her house sinks down to death and her course leads to the shades,
Rude? They had no true understanding of such a word; perhaps they had been cottled their whole life, taught that entrance to a pack meant simply strolling over the border and that submission meant nothing but that was not the way of the demons and in turn, she did not believe it should have been the way of Iromar. She would, of course, be sure to share her disgruntlement over such matters with both the Absolute and Archduke - they were slipping as far as she was concerned, falling into a weakness. Had they forgotten what Baphomet had lost for them? How he would have wanted Iromar to be? The last intruder, a wolf whose own mother had once been ruler, had been crushed beneath his weight with her muzzle firmly between his teeth. That was domination, that was leadership - not this.
"Best to keep your mouth closed on matters of culture, Minos."
She had leaned in towards him to speak, growling her words quietly to him though she cared not if the stranger heard - he, too, would best keep his opinions on culture out of her hearing if he wished to keep his ears. As far as she was concerned, he was not an honorary part of their belief system solely because Paldor had invited him. Who would argue such a thing? A fool, perhaps. She'd not bothered to acknowledge the small boy that followed his father, too far consumed in the agitation that had become blatant disrespect. Her hackles bristled once more as she straightened up, watching Paldor through narrowed eyes before she stood forward closer to the stranger - this Rayn male. His silence spoke as disrespect as dictated upon by their culture - it insinuated that he deemed himself above her. For that, she would continue to move forward, her tail arched and body rigged until she was but some foot or so in front of him. Then, she would intent to reach out and grasp his muzzle firmly between her jaws, though she took the courtesy of being gentle enough so that such an action would not hurt. If he allowed the action, as she expected he should, she would only hold such a position for some moments before retracting, her paws taking her back once more to her prior position. This was not demon culture - this was wolf nature. If he refused, or attempted to once more show such disrespect, matters would change. This was not demon culture - this was wolf nature.
"What skills do you bring?"
She addressed the question to Rayn, her ears flickering towards him as Paldor went ignored for the time being. The male's invitation of Rayn gave him some leeway though it would take much time before Lillith would be convinced of his worth, if he had any at all. Any that came to understand Lillith knew her to be a simply domineering creature, as were many of their upbringing - they had watered down their method of raising children somewhat already to accommodate converts and the other members, but for wolves such as Ishtar, Andras and Lillith, their childhood was abrasive. If they did not appoint their rank appropriately, if they made mistakes as simple as bringing the wrong blood to their pack, they were slaughtered. That was precisely why she stood between Rayn and the pack's borders, her eyes fixated upon him even as she spoke to Paldor and, indirectly, his son.
"My daughter has mentioned your son. I find he looks like his mother. Once we have sorted this matter, Minos, I must discuss him with you."
A new mother, too, had all the right in the world to so fiercely defend the land in which her whelp lay. Still, their was a sudden leniency in her voice as she spoke to Paldor, perhaps even the inkling of a half smile tugging at the corners of her lips. Such matters would not be discussed before a stranger nor, she figured, before the boy in which they were in relation to. Till then, she would need to deal with the matter of Rayn, a situation that could end easily or with great difficulty depending upon his choice of actions.
"Come. We are to find Ishtar."
She took a moment, observing him once more with dark curiosity before she motioned for Paldor to step aside, as if to clear an entrance. She would not bend, and she would not step aside for the male - never until he proved himself worthy.
all who go to her cannot return and find again the paths of life |
