Feymor stumbled through the orange floor, awkwardly stopping before the judgement of several elites. Ether and his kids warmly smiled, inviting her closer.
Qitor slipped past his sister, sitting on a chair beside Prexsis and across from Kellenas. Even he was smiling, seeming pleased to be there with everyone else.
"O' wow, will we be eating all of t'is?" Feymor's eyes widened. "So muc' meat and fruits!"
Sernatacus crossed his arms, judging the gently baked Eteni meat that sat on a silver plate in front of him. "It is our tradition, Feymor. Feed your stomach stuffed, Imbushko welcomes you."
Prexsis whispered something into Zenam's ear, causing her to burst out laughing. Her open jaws revealed the expected Feral teeth, but also some flat ones along the back.
A feeling of home-sickness twisted in Feymor's stomach. While she watched Ferals and Zegi and hybrids all breeze through meals, she couldn't help but think about her alphas.
"Great Nas, what other traditions are there in this region?" Prexsis spoke through a stuffed mouth.
Flames from the candlewicks danced to their entertainment, catching Kellenas' undivided attention. "Tonumki, for the Ferals and Young Yonie's Pillow for the entire Legion."
"What?" Prexsis swallowed. "What is Young Yonie's Pillow?"
Tinzor placed his cup back down on the table, keeping his gaze low to keep his eyes hidden. "I - it's about a leader - a former leader. His name was Silsa, leader of Encur..."
Feymor silently chewed on berry-coated Sky Beast thigh, the tender flavor eradicate her fear of being in the room with so many powerful figures. It felt comforting as she listened in.
"One day I went to go check on him, it was unusually quiet that morning. Then I found him beneath his sheets - they were wet around where his head. He suffered deeply, and so am I."
An elite by the name of Mire placed his hand on Tinzor's shoulder. "Do not feel disheartened, Silssy lives through your honor. He lives as an unrivaled force and uncaged spirit, guiding you through life."
Hylo looked over her shoulder, catching a glimpse of the mouthfuls Etherna had and Azir's slow eating. She wondered what they would become one day.
Her head twisted up to her father, who was mindlessly talking to Enoptes across from him. The two laughed, exchanging plots and ideas. Like two long-time friends.
"Will I find one, too?" Hylo murmured to herself. "Oh!"
She began to mimic Ether's posture, straightening her pack and anchoring her elbows to the table. Keeping her head at an angle to tuck her chin away, she struggled to keep it up.
Ether broke out laughing, banging his hand on the table while Enoptes chuckled along. Hylo noticed the fun they were having, she turned to face her siblings beside her.
As she opened her mouth to speak, that urge went away. She frowned at Etherna and Azir's own conversation, they laughed together. Even played small games.
Leaving her to her mind, tears swelled up on the corners of her eyes. Everyone was having fun, except for her. Until Ether wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
"How does the Eteni taste?"
Hylo gasped, she quickly picked up the knife and fork then took a piece away from the sizable Eteni rib. It smelled great as it steamed at the end of her fork, like sweet honey coating delicate meat.
When she placed the meat in her mouth, she jumped in surprise. Chew after chew, she enjoyed every moment of it. Her cheeks swelled and sadness went away.
"Great, eh?" Ether smiled. "Lya taught me this one. If the ingredients weren't so rare I would have made this every day for dinner."
Enoptes laughed. "Oh, how I missed the scar! I should've went there when you requested the honey. At least I learned something new about the Yokka."
"Oh? What was it?" Ether quickly replied.
"The more sour something is, the sweeter the honey. Hell, I might ask some of my boys to go get us some wild Yokka, treat those boys good, yep!" Enoptes laughed.
Hylo blankly stared up at her father. "Yo - Yokka?"
It sounded weird to her, like some kind of foreign language. As she lingered on the name, she realized one of the letters was pronounce in a Kenekuor accent.
Qor (double K) lingered in her throat when she repeated it, confirming it in her mind. Whatever Yokka meant, it was in Kenekuor.
Ether caressed he left cheek, pressing his warm hand over it to express his care. "You must be confused, but you along with your siblings will see a Yokka soon."
Shadows dimmed Hylo's frown, she seemed displeased to hear the mention of their names. Something Ether quickly caught on, her picked her up and sat her down on his lap.
"What's wrong?"
"I want to get closer to Etherna and Azir," Hylo whispered.
"Hmm," Ether rested his cheek over her crown. "You want to live two different lives at once, Hylo. When you're this young, you want to focus on one life at a time before branching out."
Hylo sighed, admitting fault. "But when will that day come? I want to be like you and Pearl, big and strong. But I don't want to be forgotten by Etherna and Azir. They rarely talk to me."
Ether hugged her, making sure to spread the motherly love he learned to have. "They don't know you're my favorite. Lya used to whisper sweet things into my ear and give me a peck. I do that too you only."
"Thank you!" Hylo whispered lovingly.
Warmth filled their chests, they felt at ease together. Like father and daughter, they mirrored each other. Snow raged on the outside, burying Krugi beneath the endless winter.
Hearts pounded as one while elites, warriors, and workers alike enjoyed their feasts together. Unity between three Legions becoming one, the true peace of a functional group.
Somewhere over the storm, away from the winter rage, forces sat idle for their next command. Bowing, knowingly showing submission for an unrelenting dominant.
Their hearts beat independently, no one questioned orders and tension was heavy. Hymo, Conqueror's heart.