Ashes of an Empire

Bramble sits straight as a board in her chair. She feels a certain tension throughout the room, but can't quite put her paw on it. Is this how all meetings would be? Not that she's against the seriousness of such matters, but were they not all acquaintances of some sort? If they weren't, why had her father invited them?

Several others arrive before her father speaks. Including a monstrously sized wolf that appeared akin to Sirius, and with him, a smaller girl who writing supplies. Bramble studies her for a moment, curious about her place in the meeting. Another girl appears similar in size to Haydee looking awfully nervous and Bramble can't help but smile encouragingly in her direction. Then a dark coated man with a serious look and ruby markings appeared. His aura alone nearly made her look away, but she doesn't. She was an important figure to the Hallows now and she wouldn't act as a pup anymore. Following up shortly after were two more leaders that she too didn't recognize, but Bramble would smile or nod at anyway or at least try to. Once her mother was in, the door shut, and everyone seated, Bramble turns her attention solely to her father.

With the meeting now underway, Bramble looks once more at each alpha to commit their name to memory. Haydee and Bellamy of Ethne, Modesty of Raider's Hollow, Basilisk of Armada, Philadelphia of Heidinn, Hattori of Tojo-kai, Kotori of Valta, and Avacyn of Elysium. It was a lot to remember so far, but there were twelve packs in total throughout Boreas and Auster. Well, eleven since the fall of Ashen, but she was sure someone would soon scoop up that position without fail.

Her attention then turns to the table that her father motions toward. She had seen the intricately carved map more than once and it never ceased to amaze her. Each effigy that stands upon the table marks a location for their respective packs, Bramble then noticing how some seemed to move or change more often that not. One such change is the new snake effigy that her father brings attention toward. Artorias speaks of Beauregard and Norad, their short lived reign now in the past with the forceful removal conducted by a Sephiran Saxe and his Syndicate. The shiver that runs down her spine at the thought of coming across such vile wolves is undeniable.

As her father continues, she draws her gaze up from the table to those who sit around it. Each hold a place in the world, in the finite thread of things, and she wonders how they will take it. Do they all have the same impression of The Syndicate? Or were their perceptions different? If what her father says is true, she silently thanks him and her mother for training her in combat. Out there, away from Hallows territory, there was no telling who she would run across.

With the floor now open for comment, Bramble perks up, eager to hear the different opinions. First is the very large Warlord, Basilisk. His viewpoint is far different than her father's causing her brow to crinkle in thought. Had he not come across Sephiran though? Were those in allegiance of The Syndicate varying than their leader? Next comes an eye opening surprise that leaves Bramble's ears falling backward and her heartrate picking up slightly. When the glass bottle clunks heavily on the table, Bramble isn't sure what to make of the Raid Queen. The audacity of Modesty was a bit shocking if she were being honest.

The words she speaks though send Bramble's gaze moving toward Haydee and Bellamy, question in her gaze as she wonders what their role is in the equation. Left with more to question than not as Modesty makes her exit, Bramble is left with little time to ponder when the impish Delphi speaks up. The girl speaks well and with attempted confidence, something that changes Bramble's mood in an instant. Though she's still shaken by the outburst, she glad that someone is at least somewhat on her father's side. Even if it's not a true alliance, help is always welcomed. Right?

She notices then how Kotori appears... indifferent. His expression taut and perhaps slightly satisfied? Bramble's eyes flick over to the door that softly shuts behind Modesty. Did this Kotori have issues with the Raid Queen as well? Was his paw mixed in with her troubles? Or was he just full of himself? Trying not to make assumptions of wolves she didn't know, Bramble moves her attention from Kotori to Haydee as the other young girl begins to speak softly. The words whispered toward her father leave Bramble blinking slowly, her mouth pulling tight against her teeth. If the man was truly alive and being cared for, had they not though to inform the woman of such things? Or were they more caught up in covering their own butts for perhaps causing the injuries to him? Once more, Bramble doesn't wish to make preconceived notions of situations she wasn't involved in. Except... she had been there the day that Modesty's son had burst into the room with the news that he had indeed died by attack of polar bear and several others on Ethne's lands. How was the leader to explain that?

Still watching Haydee carefully as her mind reels around what had just happened, her ears perk when the girl continues on after a stretch of silence. Her comments on Norad and Syndicate leave her exhaling softly. The fear of losing loved ones was nothing to take lightly, that Bramble understands. What she doesn't understand is why Haydee swirls back around to her grievances with the Raiders. Was that truly the reason she was stepping down? If so, why not have this Saga come in place if she were the one to be leading now? Why was Bellamy here as well? The situation became ever more confusing, but Bramble continues to be still, expression neutral, with lips tight, taking everything more than seriously.

Curious more now what the others have to say on the matter as Haydee wraps up her piece, Bramble is quick to turn her gaze to Avacyn. The woman is pretty with her galactic purple fur and with her soft spoken voice, Bramble can't help but listen intently. What Avacyn has to say is just and she understands what keeps the woman from political matters. Family was nothing to take lightly. In a sense, Bramble agrees that perhaps the entire Syndicate is not wholly evil like this Sephiran is, but if they willingly followed beneath his order, did that not make them agreeable to his ways? There's a question there that she wants the answer to. Do they treat everyone by their own actions or were they to be held accountable for the pack name they wore as well?

As Avacyn ends, Hattori begins. Bramble's rapt attention turns suddenly to the Kaicho who she was surprised spoke at all. His appearance indeed gave off the aura that he wasn't one for words, but that made them all the more valuable. She thinks hard on his words. They don't all have to be friends, but civility is expected. Which The Syndicate appears incapable of. It was something she would take to memory, preparing herself to be cautious if she were to ever cross their paths. Hattori's question though does have her turning to look back up at her father. What was his intended outcome? What did he have planned? What else did he intend to speak on?