The Way of the Warrior
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I did not know that about you. I’m sorry to hear about your adopted mother, no one should have to witness something like that. We’ll just have to make sure you have some happier memories at Moondown Shadows than you did at Munashii Gekko I suppose. And Striker seems like a better lupine than Serris. Striker seems like a good leader. Aindreas only nodded, remaining silent. His memories from his childhood were ones he could never forget, but they were also ones that would never be happy. Perhaps some would tell him that under such circumstances, his life could only improve, but from what he had found in Blossom Forest thus far, his mind was of a different ideology. Perhaps his life was always going to be thus – an incessant stream of letdowns and disappointments. Still, he told Adara of his childhood and his thoughts, and of his own ideology – that all close to him would someday betray him. As soon as he said it, his sister’s form flipped around, stopping in front of him and his own daggers dug into the soft earth, stopping his progress. His arctics met her own, orbs that shadowed his color, telling of their shared ancestry, and the brute saw pain there. His features softened, realizing that his words had stung her – it was something he often did when he spoke. As he grew up a loner, he had not learned the more subtle aspects of social interactions. Though he thought about his words before he spoke them merely because he wished to speak as little as possible, he did not often realize how hurtful words could be.
Aindreas, listen to me. I know others have hurt you before but I am not them. I will never become them. I will not leave you, no matter what may happen between us. And if you don’t believe me I WILL prove you wrong. And hopefully one day you’ll come to trust me as I trust you. Breaking eye contact, he looked upon the earth and walked around her silently until he came to come of the ledges that was in the terra and cast his gaze over it to look upon the scene laid out beneath them. He remained quiet until his sister came to sit beside him. “I do appreciate your optimism, but I simply cannot believe that. I know you do not mean to betray or leave me, but life has showed me that everyone does. It is all I have known, ergo all I can believe.” Glancing over at her, he noticed her own gaze was now cast to the earth. Aindreas you’re my brother and I love you. I promise you I will do everything I can to show you that I do mean what I say. Subconsciously, the ivoro flinched away as she spoke, the word ‘love’ a painful thing for his auds to hear. While others may have known pain associated with the word, they all also had positive, reinforcing memories, a hope and belief in the word that ‘love’ was a good thing. But for Aindreas, it was not so. All who had expressed their ‘love’ for him had betrayed him… or died. A soft whine, however, eased his quakes and once more his azures took in his sister. I’m sorry for everything that has happened to you. Immediately, he leaned into her gently, nudging her with his nose. “You have nothing to apologize for, you have done naught to me.” The brief physical contact was ceased as quickly as it had been made, Aindreas straightening his form so that he was no longer touching her.
Trust. So simple and short of a word with so complex of a meaning. Was there only one meaning? Aindreas had often thought that he trusted others. Serris he had trusted to lead, both in direction of actions to be served and to protect the pack… and yet Aindreas had incessantly patrolled the boundaries, certain that some would try to cross the boundary. Genisys he had thought he had trusted, and yet Aindreas had never been fully honest with her or straight with her, instead often choosing silence or anger. But on the flip side, never once had Aindreas thought that he trusted Kalgalath, yet it was to Kal’s home that Aindreas so often found peace and refuge, and it was often the Alpha’s advice that the snowy brute sought. And now beside him was his sister, pouring her heart out to him and making honest promises she sought to fulfill. On the hunt, he had wished to be paired with her so that he could protect her… but he also knew that she would protect him. He was frank with her, but held her at arm’s length, not wanting to allow her to get close. And yet though he kept closed off from her, she now proclaimed that she trusted him. Slowly, he spoke again, deciding to risk the hurt and pain of betrayal, if only to ensure the happiness of his sister.
“Do not think that I do not trust you, dear sister. For in fact you are quite dear to me and I hold your life higher than my own. I have only lived so long alone and am no stranger to pain, and perhaps I am broken beyond repair. My mind… has cracks and in moments I am not what you would consider sane. Belief me when I say that I keep you away to save you from the insanity that is always fighting within me to creep to the surface. I do not wish for you to ever be frightened of me…” Turning, he left the ledge for the idea had entered his mind that it would be a wondrous thing to fly, and why didn’t he try. It was as if simply speaking of his faults that they escaped from their prison and rushed to the surface, becoming apparent.
As they walked through the terra, enjoying the weather, he spoke of Celeste, a wolf he trusted not at all. He was relieved indeed when she said that she would be careful. I will keep an eye out for her, thank you. And yes I have. It’s just about in the middle of the pack territory, covered by the shelter of trees and brush. I already know that you’ve made one. Briefly, Aindreas’ brows furrowed, confused as to how she knew this piece of knowledge, but then he remembered just why he had entered the water. “Yes, I have. It is well hidden, of course. A small smile touched his lips as he failed to mention where it was. Secretive as always…
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||Aindreas|| ||No Mate|| ||Moondown Shadows - Omega|| ||Adult|| ||*Azura*||
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