The Heartwood let's talk about you and me

for @Burke :)

Cicero had asked Burke to accompany him on a trip from the pack's territories, and Burke had agreed. As Cicero had already checked out the lake near Blackfeather Woods, he decided to take the opportunity of an escort by exploring a bit further in safety. They had left around midday, and arrived at the Heartwood as the sun began to set. Cicero looked over his shoulder at the pinks and oranges that painted the sky, something he did not see often considering the darkness of the woods he lived in. The patchwork adolescent did not mind, though; he could appreciate darkness' beauty as much as that of a picturesque sunset.

"This forest is different from Cicero's woods," Cicero concluded as he looked through the trees, the light of the setting sun filtering through. "Brighter than Cicero's woods." Cicero glanced at Burke, who was and always would be taller than he, with an unusual curious glint in his eyes. "Can Burke tell Cicero about love?" Lately, something had begun to stir in Cicero, a feeling that he did not dare share with anyone. He was curious, wanted to know more about it; and who better to ask than Burke, the only adult male in Cicero's life that he trusted to speak the truth.

Yay exciting! :D Might use this for Councilor :D 

Burke had gladly agreed to the mini exploring session with Cicero. It would be good for him to stretch him limbs and check what was going on in the neutral territories. He also wanted to give Meldresi and Potema some space. Of course he had been watching over the pale princess with all the dedication but somehow he still disliked laying in one place. He had given Meldresi and encouraging lick before leaving. He couldn't imagine how difficult this must be for her to see her daughter like this, after she had to go through almost losing him too.

Burke nodded slowly as they walked through the woods. "Yes, they are. What do you prefer?," he asked curiously. The young had come to an age that they could give opinions and Burke wanted to know them just to he could get to know them better. They all had grown so much. Slowly getting into their adult bodies. Burke turned his head to him when Cicero asked about love. He was asking the wrong man since Burke had never been in love. While he was actually starting to fall for Meldresi he was not ready to admit that to anyone not even himself. "Are you asking this because your mother and I are getting so close?," he wondered. 

Potema had a very clear opinion and Damien too. Burke didn't mind, they just thought it would be gross. Burke actually, and very secretly, liked to have Meldresi by his side. Keeping her warm and feeling protective over her. He was also protective over the three spiderlings yet it was different than Meldresi. "Or is there someone you love for yourself?,' he asked then.

When Burke asked which he preferred, Cicero tilted his head. "Prefer?" Cicero didn't look puzzled, merely curious. He looked around briefly, and then rolled his shoulders before looking back at Burke. "It's different. Both are good. Cicero says both can be preferred in different situations." Cicero did not look to see Burke's reaction to his words, for it mattered little to him whether they would be approved of or not. It wouldn't change a thing to know what Burke thought of them.

Cicero noted that Burke did not straight up answer his question. He did not begin to tell about love. Instead, he threw questions back at Cicero. This was the way a lot of wolves talked, Cicero had learned in his short life. He wasn't sure if it was because they wished to be in control of the situations they were presented with or if there was no explanation for this behaviour at all. Regardless of the cause, it was fascinating.

The closeness had been noted, although Cicero did not think much of it. His mother was a free wolf, and so was Burke. Cicero did not believe that them getting close would impact his life much. It wasn't like there was a given amount of love to give and they might run out of love for the children. Cicero guessed that Damien might think differently about that, though. He was the jealous sort. Potema probably just saw Burke in Meldresi's life as another wolf to lavish her with attention. She was an optimist. "Maybe," he answered with a mysterious smirk on his face while he glanced sideways towards Burke; answering both questions without really answering either.

Cicero sniffed out a hollow tree and jerked his head from inside the log when a bee buzzed out past him. He stared after the bee for a moment before looking back at Burke. "Would Cicero's answer to Burke's questions make a difference for Burke's answer?" The adolescent's eyes twinkled mischievously as he upheld the mystery, although his own secrets were not heavily guarded. Cicero just did not think they mattered in the context of his question, or in Burke's reply, and was curious why Burke thought they did.

Burke was mildly surprised by Cicero's answer, Cicero's rather mature answer. Yet he didn't let too much of that surprise show. He nodded as the younger male talked about both. A soft grunt of approval came from him. He liked that Cicero was able to see the other side of things. Damien would probably side with the dark forest, at least that is what Burke thought he would do. Burke chuckled when Cicero mysteriously told that he might have a girl. Burke wouldn't tell him off on it. He was just not very quick to love someone.

"It would," he returned. "Because then I would focus on your love instead of love in general. Since there are different kinds of love," he returned. There were several after all. Burke didn't really believe in romantic love, even though he was starting to like Meldresi way more each day. He loved being around her and how they worked together to run the pack. Burke wouldn't tell Cicero that of course. Although Burke also needed to remind himself that he shouldn't make Cicero feel like it was impossible some wolves just love more than others. 

Once again Burke thought about Meldresi and wondered if he should ask her as a mate. Unlimited sex for him always when he was mated to her. That would be a definite bonus. Maybe if Meldresi went in heat once more they might even get a litter. Burke saw that as a chance to really be a father. He wasn't a bad one, the fact with his old like was just that he was too busy to even think of the young he fathered. Here in Black Feather he had the time because the pack helped. He liked being the spiderlings mentor. 

Burke said that it would make a difference whether it was about a love of Cicero's own, or love in general. Love was a strange thing to Cicero, for it was one of the few things in the world that, it seemed, he could not control. He loved Damien, for example, even though he had been physically hurt by his brother on numerous occasions as they grew up, and even though Damien thought himself much better than Cicero, and liked to voice that opinion. Maybe it was because Cicero knew that Damien was not better than he that he loved him anyway. Cicero loved only few wolves -- not many beyond his own family -- and he was only on the brinks of discovering what other sorts of love there were.

It was not like Cicero to ask questions about a subject rather than discover it for himself, but the subject of love truly puzzled him for his lack of control. "Let's say it was someone that Cicero loved," Cicero said. "What would Burke say then?" With a defiant smirk Cicero added: "Cicero won't tell who it is, he does not think that's necessary for Burke to know." The adolescent looked around at the bright forest -- he liked it, in this moment. Right now he preferred this forest, because a light forest seemed to best accompany the light-hearted subject of love. Cicero whispered quietly under his breath, to himself more than Burke, "This forest is best for this situation.", and although he showed no signs about being self-conscious about whispering to himself and looked as though it never happened at all, Cicero wondered to himself why he had whispered what he'd already been thinking.

Burke sat down, finding that this topic needed to be discussed throughly and he shouldn't be distracted by walking. Burke then looked down at Cicero. "Nor do I expect you to tell you who you love," he pointed out. He wasn't even ready to admit himself that he might like Meldresi more than he wanted to. Love was something that even he couldn't have control over. Such a strange thing since he had never been in love before he wasn't even sure if he was in love or had a strong liking for Meldresi. 

"You ask the wrong wolf. I never loved someone romantically in my life, I think. Surely there is a love like you have for family and close friends but Romantic Love. Real love can almost change a person, it is that strong. I never really believed in it myself, but I've seen some wolves change because they love someone. Remember Kove? Yeah, he left the brotherhood because he was so in love with Scarlett, the red eyed female, that he only wanted to be with her. To keep her safe, to care for her when needed and to be with her for comfort and to be loved."

Burke took a small breathing pause. "No one can control love, it can happen to anyone, at any time. It is a strange thing, this... love. Maybe even you got it now with this special someone. Some wolves even like one of the same gender romantically. I am not even sure how Meldresi things about that, but some wolves think it is wrong," Burke also explained. "Before you ask, I am not against it or positive about it. If someone likes one then please, be happy together. But don't shove it in my face how happy you are, not any couple should do that. Anyhow. At least I know a male and a female can get pups and that is important for a pack. That is what I do know."

Cicero nodded in appreciation when Burke said that he did not expect Cicero to tell him who he loved. Cicero was not even certain about his own feelings at all, which was one of many reasons why he did not want to tell Burke the name of the wolf by whose side Cicero was happiest.

Cicero did not think he asked the wrong wolf, but he did not interject when Burke told him this. Cicero liked that Burke had not loved much, because perhaps a wolf who was as confused as himself about love was the one who could best bring him closer to it. A wolf who thought they knew all about love would only press their own opinion and experience upon Cicero; Burke, who thought he knew nothing of love, could share his experience without forcing Cicero to adopt his opininions would he disagree with them.

Of all that Burke said, a few things stood out. One of them was the difference between loving family and loving someone romantically. Another was that Burke, for some reason, mentioned that some wolves were attracted to the same gender, and that some others thought it wrong. Cicero wondered if Burke said this because he thought that Cicero was attracted to other males, or because he wanted to mention it in general. It was curious, regardless.

"Can love for family change a person too?" Cicero asked when Burke had finished, head tilted, expression serious; something that did not happen often, although with age Cicero had grown a bit more serious than he was as a child.

Burke thought about Cicero's question. Which he liked. The older male liked to give good advise and Cicero was asking good questions to answer for him. The older tank of a male was certain that once Cicero would be fully grown they would have excellent conversations. He was starting to see all of Meldresi's young as his own children, mainly because he was there ever since they were starting to explore. 

"It can. It can," he spoke thoughtfully. "Lets say your family as a certain believe like our pack has, then that love for your family and what they believe in change and shape you into a person. Surely you are not the same as Damien but it did shape you in a certain way, for instance that you are training to become a spy. This can have effect on someone you love romantically because they may not like that. Maybe also because you bare such love for you mother or siblings you might not go for the wolf you love because they disapprove. Usually it is the other way around, that romantic love is stronger but it isn't unheard of that one might love his family more."

Burke was definitely curious where these thoughts came from. Maybe it was the recent attack on Potema that made the pup realize that he loved his sister a lot. Maybe Cicero met someone, that was also interesting.

Although Burke answered Cicero's question, he did not grasp the exact context that Cicero was going for. He kept referring to family and the person you love as different wolves. Perhaps he had already forgotten that he had said that romantic love could change a person; it was almost a direct quote from what Burke had said that had led to what Cicero said. Perhaps it was because he wanted to be able to say he meant it differently if Burke understood the context he was angling for; or perhaps he just wanted to make Burke figure the puzzle out himself instead of telling everything as it were.

Cicero looked around the peaceful forest while he considered his next question carefully. "Can't it be both?" Cicero asked casually, his voice neutral and calm as he looked back up at Burke. He made such a clear division between romantic love and family love that Cicero was curious whether it was really deviate, in the eyes of the masses, the normals, to love one's family in a romantic sort of way. Whether or not Burke assumed Cicero himself held such interest did not worry Cicero much.

Burke squinted his eyes when Cicero returned a comment. Was he talking about incest? That was not some topic to take lightly. What if Cicero liked Potema or Damien in that way, or maybe even Meldresi. Burke's pale eyes fell on Cicero with a more serious expression. "Then you are talking about incest. Romantic love comes with breeding, I figure you know that?," he questioned. Where Cicero's balls dropping for him to think he is feeling a lust towards his family members? "Incest is not accepted by a lot of wolves. Pups that are received that way are often troubled. I am also not a fan of incest, purely because I could never see my family in that way."

Burke then reminded himself to look up what the brotherhood thinks of incest. He wasn't agreeing with it. It shouldn't happen but he was curious what his believe thought about it. He knew that some religions did encourage it, to keep the blood pure. But he wouldn't expect the brotherhood to be pro towards it. Burke then focussed on Cicero again. "Was that what you wanted to know? That love can change you so much you love a family member romantically?"

When Burke said 'I figure you know that', Cicero's lips twitched with an amused smile. Cicero did not share his inner thoughts - Burke had said that sometimes wolves loved another of the same gender, in which case it did not come with breeding. Besides, there was so much more than basal sex to romance. Perhaps it was because he was young and had not fully passed the holding-hands stage of love yet, or perhaps there were other reasons to this pattern of thoughts. Cicero kept this to himself; he had already given Burke enough assumptions to work with. There was no need to multiply those assumptions even further.

The following words confirmed what Cicero previously thought: it's okay, as long as there is no breeding. Burke had never seen his family in that manner, which explained why he seemed somewhat irked by the subject. "Why is there a special word for this? Is it a bad word?" It was evident from Cicero's voice and expression that he did not understand the reason that romantic love between family had a special word. Love was love, was it not.

When Burke asked his last question, the amused smile tugged at Cicero's lips again as he looked at Burke and mysteriously said, "Maybe."

Burke was slightly relieved when Cicero asked that question, since the tone he used sounded too confused for him to understand everything. Luckily Burke realized that Cicero might not be so serious about incest. In any case, he would keep a close eye on Cicero for the next couple of months. Maybe guide him more if he needed that. "There is a special word for it, yes. Love has multiple versions and if you have one version of this love for one of your family members then it is wrong."

Burke then decided, with an inner sigh, to add which kind of love. "The love you have for someone you want to make babies with and want to breed and always want to be close with to give licks and cuddles," he then explained. Worst case scenario he would have to give a Sex education to the teenager. He might need to do that to Damien too, so the young male would know how to behave around ladies. Although, now Burke thought about it... he had lived most of his life through this dick instead of his brain. Maybe he wasn't a good example. The man had also forgotten about the fact that Cicero once saw him with Tanith. 

It was still unclear to Burke why this form of love was so taboo, although he decided not to mention it further. It would only push the wrong sort of buttons. It was good that Cicero now knew, though; it was always good to know when others might disapprove of something. The reasoning was flawed, of course; you could not disapprove of something simply because you did not feel the same. Perhaps it was best feelings were pushed back, regardless, for love was confusing and entangling and it was likely that the object of Cicero's affections would feel the same. They were still young. It would take time for life to develop Cicero's way. Perhaps he would one day get what he desired, and perhaps not.

Upon Burke's explanation, Cicero grinned a lopsided grin. "Cicero knows what Burke means." Cicero decided to keep anything further to himself for now. Burke would likely only try to change his mind or lecture him, and Cicero was not waiting for a lecture at the moment.

"Let's look at the rest of the territory. Did Burke come here before?" Cicero looked at Burke with curosity, swapping the subject to a more light-hearted one. Burke did not seem to enjoy talking of love, especially forbidden love, that much, and Cicero was eager to learn as much of the pack's surrounding territories as he could, anyway.

Burke nodded, relieved that he didn't need to explain things anymore about love or sex. I mean he could tell Cicero a lot about sex. He knew a lot about it after all, but maybe not the right way. Although, if he thought about Meldresi he had been rather respectful. Maybe he should take a move on her. He was a strong male and he would get what he liked. He had cuddled and kissed Meldresi more than enough. He should totally man up and see if she was interested in more than that. His mind was blocked by Cicero's question. Man, such a good daydream spilled. "I have, but only briefly," he admitted. He liked the open spaces more. 

He knew about bears living here and other sorts of wildlife. Burke wasn't very keen on bears to be really honest. "I cannot tell you much about it but we could explore it together. Would you like that?," he offered. Burke would be all for it. He had done several expeditions with Cicero and Burke was starting to enjoy it more and more. "Will you stay in Black Feather?," he then asked curiously. He knew the pup had the ambition to be a spy in the brotherhood. But now he was a teenager might have decided that another life would suit better for him. 

Upon Burke's question, Cicero answered with a nod. "Yes." It didn't matter that Burke didn't know the territory very well either; they would explore it together. Cicero got to his feet and glanced around the Heartwood. He sniffed the fresh air and enjoyed the spring breeze that blew through his frail fur. He liked this place.

Cicero's head turned to Burke curiously when the male asked him if he would stay in Blackfeather. Cicero expected much, but he had not expected Burke's question. "Why would Cicero not stay in Blackfeather?" he asked, countering the question with one of his own. He wondered if the question had been triggered by one thing or another. Cicero had never considered the possibility of leaving Blackfeather Woods up until now; it was like a world opening up for him to realise that he could choose to go elsewhere. Although so far, Cicero did not have such aspirations. Blackfeather Woods treated him well, and although he wondered for the rest of the world, he did not wish to leave his home... and his family.

Glancing around, Cicero broke into a brisk trot, following a path carved by much use from animals and assuming Burke would follow suit. He sniffed the air, but found nothing good that specifically triggered his interest.

Burke walked with Cicero. Burke used his nose and eyes, but also his padded feet to feel if anything heavy was approaching them. He wouldn't be too keen on bears after all. It seemed his question surprised Cicero. "I was just wondering. Some young wolves would seek a new home when they are bigger," Burke shrugged. "I am happy you are staying," he then spoke with a hint of a smile. Burke followed Cicero in a more general path, he kept more to right following a curious scent he hadn't scented before. His nose close to the ground and his docked tail raised. 

Though his mind soon strayed to Meldresi. The tank of a male couldn't help it. He wanted more with Meldresi and it was something he hadn't felt before. Maybe Cicero would have an opinion on it. "I have another question," Burke then stated and returned to Cicero's side. It might be more of a sensitive one. "You don't have to answer it but I am curious. Do you ever miss your father?" Burke wondered what Cicero was going to say. Maybe he would just answer that he saw Burke as his father. How would he react then? 

Even though he had no direct intent to leave, Burke's question had opened possibilities. Cicero did not think he would leave the pack any time soon, but apparently it was normal for young wolves to do so. Maybe he would, some day, if the circumstances called for it, but for now Cicero had at least one thing that tied him to Blackfeather Woods. Perhaps if things went sour there. But somehow, Cicero felt that he belonged with Blackfeather, and it would not be so easy to find his place anywhere else in the world, in any other pack.

When Burke turned right, Cicero asked him, "What did Burke find?" He sniffed the air, but found nothing out of the ordinary. Perhaps he stood too far from it, or perhaps his nose was not as refined as Burke's, either through age or talent.

Upon Burke's question, Cicero looked thoughtful a moment. It was a long time since he had thought of his father; he did not know his father, and was not sure if he had ever even met him. If he had, it had been when he was very small, for he did not remember anything about him. "Cicero has no father," he answered in the end, his face void of emotion. 

Burke stepped closer to Cicero. His answer was short and very clear. Somehow it pleased him that Cicero would think that. He didn't want Bane to return and kick him from his Beta spot or just rejoice with his pups while he had taken care of all their teaching and care taking. That Cicero asked him about love was more than enough of an indicator for Burke. Cicero also didn't seem too upset. "Alright. Thank you for answering," he returned. 

The male continued with them exploring. He found some mushrooms but he was always bit wary of them. "Do you know them?,' he questioned. He knew the young teenager knew a bit about plants, most of that knowledge was by Potema he believed, but he wasn't sure. Cicero also seemed pretty skilled and the pup had a way of surprising Burke after all. 

Burke did not pursue the subject of Cicero's father further, and neither did Cicero. It meant little to him, and therefore he had little need to discuss it. He would answer any other questions Burke had, were there any, it when they pressed on to further matters it seemed that Burke did not have any more, for the time being.

When Burke asked him about a particular mushroom, Cicero tilted his head to sniff the mushrooms on the ground. He carefully licked the tip of the hood of the mushrooms, making sure not to touch the underside, and shook his head. "Not edible, unless Burke wants to die." Cicero smiled at Burke and went on to explain, "These mushrooms are very good if Burke wants to hurt somewolf who does not know much of mushrooms. Many bad mushrooms are bright and red, but this looks a lot like edible mushrooms." They did not look very different from others, to someone who didn't know a thing about mushrooms. It was also why Cicero tended to steer clear of other capped mushrooms that looked like these; he knew how to distinguish them, but he would undoubtedly be the first wolf to make the mistake if he did. He rather not risk it.

Burke definitely didn't want to die. He found all mushrooms dangerous and often stayed clear of the fungi. They were not his thing. He was more a fan of brute force. The male then nodded, looking at the curious... plant? Was it a plant. Burke ruffled his fur. "Thank you. I just say clear of all of them really." To him they were a pest because often, if caches were too long in one place, these buggers would show up along with other insects and Burke disliked that. Not that the wolf had any common knowledge of the nature cleaning up after itself. 

The tank of a male looked at Cicero. "If you would happen to do that, kill a wold with this I mean," he started to form his question. "Well, how would you pick the thing up without poisoning yourself?," he questioned. He found it rather dangerous. Some might like it, but as stated before Burke was not. He preferred his teeth and body. His docked tail wiggled in curiosity.

Cicero could understand that wolves that did not take the time to learn of mushrooms decided not to eat any at all. He knew that there were wolves who would die of mushrooms like these, without anyone trying to murder them, simply because they liked eating mushrooms and ate the wrong one. It was why it was very important that Potema knew about mushrooms, too, for she ate them a lot and if she would not know enough about them, then she would surely perish one day from eating a mushroom much like this one.

Burke asked how you would kill a wolf with it, and Cicero grinned. "Not bite too hard," he explained. Cicero gently swatted the mushroom with a paw. "Wolf would take them from the ground with a paw, like so, but harder, and take it gently between teeth. Maybe wolf would feel a bit sick for a day, but if it works, it is worth." Well, in Cicero's book it would be worth it, anyway, if you hit your mark. Not that he had ever done such a thing. Cicero looked at Burke and queried, "Burke has any wolf that needs to die?" Cicero wondered why wolves needed to die, anyway; he knew that he may end up killing a wolf some day, and he knew many wolves within Blackfeather had killed. What had the wolves they killed done to Blackfeather Woods to deserve the ultimate price of death?

Last post from me!

Burke watched how Cicero explained to pick a mushroom up a poisonous mushroom. It looked like one would need quite the skill to pick one up. The large male quirked up his lips when Cicero asked if he wanted someone killed. Well he had several people but he didn't know where they were. His annoying son would be one thing that he would want to get rid of that was certain. "I have a few, I will come to you if needed."

Burke then looked back over his shoulder. "Shall we return? If you want to continue exploring be my guest but I should get back to watch over the borders and maybe hunt for the pack." Burke was not trying to be a workaholic, but there were duties he would need to for fill. As much as he liked exploring a new territory or listen to Cicero being really wise for his age, the pack was also that needed some care taking. A soft hum left his lips. He was also thinking of getting Meldresi for him alone now he was in better health. 

Cicero nodded at Burke, although he doubted if it would ever be necessary. Cicero, of course, had never actually killed a wolf, and he could see that Burke was scared of the mushrooms, did not know how to handle their power well. "It is good to know they grow here," Cicero said while he looked at the mushrooms, and he made mental note of the area and place they grew, so that he would hopefully be able to find them later.

When Burke suggested they return, Cicero nodded and he quietly joined by Burke's side as they returned home to Blackfeather Woods.