Seven-Pride and Wrath

Major Gerard Hubra returned home from the medal ceremony. Another success. He could still feel the swell from the star spangled banner, from the heroes he'd honored with bits of ribbon and metal, from their families... He basked in it.

He changed out of his dress uniform, into blue jeans and a grey sleeveless T-Shirt with a stars and stripes, emblazoned across the back with the word "Remember". He liked the shirt for the tiny eddies he felt around him when he walked through crowds, and he liked how they showed off his considerable physique. He was a man who payed attention to personal appearances.

His roommate was not.

The being who was only known as Wrath had no clever psyedonym, no alias as five of his other compatriots. It had no way to hide itself, no semblance of the mortal being that would allow it to stalk the world hidden. That was it's reason. The Prodigal took no name for others, but Wrath did not care.

Currently, Wrath was engaged with shredding a piece of paper, and one which must have raised its ire considerably. The flying shreds flew every which way in a whirlwind of vicious teeth and claws.

Wrath howled as the tiny pieces of white fell to the floor around him.

"Gorrrrramnit... Pride! The muffugrr won' DIE. It jus' keeps... Grrrrrah! Lookathis!"

Wrath seized a piece of paper from the table as the tiny white shreds around his feet faded quietly from existence.

Pride picked it up, removing his sunglasses to see it clearly.

He read it once, twice, and double-checked the red wax seal.

"A joke, surely. I mean... Really... If this was genuine... Um, what were you doing to that paper you had before?"

Wrath gestured angrily at the paper in Pride's hand, and let out a low snarl.

Pride raised one eyebrow, and carefully tore the paper down the middle.

There was another letter on the table.

"I... See. So... Genuine, then. Well, it seems we answer the summons, eh?"

Wrath looked at him as if he was a rather disgusting bug. It attempted to compose itself, and some of the hair disappeared. Its teeth shortened down to a more normal length, making speech easier. "And wwwhy would we do that? This place... Is our chosen land. Have you forgotten the Bigotry, pride? Your previous nationalism? And what of the wars, the glorious, senseless wars.... So beautiful.... We just go into the dark without question then? You sicken me, worm."

"We are, technically, quite beholden to at least answer the call. And who knows, with the others present, more options may be forthcoming. Remember, Wrath, if we do not hang together, we shall all hang seperately. So to speak." Pride smiled. That line never seemed to fail him.

"Grrrrrmph. Still think you're a coward, Pride."

"You wound me. Are we so different? If you cut us, do we not bleed?"

"No." Wrath answered, completely truthfully.

"Well. Metaphorically speaking. Go on, get your coat. Time to get on the road."

The pair were a strange sight, leaving the building. The one man, strong and bright and blustering, a man in his prime, just hints of grey appearing at his temples. The other dark, scuttling, in a long coat and hat, completely covered in the blazing August sun.

-Locke and Peter