Valette decided to just face punishment and went to seek out Steady. Though she hoped that she could convince him that she didn't mean to at out like that by the hunt. She wanted to make sure they would catch the deer. She was a hunter and if they were a pack they should use the skills their wolves harbored.
She howled for him, ready to face him. There was also a matter of him wanting her to explore the taiga, well, that could be arrange. Maybe if she would be away for a few weeks they would realize that their hunting techniques could be brushed up.
He had been meaning to track down Valette and have a conversation with her about what had happened at the hunt, but he had gotten distracted by Sebastian's visit, and had put it on the back burner. He knew Valette after all, and was sure she hadn't really meant to act out of line. The pressure of hunting was high, and he knew she simply wanted to make sure it was a success.
He was a little surprised when she howled for him, but glad all the same. He made his way quickly toward her, his body language neutral as he stopped a few feet from her. What's up? he asked, curious. He knew he'd take the opportunity to discuss the hunt, but would let her speak first.
Valette watched as Steady approached. The girl ducked her head a bit though she didn't want to be as submissive as she was before. Steady was not a mean guy. She knew this. "I've come for the talk you wanted with me," she spoke and then waited for a brief moment. "But I can't stress enough that I didn't mean to talk out of line. I was just very passionate about the hunt and I wanted it to succeed," she explained quickly to the other.
"I hope you forgive me, but I've come to take my punishment never the less," she added and then dipped her head a bit.
His expression showed surprise when she admitted she had called him to discuss the very thing he needed to talk to her about. It showed maturity on her part that she was willing to do that, and to take whatever punishment he deemed fit to give her. But, he wanted first and foremost for her to understand what exactly it was she did to upset him.
It wasn't that you talked out of line, he began. You were correct in your thinking, and I would have been disappointed if you hadn't spoke up about it, knowing that the original plan wouldn't work. However, it was how you said it that seemed disrespectful, he admitted. Pointing out that I hadn't seen the flaw in the plan... You have the trade for a reason, and I don't for a reason. I count on your opinion to make sure we're hunting the best way we can. I don't count on it to point out others' shortcomings. His voice was even, not angry or even upset. It had been days since it happened, and his anger had long since dissipated, though his reasons for it had not.
Valette nodded slowly when he spoke. He could understand that he was not agreeing with her at first. She could have been better at formulating what she wanted to say. It pleased her that he did want her opinion on the hunt, and that he was glad she spoke up. "I'm sorry that I made you feel that way. It truly wasn't my intention. I just wanted the pack to have a success after all the.., misfortune," she spoke to Steady.
"I will pay attention to it next time. And maybe come to you personally instead of shouting it out in the group like some mad woman," she admitted and even smiled a bit.
He nodded in agreement. That's what we all want. Which is why you should always speak up if you know of a better way to do something. Just... state your idea, and leave it at that, he said with a soft smile. He chuckled when she called herself a mad woman. Well, you wanted our attention, and you got it. He could look back on it and laugh now.
It was a first offense, and as far as he knew, he was the only one that had been offended, and so there was no one else to chime in on whether or not there needed to be repercussions. So, he made the decision himself. There won't be any punishment this time, he told her. He doubted she would make the same mistake twice, but time would tell.
Valette was surprised to hear that she wouldn't get any punishment. Her tail started to wag and the girl instantly looked more relieved. As it turned out, facing her punishment had helped. She was not sure if she wanted that much attention ever again. "Thank you, Steady," she spoke with a respectful dip of her head.
"There is another thing I wanted to ask. You wanted to know more about the Taiga, and I am willing to explore it. If you would allow me. I might be away for a few weeks though," she admitted. The taiga was big, and she was not sure how long it would take her.
She looked relived, and he was glad. What was done was done, it was time to move on from it. His ears perked in interest when she confessed she had a question. She wanted to explore the Taiga. He was surprised, remembering her reaction the last time he had mentioned it. He had taken it back, fearful that whatever lay in those lands was nothing something positive for her. If that's where you want to go, you can. But, there are other places to explore if the Taiga isn't where you want to be, he responded. He wanted it to be her choice because she wanted to do, not because he had suggested it.
He didn't like that she would be gone so long, but he knew Scouts were often gone for long periods of time. As he didn't Niita, he would not ask Valette not to go, knowing the information might be valuable, if she came upon anything important. Be safe while you're gone, okay? he said softly. Niita had not gone as far and for as long as Valette wanted to go, and he knew he would worry.
Valette nodded instantly. "I've thought about it and I want to. I need to," she spoke. She had decided that it would be a good thing to wrap up the things that happened in her past. It was not in that region but it was close and it might give her some new perspectives.
"I will. I made it through the famine on my own," she spoke to him with a hint of a smile. Though that would not have happened if she hadn't met McTavish. She was grateful for his teachings. "I will go away at dawn," she spoke to him, now with her permission she was not going to let things go to waste.
She seemed adamant that the Taiga was where she wanted to go, and he nodded. He wasn't going to stop her. He admired that she had gotten through the famine on her own, and that she had ended up here. He nodded again when she said she would leave in the morning. He figured she'd leave sooner rather than later so as to not waste any time. He gave her a soft smile. We'll miss you. He spoke for everyone, and at least knew it would be true for him.
He sighed a little. Well, if that's that, I suppose I should get back to the borders, he said, waiting to see if there was anything else she wanted to talk about. It had been a positive conversation for him, and he hoped for her, as well.
Valette nodded.
"As I will this pack. It has become more of my home already," she spoke to him and then quirked up her lips. She nodded to him in return. She did not want to keep him away from his duties for too long.
"I will come to you first once returning," she spoke and quirked up her lips. With that she trotted away, she would need to prepare, like catch a meal and rest before she would head off on her travels.
- end-
Nice thread! <3