Winds of Change [Malachi]

[Saphira]

It had been a while since Saphira had wandered outside of the trusted borders of Descai, now Valyn. Especially with everything that had been going on with the merge between the packs, she had felt the need to stay around so as not to miss something incredibly important. But she had had precious little time to herself, if any, to process all the changes going on.

With everything changing so rapidly around her, sometimes she felt as though she could hardly breathe. And yet, despite relishing this time that she had to herself to think through everything going on, she found herself seeking someone to talk to – someone removed from the situation who might be a good sounding board or even have advice. The first wolf, and only wolf, to immediately cross her mind was Malachi. She never considered why the loner should stick out to her; it just made sense. He was not part of Descai or Valyn, they were friends, and she needed someone to talk to.

So it was with Malachi on her mind that she shifted from “wandering” to “searching.” Tracking had never been her strong suit, and she really did not know much about his life. Definitely not enough to know where to go looking for him. The only place she could imagine was where they had last met, but if rumors served her correctly, those lands had been claimed by a new pack, and having never been a loner herself, she did not know where else a loner would be.

It was then Saphira noticed she was headed north. Yes, there were rumors of many loners from Caurus. Perhaps that was not a bad place to start searching. After Saphira had been wandering for a while and reached lands she did not recognize, she heard a rustling nearby. It could have been anything, like maybe a rabbit, but Saphira could not stop herself from calling out, “Malachi?” It was wishful thinking, to be sure, but she had to be close.



Words: 336
Muse: meh
Tags: Malachi
Notes: starting posts is hard.. I’m sorry this is crap. but eep!! <3 Also, the sound does not have to be Malachi. He can show up however/whenever you'd like. :3

[Malachi]

It was getting hard to be someone who belonged nowhere. Packs were forming and claiming more territory, choking the freedom he once thought would always be his. But it was becoming just another thing the fates were stealing from him. Things were evolving fast and he felt obsolete, what did he have? Nothing.

Stopping short he growled at himself quietly. The only way to fix this was to change himself but frankly the male didn't care for any of the options that sprung to mind. So he would just be a grumpy loner with nothing to live for. What a life. 

But......there was a glimmer of light. Saphira. She managed to stay bright despite anything that life threw at her. He envied her that. Unlike her, he couldn't let go and move on even if the issue was minute. 

Sadly the perky girl hadn't been around lately, well that was his doing really. Traveling far south and away from her pack lands would naturally mean he wouldn't come across her. Realizing that he should see if he could find her to see how things have been since he left. Plus he didn't want her to think he disappeared. 

Having crossed so many borders both old and new, Malachi sought to find a way out of this tangle of scent and into the open air where the suffocating stench of numerous warriors seeking to prove themselves dissipated.

Sadly, the usual place they met was no longer open to such visits. Where could he look? Digging into his stash of memories with her, the recollection that she loved water sprung to the front of his mind, maybe he should start looking there. 

It was really a stab in the dark, but he wanted to reconnect with the only one he truly called a friend. The experienced hunter stayed alert to any shred of a sign that she would be here. Of course, he could try to weave his way to Descai but he wasn't sure her pack would take kindly to a loner paying a visit to their princess. 

A tickling breeze brought the faintest whiff of her scent the his ebony nostrils. Responding quickly, the silvered male sped up from a trot to a run towards the delicate signal. It was unmistakably hers. 

Large grey paws thundered on the earth as his grey form dashed by like a streak of lightning on a stormy night. The scent become thicker, assuring him that he was on the right track.

Slowing down once he knew he was near, his ears on a swivel. There! He heard her call his name, how did she know he was here already? Walking through the brush, spotting her pure white body and fought back a smile to see her back was turned to him. "Over here." His thunderous voice boomed out as gently as he could. "You called, milady?" 


Saphira
ooc: yay <3 so cute

[Saphira]

Saphira suddenly felt disappointed, bordering on sad as the noise in front of her did not answer. She had not realized how desperately she had wished for the rustling she’d heard in the brush to be Malachi until she realized it wasn’t him.

The white she-wolf was about to slowly turn away and continue searching when a sudden voice behind her almost made her jump out of her skin.

Over here.

She knew that voice. Malachi. She turned around just in time to see him step from the brush and address her.

You called, milady?

She had just been debating playing upset at how he had startled her, but she could not help blushing and grinning with her eyes on the ground at the way he called her “milady.” Saphira was not sure why she reacted that way. She could have tried to play it off as nothing or even respond in kind in a playful and flirtatious manner, but nothing was coming to mind. Except suddenly remembering why she had gone searching for Malachi.

The smile disappeared from her face and her eyes moved to his. She did not want this to be a negative conversation, but there was so much she was unsure about. “I did.” She paused searching for a good way to begin. “So much has happened. I haven’t really been sure what to think or do. And Valeria has been kind in making an effort to reach out and answer questions, but I just don’t know.”

It must have sounded like rambling to Malachi. He had no context in which to understand. “Descai is being absorbed by Valyn.” Saphira was not sure if he would know of Valyn or not, but she knew she would have mentioned her own pack to him. With so much more still left to be said, Saphira stopped and waited for a response from her friend first.

Words: 330
Muse: decent
Tags: Malachi
Notes: I’m so excited for the potential this thread has. :3

[Malachi]

He was glad to see her smile, it even made his smirk evolve into something a little bigger. Not a full out grin, of course, Malachi didn't know if his face would break if he tried to grin but why take the risk? Stormy eyes watched her pretty gold splashed face look up at him....but then things changed.

That smiled faded to quickly, why? He knew her to always have a ready smile and a teasing word or two but not now. The smirk on his face disappeared as if it was never there, he was quick to become serious and even his muscles tensed as he wondered what changed about her. If someone hurt her, they were dead! There was not even a doubt about it. The fighter male would see to it personally and thoroughly that she wouldn't be hurt again.

However, she spoke of no injury or attacker. Honestly he didn't understand what she meant. Who was this Valeria she spoke of? Why did his friend seem so lost? His head tilted in unasked questions but he held his tongue to wait and see what information she would volunteer to tell him. After a long pause, she mentioned two packs were merging, Descai and Valyn. One he knew was her home and the other he had only heard of a couple of times.

Taking a long pause for his own benefit as he tried to shuffle through the puzzle she presented him with, Malachi's face darkened as his thoughts wove a maze within his skull. Part of him wondered why she would tell him these things when he obviously had no dealings with this situation but then it dawned on him she may just need someone to vent to or get a neutral third party opinion.

Stepping further for the bushes and closer to his friend, Malachi kept a calm demeanor in hopes it would help her a little while he tried to catch up on what the situation was. "Saphira." He said quietly, one of there times he actually used her name without a 'miss' or madam', intending on gathering her attention in a way that she would be comfortable in a time when things were obviously crumbling down in her world. "I wish to help but I am only perplexed at present. I won't bombard you with questions, since I believe that will only make matters worse. Yet I would like to inquire as to whom Valeria is and why are the packs merging?" Hundreds more pressed to be answered in his head but his tongue refused to let them pass the ebony lips. He was resolved to go slow and steady in his collection of information.

Standing at attention, he waited for her reply patiently yet kept his eyes locked onto her face to judge her expressions. Was this merging a mutual decision or was it more of a conquest? He knew her father was Alpha yet she spoke of someone else answering questions......a cypher was all he had. But he would figure It out if she helped him.

Saphira

[Saphira]

Saphira felt slightly bad about the fact that she had caused the slight smile on the face of the wolf who never smiled to disappear so quickly. How could she be so selfish as to think her problems were the only ones that mattered? But she was thankful for his willingness to be there for her and listen to her and feel with her. Her gratitude outweighed her guilt, and she let him speak.

The way he said her name had a calming effect on her, while simultaneously making her feel self-conscious, and she noticed her eyes wandering from him to look at anything else before settling on her paws. She had so much to say, and did not know where to begin. Frequently things that were and should have been obvious were not obvious to Saphira until she heard them come out of her mouth.

Calmness was emanating from her friend, and she smiled realizing she had given so much information without any explanation. “Valeria is my half-sister. She left when I was pretty young to form her own pack.” As she explained the story of what Kairos had done to both Descai and Valyn and how Valeria had been forced out of her homelands and now had struck some sort of agreement with her sick father to take over and merge Descai into her own pack, Saphira noticed herself become more tense. It was so many changes!

But as soon as Saphira stopped talking about her fears and moved on to explaining Valeria and her situation, all she could feel was compassion. And pretty soon, she was spilling her previous fears about the future of Descai with her father slowly losing strength and the packs numbers being lower than ever. Perhaps… Perhaps this would not be a bad thing.

“Valeria and I had a good discussion the other day. It’s hard not to like her. I’m not entirely sure what I think of her as a leader yet, but I have always wanted a sister..” She trailed off, her own emotions confusing her and hoping Malachi would have some insight or at least an opinion to share. She did not know why she would care what he thought about her pack, but she was looking for some kind of validation. What exactly she was looking for she did not know.

Words: 398
Muse: meh
Tags: Malachi
Notes:

[Malachi]

Ah clarification! He nodded slowly to show he was attentive to the story's ups and downs. So much was happening with her, not all of it in his grasp since he knew next to nothing about pack politics. But being attentive seemed to iron out a few things for him. 

"As regards the forging two packs into one, I don't think it to be a bad thing. Since Kairos has been a threat to both, the combined strength can become a stronger contender than if they were separate. That's strictly from a battle perspective, however." Going with something he knew best first seemed the easiest. "It's always better to face a strong opponent with strategy and numbers than being scattered that could be picked off. I don't mean to sound melancholy about it, of course, simply from a fighters standpoint."

The family aspect was harder for him to help with, he didn't really have one. Even when they were alive he was the outsider. But he couldn't ignore it. Looking at her gently, he tried his best to think of something comforting. "You said you like her already. Maybe if you focus more on her as an older sister, in time the fact she is Alpha may come naturally as your respect for her grows." 

Unsure if he actually was helping, Malachi halted to see if Saphira would indicate how she was feeling about his words. "I extend my sympathies about your father as well. Losing family is never easy." His voice became quieter since this subject was rather touchy for him still. It may always be.

"How have the rest of pack reacted to the merge?" Individuals had a large impact on the greater cause, if things could be smooth that would be great. However, it would be more than likely that someone had an issue with it. 


Saphira
OOC: he is trying ^^

[Saphira]

The sound of the silver loner talking in a calm and collected manner was just what Saphira needed. And his opinion that the merge could be a good change helped to solidify that in her own mind. She did not know why she had in the past few weeks swung so quickly and often back and forth between acceptance over the changes and even willingness to be a part of them to fear and uncertainty. It seemed she could not escape it, even after her very good talk with Valeria where so many of her questions had been answered. It had come back in a wave, like a weight and fog on her brain making it impossible for her to think.

Malachi’s words, however, changed all of that. Much like in the conversation with Valeria, Saphira now saw possibility. Maybe she had just needed to hear it from someone else.

It's always better to face a strong opponent with strategy and numbers than being scattered that could be picked off. I don't mean to sound melancholy about it, of course, simply from a fighters standpoint.

Saphira looked up at him her eyes slightly wider. He never talked much about his past. She had asked him about his family once when he had let something slip about them, but she did not know much about his life before she had met him. “You were a fighter?” For a moment, situation was forgotten, until Malachi finished with a question of his own for her.

How have the rest of pack reacted to the merge?

Saphira’s brow furrowed as she tried to remember if she even knew what her brothers thought. She had not even seen them, much less spoken to them since the day Valeria had shown up unannounced in her father’s den. She suddenly felt incredibly self-absorbed and selfish for how much of her time and thought and effort she had spent on herself and what she was going to do without even a thought for her brothers or other members of the pack, especially because Valeria had already answered all her questions and offered her a respectable position in the pack and a friendship. What right did she have to have run off looking for Malachi when her pack and family needed her? And Valyn was as much her family as Descai. She knew that now. She would just have to make the effort to get to know them.

“I don’t know,” the arctic she-wolf admitted, almost tearing up. Perhaps she should have gone to talk to her brothers instead of looking for a loner who had nothing to do with her pack. Her brothers did. They were going through the same thing she was. How were they doing? What were they deciding? “I shouldn’t have come.” She took a step backwards away from Malachi and turned her head back towards Kamari. “Maybe I should go.” Valyn was now her pack, her family, and her home. Why had she left? Now, with some perspective on things going on in Kamari, she was not sure.

A thought appeared, however, and disappeared as quickly as it appeared. What if this does affect Malachi, too? And she waited for a response from the silver wolf before just running off.

Words: 567
Muse: good
Tags: Malachi
Notes: aww poor Saphira feels like a horrible wolf.

[Malachi]

He gave pause when she asked about his past as a fighter. Suddenly he felt bad about hiding so much about himself from his closest friend. But he didn't really feel this was a good time to unload, she had enough to deal with right now. "Yes." He said softly without going into detail. Later.

Watching her carefully, he saw her emotions switch from something that seems a bit more settled with what seemed to be panicked. He didn't know what to do as she stepped back like she was about to bolt. A flicker of concern twisted his stoic expression to something a touch softer. Raising a paw to close to distance she made between them but stopped himself and set the large limb back onto the ground.

"I'm didn't mean to upset you." He rumbled as gently as he could not really sure why the change in her demeanor but he was certain it was his doing. His heart sank a little at that. He couldn't touch anything without destroying it, even the bubbly Saphira who said she could help him change. Was he damaging her more than she was helping him?

"Saphira, I....am sorry." He looked down at the ground, cursing himself for the thousandth time, but then looked up at her with his stormy blue eyes. "If you don't know how they feel, it will be revealed soon enough. Composure for yourself is needed or else if you try to stretch yourself so thin trying to care about everyone else's opinions, you'll become a shadow of yourself. I know you have a good heart and a strong spirit, but you need to focus." Why was he advising her? He was the last wolf that should be doing that. 

Never taking his eyes from her face, he wished her to know how serious he was. "I won't stand to see you broken." He let the silence weigh after that sentence, with so much changing around her he felt she needed to know he would at least be a constant in her life as long as she wished him to be her friend. Yes, he wasn't the best friend to have but hopefully it'd be enough until she knew what life held for her with this merger. 

Saphira

[Saphira]

Yes

His answer sounded so final and as if he was ending that conversation where it had begun. No problem. She could be patient. She looked deeply into his eyes searching for the secrets he kept so closely guarded. When would he let her in? Saphira tried to tell herself the only reason she cared to know was because she cared about everyone and wanted to be a listening ear to anyone, but this felt somehow different.

She did not have time to contemplate that, however, as he continued talking. Immediately she felt more selfish. How could she have responded that way knowing he was sensitive? It had not been her intent to hurt him.

Saphira, I....am sorry.

She wanted to stop him right there and opened her maw to tell him he did not have to apologize and to reassure him that she was not upset at him but at herself, but he continued to speak and managed to say a lot quickly. He managed to turn around the situation and comfort her with her words. How did he always know what to say?

Composure for yourself is needed or else if you try to stretch yourself so thin trying to care about everyone else's opinions, you'll become a shadow of yourself. I know you have a good heart and a strong spirit, but you need to focus.

He was probably right. She breathed in heavily and exhaled with a bit of relief as the overwhelming guilt she had been feeling began to dissipate. She did not need to be something for everyone else. She was sure Valeria and her brothers would say the same thing. And the fact that Malachi had complimented her good heart and strong spirit brought a smile to her face. It was often easy to lose sight of the fact that she was, at heart, good. That knowledge was too often overshadowed with doubts and feelings of inadequacy or guilt.

“Thank you,” she responded sincerely. “I try to do what is right.” He wasn’t saying she shouldn’t, but rather that she should also try to take care of herself. “But I will try to take care of myself.” She smiled at him and stepped forward to push her muzzle into his fur in a gesture of gratitude for his friendship.

I won't stand to see you broken.

His statement made with such a serious face caused Saphira to break out into laughter. It just seemed kind of over the top to her. It was not like Valeria was breaking her? And yet, his protectiveness warmed her inside. He cares.

“I’m sorry I’m laughing, but that just sounded funny.” She looked at him breathing in heavily and still occasionally letting a laugh or chuckle escape as she tried to speak. “I’m just being a baby about the whole thing is all. You don’t need to worry about me. I can take care of myself.” And she winked playfully at him.



Words: 500
Muse: For Saphira – always!
Tags: Malachi
Notes: look at me getting you two replies in one day. I feel quite proud. :3 So, how much do you want to continue this before we end it and move on to the Raksha thread? It’s already up, but yeah.

[Malachi]

He waited for her to speak. Waited to see if his counsel would be taken despite the obvious fact that he was unfit to counsel anyone. Then she laughed...

For a spilt second he thought she was laughing at him and his ridiculous notion that he could help her. Finally she realized he was nothing to be concerned of. But then she spoke. She was not jesting at him nor did she seem to have a change of heart regarding being friends with a mess like himself. 

Then she said not to worry over her and he fought back a chuckle of his own. It was never heard since he bit it back before it escaped his lips but nonetheless it threatened to rumble out like thunder. She was the only he did worry over really. He didn't see a time when he would stop, even if she chose a mate he would worry over her. Even if she had a whole family of her own with strong healthy pups that grew into hardy adults' he would still worry. 

He cared to much to stop now. 

His heart lifted as he remembered the time by the water when she offered to teach him to play. She told him not to worry, she could take a hit. Or when they first met and she called him Stormy until he revealed his name. She was his closest friend now, the closest he ever had. He had to care and protect, he wanted to.

"I have every confidence in you." Take that as she will, he meant it. 


Saphira
OOC: Weeeee

[Saphira]

Saphira could tell his mind was somewhere, dwelling on something, and she desperately wished he would let her in. But he had made it decently clear earlier that he was not there to talk about himself just then. Sometime. Sometime she would convince him and they would talk about the many deep thoughts she knew he kept to himself.

I have every confidence in you.

That was all he said, and Saphira was not entirely sure how to take it. It made her smile, definitely, and she lowered her head and pushed it into his fur as a silent thank you. But the fact that that was all he would say made her wonder if she had done something wrong. Should she not have laughed? But he did not seem upset or hurt or anything that would give her any indication. Perhaps he was just always short of words. Yes, now that she remembered their previous encounters, where he had not been offering advice, he had always seemed at a loss for words. No matter. She was good at filling silence.

“I need to get back soon,” she started, the mood shifting. She felt light, definitely not as heavy and weighed down by thoughts as she had been when she had come. “Valeria said Father was not looking well last she saw him, and I should be there. You know.. in case..” But the white and gold she-wolf could not bring herself to finish that sentence. “Anyway, thank you for listening. You’re a good friend.” She smiled as warmly and as meaningfully as she could at the dark male, hesitating to leave, wanting to spend just a few more minutes with her friend. Maybe she could, at least for a little while.

“Actually…” she playfully glanced from side to side as if making sure no one was watching and then intensely whispering “Follow me!” She immediately took off in long bounds, laughing, heading nowhere in particular, just wanting to play with her friend. She could return soon enough.

Words: 338
Muse: decent
Tags: Malachi
Notes: aaaand FINISHED!