Zelda could certainly empathize with the girl and her growing boredom. Perhaps it was this too that caused Teza to hound her so constantly about doing more for her, for the land they were born to protect. After all, wasn’t Teza about this age when he finally grew bored of training and wanted more? She had become the Guardian, with Hyrule as the head of the pack when she was three after all. She didn’t have the time to relax and be a child as they did. Perhaps it was that that she wanted to protect Teza from this burden, and even now she found herself wanting to protect Citlalli. A realization fell upon her, she was never allowed to be as free as they were. The years she had spent with Hyrule, spent with the pack training as a healer and diplomat had been the easiest and most relaxed days of her life. Now she knew no such thing. She had pain constantly resting in her breast at the loss of her partner, her imprint, but as the years went by she found herself a hardened wolfess with a new imprint that helped her take some of that away. She had fallen gracefully into a role she never expected to have and while she was sure she made many mistakes, for each mistake she felt she did two things right. Or so she felt.

The girl was so amused though as it seemed to dawn on her an unreal realization, exclaiming that Zelda had trained Teza. Zelda shook her head fervently before pausing. ”No, you misunderstand, I did not train Teza to fight, that would have been Uncle Amoxtli and Grandfather that taught him that. But we are all each others teachers, Citlalli. I have been taught a lot from you today too.” She said with a smile, ”I simply mean that I think Teza might have understood why it was I held him back for the time that I did, and that I think he might be doing it to you too. I also realized in talking to you though that maybe I had made a mistake in doing that to Teza, to many of the children of the pack.” They all had so much spirit and will to offer her. She couldn’t treat them like children forever though. Someday, hopefully a long time from here, Zelda would be too old or too unfirm to protect the pack and then it would be in the paws of the next generation.

Zelda let her teal and mahogany cracked eyes set upon the girl, knowing that was a lot of responsibility to lay on a child, but knowing it was also what she wanted. To prove herself to pave her way. Young as she was she wanted more, needed it even. Zelda held them back so they could enjoy their youths, but maybe they had, maybe they wanted more than just games, fun and relaxing days. Though it seemed Citlalli understood, only partly of what Zelda said, it was true, but it was not at the same time. ”He’s protecting something you do not yet value. Your youth, your freedom. When you get older you no longer can run and play and enjoy the things you once did as easily as you do now. He’s protecting that for you. He no longer has his, but sees no reason to rush you out of your own. Does that make sense?” It might not, but Citlalli still seemed to understand he was at least a good trainer, a teacher, and he still was, it was just he had fallen into the very same pit Zelda had.

Citalli though appreciated her words of wisdom. The look in her eyes brought a warmth to the auburn and tan wolfess’ heart. This was when she enjoyed being the Guardian the most. Days like these, not when she had to deal with things like Blackthorne and Aranck. This was what was most important. She couldn’t lose sight of that. She felt a strong resolve grow into her though before hearing what Citlalli had to say. Her eyes grew wide and she chuckled slightly. ”Well… that wasn’t exactly what I meant.” SHe was a bit nervous to show others what she had learned from Mana, the more traditional conservative fighting style of her large warrior family members did not fit her at all, Citlalli included in that. Zelda was clearly a petiet thing, fast on her paws.

”I was more meaning that I want you to be my Power, Citlalli. The best warrior in the pack, I will find you any number of teachers you need to get there. I guess that could include myself if that’s what you really want. Though… I fight very differently than Teza, than pretty much all our family. I will warn you that much” She said, knowing she might be laying a large burden upon her cousin’s shoulders, but Zelda thought if she wanted to work for it, she would be the best Taviora would have.