SSWM - 650
They all would have taken up arms in order to protect Ares. That was what her mother pledged as second in command it was what Savina promised. Innocents could find refuge here, protection against those that wished them harm. Though he might have had a slight down fall with their leader, though Mati knew nothing of that, no one held grudges when it came to the protection of the Dreamers that called this place home. Mati would have fought, and she was sure after having seen the Chance woman that she would have won. It was a hasty assumption and in reality no one knew if it was true. But Mati was larger, and her anger could be thick and rage in her broad chest in a way that might surprise even her closest of friends. Though there was no wish greater then her hope that Ares would return, Mati also wished that he had known that she would have worked to protect him from the mother that was never truly a mother to him. Knowing that, he would have understood that she cared, and liked him past the very shallow emotions of a casual friendship.
No, it did not seem that Tokyo had been stalking around the pack’s lands. Mati would have smelled her too, and had not. Dahlians did not frequent the borders, and Mati only vaguely smelt their presence with the appearance of a new member to the pack, but that had floated away some time ago. Princess confirmed the fact that Ares was not one to drift to and from other packs and free lands. Mati noticed that he had stayed home often too, writing and reading. She felt even more guilt and sadness knowing that she had done nothing more then told him of Tokyo, and it was enough to drive him away. Yes, she would not expect him to stay for her, but for Princess; yes. Mati looked at the devastated sister and wished another with that would never come true, “Wish I knew what was going through his head, it never needed to be like this.” Mati didn’t know what she would have needed to do in order to keep him here if he had told her that he was leaving, but then maybe he just needed to go without any deterrent. Both of the women would have pleaded and asked for him to stay. Perhaps he simply needed to leave and couldn’t manage second guessing the decision. It was still the wrong one in the violet eyed woman’s opinion.
Bright honey colored eyes looked up at her face, and Mati knew that what Princess was about to say was something that brought her conflict. The Church woman stayed silent, listening as she spoke her name and then continued to express feelings that Ares had never spoke to her. He had? Mati let the frown take over her face and looked away. It was just too much, knowing that the one creature that had ever liked her, in a way no one else ever had, was simply gone. Behind the large and well build physic there was a fragile girl, and her self esteem was being chipped away ever turn she made. Though, she did appreciate it. With Princess’ last sentence Mati nodded, “That’s nice to know.” she spoke with force, but also honesty. It was hard, since she didn’t know what to think of her brother anymore. It was hard to remember those feelings right now, remember then clear enough to reflect and express them. Her mind was too cluttered, blinding her. But Mati knew they had been there and knew they remained, “I always liked him, but always too afraid to tell him.” She forced a smile, as if it was just time to remember the good things about Ares’s presence in their pack and lives and not his abrupt departure.
By Erin<33