Samsara took a deep breath as she entered the gardens for the second time in the day. Her adrenaline was pumping through her veins, giving her that powerful high that comes with it. At first, she didn't hear Satsuriku acknowledge her, it was only when she had a double take in her mind that she realized she was being spoken to. She was at the ready, her reflexes geared toward getting her glaive from her wrist and into her hand. An action faster than the blink of an eye. When she actually looked at Satsuriku, she eased up a bit. He asked to join, she shrugged, [b]"No harm in the company."[/b] her voice was a little more stern than usual, it was obvious she had just come from a rather heated situation. [b]"I'm headed to the council chamber, you can accompany me to there if you wish."[/b]

Her helmet dematerlized back, letting her hair drop free to her shoulders. She took in a deep breath and let it out slowly, easing off the adrenaline high. She heard Satsuriku mention Kuro. She nodded, [b]"You can say that. But as much as I dislike him, he's still my master. He deserves respect despite not seeming to deserve it."[/b] that last bit seemed forced.

Samsara walked with purpose through the gardens. She regarded Jenus as she passed, some other tenno as well. Non-tenno auxiliaries bowed their head in respect to the revered Samsara, she bowed back. Things were much better for her when there weren't guns pointed and blades drawn. Her eyes shifted to Satsuriku momentarily before she looked back forward, [b]"You look like you're pretty deep in through, Satsuriku. Remember that if Lissette can't sit and help in easing your mind, I am just as able to. Not now, though... Apparently since I got back in this dojo, every excalibur has been wanting a piece of me."[/b] conveniently, an excalibur came into view and stopped as he saw Samsara approaching in her armor. Was that blood on of her glaive blades? He turned and headed back to where he came from. It was entertaining to say the least.

Once they arrived to the door of the council chamber, Samsara turned to Satsuriku, [b]"We'll talk about whats on your mind later, brother. I need to go and talk some sense into Kuro's mind. For now, be safe."[/b] she smiled to him and placed her hand on a palm print scanner. The door opened to her and she went in. [i]"Ah... Sister Samsara..."[/i] a voice of one of the council members could be heard before the door closed.
__________

Samsara sat on her knees in a circle with the rest of the council. It consisted of five other tenno, not including the master. The council was made up of the senior most tenno in the clan. The senior most surviving tenno at the very least. The room had a high ceiling, draping off of it were red banners with Clan Prowler's emblem proudly displayed on them. Along the walls were plaques, recognition of the fallen council members before the ones sitting there that day. Outlining the room was a stream that circled around them, originating from a small fountain topped with a banzai tree, the leaves blood red. In the center of the high ceiling, was a dome that revealed the depths of outer space, the dome was always aligned and in view of a distant yet very visible nebula, the purple light shone through and gave the room an ethereal hue.

The council members were varied in their warframes. There was a Trinity, a Zephyr, a Loki, an Oberon and a Nyx. Kuro sat in between the Zephyr and the Oberon. It was silent in the room for a good thirty seconds before Kuro spoke up, [i]"Welcome, brothers, sisters. We're here now to discuss the pressing matters that give weight on Clan Prowler's shoulders. Clan Tempest, a storm clan that sympathize with the Lotus has been sending tenno to intercept out missions. I have grown tired of their attempts, and have considered preparing the dojo for battle and crushing Tempest."[/i]

Some of the council nodded to Kuro. Others remained still, Samsara included, though she wasn't even looking at Kuro. The Nyx noticed this, [i]"Lady Samsara, you're angry."[/i] she said.

Samsara looked to the Nyx, there was no secrets safe from her. Councilor Lissette was essentially treated as the chaplain in the clan. If one was burdened too much that they couldn't speak to Kuro about it, Lissette was the one tenno spilled their burdens to. The Nyx warframe allowed Lissette to delve into peoples' minds, no point on hiding anything from her. Samsara nodded, [b]"Yes, sister Lissette. I am."[/b] she glanced at Kuro, who returned the gaze right back.

Lissette motioned her hand to the entire council, [i]"Speak then, before us all."[/i]

Samsara knew that Lissette already knew what she was going to say. But it didn't matter, the rest of the council wanted to hear now. Samsara took in a deep breath, [b]"Clan Tempest is a small clan that is just being manipulated like the rest of the clans by the lotus. And master Kuro is suggesting we utterly destroy it. I believe he's doing this to spite me, he knows as well as the rest of you about my ties to that clan. Instead of resorting to barbarism, why not try to negotiate with Clan Tempest and show them some of the evidence we have against the Lotus?"[/b]

Kuro looked at her, [i]"Your concern for the lesser clan makes me doubt your loyalty to Clan Prowler, Samsara."[/i]

She looked back at him with an icy stare. Before she could even speak, Lissette interjected, [i]"This isn't a room for rivalries. Don't say what you want to say, Samsara. I'm sure Master Kuro knows how to bite his tongue after recent events."[/i] she looks at the damaged section on the neck of Kuro's excalibur prime.

Samsara let out a long, very audible sigh, [b]"I have the utmost loyalty to my clan, Kuro. Do you?"[/b]

The Oberon, Councillor Lionel, spoke up, [i]"I agree with Samsara's proposal. We need more to fight with, not against."[/i] the rest of the council agreed, Kuro clenched his jaw. Lionel continued, [i]"Samsara, I want you to nominate four champions, we will organize a conclave. You and your four champions will do honorable battle within Clan Tempest's arena. All those in agreement?"[/i] Lionel studied the rest of the council.

Samsara and the rest agreed. Kuro raised a hand to quiet them, [i]"To the death."[/i] he stated, [i]"If you win, then that's five less Tempest dogs to argue against our cause. If you lose, then that's at least one less thorn in my side."[/i] Kuro and Samsara kept eye contact as he said that last part. It was common knowledge that Samsara and Kuro never got along, but Kuro wanting Samsara dead had never been brought up before. It even surprised Lissette. She knew what happened between Samsara and Kuro earlier, but didn't divulge the information to the rest of the council. It was that duel in Samsara's quarters, and Kuro's dishonorable attempt at defeating her, that destroyed all hope of true cooperation between them.

Samsara finally spoke, [b]"To the death."[/b] she agreed.