Raela could sense the slight change in demeanor from the other. It was no surprise, but she still felt bad for having to break the news. Sheepisly her eyes flicked away now and again in the short moments before Calanthe could find the words to reply. Inwardly she found it strange that neither Gent nor Minka had yet asked about her chosen role, but perhaps they hadn't wished to trouble the recovering wolf. Her words deflated a bit of Raela's enthusiasm as well. No training. Well, she was still a bit young, it could be helped. At the mention of the newcomer's past injuries Raela folded her ears. She had to tell herself that the painful memories would fade with time; especially here in the Crest. They had for her at least; she didn't think about them as much. There were more pleasant things to focus on. 

Her expression brightened, however, with Calanthe's interest in the position. Raela chuckled along with the joke, more than pleased that this wolf was willing to learn. She knew just the teachers. Unfortunately, the younger woman's face held much less light. Raela's smile faded too, with the uneasy shuffling of the other's feet. There wasn't much that got by the attentive woman; especially on intimate ground. It was practically part of her job title to be able to read her pack mates well. Calanthe was drawing into herself, and she needed to fix it. Her knack for reassurance left little silence in the air. “You know what, if you really want to learn, I can start you off.” A hopeful smile exposed her teeth as the ground shook again. It was hardly the atmosphere she wanted right now. 

“I hunt with Gent in between other things. He's a bit better than me but I'm sure he'd help you too.” A roster of the remaining pack ticked away behind her eyes. She'd only to look away and think for the briefest of seconds before she'd found the perfect teacher. A faint gasp filled her lungs and she turned her sunshine eyes back to the skinny girl. “@Minka. Minka is the best out of all of us. Once you get some training done she's the one you want to talk to.” And just to soothe any further anxiety, she added to the conversation. “My old pack trained me as a pup-sitter.” She said it now with a bubbly tone, as if it was a joke. “So I didn't come here with much experience either.”

Calanthe's excitement was even more than Raela was hoping for. The woman practically leapt at the idea. It brought a slow but beaming grin to her face. You picked this one well Gent, she mused. Her twinkling eyes never faltered as her new companion regained composure and started elaborating. She nodded slowly at the first suggestion. Yes, no time could be wasted. The notion did, however, remind her that there would be no hunting practice until the storm cleared. A distant flash of light reminded them swiftly of that. Among the din of the rain and hail, the pale girl's voice rumbled on. A giggle couldn't help but slip through parted jaws as the subject of conversation shifted toward their black mammoth of an alpha. She knew all too well how terrifying he could be, as one of the few who'd dared stand up to him and his temper. 

Still, she remained quiet until Calanthe had finished; soaking up her appreciation with a warm smile. She practically lived to give reassurance and happiness to those who needed it. It was a good feeling to have her efforts openly thanked. She punctuated the little monologue with a swift nod. “I bet you will,” she responded, her voice lifting in tone. “I can help get you started once the rain lets up.” Her eyes slipped slowly toward the raging torrents outside. “I sure hope this blows over quick,” the subordinate mumbled. Her mind wandered over the conversation, stopping at the earlier mention of Gent. She turned back with a joking grin. 

“Oh, don't worry about Gent. He's a big guy but soft inside. He practically melts around the little ones.” Raela's pools flickered away in thought. “I don't think he realizes how scary he can be sometimes,” she added with light laughter. Fond memories of their meeting played behind her eyes. The image of that giant wolf prancing around trying to get a woodchuck off his back would be forever cemented in her mind. It brought a fresh giggle into the air. Yes @Gent, it was a bear, she thought, remembering the scar. Once more her attention turned to the younger woman.

“Oh, if you have questions about anyone else I'd be happy to help. I know everyone pretty well by now.” She lowered herself to the ground, rolling onto her side and looking up at Calanthe. “I know it's weird to be around so many strangers all of a sudden.”

She listened to Calanthe 's steady stream of words with the same pleasant expression she'd had before, until the younger woman voiced her question, that is. Raela had an idea of what was coming long before it was made perfectly clear. Her expression slowly grew more serious and solemn. Her thoughts raced on, yapping endlessly of Tokino and his murder, of Minka's depression and sadness. It was certainly a bold inquiry to bring forth; and in any other case it would have been insultingly rude. One could have taken it as a challenge to Minka's faithfulness. But she was right. It was different. And more than anything, it didn't directly involve Raela; so Calanthe could be informed without suffering any disapproving glares from either leader. By the time she'd formulated exactly how to start, the subordinate's eyes had slithered forlornly to the floor of their shelter. 

“They're not.” Her tone was low as she broke the news. “Minka and Gent aren't even mates; the children belong to Tokino, the previous Alpha.” Well aware that she probably just created more questions than answers, Raela pressed on; daring to lift her eyes now and then. “He was murdered this Spring, and we don't know who did it. He had a few enemies but...” She let the words fall away. “He never met the little ones. Gent is the only father figure they have so they treat him like their Dad.” She let the pouring rain fill the pause in her speech; eyes searching Calanthe for her reaction. “All the pups are his, as well as Kova.” Another thought occurred to her; though more sentimental in value. “Little Kino looks exactly like him actually, right down to his eyes.” It was this marvel that brought a smile to her face. She didn't know the man very well, but his legacy was ever present now. 

“Gent stepped up in his absence, and he's been a good leader so far. I'm actually really glad the pups sometimes act as if they don't know the difference. They do, but it doesn't matter. Gent's always been there for them.” Raela's muzzle settled happily between her paws; her mind easing with these more pleasant thoughts. After a moment she cast a last glance up at the other female. “And if you want get acquainted with the pack, the little guys are probably the easiest to start with,” she grinned.