Romance is in the air...this is probably the most beautiful and scenic place in Blossom Forest. For the athletic and determined to come with their mates, for time away from pups. Only adults may come here; some of the ledges are too far apart for teens or pups to cross and some too high to scale.
IP: 65.29.75.36
Posted on June 25, 2018 at 02:19:35 PM by Athene
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Perhaps somewhere in the midst of all of this, in trying to move on from her previous lives, Athene had forgotten what it meant to truly be in a pack. In her childhood one, there was codependence on everyone’s part - each individual was key to the success of the pack as a whole, and everyone was expected to pull their own weight and contribute. There were, of course, exceptions - warriors wounded in battle were allowed to heal and rest, or even retire if their wounds were too severe, or the older wolves who had served faithfully but could not perform the tasks that they once had. Most of the retirees ended up being teachers anyway - passing on their knowledge and wisdom to the next generation so that when they passed on into the realm of the gods, their strength would not leave the pack but instead remain. Then there had been Spring Grounds the first time around - a quiet, useless pack without anyone in it, one that she had had no patience for and had left quickly. Athene had abandoned her sister Hellene there, and moved on to Andere Seite… At the time it had been a strong pack, but only in numbers. Each wolf was an individual that was allowed to remain as such instead of working together for the greater good, and that had proven to been their downfall. Still, it had only been act nature that had truly shut the pack down permanently, a devastating earthquake that had torn the land asunder, forcing the wolves to flee from it. Athene had little holding her there - only the single brute who she thought would be the love of her life… a sentiment she never thought she would actually have. After all, she always had been taught that power was important, not necessarily love. But she developed emotions first for Zev, and then when she returned to Spring Grounds, for Pierce. But she had had to run from that pack too when it had fallen… And here she was now, a strong member of a strong pack where each trait was pushed to its utmost potential. And she appreciated it, but apparently had forgotten to appreciate those around her, including and especially Sabelle. Perhaps it was the months - perhaps more than a year? - since they last saw each other that caused Athene to still treat her like an insolent pup. But that wasn’t quite right… For Sabelle had never been insolent. She had been bright, a quick study, a superb student. Was Athene merely taking out her frustration concerning Pierce on Sabelle instead? The femme fatale shook her head and she listened to Sabelle’s words - even in this, Sabelle was right. She was an individual and should be praised for her own traits, not punished for those of her bloodline. Athene said nothing in response for a few moments but stayed silent, thinking over her words. Perhaps if she explained it to Sabelle, Sabelle would understand. For a few tense minutes, they walked in silence, before Athene leaned into her for a second in a silent apology. “Your father did not care about my ways After the abortion I saw that each of the subsequent days He had a mate - your own mother - and me as a mistress And cared not if it would cause her or you all distress. “Any pup bearing his blood was one he wanted But I would not have my own before Cordelia flaunted Nor would I choose for them to be second rate Prisoners of scornful looks, wounded by their own fate. “And though you and your blood siblings were free - Would never have to go to the trials like I would want it to be - I would have found a way to plot mine against you Which would’ve caused both you and them pain that was not due. “As for the Trials themselves, they are both curse and gift Most think that between mates and members it would cause a rift That it would decrease the number of wolves in the pack But at home population was not something of lack. “Our land was immense, but definite in space Without the Trails we would easily our prey outpace Perhaps there would be other potential choices to be made But with the success of the Trials the others into the darkness did fade. “We would not send out our weak to face the world alone T’would be a cruel punishment for a crime they should not have to atone Nor would we limit who could breed or who could not It would lead to battles that should not have to be fought. “And so the Trials were created to bind us all together In power, enjoy, and sorrow, dependent on each other Each pup to choose from birth their strength And stick to it even at the greatest length. “We are stronger than others because of this, you see My comrades are all experts in their field, whether it is a he or she. I can trust them because we all agreed upon this path in life And focus on what success it may bring, not upon the strife.” Athene fell silent again and start to walk - just the mere fact that Sabelle had listened to her full explanation was more than what Athene could say for Pierce. Her previous mate had wanted to console her over the loss of their pups, had wanted to think ahead of a new future, a new litter. But the focus had been all wrong… And for some reason, Athene really wanted… No, she really needed for Sabelle to understand. The choices that Athene had made had been just as much for Sabelle‘s benefit - it had spared her from becoming a murderer. Because that was the other thing of it, wasn’t it? The Trials made sure that each wolf had a will to survive, that they would do whatever was necessary to get the job done. It did not matter if they were hunters, warriors, advisers, spiritual leaders, or healers - if they survived to teenage or adult years, they had taken at least a single life in order to get there. Athene accepted that about herself, and about each of her students… And she did not think any less of herself or them. But the fact that she had been able to save Sabelle from that fate, at least thus far, meant a lot to her. The warrioress realized that they were getting nearer to Uyaraut, and so far, Sabelle had showed no signs of breaking off. Athene raised a brow and looked at her protégé with a quizzical look - would she follow Athene right across the boundary, right into the pack and start up her new life back here in Blossom Forest along her mother‘s side? But no… There were more probing questions to be had, more answers that were required of her. For as long as she had lived, Athene had preferred silence to words, or rather, had preferred actions. In her mind, the fact that she had chosen to live it within Uyaraut and serve Kershov said enough about the pack… But Sabelle wanted more. She had always wanted more, and Athene had not ever had it in her to hold back, not where Sabelle was concerned. “I chose the path that led me there for many reasons Hopefully it will be the last and will not change as do the seasons. It is a strong pack, in reputation and in number It provides a safe place for a wolf to peacefully slumber. “It is run by a trained warrior, seasoned in battle With a face gruesome enough to make anyone‘s nerves rattle Many know him as a beast, or a monster or a demon But he pulls his pack together and leaves no one as a freeman “Those who gave his loyalty must indeed earn it But once earned you’ll find that on you he will never quit He gathers around him those of different skills Not just those like I who mainly knows how to kill.” Athene smirked, and chuckled lightly. “The one downfall is the presence of another female I do not find her useful but cannot find anything that does her ail There are many words that I have used to describe her But for politeness sake I will simply label her a cur.” Athene turned, her pools of honey landing upon Sabelle. Once more, her brows raised - this time in a question. Had her answer been sufficient enough, or was her daughter searching for something a little more personal than everything that Athene had revealed, however reluctantly? |
| .Athene. |
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