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Post by Westering Holt on Jul 12, 2009 14:31:50 GMT -6
The drum boomed, calling the band to council. A week had passed since the last meeting, and during that time the band members had considered who would be their future leader. Factions had formed. The council members had, one and all, been approached by individuals and groups. Others, elders who weren’t on the council, had also been approached. But no one knew for sure who was going to be nominated and who wasn’t.
The cooking pit was once more covered, and the council were seated on cushions on the dais. Oreg and Nazari were both with and apart from the council. They were on the dais, but sat behind them, one on each corner. They were there to provide instruction, and advise if necessary.
As the band once more settled on blankets and cushions before the dais, the drums came to an abrupt end. A few seconds of silence passed as stragglers hurried to join the gathering.
Nazari’s voice carried clearly to the band as she provided the needed instructions. “We gather today to place nominations for our bandleader,” she said. “The rules guiding this decision are thus: one cannot nominate one’s self, nominations must be of sufficient age and experience, nominations may not be magic users, and finally all councilors must agree on the nomination.”
Oreg’s deep voice took up where Nazari’s left off. “Councilors may not make nominations of their own. They are here to learn the will of the band, not to make the band aware of their own.” A rustle of sound rippled through the band at that, and Oreg smiled. He hadn’t missed the many visits to councilors over the past few days. “To make your nomination, hold your hand aloft and you will be chosen to stand and speak the name. Just the name. Then seat yourself and another will be chosen to make a nomination.”
"After two nominations, the nominees will depart. They will have no voice in the council until a decision is made,” Nazari continued, taking up the thread of the explanation. “After they have departed, their qualifications will be discussed, weighed and valued. When all are fully aware of their strengths and weaknesses, two more nominations will be made.”
“This pattern will continue until no more nominations are made. Then the council will disband for another week, while all consider the choices before them. At the end of that week, council will be called again, the choices reviewed, and the last opportunity to consider additional nominations.” Oreg looked at Nazari and nodded.
She nodded back, and turned her rose-brown, gentle gaze towards the Plainsrunners of Tavol’s band. 'You would be proud of them, my dear,' she thought lovingly to that long departed spirit. “So shall the nominations begin.”
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Post by Kris on Jul 12, 2009 14:46:49 GMT -6
Sohnji stood with her lifemates and waited to hear who would be named. She glanced about at her bandmates. None had truly recovered from Mahkir's loss--and those who had suffered worst were front and center: Sureen stood with her foster-children on one side of the gathering, her lovely face as icy and stern as the distant mountains, and Kahlyn stood with other fosterlings across from her, her face turned away from her lifemate's.
Oh, Sureen! This is not like you, to make Kahlyn your enemy! Sohnji stared, aghast, at the proud maiden who stood spear-straight with her foster-children guarding her back, like a band of their own. It was a wordless declaration to Kahlyn and the band, that no matter who became Bandleader, Sureen already had all she needed. Will you split your family and make them choose sides, when you should be together to ease your grief? I knew you could be cold, Sureen--but I never thought you would be this heartless!
As if she heard the Healer's thoughts, Sureen turned her head and fixed Sohnji with a glacial stare. Her gaze lasted only a moment, at which point, Sureen turned to lay a hand on one of her fosterling's shoulders. But Sohnji felt as though a spear of ice had gone through her vitals.
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Post by Anna on Jul 12, 2009 21:30:48 GMT -6
Tevac to Koda
Tevac walked with his lifemates to the meeting, but left them when they reached the central circle where the band gathered. He felt badly about his thoughtlessness at the funeral when Koda had spoken to them and they'd responded verbally, forgetting his deafness. The other male rarely seemed to be hampered by the lack of hearing and it was all too easy to forget that to speak with him, one needed to send.
To make up for that lapse, Tevac had decided to offer to translate for the other elf today. There would be too many people talking, from different direction, and very little sending, going on. Koda would be lost.
*Koda,* Tevac sent when he found the other male. *There will be of discussion today, from many members fo the band. Would you like me to send what is said to you?* He smiled as he made the offer. *I apologize for forgetting to send at Mahkir's funeral. I wasn't paying attention.*
Astierri to Sohnji
Astierri rolled his eyes when Tevac walked away from them, but spread their blanket on the ground without calling the horse trainer back. Tevac had been worrying that bit enough, and if playing translator made him happy, then Astierri supposed they could bear being without his company this afternoon.
"Sit," he told Sohnji, placing a cushion on the ground. "This is going to be long, so there's no need to remain standing. Who do you think will be the first to make a nomination?"
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Post by meimei on Jul 13, 2009 0:20:37 GMT -6
Siyal sat alone. She was not by nature a loner, but she'd always been one of the quietest members of the band. The least likely to speak up in any group. Today was no exception. She watched the gathered band as she listened to Nazari and Oreg's explanation. The pain of Mahkir's loss had not yet faded for most of them, and she did not fail to see that Sureen and Kahlyn stood apart. Had the band leader's death broken them apart? Observing as usual, she did not fail to see the exchange between Sureen and Sohnji either.
She did not want Sureen chosen for bandleader, but if she was not what would she do? Leave the band? Or simply disregard the new leader? Even though the band was gathered all around her, Sureen's stance seemed to indicate that to her she stood alone. Troubled, Siyal glanced around the gathering. Who would be nominated first? Who would be first to speak?
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Post by Kris on Jul 13, 2009 7:52:19 GMT -6
Sohnji to Astierri
Sohnji looked around. "I don't know. I'd have said--"
And then Sureen stepped forward and held her hand aloft. The Council eyed her with open surprise, but one finally spoke. "Speak, Sureen."
Sureen inclined her pale golden head. "I wish to nominate Leshka as the new bandleader of Tavol," she said, and sat down.
Pandemonium.
Sohnji shook her head as the band erupted into shouts of acclaim for Leshka and yells of opposition against her. "Did you see this coming?" She glared at Sureen. "What is she up to?"
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Post by rayne on Jul 13, 2009 10:05:46 GMT -6
Koda to Tevac, Tiran
Without any shoes on, the beat of the drums seemed to travel up from the ground through Koda's feet and into his heart. He was walking with Tiran as usual, but the firestarter seemed distracted, and Koda was not inclined to ask why. He had seen Tiran and Ki-Nava sitting together talking, and thanks to his skill at reading lips, Koda had picked up on Tiran mouthing the name 'Chetta' to himself.
The tracker smiled at Tevac's sending, and quickly replied. **There is nothing to apologize for. Your body language and moving lips told me what I needed to know.** With a quick glance at Tiran, Koda continued. **I would be happy to take you up on that offer. Where will you be sitting?** It didn't really matter if Koda was close to Tevac or not, but it made him feel more involved to be with a group.
He tapped Tiran on the shoulder to try and draw him a bit from his daze. **I see you are deep in thought friend. I will be with Tevac for the council.** Koda then smiled and slipped away silently through the crowd.
Tiran to Himself
Tiran was unable to give any convincing argument to Ki-Nava about why her name popped into his head when the discussion of a new bandleader came up between them, and he was still thinking back over his children's lives.
He barely nodded at Koda's sending. Tiran was lost in the past today, and he wasn't sure what...if anything...he would be able to bring to the council in the form of discussion.
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Post by Anna on Jul 14, 2009 21:32:50 GMT -6
Tevac, Astierri to Koda, Sohnji
Tevac pointed back to Astierri and Sohnji, who were settling on the blanket they'd brought. *Come sit with us. We brought an extra cushion and there's plenty of room.*
At that moment, Astierri glanced over and gestured for Tevac and Koda to join them, but then Sureen's nomination rang out and pandemonium struck. Tevac winced. *Sureen has nominated Leshka for bandleader,* he relayed. He looked around at his bandmates. *The discussion is too chaotic for any one person's voice or opinion to be heard right now.*
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Post by peachbug on Jul 14, 2009 23:28:26 GMT -6
Ki-Nava was resting a few rows away from Sohnji and her lifemates, considering the possibilities. Tavol was a strong band, with many choices of apt leaders. Where was the balance? Ki-Nava knew Pirro well, a strong hunter with a gift for creativity, appreciated and respected by the youth. A hunt leader he was, but bandleader? Leshka was another fine option, but the tribe did not always need a mother. Leshka had always dwelled well when and where she was needed, but to put such a burden on the wise, but so gentle one? Ki-Nava's hunting blood told her they needed someone fiercer. Someone who stood for the health and against the weaknesses of the tribe when needed. Vanda was a fine pick, the finest Ki-Nava could consider as she mulled over the names of her aged tribemates. Vanda was rational, but empathetic, always fair but never indecisive.
Ki-Nava's thoughts were broken when Sureen announced her nomination, and she started visibly as the chaotic shouts of agreement and otherwise filled the room at an ear shattering volume. Her mind raced. Sureen did not choose anything likely, not lifemates or bandleaders. Why choose the gentle, selfless Leshka, so apart in mind from vain, possessive Sureen?
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Sylfis could only stare as Sureen retreated after announcing her nomination, shocked and appalled by the state of the council meeting. Whispers had been so adamant that Sureen would find someone to nominate herself...why nominate an opponent? Could she really not desire the bandleader position as so many seemed to think? He ran a hand through his hair in frustration. It had only started, and it was starting to feel like a silly Mustering game.
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Post by Westering Holt on Jul 15, 2009 8:50:47 GMT -6
“SILENCE!”
The order thundered out and instantly brought results. Considering that it was sent at the same volume, no few of the Plainsrunners were looking a bit dazed, as well.
Blonde Irnai stood up and viewed her bandmates with a stern eye. “Now that Numael has restored order,” she said briskly, “I will remind you all that nominations are to be made, two at a time, and then discussed after the nominee has departed. Not before, and not at this chaotic volume.”
Leshka rose from her place among her family. “May I speak, councilor?” she inquired in her soft voice.
“No, Leshka,” Esiel told her. “You’ve been nominated, so off you go.”
Leshka bowed her head and threaded her graceful way through the gathered Tavol. She headed out of the camp entirely, honoring the requirements of being nominated in spirit and letter. If she was not to take part in the discussions, then she would not hear them. She would do nothing to sway the opinions or will of her people.
“Now,” Irnai said once Leshka was gone. “Will there be a second nomination?”
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Post by rayne on Jul 15, 2009 9:45:29 GMT -6
Koda to Tevac
**That's very kind of you, and I appreciate it.** the deaf elf sent as he weaved his way through the gathering to where Tevac was standing. The silence in his head usually helped him think, but there was tension and confusion in the air today. Koda wasn't very worried about the rule of the nominations, since he didn't have anyone in mind to nominate.
As he reached Tevac and was extending a hand in greeting, the movement of leves standing and arms waving caught his eye. Koda looked with wide eyes at Tevac, not asking for an explination because he wasn't sure he really wanted one. The news that Leshka had been nominated was still settling in his mind, and all Koda could think was that it wasn't a popular choice.
Koda watched Leshka leave with a bowed head and began to think. He would go off by himself later and figure out his own thoughts on her a choice, but right now Koda began to wonder what he would want in a bandleader.
**Tevac, Leshka? Surely that's a trick of some sort?** he sent, turning to Tevac with a confused expression. **Such a gentle and motherly sort. Could she make the hard decisions?**
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