Captain

Captain was a born leader. With his reserved and calm demeanour, he meditated his older sister Aries and his younger brother Squall. Not that they fought; Captain simply had a talent for finding out what everyone wanted to do, and guiding the group in the best possible way to do so. Despite being separated to different clans, Captain tends the bond that keeps them close. Unity, community, peace, and stability were important to Captain, and still are.

Life was challenging in the harsh climate of the Crag. Captain trained to defend and to hunt. The clan’s leaders, Melan and Neal, recognized his potential as a warrior. They pushed him to fight harder, to enter into the Coliseum and improve his technique, and to lead a team.

Captain’s life was simple until the day that Elysium arrived with her fledgling clan. Melan had no desire to be responsible for an amalgamation. Neal did, but he had no interest in sharing that role with the newcomer. Captain knew Neal well enough to know that pride would motivate Neal to challenge the newcomer for her role, and that no good would come of that fight. Putting his reservations aside, Captain challenged Neal for leadership.

It was a fight of experience versus strength, technique versus adaptability. The outcome was close, but Captain emerged the victor. He did not tell anyone why he had done it. He simply shouldered the role with stoic poise, and together they guided the amalgamated clan.

Over time, Captain grew fond of Elysium. He was impressed at her skills and charmed by her intelligence and care. He was concerned by what harm might have caused her scars. He saw a sadness in her eyes, sometimes, that he wished he understood. He wished he could offer her comfort, like the comfort she offered to her charges.

When he tried to talk about it with her, however, she withdrew. Sensing her desire to keep her personal life separate, he apologized. He put her from his mind. Eventually he was able to see her only as a political figure and trusted ally.

Overnight, it seemed, the beast clans rose.

The lair was attacked. Every dragon who could fight, fought, and Captain foremost among them. First into the fray and last to be pulled from the mountainside, clutching a fistful of beast clan flags and soaked in blood. They were victorious, but at a price. Captain drifted in and out of consciousness in Elysium’s den for weeks as she fought the battle for Captain’s life.

When he was conscious, Elysium encouraged him to talk. He began to tell her the stories of his life. To his surprise, she returned in kind. They found that they shared a love of leaves in the fall and the smell of wood smoke. They laughingly challenged each other to hunting contests. They discussed their clan in terms of their motivations and histories, not just their duty. Eventually, Elysium even told him her story.

When Captain shocked her by recovering, Elysium shocked him back by taking his claws in hers. Their feelings had grown into something new.

The clan could not ask for better leaders.