Strength in numbers

Manea listened as Ricin began to speak, beginning his story with the fact that after their father had died their mother had kicked them out. It was hard to keep her temper in check at that even though there was obviously nothing she could do about the sorry excuse for a mother now. She knew all too well from how her own mother had acted that going through something like losing a mate could drive someone to do terrible, irresponsible things, but never could she ever condone something like leaving pups so young to their own devices. It broke her heart to hear that there had once been so many of them and that Ricin and Chade were forced to watch them dwindle one by one. Her blood only boiled more when Ricin explained that their mother had hated him from her perceived notion that the boy was stupid and weak, but she had seen nothing of the sort form him in the time that they had been together. While she obviously favored the skill in fighting over others, she also knew the value and the validity in other talents. For this woman to not see the same was shortsighted and cruel.

At the very least she was glad that Ricin had Chade to help him. It sounded like the poor boy certainly needed it and Chade had proven himself to be an extremely devoted brother. As Ricin began to explain the run in with a bear that they had along with their last remaining sister she could already see how this would go given the fact that the two boys were here and there was no girl with them, but she remained quiet and allowed him to speak the truth that he seemed determined to tell her. She was surprised to hear that Chade had been the one to knock their sister down in order to buy time and get Ricin up so that the two boys could escape, however. She glanced toward the darker of the two brothers for a moment. It was a smart move, if a bit ruthless, and given how close the pair of them were she couldn't fault his decision. If anything it told her that he was willing to make tough choices to protect the one he cared about most and it didn't feel too different from her own way of thinking.

Bringing her attention back to the boy as he expressed how he feared Chade had made the wrong choice and that he would end up getting his brother killed. Seeing him sob under the weight of such loss and pain that no wolf his age should have had to endure made her heart ache and she wished she could pull all of this suffering from this sensitive boy. Reaching out a large paw, she gently wrapped her foreleg around his shoulders, pulling him closer to her and tucking him against her chest. Even though he wasn't hers, he was for at least this moment in her mind and she comforted him the same as she would either of her pups if they were upset. She gently licked away his tears and nuzzled the top of his head as she held him, letting him sob as long as he needed. She might be a ruthless fighter and a bloodthirsty killer in some aspects of her life, but with pups she would always find the most gentle touch.

Once he was able to calm down a bit she looked down at him with a kind, but serious gaze. "Ricin, what happened is terrible, but it was your brother's truest expression of love for you. In my family, no sacrifice is taken lightly and each one has a purpose and a significance to it... Our beliefs and our culture are entirely centered around making sacrifices for the betterment of our own. Because of our sibling's sacrifices you and Chade were able to live and survive where you might not have been able to with five mouths to feed." She pressed her nose to his crown, giving him a gentle squeeze in her embrace. "Sometimes we have to trust that fate and destiny have made the right choices for us—that whatever path we are being led down is the one we are supposed to be on. The two of you made it here where you can be safe and fed with a roof over your heads. Where it takes you next is up to you. I only hope that you continue to make the most of the gifts you have been given."

Manea | Temno | Ciemny