Post by Althaea on Jun 19, 2008 18:08:01 GMT -5
Cherry Orchard
=====================
Skelaghe...F. Wolf
Akseli........M. Juve. Swift Fox
=====================
Just a day after the death of his brother Cocle, Akseli discovers the true reality of life and its harsh fate.
Scene
Though Skelaghe had never seen a human until recently, it is impossible to travel as far as Skelaghe has, to have listened to as many tales from as many animals as Skelaghe has, and not know about the two-legged creatures referred to as Man. She has heard how they rape the earth and destroy the animals where ever they go. And after following an unusual scent and spotting one yesterday, the happy, carefree wolf is worried. She has spent most of her time since seeing the strange creature in meditation and prayer, and she's /still/ worried. Her expression is sober as she ventures through the area, arriving from the south, and her bright eyes do not scan her surroundings as eagerly as they usually do. She takes no joy in the spring weather and the beauty of the land still coming back to life from the winter.
Tracking can be hard work when you've never had to do it before; in fact it’s hard to even tell one scent from another when you keep mistaking one for the other. The scent of his brother has lead Akseli here where he ultimately loses it in the sweet scent of cherry blooms, and one quite unfamiliar. Stopping on the nearby hill he always used to accompany Johari on, he scans the area below but little success comes from such efforts. Letting out a brief sigh, Aks says, "Where is he..." before making down the hill for a more face to face search.
Just a few feet away from the base of a tree is a small fox's body. It is fresh. No scavengers have managed to find it yet, surrounded by the thick smell of cherry blossoms as it is. It's also fairly obvious that it didn't die of natural causes. As the body comes into sight, Skelaghe's step falters. She would let out a bark to alert the small creature to her arrival, but... It wouldn't do any good. She can tell that from here. The smell of death has only now hit her nose, and she breathes deeply, allowing herself a moment to mourn for the small animal she /hopes/ she doesn't know, and uncertain whether she should draw any closer to the body to try to reassure herself.
No sign of him here or there.. his brother wasn't lost was he? Akseli wasn't going to let himself think of such possibilities; it was impossible, Cocle never got lost. Pushing forward with the hope of finding him in the area, he jumps into a small abandoned thicket with a loud! "Boo!" but is met with only emptiness. A displeasing frown across his face, Aks jumps out turning to look down inside to reassure himself. Finding nothing yet again, he finally turns and moves onto the next spot. As he doesn't however, a meek scent crosses his nose. What was it he wondered, tilting his head and giving a uncertain look towards where he only thought it to be coming from.
Nearby, Skelaghe hears a young voice shout out, and it breaks her out of her indecisiveness. Whether this is a fox she knew or not, no young animal deserves to see someone he's probably related to like that. She makes her way toward the voice, trying to get there quickly, so that she might be able to redirect him.
By the time Akseli notices the oncoming wolf, it’s too late. Giving a slight excited expression at the thought of this wolf being someone he knew, he side glances her presence to the discolored rise from the ground and it completely changes. Moving forward a few steps, he stops just as Skelaghe reaches him. "What is that?" He asks, who the wolf was suddenly didn't matter. Looking up at her, he waits impatiently before stepping to the side and moving toward it.
Skelaghe tries to place herself between Akseli and the dead creature nearby, turning and moving quickly in order to do so. She speaks as she moves. "You should turn around and go home, little one." She'll follow him. She'll try to explain it to him as gently as she can. But he shouldn't see that. A young animal's first brush with the death of someone close is never easy. Of course, she doesn't know that the young fox lost someone else in the past.
Akseli comes to a halt once again as his path is blocked by the wolf. Peering up, he blinks, "But.." He starts, and then looks to the distant figure. "I can't go home. I gotta find my brother first." Aks wasn't going to leave his brother out here alone. "He over there... I wanna see him." Stepping back, the young fox looks for ways to escape the blockade.
Skelaghe shakes her head slowly, frowning and continuing to stand in Akseli's way. More than she mourns for the young fox who is dead, she mourns for this one. "Your brother isn't well, pup. Let him rest. You and I will talk." As much as she would prefer to return to her prayer, now, seeking guidance from those stronger than she, she resolves herself to be the one the small creature in front of her can seek guidance from.
Akseli is brought to a bit of silence as he looks from the body ahead and to the wolf. Sick... Cocle? He has a hard to time believing that. "Sick, I should be there then. Make him better again." If his brother /was/ sick then he needed someone to lean on, get better with, but this wolf was stopping that. He didn't want to talk he wanted to see Cocle. "Get out of the way!" he yaps. Jumping forward, the fox runs under Skelaghe towards his brother.
Skelaghe doesn't have time to react, to stop the young fox from rushing forward. She turns around again and sighs. There's nothing she can to now to prevent Akseli from seeing what waits for him. She does take several steps closer, though, to be near Akseli and his dead brother. A good part of her hopes that she was wrong, that the dead on is no relation to the living fox, but she knows the chances of that being the case are slim.
The world was a harsh place, this Akseli knew, but never did he expect to find someone from his family fall; not again. Reaching his brother, the young fox comes face to face with reality. It looked like his brother but there was something different about him. Walking up, giving his brother a light nudge, Aks says, "Cocle..?" When Cocle doesn't move, Aks nudges him again before looking him over. The sight of blood is enough to bring him at a falter. "I.. I.. I don't understand." He says looking back to the wolf, tears starting to form in his eyes. "Why won't he wake up?"
Skelaghe walks over to Cocle, her expression sorrowful, regretful, and sympathetic. She doesn't attempt to answer the young fox's questions yet. Nothing she can say will make a true difference. Akseli's brother will not wake up, no matter how she lends her support. "Shhhh, pup. C'mon. Let's go." She lifts her head to attempt to nip and give a gentle tug at the back of Akseli's neck, to direct him away from his brother. She's still of the belief that seeing his dead sibling is too much for the young fox, and the sooner she can get Akseli someplace safe, the better.
Why wasn't she answering him, this was his brother and he wanted to know now.. Again Akseli asks, "Why won't he wake up?!" As the wolf tries to lead him away he refuses with a shake of his head and a solid plant of his butt to the ground. His gaze now toward the ground, the young fox is blurred by tears and pain in his throat. Aks wanted so much for his brother wake up and look at him, "Cocle... please." He mutters. "..We gotta go... home." That said, Akseli drops to the ground beside himself.
Skelaghe is not above picking this fox up and carrying him away, but that may not be what he needs. She doesn't want to scar him more than this experience already has. Dropping to the ground beside Akseli, attempting oh so desperately to draw his gaze, she says, "He can't wake up, Akseli. He was hurt too badly..." She doesn't know foxes well enough to know exactly how old Akseli is, but she knows he is just a child, and things like this are difficult to explain to children.
Akseli was a child with a twice broken heart; how he'll manage when the truth breaks through and he must live his life knowing there was nothing he could do was just something he wasn't ready for. Turning his ears down to the wolf, he sniffles before actually turning to see her. "So, he..." His brother would no longer wake up... "..Is like mommy." The idea of even bringing up his mother at a time like this was just like adding wood to the fire. It pained him and he wanted to believe that it was all a dream; a dream he'd wake up from and things would be alright. Looking back to his brother for a moment, Aks takes in a deep breath, desperately trying to hold him what he direly needs to let go.
That statement from the young fox tears at Skelaghe. This young fox has lost his mother, and now his brother as well? How could that /not/ break her heart? Sticking her head forward to nose at the young fox, Skelaghe says, "Do not be too sad, pup. Cocle and your mother are together now." Whether Skelaghe truthfully believes that is unknown, but it's a nice thought. That the ones we lose to death are not lost forever.
Akseli holds his eyes tight; a tear running down from each. How was he not suppose to be too sad about this, he was now alone. Hearing her speak on how Cocle and his mother were now together wasn't something about to help him feel any better. It was something he wanted; to be close to mom again but it was his brother that took that spot now instead of him. Unable to say anything, Aks moves up and buries his face into the wolf’s fur.
Skelaghe does not move away from Akseli, allowing him to take whatever comfort he can find in being by her and nuzzling his side gently. "I'm sure they both miss you as much as you miss them, pup. Take comfort in that one day you'll be reunited with them." Her voice remains gentle, soft.
Why did they all have to go? Why did they leave him here alone? Akseli missed them so much there was no room for words; they only made things worse, they made him think and that was something he didn't want to do right now. Who was going to hunt for him when he failed time and time again... who was he going to laugh with and share the good times with? Aks has so many questions that now truly feel upon deaf ears. Pulling his face from the wolf, he looks over to the one being he shall miss forever the most. "If you can still hear me brother...” he says softly to the world around him. “Promise me you'll still laugh at the dumb things I do, and bring me love when I... need it the most." Taken by his own words, he just manages to get the last part out before turning away in a blanket of tears.
Skelaghe takes a step back and stands quietly, allowing Akseli to say his goodbyes to his brother. The actual words cause tears to sting at her eyes, and she takes a slow, deep breath. Moments later the young fox turn away from his brother, and Skelaghe is quick to move forward again. "There's nothing more we can do here, young one. Let me get you safe."
There were so many things he never got to do with his brother, so many things he wanted to say, but life had its way of making it so that there was always something left for you to regret, to feel sorry for. As Akseli began to walk away, head hung low, he began to think of what was still out there for him if anything at all. There was Johari, the one friend he cared for the most; and now his only. Then there was his father who he never saw. It was time to move on with his brother at heart; but how, where to begin.
Skelaghe walks beside Akseli, allowing him this time to sort his thoughts. She'll see him back to his home, maybe get him something to eat, and then... And then she has no idea where to go next. She can't /stay/ here, not indefinitely. She's not sure what she's supposed to do, yet, but she is certain of that.
Akseli would of most certainly chosen to be alone if this was any other day, but with what’s just happened, choosing to be with the wolf for the time being seemed like the best course of action. He hardly knew Skelaghe, but she seemed nice and was there for him in a time of need. Looking up at her every so often as he calmed himself with deep breaths, he wanted to say 'thank you' but couldn't find it in him to say it; least not yet, so he trudge forward hoping home would provide a place to sooth his sorrows.
As the two continue on, Skelaghe drops back a half a step to allow the young fox to lead, since he knows where his home is and she definitely does not. Eventually, as they walk, Skelaghe turns most of her attention /away/ from the young fox and to her surroundings, searching for any sight of the creatures that caused the unfortunate fox kit's death.
Akseli could care less about the surroundings right now. If there was anything out there capable of taking his life, and allowing him to see his brother again, then they were more than welcome try. However, in the end, when life was in peril he may just choose to live. Continuing on his way, he stops a few times in the places they'd always go out of habit before heading over the hillside into the grasslands.
=====================
Skelaghe...F. Wolf
Akseli........M. Juve. Swift Fox
=====================
Just a day after the death of his brother Cocle, Akseli discovers the true reality of life and its harsh fate.
Scene
Though Skelaghe had never seen a human until recently, it is impossible to travel as far as Skelaghe has, to have listened to as many tales from as many animals as Skelaghe has, and not know about the two-legged creatures referred to as Man. She has heard how they rape the earth and destroy the animals where ever they go. And after following an unusual scent and spotting one yesterday, the happy, carefree wolf is worried. She has spent most of her time since seeing the strange creature in meditation and prayer, and she's /still/ worried. Her expression is sober as she ventures through the area, arriving from the south, and her bright eyes do not scan her surroundings as eagerly as they usually do. She takes no joy in the spring weather and the beauty of the land still coming back to life from the winter.
Tracking can be hard work when you've never had to do it before; in fact it’s hard to even tell one scent from another when you keep mistaking one for the other. The scent of his brother has lead Akseli here where he ultimately loses it in the sweet scent of cherry blooms, and one quite unfamiliar. Stopping on the nearby hill he always used to accompany Johari on, he scans the area below but little success comes from such efforts. Letting out a brief sigh, Aks says, "Where is he..." before making down the hill for a more face to face search.
Just a few feet away from the base of a tree is a small fox's body. It is fresh. No scavengers have managed to find it yet, surrounded by the thick smell of cherry blossoms as it is. It's also fairly obvious that it didn't die of natural causes. As the body comes into sight, Skelaghe's step falters. She would let out a bark to alert the small creature to her arrival, but... It wouldn't do any good. She can tell that from here. The smell of death has only now hit her nose, and she breathes deeply, allowing herself a moment to mourn for the small animal she /hopes/ she doesn't know, and uncertain whether she should draw any closer to the body to try to reassure herself.
No sign of him here or there.. his brother wasn't lost was he? Akseli wasn't going to let himself think of such possibilities; it was impossible, Cocle never got lost. Pushing forward with the hope of finding him in the area, he jumps into a small abandoned thicket with a loud! "Boo!" but is met with only emptiness. A displeasing frown across his face, Aks jumps out turning to look down inside to reassure himself. Finding nothing yet again, he finally turns and moves onto the next spot. As he doesn't however, a meek scent crosses his nose. What was it he wondered, tilting his head and giving a uncertain look towards where he only thought it to be coming from.
Nearby, Skelaghe hears a young voice shout out, and it breaks her out of her indecisiveness. Whether this is a fox she knew or not, no young animal deserves to see someone he's probably related to like that. She makes her way toward the voice, trying to get there quickly, so that she might be able to redirect him.
By the time Akseli notices the oncoming wolf, it’s too late. Giving a slight excited expression at the thought of this wolf being someone he knew, he side glances her presence to the discolored rise from the ground and it completely changes. Moving forward a few steps, he stops just as Skelaghe reaches him. "What is that?" He asks, who the wolf was suddenly didn't matter. Looking up at her, he waits impatiently before stepping to the side and moving toward it.
Skelaghe tries to place herself between Akseli and the dead creature nearby, turning and moving quickly in order to do so. She speaks as she moves. "You should turn around and go home, little one." She'll follow him. She'll try to explain it to him as gently as she can. But he shouldn't see that. A young animal's first brush with the death of someone close is never easy. Of course, she doesn't know that the young fox lost someone else in the past.
Akseli comes to a halt once again as his path is blocked by the wolf. Peering up, he blinks, "But.." He starts, and then looks to the distant figure. "I can't go home. I gotta find my brother first." Aks wasn't going to leave his brother out here alone. "He over there... I wanna see him." Stepping back, the young fox looks for ways to escape the blockade.
Skelaghe shakes her head slowly, frowning and continuing to stand in Akseli's way. More than she mourns for the young fox who is dead, she mourns for this one. "Your brother isn't well, pup. Let him rest. You and I will talk." As much as she would prefer to return to her prayer, now, seeking guidance from those stronger than she, she resolves herself to be the one the small creature in front of her can seek guidance from.
Akseli is brought to a bit of silence as he looks from the body ahead and to the wolf. Sick... Cocle? He has a hard to time believing that. "Sick, I should be there then. Make him better again." If his brother /was/ sick then he needed someone to lean on, get better with, but this wolf was stopping that. He didn't want to talk he wanted to see Cocle. "Get out of the way!" he yaps. Jumping forward, the fox runs under Skelaghe towards his brother.
Skelaghe doesn't have time to react, to stop the young fox from rushing forward. She turns around again and sighs. There's nothing she can to now to prevent Akseli from seeing what waits for him. She does take several steps closer, though, to be near Akseli and his dead brother. A good part of her hopes that she was wrong, that the dead on is no relation to the living fox, but she knows the chances of that being the case are slim.
The world was a harsh place, this Akseli knew, but never did he expect to find someone from his family fall; not again. Reaching his brother, the young fox comes face to face with reality. It looked like his brother but there was something different about him. Walking up, giving his brother a light nudge, Aks says, "Cocle..?" When Cocle doesn't move, Aks nudges him again before looking him over. The sight of blood is enough to bring him at a falter. "I.. I.. I don't understand." He says looking back to the wolf, tears starting to form in his eyes. "Why won't he wake up?"
Skelaghe walks over to Cocle, her expression sorrowful, regretful, and sympathetic. She doesn't attempt to answer the young fox's questions yet. Nothing she can say will make a true difference. Akseli's brother will not wake up, no matter how she lends her support. "Shhhh, pup. C'mon. Let's go." She lifts her head to attempt to nip and give a gentle tug at the back of Akseli's neck, to direct him away from his brother. She's still of the belief that seeing his dead sibling is too much for the young fox, and the sooner she can get Akseli someplace safe, the better.
Why wasn't she answering him, this was his brother and he wanted to know now.. Again Akseli asks, "Why won't he wake up?!" As the wolf tries to lead him away he refuses with a shake of his head and a solid plant of his butt to the ground. His gaze now toward the ground, the young fox is blurred by tears and pain in his throat. Aks wanted so much for his brother wake up and look at him, "Cocle... please." He mutters. "..We gotta go... home." That said, Akseli drops to the ground beside himself.
Skelaghe is not above picking this fox up and carrying him away, but that may not be what he needs. She doesn't want to scar him more than this experience already has. Dropping to the ground beside Akseli, attempting oh so desperately to draw his gaze, she says, "He can't wake up, Akseli. He was hurt too badly..." She doesn't know foxes well enough to know exactly how old Akseli is, but she knows he is just a child, and things like this are difficult to explain to children.
Akseli was a child with a twice broken heart; how he'll manage when the truth breaks through and he must live his life knowing there was nothing he could do was just something he wasn't ready for. Turning his ears down to the wolf, he sniffles before actually turning to see her. "So, he..." His brother would no longer wake up... "..Is like mommy." The idea of even bringing up his mother at a time like this was just like adding wood to the fire. It pained him and he wanted to believe that it was all a dream; a dream he'd wake up from and things would be alright. Looking back to his brother for a moment, Aks takes in a deep breath, desperately trying to hold him what he direly needs to let go.
That statement from the young fox tears at Skelaghe. This young fox has lost his mother, and now his brother as well? How could that /not/ break her heart? Sticking her head forward to nose at the young fox, Skelaghe says, "Do not be too sad, pup. Cocle and your mother are together now." Whether Skelaghe truthfully believes that is unknown, but it's a nice thought. That the ones we lose to death are not lost forever.
Akseli holds his eyes tight; a tear running down from each. How was he not suppose to be too sad about this, he was now alone. Hearing her speak on how Cocle and his mother were now together wasn't something about to help him feel any better. It was something he wanted; to be close to mom again but it was his brother that took that spot now instead of him. Unable to say anything, Aks moves up and buries his face into the wolf’s fur.
Skelaghe does not move away from Akseli, allowing him to take whatever comfort he can find in being by her and nuzzling his side gently. "I'm sure they both miss you as much as you miss them, pup. Take comfort in that one day you'll be reunited with them." Her voice remains gentle, soft.
Why did they all have to go? Why did they leave him here alone? Akseli missed them so much there was no room for words; they only made things worse, they made him think and that was something he didn't want to do right now. Who was going to hunt for him when he failed time and time again... who was he going to laugh with and share the good times with? Aks has so many questions that now truly feel upon deaf ears. Pulling his face from the wolf, he looks over to the one being he shall miss forever the most. "If you can still hear me brother...” he says softly to the world around him. “Promise me you'll still laugh at the dumb things I do, and bring me love when I... need it the most." Taken by his own words, he just manages to get the last part out before turning away in a blanket of tears.
Skelaghe takes a step back and stands quietly, allowing Akseli to say his goodbyes to his brother. The actual words cause tears to sting at her eyes, and she takes a slow, deep breath. Moments later the young fox turn away from his brother, and Skelaghe is quick to move forward again. "There's nothing more we can do here, young one. Let me get you safe."
There were so many things he never got to do with his brother, so many things he wanted to say, but life had its way of making it so that there was always something left for you to regret, to feel sorry for. As Akseli began to walk away, head hung low, he began to think of what was still out there for him if anything at all. There was Johari, the one friend he cared for the most; and now his only. Then there was his father who he never saw. It was time to move on with his brother at heart; but how, where to begin.
Skelaghe walks beside Akseli, allowing him this time to sort his thoughts. She'll see him back to his home, maybe get him something to eat, and then... And then she has no idea where to go next. She can't /stay/ here, not indefinitely. She's not sure what she's supposed to do, yet, but she is certain of that.
Akseli would of most certainly chosen to be alone if this was any other day, but with what’s just happened, choosing to be with the wolf for the time being seemed like the best course of action. He hardly knew Skelaghe, but she seemed nice and was there for him in a time of need. Looking up at her every so often as he calmed himself with deep breaths, he wanted to say 'thank you' but couldn't find it in him to say it; least not yet, so he trudge forward hoping home would provide a place to sooth his sorrows.
As the two continue on, Skelaghe drops back a half a step to allow the young fox to lead, since he knows where his home is and she definitely does not. Eventually, as they walk, Skelaghe turns most of her attention /away/ from the young fox and to her surroundings, searching for any sight of the creatures that caused the unfortunate fox kit's death.
Akseli could care less about the surroundings right now. If there was anything out there capable of taking his life, and allowing him to see his brother again, then they were more than welcome try. However, in the end, when life was in peril he may just choose to live. Continuing on his way, he stops a few times in the places they'd always go out of habit before heading over the hillside into the grasslands.