Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Bear?

[Mouse]

Rhia had followed Speaks after he left, carefully clutching her stuffed bear close to her chest as she entered the Heart of the Caern.

In her three years of living on the caern, she had never once been afraid of Speaks of Mist, but now as she approached him, she found herself nervous of her alpha.

"Speaks...?" she said softly, walking up to him and tangling her hands in his fur.

[Mr Speaks]

He turns his head to her and says, this time in the Gurahl tongue, "Hmm?"

[Mouse]

Rhia lays her head against Speaks's side, concentrating on her tie to Gaia, the spirit within her fetish (spend a gnosis), and her love and respect for her friend.

Then she answers back, in the grumbling, growling voice of the bears. "Don't be too angry at them..."

[Mr Speaks]

"This is why I didn't want the low ranks in here. There is too much at risk to bring in children."

He shakes his head, "It's not my place, nor yours to judge. They are Darien's people, it is his Litany they broke. It's his decision on whether to be mad."

[Mouse]

Rhia gulped slightly. "They were...just doing what they thought was right though...just trying to be of help...they all look up to you so much Speaks...the barely know Darien, with how much he's running here and there..."

[Mr Speaks]

"That doesn't matter to a wolf. That's what they are, so they must learn."

[Mouse]

Rhia fell silent, leaning against Speaks's soft fur She then moves over slightly, and hugs Speaks's head, resting her head on his muzzle.

"I still worry for them..."

[Mr Speaks]

"Rhia," He shakes his head a bit.

"Your of third rank, and are above others. Your an adult now in our community."

[Mouse]

Rhia giggles softly as the movement of Speaks shaking his head nearly pulls her off her feet.

"Yea...I am Ales. That doesn't mean I have to be heartless though."

[Mr Speaks]

He pulls his head away, "That does mean that you can't cling to me. Not when I'm in charge of those who need to respect you. I'm sorry Rhia, but it you become an Elder you must act like it. Gaia choose you to grow quickly, it's your destiny."

[Mouse]

Rhia pulls her hands back to her chest, cocking her head to the side slightly. "You...used to like me cuddling you...you've changed a lot Speaks..." she says softly, looking sown at her feet. She leans down, picking up her stuffed bear, holding it close to her chest, stuffing its head under her chin.

"Maybe Gaia has destined for me to grow up faster...but I'm not going to give up being a kid when no one else is around. I make sure to act like an adult around the people it matters for..."

[Mr Speaks]

"Rhia, in a year, you'd be starting high school. Your grown now, add in your responcibilties to the sept. I have not changed, the rest has changed. It's no longer just us 3 anymore. You must mind yourself and those that you control. Respect is stretched thin already."

[Mouse]

"I do mind myself. The others seem to respect me despite my age. They were all quiet when I did my rite, and all accepted that I was higher in rank. They don't seem to mind that I am only 13..." Rhia points out, sitting down and crossing her legs underneath her.

[Mr Speaks]

Speaks nods, "Just wait till you have to makes orders and issue punishment like Darien."

[Mouse]

Rhia looks down at her lap. "That might be hard...but I think I could do it if necessary..."

[Mr Speaks]

"Darien can't do it everytime, I don't believe that he likes to anyways..."

[Mouse]

Rhia looks up at Speaks and grins. "Darien's just a big softy under all that muscle and metal."

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