Clean white walls

Bindu Epals · 12-08-2010, 11:39 PM

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Bindu looked out at the cold world from behind the front door of the ranch house. Her small body trembled. Her fur was not meant for the cold. The more the teen thought about it, neither was she meant for Phoenix Valley. Bindu had a name, a past, memories. She was not the same frail thing that literally stumbled into 'Souls, the creature with no mind. Geneva was her caretaker, but not her mother. And Bindu needed no more care. Her dark eyes watched the shapes of brown leaves on the frozen ground, and she thought.

Jefferson Soul · 12-09-2010, 10:49 PM

<3 shortpost threads.

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He had vaguely met Bindu, inevitable as they had shared the same space for some time. The two had never talked extensively; before the winter fell, the Patriarch wasted no time in the ranch house, returning only to sleep, but with the onset of cold weather, Jefferson was bed-ridden of sorts. He left only to answer calls, round the borders or track down dinner and otherwise spent his time in front of the hearth, book in hand in his rocker. Usually asleep. He had already filled his quota of snoozing for the day, though, and headed for the front door to check the borders as always. Instead, he found Bindu. "You're letting the cold in," he said, whirling a scarf around his neck. "What are you doing?"

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Bindu Epals · 12-11-2010, 05:55 PM

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Big Grin

Bindu was watching a withered leaf teeter on a nearby tree branch when she heard another moving around behind her. She glanced back and was not surprised to see Jefferson lurking. His many scars and strong muscles made the girl's gut squirm, but she remained still as he approached. There was a long strip of fabric in his hands, and, as she watched, he threw it around his neck. Maybe it was for decoration, Bindu thought curiously, but she wasn't sure. Wolves around these parts had an affinity for human things, things that the wolfdog did not understand. She answered his inquiry too quickly. "Nothing." The lie stood out in her voice.

Jefferson Soul · 12-12-2010, 02:49 AM

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The cyclops was an analyst, and he did not distrust his own instincts. He saw through her one-word lie through her withdrawn body language and inflection, though Jefferson knew well his scars intimidated her. He had not gone out of his way to prove himself otherwise—the impression he gave at first glance was inevitably out of his hands, and the scarred man was not one concerned with impressing others—but he hated to think that she'd dwelt in his presence, day and night, for a few weeks rather terrified of the tall, scarred shadow that was the Valley Patriarch. He was much unlike his mate and child, not to mention the pack as a whole, but the brute liked to think that most kept that in mind when considering him. He did not dwell as their leader for nothing—though he didn't admit it, he much liked their company.

"Nothing?" The brute cocked a brow, straightening the scarf. How did the humans wear such a thing? It was like a snake coiled around his throat. "Doesn't look like nothing."

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Bindu Epals · 12-12-2010, 01:11 PM

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Looking at his shrewd face, Bindu knew that she could not withhold her thoughts from Jefferson. "I really like it here," she said to him, unable to keep the guilt from her voice. To an ordinary wolf, her simple statement would sound like a change of subject, but Jefferson was smarter than the ordinary wolf. She avoided his one-eyed gaze and looked out the door instead, into the cold, where her fur could not protect her. The heat of the fireplace was far more comfortable than frigid wind, and the walls of the ranch house trapped it to create a sleepy warmth. Bindu nudged the door closed, although she almost thought that she preferred the cold.

Jefferson Soul · 12-14-2010, 09:05 PM

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She commented that she liked the pack, then closed the door behind her. Had Geneva even given her a rank, or was the girl planning to leave still? Jefferson had been informed only that there had been some sort of accident when it came to Bindu, and did not particularly mind others lodging temporarily in the ranch house, so he had let it go and decided to let Bindu be until the day came that she could talk about it. Without being terrified of him, that is. "So then..." Jefferson eyed her, raising a brow. "...What's the problem?"

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Bindu Epals · 12-23-2010, 01:16 AM

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She'd been anticipating this question, and wasn't really sure how to answer. But Jefferson's presence made the girl more willing to talk, in the hopes that he might be able to help navigate through her teenaged head ... Though she was afraid of him, Bindu did not underestimate Jefferson's experience. Her big dark eyes glanced at him cautiously, as she piped up, "I just feel like it's not right." The wolfdog nodded solemnly, more to herself than to anyone else. 'Not right' described her feelings perfectly well. The valley didn't lack in any way, it was merely not right.

Jefferson Soul · 12-26-2010, 10:36 PM

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'Not right'? How could any, besides him, feel 'not right' in a place like Phoenix Valley? Jefferson raised his brows, considering such a notion for a moment; those that were best at home in the Valley were misfits and dreamers, or loonies as he more sentimentally called them, but what did that make Bindu? He hated to dwell on the thought too long, and so instead he simply nodded and sighed. "It's not going to fit everyone. Maybe this isn't the place for you right now. I'm not offended." He patted her shoulder with his scarred fingers, then brushed past and slipped through the door, motioning over his shoulder as he went.

Halting on the porch, the brute breathed in the chilled air and smiled. "I didn't think I would fit in here either, and to this day I still don't think I do." A pause. His features softened as he gazed out at the snow-capped trees, the white paradise that was Phoenix Valley at winter. "But it's home to me. Hell if I know why." Another pause, as he turned and glanced over his shoulder. "Where do you think you'll go?" A subtle permission, perhaps, if that was what she needed.

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Bindu Epals · 12-28-2010, 02:00 AM

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Was a bit eager with this one, sorry for the length.

The teen anticipated a winded reply, but Jefferson was brief. He said what she needed to hear, then casually slipped out the door, leaving her speechless. There was no protest and no questions. No restriction- and it was relieving, as Bindu didn't want nor need a struggle. What she needed was guidance, and with that in mind she eagerly followed Jefferson onto the porch.

Bindu was shocked when Jefferson said that he didn't feel like he belonged- he was the patriarch, the fearless leader. From behind, Jefferson's figure was outlined by the white of the winter landscape, tall, brown, and strong. His scarred face was the face of the valley, and yet he didn't feel as though he fit in. Bindu watched him in fascination now more than anything else, wondering at what went on in his head.

"Where do you think you'll go?" The question caught the teen by surprise- it wasn't something that she'd thought about. Her mind started to race when confronted by the patriarch. Bindu knew what the east looked like- all skulls and ocean there-, but the west was a mystery. "Maybe I'd head west," the teen ventured timidly, though she was feeling good about the idea. To the west lay a new frontier for her to explore.

Jefferson Soul · 01-09-2011, 02:28 PM

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"Better that than east," he observed, green eye still scouring over the land he called his own. It lay before him, a winter wonderland, the very same Phoenix Valley Iskata had left to him so long ago. "North and east of here is dead land. Burnt down in a great fire, over the mountain. There's nothing there anymore." He dipped his head. "AniWaya lies to our far west. They're allianced with the Valley. You're a peaceful person; you might like them there."

He paused. "Just be sure to let us know what happens. There's people here... who'll worry about you."

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Bindu Epals · 01-10-2011, 12:59 AM

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The teen nodded slowly, trying to contain her excitement. Jefferson spoke of dead land and another pack -AniWaya- but the clearest thing in her mind was his silent approval. To know that he agreed made her stronger, more sure of herself, like the clear beacon of a lighthouse shining over dark water. Except the patriarch was guiding her safely away from the Valley, not towards it.

Bindu swallowed. "I will." She owed her life to this family, every single one of them, and leaving would be more difficult than walking a million miles through the desert and the pouring rain. "Thanks. For everything." It was a simple thank-you, lacking in originality, but she meant it. There, on the porch of the ranch house, Bindu made a promise to herself and to the Valley; she would return.

Jefferson Soul · 01-10-2011, 07:00 PM

Mm, wanna post once more to have her departing, and then I'll close this up? ^^

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He had faith in her, inevitably, because so many others had done the same; Geneva had spoke highly of Bindu, as had Addison at some point or another, and perhaps Pripyat too. She had spent time in the ranch house and not once pestered nor bothered him in any way, and although his emotions were quite indifferent in the end, he trusted that Bindu would be a prosperous and well-deserved member of any pack she chose. He had, secretly in his mind, wished she had remained in the Valley and made herself known among the members. He had waited for the day she would branch out and do so, very subtly making her way into the ranks as if she'd been there all along. In fact, Jefferson had thought she'd already been in the process—though, clearly, he was wrong.

"You'll always be welcome back," he nodded, patient and solemn. "You have a home here. If you don't find whatever you're looking for, just know you can come back here for as long as I rule this pack." A slight, scarred smile. He turned back to the ranch door, but first laid a hand on her shoulder and connected her eyes with his. "Good luck, Bindu. You'll be fine."

And with that, Jefferson Soul swept back into the confines of the Three Moons Ranch.

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Bindu Epals · 01-10-2011, 10:14 PM

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Agreed. Thanks for the thread (:

It was hard to tell who was responsible for the 'calico' wolfdog standing on the porch of the ranch house. Her parents didn't do much for her, not even her mother. The only good thing that her mother had done for Bindu was to send her away, towards 'Souls.

Definitely not herself. If she had relied only on herself, Bindu knew that she would be either dead or insane.

It was the family, the tight circle of wolves living under the roof of the ranch house, who had cared for her and made her what she was today. Her head tilted up towards Jefferson, to look at his scarred face. She was leaving them, but she would never forget the act of kindness that started her new life -Geneva's gentle voice and healing hands.

"You have a home here. If you don't find whatever you're looking for, just know you can come back here for as long as I rule this pack." Bindu nodded in reply, and then suddenly the patriarch's strong gaze was resting on her. "Good luck, Bindu. You'll be fine." He was gone, slipping into the ranch. The last that she saw of him was a twirling scarf. Gone.

She took a deep breath. You'll be fine.

Bindu took a step off of the porch. Gone.

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