It was still early. He did not expect that the children would be up yet or their parents, though the hunters in the pack might think to get a quick start on the day for food. At the moment, the sun had not yet lifted up over the horizon, though Bane sat patiently along the edges of one of the few clearings in his home as he waited for it. His eyes remained closed, a still silence over the lands savor the trickling of rain drops in the forest. The storms had been heavy, though this day it was only a sprinkle, sure to offer a day of sunshine for the pups of the pack to play under. Bane had been keeping a good watch over them ever since they had been introduced to the pack. Today however, he had planned to seek out someone else within the ranks, someone of most importance. It had seemed like forever since he had a one on one with Nina. For the time being, Bane had otherwise been keeping away, allowing her some time to herself after for so long catering to the needs of others. This morning however he craved her attention and waited ever patiently for the hours to pass and the sun to rise so that he may seek her out at a more appropriate time. With a deep sigh, he opened his orange eyes just as the first peaks of orange and pink streaked over the horizon.
It was still early. He did not expect that the children would be up yet or their parents, though the hunters in the pack might think to get a quick start on the day for food. At the moment, the sun had not yet lifted up over the horizon, though Bane sat patiently along the edges of one of the few clearings in his home as he waited for it. His eyes remained closed, a still silence over the lands savor the trickling of rain drops in the forest. The storms had been heavy, though this day it was only a sprinkle, sure to offer a day of sunshine for the pups of the pack to play under. Bane had been keeping a good watch over them ever since they had been introduced to the pack. Today however, he had planned to seek out someone else within the ranks, someone of most importance. It had seemed like forever since he had a one on one with Nina. For the time being, Bane had otherwise been keeping away, allowing her some time to herself after for so long catering to the needs of others. This morning however he craved her attention and waited ever patiently for the hours to pass and the sun to rise so that he may seek her out at a more appropriate time. With a deep sigh, he opened his orange eyes just as the first peaks of orange and pink streaked over the horizon.
Her decision to step down had been for the best. Both in the interests of the pack and for her health. It had been peaceful since her demotion and Nina knew she couldn't complain about it. Aideen had gracefully taken the throne and had given the pack three new lives to take care of. They were strong little things and Nina was quite proud of her protegee. The small woman had come quite a long way since her timid days when she had first joined Secret Woodlands and she had certainly earned her way into Nina's heart and her trust was well earned. It seemed as though The Woodlands finally reached its time of peace and the Hervok woman rested easy knowing that even when she passed on, her legacy would not die along with her.
Even though her children, except one, were no longer with her, she hoped they were living happy lives. Danica, surely, had fallen off the wrong path more than once but Nina hoped that she would eventually find her way and would find the love in someone that she deserved. Even though the others were gone, she had faith him them and she loved them with every part of their being and trusted that they were making the good decisions in their lives. Nina contemplated all of this while laying down in a rare patch of sunlight that shot through the dense thickets. Earlier in the day, when it was still cool, she collected herbs to start stocking up for the winter months. The winters in the lore were unpredictable and Nina knew that they needed to be prepared for anything that could be coming for them.
She had been hesitant about moving to the Thickets when Copper Rock Creek originally disbanded but once they all became accustomed to the dense area, it was hard to not fall in love with it. Nina knew that it was going to be a gamble. Not everyone could handle the claustrophobia the thickets provided, nor the thorny undergrowth. However, those who remained grew aware of their surroundings and could avoid the snags and pricks of the terrain. The graying matriarch was more than proud of what her pack had become and Nina knew she had put the pack into capable paws.
The sound of another approaching broke her thought and she turned, a bright smile tugging at her lips. Bane was a constant light in her life that she could never deny and the Hervok was ecstatic that he had chosen to return to the thickets. Gazing over him with a single fond eye, she allowed him the usual greeting he granted her. Sighing contently, Nina spoke softly, "It's always a pleasure to see my son." She pulled away from him then, the happy smile still planted pleasantly on her lips. She looked him over briefly, amazed that it had already been three years since he was a child. She laughed, confessing her own thoughts aloud, "I can't believe you're so old now." The woman's green eye glimmered in amusement. They both knew she was the old one, after all, it was why she had retired.
Despite her teasing tone, when he responded he was, unsurprisingly, serious. She smiled pleasantly at him, however, his response tugging at her heart. Ever since conception Bane led a trailed life and Nina wished that she could take all of his cares away like a true mother. His words rang true with her and it upset her to know such a thing. Her own had fled far from the nest as soon as they were old enough to leave and even though she missed them, she respected their decisions to go and travel the expanse of the world. As long as they remained safe, even if she wouldn't know or not, that was what mattered most to her. As long as they were happy, she would be able to live with herself but she honestly could never tell with her dark boy.
Her single emerald eye examined him casually, not too eager to bring this up to the boy, but needing to. With a hesitant sigh, she spoke, "You still could if you wanted to. If...if it makes you happy." They would be able to speak with Miccah and Nina would make sure he gave Bane the freedom to do as he chose. The child deserved to have some form of happiness within his life, even if it wasn't within the Woodlands. The graying golden woman studied the dark man carefully, curious as if she were correct or not.
He confirmed her thoughts but just as she thought that he might be chasing his dreams, he shot down such thoughts. Of course, there would always be the opportunity for him to do such trips, perhaps following in the footsteps of Inali after her retirement. The way he described such adventures made it sound like he would enjoy it. Her lips pursed but she remained silent for a good amount of time, golden ear perking when he spoke again. Nina flushed, a small smile spreading across her lips at his words. He was too kind but she took pleasure in knowing that it was part of his upbringing that brought out this kindness in him. When she spoke again, her voice was soft, "You can still have that y'know, while still being part of the pack?"
Her voice was soft but suggestive, trying to get the point across. She smiled a bit before continuing, "Have you considered, maybe, talking to Aideen and Miccah about becoming a Scout?" The Hervok had always imagined that her son would become a Guardian but if it made him happier to become something else then she would do nothing to stop him. There was nothing she wanted more than for him to be happy in this life and if that was what it took, then she would do everything in her power to encourage and support him.
He had been a Guardian for most of his life thus far, tending to watching over the pups as well as guarding the borders of the pack. However, it was not as though he had not played the role of scout before as well or even hunter for that matter. After all, when he was a pup often did Hollow take him out on his patrols and when he had gotten a little curious on exploring, Iopah had taken him off on her hunting missions for a taste. Of course more recently, Miccah had him go off to Willow Ridge for any updates and of course share what information they had to offer. The transaction had gone smoothly, the allied wolves giving him food and a place to rest for the night before turning back home. Bane had always kept to the border as he watched @Inali time and time again go off and explore beyond, maybe now he would go off with her? "Yes, I think I might do that." He speaks with a small smile towards Nina. After a moment longer, he decides to pull the conversation off of him and onto the one who was more important here - her. "Have you been doing okay? .....Without leading. I imagine without the business of it, its a bit more... relaxing." Of course, he would also understand if she thought that it was boring. Of course, without being the leader you did not have the burden of everything of your shoulders, but could still be a very supportive member of the community. However, being used to working so hard all the time and then not was certainly quite an adjustment.