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 Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2010 8:13 pm
 Stormwind looked dispassionately at her flock. Standing at the mouth of her den, she had the greatest view of the 'bowl' and all goings within. The snow was beginning to melt, engorging the river that flowed like a vein through her territory.
Where had she failed? Last night she and Arthus had a disagreement, their first since meeting. His words haunted her.
"I did not spend my life in service to Westfall to see it tainted by a weak Maman."
She looked down at her paws, flexing them against the stone as she fought against tears. The cold night air didn't reach her. With a shaky breath, Stormwind turned her head to the moon and whispered, "Father, what I have I done?"
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Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2010 8:22 pm
 Since adolescence Tyrande had been banished from the familial cave to work with the commoners like a damn male. The Maman, her own mother, had told her it would be good for her well being, but she knew. It was because of her public distaste for the damned. Bitterly, she'd toiled along side the dark pelted til she'd built a tolerance and an understanding.
Every night she would look up at her den and imagine her dual horned sisters preparing for the ceremony where one of them would become the heir. She'd heard the stories, just as they had. Real Maman's had a lot of horns. She only had one.
Not that her mother didn't either, but why take one that looks like you when you could upgrade?
As the cold wind blew she noticed a pale figure exit the cave and sit....and sit. "Is she insane? Jeez, it's freezing." She frowned. It was either her mother or one of her sister's. With an agitated huff, she took the path up the side of the craggly pass. If it was Phoebe or Jem, she wanted to know what was up.
If it was Stormwind, well.....
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Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2010 8:32 pm
The elder dragoness bit her lip hard enough to pierce it, though she didn't let up. Pain was one of the only ways to clear her mind. It was so hard some days, just to let go of the petty and concentrate. Her tears warmed her cheeks and after a minute, she exhaled calmly.
A distinctive scent wafted in on the breeze and when she turned her head, she wasn't surprised to see her offspring. "You're brave, to disrespect me this way."
"Sorry." Her mother's voice was low and tired, for once showing her true age. Tyrande had never seen the Maman in a worse state. She licked her lips, her pierced ears flipping back as she hesitantly approached. "If I'm interupting something...I can go.."
Stormwind sniffled, wiping her snout with her paw and motioned with her head. "No, no. I've been meaning to find you. I just wasn't planning on it anytime soon." Turning away, she looked back at the thinning crowd. It was the time of night where everyone should be tucked back in with their mates. She would be lucky if hers would look at her again.
The pale dragoness closed her eyes to the wind. "I banished you for a reason. Do you know why?"
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Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2010 8:43 pm
Tyrande nodded. She stopped at her mother's side, sitting back on her haunches. Looking at the two of them one of would think she was the mother because of her bulk. It was a blessing in the winter months, but the source of her greatest sorrows.
"Because of the way I acted with Muerta when I was little." She bowed her head awkwardly, scuffling her paws. "I still don't understand. They act like us and feel like us, but their not. I-I-I mean their just....uh...I don't know. Their just weird."
"Thats what your father thinks." In the light of the moon she lifted her her head resolutely. "We fought. I told him nasty, horrible things, but what I spoke is the truth. And since you haven't learned a damn thing, I'll tell them to you to." Cocking a lop sided grin, she bumped shoulders when her young. "Do you think worse of Astra because she's brown?"
"No! I love her. She's momma and your mommy." Tyrande blushed.
"I thought so. Arthus called me weak for having her at my side. He likes her well enough, but for Westfall he wants better." She took a deep breath. "I can't be what my grandmother was. And I don't want to be. Honestly, the only reason I keep up with these rules is because their so important to Arthus. I gave up on tradition when I left."
"I picked Astra not because I was pregnant and desperate, but because I wanted her by my side. She raised my children like they were her own. If anything, her soul is purer than mine."
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Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2010 9:02 pm
Tyrande agreed. Looking around, she didn't think life would be as good as it was without Astra and her music. Her legs folding underneath herself as she laid down, placing her head on her paws with her tail curled up around her. "So what? Is that it? Was that why your crying?" She leaned up against her.
The Maman affectionately brushed the pieces of her daughter's mane out of her eyes. "Yes, thats why. He can't see what I can." She looked back up at the moon. "Without society we would crumble and sometimes society has things we disagree with. Like pelt color. It gives the girls something to strive to overcome, even if it means nothing at all.
"But you just said-"
"Shhh. It's only a mental obstacle. I just want them to believe theres something wrong with them so their egos aren't inflated, like yours."
Tyrande gave her a nervous laugh. "Your tricky. So, dragons like Muerta and Kunoichi....you really care what they look like?"
"Not a bit. Their good women, which is why their in the positions that they are." She gave her a thawk on the bum, startling her enough to see her leap up. "Get on to bed. You've got training tomorrow."
"Training? For what?" Wasn't she a good enough huntress already? Or was this guard duty? UGGGGGHHHHH, she really hoped it wasn't that. Border patrol was so boring.
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Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2010 9:15 pm
In her mind Stormwind had this moment planned down to the second. It would be a clear day with all of her daughters lined up before her with her mates at the den, silently giving her the strength to do what must be done.
Rain poured in on the two of them. "As of tomorrow you will be heir to Westfall. This decision wasn't made lightly and I sacrificed tradition by chosing you over your sisters. They both have the lighter mane, built and multiple horns of a Maman. As well as the temperment." She studied her daughters face as she went through shock that turned into crestfallen disappointment. "However, when I look at you, I see my grandmother. You have her name for that purpose. I am the b*****d child of a Maman's son. I was never to be a ruler, but you are. When I die, you'll take over in my stead and lead us into a new age. All of my preparation has lead me to this moment. Lead to you. Don't let me down."
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Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2010 9:22 pm
It all hit her in one gigantic wave. When Tyrande could feel her legs again she realized that they were shaking. Lighting cracked behind her mother, lighting up her eyes like blue flames. It terrified her. Everything terrified her. Why her? Why now? She didn't want to be a Maman! This was all wrong.
She knew better than to voice her feelings. As far as the pack was concerned, this was the highest honor. She was being given the reins to the lives others. "Thank you mother," Tyrande half bowed. "I won't disappoint you."
As fast as she could, the young adult fled the scene. In her mother's prescence, she walked, but as soon as she was out of sight she rain through the beating rain. A wild fire burned through her veins. Heir? She was the heir?
"What is she thinking?! I don't care if I do act like gran, this is stupid." She make a sharp turn, landing her smack dab infront of a guard. "Sorry, sorry!"
She needed sleep. Ya, that was it. When she woke up, this would all be one bad dream and life would go back to being normal.
Right?
((FIN))
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