Post by Therdde on Apr 20, 2009 20:02:13 GMT -5
Characters:
Nayeli - Female Cougar
Kein - Male Cougar
Ashen - Male Juvenile Cougar
- Wind-Blown Lowlands -
Were she one who believed in fate, Nayeli might conclude at this moment that such fate has a very twisted sense of humor. Sketch's life is ripped from her body in such a horrific fashion, and now.. Nayeli is spared? But why? Her eyes were clenched shut as she waited for the fangs to crush her own throat, but as the weight of Revan lifted off of her, she opened her eyes to see, with no small amount of astonishment, the brothers disappearing into the grasses. Why...? And then Kein's scent reaches her, and she suddenly finds herself sobbing out of relief and the terror that she can finally come to grips with.
Kein hears the cougars' voices, barely. What really gets him moving faster is the sobbing that comes soon after, though. Gripped by real fear suddenly, Kein runs as fast as he can, headed in the direction of the sobbing. His eyes fall on the body of Sketch, first, and Nayeli soon after. It is all too easy to tell that Sketch is dead, and Nayeli... Kein does not stop until he reaches his mate, his heart pounding from much more than just the exertion of getting here quickly. She's sobbing, which obviously means breathing, but he's so scared for the injuries she might have, and he can't bring himself to speak. He can't find his voice. It reminds him too much of finding his mother. He never saw her, but with the smell of blood strong in the area along with Nayeli lying on the ground crying is nearly too much for him to handle as he noses against her, so gently, taking in a breath to try to determine if any of the blood he smells is hers.
Kein's arrival is barely recognized, and though it's apparently the primary reason for the brothers' subsequent departure, and ultimately the reason for her continued life, Nayeli doesn't seem to visibly react to his presence. Through tear-filled eyes, she slowly starts dragging herself toward the mutilated body of Sketch. The body that only a short while ago was eagerly listening to her, smiling and enjoying their time together. Nayeli is no stranger to death, being a predator and having seen the dead bodies of her own parents, but to watch such a young girl mercilessly executed while she was unable to do anything to prevent it... it hurts, and deeply. If she hadn't brought Sketch here to teach her, or if she had been more attentive to their surroundings, or if she had fought to defend them, or if.. or.. or.. Still crying, the cougaress finally drags herself the last several inches and gingerly touches the canine's body, as if to confirm that she's really dead. That Sketch.. is gone. Dead.
She can move. She's capable of moving. Right now, the only thing Kein can find it in himself to care about is Nayeli. Ever since his mother died... Nayeli is everything to him. She provided him with his children. She remains the one grouding force in his life. If he lost her... If he lost her... He just can't think beyond that. It fills him with dread, and the knowledge that, had he been just a few minutes later, that could have very possibly come to pass... In the back of his head, a small voice tells him that it would be cruel to drag her away from Sketch, to leave the dog's broken body here, alone, but... Kein follows her to the very young dog's body, and after only a moment, he pushes at her with his nose again, just a little more forcibly this time, toward the north. Toward Amaranth, where he can ensure her safety. Where he can more easily make sure that nothing, no one, can get near her. Still, he is silent. What is there for him to say?
Though she was not injured much, Nayeli still feels numb, nearly as though she was in shock as well. It distantly occurs to her that she's going to have to tell Vincent that she was unable to save his mate, and she's going to have to tell Skelaghe that she was unable to save her friend. And yet Nayeli lives, with not a drop of her own blood shed. The canine is murdered, and the cougar lives to go on with her life, to continue to enjoy being with her mate, and enjoy being with her friends. How can she possibly face the two canids with this news? It's as though a heavy weight is pushing into her, crushing her with the terrible responsibility of what's happened here. And finally, she recognizes the weight as the gentle pushing of Kein's muzzle into her, probably trying to comfort her. She weakly turns her tear-stained face to look at him, opening her maw to tell him that this is all her fault, but all she can manage is a soft and strangled noise. Her throat aches, and despite her best efforts she cannot manage to vocalize her emotional burden.
In the coming days, Kein will think much about Sketch, along with the other two that were in his care for a short time. He may not have particularly liked Sketch, Skelaghe, and Vincent, but he did not /dislike/ them. They were never unpleasant, save for the one trespassing incident, and the dog did not deserve this. Still, right now there is only his worry for Nayeli, for what may have be done to her, for what she might have been forced to do or watch, and for what may still happen to her, here. Finally, he forces himself to speak. His voice is raw as he talks, as it is quite obviously difficult for him to force the words out through his tightened throat. "We have to go, Nayeli. Now." He /has/ to get her safe. There will be time for other things once he does that.
Dumbly, Nayeli struggles to her feet, nearly collapsing as the adrenaline is draining from her body and leaving her weak and trembling. Go. They need to go. But.. she can't leave Sketch's body here where the brothers might come back and do something with it. Can't they at least take it with them? Once again she opens her maw to talk, to suggest this to her mate, but she can't seem to form words past the severe ache in her throat. It's more than just an emotional lump.. the fangs gripped against her neck seem to have done more than just feel sharp and threatening. Were she a bit more in control of herself, she might feel a bit more panic at her inability to communicate, but right now her concern is simply the matter of getting Sketch's body out of harm's reach. The cruel irony of that she failed to do that already hits hard as she leans down to gently grab the body's scruff, trying to drag it with them. It's not easy, as she's both drained and weak.
Kein's current lack of being able to communicate on an emotional level does not extend so far that he is incapable of understand what Nayeli is attempting to do when she takes the dog's scruff in her mouth. Recognizing the weakness in her body, he again pushes at her. This time, though, it is accompanied by words. "I will take care of it, Nayeli." Yes. Now. /He/ will do his best to carry Sketch's body back to Amaranth gently, follow behind Nayeli. He couldn't stand by and watch her struggle with it. If she hadn't done this, he certainly would have left it, simply for his desire to get back to Amaranth as quickly as possible, but since she thinks it is important, he will bring Sketch back to Amaranth.
- Sloping Gradient -
It has been a long day, and it is far from over. The sun is advancing toward the horizon as Kein and Nayeli climb the slope leading into Amaranth. Kein is still carrying Sketch's body, dragging it as little as possible. It is clear that this dog is not prey he is bringing home. He would not have nearly as much concern for the condition of the body if he considered Sketch to be food. He's not sure how far he will have to bring Sketch into Amaranth before it will be safe from scavengers at least long enough for him to tend to his mate. She has yet to say a word, and Kein remains horribly worried as they pass into Amaranth territory, but he can hardly speak to her around the battered corpse in his mouth, and getting into Amaranth is still the priority. At least some of his concerns have been laid to rest. She is weak, but the way she moves suggests there are no serious injuries.
The largest of the late Ohanzee's cubs is in the process of heading /away/ from Amaranth. It's not that he had any intention of leaving, he merely has the bad habit of following his whims without any foresight or care. This time, Ashen has set himself upon a little stone. It's very round on all sides but one, where a corner juts out and gives it a veritable 'tear drop' shape. It also serves a function; whenever the stone goes rolling, it tumbles a way before the point eventually catches in the ground, and brings the rock to a stop. How far it manages to tumble is unpredictable each time and thus has turned into a game for the cub, who alternates between swiping with his paw, and chasing after his new toy. An unusual smell travels up the path, but goes unheeded.
Even if she were able to speak, Nayeli would have remained silent during the journey back, mind numb and filled only with the image of Sketch's look of horror as the life was crushed out of her. Her paws mechanically carry her inch by inch, yard by yard as she follows Kein back toward Amaranth territory. Toward.. safety? Can such a concept ever be realized again? Tunnel vision narrows her field of view to the immediate terrain in front of her, mostly filled with the form of Kein walking in front of her.
Kein's mind has been racing through the entire walk home, but centered in his mind is the thought that he has to do whatever it'll take to keep Nayeli safe. He is tense, more tense than he has been... Well, in a long time, anyway. Since Cael was cubnapped? regardless, he is not in a mood to deal with any stranger or near stranger, not even those of his own tribe. As such, when a small rock rolls into his line of sight, followed by an unrecognized male cub, Kein drops Sketch and bares his teeth at the creature. He is obviously not thinking in a particularly clear manner. The cub might not be any threat to him or Nayeli, but Kein has no intention of allowing anyone near his mate, right now.
Ashen's attention snaps off the rock for the first time, and it trundles away, forgotten. He hears something up ahead. Large, rounded eyes rise to find the larger, much older male. Amaranth's Chieftain. The sight of bared fangs, direction right at him, cuts deep within the cub's psyche. He shrinks back, not even aware of Nayeli or the corpse. It isn't long, however, before his vision expends to include the rest of the scene, and takes in the sight of Sketch. The horrible, bloody sight of Sketch. "Wh-what?"
It's not until Kein stops that she's able to snap out of the daze she's been in for the past while. Wha-? She's taken aback when she notices the bared fangs, and it's with a sinking feeling that she realizes that the two brothers have returned, and they're going to kill her, and Kein, and she's far too exhausted to do anything about it. But.. no.. it's a cub(!) and one that Nayeli seems to distantly recognize. Is Kein going to kill the young feline? What's happening? Her world seems to be rapidly descending into madness and she seems powerless to stop it. Sketch is dead and her mate is killing young cougars. Huh. The daze seems to have returned.
It doesn't occur to Kein that this cub has done nothing to deserve being threatened, that the cub is only playing. It is playing in between him and deeper Amaranth. It is in his way... And it doesn't matter if Ashen would never think of hurting Nayeli. He /could/. Not much, or for very long, before Kein tore him to shreds, but it could happen. Until today, Kein never thought Revan would injure any of his family. He had plenty of time to hurt Cael, and didn't. Kein has had enough time to recognize the scents that were around Nayeli and Sketch, though... And to realize that he should have returned after getting Cael safe, waited for Revan to sleep, and then done everything he could to destroy that male. And the other one. He recognized that scent, too. Never again. Growling, in a rough voice, he says, simply, "Get out of my way. Go home." It will be hard enough just leading Nayeli past the cave, where someone could be lurking, even if that 'someone' would just be Kasim, Jinx, or one of Ohanzee's cubs. He can't turn his back even on this youngster, not for a second. Not now.
The boy trembles, sodden with fear and confusion. Ashen doesn't have the cognitive ability to tell him that Kein's state of mind does not stem from anything he did. All he knows is what's before him; an adult threatening him, and he cannot even comprehend why. He's never once been treated in this way. So he does the only thing he knows to do, and the only thing he's being /told/ to do. Ashen turns and runs, even as his eyesight goes blurred.
Nayeli - Female Cougar
Kein - Male Cougar
Ashen - Male Juvenile Cougar
- Wind-Blown Lowlands -
Were she one who believed in fate, Nayeli might conclude at this moment that such fate has a very twisted sense of humor. Sketch's life is ripped from her body in such a horrific fashion, and now.. Nayeli is spared? But why? Her eyes were clenched shut as she waited for the fangs to crush her own throat, but as the weight of Revan lifted off of her, she opened her eyes to see, with no small amount of astonishment, the brothers disappearing into the grasses. Why...? And then Kein's scent reaches her, and she suddenly finds herself sobbing out of relief and the terror that she can finally come to grips with.
Kein hears the cougars' voices, barely. What really gets him moving faster is the sobbing that comes soon after, though. Gripped by real fear suddenly, Kein runs as fast as he can, headed in the direction of the sobbing. His eyes fall on the body of Sketch, first, and Nayeli soon after. It is all too easy to tell that Sketch is dead, and Nayeli... Kein does not stop until he reaches his mate, his heart pounding from much more than just the exertion of getting here quickly. She's sobbing, which obviously means breathing, but he's so scared for the injuries she might have, and he can't bring himself to speak. He can't find his voice. It reminds him too much of finding his mother. He never saw her, but with the smell of blood strong in the area along with Nayeli lying on the ground crying is nearly too much for him to handle as he noses against her, so gently, taking in a breath to try to determine if any of the blood he smells is hers.
Kein's arrival is barely recognized, and though it's apparently the primary reason for the brothers' subsequent departure, and ultimately the reason for her continued life, Nayeli doesn't seem to visibly react to his presence. Through tear-filled eyes, she slowly starts dragging herself toward the mutilated body of Sketch. The body that only a short while ago was eagerly listening to her, smiling and enjoying their time together. Nayeli is no stranger to death, being a predator and having seen the dead bodies of her own parents, but to watch such a young girl mercilessly executed while she was unable to do anything to prevent it... it hurts, and deeply. If she hadn't brought Sketch here to teach her, or if she had been more attentive to their surroundings, or if she had fought to defend them, or if.. or.. or.. Still crying, the cougaress finally drags herself the last several inches and gingerly touches the canine's body, as if to confirm that she's really dead. That Sketch.. is gone. Dead.
She can move. She's capable of moving. Right now, the only thing Kein can find it in himself to care about is Nayeli. Ever since his mother died... Nayeli is everything to him. She provided him with his children. She remains the one grouding force in his life. If he lost her... If he lost her... He just can't think beyond that. It fills him with dread, and the knowledge that, had he been just a few minutes later, that could have very possibly come to pass... In the back of his head, a small voice tells him that it would be cruel to drag her away from Sketch, to leave the dog's broken body here, alone, but... Kein follows her to the very young dog's body, and after only a moment, he pushes at her with his nose again, just a little more forcibly this time, toward the north. Toward Amaranth, where he can ensure her safety. Where he can more easily make sure that nothing, no one, can get near her. Still, he is silent. What is there for him to say?
Though she was not injured much, Nayeli still feels numb, nearly as though she was in shock as well. It distantly occurs to her that she's going to have to tell Vincent that she was unable to save his mate, and she's going to have to tell Skelaghe that she was unable to save her friend. And yet Nayeli lives, with not a drop of her own blood shed. The canine is murdered, and the cougar lives to go on with her life, to continue to enjoy being with her mate, and enjoy being with her friends. How can she possibly face the two canids with this news? It's as though a heavy weight is pushing into her, crushing her with the terrible responsibility of what's happened here. And finally, she recognizes the weight as the gentle pushing of Kein's muzzle into her, probably trying to comfort her. She weakly turns her tear-stained face to look at him, opening her maw to tell him that this is all her fault, but all she can manage is a soft and strangled noise. Her throat aches, and despite her best efforts she cannot manage to vocalize her emotional burden.
In the coming days, Kein will think much about Sketch, along with the other two that were in his care for a short time. He may not have particularly liked Sketch, Skelaghe, and Vincent, but he did not /dislike/ them. They were never unpleasant, save for the one trespassing incident, and the dog did not deserve this. Still, right now there is only his worry for Nayeli, for what may have be done to her, for what she might have been forced to do or watch, and for what may still happen to her, here. Finally, he forces himself to speak. His voice is raw as he talks, as it is quite obviously difficult for him to force the words out through his tightened throat. "We have to go, Nayeli. Now." He /has/ to get her safe. There will be time for other things once he does that.
Dumbly, Nayeli struggles to her feet, nearly collapsing as the adrenaline is draining from her body and leaving her weak and trembling. Go. They need to go. But.. she can't leave Sketch's body here where the brothers might come back and do something with it. Can't they at least take it with them? Once again she opens her maw to talk, to suggest this to her mate, but she can't seem to form words past the severe ache in her throat. It's more than just an emotional lump.. the fangs gripped against her neck seem to have done more than just feel sharp and threatening. Were she a bit more in control of herself, she might feel a bit more panic at her inability to communicate, but right now her concern is simply the matter of getting Sketch's body out of harm's reach. The cruel irony of that she failed to do that already hits hard as she leans down to gently grab the body's scruff, trying to drag it with them. It's not easy, as she's both drained and weak.
Kein's current lack of being able to communicate on an emotional level does not extend so far that he is incapable of understand what Nayeli is attempting to do when she takes the dog's scruff in her mouth. Recognizing the weakness in her body, he again pushes at her. This time, though, it is accompanied by words. "I will take care of it, Nayeli." Yes. Now. /He/ will do his best to carry Sketch's body back to Amaranth gently, follow behind Nayeli. He couldn't stand by and watch her struggle with it. If she hadn't done this, he certainly would have left it, simply for his desire to get back to Amaranth as quickly as possible, but since she thinks it is important, he will bring Sketch back to Amaranth.
- Sloping Gradient -
It has been a long day, and it is far from over. The sun is advancing toward the horizon as Kein and Nayeli climb the slope leading into Amaranth. Kein is still carrying Sketch's body, dragging it as little as possible. It is clear that this dog is not prey he is bringing home. He would not have nearly as much concern for the condition of the body if he considered Sketch to be food. He's not sure how far he will have to bring Sketch into Amaranth before it will be safe from scavengers at least long enough for him to tend to his mate. She has yet to say a word, and Kein remains horribly worried as they pass into Amaranth territory, but he can hardly speak to her around the battered corpse in his mouth, and getting into Amaranth is still the priority. At least some of his concerns have been laid to rest. She is weak, but the way she moves suggests there are no serious injuries.
The largest of the late Ohanzee's cubs is in the process of heading /away/ from Amaranth. It's not that he had any intention of leaving, he merely has the bad habit of following his whims without any foresight or care. This time, Ashen has set himself upon a little stone. It's very round on all sides but one, where a corner juts out and gives it a veritable 'tear drop' shape. It also serves a function; whenever the stone goes rolling, it tumbles a way before the point eventually catches in the ground, and brings the rock to a stop. How far it manages to tumble is unpredictable each time and thus has turned into a game for the cub, who alternates between swiping with his paw, and chasing after his new toy. An unusual smell travels up the path, but goes unheeded.
Even if she were able to speak, Nayeli would have remained silent during the journey back, mind numb and filled only with the image of Sketch's look of horror as the life was crushed out of her. Her paws mechanically carry her inch by inch, yard by yard as she follows Kein back toward Amaranth territory. Toward.. safety? Can such a concept ever be realized again? Tunnel vision narrows her field of view to the immediate terrain in front of her, mostly filled with the form of Kein walking in front of her.
Kein's mind has been racing through the entire walk home, but centered in his mind is the thought that he has to do whatever it'll take to keep Nayeli safe. He is tense, more tense than he has been... Well, in a long time, anyway. Since Cael was cubnapped? regardless, he is not in a mood to deal with any stranger or near stranger, not even those of his own tribe. As such, when a small rock rolls into his line of sight, followed by an unrecognized male cub, Kein drops Sketch and bares his teeth at the creature. He is obviously not thinking in a particularly clear manner. The cub might not be any threat to him or Nayeli, but Kein has no intention of allowing anyone near his mate, right now.
Ashen's attention snaps off the rock for the first time, and it trundles away, forgotten. He hears something up ahead. Large, rounded eyes rise to find the larger, much older male. Amaranth's Chieftain. The sight of bared fangs, direction right at him, cuts deep within the cub's psyche. He shrinks back, not even aware of Nayeli or the corpse. It isn't long, however, before his vision expends to include the rest of the scene, and takes in the sight of Sketch. The horrible, bloody sight of Sketch. "Wh-what?"
It's not until Kein stops that she's able to snap out of the daze she's been in for the past while. Wha-? She's taken aback when she notices the bared fangs, and it's with a sinking feeling that she realizes that the two brothers have returned, and they're going to kill her, and Kein, and she's far too exhausted to do anything about it. But.. no.. it's a cub(!) and one that Nayeli seems to distantly recognize. Is Kein going to kill the young feline? What's happening? Her world seems to be rapidly descending into madness and she seems powerless to stop it. Sketch is dead and her mate is killing young cougars. Huh. The daze seems to have returned.
It doesn't occur to Kein that this cub has done nothing to deserve being threatened, that the cub is only playing. It is playing in between him and deeper Amaranth. It is in his way... And it doesn't matter if Ashen would never think of hurting Nayeli. He /could/. Not much, or for very long, before Kein tore him to shreds, but it could happen. Until today, Kein never thought Revan would injure any of his family. He had plenty of time to hurt Cael, and didn't. Kein has had enough time to recognize the scents that were around Nayeli and Sketch, though... And to realize that he should have returned after getting Cael safe, waited for Revan to sleep, and then done everything he could to destroy that male. And the other one. He recognized that scent, too. Never again. Growling, in a rough voice, he says, simply, "Get out of my way. Go home." It will be hard enough just leading Nayeli past the cave, where someone could be lurking, even if that 'someone' would just be Kasim, Jinx, or one of Ohanzee's cubs. He can't turn his back even on this youngster, not for a second. Not now.
The boy trembles, sodden with fear and confusion. Ashen doesn't have the cognitive ability to tell him that Kein's state of mind does not stem from anything he did. All he knows is what's before him; an adult threatening him, and he cannot even comprehend why. He's never once been treated in this way. So he does the only thing he knows to do, and the only thing he's being /told/ to do. Ashen turns and runs, even as his eyesight goes blurred.
