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 Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2009 4:48 pm
  If You Bite It, It Speaks He was investigating a most peculiar sound: like something had exploded in a concentrated tunnel, echoing through the forest for several seconds afterwards. Loud and abrupt, the pup started from the river’s edge, muzzle completely drenched and water still dripping down to his chest. What had . . . ? Adam realized that he was not alone. The mound of vague brown and gray was moving slightly up and don, up and down – breathing. He wondered if the rank scent was coming from this creature and padded to investigate; indeed it smelled as though something had died. Odd. It was alive, though . . .
The corpse rose and fell slowly, silvery eyes staring blankly into the mid-ground as if they saw something Adam did not. His flesh shone through in bald spots, and the fur around it was threadbare and an unpleasant brown shade. He did not respond after heading the shot, blinking one milky eye slowly in acknowledgement at the approaching pup, not seeming to mind his presence or the loud sound previously.
It was those features – his eyes – that captivated the little one. Silver, like Mother’s. Not as bright, not as lively, not as loving, but silver nonetheless. Despite the wrong smell, Adam thought for a brief moment that she was indeed there before him, silent with joy. Curious, he began to clamber onto the body, blindly feeling around for its neck – then its head – ah, there were the ears. The fur was stiff and ragged as death. Adam set his teeth into the thing’s ear and tugged, wondering what would happen. Would it know his mother’s whereabouts?
The creature moaned with pain, wriggling before swiping lazily at the young one. “Death by cannibalism . . . how gruesomely you come to me, my friend,” he murmured to no-one in particular as his eyes briefly fixed upon Adam. “I live yet, masked one, so I may yet howl should you try to consume me.”
This one was really weird. And the ear tasted funny; Adam turned his head and spat with a frown. He figured all wolves tasted the same, but this one was reeeeeally sour. But if that was what he would say with one ear, then what if . . . The pup sniffed for the other ear, latched on, and tugged that one. Maybe one gave random responses and the other facts?
The wolf whined again before trying to stand. “Sadistic too . . . while yet so young? Cease little demon, lest I seek to bite you in return.” Yet the scrawny adult hardly sounded threatening as he moved unsteadily to his feet.
Sadistic? He had no idea what that meant. Demon, though? He understood that perfectly. Mother said demons were the bad souls that served Satan in Hell, evil things to avoid. But the way this guy said it and his thread, Adam wasn’t the least bit concerned that he had basically been insulted by Mr. What’s-His-Face. No, more important was the fact that he was getting up. Afam hung onto what fur his teeth managed to grab, hanging off the side like some unwanted growth. Hmm . . . so what would this guy do now? Adam was not to be rid of so easily when his interest was piqued. After all, how many zombies did one get to see?
“Are you a demon, spirit, walking dead?” the sickly wolf inquired as he observed the strangely pelted pup. “Perhaps you are friend Death in your innocent guise. You clasp my ear in your teeth like a mother, yet your soul is black . .” He mused aloud, still allowing himself to be bitten. “What an incarnation.”
Okay, now he was pushing it: “black soul”? It was one of those times Adam wished he could growl, and instead he bit down harder. By God, he was no friend of Death! Why did the zombie keep going on like he was some bad guy trying to hurt him? Who’d hurt a zombie anyway? Death couldn’t, obviously. Adam eventually let go and next went on to try and trip up the older wolf, feeling compelled to stop the zombie in his tracks and set him straight. But my, what strange paws the pup felt . . . bare of fur! What had happened? Adam attempted next to n** at one paw, thinking he had found a weak spot.
Though the pup succeeded in gnawing to his paw, the other came up to rap Adam on the head. “Do you enjoy this activity, spirit? Is my pain amusing?” moaned the rat-like wolf in his lament. “Why, spirit? Why me?”
Whump! It only served to sink his teeth further, and such a nasty flavor greeted his tastebuds! Adam immediately unclenched and spat in disgust, having had enough of the hitting that made him slightly dizzy. The pup slunk beneath Mr. Stinkalot and sought to impeded his path, striking a pose of dignified air before the stinky one’s steps. Surely he could not call him a simple demon now!
And yet the wolf responded by lying back down onto the ground by the water, reaching out his paw to wash the wounded limb in the stream. “What a funny way to take me away, inch by inch. Then again, they always said Death would not be painless. Go on about your work, little spirit.”
How could he stand the smell of himself, much less the taste? Adam frowned when he sensed himself being ignored and snorted with agitation. All this guy ranted about was Death and his demons and spirits – he needed his mouth washed! So the pup took a deep mouthful of water from the river, aimed for the twin silver spheres, and then shot out a stream of water.
The spray him right as intended, and the older wolf squinched his eyes against it. Edgar shook his head to clear it from the water and fixed Adam with a strangely vacant stare. “Why? I do not understand your ways, little spirit. I have drank already.”
Distinctly the pup mouthed, “YOU. STINK.” And then as if the very statement sullied his tongue, Adam tottered to the river and gulped down several more mouthfuls of water to wash it out. Making a presumptuous motion with his head, Adam snorted to the wolf, turned, and began to pad away. Lame-o shouldn’t have his mother’s eyes! Now for that big explosion sound to investigate . . .
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Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 4:00 pm
Word Count: 1,602 A Small Meeting of Biblical Proportions When Adam pictured himself on adventures, he was alone always, a lone wolf whose free-lance escapades caused legends and whispers in his wake: a real, living, breathing legend! Mother would be proud, his siblings awed, his father’s attention piqued at last, and everything would be made better forever. He could bring them all back together again and everything would be alright; nothing would keep them apart ever again. It wasn’t like Adam to be so idealistic, but he had to have hope, because hope was all the lil’ guy had at this point. Maybe, just maybe . . . Of course, not everything went according to plan, as he quickly found out.
Another pup had tagged along today, someone whose face he was used to but didn’t necessarily like to have around. Eden hummed happily to fill their silence as they walked through the forest, two lone pups on an unknown journey in the middle of the afternoon. Normally she would be more submissive with the male around, but his disabilities somehow made her less conscious of her herself; she could relax, breathe, pretend that she hadn’t gotten lost from her family. Eden felt compelled to stay with Adam for the day to keep him company whenever he wandered away from Kalama for a few hours and happened to be nearby her den. This time, however, she had wandered just a little too far from Heaven, Asiavik, and her sisters, and she was lucky that Adam was going to help her relocate them. The forest seemed to be growing taller and darker around them, but a look up told her the sun hadn’t moved too much since her last peek. “Spooky . . .” she muttered.
Were little girls always so easily scared about, like, everything? Adam almost rolled his eyes when she pressed closer to him as they walked, conveniently forgetting the fact that he could be just as much a “wuss”. Yes it was growing darker, but that was just the trees growing closer together, blocking out the sunlight above, right? Eden was being such a crybaby as usual. It was just normal passing time or their imaginations running wild . . . That was, until they heard the snap of twigs before them that kicked both of their imaginations into high gear.
“Whaaaaaaaaaat are you doooooooooing heeeeeere?” moaned a voice. The pups wheeled about to try and find the source but in the twilight it was hard for even Eden to see. Giggles erupted in one area, and then would stop; then would begin again in a different one, stop abruptly, and resume anew in yet another place. It was almost turning into an eerie echo around them.
Eden’s poor little heart began to beat a mile a minute, and she was practically buried in Adam’s side. “P-Please,” she begged, ears docked, “please d-don’t eat us, s-spirit. We didn’t . . . we didn’t mean t-to invade your land.” Momma, Poppa, Moonlil, someone – where are you . . .? The dark pup trembled with fear, hating the dark and wishing it was all a nightmare she would wake from.
Adam rolled his eyes for real this time, terribly unimpressed with how easily Eden gave up. The way the voice giggled like a miscreant, he was pretty sure begging wouldn’t do them much good at all. After all, what would they be able to offer to a spirit, if this really was a supernatural encounter? The very idea gave him shivers though. The boy trained his eyes and scanned about, ears focusing in past the giggles to the brush of fur on leaves . . . there! He spied a flash of red and something like white. He pulled his maw into a silent growl, trying to be super brave like a superhero would be.
“Heeee~!” Without warning the lithe figure pranced out of the darkness of the forest, pale yellow eyes gleaming like . . . well, like a wolf’s. “Well aren’t I lucky! I’ve got two adorable little pups right in front of my paws, all lost in the big ol’ forest that’s so daaaaaark and scaaaaary.” Gabrielle giggled at the mere thought, as if it were a joke. Truly, in a way, it was.
Eden wasn’t laughing, having softly yelped instead when their presence was invaded. She could now practically feel Adam’s bones pressed against hers in a painful fashion, how tightly she stuck to the skinny pup’s side; he wasn’t exactly a great meat shield. “It is,” she whimpered in agreement, high-toned voice even more elevated than usual. She was a pup that was quick to be frightened and slower to be calmed afterwards. “A-Are you lost too, miss?” Like that was a logical conclusion after the freaky giggles.
“’Miss’?” The adolescent giggled again with the title. Yes, “miss” would do . . . she wasn’t a pup anymore, and she was creeping towards adulthood these days. “Oh no, I’m not lost,” she replied happily. “I’m at home in these really scary woods. There’s a pack here, y’know, but I don’t think you two want to go there.” Gabrielle added in an undertone, “Even if the little boy is adorable as sin . . .”
Both Eden and Adam’s eyes widened, especially at the mention of the odd comparison. A pack, here? “Really?” Eden asked, blinking and detaching herself just a little from her companion’s side; Adam thanked God he could breathe properly again. “What sort of pack?” the dark pup went on to ask, sounding both hesitant that she had spoken and curious at the same time. Like asking for a scary story at night before going to sleep, for the sake of the thrill. “Are they all as bright as you?”
Gabrielle grinned at both meanings of the word. “Not all of them, no. But we have interesting characters, I’ll tell you that much. In fact,” and here she leaned forward in a conspiratorial whisper, “we have a shaman with a domain of blood. Can you believe it? If you bled and he wasn’t in a good mood, he’d never stop the clotting and just let you bleed aaaaaaaaall over the place until you couldn’t bleed no more.” And then, to their horror, she chuckled at the thought. Now returning to a conversational tone, she gave the pups a second, more mischevious wink. “But don’t worry, you’re safe with me. I’m Gabrielle, little ones, and who might you be?”
It took them both a moment to react, the she-pup turning a small shade of green at the mention of blood and dark magic at the same time. Before Adam could prod her into silence, Eden responded timidly, “H-He’s, um . . . Well, my friend’s a mute, but I think he’s mouthed before that he’s, um . . . Adam or something. A-And I’m Eden.” Spoken aloud, she realized that they all had similar origins, and her eyes lit up. “D-Do you know who G–“
“God and all them?” Gabrielle finished for her, blinking. She tilted her head down at the two. “Yup. I’m named after one of the archangels. Huh!” The adolescent once more broke into a smile, genuinely and pleasantly surprised. “What are the chances of that? Us meeting like this. Must be His work, eh?” Gabby paused for a moment, ear turning as she peeked over her shoulder into the pervading darkness. “Well, blessing or not, you two shouldn’t be wandering around near here. I think our alpha eats babies for breakfast or something; that’s what one of the warriors told me once anyway, and I don’t want to risk otherwise. No wait, that’s Valdis, she likes to eat everything anyway . . . Anyway, Adam, Eden, turn around and keep moving until it’s not as dark anymore. This is Reign of Terror territory, and I don’t want you turning into slaves on my account. We’ have enough of those here as it is.”
Eden bobbed her head into several furious nods, already beginning to backstep. Adam, on the other paw, merely stared openly at Gabrielle. One, he didn’t like how she gave him strange, almost covetous looks. Two, the way she spoke flippantly of violence and blood was reprehensible. Three, the aforementioned reasons were insults to the angel she was named after. Therefore, the pup merely snorted his disapproval and turned about, heading his merry way back whether Eden came along or not. She did after a second’s yelp, calling over her shoulder, “Thank you, Gabrielle! Good luck!” God, though, what was it like to live in such a haunting place . . . ? She could only pray for the poor soul.
Gabrielle watched the two huddle forms pad off, feeling longing pang her heart as pups disappeared from sight. There it was, their freedom she so wanted: a pup’s naivety, carefree nature, without need to watch where she stepped or whom she offended, or whose parents were hers, or how she might have come to be born. A life where she didn’t have to fight everyday to make sure she was still wanted, against bias for beauty or skills she might not have . . . Gabrielle sighed. What a life that must be. The boy was adorable; despite her warning, she somewhat wished that he would visit again, especially when he was older and more appreciable to the eyes. Figuring she’d best return home before . . . well, she couldn’t technically say “before she was missed”, but it was close enough. Suddenly solemn, the teen’s light steps pushed her forward into the conclave of trees.
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Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 2:42 pm
|~| The majority and beginning of this rp was done long before the Oak was opened. A screencap will be provided if needed. |~| Insightful Stranger Funny where wanderings can take you: from the womb up until now, it seemed as though Adam had been on an adventure of some sort at every which way he decided to turn. First with his own family while dealing with his own disabilities; then the strange girl called Oathkeeper who he didn’t like the feel of despite her utter kindness; then a weird green jungle girl that almost ate him; oh, and some girl who called him a beast in her pretend game; then some guy who stank like he was dead and called him a demon; and now most recently teaming up with an ex-alpha who just called him “Runt” - because the pup couldn’t really put in a word to discount her - and made a deal with him to help her search for her lost packmates. In other words, being both half-blind and mute had been . . . interesting to say the least. If only he could find Mother and tell her all the weird tales.
So Adam was thankful for a little bit of peace when the waning moon began to slide into the sky and the silence began to settle. He was more nocturnal than most due to his habits of only moving at night where perhaps his black back might provide a sliver of protection in the shadows as it otherwise probably wouldn’t in the day-time with the rest of his motley little pelt; thus, as Kalama slept, the pup quietly snuck away from her just to enjoy his alone time for a moment, padding carefully just up a nearby hill where the trees didn’t impeded his vision. Not as though he could really tell between sky and land at night, but it was almost magical how an invisible straight line stopped the white dots that lined the skies in seemingly random order. Mother told him that if he had enough patience, he could map out pictures . . .
Adam took a deep breath of the tranquility and exhaled through his mouth, smelling wet earth, tree bark, and . . . something he couldn’t quite put. Perhaps other animals were about enjoying the night; it'd be silly to think otherwise that they were absolutely alone. But he always felt uneasy, like someone was watching him always. Was that what God was supposed to feel like?
Romulus slowly moved through the trees as he made his way into this new territory. It had been some time since Servage had gone off on his own to make his way in the world and the seer was feeling the loneliness of his state more and more as the seasons turned. He knew that his "oddity" made other wolves uncomfortable but how he longed for them to be able to see past that to find that his visions were just one small part of who he was. Maybe then they would see that he really was not so different from them and he would finally find a place to belong. He had accepted his lone life long ago but that didn't mean that he had ever stopped wishing for the comfort that comes with having friendship and family.
A slight sad smile crossed Romulus's face as his enlightened senses let him know that he wasn't alone here tonight. He could feel the pup just pass the trees. There was something different about this one and something else that was tinged with the familiar. The opposing signals confused Romulus which intrigued him enough to put aside his worries of how the pup would react to his curse. Most wolves he came across would either run from him or threaten him with violence so the sandy male usually avoided them but this one almost seemed to call to him in the silence of the night.
Breaking from the cover his clear pale blue eyes settled on the dark form of a young male staring out at the clear night sky.
"Beautiful isn't it, young one? In the whole world there are few things that can compare to the glory of the stars spinning across that raven canvass." His silky soft voice disturbed the peace of the night but he tried to emit a feeling of comfort to the cub so as not to frighten him.
The peace was as such that the pup did not find himself too startled with the arrival of sound. Like nothing else had been out of harmony with the advent of another wolf, the sky's intention to bring him yet another stranger, another queer tale to add to his adventure. But this one felt the tiniest bit familiar to the pup as well as unknown – ironically what the other wolf was feeling, though he didn’t know it – like something from the pup’s past was playing déjà vu with his mind. Where did he . . . Ah! Adam remembered the pallid yet also colorful wolfess that had appeared to his family once; Oathkeeper had given off the same sort of presence, like an aura of calm. But this one was also different at the same time, though he couldn’t put a paw on it . . .
But the stranger spoke next, and Adam could trace only the bright pair of blue eyes this one held to know where he stood. A raven sky indeed! He bobbed his head towards the blue eyes before turning his gaze up to the stars again, not feeling too much of a need to be hostile yet. But the stars weren’t spinning, he thought, no, they were staying in place. Maybe he had found a crazy guy again; somehow, Adam found himself attracting those. Maybe I’m a little crazy too . . .Probably comes with the territory of invalids.
The pup was oddly quiet but his affirmation let the seer know that he had been heard. Since the little male didn't seem bothered in the least by his appearance, Romulus took that as a good sign and moved a little closer. The oddly multi patterned coat took him by surprised but since he himself was not what could be considered 'normal' he was not one to criticize. Romulus sat down a comfortable distance from the cub and looked out over the horizon to see what held the young one's interest so keenly. The wild blew softly stirring up some of the damp scents of the forest but for the most part there was little that he would think a pup would find intrigue in.
The male turned his full attention on the pup wondering what he was doing out here by himself. He was reminded of Servage when he was wandering the woods by himself completely naive to the dangers inherent in being young and lone. A warmth filled his head as he felt the pup's thoughts about the state of the stars and smiled. It was a little harder to catch the rest but 'crazy' and 'invalid' stood out strongly.
So the pup thought him a crazy invalid. Well there were times that he would have to agree with the crazy part, but invalid?
"I don't think you're crazy, little one but it seems you aren't schooled in the art of the heavens. Those bright point of lights may seem steady but they turn just like this world we call home. It is said that some may well be just like our world with creatures we can only imagine." He grinned widely. "The stars are part of the wonders of nature and all of nature is in motion even if that motion is so slight as to avoid our detection.”
“I don’t think you’re – what?” Adam had to pause with that thought, owlishly blinking. Now he was pretty sure that this guy wasn’t just randomly saying he wasn’t crazy, because what were the chances of that? But the alternative was . . . Reading my thoughts? The pup frowned and brought his gaze down from the sky to the stranger’s twin blue eyes. Was that possible? Adam thought long and hard on this, remembering Mother’s tale of wolves called shamans and seers, both of which had different powers: one with an affinity of some sort, one with the power to read and speak in minds of wolves regardless of distance.
Then . . . His dark eyes flew open to stare. You can read my thoughts? he asked, but not in a voice that was considered a pup’s. Born mute, Adam had no idea what his true voice sounded like, and when he thought they usually came in either silence of tone or in the voices of others. Thus, the question was repeated back with the adult’s voice without putting effort in it. How? Adam went on to ask, little heart pumping. Where did you learn to do it? What’s your name?
The pup's demeanor radiated shock but that was something that Romulus was well acquainted with. It was a lot for him to handle when he realized he could hear the thoughts of others so their reaction be any different once they learn that some one is poking around in their head?
"Yes, I can read your thoughts. Please accept my apology for prying in like that but I sensed that there was something off with your speech so I figured it best to put my curse to some good use. I imagine it must be at least somewhat frustrating to have to struggle to communicate with others so I hoped to help relieve you of that burden."
His head drooped a little with embarrassment that he had simply never come to grips with. While his abilities did help bridge any communication gaps he also knew that most wolves were on the secretive side and they preferred to keep their personal thoughts.....well, personal. He was often forced to pretend that he didn't know that others were frightened of him as they hid their true feelings behind bogus smiles and weak tail wags. Life as a freak certainly had its downside.
"Oh, my manners are rusty from having be alone for so long. My name is Romulus. As to how I do the things I do....that I can't tell you. It is an ability that I was born with. My mother had called it a gift but my feelings on that matter are a bit different.”
Romulus’s behavior was a tad strange to him. Why would a wolf with such an amazing ability act humbled by it, much less embarrassed? Adam couldn’t understand it, but when the other one referred to it as a curse he had to frown with disagreement. Heck, this guy barely needed an apology to grace him with such a gift! The pup remembered his own manners and brought his head down respectfully. I’m Adam, he answered. And you’re right, it’s the worst thing in the world for me. I can barely see and I can’t even talk, and it’s more annoying for me than you can imagine! But . . .
His thoughts turned to the future possibilities. Romulus had said that he was born with these powers; did that mean that Adam had a chance as well? When did you know you were a seer? the pup asked. How did you find out? When could you hear other voices in your head besides your own? No-one could lie to you, no-one could get lost from you or, for that matter, no-one could hide from you! Maybe if he could find out the power’s origins, he would be able to find Mother and the others at long last . . .
Adam's honest curiosity for his condition was more refreshing then the normal fear that others always seemed to have. Perhaps his handicaps made him more accepting of the differences of others. It did seem that life had dealt him a rough hand but his strength to battle through his weakness spoke volumes of the pup’s fortitude.
"I was always what my mother called 'special' but others referred to as 'freak.' As a pup there were times that I could tell some disaster was coming. I predicted a flood in my youth when the elders of the pack saw only a coming thunder storm. I told my mother but she was worried of what the other pack member's would say so it became a secret between she and I. The flood did come and a cub was lost to the waters. I doubt anyone would have listened to me but I still bear the guilt of that day. There was no need for that cub to die. My vision was meant to save him." His voice was tinged with regret that still laid heavy on his soul after all these years.
"I didn't find out that I could hear other's thoughts until I was in my teens. I think I really always could pick up bits and pieces but the voices became clearer and my visions more acute. The mind is like any muscle in the body; the more you use it the stronger it becomes."
The seer took a deep breath to force the sadness away. This rare chance to talk to another was a blessing not to be squandered on past regrets.
"So Adam, what's your story? How is it that you are out here all alone?"
The tale fascinated him. Not the death of course, for he was still sensitive to anything involving death, but the fact that Romulus received a vision before such a terrible occurrence was . . . a Godsend? It was possible to think like that. “Special” . . . They were all children of God, but was it so wrong to be something even more? Adam was practically begging, the way his stance was leaning forward, ears tilted to catch every word, as if the seer’s story brought him more hope for his situation – begging that the impossible could be made possible for him as well. Although he didn’t recall being born with anything particular of note . . .
. . . Wait, what was he saying?! No-one had the same sight he did! But was that really a gift in itself? Romulus asked him for his story, and Adam had to pause for a moment. Was he so willing to give the stranger the whole story? No . . . But by God, divulging it to someone of his caliber might make it worth something. My mom’s got no mate, he began, and I have five other siblings. But we lived together for a while in happiness. Sort of. Adam decided not to think about the more annoying stages of his life that involved adjusting to his disabilities and the teasing that came along with it. We had a fire break out nearby that scattered us, and I’ve been looking for them since then. It’s hard for me, though, but I met with an alpha called Kalama a little while ago who’s travelling with me. She calls me “Runt”, though. He snorted softly.
Being separated from one's family was a great tragedy for any wolf. Romulus could only imagine what sort of effect it had on one so young. A fire of all things for the youngling to have to have lived through. Every animal was born with an innate fear of fire and being unable to see well or call for help must have been devastating for Adam.
"The fire is needed to renew the forest but it's ravish hunger knows no bounds." The seer pinned his ears back against his head as he bowed it in sorrow for the cub's loss. "I wish you well on your quest, Adam. Stay strong and keep faith that you will cross paths with your family again. Those who love us are always near in spirit and the life energy that is shared with the family bond always seeks to be whole through unity. The vibrations travel along the web that binds us all; to find what you seek all you need to do is learn how to listen and understand."
Romulus shuddered as he made an attempt to attune to the lifeforce web that spread in all directions. He searched for a vibration similar to that of the little wolf's but there was no resounding response. He hoped that the pup's journey wasn't in vain and that his family had survived the fire but the trail here at least was cold.
"Cling to faith and let it be your guide."
So the pup was not completely alone. The male was happy to hear of that situation for the alpha's presence would give a boost to the cub's strength. He shook his head and chuckled. "Well now, I don't think I would call you a runt. You look rather able bodied to me. A young fit wolf with a mission is what I see before me." Perhaps in need of an extra meal or two but otherwise fit enough. Romulus reached out with his mind trying to see if the familiar feel he found in the pup was possibly in line with a more attuned sense. Often when one sense is lost or diluted another gains strength to fill the void but we are unaware of the special ability.
“Cling to faith and let it be your guide.” A fine piece of advice indeed that he could appreciate! The pup bobbed his head in acknowledgement of the wise words, keeping it dipped at tad yet again in respect for the seer. For some reason a shudder went through Romulus and, believing that he was still reading his mind, it made Adam particularly self-conscious. Had the adult seen something he disliked? Even though the pup barely knew him, it felt as though Romulus was suddenly a wolf to please, and that any short-comings he had were mistakes to fix – and quickly.
At length Adam felt something a little strange: like a paw or nose prodding his head, but nothing at all physical to be felt for it. Was this what it was like when a seer prodded someone’s mind? He grew excited and anxious at the same time to bat away the heaviness his eyelids were beginning to feel from staying up, spotted leopard tail wagging a little where he sat. He could fix the mistake Romulus was surely seeing, he swore! Whatever it was. I look small and scrawny, though, Adam thought wryly. And if Kalama hadn’t found me I bet it would’ve been so much worse. Sitting duck in the day, barely camouflage by night . . . I have weird senses, Mr. Romulus, ever since birth. I hear my mother cooing to us straight from birth even though newborns are supposed to be both deaf and blind. And I can’t see a lot of things right now unless they’re really bright colored. Like you . . . He had to pause to stifle a yawn, glancing up as he did so. I can see your eyes, but that’s about it, sir. They’re a really pretty blue. D’you think I can train to become a seer, Mr. Romulus? Or do I have to be born to do it?
"Well now, my little friend, I do believe there is a little seer in us all but unless I am vastly mistaken I think that there is more then just that little in you." The adult smiled warmly even though he knew the cub could not make out the expression on his face. Adam was sensitive to be sure and just maybe Romulus was looking at a future seer. He was a little worried for the pup wishing a better life for him then he had known himself but each had their own life path and if the spirits had chosen this one for the rocky one of a seer there must be a reason why. To be sure, Adam had already suffered great hardship and survived; maybe that was all a test for him to prove his abilities to the all knowing who passes down the curse or gift, however it appears to the receiver.
"Adam, I am no expert but when I touched your mind you responded to my thoughts as well as my words. Your lost voice and limited sight may have been taken as a payment for you to become a seer. The ability is within you now but you will have to practice to hone your skill just as you must practice to become a good hunter or tracker. The aptitude is there but it has been sleeping while it waited for you to discover it; to need it."
It took the pup a few minutes to register those words, longer than it took to feel rather than see the smile upon Romulus’s face. What had he expected? “I wouldn’t get my hopes up.” “Not everyone is born with magic inside of them.” “I’d save fairy tales for a different night and a different time.” “Maybe you are gifted in something else.” Coddling, placations, or some form of shut down . . . Certainly not this glimmer of hope, this rare chance to maybe do the impossible and beat his odds! There was perhaps a moment of doubt where he thought maybe Romulus had only said as much to make him happy, but this was quickly swept away in his jubilation; as a seer, Adam trusted him fully, as he would any adult that didn’t scrutinize him horribly on the spot. Maybe what he had happened to him wasn’t all for naught after all . . . ? Maybe seers and shamans all went through some sort of trauma before getting their powers.
You really think so? he asked, dark eyes lighting up, the wander-weary expression forgetting his exhaustion in an intense moment of pure happiness and hope. A rare smile lit Adam’s face as he looked up at Romulus. Oh God,I hope so! I’ll practice and train and do whatever I can to make sure I learn right and wake up the powers, Mr. Romulus sir! Promise! Should I go anywhere specific to find out what I can do? Is there anyone I can see? Even now more question bubbled to the surface of his mind: how could he assess anyone so quickly? What did he look for? How much potential did he have? Too many questions that boggled the mind, that drained it further even when his body wanted to stay up. The pup wavered a bit, light-headed and gleeful.
Romulus chuckled at the sudden burst of emotion. He wished everyone took his words so well then maybe he would be such an outcast. When he had found out that he was a seer he had been relieved to know that he wasn't going mad but he was also frightened because he knew that he would never be 'normal.' Adam seemed to just see the good in his situation so maybe his abilities will actually disperse his worries. The adult could only hope the pup would know happiness and acceptance as he embraced his difference as a gift.
"Adam, I am certain that you will come across others much wiser then me who can offer more guidance. I tried to ignore my abilities but they refused to allow me to do that as they grew stronger on their own. Once I accepted my visions as part of who I am I began to pay more attention to them and learned to focus for answers to my questions. It was through this trial and error that I practiced and honed my skills. My suggestion would be to practice reaching out with you mind taking note of bits of information you get even if they don't make sense right away. You will be your own best teacher but as you prefect your sensitivity you will be able to find others like yourself and me who share the same predisposition. Those whose paths you cross will be able to help you grow by sharing their wisdom or seeking wisdom from you."
Romulus could see the pup was excited but he also knew that sleep was calling to the young one even as he tried to ignore its summons.
"First thing for you to do, my little friend, is to get some rest. Learning to use your mind to reach others can be exhausting so to do it well you need your sleep." He turned his eyes back to the sky and the movement of the moon. "It's quite late and if your alpha finds you missing I fear what she may do to me." With a smirk Romulus stood and shook himself to keep his own weariness at bay. "I'll be around for a while yet, Adam. If you wish you may practice by trying to touch minds with me. I will keep mine open to you to make your first tries a little easier. Now, I must be on my way but I look forward to crossing paths again. Thank you for taking the time to ease the loneliness of a stranger and if the spirits indeed take you down the seer's path might I be the first to welcome you as a brother."
What were beginning to sound like parting words made Adam all the more reluctant, thus all the more willing to expend energy to keep him there by forcing himself up, thus all the more quickly making himself even more tired as a cause of it – and so on and so forth . . . He made to whimper and made nothing but hot air, but it was very evident with his crestfallen expression and the light dying in his eyes that Romulus was leaving. Sleep equally called to him and it wasn’t fair! Why couldn’t the night stay longer for them, the only time span where the pup felt at least a little more safe and less obvious to the eye, where wonders crept from the depths and wandered; where he didn’t feel like God’s eye was necessarily on him, ever judging him from afar his every action or word. But nature was ever dominant, and again Adam had to yawn.
Fine, he gave in, and then added with an air of certainty, but you’ll be seeing me again soon, even if I don’t get to become a seer, got it? Leaving that as his goodbye, as was ever his tactful way of avoiding the very words, Adam stood up, stretched a tad, refound Kalama’s scent, and padded off into the night. His dreams would be tinged with a sense of urgency, to complete a mission by some certain time, though he knew not why . . .
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