Snow Castles

[Moon_Song]

Darklight, at this point, was totally focused on her little sister. She nudged her sisters neck with her nose and lay her head there. "Wake up, Ea." She whispered, or rather, tried to whisper, for the cave caught the words and bounced them around like they were at play with the words.

Even so, she cared little. She didn't make an obvious show of it, but she was a little worried. She had never seen her sister pass out like this,but then again, she was not the one who had trained her to use her magic. Perhaps...no it couldn't be that. The moon heightened Ea's powers. maybe then, this moon strengthened more than before, to a point where it was too much for her...was that too farfetched?

The first movement was faint. Her eyelids shuttered and twitched, as if a butterfly were trapped beneath them, fighting for a way out. Her breath caught once, and she let out a long, soft sigh. Her whole body seemed to tense a moment, but quickly gentled.

With a single, slow, gentle motion, Ea's eyes glided open. Her deep blue eye sparkled like the expansive ocean, and her golden eye was all a-glow like fire. In unison, her eyes were bright and pure. Her eyes searched blindly for a moment. "Na'dark?" She whispered softly. When she saw her sisters face over her, she smiled warmly.

She looked over to see Gann just as close, and even Ula was looking her way. "I'm sorry...I...I guess I was just tired." Her smile turned a bit sheepish.

Ea had called to her by her childhood name. Darklight lifted her head and looked into her sisters face and smiled back at her. "Morning sleepyhead."

[ulrica]

"Wake up, Ea." Darklight's words were gentle and obviously meant for her sister alone to hear. Gann felt intrusive for being so close to them in that moment. Even so, his own concern stopped him from moving away. "Na'dark?" Ea's voice was little more than a breath as she called to who the male assumed to be her sister. A smile lit upon the femme's lips as the sisters' eyes met, the bond they shared almost visible along with their love for each other. Then her eyes turned to him and his heart flip-flopped. Golden flame burned beside the cool depths of the ocean. Her glowing gaze was one of purity and innocence; Gann almost bowed to her she resembled an angel so completely. A kind smile curled his lips and he chuckled softly at her apology. "Oh come on, everyone deserves to be lazy at least once in their life right?" He joked while nudging her neck directly behind her ear softly with his dark muzzle.


She was awake! Ula's tail wagged with joy and a wide smile spread across her maw. "Welcome back." She said, after Darklight and Gann had both said their piece, cocking her head to the side. Ea's eyes were bright and seemed to sparkle with some inner light. She truly was a breathtaking sight, so much so that the midnight furred she-wolf wasn't surprised to see Gann doting on her as he did. You truly are a pup inside aren't you. She mused silently, resting her head on her paws to watch them. Peace settled over her, making a gentle smile linger on her lips and her tail sweep back and forth across the ground.

This was happiness...

[Moon_Song]

Ea laughed weakly at Gann little joke. "I guess you're right." She slowly, somewhat groggily, adjusted so that she lay on her belly instead of her side. She felt her sister, the personification of feminine strength, physical mostly, gently ease her up. She turned to Darklight. "I'm alright, Darklight, I promise." She offered a sheepish smile. She was still a little embarrassed that she had passed out...why had she passed out?

Darklight moved just as her sister did, supporting her as she thought she was going to try to stand. She felt a little self-conscious what with Gann and Ula paying witness to her overly protective nature of her sister in such a situation. She knew that she was so, to a fault even, but she couldn't help it. All her life, she had had an inherent need to protect her little sister. She had loved her whole family, that was not in question, but for some reason, she felt she had to be her sisters protector. That feeling was only enforced when her father asked of her that very thing.

She did not, however, back away when Ea said she was ok.

Darkligt remained stationed at her side. Ea's ever present smile did not falter.

She made a sweeping glance around the cave. She noted that the carcass was less full than it had been, and that Ula was a little ways away, thumping her tail away. With a nod, she felt her gaze being dragged to the mouth of the cave...something felt different. She stared at the storm that was not quite as strong as she remembered it to be. Her voice was calm, but inquisitive when she spoke. "How...how long did I sleep for?"

Darklight glanced at Gann. "You were out cold for about two days." She did not wonder where the question came from, but there were other questions behind it.

[ulrica]

Ea's laugh seemed to lighten the tense atmosphere. Gann's throat loosened and it felt like a great weight had been taken from his shoulders. Funny, I hadn't even noticed that feeling... Guess I was too taken up with Ea. He laughed silently at himself, though he couldn't shake the concern that still gripped his muscles, keeping them taught with anticipation. If the snowy she-wolf showed signs of collapsing as she struggled to sit up, he would be there; that is of course if Darklight didn't first rip his throat for the close proximity he would have to brave entering in order to do so. Protectiveness radiated from the gray female, her actions almost maternal as she moved to support her frail sister. Ducking his head slightly, once again feeling as if he had intruded on a private moment between the siblings, Gann took a few steps away and lowered himself to lay diagonally in front of Ea and Darklight. He was near by, simply because he couldn't bring himself to leave the angelic she-wolf's side just yet, but far enough away so as to give them some small sort of privacy.


Ula smiled at Darklight's show of affection toward her sister. Even when Ea protested that she was fine, the gray femme remained ever faithful at her sister's side. However, soon after, her countenance changed. Where once there was joy and love, confusion and bewilderment moved in and consumed all else. Even so, the snowy female kept her voice calm, curiosity alone playing in those musical tones: "How...how long did I sleep for?" The midnight furred she-wolf swallowed and turned her gaze away.


"How...how long did I sleep for?" Darklight exchanged a quick glance with Gann before answering simply, "You were out cold for about two days." Outwardly, the gray wolfess didn't appear too troubled by Ea's question, but the way she had glanced at him before answering made the male wonder what these two were hiding. Still, ever the pup, he couldn't help but try and bring a smile back to his newly awakened friend's maw. "Two very long and loud days might I add." He smirked wickedly, a playful glint to his bright eyes. "By the way, has anyone ever mentioned that dreadful snore of yours?" Fighting back the chuckle that grew in his throat, the child within him never once thinking Ea could take his words seriously and thus offensively.


Playing a dangerous game there, Gann... Ula cautioned silently, turning her silver eyes to watch Ea's reaction with some interest.

[Moon_Song]

Darklight rolled her eyes at Gann's little joke.

Ea blushed, if a wolf could, embarrassed. "Oh I-I'm sorry."

Darklight chuckled at her sister, shaking her head slightly.

Ea looked up at her sister, her brow furrowed. "What?"

The look set her off. She laughed out loud so that the sound reverberated off the walls, carrying the strong, powerful tones to and fro. It was more than just amusement at her sister's misunderstanding of a simple jest. It was the relief that she was ok. With that laugh, the last of Darklight's tensions eased. "Dear sister, it was a joke."

Ea's face looked almost surprised, then even more embarrassed that she had misunderstood. She laughed half-heartedly so she wouldn't look too foolish.

((OoC: sorry for the shortness

[ulrica]

Horror flooded through Gann at the look of embarrassment which once more crossed Ea's visage. He stood and twisted into a sprawling crouch, his front paws spread wide for balance and his hind paws squarely beneath him. "No! Oh no, no, no! I didn't mean- I was just- You're snoring was- Arg that's not right at all!" Gann stammered over Darklight's chuckle, horrified that the snowy wolfess had taken his words the wrong way. "What?" She asked, looking curiously at her sister. The gray female was sent in a bout of raucous laughter, however, Gann thought he was living in a nightmare. "Nothing! Nothing! It was nothing! I promise I didn't mean anything!" He blurted out, pleading for her to forgive him.


Gann's antics were amusing to the dark she-wolf and a small smile curled the corner of one side of Ula's mouth. Silly boy... His tail wagged around and words of apology sprang from his mouth with an almost desperate need for forgiveness. "Relax Gann, sheesh..." She mumbled under breath and rolled her eyes a bit at his behavior as Darklight explained to Ea he had merely been joking.


The look on her face almost broke his heart. She tried to laugh along with them, but the humility she felt showed through the forced mirth. Gann gave a small whimper and flopped down, crawling until his nose was barely an inch away from Ea's. "Please don't do that." He asked of her, smiling gently. "You don't have to be embarrassed ok? I was only kidding. I'm sorry..." Letting his voice drop, he watched her silently. Every so often, his tail thumping softly against the ground.


((OOC: No problem! ^_^))

[Moon_Song]

Ea couldn't help but stare at Gann's adamant tone and posture. As he inched closer to her, she felt her face heat up, but for a different reason all together. His nose was but an inch from hers. She glanced away a moment, suddenly shy. "It's...It's ok Gann."

Darklight looked over at Ula a moment, as they both shared a moment of amusement. When Gann got closer to Ea, though, she kept a wary eye on him. She didn't exactly like what she was seeing.

Her sister cleared her throat. She looked quickly over to her, for there had been a moment of quiet and the sound caught her off guard. When Ea realized what her sister was drawing attention too, she looked to the side, but a small smile graced her lips.

[ulrica]

Gann smiled good-naturedly and lifted his head a bit, snorting wryly at Darklight. "Oh spoil sport." He teased before leaping up in a twirling mass of gray fur. Ea was finally awake and he wanted to do something fun!


He was pathetic. Pathetic like the pup of a dog. A voice hissed in the dark she-wolf's mind, however, it was ignored. For once the cruelty that lurked in the shadows of Ula's consciousness was pushed back and forgotten. Let Gann have his moment... It will end all too quickly... The charcoal femme thought with some sympathy; the life of a wanderer might work for her, but for Gann it was a death sentence. He needed the comfort a pack could offer, and who was she to stand in the way of that? No one... Just an old memory of a darker time.

"Calm yourself Gann... I'm getting tired just by watching you." Ula said softly, the small smile still curling one side of her mouth.


The gray male came to a quick halt at Ula's quiet reprimand. If she seemed sad at all on the outside, it went unnoticed by the over joyed wolf and he merely gave her a wolfish grin with his tongue lolling from the side of his mouth. "Oh come on Ula, lighten up." With that, Gann leaped to nudge his shadowy friend in the upper part of her shoulder. "How about you get up today, huh? You know when you're active you feel better." He said brightly, tugging gently on her ear until she slowly pushed herself into a sitting position. "There. You'll be strong again soon and then..." He let the sentence drop, glancing back at Ea and Darklight.


"And then we can chase the geese from their ponds until the moon falls." Ula finished for him. There was no need to get him upset...not yet. Let his happiness last...

[Moon_Song]

Darklight snorted and rolled her eyes at Gann. As she did so, here eyes fell on the conflicted face of Ula. She looked something like a mother who knew her child was soon to leave her, and that she could do nothing but support him. Darklight did not look away until Ula spoke, and she realized she had been staring. What kind of bond do these two share? she wondered.

Feeling a little stronger. Ea pushed herself up into a sitting position. Darklight was right next to her, ready to catch her if she were to fall, but she didn't falter. She was feeling a bit stronger now, and she was able to sit up straight.

As she moved, she didn't miss the hesitation in Gann's words. Something inside her moved. She had an odd feeling when he had mentioned leaving. What could that be? She pushed it away and focus on what Ula said next. "Chasing some birds sounds like a fun idea." She offered. "This storm looks like it might let up as soon as tomorrow." She glanced at the mouth of the cave to be sure of her estimate. The ferocity of the snow driven tempest was ebbing, and the wind's howl was softer.

Darklight, too, noticed Ganns pause and how Ula was quick to follow up. What was it between these two?

She glanced between the two for a moment, then looked to the cave's mouth as her sister spoke. Tomorrow the storm would be over, and they could all get some much needed fresh air.

[ulrica]

Hunting. The thrill of the run, the chase, the snag, the kill.... Ula's mouth watered slightly and an expectant smile lit upon her muzzle. Briefly. Ea's comment regarding Ula's idea of chasing birds was slightly amusing. She hadn't actually thought anyone would agree with the pass-time, not to say that it wasn't fun, it had simply been a split second save for Gann. "And then we'll all be able to get out of here!" The words he most likely would have said echoed in the femme's mind. Of course he at first meant them as encouragement, as grounds for Ea to gather her strength, but something had made him second guess the meaning of his own words. Something had made him realize that all too soon, this little gathering would end and he would once again be on his own. We'll both be on our own... For some reason, the charcoal black she-wolf didn't much like this idea either. You're the one who chose this life... You didn't have to live on your own, but you did. This is what you wanted, don't forget that... A voice reminded cruelly in her thoughts, silencing any regrets and forcing her into the present once again.


Gann's bright eyes followed Ea's bi-colored gaze to the cave mouth to see she was right. Huh, I guess in all the worry I just didn't notice... The whistle had died out of the wind, shrinking down into a subtle moaning howl. "Ula, I bet you'll be happy to get out of here won't you?" The playful male teased his friend, looking over at the female. She only nodded her head, however, as she was at that time standing. Or trying to anyway. Her front legs shook slightly as she sat up, but she glared at Gann when he made as if to move and help her so he sat back down feeling thoroughly rejected. "I guess she's feeling a bit warm. She used to get like that a lot when she was first injured. The night I left, she'd had an on again, off again sort of fever... Huh... Guess some things don't change eh?" At first he had sounded serious, but with his final words the joking tone was back to his voice and he grinned over at Ea. "I'm glad you're feeling better... I..." He sighed, his eyes darkening as a sudden sense of vulnerability fell over him. "I was really worried..." His eyes flashed up to Darklight as if just remembering she was present. "Um, we both were." His tail thumped slightly on the ground as he waited for her reply.


Ula walked on unsteady legs toward the mouth of the cave. Yes, she had heard Gann's theory as to her getting up, and he was correct. The dark wolfess was feeling a bit warm, but she shrugged it off to so many bodies being in the same small space together. After all, there was nothing else that would raise her temperature. She wasn't sick, and she wasn't injured. There was no other explanation. So, she had quietly padded a little closer to the entry way. Just close enough for the wind to slightly reach her and cool her down a bit. Laying down again, the female settled in to simply watched the small flurries of snow dancing on the arms of the wind. It really was beautiful and her silver orbs took in every intricate weave of their frolicking. Now that wasn't to say she didn't still pay attention to the conversation going on behind her. One ear was turned back to listen absently, though more in case of her name being called than to actually take part in the dialogue.

[Moon_Song]

"We both were." Darklight corrected Gann just as he corrected himself. Had she been less irritable, she might have laughed. Instead she threw an annoyed glance his way.

Ea smiled and chuckled at the simulations comment. She wanted to tell her sister to lighten up and tell Gann not to worry so, but she thought against it. regardless of what she said to her sister, she would act the same. Nothing that could be said could change a person or how they feel. She figured the same was true for Gann. Just asking for someone not to worry never worked.

Ea thought about Ula possibly running a fever. Other than a bit of lingering stiffness, most likely from the cold she had been passed out in, she didn't seem too under the weather. Nevertheless, Ea set her mind to keeping an eye on the other female. Just in case.

Darklight wasn't sure how, but she knew there was to be a change. She wasn't sure when or what the outcome would be, but something was soon to end, and something else was soon to begin.