Dissent V.3 (1 x 1)

[ty_tay]

Pallon purred and cracked open an eye as he felt Rins lips. He reached an arm around her and gentle pulled her closer to the bed with a chuckle. “Why not join me instead? We don’t get much time alone like this.”

Bear stretched one arm and then the other as he stepped over the councilman on the floor, heading back towards his family. He seemed no worse for wear aside from a minor bruise on his ribs from when he’d let one of his opponents take the first hit only to throw the arrogant young man through a door seconds later. He smirked slightly, taking amusement from the liveliness of his audience. “Enjoying yourself Kal?”

Sigurn waited for a moment as Bear rejoined them before moving. Without a word or worry he handed Dagan to Marcellus before moving to assist the fallen and stunned councilman his son had defeated. He turned, raising one hand to signal he wanted the rooms attention. “My friends, it does me great honor to welcome you all to my home. I know there are many of you who are concerned with my heirs allegiances to others, but I will also remind you that I too once had allegiances outside of our islands, and still do. Now you’re all still welcome to challenge Bear if you so wish, though I would humbly request that you allow him time to rest and recover as well. After all there is no honor in defeated a warrior weary… Let us continue with any challenges on tomorrows sun rise.” Though his words were calm and warm, they held an undertone of warning suggesting any more challenges towards his son this day would not end in the challengers good graces.

Dagan looked wide-eyed at Marcellus as he was handed to him, clearly unsure about this semi-stranger.

Cass turned her attention towards her father as he commanded the rooms attention. She smiled with a light chuckle, knowing full well that her fathers words were more a threat masked by honeyed words, a gift he was very good at using and even better at following through.

There was a faint sound of shuffling beside Aurelius where he sat before something nipped his foot with a sharp bark. The now mostly full grown fox, Juju, stopped only to stare Aurelius in the face daringly.

Kes opened his mouth to continue to argue with his sister only to freeze as he felt someones claws gently slide along the back of his, making his hand stand on end.

“Kestriel, I thought we agreed you would stop pestering your sister. This is her ship after all, which means it’s hers to run as she sees fit.” A woman who stood equal to Kes’ height was the cause to his sudden silence. Her mocha skin was dotted with freckles, accenting her orange-red eyes with the fierceness of a panther. Her hair was shiny and black, framing the gentle sharpness of her face. She continued to run her nails against Kes’ back until her arm rested over his shoulder and he met her warning gaze. “Now quit causing your dear sister such unneeded stress.”

Zess smirked at her brothers sudden ‘mistfortune’ and seemed to calm slightly at the other womans presence. “Thank you Bali. It wasn’t necessary, but is very welcome…” After a few moments she looked in Dek’s direction, motioning him over once she caught his eye.

A boy that couldn’t be much younger than Heos sat against the side railing of the ship. He watched the crew go about their business in silence, his yellow-orange eyes taking everything in. His skin was a bit lighter than his mother Bali’s and his black hair was flecked with shades of auburn, much like his fathers. His attention turned to the massive hound, having never even seen a live dog before the creature joined his aunts ship. (Aleki, so I don’t forget.)

------

Leif laughed lightly as Viveka growled. He buried his face in the crook of her neck as she relaxed against him, a content rumble vibrating through his chest. “Then I will go get it.” He hesitated slightly before speaking again, his words holding thinly veiled uncertainty to them, “How do you feel?” He didn’t move as he awaited his mates answer.

[ScarletFang]

Rin giggled at Pallons protest, gently easing herself to lean over her husband and onto her elbows with a sigh. She pecked his forehead softly, "All the more reason to go looking for adventure. Do you remember the old days? Sleeping on saddles around the campfire, telling stories, hunting for our next meal"? She rested her forehead against his with a hum as she toyed with his hair, "Speaking of which, I 'hunted' down some breakfast for us. Is that enough to entice you out of bed"?

Kalten flashed a cheesy grin, shaking his head at his father as he feigned ignorance to an almost sarcastic point, "Of course not, Papa Bear! I'm just happy to learn about my heritage... and maybe taking notes on how to deal with idiots... ok, yes, but you can't blame me"! He gave his father a once over with a more sincere gaze before muttering to him, "Honestly, I'd thought we'd be greeted a little better after our last visit".

Marcellus stiffened and blinked in slight confusion as he came down from his entertained high and watched the toddler. He relaxed with a soft sigh and shifted Dagan to sit comfortably in his lap, facing his family with an arm around him as the man began to rock the chair they sat in, "S'okay kid, I wasn't expecting that either".

Rettika's gaze immediately went to Sigurn as he called for the rooms attention and she listened intently before leaning forward. "How come you can't do that, Cassie"? She whispered to her friend in a playful and teasing manner, her hand still hiding her bright smile.

Aurelius peaked an eye open before yawning and gently ruffling the foxes mane, "Nice try fluffy but thats next to nothing compared to these". He scratched his cheek lazily where his scars resided and sat up to lean on his knees, cocking a brow at the creature, "This place is beautiful but not too entertaining, eh"?

Dek was smirking as he steered the gatekeeper into port only to grow an even wilder grin as he caught Zess' summons. He motioned another crew mate to take the helm before vaulting over the railing to land right beside his beloved with a much more serious look, "Aye, Cap'n? You called"?

"You can pet him if you want," Heos had climbed halfway down the shrouds and was leaning over the boy below with a cocked brow and faint grin. He jumped the rest of the way and dusted his hands with a chuckle, "He won't bite... probably". Before an answer could be given, he whistled for the hound to get his attention.

Ze'ock perked up and came bounding full boar toward the pair of teens, nearly pushing a crew mate overboard with a chorus of lorren swears as the hound landed on the mans foot as well. He skitted to a halt at the very last minute beside his charge in an obedient sit, bumping into him gently as he eyed the strange boy with intelligent eyes.

------

Viveka tugged at a lock of Leif's hair in playful warning, "Don't you dare. You fall from that height and I won't be able to call you pretty boy anymore". She was taken aback slightly by his more serious question and turned to look at him fully with a small smile, "Well two second ago I was annoyed, but now I'm more excited to finally get out of this cave...". Her cheeks seemed to turn a pink hue as she leaned in to whispered to him, "...and maybe... a little happy to spend some time together".

[ty_tay]

Pallon purred at Rin's affections and let out an almost longing sigh as she mentioned the old days. "Yes I remember, though I can't say that I don't also appreciate these times more recent when you and I get to spend a day not having to worry about hunting or being attacked or anything of the like." He reached up and brushed some oh her hair back behind her ear before chuckling I suppose if I must... Though I'm very tempted to keep you here as my captive, princess." He grinned coyly as his grip around Rin tightened so slightly.

Bear let out a laugh at Kaltens response. "I wouldn't have expected any less, son." His expression turned a bit more serious as his son voiced his concerns and gave a slight nod in understanding. He leaned against the chair next to Kaltens and lowered his voice when he spoke, "Don't think less of them for not accepting us fully, Kal. This is a big change for them as much as it is for us. Before we came here they knew that Cass would be taking Sigurn's place in the council and one of the other council would likely be named the acting King or Queen, and when we showed up that changed things. I'm guessing that they all believed Kes would be their next king by right of challenge and now that not so certain..." He paused for a moment to meet Kalten's gaze. "Each one of the men and women know each other like family, true none of them are family, they grew up with each other and know how the others work. They know what to expect. We are the wild cards. they don't know if we will be tyrants and change their whole way of living or if we will be respectful and follow traditions. This makes them uneasy and want to test us to see how far we will go. Are we just after power? Can we handle the seat we are to be given? Can an assassin be trusted?... These are all things they have to figure out for themselves and we just have to do our best to prove ourselves with every challenge we are given. We must show them compassion and not just brutality, we have to find our balance and our place in their world just as much as they must discover how to allow us in."

Dagan looked ready to cry until Marc began rocking in the chair. He turned to look at Marcellus again before something caught his eye. Fidgeting in the Lorren mans hold he twisted so he could poke at Marc’s tribal paint with curiosity.

Cass scoffed playfully at Retti’s words with a fake look of being offended before laughing lightly. “I guess I just never picked up the subtle nuances of being the most threatening person in the room? I bet Bear could do it if the council had more respect for him.” She gently hip checked Retti with a chuckle. “But I could still kick the ***** of a lot of the council if I wanted.”

Juju shook out his fur and huffed at Aurelius as the man talked. He jumped up so his front paws were on Aurelius’ knees as well and stretched as far as he could to try and sniff his face.

“Aurelius, don’t let him do that, he might bite you!” Mage called out, having glanced over his shoulder to see the two interacting. His attention didn’t linger on them as he reacted quickly to a spell starting to backfire. He moved swiftly enough that Cecelia was unharmed by the magical backlash of his spell, though he could not say the same for himself.

Cecelia let out a small scream as her magic backfired, catching the attention of her mother. She huddled against Mage with wide eyes, seeing clearly that she had accidentally harmed him.

Daveanna was immediately up and rushing over to the pair, passing through the magic barrier as it fell. “Ceclia!?”

Zess smirked slightly as Dek came to her call. She looked up to him from where she sat. “Deleker, this is my bother’s wife, Bali. I don’t think I ever gave you two a proper introduction to each other.” Her smirk grew a bit more mischievous as her brother shot her a slight look. “Their son, Aleki, is over there with the hound and his boy. I thought it would be good for you to stay near us, and perhaps more so them, during our visit to Dududan since they don’t know the island as well as we do.”

Bali watched Dek with a calculating stare as he approached. Her expression turned to a gentle, but coy, smirk. “So you’re the pirate my brother worries over… Kestriel, he seems harmless, and not at all a danger to your sister…”

Aleki looked up at Heos as the older boy jumped down beside him, seemingly not surprised by his appearance. His gaze shot to the hound as he thundered over to them, smiling slightly at the misfortune of the crew-mate. He met Ze’ock’s gaze with a smile. He spoke quietly, “He’s a Ceverian hell hound? Are they all so big?” He seemed hesitant at first but reached his hand out for the hound.

-----

Leif chuckled softly at Viveka. “But then you’re out an arrow, besides it’s not that high up.” He looked back to her with a gentle though concerned gaze. He chuckled softly and gave a slight nod. “I thought you might be, and I knew you wouldn’t let me go on my own anyways.” He smiled as whispered, his tone slightly teasing, “Don’t we already spend time together? Are we not spending time together right now? Or when we walk the halls, or train together, or when that little curr Sigi won’t stop harassing me?”

[ScarletFang]

"Aye or worrying about hovering mothers, brawling cousins, or stuck up nobles in general" Rin added with a sultry smile as she leaned in closer to her husband. She ran her fingers through his hair slowly only to lift his head to steal a passionate kiss, then just as quickly let him fall to the bed again with a mischievous giggle, "A valiant effort love, but I won't have my Ha'alin nor his cub go hungry". Just as she spoke her stomach growled fiercely in protest, causing her to blush lightly with a soft, pitiful chuckle.

"So that means they're just like us.... They even kind of have their own guild in a way," Kalten mumbled in realization as he looked away from his father to scanned the room with a more understanding aire. He looked back up to Bear with determination and a kind smile, "We'll show em, Papa Bear. We'll work hard and be patient just like in training, then who knows. Maybe Par Lor will be kind enough to return the favor one day". He chuckled as he scratched his head and murmured to his father, "Just warn me before you go all philosophical again, ok"?

Marcellus let Dagan do as he pleased, though remained observant incase the toddler was in any discomfort or danger. He cocked a brow as he continued to rock the chair and looked down as the boy poked him, "What? You like these? Theyre pretty colors that tell everyone that I'm b*****. Maybe not as flashy as your dad, but still pretty close". He ruffled the child's hair gently with a faint smirk as he got to his feet, patiently waiting to return him to his family, "You'd look pretty cool in paint too, kid".

"Darn right you could, Cassie"! Rettika exclaimed with a bright laugh before shrinking a bit as she realize her voice was louder than intended. She giggled as she was shoved and gently swatted at her friend before shrugging, "I'd say he's not that far off from council status, one councilman makes for like two Rylies in stubbornness right?! Or maybe it's the other way around..."? She muttered to herself as if deep in thought.

Aurelius chuckled at the inquisitive fox, scratching his chest as he eyed him, and was about to respond to Mage when Cecelia's scream caused him to tense. He pushed Juju back onto all fours and scrambled to his feet to assist the group. "What happened"?! He questioned with authority, his military attitude now firmly at the forefront of his actions.

"You flatter me, ma'am. Bein' first mate to the glory that is the Gatekeeper and her Cap'n is my true callin' in life," Dek bowed deeply and respectfully before the two women before turning to glance at the boy Zess had also introduced. He smiled at the pair of teens with a nod, "A strapping young lad he seems to be! ...Thanks to his mother, no doubt... T'would be my pleasure to escort them myself, Cap'n. Many thanks for the honor".

"As far as I know" Heos replied with a shrug as he leaned against the ships bannister. He watched the boy interact with the hound in a sort of amused way, "Though to be honest I don't think this beast is fully grown yet either... His name is Ze'ock by the way, and I'm Heos".

Ze'ock cautiously sniffed the boys extended hand in turn as if judging whether he were friend or foe before opening his maw and licking the full extent up his hand and part way up his arm. His small nub wagged furiously behind him as he wiggled, his front paws dancing as he whined softly.

------

"Well then, I guess it's a good thing I have better aim than you then," Viveka flashed an equally teasing smile before her cheeks grew warm and she rolled her eyes at the male. She sighed as she leaned against him, toying with her bow as she wrung between her hands, "We are, it's just... I want to be together where it's just us. No hiding what we are or being afraid that someone could bust in at any moment and expose us. Somewhere where we can just be us. Not as close friends like everyone thinks we are, but as actual m-mates".

[ty_tay]

Pallon chuckled and nodded to all that Rin added. He growled approvingly as Rin kissed him, returning the affection only to groan pitifully as she pulled away. He quirked a brow as her stomach spoke for her before letting out a light laugh. “How can I say no that argument?” With one swift motion he had them both standing beside the bed, his arms wrapped protectively around his wife to ensure she didn’t fall over with the sudden movement.

Bear nodded in response to Kalten. He smiled proudly at his son as he came to his own conclusion. “Exactly so, and I don’t think you’ll have as much of a problem Kal. You’re still young, and they have a lot of time to learn about who you are… That’s not to say you wont have your own challenges, but I doubt they’ll be as critical.” He chuckled and ruffled Kaltens hair. “Not philosophical, just a study of those around us, and something you’ll learn how to do one day.”

Dagan seemed to be studying the markings as he listened to Marc talk. “…” He turned to look for Bear as the word Dad was spoken, but quickly returned to the markings. He looked up to Marc once more with a calculating gaze.

Cass laughed in response to Retti. “That depends on the council and if they want to trust him… Hmm, good question… I thinking Ryelin is more stubborn than a councilman if he really wants something.” She smirking as Ryelin glanced over his shoulder at her with a faint scowl at her teasing.

Mage had pulled Cecelia in close, hugging her protectively and trying to calm her as she started to break into sobs. He held his injured hand behind his back, small drops of red fell to the ground from a wound that looked as though he had stuck his arm against burning coals. “Shhh, it’s ok Cecelia. You did nothing wrong.”

Cecelia gasped as she continued to sob, clinging to Mage. “I-I-I-I h-h-hu-hurt y-y-y-you!”

Daveanna kneeled next to them. She reached out to look to Mage’s injury, stopping when he shook his head with an almost stern look. She looked up to Aurelius as he approached. “I didn’t see what happened… I think the spell backfired?” She glanced to Mage for answers but his focus was on trying to calm the child in his arms.


Kes opened his mouth to speak but immediately shut it without a word as Bali rested her claws against the back of neck. He shot a glare to Dek the more the first mate spoke.

Bali let out a light laugh. “Now who is the flatterer? Though you certainly speak the truth… Aleki is no pushover, unlike his father.” She gave a teasing smirk to Kes as a faint red hue colored the tips of his ears.

Zess snickered as her brother continued to be teased, taking joy in the fact that he couldn’t say a word at the moment without facing some form of retribution. “I’m sure you’ll treat them well, Deleker.”

“Ze’ock…” Aleki smiled as the hound accepted him and began to pet him with a faint laugh. “I am Aleki… It is nice to meet you… You’re not one of the criminals that the council usually sentences to my Aunt’s ship…” He looked up to Heos with questioning eyes.

-----

Leif barked out a laugh with a grin. “We’ll see about that!” He calmed and his grip ever so slightly tightened around her as she leaned. His voice was soft and gentle when he finally spoke, “I know…” He took in her sent once more, a nagging feeling in the back of his mind telling him something he just couldn’t comprehend, before releasing her and shaking out his fur. “Then what are we waiting for? There is quarry that won’t hunt itself, and perhaps we will even get to see the dancing lights again.”