Sah
Sah stays silent as he listens to his daughter vent her insecurities and pain. It breaks his heart to hear, but he absorbs each statement as he tries to find the words to explain why he'd taken the path he did in raising them. It's a relief that she knows he loves her, and a weight falls off of his chest as he gives her hand a squeeze, "Good. Don't ever doubt that."
When it's clear that Soleil is done, the Wild Thunder sighs as he finally puts his thoughts into words, "You're right. We are outliers. Perhaps even more so than other Outlanders. We have our small traditions that have been transferred over, but the big ones? The ones that you speak of, they're not applicable. I felt like I was aimless when I first came here, and at times, I still wonder about my choices. Emotions are tricky. It's normal to feel that way and it'd be equally normal not to." The fact that they all lived together still and that they tended to sleep in blanket piles was the most noticeable. But more importantly, despite not being the only Outlanders new to humanity, they alone seemed to be heavily influenced by their past forms. The Lovi's were still wolves inside and that likely would never change. Especially if two of the members ended up changing their races.
Sah's eyes narrow, "But I don't regret my choices. I spent time advising Halo because I craved that power, but I finally found my place in Caido with my family. Protecting and supporting you all is my goal. Leadership was too restrictive of a role to do that in, so I've chosen to remain a simple hunter." Those very expectations would have limited him despite the power. A Warden or leader couldn't fly off the rails to defend their family because it would put their region under fire. But a simple hunter? They absolutely could. He could destroy anyone who threatened those he loved without worrying about it backlashing too drastically on Halo itself. Sah wasn't as powerful as a Demi-god but he was certainly powerful enough now to make anyone regret crossing his loved ones.
Soleil's final question is valid, and the answer isn't easy. The Wild Thunder tilts his head up with a hum before answering, "If we were back home. I'd be leading and protecting our pack, negotiating with allies, and keeping our enemies at bay. I'd have the final say in all manners of our family and friends. And you and Luka. Well, you two would have been groomed for leadership, and one of you would have been expected to take over after me." If they both had wanted, he would have had the difficult choice of testing them both and choosing, but he leaves that out. It doesn't matter anymore.
Sah meets her eyes resolutely because this is the part that matters, "But if neither of you wanted to, I would have broken tradition without hesitation. I would have ensured that you had the knowledge if you changed your mind, but I wouldn't have forced you into that position. Despite all the power, it's restrictive and heavy with expectations. If you wanted a different life, I would have allowed it and fought anyone who said otherwise. The advisors and elders likely would have demanded that I have more pups so that one would succeed me instead. And I would have because that would have been an expectation that I wouldn't have been able to escape as Alpha."
Soleil and Luka likely wouldn't have minded younger siblings, but he feels that they would have felt guilty about the necessity of their birth if they had known. Truth be told, if they were back home, Sah would never have even told them that their hypothetical younger siblings were born for such a thing.
With all of Solei's worries, the Abandoned wonders if he's failed his pups by trying to give them such freedom. Maybe he'll have to talk with Luka after this as well. Sah rests a hand on Soleil's' cheek, "If you need direction and a specific expectation from me, I'll give you one. Soleil, my daughter. I challenge you to find what sets your soul ablaze. Find what puts air in your lungs and light in your eyes. Whatever it is may change and likely will as you grow. But feed your soul, and the rest will fall in place. I will always be here to help you up if you stumble, but this is something that you have to do for yourself.'
He'll be here to catch her if she falls and celebrate her victories. Maybe this challenge isn't what she asked for, but it's all he can give. The Wild Thunder will never tell his pups how to live their lives.
Sah tilts his head like the wolf that will forever be within him, "Do you accept?"
With the challenge set, the duo made their way home, where the Wild Thunder could bundle his daughter up in the softest blankets while he made her favorite meal.
-[FIN]
When it's clear that Soleil is done, the Wild Thunder sighs as he finally puts his thoughts into words, "You're right. We are outliers. Perhaps even more so than other Outlanders. We have our small traditions that have been transferred over, but the big ones? The ones that you speak of, they're not applicable. I felt like I was aimless when I first came here, and at times, I still wonder about my choices. Emotions are tricky. It's normal to feel that way and it'd be equally normal not to." The fact that they all lived together still and that they tended to sleep in blanket piles was the most noticeable. But more importantly, despite not being the only Outlanders new to humanity, they alone seemed to be heavily influenced by their past forms. The Lovi's were still wolves inside and that likely would never change. Especially if two of the members ended up changing their races.
Sah's eyes narrow, "But I don't regret my choices. I spent time advising Halo because I craved that power, but I finally found my place in Caido with my family. Protecting and supporting you all is my goal. Leadership was too restrictive of a role to do that in, so I've chosen to remain a simple hunter." Those very expectations would have limited him despite the power. A Warden or leader couldn't fly off the rails to defend their family because it would put their region under fire. But a simple hunter? They absolutely could. He could destroy anyone who threatened those he loved without worrying about it backlashing too drastically on Halo itself. Sah wasn't as powerful as a Demi-god but he was certainly powerful enough now to make anyone regret crossing his loved ones.
Soleil's final question is valid, and the answer isn't easy. The Wild Thunder tilts his head up with a hum before answering, "If we were back home. I'd be leading and protecting our pack, negotiating with allies, and keeping our enemies at bay. I'd have the final say in all manners of our family and friends. And you and Luka. Well, you two would have been groomed for leadership, and one of you would have been expected to take over after me." If they both had wanted, he would have had the difficult choice of testing them both and choosing, but he leaves that out. It doesn't matter anymore.
Sah meets her eyes resolutely because this is the part that matters, "But if neither of you wanted to, I would have broken tradition without hesitation. I would have ensured that you had the knowledge if you changed your mind, but I wouldn't have forced you into that position. Despite all the power, it's restrictive and heavy with expectations. If you wanted a different life, I would have allowed it and fought anyone who said otherwise. The advisors and elders likely would have demanded that I have more pups so that one would succeed me instead. And I would have because that would have been an expectation that I wouldn't have been able to escape as Alpha."
Soleil and Luka likely wouldn't have minded younger siblings, but he feels that they would have felt guilty about the necessity of their birth if they had known. Truth be told, if they were back home, Sah would never have even told them that their hypothetical younger siblings were born for such a thing.
With all of Solei's worries, the Abandoned wonders if he's failed his pups by trying to give them such freedom. Maybe he'll have to talk with Luka after this as well. Sah rests a hand on Soleil's' cheek, "If you need direction and a specific expectation from me, I'll give you one. Soleil, my daughter. I challenge you to find what sets your soul ablaze. Find what puts air in your lungs and light in your eyes. Whatever it is may change and likely will as you grow. But feed your soul, and the rest will fall in place. I will always be here to help you up if you stumble, but this is something that you have to do for yourself.'
He'll be here to catch her if she falls and celebrate her victories. Maybe this challenge isn't what she asked for, but it's all he can give. The Wild Thunder will never tell his pups how to live their lives.
Sah tilts his head like the wolf that will forever be within him, "Do you accept?"
With the challenge set, the duo made their way home, where the Wild Thunder could bundle his daughter up in the softest blankets while he made her favorite meal.
-[FIN]
To lead is to love,
To rule is to serve
To rule is to serve
