gracious acquaintance

Alaine Winters · 01-15-2011, 09:31 AM

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table © Sie
ooc: shaw! we be doin' it! we be threading!
SoSuWriMo: 545

The morning light was weak and pale. Tendrils of it curled about the sparse foliage of the trees, whose gnarled fingers stretched desperately towards the winter sun. The baleful eye of gold hung suspended in the brittle blue sky, bobbing just above the horizon. Its wan rays shone on the figure that moved about the old pines, her step familiar to their roots.

It had been many moons since Alaine had found her home with the Cour des Miracles pack. It was no surprise to anyone that she had risen quickly to become the pack's Apothecary - the woman was devoted to her job as lead healer. Nothing but that single-minded devotion could have pulled her from her warm tangle of sheets to leave the groaning comfort of the old Chien Hotel. The air was cold, and with every exhale, her delicate figure produced a faint cloud of white steam. Delicate though she was, there was something new to be seen about the woman - She walked with a slight weight on the balls of her footpaws, something that had never before been there. And her stomach, once so flat and lean, had developed an increasingly generous swell. It was true - Alaine Winters was pregnant. Of yet, none of the pack knew who the father was.

As she walked, the cream-pelted lady rested one gloved hand on the beautiful bulge that was her womb. Walking made her ache in places she hadn't known would ache, but this was not Alaine's first child, and she was accepting of the familiar pain. It had been worse with Caillen's litter, she thought absently - He had been so big. The small lives within her had yet to cause as much trouble as he had.

Because her pelt, although silky and beautiful, was not as well adapted to such cold weather as the plush wolfen pelts of the inhabitants of Nova Scotia, Alaine wore her fingerless gloves and her red hooded cloak. It billowed about her form as she walked, vibrantly crimson in the bleached winter forest. About her shoulder was her most familiar item, that which the pack rarely saw her without - Her leather healer's satchel, unusually empty, for it was commonly bulging with all sorts of medical things. This was the reason that Alaine had dragged herself from bed at dawn, to retrieve the last scraps of medicinal plants she could find in her familiar stretch of the forest. The woman's measly gatherings barely made the effort worth it.

She was retuning from the depths of the forest now, heading back towards the rolling grasses that covered most of CdM territory. However, a strange sound caught her attention - A faint rustle that stopped and started, stopped and started. Intrigued, she changed course, trying to ignore the aching in her body. Each step produced a soft crunch as the claws on her feet broke through a thin layer of frost, but the rustling continued, and soon Alaine found herself before a bewildering sight. There was a tangle of netting on the forest floor, and in its center, a strange pile of brown and white feathers. Blinking wide emerald eyes, the healer inched closer, wary of the contraption but curious as to the creature it held.

Niro Takekuro · 01-15-2011, 10:37 AM

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WC: 703 OOC: :O she could accompany him to the stables and laugh when he has to struggle with him!

Niro’s day had started as it normally would, in a nice very warm cave sleeing next to his mate who was cuddled against him. He found it hard to leave her side, not just because he didn’t want to but because she was a light sleeper and he liked it when she was able get the rest she could. Today he managed to slip from her grip without her even waking. It took him all of an hour to do but he was able to do it. The sun wasn’t even up yet anyway… if his schedule went right it would be up before he got to his third and final trap. Stretching out, he attatched his belt to his waist, a familiar item that he now couldn’t live without. Marahute was ready herself, she wanted to take to the skies. Niro knew she would be hungry and he hurried on his preperations, making sure he had what he needed for anything possible today, including a small blanket. Upon opening the door Marahute took off like a shot and was gone in minutes. Niro was in no way worried about her, she would always come back. Closing the door behind him he made his way down to his first trap, which was the very first one he had made, it was in the middle of the fields close to the stables… it was big and bulky, and had been what caught Tobias, inside was a rabbit that was sniffing about looking for a way out, Niro wondered if rabbits got bored… he was sure if any were… this one would be. He pulled out some grass and grain he’d picked prior to winter and settled it in the cage… the happiest rabbit would soon become dinner for a bird soon enough. Niro thought as he headed to his second trap, this was close to the forest. This one was a different trap, which was called a snap trap, he couldn’t really use much live bait for this one, so he used whatever he could to attract a bird. Though it seemed that there was no luck on this one either. By the time he grew close to the third trap, the skies were glowing brightly from the sun. this trap was well hidden, and to his surprise he found a figure hovering near it, he stopped did he trap someone? He hoped not, though it was a trap that didn’t kill it would have been annoying to get stuck inside the trap. Then he noticed the figure looking at his trap was alaine and even from behind he could tell she was pregnant. His heart lept for her, but who was her mate? He had not seen anyone with her before. After seeing Princess pregnant and Ayita’s new pups, his heart ached for a puppy with his own mate. He shook himself out of the daydream and moved forward speaking so she knew that he was there.

Alaine! What brings you out he…

That was when he noticed the brown and white inside the trap, which had been triggered!! He looked closer and it was feathers, his heart leaped to his throat!

About time! I thought the birds were getting smarter than wolves!

He said, kneeling down. He pulled out a small book, and started writing, right now he looked as though he were his sister, making up a story, although he was doing what he had to, logging in his find, and how it happened. He finished and turned to Alaine

Any way that you can, oh well I don’t think you should help, but just make sure not to get too close.

He said turning his head to Alaine. He would feel bad if the bird mauled her. The bald eagle that was inside, was a male, though it was smaller than it’s female counterparts, it was as big as his own golden eagle, though she has much to grow on as a fledgling. If the bird were to get free and attack Alaine he didn’t know what he would do, she was their healer, and she was pregnant, he’d hate for anything bad to happen to her or her pups.

Alaine Winters · 01-15-2011, 10:59 AM

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table © Sie
ooc: sounds good <33
SoSuWriMo: 485

She was leaning closer and closer - close enough to see one baleful bird eye look up at her. Yep, that was for sure a bird caught in that trap, and a mighty big one at that. Alaine knew nothing about birds - She was a healer, not a biologist. But she was curious nonetheless, wondering who in their right mind had wanted to trap such a powerful (and clearly not very happy) creature...

A voice started the woman, and she jerked around to see who it was. It took a moment for Alaine to recall the handsome young man's name, but even as she did, he noticed the cranky bundle of feathers caught beneath the netting. Stepping back to give Niro room, she peered around him, emerald eyes flitting nervously between the eagle and the crouching wolf. He pulled out a small book and began taking notes, and Alaine was immediately reminded of one of her acquaintances, a pink-haired lady by the name of Orin - If memory served her correctly, they were relatives of some sort? Cousins, siblings maybe? It amused her to see the familiar resemblance in the way he quickly jotted down notes.

"I was just returning from the forest, actually - Been collecting some more yarrow and marigold," aware that the plant names would mean little to the light grey male, she quickly elaborated, "Healing plants. The early winter has been killing them off sooner that I would have liked." Accented tone was tinted with dismay. The winter was setting up to be a brutal one, that was for sure.

It looked like Niro had finished taking notes. He looked over at her, and offered some words of caution that she readily obeyed. Birds were his area of expertise, and what with the lives inside of her, the Apothecary was not willing to take any unnecessary risks by being too close. She took a few steps backward, towards the relative safety of some thick pine-trunks. So that she could observe him better, Alaine pushed her hood back, and let her auburn curls bounce merrily about a face that glowed with expectancy. This pregnancy was going a lot better than her last had, and the healer held on to the tentative and fragile hope that some of these pups she bore would survive.

Curious to see what he would do next, the woman's shamrock green eyes focused on Niro. "The trap is yours, then," An obvious question, by the way he was excited about having caught something. She frowned slightly. "You aren't going to hurt that poor bird, are you Niro?" She hadn't spent much time in the company of the handsome male, only having met him once to tend to his wounds, but from what she knew of him he was a bird-lover, and very kind unless provoked. So what was he doing, trapping a big eagle like that one?

Niro Takekuro · 01-16-2011, 06:06 AM

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WC: 331 OOC: Big Grin !

Niro looked up from his writing as she spoke, and nodded, no idea what she was talkingabout of course, he dabbled in some healing herbs before, but only enough to know how to clean infections or prevent them, that was about it, though he still nodded and turned back to his writing, though he did speak.

Definitely getting and oddly mild winter though… it’s odd that the plants die faster that way.

He put the little book back down one of the pouches in his belt. He made sure that she was far enough away before he attempted to open the cage… the birds wingspan was huge, but Niro was able to tackle the thin to the ground, getting the cloth over the birds head, a secure way to get it to calm down.

Yep it’s mine

He said in a distracted way, now tying the wings of the bird down, then the feet… it looked devilish and a horrible way to treat them, but birds had always been such cautious and definitely dangerous.

No, I’m not going to hurt him, he’ll be an addition to my trained birds. He’ll learn about the teamwork a wolf and bird can give each other.

It did sound so much like slave labor, but he took very good care of his birds and just recently had he been able to let Tobias free from his cage. Now he had a new project, though he would in no way be ignoring his other two charges, in fact they were a good way to ease the big eagle into a quicker calm. He picked up the still struggling bird.

He’ll be perfectly safe in my hands,

Though in the back of his mind the bird could still take care of itself. He brushed the thought away and looked to alain

If you want you can accompany me? I see you have your own bundle to carry so I won’t be offended if you don’t join me.

Alaine Winters · 01-17-2011, 03:07 AM

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table © Sie
SoSuWriMo: 367

He identified the trap as being his, and Alaine found herself closely scrutinizing the clever contraption. It was designed so as not to hurt the feathered creatures that found themselves tangle in the net - She could see that, not. How clever of Niro, to be able to construct such a thing! The Apothecary herself was not very handy at any sort of business beyond her profession, although admittedly, she was intrigued by the grey male's relationships with his birds. The thought of having such a coexistence with lowspeech creatures baffled the colliewoman, as she had never had a pet her entire life.

The woman was relieved to hear that he was not going to hurt the birds. It had been a silly question, she realized in hindsight - It was clear that Niro had the same passion for these fellow feather predators as his sister Orin did for her books. Alaine should have known that the family trait of compassion ran deep in them both, and she felt sheepish for having asked it. "Oh... I see." Now that he had wrestled the critter into compliance, with its taloned feet and glorious wings bound securely, she thought it safe enough to emerge from behind the trees, to peer a little more closely at the eagle with curious emerald eyes.

At Niro's offer to accompany him, the Apothecary nodded in acceptance. "That would be most lovely, thank you," In spite of the aches and pains of pregnancy, she was growing tired of looking at the insides of the Chien Hotel, and figured that the col fresh air might do her more good than being cooped up would. Besides, she was curious to see what the grey mohawked male had in stock for his newest feathery accomplice. "It's a rather handsome creature, isn't it!" She remarked mildly, admiring the feathers of the restrained bald eagle as it struggled futilely in Niro's strong grasp. Falling into step with the male, she walked beside him companionably, although was careful to still keep some distance between her and the bird.

"What will you call him then, Niro?" Shamrock green eyes looked to the male curiously, as they walked together through the forest.

Niro Takekuro · 01-19-2011, 05:07 AM

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+3 OOC: HEY LOOK MY 500th POST!!!

Niro had the bird quite secure now but was certainly glad that Alaine kept her distance from them. He hooded the bird to calm him dwn before lifting him up. He was delighted to hear that Alaine wanted to join him. He could tell her curiousity in the whole idea. He took the lead walking slowly so as not to tire the poor woman out even more. The Eagle in his arms was quiet now and he was sure he would be the remainder of the trip.

He is, I heard that back when humans were around that Bald Eagles were almost extinct, because their bodies, eggs, chicks, everything was not good to sudden environmental changes, and with humans all over and the pollution they were making, it made the birds sick.

He said, this bird seemed quite healty especially that he was still putting up a good twitch here or there a little. His huge talons curled and uncurled in unhappiness. Niro would soon have the bird in the cage though and in no time he too would be free to roam just as Tobias and Marahute were. He thought, not sure of what to call him. Finally after minutes of thinking he shrugged.

Honestly? I have no idea! I’m sure I can think of something, or even you.

He said, smiling at her. maybe she would have some suggestions either way the bird didn’t need a name for a few days now in any case… or a name at all he could just call it baldy and it wouldn’t even care. That wasn’t smething he would do though. He’d rather give a good proper name to a bird, especially one as majestic as this one. He’d seen a bald eagle flying, and even saw one hunting, with it’s wings spread out, talons spread legs splayed, ready to grab its kill… it was a splendid sight, one he wished he could paint and let the whole world know about.

Alaine Winters · 01-20-2011, 09:45 PM

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The bird seemed to have settled in its new master's firm grasp. Even though she knew that Niro would take excellent care of the creature, Alaine wondered absently whether it would even miss being totally free and wild again. It was hard to comprehend just what level of intelligence the featured creatures had, and whether they were even capable of anthropomorphic emotions such as sadness was debatable.

The pair walked along companionably - A broad-shouldered, handsome young man, and a very pregnant woman draped in a ruby cloak. She was much shorter than he, but having known Niro for a while now (albeit not very closely, though she had patched him up quite well) Alaine did not feel at all uncomfortable in his presence. She was relieved that he had not taken more interest in her pregnancy; She was not really ready to reveal who the father was to her packmates yet, for fear of condemnation.

Niro mentioned the humans, and the Apothecary listened with interest. Much of her trade had come from human knowledge; Although Alaine had learned it from her mother, and her mother from her grandmother, somewhere along the line one of them had found a human book full of detailed pictures of herbs and what it was they were good for. Alaine did not possess the ability to read, but without that book, it was doubtful that she would have been as skilled a healer as she was. Regardless, it was common knowledge that the humans had been a frivolously cruel race. The damage they had done to their world was well known, and she nodded in acknowledgment as Niro spoke of how this had effected the birds.

"Well, this fellow doesn't look a'tall sick to me!" She smiled merrily up at the man, as the eagle he held twitched. Nature had bounced back quickly after the humans had disappeared.

To the latter of his words, she smiled again, one hand resting on the curve of her belly. Alaine had been thinking up names alright, but not for birds. Nor had she found any she particularly loved yet. The healer shrugged, her emerald gaze dipping from the bird to Niro. "You'll think up something grand, I am sure." He knew so much more about the creatures than she did, and she didn't want to give it an unfitting name. "Are we almost there, Niro?" She tried to voice the question as lightly as possible, but her feet were beginning to hurt again.

Niro Takekuro · 01-22-2011, 06:03 PM

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ooc...

They were quiet for some time as they walked, he knew she was bound to tire out soon and he would too if he didn’t concentrate on keeping the large bird from falling out of his arms as he did try to free himself every now and then. He was a very unhappy bird to say the least. He had broken the silence mentioning the humans and her comment to that was the bird looked healthy, Niro couldn’t help but smile.

I guess it was lucky for them that humans did not kill them off before they killed themselves off.

Niro said, as she told him he will find a name, he could see the Stables in the close distance. That was when he thought of a perfect name .

I got it! Gregor! His name can be Gregor!
He said, as they moved up closer to the stables that were clearer now. They were right on time as the poor woman was asking if they had far to go yet.

No as a matter of fact a little further to go, not too far do you think you can make it that far, or do you need some rest?

Niro was not experienced in pregnant women so he wasn’t sure how to act around them. He hoped she would be fine though… he was glad her home wasn’t too far from the stables at least. They moved along not much quicker than they had started out, but hopefully they would make it to the stables.

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