• The Vulcan Peak is where homeless mares come to live as a sisterhood. Stallions may not live here except as captives or companions for the Leaders.
• Warriors keep mainly to fighting, Thinkers keep mainly to raiding, and Politicians may do both, neither, or act as diplomats. Members may issue their own battles and raids, but should generally consult the General, Codebreaker or Prime Minister for permission.
• All major decisions are determined by vote, but the Prime Minister maintains order within the Peak and has the final say.
• Elections for leadership positions will be held every TLI summer, provided the qualifying criteria are met.
• You can find detailed information about how the Peak works on the Rules page.
show you how to touch my trigger Posted on January 15, 2025 at 04:01:43 PM by marceline
Of all the mares Marceline expects resistance from, Khar'pern is the most surprising. Marceline had boldly assumed her predecessor would be firmly on her side in fighting back against whatever counterattack the Lagoon would surely be planning. Yet as the rosy mare turns her attention towards the Prime Minister, it is not support she receives, but sharp-tongued beratement. As soon as the first words leave her lips Marceline can feel her irritation and her ire growing, having been expecting agreement and instead receiving dissent.
"Selfish?" she snarls back, ears pinning against the curve of her neck. "Protecting my herd is selfish? If that is how you wish to view it, so be it. You grossly mischaracterize me, Khar'pern. I did what I did because I thought it was right, as any leader should." Her eyes, fiery pools of molten amber, bore into Khar'pern's, her face a twisted mask of anger. Beneath the hard exterior, though, she feels wounded, flayed to the nerve by Khar'pern's vicious accusations. They were supposed to support one another, but the former minister seemed all too willing to tear a rift between them. And for what? To what end? The Lagoon and the Peak would never be at peace - anyone who thought otherwise was a fool as far as Marceline was concerned.
"I will never apologize for freeing a Peak mare from her captors." Marceline was incensed that Khar'pern would turn on her so quickly. She had done her a favor, freeing her from that fetid swamp, and this was how she showed her gratitude? Marceline could barely contain her own caustic words, which pressed insistently at her tongue and teeth and lips, begging to be spat towards the offending woman. "You can blame me for your captivity all you want if it makes you feel better, but know your words are false. Your sisters fought for you tooth and hoof. You would have had me go in your place and leave the Peak without true leadership? You delude yourself into thinking that was a feasible option. Besides, who are you to demand we do that for you when you never once did such a thing during your time as Prime Minister?"
Khar'pern continues on her rant, each word fueling the fire of Marceline's steadily growing anger. A scoff rasps from her throat at Khar'pern's suggestion that they would use force against the leaders of the islands - a truly ridiculous notion, if Marceline has ever heard one. "When did I say anything about threatening?" Marceline retorts dryly, staring down her nose at Khar'pern. "Tell me, sister, whenever did I mention forcing anyone to do anything? I did not, so don't you dare try to put words in my mouth." Too often in her youth Marceline had been spoken for - she would not allow such a thing to happen now, and by the very mare she was meant to trust. "We would ask, and if they say no, then fine. There will surely be others who would join our ranks willingly."
It is not hard to miss the way Khar'pern leaves Serenity out of her equation as she continues to spit accusations. To the red queen, Khar'pern seems all too eager to oust her, and any who might take her side. "Do you forget we also have a General of our own who is willing to protect the Peak? Or do you conveniently leave her out because you know she will side with me?" Marceline's words hold a challenge for the grey mare: acknowledge that she has intentionally left Serenity out, or walk back her words.
A feeling of cold dread crawls its way down the column of Marceline's spine as Khar'pern suggests her resignation, her stomach twisting into a knot under the weight of her sister's perceived betrayal. Her throat feels tight as she spits out a singular word: "No." The ivory locks of her tail whip audibly against her hindquarters as she scans the faces of her gathered herdmates before settling on Khar'pern once more. "If you wish to be rid of me so badly then you can call a mutiny and see who is in agreement. But I will not willingly step down for doing what any leader does: protecting their own." The silence that settles between the group is thick and oppressive, taut with tension that Marceline waits with bated breath to shatter. Replies: