“It was touch and go for a couple of years,” Lagertha replies wryly, biting back a bitter edge. It gladdens her heart to see Joscelin, and so she offers her a small, tight smile. At least they were worried. The selfish part of her hoped that there were others who cared that she’d gone missing, but that was a thought she’d take with her to her grave.
Her shoulders unconsciously roll, stretching the scarred, occasionally tight skin across her shoulders. But it brings her to her next point, and one that she’s feels in the the tension of Nayl’s body. It vibrates through the tobiano sister’s body like an ill-tuned violin string. Who shall lead? It might be pure hubris that makes her speak now, but those who have known Lagertha for years also know she speaks bluntly. Firmly. And as a woman who led the Sisters for nigh on ten years, she’s earned the right to speak and be heard. Even if they disagree.
“No, We need a leader now,” she says, contradicting Nayl. “If what I’ve heard is true, bickering about who is in power all the way up the Mountain will get us nothing. Our vows are to a betterment of a collective group, and trust me, I know what it’s like to serve under someone you don’t like. It sucks, but it's doable. Hell, some of you may have even hated me.” She chuckles a bit, but continues on. “Lexa is gone, and I cannot lead you. Even if I had the energy” (isn’t her gaunt frame enough to betray her true state?) “ I am not meant for times of peace. I am aggressive - a warrior down to the tips of my hooves. Beqanna’s made it pretty fucking clear that power-mongering is not welcome right now… so someone else has to rise to the occasion.” She looks at the assembled Sisters and she considers each of them in turn.
Hestia was too recently of the Valley. Celeana was too new. Nayl, Joscelin, and Naga all had habits of disappearing, but she can’t imagine the three of them serving on a council. As fond as the former Queen is of Joscelin, she remembers her very long absence, and isn’t sure she won’t do it again. Same with Nayl, though the black and white woman also seems to spit venom, and they need unity right now. Nayl would be her logical choice, but her gut seems to make her move on. Blasted thing couldnt listen to reason. Naga seems the only option left, and Lagertha silently curses that Lexa hasn’t shown herself to give them a better option. She has her own opinions on the panther shifter… the girl is far too eager to please, loquacious enough to border on the obnoxious, and she wonders if the girl has ever told someone ‘No.’ And that is something a Queen must know how to do.
“I propose we give Naga a chance.” Her gaze turns to the panther-shifter and they narrow ever so slightly. “And if you suck, we can replace you with a vote after a year. But we will give you our full support until then.” Her gaze travels back to the women, direct and challenging. ”Yes? No?” If they disagree, they should speak now. Lagertha had always encouraged honesty during her reign, and that tradition shouldn’t fade away.
Besides, she had her own designs on a new rank: War Chief. All of the fun, none of the responsibility until they needed her.
Her shoulders unconsciously roll, stretching the scarred, occasionally tight skin across her shoulders. But it brings her to her next point, and one that she’s feels in the the tension of Nayl’s body. It vibrates through the tobiano sister’s body like an ill-tuned violin string. Who shall lead? It might be pure hubris that makes her speak now, but those who have known Lagertha for years also know she speaks bluntly. Firmly. And as a woman who led the Sisters for nigh on ten years, she’s earned the right to speak and be heard. Even if they disagree.
“No, We need a leader now,” she says, contradicting Nayl. “If what I’ve heard is true, bickering about who is in power all the way up the Mountain will get us nothing. Our vows are to a betterment of a collective group, and trust me, I know what it’s like to serve under someone you don’t like. It sucks, but it's doable. Hell, some of you may have even hated me.” She chuckles a bit, but continues on. “Lexa is gone, and I cannot lead you. Even if I had the energy” (isn’t her gaunt frame enough to betray her true state?) “ I am not meant for times of peace. I am aggressive - a warrior down to the tips of my hooves. Beqanna’s made it pretty fucking clear that power-mongering is not welcome right now… so someone else has to rise to the occasion.” She looks at the assembled Sisters and she considers each of them in turn.
Hestia was too recently of the Valley. Celeana was too new. Nayl, Joscelin, and Naga all had habits of disappearing, but she can’t imagine the three of them serving on a council. As fond as the former Queen is of Joscelin, she remembers her very long absence, and isn’t sure she won’t do it again. Same with Nayl, though the black and white woman also seems to spit venom, and they need unity right now. Nayl would be her logical choice, but her gut seems to make her move on. Blasted thing couldnt listen to reason. Naga seems the only option left, and Lagertha silently curses that Lexa hasn’t shown herself to give them a better option. She has her own opinions on the panther shifter… the girl is far too eager to please, loquacious enough to border on the obnoxious, and she wonders if the girl has ever told someone ‘No.’ And that is something a Queen must know how to do.
“I propose we give Naga a chance.” Her gaze turns to the panther-shifter and they narrow ever so slightly. “And if you suck, we can replace you with a vote after a year. But we will give you our full support until then.” Her gaze travels back to the women, direct and challenging. ”Yes? No?” If they disagree, they should speak now. Lagertha had always encouraged honesty during her reign, and that tradition shouldn’t fade away.
Besides, she had her own designs on a new rank: War Chief. All of the fun, none of the responsibility until they needed her.