i'll protect you - open; a gift

[Ares]

Mama, they say I'm a terrorist - WHAT?!?
I've done nothing wrong but I'm put on the blacklist!

Ares had begun to hate many within Tanglewood. They avoided her, whispered and stared. But the one Tangler she couldn't hate was Elsweyr. Even with the change of form, her proclamation that the lioness wasn't her mom, the recent events of her own change helped her understand.

She had somewhat cleaned out most of the wreck she still lived in, so she still lived in it. Still the guilt haunted her but she cared little. Alerted by the knocking, she got up from her spot to investigate. Seeing Elsweyr behind it the child smiled. "Hi, mom." She looked down at the box, ears perking up. Though she had a feeling Aurum would say something about Ares with any sort of weapon, as she opened the box and unfolded the velvet she couldn't help but gasp. 

Picking the dagger up she turned it in her paw, taking in the look with a sudden feeling of founding. Being found, being loved. Gently she placed it back in the box and stepped over it, pressing her face against Elsweyr's fur. "Thank you... it's gorgeous, mom."

— Reggan