To the Weast [Aurielle]

His words echoed her own thoughts, but only partially. Thus far, save for Eligos, the majority of what she’d heard of the Abraxas family had been that of cruelty and conquest. The dark, gold marked male was perhaps a chance for that family to survive before the “mortals” grouped together and wiped the Abraxas wolves out, proving just how mortal they truly were.

“It feels as though, if one were truly a descendant of a deity, or even a fallen deity themselves… that they would have a responsibility to the world. To guide and guard it. So far, nearly all I have heard about those with such beliefs is using their supposed power for their own gain or the gain of their family name. I’ve met only one wolf from that particular family who could possibly right the wrongs his predecessors had wrought. He’s cold and calculated, but he doesn’t seem to desire overtaking the so-called mortals of the world.”

Her introduction didn’t get one in return, but it had been an open-ended invitation, and she didn’t press him for a returned nicety. His query received a triple-set of puzzled looked from woman, mountain lion, and lemur. Ayodele chirped a little laugh and pranced over to the pool, playfully splashing the Spirit as she said, “Neither myself or big grumpus here were forced. Nor are we beholden to her. I like her. He likes her—hells he’s an over-protective guardian and acts like a jealous big brother half the time.”

The cat snorted and reached to swat – gently – at the much smaller lemur, claws visibly sheathed. “You’re lucky you don’t look like lunch, ring-tail. Suffice to say, wolf, that we’re family, regardless of our differing species. I watched this moonchild grow up from a young pup, watched her lead a pack from the age of a yearling... I chose to be her guardian from the moment we met. My sister chose to guard her twin. My parents chose to guard their father.”

A shoulder-blade rolled as the usually quiet cougar lifted his head a little with a proud eye on the now silent Spirit and continued, low voice gruff. “She is a wolf whom I would gladly choose to guard again were I to do it over again. She cares for her people, never falls to hubris, and she believes that if someone wants a life beyond Valhalla, then they should pursue it. They need only tell her so she knows they weren’t killed out there. She would fight a hundred bears to save a stranger.”

Aurielle had sunk to her chin in the water under the praise Aelloshir dolled out in her name. It was heartening to know he was proud of her, but a bit alarming to be put in the spotlight, particularly when she didn’t feel she’d accomplished as much as she should have by now.

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