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Post by fateandfaith on Mar 20, 2008 15:08:21 GMT 10
Traf just stood, watching Tes’ retreating form, trembling with anger. He wanted to throw her over his shoulder and carry her back to the kill, kicking and screaming if it was to be. He was torn between concern and hurt and anger and not sure what to feel. His breath came and went in short, furious bursts, and it had nothing to do with his injury this time.
If you got a problem with that, then too damn bad! Her words slammed into him over and over, pounding the inside of his head as they echoed. Too damn bad! A low growl began, deep in his chest, growing louder as it traveled up his throat. Too damn bad! Suddenly, the growl cut off in a furious snarl, a sound far more suited to an animal than a man.
“Fine,” he muttered through gritted teeth. His voice nearly broke as he said it, showing just how upset and hurt he really was. The anger belonged to the alpha wolf who couldn’t protect his pack, a brother with a sister who clearly didn’t want his help, or him, period. He wanted to scream, to tear at his hair, and would have too, if he hadn’t been concerned about Kijah.
Still visibly shaken, he turned briskly on his heel and stalked back over to her side. Still grasping the knife in one hand, he reached for Kijah again, giving her his strength for the walk back to the elk. He said nothing however, afraid of what he might say if he dared to open his mouth.
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Post by Kassdc on Mar 20, 2008 15:30:47 GMT 10
Kijah was slightly thrown off by this. She hadn't seen Traf like this and people fighting tended to make her nervous, she would fight with other yes, but she didn't like to watch it. She felt how tense he was when he touched her. So much was conveyed though that touch. Nothing was as bad as the hurt in his eyes. She wanted to bad to say something to help him but she was unsure what. Some mate you are, you should be helping him nt looking blanky at the ground. If he wanted to talk he would talk, sometimes quiet is what we need. What he needs is to know that he is still cared for. I DO care for him, I love him, he knows I do.
She hated these battles with herself, she never seemed to win. She did the only thing that made sense, she leaned into Traf and kissed him on the chest as they walked. She would keep her silent vigil until he saw fit to talk.
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Post by fateandfaith on Mar 20, 2008 16:01:27 GMT 10
Traf sighed, almost contentedly, at Kijah's kiss. It sent a wave through him that stopped his trembling, quieted the growl that threatened to break free from his lips at any moment. That fact that he could sense how worried she was sobered him slightly. Enough that he had the sense to realized that it was his reaction that was likely at least part of why she was so upset.
They continued on in silence as the smell of elk's blood grew thicker and thicker. When the distance to the bull could be measured in yards, and a large fallen log stood between it and them, he threw himself over it, almost fluidly. He then turned back and offered her his arms to help her over as well. He wasn't sure what to say, but he felt compelled to apologize for upsetting her as best he could. As he looked at her, and their gazes met, he whispered, "I'm sorry. I just..." He trailed off, unsure of what to say when he wasn't even sure how to interpret his feelings. He was hurt and angry and sad and so many things all at the same time.
With no companionship save that of wolves for years, the sudden, powerful influx of emotions was overwhelming. He felt like he was drowning and could not remember how to swim.
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Post by Kassdc on Mar 20, 2008 16:34:44 GMT 10
Kijah was relieved to feel Traf's body relax, she must have more of an effect oh him than she realized. She grined a little inside when she saw the huge log in the path. I would almost swear he does this on purpose. She smiled and stepped up on the log into his arms and kissed him.
"You have nothing to appologize for love. I understand perfectly, but I don't think she was trying to hurt you, I just think she knows what she is doing. She is a healer, I don't know about your pack, but in my pack that was something only remembered, none of our elders knew that art. It took great energy, perhaps there is something back in the cave she needs? You treat her like a sister, perhaps you should trust her judgement? You would expect the same from us. Just give her time, for now we have an elk waiting and I need to honor the ancestors and would really like if you would join me in doing so."
She wanted him to understand, she wasn't trying to make him feel worse, but she was watching both of them, maybe she was seeing something he hadn't. She just knew she didn't like the hurt she saw in his eyes just now. There had been too much hurt there today, she only wanted to look into his eyes and see love and happiness, not hurt. She knew she should step down, but damn she loved being up in his aarms like this, plus the height advantage made it easier to kiss him.
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Post by fateandfaith on Mar 20, 2008 17:16:58 GMT 10
Traf growled in annoyance. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Tes’ judgment at all, rather it was simply that the idea of her wandering alone through the woods bleeding and weak and half-starved to the point her ribs showed terrified him. She had admitted that she couldn’t even shift if she was attacked by someone or something.
He realized only then that he had been voicing his thoughts unknowingly, muttering the words under his breath. The last thing he’d wanted was to argue with Kijah, but he’d already said too much to go back. He sighed. “And it’s not just that. You asked me before the hunt why I was upset. I saw her eyes after she watched us, and they were so haunted. She hasn’t been the same since then. And the tone in her voice when she told me off…it was as if I was some annoying pest that had landed on her arm and she was shaking me off. I just…” He trailed off, sighing.
“You and Tes are the closest thing to family I’ve known in years. The Great Mother has seen fit to bless me with both a sister and a mate so suddenly, that I keep waiting for to take them from me just as suddenly.”
He sighed and put his arms around her completely and, now able to do so thanks to the log, buried his face against her neck, breathing in her scent, feeling somewhat comforted. How is it that she helps me forget my troubles without doing anything at all? I could lose myself in her presence for days at a time, he thought.
He pulled back slowly, his face softening. He mumbled another soft apology, remembering that he was keeping her from something obviously very important to her. He pressed his lips against hers in a gentle kiss. “I would be honored to join you,” he whispered, as he lifted her up and set her down on the forest floor beside him.
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Post by Kassdc on Mar 20, 2008 18:02:08 GMT 10
Kijah's heart soared when Traf held her, this log was definatly a good thing, she loved the way it felt when he buried his head in her neck. It ended all too soon for her liking but hey they had th rest of their lives together for such moments. When he pulled her down off the log she reached up and held his face in her hands.
"Nothing is going to make me leave you Traf. You are the other half of my heart and soul. My life would be nothing without you. Face it, you're stuck with me love wether you like it or not." She winked at him before she turned and led him to the bull.
This was going to be strange, she had never done this infront of one outside the pack, she couldn't stop the selfconcious feeling that was creeping up on her. She motioned for Traf to kneel by her as she took the knife from his hands. The ritual had been taught to her at the elders knees and she knew it by heart, if other packs did she same she knew not. She just felt she had wronged the elders, ancestors and the Great Mother by failing to do so these past two weeks. She leaned over and kissed Traf gently on the cheek," Thank you for this." Then proceeded to start.
First she leaned over to the elk and dipped her thumb in the blood that still leaked from the neck wounds, as she spoke she stuck her thumb first to her forehead then to Traf's.
"Great Mother, we thank you for blessing us with this bull. You have provided well for us this evening. I thank you for my mate Ceytravf, not two weeks ago you tested me by forcing my from my pack. I didn't understand why, but I see now you didn't force me from my pack, as much as you have led me to another. Thank you for blessing me with my new mate."
At this point she used the knife and slit open the gut of the elk, she removed the intestines and organs and proceeded to dig a small hole in the dirt and bury them.
"You have provided for us this night, but with every gift you provide us Great Mother, we also give back, tonight we present a piece of this kill to you, I place it in the ground as yours, safe from scavengers. We are just two, and notice the stregnth of your blessing, this elk is more than what we need, thus we will share with our brother wolf. We know you do not like greed, and have learned this lesson well, thus we share what has been given to us. We also honor the elk, he fought bravely this night when he gave his life for us, thus we shall allow nothing to waste, his gift will not go unnoticed. In their absence I still wish to honor the ancestorsand the elders. At the knees of the elders I learned the ways of the wolf pack, how no matter what we did the Great Mother watched us, guided us and helped us when she could. You taught me things are done and happen for a reason, instead of cursing Great Mother for what happens, you showed we just needed to listen harder for her word."
She slowly looked up, she knew she had said all she needed but she had to make this one request.
"Great Mother, I feel I have left my pack wrongly, my mother was left with not a word and I worry she has been left to pay for my wrong doing. Please allow me this one request, allow Oc'tha to please watch over her, see that no harm comes to her because of my actions, those actions were my own, not hers. Don't allow Kito and Asha to punish her because of me."
Kijah closed as her voice trailed off on her request. She fought the tears that came from the thought of what punishment Kito and Asha could have brought down on her mother, she felt guilty for that. She just barely had the voice to whisper, "Thank you Great Mother for your blessings this night."
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Post by fateandfaith on Mar 20, 2008 19:05:59 GMT 10
Face it, you're stuck with me love whether you like it or not.
Traf watched her walk off, appreciating her form as she moved. I’m certainly not going to complain, my little wolf, he thought, smiling as he followed her obediently.
He knelt beside her with a far lighter heart than he’d had since the confrontation with Tes. It was apparent that this meant a great deal to Kijah, and so it was important to him. His pack had no such rituals. They spoke to the deities for help and in thanks, the Great Mother was as much a comfort and a teacher to him as his own mother had been. They spoke to their long-dead ancestors as they would grandparents or aunts and uncles, and paid respect to both as they were due. They held weddings and naming ceremonies on days that coincided with events in their creation myth. But as you did not pay tribute to a grandparent or friend, they did not the deities and ancestors they acted so familiar with.
However, he was intrigued to no end by Kijah’s ritual. Their two packs held dear the same spirits, but treated them very differently. He needed no thanks; he felt honored to have been invited to participate, however small his part. He felt content, listening to Kijah’s words, until she paused, then began to speak of her mother.
Each time she mentioned her mother, he could sense the sadness that came over her. It fell heavy on her as she made her request. If the chance arose, he would do whatever her could to change the sadness into joy at the mention of her mother. He needed to make no silent vow to that effect. It went without saying.
When her voice weakened, he slid on his knees closer to her, their thighs touching together. He slid his hand to the small of her back and leaned in to lay a kiss on her forehead. The soonest opportunity that came up to broach the subject to her when he felt it wouldn’t upset her too much, he would.
His free hand found the knife and grasped it, setting to work. He worked with precision, though experience and nimble fingers made it quick. He began by removing a large piece of the elk’s hide from the wound Kijah had made to the bull’s back. Then he began to remove small sections of the meat, setting them on the inside surface of the hide to be saved for those at Shad’s cave, cutting smaller portions for their meal.
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Post by Kassdc on Mar 20, 2008 19:39:16 GMT 10
The feeling of Traf's hand brought comfort and strength to her. As nervous as she had been to do the ritual infront of another she was glad for his presence. His kiss said more than any words could have at that point. She watched him work with great skill at making the elk ready for those back at Shads and for them to eat. The smell of the blood was once more calling to her hunger. She was glad the meal wasn't far off, she couldn't stand this much longer.
She watched him work, there was nothing about him that didn't amaze her. Apart from her mother she had never been allowed to spend this much time close to another, and the thought that he would not turn her away once she was of no more use to him thrilled her.
She gently touched him on the back, she had no words to express what she was feeling at this moment, all she could do was sit and watch and be with him, thankful for the way this day turned out.
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Post by fateandfaith on Mar 20, 2008 20:16:37 GMT 10
Traf paused a moment and closed his eyes when he felt Kijah's touch. He realized then that this was what his future might very well look like. He and his mate hunting together, her making a devotion to the gods, him butchering the game. Then, he had an even better thought, one so sweet he was almost afraid to think it, as if it might jinx it. Great Mother willing, some day we'll be taking the products of our hunt home to a child or two. His heart leapt at the thought.
Finally having finished dividing the meat, Traf rocked back onto his heels and stood up. He cupped his hands to his mouth, particular about just how he held them, clearly aiming for a particular sound. Then he howled. It sounded strange, coming from a human throat, but his hands lent it the tone he needed to convey his message. It was a happy, almost melodic sound, a sound of celebration. He waited a few moments before repeating it again.
He let a few more seconds pass, then a smile crossed his face as a wolf's howl sounded in the distance. He had called the pack to dinner, and they were on their way.
He crouched down and looked at Kijah. "To be honest, I'm not entirely sure I want to return to Shad's cave tonight. If I have to watch Tes suffer all night, I'm going to lose it." To be honest, I want to spend time with you. Alone. "There's always the pack's den, unless you've got somewhere you'd prefer to stay where there wouldn't be restless pups crawling over us all night." He grinned, his eyes sparkling as if he'd been through just that before. "And we can either dine here with the wolves, or head to wherever we're spending the night and have a fire to cook it on if you think you can make it." He shrugged. Though it had been an uncommon occurrence when he was still a part of Rockridge, he had become accustomed to eating raw meat through his years alone when a fire was a luxury he couldn't afford for whatever reason. Whenever there was a fire to be had, they would never have touched raw meat.
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Post by Kassdc on Mar 20, 2008 20:42:39 GMT 10
Kijah watched amazed as he called the wolf pack. The look on his face was amusing as he heard them call back. She watched his return to her and smiled as he crouched down to talk.
He didn't want to go back to Shad's, his reason was a good one however, the ordeal with Tes bothered him greatly. To be honest she didn't want to go back to Shad's herself, it was a bit to crowded for her liking with too many unknown people.
"I do have a cave that is a few minutes from Shad's as the wolf runs. I should be able to handle the walk, I think a walk with you would be nice after our day, we haven't really had much time to ourselves. We can eat there as well, wouldn't take any time at all to get a nice fire going. We can leave when ever you are ready."
The thought of a night alone with him was pure bliss to her. The cold nights in that cave would have been worth waiting for this. Just the thought of having a whole night in the arms of this wolf was enough to bring strength to her heart. She could walk to the ends of the world if she knew he would be there waiting with her, no he wouldn't allow her to walk that far, stubborn as he is he would make her wait for him to come to her. She couldn't help but grin at this thought.
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Post by emmaline on Mar 21, 2008 1:36:23 GMT 10
Reg watched as the bull gave one last kick of its leg, finally succumbing to the stillness of death. He was impressed with Traf's skill, holding onto the bull with such unwavering strength. He was preparing to bound from the bushes and investigate the new kill when he heard something in the distance, not too far away. An almost mournful bugling, a searching sound. The herd was long gone by now. Curiosity piqued, Reg nosed his way from the bush and began swift trek through the brush towards the sound. As he came nearer, the sound quietened, finally dropping away to nothing. Reg continued in the direction he had last heard the sound, hoping whatever he had heard was still there.
As he reached a small circle of bushes, he saw a young elk standing in a bush, swinging its great head first one way and then the other. He climbed to the top-most branches of a bush just to its side, surprising the calf when he poked his nose from the leaves. It shuffled a few steps away and blinked its dark eyes, regarding him with trepidation. Reg sent soothing feelings toward it. Only a baby, probably only just beginning to eat any significant amount of leaves and other material rather than solely its mother's milk, likely left behind in the mad, headlong rush from the hunt. Reg carefully maneuvered himself forward on the branches, stretching forward to sniff at the calf.
The calf sniffed him back, releasing a soft snuffling sound, then licked the top of his head. Reg sneezed, nearly falling from the bush but saved by the baby nosing his side. How strange! Reg thought. The baby seemed to trust him, for some reason--his mental soothing had never worked so well before. The calf was probably more susceptible, he realized, being used to such care from its mother. Carefully, Reg grasped hold of the baby's ear and scrambled up onto the top of its head. The ear flicked when he released it, but the calf showed no alarm.
--Maybe we should go that way,-- Reg thought mildly, suggesting the calf walk towards the clearing where the large bull lay dead, delighted when the baby began a slow, lumbering gait in the right direction.
It was an experience, riding on the top of an elk calf. Though young, it was already quite large, larger than a deer though smaller than a horse. Its pace was easy, unhurried, though it covered much area with even a single stride. It didn't take long for them to reach the outskirts of the clearing--much less time than it had taken Reg to cover the same distance. Just as they were about to enter, however, both Reg and the calf froze at the sound of a deep wolf howl. Reg deliberated a moment--he didn't want the calf eaten, even if the diners did happen to be friends of Traf or Kijah! Finally deciding to trust his wolfy friends, Reg convinced the doubtful calf to lumber into the clearing.
--Are the wolves coming?-- Reg immediately asked Traf. --I don't want them to eat my new friend.-- He waited patiently, wondering how the others would react. Kijah looked the worse for wear, and Tes was nowhere to be seen. The baby shifted beneath him, smelling the dead bull, but Reg soothed it quietly.
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Post by fateandfaith on Mar 21, 2008 5:19:15 GMT 10
(Thanks Emmaline. Way to make us feel guilty after we killed the baby’s daddy. Lmao. ^_-)
Traf’s face lit up at the thought of time alone with Kijah, free even of the much beloved, but undeniably mischievous pups. He wanted terribly to truly know her. The moment he had met her, his heart and soul had known her, though his head still knew only bits and pieces. The gods willing, they had a long, shared life to get to know each other, but he still couldn’t help wanting to learn as much as possible as soon as possible.
“Excellent,” he said with a smile. “As soon as we’ve got a fire going, I’ll run the extra meat to Shad’s cave as requested.”
As requested… he thought, his eyes roving over the elk’s carcass until they reached its antlers. With a sigh, he cut a thin strip of the elk’s hide and set to work at the antlers, cutting a shallow notch near the skull as deep as he could get with the knife that was ill suited for such work. Then he used his strength to snap the antler off at the notch. He repeated the process on the other antler, and when he was through he secured both to the bundle of meat destined for Shad’s with the strip of hide.
He began to reach for both of the bundles of meat, about to sling them over his shoulders for the walk back. There was no need to remain until the wolves arrived--they knew what general direction to travel in from his calls and would easily be able to pick up their scent once they were close enough. Enjoy it, brothers and sisters, it was hard won, he thought.
Suddenly, the tiny voice reached him. He glanced around wildly, confused, until at last he noticed the young elk standing just inside the clearing. He narrowed his eyes, studying the creature. What the hell? he thought. Then, at last, he spotted the tiny rat perched on top of the elk’s head. Reg? he thought, mildly amused, having not known the rat could speak.
Unaware that the rat had actually spoken inside his head and thus he had been the only one to hear it, Traf answered aloud, “They are. And while they shouldn’t with such a bounty already laid out for them, they are wild and there’s no telling.” He paused to think. “I wonder how far the herd is gone, if there might be some way to reunite them.”
A pang of guilt struck him suddenly. Wolf kills and eats elk. Wolf dies and his body becomes the grass. Elk eats the grass. It was the natural order of things and as Traf had always made the fullest possible use of what he had killed, he had never given it a second thought. Now, presented with this small, tragic result, he couldn’t help but feel guilty.
He stared at Reg and the young elk, trying to figure out what to do. He was afraid to get too close to the elk, worried it might bolt and lose itself in the forest, or it might get the impression that men and wolves weren’t to be feared, which would not suit a wild creature well.
(*snorts* Had a definite 'Circle of Life' Lion King moment there, can you tell? ^_- )
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Post by Kassdc on Mar 21, 2008 8:43:28 GMT 10
Kijah watched Traf make ready the elk to take back to their cave and then to Shad's. Our cave, never thought you would be sharing it did you Kijah. Not really, but can you blame me, I mean look at him. Mum would have my hide if I let him get away. She smiled inwardly Great Mother had indeed blessed her when she led her to Shad's cave. She could have ended up anywhere but no, she got there at just the right time, him standing there. It was no mere coincidence.
She was startled out of her thoughts when Traf started speaking. Who the heck was he talking to, she certainly hadn't been talking to him, or had she? No she was most certainly only thinking to herself. She walked up to him puzzled, "Uhh Traf...Who are you talking too?" No sooner had she asked when she heard the elk calf come out of the trees. The calf most certainly hadn't spoken, she didn't hear anyone talk but Traf. She looked back at him and followed his gaze and saw the tiny rat that had toyed with the leopard. My but he makes friends quick, strange friends, but still.
It was a minute before it sank in, there was no cow with the calf, and he was definatly too young to be on his on. Their hunt had seperated him from his mum. She knew all too well what this calf felt, she had been taken from her mum many times as a pup when Asha played her games. The calf atleast had the rat there and seemed content with his being there.
"Traf the wolves, they can't find the calf, we caused this. He needs his mother, but we can't very well lead him back, it would only scare the herd further."
She was lost in her thoughts, she wanted to rush over and mother the young calf, knowing its pain all too well. She knew better however, the calf needed to fear humans, not trust them. She felt she had to so something though.
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Post by fateandfaith on Mar 21, 2008 9:48:41 GMT 10
Traf could see only one option. He closed his eyes and reached out with his mind to the wolf. The animal was lethargic, desiring sleep far more than freedom. With a little prodding, however, the wolf was brought to its feet, ready, waiting.
"I'll find the herd," he said with a sigh. He was tired and hungry and he wanted to find shelter before the darkening sky came through on its promise for more rain. But something had to be done, he'd known it before Kijah had said it, but she had confirmed it. He wasn't going to let the calf die all alone in the forest.
Just before he shifted, he glanced down at the blood on his hands, and knew that if he hoped to get anywhere near the herd, he'd have to do something about that. Changing shape might remove the blood itself, but the scent would remain, and no animal liked the scent of its dead. Once a wolf, he picked his way across the clearing to a patch of dirt. Without any type of grace, he threw himself down, rolling on his back, wondering what Reg and Kijah were thinking as he did so. He paused while lying on his back to lick at his front paws and legs, where the blood had actually touched, then did his best to coat them in dirt. Satisfied that he had covered the majority of the scent, he climbed to his feet, shook himself off, and trotted off in the direction the herd had fled to.
He had little trouble following their trail even at a quick pace, both by the trampled brush left in their wake and the strong scent of adrenaline in the air. He found the herd less than ten minutes from the site of the kill, identifying them by the soft, mournful sounds they were making. He dared not get close enough to see them, for he knew they would panic easily. They had likely only stopped in hopes of being found by their bull, and perhaps the calf in question.
With a sigh he turned and started making his way back to the clearing.
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Post by Kassdc on Mar 21, 2008 10:26:50 GMT 10
Kijah kept looking from Traf to the little rat and calf, something was going on here, something she didn't understand. Traf was talking to some unknown like he was having a conversation, and now he's shifting, and ...rolling the dirt?? She had to admit, he looked cute, just like a young pup who had been cooped up for too long, but all the same, what was he doing?? When he took off he didn't even give her so much as a look, she knew she wasn't meant to follow, but still.
She couldn't help but look at the little rat, "I sure hope you know whats going on because it doesn't do us any good to be sitting out here both clueless."
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