Act 1, Scene 1

a noose shaped like a crown

Scant few days had passed since the end of the elections. Granted, the outcome was hardly a surprise if the result was forgone. Only one wolf apace had stepped forward to take up the mantle of each seat; not even the previous members of the Cabinet had contested their claim. Where was the sport, the rivalry, the thrill inherent of politicking? There had been no challenge to it, no art. The sole source of interest had been Kismet's declaration that she would put forward for the Head, and not the Heart, as had been widely expected...but even that excitement had been swiftly soothed. The result had been satisfactory, though the process had been dull. Kismet was left feeling as though she had won by default, handed a participation trophy, and sent on her way with a crown carved of paper.

It was largely disappointing. Vindicating, that no one would think to challenge her, perhaps. But still disappointing.

The last several days had been a relatively straightforward plod of transfer. Da'Ira was not a nation to stand on ceremony. A few scribbled signatures here, a few tutorials there, followed only by a meeting with a few stodgy officials who dripped with enthusiasm and earnestness....And the power of an entire country had been passed on to the new generation. It made Kismet want to gag. Every single citizen of this flower-picking nation was, without exception, too trusting, naive, and damned downright nice. It was only to her benefit, of course, but still. One would almost feel sorry for them, and how easily their nature made them such ready targets.

With a sigh, Kismet flopped irreverently down upon the stones of the Skvode. Though her mind was awake and ablaze with possibility, her body projected weariness; a mask all too carefully cultivated, even as the sun began to set and cast long shadows that cast her expression into doubt. The faint scratch of talon on stone spurned further devotion to the act, as she groaned with playful complaint. "Ughhhhh. I'm exhausted. How are you still upright?" she asked, turning her gaze to glance upright at the pale male that approached.

code by claerie

Chuckling, Aph offered her a courteous smile. "Just used t' it, I guess. Yeh'll understand once yeh meet my brother." Perihelion was his opposite by default: Daring, extroverted, a blitz of motion and (often abandoned) itineraries. Besides that, it was during the evening hours that Aph tended to come to life, refreshed by the gentle dusk. He didn't have to be restricted by his sensitivity to the sun.

Of course, managing that wasn't difficult anymore. Though growing increasingly faint, residual aloe from the poultice he applied every morning still pervaded his fresh, minty scent.

Aph bowed his legs into a long, slow stretch that popped both shoulders, humming a sound of pleasure, then lowered the rest of his body to the flat, cool stone. Friction, the hedgehog that accompanied him, roused from where he'd been snoozing in the somewhat thicker fur around the white wolf's nape and yawned, then peered curiously at Kismet with small, intelligent black eyes. "Oh," Realizing they weren't acquainted yet, Aph gestured quickly, "this is Friction. We—my family, that is—call em Frik, though. And, ahem, if it comes up, he's not my dad."

What a stupid thing to say! The man's naturally pink complexion inflamed into a deeper hue. Aph was quick to look away and, with a forced cough, hurriedly moved the conversation along. "Ehm, how did yeh feel about the election? I thought someone would run against me at least, being new here. Yeh seem ta have a lot of friends though."

TABLE BY AMANDA

I AM THE DAWN

The judgement call rang through the citizen's of Da'Ira, silencing the hushed murmurs, the trepid excitement. Kismet's decision to stand as The Head, rather than The Heart unsettled most. Panic, shock. In that moment, the thunder of her heart silenced the outer world's voice, a twist of her stomach tugged at her.
"I shall stand." Noticeable gasps, all eyes shone the light upon her, with bated breath. She ignored the urge to srink, the dread that screamed like warning sirens to flee- no. This was her chance. A chance to change things for the better, to break the wheel- the repetition. Eyes levelled air and grace, wide and yet ocean blues spoke of determination Despite the cries within.

And so be it.

No one had contested. Despite the scoffs heard, none challenged.

And as Kismet was announced as The Head, Emerie rose to become The Heart and Aphelion The Hand.

After that moment- it had become a whirlwind, a change so quick it felt like her comfort, everything she had known, crumbled around her. She had been introduced to her new quarters, gone was her cosy room within the University, now- she stood at the precipice overlooking the sprawling waves. Wavers, trinkets, signings, rejoicing for those that encouraged her. And while everything had changed...

Had she?

With a bated breath, Emerie found herself staring at Skovde, mouth dry, heart pounding. And to no surprise- the sun kissed form of Kismet emerged, along with her new paler shaded colleague, Aphelion.

Now, she was not walking her path alone.

Dark ears twitched as soft navy paws drew her closer. It seemed that both of her new counterparts had began in conversation... late already.

Forgoing the dread that spawled within her, ocean eyes widened , trying her best to appear... warm. Not timid. Not scared. But perhaps, this did not stop the scowl that still furrowed her brows.

"Congratulations, to...the both of you." Oh how that voice sounded strange, slightly croaked. Clung with awkwardness. Quick a distraction!

Her gaze landed upon the small hedgehog- assuming Aphelion's familiar.
"Aww! So cute, what's their name?" Genuine curiosity pulled Emerie away from the chaos within, allowing a lightening smile to pull at her lips.





"We are all young and naive still."

code by claerie

@Kismet
@Aphelion

a noose shaped like a crown

The male's explanation was thin, but Kismet was well versed in feigning interest and enthusiasm. Her expression lit up with burgeoning amusement. "Are you asking me to come meet your family, Aphelion? How forward," she said, her tone warmly teasing. She let the moment pause, linger, just enough to likely provoke the momentary panic of pointed phrasing that she intended - before she broke the tension of her own accord. "I'm kidding. Though I'd be honored, if you ever wanted to. Never one to say no to a warm meal." A hand outstretched, an invitation proffered. Foundations laid.

As the pale, pink-nosed male reclined, an unexpected bundle tumbled out of his fur. Kismet blinked, taken aback for a moment, before identifying the thing as a hedgehog. Aphelion was quick to introduce the creature, while Kismet struggled to resist (and hide) the urge to lunge forward and eat it. She'd never really seen the point of keeping such creatures around. If it wasn't food, what use did it serve? At least the corvids had the added benefit of carrying messages. But things like this? The rabbits and cows and such that sometimes accompanied their lupine caretakers? Stupid.

After an unexpected addendum to his introduction, Aphelion stammered and turned red, and Kismet had to fight against the sharp-toothed, shark-like smile that threatened to stretch across her face. She reigned it in, proffering a much more polite, closed-lipped grin instead. Adorable. It was a simple thing to turn her attention down towards the prickly vermin he was attempting to introduce, rolling from her side onto her stomach so that she could properly face the thing and not have to look at it upside down. With a warm huff, she slowly - gently - extended a paw as if to shake the thing's hand, and ended up moreso just booping it on the nose. Ridiculous.

"Hello, Frick, who-is-definitely-not-Aphelion's-dad," she laughed. Just then, their earnest and erstwhile Heart appeared, and it was a simple thing to shove herself into a more 'proper' seated position. She was mindful of her paws in light of the hedgehog. "Oh, Em! Hi! And thanks - you too!" Pale yellow eyes went as warm as liquid gold, forging the fire of connection. She easily included the other in the conversation, sweeping her into the circle - despite the undercurrent of uncertainty that Emerie was oft known for. Kismet swept a paw out before her, indicating that the other female was welcome to sit. "Aphelion here was just introducing me to his friend Friction - and we were talking about the election. How are you holding up so far?" Skillfully she maneuvered the conversation away from herself, subverting her own answer in favor of the Heart's.

code by claerie

Are you asking me to come meet your family, Aphelion? How forward. Kismet's tease sent a shock through him that coiled around Aph's throat and reduced him to a sputtering mess, features impossibly vibrant. "Ehm, n-no- I didn't m-mean- That's n-not what-" All efforts to explain what the actual intent in his words was ended in disjointed failure, overcome as he was by what was always merely a joke at his unfortunate expense. Kismet's clarification didn't provide immediate relief, but Aph did noticeably deflate, releasing his panic in a puff of frazzled breath. "Eh heh... yeh got me..."

The distraction that Frik's appearance provided was much appreciated. As the hedgehog clambered down to snuffle at the grasses growing between the stones, he had a chance to catch his breath. Better still, Kismet's attention was devoted entirely to Frik instead of him.

But Aph had only a moment to enjoy the respite. It was brief but he was sure - predatory hunger had blossomed in her eyes, gone with a blink.

Having known Friction since the day he was born, Aph was intuitively aware of the danger living among wolves brought into Frik's life. Even his adopted brother, Kahru, had once looked at the hedgehog like a snack. It didn't surprise him in the least, nor did it alert him to the deception in the smile Kismet adopted instead, but he did subtly curl a paw around his companion to create a barrier between Friction and the Head, lest she lean forward and catch him between her teeth.

Emerie's arrival sufficiently cut the tension, summoning all three gazes to her as she both congratulated them and marveled over Frik in almost the same breath. "Ye, congratulations t' yeh as well," he agreed, likewise adjusting his position so that Emerie might find a space between them. Or, more accurately, between Kismet and Frik.

TABLE BY AMANDA

The air was tranquil, shifting into a lower bite of cool to signify the dawn of evening. As the winds softly whistled around them, the breeze tausling her tri-coloured pelt, awkwardly her soft ocean blues cast momentarily to the scenery behind the infamous stones- soon to be partly her own seat.

Her own..

Oh! Em, Hi! a chipper voice pulled Emerie from her own musings and back to the conversation at hand, she was met with eyes of warming yellow, much like the morning sun. Ocean blues would widen and Immediately, the smile of Emerie’s that may had been somewhat forced, now grew to be more genuine without control. A wag of her pale tail began as both Head and Hand thanked for the congratulations.

Without a moment’s pause- despite the refrain that gripped her chest tightly, her paws delicately manoeuvred herself to sit in between both. As the winds slowly danced around the trio, a mix of cinnamon caught her first, indeed the sing song voice of the fiery Kismet now met her ears. Noting of the Hedehog’s name and of her well-fare. ”I see. Lovely to meet you, Friction.” Dare the nervous chuckle stretch a smile on her lips.
Emerie admired those that had their own familiars. A dull ache began to settle within her chest, how nice it would be to have one beside you on your daily tasks.. instead of spending nights alone… one day, she hoped too, to find that companionship that she often yearned for.

Though Emerie knew of both Cabinet members before the unification, this would be the first time engaging together. She found down the nausea that now settled in her stomach.

Kismet’s question caused her ivory brows to raise. ”Good! Though, I must admit slightly… overwhelming.” A breath. ”It all happened so fast, I do believe I am still processing such victory.” Her gaze would dare to meet the soft, warming hues of Kismet once more. ”I am shocked we had no contenders- especially after you went for The Head… many suspected, like myself.. that you would go for The Heart? Indeed, many adored Kismet, the charming, illustrious, warming friend with a smile. Emerie had always admired the woman’s golden spirit, an aura and sight to behold! Never once had she thought to challenge or rival such a place.

And here she sat, as equal counterpart- with the dawning fate of Da’Ira upon her shoulders.

@Kismet
@Aphelion

a noose shaped like a crown

The poor thing all but choked on his own tongue at a bit of harmless teasing. Kismet grinned in soft apology, her golden mask switched out for one cast in innocent velvet, its painted eyes and carved mouth set in soothingly contrite lines. She was so visibly sorry for having caused him so much momentary panic, so evidently sincere in her apology - even if the innocent warmth of well-meaning humor still lingered on the edges.

The pale prince was nothing but an innocent lamb, a sweet, naïve child in the face of arachnid machinations. Could he see the web? Could he sense the strands that wrapped so lovingly around him, could he feel the sweet warmth of the flame over which he dangled?

No, of course he couldn't.

That was the whole point.

And yet...perhaps he was not as foolhardy as he first appeared. He managed to catch the momentary lapse of Kismet's control, the flash of hunger she could not deny in the face of such an obvious, easy morsel as the aforenamed Frick. That, however, was a harmless enough lapse; easy to explain away, likely shared by a fair majority of individuals who were brought face to face with the hedgehog. She almost smiled as she caught his oh-so-casual movement, his silent effort to place himself between the hedgehog and her teeth.

Kismet let the motion pass without commentary. It was of no matter. She would be more careful in the future. No sudden moves towards the tiny vermin creature.

Fortunately, Emerie was a welcome third to help divert attention. Kismet nodded along sympathetically as the darker woman admitted to being overwhelmed by the sudden change of status, of the sudden influx of oversight. Like a pauper resigned to burlap, clothed suddenly in silk, the difference in tactile sensation seemed almost painful by comparison. Kismet's inner demons sneered. Foolish. Did she think the title would be empty of actual responsibility? That she could wear a crown, and not have to shoulder its weight?

Emerie did, however, provide a moment of interest - an opportunity to elucidate on Kismet's own accomplishment. She arranged her features into a sincere echo of solemnity, warmed still by her signature saturation. "Ah, right," she started...and then paused, as if to find the right words. "You know, more people are willing to believe that a smart wolf could also be kind. Harder to make 'em think that a kind wolf suddenly sprouted a bunch of extra IQ. You can't really go back if folk already think you're more head than heart. "

The sorry thing was, the sentiment was sincere...if a little watered down. The best lies were rooted in truth, though. So she shrugged, and grinned warmly at Emerie, nudging the other female companionably with her shoulder. "Besides, I had a sneaking suspicion someone else might make an even better Heart than me." She glanced around at the three of them - the titular heads of Da'Ira. "So now it's us! The Three Musketeers, yeah? All for one, and one for all of Da'Ira." Ugh. Gross.

code by claerie