True Faith

Mati Church · 03-04-2010, 07:56 PM

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Rio :3
I left the location vague, didnt know how close to the city she would travel... so its up to you

She hadn’t been the same. No everything had changed and Mati didn’t know what to do with herself because of it. She had cleaned, and thought she wasn’t a ‘dirty’ wolf, she was not neat or consistent with her organization. And she had cleaned her entire studio from top to bottom, leaving only the painted paw prints on her floor as evidence that she was clumsy with her creations. She felt she had painted day and night since seeing Cambria that one day and now the painting was as complete as she could ever really hope, her studio of clean as she could ever imagine, and her mind was still not rid of the thoughts that plagued her. The wooden frames clanked, three that Mati could not choose one from and so she had brought them all from the city. They were heavy, though her large form held the big bag that she had found with relative easy.

The snow wasn’t deep, but still enough to make the task moved from a fair ease to a slight burden. Powerful legs carried her out of the city, through the eastern route that she felt comfortable taking, even if it was slightly out of the way. She would rather not travel too deep in the city, and had memorized the location of her favorite stashes of supplies. A wide circle was made around the outer boundaries, so that Mati only had to step out of the forest, travel down a few streets and then gather what she needed and head back. It was a practiced path, and the violet-eyed woman felt a sigh of relief hit her the moment she was returned to the trees. The tall wolfess thought of the way the painting would look in each frame, for it was impossible to choose without first trying it out.

A song bird called, and the Dreamer looked upwards for just a moment her heart singing back.

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Rio Marino · 03-06-2010, 02:35 PM

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Pale paws were nearly invisible in the snowy ground, and she appeared as a ghost would, floating eerily through the forest, her speed enhancing the illusion. Rio always traveled quickly; she never strolled or meandered, and yet she never missed the most beautiful of details around her. It was an ingrained trait, as if there were something behind her chasing her at all times, something no one else could see. The feeling of being pursued was always settled somewhere inside the little girl. The pursuit wasn't from some tangible being, but rather from something inside her, a phantom of her darkest emotions that sprung upon her whenever she dared slow down. But today, though the idea lingered, she was high-spirited, silvery-lilac eyes flitting to and fro like excitable fireflies, relishing the last weeks of winter. She loved how the trees held their burden of snow, strong and patient. Were they happy when melting snow cascaded from their arms to the world below?

A woman, tall and bronze furred with a heavy burden in her strong arms, appeared through these trees. Rio paused, her tail waving slowly and expectantly behind her, to study the figure as it drew near. She was very pretty, and even in the distance Rio could see that their eyes were similar in color, though Rio thought perhaps the stranger's were a bit darker. Oddly, her smell was familiar, as had been Haven's, adding to the puzzle that Rio was trying to piece together. In fact, the Marino child thought Haven's and the present stranger's scents were alike. Why did individuals she had never encountered sometimes have recognizable smells? She had never met this female before. The little girl yipped a greeting, still wagging her tail, and came closer to the young auburn werewolf still. "Hi, Signora! What... what are you carrying?"

Mati Church · 03-06-2010, 07:53 PM

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It was a robin, its dark feathered back shown against the pale background of winter’s landscape. Its bright orangey-fire breast gutted out, the chirping song brought forth from its round fat stomach. It was commonplace, one of thousands that were on every tree in ever forest. Still its song held her still for a moment, purple eyes looking up at the bird and its ordinary earthen tones mixed with the almost unnaturally brilliant color. A simple color, accented by the most complex of tones. It reminded her of someone, another that was far from simple and everything that complex could entail. A voice spoke, small in every way and it brought her mind right to the present.

She turned, bags still attached to her hands and looked down at the youth that had called to her. It took a moment for the Church woman to take in the question and find the answer to it. “Oh...” Mati exclaimed, “Art supplies, frames.” She explained still recovering from the slight surprise. How had she allowed such an inexperienced wolf to simply walk right behind her without even noticing? Her mind was so blanketed by certain experiences that she would have let any beast stalk her. “But,” Mati spoke, her face looking slightly worried, “I’m not Signora.” She did not know who it was that the pup was searching for, but she knew that she was not it.

“My name is Mati Church.” She spoke, her eyes watching the unknown wolf-pup. She smelled of Phoenix Valley, though her memory of the fragrance was faded. She was not one to venture that far East, but her art tutor Honore was of that pack and Mati found it hard to forget anything about him.

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Rio Marino · 03-17-2010, 11:39 PM

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She was still trying to get a grasp upon proper etiquette; it hadn't occurred to her that it might not be the best, most polite thing to traipse along behind someone. When the muscular woman started, Rio shrunk back, a bit ashamed. If Mati was anything like the blonde fay she'd met several days ago, she would scold her, as Yumiko had done. But it seemed that the two strangers were very different from one another. The earthen werewolf only gave Rio an answer, still shaken from the shock of having a little child come up behind her. Rio saw that she must have been moving more quietly than she first thought. Her silver-purple eyes traced the contours of the bags, trying to put the objects and their names to one. But nothing was familiar, it appeared to her.

The stranger (who did not smell so much like a stranger) misunderstood. She thought the Marino child was calling her by the name of someone else; Rio hurried to explain, always soft and gentle. "'Signora' is just what I call ladies, Mati. I call boys "Signore" as well. I'm sorry." She was afraid that Miss Church would look down on her, afraid that she'd unknowingly insulted the beautiful woman. She sighed abashedly, smiled meekly, and studied Mati from beneath long eyelashes. Maybe she could make things better. "My name is Rio." That didn't seem enough, somehow. "Rio Marino. And it's nice to meet you"

Mati Church · 03-19-2010, 10:40 AM

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Mati couldn’t help but smile at the sight of the pup, even if her identity was a mystery. The tall female loved pups, of any kind and any sort. It was what made her the Nanny of Crimson Dreams, and made her good at her job. She had experience with Savina’s children, and Jaz’s two but she didn’t think it was experience that made her able to work well with them, Mati simply put herself in their place and tried to understand them by look at the situation through their eyes. When her surprise had faded Mati could kneel to the ground before the small girl. Her voice was sensitive and Mati easily saw that there was a bit of concern in her eyes.
“No need to apologize, is that Italian?” She asked with interest. Her arms were relieved of the bags weight and she watched the darker girl, whose periwinkle eyes were like her own yet softer and far calmer in hue.

When she spoke her name Mati held the next feeling of shock away from her face. This was one of her half siblings. She breathed steadily, the memories of her mother were not pleasant, how could they be? But that was not Rio’s problem, and if Mati had anything to say about it the pup would never know of their mother’s indiscretions.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you Rio.” Mati spoke sincerely. A small pause came, and the Mati spoke once more.
“You know, I think that we have something in common.” She spoke, a smile still placed on her face. Thoughts of her situation with Cambi was moved to the back of her mind, never forgotten but Mati remained simply (and happily) distracted. She wondered if Rio was told about Mati and her brothers and sister, she wouldn’t be surprised if she had never heard of them from the lips of the white female that had birthed them both.

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Rio Marino · 03-23-2010, 08:34 AM

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Rio was put at ease by the female's gentle nature. Mati interested the smaller girl for many reasons, though it was mainly how she appeared physically and how that felt to Rio along with her kindness, and soft way of things. Mati's smooth coat of an even hue and her lovely eyes were perfectly warm and, as was her way with young ones, Rio felt entirely comfortable. Oddly, it was as if she was inherently very safe with this woman. The feeling was similar to what she felt with Xeris, something not even Naniko could quite do for her (though she adored her mother very much). Rio's tail wagged involuntarily behind her as she and Mati met at the same level; yes, it was much better this way. Purple-blue eyes made a dash toward the bags, hoping it was not inconvenient for the older werewolf to stop and talk with such a large load to carry.

Rio awaited the end of Mati's voice, trying to make sense of everything she'd said. She had a feeling that something wonderful was about to be told to her, something having to do with the way the female smelled. The child sensed that they were related; she had grown accustomed to the surprise of unknown relations to other wolves, after meeting Haven. She just was not sure in what way their blood was connected. "It is Italian, that's what Papa speaks." She paused, thinking of her father and how much she loved him; she missed him so much that using his language was done almost as an act of honoring him. It made her happy to speak like him. Rio eyed her companion curiously, her tail continuing to wag slowly behind her. "What do we have in common?" she asked with a smile of deep anticipation.

Mati Church · 03-23-2010, 04:03 PM

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Mati could not help but wonder where the dark coat the little girl held came from. Was it the same genes that gave Salem his coloring? Or was it the Marino side the painted Savina that shade? Such a thing was a mystery to the Church woman, though she understood that what we were like on the outside came from own parents. Such as Haven's fiery tone coming from their father. Mati was glad that most traits were only skin deep. For she found that neither of them had those certain things that their sire had, his madness and murdering tendencies.

"Your Ehno's girl, he lives in my pack. Crimson Dreams." She said with another soft smile. Thoughts of Ehno no longer made Mati cringe, though the soft warmth that she once felt for the male when she was growing up was no longer present either. What he had done was not something she could forgive completely. And now, with her connection to Cambria growing as it was Mati could not help but think of what happened to her that day and the pain that was felt. But, Mati did not hate him, far from it, and her experiences with her own parents made her aware and willing to never treat an individual differently simply because of their lineage.

"Well," She began, her smile still present and growing slightly. "we have the same mother." With no idea that Rio had met her brother Haven, Mati was unsure how that pup would handle the new information, if it was new at all. The tall earthen hued female couldn't forgive or forget the abandonment she felt towards the snowy woman that was their mother, so much had gone unsaid between them and she always wandered if it was something she had done that made everything fall apart as it had. "Naniko." Mati hoped that this time around the ex-Dreamer was a present entity for her younger half-siblings.

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Rio Marino · 03-29-2010, 08:03 AM

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Though young, the dark circumstances of her birth were not a mystery to the sable furred child. Haven had not explained it to her in detail, but she was intuitive enough to see that there was resentment about her parentage, felt by wolves she was just now discovering were of relation to her as well. She did not know exactly what comprised the discomfort Haven had felt, and it worried her. She was too young for it to be explained, and the man had done well by concealing the truth from her. It didn't have much to do with who she was, she was coming to realise. But that didn't mean it made her very happy. She wished for love from everywhere, and that this was no longer a possibility was one of the many things that filled her with sorrow.

Mati told her who she was, rendering a smile from the smaller girl. As the woman continued her explanation, the cheery grin only widened, in part because of the concept of having a "new" sister. But it was deeper; her happiness had roots in Mati's serene aura as she spoke. She kept an even tone, and seemed even glad that she could share this moment with Rio. The swarthy child cheeped a small, "Yes." Her older sibling continued, and Rio could not detect and anger when she spoke their mother's name. Maybe only Haven had bad feelings toward Naniko. Oh, why was everything so complicated? "You are my sister," she said, still smiling, able to cast aside her confusion and relish the moment of joy. "I met Haven, too, when I was littler. I am very happy to have you, and him." She spoke her true feelings, as she had no reason to be deceitful. Already, the girl's heart was full of love for the siblings she only now knew she had.

Mati Church · 03-29-2010, 09:23 PM

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sorry, this is short ><;;

Mati could remember the days where she was in the dark and blinded from her father’s wrong doings, she could feel that bliss and would not be the one to break any ignorance that Rio had about her parents. It was not her place, and would rather just be glad that she could spend time with her little sister then dwell on events long gone and unchanging.“Yes I am.” It felt a bit odd to think that she was, all of the news wasn’t new but still seeing one of the litter for the first time was a bit new.

Brown curls and waves fell against her shoulders as she nodded slightly in agreement, and when she spoke of Haven her eyes lit up just as they always did when speaking about her brother. “You did?” Mati asked, slightly surprised that she had gotten an audience with the Knight, who Mati had not seen in some time. “I’m happy to have you too.” she spoke with a smile.

The Church fey paused, then asked lightly with wonderment in her voice. “Now what are you doing around here?” It was just outside the city, and a ways away from her homelands.

Rio Marino · 04-01-2010, 08:48 PM

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short is totally fine!

Rio was lucky to have such kind siblings; all of her family was kind to her. The only one she was unsure of was her mother, as Haven seemed to feel some aversion toward the pale woman that Rio could not understand. She wished to, but didn't know how to ask for the information she wanted. She didn't feel right inquiring to Naniko. Her love for her mother prevented her from doing so, for fear of causing any harm, and unnecessary pain.

The sable girl's smile mirrored Mati's; she liked to see the older werewolf smile. It was beautiful. "Yes, he came to my home. He is very nice," she said, remembering how he'd told her he loved her. Hearing those words spoken from him gave her the best feeling she'd ever had. He loved her in spite of whatever he felt toward their mother. And Mati gave her a similar feeling of importance when she reciprocated what Rio had said, that she was happy to be a sister to her. To answer the question, Rio looked downward, thinking of what to say. "I don't know," she replied honestly, her voice tinged with worry. "I have never been allowed to leave home before, and I started this way..." She did not know how else to explain.

Mati Church · 04-01-2010, 09:42 PM

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:]

Life was forever changing, and Mati was now old enough to know that nothing ever stayed the same. In her life time she had seen families fall apart, discovered secrets about the pasts of those close to her, those that she had thought could be nothing but faithful and just. She had the honor of meeting some that never leaned towards the side of evil and immoral, and then those that lived no where else. Rio reminded Mati a bit of herself, purple eyes bright with a life that might seem quiet on the outside by inward lived an energy that was ready to bubble outward.

"He certainly is." Mati loved Haven, more then any other in the world. Haven had always been her protector, and the one she had been closest to growing up. He had always treated her like a perfect brother should. His brotherly love had never been doubted, as some others that she was related to.

"The city is not far from here," Mati said, her voice a bit lower then before. There was something that she needed to tell her younger half sister, something that would maybe keep her safe. "thats where I found all this stuff. You can find all sorts of things, but you shouldn't go there alone." It was impossible to forget what had happened that left the scars on her arms, and the attack in the old school was something that Mati had never expected. It was a bit too late for them to go back and explore today, but maybe another the two sisters could go off and find a few interesting things for her to bring home. "Someday, maybe we could go?" Mati offered.

Rio Marino · 04-18-2010, 02:58 PM

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gawsh, I'm so sorry for making you wait!

She hadn't discovered yet that things changed, and had no concept of what could happen in the future. So far she'd lived a sheltered life, the only roughness occurring when she thought of her mother. Only in her mind did things change; otherwise it was just the steady rhythm of keeping herself strong physically and going each day with the expectation of learning something new. She fantasized about the future and where it would take her, but had no inkling toward where this might be.

Rio felt the love in Mati's words when she spoke of their brother. It made him seem all the more wonderful, somehow; the girl could not tell why. She couldn't stop smiling then because there were two more wolves in her life who might care for her, and who she could care for herself.

The sooty child listened politely, understanding what her sister said. The idea of the city was almost frightening, especially now that she had heard hesitance and warning from Mati. But she was encouraged by her elder sister's offer. An adventure with the earth-toned wolfess was so appealing to the girl that her smile spread further across her thin face. Mati wanted to to the city, with her? "Oh! I would love to go there with you!" she chirped, tail wagging her entire skinny body. "Mati, why shouldn't I go alone?"

Mati Church · 04-18-2010, 04:46 PM

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dont worry, i don't mind taking this one slow ;D

Mati could not help but wonder how life in Phoenix was for Rio. She could imagine that it was as pleasant as it could be in Crimson Dreams. The wolfess wanted to believe that, and the pup gave her no reason to entertain any idea that might be different. Rio was social and sweet and as light and fluttery as a butterfly and yet not as flighty and fragile as one. She must be well cared for, loved by her family and pack. Such a thing was important, and in her eyes the most important. She knew what neglect would do to a growing mind, and she hoped that the monsters of their mother's past would not return to hurt those around her.

Purple eyes looked at the smaller wolf, smile on her face as well as in her gaze. "There are many things to see there." Mati explained. Her memories of the place were not always good, but the all the bad had happened long ago. She had been a different wolfess then, weaker and more naive. She was as Rio was, she could see that now in her darker younger half sister. "Its not always safe," Mati began to explain. It almost felt like that scars on her arms rose and ached as she thought of the incident at the University that had left her marred. "its better just to be careful." Mati didn't want to frighten her by giving her the story of the pied colored monster. "And it will be more fun to go with someone, anyways." Mati summed it up with a smile.

Rio Marino · 05-02-2010, 04:54 PM

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Rio couldn't imagine why anyone should be limited to traveling only with company, without a lone venture as an option. She went most places either alone or with one of her siblings, when she did have reason to leave Phoenix Valley. Nothing bad had ever happened to her. But then again, she didn't know what sorts of bad things lurked in the darkness of the unknown. She had never met a wolf with a black heart; she had no clue of how such individuals acted and should be dealt with.

But she trusted her sister's wisdom, as she spoke with a quiet sureness in her voice. The smaller wolf nodded once, though her expression held no understanding of what Mati thought was unsafe. "I hasn't been many places." she added when the earth-furred woman had finished speaking. The world was a vast place, she was learning; almost overwhelming in this way. There were many things she had to learn. Absentminded, Rio's periwinkle eyes trailed from her sister's hind legs up the length of her body to rest on the purple of the her eyes. Mati was magnificent, way up above the earth. "What... what's it like, to be so tall?"

Mati Church · 05-05-2010, 11:24 AM

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Mati wished that the world was different. it could be so many wondrous things if it was without all the bad that it had. The darkness was not always recognizable, for she could easily remember that she had not been able to see until it was too late. Mati knew that her hero was no longer living in the city. The old spice of his scent did not linger on the streets when she roamed them, and so she knew that he had moved on. Mati could not guarantee that there would be someone to save the young Marino girl from the dangers, and thus she could not encourage her to go off alone. You have plenty of time to see the world. What ever her world would become. For the Church woman it was a small place, hardly extending much further east from where they stood.

Her next question threw the female off her train of thought. Well... Mati said with a growing smile, trying to figure out what it really was like to be as tall as she was. I always know when its raining, before anyone else. She figured it to be true, though she knew of larger and taller wolves. Still she gave the smaller girl a smile and a little wink.

Rio Marino · 05-09-2010, 01:51 PM

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Rio was so full of curiosity, as much as she was full of energy. She wanted to discover what there was to be discovered all at once, to take in the beauty of the world as soon as possible. Strangely, what Mati told her then made her pause inwardly to think, to ponder the concept of time. Yes, maybe she did have time; quite a bit. There would be plenty of opportunity to explore and see — she was still a little girl, and impatience was so uncomfortable anyway. "The world... it's so big," she noted almost to herself. Its vastness was an overwhelming concept. Oh, but she would see it all before the end of her life!

Perhaps Mati had been distracted by Rio's childish questioning, and it could be blamed on her mind, which was a young bird, flitting to and fro as new things crossed the line of sight in her thoughts. Mati's explanation caused the sable girl to giggle ; it was a very good example. "You're silly!" she peeped as her laughter died down. "I've never walked on two feets. Do... do you think I could try soon?" she asked with wide eyes. Why was it that she could so easily ask questions of her new-found sister, with little reservations? It felt very freeing.

Mati Church · 05-09-2010, 07:28 PM

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Of course it was large. It was the world. Not just Mati's world which was relatively small and compact, but the whole wide world. The Dreamer was certain that she wouldn't see it all, and it would be quite a lie to say she would see even a small fracture of it. It was a scary place, but she hoped that Rio would never know that. Let her be innocent and naive for the rest of her life, as long as it kept her safe. The woman gave a nod of agreement, I'm sure you'll see a lot of it. Enough to satisfy all her curiosities. Mati only hoped and wished that they would all be good experiences.

Her question came only after a bubbly bought of laughter. Mati laughed right along with her, a wide smile left on her face as she looked down at the younger wolf. She wasn't sure why it wouldn't be a good idea to try. Mati had to search for that memory, and found that it had indeed been a scary moment. But it had been okay for Haven, and though she thought him stronger then she Mati knew it was different for everyone. If she would try to keep Rio away from roaming the city, Mati almost needed to encourage her to try and shift.

I think so. She said with a small half smile. it wouldn't be easy, but if she had someone to help her through it Mati didn't think it would be traumatic at the least. It's different for everyone, Mati explained, at the chance that no one had really told her. but you'll know when you can.

Rio Marino · 05-16-2010, 12:28 PM

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Rio was still untaught of the many concepts of Life. Her parents busy with a myriad of important things Rio couldn't name, there was rarely a moment Xeris could spare to answer her questions, for she was occupied by her own children ( as she should be; Rio still loved the pale wolfess). In knowing the way of the world, the girl was perhaps a bit behind schedule for her age. It was a shame, for she yearned to understand. Perhaps that Mati could fulfill this desire, at least for the moment, was what caused Rio to be so open with the larger wolf.

She would know. Her longing to try standing on two feet was very strong, owed perhaps to the elevation of her mood thanks to Mati. She didn't quite understand how it would work; there were still questions in her mind. "Could I try now, with you here? Would you... help me?" For a moment she couldn't look into the woman's eyes. She felt very abashed for asking. There was a strong fear that she would be told no, and Mati might not like her as much because of this. But Rio didn't know where else to seek help, lest she go home and find no one to ask. Her sister would be a wonderful guide.

Mati Church · 05-18-2010, 10:14 AM

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The world would not always be this was for the younger wolf. It would change, and life’s true face would appear. It could be hideous, bloodied and disfigured. And it could be beautiful. Life would not always be soft-spoken words and sweet smiles, there would be times when she would want it to end, finding that being without it would be easier then being part of it’s madness. And then it could be delicate and comforting. Mati hoped, though she was unlike her adoptive mother and could not have pure blemish-less hope, that Rio would not better then to face those hard things. She wished that her half sister would see them before they got too close and shy away from them.

She spoke, and Mati nodded. While the rest of the world might not support her passive and soft nature Mati could. Sure I will. She answered, and placed the bags and things that he held out of the way. Returning to Rio’s side she found that she was a bit unsure what it was that she should do. She remembered that it had come over her at night, and that there had been so little thought to it for it had just happened. I usually close my eyes. She commented, standing in front of the girl and closing her vivid gaze.

Rio Marino · 05-24-2010, 07:46 AM

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The only thing Rio wanted of her sister was her presence. She had been pondering the concept of changing forms for several days now (perhaps even weeks) — ever since Harlowe had shifted and begun reading, she had wondered what it would be like to stand on two feet and have use of hands. The sable girl was afraid that she would do it wrong and that it might be painful, despite reassurance from her brother and parents to the contrary. Today, she felt it was time, and did not stop to ask why.

The earthen wolfess agreed to be there for her smaller sister, placing a toothy smile of elation upon Rio's face. Periwinkle eyes followed Mati as the woman set down her things and moved to her side, and all the while Rio was trembling just slightly, full of anticipation such that she could not hold her muscles still. Deep breaths calmed her body, and, following her sibling's example, the youth allowed her eyelids to close. She was soothed by the tranquil darkness. The trembling stopped, every muscle and bone in her frail body loosening. At first, her mind could not focus on this one thing, instead drifting from place to place, always returning to the task at hand. As moments passed, Rio narrowed her thoughts to only making her body change, imagining it, willing herself to feel it. Slowly, she felt her limbs moving, though she remained stationary. Resisting the urge to open her eyes, Rio fought off the sense of surprise which could threaten to slow down the process. Grueling moments passed, but the change had resumed — now her torso had lengthened, her paws were larger, fingers sprouting from the front pair.

It was over in about ten minutes. Her breath coming in gasps, Rio opened her eyes to find herself on her hands and knees. Mati? she spoke quietly, looking over her shoulder to see that her sister was still there. This time the soot-colored wolf's smile was of the purest happiness, for she was successful. Glancing at her hands, pale and small, she grasped a handful of earth and stood shakily upright. Her eyes found Mati as the dirt trickled through her now-dexterous digits, and once it was gone, she threw her spindly arms around the larger werewolf. Thank you! She couldn't have done this without her.

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