BITTER SWEET LOVE // intro

[wormwood.]

NOTHING BESIDE REMAINS — Aurum had not thought much yet about Salvia's education as a warrior, but that wasn't because he wanted to hold his son back. Rather, it was just because the cub was still so small and so innocent. The lion had no desire to train Salvia in the ins and outs of fighting or hunting just yet, mainly because that had been what had happened to him. While living in the pride, he had been pressured to learn so much, even when he had been just a tiny cub, barely processing anything that was thrown at him. He had only eventually ended up aware of things when he had been forced to pay attention to them. After all, if you had another lion nearly three times your size charging at you, you needed to learn how to get out of the way, or you risked death. Aurum hadn't been able to afford rest, because Judith's strict training regiment had been brutal, and hadn't allowed for much time on his own. What scarce moments he did have were often dedicated to spending time with his brother, teaching Poet more simple and soft versions of his own lessons. He didn't want that for any of his children, because he could remember how miserable he had always been back then, save for those brief moments with his little brother.

However, the former proxy also knew that he wasn't Judith. He had grown a great deal since he had joined Tanglewood so long ago, and he was a better person now. He would never end up being the same kind of parent to his children, as his mother had been to him. This meant that, while he didn't need to pressure or force Salvia into strict training regiments and rare sections of alone time, he also didn't need to fully prevent it if the cub wanted to learn. With this in mind, Aurum glanced between Elsweyr and Salvia for a moment, thinking, before he rumbled, "I would be willing to let you teach him, if he wants you to. I'd never want to make him do anything he doesn't want to... but I think I can trust you not to let him get hurt." He hadn't known the cheetah for long, but she didn't seem like the type to just recklessly send a child into danger. Yes, Elsweyr had evidently come from a far more tribal society than Tanglewood or even the pride, but tribe's often took care of their own. They usually respected and took care of elders and children alike. He hoped that the same was true for Elsweyr's former home, so that he wouldn't have to spend every minute worrying about Salvia.

Turning back to the child in question, Aurum leaned over to press his nose lightly against his son's head, in a gentle and affectionate nuzzle. When he pulled back, he questioned curiously, "How does that sound to you, Salvia? Would you be interested in learning how to hunt, or would you rather leave it until a bit later?" He wouldn't blame his son if the other chose to give it some time. It made sense that one would want to cling onto their youth for as long as possible, not having to worry about the responsibilities that came with adulthood. Of course, most children didn't actually realize the worries of the future, and yearned for their opportunity to be considered "grown up." — OF THE MAN WHO WAS BORN AND DIED A KING.