Gabrielle: What /is/ happening to him anyway? Is he still getting knocked around by the alpha?

Cassius: I'm not getting knocked around, I'm learning!

Gabrielle: Learning what? How to bleed and bruise?

Cassius: *growls* You just don't understand!

Gabrielle: *ears tilt back at his yell, eyes narrowing* Well maybe because you don't bother talking to me anymore, Cassius. You just go off everyday to our leader and then come back exhausted and hurt.

Cassius: *sighs* I am sorry Gab...I'm just a bit tired by the time we finish, but I'm learning...it's good...being able to defend myself. I'm getting stronger too its good for me.

Gabrielle: Yeah, well . . . *sighs as well* I have to wonder why he doesn't just send you to Static or one of the other warriors. Why train you himself?

Cassius: Because I'm special, because we're special, because Mom is special...*frowns* Just because that silver spider slunk her way into moms rightful position doesn't make her any less special...

Gabrielle: I never said that. *looks away* I just . . . I just wish we all could've been closer is all. Dad went up and left suddenly, and now Mom is almost lost in her own mind with thoughts of revenge. *she says this sadly* Does being special have to come at a price?

Cassius: *frowns at his sisters sadness and nuzzles her* Everything has a price Gabby...but at least you'll always have me?

Gabrielle: *at this, she gives a little smile though it is tinged with some sadness still* If you don't get beaten up too badly first. At least my training isn't as violent; apparently the new queen wanted me to get tutored by her guard about being a great spy or something like that.

Cassius: A spy huh? Sounds like we might need one...Chernabog says some packs are hiding...not from us but from everyone...and they have spies of their own I bet...you'll do a good job Gabby.

Gabrielle: You think so? I really, really hope so . . . And I think I want to be a Lady too; then I'd be a double threat. *her smile grows* And that'd make Mom proud, right? And you could be at my side fighting off intruders.

Gabrielle: ^^ You're just saying that. *but nuzzles him anyway* Promise me you won't get too scrambled by the king's training. If he chose you, that must mean he sees something in you too.

Cassius: *chuckles and licks her cheek* I see it too sometimes...when he looks at me...it's like he's got a plan for me...but I don't think its to be a lord...

Gabrielle: Well it definitely can't be a pupsitter or anything like that . . . Hmm. *ponders* If he was pushing you to be a hunter or something like that, then he probably wouldn't have bothered taking you on himself. Oh, maybe he's training you to be a beta, Cassius!

Cassius: A Beta me? *tilts his head* Maybe...

Gabrielle: Or maybe head of the warriors? *gently prods his growing muscle with a small chuckle* You're definitely taking on bulk for sure.

Cassius: *grins and flexes his muscles*

Gabrielle: *grins and shakes her head a bit* Don't turn into a muscle-head either. If you're going to be leader of anything, the best muscle to put to use is your brain.

Cassius: As long as I can knock the brains out of whatever comes my way it wont be a problem *chuckles*

Gabrielle: *laughs* Fine, fine. You'll make a great whatever-the-heck-you'll-be when we're older. now go get some rest, those bruises look nasty.

Cassius: Ah it's nothing Gab, just a couple of bumps *flops down*

Gabrielle: Yeah, well, /I/ think they look bad, and tha's what matters. If Mom's not here to be a mom, well then I'll take her place. This pack needs a healer of some sort, honestly.

Cassius: *snorts* Maybe...but the nearest healer is that alpha female down south...and I don't think Chernabog would like it if we went and asked for help from them.

Gabrielle: Is that the pink one I heard about, the one with the hearts? Hmm. Nah, I mean like our own. Someone who has a good knowledge of herbs. I mean, I know we have Haemon around for blood and all, but he's got his own family to take care of. *Ah, the hidden jealousy!*

Cassius: Thats the one...but she trains other healers, she taught the shadow wolf who passed through a while back. She knows all the herbs, how to set bones, how to stop infections...but who needs her, we have Lord Haemon. Family or not his first duty is to the pack, and he can control the blood keep it from infection...thats good enough for me.

Gabrielle: But what about other things, like nausea and illness? It's not always blood. *frowns a bit; the next time they had a pack meeting, maybe she'd bring it up*

Cassius: Suck it up? *chuckles* Don't worry so much Gab, it makes you sound like an old nag...besides everyone in the pack is healthy, we're too tough and stubborn to die.

Gabrielle: I know, I know . . . I'll let you rest up, alright? Even if Mom never says it, I'm proud of you, Cas. ^^ Even if you call me a nag.

Cassius: *licks her cheek* I'm proud of you too gab, I love you...don't forget it *yawns and rests his head*

Gabrielle: Love you too, Cas. *smiles, her mood lifted as she gives him a small lick on the cheek as well and let him be*