So much upheaval among the family of late had touched even Hephaestus, who normally seemed immune to the violence of emotion that seemed to possess others. But all this - his mama gone, his Ebony-sister Val gone, and his mother fighting to take his Ebony-siblings away from some woman he didn't even know... he didn't understand why this woman Katja didn't just give the Ebony-siblings to his mother so they'd be safe with their family... travelling with his sisters to that strange pack, and so much else - it was all too much for him to remain unmoved by it. Now his strong young form was still, curled up on himself with his bright eyes staring off into space, for he thought best when he was still and did not have to worry about the distraction movement brought. His mother was busy with pack politics and trying to get her Ebony-children and all manner of adult things, but there were other things that needed to be seen to in the pack. He knew there were adults doing that sort of thing but he wanted to help. He wanted to prove himself, especially after the illness where he'd actually hurt people. He needed to make up for that demon inside him. But how? He'd given it a great deal of thought and came to the conclusion that he just didn't have enough knowledge to help. He'd need to ask someone what he could do. The decision had been made an hour ago but he'd spent all that time chewing it over, worrying over every angle that could possibly be worried over, and only just now uncurled to sit up. His copper-and-brown muzzle opened, sending his still-childish voice out in a call for his mother, or Helios, or Nat, or anyone who could give him advice, or a job to do. He was young, but he wasn't a child anymore. It was time for him to start to give back to the pack that had not given up on him.

Natalya had not been summoned by many recently, other than one caller at the border and the matriarch herself. She had roamed the borders quietly, patrolling for intruders, and done a bit of travelling, but was otherwise completely bored. Her boredom caused her ears to immediately perk at the sound of another's voice, rousing her from sleep in a burst of energy and driving her out of her dark den. As she walked, the Centurion pondered what was going on. She figured this was the calm before the storm, a simple lull before life in Olympus became chaotic. More children were on the way, a tyrant she had no respect for had entered their ranks, and the packs around them had been in turmoil. The Valhalla she knew and liked was no longer, its former queen vanished after losing her crown. A new pack had sprung up and another was overthrown. Their former ally, Ebony, had switched hands and Virgil had battled for its heirs. Apollo had returned only to distance himself again. Would Olympus gather a new set of allies and move to conquer in the near future? Would trouble come their way yet again? Natalya was uncertain what exactly would happen, but she was positive that the current silence meant they would be busy soon. Finally she reached the source of the call and her thoughts were broken off. She approached the child slowly before seating herself before him, a smile on her face. "Hephaestus, what is it? I am glad to see you are feeling well again. I know that recovery from your illness must not have been easy."

OOC: sorry for the short crappiness of it.

His call was answered by the unrelieved black form of the pack's Oracle, and you really couldn't get much better than that unless it was the alphas, and even they really needed to answer to the Oracle too. "Aunt Natalya," he greeted, sitting up straighter. "I am feeling completely well now, thank you." He didn't mention that the emotional and mental scars, the worries and fears he still carried that told him he was tainted and cursed and a demon among his family, were the lasting effects for him rather than the physical sickness itself. He buried that within the deep confines of his own mind. Instead he answered her question, the reason for him calling her. "Aunt Natalya, I'm going to be a year old soon. I'm big, and I'm strong, and I would like to help the pack somehow, now. I don't want to wait until I'm a year old, I want to train now. I've thought about this for a long time. What can I do?"

Maturity was not something the young Olympian possessed in any way. The boy was loud, inconsiderate and reckless. He was all action and no real thought. However, a small part of him recognized that he couldn't stay a child forever. Perhaps it was the lingering effects of the plague, or maybe he really was maturing, but the child had been rather contemplative as of late. For whatever reason, he'd found himself thinking of the future on more than one occasion. What he'd discovered in those moments of musing was that he had no plans for the future. None whatsoever. He wanted to fight bad guys and be brave and go on quests, but those were the wishes of a child. It was time for a real purpose. He wanted respect. Independence, even. What the boy wanted was to be treated like an adult and so, having been spying on his brother and aunt (yeah, yeah, yeah, childish and all that), Nemesis decided that he too wanted to begin training. Silently extricating himself from his hiding place under a bush, Nemesis padded over to stand beside his brother. "Aunt Natalya, I'd like to begin training too." What exactly he wanted to train to be, the boy had no idea, but learning to handle himself was probably a good place to start. Maybe he could shadow someone and learn by observing? Maybe, since Heph wanted to train too, they could train together? His aunt would know what to do. "Speaking" Thinking

It was not unlike an Olympian to wish to be of use and service at an early age. Children of Olympus were highly motivated, as the gods intended, and fully devoted to their family. At least, for the most part. Natalya was unsurprised at Hephaestus's wishes and even less surprised when his brother emerged from the brush to announce his readiness as well. She smiled and chuckled slightly at their eagerness before responding. "You both have grown quickly, and while I believe all children should enjoy their youth I also feel that it is past time you got some training under your pelts. We can discuss specific ranks later, but first why don't you show me how you fight? It is important that all of us know how to defend ourselves and our pack, no matter what our positions. Spar each other, right here, right now, and I will be your judge."

ooc;; maybe they can have a real spar, or maybe just an informal tussle?? you two can decide!