The day was just beginning and Pandora was ready to get down to "business". Ever since she had met her Aunt Sibelle as a pup, the questions of her heritage had built up in the back of her mind. Now that she was a year old, she wanted to know what she was getting into, in regards to her family. The topic of her mother's history was locked behind a thick, oak door and the key had been lost. There was no chance Maija was going to tell any of her children about her own history. As for Taurig's...well, that was something she could not lock up. There were too many siblings and descendants from the man's lineage, Maija didn't bother to keep up with them all. The only ones who mattered to her were Sibelle and Fawk, so with that in mind, Pandora butted heads with her mother anyway.
The two, different as day and night, were spending time together that morning. Pandora loved her mother and apparently "didn't show it enough" (this mentioned over a shouting and growling match upon waking up), making her want to prove how wrong Maija was. The young babe had decided to seek out her aunt, a task that would not be hard for her. So, she chose her favorite part of Arcanum's territory - the Soulless Forest - and proceeded to walk through the silent woods. The day was starting off with a fog and Pandora carelessly danced around in it as she walked ahead of her mother. "Come on, Mama. We need to find Aunt Sibelle before the goonies get you!" A low growl could be heard behind her and Pandora grinned widely. She loved pushing her mother's buttons.
Pandora made to toss back her elegant head and emit a low howl, but Maija beat her to it. The surprise of hearing her mother's call made Pandora hit the deck, golden-dipped paws over her ears. She had closed her eyes tightly, hoping that the call would stop ringing in her covered audits. The cobalt beauty didn't realize her mama had stopped calling until she felt a whip-like swipe of Maija's tail across her backside. She gave a yip and leaped up, running forward a few feet before looking over her shoulder. "Very funny, Mama," she sarcastically retorted as she looked down at her rear to make sure there weren't any messed up places. She resorted to grooming herself while Maija came up next to her and reclined to her haunches. Pandora grunted and gave her mother a quick glance with her bright turquoise blue eyes. She had spent all morning making sure she looked pristine, too...Didn't her mother understand that? Apparently not.






"Speech"

Maija's morning had just begun and already she was getting aggravated. She had slept well in the orchard, surrounded by the fruity scents and serenity of being alone, but had been rudely awakened by one of the most annoying sounds first heard upon waking up: her daughter's whiny voice. Maija immediately began snarling and growling at Pandora, who was intent on learning about her family history. The girl was inconsiderate, at least in her eyes, but it could have been because she was still craving sleep and the dawn hadn't come yet! Pandora was a creature of the night anyway, considering she loved watching the stars when everyone else was asleep. That, and many more things, were complete opposite of the golden temptress's interests, therefore, making them totally different. The argument had made nearby birds fly away from their nests, rabbits disappear, and snakes shiver in their underground tunnels. Maija finally drew out the last resort and told her that if she wanted to know so bad, go ask Aunt Sibelle. Pandora had readily agreed to do it, but Maija made the condition that she accompanied her. Before her daughter could protest (for she was very independent), Maija pulled out the We-don't-spend-enough-time-with-each-other card, making Pandora all the more moody. The golden goddess trumped her daughter that morning and with relish, she bumped Pandora to lead the way to her choice of land for the meeting. By the time they had appeared in the forest, Pandora's grumpy mood had disappeared. She was now happy and eager to hop into the fog, knowing full and well that Maija was not the biggest fan of the woods. Pandora happily chided her, making her lowly growl. A button had been pushed and she knew that getting her back would be fun. As Pandora primped herself for the call, Maija decided to sneakily give her own for Sibelle. She called her sister, making Pandora duck in a scared way. A rare smile appeared on Maija's face and as she walked past her cowering daughter, her tail lightly whipped the girl's rear end above her tail. The result was too delicious to watch! Pandora immediately jumped, gave a quick retort, and began to groom her messed up fur. Maija couldn't help but have delight dancing in her leaf green eyes as she approached the cobalt babe and reclined to her haunches. Pandora gave a snort as she continued to groom herself, making Maija silently shake her head. Why was her daughter so self-absorbed? She had never been like that. Then again, she never had a mother to be with, so the chance had never appeared. She sniffed the air and searched for Sibelle's scent, hoping she would come soon. Maija could only take Pandora in so many amounts when she was by herself. speech here

Armada. It was more than a name, it was blood. A line all started by her father, a line that he had great plans for. It was a line that would prosper. But now it was tainted. Tainted with a bad reputation. The mere name left a bad taste in the mouthes of many. There was no denying the power that coursed through her veins, it was destiny that she would take her place upon a throne. And now she had. She sat on a throne and had taken part of ruling their small world. But her past was constantly as her heels, her fathers reputation hung over her head, whether or not she associated with the man. She would forever be an Armada. The Queen had been sleeping, resting until dawn arrived. However, it seemed her niece would have other plans. An ear shattering howl had eyes snapping open with irritation. Did the girl ever sleep? But soon Maija's howl would overwhelm Pandoras. Whatever it was, it must have been important if Maija was calling as well. The Queen pulled herself reluctantly from her den, shaking out her russet pelt as she went. A yawn would part her jaws as she began to search for her sister and niece. It would not take long for the russet woman to find her family. A brow would lift as look from Maija to Pandora. From the looks of it, Maija was not thrilled. She would quickly come to the conclusion that this was Pandoras doing. "Do you ever sleep?" She would shoot her niece a look before reclining onto her haunches. "Talk" "You" Think

Pandora was done with grooming her backside when Sibelle finally appeared. She shook all over and made sure each follicle fell back into place as her bright turquoise blue eyes twinkled at her aunt. Her presence was welcomed, although she was grumpy and most likely irritated at the cobalt babe. That didn't stop Pandora from bravely approaching her aunt and nuzzling her once she sat down. Her grumblings reached golden-backed ears and Pandora's bubbly attitude lost a few bubbles. "I'm sorry, Aunt Sibelle, but I figured this couldn't wait." She took a few steps back and stretched her front legs out, displaying the zebra designs across her hind legs. Long, cobalt tail rose and fell over her hips, neatly curling before she stood back up. She blinked sleepily as she said, "I was up anyway," but was unable to hide the yawn that slipped from her mouth. After smacking her lips together, she lowered herself to her haunches and continued to voice her reason for waking both women -- important to her beyond anything -- and ruining their beauty sleep. "I tried to get Mama to tell me about Daddy and his family, but she doesn't want to." She could feel the green stare on her and she slowly looked at her mother in turn. "Well, it's true." She then looked back at Sibelle and continued. "She told me to ask you, since you are his sister and all. So, that's why I -- we -- have called you this morning. I want to know about my father's family. I know that two of the neighboring alphas are your family, which makes them my family...right?" Talk like this

Her leaf green eyes scanned the fog, searching for any sign of her sister. Sibelle finally arrived, breaking through the white that seemed to swallow all of the tree trunks. Relief dawned in Maija's chest, even though she noticed the familiar grumpiness of losing beauty sleep. The golden lady hated having dark circles under her eyes, knowing good and well they could appear darker because of her fur. Pandora didn't have to worry about that, something Maija considered lucky for her. If she knew how much she would look like a raccoon without her cobalt fur, she would be more cautious. Pandora jumped in and began to explain why she had them both up so early. Maija's ears flattened when she was mentioned and gave the girl a look of slight disdain. Pandora returned her gaze before she started to speak with Sibelle again, explaining that she wanted to know more about her father's family. Once Pandora asked her question, Maija interjected, "I won't deny that I told her to talk to you, but I didn't realize she meant this early." Her brows slightly furrowed at Pandora's smooth face, but she didn't say anything else. "Speech"

Pandora would be the first to speak, apologizing, though there was some doubt that it was 100% sincere. A yawn would part her nieces dark jaws just as she claimed to have been awake already. A scrutinizing look would be shot her way but her niece was already explaining. Family. She wanted to know about the other side of her family. Her gaze would shift to Maija, the golden woman knew how dark that story was. The rest of Pandoras words fell on deaf ears. Maija would confirm, and a smirk tugged at russet lips, of course this early was Pandoras idea. Verdant gaze would drift away, looking just past her family. A deep breath would be drawn before she spoke. "The Armadas. Isardis, our father, traveled far and wide, impregnating many women, including mine and Taurigs mother. My mother must have been something to him because Taurig was part of her litter, and Isardis returned and Falk, Eulari and I were the result. Eulari joined our father even after witnessing the damage he caused, and has since disappeared." A pause and a breath. "Taurig was here first, and Falk and I arrived shortly after. When I found Taurig, he had just left Glaciem and started his pack. Isardis was not at all pleased, considering him a traitor. And when I refused to join Glaciem, I was labeled a traitor as well." The story only got darker and darker. "When the war with Valhalla broke out, Taurig went to help Valhalla. I don't know how, but he returned with Sendoa, his aunt, Isardis's future mate and Queen. However, what many didn't know was the affair that was taking place with Glaciems current Queen at the time, Argent. Taurig and her ended up having children, which was the ultimate betrayal in Isardis's eyes." Something dark would appear in her verdant gaze as her eyes left Pandora, drifting off into the distance as a gruesome scene unfolded before her. "He arrived at the borders one day, seeking Taurig. A battle would break out between your father and the ice kind. In the end, your father fell, which is how he was blinded and robbed of any future children." Ears fell back against her skull as she was snatched back to that day. Blood suffocated her, as she stood protectively over her fallen brother. That was also the day she chased off her sister. "After, Isardis was sated for the moment. He still sought me out constantly, trying to persuade me to join his brothel. I almost did, just to infiltrate his ranks and bring him down from the inside. Isardis would return only to kidnap your mother. Taurig traded his pack for her, which is how, my half sister, Roman came to power. I have many siblings because of Isardis, Athena, the current Queen of Glaciem included." That was everything. The dark gruesome past that her father had left. Her gaze would slowly drift back to Pandora. "If I ever find you near Isardis, or Glaciem if he returns, it will be the last thing you ever do." She would pin her niece with a dangerous gaze that dared her to challenge the russet woman. She would not allow her family to fall into her fathers grasp. Eulari had gotten away, and she shouldn't have. She now vowed to never let her father rob her of another family member ever again. "Talk" "You" Think

Sibelle began to explain all that involved her family. She spoke of her siblings, her father and mother, and how her siblings had come to Alacritis and remained close. Her story continued with Taurig, the man who had given her life, leaving Glaciem to start a pack of his own. Her grandfather had decided to call Taurig a traitor, cut all ties with him. The war broke out - a war she didn't know existed - and afterward, Taurig brought back a member of Glaciem, someone important to the King. Taurig also had an affair...an affair? Pandora's eyes widened, but she didn't dare say a word.
Her aunt continued, telling her Isardis sought out her father, ruining his chances of ever having children again. Isardis also kidnapped Maija, but received the pack in exchange for her. All of this had happened within the past two years and Pandora had had no idea. Sibelle then told her to not be near Isardis -- ever -- or it would be her last action. For the first time ever, Pandora became afraid of Sibelle's word.
By the time Sibelle finished her story, Pandora's body was shaking. She had asked for information, but she didn't know how dark her family's past had been. It was as if cold water had been dumped on her pristine form, making her wake up to the harsh realization of how the world could be. Slowly, she rose from her haunches and wobbled towards Maija, immediately curling up in the space of her front legs and beneath her jaw. Her tail curled around her haunches, ears flattened and she closed her brilliant blue eyes. Maija silently tightened her surprised hold of her daughter and rested her head on top of her daughter's slender crown. For that moment in time, mother and daughter didn't argue or say a word.
After Maija's reassurance sank into Pandora's body, she slowly opened one eye and looked at Sibelle. "I...I didn't know how much blood and gore there was in our family, Aunt Sibelle. I didn't know...that Daddy went through so much, to avoid my grandpa and all that he stood for...Is that...is that why we were on the island, away from everyone? He wanted to protect us from all of that?" She turned her head away from Maija's chest, but kept her seat between her mother's front paws. "Are all of the Armadas as bad as Isardis? Please, please tell me that I am not going to be as twisted as him!" Her eyes broke loose the tears that had appeared earlier, but now they had no place to go but down her cheeks. If she had been a human girl, her mascara would have been running from the display of vulnerability.






"Speech"

Maija was not in the mood to rehash the history her husband was attached to, but her daughter wanted to know sooo badly, so she had no choice. There was a reason the golden female had wanted to be with Pandora when she had this talk with Sibelle, and it was a good thing she did. After Sibelle went through the darker details of Taurig's life involving Isardis, Pandora was shaken to her core. Even though she acted like a prissy girl most of the time, Pandora's heart was still gold and warm. By being exposed to the harsh truth of her lineage, she was now losing the ignorant bliss her family had given her since birth. Pandora's reaction was not surprising to Maija. Her daughter's form was literally shaking and before she knew it, Pandora had found her way in her unexpected embrace. She curled up within her mother's front arms, and Maija silently reacted. Her embrace made Pandora curl tighter into her stomach and she lowered her head to rest on her daughter's crown. The Romanian's eyes looked up to Sibelle, but it was a look of slight sadness. Pandora had to know some day, and it was better now than later. The questions that left Pandora's still quivering form broke out beneath Maija's head and she closed her eyes as Pandora started to freak out about not wanting to be twisted like Isardis. She didn't voice her own opinion. It was too early in the morning and anything she said would make the drama last longer. So, she wrapped her golden plumage around the left side of her, lightly touching the cobalt blue that so greatly resembled Taurig's. She kept her mouth shut and silently waited for Sibelle to respond to Pandora's question. Talk like this

She could now see the fear and horror that was etched into her nieces face. But she wouldn't have changed a single word. There were just some things that she needed to know. Verdant gaze would watch as the girl moved to find the comfort of her mothers embrace. In a distant part of her mind she wondered if Maija would be upset with her for sharing so much, but that would be for a later time. When Pandora finally spoke, she seemed to speak with a new sense of knowledge about the world. There were unspeakable cruelties and those who will do anything for power. "Yes, Taurig took his family and some followers from his pack to the island to avoid Isardis." Her niece would voice an unavoidable question about the Armadas. But what was even more horrifying was the fact that she thought she would end up like Isardis. Tears would flow down her face as she broke down into hysteria. "No, not all the Armada's are bad. Falk isn't, I'm not. But those in Glaciem and Tortuga that share Armada blood, are loyal to Isardis and would do anything for him, but not all are as cruel as he is. And you will never be like him, Pandora." Honesty and determination rang out in her last words. There was no way in hell she would ever let her niece even look down that path, much less walk down it. "Talk" "You" Think

Pandora's tears continued to fall even as Sibelle spoke, for she had no intention of stopping them. Every tear that left her was a piece of her weakness that she had to shed, a part of her ignorant shell that was being peeled away. Softly, she sniffed and continued to look up at Sibelle while remaining in her mother's embrace. She was not ready to give up her mama yet. "But, Aunt Sibelle, you are on peaceful terms with Glaciem now. Would it be the same now if Isardis was still in charge?"
She blinked out the rest of her tears, eyelashes maintaining droplets that had yet to fall. A shuddered sigh left her frame and she began to deal with small hiccups. Her head bumped against the bottom of Maija's jaw, causing the golden goddess to give a low rumble. "Sorry, Mama..." she softly said, ears remaining flattened against her skull. "So...is Athena your half-sister? Does that mean she is okay? Or would she turn on you if Isardis asked her?" The question was bold, but Pandora wanted to make sure her aunt had made the right choice with the pack whose bloody history had become legend.





"Speech"

Her niece was a mess, still crying even as she asked questions. "For now, until Isardis returns. And if he takes power again, then the alliance will end. Athena is my sister and seems to have a different mentality than our father, but we'll see." A bold question from the dark girl would not surprise her. "I don't know whats going to happen." It was the honest truth, she and no idea how loyal Athena was to Isardis or how far she was wiling to go to make him happy. But whatever happened, Glaciem would always be held at arms length until the ice king was buried six feet under. And she hoped it would be soon. There was no doubt in her mind that the albino would return eventually, even if it was on his death bed. Her verdant gaze would rest on her niece, wondering what was going through her young mind and what she would do with the new information. A sigh rolled off her tongue. It was not a pleasant to have to relive or share, but it was time that her niece know, and perhaps the rest of her siblings should too, though none seemed to take such an interest in Glaciem as she did. "Talk" "You" Think