Truthfully, Mazikeen had not thought this would be a surprise. She felt as large as a mountain and she hadn’t tried to conceal anything - but clearly she could have been a little more direct. It is something she knew, or suspected, early in winter and guilt needles her that it is now spring and she is just talking to Myrna about it.
Will Malik be as surprised? Would he be disappointed?
Will these children ever get to meet Sickle, or Mazikeen’s still-missing parents?
She’s grateful for Myrna breaking the silence so she can avoid these thoughts a little longer and a chuckle escapes her at the acceptance and proclaimed adaptability, and then she reaches out to tug softly on her daughter’s mane - overwhelmed by affection.
“I don’t know.” Mazikeen answers truthfully. “But it doesn’t really matter. I’ll love them even if they aren’t.” The ability to shift does not hold the same weight as it once did. She spends most of her days in her equine form, finally finding comfort and peace in it after limping her way through her quest during the eclipse. There would be some things she’d miss, certainly - it just didn’t define her the way it once had.
For now, she intends to keep Breach and Sochi’s dream of the pack alive - if a little moderated. But other than that, the ability to shift is just an ability. There are so many other things that are more important.
She tilts her head, watching Myrna as she asks quietly. “Would you be okay with that, if they aren't?” Mazikeen isn’t really sure what she’s going to do if the girl says ‘no’ but she hopes it won’t come to that. “Even if they can’t shift, they’re going to need their big sister to help them.” A small pause and then a growing smile. “Just like how you had Malik.”
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Viszla