There's a First Time for Everything

Just before the meeting started, she had allowed her attention to drift to the ground in front of her. Not really focusing on anything specifically- just listening. Mariah didn’t notice her father approaching until he had nearly closed the distance entirely. Glancing up at the sound of his footfalls, she did her best to straighten up, offering a half-grin as she tried to force energy she wasn’t entirely sure she had. As he came to settle behind her, she’d cast a glance of her shoulder, though still not leaving the support of her tree. “Well enough to grace everyone with my presence, I suppose.” She answered, trying to project as much fire in her voice as she could. Though, it was quickly ousted as she felt the gentle touch of affection against her forehead.

As Avacyn began to speak, she was acutely aware that her father had gestured to his shoulders, if she wanted to use him for support instead. For a moment, she halfway considered it. Though, in the end, her stubborn nature won out. Allowing her grin to tighten a bit as she gave the former Commander a stiff nod in acknowledgment of his offer, allowing her sterling gaze to linger for a few moments longer before turning to face Avacyn once more in time to hear the announcement. Her sister was officially stepping into the role of Matriarch of Elysium- Saracyn into the role of Commander. Her sister went on to describe that most other ranks were staying the same … not that any of that interested her.

Just as things seemed to be winding down, Avacyn mentioned there was one final thing to celebrate before dismissal. It was then she met her sister's gaze with intrigue- tilting her head to the side in response to the grin she was offered. Then it all made sense, Ava having asked that she and Mal come to see their new Matriarch for ranks at the end of the meeting. A surprised gasp of air caught in her throat as she stared back at the centerfold of the clearing. As the gathering concluded, Mariah remained fixed to her tree for a moment … quickly trying to process what was happening in a flood of emotion. She suddenly shot another glance at her father over the shoulder, searching his face with a gaze of suspicion “Did you know about this?” She asked, in a halfway accusing tone. In the end, she decided it didn’t particularly matter. And with as much effort as she could muster, Mariah hauled herself to her paws to cross the clearing to where the rest of her family stood. She half expected her father to come along, but she didn’t wait to see if her assumption was correct, nor to get her answer if he was aware of Avacyn’s intentions of the day.

The bony scarlet fae worked her way through the crowd as it dispersed, not meeting anyone’s eyes as she made her way to the raised platform. She had hoped that she could sort out what she was feeling by the time she reached her destination. Surprise? Excitement? Annoyance? It all kind of blended together. It made her feel like she wasn’t in control, and that was the part she wasn’t fond of. Still, she tried to conceal as much of her personal frustration as she could as she slowly entered a conversational distance. With the strength she could find, she cleared her voice. “Congratulations Avacyn. It’s almost as if you were born for it.” Her tone lathered in a pointed dry humor.  Well, to be fair, trying didn’t always mean success.


"Mariah Mendacium"