"Some of you have never shed blood in the intent to kill, some of you never saw blood shed to spare a life... Some of you will be killed before you even reach the battlefield."
Cordelia looked down at the two five-year-olds that stood at her sides. This was talk of war, death, and blood. Though both of her children were vampires, she didn't think this was a discussion they should hear. Leaning down quickly she looked at both Sasha and Setsuna, ruffled their hair, and smiled. "Sweeties, I don't think this meeting is for you two anymore," she said. "Now run along home. Suna, help your sister."
Setsuna was going to complain, but he knew his mothers temper. He took Sasha's hand and turned, ready to go off on his way home.
With the children on their way home, Cordelia turned back to Rayana, arms folded on her chest as she waited for the elder to continue. She wasn't one of the people that Rayana was talking about. She had killed with the intent to do so multiple times, and she had killed to save others. Most importantly, though, Cordelia would not be one of the ones who died before she reached the battlefield.
The woman turned to Loriana, wanting to make sure that her human friend was alright. After everything that the winged teenager had gone through, she didn't need to vomit or get frightened over this kind of talk. Loriana had always been the victim... not the culprit. At least, that was true from what the twenty-year-old knew.
"War should not be taken lightly and none should be subjected to it, but here we are now, talking about such grave matters as the next massacre."
Cordelia rolled her eyes and snorted. "Oh come on, is it really so big of a deal?" she questioned. War would be simple and fun with no consequences to those she loved. Loriana would be alright, Suna and Sasha would be alright, Jira would be alright, and so would Catherine.
She really wasn't understanding it. But, what was to be expected? She had only been a vampire for less than a year, and was only twenty in human years. She didn't even look twenty, having been turned into a vampire at the age of nineteen. She didn't know what true war really was... all she knew was killing those mortal men who ticked her off. She didn't know what it was like to really fight with people who were older and stronger than herself.
"We must unite or we will perish at his hand."
The scars hadn't fazed her. They had sent an unfamiliar feeling down her spine that finally rested in her stomach. It was probably realization that this wasn't going to taste like cake, but she was too stubborn to admit that. Dark blue eyes traveled down to her sword... she might need another few of those and other weapons too. That wouldn't be hard to do. "Well, I'm not gonna die," Cordelia said finally. "Which obviously means I'm not gonna let you guys fall either. Amazing, I'm actually willing to cooperate with others..." She rubbed her chin in thought. The last sentence had been stated more to herself, but it was loud enough for everyone else to hear.
Poor Loriana was going to have to see Cordelia's ruthless, murderous side that laughed at the sight of blood. It was the rude, stubborn, dark side of her that she was hated for. It wouldn't be the maternal, loving vampire that the human knew... not in the slightest. As the girl inched closer to her, Cordelia just stepped right to Loriana's side to support her. There was no point in just letting her stand there on her own.
"When do we leave??"
She mentally smacked her forehead. Her fledgling had just as little patience as she did... but at least she knew when to use hers. "Did no one ever teach you how to wait, Jira?" she questioned rudely. "I'm excited to, but give it a rest!" Some people...
"... I bear scars, like you, and I'll stand by you in this war, win or lose, I'll fight til I die, which we both know in a war is more then likely for most of us. So, are these the recruits."
'The recruits'? Dark blue eyes narrowed and she stared at Wrath. She was one of the people that he didn't know, but it didn't matter. He was probably older than her, but she had no knowing of what the word 'respect' meant. "I don't entirely like being called a recruit when I have a name, you know," she said bitterly.
That temper was going to get her in some serious trouble one day.
The widow simply listened as Rayana, Jira, and Wrath babbled on. She had little interest in what they were speaking of, and she really just wanted to start talking about where they would attack first... parts of this meeting were beginning to get tedious.
"Our first target is named Elzbeth Song, woman, 1209 years old, location south of the forbidden forest in the wilderness.''
Eyes lifted and a smirk curled onto her lips, one of her deadly fangs revealing itself. She wondered if this Song person would be a challenge. Even if she wound up not being worth any of their time, Cordelia still wanted to get in on the action. She listened to Rayana for details, silent as ever.
''Wrath, Cordelia and Jira will go, the others are too untrained to be useful, they will drag us back.''
The woman literally jumped up in the air in excitement when she heard her name spoken. A chescher-cat-grin came to her face and a slightly disturbing look to her eyes. "Finally, I'm actually appreciated! Thank you for noticing!" she said. She looked to Loriana and rested a hand on her shoulder. "Just let me know if you need me, alright?"
With that said, the young vampire stepped up next to Rayana. She cracked her knuckles and shoulders, then took a deep breath. "So, when do we get to kill this lady?" she asked.
~
The seven-year-old watched as everything went on. Catherine really didn't have anything to say, since nothing was really addressed to her. She looked at Juren when he appeared, and wondered if she could actually learn how to fight from him. She was more comfortable with Jira... not some stranger! Jira had made her a vampire, given her her blood powers, and was taking care of her. He was like a father figure to her.
''You're late and I will make sure you will regret ever even thinking of not being on time.''
"Yes mister," she said in a barely audible voice. She looked down, blonde locks falling over her face. It wouldn't be hard to come back here in six hours. Hopefuly Alexel or another member of their little dysfunctional family wouldn't hold her up... she didn't want to be late. Especially not around someone that seemed so scary.