Blood Is Thicker
"The Elder!" a voice rang out from the crowd as a figure approached and perched on The Rock. The large group, simply referred to as the Clan, kneeled or bowed before this imposing leader (or in the case of little ones, waved cheerfully). This was the Charmander Clan. Their leader…
"Twilight," hissed the younger one next to him. "How many times have I told you not to make my visits into formal holidays?" The blackish Squirtle smirked.
"As many times as I told all of them not to call me Elder," he whispered back to the tiny blue Squirtle. "As you can see, it doesn't work that way." To Twilight's left was the guest of honor, and the one who spoke just moments ago. To his right was his Uncle Charanth, nearly doubled over completely in his old age.
"We must keep to tradition, young one," Charanth whispered. This calmed Twilight. He preferred to view himself as still youthful, despite being twenty eight years old. His kid sister was twenty six, but it felt like a decade was between them. Twilight gazed at Emerald and sighed, leaning slightly on Charanth. Charanth hid a smile.
"Save the family sentiment for when the Clan isn't watching," he whispered. Twilight nodded and addressed the crowd.
"Greetings, Clan," his voice was clear and confident. "I'm pleased to announce that my dear sister, Emerald, will be performing for us tonight." He paused to wait for the cheering to quiet before going on. "And then we both shall leave tomorrow on a clan meeting with my brother, Sunray." He looked around nervously as the crowd murmured softly. "That is all." He jumped off the Rock, followed closely by his sister and uncle.
"They're getting restless," he murmured to Charanth. The older 'mander sighed deeply.
"You banished the old method of correction," he replied softly. "Do you think that a reunion between the clans will work?" Twilight made a face. He loved his brother dearly, and his sister-in-law. But he hated to play chaperone for the two clans. Emerald noted his look and hugged him reassuringly.
"It'll be okay," she crooned to him. Twilight smiled fondly at her, musing over her deep maternal instincts that had kicked in five years ago. She was a mother to two already, but Twilight suspected more to come. Though she still felt the loss of her first mate, she had fount a suitable mate to take the place and they had their first children together. Twilight closed his eyes and mused to himself, thinking of how he never had the urge to have children, nor suffered from it either. He let out his breath slowly and looked up at the sky, smiling faintly to himself.
"Tomorrow we will meet with Sunray and Angel," he said firmly. Charanth nodded quietly and Emerald beamed happily.
"I've missed Sunny," Emerald chirped. Twilight grinned and rubbed her shell a bit. "We both have, I know." Emerald straightened up and brushed herself off, a habit she had developed from pre-performances.
"I've got to get ready for the show," she said wryly, grinning with a glint of mischief in her eyes.
"Nothing lewd," Twilight warned, putting a protective paw on her shoulder. She smirked back.
"By the time I'm done, they'll be begging to take me home," she snickered, and ran off to the distant hills and clan land borders before Twilight could even argue. He rolled his eyes and strolled into the Elder hut.
"Twenty-six years old and hasn't changed one bit…"