He really fucking hated getting called topside, especially at the last minute.
And even more especially when he had just gotten back to the compound and gotten a shower. He'd barely dried himself off before the comms unit had gone off, summoning him up to the Tetrarch's office. Feeling rushed or late always canted him off center and the Tetrarch herself made him paranoid.
"Lucas, you made it," the hazy voice curled around him from over his shoulder. She meant it to sound sensual but it really just sounded... creepy. "And with time before the meeting starts."
"Yes, ma'am," he agreed, wiping his hair back, noting the usual strong scent of perfume that clouded her. "My apologies for the delay."
She waved it off, supposedly magnanimous. Her face was passive as she stepped even with him, her glance directed out the window he had been waiting near. He chanced a look at her profile, noting once again how tanned she seemed in comparison to him, or any of the Nightrunners. It was to be expected, of course, considering their environments. Her hair was so washed blond that it seemed white in contrast to her skin tone and he flicked his glance back out the window before she could turn his way.
"I've been told one of your Matrons has died."
He nodded, half entranced by the sway of bristly trees in the distance.
Admittedly... he missed the wind. He could almost feel the breeze, smell plants and rain on it.
"Yes, Tetrarch, I just left the family's transition ceremony."
