New Leaves on the Trees [Pack Meeting. Mandatory]

Numbly Geoffrey made his way to the meeting place. He had no desire to be surrounded by those who couldn't possibly (in his opinion) understand the depth of his grief. For them life had probably already started to move forward. They'd gone back to their routines, no doubt. Geoffrey was still struggling. He didn't want to see any smiles, hear any laughter or listen to any jokes. He wanted to be alone.

Dutifully he took a seat and listened as the meeting got underway. He stiffened only a little when Aurielle drew attention to him and his siblings, and it took the duration of the vigil to whittle his emotions down into a little knot in his throat.

And then just like that Gwenevere's moment had passed the meeting got underway. The knot remained.

For reasons he couldn't quite place, perhaps the rawness of the emotional wound just scraped, Aurielle's hard gaze and scolding tone when she spoke of disrespecting their allies rankled Geoffrey. They weren't children and they didn't need to be treated like children. He reflected back the intensity of her gaze and it wasn't until that moment had passed and he got light-headed that Geoffrey realized he'd been holding his breath in anger. He let it out quietly and willed himself to be calm. All he needed to do was get through the meeting and everything would be fine.

When everything was said and done Geoffrey remained quiet. He had no questions, he only wished to leave.