darling dear

Caelia was obviously not comfortable with the conversation, and Gwen empathized with her. When Lanse had been dying, young and in what should have been the prime of his life, they hadn't wanted to face that truth either. But finally facing it had made them stronger, more prepared for his eventual death and what came after. She didn't want her children to be any less prepared than she had been. So, though she sympathetically rubbed her cheek against her daughter's shoulder, she persisted. "I want to make sure that you kids have the support you need. I want to provide for you." She choked back a cough, and waited until the aching need past. "I'd like to see you with mentors before you are yearlings, even if I need to trade with other packs to do so. It's important to have that experience, but I don't want to set you to a path you are not comfortable or would not enjoy. Just like I do not think Geoffrey would want to be a fighter," she said with a smile, "I want to see you with a mentor who can help you to reach your potential. You have... so much potential." Her eyes shone with her love for her older daughter as she pressed against her shoulder.