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 Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 6:21 pm
((I should probably be shot for all the puns I like to make with the RP titles for things to do with the members of this family. XD))  It had been a long time since she'd seen her mate and her daughter. Too long. Valefor could fly swiftly when she wanted to, and when the news had reached her ears that something hurtful had befallen Raven months ago both guilt and a need to make certain that both Raven and Crow were all right spurred her to make the trip to check on them that she had meant to for so long. Guilt at not being there to help Raven... guilt at not having come sooner... and guilt at having let her sense of duty and matters that seemed urgent at the time keep distracting her from seeing them.
She loved her family, but what sort of mate and mother was she to let such things happen? Valefor was ashamed, but there was nothing she could do about it now. She simply had to make the effort now that hadn't seemed quite so crucial before when it should have mattered just the same.
The back drafts from her powerful wings flattened the grass beneath her and kicked the water in the pond into a small froth as she landed, her need to be there now leaving her no time to make a softer landing. In spite of her haste and her worried state her voice was suprisingly soft, and filled just as much with love as with ache at being away for so long. "Dearheart? Are you here?"
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Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 11:13 pm
 How long had it been, since he'd had his love in his grasp. Far too long, for Crow's mind. He came by their pond, every day, hoping to see her there. Today, was no different. He sat behind the weeping willow, blending in with the shadows. His heart was heavy. So heavy. The one daughter, that was his to look after, to nuture and cherish, had been so horribly attacked. How he had failed her. He should have been with her, to protect her. She should never learn how cruel the world can be, in that way. Hearing stories, of her parents Before, was enough. Crow and Valefor, carried emotional scars, from their Before. Raven, she carried scars of the flesh, and the heart. Scars she never should have gotten. If only he'd been there. Crow was lost, deep within his own musings, and guilt, when his mate landed. Her voice, cut through his own selfish thoughts. Her voice, soothed his aching heart and bruised soul. He came at her in a rush, and engulfed her in a tight hug. Tears lined the corners of his gentle, golden eyes. He'd missed her so. She had saved him. When all he knew, was the pain from his Before, she had shown him love, and caring. She made him believe again. His voice, came out as a gentle whisper, ment only for her ears 'My love. . . '
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Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2008 7:10 am
Valefor curled her wings around Crow's back beneath his own. The familiar tickle of his feathers against the flesh of her wings was comforting, and it made her wonder how she had withstood being away from him for so long. At the moment the time seemed like both an eternity and a few moments; she had lived for over a thousand years, so sometimes days and weeks seemed nothing at all. But when she realized how much she missed him... it also seemed like she'd let another thousand years pass. It was strange.
Hooking her head over his shoulder and wrapping her heavy tails as tightly around them both as she could, Valefor was momentarily at a loss for words because of the lump in her throat. She broke into an affectionate rumble instead, that strange noise deep in her chest that was sort of like a cat's purr but altered by the vocal qualities of the Aeon she had once been, and still partly was.
The moment passed and though she clung to Crow no less tightly, she finally murmured softly, "I will not be away so long again, Dearheart... I will not." She rubbed the flat cheek of her mask against his neck in a physical confirmation of her statement. She'd rather have done it with her actual face... but she wanted to continue holding on to him more than she desired to take it off.
Another long moment was spent in simply holding one another before the Aeon sighed softly, the sound echoing strangely from behind her mask. "Is Raven near? I... heard..." Her voice choked a bit at the end, her grief and guilt over the matter evident in her tone. No... she would never be away so long again.
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Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2008 12:42 am
Crow never wanted to let her go again. Everytime Valefor was out of his grasp, something happened. Subconsciously, he coo'd in response to her Aeonic purr. How he'd missed her. He rested a black paw on her bone cheek, his forehead against her neck, so her head was still hooked over his neck. "We've both been else-where my love. I wasnt there when i should have been..." it was partially a reply to her, and a statement of that night their daughter was attacked, when he wasnt there to help her.
At the mention of Raven, Crow flinched, his whole body giving a slight twitch. It took a few moments for Crow to find his voice. The first time he tried, it came out as a croak of sorts. He tried again. "Raven...is nearby. She was following behind on foot, with a friend...." He'd flown to their pond, whereas Raven had come on foot, to give her parents a few moments alone.
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Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2008 1:21 pm
Valefor took a long moment to reply, many a mixed emotion playing through her mind, though she nuzzled and rumbled at Crow as reassuringly as she could when he flinched. Things could have been done better... she had regrets about the way the kits had been raised, about not staying out here with Crow so they would all have been together. But she'd felt it would be safer... and truly she had been reluctant to leave all her friends. She was a protector by nature and she'd wanted to be where she could keep an eye on the majority of those she'd taken it upon herself to protect. Raven had been safe enough with Crow, and she'd come to visit...
But not enough, and after the kits grew to adulthood and seemed to wander off in all of their own independant directions, perhaps the parents had grown a bit lax in their protective behaviors. But you were supposed to let children go to grow on their own at some point, weren't you? And even they could not be everywhere at once. Not that all this reasoning made the guilt of not being there any less.
"Has she been all right? Have you for that matter?" She shifted so that one of her golden eyes met one of his. She could tell how he was feeling. She was feeling much the same. But as difficult as it was... she'd learned it was best to focus yourself to correct mistakes in the future, rather than dwelling on the things in the past you could not change.
So many things you could not change.
She sighed softly and leaned into her mate. Even in their mutually broken feeling state just being near him made her feel stronger. He always had, really. He'd always understood how she felt, how she was, more than any other. Sometimes she wondered why it took her so long to realize how she felt... but she knew why. There had been... other distractions.
And she was distracting herself right now, was she not? "I heard... Raven had been attacked, but I do not know what actually happened..." That made her feel all the worse, not knowing if it was random violence or if someone had had the audacity to single Raven out specifically for some reason. Either way she was rather tempted to teach the offender what it meant to cross those with Aeonic blood... but that wouldn't change what had happened, either.
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Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2008 9:38 pm
Crow shared the regrets of his mate. They had made mistakes. Some of the choices have been the wrong ones, at the time seeming like right ones. Crow had wished he'd stayed with Valefor and their girls. His other four daughters hardly knew him, or cared for that matter. All he had, was Raven, and she was slipping away from everyone it seemed, so lost within her own trauma's. She was improving, but it was a battle she had to fight daily now.
At her question, Crow had to look her in the eyes. He kept his wings and tails wrapped around her's, and he still leaned into her, but now they were more nose to bone nose. His voice was soft, like a whisper, but it still carried guilt, and pain, in the gentle tone. "Raven has become more withdrawn and frightful, which is understandable. She has made some friends though, that will protect her. I..." he sighed, his black ears sagging lightly "I should have been there for her...should have....done something" His wings shuttered. His heart....was so heavy. So full of pain.
"I think...it would be best for Raven to recount what happened that night, if she's up to it. She should be here soon." Deep down, he hoped she was still a few minutes off, he knew as soon as Valefor saw Raven, he'd lose his mate. Which he understood, and he did himself. Hugged Raven everytime he saw her, which he knew was starting to drive her nuts. But right now. Right now, he wasnt ready to let go of Valefor. Not just yet.
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Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2008 5:32 pm
At least... Raven was making friends. At least she hadn't ceased to be able to trust others and simply shut everyone out. She may have become more withdrawn, but she hadn't shut herself away. That, at least, was good.
"We both... would rather we could have. I... should have been able to. If she'd called me... I would have known. This world has been so quiet, so peaceful, and most of the girls seem so strong... I never bothered explaining that... I never thought about it until now, but it's too late to change it..." There was pain in Valefor's voice also... pain, grief, guilt. But however heavy her heart felt she had to fight it, and fight herself sometimes, because the rest of her family depended on her and she had to be strong to help them through. She had to look forward and try to help them to. It was just so hard.
When Crow said it would be better for Raven to recount what had happened, Valefor nodded. She shifted then, just enough to go ahead and remove her mask, and buried her red-furred face into the thick fur on her mate's shoulder and held him as closely as she possibly could. "I love you..." She could think of nothing that was more important to tell him.
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Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2008 12:42 am
Deep down, Crow knew Raven would never call. Not unless someone else was in danger. Thats how Raven was. She lived for the ones she loved, and sometimes the ones she didnt know. Raven put everyone else before herself, and that broke his heart in a way. Because he knew there were some that would take advantage of that.
He held Valefor tight, once she took off her mask, and burried her face in his neck, he spoke softly, so he wouldnt ruin the moment. "All of our girls are strong...Raven just hasnt found her strength yet..." He knew how strong she was. Her spirit, her soul, her heart, were stronger then any he'd ever seen before. That time without Valefor was heart-breaking, because every time he looked at Raven, he saw so much of his beloved, despite the fact Raven most resembled him in appearance. "You've always had my heart, and i could never love you more..." Crow had always wanted to be with Valefor, even if it was just as friends, altho it would have pained him so.
So consumed with the moment, and the memories, he didnt hear Raven approach...
By the edge of the forest, their daughter lingered, saying goodbye to her 'escort', who stayed and 'watched' making sure she was safe.
Raven padded towards her parents. She tried not to appear too frightened, and she tried to walk tall and proud, like she'd seen her sisters walk. A sigh escaped her, and her ears drooped a little. She wasnt like her sisters though. They were all so tough, so brave. She'd even heard through a grape vine, that one may have even found a guy. And she'd missed it all. Her moment of self-pity passed. Her parents were together, infront of her. She had her new friends though, Quin and Nagga, and Horus and Sigurd. They took her mind off things, and some even shared similar stories.
When she finally neared her parents, she gave a soft clearing of her throat. Her voice was soft, like her mothers, but it carried pain and scars in the undertone. "Mom....dad?"
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Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 1:33 pm
As utterly strange as the events that had brought Valefor and Crow together had been, she never would have traded this for the world. Her mate, her family; while there were things she would like to have fixed, there was nothing in this world or her last one that she wanted more than what she had right then.
The Aeon simply relaxed into Crow for a few moments, enjoying the simple fact of being there with him. It was a moment that seemed too short when Raven oh so gently interrupted, but while Valefor was reluctant to leave Crow, she also wanted just as much to check on her daughter and offer comfort, or whatever support she could afford. So it was that Valefor unwound herself from Crow and moved over toward Raven, gently tugging the scarred girl close for a hug. Her tails never quite left Crow; one, at least, remaining firmly wrapped about his ankle.
The hug she gave Raven was not the same sort of needy, clinging hug she had given to Crow. Valefor would wait and let Raven decide what sort of hug she wanted, or if she even wanted to remain in the hug for very long. She simply had a need, as a mother, to touch her daughter and be certain she was in one piece.
"Hello, sweetling. I am sorry, so very sorry, I did not come sooner. I came when I heard. How are you faring?" She would not ask Raven if she was "all right". Raven quite obviously was not "all right", if her body language and the undertone of her voice was any indication.
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Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 12:45 am
Crow, knew he would have to let go of Valefor when Raven arrived, but it still pained him slightly. He let her go to their daughter, after a small affectionate n** to her ear. Watching the two together again though, made his heart warm again, and a smile played beneath his painted face. He didnt intrude on their moment, but remained a silent guardian for the time being.
The scarred daughter, fell into the worried mother. She hugged Valefor tightly, burrying her own painted face into the Aeon's shoulder. For long moments, she didnt say anything. She didnt cry, or sob. She just...hugged her mother.
Raven was grateful she didnt ask if she were 'all right' because obviously, she wasnt, not after what she'd experienced in her young life. After a few minutes, she let go of the hug, slowly, to look at her mother, and her father, who had a gentle smile on his face, and a glow about him that Raven thought was lost. When she spoke, it was with the same mixed tone; soft grace, and a scarred past. "I...i have alright days, and i have bad days..." she gave a soft, sad smile. She kept her robe closed, right now her mom didnt need to see the scars that reminded her of that night.
"I...i will never forget that night...i close my eyes, and it happens again.." her gaze shifted from her mothers, she couldnt look at Valefor while she spoke of that night. "i see him in the shadows...and when i dream, that night continues...it always changes...its always the same...." Raven tried to suppress a shudder, but it showed beneath her clothes. She added softly, "I'm trying to help others....its hard....but...its something i feel i have to do...to bring a reason to a senseless attack...." it was hard to describe why she was driven to help others. Maybe it was embedded in her already, this just drove it out to the top. She didnt know why, but she knew she had to.
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Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 1:15 pm
Valefor was grateful that Raven wanted the hug, needed the hug, and had accepted it rather than trying to stay away. It felt good to be able to hold her near for however long she was allowed to. It felt good to be here, with them, rather than so far away. She only wished she had the opportunity to keep her girls all together for a bit longer... and to stay with Crow, with them, so they could be a proper family the way they should have been. She wasn't even sure how things had wound up the way they did... but next time, whenever the next time was, she would try to do better. The tail secured around Crow's leg gave a gentle, loving squeeze before Valefor returned her attention fully to Raven so she could listen.
And ah, but Raven's words brought to mind memories that Valefor would have wished would remain in the dark corner they're been kept in for so long. To have your world turned upside down so abruptly, so painfully... it was something Valefor knew well, even if the circumstances were different. She was glad that Raven seemed to be taking a better path to deal with it than she had.
"If you feel you can help others, sweetling, I am glad. Sometimes that is the best method of healing... to help others with their healing. We are all, whether we admit it or not, ill equiped to fix ourselves when our hearts are in pain." She sighed, a bit in sadness, a bit in resignation, and gave her daughter a tired but loving smile. "Though you've learned that by now, I expect."
Would that there was more a mother could do for her child in a situation like this! Valefor pulled Raven close once more for another hug, emitting that gentle rumble of affection and reassurance she had before at one time or another for all of her children. She simply held her for a moment before shifting so that Raven had the option to pull away freely. "I know it is unpleasant to talk about sweetling, and I am sorry to have to ask, but what happened? I heard only that you had been attacked..."
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Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2008 9:25 pm
Raven fell into her mother's embrace, and just closed her eyes, feeling serenity and peace with her parents. After a few minutes, she pulled away. "It helps me, to help others." she said with a light smile.
Raven knew the question was coming, she sighed lightly. "I was walking though the woods. It wasnt a sunny day, it wasnt horrible either. Just a cloudy day. I must not have been paying attention. Next thing i know, this male was before me, blocking my path..." she paused, her feet shuffling. Crow had moved to sit beside her, he gently nudged her shoulder, reminding her he was there as well. Raven smiled lightly at her father, and carried on, her gaze out at the sky, and the woods behind Valefor. She couldnt look at them now, not during this.
"He asked what i was doing out by myself, he asked why a freak like me was unattended. He said there wasnt anyone around, no one would hear me scream. He was blocking the path, the woods were too dense behind me to run, and he was in the way of the path to the clearing. He came towards me, lept at me, he clamped on the side of my throat, he tore. " she tilted her neck to the side, and with her robed paw, moved her fur to reveal a scar "He tore my ear, my shoulder, and my wing" she did the same process, showing her scars on her ear, and the one on her wing and shoulder.
"Eventually, i rolled and shook him off. After that i ran. I dont know where, it was all so blurry, but i remember it being away from him, as fast as i could. I ran, and ran, i remember tripping, and running. He caught up, and tore at my thigh and back leg. It sent us into a bush, i remember kicking him, breaking his jaw, and damaging one eye. That just made him angrier," she lifted her robe, and showed her mother and father the scars on her thigh and down her leg, they were mostly hidden by fur and clothes, but they were still noticible.
She took a deep breath. It was both hard, and sortof easy to say. It felt good to tell the whole story, to someone who would love and understand her. She continued
"I ran again. weaving through trees, going into the woods. I faced him, and shouted at him. He laughed, and said he drove pleasure from this. It was his joy, to see me so bloody and wounded. I lept at him. I tore into his maw, and nearly completely tore off his ear. Soon enough, he turned around on me. his shock had warn off. He'd pinned me against a tree. His teeth were around my throat. To this day, i still wake up thinking i can feel his body against mine. I was pretty convinced i was going to die. I blacked out. "
Her eyes closed, finally she lifted her gaze, to look from one parent to the next, a light smile on her face "Two kitsu's from our home, came and saved me. Kae'lic the nightmare, " she looked to the woods, where her guardian still lingered. Kae'lic being the one who walked her to the meeting "And the silent Angelic, Spike. He healed what he could, until they could get his mother, who is an excpetional healer. They stayed with me, until father came. Kae'lic chased the other guy off, after doing some more damage. They watched over me...." she said softly, she held reverence and admiration for her two rescuers. Spike and Kae'lic would always have a place in her heart.
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Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2008 6:45 am
When the story was finished Valefor's face drifted into an expression of grieved thoughtfulness, and she curled wings and tails around both mate and daughter and held her head where she could brush both shoulders with her cheeks at the same time. There was little enough she could truly do or say about what had happened at this point, beyond offering her daughter love and comfort.
Though one could be certain that should Valefor ever find that male that there would be hell to pay.
"I can not change what happened, sweetling, though I wish I could. But I am proud of you for finding a constructive way to deal with it." She nuzzled Raven gently. "I will do my best to be here for you if you need me... and if you are in trouble, you can call for me. I can still hear a Summons if I am called by name by one in need. Please... do not forget that."
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Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2008 2:13 am
Raven coo'd softly, snuggling against her mother.
She offered no words to her daughter, but a mother didnt need to say anything at times. Sometimes, a mother just needed to hold her daughter. Thats what Valefor did, and thats all Raven needed.
Raven leaned against her mother, and Crow offered his support. His women were strong, but he still had a deep burning need to defend them.
She nodded softly at her mothers words. Her father mentioned something about his mothers call, years ago. But she didnt like to bother others. "Thank you mother. I will indeed keep that in mind. I pray i will never have to call. "
She shifted slightly, so she could see both her parents, although she met neither in the eye. "I dont like to bother anyone. I know you all have you're own lives, in which we're just a part of. I'm glad you're here though. "
Offering a soft smile, Raven finally looked to her parents. There was a small portion of the spark there. Not the fire that burned when she was young, but some of it. It was progress.
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Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2009 7:12 am
Valefor offered a bit of a wan smile. "I pray you do not ever have a need to call, either, sweetling. But if you do need me..."
Yes, Valefor had her own life, and other responsibilities to people she cared about. There were many she now cared for as though they were family, but dealing with those cares had taken her away from her flesh and blood. Time had passed before she realized it and her daughters were all grown... and Raven above all had not had the time with her mother and siblings she should have had. Next time she would strive to do better.
And there would be a next time! She loved Crow, and she did not want to be away from him again for so long. But there was time for that, later, when things felt more settled. Questioning him about a second brood was not high on her list of priorities right now when her mate and her current child needed her.
"I'm glad I am here, too, sweetling. I shall try not to take so long to visit again, hmm?" She placed a motherly kiss on her daughter's forehead and snuggled into Crow, rumbling softly. A bad thing had happened, but they were together now, and for a moment she could be content.
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