Lost Lake The Road to Hell Is Paved with Good Intentions

Sorry for the delay! My internet vanished. :c

<blockquote>Everyone looked almost frozen in place as the white wolf fell. He felt no pride in his actions (though it felt good watching her crumble), but his mother stood behind him bleeding, though the flow had most likely all but stopped now, he found his mother injured and the leader snarling; that was evidence enough. Were his mother injured outside of the pack, the leader would be supporting her, not showing her pearly whites. No, she had caused this, maybe not by her jaws, he didn't believe his mother would suffer injury from the tiny wolf (hey, she was invincible in his eyes after all!) but she wasn't worried. Someone else must have done this to her yet the white wolf showed no concern. Either she was in on it, which he believed was most likely the case, or she had arranged it somehow. Clearly, Adonis just had it in for Athena.

She gathered herself up and he tensed, ready to defend his mother to his last breath, but he felt no fear. He wasn't a fighter, hell he could only just about run up the mountain, but that didn't mean the blood in his body wasn't pumping and trying to throw his muscles into gear. He held himself in place, pushing down the urge to just attack. As ever, his light side won in pushing the dark side away... for now at least.
When she stood he could see the way she elevated her paw. Good. He hoped it hurt like a bitch. His expression remained completely neutral- like nothing had happened. Like he hadn't ploughed into the alpha, most likely got himself kicked out of the pack, that he hadn't caused more trouble for his mother than she was already in. On the inside he was torn, between glee and despair, on the outside he stood calm, cool... and just like his father.

The silence stretched between them all. He wasn't going to apologise, nor explain his actions. He was going to stand there like a statue, a gargoyle sent to protect the damsel in distress (though he was sure his mother would never play a damsel) and he was made of stone until he needed to be alive. He could have stood there motionless all day, but someone else was coming. Their scent on his nose, running paws on his ears, the lead male was coming.
Adonis had only seen him skulking around and had no opinion of him. No high one at least like he should of had. Inside of him, something was telling him to charge over and snap his neck. Not that he could, well... maybe he could, but he was just too young. He didn't have the skill, the weight behind him. He had the height, but he needed to fill out before he was any good for himself or his mother; he was just going to have to throw the thought of killing him to the back of his mind... for now.

He was calm as he approached. He looked as calm as Adonis did, but he couldn't tell if he was as pent up as he was on the inside. Maybe... it would be odd if he wasn't fucking pissed at the fact he had just seen his mate fall to the floor. Heck, he had ran all the way here and tackled the alpha because his mother bled a little and she was a no one here... yeah, all thanks to these morons. She was their queen, the ungrateful flea ridden dogs. <b>"No. You might not ask."</b> he replied sarcastically, his smooth, gravelly voice slipped free without hesitation. If he wanted to know, he could always as his limping mate.

He dare not look at his mother. He could only imagine the shock, perhaps the disappointment on her face. She probably didn't need rescuing, she never needed his help before now and for all he knew, he might have just had them evicted... or worse. No, he couldn't look at her. His heart was in the right place and beat like theirs, but the darkness that ran in his veins would be sure to get him in trouble.</blockquote>

She went to move forward as Athena rose, her clearly dislocated paw looking sickly out of position. She would need to apply pressure, to push the bone back to where it should be. But she would have to do it alone and then head to the lake to bathe it in the icy waters to prevent further swelling. But before she could open her mouth or make a move, Tlarx appeared. A ghost as ever, only turning up when it suited him to be about in her eyes. Her walls rose back up as her stance settled. There was no questioning what was going on here, and yet he did - a clear measure of his stupidity in her superior eyes. Surely there was more to the male, but she chose not to see it. She did not need to answer the black saddled man, her son did so for her and the twitches of a smile crept to the corners of her mouth. It was a good thing they had each other. Nobody else here would ever look out for them as they did for each other. More partners in crime here than mother and son. She itched for the male to make a move toward him. Any excuse. The adrenaline began to throb beneath her skin again. One move was all it would take, her stance screamed it all. Dismissive of the lead male, as he had been of her on the mountain - choosing to defer to Athena (why couldn’t he just do that now?), she walked towards the white wolf and gave her instruction on how to fix her ankle. It wasn’t something Naira could do herself, it would cause more pain than good. There was minor pain relief back in her cache, a small gob of pine sap, enough to help her with the pain once the swelling subsided. The water of the lake would be cold enough to numb it initially but once she left... It was all the aide the tawny woman could offer. She had another purpose here. She turned to continue down to her children. It was well past time this was over with.

Nothing seemed to go in Athena’s favor, lately. Luck wasn’t on her side and neither was karma. It appeared that karma was out to get revenge disguised as the young Adonis. She didn’t understand what she could have done to get karma chasing after her, but she wasn’t going to shove it under the rug like she had with other important things lately. She had kept the children alive and safe, hadn’t she? Belladonna and Datura had grown up loved and protected. She had kept the pack together when their leaders had disappeared (not knowing the reason why they were gone). She had scoured the mountainside and the entire Pass looking for any sign of them, but coming up with nothing besides old scents and memories. Should she have done more? But what more could she have done?

But, when Naira and Adonis mysterious returned, she didn’t know if she could trust her again, but she knew she couldn’t just let them suffer out there alone for the harsh winter. They were still her family after all, but the trust was gone. But, was she wrong for not telling the children the truth when she had the chance? The real reason that Athena didn’t tell them was that she was scared – scared of losing them forever after becoming so attached to them. She had loved them with all her heart and protected them with her life. All she wanted was for them to be happy, for them to love someone like she loved them. And she thought that happy was with her, but had she been wrong?

Adonis put her into their perspective, almost doing more good to her than bad. Her ankle would heal with time, but what she had done to their new family had hurt more. They were truly unable to connect with Bella and Datura with the secret that she shoved onto them weighing them down. It was unfair to Naira and Adonis as well as Belladonna and Datura. She really hadn’t meant to do this to them. Her heart was in the right place, but it was time for her to step back. They were still family even if they didn’t feel the same. Fear had gotten the best of her, but now was the time to face her fears and hope that everything turned out right in the end.

Through all her thinking, Tlarx had shown up, the words exchanged fell on deaf ears. She didn’t react to him like she usually would when he came to comfort her, but she knew he was there. Her distracted mind was on other things, removing her from the real world momentarily. Her yearning fiery eyes looked past Adonis towards the nightshade covered path that most likely led towards Bella and Datura. She needed to make things right. Before she could anything, however, Naira was in her ear explaining the procedure of fixing her dislocated ankle. Something in her voice told her she didn’t plan on staying to see if her guidance worked. When the tawny woman finished, she turned on her heel and began towards the den where the children were. Before Naira could get far, Athena’s temporarily hoarse voice called out to her. “Can I talk to them first? Make things right again.” Taking a step towards her, she ignored the searing pain in her ankle. She needed to make things right for herself, Naira, and most importantly the children.

|| Ash is welcome to make an appearance in any thread. ||

Skipping Tlarx who is inactive again.

The young solider kept poised, ready, but it appeared the lead male had nothing to say. He felt himself smirking, but tried quickly to wipe it, his goodness battling the dark within him to not gloat. It was enough to injure your leader, but another question to be all "up in their grill about it".
He visibly tensed as his mother moved forward towards Athena, but it appeared nothing was to come of it as she merely whispered in hushed tones and moved off towards the direction he had heard his sister talking. She was going to do it, she was finally going to tell them and make everything right int he world. He didn't expect them to accept it right away, he didn't want Datura to even be related to him, let alone know about it, but he knew it was the right thing to do. Yes, this pack had cared for them when they could have tossed them out, but the disrespect they had shown his mother since she returned, after leaving through no fault of her own. They didn't even care that she was safe, that she had come back to them when she didn't have to. Instead they shoved her down as the lowest rank in the pack, expecting her to grovel and beg for her worth. It was not what she deserved and he would always fight for what was right.

He kept himself behind his mother, turning to follow her but when Athena called after them he halted and glanced to her; her limp was more visible now she moved more, and he couldn't help the pang of guilt for hurting someone else. Half of him wanted to apologise, the other half wanted to laugh and maybe even think about pushing her back over. Torn between himself, he glanced to his mother to see how she felt about it. For all they knew Athena might run ahead and fill more lies to his brother and sister's heads, or so could tell them the truth and get them ready to leave- either way he wished his mother would just get it over with. Maybe if she wouldn't he would- he was sick of keeping their dirty secret.

Thinking Bella and Datura up next? Would prefer if it was just Naira and the kids from here, want to get this wrapped up as soon as possible.

The hoarse voice that called out to her was one of desperation. Once, she may have listened, but the plea only hardened her resolve further, and a singular commanding syllable left her mouth. “No.” She had afforded the white wolf more than ample opportunity to make things right as she suddenly wanted to do. Now that the choice had been taken away from her. It wouldn’t be sincere, no, it would be a confession bought on by fear. Best she do it herself. It was a short, purposeful walk down to the Lake where she knew in her heart that the children would be. On her walk she had a chance to contemplate what a frightful mess she must look with blood about her head, lips and neck. A hasty pink tongue made short work of the coppery mess about her muzzle but nothing could be done about the rest. There was no helping her appearance, but nor would she delay any further. Finally, Bella came into sight and it was with her gentlest smile that she approached the girl. Dropping her rigid tail and softening her glance. After all it was not her children she was pissed off with. It wasn’t their fault they had been lied to. She bought herself to a seat, knowing Datura should not be far off. The conspiratorial grin she had given the girl on the heights was back on her face and lighting her eyes, and teasingly she asked “Would you like to play a game Belladonna?”She hoped her tone would be enough to tease her golden son out from hiding.

It was a terrible thing, those voices - she had immediately decided that she wanted absolutely nothing to do with them, and yet she had not moved, had not fled. A sick curiosity had gripped her, just as strong as the fear that the same curiosity would be answered. She could feel it, the pain and sadness and anger on the wind - but why? Why were they hurting? It was important, she guessed, but... that didn't make it any easier.

Time passed, and nobody appeared, and Bella moved barely a muscle. She had time to accept that it was heading towards her, had time to prepare, to calm. It was Naira and her mother's voices which hurt the most, though she could hear others. What was going on? And where was Datura? She almost called for him again, but did not - if he had not heard her the first time, he would not again. Just how far had he wondered? She should have gone with him, or asked him to stay. Did she have the courage to brave this alone?

Then, finally, she appeared - a woman Bella had been growing to love, a woman who had been leaving small questions at the back of her mind. Bella had been trying to ignore these questions, telling herself that she wasn't interested in the answers - the answers would bring disruption and change, would alter her reality. Bella was comfortable in her reality. She was happy.

This wasn't about her happiness. It did not take long for her to see the blood on Naira, though she smelled it first, smelled the tension and the fight. Her heart beat a dull rhythm. Who had been fighting? Still she stood, her calm practiced and ready, watching Naira approach with open curiosity. She had heard it all and had heard nothing. Naira moved with such purpose. What was going on? She saw no hostility in the large woman's eyes, in her manner, and did not feel threatened. Naira would not hurt her, so she was safe - so why was she still so afraid?

She knew that grin, that tone, and it served well to soften Bella, to reassure her, though she was not deceptive enough to hide the quiet suspicion in her eyes. "Okay," she said, taking a step towards Naira, tail lifting with a wag, and the enthusiasm was not entirely forced.

Datura is finding out in another thread so it will just be us two. We should be able to knock it over pretty quickly now/whenever you are ready.

 

She did not let her own apprehension show, although it was deep in her churning stomach. This was such a delicate matter... and after so long, there was no easy way to deal with it. Still, she knew Adonis could remember those days, and she knew Bella was more in tune with her surroundings than the rest. All she could do was try. "I need you to close your eyes first." The tawny wolf directed quietly. Peeking wouldn't hurt, but it could make the process so much harder for the young girl and she could only hope that she would follow her instructions. Her own eyes closed as if to reinforce the message. She would take this journey with her, for all it would break her own heart.

The wind teased her ears as a small smile touched the corners of her lips. She breathed in deeply before continuing with her instructions. "I need you to breath in deeply and listen to your heartbeat." Her voice trailed off, as if she were in some sort of trance. She needed to pull the memories from somewhere deeper, but she would allow the girl a chance to find her center first. "Think back, as far as you can remember. Back to when you were just a baby, and before your eyes opened. Remember the scents that surrounded you. Remember the feel of it..." She wasn't about to openly say 'Remember your brothers, remember your real parents.' That would break all the poor girl's concentration.

The mother waited on bated breath and hoped beyond hope that her daughter would remember her, and she could carry this off as gently as possible.

(This post was last modified: Jan 12, 2013, 03:26 AM by Naira.)

If she had not trusted Naira so much, she would not have consented to the simple instructions, but close her eyes she did. Perhaps if she ignored the blood, ignored the raised voices she had heard, then everything would be okay and there would be nothing to worry about. It wasn't her problem, and her mother would have dealt with it, right? She had already been told not to meet strangers on her own, to be careful, not to take risks with her safety. Naira was safe, so she wasn't in danger here. As she took a breath, nothing but dancing darkness in her vision, she listened for further instructions and let the tension fall away.

This was a strange game, but she could go with it. Her lungs filled, and suddenly her heartbeat was distinct in her ears, a comforting rhythm when accompanied by Naira's voice. Bella was so used to careful thought, and something near meditation, so this was not a state that was entirely alien to the girl, but, ordinarily, she let herself go when being absorbed by nature, either the sounds or sights or smells. When Naira said think back, as far as you can remember, her meditation turned onto a very different path, one she had never really trodden before. Bella did not often dwell on the past, preferring to take awe in the present, and occasionally the future. Trusting as she was, she did not question the task, but took to it with curious enthusiasm; just how far back could she remember?

Her senses dulled as she cast back, at first going back minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day; the raised voices, playing with Datura, wanting to visit the lake, waking up, a day of heavy clouds. But these were recent, nowhere near as far back as she could go, so she went faster, week by week, and then the events started to merge as she tried to remember a time before the lake, before the freedom to leave the den, because that was her beginning. The den, with Datura, with her mother, with the white fur she had grown up loving.

She hesitated, and the memory lingered, waiting for her to push harder, but it was such a warm memory - she had never wanted to go further, never even thought to. Why was there a barrier here? She found herself reluctant to try, as though she had long decided that she didn't want to - as if she already knew what was there.

Darker fur, fur like hers, and more smells, smells like her. For the first time since casting back she frowned slightly, discomforted, aware that she was touching a raw nerve that she had tried to ignore, tried to cover. But she knew. How long had she known?

"But... that doesn't make any sense," she whispered, eyes still closed, her ears folding back, her tail falling as she began to succumb to the gentle pain that she had been sheltering herself from. Why would she remember Naira before her mother, in her most pure of memories, clouded by no other thought? Though afraid, she opened her eyes then, to look upon the bloodied woman who had apparently known her before the wolf she loved as her parent. Who she had known.

Still she tried to reject it, tried to protect herself from the truth. She loved her world, she loved her reality - this was a change she didn't need, didn't want. But it was there, staring her in the face. She forgot how to speak, and just watched Naira, waiting, terrified, for the answer.

happy to go another round if you want or happy to have you wrap it up with your next post.

Of course it wouldn’t make sense to her. A sad smile crossed her face as she knew then that Bella knew. It was such a long story. Such a painful one, but she deserved to hear it. If only the short version. Her eyes drifted out across the calm water of the lake. She expected to need to steady her breathing but it was calm, as was her mind, for the first time since she had come here. The truth was out. Finally. A huge weight had been lifted from her mind.

She shifted her paws slightly, allowing her toes to dig into the soft earth around the shore. "Your brother, Adonis, was taken from us in the middle of the night. I had to find him, and I did, but there was a landslide behind me and I couldn’t get back. We waited for weeks, but when nobody came we had to try and find another way home. We were always trying to get back to you and your brother. Always." Her voice was barely above a whisper. There was little she could do to make the young wolf believe her story. Perhaps if she doubted her she could seek out Adonis and hear his side of the story, for all she wondered whether or not he would tell it. It hadn’t been easy on either of them.

"Your father went missing during the same storm, along with your sister, Lilly." If the truth was coming out, it may as well all come out... well... almost. "I think he probably came looking for us." By now her eyes had drifted from the lake to the dark earth between her paws, her voice had lost most of its strength to be little more than a quiet emotionless drone. "I need to go away again for a little while... to find him. Do you think you could keep an eye on your brothers for me?" It was a lot to dump on such small shoulders. She wasn’t asking Belladonna to accept that she was her mother, all she asked was that she not block Adonis out for his absence as well. She would wait to see if the girl had any more questions before she took her leave.