Sawtooth Spire concrete solutions to slow our decay

For @Tatsuya, yaay.

In the sparse few days following the assault from the coyotes on their haven, a certain sort of quietude fell back over the mountain range. It was better to be that way, and though Echelon itched to seek out Tonravik, she knew that she would be with the babes. And as it were, she did not think that it was time for even her eyes to come resting upon them, at least not entirely.

Not that they were particularly on her mind right then and there anyway. No, something else pulled at her altogether, cleanly tearing away her attention to anything that was going on. And she ignored it as best as she could, yet at the first moment she had come to a muddied stream and its run down the mountainside, she had stopped there and stayed. The wounds she had gathered from that battle displayed themselves in ugly fashion and form; they wept and burned beneath the skin. They sank her already poor temperament like a stone to the bottom of unfathomable depths.

And in her attempt for some relief, Echelon was in true awkward fashion; the right side of her face was pressed into the cool waters while the rest of her body rested against the uneven terrain. It was poor relief, scarcely working in spite of her continued efforted to further try and submerge what she could stand of her head. Couldn't put the whole muzzle underwater — she had to breathe.

rise against — architects

Thank you for starting. <3 F YEAH RISE AGAINST.

Tatsuya tended to the curs' corpses strewn about arbitrarily before Tonravik's lair, doing as Nanuk gruffly demanded. He left their cadavers to spoil 'pon the borders; a grotesque reminder of their intolerance. The Gamma did this covered in blood and grime throughout the night before receding back into his den. To rest, to grieve, to repair.
INDENTDays have passed. Not enough to recover from the reminder that they were no less fragile in numbers as they were alone. Tatsuya so did detest mortality. How fleeting they all were on this plane. No matter how great, how valiant, how benign their choices – it did not stop the scythe. The Gamma took to his den and stayed within its depths, rarely emerging save for pissing, drinking, or eating. Arverk's disappearance has amounted enough heartache to influence his daily routines but Wicked's death put him out for the count. He was not close with Wicked and, truthfully, that's not what bothered him the most. What did impact him was the wolf's short lifespan and the adversities he faced as a pup. It was all cruel. Too cruel. The more he thought about it, the more he was unable to break away from this vicious, downward spiral known as depression.
INDENTHe could take no more of this cycle. Much as he would like, time did not stop for the brokenhearted. The maudlin wolverine staggered into sunlight. It was a welcome sensation, warming his cold furs. If only sadness could be banished so handily. He stumbled some more before falling into a dispirited gait. He has not left the sanctity of his den for a merry bout through the spire. Weirdie was injured in that skirmish days ago. The Gamma did not tend to her, busying himself in scattered the coyote's remains. Many were thrashed to the point of being inedible. Their attack was sudden and uncharacteristic, but they all perished because of their idiocy. Wicked, however, was not an idiot. He did not deserve that fate.
INDENTTatsuya passed by her twice. The Gamma was somber in his search, not really picking up on the blatant signs concerning Echelon's whereabouts. Third time's the charm, it seems. Her inky form looked bedraggled, resting against pointy stones and mushy earth. What is she doing...? He tentatively stepped closer, barking lowly so as to not spook her. Was she cleaning her face or something?

The cool waters did little to offer her relief, but she was stubborn. Stubborn enough to keep her face awkwardly half-in and half-out the water. Stubborn enough that the grit, grime, and sharp points of the shale beneath her feet did little to make her shift into a more comfortable position. This was not the first of any wounds she had received in her life, nor would they be along the last.

However, the thing that did withdraw her from her own poor treatment of them was a bark from behind her. Her head rose and turned, though she only spied him over her left shoulder. For a long moment, she stared with no recognition of him, though she was aware that he was one of them. Perhaps still just a fledgling within Tartok's ranks, but one that had been around. Recognition did come to her, though she merely greeted him with a flick of her tail before resuming her verison of therapy.

fuck yeah rise against! that song came on shuffle while i was writing and i was all "ooo yeah good lyrics here."

Weirdie's salutation was more apathetic than usual. Most interactions with her involved nothing more than ephemeral acknowledgment. Right now, her antisocial nature was not doing her any favors; recognizing her slumped, comfortless stance to ease the pain etched into her pitch face. She was tending to those wounds in the only way she knew how.
INDENTPicking up where she left off, Tatsuya invited himself closer. Shale displaced beneath his heft, standing awkwardly left broadside. Five feet apart, he examined the rippling stream. One of Kurdjuark River's lesser known watercourses? It was far steadier and – unluckily for Weirdie – much murkier. Here goes nothing.
INDENT“May I see?” No feeling highlighted his hushed voice, aware of her wretched condition. That is why he did not give her the antagonistic “the stream is going to irritate it further” or his hallmark demands of “let me see how bad you've made it. Don't you raise your lip at me young lady...Yeah, yeah. Get it out of your system. You'll be thanking me in the long run.”

He drew closer and for a change, Echelon felt surprisingly overwhelmed. A growl found itself suppressed deep in her throat, only to be let out as a sigh to his question. Not one of particular annoyance, but rather some sort of resignation that she had piqued his interest and her indifference of his existence would not deter him from keeping her company. Slowly, instinctively tucking her muzzle downward as she turned (though she had no reason to fear at sort of assault from him), she turned her face enough so that he could see.

But the entire time her coolly colored eyes may as well have been trying to burn holes into him. She couldn't have speculated too far as to what his interest in her was, or rather, what was wrong with her. But she made it short. "Can you fix it," and it came out not as a statement, but rather half of an asked question. But she didn't think she needed to finish it, knowing if he had been there just to be nosy that she would muster the strength to drive him away.

meanwhile, as i have a coughing fit half to death...

sends u get well cards, peppermint, soup, and a big steak or something idk. KICK UR COLD'S ASS KU. (also tat's den 4 reference)

Her annoyance was unbearably tangible. The Gamma remained calm as she grew all the more defensive. This, he raised a brow at. What good could be accomplished in attacking her? Why would he? She is, undeniably, one of them. Tatsuya was but a neophyte in their midst. Is that why she was guarded? Because his newness – a shaky term, at best – warranted misgiving? Stop over-analyzing. It's nothing. Probably.
INDENTExposing her ripped face to him fully did the Healer lean into her head space. He sniffed the exposed flesh while examining it. Given Echelon's current mood his examination was clipped. Having seen and smelled enough, he leaned back, sunburst eyes glued to her tender wound. “The bastard got close to your eye,” he openly mused with a discerning grimace. Too close. “I can patch you up, yes.” He began to move away from the rocky bank, turning his back on his patient. Follow me.
INDENTThey traveled deeper into the heart of Sawtooth Spire. Past coniferous barricades and thinning shrubbery. Bits and pieces of long dead trees were poised around and on top, home to miscellaneous fungi and insects. His dwelling was a small grove, dappled with sunlight. Soon there will no longer be shade; leaves overhead will wither and fall. Autumn is back and soon, winter. What trials and tribulations await them all?
INDENT“Wait here,” he said as he entered his den of odorous dehydrated plants. Though Echelon did not sport the size of her brethren, to enter alongside Tatsuya would be a snug fit. There would be no room for either of them. Might have to relocate if that's the case. Aspiring to a Healer, he needed room for not only himself but the injured as well. His patient should hear him rummaging about inside, searching for a herb to apply. And maybe something to digest; fend off any nasties coursing through her blood.
INDENT“Have you felt ill since you got that wound?” His voice reverberated off of his lair's dirt-stone walls. Better make sure before attending to her.

(insert refusal to get ready for work in here)

Begrudingly, she took follow of him as he led her off in some direction. To her, it felt random, but then again it would have seemed that Tatsuya knew roughly where he kept things. She hadn't thought of him as a healer and still withheld that judgement; for all she knew, he was probably apt to give her something that would relieve her pain and make her deal with the runs for days. It would have been just, as she hadn't exactly been fair towards him in the past.

Not that she cared to remember, or consider the possibility of what he was liable to do as they made they way onward. It was a short jaunt that to Echelon took too many ages, and she did not withhold the sigh that came out of her mouth as he instructed her to wait. Her, wait? Never. She waited long enough for him to start rummaging within the earthen den before she paced towards the proverbial doorway, testing the musty air in his wake.

"No," she answered when prompted, gritting her teeth as her face responded equally with a tinge of pain. When it came to the mysteries of plants and their healing properties, she was lost. Her eyes trailed over what she thought could have been things to heal, but could have been anything.

I PP'ed. Tell me if it's not okay.

An ear captured her answer. Lucky you. If she did feel a queasiness in the past few days, the Healer would have had to prescribe her something nasty. No antibiotics he had in stock were tasty. An unfortunate attribute, that. Tatsuya has not considered how revolting grinding and swallowing these plants actually is. Having suffered his fair share of nastiness – in all senses – eating leafy greens seemed small compared to a passing, gut wrenching taste. The wolves of Sawtooth Spire would have to live with it, though. The plants he's gathered thus far could be stomached. So help the fool who spits his medicine back up.
INDENTThere it is. This would do nicely. The newest addition to his growing hoard: annuals (or perennials, depending on the location) that becomes mature during autumn. Holding the medicinal plants within his cavernous mouth, he tried to exit his musty den. Of course Echelon blocked the way out. Grunting to spur her into action, the coywolf backtracked, allowing Tatsuya to exit. Shadows subside, revealing bulbous cheeks and grinding jowls. Busily pulverizing the Yellow monkeyflowers into a poultice, he stopped to realize the error of his ways. I didn't explain...Wow. Newbie mistake. Except he was the farthest thing from a newbie. This was pure absentmindedness. I'm an idiot.
INDENT“Thith gos on your fass. Vill 'splain latur.” Unless she says “screw this” and sprints away. Tatsuya wouldn't blame her. It's already chewed up and everything...Why me?

minor powerplay like that doesn't offend me, so you're good! :D

He seemed very involved in his work, though at first she didn't understand entirely what his purpose was. Was he eating what she was supposed to eat? Did he think she was some child who needed to have their food pre-chewed? And the look must have been conveyed in some way, because before she could double-check her expression he was trying to explain behind and from a cheek full of some now pureed plant. Or so she presumed. And for a moment, yes, she almost considered a prompt yeah no bye and left him to eat his... whatever.

Instead, Echelon held onto her patience with mounting difficulty. It wasn't because it was taking so long, but rather she didn't like where it was going. He'd gone and chewed up some shit and now he wanted to try and stick it to her face — that didn't sound pleasant. In fact, it sounded awful, but whether or not it was comparable to shoving half of her face into a muddy stream to try and taper the heat had yet to reveal itself.

She expressed her dismay with a curl of her lip, from the good side of her face.

Echelon did not take the news well. Great. Just perfect. The Healer was not keen on sticking his face anywhere near her mouth, her rising unrest adding to his anxiety. Should have stayed tucked away in his den it seems. Ears and eyes conveying just how sorry he was, the sentiment was tempered by underlying reassurance: this needs to be done. Tatsuya does not know anything about the coywolf's past injuries. Has she ever had a septic wound? Does she know what it feels like? The wolverine has tasted enough pus filled lesions. One more was too much.
INDENTHere goes nothing. Mentally steeling himself, he leaned forward. This time he did not stop, closing in on the festering wound. Hesitancy gripped him as she growled. Despite this, the Healer opened his mouth to begin administering the plant on (and in) her cuts. It appeared to sting, flesh twitching and bunching together beneath practiced strokes of tongue. Or that could be Weirdie's attempt at snarling. Please don't rip my face off. The prayer echoed in his mind like a mantra. Pissed though she may be, Tatsuya did not want to do a half-arsed job. The scourge of her fangs pushed him to go about this as promptly and proficiently as possible. Until then, would Echelon fight off the urge to bite?

Was that the glimpse of intimidation she saw in him? Not coming from him to her, but rather the reflection of her own prowess. It amused her for the briefest of moments that he would be truly be that leery of her, though the deterrence was brief at best. And she did tolerate his ministrations, taking her own proverbial leap of faith into the unknown. If he was poisoning her, well, perhaps she'd be able to let someone know before she lost all control of herself. And if he was healing her, good for them. All of them. They had all had their scuffs and nicks and bruises, whether they came from something or someone else.

When she sensed that he was almost through however, her temperament got the better of her. She lashed out at him when a touch turned a bit too heated for her liking, snapping roughly for the closest thing that turned up clear in her vision. His ear. Whether or not she was going to hit it, she didn't know or care — it was merely the principal that she did not enjoy the attention. Even if it were needed. What a stubborn creature.

“...but rather the reflection of her own prowess.” okay I laughED.

To his horror, her teeth went right for his sensitive ear. Shit. He tired to jerk back. Alas, their closeness was his undoing; right ear now within Echelon's humid oral cavity. Regardless of the pressure applied, a yelp escaped him. Of all things, she had to go for his ear. Course, he was the one who didn't pin them away from her mouth. Tatsuya did not think to do that in advance. Now he was paying for it. Echelon as well, if she does not relinquish her hold.
INDENTBut he was susceptible to bedlam. With everything that's been going on around here, the wolverine had zero patience. He would not coddle her pigheadedness, as time and circumstance has atrophied any sense of affinity. On top of that, his relationship (if one could call it that) with Weirdie could best be described as tumultuous to nonexistent. That did not quiet the growl that spooled within his chest, muzzle tucked into the curve of her neck. “Let. Go. Jerkass.” Weirdie is no more! She is hereby dubbed Jerkass! A most fitting title, no?

lmfao even i forgot i wrote that... and it is hilarious. i really should not laugh at my own bad jokes...

She forced a blast of warm air out through her nose, a righteous snort fitting for the response he offered her. Let him go? But why? It would have been so terrible and so easy to just tatter his ear then and there. Justify that bolt of pain that had gone shocking through her. Yet as it were his muzzle rested far too close to her skin and the very touch of it made that skin desire to crawl away instinctively.

He had done his magic as far as she was concerned. He had jabbed her with a just pinpoint of pain that forced her to reconsider following him in the first place. She was not a creature fond of a healer's touch and this only gave her reason to be satisfied with such a decision. Echelon relinquished her grip on his ear and pulled away sharply, suddenly upright and clearing the scene altogether. Whether or not it freed her from any backlash mattered not to her.

Thanks for the thread. You can archive this when you get the chance. <3

He did not mind the closeness. It was her obstinate nature that deserved concern. That and her teeth, but that was a given. Was he too rough in his appliance? Did a bolt of pain shoot through her so violently that it justified a torn ear? Whatever the reason, the Healer was exasperated. That exasperation shifted to straight-out anger at her huff. He had tended to her wounds, and this was the thanks he got? You're shaping up to be a real dick, you know that?
INDENTAnd just like that, her warmth vanished, leaving naught but mountain air in her absence. Off she went, going away as if nothing happened. Tatsuya would not stomach her insouciant dismissal. No. Retribution was in order. To hasten her pace, the Gamma surged forward, seeking to pinch her left haunch. Seeing as she was so averse to pain, maybe this would get her to leave posthaste, as she has since worn out her welcome.

I'll archive it after this!

He came after her.

She hadn't expected that, though it fueled her to go even faster and even more recklessly off through the woods. It was a wonder she didn't break her neck as she escaped him, though the pinch he gave her as retribution was certainly warranted. When Echelon came to a firm stop somewhere in the higher climes of the mountainous terrain, her sides heaved from the exertion, her lungs burned. But it had been an invigorating sort of thing and in her eyes, certainly justified. She paused long enough to regain her breath and ensure she was alone, and frittered herself away to somewhere she imagined she would not be bothered.

What an exhausting ordeal; a nap was in order for the cranky tyrant.