Altar of Twilight You believe me like a god

@Aureli

It had been a long time since Leto had seen Delos in such high spirits.

Since his day with Aureli, he had talked about nothing else. He was caring for burns on his own, more eager to hunt, more eager to play, and Leto was growing more comfortable just.. letting him live. It was a massive improvement, for both of them.

They had ventured to a shaded mountainside today. She had already helped Delos with his catch, a young rabbit which he now sat to the side with, and she needed to find her meal. The altar was ripe with rodents, and she doubted it would take long to find a suitable snack.

He'd taken his time to think about whether or not to make this offer, and in the end, had decided he had little to lose and much to gain. A year of his freedom of movement was a small price to pay for the continuation of his line, Ulysses's line, the line of all the many forbearers of knowledge.

He had tracked the mother and son down again, and was relieved to find them not yet departed from the area. When their scents were fresh, he tipped back his head to howl in greeting, and then picked up his pace in search of them.

"Good afternoon," he said to them when he's found the pair, more jovial than usual, but still not quite jovial at all. "I trust you have been doing well?"

He addressed them both, but then looked over Delos with a careful eye. No word of approval seemed necessary, but the sway of his tail gave away his happiness with the boy's steady health.

Leto was surprised when she heard Aureli's call, having been sure that he would have moved on after the day spent with her son. But it wouldn't hurt to see him again, so Leto returned his howl with one of her own. Delos would certainly be happy.

By the time the herbalist arrived Leto was swallowing a mouse. Not the most graceful sight.

Smiling in return to his greeting, she was pleased to see that Delos was thumping his tail from where he sat. Much better now that Delos can take care of his burns. She responded earnestly. You seem like you're in a better mood than when we last spoke. A bit less grimace-y! Leto felt she could be more natural around him already.

Did you want to speak to Delos? She asked, looking back to where the boy was finishing off his meal.

This pleased the physician, though his pleasure (and the mild expression it had produced) both fell a little flat when his mood was commented on. He was just a little more dour as he went on, neatly ignoring the comment.

"I would, yes," he agreed, but he stepped toward Leto instead. "But first I must speak with you." He looked toward Delos. "Privately, please. Your mother may discuss it with you after I am done."

Leto was surprised to find that Aureli had come to speak to her, as was Delos, who couldn't help grimacing.

Well.. alright. She responded, moving off to the side where Delos wouldn't be able to read their lips quite so well. Is something wrong?

It's hard not to be concerned when the local doctor comes to speak to you out of the blue. She worried that he might have bad news; did he notice something when he was with Delos? Was her son dying? Did he have a mysterious disease? Was she dying?

Aureli mustered a smile for her, thin though it was. Something about her grated at him, but he saw her love for her son, and he respected that. He would pay her the further respect of bringing this to her before mentioning it to her son.

He looked one last time at Delos and smiled wanly. He hoped this was the right path for them both.

"All is well," he replied, hoping to forestall any worries on her part. No one truly likes speaking with healers, he found — not, at least, about their own health, or the health of their loved ones. (He did not consider that it might, perhaps, just be him that wolves found unpleasant.)

"I am in search of an apprentice, and I would like to inquire about your son," he told her, cutting straight to the chase. "The apprenticeship lasts a year, and the commitment to the healer's guild perhaps much longer — but I believe he might have the temperament and intuition to make a fine healer. I would like to ask him to consider this, and consider becoming my apprentice."

He waited, then, for her reaction.

Leto's sigh of relief came immediately after his response. You had me scared! She admitted.

But this wasn't a bad idea at all. Delos will be happy to hear about it, he really enjoyed his time with you the other day.. she trailed off, something uncertain in her eyes. Would you be taking him from me? It had to be asked. Delos was her baby, even if he was growing old enough to care for himself now. Leto had made plenty of mistakes as a first time mother, but she really was trying to shape up now.

If he really wanted to do this, I wouldn't stop him. Leto knew it would be wrong. If her son had a passion, let alone a future, under Aureli's watchful eye who was she to stop him? The healer could have stumbled across any plant-munching kid, it had to be fate.

Aureli shook his head.

"I don't want to take him from you," he assured her, glad that she would consider it either way. Truly, the oaths that Delos would be asked to take were not what most mothers wanted for their children — but he at least would not ask Leto to give up her son. "He would need to travel with me, but you would be welcomed along. And, if you think it best, this can be delayed. I can come and find you again when he is older, if I am able."

He searched Leto's eyes.

"Let us ask him what he thinks," he suggested. "He may not like the idea after all, when he learns more about the oaths it comes with. Perhaps you will not, either."

Leto only nodded for now. She appreciated Aureli's flexibility, and that she would be welcome to join them. It helped to ease her nerves. But what sort of oaths would Delos be expected to take that Aureli felt unsure of whether or not they would be able to accept them? Leto couldn't imagine they were that bad.

Turning her head to Delos, she signalled for the boy who came bounding over almost immediately.

Joining the pair, Delos couldn't resist flashing Aureli a look of pure suspicion. What business did he have with Leto? That was his mom, and he wasn't sure he liked Aureli talking to his mom. Probably because his mom really likes talking to men, as he had learned while travelling with her in the daytime more often.

Is something wrong? He asked, looking to each of their faces for an answer. Aureli looked calm and neutral as ever, but Leto seemed.. tense.

The question brought a tiny smile to his face. Delos was not a boy who appreciated information being kept from him, he thought. Perhaps this could be tied to a general thirst for knowledge.

"Not at all," he replied, his tail whisking at his hocks in gentle placation. "I was asking your mother if we might discuss my taking you on as an apprentice. You are still young — I did not want to bring it up if she did not approve. But with her permission, I ask you, Delos, if you would like to learn more about herbs and healing. If you would like to travel the wilds to aid other wolves. Your mother, of course, could accompany us. There are other considerations — but I ask you first if this sounds like something you are interested in."

He eyed the boy keenly, measuring him and, once more, finding him quite up to snuff.

Skipping Leto this round

He was excited, that much was undeniable from his wagging tail. Aureli hadn't come for his mother at all - it was for him! The opportunity was quite thrilling as well. Looking to Leto, who nodded to show her own approval, Delos could have ran circles around them right there.

But he would play it cool, just like Aureli always seemed to. But you mean it - right? Like, really? He asked, slowing his tail for the moment. You want me?

It seemed like the perfect solution for all of them. Leto could travel, Delos could learn, and maybe Aureli would lighten up when he wasn't so lonely.

The physician's smile was faint, but present as he observed the boy's excitement. Of course, excitement did not necessarily mean agreement — especially when he had not yet heard the details of the position on the offer.

"I would not ask if I did not mean it," he replied. His smile was not present in his tone, which was as mild as ever. "I believe you have the right temperament for it, and I know that you are a bright boy. The question is whether or not it interests you. It is not a path that ought to be taken on a whim."

His expression grew just a little more solemn.

"It can be a lonely and tiresome path," he cautioned. "I will be with you, but our lives would be devoted to learning and to healing. For a year, at least; that is how long the apprenticeship is."

But the learning, in truth, goes on forever. That had been a favorite saying of Ulysses.

Delos did not give an immediate response, clearly taking time to think. Leto lowered her head to look him in the eyes. In a month or two, will this still be what you want?

If Delos had any of her spirit in him, it worried Leto that he could swiftly lose interest. But Aureli was right, Delos was smart. Much smarter than she ever had been. A useful skill and an older mentor would get him places, then maybe he wouldn't turn out so much like she had.

This could give him a better life.

Delos was quiet, taking in the words of Aureli and his mother.

Yes, I want to do it.

Collecting herbs for his treatment was the most fun he'd had in a while, and Delos knew that if he and Aureli went their seperate ways he would miss him.

This was important to him now, and he felt confident that in a month, two months, or a year it still would be. Lonely travels and all.

His tail waved again, pleased, but it was clear he still held reservations. He gave a single nod of acknowledgement, and then settled a little lower, his gaze intensifying.

"There is an oath that all healers of the guild must make," he warned the boy. "First, to do no harm to other wolves — though while you are learning, we can make some exceptions. Second, to always help when you find other wolves in need of your skills. And third, to dedicate your life to healing entirely. This, again, is somewhat flexible while you are learning. We will still need to teach you all the skills you will need to survive.

"You must ask yourself now, Delos, if you could commit yourself to these oaths for a year. If you are interested in committing yourself for a lifetime."

He eyed the boy quite solemnly.

"It is not the path for everyone," he cautioned, though his tone was gentler, now. Kind. "I believe you well suited. I would be honored to take you on as my apprentice. But you must choose carefully. I will expect your commitment and your compliance, if you agree."

Leto kept quiet, feeling that it was not her place to provide an opinion.

So, it was a lifetime dedication then. That was a lot, she couldn't deny it.. but it all seemed decently good natured. Whether or not Delos was willing to give up on the possibility of future escapades, she couldn't know.

Unable to hide her anticipation, she watched her son with a twitching tail. She certainly hoped that he would accept Aureli's offer, but she couldn't hold it against Delos if he refused. It was a lot.

He could be committed, and he could be compliant. Nontheless, the oaths he would have to to take were intimidating. Yes, Aureli.. He would do his best.

Paws shifting where he stood, Delos couldn't help his frown. But if I broke an oath, even by accident, does that mean I can't be your apprentice anymore? He couldn't imagine just how completely heartbreaking that would be.

He badly wanted this. But would it be ripped away from him so easily? Mistakes were made, stumbles happened, and Delos worried it could be unavoidable someday.

Aureli was patient. This was not a decision to be rushed, though he, like Delos, had agreed to an apprenticeship with Ulysses before he'd even finished asking. The memory — and seeing it echoed here — brought another tiny smile to his face.

"We all make mistakes, Delos," he replied. "Even me. As my master liked to say: the learning, in truth, goes on forever. I would not turn you away for an honest mistake, or even for a few. There would come a point where we would have to discuss whether this is still the right path for you — but in life, there are risks that are quite unavoidable. Finding out you want or need something different than what you have is one of them."

He straightened, smiling more warmly than ever.

"Think about it," he told the boy. "I must go and visit Redhawk Caldera — and I think I ought to do that one on my own, don't you?" His eyes glimmered with the faintest trace of humor. "If you are very certain when I return that this is still what you want to do, we will go together to the next pack — and to every pack and every place thereafter."

Leto had to admit that she was glad Aureli wanted to visit the caldera before taking Delos under his wing. She didn't want to give Towhee any satisfaction in seeing another adult caring for her son.

Let's meet back here when you're done, then. We won't stray too far. She suggested, tail waving lightly at her hocks. It made her happy to see Delos so excited.

She had some room to be selfish, too.. Leto was certainly excited by the promise of travel.

He was immediately relieved by Aureli's response. So he had made mistakes too, then. It was sort of hard to imagine.

Part of him was disappointed that Aureli had to put things off to visit the caldera of course, but he understood. I can wait. He promised. He would be sure to keep up his treatments, too.

It was exciting, the idea of visiting so many packs. Particularly because it meant he would get to visit Verapaz, too.

Aureli's tail whisked in satisfaction. He doubted the boy would change his mind, but a few days to solidify the idea would be good for him. He would have little time to think while he adjusted to his training.

"I will depart at once, then," he said to the pair, nodding to Leto in acknowledgement. He turned back to Delos with a swell of sentiment in his chest. The boy was still skinny, still just a little sickly — but still bright and promising in the physician's eyes. He had a sudden insight, wondering to himself if Ulysses had seen him in just the same way.

The idea suffused him with warmth, and he felt a pang of sadness and grief for the man. He hoped that he and Delos would have more time together, and that he would be able to see him, one day, as an accomplished healer in his own right.

"Gather your strength," he advised the boy, a promise in his voice. "I will see you in a few days' time."

And then he turned to depart.

He would notice much later on that Moke had not departed from them at his side.