Werewolves (RP 5): Secrets in the Orchard (01/13-04/14)
Quote from Indy on August 22, 2018, 1:55 pmIndy:
Theo couldn't find the presence of mind to move. He was still trying to process the blur of events, to think of what his body had done without his mind's consent. Had there really been shots fired? And had he just jumped towards the shots?! And done so to save someone he couldn't really call friend? The more he thought of it, the less it seemed like something he had done and more the actions taken by some stranger he heard of in a story. He couldn't really at this moment by flattened defensively over a prisoner that had given him the slip, all the while a gun being cocked and aimed for the killing shot.
What would his old pack have thought, being killed by someone not of the Great White Wolf's blood? Even his mother, who had lectured often about the glories of a noble death, would be ashamed of him.
He felt Levi squirming underneath his weight, but Theo hardly dared to budge. He felt much like a deer in the headlights that couldn't move no matter how much he saw the danger ahead. His muscles were tight and inflexible as his mind considered every angle of his monumental failure. Even as Levi gave him a quick kick to the gut, Theo moved only a few inches to the side and gasped as the air was kicked out of him.
Pah-kow!
The shot fired and he could feel it wringing in his ears. He waited for a cry out of pain--certainly Mildred had seen the two of them long enough to get in a good shot at this range-- but he heard none. Had she missed, again? He had taken the woman to be a far better shot than she had shown herself to be, but Theo was hardly one to complain.
Fwoosh! Something came thrashing out of the woods like a deranged cat, screaming Mildred's name, and bashing her gun against a rock. This something was none other than...Toby?! That didn't make sense, that couldn't be right-- but again, Theo was past questioning such miracles. Even Toby was a godsend, an end to this cautionary tale about guns.
He dared himself a sigh of relief. Somehow, miraculously, they had all made it through this nightmare unscathed. He suddenly became aware of his limbs; shaky though they were, there seemed just enough force in them to stand. He moved to stand.
But he couldn't! A blinding pain, no a line of fire, was burning from his hip to his calf. He crumbled to the ground like a battered tin can, his hands flying to staunch the spread of the pool of liquid he had somehow missed earlier. He had been wrong. Mildred had not missed; she had found her mark in his upper left thigh.
---
Jackie had let her guard down, and for that Timothy had taken those brief moments to his advantage. She needed time to think, she needed time to outwit the clever little runt—but such time was not afforded to her. The longer she waited the longer Timothy could continue his hunt. This was not acceptable.
If Kratos had given any command on the matter, Jackie did not wait to see. Just as the third bullet cracked into the air, she sprinted into the woods. Her maw drew back into a savage snarl and her growl filled the air. The time for patience and pretty words was gone. If Timothy wanted a hunt, then he best be prepared to fight for it.
Indy:
Theo couldn't find the presence of mind to move. He was still trying to process the blur of events, to think of what his body had done without his mind's consent. Had there really been shots fired? And had he just jumped towards the shots?! And done so to save someone he couldn't really call friend? The more he thought of it, the less it seemed like something he had done and more the actions taken by some stranger he heard of in a story. He couldn't really at this moment by flattened defensively over a prisoner that had given him the slip, all the while a gun being cocked and aimed for the killing shot.
What would his old pack have thought, being killed by someone not of the Great White Wolf's blood? Even his mother, who had lectured often about the glories of a noble death, would be ashamed of him.
He felt Levi squirming underneath his weight, but Theo hardly dared to budge. He felt much like a deer in the headlights that couldn't move no matter how much he saw the danger ahead. His muscles were tight and inflexible as his mind considered every angle of his monumental failure. Even as Levi gave him a quick kick to the gut, Theo moved only a few inches to the side and gasped as the air was kicked out of him.
Pah-kow!
The shot fired and he could feel it wringing in his ears. He waited for a cry out of pain--certainly Mildred had seen the two of them long enough to get in a good shot at this range-- but he heard none. Had she missed, again? He had taken the woman to be a far better shot than she had shown herself to be, but Theo was hardly one to complain.
Fwoosh! Something came thrashing out of the woods like a deranged cat, screaming Mildred's name, and bashing her gun against a rock. This something was none other than...Toby?! That didn't make sense, that couldn't be right-- but again, Theo was past questioning such miracles. Even Toby was a godsend, an end to this cautionary tale about guns.
He dared himself a sigh of relief. Somehow, miraculously, they had all made it through this nightmare unscathed. He suddenly became aware of his limbs; shaky though they were, there seemed just enough force in them to stand. He moved to stand.
But he couldn't! A blinding pain, no a line of fire, was burning from his hip to his calf. He crumbled to the ground like a battered tin can, his hands flying to staunch the spread of the pool of liquid he had somehow missed earlier. He had been wrong. Mildred had not missed; she had found her mark in his upper left thigh.
---
Jackie had let her guard down, and for that Timothy had taken those brief moments to his advantage. She needed time to think, she needed time to outwit the clever little runt—but such time was not afforded to her. The longer she waited the longer Timothy could continue his hunt. This was not acceptable.
If Kratos had given any command on the matter, Jackie did not wait to see. Just as the third bullet cracked into the air, she sprinted into the woods. Her maw drew back into a savage snarl and her growl filled the air. The time for patience and pretty words was gone. If Timothy wanted a hunt, then he best be prepared to fight for it.
Quote from Indy on August 22, 2018, 1:55 pmMay:
A little ways up the mountain from where the werewolves had come into conflict with the hunters, the other members of Mildred's company had begun to descend.
The men who had gone on ahead had been occupied with a false trail, but had believed it otherwise and so continued on their way. That is, before Mildred's first few shots struck the air and inspired a feeling of dread in each as they stood looking about on the woods.
"Is that Mildred?" asked the youngest of the three men, but the others did not reply. The first shot might have had them thinking things less urgent, but the shots that followed raised within the men feelings of curiosity and anxiety.
Quickly the three hunters turned on their course and began down the rocky path. They could not do so as swiftly as could Toby, but they went as well as they might with haste. At the moment Mildred's fourth shot rang clear, the three other hunters were nearly upon the scene.
******
But it was not Mildred's fourth shot in all sense that rang clear, for Toby had snatched the weapon and smashed it repeatedly on the ground! The first time it hit the earth the loaded rifle failed to fire, but the second time it went off and bent and blew the barrel as it did! Fortunately, the clumsy maiming of the weapon did not result in more bloodshed, as the bullet ricocheted on the great trunk of a tree overhead and vanished from knowledge.
Mildred had been winded when the form of Toby had cumbered over her from behind, and she might have lay slightly dazed for yet a single breath, but she was a woman firm since her youth and her instinct even in fear would obey her resolve.
With a quick turn, still strong with adrenaline, McGordner rolled over and grasped Adalaide's weapon from off the ground. There was not much scrambling, nor did Mildred struggle to her feet. In one moment she had taken hold of Adeliade's gun, and in the next it was aimed for Toby's back!
*****
When Timothy and Logan had sprung off, Kratos had moved only in attempt to grasp at the boy. It was a swift motion, not a snap of his jaws and hardly even seen by Timothy, but it was not accompanied by a growl or snarl or any other sign of urgency.
Timothy dodged like a fox; the Alpha could not match the speed with which the rogue suddenly flew forward at Logan, and not a moment later Jackie had taken off after them as well.
When the Alpha had failed to catch Timothy he shouted over his shoulder for Sabrina and then he took up the chase. He knew Sabrina need not be instructed now, for she would act whether the Alpha wished her to or not. Thus Kratos fell to the back, but did not seem driven down the mountain in Timothy's wake as did the others. He nearly moved at a casual pace, or at a light romp. His speed was naturally slower than the others, nonetheless it was a large and long stride. He did not press forward with any great urgency that could be detected, and as long as he could see the other members ahead of him he did not quicken his pace.
Ulric had taken up alongside Kratos, moving slower than he was capable and staying one foot behind the Alpha all the while. Still, he was not instructed, nor given any permission to act. Kratos said nothing to him and Ulric was frustrated by the absence of command when to act outside it would challenge the Alpha's authority.
"Kratos?" Ulric said. The Alpha did not reply.
It was then that Ulric began to see something in his adoptive brother which he had not fully realized before; Kratos did not trust him, and thus would not instruct him as a member of his pack.
Coming to this realization inspired feelings of greater frustration in Ulric, and a sort of sadness. But he did not run on past Kratos' leg, nor would he move to any action without command or consent.
******
Timothy sensed the chase behind him. He knew Sabrina would come at him, and he heard also the thrashing of the others through the undergrowth. Logan was at the head, but she was not as quick as those who would be coming after her, Timothy thus began a fiercer tread and swiftly came to run ahead of her. Some part of him must have trembled at the power with which the others drove at his back, but if there was more to be seen it was not and Timothy's stride changed shortly thereafter. Though he became faster his movement became more elegant and less unnatural.
Several garbled snarls and barks were directed over Timothy's shoulder, continuing to mock and antagonize Logan as he carefully navigated the way forward!
May:
A little ways up the mountain from where the werewolves had come into conflict with the hunters, the other members of Mildred's company had begun to descend.
The men who had gone on ahead had been occupied with a false trail, but had believed it otherwise and so continued on their way. That is, before Mildred's first few shots struck the air and inspired a feeling of dread in each as they stood looking about on the woods.
"Is that Mildred?" asked the youngest of the three men, but the others did not reply. The first shot might have had them thinking things less urgent, but the shots that followed raised within the men feelings of curiosity and anxiety.
Quickly the three hunters turned on their course and began down the rocky path. They could not do so as swiftly as could Toby, but they went as well as they might with haste. At the moment Mildred's fourth shot rang clear, the three other hunters were nearly upon the scene.
******
But it was not Mildred's fourth shot in all sense that rang clear, for Toby had snatched the weapon and smashed it repeatedly on the ground! The first time it hit the earth the loaded rifle failed to fire, but the second time it went off and bent and blew the barrel as it did! Fortunately, the clumsy maiming of the weapon did not result in more bloodshed, as the bullet ricocheted on the great trunk of a tree overhead and vanished from knowledge.
Mildred had been winded when the form of Toby had cumbered over her from behind, and she might have lay slightly dazed for yet a single breath, but she was a woman firm since her youth and her instinct even in fear would obey her resolve.
With a quick turn, still strong with adrenaline, McGordner rolled over and grasped Adalaide's weapon from off the ground. There was not much scrambling, nor did Mildred struggle to her feet. In one moment she had taken hold of Adeliade's gun, and in the next it was aimed for Toby's back!
*****
When Timothy and Logan had sprung off, Kratos had moved only in attempt to grasp at the boy. It was a swift motion, not a snap of his jaws and hardly even seen by Timothy, but it was not accompanied by a growl or snarl or any other sign of urgency.
Timothy dodged like a fox; the Alpha could not match the speed with which the rogue suddenly flew forward at Logan, and not a moment later Jackie had taken off after them as well.
When the Alpha had failed to catch Timothy he shouted over his shoulder for Sabrina and then he took up the chase. He knew Sabrina need not be instructed now, for she would act whether the Alpha wished her to or not. Thus Kratos fell to the back, but did not seem driven down the mountain in Timothy's wake as did the others. He nearly moved at a casual pace, or at a light romp. His speed was naturally slower than the others, nonetheless it was a large and long stride. He did not press forward with any great urgency that could be detected, and as long as he could see the other members ahead of him he did not quicken his pace.
Ulric had taken up alongside Kratos, moving slower than he was capable and staying one foot behind the Alpha all the while. Still, he was not instructed, nor given any permission to act. Kratos said nothing to him and Ulric was frustrated by the absence of command when to act outside it would challenge the Alpha's authority.
"Kratos?" Ulric said. The Alpha did not reply.
It was then that Ulric began to see something in his adoptive brother which he had not fully realized before; Kratos did not trust him, and thus would not instruct him as a member of his pack.
Coming to this realization inspired feelings of greater frustration in Ulric, and a sort of sadness. But he did not run on past Kratos' leg, nor would he move to any action without command or consent.
******
Timothy sensed the chase behind him. He knew Sabrina would come at him, and he heard also the thrashing of the others through the undergrowth. Logan was at the head, but she was not as quick as those who would be coming after her, Timothy thus began a fiercer tread and swiftly came to run ahead of her. Some part of him must have trembled at the power with which the others drove at his back, but if there was more to be seen it was not and Timothy's stride changed shortly thereafter. Though he became faster his movement became more elegant and less unnatural.
Several garbled snarls and barks were directed over Timothy's shoulder, continuing to mock and antagonize Logan as he carefully navigated the way forward!
Quote from Indy on August 22, 2018, 1:56 pmAim:
As the fourth shot rung out, Chime shook her head, as to clear it. Funny how sounds could help one get a grip on reality.
Seeing a movement out of the corner of her eye, she snapped her head towards the woman that Toby disarmed.. had she found another..?
Hardly daring to think, she jumped up, kicking the gun away! Knowing this to possibly be a temporary fix, she quickly ran up to Toby, meaning just to touch him on the shoulder, but also let out a sharp bark, she needed his attention.
Looking towards Theo, she winced, a small whine fled from her before she could stop it, this had to stop, and soon if they didn't all want to end up dead!
"Toby, you and me-." She growled the words with much more control then she felt.. but then again, how was she to know the prisoner would not just leave Theo? She trusted him once this evening, and that is how they got into this mess.. But she knew it would be silly of her to try and carry Theo, no, though it may be a small possibility that she would be able, and definitely not while he was injured. "No.. I will get the hunters off our backs. Get Theo somewhere safe. Please. No questions."
Aim:
As the fourth shot rung out, Chime shook her head, as to clear it. Funny how sounds could help one get a grip on reality.
Seeing a movement out of the corner of her eye, she snapped her head towards the woman that Toby disarmed.. had she found another..?
Hardly daring to think, she jumped up, kicking the gun away! Knowing this to possibly be a temporary fix, she quickly ran up to Toby, meaning just to touch him on the shoulder, but also let out a sharp bark, she needed his attention.
Looking towards Theo, she winced, a small whine fled from her before she could stop it, this had to stop, and soon if they didn't all want to end up dead!
"Toby, you and me-." She growled the words with much more control then she felt.. but then again, how was she to know the prisoner would not just leave Theo? She trusted him once this evening, and that is how they got into this mess.. But she knew it would be silly of her to try and carry Theo, no, though it may be a small possibility that she would be able, and definitely not while he was injured. "No.. I will get the hunters off our backs. Get Theo somewhere safe. Please. No questions."
Quote from Indy on August 22, 2018, 1:56 pmDez:
No matter how much she strained, how much dirt and earth was torn up beneath her paws, Logan could do nothing to keep up with Timothy. Panning her ears back now, she heard the steps of the others not far behind.
Now her maw opened again, this time to let out three rumbling, malicious barks towards Timothy, even as her pace slowed. As the others - or at least she assumed there were others, though it might have just been one - grew near, her motivation to continue in the futile chase wavered. Still she continued onward, though at a slower and less driven pace - the others would beat her to the catch and, if there was still time, she would have her chance at a fight! Then the coward would see that while running was her weak point, she could hold her own in a battle of strength and brute force. What chance would he stand then?
Still, Logan wasn't completely ready to give up the chase just yet. After slowing briefly for a moment, she caught her breath and then, mustering up every ounce of vigor her in muscles, she pushed towards Timothy even quicker than before, more carefully following the path laid out in front of her and gaining more confidence in her footing with every passing moment! If this final show of drive lasted only a couple of short moments, it would be worth it, as she felt she could almost (if barely) gain on him.
Dez:
No matter how much she strained, how much dirt and earth was torn up beneath her paws, Logan could do nothing to keep up with Timothy. Panning her ears back now, she heard the steps of the others not far behind.
Now her maw opened again, this time to let out three rumbling, malicious barks towards Timothy, even as her pace slowed. As the others - or at least she assumed there were others, though it might have just been one - grew near, her motivation to continue in the futile chase wavered. Still she continued onward, though at a slower and less driven pace - the others would beat her to the catch and, if there was still time, she would have her chance at a fight! Then the coward would see that while running was her weak point, she could hold her own in a battle of strength and brute force. What chance would he stand then?
Still, Logan wasn't completely ready to give up the chase just yet. After slowing briefly for a moment, she caught her breath and then, mustering up every ounce of vigor her in muscles, she pushed towards Timothy even quicker than before, more carefully following the path laid out in front of her and gaining more confidence in her footing with every passing moment! If this final show of drive lasted only a couple of short moments, it would be worth it, as she felt she could almost (if barely) gain on him.
Quote from Indy on August 22, 2018, 1:56 pmKaqurei:
"Confound i' tall!" Levi snarled, rolling over onto his belly and then to his feet even as Theo was moving to stand up. "Curse my dirty hide, curse it! Leeches and rot! Theo, m'lad, what w're yeh thinkin'?!" Theo sank, but Levi already knew he had been hit; though he could not smell the blood, he had felt the hot liquid splash across his own belly from the impact of the bullet in Theo's haunch.
There was a flash of movement in the corner of his eye, and his attention snapped to it--he no sooner realized Mildred had another gun and was aiming at Toby than Chime had knocked it out of the woman's hands. His eyes darted to the other unconscious figure laying not so far away, Adelaide, partly to see if she would wake and stir, and partly to see if there was another weapon laying around for someone to grab. In doing so, he realized that's where Mildred had found the second rifle, and that there shouldn't be much fear in there being another with the second dealt with already. But hadn't there been a third figure...? There was no time to consider it. He heard voices, and saw more lights approaching from the forest.
["Toby, you and me- No.. I will get the hunters off our backs. Get Theo somewhere safe. Please. No questions."]
He was already shaking his head. "Nah, nah! Forget tha!" he cried, his ears pinned back, "Ye'll jest get yerself killed! Please, I know a place ta hide, an' 'tis not far! I'll need a hand with Theo--please, we've got ta hurry!"
***
Sabrina had no desire to be seen, and, for a creature as large and stark white as she was, she was amazingly adept at it. In the full moon's light, she could harness the unearthly shadows cast in the forest to her advantage, move even as the whispers through the trees and the silver light itself.
Still, the gunshots tore the air. Four now. The last two had been closer together, and she was beginning to wonder if the hunters really had found members of the pack that quickly. How was it that every month, everything could go so wrong?
She flicked her ears back. Forget it. She had to focus. Timothy was now as he had always been; her self-proclaimed first responsibility. They had to have planned for this. After the devastation of last month, how could they not?
She raced on, swiftly to keep up with them, but pacing herself so as not to spend too much energy on the pursuit. Timothy would be expecting her to make this move. He had spent a month learning her as much as she had been learning him. But she had not shown him all her tricks, for that purpose. And... as the chase dragged on, Timothy's game was becoming a little more clear to her...
Kaqurei:
"Confound i' tall!" Levi snarled, rolling over onto his belly and then to his feet even as Theo was moving to stand up. "Curse my dirty hide, curse it! Leeches and rot! Theo, m'lad, what w're yeh thinkin'?!" Theo sank, but Levi already knew he had been hit; though he could not smell the blood, he had felt the hot liquid splash across his own belly from the impact of the bullet in Theo's haunch.
There was a flash of movement in the corner of his eye, and his attention snapped to it--he no sooner realized Mildred had another gun and was aiming at Toby than Chime had knocked it out of the woman's hands. His eyes darted to the other unconscious figure laying not so far away, Adelaide, partly to see if she would wake and stir, and partly to see if there was another weapon laying around for someone to grab. In doing so, he realized that's where Mildred had found the second rifle, and that there shouldn't be much fear in there being another with the second dealt with already. But hadn't there been a third figure...? There was no time to consider it. He heard voices, and saw more lights approaching from the forest.
["Toby, you and me- No.. I will get the hunters off our backs. Get Theo somewhere safe. Please. No questions."]
He was already shaking his head. "Nah, nah! Forget tha!" he cried, his ears pinned back, "Ye'll jest get yerself killed! Please, I know a place ta hide, an' 'tis not far! I'll need a hand with Theo--please, we've got ta hurry!"
***
Sabrina had no desire to be seen, and, for a creature as large and stark white as she was, she was amazingly adept at it. In the full moon's light, she could harness the unearthly shadows cast in the forest to her advantage, move even as the whispers through the trees and the silver light itself.
Still, the gunshots tore the air. Four now. The last two had been closer together, and she was beginning to wonder if the hunters really had found members of the pack that quickly. How was it that every month, everything could go so wrong?
She flicked her ears back. Forget it. She had to focus. Timothy was now as he had always been; her self-proclaimed first responsibility. They had to have planned for this. After the devastation of last month, how could they not?
She raced on, swiftly to keep up with them, but pacing herself so as not to spend too much energy on the pursuit. Timothy would be expecting her to make this move. He had spent a month learning her as much as she had been learning him. But she had not shown him all her tricks, for that purpose. And... as the chase dragged on, Timothy's game was becoming a little more clear to her...
Quote from Indy on August 22, 2018, 1:56 pmMay:
Mildred made a grunt and she rolled over on her face as Adeliade's gun hit the trees short of the path. No doubt she would seek her weapon after a moment if there was a chance, but when the weapon had met the impact of Chime's kick, it had brought Mildred's wrist around in a twist and hurt her lower arm. The hunter would need a second or two to recover, but fortunately the loaded weapon did not fire as it was flung from her hand.
Meanwhile, Tammy's heart pounded hard in her chest as she considered what she was about to do. To move anywhere by herself, it being dark and steep terrain on which she sat, would indeed be foolhardy. Yet Tammy knew how to escape her predicament, if she had the opportunity, and her real fear stemmed from what she might be able to do about the situation overhead.
Tammy could hear the voices, gnarled and rumbling as they were, just above and understood the words with some difficulty. Tones she could understand not at all, and the growling and snarling made translation quite difficult, but the voices of them that spoke were clearly two different individuals. The third, she guessed, who was mentioned by name must have been injured, for so far he did not speak and the others were concerned.
Fitting her foothold carefully, Tammy brought herself to a standing position and moved slowly toward the ledge. The ground was made mostly of loose, sharp-cut stones which crackled and slipped on occasion as she climbed. She did not know how far down the cliff side might be, or if it was sloped or a sheer drop, but she knew that if ever a stone slipped loose the sound only tumbled a short ways before falling silent. That might mean that the stone was long in falling, or fell on something soft, or perhaps was short in rolling and lodged itself again. Anyway, it was not important, and very quickly she was against the dirt wall beneath the path.
There were roots and bushes sticking out of the rocks all around, but the wall would be difficult to climb. Pressing her hands up against the wall Tammy searched for some leverage, but there was none. The earth was too soft, the roots too weak, and the stones too smooth to bear her. However, there was another ledge to Tammy's left, that by a guess lead around to more stable ground and perhaps even back up to the platform. The only problem being that it was much too far to reach by a human of her stature.
It was then that Tammy felt the moisture on her left arm. At first she might have thought it to be from the wall, but a moment later she knew it was not and that understanding brought a different set of troubles. Tammy's left arm was all numb and sore, so she had not at first noticed, and she might not have heeded the blood had the situation been different. But as it was, necessity demanded the wound be covered immediately, especially if she should follow through with her intentions. But the terrain was steep and her stance unstable, so it would not be done easily.
As quick as she dared, Tammy glanced at her surrounding and snatched up a weed sticking out from the rocks. She needn't examine it to know the plant, all she needed was to smell it and then rub it on her injured arm. The oil stung terribly! Then the plant was discarded off the cliff and Tammy covered her hands with mud from the wall.
Now, prepared to move on, Tammy listened overhead again. In the near distance she could hear the voices of the other members of the party returning, and now something needed to be done. She drew a deep breath, focused inwardly with a quiet and calm fear in her heart, and then braced herself for what she believed would come next.
May:
Mildred made a grunt and she rolled over on her face as Adeliade's gun hit the trees short of the path. No doubt she would seek her weapon after a moment if there was a chance, but when the weapon had met the impact of Chime's kick, it had brought Mildred's wrist around in a twist and hurt her lower arm. The hunter would need a second or two to recover, but fortunately the loaded weapon did not fire as it was flung from her hand.
Meanwhile, Tammy's heart pounded hard in her chest as she considered what she was about to do. To move anywhere by herself, it being dark and steep terrain on which she sat, would indeed be foolhardy. Yet Tammy knew how to escape her predicament, if she had the opportunity, and her real fear stemmed from what she might be able to do about the situation overhead.
Tammy could hear the voices, gnarled and rumbling as they were, just above and understood the words with some difficulty. Tones she could understand not at all, and the growling and snarling made translation quite difficult, but the voices of them that spoke were clearly two different individuals. The third, she guessed, who was mentioned by name must have been injured, for so far he did not speak and the others were concerned.
Fitting her foothold carefully, Tammy brought herself to a standing position and moved slowly toward the ledge. The ground was made mostly of loose, sharp-cut stones which crackled and slipped on occasion as she climbed. She did not know how far down the cliff side might be, or if it was sloped or a sheer drop, but she knew that if ever a stone slipped loose the sound only tumbled a short ways before falling silent. That might mean that the stone was long in falling, or fell on something soft, or perhaps was short in rolling and lodged itself again. Anyway, it was not important, and very quickly she was against the dirt wall beneath the path.
There were roots and bushes sticking out of the rocks all around, but the wall would be difficult to climb. Pressing her hands up against the wall Tammy searched for some leverage, but there was none. The earth was too soft, the roots too weak, and the stones too smooth to bear her. However, there was another ledge to Tammy's left, that by a guess lead around to more stable ground and perhaps even back up to the platform. The only problem being that it was much too far to reach by a human of her stature.
It was then that Tammy felt the moisture on her left arm. At first she might have thought it to be from the wall, but a moment later she knew it was not and that understanding brought a different set of troubles. Tammy's left arm was all numb and sore, so she had not at first noticed, and she might not have heeded the blood had the situation been different. But as it was, necessity demanded the wound be covered immediately, especially if she should follow through with her intentions. But the terrain was steep and her stance unstable, so it would not be done easily.
As quick as she dared, Tammy glanced at her surrounding and snatched up a weed sticking out from the rocks. She needn't examine it to know the plant, all she needed was to smell it and then rub it on her injured arm. The oil stung terribly! Then the plant was discarded off the cliff and Tammy covered her hands with mud from the wall.
Now, prepared to move on, Tammy listened overhead again. In the near distance she could hear the voices of the other members of the party returning, and now something needed to be done. She drew a deep breath, focused inwardly with a quiet and calm fear in her heart, and then braced herself for what she believed would come next.
Quote from Indy on August 22, 2018, 1:56 pmIndy:
"S-sssorr-ry," Theo rattled to Levi. While his own actions had put him in this mess, it had been a lack of thought that was more responsible than actual thinking. He tried to explain this to Levi, but the words died somewhere in his throat.
In the meantime, he watched Mildred with slanted green slits; much like Levi, he was concerned she might find some other weapon to conjure out of thin air. His gaze then drifted from Toby and Chime, relieved to see they were uninjured. It would be nice if it would stay that way.
"No hero stuff," he mumbled, almost inaudibly,"Let's just... run?"
---
Jackie made quick progress through the forest. Although she had never before run as quickly as she was in this form, she was delighted to learn there was indeed some speed to her. Although still entirely fixated on Timothy, some small part of her couldn't help but feel a kind of joy as she seemed to fly through the trees. Her side began to ache from the effort, but adrenaline made it seem insignificant and she ran all the more quickly.
She could smell Logan up ahead and another pursuing her-- no doubt Timothy. If she squinted, she could just make out the slightest form of movement. This was all the motivation she needed to run even faster than before and her gait adjusted into a speedy sprint; in a matter of minutes she was only ten yards behind. Her lips drew into yet another feral snarl.
Indy:
"S-sssorr-ry," Theo rattled to Levi. While his own actions had put him in this mess, it had been a lack of thought that was more responsible than actual thinking. He tried to explain this to Levi, but the words died somewhere in his throat.
In the meantime, he watched Mildred with slanted green slits; much like Levi, he was concerned she might find some other weapon to conjure out of thin air. His gaze then drifted from Toby and Chime, relieved to see they were uninjured. It would be nice if it would stay that way.
"No hero stuff," he mumbled, almost inaudibly,"Let's just... run?"
---
Jackie made quick progress through the forest. Although she had never before run as quickly as she was in this form, she was delighted to learn there was indeed some speed to her. Although still entirely fixated on Timothy, some small part of her couldn't help but feel a kind of joy as she seemed to fly through the trees. Her side began to ache from the effort, but adrenaline made it seem insignificant and she ran all the more quickly.
She could smell Logan up ahead and another pursuing her-- no doubt Timothy. If she squinted, she could just make out the slightest form of movement. This was all the motivation she needed to run even faster than before and her gait adjusted into a speedy sprint; in a matter of minutes she was only ten yards behind. Her lips drew into yet another feral snarl.
Quote from Indy on August 22, 2018, 1:56 pmKaqurei:
Levi looked at Theo. 'Tis no good, no good 't all! he thought to himself. "Stay with us, lad," he breathed, trying to keep his voice as calm and level as possible. It wasn't much good, his own shaky breathing betrayed his stress into his voice, but he kept at it anyway, "Relax, keep yer head; we'll get out o' this fix a'right." Even as he spoke he was removing his shirt and tearing it lengthwise to make a crude bandage, and he cast a quick glance up at the ever-approaching lights of the rest of the hunting party. They'd be on them in a moment, and that would be that. He bent down and with limbs shaking from pure adrenaline and started wrapping up Theo's injury. It would at the very least slow the bleeding... and, anyway, it'd minimize a potential blood trail for the hunters to follow. "Oi, you! Give us a hand, will yeh?" he barked with a quick look at Toby, pulling Theo's arm around his shoulder and helping him up. In the same breath, but a quieter voice to Theo, "Easy nu, we've got ta move quick. Jest breathe, Theo, a'right? We're headin' to a place jest down the way, an' we'll be safe there, yeh hear me? Come on nu. What's a mite hit to the leg, eh? Ye'll be fine, jest fine."
Kaqurei:
Levi looked at Theo. 'Tis no good, no good 't all! he thought to himself. "Stay with us, lad," he breathed, trying to keep his voice as calm and level as possible. It wasn't much good, his own shaky breathing betrayed his stress into his voice, but he kept at it anyway, "Relax, keep yer head; we'll get out o' this fix a'right." Even as he spoke he was removing his shirt and tearing it lengthwise to make a crude bandage, and he cast a quick glance up at the ever-approaching lights of the rest of the hunting party. They'd be on them in a moment, and that would be that. He bent down and with limbs shaking from pure adrenaline and started wrapping up Theo's injury. It would at the very least slow the bleeding... and, anyway, it'd minimize a potential blood trail for the hunters to follow. "Oi, you! Give us a hand, will yeh?" he barked with a quick look at Toby, pulling Theo's arm around his shoulder and helping him up. In the same breath, but a quieter voice to Theo, "Easy nu, we've got ta move quick. Jest breathe, Theo, a'right? We're headin' to a place jest down the way, an' we'll be safe there, yeh hear me? Come on nu. What's a mite hit to the leg, eh? Ye'll be fine, jest fine."
Quote from Indy on August 22, 2018, 1:57 pmCathannah:
Chime had gotten Toby's full attention, but not because she had barked so suddenly-- As a matter of fact, Toby had turned around the instant Chime had kicked the second gun from Milred's hand.
"AHK! Don't hurt her! She's not as tough as she looks, don't hurt her!" Toby cried, throwing the twisted metal remains of the first gun over his shoulder and approaching Mildred with clear intent to check her wrist.
Another bark from Levi reminded him of their current predicament and caused him to halt just in time. Worried as he was for her, Mildred probably wouldn't have accepted any help from him at present; seeing as he was big ugly dog right now. Grabbing her arm wouldn't do more than give her a heart attack by showing these mutant bear-dogs had jointed fingers and posable thumbs.
The on-coming voices and lights was just icing on the mental-break-down cake for Toby. Chime had told him to do something, and so had the evil spy-guy. Spy-guy's plan sounded better, but he was the enemy! And what of poor Mildred? Or the others? He was too overwhelmed.
"No, no! They'll follow you! We can't get Theo out of her without crushing the plants and leaving a clear trail-- And Mildred will tell 'em which way we went! ..No, no, no! You go! Chime, Chime, go! I had a job to do! Kratos gave me a job! You go!" He shouted, quick as one having a sugar rush-- Then, with the agility of a kitten attacking a yarn ball, he sprang off toward the on-coming hunters.
Fast as a whisp! As fast as he could go, hopefully before they new what hit them! He sprang into the midst of the group and barreled through them!
Cathannah:
Chime had gotten Toby's full attention, but not because she had barked so suddenly-- As a matter of fact, Toby had turned around the instant Chime had kicked the second gun from Milred's hand.
"AHK! Don't hurt her! She's not as tough as she looks, don't hurt her!" Toby cried, throwing the twisted metal remains of the first gun over his shoulder and approaching Mildred with clear intent to check her wrist.
Another bark from Levi reminded him of their current predicament and caused him to halt just in time. Worried as he was for her, Mildred probably wouldn't have accepted any help from him at present; seeing as he was big ugly dog right now. Grabbing her arm wouldn't do more than give her a heart attack by showing these mutant bear-dogs had jointed fingers and posable thumbs.
The on-coming voices and lights was just icing on the mental-break-down cake for Toby. Chime had told him to do something, and so had the evil spy-guy. Spy-guy's plan sounded better, but he was the enemy! And what of poor Mildred? Or the others? He was too overwhelmed.
"No, no! They'll follow you! We can't get Theo out of her without crushing the plants and leaving a clear trail-- And Mildred will tell 'em which way we went! ..No, no, no! You go! Chime, Chime, go! I had a job to do! Kratos gave me a job! You go!" He shouted, quick as one having a sugar rush-- Then, with the agility of a kitten attacking a yarn ball, he sprang off toward the on-coming hunters.
Fast as a whisp! As fast as he could go, hopefully before they new what hit them! He sprang into the midst of the group and barreled through them!
Quote from Indy on August 22, 2018, 1:57 pmMay:
It was to Timothy as if the world had decided to stand still. At first he heard the breathing of the others behind him, each individually, and surrounding them the snap and rustle of the forest giving way to their passage. He knew how far behind his pursuers were as a group, and also where each member stood alone; Logan was nearest, and Jackie a short distance behind her. Sabrina had distanced herself from the others; a tactical maneuver to help her gain the position she required. The furthest off was Kratos, and beside him Ulric. All seemed to have focus on Timothy.
"If I run then I'm his prey."
The memory echoed in Timothy's ears as all other sounds fell silent. The familiar feeling of pain growing in his back became present, and he knew his energy was waning as every muscle in his body began to strain. He knew there was a reason why he was running. He did not want his pursuer to stop, he wanted her to follow him. "But why?" The question was familiar.
All of these sensations and memories filled Timothy's mind and body with dreadful fear as some part of him began to remember; These were all things he had experienced before - this had happened before! But where was the girl? Was she safe from the beast?
Timothy felt his heart pounding harder and harder, his breath became difficult to control. His paws seemed to tremble under his weight, but they did not yet allow him to falter. He was growing weaker, yet he could not understand why. He had pushed himself harder than this before. He had run further in shorter time without loosing himself.
A cruel voice shouted from the back of Timothy's mind and his eyes sharpened again. The tears were forgotten as they fell away through his fur. Then the girl's scream split through Timothy's ears and all at once he remembered the pain! The fear penetrated his soul with such merciless strikes that his blood ran cold and his heart cried out!
"No!" It would be different this time! Yes, he remembered the beast, how it hurt him and drove him! It taught him how to kill - no opponent was too great to bleed, and if struck precisely, die. Swift and soundless. That was all it took, and though he could not bring himself to do it then, for her he would do it now.
This was the right place, Timothy remembered the terrain. He knew it and could use it. Without a warning, without the slightest hesitation or a hint at the action beforehand, Timothy propelled himself into a great tree! A strange clutter in the tree provided him landing, and then he bounded backwards and swung himself from the branches.
The swiftness of his movement and the color of his coat made it seem as if he vanished all of a sudden! When without a moment spared Timothy fell from the trees and clasped Logan's back!
Growling and snarling Timothy tightened his jaws on the back of Logan's neck and with a vise-like grip wrapped his arms under hers that she could not shake nor grab him!
As he had fallen upon her, Timothy had kicked a tree to use his weight and throw Logan off balance, therefore ensuring that her body would come between him and the others should they attack.
His opponent was larger and stronger than he, but Timothy had been taught where fatal wounds might be inflicted. His speed was what matched him to her strength, as long as she could not take him in her jaws or hands! What was more, this terrain was a place only Timothy knew, and beyond the tree which he had used was a hidden trap; a short drop into which he intended to maneuver Logan!
May:
It was to Timothy as if the world had decided to stand still. At first he heard the breathing of the others behind him, each individually, and surrounding them the snap and rustle of the forest giving way to their passage. He knew how far behind his pursuers were as a group, and also where each member stood alone; Logan was nearest, and Jackie a short distance behind her. Sabrina had distanced herself from the others; a tactical maneuver to help her gain the position she required. The furthest off was Kratos, and beside him Ulric. All seemed to have focus on Timothy.
"If I run then I'm his prey."
The memory echoed in Timothy's ears as all other sounds fell silent. The familiar feeling of pain growing in his back became present, and he knew his energy was waning as every muscle in his body began to strain. He knew there was a reason why he was running. He did not want his pursuer to stop, he wanted her to follow him. "But why?" The question was familiar.
All of these sensations and memories filled Timothy's mind and body with dreadful fear as some part of him began to remember; These were all things he had experienced before - this had happened before! But where was the girl? Was she safe from the beast?
Timothy felt his heart pounding harder and harder, his breath became difficult to control. His paws seemed to tremble under his weight, but they did not yet allow him to falter. He was growing weaker, yet he could not understand why. He had pushed himself harder than this before. He had run further in shorter time without loosing himself.
A cruel voice shouted from the back of Timothy's mind and his eyes sharpened again. The tears were forgotten as they fell away through his fur. Then the girl's scream split through Timothy's ears and all at once he remembered the pain! The fear penetrated his soul with such merciless strikes that his blood ran cold and his heart cried out!
"No!" It would be different this time! Yes, he remembered the beast, how it hurt him and drove him! It taught him how to kill - no opponent was too great to bleed, and if struck precisely, die. Swift and soundless. That was all it took, and though he could not bring himself to do it then, for her he would do it now.
This was the right place, Timothy remembered the terrain. He knew it and could use it. Without a warning, without the slightest hesitation or a hint at the action beforehand, Timothy propelled himself into a great tree! A strange clutter in the tree provided him landing, and then he bounded backwards and swung himself from the branches.
The swiftness of his movement and the color of his coat made it seem as if he vanished all of a sudden! When without a moment spared Timothy fell from the trees and clasped Logan's back!
Growling and snarling Timothy tightened his jaws on the back of Logan's neck and with a vise-like grip wrapped his arms under hers that she could not shake nor grab him!
As he had fallen upon her, Timothy had kicked a tree to use his weight and throw Logan off balance, therefore ensuring that her body would come between him and the others should they attack.
His opponent was larger and stronger than he, but Timothy had been taught where fatal wounds might be inflicted. His speed was what matched him to her strength, as long as she could not take him in her jaws or hands! What was more, this terrain was a place only Timothy knew, and beyond the tree which he had used was a hidden trap; a short drop into which he intended to maneuver Logan!
