Rift paced around just outside of the roots of the tree, the cage that held Blackberry hidden in the darkness behind him. He looked almost a little agitated, his tail lashing behind him and his ear pulled back. Slitted eyes raked the garden for Orlaith and Huckleberry. It should be obvious for them that he was looking for them now - after they'd given their report, he'd ordered them to wait while he got Blackberry properly settled into her cage.

After a moment of pacing, he stopped and cleared his throat. If they were nearby, then they should approach now. He motioned in the direction of Orlaith for her to come close and glanced at Huckleberry, a clear sign to stay away for now. He'd talk to him later.

@Orlaith

Orlaith had no clue of Rift's mood after she had given the report with Huckleberry. From what it looked like, Rift wasn't exactly pleased. Orlaith came obediently as soon as she was told to come over her. She made sure to keep her body posture and voice submissive. Her ears were lowered as were her eyes that looked towards the ground. Her tail was kept slow as she carefully came towards the leader of the Kingdom. She then sat down, and decided not to say anything. Better not to say anything, than say something and worsen the situation. She didn't even think of mentioning her suggestion of her being promoted to a guard. She simply sat and waited for Rift to speak.

@Rift

Rift watched as the tiger approached, trying to keep his expression as impassive, neutral, and level as possible. He stared down at Orlaith, noticing her submissive posture. Perhaps she thought she'd done something bad. He sat himself down, curling his long tail over his paws, whiskers giving a single twitch before going still.

He glanced back towards the cage behind them before looking back. "Well, Orlaith, I must congratulate you on your and Huckleberry's capture of Blackberry. Truly...a great feat. How do you feel about the capture? I'd like to know your honest feelings. And...what do you think of her?"

@Orlaith

Orlaith perked up as she saw that Rift didn't sound angry. Her ears quickly perked up, and she felt comfortable to look at Rift in the eye. She gave a small smile at the Guardian. "Thank you, Rift." Then Rift asked the tigress about how she felt about the capture. Orlaith only had one regret, of course, and that was hurting Huckleberry. "Well, I feel very prideful about it. I just wish I hadn't harmed Huckleberry's wrist on accident. I still feel guilty about that. I think that this capture, and the trial, will be a fair way for justice to be made." What did she think about Blackberry? "I honestly don't like Blackberry at all. She did refer to you as a piece of shit, and assumed she had killed you, which she took pride in. Her outburst got me upset, and I tried hard to keep my composure. That gave me a glimpse into who she really was. But when I saw her plead to Huckleberry for him to come back, I thought she was too far gone." She paused for a minute. "When I stopped her from escaping, she went limp, ready to follow instructions. Then I felt something I didn't realize I would feel for her. I felt sorry for her. So I think a trial is the best way to go about this."

@Rift

Rift took a deep breath as Orlaith finished speaking. The tip of his tail was twitching, the only sign of his weakening composure. He cleared his throat again to get out any sign of trembling before he began to speak. "Ah, I see. So, you only feel bad about accidentally hurting a friend. Not that both you and Huckleberry directly disobeyed my orders and went off after Blackberry alone? Or that you initiated an attack against a person I specifically told you not to attack? And attacking someone in the first place! It goes against everything this Kingdom represents!" He snorted. He'd tried to keep out of Kera's talk as much as he could, to give the two a bit of privacy, but he had heard much of the conversation, thanks to the sensitivity of his right ear. Somebody that didn't know Blackberry, like him before that conversation, would probably say something like that.

"Yes, you at least have the right idea about the trial. Unlike some others. But you obviously do not understand the purpose of our guard. We are not here to scare or intimidate or prance around the caves like we own the place! We have no authority outside of Eridanus! You weren't supposed to attack, only to bring her back as peacefully as possible and only only attack if she endangers your lives!" His composure was broken now, lip curled slightly and his tail no longer peacefully draped over his paws but lashing behind him with agitation. "So...what do you have to say for yourself?"

@Orlaith

Orlaith hanged her head in shame. Perhaps she needed more time to understand the purpose of the Guard. Rift obviously thought she did. She wanted to prove to Rift she was worthy of being a part of the Guard. It seemed she failed. She spoke with a hint of shame in her voice. "I feel ashamed for disobeying your orders Rift, as well as initiating the attack. When Atinneas vouched for me my first thought was to prove my loyalty, and it seems I am doing the exact opposite. I apologize for disobeying you and attacking Blackberry. I promise something like this will never happen again." She should have known that Rift truly was upset at her.

@Rift

Rift continued to stare down at the tiger, tail flicking behind him. He sure hoped that she wasn't just saying this to appease him. "I want you to be more then just ashamed for me - you are a member of the Kingdom of Eridanus and you represented us poorly today. You may still come to the trial, but you'll remain a Citizen for the time being. If you have anything else to say, now is the time." He flicked his tail and paused, staring carefully at the tiger.

@Orlaith

Orlaith had nothing left to say for herself. The tigress had represented the kingdom poorly, and there was nothing left else to say. She deserved to be just a citizen, until she learned the true meaning of being a Guard of the Kingdom. Already taking a verbal beating, she nodded her head quickly. "No Rift, I have nothing else to say." She kept it short and respectively blunt, not wanting to waste any more of Rift's time. She would prove to Rift in time that she could be a guard. Now though, she decided some rest would be good. She waited for Rift to dismiss her before leaving.

@Rift

Rift stood, then, his expression softening a bit. "Go on, then," he said, gently. "I know you thought you were doing right and that's why I'm allowing you to stay. But you must understand that our claws are our absolute last resort. If you feel the need, sit within the Hollow and reflect on your choices today. Meditation on peace is a good way to clear your head." He rumbled and flicked his tail, a clear signal that she was dismissed.

*exit

@Orlaith

Orlaith felt a bit reassured by Rift's words, and kept his words in mind. Claws are a absolute last resort. She still felt ashamed, and now meditating on peace in the Hollow sounded like a good idea. She left respectfully, and told herself not to make the same mistake twice.

-Exit Orlaith