tab As a cub, Aithne had been enamoured with the Warriors of her pride. That fascination had not dwindled as the young female grew. She watched with anticipation whenever they sparred. She clung to every word told to her by any member of her pride as if it were law. If only because, to her, it was. Her pride, her family meant everything to her and the Warriors... the Warriors were the ones that protected everyone.
tab It had taken Aithne such a long time to convince herself she was good enough to even attempt becoming a Warrior. With her thin frame and rather lanky limbs, she doubted she'd even make it into training. Yet here she was, ready and willing to begin the next chapter of her life. One that would allow her her dream. One that would allow her to be useful.
tab Really that was all she wanted, to be of use. To have a purpose. As a cub, one never really thinks about it. But now? Now Aithne knew she was going to do this. She knew what she wanted to accomplish and she knew what stood in her way. She had to train harder, listen more than anyone else. Her smaller stature would make the physical part of her training that much more difficult, but she was determined. Determined to show everyone that she could and she would do this.
tab She wasn't entirely worried about the mental training she'd need to go through. Despite it all, she’d always been a very calm lioness and meditation was a constant in her life.
tab At this moment, she sat atop a felled tree trunk, quiet and still. She listened to the sounds of the breeze through the leaves, the voices of small animals and birds chattering away in the distance. It brought a sense of peace to her heart, one that allowed her to look within herself for the strength she would need to continue with her training. Her loyalty to her pride, her honour, her capacity for compassion would all be tested soon. She didn't fret over it. In fact, the more she thought about it, the more she welcomed such a challenge.
tab After all, it would certainly allow for personal growth and a test of that magnitude would most definitely bring to light any and all shortcomings she had to work on. Her claws dug into the bark beneath her paws at such a thought. It wasn't that she thought herself incapable of having shortcomings, instead what bothered her was the thought of being unable to remedy them. She wanted to mold herself into the greatest Warrior her pride had ever seen. She wanted to climb the ranks and ensure that their home never suffered another attack like the one she heard tales of.
tab Her ears pinned back against her skull, the tip of her tail tapping the dying wood in a slow rhythm of irritation. She felt her muscles coil and her heart speed at the thought. Taking a deep breath, the young crimson female did her best to expel such heavy thoughts from her mind. Now was not the time for that. She'd come out here to reflect on herself, to decide what she truly wanted to do with her life. Though, if she were being completely honest, the choice had already been made.
tab Size and weight aside, Aithne had already set her heart on becoming a Warrior. She was sure she could accomplish that, at least. Becoming the greatest one the pride had ever seen would have to come later. She needed to remember that life was putting one paw in front of the other, not leaping lily pads across a pond. It would all come in due time. She'd work as hard as she could and if all else failed, she could at least say that she'd given it her all.
tab There was still the problem of bringing up such information to her mother and siblings. A small frown pulled at her lips upon the thought. Surely they wouldn't try to discourage her, but she did have a feeling her mother would worry as all parents do. It was simply a part of nature, of life that couldn't be avoided. Still, she was sure her family wouldn't dissuade her.
tab Aithne stood with a slow, draw out stretch. She'd been in the same spot for hours, simply listening and watching, and her bones felt all but fuzed together. Small pops and cracks emitted from various places and she rolled her shoulders to alleviate some tension in taut tendons. The walk back home would be good for her. Not only would it stretch her now aching muscles, but it also gave her more time to think.
tab “Hey, mom, I wanna join the Warriors,” she murmurs to herself as she began the journey back. The words sounded hollow, devoid of all of her normal cheeriness. Perhaps practicing with another lion would be better. But… Could she just come out and say it like that? Surely her mother would be proud, but the tonality of her words and… the wording itself could use more work.
tab “Mom!” She tried again, allowing an easy smile to stretch her lips, “I have some really great news! I want to train to be a Warrior!”
tab That was better, but… She still didn't think she'd get the results she wanted. Maybe she could try a different approach.
tab “Hey, mom, I wanted to ask your permission for something. I want to be a Warrior but I won't do it without your support.”
tab That felt better. Her mother would likely be shocked, but she got a much better feeling from asking instead of telling. Now all she needed to do was work on using the correct words and… Well, she needed to find her mom, too. It shouldn't be too hard, though. Her mother was always around and easy to find. It just all depended on Aithne and when she wanted to broach such a sensitive subject.
tab Perhaps tomorrow… The day was almost done and she felt she needed a restful night’s sleep before she approached her. Yes… Tomorrow.
