Hard Work Can Be Frustrating

by **Liarra Frostfawn** on August 17th, 2013, 3:05 am

Again, Liarra couldn't hold back her bubbling laughter. Mino, clearly still a child and a puppy, was just too adorable. Once more, the young Kelvic made Liarra reminisce about the times spent with her older sister. Tolanna had always been cheerful, had always been there to listen to whatever Lianna had to say. In her mind's eye, Tolanna was never without a gentle smile. A smile so like their mother's.

"Well, if you ever make it over to Whitevine Hold, I'm sure she would let you. She was born in Frostfawn, afterall. Her husband and his family, though... I'm not too sure about them. I don't know them very well." Liarra tried to mask the sadness in her voice. Her older sister was practically a stranger these days. It wasn't Tolanna's fault, it wasn't the fault of anyone, really. Time just worked that way. Tolanna was busy with her family - five children, and possibly another on the way - and her job at the healing center.

Just as her older sister was busy with her own life, so was Liarra. Her job was the most important thing to her currently. Truthfully, Liarra took every opportunity to work, or learn something new. Also, there were days where avoiding Grandmere's lectures was an active event in its own right. Plus, she enjoyed spending time with her friends, her parents, and just enjoying some of the finer things in Avanthal. What it came down to was, Tolanna and Liarra just didn't have time for each other.

"My Papa doesn't exactly drive the sleds. He's a trainer for the sled dogs, and he's trained a fair number of teams. I'm sure he'd happily offer a few tips, if you wanted them." It was clear to Liarra that Mino was very proud of everything she had done in her short life.

At the mention of becoming Mino's new "master" however, Liarra began to feel nervous. "Well... Umm..." She couldn't think exactly how to say what she wanted to say, without hurting the young Kelvic's feelings. Yet Liarra knew she couldn't lie to the girl.

"Mino, I don't want to upset you, but I don't think I could ever be your master." Her pace began to quicken. Would the girl cry? Liarra didn't want her to cry, so she kept talking and hoped Mino would understand. "First of all, I don't think a person can ever be "master" over an animal, and you are so much more than a mere animal! You're a dog, but you're a person too. You have your own thoughts, feelings, wants, and desires. I just..." Her voice trailed off again, as she thought on what to say.

"I just couldn't live with myself if I allowed someone as special as you clearly are to call me "Master"." Liarra felt a shiver of disgust roll down her spine. The thought of being a master to any creature was completely alien to her. "Any animal that I meet is a friend, someone I respect, sometimes even family. But never someone I would want to rule over. The same goes for people, too." She paused. "Well, most people. I can't say I like all people the way I love all animals, but I do my best to be respectful and pleasant." Easier said than done, she thought as the face of a certain male Vantha popped up into her head.

"Anyhow, I hope you understand, Mino. You are still more than welcome to come home with me. That offer will never go away. So long as you don't have a place of your own, you are always welcome in our arvinta. Even if you do find someone to love and care for you like you deserve, our door will always be open to you and yours should you ever want to visit." Liarra desperately hoped the Kelvic understood that she was not turning her away.

"Oh! Another reason I can't be your master. We hardly know each other! For all I know, I snore terribly at night and you would never want to share the same room with me!" She smiled and hoped this extra explanation might help perk Mino up.

"How about we just spend time getting to know each other first? Become friends, see where the snow takes us. Maybe there's someone out there who's meant for you, but hasn't found you yet. I'd hate to take you away from them. Maybe, just maybe, you're supposed to be my sister." She would not be able to deny that there was a slight hint of hope in her voice.

Courtesy of Thayer

by **Minosayaa** on August 17th, 2013, 4:50 am

Mino laughed wholeheartedly at Liarra, "Humans and Kelvics use the term 'master' very differently I've noticed. To a Kelvic it's not that we are owned the way you see it. To have a master is to find a human who accepts you for what you are and who you are. They're our best friends, people who allow us into their own family. Treat us as family. To Darrus I was his love, to his Mama a daughter, and to the family pups a playmate. But Darrus was my bondmate, and if I never find another I won't mind. But to be someones sister or daughter I want that very much. I miss family meals, and helping put the pups to bed and them trying to teach me to read or do puzzles."

"I've done some running for the Whitevines, medic runnings. Different kind of people from us, even so," Mino became serious again, "She's your sister and the fact the heavens gave you one is a blessing not everyone gets. Don't take it lightly and put off when today is here and tomorrow is uncertain.

Somewhere in her young ditsy mind was hidden deep thinking and great advice and her pre-avanthal life. It was rare glimpse of her many never got to see. " I got something for your notes.... Well maybe not from your notes...But just for you. It's about me Darrus didn't even know this, My papa was Vantha but didn't live in a hold." Mino came closer to Liarra, "But my Mama was a Frostfawn, not like you are, but what your name is."

by **Liarra Frostfawn** on August 21st, 2013, 7:06 pm

Liarra really didn't know what to say. Mino's view of "master" clearly differed from her own, and if she were to become friends with this young Kelvic, it would take some getting used to. She looked back over at her work spread across the table. All this talk of family made Liarra miss her own, even though they weren't far away at all.

Maybe it's time I stop for the day... She finally allowed herself to consider. After all, everyone else was gone. Hard work and no play... Liarra gently reminded herself.

Her parents, and yes, even Grandmere were bound to have returned home by now. Papa was bound to have a story or two about the dogs he had worked with for the day. Mama would be all smiles listening to Papa, and would spend time brushing Grandmere and Liarra's hair. Yes, it was time for Liarra to make the short trip home to her beloved family.

Mino's additional comments about her own family brought Liarra out of her thoughts. She turned her attention back to the Kelvic. Liarra didn't know what to make of what Mino had said. Clearly, the young girl had thought it important. It wasn't unheard of for a Kelvic to be born to non-Kelvic parents, but it was the emphasis Mino had put on "Frostfawn" that had her wondering. There was a question somewhere in Liarra's mind, but she wasn't sure how to build it, let alone ask it.

"That's really interesting." Is what Liarra opted for instead. She hoped she didn't sound indifferent and uninterested. "I don't think I'm going to be getting anymore work done today. I'm going to go home, and you can come along if you want. We can talk some more, get to know each other better, if you want. We could even go get dinner at the Commons together."

Liarra quickly marked where she was in the journals. A lost place was lost time. Dilligently she made some order of the mess she had made. Charcoal placed on the table in a spot where it wouldn't roll around and fall off, disappearing forever. Loose papers were stacked and had an edge tucked under a heavy book so they wouldn't scatter. All cleaned up, Liarra turned her attention back to Mino, patiently waiting for her reply.

Courtesy of Thayer

by **Minosayaa** on August 22nd, 2013, 3:49 am

Mino stopped and thought for a second, "Yes, I think I will come with you. But I'd like to go fetch my own clothes first, if you don't mind. Unless it would be easier for you just to bring home a sled dog than a girl... Or I could just meet you at the commons fully dressed. Whichever is easier for you." Mino couldn't help wondering how this meeting would go..

She remembered meeting her first family, Darrus, his mother, and the pups. It had been an oddly sunny day and she found herself living among the dogs at The Menagerie. She found the place nice enough and Reikanni Frostfawn was a sweet girl and the other dogs were talkative. But on that oddly sunny day a boy walked into the store, Darrus. She had watched as the Vantha looked over the other dogs and watched his eyes fall on her. That was all it took and she was his. His dog that is... Explaining herself to him was something she had no idea how to do it.

It came the next morning with confused yells and Darrus falling out of bed from the sight of a naked girl next to him. It had taken some time to get everyone calm, but she found this family accepting of her and life was good.

But that was then and this was now. Yes, she would get to know this Vantha. Perhaps she was destined to be this girl's little sister in time. Maybe she would find another bondmate and have a family, just like a normal Vantha girl.

by **Liarra Frostfawn** on September 1st, 2013, 2:32 am

"Meeting up at the Commons it is!" Liarra said cheerfully. "You can even bring the cloak back then. I'll meet you there soon then, yes?" She was looking forward to having dinner with someone new. While she would often eat meals with her family at the Commons, Liarra would also eat alone or with friends. There was something comforting about talking over a meal.

Though Liarra was sometimes slow to open up to new people, there was something special about Mino. It certainly helped that she had thought Mino was just a dog at first. Liarra got along fine with people most of the time, she did feel more safety with animals. An animal wouldn't judge her if she spoke before she thought; a frequent habit of hers.

Even though the work day had been long and frustrating, there was a light spring in Liarra's step as she made her way home to freshen up for dinner.

FIN

Courtesy of Thayer

by **Lullaby** on October 8th, 2013, 1:54 am

Liarra Frostfawn :

Minosayaa :

A quiet song to soothe the heart

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your grade, please send me a PM and we can figure it out.

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Completed Hard Work Can Be Frustrating