The Choosing

Chapter Three: Candidates

Honorable Constell Libra took her seat as the rest of the Constella gathered. Honorable Constell Scorpio took his seat next to her and gave her a wry smile. Today he had selected a dark yet regal appearance. His 'dark prince' look, as he often described it. His hair was an inky black, and his eyes the dark grey of storm clouds. He was lean, as usual, with pale skin.

"I heard that you've already made your selection."

Libra returned his smile. "Always keeping up on the latest gossip, I see."

"I try my best."

"I'm sure you do."

Scorpio grinned. "Good. Who's leading today?"

The Constella, all being equal in rank, usually gave the position of leader to the Honorable Constell whose reign was ongoing during the meeting. But the meetings leading up to The Choosing were special cases. As they were always held at the end of Pisces's reign, the Constella had decided to rotate leaders every Choosing.

"Virgo."

Scorpio grimaced. "That perfectionist is leading today?"

Libra gave him a stern look. " Don't be rude. It's almost been a century since she last led a candidate meeting."

Scorpio shrugged. "It hasn't been long enough if you ask me."

"What hasn't been long enough?" Honorable Constell Sagittarius had just arrived, one of the last ones, as always. He looked the same as he did every day - short brown curly hair and hazel eyes. He settled into his spot to the right of Scorpio.

Scorpio gave him a polite smile in way of greeting. "The Maiden is leading today. Best behave well, dear Archer."

"Many thanks for the warning."

Libra resisted the urge to roll her eyes, a very unladylike gesture.

"Ah, speak of the devil," Scorpio said, lowering his voice to a whisper.

Virgo had entered the room. She had long golden hair with a circlet of leaves entwined in it, marking her as the leader of today's meeting. She wore an emerald green dress lined with blue sapphires.

She cast a regal glance around the room. Each of the Honorable Twelve sat at a long, circular table. All meeting were held at the topmost room of the Celestial Tower, and as a result, all of the furniture was rounded to fit inside. Libra was the one who insisted on the circular table because she believed it promoted teamwork.

Virgo made her way over to her seat between Leo and Libra. She cleared her throat and tapped the mallet in front of her twice on the marble table.

"Silence, please. Silence. Alright. Thank you." Virgo spared a glance at Scorpio and Sagittarius, who were snickering. "The Choosing is right around the corner. You should have all gotten the results from the exams. Now, we have ten days left to make our final decisions. As always, there will be no rush to choose a candidate, but just to do a quick check: Would anyone like to present possible apprentices?"

Gemini leaned back in his chair, feet on the table. "Libra already chose an apprentice."

Virgo turned her head to look at Libra, her eyebrow raised. "Really? That's fast."

"And kind of ironic." Sagittarius had joined the conversation. "Libra's supposed to represent justice and balance and all that. Seems kind of hasty of you, Libra. I just had the exam results delivered yesterday morning ... sure you don't have any kind of bias?"

Libra stiffened, her dark eyes narrowed. Privacy was hard to find at the best of times - she knew her little meeting with Paige couldn't have gone unnoticed. The gift she had asked Paige to pass on carried two messages ... one of which she was sure Lyra would completely ignore. Libra didn't want to send anymore mixed messages, though. And besides, if she didn't clear this matter up now, Gemini and Sagittarius would cause enough trouble later to drive even sweet Cancer up the wall.