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 Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 9:46 am
Why they brought her here, she couldn't guess. And for the first time, the creatures who fluttered around her were not even the slightest bit transparent. They didn't fade in and out, their numbers didn't increase and decrease quickly.
She didn't know just how many of them there were, but more than she had ever seen together. At first, she'd refused to leave. Sashta had so much to worry about now, she didn't need Ran running off again! After mentally refusing, two more appeared, then three more, then four... Finally, so many had suddenly emerged she gave in and followed.
This place was scarey--no, terrifying. To Ran, at least. She got the feeling the land had once been covered with grass, but now it was mere mud and dirt. Every now and then she'd stumble upon the skeleton even one as dense as her couldn't mistake for anything but a wolf. How it got there, she didn't care to ponder.
It was near one of this skeletons the butterflies had stopped and hovered there. Ran was silent for a moment, but when they failed to continue for many minutes she dared a question. "Why have you stopped? Wasn't Ran going somewhere?"
The actions of the beings stunned her into silence for a moment or two. The butterflies landed---in a pattern, that of a wolf. Within seconds, their bright green, red, and blue colors had faded into either black, white or both. Gazing upon them, she recognized the pattern.
"That's brother," the youth said to herself. "Is he looking for Ran? Him and Mama?"
A single butterfly broke away from the group, fluttering beside Ran. Yes....
"Then Ran should leave."
No...
"Why? Ran must leave now!" Ran persisted, a bit annoyed. Right after she'd said that, she wish she'd hadn't. In a burst of color, each set of wings reverted back to a brighter shade. Without hesitation, each butterfly soared quickly upward. They flew not around Ran, but more into her. Not that it hurt any, but one could imagine, especially considering the scenery, things would be frightening all the same.
"Ran will go! Ran will go!" Ears low, she followed the flock of color as it traveled gracefully forward. Why were they so persistant to show her whatever--or perhaps whoever--this was...?
----------------------------------------------------
Her paws were starting to ache. No matter how loud or much she whined, the butterflies failed to respond, and now some even faded away. Either they were growing too annoyed with her to stay around, or she was getting progressively closer to whatever they insisted on her finding.
As more began to vanish rapidly, she assumed it was the latter, and her spirits lifted a bit. Just a little longer, and she could go home! Soon, but five butterflies remained. All were red, something she hadn't seen before but paid little attention to.
They stopped, and she did as well. Her eyes squinted a bit, and she could just barely make out the faint outline of something in the distance. A...wolf? Yes! A live on, too! Green. Green and black and...red. Suddenly, she hesitated.
It didn't appear that last color was from his fur....
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Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 10:33 am
Indeed the last was not a color of his furr. It was more the stains of his injurys. On his back right leg to be precise. He was laying on his side and whimpering, licking at the blood and bugs that had come to eat at his wounds. How did this wolf get this way? One might ponder. Well that was simple, he had saw a delisious looking red beetle. And bet himself two laps around the giant oak tree if he couldn't cetch it.
Well it seemed while Oogie was chasing this beetle, he fell and landed right on the corpse of a dead wolf, and it's rib bone had penitrated right into his thigh. But judging by the looks of his paw, he managed to catch that beetle. As it's horn was between his left front toes as a prize.
His ear twiched as he heard the sound of paws in the distance, and then quickly turned his head. Could it be? No way. But yes! Yes it was! Help maybe?!
"Hey! Hey you! Don't just stand there! Come help me! I'm dieing man! gonk " he whined, a bit over dramatic it seemed...
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Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 10:45 am
Ran blinked once. Twice. ...Okay.
Frantically, she glanced back upward to the butterflies for guidance, but they were no longer present. This must be where they were trying to lead her. Never before had she run into someone who spoke--er, yelled--so thoughtlessly at her. Maybe because she was usually in the company of her pack, and most of them seemed too afraid...
With a heavy sigh, she began forward. When she stopped, it was still a foot or so away from him. She may not be the reddest apple on the branch, but she was smart enough to fear death, and this wolf seemed a tad...insane, and in the Phantom sort of way.
"Ran will help you." Somehow. "Ran's name is Ran, who're are you?" If only to distract him she requested the strangers name. What to do, what to do...
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Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 10:51 am
Oogie ether didn't hear what Ran said about her name, or didn't care. As he whined and tugged at his leg. Which only made the bleeding worse as the rib broke from the rest of it's natural body and stayed lung in the strangers.
"Oh dear thunder wolves in the sky!! Is this to be Oogie Boogies last days?!" He cried, turningh is head up to the sky. He then looked at the wolf he had just requested help from a moment earlier, and frowned.
"Your a kid?! How's a kid sapposed to help me when I'm dieing! Oh woe is me! I'm left here to die! And all because of the blood red beatle!" He bellowed, before collapsing on his side with dismay. Seemed this wolf needed a proverbial "chil pill".. If wolves knew what those where anyways.
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Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 3:31 pm
"....."
Truth be told, Ran wasn't sure what to do. Never in her days, had she been 'weirded out' by another. It was always strangers frowning at her with 'you're weird!' or 'what's wrong with you?' or something like that. Now, she know how they felt.
Awkward.
"Um...Please, hush and hold still for Ran. Ran will help you." How? She didn't know, but she just had a feeling there was SOMETHING that could be done. Besides, he was hurting her ears.
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Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 4:03 pm
Oogie paused in his wailings when Ran said she would help. Could she help? She was just an adolesant pup!
"Bet you a rabbit you can't." He said with a heckle like laugh, before laying down on his side, wounded leg exposed. If she could do it that'd be great, and then she'd owe him a rabbit. Too bad he didn't eat rabbits, but he was sure he could manage just that one time.
"Go ahead and try pup. 'Spose it can't hasten my death any."
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Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 4:26 pm
At least they had something in common. "Ran doesn't eat rabbits," she said dully. They were too fast and sneaky and...yeah. Momma always brought her deer, so that's what she had grown to adapt a taste for. Rabbits were just fun to chase with as far as she was concerned.
"Ran is not a pup!" It was more of a whine than anything. Why was everyone always like this?! Ran can't do anything. Ran's not worth anything. Ran's always running off. Well, she'd show them! Ran was...was...was able to do things and worth something and...would likely keep running off, but still!
You can do it...
Ran's ears shot up, and she wondered if the other had heard the voice as well. He showed no reaction, so she naturally concluded he hadn't. So, it was in her head, was it? Then that's how she'd answer back.
Ran will try. Focus. Focus. ...Focus more.
To her delight, a single butterfly appeared above her head. It fluttered down to Oogie, landing lightly on the wound. Of course, he would feel, hear, and see nothing except Ran's rapidly wagging tail.
She was controlling the butterflies for once!
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Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 6:35 pm
Oogie stared at the pup as her tail started wagging. What was she so happy about?
"Hey. Hey! Did you get an idea or something on how to help me? Cuz if so, I'd like to know about it!" he barked, before looking at his leg. Why was she stareing at it? Man this chick was weird.
"Ya know. If you don't think you could help, you could find me a cuter wolf to keep me company during my last hours?" he said with a wolfish smirk. He then went quite as his mind's eye wondered off. Pictureing his last hours beside a beautiful she-wolf, while he dined on the finest beatles and bugs. Aaaah that would be a fine end. Yes it would. Especially if the time spent with the she-wolf was on gambling, or talking about gambling, or just something to do with... gambling! Yes that would be a good way to die...
"A good way.." she sighed, confirming the fact he was no longer paying attention to poor little Ran.
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Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 7:12 pm
If it had been near any other wolf than Ran, it's a likely possibility Oogie would've bled to death. Fortunately for him, the concept of true anger was one she had yet to grasp. Much to focused on her current task for that, anyway. He'd zoned out on her, but she was hardly paying attention anyway. Controlling these took a lot of focus.
It took a few seconds, but another butterfly emerged. Ten seconds later, another. As they appeared, each, as the first had, landed on the wound. Though she felt a headache rapidly approaching, for now the youth ignored it and narrowed her eyes. It seemed like forever before the final needed butterfly appeared, completely covering the wound.
Good...girl... The voice got weaker until it faded completely. The butterflies themselves remained invisible to all but the eyes of Ran, however Oogie could also see the faint glow their wings were emitting.
Suddenly, they removed themselves and with a tiny 'poof' faded away, leaving only a barely noticeable scar behind...
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Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 7:26 pm
Oogie was completely lost in himself and the thoughts of the earlier mentioned, yet none exsistant she-wolf. But his attention was grabbed by the sudden glow, and tingling he felt in his leg. What the heck? Before Oogie knew it. The rib that was jammed in his leg was gone. Not only that, but the wound itself to! What did that pup do?
He got up on all fours and blinked, kicking his leg in the dirt a few times, before walking in a circle. He then sat and stared at Ran in sheer amazement, his black eyes wide.
"How did you do that kid? Now I owe you a rabbit... But I'm more interested in knowin what just happened!" He said, before standing up agian, tail wagging behind him. This pup just saved him from dieing! At least in his mind. This wolfet was amazing!
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Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 7:36 pm
"Ran's...not sure," she admitted. So intensely she'd been trying to just complete the task, how she was doing it never crossed her mind. Still, something didn't seem right... The other wolf, who's name she either hadn't been told or didn't remember, was alright now aside from some minor blood loss and...being generally crazy. Still, something seemed wrong.
Doesn't belong...
"Doesn't...belong?" Ran repeated. "Doesn't belong here?"
Belongs with those who don't belong...
"Who don't..." The youth mused. Who didn't belong? ...Shudder. "Ran thinks...you should find a wolf named Phantom. Phantom and...Voodoo. Ran is sure you belong with them."
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Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 7:45 pm
Oogie licked at the blood on his thigh absent mindedly, before he lifted his ear to what Ran had to say.
"Phantom and Voodoo? They friends of yours or somethin? Those are some pretty strange names. But your not so normal yourself. Seems you'd fit in just fine." He said with a slight rythem to his speech. He then let out a toothy grin, before walking beside the young wolfling.
"If you didn't catch it yet, the names Oogie Boogie. But you can just call be Gambling Master. Wanna travel with me a bit? It's not safe for a younge pup like yourself out here."
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Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 7:55 pm
"Um...no. No, thank you, Ran has to get back to Ran's pack." If this wolf belonged with the ones who 'didn't belong', and those were Phantom and Voodoo, the last place she wanted to be was with him. "Ran will see you again!" It wasn't a lie, more of a possibility she hoped didn't come true. If his fate rested with that of Phantom and Voodoo's, alright, but...
She had things to do before she returned to Sashta and the others still...
She nodded a farewell in a wise way that was not at all Ran's usual mannerisim, turned, and off she went. Now then...
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Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 8:56 pm
Do you have a name?
Taraha.
Ran thinks that's a funny name. Are you male? Ran thinks you sound male.
In my days of life, I was male, yes.
...Why are you talking to Ran?
Because I've chosen you.
It was then she hesitated, only to be nudged forward again by the flock of butterflies gathered behind her. For as bad as they wanted her to come here, they were sure determined to get her to leave even faster.
Do not hesitate here, small one, the one you fear is coming.
"Phantom is coming? Coming to get Ran?" Too ignorant to fear, but not with Phantom. She hadn't even noticed she'd said it aloud, but the voice--Taraha, supposedly--answered anyway.
Yes, hurry now. Obediently, she did so.
Why did you choose Ran? Why not brother or sister or other brother?
How modest you are! All your siblings are great, small one, but you are special. Why, I do not know, but you were the one to see me.
Ran stopped again. See you? Ran can't see you.
Oh, but you have! Tahara insisted. For I am those butterflies in which you see. I am that which has kept you from harm before, led you places, shown you things. Please, keep going.
Again, Ran complied and continued forward. This time, she was beginning to feel a tad irratated. You make Ran go places and make Mama mad!
...Sashta, ha. Worry not for her. Such was nesscary, forgive me.
Will you keep making Ran do these things? The youth hoped the answer was 'no'. She wasn't sure how much more Sashta would take from her before she had finally had it.
If it is what you wish, no longer will I force these journeys upon you. However, there are many wolves out there. Injured, alone, lost. You could help them, small one.
Ran could help them?
Yes. With time, patience, and some luck with learning, you can do for many what you did for that wolf back there.
Ran wants to help!
I'm glad, and in time, perhaps you shall. For now, hurry back to your mother.
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Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 9:10 pm
"RAN!" Sashta all but barked at her when the runt of her litter came within view. Even then, it was just a faint outline. Motherly instinct, maybe.
"Mama! Mama!" It was hard to tell if the mother was more eager to maul her daughter for running off, or if said daughter was more eager to tell said mother about the things that had happened after she'd done so. "The butterflies, Mama! The butterflies!"
Not this again! The alpha had a sudden urge to gauge her own eyes out with a very sharp stick. Because thinking of doing things to your own offspring wasn't right. "Ran, don't start with that-"
"They healed him, Mama! They healed, um...um..." Damn it! Why did his name have to be so hard to remember?! What was it...?
"Alright, Ran, they healed someone. Let's go now." If agreeing would get her moving again, Sashta was more than happy to feed into it.
"Mama, they have a name! And Ran is special, Mama! They told her so! They did!" And she remembered this one.
"Alright, Ran," Sashta called back. Already, she was at least six feet ahead. When her daughter failed to follow, she patiently stopped and gazed over her shoulder. "Ran? Come on. Enough of this."
"Don't you want to know his name?" It was more of a whine than a question. She looked so pathetic, almost as if she was begging. What ELSE could Sashta do?
"Fine, tell me his name and let's go," she replied bluntly.
"Taraha! See? Ran remembered! ...Mama?" As if she'd seen a ghost, Sashta's eyes widened in disbelief. The expression faded quickly, shifting into one more aggravated than the previous.
"Let's go," she repeated. This time, Ran followed. She continued her chatter about her 'butterflies', but Sashta's mind had fled elsewhere for the time being. Yes, she was too busy wondering.
Wondering who Ran had been spending time with, and what they'd been saying. More importantly, why they'd been saying it.
How ELSE would Ran know the name of her brother to use in one of those crazy stories...?Quest Complete
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