The clothing was too scratchy. It was so scratchy that Eddie had managed to break his skin by itching around the neckline so much. Thankfully it was low enough on his neck that his mother wouldn't see it, and it wasn't bleeding. If he stained his dress outfit, he'd be punished for sure.
Eddie lifted his arm and admired the arrow that had a place on his forearm. It was usually black but Bill had painted it with sparkly golden paint for the special occasion. He loved the tattoo, it showed who he was. He was a Lucantian, strong and beautiful, and someday he'd get to help choose what happened in Divisus.
"St-stop admiring the m-m-mark so we can go. M-mother will be mad if w-we're late," Bill said, walking over to Eddie and helping adjust his shirt again so it would cover the angry red marks along his neck.
Bill and Eddie had been sent to the same family after the brain scan that they endured nearly seventeen years before. They were close as two siblings could be, yet they had very different mindsets.
Bill was a rule follower, always finishing his lessons and strictly obeying whatever he was told.
Eddie was a rule follower as well, but he was much more curious. He often asked questions but was quickly shut down. He knew it wasn't appreciated to ask about Tenebris, but it was fascinating!
Just on the other side of the wall was a land of savages. Rumors were that they were so insane and hostile that when the new Tenebrian babies were brought to them, they'd eat them. It was a terrifying thought, but Eddie was curious about them.
How could a group be so ruthless?
"Eddie! We h-have to go," Bill repeated, glaring at his brother.
"Fine, I'm going," Eddie snapped, itching his neck once more before following Bill from the room.
Their home was big enough that they could each have their own room, but the pair found comfort in each other. Since their mother and father were both high ranking council members, they didn't see them a lot and were alone at home after their lessons.
The pair made their entrance downstairs where their mother, Sonia, was waiting for them.
"It's about time!" she said, glaring at the pair. "We need to leave, now!"
Eddie and Bill nodded and followed her in silence.
As soon as they stepped outside, the could hear the bells ringing. All around them were cheery Lucantians, wearing clothes similar to Bill and Eddie's. The gold trimmed white clothes offered a sense of modesty and admiration.
Eddie had suspicions that he'd like the clothes a lot more if they weren't so damned scratchy.
They reached the large meeting building ten minutes later. Sonia led her sons to the front of the room where their father stood, waiting for them. They had special seating near the front of the room because of their status.
"Good morning," their father, Frank, said, beaming at his sons.
"H-hi, dad!" Bill said excitably, only for his smile to fall when Sonia shot him a glare for his informal language.
"Good morning, father," Eddie said with a light smile, taking his seat. "How's the council reacting?"
"Obviously overwhelmed. We haven't elected a new leader in over sixty years. I expect even the Tenebrians will be celebrating this wonderful day!"
"D-doubt it," Bill said in an undertone which made Eddie giggle, earning both of them another glare from Sonia.
"Do you think the council made the right choice?" Eddie asked, very intrigued by the situation.
