So, she had come back. She'd been gone from this place for long enough now. She was stronger and better equipped to fend for herself. She had found a teacher, one willing to listen to her, but her school days were over. She wasn't an assassin or even a warrior really, just a stronger version of herself ready to face the battle ahead. Her hearing hadn't gotten better, but she hadn't expected it to. Even the crashing of the waves upon the shore were but a faint rushing in her large ears. Anyone looking beyond her disability would find beauty, and only those would be allowed near.
Up the cliffs she went again, drawn by the crashing of the waves, and the splash of salt upon her face brought by the high tide winds. This place had something she hadn't really gotten to see during her time with the Dragedan crew, and she really wanted more of it. It was there that Julep came across another woman painted red like her, and the coincidence made her wonder if perhaps they were meant to meet each other here. So she yapped, calling for the other to notice her presence with the caution she knew she ought to have in this territory. Caiaphas seemed to be too wary of the Dragedan wolves, so naturally Julep knew better than to come right up at their rear without making sure it was safe.
Her disk ears stood erect upon her little head, but despite their size they didn't hear the other's call. She did look around however, and soon discovered she wasn't alone. She smiled politely, nodding in greeting. The other wasn't moving their mouth so she assumed she was just passing by.
The golden woman didn't respond to her first cal, so Julep tried barking a little louder.
Nothing.
Twice again she barked but there was no response, and Julep was really starting to get real pissed. She would have started cursing if she hadn't been met by such sweet honey hazel eyes, kind with a smile as though she'd just seen some old friend. Julep's fire died down a bit, just enough to look at Alkyone with half the sweetness she was getting from her, and she said Hey,
like nothing had happened.
I was calling...
she said, still a bit confused. Didn't you hear me?
She didn't know she had frustrated the other so, otherwise she would've apologized immediately. She wasn't shameful of her condition, but she did hate annoying others with it. She found it unfair that they had to deal with it just as much as she did, but that didn't matter right now. She read the other's lips, clearly not focusing on the other's eyes or body.
She raised one paw to her ear. Djon't hear very well.
She answered, her speech now much more understandable than moons ago. No more was she babbling like a babe, though it would still sound a little like she was talking with a mouth full of feathers - not that she knew.
The golden girl spoke, and it was immediately that Julep knew what was going on. Not that she had ever crossed paths with a disabled wolf before, but if there was such a thing, it would most definitely look like this. Alkyone was deaf.
Suddenly julep felt guilty. Had she been rude? Her tail fell several inches down when the girl addressed her with a kind smile. There was no way Julep could blame her. But now there was the issue of communicating how sorry she felt to the girl. I'm so sorry, i didn't know!
she said raising her voice, which in turn also made her feel a bit rude.
She shrugged and flailed a bit with her paws. Happens'alot.
She stumbled, a smile on her pointy Red Wolf face. Luckily as soon as others knew, they adapted quickly to communicating with her. Of course, there had been some unpleasant encounters, but she tried not to think of those all too much. She hoped for the best and usually prepared for the worst.
'Not from heere.
She motioned to herself, then gestured to the coastline. But nice mjeeting you.
Again a motion to herself, then a point at the other and a smile. She wasn't sure how well her speech could be deciphered, but she hoped to teach herself and others to talk more with her paws and body.
Julep felt her cheeks grow hot, oh how embarrassing! She was used to getting herself in embarrassing situations because of her temper, but never had she felt such guilt. She looked down at her paws, shifting her weight making it clear she was now uncomfortable. The woman talked then, almost mumbled actually, but julep could get what she was saying just fine. Same to ya,
she said with an awkward smile in return. All she really wanted to do was ask how she became deaf, or was she born like that? Still, she knew better than to intrude on someone's life like that, especially when it was about something so delicate.
The name's J u l e p
she said, making sure to pronounce sharply and a bit louder to avoid confusion. What's yours?
she asked then, feeling that she owed the girl to be shown kindness. Julep sat by her, wagging her tail a bit in show of friendliness. She wasn't used to find people so interesting for the reasons she found Alkyone interesting, so she wanted to know more.
She noticed the other's nervousness and tried to reassure her with a smile. It really hadn't offended Alky, it wasn't like anyone was to blame for her not being able to hear well. It was probably just the result of bad luck, but life was making it up to her due to encounters like this. Though she didn't mind being an outcast all that much, she did feel happy whenever she was accepted.
Julep.
She nodded, hoping she was close to how it was originally said. I'm Alkyone!
One of the few things she could say very clearly due to practice.
Julep was almost relieved that her name had come across correctly, and she smiled at her new friend when she stated her name. Perhaps this is the start of something important - thought Julep to herself as she looked away to stare at the ocean waves crash against hard rock. It certainly felt like something important, and she was willing to make the effort to see what it was about. Where do you live?
she asked curiously, canting her hear lightly as she found her friend's eyes once more. Maybe she could take her back to Rusalka if she didn't have anything going on for her, and perhaps, if things turned out right, maybe Alkyone could help her settle down her own pack when the time was right.
The sprite shrugged. She had been a nomad for as long as she could remember, only ever having joined others when life became rough. They didn't like her sticking around for very long, she understood. She was quite different from the norm. Still looking.
She smiled, keeping her sentences short and easily understandable. There was no point in confusing the other with poorly pronounced rambles.