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 Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2010 6:17 pm
 What had seemed like such a comforting idea just minutes ago - sending the puppies off to a different pack, where they could grow up safe and ignorant of the family they had in Antianeira - was beginning to jangle Casimir's nerves, now that setting the plan off loomed closer. He found he had several disparate lines of thought he could conceivably propose to the queen, and no inkling as to what was appropriate, or what was the right thing to do. Amid his rising butterflies, he realized how grateful he was to have Iosef with him to step in if he needed it, and how it seemed right, really, that the effeminate little wolf should have some rank in this pack. An unoccupied part of his mind noted, That fellow might be interesting to get to know, wouldn't he?, but of course fell back to the more pressing matters of speaking with the Queen, and of finding some solution to this whole mess. His posture wilted to a humble sulk as they entered the area of dens populated by the Sisters, and he focused on thinking only of making it to Penthesilea, and nothing else about these dens. His eyes burned, but he seemed to be managing it.
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Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2010 8:08 pm
 Iosef maintained the difficult balance of a submissive, slinking posture with a heightened sense of awareness; knowing full-well that Casimir would be buried deeply in his own thoughts, Iosef took it upon himself to keep a watchful eye on their surroundings in case something unexpected cropped up.
He hoped nothing would, though, as he had no idea what he would do if they came across some form of trouble. What was he going to do? He wasn't precisely intimidating, and if it came to an actual fight...well. There was always running. And hiding. He was pretty good at that.
Annoyed at himself and bitter about the whole situation -- but forcing himself to be strong for Casimir's sake, because somebody had to be objective here -- he stalked along at the other slave's heels, ears and eyes on constant watch for trouble.
Part of him wished, just a little, that the pups didn't have to go to YMCA...that they could stay, and be raised alongside his own sons and daughters. He would like that, very much.
But that, of course, would be impossible. It would threaten not only his newborn nephews, but also his own children who might be caught in the crossfire of Varia's wrath, and the thought was incomprehensible. No...better to request safe passage from the Queen. Perhaps he could deliver them with Cas, and get a glimpse of Terreis and his nephews....they must be getting big by now....
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Posted: Tue Nov 02, 2010 11:52 pm
Their self-effacing trot deposited them outside Penthesilea's den without incident, and Casimir stopped, becoming quiet and still in a way that was unusual for him - more like a traditional Slave, perhaps. He felt small and uncertain, though he supposed that was the proper way to feel when seeking audience with the Queen.
The big wolf cast a glance at Iosef, wanting for a moment to hand all his troubles over for somebody else to sort through, but it wouldn't be right. He smiled and sighed, turning back to the den, and woofed out a humble inquiry. "My Queen?"
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Posted: Wed Nov 03, 2010 8:01 pm
 If it wasn't one thing it was another. Penthesilea wondered if there would be one day where she didn't have to deal with something so extreme as this. She had only just gotten back to her den moments ago after going to see to Varia. She had just delivered her pups and the Queen had taken no time in getting there immediately after wards to make sure nothing bad happened should any males be born. When she had arrived she had found but a single female pup, this of course made the Queen extremely suspicious of, it was rare that a wolf birthed a single pup. And when questioned Varia refused to say much of anything.
Returning to her den the Queen needed time to think. But it seemed that her time to reflect on such things was cut short as a voice called out to her. Sighing Penthesilea took a moment to collect herself before crawling out from her den to see Casimir and Iosef standing there. So he had come, she figured he would and perhaps she could find out more about this litter of Varia's. She glanced between the two slaves then concentrated on Casimir. "Casimir, what can I help you with?" She questioned even though she had a pretty good idea of why he was here.
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Posted: Fri Nov 05, 2010 9:19 pm
Cas wavered for a moment, his nose pointing straight down between his paws; he was good at talking to the Sisters, liked to play demure and accommodating, but being in the presence of Pen humbled him nearly down to silence. Flicking his eyes upward to her in a bashful response, he willed himself to just get started and see what came of it. "I do hate to bother you, my Queen, but...I imagine you're aware of your Head Warrior's situation." A pause, to test the waters of this topic. "Which has today also become, my situation." Head still held low, his golden eyes fixed on Penthesilea's face; who knew what charity she would show toward him? Certainly in earlier reigns he would have no right to ask any of what he was asking, even without considering the respective ranks he and Varia held. But that sort of reflection made him waver in place, so he shifted firmly back to thoughts of the puppies. My sons, he marveled, and felt his backbone harden.
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Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2010 3:11 pm
Penthesilea listened closely to his tone and words, and sat quiet for a few moments before answering. She knew full well of the situation involving Varia, but when he spoke specifically of his situation it told her a great deal and yet she had hoped he would expand a bit more on that. If Varia's situation had now become his own then that must mean there was at least a single male from the litter perhaps more, this was something she needed to find out.
"Yes, I know of Varia's current situation, I only just returned from her den when you arrived." Part of her wondered if Casimir knew about the female of the litter. If Varia had left any male pups in his care it was highly unlikely that she would have made any mention of the female. And though she was pretty darn certain that the reason he was coming here was because of those pups that Varia had refused to talk about to her, she for the moment played the fool and simply asked the question. "And what situation have you found yourself in?"
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Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2010 3:27 pm
Cas bit back a smile; it was possible that the part of his brain that found things amusing had very little contact with the rest of it. He lowered his eyes and spoke, soft-voiced, to Penthesilea. "She left three puppies in my den tonight. Iosef helped me take them to Seraphin, they seem to be healthy."
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Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2010 3:53 pm
"They're nursing," Iosef added, and then paused, feeling awkward for perhaps speaking out of turn, but feeling somehow that it was important to interject this -- to show that they were being cared for properly. "Seraphin and I will be happy to tend to them for as long as..." as long as it would be safe to do so? As long as Varia could be kept away from his own family? "...As long as we are able."
He looked to his paws, then, realizing that he had not only spoken out of turn but that his words were bordering upon inappropriate. It was hardly a slave's place to play the hero for a lot of worthless males.
But yet...they were infants. And who could turn down the needy cry of an infant, no matter its worth?
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Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2010 6:14 pm
The queens brow raised ever so slightly at this news. Varia had abandoned three pups to his care. That would certainly explain the single female and Varia's refusal to talk about whether there were more pups or not. The issue clearly needed to be addressed immediately and handled with great care. "Three pups? All of them male?" It was a safe assumption for the chance of Varia or any of the other warriors here abandoning female pups was extremely slim.
Her eyes ticked to Iosef for a moment, once again grateful to have him around the pack as he always proved himself to be useful and helpful whenever it counted. But her concern right now was on Casimir and those pups, so she continued to ignore the splotchy slave for the time being. "I am certain that Seraphin will take good care of them. I will need to check on them later." Lowering herself onto her haunches the Queen thought for a moment. She wondered if now would be the time to bring up the daughter which he likely did not know about, but she decided to first concentrate on the male puppies futures. "And what are you going to do with three newborns?" It was an honest question, as clearly Casimir could do little for them at this point outside of taking them to the packs nanny.
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Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2010 6:39 pm
Casimir nodded. Unaccountably, he felt the prickles of shame beginning along the back of his neck; what was he supposed to do? He blinked and pawgazed, at a loss as to how to salvage his bungled life. "I asked Seraphin to care for them...for as long as that remains an option." He winced and looked back up to Pen, unsure of what and how much to say. "I know they'll be safe with her, but..." deep breath, "I worry about what could happen to them once they grow out of their den."
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Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2010 6:50 pm
So Seraphin was to care for his pups because Varia refused to and he was incapable due to his gender. Well good thing the pack had a nanny though the poor female was being practically overrun with pups at this point. They would need to find a temporary solution to ease the workload on her while she tended to the newest members of the pack. That is something she could figure out after they discussed what to do with the males. They would of course need to stay in the pack for a while, Seraphin could see to raising them to that point, but after that well that could be a problem. Clearly with Varia's instant abandonment of them it would cause friction in the future when the pups were old enough to start attending to the duties of a slave.
"Seraphin will be a good mother to them." She stated even though that really went without saying. "As for their future, I do not think Antianeira is the place for them. Varia would seek to destroys their lives at any moments notice. There is one option however." She glanced at iosef knowing that he had been to visit Terreis down at YMCA before and it was where she had sent Thealia's unwanted sons. "Our ally pack to the south is under contract to take in males from our pack. It is where Thealia's boys live. And I am sure that Iosef can attest to how nice the pack is for those who choose to live their. If you so choose, I can speak to the alpha and arrange for your boys to be sent there when they are old enough to go." If Casimir chose not to go with this option then the Queen would need to think of something else, but she felt it was the best place for them to go given the kindness Chivosi and her pack showed to the others.
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Posted: Mon Nov 29, 2010 11:25 am
"They are a kind pack," Iosef agreed, in something of an undertone. This was not what Casimir would be wanting to hear, he was sure -- that his young sons, whom he had just met, would inevitably be taken from him soon. But Penthesilea was right, and there was no point in arguing.
Much as he wanted to keep them, having his nephews alongside his own pups would be to keep his own family in constant jeopardy, and his first responsibility was to his nearest kin.
Pups. Pack. Others. Self. That was his hierarchy -- his new, somewhat altered hierarchy. "And they'll have cousins there," he added, helpfully.
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Posted: Mon Nov 29, 2010 7:17 pm
"That would be the best thing, I think," he meekly agreed, not sure whether to be more grateful for this solution or distraught about this bereavement. Gratitude won out, though, and he gave a little sigh of relief, thanks and admiration radiating from his face out towards his Queen. They would be safe. They would grow up out from under their mother's unforgiving paw and have happy, carefree lives that were inconceivable should they stay in Antianeira. The fact that he would have little part in that experience was a blow he'd just have to take.
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Posted: Wed Dec 01, 2010 7:05 pm
"Indeed they will have cousin there." The Queen agreed with Iosef on the slight details of the pack they would be going to. "It is for the best." She repeated the sentiment. It would be some time before the pups would be old enough to travel that far, however these things needed time to plan out. Best to warn Chivosi ahead of time of the upcoming arrivals than suddenly show up her door with them. "It's settled then, I shall go speak with Chivosi once I have an opportunity. For now go and spend some time with your sons."
Having effectively dismissed the two slaves Penthesilea turned around and padded off. She had some things to attend to, Varia to go and speak with yet again as well as attempt to set some time aside to spend with her own pups. Some days, she told herself mentally, some days.
((fin))
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