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 Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2012 4:05 pm
Merit brushed her hair out of her eyes, good-natured and unoffended. “Pickin’ it ain’t the hard part,” she said with a laugh. “Though you do get your plants that are too stubborn to come quietly, and I gotta wrestle with the plant to get somethin’ loose without damaging the whole thing.”
She glanced back at the hardy specimen of thyme, figuring it could probably stand a little thinning out. She reached forward and carefully severed some of the stems, pinning one down to stretch it out and using sharp claws to cut it free. A small, neat pile started at her side.
“We do got a couple bundles of dried plants hanging around for when we need ‘em. We try not to take more than we think we’re gonna need though, since it’d be a waste if the plant lost potency and became useless before we could do anything with it.” She finished off her little pile and looked around, wondering if there was some tall grass she could use to tie the thing off.
“That’s why I think it would be good t’ find a way t’ plant this stuff closer to the tribe. So’s the plant can keep growing and thriving, and we can take what we need when we need it without havin’ t’ go huntin’ all around the forest to find it!”
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Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2012 7:53 pm
Abby nodded quietly, watching Merit as she spoke. Jealousy briefly twitched in her heart, a raw and ugly emotion she didn't want to pamper. Merit had a home, and while she new Merit deserved it that didn't stop the jealousy. She would be green, she realized, if she was any more jealous. Or was that just a story mothers told kids? She wasn't sure, she didn't have a mother who told her stories, anyway.
She was also jealous because these strangers knew Merit on a different level, and perhaps Abby wished for her to be given that permission. What was stopping her? Why didn't she join? Because she was not beautiful, she did not belong. Merit was gorgeous, and like every other fox she was sure she lived among the beautiful, and that was not a place Abby belonged.
So, she watched Merit, watched her press hair back and speak in her interesting, heavy, but pretty accent that kept catching Abby's breath. She was stricken dumb by the others natural beauty, and she was left unable to speak. So, she didn't try. She decided to focus on helping pluck the tree, giving the other the ground to talk more. She didn't mind, Merit could speak forever.
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Posted: Tue Dec 25, 2012 4:54 pm
Merit continued chattering on as they both harvested the plant until they had taken a reasonable amount and had moved on. She continued talking, little commonplaces and observations. Finally she stopped and gave Abby a weird look.
“Darlin’, you alright,” she finally queried, expression a touch worried. “You got awfully quiet. Somethin’ eating’ away at your mind?” The worried look became more pronounced. “It wasn’t anythin’ I said, was it? Sometimes I just start prattlin’ away wi’out even realizin’ it. Didn’t mean to monopolize the conversation or say somethin’ to make ya upset.”
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Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2012 12:03 pm
With a flick of her tail Abby glanced back up at Merit, eyes widening at the weird look offered to her. She knew that wasn't a good look, perhaps Merit was creeped out? Had Abby stared? No, the woman spoke and Abby twitched her head to the side, eyes narrowing in thought before she chose how to answer.
"I'm fine. I was just thinking you were pretty." She stopped, ears flicking backwards without her able to stop them, nails exposed and digging into the earth as she nervously lowered her head, ashamed for what she was going to say next. Wasn't jealousy a bad emotion? Wouldn't Merit be upset? 'No. It wasn't what you said. I like when you talk. I was thinking how jealous I was. You're pretty. You belong to a tribe. You are with other pretty foxes. I guess I was both happy for you and thinking that I wished I could be in the tribe, too. But I'm too nervous, and plain. I also wanted to join because.... I wanted to be able to see you a lot more. I missed you when I went to the city, and thought that if I lived with you I wouldn't have to miss you."
She looked up in horror, tail twitching at an odd harmony, body tense and ears back. 'I'm happy for you! I swear! And I have no hostility to you! I.... just.... you're happy. I want to be happy with you. A-and, I'm jealous. Is that a horrible thing to say?"
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Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2012 8:06 pm
Merit actually stopped, set down her little bundle of herbs, and then up to Abby and snuggled up to her with her head resting over the other female’s. If they had human bodies it would have been akin to her gathering the woman up in her arms and holding her close.
“Oh darlin’, it ain’t horrible at all,” she said in a gentle, reassuring voice. She was quiet for a moment, just rocking them back and forth in soothing motions. “I’m flattered ya like my accent,” she finally spoke up. “It’s from a land far down south, where it’s mostly plains o’ grass insteada trees and all flat land. Most up here find it a little hard t’ understand at time.”
She brushed a paw soothingly against Abby. “Now all this stuff how ya don’t think y’re pretty enough t’ join my tribe. First off we don’t care about what’s on the outside, long as you got a pure and givin’ heart. Next off, we’re all a bunch of simple foxes. Ain’t one of use don’t got more than two or three colors and maybe a little bit o’ patternin’. You fit into that category right dandy.”
She let out a gentle chuckle. “Truth, I always thought those who think beauty is about gussyin’ up are silly. There’s a kind a pure beauty in simplicity.”
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Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2012 3:32 pm
Abby squeaked as she was brought closer, eyes widening briefly as the other snuggled into her. Merit was so kind and so gentle, and her voice calmed her so easily, as well as the rocking. It was enough to settle her pounding hear, Merit's voice the only thing she listened to.
"Really?" She speak of the tribe interested her and for once Abby might have thought she was good enough. Her ears rose happily, tail flicking gently. Perhaps, if Merit was right, maybe she'd have a home? Maybe? Or was she not ready to just blindly throw herself forward? Yet, if she did.... Merit would be there. That in itself was enough, correct? Of course...
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Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2013 1:32 pm
Merit nodded firmly. “Really,” she said. “Tell ya what. Why don’t ya come by with me and visit? We don’t say no t’ havin’ visitors about after all, and you could get a good look at the tribe and decide for yourself if ya think I’m tellin’ all the truth.” She tilted her head, smiling gently. “Sides, I could use y’r help carryin’ these plants. Got a little more than I c’n easily carry on my own.”
Secretly she hoped Abby would take her up on the offer. It wasn’t that she was lonely or anything, everyone in her tribe was quite nice, but Abby was just special. There was something about her that Merit just couldn’t leave alone.
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Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2013 5:01 pm
Visit? She could see tribe-life and beautiful foxes? Not only that but also be closer to Merit? Her ears flicked, eyes widening at the offer and head lowering in thought. Wouldn't she be a bother though? Some stranger who knew nothing of tribe traditions? Small and meek.... what use would she be? However, if she kept this thought process she was tarnishing Merit, too. The woman had invited her because she saw some use for Abby.... so she must be right in some way.
"Oh. Oh okay! If you don't mind... I'll come." Large eyes focused on Merit, exhibiting both joy and a nervous tremor within them. What was she to do? Would the others hate her? No, she mustn't think of that currently. Merit wouldn't lead her into something so hostile.
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Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2013 1:54 pm
Merit practically beamed at Abby, her whole face alight with pleasure that the vixen had accepted her offer. It wasn’t that her tribe wasn’t friendly; she thought of them like family. Still, they were a small tribe and often scattered about at various tasks and….Merit sometimes found herself lonely and wishing for friendly company.
Of course it would be selfish to keep Abby completely to herself while she was with the tribe! After all the main point she wanted to make to the shy female was that Sanctimonia was a friendly place and full of friendly people who cared more for what a person was on their inside than their outside. Abby might even fall into life with the tribe better than Merit expected, and decide to join! That thought made her particularly happy. Even if they’d have tasks that sometimes took them apart for each other, she could live with Abby and finally have a true friend around.
And have time to puzzle out those feelings stirring up that hinted she’d like to be more than friends with the beautiful green and red vixen…
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Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2013 7:44 am
The others genuine smile caused a gentle blush, ears flicking as her eyes looked away. She was nervous, of course, but Merit made her feel a little stronger. Like she could actually do this. As long as Merit stayed by her side.
"Um! How do I greet them? Are their any traditions I need to know?" She questioned, looking up eagerly. What if she bowed wrong? Or what if bowing was bad? What if she was rejected by the others? What if she ate too loud or too quiet? Oh gosh. What were tribes like?!
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Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2013 1:29 pm
Merit became thoughtful. “There’s no special kind o’ greetin’,” she said first off while she sorted through all her knowledge of the tribe and its traditions. “Generally we figure if there’s somethin’ that needs to be done and you’re able to do it, then you should. We ain’t the kinds to work ourselves to th’ bone without relaxing a bit, but we ain’t the type to indulge in sloth either. Once a week we bathe in this scared spring and we reflect on ourselves and how we can improve.”
She came out of her thought cloud and gave Abby a reassuring smile. “It’s not much to fuss about hun. We accept all kinds as long as they got a good heart. Anything else like greetin’s and such don’t matter too much to us one way or the other, since we don’t condemn natural differences. They don’t hurt nobody, and it’s good for personal growth to learn new things.”
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Posted: Mon Mar 04, 2013 9:38 am
It seemed that was okay. The answer was good, her smile returning. It calmed her, knowing Merit would be there. Of course, she couldn't only rely on Merit. She needed her own strength, too! But it was comforting to know her friend would be there if she turned around and needed her. It gave her some quiet strength to lean on.
"Thank you." She looked up, nuzzling Merit's chin with a new confidence. The green and red vixen wagged her tail pleasantly, her mind reeling at the thought that soon she'd be in the company of many beautiful foxes! She'd be surrounded by beauty!
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Posted: Wed Mar 06, 2013 5:24 pm
Merit chuckled and gave her friend another quick nuzzle, then turned her head to check and make sure the herbs she’d tucked away in her tail were still sitting securely. “Well then, how about you and I make sure we don’t turn up empty-handed? Ain’t always worth pickin’ the healin’ herbs cause they lose their potency after so long and we’re a pretty hardy bunch, but we always gotta eat! Might be able to scrounge up a bite or two dependin’ on what’s in season. Bit too early to go berryin’, but maybe we’ll get lucky down by the river where there’s more water and light.”
She stood and took a couple steps forward, and was pleased when none of the herbs she was carrying feel to the ground. Merit turned her head to give Abby a grin and a wink. “Well, come on missy! Y’re gonna have t’ carry anythin’ we might find, cause I think I’m about at full capacity!”
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Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2013 6:15 am
The small woman squeaked in response to the first statement, gathering up herbs and twining them in her tail as well. Content once she had managed the effort, the green and red woman glanced up and nodded. She barely had anything compared to the other, besides, she could easily handle a large haul. The nomad was rather strong despite her size! She could be useful!
"Okay!" She happily chirped back, happy to do anything useful and helpful. Gripping a branch to help herself over a rock, she flipped her ears back in search for any herbs. Glancing backwards to view where Merit would lead her to, the red-head leapt off the rock when she found nothing and slipped beside her friends side. Today was a good day, if long.
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Posted: Wed May 15, 2013 9:01 pm
Merit laughed in merriment at the energy Abby presented. Now this was the sweet vixen she’d fallen in love with! Merit mentally paused to examine the thought. Fallen in love with? Had she? She tested the statement, but could find no fault with it. Maybe it wasn’t stronger than a mountain or deeper than an ocean, but those kinds of things took time. It was like a rose bud, all shiny-new with something beautiful inside that just hadn’t bloomed yet.
Merit leaned over and gave Abby a kiss on the cheek. It was quick, but this time it was definitely more than just a show of enthusiastic friendship. Would Abby reciprocate, or would she be disgusted by Merit?
Merit flushed a deep red at her boldness and tried to cover up her nervousness. “Well! Best reckon we get goin’ while there’s still some daylight. Ain’t much round here that’s dangerous, but still best to get home by dark.” And with that she set a rapid pace forward, hoping beyond hope she hadn’t moved too fast, and that the future would give her more chances with the vixen she was coming to love.
((One more post!))
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