Never Grow Up

Sophie Hughes · 01-24-2012, 09:56 PM

[html]

Word Count → 424 :: For X'yrin! Big Grin

After the scare of getting lost her last trip to the festival, both Light and Leon had been wary of bringing her back. But she'd promised not to leave their sights, and had managed to convince them to let her return; they were more interested in doing the activity-things, though, the sorts of things only Luperci could do, and so she and Boothe were left to their own devices for long periods of time. This meant, at least that evening, wandering off on their own to find something more entertaining to do.

Boothe was the one who caught sight of the fortune-telling tent, though. Both puppies peered curiously in on the small crowd gathered around the one wolf who appeared to be doing all the talking, and with an even more inquisitive look to each other, the two crept their way carefully to the front of the crowd and plopped down, watching the show. The old man--and boy, was he old!--was doing all sorts of things, picking people out of the crowd and saying odd things in a grave voice, which only served to confuse the two youngest Hughes' more. He was just looking at odd pieces of paper, or tiles, or having people drink out of a cup and then looking at whatever was left. Sophie didn't get it.

Boothe, the ever-more-adventurous of the two, rose and crawled over to the mat the man sat on, just as someone was handing their cup to him. He attempted to poke his nose into it, and sniffed around the other materials curiously, much to the amusement of the two sitting there, both of whom ignored him as they continued with their fortune-telling. Boothe plopped his booty down right where he was and stared hard at the old man, laying his ears back and trying to see what the other people were seeing.

After another moment, Sophie crawled forward on her belly, glancing nervously around at the people before them, and nudged her brother, whispering frantically, "Boothe, what're you doing? You're gonna get in trouble!" Her brother ignored her, making the smaller girl whine. When she nudged him again, whining his name, he snapped, "I'm trying to figure out how he does it! Now hush! I'ma concentratin'!" Making Sophie blink and someone behind them snort a laugh. Both puppies returned their attention to Macarius.

He finished the male's fortune, and both puppies looked at each other and shrugged. They didn't get it; maybe they needed to watch another one.

X'yrin Exultare · 01-24-2012, 11:03 PM

[html]

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b137/ ... eofone.png); background-color:#000000; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-position: top; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right:15px; padding-top: 320px; border-radius:15px; -moz-border-radius:15px; -webkit-border-radius:15px; border-bottom-left-radius:15px; border-top-right-radius:15px; -moz-border-bottom-left-radius:15px; -webkit-border-top-right-radius:15px; -moz-border-bottom-left-radius:15px; -webkit-border-top-right-radius:15px;">

ooc:

X’yrin was a very happy woman female. Perhaps not more so than most, but from the ashes of disappointment and hope lost, a wonderful splendor had happened by some higher power that saw fit to bless her. The memento of this wonder was clasped gently around her neck, worn in such a way to attract the curious eye to the glittering jewels that adorned it. The woman was never one for showing off, but there was an exception to everything… and what better time to break her own rule than now.

She trotted along with an elated air, her paws hardly touching the ground before they were aloft again in her gallant stride. For her little peruse around the activity stalls she was well groomed even for this casual occasion. No fur other than her own was on her shoulders drenched in the red of her unbound mane. Her unruly bangs had been carefully fashioned back to allow her to better see, adorned with speckled feathers of her companion who was strangely not seen on her shoulder.

No, she was running free today to humbly flaunt (if there was such a way to) her treasured gift and take part in the events minding the stall had kept her from. While dancing was more of a reward for her good bartering and an end to a tiring day, the stand set by her own pack elder was something of a treat to witness. While she did not believe in foretelling one’s future, she was fascinated by the art of it, the strangeness and awe that enticed the senses and drew the spectators near. She needn’t wander too far to find the gathering crowd wanting to see same as she what the fuss was all about.

Politely she Secui female squeezed her way through the thick of the crowd to better see what was going on in front. Several of the observers she nearly toppled over as her broad shoulders bumped into them. Many quiet apologies were uttered on her behalf until she was able to squeeze her way to better see standing just behind a pair of curious pups. She watched intently as the elder Macarius made use of his skill to entertain. She did not know of him or his art well enough, but he was a part of their lands, and that’s all that truly mattered to her. She was quiet in her observations, hardly letting her eye stray until the curiosity of the male of the puppy pair caused him wandered closer to better see what was going on with this cup and everything else around. X’yrin glanced at the elder, dipping her head in apology on behalf of the pups that were not her own.

When he was finished with his current patron, he expended his hand and asked for another. His eyes then fell upon the Seiki. ‘Perhaps you?’ X’yrin literally jumped up in place, again nearly knocking someone over. “Me?...Oh. Sure.” Really she hadn’t intended to play a role in this event, but this was yet another new experience to be had. Carefully she step forward, minding the feet around her as she came to sit adjacent to the Ichikan elder. As she bowed her head respectfully to the fortune-teller, her amber eyes caught a glimpse of the two children again. “Little ones…” she whispered to them, ignoring the curious eyes of the crowd. “Would you like to join me?”

575 words.

[/html]

Sophie Hughes · 01-24-2012, 11:28 PM

[html]

Word Count → 365 :: Out of Character text.

Sophie was horrifically aware of what a spectacle her brother was making, but being the runt of the two--and quite a small runt, being nearly half the size of her brother--there really wasn't anything she could do about it. Trying to regain his attention and draw it elsewhere would only result in an even greater scene. The people around them seemed mostly amused, however, and the old man in front of them wasn't letting them distract him, so Sophie tried not to let it bother her. She pressed as close to her brother as she dared, though, and did her best not to look around, uncomfortable with being so close to the front of everything; she would have preferred to stay where they were before, but Boothe wanted to know what was going on, and he was determined to find out.

As another person was called up, Sophie glanced around curiously, and then nosed her brother hesitantly, but he just shrugged her off, leaning his nose curiously toward the fortune-telling instruments the male used. Sophie whined again, and then looked up, meeting the golden female's eye and blushing as she looked away again quickly. "Boothe, we should go si'down!" She whined quietly, but Boothe's returning growl was cut short as the strange woman addressed them, causing two sets of eyes to turn to her. Sophie blinked shyly, and squirmed uncomfortably, but Boothe perked up almost immediately, his tail beginning a slow wag.

"Oh, yeah!" He agreed, and bounded over to sit beside her, wiggling with his excitement. Sophie hovered uncertainly on the edge of the mat, and then slunk over to sit beside her brother, her ears nearly shriveled into her skull with her embarrassment as she once again attempted to hide against her brother. They both turned their expectant gazes toward the elderly man, Sophie somewhat more shyly--and in a far less demanding manner--than Boothe did. Nonetheless, Sophie was just as curious as her brother, and her eyes tracked Macarius' wizened hands, wondering which tools he would use on them--or rather, the golden female. She didn't really think he could read three futures in one go...could he?

X'yrin Exultare · 01-24-2012, 11:55 PM

[html]

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b137/ ... eofone.png); background-color:#000000; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-position: top; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right:15px; padding-top: 320px; border-radius:15px; -moz-border-radius:15px; -webkit-border-radius:15px; border-bottom-left-radius:15px; border-top-right-radius:15px; -moz-border-bottom-left-radius:15px; -webkit-border-top-right-radius:15px; -moz-border-bottom-left-radius:15px; -webkit-border-top-right-radius:15px;">

ooc:

X’yrin watched the amusing dynamics of the pups same as a handful of the spectators but with a soft smile. The boy was clearly not interested in what the little one had to say and went on exploring until the woman’s words were heeded. Both looked at her, with the boy rushing toward to take a seat by her side. The little girl was timid in her approach, keeping very close to the boy almost pressing herself into him as if the mold with and hide inside him. X’yrin looked at this behavior curiously, wondering if perhaps the little ones had been scarred somehow… or at least the little one to be so fearful. If that was the case, they were quite bold to be stepping out unescorted into the heavy crowd.

‘Are you ready?’ X’yrin jerked her head up when spoken to, not realizing that she had been staring at the pups for quite some time. She felt her face grow warm as she was fixed by the elder’s stare then hurriedly nodded for him to proceed. “Yes sir.” Macarius returned the gesture, then slowly spanned his hand across the mat of downturned cards. ‘Very well then. There are nine cards here… choose three and I will tell you what the spirits believe is in store for you…’

Again, the Seiki was far from entrusting her future to these earthbound spirits, but for the sake of participation, she would oblige the elder and try her hand. She leaned forward to look at the orderly set card, not knowing which one meant which, or in what order to pick them. In the end, she believed it was all but a game so there was no harm in choosing blindly. Carefully, she reached out and placed her paw over the top middle card then slid it toward the elder. When she reclined back, she looked down at the curious pair then gestured with her muzzle toward the cards. “Why don’t you each pick one for me?” she smiled. “I might have a better fortune because of you two…”

347 words.

[/html]

Sophie Hughes · 01-25-2012, 01:45 AM

[html]

Word Count → 348 :: Derp sorry for the delay! xD We had unexpected company. ^^;

Sophie felt her face warming up as she felt the older female's gaze settling on her, but she did her best to look as unaffected as possible, an attempt which was quite ruined by her unconscious showing of the desire to sink into Boothe's fur and disappear. When the golden wolf's gaze was drawn back to the male across from them, Sophie glanced up at her curiously, her ear swiveling uncertainly before she returned her attention to the cards. There didn't seem to be anything special about them, at least that she could tell; but Sophie had never seen cards before, of any kind, so perhaps she wasn't the best judge.

As the large female on the other side of Boothe selected her card, Sophie couldn't help but lean forward, her nose twitching curiously as she glanced between them. At the prompt, she toddled forward, her steps somewhat hesitant and insecure, and looked over the cards herself, glancing back shyly at the female hesitantly as though to make sure it was okay. Boothe did no such thing, bounding forward eagerly and nearly upsetting the cards as he tried to pick the best one, in the end going for one on the far left, slapping his paw down on it and wagging his tail eagerly. "Do that 'un!" He barked, and then plopped down, almost sitting on another card before he remembered what was going on and backed up to sit beside the stranger again.

Sophie hesitated another moment longer, and then carefully moved over, bending to pick up a card toward the bottom of the spread in her teeth. She padded over to Macarius, careful not to disturb the spread, and placed it gently on his knee, tucking her tail between her legs and pressing her ears back before scampering over to Boothe again, plopping down beside him and staring with wide eyes at the old man. She hoped it was okay to pick the card up; she just wanted to impress upon him the importance of that card. It was special.

At least, she hoped it was.

X'yrin Exultare · 01-25-2012, 02:07 AM

[html]

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b137/ ... eofone.png); background-color:#000000; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-position: top; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right:15px; padding-top: 320px; border-radius:15px; -moz-border-radius:15px; -webkit-border-radius:15px; border-bottom-left-radius:15px; border-top-right-radius:15px; -moz-border-bottom-left-radius:15px; -webkit-border-top-right-radius:15px; -moz-border-bottom-left-radius:15px; -webkit-border-top-right-radius:15px;">

ooc:

Patiently she waited for the remaining to cards to be selected for her, all the while continuing to watch the interaction between the children. They were quite the opposite of each other. One was large while the other was punish. The male had a boisterous attitude while the little girl was small and meek, careful and caution almost afraid that her very presence would disturb something yet to be seen. She was the more levelheaded and well mannered, though painfully shy as she sought the comfort of the male pup as soon as she selected a card. “Thank you,” she smiled to the pups then raised her paw to lightly bother their ears.

Turning to Macarius she raised her head with brows risen in curiosity, anticipating the fortune spelled out by the cards. The elder muttered some strange mantra as he collected the three cards in his hands then placed them before the trio to exam. X’yrin had no idea what they meant, but trusted it something mystical none the less. As the elder beckoned her closer, she inched forward with an ear raised in curiosity. Was her fortune so secret that it couldn’t be told to everyone? Or was this yet another part of the trick? ‘Just say something…’ the old mystic whispered, the gestured with a flick of his ears toward the awaiting pups. She had to force her eyes not to reflect her understanding as she pulled away then brought her gaze down to the pup.

“Well this is interesting…” she began, shifting her gaze from the pups to the encompassing crowd. “It looks like it wasn’t my fortune, but yours little ones!” She heard a handful in the crowd snicker at her false fortune but kept quiet as she spoke on. “Macarius claims that on the morrow your day will be filled with happiness and a great gift will be yours. How lucky you two are…”

320 words.

[/html]

Sophie Hughes · 01-25-2012, 02:11 PM

[html]

Word Count → 364 :: Out of Character text.

They were being watched the whole time they selected their cards, and when they finally returned to their seats, Sophie fidgeted, worrying she'd done it wrong. In the end Boothe leaned on her so heavily that she ended up half-crushed beneath him, which stopped her twitching but also prevented her from seeing Macarius gather up their cards and begin to read the fortune. She managed to wiggle out from under her brother, shooting him a pouting look that made him grin, before they both crept forward to look at the cards laid out before them, their ears flicking hesitantly as they waited for the verdict.

When the words were spoken, it was not the old man, but the golden wolf, and Boothe looked up at her, an outraged look on his face as he realized other people could do this trick, too, and not just really old people. Sophie managed to shut him up before he said anything stupid, though, as she piped up almost immediately after the stranger spoke. "Really? What're we gonna get?" She wondered, and heard more quiet laughter, making her ears flatten again uncertainly. Was she not supposed to ask that? It'd been the first thing that popped into her mind, and she'd wanted to make sure Boothe didn't make an donkey of himself--or the more useful version of that, although Gunnar had told them that you shouldn't use that one "around adults who cared", so Sophie made sure not to even think it where she might get in trouble--and it was all she could come up with.

It didn't work, as Boothe proudly proclaimed a moment later, "I don't care what it is! It's mine, you don't get any!" And the two siblings looked at each other, before Sophie wrinkled her nose and looked away, sticking her chin in the air. "I'ma tell Leon you said that." She decided, and though it didn't bring instant contrition the way it would have if things had been the other way around, the thought of Boothe getting in trouble for being mean--again--cheered Sophie up sufficiently that she didn't care that he'd been mean in the first place.

X'yrin Exultare · 01-25-2012, 09:31 PM

[html]

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b137/ ... eofone.png); background-color:#000000; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-position: top; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right:15px; padding-top: 320px; border-radius:15px; -moz-border-radius:15px; -webkit-border-radius:15px; border-bottom-left-radius:15px; border-top-right-radius:15px; -moz-border-bottom-left-radius:15px; -webkit-border-top-right-radius:15px; -moz-border-bottom-left-radius:15px; -webkit-border-top-right-radius:15px;">

ooc:

Mentioned a gift certainly put the woman in an interesting position. While the word hadn’t been meant in a tangible sense, she should have known that to the young mind something that sounded anything like a present would be taken literally. She simply hadn’t had enough experience with children to know this immediately. And when the inquired about this ‘gift’, the girl meekly and the boy assertively, X’yrin felt the heavy weight of her ears drop and stilled as her throat went dry.

“Oh…well,” her voice was soft as she attempted to grasp for something, anything to continue this little play along but came up considerably short. Discretely she cast a glance to Macarius, hoping for some kind of outlet to get her out of this fix. But his skewed brows and partially tilted maw wordlessly conveyed that she was clearly on her own with this mess. She sighed in defeat then turned her attention to the pups once again. “Well…” again she tried to grasp for something. “Why don’t we see?” Swiftly the towering female rose to her feet effectively the paws of the standing patrons behind her as she splayed her legs to support her weight.

With equal caution and mind to the feet around her, she curled her way through and out of the closing crowd, calling over her shoulder to the pups. “The fortune doesn’t say what will be yours, but perhaps we can find something the two of you are meant to have… and ‘share’.” She placed such emphasis on the word that even a dense wolf would know she was directing her words to the selfish boy. She could only assume that this ‘Leon’ was their caregiver if he would be used as a threat against the other. Perhaps a disciplinarian, she assumed when hearing the tattling octave of the young female. Perhaps she could find a way to keep these two out of trouble…

321 words.

[/html]

Sophie Hughes · 01-25-2012, 10:26 PM

[html]

Word Count → 427 :: Out of Character text.

Sophie watched as the golden stranger grasped at straws, having the sudden feeling that she didn't actually know what the future held. Boothe didn't seem to rightly care, his ears laid back and his own stare quite demanding, though when Sophie nudged him hesitantly and attempted to speak, he turned it on her, as a sort of deterrent. She'd promised them a present, said it in front of a whole bunch of people, hadn't she? That meant they had to get something now. Sophie understood the look perfectly, and her own ears wavered atop her head, uncertain that was entirely true. It seemed awfully selfish, and she glanced around curiously, wondering what everyone else thought. They seemed to be waiting as much as the two puppies were.

With a little sigh, the female stood up, and began walking away, speaking to them over her shoulder. Sophie began following her, careful not to step on anyone's feet--though it was made somewhat easier, as the moment they saw her attempting to climb over them, they kindly moved out of the way. It was nice, sometimes, being a runt. Boothe followed close at her heels, his ears flattening at the blatant remark, and he let out a little huff, giving Sophie a look that clearly said, "I might share while she's around, but it's mine when we get home!" Sophie looked back evenly, and was able to watch his expression collapse into a manic grin that came across, in her mind, as hysterical giggles and the words, "Mine, mine, all mine!"

It scared her, sometimes, how easy it was to read his expressions. Especially because they often made her concerned for him; she thought he might have cracked, just a little, when their father left, the new-found freedom and Leon's unexpected leniency taking their toll on him. "Well," She thought, trotting dutifully after the golden wolf with a curious tilt to her head, "If it'd make him happy to have some'in all to himself, I can give him whatever this is." She still felt bad for making the woman give them anything at all, though, and after a moment, when they'd left the tent behind, she stopped, immediately speaking just after so she wouldn't get left behind. "Um...miss? We don' need any gift." She said, and as Boothe opened her mouth to object, added, "An' if my brother thinks we do he's just being a donkey-butt and you can ignore him." Earning herself a frosty glare and a small growl.

Boothe didn't appreciate being called names.

X'yrin Exultare · 01-26-2012, 11:18 AM

[html]

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b137/ ... eofone.png); background-color:#000000; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-position: top; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right:15px; padding-top: 320px; border-radius:15px; -moz-border-radius:15px; -webkit-border-radius:15px; border-bottom-left-radius:15px; border-top-right-radius:15px; -moz-border-bottom-left-radius:15px; -webkit-border-top-right-radius:15px; -moz-border-bottom-left-radius:15px; -webkit-border-top-right-radius:15px;">

ooc:

The plot had already been set in motion with X’yrin continuing to turn the crank the longer she prolonged telling the pups there was so such fortune and it had all been an act for their amusement. But while she knew lying was not a good experience for the pups, she was not readily able to tell them the truth. They were to innocent in her eyes to experience the disappointment of having and adult fib to them. Even if it was just a small one. The pair had looked excited by their fortune and the woman was reluctant to rob them of that glimmer in their eyes, even if the boy was more assertive in wanting his gift than the shy girl. She would have to fashion them something, even if it was just one of her furs.

When called by the little girl, the large she-wolf paused in her stride back toward the camp where laid the cart and horse and hopefully her mate. She looked down at the little one expectantly, brows raised as she addressed her brother by calling him a name. “He’s a what…?” Was that supposed to be an insult of some kind? It sounded terribly childish from those she had heard… but then again, the speaker was indeed a pup. Appropriate, she supposed if not cute. But she digressed from the word and back to the little one’s kind escape from her obligation. She was obviously right to think the smaller of the two was the more rational minded.

While the attempted route of escape was kind and very mature for the pup, X’yrin was still compelled to fulfill her end of the ‘fortune’, even more so when seeing the deserving face of the little one. “Well your fortune did promise you gift, didn’t it?” kindly she smiled while inching her paw toward the girl and gently butted her nose. “I will be sure to make it true. Would that be alright, little one?”

325 words.

[/html]

Sophie Hughes · 01-26-2012, 02:07 PM

[html]

Word Count → 304 :: Out of Character text.

The adult seemed surprised by her insult, and both puppies blinked at her, and then each other, before Sophie flipped her ears back, staring with startled eyes at the golden female. "Um, I'm not a'sposed to say that word 'round adults..." She said hesitantly, and glanced at her brother, who was snickering gleefully and didn't seem all that inclined to help her. "But, um...it means a donkey's butt!" She nodded firmly, and then glared at her brother as he giggled at her misfortune. The moment passed soon enough, however, as there were more important things to move on to--like presents.

The woman smiled gently at them, and promised they would get a gift, making her fluffy puffball of a tail wag happily. Boothe pressed up close to her, his tongue lolling out happily, and they both nodded their agreement, Sophie just a touch more eagerly than before. As long as the stranger wasn't adverse to giving something of hers up to the two young ones, she didn't suppose she'd mind too much; and if it turned out to be something they couldn't share, well, Boothe could have it. That was okay, too. She had Bug, after all, and Boothe had never asked her to share him--probably because Boothe didn't like him, but still.

She felt her spirits lift as she thought of getting something new and exciting, just like her bracelet a few weeks back, and her doll--which she'd had since forever, but was still essentially brand-new. Her tail wagged happily, and she glanced at her brother, her ears swiveling atop her head, wondering what he thought of this whole thing. Boothe wasn't comparing this unexpected gift to anything he'd gotten before, though; he was just happy to be getting something.

Happy, and determined to make it all his.

X'yrin Exultare · 01-26-2012, 02:43 PM

[html]

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b137/ ... eofone.png); background-color:#000000; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-position: top; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right:15px; padding-top: 320px; border-radius:15px; -moz-border-radius:15px; -webkit-border-radius:15px; border-bottom-left-radius:15px; border-top-right-radius:15px; -moz-border-bottom-left-radius:15px; -webkit-border-top-right-radius:15px; -moz-border-bottom-left-radius:15px; -webkit-border-top-right-radius:15px;">

ooc:

Insults were never her forfeit, nor was she ever inclined to use them. So when the little one tried to reiterate the insult and bring some sense to it, X’yrin could only stare dumbly until she thought it best to just ask Saluce what it meant. He had taken care of Saul when he was younger, perhaps this puppy language was something he could decipher and make her wise to for the future. But for the time being she was satisfied to remain in ignorance in lieu of finding a gift for the two.

“Alright then,” she affirmed with a firm nod of her head. “Let’s see what the fortune has in store for you,” and by fortune, she of course meant herself as the grand schemer of this little fib gone awry. She resumed her careful pace to make sure the pups were able to follow as she lead them through the camping area along the skirts of the festival common. No doubt to the neighbors that peered out of their tents, it looked odd for the female to have two pups in tow that looked nothing like her…especially when she had left hours ago on her own. To those curious eyes, she ignored them raising her head confidently to convey her indifference to their suspicions. The nosy fools could prod all they wanted.

Nearing the tent shared by herself and mate, she paused briefly by the large cart that held their supplies and tradable goods, ignoring the irritable huffs of the guard horse left to tend to it. “Oh stop…” she mumbled to the horse earning yet another huff accompanied with a rebellious stomp to the ground. Without entertaining his show for attention, she raised up on her hind legs and propped herself on the edge of the cart to peer at what was left for their wares. Several furs remained as well as a handful of Saluce’s weapons but she couldn’t dare use them as gifts for children. They were much too small. But what did look appealing she grabbed with her fangs and tossed them out of the cart and onto the snow, pelt after pelt until a colorful array of skins covered the ground near her feet. But while these were the only things she could think of, she figured that perhaps her mate had something better in mind.

Rolling her paws off the cart, she fell solidly on the ground then raised her muzzle to call for her mate with a short howl. Perhaps he would think of something she hadn’t pondered yet. But in the mean time, furs. “Let’s see…” Thoughtfully, the she-wolf hummed as she padded around the pile of furs then lowered her muzzle to take a marten pelt in her maw. “What about something like this?” She held up the fur then aimed to toss the small pelt on top of one of the pups. “Or perhaps this?” she grasped then held up a soft white rabbit pelt, then tossed it again in the same fashion, attempting to drape it around one of the pups.

515 words.

[/html]

Sophie Hughes · 01-26-2012, 03:57 PM

[html]

Word Count → 551 :: Out of Character text.

Sophie grinned even more excitedly as they started on their way again, head and tail raised proudly as they trotted along the outskirts of the festival. There were a bunch of tents here, with people poking their heads out curiously to look at the two puppies and their companion. Boothe, for the most part, ignored them, just as the golden woman did; but Sophie couldn't help her ears wavering uncertainly atop her head, and her eyes darting nervously to meet the curious looks before quickly looking away again. She didn't know what they were thinking, but that in itself made her nervous, and it was only the sight of the angry-looking horse that stopped her fidgeting.

The gilded woman huffed at the horse, and got a rebellious stomp back, causing both puppies to skitter cautiously around the large beast as they followed her to the wagon. She began pulling furs out of the cart, tossing them onto the ground between herself and the puppies, and Sophie sniffed curiously at them as they came down, one after the other. They looked incredibly soft, and when she dared to press her nose against one, she found that they were. Boothe followed her example, pressing first his nose, and then his cheek against a soft brown pelt, rubbing his face in it with a little rumbling growl that might have been his version of a purr.

They both snapped away from the furs, heating up with embarrassment, when she stepped away from the cart and howled, looking around wildly and wondering what she was yelling about. After a moment, however, she went back to the furs, and the puppies crept closer, jumping in surprise when she moved to drape furs across them. Boothe was hit with the marten pelt, wrapped up in it and wearing a cocky little grin. Sophie ducked her head a little as the white rabbit was draped over her back, and then lifted it again, pressing her ears out to the sides and tilting her head to look up at X'yrin curiously.

"How do we look?" She wagged her tail a bit, careful not to knock the pelt from her back, and glanced over at her brother, giggling at the hilarious sight he made. He stuck his tongue out at her, and then eyed the white pelt, blinking before he grinned happily. "Y'look good, sis! S'a good color for you." He nodded, and then shifted a bit and bumped her playfully with his hip, the mostly-black pelt on his back shifting a bit with his movement. He attempted to move to accomodate it, but the pelt simply fell off, and they were left looking at each other and grinning. A moment later they turned back to their companion, tails wagging and ears perked.

"Which one d'we get?" She asked, because of course she wasn't expecting the woman to give each of them one of her pelts. The black one was bigger, though, or at least it looked to be; they'd be able to share it more easily. Maybe Leon would be able to make it into something cool for them! Her tail wagged even harder at the thought, and she dropped into a play-bow, giving X'yrin her best pair of puppy-dog eyes--quite unintentionally, of course.

X'yrin Exultare · 01-26-2012, 04:56 PM

[html]

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b137/ ... eofone.png); background-color:#000000; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-position: top; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right:15px; padding-top: 320px; border-radius:15px; -moz-border-radius:15px; -webkit-border-radius:15px; border-bottom-left-radius:15px; border-top-right-radius:15px; -moz-border-bottom-left-radius:15px; -webkit-border-top-right-radius:15px; -moz-border-bottom-left-radius:15px; -webkit-border-top-right-radius:15px;">

ooc:

This was very new to her. Not taking care of children that were not her own, of course, but entertaining them for their amusement. As a pup, entertainment was often found on her own, finding small scavengers getting to the meat supply whenever the Nomads settled down for a night, or bothering the other pups into play fights and brawls. But when it came to keeping a smile on the little one’s faces, she was completely at a loss with very little experience to go by.

It looked well enough that her furs had provided something amusement for the pups as they sported their new coats while grinning at each other. The marten pelt looked a little big on the boy, she noticed then shifted with her nose back through the pile of pelts for something better fitted to his size. Perhaps a smaller marten pelt… “Ah!” the she-wolf lifted her head in triumph with the smaller marten pelt in maw. His movements had caused the larger hide to slip, making room for the new adornment to grace his back. It was still big for him, but not overly so with just enough of a drape to tail behind him. “That looks much better on you…” she commented with a smile. “And you look very pretty with white,” not wanting to leave the girl unnoticed, she commented on the compliment of the rabbit hide with her natural complexion same as her brother.

The two of them almost looked like the real animals… but with a substantial difference in anatomy of course. While the girl was the right size to pass as a rabbit, the boy was much too big to be a marten. A badger, perhaps… but she hadn’t had any more of those furs available. Seeing as the two of them were set on the pelts that adorned them, X’yrin began the cleanup process, lifting the furs one at a time to the edge of the cart then nudged them on. It would have been much easier to use two hands to clean the mess, but she had used the form too much for her likely. She missed the ground beneath four paws, instead of two and the present form made her much happier, more approachable to others especially to the little ones in her company.

For a moment, she paused when the girl addressed her and lowered herself into a bow. Smiling, X’yrin slipped her forelegs from the edge of the cart and dropped down fluidly to mirror her bow with tail raised and waving contently. “The fortune did promise you a gift. How about one for each of you? You may keep whichever fur you like.” Her eyes danced between the two children excitedly, hoping her treat would return the radiant lights to their faces. “But I suppose I’ll need to know the names of the little ones I’ve given my furs away to.” Habitually, she always seemed forgetful to inquire something as simple as a name, always more interested in the business rather than the title. “My name is X’yrin,” she offered first then lowered her head to rest on the snow with ears poised forward receptively as she waited.

534 words.

[/html]

Sophie Hughes · 01-26-2012, 07:16 PM

[html]<style type="text/css">.sophie b {color:#13b4d7;} .sophie i {color:#007bd1;} .sophie i2 {color:#134fd7;} .sophie .ooc {font-style:italic;color:#005189;text-align:right;}.sophie .separator{width:315px; border-bottom:1px dotted #31d1c8; margin:0px auto;}</style>

http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/5530 ... b2copy.png); background-position: top center; background-repeat: no-repeat;">

New table whoo! Big Grin :: Word Count → 736

As the marten pelt slipped off his back, it was very quickly replaced with another, and Sophie looked curiously at him before nodding approvingly. Boothe grinned back at her, shifting his head a bit until it rested under the pelt, as well. Sophie squirmed under her own, and scooted closer to her brother, flattening her ears out to the sides again and baring her teeth in a little grin. She felt like a warrior princess in this; it made her feel strong, and she sat up a little straighter, eyeing her brother for a moment as though she were thinking of engaging in a quick match of "I'm Better."

He'd still win, though, being the bigger of the two; just because she felt strong didn't mean she was. She rather liked the feeling anyway, though, and enjoyed the moment while it lasted, sinking back into the fur as though she'd disappear. Like a rabbit, hiding in the underbrush. Her slow grin crept back over her face, and as the stranger complimented her in her white fur, she chirped, "Thank you, Miss!" With blue eyes sparkling. Boothe straightened up as well, puffing his chest out and letting the marten's face flop over his own. He gave a little growl, his tail wagging, and nudged his sister with his nose. 'Hey, what'bout me? I look good, right?" He pestered, wanting to make sure but also, really, somewhat jealous of the attention Sophie got. She was his little sister, that was true, and on some level he knew that girls were just special, sometimes more special than boys--at least Leon and Trigger seemed to think so--but with her being so small and him, well, normal, he often felt left-out and forgotten, too. He just wanted his share.

As their new friend began cleaning up, Sophie watched for a moment and then shook off her pelt, nudging Boothe to do the same. While she carefully dragged their two pelts a safe distance away, so that they weren't mistakenly put back in the cart, Boothe picked up one of the other furs and toddled his way over to the cart, leaning up on it and attempting to throw the pelt in his mouth up in with the rest of them. He was unsuccessful, though, and in the end simply dropped it on the ground, closer to where it needed to be returned. Once Sophie's assigned task was done, she began doing the same, and the two pups did their best to help X'yrin clean up the mess made on their behalf.

As the two returned to where Sophie had left the pelts they were still certain they would have to choose between, the siblings looked at each other, and then down at the pelts. After a hesitant moment, Sophie nudged her brother, and flattened her ears, blinking at him shyly. "You should take it. You don't got anything." Both glanced down at Sophie's wrist, where her prettily carved bracelet still rested, and then together recollected Bug, who'd been left at home for the moment.

"N...N'aw, you take it. S'prettier on you." He insisted, suddenly feeling less selfish and more like a responsible big brother. He wasn't able to resist her big blue eyes anymore than Leon was, and he looked away, pawing at the marten pelt shyly. Before they could get into too heated of an argument, however, X'yrin broke in, answering Sophie's question for her. Both blinked at her incredulously, and then two nearly identical tails began to wag, hope blossoming in the twins' mis-matched eyes. "Y'mean it? We really can...?" She asked hesitantly, and Boothe had gone quiet, staring with wide green eyes before looking down hesitantly.

"Thank you, Miss...Miss X'yrin." He said, and looked up, his ears pressed back and his expression uncertain. At her question, though, the unexpectedly timid side of him disappeared completely, and he bounced back to being Boothe the Goof again, his tail wagging and his tongue lolling out. " 'M Boothe! An' that's my li'l sister Sophie!" He nodded to Sophie, who smiled shyly and wagged her tail, mumbling a shy greeting. "It's nice to meet you, Miss X'yrin. And, thank you for the furry things!" She added, backing up to nuzzle her nose into the soft white rabbit pelt. It sort of smelled like something to chew on, but she wouldn't; it was too special for that.

Sophie speaks Boothe Speaks

</style>

[/html]

X'yrin Exultare · 01-26-2012, 07:49 PM

[html]

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b137/ ... eofone.png); background-color:#000000; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-position: top; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right:15px; padding-top: 320px; border-radius:15px; -moz-border-radius:15px; -webkit-border-radius:15px; border-bottom-left-radius:15px; border-top-right-radius:15px; -moz-border-bottom-left-radius:15px; -webkit-border-top-right-radius:15px; -moz-border-bottom-left-radius:15px; -webkit-border-top-right-radius:15px;">

ooc:

Rather suddenly, the little boy had gone from a nuisance to his sister to very helpful during the cleaning process, with his sister falling swiftly behind. It was a pleasure to watch them interact with each other, even if it was clear the boy already proclaimed himself ‘alpha’ of the pair. Watching them together gave her an intimate example of how these two nearly identical forms could differ from each other so greatly. Very different than the interactions between herself and her brother X’yro.

The two of them didn’t necessarily share the same thoughts, but they could read each other well enough and often acted the same almost to the point of being the same body. Were it not for the obvious genetic differentiations, they could have been mistaken as being each other until the two of them began to grow the way their genetics meant for them to. But even then they still looked and acted the same until their conflicting ideals about the Exultare drove them a part. It had been an impacting moment to have had a likeminded soul suddenly gone from her side left alone with her own thoughts with no one to share them with. Looking at the adorable pair, she noted that their personalities were so different that it could hardly be said that they ran the risk of something as devastating to happen to them. Regardless of the minor squabbling she witnessed, they looked happy with each other. And it was a bond the Nomad was beginning to miss.

She digressed when the little ones gave their names and drew her tail upward again when she had felt it lower in height. “You are very welcome Boothe and Sophie,” she spoke softly as she tried their names out for herself. She was curious to inquire if these names were found of their own accord or if they were given to them by a parent or caregiver. But while it would have appeased her curiosity, it no doubt would have been confusing to them. Early on, the autumn Nomad came to learn that not all aspect of her culture were carried into practice by others. But any chance that something of this new life synced with her own was a treat.

“Now the two of you will have something to keep you warm,” she continued while lifting a playful paw to bat them lightly on the ears. “And they are clean and everything. Not like my special fur which is very dark and smelly, and refuses to be cleaned regularly.” It would have surprised her if the children knew of which… or rather who she referred to, but her voice had risen with enough emphasis to catch the no doubt listening ear of said ‘special fur’. “Can the two of you remember to clean it?” she reduced her volume to more puppy-friendly octave. “The better you take care of them, the longer they will last. And the longer the two of you will keep warm during the season. It’s just like giving it a bath.”

511 words.

[/html]

Sophie Hughes · 01-26-2012, 08:11 PM

[html]<style type="text/css">.sophie b {color:#13b4d7;} .sophie i {color:#007bd1;} .sophie i2 {color:#134fd7;} .sophie .ooc {font-style:italic;color:#005189;text-align:right;}.sophie .separator{width:315px; border-bottom:1px dotted #31d1c8; margin:0px auto;}</style>

http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/5530 ... b2copy.png); background-position: top center; background-repeat: no-repeat;">

OOC here! :: Word Count → 541

The two puppies worked in sync, though on first glance it didn't really appear to be so; but they never stepped on each other's toes, and they were never at the same pile at the same time. Always, while one was picking up, the other was dropping off, and they only passed each other on the way to and from. It was the way they'd learned to do things so that one of them would always be in earshot of their father, or able to keep an eye on him; they'd needed that comfort. Often, they made little whining noises as they passed each other, sharing news; not many to go, now, or the pelts are being put away quickly!

Though they'd developed very differently once out from under Daire's iron fist, they still shared those first few weeks with each other, and that sort of bond transcended even the jealous rivalry of sibling-hood. Had they grown up in a more loving environment, Sophie would no doubt be far more stuck-up, Boothe much more jealous and angry--but they hadn't. And, if they'd had that sort of insight into the world, either sibling would have told you that they much preferred their current relationship to any could-have-beens.

When the pelts were put away and they'd returned to admiring the ones they'd been gifted, Sophie couldn't help but glance curiously at the golden female. She spoke, telling them how to take care of their pelts, and while Sophie wrinkled her nose, just a bit, at remembering the impromptu bath she'd been given not too long ago by Terra, she nodded obediently and bent to nuzzle her fur again. She brightened considerably as X'yrin pointed out that the furs would keep them warm, and her tail wagged as she nodded happily. "It's soft, too! We can sleep on 'em like Leon and Misser Light do!" She added, mostly toward her brother, as she didn't expect the stranger to know who Leon or Light were.

Both puppies looked at each other curiously as X'yrin mentioned her special fur, eyeing the woman more warily than before. She'd raised her voice, somewhat, when she said those words, and though it hadn't been much, it was enough for the puppies to detect, so used to listening for the slightest changes in tone as they were. Sophie plopped down to scratch at her ear, a thinking gesture, and then wrinkled her nose at X'yrin and said hesitantly, "Sounds like your special fur is naughty. Even Bug takes baths." She said, incorrectly assuming the older female had a doll like hers. It was true, though; whenever Bug got dirty Sophie would spend hours licking at him until he was all clean again, even if it was mud. Sometimes, lately, Boothe would help her; he didn't seem to like seeing Bug covered in icky stuff, either.

He said it creep-ed him out, because then he thought Bug was walking around on his own. Silly, Sophie always thought; of course the doll walked around on his own!

Both puppies understood that they had to take good care of their new belongings, though, and even Boothe nodded seriously and said, "Yes, ma'am," as she finished her instructions.

Sophie speaks Boothe Speaks

</style>

[/html]

X'yrin Exultare · 01-26-2012, 08:33 PM

[html]

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b137/ ... eofone.png); background-color:#000000; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-position: top; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right:15px; padding-top: 320px; border-radius:15px; -moz-border-radius:15px; -webkit-border-radius:15px; border-bottom-left-radius:15px; border-top-right-radius:15px; -moz-border-bottom-left-radius:15px; -webkit-border-top-right-radius:15px; -moz-border-bottom-left-radius:15px; -webkit-border-top-right-radius:15px;">

ooc:

As long as the puppy pair understood what it meant to clean new furs, X’yrin was satisfied to let them do with it what they would. When ‘Leon’ was mentioned again and now this ‘Light’ individual, her head tilted curiously to the side in her own gesture of thought. While she figured the pups hadn’t been able to wander around without some supervision, it was a little alarming that she had gotten them away this far from the crowd without either of these two individual’s attention. She assumed they were caretakers, but it was safer to be sure than assume. Last she needed was to be mistaken for a thief. (At least this time it would have been unintentional.)

But for the time being, she was content to converse with them and bide the time. She about howled in laughter when little Sophie proclaimed her ‘special’ fur was naughty but settled for a hearty chuckle instead. If the poor children had any idea the possible implications related to that word their minds would have no doubt been scarred… especially the young female. “Yes, he is quite naughty,” she giggled. “He would rather get himself dirty than clean up after he’s done playing.” Try as she may to keep the conversation with innocent tones, she was finding it more and more difficult as she felt the skin beneath her collared fur flush warm with embarrassment. Any adult would have chastised her for talking this way to children. But it wasn’t as though they understood… did they?

But instead of continuing to thread through the shallows of innuendo, a chance of topic was better suited; their assumed guardians. Clearing her throat, she raised her head as an indication of a chance in mood and topic. “Earlier you mentioned someone named Leon and now Light. Are they your caretakers? I mean- are they your parents?” she asked kindly hoping to sooth any incited worry with her voice. They were by no means in trouble, but the Ichikan certainly would be if she was accused of pup-napping someone’s children. She did not need that kind of publicity for Ichika, or herself.

357 words.

[/html]

Sophie Hughes · 01-26-2012, 09:04 PM

[html]

Word Count → 462 :: Out of Character text.

X'yrin agreed with her about the naughty special fur, and Sophie wrinkled her nose again. If she'd refused to take a bath, she bet Leon would spank her. Daire had never cared whether they were dirty or not, but since coming into the far more loving care of her siblings, Sophie had learned to take care of herself, and part of that was grooming. It was sort of fun, really, unless you were intentionally dirty. Then again, X'yrin made it sound like her friend was always getting intentionally dirty, and Sophie couldn't help but shoot a glance at Boothe, the corners of her mouth pulling up in a little grin. Yeah, she knew what that was like. Their bed was always covered in mud and other ick after he came home and dragged half the packlands in with him.

She could have continued down that trail of thought happily, and would have said something, too, but X'yrin cleared her throat suddenly and lifted her head, making both puppies snap to attention and look at her as though certain they were guilty of some discrepancy and were about to be punished. Her words did nothing to dissuade these thoughts, at least for a moment; and then, quite slowly, Sophie processed the kindly tone of voice and thought that perhaps their new friend was just worried.

"Um, no, they're not our parents." She said, and glanced at Boothe, seeing he was slowly becoming more closed off and looking somewhat bitter, the way he always did when he was about to be punished. Worried, she leaned over and nuzzled her nose into his shoulder, pressing her ears back and frowning at him. "But they are our c-...care...takers?" She hadn't heard the term before, always referring to the two as "My brother and the man we live with." She supposed that made sense, though; they took care of them. Smiling brightly at having learned a new word, she waved her tail hesitantly, and added even more uncertainly, "We left 'em at the arrow-shootin' range. I told Brother we were leaving, though. Puppies can't shoot arrows." She explained the last part hurriedly, and glanced at her brother, who was staring at his feet, still looking as though he were in trouble.

After a little nudge, Boothe glanced at her, and then looked up at X'yrin and away again, his tail curling around his feet. "Leon said not t'leave the fairgrounds. And we hasn't, really, right?" He scratched his claws through the snow, looking deeply ashamed of himself though why he couldn't quite be sure. They hadn't left the festival grounds; they were just on the outskirts, where all the people camped out and slept. He got the feeling this sort of didn't count, though.

X'yrin Exultare · 01-26-2012, 09:38 PM

[html]

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b137/ ... eofone.png); background-color:#000000; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-position: top; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right:15px; padding-top: 320px; border-radius:15px; -moz-border-radius:15px; -webkit-border-radius:15px; border-bottom-left-radius:15px; border-top-right-radius:15px; -moz-border-bottom-left-radius:15px; -webkit-border-top-right-radius:15px; -moz-border-bottom-left-radius:15px; -webkit-border-top-right-radius:15px;">

ooc:

On their ‘naughty’ topic, she noticed with considerable interest how the little girl looked to her brother with something akin to a relatable light in her eyes. If ever there was an influence to change to the topic of discussion it was that before she was talked into explaining the origin of puppies and what it really meant to mate.

The detour of conversation was quickly taken by Sophie as she explained what these two names actually meant. She nodded her understanding as the darling girl went on to explain how they came to wander around the festival. One of the mentioned two had to be the ‘Brother’ she referred to but did not feel it was necessary to inquire. Eventually said brother would come looking for his lost siblings, hopefully before he grew too worried about his missing charges or perhaps the pups were too tuckered out to return to their camp. If worse came to that they needed to be carried, she was sure Saluce wouldn’t mind helping her, or she would just return them herself when they wanted to. “Sadly, you are right Sophie,” she stated as a matter of fact with lips still adorned in a soft smile. “Pups cannot shoot arrows. But there are more fun things for only puppies to do that adults are much too big for.” Exactly what those activities were, the Nomad could not think of off the top of her head aside from harassing and maiming vermin.

When little Boothe finally spoke from what felt like a prolonged bout of silence, she was quite surprised at the instruction they had been given, having an idea of the nature of pups and how well this rule would be followed. Technically in following her out to the camping area they had disobeyed the rule set in place for their safety, but it was not too much of a breech that even the most dedicated authority could give them some leeway. “Well…” the words drawled from her maw as she let it hang in the air to build suspense. “In actuality, you are still within the fairgrounds…” she turned her glimmering eyes to the little boy. “But I don’t think this was where Leon wanted you to be. I bet he meant for the two of you to stay somewhere within sight so you wouldn’t get lost.” Had she been in the male’s position, it was what she would have wanted to happen. Kept at just enough distance so they wouldn’t be harmed at the range, but able to explore what other events were taking place. Clearly this was a violation of that range…

“But really,” she continued already drawing the silver lining for the pups to see. “You are not lost, and if he searches for you, you are within sight. But to keep him from worrying, how about I take the two of you back when you are ready? We could say the two of you got a little distracted while looking at the shops.” An innocent enough alibi that even she would have fallen for. “But first,” feeling her front begin to ache from remaining bowed for so long, she pushed herself to stand and stretch out her forelimbs then abruptly rolled her form and planted down on her rear. “Have you wanderers had something to eat? We can’t take you back with empty stomachs, can we?”

567words.

[/html]

Login




Remember me Lost Password?