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 Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2009 7:49 pm
With Stalker and Sesshy - Zack, Ashy and Raph, Talim
 
Padding around the forest, Zack was calm and at ease as ever. He didn't have anything to worry about - Angel seemed a lot happier lately, and since Ashy had made something out of those feathers - a dreamcatcher she called it- his nightly terror had went away. The large white feathers and spiders' silk pendant bounced across his chest while he walked - smiling down lovingly at the little pup as she circled him. He remembered a pair like himself he hadn't seen in a while - but couldn't quite place their names. He only remembered that the pup looked like Coffee and cream, where the adult looked closer to chocolate and caramel. He also remembered how Ashy had scared the other male's pup and made a not-so-good first impression. He did want to see them again though.
Ashy raced around her Fa's big paws - restless to go faster. Fa looked happier and she was glad! Ellie's feathers were just as magical as the eagles one! Marluce and her new friend helped her make a little charm for her Fa and now she didn't feel so cold at night; he hadn't left to go places, but stayed curled around her. Stumbling over a few stones, not watching where she was going, she yipped at him, "Fa! Fa! What're you thinking about?"
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Posted: Thu Aug 20, 2009 9:26 pm
 XXXX Darting through the trees in hot pursuit of the brown figure that fled in front of her, the now grown freckled wolf had her jaws parted in a wolfish grin. Today would be the day! She could just feel it in her fur. She would catch him! Pushing herself near her limit, Talim's smile slowly faded as her breaths began grow close and closer together, and exhaustion began to grab her. "How unfair.." She gasped out as she started to slow from her quick run. "Raphie! ... I give! You win!" She howled out to the dark figure that was still running a short distance ahead. Jaws parted and tongue hanging out between her teeth, her sides heaved with her heavy breaths. Though as she began to walk to meet up with Raph's figure that stood up ahead, waiting for her, a voice caught her attention.. Tipping her head with ears cocked in the sounds direction, Talim drew her brows together in thought. "Fa? Who is that... Sounds familiar..." She wondered in a thoughtful tone as she turned from Raphael and began a soft jog towards the voice. "Hello?" Her voice called tentatively ahead of her as the scents began to fill her senses. It seemed like she knew them? Though when she caught sight of the pair a smile pulled instantly at her lips. "I know you! A.. An.. no. Ash, Ashy!" She announced with a yip. Tail wagging behind her she play bowed for a second before jumping and doing a small spin. Obviously still a pup beneath her grown form.
Having been exerting little energy then his young adolescent companion, he couldn't help but bark with laughter when her paws fell away and her voice called up to him in defeat. At one point she would surpass him, so taking joy in this little feat was not so bad. So slowly skipping to a quick halt he half turned to look back. "You did good." He spoke in a soft voice even though she probably couldn't hear him. So when she stopped and tipped her head in another direction he began to wonder if she could.. Though as soon as Talim began to move in another direction worry flashed through his eyes. Where was she going? "Talim? Talim! What are you going?" Quickly moving towards her, he found himself thinking back to her encounter with that young reddish pup when she was younger. She could of been hurt.. And yet here she was going to do the same thing once again.. Though she had grown taller she was still young in age, and smaller then the average wolf. Picking up his brisk walk to a curt jog, Raphael came just in time to hear her called out Ashy. Wasn't that, that pups name? Fur bristling slightly he fallowed her out catching sight of the pair. But as he spied the one called Ashy his eyes widened slightly. She was still small? Shouldn't she have grown like Talim did...
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Posted: Sat Aug 22, 2009 5:04 pm
The black wolf smiled warmly down at his little puppy, peeling his upper lip back in a half-wolf-grin. "Do you remember, Ashy, those two wolves we ran into before?" He thought back to a light brown puppy darting through the trees, followed in hot pursuit by a darker male. Their relationship with their pups was quite similar. His ears twitched suddenly, catching fast footfalls in the distance and heavy breath. The clamor had softened for a few minutes, so he looked back to his pup in anticipation, hoping that she didn't get scared, and licked the top of her head gently. Sure as the sun rises, here that light brown wolf came out of the clearing and spoke right to Ashy. He barked out a gentle laugh - it was as if they had read his mind telepathically. But something was different...he hadn't remember her being grown...He turned back to Ashy, who was hiding behind his leg at this point, and nipped at her scruff lightly, to still her growl and he then licked her again, assuring her that everything was all-right. That was when he'd spotted the other father from his peripheral, and he smiled slightly at him, though worried for Ashy when he noticed his hackles rising. He padded forward to meet him, "Well, hello again." Zack grinned, and after a moments hesitation and closing one eye in thought, "Raph, right?" he tipped his head tentatively, waiting for something to tell him if he'd gotten it right.
Even if Ashy was young, she had the memory of an elephant; she never forgot a face! Not even the ones that she really should have, from her troubled past. Her tail started up like a motor when her Fa spoke; she loved him so and she barked lightly in response to his grin. "Two wolves? Mm...the cream and chocolate ones?" Contrary to what her small, slender form led on, Ashy had one track of her multi-tracked mind on food, all the time. She missed her Squally, but knew that he wasn't what her Fa was talking about. Obliviously, as she wasn't alert around Zack, her ears flicked backwards, "He doesn't like me...the bigger one...And I scared the other puppy..." She whined, feeling sorry for what she did, "B-but...it wasn't my fault..." Suddenly, an excited voice said her name and she jumped, with a yelp darting behind her Fa's leg with a soft growl in her throat. The wolf looked familiar, as her scruff n** and lick made her calmer, she looked into her Fa's deep blue eyes with worry. Then, her eyes flicked to examine the new wolf. That smell! Those freckles "Tal - Talim!" She barked out, "You're so big..." But soon, her confusion died as she found herself running around her old friend's, at least she'd like to think of her as a friend, legs with a soft-swaying tail. She noticed eyes on her and stilled slightly, looking behind her at the adult her Fa was talking to....
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Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2009 3:50 pm
Eyes still staring at Ashy with a bewildered expression even after Zack approached him. Was this some kind of trick? How could something just not grow, it wasn't possible? Was it? Feeling waves of confusion, and unease wash over him as he found questions running through his head before he could even stop to think over an answer for any of them. Hackles already risen, Raphael felt a growl building in his chest when Talim began interacting with this strange forever-wolf-pup. He had completely missed Zack's words, only snapping out of his thoughts when he heard his name spoken. Giving a quick shake of his head to clear his thoughts he glanced over at the other his expression still confused. "Ah? Yes it is.. Your.. Zack." Speaking the last part as less of a question and more of a simple statement to himself he turned his gaze away to look at the two that were a few steps away from them. The two were playing, Talim like the pup she had grown out of, and Ashy like the pup she for some reason still was. Feeling the questions and worry begin to arise he pushed them away and frowned. "Your pup.. Why has she not grown?" Raphael commented, his gaze never leaving the two.
Talim on the other hand had hardly noticed the fact her friend was now.. small. Or at least a bit smaller then she herself was now. Instead she was confused when Ashy ran and hid from her. Pulling her ears back she half tucked her tail in a apologetic way for having scared her friend. "I'm sorry" She spoke in a near silent voice as she lowered her head feeling sad that Ashy wasn't as happy to see her as she apparently was to see her friend. But, that sadness didn't last all to long for when Ashy finally did notice her and spoke her name, a bright smile broke across her face, soon fallowed by wonder at the big comment. Tipping her head to the side she stared down at her paws. "Big? I'm not big, your small! You shrunk!" Gasping in shock at the thought she soon laughed when the other began running around her, while she herself jumped in a circle as her tail swayed rather quickly behind her. Unlike Ashy though, she didn't notice the eyes watching them.
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Posted: Fri Dec 04, 2009 8:10 pm
The look the other adult had been giving Ashy set Zack at a discomfort. Although he hoped the pup hadn't seen it, he was almost certain that his little girl had. He'd noticed the fur along Raphael's back rising, but retained his nonchalant posture and attitude as he met eyes with a fearful-looking Ashy. He was concerned for the pup, but couldn't find any way to reassure her that it was all okay at this point. He had wished Squall were here. She always felt safe around him. Zack met the other wolf's confusion with a dorky smile, "Yup! Glad to see you remembered." From the corner of his vision, he noticed his pup starting to hide behind her grown friend's leg from Raphael's apparently harsh eyes, and to help comfort her, Zack maneuvered in front of Raphael to block out his view; not close enough for it to be standoffish, but enough for it to draw the adult's attention to himself instead of his pup. He thought for sure that his acquaintance would be please the two were playing, rather than last time. "I'm...Not sure." Zack replied without looking back at her. "Perhaps she just hasn't had her growth spurt yet." He suggested kindly, though he also felt a few questions rising up in him...was this what Moonlight did to one? Did Angel plan this, to make up for his loss of Paine and Ashy's hardships? He could only guess, but he liked to think that Angel, while she may have been mad at him, was still looking out for the rest of the pack, even after leaving it for Arseus.
Once Talim apologized, she was sure this bigger-wolf was definitely her friend. But...shouldn't she still be small? Ashy was! She felt smaller than ever, now. She hardly had many other friends, except for Shock, but he'd already grown, too. She thought that was because of Arseus, though....Was she just...not growing? "It's okay!" Ashy barked exuberantly, happy to see her friend again. She didn't mean to make her sad. "I shrunk!? Noo, you grew!" She insisted, laughing along with Talim, "Ashy's happy to see you again!" She replied, but froze all of her playful banter when she felt anger in the air. Slowly, she glanced up at Zack, meeting her Fa's eyes. Tail stilled to a halt and pulled close to her, she circled around Talim to hide behind her foreleg and averted her eyes from the adult that was angry with her. What did she do this time? Was she not supposed to play with Talim...? She was grateful to her Fa for distracting the chocolate-wolf, but she still felt sad for displeasing him....she wanted her big brother. He Squally would keep her safe....
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Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 11:44 am
Nodding just slightly at his response, Raph kept his gaze on the two, his mind racing with questions about the small thing.. No wolf takes this long to grow. Talim herself wasn't the size of a grown wolf yet, but she was bigger then she was when they had met last time. She had changed! The one called Ashy wasn't. So when the strange pup hid behind his own his lips drawing back in a half snarl and he went to take a step in their direction to get it away from his daughter. Though Zack took that moment to step in front of him effectively blocking his gaze, focusing it on him. Releasing his snarl he stared blankly at the other thinking him over. Was there something wrong with him to? Perhaps he was some strange wolf also. Not enjoying the thought, his muscles tensed and his ear twitched when the other spoke. Wasn't sure.. It was his pup was it not, he should know. "She has not grown! God wolf, she is not right. Growth spurt be dammed, Talim didn't grow overnight. She has been steadily growing. Growing stronger." Stepping to the side to look at the two he turned his gaze to Zack. "She isn't natural. What is she? I don't want Talim in any danger." Biting back a grown as he felt his frustration rise, Raphael closed his eyes when the questioning whine of Talim caught his ears. Lowering his head he took a deep breath and turned from Zack managing his sudden anger. He wanted answers, yes. But he needed to be calm about it, civilized. Pulling himself together he turned to face the other and stared at him with an unreadable expression.
Letting out a playful laugh at Ashy's reaction to her insistence that she had shrunk, Talim walked forward and nosed at her shoulder lightly. "I'm glad to see you again too!" Tail wagging quickly she didn't notice the change in the atmosphere until Ashy pulled close to her and actually. "Ashy? You okay.." Tail stilling she turned around to look at her friend and pawed at her softly. Did she not want to play anymore? Did she do something wrong? "I.. I'm sorry if it was something I did.." Ears drooping she looked down sadly at her friend, only noticing Raphael's anger by his snarl and voice. Looking over at the adults her brows pulled together and she tilted her head listening to them. "Raphie.." Whining in confusion she curled her tail under her and took a step toward towards them. Why was he so angry? So when he turned and began shaking his head she noticed his fur was lowering and looked to Ashy. "I wonder what's wrong with him.."
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Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 9:16 pm
Zack was reasonably confused as well, but he hadn't noticed that Ashy hadn't yet changed. She would always be his little girl and a puppy, no matter how big she got, so he took no notice of the lack of change. Zack couldn't see the reason for the other adult's sudden anger, and he was slightly offended by it. He looked into Raphael's eyes, not as a threat or disrespect, but to show he was serious about protecting his pup. He could see the obvious distrust and raging confusion in the eyes of the other, but his firm gaze did not falter. He would protect his little Ashy, at all costs. Because that's what Paine would have wanted. And because Ashy was his pup - now and forever. "You're right, she has not grown." Zack replied fluidly, his voice calm, under control, and collected. He was beginning to wonder just how much abuse she had suffered, in order to have not grown by now, but he didn't let the pain of the thought show in his eyes. "Not natural? She barks, and plays, and fears, and loves and has emotions, just like any other creature in the forest! She is no monster - she's just like any other wolf-pup." Zack insisted, being horridly reminded of someone he'd used to look up to. He got a bitter taste in his mouth, remembering how he had been betrayed. "She's a pup - that's what she is." He answered fluidly, "Do you really think that Talim would be in danger from a pup - one that's hiding behind her right now? Talim has grown, Ashy has not - Talim would be able to defend herself from any danger that a tiny pup could cause. Use your head - Ashy couldn't possibly hurt Talim now. There's an obvious size difference." By now he was getting quite caught up in his speech, and quite fed up with Raphael's accusations against his little girl. What he hated most, was ignorance. Zack too saw that he needed to calm down, and he did so with only a deep breath - waiting for the other wolf to do the same, and compose himself.
Ashy didn't like being growled at, but she didn't like feeling afraid and confused either. She didn't know what to do. She wanted her Squally. She kneaded the ground nervously with her paws, and shook her head quickly at Talim's question, before resuming a light tremble as she hid herself from the adults completely. She hadn't done anything wrong...Again, Ashy shook her head at Talim's word - she didn't do anything wrong. "What did I do wrong...?" The utterance of those words brought back terrible memories for her; it wasn't the first time she'd had to say them. At least there was no fire around her - but it still felt hot. She realized that was because her body temperature was rising, but she did not pant, out of fear. She just wanted her Big brother, her Squally! Almost as if summoned by her thoughts, she had glimpsed a dash of brown, white, and black fur through the trees. Her Squally was coming to rescue her and Fa from this bad, chocolate-colored wolf. Her excitement failed to show, however. Once her big brother walked onto the scene, she leaned against the inside of his leg, still trembling.
Being rather rudely awoken by some loud voices, not too far off, Squall stood up and shook himself with a cruel-sounding yawn. Should he even bother going to see what it was all about? He picked out a voice, however, and one of the raised ones belonged to Zack. Where there's a Zack, there's an Ashy. Where there's a Zack raising his voice, there's a scared Ashy. Without hesitation, he trotted off in the direction of the commotion. From the trees, he saw two other wolves with the couple - and Zack and the other adult did not look too happy. Then he took his eyes to Ashy, and the growing pup seemingly worried about her. She looked terrified; a tremendous mess. He had wondered what would happen in revealing himself, but decided he didn't care, and that he needed to make the crimson pup feel safer. So trotting out into the clearing confidently, he stood next to Ashy, but not very close at all to the female. "What's going on here?" he said in a strong voice, to anyone that would answer him. His voice wasn't demanding, however, though it was a little bit irritated - still not disrespectful, though.
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Posted: Thu Feb 18, 2010 2:30 pm
Narrowing his eyes dangerously when the other’s firm gaze held his own. He wanted him to back down and leave. The pup was an abomination. No wolf for remain a puppy forever, it.. it wasn’t natural! How could Zack not realize this simple fact? It went against natural, the balance. Lifting his lips in disgust his eyes pulled from the other to flick towards Talim and the thing. Flashing his teeth dangerously he debated running over and taking care of the thing himself. After all it had tried to harm his pup the first time they met. Although it was Talims fault for nearly running her over, but no matter. It still proved a problem. But as he was pondering wether he should or not take action Zack began speaking causing his eyes to flash back to the others calm, controlled ones. A stark difference to his angry and confused ones. “You think she’s natural?” He snapped, his anger flaring in his gaze covering up his confusion. “Because she most definitely is not, regardless of her actions. She does. not. grow.” Stretching the last three words he glared daggers straight at Zack. Ashy was different, unknown in his mind. And that made her dangerous. It didn’t matter her size! The thing had proven to be aggressive when Talim was just a pup and could still harm his pup. “She is dangerous! Who knows how long she’s been frozen in this stage! Talim is only a few seasons old. She’s to kind to hurt even a fly. A pup can still do damage!” Hackles rising He was about to saw or do something when another wolf throw him off. Upon hearing another males voice he whipped his head in the direction. Instantly judging the distance the new wolf stood in relation to Talim he stiffened. Although there was distance, he was still do close for his own comfort. Ignoring the question he quickly snapped one of his own. “Who are you?” Narrowing his eyes briefly, he soon turned his gaze to Talim and called out in a silent plea for her to come over to him. With a flick of his tail and quick incline of his head he waited until she began her approach to him before stepping back placing distance between his own body and Zacks.
Ears pressed tightly against her head, Talim whined softly as she sniffed at Ashy in concern. She was so scared.. What had happened? In the background of her worried thoughts she kept tuning in and out of the grown-ups conversation. Something was wrong with Ashy? Sure she might be small, but that happened sometimes right? Maybe she was a different breed or something. Or she just wasn’t old enough to grow.. Tucking her tail as she heard Raphael’s words, Talim felt her face heat up in embarrassment at his words. Why was he being so mean to Ashy? She was one of her only friends. He should be happy they could run into each other again! “I’m sorry..” She murmured quietly as she pawed lightly at her almost friend’s trembling form. Talim didn’t like seeing her like that. So when the other adult showed up Talim was startled. Raphael always drilled it into her head that she should be cautious of others, so when Ashy went to this new wolf seeking comfort she stepped away and stared curiously at him as she pawed gently at the grass. Wondering just who this strange-and quite handsome wolf if she might add-just was. But of course before she could speak Raphael did. Looking up at him she whined under her breath as she saw that look. Glancing to Ashy and the other she gave the both of them an apologetic look before walking over to Raph. He was being so mean.. She honestly, for the first time didn’t want to stand with him, but he was the closest thing she had to remembering her old pack and family. She had to fallow him, no matter how she didn’t agree. Or at least thats how she viewed it. She never really had any other option before.
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Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 5:01 pm
( ><; s**t, Sesshy; it’s a lot! Sorry!! >< I had to get plot in there though ^^; v.v -crosses fingers and hopes for the best-) Zack was unafraid of this other, closed-minded wolf, and just as fierce, even if more calm. He was determined to show him that his pup, Paine's pup, the girl he'd watched be born, was just like him and his little Talim - who had no faults and was a perfect little angel, wasn't she? Zack realized full well that it wasn't normal - he just didn't care. He wasn't about to turn on her for being different. Hackles rising and muscles tensing once he saw Raphael's teeth barred and eyes on his pup, he spoke louder, and stepped in front of him again - blocking him completely. His eyes said it all. You will not. Hurt. MY pup. While peaceful, partly as an unspoken promise to his nephew, Zack would fight and give anything for that which he loved, Ashy being on the top of that list. "No, I don't," Zack snapped too quickly, "But who IS natural? What IS normal? Do you know? Because I don't!" Taking another deep breath, Zack continued, "She does so grow." He said lowly, all while never breaking their gaze, not even when daggers pierced his own eyes; the fire in his was too great to be phased by it, "I was there when she was born, and she's grown since." He insisted, as it was true. "How can you judge a pup!? One you’ve never even met save for once when she was startled!? One who was conditioned by her real Fa to be aggressive, who has resisted it this whole time?! You can hardly blame her for wanting to protect herself when some unknown wolf trudges in from out of nowhere and almost tramples her – who has been afraid of running into someone ever since!” Zack explained with passion, “Who are you to judge my little girl? How is that honorable!?” Snapping his teeth together, Zack shook himself, and lowered his voice dangerously again. “Who knows the kind of abuse she’s suffered? I’ll tell you who the real monster is. Her father. Who knows if he hit her spine with one of the beatings, and that’s why she’s not growing!?” As he kept speaking, he grew even more out of his nonchalant character – the thought of her father making him almost vengeful. Not knowing what else to do, bitter tears grabbed the corner of his vision, but he dared not let them fall or invade his voice, “How would you like it, if I insisted that your daughter was a monster, simply because she was different? I wouldn’t.” He had ceased his yelling, and was speaking more calmly, a low tone of depression creeping in in rage’s place. “Because I don’t know the whole situation on things.” Turning his back, tail held somewhere in the middle of high and lax, he shook his head, “She was one of my Ashy’s only friends.” Looking backwards to say something else directly, “And that’s another thing. Ashy doesn’t hurt what few friends she’s got. Quite the opposite.” Turning back to his path, he shook his head. Then, more quietly, “Who knows…maybe it’s a blessing, that I get to keep her just like this, as a pup, with me, and that she can stay forever with her beloved Fa in her puppy form.” It almost brought a smile to his face, but not quite. He licked Ashy on the head as he passed her and Squall – not once making any eye contact or communication for what Squall should do – heading for the river once more, needing to speak to Angel, needing to calm down and remember Paine when she was beautiful, and not being destroyed and splattered with blood, an earsplitting scream filling the forest. That sent a pang right though his heart, and for once, he wanted to be alone, even without his Ashy, and without Angel’s much-needed comfort. Once staring into the clear blue water, Zack heaved a sigh, folded his paws, placed his head on them, and gazed down at his reflection in the water.
While her body may have been destroyed, Paine’s heart and soul were strong; too strong for Selene and Angel to let Hades get a hold of. After all, this loyal worshipper needn’t be faced with her mate and tortured even after death, as well. Her pup’s whimpers were the first to be heard, above all else when she was watching over the realm with Selene. She had become a sort of…understudy after death – as she was a happy and ready pupil, never having a desire to return to the world of the living, even if it were possible. However, as she stole away to peek down, she saw whom she considered a brother…screaming? A tinge of anger bit at her heart when she’d seen her own pup cowering underneath a friend. Then, Zack just left her youngest pup cowering, with his head lowered sadly. With ire and concern hidden, Paine strolled right up to Selene, asking, “Where is Angel, Mother? I have a favour to ask, if you please.” However, The Celestial Mother already knew all, merely replying in her glittering voice Go to him.. while she felt her spirit floating down from the sky, “But, Mother!” The violet wolf called with questions, “The world of the living is no longer for me!” though, the Celestial Goddess Selene works in mysterious ways, and somehow, Paine already had her Mistriss’ reply formulated in her head, as telepathy reached down, saying, Maybe, it should be. He needs you most now, my Child. Go! with that, the stars around her turned to forest, and Paine was floating in the sky above Zack, transparently. She had wondered if any could see her, but with a bittersweet smile, and “Thank you….Mother,” Paine gently padded forward, to Zack’s right perif, and with clear, elegant tones, scolded, “That’s not the Zack I know. Come now; your pup…My pup, needs you.” It seemed as though her Celestial Mother had implanted just the perfect things to say in her, while she continued with, “Zack Fair, this isn’t like you, and I don’t like it. Please, come to your senses. For Ashy….for me.” It almost hurt, to be using his love for her as an advantage, but, it felt as though the right thing to say. Even a sister would speak as such to her brother, after all…Seeing his posture brought a gentle laugh, “Same as always, huh, Zack the Puppy?”
Putting her muzzle under her paws, she shook her head ever-so softly at Talim; it wasn’t her fault. She felt the embarrassment from Talim, and decided that she was tired of being scared. She licked her friends paw to help calm it, but the fear was still present in her eyes, and her small body still produced a tremble. Her bravery faltered, and she scuttled back to her Squall; not much expecting, or caring, if her friend followed or not. She was too scared to care, in all truth. Her Fa was angry, he was yelling. She caught the word “beating” and “Monster” from his speech. She wanted to howl; she wanted to cry; she wanted to run away and hide in a hole, and never come out. But she was always found….with that thought, agonizing memories flowed into her brain. That was when the air where Talim had been, a few meters off, felt colder; she had left to stand with her Fa. She noted the apology in her eyes, and would reject it later…if she had a chance to, later. Her Fa began walking forwards, and she bounced from under Squall’s legs to greet him; getting a depressed head-lick in return. A frown covered the pup’s face when he kept walking after that, and she caught his intentions. He wanted to be alone. Whining, because the sight of her Fa approaching drained all her fear momentarily, she looked up at Squall with pleading, questioning, frantic eyes. Then, after Squall was done speaking, she took her eyes to the older male; a rage replacing the fear as she glared – actually glared – at him from underneath Squall’s legs; a clear view. It was almost as if his strength had travelled through his paw, and into her; she was standing, and in her eyes could be read a determination to make him understand, and words behind that could be seen clearly, without her having to say a word; You hurt Fa…. Those eyes were not the eyes of a pup; but of a mature adolescent; dangerous eyes, which were not helping her case. Even if she was not in a grown body, her spirit and mentality certainly had grown, even if she herself didn’t know it unless she was protecting something. She had started to run off to console her Fa, regardless of the warning barks from Squall….But, he, Zack, was starting to come back, much more….refreshed, than he had left. Her rage faltered for only a moment, before she walked back up to Raphael at her Fa’s side bravely. She would not sit back and let her Fa be hurt again; the pup had no regard for her own well being, as a calming, soothing, protective light seemed with her Fa that had never been there before. One that only her Mother had possessed. Her Fa had been restored to himself, and as for Ashy, she couldn’t be happier, or feeling more daring, brave, and adult. As he spoke in his usual tenor, Ashy gazed up at him with love and affection. Turning to Raphael, she shuddered, “I’m sorry I’m….not normal. I didn’t mean to be a monster. I’m sorry for whatever I did..” Tears filled the corners of her eyes, but as she leaned against her Fa, they were forced back down.
Knowing instantly that the older male thought he was too close, he nudged Ashy with his large paw and moved a little bit further away from her, not wanting to have a confrontation while Zack was already so close to doing so. This was so out of his character, that even Squall was concerned. He had only caught the end of their conversation; Did Ashy’s temper get the better of her again? Looking down at the creature clutching his paw, he dismissed it; this was not the case. So when the other sought a name, he denied it to him, “I don’t see how that matters in the slightest when I have someone precious to me cowering at my side without explanation.” When the younger female looked towards her and the pup apologetically, he nodded with understanding and a greeting; though his eyes remained unreadable. He looked to Zack for the said explanation, surprised to see that he was heading forwards towards the two of them – but he didn’t offer Squall any help in the slightest, and Ashy was frantic and confused, even depressed, almost, that he didn’t call for her to follow. Watching Zack go, Squall placed a steady, comforting paw on Ashy’s head lazily, as he calmly spoke, “Squall. I was sleeping when I was awoken by a commotion, and upon checking it out, found my niece on the verge of tears, and my friend stalking off in a manner that’s not his own. So here I am, trying to keep her from breaking down…” He glanced down, and added, “Again” Then, when she’d stood up, he caught the aura, and gave a very gentle “Uff…” with his naturally deep, harsh voice. When the pup turned to get her Fa, he gave another, more urgent “Uff,” But was relieved to see Zack trotting back….happily? This was starting to get really awkward – but then something more bizarre happened. Ashy walked right up to the older male as nonchalantly as if it were a new friend. Having no idea of the presence the two of them had felt in his obliviousness, he looked on with confused, squinted eyes, ears back very slightly.
A sudden glittering sound filled the tips of his ears, and it almost sounded real. Like the ringing that sometimes sounded internally, but more..toned. Angelic. Intentional. Seeing as flicking his ears didn’t send it away, Zack concluded that it must have been real. Lifting his head and unfolding his paws, he looked around at eye level, and was almost stabbed with the force of the speech; however gentle it may have been, it was powerful. “P…Paine?” confusion washed over him, and he was sure his mind was playing tricks on him, when the voice spoke again, making him whine and sit up, hunched back and ears low, like a puppy being scolded. “I’m…sorry.” He told her with a long sigh, “It’s just that…I lost myself back there. Angeal, and Genesis…” He tried to push back memories, but didn’t have to; they were blocked anyway, with Paine’s help. Her laugh perked his ears, and his whole posture, while she called him her pet-name. With a grin, he nodded, with a warm smile, heading back to the clearing to fix things. There were so many things he wanted to ask! Was his hypothesis right, either of them, earlier? Trotting back, he saw his puppy rushing to comfort him and licked her on the head, walking forward back to Raphael, and making no move to stop her when she continued with him. He had an almost-smile on his face, and he stopped a decent distance away from the two, sitting back on his haunches to show his nonchalant-ness reestablished. Just within earshot of calm speaking range. “I’m sorry; I kinda lost my head back there.” His ears shot back a little bit, but his voice was friendly again. Ashy was looking up at him with reverence; completely unafraid, and just as refreshed as he was. Reaching his muzzle down, he licked the side of hers affectionately; the love between the two just as strong as any actual father and daughter, of any age. “I do hope you can forget my outburst back there,” He said with feeling, “I shouldn’t have snapped like that, but I do love my Ashy, and I just lost my patience. I apologize.” Ashy’s sudden words caught him off guard, making his ears flick. He bit his lip, and held his breath briefly, waiting for Raphael’s response, the suspense rising……
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Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 11:42 pm
Watching the other's hackles begin to rise, Raphael's muscles tensed in anticipation of some form of attack him. Eyes still flicking to the pair he suddenly snarled when he path was suddenly blocked by Zack's body. Ignoring the threat in his eyes, Raphael stepped to the side so he could see and chucked darkly at his words. "Anything that goes against nature isn't normal." He stated, interrupting him only to be forced to listen as Zack continued. How idiotic, it didn't matter if she had grown since she was pupped, the problem was her sudden hault! It wasn't normal. There was nothing normal about that thing. Lips curling in disgust he was brought out of his thoughts when the other began to yell. Conditioned to be aggressive? "Hn.." Listening to the other's words, Raphael may have been able to understand and calm down. Though with each new sentence, with each raise in volume his own temper began to soar. Hackles fully raising, lips curling away from his teeth and jowls opening he snarled in silence. By this point the words were just blurring in his mind, jumbling up into nothing. It was only when Talim was mentioned that he focused in his anger rising, how dare he mention her! "Talim is no monster!" He growled out, voice rumbling furiously in his chest. By this point it didn't matter that Zack had returned to his calm tones. He was far to angry to care. "Friends? Hah, I refuse to have Talim near that.. that.. thing." Far to busy speaking, he missed the quiet mention of it being a blessing, it didn't matter for he would he scoffed at the notion. How could something like that be a blessing. Feeling Talim's presence behind him he waited until Zack disappeared before turning to face her, eyes alight with his fury. "You are to stay away from her. Do you hear me?" Waiting for her response, he flicked one ear back when the new wolf spoke, but paid no mind. It wasn't like he cared either way what he said, for he hardly listened. Instead circling behind Talim he stopped neck to her depressed form and frowned. She would understand, that forever pup was.. wrong. Talim would thank him when the pup got into trouble and she was well away. It would be best to stay away from things against nature.
Talim lowered her head as she reached her Raphaels side and tucked her tail. The male had stalked off but Raph was still very much angered. Ears pressing back against her head when he snapped, informing her she was to stay away from Ashy. Why, Ashy was one of the only friends she had made since they arrived in this territory. Not answering she simply glanced up at her guardian. "Can we leave.. please." She whined softly only to get a sharp growl in return which caused her to frown. What was the point in all of this, lifting her eyes to glance quickly over at Ashy and the new male, tears gathering in her eyes. Would she ever be forgiven? With a quick shake of her head, she sat down on the ground curling her tail around her legs. She wouldn't expect to be, how could he act this way. Brows pulling together she flinched when the males voice returned and glanced up seeing them for a split second before Raph blocked her view. Ears pressed tightly against her skull she pondered what she should do. If she yelled at him, he might get angry at her, and that's never happened before. But he needed to calm down. Hearing Ashy's apology she frowned and moved to her paws before approaching Raphaels side pressing against it. "Come on.. That's enough Raphie.." She muttered softly nudging his shoulder. "We should leave.." The tension in the air was clue enough that it was time to go. She just wondered if he would listen..
Leave? Hn, they couldn't leave now. Eyes narrowed, he threw a sharp glance and short growl in Talim's direction. She would understand. She had to understand in time. This had to be finished, and that wouldn't be accomplished by then simply walking away. To walk away would be to admit he was wrong. And this was so where he was not. Snorting an anger when he spotted the male returning, Raphael moved protectively in front of Talim, his hackles beginning to rise once again, especially since he wasn't returning alone. Prepared for more yelling he was caught off guard when the other sat and apologized. Growling, his sharp gaze fell on the pup as she too apologized before returning to Zack. Quite confused, he felt his temper begin to slip as he replayed what she has said. If only she hadn't spoken. Everything would be a lot easier. Opening his jaws to snap something, he was surprised when Talim spoke up. "Tals." He murmured softly as a frown marked his face. Now she was apologizing? Feeling the hot anger unclouding his brain he turned his head away from them, quite unhappy with how everything was going. They were all acting so.. calm. It was hard to be the only one yelling when there was no fuel for his anger. "Fine. We'll leave." Glancing down as Ashy he felt his chest tighten for a moment at the sight. God, why did she have to cry. Picturing Talim in her position briefly he snarled rising to his feet and backing away. He must be terrible, she was just a pup after all, the tears were enough to prove it. Feeling Talim bury her face in his neck he huffed his anger draining fully leaving the confusion in his eyes. What would screw with nature to much to trap a wolf in a pups body forever.
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Posted: Fri Dec 10, 2010 5:19 pm
When Raphael didn’t respond, and only stated that they were leaving, she cast a helpless, desperate glance at Talim, her friend, who was not allowed to be her friend. She couldn’t see that she was doing this to help her. All she knew was that she didn’t want the grown girl to leave. Then, she shattered: it felt like her heart was being ripped from her chest when she realized how much Raphael indeed hated her, and that she wouldn’t be able to call Talim ‘friend’ any longer without causing problems. Not waiting for the other pair to leave, Ashy’s tears spilled down her muzzle in a tsunami, returning ten-fold. One of the only friends was forbidden to see her now. What had she done wrong? She was always being punished, and never knew why. So she chose to voice this to Fa, her voice trembling and whining all the while, “Is that why…why daddy beat me?’ Ashy sobbed, loudly enough for the Raphael that was backing away to hear. She didn’t care who heard, even though Squall was visibly angered and uncomfortable by her reliving the memories. “Did he know I was a…a monster? That I was..was w-wrong? Then I..I deserved to be beaten…I…I still do…if I’m…a monster….” her breath came in huffs now as the sobbing continued, and all resolve that she might have once had broke completely, as she collapsed on the ground next to her Fa, but still looking up desperately at him, “It’s not…my fault! H-he’s not even beating me anymore, and he’s still ruining my life!” she wailed, “I just…just want to be allowed to have friends!” even her cousin had been so kind as to point out that she had had no living relatives, and she hadn’t seen Cloud’s family since. Her only living relative was one whom she must hide from, and she blurted out without thinking, “If it meant I could have friends, I would gladly take my beatings again!” she was forced to listen, even if she didn’t want to hear anything, and then snapped tersely at her surrogate father, “What friends, Fa!? I have no friends!” she was ignoring Maggie and the rest of her ‘cousins’ simply because she felt that they had a duty to like her, as she was like family. This was not a statement that was meant to hurt Talim, not in the slightest. In fact, Ashy had forgotten that she wasn’t alone with her Fa. She meant that she wanted Talim as a friend, but Talim wasn’t allowed, so it couldn’t ever happen. So she had no friends. In Ashy’s eyes, she had no real friends…not anymore. Shock had went back to his apprenticeship after the encounter with those strange, familiar wolves. “Blessing!? How can you call any of this a blessing!? Being a pup forever – what, Zack, did you think I’d leave you if I wasn’t a pup!? I would never…I’d always be..I just want…to be normal. Maybe then…maybe, then I could..have…friends…”
Zack could have glared at Raphael. He was sick of him making his own pup think she was a monster, angry enough at her sadness to snarl and leap at him, words forgotten. She had already lived a life full of beatings – she did not need the mental trauma of thinking she was a monster, least of all now, that she was still a moldable pup, only starting to heal. Zack could walk away, but he didn’t want to be enemies, or to leave things on bad terms. In truth, he liked the other male the last time they had met, and this time, if Ashy was what he called ‘normal’ he might still like him. Though now he was rethinking his first impression: Zack didn’t want to be associated with anyone so closed minded and adhesive to ‘rules’. Sure, Squall was angry and didn’t like a lot of things, but he didn’t judge based on appearance. But fighting would not help anything, so he chose to ignore Raphael and his departing, rather taking his attention to consoling his pup. “Ashy…” he said softly, lowering his muzzle to talk in soft, calming tones to her. She was making herself sick with a senseless, needless guilt and sorrow that should have never been. Though his soft tones quickly turned stern, resolute, and angry, leaving no room for argument, “He beat you to try and make you a monster. A monster like he is. He lives to spread suffering.” He thought bitterly of how much Albel would enjoy seeing his youngest pup sobbing, once again, as a result of his forever-present curses. Indignantly, he sat up with a puffed out chest and his ears swiveled back, tail beginning to rise as his strong, powerful voice broke through Ashy’s will to not hear. “You’re letting him win, Ashy. There is nothing wrong with you,” beginning to calm once more, he stooped again, and with a soft, fatherly voice, “except for the tears rushing down your muzzle. A pup like you could never be a monster, never like he wanted you to be. Your fear and love for your friends proves that.” Licking one from her cheek fur after snuffling the tip of her ear, he noticed that this had little effect on calming the puppy, ignored her prospect of trading her beatings for friends, and instead said into her ear, quietly, “It is a blessing, Ashy. You can stay with me forever, play with other puppies throughout the years – “ but it was clear she had stopped listening when she’d turned on him, becoming lost in her emotions as she tried to assure him of affection and make sense of everything. Zack, for once, did not have the words to assure her, or to make her better, as she had already decided she was miserable and friendless, a monster, too.
“Kid, normal is overrated. Hell, most normal creatures” Squall threw a pointed look at Raphael, who he was sure by just this brief encounter thought he was the embodiment of everything good and ‘normal’, “you don’t want to like you anyway.” He knew that the female next to her father, Talim, had a good heart, however suppressed it was at the current moment. So he had tried to flash her a warm glance, without really knowing why he was trying to make her feel more comfortable. Squall, who had never accepted friends until recently, knew the right things to say, where Zack was lacking. He knew the hardships of not having a real family, growing up as an orphan. He knew anger and hate, and apathy – all a mask he continually used to cover up his sorrow and pain. While he grew like a normal wolf would, he knew that he would still never be normal or widely accepted. A lone wolf most of his life, Squall knew the emptiness Ashy must have been feeling, despite her Fa and him, her brother, her ‘Squally’ always being present. Family was one thing, but to be accepted through friendship was quite another, and Squall, aloof, antisocial, but always craving acceptance, understood this fact better than Zack, who had always had limitless friends. He was growing quite angry with Ashy as she beat herself up for nothing, and he would have smacked the back of her head, hard, with his paw to make her stop if he didn’t think Zack would attack him for it. Crumpling his muzzle with a growled chuff when Ashy spoke of not having any friends, he threw Talim another glance, his eyes pleading, and flicked an ear back sadly, urging her to speak up and comfort her friend. All the kid wanted was to be told she was cared for by someone outside of the surrogate family. “Then don’t let him ruin it Ashy. Buck up, kid…Destroy him. Destroy your b*****d father with a smile. Just a smile.” His own tenderness in speech startled Squall slightly, though for some reason, he had a feeling that Ashy wasn’t listening, even though she looked at him with empty eyes and a strange expression played about her face. Then, he snarled, and said to Zack loudly, and in a very offensive and aggressive tone, “You know what Zack? I think, what really makes a monster, what’s really against nature, is anything that makes an innocent pup cry, even though it had done nothing except be physically abnormal, which, by the way, it can’t help! Monster is in character. Not bodily form.” He knew that his outburst was only feeding Raphael’s once ebbed rage, but he didn’t care. Squall felt himself starting to raise to his feet, but remained sitting, merely playing off the movement as him shifting as his tail fluffed up during his tirade. If Zack wouldn’t fight, Squall would, because he hated seeing the kid so upset for no reason, because of harsh things and judgments that she had done nothing at all to deserve. He really wished Talim would say something, at least to console her friend.
Zack stared, appalled, at Squall, nervousness shining in his gaze. Fervently he cast a sideways glance at Raphael for the reaction to the statement, and knew that Squall could have just doomed him. As unspoken leader of the little group, Zack knew that he’d have to fight if it came to that. Spotting Talim looking solemnly at the ground, this thought unnerved Zack the most. She didn’t need to see her father in a fight, for any reason. She didn’t need it any more than Ashy did, and Ashy, so unstable already…he wasn’t sure if she’d try to protect him or not, and the thought of her getting injured caused Zack’s chest to erupt with a pain as though he had just been bitten. Just for cautionary measures, he moved to push Ashy away with his paw and to back up, only to bring it back down on empty air. Looking closer to Squall’s feet, he found the forever-pup with him and smiled a bit, glad that at least Squall could help. With that lightness in his heart, he replied calmly with, “Squall..that’s just the beauty of nature, though. You can’t control anything about it. The humans tried, and we see where that got them,” Zack felt a small laugh bubble up in his chest, and as he looked up, he could almost swear he saw Paine’s figure smiling down at him. No.. He must be hallucinating. He thanked her in his head regardless, eyes shining once again. It wasn’t exactly a good thing, what happened to the humans. But it was an eye-opener for the rest of the forest. Zack couldn't believe he was just ignoring this other pair - he did want to make it better. But that wouldn't happen, and he knew this, if the other male wasn't willing to, and he could be fairly certain he was not willing to.
Ashy stared at Squall with those troubled, blank eyes, void of any more tears; she had spent them all, and then, when she was so confused she couldn’t pick out a thing aside from her aching headache, she crawled over to him like a newborn pup, whimpering and mumbling, “Squally…” After a while, she caught Zack’s laugh, and began to smile a little, forgetting the events that had just happened. Then she saw Talim again, and gave her what she thought would be a final goodbye glance, struggling with a placating smile, hoping that Raphael wouldn’t see her staring. She wanted to say, ‘Bye Talim….I hope I can see you again,’ but wouldn’t, for fear of Raphael. So she took her gaze to the ground again. Being friendless….couldn’t be so bad…she had been before, anyway, and at least she did have family that loved her, blood put aside.
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Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 11:45 pm
Feeling quite guilty and embarrassed at how Raphael was acting, Talim was hoping their retreat would be quick. She didn't want her guardian to continue spitting his venomous words at her friend. If she could even call her that anymore, who'd want to be around someone where the only memories they have are of angry statements and almost fights. She never thought anything like this would happen when she woke up this morning. Heart wrenching painfully as Ashy's sobs reached her ears, Talim's body shook as her eyes stayed fixed on the ground. What could she do, if she said something Raphael might leave her behind. She couldn't be left alone, he was all she had. Tail curling tighter against her body, she felt her heart give another twist as each of Ashy's words cast a blow against her crumbling resolve. What should she do. She couldn't just let her friend go through this because of her guardians warped ideas. Stopping in her hasty retreat Talim turned her head back in the direction of the family, eyes still downcast to listen to their exchange, tears blooming in her eyes. Finally lifting her gaze to look back her eyes momentarily locking with Squalls warm, almost comforting expression. Quickly lowering her gaze in shame she felt a quiet whine leave her. She didn't deserve it, they should be focused on Ashy. Feeling the brush of Raphaels fur on her shoulder as he pushed her to get moving, Talim felt her legs lock beneath her. "Come on Talim." Her guardians harsh tone ran through her ears as her eyes lifted to look at him briefly as her heart raced. "I.. I don't.." Voice faltering as she slowly backed away from Raphael. "I'm sorry.. I don't.. what do I do.. Ashy.." Casting a forlorn gaze at her puphood friend, another low and quiet whine left her as she gave a quick shake of her head. Feeling the gruff voice of her guardian wash over her, Talim found herself unable to hears what exactly he was saying, feeling the sudden urge to stand up to Raphael, it was quickly stamped down as the fear of being abandoned pressed down on her, causing her mind to jumble and heart to tighten painfully. With tears gathering in her eyes, and breath coming quickly Talim gave another shake of her head as she tried to block out Raphaels words. Eyes staring down, she watched as a single tear ran the length of her muzzle and fall to the ground while the pain in her heart fought with the fear in her mind. "..shut up." Voice coming out as barely a whisper as she listened to the vibration of Raphaels angry words bouncing around in her hear. Clenching her eyes closed she let a soft growl leave her, she just wanted it to stop, she wanted this all to go away! "..shut up, shut up. Shut up!" Voice rising with each word, she quickly opened her eyes and turned to stare at her guardian teeth bared. "Enough Raphael!" Body shaking she felt a few more tears trickle from her eyes as she took another step from him. Seeing the shock flitter through his eyes, Talim felt her words tremble. "Why must you be so cruel Raphie, you.. you've never been like this.. I don't like it!" Ears lowering she turned her hear away from him, she couldn't look at him. If she did her small bout of bravery might be washed away. "There's nothing wrong.. nothing wrong with Ashy. Why can't you accept it.." Hearing him take a step towards her, she quickly moved back once more. "Talim,. You don't unders-" "I understand perfectly Raphael, I'm not a pup anymore! You.. you have no reason to be angry." Quickly cutting him off she cast a quick glance up at him noting the anger flare in his eyes. "Stop this Talim, we're leaving!" Shaking her head she turned her eyes towards her friend as her heart gave a final jerk as she blurted out. "No Raphael! I'm not going anywhere with you anymore! Go away, I don't want to see you again!" With that she quickly turned and fled in the opposite direction of her guardian and father, disappearing into the underbrush.
Staring at the retreating figure of his daughter, Raphael was stunned. She didn't want to see him? "T-talim!" Calling out he watched with wide eyes as she disappeared into the forest, confusion clouding his expression. Dropping his gaze and tail momentarily his brows pulled together as his mind began to sort through their brief exchange. He was wrong? No. Everything he said had been true, that thing.. It was a monster! Unnatural! And it was their fault! Feeling his anger slowly begin to seep into him once again, Raphael threw a heated glare in the trios direction. It was all their fault his Talim was angry! Lips curling back as a deep threatening growl ran out his ears pressed forward and tail raised once again. How dare they. They chased her away. Remembering Squalls earlier outburst he let out a chuckle as his expression changed to that of amusement. "I'm a monster, am I? Heh, perhaps. But at least I'm not an abnormal freak." He spat out the last word eyes darting to Ashys small form his lips curling back again in disgust. "Pathetic. Everything would be just fine if you didn't exist." Narrowing his eyes dangerously he growled again his mind churning with his anger, as his need to place his daughters blame with him on another fueled it. He should just kill the thing, maybe then Talim would understand and come back. Unnatural things, different things weren't meant to exist! They needed to disappear. Taking a step towards the family he chuckled once more. "I should kill you." Voice entering a sort of cruel airy state he chuckled once more completely ignoring the other two, eyes focused intently on the pup. Pausing his advance he moved his gaze in the direction Talim disappeared his expression changing to one of pain before his anger buried it with a snarl. "But you're not worth my time.. Just know, if I ever run into you," Flacking his gaze back to the pup as his hackles raised. "any of you I wont hesitate to try and kill you." With one last look in Talims general direction, he turned and took off. So be it, if she didn't want to see him anymore fine! He could care less.
Having only gotten a short distance until her blurred vision caused her to trip over a small root. Talim simply let herself fall to the hard ground her tears flowing down her cheeks. Why did he have to be such a jerk! Why couldn't be just be civil.. Curling up in a small ball she buried her freckled muzzle under her paw as she tried to stop the tears. She left. So why was she so upset. "Papa.." She whined as she tried to curl tighter into herself. What was she going to do now. She couldn't go back to him, not after everything he said, everything she said. He would never forgive her, and she couldn't forgive him. Ears pressed back she felt her sobs slowly stop and simply laid there unsure where to go from there. Contemplating her options, Talim lifted her head from under her paw when the familiar howl of her guardian sounded in the distance, though instead of the welcoming and warm one this was angry and filled with betrayal. Her betrayal. Setting her head down on her paws she let out a heavy sigh.
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Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2011 7:54 pm
As Ashy hiccupped and sobbed, it didn’t ever seem like she was going to calm down. As a result, she was completely oblivious to anything go on around her between the pair, while she curled around Squall’s forepaw, feeling the safe power emanate from it. She knew there was an outside world, but right now, she just wanted to leave. So much so that she retreated inside of herself, her eyes misting over again. She wasn’t exactly thinking about anything, but this was how it always was. An attempt to make herself feel better, usually used to ignore the beatings while they were happening. There was no grassy meadow or comforting image, just – blackness. It was easier to tune things out that way. After a while, Ashy came out of this state, but when she did she had wished she was back in it. The other males were fighting again. So much fighting! This is exactly how her father was. It would be fine if she didn’t exist? Ashy had long since gone through her suicidal stage in life, but this was too much. She was an abnormal freak? Fine. Ashy guessed she was used to being called that by now. His tone echoed eerily of that of her father and she cowered away from him, pushing backward with her front paws until she was well under Squall’s belly. She was whimpering and tears welled in her eyes again. Then her Fa leapt to the rescue, and she couldn’t have loved him more in her entire life.
Zack’s ears pined back as he watched the scene between the two, and he tried to look away. This wasn’t his business, he shouldn’t be looking, or watching, this whole thing. He did admire Talim, however, for having the courage to stand up to her father. He just felt a sour rush of pity for her, because she had to. Not because of anything he did – Zack was not about to take the blame for the words of Raphael, but the fact that things had come down to this. He would have interjected and encouraged her to stay with him, but she seemed vehement enough about standing true to what she believed in. Though it might not have meant much, Zack was thoroughly impressed with the honor she was portraying in standing up for her friend, but he tried to keep the proud puff of his chest and smile from his face. He would have told Raphael what a great girl he had – if he thought that it would have done any good other than getting his muzzle bitten off. Being a dedicated father himself, whom Ashy had snapped at just as harshly before, empathy flared in his black furred chest. He wanted to reach out to Raphael and to comfort him, tell him he was sorry that Talim had run off like that and that it would be okay in the end, despite what had just been said between them about his own pup. But he noticed the raw hatred the look Raphael cast at them held, and his guard shot up immediately. He strode forward in front of Ashy and squall and let an ear-splitting snarl that he didn’t think he was capable of break through his throat. Ears pressed back, he curled his lips up to show his full set of teeth and sprang between him and Ashy. “You won’t touch her!!” came as a yell that he hadn’t intended, his paws splaying in front of him. He was snarling almost too loudly to make out words, tail puffed up and raised so high it almost curled over his back. The moment he started talking Zack closed in, hunched over and starting to circle Raphael. Enough was enough. He let his maw hang open, and saliva dripped from it when he did so. “She is not the one who drove your pup away. You are, Raphael. You.” Zack said with a finality that offered no refusal when he felt he got too close to Ashy, body-blocking him and rushing up in his face. When Raphael was speaking of pathetic Ashy and death, he could have sworn for a moment that he saw her father in his place, and could have leapt at him right then to tear him to pieces, and the glimpse of insanity was clear in his determined blue eyes while he thought it, until his vision cleared. Raphael was walking away, and suddenly Zack felt his anger plummet. In a defeated, almost sad voice, he called after him gently, “It doesn’t have to be like this…” but had a feeling the other male wouldn’t even pay the words any attention. That was Zack for you. Try to harm something he cares deeply for and he’ll snap into action, but he still would prefer it if everyone could be friends. So Zack only stared after him with a confused expression on his face, until Ashy assaulted him and tore his attention to comforting her, forgetting about Squall entirely.
Squall was about to mimic Zack’s snarl and he began to move forward, ears straight forward, but Zack became the barricade. He wanted to snap back, but knew that he had to watch Ashy to make sure Raphael didn’t make a side-stepped lunge around Zack. When the other male had left, Squall looked in the direction that the pretty wolf had gone. He really didn’t want to leave Ashy, but being alone his whole life made him want to ensure that no other young wolf was left as orphaned as he was. With a spiteful chuckle to himself, he shook his head. Man, living with Zack and Ashy sure had made him soft and sympathetic. He figured it was a good thing, and looking at Zack, he paced off to the direction he saw Talim go once Ashy had pounced her Fa, burying her face in his flank and trembling. Following the tracks, he wasn’t surprised to see her still close-by. He just stood there awkwardly, watching her, and catching her mumble of “papa”. This was Zack’s forte..not his. He held a somewhat dejected expression as he debated whether to call out to her or not, but elected to only speak after her sigh, “Sorry..about that whole thing with your dad.” Squall said, the awkwardness about the act of consoling someone plain in his voice. He didn’t get too close to her for fear of upsetting her, and he did feel like he’d caused her to leave her dad. If he hadn’t glanced at her for help, she would still be with him, happily ever after. Looking to the ground, Squall shuffled his front paws.
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Posted: Thu Jun 27, 2013 11:36 pm
What was she going to do now? Eyes closed tight she felt herself tremble lightly as she tried to imagine where she would go from here. Ever since leaving her homeland she had spent everyday with Raphael, what was she going to do now that he was gone? Burying her head under her paws she felt a quiet whimper leave her throat. Maybe he would forgive her in a few days, maybe he'll think about what happened and apologize.. Ears pressed tight to her head Talim tried to push all these thoughts from her mind, it.. it would all work out. It had too. Unaware of the wolves presence in her current state, she was visibly startled when he spoke up suddenly. Turning her head to stare at him wide-eyed and heart racing, Talim barely heard his words. "Sorry?" She questioned, her voice smothered in confusion as she slowly lifted herself from her place on the hard floor how strange she felt so drained from that short run..
Shaking her head she tried to offer a small fake smile in his direction. "Ah.. Please don't say sorry. I should be the one to say it if anything. If it wasn't for Raphi-" Cutting off her words at the affectionate name she'd given her caretaker, Talim tried to casually cover up her pause by clearing her throat lightly. "Raphael it all wouldn't have been such a problem.." Hearing her voice trail off in a shake as she spoke Talim drew in a breath to steady her mind and chase away the tears that threatened to spill over. It would do no good to cry over him, especially with another wolf present.. "Is.. Is Ashy okay?" She felt horrible for leaving the small pup in such a state, but she couldn't remain there after all she'd said. Lowering her gaze to her paws, she shifted her weight on them for a moment before glancing up at him through her lashes. "You should be with her." She whispered sadly, she didn't deserve someone checking up on her after everything that happened.
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Posted: Fri Jun 28, 2013 1:06 am
Ashy let little sobs and howls out occasionally, but her tears were soon forgotten now that she was in the warm embrace of her Fa, and soon, his comments had had her giggling once more, happy, buoyant, and bouncy, though feeling quite exhausted after the whole experience.
Looking at his pup with a frown as she ran to him for comfort, Zack couldn't help comfort and combat her every word in an attempt to help, "You are no monster; no more than I am..." and with more of that sort of talk, Ashy began, finally, to calm, and nearly fell asleep on him. He looked, a little forlorn, after where Raphael had went and sighed, then back at Ashy. He thought that Raphael was a pretty cool guy, but...what was that, just now? Any of it? As he thought, he felt his hackles rising and shook them out; trying to push back his anger, at least for the moment. How dare he say anything like that about his Ashy, especially after what she'd been through: it was probably those beatings that dwarfed her, he was sure of it. He let a soft growl escape him, then shook himself out again, scooping up the little puppy in his mouth.
Watching her, her swore, was like a younger version of himself. He remembered that feeling. The abandonment. Though, he didn't know why he knew it so well. Squall winced a little, that he had scared her, pulling his ears back a little when she looked at him in such great terror. He gave her a strange expression when she smiled, he could tell how much that alone might have hurt her. Listening, he knew, somehow, that she was just as upset as she was a few minutes ago. "It wouldn't have been." he agreed, slowly, "But..." but what? "You...didn't have to..." Gosh, why was this so hard? Whatever. Just say it. "stand up to him like that, and make him upset." He felt like, if he hadn't cast her that pleading glance, that she would still be with her Raphie, "Sorry I pushed you into it, for the kid's sake...I, I guess.." he let his head droop a little, not sure what to say from here. She asked about Ashy, and that was something Squall knew equally as well, "She's with Zack, she'll be fine in a few minutes, I'm sure." though, still...Squall felt like he should return to the family, soon, but was stopped dead with the way that Talim had looked at him, feeling his heart skip a beat. She was right, she was absolutely right. He should be with Ashy, that was his duty, but...he couldn't. He floundered around with his words for a moment, stuttering, thinking better of his sentence, getting quiet for a few moments altogether. He looked at her, slightly dumbfounded, "You're right." he said finally, feeling a little pang in his heart at the sadness of her words, "But..." he let a slight growl escape him in all the frustration with himself. After a long moment, "No one, deserves.. to be.. abandoned." he said, measured. "And I won't abandon you right now, either." he followed up, quick as he could think of the right words. "I know that feeling." he said, with a little scorn, though for just a moment, his eyes glimmered with sorrow, before he turned his muzzle to the side. Then, he padded closer to her, so that their noses were almost touching, despite the fact that he was still a bit taller than Talim. "The loneliness, not knowing why." then, he dropped his voice to a whisper, "Not being able to do a damn thing about it..." after hanging there for a couple moments, he backed up and looked away once more, voice returning to normal "It's a shitty feeling." he closed his eyes, to think. "And...no one should deal with it, not alone..." he let a little smile cross his face at that, though it wasn't there very long. That's what his comrades had always said to him. Guess he was finally starting to listen.
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