I Just Want Someone To Love Me
|
The Stormsoul Pack
|
Post by Iris on Jan 20, 2014 22:26:11 GMT -3
She'd been here awhile, and was getting bigger by the day. A few visitors would make their way in, mostly Dila, but Iris didn't have much to say to them. To anyone. What was there to say? Silence was so much better than any sad excuse for words she could come up with.
No matter how content she was with the silence, she was still Iris. A tornado. A tornado that did not cope well with being cooped up, but was unwilling to go against the walls that held it. Without those walls, who knew what it would do. Iris knew now what she was willing to do, what if she did it again?
Was it truly that sad that she was afraid of her own actions?
Instead, she paced in her little den, sometimes testing those walls by poking at them, spending a few moments at the mouth of her den. Never did she venture far, never did she knock down the walls.
Afraid of what may be on the other side.
|
|
Ranger
23 posts in 40 moons
The Stormsoul Pack
|
Post by Luke on Jan 21, 2014 4:19:53 GMT -3
some would say he was too soft. Some would say that wasn't a bad thing. Gabe didn't think it was a bad thing. He'd chosen him as his second after all, something tat was quite honorable. He'd thought the wolf would choose Timber or someone, anyone else. But placing his trust in a dog, Gabe had solidified the wolves relationship in this pack to the strays in a way Bobby had not been able to. They were one now. Stormsoul. He held his head proud as he watched Timber lead some of the squires in from a hunting patrol, tails wagging furiously as they went to take food to the elders and the dams. Dila was officially a knight, old enough to be considered a full fledged adult, so she wasn't among the group, not since a few nights before. As such, he realized something. None of the squires would take food to Iris. He tail stiffened, mostly because such harsh memories always took forever to fade, forever to build a wall of other memories between. And he couldn't help but pity her, especially with that hurt look in her eyes.
She messed up big, but she knew it. Whatever demon had possessed her to commit these wrongs, whatever passion had boiled up inside her, shouting ideas of glory and conqueror must have quieted to be replaced with sense and longing. But just because she was here didn't mean she had a family again. Not yet, not by a long shot. Sable spent most of her time with Vitani, Taler and their littermates, who were almost old enough to begin training. Gabe had a pack to run and while Hemma had renewed her efforts to court him, Gabe had become distracted by one of the farm dogs to the north, as the mountain dog kept scenting her and him there near their border. It wasn't against the rules, but it was odd how secretive he was being.
Grabbing a small strip of meat from the store pile he walked slowly towards Iris's den and dipped his head inside. "It's lunch time." He said through the food in his muzzle, "Let's go for a walk."
|
|
I Just Want Someone To Love Me
|
The Stormsoul Pack
|
Post by Iris on Jan 21, 2014 4:31:29 GMT -3
As she paced in a futile attempt to pass time in her self-imposed prison, Iris tried not to dwell on the thoughts that were the only thing she had to dwell on and distract herself. Paw at the dirt like a pup, digging a shallow hole aimlessly that may have something to do with the instinct to nest, but was mostly out of having little else to do. Feeling the dirt give way gave her some sort of accomplishment. Today, she dug her hole a littler deeper.
Both figuratively and literally.
A voice came in, and Iris glanced up to see a figure, the dog who had been the first to see Iris and had escorted her and Dila to the camp so many day cycles ago. Glancing up at the male, Iris didn't very much fancy the idea of going out, not wanting to deal with the stares she got each time she did, even when going to take care of business. Or the whispers that always followed her, rarely of a kind nature.
She really didn't want to have a repeat of the disaster that had been her breakdown at the 'Trial'.
However, she didn't really see a reason to argue other than that she much rather stay in her den. Then there was some part of her, the part that loathed to be cooped up like this and would rather be out being useful, hunting and guarding for her pack and doing all the duties she had once been responsible for as Remus and even the ones in her short-time as Rhea. So hesitant as she was, Iris nodded once and without saying a word, as she was unsure of what could possible be said, she began to pad outside the den, blinking in the light and pointedly not looking at the canines that would be lingering in the overworld and would no doubt notice the she-wolf finally emerging from her den. Glancing once at Luke she moved her head as if to say, Lead the way.
|
|
Ranger
23 posts in 40 moons
The Stormsoul Pack
|
Post by Luke on Jan 21, 2014 4:53:13 GMT -3
Watching her climb out, how defensive she froze under the quick glances of the squires and the narrowed eyes of some of the dams and knights who were sitting in the clearing, enjoying the sunbeams through the trees as the pups played about. She wouldn't want to eat the food he'd brought in front of the these people she was not close to in the least, knowing she was under their weighted stares as they judged her for the crimes she had brought against the pack.
The spring would be mostly clear this time of day. They'd come across the watering hold while exploring the territory. He'd never tasted water so clean and pure. They could sit there and relax. As she gestured for him to walk, he gave his head a quick bob, slipping out the main entrance. while the clearing wasn't as safe as the sleepy meadows had been, they were slwoly building it up. Currently, the pups had been helping their mothers compact the snow to make a wall type of thing. It was cold enough that it would hold for awhile, and spring wasn't going to be there for another few moons. Some of the knights had found bramble bushes and they were already planning the assemble them around the sparser parts of the clearing.
With the snow, there were clearly define paths marking the routes the pack were taking, especally because of the thick overgrown trees kept the constant snowfall from hiding it as they had in the previous territory. That wasn't necessarily a good thing, though, and Luke hope he remembered to talk to Gabe about finding a solution to it soon. Paths were easier to walk on, sure, but they were also a dead give away for enemies who may stumble upon them.
As they drew closer to the spring, the Ranger could feel twigs from the harsh winter trees scrathcing through his fur as he made his way to the side of the bubbling spring. They weren't really sure why, but water appeared to be coming out of the ground here, and despite this, it didn't taste unpleasant in the least. He finally lowered his head and placed the strips of meat onto the ground in front of him. "Lunch and a water break." He explained. "Plus you're out of the den and out of camp without any worry on their end." He said, gesturing back to the path they'd come from.
|
|
I Just Want Someone To Love Me
|
The Stormsoul Pack
|
Post by Iris on Jan 26, 2014 5:27:10 GMT -3
As they walked, Iris was utterly silent, head down as she tried not to look back at the canines she knew were staring at her. Either judging, hateful, or pitying and 'felt bad' for her. She didn't know which she hated more... Well, she did. It was the ones who stared at her, and judged the pups inside of her because of the things their mother had been. If a pup always became like their parents, then Iris would have become like her father.
None of this would have happened if pups always turned out like their parents.
Once they had left the camp... it was better, because the weight of many gazes was no longer upon her. Still, Iris only raised her head slightly to look around, take in her surroundings in the instinctive way she'd always had to know everything around her, to weigh pros and cons and come up with a plan. To be ready. As she did so, the she-wolf was careful to keep a distance between her and the ranger, unsure of him. At the trial, he had been the one to step up for her, but... he was a dog.
She pretended to be over such prejudice, but despite her struggle to keep her comments to herself, Iris still found herself looking at the dogs with a level of disdain, judging them more harshly and inwardly commenting on it when they brought back less prey than a pack-born, or dismissing it as a fluke when they came back with more. It was getting better, but she knew her automatic tendency to underestimate a dog, to assume the worst of them. However, he had stepped up for her at the trial and for that, he couldn't be that bad.
They reached the springs, and as Luke laid out the meat, she looked up at him and nodded before taking a step forward to the spring and putting her head down, taking one tentative drink, and then animal instincts took over and she was lapping at the water with much more fervor. After a moment, she looked up and back at the dog, "Did Gabe put you up to this?" She asked, not even knowing if she wanted a yes or a no. It would feel good to know that Gabe cared and sent for someone to help her, but... it was a conflicting feeling. That he had sent someone else to do it. Did he send a dog on purpose? Why did he not come? Why did he send someone else and not come visit? Or... if it was a no.... it was be good, that someone else was willing to help, but also confusing. It would be bad because... then, maybe she had truly lost her family.
|
|
Ranger
23 posts in 40 moons
The Stormsoul Pack
|
Post by Luke on Jan 27, 2014 19:45:43 GMT -3
She drank and Gabe wished it was warm so he could swim in the crystal clear water. He'd never been this war west, so he hadn't known this was hear before the pack's relocation, but it was the most beautiful pond he'd ever seen. One of the wolves had explained it was a spring, where fresh water bubbled up from the earth on its own. Which was odd, but he hadn't questioned this given there was a deep dark spot in that clear water where no one could see the floor.
At her question though, the Ranger tilted his head and stared at her, only blinking once or twice. She needed to reconnect with her family, something Gabe had already expressed to him, worry about balancing the affection he needed to show to his sister and the compassion he needed to have for the pack. While Gabe, Luke and a few other sympathizers had managed to quit the nay-sayers, there was a few who were openly mean to Iris, while most others avoided her or pitied her. Not that any of this was good, but it wasn't like it could be helped. Only time would heal these recent wounds.
"No," he said, looking back to the spring. What else was there to say? It was not his place to tell her Gabe was worried about her and the pack all at once. "You just need to eat and it isn't nice to sit in a den all day surrounded by those who you know are silently judging you."
He knew that feeling. He'd felt it the first few weeks he'd joined the pack back when it was whole. The dogs were hardly accepted at that point, and he'd basically been tailed anywhere he went, for fear he was going to do something bad.
|
|
I Just Want Someone To Love Me
|
The Stormsoul Pack
|
Post by Iris on Jan 28, 2014 3:17:31 GMT -3
At his reply, she looked back at him, studying him in a way reminiscent of her old focus that had always looked over both her comrades and foes, making sure she knew them. Tactical skills that had once been all she cared about, being the best in battle and being noticed. Now she just wanted to lay low and be left alone, get through this damn pregnancy and somehow raise pups.
She had no idea how to even begin doing that yet.
Nodding once, Iris didn't reply, awkward with conversation because ever conversation topic from before no longer applied and hell, he may be a dog that made her a bit iffy to begin with, but he was one of the only dogs not hating her. So, she was determined not to offend him in some way.
Slowly and hesitantly, she took a quick bite of the meat, and the first bite was much like with the water, it drove her to eat several more in quick succession, abandoning any sense of being careful and proper in favor of sating her hunger. Then she paused, nearly halfway through the strip as she looked up, an ear twitching in embarrassment as she quickly offered, "Do you want a.. uh.. bite?"
So much for her eloquence. It was just another part of her that seemed to be missing these days.
|
|
Ranger
23 posts in 40 moons
The Stormsoul Pack
|
Post by Luke on Feb 9, 2014 20:54:01 GMT -3
It was interesting if only because he didn't know what to expect of the wolf. Once it would have been clear how she would have reacted to any given thing, once she'd been proud and would have turned down any help, so it was good and a relief when she ate without question, but more of a surprise than anything when she asked him if he wanted some.
He tilted his head, his floppy ears perking slightly, but then shook his head. "Oh, no, thank you. I ate before I went on patrol," he explained. She seemed embarrassed and he tried to skate over the awkward exchange by leaving less silence to drag the awkwardness on. "The territory has been good to us, despite it still being winter and the weather has been mild in the past moon so we haven't had to worry about blizzards or stock piles just yet." He paused and then turned to watch her, "Would you like a tour of the territory?" He asked.
|
|
I Just Want Someone To Love Me
|
The Stormsoul Pack
|
Post by Iris on Jun 1, 2014 16:34:52 GMT -3
He declined the offer and she was admittedly a little relieved, definitely hungry enough to finish it on her own and she nodded once before doing just that. Hating how tense she was, having once been able to walk with little worry that anyone would have a go at her or without needing a guard up. Back when people trusted her and before she'd messed everything up. Quiet for a moment, her ears perked and turned slightly back against her head, listening intently to her surroundings, for footsteps and the rush of the water.
Soon finishing, Iris tail shuffled a little in the grass as she began to return to her feet, the movement clunky with the weight of pups but her paws digging into the ground for support and considering his words. Well, at least she hadn't condemned them to starvation in their exile, and she thanked the gods that they had been good to the young pack.
She didn't know much of the area herself, having had little reason to cross to the north of the mountains, more focused on within their territory and not wishing to go closer to the humans and their pets. However, it was not wise to linger here if she didn't know the area. "Why not?" Was her reply, a more concealed agreement as she took a step, "Where first?"
|
|
Ranger
23 posts in 40 moons
The Stormsoul Pack
|
Post by Luke on Jun 7, 2014 12:08:27 GMT -3
| R
aising his head, he sniffed the crisp air and wagged his tail slightly. A slight breeze was heading through the forest and carried the scents of a patrol to the south, running along the feet of the mountain. He doubted she'd want to run into anyone. He'd try to pick a route that would take them to empty places and a good location jumped to mind.
"The treefalls. One of the dams named it." He didn't expplain, instead taking off at a leisurely pace. It was't far from where they were and at this time of day the pups would all be back at camp for a snack and a nap. It was located close to the center of the territory so patrols only went by to check on the clearing every now and again and only to make sure no foxes or other predators had moved into the area where pups played.
Every now and again he'd give Iris a reassuring smile. He'd never seen this side of her. He doubted anyone had, not even her siblings. She looked defeated.
"I'll bring us around in a circle ahead of the patrols so no one bothers us, okay?" he explained politely, dipping his head respectfully to the she-wolf.
|
|
|
