Keese had been searching the city for hours. The deep gash in the left side of his face burned with a deep ache. The wound was deep and the flesh around it was swollen and tender. It had started to scab over, but it frequently cracked open and ooze. He had done his best to keep it clean but didn’t have any alcohol to cleanse it properly and had done the best he could with fresh water. That’s exactly what the man had been searching for, a clear alcohol with enough potency to clean the would and while he was at it he figured he would have a few swigs as well to dull the pain.
But the day had worn on fruitless and he longed to return to his little pet. Not that there was any reason, he reckoned. She wasn’t in season and so there was no hurry, not yet. In the meantime he was simply having fun with her. He was tempted to call of his search and to simply try dipping his face in the waters of the sea. Seeming to remember having heard that the salt waters could also sterilize a wound and like the alcohol it would burn like a bitch.
Still the man cared for his health and while he did not know if the rumor of the sea water was true, he trusted in the alcohol. Debating, he continued his search through the ruins of the city for the clear liquid while also heading steadily closer towards the harbor. At least if the first did not pay off he’d have a second option.
She and Venom had departed from Anathema early that morning, because they were on a trip to the fallen city of Halifax. They needed some more supplies since Panda was needing things for soap, and she also wanted to get some other things that she could hopefully find while she was down there. Since they wanted it to be a single day trip, they were sure to borrow a pair of horses from the Anathema caves, largely assessing the personalities of each horse before they picked a pair that worked for their taste. Panda loved horses, and she always had wanted one, but she had never gone through the trouble of actually getting one. When she mounted the her horse and she had started to ride toward Halifax alongside Venom and his horse, she realized that having a horse might be a good idea and that she could have used the horse back when her and Venom were traveling to this magickal land of Souls.
It wasn't only her whom had found that this place had been magickal, though she had found that is had not felt quite as magickal in the Mountains at she originally thought. She found the sensation to be weird, as did Venom, and soon they would realize things that they would need to act upon later. The woman made sure to bring her essentials with her, meaning her pot and dried leaves as well as some alcohol in case they were injured (better be safe than sorry) and she had her satchel on her side as the two horses galloped toward the once great city of Halifax. She often wondered why there had not been a pack formed closer to the fallen city, or a port town made out of the place, but this land was much different than the lands she had come from, this was for sure.
It'd take half of their day to get to the fallen city and once they were there, they were in forging mode. They even were able to find some saddlebags to put the things they found into, which happened to be a lucky find for the two. After that though, their luck seemed to be diminishing because they were only finding things that they kinda didn't need or they needed but not what they were specifically looking for. It took some time before the group had come upon an injured male though, by the looks of his face, he hadn't gotten to get proper care for it yet. It must have been fresh. "Excuse me sir.." the woman called to the male. "You need help with that wound? It looks pretty bad..." she spoke to him, dismounting her steed and taking a few steps toward the male. Venom did not speak, but he dismounted as well, just in case this male happened to be hostile.
and here I thought I wouldn't be able to put together even a 300 wc post xD
After some searching Keese eventually stumbled across something of some use. Though it was not the liquid he caught, but perhaps the faded volume could provide some assistance. He had founded the faded book in one of many drawers that he pulled from their holes. Leaving the drawers as well as their contents to scatter across floors already littered with debris. The faded yellow book had managed to survive the years since the fall of humanity without gathering too much moisture so that the thin pages had not stuck together. All the pages had faded yellow, but there were some that were a more distinguished yellow and it was these he quickly turned to. Thick luperci fingers fumbled through the pages and upon finding those with the addresses of the liquor stores he tore them from the book and dropped the mass of it that he had no need for.
Pages in hand he continued his search. Eyes looking from what street signs still stood to the pages in his hands. Hoping he might stumble across a match. For he had no map or knowledge of the city, so by themselves the pages were of little use. But still it was better than wandering around without any sort of clue at all. Still it was frustrating and the pieces of brittle paper became scrunched and creased in his hand. A few of the pages ripping in the many times he went over them, from street to street. Countless streets.
Eventually he come across a street sign and the name printed in the fading white letters clicked in his mind. He knew he had read upon the pages time and time again and he looked through his sheets, skimming for the street name. He missed it at first and it was his third time skimming the sheets at this particular corner before he found it. According to the building numbers he was not close. It was still several blocks away, but at least he had some direction. Sheets still clutched in his fist he made his way towards the address.
Whether it was the pain in his face that distracted and dulled his senses or simply the fact that he was quite engrossed in his tasked, Keese was only vaguely aware of the sounds of hooves on the cracked and split concrete roads. The sounds muffled by the vegetation that gte from the cracks and the debris littering the abandoned streets. It wasn't until he heard a voice call out to him that he was aware of the others so close. Startled, he visibly flinched and his free hand grabbed for the buck knife at the back of his belt. Though as the woman's offer processed in his mind his hand fell away and nodded. It was his lucky day. "Yes, please. It would be greatly appreciated." And he dipped his head respectfully. The unusual act showing just how much he truly did appreciate the offer. It wasn't until his gaze turned back up towards them from the bow of head that he really took a good look at the pair. The woman was intriguing. Her appearance was rather odd, but it had an exotic quality to it that left him staring a bit. "I'd keep the horses back, if I was you. The beasts don't like me much. It's a mutual thing." He said to the other male, his gaze pulling from the hi-colored femme.
Panda saw the male tense up when she had talked to him. His hand also moved to grab at something behind his back, which had made the woman apprehensive immediately. Her companion, Venom had noticed the change in the woman immediately and he too became on guard, his fingers moving to touch his axes that hung on his belt. He let a nervous growl escape his lips that was soft enough for not even panda to be able to pick it up, even though she was standing pretty close to the male and his steed. Panda bent her ears back on her head lightly before the hostility would drain from the male's body and he would realize that they were there to help him, not to hurt him more so than he already was hurt. He would nod his head to her, and then he spoke words, telling her that it would be appreciated. He would speak again before she was able to speak though, telling her and Venom that it would be best if they kept the horses back since he was not a fan of them, nor was he a fan of them. Panda looked at Venom for a moment, but did not say anything to him. He knew the look on her face as to be one to be on guard and to intervene if anything went wrong.
Panda took her satchel from her shoulder and she approached the male. Venom stayed with the horses a distance away, but he too dismounted his steed and he had stood there with a hardened look on his face, and his hazel eyes watching the ash male very closely, those same hazel eyes narrowed, and a hand resting on his hip, where there was one of his twin axes. Panda took out the alcohol that would disinfect the male's wound and she also took out the gauze that she would use to wrap it up. It was then she realized the smell of the male. It was unfamiliar, but of a pack none the less. She wondered where he was from, why he was here in Halifax if he had a home that probably had a healer or two to help him with his wound. My name is Panda, sir. I'm from Anathema. Where are you from? Don't ya'll have healers in your pack? she asked, cocking her head at the male as she came close to him, and she held up the alcohol. This is going to help clean and disinfect the wound, and this is for covering it so it doesn't get any debris in it. she spoke to him, expecting the male to get into a position to where she could help him. Lean your head back, and close your eyes so the alcohol doesn't get into it. the woman told him, waiting for him to do so, so she could help him.
Venom snorted from where he was, and he kept his large ears alert and perked towards the two. There was nothing that would happen that he would not see, or hear. He made sure of this.
Keese regarded the the odd marked female's male companion with the same caution as he received. Eyeing the axe his hand lingered close to. Reaching behind his back again, thick fingers skillfully untied the leather binding that held the knife and its sheath to his belt. Once it was loose he held it up for the other male to see while the woman dug in her bag. Casually he tossed it aside on the ground in such a manor that the blade landed flatly so not to damage it, though the thick sheath itself should have been protection enough.
His attention returned to Panda only as she spoke again, introducing herself as well as her tools, though it seemed the other was to remain nameless for now. No matter. "Not from this area really. Came here to find my mate and had been staying in the Court of mongrels just west of here. Though I haven't been back to their borders in awhile. As their omega I doubt they'd waste the talents of their healer on me. If they even have one. He did know and he didn't care to know. The only reason he had now for returning to that place would be to spill the blood of that fucking Russian brute.
The woman was much taller than him, taller than even Anann. It wasn't until she had drawn closer that he had noticed the odd shape of her ears. The tips had been cut off. It was a startling realization though he was not completely unfamiliar with such body modifications. He tilted his head in compliance for her. "Your ears, why did you crop them?" He managed to ask before his breath hissed through his teeth as he felt the burn of the alcohol on the wound. "Must have been painful." He commented after the burning on the side of his face subsided a bit.
OOC: sorry for the wait, been absent. We can end this pretty soon if you would like :]
Word Count → 504
The male had told her where he was from. Some place called the "court". She had not heard of such a place and she was quite curious about it but she failed to ask about it because he seemed to be bitter about the place. It was apparently to the west of here, or to the west in general so she might look for it later when she had the time, but she did not really worry about it. Venom had noticed from far off that the male had discarded the knife that was at his hip, so Venom was slightly less paranoid but he still was guarded, for that's what his job was to be. He stared at the gray male with those almost harsh hazel eyes while Panda's orders were obeyed by the male. He tilted his head back for her, and closed the eye that would be affected by the alcohol. She took the cork off the top of the bottle and she tipped it on the male's face. She noticed that she was in fact, taller than the male, but this did not bother her, if only because she had been taller than many in her lifetime. She realized long ago that she had inherited her family's taller genes and that the wolves up here were bred bigger down where she was from for whatever reason. She had a soft smile on her face, though she saw that the male recoiled slightly at the touch of the alcohols cleansing bubbling.
He had asked her why her ears were like the way they were. Truth was, she didn't know why her parents had done such a thing to her, and she hadn't realized that it was not normal until she was older and she was asked about it. My parents had it done when I was really little. she started to speak, pausing slightly as if she was looking for the right words to say or something. I don't really remember what it feels like to have normal ones. Nor do I really remember what excuse they gave to me when I asked them why my ears were different. she spoke, shrugging her shoulders and tilting her dreadlocked head. I'm going to put this gauze on it so that it won't get any germs in it. she spoke, holding up the roll of gauze. She proceeded to help the male by wrapping the wound up and making sure to not cover his good eye and his ear as well. You should change this to make sure that you don't get too much blood on it. she instructed the male, letting him know about keeping it clean. Salt water should also help clean it. Be careful of how far you wade into the water though. Not sure what fish might try to get a taste of your face, ya'know? the woman spoke to him, nodding her head lightly.
So...What's your name, sir? the woman asked, remembering that he never had told her his name.
Feel free to wrap up in your next post if you wish.
Keese had seen canines do even more unusual things to themselves than having their ears docked. He never had understood what drove others to do such a thing. A change in hair style or dress was one thing, but the idea of changes portions of his body permanently seemed a bit extreme in his own opinion. Though that was not to say he found the results unattractive, in this case at least. He had not noticed her tail was docked as well, but between her unusual markings and her short rounded ears there was an exotic appeal to her. What was her name again? Pandi or something? He hadn't been listening all that closely really.
Keese was compliant with her as she prattled on about how she didn't know or remember how and why her ears had been docked as she worked to clean and bandage his wound. "The do look rather natural on you, for some reason." He thought of reaching out and touching the ridge of her ear, perhaps a soft caress of her cheek as his hand would fall away, but one look at her companion and he thought better of it. He did not know their connection, but he didn't need anymore trouble and he had his own little pet to play with.
His face stung like all hell now, after having the alcohol poured in it, but it was better than it getting infected and having the side of his face rotting off. "Keese." He had failed to realize he had not given his name to her yet, though he did not apologize for his lack of manners. "How can I repay you? I don't really have anything to offer." He asked once she had finished bandaging his head. He was not really concerned about making the deal fair. He had what he needed. It was only the axes that the other cared that kept his manners in mind at all. The last healer he had met had ran away from his attempt at "payment".
WC:706+ OOC: This is my last post then. Thanks for the thread hun
The male spoke to her again, talking about how the cropped ears looked natural on her. She figured that it did, since she had not realized until she was older that it was not normal to have cropped ears like she did. She smiled and gave the male a pare chuckle in his direction as she said the words to her. Thanks, I guess. she spoke back to him as she finished up bandaging the male and then she took a few steps back, away from the male. She glanced back towards Venom, whom would give her a hardened look as if to say that even though the male dropped his knife, she was not to trust him. She would turn back towards the male before he would speak his name, and when he did, it was a simple one. Keese. Panda nodded her head, taking the name and storing it to memory. She continued to smile at the male, as politely as she could before she heard his next words about him paying her back. She chuckled lightly, and she shook her head. There's no need for that, Mister Keese. I'm glad to help out someone in need. If you ever need a healer and your pack doesn't want to help you, if you can make the trip to Anathema, just tell them that I sent you. Or get someone to relay the message that you need me and I'll visit where you are, okay? the woman spoke, extending her services to if he ever needed a healer of her skill ever again.
Also, make sure that you keep that clean. You might lose an eye if you don't. she spoke to him, chuckling and then giving him a wink before she had turned away from the male, grabbing her belongings and then moving to the steeds and her friend whom watched the whole thing. Well, I'll see ya around, Keese! Venom and I need to be heading back home before it gets too dark on us. she spoke to him though she was lying because they would not be heading home right away. They still had things to find in the fallen city of Halifax and she was not leaving until she found what she needed. So, with the words she called over to the male, she had moved to the steed she had been riding and she then would mount the beast whom would shift under her weight. She cast her gaze over to the gray male once more before her eyes would look at Venom, whom would snort in her direction. What, I was just being nice? she spoke to him. 'I have a feeling he deserved what happened to him.' Venom commented before he clicked his tongue and nudged his horse to go forward. He then would make the horse turn towards Panda, which made her horse turn as well and do an about-face towards the way that they came. They would be heading down some other streets soon, but for now they were going to retrace their steps. So what if he deserved it? He needed help, and I gave it to him. It's called being nice, Venom. Something you don't know how to do very often. she retorted at the male. It was completely true, He did have issues with being nice sometimes, but mostly to other males. I'm not mean, I'm just cautious, and intuitive. he gave this excuse to her, and he snorted again. Bullshit, Venom. You are mean at times. A lot of the times actually. Do you remember Kissy? You were never nice to her she brought up an old acquaintance back in Florida. One that neither her, nor Venom was very fond of. Venom actually hated her more than Panda did. She was a whore, I had no reason to be nice to her. Plus, she always smelt like shit. the male spoke about the girl. Panda couldn't agree more, but it did bring up her point of him being mean.
The two continued to speak to each other back and forth as they rode their horses down the streets of Halifax, looking for the supplies that they needed before the trip back home to Anathema.
