- Conrad-

"Welcome to the Nightmanes… Bloodclaw."

The roars of approval spurred on the adrenaline rush he had been riding. The sound of hundreds of voices raised in such a close space was overwhelming. But despite the excitement and fervor, they still paid close attention to their regent.

The sound died as quickly as it was raised when Ruushaan held up his hands to the massed witnesses.

"Battlemaster Vaarlaan, you have given your approval and the appointment has been confirmed. Is there anything else you wish to say?"

"He is a skilled fighter. He kept up with the changes and pressures as well as any of our best students, and quite handily found his own path once he realized it was an option. I am quite interested to learn more of these strange fighting styles he presented, if possible. It will be good to become a student again."

Grumbles of approval and low laughter rippled through the crowd as Conrad was reminded of the old adage, 'Those who stop learning, stop growing.' "There are so many similarities in our ways of thinking. No wonder the Founders didn't want us anywhere near each other. A chaotic outside influence that gets along with one of their pillar warrior communities? That could easily be the beginning of the end."

Ruushaan nodded sagely at the response, "What do you think Conrad? Would you be willing to train again with the Battlemaster, or perhaps others?"

It was a loaded question, he knew. But it was one that he naturally had no problem with meeting head on. "Martial training with a bunch of Battle Cat Space Warriors!? F&%K YES!"

"Absolutely, First Claw. One's training is never fully complete." His response was far more professional than his inner voice. Politics and manners simply wouldn't allow such enthusiasm on display.

He had also read the room right. Whether or not Vaarlaan had intended his own comment as a hint, he had found what he felt was a proper answer. The soft smile from Ruushaan, Ruufaarl and Vaarlaan, along with the gentle growls from the audience confirmed it.

"Then so it shall be... Witnesses! You may greet your newest brother."

Conrad was wholly unprepared for the swarm of fur, teeth and claws that came his way, and had to forcibly shut down his lizard brain's response to the approaching hoard. "HOOhoookaay, I guess I know how a mouse feels after it gets caught by a pack of cats now. Clearly it isn't what they intended for me to feel, this is just the norm for them."

Conrad found himself being met by each of the attendees and witnesses. He was never going to remember all of their names, nor all of what was spoken, and he had so many offers to spar and train that his head spun. Though it was chaotic and frenetic, it was still warm and inviting. He wasn't just some weird alien or curiosity; he was one of them come home. He was a Bloodclaw.

He wasn't sure how long the meet and greet went on, but he eventually heard a loud BOOM, BOOM, BOOM.

At the sound everything stopped again, and everyone looked to the source of the sound, one of the Ruulothi greeting him even stopping mid-word to do so.

Ruushaan stood at the edge of his balcony and gestured to the gathered group once he had their attention again. Oddly, Conrad could not see what had made the sound as there was no Gavel or staff for him to bang. The oddity gnawed at him for some reason.

"My Clansmen, thank you for your time on this Day of Celebration. As I am sure you already know, there is much that must be done from here on out. So please, return to your families and enjoy the remainder of the Celebrations. I have the attendance list and will be calling upon you as both time and circumstances permit."

There was some grumping at having to leave, but all bowed their heads in respect to the orders and began to file out, and a few gave Conrad a passing remark or request on the way past. He noticed the Council Rep simply give Ruushaan a sharp nod before turning to leave. "Well damn, he never even came and said 'Hello'. That's too bad. Oh, well."

Battlemaster Vaarlaan was the second to last of the attendees to leave. He gave Conrad a respectful bow before leaving, "I look forward to our next session Bloodclaw."

"As do I, Battlemaster. Though perhaps... I don't yet know fully what this means between our peoples as a whole. But I know for certain that there are many Soldiers, Masters and Students of many fighting styles who would leap at the chance to train with a new people. Many of whom are far better than I."

Vaarlaan's ears rocked back as he tipped his nose up and gave a wistful grin. "Now that does indeed sound interesting. I will anticipate it eagerly, should the time come. May you find the path, Bloodclaw."

With Vaarlaan's exit, Conrad was approached by Kiiroth's father, who looked better, but was still clearly wrestling with his grief. "Thank you, for avenging him." He looked up at the screen where the events had played and gave a soft smile. "A most impressive fight. You have more than earned you appointment." He shook Conrad's hand and left, leaving Conrad with Ruushaan and the guards, Ruufarrl and Naarviix.

Ruushaan gave a slow double check of the room, ensuring it was empty before turning back to him, "Please, come up to the Balcony and follow us."

Conrad did as he was told, following one of the guards through the anteroom door and up the internal stairs to the balcony, where he quietly searched with his eyes for the source of the noise from earlier. After a few moments he spotted a small addition to the presenter's edge of the balcony railing.

"Ahh, a kick plate designed to echo outward. Different, but effective."

Curiosity finally sated; Conrad pushed on to follow the others. He was led back, deeper into the core of the building to an ornately trimmed set of wooden doors. The decoration alone spoke to the importance of the room beyond.

But rather than go straight in, Ruushaan waited. A few moments later and another guard stepped out of the room carrying a small metal box. He nodded to the First Claw and stepped aside to allow them in. Only then did Ruushaan lead them into the room, shutting the door behind them.

The room reminded Conrad of a Grand Office. It was part library, part office, and part living room. There was enough space inside to hold a small conference, though there were no furnishings for visitors. The desk was a wide and made of a glossed dark red wood, as was the well cushioned chair on the far side. It was flanked on both sides and in back by floor to ceiling bookshelves. The ones in back were in turn split by another ornate wooden door.

The floor was covered in a soft, navy-blue carpet and the light-brown wood-paneled walls on either side held hanging banners bearing the Night Mane Clan symbol. A curiously shaped crimson dagger on a field of the same navy blue as the carpet, that was in turn bordered in black. The walls flanking the entryway had pictures of various family, clan members and activities.

Conrad could tell that the room was designed to give the owner a sense of both power and wisdom to visitors, while keeping those same visitors on their toes, unable to truly relax. At the same time, it subtly reminded the owner of what they were in charge of, and what was at risk.

Once the door was closed, Ruushaan almost seemed to deflate with a great sigh, to which Naarviix gave a bright laugh. "Finally done with playing the Master of the House, are we?"

"Shut up and come here, you wildling." He chuckled in return, meeting his cousin with paws on her shoulders and a gentle headbutt and nuzzle, which she returned.

This display was more in keeping with what he expected to see earlier that day. Conrad was beginning to suspect why as the separate pieces started to fall into place for him.

His greeting with Naarviix completed, Ruushaan turned to Ruufarrl and gave him a warm smile as he approached, "Father. Do you have any idea the size of the Traazol nest we just jumped into?"

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Ruufarrl chuckled wryly as he embraced his son in a similar manner to Naarviix, but with less nuzzling, "No greater than what we had discussed before. We both knew this was to eventually occur. Do you have any reservations?"

Ruushaan gave Conrad an approving look before answering, "No. Given the circumstances, this is far better than we could have hoped for. It is at bone breaking speeds, but I believe it is the right choice, and it is being done at the right time. Frustrations are mounting, and all that is needed is a solid push to get us going in a new direction." He stopped and turned to address Conrad directly.

"Mr. Conrad, thank you for your efforts. I realize that much has been unable to be fully discussed, and I apologize for the necessity of the secrecy. Come, Naarviix, could you bring out some chairs so that we may speak openly about what has occurred, and of what will soon come to pass?"

"Oh, so now I am your errand kitten, am I?"

Despite the impertinence of her comment, she said it with a grin and moved to do as asked, walking through the back door of the room. Ruushaan just shook his head before continuing with Conrad.

"In this room, at least, it is safe to speak without concern of being overheard. Tell me, what do you know of the situation? My correspondence with my father was limited to prevent prying eyes and ears from getting involved. This way I know how much we truly have to go over."

Conrad leaned back and shrugged, realizing now that the guard from before had been sweeping the room for bugs before they came in, "I think I have it pretty much down. Humanity already knows of the Founders and how they more or less run things in the background, and that they have a very long reach. They are a ruling group pulled from the ranks of the respective Founding Species. It isn't common knowledge among us, or even the general Galactic Public, but it is known. Ruufarrl hinted and alluded to it several times, and Master Silva explained some of it during our visits on Nueva Rios.

When I first found out I initially thought of them as a Shadow Cabal, but I guess they really aren't? They work behind the scenes to make sure the community as a whole thrives. Their methods may seem draconian at times, like where they only protect the home worlds of those who have made contact but haven't signed on yet. But overall, I can see where they aren't evil or self-interested, per se, but just... overly concerned and protective? And that can lead them to some pretty dark acts. After all, people really just become numbers at that point. It doesn't excuse it, but I can see how they could get there.

I get that Humanity scares them. We are too chaotic and unstable to predict, and too big to be absorbed safely or taken out without massive losses or overhauls, so they don't really know what to do about us just yet. What I don't know, is why? Why are the Founders even seen as necessary? I get being cautious, but this goes well beyond that, almost to the point of tyrannical dictatorship."

Ruushaan stared at him in a mixture of shock and appraisal. Naarviix had returned with the chairs by then and was laying them out as he spoke, "Oh good, I am glad I'm not the only one who wonders why those archaic dolts are still in charge."

Ruushaan gave her a pointed look, "This is why you need to stay away from politics."

She laughed at him, "No, THEY are why I stay away from politics, and you two ferals. If this web you are spinning collapses, someone needs to remain apart from it all to continue the family line."

"That, and that knowing you are making policy decisions would scare any of those hidebound fools on the Grand Council into early grays." Ruufarrl retorted, grinning at her.

"It is hardly my fault that I am simply willing to make room for growth and change and do what needs to be done without concern for other's scratched feelings."

Ruushaan held up his hand before their bickering got too out of hand. "Please, we all agree with you. But, in case you have forgotten, this is what we all agreed was necessary." Naarviix grumped at him as she sat down, "It shouldn't be. We should be shaking things up without concern for their ideals. We aren’t even allowed to put the ideas out there right now."

Ruufaarl laughed, "And just what exactly do you think this is?" Naarviix flicked her ears at him in annoyance before acquiescing, "Fair enough. But it isn't fun sitting on the sidelines while you all take the risk."

Conrad held up a hand to speak, "So wait, you guys planned all this?"

Ruushaan looked at his father, "Do you want this, or should I?"

"I will take this." Ruushaan nodded to him and took a seat, allowing his father to lean forward and take the lead. "The answer is... complicated. Both yes and no. While I was First Claw, I questioned why we were not pursuing our own interests as a species in addition to those of the greater Community. I felt that we needed to have our own advances and not rely on others. This led to a certain amount of push back from the rest of the Grand Council, who were fat and happy with the arrangements. Eventually my questioning and pushing was brought to the Founder's attention. I began to feel their influence as they started to exert pressure and keep me in my place. But I was too stubborn, and openly challenged why we had allowed them to continue to so directly interfere with the paths our people were taking.

My impertinence and impatience led to more problems, which created some strife and unrest in the clan. Ruushaan had worked with me for some time beforehand, and we were of like minds, even if we did not share methods. He was much better at handling controversial things and gathered the support of those who were creating the unrest. He knew why I was shaking the branch, but it could not be allowed to continue unchecked. He made his challenge then… and won."

He paused then and smiled at his son, "Rather well, I might add. Politics and Clan business had taken much of my time made me soft, and I had forgotten to keep myself sharp. He had no such barriers and was in his early Prime, a most suitable fighter and candidate. Afterwards, we discussed as a family about what to do. I was still too hot politically to keep around, so I asked him to make me sheathe my claws. This would not only cement his support and shield our clan from further scrutiny, but allow me the freedom to move about and search for different paths, quieter paths, to take to our goals."

Naarviix snorted as she tried to hold back her rising giggling laughter, "Wait... so this is a quieter path?? Oh, may the Lords of the Hunt save us all."

Ruufarrl gave her a sideways glare, "It is also when the three of us decided to keep certain other branch-shaking family members out of the public eye. Though that was hardly difficult, seeing as how someone kept refusing their Bloodclaw nominations."

Naarviix merely tilted her head and stuck her tongue out at him. An act that caused Conrad to grin and reminded him more of an adorable Blep than a rude gesture.

Ruufarrl also gave her antics a chuckle before continuing, "But, she is right, after a fashion." This admission caused her to sit up straight, tilt her chin up and pull her elbows back and rotate her wrists up and level to the floor, preening in a gesture that was very reminiscent of a human's "hero pose". A pose that Ruufarrl studiously ignored as he continued.

"My meeting you and the subsequent fight with the raiders is more providence than planning. As I mentioned before, I had intended to make an offer that would slowly ease you in after you and Kiiroth began to get along. That, unfortunately, was not able to come to pass in that way. The rest... you know, or have come to learn, at any rate."

Ruushaan nodded as his father finished, "Before I answer your earlier question, there is something I wish to learn. Knowing about the Founders as you do, and the difficulties inherent in continuing, can I ask why you are seeing this through? It is hardly a requirement, and the mere mention of a Human as being worthy would have started movement."

Conrad paused as he thought about his answer. He knew parts of it, but why was he doing this, personally. Finally, he smiled as the answer came to him from his own nature.

"For several reasons. First, is that I think there are a lot of similarities between our people, things that we can use to build a relationship from, more so than with some other species. We are practically neighbors, galactically speaking, but we have been doing little more than glare over the fence at each other after the landlords introduced us. I have realized that this is something that humanity needs. We have seen ourselves as alone in the stars for so long, we need something or someone to relate to and keep us in check. To foster growth and cooperation beyond the norm. We don't want this to end with bad blood, and we don't want to become bloodied tyrants or conquerors. That is something that would have a far more dire effect on us farther down the road, not to mention the rest of the galaxy.

A large part of it is also out of respect. I believe that Ruufarrl can attest to this after what he saw in my martial school but… declining an honor such as this over personal reservations is an unspeakably rude breach of conduct and a slap in the face to those who offered. I recognized this for what it was, and what it could mean. I know the difficulties and dangers, and I don't care about them. I have never backed down from a fight."

He gestured back at the auditorium they had just come from. "Clearly, even when I should have. I began picking up on the Founder thing even back on the Dark Meridian. Just from the wording of certain things and the actions of certain people. In the end, I guess I am also doing it to stick my finger in their eyes and prove that I can, just to spite them."

Naarviix grinned at him, Ruufarrl gave a rumbling chuckle, and Ruushaan hid his face in his hands and groaned before laughing. He looked at his father as he pulled his head out of his arms, "Only you could have found another like you by stumbling about blindly in the dark vastness of space." Ruufarrl gave him an apologetic tilt of his head and ears as he responded, "Providence."

Ruushaan snorted and continued his conversation with Conrad, "To answer your question. The Founders are not strictly necessary anymore, but at one time they absolutely were. Long before the Community came to be, something like three to four thousand years ago, the Founders were part of a burgeoning and somewhat crowded sector of space. The one that makes up the core of our current territory. There were nine of them back then, and they worked at odds to one another to gain an advantage. They learned of three predatory, warlike species that were in nearby space, but were unable to think of a way to counter them. During this time of soft conflict, they were met with a new race. One that claimed to hold the answers to their problems. As they interacted with this new people and took the knowledge that was offered, they noticed a disturbing trend. People were going missing. Sometimes they would be found again, but they were never the same and had been... greatly changed. These new people came to be known as the Takers, and they represented the greatest threat the Founders had ever known.

They began to investigate, then resisted and pushed back against them, but the Founders were also a species capable of war, and they brought it to the Founder's homes. They eradicated one of the founding species in the opening conflicts, before anyone could mount an effective defense. The Taker’s technologies gave them a massive advantage. Originally, only the Flokians were capable of effectively resisting, but it wasn't enough. In the end, all of them, the remaining eight and the three war-faring species banded together to stop them. The war was multi-generational, and genocidal. By the time the joined people finally won and killed every last of the Takers, two of the war-faring species, and two more of the others were wiped from the face of the galaxy, leaving only seven behind. These past two days of mourning and celebration were created at the end of that war. To mourn their dead… and celebrate their futures.

The Founders may not be needed now, but in times like this, when a people like your own suddenly shows up at our doorstep, it is a bitter and stark reminder of why they are still there."

He paused a moment to let this sink in, as Naarviix and Conrad both sat transfixed by the story. "This story is now not common knowledge. Most records of the Founding War have been destroyed. But I have some... sources that are willing to bend a few rules for me. When this all started, when I first took over as First Claw, I made sure I had ready access to information that I felt could be used in dealing with the Founders, should they show up at my doorstep. It turns out that I have not needed it but..." He waved his hand at the bookcases on the walls, "The habit is one that I enjoy."

Ruufarrl grunted as though he had forgotten something, pulling out the bag he had brought with him, "Speaking of knowing a people. These are for you. It turns out that Humanity also has a love of knowledge and sharing it. I think you will find these to be quite enlightening and useful in the coming days."

Ruushaan dug through the bag and began pulling out books as Conrad and Naarviix looked on in curiosity. Some of them Conrad recognized, but Ruufarrl had apparently gotten others when he wasn't looking.

Ruushaan recited the titles as he found them, "The Art of War, Maxims of War, The Prince, To Fall Seven and Rise Eight, The Nine Rings, Modern Military History... What is all this?" He asked, looking up at Conrad and his father as he continued rooting through the bag.

"Ehh, a crash course in humanity?" Conrad ventured as he shrugged, "Honestly, your father got almost all of those, the only one I picked out was Art of War."

"They are worthwhile knowledge, my son. Read them and you will see that we have completely misjudged them. Start with Art of War, as it is shorter and easier to read. Then look at the last one you mentioned, as it contains their standardized Rules of War."

"They have standardized Rules of War?" he tilted his head at Conrad, one ear forward.

Conrad smiled wryly, "Think of it like this...

We put the protective gloves on ourselves, because not even we like what we become when we take the gloves off."