[pack meeting] If I Had A Sister, I'd Sell Her In A Second

@Altair, @Kei, @Vendrussel, @Belial, @Chasm, @Monarch, @"Wither", @Jósteinn, @Olympia-Elune, and @Scourge. I understand that some are busy/NPC but I tagged everyone for visibility! I encourage participation but if you are too busy to post, you can simply retcon that your character was present and listened to the meeting but did not speak up.

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He had heard enough of @Ragnar's side of things, now he had to hear Vendrussel's side of this war. He would put her actions on trial and open for all to hear. In their last meeting, Vendrussel simply announced war with no real reason why today they would learn why.

Aarkron let out a bellowing howl to summon all the dragons to him. His call was demanding for attention, alarmed at what he learned. If none other than Vendrussel appeared then so be it. He would hear her words for himself and that alone was good enough.

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She had heard the howl and frowned. It was unusual for someone else besides Kei or herself to be calling the pack, and though it brought a slight tension rising from her frame, she started to move over with calm notions. Within her homeland it was unheard of for the lower ranks to call a meeting unless something happened, a messenger to be, informing of battles and wars, or even calling for an adjust action by the leaders. Though it was in truth, they were in midst of a long-drawn out battle with the neighbor, and worried slightly, something had happened on the matter.

"You called the ford?" Vendrussel approached Aarkon with a neutral stance, she wasn't extremely fond of the motion he done, and yet didn't display an anger. Everything had a reason, she thought, and since the man who been on the downlow since his fight on the brim, was an unusual sight to be the caller.. She sat to listen, unknowing, she was to be on trial.

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Through the silence the storm raged on. A false sense of calm had shrouded the isles despite her knowing all too well what waited at their door. Another day had come to pass as the sun colored the sky and melted into frigid waters, but it seemed for Dragonford, the day was not quite over. A call summoned the pack to which Kei answered without another thought.

For her, it was not particularly strange to hear a summons from general members, there were many reasons one could call, but a note in the man's tune suggested his matter was serious. Vendrussel had beaten her but it seemed the rest were still lagging. Gold eyes shifted between their alpha and the scar-laden man as she took a seat. “What's goin' on?”

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^^

Oly had been prepared to ignore the sound of canine yet it had been the scent of Vendrussel that had drawn the cub near. Eagerly the cub slunk forward with thudding paws, not quite yet skilled with stealth as she was still growing and soon enough, the gathering of wolves were before her. Elune's pale gaze located Vendrussel and she purred as she approached, uncaring to greet anyone else as she eagerly rubbed her head against Vendrussel's shoulder.

The tiger cub dropped to the ground then and rolled onto her back, curling her tail around the Dragoness if allowed.
^^

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He couldn't care less what Vendrussel thought about him calling a meeting. Things were a miss. Things were kept from them even though their lives were being dragged in for her war that she had possibly started with no good reason. “Yes.” he said cooly, even if he was certain her question was rhetorical—they were here after all. Of course he called the Ford. It wasn't the wind singing a song sounding like him that accidentally brought them to him.

“I want to know exactly why we are at war with our neighbours.” He'd look around to everyone who gathered despite addressing Vendrussel rather obviously. “You killed s crippled child of theirs on neutral lands. Why?” There had to be a good reason for it. If there wasn't, his questions would not end until he and everyone knew exactly who Vendrussel was.

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The tigress rolled, a carefree attitude despite a tension hanging within the air. She craned her neck to look over, a silent gaze of 'do not speak,' but an allowance to play with her tail. Despite such size, she was still a child — full of energy and uncaring to the more intensity that brought to pack meetings. It surely wasn't something small, either.

Perhaps to be expected, "That is my fault for not explaining further," Vendrussel fully took the blame. In a rush of everything around, and not informing the entirety of what may be.. Only Kei, and herself, knew the fruits of everything that happened. The tensions rising and the continual drumming between two — and wolves, thrown in the midst without all the knowledge of it, "I apologize," and the Alpha, though did not hang her head, she looked at Aarkon and fully took the blame.

"It started when we discovered this land, though Northfall barely had their own borders, they came to scout who we were. Their leader, Ragnar, seemed to be fine with us claiming this, and yet his company, and even his children, were especially displeased. His children, not one or twice, but at least three times have invaded so, once alongside with a woman assumed to be their mother. Despite having such weak borders, they continued coming here and lashing, and Ragnar, continually not stopping his kin."

She looked over at Kei, who was the only one in truth interacted with the man. Vendrussel in truth hasn't even seen the leader, but rather the bashing of all his kin, "they had threatened us on our land, despite being the ones invading, and calling us fools to be so close. Yet, there was no knowledge they even had a pack at the time. They were very weak, but cared more about us then their own. In truth, we did not know we were neighbors until we were told."

She still remembered the young son of them coming to her land, and the mother, following through. Calling them fools and when in return spoke the same, threats were made between. Clashing of words, but not yet a true strife of any battles.. Just yet. Vendrussel closed her eyes just for a moment. She knew within her heart, she was not in the wrong. Even amongst all of this, peace could've been given if they were not so greedy, and so thirsty for a fight. If only Ragnar had controlled his family, perhaps she would not have been slain, "It seemed there was no knowledge of our peace from Ragnar, for his young and woman came and demanded answers — continuing to call this isle, their claim."

A man who had no control over his wolves was a useless leader. However, perhaps she took the same foolish path, and forgo to explaining on the whole side of the story. Intertwined to what to do and protect what she fought for, the isle, the wolves.. It all had been brought without properly informing, them all of everything. That was the one regret, Vendrussel will now fix.

"Their young, which I had given a warriors death, had brought her fangs first. She came to the brim, and upon first warning of telling her to 'leave,' she had attacked. She was a year old, and though lost a leg, she was a fine warrior. I have given three warnings, to pull back, each time my own claws and fangs hesitating, until the final moment where no matter what, she would not give in. Turning my own back, would lead to my own death."

There was no regret in the death that was gained, "as a warrior, she knew the consequences, and yet continued. An honorable death, to which then I took her body to her home, to be laid to rest as a true warrior of their kin." She gazed at Aarkon, and in truth did not know how he would react to this.. The Alpha even gazed at the rest who listened in, for she knew that the slaughter of someone young was met with skeptism, and even disdain.. She worried more about those of the ford thought then the enemies, as a blue gaze came back to him, "and that was when I pushed off their cliff and survived with a broken leg."

But Vendrussel would repeat it all over again.

Some part of her wanted to throw blame onto Ragnar and Sindri. Yet they were not the ones on the current trial, and let their names be left in the dust. She blamed them, not properly informing their young, training, and overall controlling and comfort. Like a fire she breathed, she raged through the isle and the brim, an anger that didn't seem only directed at herself, but the situation overall.

To the end, though, she was with honor.

"Not once have I entered their mountains, except to bring their young back."

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Had Venny not told them? Why the hell would anyone fight without a reason? Clearly, it wasn't a secret since the seaborn had no issue recounting the events though they were unpleasant all the same. Truthfully, she wasn't happy that Vendrussel had killed the girl either trespasser or not. She was still a kid...wrong as she may be. Kei didn't blame the wolves of the mountain for being pissed, but she did blame Ragnar for not handling his family to prevent further disturbances.

“She was stupid.” Perhaps the only insight she'd add to the list. It wasn't honor that drove her to fight, it was her stance on justice and what she believed was right in the name of her family. A childish mindset at best thinking she was the hero, though she couldn't be blamed for her ignorance. Kei would know best of course, even if her excuse no longer fell on youth. “Not a reason for death but definitely a cause. No one wants to kill kids.”

At least...she didn't think Vendrussel did? Briefly, she glanced to the woman though she'd quickly push down any doubts. She's known her since she was a yearling, of course she didn't want to kill the girl. That kid was just persistent...actions had consequences...even had she walked away from their shores there was no promise another pack wouldn't do the same in time.

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^^

Olympia had caught the signal from Vendrussel and had been fine to abide by it, happily playing with the dragoness' tail with slobber and teeth. Until... the tension in the air began to nibble at her and the cub's curved ears cuffed forward, her ghostly gaze narrowing in on the white wolf who seemed to be unfriendly towards her dragoness. Still a cub but growing quickly, the feline rolled onto her belly and stood before Vendrussel, her vocals licking her subconscious soothingly but still the possessive, childish protective streak roared to life within the pale tiger. Olympia curled herself slowly around Ven's side, drawing from behind and sidled up against her shoulders before she drew her lips back and gave a horrid hiss, agitated eyes upon the man.

Uncaring to the mention of dead children, youth like herself, Olympia dared him to return words that went against her gospel known as Vendrussel's voice. She heard the dark wolf side with her dragoness and a shiver of delight went up her spine, thick tail curling at the tip as she slid her gaze towards the darkened wolf. Good, this one she liked. Oly had been fine until the tone had shifted and her defence of Vendrussel felt dire -- though untrained she would certainly put the show on and if the horrid scarred beast wanted to give attitude, the girl would ensure she grew with training and in the end, she'd drown him in the waters she had arrived here in.

The dragoness was hers. ^^

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Vendrussel gave a long-winded explanation. At least she was talking freely without needing to pull teeth, but Aarkron's feathers were still ruffled by it all. Even Kei agreed with their 'leader' which didn't help to ease the anger that bubbled up within the resting fighter.

“There was no honour in it.” He snapped. The normally rather calm and lumbering man stood tall and strong with his beliefs. “She was crippled. Her death was dealt by a coward.” One who let themselves get tossed off a cliff by someone who had one less leg to boot! That of course he would keep to himself, a low blow even for him when speaking of honour.

“A yearling knows nothing of an honourable death, you should know this.” He was practically disgusted, even with the explanation she gave. Paying no mind to the young tigress who was shooting him glares. Of course she too would not know the heaviness of this situation within her own young age. Perhaps she never would considering she was of a different species. “The punishment should have been on Ragnar, not a child.” He had little else to say. Only lingering long enough to hear Vendrussel out one last time if she had something else to add to her plea. Regardless of what others saw in the situation, Aarkron heard enough of this "war" of theirs.

“You are no leader of mine.” Would be his final words before walking off to leave the "dragons" behind.

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"Stupidity is this war. A wish that Ragnar would cease his wolves, especially his young, on attacking our land." Her tail wisped in front of Olympia, like a warning to do no more. For some reason did the small tigress take a liking to her, and with someone challenging her with such hostility in his words.. She did not want the feline to attack a man who was with questions, that were well deserved. She shot a look at Kei, relief within her view at least someone was upon her side.

She did not want to kill kids.

"You come from somewhere else, my homeland was of warriors. Those who attack have the life of others carried upon their shoulders, and likewise, an expectations that same life, their own, could be taken," she shook her head lightly, "she has more honor then anyone on their mountain." At the very least in death itself, they would not be badmouthed. Even as she much as disliked these Northfall wolves, who do not deserve an ounce of respect from her bones ; the one who truly fought to the death was far more honorable.

"Though sounds of excuses, in the end I do not wish to repeat it." Vendrussel did not desire bloodshed upon the beaches ; even if now the other party demanded this blood. One could only hope one life itself was enough on this bounty, but the war will continue raging on. Endlessly, until one or the other, a leaders head topples.

She would make sure it's not hers.

"I can only wish you well, Aarkon, may The Ancients guide you to your own path." A man who emerged from the camel, and her only regret was not talking to him more. A shock to her in the land where she held more humor, though during these times was a bit more serious.. Learning and going as she was ; yet in the end Vendrussel was still a child, who had taken the life of another child.

She knew with such blood on her paws, and war looming within the back — there was no fighting those who want to leave... She only wish him well, but not welcome him back.

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He had heard the call, distant and weathered against the sound of rough seas and still biting winds. It wasn’t a familiar voice, but Altair hadn’t quite integrated himself so well into the culture that Dragonford possessed. He had been something else, more of a go between for them and his own homeland, and any downtime beyond that had been to upkeep on border or another. Still, he steered himself inward and towards the source… and arrived at its tail end to snippets and the departure of a face he had maybe seen in passing.

It was hard to mask the notion that he was lost, though the yearling certainly tried.

His gaze sought Vendrussel before wheeling away to watch Aarkon’s retreat; the tension could not have been mistaken—if there was one thing he had come to understand, it was that war stoked more than idly at the fire. It burned hot, scorching already worried and singed fraying tempers. Even he wasn’t immune to it, for the smoke cast off blackened his mood as the pale wolf slipped from view.
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Really Kei couldn't say she approved of the death, but it was done at this point. There was no pleasure in it for anyone involved and she still felt it could have been easily avoided. Unfortunately, Ragnar did not want to see reason in that or control his family from wandering where they didn't belong, stretch of beach claimed or not. She would agree though that Ragnar would be better suited for punishment than his young daughter.

Kei wasn't about to fight over it though. There was no fixing this mess with pretty words (as if hers were pretty in the first place) and she had already tried that avenue. War is war. It's messy and full of loss. If Aarkron wasn't going to fight their war then he was better off leaving. He would only hinder them if he disagreed with them and there's no forcing someone into your justification. The shadow would only linger for a moment as the scarred man turned tail before she too turned to leave though she moved for the inner islands. Hell if she was wasting time with whatever fallout happened here, now there was a larger pile of shit to deal with.

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