Who do I think I am? Darling, please, if you have to ask that question you don’t know me at all.
In typical Malina style- she was late, or at least as late as one can be given to be to a meeting they knew nothing about. Even so, I am here and I am waiting, thus by definition, she is late. I dare you to argue with my logic. I am King. I can decree as I please. Even so I found my tail flicking in mild agitation as I rested outside of her den, violet gaze flicking down to watch a few of the pups as they played below, Azraels boys wrestling with each other while Achilles, Gecko and a child of Dusk and Sulan looked on. Where was Oswin? She should be there to enjoy such games. I still held a slight dislike of small and irritating things and yet, I suppose the years have mellowed me somewhat in that regard. I tolerate them and indeed, though never will I admit it willingly I have come to enjoy some aspects of pups, beyond their actual creation. I snorted at my own nostalgia, ears twisting to rotate behind as the sound of one approaching gave way to her presence, the small and yet attractive dark female sliding from within her den to take a seat beside me as was custom. Evidently however, someone has been feeling neglected and childish, my eyes rolling at her words, making no effort to hide such a thing. Honestly darling, how old are we? Let’s at least pretend we are not still jealous for our Master’s attention. I chuckled with teasing intent, words slipping easily from my lips.

“You dream of me, Chicka? I’m flattered, but truly you’re a little young for me don’t you think?”

She was entirely old enough to appreciate such banter and I had no intention of sparing her from it. If she wished to engage in word games then so be it, to few ever dare to take me on and really I have become quite unpractised lately- a dry run would be good. Her tirade however, was far from over, her features, which in that moment seemed so much like her Mother’s I allowed momentary surprise to register within my gaze- formed a frown, looking sour and irritable once more before she spoke again, my own lips twisting slightly into a scowl at her final sentence, the briefest warning growl edging it’s way into my throat as heckles bristled ever so slightly in a subtle and yet obvious reminder of who was dominant here. She may have been my apprentice once, she may be the Dark Angel of Diveen and indeed she may be my successor- but she will respect me as her superior and those beneath her- soon to be in her charge in one way or another. I understand I have been given to spend little time with her of late and yet, she herself has hardly been around, we are both busy, it is the nature of what we do and I hardly have the time to have tea parties with her every other week. I suppose I understand in one way and indeed I have been somewhat negligent of her of late and yet, while i will admit to that, I make no apologies for it. One day I shall cease to exist all together and the more practice she has standing alone the better she will be for it. Harsh- yes, but life is harsh. I shook myself lightly, irritation leaving as easily as it came, merely shaking my head with a brief exasperation before allowing my violet gaze to rest on her own, one eye quirking slightly upward.

“I can only assume you must have been busy for you information to be incorrect. Micteca is returned to Diveen, some days ago, Azrael implanting his fangs in a Demon’s neck saw to that and while the boy is an utter imbecile for having given Iromar grounds for war against us- void now with the death of Baphomet- it was more then you. Whatever reason you may have had, Malina- Micteca is your Art Sister, she, as the others, will look to you eventually and I hardly see you being a successful Master if you are given to abandoning apprentices. I am unimpressed. That Azrael showed you up is embarrassing enough.”

The words were harsher then I meant them to be and yet she had irritated me. I was annoyed at myself for having neglected her of late, her pointing it out only agitated me further along with her- attitude and indeed, I was nothing if not honest. No matter what she may think of Micteca, of any of her Art siblings the matter remained the same. They would look to her one day- refusing to aid them as apprentices would not bode well in the future. Assassins are loyal first and foremost to themselves and yet that does not mean we allow each other to go to our dooms if it can be prevented- especially not an apprentice. Had Azrael gotten himself caught, or Ava, then so be it, they could care for themselves. Micteca was barely just grown and not trained to fight. She is valuable, or will be and Malina had been careless. Besides, what goes around comes around and I have no doubt Micteca will remember, one day, who came for her. I snorted, eyes flicking away from her to stare out across the pack land, tail flicking once more, allowing the silence between us to continue a few moments and for the appropriate amount of shame to sink into her attitude-ridden skull. Women. When I was content that she was neither foolish enough to argue with me or attempt some other nonsense I spoke once more, voice calm and easy yet again, tone returned to its normal pleasant demeanor.

“So, you've been busy have you? Tell me about it. How have you fared with the list I gave you those months ago hmm? I spoke with Azrael on the way here and he informs me that he has interviewed Deamon at your request, the boy was found to be dangerous and should be removed by Azrael’s judgement. How have you been doing? How is your own apprentice? I like the boy, he is of good blood- and speaking of blood, I hear you met my Oswin- that she got quite a good hold of you tail hmm?”

I grinned easily once more, chuckling slightly. Oswin and indeed Cat Eye were quite a.....sharp topic when it came to my family, what Malina would think on it I could hardly say yet I included mention of her for that purpose, I’d rather the girl got it all out and I was giving her the opportunity to speak freely, to talk as we had not done in so long- and for a few hours at least she alone had my undivided attention to answer anything resting within her mind.


h e y e l
The King