The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow (Open)

[Croix]

The Atoll was a place the multicolored wolf had never been before, nor was it a place he had ever even thought of venturing off to. However, on that particular day, there he was, waist high in water as he traveled out to the Atoll. It was a semi warm day, the water warmer and a tad bit more comfortable than it had been during his swim back to the Island. There was a gentle breeze rolling through the land, causing ripples through the water, making the fish go swimming away from their hiding place. It was with a single snap of his muzzle that he caught one of the smaller ones, eating in a single bite.

As he stepped onto solid ground and shook off his fur, he looked around with a sigh. It was a beautiful place, full of colorful fish and underwater plants. It was a place he would usually love to bring his sisters to. He knew they would love it, watching the fish, playing in the water, admiring the plants…surely it would grow to be one of their favorite places. It would be a place they could go to get away from the pack, to relax and play with each other and their friends. Silently, he made a mental note to bring them when the weather got a little warmer.

But right then, he wanted to be alone and he was thankful he was the only one there. Laying down, he rested his head on his paws with another sigh. At the moment the place offered a little solace but only in its secrecy, not in its looks. It offered him a place where he could break down and grieve without the fear of anyone stumbling across him. It was the first time he could actually process the fact that his father had up and left him while he was away and that everything he had planned as a young pup, growing up to be just like his father, was in vein.

[Sabaoth]

The weather was fair for winter, the wind cool but gentle as it caressed the ebony fur of the hulking brute who made his way along the sandy shores. Pale eyes glistened, taking in every aspect of his environment as Sabaoth moved. Soon winter would recede, taking the frigid cold and instead providing the frequent showers and blooming flowers of spring. Already the air was beginning to warm just slightly, and the snow that had briefly dusted Ina’mos was long gone. Breathing in the crisp air, tinged just slightly with salt, Sabaoth’s gaze drifted out towards the atoll. He was not surprised to see the shape of another wolf laid upon the coral; Ina’mos was bursting with life despite their less active breeding season, and so it was expected to see others at nearly every turn. From his distance it was nearly impossible to tell who it was, but the bulky form and rust-hued pelt suggested that perhaps it was his nephew, who he’d met several moons ago.

For a moment Sabaoth paused, considering whether or not he desired company. If it was Croix, then it would be Sabaoth’s duty to speak with him, to see how he had faired since his promotion to Gladiator with the competition of his agoge. And so the General waded out into the water, his paws brushing wet sand as he moved against the waves, heading for the atoll. As he grew closer it became obvious that it was indeed Croix, and Sabaoth offered a sharp, brisk bark of greeting as he neared.

Pulling himself up upon the coral, he shook water from his pelt before glancing down towards his nephew, inclining his head with a slight dip. ”Croix,” he murmured, greeting the younger brute, secretly glad that he had not found a different wolf reclining upon the atoll. ”It has been some time since we’ve last spoken. How are you?”

Croix

[Croix]

Ever sense he had cracked his egg and received his prophecy, Croix had done a lot of thinking on who he wanted to ask to be his mentor. For so long he was determined that his father would be his mentor and thinking of anyone else filling that role felt weird and unnatural. But, as much as he hated the fact that everything he had planned for his future would change from there on out, he had to suck it up and deal with it. He would be damned if he left the misery side of his prophecy win that easily. It was with a lot of careful thought that the young wolf had finally decided that he would ask his uncle to be his mentor, the same wolf that had overseen the breaking of his egg.

It was the sounds of something moving through water that ultimately pulled the young wolf out of his thoughts and back to reality. As he spotted his uncle moving towards him, he couldn’t but to smile softly. At his bark, Croix returned one of his own, not wanting Sabaoth to think that his company was unwelcomed when in fact, it was the exact opposite. “Greetings, Sabaoth,” Croix greeted him as he watched him shake the water off his pelt.

The first question he asked the young wolf, had his ears pinning slightly. There was so much he would need to say to fully answer that question. He hadn’t done well since he had last seen him. He had been depressed, confused, and angry. He had decided to leave the island for the time being. He had decided who would take his father’s place. None of those were things the young wolf had ever wanted to do but they had to be done. “I’ve been alright,” he lied with a nod, hoping the older wolf wouldn’t be able to see through it. “I have given a lot of thought to who I want to be my mentor and I think I have made up my mind,” he continued, hoping to get off the topic of how he was holding up.

[Sabaoth]

The young brute seemed pleased to see him, Sabaoth noted, something that was still foreign to the scarred male. He’d come to Kairos nearly a year ago now, and initially the idea of skulking around a pack had made Sabaoth uncertain. He’d been certain that he would be a pariah, for he was not exactly kind, and rough around the edges. But instead he’d found himself being promoted to General, creating a family with Roka – and now Odara, learning the names of his many nieces and nephews, even growing close with some of them. It was strange…and yet not unwelcome. Sabaoth might have said he was glad at how fate had unraveled…though perhaps not in the company of others.

The joy that Croix had displayed at seeing his uncle diminished briefly when Sabaoth asked after the male’s well-being, something that had not gone unnoticed by the General, but when the mottled male insisted he was fine, Sabaoth did not pry. He had never been one to dig for information when it was clear it would not be willingly provided, so he simply dipped his head in acceptance of Croix’s words, glad when the topic took a different and more familiar path.

His nephew spoke of mentors, hinting that he had chosen one, something that Sabaoth was glad to hear. He was a Gladiator now, no longer considered a youth, and it was essential that he learn the ropes from an experienced warrior, one who could teach him what was expected of him – and how to achieve his goals. ”I’m pleased to hear that,” he said, pausing long enough to settle upon his haunches, shifting his considerable weight to get comfortable. The sound of a seagull crying overhead briefly drew his gaze, but a moment later it was sliding back to Croix. ”And who have you chosen, if you do not mind me asking?”

Croix

[Croix]

For the first year of his life, Goliath had been everything to Croix. Not only had he been his father, he was the alpha of Kairos, and Croix’s role model. He had been the one the young wolf had wanted to grow up to be like, the one he always wanted to learn from and impress. He had always bragged about his father anytime he met a new wolf and he knew from the moment he had learned of the agoge that it was Goliath he wanted to bring his egg to and have tell him of his prophecy. Now that Goliath had left, however, Croix world was spinning faster than he could keep up with. Everything was changing and everything the wolf had planned for his future seemed like it would have to change. But, instead of taking everything on at one time, he knew it was best to take small steps and conquer one thing at a time.

The first thing the young wolf needed to do was to choose a mentor. Kairos was full of males which meant that there were plenty of options available. However, Croix would not choose just anyone. No wolf would ever be as good as Goliath had been but he was determined to choose the one that was closest to him. Whichever male had the most wisdom, skill, ability to teach…they would be the one that the multi-hued wolf would turn to. With careful thought and consideration, there was only wolf that fit what Croix was looking for and that wolf just so happened to be his uncle, Sabaoth.

It was with excitement that Croix watched his uncle approach him and greeted him before continuing to tell him that he had finally chosen a mentor. He smiled proudly as Sabaoth told him he was happy to hear it and then waited patiently for him to ask who it was that the young wolf had chosen. “Actually, I was wondering if you would be my mentor?” Croix asked him with perked ears. “With father gone, there is one else I’d rather have teach me. You have more wisdom and skills than anyone else in this pack and you are my uncle. I would be honored to learn all that you are willing to teach and I promise I will not be a disappointing pupil.”

[Sabaoth]

“Actually, I was wondering if you would be my mentor?”

At this Sabaoth glanced up, his head tilting slightly as he studied Croix. While it was true that he was not particularly close with the young male, he was Sabaoth’s nephew, and the General had seen much of him lately since his return from the agoge. And with Goliath’s departure and Isaiah’s strange disappearance, he supposed he could not be surprised that it was he that Croix had turned to. And the boy seemed both determined and dutiful, both things that would make training him easier.

As of yet, Sabaoth had not officially mentored anyone, though he’d assisted with training for the agoge. But despite this, it was clear from the way that Croix spoke of his wisdom and skill that the younger male thought he was well-suited for the task. After a brief pause he nodded, his deep voice breaking the silence between them. ”I’m flattered that you decided upon me,” he said, ”and I would be glad to mentor you, Croix.”

It was his duty, and so Sabaoth would take to it gladly, though after another brief pause he fixed Croix with one of his long looks. ”It will not be easy, however. I am a patient teacher, but I am far from kind, and sometimes my methods might even seem relentless and merciless. But in the end, you’ll be stronger for it.” He dipped his scarred visage as he finished speaking, almost as if to prove his words by the marring of his features. ”I must go to Vor’asa very soon, to assist with the training of the young ones. But when I return, I will seek you out, and we can begin your training.” He stood, taking a brief moment to stretch before plunging into the water, calling a final, “Until then.” over his broad shoulders.

TAG: Croix
NOTES: sorry for the wait. We can end it here. =)

[Croix]

Surprisingly, Croix had become rather nervous after he asked his uncle if he would mentor him. Though he was usually good about thinking and planning ahead, he had completely forgotten to come up with a backup plan in case he was turned down. While he doubted Sabaoth would actually turn him down, there was always the chance and the young wolf was not fond of the fact that he wouldn’t know what to do if that happened. There were no other males he wanted to mentor him. He respected all the older males but to him, on his uncle had the right to mentor him. Silently, he hoped and prayed that the wolf standing in front of him would answer with a yes.

To the young’s wolf relief, the general not only said that he would mentor him but that he was flattered. While the wolf wasn’t his father, Croix was still excited to know that the second best wolf that Kairos had seen would be the one to mentor him. “I do not expect it to be easy,” he shook his head in response to his uncle’s warning. “I would be upset if you went easy on me. I want to learn to be the very best, that’s not going to happen if you don’t challenge me and push me past my limits,” he told him with a nod. Croix knew that Sabaoth had what it took to teach him to be an exceptional warrior and leader and just as Sabaoth expected his student’s best, Croix expected his teacher’s best.

“I plan on going to Acerbus for a while,” Croix told him with a nod. Though he had originally decided to leave Kairos territory altogether, he had come to realize that by going to Acerbus he could still get away from everyone while remaining on his pack’s territory. It would also give him a chance to explore new land and to meet new faces. “I will be back before too long though and I will be ready to begin my training,” he nodded before bowing politely. With that, he turned and began his journey to Acerbus.