10-24-2013, 06:10 PM
Thomas also waits, letting those who outrank him and those who seem eager to speak go first, which is the place of Cliaths, particularly Cliaths with no particular influence. Circumstances were different where he came from, but almost all trace of of that more confident version of himself is gone. What's left is mostly only visible when he tells stories.
Or, perhaps, it's just a function of being onstage. When he shifts back to homid and steps forward to speak he isn't hesitant, for all he waited long enough to do it. He doesn't really make any eye contact now and the gestures that accompany his stories are absent, but his voice is steady and even.
"It is true that we do not know everything of how we came to be here. We do know that information was withheld and that, whether because they were blinded to danger by pride or because they were swayed into unmerited optimism by the hope that Champion of Honor could be recovered, whatever took possession of him ultimately-" He takes a breath and then continues, "Led us to this moment, where we are sharing our views of judgement and justice. Not because we are a democracy, but because we are strongest when we are together.
"The elders at Cold Crescent forgot that, and in the end they did fail for that. It may be that they have proven themselves unfit to lead, certainly no few of us now would not be ready to follow without some underlying doubt. And, certainly, some punishment is warranted; that decision, I leave to those more capable and more experienced than I. Just as certainly, we can remind them of what they have forgotten. Champion of Honor and the Guardians of Cold Crescent died without any hope for redemption, but the elders could yet be offered the chance." Thomas says could, but his tone says should. Still, that is as far as any kind of defense for them goes from Thomas, and even that is at best a request to let them live so that they have a chance to be something else, something greater before they die.
He returns to where he was and shifts back to lupus, full attention returning quickly to the Great Alpha and anyone else who steps forward to speak.
Or, perhaps, it's just a function of being onstage. When he shifts back to homid and steps forward to speak he isn't hesitant, for all he waited long enough to do it. He doesn't really make any eye contact now and the gestures that accompany his stories are absent, but his voice is steady and even.
"It is true that we do not know everything of how we came to be here. We do know that information was withheld and that, whether because they were blinded to danger by pride or because they were swayed into unmerited optimism by the hope that Champion of Honor could be recovered, whatever took possession of him ultimately-" He takes a breath and then continues, "Led us to this moment, where we are sharing our views of judgement and justice. Not because we are a democracy, but because we are strongest when we are together.
"The elders at Cold Crescent forgot that, and in the end they did fail for that. It may be that they have proven themselves unfit to lead, certainly no few of us now would not be ready to follow without some underlying doubt. And, certainly, some punishment is warranted; that decision, I leave to those more capable and more experienced than I. Just as certainly, we can remind them of what they have forgotten. Champion of Honor and the Guardians of Cold Crescent died without any hope for redemption, but the elders could yet be offered the chance." Thomas says could, but his tone says should. Still, that is as far as any kind of defense for them goes from Thomas, and even that is at best a request to let them live so that they have a chance to be something else, something greater before they die.
He returns to where he was and shifts back to lupus, full attention returning quickly to the Great Alpha and anyone else who steps forward to speak.