Post by Therdde on Dec 17, 2008 4:09:04 GMT -5
Characters:
Skelaghe - Female Wolf
Sketch - Female Dog
- Wooded Terrain -
After taking a walk to calm her nerves before the cougars come to deliver their verdict, Skelaghe finally returns. She convinced Bodhi that it was not a good idea to join her, but only just. Even so, she smells strongly of him as she returns. The sun is still up, but it is beginning to dip toward the horizon, and she does not want to be gone when the cougars come. She doesn't want Sketch and Vincent to have to deal with them without her help.
The other Alsatian has already fallen asleep and Sketch is very nearly to that point as well; if the wolf had returned even five minutes later, no doubt both of the canines would be fast asleep. Sketch has barely closed her eyes when her ears perk up at the faint sounds of someone walking toward she and Vincent, and her head raises and eyes open in time to see Skelaghe arrive. With a smile and a faint wag of her tail, she waits for the wolf to get closer before whispering a greeting; she doesn't want to wake Vincent, obviously. But wait.. sniffsniff.. what's that smell? It's a male wolf! Sketch can't help but look curiously and expectantly at Skel, wondering what the female's been off doing.
What has she been doing? Soemthing that, to some degree, she wishes she had never done. She enjoyed Bodhi's song, and she enjoyed his company... And she was grateful for the news about a hybrid she once worried about... So why won't the feeling of despair leave her? Even so, when she spots Sketch, she forces a smile for the younger dog. And, given the look she gets, when she is closer, she asks, softly, "Did I miss anything?" Hopefully not. The scent of cougars doesn't seem any stronger than it has all day, so...
It's not the scent of cougar that has Sketch looking at her in such a way. It's the strong scent of male wolf on her. Clinging to her like a second skin, even. "No, you didn't," Sketch answers breezily, peering at the other female as though trying to see if there's anything different about her. The way she smells.. it has to be. She finally smiles, happy for her friend. "So, how was it? Did you like it?" No doubt she did, if it was at all similar to Sketch's own time with Vincent.
The question confuses Skelaghe. She has taken walks plenty of times, and Sketch has never asked that before. And though her mood is not as bright as it normally is after she has had time alone to reflect on her thoughts, she answers, in a tone that portrays a small amount of her confusion, "I always do." Given a moment, she would almost definitely tell Sketch about her conversation with her long-time friend, but she has no idea what Sketch has assumed due to the scent that is on her... And, as such, her answer certainly does not help to clear up that confusion.
She always does? Of course, why couldn't she have done this before? Sketch has only assumed this was her first time since she's never really noticed such a strong scent on her friend before. But of course, there are plenty of ways to remove such an indicator, not to mention all the times when Sketch wasn't around to smell her even if she /did/ have that scent. "But then why haven't you.. err.." Her own voice matches the wolf's in terms of faint confusion. ".. oh, of course! You just never have while you were in heat." She laughs suddenly, nearly beaming. "Why don't you ask the wolf to join our group, so that way you could have fun with him whenever you wanted, instead of having to travel?" Makes sense, doesn't it?
Skelaghe stares at Sketch for a moment, her confusion much more evident, now. It does not surprise her that Sketch smells Bodhi on her, but why would Sketch assume /that/? After a brief period, she says, in a tone rather more confused than before, "I think you may have the wrong idea. Bodhi is not my mate, Sketch." For so many reasons. What she and Bodhi have in common has always brought them together strongly, but what has kept them apart will probably always be stronger. "Why would you think... Why would you /assume/...?" Skelaghe isn't sure she has even seen Bodhi, before today, since she met Sketch, and to have it assumed that, the first time she returns with a male's scent on her, she had mated with him... Okay, while she was in heat, that /might/ have happened, but now?
Sketch looks more confused at Skelaghe's words and reaction than she might have felt otherwise. Why assume that the wolves had mated? Well.. for one, what else would have produced such a strong scent on the other female? Obviously the two were in very close proximity... what else could they have been doing? Sketch knows that Vincent's own smell was heavy on her, but that was only to be expected. The Alsatian is somewhat cowed into silence, as she's not sure how to answer the questions that feel almost like accusations for her even suggesting such a thing in the first place. She was expecting Skel to be happy about being able to spend time with her wolf friend, but this defensive and more or less negative reaction was definitely /not/ what she had anticipated.
And, in fact, were Skelaghe less troubled about the news that Bodhi brought, and what it might mean, she probably would have handled this better. As it is, she feels guilty when the dog is unable to answer her questions. She has to take a deep breath and sit down, after which she says, "I'm sorry. I just..." This time, her smile is /almost/ genuine as she allows herself to be amused by what has been said. "I don't have a mate, Sketch. And the wolf you smell on me... Well, he has a pack." A pack he chose to keep even after agreeing to spend this past winter with her, which, given the circumstances she finds herself in now, was probably for the best.
Sketch still looks and sounds confused as she ponders the wolf's words and responds with a question: "But.. what does him being in a pack have to do with anything? Isn't he your friend? I mean.. you obviously went and met him somewhere, so.. I.. I just don't understand, I guess." Okay, maybe a /few/ questions. But what else could be expected?
"Him being in a pack is the reason I don't invite him to join us, Sketch, as my friend or otherwise. I would not be much of a friend if I asked him to leave all of his companions to travel with us." Skelaghe will keep to herself the fact that his pack is Lazuli, at least for now. "And, for what it might be worth, our meeting was by chance, as they almost always are, with him." They meet. They swap the most recent song or story. Then they part ways, possibly for months. Bodhi is far from being mate material.
That much makes sense; obviously Skel wouldn't want to drag Bodhi away from his friends and family. "But.. I still don't understand why you were so surprised when I asked you. Why wouldn't you mate with him? You /are/ his friend, aren't you?" What better way to spend time with a good friend? Sure, there are plenty of other things to do as well, but.. it's Skel's almost-negative reaction that is still confusing Sketch. If the wolf was in heat, then the answer would be obvious; perhaps she just doesn't want pups now, seeing their current situation. But she's not in heat, so...?
If Skel were in heat, she would have been much more likely to mate with Bodhi, even if she would never consider him as a candidate while her head is completely clear of the hormonal desire to be carrying pups. "I am his friend, but... Well, I suspect wolves are more discerning in their choice of mates than dogs are, Sketch... And it is not a decision to be made lightly. A wolf's mate is her lifelong partner, and though I love Bodhi as I loved all of my former packmates... He is not the one."
It is, perhaps, the semantic difference between 'friend' and 'mate' that is still not entirely clear for the female Alsatian. She understands that a mate is truly a close companion, and she can absolutely understand the gravity of such a decision. She's pretty sure she wouldn't even call Vincent her mate, as they haven't really reached such a place just yet. But the act itself; is it allowed only for mates, and not for friends? Vincent had never even so much as mentioned the word when they first met, implying that it was a wonderful activity that friends could enjoy together. "I.. understand that, Skel, but.. I thought you both were still friends?"
The act of mating holds so much significance for Skelaghe that, had she given into her desire earlier this spring, she likely would still be agonizing over it. She has never mated, and she may well die without doing so, but at least if that happens, she will die knowing that she compromised her values for nothing, not even for the desire to have pups around her again. "We are friends, but wolves do not mate with our friends, Sketch. We mate with our mate, and no one else."
Finally Sketch has the last piece to the puzzle. She may not understand the reasoning behind the piece, but at least the puzzle is fully answered. "I see," she answers. That'll no doubt disappoint Vincent when he finds out, as he had always been.. eager.. to meet Skelaghe. Granted, the circumstances surrounding their meeting could have been a bit better, were they not being chased by cougars at the time, but still. "Can I ask.. why? Vincent told me that it was something that friends could enjoy, and.. well.. I don't see why the same wouldn't be true for wolves, too."
Why? That is not something Skelaghe has ever been asked, but then, many of the things that Sketch has asked, over the course of time, have been completely new to Skelaghe. With only the briefest pause, Skelaghe answers, "Because mating is not just a physical act to us, Sketch. To me. It is mental. Spiritual. It has meaning, and to... Well, to diminish that by sharing it with anyone but the wolf I want to be with for the rest of my life, should I ever find such a wolf... It wouldn't be fair to anyone."
And as the wolf speaks, each part of her answer seems to hit Sketch like an actual blow. She winces, and can see yet another reason why wolves see dogs with such contempt. Her time with Vincent certainly wasn't.. spiritual, or anything like that. She was just enjoying time together with a friend! But no wonder wolves are so superior, if they can attach all that extra meaning to the act of mating. She doesn't answer, save for the briefest of nods, and then rests her head down on her forepaws, trying not to look upset. She did ask, after all.
She may try to hide it, but Skelaghe has learned that when Sketch is happy, she speaks. When she is intimidated, or upset, she is quiet. It doesn't surprise Skelaghe. Some of what she said had to have sounded smug, even though she did not mean it to be, so after a short while of silence, she adds, "It makes us different. It does not make us better or worse. Just different. There are some animals that may never see the ones they mate with again in their lives. There are some who may even be vicious towards the ones they mate with, after the act. Then there are those, like wolves, who only mate with one other for as long as they both live."
"You don't think that.. I'm foolish for what I've done?" Sketch doesn't lift her head as she speaks, but her eyes do look back toward the wolf. She isn't going to say outright that she thinks that Vincent's way is better for her than Skel's way, as she'll need time to contemplate what she's heard from the wolf. But she needs to hear some confirmation from Skel that she's not currently being held in contempt for what's happened. The wolf saying that they're different isn't good enough. The wolves of Lazuli said as much, and they were all but seething with condescension.
This time, Skelaghe's smile /is/ genuine. Completely. And her answer nothing but honest. "I don't think you are foolish for anything you have ever done, Sketch. Even when your actions have brought you difficulty, you have been willing to learn from your mistakes, and that makes you wise. I do not think that your relationship with Vincent is any kind of mistake, though." If it brings the dog whatever kind of satisfaction she needs in her life, then is is right for her, and Skelaghe would not judge her for that.
And this time, Sketch's smile is, more than anything else, simply /relieved/. "It doesn't make you think less of us? Or make you uncomfortable?" Her questions are asked with the anxiety of one who is so close to achieving a mentally peaceful state but who just can't quite accept that maybe it isn't as bad as she had originally thought. But if Skel is perfectly fine with the differences between them, then Sketch will no doubt gain a significant confidence boost through all of this. And a significant increase in her appreciation for Skel as a friend.
"If our differences made me uncomfortable, or made me think less of you, not only would I be stuck in a pack that could not make me happy... But I would have missed out on some of the most rewarding experiences of my life." That's not true just of Sketch. That's true of every other non-wolf Skelaghe has ever known, here and elsewhere.
It's not quite the definitive and specific answer she was hoping for, but Sketch doesn't think the wolf would try to mask any contempt under a subtle choice of wording like that. Skel didn't come right out and say that the differences /don't/ make her uncomfortable, but it's close enough for Sketch to feel that relief that seemed to be hovering just out of reach. Her smile only becomes more heartfelt, and she dips her head as best as she can while still resting it on her forepaws. "Thanks for being understanding, and.. thanks for continuing to put up with me." It's said with the faintest hint of jest, but she really means it. Sketch can't seem to stop getting them in trouble somehow, or causing them to become tangled in some bad situation, but Skel is always quick to forgive, quick to teach, and usually slow to becoming angry.
Skelaghe continues to smile. No matter what is going wrong for them, the knowledge that she has not taken the strain of their situation out on her companions, at least not enough to make them resentful, makes /her/ relieved. She could doubtlessly handle this all better... But at least she seems to be handling it well enough. "You are very welcome. And thank you for tolerating everything that must seem strange to you.
Everything strange to her? Like.. Skel being a wolf who isn't interested in killing and eating her? Yes, that's definitely something strange that she's had to tolerate. It's a toleration that she's quite glad to give, though, as might be expected. Her eyes slowly close, as she /was/ near sleep, after all, and since the conversation seems to be wrapping up, it's highly unlikely that she'll be able to keep herself awake any longer. The cougars from Amaranth should no doubt be coming soon, and Sketch wants to be as rested as possible, just in case.. something happens. She doesn't know what, and probably wouldn't be able to do much even if something /did/ happen... but she wants to be prepared, nonetheless. Nobody can blame her for trying, can they?
"Rest well, Sketch." After speaking, Skelaghe stands to turn to the south, intending to watch for the arrival of the cougars. After turning, she lies down and rests her head on her paws. Just a few more hours now, and, if she has any luck left... Hopefully they will no longer have to be quite so concerned about the possibility that they all may be in serious danger.
Skelaghe - Female Wolf
Sketch - Female Dog
- Wooded Terrain -
After taking a walk to calm her nerves before the cougars come to deliver their verdict, Skelaghe finally returns. She convinced Bodhi that it was not a good idea to join her, but only just. Even so, she smells strongly of him as she returns. The sun is still up, but it is beginning to dip toward the horizon, and she does not want to be gone when the cougars come. She doesn't want Sketch and Vincent to have to deal with them without her help.
The other Alsatian has already fallen asleep and Sketch is very nearly to that point as well; if the wolf had returned even five minutes later, no doubt both of the canines would be fast asleep. Sketch has barely closed her eyes when her ears perk up at the faint sounds of someone walking toward she and Vincent, and her head raises and eyes open in time to see Skelaghe arrive. With a smile and a faint wag of her tail, she waits for the wolf to get closer before whispering a greeting; she doesn't want to wake Vincent, obviously. But wait.. sniffsniff.. what's that smell? It's a male wolf! Sketch can't help but look curiously and expectantly at Skel, wondering what the female's been off doing.
What has she been doing? Soemthing that, to some degree, she wishes she had never done. She enjoyed Bodhi's song, and she enjoyed his company... And she was grateful for the news about a hybrid she once worried about... So why won't the feeling of despair leave her? Even so, when she spots Sketch, she forces a smile for the younger dog. And, given the look she gets, when she is closer, she asks, softly, "Did I miss anything?" Hopefully not. The scent of cougars doesn't seem any stronger than it has all day, so...
It's not the scent of cougar that has Sketch looking at her in such a way. It's the strong scent of male wolf on her. Clinging to her like a second skin, even. "No, you didn't," Sketch answers breezily, peering at the other female as though trying to see if there's anything different about her. The way she smells.. it has to be. She finally smiles, happy for her friend. "So, how was it? Did you like it?" No doubt she did, if it was at all similar to Sketch's own time with Vincent.
The question confuses Skelaghe. She has taken walks plenty of times, and Sketch has never asked that before. And though her mood is not as bright as it normally is after she has had time alone to reflect on her thoughts, she answers, in a tone that portrays a small amount of her confusion, "I always do." Given a moment, she would almost definitely tell Sketch about her conversation with her long-time friend, but she has no idea what Sketch has assumed due to the scent that is on her... And, as such, her answer certainly does not help to clear up that confusion.
She always does? Of course, why couldn't she have done this before? Sketch has only assumed this was her first time since she's never really noticed such a strong scent on her friend before. But of course, there are plenty of ways to remove such an indicator, not to mention all the times when Sketch wasn't around to smell her even if she /did/ have that scent. "But then why haven't you.. err.." Her own voice matches the wolf's in terms of faint confusion. ".. oh, of course! You just never have while you were in heat." She laughs suddenly, nearly beaming. "Why don't you ask the wolf to join our group, so that way you could have fun with him whenever you wanted, instead of having to travel?" Makes sense, doesn't it?
Skelaghe stares at Sketch for a moment, her confusion much more evident, now. It does not surprise her that Sketch smells Bodhi on her, but why would Sketch assume /that/? After a brief period, she says, in a tone rather more confused than before, "I think you may have the wrong idea. Bodhi is not my mate, Sketch." For so many reasons. What she and Bodhi have in common has always brought them together strongly, but what has kept them apart will probably always be stronger. "Why would you think... Why would you /assume/...?" Skelaghe isn't sure she has even seen Bodhi, before today, since she met Sketch, and to have it assumed that, the first time she returns with a male's scent on her, she had mated with him... Okay, while she was in heat, that /might/ have happened, but now?
Sketch looks more confused at Skelaghe's words and reaction than she might have felt otherwise. Why assume that the wolves had mated? Well.. for one, what else would have produced such a strong scent on the other female? Obviously the two were in very close proximity... what else could they have been doing? Sketch knows that Vincent's own smell was heavy on her, but that was only to be expected. The Alsatian is somewhat cowed into silence, as she's not sure how to answer the questions that feel almost like accusations for her even suggesting such a thing in the first place. She was expecting Skel to be happy about being able to spend time with her wolf friend, but this defensive and more or less negative reaction was definitely /not/ what she had anticipated.
And, in fact, were Skelaghe less troubled about the news that Bodhi brought, and what it might mean, she probably would have handled this better. As it is, she feels guilty when the dog is unable to answer her questions. She has to take a deep breath and sit down, after which she says, "I'm sorry. I just..." This time, her smile is /almost/ genuine as she allows herself to be amused by what has been said. "I don't have a mate, Sketch. And the wolf you smell on me... Well, he has a pack." A pack he chose to keep even after agreeing to spend this past winter with her, which, given the circumstances she finds herself in now, was probably for the best.
Sketch still looks and sounds confused as she ponders the wolf's words and responds with a question: "But.. what does him being in a pack have to do with anything? Isn't he your friend? I mean.. you obviously went and met him somewhere, so.. I.. I just don't understand, I guess." Okay, maybe a /few/ questions. But what else could be expected?
"Him being in a pack is the reason I don't invite him to join us, Sketch, as my friend or otherwise. I would not be much of a friend if I asked him to leave all of his companions to travel with us." Skelaghe will keep to herself the fact that his pack is Lazuli, at least for now. "And, for what it might be worth, our meeting was by chance, as they almost always are, with him." They meet. They swap the most recent song or story. Then they part ways, possibly for months. Bodhi is far from being mate material.
That much makes sense; obviously Skel wouldn't want to drag Bodhi away from his friends and family. "But.. I still don't understand why you were so surprised when I asked you. Why wouldn't you mate with him? You /are/ his friend, aren't you?" What better way to spend time with a good friend? Sure, there are plenty of other things to do as well, but.. it's Skel's almost-negative reaction that is still confusing Sketch. If the wolf was in heat, then the answer would be obvious; perhaps she just doesn't want pups now, seeing their current situation. But she's not in heat, so...?
If Skel were in heat, she would have been much more likely to mate with Bodhi, even if she would never consider him as a candidate while her head is completely clear of the hormonal desire to be carrying pups. "I am his friend, but... Well, I suspect wolves are more discerning in their choice of mates than dogs are, Sketch... And it is not a decision to be made lightly. A wolf's mate is her lifelong partner, and though I love Bodhi as I loved all of my former packmates... He is not the one."
It is, perhaps, the semantic difference between 'friend' and 'mate' that is still not entirely clear for the female Alsatian. She understands that a mate is truly a close companion, and she can absolutely understand the gravity of such a decision. She's pretty sure she wouldn't even call Vincent her mate, as they haven't really reached such a place just yet. But the act itself; is it allowed only for mates, and not for friends? Vincent had never even so much as mentioned the word when they first met, implying that it was a wonderful activity that friends could enjoy together. "I.. understand that, Skel, but.. I thought you both were still friends?"
The act of mating holds so much significance for Skelaghe that, had she given into her desire earlier this spring, she likely would still be agonizing over it. She has never mated, and she may well die without doing so, but at least if that happens, she will die knowing that she compromised her values for nothing, not even for the desire to have pups around her again. "We are friends, but wolves do not mate with our friends, Sketch. We mate with our mate, and no one else."
Finally Sketch has the last piece to the puzzle. She may not understand the reasoning behind the piece, but at least the puzzle is fully answered. "I see," she answers. That'll no doubt disappoint Vincent when he finds out, as he had always been.. eager.. to meet Skelaghe. Granted, the circumstances surrounding their meeting could have been a bit better, were they not being chased by cougars at the time, but still. "Can I ask.. why? Vincent told me that it was something that friends could enjoy, and.. well.. I don't see why the same wouldn't be true for wolves, too."
Why? That is not something Skelaghe has ever been asked, but then, many of the things that Sketch has asked, over the course of time, have been completely new to Skelaghe. With only the briefest pause, Skelaghe answers, "Because mating is not just a physical act to us, Sketch. To me. It is mental. Spiritual. It has meaning, and to... Well, to diminish that by sharing it with anyone but the wolf I want to be with for the rest of my life, should I ever find such a wolf... It wouldn't be fair to anyone."
And as the wolf speaks, each part of her answer seems to hit Sketch like an actual blow. She winces, and can see yet another reason why wolves see dogs with such contempt. Her time with Vincent certainly wasn't.. spiritual, or anything like that. She was just enjoying time together with a friend! But no wonder wolves are so superior, if they can attach all that extra meaning to the act of mating. She doesn't answer, save for the briefest of nods, and then rests her head down on her forepaws, trying not to look upset. She did ask, after all.
She may try to hide it, but Skelaghe has learned that when Sketch is happy, she speaks. When she is intimidated, or upset, she is quiet. It doesn't surprise Skelaghe. Some of what she said had to have sounded smug, even though she did not mean it to be, so after a short while of silence, she adds, "It makes us different. It does not make us better or worse. Just different. There are some animals that may never see the ones they mate with again in their lives. There are some who may even be vicious towards the ones they mate with, after the act. Then there are those, like wolves, who only mate with one other for as long as they both live."
"You don't think that.. I'm foolish for what I've done?" Sketch doesn't lift her head as she speaks, but her eyes do look back toward the wolf. She isn't going to say outright that she thinks that Vincent's way is better for her than Skel's way, as she'll need time to contemplate what she's heard from the wolf. But she needs to hear some confirmation from Skel that she's not currently being held in contempt for what's happened. The wolf saying that they're different isn't good enough. The wolves of Lazuli said as much, and they were all but seething with condescension.
This time, Skelaghe's smile /is/ genuine. Completely. And her answer nothing but honest. "I don't think you are foolish for anything you have ever done, Sketch. Even when your actions have brought you difficulty, you have been willing to learn from your mistakes, and that makes you wise. I do not think that your relationship with Vincent is any kind of mistake, though." If it brings the dog whatever kind of satisfaction she needs in her life, then is is right for her, and Skelaghe would not judge her for that.
And this time, Sketch's smile is, more than anything else, simply /relieved/. "It doesn't make you think less of us? Or make you uncomfortable?" Her questions are asked with the anxiety of one who is so close to achieving a mentally peaceful state but who just can't quite accept that maybe it isn't as bad as she had originally thought. But if Skel is perfectly fine with the differences between them, then Sketch will no doubt gain a significant confidence boost through all of this. And a significant increase in her appreciation for Skel as a friend.
"If our differences made me uncomfortable, or made me think less of you, not only would I be stuck in a pack that could not make me happy... But I would have missed out on some of the most rewarding experiences of my life." That's not true just of Sketch. That's true of every other non-wolf Skelaghe has ever known, here and elsewhere.
It's not quite the definitive and specific answer she was hoping for, but Sketch doesn't think the wolf would try to mask any contempt under a subtle choice of wording like that. Skel didn't come right out and say that the differences /don't/ make her uncomfortable, but it's close enough for Sketch to feel that relief that seemed to be hovering just out of reach. Her smile only becomes more heartfelt, and she dips her head as best as she can while still resting it on her forepaws. "Thanks for being understanding, and.. thanks for continuing to put up with me." It's said with the faintest hint of jest, but she really means it. Sketch can't seem to stop getting them in trouble somehow, or causing them to become tangled in some bad situation, but Skel is always quick to forgive, quick to teach, and usually slow to becoming angry.
Skelaghe continues to smile. No matter what is going wrong for them, the knowledge that she has not taken the strain of their situation out on her companions, at least not enough to make them resentful, makes /her/ relieved. She could doubtlessly handle this all better... But at least she seems to be handling it well enough. "You are very welcome. And thank you for tolerating everything that must seem strange to you.
Everything strange to her? Like.. Skel being a wolf who isn't interested in killing and eating her? Yes, that's definitely something strange that she's had to tolerate. It's a toleration that she's quite glad to give, though, as might be expected. Her eyes slowly close, as she /was/ near sleep, after all, and since the conversation seems to be wrapping up, it's highly unlikely that she'll be able to keep herself awake any longer. The cougars from Amaranth should no doubt be coming soon, and Sketch wants to be as rested as possible, just in case.. something happens. She doesn't know what, and probably wouldn't be able to do much even if something /did/ happen... but she wants to be prepared, nonetheless. Nobody can blame her for trying, can they?
"Rest well, Sketch." After speaking, Skelaghe stands to turn to the south, intending to watch for the arrival of the cougars. After turning, she lies down and rests her head on her paws. Just a few more hours now, and, if she has any luck left... Hopefully they will no longer have to be quite so concerned about the possibility that they all may be in serious danger.