AND WE'LL NEVER BE ROYALS
IT DON'T RUN IN OUR BLOOD
THAT KIND OF LUXE JUST AIN'T FOR US

Ishtar had taught her children at a very early age the ways and codes of Demonic lifestyle. She had impressed heavily how important it was to a cohesive life within the Demonic culture. How a Demon by himself did not survive long nor did they die valiantly. Hepzibah believed all of this. She saw how her mother conducted herself, how everyone submitted their voices to her. It was not to say that she was particularly dominant, but she contain a fire all her own. She was not servitor but knew her youth was a mark against her. She often wondered, did her Mother submit herself as a child? Did she bow to anyone ever? It was hard to imagine Mother bowing down to anyone. She had heard that she submitted to her half-siblings father. Did that mean their father was greater than her own? She almost wished they were both dead. At least then she would be a real orphan and not abandoned in an outlying pack from the near mythical Hell.

She wonders how Vera managed to be so silent when the mud seemed more inclined to suck in her paws than to support them. Perhaps it was a skill that Hepzibah would learn with time. She watched as her Aunt's tail rose just slightly over her haunches and Hepzibah's did likewise. Her bright gold eyes watched as Vera's expression changed from one of neutrality to dominance. Hepzibah watched while her face hid her emotions, much the way Ishtar had previously done. She waits while her Aunt puts this paltry display of dominance. Who was she kidding? She held no ranking that Hepzibah could discern. Even under Andras rule, she had yet to hear of her dearest Auntie ascending the ranks.

Hepzibah's own tail rose over her haunches and her ears pricked forward as Vera comes to look at the yearling expectantly. Hepzibah understood what was to be expected but she didn't feel like it quite yet. Angry and belligerent apparently was how the youngest of Ishtar's brood felt in this particular moment. But just when it looked like she would not submit to Vera she smirked. There was just the slightest hint of the newly emerged adult canine peaking out from beneath her black lip. Her eyes never left Vera's and her stance was tense. One day, Hepzibah would be impressive and be able to hold her own in such encounters, but for now, Hepzibah's voice slipped between black lips first. "You haven't been forced out of your den yet, Auntie Vera?" It seemed as if the young girl's markings spoke to her true nature. Where that would lead her would had yet to be discovered but for now, it seemed that Vera would have to deal with a sullen, angry teenager.

WE CRAVE A DIFFERENT KIND OF BUZZ