Thought Contagion

He refused to be late to any meeting, to any lesson, to any thing- yet here he was falling behind! He wouldn't allow himself to be so late that he was punished and so he pushed himself, ran until his lungs ached and his legs tingled, until breath came heavy from parted lips and he broke through the trees to where Absinth had called them from. Others gathered, but was it everyone? He didn't stop to notice and hurried to collect himself with the group just as Absinth began to speak her first words. Too late. Early was the only answer. And this was not early.

Catching his breath as quietly as he could in the gathering of siblings and packmates and ravens, he listened intently, focusing on steadying his breath and listening to his wise, powerful, strong mother. She knew everything, he was certain of it. And what she might not know, Aresenn did. Together, they were unstoppable and they were his. Too bad he had to share with his bratty siblings and the sultans spawn.

Mother was circling them now and his ominous gaze followed her for as wide as his neck could crane before switching to continue tracking her. His scruff was beginning to get in the way a bit, but even he knew it would benefit him in future spars and fights and maims. His throat was practically hidden behind excess skin and fur- and advantage his siblings didn't have. This lesson was about perception though, not personal strengths and weaknesses with what good breeding got you.

As his breathing finally settled into a calm pace he remained quiet, intently listening to the lesson and soaking it all in like a dry sponge. He wouldn't interrupt and would save his questions until the end, or until prompted. He wasn't about to be punished for speaking out of turn after very nearly being late, nope nope nope.

"Speech!"


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