It was cold here. No, scratch that. It was so very unbearably cold here.
A small pup stepped through the plain, heavy paws dragging whilst a once bright fluffy tail now lay drooped and matted between her forelegs. She was damp, her plume-scruff was limp, and her tongue was hanging out from her parted jaws, panting in an attempt to stay focused. Her colors, white-and-gray brushed with brown, seemed much too tame for the stark emerald smearing this entire plain. She really did not belong here.
Then again, Fia Mmata really did not belong anywhere right now.
Having been left to perish by her mother and father, she was trying to get to somewhere, anywhere for a better chance at survival. That somewhere, she hoped would accept her. Which given past situations, seemed rather out of paw for her. If she ever opened her mouth to try to howl for help, it would come out as a horrid screech that would send everyone away. Her throat was too dry, too hoarse from crying the past few days, the loneliness, and the fear at breaking point.
But this area was too rich to not be inhabited, and that bought hope to the pups aching heart. Maybe, just maybe she would be able to get some help. But that also meant that Fia had to tread carefully as well. She could be in someone’s territory and not realize it; making out individual scents in this cold and with all the other scents of animals was nearly impossible. She prayed that whoever they were, they wouldn't see her as a snack to wrap their jaws around.
There wasn't really much to her, that might cause one to even find her worthy of a meal. She was tiny, nothing more than skin and bone. Her legs were lanky, ribs could be visibly seen, her fur dirty and matted, knots littering her small frame. Dull yellow optics held no light at all. No life. Perhaps only vultures would find this enticing, which wouldn't be so bad. She wouldn't be able to feel their beaks tearing into her flesh if she was already dead.
That thought was the last straw. Fia dropped to the ground, starving and defeated. The grasses around her swayed as her vision went in and out, her raspy breathing replaced with almost silent cries and whimpers. This was the end. She had finally, and exhaustively, ran out of time.
Last Edit: Jan 27, 2011 3:31:03 GMT -5 by fiammata
The mixed femme, her paws dancing along the earth, strolled along the terra, enjoying the freedom while it lasted. Soon, she would be called upon once more, but for now, she was free to do as she pleased. Dreidoj will want to speak with me soon, she realized. If Rhyanne did not please her leader, then there would be hell to pay. She completely zoned out, lost in thought. It was a nice feeling to just be able to wander without a care in the world.
"Oof!"
Rhyanne stumbled, her paw caught on a furry lump on the ground. She threw her weight to the side, careful not to kick the mass. The fur caught her off guard. Had someone left some prey uneaten? Maybe this would make a quick snack. but as soon as she regained her balance, she turned to investigate. Then she gasped. A pup?! her mind ran wild.
Rhy could tell that the pup was still alive, but just barely. She licked at her face, attempting to wake the young one. Please, please be alright, she pleaded. How terrible would it be to stumble on this pup just to realize that there was nothing that she could do? She nudged the femme pup with her damp nose, hoping that she would awaken. She continued to prod at the pup. What else could she do? With no other idea but to take her along, the femme picked the pup up in her maw, the weight unfamiliar to her. She had never been a mother, but the instincts came naturally. She carried the pup gently, looking for the first sign of water that she could. Eventually, she snuffled out a creek bed, frozen over from the chilly night temperatures. She set the pup down on the dry earth, curling her body around its figure, hoping that perhaps her warmth would stir the pup.
I wonder what Drei will say, she thought frantically. A part of Rhyanne hoped that her leader would be pleased to see another member of the gypsies. It would make everything easier for them in the long run because they would appear as more of a family than a band of manipulators. But another thought crossed her mind. What if he does not want her? Or what if she does not survive? Rhy was confused, to say the least. She found herself wanting to care for this pup, to love her and support her. While she had never imagined herself as a mother, this little one was showing her that the possibilities were endless. She prayed that the little femme would awaken, so she could figure out what to do from there...
Fia had not heard her pawsteps. Fia had not felt the small collision. She had totally passed out by then, but no doubt would wake up to some sort of pain pulsing through her tiny frame. By this point, Fia was dreaming. Dreaming of a world she could actually live in, actually love. She ran free with the pups, loving adults always watching. She tumbled and played, howled and growled. It was so much easier here.
However the continuance of this inviting dream came to an end as Fia grew hot. Her small maw opened to pant softly, the quickened rise and fall of her chest rousing the pup from her black out. Instantly she sensed another life form, a female at that. Momma? The thought pondered there for a moment, before she realized the warm embrace that held her close. By instinct Fia whimpered, her mind still woozy. Her little head shifted, her cold nose searching the warm pelt for perhaps a teat. Fia did not know that this female did not have any. But she continued to search, her movements becoming more frantic as her stomach growled in anticipation.
Only when she couldn't find any did the pup finally look up at her savior. Yellow optics blinked lazily, but something else was there too. There seemed to be a new light, inching it's way into them. She could tell by now this was not her mother, but the thought didn't last even a second as she pushed it from her mind. Her own mothered and never cuddled her this way. So this, female, could only be one thing. An angel.
Fia offered a weak smile to the stranger, her matted tail greeting the ground with soft thuds as she tried to wag. Maybe she could stay with her? Would the adult like that? The pup stared up at Rhy with wide eyes, almost pleading, a silent promise that she would be a good girl. And just to make it as official as she could, the little femme mustered up all her strength to speak. Her voice came out a little more forceful than she had anticipated, like a soft whining rather than proper speech.
"I Fia.... Yes Fia. Who be you?"
Last Edit: Jan 27, 2011 3:35:29 GMT -5 by fiammata
When the little pup first whimpered, Rhyanne's heart nearly jumped through her chest. The sound was enough to make her want to murder anyone who would abandon such a young pup, especially in the free lands where anyone could run rampant. What kind of heartless soul goes off and leaves their pup? She's skin and bones, and she's probably been alone for a while now, she thought, furious. She was so frail, and someone had just walked away from her.
The pup's little yellow eyes almost broke her heart. They looked so hopeless, so lost. Rhyanne fumed once more. She smiled softly at the pup, lowering her nose to touch Fia's. The femme's quiet words brought a wider smile to her face. "I am Rhyanne... You can call me Rhy if you like," she offered. She knew the pup was weak, and she felt awful forcing her to speak in such a condition. But would any of the others have food to give to the pup? She could not nurse the young one, and she must be close to being weaned from her mother, right?
Several scenarios rushed through the gypsy's mind. Rhyanne could bring the pup back to Dreidoj and beg him to let her stay; she knew one thing, and that was that Fia was not going to be far away from her unless her mother happened to come back. She would not let the little one suffer all alone. I hope Drei is not too upset... There has to be something I can do to make him agree to let her stay, she thought, forlorn. It was not something she would typically do, go out of her way to address the leader. She was mostly terrified of Dreidoj, and if she could avoid him, she did. This would be a situation that he needed to know about, however. There was no way he would allow her to keep Fia around if he did not know about her situation.
How could I be so selfish? She was so wrapped up in trying to plan to bring the pup into the gypsies that she was not thinking of Fia's best interest. Rhyanne would have given anything to grow up away from the band of tricksters. But what choice did she have? She could not leave her here. Why couldn't some one else have found her before me? I don't want to doom her to a life like mine... Her mind was racing.
They could run away. Rhyanne would take Fia and find a pack that would take them. With the protection of a pack, they would have a better chance. Next opportunity she had, she would march right up to Dreidoj and tell him. I will tell him that I am leaving, and Fia is coming with me. He can't stop me; Acarapi won't let him hurt me, I hope... She was not exactly a weakling. But she was young, and her naivity would possibly be her downfall here... "Where is your mother, little one?" she crooned softly to the pup.
Little ears perked as the warm female spoke softly back to her. Instinct bought the pup closer again, nudging her matted face into the adults chest. It had been so long now, that she had felt this safe. She wished for a moment that she could stay just like this, forever. Even Fia knew that wouldn't be possible. They would have to starve to death before that happened. "Rhy, Rhy...... Rhy?"
She repeated questioningly, hoping she was saying it right. Wide yellow optics peered back up at Rhyanne, looking for some sort of praise. Or perhaps she just wanted to prove that she was worth keeping around. Either way, the pup let her tail whack the ground a few more times to show her eagerness to please.
Fia's ears now flattened as Rhyanne mention her mother. Because she also thought of her sister. Her tiny heart pounded. What if she ever found out? No one would want her. Oh no, no, no. She mustn't let her know. Mustn't let anyone know. She whimpered. It was strange, even though she had only met Rhyanne, she felt so comfortable with her. Perhaps she could tell her? She couldn't. She wouldn't. She shouldn't.
"Momma gone. Momma bye-bye."
She whispered, hanging her head in shame. Now Rhy would wonder why, and perhaps leave her too. She was a good girl, at least she tried to be! Forcing up the strength to get up, the pup made one last desperate plight to hopefully stay with Rhyanne. She jumped up over her front legs to lick and nibble her long chin.
"You be Momma?"
Last Edit: Jan 27, 2011 3:36:43 GMT -5 by fiammata
Rhyanne nearly whimpered with sympathy for the little one. Every second she was spending around Fia was making her fall more in love with the pup. As Fia spoke her name, she nodded approvingly, running her rough tongue across the femme pup's fuzzy head. She felt a strong tug to care for the little one and love her like she apparently never had been. Her mother is gone? What sort of crazy, stupid wolf would leave their pup to die? she thought in an outrage.
Yes, it was winter and prey was more scarce than normal. But Rhyanne knew that anything was possible. Especially with the protection of the gypsies, she was well cared for, and she was sure Dreidoj would not mind another apprentice. Though I would not dare put her through that. We can stay away from them for all I care, she thought with a shudder. The pup's eyes simply melted her with the slightest glance, and she knew she would be putty in the paws of Fia. As the pup affirmed her previous thought, she nearly growled but restrained herself, if only to not scare Fia. The femme was so young! How could anyone do this?
Every part of Rhyanne's body was burning with anger. She would do everything in her power to protect Fia, even if it meant putting her life on the line. It was instinctual. It was what Fia's own mother should have felt for her. The pup's fallen ears made Rhy whine softly, her heart feeling for the young one. As Fia jumped and licked at her, asking her to be her new mother, how could she possible refuse?
"I could never leave you, Fia," she confirmed with a smile, nuzzling the pup gently and cleaning her off with her tongue. She just wanted Fia to feel loved, which she obviously had problems with right now. There was no way she would walk away from Fia, not now. Although she had never had pups of her own, she could feel the bond that was quickly forming as she fell in love with Fia Mmata.
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