LUXURIES AND HEXES

As she watched the two, ears forth as she listened attentively, she realized that she had never had the feeling of motherhood that Song boasted of. Jupiter loved her children with every bit of her heart--that much was certain--but she had never had the time to bask in their presence. It was always 'Jupiter here' and 'Jupiter there', especially after the death match. Her thoughts had wandered darkly for too long and now she was paying for it. Ludicael had idled and she felt the greatest of guilt.



She shook her head with a sad, regretful chuckle when Song mentioned the difficulty of the birth. "So I heard from Mercury. I apologize, m'dear--I would have been there if my own little Aegira hadn't gotten herself into some... trouble." The incident made her sigh and she shook her head again, briskly this time, moving on quickly. "Watch out for them; they get wily at about two seasons," she joked.



The curiosity radiating off of Song was nearly visible and Jupiter could have stolen the question from her lips and spoke it in unison should she have felt the need. The words upon her ears brought endlessly sweet relief to her but at the same time brought a bitter sadness. Before her thoughts got the best of her, she replied.



"I have not been of sorts--not since the deathmatch and not since the birth. The pack is slipping in activity and every day it pains me. I am considering withdrawing from my position as Sol soon and should I not decide otherwise, I would like to hand the pack to either one of you or both of you." She paused to gauge their reactions, but would move on regardless. "I understand the burden of children and you are free to decline. The step-down will not be immediate and may not happen at all should my pondering steer me in a different direction. But should you accept, I will do everything in my power to be where you cannot." She shifted, cool countenance breaking to a bit of nervousness as she looked between the two of them, chest heavy with a mixture of guilt and hope.