Cherub’s Wing probably should have still been resting, recuperating, not straining her serious wounds, but the girl could stand to lie down no longer. She was desensitizing herself through longer and longer trips. She had managed to make it all the way to the border and back almost a week ago, which had drained her considerably, but today was the day she sought to be away from her recovery den from dawn until dusk.
It was slightly warmer that morning, though still considerably overcast, and in the coming years of her life she would eventually know this to be a signal of spring’s arrival. Her limp was still too pronounced to properly hunt, but she could walk on her hind leg now, able to tolerate what shooting pains remained there.
Wing was a hunter at her core, but wondered what she could do with her time, since she could not do the thing that she loved.
Rae was familiarizing herself with Sapphique. Mainly, their plant life. She could already feel herself slipping back into that familiar obsession — but there was a fresh scent on the wind, so she set it aside for now and followed. A pale, limping girl awaited like a rather meager pot of gold at the end of a flaccid rainbow. Disappointing. Rae put on an aggressively friendly expression that probably came off more intimidating than she meant it, and approached.
Hey! You good?
She called out with a forced air of nonchalance. Loser. For real, pop some seeds like the rest of us and move on! Rae glanced over the affected leg briefly, her judgment little more than a flicker in her gaze. It would take a perceptive wolf to catch the hint of disdain, but it existed.
Cherub’s Wing turned as someone called out to her: a new face in Sapphique, with brilliant scarlet fur and eyes a truer blue than the ocean. She had a fond thought for the color of her pelt, but it fell from her mind as she noticed the girl scan her wounds. Having chosen the path of caregiver at a young age, Wing had grown accustomed to perceiving the moods of others, and it was in this moment she understood that new acquaintances might judge her unfairly for her scars…
She hadn’t considered this before. Scars were badges of great import on the Isle. She realized she didn’t much like this feeling, to go on top of all the other recent things she had been experiencing.
Still, even after the attack, she managed to retain an air of cordiality. I’ve been better,
she acquiesced, almost ruefully. But I’m good.
Wing turned to face her, extending her nose in a small sniff. The girl smelled of the wilds, both faraway and near. I’m Cherub’s Wing of Honor,
she introduced herself. You’re new? Or perhaps recently returned?
Been better; yeah, no shit! Raelle held back the automatic urge to scoff — at her, at her name, all of it. Instead she said, So like, what do I call you? Yknow what, don't answer that. I'm gonna call you Of,
Rae was rather pleased with her innovative nickname. Maybe it was a little mean, but it wasn't like anyone would call her out on it, yeah?
Yeah. I'm Rae. Just Rae,
Not Raelle Shila Blackwood-Mayfair. That was too long and fancy for her. Too much a reminder of a life that had abandoned her before she even knew what abandonment was. And yeah, I'm new. Chacal let me in.
Wing might’ve found the girl delightful and humorous if not for her own dour moodswings. Such gloominess was not normal for her, but this one wouldn’t know that. The beryl blinked at the proclamation to call her “Of,” and though her eyebrows lifted in mild skepticism, she did not complain. This newcomer wasn’t being mean, after all, just intentionally difficult. Attention-seeking at its finest.
Poor girl.
Welcome then, Just Rae. It is good to meet you,
she said with a straight face once her status had been explained. She felt the uncharacteristic pettiness rise in her chest, and it burned like the first taste of liquor. However, I do wish the timing was better. There is still a lot of grieving going on around here.
Wing made a soft sound, a barely audible sigh. What made you join?
Of course, whatever the reason, she knew it would not mean that Rae would stay.
Just Rae. She cracked a grin, knowing she definitely deserved that. But it faded at the mention of bad timing and grief. Rae was beginning to gather that something had happened, based on all the heavily-wounded wolves walking around like it was nothing. She wasn't sure she wanted to hear about it.
But it was best if she knew. What d'you mean? What happened?
Rae didn't even register the question. She had her own, and that mattered to her far more than this limping girl's curiosity. Even if she had heard the question, she wouldn't have felt obligated to share. It wasn't any of Of's business.