[24 aug] the basement

Erskine smiled, his brother liked it.

'I am glad. I have told Maria that the rest of the Butcher will be transformed into something special for us all to enjoy.'

Exo chuckles and goes to get his wine again, sitting next to Mary. "Alright...so...back to business." He looked at them both. "Are we agreed that we are going to decline, but keep them as an ally?"

"I don't thing any gain would outweigh the loss. As it is, we do what we like, within limits of the Code. My role changed recently, but not enough to alter that, if we accepted, we would be dragged in to more battles I think, or st least more active skirmishes. I rather like our current situation. Our little treaty is quite entertaining enough for now.

She smiled, leaning against Exo.

"While I am all for power, and the taking when offered, I do not feel this is a wise choice. Now. Maybe later."

Erskine weighs the words of his brother and sister carefully.

'Exo is right, what have we done to earn this honour? Are we the next pack to become canon fodder?'

Exo sits back and gives Erskine a smirk. "Indeed. It is time." He gave Mary a knowing look before turning to Erskine. "I believe you should be able to do this very well."

Mary regards his tools of choice with open awe.

"They are exquisite, brother. May I hold them? I feel wrong asking to use them. Shall I fetch my own?"

She holds her hand slightly over the knife, as if feeling it's energy. It was beautiful, like her brother, like his work. She wondered if he'd fashioned the cup himself from someone interesting.

Maria takes them with the reverence they deserve, and a grateful nod to Erskine.

"You know the rite, I'm sure. If these are to be your tools, you must keep them only for this purpose from now on. Begin with yourself. Then pass the blade and cup around the circle. Each must contribute a little. Some traditions say the order is one of rank, but it does not have to be the case. When all have contributed, energy is focused with the blade, and the ritual is spoken."

She cuts her hand, bleeding into the cup, then passes both to Exo.

Mary smiles, but shakes her head slightly. Her focus is on being clear with every step for Erskine. She was regretting not doing this a long time ago.

Mary smiles.

"No, brother. This is your turn. Do you remember the words I always speak? The prayer for our safe deliverance? The words are important, the way they are said as important. The blade is to channel the energy into the blood, and complete the circle."

She pretends to hold a cup and blade, and lowers her imaginary blade into the cup. "The point of the blade must touch the vitae. Then the words..." she speaks them, her tone almost a sing-song, but more of a chant. The words are old, going back to the formation her their sect. She speaks them once, then coaches him through the pronunciation before nodding. "Now, you will perform this rite, my brother. I have faith in you."

She indicates for him to do so watching keenly.

Maria nods.

"Now drink, as if you had contributed first. As this is how it will go from now on in."

She smiles at Erskine. She could feel the power when he spoke. He was a natural. But then, Fiends usually were. She should've passed the honour to him so long ago.

Exo smirks as he takes the cup. "To both of you." He takes his own drink after a moment of looking into the cup with a smile. "To my pack..." he says softly and hands the cup off to Maria. He was happy that Erskine was performing this ritual. He only wished that the rest of their pack was there.