#3+ OOC: Shaw is a loser still, he's always optime yay...
He was sore. He was free now... freed because of dumb luck and what was he doing? Headed in the direction chaos was in... aparently he couldn’t help but live for it... no that wasn’t right. He knew he had to have help. His lame leg made it so he could not hunt. He would never be able to catch anything unless it was too damn stupid and run up to him. Never in his life did he have that happen to him and he doubted it would within the time he had left to live. So he was headed towards the direction of his daughters pack. He saw it once he was proud of her, but he was never appreciative of it. The man limped heavily on his leg. He had to trade quite a bit to get food from merchents or any packs who wanted something he could do and give. Shawchert was able to do that much but he had to see his daughter again even if her mother tore his heart out it was not the young woman’s fault.
Shawchert was close to the mountain he knew, he could feel... or did he just think he did.... a slight chill from the mountain. His leg prevented him from going very fast, but he would kill a horse with his mass and he had nothing to trade for one... besides he’d rather eat one before he went hungry and he was starving. He had not seen life in a few days and now that he was coming to something that looked familiar he could feel the hunger grow more. He would be in New Dawn very soon, and he was excited but at the same time scared, what if his daughter didn’t forgive him for his actions against her when she disappeared as a pup... well young adult... why would she ever think to take him back into her life? He was worthless. He groaned at the thought but his misshapened leg dragged him towards the pack he hoped he could help in any way.
Life had taken an interesting turn for Sky. After her night with Taliesin, she'd gone to visit Orin to tell the woman the news of her daughter Titania. She'd returned with more news for Zalen but since then, she'd had nothing important to take care of. Not really. Noah had healed quickly enough that he no longer had to remain in the Tree Clinic. He was free to wander inside the territory. His injuries were still tender, so she'd instructed him to take it easy. He'd agreed to do so, but to what extent, she wasn't sure.
Lena and Cody were always busy now, which kept her away from her kids throughout most of the day. While this was a blessing to her, it was also saddening. She loved spending time with her kids, but she knew that it was finally time for them to make their own lives. New Dawn would keep them safe and close to her, so she felt comfortable with letting them do their own thing without her. They'd be fine.
So in times like this, when nothing was there to be done, Sky wandered. Today, she brought Fella with her. The bobcat had remained in New Dawn's territory, but due to the pack's social structure, she'd seen very little of him. Since he'd discovered her hut, he'd made his home inside it, keeping away from important things stored there and enjoying the familiarity of home it gave him. Now, mother and feline son had wandered from the territory, if only for the sake of not being interrupted.
"So Lena and Cody are both on two legs now?" The cat asked as they walked along, striding comfortably beside eachother. "I've missed a lot, haven't I?"
"Yes, well, not that much. They can shift, but that doesn't mean you've missed out on everything." Sky reassured him, flicking her long tail at his short one. "I've noticed a decrease of feline scent in the area, by the way. You're chasing everyone out?"
"It's my territory, now. I won't share with anyone other than the pack. Too many different predators in one territory isn't good for any of us." He explained casually, rolling his shoulders in a shrug. "I guess I'm just trying to do my part for New Dawn. How's Zalen, by the way?"
"Holding up well, considering. Titania's gone now." The cat murmured an 'I heard' at that, his tone quiet and respectful. It was always sad to hear of someone losing someone they loved. Especially a family friend. "I figure it'll be quite some time before he recovers completely, but he's a strong leader. He's not letting it effect him."
"Good." The cat replied. "New Dawn needs its alpha, now more than ever." He'd heard all about Amy and her evil deeds. Sky nodded soberly and the two fell into a comfortable but thoughtful silence.
As they walked along, something else came closer to them. A scent. When Sky picked up on it, she froze in her tracks, head lifting and turning towards the location of the scent. "Fella, do you smell that?" She murmured. The cat sniffed the air curiously and turned towards the scent as well.
"Smells familiar. Anyone we know?"
"...I think so." And just like that, she was gone. The cat blinked twice before darting off to follow the speeding luperci, into the thick of the forest and not bothering to ask her why she'd started running. He was sure he'd find out soon enough.
The wolfdog came to a halt at the top of a small hill, overlooking a clearing below. In said clearing, the tawny male stood, broken and battered, tired and hungry, but alive and real. She couldn't believe her eyes. Shawchert! She lowered her head, sniffing the air just to make sure. "Shawchert Menue!" She called, her voice almost angry.
#318 OOC: d'awwww if you are uncool with the hug let me know I'll change it! And yes Shaw is growling grunting and barking in low speech wolf form bby!!
He stopped at his name and there stood his ex fiance. The woman who ripped his heart out for one reason or another and he stood there tight lipped when she spoke. It was angry. Of course it would be he was worthless, he was leaving forever this time without a word. But that didn’t matter anymore. It was a familiar face, and she was far north from Cercatori. Her looks were different as were his, they both had their own battles but it was her.
He couldn’t help himself. He ran to her and wrapped her up in his arms and just hugged her. He started shaking a little out of sadness, fear, exhileration in finding someone he knew, and guilt. There were many other emotions that came from his shaking and near tears but they did not come. Then came the growl; “Sky... I missed you This was spoken in low speech, and it was hard to understand. His articulation made worse by the lack of a tongue. The story he had to tell... he never wanted to and doubted he would or should. Right now he found someone he cared about.
But that moment was over when he remembered Taliesin and their fight and that he was Sky’s mate. He let go and stepped back looking down. His leg and hip making it hard to stand as straight as he once not to mention the many months of his submissive form being lower than any of his masters. It was good to see her but she was someone else’s. He suddenly felt embarrassed; “I came for Titania. Help her.” He said in his broken low speech. The wolf low speech had less words but did not mean anything worse, but it made Shawchert feel dumb in many ways than the fact he really was.
311- Poor Shaw. ;-; I like that he can still use low-speech though. That makes things easier. xD
The man before her was her ex-fiance, her once closest friend and the only true alpha for d'Arte. He'd never go back to being d'Arte's leader- he'd made that clear long ago. Still, before her stood a battle-scarred hero. Though she was angry, seeing him alive after all this time of being a ghost, it still felt wonderful to see that he was, in fact, alive. But not without injuries. She was about to ask him what had happened to him, where he'd come from and where he'd been, but before she could get a single word out, he was upon her.
It felt weird, being hugged like that. Especially in her lupus form, were her paws were useless for returning the gesture. Still, she rested her head on his shoulder with a whine and closed her eyes, all anger towards him melting away like ice in the summer. He spoke in the old tongue, low-speech for a wolf. Said he'd missed her and she whined the same. "You stupid brute. I miss you, too." She felt a smile pricking at her cheeks, but it faded as quickly as it came when he pulled away.
Fella watched on in confusion, not understanding the man's growled speech at all. He wouldn't say anything and as the wolf man spoke again, he noticed Sky's ears disappear into her mane. Titania. The wolfdog lowered her head slightly, looking away. "Titania's not here." She murmured softly. "She left after she lost her litter with Zalen. We haven't found her." She looked at him with sad eyes. "I'm so sorry, Shawchert."
And then, to avoid the heartbreaking moment sure to come, she quickly spoke again. "What happened to you? Why are you so broken like this?" Her eyes caught sight of the nose ring and she wrinkled her snout. "Where have you been?"
The touch of her was good for him, for he had nothing but beatings and the touch of an insane woman. Other than that he had nothing since he was captured. She spoke in the low tongue and Shawchert closed his eyes almost unbelieving. The words out of her mouth, though harsh were sugar to his ears and he loved them. When he pulled away and spoke of his daughter the woman seemed to look away and answered him slowly. Shawchert’s mouth tightened. Titania was gone... where did she go? He wanted to run after her and find where she was but the questions that Sky deserved camed to him.
His only problem was that he could not tell her every thing; “Captured by bad people. Was hurt, beaten and taken away. Got away only recently.” He said calmly letting his tired eyes look to her; “Need food, will look for Titania... can you help? He asked as he looked at his once future mate, with pleading eyes. He couldn’t hunt, or sustain himself anymore and he hoped she wouldn’t rub it in his face but he knew that she would. I had been her way when she was angry with him and he knew she was quite unhappy with him... for Taliesin, for leaving the pack again, and not killing Liam... He was angry with himself with that and many more things.
239- Funny thing is, he's all worried over nothing. XD She's not mad at him anymore.
She sighed through the nose at his explanation, knowing damn well there was more to it than that. Still, he was out of that place, wherever it was. He was away from those bad people. He was safe now. When he suggested looking for Titania and food, she only agreed with one part of it. "No, you need to rest." She scolded, eyes narrowing. "You can join the search for her later. Right now, you need to relax." She turned her head to Fella, then, proving she hadn't forgotten the cat. "Fella, go find us a rabbit. Follow our scent when you catch one. I'm taking him back to the den." The cat nodded, then darted off into the woods, disappearing easily into the underbrush.
Then, it was time to get to work. "C'mon. The den isn't far. He'll meet us along the way and Zalen won't mind if you cross the borders." She pushed at him with her nose, nudging him on. "And don't try to argue with me. You're no help to Titania if you're all broken and beaten. You need to heal first." Doctor's orders. The wolfdog prodded until he'd follow her and then took the lead, heading for New Dawn's den. "Orin already knows about Titania. Her, Zalen and myself were the first to start looking. The whole pack's keeping their eyes open for her, too." She reassured as they went, if they went.
#218 OOC: OH NO SHAW CAN'T KISS HE HAS NO TONGUE ; ;
Shawchert was thankful there were no answers. He was glad that the woman did not scorn him either... and it was surprising too. He was amazed that Sky did not miss a chance to criticize that he was no man of any kind. He wasn’t going to press the issue, but he was going to press his reluctance. “Just food, Don’t need healing. Everything where it will go forever.” Which was true. Any hurt he had scarred over, he did not run here so he was in perfect restfulness, and the only thing out of place that he wished Sky could fix was his leg, but it was heald many many months enough that he would forever be a cripple.
“I will eat, that is all.” He said showing how stubborn he would be, and stood his ground. He knew that Zalen would look for him and Orin. They loved her dearly. He needed to do his own duty too though. He needed to be there for her as well. He looked at Sky with eyes pleading her to understand him. “You would do the same for yours. he said knowing that Sky would look under every bolder no matter how small or heavy it was.
272- D: POOR SHAW. Sure he can kiss- just, no tongue kisses. XD
He refused rest and she scowled, looking back at him from where she'd walked to. She heard him out, but didn't approve entirely. When he brought up that she'd do the same for her own kids, she knew he was right. If Lena or Cody or even Myrddin ever went missing, she wouldn't rest until they were found. After a moment's thought, she sighed. "Fine. At least do so inside the territory. Looking for her right now wouldn't do us any good. Where ever she is, she's probably too far for us to catch up to her." Yet. There were other, more important issues to attend to as well. Amy, for example.
They'd managed to track her down in Halifax, but between the three in the group, the dog and puppy had escaped. She'd gone back to tell Zalen the bad news and he hadn't been impressed. Still, none of the party sent got the blame. Amy was tricky- she knew the in's and out's of Halifax where no one else really did. Her mind buzzed on this for a moment, but returned to the situation at hand.
"Please. The den's not far. We can eat there and Zalen can fill you in on whatever else you'll need to know, if you'll be joining in the search." She waved her tail for him to follow, leaving no room for discussion or argument now. She was much more patient, much calmer and more understanding than before. With the change in packs and the birth and growth of her children, she'd learned to play it safe- and not rush head-first into danger.
#238 OOC: Eh he could join on the day this was /shrug no problems there.
Sky did change and Shawchert could see it now, he thought as she spoke to him and his mind was agreeing but his heart wanted to burst out of his chest and just look for the young woman itself. He kept it calm and he nodded; “Fine, until I finish eating. Those were the two most important things right now, food and his daughter. He would choose one over the other if he were not at the brink of starvation.
He moved to follow her quietly. Of course that was much of what he could do these days. His movements were stiff and shallow but he could still walk and he would not complain about how fast she went. He couldn’t change for her either. It was now impossible for him to change to his lupus form due to his malfigured leg. He’d breakt it again, in another spot and it would hurt far too much. He tried once. It was not an experience he would try again. “So... you say she lost her puppies? How?” Suspicion set in his head, remembering the mess that had been his son once, and then the other pups that were killed. That was where his first thoughts came from and the reason why Titania would leave. To protect the ones she had left.... exactly like her mother.
304- Sounds good to me. Feel free to PP them getting to the borders.
He agreed to her idea and started to follow. Finally. She led him on towards the borders, towards safety. As they walked, he questioned the death of what would've been his grandchildren. She sighed. "Stillborns. Three of them. She had a false pregnancy prior to that, so it must've been too much for her. All I can think is that she panicked and fled." She rolled her shoulders as she walked along, keeping pace beside him.
She thought about the young alphess, how hard it must've been for her. She'd felt the pain and loss of losing a first litter, with Luke and Haiden. She'd wanted to run away, to leave it all behind. It was the trouble in the pack that kept her there. With relative peace in New Dawn, she must've seen nothing there to hold her back, nothing to distract her. Nothing in the world could cure the pain of losing a child, none-less three.
Sky knew that first-hand. "I joined New Dawn a few months ago. When my children were born, my daughter was born blind. I left d'Arte to look for a cure... but when I came back, Skye chased me off." She murmured, as if to explain why she wasn't in the south anymore. "New Dawn welcomed me and two of my pups with open arms. Taliesin has my second son, Myrddin, in d'Arte still." She wouldn't go into detail about the tension between her and the Rhiannon man, or how her own son, Myrddin, hated her. There was too much to talk about and too little time. "I have a medical hut in the territory. If you're not comfortable with staying in the den, you could stay there. At least until we find Titania. I'm sure Zalen won't mind- he'd do anything to find her."
Sky spoke and something lightened on Shaw’s thoughts, but another tightened itself. Stillborns and three... it was cruel to do such a thing to a new mother especially when it was the whole litter. He squeezed his eyes but opened them within seconds. He sighed a bit and nodded. It would have been enough to break anyone. He remembered Sky’s miscarriage, he was there with her and nearly had his throat throttle because of it... or that was how he remembered. She was angry, fiercely protective, and in tears the whole time he and the other healing helper at the time brought her to get tended to. It was a hard time for everyone in the pack, he expected the same here in this one.
He followed her silently as she spoke knowing she was being nice but not knowing why. She wasn’t trying to make up for something was she? She should still be mad yet she was letting him into her new pack, as she explained it. It was odd that Skye would just outright banish her and Shaw would need better details than what Sky was giving, but he could not and would not bring himself to going past Salsola... much less go to the cursed pack he once was an alpha to. “I am sorry your family split” And he was it was hard to be parted with ones children and loved ones. He had been but his situation was different he hurt her before she hurt him and then he felt his heart would never heal. It didn’t. Orin tended to be in Shawchert’s mind often. “I need soft, for hip.” He said cursing the limited vocabulary for the language he was speaking. but it was better than making hand signs someone wouldn’t know. Much less himself. The borders came within smelling distance and he sniffed the slight tang of his daughters unforgettable scent even covered with others' scents. He turned to Sky with raised eyebrows, and hope he wasn't making a mistake; "I Will stay... Titania would want it. But I need to find her."
His condolences were appreciated, but not really needed. She'd come to terms with it. For the most part. "Thank you." She murmured, waving her tail slightly. He mentioned needing soft for his hip, and it took her a moment to understand. "A good bed should be fine. There's some stored at the cabin- I could set you up with a room. You could tend to it for me, in return, I suppose." She knew he'd be able to sort through and handle the tree clinic without much help. He'd helped her with her own clinic, their house at one point. It only made sense that he'd be able to handle it again, now.
And it seemed he planned to make it longer than just the few days she'd been thinking. Of course he'd want to stay- d'Arte was cursed, especially for him. She felt a weight lift off her shoulders upon realizing it, that she wasn't in fact the only one the darkness in d'Arte- in Thornbury especially- had touched.
"We'll find her, Shawchert. We won't give up on her. I won't." She promised to him, just before she tossed her head back to howl- for Zalen. She'd need his permission to let Shawchert across the borders, even if the man were to be refused entry into their ranks, which she doubted he would be. Shawchert was family- father to the once alphess. There wasn't a chance in any way Zalen would want to refuse the man, as far as she could tell. Her sing-song howl was just as beautiful as it had been before, soulful and steady. As it died into the distance, she looked over to Shaw again, blue eyes reflecting the excitement and releif that he'd be staying- that he'd be safe, with arm's reach again. Despite all the upsets.
"I'm glad you're back, Shawchert. I'm glad you're safe." She admitted quietly as they waited. To see him alive was more than enough reason to forgive him, for everything and anything he'd done in the past. And she couldn't hate him for leaving d'Arte- not anymore. She'd left, too. She'd been happy to go, to get away from the cursed lands. She'd never return, even if she were able to.
Zalen was in quite a pleasant mood, still high off the romp he and Adonia had had yesterday. Getting to know his pack-sister was fun in itself, but the feral electricity that had also sparked between them just added to the pleasure he felt from it. Though he missed Titania dearly, at the same time, he realized that he felt somewhat betrayed by her, and therefore, it was easier for him to forgive her absence, and harden his heart against her. Playing with Adonia the previous day had only made him realize that he would be okay without Titania.
The Alpha was sitting outside the communal den, his eyes adjusting to the near darkness as dusk settled into night. He was in his Optime form, finally having shifted again after that fateful day of finding the birthing den. Currently, he was stretched out on the mound he frequented, listening to the mosquitoes buzzing around him, when he heard Sky’s call. He lifted his head immediately, and then was up and off.
Zalen was beginning to notice a shift in himself; he was becoming very aware of all the mated females in New Dawn, and even the mated ones. Sky, being un-mated and physically sound, save for her healed injuries, was a possibility to him as a child bearer. Though he would not mention these things to her unless she gave him a reason to, it made her call seem all the more urgent.
It did not take him long to reach the borders, but he met there shocked him; it was Shawchert, Titania’s father, though it took the Alpha a moment to recognize him; he looked so much… older. Shaw had gone missing several moon’s ago, and it had been learned that Salsola had enslaved and sold him off making any chance of finding him an impossibility. But here he stood beside the beautiful Sky, and had he been any other male, Zalen might have seen him as a threat. Instead, he strode up to the man, who’s nose was still pierced with that disgusting symbol of slavery, Shawchert! Friend, what has become of you? He asked with true concern.
Shawchert felt himself nod. He knew what New Dawn ws about and was almost glad that Sky had a place that was more modern. He would surely accept the conditions, his ability to build houses and repair them did not waver. it was the moving fast and odd ways that got him. It was rare for him to be in an odd position and when it would end up that way he would adapt; “Ok.”
When she howled Shawchert’s heart twinged in anxiety as he thought of all the flaws he had. He couldn’t hunt... not really so what was he good for in this pack? He was a carver and played a flute. That was it. He closed his eyes at her sound. The song of her voice was once music to his ears and it still was in many ways but he knew she wouldn’t ever take him back, not his crippled ways.He smiled at her words after, did she mean it? He wasn’t sure. He wasn’t sure if he should be forgiven for leaving the pack the ways he did. Now he was hoping to join another and hoping to make it permanent.
Zalen did come and almost like a flash to Shawchert but there he was, the large alpha that had taken his daughters heart. Shawchert gave a half hearted smile; “Oh many things. singers from world would want to tell” He spoke in the lesser tongue, even then it was still hard to annunciate the growls barks and so on to the man; “Sky told me of Titania. I will find her, but I wish to stay.” He grunted and his now natural bow was bent low in a learned way, exposing his neck and he kept what weight off he could when kneeling toward Zalen. This was nothing new. Shawchert had been broken before he left Salsola.
Sky watched as Zalen appeared, tail waving the instant he came into view. She couldn't help it- Zalen had become a dear friend and a trusted leader. Where Shawchert couldn't handle the cursed pack, Zalen took hold of the reigns and had managed, so far, to secure a proper home and life for any wolf in need of one. The friendly greeting Shawchert received was a huge weight off of her shoulders- this would be easy.
She let Shawchert speak, admitting his want to stay in New Dawn and Sky turned to look at Zalen. "I suggested that he stay in the tree clinic. I could use the extra hands to get it ready for the winter and he could keep it in good shape when the weather gets cold." She was kind of excited to show him the clinic, actually- the cabin built into an oak tree, made by her paws only. She'd been inspired by him, actually, and the tree village in d'Arte that he and Orin had put together. Someday, she hoped that the tree clinic would be expanded, so to fit as many patients as might be needed. A tree hospital. Someday. Maybe. If Zalen agreed to it. Actually, not a bad idea!
"Fella will be along soon with a meal for Shawchert." She'd introduced Zalen to Fella before and hoped the alpha hadn't changed his mind about letting the bobcat live in the territory. She was sure he hadn't- if so, he'd never said anything. Fella was as much family as Lena and Cody were, despite the difference in species. At least, to Sky he was.
The more Zalen looked at the tall man, who at one time had been so fearsome and intimidating, now reduced to a near cripple, and then to see right away that his tongue had been cut out and he could only speak in the Old Language, the Alpha could feel himself become angry and sorrowful. It also made him realize that youth and strength was as fleeting as life, and though Shawchert was by no ways old age, life had forced him to be much closer to death than someone even a few years older than he.
Shawchert did manage to say that he would look for Titania, and Zalen’s mouth creased into a thin line. He had not talked to any about Titania’s disappearance except to give the facts, and he had not asked for anyone to search for her. His own search had been enough for him to realize what had happened, that she had left of her own accord, and that she was not returning. Others in the pack were still looking, but Zalen would not, could not join them.
Sky suggested that Shaw stay with her in the tree house clinic and Zalen nodded immediately, Yes, that is a splendid idea. Shaw, you are more than welcome to live here, you are still considered family. He did not smile, but nodded curtly. Do you need assistance making it there? He looked to Sky and Shaw both for an answer to this question.
Your brothers and sisters welcome you to New Dawn!
Congratulations! You no longer stray from the path and have returned to life as a true wolf. You do not have to face this world alone, and now may rely on the wisdom of your pack to guide you.
Take a moment to check out our and the Moons to see how you can start collecting rewards.
If you have any questions or concerns you may always seek your alphas' guidance by contacting Nat (Zalen Damaichu). Feel free to start posting in your new home immediately, or if you would like to plan a thread you may poke your muzzle around in Thread Requests or Open Threads!
He smiled at Sky as she explained to Zalen about Shaw’s living conditions and he nodded; “I hope to do more than take.” He said. Being stuck in is Optime shape was daunting on his hunting skills and he doubted he would be able to hunt again. It mattered little he could find a way to help out the pack. Perhaps make fishing poles and hunt that way. He knew about traps too. His mind was wandering on the ideas of actually helping went forth until Zalen asked if Shaw would need help.
He shook his head. He looked more pained than it was but that was it. He could walk fine; “No thank you for the offer, I will make it fine.” He still seemed to have some pride in him to show. What dignity he had was gone, but he would bring some back by doing what he could and if he needed assistance, well that was asking to be put out on the side of the pack lands. He would make it well enough his injury was old and he would always walk like this. Thank you again Zalen, this means much, would die alone.” He said figuring he had to at least admit his crippled situation.
