September 15, 2005 – 8:45
"Frizzo told me to handle him as I please," said Coralis.
"Ooh that archaic custom," said Gus.
"You may not have worked for us officially, but you were found justified to have initiated a fight with an elder leading to his death, which made you eligible to take over his position. Frizzo told you to do as you please with Ylkyo before releasing his hold on you and before Glorisse released hers on Ylkyo, but you had started a fight against him before the elders restrained you both to talk," said Panjik.
"If Frizzo and Glorisse were there, they could have taken him into custody. They knew Blue was going to kill Ylkyo the moment they released their hold on her," said Ralphonse.
"Indeed, and she even broke through Frizzo's restraining spell once. The elders could have used Ylkyo's death to make her take the role without much of a justification and from what I heard, they were planning on pulling that card had she refused," said Panjik.
"It's one of our most obscure customs, but it's still on the books," said Sebastian.
"That cockroach deserved to die," said Sonylla.
"Agreed, and he died by her hands," said Panjik.
"You should have known that one better than us, sis. Remember how was school after you destroyed Lord Meozo? How many clans expected you to take over his operations?" said Henry.
"I killed Ylkyo for Frank, it's not like I'd have done differently. I suppose that I'll live with it."
"Things we do for our mates," said Sebastian, passing his arm around Stephanie's shoulders.
"They were considering her for different reasons, and then the wolves didn't give them much of a choice. I know the Alpha King felt threatened by her and Eva, and probably would have conspired with lunatics against them if countries wouldn't be pulling out of the war like they're currently doing. We know he is currently protesting Blue's nomination. Most packs don't trust him, and it seems they are relying on her and Eva to keep him in check," said Panjik.
"Blue Thunder and Eva Suri have more influence among the wolves than their Alpha King does," said Ralphonse.
"Eva is now Emery's second, Alpha King Jake will probably protest that too when he finds out," said Sebastian.
"Blue being appointed High Mage is all my co-workers could talk about at work," said Stephanie.
"I'll deal with it, but I still don't understand why you haven't been appointed High Mage, though," said Coralis, looking at Panjik.
"Wisdom does not lead. It must fall into ears willing to listen, into someone willing to lead people better. I provided wisdom to those willing to listen. Under this much-needed reform, I can't think of a better person to whom I should provide my wisdom than you," said Panjik as he left the room to let his mate in. Derek arrived just before Panjik closed the door.
Barla and Kief arrived shortly after. They didn't want to miss what was about to happen and asked if they could witness the rituals live instead of through a holographic monitor.
"I think I'm just starting to understand why you three are so close," said Sonylla, pointing at Coralis, Erik and Henry. "The posse wasn't only around flyball."
"It started with flyball, but why do you think we always call her sis?" said Erik.
"She would have been our actual sister if human laws weren't so complicated, but it's all the same to us," said Henry.
"And that's why we didn't want to miss this, not with the three of them working together in such positions. We couldn't be prouder parents, Blue is a daughter to us even if human authorities didn't let us adopt her back then," said Barla.
At 10:00 exactly, the Core Elders arrived, accompanied by Swillama, Glorisse and Roz. In the middle of the main floor, in a room beyond the lobby, they set up a table with a holographic transmitter in the middle of it and placed a furnace near that table. Ellya and Yalor attached a mapping device on their wrists and left as Matasia and Giornie arrived.
"They will be back when they are done activating the markers to establish your borders, in approximately 45 minutes," said Finnas as he placed a holographic tablet on the table and turned it on.
"I am impressed by the building you found for your headquarters," said Swillama, standing across the doorway and looking around while Sebastian let Romma, their second wolf shifter liaisons, inside and introduced her to the others.
"So am I," said Finnas as a map appeared above the holographic tablet. "We expected you, Emery and Frizzo to take the longest as we were aware of the potential difficulty of finding a suitable building in a short amount of time, but you're the fourth one we're visiting, and we will be establishing Emery tomorrow morning."
"Follow me, I'll show you around," said Erik to Swillama, Roz, Romma and Glorisse.
"Maybe we should tell Frizzo to look into abandoned properties if he wants to settle near Vancouver," said Sebastian.
Frank and Raymond chuckled. Gradually, they saw segments of green lights appearing on the map, forming the border of what was about to become District VIII. Erik and the three sub-elders present returned 15 minutes later, followed by Jasm, Cruz, Beta Shaw and the werewolves working on the property foundation.
"Great finding! This property has so much potential. I'm looking forward to seeing it finished," said Glorisse.
Rickozi and Swuma came running when Chiwa let them in.
"Agreed! I'm glad we arrived when Erik started the tour. I love the place, it's a lot better than from blueprints," said Cruz.
Samantha, Jeremie and Patrick arrived shortly after.
"This afternoon, we will send you the contract samples and material you'll need for the tattooing and to officially hire who will serve District VIII," said Finnas after Sebastian introduced them. "Sebastian, Sonylla, Chiwa and Panjik, your current ankle tattoo will be removed and replaced by our new one. Same for Swuma Malia and Rickozi Ollak."
"I heard you will be ready to brand six Head Crew members after your official establishment," said Glorisse.
"Correct, that part wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be," said Coralis.
"We kind of all fell into her lap," said Sonylla, watching the green light now forming the entire perimeter of their district.
"That's one way to put it," said Gus.
Ellya and Yalor returned a few minutes later. Finnas stood in front of the transmitter, with Ellya and Yalor on either side of him, and turned it on before addressing the factions residing in District VIII. Vampire and shifter clan leaders have been provided with a holographic device to allow them to watch the event.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, folks of District VIII, you are about to witness history, as we officially establish Blue Thunder as High Mage of District VIII," said Finnas.
"When inducted into her sub-elder functions, she will introduce you to her official second-in-command and will proceed to brand the six folks who will form her initial Head Crew," said Yalor.
Ellya waved her hand in front of the holographic map, and the entire room lit up.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, let me present you what is now known as District VIII," said Ellya.
Filaments of green and blue lights could be seen shooting beyond the doorway, going in all directions. In the middle of the map, the outlines of their headquarters appeared, visible to everyone watching the event from home or a community gathering place.
"Blue Thunder, please come forward," said Finnas.
Coralis stepped in front of the transmitter lens and turned to face it. Ellya and Yalor placed small electrodes on her head and wrists. When done, Finnas raised his left hand between her and the holographic map, slightly rotating it anticlockwise. Filaments of green and blue lights could be seen coming from the map, running along her arms and wrapping around her. Several pairs of eyes among the non-crew members present in the room became moist.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, folks of District VIII, let me present you High Mage Blue Thunder, who is now your official sub-leader," said Ellya after she and Yalor were done removing the electrodes on Coralis.
The werewolves present started clapping, followed by the vampires and family members.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, folks of District VIII," said Coralis, staring at the lens, "I will be honest with you, I did not want this role at first. However, everyone in my entourage came up with reasons as to why I must stand in front of you and become the person you need. Therefore, it is with great honour that I am now accepting this role and will serve you to the best of my abilities," said Coralis.
Finnas, Ellya and Yalor took a step back and stood behind the furnace.
"To assist me in my High Mage functions, I have chosen a second-in-command who has been working with me for the past 10 years and has had my back more times than I can count. Through all of the challenges I went through over the years, when many people rose against me and many more wanted me dead, he stayed loyal and continued to back me up, despite collecting deadly enemies as he did so. Let me present you Second Mage Sebastian," said Coralis, signalling him to step in front of the transmitter lens.
"Second Mage Sebastian, that will take some time to get used to that one," whispered Hector, smirking.
"Beta Sebastian is also sticking to him," whispered Stephanie.
Sebastian stepped in front of the transmitter lens, and nodded at it, smiling, then stood behind Coralis, slightly to her right.
"I hope Tobly is watching this," whispered Ralphonse, smiling.
Finnas handed her the branding iron and a can of silver spray.
"I have chosen as General a fierce warrior who has demonstrated her skills against powerful and deadly enemies time after time, earning her globally a spot on the prestigious list of the Most Wanted Witches from the beginning of the hunt. General Sonylla, please come forward," said Coralis, smiling, holding the casting iron in her left hand and the can of silver spray in her other one.
"Can I heal you as you brand me?"
"Sure. Let's see this as a live practice of something we never practiced before and hope for the best."
Ellya provided a chair for Sonylla to sit on while Coralis sprayed the tip of the casting iron with silver. Sonylla tilted her right ear toward Coralis and moved her hair to give her access to the skin below it.
"Ready?" said Coralis.
"If you are, so am I."