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+--- Thread: Redhawk Caldera Fighting through a nightmare (/showthread.php?tid=7508)
Fighting through a nightmare - Somnia - February 09, 2015
@Elwood Set after this thread: http://wolf-rpg.com/showthread.php?tid=7454 Also some PPing.
Somnia had ran away from the black predator. She ran and ran, too many thoughts and emotions whirling through her head to think about where she was going. Was he following her? Would he come back to try and kill her? It was those thoughts that fueled her terror, kept her adrenaline supply from diminishing. Once or twice Somnia stumbled and fell, but she would quickly be back on feet.
Day turned to evening as she continued to run. The elapse of time went unnoticed; time didn't even seem to exist. All that existed was the aching of her muscles that begged her to stop running, the thoughts of what had happened that kept her running, the tears dampening the fur on her face, and the furry thing she just collided into.
Her limbs flailed, making the situation worse instead of better. In her struggle to escape, Somnia failed to notice many things. First, she had been running for nearly three to four hours straight. Second, she had arrived back home, and was at the Caldera's borders. Third, the furry thing she was fighting to escape from was her best friend, not someone who wanted to hurt her.
RE: Fighting through a nightmare - Elwood - February 09, 2015
Elwood had just started to wonder where Somnia and Finley had gotten to. It had been a few days since he had seen either of his friends, and their scents were not as strong as usual. Thus, he was lingering near the borders, doing what he did best -- worry.
Finley's odor was fainter than Somnia's, indicating that she had been gone for a day or two. Though he immediately thought the worst (and it would turn out that he was right to do so in both cases) he convinced himself that Somnia was probably hunting and Finley was exercising her outrider skills.
He paused, turning to look up at the caldera's peak as it stretched overhead. In that instant, something collided with him, knocking him from his feet and alarming him. After seeing the mangled canine the day before, he was especially wary near the outskirts.
As he righted himself, he realized that it was Somnia that was tangled with him, and he smiled and prepared to greet her jovially. But almost immediately, he could tell that something was wrong. Very wrong. "Som? What's the matter?" he asked, confused by her erratic behavior and the strong smells woven into her pelt.
RE: Fighting through a nightmare - Somnia - February 09, 2015
Somnia managed to get to her feet. It was then that she realized that she was at the Caldera, and it was Elwood in front of her. Better yet, he was asking what had happened. Part of her didn't want to admit it. That wolf had done that to her. Just thinking about it made her whirl around for a moment as his face flashed in her mind. Was he still following her? He had at first, but he wasn't anymore it seemed.
Shaking, she turned back to Elwood. She could hear her heart beat loudly as she stared at him for a moment, trying to decide whether to tell him or not. As much as the experience shamed her, there was also an overwhelming urge to tell Elwood. But then, the wolf had threatened to hurt Ashton if she told! Although the chances he was lying about even seeing Ashton were large, that possibility had gone unnoticed by Somnia.
But then, a new feeling arose within her. So what if he harmed Ashton?! If what he said was true - again, she believed it was - then Ashton deserved it! Somnia would tell Elwood what happened!
Easier said than done. The idea of telling him what happened to her still seemed dreadful. "I- I had ventured out to look for Ashton." Somnia started, her voice shaking. "There was this wolf. I asked if he s-saw Ashton. H-he said he had, a-and he was leaving with another wolf he was in love with. Th-then he tried to comfort me. Be-before I realized what was happening, he... He... He did... That." She ended with the last word in a whisper.
RE: Fighting through a nightmare - Elwood - February 09, 2015
Elwood stepped back, allowing Somnia some space as she gathered herself. Once he could see her face, his heart constricted; her cheeks were stained with tears, her expression twisted into one of sadness and horror. He didn't push her to speak any faster -- he made himself wait, his pulse pounding in his ears as she haltingly described what the last twenty-four hours had held for her.
She was looking for Ashton...she ran into some other wolf...he told her that Ashton had run away with someone...and then he did that? Almost instantly, Elwood knew what she meant. Anger swelled within him, directed at the unknown male as well as at Ashton. He didn't know if the story was true, but either way, the healer's disappearance had been the reason Somnia had ventured out in the first place.
"Oh, Som..." he said, his voice thick with emotion. His first instinct was to take her somewhere safe; he reached out as though to touch her, then stopped himself. That was probably the last thing she wanted. "Let's get you to your den," he murmured, cursing Ashton in his head -- not only was he the cause of this, but he was the only wolf that would have been qualified to treat Somnia. He took a few tentative steps forward, to see if she was able and willing to go with him.
RE: Fighting through a nightmare - Somnia - February 09, 2015
Elwood's notable retreat from touching her actually caused the opposite effect. While there definitely be some trust issues in her future, her mind hadn't had enough time to think that her friends could betray her too with all the other emotions and thoughts running around. Having those doubts would be inevitable, but they hadn't appeared yet.
Instead of seeing Elwood not touching her as him trying not to make things worse, Somnia saw it as an insult. So she was deemed untouchable because that happened to her! It wasn't like she wanted it to happen to her! So why did she have to suffer these consequences?!
Somnia took a few steps forward to show she would follow. Anger flitted across her eyes for a moment before becoming depressed and sullen. Maybe Elwood had a reason to not want to touch her. She was the one who had been stupid enough to look for Ashton. So therefor, it was all her fault. Clearly, he didn't want to be found if he left, and she was stupid and couldn't see it.
RE: Fighting through a nightmare - Elwood - February 09, 2015
Hahaha, Elwood can't catch a break!
He was relieved when Somnia started to follow him, her steps slow and hesitant. His tail gave the tiniest wag and he paused, allowing her to catch up to him so that they were side by side. Only then did he venture to gently and very briefly press his nose against her shoulder, hoping that the tactile gesture would be understood and not cause her to withdraw.
Elwood allowed her to set the pace, matching his strides to hers so that she wouldn't over-exert herself. He was completely inexperienced in this situation, so he was making blind assumptions in an attempt to help his friend. Carefully, he guided them towards her den; after only traveling for a few moments, he asked softly, "Do you want me to call someone?" Peregrine, perhaps -- or maybe Fox, if she wanted a female presence. He didn't know what Somnia needed or what would comfort her.
RE: Fighting through a nightmare - Somnia - February 09, 2015
Part of me feels sorry for him, but part of me feels proud of the drama I've created and wants him to suffer more, lol.
The pace was slow, yet Somnia made no attempt to change it. How quickly she reached her den didn't seem to matter in the least. When Elwood did finally decide to touch her, she just looked at him dully. While she seemed to be incapable of feeling happy, it made her less miserable to know that he could at least touch her still... But how many other aspects of her life would be changed?
When Elwood suggested he call someone, Somnia halted. "No." She said rather fiercely. If someone else came, she would have to tell the story all over again. Telling the story again would be like reliving it. That was the last thing she wanted. She wanted to try and forget the whole ordeal ever happened.
RE: Fighting through a nightmare - Elwood - February 09, 2015
I don't know how much more drama I can handle, lol!
Her response was firm and there was no waver in her voice; she did not want anyone else to be there with them. Elwood respected that and gave his head a nod, then fell silent once more. He didn't stray from her side, staying as close to her as she would allow him until they reached her den.
Once there, he paused and looked at his friend. Her eyes had lost their spark, and there was no sign of the playful Somnia that he knew and loved. He hoped that she was still in there somewhere; that this horrible incident wouldn't skew her view of the world from here on out. But the rational part of him knew that her life had been changed.
"Do you want to lay down?" he asked; he felt like he was walking on egg shells and questioning everything. But he would do whatever she requested without a second thought.
RE: Fighting through a nightmare - Somnia - February 09, 2015
Did she want to lay down? She still felt wide-awake. What would laying down achieve? "Maybe..." Somnia replied, still trying to make up her mind. In the end, she ended up laying down in her den. The fatigue from running for part of the day had requested it.
Her mind felt oddly isolated, like one of those unnatural calms that took place when you knew you shouldn't be calm. Well, what now? She didn't want to even think about thinking about that, but no other thoughts dared to destroy the state of mind she was in. Eventually, thoughts of Elwood managed to invade the calm.
"Are you going to stay?" She questioned as she turned her head to look at him.
RE: Fighting through a nightmare - Elwood - February 09, 2015
Elwood took a step back, allowing Somnia to enter her own den. She seemed a bit reluctant to lay down, although she did after a moment of consideration. The Beta's train of thought told him that she had to be exhausted -- from the incident itself and from running back home. Her mind would likely be racing, but her body needed to rest.
He had no intentions of leaving, as long as she wanted him there. When she looked up at him and asked if he was planning to stay, he nodded his head quickly. "Of course -- if that's what you want," he said, amending his statement as soon as the words were out of his mouth. He didn't think that it would be a good idea for her to be alone, but he would retreat if that was what she wanted. Were that the case, he would likely take up a position nearby, not leaving her wholly alone but giving her the space she requested.
RE: Fighting through a nightmare - Somnia - February 09, 2015
Somnia gave a small nod to his statement. She even moved to end of the den to give him room to lay down comfortably inside if he wished too. She really didn't want to be alone right now. What if he came back? Showed up inside of her home? At least Elwood would be there to take care of him if he showed up.
After chasing those fearful thoughts out of her mind, it went back to the quietness. While the quietness was better than the other thoughts, it was still unsettling. "Talk, act normal." Somnia requested, trying to break the silence in her mind.
RE: Fighting through a nightmare - Elwood - February 09, 2015
Once Somnia settled herself deep within the burrow, there was plenty of room left for Elwood. She didn't explicitly invite him, but he folded his legs and crept into the small space after she nodded her consent for him to stay. It wouldn't make sense for him to sit outside the den and talk with her.
He curled up next to her, his grey fur mingling with hers as he tucked his feet beneath his body. It was then that she spoke again, commanding him: "Talk. Act normal."
Act normal? That was easier said than done, though he knew why she was making that request. She wanted to keep her mind off of what had happened, and while Elwood might not have been much of a counselor or therapist, he excelled in using humor as an avoidance tactic. Without hesitation, he slipped into a role that he had played many times before with Somnia, bowing his head and averting his eyes from her gaze. "My Queen," he said, lowering his voice. "I have come bearing news. Ducks are taking over the land." He wasn't quite sure where his inspiration came from, but he glanced at his friend, gauging her expression and her reaction before continuing.
RE: Fighting through a nightmare - Somnia - February 09, 2015
Elwood understood the unspoken cue to join her inside. For that, she was glad... Or at least she would've been. There was still the dull blanket that nullified any happy emotions covering her. But, a few things could still break through that blanket.
To her request, Elwood was slipping into Role-play mode. The faintest of smiles entered her lips as he spoke. "Why ducks?" Somnia asked. Then, realizing that she wasn't exactly entering Role-play mode herself, she tried to get into it. "Why have they come? Do they have a reason?" That was a bit better.
RE: Fighting through a nightmare - Elwood - February 09, 2015
Elwood felt like his reaction was both appropriate and inappropriate at the same time. He wasn't sure how Somnia would take it, but he was rewarded with the faintest hint of a smile at the corner of her lips. She then posed a query about the ducks; though she wasn't as animated as usual, that was to be expected.
"They lost their quacks," he said, voicing the first thing that came to his mind. "They've accused us of stealing them." With this statement came a solemn nod. All the while, he searched her face with his gaze; if she showed any signs that she wanted him to stop, he would.
RE: Fighting through a nightmare - Somnia - February 09, 2015
[ooc]This is actually difficult. Part of me wants to stick to her character personality, yet I'd be going out of character if I do that.
Elwood's reply was silly. So silly it was stupid, yet silly and funny and stupid all the same. Well that's stupid." Somnia was talking about the ducks this time, not his response. We can't quack." How could the ducks accuse them of something they couldn't even do?
Then, she managed to find a flaw in his response. "If they lost their quacks, how could they claim we have them?" After all, ducks communicate by quacking. If they didn't have their quacks, how could they tell us we have them if they couldn't quack those words to blame us?
RE: Fighting through a nightmare - Elwood - February 10, 2015
The Finwood thread last night was one of the most difficult I've ever written! I couldn't focus on anything else, lol.
She was buying into his game, at least able to forget her troubles for the time being. Elwood knew that he wouldn't be able to fix everything -- in fact, he would soon feel as though he was meant to only mess things up -- but he wanted to help her in the only way he knew how.
"I don't know why they're blaming us. Ducks don't think things through," he replied, shaking his head knowingly as though their conversation made complete sense.
RE: Fighting through a nightmare - Somnia - February 10, 2015
You have my sympathy. Just reading that thread was painful!
Elwood seemed to not sense the flaw in his story that ducks couldn't communicate their thoughts if they lost their quacks. Instead of trying to point it out again, Somnia stared at the wall for a moment. After a few brief, negative thoughts centered towards Elwood and his lack of observations, she came up with a response to the story.
"Well what are you going to do about it?" Before he could answer, Somnia came up with her own solution. "We could eat them all." Food sounded good right about now, whether it was imaginary or real.
RE: Fighting through a nightmare - Elwood - February 11, 2015
Do you want to finish this one up soon and have another one? :) I'm assuming El would be checking on Som periodically behind the scenes.
Somnia asked what he planning to do to fix the duck situation, then answered her own question moments later. She suggested eating them, and Elwood licked his lips at just the thought. Too bad the duck invasion wasn't real.
"My Queen, you always have the best ideas," he said with a small smile. He likely wasn't as creative as usual because his heart was weighed down with the knowledge of what had happened to his friend; he wished that he could do more to help her, but hoped that getting her mind off of it was at least somewhat beneficial.
RE: Fighting through a nightmare - Somnia - February 12, 2015
Sure. Some PP of Elwood to get it towards a conclusion.
Elwood complimented her idea, yet did nothing to act upon it. "Well, get going." Somnia managed to stay in character, even going as far as to nudge at him with his snout. That was a high for her activity in this role-play for today. Once Elwood left to take care of the duck problem, the den fell into a peaceful silence. The only sound was her own breathing pattern, which lulled her towards sleep invitingly. Now that her mind had been taken off her problems temporarily, the exhausting day caught up to her. Before Elwood could come back in, Somnia was asleep.
RE: Fighting through a nightmare - Elwood - February 12, 2015
<3
He was surprised when she shooed him out of the den, even going so far as to give him a firm thrust with her snout. That action brought him back into reality, and he gave her a bemused look. She seemed insistent, however, so Elwood dutifully got to his paws and slipped out of the den with a promise to slaughter as many ducks as he could.
Truthfully, he didn't leave at all; he crept around the side of the burrow so that Somnia wouldn't be able to see him, and he settled himself into a sphinx-like position. Resting his head on his paws, he stood guard at his friend's side for a few hours, determining that she was sleeping soundly by the rhythmic breathing he could hear accompanied by the occasional ladylike snort.