Souvenir

The old garou male nodded his massive dark gold head slowly and thoughtfully as he turned the dagger over in his hands. "It is beautiful." he conceded. "You are clearly skilled my child." He looked over at the blonde haired teenager perched on the sharpening wheel stool. "But we have no need of weapons." he added with a smile. "We are our own weapons. What we need are tools. Perhaps some protective clothing." he mused, thoughtful once again. "But Father..." the girl protested "I just wanted to try it... to see if I could." Her beautifully thick golden mane was twisted into an untidy knot at the back of her head and she was covered in soot and grime from the forge fires. 

"My daughter, you spend far too much time in here." the old wolf muttered, but he had to agree. The dagger was impressive. He walked to the wall and reached up to hang the weapon against a couple of old hooks no longer used, out of reach but in full view. "There... now your work can be admired but not abused." he nodded. "Now... how do the lessons with Naia progress? How is your leatherwork?" he said turning back to Graea. She pouted. "Naia is bossy. And jealous. I'm better than her you know." she said sulkily. Grae chuckled "Of that I am certain." he humored his daughter. "And that is good... I have a job for you." he held out a leather band, snapped in two with three feathers stitched onto it.


"Daddy you broke it again!" came the accusatory voice of the young female. "The feathers from your first kill." the old wolf remembered fondly. "I cannot lose them!" His voice carried a hint of seriousness. "You must make me a new band so that I can keep them safe. Naia has always stitched the bands, but since the feathers are your gift I think it is only fitting that you take over the repairs." Graea arched a brow at him, but she couldn't keep the smile from her lips. She darted over to hug the massive wolf who towered above her. "Thank you Daddy." she mumbled into his fur. "I will make you the best band ever!" she said with absolute certainty... little did she realise she'd have to remake that band many times over the years as it snapped under the strain of the shifting wolf.