Veigar was bored, and boredom was a dangerous thing for energetic little Veigar. It wasn't like there was a whole lot he could get up to here but he was intent on finding something to occupy his mind today. It wasn't a good weather kind of day either - the rain had stopped really falling but the clouds seemed to be spitting mist and everything was soggy and humid everywhere throughout the redbud forest. He walked along the muddy ground, occasionally pausing at a puddle where the rain accumulated at the roots of a tree and splashing around in it, just enough to dirty his paws, before continuing to the next. There was no real rhyme or reason to what he was doing, he just wanted to do something.

Losing her brother was one of the most difficult losses of her life, though any loss she felt further eroded the broken heart in her chest. She was left with bits and pieces of him, his children remained. Depression ate at the once great woman and it felt like everyday was a struggle to get through, she had to remind herself that she had to go on. There were young wolves who still needed her. Despite her broken bashed heart and weakened mental state Deathbelle had to go on. She had to dig deep and find strength that she didn’t know she had, all for the pups in her care.

Veigar was getting big, and Deathbelle loved him. Just as much as she adored his late father, who would never meet his incredible boy. She tried to instill a feeling of admiration in him, but it was so hard to connect with a wolf that you would never meet… Belle had to shake her head at that thought. Despair gripped her again as sorrow filled her. The once Empress grit her teeth and closed her eyes as she tried futility to shake the feeling from her insides.

Decorated paws carried her onward as she blinked away tears from her eyes and followed the boy through the redbud woods. This was one of the wettest Autumn seasons she had ever seen and keeping the den clean of mud was nearly impossible. ”Veigar,” she called out softly, ridding herself of any sign of the distress she felt deep inside. ”Are you having fun in the puddles?” She grinned at him as she approached slowly, her ivory tail wagging at her hips.

Boredom was at the forefront of his mind as the young boy splashed around the forest. Though children his age were naive and impressionable, he was even more so, it seemed; he seemed blissfully unaware of the losses he had experienced, since he could not remember them. Only recently had he begun to step outside into the world and meet the rest of the wolves in Habari. His life so far had consisted of Deathbelle and Recluse and the various children that made up the pack. Only recently had it fully clicked about his parents. They were no longer here; Áskell had asked about them and though he hadn't understood then, he did now. Deathbelle had told him stories of his father, of how he was a swift and fierce warrior, and Veigar decided that he wanted to be just like him. Somehow she knew nothing about his mother but he made a point to not press her on that topic.

The sound of Deathbelle's voice cut through the humid, cool autumn air. He'd just barely splashed into another puddle and had to lift a paw to wipe a glob of mud off his cheek as he spun around, grinning at her. "Oh yes, I am!" He chirped excitedly. But he knew he was getting older, and though he was very much a kid still he was starting to wonder if he should start doing something more productive, and learn how to contribute to the pack as he branched out. "But I think maybe I'm done for today. Should we do something? Together?" Like most children Veigar was eager and excitable, but more than anything he craved acceptance from those around him. Especially after learning about the passing of his parents he couldn't shake the feeling that he didn't fully belong here and he fully intended to prove himself, in whatever way he could.

Veigar was a sweet and innocent child, his enthusiasm reminded her much of her brother when they were younger. Life quickly wrapped Harbringr up and he quickly changed from the naive children they once were. Still, she missed her brother dearly, but was thankful to have this link to him, along with his older brothers who knew him. Hari gave his life to protect his family, and he deserved to be honored. The young boy seemed eager to be just like the mystical figure he knew as his father, and Belle couldn’t have been prouder of that fact.

The boy turned towards her as she called out, looking quite satisfied with his efforts in the mud and the wet. Despite it all he could still easily bring a grin to his foster parent’s features. The once Empress grinned down at him, he had been having fun but it was about time to wrap it up. He looked up to her almost eagerly before asking about doing something together. She did love that he was eager to be at her side.

”Of course, what would you like? We could train, or patrol? Maybe make a craft or play a game?” The possibilities were endless with a young pup like Veigar, but she could find enjoyment in anything he wished. Being around such innocence helped remind her not all of the world was so cruel and terrible.

Already Veigar was beginning to realize that there was more to life than... well, romping around in puddles. The rest of his life being this carefree sounded ideal but at the same time he knew he needed to work on doing grown-up things. Like training, and figuring out how he could possibly provide to Habari. He didn't have the words for it yet but he knew he was already beginning to feel indebted to his pack, and the women who had raised him. Somehow he wanted to make them proud, and to prove he was strong and capable - even if he had no idea how to do that yet. But he knew in time he'd learn what he was good at.

He grinned at her, his joy palpable in his features as well as the white flecked markings that were scattered throughout his coat. They flared bright when his emotions did, not always visible in bright light but always in darkness. Out in the sunlight it was likely not overly noticeable but still present as his excitement amped up at Deathbelle's agreement to his idea. "Can you train me some? Am I big enough to start fighting yet?" As if trying to be threatening he bared his teeth and lowered his upper body down, hindquarters up and wiggling.

Deathbelle didn’t hide anything from the young boy, she was as honest as possible. He’d lost both parents far too soon, and was already thrust into the world at a disadvantage, but Deathbelle did whatever she could to provide and encourage her brother’s young son. Belle didn’t put any pressure on him either, but everyday it seemed like he was more and more responsible. He was always special to her, but the way his fur absolutely glowed when he was happy made her heart warm. There weren’t many pieces of it left in her chest but he brightened all of them.

Though she wasn’t glowing, the boy did brighten her smile. His answer didn’t even come with any hesitation with excitement building Veigar answered with training almost as quick as she could finish suggesting their options. She chuckled softly, reminded of the many faces who had asked that very question before him. He carried the spirit of a Klein without a doubt. She couldn't say for his mother’s side, but he represented his lineage she knew well. He further proved his point by putting on quite the display, her smile turned into a chuckle as she nodded her head.

”You are absolutely big enough.” Deathbelle assured him as she backed away, acting quite intimidated at his display. ”Do you want to sit and listen to a lesson or do you want to spar with me now?” She questioned with a slight tilt of her head.

As he grew older and began to lose some of his childhood naivety he was beginning to feel more and more disadvantaged, even if he didn't know what to call it. He was different from the rest of the wolves he knew and often he felt like he was strangely adrift. He wanted to find something he could latch onto, to feel more grounded... like he had direction and something to work toward. He hoped Deathbelle might be able to push him toward some particular course; whether it was with training or something else. Veigar knew he was young and had much to learn but he was determined to find somewhere to start, however small.

Deathbelle expressed that he was big enough and he beamed proudly in response. "Good!" He quickly scrambled back up and relaxed his posture. "I don't know the first thing about sparring. Can you teach me?" Veigar was eager to learn and impress her, and he watched her with big, almost pleading eyes. The boy didn't know where to start and though he didn't know for sure, he had a feeling Deathbelle was a strong warrior that could teach him someday to be just as great if he worked hard at it.

Deathbelle wished that she could be a better support for the young boy, but she struggled through everyday trying to see to herself. She threw herself into care for him and the children she bore. The once Empress would do everything she could for the boy, he was taken from at the very start. She wouldn’t encourage any victim mentality though, she believed he was just as capable because he was a Klein. Through heavy odds she knew he had the potential to rise above.

Veigar was excited about being big enough to learn about fighting. Like she and his father had, like her own children had, and she assumed her grandchildren too. He was also wise enough to know he was inexperienced and without knowledge, but that was what she was for wasn’t it? Deathbelle grinned, ”Of course.” She answered patiently. ”First things first, the goal of any fight is to gain the upper hand on your opponent and claim victory. That can be done in an untold amount of ways, so as you grow as a fighter you will figure out your own style.” She began easily. More of the theory than much that was practical.

”For example, if I’m fighting you that is a lot different than say fighting Recluse for example. She is bigger than you are, and more experienced. Much of fighting is circumstantial.”

Veigar was easy to jump face-first into.. well, anything really, but especially a lesson from Deathbelle. He'd listen to everything she had to teach him and be the best student around, he was completely determined. Pale silver eyes focused on her as she started to speak, but he didn't know precisely what she meant by her words. He'd have to find a way to gain an upper hand on an opponent, and find his own fighting style. It all sounded very vague but he nodded along and tried to understand what she was telling him. "So you're saying I might have to fight different if it's against someone bigger than me. Maybe I'd have to try to be fast, since she's a lot bigger and stronger than me?" His ears perked up, hoping he was on to something. It was hard to imagine how that'd work in practice but he supposed when he got a bit older and started to learn how to fight properly, it might seem a little more obvious.

Veigar was very new to everything she had to teach him, there were no siblings to wrestle with and begin his knowledge of fighting. She had no problem with him acting on instinct until then but even with her very basic approach to fighting he needed better understanding. More experience. Maybe they should have started with a baby spar, but here they were. Her trying to explain and him struggling to understand. She knew he’d get there even with her poor teaching.

”That is exactly right.” She praised him with a soft and loving grin. ”Think about what would be most effective against your opponent. Since we’re talking about smaller versus bigger we will assume that is your current opponent.” She offered slowly. ”You want your attacks, like biting, tripping, or shoving, to be quick so your opponent doesn’t have the time to react or retaliate in return. You want to focus as much on attacking as avoiding their attack in return.” Most of fighting was experience and instinct carrying you, but preparedness and training helped both of those immensely.

Veigar nodded, understanding some of what she said but not all of it. He supposed a lot of it would come with time, and only countless practice fights would teach him what he had to know to truly be a strong warrior like Deathbelle. He was still wide-eyed and attentive as he watched her and tried to absorb everything she was explaining to him. "Okay, that makes sense," he confirmed his understanding. He'd have to be craftier with a bigger opponent, but maybe a smaller one he could just use his strength against them. When he thought of spars he mostly thought of things like biting and throwing his weight around, not tripping, so he tried to remember that trip and envision how that'd work in an actual fight, as well as actually trying to dodge attacks that an enemy might attempt. "Can we try right now? To spar, I mean? So I can see what I need to work on?" He got himself into a playful stance, his front end dipping low to the ground, paws splayed out as his hindquarters wiggled high in the air behind him.

The boy was very young and a lot of his skill would just come from practice. She could already tell there would be raw talent there. She’d only really glimpsed at his mother before her death, but she had looked like an impressive woman. He came from good lines on both sides. He seemed to be mostly picking up what she was trying to explain, but it had been a long time since she had given such a rudimentary lesson. She didn’t given him much to work with and yet he was still eager and ready to keep going.

The boy beamed up at her with his curious gaze and suddenly fell into quite the battle stance as he asked her for his first real practice spar. ”Absolutely,” she encouraged him with a small grin as she positioned herself across from him. Her head down, her tail swaying at her hips as she bent her joints. ”Whatever you think feels natural, come at me with all you’ve got.” She encouraged him to begin with a soft smile. He was so sweet and innocent and wanted so badly to do well. He was incredible and she didn’t deserve such a role in his life.