Word Count → 484 :: Late evening, on the southern borders of New Dawn territory. Sky's alone and in her Lupus form.
As a mother, Sky couldn't have been more proud of her children. Lena and Cody were growing quickly and already active members in the pack. Soon they'd be shifting and then they'd have their own ranks. Excitement bubbled in her chest every time she saw her children interacting with their family. New Dawn had proven to be the perfect choice and despite not really feeling comfortable in her Lupus form originally, Sky had grown used to it. She slept in the den with the pack and during the days, did her chores as a member. She'd collected a vast knowledge of where everything medicine related could be found within their territory and to her delight, she'd found plenty to work with. The woman couldn't have been happier.
As a mother.
As a girl, Sky wasn't happy. She felt restless. Her children were growing healthily and she had a pack to call her own, but she wasn't happy. She spent countless days along the borders, searching for a sign, anything, that her Myrddin and his father would come to live with them. She spent countless nights fearing for them, worrying, wondering if they were safe. She wondered constantly if there'd even be word should anything bad happen to the other half of her family in d'Arte. She felt resentment for their leader, Skye, bubble up inside her but there was nothing she could do. She couldn't go back.
And so, each morning she would greet the dawn and each evening, as the sun sank over the edge of the Earth, she would sit on the borders overlooking the South and wonder. Waiting. Every night, the same thing- nothing. She'd go home with a heavy heart and curl up with her children to sleep. This night, though, the air had changed.
She sat in her lupus form on the edge, staring into the darkness as the sun sank lower. The world around her was silent, hushed as night took hold and the shifts changed. She sat there, listening, watching, waiting. Hoping. Then, on a whim, for no reason other than hope, she howled- not for her family, not for a friend, not for her pack. She howled a mourning song, long and loud in the hope that maybe, just maybe, they'd hear her and howl back to let her know they were okay.
As her call died into the distance, she sighed. No return call came and she knew, yet again, she was alone. The echoes of her pack calling for her, checking for her safety, had long since stopped. They knew. They knew she left to sit there every night and they knew she'd call at least once, just to see, just to check. They worried but she wouldn't let them. She would be fine. She was fine. She was just... missing a few pieces.
He didn't know how he got away but he did. The man had been hurting for so long and because his first leg injury had not been set right he was always walking at a limp, but he was bound and determined to get away. His slaver wasn't so bad, but he was a free wolf, he had always been for his six long years of being alive. Even with such a nice woman, he didn't feel he belonged there, where he did belong he didn't know and he let his limping gait move him. It was possibly because of his crippled state, but he was no longer able to change into his lupus form and hunt so he did what he could, made carvings and traded it for food, he was always known as the silent traveler as he moved along the coast.
Perhaps it was because of his cripple state he went for the first place he could think of, Nova Scotia, where his family lived, he knew Orin would never forgive him nor Skye, not even with the grotesque scars he now had and his limp and his missing tongue. His daughter would though, wouldn't she? That was what he thought and that was where he was headed. He moved through the lands, trading what he could salvaging anything and walking. Nothing but walking, well more like limping. Packs went by and none of them were the one he wanted.
Then one day he finally smelled something of his daughter and he smiled. For the first time in so long the large brute smiled. Izzy, the ferret he helped take care of could sense his emotion and she wiggled up on his shoulder. The man was so very thankful of his companion, she had been there for him even in Salsola, hiding, keeping an eye on him and never wanting to leave him. and here she was now. That was when he saw a sight he never expected to see again, he nearly stumbled over the woman, and it was far too late to turn back for he was well over any of the brush. He stood there his one ear perked in silent astonishment when he found his first love, the woman he had sworn himself to and left just like that to find and save the family that had never been there for him. He was stunned like a deer in the headlight.
Word Count → 430 :: Emotional overload has a whole new meaning right now. xD
The sound of his approaching steps warned her that someone was coming closer to the borders. Had they heard her? No answer was called. Suspicious to the newcomer, she stood, hackles lifting and tail flagging- she wasn't the alphess of this pack. Far from it. But this was her pack and her territory. Whoever this stranger was, they were about to feel the force of all of hell rain down upon them in--
Wait a minute. Her eyes squinted against the darkness, trying to make out the limping figure in the distance. No way. It couldn't be. He became visable a few moments later and she froze, dead still, eyes wide and tail limp. Shawchert. Except, it wasn't him, because the Shawchert she remembered... wasn't so... broken. Her heart clenched as memories invaded the peace she'd once had in her mind. He was her first mate, her first serious romance. He'd been her alpha and when he'd stepped down from the position, she'd refused to accept Skye as the replacement. Shawchert Menue. The would-be father of her first litter- not by blood, but by love. The reason she'd taken Taliesin as her mate. The reason she's stayed in d'Arte when her heart had told her to leave so many times.
She shifted without even noticing. One moment, she was in lupus form, standing there, awestruck and dumb. The next, she was in Optime form, tackling him where he stood with a sharp cry of agony and relief. They fell from her weight on his and she didn't let go, refused to. Wordless whines and whimpers came next- she was crying. For the first time since her Tammi's death, she was actually crying.
I thought you'd died! Oh, Shawchert, where- She pulled back now, anger written on her face. -have you been!? What the fuck happened to you and who do I have to slaughter!? She didn't know. She didn't know he couldn't answer. She looked at his face and loved his deep blue eyes, his orange fur, ever hair on his head... but she hated his new scars, hated the ring in his nose. She hated whoever had done this and for a moment, the old Sky reared her head again- she wanted blood for this. Blood for whatever had mauled her beloved. Blood for this crime. Thoughts of her children had cleared out and Sanja wasn't even a speck in the back of her mind. She'd never felt so many emotions at once before. Love, Hatred, Fear, Relief, Joy, Sorrow... all of it, all at once.
#3+ OOC: Well best tell you that Shaw is about 8 ft 2 inches ^^ so he's quite a bit taller than your gal ^^
Everything happened all at once and he was not ready for it. His hips were going to take a beating for this and he fell down as she pushed her way into an embrace with him. He still lay where he was, but one arm wrapped over her back, and held, her and then she spoke. She spoke and it sounded like it would never end, but he didn't want it to, the sound of someone familiar, the life he once had came coming back, but he was no longer the soft teddy bear he was and the tears did not come so easily. The ferret had jumped from his shoulders watched in silence.
Shawchert waited for her to calm down, he wanted to say "I was taken, kidnapped, sold. " That he was someone else's property and he ran away, that he wished he could have stayed, but he was already running off anyway to get away from the hell of a life he had. His life was hell, and that's what shone in his eyes. Instead the voice of a smaller creature cut in; "Big man friend?" The small thing asked, she huddled close to Shawchert knowing that he would keep her safe, Shaw looked he nodded and kept his eyes on the ferret, not pushing the woman off but not wanting to see her eyes either.
Word Count → 360 :: Mood swings. Also, due to laziness, some posts will be on Ink's account, some on Sky's.
Sky didn't understand why Shawchert would answer. At first, she opened her mouth to scold him, to demand an answer, but the ferret cut in and stole his attention. She looked at him hard and those eyes narrowed. Why... wouldn't he say anything? Fear clenched her, suddenly. Back in AniWaya, during the war, she'd had her tongue torn in half for talking out. Eyes widened a moment, then it was straight into medic and worry mode. Except... not. She pushed away her fear for him and decided that, if she was going to discover what kept him silent, she'd have to at least let him feel comfortable. She sat up, stradling him gently now, using one hand to rub away any moisture left on her eyes. She looked down to the ferret and smiled. ...you're a cutie. M'name's Sky.
Then, attention returned to the silent giant underneath her. She reached forward tentatively, bringing a hand to his cheek and moving to turn his head to face her. You had me worried sick, you know that? You vanished off the face of the Earth and then after that... Her throat tightened. After that, she'd lost everything. Almost everything, anyway. Her children, beloved little pups, were in the den asleep.
...Skye betrayed me. She admitted, torn ears pinning back against once-again blonde hair (the tips were still purple, but faded from her lack of attention to her optime form). She kicked me out of d'Arte, away from Taliesin and everyone. I live here, in New Dawn now. With my pups. She smiled then, leaning down to push her nose against his cheek. Lena and Cody. Cody reminds me of you... even though he's not yours. He's brave and talented and always protecting Lena.
The topic changed quickly though, straight back to him. She demanded eye contact, now. Tell me you'll stay for the night. Rest, eat, relax. Whatever's happened, you're safe here. There's a small cabin nearby you can sleep in. It's just outside the borders so you'll be safe. Let me take care of you. Please, Shaw. Her voice cracked slightly with worry and fear that he'd refuse.
when she freed his upper body he got up to his elbows, though that too was hard on his hips, but he couldn't complain, what he did wish for all the things in the world was to tell her everything, but he couldn't and it made him growl slightly at the thought. Izzy was usually his voice and she usually could tell what was going on in his mind, though her speaking was not as articulate as anything. It was broken, but it was better than nothing; "He no talk baaad man take talking away, he growl grrr." The ferret said. Shawchert slowly nodded though keeping his eyes away from the woman. Her expression would make him tear up. He could growl yes but not all the ways a normal wolf could, not to speak in any language and it was frustrating. He'd get out a few slurred ideas out but then they would just not make sense.
When he heard Skye's name and that she betrayed him his eyes looked up at hers, fiery. He never knew the woman he had for a co leader make harsh decisions unless there was a good reason. He blinked in disbelief. He cringed as she spoke of her child after she rubbed against his cheek the touch not unwelcome, but after so long, it was hard to know what to think. He knew her moods always changed and he sincerely hoped her son was nothing like him. Her question made him give a slight nod, then moved his hand to his heart hit his chest and pointed into the woods towards New Dawn. He didn't think he'd get the point across but Izzy would if the woman were too confused by Shaw's motions.
Word Count → 365 :: The cabin is completely fictional. I'm thinking about talking to Nat about making it reality, as a backstory for Sky's absence, but for now it works as a convenient plot device.
The ferret explained in her own way what had happened. Sky frowned. She'd figured that much. He'd have said something but now, otherwise. She looked down to his arms and concluded that, even if he couldn't speak, he could still write. Good enough. The next thing he did confused the living shit out of her. A movement, heart, chest then... home. No, New Dawn. She followed his finger and then tilted her head at him, puzzled and trying to decode his... seudo-sign language attempt.
What could he mean. Heart. His heart? Chest... she couldn't figure that one out. New Dawn. New... da-- Titania! Something about your girl? She smiled, hoping she was right. A moment later, she leaned down, touched her nose to his in a quick 'peck' and then stood, wobbly at first. Wait, don't try to sign... anything else. I have paper and such at the Cabin. You can tell me everything there. She moved to help him up and if he accepted her help, she'd probably surprise him in how much she'd gained in strength.
Once upon a time, she'd been a petite girl with flawless everything. Beautiful. Now she wasn't just that, she was physically a thing of beauty. She could hunt and fight with the best of them, sing the same songs as before and now she could help to heal even the most devestating wounds and injuries. She'd learned a great deal since last they'd seen eachother and once they got back to the cabin, she'd be sure to show him just how much.
If he stood, she'd lead the way, keeping the pace slow and choosing the easiest path. She'd seen the limp and didn't want him hurting himself further. She went over the cabin's inventory in her head as they went. She hadn't let go of her human ways completely. Her soul and body belonged entirely to New Dawn, but she still had to be safe. The Cabin was locked down and stocked with supplies in case of an emergency. She hoped she'd never have to use it for any of her packmates, but the day might come... war could be around every corner.
SHAWCHERT (lol not linked with this account apparently :O)
It seemed she got the idea of what he wanted and he nodded vigorously, but before he could do anymore she moved her head towards his and he cringed back, after all the time he knew her, he couldn't help the reflexes he had gained since becoming a slave, and the last time they had been around each other they were angry with one another and he was again crying because of his stupidity and loss. So he wasn't sure what she would do and though she only touched noses with him he tensed up as though ready for a beating. He didn't resist her as she helped him up, it was best that way anyway, for it would be difficult enough for him.
Obediently he moved with her and followed her. He could tell she had changed just as he had, once he had been the pride of Cercatori, now he was nothing but ... well nothing. He kept up with her even on his limping gait. He had been to the pack only once to make condolences with his daughter and Zalen, but other than that he never stepped foot in it again, though he planned to just to see her once... no matter how hard it would have been if he could he would have seen her when he left for good, but he was intercepted before he even got to New Dawn. He continued to follow the woman, hoping it would be a quick walk because he was starting to feel the pain of his joints come full swing. He wouldn't or couldn't complain about the pains though.
Word Count → 545 :: This cabin's been mapped out purely in the post. ._. I now love it. It's like... mapping it out... gave it a name.
The silent walk was... thoughtful, though not entirely comfortable for either canine. They mulled together, it seemed, until the cabin came into view. Sky picked up the pace a bit to get ahead and unlock the door. That way, there'd be no trouble getting in with a limpy Shawchert. No stairs.
The cabin was built up against a large trunked tree and hidden by thick foliage all around it. There was a shallow ramp that ran up to the deck. The cabin itself was rounded and the first floor was actually the second, as there was obviously a basement. No stairs leading up, though- a small room sat above the first floor but the only way up was via ladder and another layer of patio ran around the leftover roof. Small porthole windows were covered and tinted with a thin layer of paint, to block out light and peekers. A brick chimney shot staight up the middle with a metal cap at the top to disperse the smoke and catch embers. The huge tree it connected to sheltered it from most of the rain and snow, but layered the top deck and roof with pine needles and dead leaves. Overall, a lucky find- with the high ground on either side, it was a wonder Sky found this little treasure at all.
She unlocked the door and would move back to help him get inside. The interior was just as unique. Wooden furniture set up a dining, kitchen and living area. No room was apart from the other and the fireplace was the only real blocky thing in there- everything else was as round as the house itself. The fireplace was made of stone and brick with openings on all four sides and a rack section above it for cooking. On the far side of the house, another door leading out to an overhanging deck in the back. There was a small bedroom area set up there with two beds- both of which connected to the walls and curved, pillows against the wall and a pair of tables between them. Just between that and the living area was wooden ladder leading up to the second floor. A staircase, spiraling in design, went downstairs between the kitchen and bedroom area on the other side. Both had trap doors specially fitted around the methods of transition with pullstrings to lift them up.
It wasn't the sight of the house that would be special to either, though. It was the scent. The smell of medicine and herbs with the faint undertone of cooked meat and musk. Just like her house in d'Arte except far more wild from the pine and maple trees used to build it. The feeling was almost nostalgic.
Sky went straight over to the bedroom area, waving for him to sit in on one of the beds. She bent down to a cabinet at floor level and started to rummage through. A few moments later, she'd pulled out all of her medical supplies. Sit down so I can look you over. While I do that, She held out a writing pad and a pencil to him, stern expession demanding an explanation. get writing. I want to know everything, even the gorey bits.
This cabin was a dream come true. For a woodworker, he looked as he saw the cabin was connected to the tree.... or did the tree simply grow through it? It was hard to tell, but he was impressed and he moved slowly up into it, having a little trouble getting up. She then led him through the rooms which was again a woodworkers dream. He had to stare as he was being led to the bedroom. The thought made him shut his eyes as he sat on a bed she waved to.
She was still her normal self in a sense of telling him what to do and when she handed him the paper and pencil he could only stare at it. He took it apprehensively and tapped the pencil on the paper for a second before writing... it was short, and he knew she would be hideously angry with him, but ... what choice did he have? He thought as he wrote down; "I Can't" it made him feel horrible but he wanted to protect her and anyone else that would possibly ever read what he wrote. His experience was not going to happen to her or anyone. He would not let it happen. He would not let them take her and anyone he cared about
Word Count → 243 :: Time to discover just why it is her beloved says naught a word.
She turned away to sort through the things she'd grabbed and when she turned back, she wore those black gloves she was famous for and her hair was tied back into a ponytail- a cute look for her and so odd after how long she'd gone with short hair. She read the paper and frowned. Can you at least tell me the short form? Open up- I want a look inside your mouth. She was obviously in working mode, that stern doctor way of things she was also famous for. In one hand, she held a tongue depressor, not aware of the fact she wouldn't need it.
I want to know as much as you're willing to tell me. I have my kids to think about so before you assume I'll go chasing demons again, think again. My pack and family come first and that would be a risk not worth taking. She softened a bit. It's not that I don't want to maim whoever did this... I do. More than anything, right now. You're safe, though. If anyone comes looking for you, you're protected. By me and by my pack- I have a feeling Titania wouldn't let anything or anyone happen to you. She offered him a smirk, then, knowing damn well that Shawchert had New Dawn behind him a hundren and ten percent- too much of his family lived there for it to be otherwise.
He knew why she was pushing him about it, but he knew it was best that she didn't know. He watched as she turned, her hair put up and gloves on her hand, a tongue depressor in one, and he rose an eyebrow but of course couldn't say anything. He wrote again under the other words; "No one will find me, I am far from them. I can't. Better you do not know."
He looked at her as she told him to say ah... yeah that would work to well, though his vocals still worked and he could make sounds, they were just strained now. He then opened his mouth and made a guttural "ooooooo" sound, he figured she'd have guessed by now... because what other reason than a big gaping hole in his throat would he have not to talk?
Word Count → 247 :: Sky's all calm and collected when she's in doctor mode. XD
She snorted at the words but accepted them. That kind of thing. Judging by the ring in your nose and how much you're trying to keep from me, I'm going to guess it's for my safety rather than my feelings. She tapped the ring gently with the depressor but when he finally did open up, she jerked slightly. Where once his tongue had been, scarred tissue. Well shit. Spoke out against the bad man, huh? She put the stick aside and held his jaw gently as she took a look.
On the bright side, your teeth are healthy for a wolf your age. Gold star for that. She grinned and placed a prodding pair of hands to his throat, feeling around there for a bit and watching the result from the inside. Okay, you can close now. She'd gotten what she wanted- the lack of tongue was weird but she accepted it- her own tongue had been sliced in half for talking out in AniWaya. She hadn't a doubt that they'd eventually figure out a good way to communicate.
Okay, I'm going to take a listen to your insides for a second so get ready for some heavy breathing. She grinned again, that cheshire smile she wore that only served to enforce her nickname- witch doctor. She'd reach over to grab an old stethoscope and place it to his chest, listening to the result. Breath in deep... hold... and release through the nose. Three times.
He knew she knew him well but not always well enough especially in these days maybe he was trying to protect her feelings but he also felt the less she knew the better off she was just like anyone else. His lips curled as she smacked the nose ring and he then underlined the words better to not know deeply. He could remember the day as though it were yesterday. In fact he did spit some pretty nasty words out as he had been captured. He spit out some pretty foul language and of course being tied up he couldn't do anything about what the man did.
She spoke again telling him to take deep breaths and he did, he knew most of his insides were pretty healthy after all he was healthy on the inside while his shell and mind took the beatings. The breaths out made a whistling sound as he did so, and it made him wish to just breath out of his mouth for this, deep breaths made that noise because of the nose ring, though it wasn't bad when he took shallow breaths.
The main part of it was over, now. She made a sound that spoke amusement at the whistling of his nosering and it pulled her attention to it. ...do you want that gone? I can take it out. It won't hurt. She gently placed a finger on the edge of the little metal thing, examining it and checking to make sure it'd been put in correctly. For the most part, yes- apparently whoever'd done it had known what they were doing. She knew her Shawchert well enough to know that a nosering in the center wouldn't be his first pick when it came to piercings.
Okay, so, surprisingly enough, you're healthy. She paused, then waved to his hips. Technically, anyway. She moved over to slip the gloves off and then planted her ass beside his on the bed. Can you at least tell me what you plan on doing now?
She was worried sick over him. Shawchert. She hadn't seen him in far too long and now, when finally they reunite under the same moon they'd met, he was a totally different wolf. Physically. Mentally, she was sure he'd changed... but that gentle alpha was there. She could feel it. And it wasn't as if she'd stayed the same herself. Sky had changed a great deal. She was a mother, a member of New Dawn, a wolf instead of a human-wannabe. She still held tight to her knowledge of medicine and such, but her life had changed for the more natural. It felt good.
Shaw frowned and shook his head and wrote "Big hole, they made it big, hard to breath without it." He would have kept it off if it wasn't so hard to breath and the noise it made without the ring, well it was enough to get him kicked out of the home before bed time.
He already knew his hips were bad and could have told her that but he gave a non commital shrug, then wrote frantically again; "Help Titania, keep pack, watch children, whatever she needs He said, and he had a determined look on his face. He knew the only one who would truly help him and he could give back was Titania. "She better not have pups" He added as a bit of a lighter note on the side, it was both serious and something to catch ones smile on. He knew she was a grown woman and he couldn't stop her, he couldn't stop her when she was still young enough to be under his and Orin's care.
