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........Rain pattered against windows and walls of Haven Manor. It was far too much rain for the Marino pup to want to play outside, so today she would need to occupy herself within the confines of the large house. Though she didn't mind one bit. She loved the house and she knew that nothing bad could ever happen to her inside these walls. This was the one place she knew she would always be safe. The butterfly plush hung limply from her mouth as her large paws padded over the hardwood floors. There didn't seem to be anyone around. That was so strange. Even adults didn't like to be out in the pouring rain, so where could everyone be?
........Cambria plopped herself down, dropping the toy to lay before her feet. Her gaze once again swept over the large open area, checking for any sign of another soul. But no, still there was no one around. A large sigh was heaved from the girl's chest. She really had been hoping there was someone around to play with or talk to. What was she going to do on her own? She looked back down to her butterfly but then something off to the side caught her eye. It was a door that was slightly ajar. It wasn't one of the rooms in the house, that much she knew, so what was it? Standing back up the chocolate pup walked towards the slightly open closet, curious to see what was hiding inside.
........Once she was there her stubby little snout nose the door wider and the light illuminated a pack sitting on the floor. It wasn't an empty pack though, something was definitely inside of it. Sharp puppy teeth grabbed a hold on one of the straps and tugged. It was heavy! She tugged again and again and again until it finally fell over and a couple bags filled with something white tumbled out. When the bags hit the ground some of whatever was inside puffed into the air and without even thinking Cambria breath it in. It kind of burned and made her want to sneeze. The pup backed up, sneezing and pawing at her nose. Then as a minute or two passed she began to feel very funny. She felt...really happy. But why? Everything suddenly seemed louder and brighter and she could feel her little heart begin to beat faster. Despite the happy feeling everything else was scary. What was going on with her? A loud and very distressed whine came from her and she backed up against the wall, her eyes darting back and forth.
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Blue eyes looked at the glass of the paned window. It looked new, or it might have been the cleaning she had given it just that morning, and the one nature was providing for the outdoor side. She smiled, liking the clear glass and the spotless surface. She looked through it then, to the storm the brewed just beyond the fragile window. Rain pattered on the glass, and it trapped the woman in a trance. It was dark out, though she was sure the sun was perched at its highest point. Clouds covered it, leaving a shadowed gloom the hung over the manor. Rag in hand the woman broke away from the scene, turning to find a candle and bring the light back to the kitchen.
Two paws walked down the hall, her steps lighter then expected on such a dark day. Anu found that when the weather prohibited her from reaching her garden, she found solace in cleaning. It wasn’t a new pass time, but there had been a moment when she thought she didn’t need the distraction. But their was something in her head that spoke to her, and the need to silence it had returned. Thankfully there was always something to clean, but she needed light to see where the dirt hid. Holding a small box of matches, she made her way down the hall.
A clatter made her pause, and Anu looked to find the maker of such a ruckuses, and no doubt a mess. Shaking her head the woman stalked slowly to the origin, doubting that the maker would still be there. They most likely had run off from the scene of the crime. But when she arrived, the Major General looked down at the little pup that had found her way into the hall closet. Her eyes grew wide, and in an instant she was on the ground and eye level with the cub Cambria? Anu spoke, though her tone was far from stern. There was panic in her voice. A hand held her chin, though it was hard to steady the little girls head so that she could look her in the eye. Sea green eyes were black, the dark pupils dilated beyond anything Anu had ever seen.
The white on her nose made her grow frantic. She had gotten into something, and it was poisonous. Breathing hastily Anu screamed. Savina!
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It was another rainy day in the lands. They had been more often than not it seemed to be lately. Seeing no reason for her to go out and get soaked trying to patrol the borders she had taken up residence in the library on one of the sofas. A book was resting in her lap, being help up by one hand while the other rested on her cheek. Her reading skills had steadily been improving thanks to Kansas' teaching and help, but she still had a lot to learn. A dreary day such as this one seemed the perfect to sit and work on her skills. What she was reading was actually what the humans had called a graphic novel, where pictures went along with the text of the story. She had found they were a good learning tool for if she couldn't quite figure out a work, she could look at the pictures to help discern what it was.
The Lt. General couldn't say how long she had been sitting in there, but it had been most of the morning and early afternoon. Despite it being rainy the mansion seemed fairly quiet and no one else was in the library. Now and again she had heard movement in the other parts of the house, but nothing interesting enough to tear her away from her book. The woman stretched her arms over her head, repositioning herself on the couch just as her name was called out. She had never been called like that before and her heart stopped in her chest. Her eyes grew wide in her head and before she knew she was moving she was running from the library out into the living area.
Despite how fast she was actually moving it felt like she was running in slow motion. As she rounded the corner she saw Anu on the floor kneeling next to something or someone. Oh gods... Like a flash Savina was kneeling next to the older woman and as she looked down upon her daughter she thought she might die. Cambria's pupils were dilated to an alarming degree and there was a strange white substance on her nose. Her breathing was short and sharp as panic gripped her and she felt as though she was suffocating. Scared green orbs looked to the other wolfess. "Anu...what...?" What do we do? Her gaze darted here and there and landed upon that pack that belonged to their Commader and the packets of white. The next time she spoke her voice was hard. "Where's Naniko," she said picking up her daughter and clutching her to her chest.
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she is just going to yell everyones name!! XD
Anu tried speaking to her, but it was like Cambria was off somewhere, a place Anu could not reach her. Blue eyes focused on the large pupils, and still there was no pup inside them. She was breathing heavily, and she placed a paw on the littler chest, as if holding in the rapidly beating heart. Before she could remember to breath herself Savina was beside her. Neither of them had been so panicked, but Anu looked at the mother and saw her as just that. At this moment she did not see her superior, only a mother before her ill child. In an instant Anu was standing with her, the brown pup in her mother’s arms and searching for the answers.
Picking up a package of the powder she spoke, She inhaled this, I don’t know what it is. Saying it aloud only helped Anu process the problem more then it was to explain it to Savina. Blue eyes looked into the green the midnight female wore, she’s not in here. She must be outside. Anu had heard the Commander leave, her scent and the heavy paw steps unmistakable. Though it was no longer her place to know where she was and what she did as it had been months before, Anu was always thinking of her. The door was suddenly beside them, and then the rain was overhead. Anu led the way. Her heart pounding in her ears, but outwardly calm in the moment of panic. She ran to the shed where she knew Nani kept her healing plants. She was drenched by the time she made the short journey.
Speaking her name Anu opened the door, packet in hand, her voice gave way to the inner turmoil, Naniko!.
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That pack belonged to Naniko and it had held this dangerous substance. But why? Why would Naniko be toting around something that could have this kind of effect? Usually the healer only used herbs and plants, whatever that stuff was it definitely wasn't natural. And why would she leave it in a place where the pups could get to it? A silent rage mingled in her chest with the panic. The white Commander was a mother, she should know better than to leave something harmful laying around when there were pups around. Her eyes burned as she looked at the package Anu held. That stuff had hurt her child and that stuff belonged to the wolf that was supposed to lead them and keep them safe. Whatever was going on, she was getting to the bottom of it.
Savina barely even noticed herself walking out into the rain after Anu. She didn't even feel her fur become soaked by the downpour, though she instinctually shielded her pup from the moisture. They walked to the shed where Naniko kept her herbs and she could feel the hair on the back of her neck rise. The panic was fueling her anger and making it more potent. The woman was going to be far from calm and composed during this discussion. She had never felt this way before. One of her most trusted friends had endangered her child. Inadvertently or not, it did not matter. This should have never happened.
As they burst into the shack her emerald orbs were dangerously calm, waiting for the inner storm to burst. Right after Anu called the Commander's name Savina spoke. "What the hell is that white stuff? What has it done to my daughter?" Her voice was tense as was her body as she protectively held her shivering child to her.
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It was dim outside, but she'd found a way around that by bringing a lantern out to the shack with her. Its light flickered, making her shadow appear very tall on the wall beside her as she worked. She was almost out of herbs, which was shocking for the type of healer that she was. She was normally very serious about everything that she did, about making sure that her herb stock was good quality and that she had enough of it to last her for at least a month or so. Right now, if someone came to her, she wouldn't be able to treat them for long. Lately she had been using the powder more and more, so much that she always had at least a few packets of it with her. It seemed that she needed more and more of it to get the same feeling she had back then.
The door came open and she turned around, confused, to see who had disturbed her. It was Anu...but something wasn't right. She looked to be upset about something, though what she was upset about was anyone's guess. That is, until Naniko saw it for herself, the packet in the sub-leader's hand. How had she found one of those? The Commander kept them safe in her backpack, and unless the other had been snooping she didn't see how it could have been found at all. "Were you in my stuff?" She asked crossly, still unsure of what all this was about.
She leaned back against the counter as Savina entered the small shack as well. What the heck! She hadn't done anything wrong. She didn't know anything about Savina's kid, or what any of this had to do with her powder. "I keep my bag at the top of the basement stairs...that came out of it. But I don't know how your kid could have gotten to it. It's just powder...feel-good powder. You breathe it in and you feel good." Naniko shrugged. "What happened? She got into it? Why was she in my stuff anyway?"
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Inside was dark, lit only by a lantern Nani had brought with her. Anu wished she had that candle, though there would have been no way to light it inside and bring it here… She screamed internally for her mind to focus. Her heart was pounding wildly in her chest and Anu looked from Savina to Naniko as they each spoke. Blue eyes locked in on their leader, the one that had this stuff, this poison in their house. She stared in surprise as she tried to explain, failing miserably but not acting like it. Yes, she got into it. Its all over her face! her voice rose in the small shed.
Feel-good powder? You’ve been using this? This isn’t one of you herbs Nani. This is poison… The woman spoke hastily. What were you thinking? Leaving it in the Manor, with all the pups the had, her own children. Mati was fragile, had she gotten into it, taken it. Things like this did horrible things. It was like booze, but far more powerful. It was life altering and even addictive. But she hid that truth from Savina, not wanting to frighten her further. Are you on it right now? Anu questioned in disbelief, not know which one of questions would give her the answer that would heal the sick child.
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She was nonchalant. She didn't care. She didn't think this was a big deal. The rage flared in her chest and in her eyes. Savina's ears flicked back against her head and her lips lifted to reveal her sharp fangs. The woman felt betrayed. She had saved Salem from the lake and now all Naniko had done was keep a dangerous substance around the house. The fact that Cambria had gotten into it didn't even phase her, she seemed more annoyed than anything else. "It was on the floor. On the floor where anyone, including a pup, could easily get into it. How could you be so careless?" Despite the anger in her voice there was an undercurrent of pain. How could she have done this?
The fact that the femme would try and pawn the blame off on her innocent daughter only infuriated her more. Savina bristled, desperately grasping to the self control she was rapidly losing. "She's a child Naniko! They're curious, they explore, they get into stuff! You're a mother, you should know this, or have you forgotten?" Poison laced her words. Savina had never been this angry at Naniko. Never. But this was too much. She couldn't stand idly by as she kept that stuff in their home and endangered their members.
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She had never expected to have to explain the powder to anyone, what it did or why she used it. It was her business anyway. It wasn't her fault that the kid had been in her stuff...though yeah, she probably should have put it somewhere safer. She usually did, too. She was usually safe about it. But lately things had been slipping away from her, things she would have normally done or said she no longer did. She hadn't been around her family much, had been going to the city to look for more powder frequently, and had been hanging around other addicted wolves. Sabeen had become a good friend of hers, in fact. She understood Naniko. These wolves didn't seem to any more.
"Well I obviously didn't mean for it to happen--I thought you would know that, Savina." She was sorry that the pup had gotten into the stuff, but didn't think that it would hurt her too much. It had never hurt Naniko, after all, only made her feel good. But...well, maybe it could hurt the pup. With her size, it might not have the same effect as it would have on an adult.
She swallowed at the question from Anu, frowning. They were teaming up against her, that was what this was. "So what if I am? It's my life. Usually I keep the shit in a safe place, but I left my bag out today. It was an accident. I have all kinds of dangerous stuff--the herbs I work with are dangerous themselves. And sometimes I carry knives or other weapons around." She pointed her words toward Savina now, anger beginning to build. How dare she suggest that Naniko didn't know how to be a mother! "You should have taught your children to respect the belongings of others." She growled. "Who's the bad mother here? You should have been watching her. I taught my pups not to touch things that didn't belong to them."
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Her control over her emotions was slipping. Anu could not understand how this had happened, how their leader had become dependent on such a thing. She could see it in her face, the way to she looked at them, and when she spoke of it a change occurred in her features. It was overpowering her, and if it was controlling her as Anu felt it was they had a much bigger problem. She looked at the pup in Savina’s arms, and back to the white female. Her words seemed to drift passed her, not really sinking in as she stood in disbelief. There was a soft voice, behind her ear. Speaking her name, but calling her momma. A question in her tone, and she turned to see that her daughter stood behind her. Standing in the rain fur matted against her large body stood the earthen hued Mati. Confusion and concern written on her face. Purple eyes looked passed her face, looking at the one who bore her and then to Savina.
Anu turned to face the mother, looking her in the eyes and speaking slowly. Give her to Mati. The words escaped before Anu had really thought it over, or how Savina would react. But the pup did not need to be here, not to hear that things that would be said between the three wolves. She did not need to see the anger that rose within her mother. Turning to Mati, she spoke sternly. Get her dry, and if she worsens come right back. Towels, and heat. Don’t take your eyes off of her. Looking her in the eye she hoped to instill the directions in the girl, though Anu hoped that they would help. Placing a paw on her hand, giving her courage, Anu turned to Naniko. This isn’t safe, not even for you. Your supposed to be our alpha. Your our leader Naniko, what example doe this set for the pack?! her words were stern yet low. Mati had heard them, and she didn’t want anyone else as an audience.
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Savina had never believed that Naniko had meant for something like this to happen. That would be a maliciousness of only the most despicable kind. But that did not change the fact that Naniko had been careless. Leaving that stuff laying around it would only have been a matter of time before someone got into it. It wouldn't have even had to have been one of the pups for something bad to have come of it, though the fact that it was a pup only made it more serious. There was no doubt in her mind that that substance could easily harm a child to the point of irreperably damage, possibly even death. That thought made her shudder internally, though her angered face didn't change. "I know you didn't, but it has and you should have known better. How could you bring that stuff into our home?"
Ebony lips pulled up over ivory fangs even more as the pale woman's anger grew as well and was directed towards her. "All the more reason you need to keep it locked away and safe! You never used to be so careless. That stuff has changed you." This was not the Naniko she knew. Not the woman she had loved and followed loyally for all these moons. She didn't know the wolf that stood before them now. The words Anu spoke filtered through her ears and she almost didn't comprehend them. Slowly she looked behind her to Mati, sorry immediately that the girl was here to see any of this. For a second she held Cambria tighter, the though of being parted from her ill child too much to bear. But Anu was right, she shouldn't be here for this and Mati would be able to take care of her. Carefully she handed the form of her daughter over to the Captain, sad eyes catching those violet orbs for a moment.
But then she turned back to Naniko, anger rising as quickly as it had fallen a moment before. "Don't you dare! Don't you put this on me!" she growled menacingly. "You know full well it's impossible to watch all of them all the time at that age! But if you want to go there, then where were you when Salem was thrown out on the ice?" She had never blamed Naniko for that and she wasn't now, but if she wanted to play dirty then Savina would give as good as she got. Anu was right. This was just as dangerous to Naniko. She was their leader and was supposed to be an example for all who followed her. How could she be that when she was under the influence of something else? It was then that she knew what had to be done. "Unless you stop using that stuff right now, you're not fit to lead this pack anymore." Her voice was steady and stern. "You endanger yourself and everyone in the pack by having it around."
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"Are you threatening me? In my own packlands? After I took you in and fixed you up and gave you a home? This is how you treat me?" She pushed past them outside, then turned back around. How could Savina say these things to her, anyway? She didn't know that any of this would happen or she wouldn't have brought it into the house. She didn't think that any of the pups would be stupid enough to get into her bag and go through her things...and find the one thing in that whole entire sack that was really dangerous.
"Salem wasn't doing anything wrong then. And neither was Mati when she got hurt." In case Savina would try and bring that up. "And just how exactly do you think you're going to keep me from leading this pack, Savina? How dare you threaten me like this. It's my own personal choice to use that powder...and this was an accident. I use other things, like herbs and fire. Would you kick me out because your pea-brained pup got into those?" One lip raised, showing her canines. How dare they threaten her like this.
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Anu was sure that she had never been in a more uncomfortable situation. Her stomach twisted, her heart pounding and she was beginning to break from the tension that filled the small structure. She didn’t know what was happening. She looked at the female that had led them, been her leader for a year, been her lover, been the one to accept her, and the one to give her children. She was an addict. She was dangerous, and she had put every one in danger. Savina’s voice echoed with the rage that was building in her chest, and Nani retaliated with the same anger. The woman stood to the side, watching the white wolfess step out into the rain. Anu followed, not wanting this to return to the Manor. There were to many young ones, and she didn’t want to let the entire household know what was happening. She could hardly manage the harsh words that ran between the females, once as close as sisters. But the situation was far to grave to allow past relationships to alter opinions.
Nani, you can’t believe this is healthy. You need to stop. We cant live with this, and you can’t lead us like this. Anu spoke, her voice solid but holding a calm that felt like someone else had taken over her. Her brow rose at the sound of her next words, eyes moving to the black female and in an instant she was hold in the arm of her friend, apply pressure and stepping between the two. Naniko. She spoke, looking the fey in the eyes, wondering if she was truly lost, something Anu hadn’t though until this moment. We wont allow it. She spoke works layered in seriousness. The anger had dwelled within her chest, but now it was beginning to rise. It could have been anyone, and even if this hadn’t happened… we would have found out, and would be saying the same thing. We cant have this here.
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It wasn't a threat. It was a statement. As long as Naniko was under the influence of those drugs then she was not fit to lead anyone. They needed a leader with a clear mind, one who wasn't dependent on some substance. As much as it pained her, Naniko no longer fit that description. This was about more than what had happened to Cambria, this was about what the woman was doing to herself. It was clear that she had changed and was not the woman who had led them anymore. "This isn't about the past. This is about what's happening right now. I would have followed you to the ends of the earth, but not now. You aren't the Nani I know." In her state she doubted she would believe any of that, but it was true. Did she think Savina wanted this? She didn't want this at all, but she had no other choice. They couldn't follow an addict that would put the pack in danger.
"Cambria did nothing wrong either! She was exploring in her home! If she's not safe inside the house then where can she be safe?!" This was unbelievable! To think that Naniko didn't understand, to think that her pup should have known better than to get into a bag that was laying on the floor of the house. In the common room of the house no less. It was a good thing that Anu had grabbed her arm and now stood between them, otherwise Savina would have lunged at her once best friend. "Say anything like that about my pup again and you'll regret it," she said with a promise in her voice. Hands had balled into fists and she could could feel her claws digging into the palms of her hands. The bitch. The filthy addicted bitch.
Without Anu with here she couldn't have done this, but having the older woman there gave her the strength to keep going. To make sure that Naniko understood that she was no longer in charge here as long as she was under the influence. "Anu is right. This is more than the accident. This is you being under the influence of something else. You're addicted to it and how can you expect a pack to follow someone who has to rely on drugs? It's not going to happen. You're no longer Commander here. We don't want this here, so clean yourself up or get out." Rain ran over her form pouring in little rivers down her fur, but her eyes were hard as stone.
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She kept quiet throughout the next parts, eyes narrowed, arms crossed, but her mind was moving at a million miles an hour. This was her pack, her home...and because they said so, she had to leave it? Or step down? It was kind of the same thing in her mind; she didn't want to live here unless she was the leader. All of this was hers. It was stupid...she hadn't meant for any of this to happen, and she wasn't going to stop using it. It wasn't that easy...she couldn't just stop. She knew she couldn't. And now Savina was saying that she had to or she had to get out...but
The woman snarled at the two before her, her past friends, who she had once trusted. "Fuck you, Savina. And you too." She pointed one long finger at Anu. "And fuck Crimson Dreams." She turned, then, darting off into the brush. She would be back, no doubt, to cause or attempt to cause some kind of mayhem here in the future.
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This had been her creation. Her hands had not been alone during its making, but it had been her heart and mind that first dreamt of what Crimson Dreams was this very day. But now she moved, unknowingly, to destroy it. A pack was only as strong as those that held it together. They didn’t have the same instincts of the beasts their ancestors had, they did not always hold that loyalty and unity. It was the alpha that must lead its followers towards the right path. It was the offspring that were their core, and the reason for living in the first place and Naniko showed them no respect, no care. She placed then in danger by bringing such a substance into their home, and made them weak by not showing the leadership each member needed.
Her words were powerful, and mostly harsh. Blue eyes looked through the rain, the finger that pointed to her and the curses that were thrown. The white fallen commander turned her back on them, the most final and devastating action to the tawny wolfess. Only the two were left. Anu stared out into the wood for many moments before turning to Savina. Her hand had not left her arm, but the pressure had lessened. Her voice was weak, not used to yelling as she had been. A solemn looked covered her face, Lets go inside. The rain had soaked them both, and there was no reason to stay out in it. But before she moved a step Anu felt her voice rise again. We’ll figure this out. and they would.
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Savina wondered what would happen next. If more angry words would be thrown around. She wondered if Naniko would actually back down and leave of her own accord. She didn't want to have to chase her out, but if it came down to it then she would, for the good of the pack. Finally the woman who had once been her best friend spoke, yelling curses at the both of them and then at the pack as a whole. The midnight fey snarled one more time as she turned to run. She didn't have the right to be upset. To feel betrayed. She had done this to herself and she had spit on the trust that everyone in the pack had given her. She truly wasn't Naniko anymore, the drugs had changed her more than the Italian thought possible.
For a few moments the two of them stood there in silence, making sure that the wolf they had once called leader had really gone. And then Savina's hardness and anger flooded out of her body and she felt herself go slightly limp. The tears that had been wanting to fall ever since finding her daughter like that were too much to hold back and they flowed freely down her face. A sob wracked her form as she buried her face in her hands. How had it come to this? She had never wanted this. Silently she nodded to Anu and let her lead them back towards the house. At least she still had Anu. If she hadn't she didn't know what she would do.
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