Ghastly Woods Bitter nights, cold frights, oh my, it must be Halloween

Both girls immediately launched into an explanation of the situation. Iopah stood before the two and her imposing gaze flicked from the one to the other, listening to tales of demons and guiltless liars. She was trying to decide who required more of her attention. Iopah had no love for the Black Thorn pack and the rusty girl's claim was meet with a display of menacing ivories. It was ultimately Danica that her golden orbs held onto for longer.

Even as Danica tried to explain her attacker she was creeping up to shelter herself in Iopah's shadow. The girls fear was nearly palpable, a scent that twisted her heart made Iopah glance accusing at Firefly once more. She wanted to know what had truly happened so she could exact the appropriate revenge on Firefly, but something was wrong. Iopah looked down in shock as Danica whined softly. Her pale skull bent down and, as if she was a small pup, nudged the lost Woodlands princess' head. The girl was tall, even with Danica crouching the gesture only reached the top of her head. She needed to get Danica out of here now.

The girls were continuing to argue with each other. Iopah tail flipped straight up and her hackles bristled stiffly, demanding the authority Firefly had only hinted at earlier. "Stop it!" She said harshly to both. She was sick of listening to Firefly defend herself and wanted Danica's hysterical cries to stop. The girl would never calm down if she kept going on about demons. Iopah rounded on Firefly, "If I find out you lied you and I will talk." The statement was followed with a soft growl that promised more than words.

"It's okay," she crooned to Danica, voice rough as the growl trailed off. "Nothing will happen to us. Would you like to come home with me tonight? I'm sure Nina will be happy to see you." She didn't mention that a healer would be taking a look at her. The girl had frightened herself so badly that Iopah had become worried for her.

(This post was last modified: Nov 29, 2014, 03:32 AM by Iopah.)

Firefly's ears went back as Iopah enlisted a not so subtle threat. Fly was brave, but she wasn't stupid. Her fighting skills were poor and Iopah was much more experienced and older; there was good reason to be afraid right now. Still, Fly's ears laying flat was the only visible sign of her fear. She retained her posture and did not step back. Then, the pale woman turned to talk to Danica in a much more soothing voice. Satisfied that the hysterical girl was with someone that would take care of her, Fly dipped her head in a begrudging sign of respect and farewell. "Well, like I said, I didn't want to leave her alone out here, but it seems that you are more than capable of escorting her home. So, I'll be on my way back to my territory." Fly did not wait to be acknowledged. She simply made her speech, let her brown eyes flick back over to the injured girl one last time, and then turned and hastily walked away. Every hair on her spine was rigid as she walked away from the two woodlands wolves. She yearned to bolt away, to run as fast as she could back home to Minka and her pack mates. But the russet huntress would not disgrace her pack by acting on such fear. Instead, she kept her pace even, moving with purpose but not with fear, and stayed alert just in case one of the she wolves decided to follow her. Once she was sure she was out of their sight, she gave into her instincts and let her paws carry her across the woods as fast as they could. Fly's opinion of the neighboring pack: it was certainly not half as good a pack as that of the Down wolves. She was once again, very grateful to have been accepted by Minka. "Speech"

Dawnthieves.de - Table by PuppyThief

(I kinda love delusional Danica, hehe.)

Danica jumped at Iopah's harsh tone and immediately hushed herself. "Yes ma'am," She whispered in respect. The yearling watched with some pride as Iopah stood up against the demon's assistant. Her birth pack was strong and could survive so much! Satisfaction shined in her eyes.

Dani turned her attention to the grey women as she spoke soothingly. "Are you sure it isn't going to hurt us? Eat us? Torture us? Maul us? Or something?" She asked in a quiet voice as if not to let the demon know their location. However, the mention of her mother made her 'light up' so to say. Her tail gave one small little wag, "Oh yes, please! I miss everyone! How's Nina doing?" She asked excitedly, forgetting all about their nonexistent threat.

As Firefly spoke she replied, "Goodbye pretty stranger!" And giggled stupidly. She gave Iopah a look that could only be described as crazed. A lopsided grin took over Dani's features, "On a walk we shall go! On a walk we shall go! Woah oh ho ho oh! On a walk we shall go..." She started singing and trotting in a random direction. Once in awhile their was an odd out of place giggle.

After a little while when she noticed she couldn't see the grey women she called out, "Are you coming? Hurry! I don't know the way Princess Iopah!" She spoke childishly as if they were playing some fairytale game. Dani came to a stop and impatiently awaited the Woodlands huntress's company.

When the Black Thorn wolf first turned and started through the eerie and decaying forest there was immediate relief. She had enough to worry about right now without having to deal with an unfriendly; Danica was asking her a series of hushed questions, and the pit in Iopah's stomach told she was whispering about the demon hallucination. Her gaze managed to stay on Firefly despite the distraction, and when the rust woman gave her departing words Iopah nodded in turn. The gesture was part acknowledgement and grudging respect, but she kept her ears up till the girl vanished from sight.

Alone now with Danica, she looked down askance at the girl. Firefly had only been gone for a few moments and already it seemed her mental state was falling further apart. When Danica marched off, headed the wrong way, Iopah's fur slicked back in fear. She didn't even know what was wrong, how could she possibly help? The wound smelled strong, but that was all. Even knowing the cause would have been no help; Iopah didn't know how to treat it. She was built for killing stuff, not healing. The girl was strolling ahead, nonsensical lyrics echoing in the forest. Iopah glanced around at the dead, still branches as if searching for patience and hurried forward at the the sound of her name.

She hurried up to the side of Danica, pale coat swishing softly as she subtly cut in front of the confused child. Danica was clearly lost, but Iopah didn't want to call her on it. "Let's go this way," She suggested gently, not wanting to draw attention to the girl's lost sense of direction. Despite the uncertainty that tingled down her legs, she took a confident step in the direction of the distant thickets. She paused glancing back to make sure Danica was, in fact, following and to comment, "I haven't been a princess for many years." If she could keep Danica distracted she would be less prone to wandering off again.

[Quick post, sorry]

Danica obediently fallowed Iopah humming a random toon. "Really? Well, you'd make a perfect Princess I think!" She shouted gleefully before glancing around. Her eyes shined with suspicion and an eerie sound caused by the wind echoed about. "Lets get out of here before it arrives..." She whished in a hused voice. Despite her injury she picked up the pace just a smudge.

Guided by the mysterious red moon's light the two came to the edge of the woods. "Where to now?" She asked the women as the moonlight casted a red glow on her fur. Curiously the yearling looked straight up at the red sphere.

Danica stood in awe for a long moment before lifting her snout. A meaningless howl spilled from her lips.

Luckily the redirection wasn't noticed. The girl was watching her and following closely now, Iopah took advantage of the situation. Her feet broke into a swift walk. Something told her this would be a long night, no sense in making it last any longer than necessary. Even without her persistent fear for Danica, the Ghastly Forest was unnerving. The same sounds that made Danica's eyes shine, pricked Iopah's ears alertly. She could see nothing, but the pace of the two woman increased in tandem. Nothing good ever seemed to happen here. The quicker they left the dead forest the better.

They broke through the forest and together they gazed into the openness beyond. Iopah knew it was the far end of the cherry orchard and assumed Danica would remember it. Danica had likely spent hours playing under the fruit trees. They had hunted in this very field with Gent. Her query made another lump form in her throat. How could she have forgotten? And where was she going without knowing where she was?

Iopah stood back and watched the young girl, trying to follow her muddled thoughts as she lifted her head to howl. She was used to being in control of the situation. Her desire to help spun uselessly and her ears pinned back in fear, eyes gold saucers in the dark. She couldn't help, she couldn't even understand the problem. It terrified her. Her head angled over to Danica, touching her nose lightly to still the senseless howl. She was going to do all she could, but she was no healer. "We're going to the thickets." She reassured her softly, nudging at her in a motherly fashion. The touch was withdrawn and her dark muzzle beckoned Danica into the meadow. The pale woman took a few steps forward.

She had said the thickets, but home was the word that repeated through her mind as they continued to their destination. Danica needed help, and after that she needed someone who would keep an eye on her. She supposed, looking over at Danica yet again, that that someone was going to be her. The black was starting to turn gray with the coming dawn. Under the cherry boughs the two women walked. One was determined, the other dazed, but they were headed the same way. They were both going home.

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