Behind the mask

Aurielle listened with some intensity to Sirius’ views, nodding with a faint chuckle as she amended, “Perhaps instead of on pack lands, then assistance in a hunt by that pack?”

She pondered over his words regarding embarrassment. “To be honest… If it were my own pack champion that lost, I’d be more likely to take it as a learning experience, to see where we needed to improve. That wolf has already proven him or herself the best fighter in the pack itself. And knowing my apprentice, if it were Cairo, he’d be determined to improve on himself even if he did win. He doesn’t embarrass easily.” She laughed out the last statements, thinking of the grinning young man.

Speaking of, “He met one of your members—actually, he’s met two of them, though he encountered Skyfire shortly before she joined your pack, if I’m correct on the timing. But the one that stood out to him was Malalia. I met her myself on my way here. And no, don’t worry, she gave nothing away about your pack that would get her in trouble. But I did enjoy talking with her. It was a good chance to rest, in any case.”

She paused abruptly with a mild jolt of surprise, peering around her shoulder at his side. A long moment of study, and a look of such deep, and utter love settled in her features as she looked at that faintest little flicker of feeling within, before she continued onward.

Much more softly, she asked, “Forgive me for asking if it’s too personal, but… what is being a parent like?”

Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think