𝙰𝚘𝚒𝚏𝚎

The cubs love Aoife, however sometimes she can go on a tangent and suggest 'out-there' games!

Aoife - ("Eeh-Fah") - 'Beautiful, Radiant'.

Oh yeah, it's lorebin time:

Aoife sits beneath the stars, deciding between sleeping for tomorrow's more ambitious hunt or staying up to connect the dots between each star and keeping them memorised so she can tell Niahm about them in the morning. Aoife fervently decides on the latter and falls to her back to stare up at the ever-shining specks in the vast expanse of the unpolluted night sky. She is, rather abruptly, distracted by the paw-pads of a wolf behind her. Guessing by their sounds, she suspects they're no older than an adolescent. Here is the fun part! - Guessing who exactly it is. Judging by their reputation of disregarding stealth, Aoife can easily narrow it down to Calypso or Farj. Surely Calypso, who's currently training with Niahm in hunting, would take more care when it comes to muting her sounds in stalking. "Ah, Farj!" Aoife announces to the sky, "Any particular reason for disturbing me?"

The adolescent wolf snickers and snorts. "Well, as the pack leader's daughter, I'm here to boss you around! Because of my authority, mhm."
Aoife groans, shaking her head. How could she be so foolish? Of course it's Calypso! Niahm did mention she was predominantly a chaser, therefore why would her apprentice master anything other than chasing? As someone who devotes her friendship to Niahm, why would she - how could she have forgotten such details when Niahm tells Aoife about her day hunting?

"Calypso," Aoife mumbles in defeat. "My aforementioned question still stands."
A flash of blue alerts Aoife when the dazzling, Northern Lights-esque furred wolf takes a seat next to her.
"Well, I guess I kinda want your advice for something," Cal takes a seat on her back, mimicking Aoife. She determinedly stares at the stars, avoiding Aoife's curious gaze. "Oh? Pupsitting?"
Cal tuts and finally meets Aoife's eyes. "No, it's about another wolf."
Aoife rolls her eyes, "Bullying. Of course you'd assume I have experience with this." She shakes her head and frowns. Calypso snaps, "No, will you just let me speak for one moment?"
She turns back to the stars and starts again, "It's about Farj." Cal messes with her paws to keep herself distracted while admitting her qualms, "I think- I know I like her, Aoife. In the way a wolf likes their mate. Everytime I'm around her, no matter how Elk-Shite my day has been before that, I just feel so much better. Freer. She makes me happy, and she's just about the only wolf here who can do that without effort." Cal choked up, "But, she's more than likely gonna be Lupine's next Alpha. She'll need a mate, someone … not like me. Someone who can give her pups." She went on, "And then there's … the whole other sloo of worms that she may not even feel the same way. Oh, Aoife, what do I do?" A single tear cascades down the wolf's cheek before soaking into her fur.

Aoife takes in a breath of the herb-heavy air and smiles. "Trust me, Calypso, there's time to work things like this through. The worst thing is never knowing, never finding out if she liked you before it becomes too late. Once you do tell her how you feel, the weight will be off your shoulders instantaneously. Then, the second worst thing is - maybe she won't feel the same. But the positive is that at least you finally know so that it doesn't plague your mind all day, everyday." Aoife then smiles, "If she feels the same, I'd then suggest talking to Oisín. Farj might not even be the next pack leader, however if she is, something can be worked out if you discuss things with her and her father."

Cal beams, "Thanks, Aoife. I guess I'm just really nervous about it."
Aoife ruffles calypso's almost-fringe and chuckles. "No problem." Then, a crushing realisation hits Aoife and she turns accusative towards Cal. "What made you come to me? What makes you think I have any experience with that mushy feeling?"

Cal's ears droop, "Oh," She then turns away, as if she knows more than Aoife does. "Well, I thought you liked someone.
Aoife huffs, "Negative on that one. I'll stick to being the best guesser."
Cal raises a brow, "Oh come on, Aoifeeeee~ don't think I don't see the way you look at Niahm, how you ask about her all the time, how your face lights up when you talk to her."

Aoife's heart races at the sudden claim the adolescent makes. At least, she thinks it's because of that? "Nonsense, I see her as a friend."
Cal glares at Aoife smugly, "Oh sure, the same way I see Farj as a friend?"
Aoife nods, "Precisely. Wait- no!"
Cal stands up and cackles, "Yeah, yeah. Keep telling me that and I'll just have to go and confess to Niahm for you."
Aoife sits up, "Calypso, stop it." She narrows her eyes, then softens her tone. "Can you just tell me- does she ever talk about me? When you're training?"

Calypso turns back to Aoife, "Very often and very fondly~!" She confirms before dashing off.
"No! Don't tell her, Calypso!" Aoife runs after Cal, "Stop-!" Calypso comes to a halt abruptly, leaving Aoife almost colliding into her.
"If you didn't feel this way, you wouldn't be as bothered about me telling Niahm. You could simply tell her I was joking or I misunderstood. Yet since you're so eager for me not to tell her…" Aoife falters and looks down at her paws. "Alright," She whimpers. "I'll admit, I feel the same ways you do towards Farj. It's just taking me a lot to realise this. And since we're both female, I've figured it's pointless to tell her. Besides, Oisín probably already has his eyes on her for breeding."
Calypso stills and nudges Aoife's shoulder. "Hey, let's just have a full-on sapphic crisis together, hm? Plus, I can give hints to Niahm for you from time to time. Eventually, she'll just have to realise it and talk to you herself."
Aoife shudders, "Maybe no to the last part."
Calypso nods unconvincingly, "Alriiiight, no hints. I promise."
Aoife snarls. Calypso gulps and clears her throat. "Got it! No hinting." She faces away and mumbles, "No obvious hints." Aoife comes to terms with it and realises she doesn't mind the more … elusive hints. Oh well, time will tell.