#parenthound

More ParentHound! Training day! ...sorta

Day 9: Weapon

The child was not like their brother, they did not hunt in the forest, they did not seek to slatra, they wished to heal, to protect, to preserve.

And to Bloodhound, that too was honorable.

But Bryndis had been under their roof, in their home, had been one of their beloved children for almost ten years, and the tracker had decided that it was time to learn to handle weapons, specifically fire arms.

So here they were, out on the range Hound had built over the years for many different things. For knife throwing, for axe and spear throwing, all of the weapons that Jade and they themself used in their hunts.

Bryn looked slightly nervous as they gazed over the weapons, head tilted before they looked back to Bloodhound. “Are you sure about this, Nibi?” They asked, arms crossed around behind their back. “It can wait, truly, and I know how to use the other weapons, the knives and blades we keep at home.”

Bloodhound hummed softly, tilting their head up to the sun, eyes closing, and silver hair glinting a little in the sunlight. “Are you nervous about the training, or the weapons, little flower?” They questioned gently, seeming very relaxed and at peace.

They were quiet. “I’ve seen what they cause, the destruction. When I went to the city with Jade, we saw footage of the old games, with you and Papa and my whole family. And we watched you all tear each other apart with these.” Bryndis sighed softly. “I do not wish to learn the weapons that caused you all so much harm and pain.”

Bloodhound sighed softly, eyes opening and focusing on the teenager. They had grown over the years, remaining slender, but tall, so now they were just a little taller then their Nibi. “Bryn, you know I do not teach you this because I wish for you to kill. That is not the path that the gods have chosen for you. I teach you this because I worry for your safety when you are no longer home with your father and I, when we have left you alone for whatever reason.” They moved and stood before them, placing their hands on the red head’s shoulders.

“I know that you are not a hunter, sweet one. You seek to fix, to heal, to repair. I have always known this about you, my fire flower.” The hunter exhaled slowly. “And that is alright. We do not have to do this today, or ever should that be your wish, although your Aunt Anita may have something to say about that. Her teaching Jade was an... experience.” They pulled away, and gently tapped Bryndis’ temple.

“Your greatest weapon? That has been and always will be your mind.” They told the child softly, smiling proudly then kissing the young one’s forehead. “You were brave for telling me how you felt. I am proud, very proud.” Bloodhound pulled away from Bryn and carefully tucked away the few weapons they had brought out back into their case, taking it in one hand and then extending the other to their child.

“Come. Let’s go home.” They smiled slightly as the youngest member of their family took their hand. “I’m sure that Papa will be glad we’re home so soon.”

That made Bryn giggle and nod. “He’s a big softie.” They agreed, making their Nibi laugh.

“That is true, but he is our big softie and that is one of the millions of reasons why I love him.”

A pause.

“...do you think we could make cookies to send to Ambuya Ashante and Granny Evelynn?”

“Hm... I think that can be arranged, yes. But we have to see who gets home faster first!”

While they had been speaking, Bloodhound had carefully tucked away the gun case into a small shed, locking it and then hiding it within the tall bushes and shrubs they had grown around it, obscuring it from view.