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 Ah, how she felt a shiver run up her spine. Butterflies blossoming in her stomach at the curl of a tail around her waist. Her heartbeat quickened but she tried to play it off with nothing but a stoic expression... but one could see the slightly redder nose from her blush and the way she leaned into his touch.

 The meeting commenced and there was a mention to their guest. Her gaze turned towards the shadows where the war-torn general lurked. Ah, it was him... and he was impressive. Stark white and despite not having fangs, he was a large fellow with exploits of his battles written all over his pelt. A worthy man to donate to their gene pool. There would be approval in that gaze as she turned back to look at Andraste and listen further to what was said.

 Ah, ranks.

 It seemed as if she wouldn't be handed anything on a silver platter. Just because she was kin didn't mean that she didn't have to work for a high-rank like everyone else. Fine. She would prove herself. The light of challenge was lit in her gaze as she prepared to speak her rank... but then he spoke.

 Exalted didn't speak Russian and thus had no idea what he was saying. One ear flattened, the other perked forward at him as she narrowed her eyes in confusion. When Zag spoke... she realized that he might be able to understand the man. She looked down at him and spoke, "Do you understand, The Soft-Brain? I speak not his tongue." What was it that he was clamoring on about?

 She would wait to hear an explanation from Zag and then... a lovely idea would form in her mind. Andraste had given out ranks to claim but what if she suggested her own? To take up the offer of a Fifth? Maybe it would stick in the Soft-Brain's craw.

 "Divine Mother, might I suggest for myself something a bit... different? I would wish to educate the youth, the pups, as well as offer myself to bear more children for our cause after my first heat. To offer those white of coat for the future and to help fill our ranks." For who else held a pure white coat and all of the Divine traits? Certainly not Misha, only the Mother did. "If this is not okay, I will take the rank of Soul."** For she believed in the teachings with all of her heart and believed that the Mother was next to Death Itself.

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 She waited, listening.

 Disciple of the Flesh for Nyra - she nodded approvingly. She had not expected any less. “Welcome, Nyra, Disciple of the Flesh.”

 Disciple of the Body for Moira - another nod. The girl was small so a violent role would not fit her, but if she grew to know how to use her words well, then good for her. Hopefully her Children would listen. “Welcome, Moira, Disciple of the Body.”

 Then Misha spittled and spat about being greater than others, being made her apprentice. She watched him silently - heard the mumblings from the direction of Zagreus and Exalted though the words did not reach her ears. Her gaze upon Misha was cold, authoritative. “Докажи, Миша. Вы получите свое Суждение.” — "Prove it, Misha. You will receive your Judgement." She would need to decide on what Judgement would befall him - one to fit his new rank of Disciple of Soul. “Welcome, Misha, Disciple of the Soul.”

 Zagreus did not speak and she made note of it, Alduin also remained silent. If they would not be Disciples, then so be it. Mehalt, also, was silent, yet her role was already decided on, if she decided to stay.

 Flesh for Draco, unless Misha failed in his Discipleship of Soul. “Welcome, Draco, Disciple of the Flesh.” They needed those who would protect them, who would bring in sinners to teach and mold into something great.

 And Exalted, oh, beautiful little Exalted. She spoke of a Fifth - the first and only to have the strength and mind to do so. She listened with interest as the girl explained her idea. A Disciple of children, of teaching youth, ah yes. Her thoughts went to the current names and she settled on one. “Good. Welcome, Exalted, Disciple of the Womb. I shall teach you and you shall also be Soul in the meantime.” She would not allow the girl to injure herself by attempting to begin her first heat too early - she was still young.

 “Thank you for your time, my Children and visitors-” her eyes passed over those who had remained silent, an edge passed only to those besides Caligula. She did not desire those who would strike fires and fight her authority. With that, her eyes flashed to Misha. “Misha. Come with me.” She made her way down the rock and left, expecting Misha to follow. If he did not, well, she would find him and make him listen.

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Exit! If anyone wants to reply, you can, otherwise I'll archive in a week's time.

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