In Need Of Assistance (tagged and open to all)

[Deleted]

tovaana

Astral dashed through the fog, panting. She promised to leave, and she didn't want any of them to go after her. Suddenly, she stopped and fell, as she tripped and got her foot caught in a rather deep crack in the earth. She yelped, feeling a sharp pain in her left leg for a second. She stood up and tried to stand, only to yelp quietly and lift up her left hind paw. "Great... lose half my sight AND I twist my leg," She snarled inwardly. She limped forward again, before stopping near a straggling bush, her good eye wide, scanning the area.

[tovaana]

Rocks slid under her paws, a tingling sensation engulfing them that trickled up her golden legs. Her body came to a slow stop, tense and trying to keep still so she wouldn’t go tumbling down the mountainside. Tov kept still, and taking a small break she let her gaze wander out at the lands that the sun bled its light upon. Below her were the barrens, red and brown freckled with sage bushes. Beyond the barrens green sprouted in abundance, and now that she knew where she was going, she felt more confident… except for the ‘going down the mountain’ part. She glanced up the mountain, thinking briefly of Mettalise and the words they had exchanged. It gave her hope that there were kind and level headed wolves in the world still. Yet, in her bliss, her eyes caught hold of a random cloud that hung low in the barrens, as if hiding something. She shivered, and if on que, started to slowly make her way down the mountain again.

She found a rock the protruded at an angle that gave her muscles rest from the down climb. It was her second time down, and still she felt her body would never get used to the awkward angle. At this level, closer to the base of the mountain, she could see the cloud in the distance, looming - and now she could see a dark murkiness that seemed move on the ground like water in the roiling sea. Her chest tightened around her heart, fear prickling the hackles on her back. There was something ominous about the shadows and cloud and rain… It did not fit on the sunny day, even with the cool breeze that whipped at her white fur. Sure, there had been rain, but not so concentrated…

Tovaana’s heart thrummed and she felt herself push herself dangerously down the mountain, as if she could somehow dispel the gloom that loomed. More rocks rolled from under her, but instead of slowing down the last couple of feet, she jumped in a couple of strides to the bottom of the mountain. She did not stop, she was bounding toward the distant shadow, seeing a dark dot break away from the chaos – but while it left, it got stuck – or it stopped suddenly. Consciously, the white wolfess played with the strands of power in her mind, the golden shield that she knew she could whip out quickly if need be. She felt like she was going into battle, and her body felt fearless, but her heart said otherwise.

Golden-flecked eyes searched the brushes and dry land until she saw the dark form of a wolf. She glanced worriedly at the clouds that seemed to dissipate; leaving a crowd of wolves that loomed closer than before, but far enough away that she was not worried. She blinked, and suddenly the smell of blood filled her senses. It was not blood of prey, so it was not hunger that filled her like when she was hunger- it was wolf blood, and dread filled her. This was no injury like Joey’s. It was worse.

“Hello?” She said, knowing how dangerous injured animals could be, so kept her distance at first. She had the urge to ask if she was okay, but this wolf obviously was not. There was a slash down her eye and other scratches that bled on her body. Something was wrong with her leg too, or at least she wasn’t moving.

“What… What happened?” Her mind was whirling, thinking of what she could do. There was a plant or two she knew that could ease pain, but they were in the desert… There was nothing out here.

@falconsong – I’m playing this thread like after up at the mountain with Mettalise. I’m not sure what’s going to happen in our current thread with Mettalise & Tov. Maybe they go together to Taboo? If she follows her after that, maybe you want to put her here after you find out what her ability is, if you want? Though it may be confusing to add her here before she has an ability, haha. Feel free to join whenever, or PM me if you want to talk about what you'd like to do (:

[Deleted]

Astral jolted, hearing a wolf. "Hello?" She said, half in fear, half in anguish. Astral sat down, her pale eye glinting at the voice's direction. "Wolves of my same alliance, the..." she shuddered, trying to push back the horrid vision of the male. "Evil alliance. They thought me weak and gave me a good scar to never forget." She quieted her voice, afraid. A twig snapped, and Astral whipped around to see a rabbit. "Agh, I can't believe myself... Jumping at every little twig." She said to herself scornfully. Her face was calm, yet her eye were filled with pain and anguish.

[tovaana]

Tovaana listened, her eyes soft, but alert. Evil wolves, they were dark creatures that cared for little. But… Their own kin? She had felt it odd that there should be a division at all. How did one choose who they were, it was part of their identity it seemed, in their blood. Looking at the wolf, speckled in gray and purple – and blood, she wondered if one could change. She blinked, feeling frozen with helplessness, her ability was to defend, and she had not been there for Astral. Her white ears flattened against her skull, glancing at the dark wall of blackness, like shadows had been given a life of their own. She shuddered.

“Dark wolves, they did this to you?” She echoed her thoughts, still disbelieving. How did the evil wolves survive, if they were to prey on those that sided with them? Or was it there was of weeding out those who perhaps still had hope in their heart? Diminishing all light? She swallowed, unsure how she could ever face so much darkness. Yet… here she was, with this wolf who considered herself evil. She did not seem so much different than any other wolf, except for her wounds, and a real fear.

“Well you don’t need to worry now. I am here, and two is better than one.” She glanced up the mountain, knowing that Mettalise wasn’t far behind either. These days, it seemed that it was important that wolves stick together for strength, especially with looming darkness like blood-lusting wolves. Her stomach did flip flops at the idea.

“You will need to clean out your wounds – they look pretty bad.” She said, her golden eyes admiring the gashes with sympathy. "Or you may need a trip to White Magic... If you are losing too much blood..."

[Deleted]

"I don't need to see White Magic, I'm not feeling woozy or light headed. I'd feel like that if I lost too much blood." Astral let out a small smile, glad to have company. The smile disappeared as fast as it appeared, and she growled. "I don't think I could even be an evil wolf. I am weak, and I am different from other evil wolves." Her claws dug into the dusty ground, pale blue eye staring into the other female's golden eyes. "I'm Astral, nice to... meet you?" She said, uncomfortable. She never greeted anyone in a good while.

[tovaana]

A small wave of relief fell through Tovaana. The fresh wounds looked bad, but the wolf seemed confident enough that she was fine. While she was not convinced, she seemed well enough to converse, which was a good sign. She spoke of her doubts of being evil, being weak…

Tovaana met the pale blue gaze calmly, speaking gingerly on the subject. “Well, you have not tried to tear my throat out like a evil wolf would… And I dare say you don’t look weak bearing injuries like you are… but that, being evil or not, I believe, is a personal decision.” Her voice was quiet and kind.

A smile broke her maw at her tentative greetings. “Astral, I am Tovaana, and it is nice to meet you. Thank you for not attacking me.” She remembered as a young wolf coming across an injured rodent, she had gotten excited about her easy find. However, it had not proven so easy, as the injured rodent, feeling threatened, had thrashed out and marked her multiple times before Tovaana had killed the creature. Astral, being similarly injured, though not as catastrophic, had not reacted in the same desperate way. Instead, she seemed to be pleased for Tovaana’s presence.

“Are you okay to walk? Perhaps we she should leave the clearing.” Thinking idly of the evil wolves in the short distance who had attacked their own evil wolf.

[Deleted]

"What else could I do other than leave? They'd take me out in a heartbeat." Astral let out a low snicker. She was being serious, but she needed to do something other than sulk. "Tovaana.... what a name, I must say! Hey, that mark you have on you...what is that?" She said as she eyed the mark. She envied it, yes, but she knew she couldn't be mean. "The other wolves had markings, but they were different than that one you have." Her pale eyes shined as she loosened her stature, her tail swaying in comfort. "You're the first one who cared for me in ages, Tovaana. When we part ways... I will never forget your generosity."

[tovaana]

Tovaana took a side step away while her gaze lingered on the forms of the wolves in the distance. She was very eager to leave the vicinity of the group of the wolves, even if they were a fair distance away… It was still close enough to be tracked quickly. While thinking distractedly about how much danger they were in, she looked to Astral as she was eyeing her… not her, but the marking on her, with a look of coveting. As she could not look at her own face to reflect on what she was talking about she felt a little awkward for a moment, bashful, and warmth filled her cheeks.

She opened her mouth to speak, when the femme became softer, her voice more gentle as she thanked her in a round about way… She had done nothing to help the femme, she was just… there. And yet the femme was grateful. It showed there was more than just a physical barrier that could help someone and was need. Emotional barriers were needed, and emotional holes needed filling. The thought reminded her of Metallica and wondered where her she-friend was. Golden eyes glanced up at the mountain for a moment before returning to Astral, to answer her.

Tov wanted to say, ‘how sad’ or something about Astral not having been cared for in so long… She wanted to comfort her, but words escaped her – she guessed due to the proximity of the danger, her swirling thoughts, and the shock of Astral’s meek attitude for being considered “dark” alliance.

“You can consider me a friend then.” Tov said gently, meeting Astral’s emotional gaze. “And if I’m near, you can consider me an ally if you ever need help.”

She thought back to her earlier question about her mark and her stomach squirmed as she realized what Astral had said… The other wolves had had markings like hers, but different. As showing was easier than explaining she easily found her shield at the ready and in a blink there was a barrier that hovered close to her left, between her and the wolves in the far distance. One could see through it, but it sparkled gold like her stockings in the sun’s light.

“It’s the defense marking for abilities. I have the barrier ability. Have you heard of the White Sisters on the mountain? I hear Geist….is the dark White Sister…. After what has happened to you today, I would not suggest going to her… I hear she is little better than… them.” She motioned through her barrier toward the group. In a fluid side moment she hurdled her shoulder into her own barrier and she bounced off of it, and then it faded quickly. “Actually, I hear she is the worst." She amended and then quicky added, "That is, if you were thinking about getting a power for yourself.” She added, realizing she had presumed that the wolf was interested in getting her own.

[Deleted]

"I'm glad that we could be friends, and allies, as well." Astral smiled, her pale eye leaving the gaze it once was in. "A defense mark and the barrier ability?" She questioned, her eye sparking with curiosity. "The white sisters? No, I can't say I haven't. But, Geist?" Astral tilted her head in confusion. She saw the barrier, yes, but it didn't seem like it sparked any interest in her. Instead, Astral just nodded and said, "I was thinking of getting a power... maybe by the end of summer or the beginning of fall. I just want to make sure these scars heal, that's all."

[tovaana]

Tov’s head moved in a quick motion of a nod, once watching Astral curiously. She did not seem interested in a power. Perhaps Tovaana relied too much on her own… but her thoughts went back to Joey and their mishap with the crazy cat. No, she was glad to have her barrier in case there ever happened to be another situation to help someone. She felt a ping of frustration and shame that she had not been there when Astral had needed someone. How could she know? What use was her ability if she could not know where her ability was needed? Perhaps a pack would solve that problem.

“Yes, take care of yourself.” She said in a quiet tone, lost in thought. Her golden gaze turned down to Astral. She wanted to apologize for not being there, but she knew it had not been a fault of her own, she would have to accept that she could not help everyone.

“I am going to find a pack. You are welcome to join me if you wish, but it will not be in the vicinity of the mountain anymore.” She smiled and glanced over where the wolves were in the distance… She wondered how many there were, was there use in going to see, to stop them? But she was not one to stir trouble, but to try and stop it; she decided there was no use in going toward danger.

She looked again at Astral. “Do you need any more help with those wounds?”

[Deleted]

"I will. I promise." Astral replied and she sat down, staring down a bush for no reason. She longed to ask Tovaana more about the sisters of the mountain, but she didn't want to trouble Tovaana. Suddenly, her head snapped back up to the white female at the mention of a pack. "What." She simply asked, a dark shadow covering her pale eye in anger. To Astral, packs were the meaning of death to her family. They stole food and slaughtered those who defied them. "Sorry... but I kindly refuse. I have no use for a pack. I'll find my own way around here."

[tovaana]

At the mention of a pack, the femme had a visible reaction, and not positive. Her ears flattened in apology, but Astral only kindly declined. She glanced up at the mountain, wondering if Mettalise was going to be coming down. With a stiff nod and faint smile, Tovaana “I understand.” She did not completely, but she did understand that a pack was not how all wolves like to be. She, herself, had not been in a pack before… but with growing dangers like the dark wolves… It was better. Or so she kept telling herself.

“Alright. Good bye Astral.”

She said, standing there for a moment longer, eyes flickering toward the group of wolves. Her stomach did a couple of flip flops before she moved away from the scene, away from the barrens, toward the more promising greens.

-exit Tovaana-

[Deleted]

"Goodbye....Tovaana." Astral said calmly, her eye staring up at the wolf as she left. She sighed, knowing someone else could arrive, but she didn't want to be around. Slowly, Astral followed Tovaana, but dirfted off to another direction. "I hope, and I pray, to find other wolves like her..." She sighed, looking back at the wolves that had scarred her, literally. With a sudden spark, she growled and narrowed her eye, before leaping away from the barrens. She either was going to change to neutral, or stay evil and stay her own way. She thought, 'No wolf has the right to tell me what I should or shouldn't be.' With that, she went for greener ground.


~Exit Astral~