looking through a telescope
#1
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Serene Sands for Ade!



After her stop at Inferni, Savina Marino had decided to explore the other north and east territories. She had spent no time in this part of 'Souls, and was curious to see what it was like. She had traveled along the Halcyon Mountains, following the range south. When she had first climbed up she had gone all the way up. The steady decline of vegetation and life was apparent the further and further she had gone, until finally her emerald gaze took in the site of the burned lands. As she had inhaled sharply the taste of smoke and ash still hung heavily in the air. A weight fell over her as she looked at the devastation the flames had wrought, and thought of those that had been lost to it. Specifically Kansas' brother Icarus. That was the one specific person she knew had died, though no doubt there were countless others.



After the ebon femme had taken about as much of that sight as she could stomach she had moved back down the mountains and traveled at a lower altitude, where the death of land and beast alike was not so potent. It was a very pleasant area, well forested and rather beautiful. It was clear why Shadowed Sun had settled in these lands. The decline and disbandment of a pack was never a happy thing, but she was thankful that Pilot and Urma had decided to join their new pack. Finally she reached what appeared to be the end of the mountain range, but as she peered over the steep edge she saw a nice secluded beach. It had taken the slender girl a good amount of time to descend to the place, but as soon as her paws hit the sand she was glad she had taken the effort.



Walking to the edge of the land she stood for a few moments and let the surf crash against her legs. It was evident in the water as well as the air that winter was coming. Savina would miss her casual swims until it would be warm enough to do so again. After hearing how cold it got in this part of the world the wolfess was dreading its arrival. She had never experienced such temperatures before and was not looking forward to it. Lithe body moved away from the water and took a seat, eyes staring out at the vast rhythmic ocean. A smile played across her lips and she thought of the shell hanging around her neck.

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#2
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There had been no traumatic events since she had received her beating from the three Inferni members, unless you counted her encounter with Alexey. Since then she had only come across others who seemed genuinely good hearted, shifters and coyotes alike. Despite the onslaught of friendly characters, all who had calmed the poor wolf to some degree, Adelaida was not quite her old self. As far as the masked female was concerned, she never would be quite the same again. Always there would be the virus coursing through her veins, dirtying her blood. Even if after speaking with Boomer and Ryan she could accept shifters for what they were (at least outwardly), she could not accept herself as one. She hadn’t been born one, she was never meant to be one, and yet Adelaida Koios was a luperci.




The urges in her body were becoming more constant, more palpable like a constant ache. Her body wanted to transform, her mind denied it. Although she had suspected that she had contracted the virus when the coyotes had transferred so much of their saliva and blood into her wounds, it had not been confirmed until she felt the urges to shift. Instinctively she knew what those shifters meant, knew what her body demanded of her, but still she stayed four legged, as she was born. It was in the four legged form she traveled, Pickles the chinchilla riding between her shoulder clinging to her pelt. Although she occasionally spoke to the rodent, her sister’s pet which still had not returned to her (much to Adelaida’s delight) she was met only with squeaks, which Ade didn’t much know what they meant.



Instead of trying to discern the squeaks Pickles spoke to her, Adelaida listened mindlessly to the crunch of the fallen leaves underfoot. It was a soft sound, almost not a sound at all. The leaves were still freshly fallen, many of their companions still on their branches in the trees, and not many had dried out just yet. The sound was so soft that when she came nearer to the shore the crunching of the leaves was drown out with the sound of waves long before she ever reached the sand. And once she did reach the sand, and the female sitting in the sand, Ade spoke over the waves, her voice soft, timid, defeated, but at least pleasant. Peaceful, hein?


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#3
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blah, this was kinda crappy, I apologize Tongue



As often times happened when the jet femme was near the ocean, she had become so absorbed in it she had lost all awareness of the things around her. It wasn't until the soft voice floated through the air that she knew she was no longer by herself. Ears twitched in the direction of the stranger and the Crimson Dreams member took a deep breath of the cool salty breeze that blew over the beach. Slowly her slender head turned towards the masked female, a smile on her muzzle. "Mmmm, very. I love the sea. I think its the best place to relax." Her words rolled off her tongue with their usual Italian melody.



There appeared to be something sad and distant about the lupine before her. Raising back to her feet she casually walked closer to the brown girl and the little hitchhiker on her back. "My name's Savina. What brings you and your small friend here today?" After the last words had left her mouth, it sounded a bit weird. It wasn't like this was her space, far from it. Hopefully the other wouldn't take it as such, she was simply trying to make polite conversation. Savina was rather intrigued by the creature on the wolfess' back. She'd never seen such an animal before, much less riding on the back of a large predator.

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#4
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The female turned to acknowledge her, and unbidden the anxiety appear, her heartbeat increased, her breathing became faster and the slightest tremble coursed through her body, but it was all quickly subdued. After all Adelaida had approached this female, the female was pleasant so far, and best of all she was not a coyote. Even if she was a... shifter (Adelaida hated merely thinking that word) it seemed that couldn’t be helped. Most all inhabitants of these lands she came across now were indeed shifters. And so, very little of her actual anxiety showed it’s self and unlike her last encounters, it never got past that, never grew into full fledged panic. Adelaida even managed a sincere smile for the female.



This is Pickles, and I’m Adelaida. Pickles acknowledge the stranger with a squeak of his own, glad that Adelaida finally seemed to be coming back out of her shell. Adelaida knew that the rodent was waiting for the reuniting of her sister and herself, but she pretended she did not, that Pickles was perfectly fine with the separation. Why the chinchilla had chosen her over Alexey, Ade couldn’t say, but she was glad that she didn’t spend the nights alone, even if her companion was not canine. We were just wandering... err.. trying to keep my thoughts from spinning Adelaida spoke hesitantly, it had been a while since she had so casually entered into conversation with another person, at least where it hadn’t turned out traumatic. Brilliant blue eyes turned to the Italian girl, questioningly, almost pleading, for the other to give Adelaida some cue to follow, something to make the social interaction go smoother.


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#5
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Emerald orbs sparkled and a small, soft laugh escaped her throat as the little creature piped up when he was introduced. She had no idea what he was saying, as she didn't know the first thing about low speech. Many wolves in her birth pack, especially the elders, found such things beneath them. What reason did a wolf have to speak with things it should be hunting and eating? Perhaps the female could see the logic in that, but at the same time she could understand the comforts and benefits in being able to understand the smaller creatures as well. "Well, it is very nice to meet you Adelaida. Pickles." She nodded her head at the both of them.



Savina saw the unease in the brown femme's eyes, and quickly tried to rack her brain for something to talk about. Of course as it seemed to almost always be the case, when you were in desperate need for a topic it seemed they all disappeared into the nooks and crannies of your mind, nowhere to be found. Her eyes scanned over the ocean, and then back at the cliff that she had descended from. Finally something popped into her head. It wasn't the best subject, but it seemed like the only thing she could think of at the moment. "I live over in the western portion of these lands, so I wanted to come see the other side of things. When I was up in the mountains I saw what the fire had destroyed on the other side. It seems many of my friends and packmates came from there. Did you come from over there too?" Perhaps it was the fact that she herself was not from here that made her so interested in where everyone else had come from. In any case she hoped it would lead to more things to discuss.

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#6
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Shakily Adelaida seated herself, the chinchilla slipping over the wolf’s back and scurrying about the rocks and sand, trying to find something to chew on. Adelaida watched Pickles for a moment, then turned her eyes back to Savina. Thankfully the female could sense Adelaida’s hesitance, her lack of social skills, and she took the lead. Better yet, the female had chosen a topic Adelaida actually could speak about. Often, when meeting strangers, Adelaida couldn’t find herself interested or knowledgeable enough to converse with them, for often they picked topics that Adelaida couldn’t care less about. Shaking her head, Adelaida answered the female, her voice just the tiniest bit more confident. No, these lands have always been my home. I was actually born here but my family left to escort my father back to his birthlands, and when I returned the population had exploded. All the wolves had come flooding down the moutains, invading her home and changing her life. Despite having months to grow use to the idea, Adelaida still found it overwhelming at times.




My sister has returned as well, she lives in Dahlia de Mai now, but I haven’t found myself a pack yet. Bitterly, Adelaida still blamed Alexey. They were suppose to have made a home together, stuck by one another’s side, and yet they were now at odds with each other. You came from across the ocean? Adelaida took a guess, it seemed, from her past experiences, that those with thick or strange accents did, but she couldn’t be sure. It was still hard to wrap her mind around the idea that other places aside from the lands she had seen existed at all.


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#7
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I'm really having trouble deciding whether or not I like this avatar I made...



She was glad to see Adelaida relax a bit more and take a seat in the sand. Jade eyes followed as Pickles scurried around, exploring the beach. A soft chuckle came from her mouth as she too reclined back into a seated position and her gaze returned to the chocolate wolf as she began to speak. This was the first "native" resident of these particular lands that Savina had met. She tried to imagine what it must have been like to return to your home to find so many strangers suddenly occupying the area. "I imagine that was a bit disconcerting. Though as one of those newcomers I suppose I don't have much room to talk."



"In Dahlia de Mai? What is her name? I know a few wolves from there. Their leader, Cercelee, stayed in my old pack for a while after she had been injured." She hadn't really met anyone that looked like Adelaida, but that didn't mean anything. It seemed oftentimes lupine siblings didn't look anything alike. It was certainly true of Ehno and herself. "Yes, from one of the places in Europe called Italy. I came here on a ship, though it was an accident. I'm very happy here however. My brother managed to end up here as well, that's helped it feel more like home."



The more they talked it became somewhat clear why the female was a bit nervous. Her sister had joined a pack, yet she was left alone in her homelands and surrounded by strangers. "Well, if you're ever looking for a pack, I'm the second-in-command of my pack. We're called Crimson Dreams and are located off to the west at Rabbit Lake. Even if you don't want to join I'd be more than willing to let you visit and stick around for a while if you'd like." The Italian girl hated to see anyone without a home and family. Adelaida seemed like a very nice person so she wasn't at all hesitant to extend such an offer to her.

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#8
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The massive amount of canines that had flooded into her home lands and settled themselves in had been very disconcerting, but that had only been the tip of the iceberg to Adelaida. The discovery of shifters, the clans of coyotes, the attack on her by coyotes of said clan, the virus that now lived in her body, all of those events had contributed to making Adelaida the timid, unstable creature she was before Savina now. Yet it wouldn’t have been proper to blurt all of this out, chances were that Savina had nothing against coyotes or that she, too, was a shifter. Adelaida had experiences offending others because she didn’t think before she thought, and so, she kept her mouth shut, until the female asked of her sister.





Alexey Koios. Adelaida shrugged. Alexey had made her choice and Adelaida had wanted as little to do with Alexey’s new life as possible. The name Cercelee meant nothing to Adelaida, as would any of the other names of the Dahlians. Adelaida smiled at the mention of Savina’s brother. I have a brother too. He hasn’t come home yet, but I think he will. Sankor was still missing and now more than ever (ever since Alexey and Adelaida weren’t on speaking terms), Ade missed him. Sankor was her own personal super hero, she had depended on him for so much growing up and whether true or not, Adelaida felt that if only the male would return he could patch all the holes in her heart.





The next words that came from Savina’s mouth took Adelaida by surprise, and then the retched feeling of anxiety could be felt forming in her stomach. The offer was kind, and Adelaida was truly grateful, but when the masked female let her mind wander to imagine herself inside a pack worries began to flood her. Thank you, but I don’t think I’m meant for a pack. I... I don’t get along with many others. Too different I guess. Adelaida sighed, she physically wasn’t different at all, but mentally she still grouped herself apart from the other wolves she had met.

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#9
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Since I wasn't too far into my thread with Alexey I'm not sure how much she was going to say about her fight with Corona. Soooo, just gonna kinda wing it ><



Jet ears twitched as Adelaida spoke the name of her sister. What an odd coincidence. Alexey had indeed been one of the wolves she had met when escorting Cercelee home. Not only that, but the tan girl had wondered into the boundaries of Crimson Dreams not too long ago. Though Savina was somewhat surprised with how seemingly apathetic she seemed about her sister. However, she supposed if Alexey had gone and joined a pack without her sister she could understand if there was some bad feelings there. "Yes, I've met Alexey. Twice actually. The second time wasn't too long ago, and she wasn't doing to good. She'd just been in a fight with someone." Emerald orbs searched the chocolate femme, wondering what her reaction to that news would be.



Her gaze hadn't been hard, but at the mention of Adelaida's brother her eyes softened. She knew what it was like to be separated from your brother. Luckily there was hope in the wolfess' words and voice that they would be reunited soon. "I hope you're right. I know how hard it was for me being apart from my brother. The two of use were always so close growing up that it was like loosing my best friend. What's his name?" Maybe if she knew his name and ever crossed his path she could direct him in his sister's direction.



As she had extended the invitation about Crimson Dreams, the jet femme could feel her companion's uneasiness return. Slender head cocked to the side and her brow furrowed slight. Not meant for a pack? Wolves were all meant for packs. There were some who preferred life as loners, yet Adelaida didn't strike her as that type. She also couldn't imagine her not getting along with others. To Savina she appeared to be a perfectly pleasant person, albeit a tad on the nervous side. "You don't get along with others? I don't see anything about you that lends me to believe you'd rub too many people the wrong way. And why do you think you're too different?" Her tone was not at all demeaning, simply one of someone trying to understand.

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#10
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Adelaida titled her head at Savina, her eyes widened at the news of her sister’s fight. Alexey was not the type to go looking for trouble, but for that matter neither was Adelaida and she bore more battle wounds now than she ever had in her life. How much did Savina know about her sister’s recent doings? Do... Do you know who she was fighting with? With a sinking feeling Adelaida looked away, trying to compose herself. She thought she knew the answer already, it was a coyote. And Adelaida could also guess why her sister was fighting in the first place. As far as Adelaida was concerned it was her fault, despite the fact that Alexey and her weren’t speaking, Adelaida was doing a grand job of dragging her sister down to her level. Turning back, Adelaida’s voice shook. Of course Alexey was okay, otherwise Savina would have told her by now, but it was best to confirm. She’s okay... right?




Sankor, that’s my brother’s name. Although if the male ever did return, they would have no trouble finding each other. The three Koios children knew these lands better than they knew themselves at times, and if Sankor caught Ade’s scent or Ade caught Sankor’s scent it would only be a matter of time before one of them tracked the other down. Of course, that was if he was to come home anytime soon. Adelaida smiled at the thought, trying to forget about Lexey and focus on her other sibling. I miss him dearly, but I know he’s okay. He was always the one to take care of Alexey and me while we were growing up.




The concerned inquiry from the female didn’t take Adelaida by surprise. Adelaida herself knew that she was unhappy on her own. Although she didn’t quite find any of the current packs in the lands welcoming, she didn’t wish to stay a loner, and any who knew her would say the same. Still, she didn’t quite wish to explain her reasoning to Savina, the female seemed so accepting, she would probably find Adelaida’s prejudice to be appalling. At least that was the fear, and Adelaida looked away. I... I... I don’t... . Swallowing hard, Adelaida met with the emerald eyes of the other female. Coyotes and hybrids! I can’t stand them! But most of all shifters! I don’t understand them and I wish they would just go away. They’re monsters and they’ve invaded my home... Adelaida realized how horrible her words sounded as they came barreling out of her mouth, but they were already said, and chances were, if Savina were a shifter that Adelaida’s confession would not be taken too kindly.


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Immediately she saw the worry enter Adelaida's eyes with the news of her sister, and some guilt struck the wolfess. But perhaps this was a good thing, she knew that she would want to know if her sibling had been in a fight. Quickly she decided to answer her second question, considering that was what was surely causing her the largest amount of grief at the moment. "Yes, yes she's fine. Just a little shaken up. She had some wounds, but nothing too serious." Her mind searched back to that day, trying to recall what all Alexey had said about her unpleasant encounter. "She said it was...someone from Inferni." Part of her was still a little worried about the possibilities of larger consequences of that fight. The last thing that was needed was for Dahlia de Mai and Inferni to start another war. Surely Cercelee would do all she could to prevent such a thing. However if her members were the ones starting fights, how much could she do?



Savina nodded her head with a warm smile as the chocolate fey talked more of her brother. She took the name to memory and thought of her own brother. Ehno had always been her protector as well. In fact that is what his name meant. "Well, then I'm sure you'll cross paths with him again soon." The chances of this native reuniting with her brother were much greater than her chances had been of being with Ehno again here in this new place, and yet it had happened. She had few doubts that the same would happen for this one.



As Adelaida began to try and explain her reasons for not getting along with others, she could see the frantic gestures return to her body language. She looked away and she muttered a few words. Then when their eyes met again it all came out. Midnight fey's eyes widened at the tirade that was thrown her way. That had been very unexpected. As the last few sentences were uttered, her ears pinned back against her skull. She knew that many wolves had prejudices against coyotes, but she had never encountered anyone who hated luperci. This girl thought her a monster? She cringed at the word. It hurt, and it ignited a small spark of anger inside her. She had shown Adelaida nothing but kindness, and yet a great insult had just been thrown at her. She had lived as a normal wolf for the majority of her life, but had never scorned that part of her or that others took good advantage of it.



A strange new look entered her gaze, all the friendly light absent them now. She rose to her feet, ears still rolled back. "I think I better go then. Since you think me such a monster." The female spat out that last word, the anger and hurt evident in her voice. If this was the direction this exchange was headed she needed to leave before her anger grew. Even though the wolf was inconsiderate didn't mean she should be subjected to the thing that lurked inside of herself. Slowly, she began to take steps away from Adelaida.

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#12
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Although Savina reassured her that Alexey was indeed alright, she also confirmed what Adelaida feared. Inferni. It seemed that the Koios family was making themselves an enemy, and a very dangerous one at that. In Adelaida’s mind she could hear her mother’s voice Turn from the fire before it scorches your coat. and that of her father’s If you don’t extinguish the fire, it will consume the whole forest Ade.. Yet her mother was miles away, staying by the grave that her father was buried beneath, and Adelaida had neither to look to for advice. Alexey and her had not truly spoken about the situation, the only words that they had exchanged were those of anger and passive aggressive insults toward one another. Guilt weighed heavily on the female, Alexey was the single most important wolf to her now, even if they were not speaking, and it was Ade’s fault if any wounds laid on that body. Shaking her head, Ade indicated she wished to speak no more on the subject.




Instead it was easier to focus on Sankor, but that subject too, she had little to speak on. Instead, Adelaida just nodded, smiled once at Savina’s comforting words, and continued on. It would have been a safer subject for the two wolves to continue speaking of family matters, but that was not what transpired. Instead, Adelaida couldn’t really help herself when she explained her prejudice, and after the words flew from her mouth unbidden, she laid her ears against her skull in anticipation of Savina’s reaction.




Adelaide watched as the eyes of the other widened as she made sense of Ade’s words, than then the warmth left them and the angry stare caused the anxiety to rise once again in Adelaida. Her breath quickened and her heart pounded and Adelaida rose to her feet as Savina did, her tail tucked neatly between her hind legs. She hadn’t meant to insult the female, but how could that be explained? Savina quickly excused herself and turned to go, and Adelaida was overcome with a incessant need to rectify the situation.



No... no... I... You don’t... The words jumbled themselves in Adelaida’s brain and got caught on her tongue as she tried to hurriedly spit them out before Savina retreated. Releasing a long, anxious whine Adelaida tried again. It’s not... I’m one too! I’m one of you. I’m the monster. Adelaida shrunk back from her own words, Alexey’s voice ringing in her memory. Her sister had called her so, not in regard to her shifting status but rather referring to Adelaida’s personality. The masked female knew that her sister had been correct in her assessment, despite how hurtful the words had been.




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#13
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As the dark femme stalked away from Adelaida, she heard the other stumble with words to try and explain herself. This didn't stop Savina though. She could feel the anger bubbling up inside and the dark creature beginning to stir. She would not allow it to be fed anymore, to risk it taking over. There would be only one outcome if that were to happen. The other would be brutalized and it would only give her all the more reason to hate shifters. A long whine split the air and as the masked girl then was finally able to make a coherent statement. At the word "you" her hackles raised and a soft growl came from her throat. But as the last sentence was said her paws stopped moving.



A deep breath was drawn into her lungs and she tightly closed her eyes, an attempt to get a hold on her temper. It was only partially successful. The jet wolfess spun around and briskly walked back to Adelaida, only stopping when their noses were only a few inches apart. A small fire blazed in her emerald orbs. "Well, since you're one of us, there's something you should know. The only thing different is that we are able to change our forms. If you tore into me with your claws, I'd be hurt and bleed just the same as you. And words can, and do, hurt worse than fangs. You had better learn to keep your tongue in check, for there are many who would not have had as tame a reaction as I did." Her tone was harsh, really as harsh as it ever got, which was quite rare.



With one last huff in Adelaida's direction, Savina stepped back a bit. Not taking a seat, she stood staring at the other wolf. Waiting to see where this encounter would go next.

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#14
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Adelaida’s eyes widened as the female turned back, fully fearing the reaction that Savina was trying to keep in check. Ears laid flat against her skull and body slumping close to the ground in a pathetic submissive gesture, Adelaida took a few steps backwards as the lashing of words came at her. Although it was the sable Savina that was delivering the lecture now, Adeladia heard it in the words of Alexey. She knew the words were true, but she refused to believe them. Shifters were capable of much more damage, and the coyote shifters especially put that to good use. Letting a small whine escape from her, Adelaida could not think of a logical way to appease the female before her. I... I... I’m..



The words stuck in her throat, as was her curse whenever the anxiety set in (which was far too often for Adelaida’s liking). Though she struggled to force the words out, Adelaida knew nothing she could say would recreate the calm conversation that had been taking place before the masked female’s outburst. Adelaida had a way of ruining even the most innocent of meetings with others, and now, more than ever, Adelaida wished that she had never run into this female, or anyone else. I’m sorry! It was lame and unnecessary, but it was all Adelaida could force through her mouth as she turned tail and fled from the female, and from her own mistakes and misguided prejudices.






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