Moonspear All around the mulberry bush

@Heldi

It was early evening and Dash was making his patrols near the borders of the territory. The sun had already started its decent from the sky, and it cast Dash's shadow on the ground before him. There had not been another incident since the girl that Moonspear now enslaved. He was doing his best to care for her, but he figured Harley would be more apt to give her medical care, while Dash could bring her food and water. 

Urging his thoughts from the female, he wondered what his other pack mates were up to. Like him, they were most likely spending most of their time hunting and trying to eat enough to stay alive. It was a catch twenty-two. A wolf would expend energy on hunting, and what it caught wouldn't make up for the calories lost. If large prey didn't return soon, they were all doomed. His own body had well since began to show the affects of malnourishment, his ribs showing easily and his hip bones beginning to protrude under his skin. He had been closer to death, however, as a lone wolf. He wasn't quite worried yet.

Heldi having been left to her own devices, set out to explore. It was what she seemed best at, roaming and memorizing what everything looked like. The bastard hated feeling lost, she liked to depend on herself and would not want to ask for directions to some place in the territory. 

Somehow, Heldi had found herself scaling a half fallen tree that had crashed into one of its brethren. At the apex, Heldi was about ten feet in the air. Her eyes scanned everything curiously from her new vantage point, locking on the approaching form of a dark wolf.

It was Dash, the male who had met with her at the border. As he neared closer, Heldi scooted her way down the trunk to a safe distance before leaping nimbly down to land right in front of him. The Vledfest paused, honey eyes glancing over him before letting a rare grin slide across her features.

He had been a little lost in his thoughts, but apparently not in his duties, as he didn't see the newest member of Moonspear climbing a fallen tree. All of a sudden, a form jumped out in front of him, and Dash was instantly in attack mode, his instincts kicking in. His hackles raised, his teeth bared, and he growled as he took a few steps back, gaining distance from the threat. 

Then, his eyes focused and he realized she was no threat. His sheathed his glistening canines and smoothed the fur on his back as she grinned at him. His heart was pounding and his blood was racing, but he slowly returned her smile. Yeah, you got me, he said, his voice conveying he wasn't upset.

He remembered her as Heldi, a wolf he had met at the borders and as accepted into the pack. I guess you're all settled in then, huh? he asked. Seeing as how she was comfortable to go jumping out at others, she must have felt good here.

Heldi wasn't afraid. She had practically ripped her shoulder open on a mountain side and faced down a gang without dying. One startled male was nothing. The agouti female only watched him in interest as his emotions slowly flickered across his face.

"Yep." Heldi spoke up, popping the 'p' comically. "What are you doing?" Heldi turned to walk with him, glancing over at him for an explanation.

He grinned at her demeanor, liking her instantly. The dark male fell in step beside her before answering her question. Patrols, looking for signs of food, he said. And maybe trying to cure a little bit of boredom. It wasn't wise to expend much energy, so play was generally out of the question, as was aimless exploring. 

What are yooouuuuu doing? he said, drawing out the word in fun. She seemed rather easy going, and he liked that. Dash wasn't a stiff wolf, either, so he gravitated to those who were like-minded.

Heldi nodded. They were all sensible, responsible things to be doing. Heldi hadn't yet done either, she had only just gotten here and had been more interested in figuring out her way around. 

"Exploring. Mapping." The bastard of Vledfest kicked a rock in her path, sending it rolling as she walked. "Don't want to get lost or anything."

She said she was exploring the pack lands, that way she wouldn't get lost. You're never really lost inside the borders, though, he said. There's always someone around, you just have to howl. Chances were good there would be a wolf around who would be able to show her the way to wherever she wanted to go here. 

So, do you have family in the area? he asked, making conversation. They didn't get much of a chance to talk during her acceptance.

"I don't like asking for help." Heldi shrugged, trying to explain. If you wanted to help Heldi out with something it had to be done discreetly. She wasn't the type to ask for anything, preferring to figure it out herself.

"My family is all back in The East. Except for one of my half sisters but I don't even like her." She informed, thinking of Korpa with a grimace.

Dash thought it was interesting that she confessed she didn't like asking for help. But, if it gets you out of a dangerous situation, why not? Getting lost wasn't exactly the most life-threatening situation a wolf could get in, but he didn't quite understand why she wouldn't simply howl for some assistance. Dash wasn't a prideful wolf himself, though. 

She told him about her family, and a sister she didn't get along with. Why don't you like her? he asked. He was really getting the hang of this asking questions thing, he thought silently. When he found his brother, he was happy that they got along. His trip would have been pointless if they found they didn't like each other, and Dash may not have learned a thing.

"I don't mean life or death. I just don't like to be seen as helpless or stupid, like some damsel in distress." Heldi tried to explain to him, wondering silently if he understood. "I prefer to do things myself, I suppose I like being alone." 

"Do you know what a bastard is?" Her question was softer, the word practically spat from her lips with hatred. It wasn't as if Heldi wanted to be born to her father. It hadn't been like she asked to be raised by her vicious step mother.

He nodded, beginning to understand that she wasn't so prideful that if calling for help would save her life, she wouldn't do it. He gave her a soft smile, I gotcha, he responded. He certainly couldn't fault her for wanting to do things on her own. Dash had beat his own path for the majority of his life before coming to Moonspear. He hadn't even had a friend before Charon.

He thought a moment, trying to remember if he had heard the term before. He shook his head side to side. No, I don't, he admitted, assuming she would automatically teach him what it meant. He didn't think it was something positive, from the way she said it. Would this be another situation like Harley's- a mixed breed not by his own fault, but shunned anyways for it?

Heldi nodded, figuring many here wouldn't. It was term used in The East for children like her. The Unwanted Ones were what Elders called them. No man liked admitting he had soiled the family name by sleeping with another woman, it was worst to have a child born from it. Heldi was the walking, talking example of her father's infidelity.

"In The East the families there are old and very established. They pride themselves on a sense of honour, of nobility. Pompous asses is what they are." Heldi snorted in laughter. "If a man lays with another female besides his mate, it's considered a disgusting act. Its even worse if the female bares a child from it. I'm one such child. A bastard. My step mother despised me, yet I can't really blame her."

Heldi stopped, turning to him. "To her I was the symbol of her husband's errant ways. She couldn't help but to hate me. That same hatred passed onto her eldest daughter, Korpa. Korpa though had a knack for making you feel like dirt. She was worse than my step mother, at the very least I could ignore Lady Vledfest's cruel words. Korpa though liked physical pain. That's why I don't like her." The Vledfest's face darkened, moving on to walk once more.

The Delta drew quiet when Heldi began to speak, listening to her intently, doing his best to follow along. Her father mated with a female who was not his mate, his mate and daughter hated her for it, and the daughter physically abused Heldi. Dash stopped in his tracks when the female faced him, maybe making sure that he was paying attention. He was. 

He frowned as they began walking again, taking a few moments to absorb her story. There was one part that stuck out to him. I can, he said, his voice soft. I can blame them for despising you. His gaze sought hers, something Dash didn't usually do. You did not commit any wrongdoing. You were simply born. They should have faulted him for what he did, not abused you for something you did not. He fullheartedly believe that, just like he had with Harley. He didn't understand why someone would put the blame where it did not lie.

Heldi turned to him once more, searching him for any sign that he was lying, that he pitied her. Gods, the pity was worse than Korpa's fangs. Heldi found nothing except for sincerity. It brought a lump to her throat that she fought hard to swallow.

"Aye, perhaps they should have. It was easier to hate me. Lady Vledfest had to live with him, lie with him, bare his pups." Heldi's lips drew back silently in disgust. "She couldn't hate him. But she could hate his mistake. As for Korpa, well, monkey see; monkey do." Heldi laughed again though it was a bit forced.

The agouti glanced him, growing serious. "Hey, Dash? Thanks." Heldi smiled somewhat shyly, glad someone was on her side for once.

He let her search his gaze, and for once he wasn't uncomfortable with the non-physical contact. He wasn't sure what it was she was looking for, but she seemed satisfied in the end. Truthfully, Dash was not one to pity. But, he could realize where faults lied, and they were not with her.

Heldi explained further that the mother had remained mated to Heldi's father. Dash really couldn't even begin to try and comprehend that decision, but he figured it wasn't his place to delve too deeply into the family dynamics. However, he did feel comfortable delving into her. You know, you wouldn't be you without what happened... happening. You're a strong female who knows she can take care of herself, he commented, hoping she seen the silver lining of it all.

His gaze turned to her once more at the sound of his name. His smile was full and his tail wagged. Anytime, he said genuinely. He realized he rather liked her company, much as he had Thistle Cloud's.

Heldi padded alongside him, a smile gracing her features at his words. Her tail wagged, knowing she had found a friend in Dash. Hopefully this friendship wouldn't end as badly as the rest of her other ones.

"What about you? Any dark secrets to share?" The Vledfest nudged him in a friendly matter, her tone making it clear he was free to deflect the question if he chose.

She inquired about his own dark secrets, and he was almost regretful that he didn't have much of a history. There isn't a whole lot to tell. I was born to my parents, no pack. I left before I was a year old, spent my time as a lone wolf, and hadn't seen any of them until several months ago when I went back to the area. I got to catch up with one of my brothers, he told. That was really about it. 

Dash was feeling rather lighthearted with Heldi around. While he had met other pack wolves, and considered them friends, he really wanted the one he could talk easily to, without worrying he looked awkward or weird. Though he had worked through much of it, he still had some social anxiety to work through.

Heldi listened as attentively as he had, nodding along where it seemed she needed to. "Is your brother around then? In Moonspear maybe?" Dash hadn't made that clear so she questioned him, wondering if he was related to one of the pack wolves.

He shook his head. No, he stayed with his pack back east. He was happy there, he responded. While they both wanted to stay in touch, they also both had places that felt like home, and neither wanted the other to not have that. At least now he knew where his brother was and could go visit him whenever he wanted.

I have other family, more siblings, parents, he confessed. But, I don't know where any of them are, and neither did my brother. It had been sad that neither of them knew, but Dash hadn't even expected to find one of his family members, so he counted himself lucky.

"Well, at least he's happy. It's not as if he's lost or anything either, you can always go see him." It was something at least, Heldi was happy for him. 

"I'm sorry." Heldi bumped his shoulder gently in camaraderie, hoping to offer him some sympathy. "Moonspear is kinda like a family though, at least I think most packs are like that. That means they're like your second family I guess. Me too, I'm part of your second family as well." Heldi rambled aloud, realizing a few moments later that it might sound stupid or just plain weird.

He nodded, agreeing with her. Yeah, I'm happy we know where each other is now. Even if we're not in the same pack, it's comforting knowing I can go see him whenever I want, and he can, too. His brother had seemed happy living his life, regardless of his blood family, but Dash supposed that's what made him... him. His brother was independent, making his own life for himself. He had been happy to see Dash, but Dash had no qualms that his brother would loose any sleep if they never seen each other again. Though, neither would Dash now that he knew how happy his brother was. 

He smiled. Moonspear is my family, he said easily. He smiled at her when she mentioned she was part of his family, too. Thank you, he said genuinely. I hope you know I am yours, too. He didn't think it sounded stupid, to let someone know that. It let Dash know there were wolves who cared, and he hoped to let them know that, too. Sometimes, a wolf just needed a reminder.

In an effort to pull the mood up, Dash extended his neck to her shoulder in an attempt to nip at her playfully before racing off, laughing as he did so. Tag, you're it!

Heldi smiled at him, a real smile that nearly hurt her face muscles. She was used to being so stiff around others, bottling her emotions beneath a cool mask. It was the easiest way to keep people away and not get hurt anymore. It was harder to stay that way around Dash, something about him drew her in and made her forget to keep him at arm's length.

The agouti nudged him in thanks, too shy to say anything else about him being part of her new family. Surprising her, the ebony male nipped her shoulder; thankfully, on her good one. He dashed away, brining an excited grin to her face and sent her tail wagging.

Heldi's bad shoulder pulled painfully as she ran, only about half healed since slipping on the mountain slope, causing her to limp slightly but she ignored it. It wasn't unbearable and she would keep up or fall down trying. 

see what I did there? Hehe dashed 

I do see! XD

He glanced back, noticing she was following him. He hadn't played like this in a while, and it was great to be at ease with another wolf enough to let his guard down. All of a sudden, he turned to face her, intending to go into a play bow, but then he noticed her limp. Frowning, he stood. Why are you limping? he asked, worried it was something he had done. If he had realized she was hurt, he wouldn't have engaged her in play. He walked to her, knowing he sucked at anything having to do with healing. 

Sucky short post, I'm sorry! >_<

Heldi stopped mid-chase, glancing at him with a confused expression that asked why they were stopping. His question floored her for a moment, perhaps she had only been facing him with the opposite shoulder and he just hadn't seen. Turning Heldi bared her other shoulder to him, revealing the rather large gash along the length of her shoulder. It had scabbed over and was beginning to toughen into scar tissue.

"I kinda er, slipped before coming here. It was a bit south when I was still recruiting." Heldi forgot she hadn't mentioned that yet, being a part of Shadowfax but it was the past. It probably wouldn't matter that she had another pack before Moonspear, right?

He had no idea how he hadn't noticed her limp before. Was he really not paying that much attention? His focus had been on her, though, so that didn't make sense. His eyes widened when she turned so that he could see the gash. It wasn't super recent, as he could tell it began to scab over. 

How did I not see that?! he exclaimed, more to himself than to her. What did you slip on? Rock maybe? He extended his neck, mostly instinctively, to sniff at her healing wound. It didn't look much like Althaia's. The Omega was fighting an infection, but Heldi's shoulder looked clean. He retreated a bit, hoping he hadn't offended her by invading her personal space.