"Sit down for a spell." The old wolf gestures at a nearby chair with a flick of his hand. You do so, unconsciously scratching at a half dozen phantom itches that have suddenly sprung up. Ahote looks up from his book and arches an eyebrow at your squirming as you attempt to get ahold of yourself.
"You're probably wondering why I've invited you here."
You nod in response.
"Let's get right to it, then. I'm aware of an undercurrent of discontent among the youth of the refuge. As you age, you begin to ask questions, and those questions don't always have answers that are comfortable for us adults to give. I gave the go-ahead to Instructor Lonan to begin drawing up the curtain and reveal certain truths to his class.
"Some of the elders advised against this course of action, but I'm of the opinion that any pup on the verge of adulthood deserves to know the full and unvarnished truth regarding our pack's history and current predicament. Wouldn't you say?"
You nod in agreement, wondering where he's going with this. It almost sounds like he's considering telling the whole truth. You wonder just how your young packmates would respond to such a revelation. It probably wouldn't be pretty.
"To that end, I am looking for a protégé. Someone of the youth, who understands them and is willing to learn. Coming to meet me is the first step along your journey to a greater understanding."
You blink. He wants you to be his protégé?
Ahote senses your apprehension and smiles disarmingly. "I understand your hesitation. This likely wasn't your first choice of a role to grow into, but I've talked it over with the other elders, and choosing you was the overwhelming consensus. Even in the areas of study that you have yet to master, you've exceeded most of your classmates. I believe you were meant for something greater, a role of some prominence in the pack."
You ponder Ahote's offer. There is plenty to gain by accepting your role at the old wolf's side: power, influence, and a deeper understanding of the pack's relationship with the humans, but you'd have less time and energy to devote to physical disciplines. You know he won't force you into the role. Ultimately, the choice is yours.
Gratefully accept my role as Ahote's protégé. I've always aspired to a position of prominence in the pack.
Working with Ahote will afford me great opportunities to learn new things. Access to the elder's library is worth the price of admission alone!
What better way to convince the pack of my goals than to study under one of the pack's most respected elders? I'll join Ahote in the interests of expanding my own influence.
I decline the offer. I couldn't possibly keep up with my physical training while cooped up in here with a bunch of musty old books.
I decline the offer. A position of prominence would be counterproductive; if I need to influence the pack, I'll do it through more covert means.
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