if everything was everything

Snake · 01-29-2010, 12:10 AM

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Viei! Bet you can't guess what song this title is from. :b 700.

He felt better now, or at least assured that he wasn't going to get a terrible infection from the wound he had sustained from the rogue Dahlia de Mai wolf and die the dishonorable death of the diseased soldier. That was one of the worst ways to go in New Haven—disease ran rampant, and many would incite others to finish them off or simply commit suicide rather than succumb to it. There, illnesses were seen as testaments to how weak you were; if you contracted a major disease, you were not fit enough to live. No one would heal you. No one would care. Everyone would avoid you like the leper that you were. Snake had seen it, and it had made him critical on the selfishness of these sentient beings. They had spurned those that had really needed their help. Regardless, it rubbed off a little on him. He felt strange around those that were ill or had any serious disability, especially if they were living with it. It was a strength that he did not understand, and one that he had thought was weakness for so long.

That might have been attributed to Vieira, though he believed her a different case. She seemed like a child still, totally reliant on the one that kept her. There had not expressively been slavery in New Haven, because everyone was so obsessed with bettering their own lives that they did not consider accepting another into what they had accomplished (minus mates, of course, to further the population). He didn't really notice anything wrong with it, though. It was mutualism, almost—a symbiosis between the two in which Vieira helped Kaena (who was aging, as one could tell) around the den and Kaena made sure Vieira was well-kept for it. Snake, of course, would not know of any abuses. He only saw what was on the outside, and that seemed right enough.

He had spent several days close to the den, trying to keep his physical state up while making sure he didn't reopen the wound that was beginning to heal on the shoulder. It hurt and was sore, but he managed it. Once he was confident that if he happened to be confronted by another intruder he would be able to stave them off, he decided to go check on Vieira to make sure she had pulled through well enough as well. He had nearly left when he remembered something—a present that he had gotten for her when they had gone to Halifax. He had intended to give it to her at Christmastime, but that opportunity had passed. Hopefully she would like it just the same when he gave it to her now.

He had kept it in the trunk of his car-den, safe from the snow and rain and wind. It was in relatively good shape, a stuffed animal that must have been made out of some kind of velvety material at one time. Now it was frayed and threadbare in some places, but it held together well and still resembled what it had been intended as. With its four hoofed legs, proud antlers on its head, and a comical red nose, it was what the humans had regarded Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Snake was not familiar with that tale (would anyone be in the Luperci civilization?), but he had thought that Vieira might find it cute and appreciate it. He tucked the toy under his arm (the one that wasn't hurt, of course) and started in the direction of the Caves.

It was not a journey worth mentioning, though it was chilly and moist. The rain had mostly stopped, though there was a fine mist that seemed to fall from the sky whenever he least expected it. He reached the caves and specifically that that belonged to Kaena. He wasn't sure if the Centurion or if her Quintus was there, but nevertheless he called out in a flat voice, Hello? Is Vieira there? He made no move to hide the toy that he held—the surprise would be that it was for her, he supposed; he was not hiding it from her sight straight from the beginning.

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Vieira Lykoi · 01-29-2010, 12:45 AM

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Kaena helped Vieira take the bandage around her torso off just the other day to air out the wound on her back. It was ugly, scabbed over, and would scar something hideous when it was gone. It was probably better to have the wound on her backside, where she could not reach, so she would not compulsively pick at it. Kaena still had her do minimal things, if that, and she did not question her. It left her with more free time, unfortunately, and she spent that time in her small room picking at the lego blocks Snake had given her. She did not build with them much anymore, except the last few days, because there were a limited amount of things she could build. She was not creative and left with the same "building" sort of shape that was rather boring.

When she heard her name and the voice of Snake, her head snapped up to look out of her room. Kaena was gone for a little while; she did not know where she had gone, but she knew Snake would be allowed here. He had saved her life and Kaena had rewarded him with something. Slowly, the slave picked herself up and did her best to reduce the pain in her back. She could move but sudden movements or a certain twist of the skin would open her up and she would bleed. It would not be long before the scabs were gone but it was taking time with how awful, deep, and rigid they were and the fact neither of them had anything put on the wounds to help them heal. Her body was fighting it naturally and she was lucky not to have gotten an infection.

She stepped from the cave and turned to see Snake, her eyes looking to his chest to find somewhere to put her eyes. "Hello, Snake," she called with her hand on the cave wall as she approached the entrance. She knew not to let anyone in without Kaena being here but she decided to move out on a limb and let him inside. "Kaena is not here but you can come in," she offered. They could sit comfortably in the middle of the cave where the light was good and Kaena would notice should she come home any time soon. Vieira did not even notice what the man was holding but she put a smile on her face and made sure to be out of his way for when he moved inside.

Snake · 01-29-2010, 09:58 PM

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460.

It did not take long for the slight coyote to appear. Snake was somewhat surprised to see that she was not wearing any kind of bandage around her torso, to protect the wounds on her back from the airborne elements that infected it, but he could understand why. It usually took longer for a bandaged wound to scab and heal, but it as least prone to infection, and vice versa for when it was left out in the open. Nonetheless hew as sure that Kaena (who must have been proficient in treating wounds, from all the battles she had been in) was keeping good track of her progress. Hopefully the girl would be mostly healed soon. Snake wondered if he might even be able to teach her a little bit of fighting, so that she could protect herself alright if she was jumped again. It would definitely be a stretch (Viei did not exactly what he called a warrior's instinct), but he was sure that she might be able to become somewhat proficient with some help.

That would come at a later date, however. She greeted him, and he nodded—having already called her, he didn't feel the need to reiterate his own salutations. She invited him in and he did oblige, but not much. He refused to not go any more than five feet inside the cave. It was partially out of respect for the privacy of the two women, but he was also deathly phobic of confined places—a fear that was magnified when those places were underground. How are you doing he asked neutrally; he knew that he was still in pain a good deal of the time, so he could assume that she wasn't doing much better. Of course, she was probably nowhere near as used to the pain... or was she? He didn't know how she was treated in the past. She seemed skittish around new people, which might indicate that she was mistreated. Or maybe she was just shy, sheltered a little too much? He had no way of telling, and asking was totally out of the question.

Around this point he remembered the stuffed animal that he was holding and, without any pomp or circumstance, held it out to her. I was saving this to give to you closer to the end of the year, a month ago. But stuff obviously got in the way, he said, his face darkening a little as he referenced the recent turns towards war for Inferni. Still, I hope you like it. It had seemed like something she would like, of course. It had a sweet face, though a little worn from the test of time, and was soft and cuddly. Girls liked stuff like that, right?

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Vieira Lykoi · 01-29-2010, 10:22 PM

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Vieira took a few steps back while Snake took a few inside the cave. He did not come too far but she did not say anything against it. If he was comfortable there, so was she. He was one of the few males she was comfortable in the presence of. He did not treat her any differently than he did anyone else, there was a sort of indifference in him about the situation more than anything. It was a nice breath of fresh air. She did not plan to spill her deepest and darkest sets of emotions but she could talk to him without too much worry. She did not speak unless spoken to with him but it was not left with an awkward silence if he chose to be quiet. There was not the need for her to talk like Kaena expected of her sometimes, in which Vieira forced herself to find something to say.

"I am okay," she said, regardless of the fact she still hut and had a hard time sleeping. It was a generic answer that she was accustomed to using. It had never mattered if she was in pain or not and she had to keep her owners satisfied. But she was all right, a little sore and tender in places, but she would heal nicely if she stayed on the straight path she was on. Kaena did not have her doing too exerting tasks and things were pretty calm. She was well fed, at least, and that was something else that boosted her healing process. Vieira ate as if starved every time and generally ate more than usual, her body taking in as much nutrition as she could get to help the wound on her tender backside. "Are you?" she asked softly, a smile lingered at the corner of her lips.

He did not waste time to bring up the thing he brought and for the first time since he had been here, she noticed the stuffed reindeer. Her golden eyes lay fondly on the creature as he held it out for her and she slowly lifted an arm to carefully take it as if he would snatch it back or Kaena would show up to object the animal. Her thin digits wrapped around it, taking it in to her person as she looked it over. It was strange looking, like a deer with a red nose, and she wondered if it had any real purpose in life. It was soft, plush, and she found a bit of comfort by just looking at it. The slave slowly brought it to her face so she could study the features of the toy while Snake explained why he had brought it. "Thank you," she said quietly and she squeezed the softness of the toy. Vieira sincerely hoped her owner would let her keep it.

Vieira brought the toy to her chest, giving it a bit of a hug to test it out. A smile lingered on her features as she looked in the general direction of her friend. "I like it," she said with a hint of joy in her voice. She was genuine in her words. "I do not have anything for you," she said, her joy faltering and she struggled to keep it in line. There was a bit of sadness to her tone and she wished she had something to give him in return. It was only polite, after all, and her smile started to fade from the happy look she had just seconds before. If she would have known he had something for her from the city, she might have tried to pick something out without Kaena knowing or perhaps talking to her about it. Maybe that would come up a little bit later, the next time she had to go to the city she would try and find something that stuck out to her that gave her the impression Snake would like it.

Snake · 01-29-2010, 10:57 PM

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481.

She replied in a low murmur, testifying that she was fine—Snake had trouble believing that, but he didn't show any indication. He knew that wounds along the back were usually killers, for one used the muscles in the back for things like standing or reaching or... anything, basically. It had been similar to the wound that now rested as a scar across his ribs; he had to lay literally still for weeks before he was able to move without opening the wound and beginning to bleed out again. That had been an ordeal—if anyone knew what he had gone through, no one would question how tolerant to pain it was. Which was why he was doing decently well, plus the fact that the wound was on his shoulder. It was an area that was used often, but not as much as the back or torso. He mainly just used his other arm nowadays—it was not difficult. With training, Snake had become practically ambidextrous.

As for how he was doing, he replied as truthfully as he could, Well enough, yes. I manage to keep going on. He still patrolled in the morning and at night, though he probably shouldn't. He should know better, but he was still worried. He would be there when things happened, wound on his shoulder or not. He was sure that he could fight with it if he needed to—lock away the pain in the Pandora's box that housed all the rest of his emotions and not let it out until he was certain he was safe.

She accepted the toy from him, looking at it with curiosity in her eyes. She seemed a little detached, but eventually it must have dawned on her that it was hers now. She gave it a small embrace, thanking him. He shifted his weight in a small nervous gesture, mumbling, Don't mention it. She said that she liked it, and he gave a nod, a ghost of a smile appearing on his features. He might not be often graced by any type of joy, but there was a creeping sense of satisfaction that appeared in giving her a bit of kindness. He believed that she deserved it, perhaps more than others. They had both been through a lot in the past; he could feel it. Types like them bound together.

He shrugged when she said that she had nothing for him. I don't really need... things. It is enough to know that you are pleased with it. He hadn't really considered Kaena refusing that she could keep it—what harm would it do? he reasoned. He was sure if she found some kind of point of contention with it, he would mention that it was merely a get-well gift from one to another, and from her Hydra at that. Regardless, he doubted that would come up anyway.

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Vieira Lykoi · 01-29-2010, 11:16 PM

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The kindness Snake was offering her was not something she was used to. He had given her two presence since knowing each other without wanting anything in return. First of all, she rarely got anything solely for her and if she did, it always came at a price. She felt that something was missing inside her mind when she did not give him anything, whether tangible or something else, but nonetheless he did not seem to want anything. It would not stop her from trying to find something for him, regardless if there was nothing he needed. Perhaps Vieira did not need these toys he was giving her but she found comfort and safety in them. And the best thing about them was that Snake had given them to her and was happy to have them.

Her jaw opened to question the toy, to ask what it was, but she felt it might be rude. She felt as if she should know what it was and that Snake had given it to her with purpose. She did not find this but instead held it close. Vieira was not able to focus on the pain in her back but instead the fact this was warm and soft and something she could keep in her room. The first thing she would do when Kaena returned was to tell her because if she hid it, she knew she would get in trouble later. Astaroth said something in the back of her mind to reinforce this but she did her best to block him out. "I really like it," she whispered as if she were a child and continued to hold it close to her chest. With a final squeeze, she relaxed and it hung low in her hands by her belly.

"Do you want to sit down?" she asked, looking at the floor. She knew she needed to keep resting and she hoped he would keep her company, at least until Kaena returned. Vieira never minded being around Kaena, unfortunately it was something she depended on but a nice change of face was refreshing and if there were gifts like this involved, she would want it a little more.

Snake · 01-30-2010, 12:25 AM

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281.

He glanced down, as if embarrassed that she liked it so much, though in truth it was more just him being earnest. Snake had largely been raised against such signs of compassion—signs of weakness, as he had learned them. He usually felt strange when he did a kind act like this, but then something warm flickered to life within him. It usually only lasted a second or so, and while it was alien it was not really unpleasant like other emotions that slipped out of his internal Pandora's box sometimes. Which was the reason why he had kept doing them—if compassion was just as bad as those other horrid emotions, he would have become even more reclusive and stoic as ever.

Sure, he responded, though he didn't move an inch from where he stood. He merely sank to the floor, minding his shoulder as he rested with his back against the wall of the cave. He would refuse to go any further in, though he would do so politely. Regardless, he sat only to be polite. Usually people got a little nervous when they stood in their home. It was almost disrespectful to their hospitality or something like that.

He didn't really know what else to say, so he looked to the outside and mentioned something that had been rolling around in his head before he had arrived. Once we are well, and if you have Kaena's permission, would you like me to teach you how to defend yourself a little better? He looked her in the eye toward the end of this statement. Her steel in the decision would decide whether or not it was even worth pursuing.

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Vieira Lykoi · 01-30-2010, 12:44 AM

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Vieira was thankful he decided to linger around a little longer and sat down after a one-syllable answer. The slave smile and, carefully with the toy in hand, started to lower herself to the cave floor. It was difficult to do without hurting herself and she felt the wound stretch against the skin holding it together. She cringed in pain, her eyes tightening shut to hide her golden eyes, and managed to find a bit of comfort as she crossed her legs in an Indian fashion. The woman exhaled a long breath and sat as still as she could so everything could pass after a few seconds. She sat the reindeer neatly in her lap, petting its head idly before she looked in his direction. Her eyes fell on the wall behind him as he started to speak and she looked and found the wound he had gotten while saving her.

His offer made her blink but he dipped his head slightly to look her in the eye, something that caused her to flinch and look to the ground instantly. It was like a stab in the heart when someone managed that and she forever felt awkward until the meeting was over. Gabriel had forced her to look into his eyes and it had taken all she had in order to do it and even then, it did not last long. He had quickly understand that she could not do such a thing and later understood how useless she was for the pack as a whole. She was better in helping one canine rather than serving an entire pack. Being nearly run over by a doe a few weeks ago had been proof enough and she doubted she would be going on any hunting expeditions any time soon.

"Uhm..." she started, her jaw tightening at the offer. It was not one for her to decide, but instead for Kaena. If Kaena wanted her to be able to, then she would. Astaroth and Sivaro had made sure she was incapable of such a thing and she wondered if it could be turned around after years of underdevelopment. She could not fathom raising her own hand to anyone else just to stop something against her. It was against everything she was raised for when she was supposed to take whatever punishment her owners had in store for her. After a long breath, Vieira decided to take the safe way out. "If Kaena wants me to," she said quietly, her eyes on the reindeer to avoid meeting his eyes with her own.

Snake · 01-30-2010, 01:39 AM

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She followed his example, lowering herself to the dusty ground of the cavern, though it obviously pained her worse than him. He looked with vague disapproval (in himself, for making her do this, of course), though there was nothing he could say or do about it now. Eventually she settled to where she didn't have the expression of one that is being lit on fire, and he relaxed a little bit. But only a little. If this truly was too much for her recovering wounds, he would mention that they should probably go find some place else to sit.

This did not happen, though; she grew a little more comfortable and placed the reindeer in her lap, looking off to some place beside him as she thought. He didn't speak either; he was not much of a conversationalist, and neither was Vieira, so they made for a pretty awkward and silent duo. His offer made an impression, though—her head turned towards him and she regarded him with a strange look. It was only momentary, then her face showed a small flinch and she looked away. He looked down, knowing that it might be a decently embarrassing request. Some might have too much pride to accept an offer, especially from someone who was younger. But Snake didn't put stock in age—fighting-wise, he believed he knew more than many in the clan. Or at least more in different areas. Nevertheless, she replied with a hazy answer about it having to be okay with Kaena first.

Of course, he replied; he would never ask her to do something without gathering Kaena's permission, though. He was sure that the Centurion would appreciate some training for her Quintus—hopefully she could get at least a little more confidence in things. She would definitely be more useful in patrols, hunts, and other such things if she merely had some trust in herself and her abilities.

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Vieira Lykoi · 01-30-2010, 02:01 AM

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Vieira wondered if she would be able to do something like Snake was proposing. The idea seemed so foreign to her when all Astaroth did was make sure she could not hurt anyone else around her. It started with her mentality first, enforcing that she was nothing and lower than the omega. She lived to serve and to make him happy and to bear his children that she could not bare for whatever the reason. The slave never tried to hurt her owners before aside from fighting back when she was younger but it had been quickly beaten out of her until she learned and then beaten out of her some more. It was well enforced, reinforced, and done all over again just to get the point across. Vieira had never dared to fight back before with her owners after that, or anyone else, and perhaps why she did not fight back any harder with the wolf that attacked her and gave her the wound on her back.

She did not say anything on the matter, unsure of whether or not Snake would bring it up when he saw her or if she should. Vieira did not know if she wanted to bring it up, afraid she might want to do the same as Astaroth and make sure there was no way she could turn on Kaena (not that she ever really would, but surely Kaena would find some sort of paranoia) and make sure she stayed incapable of being able to take care of herself. That was another reason she never tried to get away form Astaroth, why she had gone to Eris when Sivaro died; they made sure she was incapable of survival without them, making her solely dependent on needing someone to take care of her. Eris had caused the most neglect, often times forgetting about her, but enough so that she survived long enough to make it to Inferni under Kaena's rule now. It was an easier life style in ways, but perhaps just as stressful as any other.

With the silence lingering between them, it did not feel as comfortable as it used to. She wondered if it was because of his suggestion but she tried to pin it on something else. She was awkward to be around, she knew, and hoped it would resolve itself sometime soon. "It looks like a deer," she said as she picked up her toy and rotated it to face her. It was an empty statement just to fill the silence and she did not feel strange saying something without him speaking first. "There was a blue bear where we were," she pointed out and wondered if he had seen it. A blue bear was comical just as this reindeer was with a red nose. It was something that did not make sense her to but nothing she questioned. She had wanted to bring the bear home but she was on a trip for things the two women needed rather than things they wanted. She did had not wanted to risk bringing home something Kaena would not approve of.

Her jaw parted to say something about the bear again but she snapped her teeth shut with an inaudible click after deciding against it. The next time she went to the city, she would have to find something for Snake instead of finding that bear again to bring for herself. Vieira was not a selfish girl, she knew not how to take a minute for herself when she had everyone else to consider, everyone else to make happy so she could find contentment. It was all she had to go on and all she had to survive on. If they were not happy, neither were she, and Snake had done something nice for her and in return, she had to find something for him in hopes she could make him just as happy with something that was more than her fondness for the reindeer with the red nose.

Snake · 02-16-2010, 10:11 PM

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Perhaps the idea of fighting was too alien for her. It had been as throughly washed from her as general emotional response had been from Snake. If someone was to make that parallel to him, he might give it up right then. He had always found some trying to enlighten him to the benefit of living an emotional life; it was annoying. He lived how he felt it was best for himself—everyone else did the same. He just told himself that they would think differently if they had experienced his life themselves. But that would never be. Most of the time he just ignored them.

He did not press the matter, though. He was not really that type of guy—he offered and if it was not accepted, he dropped it. Life was black and white for Snake; you wanted it or you didn't, and there were no gray areas. He switched casually to the subject of the toy, and Snake remembered the faded text on the tag that he had torn off (why would anyone want a tag on a toy? he had thought). "His name is Rudolph," he said simply, for that was what it had said on the tag. "And yes, he is a deer. More like a caribou, though." A more cartoony version, of course. Real caribou were pretty intimidating sometimes.

He tilted his head slightly; he did not remember a blue bear, but he had not really been looking. "Maybe we could go get it later, if you wanted," he said neutrally. Really, Snake didn't need things like that. He had never wanted things as a kid—food, water, and blankets for warmth were enough for him. If someone wanted to give him the best gift, they could give him a manual for making his goddamn gun work, but that was a little too romantic of an ideal. He would probably have to figure that one out himself.

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Vieira Lykoi · 03-04-2010, 06:44 PM

Sorry this is fail, lovely. ;;
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Vieira's pulled at the stray threads attached to the reindeer and she hummed to herself, but he explained that it was like a deer. Or at least in the family. Her eyes lifted to look at his chest and she smiled. She was glad she had given a correct answer (though there had been no question) but it made her feel better. Her hand rested on top of the tiny toy and she felt the softness against the pads of her hands. It was a nice feeling and would sit nicely with her Lego blocks. She knew just the spot, too. Vieira took in a long breath and pushed it against her feet for a good look and a smile remained on her features. It was such a nice gift, she never really had anything for herself.

Snake mentioned going back to the city for that particular bear and she thought about it. "Okay," she quietly murmured. She did not want to leave the safety of the cave any time soon but she would like to have the bear, Kaena permitting. Perhaps at a later date she would mention it, but not now. She did not need the woman to have an idea of going to the city against. Her safety had been shattered just days ago and it would be some time before she could find it again. "Do you... want anything?" she asked. He had given her two gifts now and even though she wanted to give something to him, she knew of nothing he might want. She did not even know him that well, anyway.

Snake · 03-12-2010, 12:26 AM

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They might see something interesting every time they entered that toy store in Halifax and then go back and get it over and over until the store was empty and the entire cavern in which Vieira lived with Kaena was filled with them. The rogue thought was vaguely amusing, though it did not show on his steely expression. She said that she would be okay with going back to see about getting the blue bear, but he knew that she would need permission from Kaena before going anywhere. He didn't feel like going anywhere anytime soon either because of the broiling war with Dahlia de Mai. He needed to remain here, just in case he was needed. He was a Hydra now, after all. He needed to be ready to fight and defend.

He blinked when she asked if there was anything that he wanted—he was not often asked that question, and he often did not even ask himself that question. "No," he responded after a moment; there was nothing that he would want from her that he could think of. Snake didn't need much; he was pretty low-maintenance in all regards, as strange as they might be sometimes. But now his mission was done, and he felt somewhat awkward standing around. "I should probably go patrol." He looked to Vieira, his olive eyes impassive though he was pleased that she had liked the late Christmas gift. "I will see you later, though."

Once goodbyes were put out of the way, Snake spent the rest of the day patrolling the borders of the forest and to the east of the Caves before heading back to his home in the Landfill.

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