CHANGE COMES LIKE THE TIDE

The meeting begins, a slow start. A few of the wolves had left the pack after the declaration of war was sounded, which would explain their absence. Most of the pack remaining spoke up to offer their continued support - some remained silent. Qanik found herself terribly conflicted. Dread and doubt coiled in her chest like a snake, poison fangs tasting of betrayal sinking into her heart. Roman would have risked their lives for a war based on lies and paranoia, but she spoke of their leaving as a betrayal of her? Qanik had been conditioned over her life to complete and utter loyalty to pack and family, but she had always known that trust must go two ways. It was wrong, horrifically, terribly wrong for her to show any disloyalty that could hurt the pack, and yet... and yet.

She rose slowly to her feet once more, square muzzle set as though the pain were physical rather than simply emotional. Her denim-blue eyes remained steadily on Roman's as she spoke. "You all know that out of all of us gathered I have been here the longest. Only Ritsuka and Gossamir have been here as long as I. I was accepted into the pack by Deteste, a wolf most of you have never met, and promptly forgotten. He left the pack to Roman, a wolf none of us knew, a wolf who had never even been part of the pack. I had my doubts then." She paused, swallowed with a throat gone dry and hoarse. "Nonetheless I stayed and even grew to truly care for Roman as I care for all of you, as a family. When she was felled by the disease that swept through us I felt as though I had lost a sister, or a daughter. Perhaps I truly did."

Drawing herself up, she finally turned her head to bark sharply at the pack. "Roman failed in her duty as an alpha. An alpha cannot lead through selfish, childish whims. An alpha has a responsibility to the pack, to support and protect them, not to simply take all they have to offer and then incite fear and anger to take from them even more. She would have you laid down your lives not to protect the pack, but for reasons built of lies and personal vendettas. There was no poison - I was there when Gossamir told her this. Yet Roman persisted in speaking of Covari's alpha as a poisoner, as the one who brought the disease upon us. She holds up the alpha's trespass as another reason, yet that trespass was punished already. Since when have we required the death of trespassers? Some of you made your way into this pack through such means, yet we do not hold you so accountable. Instead of trusting us she brought in an outsider to plot this war with, telling no one else until the very last. She holds no trust in her packmates, in their abilities, but she insists that we trust her. No longer will I tolerate this injustice."

Her gaze returned once more to Roman and her voice softened. "I would have given you my life if you had but asked, Roman. But I cannot stand by and allow such childish pretexts to take the lives of wolves I call family. You are no fit alpha, and I cannot trust your judgement. I will live out my life as a rogue if need be, rather than allow your mistakes to rule over me." Her tail flicked once, betraying her agitation in a way her otherwise calm demeanor was not, and she turned her back on Roman. "Anyone who wishes to leave with me would be welcomed with joy. Anyone who would stay... I can only wish you luck. I will not be returning," she spoke to the rest of the pack, before moving slowly away from the gathering, away from the pack lands.



-exit Qanik unless stopped-



speech.