on lions and heroes and { broken things } // le rouxes blitz

There was a war inside your head.

As the future matriarch of the family, there were certain expectations that had to be kept, in public if nothing else. You knew all too well that what couldn't be seen or reported was fair game to anyone - but in a major family function, with so many extensions of your flesh and blood that even someone like you who makes a genuine effort to stay connected with each and every one of them, there are expectations. Expectations for the prized heir to maintain her cool, stay poised and proper, expectations that left no room for rushing forward and grabbing your cousin in a deep, heartfelt hug.

So instead you watch from afar, eyes glancing from one relative to the next. Blood is blood, even someone like Ridley, but you are only far too aware that not everyone shares that point of view.

No one lives in a family this big without some differing opinions, after all.

And just like that, exactly as you predicted, the claws were unsheathed.

One cousin lunged for the attack. A second rose up in her defense. And you knew that you were supposed to do something, anything about it - you may not be the eldest, but you were the house's future leader, so keeping your brethren in line fell upon you.

But not yet. Things might not just yet escalate beyond a few heated words. So you wait, watch, eyes narrowed to see how someone, anyone might react in your stead.

Ripred knows you need the entertainment.

Seconds ago the room was quiet, the air was stagnant and everyone was stiff. Then it erupted with chaos once the words fell from Icarus' lips. "Says who? Your daddy?" She scrunches up her already unfortunate face and mocks him with pouty lips.

"No one has to tell me that I'm amazing, I already know that I am. It's written in the stars, sweetheart." She flings her arms into the air, “We aren’t lions, idiot! We’re people. Did you hit your head during training or something?”

"Lion-hearted, that's who were supposed to be. And no, but maybe if you went to training you would know." Aurora isn't the only one who stands deigns to stand behind the off-brand lion.

"Maybe she doesn't want to be a lion. Did you ever think of that? Maybe none of us do." Icarus erupts—a paroxysm of anger surging through lion's veins. "Then carve 'Le Roux' out of your name because you're not one of us."