[TB] in this organization, there is a way

S E R E K
you kneel before my throne
unaware it was born of lies

Serek's ear flicked as the other ungulate approached, side-eyeing the creature. He was familiar, to an extent, but he held an air of importance that set the hybrid on edge. He mentioned the Kingdom of the Seven. They were familiar. He'd learned of them in Cetus, among the Children of Rot. With ears perked, he looked over the white stag, eyes tracing the antlers rivaling his own horns.

Not nearly as much thought was offered to much of the rest of the gathering. As the leader called for the rest to follow if they liked, Serek had already bent and taken the tourmaline in his mouth and had begun to pace away.

An ear flicked back when his name was called. Dark eyes turned with his head, slowly moving with his body to look. He knew that voice. His mother had seen him. Despite his cold exterior, his heart felt like bursting through his chest and he almost wanted to cry. It'd been way, way too long since he heard her voice. His cynical demeanor had broken as he placed the gem back down, bowing his head. "Mother-" he whimpered out, holding onto his fragile mental armor he'd shielded himself with for so long.

Her touch broke through as he tried to keep the dam from overflowing. Emotions streamed from his heart to his face as moisture gathered under his eyelids. This was real. He was here with his mother. His movements, nosings and soft headbutts were a touch hard as he reaffirmed what he felt. She was here. He was with her. They were both okay.

"I've been okay," he spoke softly, sitting and keeping his head on Giggle's shoulder, refusing to move away. "Alone. But, you're here, you're okay, so I'm okay," he choked through tears, a few wetting his prominent cheeks. "I've missed you, I've missed everyone so much. I've missed you, and Dragon, and Skeena and Vinea. Everyone." After a beat, he retreated his head, looking to his life-giver. "You're okay, right?" His voice was soft and childlike, as if he'd forgotten what he sounded like.

As another hyena approached, though, Serek almost instantly straightened, wiping away tears with an angry paw-dab at his face. He had to look serious. Nobody liked a crybaby. He looked over this other hyena, his own hyena tail lifting as he mulled over their words. "Auré, that's the leader, right?" A dark paw pointed towards where he was walking off on two paws. His face had already defaulted back to a serious, mildly cynical look, eyes narrowed back into the usual judging squint, though his voice betrayed the fact that he was just crying a moment ago.

@Giggle @Zawadi

RE: [TB] in this organization, there is a way - Zelk - Jun 26 2019

Zelk decided to take her leave and go find something to eat. She had no other reason to stay here, and mingling wasn't exactly her thing, for the moment at least. She wanted to explore the caves, and possibly find Orlaith while she was at it. Orlaith was a good friend of hers, they both knew each other since they were cubs. Zelk walked away from Canis in the direction of Polaris, maybe to mingle there or swim in the river. She was proud to be a true member of the Bonebound. She was sure to tell Orlaith of her ceremony.

-Exit Zelk

RE: [TB] in this organization, there is a way - Ischium - Jul 03 2019

Ischium grinned as another Gembound raced in--someone else who talked to bones?

His tail wagged excitedly, and he couldn't help a friendly yip, prancing in place. He was so excited, and Chatter laughed "Calm down Itchy, you're gonna knock me over!" and Ischium forced his butt to the ground.

But finally he gave in as Laurel addressed Aure, a big white stag doing the same. He stooped down long enough to grab Chatter's skull in his teeth, scrambling down to skid to a stop not far from the funny-looking hybrid. Setting skull down with a careful reverence, he yelped "Hello hi! What is a Cairn?" he tilted his head, ears flopping, "Do you really talk to bones? I thought it was only me!"

@Aure

RE: [TB] in this organization, there is a way - Skeena - Jul 03 2019

Skeena beemed at Aure, and then the others, mouthing 'I'm so proud of you,' at him before scurrying off, moving to join Mother, curling up at her side once more. Her paws worried at the bone, over and over and over, trying to grind her memories of this moment into it.

Her ears perked up at the sound of Vinnie's voice, and she flinched. Vinnie was dead, and she could have been too. Could have left Mother, and Aure, and Eythan and everyone else behind, never seeen them again, without a second thought. If Mother hadn't come for her, they might be building her Cairn right now.

"I will help!" she was quick to say, only to squeak as she was thrown to the ground, Mother leaping to her feet and barreling away. The hybrid made a disgruntled, offended sound as she picked herself up, only to feel her heart soar at the sight of her long lost brother. "SEREK!"

'He left because of you.'

She scurried up to him, but already he was closing himself off as a hyena she barely recognized approached. Skeena didn't care, though, and slammed into him, stretching up to bury her head into his side. "Serek, I miss you."

Eythan gazed down at his son, void of an immediate response, and felt something hard--- heavy settle into his gut, spewing an acrid sensation that clouded his lungs. Fuckin' guilt, his thoughts helpfully categorized, and staying true to his bloodline, he compartmentalized the idea that he really was beginning to see someone familiar in the mirror; stuffed it into a box and shoved it into the ever-growing pile in the corner. He'd thumb through all of that shit eventually.

But, not now. His brother needed him, too. He needed to be available for everyone all the time, but couldn't even be there for himself.

To think he had been doing so well with all of this Positive Mental Attitude nonsense, huh?

The hybrid planted another lick to his son's forehead, a soft promise to seek him out whispered in his mind--- and he pushed up from his rear and trailed after Aure, toward the cairn and away from the myriad of questions swarming, away from the smudging of the mirror and the suspicious shift of his footprints.