Cancer sat in solemn silence as they each took a turn introducing themselves. Quix gave him a sense of pride for a moment, as she introduced herself so well. She came and rubbed her face into his leg, and he'd wrap the other around her in a sort of return gesture, pulling her close for a moment before returning his paws to the floor as Eeya took his turn. He breached and showed off a moment, to which Cancer grimaced. Cute. Then, it was Bevy's turn- though Eeya called her Ratchet- Cancer noted the name of yet another personality and commited it to his memory as she spoke. Then she introduced the fuzzy bird she'd been trailing behind her for some time. He smiled at this, nodding to the new face and flicking his tail in welcome- but that movement was stunted as Bevy explained he was blind. Oops. The bird didn't quite get the point of this either, for when Bevy gave him his turn to speak, all he said was her name. Cancer shook his head in bemusement. Then, he was called out, and the cat stood suddenly, defensively...

"I'm not sad." Cold tone was unmistakable. Then, he faltered, and sitting back down, he eased up. "I just... I've had a rough time lately. I'm just tired." He inhaled and exhaled heavily. "I'm going to call you Dark Bird for now, since you didn't give us a name." The tone was teasing now, and hopefully he'd catch on. Alas, it was time to end this meeting. One final matter.

"Time for some ranks." He stood and with a few quick leaps, returned to his ledge. "Eeya, I'd like to address you first. You took the test, but we never got around to ranking you officially. I'd like to welcome you into the rank of Scout. This duty gives you permission to leave on longer journeys than the rest of us. Your task is simple- when you leave, you're to explore new areas under the water, and offer any like-minded friend a place with us here in Maji Walezi. Think you're up to the task?" He'd pause a second to get a response, then move to the next order of business.

"Quix. You're young, but you're clever and friendly. I'd like to appoint you the rank of Coordinator. Your job is to quell any arguments or disputes that arise amongst us. Keep the peace and decide the best actions to take in solving problems. I'll teach you the basics, as this would be my rank if I weren't Leader." She hadn't taken any test of wits, but she'd proven herself time and time again during their time together. "Make me proud, grub."

"Bevy, I'd like for you to test Dark Bird. See where his skills fit best. I'll give you permission to rank him officially when the time comes, as well. For now, Dark, you're an Initiate. Welcome to Maji Walezi."

Quix tilted her head as Eeya made a cute, chitter-chatter for an introduction, then dove in and came back out in a marvelous split! Quix yipped in delight and jumped up and down, and exclaimed, “Clever Eeya!" He was so adorable and funny that the fennec girl was sure that she could love it here in Maji Walezi and have lots of fun! Next up was Bevy Birby who was as usual, gentle and kind. Quix found herself liking Bevy very very much and grinned at her with two little protruding canines. Birby was around her size! They could be small friends! She then gestured to the blind owl who spoke and Quix started to imitate its screech, as though to encourage it to vocalize more. It was so fluffy that the girl wanted to rub her paws and face and body all over it like a little little furry thing. She could hardly contain her excitement. “Another birby! Cute birb" she exclaimed and gave him a large, warm welcoming smile although he wouldn't have been able to see it. He asked a question then, and the girl knew - that perhaps, Cancer was sad. But she brushed the thought of. There was nothing that Cancer leader couldn't do, he was...her adoptive daddy!

The small congregation fell silent then as the leopard addressed them. Quix nodded along, glad for Eeya. She felt that he was very trustworthy and lovely. Maybe he could give her a water ride! They could go on adventures! She wagged her tail at the dolphin in congratulations. Next up was her. Odd how Cancer addressed her this formally but the girl switched into solemn mode and flicked her large tufty furry ears in acknowledgement. Yes, she could definitely do that! As he spoke, the girl actually felt something shatter through her otherwise soon-to-be manipulative streak. The fat leopard was...sincere? "I will do you proud Cancer daddy," she purred and gently swiped her fluffy tail across his legs. He was so large and big and strong, she barely came up to mid-way of his legs. Quix knew that she was willing to follow Cancer daddy. He was so protective and Maji Walezi was so lovely!

Finally, he addressed the owl. Quix gave a couple of chirps to encourage the owl and tell him that she'd be behind supporting him all the way. Cute birbs deserved to be happy! With that, she sat down and waited to see the final responses of everyone. This was so exciting!

Bevy? Was that her name? Not the other? Hmm... Strange but he liked Ratchet better! It was funner to say! Ratchet introduced the little bird next to her as a little bird she'd found. Apparently he was blind but there were other ways to get around that... Like echolocation! Except, what if the bird didn't have echolocation? That would certainly be unfortunate. Leader-Cancer said he was to be called Dark Bird which fit him very well.

Then the ranks were given out and he was officially a Scout! The dolphin whistled happily and blew water out of his blowhole, likely spraying anyone that was too close. "Yay! Eeya will be'um good Scout!" He sang happily. He was official! It made him so happy and he smiled all around at the other assembled gembounds. He'd do all of the expeditions and if he happened upon any other sea critters --which he hadn't yet-- then he would certain attempt to recruit them.

When Quix was appointed her rank the dolphin cheered, "Yay yay! Quixy good job!" He was so excited about all of this! It was great that he'd been asked to join the Maji Walezi.

---

words: 194
tagged: MW Meeting
ooc: ---
muse: 4/10

"Talking looks like this."
Thinking looks like this...

table coded by banshee

enna . ratchet . calypso
sweet and soft . bright and cheery . critical and melodic
ooc ;; notes and tags

Bevy tilted her head when Dark called out Cancer on sounding, well, sad. At least the baby bird hadn't commented on how she felt.. Honestly, she would probably break down in front of all of them. Her best friend seemed to handle it better, moving forward with the discussion as it stood. She was glad that her new friends were getting ranks-- Eeya would be a good scout, and the little one would be a coordinator, probably. She tilted her head and wondered just what Dark could be... He would likely be a coordinator too, someday, once he learned language a bit better.

In the end, Bevy was just glad that the blind baby was being taken in with open arms. Of course Cancer wouldn't push away someone she had brought in but there was always that fear that her baby bird would be rejected for his flaws. "Congratulations everyone," she peeped, warmth spreading through her feathers. Dark Bird-- or just Dark-- was a good name for the little owlet, she thought, looking at the tiny puffball of feathers. "So, now what?" She asked, knowing that Cancer could talk enough for all of them. She wanted to know everything that he had seen, and even now she hopped a bit closer to look at the tablet he had made.

and if you're still bleeding, you're the lucky ones

________________

The fluffly owlet listened, and tilted his head at Cancer's somewhat snappy response. He was too young to understand it, and for a moment he cringed back at the cold tone, shrinking back toward Bevy and widening his eyes.

He was silent as the others spoke, silent as he listened to the somehow pleasing whistling of the dolphin. But when he heard Bevy speak again, he turned his head toward her, gem eyes staring sightlessly. Instead of murmuring, or even whispering, he sent the thoughts straight to her mind, almost without thinking about it. It was secret, after all. The thoughts were words, but supplemented by sharp and direct meaning and brief imagery, making it clearer and more coherent than his normal jumbled language.

"Why is he mean?" Dark asked, without verbal speech. "What does Maji Walezi mean? Is it friends? ...You will stay with me?"

An element of worry was threaded into the last. While the group was big, and it seemed cohesive enough, and the voices very friendly, he was still a small, blind owl feeling rather alone in a strange place.

________________

Eeya and Quix had their ranks. Dark had his. Bevy had her task. Makyna and Leon were gone. Cancer went over each and every portion of his time since leaving and decided there was nothing else to mention. When Bevy asked, now what, he'd shake his head and stand aside.

"That's it. Meeting's over. You can all go back to doing your respective things." He waved a paw to dismiss the group. "I'll be trying to keep these meetings short from now on, to avoid sitting through lunch like last time." He smiled his best smile, then turned to head back into the shadowed dip of his ledge. There, he'd pause only to look back a second. "If anyone wants to talk, I'll be here, but otherwise, Meeting Dismissed." With that, the cat flopped down onto his side heavily and with a sigh, shut his eyes to relax. Sleep, he knew, wouldn't come, but he could at least fake it and get some sense of rest.

--exit cancer, meeting's over--

In Summary:

• Cancer returns to Pisces and can be assumed in / around Pisces Cave from here on out.

• He brings a map carved into stone for the group to copy onto the far wall. Feel free to reference this in future threads.

• Dark is welcomed as an Initiate.

• Quix is welcomed as a Coodinator.

• Eeya earns the Scout Rank.

• Makyna and Leon are missing, Cancer confirms that this is expected, and not to worry about it.

• Midas and Amaria are both absent! Both must post in the next meeting or be demoted to Runt!

Quix looked around and wagged her tail furiously as everyone got their appointment. She was extremely glad to be an official part of Maji Walezi, but her young soul screamed for sleep too. When Cancer called the meeting over and flopped to his side, the little fennec fox quickly skittered to his belly and snuggled deeply into his fur. A purr and stretched out beside her daddy, and ticked his belly a little with her fur and large, floppy ears, then promptly curled into a ball, yawned a cute little yawned and went to sleep.

-Exit Quix-