On the Falling Tide [Cherie and Aludra]

[ceana]

Ceana's muscles screamed for rest. Her lungs dragged raw on air so full of salt and water it was nearly impossible to breathe. She could not say how long she had been striking away at the waves, driving herself on, towards what she could not have said. She knew that the sun had risen, at some point, but really that was hardly a measure of time. She probably would have given up hours ago, were it not for the thin black line of land on the horizon.

Over the course of her swim, that line had grown, swelling in Ceana's stinging amber eyes until it became a stripe of browns and grays, of rock and sand and some sparse grass. It looked, to her tired eyes, like a strip of island paradise. A thin beach before a rocky outcropping that would provide some relief from this endless work.

By the time her paws scraped the grainy bottom of the ocean shelf, Ceana was shaking. Soaked to the bone and more exhausted than she could ever remembering being, she put her weight on aching legs and dragged herself up towards dry land. Several times the waves came from behind, striking her across the tale and knocking her from her feet. It took all of her strength to pull herself back onto her feet and keep moving. She had to remember why she had taken that swim. She had to survive, had to find her pack...

Stepping at last out of the frothy waves, Ceana paused on the sands, too tired to move any further. She stood with her head down, tail dragging, her gasping breath making little puffs of sand. She blinked salt out of her stinging eyes but could not make herself look at her surroundings. All she got was a blurred registry of sand and stone out of her right eye.

With a quiet cough, Ceana raised her head from the sands and looked towards the cliffs. A dark smudge there suggested a sheltered opening, somewhere she could hide from the wind. She gave herself as brisk a shake as she could manage, dislodging waves of glimmering, salty droplets, and trudged the rest of the way up the beach. Reaching the shadows of the cliff, the entrance to a cavern, Ceana let herself drop. Folding onto a flat rock she set her muzzle down on her paws. She did not care, in that moment, whether another wolf found her or not. She just wanted to sleep.

[Deleted]

[atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,false][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,500,true]

[atrb=background,http://imageshack.us/a/img231/6431/cherietablem.png] 'Steady, Cherie. Wait for the moment. One last bird. you can do this! Steeeeady. Now!' Powerful muscles recoiled, launching the mass of brown fur forward. Barreling into the flock of seagulls lining the beach, mighty jaws snapped, head twisting and shaking. Most of the birds scatter, taking towards the skies, trying to escape the deadly huntress. One bird was not so lucky though. Sharp fangs closed around its neck, the jerk of her head snapping its fragile body. Thus, another bird joined her body count, rising it to three. That would have to do for now considering the young female was not sure she could carry more than that back to the dens. It was a bit of a chore being Airila's only competent hunter. With Toiro busy being alpha and Aludra best suited for hunting herbs, Cherie had taken to making short, frequent trips to bring back small game for everyone. She knew there were a few other wolves in the pack though she had not yet had the chance to meet them. With her duty being to provide food, the constant activity was making socialization a bit difficult. She didn't mind though. The Apennine female loved her job and she made the most of what time with her pack mates she did get to have. Gathering the three dead birds up in her maw, she took a moment to situate herself and make sure she had a good grip on everything. Then it was time to head back to the dens. With a wag in her tail and a bounce in her step (she was pleased with herself for having made such a good haul), Cherie set off towards the mouth of Issimor. It would take her into the heart of Shyia and, with a bit more travel, to Airila's dens. Her eagerness to return home and show off her catch made her heart beat a little faster, body filled with joy. Her alpha would be proud and her friends would be pleased. Most importantly, it would mean another day with bellies being filled. That always made her feel good. Cherie didn't think twice about stepping into the mouth of the cavern, at least not at first. The scent of blood and bird was strong in her nostrils and, with her mind off in lala land painting a picture of her triumphant return, she wasn't paying close attention. This was pack territory, after all. What sorts of dangers could possibly lurk here? But the scent of salt water was supposed to be fading, not growing stronger as she reached the cave. This caught her off guard and she dropped her gulls, ears perking in curiosity. Licking her lips to clean the blood, the young femme sniffed the air once, twice... there! Her head tilted slightly as she followed the trail, concern flooding her russet eyes as she found the source of the scent. A wolf, another female it seemed. She was soaked to the bone and appeared to be unconscious. Was she hurt? Cherie's ear's pulled back and she let out a whine, dropping her head to nuzzle the strange female. "Please don't be dead." A shudder crawled down her spine at the thought. It was one thing to kill prey for food, but when it came to her own kind death never seemed to sit well with her. Which is why she tilted her head towards the sky and unleashed an urgent howl, calling to the one wolf she knew would know what to do. "Aludra, I need your help! I've found an injured stranger!"

[atrb=background,http://imageshack.us/a/img231/6431/cherietablem.png] tagged: ceana&aludra | words: 594 notes: not my best post, but it gets the job done

[ceana]

Ceana had no real concept of time, floating in the pitch black of a dreamless semi-sleep. Her mind was fogged, she could not wake herself up or find the muscles that would allow her to change positions, but she found she could not become entirely unaware, either. She was too tired to sleep, too aware that she had no idea where she was or who else might be there to let herself dream.

Still, she remained motionless, resting as best she could. She listened to the thundering crash of the waves on the beach, the wind whistling against the rock face over her head. In the caverns behind her, the low, monotonous drip of water caught her attention every few seconds. All of it, the music of this beach, mingled into a tune which both distracted her and lulled her, pinning her down in the limbo between consciousnesses.

Ceana lay that way for what seemed at once an instant and an eternity, just listening, letting the salt and wind fill her nose with each breath. She heard the stranger coming, but it registered only in the very back corner of her mind, where nothing made sense or mattered. Footsteps in the sand were just that - footsteps in the sand, with no dangerous overtone or threat implicit.

Not until the stranger paused at Ceana's side and bent to nuzzle her.

Ceana stiffened at the touch, and her amber eyes snapped open. The stranger stood in her blind spot, obscured by an eye that had never functioned. Alarm pulled her abruptly and fully into consciousness. The fur rose, unbidden, on the long gray ridge of her spine. The gesture had not been hostile, but there was no telling here. She had never set foot on this island before and she could not say what sort of wolves lived here.

By the time the stranger had thrown back her head to howl for help, Ceana was already gathering her trembling legs under her. With a low, whimpering groan, she heaved herself to her feet and took a few quick steps back from whoever this was. The wind buffeted her from the side as she stood, nearly knocked Ceana off of her feet, but she managed to remain upright, tucking her tail and ears low and backing defensively up against the flat plane of a stone wall.

Only once she had scrambled a safe distance away did she pause to tilt her head around until the stranger was standing where she could see. Another female, built several inches smaller than Ceana in all dimensions, the strange wolf did not appear hostile. She would have looked positively delicate, were it not for the triplet of dead birds lying at her paws. Clearly, this wolf could take care of herself.

Ceana puffed herself up, trying to appear strong for the sake of her own protection, in spite of the fact that she was shuddering from nose to tail tip with cold. She really just wanted to curl up somewhere warm. Wistfully, she thought back across the ocean, to the place of her birth. At least there, she would have known whether or not she needed to be defensive. She did not want to chase this wolf away if they might offer her help, but Ceana could not take that change. Not here.

"I'm no threat," she managed in a voice hoarse from swallowing salt water. She knew it was a stupid thing to say. If anything was visibly obvious, here, it was that Ceana was no threat to anyone.

[Deleted]

[atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,false][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,500,true]

[atrb=background,http://imageshack.us/a/img231/6431/cherietablem.png] Okay, that was not the reaction she had been expecting. It seemed the stranger was more awake than she had anticipated. And now the poor dear was reacting with fear! Cherie whined, ears pulled back in concern as she watched the other female back herself against the wall. She was careful to keep her tail low, nonthreatening, though it did wag a bit. She was pleased to see that this unfamiliar wolf was alright. Well, she was as alright as anyone could be who'd just washed up on the shores of an unfamiliar land. Though the Apennine femme had heard that such a fate was common among the wolves of Anikira, it was not true of herself. She had been born here and, as such, did not really know how to relate. She didn't let that deter her though. Cherie was a friendly female. She wasn't about to let the circumstances keep her from doing what was right. This unfortunate female was lost, trapped, and looked worse for the wear. It was the least she could do to try and ease some of those fears and, hopefully, get her to calm down a bit. "It's quite alright. I'm not going to hurt you." Cherie flashed a smile, tail swaying back and forth again to show she meant no harm. As an added precaution she held her ground, not wanting to crowd the stranger. The last thing she needed was another unpleasant reaction to being too close; being snapped at once was more than enough, even if the reaction had been instinct. "You washed up in Airila territory. I called our Shaman, so she'll be able to look you over and make sure you're not hurt. Here, are you hungry?" She bent her head down to nose one of the birds forwards, plucking some of the feathers off with her teeth. Once it was semi-cleaned and looking a little more appetizing, she again nudged it closer to the timid femme. "I know it's not much, but it might help." Who knew the last time this stranger had eaten? Sure she might have been giving up pack food, but Cherie's first instinct was to believe what she was told. The stranger was no threat. And unless looks were deceiving, she had no reason to doubt her.

[atrb=background,http://imageshack.us/a/img231/6431/cherietablem.png] tagged: ceana&aludra | words: 382 notes: kinda short, but eh. she just wants to help xD

[Deleted]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellspacing,0,true][atrb=cellpadding,0,true][atrb=width,500,true]

[atrb=background,http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/6300/alumid.png] Aludra had been in the midst of her own mind when her summoning was called out. Her mind had been focused on combining a few herbs and plants, trying to sort through all of her recent gatherings. Perhaps soon it would be wise to take a trip to the south again, she still had quite a few bits of foliage from the last time; but one could never have too much. A leaf crunched beneath her paws and auds shot erect as soon as the calling from Cherie found her. 'Cherie found someone!' The femme shuffled around the small cavern of Larelm that she found herself within. The female had began spending much of her time here, it was peaceful and provided her much space to organize and sort through her plants. But as of now, all of Aludra's concern was for the wolf that had been found. Quickly, her muzzle shoved the vegetation off to the side, 'Oh dear, I hope I damaged nothing.' The white one's love for her task was rather pathetic at times. Aludra had planned ahead for events of such emergencies, and eagerly snatched up a bundle of foliage within her maw. This little bundle held most of the common herbs that she would use to aid others, it was her little 'quick fix' bundle. Thus far it had not really came in handy, as she had only had miscellaneous gathered things and never carried it with her. However, the femme was quite eager to get to aid a newcomer and see how well this small pile of plants would aid her. The echo of her footsteps could be heard as the femme darted through the dark stone hallway and began making her way from one stone tunnel to the next. Issimor Caverns had quite disorientated the femme for the first few hours of her being accepted upon this terrain. Now, her navigation was quite stellar when it came to tracing her way from one piece of tunnel to another. 'You never let her know you were coming! Foolish,' in all of the ivory femme's eagerness to arrive and aid her new friend Cherie, she had not responded back to the femme's call. Dropping her medicine upon the ground beneath, the female tilted her head up and called back to her pack member. "I shall be there in only a moment," with that the femme snatched up everything she needed, and proceeded with her run. It was true, that now nearly all of the journey had already been traveled; no point in making it seem like it would be some time before her arrival. Light grasped her optics, causing the femme's clumsy pace to slow for a moment. Growling slightly, the femme continued rushing forward until her frame lay upon the beach. It was not difficult to spot Cherie as she was not forcing herself into the small indent that the other femme presumably was hiding with in. Her slender frame carried her eagerly, yet a bit more slowly, than her rushing before. Aludra's mind was swimming, so much rushing had been done it made her head feel like it was going to explode. The femme mumbled a rather incomprehensible greeting to Cherie as her arrival was finalized, green orbs glanced from the three gulls upon the ground to the newcomer wincing away. Releasing the bundle from her maw, the female decided now would be a good time to repeat her greeting. It was a bit silly that she had attempted to speak the first time with such a mass of plants stuffed in her muzzle. "Hello Cherie," The white one lowered her head in greeting for a moment, "Do you know what happened here? Other than my assumption of her just washing up on shore?" Aludra spoke quietly, figuring that the other creature would still be able to hear her; but then again the Arctic femme was not attempting to hide her words. She merely was quiet, and a bit soft spoken most of the time. Once more the female observed the drenched creature, she herself remembered the moment when she arrived on Anikira. Well sort of remembered it, she had not been in the greatest of health states at that point. It was good to see that the unnamed female was still breathing, and somewhat had an idea of who she was. 'Good, good, she should probably survive.' Aludra sent a gentle smile, "My name is Aludra, what do they call you?" She was attempting to prod the femme to talk. There was always the possibility that the creature was more injured than she first appeared. Her tail wagged slowly, showing her friendliness.

[ceana]

Ceana was not going to take one of the birds, under any circumstances. She doubted heavily that this soft-spoken and attentive wolf was the leader of whatever pack marked this land, and Ceana did not dare take food without the express permission of a higher ranking wolf. Ceana knew too well how vicious some leaders could be about that sort of thing.

She was just considering any possible escape routes - there were not many, she had crammed herself so securely into this little crevice - when a wolf answered the first wolf's call. Ceana cringed, ears flattening against her head. The pack was coming? Someone from the pack, at least. If there had been any chance of escape for Ceana, it was gone. She let out a low, wary growl, tensing, ready to make a mad dash back for the sea. Maybe she could make the swim back home...

The white wolf appeared before Ceana could move. The new stranger greeted the first as Cherie, speaking softly. She carried a bundle of herbs. The pack shaman, maybe...? Ceana could not help the slight wash of relief. While she was still in very real danger, standing on land claimed by strange wolves, Ceana was also weak, still shivering with the cold and hunger of the long trek across the tossing waters to this island. Maybe the shaman would help her... if the pack did not kill her, first.

Then, the shaman was speaking to her. Ceana dragged her mind back to the present time. She was so easily distracted, just then, but she had her excuses. Primary among them how very ill she felt.

Deciding then and there that she needed the help more than she feared injury, Ceana drew a deep, shuddering breath. She forced herself to relax, uncurling from her little corner and slinking into the light, though she remained low to the ground, submissive.

"They call me Ceana," she answered in a low, nervous voice.

[Deleted]

[atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,false][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,500,true]

[atrb=background,http://imageshack.us/a/img231/6431/cherietablem.png] Cherie was ranked high enough, or so she thought. She was Airila's huntress, proud of her title and own abilities. And it was her kill. She could do with it as she saw fit! With a soft whine, she nudged the bird forward again. Judging by the state of the stranger, the poor female had washed up on shore not too long ago. And, given what she'd learned from the few days she'd spent within Airila, the pack was kind. It wasn't the type to leave the injured unaided. The members she had met were kind wolves; they would not think poorly of her for trying to feed someone in need. Thankfully Aludra's call finally reached her ears and the brown one breathed out a sigh of relief. The shaman would be here soon. "It's alright," she cooed to the timid femme. Sadness and concern shown brightly in her orange eyes as she watched the stranger shrink back in fear. What could she do to calm the other down? Already Cherie had shown herself to be friendly and she had offered food. Beyond trying to give the other a tongue bath (she had always found the action soothing when she was just a pup still in her mother's care), she was out of ideas. And she was pretty sure the grey wolf wouldn't like that last one given how poorly she'd reacted to the nuzzle. "We just want to help you." Her head finally turned away from the stranger when she heard her pack mate's approached. Letting her own tail wag in greeting, she let out a whine and glanced back at the soggy one. "Not really. I found her unconscious. I don't think she likes me very much." A pouty frown turned down her lips as she took a few steps back. Leaving the one bird in case the stranger, Ceana as she introduced herself, did decide to eat, she took the other too and dropped them safely out of sight. Hopefully Aludra would have some better luck than she'd had. After all, the white female knew what she was doing. Cherie had been acting on a whim, letting her heart guide her rather than her brain. Reappearing from just inside the cave's mouth, she watched from a distance now. This would be better, right? She knew she had a tendency to crowd others when they didn't want it. The apennine femme was a social creature and rather affectionate. She liked being close, both emotionally and physically. But if space is what Ceana needed right now then she would give it. Well, she would try to at least. Her ears were still pulled back in concern, shifting her weight from side to side. Oh how she hated to feel useless. "Is there anything else I can do?"

[atrb=background,http://imageshack.us/a/img231/6431/cherietablem.png] tagged: ceana&aludra | words: 465 notes: notes notes notes notes notes notes

[Deleted]

Trudging along the beach where he had first arrived, Huxleyi was reminded of a more recent memory. He had first met Aludra and Cherie here, the two pleasant femmes he now shared a home with. He was glad for their presence, a shaman and a huntress, rounding out the small pack unit quite nicely.

His pace slowed for a moment as he recollected, far seeing gaze cast out over the waves. Their rolling and tossing seemed both treacherous and soothing at the same time. Long limbs regained their motion as Huxleyi moved down to the lapping edge of the salty brine. Peering down at the foamy water curling around his forepaws he wondered suddenly of the fate of his remaining family. He had children somewhere - what were they like? Vicious warriors no doubt. They wouldn't know him, at least he hoped not. Were they treated ill for his traitorous actions? Huxleyi surely hoped not.

A call for Aludra broke Huxleyi's train of thought. If someone needed the Shaman's help, there was likely an injury - and nearby too. He was down the opposite end of the beach, and running through the sand was much more taxing than across flatter ground, it would take him some time. Beginning his trek at a brisk jog he made his way towards the sound of the call, which he now guessed had come from Cherie- it sure had sounded like her. Hopefully the little she-wolf wasn't injured, they couldn't do without their Huntress. He quickened himself to a run, heading towards the caverns and hopefully to a scene less grizzly than his mind was conjuring up.

As he drew nearer he could see his two packmates, as well as the salt-sodden form of a wolfess he didn't recognize. Had she washed up on shore just as he had? All signs pointed to yes. He slowed as he arrived and gave a quick chuff to signal his presence. He kept his posture mostly neutral, the new coming fae seemed exhausted and utterly spent, there was no need to show rank here.

"Is everything alright?" He asked, voice lowered and gentle, directing his question at Aludra, then turning to cast a nod at Cherie. She seemed to have removed herself slightly from the situation, though he guessed the dead bird laying in front of the soaked female was Cherie's handiwork. She indeed was skilled - catching birds was not an easy task.