Azrael

Only Fools Walk Where Angels Fear To Tread

That meeting was not progressing exactly how Azrael had planned. Eli was...charming when he spoke- or at least, that was the attempt the other many was making with the others in the room. It was unfortunate the man was as well respected as he was. Eli often won arguments if only because his nature was so appealing to those around him while Azrael's was perhaps viewed as more....confrontational. How readily the blond Hunter knew exactly of his own reputation. He was short-tempered, irritable and often un-inclined to work with anyone. It hardly made him popular, he knew that and yet did it make his point any less valid? Surely the other members of the council could look past what Eli had to say and at least consider his own words- along with Raven's small speech. The curly-haired woman, despite her nervousness, had spoken well and, Azrael thought, convincingly. They could hardly damn a whole species based on a few....displeasing individuals. After all, it was as Eli so kindly pointed out to the majority of the room. He had lost his entire family to Weres- he hardly liked the damn species and yet he hardly blamed Raven or Frost or Tetradore or any other Were for their deaths- save those who had committed that crime. That sympathetic look Raven offered him upon hearing that news prompted the Hunter to look quickly away. He hardly needed...sympathy, he was sure. Azrael having pushed whatever grief existed over his family down into the very depths of his mind where he hardly had to consider it. That sort of grief, they said, was unhealthy and yet Azrael hardly gave a damn anymore.

Clara insisted she had little to add, the information given, for now, apparently enough to see Thomas make his preliminary decision as the Leader rose to step from that room a moment. Azrael leaned back within his own chair, the Hunter momentarily eyeing those around him before his gaze shifted to Raven with the assurance it was going.....reasonably well. At least for now. Raven seemed entirely baffled by how quickly that meeting was moving altogether as she queried whether or not that was 'it', along with the purpose of the others being present.

"Thomas will make a decision and then, depending on what he decides, people will probably argue. Most of the Hunters here are simply here to be witness to the decision. It's better to have more than one or two other people in the room for that sort of thing. We don't waste time in the Council."

Decisions were often made within hours, if not minutes. Azrael long considered both the value and.....error in such a thing as that. Any further thoughts the Hunter had upon the notion were, for now, interrupted by Clara's approach. The young Hunter woman had risen from her chair to approach them, her hand extended to Raven's own to shake it. Raven's sudden query on how Clara had known she was pregnant coaxed a bright, near triumphant smile to the woman's face. It was a deduction really, I didn't know for sure. You keep touching your stomach though, that's a usual sign and you confirmed it with the way you answered my question. I'm glad I was right. It would have been awkward if you just had indigestion. Clara chuckled lightly before leaning over to shove Azrael near playfully- the blonde Hunter doing little more than scowling back towards her. I told you I was good at deduction! I'm a regular Sherlock Holmes. Azzy here didn't believe me. We can't all have special truth powers like you.

"Clara!"
Are you ever not grumpy, Az?
"When I'm not with you."

Clara's eyes rolled, her attention returned to Raven then as that warm simper returned to her features. Tell me, seriously, does he ever smile? Azrael's gaze narrowed once more, an annoyed huff rising from within before Clara further considered Raven's question. I was never in favour of Eli's plan. It would bring about more chaos. You spoke well though, I didn't want anything I said to take away from the points you made. Who knows Weres better than a Were? We could have had Frost speak, I suppose, but the Horses are viewed differently than other Weres in general. I also think he probably would have bitten me. He's funny that one. Clara's head shook ever so slightly, as if the thought of Frost was objectionable. The sound of Thomas returning saw Clara return to her own seat as the conversation died. Thomas, as bored as ever, stayed standing at the head of the table. "I have decided, for now, that I don't have as much information as I'd like. We will meet again at the end of the month. Eli and Azrael, I would like you both to submit reports on Were population numbers. Another Council member will do a third, independent report to compare so we can get a true view of the situation." Thomas paused, as if waiting for someone in that room to argue before striding right back out the door he had come. The man no doubt in search of coffee.

"Well. I have to write a fucking report but I can deal with that I suppose. Just tell your pack not to draw attention to themselves for a month- or hold any big tournaments."