#qorban

The devastation and grief that had wrecked the folks of Athos was definitely palpable, and though Qorban hadn't been an Athoian that long, he still felt for the people. Even his packmaster, who had welcomed him into the pack that he now worked alongside with, was someone that he grieved for. But the one who his heart went out to the most was Kiefer Morgen, the beautiful Omega that had captivated his attention since he had met him all those moons ago.

The wolf lost his workshop and his packmaster, and while Qorban may not have known just how horrid the wolf was feeling, he did know that he wanted to do something to cheer the wolf up. The Omega was someone far too beautiful to see frown, as the smile that the wolf possessed was one that could turn even the dreariest of days into a good one. So for a couple of days, he worked on this project - outside of the requests for new clothes and mending repairs that came in - before he finally finished.

"Hello, Kiefer," Qorban started as he approached the Omega, the product of his hardwork wrapped in brown paper and tied together with twine, as a smile pulled at his lips. "I wanted to offer my condolences for the loss of your workshop... I know the building still stands, but even still, that must be quite a bit of work it set you all behind. Regardless, I hope this gift brightens your day just as you have brightened mine these past few months."

"I hadn't realized that Founder's Day was meant to be a day of romance, too..." Qorban trailed off to the wolf next to him, noting the fact that it seemed some wolves were enjoying the attention they received from others. Was this simply because the celebration had them in a certain way, or was it also tradition for wolves that were of age to participate by "finding" their mate and starting their family? It was curious, really, but he understood that cultures were different and he knew that there were some things he celebrated that he was sure others didn't.

"But I suppose, a handsome wolf like yourself wouldn't have any trouble spending time with whoever it might be you fancy, hm? A beauty such as yourself probably has a line of wolves waiting for just the chance that you'll give them a fraction of your time."

Sitting near the bonfire, a drink in his hand, the Alpha listened to the celebration that was playing out before him. It was great, really, and he had even decided to sign up for a trapping competition - he knew with his knowledge on knots, that it would certainly help him in this competition... that and the fact that he had actually used traps to catch his meals whenever he had been on the road to begin with, too.

Though he had been in Athos for quite some time, this was the first time he was experiencing the Founder's Day festivities. Truthfully, he had never thought he'd get to see the festival, when he arrived it had just passed and he had only heard tales of it, but now here he was. Part of him thought that he'd be gone by now, a leaf on the wind as he had always been, but somehow he had become an integral part of their society. It was... strange, in a way, to think that so many wolves saw him as one of them when he clearly felt like an outsider.

But perhaps it was time for him to set down his roots.

"Are the festivities here always so... jubilant?" Qorban asked Tidus, one of the wolves he had gotten to know in the tailor's workshop over the past couple of weeks. While he knew that Tidus had only gotten to Athos a month ago, he did know he had actually grown up here. "It's almost... infectious, really."

Father sells 9-year-old daughter to afford food for family

Father sells 9-year-old daughter to afford food for family A father in Afghanistan says he felt “broken” after he was forced to sell his 9-year-old daughter as a child bride in order to afford food for his family. The man identified as Abdul Malik broke down in tears last week on the day of the sale of his daughter, Parwana, to a 55-year-old buyer named Qorban, CNN reported. “This is your bride.…