Aviana had gingerly made her way back into the territory after she and Pearl's conversation. The agouti female had great respect for her brother's mate, and looked forward to future conversations with her, especially since the last one had gone so well. But, that didn't mean she was ready to see Seb.

While she had come back into the pack lands, she had steered clear of the other members, and her brother. She simply wasn't ready to face him yet. Part of her said it was because of her fear of him that day, but deep down, Aviana knew better. It wasn't just that fear, it was feeling ashamed that she had it at all. Seb was her brother, her protector. He had never treated her with anything but kindness. How could she ever fear him, when he had simply shown some confidence? He wasn't aggressive at all, least of all towards her. Aviana feared he would disappointed that she had reacted the way she had.

And, so, though she remained in the boundaries of Broken Antler Fen, she had kept on the move. She stopped long enough to sleep, but as the sun rose, so did she. She had learned just about every inch of the territory, and had effectively not seen any of her pack mates. But, today, it seemed that would change.

She turned in time to see her brother, and paused, her gaze watching him. She almost would have let him pass, but she knew that would be the coward's way out. So, instead, she chuffed, announcing her position to him.

Seb turned quickly towards her, and Aviana hunched down a little in the bushes, her ears flattening on her head. Then she witnessed her brother laying down, his voice whispering her name. He began to explain, and she began to feel completely stupid for how she had run off. She rose from her spot and walked towards him. I know you wouldn't, she admitted aloud to him.

It was a little hard for her to explain to him, but she would try. It's just... Sometimes I have... triggers, I guess you could call them. Certain things that make me have flashbacks. When they happen, it's hard for me not to react. While it was true, and it was the reason she ran, it didn't explain why she didn't return. After I ran, I felt... guilty. I wasn't sure how you felt, and I was... ashamed that I reacted that way towards you. She had never intended to hurt his feelings. Pearl saw me outside the borders, and explained what was going on with you and her. It makes sense, she concurred with him, finally. 

Seb graciously accepted her apology, understanding why she had ran from him. It seemed he, too, had triggers at one point about their father. Feeling a bit bold, she commented. I always wondered why you kept trying with him, she said softly. For Aviana, it was their mother who took care of them, feed them, protected them. The young hadn't even missed their father, for she couldn't miss what wasn't there. She had largely ignored him, feeling as though he was simply another pack mate. But, Seb seemed to take things a different way than she had.

I've always known you wouldn't hurt me, she responded. I just felt... guilty that I had treated you like you were going to. It was a flash reaction, and by the time I realized what happened, I was outside the territory, and I wasn't sure if you would be upset at my reaction. They had such a strong bond, and Aviana feared severing that because of her reaction. 

A smile brightened her features when Seb confirmed that she would be an Aunt. And you're going to be a DAD! she said excitedly, her tail wagging quickly behind her. I don't think they will be triggers, she said a little cautiously. I will be protective of them, but they won't remind me of things, she added. You're going to be a great Dad, Seb, she said pointedly. She fully believed that whatever had happened with their father, and the emotional scars they seemed to leave on Seb, he would not repeat those mistakes. He was not Burke. He was better.

She shook her head quickly at his request. There is nothing to forgive, Seb. You didn't do anything wrong, I promise. It was she that needed to learn to control her reactions when others reminded her of their Uncle. He was dead, he could never hurt her again, and Seb certainly wasn't anyone she had to be afraid of, no matter his body language. I know there will come a day that I'll be okay. It had to come. Living here, seeing how happy Seb and the others were- she wanted that. She didn't want to live in fear anymore.

She frowned when she heard the passion in his voice, and knew instantly she shouldn't have questioned the why's of what he had done concerning their father. I'm sorry, Seb. I didn't mean to dredge up the past. I guess... I guess I just never cared when it came to him, she replied. She understood, though, that he had wanted their father as someone to look up to, and that simply wasn't possible when he wasn't there.

She gave a humorless look to her brother. Like I have anywhere else to go, she pointed out. Then, she realized. Even if I did, this feels like home. I didn't, and don't, want to leave. She felt it important that he know that. Sure, she was loyal to the pack, but it went beyond that. She had been on her own for so long, and had never even hoped that she would feel like she did now, here, in this family. She felt at home.

He mentioned the bar that Burke had set as far as being a father went. I don't think you should compare yourself to him at all. Set your own standards, based on you, and what you want, and how you want to be with them. She feared if he focused more on their father and being better than him, he would loose sight of what this was all about- his sons and daughters. She frowned when she mentioned the size difference between he and Pearl. Maybe her body will adjust, she hoped aloud. She didn't know a thing when it came to genetics and what kind of pups Pearl would have. 

She returned her brother's lick, finding comfort in feeling that touch again. I hope so, she replied, and gave him a soft smile. She didn't know when that day would come, but she knew it would. It had to.

Her ears perked when Seb mentioned that their father had been here at one point, though he didn't think he was still in the area. It didn't matter much to Aviana either way, as she had no need in seeing him. But, she was glad that her brother seemed to get his closure. He would be blind not to see how much of a great leader you are, she said genuinely. She could see it herself, and she hoped that pulled some weight with him—to know that it wasn't just their father who commended him for coming here and starting a new family. 

Her tail wagged at the mention of Nathaniel. Do you think he came here, like you and Dad did? she asked. It would be fate if he had. To have both her brothers here would have made Aviana ecstatic. She couldn't help but chuckle when Seb worded how he refrained from mating with other females because he was holding out for a mate. He had always been bold-spoken, but she had never minded it. I'm glad you and Pearl have found each other. And that you two are making me an Aunt! she proclaimed with a broad smile. 

I'll try to gather some things for the birth, just so I can be prepared if anything does go wrong. If Pearl will be alright with it, I can be nearby. I mean, I don't have first hand experience with birthing, but I think I can try and figure out what might happen and try to prevent it, she explained. With a medical eye, she could think about everything that could go wrong, and try to prepare. She wouldn't tell Seb, though, not wanting him to worry. 

Her tail wagged again. Thank you, Seb, she said softly. She went down to her belly, stretching out in front of him. It was good to feel safe enough that she could do this. Usually she was tensed up, and curled up, waiting for someone to pounce that wasn't even there. But, right now, with him here, she could relax. She extended one leg towards him, attempting to touch him with it, just because.