Breaking Point (Open)
Oct 2, 2013 1:49:14 GMT -5
Post by Kender Bard on Oct 2, 2013 1:49:14 GMT -5
There was a lot of muttering in the clan lately.
Things had become increasingly strained within Clan Char. It didn't seem obvious, at the first glance, but was there if one looked. The way people held themselves, some tense and others slouched. It was in the way conversations would be held in low whispers and stop abruptly if certain others walked by. It was in the sharp looks folks gave one another.
The tension was thick enough to cut. It hadn't escaped Charii's notice, but she was at a loss of what to do. She was going to be lifted to Elder status soon--her uncle needed the help of another. Her mother had never fully recovered from Alexi's death and the events of the demonic attacks. She did chores and other duties but her ability to lead had fallen away and she barely tried anymore. With Charanth growing older and Alexi dead, there was a sore need for an able and energetic Elder.
But Charii had never seen anything like this in the clan before and so left the problem to her uncle. She could often see Charanth pulling people aside to speak with them, but she didn't know what he was telling them. Whatever it was, it didn't seem to be helping much.
As she combed her hair with a frown, turning the thoughts over in her head, within her hut, Charii heard a loud, angry shout outside. Startled, she put the comb away and hurried outside to see a fairly sizeable crowd had gathered. It was nearly impossible to see what they surrounded so she began to squirm her way by--some people making way for her, others not--while she listened to the argument commencing.
"-strong leadership! Your family's reign was long and great but even the sun must set at the end of the day. It's time for someone new to step up."
Charii's heart suddenly clenched with fear. Were they talking about her family's status? Her uncle's voice rose up, strong and calm as ever. "You aren't even giving my niece a chance to prove herself."
"I think we've all seen how well Charii child of Char is going to be as en Elder," the voice sneered.
Charii stood still, shocked, hurt, and not uncertain if she should have tried to come close to this argument. Would her presence only hurt her uncle's argument? Or did she need to put on a strong front and face the man who was slandering her name so openly? It certainly wasn't an insult to be tolerated... And where was her mother?
A clanmate nearby glanced aside at her, did a double take, and then scowled, grabbing hold of her arm as if she were some unruly child.
"Let go of me," she growled at the older woman.
The woman squeezed a bit tighter. "This is your fault," she hissed.
Things had become increasingly strained within Clan Char. It didn't seem obvious, at the first glance, but was there if one looked. The way people held themselves, some tense and others slouched. It was in the way conversations would be held in low whispers and stop abruptly if certain others walked by. It was in the sharp looks folks gave one another.
The tension was thick enough to cut. It hadn't escaped Charii's notice, but she was at a loss of what to do. She was going to be lifted to Elder status soon--her uncle needed the help of another. Her mother had never fully recovered from Alexi's death and the events of the demonic attacks. She did chores and other duties but her ability to lead had fallen away and she barely tried anymore. With Charanth growing older and Alexi dead, there was a sore need for an able and energetic Elder.
But Charii had never seen anything like this in the clan before and so left the problem to her uncle. She could often see Charanth pulling people aside to speak with them, but she didn't know what he was telling them. Whatever it was, it didn't seem to be helping much.
As she combed her hair with a frown, turning the thoughts over in her head, within her hut, Charii heard a loud, angry shout outside. Startled, she put the comb away and hurried outside to see a fairly sizeable crowd had gathered. It was nearly impossible to see what they surrounded so she began to squirm her way by--some people making way for her, others not--while she listened to the argument commencing.
"-strong leadership! Your family's reign was long and great but even the sun must set at the end of the day. It's time for someone new to step up."
Charii's heart suddenly clenched with fear. Were they talking about her family's status? Her uncle's voice rose up, strong and calm as ever. "You aren't even giving my niece a chance to prove herself."
"I think we've all seen how well Charii child of Char is going to be as en Elder," the voice sneered.
Charii stood still, shocked, hurt, and not uncertain if she should have tried to come close to this argument. Would her presence only hurt her uncle's argument? Or did she need to put on a strong front and face the man who was slandering her name so openly? It certainly wasn't an insult to be tolerated... And where was her mother?
A clanmate nearby glanced aside at her, did a double take, and then scowled, grabbing hold of her arm as if she were some unruly child.
"Let go of me," she growled at the older woman.
The woman squeezed a bit tighter. "This is your fault," she hissed.