Freedom and Contentment (tagged and open)

[Tiel]

@spiraaurina
@pittypat

~Amaya Nightfall~

Amaya sat in the center of the clearing, eyes closed, head tilted back, pleasantly absorbing the sun. Her coat certainly did not match the daylight, but she hated the nighttime. It was too dark. She blended in too much. Out in the daylight, it was a happy balance of dark and light. Amaya was satisfied with herself. She had caught a wild turkey earlier. It was the biggest thing she had ever caught. She had been learning more and more since the time she left her pack, and she had to admit, it was much nicer to be a loner than in her old pack. Everyone there seemed disappointed in her. They had expected so much of her. "You'll grow up and be a warrior like your brothers!" her parents had scolded her. "You'll defend your pack! You'll honor your family!" Amaya let out a cheerful soft howl. Ahhh, freedom. It felt good.

[Deleted]

Juniper has been making her way to the clearing. The blue she wolf with the northern lights patterned flank had traveled a bit. It was something she did often being a line wolf like she was. She paused just at the edge of the clearing as she heard a howl,her ears pricked and she lifted her head. Placing one dusty starry white paw after the other into the clearing,she followed the sound of the howl. She made herself obvious as to not scare off whoever had just howled. She recognized the sound,happy and free. She knew it well. As she approached she let her tail stay down. She approached in a friendly manner as she came into view. She could tell this was a pup and she had a pheasant. "Hello there little one"She said as she approached before she sat down slowly.

[Tiel]

~Amaya Nightfall~

Amaya stared at the she wolf. Her coat was similar to her own, but more colorful. She approached Amaya cautiously as though she was trying not to scare her away. This happened often when adult wolves met her for the first time. Between her stunted growth and her history of seizures, Amaya was just a frail little fawn as far as anyone was concerned. "Hello there little one," the strange wolf said in a soft, motherly voice. Clearly she knew about most pups, and how to be gentle and encouraging towards them for they were so clueless and had such fragile egos. Amaya was different than most pups her age and sometimes it was rather insulting when wolves made assumptions about her, but she forgave this wolf. How would she have known that Amaya was different when there was such a clear majority of pups who were not? She had approximately a ninety-nine percent chance of saying the right thing to the right wolf. But instead, she found that slim one percent.

What to say to this? Perhaps something shockingly intelligent to blow this wolf away? Amaya contemplated this for a short time but decided to do the opposite. Why not have a bit of fun with this she wolf? If she was expecting a ditzy runt, than a ditzy runt she would get. "Hiya there!" cheerful foundation established. Now something rudely observant. "Your coat looks weird! It's so..." Psychodelic? Mesmerizing? Surreal? "dreamy!" Success.

[Deleted]

Flint:
 Scrape scrape scrape, you are terrible.

  Flint was having a bad day.

Scrape scrape scrape, you lost her.

  This was normal for Flint, he had a lot of bad days after recent events. Losing his siblings somewhere along the line, now losing the love of his short life. His dull firey orange eyes stared at nothing now, lost in the memories. Her green eyes, her red fur, her lively and never ending chatter.

  It was easy to hate life when life hated you.

Scrape scrape scrape, you're hungry.

  Flint was still bone skinny. He had never been a big eater, he never seemed to have time for it. He only seemed to eat if someone made him eat it. He was a good hunter, amazing for his age. He always fed his blind sister, Jess, and her first. Then he would not eat for himself until the other two were done. Just these days, he never hunted. 

Scrape scrape scrape, whish, eat soon.

 The scraping sound of his long black claws in the dirt was driving him nuts.

Whish, rustle, other wolves.

  The sound of grass and flowers in the wind.

Rustle, voices, other wolves

  Something in the grass was moving. Flint perked up, eyes clearing somewhat and his ears perked. Voices, he heard voices. Eyes narrowing, he lowered to the ground. Bony frame and ragged fur bushing softly against the grass. It was there that he saw a pup and a she-wolf. For a moment, his hopes lifted. Then they were crushed by seeing her. She was not who he was looking for. Then he looked at the pup. Ears up, nose twitching, he watched her. He watched them both with his strange orange gaze. 

Rustle, talking, talk to them.
 
  Flint considered his options. He was undeniably lonely, why not talk? Wincing, he stood up. A wide, ragged gash over his bony ribs started oozing. It was scabbed over, but infected and smelly. A few maggots clung to it, hungry, fat maggots. Talking a step, he lowered his head and wagged his tail. "He... He.... Hello." He stuttered softly. 

[Deleted]

The she wolf blinked smiling softly when the pup hasn't ran off. Sitting down She flicked her colorful tail smiling."thank you your fur is beautiful too...My name is Juniper....what's your name....where is your mother little one"She asked inquisitively. She heard movement and her war flicked. Momentarily she was distracted from the pup as she looked in the direction of the noise and her bright blue indigo violet eyes blinked and she stood slowly tense for a moment before she saw the he wolf came out.Taking notice of his stutter and how he didn't seem like a threat she lowered back into her haunches looking at him."hello there who are you?"she asked voice kind.

[Tiel]

~Amaya Nightfall~

Juniper seemed cluelessly optimistic. It was apparent that she loved pups. The kind of wolf who never had any of her own, but always longed to be a mother. The way she looked at Amaya with kind motherly eyes, but the curious questions, Amaya realized how odd it seemed to find a strange pup on her own in the middle of the woods. She thought for a moment. It was probably better to act like a clueless pup for now. No need for insignificant acquaintances in her life, so she presented her name cheerfully. "My name is Amaya Nightfall....my parents are..." completely insensitive to banish me from their pack that I never wanted to be a part of in the first place because everyone is rude and condescending and just not worth mentioning. "I'm not sure. I'm just a little lost..."

She trailed off when she heard the sound of another wolf. She swiveled her head to see who had come. "He...he....hello." He was skinny and malnourished and in desperate need of some food. His voice was soft and quiet. Though his greeting was friendly, Amaya could see in his eyes that he was dying on the inside. He clearly had not even considered dressing his wounds or eating anything. This was quite common in wolves who were depressed. Amaya considered sneaking off and leaving Juniper to help him and be on her way to go hunt another turkey or something. But why did that idea seem so sick? Amaya did not even know this stranger and Juniper would probably be able to give him the care he needed. His wounds were not that serious, and with some medicinal herbs, food, and water, it could be a quick recovery. This was a very unfamiliar feeling, to have sympathy for another individual. The only thing any other wolf had ever done for her was toss insults and harsh words. Amaya never felt any need for friendships in her life. She could take care of herself fine without extra wolves in her life.

"You need to dress those wounds immediately." Where did that come from? "You better lie down. Get some rest." Well, I guess I'm going to help him then. Amaya looked into his eyes. Loneliness. Despair. Pain. He was depressed. Even if she helped him recover, he would just go and get sick again. He needed emotional comfort much more than physical. Amaya thought of the most comforting thing she could think of. "I understand what you're going through." That was a lie. The only word he had said to her was hello. She didn't know why he was depressed or how long he had been in this condition, but that was the best she could do for now.

[Deleted]

Flint:
Flint backed up at the sudden attention. He looked at the little pup, and he thought of his sister. She reminded him of Jess, and, as happy as that made him, it only ached more. He missed her; nothing else to it. "You... You look like my sis... Sister." He stuttered again, and cursed his voice. Still, he looked at her like a little sister. Then she told him what to do, and he obeyed. He had no idea how to dress his wound, frankly he had a feeling it was very far gone. "It.. It's fine. It doesn't even hurt anymore." Then he replied to the female's question. "My full name is Flintstone, bu.. bu... but I perfer Flint." Flint lay down, curling his scrawny tail over his red paws. Then he looked at the pup. "I'm not sure if you do.." He glanced away, screwing his eyes shut to stop the flow of tears that were threatening to escape.

Flint lay down his head on his paws. He wished for her, he wanted her back. He felt a tear trace down his cheek, and he sighed. Then glanced up at the female. "I like your fur." Then he looked back at the she-pup. "And you are very beautiful." He smiled, orange eyes warm and welcoming like a hearth in winter.

[Deleted]

Juniper watched as the pup spoke and she blinked but not overall surprised. She paused looking over the make before she finally spoke up."I'm sure it wouldn't hurt to know...I am Juniper by the way..."She spoke approaching the male."I'll take a look and see what i can find to patch you up"she said and looked to Amaya. She then lowered her head and started to sniff the sound carefully before she flicked her tail."I'll be right back"she replied. Her thoughts went over some herbs that might help cure his wounds or at least stop it. She looked around for a moment before she left briefly sniffing out some herbs before she gathered them up and headed over to the clearing. The grass rustling around her as she moved silently carrying a free things to help his wound. She came over hearing him say he liked her fur. She set the green down and smiled"thanks"

[Tiel]

~Amaya Nightfall~

"I'm not sure if you do..." Amaya's ears drooped awkwardly. Of coarse I don't. Hurt feelings. Broken hearts. Having relationships with other wolves is difficult. How could friendship be worth so much pain? Amaya felt slightly more comfortable when Flint complemented her coat. It was certainly unique. Only her great grandmother had the same one and was still alive. Or at least she was probably still alive. Of course Amaya was never going to go back to find out. The pattern that occurred very rarely in their family was a symbol of strength and honor, but Amaya never lived up to that. Not that she ever intended too. Let them think I'm a disgrace. The feeling is mutual.

Suddenly something odd came over her. Something familiar. She began to get dizzy. Oh, not again. Not now. Amaya had never mentioned to Flint or Juniper her condition. I suppose now is a good time for them to find out. Blackness began to cover her vision. Poor Flint and Juniper. They were going to be so scared. They wouldn't t know if she was alright. "I-I'm ok...." she mumbled, then collapsed. No worries, guys. This is perfectly normal, and darkness.

[Deleted]

Flint:
Flint shot to his paws when Amaya collapsed. He was next to her in a flash despite orders to lay still. She was not okay. He curled himself around her, trying to figure out what was happening. Not caring about himself, he tried to comfort her. He had no idea how to help. He looked despretly at Juniper. His orange eyes glittered with fear and worry. "Amaya, I don't know if you can hear me but even if you can't, try. I don't know how to help you. I want to help, you are a sweet young wolf and you are pretty. You are so much like my little sister Jess. You are both strong, you are both beautiful, and you both are brave. You are both adorable, and you both have the cutest faces." He wanted to protect her now, she was one of his own. "I'm like you, in a way. I'm wired, I'm terrible with social interactions. I'm decent at it but I'll never be as good as everyone else. I recently lost everything. My brothers, my sister, my..." Flint's voice broke, "My first love, I lost them all. I don't know your story, but I hope it is better then mine. I hope you are only lost so that your mother can come and take care of you and help you."

[Deleted]

Juniper watched unsure what to do as well. She was worried. She had closed the last few spaces and closed her eyes hoping that something would help the young pup. She opened her eyes and gently rested her nose in the pups for. She felt so useless in the situation. She knew about a few herbs but nothing that she thought could help the she pup. She cared for the she pup deeply and she relaxinzed that in that moment. She looked at the he wolf"you Dont know anything by chance do you"she asked hoping they wouldn't have to wait it out.

[Tiel]

~Amaya Nightfall~

Amaya blinked her eyes open to see bright sunlight. There were two wolves beside her, one mumbling something and the other burying her face into her fur. She looked at the first wolf who had a panicked expression. Oh, yes, that one was the depressed wolf, and the other was the one with a similar coat. Amaya yawned and her ears popped. She began to here more clearly. ".......never be as good as everyone else. I recently lost everything. My brothers, my sister, my..." There was a pause. This was good for his mental state, admitting everything that was wrong. "My first love, I lost them all. I don't know your story, but I hope it is better then mine. I hope you are only lost so that your mother can come and take care of you and help you." It was a bit surprising that the last part was about her, then she heard the she wolf speak up, saying something about knowing anything. Knowing about what? Oh.... My seizure, she realized guiltily. They were worried about her. That meant Amaya probably had to say something to them. "Seizure...." she mumbled. That word rolled out of her mouth different than she intended it to. "I-I'm prone.... prone to seizures. This is normal." Amaya glanced up at the he wolf, then her gaze drifted to a butterfly. Monarch? No, painted lady. Vanessa virginiensis- Stop it! Focus, Amaya! "My story..." she mumbled. "I was banished from my pack. They probably think I'm dead by now." Her voice was emotionless. She gave a slight snicker at the last phrase and how true it was. They had no idea how well she was doing on her own.