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slowly, over the passage of days and weeks, he grew to trust her. in some ways, she reminded him of the mother maegi hadn't been. he felt himself begin to soften when she came to visit him. he even recalled smiling at her, once or twice.
he kept to his medicine. when he was able to walk, he stumbled through the spine and collected whatever store of spare poppy seeds and herbs he could find within the healers' workstations. one here, two there; he hid them beneath his bedfurs and assumed they wouldn't be missed.
he anticipated nightfall, when the moonglow wolves retired and he could drag himself out to the lake. tonight was one of those nights. silence etches the trees and glints across the dim light cascading along the waters. he sits at the gravelly edge where his toes just barely touch the shore, and swallows the seeds one by one; each time they fall back on his throat, he shudders with relief.
now, he only needed to wait.
It wasn't often that Ajei traveled out and around at night. But tonight. Perhaps it was a spirit seeking or maybe her own soul was restless. No one really knows these things.
She headed the way if the river. As it tumbled into the lake. The happy sound breathing her smile into existence. Green eyes on the shores and rocks, careful of her steps. Precision and grace in delicate paws as she worked her way on pathways she knew so well.
But she was not alone. He cut a figure bigger than her. Boasting a hunter build, yet still it seemed thin from travel. Though she wouldn't know this.
Green eyes assessed and she moved closer. Delicate paws tracing small footprints in the frost limed dirt. Spring coming but not yet here.
Hello.
voice quiet and shy. Ears to her skull.
a visitor comes to him. a pretty girl, a little younger than him; brilliant cinnamons and chestnuts, delicate and willowy. peregrine softens as he looks upon her. she reminds him of ariadne.
hey,
his lips twist into a lazy grin. had he hands and a pack of marlboros, he would have lit one and stuck it between his teeth. you come out here often?
He turned towards her with smiles and devilry dancing in his orange eyes. Wicked this way comes they say.
He was one of those men who held an otherworldy grace, feline like. Rough edges and bloody knuckles, a sniff when they came near. A raised brow.
All these things she could see him doing. A boy with a chip on his shoulder and whole wide world to raize.
She smiled easily, softly. A gentle upturning of maw. And shook her head.
I do often when I can't sleep. I'm Ajei. The water calms me.
hey, me too,
he laughs that sort of man-laugh where they think they're being sexy; his eyes glisten with intrigue. no shame in it. you're, uh, welcome to sit with me, if you want.
he adjusts himself so that she may find a place to sit a comfortable distance from him. the water laps at the rocks and acts as a lulling white noise. i'm peregrine,
he responds. otherwise known as moonwoman's latest stray. i get the vibe she picks up a lot of those, 'cuz why else would she wanna deal with me?
A kind smile. His laugh made her a little nervous. It did not sound true. As Arrluk and Raq and even Aiolos laughed. Happily, heartedly. This one sounded forced, strained, and yet as if trying to prove something. Though little woman far too naive in such ways didn't understand.
She settled down. Curled her tail over dainty paws. Tilted her head towards him to better hear.
Ajei looked at him with soft eyes. Why shouldn't she deal with you? You are wolf yes? You are worth just as much care as any other? You live? You breathe? Heart beat? Unique thoughts? You deserve to be dealt with. Though i do not like that term. I prefer to say you deserve care.
a sweet thing, this girl. a pang of guilt radiates from his chest down to his stomach.
that's awfully nice of you,
he's deflecting, and he knows this; his gaze lands upon the sharp curve of her wrist against the plume of her tail. it's just that, ah-- apparently, i got kicked in the face by a bison. and she saved me. she's been nursing me back to health, and she won't let me repay her. i think any reasonable person would feel a little guilty for that, yeah?
he blows a puff of air from his nostrils, leaning further back on his haunches as the heaviness of the seeds begins to take hold of him. what about you? you a stray too, or were you, like, born here?
Ajei watched as the wolf Peregrine looked away and down from her and her heart went out to him. Poor lost soul that he was. She wondered how she could help him. There was not much she could do in terms of healing, but she could listen at least.
A gentle chuckle, delicate like she was reverberated the air. She won't let you. You can try as much as you want, but Moonwoman is a healer to her core. But you can just lead a good life. That would be thanks enough for her. Treat others with kindness. And filling a cache or two.
She held up a paw and put a stern expression on her face. Only when you are fully healed do you go hunting. We do not need you reversing your healing yes?
A tilt and a tick of her ear at his next question. She smiled. I was born here. My parents are Shikoba and Inutsuk.
his jaw splits into a yawn. normally, he would dismiss her kindness as a bunch of bologna, but the girl seems so genuine — so level-headed and sincere in a way he'd never truly seen before. oh, trust me, i've got plans to get moving once my head stops hurting,
he sneers. i hate sitting around all day. at least there's a lot to look at around here.
like her.
born here, huh?
shikoba and inutsuk; he thought he'd heard at least one of those names before. just never left, eh? i wish i could say the same. i've been wandering since i was born. sometimes by choice, sometimes not.
he pauses to bite at the inside of his cheek. but if anyone asks, i tell 'em i'm from the redhawk caldera.
He seemed very tired. She was concerned she had caused him unrest when he was hurt. She had only met to speak with him, but had she accidentally tired him out. Head injuries were tricky things. She knew enough to know that.
Ajei laughed. Her voice trilling like birdsong.
It is quite pretty. You should see firemother when she is all in bloom. I look forward to shwoing you when youre better.
she gave a soft nod. I have had a few adventures, but i prefer home and family. If you enjoy venturing? I find no shame in it.
She thought about it. Is that now known as Brecheliant?