Between Scylla and Charybdis

Chapter 12.

'What fresh hell is this?' Never before had Scylla felt pulled in every direction like this. Who will sing the lead? Who would lead the hunt? What would they hunt? Who was in charge of decorations? Where was the matron? How was she supposed to know?!

Memron noticed the onset of her panic and gave her an encouraging tap on the shoulder.

'This isn't a test, just go with your gut and tell them what to do. It'll turn out fine.'

Bless this male. Scylla took a moment to gather her thoughts, but then started barking orders at the assembly. Different pairs of mer took off at her command to either go hunt or make other preparations. At some point their questions stopped coming. Scylla took a deep breath and slumped down on a nearby rock. This was harder than she thought, her mother always made ruling look effortless. If only she'd paid closer attention before, maybe some of her mother's ways would have rubbed off on her.

'I'm sure this Moonsorla will be great. You're the guest of honor, after all.' Memron helpfully chimed in.

'I doubt my presence will matter much to them in the grand scheme of things.' Scylla watched her people with estranged eyes. She didn't really know any of them, yet in the absence of her mother, they obeyed her without question. Such is the power of a matron.

'You underestimate your importance, Scylla. A matron is the soul of the pod. That role being passed down to you means new beginnings. You'd be surprised how much things changed when your mother took over.'

Scylla turned towards the guard.

'That was over a century ago. There's now way you were around back then.'

'No, but my grandmother talked about it often.' The guard smiled while reminiscing. 'She used to say that every matron brought something new to our kind. I'm curious to see what you'll do.'

Great. So no pressure really. Scylla scoffed.

In the moments that followed, Scylla found herself staring at the Moonsorla slowly came together before her.

The way things were looking, the chances of mother accepting Diz as Scylla's mate were... slim. Just like she had planned. Memron might be giving her high praise, but as things stood, it didn't look like this year would be the year after all. Just a bit longer and this whole affair would be over.

Scylla clutched a hand at her chest and bit her lip. It didn't feel as satisfying as she'd imagined.

-

'What's a Moonsorla?' Diz groaned as he dragged himself away from the platform.

The little silvery she-mer had returned not long after. An air of concern wafted around her. Charybdis hoisted himself up on one arm, tossing the final quill aside.

'You pulled them yourself?!' She growled disapprovingly.

'Yes, and much faster than you did, might I add. Answer my question.' Charybdis rolled his head across his shoulders and stretched the soreness from his joints. The little healer's scorn didn't interest him, he had more important matters to mind.

Gaia swam over, started collecting the jugs and salves at the dais all the while glaring daggers at him.

'The second trial can be brutal, as I'm sure you've noticed. In order for everyone to recover, two days of rest are instituted right after it. We call it Moonsorla. Time of the passing moon.' She stopped, tapping a claw against one of the bowls. 'It's a time of joy, play, good food, but It's also a time for retrospection.'

Charybdis raised an ear in Gaia's direction.

'How do you mean?'

'Mer can back out of the ritual during the days of Moonsorla.' Gaia glanced over to Charybdis with a concerned look on her face. 'In case things aren't going well. But you wouldn't do that, right?'