Unblinking, Insignious gazed at nothing, biting back any arguments. It was certainly the wiser thing to stay away from the creature until further understood.
Shifting his weight from one elbow to the other, Dante exhaled. "I agree, master Okrugli. Now. In regards to the vacant territories of Maelstromclan."
"I suggest we offer it to master Kolbeck."
"What-?!" Sig scoffed, sitting up in alarm and gaping at the man. "Why?!" Dante lifted his chin in a 'settle down' sort of expression, to which Insignious reluctantly relaxed in his seat. "Why."
"The Felinus race is dwindling into dangerous numbers, Insignious. With larger territory, Galeclan could establish a serious place amongst the system, potentially thrive and rebuild a people that have been horrifically victimized due to their small numbers and gentle nature. That land could aid in preserving their kind's very existence. I think it also important to mention that such an act would be a grand start to healing an age-old wound dealt to them by Maelstromclan, a wound even the earth still aches with."
Insignious stared hard at him, clenching his jaw. "Dante, I don't-"
"If you need time to mull over it, I will send a team to reside in the territory to keep it free from squatters in the meantime." Dante smiled flatly.
Time to say yes, you mean. Dammit. This man was always advocating for those damn cats.
It certainly seemed as though Aphelion had already made the decision for the entire group, and he sat in silence for a moment, allowing anyone (but Insignious) to attempt to disagree with him.
"While I can't weigh in my opinion here, it is good to note the expansion of territory." Yomi chipped in, finally content on something she could follow without extra context. "There is always the chance they don't accept the offer."
"We will consider it. However, we will hold the right to readjust the borders as needed." Kahu interjected, glancing from his leader to the Infernoclan pair. "Parts of the Maelstromclan border have often overlapped with our own. Galeclan despises trespassing, and the last thing we need to come from this is confusion of where territory lines are drawn. Please do send a team to keep the land occupied in the meantime."
Although Rudian's eyes narrowed with skepticism of Kahu's words, he remained silent as to let Dante rule his decision.
Listening intently, Dante leaned forward and set his goblet back upon the ivory table. In the spaces between the company's replies, one could hear the rustling of the fields around them, and crickets singing for their mates.
"While you are free to clarify your current territory lines, there will be no lessening of Maelstromclan's space."
Insignious glared slightly. "You're speaking as though you own the land yourself!"
Calmly, Dante met his gaze and spoke with absolution. "When a land is left without a resident and no living will, it will be taken by the man that can conquer all opposing parties. Therefore, I am taking the territory under my wing, yes. Before any man with questionable intentions decides to do so."
Pushing his chair back, Insignious stood. "That land belonged to my brother, his clan was Tempestclan's second family. It should be mine and my people's to inherit. Are you saying you'll wipe us out if we don't let you take it?"
"Both Galeclan and my own people were here far before you and he ever set foot in the space between us. Let us not argue on who has claim to what. I would never see you hurt, Insignious, but is it worth estranging the relationship between our villages for the sake of your honor or your brother's memory?"
Sig took in a sharp breath. You know he's right...Just let it be for now. You don't need Dante as an enemy, for fuck's sake.
"Very well..." He muttered, running a hand through his hair and walking to the edge of the pavilion to look out across the grasses. In the meantime, Dante turned his gaze towards Yomi.
"It is completely possible that he will refuse the offer. I will send him a letter noting all we have discussed, and I suggest we meet here again within the month to go over it all. Master Sorir, of course you'd be welcome to join us again when we do. "
Gazing from the frustrated leader and back to Dante, she replied, “I accept your invitation— as long as Kolbeck’s permission is granted in advance, should he also be invited.” As if she hadn’t caught what Hakon so kindly mumbled about her appearance at the meeting.
Lifting her goblet, she gradually sipped at it while she eyed the still-seated member of Tempestclan. While his body held no tension, the glare he directed elsewhere indicated his own irritation with their circumstances.
Well, not that it was any of her business. She hadn’t a stake in any of the territory so far from her own. She found it odd, however, that Rudian would smirk briefly every time the felines were mentioned.
“In honesty, I'm reluctant to join you all, if only because of the distance between our clans. My territory is somewhat far to be involved in your area’s internal affairs. However, Yuuka is a different matter. If all turns out to be correct and true, she will join me for the next meeting.”
Words for the frazzled man, staring off into the wilderness.
"Other than gathering more information and avoiding the demon, is there anymore pressing topics that need to be addressed?"
Looking up, Insignious noticed that the moon hadn't moved at all over the course of their gathering, but that was to be expected. By some deep, earthly magic, time seemed to stand still in the Dawn Pavilion.
"I will have a messenger bring you drawings of Akihito and his men, Sorir." He said, turning and facing the party of four. "And while they're there, if you'd be willing to give us a pigeon or two, we'd be able to keep you in the know if we hear something may be coming your way. I'll make sure the messenger brings a few birds for you in return, in case perhaps you learn more regarding Yuuka and wish to fill us in." Sig sat onto one of the arms of his chair and folded his hands over his knee.
"I have my people dressed in armor sun-up, sun-down, even when they sleep. I know the chances of it helping are slim, but, it's an idea to mention in case you feel the need to do the same." He nodded to Yomi, "And it's nice to have seen you again, I wish it was under better circumstances. I apologize for my erratic behavior, I'm not myself these past few days."
"No one would be, if they too lost what you have in such a short time." Dante said softly, his commanding air melting into one of sympathy and grief.
"I will, of course, scour over any relevant books in our library with the help of my people in an attempt to learn more about this tragedy. Until our next gathering, I believe we have come to a reasonable end to this meeting, yes?" He looked to each of the members. Insignious nodded slightly, looking away.
"Yes, we have. And likewise, I wish these had been better circumstances for our reunion." Yomi agreed, returning to her feet. She watched as Kahu dipped down for a moment and scooped up the fallen goblet, returning it to the table. "A few pigeons will be prepared for your messenger to return with. I hope not to have to send any within the next month, but if I notice any developments, I won’t hesitate to.”
Kahu glanced over to his leader, unsatisfied by the arrangements yet saying nothing. He’d already offered to speak up further, and felt as though he’d stepped past what was only an offer. Nonetheless, he also began to stand as the meeting reached its end.
“If you would, Master Zervas, please provide us an illustration of Akihito as well. I’d like to add him to our records.” A simple request as Rudian held his goblet in hand, slowly finishing it off as the meeting wrapped up. “I’ll investigate further should there be any similarities with the angels of decay or otherwise.”
Dante nodded at Rudian's words, standing politely to see the others off. "Do let me know if either of you need an escort through our woods. I am honored by your company this evening, all of you. Do remember not to-"
"-Look back, yeah." Insignious said along with him, smiling and nodding as he slung his pack over his shoulder. Looking at Yomi, he clarified quietly. "Don't look back once you've left."
"Once is alright, anymore and they may think you're up to something." Aphelion added, also with a smile. 'The trees.' Sig mouthed to the others, reaching down and picking up the wooden crate with the dove. He walked up to Dante and bowed in farewell, the tall man doing the same in return.
"I'll send the portraits, and I'll see you in a month. Thank you for holding this meeting, Dante, Rudian. Goodnight to all of you." Nodding to each of them, Insignious turned and headed down the pavilion steps and into the midnight fields.
As quietly as Insignious spoke to her, the short leader replied in turn. "The trees have always had eyes and ears. But thank you for the advice."
"Until we meet again." Rudian bowed, waiting for the clansmen set off from their territory. He leaned back up after a moment, gazing at the few alongside his leader.
Yomi disappeared quickly, lost to the trees as she left in the opposite direction of the pair. A haze of purple who dashed past branches, causing a few dead ends to fall in her wake as she timed a new record home.
When Kahu finally lost sight of her, he turned his attention forward with the pavilion behind him. The air was eerily silent, only echoing their footsteps away as the trees whispered amongst themselves. Only when the voices quieted and crickets began their tune did he glance back at where they spent their evening.
"What a peculiar group." He shook his head in astonishment, holding a new understanding of Insignious' explanation of the clan. "They either don't originate from this world or are of the earth themselves. I've never seen such a place."
"Or maybe they were here before all of us and we're the ones not of this world." Insignious said, smiling playfully over his shoulder. He was used to company that would laugh with him, but he didn't mind if Kahu found his humor stupid. He did too.
The night was kind to them, with no rain and a gentle breeze that kept them cool as they searched for a place to make camp. "Here looks nice," The leader said, stepping down a hill of roots into a flat clearing with soft grass growing sparsely here and there in the dirt. Throwing his pack down (and gently setting the dove down as well), he took a knee and unraveled a small bundle of starter wood that was tied to his bag. "I have some salted grouse." He offered, also pulling out a pack of meat wrapped with paper and twine. "You like grouse? I don't remember if I've seen you eat it." Since Kahu almost never joined the clan in their communal dinners, he couldn't say for sure what he liked.
Almost never was for those who failed to see Kahu lurking around the outskirts of the campfire, eating as he paced the outer perimeter of his workspace. What he did enjoy, he didn't stick around to share. Perhaps he took his job too seriously, but with menaces such as Cain in his domain, he wasn't willing to risk Zinnia's inexperience to handle such a threat.
Not that he wouldn't join the others from time to time. Almost never did include him on few occasions, however seldom did he partake with the others.
"Grouse is fine. I'm not so picky as to turn my nose to it." He shrugged, plopping himself down on a spot in the dirt beside the leader. "Certainly beats the flavor of duck." As Insignious fussed with the pack of meat, Kahu took it about himself to start the fire. It didn't come easily, but as he spoke, smoke began to rise. "I like softer flavors from the earth such as stews. Our cooks make a decent one every other week. That's when I try to take time to make it down by the campfires."
The jail-keeper knew he was talking much more than normal. It was a conscious decision to lighten the tension, even if the man preferred his solitude. "Do you have a preference?"
