Welcome to Gaia! ::

Oberon snorted at him and cocked an ear back, unimpressed by Rob's reasoning. Just because he resembled a type of animal that humans hunted did not mean he was anything like them. Of course, if the man suggested that he wanted to be bit...nah. He probably tasted horrible, anyway.

"You'll have to be learning fast, then," Rajani told him. "Once she's born, she'll keep you busy." Spirits knew Rajani had her hands full when her Guardian first appeared. Of course, she at least had some idea of what to expect...well, as much as anyone could. Her mama had raised her on the old stories; she knew what Guardians were. As for babes, well, Rajani might not look like the maternal type, but she knew how to care for the young. These lade, on the other hand, probably wouldn't know what hit them.

"I suggest you learn what you can before then."

((This is totally the expression he is looking at Rob with. Just sayin.))

Oberon failed to see how being "prickly" as Rob put it could affect his health. He was a spirit creature. He hardly needed to fear illness or deterioration like mortal creatures. Only two things were liable to affect him: wolves or the death of his Chosen. If he had any say in it, then it would be the latter, and even then only after Rajani had lived a long and full life. Clearly, paying any further attention to Rob was pointless if he was going to continue spouting nonsense.

Words of wisdom? Rajani had hardly been expecting that. Most she had met were either frantic or bull-headed. Few actually bothered to listen to her. Oh, she had several choice words for newly-chosen. It was Ollie's misfortune that he happened to be on the receiving end of the gypsy's frustration at several other uncooperative Chosen.

"You can start by accepting the inevitable," she said. "Your lass is going to stay by your side whether you want her there or not. Once you've come to terms with that, you can get used to the idea that Guardians haven't come back just to make friends and you've been chosen for a reason. Congratulations. We're going to war with the wolves."

The gypsy paused. Well. They were taking that rather well. She was not sure whether to be pleased with them or annoyed that no one else seemed to be as willing to cope with the inevitable. She settled on a vaguely displeased frown. "True enough. I suggest you start making yourselves ready, and the little one as well when she appears, else you might not live to see the end of this nonsense."

Gods knew there would be dark times before Sunderland was safe again. Even then, Rajani had an uneasy feeling that nothing would be quite the same again. Not after a war with wolves and spirits and guardians and who knew what else. Even under normal circumstances, war did things to a country - or so she had been told. One could only imagine what manner of change the coming battles would force onto the world.

Oberon snorted at Rob, somewhat insulted. After all, he was a creature of magic. However, he felt his chosen's unease and gave her shoulder a gentle nudge. He had no fear of battle, nor any doubt that they would win the war, but he loved Rajani dearly. Though he did not share her fears, he cared about them.

The gypsy's lips curled in a wry and not particularly pleasant smile. It seemed Ollie was a bit more like herself than she had first given him credit for. He was pragmatic. Of this, she could approve, though the idea that they all may very well die in the battles to come was not a particularly pleasant one. "I can recommend a good master at arms," she told him. "But he's inland. I expect you can find someone at sea if you prefer."

She raised a brow at Rob's argument, but was beaten at the chance to comment on it.

"We returned only to defend you. The least you can do is help defend yourselves," said Oberon. Rajani was only mildly surprised. It was not often that he deigned to speak before strangers. Usually, he did not deem it worth the effort. Or rather, he did not consider them worthy. He seemed to be simply making a point here, rather than holding either man in esteem, but Rajani suspected that her guardian was pleased with the brothers' willingness to go to war.

Rajani nodded. It was wise to keep some options open. One never knew where the future might lead. "Macaire Draughn," she supplied. "He lives in Palisade." Gods knew he was a sadistic taskmaster, but she could not deny that he got the job done. In matters like that, she would take results over method any day.

Apparently deciding that he was done demeaning himself by talking to such men, Oberon simply sniffed as though to say I should hope not. He shared a glance with his chosen and Rajani looked back at the men.

"If there's anything else you'd like to know, I suggest you ask now," she said. With her current mission, the days to come were going to be exhausting, she was sure. It would be best if she got some sleep in relative safety while she could. "I doubt we'll cross paths again before your girl is grown."

Now there was a question. Rajani was certain that someone could write an entire book about the fine points of raising a Guardian and still only scratch the surface. Oberon had had a nose for trouble when he was a babe, but it had more to do with curiosity than intent. Cadence, she knew, had been a right handful, rarely even trying to listen to Macaire. It really depended on the Guardian in question. Of course, it had been easier for Rajani, since she had already had some experience in child-rearing with her little sister, but it still took some experimentation.

"It depends on your girl," she told him. "Her smarts will be somewhere between a clever dog and a human child when she's first born, but Guardians grow fast. If you're lucky, she might mind you right away. If not, you'll have your hands full with her. You'll have to teach her what's ok and what's bad. You'll be her compass. Just treat her gently and she'll grow up well."

The gypsy shrugged. "As to what works, it's all trial and error. I suggest keeping her occupied with toys and tasks." She mounted Oberon in a quick, practiced movement.