River's Edge (Closed)
Oct 10, 2017 23:43:34 GMT -5
Post by Rykett on Oct 10, 2017 23:43:34 GMT -5
((Another solo thread for continuity. This time with Mysti and Striken. This one takes place right after Pick Me Up whose ending will include Mysti deciding to leave Eternal Snowfall. 
))
Mysti:
Long loping steps brought Mysti back into the familiar Tranquil Meadows territory. Though she continually left for seasons at a time, this had become home. But no longer. While raising Jekyll, Mysti had centered her entire life around the pup. He had become her world. And now he was gone. Living without Jekyll and Savu didn't seem to be an option before, now she was forced to live without one of them. She couldn't leave the other for who knew how long. The world was dark and without Savu, Mysti feared it would grow darker, feared that she would dissolve into the very despair that she’d just saved Fierfly from. Where ever he was became home. Mysti couldn't live without him, that wasn't an option anymore. But she still had a home with friends and family in Eternal Snowfall, too. Two homes and Mysti couldn't live in both.
As much as Mysti loved Striken and Calypso, her mate and future pups needed her more and Mysti would never truly be happy without them. Now, she just needed to tell Striken and Calypso that. She paused on the banks of the portion of the Amoux Creek that ran through Tranquil Meadows. The sky's reflection rippled on the flowing surface of the river Lapping up cold water to quench her thirst, she took a breather, resting her tired body. She would continue on to the copse as soon as her panting and heaving breath slowed. The tall yellow grass on the opposite bank rustled as something moved through them. Mysti tensed, but instantly relaxed as two eyes gleamed from the space between the grass. "No need to keep sulking in the grass, Striken. I know you're there" her voice sounded tired, but she tried to smile for Striken's sake.
Striken:
Under the morning sunlight, Striken conducted yet another hunting trip. Prey was growing scarcer as the winter season approached. With winter approaching, his family needed food and it was up to Striken to provide it. Prowling through the grass, he sniffed the air. No scent could be found. The absence could be attributed to the wind. The air was still with only the slightest chill breezes from the North. Relying on his other senses for hints on possible prey, Striken continued northward until he nearly reached the creek. Pausing as he detected a sound, Striken couched lower, his ears swiveling. Creeping forward, he peered out from the grass to catch a glimpse of the animal on the river's edge.
A familiar voice greeted him and he erupted from hiding, joyfully. "Who's sulking!" he laughed. She had finally returned! Striken couldn't wait for the pups to meet their aunt and Jekyll would have some playmates. It would be nice to have Mysti back.
Mysti:
"You," she stuck her tongue out at him in a very pup-like gesture. This easygoing, teasing relationship was something that Mysti missed. She couldn't remember the last time she'd teased Striken or he'd teased her. They'd playfully exchanged taunts through puphood, but after their reunion, the danger of the world had pressed down on both of them and smothered whatever easy conversation they would've had.
Mysti splashed through the creek to the opposite side of the river where Striken stood. The water flowed strongly beneath the surface, but not strong enough to deter Mysti from her course. It was cold, nearly to the point of freezing, but Mysti didn't mind it too much. The upcoming season would freeze it completely soon. After reaching the bank, Mysti shook out her soaked pelt, spraying the surrounding area with the frigid water.
Both:
An indignant "Hey!" came from Striken as the droplets dampened his dark grey pelt. Then he laughed and touched her cheek with his nose in an affectionate gesture. "Where've you been? I missed you."
"Here and there," Mysti's answer was evasive, not wanting to ruin their playful banter with her news. "How's Calypso? Did the pups arrive safety?"
"You know about the pups?"
"Of course, I know! How could I not? Now tell me how they're doing!"
Striken felt stupid for not remembering how most of Calypso's pregnancy had occurred during her and Mysti's trip. He laughed, mostly at himself, "They're all okay! Calypso's found her sister and the pups are just little fluffballs of energy."
How many are there? What are their names? What are they like?" Mysti was fascinated to hear more about her nieces and/or nephews.
"Two, one boy and one girl. The boy's name is Timbre and the girl's name is Kokem. As for what they're like, you can come see for yourself. I'm sure they'd be delighted to play with Jekyll." Looking around, Striken realized that Jekyll wasn't nearby, "Where is Jekyll?" A hint of concern crept into Striken's tone. If something happened to Jekyll, Striken could only imagine how devastating that would be for Mysti.
"He's... uh..." Mysti swallowed, the despair welling up inside her. This was it, she couldn't hold back from telling him any further, "He's gone. He's gone and I couldn't save him." Mysti broke down. Tears flooded her vision and she looked at the ground as she sobbed.
Striken didn't have to imagine it. Jekyll was dead and Mysti was devastated. He moved closer in an attempt to comfort. "Mysti, let's get you back to the copse. Calypso and I will help you get through this."
"I... can't..." Mysti resisted, her thoughts turning to Savu and their unborn pups.
"Mysti..." Striken said gently, "I know it's going to be hard without Jekyll, but you can't just throw yourself away. He wouldn't want that."
"No, I... I'm going back to Savu."
"Savu?! You want to live with Savu?! Was that where you were? You know how I feel about him, Mysti. You shouldn't trust him. Please, don't keep running after him," Striken voice tightened as he spoke the words. Striken had never trusted Savu and couldn't understand what Mysti saw in him. He had seemed slightly unstable and very aggressive when Striken had met him. Savu was not the kind of wolf that Striken wanted his little sister chasing after.
"I do trust him, though. He's Jekyll's father and my mate! He would've never done anything to hurt Jekyll or me."
"And what happens when he betrays that trust? What happens when he, say... hurts you? Or when he abandons you to go have pups with another she-wolf?"
"I trust him. He wouldn't hurt me," Mysti repeated, "And he's past all that." As Striken stiffened at her last sentence, Mysti realized her mistake. "He-" but it was too late.
"Past all that?!" Striken erupted. His fur zapped with electricity and it exploded as well, seeming to swell Striken to much larger than his normal size. "Are you implying that he has abandoned you or has had other pups?!?!"
"Yes, but no, but he-he wasn't himself!" Mysti struggled to explain without incriminating Savu.
Striken's brow was furrowed with anger and concern as Mysti stuttered through words. He should've done something to protect Mysti sooner, maybe hunted that scoundrel down. Now at her weakest moments, Mysti was fleeing to him. He spoke one word in a deep, calm, somehow threatening voice, "Explain."
Mysti shivered. Striken sounded so much like her father. She gathered her words and spoke again, "He thought I was rejecting him. I wasn't, though... I was rejecting me. But he thought I was, so he left. He needed me, though, as much as I needed him. He-he was angry and he wanted revenge. He would never take it out on me, but he took it out on others. Other she-wolves. He tricked them and had pups with them and left them. He regrets his actions, he really does. He's reformed. He loves me and he loved Jekyll. He would've never hurt me and I trust him."
Striken's face was unreadable. His amber eyes were fixed on Mysti. His dark grey fur fizzled with electricity, sparking on tiny drops of liquid from earlier. Finally, he spoke calmly, giving firm instructions "You're going to stay here, in Eternal Snowfall, away from that monster. He's clearly got you wrapped up in a spell. I'll take you back to the copse where Calypso will take care of you and you can meet Kokem and Timbre, while I'll go take care of Savu."
Hardening her resolve, Mysti responded, "No, Striken. I can't. I'm going to live with Savu. I came back to tell you, so you wouldn't worry. You can't change my mind."
"I've got to protect you. I could never live with myself if I didn't."
"You don't need to protect me."
"Yes, I do. You're my sister. My sister. I've always protected you."
"You don't need to, anymore," Mysti turned away from Striken, looking towards the North where Savu waited for her. Glancing back at Striken whose power mark had ceased to glow, she spoke again, "Please, Striken. I don't want you worrying about me. I'll be fine. I'm going to Savu. Can't you just be content with my decisions, please?"
"No." It was a nearly inaudible whisper spoken more to himself than Mysti. Suddenly Striken darted forward and grasped Mysti's scruff. He began pulling her towards the center of Eternal Snowfall territory.
"What are you doing? Let me go!" Mysti cried as she struggled in Striken's grip.
"I've got to keep you safe," Striken said between his teeth, "You're never going to see Savu again. You're not going to leave Tranquil Meadows, either. It's not safe."
"No, you can't just keep me away from him!"
"I can and I will. It's for your own good!" With a steady pace, Striken dragged Mysti towards the copse. He thought as he walked, 'I can't let her go. She'll just get herself killed. I can't let my sister die, not again. Her happiness or her wishes don't matter as much as her security. She's being unreasonable. Why can't she see how dangerous Savu is? I saw it even before I knew about all the things he's done.'
"You can't do this to me! I'm not a pup, Striken! Let me go!" As Striken pulled her, Mysti dug her heels into the dirt. She wouldn't go. She had to get back to Savu. At 'go,' she twisted away from Striken with all the strength she could muster. His fangs tore into her skin as she jerked out of his grip. The moment she was free, Mysti fled into the creek.
Striken whirled to chase her. "Come back! I'm trying to protect you!" His power responded to the flare of his emotions and electricity crackled through his fur. Screeching to halt at the water's edge as he felt the electric buzz through his body, he shouted after Mysti, "You have to come back. You can't leave! I'm going to keep you safe if it kills me."
"Protect Calypso instead," Mysti said. She was frustrated and angry with Striken. 'What is he doing? Why can't he see that I finally found a sliver of happiness with Savu? Why can't he just be happy for me and leave me with whatever decision I make?'
"Mysti!" Striken shouted, his fur exploding again.
"Leave me alone!" Turning waist-deep in water as she began speaking, her power mark glowed. Mysti thrust a paw forward at the last word and a small wave of water heeded her mental command. It reared from the river and choppily crashed into Striken.
Striken:
The effect was immediate. A spasmatic shudder of electricity ran through his body as the water hit him. Striken shouted in pain as the painful shock turned the energy rush into momentum that flung him away from the shore. Sparks of miniature lightning danced on his wet pelt sending wave after wave of burning pain every time a spark touched his skin. On impact with the ground, the blackness of unconsciousness overtook him.
"Striken?" Mysti's scared, small voice was distant and echoing through the film of unconsciousness.
"Striken?" the voice was different, younger, and clearer. "I'm scared."
"You don't need to be. I'm here to protect you."
"I don't think you can protect me from this. I..." A fit of soft, wet-sounding cough interrupted the sentence. When the coughing had subsided, the voice spoke again. It was weaker, "I can't stay."
"B... but... you have to stay. If not for me, then for Mysti! Talr, she's gonna need us both."
"I... I... I'm scared." There was more coughing. "Striken?" the voice was fading. "Striken?" Two voices spoke in unison, one becoming stronger, the other weaker. "Striken?" It was only Mysti speaking. His amber eyes fluttered open to look at the dripping Mysti walking out of the river.
Mysti:
Mysti couldn't believe what she'd done. Striken was just laying there. She couldn't tell if he was breathing. 'I've killed him! Oh, Power! I've killed him,' She struggled to remain calm as the thoughts ran through her head. She called his name several times as she waded as quickly as she could towards the river bank. As she reached to touch his soaking fur, his amber eyes flicked open. A sigh of relief escaped her. He was alive. Her white paw retreated slightly as his black pupils focused on her.
"Striken! Thank Goodness! You're alive. I thought... I thought I killed you!" Tears pricked the edges of her sky blue eyes with the realization of how close death had seemed. She'd nearly lost her only sibling.
Striken:
Striken was silent, unmoving, staring at Mysti stoically as she spoke. He felt disappointed, no more than that, betrayed. Maybe it was his fault? No, he was just trying to protect, Mysti. Why couldn't she understand that he couldn't lose her? Not again. She was probably just delusional with her despair. Mysti opened her mouth as if to speak, but rethought her words. Looking away from Striken's hard gaze, she turned. With one last glance back, Mysti galloped through the stream and disappeared. A deep, depressed sigh escaped his lips and Striken pushed himself up. Groaning with pain, he stood and limped back towards the copse. His face remained stoic and his eyes hard.
-Exit Striken-
Mysti:
Tears streamed down Mysti's cheeks as she left Tranquil Meadows. What had she done? For that matter, what could she have done differently? Was it right to just leave without a word? What could she have said? I'm sorry? I was wrong? I made a mistake? You'll never see me again? No... nothing Mysti could think of felt right. What could she have done? Helped him up? Gave him a lick goodbye? Again, no. With Striken's sudden forceful action, she couldn't trust him anymore... That fact stung, digging deeply into Mysti with every step she took away.
-Exit Mysti-
))Mysti:
Long loping steps brought Mysti back into the familiar Tranquil Meadows territory. Though she continually left for seasons at a time, this had become home. But no longer. While raising Jekyll, Mysti had centered her entire life around the pup. He had become her world. And now he was gone. Living without Jekyll and Savu didn't seem to be an option before, now she was forced to live without one of them. She couldn't leave the other for who knew how long. The world was dark and without Savu, Mysti feared it would grow darker, feared that she would dissolve into the very despair that she’d just saved Fierfly from. Where ever he was became home. Mysti couldn't live without him, that wasn't an option anymore. But she still had a home with friends and family in Eternal Snowfall, too. Two homes and Mysti couldn't live in both.
As much as Mysti loved Striken and Calypso, her mate and future pups needed her more and Mysti would never truly be happy without them. Now, she just needed to tell Striken and Calypso that. She paused on the banks of the portion of the Amoux Creek that ran through Tranquil Meadows. The sky's reflection rippled on the flowing surface of the river Lapping up cold water to quench her thirst, she took a breather, resting her tired body. She would continue on to the copse as soon as her panting and heaving breath slowed. The tall yellow grass on the opposite bank rustled as something moved through them. Mysti tensed, but instantly relaxed as two eyes gleamed from the space between the grass. "No need to keep sulking in the grass, Striken. I know you're there" her voice sounded tired, but she tried to smile for Striken's sake.
Striken:
Under the morning sunlight, Striken conducted yet another hunting trip. Prey was growing scarcer as the winter season approached. With winter approaching, his family needed food and it was up to Striken to provide it. Prowling through the grass, he sniffed the air. No scent could be found. The absence could be attributed to the wind. The air was still with only the slightest chill breezes from the North. Relying on his other senses for hints on possible prey, Striken continued northward until he nearly reached the creek. Pausing as he detected a sound, Striken couched lower, his ears swiveling. Creeping forward, he peered out from the grass to catch a glimpse of the animal on the river's edge.
A familiar voice greeted him and he erupted from hiding, joyfully. "Who's sulking!" he laughed. She had finally returned! Striken couldn't wait for the pups to meet their aunt and Jekyll would have some playmates. It would be nice to have Mysti back.
Mysti:
"You," she stuck her tongue out at him in a very pup-like gesture. This easygoing, teasing relationship was something that Mysti missed. She couldn't remember the last time she'd teased Striken or he'd teased her. They'd playfully exchanged taunts through puphood, but after their reunion, the danger of the world had pressed down on both of them and smothered whatever easy conversation they would've had.
Mysti splashed through the creek to the opposite side of the river where Striken stood. The water flowed strongly beneath the surface, but not strong enough to deter Mysti from her course. It was cold, nearly to the point of freezing, but Mysti didn't mind it too much. The upcoming season would freeze it completely soon. After reaching the bank, Mysti shook out her soaked pelt, spraying the surrounding area with the frigid water.
Both:
An indignant "Hey!" came from Striken as the droplets dampened his dark grey pelt. Then he laughed and touched her cheek with his nose in an affectionate gesture. "Where've you been? I missed you."
"Here and there," Mysti's answer was evasive, not wanting to ruin their playful banter with her news. "How's Calypso? Did the pups arrive safety?"
"You know about the pups?"
"Of course, I know! How could I not? Now tell me how they're doing!"
Striken felt stupid for not remembering how most of Calypso's pregnancy had occurred during her and Mysti's trip. He laughed, mostly at himself, "They're all okay! Calypso's found her sister and the pups are just little fluffballs of energy."
How many are there? What are their names? What are they like?" Mysti was fascinated to hear more about her nieces and/or nephews.
"Two, one boy and one girl. The boy's name is Timbre and the girl's name is Kokem. As for what they're like, you can come see for yourself. I'm sure they'd be delighted to play with Jekyll." Looking around, Striken realized that Jekyll wasn't nearby, "Where is Jekyll?" A hint of concern crept into Striken's tone. If something happened to Jekyll, Striken could only imagine how devastating that would be for Mysti.
"He's... uh..." Mysti swallowed, the despair welling up inside her. This was it, she couldn't hold back from telling him any further, "He's gone. He's gone and I couldn't save him." Mysti broke down. Tears flooded her vision and she looked at the ground as she sobbed.
Striken didn't have to imagine it. Jekyll was dead and Mysti was devastated. He moved closer in an attempt to comfort. "Mysti, let's get you back to the copse. Calypso and I will help you get through this."
"I... can't..." Mysti resisted, her thoughts turning to Savu and their unborn pups.
"Mysti..." Striken said gently, "I know it's going to be hard without Jekyll, but you can't just throw yourself away. He wouldn't want that."
"No, I... I'm going back to Savu."
"Savu?! You want to live with Savu?! Was that where you were? You know how I feel about him, Mysti. You shouldn't trust him. Please, don't keep running after him," Striken voice tightened as he spoke the words. Striken had never trusted Savu and couldn't understand what Mysti saw in him. He had seemed slightly unstable and very aggressive when Striken had met him. Savu was not the kind of wolf that Striken wanted his little sister chasing after.
"I do trust him, though. He's Jekyll's father and my mate! He would've never done anything to hurt Jekyll or me."
"And what happens when he betrays that trust? What happens when he, say... hurts you? Or when he abandons you to go have pups with another she-wolf?"
"I trust him. He wouldn't hurt me," Mysti repeated, "And he's past all that." As Striken stiffened at her last sentence, Mysti realized her mistake. "He-" but it was too late.
"Past all that?!" Striken erupted. His fur zapped with electricity and it exploded as well, seeming to swell Striken to much larger than his normal size. "Are you implying that he has abandoned you or has had other pups?!?!"
"Yes, but no, but he-he wasn't himself!" Mysti struggled to explain without incriminating Savu.
Striken's brow was furrowed with anger and concern as Mysti stuttered through words. He should've done something to protect Mysti sooner, maybe hunted that scoundrel down. Now at her weakest moments, Mysti was fleeing to him. He spoke one word in a deep, calm, somehow threatening voice, "Explain."
Mysti shivered. Striken sounded so much like her father. She gathered her words and spoke again, "He thought I was rejecting him. I wasn't, though... I was rejecting me. But he thought I was, so he left. He needed me, though, as much as I needed him. He-he was angry and he wanted revenge. He would never take it out on me, but he took it out on others. Other she-wolves. He tricked them and had pups with them and left them. He regrets his actions, he really does. He's reformed. He loves me and he loved Jekyll. He would've never hurt me and I trust him."
Striken's face was unreadable. His amber eyes were fixed on Mysti. His dark grey fur fizzled with electricity, sparking on tiny drops of liquid from earlier. Finally, he spoke calmly, giving firm instructions "You're going to stay here, in Eternal Snowfall, away from that monster. He's clearly got you wrapped up in a spell. I'll take you back to the copse where Calypso will take care of you and you can meet Kokem and Timbre, while I'll go take care of Savu."
Hardening her resolve, Mysti responded, "No, Striken. I can't. I'm going to live with Savu. I came back to tell you, so you wouldn't worry. You can't change my mind."
"I've got to protect you. I could never live with myself if I didn't."
"You don't need to protect me."
"Yes, I do. You're my sister. My sister. I've always protected you."
"You don't need to, anymore," Mysti turned away from Striken, looking towards the North where Savu waited for her. Glancing back at Striken whose power mark had ceased to glow, she spoke again, "Please, Striken. I don't want you worrying about me. I'll be fine. I'm going to Savu. Can't you just be content with my decisions, please?"
"No." It was a nearly inaudible whisper spoken more to himself than Mysti. Suddenly Striken darted forward and grasped Mysti's scruff. He began pulling her towards the center of Eternal Snowfall territory.
"What are you doing? Let me go!" Mysti cried as she struggled in Striken's grip.
"I've got to keep you safe," Striken said between his teeth, "You're never going to see Savu again. You're not going to leave Tranquil Meadows, either. It's not safe."
"No, you can't just keep me away from him!"
"I can and I will. It's for your own good!" With a steady pace, Striken dragged Mysti towards the copse. He thought as he walked, 'I can't let her go. She'll just get herself killed. I can't let my sister die, not again. Her happiness or her wishes don't matter as much as her security. She's being unreasonable. Why can't she see how dangerous Savu is? I saw it even before I knew about all the things he's done.'
"You can't do this to me! I'm not a pup, Striken! Let me go!" As Striken pulled her, Mysti dug her heels into the dirt. She wouldn't go. She had to get back to Savu. At 'go,' she twisted away from Striken with all the strength she could muster. His fangs tore into her skin as she jerked out of his grip. The moment she was free, Mysti fled into the creek.
Striken whirled to chase her. "Come back! I'm trying to protect you!" His power responded to the flare of his emotions and electricity crackled through his fur. Screeching to halt at the water's edge as he felt the electric buzz through his body, he shouted after Mysti, "You have to come back. You can't leave! I'm going to keep you safe if it kills me."
"Protect Calypso instead," Mysti said. She was frustrated and angry with Striken. 'What is he doing? Why can't he see that I finally found a sliver of happiness with Savu? Why can't he just be happy for me and leave me with whatever decision I make?'
"Mysti!" Striken shouted, his fur exploding again.
"Leave me alone!" Turning waist-deep in water as she began speaking, her power mark glowed. Mysti thrust a paw forward at the last word and a small wave of water heeded her mental command. It reared from the river and choppily crashed into Striken.
Striken:
The effect was immediate. A spasmatic shudder of electricity ran through his body as the water hit him. Striken shouted in pain as the painful shock turned the energy rush into momentum that flung him away from the shore. Sparks of miniature lightning danced on his wet pelt sending wave after wave of burning pain every time a spark touched his skin. On impact with the ground, the blackness of unconsciousness overtook him.
"Striken?" Mysti's scared, small voice was distant and echoing through the film of unconsciousness.
"Striken?" the voice was different, younger, and clearer. "I'm scared."
"You don't need to be. I'm here to protect you."
"I don't think you can protect me from this. I..." A fit of soft, wet-sounding cough interrupted the sentence. When the coughing had subsided, the voice spoke again. It was weaker, "I can't stay."
"B... but... you have to stay. If not for me, then for Mysti! Talr, she's gonna need us both."
"I... I... I'm scared." There was more coughing. "Striken?" the voice was fading. "Striken?" Two voices spoke in unison, one becoming stronger, the other weaker. "Striken?" It was only Mysti speaking. His amber eyes fluttered open to look at the dripping Mysti walking out of the river.
Mysti:
Mysti couldn't believe what she'd done. Striken was just laying there. She couldn't tell if he was breathing. 'I've killed him! Oh, Power! I've killed him,' She struggled to remain calm as the thoughts ran through her head. She called his name several times as she waded as quickly as she could towards the river bank. As she reached to touch his soaking fur, his amber eyes flicked open. A sigh of relief escaped her. He was alive. Her white paw retreated slightly as his black pupils focused on her.
"Striken! Thank Goodness! You're alive. I thought... I thought I killed you!" Tears pricked the edges of her sky blue eyes with the realization of how close death had seemed. She'd nearly lost her only sibling.
Striken:
Striken was silent, unmoving, staring at Mysti stoically as she spoke. He felt disappointed, no more than that, betrayed. Maybe it was his fault? No, he was just trying to protect, Mysti. Why couldn't she understand that he couldn't lose her? Not again. She was probably just delusional with her despair. Mysti opened her mouth as if to speak, but rethought her words. Looking away from Striken's hard gaze, she turned. With one last glance back, Mysti galloped through the stream and disappeared. A deep, depressed sigh escaped his lips and Striken pushed himself up. Groaning with pain, he stood and limped back towards the copse. His face remained stoic and his eyes hard.
-Exit Striken-
Mysti:
Tears streamed down Mysti's cheeks as she left Tranquil Meadows. What had she done? For that matter, what could she have done differently? Was it right to just leave without a word? What could she have said? I'm sorry? I was wrong? I made a mistake? You'll never see me again? No... nothing Mysti could think of felt right. What could she have done? Helped him up? Gave him a lick goodbye? Again, no. With Striken's sudden forceful action, she couldn't trust him anymore... That fact stung, digging deeply into Mysti with every step she took away.
-Exit Mysti-
