Heart Pangs

Chapter 69 - 'Breathe In'

Six months. It's been six months since Camille had become leader of Epomis.

Now she lingers at the back of the room, heart beating a mile a minute, surveying the results of all her work. It had been a long road to get to this night, but if things went well, it could be the beginning of a new era for Epomis.

She stands in the meeting hall. It's a familiar place, almost a homecoming. This is where she took Benji to his first Epomis meeting, where he learned the truth about a lot of things. It had been the meeting that pushed him to join Epomis' cause. And now he stands here, at Camille's right hand.

They don't speak to each other, but Camille can feel the nervous energy rolling off him in waves. She's grateful he had decided to be here tonight. She wouldn't have been able to get this far without him. They both stand, motionless, as they watch the first attendees of the meeting arrive.

It's nothing out of the ordinary at first. A few prey trickle in, some that Camille recognizes immediately and some that are less familiar. And then the first pred enters and the whole room collectively holds its breath.

The pred definitely looks out of place. She towers above the rest of those gathered, clearly trying to make herself as small and unassuming as possible. Meanwhile, all the prey give her a wide berth and cautious glances.

The first Epomis meeting to allow preds. Like most of the changes Camille has been working on, it had been Benji's idea. Benji had many good ideas for a new and improved Epomis, but this one had been, by far, the most controversial. The cause had lost a lot of support when the announcement had first been made. Yet, to Camille's surprise, they'd gained all of it (possibly even more) back in other places.

Arranging this meeting had also taken a lot of jumping through hoops. The prey invited to attend had all been carefully selected, and a hard limit on the number of preds allowed had also been set. Unfortunately, it had also been decided that preds and prey could never be fully integrated within Epomis. Too many prey had come to the cause, hurt and afraid of preds. They still needed a safe haven. However, Camille isn't entirely displeased by that fact. Epomis had been created by prey and is first and foremost for prey.

Camille watches the pred glance about the meeting hall, looking a little helpless. She's on the verge of going to greet the pred herself, take the lead in welcoming her, when another prey woman steps forward with a little wave. The pred's face lights up at the friendly gesture and she returns the wave.

Camille eases back with a sigh of relief. This meeting might yet be a success.

For the next half hour, a slow trickle of prey interspersed with preds enter the hall. As more people arrive, Camille gathers her courage and steps forward to socialize.

She catches Oscar's eye across the room as she goes. He and his students are spread across the hall, keeping close surveillance on everything. It's just a precaution, one that Camille wishes they didn't have to take but one that she knows is necessary. If anything, it makes the prey feel more comfortable.

She loses track of time as she speaks with person after person, most of them prey but a few preds. She's only reminded that the meeting needs to begin when she feels a hand on her shoulder. She turns to find Benji looking at her.

"You ready?" he asks.

Camille glances at the time. "Oh god," she says in surprise. She looks back up at her brother. "I guess as ready as I'll ever be."

Benji nods and gives a comforting smile. "You'll do great," he assures her, then extends his arm to the front of the room.

Camille takes a deep breath and leads the way.