Word Count Minus Names: 2,557
Gabrielle: *fluffs with pride at her new attire* =^^=
Kerai: ^^ No need to envy my pair of wings now, huh Gabrielle? *grins widely* Your brother's and sisters scare me even more now, though *Looks at some of the more pointy objects*
Gabrielle: Oh dove, I will covet that trinket regardless~ *smirks back a little, then shrugs* I haven't a clue where Zarina found that horrendously huge mask, nor when Mystral decided masquerading as a metal bear was attractive, but I believe both of my brothers will enjoy their new status as adults with desirable aesthetics. I am comfortable with my own for certain. You need not worry about what they do; not even my own family will touch you.
Kerai: Really? *He grinned slightly, his ears pulled up but were still hung close to his head* I guess with you being an adult now, no one will be messing with me? *He put on a hopeful smile*
Gabrielle: *nods, making as if to nuzzle him . . . before remembering the hood and mask would get in the way of this, so she decides against it last second and pulls back* Of course not. Not even Clooney will so much as breath upon you, on my word. *"Honor" wasn't the right word, not anymore . . . The right side of her face burned at the memory*
Kerai: Thank you Gabrielle, I appreciate your efforts. *He appreciated the words but there was something about it that wasn't quite convincing. Gabrielle wasn't going to be with him day and night and never would he want it that way. She was an adult now which meant many responsibilities were now presented before her. He wouldn't dare step between her and a better life and better position in the pack.*
Gabrielle: *Maybe she should tell him about it . . . But what good would that do? What would it look like to the others, having a slave worried over his own owner? Yet it wracked at her, and her girlish impulse was to share that pain with someone else in hopes of it maybe leaving her alone. But at the same time, she didn't want to ruin this first day of adulthood with such news, and so for now she merely shook it off and graced Kerai with another, more convincing smile* Mask or no mask, adulthood ignored, nothing changes, my dove. It only means I can fully realize my position as a lady, and even then I must wait for a mission from the king and queen. I'm still Gabrielle beneath all of that.
Kerai: I guess that's true, right? *He gave a confident nod, pushing away such pessimistic thoughts. He pulled his eyes off the ground to glance at her again, noting something was different. It was like she was thinking of something, her mind though capable of answering him, seemed distracted.* You're a Lady now, aren't you? You haven't been given your first assignment yet, have you?
Baal: *slinks around the thread, pretending like he doesn't want to be the center of attention*
Gabrielle: No, not yet. I won't be an official Lady until the pack meeting either. But . . . truthfully, I hope Mother is proud of me now. We have made it without snuffing out, yes? *a little chuckle* She might even approve of the bird motif. Mother has always been strangely attracted to ravens, so . . . *trails off, noticing her brother slinking about*
Baal: *pauses mid-step and stares over at his sister now, nodding in acknowledgment to her* All official now, aren't we, sister? *he smirked, slowly straightening up from practicing his stealthy walk in his new gear*
Kerai: I sure hope so, I-*He stopped dead as soon as Gabrielle did, looking in the direction of her eyes. He froze immediately, moving only to lower his head, trying to make himself look as miniscule as possible. Why wasn't invisibility available to him? It would prove to be very convenient at times like these.*
Gabrielle: I suppose, Baal. *returns his smirk easily* Already on the prowl for women? If you have not yet heard, I have already acquired myself a willing slave. *indicates Kerai*
Baal: *smiles proudly for the first time for his sister, looking over the cowering slave* Nice catch, Gabrielle..Hmm...It may serve me well to find an...assistant of my own, one of these days.. *he grinned to himself some and winked in Gabby's direction*
Kerai: *He blinked, his mouth gaping slightly when Gabrielle drew attention to him. When Baal looked directly at him he felt his head rise, his feeble attempt to look somewhat less cowardly moot.*
Gabrielle: "Assistant" in what? *snorts; much as she loved her brother, his wiles with women annoyed her. He was showing such a lack of responsibility, it made the rest of his family have to work twice as hard to make up for just his general carefree attitude. And she suspected he had already found someone to toy with; the boy did enjoy periods away, she noticed, with the same sort of scent clinging to his pelt . . .* Perhaps; you seem self-sufficient as it is.
Kerai: *He didn't know much about Gabrielle's family but he could guess enough about this male by hearing him talk. His eyes swiveled patiently between his master and her brother, listening in on their conversation curiously.*
Baal: *He tilted his head at Gabrielle now, sensing the sarcasm in her reply* Well now, If you must know, as self-sufficient as I may be, even the most capable wolves need some help every now and then with errands and message-relaying. If I am to be a spy as I wish to be, I will be away often, and someone will have to keep my affairs at home in order while I'm gone, no? *he smiled at her genuinely, playing innocent*
Gabrielle: Of course, of course. *half-grin* Well, I shan't get in the way of your plans then, though I hope you traipse through them with a clear head; I would enjoy meeting your assistant or assistants in the future. *nods a little to Kerai for them to move away to her den*
Kerai: *Still he looked between them, keeping the position of being seen but not heard. Noticing Gabrielle's little gesture, he stood fully and took a few steps away, not going to leave entirely without her in case he had misinterpreted or that she needed something. Growing slightly annoyed by a sudden obstruction over his eyes, he gave a fierce puff of air, moving the bangs that were covering his eyes out of the way*
Baal: *He gave his sister a knowing smile and glanced again at Kerai, watching him cower there silently. He decided to himself right then that his assistant would have to be made of stronger and bolder stuff..not so much a slave* Clear as crystal, dear sister...as always..
Gabrielle: *mutters to herself in a low voice* Crystal? More like rock . . . *It looks for a moment as if she was truly leading Kerai back to her den, but she swerves away from it once they clear of Baal, for the moment the prim female relaxing and lowering her head slightly as she says to Kerai* We are about to visit my mother. I must put to rest once once and for all to her that you and I have clearly defined ranks, and I must present both myself as an adult and you to her anyway; it's been hightime I did the latter anyway. I ask that you be as respectful as you normally are, if not even moreso. Mother's temperament is . . . different.
Baal: *His ears twitch, trying to catch that last remark, but alas it is lost to the wind. He shakes out his fur and shrugs it off, watching them go. There was something 'off' about Gabby and her slave, but he couldn't prove it. The truth would show itself in time, he guessed, and he let it go for now. Slowly he turned away and retreated to the cool darkness of his own den.*
Kerai: *The black wolf stuck to her side as they padded and as she turned, he cocked his head in a puppy fashion. He was about to ask where they were going, but Gabrielle beat him to it. Gulping, he gave a nod of understanding, not sure if he was up to the task of meeting her mother. Of course he would, for her sake, but he had heard enough about the female that kept him from investigating her further.* Alright. If that is what you wish. I would like to know your mother approves of us.
Gabrielle: *His word choice was poor, for she quickly corrected him* We would like her to approve of me, Kerai. She will not think very highly of you as you are . . . *trails off as Liriel's den comes into sight, now fully ahead of her friend and back into "Lady" form*
Kerai: *His head bowed at the mistake* Ah...I guess you're right. *He gave a nervous grin that faded as they grew closer to the den. He fell back a foot or two, still at her side but not directly at her shoulder. He wasn't following either, hoping he was coming off as respectful and attendant, rather than corwardly.*
Liriel: And there she was, lounging royally in her den as if she were a queen in her own right, relaxed and poised. Her mood had been markedly lifted lately, since she had been flirting with her new flame, Belial. He made her feel like the best thing since fresh meat (sliced bread to wolves, no? xD) and her children had gained their independence, leaving her to her own independence once again. For the first time she smiled and it was not so sinister, especially once her eyes fell upon her daughter, now entering her den. Gabrielle was such a vision to her, draped in her new finery, and her posture made Liriel's heart (yes, she has one) swell with pride. It seemed to her that she had finally figured out what it took to play her part as a lady..and play it well at that. Liriel straightened some and gave her daughter an approving nod as a greeting, complimenting her content smile, all the while holding her regal composure. "I see you have been doing well for yourself, daughter.."
Gabrielle: *The sight surprised her, for though she had always been aware that her mother was beautiful, it had never been painted in so good a light; most of her childhood and adolescence had been spent under the brooding looks of a mother scorned. Seeing Liriel as she was then, regally and contentedly sitting, giving her that warm smile that Gabby had so longed for all her life - for a moment, the femme faltered in her cool mask, her heart melting with joy. Soon enough she recomposed herself and stepped in, returning the smile* Hello, Mother. I could say the same for you. What brought on such a satisfied look?
Kerai: *The male stood back, allowing the mother and daughter their time. In all honesty, he was surprised, and by the little flicker in Gabrielle, he guessed she was too. What was said sounded beautiful. Was this what Gabrielle had been looking for. He smiled for her, genuinely feeling pride for their relationship and Gabrielle's victory.*
Liriel: Oh, only a new friend, my dear.. *She held her composure, but her tone drifted upwards into a soft and mysterious dreaminess that surprised even her, for she had never been quite so content before* And of course, seeing my little flock grow up so beautifully..
Gabrielle: A new friend? *Her interest piqued, because Liriel wasn't the type to generally make friends.* You mean with one of the packmembers? *Something must have truly come over her mother for the better!*
Liriel: Oh no, dear..he's not one of our pack mates, though he most certainly could be..*she mused, nonchalantly preening a spot of fur at her shoulders, her voice holding that same dark dreaminess to it. Her eyes rose again and she spotted the chained black furred wolf that stood a respectable distance back from Gabrielle at the mouth of her den.* So..is this the Kerai you spoke of, daughter, the slave you so wanted for yourself? *she stood up slowly and took a few steps forward to have a better look at him, beckoning for him to come closer* I see your deal with Clooney went well..
Gabrielle: *inclines her head a little, smiling* Yes, this is he. A beautiful one when he wants to be, though his will needs work. I have plans for him that will hopefully come to fruition. *she tilted her head over her shoulder at him, winking at Kerai briefly before returning her gaze back to her mother* A male, mother? What is he like?
Liriel: *she tilts her head toward Gabrielle again, breaking her gaze from Kerai curiously* Plans you say? And what might those be, I wonder? *she smirked and playfully stepped around Kerai, giving him a good once over and bumping him lightly with her nose at times to straighten his posture and mess with him a little, casually answering her daughter as she assessed the slave's reactions* Oh, yes, I've met a handsome devil lately, lovely in his own right..we're a lot alike, I think..kindred spirits...*she trailed off smiling to herself as she eased away from Kerai* You know what I mean, don't you Gabrielle? When you get a feeling like that...
Gabrielle: Oh? *watches Liriel appraise Kerai, praying he passed whatever test she was doing; and also hopefully keeping attentive* While I can't say I know that feeling yet, I'm happy for you, Mother! You really deserve something after what you have been through. *Mind, "kindred spirits" made her aware of its implications; was the male broken as well in some way? Oh dear . . . She didn't want Liriel getting herself into another bad relationship, not when she looked this happy* I hope you don't mind me probing more about him, but I've grown a little protective of you, believe it or not.
Kerai: *He hesitated at first as Liriel approached, unsure if she was beckoning him closer or not, her gesture unclear to him. He took a step or two forward before completely pulling still, his body rigid and balanced as he stood close to Gabrielle. He couldn’t help the little smile that came to his maw at Gabrielle’s words, observing the wink. Kerai didn’t reply, though, keeping silent even more so as the older she-wolf came up to inspect him. Feeling his heart thump against his chest, he willed his body to cease any quaking, hoping his slim frame would give way and start to shiver in her presence, but he had to will himself even more so when she started to prod him with her cool nose. His ears flicked back at the attention, but straightened up just as fast. The young male still listened in on their conversation, unsure if he should add anything about how Gabrielle was doing and how he knew she would be successful as a new Lady. Not that it would have mattered any. It seemed Liriel was already showing trust in her daughter and the words of a slave held little importance. And it seemed they continued on the topic of Liriel’s new interest, and being nosy, he gladly listened in on.*
