Leave your heart on the table [Joining]

Sometimes, it was the simplest questions that broke people. A simple "what's wrong?" or "how are you?" could bring those stubbornly refusing to reveal their emotions over the edge and bring them to tears. Hearts and minds were fragile things--as easy to break as they were hard to repair. Even as Jupiter's own conscience began a slow descent she was aware of how the tension within her was building once more, but when it would break was completely unknown to her.



Arya spoke of murder. Jupiter shuddered slightly.



There was no innocence to the woman. She was not misunderstood. Forgiven? By Jupiter? Maybe. But not even for a moment did a piteous thought cross her mind or a fleeting "she's just misunderstood." The queen allowed for a deep breath to cycle slowly through her lungs as she listened, audits pressed attentively forward. She only stole the slightest of glances at Cherokee, wishing that he'd left for such a private conversation as she'd dismissed him, but cared not now; ears couldn't close like eyes can.



"Should you have your eyes upon this pack, I need to guarantee that you are not a threat to the men and woman here." Her words were careful, even, but had a sort of openness that signaled that there was not judgement in her lyrics. A sort of understanding seemed to radiate from her under the professionalism in her attitude. "I don't expect extravagant displays of submission. Only loyalty. And should one of the members here ever get under your skin for any reason and you feel your paws itch and your jaws ache with blood lust, approach me and we will spar. Should you do otherwise and harm one of us, though, the fight will not be as friendly."



Jupiter had changed. She was different, somehow. If there was confidence in her words it was perceived only by the listener, but the fact that it wasn't exactly an empty threat hung heavily in the air. The healing wounds upon her bodice showed that she'd survived something, and though it could not tell the full and heavy tale of the death match she'd initiated, they were evidence that fighting was not completely unknown to her.

"speech"