Demons Never Die [Meeting]

One by one, the members of Valhalla began to trickle in. Epiphron Adravendi was seated comfortably alongside her father and Icarus, the man she barely knew, but the man that had been chosen to rule her family alongside her. The young woman was well-aware that some of the pack saw her as nothing more than a child, she held herself as regally as any Queen would. Beauty emanated from her, but as did naivety -- but confidence was something she did not lack, and as she stood before the wolves she had been made to rule, her blue gaze swept over them fluidly. Loyalty was important to her, and though she knew she was inexperienced, that would not keep her from trying with all her might to make these creatures safe and happy.

Her father's jaws parted to speak, and she noted the lack of power that his tones generally held. Instead, he spoke slowly and almost sadly. Cairo noted that Collision had not exactly made the best decisions, but also noted that the reaction to his choices had been unfounded. Fenrir had spoken out of line, as had Erani. Epiphron silently wondered whether she would have reacted similarly; she figured she and Collision would have been very different rulers, had he held his place as Alpha. But she did not think badly of him as a brother, despite whatever poor choices he'd made as a leader. She made a mental note to seek him out later, to ensure that he knew his adoptive sister was not upset with him. Soleil was visibly distraught, as was Chrysanthe, who's temper quickly flared. But it was subdued just as quickly, and she wished Icarus the best of luck. Aislyn spoke up, noting that she trusted Cairo's judgment, Fenrir noted his unhappiness once again, and Cairo spoke a few words to Chrysanthe before disappearing. Erani was eerily silent, a perfect match to herself; both were at a loss for words.

As she stood before her fellow Valhallans, she knew she ought to have felt pride welling deep within her chest. But instead she felt concern for her sister, who was struggling to maintain a sense of normalcy -- though Epiphron saw that beneath her tough veneer she was crumbling. Was she dreading the wedding? No, it seemed she was physically ull. She envied the love her father publicly bathed Chrysanthe in, though inside she hated herself for feeling envious. Brows furrowed as she watched her father go, wondering if she would see him take his last breath. How much she would give to see him live on. If only she could shorter her own years to extend his; she would sacrifice such a thing for him in a heartbeat. Eyes welled with pain as his tired body disappeared from sight.

Slowly, Epiphron's attention shifted to Icarus, waiting for the stoic brute to speak at last, she grew terrified at the future that awaited her. Her recent conversation with her sister weighed heavily on her mind -- and it pained her terribly to see Chrys so distraught over a future she never wanted, one she'd never had a say in. And it was then that she realized that, while she could be a great leader to Valhalla, that Chrysanthe would be an ever greater one. Blood rushed to her head, and she suddenly felt faint. Decisions, decisions, which one would benefit everyone the greatest?

"Excuse me--" Epiphron cut in suddenly, waiting briefly as Soleil seemed to mentally collapse and sprint from sight, surely in search of Collision. "Before Icarus speaks, I would like to propose something." Her father was gone, and Collision had failed to show his face as of yet. "I am grateful to have been chosen by Collision to rule Valhalla. I have always dreamed of taking my father's place, but now that I am in it, I have realized something.." The girl's voice welled with something like pain. But her tones were filled with passion as she gazed at the wolves before her, lingering mostly on Chrysanthe, Erani, and Icarus. "It should be my sister, Chrysanthe, in my place. Collision was misguided in allowing me to rule alongside him; Chrys is easily more capable and worthy." A sigh escaped her throat; she was clearly nervous, unsure what the reactions of the Valhalla pack might be. Even if she could do as good of a job as Chrys, the thought of her sister traveling to Seracia in such a condition, dreading every moment spent there, was highly unnerving. She could see nausea welling in the red-faced woman's eyes, even if no one else saw it. "Unless anyone has any objections, I would like to step down and allow Chrysanthe to rule as Alpha alongside Icarus, while I take her place and travel to Seracia to secure an alliance with them. I am aware that Seracia's King may very well deny my request, so I will retain my position as Alpha until I speak with him. If he approves the change in plans, Chrysanthe will then step up as Alpha." She grew silent quickly, lowering herself again to recline on haunches and await Chrysanthe's response, as well as Icarus' -- but mostly out of respect, for she seemed resigned to the sudden decision, and her head was held tall on her slender shoulders as she faced the group of wolves.