Cedarwood Forest and then the hiss.

Am going to set this at a similar time to when Prosper's body is discovered - at least, I'm not going to have Trisden aware of that. Would prefer to have this set before, unless that messes with anybody's timelines. Set after Prosper's body is found and buried!
Also - Grizzly Hollow only, please, unless Switch gives the go-ahead for others.
If anything about this is inaccurate, let me know so I can change it!

Theodore Lyall wasn't normally Trisden's companion of choice, but it was more due to his free spirit than anything; out of the three of her siblings, she saw him as the biggest threat to her future as her mother's heir. Prosper had long vanished, and to fill the huge gap he left behind Trisden had decided to take up the torch. She was sad at his loss, and had mourned him for some time, in her own way, but time had passed. She wasn't the same wolf now. Every day he was becoming a fond memory more than a lost rival, and everyday she grew stronger by his absence. The recent discovery of his body, and sad but finalising burial, had been a satisfactory conclusion to a sorry tale. Trisden had not been as moved by the confirmation of Prosper's death as, perhaps, she should have been.

Once or twice, she had looked sidelong at Theo and wondered if her path to glory would be even easier with him out of the picture too.

"Come on," she laughed, deliberately provoking him. She could see that he was torn, but she hadn't lied to him; her plans were all within the rules. She had even promised him, and though the pack must have known her to be somewhat underhand, the girl did at least strive for honesty amongst family.

She could see he was relenting, succumbing to her boundless energy, and a fat grin spread across her face when he sighed, a smile creeping at the corners of his mouth. Cackling with childish delight, Trisden bounced about on the spot, turning a couple of full circles before pouncing onto him, her glee infectious. With a yap and a nip, the game was on, and she squealed as he chased her, revelling in this moment of a simple game. There was nothing quite like the thrill of running, and the chase quickly evolved into a race, the two pale children darting through the trees as if the devil were on their heels, idiotic grins on their faces as their tongues lolled from their mouths. Eventually, mischief crossed Theo's expression, and without a word he rammed himself into the side of his sister, completely throwing her balance, and with a startled yelp she tumbled.

It was hilarious, if you asked Theo, but the dark glare that Trisden shot at him once she had recovered herself said everything about her thoughts on the matter. Fortunately, Theo was never a wolf to be easily downhearted, and responded by sticking his tongue out.

Her annoyance immediately flipped to the gleeful desire to retaliate. Fortunately for her brother, he saw her sly grin moments before she struck, and they went tumbling in the opposite direction, laughter ringing through the forest as limbs flailed and two young wolves went rolling down an incline.

It was easy to lose all sense of time and responsibility in this way, and in fact Trisden even forgot to take Theo to see the strange landmark she had discovered only hours before. Now, all thoughts of it had been completely wiped from her mind, and as ambitious as the child was, she was still just a child, and as easily tempted by innocent fun as anyone else. When they collapsed in an exhausted, giggling heap an unknown length of time later (who watched the clock when you were playing?) it was with a deep sense of satisfaction and fulfilment. This was what life was all about.

"What do you see?" she asked, the game she had played with Hocus spontaneously occurring to her as they lay on their backs, staring at the cloudy sky. Unlike Hocus, Theo took her question seriously, studying the white and grey shapes before announcing, "A bird. Look - there are its wings."

Quietly pleased by his answer, she nodded in agreement, and they shared images for several minutes, their discoveries becoming more and more ludicrous until Theo theatrically declared that Trisden was being ridiculous, there was no way that she could see herself standing over the dead body of a grizzly, and so the game was over and he'd won. She complained with half-feigned indignation, but it only turned into another wrestling match. Suitably distracted, the laughing pair vanished off to terrorise some other part of the forest.

It was by pure coincidence that Trisden suddenly recognised that which she had originally intended to show to her brother - a rotten log, entirely hollow, perforated by a series of curiously even holes that were just big enough to poke a small nose into. This meant they were near the borders of the pack, quite far from the densite, but Trisden wondered if Theo understood quite how far they had gotten. From his expression of obliging interest, she supposed not; he had never wandered far, nor expressed much interest in it, and though Trisden knew that she had not led him beyond where was safe, she still felt a little guilty.

But, at the end of the day, it was just a silly dead tree; what harm could come to them?

The log wasn't nearly as fascinating as Trisden remembered it, but Theo was very gracious, inspecting it and running through it, enjoying how it created the softest echo when you shouted inside it. Secretly pleased, for she knew that Hocus would have derided her, Trisden decided that maybe, just maybe, Theo was pretty cool to have around after all. I'll spare him, she thought with deliberately over-the-top nobility, and when he asked what she was smiling about, she only shook her head and laughed.

Bounding up on top of it, Theodore balanced skillfully on the rounded shape, sitting delicately on the old bark and taking advantage of the view. Looking to prolong the fun, Trisden rammed herself into the log rather than join him on top of it, and to their surprise, the move caused the whole log to shift. Theo's balance was upset, but he thought he had it all under control when one wrong footing only encouraged its momentum, and it was with yelps of alarm from him and cackles from Trisden that he fell bodily from the rolling log, all elegance lost. Grumbling as he clambered back to his feet, Theo glared back at Trisden, and prepared to take a step forwards before a small movement caught his eye.

Trisden, stood on the opposite side, had also seen it. Her jovial mood kept her spirits high even as her instincts tried to dump cold water on the situation. As such, curiosity overtook caution, even though Theo's thoughts were rapidly going in the other direction.

"Don't," he snapped, his voice sober, as Trisden went to take a step forwards. "Be careful."

Trisden regarded the creature, her laughter ebbing slowly at Theo's lack of playfulness. She did stop, however, replacing her paw on the ground as she cocked her head at the animal. It wasn't the first of its kind that she had seen, but, as she considered it, it was definitely the most intimidating.

"What? It's not that scary. I bet I could kill it," she jeered, not wanting to lose the spirit of the game. Why did Theo have to suddenly be such a killjoy? The warning in her gut still went unanswered, and as she snapped at the air as a threat to the creature, Theo made a strangled noise of protest.

"I dunno," he said warily, glancing about them, just coming to realise how far from familiar safety and comfort they were. How potentially far from mother. "Leave it, Tris. Let's go home now, okay?"

"No," she said stubbornly, frustrated by his lack of compliance, unwilling to abandon the fun they had been having. If she gave in now, then it was over! She'd have to go back with him, and it wasn't fair, she wasn't finished. "Don't be so boring. Why're you so worked up over it? Let's kill it and then we can take it back to mother, yeah?"

The compromise didn't work. "Or we could just leave it alone and tell her about it anyway," he said through clench teeth, instinctively lowering his voice to less provocative tones.

Trisden failed to get the hint to do the same. "That's no fun," she complained, "and where would be our proof? If we have to go back, I'm not going back without a trophy."

Boldly she stepped forwards, and the warning rattle which rose from the creature came too late, Theo jumping forwards in alarm and fright for his sister without thought - Trisden could only watch in horror as the shape which had been so motionless was suddenly faster than anything she had seen before, and yet it was all happening so slowly, the lunge and the bite and Theo recoiling, pain on his face as the creature pulled back leaving tiny puncture marks in his upper leg, and as Theo fell backwards Trisden could do nothing but watch, frozen to the ground as her trophy considered its job done and vanished.

Trisden's mind was in chaos. Terrified and completely unsure what had just happened, and because Theo did not simply shrug the attack off, she suddenly and heavily understood that this was something to be taken seriously. As her brother's face contorted in pain, she did the only thing she could.

Somebody - anybody - please help.

Mother!

(This post was last modified: Nov 04, 2023, 07:08 PM by Clouse. Edit Reason: repair coding )

um shall we say they know about Prosper's body, and they buried him. I think it's alright if it takes place with the date you posted too. Like Prosper was on the 30th and this takes place 6 days after they find out? Unless you had something else in mind.

The afternoon had held some promise for the Grizzly Hollow leader. She'd found the remains of an old elk who had collapsed under time's hands, and after close inspection decided it was fit to take home. Sure it had been picked over by ravens, and some coyotes, but it took little to scare them off, and she took what seemed best, dragging a thick leg back to the hollow. Dropping the huge mass, she panted tired from her haul, but a satisfied smile on her lips. She was about to take a look around wondering where the pups were. She did not have the time. The alarmed call, the sound of something wrong that no mother wanted to hear blared in her ears despite what distance was between her, and Trisden.

She did not think, she reacted. Rapidly bounding to the call, running like a white blur through the forest driven by a rush of dire need. She could hardly feel the ground beneath her paws, nor really saw what was in front of her in her panic frenzy to reach that voice. No, please no, she thought, desperately begging for it to be nothing.

When she saw her brave daughter frozen to the ground in fear's hold, she looked to see her son struggling with pain. "Theo!" She gasped, looking at his white face, and into his pale blue eyes. This wasn't happening. It was like she'd stepped into one of her nightmares, how could this be real? The burning in her eyes, and theris told her otherwise. Gently she licked the top of his head, and ushered him to lie down. Straight away she knew who she needed. White muzzle lifted to the sky, and she sang a desperate cry for help, for Elettra.

Cry faded, and thoroughly she looked over her son for the cause of his discomfort. Her eyes found the open wounds, and they were odd, just two slits in his leg. Knowing she had to stay collected, she calmly asked her daughter,"Trisden, what bit Theo?" She'd heard of snake bites, but never seen one to know. She'd certainly never saw anything like this. She needed Elettra. She would know what to do, Jayse she was only holding on by a thread.

She licked Theo's muzzle once more, "El will come," she said wishing she could only carry him to her. He was at least half her size now if not more, and she did not see any good in attempting it. She nuzzled him with her muzzle, each sound of his pain ripping into her own heart. "I know it hurts sweetie, just be still she'll come -it'll be okay" She spoke so reassuring, because that's what they all needed to hear. And at the same time she weas praying just as much Elettra would make it; know what to do. All the while she stood close, trying to comfort her boy.

Trisden.White ears gently flick, and mis-matched eyes sought her daughter's. "Tris, can you howl for Elettra?" She asked, hoping it might be a mild distraction, and further let the Grizzly Hollow wolves know things were not okay.

(This post was last modified: Nov 04, 2023, 07:09 PM by Clouse. Edit Reason: repair coding )

I edited my first post accordingly (:

Too late.

Her mother appeared, the white knight who would solve everything, but even as Trisden let her lungs rest with relief at the sight, she knew that it was too late. There was no reason for it, and she begged for it to be untrue, but her gut had tried to warn her and now it tut-tutted and said look what you've done now. Trisden wasn't one for guilt. The feeling of cold, sick dread in her stomach was new and horrifying.

Whereas before everything had moved slowly, now it moved as a blur, and still Trisden stood firmly to the spot, unable to move. {i}"What bit Theo?"[/b] her mother asked, but it took a few seconds for Trisden to even realise she was being spoken to, and when she dumbly opened her mouth to reply nothing came out. She stared as her mother tended to the wounded boy, somewhere in the back of her mind registering that the answer to that question could be very important, but she simply couldn't think.

Her mother's soft, reassuring voice, so filled with fear for her son, was a murmur in Trisden's mind, but she snapped to attention when those familiar eyes searched for her. Elettra. Finally, Trisden's incapacitation broke, and with a weak nod she turned, her limbs shaking, as she lifted her head again and howled for the pack's Second.

Some small part of her acknowledged the severity of the situation if Elettra had to be called. Why couldn't mother fix him by herself? Was it that bad?

It was that bad.

Her howl abruptly cutting short as her voice quivered and failed, her heart beating faster and faster, the girl took a deep breath and started again, determined to never give up until Theo was well again, even if took summoning every wolf and creature in the land.

(This post was last modified: Nov 04, 2023, 07:10 PM by Clouse. Edit Reason: repair coding )

She had been wondering the forest's boarders, on edge and weary, protective and defensive. There was nothing less then dominance as she strode the boundaries of her home, with a high tail and hackles raised, rubbing herself along each rock, each trunk and each bush to mark the lands fiercely. After the death of Prosper, she would not allow herself to be caught off guard, would not allow anyone to slip passed her narrowed, pale gaze.
When the call did then sound, she would fly forth without hesitation, their eagerness bringing her eagerness. Their worry would bring her worry, for she would not allow another child of Grizzly Hollow to perish! She would charge forth into her made den, the infirmary of the land. It would still smell faintly of Skylah, masked by that of the mix of herbal remedies hidden away here. Without knowledge of what happened, Elettra would grab the basics and make way.
Her arrival was swift, having the call still within the forest of their home, and Elettra would settle her plants down and without hesitation for polite greetings, would assess the situation. "...And who's foolish idea was this?" Her jaws would snap, barred, as a growl would take over her. Her words were firm in their demand, uncaring for the moment on what her leadess might think of her harsh authority against her children. This was far more serious then any of them might comprehend!
Unknowing of what snake had done the bite (and therefore not knowing if it was venomous or not) Elettra would approach the small wound with canny attention. It was but a moment she would look it over, before shifting her muzzle through her goods she had brought. "Damnit...!" Was the mumble under her breath. She had no new shoots from ash tree with her or in her stash and had not come across such a thing since her time here in the Lore of Eden. Such a thing chewed up and applied, was best for fighting the poisons of an adder or viper. She had various plants that might make a wolf throw up, had he ingested something dangerous (including juniper berries and elder flower), but this was not the case.
"Eat this." It was a quick demand, as she shoves the stalks of Chamomile into Theodore's direction, such a thing which may calm him (and thus pump any poisons less quickly through his body) and add to his physical strength where it would be needed. However, although she knew what she was doing, she had little time to explain. Within this time, she would begin chewing Alder, where she would then use her tongue to smooth in over the wound where he was bitten to reduce any swelling and prevent any infection. After she was finished, she would stand back, a deep frown over her features. "We must get him to my den. I have few Black Cohosh there, which may be helpful if this is a poisonous snakebite." But as she said, she had few of it, and should this be a of poison, much still would be left to Theodore's strength and strength alone.

(This post was last modified: Nov 04, 2023, 07:12 PM by Clouse. Edit Reason: repair coding )

She merely frowned when Trisden appeared to out of bounds to answer. She could not blame her, and she only hoped Elettra would come quick. She could tell Theo was having a hard time breathing, each breath seeming forced, and shallow. Over time the wound was starting swell, still bleeding from the bite. She wanted to lick it clean, but something told her not too. She only kept trying to ease her son's discomfort best she could, proud at Trisden's attempts for calling help.

Soon enough, though it felt so long, the dark lady arrived with plants of different sorts. Jayse did not care for her harshness, and gently shook her head, eyes upon Trisden sure she would her own scars from this. But knew it was just El's way, how she expressed her own so she did not say anything else. She watched as medic tried to decide what was best.

Theo weakly did as she told him, trying to chew the stalks up, swallowing fast. Jayse encourged him, gently stroking his head with her tongue. Eyes desprate on Elettra, knowing she wished this wasn't happening either. She nodded quickly agreeing they would have to take him back to the den. She stood up, and looked to her daughter. "Trisden, you follow us okay, when we get back you need to find your brother, and sister and stay at the den understand?" Her tone was not stern, but it was more serious then she had ever used before. She then shifted to Theo,"Theo, try and stand up best you can. El and I will help get you back." She took place near his unwounded side. The boy nodded, and bared down against his pain standing up with some struggle as he was trying not to put weight on his wounded foot. He managed, the hurt forelimb dangling while he leaned against his mother's side.

(This post was last modified: Nov 04, 2023, 07:12 PM by Clouse. Edit Reason: repair coding )

Trisden's numbness only spread further and further as time passed, Elettra finally appearing with her healing magic - and it was a testament to how dully distressed she was that the girl did not flinch away from the harsh words, like she usually would have.

It was her foolish idea.

From somewhere far, far away, she watched as her mother and her Second tended to Theo, and she vaguely registered how awful his leg looked and the grim expressions of both adults. Only minutes before she had been happy and carefree. Now she felt as if her gut had fallen out of her stomach. The higher you fly, the harder you fall.

Trisden, you follow us, okay?

Nodding dumbly, the girl took her place at the back, a place she had never willingly accepted before, and stared at her wounded brother's back, unable to comprehend what had happened or what she had done.

(This post was last modified: Nov 04, 2023, 07:12 PM by Clouse. Edit Reason: repair coding )

Quickly did she make way at Theodore's side, happy enough that he had the strength to eat the plant given and hoping that it would provide him with more strength to make way back towards her medical den. She would press herself lightly to the young wolf on the opposite side of her leadess, making way slowly, with Trisden trailing behind grimly. Elettra's teeth would remain tightly locked in a grimace herself, determined not to loose yet another child after the loss of already one to unknown causes.
Making it finally to the den (assuming they did would be okay?) she would part from Theodore's side, dodging quickly once more into the heart of her made den, specifically for these purposes. "Bring him." She stated simply, pausing in the main, rounded room. It was small, made just for herself, one patient and perhaps one other wolf, but only this. The floor was lined with feathers, furs and coat from previous kills, anything to make the patient more comfortable for their stay and after Skylah, Theo would be her second visitor. After a moment's pause, she made way into the only other small room, for storage sake of her herbal remedies.
Upon her return, was a cluster of various planets by stem, root, leaf and flower alike, which she settled to the ground before her patient and his mother. "Take this." She would nose the Black Cohosh into the child's direction, a dried up root, used to not only help with poisonous snake bites, but to reduce mucus and aid in birthing, though never to be used before hand in a pregnancy, less it cause a miscarriage, such a knowledge Elettra had used to her advantage in a dire time before in her life. "When you are finished, try eating as much of this Jade Grass as you can," She said, nudging the small pile into his direction. "It should help you sleep." Or if anything, calm the poor boy down.
Settling back onto her hunches, she waited, for their was little else she could do. If anything, and he started to slip away, she would offer as much pain relievers she had in her supply, to make his passing as easy as possible, despite the raging pain he might feel from the poison. Gritting her teeth, she would then turn to Jays, a paw pushing a gathering of roots into her direction. "Kava roots. It will help." As stressful, depressed or anxious she may be, the roots would relax her, if not as well make her drowsy enough to rest, as it held such a side effect on some wolves.

(This post was last modified: Nov 04, 2023, 07:13 PM by Clouse. Edit Reason: repair coding )

The journey appeared to be the longest she had ever taking because of the pressing circumstances, it felt like an eternity with each stride, her paws seemed heavy, weighted down by her breaking heart. The same time everything was still a blue as if not real, as they continued making the way back to the familiar heart of the hollow. Best she could she supported her boy with Elettra's help, and they managed with Trisden following she was certain. Finally the sight of the medical den came into view. "Almost there," she encouraged in soothing tones trying to hold it together.

Last they made it, and she took Theodore's weight while Elettra seemed to fly into the den. She did not glance to her daughter, feeling at this time she would do as she was told. So instead eyes beheld the mouth of the den trying to decide just how they would get in. She was sure they could both manage the width, and she found her strength helping him into the darkness. Eyes adjusted, the outside light giving the inside enough light she could make out the chamber. She eased Theo onto the soft floor, and held her forehead to his while Elettra went for medicine. She could hear his rampant heart beat, and felt both pain and fear shaking his body. She could see many a question in his blue eyes, but Jaysyek did not dare speak any more words of alright. She hoped her touched would comfort him instead.

When Elettra came back, she decided to lie beside Theo. Calmy she curled her body around his, watching him as he grabbed the dried roots, grinding them forcefully in his mouth. She could see they were hard to swallow, and gently licked at his ear as if he was still smaller than she. Like Elettra said he started on the grass, hoping it would work too.

Next a remedy was offered for her,and Jaysyek took the offer with a bleak smile. She nibbled it, ignoring the taste, and swallowed fast. Once Theodore managed most the pile of grass he rested his head on the soft hide's beneath him, and closed his eyes trying to ignore the pain, believing he would be better. "Thank you El." Jayse said quietly, while her eyes meet the pale silver of her dear friend. "Would you mind making sure everyone else is okay? See if Raigo is nearby?" She asked not wanting to part from her son's side. She'd feel much better knowing the other pups weren't in danger, and that Raigo new what was going on.

Now it was time to wait, and hpe for the best, see if Theo got better....or worse.

(This post was last modified: Nov 04, 2023, 07:14 PM by Clouse.)

For once in her life, Trisden didn't make a peep, neither complaining nor commenting on what was happening, quite content - if that was an appropriate word at all - by simply following and doing what she was told. If the situation hadn't been so serious, things might have been different, but Trisden had always had that child's knack for gauging the moods of adults she was familiar with.

What she was reading from Elettra and her mother was enough to sober her up to the extreme. She waited outside when they reached Elettra's den, and not even her entitled curiosity could make her want to look inside. She chose instead to perch outside, sitting with a distant look on her face as she listened to the serious voices inside. As her mother made the extra request of her second, Trisden woke from her trance a little, peering about into the small space. She glanced from her mother's face to Elettra's, fearful and meek, and her voice a sad parody of its normal boldness. "Is there anything I can do?"

(This post was last modified: Nov 04, 2023, 07:14 PM by Clouse.)

A quick nod was offered to her leadess, silently as she would accept the female's request and make way towards the den's wide opening, her gaze passing over Trisden fleetingly and offering a mumbled "I think you've done enough" as it would coolly pass over her tightened lips as she passed the child. It was in El to believe she had something to do with this wild idea, granted her bold, dominant and mouthy nature and where El had come from places where the kid might of received a beating, El did not consider this, but only to make her feel guilty for what had happened, as she should. It would be her punishment, if nothing else. Once exiting fully, she would call out for the members of Grizzly Hollow-urgent, loud, clear; for the other children, for Raigo, for Aisling and any else who was still around. It would show who was truly loyal to the pack, with those who might arrive.

(This post was last modified: Nov 04, 2023, 07:13 PM by Clouse.)