Consequences Leethall’s Punishment: FamilyProblems Part 12
Written with @WrathTheKing and @Leethall_SASBDB.
Leethall: Leethall was pacing in the hallway he had been lead to, a pair of closed double doors ahead of him. It didn’t take a genius to know what was behind that pair of doors and Leethall had often thought about how it would feel to be outside them, awaiting whatever harshness was inside. Yes, the office belonging to the King of the race was indeed one to be feared, if one was facing judgment. The King’s word was final, after all with no room for appeal, pleas or anything in between. To sum up, everything he was charged with, he could start with tracking and killing lessers outside the Brotherhood’s knowledge. Highly illegal and very frowned upon. Next up would be smashing up the medical suite he’d been stuck in and last of all, running his mouth to more than one member of the Brotherhood. All very serious charges, though Leethall had a sneaking suspicion he’d be alive once he got out of the office behind the closed doors. The question was just how many limbs would still be attached to his body and somewhat working once the King was done beating him to a pulp, and whether or not the Brotherhood would join in on the said beating. Had Leethall prepared a defense? Of course not. He owned his actions like any male should, facing whatever consequences they brought, even if that meant he’d need more medical attention than when he first got to the Brotherhood’s hell hole. And to top it off, they had even revealed the identity of his father, the Brother Rhage, the biggest of the bunch who suddenly was ready to admit he wronged a female many years ago. Just about 76 years too late and just about 24 years after her death. Leethall caught the eye of his reflection, seeing how his own blue eyes matched those of Rhage. Hell, he really did look like that fucker, didn’t he?! But no matter. What mattered right now was the fact he was about to face the King’s judgment, sealing his fate for the foreseeable future, if not the rest of his life. Leethall hoped for the beating and then him being hurled out of the manse at warp speed, even if it was close to sunrise. It was far better than anything else that could happen to him at this point.
Beth: *I paced back and forth on the beautiful rug in front of the fireplace as Wrath sat on this throne behind his desk. #George relaxing on his dog bed next to him. Leethall was scheduled for a command performance in a few minutes and I knew that Wrath was contemplating what to do with the kid. Kid … he was older than me. Even after the last few years, it was hard to swallow sometimes how long vampires live. I mean centuries.*
So what’s the plan exactly Wrath? Put him in the training program so he can fight against lessers properly and then what? He still trashed the medical suite and he’s not dealing well with finding out about Rhage. Perhaps we can do something to help?
Wrath: *Rubbing my eyes after deep thought. I motioned for Beth to come to sit in my lap. As she did I placed a kiss upon her lips.* “I have come to a decision. He will be enrolled in the training program after he serves a probationary period of 90 days at ZeroSum where he will learn the patience of waiting tables. Once his probation is over. V, Butch or Tohr will be in charge of his development. How does that sound?”
Beth: That sounds fair. He should be enrolled as a trainee, he is a son of a Brother and he definitely has the drive.
Waiting tables at a place like Zero Sum is a great idea. The Brother and the Shadows can keep an eye on him and he learns patience and humility.
I also want to somehow tack on that he needs to spend time with Rhage and the family. Perhaps we inform him that his room is in the Manse is mandatory forcing him to move in with us. He spends time with the family at meals and in turn … hopefully with Rhage. I know he’s worried and family is family.
*I share another kiss with my hellren and suggest we go ahead and call Leethall into the room. I get up from Wrath’s lap and stand beside him to keep up appearances.*
Leethall: Leethall kept on pacing as he waited, silently grateful for being alone outside the double doors leading to the office of the king. He took a few deep breaths in an attempt to calm himself down but his heart was insisting on beating at about a million miles per hour. Not exactly optimal, but there was no helping it. A sudden odd sensation at his left shin made the young vampire jump a little, moving away from what turned out to be a black cat rubbing against his shin. The cat didn’t seem to care and simply followed the escaped leg and rubbed up against it some more, closing its eyes halfway. Leethall heaved out a soft sigh and leaned down, softly stroking the beasts’ head. “Trying to calm me down? I wish it was that simple to do” he mumbled softly.
As a pair of doggen opened the doors and motioned for Leethall to enter, he nodded shortly, staying completely silent as the cat waltzed into the office ahead of him. Leethall followed, still not saying a single word. If he did start talking, he’d end up mouthing off and just pile onto the shitload of trouble he was in. Better to keep his flap shut and just accept whatever came. It was a good decision, especially concerning the female that stood by the king’s side. Breathtaking, especially for a half-breed and the red ruby on her finger suited her. A good match to the king, who looked even more menacing than the stories claimed. Despite the blindness of his king, Leethall bowed to both of them, keeping his head down and his mouth firmly shut while the cat sat by his left leg, as still as anything as it looked towards the king and queen of the race. Leethall didn’t want to offend and this was how he would go about that. With his head down and his jaw clenched as he received judgment.
Wrath: I saw Leethall coming into the study to receive the punishment for what he did to the clinic and going to hunt for lessers without permission. Leethall also had an attitude about him. I breathed through my nostrils pretty heavily. Beth was rubbing my back keeping me calm.
“Leethall I’m going to cut to the chase. You’re hereby prohibited from hunting in the streets and you’ll serve three months at Zero Sum serving tables until you can learn some way to control your anger. I’ll be speaking with Trez and ask him to keep an eye on you and access your attitude. You will also be joining the training program effective immediately. Do you have any questions?”
Beth: *Wrath was quick and to the point and brash. I inwardly sighed. Scribe love him.* We would encourage you to really consider what we’re offering you. You need the training and the backup. Besides the alternative … would be unpleasant, to say the least. You will have a full free room and board here in the manse. We have plenty of space and … it would give you an unexpected opportunity to get to know Rhage and Mary.
I know this is a lot coming your way but think of it as a sort of latitude to get out your anger in a safe environment and learn how to destroy our enemy. Most of all you will not be out on your own anymore. We protect our family.
*I could clearly see the skepticism in his face and his anger so I pulled out the big guns.* Think about your mahmen … would she have wanted this for you? Truly? I can’t imagine a mahmen wanted her son out in the world alone and fighting with little skills when he could instead learn from the best and be protected all day here at the manse and most of all have /support/.
*I’d hope that keeping here inside the manse instead of the bunker would help out his relationship with Rhage. It was pretty low to pull the mahmen card but after learning he is Rhage’s son … he was family and I’ll be damned if I didn’t do everything in my power to keep him as safe as possible. I can play dirty.*
Leethall: Leethall could feel the King’s powerful voice resonate in his head. Say what you will, but the male knew how to demand respect just by being present and once he started speaking, he’d make a snake-pit seem hospitable. Leethall was grateful the King didn’t waste time beating around the bush and was rather surprised by the seemingly mild punishment issued by the King.
Once prompted if he had any questions, he finally spoke up, while still keeping his head down. “No, my Lord,” he said while mentally preparing himself to get out of the room and head back into the medical suite and change into his regular clothes and leave as soon as the sun was gone. However, when the Queen spoke, Leethall could feel his freedom slipping further and further away. Being banned from fighting and waiting tables were one thing, but what she was explaining was chaining him down and trapping him in the one situation he didn’t want to be in.
He finally lifted his head and looked to the royal pair, chaining his temper down completely. “With all due respect, my Queen” He stopped and thought of his next sentence carefully, considering the fact he was already trying to back out of his own punishment. “I’ve hardly earned any sort of protection, so I would much prefer death,” he said, making sure he was polite and not making demands, though that would surely be a shortcut to the death he would want.
As soon as the Queen continued, she brought up the one weakness Leethall had. His late mahmen and her wishes in regard to him and his current fate. Damn, this lady did not kid around. A very good match for the no-bullshit attitude of the King. “She would much prefer this for me”, he answered leaving out the parts where she had requested he accepted a family if he ever was offered one. “She would want me to aid in protecting the race most effectively” he merely said and tightened his fists, keeping his feelings on a tight leash as he has ever since he was very young. “Very well… I accept my punishment fully, though I have one question. Once my probation is over and my training complete, will I be permitted to leave should I not wish to remain?” he asked and looked towards both the King and Queen, hoping this answer would at least be in his favor.
Beth: *My small triumph is quickly dispelled as Leethall asked his question. What exactly is the definition of training complete? In my own head, I thought that the trainees went into the program to perhaps one day be Brothers. Wrath would surely take in their attributes and endeavors into account just as he had with Qhuinn. It would take at least a couple of years …*
So be it. After the /official/ end of the training, you may leave us if you so choose. *Hopefully after spending time with the trainees and with the family … he’d change his mind. I know we have changed others. We’re family here and he’s a part of it whether he likes it or not. I smile sweetly and put my palm on Wrath’s shoulders and gives a little squeeze before he’s about to stake his own opinion on the matter and try to use the bulldozing etiquette he is fond of using with the Brothers. This deserved a female’s touch.*
Deal?
Leethall: Leethall listened to the Queen’s reply, noting she placed a hand on her hellren’s shoulder, possibly to tell him she would like this to be granted for her sake. A request the King was most likely going to grant given how much she obviously meant to him. He bowed towards the couple, showing them the adequate respect.
“In that case, I accept my punishment with no objections nor pleads,” he said. He pondered over the term ‘official’ used by the Queen but quickly decided not to put too much thought into it. For now, he’d need to settle into his new cage and just endure the torture it would be to have to play family with a group of people he, at his very core, never wanted to have anything to within any sense or form at all. But it couldn’t be helped, he needed to simply roll with this and just get it over with. Stiff upper lip and whatever other bullshit people told themselves to get through the hardships of life.
