Snow Castles

[ulrica]

Gann woke probably a few minutes after Darklight. Keeping his eyes closed, he swivled his upward ear to see who was awake. Ula's breathing was still even and unchanging against his back, same was Ea's from near the fire. Only the gray's breathing had changed. Ah, so she's awake as well.

The large male rolled onto his stomach, pulling his hind legs under him and crossing his front paws. A sad smile came to his face as he looked at Ea's slender form rising and falling with her breathing. He knew it was probably just because she needed the rest, but he still worried for her. Oh well, there wasn't anything he could do. She wasn't physically injured. So, the young male turned his amber-silver eyes to Darklight. "Good morning. Sleep well?"

[Moon_Song]

Darklight had been gazing out into the storm when Gann spoke. Ah, so, Gann was awake as well. Without turning her gaze, she answer the male. "As well as can be expected." Which meant hardly at all, making her reply sound a little more terse than she wanted. She almost had to kick herself internally. Gann, though she didn't like how close he was getting to Ea sometimes, seemed like a nice enough individual.

She tore her gaze away from oblivion, and watched her sister as she slept. How long would her slumber last? How long would it take for her energy to restore itself? And would she be the same? Darklight surprised herself with he last question. How would this change her? Such an odd thing to think. Ea had told her once it was like you had been running for hours after only sleeping for two. She had said it was the only way you could really explain it. Darklight herself had never used her...abilities that much, so she had never gotten to that point.

She felt a twinge of guilt now. She knew nothing of how her sister felt when she was using her gifts, the like of which had never, sense she has seen, been used to harm another. Ea was too gentle. It contradicted her nature.

Darklight shook her head, clearing her mind of bad thought, and turned to Gann. This time when she spoke, she schooled her tone so that it was a bit more...pleasant. "How'd you do?"

[ulrica]

Darklight's first answer had been a little short, but Gann understood. She was worried for her sister. For a moment he let his mind wander as he turned his head to look at the storm raging outside. The wind picked up sheets of snow and blew it around as if it was nothing but walls of feathers, but the more he thought about it snow really wasn't that heavy... The gray female's reply came as a bit of a surprise, he hadn't taken her as one for small talk. Even so, any sort of conversation was welcome in the silence.

"Well, it was rocky but....I guess that's to be expected isn't it." He stood up, careful not to jar Ula too much, and silently padded over to stand next to Darklight, his silvery amber eyes watching Ea with a look of pure adoration. "How is she?" His voice was quiet and full of worry, he just wanted some sign that Ea was alright and he knew that if anyone would see that sign it would be Darklight. The bond they shared was beyond blood or mere friendship, it went down to the soul.

As the young male waited for the gray femme's answer, he eased himself onto his haunches, the tip of his tail quietly tapping on the ground.

[Moon_Song]

Gann seemed almost surprised that she had givven more than one sentence. It was true that should be tad distant, she usually let Ea do the talking, but she was not intentionally so rude as to ignore someone had they not deserved to be.

He moved from beside the still sleeping Ula to sit near where she was and eyed Ea with a look she was sure she didn't like. It was her little sister after all. Darklight couldn't keep the slight look of confusion from her face. She quickly removed it, but she was pretty sure it was too late.

What had confused her why this male seemed so worried about her little sister. Had he taken an interest in her, perhaps? The idea didn't sit well with her. Had he not felt the same for Ula? Where exactly did this males interests lie?

Darklight looked over Ea one again, scanning her sleeping figure. Her slumber seemed no different from any other sleep, only this felt different...it was a deeper sleep. Darklight hoped it wouldn't last longer than necessary. Ea would have to wake sometime to eat and drink, lest she make herself sick.

She moved her gaze from Ea's sleeping form, to Gann's awaiting face. His look was somewhat anxious as he waited for his answer. "She'll live if thats what you're asking." She glanced at Ea, "How long she will sleep I cannot say."

[ulrica]

The gray femme had answered Gann's fear: "She'll live." Thank the gods. A sigh of relief came from his maw and he visibly relaxed. He didn't have much time to rejoice however for at that time, Ula began to stir.


Her side had grown cold, but that wasn't what had awakened her. It was her dream. She had been chasing something...or was it someone. As is often the way with dreams, now that she was awake she couldn't remember it. She had slept in an uncomfortable position all night and now her legs felt stiff. The young female rolled onto her side and stretched her legs. Finally, she opened her eyes.


Gann smiled as Ula opened her eyes. He rose and walked over to her, nuzzling her head before walking over to the elk carcass. He ripped off a slab of the meat and carried it over to the dark she-wolf, laying it in front of her nose. "Breakfast." He said simply, sitting down a few feet away in the middle of Darklight and Ula. Yesterday Ea had been the one to stop a fight from breaking out, he wasn't sure if he would be able to do the same so peacefully. Hurting anyone wasn't at all what he wanted, but Ea needed her rest and if the two females started bickering again it might wake the snowy wolfess. That he would not tolerate.


Ula sat up slowly when the meat appeared in front of her nose. She lowered her head, using a paw to hold down the meat while she tore of a mouthful, swallowing it before going after another. Gann's gaze on her was present through the entire meal, glancing ever now and then at Ea's unmoving figure. A twinge of worry shot through the young she-wolf at realization. She anxiously wondered if Ea was still alright.

[Moon_Song]

Relief colored Ganns face at he words. At the same time, Ula began to stir. Darklight stiffened a bit. She really dislike the female now, and didn't know what she would do.

Gann brought her food and she seemed to concentrate enough on that. As the she-wolf ate, Gann constantly shifted his gaze between Ula and Ea. Just pick one already, she thought to herself. His constant back and forth between the two was beginning to get on her nerves.

Feeling the hunger pains herself, she walked to the carcass, completely ignoring Ula, and pulled a chunk of shoulder from the beast. She returned to her spot, split it in half and laid one in front of her sister. Darklight bit off a chunk and chewed it, but instead of swallowing, she forced it into her sisters mouth. She knew it looked odd, but it must be done. Ea had to get food into her system or she would sleep much longer.

After a little more persuading, Ea's natural bodily reactions took over and she swallowed the bit of meat. She remained asleep, but at least she now had something to help her recover faster.

Darklight repeated this about three more times until the chunk was mostly gone and Ea stopped swallowing. Darklight finished off the food.

[ulrica]

Gann could sense Darklight's irritation with him, and even more with Ula, but he couldn't figure out how to appease her wrath. He certainly didn't want to face the monster he was sure she would become if angered, but he didn't want to have to surrender his friendship with Ula simply to make peace.

He gave an imperceptible sigh as the black she-wolf rose and strode past them to rip a piece of meat from the large carcass. She then walked back to Ea's side and force the unconscious wolfess to eat some. The large male smiled somewhat sadly, he felt responsible for the snowy she-wolf's illness. If only he had taken care of Ula on his own then none of them would be in this mess. "Do you think she will wake soon...?" He prodded, trying anything to break the silence that threatened to creep back over them.


The gray she-wolf's eyes were like coals burning through Ula's skull as she ate. However, she managed to ignore it long enough to finish the meal Gann had provided. "Do you think she will wake soon?" The large gray male was asking, his eyes on the white female still laying unconscious. For a brief moment, she felt a twinge of jealously, but that was quickly shoved away with a flush of anger. Stop that. You made your decision and he made his, it has nothing to do with you that he's moved on. The young female silently reprimanded herself. She deserves him more than you any how. And besides, he would always be simply a toy for you. A small smile curled a corner of Ula's lips as she came to this conclusion. Yes, Gann would always be a toy. She would love him for a while, but then the newness would wear off and she would grow bored. Let him be happy for once. The gods know he tries so hard to make everyone else happy. It's his turn already...

The dark she-wolf pushed herself into a sitting position, wanting to voice her own concern for Ea. "Please tell me if I can help..." Ula's voice was almost a whisper. Her head was ducked slightly and her ears not nearly as perked as they normally would be. She had no reason to suspect that Darklight would even consider her offer, but still she had to try if only for Ea's sake.

[Moon_Song]

As the meat filled her belly, Darklight became a little less irritable...if only a little. it wasn't uncommon for food to so drastically affect her mood. The meat was far from warm and peak freshness, but thanks to the bitter cold, it kept from spoiling too quickly.

With the last chuck in her jaws, Gann broke the silence that she had been trying to ignore. Of course he was worried. He always worried it seemed. She swallowed as if the act took a fair amount thought. Her gaze was focused on the white form before her as she contemplated an answer.

It was dark. the beginning of this dream always was. There was no light. No sounds. Just emptiness. Then, as if called upon by the hearts yearning, a sound. A feeling. A beating....no a thumping. Its rhythm was steady, evenly spaced and constant.
bu-bum. bu-bum.
The word came sluggishly. Heart beat. Who's was it? A far corner of thought said it was not the ownership of anyone being, savor one. The being which all, yet none, knew.

In the dream, Ea's bi-colored eyes opened to a lush field of greenery and wild flowers. This sight was not knew, but it always felt that way. Her pendant, though not visible in this plane, sang its song with a soft clarity that one could never find else where.

She stood (she had been laying on her side) and looked instinctively to her right where a quaint river flowed lazily by. Someone whispered in her left ear--or was it the wind--and she turned to see a glowing blue orb floating at eye level. Ea couldn't keep herself from smiling brightly. A similar display of joy, though inexplicable in the physical plane, emanated from the blue glowing orb.

Just as Darklight was about to answer, Ula spoke, thought quietly, her concern for Ea. Had she less composure,which was usually the case, she would have whirled her head around to gawk at the female. Now, though, she merely waited a moment longer before she said anything. "Gann, I have no idea. She may sleep for a few more hours of days. it's uo to her." She hesitated before she spoke again. "Ula," pause, "just keep yourself in check and I...shall do the same. For her sake."

The apprehension in her voice was more obvious than she would have liked, but she didn't let it show on her face.

[ulrica]

"For her sake." Darklight's words rang in Gann's ears. They wouldn't fight but only if Ula could keep a check on her manners. In turn Darklight would do the same. And all for you Ea... He though with the ghost of a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. All for you. The time it took for Ea to break the sleep she had succumbed to would seem like decades to Gann. He knew until her eyes opened, a good night's sleep would be out of the question for him. Only when he was sure she could be safe is when he would relax.

With a somber sigh the large male looked back at Ula, studying her and analyzing her progress. As soon as this storm lets up... Maybe I can take her and get us some fresh meat. It'll have to be something small, but we could all use something red... Gann decided, his calculative eyes turning onto the lessening cow carcass. There was still plenty to last them a few more days, even longer with Ea now eating so little if anything at all. Yes. Something fresh would do us all some good. His gaze then turned to the snowy wolfess, her slender figure unmoving but for the casual breath. "Ula." He began slowly, thoroughly contemplating each word he said before continuing. "If this storm lets up in a few days, I will take you out and see if we can find some small game." Gann paused, weighing his words carefully as well as what would be best for the three females he had grown to feel responsible for. "Otherwise," his eyes turned to meet the gaze of the gray female's "I will go alone."

Almost instantaneously, the large male noticed the argumentative look that flared in Ula's silver eyes. Before she-or Darklight for that matter whom Gann guessed wouldn't like his idea that much either though his focus was at the moment on the dark she-wolf now gaping at him-could say anything, he quickly continued. "Stop, stop right now. This meat can keep us alive, but we need the freshness of a raw kill Ula. If the storm lets up then you will come with me to hunt but otherwise, I won't risk your life nor will I risk Darklight's in what could very well be an unsuccessful venture. However, on the off chance that something has risked the storm, we can't afford to simply sit around here and waste that opportunity." He finished sharply, a low growl threatening to escape his maw when Ula looked as if she would still argue. Luckily, she remained silent and simply turned her gaze to burn into the floor while Gann turned and walked toward the entrance to study the storm's strength. Thoughts of the white she-wolf pranced through his mind with agonizing repetition.


Gann was right, Ula knew it. She was hardly strong enough for the small hunt he was offering her let alone to brave the storm. Still, she knew it wasn't for her benefit or his own that he was offering this hunt. He was simply being logical after all and petty self-gain was never something he would work for. No, as the black femme thought about it, she also began to see how Gann's mind had spun such a scheme. He knew Darklight would never entrust her sister's health to herself, and he had also judged Ula's strength well enough to tell she wasn't able to hunt in the storm. Normally it would have been a simple task, but in her current state it was just barely out of her capabilities. Even so, the female was wary about Gann going into the storm on his own. His sense of direction was amazing and she knew he wouldn't get lost, but there was always the possibility that he wasn't the biggest thing out there. What happened if another animal had the same idea he had? Then what would they do? At this point though, they couldn't afford not to take that risk. Ula sighed and hung her head, glancing over in Ea's direction. Stop him... She pleaded silently, knowing full well her prayer would go unanswered.

[Moon_Song]

"You must be an idiot." Darklight blurted out, disbelief ad a hint of anger in her voice. "You would go out alone?" her tone thick with heavy sarcasm. "Even if it is only small game your after, what good would it do if you went missing or were attack? Do you have any idea what that would to to Ea?" Darklight snapped her jaw shut so she wouldn't say more. She had let her temper run again.

Even so, the only male present in the room and, although his intent was good, was making foolish decisions. "We will be fine as we are. This storm won't last that long anyway." She hoped, anyway. She didn't have her sisters water sense.

The dream--was it only that?--went on, and she spoke to the little ball of light. Then again, it wasn't speech that would exist in the real world, but then, dreams had a logic all their own. Especially this one.

Something, some noise or far away sound, caught the attention of the light ball, and it slowly began to float away. Where she lie in the physical realm, her ear twitched, as did her the paw with the markings, and a very faint mumble left her lips.

Darklight looked down at her sister, ears forward, completely focused. She had heard her say something. It was mumbled, yet some how very distinct. Don't go... Despite herself, she couldn't but glance at Gann.

In a maternal voice that was awkward for her, she whispered back to her slumbering sister. "Who's going.?"

There was no answer, but the occasional sleeping twitches of the little wolf in front of her.

[ulrica]

Of course Darklight would protest, what had Gann expected? He turned back to the two females, a determination in his eyes that showed he would not be swayed from his decision. "The chances of me getting lost are slim at best as are the chances of me getting attacked. I know how to use storms like these to my advantages and trust me when I say if I don't want to be found then I won't be." The large male began, drawing himself to his full height before continuing. "And look at your sister Darklight. Think about what could happen if she got that fresh meat. Think about how much better she could get if she had those extra nutrients. The risks are so slight but they are still risks I would happily take if they were ten times their current state." As Gann finished, his voice had almost turned into a pleading. He wanted for Ea to wake up so desperately, his heart ached at the thought of her lifeless form lying with such stillness on the cave floor. She was as a child's plaything thrown aside after it had been grown bored of, her body was limp and unmoving and what breaths she took were the slow breaths of a deep slumber.

Gann would have continued with his speech had not a subtle movement caught his eye. A slight twitching of Ea's ear and paw as well as the movement of her muzzle. Speaking?! The male's heart bounded and he hardly dared hope that she was finally awakening. Though he hadn't caught what the snowy she-wolf had said, the glance Darklight gave him was somewhat unnerving. Is something wrong...? He worried, quickly moving until he hovered by the gray's shoulder. The male's eyes glued to Ea's now still body. "Who's going?" Darklight asked her sister in what Gann figured was an attempt at a maternal voice. Come on Ea... He encouraged mentally.

Silence... There was nothing save for another slight twitching of Ea's paw. Gann felt his heart break and it was all he could do to keep that emotion from his face.


She had spoken! Ea had spoken! Ula crowed in her mind as she turned to face their way. Gann had instantly moved to the white she-wolf's side, giving her his worry and apprehension. Darklight asked a question that Ula ignored, she didn't care what the gray female said, she only cared that Ea had finally moved. Maybe she'll wake up soon! The dark wolfess hoped, her silver eyes watching the backs of Gann and Darklight as they fussed over Ea's unmoving figure.

[Moon_Song]

She ran after the orb of light as it floated faster away. Some desperate need within her told her that no matter what she couldn't loose sight of it. She had to go faster. In this dream state, she forced her sluggish legs to rise and fall, push forward and leave the ground.

It took her to the edge of a forest and through thick vegetation that was near impenetrable. It moved away faster and faster. After a moment, she heard water...

She wanted to shoo the others away. She had an idea of why her little sisters condition was so rapidly deteriorated. Could it be because of that? She had not seen where the moon was in its cycle, which only troubled her more.

She looked at the two wolves that had gathered like flies to a carcass. The look in her eye was one she tried to cover, but did so poorly. She was annoyed with Gann and his insistence on a futile mission, and she never felt too comfortable about female.

Darklight sighed. "Gann, we have been on our own for a very long time. We know how to survive on little, and have done so before. Ea is not weak. She will recover in due time. Besides," She motioned to the carcass on the other side of the cave, "that kill is but a day old. Its nutritional value will have hardly diminished overnight."

She burst through the trees and came upon a waterfall. At its base was a gentle spring, teaming with life that was devoid of the hectic struggle that the wild usually had. This place was pure and calm. The blue light hovered by the waterfall as Ea gaped in awe.

[ulrica]

There was something like annoyance in Darklight's eyes but Gann only stepped back after she had spoken. She was right of course, but he couldn't see that. He was scared to death that Ea was getting worse, and that at any second their fragile peace would shatter without warning. But, he couldn't think of anything to say as a comeback so he simply huffed in agitation and turned to pace along the cave wall. Ula thumped her tail as something of encouragement, but she remained silent. I guess that's for the best... Just keep the peace, Gann... Forget about hunting for now, she's right. Swallow your pride and shake out your head, this is no time to be ignorant. The large male mentally scolded himself. Just pull it together. Everything is going to be fine... I hope...


Ula was surprised at how worried Gann was. She had known him for a while and she'd never seen him act so air headed. Lucky for all of them, Darklight was there to put him in his place. Lowering her head, the dark femme gave a small sigh, barely audible. Males... She mused with a hint of irritation herself.

[Moon_Song]

Gann finally seemed to get it. Thank goddess. To be honest, she loved hunting. It was a great way to relieve stress, but this was nowhere near the time for such frivolous things. Granted that was not Gann's reason, but that was most of what Darklight had to base off of.

He settled to pacing back and forth within the cave. Darklight wondered idly if he would ware a path in the hard stone. Ula, on the other hand, only sighed and looked at Gann in a peculiar way. She probably hadn't expected such worry from the male. In truth, neither did she.

Having nothing better to do, Darklight let herself be lulled by the rythm of her sisters breathing, the click-clicking of Gann's claws on the stone floor, and the thump of Ula's tail.

When would her sister wake?

With a wary step, Ea moved behind the curtain of rushing water. As she expected--more, she knew within her heart--there was a cavernous opening that led into the cliffside. There was no fear of the dark or of things unknown. This place had some other quality that put her soul at ease.

The light floated, gently now, forward at an easy walking pace. Before she followed, Ea looked behind her and into the sky. It was a strange mix of dawn and twilight. Both the sun and moon sat in the heavens. Had this not been a dream, the sight would seem strange, but here, everything was sensible.

Ea went to turn and follow the glowing orb, when she realized that her vision was failing. Everything seemed to vibrate, as if there was some horrendous earthquake. Normal protocol would be to run to and open field, but she could think only of the light orb. Her heart screamed at her that it must not be damaged.

She bolted into the trembling cave, trying to reach the light. As she ran, the shaking grew in intensity. She felt that any moment a boulder would come loose from the roof above and crush her. She pushed herself faster. She could see the light in the distance. She ran and ran and the light grew closer and closer and closer! Until she burst forth from the darkness of the cave.

Ea's eyes fluttered back in the physical realm.

[ulrica]

Gann's ears pricked, but at what he didn't know. Something had changed and that attracted his attention. His first thought was something sneaking around outside the small den, but when he stopped and cast his bright gaze upon the entrance, the raging of the storm was proof enough that no one was lurking in the darkness. So what was it? Ea? Trying not to get his hopes up, Gann glanced back over his shoulder and turned one paw toward the snowy figure. Her shoulders rose and fell with agonizing slowness, but that was to be expected from someone in deep slumber. Yet something was off. The large male felt it more than saw it yet it haunted his thoughts for the next few seconds.

Silver eyes tinged with amber were still glued on the sleeping female when he felt it again, but this time he saw it too. Ea's eyelids fluttered, as if they were the dampened wings of a butterfly just emerging from its cocoon after weeks of hibernation and metamorphosis. The gold and sapphire of her eyes were vivid in his mind as he spun and lunged for her side, nuzzling her ear slightly but with stressed gentleness so as not to wake her if she hadn't fully completed her slumber.


Back and forth, back and forth, back and forth.

Ula's eyes followed the pacing form of Gann as she laid there on the den floor. Every once in a while she would shift into a more comfortable position, but that was her only movement save for the steady thumping of her tail. Back, thud thud; forth, thud thud. Back, thud thud; forth, thud thud. A low sigh came from Ula's maw and she rolled her eyes while turning onto her back. The floor was hurting her ribs in her current position and she saw no reason why that pain had to be endured. So, hind legs bent slightly and front paws crossed over her diaphragm, the darkly furred wolf starred with boredom up at the ceiling. She studied the cracks there and tried to make them form into some sort of recognizable shape with her imagination. However, after finding only a misshapen ram and a couple bird-like creatures, she became bored with that as well. I wish this storm would blow over so we could go hunting... She grumped silently, surprised at the childishness of her own mind at that point. Gods... One would think I could at least show a little more dignity than to think of things such as wishes...

Wishes. The very thought of the word brought a bad taste to her mouth. Ula had never been one to depend upon simple dreams or whims to provide for herself. If she had wanted something, she had found a way to get it, or if that something was unobtainable, then she simply got over it and let it fade into memory. Living as she did, the young female knew she didn't have the time to sit around day dreaming and wishing on stars. Even so, a hunt would have been nice after being cooped up for a couple days. She could just imagine leaping onto the broad back of a huge elk and--! Her thoughts were suddenly cut off when Gann whirled around and practically sprinted for Ea's side. Odd... The dark wolfess thought while rolling to lay with her front paws out before her and her hind legs stretched out to one side. The gray male was nudging the snowy female's ear, a concerned look in his eyes with something lingering directly behind the apprehension... Hope? Ula wondered, slightly confused. But it all became clear when she looked to Ea, her eyes giving a small twitch as if to open and return their bearer to the world of the living.

The young female's stomach flip flopped and she pulled her hind legs under her with expectation. Is she finally awake?!