Warmth, at least.

[avani]

At least I am warm.

The small wolf paced slowly to the bank of a river she'd come to by the sound of water and rock. It was dark, and the female's stomach was pained. She had never swallowed so many bugs in her lifetime, and the squirming things she had eaten seemed to stir in her belly. The wolf had fought the nauseousness for almost four miles, and only now did she give herself time to rest.

Avani paced in a lopsided circle only once before flopping her body to the ground. The ground was surprisingly solid, but even as the femme rested she felt phantom sands shifting under her paws. Though the dunes she had just passed through were not unlike her homeland, their frigid nighttime temperature left her with shivers on her skin and hardened fur.

For once, Avani forgot her personal hygiene and rested her head on her paws, but keeping her eyelids open. The rock her back was pressed against warmed her skin, looming above her like a guardian angel. I suppose I have Njambi to thank, Avani thought, with a chuckle to herself. She then followed it instinctively by the whispered traditional closure, "Praise be to the gods. May Azra'il be warded off." Truth be told, Avani was not the religious type, but more focused on legends of the gods that once were. However, at this point, she had quite a bit to lose and nothing to gain. A little protection from the gods could be of a great use right about now.

Avani blinked the remaining sand residue from her eyes. Her earthy irises were hardly separable from her pupil, but the unhealthy color was significantly lighter than usual, and the blacks of her eyes small with dehydration and hunger. Her coat itched beneath her, a thin coating of sand and dust clinging to her skin. A small throbbing in her left paw told her she had lost a claw in the rocky landscape that accompanied this river. Perfect. Reluctantly, the female took a few steps forward, edging closer to the river.

Almost classified as rapids, the turbulence in the water nearer to the middle of the lake made Avani shift her weight to her back legs. Fish swam beneath her gaze, and the femme’s stomach let out an audible groan. The small wolf had much less than a clue about fishing, so to her body’s dismay, she turned and padded the opposite direction toward a thicket of heavy brush to see if any rodents had made their home. Avani, now eager for a meal, bounded toward the brush. Parting the way, she entered the thicket, and staring at her from inside the enclosure was a snake, banded in bright red, yellow and black.

Narrow yellow, wide red, narrow yellow, wide black. The pattern sequence was engraved in her head from her life in the oases; the coral snake. Avani cursed herself for being so stupid. This was the prime environment for the particular reptile, and it’s deceivingly small head revealed long, transparent fangs. This snake, almost two feet, was by far the largest she had ever seen. The reptile was coiled, it’s black head raised highly, mouth agape, and staring straight at Avani, a small hiss escaping it’s throat. The female knew better than to move, for a wolf who was bitten was a dead one, with no treatment. When the snake seemed to release a bit of tension and closed it’s foul mouth, Avani slowly turned, keeping one eye on the snake behind her. The lifted her front paw, released her gaze on the snake for a moment, and took a step forward.

Suddenly, Avani felt a sharp pain and an intense burning in her left hind leg. She screamed a long, terrible howl, a sound that pierced the ears of the reptile and made him release his hold. The small female, full of pain and an awakened temper, bore down on the snake and tore his body in two. The creature writhed, and then fell quiet.

Avani dragged her leg behind her, and slowly made her way back to the rock which had kept her safe. The edges of her vision were blackened, and though the sun rose in the distance she saw no light. Looking at her wound, she knew better than to lick it. Two tiny punctures oozed crimson, just above her paw.

Avani would have paled if it were possible. The forepaw would have to come off. The small Ethiopian let out a long, pained howl, a plead for help from any other around. Clearing her mind of everything but her rage and pain, she began just above the burn of venom.

Blood still shallowly spurting from the fresh wound, the burning sensation gone, Avani thanked the lack of veins that ran through the back legs, and then all went black.

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ooc: Pooish post. I'm rustier than I thought. :P[/size]

[vee]

The young white brute slowed his pace against the rocky bank of the river. He sat for a long moment, his paws sore from the excruciating long journey. It was nightfall, the temperature dropped harshly. Vee's ivory pelt glistened, nearly glowing in the dark... Like a ghost. He sat in silence, watching the river flow at a rapid pace.

The scent of the area had its differences. There was a cool, fishy scent to the air. The scent of the sand was faint and distinguished. But also a strange scent of a wolf was on the wind. Instinctively, Vee traced his surroundings with his glowing red irises. The scent was unfamiliar to him. It was getting stronger, the blood of the wolf teased his senses. But there was something off in the scent, something the young brute never scented before.

Vee stood up slowly, the pain in his joints and paws were unbearable. Even he didn't know how long and far he had traveled. The ivory wolf shook out the sand in his fur, and padded along side the river, following the unique scent of a seemingly injured wolf.
His red eyes were narrowed, and his pink nose twitched when the scent got stronger. The frigid air was cooling quickly, and chilled his white fur. The scent felt yards away, stronger than ever. He squinted his red irises, seeing a limp figure. That doesn't look like any wolf I've seen.. Was it a fox? No.. The scent is different.. Vee studied the figure, pointing his nose in it's direction, while pondering to himself.

The brute padded softly closer, his ears laid flat upon his head. He could see the figure perfectly nest to the stone, now that he was near ten feet of the wolf. The scent of such a small injured creature as sure to bring larger predators. It sure looks like a fox.. He sighed, and walked slowly closer to the wolf.

Vee hovered over the canine, its features looked more wolf-like than a smaller, more red toned fox. The white brute continued to study the wolf, gathering its scent. It was a faint scent that reminded him of his mother, which meant this wolf was a female. Vee blinked, and stretched his paw to the femme, touching her lightly. The female seemed to be alive still, but it was hard to identify. Vee peered at the area developing such a strong odor. Small drops of blood mixed with an alien scent to him. The brute traced his red irises around the area, spotting a multi-colored serpent feet away. Snake bite.. He assumed.

Vee frowned, not knowing how to help the small femme. He continued to nudge her lightly. A small strange groan escaped his maw, though he couldn't hear it. But he knew if any sound came out, she could. Vee paced around, waiting and watching the femme until she awoken. Determined to awaken her, he trotted to the river, scooped a muzzle full of water and trotted back. The white brute spit out the salty water on the small femme's innocent face. Then continued to nudge her with his broad pale paw.

[avani]

It was dark. Avani swirled inside a world of black and crimson shades. Beach. Then, jump, into the ocean. She was swimming, but the water was heavy and thick. It pulled her left hind leg down, and the skin was torn by something below. A flash of red, then back to her homeland. A cave, in the mountains. She woke up, laid half inside the cave, half out. The lip of the cave crumbles, landing ferociously on her left leg, taking off the skin above her paw, taking off the muscle. Pain, pain! Another flash of red, and a prodding on her shoulder. A giant lizard, rows of teeth like a shark. Then, an actual crimson shark, the appearance of the common sand shark but the size of a great white. Took a rip at the skin and muscle just below her hind knee joint, just above her paw. How it throbbed! Then, water, right to the face.

Avani yelped, spluttered, and blinked away the water from her eyes. Her own dark brown eyes met the pink ones of another. By the scent, she was told he was a male of pale white, unlike any she'd ever seen.

"Oh!" Avani gasped, pushing her weight weakly backward to increase the distance between the two. Her skin felt the impact of the prodding claw, and the femme was dismayed to find that backing up was not an option, her body flush with a boulder behind her. Away! The severe throbbing returned to her leg, and Avani's stomach let out a protesting scream when the female attempted to stand. As it seemed, there was no other way but to talk the brute out of her presence.

With jumbled but quiet speech, Avani spoke to the male. "My name is Avani," she said hoarsely. "I have cleaned up my own wound as you might have smelled the blood on my fur. I am fine. I do not need tended to." That is that, then, she said to herself, her stomach letting out a rumbling growl.

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-stabs shortness- By the way, keep in mind she has a legitimate African accent. ;)

[vee]

Ooc: He wouldn't notice xP
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Vee blinked, watching the small femme wake up suddenly. The ivory brute's red irises traced her uneasy movements. He tried to read her, he only saw pain and confusement. She then, attempted to back away from the male. Vee pinned his ears back, lifted a paw slightly off the ground, in a way reaching out towards her. Did I hurt her? I hope not.. I didn't mean to.. I..

Vee frowned and sat down, his ears still laid flat and his head lowered. His gaze still focused on her face. She stood awkwardly it seemed. Vee could tell she was in pain. The ivory wolf raised his eyes to her lips as she mouthed her name. A.. Fan.. No Van.. nee.. Avane.. No.. Avani seems appropriate, perhaps? A small line smeared his lips, he continued to watch her lips. She spoke abruptly, and it was hard to read. Hmm.. Cleaned wound.. Smelled blood on her fur, which I did. I did smell that.. Good she is fine she says... And.. Um.. I can't make out that last part... I suppose she doesn't need my help then. He thought about her words for a moment, and by the looks of her unsure body language, Vee understood that she wasn't comfortable by his appearance.

Vee's ears perked slightly, showing he meant no harm. He stood to his feet with a groan. The long journey had taken affect to his paws, just now taking in the soreness. His red irises peered at her once more, and he nodded. Vee for once didn't cower and submit to her. She was very small. And he was doubled her size. So the she-wolf didn't intimidate him much.

Hesitantly, Vee took a step back from the femme. Giving her space. I suppose I should leave then. He sighed and turned, walking slowly past her and the large rock with a hint of a limp from his sore paws. His tail hung limp, his head held relaxed. Vee felt confused by the small femme. Did he help her? Or did he just invade on a nap? The young brute glided his red irises back at her, then forward, and continued to stride on at a slow pace.

[avani]

The male standing in front of her let out a groan upon standing. His paw-pads of natural pink were red, and very possibly sore and inflamed. Poor creature. He did not mention one thing about his own discomfort. I have been selfish. The small wolf looked back at him as he left, lifting her back leg into the air so that the very damaged tendon and limp paw hung underneath. Then, with the most carefulness, took a jarred step forward. "If it is your paws that ail you, I have a most efficient solution."

As the slow creature strode away from her, Avani felt a twinge of uneasiness. The male had stared at her mouth when she spoke, not her eyes. He did not speak, but his eyes said he understood. And as he walked away with his head turned forward, he responded not to Avani's offer, but a few painful seconds later, turned his head only to keep walking on at a snail like pace.

He is either excruciatingly rude... or deaf? Avani asked herself. Testing her hypothesis, she called out to the male. "Hello! Your paws, I can relieve you of your pain!" Still, the male trudged onward.

Avani struggled between two choices. Leave the male be, and potentially be comfortable for a moment and completely unable to help herself-- or bring the creature back, aid his paws, possibly ask for a bit of help. Njambi, I need a guardian, she thought to herself. If this is my angel, please, push me in the right direction.

With that, the little creature sat, awaiting her deity's epiphany, which she hoped would be made known sooner than later.

Unfortunately, Avani had never been one for patience. She took several jarring bounds to the male, each one cracking open a bit of her scabbing leg and re-initiating blood flow. After positioning herself at the male's side, she weakly swatted at his side with her tail tip, in an attempt to make herself noticed. Moments later, she fell in the direction of the white wolf, her senses fuzzy and her mind black.

Black, and that ever-haunting crimson.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

ooc: If there's mild PPing, I deeply apologize. x_x -dies from exhaustion-

[/size]

[vee]

Ooc: Lols I don't mind, fits well to your post anyhow. And something he would have done too.

--------------------------------------------------------------

The deaf albino brute drifted towards the sandy river edges. The cold sand felt pleasing to his sore paws. The clouds cleared, and the bright moon glared into his piercing red irises. He continued trudging slowly, not even daring to look back to the small femme. She really didn't need help. I am sure she was only resting... Vee sighed. I now feel bad for waking her...

As he strode with each burning sensation of his battered paws padding the soft sand. Vee peered at his reflection in the shallow edge of the river while he walked. The image was abrupt, swaying with the direction of the flowing rapids. His ghost-like fur stood out greatly in the dark waters.

Suddenly, Vee felt a small tickling swat to his hind. The fresh familiar blood of the small femme tainted his senses. He peered his red irises at her in utter confusement. Why does she follow? Did I misunderstood? Did she really need my help after all? His gaze crossed her sickly face. Vee stopped, and she collapsed right before his eyes.

Oh my, poor femme did need my help... And I left her. Vee felt a light vibration in his throat, he whined slightly. Focus.. She does need my help.. What what do I do? I've never tended to a wolf's injuries.. Vee leaned his head towards hers, examining her thoroughly . She was unconscious, just as the young brute found her before.

he pressed his paw against her shoulder, nudging her gently in another attempt to awaken the unconscious female. Vee shook, he was truly terrified this time. The ivory wolf bend down cautiously, beginning to cleanse the blood and venom from her wounded leg. he cringed, the taste was dreadful, but he continued.

Vee finished tended to her leg, and despite the pain in his own pads, he bounded to the shallow waters of the river, trotting back with a mouthful and spitting it in her face once again, in hope she will respond like she did earlier. Come on small femme, please wake up. Speak to me what to do I will help. Another whine tickled his throat, just had it felt once his pack left him many months ago.

[avani]

Once again, there was a rush of salty water to Avani's face. She brought about consciousness, though there were very dark, fuzzy rings about her vision. Oh, how she hated this distortion.

Her leg was limp, and though she could feel no pain in her paw, her leg seared with the fire the air provided and the sickening smell of fresh blood.

"I have opened my wound with my carelessness, and yet it is clean and scabbing," she mumbled to herself. Why?

Unconsciousness was a horrible thing. One minute, you know exactly where you are, exactly what your motives are, and exactly the reason for your actions. The next, you are wallowing in color, experiencing some kind of schizophrenic dreamland, succumbed to the world within your mind. And when the time comes when you are deemed to come around and back to the actual world, you're violently slapped in the face with weakness and fatigue. When you add severe blood loss on top of it, you're not in very good shape, and these odd phenomena increase their intensity tenfold.

Avani was in a very, very bad situation.

Some of her distortion slowly melting away, the small Ethiopian made out a white blob in front of her. It was the wolf, the large white wolf who had startled her just minutes ago! Could it have been this one who cleaned my blood? Avani thought. She sought to tell him, this one who spoke nor heard any of her words, but she ultimately lacked strength to lift her head. With a small growl at herself, she battled the tug of faintness, and lifted her head. She spoke with extreme diction, making sure her guardian understood her words. "I need water and food," she enunciated. "Water, and some kind of food, meat, with nutrients." Then she dipped her head, and laid it back on her paws, mumbling to herself, "or I may not survive."

[vee]

Vee smiled softy, the small femme woke up just had she did the first time. At least I know how to wake her. The young brute slowly brought his hind to the cold sandy terrain. His red eyes deeply focusing on the female, while she seemed to be struggling to conscience. She spoke, but Vee wasn't paying attention. He caught the last few words that escaped her lips. Clean... and scabbing... I did clean her wound for the most part.

The small femme seemed more sickly than before. Was she about to faint again? Vee watched her carefully. His red irises grew wide with fear. I am not sure how else to help.. Please female, stay awake... Lost in his thoughts, his eyes traced her lips as she began to speak more clearly.

She needs food and water, luckily we are close to the river.. His gaze glided to the river and back to her lips as she spoke once again. Water... Yes I heard that the first time... And food. Poor wolf, she must really be ill. Vee frowned as she spoke that she may not survive. Vee didn't hesitate, he wasn't going to leave her now. Not after all he's done for her so far.

The ivory wolf stood shakily. His legs sore still. Not nearly two... But I feel like I'm old. He whined slightly not noticing. Vee ignored the pain, trotting the excruciating twenty feet to the river's edge. Maybe... Maybe the female will eat fish. It has nutrients, and meat. His eyes peered into the dark water. His reflection glaring back at him.

Fish... Fish... Where are the fish? Vee continued to search down the bank. His irises caught a glimpse of a medium sized trout in the river. Now... How was he going to get it? Luckily, Vee could swim. The old albino Vee once lived with taught him everything he needed to know to survive. Fishing and swimming was one of them.

The white wolf lightly stepped into the river's shore, his paw being absorbed by the wet sand. He stalked closer. The fish didn't seem to be moving, and it was hard enough to see it in the dark waters. Vee lowered his head, approaching the fish as he was getting deeper in the cold water. Just stay there fish... Just stay... His thoughts broke as the fish started rising to the surface, taking a gulp out of a insect that has fallen in the river.

Vee leaped, his red eyes still locked on the fish. He had fallen into the river with a large splash, kicking his back paws and sinking his fangs into the fish's tail. Yes! The trout flailed, trying to swim away. The ivory wolf wasn't going to let the fish go now, he flung his head back to the shore, his feet paddling before reaching the soft sand again.

He padded slowly back to the female, who seemed to be looking weaker. His fur was drenched with the salty cool river water. His jaws unlocked, and the big fish flopped right next to the small female.

[avani]

At the smell of fish at her paws, Avani smiled, and her tail wagged unconsciously as she tore at the body of the fish, just below the gills, killing it quickly.

She had only eaten three fish in her life, including this one. The other two had been very small, just bigger than minnows, that somehow managed to survive in small estuaries near the mountains of her homeland. She had learned from her elders that it was the most kind way to kill a fish, and minimize the flow of blood and the struggle.

Still, the cold, salty blood poured into her mouth and onto the ground, leaving it with a thin layer of red. The white wolf completely escaped her mind for a moment, as she was completely ravenous with hunger. She tore at the fish, leaving only the tail and the head alone. Then, she looked up at the white male again, and smiled, though awkwardly at best. "Thank you," she spoke, being sure to enunciate.

Now, she thought to herself, his paws. Avani had noticed the way he greatly favored them, and had noticed the inflammation and apparent soreness. With extreme care, Avani rose to her paws, finding new strength with nutrition. She very slowly made the twenty feet's distance to the water, then moving off a bit where multiple rocks jutted up, the silhouette of a mountain just beyond, she found a nicely shaded patch of growth, though only with cactus, poppy, a bit of catnip, and dragonfruit. She imagined the patch being much larger in the spring, when even the minor temperature difference would cause an uproar of growth.

Avani sat oddly, a single leg stretched out perpendicular to her body. The prickly pear would induce sleep, and that was not wanted. But the poppy, catnip, and dragonfruit might made a difference. The stem as a painkiller, for herself. The catnip and dragonfruit for the white, to rid him of his irritation and reduce inflammation.

With a kind of pride, Avani plucked the entireity of the few flowers, roots and all. Then, with her three-legged hobble, Av made her way back to the bank and laid down. She glanced eagerly over at the male, urging him to come her way. First, she decided, she would deal with her own searing pain that was ever-threatening her consciousness. With great skill, she took the white poppy and set it in front of her. She plucked off the petals, taking one for herself simply because of the warmth in her belly and relaxation it would result in. Then, with great skill, she shred the stem open in a single line with her teeth. She then took the stem, and squeezed the juice from inside onto her foreleg. A cool, and instant relief flooded her body.

She turned her head back at the male, and spoke. "Turn your paw upside down. I have a few herbs that may ease your pain." Avani was slightly uncomfortable with the interaction between the two, albeit. However, because of her thankfulness, she felt it was her duty to repay him for her meal. Then, she reasoned, we can part, with no harm being completed to either. Avani remembered her leg, however, and her inability to do much for herself.

A brilliant idea struck her mind. My apprentice! she thought, excitement building inside her. If this younger wolf was interested, it would be a great benefit to both of them if he would agree to learn the ways of herbology and healing. Also, it would give Avani someone to help her heal, and to help her obtain food on a regular basis. I will remember to ask the younger one this, at a later time.

[vee]

Vee sat down with a groan. His fur continues to drip the salty river water, since he was too sore to actually shake himself dry. His eyelids drooped over his red irises as he watched her scarf down the meal he provided. Vee was happy for that, he left proud to be of some help to the small female.

"Thank you." The femme mouthed to the white brute. Vee smiled, and bowed his head slightly to her as a way to say she is welcome. The young albino was surprised how quickly Avani recovered and was already on her feet. He watched her walk towards the lake, beginning to create something with stones. Vee tilted his head to the side. By this time he was really confused.

What is she doing? He pondered, and continued to study the small wolf. She started to gather random plants, like she was concocting some sort of antidote. Maybe she isn't fully healed. And she has enough strength to help herself now. Vee rose an eyebrow, his eyes on hers as she urged him to go over there.

Vee nodded slowly, still confused on what she is planning. Did she still need his help? Or did she want him to simply watch? The brute padded over, being as light on his tender paws as possible. He sat down next to her, his red irises glancing at her creation and back at her. The smell of the plants overpowered the scent of the river by now. That, or he was only focusing on the plants.

Vee watched her handle the herbs. His red eyes grew wider with surprise at how good she handles the plants. A healer I am guessing... wow... She squeezed a plant's liquids onto her wound. That must help a lot. Vee blinked as she turned to him. His eyes automatically fell upon her lips as she spoke. "Turn your paw upside down. I have a few herbs that may ease your pain." The white wolf frowned, and did what she ordered. He held out his pale paw and turned the pads towards the sky.

[avani]

Avani watched as the white male frowned, which somehow eased her tension a bit. For a moment she felt as if in her homeland again, sharing stories with a traveler. She chewed the dragonfruit and catnip together, and gathered the juices in her mouth. In what could have been potentially awkward, she spread the essence over his pads by licking, and then spat out the remaining clumps, careful not to swallow. She pushed a petal of the poppy flower out toward him, and nodded her head to show it was harmless.

Now, she was thoroughly caught up. Avani lifted her head, and took just one awkward scoot backwards. Still, the closeness with another bothered her a bit, though when healing, she had no problems. And so, she spoke.

"Once, when the Creators had made the earth fresh, there were many creatures, that all lived together in peace. It was very hot in this new world, and there was very little water to be found, and when it was, it was in small pools. One day, the horse-like creature called a zebra, was very thirsty. He found a pool, which was guarded by a baboon who thought himself 'lord of the water.' The baboon lived by the pool, and he had a fire at night when he was cold, for he was not afraid of fire. Now, when the purely white zebra tried to take a drink, the baboon jumped up. 'Go away,' he said. 'I am the lord of the water, and you may not drink.' The zebra got angry, and challenged him to a fight. The zebra kicked the monkey, and he landed on his bottom, which made it bright red. In the process, the zebra accidentally jumped though the monkey's fire, which sent black scorched stripes up his sides, and he ran to the plains where he forever stayed."

An embarrassed Avani's ears flushed red. "I've been silly. You cannot hear me, nor tell me your name." She laid her head on her paws, and faced away from the male. He cannot even tell me his name.

due credit for the zebra and the baboon. © their due creators. obtained from amedja.

[vee]

The white wolf watched the femme tend to his paws. For once in a long while, Vee felt relaxed. The cool juices of the plants eased his paws, as her tongue lightly massaged them in. He laid his ears back with a smile. This feels nice...

Vee's red irises gazed at her as she backed up a bit. Seemed she was done with his paws. And the truth was, his paws felt so much better. The brute's eyes fell on her lips as she spoke.

"Once, when the Creators had made the earth fresh, there were many creatures, that all lived together in peace. It was very hot in this new world, and there was very little water to be found, and when it was, it was in small pools. One day, the horse-like creature called a zebra, was very thirsty. He found a pool, which was guarded by a baboon who thought himself 'lord of the water.' The baboon lived by the pool, and he had a fire at night when he was cold, for he was not afraid of fire. Now, when the purely white zebra tried to take a drink, the baboon jumped up. 'Go away,' he said. 'I am the lord of the water, and you may not drink.' The zebra got angry, and challenged him to a fight. The zebra kicked the monkey, and he landed on his bottom, which made it bright red. In the process, the zebra accidentally jumped though the monkey's fire, which sent black scorched stripes up his sides, and he ran to the plains where he forever stayed."

Vee watched carefully, understanding the story. Though he was oblivious of what a 'Zebra' and a 'Baboon' were, he knew by her story. The story was telling him something. A fight broke out, and they were forever scarred by it. Vee frowned slightly. Not fully understanding the concept of the story, but knowing how much it meant to her. She understood, he knew that.

Vee's eyes remained on her lips as she spoke once more. "I've been silly. You cannot hear me, nor tell me your name." The albino swallowed hard. She was right, Vee couldn't tell her his name. Even Vee wasn't sure of his name. Back when he was a pup, thats what his pack seemed to be calling him. Their lips carved out the letter 'V' whenever they spoke to him. And from there on, it grew on him.

Vee continued to watch the female. She laid down and turned from him. The white wolf sighed, walking in front of her line of sight. For once in life, he spoke to her. "Ma... am.." Vee paused, growing frustrated. The words didn't feel right escaping his lips. "Vee." The name was in imaginable, vibrating out his throat. He had no idea how it would have sounded. But his name felt the same as when he saw his family speaking of it.

---------------------------------------------------------
Ooc: You can describe the way his voice sounds, I wouldn't mind about that.

[avani]

Avani smiled, a pure smile that hadn't been upon her face in months.

The white male's words started with a rumbling, then a kind of choking sound. Momentarily, the fae had worried that he had hurt. But, moments later, emerging from a sort of gurgle, came, "Vee." He had a bit of an accent that was almost foreign, and his voice sounded a bit like a child's with the way his long i sound faded into almost an eh, yet still retained a very masculine tone and rumble. Avani held back a chuckle, knowing how absolutely phenomenal it had been that a deaf creature had spoken words he had never heard in his own head.

"Vee," she repeated to herself. "Young Vee." The name was unlike any she had ever heard. She knew of many names of loners, Ka'ash, Maki, Urai, even Jerad. But the v sound rarely appeared in names from her area of the world. It was extremely foreign to Avani, and yet somehow, she found a bit of sanctity in the name of a friend. A friend, she thought.

It was odd for Avani to choose that word out of all that she held in her vocabulary, for she had not considered this option before. One who helped her, yes. One who now sat at her side. But a friend?

The subconscious is a very odd thing.

Straying from the thought, Avani spoke to the white male again. "So, tell me, Young Vee. Have you any interest in the herbology and healing? I enjoy your company more than others, and if you would like to try apprenticeship, I will need eyes and company in my future."

Avani was slightly taken aback by her own words. Her future blindness was usually forgotten of. But, what a team they would make, the deaf and the blind, broken but whole?

[vee]

Vee lowered his head slightly, his red eyes gazing into hers. A smile crossed her face. A smile... Something Vee had never seen this femme create from the long time they have known each other. Vee let off a small smile also. Did she understand? Were my words clear to her? Boy... I hope so. That was harder than I thought...

Vee's irises lowered to her lips as she repeated his name. She said it again, but with a 'young' in front of it. Young Vee. That is what she calls me... And it seems right. Vee nodded to her in agreement. She did carve his name out right, that made the ivory brute very excited. Seemed like this femme named Avani was the only wolf who could call him by his name, other than his neglectful, forgotten family.

Vee's red eyes gazed to her lips once more as she spoke.

"So, tell me, Young Vee. Have you any interest in the herbology and healing?

[/b]

Vee tilted his head to the side. For one thing, he wasn't understanding the word 'herbology,' but he figured it had something to do with healing, as she said. Maybe something about plants that heal? Vee assumed, then continued to watch her lips.

I enjoy your company more than others, and if you would like to try apprenticeship, I will need eyes and company in my future."[/i]

Apprenticeship? He rose an eyebrow to her. Confused by the meaning. But when she spoke about needing eyes and company for her future... It struck Vee, suddenly confusing him. What does she mean? Is she... She's going to go blind? The white wolf frowned, his ears laying against his head. Oh my... Poor Avani. I am not sure about apprenticeship, but I should stay with her... She can be my ears, I'll be her eyes.

Vee sighed. This is going to be a tough journey... The young male thought to himself. He pondered a long moment, a blind wolf, and a deaf wolf... Traveling together. Vee nodded to Avani. Sure, this femme was bright and handles medicines nicely. Who knows how much good they could do to wolves who might need their help in the future? Vee smiled, eager for the moment he might be useful, despite his disability.[/center][/size]

[avani]

Avani smiled, and dusted the ground with her tail. It amused her how much joy she got over good company, a company who helped and did not hurt. A company that did not insult, and did not tease or speak down upon. A company that was deaf, and thus mostly mute. Avani's tail beat faster when Vee agreed to travel with her.

It was now not a matter of who or when, but where and how. Avani creased her brow and her tail slowly crept to a stop. Where would they go? There was no way for them to stay here much longer, and in Av's state, she could not make it up the mountain behind them. They could not cross the river, for it was too turbulent, and because Avani had already been through the desert, she found nothing there to call her back hurriedly. That leaves one direction, she noted to herself, wary already. In the distance there was sand, and then a large grouping of trees. It is a forest, Avani told herself, though it looked more like a cloud of fog. The fae shivered. That could not be the way to go. The sinister vibe left a lot to be desired for Avani, and she had to be one to trust her instincts.

They were left with two options. Cross the river, or go back into the sands. Avani was stuck between a wet and a hot place. To the desert, were there is less food and less shelter, she pondered, or across the river, where we have a great chance of being swept up in the current and carried far out to sea?

She looked up at Vee, coming to no absolute verdict. "Point in which direction you suggest we go, and I will follow."