|
|
Post by Azoto on Mar 8, 2012 18:51:58 GMT -5
[OOC: This RP is for Wachiwa and Skahla; as an attempt to get something done we keep missing each other on the MU* for because of time restraints and zones. ]
Winter is coming.
The harsh chill wind rippling through the leaves of the stripping brush about her is a firm reminder; as it cuts through her thickening pelt, Wachiwa's ears flatten and her head turns slightly away from the wind, eyes squinting closed to the harsh bite.
Soon the snow will come, and with it the long nights where the sky is dark, full of dancing lights that must surely be the spirits painting on a blackened canvas to remind their children below of the world's existance.
Wachiwa sighs to herself as the wind dies away and she dips her head again to the tracks she's been following; those of a large male wolf, her own age. Her Pack Leader, her half-brother now, by blood and bond.
As she walks, she thinks of herself what drives this? The winter is coming, and it will be hard, as all winters are. This winter will be harder still, she thinks, on this dwindling pack; with her sister constantly sleeping in the den, and her brother having disappeared in the summer, she sees there being little to no one to guide the adolescents through their first serious hunt. It will be left to Skahla, and she needs to find him.
Worse yet, there is little Hadir.. What will become of that pup? He gets worse and worse by the day, so say Ikuna when she meets with him. Her Ikuna, her Tala, her Ahiga; she has always seen them as her pups, having all but raised them herself.
Times are going to be hard. And for hard times, she needs answers.
Winter is coming.
|
|
|
|
Post by Therdde on Mar 9, 2012 4:18:48 GMT -5
[OOC: And you are absolutely brilliant for thinking of this.]
It seems with each passing day, Skahla grows a little more withdrawn from his own pack. He is not angry anymore, not like he was when he first became alpha. Worry, however, remains, buzzing insistently about his mind like a fly hovering around one's ears in the heat of summer. It is not summer, though, and Skahla has never known an easy winter. He knows his first spring, when the winter that preceded his birth resulted in the death of the wolf he was named for. He knows his first winter, when there were too many mouths to feed and too few adults to do it. Those stand out the strongest in his mind, and might be why he so hated his second and third winters.
This fourth winter, however, is threatening to be the worst, as every day he worries about providing enough food for the pack, enough food that he won't have to feel guilty about handing over food to one wolf in particularly who seems unlikely to survive. And all the while, the reason the wolf he was named for dies was because she refused to take food from those who would make better and longer use of it. How is he meant to navigate thoughts like these and still make any pretense at being social?
So preoccupied with his thoughts is the alpha that he fails, entirely, to notice that he is being followed. His wandering pace makes it very easy to catch up to him.
|
|
|
|
Post by Azoto on Mar 9, 2012 15:46:00 GMT -5
It doesn't take long for Wachiwa to find the slower adult ahead of her; though as Skahla comes into sight finally, Wachiwa takes pause, watching him. She can feel from him the same she feels from herself; worry and thought. She sighs to herself, wondering if she should interrupt what looks like a moment of pensive recollection.
But the point comes where she must say something. She can't keep silence forever, and she knows she needs to do something to calm the worries in her alpha's mind, which, if she is so worried, must surely be present, given how she almost always seems to find herself the last to be concerned about things.
She gives a half called 'whrooo', emphasis on the h-sound, to call Skah's thoughts back from the depths that they troll through, then starts closer in a trot. "Skahla, there you are.. I need to speak to you.."
|
|
|
|
Post by Therdde on Mar 9, 2012 17:22:24 GMT -5
Skahla stops walking abruptly when he hears the greeting behind him, and well before Wachiwa is right upon him, the still-young alpha has turned around and spotted Wachiwa. Upon her pronouncement, Skahla is very notably still for several moments, barely even breathing. He knows enough to know that whatever it is she has to say will probably not be anything he wants to hear. If she has to say it, though... he has to listen. "What is it, Chewy?" As much as little interaction is pleasant for him these days, and as much as he doubts this interaction will be, he still does not seem put upon by her need to speak. It is, after all... part of his responsibility.
|
|
|
|
Post by Azoto on Mar 9, 2012 17:40:57 GMT -5
Wachiwa does tend to end up being the bearer of bad news, not just of late, but sometimes inevitably. Yet, at least even with bad news, she tries to soften the blows. This time, she's not so sure she can soften this. She stops a foot or so away; forgoing her usual greeting of coming in to lick and nuzzle without care; he may be her Alpha, but he has always been her friend first; and always has been like a bigger, grumpier (way grumpier) brother, as well.
Tail uneasy at her ankles she takes a breath, then says softly, ".. Skahla.. Winter is coming.. And I know.. Winter is always hard. It is cruel, and it is bitter, especially on the young..." She starts, softly. "... Young ones, like Hadir. .. I know it hasn't escaped you, his .. condition. I worry for him.. and I worry for you, and the pack... I worry... I worry that we're losing our faith in what we've always known. Ikuna.. doesn't beleive in the ancestors watching us.. And I .. find myself wondering too.. Why... And how.. And.." she trails.
|
|
|
|
Post by Therdde on Mar 9, 2012 18:06:24 GMT -5
If there is one thing that stands out to Skahla in what Wachiwa says, since he glosses over the mention of his son in his head, for no other method of dealing with such things, it is the idea that Ikuna doesn't believe. No doubt, that is his failing as an Ute alpha... but it doesn't set well with him, all the same. Perhaps a talk with his brother is in order.
Still... "Is it our faith, Wachiwa? Or is it yours?" There is no judgement in his tone when he asks. Concern, yes. But he doesn't judge. How should he not be concerned? In the end, it is his faith that allows him to simply keep moving forward. Trust that things, inevitably, will be as they should. Without that faith, no doubt he should be even more of a mess than he is now.
|
|
|
|
Post by Azoto on Mar 9, 2012 18:21:46 GMT -5
Ears flatten; and Wachiwa sighs. ".. Maybe it is me," she says, softly, before she frowns, and then shakes her head-- "No, it's not just me." She looks to Skahla; giving him as best a firm look she can. "... Ikuna does not believe, Skahla.. And if he does not believe, then I worry about Tala and Ahiga as well. What do these pups have to prove to them that the world will always be there? First your parents die.. and then Ikuna was taken... And now Hadir. They have little proof. And I don't think talking to them, just.. talking.. will fix things."
She frowns, and then says, softly, "... I want to give them an answer, Skahla. And.. I want to find an answer to help Hadir." She sighs, and then looks to her paws, shifting them. "... It's Hadir I want to help the most, Skahla. I.. I know you and Shawnee aren't to blame for his problem. You two are doing the best you can, and I don't think either of you have done something to be punished for." No, surely, if anyone is to be punished, it is she, for the failure to take care of Ikuna.
"... So.. Since.. I want to help Hadir.. and I know things will be hard on the pack with such a weak pup... I.. I'm going to leave. When the snow falls. I'm going to go in search of something that will help him. Something that might help renew faith, as well. I -it'll be one less mouth to feed, and you can give him my share of the kills."
|
|
|
|
Post by Therdde on Mar 10, 2012 1:19:14 GMT -5
Again, there is that moment of stillness from the alpha. Surely enough, this is not anything he wants to hear. Finally, quietly, he says, "I'm not attacking you, Chewy. I'm not. I just... have you thought this through? You are no burden to this pack, and you never have been."
"Besides, even if it is one less mouth to feed, it's one less to hunt, too. I can talk to Ikuna. And Hadir... I know I don't have answers. Not the answers an alpha should, anyway. So if you need those, I won't try to stop you from going. I just want to make sure that you've thought about it. Thought about what being alone during the winter will be like..."
|
|
|
|
Post by Azoto on Mar 10, 2012 14:34:35 GMT -5
Once again ears flatten, and Wachiwa closes her eyes, taking a deep breath. She's been thinking about this quite a lot actually; not just after Hadir's birth.
"I know the winter won't be easy on me, without the pack, Skahla." Wachiwa admits softly. "But when I think about things.. Someone needs to find these answers for Hadir. And since I'm the pack's pup-sitter, I think it falls to me as a responsibility. And.. More than that, he's my nephew." She goes a little quieter; then murmurs, "And as much as I want to give him every chance at life -- the same chances as you do, I am quite sure -- I also want to know if there's an answer for why he's like this."
She lifts her head, saddedn blue eye falling on Skahla. "I'll be honest in saying I don't expect to see him when I return, Skahla, but even if he's gone, maybe any answers I can find.. will help the next pup born like him. and .. And I do promise I'll be back. I'll be back when spring comes, I promise." She gives a weak smile, hoping that might at least comfort the alpha.
"And I've already talked to Tala, Ikuna, and Ahiga about stepping up into their places for the pack. I've told them they will need to focus on hunting for more than just themselves; they will need to share the duty of hunting for the pack. And.. And I think Ikuna would do well as a replacement for me while I'm gone; in watching his young nephew and neice, and in teaching them the stories."
There's a moment or two after where she tries to think of how to approach what else she adds, before she says it: "But I think you should also help Ikuna with that. He's your younger brother; and though he's shown he's the best equipped for dealing with Hadir's problem... He can't handle everything alone. Skahla, I also think this winter should be a time for you to get to know your son, for the good and the bad, as well."
|
|
|
|
Post by Therdde on Mar 11, 2012 7:19:54 GMT -5
Skahla's expression falls further when Wachiwa actually says aloud what, of course, has been on Skahla's mind ever since his son had his first fit. That the boy probably won't last through the winter. It's not a comforting thought, of course, but how can he blame Wachiwa for voicing it?
"You just make sure you do come back. I don't think your sister could stand to lose you, you know. I don't think any of us could. We'll keep things together here." Does this mean Skahla actually intends to spend any time with his ailing son? He certainly makes no effort to reassure Wachiwa that he will, but the pups will be watched after. Both of them. That much, he is certain of.
"You just keep yourself safe this winter, Chewy, because we will all worry and miss you." If Wachiwa was here searching for permission, that should certainly imply that it has been granted. Skahla does not think in such terms, though. What right of it is his, even as alpha, to tell other people when they can leave, after all? Even with his young siblings, all he ever felt he could do was insist that they let someone know when they are leaving.
|
|
|
|
Post by Azoto on Mar 12, 2012 15:46:18 GMT -5
There's a pause of sadness that breaks into a weak smile, as Skahla pretty much give her permission in his way. His way, which she smiles, thinking about. His way has changed from that of the first few days, and Wachiwa won't voice it, but she's glad to see he's learning that he can't spend all his time angry.
Now, now that he's said 'yes' in a roundabout, the seriousness seems to flood from her, as she attempts to duck in to nuzzle at his chest and lick at his face, whispering, "I promise I'll come back, Skahla, I do. And I'll keep myself safe and sound; and I'm going to do my best to find something for Hadir. I promise."
.. Of course as soon as the happy Wachiwa wiggles are done, she draws away, coughing, trying to regain a serious posture, that also somes with, "... I'll leave when the moon is high and full, after the first snow fall," She says, simply, "And I'll be back as soon as I can in spring. ... I think it would be best not to have any sort of.. 'to do', as a send off; it would make the pack.. too sad. Instead, I will simply go into the night. But I'll howl often; I'll try and keep touch that way." She smiles weakly, then turns to leave.
... But takes pause, and turns. "... Skahla.. if Asku tries to leave to find me.. Don't let him. You'll need him for the hunts, and he's... already been missing enough as it is, off on his own wanderings. He needs to ground himself in the pack again. Even though i've already told Ikuna I think he should be my replacement.. Tell Asku to watch the pups if he wants to leave."
|
|
|
|
Post by Therdde on Mar 12, 2012 18:04:05 GMT -5
"You're not going to tell him, are you? You're afraid he'd try to stop you?" It sounds like something his bull-headed brother would do, and Skahla should know. Bull-headedness runs in the family. For Skahla, thinking about such things offers a decidedly unpleasant distraction from the easy familiarity Wachiwa showed for but a moment.
"I won't tell him. Or let him leave. But Wachiwa... Nothing. Never mind." Who is Skahla to give relationship advice? He can barely be around his siblings or children for a few minutes without being made to feel uncomfortable, and his mate... He and his mate have had such a rocky relationship, it's a wonder they haven't killed each other.
"Just be safe. I know I just said it, but I'm going to say it every time I see you between now and when you leave." Likely he will, too.
|
|
|
|
Post by Azoto on Mar 13, 2012 18:24:11 GMT -5
Head dipping, ears splaying flat, Wachiwa murmurs, "... thank you, Skahla," to the wolf behind her, before she tries to smile. "And I'll be safe I promise. Gosh, you're worse than having a mom around." The light tease barely covers the expression of worry on her face or the pit in her stomach. But she turns and retreats again for the trees and the shadows.
"How can I tell him," Wachiwa recounts to herself as she leaves, "When he never tells me where he goes as well?" She frowns, and sighs.
|
|
