"That was very generous of you, and rather daring as well."
One didn't just refuse and Alpha. Disagreeing with Aidan occasionally could get a bit creative even if he didn't assert his position.
The idea that his father had died unexpectedly struck a chord with Nikhila. Of course Joshua's story had turned out quite differently from hers. His family had apparently stuck together instead of fracturing and be coming borderline, if not completely, dysfunctional.
"I am sorry you lost him so early."
It was an assumption on her part but most of those who grew up in Amaroq families seemed to be Gifted before they turned twenty. There was no hard and fast rule of course but it was more true than not. The sentiment was quite genuine as well, she knew the feeling far too well.
Her eyebrows lifted a bit as Joshua confided he was thinking about being Gifted. Being Amaroq wasn't right for everyone and the Pack needed Illimar, but it seemed very natural for Joshua to want this. She could support his decision, certainly if any one had fully considered the matter, was fully prepared he was.
"Good for you. But you really shouldn't leave it to chance. Have you spoken to Aidan or found some one to be your Aipa? Or are you still in the process of considering?"
She didn't want to push him too hard one way or another. This had to be Joshua's decision. Even though Nikhila didn't know him well she was fully prepared to support which ever choice he made.
Shanghai'ed (invite only)
Josh had a report to deliver to Alpha Xephier, only he couldn't find him. He and Gretta had been faithfully studying their new home and were slowly beginning to integrate themselves with Pack life here at the Den. That was the enjoyable part. Not so enjoyable, but necessary, was the need to report on those they had been helping. There weren't a terribly large numer; they only had a case or two to work on for the moment, and nothing untoward had happened recently that needed their attention. Still, the formalities must be observed, so Josh had a write-up prepared.
Xephier was not always an easy man to find, but he'd told Joshua it would be fine to deliver the report to his house in the Long Run. That suited Josh just fine, since he'd been in the habit of jogging more often. His regular workouts were going well, but static exercise in a gym was bulking him up more than he liked. He didn't want to be a musclebound freak. So, more cardio. He figured he could kill two birds with one stone this morning and drop the report off before heading out for a jog.
He knocked on the door of the home, not sure who would answer. Alpha Xephier and his wife, Nikhila, were very busy with their jobs and two children. On occasion one of the other Illamar in the Pack looked after the kids, as Josh understood it. That was a part of their jobs. During the full moon when the Amaroq ran someone needed to mind the children. It was one of the things Joshua liked about not being Gifted. While it had left a hole in his heart he filled it with this small comfort.
He was supposed to run with his Pack. That pleasure was supposed to have been his. He should be out there under the moon with him but he'd feared it his whole life, feared being coerced into a direction he didn't want to go. He knew now that he was in Nachton, safely away from Liechetenstein, he could grasp it if he wanted it. It made his heart buoyant. With a little disbelief he knew he could request it and it would be granted. And oh, how he wanted it, but he wanted to wait for the time to be right. There was too much happening.
It wasn't that he was ashamed to be Illamar; far from it. He was proud to serve his Pack any way he could. He knew those who chose to be Illamar, though, often did because they felt Gifting was not for them. They came from Amaroq families, like Josh, or they had close friends, or some other reason. There was no shame in it, nothing wrong with it. But Josh was the opposite. Something in him had always cried out for the Gift he denied himself. He could have it now. The right time... it was quickly approaching.
He raised his hand and knocked on the door of the large home again. His drifting thoughts made him even more inclined to go running and he was practically itching to deliver his report and be off.
Nikhila
12 years ago
Joshua Wesson
12 years ago
"I'm sorry too," Josh said. "He was a good man. A good father."
And his death had destroyed his mother. Her life had never been the same. She still wasn't whole, and she probably never would be. Another relationship was out of the question for her, although it had been long enough that Josh and all his siblings would have gladly given their blessings.
He lifted his shoulders slightly when Nikhila pressed him about being Gifted. He wasn't leaving it to chance, he just assumed the right time and situation would present themselves at some point, and after waiting for thirty-some years, he wasn't going to rush into it. Josh knew the value of patience.
"I haven't mentioned it to anyone else, actually," he said, leaving unspoken the fact that he'd prefer Nikhila not mention it either. "It will work itself out."
He hadn't even considered the idea of an Aipa. He'd been born into the Pack. He wasn't just joining it now, and that relationship was generally for those who were just learning the ways of the Pack. He belonged here, he lived here.
He set his cup down and smiled softly at Nikhila. "I really should be going. I still have time to get my jog in. Thank you very much for the drink, and I meant it when I said I'd be happy to help any time. Just let me know."
And his death had destroyed his mother. Her life had never been the same. She still wasn't whole, and she probably never would be. Another relationship was out of the question for her, although it had been long enough that Josh and all his siblings would have gladly given their blessings.
He lifted his shoulders slightly when Nikhila pressed him about being Gifted. He wasn't leaving it to chance, he just assumed the right time and situation would present themselves at some point, and after waiting for thirty-some years, he wasn't going to rush into it. Josh knew the value of patience.
"I haven't mentioned it to anyone else, actually," he said, leaving unspoken the fact that he'd prefer Nikhila not mention it either. "It will work itself out."
He hadn't even considered the idea of an Aipa. He'd been born into the Pack. He wasn't just joining it now, and that relationship was generally for those who were just learning the ways of the Pack. He belonged here, he lived here.
He set his cup down and smiled softly at Nikhila. "I really should be going. I still have time to get my jog in. Thank you very much for the drink, and I meant it when I said I'd be happy to help any time. Just let me know."
Nikhila
12 years ago
"As you wish."
He must have his reasons for keeping things quiet and taking his time. Everyone approached this differently. It was a very permanent and life changing decision. You couldn't change your mind. And she'd be doing him no favors by saying something and possibly putting pressure on him.
"If you ever wish to discuss it I would be happy to listen."
Joshua's concerns and questions and hesitations would undoubtedly be very different from those she'd had, but he still must have them if he hadn't spoken of this desire before. Nikhila couldn't help but chuckle to herself at the memory. Poor Aidan it was a wonder he'd had a chance to speak let alone for romance given the number of questions she'd had. When the children hit their 'why' phase she was going to consider that her penance.
"Don't let me keep you. Again, thank you so much for your help and do let me know about dinner. Please stop by any time."
While Nikhila thought the invitation went without saying, she also thought that Joshua might appreciate a more formal statement. She stood to walk him to the door rather than leaving him to find his own way out.
((OOC... out pending response))
He must have his reasons for keeping things quiet and taking his time. Everyone approached this differently. It was a very permanent and life changing decision. You couldn't change your mind. And she'd be doing him no favors by saying something and possibly putting pressure on him.
"If you ever wish to discuss it I would be happy to listen."
Joshua's concerns and questions and hesitations would undoubtedly be very different from those she'd had, but he still must have them if he hadn't spoken of this desire before. Nikhila couldn't help but chuckle to herself at the memory. Poor Aidan it was a wonder he'd had a chance to speak let alone for romance given the number of questions she'd had. When the children hit their 'why' phase she was going to consider that her penance.
"Don't let me keep you. Again, thank you so much for your help and do let me know about dinner. Please stop by any time."
While Nikhila thought the invitation went without saying, she also thought that Joshua might appreciate a more formal statement. She stood to walk him to the door rather than leaving him to find his own way out.
((OOC... out pending response))
Joshua Wesson
12 years ago
"That's very kind of you. I'll remember it," Joshua said, glad Nikhila had not chosen to press the issue further. He wasn't ready yet to commit to this course. There was a fear, still, that his family could be taken from him if he were compelled to join the Pipers. In his head he knew it would not happen. He need only appeal to Alpha Xephier, and he would be spared the need.
His head knew it. He just needed time for his heart to catch up.
He departed the house with a soft smile and a nod and a promise to join the family for dinner on another date. He would certainly check his schedule and get back to her; an invitation from the wife of the Alpha was as good as a direct order. They were a good family. Spending time with them was no hardship.
Freed from his surprise afternoon of childcare Josh was finally able to go on his run. He made it a little longer than usual, determined to make up for his short nap. Also - he glanced down at his frame. Not an ounce of fat to spare, that was sure, but too much weightlifting was making him look bigger than he liked. He huffed a soft sigh and picked up the pace. Josh did not desire the silhouette of an iron-pumping musclebound freak. More cardio was definitely in order.
((ooc: Josh out, too))
His head knew it. He just needed time for his heart to catch up.
He departed the house with a soft smile and a nod and a promise to join the family for dinner on another date. He would certainly check his schedule and get back to her; an invitation from the wife of the Alpha was as good as a direct order. They were a good family. Spending time with them was no hardship.
Freed from his surprise afternoon of childcare Josh was finally able to go on his run. He made it a little longer than usual, determined to make up for his short nap. Also - he glanced down at his frame. Not an ounce of fat to spare, that was sure, but too much weightlifting was making him look bigger than he liked. He huffed a soft sigh and picked up the pace. Josh did not desire the silhouette of an iron-pumping musclebound freak. More cardio was definitely in order.
((ooc: Josh out, too))