Ronove
It hurt, but she supposed she deserved it. More than deserved it; she'd asked for it. But what was she supposed to do? Things had just... happened. And they kept doing so, spiraling further out of her control.
The small blue female slumped head on paws outside the den that she'd dug a few weeks back. Around her the sun had just begun to rise, but the woods were still a hazy blue-grey. Her fur was puffed up against the chill, tail tucked and wrapped around her nose. Jori gazed out across the frosty meadows, watching impassively as they brightened from silver to blue-green.
She huffed a sigh and looked away.
To be honest, it was probably the stupidest thing she could have ever done. You knew the circumstances, knew the situation all too well. She flicked her ears back and grimaced as her consciousness prodded her mercilessly. It was too true.
But despite all of this, she wouldn't take any of it back. Although they were asleep deep in the back of the den, Jori could feel Pavati and Sade. Just the thought of them filled her with hope. They were all she needed. They were the only thing she wanted out of life.
... right?
Jori curled tighter and stared absently into the cold grey dawn.
Kealdrana Sasaiuni
Kara was at much at fault for Jori as to being in love. The only difference was she didn’t show it. As far as she was concerned, only Kaho knew, wherever that b*****d had gone off to now. She found him kind enough, but a bit foolish in his own intentions, and why he ever stood behind Phantom she couldn’t understand. The wolf he had once loved and fought for was dead, and there was no bringing him back, when he finally hit the deck by jumping off that cliff, it was just a soulless body flying from an equally bland rock. Good riddance, she thought. Yet Ran, and Kaho, both insisted on causing trouble in the Black forrest, now more than ever. It seemed they were locked into the world forever. Well she wasn’t going, that’s for sure. She’d stay right here with her misty river and her little group of traitors.The mist from her exuded sigh wafted out above her, disappearing with the grey of the coming sky. It was such a beautiful place to behold at sunrise. It held mystery and awe at the tip of the tongue, yet you felt safe. The air wasn’t to terribly cold, but the forever running river created a steam which fogged up the valley. You truly had to know where you traveled in the land of the rivers. And Kara knew just where she was going.
Whether or not Jori had gone with Kiros, she still had pups that needed to be cared for. Kara had remembered when they had left in a huff, leaving the battered Kiros behind with a look of disdain on his face. It served him right. He’d committed the worst treachery when he was younger, and everything he dealt with now was deserved. She held this thought and used it as justification for everything she did against him. Had it not been for Jori she would have killed him long ago, but she held a soft spot for the blue wolf, even now. She’d said one month, then she’d let him here to see the pups. By then, she’d hoped to have them wary, and fending for the pack. He wouldn’t be able to cause trouble then. If he did, well, she could always sick ‘Neira on him. Not to mention she was sure Carey wouldn’t mind a bit of sport in chewing out his gut. If he proved himself, perhaps he could even stay for a time, but that was only if. In the mean time, the pups were still on milk, and vulnerable. One of the reasons she’d let Jori stay. There was simply no other option.
Kara rose her nose to the air, taking a sharp wiff, and she found the other’s scent. It was obvious that the blue wasn’t trying to stay completely hidden, but she wanted to avoid confrontation as well. Since the incident the two had spoken little. What was once a bond of loyalty was shattered by awkward silence, and Kara could feel the air pressing down on her everyday she went without pardoning the blue. But she was a wolf of justice and revenge, and she believed that if Jori could commit such an atrocity, then she deserved to feel the wrench in her gut.
Kara had her eating last at meals, and staying back when they went to hunt. Mostly keeping her out of natural joys. Today, however, she had a walk along the packlands planned. It wasn’t often that they ventured on the outskirts, it was dangerous, but thrilling. You had to know every step in order not to fall to your doom. Mostly, Jori would have to trust her for it to work, and the red was anxious to see if it would work. Head and tail held high she trudged towards the curled figure through the thin mist.
Ronove
Jori blinked and started awake. She'd drifted into sleep for no more than a half hour; the fog was still a silver-blue, the fields untainted with sunlight. But her dreams... she shuddered to remember them and resisted the urge to check on her pups. She could smell them behind her, safe in the dark.
Jori shivered and climbed to her feet. The hard ground had chilled her and left her stiff. How strange that so much could change so quickly. But it had happened to her before, so why should it be any different now? The blue gamma flicked an ear back. Maybe she should go back to sleep. It was the easiest way to forget about everything, even if it was only for a little while...
Movement in the pre-dawn fog caught her eye and she froze. Although these were protected packlands, that didn't mean no predators stalked the woods. A growl formed in her throat as her hackles rose. Jori lifted her nose to the air, searching - a breeze blew past, faint but strong enough to carry her scent with it -
Immediatly her posture changed. The growl died in her chest. Ear wavered nervously, tail tucked unconsciously beneath her body. A weight settled on her chest and she swallowed hard, waiting.
Jori shivered and climbed to her feet. The hard ground had chilled her and left her stiff. How strange that so much could change so quickly. But it had happened to her before, so why should it be any different now? The blue gamma flicked an ear back. Maybe she should go back to sleep. It was the easiest way to forget about everything, even if it was only for a little while...
Movement in the pre-dawn fog caught her eye and she froze. Although these were protected packlands, that didn't mean no predators stalked the woods. A growl formed in her throat as her hackles rose. Jori lifted her nose to the air, searching - a breeze blew past, faint but strong enough to carry her scent with it -
Immediatly her posture changed. The growl died in her chest. Ear wavered nervously, tail tucked unconsciously beneath her body. A weight settled on her chest and she swallowed hard, waiting.
Kealdrana Sasaiuni
Kara stopped several times on the way to see Jori, trying to determine whether or not she wanted to talk to the soul. It was so hard to confront her, when there were visions of betrayal and death swarming her skull. Didn't Jori know the story? Why wasn't she still disgusted? Kara shook her head to try and get rid of the thoughts, and continued forwards, her blue eyes focused hard on Jori.
She could just make out a growl through the heavy mist, but she didn't bother to stop, if Jori wished to challenge her, they could have a fight here and now. Kara was sure she would win, for Jori had nothing to fight for. Except those pups. Yes, what was she to do about the two of them? She could smell them at the back of the cave, no doubt warming each other with their furry bodies. They weren't bound to the ties that Kiros and Jori were, but they were still born of ill intentions. Had she been truly cold, she might have killed them, but they didn't deserve the fate given them, and they could still redeem themselves.
"Jori," she spoke alloud, coming to greet the other with that same cold indifference she gave to so many wolves. She wasn't sure what to say with the other, but she knew she had to say something. Kara secretly wondered what was going on in the other's mind, and the minds of the pups. At more humorous times she might have cracked some sort of joke about the young one eating his sister, but she couldn't break the silence that held them today. The walk suddenly seemed like a bad idea, but she had come here with a purpose. Only thing was, she didn't know what to do with the pups.
"We're going to see Kiros," she decided upon. It seemed like such a bad idea, but where could the harm in it be. It had been a week, and the children at least needed to know their father didn't abandon him, though they wouldn't get any alone time. She'd be watching the culprit. If he made a move, he was a dead wolf.
She could just make out a growl through the heavy mist, but she didn't bother to stop, if Jori wished to challenge her, they could have a fight here and now. Kara was sure she would win, for Jori had nothing to fight for. Except those pups. Yes, what was she to do about the two of them? She could smell them at the back of the cave, no doubt warming each other with their furry bodies. They weren't bound to the ties that Kiros and Jori were, but they were still born of ill intentions. Had she been truly cold, she might have killed them, but they didn't deserve the fate given them, and they could still redeem themselves.
"Jori," she spoke alloud, coming to greet the other with that same cold indifference she gave to so many wolves. She wasn't sure what to say with the other, but she knew she had to say something. Kara secretly wondered what was going on in the other's mind, and the minds of the pups. At more humorous times she might have cracked some sort of joke about the young one eating his sister, but she couldn't break the silence that held them today. The walk suddenly seemed like a bad idea, but she had come here with a purpose. Only thing was, she didn't know what to do with the pups.
"We're going to see Kiros," she decided upon. It seemed like such a bad idea, but where could the harm in it be. It had been a week, and the children at least needed to know their father didn't abandon him, though they wouldn't get any alone time. She'd be watching the culprit. If he made a move, he was a dead wolf.
Ronove
"Kiros?" The blue female tensed at the mention of his name. "Why?"
Not that she was unhappy at such a proclimation. Rather, just the opposite. But it was Kara who was offering this trip. What reason did the lanky red have to visit one she hated?
Certainly not for Jori's sake. Her green eyes darted up to meet Kara's own icy gaze, then glanced down quickly. The apha hadn't forgiven him, or her; that much was certain. Kara's manner warned Jori away from such foolish notions. Well, sometimes it was best not to question good luck.
"Ah, I mean..." Jori backed towards the den. "I'll get them. Pavati and Sade." She amended quietly and stooped to enter the den. Inside it was warm, filled with the remnants of her own body heat mingled with that of her pups. It smelled comforting and she almost wished she could just...
"Sade." She nuzzled the green-patterend back gently. "Pavati, wake up." The mess of grass and fur stirred, then sorted itself out into two pups. Sade blinked up at her sleepily and yawned. His tiny tail thumped on the ground and he whined happily.
"We're going to see your father." She nosed her blue daughter and urged them out into the pre-dawn chill.
Not that she was unhappy at such a proclimation. Rather, just the opposite. But it was Kara who was offering this trip. What reason did the lanky red have to visit one she hated?
Certainly not for Jori's sake. Her green eyes darted up to meet Kara's own icy gaze, then glanced down quickly. The apha hadn't forgiven him, or her; that much was certain. Kara's manner warned Jori away from such foolish notions. Well, sometimes it was best not to question good luck.
"Ah, I mean..." Jori backed towards the den. "I'll get them. Pavati and Sade." She amended quietly and stooped to enter the den. Inside it was warm, filled with the remnants of her own body heat mingled with that of her pups. It smelled comforting and she almost wished she could just...
"Sade." She nuzzled the green-patterend back gently. "Pavati, wake up." The mess of grass and fur stirred, then sorted itself out into two pups. Sade blinked up at her sleepily and yawned. His tiny tail thumped on the ground and he whined happily.
"We're going to see your father." She nosed her blue daughter and urged them out into the pre-dawn chill.
Kealdrana Sasaiuni
Kara snorted at Jori, she figured the other would be overjoyed, but if Jori regretted her descision that much, so be it. They didn't have to go. Kara shrugged and was about to turn and leave Jori standing there when the blue seemed to change her mind. That was more like it. Perhaps she had just been shocked by the strangeness of Kara's descision.
Kara nodded and waited for Jori to fetch the pups. They were such pretty, innocent souls, and they always made her smile when she saw them. In time, perhaps in their teens, they would no doubt become intolerable, or so she'd heard. That was still many days away, and for now they were to go see their own blood.
Kara said nothing as Jori brought the two pups. Instead, she turned around and made her way back through the mist, walking calmly, as though nothing in the world were wrong. The silence seemed to stretch for ages as she traveled, and finally, she had to say something for fear of losing what little sanity she had left.
"Why?" she asked, turning her head back to look at the trio walking just as quietly behind her. The pups appeared to be a slight bit chilly, but other than that unphased. Still, Kara was agitated, and she wanted answers.
Kara nodded and waited for Jori to fetch the pups. They were such pretty, innocent souls, and they always made her smile when she saw them. In time, perhaps in their teens, they would no doubt become intolerable, or so she'd heard. That was still many days away, and for now they were to go see their own blood.
Kara said nothing as Jori brought the two pups. Instead, she turned around and made her way back through the mist, walking calmly, as though nothing in the world were wrong. The silence seemed to stretch for ages as she traveled, and finally, she had to say something for fear of losing what little sanity she had left.
"Why?" she asked, turning her head back to look at the trio walking just as quietly behind her. The pups appeared to be a slight bit chilly, but other than that unphased. Still, Kara was agitated, and she wanted answers.
Ronove
For a long moment Jori didn't answer. After all, what did it matter why she'd done what she had? It was over. Proof scampered at her feet and licked dirt on the side of the trail.
"Sade, stop it."
Her voice sounded dull even to her and was lost in the dense mist. But Although Sade might not have heard, he seemed to decide dirt wasn't as good as it looked. He shook his tongue off with a look of great disgust and took off running, barely managing to avoid getting tangled in Kara's legs.
She watched Pavati next to her and wondered how long it would take. How long before they committed an act that would change their lives? They were young now, sure, but give them time... "Did you never committ an act you regretted?" Jori couldn't keep the bitterness out of her voice, although she tried.
"Sade, stop it."
Her voice sounded dull even to her and was lost in the dense mist. But Although Sade might not have heard, he seemed to decide dirt wasn't as good as it looked. He shook his tongue off with a look of great disgust and took off running, barely managing to avoid getting tangled in Kara's legs.
She watched Pavati next to her and wondered how long it would take. How long before they committed an act that would change their lives? They were young now, sure, but give them time... "Did you never committ an act you regretted?" Jori couldn't keep the bitterness out of her voice, although she tried.
Kealdrana Sasaiuni
Kara watched Sade as he caused trouble. Such funny youth. Jori didn't seem to terribly impressed. Then again, dirt probably wasn't the best thing to eat, at any time of day. She stopped walking as he darted under her legs, worried she would trip herself. She never did have the balance of a physically perfect wolf, but she hid it well.
Pavati was as less impressed with Sade than her mother. "Bug Eater, don't be so foolish," she muttered, flicking her paws left and right to try and rid them of the awful dew that was sticking to her fur. She looked up to Jori when her mother spoke, it was a strange sound that she didn't often hear from the adult. She wondered if they got like this when they were sad. She didn't, or so she hoped. It was a nasty sound.
Kara stopped, turned, and stared at Jori. Time began to teeter, waiting for her to make a move, distrupt the silence, but she refused. Thoughts of Ran danced in her head. How dissapointed Kaho would be. For that matter, anyone that could read her thoughts. How disgusting she was.
"All the time, Jori," she said, looking away with saddened eyes. Could she really blame her? Wasn't she more at fault than the other? She'd like to think not, but her heart told her otherwise.
"Come, I don't know where he is, and the pups can't go too far," she kept her eyes down, head low, and her tail was not heald so high as before.
Pavati was as less impressed with Sade than her mother. "Bug Eater, don't be so foolish," she muttered, flicking her paws left and right to try and rid them of the awful dew that was sticking to her fur. She looked up to Jori when her mother spoke, it was a strange sound that she didn't often hear from the adult. She wondered if they got like this when they were sad. She didn't, or so she hoped. It was a nasty sound.
Kara stopped, turned, and stared at Jori. Time began to teeter, waiting for her to make a move, distrupt the silence, but she refused. Thoughts of Ran danced in her head. How dissapointed Kaho would be. For that matter, anyone that could read her thoughts. How disgusting she was.
"All the time, Jori," she said, looking away with saddened eyes. Could she really blame her? Wasn't she more at fault than the other? She'd like to think not, but her heart told her otherwise.
"Come, I don't know where he is, and the pups can't go too far," she kept her eyes down, head low, and her tail was not heald so high as before.
Ronove
The response wasn't the one Jori had expected and it startled her. She'd expected self-righteous anger, hatred towards the one who had betrayed her... but not sorrow. She huffed, uncertain, irritation boiling up out of place and unavoidable.
"I wouldn't change anything, you know!" She blurted, coming to a defiant stop. "But I wasn't asking for me." Jori looked her alpha in the eye for the first time in a long time. But the contact only lasted for a second, then she looked away; her voice sank and she seemed to wilt, the anger dissapearing as soon as it came. "I was asking for him."
The last bit was little more than a whisper. "I was hoping..."
The past was the past. Nothing could change it. They all knew it, and yet everyone seemed determined to be ruled by it, herself included. Why couldn't they move on? Jori shivered slightly and watched Sade as he pounced through the tall grasses on the pathside.
"... that you might forgive." Jori spoke more to herself than anyone.
"I wouldn't change anything, you know!" She blurted, coming to a defiant stop. "But I wasn't asking for me." Jori looked her alpha in the eye for the first time in a long time. But the contact only lasted for a second, then she looked away; her voice sank and she seemed to wilt, the anger dissapearing as soon as it came. "I was asking for him."
The last bit was little more than a whisper. "I was hoping..."
The past was the past. Nothing could change it. They all knew it, and yet everyone seemed determined to be ruled by it, herself included. Why couldn't they move on? Jori shivered slightly and watched Sade as he pounced through the tall grasses on the pathside.
"... that you might forgive." Jori spoke more to herself than anyone.
Kealdrana Sasaiuni
Kara's heart was far too low to even try and meet Jori's anger. It was natural, to want to fight for something you loved. Heck, she'd fight for Ran tell the end of time, but at the same moment, there was a deep resentment for the shaman. Perhaps it was that she didn't understand, or did, and couldn't bring herself to tell Kara she needed to stop and turn. Even Kaho wouldn't give her a definate answer.
She shook her head, trying to chase away the thoughts, but it only resulted in a choking sound. Why couldn't she forgive? Why not? He was raising a family.
"Don't judge me, Jori," she whispered, for in that moment her eyes flashed.
They were at the edge of the river, its power raging and dragging her soul down with it. Before she knew it, she was falling, down towards that waiting water. And in that moment she closed her eyes and uttered three small words,
Rest my soul
Before the rush of water flew around her ears. There was no surviving the current, not at this hour and this time. Whether she had jumped, or fell, she decided she'd never know, but she didn't bother to try and struggle for air, just let the river carry her where it will.
She heard the yell, "KARA!"
It was the first time the small blue wolf had ever spoken her true name, and it would forever be the last.
She shook her head, trying to chase away the thoughts, but it only resulted in a choking sound. Why couldn't she forgive? Why not? He was raising a family.
"Don't judge me, Jori," she whispered, for in that moment her eyes flashed.
They were at the edge of the river, its power raging and dragging her soul down with it. Before she knew it, she was falling, down towards that waiting water. And in that moment she closed her eyes and uttered three small words,
Rest my soul
Before the rush of water flew around her ears. There was no surviving the current, not at this hour and this time. Whether she had jumped, or fell, she decided she'd never know, but she didn't bother to try and struggle for air, just let the river carry her where it will.
She heard the yell, "KARA!"
It was the first time the small blue wolf had ever spoken her true name, and it would forever be the last.
Ronove
Anger shivered through her. "I wasn't judging. I was asking you --"
Jori paused and stared hard at the alpha. "...Kara?"
The blue started to take a step forwards, concern almost palpable. But then she hesitated and drew back, eyes growing blank and dark. The edge behind Kara seemed to draw nearer... surely Kara herself was aware of it. Surely she knew the river raged below...
She kept her mouth shut and hated herself for it. She watched, silent, as Kara stepped backwards and slipped... She met the lanky red's eyes, expecting shock and fear. Instead she found only what could be regret, or relief. Jori blanched. Her legs shook with a mixed desire to lunge forwards, to dive in and rescue her, to do something! ... and the knowledge that life would be a little easier if she just let this happen. It's better this way... better if she's gone. Pavati and Sade can grow up with a father. It's better.
So she told herself. The shaking in her limbs was due to weariness, not sorrow. Not shame. Frozen on the edge Jori stood silently as the current swept her best friend away.
Jori paused and stared hard at the alpha. "...Kara?"
The blue started to take a step forwards, concern almost palpable. But then she hesitated and drew back, eyes growing blank and dark. The edge behind Kara seemed to draw nearer... surely Kara herself was aware of it. Surely she knew the river raged below...
She kept her mouth shut and hated herself for it. She watched, silent, as Kara stepped backwards and slipped... She met the lanky red's eyes, expecting shock and fear. Instead she found only what could be regret, or relief. Jori blanched. Her legs shook with a mixed desire to lunge forwards, to dive in and rescue her, to do something! ... and the knowledge that life would be a little easier if she just let this happen. It's better this way... better if she's gone. Pavati and Sade can grow up with a father. It's better.
So she told herself. The shaking in her limbs was due to weariness, not sorrow. Not shame. Frozen on the edge Jori stood silently as the current swept her best friend away.
