Moonspear And, then, there was light

Dash had spent several days in the darkness of his den, only coming out after the sun had gone down, and even then he never went very far. He almost feared to hope that it was getting better, but as the days passed, things became less blurry and little clearer. He was indeed, improving. It was late in the day, and the sun had fallen to the treeline, casting shadows all about. Dash took a chance and made his way out, squinting his eyes against the light, fearing it would hurt to be out in the light, even if it wasn't direct.

As he slowly opened them, he realized the pain didn't come. He glanced around, and let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding in. He could definitely see. His vision was still blurry, but nothing like it was. He could make out the bushes around him, their colors, and the trees. A bird flew by and he tried to follow it with his eyes as it darted around. Instantly, he seemed to get a headache and he shut his eyes again. He hadn't realized trying to follow something so quickly could hurt. After a few moments, he opened them again, sticking to looking at stationary objects instead of anything moving. His tail wagged as he sat back on his haunches, and simply looked.

He was disappointed with how slowly he seemed to be healing; the young outrider was yearning to hit the road and explore, but his leg was hindering him. The medicine provided by Pyx and Judas did ease the pain, but his range of mobility was low and his endurance was almost nonexistent. This frustrated Floki to no end, but it also served to motivate him. Rather than mope around and sleep, he went for long, slow walks, hoping to build up the strength he had lost.

More than anything, he feared that he would no longer be able to scout. He had a list of things he wanted to do, which included visiting Aria and then traveling all the way to Sleeping Dragon in order to meet his half-sister. As annoyed as he was, he recognized that pushing himself too much would only delay his trips even further, so he meandered at a leisurely pace, trying to ignore the prominent limp that he couldn't seem to overcome.

The sun was setting, and his gaze fell on a shadowy figure sitting peacefully nearby. He identified Dash by scent and hobbled towards him, grinning despite the ache in his lower leg. "Dash! How are you doing?" he asked; he had heard about Dash's vision loss through the grapevine.

A familiar voice reached his ears and turned his gaze on his Beta, his tail wagging as he lowered his head a bit in respect to Floki's rank. Floki! I can see you! he said excitedly. Sure, he was still a tad blurry, but it was much better than what it had been a few days ago. 

His smile faded a bit as he took in his friend, recognizing that his motions weren't fluid. How are you doing? Your leg healing? He knew from Ame that Floki's leg had been injured in his fall down the mountain. 

His friendship with Floki was a curious thing for Dash. It wasn't like they had shared their deepest secrets or even hung out more than any of the others, but Dash felt a sense of camaraderie with Floki. He trusted his Beta, called him friend, and maybe somewhere deep down where he was okay with building relationships, he considered him family. It was the same with Charon. His loyalties lied the strongest with the two males.

"Good!" Floki replied, tail swaying as he came to an unsteady halt near Dash. He searched his friend's face, as though expecting to see something different about his eyes, but they were the same familiar yellow they had always been. He couldn't imagine what it would be like to lose his sight, even temporarily; suddenly, his injured leg didn't seem to be such a burden. "How do I look?" he quipped, before settling himself on his haunches.

He was glad to get weight off his foreleg, and his relief was evident in his expression. He looked down at the offending appendage with a twist of his lips. "I'm doing okay. Getting better, but it's frustrating to not be able to get around as easily," he said, shaking his head. "But what about you -- can you see everything? I mean, is your vision back to normal?" he asked as he peered at Dash again.

Floki sounded as excited as Dash felt about his sigh. The dark wolf's gaze remained on his friend, taking in what details he could when Floki asked Dash how he looked. He grinned. Ugly as ever, he said, his voice conveying he was joking as he chuckled.

He nodded when Floki voiced his frustration at not being able to get around as well as usual. Dash could certainly understand that. He had been in den for the past several days, not going anywhere so as to allow his sight the best chance of coming back. He let his gaze look around when Floki asked him if he could see everything. Mostly, I think. I mean, everything is still a bit blurry, but it's so much better than what it was, I have to believe that the blurriness will go away, too. There was nothing saying that it would, but Dash held every hope that his sight would be back to one hundred percent normal at some point. Do you know how Heldi is? He hadn't seen her since she had brought him home.

"Ah, crap," was Floki's reply to Dash's jab. He shrugged his shoulders, as if resigning himself to the fact that he would never be a looker, though he snickered all the while. He had known Dash for quite some time -- since Moonspear's conception, in fact -- but now it felt like their friendship was growing and they were becoming more comfortable in each other's presence.

He squinted at Dash, his mouth opening to press for more information about his packmate's temporary vision loss. What had caused it? Had he fallen too, or had it been the lightning? Everything had happened so quickly and so chaotically that, other than what he had been told, Floki really had no idea how anyone else had fared. That included Heldi, and he shook his head before responding.

"No, I haven't seen her since that day," he confessed. Heldi and Filth had both, at some point, checked on him after his tumble down the slope, and he was thankful for that.

no clue how this fits into my timeline or nuttin' but i'll just not mention the whole lazarus/ame thing to be safe :3

Charon had spent much of his time resting and getting rid of his headache. His other time was spent patrolling and hunting; he was glad to see that plants and, with them, herds were returning to the lands now. It was amazing that everything seemed as before, now, except for the wolves that were still marred by the famine.

When he saw Dash and Flóki during one of his unsuccessful hunting trips, Charon decided to join them. He hadn't spend appropriate time with Dash since his return to the pack, and had especially not given his injury enough attention. As he approached he noted that Dash was looking better than before, though; he looked more like he saw where he was looking. "How are you doing?" he asked Dash, deciding to ask rather than assume anything. Then, unaware that the subject had just been on her, "Has Heldi been making sure you've been walking in the right directions?" It was a half-joking comment, but he did hope that someone had been making sure Dash wasn't running into trees and shit.

Floki admitted he hadn't seen Heldi since the day of the hunt, and Dash frowned, wondering if anyone had checked on her. He was about to reply when a movement to his side caught his attention. His head lowered in respect, and his tail wagged in friendliness as Charon approached. I'm doing better! My eyes are getting better, just a little blurry now, he explained, his voice conveying his hope.

His ears swiveled at the mention of Heldi, his concern coming through in his expression. I haven't seen her since the other day at the borders, when she brought me back. I've been hanging here while my eyes heal, he confessed. I think I might be okay to go and find her, but if someone wants to go with me... he trailed off, his gaze going between Floki and Charon. He kind of hated to ask for an escort, but it would be good to have another wolf there if @Heldi wasn't in good form.

Yay for wonky timelines! :)

They were approached by Charon, and Floki greeted his brother non-verbally with a smile and a wave of his tail. Dash repeated himself for the Alpha's benefit, describing the improvements in his vision before the subject returned to Heldi's whereabouts. Floki frowned faintly when it became apparent that none of them had laid eyes on her -- literally or figuratively, in Dash's case -- and Dash's worry was palpable as he spoke.

He volunteered quickly. "I can go with you," he offered, glancing at Charon. He doubted that Dash would really need much assistance, but he hoped Charon would join them.

Though he hadn't seen her, Charon knew that she had been around because he had caught her scent about, at least. He wondered what the motives were for Dash to go look for Heldi, but maybe he was just curious and grateful for her to have saved him when he was unable to see much.

Floki offered to come and after a moment of consideration Charon decided, "Sure, I'll come with as well to look for her." He could use the distraction. He thought it a good thing they were all doing at least a little bit better after the lightning strike hit, now; they had certainly got off well considering none had died, especially considering they'd gotten some food out of it, eventually.

I guess I'll throw her in now? :P

Heldi had been healing slowly, though surely, and had come to the conclusion that her leg was a bit bum but that it still functioned. She was trying to look on the bright side of things, she could have ended up gimpy and useless. Even so, it had been a pain waiting for the wound to heal enough that she could run and be active within the pack. 

It was healed enough now that Heldi found herself just wandering. It had been about a week or so she supposed since finding Dash and she was lacking on updates regarding the rest of the pack. She'd been a shitty friend not checking up on Dash, and set out to find him.

He smiled when both Floki and Charon agreed to come with him. He was happy to have two friends who would support him like this, and it only served to solidify his loyalty to the pack, if it was possible to get stronger than it was already. He still felt bad about being a burden upon the pack, but soon his eyesight, hopefully, would be a hundred percent, and he could make up for it. 

Great! Let's go! he said excitedly. He took a few steps, and then stopped as he heard pawsteps. Speak of the angel, there was Heldi. His tail wagged in greeting and he smiled at her. Hey! We were just coming to find you! He approached her, his gaze taking in her form. How are you? he asked. She seemed to be walking better than she said she could a week or so ago, when she found him. 

Their search turned out to be much easier than Floki had anticipated -- the three males fell into step together for a short time, only to quickly be alerted to Heldi's presence nearby. Floki hung back as Dash greeted the girl, his ears cupping forward to hear her response. They had all been battered in one way or another by that reckless day on Nocturne Summit, but despite her own injuries she had gone out of her way to try to help her packmates. Floki remembered her peering over the ledge to see where he had fallen, and then relaying his location to Charon and Amekaze.

It wasn't long at all after they set out that they happened upon Heldi, a lucky coincidence. It was almost as if she had just been headed this way, whether it was because she was looking for Dash or because she just happened to be in the area. Charon smiled at her and said, "Hey, good to see you." Then he looked at Dash, not really sure what else to say. He looked at Flóki for a brief moment before he decided, "I'm gonna head off for a patrol. See you later!" He offered both of them a friendly smile before he started to make his way down the mountain and off towards the borders.

my last post! :)

Heldi felt her ears flatten slightly in confusion, seeing the group of males approaching and finding that they have been looking for her. Briefly she considers the fact that she is in trouble and immediately the agouti tenses. Her form relaxes as Charon leaves before she can get a chance to say anything. 

Heldi nodded absently as he passed, wondering why the trio was searching her out when Dash spoke. The bastard of Vledfest's eyes flicked to Floki, whom she did not know very well, giving him a small smile in greeting before returning her attention to Dash.

"I'm fine," she assures, not wanting to linger on the issue of her leg. It was what it was. "How are your eyes? And your leg?" The second question is for Floki whom she glances at once more.

Charon seemed to make a quick exit, though Dash didn't mind. The Alpha had committed to seeing Dash to Heldi with Floki, and since Heldi had arrived, Dash assumed Charon figured his duty was done here. He gave his friend a parting nod and smile before he turned his attention back to Heldi.

She said she was fine, though Dash wondered if she was keeping the whole truth from him. Injuries may be what they were, but if could help in some way, he wanted to. My eyes are getting better and better, he said with a small smile. He was holding hope that it wouldn't be long now before he was back to full sight with no blurriness. Heldi asked about Floki, too, and Dash was quiet, letting his friend answer.

Floki glanced at Charon as his brother made his exit, and took a step as though he intended to follow. He stopped, however, when Heldi directed a question at him; not wanting to be rude, he turned back towards her, smiling faintly. His answer very nearly mimicked Dash's.

"Much better," he said, stretching the truth only slightly. His leg didn't feel as good as he had hoped it would by now, but he was at least glad that he could get around, albeit slowly. Shifting his gaze between Heldi and Dash, Floki found himself wondering if there was something between them -- something romantic, maybe? If that wasn't it, then it was at least clear that they had become good friends.

He decided to excuse himself and follow Charon. He wanted to keep moving, working on exercising his leg. "I'm gonna go catch up with Charon -- see you guys later," he said. Before departing, he pressed his nose briefly against Dash's shoulder in the same manner that he normally reserved for Charon. Then, with a friendly glance in Heldi's direction, he began to pick his way slowly back down the slope.

Heldi smiled, happy to hear that the two were getting better. It was possible they too were downplaying any pain as she had to Amekaze, though she hoped that their words were true. "That's good," Heldi replied, nodding to Floki as he left.

The bastard wasn't sure what went on between her and Dash, they were good friends certainly but she was unaware if Dash saw her as more than that. Heldi wasn't the kind to risk a friendship for romance and probably would never act unless Dash did. 

"I'm sorry I haven't seen you since we got back. That wasn't very friend-ish of me," she frowned, unable to recall much of what happened after returning to her den. Lots of sleeping while she healed most likely.

Floki quickly made his getaway on the heels of Charon after he answered Heldi’s question. Dash could help but wonder why they were so quick to leave then they had been as equally quick to come with him. Mentally, he shrugged. He supposed it didn’t matter.

His gaze turned to Heldi as she apologized for not seeing him since they got back. He shook his head side to side. No, no, don’t feel bad. We both had a lot of healing to do. He hadn’t wanted her to go out of her way to come check on him, and though he had wanted to go her, his bad eyesight had prevented it. You want to come hang out by my den, since it’s not far? He figured her leg might not be one hundred percent, and didn’t want to push her for a stroll.

Heldi nodded, unsure what to say as she glanced out at the trees as if they held the answers. It was a bit disturbing that she couldn't remember what had happened, at least to her, but she was certain it was as Dash said. Lots of healing. 

Her eyes flicked back to him as he spoke, smiling widely and nodding before realizing that probably made her look like an idiot. "Yeah I would," she walked to his side, her leg would be thanking her later. It wasn't completely healed and still twinged with pain as she walked.

He smiled, glad she wanted to hang out a bit. He lead them to his den, laying down in front of the entrance, his head up and his front legs stretched out before him. I am really thankful for you- that you came looking for me. I think I would have died if you hadn’t, he said softly. While he knew now he had been heading in the direction of home, he never would have made in time before his body began to shut down.

His brain seemed to shut down a little, and he struggled with what to say next. They had already talked about his eyes, and her leg, and he just wasn’t sure what to say next. His eyes scanned the area around his densite, and he finally commented. The foliage has grown back nicely. With his injury, he hadn’t been able to really see the majority of it grow back in. Looking at it now, it was almost as if the locusts had never happened.

Heldi limped after him, thankful that no one had said anything about what appeared to be a permanent limp nor stared at it quiet openly. It made hee uncomfortable enough, fearing that she would become a useless burden to her pack.

She stretched out next to Dash, glancing over at him in surprised as he thanked her. "Oh..uh you don't have to thank me, Dash. Really it was nothing. You're my friend," she pointed out, knowing he'd have done the same for her.

"That it has. I'm so happy that it came back so nicely," her appreciative smile turned towards the foliage.

She looked surprised when he thanked her, though he wasn't sure why. Wasn't that the polite thing to do? She explained, though, that her doing that was what friends did. He smiled softly, realizing he hadn't grown up with friends, and therefore he wasn't accustomed to others going out on a limb for him like that. And you, mine, he confirmed. While he had pledged his loyalty to Charon, confirming that he and Heldi were friends seemed different. There was no underlying promise that he needed to prove it, as he did with the pack by protecting it and providing food. It simply was.

He nodded with her sentiment. Me, too. I had never seen the destruction that locusts could cause, and I was worried it wouldn't all come back as full as it was before, he said, doing his best to make some conversation. 

Heldi had expected a verbal conformation of their friendship, it would seem weird if Dash didn't say so after she had so openly proclaimed it. Still, that didn't stop the Vledfest from smiling softly and turning away with her ears flattened slightly in embarassment. 

"I hadn't either, locusts aren't common in The East. I'm heard they look like odd grasshoppers," she conversed lightly, laying her head on her paws though that made her head practically rest against his shoulder. It made her nervous, afraid he would scoot away awkwardly and that tension would fill the air between the two.

He tried to imagine the picture she presented of an odd grasshopper, but he simply wasn't sure what exactly that would look like. I wasn't here when they swarmed, so I still haven't seen one. They had long since moved on to greener pastures, literally, by the time Dash had returned from visiting his brother.

How are you liking Moonspear? he asked. He often wondered if he did enough for the pack, but he had learned to simply trust Charon and Amekaze and their decision on whether to promote or demote him. There were still days he struggling with what to do, but he calm in the knowledge that he could depend on their leadership for guidance.