thunder clatter

LAPELLAAAAAAAAAAAAA <333 LACHIE GETS BFF TIME w/ @Capella.
Also, Random Event: Lachesis, you face-planted in the snow. Also you seriously don't have to match this I got carried away XD

The constant cold was growing tiresome. The deer-legged yearling longed for the warmth of the sun on his back and the taste of fresh meat on his tongue. With the arrival of the snow came the departure of the prey; with each passing day the land of Relic Lore grew more and more empty. Even wolves were disappearing. Some chased the prey in hopes of bypassing the worst of the winter, while others were unable to survive in the frigid temperatures. While he had been unsure of jumping into a new pack after deciding to leave Pitch Pine Trail with Anastasia, the boy was now grateful they had chosen to join Darkwaters when they had.

Anastasia…

Even just the thought of his former companion felt as though a stick was being twisted through his heart. He paused briefly to allow the thought to linger before continuing forward, his shoulders hunched forward. Although thinking of the blue-eyed china doll was often difficult and painful XIX forced himself to. He worried that if he stopped, even for a day, he would forget about his pale friend. As much as he wanted to remain positive and hopeful that she had found a way to survive the mountain and was waiting to return to Cut Rock, Lachesis knew the chances of survival were slim. He could not ignore the truth; denial would only worsen his condition, and the boy needed to be strong if she returned to the pack. Cut Rock River was his home, and would remain his home until he died or the pack disbanded – which, hopefully, neither would occur any time soon. If Ana returned to the pack the healer wanted to make sure he was there when she came back home.

There was also another reason why he would not leave the growing pack – her name was Capella. The pale, sunflower-eyed female had been one of the first to stumble upon the distraught yearling after his return from the mountain. She had also been the wolf to bring Shade and Karpos into his life, and had been one of his closest friends since their first encounter. Luckily the leader of his pack, Maksim, had allowed his bright-eyed friend to join the pack. The first few weeks after his return XIX had remained isolated in his den, even pulling away from Capella as he hid in the darkest corners. Eventually he allowed himself to seek the comfort that she offered, his thin body almost constantly glued to her side. There were still days where he would shy way, drowning himself in his thoughts as the grief overwhelmed him. Even when he avoided her and attempted to push her away she remained, her soft voice bringing the yearling back from even the darkest of places. After several days he finally abandoned the safety of his den, the frigid air biting at his frail body. He knew that if he remained in his den any longer the other wolves of Cut Rock were going to think he had gone crazy – which wasn’t completely untrue.

He had left the den without Capella in hopes of finding some sort of food to add to the pack’s cache. Living as a loner had been tough on the sunflower-eyed female, and while she had been busy worrying about him Lachesis had been concerned about her own health. She put on a strong face for the mentally wounded healer, which caused thoughts of guilt to surface. He was supposed to be the strong one; the protector. He had failed with Anastasia, but he would not fail with Capella.

Long, willowy legs moved with precision as he cut through the snow, his slender body weaving through the trees as he neared the creek he and Anastasia had made a temporary home of while they had been searching for a pack. Wrapped up in his own thoughts, the ghost had forgotten to pay attention to the ground in front of him. His forepaw caught on the edge of the beaver dam, causing the stilt-legged yearling to stumble forward and land face-first in the snow.

stick with those who stick with you

The only thing on her mind for days now was tending to the broken boy, who had remained so secluded since the incident. Both of them had lost too much in their short lives, but undoubtedly, his loss was greater. Anastasia hadn't been his acquaintance, or long lost friend. To the ashen male, Ana was a mentor, a friend, something irreplaceable. She had been there to teach, and help him every step of the way. It was a role that Capella could never fill, and for that, she had to beg forgiveness. Nothing could bring the wispy female back to them. No amount of bargaining or tears could erase the mark that she had made on all of their lives. Her gentle soul would forever haunt their footsteps, and the dark corners of their minds. For years to come, the pale fae was sure Lachesis would make the mistake of saying her name, waking up to feel a phantom pelt against his side, only to find nothing there. He would be a mess for a while, and then things would ease up. Eventually she hoped that he would retain some type of normalcy in his life, but of course some days would be worse than others. She knew that some nights he wouldn't be able to sleep, maybe he wouldn't even want to, and that was ok with her. He had to go through the grieving process, and she intended to be there every step of the way. If sleep were to fail him, then she would find no burden in staying up until dawn. When he needed space, she would let him have it, and then when he finally felt the need to let it out, she would cry with him. That pear eyed boy was all she had now, and she'd be damned if she didn't do everything she could for him.

Each day she prayed that her companion would make it through the night. Often she'd heard tales of wolves dying from a broken heart, they would just give up, and allow the Earth to take them. Too many nights she had laid awake herself, wondering if death's cold hands would wrap around her neck, or if she would be spared another day. Each time, it had passed her without even a second glance. Maybe her heart had yet to truly break, holding on by strings of childish hope. Regardless though, death's kindness had allowed her to live, and now she could serve her purpose here in Cut Rock River, aiding the only one who had ever truly needed her.

His welcome scent rolled through her, as she made the already familiar trek toward the entrance of their den. The light perfume of Anastasia poured over her alongside the usual wave of guilt. It was like a constant reminder of their loss that showed no signs of getting easier, especially not for Lach. He had spent the days after her disappearance holed up in the den, scraping up any trace of her that he could, and she was afraid he might spend the rest of his time grasping at even the faintest of her memories.

Strangely enough, she found the small hideaway completely empty. It wasn't like him to be far away. Her heart skipped a beat, and then two. Where was he? Why didn't he tell her where he was going? Taking a deep breath, the fae had to remind herself that he wasn't obligated to tell her anything. He was old enough to go where he pleased. Unfortunately, it didn't do anything to settle her stomach. It seemed the older she grew the worse her nerves became. Every little thing made her jump, and every bit of bad news broke her a tiny bit more. Capella was positive that it wouldn't be long before she'd burn out completely. For only a moment she sat there contemplating what she would do. The pale boy needed his space, but something just felt off. With a sigh, she started after him. It wasn't until she reached the borders that the worry deepened itself. Breaking out into a sprint, she flew after him, praying that he hadn't tried to brave the mountain once more.

When his trail was finally fresh she breathed a sigh of relief. He was safe, and that was all that mattered anymore. He was nothing of his former self, with dim eyes, and an unkempt coat. With a heavy heart that she called out to him, knowing that her eyes would meet a weary form. "Lach?" The stress had taken such a toll on him. The state she found him in was not what she had expected, but possibly worse. His face was planted in the snow. Fear touched her heart as she awaited an answer.

worlds are ruined this way, and we've all been there time and time again.

Lachesis would be lying if there weren’t times after Anastasia’s disappearance that he wanted to give up. Wander into the snow; allow the freezing temperatures to take him to someplace warmer… But he couldn’t. Not only did he have Capella to care for, he also had his pack mates – he was their healer; they depended on him. As much as he wanted to give up and allow himself to fall victim to his grief the yearling knew that the pack needed him. And what if Anastasia was to return? How would she react if she came back to find him gone? No – he couldn’t allow him to think so negatively…

With the blue-eyed dove being gone it was difficult for the yearling to be positive about anything. Everything had made sense when she was around. She had helped him prep for the life of a feral wolf and how to act properly in their presence. She had prepared him for pack life, and it was because of her why he had grown to be so confident in himself. It had been Anastasia to guide him in the direction of pursuing the duty of healer in both his current and former pack. After leaving the reserve and getting separated from his brother Nineteen knew that he wouldn’t be able to survive on his own, not without help. It was then that the pair had stumbled into each other’s lives, both needing something from the other. He had been wary at first, not wanting to trust a feral wolf, but had eventually warmed up to the docile stranger. Every word she spoke radiated with comfort; Lachesis felt safer with her than he ever had within the hot-wired fences of the reserve.

It was still difficult for him to think about her – as much as he didn’t want to he knew that he couldn’t stop. Thinking was fine, it was talking about her that was even harder. There were times where he couldn’t even choke out her name, as tears would begin to pool as soon as the ‘Ah’ sound managed to stutter off his tongue. Capella had quickly learnt that the A-word was not to be spoken aloud, and had temporarily discarded the name from her vocabulary.

Dazed by the act of falling face-first into the snow, the ghost remained where he was, hindlegs protruding from the snow awkwardly as he relaxed into the cold. As an Arctic wolf XIX was far more accustom to the snow than most – sometimes he even preferred the chilled temperature as opposed to the warmth of the summer. So burying himself in the strange substance was not out of the ordinary, even when done accidentally. After a few moments had passed XIX wriggled around, his forepaws reaching for solid ground to push himself into a standing position. It was in his struggles that the soft voice of Capella rang through the trees, causing Lachesis’ movements to increase in speed. Flinging himself from the snow the boy flopped into a sitting position, his chartreuse gaze landing on her pale figure. A small mound of snow remained atop his muzzle, but the boy did not shake it away. “S-sorry,” he stuttered quickly, teeth chattering against each other as his legs quivered in the snow. “W-wanted food.” Offering her an apologetic expression he remained where he was, a tidal wave of guilt washing over him. He should have told her he was leaving – he had already put her through so much, it wasn’t fair.

stick with those who stick with you

She watched as he struggled out of the snow pile. It broke her heart, but she didn't dare go to him. The pair were becoming far too accustomed to the hardships of life, and to be honest, she was afraid to be refused. Even now, some nights he would shy away from her comfort. She couldn't be upset though, as she'd done much the same when she returned to the Trail. Once she found everyone gone, she'd holed herself away from the world, unable to leave her den. It effected her even now, especially when she made an attempt at sleep. It was enough that he allowed her to share the den that had once belonged to the blue-eyed female, and so she allowed him all the space he needed.

In another time, Capella could imagine a smile breaking out across his maw. He would laugh and manage some lighthearted retaliation. Unfortunately that Lachesis was a world away, too far from where they stood now. Instead a contrite expression spread across his face, and she couldn't help but think how wrong this was. He shouldn't be apologizing, especially when he had gone to find food. As always the ashen male had done nothing wrong. He never had. Everything that Lach did was with good intention, and it was wrong of her to assume that he would have left the pack's land to put himself in danger. "Oh no, It's fine I..." She cut off. Lachesis wouldn't be any better to know that she was worried about him. Undoubtedly that conversation would lead back to Ana, and that was a topic she tried to avoid. Someday he would bring it up, and only then could they even acknowledge their loss.

"I was just wondering where you were." Her tone was light, almost as if she hadn't just ran the whole way here in a complete panic. It was easier this way. She could dance around the topic, walking on eggshells once more. Although it was different this time. Her choice rather than the fault of someone else. Sunflower eyes left him, finding solace in the snowy landscape. She was an idiot. Absolutely stupid to have followed him out here. Interaction was fine in the den when the shadows hid her face. She didn't want him to see the way the light had faded from her eyes as well, or the way her stares lingered on his form a little too long. There was no helping it as she was terrified of looking away for too long. What if he suddenly disappeared?

worlds are ruined this way, and we've all been there time and time again.

Stupid, stupid, stupid… As soon as he saw the worried expression etched across his friend’s maw the guilt became overbearing; he should have told her he was leaving. Although she would never admit it aloud, XIX knew that she had been frantically searching for him. The sunflower-eyed female had experienced her own losses. When Shade had passed away the healer knew it had hit his pale friend hard; she had known the former leader of Pitch Pine much longer than he had, and shared a deeper connection with the male. Then, during her temporary absence, he and Anastasia had fled their former home in hopes of starting fresh. Not soon after their departure the pack had fallen apart, causing Capella to search for a new home for not only herself, but Karpos. She had to watch the pack separate, each wolf heading in a different direction. He was being selfish, wallowing in his own self-pity without comforting his friend.

The words that dripped off her tongue returned the thin healer back to reality, his dull gaze resting on her pale form. While he had initially sought out food to be alone, XIX was glad that his friend decided to follow him. Now that she was here, temporarily filling the hole in his heart, the boy was grateful for the bond they shared. A hesitant, brief smile appeared on his dark lips the space between them filled with her soothing voice. She was home; a piece of his history, present, and future.

It was often difficult for the slender yearling to focus on one thought; his mind would hop from one to another, unable to settle. He was distant from reality, not wanting to deal with what was directly in front of him, and preferred to be devoured by his own mind. However, with reoccurring images of Anastasia appearing along with their experience on the mountain stuck on a loop, Lachesis wasn’t sure if his head was any better than reality. He was stuck in a limbo, too unstable to make a decision on which side to lean on.

“Here,” he responded finally in a soft voice, his pear-coloured eyes avoiding the warmth of Capella’s sunflower eyes. “I am h-here.” Barely. The distance between them seemed strange – Lachesis didn’t like it. She was too far away, it didn’t feel right. Perhaps she was worried that she would catch ‘the crazy’ if she came too close. Fighting off a frown from appearing on his maw, the boy spoke once more: “Wanted to s-surprise you. W-was gon’ bring y-you back f-food.” The stutter had returned with a vengeance, and he hated it. Prior to his departure to the mountain with Anastasia the slender healer had finally grown confident in himself. Now XIX felt as though the progress he had made had been discarded, buried beneath the snow that covered the mountains.

stick with those who stick with you

The wind whipped around them as a shiver ran down her spine. Whether it was from the cold, or the way his lifeless eyes met her own, she couldn't be sure. He wasn't the same wolf she'd known in Pitch Pine Trail. Everything he had been was lost on the mountain with Ana, wherever she may be. Gone were the days when he's shove into her, and manage something about eating puppies. Her Lachesis had been replaced by the empty shell of a boy who was torn away from everything he ever knew.

A fresh wave of guilt rolled through her as he spoke. It seemed his stutter was worse than ever. When they had met in the grove, she had wished for that unsure voice, but not like this. Why had she hoped it would return? Maybe it was because she wanted things to return to normal, and now, she had received what she'd asked for. There was nothing sweet in the bitter taste it left in her mouth, and she vowed that she would never make another wish like that. Somehow it had to be her fault, she just knew it.

"I'm glad." Truly she was, but he was only here in physicality. His pale form stood there, right in front of her, but she knew his mind was miles away. "Thank you, I didn't mean to ruin the surprise." She managed a smile, but something still seemed off. Another might have found his sudden ability to stray from their den as a sign of recovery, but she couldn't. Why would he choose now to escape the den? Had something happened, or was she looking too deeply into this? His recovery was touchy, one step at a time, but this just seemed so sudden. It couldn't be helped though. If he thought he was ready, then he was.

worlds are ruined this way, and we've all been there time and time again.

(This post was last modified: Feb 22, 2014, 07:23 AM by Capella.)

There is an elk carcass nearby. It looks like it froze to death. +12 Health

FOOOOOOOD!

As much as the unstable yearling wanted to feel whole once more he wasn’t sure if that was possible. It seemed as though as series of unfortunate events were unfolding one after the other; perhaps distancing himself from reality would prevent him from getting hurt. Lachesis could not handle any more mental pain – the grief over losing Anastasia was unbearable. He had barely survived the pain the loss had caused; if it had not been for the presence of Capella the boy knew he would have not made it through the first week.

Other than Capella everything was wrong. His voice, the way he was acting, the distance between them, their surroundings… it was all wrong. Every time they had crossed paths prior had been filled with conversation and laughter, their youth radiating off each other as they embraced their age. Now, both wolves seem older; aged by the pain that they had both experienced in their short lives. A frown had managed to work its way onto his dark lips, his pale gaze falling to the ground between them as he tried to remember the last time they had met. His former self was roaming the mountains with Anastasia, searching for a way out; a way back home. The wolf he had grown into had vanished, and XIX was unsure if it would ever return. Something else would surface to replace it, but it would not be the same.

A familiar scent slapped against his moist nostrils, causing the boy’s attention to deter from his friend. The smell caused his mouth to begin salivating, his heart beat quickening as he searched for its location. Although he appreciated the words that had fallen off his friend’s cherry tongue, he did not respond. Silently, the spider-legged youth pulled away from the snow, his slender body seeking frozen carcass. He motioned for the sunflower-eyed girl to follow him with a sharp wag of his tail while his chartreuse gaze remained forward, his large paws carrying him over the snow-covered beaver dam to reach the other side. Within a few steps the healer had reached the source of the stench – a frozen elk, its body barely protruding from the snow. Brushing away some of the snow, the pale yearling turned to the pale figure of Capella, a ghost of a smile toying at the corners of his lips. “S-surprise.” The single word as a feeble attempt at a joke in hopes of lightening the mood.

stick with those who stick with you

@Lachesis - Sorry for the wait <3 +6 for Pella, and +6 for Lach?

The scent infiltrated her airways only a second after it had taken him. It's familiar aroma danced past her head, in an almost teasing fashion. The last time she had tasted elk Pitch Pine Trail was still uncertain in their fate. Even the thought was enough to shake her. Regret lined the walls of her stomach, as it twisted into knots. Of course the small pack residing in the Fen wasn't the same as it had been under Shade's rule, but for all intents and purposes it was still home. Memories of the dark leader sprung into action. His smile seemed to play on a loop, before thoughts of Anastasia began. She wasn't an experienced leader, but what she lacked there, she made up for in heart. The lithe fae had been a mother to Karpos and Adsila. She had worked tirelessly teaching them, ensuring their safety, only to be thanked by losing her position. The injustice still made her blood boil. A gust of wind brought the perfume back, tearing her into reality. Lach was already on the move, his ashen coat disappearing over the dam. Without another thought, she started after him. There would be time for her sciamachy later, when darkness fell, and she could resume the battle with her mind.

Jagged sticks tore at her pads, while the ice did it's best to deter hopeful paws. It wasn't enough to stop her though, as she hurried after the pale boy. He was already brushing snow away from the carcass when she finally caught up to him. The soul once inhabiting the carcass was long gone, but it seemed fresh enough to eat. Golden eyes did not miss the hint of a smile tugging his lips. It was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen, and best of all, it gave her hope. Maybe her Lachesis really was in there somewhere. "It's the nicest surprise I've ever had" The smile that spread across her face could have competed with the sun. She chose not to mention that it wasn't the carcass which had supplied her grin.

Taking a step forward, she dug into the elk. Bones crunched beneath powerful jaws, as she pulled away the most edible morsels. When she was done, she couldn't remember how hungry she had been before, content for the first time since the winter had started. "Thank you." Her golden eyes searched his face, looking for something she might never find again.

worlds are ruined this way, and we've all been there time and time again.

(This post was last modified: Mar 01, 2014, 06:13 AM by Capella.)

sounds good to meeee! <3 :)

Due to the harsh winter that engulfed the lands of Relic Lore prey was almost impossible to find – even the smallest creatures had disappeared. While he would have preferred the taste of a fresh kill, XIX wasn’t about to turn away food – regardless of how frozen it was. It was still food and would keep him going until the next time he stumbled across something to eat. There was enough meat on the elk for the pair to eat their fill and bring some back for the rest of the pack.

The slender boy waited patiently for his companion to cross the dam after him, his pale gaze fixated on her pale form. He knew that the yellow-eyed girl needed the meat desperately – even more than he did – as up until recently she had been living as a lone wolf after Pitch Pine’s disbandment. A pang of guilt hit his stomach at the thought. He had left her once, too. Although she had disappeared briefly, he had still left without a word, breaking the promise they had formed in the beginning of their friendship. He had left her, he had left Anastasia… he had even left his family, abandoning them because of his bully brother. Who he had also abandoned after the creature had separated them. He was a coward and would always be one.

It was her response that tore him away from his troubling thoughts, causing a timid smile to break across his pale exterior. Unsure of what to say the boy stepped aside for his friend to dig in, allowing her to get a few bites in before he started. He ate slowly, not only to savour the meat but to enjoy Capella’s company. It seemed as though their carefree days were a thing of the past – the winter had hardened both of them. As much as Lachesis wanted to be happy and move on, he couldn’t. He didn’t know how. ‘Thank you.’ Another ghost of a smile flickered against his dark lips as he settled his hindquarters on the ground beside the elk. He nodded softly, his tongue remaining tucked away inside his mouth as he studied her silently. She didn’t deserve this – she also deserved to be happy. Not to be stuck puppysitting a miserable, heartbroken adult. “You’re w-welcome,” he finally managed, voice soft as it broke the air between them. I’m sorry was what he really wanted to say. He was sorry for everything; for dragging her down, for shutting her out, for losing Anastasia…

(This post was last modified: Mar 06, 2014, 12:06 AM by Lachesis.)

stick with those who stick with you