"This is a seagull, Onyx. See-guhll. Can you say that, Onyx?" The little black puppy called Onyx looked down at the bird carcass lying in front of her to be lunch. "See-guh" she attempted to imitate Raven as best she could.
The tall skinny hunter took a mighty leap, landing square on the gull's back with a crunch of its spine. Sorry, seagull. I need to hunt. Onyx told it in her mind. She picked up the body by its limp neck. Soon she found one of the Bay's caches. She unburied it and placed the seagull body inside. She buried it again. "I like hunting" she said out loud to nobody at all.
After the accident that had brought Osprey to Stavanger bay, she hadn't wandered anywhere far from her temporary den, even though she usually was a curious soul. Days after days passed - one was like another and she seemed to have slipped in a routine that had neither end, nor did she have strength to break it. The weather helped nothing to improve her mood, everything had lost colors, was dull and gray. It appeared that the nature itself was in a state of depression.
Hunger, however, was a powerful motivating factor to get outside and move. So today she had left her den to search the area for scraps of food. While sniffing and following scent trails, she had unknowingly found another soul at this place. When it loudly announced that it liked hunting, it made Osprey lift her head and eye the dark wolf with the long and gangly legs curiously.
Onyx's hackles rose as she felt someone's gaze on her. Was Jarl Ragnar here? She turned around, ready to bow politely, only to see someone entirely new. She was grey with green eyes. Nice green eyes. "Hi. I am Onyx. What is your name?" She asked. A thought popped into the back of her mind- she should be chasing this wolf away from Stavanger Bay's territory! But that would be mean, and besides, she wasn't brave enough to try to chase an adult older than her. In fact Onyx was barely an adut, just one year old, in fact more of a teenager. If she wasn't old enough to have a boyfriend, she was surely not a full adult. Well, maybe she could, but she'd never heard of anyome falling in love as young as her. She glanced up- no, down- at the wolf. She was very tall. "How are you doing this fine day?" She asked the grey lady.
Speech
The first impression about the young wolf was - chaotic. Because Onyx - as she introduced herself - went from mildly aggressive, to politely curious, to something Osprey couldn't quite put her paw on. Confusion about the situation? Yes, she was a stranger here - a guest, who had outstayed it's welcome since few weeks ago - yet she had somehow assumed that everyone around here knew, who she was and why she hadn't been killed or chased out at least. Maybe it was her fault entirely - being a hermit had never helped anyone.
"My name is Osprey and I am a temporary guest here," she added, thus indicating that she had plans to leave some time soon. "What were you doing?" she asked, casting her glance past Onyx, as if the answer of her question lied there.
Onyx noticed Osprey didn't answer her question, but that was ok. It was not like she needed to know how this lady was doing. I was hunting. I need to hunt for my pack cause my Jarl says I should start my trade to help the pack.
She said. She was gonna start with gamekeeper, since she was a highly impressive hunter. What extra she had in hunting she lacked in fighting. Perhaps after that she'd go for something kind like naturalist or caretaker. Onyx wanted to make sure everyone was happy and content. She just wanted a calm and friendly atmosphere for everyone, like her mother had once given her.
Osprey had always found those wolves, who were so caught up in earning their trade, a bit odd. In her opinion - a wolf had to know a bit of everything in order to survive and help others in the pack, rather than focusing on one thing only. Besides did you really have to prove others that you were particularly good at something, if it was an obvious thing? Take Blue Willow - plateau's healer - for example. Did she had to prove anything? Her good job spoke more than any words would ever do.
It was also strange that this wolf was willing to do something only because her alpha (she assumed correctly that "Jarl" was "the leader") had said so. Not because she would have this inner feeling - yes, this is just the thing I like and want to do. "What trade are you interested in?" Osprey inquired politely.
Onyx thought for just a moment before answering. I'm after gamekeeper alone for now. But after that I might go for something nice and kind like healer or caretaker or counselor or naturalist. I'm not sure which one yet, though.
She told Osprey. She didn't really know what she was good at. A while ago four months of her life had gone fown the drain, she'd barely learned anything as her mother was no longer around to teach her things. Her life had been survival. And on some miraculous miracle she'd survived. She was a gifted hunter, she knew that, but besides that she couldn't seem to find what else she excelled in.
"You have quite a lot of interests," Osprey summarized everything Onyx had revealed about herself. Osprey had always known her way in life and what she wanted to achieve and she envied the young wolf before her a bit. Because she had all the world at her feet at the moment. She had several options to choose from and attempt to be good at them all.
"A-a-and as a gamekeeper - what are your tasks at the moment?" she asked, feeling genuine curiosity for a job that she had never taken any interest in. All the more respect for Onyx, who had decided to go for it.
Yes indeed. She was interested in many things, although she didn't know how many she would end up doing right. That was one of the reasons she those many- if she failed she always had a backup option.I have to hunt and fill the caches. Only then may I eat. But that is okay with me. I am a fine hunter, and it doesn't take me long to catch something.
She said. She was highly gifted in hunting skills, she was amazing, yet her hunting skills had not yet been revealed to the world.
When the young wolf declared to be a proficient hunter, Osprey raised her eyebrows and eyed the Onyx curiously for a brief moment. Every wolf was a natural born hunter - to hunt meant to survive. You had no other choice. And the success rate at which you worked told a lot about the quality of your work. Osprey, who had had years of experience, still didn't consider her skill exceptional, because for every success there were three failed attempts. She wondered, if the youth was merely over-exaggerating or really as good as she claimed herself to be. Also the idea that you had to tend for caches first and then only for yourself seemed a bit off. Yet Osprey was in no mood to tease or to challenge. She decided to agree and drop the subject.
"Are you from around here - I mean - a Stavenger bay wolf by birth or you are a newcomer?" she asked.
Newcomer. I was born a lone wolf. But my mom died, and I didn't have any family left, so I joined Wheeling Gull Isle after four months. But eventually Alpha Ypres died, so I joined the Bay.
That was basically the history of her life summed up in a few sentences. She hadn't told many- if anyone, before, that she honestly had no known family left. Her mom and dad were dead, she had no littermates, her aunt and uncle on her mother's side were dead, her grandparents were dead, and nobody knew where the heck her uncle Bear on her father's side was. She was alone, and she didn't like being alone. So she had joined a pack.
Osprey didn't like to be alone either - she treasured hours of solitude now and then, but only because she knew that there was a place to return to, where there were people, who needed her, waiting. There were moments, when she felt the need to go and explore the world, meet new people. It hadn't been so strong, when she had still lived with her birth-pack, but it had got stronger now. She had named this feeling "The Voice".
She felt sorry for Onyx's tough start in life, but didn't express it, fearing that she might feel insulted by it. "You have got quite a life-story," Osprey told her giving her a look of admiration. "I heard that the bay wolves follow the traditions of Norse gods. Is it true? Do you know anything about it?"
Onyx had no idea that her life story was quite the story. With more details it was better, but she didn't know that. I don't know about norse- but I know Sir Ragnar Loðbrók and his wife Thistle Cloud and their family follow it. Ragnar speaks it too. I don't have a religion. I was never introduced to one, Mama didn't have one.
Onyx informed the green eyed wolf. She had never put too much thought into it. Once Majesty had told her that her father's spirit was still alive even though he had died, and he was watching over her, but that was the closest she'd ever come to believing in a religion.
"Religion is food for the masses," Osprey remarked. She had grown up in a family that was pretty tolerant about a lot of things. Beliefs included. If your God, The Great Spirit, Mother Nature and whatever people came up with did not prevent you from hunting efficiently and didn't meddle in the pack inside business, then you could follow, whatever religion you wanted. If made to choose one from many, Osprey wouldn't be able to do that. The older she got, the clearer it became that there were so many things she didn't know. What if the religion she chose to be "the right one" at some point in her life, turned out to be a lie in the end?
"Would you like to follow one? I don't mean Norse specifically, but any other, if you were given a choice?" Osprey asked out of curiosity.
Onyx was lost on Osprey's first reply. She didn't understand how religion could feed anyone. Food fed people. Not religion. On her second question Onyx took a good moment to consider before replying. I dunno. I have never seen many religions, so I dunno whether or not I would like it. I'd be willing to learn about one.
She offered quietly. She wouldn't want to follow one with very strict rules as to living, but she wanted to follow the right one if she did.
Osprey had expected a more in-depth answer and hadn't prepared herself for a prospect that Onyx would toss the metaphorical ball back in her field. It was rare to meet someone, who hadn't been introduced to the idea of god or other supreme being, at some point during the life. All people Osprey had met and got to know had believed in something. In this light Onyx was a gem.
"Are you satisfied with your life?" she decided to ask first, before making any announcements. "Because if you are - then you don't need a god to tell you, what to do." As simple as that.
Was Onyx satisfied? Maybe. If this was a normal, good life, then yes. She wasn't sure if she was successful or not. She hoped so. I think I'm okay with my life. So I don't need a god?
She asked the pale grey wolf. Her diamond eyes read curiosity- she didn't know much about gods. Mama hadn't stayed on the topic long, as she hadn't had a religion. Onyx wasn't sure whether or not she wanted or needed one.
"You probably don't, but that's just my opinion. If you asked someone else - maybe they would reply differently," Osprey shrugged - she didn't want to take the full responsibility for her words, in case Onyx decided to take them as a truth carved in stone. It was important that every single being had their own mind about things - other people's voices and opinions were simply for aiding to find your own truth.
"I was on a long journey during the summer," Osprey recalled her absence from the plateau to regain her peace of mind. "I met people, who believed that the god embodies every being, ever object. That our souls are part of this... thing... that is everything," it was hard to rephrase, what they had told her. The words had a better effect, if the person, who followed this belief, told this themselves.
Onyx listened to each and every one of Osprey's words, taking them to heart, but remembering not to make anything her primary belief. She'd have to figure that out by herself. Onyx was lost on Osprey's next words, but she listened closely to them anyway. I think that's kind of confusing, to me...
Onyx told Osprey quietly. She wasn't asking for Osprey to explain it though. Osprey probably couldn't explain religion if she didn't even have a religion. Even she probably wouldn't understand it all.
"It's quite simple, really," Osprey said, trying to clear this to Onyx. "The main idea is that you must not do any harm, if you can avoid it. Let's say... you kill a rabbit. These people believe that rabbit's have souls that move on, when their body perishes. Therefore you apologize for doing that and tell the soul to pass on in peace," it had been and still was an odd concept, because Osprey firmly believed that wolves were only sentient beings. "Sounds far-fetched, doesn't it? But they also believe that plants, rocks - everything around us has a soul - this part of the god. You mustn't do harm to them for no reason, because everything is sacred."
What she said next confused Onyx again. Did she have a religion? She did believe plants and animals were alive, although not rocks or rivers or sand. She believed animals shouldn't be hunted for sport, cause it was cruel to kill animals when you didn't need to eat, yet she didn't wish the animal would pass on in peace if she did kill it. Well, I don't like to kill unless you need to eat. But I don't think everything is sacred, and I don't apoligize for killing an animal when I do need to eat. And I think plants and animals are alive, but not rocks n stuff.
She sighed, her blue eyes full of confusion. Perhaps there was no use trying to explain it to the obsidian lupine, though she had learned much from Osprey.
"When I first heard about it, I also thought and still think that the very idea of "everything being sacred" is a bit too much," Osprey agreed, sensing the confusion in Onyx's voice. She didn't blame her - religion was never an easy topic, because there were so many that thought that their way was the only right one. When ir reality... there were many ways one could reach out for the God and none of them were wrong.
"I don't practice that either," she said, attempting to comfort the other for sticking to the traditional and rational ways of viewing the prey. "Do you like stories?" Osprey changed the subject to what she hoped was easier and more light-hearted one.
Onyx nodded agreement to Osprey's final words about religion. Religion was confusing- maybe she'd study more later, but for now she'd learned enough. Besides, she only really needed more information if she decided to go down that religion road. Oh, how I love stories. Do you want me to tell one? Or do you have one for me?!?
She asked, her voice eagerly raising in excitement in her second question. Stories reminded her of Mama. She had told her stories. Onyx missed Mama a lot. The stories she had left from Mama were diamonds in Onyx's mind, pieces of Raven's soul handed down to Onyx when she had passed.
Having been used to be the one to always tell the stories, Osprey was happy to find out that Onyx offered to tell one/ones herself for a change. How long had it been, since anyone had told her anything? A couple of months definitely. She remembered Blue willow her telling a tale about a heron and another bird competing. "Then I am lucky, because I like them too," she replied, feeling glad for having found a kindred spirit in this field. "I will be happy to do an exchange - you tell me a story and I tell one for you in return," she offered, what she thought was a fair deal.
sorry i know i procrastinate a ton >_<
Onyx nodded and her tail gently wagged. If Onyx was standing she sat down. If she was sitting, she stayed. Onyx's writer, Onyx, could not remember and was too lazy to go back and read all the posts. The dark girl instead began, her blue eyes focused in the distance. Okie Dokie Lokie, here we go. Once upon a time the universe was new. And the good of the universe lied in the hands of a grey and white wolf called Gota with blue eyes. Gota kept the good and kept away the evil by always letting her tail tip rest in a small pond in the cave where she lived. In reward for this, her food appeared ready to eat before her, and the pond was an unlimited source of fresh water. Birds brought her news of how the outside world was doing, and rabbits kept watch on the lives of the most significant. Everything was good in the world outside the cave. One day a rabbit told her of a wolf called Axe. He had dared to travel around the whole Earth, and had made it back. It sounded wonderful to Gota, to travel the world, but she knew this was her job. The next day a rabbit told her of a wolf who had officially managed twenty five packs as the Alpha in just three years. It sounded great, but she knew she had to stay here. But how free the wolves outside were began to drive her insane. Literally. The next day a rabbit told Gota of a wolf who had used shed bird feathers to craft wings and fly. How much fun the others had drive Gota mad. When the rabbit left, Gota decided to stop her suffering and kill herself, but make sure her tail tip stayed in the pond. So Gota fell into the pool and drowned herself. At the moment she died, tons of children were born, and many good died, and many personalities twisted. Even if Gota's tail tip was in the pond, she was dead, and so was peace. The children that grew up were the new evil twisted generation. Evil broke loose in the world, clashing with good. This is why we have bad in the universe. The moral of the story is, Freedom is more important than having Everything but freedom.
Onyx finished with a ceremonial bow. Her obsidian ears perked forward to hear what Osprey would say, and what her story would be.