I Am Always the One Who Calls

Nayru · 12-28-2010, 01:09 AM

[html]

488.

His scent was thicker than ever and Nayru's sharp, expert eyes swept the terrain for any other subtle sign of the male's presence. A presence that had been missing from Dahlia de Mai for quite some time. Hibernal had passed without the male there, and how long was it before then that he had left them? Nayru didn't know, she had been seeing less and less of Saluce as her training turned solo, him tweaking her technique rarely now and only checking in every so often. And every so often became less frequent, then not at all. And Nayru hadn't noticed the male missing until Hibernal. He hadn’t been there that night, and as she scouted the whole of Dahlia de Mai like the diligent Wahrer she was there was no fresh scent of him anywhere. Yet there was some scent and it was this the fairy-girl laboriously tracked outside of the pack land and up into the Dampwoods.

Just as he must have she circled wide to avoid coming anywhere near Inferni and ended up in Musquodoboit Valley. The scent of him hung heavy in the air now, and it was near to the small river running the length of the valley that she slowed her pace, which was already rather slow for the two legged lady. Tracking was not a quick business, unless it had to be, but Nayru was in no rush. Sooner or later she would find him, she had never failed to find someone she looked for yet, and she didn’t think he had gotten far just yet. And she was right, because soon his form was before her, facing away from her, sitting, staring off at what Nayru's eyes couldn’t make out. Slowly, on near silent steps she came up behind him. Nine yards separated them, six yards then, and finally three then only one and a half. She could see all the details of him now, so clearly, so close, but if she reached out she wouldn't touch him.

Soft ebony lips parted to speak, but something inside her hesitated. Breaking the silence seemed a sin just then and only warm air escaped Nayru, rising up in a puff and dissipating into the Decemeber air. Eyes the color of blood stared at him, wondering why he was here and not there. At home. Maybe she didn’t want to know. Finding other deserters of Dahlia de Mai had been for fun only, it had never bothered her a bit because when she returned her whole family was there, Conor, Bris, Gideon and the others. Saluce was an other and if she turned back now he wouldn't be there, he would still be here. One more step forward and the snow crunched underfoot, the first loud step she had taken since she spotted him. Then her voice, soft as was her nature but seemingly loud in the near silence of the day. "Saluce?"

table by kahilli

[/html]

Saluce Tremblay · 12-28-2010, 04:11 PM

[html]

hey darlin!

The lonely male had made his way around the territory with no real aim or reason to it. So far he hadn’t run into any trouble, but not many wolves would openly challenge an imposing figure with two death dealers hanging by his side. Saluce had left and had only told three people of his departure, anymore and he knew he would have risked someone coming after him. That was the only thing he didn’t want, some do gooder or someone on a mission from god to come after him and tell him what was right and wrong. No one on this earth could corral him or preach to him, no his church had always been a solitary practice. Schooled in the religions of man, Christianity and others he chose to view the world as it was, and the great maker had his plans for all of them. What the behemoths path was he was unsure, his future was like a big swirling mass of variables and differing paths, and not knowing which one was his destiny. Nothing was certain to the man, why had he left Dahlia to wander for an undisclosed time, why had he chosen to head north, had he secretly hope for some final battle with some demon coyote as an excuse to die and leave his prophecies unfulfilled. Or was it for some higher purpose that he had traveled her, to reaffirm his face, to re-tool himself mentally for some damn bloody challenge to come later on. Or was his purpose in life to teach and prepare the next generation, to task them with the unknown challenge that awaits them in the future. Nothing made sense to him.

Ears swiveled in annoyance to a sound he could barely hear at times, almost playing with him, making him think he was just hearing things. One could easily pass those off and forget it, but the male couldn’t let his guard down. Again his ears twitched again as he continued to walk, if it was someone they where experts in stealth, but as it was he wouldn’t be able to turn and catch them if he went after them. No his form slowed to a stop as his arms slid to either side of his waist. If whomever was following him wanted an audience then they would come to him, which made it all the more easier to rip them limb from limb if their intentions where ungodly. Finally his fur began to bristle with the feeling of someone behind him, no scent entered his nose and for good reason, the person coming toward him was good at what they did and until he knew exactly who they where he couldn’t act.

For a brief instant his muscles tensed as those footsteps where heard clearly, the breathe like a sonic boom flicking across his ears. A practiced mind sent the instructions, hands gripping his swords, ready to react within an instant and then that soft voice tickled his ears. The quiet lady had tracked him down, the women who he couldn’t read, the person he had trained, and for a brief instant he was almost relieved it was her. She was an interesting woman now, but he hadn’t seen her for several weeks. The tall body of his form slowly turned around to address the oddly colored, beautiful little death machine in front of him. In time she would grow up and maybe come to understand the strife he suffers, but for now he only knew of her innocence. Unknowing of the monster that lay hidden within that sweet little form of hers.

“Why are you here Nayru?” was his simple question, still not too pleased to be tracked.

Nayru · 12-28-2010, 10:58 PM

[html]

349 .

Nayru saw the man's muscle's tense, knew he was prepared to turn and fight, but she did not ready herself. Instead she stood there unarmed; waiting for him to turn around and when he did the fey did not smile or show any other emotion. Simply she stared at him, taking in his facial features as her own remained stoic. Neither did she seem surprised at his annoyance; although on any other day she would have guessed a friendlier greeting from the brute. They weren't friends in the strictest sense, not in the way she and Bris were friends or she and Gideon, but they were close. Or had been. He had taught her, crafted her weapon and she had been a willing and ready student. And although she had never openly gone and confided in him, she did not hide from him many of the thoughts that she kept out of reach of others. There had been something, and that should have counted for something.

Yet one would never tell from the way they regarded each other, he as if she were a fly buzzing about a open wound and she as if he were a stranger she was taking in for the first time. And in many ways he was. "Why are you here?" Yet she wouldn't speak to a stranger in such a manner , nor to anyone else and normally not to him either. Her gentle voice held an edge just then, although it was subtle and hard to detect, almost not there at all. The ever polite and mindful lady normally would never turn a question around on a person, but she was justified this one time, she knew this and he probably did too. "You have been missing from Dahlia for some time now. I was wondering where you had gone." And the edge was gone, the tone sweeter than sugar and softer than silk, all innocence as her unassuming eyes peered up at the male. The girl seemed so childlike and naive, as if she didn’t know her statements were loaded guns.

table by kahilli

[/html]

Saluce Tremblay · 12-28-2010, 11:13 PM

[html]

we are awkward together yus

Eyes narrowed at his former pupil, what was it about her that he didn’t understand, and why couldn’t he ever shake the feeling of wanting more from her. The facts alone made their meeting much more than just a pupil looking in on their teacher. Her words struck a chord with him as if to badger him about leaving, to badger him with questions of his loyalty and or leaving his post. Such an inquiry by a lesser wolf made his fur bristle with anger. The behemoth had left to find some damn peace within him and so far all he had found was anger, blood lust and a thirst to rip the throat of whoever he encountered. Saluce’s eyes reflected the rage building in him, the first steps of fission taking place, as a uranium atom split causing a cascading chain reaction within him.

Saluce wanted to slap her, to reach out and reprimand her but her soft voice again met him and he still couldn’t bring himself to put a hand on her. Eyes narrowed wondering why the innocent girl had followed him, she could have just as easily asked Conor about his whereabouts. Or even his former mate, or Saul instead of interrupting the tentative peace he had been trying to keep in his soul.

“Conor could have answered your questions” the male told her as he looked down on her. What was it about her that drove him crazy at times, now she was fully a women and even now as his eyes looked down at the lady she had become he could only fight the sinful thoughts that broached his mind reminding him that just a few months ago she was only a girl looking for her path in life. Saluce knew this lady, but he still couldn’t shake the feeling of not knowing it all.

“The borders are safe I gather?” he asked rather bluntly unable to address her with a question without some hint of malice. Even though he actually didn’t mean it.

Nayru · 12-28-2010, 11:42 PM

[html]

356.

Nayru could see the irritation bubble to the surface as the fur along his body bristled, his muscles tense and his tone nothing short of unfriendly. His resentment did not faze her however, and had they been in any other situation she might have even shown him sympathy. Yet fate did not provide an opening for such softness, and even had one presented its self Nayru might not have taken it. There were time for empathy and there were times when such understanding, or at least the outward expression of such understanding, was a hindrance. Instead she continued on, almost as if she hadn't noticed his expressions at all, as if nothing strange was going on between them. Her voice was melodic and steady and seemingly she took no offense to his hostility, though her answer was short and simple.

"The borders are secure." Her mind flitted over the comment about Conor. Of course she could have asked him, but what he would have shared was another matter. And even if the alpha did divulge Saluce's whereabouts or his reason for leaving that would produce no action. No reassurance. Had Saluce left them for good? And if not why was his absence so extended? Had she trailed him and found him too far out of Dahlia de Mai she would have turned back, to await his return or write him off, but neither would have been easier. Neither would have been a relief. Seeing him was a relief, even if he wasn't in the friendliest of moods.

Nayru did not know what was eating at the male, but that he had sought comfort outside the pack was a great worry to her. And that he met her with such anger was also a concern. Yet nothing could be done about either if they didn't bring the issue to light, something Nayru didn't think Saluce wished to do. And she wasn’t in the mind frame to ask out right. Instead she asked, her voice floating up to the male as if she were inquiring about the weather to a friendly faced stranger, "When are you coming home?"

table by kahilli

[/html]

Saluce Tremblay · 12-29-2010, 12:46 AM

[html]

A part of him just wanted her to just come out with what she wanted, she had tracked him all this way for one reason, or else her trip would have been wasted. What did she want from him, why would she asked such questions, and why the hell was he still here humoring her. The question was simple enough, asked as if a child was looking at their estranged father, asking for his return. Saluce wasn’t her father, and she was no child anymore and such questions weren’t her place to be asking. The truth of it though was the question wasn’t easily answered, because he had no idea, was it the truth that caused the anger in him? The realization that such a simple question could expose something in him that he didn’t wish to reveal?

“When I’m ready” was what he offered as an answer. Again much was always left unsaid in their conversations, short blips of speech then long periods of silence as they digested the hidden meanings in them. Today was the case, a file, an example to be seen as the testament to the relationship between the two wolves.

“What did you hope to find?” was his next question, wondering if he needed to have asked himself the same question. What had he hoped to find, he had been running away from his past for so long, his mentor’s words had haunted him to the point where he openly sought to end the voice. The answers where all there for him but he had ignored them for long enough it was easier to put them at the back of his mind. Easier in a sense to look for answers elsewhere when they were always there to begin with. Eyes looked over her once more before his body grew tired of standing here and suffering her presence.

Nayru · 12-29-2010, 01:24 AM

[html]

300 .

"So you are coming home?" The question hung in the air, like an accusation except that Nayru did not accuse. Her body was relaxed, her voice soft and her eyes void of any telling signs that Saluce's absence was upsetting. It was all in the words, not how she spoke them but simply what was spoken. And perhaps it was not her place. Her place had always been simply to serve Conor and the others, even those below her. She did not question their actions or motives for they did not question her's. She did not talk back to or disrespect anyone, formalities and pleasantries always padded her speech. And when she did question them she did it so delicately no one could say she was prying. No one could have said she was out of place. Perhaps the girl was out of place.

Yet so was Saluce, quite clearly. His place was in Dahlia de Mai. He hadn't alerted her of his departure and maybe he hadn't needed to. Maybe he had figured she would ask Conor, or she wouldn't ask at all. Yet she had trailed over frozen snow and through the Dampwoods only to end up here and now that she was she wasn't leaving without the reassurance she had come for. Which he failed to give. "I wanted to find you. And I did." She had yet to fail at anything she had set out to do just yet. She didn't think she would fail now either. Whispery voice found it's self again, and sweeter than even she could take, for perhaps she was doing it on purpose now (or had been all along), she spoke. "Does my presence really anger you so? " She smiled then. Snidely or sweetly it was hard to really tell.

table by kahilli

[/html]

Saluce Tremblay · 12-29-2010, 01:46 AM

[html]

All questions again, and none of them he really wanted to answer. He could have reached out and brushed a hand across her cheek, told her what she probably wanted to hear and he could have been on his way long ago. It always seemed his anger was directed at someone else when he should have been directing it inward, toward himself, at himself. The beautiful little pixie before him did not deserve the behavior he was showing to her, she had only thought of finding him. Even with time such a lady could melt his exterior to expose the truths within him. The questions she asked where the questions he was afraid to ask himself, like a great big cosmic joke he recognized the signs yet again. The echo’s of his teacher swimming through his mind like a ghost seeking fellowship with his conscious thought.

“When I’m ready to return I will” he replied simply enough, demeanor had changed some, to allow a softer expression to return to his face. After all she had come all this way, was it out of worry for him? Was it so hard for him to rationalize that someone he regarded as family would come looking for him after his disappearance? Would he have done the same thing if she had gone missing? Then his eyes watched her facial expression after her last phrase. Could she enjoy bothering him, no she had confided in him even when she wouldn’t confide in anyone else. A soft sigh escaped his lip for a moment.

“I’m not sure if it’s you, or just the questions asked. Questions that I maybe too afraid to ask myself” he admitted honestly to her. The epiphany was building; pretty soon that light bulb could fire off into a brilliant radiant glow. Where he could shake this sea of fog, and break free of the chains of vice. Those blue orbs of his looked upon his pupil, taking in the sight of her before he turned slightly as if to leave.

Nayru · 12-29-2010, 04:15 PM

[html]

bleee suck suck sucky post. sorry matt. .

The kindness that suddenly sprang from the male elicited the same effect as the anger had. Nayru stood before him, her face pleasant if nothing else. It was as if the other's emotions simply washed over her without being taken in by the girl. Her anger had not hurt her, nor did his kindness cause her any sentimental feelings. She was here on business and the stoic girl would not let emotions get in the way. It hadn't always been so, there had been a time when her timid heart had broken over a crushed spider, and nothing could be done without thinking of all the reactions of others. Yet the day she had learned to take lives she had also learned to flip that switch. A switch that cut the fairy girl off from the feelings of others and the effects they might have on her.

Whether it was her or the questions she didn't care, neither were going to go away simply because the male was uncomfortable with them. Had she been feeling empathetic she might have turned away and left him to his own devices, allowing him to battle whatever demons plagued him just then. Yet if she did that who knew when he would come back? Or if he would at all? When he was ready? What if he were never ready? As he turned away her lips parted, yet another question that demanded an answer falling from her mouth. "Why did you leave?"

table by kahilli

[/html]

Saluce Tremblay · 12-29-2010, 04:54 PM

[html]

Sorry, just didn't have much to say

As always the girl before him stayed mostly emotionless as if this was some damn purpose to complete then return home task complete. Even as he turned to leave she asked another question, one that reminded him of Layla and he intended on not answering anymore of her questions till he had answered them for himself. One footstep followed by another then another slowly started taking him away from the fairy child. Even if she didn’t realize it the conversation was over.

“Return home Nayru, when I’m back I’ll answer your questions” was his reply in hopes that she would just take his word and go. She shouldn’t have had any reason to second guess him, nor should she pursue him.

Nayru · 12-29-2010, 08:28 PM

[html]

Contest for shortest post? I win.

The words came and went unheeded, and the girl simply watched the back of the man's head as he moved away. There was no resolution and Nayru was not content. Licking her lips her voice rose, more than a whisper now, almost at the level that anyone else would speak. "What are you scared of?" And then one foot after the other followed in his footsteps, her tiny paws landing in the snow where his larger ones had just been. Her stride however was slower than his, allowing a gap to fall between the two. Yet her voice came faster, stronger and almost teasing then, bittersweet. "What are you hiding from in Dahlia, hmm?" Then a thought and louder still. "Or who?"

table by kahilli

[/html]

Saluce Tremblay · 12-30-2010, 02:17 PM

[html]

A low growl of frustration left his lips, Nayru was quickly becoming a nuisance to him. But his feet continue to travel away from her. He was done with this conversation, and he wouldn’t answer her questions. Again he felt as if he needed to tell her to leave, to tell this woman to quit nagging him. Such a beautiful creature but so damn annoying he absently thought. A sigh escaped his lips before he returned with an answer.

“Leave Nayru” his voice rang out this time with a hint of authority to it. He didn’t want to be mean to her but just something about her ate at him. Almost as if she was some girl he’d never get along with, unless it was due to hidden feelings toward them. Sometimes the line between hate and love is quite blurred.

“Maybe I’m not running from anything but myself Nayru” he offered up as his pace slowed once again, mind mulling over the questions she had asked. Eyes closed for a moment, not quite sure why he continued to humor her even though all he wanted was her to leave so desperately.

Nayru · 01-01-2011, 11:12 PM

[html]

SSWM: 357.

Nayru's ears picked out the changes in the man's voice and the young girl knew with each passing moment Saluce was growing more impatient with her. Leave Nayru. The only response was a flick of the ear and then her tiny feet moved forward, following once more in his footsteps. For a while she walked behind him in silence, eyes staring at him as he tried to walk away from her but then his pace slowed and she caught up, closing the gap between them yet again. "You can't run from yourself."Her voice was so low now that she doubted he could even hear her words. It was that simple, and probably Saluce knew that, but Nayru couldn't help but point out the obvious.

Whether here or there Saluce would be Saluce and his thoughts would plague him, so why stay out here rather than in Dahlia de Mai? Crimson eyes narrowed, she knew something had happened that he was holding from her, but she wasn't the type to pry. Neither was she the type to give up once committed to something, she didn't plan on leaving Saluce's side until she felt like it, regardless of his commands for her to go. Clearly he did intend on returning, yet when was debatable. She could be patient and wait for his return, but every day he was gone she would lose respect for her teacher, something she didn't intend on allowing to happen. What kind of warrior left his home undefended to brood in the forest? Such behaviors were unacceptable, and also avoidable. It was her self-appointed duty (both to Dahlia de Mai and to Saluce Trembley), whether he wished it so or no, to avoid such a pitfall.

Quickening her pace then she overtook him in a few strides and turned to face him once more, her warm eyes narrowing as she met with his icy ones. "Come fight your demons in Dahlia, where you belong." Her voice now held a ring of authority to it, firm and loud (or louder than Nayru was accustomed to) and she blocked his path, her heart beating in her chest.

table by kahilli

[/html]

Saluce Tremblay · 01-02-2011, 03:33 PM

[html]

Those blues looked off in the distance for a few moments. Unsure of what he was going to do. Nayru was pushing for something and he wasn’t sure he could do as she asked. Too many things had changed, he had left for a few weeks, the original reason was so he could be away from Layla. Now he wasn’t so sure why he was out here anymore, why did he have to walk alone. A sigh wracked his body as his shoulders moved in unison, standing there the immovable object. Then for a second time her elegant form greeted his eyes, stood in front of him like some barrier to be breached. His icy blues looked down onto her form, as his hands rested on his hips. Some part of him just wanted to grab her, throw her over his shoulder and carry her back to dahlia in some twisted little game that he had known all along he would have done that. Eyes looked upon her with a meticulous stare, taking in her appearance and the tone of her voice. Saluce gave her a questioning look, as if to say, do you understand exactly what you meant. He was not above listening to the words but the tone bothered him, he was her superior and he worried if she understood that she was making demands out of context.

For an eternity his gaze looked upon the women that Nayru had become, even when he had first meet the little pixie he had been intrigued by her. Like some forbidden fruit he could never taste, and now with the glory of adulthood upon her he was only reminded once again just how distant she seemed to be to him. Finally his body moved, right hand rose to rest under her chin, thumb running across a lip as he offered her a smile.

“If I promise to return in the next one of two days, will that fulfill your quest?” he asked quietly.

Nayru · 01-02-2011, 03:55 PM

[html]

SSWM: 327 .

Saluce Trembley was staring down at her and Nayru stared back, her ruby gaze hard. The girl knew that she was not his equal, knew he had every right to deny her, to push her aside, to even go to Conor and tell him that his ward was out of place. Yet she felt justified. Something more than the hierarchy of Dahlia de Mai, her loyalty to Conor and those who served under Conor, and her deference to her mentor controlled her. Something told Nayru that this was okay, just this time, to defy him and she did not need to question that. Whatever she did she did so out of love and service to Dahlia de Mai. Including this. It was that which gave her the courage to meet his eyes as if they were equal, to stand tall despite her dwarfish size in comparison to his massive self.

And then something inside him clicked. He did not grow angry, as he might have, nor did his voice try to command her. Nayru noted as his hand reached out and a memory she had purposefully buried came back to her. He had grabbed her once, her large hands easily wrapping about her thin throat. He had held her cruelly when she was only a child and she had told him. I know you won't hurt me. Though the memory flashed before her she did not shy away, did not flinch when his hand met her flesh. He could have delivered unkindness, but his palm only rested under her chin, fingers stroked her lips. Nayru accept the embrace as she would have accepted penalty.

The brute did not reprimand her for her boldness, his voice was not unkind and Nayru could not argue with him any longer. Who had won it was impossible to say, they both had perhaps. She would leave and he would, in a few days, follow. "If you promise me, I will leave."

table by kahilli

[/html]

Saluce Tremblay · 01-02-2011, 04:12 PM

[html]

Something in him felt a flash of memories that shook the earth like an earthquake between them. Nayru was right which was one reason why he couldn’t react in anger to her. His gaze looked across at her as an equal, like she had passed some unwritten test. A smile again escaped his lips as a step toward her and those arms wrapped around her in a hug. Somehow he felt like it was needed, somehow he felt as if he needed to feel her against him in a sign of compassion. The pixie lady had showed extreme courage to challenge a superior such as him.

“You have grown into a women Nayru. You showed your courage and a sense to do the right thing, and no matter if it was over stepping your bounds or not you were going to see it through. I promise I will return” and then his strong arms left her there before him. The warmth of her form gone from his body and the connection gone for the time being but she had proved that she was ready to take care of the pack alongside him, and the others.

“After all, I can’t return without something for Hibernal” he added quietly as if to justify why he needed another day or two. True he’d need to go find something for their leader, not to help soften the blow of him leaving but to reaffirm his commitment to the pack.

[/html]

Nayru · 01-02-2011, 05:18 PM

[html]

SSWM: 314.

Saluce gave his word and it was this, rather than the embrace that followed, which put emotion back into her face. Nayru was successful, as she aimed to be in everything she did, and Saluce would come home. Not today, but tomorrow or the day after and that was good enough. His arms wrapped about her in an unfamiliar fashion, but she did the same only without applying the pressure that he put upon her body. It was strange to be so close to anyone, only ever did she allow Gideon to touch her for extended periods of time, and Bris and Conor if they wished. It was the same strange sensation when Aro wish to be in contact with her. Not unpleasant, but not anything she was use to.

And then they separated and Nayru smiled, Saluce's words less formal now. Hibernal. The man had missed the feast and Nayru did not mind saying so, her voice with more emotion though less volume now. "Hibernal is over silly." It was, the longest day of the year pass and increasingly the sun was staying out for greater lengths of time. Not soon, but soon enough, spring would return and the cycle would start all over again. Everything moved in cycles, the season, the weather, and people even. "Next year though, you'll be there next year." And maybe he would. Maybe she would. They could be optimistic.

Nayru turned and walked several feet from him, her path taking her west and then north, back home to Dahlia de Mai. She had no reason to be outside of the pack lands, even if Saluce still felt he did. Turning back she raised on hand in farewell, a half smile on her lips before she turned away and moved quickly from him. Her long strides soon taking her out of sight and perhaps too, out of mind.

table by kahilli

[/html]

Login




Remember me Lost Password?