Family Ties

Surreal listened as Arian spoke about keeping the citizen system in place. It was a show of kindness on Arian’s part that she wouldn’t deny a home to a wolf who needed one, but… “That is kind of you, niece. But is it fair to the members of the pack who do work hard for their keep, if these wolves that are supposed to be proving themselves choose instead to take advantage of the kindness you have offered them by not earning their keep? Will you have the strength needed to throw them out if they have not proven themselves by the end of a certain amount of time?” Her voice was gentle, with no harshness to her tones, nor a judging edge. They were questions meant to encourage Arian to give full thoughts over the decisions she was making.

She kept them walking, as the movement did indeed seem to help her niece escape her anxiety and think. A small smile crossed her jaws as Arian spoke of whom she trusted most. It was natural to trust your mate more than anyone else. Falk had shaken that trust at times, but she still trusted him with her ideas, her plans, and her darkest secrets. The nuggets of information on Avalon were interesting, as well. Odette was a child of Gargoyle, as well. It was good to know that some of the male’s children still walked the land, though Surreal herself had never met him. Where Odette had gone was anyone’s guess. The girl Chrysanthe had adopted had simply vanished. As had Chrysanthe. “And whom do you trust the least?” She asked again as they crossed into the open plains.

Arian’s apologetic words regarding Surreal sitting in on the next meeting were received with a gentle nod. It was only when Arian remarked that she hoped the make-over might give Sonticus’ members a bit of courage, and that they wouldn’t fear themselves that she raised a brow point and answered, “A pack is only as brave as its leaders. The courage must come from you, along with thoroughly thought through decisions, complete communication with your members, and the willingness to put your foot down when they aren’t pulling their weight. No matter how kind you might want to be, you must be willing to act for the best of the pack as a whole. And if that means throwing lazy members out, then so be it. Ultimately, I can’t make your decisions for you. I can only give my advice and wisdom from the training my mother gave me. But I do hope you will take my advice to mind. I want to see your pack flourish as much as you do.” She turned her head to gaze at her niece with a long, steady look.

Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think