Huff, puff, blow me Down {Torikkusuta/Open?}

[ulrica]

<sub>The wind tossed the slender she-wolf from left to right, ripping painfully at her wings when they flarred to keep her upright. She whimpered slightly as a particularly strong gust of wind threw her brutally to the right. The snow caught her paws, sprawling her on her side quite unceremoniously. Aiu growled, struggling to stand and pinning her wings tightly to her sides. What was she doing here? What was she doing in such a cold weather pack? Because Gann is here.... The wolfess thought grumpily, her mood souring even more as she was knocked once again off her feet. Gann is here and of course you had to follow. Yes. She had followed the young male. Followed him from the forests which had been her home for so long into this icy purgatory. "I'm an idiot..." The femme growled shoving herself to her paws and surging forward.

A scouting mission, she had said. She would go out and scout the territory to see if there were any stragglers to be seen. A strangled huff escaped Aiu's clenched jaw. Who would have thougt, she would be the straggler... Oh the cruelty of irony... The fae thought bitterly, narrowing her eyes against the bitter wind. 

She would turn back, she had to. Her wings were goig to be torn from her body otherwise. The snowy wolfess had travled far enough hadn't she? Obviously there was no one crazy enough to venture out in this weather and her return was- Hold on, what was that? A small black shape began to form in the distance. Trees. Of course, it had to be trees. Aiu continued forward with renewed hope, bounding through the snow as best she could. Her chest threw up waves of the fluffy stuff as she fell back down to the earth each time. Time seemed to warp for a moment and suddenly she was there, among the safety of the small copse of trees. The wind was weaker here, less vicious on her wings. She could stand without falling and mostly open her- Aiu yelped sharply. No she couldn't open her wings. Something was wrong, something was very wrong. Her left wing hung at an odd angle. Broken? Surely not, she had felt breaks before and this felt nothing like a break. But the pain was intense; mindnumbing and breathtaking. She was being strangled by the agony of loosing her adrenaline rush. The pain hit her full force, sending the femme reeling. The ground rose to meet her and she stared with horror at her wing. How? How could this have happened? When you fell. A confident voice sneered in the fae's mind. When you were stumbling all over yourself trying to get through that little spring storm. Tsk tsk. Such a disappointment. Aiu frowned, but didn't try to stand. Her legs were trembling from exhertion. Her breath coming in short, rasping gasps. No she wouldn't stand... Not yet. She would wait until she could walk and then head back. And maybe Gann will come and rescue me... 

The voice snorted derisively in her head. Not likely.</sub>[/color]

[danarisky]

Torikkusuta walked over the land, staring around for potential prey. All he could see was snow, cruel and white, covering the land like a thick blanket. Occasionally a patch of trees or grass would reveal itself in the bright gloom. Torik was freezing in this place, moaning about the cold, bitter snow.

Snow, snow, snow, he thought, that's all I can see. There's too much of it, too much cold.

Then, a figure in the distance appeared, flying through the skies. Torik watched in fascination as a female wolf headed towards a patch of trees, the only ones he could see. He ran over, not risking flying in this weather. The storm cut harshly at his wings, as if trying to force him to open them and fly. His paws sank deeply into the snow as he rushed for the only shelter he could reach.

With a laugh of accomplishment, he stumbled through the tree line. The wind wasn't so viscous in here, and the snow was kept mostly out by low branches. He stopped.

The female was directly ahead of him now. He watched as she tried to open her wings and yelped. He felt something stir deep within his heart and walked over to help. He walked up to her, trying to make comforting sounds. The female wolf had obviously hurt her wings. He sat down a little way from her. He understood the pain and frustration of her wings not working, as it had happened to him before.

"May I help? I am Torikkusuta, but you can call me Torik," he said as comfortingly as possible. He expected the female to be afraid, so he lay down respectfully.

[ulrica]

<sub>"May I help? I am Torikkusuta, but you can call me Torik." Aiu made a sharp bark of surprise, spinning about to face this male which had approached her. She growled lowly out of instinct, trying to keep her wings pinned closely to her side. But no, her left wing refused to bend properly and so hung limply, draging the ground painfully. Sure she could set it, manipulate the water in the air to form ice and the used the soldity of the ice to set her wing and then brace it against her side, but that would take time and energy and with this male around she was far too nervous to concentrate on anything but him. 

He didn't seem agressive though, on the contrary he seemed quite willing to help as he had just made clear. He had even given her his name. What was it again? Torly? Todye? No, Torik. The fae thought with some disappointment. She needed to pay better attention. Well it's hard to do with your wing screaming agony at you isn't it? The voice sneered wickedly within Aiu's skull. Of all the wolves in the world, she would be the one with a talkative subconscious. Can this day get worse? Her thoughts turned to the male and the storm blocking her escape. Oh yea...

"Im fine. I don't need your help." Aiu replied bitterly, her fear and pain making her angry. Who was this wolf anyway? He definitely wasn't one of the pack wolves, she would know him at least as an acquaintance. He's a stranger and a trespasser.. The young and hurt femme deduced, her jade eyes narrowing and long fluffly tail swishing with annoyance across her heels. So kill him... It's easy for you.. You don't have a heart to care with.... Kill him and you won't have to worry... You can set your wing and not have to worry.... The voice sneered viciously. Aiu shoved it away angrily. She was wounded and could barely move. Even standing sent her legs to trembling violently. How was she suposed to fight in the condition she was in? No, her only hope was to watch this male closely and try to get away if he showed signs of agression.</sub>[/color]  

[danarisky]

Torik frowned. "You are not fine. Your wing looks painful." he said patiently. He continued to stay at a respectful distance. It was only fair, since this was not his pack at all, and this was probably her pack. He sat up.

"I'm not a healer, so I don't know what I could do to help, but I don't want to hurt you, you know." he whispered. He chuckled. The poor thing wanted to kill him if she could. It was almost unbearable, so he padded closer.

Torik was beginning to suspect that this fae had a lot going on in her mind. He was fairly good at working out what others were thinking. He decided to risk it all and walk closer, offering his shoulder to lean on if needed. He really was at a loss of what to do.

"Does your pack have any healers?" he asked.

[ulrica]

<sub>His voice was soothing, smooth and deep. Reminiscent to that of Gann's. Her heart thudded at the familiarity of the sound. Pull yourself together. You're acting like a fool. The voice chastised angrily. Aiu snapped back to attention, the brief trance she had entered into at the sound of his voice disappearing instantly. Torik was right of course. Her wing ached with agonizing consistency, each pump of blood only increasing her discomfort.

"I don't want to hurt you, you know." Aiu's eyes narrowed and another low growl rumbled in her throat. An oddly feral noise for such a creature as herself. She was angelic in a way. Her snowy fur stained only by the midnight blue markings on her tail and wings. Her jade eyes seeming to glow with a surreal aura in the darkening cove. The storm passed around them, weakening a small amount as night approached. In those few moments, one could have imagined time to be standing still. And in some aspects, the slender fae wished it would. She needed to think. To take a breath and figure out if this male was lying or not. Of course he's lying now tear his throat out and be done with it! Aiu growled again, though this time the sound was softer and less threatening.

Torik continued to approach her, always trying to appear honest in his intentions. Maybe he really was just trying to help her? Aiu's hind legs shook as she shuffled backward until her rump bumped against a tree. She was cornered and he still padded toward her. Fear might have crept into her eyes then, exhaustion taking its claim over her body as she collapsed. However, something stopped her. His shoulder held her up, his strength saving them both. Gemstone eyes widened and her ears flattened on the back of her neck as the she-wolf waited for the vicious fangs to close around her neck and tear at her flesh. But they never came. Instead he spoke again, his voice bringing her ears up slightly. "Does your pack have any healers?" Sure. Gann could heal as well as Ea and surely there were others. But why would they help me...? They wouldn't. At least not in this storm. 

"Yes, but they won't be available until this storm dies down a bit..." She let the sentence drop, easing herself down to the ground with a painful twinge to her wing. She was beyong caring now. If he attacked he attacked, there was nothing she could do to stop him so why bother worrying about something she had no control over. I can't stay awake much longer... She realized with a rush of fear. He could kill her and she wouldn't be able to do anything... Emerald eyes raised to search for the male's. "What are you doing here?" Aiu asked softly, her voice mistrustful and venemous.</sub>[/color]  

[Moon_Song]

((OoC:I don't mean to intrude or anything, but if at some point either of you want Ea to join in on this I would be more than happy to have her stop by. ^_^ Sorry if I'm butting in, but the direction of your plot seemed rather interesting. ))

[ulrica]

((OOC: Haha I actually was intending to PM you after the storm blew over if it was alright with dana ))

[danarisky]

OCC:(Yeah, sure, go ahead. BTW sorry for the late reply, internet was screwed for a while there.)

"I just hope it goes away fast then," Torik said, glancing up at what he could she of the sky through the thick branches. He was beginning to feel a soft spot in his usually hateful heart form for the fae.

"Until the storm does past, I shall indeed tell you why I am here. Well, I'm a bit of an explorer, if I do say so myself. I often wander the lands of packs I am not from. It's really amazing what you can learn from them, even if they are chasing you out. I suppose it's become a habit, really." he said quietly, realizing how stupid he must sound. A explorer, he thought, what wolf would believe that?

Somewhat nervous of the fae's response, he decided to ask her a few questions.

"What's your name? I take it you live around here, so what's it like?" he asked cautiously.

[ulrica]

<sub>Aiu listened to the wolf's explanation without much interest. He was lying, he had to be. He's probably a scout for another pack... The slender femme thought, surprised at the energy it took even to think. The whole while Torik spoke, her wing throbbed without end. Would it never end? "What's your name? I take it you live around here, so what's it like?" Aiu's ears pricked forward a bit more. She growled lowly when he asked for her name, he was a fool if he thought she would tell him that. "Its like anywhere else except frigidly cold year round." Aiu grumbled, falling with a soft huff onto her belly as her legs gave out the final few inches. She yelped, gritting her jaws against the pain of jarring her wing. 

Torik might have felt sorry for her, he might tell her more lies, but at that moment the pain wracked she-wolf didn't care. Death would have been welcomed if his intentions were to kill her. If he would lay beside her, she would perhaps curl into his side, finding comfort in his warmth as she used to find in Al and as she had found in Gann. But beneath the comfort of another's company, there was always the loneliness she waited for. The time of goodbye when yet another wolf would turn away and walk out of her life forever. Even if she couldn't yet understand it, she didn't want this, Torik, to leave..

"If I were to fall asleep... Would you kill me...?" Aiu asked, fear giving her voice a small tremble. If he planned on killing you why would he answer yes...? The voice sneered with disgust. The winged fae made no thought to quiet it as wide jade eyes searched for those of the male.</sub>[/color] 

[Moon_Song]

((OoC: awesomesauce (: if you still want to Ulrica just PM me when you feel it is time for her to join in.))

[danarisky]

Torik yelped as the fae collapsed. He could only imagine how much that would hurt, so he lay down beside her in case she still wanted to rest her wing. He didn't blame the fae for not trusting him enough to tell him her name, but he wondered why she asked him if he would kill her. He blinked.

"Why would I want to kill you?" he asked, clearly puzzled. "If I did even consider it, when your pack found you I would die too,"

He tried to prove his point by shutting his eyes, trying to force himself to sleep. He mumbled briefly, "If you want, I'll fall asleep first,"

He wondered why he was doing so much for a complete stranger. Normally he would have wandered off, or tricked the fae out of something, or even just play a prank or steal. He could hear his very existence questioning his actions. His very nature seemed to be ashamed of him.

He tried to wrap his wing around her to give her extra warmth, being careful not to touch the injured wing. Although his wings were ripped and torn, he hoped they would help.

[ulrica]

<sub>Well, he was right at least in part. Her pack might not kill him so much as maim him or at the very lowest level chase him from the territory. I doubt even Gann would get angry enough to kill... The femme though somberly, leaning a bit into Torik's side without realizing it. "If you want, I'll fall asleep first." Aiu blinked, lifting her head to look at the male. She gave a small smile at his words, maybe he really didn't bear any ill-intent...

"I don't think you can make yourself sleep.." The slender fae said softly, her voice little more than a breath. "I believe you won't try to kill me..." Her words seemed convincing enough, however, her very essence sneered at her behavior. The voice within the femme's mind growling in contempt. But what choice do I have...? I can't get away, and I can't make him go away either... There was no other option, no way out. She couldn't run. She couldn't fight. She could hardly even stand to speak! Something touched her back and she started a bit, her head jerking around to see a tattered wing stretching across the femme's back. For a brief moment, Aiu wondered if Al's wings had changed somehow and this was really him, but that small delusion was quickly shot down and shoved to the back of her mind. She didn't have time for such foolishness. But for some reason, the winged wolfess didn't pull away. Rather, she scooted closer to Torik until their sides touched. "Thank you..." Aiu whispered, suddenly realizing how cold she had really been.

With a feminine innocence, Aiu lowered her ears and gently rested her head over the male's paws. The side of her cheek would lean into his chest perhaps if he didn't move away. The position was an intimate one, but the femme couldn't help herself. There was something about this Torik which drew her in, held her captive through even the smallest tones of his voice. Jade eyes closed slowly, lithe body relaxing against his as she drifted into a light doze...</sub>[/color]

[danarisky]

"Perhaps not," Torik chuckled, "No problem,"

He smiled as the fae put her head down over his paws. He watched as she dozed off, wondering why he was doing all this for her. It was causing him to get a headache, but looking at the fae with her head on his paws somehow softened his heart and made it worthwhile.

The heat from her was warming him up too, blocking out the coldness of the storm. He tried to fall asleep also, but was unable to, so he began to count stars, watching as the storm lessened by the hour. Finally, boredom overcame him and he fell asleep, still close to the fae.

[ulrica]

<sub>Black. Endless, welcoming black stretched out before the she-wolf's consciousness. No phantoms of her parents appeared. No voices called to her from beyond the veil. She was alone, and for that she was grateful. You're not alone.... You're never alone.. Not really... The void was shattered and frigid winds ripped into the fae's snowy fur. She was falling, falling through nothingness and swiftly picking up speed. Aiu flapped her wings desperately, but nothing happened. No, she hadn't flapped her wings, they hadn't moved at all in fact, they weren't even there! Her shoulders were void of the second joint which once held the large limbs, only tousled hair remaining where feathers had once been.

The fae howled her terror and sorrow into the wind, her descent continuing faster and faster. 'Nooooo!!!!!' She cried as something horribly reminiscent to the ground sped toward her. Yards, feet, inches.... Nothing? Jade eyes opened, and the illusion was shattered....</sub>[/b]

Her nightmare wasn't unusual in its appearance, rather its content. She was used to her parents visiting her, begging that their daughter return to a home she couldn't remember. This dream was odd. Aiu didn't recall ever falling before.... At least not without her wings... A soft wind touched the fae's black nose and her emerald eyes opened for real. The first thing she noticed was that the storm had died down some, only a slight breeze sending the branches of the trees around her to swaying. The second, and more alarming thing, she noticed was the male wolf sleeping beside her with his wing strewn familiarly over her back. Torik... The name came without hesitation and memories of the day before flooded back to her. How long had she slept? A day? Two? No, most likely it had only been a few hours, the sun was just now beginning to dip below the mountains tall peaks.

The pack! Aiu moved to lift her head, then froze. If she were to fidget about too much then Torik might wake. Why does that matter to me? He's not my concern. Because she had woken up, he hadn't killed her as she slept and the least she could do would be to let him wake up on his own. The lithe femme took a deep breath and relaxed once more, gemstones staring out at a small snow flurry as it collided into the side of large rock. The adolescent she-wolf sighed, boredom already setting in. She wanted to run and play, not lay here and wait for some stranger to come around. You better hurry up.. She thought grudgingly, though her eyes were gentle and held something like warmth when she glanced back at his wing tucked around her. A small smile curled one side of her mouth and she allowed her body to relax once again.[/sub][/color]

[danarisky]

Torik growled in his sleep, nightmares haunting him. This particular nightmare was horrifying, him getting torn viciously apart by the fae and her pack. But the worst thing about the dream, the truly terrifying thing, was that every wolf he'd seen die, every wolf he had killed, every wolf he had ever known who was now dead joined in the hunt. The fae lead the ghost pack, a smile on her face that somehow hurt worse than the pack tearing him apart.

He awoke, bursting into consciousness. He sprang up to his feet, preparing for attack. When he glanced around, and saw the fae already awake, he calmed down. Lucky for her she didn't awaken me, he thought. He lowered his head as if to apologize for waking up in that manner. He tried to smile, on seeing that the fae probably wouldn't kill him.

"Hey," he said warmly, trying to cover up his reactions. He tried to laugh, still shaking off the nightmare. He glanced fondly at the fae.

"You still haven't told me your name," he urged, suddenly very curious.