OPEN you're depraved! // post-eruption survivor regroup

[METEOR]

METEOR

The lion squinted one eye at Chernabog and Vale. By the gods, he’d never understand how the two were friends. As far as he could tell, Chernabog was a friendship that kept Vale loyal to the Descendants of the Departed. And Vale was a friendship that kept Chernabog sticking around instead of flying off from boredom. And the two only stuck around on cannibal cult island because 1) the cannibals were the only place that tolerated both of their eccentricities and 2) they seemed entertained. What a weird friendship. But useful for him? Without Vale, Chernabog would become insufferably haughty. Without Chernabog, Vale would stir up trouble. What a mess!

When Rhode asked her question, Meteor’s gaze slid to the sabertooth tiger. He tapped a claw on the volcanic stone as he thought over his response. He’d been thinking about what he’d have to say in the meeting, of course. Getting away with murder wasn’t the challenge, really. Getting away with murder was a requirement for solving the ecological crisis, since, well, his father would’ve been an impediment, wouldn’t that sadistic narcissist?

“Right now, I can’t give you a satisfying answer.” Meteor’s claw stopped tapping. “However, I can tell you how I plan to arrive at an answer before the next meeting. I have to complete a full survey of the damage done to the island and take measure of our current supplies.”

Then a slight sigh. “But, if I’m guessing, Rhode? We’ll need to begin preparations to raid.”

“You’re phenomenal in the fighting pit—and my favorite sparring partner—so I expect you’ll have a few opportunities to prove yourself on a real battlefield.” A slight smirk appeared on his muzzle. All of that was true; Rhode was his favorite sparring partner, and he hoped she was as effective on the battlefield as she was in the fighting pits. Then he gestured to her coconut crab, “After all, coconut crabs are tasty, but they’re not useful for much more than food.”