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Onus
Dalhousie University, for some reason…
He said it was safe; the words her beloved brother had spoken were a bird chirping in her ear as she walked slowly away from home and towards it. Finally, the youth had figured out how to change from her four-legged form to her two legged one. It was very much a milestone in her short life, and quite an accomplishment. With Lannen to help it hadn’t been too traumatic.
She had gone back and forth in her mind, wondering if she should venture into the concrete jungle or not. But with her brother’s encouragement Mati set out to find something she had been looking for. He had gained clothing and a few other artifacts, but she want looking for a cloth covering. What exactly she sought was still a small mystery, but she knew she needed colors.
Purple eyes scanned the tall buildings that so suddenly sprung from the tree line. Taken aback slightly, Mati mindlessly wandered up to the steps that seemed to empty right out into the forest that she had been wandering. Spring had almost taken hold, the grasses ripe with new blades and the trees sprouting their small round buds. Looking back Mati began to decipher the University that lay beneath the concurring flora.
A hand pushed the door open, hearing its creak and unsure what to make of the words that were engraved in it. Dust filled her nose, and she blinked to find the small source of light that lingered through the grimy windows. The tall round female peered passed the heavy wooden door, and found that along with its name she wasn’t sure what to make its contents.
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The male had only left Halifax once since his run in with the dark male that had sired Cwmfen. It had been because of one of those gut urges that he had that were impossible to ignore. He still wasn't sure what to make of the clan coyote or the conversation they had had. He was at least glad that he had been lucky enough to avoid getting into a physical altercation. He was certain that that had been the male that had attacked the woad woman, so letting him go unscathed had grated against every fiber of his being. For whatever Onus was though, he was not foolish. He knew that he was in no condition to exact retribution on anyone. Which left him feeling useless to a degree he wasn't sure he had felt before.
Not able to sit around aimlessly in his little apartment anymore he had gone to explore a part of the city he hadn't yet: the university. He had some basic knowledge about what colleges were to the humans, but had never taken much interest in them. He surely would have found them more interesting before his mission had revealed itself to him. The coyote had been a bookworm, hungry for knowledge. The massive libraries that such institutions hosted would have been a haven for him. With nothing better to do with his broken self, he had decided to enter the first building he had come across on the overgrown campus.
It hadn't been the library, but he had found ways to occupy himself. At least as much as an injured vigilante could. Though he hadn't gotten very far into the building when he heard the unmistakable creak of a large door opening. Usually he would have gone to see who it was immediately, but in his condition he couldn't risk running into an enemy. But through the dust and neglect the smell that reached his nose was familiar and not one of an adversary. Slowly he walked to where the girl had entered and his masked eyes were surprised to see her in her bipedal form. He stood and waited for her to react, not entirely certain how to greet the young wolf.
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i gotta be my own boss no matter what the cost
The entrance was square, the heavy earth harvested stone created the gloomy and hard surface that she walked into. The floor was solid beneath her, different from the cracked concrete or the soft wooded planks that made the manor’s floor. It was slick, but heavy with the dust of being unused. Violet eyes took in her surrounding, following her nose that led her everywhere. There was something here, familiar yet distant. The foyer lead to hallways, and from the hallways it looked like smaller rooms.
The young girl didn’t move much time to explore, before being met with the figure that was the only familiar thing that the building contained. The brim of his hat met her eyes, looking upward to see the ears the poked through their holes. Her gaze traveled downward, and rested on the veil he wore. There was the scent of blood on him, though Mati was sure that it had been there before. It was always part of his identity, but now it hung heavily on his coat.
He hid his pain well, with no eyes to meet and his face shadowed by the hat’s brim and his body covered by his jacket Onus was able to shroud almost everything. Still Mati was keen to the changes of the air and the energy that surrounded those she cared for. Her voice was lost for a moment, and he had frightened her slightly. Swallowing hard Mati looked into the cloth, Onus? Not sure why she spoke as if she questioned the beast’s identity Mati took another breath before finding her voice, You scared me.
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sorry, short D:
After she spotted him they just stared at one another for a few moments. Social interactions were far from Onus' forte. There were very few creatures he was able to communicate with at any comfortable level. Cwmfen was the only one he didn't feel entirely awkward around. Though there was still some of that, but of a different kind. A kind that the coyote wasn't sure about what it was. No one had ever done anything for him before. She had saved his life. He still didn't understand why. His whole life he had been sunk deep into the idea that no one could care for him. He would never have a friend. Now that an experience was contrary to that notion he didn't know what to do.
It was clear she was nervous and he had startled her. This somewhat surprised the yote. Last time he had seen the girl she had been fairly bold, not seeming afraid of much aside from the city and her father. Perhaps she was nervous because she was inside the city, or at least very close to it. "Yes," he affirmed, though he knew he could not be mistaken for anyone else. "Sorry. Did not mean to." He wondered if she could smell the blood on him. If she could smell how close to death he had come. Right now his wound and its wrapping were covered, but anyone who had seen him before would know when he moved that something was amiss. He stayed where he was, somewhat self conscious about his impediment.
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sorry for the wait, I <3 you… !
i gotta be my own boss no matter what the cost
Breathing once again Mati was able to recover from the fright. Her chest and throat hadn’t closed enough to make her lungs hurt, but the fear of it happening made the stress worse. Mati took in the air, hoping not to look greedy whilst she did, and gave the coyote a forced smile. It was true that she was happy to see him, but her face would reflect her emotions when she could steady her heart beat.
No, its ok. she was glad he had been the one to surprise her and not some other beast, like one with a missing arm, or one with bright yellow eyes. She had never been happier to see the nonexistent gaze that he held rested upon her form.
The few brief moments after her words aided in her recovery, and when she spoke again Mati held a normal tone and stature. Her smile was true as she added a quick, I’m glad its you. Her memory of him was pleasant, though mystery was woven in each picture she held in her mind.
Another pause made her realize that the smell of blood was not just a hint in his normal cologne, but something that radiated from him. Smile turned downward, as she grew concerned. Her mood changed so suddenly that the words were hard to find. But, The smallest of pauses, to short for even a breath, allowed her to question her next words. Your hurt.
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No worries! <3
There was something going on with the girl's body, that much he could tell. Having his own body so disciplined and being so attune to its changes made it easy for him to sense that in others. This had been more than just some fearful reaction. Though what exactly it was he couldn't say, and he guessed that she probably could not either. "You okay?" The man wondered if she would answer him truthfully or not. If she didn't it just meant that she didn't want to talk about it and he would drop the subject. Though if she thought that she could do that without his knowing she would be wrong. Just because he would let her get away with lying didn't mean he didn't know she was.
Glad? The number of people who were "glad" to see him were few and far between. Cwmfen was among that number, but he doubted any others were. This girl's mother was a possibility, but he wasn't sure. If he showed up on the borders of her pack he doubted that the woman would be glad of it. Still, Onus didn't question it. Mati was young, sweet, and innocent. She had nothing to fear from him and most likely never would.
Once again her smile disappeared, this time for a different reason. The man's own mouth twitched downwards for a split second. He hated it. Hated being so injured and useless. For days he had done almost nothing but wonder around the city. It felt too much like hiding for his liking, but he knew there was little else he could do. Risking another confrontation with Corvus would end his death right now. "I'll be fine." He didn't need the girl worrying after him.
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i gotta be my own boss no matter what the cost
It was hard for the young Sergeant to think of Onus as all the things that he had done. All of the bad things he had done to those bad souls that never deserved to walk the earth, just really wasn’t what she thought when she saw him. He was something else, something that protected her and gave a small and quiet sense of comfort that liked to linger in the smallest corner of her mind. Though dark in personality and appearance, to the violet eyed innocent he was like the bright light of the sun. Battling the shadows.
She was fine. Her breath was back and her chest calmed while her mind redirected towards his injury. She took a deep breath as he asked, testing her lungs and finding them in working order. She could smile and say, Fine, just surprise is all. But her grin didn’t last as she took a step closer and looked at him, maybe to find the cut or gash that she smelled.
Are you sure? My mother is a healer, she could take a look. As she spoke the words Mati knew that it was a feeble attempt. He would never take the help that she might be able to give, but still maybe he would surprise her. Though Onus was full of surprises that she had never been able to guess, there were some things that just wouldn’t change.
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It seemed she didn't want to talk about what had just happened. Either that or she didn't know herself what it had been. Either way didn't make much difference to him. He wasn't going to stick his nose where it wasn't necessary. After all he didn't like it when other butted their way into his personal business. That was one of his biggest buttons. Why did everyone think they had a right to know what everybody else was doing or feeling. The way he saw it was no damn concern of anyone else's but the person in question and if they wanted to share they would. Otherwise just let sleeping dogs lie.
It was sweet of her. To be so concerned for him. The coyote supposed he could at least show her that he had already been taken care of. With his good hand he undid some of the upper buttons of his coat. Then gingerly he pulled back the fabric from his left shoulder, the dressing that covered his wound now exposed. "Already been treated. By a dark wolf here in the city." Otherwise I'd be dead right now. For some reason he left that part off. Usually he was not the type to spare someone the harsh truths of reality. But this girl was so innocent. He found himself not wanting to ruin it. It was so hard to find after all.
It was nearly impossible for him to see the wound himself. He could catch glimpses out of his periphery, but that was all. Luckily his nose told him when the dressing needed to be changed. That was becoming less and less often now, thankfully. It wasn't that he didn't respect the man that had saved him, and wasn't thankful. Onus just wasn't in the habit of being taken care of. It rubbed the man the wrong way.
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i gotta be my own boss no matter what the cost
Purple eyes watched closely, peering in the dim light as he pulled his coat back. He did it carefully, though she noticed no change in his face, no pain evident in his body. Mati nodded her head slightly, accepting his words and bandage as truth. He needed no help from her, as she had expected.
It was bigger then she had expected, though what she had thought it would she didn’t know. But still Mati fought to keep from gasping in surprise and clamped her mouth closed. She thought of her own cuts at the back of her neck. They had healed with little time of care, but the sting was what she remembered most vividly. His wound had to hurt much more. Oh, ok. She let the words come quickly from her mouth, not letting the shock of his bandage trace her face.
Mati took a step forward, getting a last glimpse before he put his coat back over it. She looked upward, and then around the room. Though she wasn’t the pup she had been when they first met Mati was still full of wonder, curiosity and innocence. She always would be. She knew that he was different then anyone else she had ever had the pleasure of knowing, and it left her unsure of what to do or say.
Is this where you live? Unable to hold the question in she let it spill out between them. She couldn’t imagine him traveling far, not with a wound like that. But then again he was always full of surprises.
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While she did her best to hide it, he could tell that she was shocked at the size of his wound. It was probably one of the worst he had ever gotten, aside from what his mother had inflicted on him as a child. She had bit him many times while Corvus had only sunk his teeth into him once. Though what had most likely made the wound so bad was pulling himself from the other man's jaws. There had been no other choice though. It was that or succumb to that demon which in Onus' mind was no option at all. It also had been the difference from dying right there and dying where he would have if Cwmfen hadn't found him. But he had been lucky and she had.
"Will be fine. Worst is over." His jugular had been stitched up and he had been able to avoid getting an infection. Now he just needed to wait for the healing process to complete itself. The prospect of having to wait so long to be useful again wasn't appealing, but he knew that he had to. As much as it might have displeased him he was no idiot. The scum would still be scum when he was back on his feet again.
The man looked with her about their surroundings. "Not right here. Deeper inside the city." Right now they were on the very outskirts of Halifax. That was at least one good thing about keeping himself cooped up in the city, was there was plenty of it to explore. "This is a university." He wondered if she knew what that was. If not he could explain.
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i gotta be my own boss no matter what the cost
Mati attempted to recover from the attack of her lungs, as well as the shock of his injury. She was getting better at such things, coping had never been her best ability as a small child, but as she grew she was getting better and better at it. Ignoring things and pretending that they weren’t really there was her way of coping. Bury it deep and forget it happened. Of course she hadn’t been around long enough to feel the ill side affects of the technique. She nodded as he spoke, wondering silently what the worst had felt and looked like. Instead of dwelling on it she focused on his answer to her question.
Oh. Her response came before she actually began to relax. Though there was tension in the air and the thoughts of him being hurt made her uneasy Mati tried her best to just ignore it all. Looking back to the old and beautifully built building she suddenly felt foolish for asking if he lived within such glorious walls. He wasn’t the type to surround himself with such finery. But as he explained where they were, Mati wasn’t sure what he meant. Like a school? She thought that she had heard, or maybe read of it before. Though, there was no question in her mind about if he would explain it to her.
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He was hoping that the university they were standing in would change the subject away from his injury. It wasn't like he was at all proud of it and would be much happier not talking about it. For a second though his mind flashed to that night. That monster had been in the forest just outside the borders of Mati's home. Onus had just been lucky enough to come across the man before anyone from the pack had. He didn't want to scare her, but he thought she should know who she should be running away from. That man was even more dangerous than her father. "If you see a black wolf with a band of white around his shoulders with black eyes you should run. As fast as you can." His tone told that he was very serious. Though as far as he was concerned, nothing more needed to be said on that subject.
The man nodded his head. "Yes like a school. 'Higher education' the humans called it." His hidden eyes continued to scan the building. It wasn't quite as grand as the one he had grown up near, but it was impressive enough. Though it had been partly knowledge that had destroyed the humans in the end. They just didn't know when to stop. "Lived near one of these where I grew up. Good place to find books. You read?" Before he had found his calling he had been a bit of a bookworm. Those old tomes had been his only friends and companions.
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i gotta be my own boss no matter what the cost
Violet eyes looked at the wide doorway that led from the entrance way and into large open room. From where she stood she could just make out the sloped flooring and the figure of seats. Why she hadn't looked into the hall she was sure, but it did help explain what the building's purpose was. Onus spoke, drawing her attention back to his veiled face. She almost didn't understand what he was saying, and had to rewind her brain and replay it in her mind. She pictured the figure, shadowed in black with a bright alabaster collar. Mati could only look at him blankly as she began to understand, giving a nod to show she would do as he said.
In an instant he turned back to the subject at hand, distracting her and bringing her mind back into focus. Taking in the idea, she wondered how much schooling humans had needed. It seemed weird to the young wolf, the need to venture outside of your home to learn things. She had always found the answers to her questions from her pack members. But maybe, she suddenly realized, she wasn't asking the right questions. Maybe there was more. I do, but i still like the pictures best. Mati spoke with a a small secret trailing at the end of her statement. I read about art, so the pictures are important. The girl smiled at him, wondering aloud I bet you read, alot. He just seemed to be the type to loose himself in a book.
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Mati seemed highly interested in their surroundings, and therefore highly distracted. It appeared to take her some time to even realize that he had been talking to her again. Then after she looked at him a few more moments passed before she nodded in response to his words. Something seemed different about her. What it was he couldn't quite nail down though. It seemed as if perhaps she were trying to escape something. If that were the case though, what was she trying to escape? Onus doubted that she would be able to focus if he asked her at this exact time, so he tucked it away in his mind to bring up again later on.
Pictures. Ah, yes. The humans had a saying: a picture is worth a thousand words. He didn't believe that was always true, but sometimes it was. Like the picture he carried in his head of the statue of Lady Justice. That had been a catalyst for him. It had brought him to his mission in life. It was one of the reasons he hid his eyes behind the cloth. Part of it was to hide his eyes that struck such fear in so many people. The other part was to symbolize what it had symbolized on the statue though. That justice was blind. That was the way he carried out his work. "Hrm. I see. Pictures can be good." He gave her a sideways glance. "Used to. Not much anymore. Don't have the time." Onus' work was never ending. Though since recovering in the city he had picked up some books to pass the time.
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they can walk...
i gotta be my own boss no matter what the cost
Her mind was so easily swept away, so easily taken by the slightest of things. It was a testimony to her young age, something she yet to grow out of. It was such an interesting place, the scent of heavy dust and the hint of the unknown made her eyes look slowly around in hopes of absorbing every bit. She had confidence in this new place, so close to the city and to the mystery that it held and the monsters she swore hid within. It was his presence that made her bold, enough to step beyond the circle of their conversation and venture slowly down a hallway. His figure drifted to her peripheral and became a shadow of security beside her.
The girl was surprised that he didn't read much, but understood that his time was taking by other things. More important things filled this thoughts, while she was free to indulge in the simple easy parts of life. Eyes of soft purple looked through the doorway, into the dim room. The chalk black bench tops filled the room in neat rows, a think layer of dust piled on each as well as the items that sat atop them. Stools sat arranged sporadically around the floor. She always thought it interesting to enter a room and find it as if the humans had just left only moments before, save for the dust. If you were to read... more, what would you choose? It was an idle question as she searched the student laboratory, pressing a gentle finger against the dirty glassware.
I wonder what motivated them, to always want to know so much. Her question was vague, but an honest one. The young female knew and understood the urge to learn more... but all of this, the building the class rooms, was over the top.
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Onus watched the girl silently as she took in the sights of the entrance to the large building. Surely it was much different than anything she had ever laid eyes on before. To him such a place was common, though perhaps a bit more elaborately constructed than most buildings. He had noticed that in human architecture. Important government buildings such as a courthouse or capital and universities had much more detailed constructs than many buildings. In fact that had been the first thing to draw him to the old courthouse in the city of his youth, the look of it. It was only when he had investigated and read the documents inside that he came to realize that what was held inside that building was what had been so important, not the outside appearance.
Somewhat wistfully she ventured down the hallway and he followed at a slow pace. He had no where else to be and he didn't mind the company of the Church girl. Also, while he may have been small help in his current condition, if some ill-intended beast came upon her he wanted to be there to protect her. He doubted that any such even would occur, but one could never be certain. They entered one of the many labs this building no doubt housed. He looked over the various tables and instruments as she asked her question. "Whatever. Not picky." Put a book before his eyes and he could find something of use between its pages.
"Part of their position, I think." The humans fascinated him, more so than many of his canine relatives. "Being the dominant species does something to your head. What you have is never enough. Thought they could gain some satisfaction from knowing everything. Only lead to their destruction." While he found the hairless apes interesting, he also saw their mistakes and their flaws. They were too large and gruesome to miss.
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he's a good teacher, if only loners had co-ranks... :p
i gotta be my own boss no matter what the cost
The girl didn't even know all the different types of books out there and had never thought that there was a book about absolutely everything. There was not one aspect of life, a point of history or even imagination that someone hadn't placed into the written form. Maybe in the brown colored wolfess ventured deeper into the city, and found the library she would begin to understand that there was more then just the things she found interesting and the dull plain books of the manor's study. There was a world in itself behind the library's doors. Her ignorance made her look at him for a prolonged moment, unsure if she would ever lack a preference as he did. She doubted it, she was too picky.
Do you think we're the dominant species now? Her question stirred by his words. Mati looked deeper into the lab, wondering what everything had been used for. Maybe the were, with two legs and thumbs. Great big minds that made it possible for them to recreate what the humans had at one time. But then, would they succumb to the same fate? the same destruction. He seemed like the right beast to ask such a question, and part of her figured he had thought about it before. But of course, she had also thought he would care what books he read.
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lol, he'd be like Pai Mei, except even less delightful XD
The girl still had much to learn. Though that was only to be expected at her age. She was still very young. But it was her youth and her innocence and her quiet curiousity that drew him to her. While he liked pups better than adults for the most part, being less corrupt, that didn't mean he liked spending time with them. Sometimes they were too bratty or too nosy or just too damn energetic. Mati was different though, she was calm, collected. Even though she had a lot to learn she was very bright. She was someone he didn't mind having a conversation with and that was a very rare gift for her to possess.
There was really no arguing the point if they were the dominant species on the planet now. "Yes. We are far more advanced than any of the other animals now. Just as the humans were before us." They had opposable thumbs now and their intellectual capacities had grown almost exponentially. They were able to manipulate the tools and resources that the humans had left behind. "Very possible that we could end up same way. Though it would be many decades from now. We have come a long way but the humans were still light years ahead of us." With power came corruption and the some canines were already showing the signs of rot. But they had nothing to worry about in their immediate future. It would be a very long time before they could create something that could destroy them.
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lol
i gotta be my own boss no matter what the cost
She suddenly understood why so many read about them. The questions that rose from their conversation made her want to know more, learn and understand how they lived and what made them build all the things that they had. The questions were more then she could ever ask the knowledgeable male. Though his patience with her was more then she could ever dream for. He was kind to her, whiling to teach her and watch out for her. Purple eyes looked to him as she let the thought pass through her mind. What did that make him to her? A teacher and protector, and some to look up to. If Mati was ever to have a father figure, the shadowed quiet male fit the bill.
Embarrassed that she might even think of their relationship in such a way Mati looked away and found the very thing that would ease the curiosity that drove her forward. The biology book lay on the floor, and she picked it up as she listened to his explanation. The design looked abstract as she wiped the dust from the cover, but looking closer she found the figure of a human painted as if the beast had no skin covering its muscles and flesh. Listening closely she found is thoughts exciting and yet scary. She knew that there was no reason for her to worry, decades were much longer then she would ever live. But, knowing that their kind was as capable of such extraordinarily horrible things was frightening.
I wouldn’t want to live this way. She spoke, looking around the room. The walls, the stone and the cold of the surrounds were one thing. But a vision of the crowded streets and the picture of the halls and benches lined with people would be too much to bear.
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iFail
He watched as her eyes lingered over him and then went on to gaze more at the lab. Then she found a book laying on the floor and picked it up. Casually he walked closer to take a look at the book that she had found. He easily recognized it as an anatomy book. When he was little he had had a similar text book. That's how he had learned about the important muscles and bones and arteries that comprised the body. While different, an optime canine wasn't that different from a human as far as such things went. It was good knowledge for someone in his profession to possess. "Anatomy. Study of the internal muscles, organs, and bones that make up our bodies. We are similar. Now." Though in their four legged forms they still had the same things, just arranged differently.
"Some of our kind already do." To a wolf that had grown up as Mati had it would no doubt be hard to find the appeal of such a life. She was a child of nature, much like Cwmfen. Whereas he was used to bustling city streets. "Have spent much time in populated cities. Those are the places where crime is the greatest. Most frequent." Still, there was more than that that attracted the man to such places. It was his element. What he worked the best in. That is why he was staying inside Halifax. Even though this city was more or less deserted it was still more comfortable to him than the woods.
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