Joss

"Alright, beautiful - we're going on a little trip. Does that sound fun?" Joss asked the small Syri who looked up at her uncle with bright eyes and a wide smile.

"Yeah! Where are we going?" she asked with excitement.

"We're going to go get a treat - and I want you to meet my sister. She and I look a lot a like, and we act a lot alike, too. We're moon babies (twins) - and she's always been someone I can trust, and you can too" he answered lightly and took the young wolf's hand as they started to descend to the lower levels.

"Uncle Joss, why do grown-ups fight?" Syri asked innocently.

"Oh...sweetie. Not all grown-ups fight, but sometimes we get big feelings that we have a hard time controlling," he answered as delicately as possible.

"Does that mean mommy and daddy have big feelings?" she questioned with a sweet voice again.

"We all do sometimes," Joss replied truthfully and kept her hand tight in his. "It all depends on how you respond to those big feelings."

"Does Aunt Myri have big feelings too?" the girl continued to pelt questions at the poor male the more they walked along. It was awkward, but Joss always kept his patience and control.

"Of course, darling. Like I told you, everyone does."

"So does she and uncle Metas fight a lot, too?" she didn't realize she was asking such tough questions, Syri was just curious and wanted to feel, well, normal.

"Well, not really, but they're not the types of wolves to fight with each other for various reasons"

"Do you and uncle Jyra fight a lot?"

"Not at all. Again, dearest - it has to do with the kind of wolf you are on the inside," he said calmly and smiled at her with reassurance.

"I want to be a nice wolf," she said proudly and let her smile run wild on her face.

"You already are a very nice little pup, that's for sure. Just keep that in your heart, and there will be nothing that can compromise who you are," Joss squeezed her hand again, and looked down to her pretty deep red hair that her mother also possessed.

The further down they went, the more Syri seemed to become uncomfortable, so Joss picked her up and let her ride on his back as they finally curved into the last clan before the mines: textiles.

Unlike most dens that had their homes built into the back of their shops, the textile sector had their homes separate from where they did their work due to the nature of their profession.

Syri had never seen so many kinds of fabrics, colors, and scraps before. Joss couldn't see it, but her face was lit up with delight now that she had bright colors and interesting things to look at.

Their homes were a lot like apartments that were build on top of one another like a high-rise. There were four entrances to what the locals called 'the tower' that had stairs to give them access. A long time ago (before Joss was born) they had a crystal that levitated and floated their clan up to their floor - but the royal family took it away when they saw how beautiful their platform was.

Now, there was just an empty shaft down the middle of the tower that had been decorated and vandalized over the centuries.

"Wow, you live in this big thing?" Syri breathed out with wonder.

"I used to. Now I live with uncle Jyriah - but my sister still lives here. You will be the safest here with her, because she also believes in Metas' cause, and because she's my sister."

"This is so pretty~" she trilled out bubbly as they entered the first floor that had been dyed with many different colors that were used to make their clothing beautiful.

"Thank you, it's one of the few things we have to make it nicer down here."

The child became silent as her eyes took in all the patterns, colors, and designs that had been plastered across the walls like a mural.

Joss was a little relieved that Syri had finally stopped asking questions and had instead become enthralled with all the art as he carried her up many stairs until they got to the 10th floor when he put her down so he could catch his breath.

"Here we are, 1003" Joss gasped out as his lungs took in air hungrily.

"Jessie - please be home" he begged with an exhausted voice as he knocked on the door.

He let out a deep sigh of alleviation and looked at his twin sister who looked exactly like her brother, but with softer features. She kept a cool expression, as though she expected her brother to show up.

"Come in," she invited them with a low, soft voice that sounded slightly monotone.

"Jessie, I really need your help," Joss said hurriedly.

"Clearly. You arrived with a child I've never met. You didn't steal her, did you?" Jessie sounded like she was accusing him of something, but he knew she was just teasing.

"No, it's far more serious and wholesome. This is Syri, she is my mate's niece and I need you to keep her safe. Please, please, please."

"Ah. Who am I keeping her safe from?" she asked for clarification.

"Silas, and anyone he sends to look for her. This was the safest place I could think of - and you are the only person I know I can trust with her. You've always been good with kids, and you're smarter than I am," Joss replied in desperation.

"You don't have to stoop to flattery. I'll watch the little biscuit for a while. As long as it's okay with Syri of course," Jessie smiled to the young pup who by now was clinging to Joss' leg.

"Uncle Joss, are you leaving me here?" the small wolf asked with big saucer eyes.

"Only for a little bit. Jessie will keep you safe, and if you ask super nicely she might show you her stuffed animal collection," he answered as brightly as he could for such a grim situation.

"I don't know what is going on - and honestly, I don't want to know. Ignorance is bliss. Go do whatever it is you're doing and I'll keep her here with me, I promise you as your moon sister" Jessie replied and gave her brother what looked like a quick, sterile hug - but it was actually sincere and warm to him.

"If I don't come back to get her in three days..." Joss started, and trailed off since he really didn't want to finish his words.

"You'll be late, got it. You'll be back at some point - big deal," Jessie finished for him - she didn't want him to finish what he had planned on, either.

"See you whenever - and I mean that," she added as her orange eyes met his with a stern look of 'be careful'.

"I will...and when I do, it will be good news" he said optimistically (although he did not believe it).

"I love you, Jess."

"I love you, too Joss. Keep your head clear of this, and know I'll have her safe, warm, and happy when you return."

"Please come back soon," Syri sniffled as she was peeled off of Joss' leg by his sister. "I'm scared, don't go!"

"I'm coming right back, sweetie. I swear" Joss promised as his heart felt as though it were shattering like a dropped gemstone.

If he didn't leave now, he would stall himself forever. It would take time, but he knew his sister would have Syri up and smiling in no time - and he trusted her entirely. Joss took her advice and worked at clearing the thoughts from his head so he could focus on his next task.