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OOC// Yay, new thread! :3
The wind sighed softly, a cacophony of whispering voices. It trailed lazily across the land, tangling in the thick, auburn curls of the reclined feo.
Her chest rose and fell evenly, emerald eyes cast skyward to make out distant shapes and worlds in the fluffy hides of clouds overhead. Behind her a ways was the old hotel, where the brute Leroy had brought her back. Still under suspicion of being a thief, Alaine was temporarily restricted to the hotel grounds, about an acre radius. And yet, the young beauty didn't mind being a hostage, not right at the moment - She was, at long last, within a pack. The ebony lady, a miss... Finn? Had promised her solace and protection within the bounds of this territory, and even though the soft breeze was at current complacent, she instinctively knew that within a few weeks it would bring the sharp bite of winter.
Thick lashes fluttered shut for a few moments, before brilliant jade eyes returned to their observations of the heavens.
The bark of the tree at her back was worn smooth with age, the grass soft as it was dappled with morning sunlight. Alaine's hands plucked absently at the tall, thick shoots, enjoying the smell that bled out from the torn blades. Her gaze dropped to watch as she threw them into the air, little fluttering pieces of green confetti that twirled back down to the ground. A smile, the first one for some time, curled over a dainty maw as the she-dog let out a content sigh. Caillen was sleeping in a secure room, on a worn mattress, and she had taken the opportunity of a little bit of peace and escaped out here.
Mind wandered over the past events; Perhaps being caught trying to steal that calf had been the best mistake of her life. Thank gosh she had those medical skills... At this thought, Alaine straightened, her bewitching eyes opening again as the unsettling thought came back to weigh upon feminine shoulders. She was only allowed to stay here as long as she could prove herself capable, a worthy member of the pack. A stranger to the kindness of others, Alaine had no false ideas about charity. If she did not hold her own weight, surely they would kick her and her son out.
With a troubled sigh, the young lady rose, brushed the blades of grass off of her silky thighs before stretching in an almost feline way. She'd have to go and find someone, find some opportunity to show her worth.
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500+ words.
#####It had been quite a while since he had visited the massive building, so he had ambled in the direction of the old hotel that morning, curious to know if it was being used for anything. It seemed like it would be a very convenient place for others to live, but he also knew that throughout the lands were other places, as well as the town he now lived in. Vigilante was not particularly optimistic that he would find company that day, though he did not mind the idea much, as he spent far more time alone than he did with anyone else. However, for company's sake and hopes of bonding more with the blood bay stallion, he was accompanied by Nádherné, who seemed to be restless after spending so much time around the house. Truthfully, the dog mutt could not blame him for the restlessness, as he often felt similarly. It seemed that they both needed things to do with themselves, or they would surely both shut themselves in and become complete hermits.
#####A rough nudge on his shoulder reminded him that he had been walking in silence a small ways ahead of the horse, and apparently, this was not appreciated. "It's not much farther to the old hotel," he explained with a light chuckle. This seemed to placate the horse, but Vigilante did not know if this was because he actually understood, or simply because he had spoken to him. Either way, the rest of the walk was uneventful, both walking in a mutual silence. It was nice that they both seemed to have similar personalities, horse and dog man. As a result, they were able to feel comfortable in one another's presence, and silence did not seem to bother the horse much, just as it did not bother him. Only a bit of reassurance seemed even remotely necessary. They had things in common and their bond was growing each day, though he did not feel even the slightest bit confident that he would be able to ride his horse any time soon, if ever he tried it at all.
#####As the old hotel came into sight, so did an unfamiliar figure by one of the trees, a pack member he had not met thus far. Though he was not the most social creature, he did know most in the pack, whether they had been in the pack before or were now, so he could only assume that this woman was a newer member of the king's pack. It seemed only right that he would introduce himself, especially to someone who seemed so pretty from a distance, though that did not matter nearly as much as it had. Upon joining this pack, he had been determined to find a mate and have a "normal" life, his nature very flirtacious, but it seemed that his priorities had been shifting as of late, and he did not notice much the appearance so much as the being behind it.
#####Keeping the horse behind him, both out of concern that she may be startled by Nádherné and from the advice Haven had given him some time ago, Vigilante approached her, manner friendly and gait even, footsteps as silent as they always were. He offered her a smile, regarding her in the most welcoming manner he could manage. "Good day, Miss. Are you enjoying it?" he inquired curiously, almost surprised that someone else was by the old hotel this day. It was strange for him to think of the fact that he was no longer a simple basic-ranked pack member, but that he was rising in the ranks. Perhaps it was time to find himself some responsibilities within the pack. Jacquez had told him that it was not a requirement, but Vigilante did not share that sentiment. It was probably related to his former life, but he was not pleased by living here without something productive and useful to do.
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Her muscles shivered as she stretched, easing out the stiffness in bruised joints and abused bones. Completely unaware of her audience, Alaine yawned widely, rubbed at her eyes absently and tucked some stray ringlets of bright auburn fire behind one tufted hark. She turned, gracefully light on her feet, and immediately froze.
Uh oh.
" Good day, Miss. Are you enjoying it?"
The wind played absently with her hair, and that of the tall, handsome stranger. His smile was not returned, not for a good long moment of terrified silence. Somewhat resembling a deer in the headlights, Alaine's maw opened and shut, her pupils dilated as she took a few hesitant steps back towards the thick trunk of the pine tree. Those brilliant jade eyes soared over first his body, then the HUGE beast behind him, who watched her with intelligent brown eyes from it's superior height.
" I... I..."
Her voice was lost in a sharp breath as the stallion pawed at the earth, the slender beauty's entrancing figure beginning to tremble. Twas as if all her fears had collided upon this falsetto of a bright, sunny day. Features bleached with terror, Alaine's eyes sought an escape, any escape.
" Please, I didn't... I haven't... I know how to heal! They said I... I would be safe! Please..."
The woman's strangely beguiling accent, normally musical and endearing, was thick with fear. It seemed she had not heard a single word of the stranger's kindness, saw now only the nightmare of her past, equipped with some giant ferocious beast she'd no claim to knowledge over. And, sieged with exhaustion and the pent-up emotion the young beauty had been fostering for well over half her years, Alaine felt her walls come crumbling down and the panic attack claw up at her throat. Forcing herself to suck in deep breaths, her clawed hands digging sharply into the bark of the tree, the exotic lady shut her eyes tightly.
The horrors that danced beneath her eyelids offered no comfort.
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Please keep in mind that NPCs aren't free for anyone to role play, and I should be the only one dictating Nádherné's actions. ^^; Also, I apologize that this is short. 300+ words.
#####The response he received from the stranger was not something he expected. Rather, he was actually taken aback by her reaction, though he did not show this. The dog mutt was not used to anyone being afraid of him in this area. Back home and the surrounding area, yes, his name and appearance had been known and feared. Here, however, he had been given a clean slate and while he had startled a few individuals, he had not frightened any seriously as she seemed to be. Vigilante turned quickly to look at Nádherné, but the horse did not seem to be doing anything intimidating. He was simply standing there with his usual bored expression. Soon, he would probably begin bothering his owner to begin moving again, but for now he was not doing anything in particular.
#####Still, Vigilante wrongfully assumed that it was the horse that had scared the woman, although he could not make sense of why she would say what she had in response to that. Turning his head once more to look at her, he offered her another smile, although her eyes had fallen closed after speaking. "If it is him that you are afraid of, you do not need to worry, Miss. Nádherné will not hurt you," he offered her, hoping that it might bring her some sollace in knowing that she was safe from the horse. Though he knew his horse to be safe, he also understood the potential fear that could be caused by them, as he had been incredibly wary of the beasts when he had first seen them, as well. It took some getting used to, but he did not find them at all intimidating any longer. The thought of riding them was intimidating, yes, but not their mere presence. That could be appreciated.
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OOC// Many apologies! I didn't mean to partake in any control of your stallion. By the way, you have a very nice writing style :3
From behind the woman's shut eyes, the dark world seemed to be safe. The panic that clawed up from her chest began to abate as control cyphered back into mentality, the young lady taking a moment to catch her breath. The stranger was still standing there; She could feel his presence, hear the shallow sounds of his breathing and that of his beast. There seemed a long moment in which she fought with herself to regain commandment of her own body, her own frozen limbs, her own shuddering heart.
" If it is him that you are afraid of, you do not need to worry, Miss. Nádherné will not hurt you,"
This time, the voice did not send Alaine into the perilous, dark waters of terror. This time, the voice did not echo with that of the one in her past, those bleak memories which bleached like ivory bones in the desert of her mind. Hesitantly, brilliant green eyes opened to the world once more.
The stranger was tall, but he was smiling. And the beast which had struck her as a terrible monster before seemed now to be nothing but a large, hornless stag. Alaine shifted slightly, found that her claws had dug deep into the bark of the tree. As she plucked them free of nature's grasp, the young beauty allowed herself to exhale, concentrated on the calmness that had now began to seep back into her frail frame. It was another moment before she could speak, those beguiling jade orbs watching the male carefully, her hands now folded together like two restless cream doves.
" I... Forgive me, sir, please do. The panic attacks, they come so unexpectedly."
Now that it was free of the bindings of fear, Alaine's accent was stark and melodic. Her voice seemed to hum softly, the musical sounds matching her whimsical frame. Jade gaze continued to dart back and forth between the man and the stallion, showing her anxiety in the flick of a thick, bushy tail. You stupid, stupid girl! What if he takes offense? What if he thinks you some simpleton? Her thoughts momentarily fled to the young boy, asleep in the hotel. She couldn't allow her actions to rid him of safety, even if that meant putting those lurking phobias behind her!
" I didn't intend to be so rude... My name is Alaine Winters, sir. I arrived here last morn."
She smiled shyly, brain just now aware of her tousled red-gold hair, her dirty pelt, her protruding ribs. How unfitting for a lady to be seen in such a state of frazzled unkempt! Though it was peculiar for her thoughts to flee in that direction, Alaine grimaces slightly, one hand lifted to try and comb some sense back into her tumbling curls of auburn. Oh, he must think the worst of me now...!
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Thank you. :3 Althought I feel horrible, since I'm giving you yet another crappy post. 300+ words.
#####The silence did not bother him, though he was concerned for the woman before him. Vigilante was not pleased that he had given her such a fright, as it was not something that he felt should happen. He worked very hard to avoid his old tendencies, and that included being the same feared individual that he had once been. It was not his intention to frighten his pack mates, particularly those that were new to the pack. Nádherné once again nudged the luperci's shoulder, but again, Vigilante turned to quietly assure him with a look that they were quite fine where they were and that the impatient stallion was not always going to get his way with things. It was part of his attempt at following Haven's advice to assert his dominance over the horse, which was necessary, according to his younger, more informed orange-furred pack mate.
#####As he had expected, the pretty woman before him was new to the pack, though much newer than he would have initially guessed. It was rare for him to meet anyone on their first or second days within the pack, so he usually assumed that they had been there for at least a week if they were someone he had not met before. Generally, they had been there longer, as this pack did not seem to get as many newcomers as his old pack had. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Winters. I am Vigilante Haskel. How are you enjoying the pack thus far?" he inquired, also curious to know who she had met so far, or if he might be the first one, other than the one who had accepted her. It was rare for him to meet anyone so soon after they had joined, so they very often had already met a few others. He had suggested the pack to a few loners in the past, but as far as he knew, none had joined yet, unfortunately. Finn had been particularly interesting, and while he had not seen her since their initial meeting, he was curious to know if she had come to the pack yet.
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OOC: New table thanks to Erin! <3 I really hope you feel better soon, dear :c And PSSH, that was NOT a crappy post!
He seemed to measure her quietly for a moment, and Alaine stiffened self-consciously, her jade eyes now firmly scanning the planes of the man's face. He seemed to thoughtfully consider something at her mention of being so new to the pack, though his eyes remained kind, his tone calm. When the stranger spoke, his voice was cautiously polite, genuinely curious... Even so, that did little to ease the icicles of fear that clenched her stomach. Vigilante Haskel. The pretty young woman mentally commanded herself to remember that name, as he was the first actually member for her to meet on equal terms.
" Thank you, Sir Haskel, that is very kind."
Her own voice lilted sweetly in reply, the two of them seeming to be fancy gentry in this strange land Alaine hoped to eventually call home. She'd meet fleeting individuals before, but they'd spoken in much crasser tones than the gentleman before her. Why, it seemed she had come across cultured individuals at last!
" Well, Sir... I haven't actually met many of them, in all honesty. I'm confined here, you see..." She cringed slightly at the word confined - Now, to tell him of her sins, " Under suspicion of felony, Sir Haskel. I'm not allowed to leave hotel grounds till they are assured of my propriety. I've met but two individuals, one Mr Leroy, and a Miss Finn."
Thick lashes lowered over her brilliant emerald orbs, an unpleasant flush of embarrassment crawling across her cheekbones. A criminal, her? Perhaps it was unwise to mention that... In the past months, the horrors seemed to have sapped all her teachings on eloquence, subtlety. But if anything, such an admission might only make the slender woman more intriguing to the unwary gentleman... Though she'd been craving company to shatter the boredom of remaining here with her son, so often alone for hours, Alaine now prayed fervently for Vigilante and all his kindness to get back on his strange stag-creature, and disappear back the way he had come.
Speak think walk.
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Thanks, on both accounts. Unfortunately, I'm still sick, and I don't know if I have something/what it is, but jeez, I need to feel better. D: And pretty table! 500+ words.
#####The fact that she seemed to have similar mannerisms as he did was not lost on him, though he did not feel as though he deserved the title of 'Sir.' He was but another pack member, and while it was his view that all ladies should be treated as such and with respect, he did not feel that it was necessary for her to address him so formally. Smiling, he shook his head politely. "Please, Miss, you can call me Vigilante, or Vigi if you wish." He knew that there were those few that were uncomfortable with his name, however unfair he thought that happened to be, so he generally preferred to give a second option. It was only upon his arrival in this area that he realized how many knew of the connotations associated with what he was named after, though he supposed that could simply be because he was well-known (in his pack and outside it, as well) in the area that he had come from.
#####He was visibly surprised at her admission of her current status in the pack, but he immediately dismissed it. Truthfully, he did not believe she could have done anything terribly wrong, especially at the mention of Leroy. He was not one to jump to conclusions about anyone--he had taken too many lives and been trained too thoroughly to be capable of making such quick assumptions. Of all people, he knew not to make assumptions about the severity of what others may have done. Of course, he did not condone wrong-doings. He would be a terrible hypocrite to find no problem with it just because the offender was a very pretty woman. Curiousity rang evident in his voice as he asked, "What is it that you stand accused of and punished for by Leroy?"
#####The mention of Finn's name made him smile fondly as he remembered their initial meeting, and he was very glad to hear that she had made it to the pack and was now a member and what not. He would need to start working on that sword soon, then, so that he had something to show her when they next met, since she had been curious. "I am glad that you met Miss Finn, and that she made it to the pack safely. When I met her, she was a curious loner." It did not seem likely to him that there would be another Finn in the area, so while Alaine had not mentioned the dark woman's last name, he could only assume that they were thinking of the same Finn. She had been a rather lovely woman, very interesting indeed, and he would have to seek her out soon so that they might once more chat. She had been very good for conversation.
#####He decided then to speak something else that had been on his mind since she had mentioned being confined, presumably by Leroy, as he was the only one she had met that he could see having any semblance of power over the decision. "I would suggest staying on Leroy's good side, but I would not take what he says for anything more than face value. If the king--that is, Jacquez--had something to say about what you were accused of, then I would heed the probable warnings. However, Leroy is not a leader of this pack, and unless what you did was completely terrible, he has no standing to keep you locked away in one area. This pack is meant for the free, as far as I know from when I spoke with Jacquez. It is not for one to decide that they are better than everyone else." It was long-winded, and he very quickly ended his small speech. It was the most he had ever spoken about his negative opinion of Leroy, and he did not wish to make it more known than that, as he considered himself diplomatic enough to keep it as respectful as was possible for the situation.
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OOC: Poor thing! I'll cross my fingers that you do so soon! <3
He seemed relatively comfortable in her company. Alaine wished she could say likewise. Though the young miss knew that her fears were paranoid, and she could identify them as ridiculous more often than not, the phobia remained. Round emerald eyes watched him carefully as the gracious fellow told her, in his enjoyable, genteel tone, that she might address him by his first name. With a meek smile, the young mother nodded her acknowledgment. To his next question, though, the grimace returned to stain pretty features, and those bewitching eyes dropped down to her footpaws nervously.
" Well, si-...Vigilante, if you must know... I am a thief. A rotten one, at that, to be caught in such a mess!" For a moment, her eyes shone vehemently; no matter what the crime, the she-dog clearly did not regret her actions, " Twas but a calf I sought. And I wish no chastising, for I know it to be wrong, Mr Vigilante. I would not steal were it not a final option!"
She spoke vehemently, for a moment seeming cross with her predicament. Alaine had never been under house arrest before. She'd been given just about everything she'd wanted as a child, spoiled absolutely rotten, and then... Well, then had been dark, and those things were not to be thought of now. In her anger, the young woman seemed to have forgotten her docile terror of the tall, broad-shouldered male, and her animated gestures had allowed a step to be taken closer towards him.
When Vigilante spoke next, she listened intently, rapt with his expression. Having lived with her horror of a mate, she knew as well as any taught in the manner to define facial expressions and inflections of the voice to determine emotions; Vigilante was mildly expressing was was sure to be a rather large dislike, or disapproval, of this Mr Leroy. She found that peculiar - Did he not think her detestable, for trying to steal from his land?
" Tis very kind of you, Vigilante, but I digress. Mr Leroy was very kind in letting me stay, Sir - if not for his allowance, my son would have nowhere to stay this winter... Though I do believe, his opinion was greatly affected by Miss Finn. I am very glad to know you've heard of her - She is quite a pleasant acquaintance."
It was so good to speak freely with another, that she began to relax, a small but delightful smile dimpling the exotic lady's features, flushed prettily beneath creamy fur. One more, her hands fiddled absently with curls of coppery auburn, teasing them back into ringlets.
Speak think walk.
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Thanks. <3 My fever is down and I can eat again, and my throat is tolerable, but I'm now coughing up a storm. -.-; And stuffy/runny/ouchie nose, too. But I'm always sick, so I'm trying to deal with it anyway. 500+ words.
#####Vigilante listened to her words intently, processing everything that she had to say along with the apparent shift in her comfort level. At the very least, she seemed less afraid of him, if only for the moment. He found tht to be a very big improvement, as he did not particularly want to intimidate his pack mates. Just the opposite, in fact, he wanted to continue building as many good relationships as he possibly could, both within the pack and outside it, as well. The fact that she seemed slightly more comfortable in his presence was almost enough to negate the tone she had taken, though he understood that she was stressed and upset, so his dismissed the thoughts without giving any hint that they had been on his mind in the first place. Alaine was understandably upset, and though he did not find as much fault as she seemed to, Vigilante was able to appreciate the fact that sometimes it was necessary for anger and pain to be let out, so he was determined to not be bothered by anything she said to him about it.
#####When the young woman finished speaking, he thought deliberately for a moment, trying to determine what would be the right things to say to her. Most of what he thought was kept inside around everyone, especially if they could be at all linked to his past in his own mind. This occasion, however, seemed to call for the wisdom he had gained in life thus far. "I have known and encountered many sinners and sins, even more than you could imagine," he explained, expecting it to be true. It was something that you had to see and experience firsthand. "Stealing a calf for the well-being of yourself and your son is not as terrible as it may seem, and I do wish that I could find a way to explain it more thoroughly. Regardless, that is survival. It does not make you terrible or awful or anything else you might think." There was a solemn kindness in his words. She was still young yet, and he hoped that she would recognize that he did not find her thievery attempt to be very serious at all, but he also hoped that she would realize that he was not trying to downplay her apparent punishment in any way, either.
#####He found it strange that she seemed so young and was a mother, but this was nothing more than a thought in the back of his mind, quickly diminished as he realized that his own sister had been very young when she had become a mother, as well. "I am glad you have somewhere safe to be with your son. There are other puppies here, as well. One of my good friends, Ayita, has a son and daughter, and she also told me there was another woman here with her daughter, though I know nothing of them." Then, after a minute of thought, he added, "Did you two have to travel very far to get here?" There was minor concern in his tone now as he considered the fact that her son must be very young, considering her apparent age. For a very brief moment, he considered mentioning that Ayita's children were also Leroy's, but he decided it was not important. If Alaine was so nervous around others, then perhaps it would do her good to get along with another woman, and very likely another mother would also be beneficial. At the very least, they would have something in common to share.
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OOC: Thats good news, right? Have a lot of cough lollies, I guess  And thats a shame! Hope you're feeling better <3
EDITED, because there were SO many mistakes in here xD
After her outburst, Vigilante fell silent, and seemed to thoughtfully consider her for a moment. Feeling rather embarrassed, Alaine's thick lashes fluttered over her emerald eyes as she tried to ignore the nervous flush that spread beneath her fur. First you speak too little, and then you hit him with that? Silly, silly girl! But for the second time, she was only to be surprised by the male's kindness. When his words flowed forth again, she was cautiously attentive, measuring his facial expression for any hints of aggression.
Alaine realized she hadn't been spoken to so honestly... Well, ever, really. There were too many lies and deceptions and stabbed backs for the young woman to ever fully believe again - She'd been gullible and naive once. A prize. A trophy for a well-spoken young man. The irony of it all was that her 'escape', her triumphant elope with the man of her dreams, had been nothing more than another heartless charade in which the shining knight was also the wicked, twisted pedophile. But in all things, she'd been the damsel in distress, always having people talk down or across or over her... But this Vigilante, with his soft, throaty voice, and his kind eyes, and his relaxed posture...
The knowledge that there were other young mothers in the pack did not startle her, but rather, left some sort of keening. Other women - Female company! - Seemed so far away of late. And other pups, for her Caillen to frolic with! She smiled sweetly at the older male, careful not to show the sudden pangs of longing and vulnerability beneath the mask. When she'd mentioned her son, he'd seemed a little surprised. Perhaps he thought her a whore - wouldn't be too strange an assumption to make, considering her age and appearance. The creme maiden stiffened slightly, but reminded herself that he'd done nothing to insult her. Ah, that pride, it surely would be the end of her someday! To his question, though, Alaine seemed for a moment to shrink right into herself. Emerald eyes grew round, pupils dilating, body frozen.
" Travel... Far?" The young mother blinked, sucked in a deep breath, forced a plastic smile across her maw. Nobody could know where she came from, or why... She didn't think she could live through the memories and the humiliation that would follow again, " Oh, yes... Yes, we did. I was... Yes. But we traveled safely, during the day. I didn't put Caillen in any danger. I took care of my son."
Suddenly, her gaze was sharp and clear. Of course she had taken care of her son. If they knew, perhaps, what she'd been through... How unstable she could be... Well, they would take her Caillen away. And that was not a possibility. Anxious to change the topic, she suddenly blurted out, " Excuse me, Vigilante, but what IS that beast behind you?"
Speak think walk.
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Bah, I'm sorry. I'll try and be better about replies. >_>; I'm trying to play the "Let's get caught up" game while I have some time. 500+ words.
#####Nodding, Vigilante did not plan to press further. He did not need to know the details of where she came from unless she wanted to share, especially as it would have been incredibly hypocritical. As lovely as she was and how sweet she seemed beneath the obvious nervous nature (and he could not begrudge her that, as he did not know her story), he was not going to share his story with her. The past was not as important as the present, after all. Alaine and her son were here now, and just like it did for him, it would hopefully become their home. Joining a new pack was always a start at a new life, but in this pack, especially, it seemed that the main goal was to start over. This pack of misfits was certainly a new starting point for everyone, no matter where it was that they came from.
#####Certainly, he had not meant to insult her with the question, but she seemed a bit nervous or upset that he might be implying that he was questioning her mothering skills. Yes, she was very young, but that did not mean anything in regards to her parenting. His sister had been young when she had become a mother, although he did not know if Martyr had been younger or older than Alaine with the birth of his nieces and nephew. "I would never suggest that you put him in danger," he replied softly, voice apologetic for the fact that she might have thought that had been his train of thought. A long journey did not mean that there would be danger, and though he had preferred to travel in the cover of darkness when coming here, he did rather like that she had been thinking ahead and travelling during the day. It showed that she had a good head on her shoulders, even if she was so fearful.
#####Chuckling, the dog mix reached up to run his fingers over Nádherné's broad, velvety nose. He had already told her that the horse would not hurt her, but he was not surprised to know that she was still wary of him. "Nádherné is my stallion, a horse. They are very interesting creatures," he explained, although he did not know if she was familiar with horses. She knew of calves, so perhaps she did know some. "Many members of the pack keep them, and some even ride their horses. Mine is relatively new to me, so we just walk side by side for now. I'm not sure if I will ever want to ride him, to be honest. If you're interested in learning about horses more, or even in finding one for yourself, I might suggest looking for Heath, as he works in the stables." It had been quite some time since he had seen Heath outside of the old human library, but as far as he knew, the younger canine was still in the pack and working with the horses.
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OOC: Here I am :3
Vigilante appeared apologetic when he spoke, the soft sentence bringing her more shame than it did relief. Of course he hadn't been insinuating that, she'd just grown such a prickly outer shell that all words seemed more accusatory than they were meant. Remorseful of her actions, Alaine was thoroughly grateful when the respectable man picked up on her subject change smoothly, his chuckle a rich sound which made a smile bloom prettily upon the young mother's features once more.
" Nádherné... What a splendid name."
Her soft melodic voice was touched with a mite of worry, for even as Vigilante had assured her of his steed's good manners, the large creature bewildered her still. Prey, but not prey? And dangerous, to boot! Her inverted emerald eyes widened in shock, then awe, as the male mentioned beings riding such creatures as this 'horse'.
" Ride them? How terrifying! Surely, they would dislike being ridden on."
Doubt strained her tone, as she eyes the large stallion suspiciously. Clever of Vigilante to not attempt to tame this beast - She wondered at the feral intelligence in the horses eyes, and found herself strangely drawn to the idea of traveling akin to such a creature. If flying were to be had without wings, the too-young mother supposed that it would best be had upon the back of a horse.
" Perhaps I shall drop in to see this Heath," With wide, wondrous eyes, she suddenly looked to Vigilante with childish awe, " Sir... Might I be able to pat him?" As if aware of it's longings, her ivory hand dropped to her side and fidgeted with the hem of her pretty green dress.
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####Nothing more was said about the misunderstanding that had occurred when he had asked about her journey here with her son. For that, Vigilante was glad, as he had not meant to offend her in any way. The change of subject was pleasant, not made in an abrupt way any longer. Talking about horses was not something he could claim to have much knowledge about, but he was learning, and he liked having the ability to pass on what little knowledge he had to others who were interested. He nodded his gratitude at the compliment, though he wished very much that he knew what the name meant. It had simply been the name that was written on one of the horse stalls in the stables when he had been trying to learn to read.
####Chuckling, he nodded at the way she seemed very alarmed about the idea of riding the horses. It had scared him, too, at first, and he was still not completely comfortable with the idea. Maybe he would eventually be able to ride Nádherné, but he could not say it would happen any time soon, if it ever did. "The idea seems very bizarre to me, as well," he admitted, "but many others ride them. Heath and Haven are two of the pack members who ride their horses, and we actually hosted a horse race recently with another pack, AniWaya. I only watched, though, as I did not even have a horse then. It was very interesting to watch." Even if he had owned a horse at that point in time, he would not have participated in the race, uncomfortable with the idea of doing anything in front of a large crowd. Still, it had been a very interesting thing to watch, even if he had not been an actual participant. It had been exciting to feel the adrenaline practically flowing from the horses and riders, and doing something with another pack in the area had been a great way to form a tie with them.
####The fact that she seemed a bit more receptive to the idea was good, and he nodded happily, stepping to the side a bit so that he was next to the horse's shoulder instead of in front of him. The stallion responded to this by lowering his head to the ground, obviously growing bored with the exchange between the two-legged creatures, instead deciding that the grass was a bit more interesting. "Certainly," he said with a smile, indicating the horse's head and neck with his hand. "He does not mind at all," he added, just in case she might still be nervous about the idea.
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The young lady appeared relieved when Vigilante admitted his own reserves about the riding of such beasts, though she found it curious that, unlike many males, he seemed not to have the wild urge to insist upon such a thing. Though the bea- stallion, she reminded herself - though the stallion seemed large and hefty, she knew that it's intelligence could be conquered. This sort of genteel training was as confusing as it was admirable, though perhaps it was just Vigilante's way of saving himself some painful falls.
She considered his words for a moment, and smiled shyly when he gestured for her to pet the horse's glossy neck. Gingerly reaching with out one ivory hand, her emerald eyes remained keen upon the animal's head, which for all purposes seemed more intent upon the lush grass than the collie-woman. Finally, she let her finger-tips graze the short hair.
Alaine recoiled, her hand snapping back as if prepared for punishment. Then she laughed giddily at herself, the sound soft and sweet as bells. Pulling her composure back into place the young healer suddenly shifted intelligent jade eyes to the man, recalling some of his previous words with more clarity.
" You mentioned another pack... Aniwaya? This confuses me, Sir... You mean to say the packs are friendly with one another?"
The idea of two separate packs joining together to enjoy an event was as alien to the cream lady as this 'horse riding', and as much was said with a curious tilt of her crown and a slight frown that dimpled her features. An alliance, or bond, between clans? Why, it was unheard of! Her eyes narrowed on the older man's face, trying to determine what he thought of such a union. She already considered Vigilante to be an educated individual (for his mannerisms and etiquette were what she'd been used to, back home), and if he saw Aniwaya as brethren then she supposed that the Cour des Miracles king must see likewise.
" I apologize for bringing up issues of politics, but... I find this rather puzzling."
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####The stallion seemed less than interested as Alaine touched him, for which Vigilante was incredibly thankful. It would have looked terrible if the stallion had reacted badly after he had assured her that Nádherné would not mind her touch in the least. She still seemed uncomfortable with it, but Vigilante smiled encouragingly, hoping that she would overcome her nerves very soon. Unfortunately, it would be difficult for her to integrate well into the pack if she was fearful of everyone she met and afraid of horses, as the pack was generally friendly and most members also had horses that they could be found with often. It was understandable that she might be nervous, as she was very new and also had a young son, but it would not do well for her to be afraid of her pack mates. As long as she began to feel comfortable soon, though, Vigilante did not expect there to be any problems. Alaine was a pretty young woman and, once he had gotten beneath her initial nervousness, he had come to realize how friendly she could be. That would be a good thing for her to show to the pack, and after that, the mutt was sure that she would fit in just fine with the rest of them. He had been told this was a pack of misfits, but he had come to realize long ago that it only made them stronger as a pack.
####External pack relations were nothing that he had concerned himself with before, though he had met others from neighboring packs. He did not know anything about the others in the area, however, with the exception of the neighboring tribe. If Cour des Miracles happened to be on good terms with any of the other packs, then Vigilante was not aware of the friendship, but he also did not know anything about negative relationships, either. “Truthfully, I do not know much about whether or not all of the packs get along,” he said, dismissing her apology mentally. He did not mind answering her questions, though he did feel bad for not knowing the answers that would be most helpful for her. “The tribe—that is, AniWaya, which does not refer to itself as a pack—is one that I know we are on good terms with. They also raise horses, although I believe they also raise other creatures, and produce harvests of food, rather than just hunting. They seem very peaceful, so it does not surprise me that we get along well with them. I think the race was a good way to form a bond, although there has been nothing more than that, that I know of,” he added. Of course, there were personal relationships between specific members, but he was sure that went for all of the packs in the area. He considered Susquehanna, a member of the tribe, one of his few closer acquaintances, for example. He had also found company in a lone coyote, and various others from the differing packs. Unfortunately, however, he was not able to say he was knowledgeable in that area.
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OOC: Any ideas for this thread? :]
Though he seemed mildly thoughtful of her questioning, Alaine was surprised to see that there was no irritation nor surprise in her asking of such a question. It was something the young woman was going to have to get used to - Here, in this strange pack with it's strange rules and members, women were as free to speak their mind as the men. Back home, females had been hunters, scavengers, yes; But the men ruled, and the men spoke of politics and reasonings. She was meant to be no more than a wife, a body for which to sire many heirs. But here... Emerald eyes drank in Vigilante's expressions, his tone, his words with the eagerness of a child. Here, she was free.
The mention of this Aniwaya tribe did little to startle her. The name sounded familiar, such that she might have heard it in a passing conversation. The fact that they, too, raised horses - well, it was confusing, but just another aspect of this foreign place that the too-young mother was simply going to have to adapt to. The stallion, Nádherné, was much easier to come to grips with now that he was grazing placidly. She saw in the beast a new evolution, a means of transport and power. What sort of advantage would these beasts give a pack to prosper? Yes, she was simply going to have to adapt. There was timid, Alaine knew, and then there was suspiciously timid. People would begin to question her background, her mind, if the saw how her hands shook when a man approached or how there was always space between her and another being, space enough to run.
She looked far more fragile than she was, like a lost bird or a wilting flower. It was about time to change that, starting with her new life here.
" I should like to know more about the packs, if you've any information to offer me, Sir. This place is very... Different, from my birthland. I find many things so confusing!"
The collie-woman admitted the last bit with a sheepish grin, her exotic inverted eyes watching the tall mutt cautiously. This time, her tone was firmer, less meek and 'spineless' than before. As always it held that strange, musical note, identifying her as the outsider she was.
" All I know of Cour des Miracles is the land I can see from my window in the hotel. But others come from so far across the fields, claiming they come from more pack lands! I wish I could see it for myself, but I am confined here for the time being..."
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I don't really have any, so if you do, feel free to throw 'em at me! If not, we can probably wrap up soonish? =D 814 words.
####Life in Cour des Miracles was certainly a change for him, as well, but Vigilante had been there long enough to have adapted over time. It did not surprise him that Alaine was curious, for he knew that the pack and its members—especially their strange King—could certainly seem bizarre to someone who was unsure of their way of living. He was curious to know more about her background, but it did not seem like it was his place to question her further than he already had, so he was content to let things be the way that they were. She seemed to have her secrets, and he most assuredly had his. There was simply no way that he could begrudge her that, when he was unwilling to let anyone see into his past. His name was enough of an indicator, though few ever seemed to make any connection, and most that did simply assumed it was just his name. Onus had been the only one to understand immediately, and that was because they had something very drastic and very important in common. Otherwise, the coyote would not have known.
####“It is very different from mine, as well,” he agreed with a jovial smile, a small chuckle accompanying it. He was trying very hard to keep himself as visibly happy as possible, as it was normal for him to adopt a stoic expression, but it seemed that Alaine preferred knowing that he was happy. He was enjoying their conversation, anyway, so it was not actually difficult at all to keep the smile present. It was not hard for him to feel comfortable around her, when she seemed as sweet as she did. “I was born into a very large pack in the area far to the west and north of here, between Canada and Alaska, if you are familiar with such terms. It was very cold there, and there were many of us. Some months, the sun never even made an appearance, while others it did not leave. It was indeed very different from this place, and it came as a shock to me when I arrived here, quite a few months ago,” he explained, hoping she would find comfort in knowing that she was not the first one to be confused upon her arrival. He was skirting dangerously on the subject of his past, however, and did not wish to delve further into the tragic tale.
####Truthfully, he did not know how helpful he would be in answering her questions, as he only knew little bits of information about the packs in the area. For the most part, he only knew names of them, and that was it. He only actually knew anything about this pack, but at least he could help her in that respect. “In the immediate area, I only know of a few packs. There is Dahlia de Mai, a pack of mostly wolves. Inferni is a coyote clan, and from what I’ve heard, not particularly pleased with wolves. Dogs, though, they seem to be fine with.” He did not understand the prejudice, but he supposed that mattered little. It did not involve him. “AniWaya is a tribe of wolves, I think, very friendly with just about everyone. Phoenix Valley is also a pack around here, but I’ve heard very little of them. There is a pack in the area—I do not know which one, if it is even one of the ones I mentioned—that is run by a rapist and murderer,” he continued with disgust, thinking of what Heath had told him of his father. Anyone would need to be careful treading in areas they were unfamiliar with.
####“And finally, there is our pack, founded this past June. We’re considered a pack of mutts and strays, though I have kept my nose out of pack politics thus far. There may be more packs than those, but I have not heard of them as far as I know.” It was unfortunate that he did not know much about what happened within the pack, but he supposed that probably stemmed from his attempts at keeping to himself. At least he could know that he was successful in doing that, although it would probably do him a bit of good to become more involved in the actual workings of the pack, as strange as it would be for him. It would certainly be a new idea, considering he had been kept separated from the rest of his pack while growing up and then doing his work. Still, it would do him good to know more about the inner workings of the pack, especially in cases such as this one, where he did not truthfully know how he could possibly be helpful in answering her questions. Vigilante’s knowledge of the surrounding packs and his own home was unfortunately very limited.
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