With The Trees, I Shall Speak

[Moon_Song]

Acala sat under the shade of one of the more ancient trees of Gekkou Meadow. Her wings were tucked into her sides and her fore legs stretched out before her. Even in the shade of this huge tree, her scales had that iridescent property, though a little muted. She was not hard to see as it was (with how white her hide was). The crystalline spikes and horns just added to the obviousness. She was contemplating her words and fidgeting with the red orb around her neck. Just below that necklace a blue tear drop settled. Such a sad story behind it...

She had been to this tree many times in her life, as it was as old as she, more than likely older, and that was saying something. This tree spoke softly, but wisely. With her highly tuned ears and endless patience, Acala could easily sit here for hours, or even days. In this particular visitation, she had already been here since dawn, and the sun was at the peak of its decent.

The tree spoke to her again, in the way trees do, and she realized she had let her mind wander. In reply she whispered: "Ah, forgive me, my mind was not my own. What was it that you asked?" The tree laughed, not audibly, but she could sense its amusement. It asked her its question once again. "Ah, yes, I remember." At this particular meeting, they were reminiscing on past visits and Acala's past. Mostly the good parts. This tree was kind enough and knew her well enough not to bring up the painful things.

Acala chuckled, a throaty sound, at the shared memory. She opened her mouth to say something else, but the tree spoke to her, and only her, first. Someone was approaching. They were still very far from here, and Acala was almost surprised she had not heard them. Almost. This three's roots were far reaching indeed. Let them come. It might be some one interesting."

**********

About an hour later, the other presence was fairly close. The dragon and the tree had continued on with their reminiscing to pass the time. The sun was lower now and the shadows were lengthening. The two grew quiet as they waited for the other being to show themselves.

[akidaz56]

Kin howled into the sky. She smelled strange things, it keened her and she was growling now to herself. Her fur was on end, and she panted hard. Howling was beginning to take more out of her. She looked up at the large ancient tree, with a white dragon resting beneath it. It sent fear down her spine, the sight of the dragon, it being so near. Kin did not wish to anger it so, with a low growl she exited the shelter of the bush and trees. "I am Kin, I mean you no harm if you think I even could deal harm to you dragon."

[Moon_Song]

A howl broke the stillness that had become a cloud around Acala. She kept her expression even, for there was nothing to be excited about, though this was a bit of an unusual way for one to announce themselves. She waited for the wolf to finish its call. Ah, waited was so easy after so many millennia.

A small wolfess emerged from the grass. Her eyes were of two different shades of green, and her fur was of varying shades of darks and lights. She introduced herself as Kin and said she meant no harm. Acala chuckled lightly to herself, but did not begrudge the little female a reply.

"I sense no ill will from you, Kin." Which was true. Neither of her pendants spoke to her, and the tree, that was the closest thing to a friend, had gone silent. "I am Acala." She lowered her head and brought it back up to its naturally regal pose. "It is a pleasure to meet you." She smiled in an attempt to lessen her apparently intimidating form. The female, Kin, was tense with fear and apprehension. How would this wolf react to her voice, with its ancient accents and wise tones?

[akidaz56]

Kin felt her fear wash away, subsiding to an edged carefulness. She walked closer, her eyes were watching the world around them with care. She sniffed at the air and then sat down. A few feet from the wise dragon.

Her fur was slightly raised and she moved her black tipped tail behind her. A couple more sniffs of the air and she was satisfied for the time being. No danger was around, the dragon did not seem to be planning to eat her. So Kin looked into the night sky. Her leaf green eye twinkled with hope, but her emerald eye revealed the pain she was suffering inside her.

"Have you ever flown so high, Acala, that you touched the stars? Can you even touch them?" Kin asked while still looking at the sky. Her left eye watching Acala closely. It was as though she was pleading to know. The joy and freedom of flight, something she would never be able to experience.

[Moon_Song]

((OOC: It isn't night time just yet. It's closer to sunset ^_^))

Kin seemed to relax after Acala had spoken her peace. If only a little. With the female's wary approach, Acala took the opportunity to study her movements, as was her custom with any new--or know--individual. In this, she could read much about another in their mannerisms, how they carried themselves, ect.

Kin settled only feet away from her large form, the closeness bringing every detail into sharp relief--as if she needed it with her eyes. The wolfess' hackles were raised and her tail was restless. Any indication of nervous apprehension, but one need not be an expert to see that, for it was written on the females face as she sniffed incessantly.

Seeming content with whatever conclusion she came to, Kin lifted her head into the air and asked of Acala how high she had flown. What an odd question. This little wolf was certainly an interesting one. The mixed emotion swirling in her eyes reminded Acala of long ago things.

Unable to help herself, Acala, too, raised her square-ish head to the sky, painted its warm shades of oranges, reds, and pinks by the setting sun. Acala was not one to readily believe in the deities of this land, but if such beings did exist, one was surly a great artist to have created this work.

"The stars," she began, "are not ours to reach. However..." She looked back to the wolfess and looked directly at her, "there was a time, long ago, where I thought I could."

She watched for whatever reaction Kin had. What answer had she been looking for? By the look in her eyes, it was something to give her some sort of hope.

[akidaz56]

Kin smiled, "I see... I think that sets me to ease actually. I use to wonder if someone could fly up there, and take the stars out of the sky... I couldn't think of what life would be like without a bright light to help guide me. Of course there would still be the moon, but it wouldn't be the same."

A slight breeze blew through Kin's fur, it sent almost a chill down her spine, but it also some how, roused her spirits. With peace Kin howled into the sky as the sun set lower and lower on the horizon.

[Moon_Song]

The little females words were strange. She said she had wished to fly and touch those starts that, in her far gone youth, Acala had tried to touch. Not physically, for even in her youth she was not so naive, but in her own way, she had reached for the highest place, and fallen.

Almost unexpectedly--almost--Kin threw he head back and howl, accenting the suns hastening decent. With Mitanee's grace, if he was in fact the diety responsible, the season was beginning its deceptively gradual shift from the deep greens of summer, to the muti-facited, multi-colored brilliance of fall.

Acala remained quiet for the duration of Kin's howling song. Each and every wolf she had ever come across, and been in the presence of during a howl, was different and distinct. Perhaps it was just her ability to listen that allowed her to pick out the subtle differences, but she knew that the wolves themselves could distinguish one from another.

Once the song had finished, she would continue to be silent, letting the gravity of the moment evaporate. She did have to admit, though, the howl was a bit out of context, but to each his own. "Well, now, that was interesting." She smiled to lessen the sarcastic tone, for she meant it only as a small joke.

[akidaz56]

Kin laughed. "Sorry," Her eyes closed as though embarrassed. "I sometimes can't help it." Her tail wagged and she looked back at the last rays of light.

"I lose myself, and remember what it was like to have a pack..." She looked down sadly, and then kept down the grief. When she looked back up her eyes twinkled again. "It makes every moment with someone else magical."

[Moon_Song]

Acala raised a brow. Kin had mentioned once being in a pack, and it was as if mentioning that fact brought about a measure of sadness that was quickly cast aside. She thought to ask, but did not speak right away, preferring the silent contemplation she had been known for many--many--years ago.

The tree she still lay under had gone still as well. The setting of the sun sometimes had that effect on the plant life on this enchanted floating island. Acala chose not to ask of the little females past, and instead turned her eyes toward the horizon that was aglow with the splendor of the suns final glimpse.

Just as the sun passed below the islands view, Acala finally spoke. "How old are you, Kin?" She looked sideways at the little wolfess. Such a statement was usually made by those who had not known too much struggle or those who had not met many...evil people in their travels. No innocence survived after time had ravished it.

[akidaz56]

Kin's ears perked up. "Three and a half... That must seem like a week to you." She smiled, and then looked back down. Her ears flattened themselves and she whispered something to herself.
"No one knows what I've seen..." She bet the dragon could hear here, but she didn't care.

When she turned back to her. "How old are you? Acala..." She asked her. Her eyes were still sad, showing that she wished that something could have changed... something from her past...

[Moon_Song]

The little female answer only confirmed her suspicion. Three years young, this wolf. She tacked on how she surmised that amount of time was short to Acala...it was but it was hardly the place of the little one to say so.

Before she could voice her chastisement, Kin asked of her age. Acala had to think a very long time before she answered. "I have been around far longer than your race has existed, young one." It was true, but the truth was she couldn't count how old she was. The Lady saw fit for her to live this obscenely long life. Many millennia had gone by in her life time, and she wouldn't doubt that she would see many more.

Did she wish for death? Not with the vigor that she did after that fateful incident long ago. It wasn't so much a longing as it was a morbid curiosity. Whenever the subject decided to rack her brain, she was bombarded with questions of her mortality. Why had she lived so long? What was keeping her alive? Would she ever die/

She realized she had let her mind wander. She shook her head, as if to clear it.

[akidaz56]

Kin looked at her. "Something bothers you, something bothers all... You seem like one of the few that moves past their worries and fear, their anger and hate. You have lived a long time, very long. I wonder what allows dragons and other creatures of your kind to live that long."

Kin got up and shook her fur, the cold of night had fallen around them. She looked up and then shivered again. There was no moon shining, for the clouds were everywhere.

With a yawn Kin stretched her paws out in front of her. Then looked around, finding somewhere soft to rest, she curled up in a pile of leaves. She raised her head and yawned again to Acala, "Do you not get tired?" She asked as she drifted into a deep sleep. A rattle from her body and then she passed out, exausted and at the mercy of the dragon.

[Moon_Song]

There seemed to be something like insight in the little wolf. Acala raised a brow and watched the femme in her movements. It was her way.

Was it simply her species attributes that gave her such longevity? Surely not, for she had seen many of her kin die before her in their time. Perhaps it was a curiosity that would never be satisfied.

Acala had hardly noticed the that the sun had finally dipped below the horizon of the floating island when Kin finally yawn and lay to rest. At the question she was asked, she couldn't help but chuckle maternally. "I am always tired, young one." She looked up to see the emerging stars and the face of the Lady through the silent tree branches. A gentle breeze shifted the leaves. "I grow weary, yes." She was almost whispering now, but it did not matter, for Kin had already lay her head down.

The tree finally came out of its silence and spoke to her softly. With out turning her gaze Acala replied. "Yes, she is." A pause. Another quiet question. "Ah, yes, that is truth. I shall be on my way soon anyway."

[akidaz56]

Kin sleep soundly, her body shifted slightly in her sleep.

Memories drifted into her mind, her mother falling into the hunter pit...

Her family dieing...

The night was cold, and the leaves stirred, footsteps outside moved silently. "In there, that's where I smelled the wolf family." One voice said, Kin's ear's perked up and she moved to the entrance. She was still young at this time, and made nothing of it when she heard nothing more, when she smelled nothing new.

The hunters attack an hour later... Kin can't remember anything other then their screams, their pain, the horror, and fear...


"MOTHER!!!" She scremaed as she stared into a hunter pit, her mother dead, instanly for one had peirce her heart.
The rattle of death came from her body, Kin screamed with pain and grief. "MOTHER!" She howls...

[Moon_Song]

Kin's sleep was rather fitful. She had seen the slumber of many creatures, some that no longer existed, so she knew this distress well. The wolfess was having a nightmare. With half an ear, she listen to the tree tell a story, and with half an eye, watched the wolf below her.

She was not a cold hearted dragon, though many would be after so many years, and she was interested, if not a bit concerned for the little wolf. Acala raised her wings and flapped them a but, for they had become sore from being still for so long. She rested them, once again, at her sides and went on with her conversation. At the edge of her peripheral, she could sense a few ominous clouds approaching from the distance. The darkness of the mid-night kept them under cover as they crept past the stars.