and hold your head up high

The Valle teen was trying to make more of an effort in checking in on his little group, seeing how they were doing, if they needed any help. It seemed like the leaderly thing to do after all. Today on his list was Sharlee, who he hadn’t had a chance to have a private conversation with since he had asked her to be his advisor. It still seemed like a good decision in his mind, his cousin was smart, and he knew that she could keep a secret if he needed her to. Those both seemed like important qualities in an advisor, not that he had ever had one before.

By the time he had caught up to where the female was, she was already dragging the deer leg behind her. Viorel had the bright idea to try and scare her, he didn’t know why, it just seemed like everything had been so serious since they arrived and he wanted to lighten the mood. He had stalked around the trees, trying to stay downwind so she couldn’t smell him, and hoping that the haunch in her jaws would mask some of his own scent. Sinking down into a crouch the salt and pepper maw stretched into a mischievous grin as his butt wiggled comically in the air. To an outsider he probably looked more like a house cat hunting a toy mouse than a wolf who had plans of leading anytime soon.

One.
Two.
Three.

Holding his breath as he counted, Viorel let it all out in a long slow woosh, and then he was off. Unfortunately, he wasn’t the tallest wolf around, and pair that with his bulky frame caused a ridiculous snow plow effect. His own form could barely be seen as the powder flew everywhere, including into his own eyes. He had only meant to run out and scare Sharlee, but at this rate he was probably going to run right into her.

There's no need to rush

and hold your head up high

It was ridiculous, and Viorel knew that. The snow flying everywhere, the way that they collided, the fact that there was so much precipitation buildup on his coat that he looked like he had been dipped in white. Sharlee’s giggles were contagious and the Valle man burst out in loud guffaws himself, laughing until his ribs hurt a little. Tears built up at the corners of his eyes as the chuckles returned when Sharlee teased him.

Finally. Viorel got his laughter under control, and he smiled as he tried to catch his breath. Rolling his eyes playfully he shook off his coat, sending flakes flying everywhere around them, ”What do you mean? This was an exercise to test to see if you’re always on high alert.” Pawing playfully at his cousin’s ear he teased, ”And by the way, you failed.” Grinning widely he fully expected to be smacked with a paw, or have a nibble sent his way and he braced for it. It felt so nice to act his age, even for a minute. Everything had been so serious, and it would only get worse come the spring and welcoming....cubs as per Vayko’s request.

Sobering up a little at the thought his jaw set into a hard line, ”Well, I guess the time has come for me to ask you my first question as my advisor.” He looked away from her, embarrassed a little to look her in the eyes, ”Vayko has requested that I welcome cubs into the pack this spring because he doesn’t want to. Clover has offered to...help, out of duty to her pack.” He trailed off, lost in thought, not realizing that he hadn’t necessarily asked a question, just left the information open to her interpretation.

There's no need to rush

and hold your head up high

The moment was silly, to say the least. Which meant that Viorel had achieved what he had sought out to do, always the class clown, even with the added responsibilities that were coming down the pike. Still, he wished that the easy laughter could have lasted a while longer, that they could have dragged the silliness out all day even. But, the teen knew that whole days filled with goofing off with his cousins and siblings was probably behind him, and getting farther behind with every passing day. Viorel laughed heartily at Sharlee’s teasing, but it was his own question that turned the mood more somber.

Sharlee’s words were as intelligent as ever, and Viorel was reminded why he chose her as his advisor in the first place. Humming lightly to show that he was listening, but still thinking of a response, his brow furrowed. It certainly was a lot to take in, and everything was happening too quickly. Finally, he broke his response down into parts to address everything that she said, ”We’ll be a new pack, and none of us have been parents before. But, at least we have Aunt Modesto here to help us, and I think the territory we picked should be safe enough for cubs.” Logistically Viorel knew they could help cubs survive, but it wasn’t necessarily the logistics of survival he was worried about.

Then, there was everything else that she said, ”I don’t know, I’ve never had a dad you know? I mean, we all turned out fine, but what if I’m terrible at it, you know?” Falling silent for a minute, he thought it all over, ”And, I have no qualms about Clover being a good mother and sticking around. I guess what it all hinges on is that I’m not sure that I will be any good at this. Leading a pack is one thing, being a dad is...different.” It did settle his nerves a little that Sharlee hadn’t just laughed in his face, and seemed to think they could do it. But, the uneasiness remained.

There's no need to rush

and hold your head up high

Sharlee would be a good advisor, and this instance just proved it. At the very least this conversation had reassured him that asking her to be his eyes and ears had been a good decision. It also helped settle his nerves that she believed that the pack would be able to support a litter, even if he sucked it was likely they would be fine. That was good, plus Clover would be great at it, and Viorel knew that. Taking a deep breath and then letting out a sigh the salt and pepper wolf nodded sagely. ”I think you’re right, I think even though the pack will be new we can make it work.” And, the man knew that part of being a leader was bringing new life in the spring.

How good he would be was still in question. Sharlee seemed convinced he would be good, Clover didn’t seem alarmed at the thought of having his pups, Vayko had seemed...expectant. Viorel had doubts still, but they were certainly turning into kittens instead of being roaring lions. Snorting at her comment, he pressed his shoulder against hers, ”Yeah sure, I’m going to make everyone start calling me Papa Viorel.” His tone was teasing, but it was clear that her words had relieved at least some of his qualms.

Viorel smiled genuinely when his cousin pressed her nose against his cheek. It really was good to have such a supportive network behind him as they made such huge life changes. ”Thank you, at least with you two around I can’t screw them up too badly eh?” Again, the tone was light, although there was some truth behind what he said. Or at least he hoped, he hoped that with the two of them the pups would be okay, even if he was a royal screw up.

There's no need to rush