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 Posted: Wed May 11, 2011 9:37 am
 Finally the last tendrils of winter had gone away and spring was putting it's foot down solidly upon the land. Each day it was a bit warmer, spring rains occurred quite regularly and throughout the forest signs of life could be seen everywhere. The grass was beginning to turn from brown to vibrant shades of green, trees were sporting new buds that would soon reveal leaves and flowers and even the prey beasts were returning to feast upon the new bounty of food here. Yes, things were certainly looking up now. Of course the rains, especially after heavy downpours, turned the land into a large mud pool that hampered hunting and made training all the more dangerous. Mud was slippery and unpredictable when being trampled upon multiple times by multiple feet.
Today however Orithia did not need to worry about mud under her paws as it was a sunny day, and there was no sign of rain clouds. Padding her way towards her fathers den the teen was wondering just what her father wished to talk to her about. He had been gone for a chunk of the winter, taking Patroclus with him for some sort of father son bonding and training session and she had been glad to see them both return unharmed - though a bit thinner than she remembered. Prey was hard to find in the winter so two wolves without pack help could struggle in that respect. Orithia had missed her father and brother during that time, but now that they were back she could spend some time with them - when she had time of course.
Well, that was exactly what she had right now, time to do with as she pleased and Orithia was more than happy to spend that little bit of free time talking with her father. As his den came into view Orithia trotted forward, tail wagging in a bit of puppy happiness.
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Posted: Wed May 11, 2011 9:51 am
 Although it was spring and Achilles could almost certainly have moved his den back into the backwoods of the pack the mottled wolf had not yet done so, despite his reluctance in the beginning Achilles had found he sort of liked being closer to the mix of things - all the better to stick his muzzle in as many thins as possible while keeping his Bi-hued eyes on the sisters.
Granted he was just a touch out of the loop at the moment, having been gone for a good portion of winter with his son. Such things couldn't be helped and while he was pleased to be home he knew it would only be for a short while, he and Patroclus had ranged far and wide, they had even completed a contract...but Achilles had not been able t fulfill a second one, Iosef had asked him for news of Tui but it seemed the scrawny wolf had disappeared for the time being. So Achilles had brought his son home before Pen started to worry overmuch and once the spring storms were over Achilles himself would set out again - he had other contracts lined up and the lack of news for Iosef irritated him. Achilles never failed...on anything..ever.
Such thought would have been enough to sour the wolfs mood and he turned away from them - today he would spend time with Orithia and from her perhaps catch up on the pack happenings, touch base with his princess of a daughter and ensure that she remained grounded..like her mother, and speaking of the teen soon to be adult here she came! Right on time as always. Giving a stretch Achilles rose to meet his daughter. "Orithia" He welcomed her, watching her stride for any hint of stiffness from the shoulder Enyo had wounded before he left.
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Posted: Wed May 11, 2011 9:59 am
Perhaps it was the fact that he hadn't seen him in so long, or perhaps a sign that she hadn't entirely grown up yet, but Orithia bounded forward when she saw her father, tail wagging and even went as far as giving him a nuzzle before stepping back. After all she was of higher rank than him, and it wouldn't do them any good to be caught treating each other as equals, familial bond or not. "Father, you are looking well." She commented with a smile on her maw as she looked him over. He was a bit thin but a couple of week of solid eating and he would gain that back, and he was as well muscled as she had remembered him. "It is good to see you and Patroclus returning to us in one piece."
Who knows what crazy things the pair had done while they were away, a part of her was a bit jealous of her brother for getting to go out there and see the world, but Orithia knew she had responsibilities here and was content with that. Besides she did get to travel a bit, mostly to YMCA to check on former members and ensure the bond between packs was remaining strong. Giving her head a bit of a shake Orithia concentrated on her father. "You wished to speak to me?"
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Posted: Wed May 11, 2011 10:11 am
Achilles nuzzled his daughter back as she greeted him, taking advantage of the brief show of affection before she stepped back no doubt worried about being seen - though he would like to see the wolf brave enough to speak ill of Orithia to her mother. "I always look well" He told Orithia with a chuckle "You didn't get all your good looks from your mother you know" He teased her lightly, she was not yet an adult but at her age in most packs th boys would have started noticing her..and perhaps she might have had an eye on a boy herself. It saddened Achilles that his daughter might never find such things - most of the slaves here would never contemplate flirting with the queens daughter and Orithia was ever aware of her position in the pack - as her actions just moments before had shown him.
Still...he could take heart, Pen had grown through similar thing and found love, it merely took a bit longer and perhaps th loss of teenage crushes was no great loss anyways considering the trouble they sometimes caused. "I did" He agreed as he returned to the shade, bi-hued eyes raking the surrounding bush for prying eyes though none revealed themselves "I've been gone for quite a while..I wanted to see how you were doing, catch up o pack news..I trut theres been no further trouble with your sister?"
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Posted: Wed May 11, 2011 10:42 am
Her smile grew wider at her fathers teasing. Ah her father did have an odd sense of humor yet Orithia found it a welcome trait amongst this pack, even if very few appreciated that quality in him. At least the other slaves had someone to look out for their well being outside of herself and her mother, and with Varia in the pack that was a necessity. Her eyes followed his as Achilles checked for anyone watching them, before settling back on her father. "I am doing well, busier now that the winter weather has passed but I am glad for the work." Work kept her busy, sitting idly never was something she enjoyed, which is why she had always hated those times when she had been too sick to do much outside of lay about in the den. The sickness had seemed to go away with age and while on the extremely cold or wet days she could feel it wanting to take hold of her once more it for the most part was something she out grew.
"No trouble with her. Though it is quite obvious she is still not entirely thrilled about acting as my guard. I try to give her as much freedom from those duties as I can so she does not resent her position or myself more than necessary." Orithia had gotten her share of angry looks from Enyo, but her sister had kept up her end of the deal protecting Orithia when needed and following her orders. "As for pack news, not much happened over the winter. We kept up with the usual training, struggled a bit to find food, really nothing special." Orithia gave her shoulders a shrug.
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Posted: Wed May 11, 2011 11:06 am
"Yes - I expect that I will soon be busy again as well, spring brings new work for everyone it seems" Achilles agreed, and as the winter had passed without Orithia growing ill or sickly Achilles hoped it would mark a milestone in his daughters development - that she had long last completely outgrown the effects of her childhood problems. It would certainly help - Achilles was sure that as Orithia continued to prove herself strong and vital that Enyo would come around.
"As I thought - you know many were quite sure that Enyo would attack you again as soon as she was given the chance." Achilles told her "But I knew better - just as I knew you would not take advantage of your position above her...it is good that you take a care for her feelings in this arrangement. Enyo was wrong to do what she did..but in her mind it made sense, she thought she was doing something good for the pack's future..she did the wrong things for the right reasons and that is why she can be rehabilitated and perhaps someday find redemption...do you understand?" Achilles had long thought that neither Orithia nor Enyo completely understood why he had persuaded their mother to take the course she had.
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Posted: Wed May 11, 2011 11:21 am
"Will you be taking Patroclus with you while you perform your work?" She asked curiously, not that she would prevent her brother from going but so that she would know whether he would be around or not to help other slaves. Knowing where your pack members were at all times was just one of this duties of an alpha. Lowering herself onto her haunches, tail curling around her paws Orithia listened as her father continued to speak. After a moment of silence to think over his words she nodded and replied.
"To be honest, I also thought she would attack me again as well. Putting her that close to me was certainly an invitation for it, however she seems to have decided that it is not worth it or perhaps thinks that with time I will drop my guard around her." Either way she was certainly glad Enyo wasn't foolish enough to try it again, doing so would lead to banishment if not fulfill their mothers treat of the Queen killing her own daughter. "Yes, I understand. I understand both why she did what she did and why you chose to put her in such a position. While I didn't fully understand it back then I do now. I do hope that she can redeem herself." That had been one of the reasons that immediately after the fight Orithia granted Enyo the chance to live instead of receiving the death she should have from the challenge, she had hoped that perhaps her sister would learn something from it all. After another moment of silence to think on something Orithia spoke again. "I believe that the fact that she has not tried anything speaks greatly. She could have easily come to my den while I slept and finished what she had started. The freedom I grant her from her duties is a gift of trust, and I think she knows that, and knows that I can take that away if necessary. I will do what I can to help her through this and find the redemption she requires, she is my sister after all through both blood and pack bonds."
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Posted: Wed May 11, 2011 11:39 am
"I haven't decided yet" Achilles told Orithia truthfully - with the loss of Casimir and his boys Achilles was quite aware that the pack was suffering from a slight lack of slaves...and yet these youthful years were the time when training was most important. It was a difficult thing for Achilles to decide - take the boy and continue with his training or leave him behind to help with the pack. The pack he was sure would do just fine of some of the other sisters would get off their high rocks and help out...a fact which made him desire to take Patroclus out of spite...but such an action would not harm the sisters, only the other slaves and they did not deserve it. "Perhaps I will take him with me for one of my later trips...as you say the pack will be busy now that it is spring and male numbers are low"
Which brought him to another subject he wished to speak about now that he had determined that his daughter understood his reasoning on the other...and that she was still the merciful and kind wolf he had known her to be when he left. Not that he had expected her to change - but power sometimes did strange things to wolves. "Speaking of the males...how have things been?" Orithia did not spend a great deal of time with them he knew - but she was smart enough to take note of anything important. She would know for instance if Varia had been bullying them more then normal or if Iosef had slipped further into the depression he had been showing signs of when he left.
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Posted: Wed May 11, 2011 11:50 am
Orithia gave her head a nod. "Yes, we will be busy for a while and there is plenty more work to do than we have slaves for." Not that she was opposed to helping out when needed, but some of the other Sister wouldn't be so open to such things and she herself was often tied down with other business. "Though Iosef's boys are older now and they can help out more with their necessary duties." She fell silent for a moment before continuing. "Male numbers have always been low in the pack, perhaps not so much as they are now, but it is the way things have been here for many years. Though they could certainly use all the help that they can right now with spring cleanup looming."
When her father asked about males and how things have been doing her ears flicked slightly. Really she didn't interact with the slaves all that much, but was he talking about the slaves or other males? Best to assume he's talking about the slaves than get into something she might prefer to avoid talking about with her father. "Well, Varia has been her usual self over the winter, though she does seem to be holding her temper back a bit when around the slaves. I guess your deal with her is paying off." She smiled slyly at her father, oh yes she knew about his pact with Varia over her treatment of the slaves. "As I said Iosef's boys are helping out more now that they are older, though I think that Iosef is still taking on far too much work than necessary. He seems distracted but otherwise is fine."
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Posted: Wed May 11, 2011 12:12 pm
Achilles gave his daughter an amused look, she had only herself been alive through one winter and here she was speaking of things like 'many years'..no doubt the words were more her mothers then her own on this subject. "Perhaps so, but as you've just said yourself there is more work then paws available to do it" He pointed out "Overworked slaves are resentful, tired beasts who won't do their very best work. I would rather there were a couple more at the very least." Not that he would purposefully go out and find some of course...but he was sure a few extra paws would go a long ways to making the current slaves a more happy bunch.
"But I'm glad to hear Varia has been behaving herself - Chilapa is getting a touch to old to stash away or an afternoon now" Achilles had a feeling that he would soon need to come up with another threat to keep Varia in line. Something to worry about later he supposed, though perhaps his very ow daughter could help on that account and he glanced at her "And I am glad to hear Iosef is well." Pausing for a few moments he considered his next words carefully. "You are to be queen someday..and while I understand that some of the sisters look down upon dealing with the slaves I do hope that you as Queen will realize that your kingdom is not just the sisters who protect it...but the slaves as well, a pack is only as strong as its weakest link and if the slaves are neglected or unappreciated then someday someone will take advantage of that weak link"
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Posted: Thu May 12, 2011 8:03 am
"I understand that. It is why mother makes sure that they each get time off to rest and relax so that they do not feel so run down. And while the Sisters may be reluctant to help out that may be just what they need to do until we can find more males to bring into the pack to help out." It had been a small goal of hers to recruit a few males into the life of servitude and show that she was willing to get what the pack needed - and like it or not the pack needed more male slaves. "Perhaps...while you are out you can keep your eye open for any potential editions to the pack? I would like to do so myself however I don't get much time to leave for such things." Of course she made sure to make time every now and then to head down to their ally pack and visit a certain interesting wolf there, but father didn't need to know about that just yet.
She smiled at the thought of her father trying to hide Chilapa from Varia once more. Chilapa had grown up well and did not seem at all effected by her mothers pressure and hatred towards things. 'To be honset father I don't think stashing Chilapa away would have the same effect as it did before. Chilapa is far too different from her mother for Varia to care about anymore. She doesn't have the interest to be a warrior and would rather be an advisor, which I think is a noble position to hold." Orithia nodded and knew her father was right, even if she would never admit so in front of her pack sisters. "Yes, I know that. Slaves are just as important as the Sisters, even though they appear to be lesser than us we do still need them around - even if the others would never admit to it. Don't worry, they will be treated right under my rule."
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Posted: Thu May 12, 2011 8:17 am
Achilles considered his daughter with raised brow - to be honest on most of his trips the mottled wolfs spoke only with the wolves hiring him, or the creatures he was tasked with removing. Neither would be suitable addition to a pack such as thins - although perhaps some of the latter would consider a life of servitude fair trade when the alternative was death. Perhaps there was a new source of work...a new fate to offer those who had wronged others?
The thought of becoming a ..slave trader...however put a sour taste in his mouth. He doubted however that his daughter would understand - he wasn't even sure how much she knew about what he did and he did not feel the urge to explain it to her at the moment so he merely nodded and uttered a non-committal "Perhaps" before turning his attention to other things.
"Indeed that apple has..thankfully..fallen a good deal from the tree, though now I fear she will start looking to try again, the last thing we need is another wolf driven out" Achilles frowned slightly, ears flattening slightly in distaste - he would have to keep an eye on the ugly tempered femme..see if she was paying more attention then normal to another of the slaves.
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Posted: Thu May 12, 2011 8:30 am
Well he didn't exactly agree to her suggestion to keep an eye out for new slaves, but he also didn't outright say no either, so Orithia accepted his perhaps openly. If she ever had time to go out on her own she would try to do some slave recruitment however with spring here and pack activity rising there would be little chance to do that.
"I don't think we have to worry about that happening." She told him with a shake of her head. Those slaves that were left were either somehow related to her or far too submissive for Varia to even consider. "If she did wish for more pups Varia would look outside the pack." Orithia was doubtful that Varia would want to try again, what with the number of males in her last litter mixed with Chilapa's resistance to her mothers drive for perfection. Besides even when Chilapa was young Varia did not seem thrilled with the idea of being a mother so Orithia wasn't entirely sure she would want to attempt that again. Personally Orithia looked forward to the day when she could become a mother and raise the next generation of the pack. While nothing was set in stone she had an idea of who she would get to help her obtain such a dream. Giving her head a bit of a shake now was not the time to be thinking of such things.
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Posted: Thu May 12, 2011 8:37 am
"Maybe so" Achilles agreed and he rather hoped that his daughter was right, that Varia would accept her failure as a mother and merely turn her attention to to other things - preferably things which wouldn't cause to much distress to the slaves of the pack, Achilles didn't much care about how much distress she caused the other sisters - they could at least stand up for themselves or bring their grievances to Pen or Orithia.
And speaking of Orithia Achilles had taken note of his daughters wandering mind, during their conversation there had been serveral instances in which Orithia seemed to be lost in other thoughts..or perhaps recalling something, it was hard to tell in some cases even for an Observant creature like himself. "You seem distracted" He commented lightly.
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Posted: Thu May 12, 2011 8:44 am
Orithia's ears flicked and she fought to keep her paws still. Oh dear, her father had somehow picked up on something, though thankfully he didn't make any assumptions. Still she had to admit she was a bit distracted and really it was better for her to leave before she said something. "Oh, uh no. I'm not distracted. Well I am...it's almost time for training and I best not be late. You know how Varia is about that." Snapping her jaw shut before she started really rambling Orithia gave her father one of those awkward smiles. "Well I better get going."
Without another word she turned and padded off, leaving Achilles standing there trying to figure things out on his own.
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