binding more than blood

After she and her mother had spoken, the two took a little time to simply enjoy Elysium's hospitality. The day came to speak to Manea regarding their proposition. Ikigai followed her mother to the meeting place that they'd agreed upon prior. The girl did her best and made herself look as clean and well put together as possible. She braided her long tail in mermaid plaits and placed the silver, ruby and onyx circlet strung between lynx-tipped ears. The girl looked every bit the daughter of an empress.

The pair settled in and waited for Manea. Ikigai caught the look that her mother gave her and smiled, snake-slit eyes lifting at the corners. She was confident that these negotiations would lean in their favor. Ashen would get a strong alliance with a north eastern pack and Manea would receive fresh blood for her pack. Blood that held manty of the gifts that she prized so highly.

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