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

[ulrica]

<sub>Aiu yelped with shock and pain when Torik leaped up suddenly, a snarl ripping through the air. The femme tried her best to get away, cursing herself for being foolish enough to trust this male. Kill him! Kill him!!! The voice screamed with something which seemed like fear. So you're afraid of dying too huh...? The fae almost groaned. And now I'm talking to myself... She would have tried to run then, forced her wounded wing into her side and bolted away. She could have pulled the shadows around her to make her snowy form almost invisible but to only the sharpest of eyes. But she didn't run, she didn't even move that far away. Rather, she shuffled out of range of his jagged fangs and cowered. Yes, cowered. The lithe huntress, the angel of death, had been reduced to cowering at the paws of some male. Not to mention a male I hardly know...

Torik lowered his head as if in apology. "Hey." His was warm, gentle. Aiu stood, her eyes understanding. He was sorry, and that was all there was to it. No need to dwell on the past, she if anyone knew that best... No.. Don't go there... The femme thought to herself defiantly, determined not to let the memories of the parents which haunted her dreams and mind to catch up with her now. At least not while she was with this male... She needed to concentrate, to pay attention. "You still haven't told me your name." The lithe she-wolf smiled a bit, taking a wary step nearer to Torik. "Aiu... She breathed, mentally chastising herself before speaking again this time in a stronger voice even if it still held a note of anxiety, "My name's Aiu."</sub>[/color]

[Moon_Song]

((OoC: Ulrica said to jump in here so here I go ))

When Aiu didn't return last night, Ea began to worry. Darklight had told her not to worry, that Aiu would come around in her own time, but Ea felt something had gone wrong. The mountains were treacherous , especially in storms as severe as the one the day before.

Ea had every wolf in the pack go out and search. She had volunteered for the mountains simply because some within the pack were too young and the others not handle the terrain well.

They had all set out at daybreak, just as the sun crested the horizon. Now, the sun was just falling behind the mountains, and she had yet to find her pack mate.The storm here was just about finished, but mountain weather was highly unpredictable. She needed to find Aiu soon, before another storm began.

Ea's pendant swayed with her stride, casting blue spots of light on the snow around her. With her bi-colored eyes she scanned the slops tirelessly for any sign of her friend. A noise caught her attention and her ears twitched as nose scented the air. She smelled wolves.

With quick and graceful bounds through the snow she moved toward the scents. As she grew closer, she noticed there were two. One was male and unknown. The other was female...Aiu! She had found her lost pack mate! Ea threw back her head and howled out to Aiu. Ea hoped that Aiu had not been injured by the male. She smelled no blood, but one could not be to careful. Her howl would tell Aiu that Ea was near and on her way. The male would get the same message.

[danarisky]

On hearing Aiu's yelp, Torik backed away slightly. He had hurt her! However, he brightened up when he heard her name. Aiu...what a nice name. He walked closer to her, trying to see how bad he had hurt her.

"How badly are you hurt?" he asked, when he heard a howl in the distance. Panic appeared in his heart, but he contained it. Aiu would speak up for me, wouldn't she? His eyes scanned the snow for the howler, ears pricked.

"Do you know that howl? Is there more than one wolf coming?" he asked quietly, backing away from where the sound had come from. At least Aiu will be safe, even if I'm killed. He prepared himself for flight, just in case, glancing at Aiu nervously.

[ulrica]

<sub>Aiu's tail gave a small twitch as Torik approached her, the motion not unlike that of a wag but it went unfinished so one could not be sure. "How badly are you hurt?" His voice was gentle, concerned even, the femme's heart raced at the sound. But she never got the chance to answer. A musical howl echoed through the mountains at that moment, the notes only able to belong to one wolf. Ea.. For some reason, the alpha female's arrival made the slender fae worried. Torik... Jade eyes turned to one of the many directions the howl had come from then back to the male. What would happen if he was found on their territory? Especially with Aiu hurt the way she was... Assumptions would be made and who could say what would happen afterward...

"Do you know that howl? Is there more than one wolf coming?" The she-wolf could hear the anxiety in Torik's voice, see it in his eyes. "It is my alphess, I don't know if there are others with her though..." A troubled look crossed over Aiu's visage and she swallowed back a whimper. "How long was I asleep for..?" She asked, a sense of helplessness in her voice. What would happen if Ea chose to see this wolf as a threat? Who would she choose? Torik or her pack? The adolescent wolfess had never been forced into this sort of a decision before. It had always been clear cut, herself or another. But now, she wasn't even a small variable in the equation. What do I do? Aiu was at a loss, for once torn in two directions. Two directions which didn't even make sense... The choice was clear, she would side with her pack no matter what. So why did that thought make her chest ache so painfully..?</sub>

[Moon_Song]

As she sped up the scents grew stringer. She was worried about Aiu, that could be seen plainly on her face, but she was concerned about the male she smelled. Who ever he was, he had been in the same spot as Aiu for the same amount of time.

Ea rushed up to the trees whose branches were snow. Just as she cleared the line of the first trees she spotted the male and Aiu. She stopped and stood tall, the pendant swaying across the heart-shaped black marking across her chest. Her eyes narrowed at the male, as if to say 'step back'. When her eyes glanced at Aiu she noticed that the female held her wing oddly. She was injured!

Now, Ea was not one to jump to conclusions, she was wiser than that, but the sight of her pack mate injured set her off. she spoke then, her voice firm and conveying as much authority as was necessary. "You! Step away slowly." She said to the male. She slowly made her way over to Aiu, not once taking her eyes away from the male.

When she reached Aiu's side she spoke again, this time more softly. "Did he do this to you?" She would glance down at Aiu's wing as the she-wolf answered, the concern for her safety filling her eyes, as would a mothers.

[danarisky]

Torik bounded behind Aiu, hoping that she would be enough to deter attack.

"You weren't asleep for too long..." he muttered quietly. To the best of his knowledge, she had woken up before him. That was all he really knew. However, flashes of panic were registering in his brain as he realized this wolf was used to being obeyed. He glanced at Aiu constantly, searching for help.

"Sorry, Sorry," he said quietly. He glanced around looking for an escape root, but somehow he still didn't want to leave Aiu, despite the fact that this was her alphess. He growled softly, voicing his concerns, steeping forward. Perhaps it isn't a good idea, he thought, but he didn't want to see Aiu hurt again. He knew that the alphess wouldn't hurt her, but something inside of him urged him to attack.

"Can you heal?" he asked Ea, just managing to contain his growling. He was trying to be submissive and protective at the same time, but it was just causing confusion. In the end, he just took off, and flew slightly above the ground, just out of reach.

[ulrica]

<sub>"You weren't asleep for too long..." His words didn't do much to sooth Aiu's nerves, nor did his actions as he dashed behind her. Ea's white form crested a nearby hill then, her mysterious pendant swaying against the black markings on her chest. The alphess's eyes narrowed, a venomous glint coming into the bi-colored gems as she noticed the winged wolf's injury. Without realizing it, the adolescent femme shuffled back a few inches as if in an effort to calm Torik.

"You! Step away slowly." Ea called, her voice holding all the authority of an alpha. Even Aiu was tempted to back away. Slowly, the white female reached her packmate's side and inspected the latter with motherly tenderness. "Did he do this to you?" Her voice was softer now as she spoke to Aiu and the winged fae found her courage returning steadily. "No, I did this on my own." She replied, her musical voice sounding dull and lusterless. The she-wolf was confused. She couldn't turn on Ea, but she didn't want to repay this male's kindness by throwing him to her pack either.

Torik was just as troubled as she was, more so even. He glanced around the small cove searching for a way out, but she could see the torment in his eyes and understand its feeling. Aiu knew he wanted to leave, wanted to run and get away while he still could, but he was staying and she also knew that she was the only reason for that. He struggled to choose between submission and protection, one second a growl in his chest the next a whimper in the back of his throat. "Can you heal?" Torik asked of Ea, a growl barely contained. Aiu wanted to calm him, to ease his fears, but he was already gone. With a beat of his wings, the male had leaped into the air and was gone. Well, not completely gone. He flew overhead, just out of reach. Yes, he was definitely scared.

Jade eyes turned back to Ea then, no emotion shining through their gem-like depths. "I'm sorry if I worried you, how long was I gone?" Aiu was controlled and strong, or at least she would appear it. This confusion wasn't real, it didn't make her head hurt nor did it tear brutally at her heart. Why would it? She didn't know this male, nor should she want to. Her decision was made for her, the pack was all that mattered which mean this male would have to go. That was right, this was the correct course of action. So why did it hurt so much to think it?</sub>

[Moon_Song]

She had done this to herself? How? What had happened? Ea searched the eyes of the wolfess before her, studied her posture. She didn't seem to be lying. Ea was quiet for a moment as she considered the possibilities. Before she opened her mouth to speak the male asked if she could heal.

She turned at stared at him. She looked him over again, assessing his level of threat. The growl that escaped with his words did nothing to help his case, but luckily Ea had much patience. He seemed like he was trying to be submissive ?and...protective? of what? His life more than likely, or was it?

His nerves seemed to get the best of him. He took to the air and stayed out of he reach. She didn't bother to answer him if he was going to run off. He had no place in knowing her abilities anyway.

She turned her attention back to Aiu. The little winged wolf apologized and asked how long she had been gone. Ea watched Aiu carefully. There was something off about her. Her focus was mettled, as if she was fighting herself over something. "You have been gone since you left to scout the area. When you didn't come back yesterday night we were all worried something had happened." Ea stepped forward and brushed her cheek against Aiu's, expressing her joy at finding her alive. When she moved back so she could see Aiu's eyes Ea spoke again, her voice soft and gentle. "Now, tell me what happened to your wing," she glanced in the direction of the male, "and tell who he is."

Ea paid attention to where the male was at all times. One ear focused on Aiu as she told what had happened while the other sharply followed the males movements. She knew better than to let her guard down around an unknown intruder.

[danarisky]

(OCC: Torik doesn't have much to say or do right now, so you guys can skip him)

[ulrica]

<sub>Aiu knew Ea was confused by the quizzical look the alphess gave her. Well, if she wants to know she'll ask... However, the she-wolf's attention was suddenly claimed by Torik for which the adolescent fae was grateful. "You have been gone since you left to scout the area. When you didn't come back yesterday night we were all worried something had happened." Well that was short-lived... Aiu tensed as Ea suddenly stepped nearer to her, touching their cheeks together. Could she have really been so worried? Surely not... The winged wolfess's muscles relaxed as her alphess stepped away, the distance acting as a buffer between Aiu and potential danger. I shouldn't think of her like that... She's my alpha now. The young wolf reminded herself silently with a chastising manner.

"Now, tell me what happened to your wing, and tell who he is." Ea said, her voice gentle and soothing. Aiu shrugged, looking down at her wing and wiggling it a bit then wincing as she remembered how badly it hurt even to move it a small amount. "I don't know the exact time it happened, but I would assume it to be sometime during the storm last night. The snow was to high for me to walk through very well and the winds were too strong for me to do anything very well... I was tossed around quite a bit so I suppose it happened one of the times I fell." The she-wolf looked back up to her alphess, eyes glancing up every time Torik flew past her view. "That's the only thing I can think of.... Unless he created the storm, Torik had nothing to do with it. Simply my own bad luck." Aiu finished, addressing Ea's fears once again.

The white she-wolf was constantly keeping tabs on Torik, something which probably didn't help his sense of security. "Ea," Aiu said, her voice soft in a way which was strange for her, "you don't need to watch him all the time... He stayed with me through the night, kept me safe... I doubt he would attack now, especially with the threat of a pack looming over his head."</sub>[/color]

[Moon_Song]

So that was how it was. even after Aiu stopped speaking Ea searched her eyes for any sign of falseness or fabrication. She could see no deception in the wolf before her. She was satisfied to accept Aiu's explanation, and, due to her injury, was easily willing to overlook the female's lack of use of honorifics. It was not so important to Ea all of the time, but had Darklight been here she would definitely have a few words.

Aiu, displaying the skills that had made her Toran, noted Ea's behavior toward the male. Ea smiled gingerly toward Aiu. It was Ea's duty as Serra to watch out for such things, but it was then that Ea sensed something. Aiu was protecting this male, that was obvious, but why? Ea's smile broadened and warmed. Her face could have melted the snow as realization lighted her features.

In her eyes, what she realized could easily be read. You care for him, don't you? She had a good idea, but said nothing aloud. Instead she focused on the injury. "Lets get that fixed up. It will do no good to leave that as it is."

With a swish of her tail, it looked as though she was simply brushing off a fly, Ea had formed a dome of ice around her and Aiu. "For the sake of privacy." She commented. She did not want the male seeing her gifts. She felt that it was better for others not to know the extent of your abilities. It made them underestimate and mess up.

"Please hold still and relax." If Aiu allowed her, Ea would walk over to her side and, without touching it, look over the damaged limb. After a few moments, Ea would nod to herself, sure of her next step, and get to work.

Ea at work was an elaborate dance to some, and to others a simply fascinating sight to behold. Ea would have to move her body in a sort of dance to draw fresh, clean water from the area around her. Once it was under her control she would put it to work. The water would likely be cold, but not frigidly so. Many tended to become so relaxed they fell into an almost trance-like state.

It took no more than a few minutes for her to finish. The healing water, with its job finished would go back to the earth to be purified. "You should feel a bit better now, but do not move it excessively. You should rest for at least three days for it to be useful without risk of damage." The ice dome around them would be melting around them at this point, but not one drop would fall on either of them. "My magic is good enough to heal, but I'm no miracle worker." Ea chuckled a bit to herself.

If Aiu had not let her help, she would have encouraged her to let her help her back to the cave in order to let her heal properly.

Again, if she did, Ea would now turn to where ever it was the male was now flying. She would seat her rear into the snow, her head held high, ears up, eyes wise for their years, and call to the male. "I wish to speak with you. I mean no harm, I just wish to talk." Her smile, as it usually was, would be gentle and inviting.

((OoC: Sorry for the longness and any mistakes. I am up a little late tonight but i wanted to get this one written out))

[danarisky]

Torik watched with wonder and awe as the dome was created around the two. However it caused him unease that he could not tell what was going on in the spherical area. He flew right up to it, huge wings flapping up the snow, dashing his face. It was surprisingly sharp, so he retreated slightly, small cuts covering his face. He whimpered quietly, hiding his pain. Stop it, Torik! Like Aiu's going to come to harm with her alpha!

When the healing was complete, and the alpha female called to him. He had to admit, the Alpha did seem quite friendly, so he slowly landed, making sure he was still a decent length away from her.

"You wish to speak?" he asked politely, still nervous, "What about?"

[ulrica]

<sub>The way the alphess looked at Aiu made her nervous and uncomfortable. That warmth and general look of knowing in her eyes made the she-wolf want to slink away hide. Could she know how he makes my heart flutter? That's impossible... Isn't it..? Of course it was, she was simply grateful to Torik for being so kind and that's why she protected him. Not because she felt anything for him. A cool defiance lit her jade eyes, but the way her ears lowered toward the back of her neck revealed her lack of conviction in the matter.

A dome formed around them then, made entirely of ice. A jolt of fear flashed through her, was Ea going to grill her with questions about Torik? "For the sake of privacy." It sure seemed that way. "Please hold still and relax." Oh... Aiu laid down on her belly, stretching her wing out as best she could as understanding eased her quaking heart. Odd how the male would be her first suspicion as to why they would need privacy... Oh stop it already. Ea didn't give the adolescent she-wolf time to wonder how she intended to heal the wounded wing, the wolfess launched into her work without hesitation. Moving as if in an intricate dance, the alphess pulled water from the earth and the air and used it to help mend the feathered limb. Aiu could feel the cold of the liquid and she knew for others it might even be uncomfortable, but being one of ice herself it was a welcome sensation. If she closed her eyes, she could imagine it to be her own magics... But no, the way the Serra moved placed the winged fae under something like a spell, binding her eyes to the white figure as she demonstrated her abilities.

A few minutes later, and the show was complete, most of the pain having left Aiu's wing. Ea was giving instructions about waiting a few days before using it again. The young femme nodded then looked upward as she noticed the dome slowly melting. I shouldn't move it... Aiu folded her wing against her side as best she could, a small layer of ice encasing it and moving it into its proper position while a ring of ice formed around her neck and another behind her shoulders to help hold up the make-shift cast. Just in case...

"I wish to speak with you. I mean no harm, I just wish to talk." Aiu looked up, searching for Torik and finding him just as he landed a few feet away. A single paw shuffled as if she would move to his side, but the femme quickly shot down such an idea. It was foolishness. If he wanted to be near, then he would approach, but her place was beside her alpha... Right...? The male's voice was nervous but polite when he replied, asking what Ea wanted to talk about. The sound of it made Aiu's heart throb painfully. She wanted to reassure him, to let him know it was all ok. But her face remained as passive and unreadable as ever...</sub>[/color]

[Moon_Song]

As the male landed, seeming to become at least a tad more comfortable, Ea switched her gaze to Aiu for a moment and reassurance colored her features. Ea nodded and turned back to the male as he spoke.

"I want to know who you are." she stated simply, as though it were something obvious. "What is your name?" Ea would listen until he gave his name. If he did not, she assure him that she meant him no harm. If he did tell her his name, she would nod to herself, as if she were contemplating something. After a moment she would reply: "I am the Serra of the Voyani tribe, or alphess as it is commonly called. y name is Ea." She would nod her head slightly in greeting. "Nice to meet you."

[danarisky]

"I am Torikkusuta, just call me Torik. I have no pack, so this isn't an invasion or anything," Torik said nervously, rubbing his head in the snow to dull the pain of the cuts on his face as they were now starting to sting. The snow was cold and refreshing, but Torik preferred warmth. Snow was too sharp and painful.

He walked closer, wings now covering most of him, warming him up slightly. He wasn't entirely sure why he had come to a place so cold, but something told him, as he gazed at Aiu, that it had been the right thing to do. He was quite delighted when he had seen her come out of the dome, wing looking better.

He walked over to her, standing near her side, peering at the ice on her.

"Isn't it cold?" he asked, wondering how she could stand the temperature. However, he wondered if the ice got rid of the pain.