#berkut is awkward and has no idea how to emote lol

[bahamuut-fr]

Libitina - Chapter 4: Berkut (2)

pinglist: @fr-blackiebelle @black-market-sornieth

A terrible dragon leading a terrible rule in a terrible wasteland; what a perfect description for Libitina under Berkut. In the very beginning of his rule, the territory was scoured by the best hunters. Within just a few weeks, prey was incredibly scare. The greatest issue with this plan was that the Clan could only eat so much. All the leftover food rotted and became inedible in just a few more weeks. The dragons of Libitina had to subside on rotting food and plants for months, waiting for prey to repopulate.

Many died during this time, either from pure starvation or sickness. Seeing it as “weeding out the thin bloods,” Berkut paid no mind to the staggering body count. Even as Sabrina fell to the illness, he remained stoic and completely unfeeling. It was at this time that Neset, a young Coatl who had joined during Jodo’s rule, told Berkut she desired an audience with him. Despite his frustration at being asked yet again about the food situation, he was taken with her manner of speaking and found her question to be less irritating than others. Unsure of what the hell this feeling that he felt for her was, he knew he just wanted to spend more time with her.

“Neset, may I speak with you?”

“Mm? Oh, milord, yes!” She’d been so apprehensive about speaking to him before; he was glad to see her so warmed up. The two went for a walk, and Berkut panicked when he realized he never came up with a topic about which to talk.

“So, milord,” Neset began. Shit. “You mentioned wanting to talk about something.”

“Yes,” he replied, rather quickly, racking his brain. “I wan-”

All thought derailed as something slammed into Berkut, and hard. Rolling awkwardly, he rushed to his feet...to see Jodo. The husk of a dragon had various dark patches where scars ought to be; he obviously hadn’t healed well. How was he still alive!?

“You’re going to pay,” the gangrenous Ridgeback snarled. “You took everything.”

“I took it from someone who didn’t deserve it. Be grateful I let you live; what a mistake.”

“Tough words from a coward!”

“I know you are, but what am I?”

Jodo, enraged, leapt at Berkut, but the Skydancer hopped back into the air just in time. Remaining airborne, he tried to bite at the Ridgeback, but was got a face full of tail spines. Berkut crashed to the ground, a deep gash on his chin starting to bleed.

“Berkut, watch out!”

Neset’s cry allowed him to roll out of the way just in time to miss Jodo’s second charge. Rising to his feet, he took off, remaining at a safe distance. Angered at his original target being out of reach, Jodo turned to Neset and hissed. Furious, Berkut hissed back. Before Jodo could even think about making a move, Berkut shot towards him, picking the former king up into the air. Floundering and trying to flap his own wings, the Skydancer searched for a way to immobilize Jodo. He found it.

Using power behind all four legs, Berkut dug his claws into Jodo’s back and threw him at a tree. The sheer force of the throw combined with the Ridgeback’s weight caused the tree to fall onto the former king. While he succeeded in throwing the tree off of him, he was entangled in vines and trying to escape.

“Neset,” Berkut hissed. “Run. I can handle this.”

“But wh-”

“If I get overpowered, there’s nothing you could do about it anyway. It’s okay,” he whispered, looking right at her. “I’ll be fine.” As she nodded and flew away, he regretted not telling her how he felt...he’d be fine. He could tell her later. Jodo had escaped the vine trap, and was angrier than ever.

“Still hungry for more?” Berkut barked. He was met with a silent charge, but dodged quickly. In immediate retaliation, he leapt to Jodo’s neck, biting down hard. As he was being tossed around, the king kept his teeth firmly between the scales lining the base of the Ridgeback’s neck. Eventually, the thrashing became too much, and Berkut fell off, teeth dragging a line across Jodo’s clavicle.

“This means nothing! I am still king!” Berkut advanced towards Jodo, hissing.

“Do you want to go for another round, Jodo? You’ve lost twice, going for a third?”

Dead silence. The two males stared at each other, panting. Jodo spread his wings, and Berkut got ready to attack. The former king only took off and fled.

“The exact same will happen if you dare to return!” Berkut screeched.

“Berkut?” Startled by the sudden voice, his head whipped around to reveal Neset. “I am so sorry, I-I did not mean to-!”

“At ease, Neset,” he cooed. “Just Berkut is fine.”

“Right, Berkut...I am so sorry, I just did not want to leave you.” He sighed, turning around to face her.

“I only dismissed you because I feared you would be hurt,” he half-muttered, half-laughed. “I’m very glad to see that you’re okay.”

“Mi-Berkut! Berkut, I am sorry, but why did you care?” He stared into her eyes, flicking his tail awkwardly.

“Well, despite my best efforts, I seem to have fallen victim to mortal feelings. I’ve truly never found any emotion similar to what I feel for you, but I’m willing to say that it’s whatever love is.”

Neset looked extremely confused. Was it his wording? Was it...was it that she didn’t think she was good enough for him?

“I am sorry, Berkut, but I...I am not sure I understand,” she laughed. “I am nothing special, really and truly. I mean, I feel the same about you, but--”

Berkut’s heart soared. “Perfect,” he cooed. “As your king, I command you to stop believing that you aren’t special. As your mate, I ask you to accept me for who I am.” She looked at him again with that damn confused stare.

“Yes…” she muttered after what felt like ages. “Yes to both. I love you, Berkut,” she whispered. He grinned in response, laughing slightly.

“What a day this has been. A brutal fight to defend my title as king, followed by love declarations.”

Berkut very shortly found out about Neset’s alchemy hobbies and goal of creating life, finding it unrealistic yet charming. The two bore three hatchlings, Rory, Jasper, and Kyrin; unfortunately illness struck the Clan, claiming the lives of Rory and Jasper.

“Berkut,” Neset sobbed. “Berkut, I went to the nursery to check on them and--and--”

“Neset. Relax and tell me what happened,” he responded firmly.

“I could only see Kyrin playing, and I should have known right then…”

“Neset.”

“Rory and Jasper...Rory and Jasper are gone, Berkut!” she choked out, nearly shaking. “They’re both gone...my babies…”

“Don’t worry about them,” Berkut replied. “They’re...somewhere, I assure you.”

She pressed herself against his chest, sniffling. “What if they don’t know I love them?”

He paused, unsure of how to reply to such a strange question. “I’m sure they do,” he warily muttered, nuzzling the top of her head. “I’m sure they know just how much you love them.” When Neset dug her head deeper into his chest, he went silent. “Kyrin is okay, correct?”

“Yes, thank the powers that be,” she whispered.

Berkut cared little for the dead, only for those that were living--those that he could still manipulate. As Kyrin grew, he would constantly pester his son, asking if he wanted to follow in his footsteps. Kyrin, much to Berkut’s chagrin, always denied, stating that he wanted to pursue a career in medicine after seeing his siblings die of sickness.

Neset loved that her son was interested in medicine, and set him up with books on herbal remedies and all kinds of wound-treating instructions. The immense focus on healing caused the young Coatl to fall out of love with the practice, but he continued anyway, not wanting to break his dear mother’s heart.

As Kyrin became the Clan’s designated doctor, Berkut half-lamented half-seethed at not having an heir. One day, after Neset returned from talking to their...disappointment, Berkut confronted her.

“We need to try again.”

“Wh...I’m sorry, my lord, what?”