I'm so sorry for the wait on this! thank you for starting <3
She spent her waking hours hunting. The small rodents and rabbits were barely enough to keep her on her feet, and so she spent as much time as she possibly could curled up beneath a tree, among the bushes. Futility dominated her thoughts. There seemed no point to anything anymore, and the only thing keeping her from falling asleep and never waking up again was her innate will to survive; an instinct with which she fought but could not defeat. Each time she awoke she dragged herself to her feet and continued the search of food. Often she scented deer, elk, moose; once prey she feasted on in boring abundance now considered absolute delicacies.
Darkness approached, looming before the colorful lie of twilight. She had ventured away from the moor, following the smell of grouse. Each step of her paws was excrcuiating, such was her lack of energy and even motivation. Her ribs and her hipbones protruded blatantly beneath her soft-cocoa fur, golden eyes wavering in the struggle to stay awake and alert.
With the shift of the wind came a new scent: wolf-scent. Lace paused and immediately scanned the area, hackles rising. Her honey eyes eventually lit upon a white wolf, one whose coat was peculiarly decorated with tiny dark spots. Ears at full mast, she gazed dully upon the female. It was in a daze that she approached her, footsteps slow and deliberate, ears lowering and tail falling between her heels.
The woman could potentially be either dangerous or beneficial. It was a half-chance. A soft chuff left Lace's throat. She was beyond the point of caring what happened to her. It would be, what it would be.
Her attention was drawn by the soft noise of greeting that escapes her new company, pale crown turning towards the source and enabling dark eyes to land upon a bedraggled silhouette.
The girl is young, at least younger than she, and concern strikes her heart as she takes in the despondent posture, hanging tail, and the evidence of hunger jutting from beneath the young woman's flesh.
Liri approached the brunette slowly, like one might a frightened animal - sensing something of herself in the timid demeanor presented. She extended her muzzle towards the other once she was within reach, a kind smile assuring that the healer meant no harm.
She sniffed the chocolate-coated femme for injuries, the rusty scent of dried blood alerting her to at least one minor wound.
"Are you alright?" The fae asked, internally chastising herself as soon as the words left her lips. It was most obvious that the glazed-eyed young woman was far from alright.
"I'm Liri," she introduced herself with a kindly smile. "I'm a healer. If you'd like, you would be most welcome to return to my home with me - I could take a look at your wounds and prepare you a meal."
It was abrupt to invite a stanger so easily into the Vale but it was clear that Lace needed medical attention and more importantly, food and rest. Liri was certain the girl would cause no trouble and something just didn't sit right about leaving her alone in the mountains.
perhaps because of her depressed state, lace was taken aback by the woman's gestures. the pale muzzle extended kindly towards her, a small smile gracing her lips. lace widened her eyes, long lashes blinking abruptly. it was a habit of hers to catastropise all situations regardless of her state of mind, but as low as she felt this day she saw nothing but misfortune falling across her path.
therefore there was something almost mystical about the way she was being treated. and the kindness of the pale young woman did not stop with her gestures. she also asked if lace was okay, introduced herself, and went as far as to offer her food and respite. for several long seconds lace remained silent, jaws slightly agape, eyes narrowing as though searching for some kind of ill will.
for the moment, she found none. this, lace mused, was subject to change at any time. but she was in no position to reject such kindness, and such help.
th-thank you, she blurted finally, softly. i'd love to -- if you're sure -- yes, i would like that very much. and at last, lace was able to offer a smile of her own, before beginning to follow the speckled she-wolf.
my name is lace.