Topic: Blessing of the Beast

SabiaClawheart

Date: 2010-07-27 18:43 EST
Hunting had gone well as was to be expected due to the moon's position full hanging above him. So while Godric licked at his muzzle with a lolling of lazy tongue it was a massive shock to him as the arrow pierced through his front flank. A howl and he took off running on a limp. Tumbling down to the banks of the lake trying like hell to shift, he needed thumbs to get rid of this arrow.

Her head came up, eyes narrowing as she scented blood. Slow, padding steps of her paws as she stalked closer. The sound of howling had her cautious, as she had not seen another creature besides prey for several days. She ran, following nose and ears until she came to a skidding halt, spying a wounded wolf. Her head lowered cautiously as she watched. Unsure of what he was, she sent her mind outward, seeking.

It would take him some time but after a few moments he would be shifted there on the banks, strong fingers reaching up to wrap around the shaft of the arrow which was now through his very human looking shoulder. A snarl as he broke off the fletching and chucked it to one side. His fingers weren't slender enough to make much more progress. One hell of night, to be sure. He caught her scent and it was about then when he felt the tendrils of her mind trying to touch the edges of his. A canine canting of head as the blood spilled down his chest.

Do you need help" She had seen him shift, her head tilting to the side. She didn't trust anyone, regardless of how injured or innocent they may seen. She sat down on her haunches, greenish eyes gleaming faintly in the light. She seemed a healthy wolf, yet scars marred her furred, crisscrossing her side, and down beneath her stomach. She sniffed the air, waiting.

A shake of his head and he watched her instead of tending to himself. He wasn't afraid of the wolf before him, he was curious and there was the lightest of snarls. Interesting, coming out of the man and not the beast. Fingers were dug into the wound nails clawing trying to pull at the arrow. Turning to look back at her, he could feel the dizzying sensation touching the very corners of his consciousness. He was not comfortable with the idea of passing out in front of another wolf, though it would take a bit more blood loss before he actually passed out.

Stubborn. She shook her head slowly, and turned away from him. She didn't want him to see her as she turned, the tears falling from her eyes at the painful reminder of her past. When finally, fur had faded to flesh, and eyes were dry, she turned again. A few steps were taken to towards him, and she crouched. She tried to make herself look humble, non-threatening. Her palms were held upward, towards him, long slender fingers. She spoke, but it seemed thick, harsh. As if she had not used her voice in a while. "Help?" Hair the color of caramel fell around fine features, in long waves to barely cover her nakedness.

"Yes." He noted her hands were much smaller than his. Slender fingers would make this a lot easier and he knew it. So trying to be grateful he dropped his blood covered hand and offered his shoulder to her turning to face her. It would be about then the scars would be noted, he was covered in them, some were more apparent than others. Some had faded with much time, where others were fresh and puffy still.

She paid no attention to them, her eyes focused simply on the wound at hand. Those digits probed the wound a moment, and she shook her head. She pointed at the water. "Closer. Need..." She coughed, shaking her head, and rubbing her throat. One long scar cut across the tender flesh there. "Water. Wash blood. Can't see." She pointed again, and moved to the water's edge, dipping her hands in to clean them, and bring some clear, cool water to her lips.

He stood, which quickly proved to be a bad idea as he staggered. A deep breath as he cleared the cobwebs from his mind as he tried to focus only on getting to the banks and kneel to wash his shoulder. He cleared the blood from the area and frowned. Patted his shoulder dry with his hair. The wound still bled, but at least it was slowing.

She crouched closer again, fingers prodding tenderly in the wound. "Deep breath. Count three." She nodded, fingers grasping. Wide eyes watched from him to start the count, before deft fingers tugged the arrowhead out. She threw it, spitting in its direction with a growl. She kept fingers pressed against the wound to staunch the bleeding, a look of concentration on her face. One hand reached back, seeking. She found what she was looking for, some dry grass, which she shook out, and placed over his wound, still pressing hard.

If there was an expectation of him to allow that pain to show it didn't come. He wasn't painless, of course, he was just stubborn and proud. It was then that he made note of the scars. She was covered in them his head canted to one side in a very canine fashion and he stared, learning each one, trying to place just what had made them. Godric was more wolf than man, so he didn't think that the staring would offend her.

It didn't, she merely ignored it. Only once did she meet his eyes, and held them. "Hold here. Need something." She pointed to the woods with one hand, while the other stayed pressed against the wound. "Keep..." Her brow furrowed, as if she were trying to find the way to shape the words. She shook her head, and projected the request mentally, instead. There are plants to bind this with, to keep it from getting infected. She kept his gaze, waiting for an answer.

Hand raised and he pressed his hand over the grass and the wound. A nod and he answered her, his mind's voice was unused and gruff, gravel laced. You don't...have to worry about me. I've been through worse. And there are apparently hunters in the woods. His eyes searched hers. Trying to figure out why she had helped him in the first place.

I can handle myself. She stood, long limbs stretching impressively taller. She was tall, taller than most human women she had seen. She gave him an impassive look, the corner of her lips twitching into something that was almost a smile. She loped off, her movements more lupine than human. She stopped, listening, head tilted, before slipping silently into the woods. She was back a few moments later, a few blades of something in her hands, a few flowers. She moved fast, knew exactly what she was looking forward. She crouched down near him, placing a few of her findings in her mouth, and chewing. The face she made was one of a carnivore displeased with the taste of foliage.

His face twisted into a wolfish grin as he watched her chewing the ingredients. There was a pause in his smiling as he noted another set of scars. And he rumbled a growl, a curious noise. "What happened to you?" Leave it to Godric to be completely and totally blunt.

She made a face, spitting out the green mass into her hands, and made to move his hands away. She didn't answer him, at least at first. Fingers worked the mess onto his shoulder, pressing it into the wound. The bleeding would stop, and the wound would stop throbbing. She sat back on her haunches again to watch him. "I fight, I bleed." She motioned to his own scars. "Same you."

There was a rumble from him, akin to a purr as the throbbing stopped. It was the first time he has shown sign he had been in pain. Godric nodded and looked around himself. His clothes would be somewhere around here. He wasn't modest, by any means, it was just the nights chill touched him. He stood up carefully and looked about. "I will return." He turned on his heels and headed into the trees.

She stepped to the water, cleaning her hands slowly. She studied the water, her back tense. Her head was tilted back towards the woods, listening. She dipped her head down, lapping at the water with her tongue in a canine fashion. She rubbed water on her face, scrubbing at it. Finally, she dunked her whole head in, throwing her hair back, and shaking it out. Her body was one line of tension, as she turned to watch the woods.

Godric slowly walked from the woods wearing the handmade leather pants. A doe soft pelt hung over his arm, it was already tanned and he offered it to her in case she was uncomfortable in her two legged form. Godric was still pale and it would take him some time to get his head to stop feeling like it was stuffed full of cotton.

She dropped into a crouch, sniffing at the clothing. Her nose wrinkled, and she shook her head. I don't need that. She kept herself away from him, arms at her sides. She began to back away slowly. I should be going. Out loud, she said. "Not safe for me." She turned to move away from him.

He was confused and he wrapped the pelt around himself, tied it off and tried to find what she had smelled upon it. He watched her and his ears pricked lightly, he could smell little on the pelt, himself, his sons...he wondered if that was it and he stepped backwards away from her and nodded. "What...What worries you...?" He looked around and then looked back to her.

She stopped, turning to look at him. She motioned to her body, the various scars, old and new. "People not safe. Not for me. Always hurting..." She shook her head. Always trying to kill me, to hurt me however they can. They took everything from me. She shook her head, closing her eyes briefly. "Stay wolf. Can't find me." She looked up at the sky. You have pups. I can smell them. How many"

Three. Liulfr, Vithar and Brandt. They are a couple months old now. It coaxed a smile from him. It was the only thing that could make this night even that much easier. Being with the boys had helped cover the pain, it wouldn't stop bleeding, but the emotional wound was scabbed over at least.

There was an answering smile from her lips. I had four, myself. Her hands fell to her stomach, tracing a pattern. There was an even wistful sigh from her lips. She took a step towards him, not really thinking about it. "Gone now. Taken from me." She shook her head, as if to clear it. Her head came up, as if she were scenting something. She pointed at herself. "Sabina." Then at him.

"Godric." he thought for a moment, he had pups before, taken from him as well. This may be why he did the women's work and tried to bring them up now. And of course in his mind it was in fact a woman's job, he silently wished every now and again that they didn't end up worse for it. "I know the pain, in losing a child." As if he was somewhere else for the time being

She nodded. Her mouth opened, and then closed. A flush suffused her cheeks, and she turned her face. "God..ric.." It was rough, almost guttural from her lips. She bowed her head slightly, hands spread lightly. You care for them on your own" Where's the bitch that sired them' Her head tilted again, and she sidled closer.

I don't, I have a friend who helps, but she is no wolf. We were abjured. I see her no longer. He didn't say that in the human meaning. He would not physically be able to see her anymore now that she was abjured as his mate. It was the single most difficult thing he had ever had to do. It was behind him now though.

"My mate. Killed." Her face fell a little more. "All killed. Family. Pups." She was shaking, now. I stay as wolf now. This is the first time I've changed in several months. A slow rolling growl came from her stomach, and she crossed her arms in front of her. "Hunt soon. No food for awhile. Running." She glanced back at the woods again. In truth, she had not seen another were for a very, very long time. It wasn't him she didn't trust, it was others.

"There are...Caverns, they are marked as belonging to a pack, there is no pack there. Behind a waterfall, the scents are covered by the running water." He paused, the caverns weren't his anymore, but they weren't being used by anyone, she could rest there for a few days. "I could take you there if you'd like solace for a short time."

She nodded, still holding her stomach. "Safe there?" She blinked a couple times. "No sleep. Been...days. Not safe." She shook her head, wet hair flying around her. She was close enough now that he could scent her better. There was blood there, fatigue, and hunger. Take me there, please"

A frown as he caught that scent against delicate nostrils. A nod and he began walking. He didn't want to run, because he was worried of her level of fatigue. He had to think if she would be able to hunt, he could have helped her. He needed to not think like an Alpha anymore, he wasn't, he was simply Godric and he owed her much.

She loped along beside him, head moving back and forth, as she scented the air. She stopped, shaking her head back and forth. "How far?" She was obviously at the end of her energy, the change having taken a lot of her. She took a few more steps, trying to keep up with him.

"Do you trust me?" It was a ways still and he knew it. He place a hand on her hip, not trying anything but to steady her so she didn't fall. The trust wasn't much of issue now. He was either going to carry her, or she was going to fall there beside him. He raised her onto his shoulder and broke into a run.

She yelped as she was hauled onto his shoulders. Instinct kicked in, and she fought him, kicking, biting. Nails dragged down his back, and she let out harsh growls and snarls that sounded almost unnatural in a human throat. She had no energy to change back in wolf form, and though she kept fighting, her snarls were mixed with sobs at her own weakness.

She was certainly making her point, and he snarled as she broke skin on his back. She would again smell his blood in the air. But he didn't stop, he only ran faster, for fear of her catching a second wind and castrating him. When they got to the water falls he clapped a hand over her nose and mouth while he darted through the water. He immediately set her down when they were safe. "I'm not about to tell you I am sorry for that. There was only one way to get here...Whether you liked it or not."

Had she been in wolf form, this would have hurt a lot more. As it was, she balled her fist up, and threw a punch towards his face. It took her off balance, had her stumbling forward with the force of it. She was snarling the whole while, her mental voice so locked in anger she didn't answer him, while her human voice was locked in the growls and snarls.

He lunged to catch her before she fell. Careful with this one, she was all claws and teeth. He managed to steady her and also managed to take a right hook to the jaw. His hand reached up to rub at the sore spot. "She*t, remind me not to be here when you wake up, if that's how you punch when you're exhausted." There was parts of the cave knocked out and he smiled with fond memories of J'rial as he looked around.

The snarls were quieting, as she lay against him. Her mind opened to him enough in her anger. I'm strong. I could have walked. She weakly pushed at him, as if to stand on her own, and gave up. She swallowed, thickly, and looked up at him. "Hurt you again?" Though the anger was still there, she swallowed again, dampening down the little pride she had left. "Thank you."

An arm steadied her by wrapping around her and he looked down to her, he didn't pity her, not a single ounce. She was strong as hell, and she must have had grapefruits because no one hit him. A shake of head sending unruly crimson hair around the two of them. "No, I am fine...I am going to bring you something to eat. Not because I think you cannot, but because I know these woods better than anything. These were my woods."

She scowled at that. Your woods" How do you mean' She sniffed the air, scents mixing in her mind. She was one quivering mass of tension, body pulled as far from his as possible. Her hands were against his chest, prepared to fight again if necessary. "Smell....Female....pack..." She shook her head, the motion nearly causing her to faint. "Need sit...please."

"I mean I hunted these woods every single night, and towards the end of my mate's term with the pups I was hunting several times a day." He Lead her to the massive pile of pelts. A lot of scents there and he frowned that he couldn't do anything to make the place a bit more rogue were friendly. He turned and went to where the fire had always been built and worked one to life. "Yes, many females, we had males too. But more females."

She dropped to the pelts, and curled up against them. Despite the fact that the scents were not her own pack, they were a comfort of sorts. She covered her face in her hands a moment. It's not bad to smell others like us. It's just been so long. She yawned, a flash of sharpened teeth even in this form. She watched him move, not willing to close her eyes, not willing to trust him that much, just yet. Her stomach let out another pained growl, and she made a face.

He heard the growl loud and clear and he looked over to her with a frown. "I will return" And without another word he was out through the water. He stripped down outside and threw himself into the lake. It wasn't the quickest hunt, but he was certainly faster than usual. Typically he would carefully clean the pelt and lay it out, but tonight it was a messy job, he didn't even rinse the blood from his skin, he was back in his leather pants as he walked under the falls it would wash mostly away. He carried the Pelt back into the caverns under his arm. Nothing was worse that soggy elk, so he had wrapped it in the pelt to bring it to her. He set it down beside her. Enough meat to keep her set for several days if need be.

She had fallen into an exhausted slumber while he was away. Soft mewling sounds came from her throat, and she moved in her sleep as if bound by something. She could smell blood in her dream, her mouth opening to cry out as she saw her pups dashed to the ground one by one, by the humans who had betrayed her pack. She came awake with a sudden growl, onto her feet. Her chest heaved as she tried to shake the dream, but her eyes were wide. They cleared suddenly, and she sat back on her haunches, staring at him.

He stared right back at her, not sure if she was going to burst into tears, or flames, or tear his throat out. None of which would have surprised him. He walked over to the fire and tossed on a couple more logs. "The dreams pass, with time. It doesn't get any easier, but at least the terrors stop." He said while he watched the flames dance.

She sat back, wrapping her arms around her long legs, and laying her head against them. "Not forget pups. Not forget....ever." Her voice was a low growl, but the tears still came. She rocked back and forth, slowly. "Not forget Thamion, either." She howled, low and mournful after she spoke his name. Her thoughts were swirling outward, enough that he could catch them. Never be touched by him, never smell him or run with him. No more pups. The food was ignored, for the moment. As a wolf, she could run away from her dreams, but like this, the pain came like a fresh wound every time she closed her eyes.

He knew better than to try to touch her. She was more wolf than woman and only humans comforted each other by touch. He sat at the edge of the pelts and crossed his legs under himself. "You don't have to forget. I tried for a very long time to forget, but you don't have to." He sighed and looked down before unwrapping the meat and setting it out. Fingers tore a strip of meat from it and held it out to her. The pain struck him and it proved he was a wounded man he looked away as his brow knit.

She reached out a hand, taking the strip of meat from his hands. Fingers brushed his, but she jerked back away from the sudden touch. She ate the meat slowly, eyes closed. She didn't want to get sick, despite how hungry she was. She sat forward a bit, scenting the air. She gestured at him, speaking aloud. "Ulfric?" The word rolled off her tongue, trilling in a way that marked her as foreign to the area. She bowed her head further, nearly laying flat against the pelts. She turned her head slightly, baring her throat in submission. Alone, with a pack of her own, she had no choice.

"Rise, I'm no ulfric." He stood up and frowned deeply. Back to the fire he went and tossed a couple more pieces of wood onto the flames, returning to her, sitting there beside her and shredding a few more pieces for her. "I renounced my title as ulfric when I abjured my mate." He said it as if it was a hiss of a statement. "Would you rather this cooked" Some people only eat raw when on paws."

She rolled back into a sitting position at his statement, head tilting to the side. One hand reached out, to pat the back of his hand softly. "Sorry. Not...know." She frowned, wrapping her arms around her knees again. "Eat raw now. Not bother me. Pack lived wild." She was chewing another piece of meat, eyes closing. "Not taste right, cooked." She was relaxing, by bits and pieces. She did not ask the reason that he abjured his mate, instead taking it on faith that it must have been for something very serious. She reached out for more of the food. "Alone now" Like...me?"

"Yes, alone, a demon and three pups as my family. Funny how that works out." He laughed trying to convince himself that it really was funny. Godric reached up to rake his fingers through his hair before he looked to Sabia. "You know, if you wanted, you could stay here for a couple days, I could keep watch, well between Lust and I we could keep watch round the clock and you could get enough sleep to last you at least a little while."

She tilted her head to the side, as if considering. Slender, pale fingers ran through her hair as she stretched out on the pelts. She curled there, watching him with eyes like the bluish green of the ocean. I'm tired of running from the pain. Tired of trying to hide from it. I have nowhere to go. She blinked slowly, sleepily. The warmth of the fire was getting to her, easing the ache of her run. Another yawn. "Stay here. Until..." She waved her hand. Until you make me leave. One hand curled under her cheek, resting there. She patted the pelts next to her. "Stay here. Please?"

He smiled and nodded of course he would lay with her, it wasn't in Godric's nature to say no, then again it wasn't in Godric's nature to care for or be kind to anyone but Godric. Something about this little wolf had him a little confused. He laid beside her, but only after looking closely at her. Making sure she was alright, and rewrapping the meat and setting it next to the pelts.

When he laid down, she sat up on her elbows, checking his wounded shoulder. She touched it lightly with her fingers, a frown of concentration on her lips. "Be fine morning. Remove....change." She laid down again, keeping a handspan between them. She tucked her arm under her head, watching him.

When she touched the wound amber eyes shifted to the hole affected area. A nod in answer to her. "I will take your word for it. Umm...Well...Thanks." He didn't thank people, it was new to him and it sounded strange as it hung in the air. Hand reached up and he rubbed that stubble covered jaw line.

She laid her hand on his arm, and shook her head. You brought me food, gave me shelter. That's all the thanks I need. She yawned again, her hand not moving from his arm as her eyes began to drift close. She opened the again, wide, a habit she had learned over the past few weeks, trying to keep herself awake. She was having a hard time nodding off.

He watched as she had a hard time falling asleep, and there was a rumble of him clearing his throat. He began to hum, a song Norse mothers sang to their children. The same tune hummed every time the boys fussed. He knew she wasn't a child, but it didn't stop him. He continued to hum as he watched the flames flicker across the room.

She rubbed her eyes with one hand, tears dripping down her cheeks. Softly, she sang with him. She rolled away from him, then, tucking her knees against her chest. The words were broken only by another soft, mournful howl. Her hands fisted, tucked against her heart. Take care of your pups, Godric. Always.

Godric turned so he was laying flat on his back, a lot of that pain rushed back to the surface before he stifled it and knocked it back into its place deep inside of himself. A hand reached out and he pulled it back to himself. Again he tried, and this time he ran his hand over her back gently. I am trying to do my best by them, but there is only so much a father can do.

She tensed only briefly at his touch, then relaxed slowly. She left you with the pups, as well" He could probably feel the scowl on her lips. Pups need their mother. She shook her head, sitting up enough to look at him over her shoulder. "Trade. Your protection. Shelter. Food." And I'll help care for the young ones. She tilted her head again at her own suggestion, again baring the vulnerable flesh of her throat.

He stared at her careful trying to figure out if she was serious, when he was satisfied with the idea. He needed a mother for his children, and as much as they needed her, he seemed to think she needed them as well. As that neck was offered he leaned in and instead of biting her, he rubbed his cheek against her neck. She was marked as friend. Nose went to the crook of her neck and he took a deep breath scenting her. A nod. "Its a deal"

She stayed still as he marked her, took her scent. She sighed softly, nodding. She rolled over to face him, and scooted closer. Tucking her head against her arm, she rubbed her eyes one more time, watching him as she drifted off to sleep. Before she was completely there, she whispered quietly, "Thank you." Adapted from Live Play 7-24-10. Thanks to Godric's player.