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 Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2010 3:58 pm
 The storm last night had been a severe one. At times the thunder had been almost deafening, and the flashes of lightning lit up even the darkest parts of the den. With morning now creeping up on the horizon Seraphin rose early to check on the extent of the storms fury. Normally Seraphin liked the rain, in fact she downright loved the rain, but when storms became too violent even for her she was forced to take refuge in her den. Which is exactly what had happened last night. Now as she pulled herself out of her den, paws sinking slightly into the rain soaked earth Seraphin got her first look at the destruction the storm had caused.
All around branches from the trees, both large and small lay scattered through the area. Many of them had sharply splintered ends that needed to be taken care of quickly before the pups would be able to play. As the packs nanny she was in charge of the pups while the females were busy with training, and her most important job was to keep them safe. And all these branches and storm related debris was certainly a safety hazard to them all. The sun had yet to start its ascent over the horizon, so it was still quite dark. In fact other than her the only others that had come out of the dens so far was the early morning patrols.
She had stopped one of the sisters to ask them to fetch Iosef for her so he could get to work. Now the mint colored wolfess had nothing to do but to pace nervously around the branches and mud puddles as she waited for the slave to arrive. She had yet to meet this slave but heard he was very devoted to his job and loyal to the sisters so she had no fear that he wouldn't see to this right away.
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Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2010 4:22 pm
 If Iosef was more morose than usual, or quieter, it was because he had not slept well the night before.
He had been up quite late, his thoughts speeding through his mind too quickly to allow him any rest; memories, too, of the sort he had not been forced to witness since the event itself had transpired...not since that life he had left behind him. When sleep had finally come, it was fitful and filled with unease and nightmares, and he was actually quite grateful to be awoken in the early hours.
There was work to be done. And where there was work to do, Iosef could lose himself in the effort...and forget everything else that haunted him.
Stifling a yawn, the silky-furred wolf made his way to the place he had been ordered to, taking a mental note of the damage as he came in, prioritizing the work that needed to be done. There was a lot to do.
He considered fetching Tui, but decided immediately against it. He couldn't rationalize why, precisely...but he knew that the gnawing, worrying feeling in his gut would only grow worse in the presence of the newest slave.
Besides. Let him sleep in. He could use the rest.
"Good morning," he greeted Seraphin, coming to a halt a respectful distance, dipping his head in a bow. He did not recognize her, and waited for her to give any precise orders before he began his duties.
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Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2010 4:30 pm
At first she thought it was one of the sisters approaching, for the wolf was quite small built much like herself and the fur had a silky sheen to it. But it wasn't until the patchy wolf bowed his head and spoke that Seraphin realized that this was a male. So far the only slave she had met in her short time here was the blue wolf named Glacier, the Queens adopted son. It was nice to meet a new face even if it was one of such a low rank.
She flashed him a genuine friendly smile. "Good morning." She replied back before letting her eyes cast out upon all of the branches around her. "I hate to be such a bother, but as you can see this area is not safe for the pups to be playing with. I was hoping you could clean it up for me." Seraphin was yet to master exactly how to order a slave around and this one seemed so nice that she thought gently asking was the best way to go. "I..don't think we have met before. I'm Seraphin, the packs new nanny. What's your name?"
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Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2010 4:53 pm
The pack had a nanny now? That was a surprise to him, although now he thought about it, it really shouldn't be. Penthesilea had birthed a rather large litter, after all, and with the extra care that little Orithia needed at all times....well, it made sense.
"They call me Iosef," he said, his eyes still trained respectfully upon her blue-spackled paws. There was a faint hint of a sag about his eyes, a shadow beneath the lids, a whisper of exhaustion -- but he smiled, and the expression was genuine. "It is a pleasure to be meeting you, ma'am." He glanced at the sky, the faint silver glow behind the clouds that hinted at a sunrise not so far off, and then back at her, uncertain if he was released to his duties. "It's good that you called me out early. It should be safe for the pups by morning..."
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Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2010 7:07 pm
Noting the droopiness of his eyes Seraphin felt horribly bad for making him work so early in the morning when it was clear he had not had a good night sleep. Perhaps she should help him, it would at least get the job done faster so that they pups could come out a play within fear of injury. "It is good to meet you as well Iosef." Then after a moment or two she realized that he seemed to be awaiting further instruction. Oh dear, it would take some time to get used to giving out proper orders. "Best get to it then." She said a bit offhandedly as she looked at the mess of branches on the ground.
She waited a few minutes to allow him to get to work before speaking again. "Have you been in the pack long?" She asked in her gentle voice, hoping to learn a little bit more about this slave and perhaps about the pack. Although Penthesilea had done a very good job of explaining everything when they had met. Not wanting to have him do all the work himself Seraphin set about picking up a few of the smaller sticks, that was she was helping out but not quite doing his job should one of the sisters come by.
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Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2010 7:18 pm
He thought it prudent to begin with the largest of the limbs, so that he would not tire quickly, and examined a fallen branch that was nearly the length of his body for a moment, debating the best way to dispose of it -- and where, in point of fact, for if he was going to drag each limb individually outside the borders, he'd be at this for days.
"All my life," he replied, a bit distractedly, searching around for a solution to his problem. Tentatively, he tested out the larger branch, and then, nodding to himself as though he had just worked something out in his mind, he began to pile some of the medium or smaller-sized debris upon the limb, weaving between the fork of the branches to make almost a sort of basket. It would be heavy, and awkward, but at least he could carry a few more branches at a time in his very rough makeshift sled.
This done, he realized Seraphin still seemed to be watching him, and elaborated. "Well, most of my life. Lived with my family, for awhile, when the pack fell apart...and then on my own, before Penthesilea found me. But otherwise, I have always lived here."
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Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2010 7:27 pm
That would explain why he had been mentioned as a good slave of the pack, because he had been in this role all his life. Picking up a few more of the smaller sticks Seraphin began to make a pile of them, eventually they would need to be completely removed, but at least this way they weren't completely strewn about still. Looking up she watched him pile several of the medium sized branches atop of a much larger one. That was quite a smart thing to do, it would allow him to drag many branches away at a time.
At the mention of the pack falling apart Seraphin paused. The Queen had mentioned the war to her but hadn't exactly covered many of the details with her. "She seems to be a very good Queen from what I can see." Seraphin may not have been in the pack for long but she recognized a good leader when she saw one, and Penthesilea appeared to be that kind of a wolf. Picking up a few more branches she added them to the pile before looking at Iosef again. "This is the first pack I have been a part of." She admitted with a sheepish smile.
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Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2010 7:37 pm
"Penthesilea is a wonderful queen," he said, and it was apparent from the enthusiasm in his voice that he spoke not just with loyalty, but with genuine admiration. "She is kind, and just, and brought the pack together, reunited us..." he fell silent, as though he had been about to say something but changed his mind.
His silence stretched awhile longer as he tested the branch-sled. The ground was soft and muddy, and he should be able to pull it comfortably, although he would not be able to handle it if it grew much larger. "I cannot imagine living alone ever again. It was...not a lifestyle that I am suited for," he said, carefully, afraid of offending her choices. He glanced at her own collection of sticks, and his soft, shy smile widened a little. "You do not need to toil, ma'am, if you do not wish it. But if you'd like, you can place those here, so I can haul them away from the pack?"
He eyeballed the other limbs. The area was looking better, to be sure, but there would be a few more trips to make before the location was secured.
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Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2010 7:46 pm
Letting out a soft laugh she had to admit the life of a loner was not for her either. "My parents were wanderers so I grew up following those ways." She said in her soft voice. "But I knew that life was not for me, I just never found a pack that I felt suited me until now." This pack while so different from many others did feel like home already. There were plenty of wolves to help with hunting, she was well protected and she had many puppies to watch over. And Seraphin loved pups so very much. Se hoped to one day have some of her own, but for now she was most certainly content to watch the young ones of this pack.
"Oh I don't mind." She told him with a smile. "It will help clean this place up faster for the pups." But doing as he suggested she picked up her small pile of stick, and once she had a firm grip on them carried them over to the pile he was making atop the large branch. "Will you be okay pulling that by yourself?" Seraphin didn't want Iosef hurting himself by struggling with a heavy load. "Or will my helping get you in trouble." The last thing she wanted was for him to get in trouble, or herself for that matter.
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Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2010 8:11 pm
He shrugged, brow furrowed. "I shouldn't think it would," he said, and glanced around, just to make sure. He didn't think anyone would bother her about it, unless it was Thealia or her brood just trying to taunt him...but in any case, it appeared they were rather alone, the warrior that had awoken him long gone on her morning patrol. "So if you would like to come, I would not mind the company."
He took one of the longer branches of the limb in his teeth, dragging it -- a little awkwardly and lopsidedly, but competently -- away, heading for the shortest root beyond pack borders. He wondered, vaguely, if there were any beavers about; they'd probably appreciate the gift. He smiled a bit, at the mental joke, and proceeded rather cheerfully into the woods.
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Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2010 8:51 pm
When he glanced around Seraphin did the same. She occasionally still felt a bit jumpy within her new surroundings only because she wasn't quite used to all the rules of the pack and what she should and shouldn't do - especially when it involved slaves. As Iosef began to drag the Seraphin followed along, not quite sure if she should actually help or not, but so far he seemed to be managing well enough on his own, so she was content to just walk along with him.
Seraphin wasn't much for talking, but only because she had lived a life of solitude for quite some time. But she thought that perhaps some light conversation would help pass the time, even if Iosef had a mouthful of branch at the time. "It is really nice here." She commented as she walked carefully not wanting to slip in the mud. "And I do adore the pups so very much. They are so different from each other and yet you can see the similarities to them as well." Then she paused and wondered if she should ask the question on her mind. "If you don't mind me asking, do you have family in the pack?"
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Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2010 9:01 pm
He smiled, thankful for the company; the early morning had brought with it a mist that rose up from the wet earth, and it swirled around his paws in a rather unnerving manner. Iosef was, in his heart, a somewhat superstitious wolf, and after his long night of memories the night before...well, he was glad that he would not be alone if he ran into any ghosts from his past.
He nearly jumped, then, at her question, for it touched so closely upon his own thoughts. "N-not at present," he said, setting down the branch and looking around himself, debating if he was far enough away and where to deposit the vessel. "I have a sister, Terreis, who visits often, but she is a member of our neighbors, the YMCA, with her mate and sons." He hesitated, debating if he should clarify about the whereabouts of his other family, and decided against it.
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Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2010 9:19 pm
Seraphin smiled in a soothing way somehow knowing that her question had affected him somewhat deeply. "It is good that she comes to visit you. And you get to see your nephews as well?" Glancing about she realized that they had walked quite a good distance from the den area. And while Iosef may have liked to have taken the branches further there were still many more to deal with before the pups were able to play there. "I think this is far enough for now." She commented as her gaze returned to him. They can always be moved further away once the rest are cleared up. Turning to face the direction they had came from Seraphin began to walk towards the area that needed to work done, but made sure to look back to ensure Iosef was following.
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Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2010 9:25 pm
He nodded, agreeing; maybe he'd bring Glacier or Tui through to push them back further, or even find a purpose for them later...but for now, he'd retrieve the others. "I've met them," he said, referring to his nephews, and there was a fondness in his voice that was inarguable. "And her adopted daughter, who is...my niece now, I guess." His brow furrowed, and he shrugged. "I hope, perhaps, when they get older that some might want to come live here...but, well..." he shrugged, keeping up with her easily, his strides long. "It doesn't seem very likely. Well...Guinevere may come, as a warrior." But it wouldn't be the same, he added, silently.
And then, feeling as though perhaps he had said too much, he fell silent as he broke through the trees and fell immediately to work gathering more branches to stack upon the next largest limb.
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Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2010 8:05 pm
Listening to his tone as he spoke or his nephews and adopted niece it was clear to Seraphin that Iosef truly cared deeply about those pups. It was a good quality in any wolf, but even more so in a male. "I take it you like pups very much." She commented, with a smile on her maw as he set to work again. "When I had spoke with the Queen about joining I knew that being the pack's nanny was the only role for me. I'm no warrior and Penthesilea seemed okay with that, even if she said I did need to do some training with the sisters. I just adore her pups so much, and Thealia's as well." Though she would never openly admit that she disliked that green menace Azalea, but it was clear her mother had much to do with the pups behavior.
When he voiced his concerns about whether or not any of his nephews would come to the pack or not that peeked her curiosity. Picking up another mouthful of small branches Seraphin added them to the new pile he was making and then felt the need to ask the question that was wishing to be said. "You're sister doesn't want them to be a part of the pack?" She asked somewhat hesitantly, not wanting to offend him in any way. Then as an afterthought she added. "If you don't want to answer my questions I understand. Some things are private." And then she picked up a couple of sticks that were close by in case he did answer.
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