TABLE & CODE © SKELLE 2021
"Speech!"
Macabre, like the rest of siblings, had reached the pivotal age of one year. One year in this world, and what a hell of a four seasons it was. Good and bad. He'd forged a bond with his older brother Misery, learning the tools of the trade in both fighting and cleverness. He and Ghoul had sparred, played, schemed and did a lot together as well - having a brotherly connection closely rivaling that of Viscera and Ichor. Still, it was time for him to move on. Pick a rank - lest he be forever labeled a freeloader, a stain on the Klein family. He had a firm idea brewing in his head, rehearsing the title over and over in his mind to make it feel more real, more official. When he finally, really felt complete, ready to shift forward into his duty for his family, his pack, and all that good stuff, the spotted boy reached the foot of the volcano and let out a melodic howl for the pregnant she-wolf.

It seemed her sons were getting ambitious. Ghoul had already approached her to make his desire for Habari's future clear and now it was Macabre's turn. Her movement was slow, she wasn't exactly able to move particularly swiftly considering how long she'd been pregnant. Still, she would try not to keep her son waiting too long, even if she had to be more careful than usual descending the mountain. Finally, though her speckled son would come into view and she would smile as she approached, gently leaning down to nuzzle the top of his head. Macabre and Ichor were the only children she was still taller than, the rest were too big for her to be able to hold in her arms any longer but not Mac, though she did not wish to baby him any longer. He was a young adult and she doubted that he would take too kindly to his mother clinging to him, so the gentle affection was all she'd offer for now before she settled onto her haunches. "Macabre, what can I do for you love?" "Speech" Think

Art by Ulfeid3

TABLE & CODE © SKELLE 2021
"Speech!"
Macabre wasn't affectionate, nor did he show any signs of really wanting physical touch from anybody, but he did allow his mother to lean down and nuzzle him. She still was his mother, after all - even with the new litter she was carrying. He still cared for her and hoped she was doing alright, even if his ability to feel such emotions was a bit more disconnected than most. His luminescent eyes looked up at Recluse with genuine happiness all the same, hoping that she saw how strong he had become. Though shorter than she, he had filled out, muscle brimming his limbs in firm sinew beneath his more tightly fitted spotted coat. He looked more and more like the young adult he was each day. Misery would surely be in shock if he saw who he was now. Smiling softly, he replied, "Hi, mom. I called you here to announce my desired rank." He paused, and then remembered the title he desired and how to pronounce it. Like he'd heard at least several times before. "I wish to have the rank of Shujaa Hashmallim. I know my siblings might set their sights higher from the get go, but I'd like to obtain this rank and work hard in it before moving forward to the next one. Plus, it gives me the chance to serve the pack and help you as well. In the future, perhaps I will challenge someone - even my own siblings - for a higher rank. But for now, this one will suit me well." He felt it was a good explanation, and a fitting rank for his abilities. He'd desired to be a spy when he was younger, but things changed. He was his own man now - not even his big brother could keep him on the leash he'd tethered him to as a young pup. He was free to make his own decisions now, and so he had done it. He smiled, waiting for Recluse's reply.

Recluse felt a pang in her chest as she realized that her children were all grown now. Her oldest were old enough to start having their own children if they so chose. (The thought of being a grandmother at her age certainly made her feel quite old) and her youngest were now adults in their own rights, most of them too big for her to ever hold them the same way she used to again, and while Macabre wasn't as big as some of his siblings she knew he was too old for her to cradle him the way she used to if only to preserve his own pride. But she was proud of her children, they'd all grown strong and independent. She'd worried after this litter in a different way than her first, the worry that the sickness that had taken her while pregnant would have harmed them was all but lost, left in traces only in the glowing of her son's eyes. So much as she'd felt for Ghoul the woman wanted her children to be happy, she'd respect most of their choices and certainly did not feel the need to push them in any specific direction if they were not interested in going that way themselves. She listened as her son spoke, getting right to the point. The woman nodded. "As you wish." She gave her son a smile. "Work hard and I'm sure you'll succeed at whatever it is you truly wish for. Let me know if that asperation ever changes." Her children were already proving themselves, Ghoul and Mac it seemed regularly sparred with each other and she hoped that friendly rivalry would push them both to keep working and keep improving themselves, but she also hoped it meant they'd back each other up. Ghoul's machinations for Habari's throne would not earn him much love amongst his older siblings and she silently hoped that his litter mates at least would be willing to support each other regardless of who eventually would take on the mantle from her. Not for some years yet but sometime in the future. "Speech" Think

Art by Ulfeid3