"Enerion, are you paying attention?" Caserion glanced over at his son disapprovingly, "Keeper Remulos won't take kindly to your distraction at your assessment tomorrow, you know."

"Sorry, An'da," The young boy said with a bow of his head, "I'm just so nervous. Do you really think he will say I'm ready to join the Cenarion Circle?"

"That I do, my son," Caserion nodded, "Why, I daresay you're even more ready than Mythene was at her assessment."

Both males shared a chuckle, as Mythene crossed her arms from where she sat nearby.

"I didn't even want to join the stupid Circle," She muttered under her breath, glancing aside.

"What did you just say?" Caserion paused to scowl over at his teenage daughter.

Mythene just growled in frustration and stood up, giving a quick brush of the dirt from her trousers.

"Why do I even need to be here?" She asked, sounding terribly exasperated, "I'm not the one who has to prove myself. I'm going home."

"Not so fast," Caserion looked over at his daughter, just as she had turned to leave, "I want you to show Enerion your cat form."

"Ugh, do I have to?" Mythene whined, crossing her arms, "It won't make a difference. He'll never learn."

"Mythene," Caserion said sternly, his tone itself a warning.

"Fine," She sighed, throwing her hands up, "But then I'm going home."

Enerion watched eagerly, eyes locked on his sister as her body contorted into that of a panther. It had lavender fur with frosted white tips.

"Whoa!" Enerion stood up excitedly, "That was so fast! I've never seen anyone shift so fast!"

Enerion excitedly turned to look up at his father.

"Not even you, An'da!"

Caserion chuckled, rustling his hand through his son's milky white hair.

"Yes, Mythene has a real talent for it," He nodded, "It's almost a shame she didn't join the Order of the Claw. But then, I intend for her to inherit my position as Archdruid of the Branch once she comes of age."

The panther growled quietly and Caserion shot a glance of warning that drew obedient silence.

"Do you think I will be able to shapeshift one day, An'da?" Caserion asked, blinking up at his father innocently with hope in his eyes.

"Of course I do, my son. All druids can shapeshift," Caserion patted his shoulder, "You may even join the Order of the Claw if you wish. You're not my firstborn, so you are free to do as you wish."

"But I want to be just like you, An'da," Enerion beamed, "I'll join the Order of the Branch too!"

Mythene growled again, shifting back to her night elven form. She glared up from where she leaned on her elbows and knees. She didn't say anything, but her expression said more than enough. Caserion tsked at her, shaking his head slightly.

"Always so emotional, Mythene," He sighed, "You wear your expressions too keenly. It will be quite inconvenient for you."

Mythene clenched her jaw, deepening her scowl as an act of petty defiance. Caserion scoffed, perking an eyebrow at his ever-difficult firstborn.

"Suit yourself," He tsked again, "You shall learn the hard way, then."

Caserion turned and patted Enerion on the shoulder again, turning him away from Mythene.

"Come then, my son, and we will practice your-"

"There's nothing wrong with having feelings, An'da," Mythene called, causing Caserion to pause and glance back.

"Of course you think that," Caserion nodded, "You're still a silly, ignorant child. You don't know any better."

"I know there is nothing wrong with being true to myself," Mythene countered, "Perhaps you're the ignorant one?"

At this, Caserion furrowed his brow. It was one thing for her to be moody, such was the way of youth. But he would not tolerate such disrespect. He released Enerion beside him and began to stride towards his daughter.

"I also know it doesn't inconvenience me as much as you say," Mythene continued, although her confidence wavered as she backed away slightly, "I think you mean to say it is an inconvenience to you."

Caserion shook his head as he grasped Mythene by the hair, pulling her so that she faced him directly. He glared down at her, and she winced but glared back. He was almost impressed by her rebelliousness. Almost.

"You should learn to watch what you say," Caserion growled, "You owe me the proper respect as your father, elder, and teacher."

Mythene clenched her jaw once more, baring her teeth in something almost like a snarl. After a moment, she finally lowered her gaze to the ground. Seeing his point was made, Caserion released her hair and turned away once more. It was good that she learned not to defy her superiors so openly, he thought to himself. He simply wouldn't live it down if she treated Malfurion or Cenarius with such disrespect.

But then, as soon as he took a step away, she finally spoke.

"I hate you."

Caserion looked ahead and saw Enerion flinch when he heard Mythene's words. The boy looked anxiously between the both of them, his hands nervously clenching the sides of his leather breeches.

Caserion turned to face his daughter once more. It was a slow, calm gesture. Not angry nor disheartened, but certainly a bit amused.

"Hate me if you wish," He said calmly, "It changes nothing. Your oh-so-precious feelings mean nothing."

Mythene gripped at the ground beside her angrily, simply seething at the realization that, yes, this entire little hissy fit of hers meant nothing. Not to him, not to the world, not to anyone.

"Come then, Enerion," Caserion said as he approached his son and patted his shoulder cheerfully, "Let's go and practice your healing spells."

"Yes, An'da," Enerion responded quietly, giving his sister a nervous glance before shuffling after his father.

As Caserion led his son away and he lectured on about the basic principles of being a stellar healer, he could hear it. Even as they moved further away, still he could hear it. He could hear the sound of Mythene weeping softly, her voice carried by the wind.

And he felt nothing.