Rocks Underwater (Tagged and Open)

[Deleted]

The wildwater falls....clear water burbling over hills and crests until it roars over a small cliff where the soil has been long eroded. Limestone lines its banks and juts out behind the curtain. All along the stream flowing away from the falls graceful willows sprouted from the beds, bending fingers brushing the billowing cloud filled spring sky. Purge smiled as she stepped through the short, new green grass of the plains. The white shewolf would've stuck out like a patch of resilient snow if not for her dirty coat. The albino wolfess had traveled the valley over once before. But this time was different. This time she wasn't alone. This time she had Renegade by her side. This time she wasn't searching. This time she was new. This time she could be happy.
Her step was light, her head high, her ruby eyes bright.

On the way down the mountain, conversation had been scarce. Perhaps they were nervous, too nervous to bear their souls to one another just yet. After all, so much had happened in such a short time. Purge pushed through a small clump of willows before setting paw in the silty shallows of the Amoux Creek. The water was extremely cold, the result of recent snow-melt.

"Renegade, it's cooooold." She yipped swinging her head behind her to grin nervously. The black hewolf behind her was a wonderful wolf. He hadn't yet told her why he was in White Magic's den, but that would come later. Right now, Purge would enjoy herself. She turned back around, watching the swirling waters. In the center the water wasn't moving straight. She deduced that there must be a boulder blocking its natural flow. She made a note not to go swimming there. She didn't want to drag herself back to the healer for river broken bones.

Fierfly

[Fierfly]

Renegade:

Wildwater Falls, rushing, white, clear water over golden brown and silver gray limestone, sometimes there was even some polished white, reminiscent of the Mystic Caves further up the mountain from whence they'd come. The water was one of his favorite paradoxes: rushing but still, white and blue and clear, transparent yet hiding something different beneath the surface, revealing and yet a secret. And wasn't everything a secret?

Not today.

Today his secrets would end.

Purge smiled bashfully and bravely waded forward into the murky, earthy shallows surrounding the clear, deep pool in the center where water surged and then suddenly fell still. A quick gasp and near squealing yelp of surprise erupted from her maw and yelled from her eyes. He stood on the shore and grinned, striking white teeth grinning in subtle, kind amusement. He wasn't laughing at her, just at her reaction.

"It usually is," he gave his head a quick shake to summon up his courage and purposefully put his own leading paw into the shallows. Brr! Cold, tingling liquid fire encased his pads and traveled up his legs down his spine, forcing him to shake again as he continued to wade in after her. The water was cold, colder than was comfortable as two sets of chattering teeth attested to, but it was cleansing, and that was what was needed.

Renegade pressed further into the pool, letting the cold water awaken him and his senses as it came up over his hocks and knees and finally up to his chest. He glanced back at Purge: limp, dripping tail wagging slowly and gently, partly as an invitation to join him deeper in, partly to work out his nervousness. The trek to the falls has been relatively silent, but now it was time to talk. What all waited for them beneath the black and white walls that guarded each from the world? What all was still waiting? Time would tell - surely some of it would be hard and long, but he had a lot of time here where Water and Time rushed past heedlessly leaving the other to their own quiet devices - all at once rushing and silent and still. It didn't matter how long it took or what all would be revealed - he had time, and he could stand it. As long as he had Purge he could handle whatever Fate had waiting for him.

[Deleted]

It was a very different experience for Purge, being a new person. It was so raw, so exposed. She, of course, was still highly intelligent, yet she was completely new in other regards. She no longer flinched away from feelings and emotional commitment. However, along with this blank slate came a feeling of nothingness. She didn't know who she was anymore. But now, she could build a new personality with Renegade by her side. The black wolf was still himself, yet now her red eyes could actually see him. She could see the emotions, see the laughter. He was letting go too. This made her realize that they were both going through something entirely new. They had made something entirely new.

Purge let a shy smile twitch on her lips as Renegade motioned for her to follow him deeper. She looked down through the clear waters, gazing at her paws. They were white, no longer muddied by the travelers paths. They were clean. With a shiver, Purge lunged forward, submerging her stout body under the surface. She dug her claws into the rocks to keep her from getting dragged away. While holding her breath, she felt all the dirt and grime being purged from her coat. Soon she resurfaced.

She came up practically nose to nose with Renegade and she stared unafraid into his sapphire orbs. "Alright Renegade. Who are you?"

((Sorry for the shortness. Couldnt summon too much muse for this new Purge. I still have to figure her out.))

[Fierfly]

((No worries, now I have to write for a new Renegade as well, totally understand))

Renegade:

Purge's coy little smile that for once was not hiding a scheme or a secret underneath twitched as she considered his silent offer to come closer. She glanced at her paws before taking a quick breath and plunging underneath. It made him a little anxious the way she'd just thrown herself under the glass surface, but he was fairly sure that she still wanted to end the secrets that had been tearing her apart - no cause to worry that she'd do something foolish and/or try to kill herself. She still wanted to be free of them and there was still Volpina, whatever her plans were for that issue.

He pushed the worries from his mind and let the water wash them away as it pooled up and soaked his legs, chest and shoulders. A quick brushing beside him and Purge's keen, white head popped up in front of him, vermilion garnets smiling playfully up at him. This was certainly no time to worry - secrets would definitely be shed here and the rocks underwater would haunt them no more. "Alright Renegade. Who are you?"

The mild grin of amusement he'd been sporting now slipped into a thoughtful expression - not a scowl, but not easy - for this was no easy question to answer. His brow furrowed slightly as he thought on how to answer and his mouth fell into a short, consternating frown - not an unfriendly frown, but a lack of expression other than thought as he just stood there to think. Who was he indeed? He'd been hiding - shrouding himself and the world in mystery for so long that he wasn't sure. A brief smile overtook his maw again as he glanced back down at Purge. "If only I knew myself." There was one random peak of fur standing up on her elegant little head - unable to resist he let his teeth nip it back down and ruffle the rest. She was wet and ruffled, rivulets of water running down her neck and sides - so different from the composed white shield he'd known.

"I'm Renegade - I used to be someone I think or maybe I'm just a shadow alive. Whose I don't know, but I've always been a follower, been quiet, undiscovered. I think I once knew who I was or maybe knew who I followed as their shadow. Maybe I knew once - but I honestly don't know anymore. I'm willing to learn though." He grinned at another stray whisp on her cheek, "I'm willing to learn Purge. But now I wonder," he looked back into her eyes with an expression between teasing daring and serious curiosity, "Who are you?"

[Deleted]

The water was cold indeed. But she was even colder when she emerged. Now her thin white fur was chilled in the gentle breeze. He chuckled at her before brushing a floppy peak of her fur down. She shivered slightly before paying more attention to Renegades response. His face was solemn and thoughtful as if he were searching for something to say in that big mind of his. At last he began to speak. Purge's sharp ears ousted forwards and the white noise of the world washed away. The burbling and crashing of the icy waterfalls was drowned. The whisper of a spring breeze lost in the shushing grasses. All her attention was focused on him. It was strange, not caring about herself anymore. She wasn't her first priority. And she felt in her exposed heart that she'd choose his happiness over hers every time. However, if he was happy, then she was happy. Purge smiled softly as he spoke, figuring things out as he went.

"Oh, Renegade," She murmured, looking into his bright blue eyes. He didn't know who he was. Purge supposed that was alright, for she herself hadn't known much about him either. But that's why they were here. To get to know eachother, to shape who they were, to talk.

"Well..." She took a deep breath and sighed, letting what butterflies remained in her chest, out. "I, am-I suppose like you. I know who I was, and I don't want to be her. I don't want to be the manipulative villainess Purge. I don't want to stand above watching you fight. I want to become new. And...I suppose I have, White Magic and these waters have washed my slate clean. I'm new." She didn't break eye contact with her shadow as she spoke, her self finding speech more of a redemption number. "I'll tell you what, Renegade," Purge lifted herself out if the water and into a warm, dry rock. "We can find out who we are together." With her tiny wet tail, she motioned for him to join her on the rock.

She slumped against it, the dark bluish-grey stone quite warm, despite the chilly water and breeze. The sun still shone, and it shone down on both of them. IN both of them. They were new. They were two being waiting to be shaped, but not hardened. The time for stone hearts was over and gone; passed away like the night to day. Dark times would surely come, but together they would survive.

[Fierfly]

Renegade:

Purge smiled softly as he answered, tried to figure himself out. Clearly this would take some doing, but as he was so fond of reminding himself now that he'd found Purge, he had plenty of time.

Her expression similarly fell just a bit as he threw the question back at her and she tried to sort herself out. Purge was already one step ahead of him, she knew who she used to be, and she knew who she didn't want to be. That was a pretty good start, but as for who she was, she too drew up a blank. It looked like they had a lot of searching and learning ahead of themselves. Definitely would take some doing. How did you discover who you were really? When you'd been hiding from yourself, lying, keeping secrets, for so long - how did you find what was left when you stripped down to everything real you knew? What would be left? Would anything be left? Hopefully, hopefully...

Purge turned and clambered out of the chill water onto a warm, sun-soaked rock poking up out of the crystal pool. She turned around once or twice to get comfortable on her new perch before similarly flicking her tail to invite him as he had invited her deeper in. He smiled softly again and reached for the rock.

The summer sun was something of magic, he was sure. It was warm and soothing and healing to him this time, and he was not one for direct sunshine, but the warmth this time was satisfying. There was room on the rock he could have had his own corner if he wanted and left a generous two or three inches between him and Purge, but he wanted to be close to her, be with her as they took this journey, he wanted them to do it together so he scooted over until his long, dark body curled next to her short, light one and he could take in her scent. Pine, earth and a touch of the western wind, cool and comforting with a dash of something like ginger to throw you off guard, show there were still some surprises waiting. "Well, I'm going to need the help," he grinned good-naturedly and stared out over the crystal pool and the rushing cascade, his first home, his kingdom. "I'm ready to stop being secrets, not a mystery. Everyone needs a little mystery, but secrets...secrets tear us apart, they're wounds and hurts that if we let remain take us over. No Loup Blanc, I'm done being a secret. I'm done trying to hide."

[Deleted]

Purge lay stretched out on the stone, the warm sun caressing her fur. It was a good thing it was slightly overcast today, or she wouldn't be able to enjoy the warmth. Her sensitive skin would be blistering and her eyes would be stinging. But all was well. The albino wolfess was no longer alone, Renegade was with her, and when he was beside her, nothing could take her down. Of course she could be hurt and wounded, but as long as Renegade was beside her, all would be well. As he spoke she turned her face to give him a cheeky smile. This was a serious matter, and one must approach the subject with severity. However, Purge didn't know who she was, so why not approach such a conversation with a smile or a smirk?

"You are right of course. No more secrets." She grinned even wider as he continued on; appreciative of the call back to their meeting. It seemed like so long ago. It must've been merely a year, yet the memories were so far off. They were completely different wolves, all grown up physically and ready to grow mentally. Purge herself had gone through quite the character development all in the search of her sister. Volpina. The demon fox. The real plague. Purge's bright crimson eyes darkened as she thought of the long legged shewolf. Purge didn't know what to do about her, she didn't feel the need to destroy her as she once had, but the subject was definitely tugging at her from the back of her skull.

"In that case, Renegade, we need to talk..." She took a deep breath, her side expanding considerably against the boulder. "Volpina...she...she is a problem and I just don't know how to deal with it." She laughed mirthlessly. "And she doesn't even know she is a problem. She doesn't know anything about this..." Purge felt like she had taken too many days from Renegade, burdening him with her problems. However, she no longer felt able to run away and leave him. Besides, she promised not to be her past self or repeat her mistakes.

The water lapped and flowed around their boulder, just pressing on in it's endless journey. She supposed wolves must be like this river, moving forward, not dwelling on the past...but, what if the past was also the future?

[Fierfly]

Renegade:

Purge's devious little smile broadened at his call-back to their first time meeting. Loup Noir, had been her title for him, he'd called her a villainess, while his coat was still as black as night and he was still a wolf, Purge's name: Villainess, no longer fit. She said she was done with manipulation, done with moving for evil, she wanted something new, clean, she wanted to be new. White was new, white was the fresh powder that carpeted the Valley in winter, white was the young, fluffy clouds that came after a dark storm, both were new, both were white. He was Loup Noir, she could be Loup Blanc.

Her eyes darkened though as his words turned into thoughts in her mind. A short frown replaced that smile he was getting so fond of and she took in a deep, wearied breath. Volpina. Blazes she would remember something depressing right now, right as he was getting her to smile. She vented a little, her frustration over her confusion, the confusion that came with starting over. "Oh if answers came with the problems they solved, well...well then Mistress Purge, Life would be very boring." now was not the time to be funny, but there was something almost amusing about the whole frustration of not having answers only to discover it after you'd suffered to correct the problem. One of Life's games, one of her ironies.

Back to the matter at hand. He studied Purge thoughtfully, she was looking down at the rolling, surging water lapping against their boulder. So tumultuous, constantly moving. Life went on, it was how you approached it that mattered. "Well," he grunted, "Why don't we tell her?", knowing Purge (if he could claim to know anything at all) she'd probably be stunned with the idea, trying to decide if it was stupid or if he was joking. "I'm not saying it'll do anything," he cut in before she could protest against it, "Volpina's mind is her own, if she wants to do evil, or get under your skin then that's what she's going to do. That's who she wants to be. But if you want to try and cancel out the evil she's doing then maybe the best thing you can do is talk to her, let her know you want this blood-feud the two of you have to end. She'll do what she wants from there, but you don't have to be her clean-up crew, at least by putting it aside from yourself you'll be free of it. You can move on."

[Deleted]

Purge's brow raised and her mouth slanted, the picture of skepticism. She wasn't so sure about this finding her and telling her. Volpina was a complicated creature, just like each and every wolf out there. They had once been inseparable, best friends, two peas in a pod. But ever since Purge had gained understanding (what she thought was understanding at the time) of the prophecy she had destroyed their relationship by trying to kill her. Ever since that moment they had bed. The most bitter of enemies. Purge had torn both of their hearts out at that moment. Purge had thwarted Volpinas every attempt at recognition, power, fame, and love. Purge had taken everything from her half sister all with the self deprecation of herself in the wake. But now here she was, Volpina out in the valley like White Magic had said. Purge could go out and finish her life's obsession if she truly wanted to. However she was new, and better yet, she was with Renegade. Perhaps her intelligence was all a facade that she had convinced herself she had possessed. No, it was certainly there....but all of that arrogant cleverness had bounced her to sense and feeling. Perhaps she should relinquish her control and let someone else take the wheel.

"You know what? Why not?" She propped herself up on her forelegs. "We can finally put it all behind us. Get over it..." She licked his nose with a decisive huff. "But never forget."

[Fierfly]

Renegade:

Aaaannnd there it was, that look of skepticism and doubt like "Wait, are you serious?". Indeed he was serious, if she truly wanted to end the gnawing worry about Volpina, at least try to make amends between the two in some degree then the worst way to do it was not talk about it. Secrets, schemes had torn so many wolves apart, it had even separated these two for a short time, Purge's cryptic desire to end her half-sister's life and abrupt disappearance had taken the two apart for a spell, but they were together now because they'd stopped hiding from each other. No more secrets he'd promised her, maybe it was time for Purge and Volpina to stop keeping secrets too.

It would appear that his idea was just stupid or plain enough to be compelling because Purge actually agreed with it. Granted he had no way of knowing if it would really change anything between these two she-wolves but it was a start for the possibility. Purge leaned forward and brushed her rough pink tongue over the front of his muzzle and then...and then he was not rightly sure what happened. She'd just...what now? He felt his eyes widen and maybe dilate a little there. ...Wow....just...wow...Blazes he's was getting distracted! Now was not the time to be distracted and he worked to recover his slack jaw. "When do you want to go find her?" Amazing how one's mouth could keep moving when their mind was not present wasn't it?

[Deleted]

Purge chuckled to herself as Renegades ghostly blue eyes widened in shock. A tiny white fang slipped over her bottom jaw as she smiled wider. She watched patiently as the male scrabbled for a grip on himself, struggling for control. It was cute, and intriguing; that Purge could have such an effect upon the black male. When should they go? Purge flicked her velvety white ears up, looking out over the grasslands around them, thinking. Well....it wasn't like they were doing anything....they could go, "Now." She whipped her head back around to look him in the eye. "We could see some sights along the way, find ourselves together. Two birds one stone." She winced slightly at her metaphor, Purge didn't want Renegade to think she was planning on killing Volpina. Because she wasn't. "We could trot through the hunting plains, there's always something good to eat there." Purge's intelligent eyes hadn't missed the skinny frame both of them now had. That year long chase had worn them down both physically and emotionally. Now was the time to improve, together. Purge was planing the zig zagging route they would take, she didn't want to skip directly to the destination, Purge still wanted distance between her and her sister. It was strange wanting the exact opposite of what she spent her entire life on. But she just wanted to be with Renegade.

The heavyset shewolf stood, and shook out her drying fur before leaping back into the water to reach the shore once more. She shivered slightly as she emerged, sopping wet again. Good thing the world was warming up.

[Fierfly]

Renegade:

His vision was starting to return to normal...oh Blazes! Was she smiling? Yes, and it was that infuriating grin from the Ruins too. The smile of sly amusement for one of his weaknesses, it wasn't patronizing, but it showed that he'd lost his grip of perfect control. Yet...if he was fining himself then there was no grip to be had anyway...was there? Maybe he wasn't as far gone and missing as he'd first believed, there was something solid in the Shadow someplace. Something... Thank Mercy his mouth was still cooperating and Purge was still taking him quite seriously. Now. Now was good, why wait? If it would help Purge heal then it was something of a priority in finding herself. They would leave right now.

He nodded in agreement with her planned route. He hadn't been eating well, and neither had she, while still solid, a note of skinniness from poor feeding was starting to show on her frame as well. Another discovered thing about the new Renegade: he neglected his health...he would need to work on that.

Purge hopped back down into the cold water and waded back to the shore, dripping wet once again. Better not keep her waiting. He tried to guess whether or not he'd be able to make the shore from here and decided it couldn't hurt to try. He perched on the far side of the boulder for a few seconds before taking a quick skip to the near edge and jumping for the shore. He landed in the shallows, the water splashed up upon his impact and drenched him anyway, but he'd made it, yay. Purge already had their path planned out and he nodded in agreement and started heading in the general direction of the Hunting Plains. "Are you coming?" he shot over his shoulder back to his dripping companion shortly behind him.

[Deleted]

Purge watched Renegades attempt to leap onto the shore, his angle was okay, but it was still too far. He wouldn't make it without getting wet. And he didn't. Purge shrunk back as he splashed her with water from his impact. She opened her eyes with a grin before shaking out her thin coat. Water flew everywhere, making Rebegade impossibly wet. He grinned as well, asking her if she was coming. "of course!" She trotted forward with a haughty toss of her head. The two had been through a lot, together and apart. Renegade had been hopelessly trailing a wolf who didn't want to be found, and Purge had done unspeakable things before nearly going insane by chasing a shaded verse. "Race you!" She barked abruptly before jetting off on her quick paws. She ran along the river, laughing before looking behind her. "You coming?" She teased him with his own words before tipping happily and speeding back down the hills opposite side.

-exit Purge-

[Fierfly]

Renegade:

Not only were his legs sufficiently drenched from the leap but the water had doused Purge as well. She kept giving the good gift as she shook herself off traditional canine style and returned some of the moisture to the shallows, but mostly left it in his fur. So much for trying to keep dry. He gave himself one brief shake to get rid of the cold, drippy feeling and started off, grinning at Purge's playfulness coming back in a haughty toss of her head. She hurried to catch up with him then dashed ahead with a challenge to a race. Oh she was on. His own long, dark limbs snapped into action, acting like long, gliding wings as they carried him forward and he matched Purge's accelerating stride. She turned back to return his quip but he was already at her shoulder. "Of course," he assured her, and eeked ahead just a notch before falling almost shoulder to shoulder with the white phantom. Forget racing, they could run together.

-Exit Renegade-