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 Posted: Mon May 03, 2010 5:47 pm
Hiding amongst some thick foliage, the black and white femme buried her nose amidst her paws. She was exhausted and while the food in her belly meant she would live on a few more days, Xieros knew she was still in poor condition. She didn't dare return to the stream for water lest that wicked black and blue male was waiting for her. Furthermore, she didn't want to be anywhere near pack territory . . . Who knew what sort of tricksters would await?
Still, the broken creature had to rest. She felt ill and she was still weak. She wanted to get away but with knowledge of a stream not far, she was tempted to linger until nightfall. Maybe then she could limp under disguise of evening and shadow and sedate her thirst. But until she was certain no one was around and the scent of that Nereus was gone Xieros was going to stay hidden amongst the foliage.
Part of her wished she hadn't eaten. Maybe then she'd drift in to a hungered slumber and finally fall to eternal sleep. No more pain, no more hurt, no more tears. Nothing. But instinct wouldn't allow for such a thing, oh no. She had to keep on fighting. . . but for what? There was no point, she had no purpose. Not anymore.
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Posted: Mon May 03, 2010 6:01 pm
So it seemed the gift was here to stay, she would need to tell her family soon, but before she did she knew she had to make a distant journey again. Find the one who had unlocked this gift inside of her and thank him, thank him for giving her hope, for giving her the strength to protect the ones she loved.
The issue of succession was heavy on her mind as well, Frey had no desire to become alpha male, and in truth Crunch had already set Tempeste for that position. They were aging and Alas knew the time was drawing near for the elders who had begun the pack to step down and allow the younger generation to continue it. They had raised them well, loving, kind, cautious, each one with his or her own unique set of traits. They would steer the pack onward in the direction it had always followed, the bonds of family, the offer of peace and friendship were at the core of the pack. True they might be construed as weak by some, but they were not divided, and not so easily conquered. They held Agua Azul off and the Reign of Terror left them in relative peace so long as they paid lip service to the cruel dogs.
Some might wonder why, with her new power, Alas had no desire to wage a war on the Reign or even really on Agua Azul. The truth was despite her ability to heal she would never abuse it, never send her beloved pack members to be harmed simply because she could heal them. Besides she wasn't certain of the potential of her ability and the memory of still cold puppy bodies still haunted her dreams. No, war was something she abhorred and she knew they need only wait for a time until Agua Azul divided itself. Already it seemed the pack had eased in more a familial haven then world domineers.
She lifted her head and blinked her blue eyes scanning the foilage, she was at the edge of the territory away from the others. Normally she liked to stay within the den and make herself available to any who needed her, but when she had to meditate, focus on her new abilities, she came as far as she could.
"Hello?" She couldn't feel the soft thread of love that connected her to the ones she knew, so that meant her nose and ears were picking up on a stranger.
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Posted: Mon May 03, 2010 6:45 pm
Xieros was so lost in thought and worry that she almost missed the soft foot steps of the alpha female nearby. Her head was rested on the ground, paws over her scarred muzzle while she tried desperately to calm her nerves. Her life was always that of hiding . . . She hid from Adenru at South Seaside, was hidden from her family while snatched away from Tiberius, and even now she hid from all strangers and the memory of the night-and-day demon. Such a lifestyle was rather exhausting and just once Xieros wished to be freed from such a curse.
Ears twisted when a voice came out, seemingly out of nowhere! Silver eyes went wide and the female half gasped in surprise. At first she feared it to be Nereus - he had followed her, had tricked her! But panic gave way to logic - that voice had been far too kind and far too feminine to be that of a male.
For just a moment, Xieros could imagine Loki calling for her, searching for her to return home. Involuntarily, the softest of whines left her throat. She was too exhausted to run, and honestly couldn't stop herself. To be so quiet wasn't in her nature - the sooner she could beg for mercy the sooner a beating or mauling would be through. To Xieros, running only meant pain . . . so she had learned to swiftly give herself up.
Besides, her leg hurt too much. She couldn't run even if she wished it. ". . . I'm here. . . " She added softly, shamefully. Her ears automatically flattened, her gaze rightfully averted and tail tucked flat against her belly. She didn't squirm out from the foliage, because at this point it would offer some protection in case the voice turned hostile.
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Posted: Mon May 03, 2010 7:12 pm
I'm here was a faint whisper but it reached Alas pricked ears and she moved to push away the foliage sitting down and quickly lowering her head to the poor frightened looking female. At first she thought it was a scrawny teen who had suffered some recent injury, but closer inspection revealed a starved adult with a serious wound that smelled as if it were festering already. Blue eyes widened in the same motherly concern that Alas showed for all who seemed to need her assistance. A healer long before she had gone on her great quest her mind was already analyzing the females injured leg though it was hard to fully see it.
"You poor dear, what happened? I'm Libenalas, but everyone calls me Alas, don't be afraid now your safe, your in Akkiki Chibale lands, we won't let anything hurt you." The terrified posture of the female, the tightly tucked tail, it all made the alpha female wonder what had harassed her.
She slowly crouched lower to meet the females gaze worried about the state she was in. Ribs stood in stark contrast, the faint scent of infection lingered near her leg, and the weak voice all coupled to double her concern.
"Can you move? We need to get you some food and water...and then see about your leg. When did that happen dear? Is someone trying to find you?" Did the poor scrawny female have friends anywhere? Or was she running from dangerous enemies?
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Posted: Mon May 03, 2010 7:58 pm
Xieros shuddered as a wolfess approached. The female couldn't help but shut her eyes, burying her nose further beneath her paws. She didn't want to see this possible new assailant, didn't want to see when the attack would surely come. Her body cringed as Alas approached, muscles tightening in the terror that came of meeting someone new.
Xieros herself held her breath . . . but no attack ever came. A new scent surrounded her, that of some foreign female. The different scents that lingered off Alas proved she was indeed a pack wolf, but the female could never guess this was the Alpha herself. Perhaps it was a good thing. . . to meet such power head on was terrifying for the black and white femme. Sure, she bonded with Loki, but that had been so many years ago. . . and what good had it done anyway? They never rescued her. . . they didn't care that she'd been taken.
It took a few moments for Xieros to fully comprehend the words that Alas spoke. Poor dear? Safe? Hmph. She was never safe. Akkiki Chibale? Such a pack was like she'd never heard of, and while she knew she wasn't at South Seaside, part of Xieros would have wished. Hurt her. . . . A small part of Xieros desperately wanted to believe the wolfess before her. And yet, she understood that it was almost impossible. All the femme knew was pain and hurt. . . . so to have her talk about care so freely was strange.
Just one deception. . .right?
Retreating some, further in to the bushes, Xieros gave a pitiful and almost puppish whine. Slowly, silver eyes upturned to see that of something made of pink. For almost a second Xieros gasped in terror. . . Pink. Tiberius had been half-pink half-blue, but the nightmare swiftly passed. No . . . this she-wolf was not the demon that she feared hunted her. "I . . . I'll be fine here. I promise I'm leaving, I told him not to follow, I told Nereus I'd be gone soon." She quickly added, hoping the female would leave her alone.
Hmph.
Nereus.
So much for that. The strange wolf that had fed her had sent some other female out after her instead. "It doesn't matter what happened. . . I'll be gone come morning." She added with a heavy sigh, bringing her hurt leg closer under her body. Though she was still terrified of Liberalas, the innate trauma was lessened thanks to her gender. She didn't trust the pink femme, but she wasn't so worried about her tricking her or causing her harm.
No. . . Xieros had always bloomed under the care of a female. It was the men that gave her trauma and issues. It was the men she was ever afraid of. . . their mockery, their abuse. Still, the black and white female didn't want to say too much. What was there to say anyway? A monster was after her, or at least she feared there was one. . . All Alas needed to know was she'd be on her way as soon as she rested her paw.
Averting her gaze again, she added softly, "I promise I mean no threat. . . Xieros just needs to rest, yes." She added with a tiny nod and shiver. There was no way she was going anywhere with this big female, nope. . .
Not yet, at any rate.
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Posted: Mon May 03, 2010 8:09 pm
The poor thing, she really looked terrified and Alas lowered her head a bit more trying to help give her confidence. She smiled softly when she heard her say Nereus' name but it didn't seem the femme was happy about it. Odd, the young male was always polite and sweet. Still she couldn't just leave this poor dear, the whine that escaped her was heartbreaking.
"Xieros? Is that your name? Yes you do need rest, but let me at least bring you a little water hmm? Would that be nice? Then maybe I could take a look at your leg, it looks like it hurts? Can you walk?" She asked worriedly.
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Posted: Mon May 10, 2010 8:11 pm
Xieros gave a soft, pathetic whine as Alas spoke to her. She couldn't help but involuntarily jerk away, trying to hide her leg fully beneath her. She knew that she shouldn't worry so much; females were a comforting presence to Xieros, even if she had no trust in their long-term care. Loki and Hannah had both been sweet. . . but neither had cared enough for her to find her, save her, rescue her. Still, Alas might go speak to the alpha of the pack. She might have been sent by Nereus to spy on her, to attack her; lure her out only so she might be ridiculed, mocked or attacked. Nope - Xieros was not going to fall for it!
"No I . . . I'm fine, really," she pleaded, turning her grey eyes up at the vibrantly-pink female before her. "I promise I won't be long. I'll leave soon I just . . . I just wanted to rest a moment." Part of Xieros desperately wanted to drink, desperately wanted to accept help from this stranger. She was so . . . so kind and the black and white wolfess was desperate for any sort of soft nature.
But she was afraid all the same. She didn't want to get close to anyone again lest she wind up some victim for the umpteenth time. No one could be trusted, not anymore, not with Xieros.
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Posted: Tue May 11, 2010 5:50 pm
"Please stay dear..." Alas murmured soothly, her concern for the poor weak female was escalating quickly. It was obvious she needed water, rest, and regular food. She doubted the poor thing had been able to get to any of the three in a long while. Her leg didn't look too good either, or smell too good for that matter. Slowly she backed away from the female hoping she would stay, but even if she didn't she knew that leg wouldn't let her get far.
Once she was out of sight she bolted towards the den grabbing a scrap of thick wooly material, it was one of the human things they used to line their den and keep it warm along with brush and leaves. Yet alas had long ago found a better use for it, the material soaked up liquid and carried it. She used it to sponge things, and now she ws going to use it to bring poor Xieros some water. She dunked the thick fabric into a nearby cool stream and once it turned dark and heavy with the liquid she headed back over to the frightened female. Slowly she laid the sopping bundle down her muzzle dripping. "Here we are dear one, you have to drink now, you don't want to get sick?"
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Posted: Tue May 11, 2010 6:24 pm
When the strange female darted away, Xieros gave a deep sigh of relief. The stranger practically loomed over her, and while she seemed to be sweet in nature Xieros just couldn't bring herself to trust her intentions. Loki and Hannah had both been kind and yet . . . . hadn't they left her behind? Hadn't they forgotten about her? Did they even notice when she never returned to Thayne's den? Didn't anyone even care!?
. . . no.
She was the forgotten one.
Still, Xieros didn't dare want to be present should someone else approach. She was too close to the pack lands and Nereus obviously couldn't be trusted to keep his maw shut. Struggling to her paws, the female had begun to hobble away when her ears swiveled and she heard the fast approach of someone. Instinct forced her to retreat back in to the underbrush, hiding herself away from whoever next came to haunt her.
Instead of a demon she saw, once again, that pink furred wolfess. She was stubborn in her care, wasn't she. . .? But her stance wasn't angry or upset, there was a foreign expression she hadn't seen in a long while. A look of . . . of care.
As she set down the dripping thing (Xieros had no idea what it was but water was infused within it!) and encouraged her to drink, once again the wolfess couldn't resist. Tentatively, pausing a moment to sniff at the foreign object, the silver eyed female discovered that it really was just water. That was enough and it didn't take long before she leaned forward and began lapping at the sopping and dripping thing. If she pressed against it more water seemed to spill from it . . . A strange sort of tool but the water felt good against her jaws.
Still, Xieros didn't trust herself long with Alas so close. After getting her fill, she quickly jerked back and looked timidly up at the female. "I don't think it would matter if I were healthy or not," she belatedly replied, more nervous and timid than terrified or defensive. Alas' sweet ministrations were oddly soothing and Xieros found herself relaxing slightly. A strange feeling, really. . .She never had felt comfortable around Tiberius even after playing as his slave for years.
". . . thank you though. You really didn't ... didn't have to." T Just like Nereus had fed her, this pink wolf had given her water and they were complete strangers! How odd . . . very odd. The black and white wolfess hadn't felt such kindness since her time at South Seashore. This entire scene was very familiar, just like Thayne had greeted her so many years previous. Xieros almost faultered under such a reminder and instead averted her gaze. If she had any tears to spare, if she wasn't as frightened, she might have broken down in to a sob.
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Posted: Tue May 11, 2010 7:12 pm
"Of course it would matter, the world isn't always friendly to lone wolves...I'm glad you've at least had something to drink. Couldn't I please look at your leg? I'm a healer...maybe I could help a little?" She knew that if she only had her old ways at her disposal all she could have done was clean the wound, apply some salve, and wrap it up. Ye with her newfound ability she hoped that perhaps she could really mend the leg, it was at least worth a try though the wound appeared old and aggitated.
"Please come sit, you do need your rest after all, no one will hurt you in these lands, this is my pack, my family." She explained in a soothing voice she had used over the seasons on pups and adults alike.
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Posted: Wed May 12, 2010 6:07 pm
It was difficult to hear the way Alas spoke. The kindness in her voice, her gentle movements, and the way she carried herself was very reminiscent to her foggy memories and puphood. She remembered Loki, Hannah, and their kindness. . . . Loki the alpha of the pack who had treated her well and without judgment; Hannah, her beautiful daughter who had been kind as well.
And then, an arrow hit her heart just as soon as Alas spoke that she was in kind lands, good lands, lands that belonged to her. Her pack, her family. Automatically Xieros dubbed her as the alpha female; of course, had any one been protective of their family and claimed them as 'hers' she might have thought them the ruler. Ironically enough she was right . . . there were so many scents saturated on her coat when Xieros took a moment to edge away from fear and really look at Alas and her surroundings. She was healthy, a shine to her coat and a softness in her features that was almost terrible to look at.
And here she was, fussing over a complete stranger and someone so wretched as herself. No. Alas didn't belong here, to tend her wounds and offer such protection. " . . .I promise I'll be fine. It's been bad for a long time, I'm used to it. . ." she added softly, shamefully. She kept her gaze averted even as she tentatively shifted position, allowing better access to her wounded limb. She really was a ragged creature, many wounds having healed poorly and improperly; scars littered her coat, some open due to her licking and grooming.
It was bad of her to take up such a wolfs time. First Nereus, now Alas and . . .well. . . the latter seemed to be a very important lady!
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Posted: Wed May 12, 2010 6:22 pm
She offered the smaller female a smile and moved to crouch down with her glad that she had moved so the injured limb was visible. Hmmm yes that was a problem, blue eyes tenderly moved over the injury and slowly she moved her nose towards it. She gave a soft sniff and slowly lifted her head not wanting to prod and poke this obviously pained loner.
"It looks bad, but I think I can help...a little, if you'll allow me? We'll see about patching this up, and then maybe you can get some sleep and have a little something to eat before you go? Though your welcome to stay you know, until you recover...?" She trailed off, she had the feeling this jittery female would want to leave as soon as possible, her heart ached at the inability to keep her safe, but she at least offered the stability of the pack. It was for the abused and needy, the loners who wanted love and family, that was why Akiiki Chibale was so open and giving.
She felt a tiny pulse as the sensation of tenderness, caring, and love came to her. There it was, the thread of power that she could use to help heal some of the severe injuries this stranger had suffered. If she could at least send her on her way in better shape then she had come to them it would be enough.
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Posted: Sun Aug 15, 2010 11:08 am
The female still wasn't entirely sure what to make of Alas. It had been such a long time since she'd felt kindness from another, such a very long time. Her entire life had been most unpleasant and Xieros lived constantly in fear. So to finally stumble across a new pack, new lands, with strangers whom weren't hostile and whom seemed to care it. . . it confused her.
It made her yearn for South Seasides once more, of Loki and of Hannah and others. And yet . . . a small part of her felt betrayed. How long had she waited for her rescue? How long had she cried out and fought Tiberius, hoping upon hope that someone might seek her out? She had been so young then it was easy to believe they had given up the hunt. She was dead to them, forgotten. She couldn't return home even if she knew where to go. . . because it wasn't home any more. Thayne, Loki, the pups who had to be long since grown. . . none of them would remember her. Honestly, she had no where to go and was running from the nightmares and horror she had so long experienced.
Cringing beneath Alas' close proximity, Xieros stayed quiet and still. Her bony, mangled body was tense and unsure as she stared up at the pink female before her. It was strange but somehow her leg did start to feel better. . . The pain lessened considerably although it didn't heal completely. She would always limp due to how long she had suffered the wound, but the constant ache and sharp pain was much less severe.
How was Alas doing that!?
What form of trickery was this!? And yet, Xieros couldn't be fooled by herself. She was the only one she could ever trust, and her leg was feeling much better. Whimpering softly, ears pinned and tail still tucked, Xieros didn't know what to do or how to respond. "I . . . . I should probably go soon but . . . maybe a nap would be nice. I'll just . . stay here, out of the way," she added hastily, wanting to assure Alas that she wasn't going to interfere or over stay her welcome.
For as far as Xieros understood, pack life was for everyone else. She didn't trust others enough to go back to one; not with how quickly she believed herself forgotten within South Seaside. Even though she wished to go back on her way, the soothing nature of Alas and the healing in her leg made her feel terribly exhausted. She just wanted to sleep. . . without nightmares, without worry that Tiberius or Adenru or any of the shadows of her past would find her. She hadn't slept soundly in what felt like years but maybe . . . maybe here she would.
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Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 7:36 pm
Alas smiled softly as the healing worked it's way up the leg, but the injury was old and some damage had already festered too long. The leg would never be fully healed, but hopefully it wouldn't pain the poor female half so much now. Her smile was sincere, it reached her eyes and she slowly moved to relax near Xieros wanting her to see there was no need for alarm.
"Alright...you nap, I'll watch over you and make sure nothing happens to you while you sleep alright?" She tipped her head and hoped the female would trust her to be near. She wanted to go to get someone and get Xieros some food. The den would have been the perfect place for her to rest, but she could tell Xieros would just feel trapped. The suggestion itself might spook her off and Alas didn't want the female to run off prematurely.
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