you could haveit all, my empire of dirt
archbelle babs
Deathbelle thought on her course of action as her dainty paws brought her to the meeting spot within the rocks. The red walls were bathed in blue with the moonlight. The sky was slowly returning to Boreas. The Empress reclined on her raised dias and threw back her head to call out for her children. She expected them to appear before her with haste, and the seriousness of their conversation was conveyed through the sternness in her voice.
Deathbelle wears a rosebud tiara that is not shown in her art.
Pestilence was awakened by her mother's stern call and the pup furrowed her brow in confusion at what reason the Empress would have to call her kids to her under the moonlight. With Pesto's luck it'd be something to do with Abraxas and that they could see father's face in the moon or something. She huffed softly before getting to her feet to obey the command. By the time she'd made it to mother's meeting place she could see she was first and it made her proud to be so prompt and obedient. A part of her wondered if mom disliked that she wasn't as devout as the other children and she wanted to make up for that short coming in the other things she did. "Hi Momma." Pesto greeted happily, settling before the Empress to await the rest of her littermates. "Thinking" "You." |
A song of power and true divinity filled Plague's monochromatic ears as he roamed the territory. Large and growing paws hit the earth with diligence as the phantom pivoted. Formerly the young Klein-Abraxas had been on his way to the Oasis to explore and maybe practice hunting. But, the call in question came from the Empress herself and breathed of summons. Urgency was evident in the howl which called for the tall pup to lope onward with haste. Steps were taken with a natural confidence but a very clear air of caution. He had been taught that it was not always smart to stomp around and make others aware of his location. Being in pack lands it would not matter much but practice was always welcomed. It was not long before Plague set his eyes upon the sight of the flower crested Empress and his dear sister Pestilence. Emerald eyes flicked between the two as the silent boy moved to take his seat a few tail lengths to the right of his sibling but still in the front. Plague was not one to welcome the idea of being the center of attention due to his quiet and more curious nature. But, the easy confidence that flowed through his veins allowed him to sit with a raised head and a slight grin quite naturally. "Mother." Eyes moved towards his sister, "Pest." A sly nickname for the dear babe. |
The tall pup smirked as she trotted up to sit beside Pestilence and Plague, sure their last two siblings would appear swiftly. Dark ears perked as she looked to their mother, curious about why they were all being summoned here. ”Hello everyone.” She greeted the three of them with a flick of her tongue.
Such path, at the moment, was carved by her mother's howl. Tox made her way to sit among her family, offering a light nod to each in turn. She didn't feel the need to say anything, and she knew her mother had words she wished to share, so the girl sat herself and waited.
Archon’s memory was very much alive especially in the gaze of the Empress’s only son. Her late husband’s forest green eyes found her lilac gaze in the boy. ”Plague, my love.” She greeted back as he settled and greeted his sister. Venom was next and she sauntered easily to settle beside her siblings as Toxicity quietly made her entrance. Belle offered her a loving smile as she nodded to her family in greeting. Calamity would bring up the rear, the girl seemed to be the most obviously affected by her father’s passing.
Her voice took on an otherworldly quality, something that didn’t escape her mother’s notice. The woman realized how much more time she needed to spend with her children. ”Calla,” she greeted with warmth, wondering what it would take to return the girl to the world of the living.
”My children,” she started while meeting each of their gazes. ”You are all growing so fast.” Her voice was warm, she adored each one of her offspring. They were her whole world, all she had left of Archon. ”It is past time to think about your futures.” She knew that they were already training, she’d seen a few lessons and knew Sirius did the same. ”You know the Empire’s ranks, you know what skills you wish to persue. Where do you see yourselves as adults?” She asked tentatively wondering if one of them would seek out the position of heir without her mention.
Deathbelle wears a rosebud tiara that is not shown in her art.
Their mother had called them to ask where they might see themselves when they were grown, and Pestilence audibly groaned at Calamity's sudden response. Her head shook disappointedly, saddened that her sister would waste her strength and horns by choosing a path of Gods and nonsense. She looked around at the rest of her littermates, wondering if the others too would rather choose spirituality over power. "I want to be the warlord." Pestilence said next, confident in her chosen path. Sirius was gone now, that must mean the position was available, right? She'd let her siblings play make believe all they wanted and while they did so, Pestilence would protect them and the other Klein's. That was her future. "Thinking" "You." |
"I... haven't given it much thought," she lied, humming as if she was torn. "I'll consider it and come to a decision soon, though."
A monochromatic flood happened upon the clearing as the rest of his dearest litter mates filed in. Sharp emerald eyes took in each one of his siblings. Warmth filled his heart as a little grin slipped across his lips. They were incredibly competitive, some more then others, but it was evident they all truly cared for one another. Despite Plague's reclusive nature he still found comfort while being surrounded by any of them. Yet, the sapling's thoughts were interrupted by that of a demand from the brood mother herself. Where do I see myself as an adult? The young ghoul could not fathom true adulthood for the thought of it was so far out of reach, yet so fast approaching. Plague's tail flicked in thought as he listened to his kin's responses. Cala was quick to announce the rank of High Priestess, Pest grasped for Sirius' position, and Toxicity was unsure. Each of the answers were unique and he could understand each of them. But, where did that leave him? Plague knew he desired to pursue knowledge, defense, fighting, and navigation. Four broad areas that may lead him down a more narrow path once he figured out his true desires. But, that didn't help him much in those pressing moments. "Right Hand to the Empress." Or whomever may hold the throne at the time. Plague could imagine himself upon his mother's throne but he would not aim so high just yet. There was a lot to figure out within and growth to be had. Also, he was sure Venom would be itching to be the true Heiress. |
Pestilence wishing to take on the position of warlord wasn’t very surprising, other than Calla she was the other one best built for battle besides herself. She used to train with Sirius, maybe she was the best option for the new warlord position. Venom was most interested in her brother’s proclamation, but it only cemented what she would say.
”I wish to be Empress.”
Plague spoke up and sought out his position as second in command where the one she would have chosen for it spoke up to claim her place as heir. Deathbelle wasn’t sure what she expected but they seemed to mostly fill in where they needed to be. ”Pestilence, Plague, you are now Apprentice Soldiers. You’ll train with your uncles Hannibal and Harbringr.” She started, giving each of them a proud grin as she told them. ”Calamity,” she looked to Toxicity as well. ”Tox, you will be Apprentice Priestesses. I expected both of you to continue training with Obi.”
Lilac gaze shifted to Venom then, the girl’s confidence radiating as she stood proudly before her mother. ”Venom, you have earned the rank of Crown Princess.”
Deathbelle wears a rosebud tiara that is not shown in her art.
Finally, her mother proclaimed Venom to be the next heir, and Pestilence groaned. "Earned?" She repeated angrily. "You asked us what skills we wanted to pursue, where we saw ourselves. I didn't think Empress was an option." The pup blathered on, flabbergasted. Ashen didn't need an heir, not now. An heir meant that one day her mom wouldn't be Empress, and it was a future that Pestilence refused to believe would ever exist. She couldn't handle losing her mother, not without a father. "That's not fair, mom. Cala and Plague and Tox and I have to actually work and earn the path we want to take, and she gets given that one just because there's no competition for it?" The princess huffed, shooting a glare Venom's way. Why didn't she think of that?
Toxicity looked towards Pesto, a soft, airy laugh escaping her lips, "I agree, being Empress holds a lot of advantages." No one said she couldn't be empress and a spiritual leader. Besides, if she was empress, she was the one who would get to decide that anyway. "How about us three all aim for Empress? We can compete for the title when we have to, and whoever is unfit can sink into another role." She wondered how serious Pestilence was about wanting to be empress. "That way, we'll all need to be on our toes, right?"
”Yes, earned.” She replied to her sister with equal anger. Venom trained hard and set her sights high. It wasn’t her fault her sister’s couldn’t realize their own potential before jealousy could show through. ”I’ll have to work just as hard or harder than you” She retorted back, insulted that her siblings would think she didn’t have to do anything for her position. Venom wasn’t against a bit of competition though, she’d be able to prove herself instead of just being bestowed the title.
She couldn’t deny that her sisters were similarly capable to her, Venom wouldn’t admit that they were a better choice than her though. ”I’ll agree to competition though.” She agreed as she nudged Toxicity’s shoulder good naturedly. At least her more spiritual sister seemed more rational than Pesto.
Just as the boy's heart seemed to calm and his nerves were soothed his sisters got fired up. Venom's proclamation of her desire for a crown did not surprise him. She had always been head strong and the thirst for power was easy to see behind those vibrant eyes. But, his just as eager siblings seemed to take issue with their mother so easily allowing Venom to take the tiara. All of the pups were bestowed with good heads and promise of greatness so it truly did not seem fair to allow Venom to win the Empire so easily. Even if, in those moments, Plague did not want the title of Emperor for himself the boy felt as though there should be an even competition for it. As Pestilence spoke up Plague felt his heart race again. The flurry of emotion in such a personal social encounter seemed to cause his normally contained anxieties to flare up. Despite feeling as though the gal's tongue was sharpened a tad too much he could not help but to agree with some of what she said. In his opinion Venom hadn't earned a throne... and in reality none of them had. Next, Toxicity offered her more level headed thoughts on the situation which called forth a simple nod from Plague. Finally, Venom piped up and accepted the competition. Thoughts of competition filled Plague's mind in those moments. He did not aspire to rule but if his siblings were all in the running for the Alpha spot why shouldn't he partake? If he was truly not meant to lead as he felt he wasn't then so be it. But, could Plague rule out the possibility all together? Just then the large monochromatic male moved his sharp gaze towards his mother. "It would be foolish of me to not partake in this competition." Plague was still as he spoke with little emotion playing on his dappled features. "I too desire the role of Emperor. If the crown fits... shall be it." A pause. "Though, I would not put all of my eggs in one basket. I'd prefer to continue training with my Uncles in addition to diplomatic lessons from whoever you may deem fit." Plague seemed to exhale softly as he ended his speech. It was the most he had spoken publicly since the passing of his father and a likely rare occurrence. |