Werewolves (RP19) "What the Moon Has to Say"
Quote from Kaqurei on September 3, 2024, 4:05 pmSabrina looked at the basket Theo held with renewed interest. She tilted her head (almost comical, how natural an expression of curiosity looked on her).
She looked and met his eyes again. "How does it work?"
There were more questions, but she would not ask them yet. Nor would she divert her attention to the Logan's stranger, though she had given him to her without explanation, and she was curious about that, too. Theo and his mysterious flowers took precedence, for now.
Sabrina looked at the basket Theo held with renewed interest. She tilted her head (almost comical, how natural an expression of curiosity looked on her).
She looked and met his eyes again. "How does it work?"
There were more questions, but she would not ask them yet. Nor would she divert her attention to the Logan's stranger, though she had given him to her without explanation, and she was curious about that, too. Theo and his mysterious flowers took precedence, for now.
Quote from Adriana on September 3, 2024, 11:43 pmLiam waited, patiently. His eyes wandered to the windows of the cabins, which poured out their yellow light, and to the training arena. He listened to the young man speak in his nervous manner, and saw how the woman’s focus did not waver.
Was she a beta? It made sense. He was not surprised—and in fact expected—that he would not be prioritized as a man in a pack that was not his own. He reached behind his head and checked that the beads of bone and wood were secure, and turned his eyes curiously on Timothy again.
Liam waited, patiently. His eyes wandered to the windows of the cabins, which poured out their yellow light, and to the training arena. He listened to the young man speak in his nervous manner, and saw how the woman’s focus did not waver.
Was she a beta? It made sense. He was not surprised—and in fact expected—that he would not be prioritized as a man in a pack that was not his own. He reached behind his head and checked that the beads of bone and wood were secure, and turned his eyes curiously on Timothy again.
Quote from Mae on September 5, 2024, 3:45 amUlric kept his eyes on Bianca. Something wasn't right. But he didn't know what it was. Bianca just wasn't acting like herself tonight. She was kinda... all over the place. If only he knew what he was looking for.
*****
Kratos' soft white hand released Jackie's wrist, and her hand was left to remain or be taken as she would.
"That is the beginning of wisdom." Kratos identified it for her. "It feels like weakness until it is understood. That is a part of true power, to know and understand the consequences of our actions."
****
Ulric kept his eyes on Bianca. Something wasn't right. But he didn't know what it was. Bianca just wasn't acting like herself tonight. She was kinda... all over the place. If only he knew what he was looking for.
*****
Kratos' soft white hand released Jackie's wrist, and her hand was left to remain or be taken as she would.
"That is the beginning of wisdom." Kratos identified it for her. "It feels like weakness until it is understood. That is a part of true power, to know and understand the consequences of our actions."
****
Quote from Mae on September 5, 2024, 3:46 amThe striped shadow watched Liam, just as Liam watched him. No human thought or emotion played on his features, but in his eyes there was a sense, as if a knowing smile...
*****
"We were just waiting for Chime." Ulric said softly. His gaze went to Logan.
His expression told it; he didn't know why Bianca was acting this way, he was worried about her.
"Logan's right, though," Ulric said, rubbing the back of his neck and turning around to face the direction he last heard Chime's voice. "It's pointless for us to be out here just standing around."
"Can you call to her, Logan?" Ulric asked, turning back. He didn't know why he didn't just ask Bianca the same... maybe he felt it would be too great an imposition. Or maybe it was just how she responded to Logan's request, perhaps she would feel like he was demanding something of her.
*****,
Meanwhile...
In the shadows of the Calagathorm prison, for a time or a time or two, there was more to be felt and seen and heard than could be said... and it would not be said. Only that as the white light of a radiant moon looked down, and it's beams filled the shadows like a swelling pool, Tiffany looked up.
For the first time since her unfortunate accident in the mines, Tiffany reached into herself and felt an answer from the inhuman powers that inhabitted her skin. It manifested like an ache, and then a surge of awareness. The cold air on her skin felt uncomfortable, and then she knew she had no more reason to tolerate it than a man might tolerate the thermostat in his own home being off by a degree or two; she knew on a whim she could take a coat on her bare shoulders and feel the cold no more. What a haunting power it was, to stand within it as one with it, and to know that it would overtake her unbidden in simply time. Was the press of her humanity to be so easily cast off?... Like many nights in her youth, she thought it unfair, but that was in contrast to the way of her mind for many years... that child-like mind that wanted its own power, to be human forever unchanged, had been so long suppressed. She had come to rely on the power of her seconds skin as to be enslaved by it, protected by it, and to call on it as easily as the breath she breathed. Why was it then, tonight, as if she were a child again?
Because here, in the shadow of the mountain, in the prison of the Calagathorm werewolves, it was not a power. It was the same as when she stood under Douglas' hand and he commanded her to change. Here, it was a surrender of her humanity, and her humanity twice surrendered detested it.
"Oh... come on sugar." Tiffany coached herself. She closed her eyes and brought her wild curls up from her neck to cover her shoulders as she wrestled with the feelings of her heart.
The striped shadow watched Liam, just as Liam watched him. No human thought or emotion played on his features, but in his eyes there was a sense, as if a knowing smile...
*****
"We were just waiting for Chime." Ulric said softly. His gaze went to Logan.
His expression told it; he didn't know why Bianca was acting this way, he was worried about her.
"Logan's right, though," Ulric said, rubbing the back of his neck and turning around to face the direction he last heard Chime's voice. "It's pointless for us to be out here just standing around."
"Can you call to her, Logan?" Ulric asked, turning back. He didn't know why he didn't just ask Bianca the same... maybe he felt it would be too great an imposition. Or maybe it was just how she responded to Logan's request, perhaps she would feel like he was demanding something of her.
*****,
Meanwhile...
In the shadows of the Calagathorm prison, for a time or a time or two, there was more to be felt and seen and heard than could be said... and it would not be said. Only that as the white light of a radiant moon looked down, and it's beams filled the shadows like a swelling pool, Tiffany looked up.
For the first time since her unfortunate accident in the mines, Tiffany reached into herself and felt an answer from the inhuman powers that inhabitted her skin. It manifested like an ache, and then a surge of awareness. The cold air on her skin felt uncomfortable, and then she knew she had no more reason to tolerate it than a man might tolerate the thermostat in his own home being off by a degree or two; she knew on a whim she could take a coat on her bare shoulders and feel the cold no more. What a haunting power it was, to stand within it as one with it, and to know that it would overtake her unbidden in simply time. Was the press of her humanity to be so easily cast off?... Like many nights in her youth, she thought it unfair, but that was in contrast to the way of her mind for many years... that child-like mind that wanted its own power, to be human forever unchanged, had been so long suppressed. She had come to rely on the power of her seconds skin as to be enslaved by it, protected by it, and to call on it as easily as the breath she breathed. Why was it then, tonight, as if she were a child again?
Because here, in the shadow of the mountain, in the prison of the Calagathorm werewolves, it was not a power. It was the same as when she stood under Douglas' hand and he commanded her to change. Here, it was a surrender of her humanity, and her humanity twice surrendered detested it.
"Oh... come on sugar." Tiffany coached herself. She closed her eyes and brought her wild curls up from her neck to cover her shoulders as she wrestled with the feelings of her heart.
Quote from Adriana on September 5, 2024, 9:55 amLogan saw Ulric’s eyes and in them the uncertainty and desire to help. She inclined her head a little to his request, then turned her eyes towards the peaks beyond them. Her large head was lifted and she did call out to Chime, in a voice that was not soft or wistful but strong and even.
“We are all here. Come home little mighty hearted one.”
When she had finished, she turned her eyes back down softly upon the young members.
Bianca still held her arms, and could not seem to hold her focus on any one thing or place. She looked pale, and every muscle trembled, poised to run or fight. More than that, Logan’s sensitive nose could discern.
“Ulric,” Logan said quietly, and was still crouched, but again as a woman. Returning to her human form so close to the full moon left her beaded with sweat, but otherwise she did not show any weakness.
Her violet eyes, when she had his attention, went towards the dens, as she indicated her desire for him to leave the two alone.
Logan saw Ulric’s eyes and in them the uncertainty and desire to help. She inclined her head a little to his request, then turned her eyes towards the peaks beyond them. Her large head was lifted and she did call out to Chime, in a voice that was not soft or wistful but strong and even.
“We are all here. Come home little mighty hearted one.”
When she had finished, she turned her eyes back down softly upon the young members.
Bianca still held her arms, and could not seem to hold her focus on any one thing or place. She looked pale, and every muscle trembled, poised to run or fight. More than that, Logan’s sensitive nose could discern.
“Ulric,” Logan said quietly, and was still crouched, but again as a woman. Returning to her human form so close to the full moon left her beaded with sweat, but otherwise she did not show any weakness.
Her violet eyes, when she had his attention, went towards the dens, as she indicated her desire for him to leave the two alone.
Quote from Indy on September 7, 2024, 4:21 pmAs Kratos' hand pulled away, Jackie looked upon her own palm a moment as though looking for something different. She flexed the digits of her palm, feeling within it a thin thread of its own power, yet nothing in it was remiss. She returned her palm to her side.
"So... is this why we don't like to shake hands often?" she asked abruptly, breaking the stillness of thought, "With experience, could you tell even a stranger's intentions by just a handshake?"
- - -
In the center of the pit, Ionone watched her companion's struggles like a moth clinging to a wall. Certainly nothing in her presence was intrusive. She did not impose herself upon Tiffany as she wrestled with her own demons. Ionone knew well that the first change after serious injury were prone to be difficult.
As Tiffany came to her heightened senses, Ionone had likewise taken to her other skin. Though she rarely felt pressed to take on the moon's form until it was time, it seemed her own way to show support to her friend. The soft lavender of her eyes gazed upon her and her thin muzzle scarcely parted. A soft, scarcely detectable trill, resonated in her throat. It was a thing of comfort, as well as a question - are you alright?
As Kratos' hand pulled away, Jackie looked upon her own palm a moment as though looking for something different. She flexed the digits of her palm, feeling within it a thin thread of its own power, yet nothing in it was remiss. She returned her palm to her side.
"So... is this why we don't like to shake hands often?" she asked abruptly, breaking the stillness of thought, "With experience, could you tell even a stranger's intentions by just a handshake?"
- - -
In the center of the pit, Ionone watched her companion's struggles like a moth clinging to a wall. Certainly nothing in her presence was intrusive. She did not impose herself upon Tiffany as she wrestled with her own demons. Ionone knew well that the first change after serious injury were prone to be difficult.
As Tiffany came to her heightened senses, Ionone had likewise taken to her other skin. Though she rarely felt pressed to take on the moon's form until it was time, it seemed her own way to show support to her friend. The soft lavender of her eyes gazed upon her and her thin muzzle scarcely parted. A soft, scarcely detectable trill, resonated in her throat. It was a thing of comfort, as well as a question - are you alright?
Quote from Indy on September 8, 2024, 6:37 am- - -
"Uhh.. welll..." Theo's skin flushed. Nothing in Sabrina's attention - however well intentioned - could feel anything less than predatory.
But if he had come this far, he may as well see it through... and he was pretty sure if he ran, Sabrina would chase. He swallowed the lump in his throat.
"It's prepared as a tea.. one ball for each cup. Just below boiling. Steeped for at least 3 minutes but no more than 4. It..."
He gestured his hands vaguely, struggling to find his next thought. Finally, it settled, "You know how when you walk through the herb, you can't smell it? How everything seems a bit fuzzy? It's... sort of like that, but not as extreme. A lot of new weres struggle with control because sounds, smell, and movement is so much stronger. When you take the tea, the senses get a little duller - not a lot - but enough to make it easier to know what you're doing... And I think, it just makes it easier to be more aware of yourself, instead of going on instinct..."
- - -
"Uhh.. welll..." Theo's skin flushed. Nothing in Sabrina's attention - however well intentioned - could feel anything less than predatory.
But if he had come this far, he may as well see it through... and he was pretty sure if he ran, Sabrina would chase. He swallowed the lump in his throat.
"It's prepared as a tea.. one ball for each cup. Just below boiling. Steeped for at least 3 minutes but no more than 4. It..."
He gestured his hands vaguely, struggling to find his next thought. Finally, it settled, "You know how when you walk through the herb, you can't smell it? How everything seems a bit fuzzy? It's... sort of like that, but not as extreme. A lot of new weres struggle with control because sounds, smell, and movement is so much stronger. When you take the tea, the senses get a little duller - not a lot - but enough to make it easier to know what you're doing... And I think, it just makes it easier to be more aware of yourself, instead of going on instinct..."
Quote from Adriana on September 8, 2024, 1:01 pmLiam listened to the younger man.
A pit for captives, two houses... a few seemed to gather, but more wandered. Where was the unity? The captive woman who had sung in harmony with him earlier seemed more versed in tradition than any of the rest.
How could he help? He wanted to - to make music, and sing, and dance under the moon, and nourish their souls with good things.
But he would wait for a command. If the Alpha and Logan could find no use for him, he wondered if this woman would have anything to assign him to.
He turned his eyes back to the goat, staring vacantly back at him with its black eyes, and he drew near to it again, his own eyes returning to the dark wolf.
"Are you hungry, brother?" he asked, tail giving a slow wag. He crouched and caught the beast in his jaw, moving it incrementally closer to Timothy and coming back onto his haunches.
Liam listened to the younger man.
A pit for captives, two houses... a few seemed to gather, but more wandered. Where was the unity? The captive woman who had sung in harmony with him earlier seemed more versed in tradition than any of the rest.
How could he help? He wanted to - to make music, and sing, and dance under the moon, and nourish their souls with good things.
But he would wait for a command. If the Alpha and Logan could find no use for him, he wondered if this woman would have anything to assign him to.
He turned his eyes back to the goat, staring vacantly back at him with its black eyes, and he drew near to it again, his own eyes returning to the dark wolf.
"Are you hungry, brother?" he asked, tail giving a slow wag. He crouched and caught the beast in his jaw, moving it incrementally closer to Timothy and coming back onto his haunches.
Quote from Mae on September 10, 2024, 12:31 amTimothy's ears flexed back and then forward again at Liam's word. He had not expected to be presented with a gift. And was not this the gift presented before the alpha? For the latter part, it had Timothy's interest.
Would Kratos want it? If the stranger were not keen to guard it...
Timothy stood up and focused his ears forward. He looked at Liam, and then at his offering...
*****
"If the intentions can be known by blood and sinew," Kratos answered. And from this, many answers could be drawn. "Who told you that we do not shake hands? Or is this something you have observed..."
Timothy's ears flexed back and then forward again at Liam's word. He had not expected to be presented with a gift. And was not this the gift presented before the alpha? For the latter part, it had Timothy's interest.
Would Kratos want it? If the stranger were not keen to guard it...
Timothy stood up and focused his ears forward. He looked at Liam, and then at his offering...
*****
"If the intentions can be known by blood and sinew," Kratos answered. And from this, many answers could be drawn. "Who told you that we do not shake hands? Or is this something you have observed..."
Quote from Adriana on September 10, 2024, 9:02 am“Eat brother, it is better not to leave it.” he said, his ears up and tail giving another encouraging wag at Timothy’s interest. His ears went back a moment and he whined a soft sound to further encourage the younger werewolf.
The night was young for hunting, and Liam was confident he could acquire a fresh kill before sunrise if he were given the opportunity. With both the Alpha and Logan appointed to his charge having ignored the gift, he did not like to see it unused before it had gone bloated and would become less appealing than when fresh.
“Eat brother, it is better not to leave it.” he said, his ears up and tail giving another encouraging wag at Timothy’s interest. His ears went back a moment and he whined a soft sound to further encourage the younger werewolf.
The night was young for hunting, and Liam was confident he could acquire a fresh kill before sunrise if he were given the opportunity. With both the Alpha and Logan appointed to his charge having ignored the gift, he did not like to see it unused before it had gone bloated and would become less appealing than when fresh.
