The pale blue femme limped through a clearing, holding her left forepaw up, wincing everytime she had to use the paw; trying her best to put as little pressure on the swollen ligament. Her black dipped tail which was normally held high, hung limply between her back legs. Faela's brown eyes surveyed the landscape. Her cursed run in with the feral old female had truly take her aback. Mistaking the old grizzled girl for some sort of elder had taught her a lesson. She would forever be more cautious of wolves she did not know and that truly was more than she could ever even begin to think of counting. The scent of numerous other wolves surrounded her, she knew she was along the lines of a pack's lands, but she felt a sort of security in being near where others were.
In her current stat Faela was unable to hunt for herself, if she was lucky she would be able to find scraps left over from the pack possibly, WIth a heavy sign the female sat down, the black swirls rippling over her back. She licked at her paw carefully, it hurt and she could taste the stale dried blood and the dirt that had gotten into the wound. Though she was suffering, Faela was grateful a hurt paw was the worse that she had to worry about, that feral old female had been almost twice her size and would had eaten her she believed if given the chance.
With many winters passed since he had met the femme, Numair still occasionally thought of her. Though he was perfectly eligible as a wolf in good standing, healthy, young, handsome… he never once considered a mate. Perhaps it was the natural mystery she eluded, the way she disappeared… the challenge that made her sway into his mind this evening, as he did his normal rounds around the border.
But … perhaps it was time to select a mate, settle down… seek comfort in a familiar face, make this place truly home. Numair had never been, happy really. Besides he was an adult now, and an adult male should seek… certain things. Nu couldn’t remember who had taught him such things, but he knew them to be true none the less.
Then, as though the foliage was playing a trick on his eye he made out a swirl of blue against the thick green and brown… Crouching low Numair examined the shape, still not sure if he saw what his eyes were telling him was true…
Had she come… here?
Faela laid herself down, careful of her paw, and continuing to clean the wound as best she could. Her mind wandered back to her family to whom she had lost, lost to the darkness that she still refused to give up finding them. Her faith had wanned multiple times, dwindling to nearly nothing and she would merely wander about with no true purpose until a dreaming would come to her, making her strike back on the trail of some ancient old one. Again though the dwindling belief was starting to over come her.
With her dark eyes closed as she focused on her wound a small breeze brough the strong scent of another on the winds. She peaked open an eye to see nothing. Lifting her nead and scenting though she could tell the scent was new, carried to her and not far off at all. She focused her eyes on the distance a faint blurb of browns catching her eyes, something that just didn't fit in with the landscape at all. She tilted her head, with curiosity, sniffing at the scent, as it tickled a memory far back in her mind, one from long ago.
Numair watched her raise her head, unsure even now of what he should do. Hunched down he waited... but what he waited for he wasn't even sure of. He wanted to be certain it was her.. because the alterniative, if they were a rival to his pack, they could quite possibly end up being his death. The wind worked out of his favor, blowing his sent more to the stranger then theirs to him, so he was very aware the stranger knew of his presence.
But when she lifted her gaze, and stared right to where he was...
Nu had, had several moments where it felt like his heart had stopped beating, from fear, from nervousness, from exitement... but nothing could compare to seeing that childhood friend of his. His ears immediately picked up, and he cautiously shifted so that he would still be able to get out of the way had she gone feral or something, and bounded out of the brush and into the small clearing where Fae was now regaining strength.
Her eye narrowed slightly as she say the figure move. She figured in her state it was better to let them know of her presence, there was little chance she had not already been spotted, someone the color of the sky on the earthen ground was all to noticable. Taking a deep breath the female steadied herself mentally, praying to the gods above that she would get lucky and not suffer another event like before. "Hello there!" she called out forcing herself up as gently as she possibly could.
The effort still caused her to wince but she called out again. "I mean no harm, nothing more than a lone femme passing through." she said looking down at her paw, worried. Through the corner of her eye she watched the figure, her body tensed to bolt. When it came down to it, Fae was no fighter, she could hunt but she never truly enjoyed it, it was a neccisity of life to keep herself alive.
her mind flittered over the numerous possibilities of the figure being another attacker, or even that strange wolf that lingered in the back of her mind. For the life of her she could not remember his name. Though she was positive if the name was mentioned to her she would be able to call it out but on her own, she was clueless.
Taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly Numair stepped out in the open, he was proud of himself, because somehow he had managed to step from the leaves and seem not at all as nervous as he felt.
"Seems you need a helping hand." He said this softly, as to not scare her away, and slowly made forward with his head lowered to show he meant no harm.
"I was scouting the area for danger... and came upon you." his gaze lowered, taking in the lifted leg, the posture. "are you hurt?"
Her eyes widened, those spots...she knew those spots, there was absolutely no mistaking then. "I know you..." she said breathlessly in awe. It was the pup she had come across so long ago and had shared his den with his family for the night. She never thought she would run across the male again. It had been a long time ago since she had shared her story with him, the memory was faded and patchy but still present.
She could feel herself burning under her cool colored pelt, "It...was just a run in with some feral..." she said looking away pathetically. She couldn't believe the embarrassment that she felt around the male. As the faint memory came to the surface as best it could she couldn't help herself to be in awe of how the pup had grown into such a handsome adult. She felt flustered in his presense, something she wasn't too for such a bold female like herself.
Numair looked down, studying the area around her, his hackles now raised. “Do you think she could have followed you?” His eyes narrowed, smelling in all directions, suddenly all business and protector like. “We need to get you to my pack, even if your sure your safe. Your hurt, and I know Fantasia wont mind taking in someone in need.” Numair never left the still position he had immediately put himself into the moment he heard the word Feral. She had become quite beautiful, he noted… but then she always was.
She never was a gangly little pup with several siblings hanging about him. Hell he still was gangly, at least to himself. Numair didn’t believe he was handsome, he believed in being there for those who need him, and had little time to really observe him-self.
Shaking her head at his question she shifted herself, pushing herself back to her weary paws, at least the thee that didn't pain her. "No, she was protecting her 'home'" she sighed taking a few steps forward. Maybe she had been wrong, maybe he wasn't the wolf she had met so long ago, or maybe he had forgotten. He had made no acknowledgement that he knew her in any manner. What more could she expect from such a thing, it had been so long ago, and it had been no more than a brief passing, such a quick memory that anyone could have forgotten. The thought of being brought to the males pack made her skin crawl slightly under her conflicting pelt. She had never been amongst a pack before, the idea of a large group of wolves around her made her feel nervous, but she knew on her own she was a sitting duck for trouble with her injured paw.
She merely nodded the show she would follow him. "I believe I must have been mistaken, my name is Faela..." she said with a small smile.
The male tipped his head to her. “You were not mistaken, it has just been such a long time it takes some getting used to. Your past doesn’t knock on your door often here.” Slowly, as though afraid to scare her off, Numair walked to her side, close enough that she could lean on him if need be to rest on their journey back. “Look at us, all grown up but as awkward as pups.” This made the male bark with laughter, a remaining grin on his face. “Everyone will love you, a story teller, when we are all lonely knights with not a idea in our thick skulls but protecting the weak.” Numair faintly remembered the crush he had on her after she so magically disappeared and how even now he frequently thought of her. Funny how things tended to come back to you once in awhile.
Leaning against his slightly she giggled, feeling her maw burn with his compliments and finding that he remembered her, apparently quite well. It made her feel bad she still could not remember his name at all, she fought with herself mentally, scolding herself over and over. It did her no good though no matter what she did, she knew she would have to ask again for his name. "I am sorry...I feel...foolish for this, but I can not remember your name no matter how hard I try." she whined slightly. A small smile spread over her maw again though as he mentioned her being able to enlighten them with her stories, yes, her stories. She was more than happy to share them. "I have many more than I did before, I would be happy to share them with you all if you wish to hear them." she said nudging her head against his, feeling a sense of safety wash over her, though her heart still pounded in her chest as though it were trying to escape, a feeling she had never felt before.
The grin on his face was nearly impenetrable but damn he came close. She didn’t remember him, I mean… she knew him by his pelt obviously, but he had left not much of an impact apparently. “My name is Numair. Sorry for not reintroducing myself sooner.” He allowed her to lean on him, but he was pulling back slightly. “yes I’m sure many of the others will enjoy such a fertile mind. We have a few people in such areas, but most that come are more willing to defend what they believe is right, and who they care about.”
That was one thing Numair had never changed about himself, he was still the knight in shining armor, ready to take on who ever and whatever he had to in order to help someone.
She felt bad, even worse when he told her his name again, it rang clear in her mind as he said it. "Numair, yes. I remember now, I'm sorry, my mind has been so lost in my search for so long that I pushed so many memories away. I feel terrible...I did not forget you, how could I?" she said feeling a little sad when he pulled away a little. "Well I will be happy to share with everyone, those who are willing to listen, I have the stories to tell." she looked ahead, wondering what his pack was like.
"Tell me, since you are in a pack now...did you, find the pack that you spoke of, with other like yourself, the..'Nights' as you called them?" she asked wagging her tail faintly allowing it to swing enough to bump his haunches. "I remember you telling me about wanting so dearly to find the pack. I apologize for leaving as I did. I don't like good-byes, they can be painful and I liked you." she looked up at him with her dark eyes with a small smile.
""yes, thats where im taking you. I made a point of telling my father I was leaving to the pack the day after you left... you were my inspiration to go out and DO what it was I felt I should." Truth be told she gave him courage... the young male wasn't going to go despite how much he talked and dreamed of such a thing. He didn't know it was real, only whispers on the wind of such a thing existing. Numair found it interesting that she should basically read his mind on the mater of her not remembering. Nu had to remember that not all wolves were as good as he was with remembering names... it was just a talent that came or didn't.
Numair got closer once more, when the ground got more uneven and they had to tred closer to the cliff sides. ""Needless to say I liked you too... goodbyes are hard, but disappearing leaves no closure." finally he had found the words he was searching for, after pondering the question himself in silence as they walked. ""I hope you don't find my actions too different then you remember, my journey thus far has been... difficult."
Her tail waved a little stronger, she nearly lost her footing a few times but was able to hold herself up by leaning slightly more on Numair as they went on. It felt almost strange to be depending on another for once in her life even if it was something as small as walking a short distance, but the depenedence did not seem to bother her in fact it felt comforting rather than awkward as she had anticipated it to be. "I am glad that you were able to find the pack, and that I was able to give you the push you needed. I believe we all need pushes at times, and it takes some stronger to do so." she said looking ahead, the scent of other wolves growing stronger around her, making her more and more aware of what she was headed towards.
"Good-byes are necessary though at times, leaving that openness, the curiosity and wonder. Gives you the ability to fantisize and wonder dream." she said catching a far off, glazed look as the wolds rolled off her tongue. But she shooker her head fiercely, coming back to reality. "No, not at all, you are just as I remember you back then. I bet it broke your father's heart when you left. He seemed to care so much about you, all of your sibling." she said remembering the old male. His large stature, but gentle nature, allowing her to stay in their den alongside his family, a stranger among them and he treated her as though she were family.
Numair gave her a small smile at this, shaking his head. "I belive it did hurt him, but he had to let me go eventually, and it was as best a time as ever. Besides, the others will keep him busy, my siblings weren't exactly the most... calm of beings." The sent of his pack filled his nose and immediately Numair began to relax. Home, they were going home... and no crazy wolf was going to be able to get them... not without some hell at least.
"You will like it here, The Order has a way with making us feel like we are a part of something bigger, some family thats set to make sure the world is more beautiful then when we left it." Nu felt like he was advertising in a way, but ... what could he say, he loved it here. Where generous leaders kept them safe, and everyone had equality no matter what the rank. IT ran off of respect, and a willingness to be something more then yourself. Over the hill he could make out his cave that he shared with the other Squires, nearing on the horizon. A few other shelters stood out to him... but Nu felt he had to take her back to where he stayed... until she was in a good enough condition to make it up the rock to where the leaders slept.
She nodded in agreement, one could always learn to cope with the pain, accepting the need to let go. "As you said, it was best, and I am sure at least one of your siblings will stay with him and your mother. Maybe they'll eventually even have another litter and you'll have more siblings. You never know." she said looking up ahead, spotting the caves and her ears perking forward with curiosity, a touch of nervous starting to grasp her. it would not be easy to settle herself in among strangers, not like when she had been a pup, so carefree and fearless. She was older now and had seen many things, good and bad.
"I am sure I will be quite happy." she said looking about, dipping her head to sniff the grass, smelling even stronger the scent of the other who laid on this land and rolling in it's lush green grasses. She was forced to resist the urge to lay herself down adn roll in the grass, taking in the scent and rubbing her back. "Which cave is your own?" she asked looking up at him with her brown eyes with shining puppy-like curiosity. If she had been able to she would have been dancing on her tips of her paws around him, though still keeping close to him.
Numair gestured with his head to the nearest cave. "Im sorry, I share it with other wolves of my rank, but I promise you will not be harassed. They are really sweet actually. and there's always the possibility they will be in other caves or out on watch. You can have my bed and I will sleep outside the cave." It wasn't just that he was being chilverious, its just that he had a tendency to be drawn to the stars and moon when strange things happen... like the goddess herself was tossing a few interesting things onto his lap for kicks, and he would have to play them out in her honor. But certainly he didn't want to make her feel uncomfortable sleeping with a male she -once- knew. Nearing the cave Numair put his nose to the ground, trying to find a sent that could be identified... but none were found, his roommates were out.
"I will get you settled and then go find them to warn them a beautiful damsel has strayed into our cave and is in need of rest and peace."
“They smell like a friendly bunch. And I'm not too worried about being bothered, I've done fairly well on my own..well up until that feral." she sighed looking down at her paw with a small spike of anger rising in her and falling just as quickly as it had risen. "I don't want to take your place though, merely a spot nearby would be good enough for me." she said shifting her eyes away slightly. The idea of being set in a cave with multiple others and knowing the only one she knew would not be there with her was fairly uncomfortable. "I don't want to weigh you down though of course." she said quickly, hoping her faint clinging would not seem odd. Fae herself felt her own draw to the stars and the darkness along with the bright moon that came to life and died, that by which most wolves calculated time.
She nodded as she made her way into the cave, sniffing the floor lightly. She felt her fur burn again as he called her a beautiful damsel. Something she had never once considered herself at all. "Oh, I don't believe that's really necessary... My paw just needs a little time to heal that's all. It's really nothing all that bad." she said looking away.
Mentally Numair shrugged, nosing his way to his bed he gestured with his head. "this is where I sleep. Well, its where ive been told I should sleep. I very much prefer it outside. I insist that you rest, truly. A comfortable bed would be best for you." Nu looked about the cave, then to her before heading deeper into the damp stone where a small stream passed through. With a large leaf he scooped up enough water for her to drink, and when she was finished he would be able to get enough to clean her wounds. There wasn't much chance that they had aloe around here like he did back home and mending his sisters wounds... but this would have to make do.
Who knew what kind of disease that feral wolf was carrying around within her. Feral wolves had to get feral somehow and that seemed to be as good a reason as not.
At first Faela shfited a bit, debating whether or not to actually accept his bed. But she felt she could not refuse him and circled it around once and laid down, laying her head on her paws, licking her nose, eyes staring up at Numair. "I still feel bad for taking your place." she mumbled, shifting onto her side and wagging her tail as she watched his fetch her water, she drank it gratefully thanking him again and again, unable to help herself. She looked at her paw, it still pained her, and either she was getting used to the pain or it truly did feel better. Of course she also felt more secure and calm with Numair. Something about him acted as though a calming factor in her mind, making her relax.
Fae had not even considered any sort of diseases, she felt fine, no strange sensations whatsoever. She looked to Numair tilting her head. "Please, sit with me Numair, tell me about when you left and when you found this pack. I want to hear your story." she said with a while arching her head towards the male.
After filling the leaf once more he set it by the bed cocking his head to her. "Put your paw in that... it should help a little."I'll go hunting later, you must be hungry." But when she asked, it was as though he couldn't resist. Numair sat on his haunches staring at the rock in front of him. " Well I told my father that I really did have to go, even if the winds were lying to me of change. The pack I found was real, obviously and after crossing through some difficult terrain I managed to find them. With some help along the way of course. I swore my life to Fantasia with the picking of a rose, and I've been her ever since. Soon I plan to undergo the challenge to knighthood." Nu lowered himself so that his chin was resting on his forepaws, unsure if he was boring her or not... so he went into the abbreviated version of what he had been through. Not much really... not compared to running into a feral.
Fae carefully set her paw into the cool water, wrinkling her nose slightly as the water soaked through her fur. "I'm really fine Numair...please do not worry so much about me." she shook her head and listened to him intently, she found herself slightly disappointed with his shortened version of events. She was sure there had been so much more involved that he was not telling, maybe it was embarrassing, or hard for him to talk about. "What do you mean by having sworn your life to Fantasia by picking a rose?" she asked tilting her head again. She had seen a rose bush only once and remembered the sharp, painful thorns they held, such pretty flowers and sweet scent, but they were painful to the touch. "Is it some sort of ritual?" she asked, her mind trying to piece together the idea and image of Numair finding a rose and somehow tearing it away from the bush and bringing it to this said wolf he had called Fantasia. Such a strange name for a wolf, but all the same what sort of name was Faela or Numair. They either had their own purpose and meaning.
Giving her a smile he nodded his head "it was indeed a ritual, I had to go into a narrow hole, and pull out a rose. The blood sacrificed was nothing compared to what i've gotten here." Numair stayed quite for awhile, finally looking back to her. " Faela, you need rest. Please sleep, we can talk in the morning, if your still here that is. I need to tell the Alpha's that your staying, and ask my roommates if they are able to find other places to sleep for awhile.
Standing he bowed low to her, his head touching the ground but making eye contact. " I will be here when you awake in the morning, just outside. I promise."
