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I'm sort of bored at the moment so somebody please reply! Also, a question to whoever replies, why do some people post their wordcount at the top? WC = 500+
Enya breathed in deeply, the fresh morning air filled her lungs. She felt better than she had felt in years but also more afraid. This place was foreign to her; at least when she had been out on her own she hadn't had anyone else to think about, but now she worried about the other wolves. She worried that they might not really be as kind and safe as they made out to be. She was worried that she was walking into a trap. But who would want to trap her she didn't know. So caught up in her crazy imaginings, she tumbled over a small object in front of her. Quickly climbing to her feet, Enya shook her head to clear her mind and then turned to see what she had tripped over.
Hesper, she thought and stumbled back to where his hedgehog body lay on the ground unmoving. Enya's eyes widened, her heart quickened. No! Please be okay! she silently screamed. Hesper opened his eyes. Enya breathed a sigh of relief. Hesper slowly unfurled himself from his protective ball and smiled - or at least what Enya had always assumed was a smile. It was more like he just opened his mouth and squinted his eyes. She sat and scooped him up, rocking him - something which she knew he hated but still did affectionately. As usualy, he squirmed and rolled from her arms back onto the ground and then sat there staring at her.
Hesper was the closest thing to love that she had ever felt. Truthfully, there was not actually anyone else for her to love. Was she expected to love the abusive mother who had abandoned her? Her unknown father? Hesper was the only one with a story like hers. His parents had both abandoned him, bringing together the unlikely friendship between wolf and hedgehog. The two had completely opposite personalities, Hesper being boisterous and playful and Enya being more introverted. Lovingly, she stretched out her paw and batted him away as he scrambled up her leg.
She was alone and could finally drop the steely mask she had painted over her face. No one could see her here, she didn't have to act indifferent anymore. Although, for the most part, it wasn't an act. She had not known any other wolf besides her mother but she seemed to sense that she was different. She didn't like to be around others. She didn't understand their emotions, thoughts or the way they acted. It was all too alien to her. She did not mind what they thought of her, how they viewed her, she only cared about her safety. As long as she acted like them, processed their emotions and reacted as she was meant to, she was safe.
Then she turned and looked out into the distance. There wasn't really anything much to see here, simply an open plane with numerous trees dotting the landscape. Suddenly, something caught her eye. Something red - and big. She began a swift gait towards it, sweeping Hesper up onto her back as she ran towards the large structure. When she reached it, she could only gasp. It was a building - just like the one she had seen in a pictre only... red. The picture she had seen had come from the only momento her mother had left - a book. In the book had been a single picture surrounded by many words. Enya's mother had taught her to read and she had deciphered the English and discovered that the structure was a building. Now she was here and was looking at a real - that's right a REAL - building. Slowly, absorbing every minute detail of the building, she walked through the large, red doors.
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[html] http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa22 ... table3.png); background-position: bottom center; background-repeat: no-repeat;"> I hope you don't mind that this is shorter than yours. Just couldn't resist. Oh! And word counts are used in the pack game. ^^ You can find information about that here. 300+
It had stopped raining at some point in the night, leaving the Earth permeating the scent of freshness and life. Kansas loved this hour, when the air was brisk and cool, and when the grass shimmered with moisture like a bed of emerald jewels. It would be beautiful later on, perhaps becoming a day fit to let the children explore Crimson Dreams for themselves. The Colonel knew it was time for his newest litter to gain some independence, and he wasn't as worried about them as he had been when Gotham, Amata, and Cambria reached that age. He was comforted by his eldest children's good health and strong hearts. They gave him faith, and eased his concern about his younger puppies. Besides, he had to admit to himself that Crimson Dreams was the safest place he knew of. As far as he knew, they had never had trouble wit the neighboring packs, not even with Inferni, for they kept to themselves and to their own resources. The rewards for this were surprisingly many, among them the freedom to let the children see the outside world (at least within the pack's boundary) on their own.
This time of day was also best for hunting. Kansas didn't wish to take any prey down this morning — he was only interested in checking up on the food supply, how plentiful deer, moose and elk were. The cream-furred brute didn't do much for the pack, and this was his way of contributing. He therefore took the task seriously. Kansas had his own puppies to keep fed, and Anu's on the way any day now.
He had been happy to observe the small group of does grazing among the wildflowers in Cottontail Valley. Satisfied and comforted by their presence, Kansas wandered elsewhere, his footsteps unhurried, for he wished to enjoy the freshness of the morning. Dew had soaked his paws and caused the long fur along his belly to wave slightly, but the breeze kissing the damp fur was invigorating. Before long he had neared the red building he'd passed by so many times before without exploring properly. He paused and looked at it for a moment, ceased by the urge to explore inside. The pale wolf had nothing else to do. Kansas loped the last several yards to the structure, peering within when he had reached it. Turquoise eyes were met by an unexpected sight. In the shadows was a young wolf, alongside a round little hedgehog. He was startled to see them there. Hey there, he called softly, not wanting to startle them in turn. The girl's name was Enya, he remembered, a recent joiner. She was awfully young to be on her own; Kansas had been curious about her since her arrival. Mind if I come in?
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Cool! Thanks - I've updated my other post with the word count. And don't worry too much about yours not being as long, I just realized how big my font is compared to yours. Also, I'm not sure if this really makes sense  500+ Intrigued by the bundles of hay with their strange scent and appearance, Enya hesitantly edged closer. She knew that it would not attack her, but what if it was sharp? Or poisonous? Hesper however, did not seem the slightest bit deterred from the curious bundle but instead dove into it head first and disappeared. Enya let out what would have been a frightened cry had she had a voice, but it came out as a hoarse rasping. Not thinking twice, she dove in as well and the bale collapsed beneath her wait scattering all over the floor. Out rolled a dazed looking Hesper who then shook himself and resumed his exploration of the barn.
Suddenly, Enya heard a voice. Turning around, another wolf stood at the barn entrance. How had Enya not heard him come in? She must have been to preoccupied with saving Hesper from the threatening bale of hay. Now however she stood, eyes wide slowly taking steps back towards Hesper. Hesper - a surprisingly good judge of character - rolled out in front of Enya (He always preferred rolling to walking - it was a lot less effort) and confronted the other wolf. Hesper gazed at him with a critical expression which, in reality, was rather comical. After a moment he must have made up his mind because he got to his feet and toddled happily towards the other wolf.
A few moments after the wolf's next words, Enya nodded tightly. He didn't appear to be a threat and if Hesper trusted him... She warily watched him, all the possible threats that he could be were whirling around in her mind. What if he wasn't from Crimson Dreams? What if he was a murderer? Her coal coloured eyes didn't meet his. She kept them on his body, watching for any suspicious movements. That was another thing she had been taught by her mother. She had been taught to use her speed and runt-like frame to her advantage in fighting. She had learned to read the other opponent - although it had only ever been her mother who she had fought; her mother had always won.
Immediately, something else occurred to her. This wolf, whoever he was, had come so close to seeing her reals self. He had almost caught her in an act of... impulse. That wasn't the way she wanted to be viewed. She didn't want the other wolves to know her anymore than she wanted to know them. She would rather they see the wolf that she pretended to be. Many, might hear her sad past and think that she wished for a loving family but she didn't. Having no idea who to be around other people, would be a great hinderance were she to be surrounded by a family. Not being able to react sincerely to emotions, but rather reacting how she should act wasn't normal. Growing up with a family would have alienated her farther although, ironically, that was exactly what she was aiming to do. [/html]
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it makes sense! 300+
Kansas could not clearly see what was going on within the barn, as the shadows concealed everything that wasn't directly ahead of the entrance. The girl and hedgehog had disappeared into the darkness, where a cry and some rustling of hay sounded. Brows knit together and the boy shook his head, confused, wondering what the strange pair was doing. The femme was young, perhaps not even adolescent — one thing Kansas knew about children was that they did things that appeared odd to adults. Enya and her hedgehog were likely fooling around in the hay for reasons he couldn't possibly guess. The simplest antics of children were often misunderstood, which the Sadira tried to recall whenever he was around them. Young ones deserved to have an adult who understood their mystery.
He waited patiently, hoping the Cadet would grow curious and come out of the dark. Her hedgehog was apparently ahead of her, for after a few moments, the small creature appeared in the half-light. It watched Kansas, perhaps trying to decide whether he was safe or not — all the while, the ivory-shaded wolf stood still with a half-smiling expression. The critter reached its verdict and waddled toward him, with beady eyes and pointed nose that Kansas found quite adorable. Hey, little man, he said softly, lowering his head to sniff the hedgehog, his motion deliberate lest he startle the little creature.
Kansas stood up straight once more, watching the girl who had now emerged into his view. The taut nod and silence puzzled him, for usually wolves her age were more talkative. The snowy brute didn't feel as if he appeared threatening — he tried to keep his body language loose and purposeful, his smile ever present and lighthearted. He wondered both about what she thought of him and about her strange lack of words. It was rare to see such a young wolf with no parents nearby. Where had she come from? Perhaps she had been alone for some time, which would explain her wariness. I'm Kansas, our pack's Colonel, he said gently, taking a step forward into the barn and sitting upon his haunches. And you're Enya?
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Once again, I'm not sure if this makes sense because even though what I write makes sense to me it doesn't always make sense to other people 500+ Enya ordered her small frame to stop quivering. Quivering with fear. With anticipation. She had had confrontations with other wolves before - admittedly only three but she still should not have been acting so... weak? No... that wasn't the word she wanted. She stretched her limited vocabulary wishing that she had had more books to read from. She didn't want to feel so helpless. So lost. So confused. Her childish imagination was getting out of control, turning the ivory wolf into something he was not. She closed her eyes for a moment, regaining her composure. Refitting her mask and personality.
The other wolf walked into the room, looking deliberately relaxed. A puzzled expression passed over his face but was soon replaced with the same friendly smile. This only made her more nervous. Who was ever this open when it came to strangers? Then, she was jolted back, out of her confusion as he introduced himself. Kansas... she thought clearly. Not a name she had heard before. She thought it to be quite peculiar, but she liked it. Colonel? she wondered, not completely accustomed to the rankings of her new pack. They had labelled her a Cadet. She had yet to find out what it meant. Currently, Colonel meant nothing to her. When he - Kansas - said her name, she briefly flicked her eyes up to his.
With a jolt, she realised how unguarded his eyes were. She shivered. Looking at them she felt she could almost see him. The emotions, the dreams, the memories. But as she discovered him, she felt drained. As though he was pulling out her memories through her eyes. Removing her gaze from his eyes she looked at the ground to recover. This was what happened every time Enya looked in another's eyes. Though the rest of her body was guarded, her eyes were vulnerable. Cliche as it was, to her the eyes were a window to ones soul. When she looked into other's eyes, she could see them but at the same time it exposed herself to them.
When Enya raised her eyes again, she made sure not to meet Kansas's. Instead she skimmed them around his not quite white fur, and his relaxed smile. She stretched out a paw, scooping away some hay on the ground, and wrote in the dirt. She wasn't sure if he could read, if he couldn't she would have to find some other form of communication. Can you read? she wrote naively. Hesper, curious, rolled up beside her and stared intently at the words on the ground, his gaze boaring into them as though if he stared at them hard enough they would reveal all the answers.
Enya had once tried to teach Hesper to read. She had written on the ground 'leaf'. Then had found leaves and showed them to him, pointing back and forth between the word and the leaves. She then rubbed out the word and wrote it again, this time indicating for Hesper to get a leaf. He had blankly stared at her, rocking his pudgy body back and forwards. She had many times tried similar things to teach him to read, but eventually gave up. Only when she had given up showing him words every day had he begun to take interest in what she wrote. Although more interested, he only appeared to understand what she wrote on the ground each night since her mother had left. What she wrote to keep herself sane. 'Never alone'. Every time she would write that, Hesper would come, look at it and then snuggle up against her as she drifted off to sleep. [/html]
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He wished that there was something he could do to relax her. Anxiety was creeping up inside of him, on account of the smaller female. He never liked to make others uncomfortable, especially not young ones. It would undoubtedly take a moment for the male to grow accustomed to her, and learn that her sullenness was his fault. Still, when she looked into his eyes, and quickly let her own gaze flicker away like dying flames, he felt terribly. He wondered what she had seen in his eyes, in his face, that daunted her.
He stayed back, feeling that forwardness would only increase her discomfort — if, indeed, discomfort was the correct feeling he sensed in her aura. When she looked in his direction once more, her eyes never again ventured toward his, and this he gave her, too.
His smile weakened, but she caught his attention with the movement of her paw. Curiously, she pushed hay aside, dust rising from the floor of the barn as she did so. Then, she did something that shocked to white wolf. Her paw began to make a marking in the earth, the shapes wide and clear with the guidance of her foot. She was writing a note to him. Perhaps this was the best way for her to communicate with him, at least right now. He was on the verge of leaving her in peace with her spiny little friend, not wanting to intrude upon them any more than the slighter wolfess wished. This gave him an opportunity, and he cautiously ceased it. Kansas looked in her direction, inhaling in relief. He stretched his own snowy paw to the place just below her not, and traced awkwardly his reply, the letters he created much for scratchy than her own, for his writing was not the neatest. Yes. I love books.
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I should probably have mentioned before, but Enya can't speak. So the things bolded were her thoughts not words. Is there a different way that thoughts are meant to be shown? Do I just italicise it? 500+
Enya finally smiled as she read Kansas's written reply. They had a connection through means of communication. Kansas's letters, beside hers didn't compare. Enya had probably had more experience with writing and reading than many other wolves, even older ones. Books to her were sacred. Kansas wrote something more in the dirt. Enya widened her eyes. Books? Kansas had read books! Plural - books. Was there a whole bunch of books here? Quickly, she stretched out her white paw, noticing that it was the same colour as Kansas's. For a moment she paused, looking at her paw next to the other wolf's. Hers was noticeably smaller than his, as it was even small for her age. She smoothly scraped away what had already been written in the dirt - a clean slate. Where are the books? she scratched into the ground.
She may have sounded greedy, but books were her life. Her one book she had owned, had been destroyed by water. It had fallen in and fallen apart. She had broken down when she had seen what remained of it washed up on the shore. After that, no matter how hard she had searched, she had never been able to find another book. Now… here was hope. Perhaps Kansas would show Enya where the books were. Hesper seemed to have lost interest in the writing on the ground and rolled over to Enya and then began clawing his way up her body until he reached her back. There he contentedly sat.
Enya looked expectantly at Kansas, awaiting his reply. Again she made sure not to meet his eyes in case they spooked her. She stretched out her paw once again and wrote 'I cannot speak. That is why I write. She wondered if there were any other wolves who could not speak - or if she could be cured. That was what she wanted from this pack - to be cured. Perhaps there was someone out there who could give her back her voice - afterall she had not been born without it. If this pack could not heal her perhaps another one could although she wasn't sure if she wanted to venture out into another pack. It was not right to just leave those who had cared for her and protected her. Of course, that was something she did not feel but knew. She felt as though she could leave and do what would help her, but she knew that it would not be proper.
A lot of what was classed as proper and right did not make sense to her but she tried to abide by the rules as not to draw attention to herself. As not to disrupt the peace. Peace was something she understood. It was something she craved. To be at peace with herself. At peace with everyone else. She knew that peace was something that most others wished for as well - even if they did not acknowledge it. She did not want to do anything to disrupt the coveted peace. So she kept to herself, that was the only way she could stop herself from hurting everyone else. [/html]
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300+
He was startled beyond measure to have so spontaneously found a wolf who read and wrote just as he did. Kansas had come to realize that reading was a rarer hobby than he'd formerly assumed. The majority of the wolves he'd encountered in his years either didn't know the skill or (surprisingly) didn't care to learn it. Questions of the little female's origins danced through his mind as he excitably watched her erase their scrawling and begin anew. He was deeply curious about where she and her hedgehog friend had come from and, even more, about what had driven the girl to learn the art of literature.
Turquoise eyes were full of light as they read her question, for the snowy boy was happy to show her their pack's collection. He nearly spoke his answer when her paw graced the earth again and began to form another phrase. Immediately after reading it, Kansas' expression grew concerned. Oh, I see he said softly, empathetic. How could one lack a speaking voice? She could be inhibited from speech by physical malady, or by something much worse — some emotional pain that made her avoid spoken word. He could not ask her, though he wished it was his place to. There's books in the library of the Manor, he informed her happily. You can take whatever you want. Truly, whatever was in the great mansion belonged to the entire pack, Enya very much included. Perhaps knowing of this would help her ease into the flow of life within Crimson Dreams; he realized how difficult it must be to have come into a pack of strangers, especially at her young age.
How did you learn how to read? he ventured, considering again her inability to speak. Perhaps this would be difficult to explain on the rough, dusty soil of the barn floor. He hoped that she wouldn't mind enlightening him, nevertheless. Kansas felt compassion for the young girl already.
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500+
Enya was slowly beginning to calm down in Kansas's presence. She breathed deeply in and softly exhaled. She had to practice socializing sometime, better late than never. Her eyes lit up when he told her where she could find books and that she was free to take them and read them herself! What sort of pack would have access and freedom to share treasures like that. Was there anything more precious than books? Books could freeze time, create time... they could be anything and this pack appeared to seem carefree about the whole matter. Didn't they realise that other creatures might want to steal the books? They should have been locked up safe somewhere, or hidden away. After the brief moment of outrage passed, Enya realised that if they had been locked away she would have no doubt not been permitted to read them. Her heart was beating fast. She wanted to see the books; she wanted them now.
She took another breath in and out. She had to calm herself. She couldn't lose her composure here, what would Kansas think of her... Getting so excited about things as trivial as books - not that she found them trivial at all but she needed to fit in. When he spoke again it was a question. Learn to read? That brought memories back, painful memories. She hid a cringe at the query and smoothed a large section of the floor over, preparing to write. She had to word it carefully, she couldn't sound pitiful but she couldn't sound arrogant either. When I was younger, I had a mother. No father. Just my mother. Before she left, she taught me how to write and how to read as well. I learnt from one book. I do not remember the name though. My mother gave it to me before she left, she told me to keep it safe. Enya felt her eyes water, I didn't protect it though. I let it get washed away. Washed away in a river. When I found it everything was so blurred and smudged I couldn't read it anymore. I disobeyed my mother and that is why she never came back.
Enya did not understand that no matter what had happened to the book, no matter what had happened at all, her mother would never have returned. This had turned into both a good thing and a bad. The wolf her mother would have raised her to be would have been a brutal beast, but without the influence of her mother Enya was lost. She alienated herself from society because she had never been taught the techniques to behave. She had never had the loving mother to nurture and raise her, this had changed who she was significantly. That was what kept her from speaking. Although Enya believed that she did try to speak and that it was something physical that hindered her, there were mental elements preventing her from voicing as well. She was subconsciously afraid that if she spoke her mother might return. Enya was deceiving herself with the illusion that she had lost her voice when in fact she still very much had it. [/html]
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I am so sorry for the shat post.
Ease overcame him at last as the girl's breathing slowed and evened. It pained him to see a youngster behave in such a nervous way, without understanding why. Kansas feared that his presence was overwhelming her, but now that fear had abated and he sighed a silent breath of relief, hoping that her response would provide him insight into why she was so very nervous.
Light blue eyes followed the small paw tracing the letters of her story, brows raising to soften his visage as he felt a wash of pity. The girl was fatherless, a reminiscent sorrow to Kansas, for he had been without a mother during his own childhood. Even more tragic (and strangely familiar), she had been abandoned by the only parent she had. But unlike him, who knew his father's departure was no fault of his, Enya seemed to blame herself. Finally, Kansas understood her sorrow. He was silent for a moment, unsure of what to say to her. He didn't want her to think him imposing, or hotheaded, by speaking the wrong words. Kansas did not have all the answers; he only wanted to help. Oh, sweetie... he began softly. You... shouldn't blame yourself for that. That's — It's too heavy a burden for you to carry, I think.
Sometimes he was angry with the world for being so dark and cruel to those least deserving of its unkindness. Want to come with me to the Manor, and I'll show you the library? Your friend can come too... the man spoke with a grin, looking again at the adorable hedgehog, then back to Enya's youthful features.
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This can be the final post if you want.
Word of the day: cheechako
300+ At Kansas's words, Enya decided that she liked him. Being a cheechako to the pack, she wanted to make an acquaintance as soon as possible. Perhaps alienating those around her was not the best thing to do. She may not understand how other people feel, but that did not mean that she herself did not have emotions. Inside, she did not want to be different than all the other wolves. She did not want to stand out, to be noticed although with her lack of voice and the fact that she was a newcomer, already meant that most of the pack had noticed her - even if they had not talked to her.
Enya's eyes lit up at the word 'library'. She nodded her head vigorously and scooped Hesper up onto her back. She was literally trembling with anticipation. A library! Full of books - many, many books! Hesper seemed not to care too much about the Manor they were going to. He doesn't understand though, afterall he is only a hedgehog. As though knowing what she was thinking, Hesper chose that moment to bite her lightly on the back. Enya silently yelped and turned her head, playfully nudging him with her nose.
When Kansas did not immediately move to the barn's exit, Enya took the lead instead. She was eager to reach the library as soon as possible. Trotting towards the open, she twisted her head around indicating for Kansas to come as well and show her the way. Hesper gripped his claws softly into her back as to stay on while she walked. Heart beating fast she realized that this was where her new life was to begin. Here, in this pack she would make a new beginning in the company of wolves who actually cared about her. The thought filled her with an unfamiliar joy. [/html]
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