Sunflowers and Moonmonsters
Quote from Kaqurei on August 15, 2023, 8:13 amJosh watched, becoming increasingly agitated. Somethin was missing. The preacher's tone was right. The setting was right. They had the bottles and everything like they were supposed to. But something was missing.
He sniffed the air, wondering what it was. It tickled the back of his brain, somewhere under his skull where he couldn't scratch. He snarled. Why couldn't he figure it out?
He thought about his own first change ceremony. He'd been 12 then. Just a snot-nosed kid. He'd been... nervous. Not scared. Definitely not scared. His brothers were dumb. Told him he'd black out and if he went nuts and tried to eat mother, father would have to put him down like a dog. Mother told him everything was going to be fine. She prepared him for the new sights and smells--which weren't really all that new. Just, more. What she hadn't prepared him for was--
Hunger. His ears perked up and he sat up a little straighter. Where was the meat? The preacher was taking a drink at the stream. Mercy was still lying on the ground like a newborn giraffe. He sniffed the air again, gazing sternly down at the preacher's bag.
Even if one of those bottles had the nasty drink he remembered his father forcing down his throat--the bitter one he wanted to vomit, but that satiated his hunger, at least... She'd still need something to chew. He remembered being so frustrated, even after his limbs quit shaking. How his jaws ached for something he could sink his teeth into.
Mercy was going to need meat. And they hadn't got any for her down there.
Something in the field caught Mercy's attention. Because it drew both hers and the preacher's interest, Josh looked that way too, but with less concern than the preacher did. Probably just ants or a rabbit or some other tiny thing Mercy was hearing for the first time.
But then he perked up with a start.
That was back in the direction of the cabin. It was a good mile or so away, but that didn't mean Mercy wouldn't be able to hear her child if he cried. A mother always knows, his own had told him once.
His muscles tensed, watching and waiting. Mercy's legs looked like jelly after she changed. He'd almost underestimated her that she didn't know how to use them. But she'd sprung to her feet with startling accuracy when whatever was across the field had caught her attention. His eyes still on her, he swiveled his ears in that direction to see if he could pick out whatever it was she had, even if it was just the clickity-thrumming of a swarm of ants, just below the surface.
Josh watched, becoming increasingly agitated. Somethin was missing. The preacher's tone was right. The setting was right. They had the bottles and everything like they were supposed to. But something was missing.
He sniffed the air, wondering what it was. It tickled the back of his brain, somewhere under his skull where he couldn't scratch. He snarled. Why couldn't he figure it out?
He thought about his own first change ceremony. He'd been 12 then. Just a snot-nosed kid. He'd been... nervous. Not scared. Definitely not scared. His brothers were dumb. Told him he'd black out and if he went nuts and tried to eat mother, father would have to put him down like a dog. Mother told him everything was going to be fine. She prepared him for the new sights and smells--which weren't really all that new. Just, more. What she hadn't prepared him for was--
Hunger. His ears perked up and he sat up a little straighter. Where was the meat? The preacher was taking a drink at the stream. Mercy was still lying on the ground like a newborn giraffe. He sniffed the air again, gazing sternly down at the preacher's bag.
Even if one of those bottles had the nasty drink he remembered his father forcing down his throat--the bitter one he wanted to vomit, but that satiated his hunger, at least... She'd still need something to chew. He remembered being so frustrated, even after his limbs quit shaking. How his jaws ached for something he could sink his teeth into.
Mercy was going to need meat. And they hadn't got any for her down there.
Something in the field caught Mercy's attention. Because it drew both hers and the preacher's interest, Josh looked that way too, but with less concern than the preacher did. Probably just ants or a rabbit or some other tiny thing Mercy was hearing for the first time.
But then he perked up with a start.
That was back in the direction of the cabin. It was a good mile or so away, but that didn't mean Mercy wouldn't be able to hear her child if he cried. A mother always knows, his own had told him once.
His muscles tensed, watching and waiting. Mercy's legs looked like jelly after she changed. He'd almost underestimated her that she didn't know how to use them. But she'd sprung to her feet with startling accuracy when whatever was across the field had caught her attention. His eyes still on her, he swiveled his ears in that direction to see if he could pick out whatever it was she had, even if it was just the clickity-thrumming of a swarm of ants, just below the surface.
Quote from Mae on August 15, 2023, 10:29 amWhether or nor Mercy detected Robin's rising anxiety, she responded to it. At the mere suggestion of motion in the direction of her intention, Mercy suddenly leapt forward! - Only for her hand to get snagged on one of the crutches on the ground.
Mercy hit the dirt head first with a high-pitched cry! A wild light sprang to her eyes in that instant, and she turned on the offending crutch with immediate ferocity. In her jaws, it whined, bent, and broke! But the fire did not go out of her eyes. She began to search the field, growling, looking for anything else that might do her harm.
Whether or nor Mercy detected Robin's rising anxiety, she responded to it. At the mere suggestion of motion in the direction of her intention, Mercy suddenly leapt forward! - Only for her hand to get snagged on one of the crutches on the ground.
Mercy hit the dirt head first with a high-pitched cry! A wild light sprang to her eyes in that instant, and she turned on the offending crutch with immediate ferocity. In her jaws, it whined, bent, and broke! But the fire did not go out of her eyes. She began to search the field, growling, looking for anything else that might do her harm.
Quote from Adriana on August 15, 2023, 10:50 am"Easy! Mercy, it's alright, it's-"
I flinched, the crutch was broken. I lost her. I had her and I lost her.
Now I needed to keep close in case she bolted for the cabin. I couldn't read her mind, tell what she was thinking about me, but she hadn't turned on me yet - if she did, it was game over; so I knew no matter what, I couldn't give her a reason to fear me.
That means no forcing her to do anything she wasn't ready.
The first thing I needed to do was take control of the environment. Standing near Mercy, but not over her; I rose to my full height and licked my nose, checking the air for several long moments. I was listening, breathing, praying. There was nothing to worry about. The bottles of glass beads danced in the moonlight, the breeze raked the grass gently. All was calm.
Something from a long time ago came back as clear as day; I began to hum. Not a growl, but a deep hum. I closed my eyes - it's alright, it's safe. My Momma would put my head on her chest and hum and all there would be was her humming and her heartbeat and the rest went away.
"Easy! Mercy, it's alright, it's-"
I flinched, the crutch was broken. I lost her. I had her and I lost her.
Now I needed to keep close in case she bolted for the cabin. I couldn't read her mind, tell what she was thinking about me, but she hadn't turned on me yet - if she did, it was game over; so I knew no matter what, I couldn't give her a reason to fear me.
That means no forcing her to do anything she wasn't ready.
The first thing I needed to do was take control of the environment. Standing near Mercy, but not over her; I rose to my full height and licked my nose, checking the air for several long moments. I was listening, breathing, praying. There was nothing to worry about. The bottles of glass beads danced in the moonlight, the breeze raked the grass gently. All was calm.
Something from a long time ago came back as clear as day; I began to hum. Not a growl, but a deep hum. I closed my eyes - it's alright, it's safe. My Momma would put my head on her chest and hum and all there would be was her humming and her heartbeat and the rest went away.
Quote from Kaqurei on August 15, 2023, 1:53 pmThe preacher got this. She might not have been glad Mercy's fury met her crutches, but Josh sure was. It bought time.
Two birds, one stone, two birds, one stone, was the only thing running through his head, on repeat, as he carefully picked his way down the boulders.
Keeping his body low to the ground, he crept across the field to the preacher's bag. He lumbered over it, rummaged through it, and found the bottle he was looking for.
Hunting wasn't something someone could do real quick. But he'd scented a small herd of mule deer not too far away; they'd be getting the hillbilly outta dodge the moment they smelled or heard any trace of werewolf--like humans, their instincts told them to avoid his kind, but wild things tend to actually listen to their instincts. But Mercy and the preacher were still downwind of the deer. And in the opposite direction of the cabin. Well looky there: four birds with one stone.
Josh figured all he had to do was get Mercy to *see* the deer. Her own instincts would take care of the rest.
He lumbered to the forest edge, just out of sight, drew the bottle to his lips, and blew.
The preacher got this. She might not have been glad Mercy's fury met her crutches, but Josh sure was. It bought time.
Two birds, one stone, two birds, one stone, was the only thing running through his head, on repeat, as he carefully picked his way down the boulders.
Keeping his body low to the ground, he crept across the field to the preacher's bag. He lumbered over it, rummaged through it, and found the bottle he was looking for.
Hunting wasn't something someone could do real quick. But he'd scented a small herd of mule deer not too far away; they'd be getting the hillbilly outta dodge the moment they smelled or heard any trace of werewolf--like humans, their instincts told them to avoid his kind, but wild things tend to actually listen to their instincts. But Mercy and the preacher were still downwind of the deer. And in the opposite direction of the cabin. Well looky there: four birds with one stone.
Josh figured all he had to do was get Mercy to *see* the deer. Her own instincts would take care of the rest.
He lumbered to the forest edge, just out of sight, drew the bottle to his lips, and blew.
Quote from Mae on August 15, 2023, 7:22 pmRobin's attempt to quell the wild rage in Mercy's eyes was met with opportunity. Mercy looked at Robin and found no fault in her. But she looked beyond Robin and saw that young male brute making off with one of Robin's treasures. She was immediately and thoroughly provoked. Before Josh had even blown on the bottle, Mercy was after him! He probably didn't see her - he might not have heard her - Mercy moved with unprecedented speed and horrifying ability. On one leg, her shape was like a Phantom fleeing across the field. And just at the moment Josh blew the bottle, she was on him!
Robin's attempt to quell the wild rage in Mercy's eyes was met with opportunity. Mercy looked at Robin and found no fault in her. But she looked beyond Robin and saw that young male brute making off with one of Robin's treasures. She was immediately and thoroughly provoked. Before Josh had even blown on the bottle, Mercy was after him! He probably didn't see her - he might not have heard her - Mercy moved with unprecedented speed and horrifying ability. On one leg, her shape was like a Phantom fleeing across the field. And just at the moment Josh blew the bottle, she was on him!
Quote from Kaqurei on August 15, 2023, 8:25 pmShe sure ran fast on three legs. Like, really really fast. And she was real quiet too. That was good. The deer probably wouldn't hear her coming. He sure didn't. She had good jaw stength. Sharp teeth. Could rip flesh good. Natural born killer. She could probably down three or four deer in a few minutes. That would probably be enough to satiate her. Maybe. She was kind of small. Two or three would probably be enough. Probably.
He was standing up tall; her maw securely fastened on his forearm and his other hand clutching her by the scruff to be sure she stayed there for a moment. Appraising her with a stupid headtilt.
But he looked up past her, at Robin, and slowly realized... perhaps... Perhaps he'd misstepped.
"Uhh, there's some deer, that way," he offered awkwardly, gesturing with his head in the direction of the herd.
She sure ran fast on three legs. Like, really really fast. And she was real quiet too. That was good. The deer probably wouldn't hear her coming. He sure didn't. She had good jaw stength. Sharp teeth. Could rip flesh good. Natural born killer. She could probably down three or four deer in a few minutes. That would probably be enough to satiate her. Maybe. She was kind of small. Two or three would probably be enough. Probably.
He was standing up tall; her maw securely fastened on his forearm and his other hand clutching her by the scruff to be sure she stayed there for a moment. Appraising her with a stupid headtilt.
But he looked up past her, at Robin, and slowly realized... perhaps... Perhaps he'd misstepped.
"Uhh, there's some deer, that way," he offered awkwardly, gesturing with his head in the direction of the herd.
Quote from Mae on August 15, 2023, 9:51 pmThe instant Josh lay paw on her, Mercy screamed! Her sound was both a woman's wail and the shriek of an animal in one. It split through the clearing and carried through the trees, and did not cease so long as he had a hold on her. She thrashed, and screamed, and could not escape!
The instant Josh lay paw on her, Mercy screamed! Her sound was both a woman's wail and the shriek of an animal in one. It split through the clearing and carried through the trees, and did not cease so long as he had a hold on her. She thrashed, and screamed, and could not escape!
Quote from Adriana on August 15, 2023, 10:12 pm“MERCY!”
I cried after her. I tried to lunge to catch her as she bolted, but it was too late. I could already smell the blood by the time I could realize what was happening.
“LET HER GO!” I roared, hitting the ground hard and coming upon them quickly! My heart was in my stomach; surely Mercy was in a trap, or the jaws of an enemy. We didn’t come this far to lose her.
“There’s some deer, that way.”
Of all the things and people under God’s blue sky sent to test me..
“BOY,” I growled, and reached my arms around the back of Mercy, hooking them under her shoulders, trying to draw her free and back, “Let go and get some space, RIGHT NOW.”
“MERCY!”
I cried after her. I tried to lunge to catch her as she bolted, but it was too late. I could already smell the blood by the time I could realize what was happening.
“LET HER GO!” I roared, hitting the ground hard and coming upon them quickly! My heart was in my stomach; surely Mercy was in a trap, or the jaws of an enemy. We didn’t come this far to lose her.
“There’s some deer, that way.”
Of all the things and people under God’s blue sky sent to test me..
“BOY,” I growled, and reached my arms around the back of Mercy, hooking them under her shoulders, trying to draw her free and back, “Let go and get some space, RIGHT NOW.”
Quote from Kaqurei on August 15, 2023, 10:54 pmJosh's ears flattened back at the sound of Mercy's scream, but he didn't let go.
Not until the preacher came at them and gave him a firm talking to. He hesitated a moment, even then. "Was deer that way," he mumbled, thought she probably didn't hear it over the fuss Mercy was making.
When he was sure the preacher had a good hold on her and wasn't going to get bit the moment he let go, he finally released his hold and backed off.
He'd had a bad idea. Surprise, surprise.
"Sorry. Thought she was hungry."
An earnest look at whatever sense was or wasn't in Mercy's eyes. "You hungry?"
Avoidance of the preacher's eyes at all costs. His eyes found his wounded arm. The blood was dripping off his fingers. He shook some of it off. Rubbed the rest on his pants. Then decided he couldn't be bothered with it when it kept running.
Josh's ears flattened back at the sound of Mercy's scream, but he didn't let go.
Not until the preacher came at them and gave him a firm talking to. He hesitated a moment, even then. "Was deer that way," he mumbled, thought she probably didn't hear it over the fuss Mercy was making.
When he was sure the preacher had a good hold on her and wasn't going to get bit the moment he let go, he finally released his hold and backed off.
He'd had a bad idea. Surprise, surprise.
"Sorry. Thought she was hungry."
An earnest look at whatever sense was or wasn't in Mercy's eyes. "You hungry?"
Avoidance of the preacher's eyes at all costs. His eyes found his wounded arm. The blood was dripping off his fingers. He shook some of it off. Rubbed the rest on his pants. Then decided he couldn't be bothered with it when it kept running.
Quote from Mae on August 16, 2023, 11:17 amMercy had to be dragged away from Josh. She tried multiple times to get at him again - all while continuing to make a lot of noise. Her screams, however, had turned into vehement roars, snarls, and growls. She snapped her teeth at him and kicked against poor Robin, reaching with her claws if perchance she might tear him again.
It lasted only a moment before Mercy relented and thrashed against Robin to get away from Josh. His question was met with a look of fear, hatred and dripping animosity - indeed, now dripping blood from her mouth, to go along with good jaw strength and sharp, flesh-ripping teeth, Mercy was the perfect picture of a monster. She would have hated herself if she were in her right mind.
Mercy had to be dragged away from Josh. She tried multiple times to get at him again - all while continuing to make a lot of noise. Her screams, however, had turned into vehement roars, snarls, and growls. She snapped her teeth at him and kicked against poor Robin, reaching with her claws if perchance she might tear him again.
It lasted only a moment before Mercy relented and thrashed against Robin to get away from Josh. His question was met with a look of fear, hatred and dripping animosity - indeed, now dripping blood from her mouth, to go along with good jaw strength and sharp, flesh-ripping teeth, Mercy was the perfect picture of a monster. She would have hated herself if she were in her right mind.
