-::-

So, it was time to start Solveiga’s training in the basics of fighting. He felt she’d had time to settle in, get to know or at least meet some of the pack, and she’d seemed settled enough any time he’d peeked in on her before turning in for the night, or the day, and now, he stretched lengthily, each limb extending until it quivered and a shiver ran down his spine in a soft ”Brr!” of pleasure before he trotted out of the ravine. It was a bright, clear morning, dew sparkling on the browned, winter deadened grasses of the Plains, and as he trotted across the vast expanse, toward the meeting place of the Pack, he took the time to enjoy the scenery along the way. As he stopped in front of the boulder, he tipped his head up and sang a soft call for the small woman, settling his haunches to the ground and tucking his tail about his hips as he lowered his muzzle and watched the few birds that remained during winter. Ravens, mostly, going about their business. He ran across what he was going to teach Solveiga; where to start, for instance. Maybe he’d do what his mother did – asking them to show what they knew, and build from there. He’d just have to see.

Life here in Celestial was, honestly, just as wonderful as she hoped it would be. She had a home now, a place to sleep and wolves she could call family. She had already met a few of them, and they were all very friendly and welcoming. She finally felt like she belonged somewhere, and it was a feeling she missed. It was a feeling she hadn't had since before her brother had left her. Oh, and she hadn't thought of her brother in such a long time. But now, in the warmth and safety of her own little alcove in the great Celestial family den, it was impossible to keep him from entering her mind at least a little. Where was he? Had he found a place where he belonged, too? She was upset at him for abandoning her, of course she was. But she still loved him. She still wanted what was best for him. Before her thoughts could wander much further in that direction, she heard a soft call in the familiar voice that always managed to bring a gentle smile to her face. She stood and left the den, shaking herself out a bit as she met the brisk morning air. It was a beautiful morning indeed, leaves and grasses practically shimmering with dew. She looked around a bit but did not linger long; her alpha had called for her and she did not want to delay him further. She loped easily in the direction of the call, finding the crimson man standing by the boulder he had brought her to but a few short days ago. She smiled brightly as he came in sight, and slowed her pace to approach him. "Good morning, Regulus," she said cheerfully, still standing before him because she had to admit she liked that they were a little bit closer in height when his haunches were settled upon the ground. "You called for me?" the woman said, tilting her head gently as she waited for her alpha to tell her what he needed of her.

-::-

It didn’t take the small tan colored healer too long to arrive, and he waited patiently in that short amount of time. As she came into sight, he smiled easily at her, tail gently tapping the ground in greeting. "Dia duit ar maidin, Solveiga.." he answered easily in the Family tongue, before he shifted smoothly, translating in Common, “Good Morning. Are you ready to start training in fighting?” His head tilted, features cheerfully inquisitive, even if he knew that it was unlikely she’d say ‘no’, simply due to his status. The dew sparkled as the sun rose higher, and off on the far horizon, the faint hint of a broiling mass of black clouds, bearers of a good heavy rain, amassed in the sky. They wouldn’t be over the plains for hours yet, by his judgement, so he remained relaxed, without a hurry as he waited for her response.

The crimson man was just as friendly as ever, greeting Solveiga cheerfully in a foreign tongue before quickly translating to words she knew. She wagged her tail as he asked about training, the eager gesture betraying the butterflies she actually felt. She wanted to learn, there was no question about that. She just hoped she wouldn't end up making a fool of herself. Then again, it was probably inevitable, wasn't it? "Yes, I think I'm ready," she answered as honestly as she could, taking a deep breath to calm the butterflies but her genuine smile remained. Maybe it wasn't something she would admit out loud, but she was glad to be doing anything as long as it was with Regulus. She really enjoyed his company, for reasons she couldn't understand. He was friendly, of course, and handsome to look at. But there was something more, something that reached a little deeper. Solveiga was awkward with most other wolves, and didn't do well with conversation. But with Regulus she felt, well, at home. "Where do you think we should begin? the small woman asked, and this time a wary tone crept into her voice. She certainly hoped he wouldn't launch into anything too quickly. She had next to no experience fighting, and would have to pretty much start from square one. But she had faith in the alpha and his patient personality. Hopefully he wouldn't become frustrated with her ignorance. After all, she would try her best to please him and show him how willing she was to learn.

-::-

He grinned as the little female confirmed that she was ready. She may not be completely ready, but she was game to try at least. As she asked where they should begin, he grinned again, rising languidly to his paws. “With the basics.” He stretched into a high rumped bow before straightening again, a lopsided grin on his features as he gazed down at her. “First thing every fighter should know are the defenses. Especially healers. It’s easier to attack in self defense for those who don’t like hurting others, than to take the offense, so defenses are where it’s at.” He shifted his weight, paws sliding easily to a squared stance, each paw just a toe outside his shoulders and hips, centered under them as he demonstrated. “First thing is balance. The most basic defense is this, keeping your paws squared underneath your hips and shoulders.” His jaws parted in a panting grin of encouragement. “Now you try.”

Regulus said they were going to start with the basics, and that was good. Basics were good. She listened attentively as he told her how important defenses were, especially when acting in self defense as a healer. She watched as the large male moved, easily sliding his paws into the correct positions. Keeping your paws squared underneath your hips and shoulders, he had said. She licked her lips a bit as she focused on where he had placed his paws in relation to the rest of his body, and then nodded as she tried to do the same. She had to admit it felt a tiny bit awkward, seeing as Solveiga was used to keeping her paws closer together, subconsciously trying to make herself as small and unnoticeable as possible. But things were going to be different now. She was going to be different now. So she kept her head high as she placed her forepaws below her shoulders and her back paws below her hips. She flexed her toes a bit and moved her body to test the new feeling of balance, and she had to admit she did feel more stable like this. She smiled at Regulus. "What else?" the healer asked brightly, feeling a lot less nervous now.

-::-

Regulus’ jaws parted in a happy pant as she settled into the squared stance. It wasn’t perfect, and like with his first time, it was slightly awkward, though for her it seemed that she just wasn’t used to having her paws apart that far. But as she looked to him after testing her weight, he grinned. She’d learn pretty fast; he was sure of that. Next, we work on protecting your throat. You’re pretty small, so you’ll have less to worry about where your throat is concerned, but if someone your size attacks you, they have a better chance of getting you there.” He lowered his head, letting it drop to a level with his shoulders, and tucked his chin toward his chest, providing an effective barrier against frontal attacks for his throat, even if the sides weren’t protected yet. In time. “Tucking your chin and lowering your head to be level with your shoulders helps protect you from frontal attacks.” He offered, giving the little healer an encouraging smile as he waited and watched to see how she did.

Next Solveiga listened closely as her teacher told her about the importance of protecting her throat. For once she was glad to be small, because according to her alpha it meant most opponents would have a hard time reaching her vitals. Even so, she needed to learn how to give such a vulnerable area more protection. Again she watched her teacher and then nodded, keeping her legs squared and balanced as she lowered her head to rest between her shoulders and tucked her chin the way Regulus had done. There. "Like that?" the girl asked with a bit of a laugh, trying to look up at the crimson male but with her head tucked it proved to be difficult. She raised her chin the tiniest bit, just so she could meet his eyes. "It makes it a little hard to see," she admitted. "Anything I could do to help that?" She was taking this training seriously, and she wanted Regulus to know that. His earlier words still echoed in her mind, what would you do if you were the only wolf between your newborn pups and someone who wanted to hurt them? Solveiga swallowed nervously just remembering those words. She hoped, when she became a mother, that nothing bad like that would ever happen. But if it did, she needed to learn how to defend herself and her children. And as a healer, she needed to be able to keep her patients safe from any further harm as well.