Advice ((Tagged))

[Fierfly]

Epsilon:

There was a definite chill in the air as heavy, overcast clouds covered what had previously been a clear sky. Hang it all, even the weather was displeased - probably with him. Dang it, flip it, shoot it! Why??? Why did he have to be so stupid? Just when he thought the alphess was starting to trust him, he did something stupid and any trust was gone. "Nice going," he shamed himself and then glanced back briefly over his shoulder and frustration was put aside for determination. Zamir eagerly pushed on though his steps were slow and clumsy behind his new guardian. He was bleeding again since he'd stirred himself into motion and the gashes had re-re-opened. How many times they'd dried and been torn fresh and moist in the past few minutes were ridiculous. Another reason he'd wanted to wait: he needed to rest before being moved too far too hard; well waiting hadn't gotten him anywhere. That much was sure.

The bright, quiet morning had been turned almost upside-down when he'd discovered Zamir half-dead in the underbrush and scrub of the Clearing. One look at those helpless green eyes and he'd jumped to help him, taking him to a somewhat better shelter (and had been a hypocrite about moving him, another mistake there) and finding a meal to fill his empty belly and try to hide the protruding ribs. Zamir had quickly scarfed down a good amount of the rabbit but there was plenty for another meal later in the day so it now hung from heavy gray jaws for Zamir to work on after his wounds had been seen to. They'd started talking and Zamir had asked for a chance to meet the alpha and request permission to join the pack. Epsilon had encouraged him to wait - and that's where the gray giant had made his mistake. Alphess Blaise had been patrolling the Clearing and had found them only moments later, Epsilon - the one she'd confided trust in to help guard Secluded Sunrise - was harboring a stranger, feeding him and talking to him almost without a care in the world. She had not taken kindly to that and while she did eventually welcome Zamir into Secluded Sunrise, she warned Epsilon not to take too much time getting him situated because she wanted him back in the Clearing later. Probably to punish him. Not that he didn't deserve it, but he still resented that he'd torn down the budding trust she'd been starting to show in him. Now the icy formality and scrutiny were back and she wasn't going to relax around him anytime soon.

He finally spotted the boulder overhanging the hearth of his den and beckoned for Zamir to take rest under it; that way if it started raining he'd be kept dry but if Amora was around she'd be able to reach him without crawling down his misery of an entrance tunnel. He dropped the rabbit beside Zamir in case he wanted to resume his meal and turned about sniffing the air for his botanist friend. "Stay here," he mumbled almost absently to Zamir and started off for deeper in the grove where more of the dens were clustered together in a sort of neighborhood - where Amora's scent seemed more prevalent. "Botanist Amora?" Ice spread out under his paws and he slid along on that, deciding that sliding would get him through his search faster. "Hey Amora! I could use some help."

((@shiver, @wiltingwallflower))

[Deleted]

Despite the fear the near-yearling felt for his large new friend due to the promise of a punishment, Zamir could not hide his excitement. It was in his steps as he stumbled after Epsilon weakly, the swaying of the earth beneath his paws and the stabbing pain from every wound still not enough to keep him from wagging his tail. The longer they walked, the further Zamir fell behind, forcing Epsilon to either slow down or accidentally lose track of him. At one point, he stopped, panting hard and yawning with exhaustion. Luckily he needed no prompting to get moving again, still too excited to meet new wolves and be a part of a proper pack. He thought of the wolves that would make up the Secluded Sunrise pack, if they were kind and welcoming, or if they were quiet and cautious of newcomers. He wasn't quite sure what he was hoping for. If it was the former, then he would be instantly in place at the pack, though he wasn't sure if wolves kind enough to openly welcome an outsider with a questionable background, would be able to properly protect themselves. However, if it was the latter then he would have to earn his place in the pack, a think he was already too accustomed to. He guessed that he preferred the latter though, because cautious wolves would be good protectors once he became one of the Secluded Sunrise.

Epsilon's voice jerked the pup from his thoughts, which had distracted him enough from his aching body that once he was back to his senses, he hurt a hundred times worse. His brow furrowed a moment, his mind not clear enough to interpret the older male's words until about half a minute had passed. "Okay," he replied softly, voice unintentionally low, tired, and pained. He lowered his ears a bit and had to clench his jaw tightly to get moving again, finally stepping paw into the den. The ground just about rushed up to greet him, he fell so quickly to the ground after his legs gave out on him. It took several seconds for him to lift his head and place it carefully on his forepaws, and a whole other minute to finally understand that the odd smell in the air was the mixture of many other wolves. A rush of fear burst in his chest, and somehow he managed to scoot over near the wall of the den, backing into it further slightly and only relaxing once Epsilon's own scent masked the other unfamiliar ones. His exhaustion was severe, but his sudden adrenaline kept him alert for the time being.

[Deleted]

The day was dull indeed. The autumn leaves that had once been a vibrant collage of reds, rusts, and golds had fallen, browned, and left their shattered corpses at the base of their trees, the forgotten memories of spring; dying breaths of ghosts in the stale wind. Fortunately, Amora was around, spreading life and color where her now four paws tread. She had been exercising her power regularly, as it was required in order to properly use her prosthetic leg. Amora had had quite the dramatic life, having to grow up extremely fast. She had expierenced many hardhsips, and instead of making her cruel, or soft, she had become that frightening middle ground:

SASSY.

 

Amora was currently wandering the territory, not quite sure what to do with herself. Which was rare, considering her strong personality. But Blaise was a bit busy, and she didn't really feel like confronting her mother at the moment. Sometimes Blaise could be extremely confusing to Amora. One moment she was a weeping puddle of fur, sobbing for her perfect Ruko. The next she was leading her troupe off to go hunting and commanding the pack properly. She supposed she should be proud of her mothers' turn around, but Amora just couldn't keep her judgmental thoughts at bay. he could always find something wrong with how her mother ran things. However she couldn't linger too long on her thoughts as she heard her name being called. And sure enough the owner of the voice came into view. "Ah, Epsilon." She trotted forward,taking extra care to make her peglegged stride look effortless. "You need me?"

[Fierfly]

Epsilon:

The day was miserable and cloudy, but not cool so as the familiar voice reached his ears he only passingly gave a thought for his trail to melt before stepping off and zeroing in on Amora the old-fashioned way. She sounded nearby...

Just his luck, a quick turn around and if he hadn't been so much taller than literally everybody then they would have been nose to nose. Knowing his luck he was indeed very fortunate to have avoided that possibility for an awkward encounter. What...was she wearing? A series of vines and strips of tree fibers connected in a curious network strapped across her chest and shoulders and balanced a stilt of Aspen on her limbless shoulder. ... Hadn't he helped her fall an Aspen sapling? The pieces finally clicked. She'd cut it down for the purpose of making a new leg: there it was. Pretty well done too, her movement was confident and easy - well - maybe not easy. There was some slight unsteadiness in her steps and maybe some strain, but she was strong, determined, one thing you had to give her credit on was her determination. She was a strong, young wolf,she'd do fine.

"Nice leg," he nodded to her handy bit of engineering and shuffled his paws a little. He wasn't one to ask favors, this was not something he was used to or comfortable doing, but not asking wasn't an option. Zamir needed the medical attention. "I need..." he hemmed and hawed for a second longer, shuffling once or twice more. He had no business asking for favors. None. Especially not the alphess's daughter and especially not after his mess-up. But Amora was nothing if not her own wolf and and he liked to think that she was something of a friend, so he finally went through with his request. "I need a favor, if you're not too busy at the moment." he turned back to his disintegrated ice path and paused, "How are you at playing doctor?" then powerful shoulders propelled him back up the hill to Zamir. Doctor or no he needed help.

Hoping that Amora's curiosity would encourage her to follow and could explain on the way, he headed to Zamir and hopefully a start to healing for his young charge.

[Deleted]

Zamir found it hard for himself to calm down. He waited for a short while, cowering in the familiar scent around him and keeping away from the unknown ones near the mouth of the den—that is, until he heard paw steps. Epsilon? his thoughts questioned. The second he saw familiar gray ears, he raced out of the den, stumbling and falling over himself once before ducking under the tall male wolf. His small, malnourished and injured body trembled beneath the stomach of his new friend, in exhaustion, overexertion and, yes, fear. Though he ran fast in desperation, he did not miss the female wolf near Epsilon's flank, nor did he fail to see the odd contraption she had in place of a leg.

"Ep-Ep, Ep-Epsilon... Wh-why did you l-leave? The, the o-other scents.. I d-do not kn-know anyone, and—," he stuttered, cutting himself off when he remembered the female's presence. His ears pressed flat to his skull and he moved toward Epsilon's forelegs, away from the she-wolf. It was painfully obvious that he was not only suffering, but was deathly terrified of the unknown wolf. His silence and trembling were enough to convey that.

[Deleted]

Amora swished her tail in greeting as Epsilon swung around the corner. She stood up straight and tall as he inspected her leg. When he complimented her efforts, she felt a small, satisfied smirk slide onto her lips. Everything she did usually had a purpose, playing that game with Epsilon was quite beneficial. She had used his prowess with his new power to gain a stronger relationship with a dutiful member of Secluded Sunrise and had reaped herself a new leg. He began to speak, moving on from the small talk. However, the male seemed to have trouble finding the words and ended up mumbling and stuttering. Amora raised an eyebrow as he finally coughed out his sentence. A favor? What use could Epsilon intend for her? Had his den caved in? No, he was much to stubborn to ask her for something that trivial, especially something he could do himself. What couldn't Epsilon do that she could?

She was answered promptly, she needed to play doctor. She had done so only three times prior, once on her own leg, which unfortunately had to amputated. She had helped two wolves whose names she couldn't quite conjure from memory...the males name was Darlin or something of the like. She had stitched them up and had given them the few herbs she knew of and then sent them off to white magic. She had healed up various other wounds with ease, learning more about which herbs did what, but she was by no means an expert yet. Perhaps in the spring she would make a journey up to White Magic and start a sort of apprenticeship. She wasn't sure how White Magic would take to that, but those were thoughts for another day. At this moment, a friend needed a favor.

Trotting up the hill behind Epsilon, she only stumbled once, making sure the male didn't see of course. She still wanted him to hold her in some level of respect. Upon halting, she was amazed to see a scrappy little pup tumble out of the den she had helped Epsilon clear. He was obviously malnourished, his pelt dull and barely clinging to his quite visible frame. Amora frowned, her dark purple yes zeroing in on the creature. It surely wasn't Epsilons, for she did not sense the air of fatherhood around the gray male. The pup whimpered about epsilon leaving him, before cowering completely under the older male. Amora understood now why Epsilon needed her particular skills, this little pup was in need of healing. Not even asking of what relation the pup was to epsilon, or whether he belonged to the pack, Amora eased herself to the ground, getting on her 'patients' level. "Hey."

[Fierfly]

Epsilon:

He'd hardly come into his own "yard" (or the hearth around the entrance of his den) when Zamir barreled out - or he would have if he had the energy to do any barreling. Really it was more he ran in on his belly, legs still wobbling and blood trying to dry again but that had just been interrupted by Zamir's sudden decision to scurry everywhere. Hadn't he told him to stay put? Well, to be fair he hadn't been that specific and Zamir wasn't in the best position to be left alone at the moment. Zamir skittered and stumbled a bit before dashing to safety under his silver sentinel and began whimpering and pleading. "Wh-why did you l-leave? The, the o-other scents-" Now he really needed to face-paw himself. Could he get nothing right today?! Zamir was still saturated with the scent of blood and a loner, something alien, something that didn't belong. In an active pack's territory that was very dangerous, especially if a warrior stumbled onto him. Epsilon wasn't aware of anyone actively in the role of warrior or protector of the pack, but he figured the gammas would be pretty close. Still, they had pups of their own - hadn't they just had a new litter? - surely they wouldn't have hurt him...Ugh. He wasn't thinking anything through very well, he needed to slow down and think.

"It's okay, nothing will hurt you," he assured Zamir gently, gently licking the uninjured slope of his forehead in an attempt to soothe the frightened yearling. Zamir bellied toward his front paws as he caught sight of Amora - probably her peg-leg didn't help, it would take a bit of getting used to, but it was a great accomplishment for her so he thought nothing of it in a negative light and instead took it as a sign of her much needed skill in botany. He gently nudged his charge again. "It's alright, she won't hurt you. Zamir, this is Amora the botanist, Alphess Blaise's daughter. She's going to take a look at your wounds, we'll see if we can get a salve to help them heal properly." Amora came up on his shoulder and crouched down to Zamir's eye-level (he had to take a moment to appreciate how she manipulated the wooden stilt into a crouch position when Zamir was practically one with the ground.) "Hey," the simple greeting couldn't quite be identified as a croon, Amora wasn't like that, but it was soft and patient and soothing in tone and nothing else quite fit all those descriptions in one sound, so a croon it was. Epsilon stepped away from Zamir so Amora had clear access to treat him and crouched down on the patient's other side for moral support. He definitely had a good friend in Amora, no questions, no accusations, not even a question about the lack of the scent of the forest on their little guest. She was immediately crooning (definitely not the right word but no other way to describe it fairly came to mind) and focused on the task before her. Amora was a great friend.

[Deleted]

Zamir watched Amora with careful, calculative eyes far too wise for a wolf his age, though with that incredible innocence he somehow still owned. He would admit that the leg had frightened him, but it was the simple fact that she was an unfamiliar wolf that unnerved him. The fact that Epsilon had other friends in his pack was no surprise, but how quickly one would show up was not exactly expected. He did not look away from Amora, nor did he have a large reaction to Epsilon exposing him. Though he did whimper slightly and back away toward his acquaintance, he continued to watch the she-wolf carefully. His brain reminded him that Amora did not need to assist him—that she was the daughter of the alphess who so kindly accepted him into her pack. And at that reminder, he stood on his long, trembling limbs, bowing his head respectfully. "Th-thank you, Young Wolf, A-Amora... May I a-ask, why is there forest-life replacing one of your limbs? It seems quite uncomfortable, Young Wolf," he said. Despite stuttering in the beginning, as he had with Epsilon, his voice evened out the more he spoke.

"I have never seen such a thing before, Young Wolf. It is quite odd to my eyes, but is it a normal sight around these woods? I suppose if I somehow lost one of my own limbs, I would wish to search for some sort of replacement. Oh—I apologize, I am being rude. Would you prefer to speak about something else, Young Wolf?" Such innocence shone in his eyes, but the respect there kept him from collapsing as his harshly shaking limbs begged. Though they had stopped bleeding in the den, after moving so suddenly to cower beneath Epsilon, his wounds have again started bleeding. The blood loss began to show when he swayed and barely managed to catch himself on his uninjured hindleg. However, the right gave out on him, causing him to crash to the ground. He muttered an apology before losing consciousness.

(You can skip me until I can bring Zamir back into consciousness at the right time.)

[Deleted]

Epsilon stepped back from the shuddering pup, exposing the sorry creature to her full examination. The poor guy was obviously shaken up, and extremely uncomfortable with her presence. Her leg surely did not help. She considered removing the appendage, but thought against it. If she removed her leg, then that might frighten the boy far more. After all, the leftover stump of her severed leg was grisly indeed. Amora nearly sighed in relief as the pup stood, and began to speak, apparently deciding she was not a threat if Epsilon trusted her. Epsilon trusted her. Actual trust. Amora flicked her ear to banish her momentary awe, and listened closely to Zamir. He of course inquired of her leg, making her smile wryly. "Can't be more uncomfortable than having no leg at all." She spoke dryly, a laugh not in her words but her eyes. The very polite and formal young wolf apologized for his insensitivity before promptly fainting. Amora refrained herself from rolling her eyes before creeping forward. She was ready to work, for this young wolf was definitely worth saving. 

The shewolf's botany tattoo glowed bright green on her chest as plants thrust their buds through the layers of dead, crunchy leaves. "Yarrow, to staunch the blood flow," She murmured to herself as she worked, plucking the flower and stripping the stem of its leaves. Pressing the plant to the wounds still bleeding and torn, she grew more herbs around the small males body. Narrowing her eyes, Amora flung herself into a healing rhythm. She sewed the worst of the wounds closed, rubbed a simple pain-relieving salve onto the entirety of the gashes, and then started wrapping him. She padded mounds of cotton and yarrow over the wounds before stretching thin, vine-like leaves and vines over him. Once she was done, Zamir looked quite like a mummy or even one of her moss statuettes....

[Fierfly]

Epsilon:

Zamir whimpered slightly in protest to being introduced to a new neighbor so soon. He was probably still used to getting beaten and was probably scared of it happening again with Amora, but with some more gentle encouragement he came around, thanked Amora for her services and asked about her leg. The giant male held his breath as Zamir prattled on about the idea of replacing a limb (hearing that the yearling would probably go for it, Epsilon idly wondered about Zamir adding a leaf to what was left of his stump of an ear) and how unusual the contraption was and how it must have been uncomfortable. This made him slightly uneasy, Amora was proud, not vain, but proud and she prided herself on being capable and if she did feel pain with the replacement limb she would certainly not want to admit it. Thankfully the raven-dark she-wolf took it all in good humor. An amused smirk of a grin at Zamir's odd mannerisms and unfamiliarly formal speech picked up the corner of her mouth and an easy twinkle came to her eye as she replied in kind that a replacement leg couldn't have been anymore uncomfortable than having no leg at all.

Zamir apparently accepted this answer and continued talking amiably - he was a regular chatterbox once he warmed up to you and wasn't afraid for his life. But the blood loss within the last few minutes was taking its toll and he eventually collapsed and mumbled an apology for passing out in the middle of the conversation as he lost consciousness. Epsilon wasn't sure if that was amusing or annoying or how Amora saw it, but it didn't matter. She immediately stepped up and started treating him. In a way this was excellent timing on Zamir's part, if he was unconscious then he couldn't see anything Amora was doing so there was nothing for him to be squeamish or nervous about, and this proved to be very useful as Amora summoned a thorn-like plant and vine and began stitching up some of the deeper gashes after cleaning it. Occasionally she murmured the plant's name and its healing properties, but she worked largely in silence, so he left her to her devices so as not to disturb her concentration. Instead he thought. Zamir was tough, he probably had to be in his old pack to have survived as long as he had, but the silver male had to appreciate the yearling's determination either way. Quick, sharp, intelligent, eager to please, if he learned quick then teaching him to hunt once he was back on his feet wouldn't be too difficult. A little work on Zamir's confidence and self-esteem - his loyalty was already unbelievable and much appreciated - and he needed time to play and to learn to laugh again; he hadn't had much of a child-hood and he deserved to get some of that back. Overall watching out for his new little friend couldn't be too hard.

Amora bandaged some of the wounds with cotton fluffs and tied them with curling vines and stepped back to examine her work and the movement brought Epsilon out of his deep thought. He grinned a little. Zamir was thoroughly pasted, sewn and bandaged up and if his doctor had been more liberal with more cotton and had administered it to all the wounds then Zamir might have passed for one enormous cotton fluff by himself. It was pretty funny to look at, but no way was he going to tell Amora or Zamir that. Instead he nodded his thanks to Amora and got to his feet. "Thanks Amora, I owe you; if there's any way I can pay you back let me know. Any instructions for his care Doc?" He didn't like to be indebted to someone, but he certainly owed Amora something for patching up Zamir. The green-eyed cub deserved a second chance.

[Deleted]

Amora hovered over the young pup, ears trained in on his breathing, eyes staring intently at his wounds, and his slowly moving ribs. Her power mark faded to black as she watched. She had done all she could do...but it didn't feel like enough. White Magic wasn't needed, and she was very far away anyway. Zamir would live. And live without physical disabilities. Power knows what happened to the poor hepup before he was accepted into her mothers pack. Amora shook her fur out, reminding herself that she was part of Secluded Sunrise now. This was her pack as well. Her home, her family, her responsibility. Amora had been wandering for so long, and her seasons here had been short indeed. But, it was Autumn in the Sapling Grove, and she would stay here until she was no longer able, or needed in the pack. Her loyalty to Secluded Sunrise was undoubtedly solid. And it would stay that way unless the moral core of the pack crossed her in some way. Afterall, she wasn't really here for her mother at all, she wouldn't follow her into every battle unless she agreed to the logic and mutual terms. She needed to speak with Blaise, one-on-one. Wolf to wolf. Formally as pack mates, there might be time for mother-daughter later in life, but presently, that relationship was not the first priority. 

Amora blinked, and stepped back from her patient, nudging his cheek slightly, before facing Epsilon. Many wolves thought of her as harsh, and unforgiving, void of compassion or softness. But she had the ability to feel, to love even. Somewhere deep inside. She had simply learned to bury those emotions deep inside a tangle of impenetrable vines. She supposed that was why the botany tattoo had appeared on her chest, further locking away her feelings. 

"Hey, it's no bother. He's a good kid." She looked into Epsilon's eyes with her own dark violet orbs. "But i'll save that favor for later," She smirked and stepped around Zamir. "Just try not to irritate or jostle the worst wounds. So no running or climbing. and i'll be around to change his bandages, but try not to get him wet either." Amora found herself lecturing the poor silver male before stopping herself. Zamir would be fine. He had a good head on his shoulders, besides, Epsilon did too.

[Fierfly]

Epsilon:

Amora tenderly (again, the word didn't quite fit with the guarded, independent personality, but nothing else quite worked) nudged Zamir's cheek before she stepped back and aside to reply. She insisted that it was no trouble and teased that she'd keep that favor he now owed her in mind. Epsilon managed a grin and nodded. He knew she would, she was like that, resourceful, determined, if someone owed her something she'd take advantage of it, she was going to do everything she could to make it, another thing he had to appreciate about her. Amora was not a quitter.

She left a few last instructions regarding Zamir's care and he nodded and made mental notes. Keep him still, keep him dry, Amora will be checking up on him so she'd know if he didn't. Okay, she didn't say that last bit, but if Amora turned sassy again in a minute then it easily could have been the rest of her sentence. Very easily. He nodded once again and studied Zamir. His breathing was peaceful enough for someone who had passed out, but at least he hadn't been whimpering and crying during the procedure, he was a tough young wolf. Zamir likely matched Amora's determination ounce for ounce and Epsilon looked forward to seeing the poor little guy up and about running and laughing with Helios and Chance and some of the other younger wolves his age. He deserved to laugh, he'd already stood up to an alphess for him, Epsilon owed the sleeping yearling big-time, he'd do whatever he could. "Yeah, yeah he is." the comment was meant to agree with Amora's observation that Zamir was a good kid, although he'd probably waited a little too long and now the comment wouldn't make sense in context of the conversation, but he didn't care. One of the huge, snow-white paws gently brushed a stray cotton fluff away from Zamir's mouth and let it go to the wind as he momentarily lost himself in solemn thought. Zamir was a great kid; and so was she.

"Thank-you Amora, you're a good friend." he turned and flashed her one of his rare, heart-felt smiles before turning his gaze back to Zamir and the gentle expression of concern took over again. He knew Zamir would make it, he wouldn't die, Amora had worked hard, no way he would die from those injuries, but it wasn't going to be easy in a new pack. Alphess Blaise had seemed alright with him joining, but still frowned on the mistake Epsilon had made in not calling and telling her that he'd found a wanderer at the border. She likely blamed Epsilon - Zamir was only a pup, he hadn't known better, but she would be holding Epsilon accountable. Not only was she his alphess but she was Zamir's too, and he needed to set an example for him. "Hey, Amora..." he turned to her and his voice trailed off, he shuffled his paws again and tried to figure out how to phrase his question so not to insult his friend. "Don't take this the wrong way..." he stopped again, trying to remind himself what he was really trying to ask, "Do you know any way to..." finally he rolled his eyes at himself and spat it out. "Any idea how I can apologize to your mother? We...uh...I didn't...we sort of got off on the wrong paw..." "Boy was that an understatement," the gray he-wolf snorted to himself as he tentatively waited for Amora's answer.

[Deleted]

Epsilon seemed to be thinking, indeed she knew he was entirely a thoughtful wolf. He was careful, caring, a thoroughly noble wolf with a kind heart, but a clever mind. Because of this, Amora was taken by surprise when he stated that he needed advice for how to deal with her mother. Apparently they hadn't had the most agreeable of interactions lately. She was surprised that Epsilon had gotten in a spat of trouble, but not at all shocked to hear that her mother was having an attitude problem. Amora knew she should forgive her mother of her weaknesses, and that she should try to mend their relationship, but her stubborn nature and innate pride refused her that liberty. However, she could ease herself into it by at least talking with her. She sensed she might have to if Epsilon thought he had dug his own grave.

"Well...." Amora thought back to her adolescent past and all the events that had played out around her mother. "I'd have to know what hot you in the pit before I can help you out." She briefly reminisced about falling in a pit with the scar faced Kodiac. She had gotten past her Pride and Prejudice then. Surely she could forgive her own mother. Surely her mother could forgive Epsilon.then again, she would have to know the manner and circumstance of his transgression before making any judgments. 

[Fierfly]

Epsilon:

Amora did not seem overly concerned that she was friends with an enemy of her mother's. Okay, "enemy" was a bit of a strong word, but he really couldn't think of any other way to describe the situation he now found himself in. He hadn't aggravated her, oh no, Blaise was beyond aggravated, she had been nothing less than livid with him. Rightfully so considering his breach of authority, but he still felt... cheated almost. How or why he wasn't entirely sure: mostly because his heart had told him to act and now he was going to be punished for it. Whatever the case, this newest dilemma agitated him.

Amora was not concerned, but she was undeniably curious as she cocked an eyebrow and an almost baffled expression claimed her features. How had he gotten himself into this pit? The wording was not lost on him and he gave a short, humorless bark of a laugh; never had a phrase been more accurate: he wasn't in a hole, he was in a full-blown pit. "Doesn't much matter how it happened, fact remains that I'm in over my head." it wasn't sharp enough to be a snap, but the bitterness was there, and he instantly regretted it. Amora was his friend, she was helping him, he shouldn't have been taking his frustration out on her. He sighed, quickly offered an apology and began thinking to answer Amora's question.

When had he first upset Alphess Blaise? It had been well before Zamir, he knew that much. Let's see: had it been the Pack Hunt? No, she'd promoted him afterwards, that couldn't have been it. And yet...in the Pack Meeting she'd kept him at a distance, the same stiffness and caution was always in her manner whenever they'd interacted. What had he done to insult her initially? For the life of him he had no idea. Why had she always been so mistrustful around him? He wished he knew. Finally he shrugged. "I'm going to be blunt: I don't know. My latest disgrace in her eyes was taking in Zamir. He hadn't realized he'd crossed the Border and panicked when he realized he was in a territory. I found him half dead, scared for his life and about ready to pass out, so I got him some shelter and something to eat to help him calm down. When Zamir saw that I wasn't going to harm him he explained his situation and asked to join the pack. I told him we should wait to call the Alphess, he needed time to heal, get his strength back, in case she sent him away I wanted him to be able to stand on his own, get a fair shot at life. Your mother did not take kindly to that, let me tell you." he frowned again at the memory of Blaise's dark, accusing eyes. "I overstepped my bounds, I harbored an intruder, I neglected my promise to protect the pack, a promise I made on my life." he heaved another deep sigh that turned into a growl at the end and he swore under his breath. "But hang it, what else was I supposed to do? Zamir was starving, his father abused him, he was expecting to die. He probably would have died, you don't hesitate when a life is at stake, you can't afford to. Trust me, I know." the snarl and bitterness in his voice died in the last sentence and were replaced with pain and regret. "I did wrong in not calling for her I know, but part of me - maybe more than I would like to admit is not in the least bit sorry for what I did. I made my choice, I'm going to keep to it, I'm going to raise Zamir and try and right some of the wrongs he's endured...But I don't want to have to break my promise to Blaise to keep one I've made to myself." he'd never referred to his alphess by just her name. Usually it was accompanied by her title, otaybe even just the honored role: Alphess; it felt strange to be saying but Amora hadn't been insulted this far, he didn't think this would draw the line either. "I need to find a way to make it up to her, let her know that I understand the pack comes first."

[Deleted]

Epsilon seemed rather offended and snappish about admitting the transgression that lost him his mother's trust. He briefly clucked and sniped like a cantankerous badger, or a pup who had been refused an outrageous adventure. Amora instantly flicked her ears backwards, not in a sign of submission, but one of an affronted questioner. Who was Epsilon to withhold information? Information that she needed in order to fulfill his wish. A favor of which he now was in debt: double. While he was technically her pack superior, she held him as an equal. A compliment very few wolves received the honor of possessing. Luckily the grey, blue, and green wolf thought better of his reclusive response and opened up to her; although it was painfully obvious how odd it was for him. Amora could understand that. Not wanting to expose ones feelings and faults. But if they were going to be real friends-true friends-they would have to be honest with each other.

As Epsilon began to elaborate, Amora relaxed, ears tilting forwards to show her attentiveness to his needs. To Epsilon, he had done many a wrong thing, although he claimed to not know what he had done. However, he proceeded to explain his most recent and severe fault. He had aided Zamir. He had found the young pup nearly dead, and obviously abused inside the territory. And like the caring wolf he was, he had taken the time to give the pup in need the strength to live on. Blaise, upon having stumbled upon the scene, panicked, and chewed Epsilon out. Amora could see it all clearly in her head, and in imagining so, her face formed a rather silly half face (:/) amending her inflection, she waited for the evident end of his speech. A speech which sounded an awful lot like self pity talk.

"I'd like to start off to say that Blaise mistrusts everywolf. It's...it's a huge compliment that she trusts you enough to make you Heir," Amora found herself opening up to herself and realizing how she truly felt about her mother. "While what you did was not morally wrong, she saw it as the beginning of betraying her completely. She had gone through a pretty major betrayal in her life," She spoke, surprised that she was fleshing out her mothers weaknesses like this. She spoke softly, hopefully helping him understand Blaise's likely path of thought. "And subsequently, she sees any infraction as a more major thing than it really is. As for your redemption...Don't give her any further reason not to trust you. I'm sure you've apologized profusely, which is a great start. Other than what you surely are doing, you've done all you can." Amora began running over ideas and scenarios in her mind, and she had realized that Blaise didn't trust herself either. But....Amora might be the only one left that could sway her mind. "I will help you Epsilon," Amora looked into Epsilon's eyes, her dark gaze cunning and mindful. "I can help her see that you meant to harm, only healing. Perhaps I can help you two heal."