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Sonnet: *goes to find Maion while Chandra is elsewhere* You wanted to talk to me alone?

Maion: *Stirs from his thoughts almost with a jolt to see Sonnet* Ah... yeah... *looks beyond him just to make sure his mate (Chandra) wasn't pulling a 'Heze' on him.* I just wanted to talk to you about the herd.

Sonnet: *looks around, not seeign anyone close, looking back to Maion again* Ok, I would have thought you would prefer to talk about this with Chandra though as she is the one that will inherit.

Maion: But I am not talking from the point of an alpha, that was never who I was. *He said honestly* When you think of me... you don't think so much the leader as the security. Am I right? *He knew it was so for practically everyone within the herd. He meant safety for them.*

Sonnet: *considered this, but given he had only ever seen Maion's mate from a distance he actually didn't think of her as the leader* I'm probably not the best to ask that

Maion: *He nodded, understanding Sonnet's reaction. It brought a stab of pain to him too, he missed his mate, missed the way they once were... but he also wasn't niave to believe they could ever return to that. Clearing his throat, and by default his thoughts he focused on Sonnet again.* Well... I just wanted to pass on some advice. Since I will be stepping down, you and Chandra... it is your time now, and I trust you both. *He smiled softly and looked beyond Sonnet again, this time simply into space.* She will need you more than you might thing, your job is far greater than hers. The pillar for everyone, in the background most of the time but the strength for everyone.

Sonnet: *Nods, listening quietly* I'm not you though Maion.... I'm not a rock, muchas I might want to be *looking away from teh elder, seeing himself as far too soft hearted to be able to be the anchor for everyone, could he stand quiet and strong if disaster after disaster befell his family*

Maion: *Chuckled at that* Yeah... I was there once. *Turning to focus on Sonnet again he reached forward with one of his wings and bringing Sonnet's head back up.* I guess this is the point when I am meant to tell you all sort of advice, about being patient and counting to ten... or about how you need to learn everyone's personality and habit so you can predict what they will do... or maybe that you need to be able to fight stronger and harder and longer, that you should learn everything and be the source of all knowlegde... but that's all wrong... there is only one piece of advice you need. *He pulled his wing away* Follow your heart Sonnet. I, know you can do this. And to prove it... *Maion turned his head softly* Elijah.... if you will. *Metal rang out and jingled. Then the little fox jumped to the floor holding his star necklace.* I want you to have this.

Sonnet: *looked at Maion, his eyes going to the star amulet* I... don't understand.... *Sure he had always followed his heart, but times like when Auva had been hurt, he had felt like he had been stabbed in the heart. Seeing the heartache that Maion suffered he knew that following his heart could break it in the end... Giving himself a mental kick for that thought, still looking confused.*

Maion: *His eyes fell to the star too.* You do understand... you have always understood... following your heart is the surest way to get hurt, but it is also the only way to live. They need that. They need someone who isn't afraid to live with their heart.... *His unspoken words that he currently was. His heart was torn in two and he didn't even know which way was up anymore and which way was down.* I leave them in your capable hooves. *He said softly.*

Sonnet: *looked back to Maion* But this is yours... *never having known where Maion had gotten it, or its significance, the star had just been part of Maion. Unable to keep the sympathetic pain out of his eyes, Sonnet had seen his own father suffer heartache for a long time of one form or another, he knew the signs well. *

Maion: *He continued to smile.* I know you have always seen her that way.... makes it more bareable. *He teased, knowing all too well how Sonnet was watching Hakidonmuya around his own daughter Heze right now* But trust me, one day you... you Sonnet will shine like a star. *He looked down at Elijah* Will you give our friend a hand please? *Elijah nodded and picked up the necklace again before jumping up and grabbing Sonnets hair before swinging on to his back. When there she fiddled with the necklace until it was in place.* It's suit you. *He said softly.*

Sonnet: *Froze in place as Elija jumped on him, he had never really been around the fox knowing that she preferred just Maion's company, but Sonnet had never minded, not knowing the way of soquili and their familiars. So this.... was a step out his comfort zone, the fox nothing like Crown's owl. Looking at Maion somewhat helplessly, the star feeling alien as it hung around his neck*

Maion: *He chuckled at the look on Sonnet's face.* Well, if nothing else that will always give me something to smile about. *As soon as the task was done Elijah jumped from Sonnet and moved back to Maion, sitting by his hoof burying her nose in his hair until all you could see was her eyes and her nose if you looked close enough.* She won't bite. *He teased before turning serious again* You can do this. I have complete faith in you, son. *No hesitation in the endearment* You just make sure you look after my daughter and grandbabies! And should anything happen... like.. more grandbabies! I want to hear about it... ok?

Sonnet: *Blinked some more, being bitten had been the last thing on his mind. Not sure what ot say aobut the idea of more foals, after all he was only just warming to the idea as Chandra kept on dropping hints but never serious;y talking about it.* We will see what the future holds in regards to more foals.... As for Chandra, I'd give my life for her, you know that... Though she seems determind to drive me crazy... As for the girls... *a pained expression flashing in his eyes, he had failed to look after them once and it still weighed heavily on him* I'll do my best......

Maion: *As he watched Sonnet he realised what was weighing so heavily on his mind.* You know... no one expects you to be perfect. Come on... I was kidnapped to protect Eden and Orion, and that was just one case of my... *he chuckled* Shall we say... crashes. Let's see. When I was young I thought that Angeni were the best of all the breeds and indestructable. Well, I walked straight into a kalona who beat me... badly. Don't forget... I lost Chandra once when she was a foal. She had a habit of wandering, one day brought home this gangly looking purple colt too. She always did like to bring home the strays. *He winked at her* The fact is... we can not predict everything, nor can we prevent everything... nor should we try. But, what we can do is react correctly when stuff happens. *Moving forward he tapped Sonnet's rump with his wing.* You can do it.

Sonnet: *nods* Yes... but... No one other than yourself ever got hurt... if it had been me and not Auva I could handle that.... But I didn't even know where she was, where Chandra was, by the time I knew anything she was already hurt, she was alone and... *shaking his head taking a deep breath, even now after time had passed he still got angry thinking about it*

Maion: I know, son, I know. *Looks at the guy* I got lucky in the fact that I could do something... there was once however... *he said with a pained expressing, not having thought about this in years* Where Misti got cornered by... well it doesn't matter by what.. *His sister, Kimi. He really should have dealt with her a long time ago, but the idea of hunting her out to kill her was.. against his very nature.* ...she was badly injuried, thankfully a pure unicorn was passing through and helped. It could have been worst. *Still, Maion saw those faint lined scars upon her marvellous pelt, cringing with guilt every time he saw them.* Again. We can't control everything, it's about what you do afterwards. *He took a deep breath.* Is there anything you want to ask?