"I will not play with sharp objects"

Art & Code © Skelle 2023

"Speech!"
Laeta soon noticed more pack members filing in, heeding the Aegis’s call and taking their seats. The woman beamed as her friend Audra approached, inquiring as to whether this event they were required to attend had anything to do with Thorn. Ah, one of the little ones. She furrowed her brow, vaguely recalling an incident where Dusk had injured her sibling with a sharp blade. By accident, it appeared. They were only kids, after all. They didn’t yet have the capacity to forsee consequences. Experiences in their lifetimes would teach them how to avoid such incidents in the future. At least, that’s how she viewed it. Having no children of her own, though, having a perspective like Artorias had was difficult. "I believe so," She replied back to her friend.

Mel had been leaning against Laeta’s chair, nearly dozing off as his monocle began slipping down his snout. All of a sudden, a young dappled-furred child rushed up to him. With a surprised snort, Mel practically jumped put of his skin, blinking as he attempted to process the pup staring right at him. Asking who he was, as well. "Who am I, child? I-I’m a badger. I am Mel, the loyal companion of Lady Laeta," He said to her, pushing up the monocle so it no longer sat crooked on his snout.

When the crowd had quieted down and little Dusk gave her presentation, Laeta smiled as she finished with what seemed like confidence. It was good that the attention from the large crowd seemed to support her, instead of terrify her. She understood the implications of social anxiety and how public speaking could make it worse, but she seemed resilient and strong. When she opened up the crowd for questions, Laeta waited for a lull between wolves to raise a paw. Weakly, bit enough to be seen. "Wonderful speech, Dusk. I learned so much about weapons safety. I would like to ask - as a wolf who does not fight or use weapons - what is the best way for me to learn the basics of fighting without having had prior experience?"