Horizon Ridge Remind us to do better

Pump had been put in a lot of awkward situations lately - people complimenting and actually liking her, and now this was so unexpected and hilarious that she kept staring at Gavriil long after he had finished his very long and emotional speech. Evenutally she collected herself, sat down and cast her gaze away from him to look at her paws. She was thoughful.

Truth to be told, she would rather face another bear than be right here and now in front of Gavriil, whom she had promissed nothing in the beginning and eventually, much to her reluctance, he had become her friend. She liked him, because he accepted, what he could get and didn't push her to give more. Unlike Ragnar, in whose presence Pump always felt the need to work harder and better.

Gavriil was simple, easy to understand and get along with. He had a lot more to him than he thought. Yet... all of her decisions in life were made because of practical and rational reasons. From an evolutionary stand-point of view - Gavriil was a good match. Tough, healthy and with many good qualities. His progeny would be strong and his bloodline would flourish. If she had been the same cold and unemotional being she had been few months ago, she would have accepted his offer, because it would make sense.

Yet Pump was different with a softer edge and more regard for other people's feelings. Gavriil would have the picture perfect family eventually, yet she wouldn't be the one standing by his side as the loyal and loving mate. That role was reserved for someone else. "What is that you want to have eventually?" she wasn't used to asking people about their future, because she was more of the "living the moment" kind of person. Yet this seemed important for her to know, before she made any decisions.