09-07-2012, 03:52 PM
River Rune had been traveling on all four feet for the past week. She found the sensation of four paws on the ground very comforting. Plus, it masked the noise of her movement. With all 85 lbs spread out over four points, the crunch of leaves was much less than it would have been if she were traveling on just her hind legs. Large black and grey ears were pointed backwards, alert to the sounds of anything that may try to sneak up on her. Her nose took care of what was in front of her. Midday shadows danced through the leaves overhead, casting wild shadows that leaped and crawled across her body. The sunlight that made it's way to the forest bottom played with her multi-colored dark fur. With one step the red was visible, and then the grey, then the silver, the black, the brown. Until she stepped once more into shadows. And then she was coal dark, except for her eyes. Those same eyes darted here and there, taking in all the world could offer her. Her mother's eyes according to her father.
At a small, rocky stream she paused. Up ahead she could smell the biting winds of open land. The forest would soon end. This made her pause. She was most comfortable in the forest. She had been born in one. The trees protected her, sheltered her. They offered her secrets. In the open land, anyone could see her. In this day and age, most would say she had little to fear. Humans were virtually extinct, the wild cats knew better than to mess with a shifter, and most of the canine species were quite friendly. But ancient instincts tickled her guts. They warned her to be careful. So she laid by the stream, silent, watchful as her inner voices battled to be heard.
River's instincts screamed to be watchful, to not get herself into trouble. She was in new territory after all. She had never met anyone here before. They could kill her on sight for all she knew. What if they were one of the racists? One of the ones who hated those with dog blood.
Just as loud as her instincts, her curiosity clamored to be heard. It demanded new information. It told her to get up and experience this new land, these new people. To meet someone. It said she had been alone for far too long.
Sighing to herself River sat up. And then let herself go. She gave up on her wolfdog form and embraced the change. Her blood sang and her bones creaked and she lengthened, and finally stood. River would walk into the open on her hind legs, and she would be civilized. And if anyone tried to hurt her, she could defend herself like this.
Those green eyes became misty, shielded.
It was an old and bitter world that kept her so private. Her mother had always told her to learn to open up more. It was hard though.
Shaking her dark head she stepped forward into the full sunlight.
Up ahead she could see others of her kind moving about on their various business. The smells wafted over her and she smiled sadly. Back into civilization.
For the next few minutes she just walked around, taking in everything, wondering where to go from here.
Maybe she would get to meet some new people.
One could only hope.
At a small, rocky stream she paused. Up ahead she could smell the biting winds of open land. The forest would soon end. This made her pause. She was most comfortable in the forest. She had been born in one. The trees protected her, sheltered her. They offered her secrets. In the open land, anyone could see her. In this day and age, most would say she had little to fear. Humans were virtually extinct, the wild cats knew better than to mess with a shifter, and most of the canine species were quite friendly. But ancient instincts tickled her guts. They warned her to be careful. So she laid by the stream, silent, watchful as her inner voices battled to be heard.
River's instincts screamed to be watchful, to not get herself into trouble. She was in new territory after all. She had never met anyone here before. They could kill her on sight for all she knew. What if they were one of the racists? One of the ones who hated those with dog blood.
Just as loud as her instincts, her curiosity clamored to be heard. It demanded new information. It told her to get up and experience this new land, these new people. To meet someone. It said she had been alone for far too long.
Sighing to herself River sat up. And then let herself go. She gave up on her wolfdog form and embraced the change. Her blood sang and her bones creaked and she lengthened, and finally stood. River would walk into the open on her hind legs, and she would be civilized. And if anyone tried to hurt her, she could defend herself like this.
Those green eyes became misty, shielded.
It was an old and bitter world that kept her so private. Her mother had always told her to learn to open up more. It was hard though.
Shaking her dark head she stepped forward into the full sunlight.
Up ahead she could see others of her kind moving about on their various business. The smells wafted over her and she smiled sadly. Back into civilization.
For the next few minutes she just walked around, taking in everything, wondering where to go from here.
Maybe she would get to meet some new people.
One could only hope.