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Post by Sivoncé™ on Jan 5, 2010 18:46:04 GMT -5
"The art of medicine consists of amusing the patient while nature cures the disease." -Voltaire
"Borage...catmint...thyme...."
The femme was a sterling figure of silver-blue and coal black. Her storm cloud eyes flitted from leaf pile to leaf pile as she went about collecting her herbs. One could never be too careful in times like these, after all. Her pack was small, but winter would always be on their side while Siveria held the reigns. "Oh, Mother," the fretting fae sighed loftily, "I still miss you...." And Dad, too.
She eyed the stars, eyes flickering darkly as she studied them. They pursed their lips at her as she tried to decipher their secrets; the rhinestones in the pale collar of the milky way twinkled away, firm against her probing. Ah, well, it was worth a shot...I haven't seen any such thing for so long...or talking to any of the herb healers, either. Now may be a good time for us to gather again, gain insight...I should ask Melina...
Just as she stood to collect her bundles and depart, a slight breeze drew the scent of another wolf to her nostrils. She tilted her head and remained frozen, waiting for the other wolf to approach.
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Post by Acacia on Jan 28, 2010 20:27:22 GMT -5
The wind blew and ruffled Yuriko's fur backwards, what a strange sensation that is. She wandered a bit further her paws sinking into the snow. It was cold, but cold is nice. her body seemed to move with out her say. she didn't mind it always brought her to interesting places.
I wonder why it is always so peaceful here. The she-wolf thought. Her paws made very little noise as she came into the clearing. I wonder where I have brought myself. Is that another wolf? She hesitated as the figure looked in her direction.
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Post by Sivoncé™ on Jan 29, 2010 18:10:49 GMT -5
"Oh!" Annelise spun around with a start, quite a feat for her lacking a hindleg. She stumbled awkwardly backwards, then finally gave up and let herself crumple to the ground. Grumbling crossly, she slowly straightened and blinked up at the wolf who'd frightened her. She heaved a heavy sigh of relief and chuckled gently at her own clumsiness. Just another Siverian, silly. There's more than one wolf out and about in our terra! Sheesh, Annelise, pull it together! She smiled gently at the newcomer. She hadn't spoken to the she-wolf much before, but recognized her. I suppose I may have healed her after a battle, I've seen her with the other wolves. "It's Yuriko, right? I'm Annelise," she murmured apologetically. "Sorry I'm such a headcase, I've been a little on edge with what's been happening lately." She shifted her weight so she could stand more upright, more like how every other wolf stood. The adjustment made her feel more embarressed than her tumble. After her escape from her Blood Mist kidnappers, seeking revenge against her family, Annelise had had to adjust to walking on three legs. She got the hang of it fast enough, but her hobble-walk made her feel awkward and inadequete in the presence of most other wolves. In an attempt to salvage the conversation, she smiled kindly at Yuriko. "It's a nice night, isn't it?"
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Post by Acacia on Jan 30, 2010 3:27:58 GMT -5
Yuriko shuffled back a step or two seeing the other wolf stumble she giggled, but only because of the frightened look in the other she wolves eyes. As this wolf began to stand back up she took a few strides forward her legs carrying her swiftly closer to her pack mate. "It's Yuriko, right? I'm Annalise." The other wolf asked "Yes I am Yuriko. Nice to actually meet you miss Annalise." She bowed slightly to the older wolf. "Sorry I'm such a headcase, I've been a little on edge with what's been happening lately." She watched as she stood more up right and nodded in response. "Aren't we all? I wonder aimlessly around but this does not mean I'm not wary of every figure around me." she shuddered. "It's a nice night, isn't it?" " Yes the night is so beautiful. What are you doing out here tonight?" she asked to keep a polite conversation.
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Post by Sivoncé™ on Jan 30, 2010 14:12:25 GMT -5
Subtle relief came with the ease of conversation. Either Yuriko was not noticing her handicap -- which was highly unlikely -- or she simply didn't care. You shouldn't be so surprised! She chided herself. My pack is an honorable one. This isn't going to ruin me in their eyes, and besides, I'm their healer! I need to stop being such a worry wart!
She smiled genuinely back at the other she-wolf. "Yes," she agreed, "every wolf has a reason to be anxious. And earlier in the year, I experimented with trying to grow some herbs within a hollowed log to protect them from frost, but still allow for some sunlight. The project was mainly unsuccessful...but I got a little bit to add to the stores," she motioned to the bundles of fragrant leaves at her paws. "It's hard in winter; if we don't store up enough during the warmer seasons...it leads to problems. We've got to plan ahead....and no one really planned for this to happen....for an all-out war to start."
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Post by Acacia on Jan 30, 2010 15:51:03 GMT -5
As she watched the other wolf she noticed that Annalise seemed to relax as she continued their conversation. I wonder why she seemed so tense. Duh, maybe it is her leg you've hear about. That doesn't change her at all. your right she is no different from you. She looked her over Nope no different. She though with a smile. When Annalise spoke again it caught her full attention. She liked the sound of her voice.
"Yes," she agreed, "every wolf has a reason to be anxious. And earlier in the year, I experimented with trying to grow some herbs within a hollowed log to protect them from frost, but still allow for some sunlight. The project was mainly unsuccessful...but I got a little bit to add to the stores,"
She looked at the small pile of herbs and nodded. "That is awesome. Herbs are always good to have."
"It's hard in winter; if we don't store up enough during the warmer seasons...it leads to problems. We've got to plan ahead....and no one really planned for this to happen....for an all-out war to start."
She nodded and looked at her and smiled her tail swaying back and forth. "Do you want to play?" She got into a playful position.
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Post by Sivoncé™ on Jan 31, 2010 16:32:15 GMT -5
"Do you want to play?"
The simple question caught the young healer off guard. She blinked back at Yuriko for a moment, then a small smile lit up her face. Childish, maybe, or maybe just an honest need; all wolves needed to have some fun once in a while. Annelise had grown up too fast...she had had too...they all had too...
A pang of sadness for Freya, her closest friend, pierced through her.Freya...wherever Blood Mist has taken you...please be safe. She swallowed hard, eyes glistening for a moment. Please be alive.
She gave herself a rough shake. Snap out of it Annelise. You need to be strong now. I need to get my mind on other things.
"I'd love to!" She barked honestly. With a small wag of her tail, she drooped into a modified crouch and nipped at Yuriko's ear. "I haven't had a decent playfight in heavens knows when!"
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Post by Acacia on Feb 8, 2010 14:34:11 GMT -5
Yuriko shook out her fur after Annalise had bit her her. She wagged her tail in excited play. Her fur bristled a bit as she readied for pouncing. Her tail was swayed one last time and she growled playfully and jumped at Annalise. She hoped to catch her; her muscles twitched mid jump. (What a crappy post  ) |
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Post by Sivoncé™ on Feb 13, 2010 14:49:08 GMT -5
(Nah  Don't be so hard on yourself) Annelise twisted away just before the other female could collide with her. Suddenly, the joyous smile faded from Annelise's face. A kick in her stomach reminded her of her obligation to stay away from danger, even in kidding. She bit her lip as her tail drooped; she felt awkward at the sudden start-stop of their play. I can't... Though the bulge in her stomach was scarcely visible -- could've been due to a weight-gain from her days as a prisoner -- Annelise's mind couldn't think of anything else to tell Yuriko as an excuse. I know it's true...I just don't know how to say it yet...I'm pregnant...with a Yozorans pups.Of course, no one but Shade would ever know the last part. And right now, Shade was miles and miles away, just as ignorant as the rest of them. "Er...I'm feeling real ill all of a sudden," she murmured apologetically. Her eyes were tense as she watched to see if her excuse would be excepted as truth. Damn, I'm just a terrible liar! |
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Post by Acacia on Feb 14, 2010 2:07:55 GMT -5
Yuriko tilted her head at the sudden change in her mood. She looked confused but understanding. Her tail dropped “Ok, maybe some other time.” She walked forward and nuzzled her in a friendly way. “Would like help back to the camp? We could relax here and I could find you something to help if you tell me what to look for.”
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Post by Sivoncé™ on Feb 14, 2010 18:15:36 GMT -5
She thinks my legs are hurting me, Annelise concluded. It would be near impossible, at this stage, to understand her real condition unless she confessed it. She bit her tongue, hating the bitter taste of lying. Especially to my own pack! I don't have a problem lying or not lying to all the other packs, but it tears me apart to have to foul my own pack's trust! Not that they suspect me, their healer, daughter of their former leader, to ever betray them....
Is it really betrayal to love someone?
She gave herself a rough shake to clear her head. She couldn't wrap her mind around Shade trying to do her any ill will. They loved illicitly...that was all that she could make sense of now.
Slowly, she nodded. "If you could help me pick up my herbs I'd appreciate the company," she woofed. She bent down to pick up one of the piles herself, hoping Yuriko wouldn't catch the despair in her eyes.
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Post by Acacia on Feb 14, 2010 23:45:39 GMT -5
Yuriko caught the despair in her eyes but the look even deeper looked more personal then she needed to know. She respected the healer and felt she was to kind to do anything foul toward her. She is hiding something big and it is tearing her apart. she dipped her head and picked up the rest of the herbs. Why does she not trust me. She would feel so much better and freer if she was able to trust some one with those secrets. They are not your business. she told herself with a stretch She has no reason to trust you. Stay out of her business. She followed Annalise looking oblivious to her inner sadness.
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Post by Sivoncé™ on Feb 15, 2010 16:59:36 GMT -5
As they padded on, Annelise felt a growing curiosity for her packmate. They were of the same packs, and bound as thus, but she knew so little about Yuriko they could've been strangers. As far as she could tell, they were about the same age, but Annelise's life seemed a scattered chain of events that made little sense; it didn't surprise her much that she hadn't come into contact much with a pawful of wolves within the Siverians. Trying to alleviate the awkwardness she'd added to the conversation, she adjusted her hold on the herbs and murmured, "Do you come to these fields often?" I wonder if she has any other direct family in the pack? Annelise filed through her memories, but they were blurred with the black thoughts of the journey and before, the tortures of the plague, the secrets she kept from her pack, and her capture. Inside, she felt selfish. I don't even see other wolves, and they work just as hard as me, in the same conditions I do!
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Post by Acacia on Feb 15, 2010 21:13:23 GMT -5
Yuriko Moved the herbs to mumble back. “Not often, about every moon phase. Maybe longer sometimes“ Her ear twitched. She looked at Annalise. She is pretty much happy-go- lucky. Her tail twitched and she looked like a pup. She tried to cheer Annalise up. “So you look pretty. I though you should know that.” She smiled.
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Post by Sivoncé™ on Feb 15, 2010 21:26:18 GMT -5
Annelise nodded gently, then snorted in disbelief at the compliment. Chuckling to herself, she felt a growing warmth for Yuriko -- her new friend. "Well, thank you very much, but my my winter pelt isn't holding very well. I'm so stressed I'm over-shedding!" She nosed away some of her longer hairs to reveal a thinng patch bordering her underbelly. "That's no good in weather like this," she woofed.
Annelise was becoming certain that she could bond with this wolf; Yuriko seemed to provide a safety blanket. She bit back the desire to spill out her emotions; instead, she thrust herself into the present moment. Dwellings not gonna do me any good, and she's gonna think I'm a sad sack!
"I try and come out here as much as I can -- more in the growing seasons, though. Winter doesn't yield many herbs, but there's an occascional sprout to be uncovered. We're never really in danger of being overstocked." Thoughtfully, she added, "And I think it's a really great spot to think...ya know, just go to clear your head once in a while." The forest slowly began to replace the Wintermint Meadows; their strides drew them graduallly closer towards camp.
"So...this may seem like a strange question, but for someone like me, it's interesting. I know there was a lot of thought put into me choosing to become a healer...and maybe it doesn't work the same for becoming a warrior because it's what the majority of wolves become...but did you ever get any strong feelings for it? I guess what I'm asking is...I know you're growing warrior-like in a physical sense, but what about mentally? I did a lot of thinking about it when I was an herb healer neophyte...but maybe it hasn't happened for you yet?"
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) 
Don't be so hard on yourself)
