Like a feather in the wind

Sophie Hughes · 01-01-2012, 08:24 PM

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Word Count → 274 :: For Mr. Gunnar! Big Grin

Sophie walked along the beach with a feeling vaguely like fear in her chest. She might have called it unease, but it was too strong for that; and it was too weak for fear, so she was left rather without a name for this odd feeling. Worry, maybe. Yes, that was it; she was worried. Worried because she was so far from home that not even a howl would bring her brother to her. Or rather, her big brother; Boothe was only a few feet away, 'ouch'ing his way across the shoreline toward the water. At that moment, Sophie didn't find Boothe particularly comforting, or threatening; whatever the case may be.

Padding her way as carefully as she could toward the water, herself, she found herself recoiling whenever she touched a particularly sharp edge on the rocks. She did nothing so undignified as cry out, though; not because she had more pride than that, but because she was a rather more quiet girl than her brother, and he was already whining and yelping enough for the both of them. They reached the water soon enough, though, and the rocks were somewhat smoother there. Boothe splashed in the water for a moment before he sloshed is way out into the sea, dog-paddling in the shallows with little whoops of joy. Sophie watched him, hesitant about joining him, before she moved along the shore and found a little mini-tide pool, deciding to watch the sea creatures there instead.

She was particularly interested in the starfish, as the longer she stared at it, the more she was absolutely certain it was moving. Very, very slowly.

Gunnar Donte LeStrange · 01-01-2012, 09:43 PM

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Gunnar hates kids. This is one of the reasons why. XD / +355

It wasn't that he'd grown... bored of the pack's territory. He just wanted to get away from all the hussle and bustle of Casa's daily life. So, to escape, he'd shifted into his lupus form and headed for unclaimed lands, in hopes of having some seriously well deserved alone time. He wasn't expecting what he found, though.

As he came upon the Shattered Coast, his ears picked up the tinkling sound of little yelps and laughter. Puppies. In this area during the winter? What sort of parent would be so stupid? The Shattered Coast was dangerous for pups during the cold seasons.

With a rumble, he got closer. There, just a few yards away, two unattended pups. One splashed in the water, the other examined a tidepool a little ways from the water's edge. Neither seemed at all concerned that no adults were around and despite his dislike for young pups, Gunnar knew he'd never be able to live with himself if anything ever happened to the poor things and he allowed it.

So, with a grudged step, he limped down onto the beach and whuffed a hello. You'd be better on dry land, kid! Winter's here. You'll catch your death in that water! His rough voice sounded old and his appearance didn't help matters; the gray toning around his muzzle, eyes and paws were simply markings but they acted to make him appear years older. Get out of the water before a shark makes you into a snack. C'mon now. Nope, there were no sharks in that water. Too cold, too shallow. But he hoped the idea would be one to scare the pup enough to bring him onto land again.

Gunnar sat down a fair distance from either pup and made a rumbling sound with his throat. What are you kids doing out here all alone, anyway? You're a touch young to be without an adult, ain't yah? He was addressing the girl now, finding the closer range comforting on his throat. Yelling hurt. It always hurt. It was just the way he was, ever since Esme's little stunt.

Sophie Hughes · 01-01-2012, 10:43 PM

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Word Count → 495 :: That's Boothe for ya! xD

Sophie jumped as a booming voice echoed out toward her, and whipped around, nearly falling into the tide pool before she regained her balance and merely stood there, looking guilty. Boothe, soaking wet and despite his shivering, merely laughed at the order, feeling confidant that, now that Daire was gone, no one could make him do anything. Sophie hovered uncertainly, but at the threat of something making a snack out of her brother, she slunk over toward the old-looking wolf, watching her brother uncertainly.

Boothe's reaction to other things in the water was a rather petulant, "You can't make me, you can't make me!" Sophie paused when she was a little ways away from the wolf, her ears swiveling uncertainly. "Hey, misser..." She began, hesitantly, looking up at him with wide, fearful eyes. "Whassa...whassa shark? 'S my broofer gonna ge' eat?" She didn't like that thought, and because her question seemed rather stupid considering he'd actually already said Boothe was going to be eaten, she turned with a little whine and hovered uncertainly before she filled her tiny lungs to give most probably the loudest sound she'd ever made.

"Boof better get out water now or Sophie gonna find Faffer!" She wouldn't, really, because Daire was long gone by now and her father terrified her to no end, anyway, but she could at the very least tell Leon that Boothe had been bad and not listened to his elders, and then he'd get in trouble. Probably not as bad as if Father were still around, but Leon would be angry, too.

Boothe stopped paddling and disappeared under the surface for a moment, before he reappeared. There were a few long moments of his bobbing and reapearing, and then Sophie realized he was slowly making his way back, most likely sulking all the while. He knew she actually wouldn't, she was even more scared of Daire than he was--and that was saying something--but he wouldn't call her on it, considering the fact that if she'd used the threat at all she must be really worried. While he made his way back, Sophie looked up at the stranger uncertainly, and shifted uncomfortably at the question.

She knew she shouldn't have wandered away from the clearing--she wasn't even old enough to leave the den yet, not technically--but Daire hadn't taken that into consideration when he'd dragged them across the continent to Nova Scotia in the first place, and now...well, she rather liked that thrill of adventure, now that he wasn't around. So she whined, trying to think of a way to avoid the question, and finally had to admit, "We're not a's'posed to be. But Broofer Leon sick, and Broofer Trig has'a take care o' him." Sophie nodded firmly, as though this meant that of course they could go off and explore on their own, but after a few nods her hesitant expression belied the fact that she still knew better.

Gunnar Donte LeStrange · 01-02-2012, 11:37 AM

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Hope the pp on Boothe is okay. D: If not, I'll change it. / +407

Gunnar frowned deeply at the male pup's disobedience. If he had to go in there after the kid, there'd be hell to pay with their parents. He hated getting wet during the winter. Curly fur freezing was not a nice sight. He was glaring out at the male pup when his sister came to sit by his paws, questioning him. He looked down at her and perked his ears. Sharks? They're giant fish with rows of sharp, pointy teeth. They eat whatever they can get at and one bite will probably swallow him whole. He spoke loud enough for the other pup to hear, but his voice told no word of a lie. Gunnar wasn't good at softening things for kids. Gunnar wasn't good with kids, period.

When the girl threatened the 'Boof' to get out of the water, or else she'd find... Faffer? No wait, she's saying Father., he smirked. I think I like this one. He watched with mild concern as 'Boof' came swimming back into shore, bobbing and paddling and all around taking a long ass time to do it. Gunnar resisted a heavy sigh. Surely he could swim faster than that?

Then the girl, he assumed her name was Sophie, given the earlier threat, explained that she was in fact disobeying and that her brother Leon was sick... and Trig was taking care of him? Yeah, that's what she said. Well then, where is Leon and Trig? Would you guys be able to find your way back? He wasn't about to let them go alone; he knew better. But he wasn't sure how to find either of the mentioned wolves, so he hoped the pup could remember the way.

He looked up at the water again and frowned. Still swimming. Not quick enough and at this rate, the pup was tiring himself out before a long walk back to where ever it was they came from. He stood then and limped out into the shallows, just up to his belly, to hopefully nab the pup's nape between careful teeth and carry the waterlogged thing back to shore. Oo akkin' 'oo 'ongh. He complained through sogging fur, not at all enjoying the wetness around his sore leg. He'd plop the boy down beside his sister and then shake off the wet, glad to have his mostly waterproof coat for a change. And what are yer names anyway?

Sophie Hughes · 01-02-2012, 05:41 PM

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Word Count → 313 :: That's fine! Big Grin

Sophie's eyes watered a bit at the older wolf's description of sharks, and she danced from paw to paw uncertainly, sometimes shouting at Boothe to move faster, to which he always replied he was coming and she shouldn't get her tail in a twist. Sophie whined, and finally dashed out a few steps to try and get him herself, but she was drawn back to the older wolf's side by Gunnar's question. "They at home." She sniffled, and turned to point with her nose toward the distant edge of trees leading to Ethereal Eclipse, dancing anxiously on her paws as Boothe finally gave up on swimming and simply floated, panting and grumbling. Sophie thought she could see him shivering from where she stood.

She ignored the second part of his question until he'd gone and gotten Boothe out of the water, her eyes shining with both un-shed tears and gratitude. He said something around Boothe's wet, shivering form, but Sophie couldn't understand it, and when the younger male was set down, she cuddled up to her brother and shoved her head over his, attempting to help warm him and only succeeding in making herself cold.

" 'M Sophie and Boof is Boof." Boothe grumbled, and then attempted to say his own name correctly, but it came out exactly as Sophie had said it, with added chattering sounds from his shivering jaw. Sophie whined, and cuddled closer, beginning to shiver herself as her side and chin got wet. She wasn't helping much, either, being so much smaller than Boothe; even if she was keeping him somewhat from the cold, she wasn't big enough to keep it all away.

"An'...An' Sophie can find way home! We left trail." She nodded emphatically, and then quieted, huddling with her brother and attempting to draw as little attention to herself as possible, feeling uncertain about their companion.

Gunnar Donte LeStrange · 01-02-2012, 10:11 PM

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Epic stoner count yet again. xD / +420

Gunnar watched the kids huddle up together, trying to get warm and for a moment, he wanted to smuck them both back into the water. Any smart wolf would know not to go out into winter ocean in the first place. C'mon, Gun. They're just kids. Cut them a break. You were young too, once. He frowned and sighed. You left a trail, huh? He echoed, standing again to scoot closer to the two brats, his tail wrapping over their haunces easily. You won't get warm laying like that. Come up off of the sand and into some shelter. He rasped, standing again and sauntering off towards the treeline.

He paused once he got to the first tree and glanced back to make sure they were following, tail flicking in mild annoyance. Sophie, drag... He decided to take a guess at what they were trying to say his name was. ...Boothe... over to the base of this tree. I'm going to start a fire to help you two warm up, alright? He paused before moving to shift, a thought crossing his mind for a moment. ...An' my name's Gunnar, by the way.

Then she shifted, body growing into his optime form easily, though the cracking sound from his leg suggested painfully. And it was. Every time he shifted, the pain came, but subsided shortly after. He'd grown used to it since his injury and there was nothing more he could do.

The young wolfdog moved over to collect a couple peices of birch bark still clinging to the nearby trees, never straying far from the two pups. After he'd collected enough bark and dried wood to manage a fire, he returned and started to dig a hole into the sand. He'd done it plenty of times before. This was no different. He arranged the bark and wood into the make-shift fire pit and then moved to grab two stones. With a couple of well rehersed flicks, sparks flew and the fire was lit.

A'ight, now come over 'ere and get warm. The both of yah. He waved them over, sitting cross-legged beside the steadily growing flames, not caring about his lack of clothing. They hadn't been more than accessories to him before, anyway. Once yer warmed and dry, I'll escort you both back to your brothers, alright? That way no harm comes to yah and I won't have to face up to an angry family later. Selfish brat. It was like a kid babysitting little kids.

Sophie Hughes · 01-02-2012, 10:30 PM

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Word Count → 330 :: XD

Sophie smiled gratefully as the older male came forward and wrapped his tail around them, covering their backsides more than anything else--though, when Sophie scooted back a bit, she could hide nearly completely beneath the dark appendage. Boothe grumbled something about "unfair", and then the two moved to obey as he ordered them up off the sand and toward the trees. Sophie had to nudge Boothe along a bit as he slowed down a bit every now and then, folding down over his legs and seeming to want to stop and shiver for a while. They reached the tree soon enough, however, and Sophie cuddled up close to her brother, watching Gunnar with wide eyes.

She thought there might be some sort of politeness required after he introduced himself, but the words died in her throat as his bones began to crack and he seemed to change into...something else. He looked more like Leon then, with his five toes on the front paws and the longer fur on his head. He even stood on his back feet! Sophie stared at him, gaping somewhat--she wouldn't admit it, though, 'cause that was rude, and if he noticed she'd stop--before edging closer to the fire he'd made, dragging Boothe along by the ear until the two pups sat as close as they could be without singing their fur.

"Yessir," Sophie said, echoed more slowly by Boothe, who'd curled up and stuck his nose under his tail to shiver some. Sophie hesitated as she sat there for a moment, and then lifted her head from Boothe's back and peered at Gunnar through the flames. "Um...Mi...Misser Gunnar? Whassat thing you did?" She asked timidly, feeling as though she were on completely unfamiliar territory. She'd never seen anyone shift before; Leon was always in his two-legged form, and everyone else she'd met was already on either four or two legs. She didn't know you could go between the two!

Gunnar Donte LeStrange · 01-02-2012, 10:40 PM

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Gunnar doesn't bother usin' proper grammar around kids. XD / +312

He glanced over at the question, confusion flashing across his face for a moment. What thing? Obviously not the fire. She knew not to sit too close and she wasn't afraid of it, so it must've been... Oh! The shiftin'? Was she not a luperci? Her scent said otherwise, but maybe not. Huh. It's called being a Luperci. He joked, smirking and reaching over for a branch he'd set aside earlier, poking at the fire with one end of it, to keep it going strong.

Luperci can shape-shift. That is, we can go between four legs and two. In total, us luperci have three forms; Lupus, like you. Optime, like me. And Secui, a mixture of the two. He liked this conversation. Mainly because he was proud that he'd been able to shift at all. His mother hadn't been sure if he would, as it had taken a long time for his first shift to happen. Then, after that, he'd hidden it from her for weeks, hoping she'd never find out.

She'd found out by accident when she'd walked in on him sneaking around in his optime form. After that, he'd gone through hell, being forced into various outfits, having his hair cut and groomed, being taught how to do things he'd already figured out... and the talk. He shuddered at the memory.

Ain't you ever seen a luperci before, Sophie? He questioned, pushing the thoughts away quickly, not wanting to remember the times he'd had with his mother at that moment. He missed her, but she was in the past now. A memory. What about you, Boothe? You ever seen a luperci shift before? He leaned over to prod the male pup with his foot, long leg stretching to do so and then folding back up again. You been livin' under a rock or somethin' this whole time?

Sophie Hughes · 01-02-2012, 11:05 PM

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Word Count → 361 :: That's okay, they'll just imitate him for the rest of their lives. Big Grin xD

Sophie perked up as Gunnar figured out what she'd meant, her tail wagging briefly as she learned what it was called. Shiftin! She'd never heard the phrase before, and learning the meaning of the word--and that the word existed at all--excited her. She listened closely as he explained what a Luperci was, too, and she stared with wide eyes as he said there were three forms, not just two. She tried to wrap her head around that, and then nudged Boothe to see if he had any idea what that might mean, but he only grumbled and turned away from her, shifting closer to the fire.

Sophie shook her head, and then paused to think about it, before she brightened. "Oh! Broofer is Lu-per-ci! But...he don't shiftin." She furrowed her brow, settling down again, and scratched at her nose with the side of a paw, frowning curiously. " 'Sat mean he normal?" She wondered, and then looked over as Boothe was nudged. He grumbled some more and tightened into a smaller ball, but very faintly Sophie heard him say, "No." And one of his still damp ears perked and turned toward them, curiously. Sophie flopped over to lay half-on his back, and rested her head so that she could look at Gunnar curiously.

His next comment brought heat to her face, though luckily her fur hid the blush. She didn't thing she should answer, though, because what could she really say to that? "No, Father just didn't like us so he didn't teach us anything"? She was already beginning to realize that Daire hadn't exactly been the best man in the world, and it seemed there were a lot of things they should have known about but didn't because of him. Boothe lifted his head and seemed not to care about the picture he painted, as he blurted out, "No! Faffer just a donkey." And gave a very firm nod, before tucking his nose back into his side.

Sophie, who hadn't been around when Leon uttered the fateful swears that Boothe had picked up on, nudged her brother, and perked her ears up curiously. "Whassa donkey?"

Gunnar Donte LeStrange · 01-02-2012, 11:34 PM

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Oh joy. xD And so Gunnar goes ahead and swears in front of them. / +258

Gunner wondered for a moment and then smirked. Nah, just means he don't shift in front of yah. Smart man. It's probably saved him a shit ton of questions from these guys, he thought to himself silently, eyes going back over to the fire.

Then his question, as much as it hadn't been meant to be answered, was retorted to by the young boy, who managed to make swearing almost cute. He grinned at the kid and even waved his tail a bit. Then, he chuckled, shook his head and went back to poking at the fire. Well said, Boothe. He praised, completely irresponsible as always.

When Sophie questioned what a Donkey was, Gunnar had to consider his answer carefully. Finally, he decided to be as honest as he could be. It's like a horse, but with longer ears and less hair on its tail. He explained, then leaned over to smirk at them both. But what Boothe meant by that is a more technical term for the critter, and that's Ass. Which also refers to your butt or works as a very bad insult that you little tidbits shouldn't be spouting around adults who care. He raised an eyebrow at them and then leaned back over to poke at the fire.

Just to clerify, I'm not an adult, nor do I care if you cuss. Gunnar's eyes moved to look at Boothe and Sophie through the flames. At least you know 'im. I never knew my father growin' up. My mom raised me alone.

Sophie Hughes · 01-03-2012, 05:55 PM

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Word Count → 393 :: lolol And so begins the imitation. >:'D

Sophie blinked slowly, and the twins looked at each other, wondering why it was smart not to shift in front of them but deciding not to ask. They'd just pester Leon about it later; he had nothing better to do, after all. Resting her head back on her paws and watching their companion a bit curiously, she glanced back and forth between him and Boothe, feeling left out. The boy preened at the praise, sitting up straighter and puffing his chest out, and then shifted closer to the fire, feeling like he was warming up already. Sophie blew out a large gush of air, pouting, and then batted at him with a paw, wondering if his head was going to swell up and explode the way Father had sometimes said it would if they got too full of themselves.

Her gaze, and her thoughts, turned to Gunnar as he explained what a Donkey was, and she crossed her eyes in confusion before he went on to explain what Boothe had actually meant, which seemed to make more sense. Sophie looked at her brother, and then nodded and said, "Yeah, Faffer an ass." Just before he explained the word wasn't something she should say around adults--that was, it wasn't something she should say. Making a little 'eep' noise in the back of her throat, Sophie dropped her head onto her paws and covered her mouth with them, staring with wide eyes and feeling as though she were about to be punished. Even after he explained he didn't care, she felt horrible, and hoped Boothe wouldn't rat her out.

Her brother was more interested in his last comment, and snorted, frowning and glaring at the fire. "Rather know mumma." He informed the older male with a matter-of-fact tone, turning to lay his head along Sophie's neck. "Bet she not hit." Blue eyes met green as the two twins shared a look, and then Sophie nodded in agreement, somewhat timidly, and cuddled closer to her big brother. She was glad that her father wasn't around anymore; there was no more fear in her life, in their lives, save for the left-overs from the time they'd spent under his control. Sophie was fairly certain that would fade with time, though; she was already less afraid to speak out.

Most of the time, anyway.

Gunnar Donte LeStrange · 01-04-2012, 01:52 AM

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Like parrots. xDD Gunnar's growing attached. It's time to go. xD / +273

The more the two kids spoke, the more he liked them. When Sophie, the sister, was the one to repeat 'ass' so boldly, he grinned, thoroughly amused. They were like parrots! Teach them new words and they'll repeat them without even knowing how bad it is to say it! Then she seemed to think again about what she'd said and the little girl's head went down. He frowned, but didn't say anything. It was the boy's next words that caught his attention. Not... hit? Hit? Had their father...?

He rumbled in his chest at the thought. Even if he didn't like kids, abuse was still abuse. Your pop's lucky he's not the one you're going back to tonight. He muttered crossly, echoing the boy's glare into the flames. If I see anyone swing at a kid as young as you two, I'd deck them flat. And it was true. He didn't care how tall or big or angry looking a wolf could get. Anyone hitting a kid was a coward and filth and deserved a good seeing to. That was that.

After a moment of this train of thought, the boy sighed. They'd had enough time to dry off and he figured they'd have to trek back to wherever the kids' brothers were. But they were just kids. Surely they were tired out or something by now? Well, it wasn't as if he could carry a pair of half-grown pups in his teeth or on his back. He groaned and stood, kicking some sand at the fire idly. Alright, you two. Get yerselves ready to head out. It's time to go.

Sophie Hughes · 01-05-2012, 05:36 PM

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Word Count → 306 :: Hahaha! xD No one can resist the Hughes babies!

Sophie watched with wide eyes as the male frowned at her, before turning toward Boothe and growling. The two little ones looked at each other, wondering what they'd done wrong. At his words, though, Sophie brightened, seeing that someone else thought what Father had done was wrong. She was, very slowly, gaining confidence in her ability to judge his actions, especially since so many other people appeared to agree with her. "Faffer go bye bye! Broofer chase him wit' sharp shinies." And she nodded firmly, fully confidant that she'd never see Father again.

Boothe scratched at his ear with a hind paw as Gunnar seemed to be thinking, and then they both looked up and blinked at the sudden decision that it was time to go. Sophie nosed her brother, and they checked to make sure neither was still damp before leaping to their feet, shaking off the sleepies and standing close together to loll their tongues and grin at Gunnar. Sophie skittered away from the fire as their companion kicked sand at it, and then moved forward and touched the ashen kindling with her nose curiously, sneezing when it collapsed and she ended up inhaling it. Boothe snickered, and she shoved him with a paw, sniffling in a hurt way before they turned back to Gunnar.

Their den wasn't far off; it wouldn't take them more than a couple hours to walk, and that was without an adult nipping at their heels to keep them from wandering away on a new adventure, or lingering too long by strange looking trees. Sophie and Boothe shoved and tumbled together as they tried to find the trail they'd left leading them home, little growls and yips signaling their play--though it wasn't as rough as they usually were, as they were only trying to keep each other awake.

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