the mouths are choking

[Lockeheed]

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The deadening silence of The Dampwoods was enough to trust him deep within his own mind again. Without the blessing of booze, his mind was painfully clear and welcoming to the memories that haunted him every waking moment. Try as he might to block it all out and get some needed sleep, Locke couldn't ignore it. The first thing he remembered, as always, was the pristine beauty of his wife; the ivory of her pelt, and the constant amusement alight in her intelligent green eyes. He could remember her warmth pressed against him whenever they bedded down for the night or made love under the creaking wood roof of their humble shack. She was an intoxicating creature, and his feverish love for her was renewed every morning when his sleepy eyes opened to see her sweet face beside him. That same aching desire awoke in his breast, unbidden by the usual inhibition of alcohol. But it was a thirst that would never be satisfied again, not by her, nor any other woman.



Locke's eyes flashed open at the sound of footfall against the snow, and the images snapped out of focus before disappearing completely. His ears flipped forward, pressing against the fabric as he tracked the sound as it came closer and closer. It took a moment for him to realize that his hand had automatically moved to hover over the dagger at his hip, and it took another moment for him to calm down enough to take a steadying breath and relax his arm. As predicted, a luperci made himself visible between the trees, and approached with a neutral stride and expression. Locke studied the coyote warily for a moment before straightening, pushing himself off the roots to sit on his heels in a crouched position with his hands hanging between his knees.



The greeting that he offered was unusual to Locke, but not entirely unheard of. This was either a creature of deep religious beliefs, or merely his own way of respecting strangers. Either way, it did not set off any alarms in his mind. Canting his head slightly he replied, voice coarse with disuse, "Gabriel?" The name didn't ring any bells, not that it would to begin with. His previous stay here rewarded him with no more than one acquaintance, after all. "Can't say. Never met a Gabriel, but I haven't been here long either." He said. Maybe the younger man would leave now, and continue his search, or perhaps he would stay and ask more questions. Regardless, Locke was open... for now.

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