"But the dream, the echo, slips from him as quickly as he had found it and as consciousness comes to him (a slap and not the gentle waves of oceanic tides), it dissolves entirely. His muscles relax as the cold claims him again, as the numbness sets in, and when his grey eyes open, there’s nothing but the faint after burn of a dream often trod and never remembered." --Brigade, written by Laura
The bay woman happens upon the gathering quietly. The mare, Naga, had found her in the field and so Vaka had decided to join the woman's cause as she had nothing else to strive for. Long black tresses catch and curl around the strength of her neck, dark brown eyes are somber and ever watchful. Vakaran would have plated her vitals in the diamond encrusting of her genetics but unfortunately, as all already knew, the magic was gone.
A low sigh claws from between folded lips. Vaka gives a curt nod to the others when they look to run an analytical eye over her before their attention reverts back to the negotiating women. It is far too soon for Vaka do much more than to listen as the discussions went on. Vaka listens with razor sharp attention to detail. These women, other than Naga, are foreign to her but they were of obvious importance by the way the elegance of their words, the straightness of their spines.
There's a song in your lung and a dream in your eye.
In this time of great trial, there are no perfect solutions, Lagertha is certainly right about that. Joscelin holds her tongue as she listens to the ensuing dialogue. Both Lagertha and Hestia (a mare Joscelin has never met, despite her seeming familiarity with the Jungle) have plenty say. Another mare appears in the midst of this, though she says nothing, so Joscelin only nods in greeting. From what she can collect of the conversation, it seems that Naga had stepped forward to proffer herself as leader.
In her youth, Joscelin has been reckless. Reckless and angry, with something to prove. She had spoken and fought in haste, and she had barely thought twice about it. She had been a headstrong warrior down to her core.
She has since grown, both in wisdom and in prudence. She can hold her tongue. Oh, she is still a warrior, but one now tempered by diplomacy.
She knows so little of Naga beyond the few meetings they had both attended. They had been assigned the same diplomacy mission once. Joscelin might have used the opportunity to assess the mare and her skills, but she had failed to show. It is not something she will share with the sisters however. Certainly they have all done their fair share of disappearing. None of them are perfect. Holding her tongue might be the better part of valor in this situation, but it is a thing she holds in the back of her mind.
She would give her a chance however. Joscelin is not ready to lead. Not yet, at least. She is wise enough to recognize her own failings, and what she needs to do to earn that place and the respect of the sisters. So she gives the once-shifter a nod, signaling her silent acceptance.
She would give the woman a chance, just as the others. ”Naga makes as much sense as any of us.” Her glittering golden gaze fixes on the darker mare. Let her be reminded that she has so very many competent sisters to answer to. ”Besides, as Lagertha said, if it doesn't work out, we can revisit the matter.”
Joscelin
Tiphon x Elysteria
html c insane | picture c mikanicole.deviantart.com
Nayl listens, but she is hardheaded and so very stubborn. Her tongue is sharp and her mind mistrusting of this new world. The Amazons had loved and cherished the Jungle, but now it has been ripped from their grasp like reprimanded children.
Naga adopts an air of authority during this chaos and Nayl cannot deny how her body bristles at the hunger for power that the shifter exhibits, pushing them to accept her and taking on the responsibility as though it is a gift destined for her. They do, indeed, need leadership in these dismal times, but there have been many Kings and Queens who blindly leap for that power only to disappear and fail their pledged followers. Not knowing Naga, nor her efforts and shortcomings, Nayl is hesitant to throw in her support immediately. Unlike the others she hesitates. In her pause she tries to reach out tendrils into the world, but she still has no effect like she used to. She frowns unhappily.
The uselessness of her magic is slowly setting in and for a moment Nayl almost unattaches herself from the conversation, but her head holds her steadily here among them. This is where she is supposed to be; she’s to help rebuild the Amazons and help acquire a new home as they do certainly need one. An ear swivels and she slowly blinks before looking at each of them. They are all family, whether it is through blood or mere grit, and so she purses her lips tightly shut while Lagertha says her piece. Each of them has more to add, each statement sinking into the air among them idly. Then her eyes flicker to Naga. It isn’t dislike; no, not at all. It’s a mere questioning whether she is fit to lead them, who is truly fit to be the next Amazon queen during their rebuilding.
”Well, Naga,” her voice is still terse but there is a lightness in her autumn eyes even as she scrutinizes the mare, ”it seems that you’re leading until you’re kicked off, should it be necessary.” They’ve had many Queens who have failed them. Perhaps they will be able to establish a protocol as a means to avoid failure ever again. ”I think we’ve at least established what we need to. Next is to recruit and bring the Amazons back to fruition,” her head turns to peer up at the mountain towering high in the distance, ”before we travel up there to petition for a home.” Her heart is pounding excitedly. The Amazons will be reborn, but stronger and fiercer.
