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 Posted: Sat Jul 31, 2010 8:09 pm
If she wasn't afraid of prying eyes spotting them here she would just suggest staying right where they were for some time. But no, she didn't want any of the sisters to see the emotional nanny. "Take me back to my den..." She finally pulled her head away from his shoulder to look at him. "Can you stay with me there for a little while? I know you have duties to attend to...but..." Stopping there because she knew that without doing so the tears would start right back up again. Breath, she told herself, just breath. "...I don't want to be alone right now." Granted she would exactly be alone for a long time, the pups would be with her wherever she went, but they couldn't exactly comfort her like Iosef could.
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Posted: Sat Jul 31, 2010 8:17 pm
Iosef nodded, rising back to a standing position, touching his nose to her shoulder. "With Casimir back, the duties are more evenly distributed," he said, quite rationally -- although this rationality was probably not what she needed. "They won't be missing me for awhile, at least."
He waited for her to compose herself enough for them to make their way back to her den.
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Posted: Sat Jul 31, 2010 8:26 pm
It may not have been the most comforting thought, but just hearing that he wouldn't miss missed by anyone for a while was good enough at this point. Rising to her paws Seraphin slowly started walking towards her den. Having Iosef with her, even if he could only stay for a little while, would be very comforting right now.
When her den finally came into sight Seraphin immediately felt a small amount of stress lift from her shoulders. Glancing about for a moment to make sure none of the sisters were around she quickly slipped into the den, and made sure that Iosef followed her. Laying down she motioned for Iosef to join her and one he did she let out a slight sigh of relief. Hidden away in her den was as close as they could be to completely removing themselves from the pack for the moment. "I am grateful I have you around." And she meant it. "And I know that together we will raise these puppies right." And if they were lucky enough they could have a daughter, or perhaps several daughters, that would become strong warriors and bring Iosef great honor within the pack.
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Posted: Sat Jul 31, 2010 8:36 pm
He followed her inside the den, and was struck -- again -- by how much more spacious it was than his own. "Of course we will," he said, with strength behind his words -- earnestness.
He sighed, then, and felt it necessary to broach the topic that followed them now. Perhaps it wasn't the best time, considering her emotional state, but some things needed to be said. "I told you, I believe, that I once had a mistress. Alkaia. She was a great warrior." There was pain in his eyes, as much from missing her as from his shame at how the situation had ended.
"She loved me deeply. And she...she also knew. About..." he couldn't bring himself to say it aloud. To say it, would be to admit it. "...Anyway. It was too much for her. But...I've grown since then." Well...for the most part, he thought, and quickly passed over the complicated thoughts that suddenly clouded his brain. "I'll be whatever you need. What the pups need."
How many times did he have to say that before he convinced himself it was true?
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Posted: Sat Jul 31, 2010 8:49 pm
Ears pinned back for a moment. Why was he bringing up his old mistress now? Was he trying to upset her at this fragile moment in her life? If so, he was doing a damn fine job of it. Laying her head on her paws she tried to tone out what he was saying, she had asked for him to stay with her to comfort her, not cause her discomfort. "What I need," she started to say as she glanced at him sideways, head still pointed forward. "Is for you to be here when I need you." Letting out a sigh, she really didn't want to fight with him right now, but knew if she didn't say something he very well might continue to talk about his former mistress. "And for you to not talk of Alkaia anymore."
Perhaps when she was a bit more emotionally stable they could talk about it, but not now. Besides she was feeling tired. With her afternoon duties fast approaching it was best to take a nap so she would be more refreshed to handle the energetic pups. Leaning up against Iosef, she snugged into his soft, warm fur and closed her eyes. Sleep took her quickly, the gentle rise and fall of her chest an indication of such.
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Posted: Sat Jul 31, 2010 9:06 pm
He nodded, head lowered and ears down, immediately assuming a position of submission. "Yes. I'm sorry," he said reflexively, and then winced. This was such a mess. How had he gotten himself into this? And moreover, what was wrong with him that he was starting to treat his own mistress as though they were equals?
He was such a fool.
He sighed, allowing her to press against him, and -- because it seemed like the thing to do -- laid his chin atop her head. He thought of saying something further, and decided it would only make matters worse. And so instead, he remained silent, his thoughts rapidly rolling through his brain. When it was time for her duties, he would pull away...and spend some time alone to think, as he desperately needed it.
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