wilted flowers, and those in bloom - Printable Version +- 'Souls IPB Archive (November 2007–October 2012) (https://soulsrpg.com/ipb) +-- Forum: Dead IC (https://soulsrpg.com/ipb/forumdisplay.php?fid=110) +--- Forum: Dead Topics (https://soulsrpg.com/ipb/forumdisplay.php?fid=21) +--- Thread: wilted flowers, and those in bloom (/showthread.php?tid=22215) |
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- Vesper - 11-07-2011 [html] Picking flowers doesn't make her any less manly... She just got hands. :| This is open for anyone! <3 It was nice to be outside again, at least for longer than what was required to stretch her legs for ten minutes and take care of business. By no means was Vesper completely healed still, but her limp was not as prominent as she walked out of the guest house where she’d been resting since her arrival in the clan territory. She was slightly less bandaged than before, some of her smaller gashes closing up and able to heal naturally; it was nice to feel the wind on them. It was nice to feel the wind in general. She lifted her muzzle against the cool breeze, letting it ruffle her tawny coat. Now that she didn’t feel half dead, and the threat of someone brutally murdering her in her sleep was out of her mind, she allowed herself a small smirk of contentment before reclining on the porch like a scruffy dog. The scent of flowers from the garden growing around the mansion made her lift her head after a while, and she knew she wanted to get moving again, as nice as it felt to simply relax. She gingerly rose to all fours and jumped slowly down from the porch, landing on the sidewalk. Days ago, a move such as that might have opened up one of her wounds, but she was feeling confident now, confident enough to trot toward a clump of the plants. A quick investigation showed that some of them were already dead, possibly from an early morning frost. Taking a seat, the coywolf stared at them stupidly, the browning leaves and the curled, withered petals. Vesper frowned suddenly. And then she reached tentatively for something she’d pushed harshly away. The change did not take as long as it had the first time; the first time, stress and confusion had dominated her mind. However, it was by no means quick. Limbs elongated and bones crackled; bandages stretched taut, and paws became hands. She quickly turned her head to analyze one of her injuries, making sure that it hadn’t reopened under the stress.
And that done with, Vesper remained hunkered down in front of the flower, balancing precariously on her haunches. She reached out for the dead flowers, fingers clasping around their stems, and picked them. .vespyy b {font-weight:bold; color:#a45927; letter-spacing:1px; text-shadow: 0.1em 0.1em 0.2em #2f1707; } .vespyy p {text-indent:0px; padding:5px 16px; margin:0px;} .vespyy {margin:0 auto; width:450px; background-color:#533920; background-image:url(http://i.imgur.com/7efhU.png); background-position:top center; background-repeat:no-repeat; border:1px solid #0b052c; padding: 240px 0px 7px 0px; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size:12px; color:#8b744b; text-shadow: 0.1em 0.1em 0.2em #; letter-spacing:.6px; word-spacing:.9x; line-height:13.3px; text-align:justify;} </style> [/html] - Tedros Talik - 11-07-2011 [html]
- Vesper - 11-07-2011 [html] Hello! Thanks for joining. These hands were so strange. Vesper lifted the flowers closer, gave their dulled petals a sniff, held them out away from her body again. She experimentally slid her fingertip pads together, watching the stems twirl in response. Her hands were not as dexterous as born luperci, of course, but she wanted to learn. As a loner, she could never afford to waste even the slightest advantage; and she would work this damned virus to her advantage. The scent of another canine made her turn her head, and her ears flattened into the mess of her torn and sheared mane as she realized that he could have been standing there for the long minutes it took her to change forms. She felt vulnerable, suddenly, and as he remarked upon the flowers, she pulled them close to her chest. It was such a girlish action, though—and Vesper had never thought of herself as girlish. Frowning, she let the flowers drop from her hand, not trusting herself to speak. Whereas normally she’d have a sarcastic retort witty, his appearance had caught her off guard, and she could think of nothing to say that wasn’t stupid. Vesper stood—slowly, carefully, the faintest wobble in her limbs. She had found herself able to adapt to having two legs oddly well, as in not stumbling absolutely everywhere she went, though she still couldn’t quite get used to them. Nor could she get used to her new height; originally small, she would have had to crane her neck to look up at him. Now, however, she could stare across at him and size him up easily, unable to abandon the wary processes of a loner. Deciding the ruddy, middle-aged coyote would not be a threat, she listened to his question. Awkwardly, not sure what to do with her arms, she crossed them over her coal-splattered pale chest and shrugged. “I’m new to Inferni territory, but not technically part to the clan.” She wasn’t quite sure how to describe her unique position to one of its members, but she did her best. “Enkiel found me on the borders when I was injured and brought me in. I’m to stay as I heal, and then—” She trailed off, met his reddish eyes, and smirked. Honestly, she admitted, “And then I might just stay, who knows.”
She paused, finding conversation oddly difficult. She was capable enough of being social, but she felt like she’d changed so much, she didn’t know what to do or say anymore. “Are you new? What’s your name?” .vespyy b {font-weight:bold; color:#a45927; letter-spacing:1px; text-shadow: 0.1em 0.1em 0.2em #2f1707; } .vespyy p {text-indent:0px; padding:5px 16px; margin:0px;} .vespyy {margin:0 auto; width:450px; background-color:#533920; background-image:url(http://i.imgur.com/7efhU.png); background-position:top center; background-repeat:no-repeat; border:1px solid #0b052c; padding: 240px 0px 7px 0px; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size:12px; color:#8b744b; text-shadow: 0.1em 0.1em 0.2em #; letter-spacing:.6px; word-spacing:.9x; line-height:13.3px; text-align:justify;} </style> [/html] - Tedros Talik - 11-07-2011 [html]
- Vesper - 11-09-2011 [html] And I like Teddy. <3 Older characters are always interesting, what with all their history. Also, sorry for the randomness of this post... I wasn't satisfied with the really short one I started out with when replying to this. xD Vesper hated how uncomfortable she felt, despite mental reassurance that this fellow wasn’t going to bother her. However, she knew that she had to adjust if she wanted to make it in this clan, which she was seriously considering by now. One individual in particular had made sure she knew her place, and survival might mean a few adjustments and a less bold demeanor. Her crossed arms pressed inwards slightly, holding her upper abdomen as her blue eyes watched the ruddy luperci carefully. He explained that he had been born in the clan but had only returned recently. “What caused you to leave?” she asked, a brow quirked, before amended, “You don’t have to answer that.” She was curious if there were issues she needed to know about; if he had wandered off for strictly personal reasons, she wouldn’t have to worry. She was hurting for a home, but she was still independent and proud enough to have her standards and full reject Inferni if there were problems, enemies be damned. That thought gave her slightly more confidence, and the coywolf nodded at his introduction before saying, “My name’s Vesper.” She wasn’t sure if the older male would be bothered by a two-year-old’s constant questioning, but she would risk it if it meant understanding a little more about where she was and what she might be a part of. “What was Inferni like? I’m sure it’s probably changed a lot since your father was leader here, but…” She shrugged then quickly directed her attention to the ground. There had been movement, and immediately she dropped into another crouch, putting one hand to the ground for better balance. Ves flashed him a look she hoped conveyed she wasn’t lightheaded, and then she parted the grass to see what she’d seen scurrying through. Her nose told her that it was a mouse, and she quickly plunged her other hand among the flowers, brow furrowed in concentration.
She yipped suddenly, drawing her hand back, though something small and furry was clutched in it. She held the mouse up to him with a slightly sheepish smirk then passed it to her other hand, wiping the blood from its bite on her hip. “I guess this form isn’t totally useless,” she muttered, pleased that she had been able to grab the mouse by fluke. .vespyy b {font-weight:bold; color:#a45927; letter-spacing:1px; text-shadow: 0.1em 0.1em 0.2em #2f1707; } .vespyy p {text-indent:0px; padding:5px 16px; margin:0px;} .vespyy {margin:0 auto; width:450px; background-color:#533920; background-image:url(http://i.imgur.com/7efhU.png); background-position:top center; background-repeat:no-repeat; border:1px solid #0b052c; padding: 240px 0px 7px 0px; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size:12px; color:#8b744b; text-shadow: 0.1em 0.1em 0.2em #; letter-spacing:.6px; word-spacing:.9x; line-height:13.3px; text-align:justify;} </style> [/html] - Tedros Talik - 11-10-2011 [html]
- Vesper - 11-11-2011 [html] lol I've done that before x3 Vesper nodded in understanding when he mentioned a fresh start. It was a vague enough answer, but it was one she could understand. It was part of the reason why she’d crossed the mountains in the first place, heading south into new lands. The memory of her family and the coyote band had been too close for comfort where she’d hunted as a teenager. And it looked like the real new start had come. She wouldn’t embrace this with zeal, but she would find a way to twist this to her advantage, even if it meant being a pack luperci. The older coyote grinned at the mouse she’d caught, and she watched the little creature struggle in her hand. She adjusted her childish grip, holding it by its tail as it squirmed to get free. “There’s a lot that I can do now, I guess,” she admitted to herself. “I just can’t begin to think about it. My mind doesn’t work like that.” She knew it would be less cruel had she been born this way, but everything happened for a reason. She would have a far different perspective on life than born-luperci, and she knew it’d make her more sympathetic to the four-legged—once her kind—if not anything else. She listened quietly to his explanation of the past, about the close family ties of the coyotes as well as the prejudice against wolves. Her mind flashed to the skulls that decorated the borders, and she wondered how long they had stood there, empty sockets watching for trespassers. He reassured her that things had changed, as far as prejudices, and the hybrid nodded slightly. “A young coyote I met before this,” she gestured to herself and her recent scars, “told me that there were few purebreds here.” She smirked faintly, tilting her head. “And about wolves—well, I have reason enough to hate them because of my father, I guess, but I’ve met too many good individuals to hate the species. Eventually prejudice dies out once people understand more.” She thought of sweet Blind and her bi-color eyes, her throat clenching suddenly. While she was distracted by the unexpected onslaught of emotion, the mouse had managed to swing enough to bite her. She dropped it this time, blue eyes following its progress back into the grass. Had she been in lupus form, she wouldn’t have thought twice about chasing after it and snatching it up in her jaws, but she’d never even seen someone eat in optime. Tedros had asked her a question, and she blinked before answering awkwardly. “I never really had a home. If I did, it was with others rather than an actual territory.” Her mother, and Juniper. “I’m a born and bred loner, so the thought of settling down in a pack still makes me anxious, but… I know the perks, too, and Inferni is a place I think I can respect. I wouldn’t even consider it if it wasn’t.” She rubbed the back of her neck. “So—yeah, I guess. Or comrades if not really a home.” She was a loner from her mother’s side, but the wolf blood from her father sang for pack and love. What better place to follow both sides of her heritage but here? .vespyy b {font-weight:bold; color:#a45927; letter-spacing:1px; text-shadow: 0.1em 0.1em 0.2em #2f1707; } .vespyy p {text-indent:0px; padding:5px 16px; margin:0px;} .vespyy {margin:0 auto; width:450px; background-color:#533920; background-image:url(http://i.imgur.com/7efhU.png); background-position:top center; background-repeat:no-repeat; border:1px solid #0b052c; padding: 240px 0px 7px 0px; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size:12px; color:#8b744b; text-shadow: 0.1em 0.1em 0.2em #; letter-spacing:.6px; word-spacing:.9x; line-height:13.3px; text-align:justify;} </style> [/html] - Tedros Talik - 11-11-2011 [html]
- Vesper - 11-11-2011 [html] Grouchy grouch. Burgundy eyes fell upon her sky-colored ones, and Vesper nodded thoughtfully as he described the clan as a good midpoint between the two lives she sought after. She didn’t think she could deal with a pack that swarmed her with attention, even if the intentions might have been good. She wanted to be able to seek out company when she desired it and be left alone when her moods dictated so. Inferni seemed to be full of sensible coyotes so far, or at least those who might understand where she came from. She had even found mutual if grudging respect for the dusky male who she’d vowed undying vengeance on shortly after their first meeting. Tedros commended her for actually checking out the pack before joining, and the she-yote let out a little snort, arms crossed. “I’ve come across several wolves who’ve hopped right into the first pack they ran into. I can understand if they’re in great need of someplace to stay, but… I’ve never been that desperate.” She shook her head slightly, knowing that went for the other packs, as well. Many would take in whatever stray showed up at their borders, or at least she observed from her position as far away from packs as possible. In the silence, she scratched one of her upper arms then glanced at her fingers as casually as she could without looking like a fascinated puppy. She then shifted her weight, her right foot-paw turned slightly as to hide the missing toes, though it was an entirely subconscious action after long months of having the injury. But then he spoke—a question, one that caused her ears to flatten. When he corrected himself as she had before, though, her uncertain expression transformed into an amused, if slightly bitter, smirk. “I suppose it’s fascinating,” Vesper muttered. She let her arms drop at her sides then took in a deep breath through her nose. “It wasn’t rape.” The fact was stated darkly, challengingly. She saw herself untouchable in that regard, most like a man strutting around with nothing to fear from other men, though sadly her invincible perspective was a warped one. That dusky coyote had shown her that, or very nearly. “It was a fight,” she went on, and it was clear that she was struggling through the story even if she told it. She talked with her hands nervously, making small gestures to accent her words. “A prissy mongrel—some random loner who decided she wanted to take prey from me. Maybe if I were any less proud, I might have given her the damn meat.” She flashed a smirk—not caring about how goddamn arrogant she was, embracing her flaws. “But instead, we fought. She had a companion with her, and the pair of them tore into me pretty good. I got a few good bites on them, though, which I guess is why the blood mixed and the virus spread.” Her paws stilled, only for one hand to touch some of the newly-healed gashes on her upper abdomen. “Enkiel is the medic. I was delirious when I crawled to the borders, but he managed to fix me up. I thought I was home free when the change came.” And that was where her mouth shut. She remembered her panic, that first time, but took some solace in that it hadn’t been as hard when she came out today. Still, she didn’t want to dwell on her recent memories. “And don’t apologize for asking,” Vesper growled. .vespyy b {font-weight:bold; color:#a45927; letter-spacing:1px; text-shadow: 0.1em 0.1em 0.2em #2f1707; } .vespyy p {text-indent:0px; padding:5px 16px; margin:0px;} .vespyy {margin:0 auto; width:450px; background-color:#533920; background-image:url(http://i.imgur.com/7efhU.png); background-position:top center; background-repeat:no-repeat; border:1px solid #0b052c; padding: 240px 0px 7px 0px; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size:12px; color:#8b744b; text-shadow: 0.1em 0.1em 0.2em #; letter-spacing:.6px; word-spacing:.9x; line-height:13.3px; text-align:justify;} </style> [/html] - Tedros Talik - 11-13-2011 [html]
- Vesper - 11-16-2011 [html] Sorry for the wait; had to write a ten-page term paper. And it's probably clear from my short post that I don't know what to add to this thread. We can either wrap it up, or we can move it on in a different direction if you can think of anything! I'm not in any hurry to finish it but I don't mind any way. The smile slipped away from the ruddy coyote’s face, and Vesper wondered how he was seeing her. Was she a survivor or a naïve risk-taker? A strong woman or a little shrew? But if he had any negative thoughts, he wasn’t speaking them, and except for pretty girls, Ves didn’t really care what others thought of her. She didn’t try to cover up her flaws. She shook her head mentally, though the slightest smirk of her amusement crossed her lips at his own. The fragrance of the flowers and the scrabbling of the damn mouse held her attention for a few moments before Tedros spoke again, his words unexpectedly reassuring. Her blue eyes darted to his wine-colored ones, but she nodded. She’d had faith that shifting would become normal for her, but to hear this—and other advice—coming from the mouth of an older luperci made her feel oddly better. His final remark, accompanied by a grin, made Vesper chuckle. “I suppose that’s a good thing around here,” she mused. She looked at the ground for a few moments then back at him, and she shrugged. “I never dreamed of joining a pack in my life, but it seems I found a group seemingly made for me.” It was obvious that she was not entirely serious, but there was still the thoughtful gleam she’d possessed ever since she’d been brought in by Enkiel. After all, Tedros had left then returned—perhaps she would be permitted to do the same, if she found that clan life wasn’t what she’d wanted and needed a break. .vespyy b {font-weight:bold; color:#a45927; letter-spacing:1px; text-shadow: 0.1em 0.1em 0.2em #2f1707; } .vespyy p {text-indent:0px; padding:5px 16px; margin:0px;} .vespyy {margin:0 auto; width:450px; background-color:#533920; background-image:url(http://i.imgur.com/7efhU.png); background-position:top center; background-repeat:no-repeat; border:1px solid #0b052c; padding: 240px 0px 7px 0px; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size:12px; color:#8b744b; text-shadow: 0.1em 0.1em 0.2em #; letter-spacing:.6px; word-spacing:.9x; line-height:13.3px; text-align:justify;} </style> [/html] - Tedros Talik - 11-17-2011 [html]
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