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 Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2010 2:54 pm
 Moving soundlessly through the forest Terreis kept her eyes and ears alert. It had been a while since she had come to visit her old pack and always felt so much more at home here, even if she had passed up this life for her new one. She had heard from a passing sister that Varia had recently returned and while she was thrilled to know that her sister was back, it also frightened her. Varia disliked Iosef and was never one to hide those feelings. Hopefully though Iosef would be able to keep a good distance away from their sister so that nothing unpleasant would happen to him. For a fight between herself and Varia would likely break out if she heard that Varia was mistreating their brother.
Of course Terreis was blissfully unaware of what Iosef had been up to lately, as the sisters didn't talk about slaves very much. So she padded onward, looking for her brother so they could catch up. Now that she was back in the packs territory she was wondering if she should have brought Guinevere along as well, but for now the white pup was back at the den with her brothers and father, hopefully they were all getting along. If not, well she could just move her adopted daughter into the sisterhood early. Guinevere was after all old enough now that start training.
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Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2010 8:29 pm
 Iosef was in a better mood than he had been in for some time. He felt, finally, that his head was clearing, and that he could see the path laid out at his paws. After all, this is what he had always wanted -- and he would be damned if he allowed himself to fuss and worry and make himself miserable just to ruin his own dreams.
He was done with that. Old ghosts had been buried. He was a new wolf.
With that in mind, he had been making an effort to spend more time with Seraphin. Being around her served as a constant reminder about what he was working for, especially now that the first signs of weight were beginning to show and the whole thing was becoming more real to him.
Yes. He was going to make this work. He was determined, and Iosef was a wolf who did the things he set his mind to.
So, with that mindset the small-statured male carried on with his duties today, not overjoyed, but not cowed with unhappy thoughts either.
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Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2010 9:02 pm
Glancing skyward Terreis tried to judge where Iosef would be based upon the time of day. If he stuck to his normal schedule, which she was certain he would, he should be headed towards the west. She didn't always know exactly what duty he was attending to, but generally she knew the area he would be working in. As long as there were no major changes to his work routine since the last time she visited he should be there.
Padding quickly through the trees Terreis was eager to meet up with Iosef. Afterwards she would seek out Varia to reunite with her sister as well, but Iosef came first, he always did. Tail wagged happily as she got closer to where she believed he would be. She loved surprising him with sudden visits and she was certain he enjoyed them as much as she did.
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Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2010 9:10 pm
He was -- predictably enough -- in her path, though he was rapidly making headway toward Seraphin's den.
Catching a familiar scent he paused, and froze immediately upon seeing a glimpse of dappled fur from the corner of his eye. He stiffened into a defensive-yet-submissive posture, then realized who it was that had come close, and breathed a sigh of relief, relaxing immediately.
"Terreis," he called, softly. He added, mostly to himself "Oh thank the gods I thought you were Varia."
Looking up with his usual shy half-smile, he said a bit louder. "She's back, incidentally. Our sister still lives among us. Although I'm sure you've heard from the wide patrols."
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Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2010 9:19 pm
When Iosef came into sight she saw him crouched down in a submissive pose, but then seemed to cheer up almost immediately. Letting out a laugh at his words, she shook her head and came to a stop not far from her brother. "I don't look that much like her do I?" She asked in mock horror, though knew that at a quick glance many could mistake her for Varia. They did after all shape very similar markings as well as size and build. "I heard." She said with a slow nod. Terreis had never doubted that somehow, someday Varia would make her way back to the sisters.
"Has she been treating you okay?" Varia did have a knack for cornering slaves to pester and beat them for no other reason than she could and knew they wouldn't fight back. "How have you been?" He looked about the same as always, small frame, silky fur, though perhaps a bit more jumpy than normal - but she chalked that up to Varia being back.
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Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 12:08 am
He smiled easily, daring to nudge her shoulder, his tail giving a small wag. "She's been very...Varia-like," he said, at length, and cast a glance around. "In truth she has spared no particular cruelties my way. Though I heard tell she killed a rogue male that was found in the company of one of the new warriors." His brow furrowed. Since that particular news had reached his ears, he could not help but think of Tui, and how lucky it was that Iosef had found him rather than one of the sisters. "But I suppose that was Taiyou's fault as much as anything."
He straightened, pulling away from his sister to recline upon his haunches. He gave her a long, thoughtful look, violet eyes narrowed thoughtfully. He had plenty to tell her, to be sure. "And to what pleasure do I owe your visit, Sister? Everything is well at home I hope?"
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Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 9:49 am
The news of Varia killing a male found in the company of one of the newer sisters wasn't all that shocking. It wasn't right, but it certainly wasn't shocking coming from her sister. There was nothing she could really say about the situation without knowing all the details and really Iosef knew what kind of a wolf Varia was, so anything she added would just be like beating a dead horse. "I am glad she has been leaving you be."
"Oh, I just thought I would surprise you with a visit. I'm allowed to do that right?" She teased him a bit. "Things are well at home. The boys are growing up fast as is Guinevere. I hope to get her started with some warrior training soon." Guinevere may not be her blood daughter however it would still bring her great honor to have her adopted daughter train in the ways of Antianeira - especially if she excelled.
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Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 3:00 pm
"I'm surprised you haven't begun bringing her with you," he said, peering around as though to make sure there was in fact no Guinevere in tow. "She would have many to play with, now that the Queen's litter is growing. I was heading that way, if you would like to see them."
He paused then, and because he could think of no particular way to broach the topic, offered, "We have a pack nanny, now, to tend to the pups. As we are beginning to grow."
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Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 3:08 pm
"I almost brought her today, but she really needs to bond more with the boys. Some days though, I don't know, it's like they are all mad at me and her no matter what we do." Giving her head a shake she didn't want Iosef to worry about it, she was here to visit not share her personal problems. "Never mind that though, its just sibling rivalry at its best. But I promise to bring her next time, she was asking about you the other day."
The news of a pack nanny wasn't overly interesting, but Terreis supposed that it was needed with such a large litter from the Queen. "Nanny huh? Sure, I'd like to meet her, give me a chance to see the pups as well. Shall we go now or do you have duties to attend to first?" She paused for a moment before adding her final question. "How is the Princess doing?"
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Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 3:17 pm
He smiled, glad that he had left a good impression on at least some of the pups; he'd had the suspicion that many were not overly pleased with his arrival. "No..it's all right. As I say, I was heading that way."
He paused, wondering if he should say something just then, but was interrupted by her question, and was grateful for it. "Orithia? She is doing well enough," he said, tentatively. "Seraphin tends to her well and I think she may well grow strong yet."
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Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 3:36 pm
"Well come on slow poke, let's go then." She poked Iosef with a paw in the shoulder teasingly before letting him take the lead towards the direction of the nanny's den. "I am glad the Princess is doing better. She will no doubt grow strong with time, she has good strong blood within her." Terreis knew that while sometimes runts didn't make a full recovery that Orithia would thanks to the watchful eyes of the sister. They would make sure the Princess was well taken care of for sure.
"So this nanny, is she a new member or one of the returned sisters?" She questioned Iosef as they walked. Terreis couldn't think of many of the older sisters that would be good nanny's but then again, the idea of Penthesilea trusting a new wolf with a sick heir was also not something she would expect.
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Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 4:28 pm
He nodded, resuming walking toward the den. "She's new to the pack," he said, and felt that he needed to say something on the topic quickly, but also not sure how to go about it. It needn't be so complicated. If anyone could convince him that he was able to live a normal, healthy life it was his sister. She didn't even know about his....abnormalities.
...At least, he didn't think she did.
"Her name is Seraphin, and she is...uncommonly gentle," he said, with obvious fondness in his voice. He glanced over his shoulder at Terreis, daring to meet her eyes. "And she has taken me as her consort."
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Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 5:06 pm
So the nanny was one of the new members, interesting, but Terreis kept that thought to herself. Nodding slightly Terreis glanced over at her brother. "Well nanny's are gen--" Her sentence was suddenly cut off by his new. Taken him on as her consort? When did this happen? Why didn't he say anything sooner? She had known that previously Alkaia had been Iosef's mistress but she had been lost after the war, so hearing that he had a new mistress was a bit shocking. Pausing in mid-step Terreis stared at Iosef for a good long time before finally walking again. "I am glad you have found someone, though I must say this is a little shocking. Now I must see if this Seraphin is worthy of being my brothers mistress."
She was partially teasing him, but there was an undertone that said she was quite serious about that. Iosef was extremely special to her and she wasn't about to let him fall under the paw of a ruthless mistress even if he did say she was gentle. Terreis would be the judge of that. Laying outside of her den Seraphin was busy sunning herself in the mid-afternoon sun. Luckily right now she only had to watch over Orithia, as the other pups were attending to training and duties. Currently the Princess was asleep in the den behind him giving Seraphin the opportunity to rest. Boy chasing around energetic pups while now pregnant certainly was sapping a good deal of her energy. But she promised the Queen she would continue to keep up with her duties for as long as she could, and it would be a long while before the pups were born, so she took every little opportunity to rest when possible. Closing her eyes she certainly wasn't aware that Iosef and his sister were on their way to visit with her.
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Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 10:10 pm
He smiled bashfully. "In truth, it took me a bit by surprise as well," he said a bit wryly, and fell silent a moment, stepping forward. He paused again, and, unable to hold back any longer, stopped again and looked back at his sister with a slow, devious look. "You will be an aunt soon."
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Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2010 10:14 pm
It took him by surprise as well? Terreis found that slightly amusing, like he didn't know it was going to happen. She could just imagine it, the nanny walking up to him out of the blue and claiming him as her mate. It almost made her laugh. Then she watched him stop and give her that look. What was going on? His words really didn't register right away, and when they did finally sink in she let out a laugh. "Very funny Iosef. Me an aunt." It didn't dawn on her that Iosef was actually telling the truth. This had to be some big joke that they were playing on her. "Yeah...and I'm gonna be Alpha of my new pack." She joked back at him but kept walking. "Come on, are we gonna meet this mistress of yours or not?"
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