|
Post by Seirei Hisakata on Mar 5, 2012 20:12:54 GMT -1
"I see." Seirei said thoughtfully. He had no right to stop Tersias from going, but at the same time his heart gave a pang at the thought of Tersias going back to her world alone to face this task, which could end up putting her in danger. Seirei knew what must be done. "Tersias, hun, I'm not overly familiar with the customs of your home world, but if you truly believe that Seema is telling the truth, and that you feel ready, I have no right to stop you." How could she go right now? Look at her, she's not right. I know she's not. "But," Seirei turned fiercely on Seema again, "this thing isn't going with you. Whatever you decide, I want to keep an eye on this one."
|
|
|
Post by Tersias Tara-Hisakata on Mar 5, 2012 20:18:26 GMT -1
Tersias was silent as Seema explained the situation. After a few thoughtful minutes, she looked up. "Okay, so that's why you're here. But why have I been nominated?" she asked quietly, her eyes doleful. "The fifth chair chose me, but why?" Her eyes flashed as she realised she was asking the wrong questions. "Seema... who is the fifth chair?" she asked quietly.
|
|
|
Post by Seema Tara on Mar 5, 2012 20:29:15 GMT -1
"You know the chairs, Tersia" sighed Seema sadly, not wanting to answer this question. "Science, Faith, Rites of Tradition, Politics, Mating, Medicine, Herblore, Astronomy, Music, Art, Development, Finances, Literature, Heritage, Mourning, Philosophy and Family." She was still stood, holding out the black feather.
|
|
|
Post by Tersias Tara-Hisakata on Mar 5, 2012 20:32:23 GMT -1
Tersias' eyes flashed from solemn confusion to anger "Seema, don't play games with me" she hissed "That is not what I meant and you know it. You can't show up here acting all noble as if you're doing your duty and refuse to answer a simple question. If you have EVER cared about me, if I have ever meant anything to you at all you will be straight with me now.WHO IS THE FIFTH CHAIR?" she asked again, her tone less patient and more angry.
|
|
|
Post by Seema Tara on Mar 5, 2012 20:39:09 GMT -1
Seema's carefully held poker face crumpled and her eyes began to water. This was no act, it was genuine sorrow and emotion. "I'm sorry" she said softly. "I didn't want to have to tell you like this, Tersias. And if there was anything I could do to change it..." She swallowed back her tears, reaching into her bag again for a small scroll. "The council of elders" she began reading, her voice choked and her eyes watery. "The council of elders mourn that on this, the fifth day of the seventh moon in the year of Yai Ling, the holder of the fifth chair, Serrana Tara, born Serrana Lyra, passed from this life to the next. She did, on the fourth day of the third moon in the year of Kup Tan, nominate you as successor to her chair in the presence of the Council and your selection was approed by twelve of her fellow chair holders. It is for this reason that you, Tersias Tara, are now called to the council to take up this chair or announce your inability to do so in the presence of the elders." She rolled the scroll back up and returned it to her bag. "I'm sorry, Tersias, it's mum.." she whimpered.
|
|
|
Post by Tersias Tara-Hisakata on Mar 5, 2012 20:49:33 GMT -1
The words knocked the breath out of Tersias more than any blow could have. She sat down, shaking her head, dazed, confused and dizzy. She couldn't leave the cubs, not now, with what she knew was going to happen. But at the same time, ignoring the council's summons was tantamount to exile. She was breathing rapidly, her little chest moving in and out, and her thoughts were racing. Her mother was gone and she hadn't been there or even known - she hadn't even been there and now had to deal with her memory and belongings.
|
|
|
Post by Seirei Hisakata on Mar 5, 2012 21:06:38 GMT -1
Deeply concerned, Seirei dashed over to Tersias and tried to calm her down. I knew she couldn't take this amount of stress right now. She's not strong enough, both physically and mentally. "I'm so sorry, Tersias." he whispered into her ear. "I know what it's like to lose someone close to you, someone in the family ..." It didn't cross Seirei's mind that Seema also shared this loss, but his sympathies didn't stretch that far. Seirei continued to soothe his mate, stroking her forehead as he watched dozens of thoughts race across her eyes.
|
|
|
Post by Seema Tara on Mar 5, 2012 21:10:06 GMT -1
Knowing she had a wait on her hands, seema sat down while her sister gather her thoughts. The den had certainly chaged since her last visit - the large skylight in the ceiling had been covered with wooden shutters, a variety of tunnels spanned off the main room, and the fire place had explanded. Seema felt her sister's pain, genuinely, but right now she had to focuse on why she was here. Her job was simple - get Tersias home, and safely. She would do whatever it took, even if she had to stay in her place to satisfy Seirei's suspicions.
|
|
|
Post by Tersias Tara-Hisakata on Mar 5, 2012 21:13:24 GMT -1
Tersias whimpered, nuzzling her head into Seirei's fur. She was breathing a little more steadily now, but her mind was still racing. She needed space - time to think, get her head straight, and more importantly, get back in touch with her own mind. "Seirei, I have to do it. I have to go."she mumbled. "I promise I'll be back as quickly as I can but I can't ignore a summons. All that would do is make people doubt the faith my mother put in me."
|
|
|
Post by Seirei Hisakata on Mar 5, 2012 21:21:58 GMT -1
Seirei sighed sadly. He knew that determined tone. She was going to go and nothing would stop her. "If that is what you think is best for yourself, Tersias." Maybe it's best for her to get away from here anyway, she might be safer amongst old friends what with Koatia still out there.
Suddenly there was a little scuffling, scratching noise against wood, and a little head poked its way out from behind the door on the other side of the room. It was little Artemis, his eyes partially closed from just waking up. With a little yawn he padded over to his mother and pawed at her. "Mummy? Why are you upset? Ebony said we can't see you. Why can't we see you?"
|
|
|
Post by Tersias Tara-Hisakata on Mar 5, 2012 21:28:44 GMT -1
Her eyes welling up with tears, Tersias stood up and took Artemis up by the scruff of his neck. He was very much still the baby of the litter, and carrying him over to the rest of the litter was still relatively effortless. Sighing, she placed him amongst his brothers and sisters and sat down beside them. Nuzzling each of them one by one, Tersias fought back the tears. "Babies, mummy has to go away for a while. My own mummy has... has gone to heaven... and I have to go and say goodbye to her. I'd like you all to stay here with your Daddy, and my sister, your Aunt Seema is going to stay here and help." She gave each cub a kiss on the forehead. "I am going to be back as soon as I can. I need you all to be very good. I love you all so so much."
|
|
|
Post by Seirei Hisakata on Mar 5, 2012 21:36:33 GMT -1
Seirei's own eyes couldn't help welling up a little at the scene before him: the five pups snuggled in a ring around their mother, not really understanding why she was upset, but knew enough to accept that she was leaving them for a while. After a while Ebony poked her head up out of the group and stared straight at Seema. She had no knowledge of her aunt, and looking at her she could see a physical resemblence, but there was no warmth there like her mother's. She vowed secretly to herself that she would protect her brothers and sister and help her father out whatever way she could. She was only a year old, but she knew that was what needed to be done.
Seirei turned to Seema with a blank look on his face. "Looks like you're here for the long haul. Good thing too, we have work to do." he gestured at the many incomplete tunnels and piles of dirt. He wouldn't let Seema stay here for free.
|
|
|
Post by Seema Tara on Mar 5, 2012 21:45:41 GMT -1
Seema nodded to Seirei, then turned to Tersias. "Time for you to go, little sister." she said quietly, fetching the black feather once again. Her tone was solemn and her eyes dark. She put a paw on her sister's shoulder reassuringly. "May the road rise to meet you" she said softly, a customary greeting. She held the feather out to Tersias softly.
|
|
|
Post by Tersias Tara-Hisakata on Mar 5, 2012 21:48:00 GMT -1
Standing, Tersias took the feather from seema gently. She crossed the room quickly, and kissed Seirei softly. "I love you" she whispered, wiping a tear from her eye. "I'll come back. I promise". And with that she began to disappear from view slowly until she was gone completely.
|
|
|
Post by Seirei Hisakata on Mar 5, 2012 21:52:00 GMT -1
"I love you too ..." Seirei whispered, softly licking her on the nose like he always did. Be safe ... he thought. He watched, the pups at his feet, as his mate took the feather and started to fade, until she was completely gone. Wherever that magic feather had taken her, he knew that she would return to them soon. Now, it was all a matter of getting through the silence, the empty bed at night, and the continuous presence of her sister in their home.
|
|