Sleepy Conversation (Cas/Perj)

[6dewdrops]

Tala

The tree showed no effort in shading the growing green grass in the clearing; the flowers showed no effort in blooming into brilliant colors; but Tala did not share their lack of effort. She stood in the long, wet grass, squinting, in an effort to keep herself from falling to the ground and closing her eyes. Night patrol had caused her to not get any sleep. The idiots who thought they could sleep through their shifts had left her patrolling all night. The urge to sleep was very great, but she was determined to stay awake. She was to meet with Perjury today and she would not be caught sleeping. But maybe if she just sat against the large tree... Tala studied the sturdy bark and decided to rest her side against it. 

She sat and leaned her head against the bark. The sweet sounds of spring lulled her into a peaceful transe, but she made sure to keep alert. Tensing all muscles in the event of a surprise attack. No where was safe. No one was to be trusted. Except perhaps the she-wolf who would be meeting her any minute. 

[Cascade]

Perjury fancied herself a punctual wolf—perpetual lateness was a sign of apathy at best and cowardice at worst—but even she was impressed to see Tala at their meeting place before she. And...she had been waiting overnight? It was a humorous possibility, but the alphess was fairly certain that her subordinate had merely dozed off. The authoritarian in her felt that Tala should be reprimanded, but the realist in her won out. They had not heard even a whisper of a threat for quite a while; the rigid patrol schedule was hardly even necessary anymore. Especially with her ability to keep watch over every corner of their lands.

"Tala," the alphess called to the sleeping wolf, loud enough to be heard but not too loud to startle her, "I am here."

[6dewdrops]

Tala

The steady approach of the alphess caused Tala to snap out of her transe and turn toward the she-wolf. Her back snapped into an upright position and she blinked the sleep from her eyes. This was her leader, she could not appear weak or undisciplined. The fact that she had been called to meet the notorious alphess Perjury in a private meeting was shocking. What could the alphess possibly want with her? She had no idea, but once this meeting was over, no one would dare to disturb her mission of sleep. If they did, they would be lacking a few essential senses. That would have to wait until Tala finished her meeting with the alphess. 

Tala dipped her head in a common, but respectful greeting. "Good day, Alphess." 

[Cascade]

Perjury nodded in acknowledgment, giving her the courtesy of ignoring her sleepiness. "Good day." This meeting had been a long time coming. Tala had been a member of the Frigid Plague for quite some time now, and Perjury felt that she embodied the values of the pack greater than any other subordinate. "I have an important matter to discuss with you. One which concerns the elevation of your rank in the Frigid Plague. Are you prepared to take on more responsibilities?"

[6dewdrops]

Tala

Tala had to admit. She was not expecting this. "More responsibilities"? Did that mean what she thought it meant? Tala took a second to compose her overwhelming emotions. She adopted a straight expression to disguise her surprise, but she knew Perjury would be able to feel her racing heartbeat. In an attempt to keep Perjury from taking back her proposal, Tala quickly responded. "Prepared? Of course. I have been bored with the lack of duties to fulfill. Having more responsibilities would be just the thing to fill my time." Trying not to get ahead of herself, Tala decided to make sure Perjury was suggesting what she thought she was. Hopefully she wasn't just going to give her more patrolling shifts to occupy her free time. In a neutral tone, Tala inquired, What did you have in mind?"

[Cascade]

Perjury nodded, glad that she had been understood. "I believe the position of gamma would serve you well. As gamma, you would be a living embodiment of our pack's image and values. You will have the authority to judge if prospective members are suitable for the Frigid Plague, and to accept them as subordinates. You will also act as a messenger to the Honovi whenever it is required, and you will accompany me on diplomatic visits to other packs to serve as an ambassador." Perjury's tail curled around her legs as she gave Tala a few moments to absorb all of the information. "The choice is yours. Take as much time as you need to consider it." Perjury also hoped that she would be able to relay the same message to Quinn, who she felt would do a fine job as well. Quinn had made herself scarce in recent days, though, so the alphess had decided to offer the promotion to both she and Tala separately, rather than at once.

[6dewdrops]

Tala

Tala lowered her gaze and nodded her head in mock consideration. What was there to consider? She had been wanting for this since the moment she joined the Frigid Plague. "There is no need for me to consider anything." Her eyes rose to meet the gaze of the alphess. In a decisive tone, she spoke confidently, "I would honored to serve as a Gamma under you." To emphasize her point, Tala gracefully folded her leg under her body and positioned herself into a bow. 

[Cascade]

Perjury smiled an easy smile. Her ranks were growing by the day, and now they were growing stronger too. Soon the Frigid Plague would be rebuilt to the glory days of her own puphood, and Tala was one more link in this new chain that made them strong. "I am glad to hear it Tala. Then, it is so. With the Power as my witness, I hereby bestow upon you the rank of Gamma of the Frigid Plague."

After the formal occasion had passed, the alphess relaxed her posture a bit. "At ease now, Tala. I was hoping we could chat now simply as packmates and catch up." She sat beside her new Gamma, curling her tail around her as she soaked up a ray of sun that had made its way through the dense treetops. "I am always in tune with the needs of the pack as a whole, but I do not forget the individuals. How have you been?"

[6dewdrops]

Tala

Tala released the tension in her back at the leader's words. She made sure to not let her guard down in the process. As she considered the question, she quickly responded, "Tired." That was stupid. The alphess is probably tired too, she thought. Although if she was, she was hiding it very well. She chuckled to show her stupidly considered answer. Then Tala quickly changed the subject before Perjury could respond. In a sad and remorseful tone Tala said, "If I am to be truthful, it is lonely. Don't get me wrong, I am not one for affection and whatnot, but I do believe - and I may regret saying this - I would prefer to be surrounded by annoying excess wolves than feel empty and alone." She smiled in an attempt to keep the conversation friendly, "But that is just my opinion."

She turned her eyes to sweep the empty clearing. Absentmindedly, she continued talking, "I hope to one day see this clearning packed with strong wolves. Strong wolves who can protect this vast territory." Her eyes returned to the she-wolf in front of her. "I'm sure you feel the same." Tala gave her a grave smile and awaited Perjury's response. 

[Cascade]

Perjury considered her words, nodding solemnly. The reality of the situation had not been lost on her either. She herself was still young, but could not possibly remain that way forever. Still though, there was some cause for optimism. "I hear your words and I agree. But don't lose hope, our pack is slowly growing. I am not sure if you have met them yet, but two males—Malice and Caecilius—recently joined our ranks. More will follow in their footsteps."

The alphess cast a glance at Tala, wondering if she should broach the topic. "I don't suppose," she started, "That you have given any thought to the idea of finding a mate?" Looking out to the trees as though such a candidate would be standing right there, she herself thought about the necessity of carrying on her own family line. "Wolves, even our kind, are not meant to spend their whole lives alone."

[6dewdrops]

Tala

She nodded to acknowledge that she was listening as Perjury agreed. The two new additions gave her hope, but two was a very small number. That would only be two more bodies to sit on the many stumps in the clearing. Tala considered other options. One ideal situation was if they got more females. Then they could have pups and their numbers would slowly multiply. It didn't occur to her until Perjury said it, that she was also a female, capable of producing offspring. She blushed. It may be nice, but she didn't trust most wolves and the idea of a male wolf having dominance over her was disgusting. "I haven't given it much thought," Tala admitted. "The prospect of a male wolf swaying my decisions and influencing my emotions angers me." Even as she said it, she knew it was different. Tala wasn't angry, she was scared. Scared of being in love and losing her emotions, losing her cool head. She shook her head to clear the thoughts. That wasn't true. "Tala" was not someone who got scared that easily. 

[Cascade]

Perjury chuckled at her words at first, but quieted herself when she noted the serious expression on her face. "Who is to assume that a male would be in charge of you?" she asked, "Anyone who knows you as well as I do would think that you would be the one in charge of him. I'm sure there are plenty of males out there would want nothing other than a confident and assertive mate. Perhaps more than you think. " She thought of herself, and how she had led the pack through thick and thin without anyone else needing to guide her hand. It was the kind of example she would have wanted to set for her own pups, and she would proudly guide them in her own legacy. There was nothing saying Tala couldn't do the same.

[6dewdrops]

Tala

She listened quietly to Perjury's words. Tala knew Perjury was right, but she had yet to meet a wolf like that. "Perhaps. Maybe one day I'll find one of those wolves, but not yet." Wanting to change the focus from herself, Tala asked, "What about you? Do you have anyone close to your heart?"[/b] She knew she shouldn't be intrusive, but she was curious. The life of the alphess intrigued her. 

[Cascade]

"Hm..." Perjury was torn between not knowing how much to reveal and not knowing how much there even was to reveal. "I admit, I have only recently bothered to put any thought towards the subject. I may not be quite wired towards romance, or it may simply be that I have been too preoccupied with the wellbeing of the pack to prioritize my personal life. Regardless of the reason, I know that I will need to create a legacy. With whom? I couldn't begin to tell you." The alphess looked away momentarily, trying to mask the hint of a lie in her final words.

[6dewdrops]

Tala

She nodded with understanding. Then an idea popped into her head. It may be a bad idea, but it would be fun to throw around. "It may be fun to be mates with the strongest wolf in our pack." Tala shifted her feet slightly, not sure if Perjury would like her idea. "And it may be nice to get to know the new member's abilities." She almost formed an evil grin as she looked at the alphess. "Would you like to test them?"