June 26, 2018, 11:33 PM
(This post was last modified: June 28, 2018, 02:17 PM by Titmouse (Ghost).)
It was late—nearly morning, actually. The barest filament of sunlight was just beginning to spread across the horizon but the sea does not care. There is nothing amiss; the sea moves constantly, drumming across the stacks of stone. Foam builds between them and then the tide draws back, repeatedly, endlessly—it has been this way for so long, and it would not cease. The sea did not care as it wore away the stone. It did not care when it deposited layers of seaweed and shell across the lowest reaches.
By the time the sun has risen to a golden band of light, and the summer warmth begins to catch the raucous water, there is something else upon the irregular shore. The tide is coming in, pedantic, almost lazy in its administration. It deposits a bundle of dark grey netted in slick green weeds; after a moment, as the sea returns (perhaps to check on its gift), a thin tendril of red drifts from the bundle and muddies the water.
In time, he would be dead. Expectant of this, waking gulls begin to take flight to find themselves a meal—but they find him, this sad, useless, unwanted thing, and begin to call for reinforcements.
By the time the sun has risen to a golden band of light, and the summer warmth begins to catch the raucous water, there is something else upon the irregular shore. The tide is coming in, pedantic, almost lazy in its administration. It deposits a bundle of dark grey netted in slick green weeds; after a moment, as the sea returns (perhaps to check on its gift), a thin tendril of red drifts from the bundle and muddies the water.
In time, he would be dead. Expectant of this, waking gulls begin to take flight to find themselves a meal—but they find him, this sad, useless, unwanted thing, and begin to call for reinforcements.
June 27, 2018, 12:07 AM
The lagoon was one of her favorite places. There was never a lack of things to do, or animals to be seen. She could practice her fishing, here. It was a quiet place to pray, to get away from the world for a little bit. And the sun looked so beautiful, rising over the water. She rose just at dawn and headed that way, in time to see the golden orb climb through the sky.
So captivated was she by the sight that she missed the lump of gray-green on the shore, initially. It was the squawking birds that drew her attention; they didn't make such a racket unless they'd found food. Her mismatched gaze lowered to them, and to the distinctly wolf-shaped object that they surrounded. Curious--and a bit alarmed--she padded quickly towards the water, pace increasing as her vision confirmed that it was, indeed, a wolf.
Waterlogged and wounded. Blood oozed from the body, which was barely alive; the rise and fall of ribs gave that away. The birds flapped their wings indignantly at her as she approached, but she paid them no mind, her focus solely for the wolf. A little timidly, Maegi nosed the man's shoulder, then his cheek, hoping to rouse him. She took a clumsy step back as she realized he was missing an eye, and cocked her head, intrigued.
Marred, like her. But clearly on death's door. Tipping her nose back, she howled for Stockholm, knowing that Coelacanth had just given birth and might not be up to coming down to the shore at this time. Then she began to gather seaweed from the edge of the water, wondering if it might have the same blood-soaking effect that moss did so well for wounds.
So captivated was she by the sight that she missed the lump of gray-green on the shore, initially. It was the squawking birds that drew her attention; they didn't make such a racket unless they'd found food. Her mismatched gaze lowered to them, and to the distinctly wolf-shaped object that they surrounded. Curious--and a bit alarmed--she padded quickly towards the water, pace increasing as her vision confirmed that it was, indeed, a wolf.
Waterlogged and wounded. Blood oozed from the body, which was barely alive; the rise and fall of ribs gave that away. The birds flapped their wings indignantly at her as she approached, but she paid them no mind, her focus solely for the wolf. A little timidly, Maegi nosed the man's shoulder, then his cheek, hoping to rouse him. She took a clumsy step back as she realized he was missing an eye, and cocked her head, intrigued.
Marred, like her. But clearly on death's door. Tipping her nose back, she howled for Stockholm, knowing that Coelacanth had just given birth and might not be up to coming down to the shore at this time. Then she began to gather seaweed from the edge of the water, wondering if it might have the same blood-soaking effect that moss did so well for wounds.
June 27, 2018, 02:42 PM
She'd have to agree that the lagoon was a place of peace - it held many wonderful secrets, and it was always the perfect option if you were looking to relax. Faeryn herself was looking to do just that, but it appeared she would not be alone. There was a pale figure in the distance, but almost as soon as she spotted them a summon was released into the air, and the slyph's ears instantly perked. Something was up.
Her pace picked up, and although the call had not been for herself, she'd come and see what was happening anyway, brows furrowing with concern. "Hello?" Came her voice, distance gradually closing between the Renoda and the other girl (whom she'd not met, but definitely seen before). As her paws brought her closer, she at last caught sight of the body laying limp in the water, a pool of red amongst the green seaweed. Faeryn was most definitely caught off guard, though she'd already known what dangers the ocean could bring. What happened to this one?
Her pace picked up, and although the call had not been for herself, she'd come and see what was happening anyway, brows furrowing with concern. "Hello?" Came her voice, distance gradually closing between the Renoda and the other girl (whom she'd not met, but definitely seen before). As her paws brought her closer, she at last caught sight of the body laying limp in the water, a pool of red amongst the green seaweed. Faeryn was most definitely caught off guard, though she'd already known what dangers the ocean could bring. What happened to this one?
I see quiet nights,
poured over ice
poured over ice
June 28, 2018, 11:11 AM
Following the birth of his children, Stockholm has become both more protective and more reclusive. He spends most of his time with Seelie in the Labyrinth, which is a weird place to want to give birth, in his opinion. Seelie never seems to worry that they’re going to topple over the edge of her bowl-like den and fall into the water, though; and he’s not dumb enough to argue with a new mother about where she should raise her kids. He’s known cats to give birth in some of the weirdest places imaginable, and honestly? If she wanted to have babies on the edge of a cliff, he’d make it work, stretching out his larger body to keep his children from being swept away.
The sound of a howl draws him reluctantly from his mate’s side; but he moves swiftly, hearing the urgency there. “Hey, Faeryn, Maegi,” he chuffs warmly, arriving on the scene. His brow furrows and his cropped ears prick alertly as he takes in the scene and moves closer. It takes him a few seconds, but recognition sparks in his golden eyes. “We met him at the Hunter’s Moon, remember?” he asks the blue wolfess, then explains to Maegi so she won’t feel excluded, “Seelie’s friend. She calls him Mouse.”
There’s no question in his eyes now, just a quiet certainty. Mouse is injured, and they need to move him inland, but he doesn’t want either of them to risk getting bitten. “Stay back,” he rumbles a low warning. Even near death, those jaws are still a danger — so he howls to summon Moorhen and Hemlock, and then tests the body with a firm nudge of his muzzle between the shoulders. It’s clear from this close vantage point that something got the young wolf around the neck, which doesn’t bode well.
The sound of a howl draws him reluctantly from his mate’s side; but he moves swiftly, hearing the urgency there. “Hey, Faeryn, Maegi,” he chuffs warmly, arriving on the scene. His brow furrows and his cropped ears prick alertly as he takes in the scene and moves closer. It takes him a few seconds, but recognition sparks in his golden eyes. “We met him at the Hunter’s Moon, remember?” he asks the blue wolfess, then explains to Maegi so she won’t feel excluded, “Seelie’s friend. She calls him Mouse.”
There’s no question in his eyes now, just a quiet certainty. Mouse is injured, and they need to move him inland, but he doesn’t want either of them to risk getting bitten. “Stay back,” he rumbles a low warning. Even near death, those jaws are still a danger — so he howls to summon Moorhen and Hemlock, and then tests the body with a firm nudge of his muzzle between the shoulders. It’s clear from this close vantage point that something got the young wolf around the neck, which doesn’t bode well.
June 28, 2018, 02:21 PM
The body was a mess, but it was lucky too. The fall from such great heights had pulverized parts of it — broken ribs, cracked the pelvis — and then the subsequent tossing of the body through the water, and its slam across the irregular shore where it had been netted by weeds and forgotten, left limbs twisted at odd degrees and various lacerations from the stone across the flesh. The chances of this amounting to any form of life, even after many months of rehabilitation, were slim. Surely the wolves that gathered were aware of this — did they dare take the chance to save an old friend from the eternal sleep? Could they? Time would tell.
For now, blood continued to seep from the deep wound upon the body's throat; with some tending, Maegi had managed to prevent excessive blood loss beyond what had already occurred — but the poor mass was soaking in salt water, struggling to autonomously breathe, and would not be long for the world without intervention (perhaps even a miracle).
For now, blood continued to seep from the deep wound upon the body's throat; with some tending, Maegi had managed to prevent excessive blood loss beyond what had already occurred — but the poor mass was soaking in salt water, struggling to autonomously breathe, and would not be long for the world without intervention (perhaps even a miracle).
June 28, 2018, 03:51 PM
Her eyes darted to Faeryn as the girl approached, and then to Stockholm, who arrived, explaining the situation. Mouse. Maegi set down the wad of seaweed in her mouth, shooting the male a desperate look. "We need to get Hemlock here," she said, a little breathless. "And. . .and Reed. Anyone who knows about healing and herbs. He needs help."
Ignoring the Overseer's warning for now, Maegi picked up the seaweed and continued to spread it across the man's neck, trying to slow the bloom of blood from his throat. She was fast enough that if he did rouse, and snap, she thought she could get away with ease. But he looked in no shape to even be on the defensive, and so Maegi continued to tend to him at close proximity, trying to be as gentle as possible.
He was a mess. Like someone had dashed a wolf all to pieces, and then tried to put the pieces back together, but didn't know quite how. Not even Cicero had been this injured. Maegi sucked an anxious breath through her gritted teeth, looking back at the pair of Undersea wolves with a tremulous gaze.
Ignoring the Overseer's warning for now, Maegi picked up the seaweed and continued to spread it across the man's neck, trying to slow the bloom of blood from his throat. She was fast enough that if he did rouse, and snap, she thought she could get away with ease. But he looked in no shape to even be on the defensive, and so Maegi continued to tend to him at close proximity, trying to be as gentle as possible.
He was a mess. Like someone had dashed a wolf all to pieces, and then tried to put the pieces back together, but didn't know quite how. Not even Cicero had been this injured. Maegi sucked an anxious breath through her gritted teeth, looking back at the pair of Undersea wolves with a tremulous gaze.
June 29, 2018, 10:39 AM
She smiled slightly in response to Stockholm's greeting when he arrived upon the scene, though her stomach was weighed with the sight of the bloodied body. "Hey," she greeted him, before peering back into the water. The Overseer continued to speak, and with his words came the sudden rememberence of a memory that flashed before her eyes. We met him at the Hunter's Moon, remember?
...a grey male approached looking almost as lost as she herself did. What struck her first was the way one side of his face seemed rather torn up, especially over his eye - in fact, it seemed he no longer had that eye. What battle had caused this, she was unaware, but even so her gaze washed over the wound briefly. She had no wish to be the cause of any uncomfortableness. He spoke, a half-assed hello, but she responded with a small smile in hopes of not seeming rude...
"Oh," Faeryn breathed, eyes growing a touch wider. Yes, she remembered him. Mouse, Stockholm declared his name to be, and the sylph comitted it to memory. "Do you think we'll be able to save him?" She pondered worriedly, taking one step back as the Overseer had commanded, though still wishing to be able to help. She was no medic, but "Is there anything I can do?"
...a grey male approached looking almost as lost as she herself did. What struck her first was the way one side of his face seemed rather torn up, especially over his eye - in fact, it seemed he no longer had that eye. What battle had caused this, she was unaware, but even so her gaze washed over the wound briefly. She had no wish to be the cause of any uncomfortableness. He spoke, a half-assed hello, but she responded with a small smile in hopes of not seeming rude...
"Oh," Faeryn breathed, eyes growing a touch wider. Yes, she remembered him. Mouse, Stockholm declared his name to be, and the sylph comitted it to memory. "Do you think we'll be able to save him?" She pondered worriedly, taking one step back as the Overseer had commanded, though still wishing to be able to help. She was no medic, but "Is there anything I can do?"
I see quiet nights,
poured over ice
poured over ice
July 01, 2018, 08:41 AM
Please let Coelacanth post next. :)
A quick assessment of the situation tells the Gampr that, much as he hates to pull her away from their newborn children, Mouse needs his Aralez. He looks up just as Moorhen and Hemlock arrive, @Reed following in her mother’s steps; and his golden eyes flick somberly toward Faeryn. A shake of his head indicates that he really doesn’t know whether the guy can be saved at this point. “Stay here,” he murmurs succinctly. “Stay with them.” He trusts Faeryn immensely; she has stood the test of time with the seawolves. Then, he wheels around, moving at a quick clip to fetch Seelie.
July 01, 2018, 09:20 AM
Fast-forwarding through some things so this can keep on moving. ♥
The birth had exhausted Coelacanth. She wobbled gingerly from her birthing bed and out of the Labyrinth, blood tangled in the feathering of her tail and hindquarters, and tottered with singleminded purpose to Titmouse’s side. Ignoring Moorhen’s protective protests that she return to her children and Hemlock’s worried glances, she crumpled into a sloppy, sphinx-like position beside him. With deliberate slowness, she began to pinch his skin between her teeth, following the column of his spine. A cursory exam told him that this, at least, was intact — but there was a telltale divot in his barely stirring rib cage that worried her. She did not have the energy to speak, but thrust her muzzle in the direction of the sea caves to the base of Skybowl. They had to get him out of the water, for with every push of the ocean’s fingers, something clicked sickeningly in his misaligned hindquarters. Too, the chill of the water would not help him here. They would have to set sentries.
Despite her displeasure, Moorhen left and returned with alacrity, dragging a horse hide that Hemlock and Coelacanth had saved. “Um. To move,” she rumbled grumpily, hovering around her Shadow with a worried air. Once the sheepdog pushed herself to her paws and began moving weakly in the direction she’d indicated, Moorhen took her place at the broken wolf’s nape and waited. She gripped the skin just at the base of his skull, testing to ensure that tugging this area would not totally undo the good that Maegi had done. It would still bleed, but that couldn’t be helped.
Hemlock stationed herself at the wolf’s hips. Her small stature meant she would have less clout than Moorhen in terms of physical strength, but she wanted to be sure he was moved as gently as possible. “Faeryn, help us get him onto the skin so we can move him. Maegi and Reed, can you stand on the other side to help pull the skin in place?” she proposed, looking around at each face.
Despite her displeasure, Moorhen left and returned with alacrity, dragging a horse hide that Hemlock and Coelacanth had saved. “Um. To move,” she rumbled grumpily, hovering around her Shadow with a worried air. Once the sheepdog pushed herself to her paws and began moving weakly in the direction she’d indicated, Moorhen took her place at the broken wolf’s nape and waited. She gripped the skin just at the base of his skull, testing to ensure that tugging this area would not totally undo the good that Maegi had done. It would still bleed, but that couldn’t be helped.
Hemlock stationed herself at the wolf’s hips. Her small stature meant she would have less clout than Moorhen in terms of physical strength, but she wanted to be sure he was moved as gently as possible. “Faeryn, help us get him onto the skin so we can move him. Maegi and Reed, can you stand on the other side to help pull the skin in place?” she proposed, looking around at each face.
when she first sees the body her stomach turns -- never has she been so close to someone so... broken. but reed is fearghal through and through, steeling herself as she presses against mama's legs, looking from the body to each wolf gathered. at mama's instruction the girl straightens, a clipped "yes, mama," given as she nods to maegi, moving to take up position and clutch the skin delicately between her teeth, ready to assist in moving.
July 05, 2018, 12:06 PM
It took time, but they were diligent and mindful of the body's ruination; they managed to slip it atop a large skin and then, working together, the body was transported away from the dangerous seaside. Time would tell if the creature would survive; surely someone in such a state would not live long, nor thrive? But the wolves of Undersea would try their hardest none-the-less.
« Next Oldest | Next Newest »