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 Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 9:51 pm
 Iosef crossed the territory with the swift, determined stride that took him everywhere. When he was working, Iosef was a wolf with a mission -- and he was always working.
He walked in silence, not trusting himself to speak to Seraphin unless she made him. His thoughts were too busy circling over each other in his skull. And to think, he had been so close to calling this whole charade off...but now, that was hardly a choice.
What was love, anyway?
He cared for Seraphin. He truly did, and he knew that she returned it. There was mutual respect. There was friendship. And now, they had silently agreed on a partnership, to care for the creation of new lives.
What else was he expecting? Surely this was all there was. All his life he had allowed himself to be sidetracked by paranoia and optimism and some ridiculous feeling that there was 'something more' to be searched for in life. All of it, absurd. Life was hard and dangerous and he was damn lucky to have what he did.
And that was the end of it.
Nearing Penthesilea's den, the slave slowed his strides, assuming a humble visage for benefit of his Queen.
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Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 10:06 pm
 The silence during the walk was oddly welcoming. It gave her time to think without being interrupted by random chatter. However at Iosef's quick pace they made it to the dens much faster than she had anticipated. Nerves started to creep back into activity and she swallowed hard as the Queen's den site came into view. Maybe if they were lucky Penthesilea would be out and they could just delay telling her until later. Of course Seraphin knew that putting this off would only make it harder on all of them.
Licking her lips out of nervousness Seraphin slowed her pace and very quickly went over when she would say to the Queen. Oh please let her go easy on us, she though silently. Returning to her den Penthesilea did not expect to see two wolves approaching the spot. Well, that wasn't true, sisters were always coming to her den for this and that. But this time, it was Seraphin and Iosef. The nanny and a slave, interesting. Perhaps there was something in regards to their work that needed attending to. Well no matter, she was nearly to where they were now and brought her paws to a stop. Casting her eyes over the pair trying to judge just what they wished to speak to her about. "Seraphin, Iosef." She finally said in greeting. "What can I help you with?"
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Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 10:32 pm
For a moment, Iosef was amused by wondering what would be going through Penthesilea's mind. They were an odd couple, by all accounts, and -- judging from the expression upon the Queen's face -- she was not expecting the announcement that would follow.
He glanced at Seraphin, wishing that she would take the lead, but knew she wouldn't. Unlike all the females Iosef had ever known, she was not brash, abrasive, or particularly bold.
Addressing his Queen's chest-region, as he could not bring himself to raise his eyes any higher, he said, with as steady of a voice as he could muster, "Seraphin and I wished you to know that she has taken me as her consort."
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Posted: Sat Jul 31, 2010 4:08 pm
With the Queen approaching Seraphin could feel her stomach do a series of unpleasant flips. How on earth would she ever say what she need to? Penthesilea was still quite an intimidating creature so bringing anything to her attention was unnerving to the shy wolfess. Thankfully though Iosef proved to be the one to take on the initial responsibility of telling the Queen the news - or at least part of it.
But Seraphin knew he couldn't just sit back and let Iosef do all the talking, it's not how things were done here. So taking a step forward she mustered the courage to meet the Queen's eyes and spoke. "As Iosef said I wish for him to become my mate and wished to inform you of this." She paused for a moment, licking her lips nervously. "Is there anything that must be done to make it official?" She questioned wondering just what a sister of Antianeira had to do in order to officially claim a male as her own.
Nothing could have ever prepared her for what Iosef was about to tell her. And there was no hiding the look of shock that crossed her face. This was by far the last thing she ever expected to hear from these two. Luckily though she was able to recover her composure quite quickly. Turning her attention to Seraphin. "Informing me is generally the first and last step in claiming a male. It is your right to choose whoever you wish and claiming Iosef will be noted. However, you must be aware that any female can challenge you in the future for him and you must be willing to fight to keep him or stand down and let him be taken from you." However she did not expect that to happen, not that Iosefs wasn't a good male, but many of the sisters preferred to breed outside of the pack with less weak male.
Turning to look at Iosef. "With Seraphin claiming you as her mate this will promote you to the rank of Favored. It will give you a little less work to do around the pack, however you are free to continue on with your regular duties as you see fit." Though for the sake of the pack and the few slaves that they had she did truly hope that Iosef would continue on with his regular duties for a little longer. "Do you agree to these changes?" While he had the right to say no, it would be highly unusual for a male to ever turn down anything offered to him.
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Posted: Sat Jul 31, 2010 4:25 pm
His brow furrowed. It had not occurred to him that this arrangement would mean a change in rank -- although, of course, now that he thought about it, why wouldn't it? Still, the idea amused him somewhat, as Iosef could not imagine life without his duties. "You will see no decline in my work, I assure you," he said, considering the possibility of someone fighting for him. He resisted the urge to laugh at the idea. He nodded then, to Pen, chancing to glance up at her face for just a moment. "I consent to this arrangement." He said, and then glanced at Seraphin, leaving it to her to provide the other news if she saw it fit.
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Posted: Sat Jul 31, 2010 5:47 pm
Well that wasn't so bad, all they had to do was tell the Queen and it was considered official. Why hadn't they done that sooner? Of course this was probably the easier of the two subjects that they needed to discuss, so the nerves started working in overdrive now. When told that others could challenge her for the right to claim Iosef for their own. Seraphin was no fighter that was for sure, but something inside of her told her that she would indeed fight if it came to that. With the Queens attention momentarily focused on Iosef eraphin too this moment to close her eyes, take a deep breath and try to relax before the next task at hand.
Of course she didn't think their quick conversation had given her enough time to completely get ready for it. So she glanced over at Iosef who in turn glanced over at her. She had to do it, and do it now, it was for the best. The look she gave Iosef was as if she was silently saying 'oh please let this go as smoothly as the first part did'. Clearing her throat she returned her gaze to Penthesilea. "There is one other thing." She paused for a moment to make sure she had the Queen's full attention before speaking once more. "It seems that we should have come to speak with you earlier about my claiming Iosef as my mate. The reason being that...." Glancing sideways at Iosef gave her the confidence to continue, though instead of her gaze returning to the Queen it stayed on her new mate. "I am carrying his puppies." With that sad Seraphin could feel her body sink a little bit, almost as if in preparation for the soon to come reprimanding. "It will not interfere with my work until they are born, I should think. I will keep up with my duties for as long as I can. That is," finally her eyes moved back to Pen. "If you wish me to."
Of course Iosef would be okay with the new arrangements. He was as loyal as they came and all these years devoted to the sisters made him quite predictable. Well perhaps less so now, as Penthesilea had never really expected him to be taken on by another female since he lost Alkaia. "I am glad to hear that." Anything else she was about to say was silenced by watching the glances between the two wolves. Why did she had a bad feeling about this? The Queen may not be a seer but she knew how to read faces and could tell there was something left unsaid. Though it would seem after a bit of hesitation that Seraphin was willing to tell her whatever was on their minds.
If she had thought the shocking new was over for the day then there was about to be another look of shock cross her face. More to say? But before she could ask precisely what, the news was given to her. Expecting puppies? Already? Penthesilea kept her expression neutral this time around, though inwardly she was wondering just what else could possibly be thrown at her today, first them come here to claim each other as mates and now she was being told that Seraphin was already pregnant. This was a bit displeasing. "Indeed you should have come and spoke with me sooner." She said trying to not let much anger or frustration coat her voice. "However, there is no way to undo what has been done. But I do hope you have both learned from this mistake." She wasn't saying having puppies was a mistake, just that telling her these things bunch together with the other news was a bit undesirable.
"I do expect you to keep up with your duties and training as well for as long as possible. Though I know that you will require more and more rest as time goes on." Turning to Iosef she had no choice but to at least verbally reprimand him. "Iosef, I must say I am a bit disappointed in you. You know all of the rules of this pack and yet you went ahead with suck things before speaking with me. I expect you to work extra had over the next little while to make up for this misdeed."
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Posted: Sat Jul 31, 2010 6:05 pm
Not for the first time, Iosef wished that he could climb into his Queen's head, to know what it was she was thinking. After all, he had been with Alkaia for so long, and never a pup had been wrought of their union. And now, so quickly after Seraphin's arrival in the pack, she was already carrying his children? Surely it would be a surprise for the Queen.
It was certainly a surprise to Iosef.
Still, perhaps Penthesilea would appreciate the concept of making up for lost time, and he submitted to her reprimand amiably. "I am sorry, my Queen," he said, fighting back the absurd urge to laugh at how ridiculous the situation he had fallen into was. "I will make no further transgressions."
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Posted: Sat Jul 31, 2010 6:18 pm
Nodding slowly Seraphin found it hard to keep her eyes away from the ground. She knew she was in trouble from the tone of the Queen's voice even if the words spoken to her did not make it seem so. They had made a mistake in not talking to her sooner and she would be certain to never let that happen any for anything. "Yes, my Queen." What more could she say? Other than apologize but that would likely do almost nothing at this point.
When she heard what was said to Iosef her ears pinned back against her head in fear. The last thing she ever wanted was to get Iosef in trouble and now that was happening, granted the Queen did seem to be going easy on him. But would she institute a greater punishment when she was not here to protect her mate. Not like she could or would stop Penthesilea from doing anything if she deemed it necessary.
Penthesilea let out a sigh. Some days, it would seem it was best to just stay hidden away in the den all day. But then that would just let things like this pile up so she would be completely overwhelmed the next day. "I should hope not." She spoke at Iosef. "I have been very lenient on you so far, as you have been a loyal slave of the sisters your entire life, but I can only overlook so many things before I must take action against you."
Her eyes looked over the pair as they both cowered in front of her. Well if any of the sisters were to walk by now it would certainly look like they were getting a good punishment. "Now, is there anything else you wish to tell me. If so you might as well do it now." Inwardly Penthesilea prayed that there would be no more surprises for now. But if there was, she would deal with them like these other two had been dealt with.
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Posted: Sat Jul 31, 2010 6:48 pm
Perhaps the growth of the pack was a bad thing, in a way -- for in its expansion, Iosef had seen a glimpse of the outside world, and learned that it was perhaps not as terrifying as his loneliness had once been. When his Queen addressed him, he felt in his heart the quietest ripple of disquiet, an alien reaction for him.
The Queen's choices had, after all, not been free of questioning.
Her choice of consort. The health of her heir. And, most questionable in Iosef's eyes, the acceptance of Varia back into her old position. Surely Penthesilea knew that Varia had laid her eyes upon the queen's title? That she would have fought, to the death, for a chance at the crown if she had not been dissuaded by the other warriors held so dearly to Iosef's heart?
Accepting Varia was little more than inviting a mutiny, so far as he was concerned. And yet....well, Iosef was in no position to pass judgment. He was, after all, a wolf without stature.
Although, now, a wolf with somewhat elevated power within his pack. And, though power had never before mattered to him, this arrangement pleased him now.
All posturing and politics, he thought, daring to glance around them. "No, my Queen," he said, at length. Had he been a different wolf -- a female wolf -- he may have brought up his concerns. But it was not his place, and even insinuating his fear about his sister's loyalty would be akin to insurmountable treachery.
Well...he did have one further thing he wished to say. "Strong blood runs in my veins, though it was wasted on my gender," he said, without irony. "The pups with Seraphin carries, will make the pack proud. That is my greatest hope."
And, now that he had said his peace, he backed away a step, holding himself in a state of deference, waiting to be dismissed.
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Posted: Sat Jul 31, 2010 7:09 pm
Thankfully Seraphin didn't need to tell anymore more to the Queen. Everything had been already addressed and she hoped beyond anything that there would be nothing else to bring to the Queen for a very, very long time. Hopefully they would be dismissed because Seraphin felt like just crying, not because she was upset, no it was another round on the emotional roller coaster and she did not wish for Penthesilea to see her in such a state. Hopefully these hormones would calm down or else the next little while would be very unpredictable.
"There is nothing else my Queen." She managed to say and then looked at Iosef. What he said to the Queen was quite impressive and brave, and she hoped that it would indeed be true and that these pups would be a good addition to the pack, bringing Iosef the honor he wished.
Penthesilea stood quietly for a few moments merely looking at the pair. She had nothing more to say since there appeared to be no other issues they wished to throw at her. And just when she was about to dismiss them Iosef spoke up. "Let us hope those words hold true." The last thing the pack needed was a bunch of weak and useless pups running around. She knew that Orithia was weak compared to the others, but she had good strong blood in her and would beat whatever it was that was causing her to be sick all the time.
"You are free to go." She said to the pair, effectively dismissing them from her presence. Penthesilea had much to think on now, and she needed to do so alone. Turning she padded off leaving the pair to leave at their leisure.
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Posted: Sat Jul 31, 2010 7:29 pm
Iosef nodded and nudged Seraphin's shoulder, as much for show as for comfort. If he were to play this part -- to convince himself, as much as any others -- then he needed to do it effectively. That, and she looked a little as though she might fall over at any moment.
Quietly he pulled away and headed back in the direction of the hole he had been digging, thinking perhaps he should probably fill it before somebody fell into it. Not that it was really deep enough for someone to fall into just yet...but still.
"Our pups will make the pack proud," he said, at length, when they were out of ear shot of the queen. His voice had a mollifying tone, as though trying to reassure her. "I'm not...such...a questionable choice of fathers. Really."
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Posted: Sat Jul 31, 2010 7:35 pm
The nudge made her jump a little as she was quite distracted from everything around her. Somehow she felt like she got very lucky just now that the Queen let them off so easy. Giving Iosef a smile she turned and followed him, though honestly that smile had been very forced. Not that she wasn't happy, just her emotions were getting the best of her once more. She walked behind Iosef silently, feeling the first tears flow from her eyes and down her muzzle.
It didn't take long for those few tears to turn into a downpour and Seraphin was forced to stop walking as she allowed herself to burst into tears beyond what she had expected before they left. Soft whimpering escaped her as she tried her best to hold back her emotions but it was most definitely a losing battle. Her legs refused to hold her weight any longer and so she lowered herself to the ground and sobbed, hoping Iosef wouldn't be too concerned about this sudden change in her.
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Posted: Sat Jul 31, 2010 7:39 pm
"...Seraphin?" He turned around, confused at her silence, and caught the sound of a whimper. Blinking, confused, he doubled back, crouching down beside her. "...Seraphin, what's the matter? What did I do wrong?"
His face contorted in uncertainty, and he spoke in an emphatic whisper.. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have put you into this position...I should have been honest with you from the beginning...but Seraphin, I promise I'll try harder for you, I'll change! We can have a strong family and be happy together."
He whimpered, then, almost feeling like crying himself. He fought back the urge. "Just...please...stop crying. I'll do whatever it takes."
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Posted: Sat Jul 31, 2010 7:48 pm
It took a few moments for her crying to subside enough for her to talk and be intelligible. "It's....not...that..." She managed to say in between deep breaths. Burying her head into his shoulder she took a while to regain her composure, though a few tears continued to flow down her cheeks. "It's...being pregnant...it does things to you...that you can't control." Hopefully he would understand what she meant by that as even she didn't have a full explanation of what was happening to her. Perhaps she should speak with one of the sisters in the pack who have had pups to see just what to expect, but the only ones were Thealia and Penthesilea, and neither of those were great choices at the moment.
"You know I don't care....about that." She told him, head still pushed up against his shoulder. So what if his lifestyle choices weren't perfect, he had already committed to being there for her no matter what and she was content to let he be who he truly was.
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Posted: Sat Jul 31, 2010 7:55 pm
What did she mean she didn't care? how could she not care? He certainly cared!
But ignoring that for a moment, as it seemed unwise to argue with an irrational and weeping pregnant female, he allowed her to lean against him. It was comfortable. Warm. Like being with his sister.
...Which was probably not the right feeling to be having.
He sighed. "Oh," he said, finally, trying to wrap his brain around this pregnancy thing. The idea of having emotions completely beyond your control wasn't necessarily an alien concept to him, but this seemed a bit...extreme? "...Should I do something for you?"
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