Recovery and Reflection (Nymph)

[Audas]

Audas grunted as his weight pressed down on his right foreleg as the muscle near it protested in pain. The fight with that tundra wolf earlier may have been a small victory, but it would leave its impact, he was too slow, and he suffered for it. He glanced at the injury and gritted his teeth again, bite marks remained from where his adversary's jaw had clamped down along with small amounts of torn flesh, dried blood surrounded the wound.

It looked a lot worse than it did, Audas should be able to fully recover, but it will easily leave a scar for life. The grey wolf raised his head as he carried on down the tunnel. To call Audas a grey wolf would have almost been debatable, his coat was mostly a mix of browns with smaller amounts of grey and white present. Audas' parents were both grey wolves though, so that matter was sorted.

Audas knew where he was, the Cavern of Govyn, on the Island of Ina'mos. Even though Audas was strong enough to keep walking around, he wouldn't be able to swim back to the mainland yet. For now, Audas had to recover, then he could get back out. He was initially going to try and keep going himself, until he either recovered or dropped dead.

However, Nymph hadn't left.

Despite his insistence, Nymph chose to remain. Kismet had reluctantly returned to the mainland, though something kept sticking out to Audas, as if Kismet had someone to look after there as well, so he didn't stick his nose into the matter, if Kismet indeed had someone else to look after as well, that was perfectly acceptable. Whether he wanted to or not, he still had Nymph around.

Audas exited the tunnel and emerged at the aquifer, a small grin of pride crossed Audas' face, before he let out a small, quiet whelp as he leaned on his injured leg too much for comfort. He sat down near the edge of the water, though he chose not to drink it. Luckily for the brown coloured wolf and his white furred companion, Kismet pointed out the Cavern and gave clear directions to get to the aquifer.

The grey wolf glanced over his shoulder for any sign of Nymph, she was going catch up soon. He looked back towards the water. He had forgotten much of the fight, it came as images rather than a solid memory. The tundra wolf's attack, Audas hitting the ground, the flashback, Kismet moving, the tundra wolf moving for Nymph, and the bit that scared him the most, Audas' savage counterattack on the Tundra wolf before she got Audas back.

He didn't want to think about it, he hadn't acted like that since a year ago. When he chased down Dex...

He shoved the memory aside, he was just defending someone, so why did it disturb Audas so much? He could not determine the answer.

Audas looked over his shoulder again, "Nymph where are you?".

He quietly waited for his white furred, green eyed companion to arrive.

Word Count: 515
Notes: Sorry for the short post, I think it could have been better, so I just adjusted it slightly, not much but still something. Looking forward to this! I promise to do a better post next.

[Nymph]

Time had both flew by and dragged on since the frightening encounter with the large tundra wolf by the falls. She lived. Surprisingly. She shivered to think what would have happened without her two closest friends. She was dwarfed by the other female and inadequate in strength to defend herself. She could still see the dark fae coming towards her with death glinting in her eyes. But after a short fight, the stranger seemed to lose the will to kill and left.

Her normally pristine white fur was matted with dirt and blood, not all of it hers. She wouldn't even recognize herself if she bothered to look in the reflective water. She didn't care at this point. She needed to heal, help Audas to heal. The little female chose to stay with the brownish male after the horrific event. He took the fight hard, but it did not all seem to stem from the physical pain. In addition, he was from a different land, she didn't know if he would know the proper plants to use for healing. She could at least help with that part.

Her pace was slower than usual, her own pain causing her to take it easy. She tried not to show it on her face, but her muscles seemed to be on fire every time she moved. Raising her dark green eyes, she saw Audas waiting for her. She scoffed at herself, once again she was holding someone back because she was too slow. She picked up her pace as much as she could bear, as her eyes looked down to see the damage from the attack, ripped shoulder, blood. Sorrow hit her hard like the dark female had done. She couldn't help but think it was mostly her fault for his condition.

By the time she reached him, something close to tears were in her eyes. She kept her head lowered, hoping he wouldn't see. Did everything she touch suffer? Philkin was taken away because of her, Audas and Kismet were injured because of her. What next?

When she felt confident enough, she spoke: "Want me to get something for that?" She nodded towards her companions shoulder. She looked around for the needed plant, she had almost made up her mind to give it to him even if he said he was fine. She never met a male who was a good patient, however Audas was full of surprises.

Word Count: 406

OOC: Excited. Sorry but my post isn't the best either.

[Audas]

Audas did not have to wait for long for Nymph to arrive. The small female slowly made her way around the corner and into the area Audas was in now. Under normal circumstances, Nymph possessed a pure white coat with dark green eyes, and was always one to ask questions. But now Audas saw a different wolf from the one he saw in Caurus the night he arrived on the island of Anikira. The arctic wolf's coat was now dirty, covered in blood and dirt from the fight, her head lowered, her pace slower than what it normally was.

Nymph raised her head at that moment, seeing that the grey wolf was waiting for her. Her eyes moved towards his wound, as if inspecting it. But Audas noticed that her eyes no longer had a curious light to them, the young female looked regretful and hurt. Both mentally and physically.

Audas felt his own pang of regret now, the arctic wolf was hurt herself, why was she helping the grey wolf when she could be taking care of herself? Then Audas remembered Nymph's first conversation with him back in Caurus, and how she thought the term 'Outsider' was a harmful term in her opinion.

'Nymph isn't the kind just to leave someone behind, right?' Audas considered.

She seemed to quicken her pace now, and had lowered her head. That's when Audas noticed it.

The glistening of a tear in her eye.

Now Audas was concerned, guilt? Despair? What was the thing that was bringing his companion to tears? Audas shifted position slightly, he was by no means a coldhearted being, and he felt like he needed to help.

"Nymph?", Audas asked, his voiced filled with concern, "Are you alright?"

Nymph raised her head again now, before you replying, "Want me to get something for that?", she nodded to his injured shoulder. She seemed to evade his own question.

"Nymph are you..."

Audas gave a slight yelp as he felt pain hit his shoulder, closing his eyes as he did and gritting his teeth.

'Audas damn it stop shifting position or you will make it worse!', he cursed to himself mentally.

Shaking his head, Audas recovered and looked back at Nymph, she seemed to have already made her mind up, and was seemingly looking for something, almost certainly for his wound.

Audas turned around to face his companion, who was still looking, Audas whined as he sat back down, his shoulder once again protesting with pain, his eyes once again shut and his teeth clamped together.

Audas opened his eyes, breathing slightly quicker now he was in some form of pain. He focused on Nymph, his brown eyes filled with concern, he looked into her own green eyes and spoke his mind.

"Nymph... Why are you helping me?"

Word Count: 467
Notes: Feels like a much better post now, still could do with improvement, but it's still better. Sorry if has taken a bit too long!

[Nymph]

Completely caught up in her search for something to alleviate Audas' pain, Nymph put her own pains aside. She saw something she needed not far from where she stood. She stepped towards it, only to be jerked back by the sound of Audas' yelp. "Please, stay still. I will be right back." She took her eyes off of the tree which was her goal and looked back at her injured friend. Locking eyes with him, she was surprised at his expression. He didn't seem sad or bothered by as pain as much as before. He seemed totally wrapped up in something else. She was just about to ask, but he beat her to the punch. "Nymph...Why are you helping me?" She didn't reply immediately. She was surprised. She never really considered NOT helping him. She tilted her head to the side, ears slightly splayed out and her tail lowered. Nymph considered whether or not she offended him in someway because she was helping him. But he didn't seem upset with her.

She decided honesty would be best. "I'm sorry. Sorry for everything. I feel responsible for what happened. I know she struck you first before she came after me, but everything after that.......my fault. She didn't really seem interested in you two, I saw her watching me. If I wasn't there, you would be in better condition. I need to help mend anything I hurt." She didn't think she was going to say so much. "I don't want to hear that it isn't my fault. I'm a big girl I can take responsibility for my actions. I never meant to hurt anyone." She lowered her eyes, and spoke quietly, like a whisper, "Apparently, its what I do." She turned with tears threatening once again to fall down, the death of her brother was weighing so heavily on her mind. The quiet, sweet Nymph was still there, but her pain emotionally was so much worse than the physical, the fire she could still feel scorching her.

She walked towards the tree and began to dig. She was upset with herself and how she acted. He didn't need the stress of her female breakdown. He probably had no idea what she was talking about. She glanced over at his form as she finally made it down far enough to get what she needed. "Forget everything I just said. I'm helping because I don't like seeing others in pain. My father taught us to assist when we can, as best we can. My mother showed us roots and leaves that have healing qualities." She stopped speaking as she chewed off the roots she wanted, it didn't taste the best but she knew it was good for wounds.

Mouth full with roots, she shuffled back to Audas and placed a few in front of him. "Chew and swallow the juice, it will dull the pain. I will chew some as well and place it on your shoulder, if you will let me, it will keep the wound clean so it can heal without infection." She waited to see if he would protest and hoping he would just drop the little break down she had. It was embarrassing, humiliating to just burst out to someone like that. But then she thought of yet another question, "Did you not want me to stay with you?"

Word Count: 566

OOC: Sorry for little emotional girl, she just took it a little hard.

[Audas]

Nymph looked surprised when Audas asked his question, but he soon felt sadness when she lowered her head and tail, Audas began to regret asking the question, both of them had been through a lot recently with that fight with the tundra wolf, besides, Audas began to think he had asked a rather stupid question anyway.

But Nymph began to reply, "I'm sorry. Sorry for everything. I feel responsible for what happened. I know she struck you first before she came after me, but everything after that.......my fault. She didn't really seem interested in you two, I saw her watching me. If I wasn't there, you would be in better condition. I need to help mend anything I hurt."

Audas felt like he had been hit in the gut, and immediately felt concerned, the poor female was blaming herself for those events.

'Nymph please don't blame yourself, the only person that is at fault is myself, I should have been faster back then, not just when we were in danger but back in North America, when I should have been faster still, to defend those I...'

Sorrow hit the grey wolf hard in the face, he did not want to dwell on his past, especially now. He was to blame, not Nymph.

He was  about to reply, say she was not to blame for anything, when Nymph beat him to it, "I don't want to hear that it isn't my fault. I'm a big girl, I can take responsibility for my actions, I never meant to hurt anyone.", she lowered her eyes then, and whispered something he only just picked up, "Apparently, it is what I do".

Audas felt a pang of intense sadness, had she suffered just as he did? Or did something else bring her into this state? Audas could not answer that question, and there was certainly no moon to ask this time. He opened his mouth slightly, trying to say something to comfort her, but was unable to find the words.

Nymph turned away at that point, and Audas lost his chance.

The small female walked across to a small tree at one side of the cave and began to dig, Audas watched with curiosity and sadness. When she dug down further, she glanced towards Audas, "Forget everything I just said. I'm helping because I don't like seeing others in pain. My father taught us to assist when we can, as best we can. My mother showed us roots and leaves that have healing qualities."

Nymph chewed away some roots from the tree and shuffled to the grey wolf, placing some of the roots in front of him. "Chew and swallow the juice, it will dull the pain. I will chew some as well and place it on your shoulder, if you will let me, it will keep the wound clean so it can heal without infection."

Audas looked at his white furred companion carefully with concern, what happened to Nymph in the past? Audas left it to one side though, he had no right to question about it, besides, he hadn't forgotten the emotional state she was in, he didn't want to make her lose it.

With effort, Audas turned his eyes away and began to chew a root, he narrowed his eyes slightly as he chewed the tough, woody root, and began to suck the juice clear, it tasted horrible, but he resisted the urge to spit it out and swallowed that juice. Once he was clear, he dropped the root and moved for another one and began to chew it.

Thats when Nymph hit him with a question that troubled him greatly, "Did you not want me to stay with you?".

Audas was that surprised he nearly choked on the root.

He sucked the juice out before spitting the root out, coughing as he did so since he nearly choked. "It's just...", Audas began to say, but he fell silent, he wondered what to say, he knew he had to answer, but he did not want to reveal his past to Nymph, she was in a bad enough state as it was.

Audas closed his eyes and took two deep breaths, taking it slowly, once that was done, he opened his eyes again and looked into Nymph's own eyes. "It's... It's just that I haven't been helped in a while, I'm... I'm sorry if I upset you then but it's been that long since someone has helped me, I was just shocked."

Audas turned away to take another root and began to chew it, looking back at Nymph to see what she said about his... apology.

Word Count: 773
Notes: No problem, Audas is feeling a little bit emotional too now he has seen Nymph's reaction as he remembers his own past.

[Nymph]

Softening the wood in her mouth, Nymph placed the mangled roots upon the grey wolf's shoulder, all the while aware of the brown eyes of Audas focus on her. She didn't know if she was relieved or not when he finally looked away to tend to the roots she placed in front of him. If the circumstances were better, she would have smiled at his face when he first tasted the bitter juice, however she only continued to chew up her own roots and attended to Audas' shoulder.

"It wasn't the words you spoke which upset me, friend. I didn't mean put all that on your shoulders. I'm glad to help out." She tried to smile, tried to forget her little break down. "You will have to get used to it as long as we are friends." She covered his shoulder by now and chewed a small root to ease her own pain. "Do you need anything else? I would offer more roots, but if you have had enough, I understand."  She waited for a reply, she would get whatever he needed, she didn't know how much his mobility was truly effected. She felt like she needed to clarify herself more but she didn't really now how to begin, he may not want to know. But he showed concern for her before, maybe he would be willing to listen. She shifted uncomfortably, unsure of whether to actually explain herself.

She was curious about one thing, but she didn't know if she should. However, her curiosity got the better of her. "When you lost consciousness, what were you thinking? I have never blackout from something like that. I was just wondering. You don't have to answer if you don't want to." It was a strange question, she knew that. But she wanted to know if he felt peaceful or not. She thought for sure she would have died that day. She only thought of her brother and getting in a few jabs. "I tried to avenge your pain but I don't know if I was really successful. I mean, look at me! I'm half her size at best. Being small does have its disadvantages sometimes." She realized now she was just rambling about nothing. She didn't know if it was an effect from the adrenaline or what. She turned her head and rolled her eyes at herself. "Sorry, I should just let you rest. Forgive me." She sat down and, as was her custom, wrapped her fluffy tail tight around her feet. She didn't know where to direct her gaze so she kept her forest colored eyes down on her curled around tail. Why am I acting so strange? I guess I haven't handled things as well as I initially thought. Everything else in the surrounding area seem to be at peace, but Nymph was a rambling bundle of......something. She hoped it would just all be over soon.

Word Count: 488

Tagged: Audas

OOC: Sorry it took so long.

[Audas]

Audas failed to notice that Nymph had already applied some of the chewed root to his shoulder, when Audas began have a strange feeling around his shoulder, he looked towards it to see Nymph was most of the to covering the shoulder. He didn't feel anything going on yet, but it didn't mean he would not feel anything at all. Nymph had began to chew her own roots.

"It wasn't the words you spoke which upset me, friend. I didn't mean put all that on your shoulders. I'm glad to help out."  Nymph explained, she made an attempt to smile, Audas had noticed, but it was a small one nevertheless, either from physical or mental pain, only Nymph knew the answer to that. The grey wolf nevertheless felt relieved to an extent. Nymph continued,  "You will have to get used to it as long as we are friends."

Friends. It was a while since the brown furred male had heard that word, as with quite a few other related words, when one has travelled alone for so long, you didn't get to hear such words very often.

Nymph had finished tending to Audas' shoulder, the wound was now covered in chewed up roots, again, he felt little effect still, but Nymph seemed to know what she was doing the way she applied it, so he just for once had to trust someone. He... He trusted Nymph, so that's was that. "Do you need anything else? I would offer more roots, but if you have had enough, I understand." Nymph asked.

The grey wolf looked back to the wound, "It looks worse than it does, normally that's often the case with wounds, I should be fine".  Audas explained. 

Audas drank a small amount of water from the aquafier before settling back down again. That's when Nymph then dropped another bombshell of a question. "When you lost consciousness, what were you thinking? I have never blackout from something like that. I was just wondering. You don't have to answer if you don't want to."

Audas glanced at Nymph before looking back towards the water, closing his eyes as he did so. He remembered everything from that flashback, unlike the fight. Alika... Xavier... Kaine... Death... Dex and his betrayal... Audas' failure.

Sorrow and Regret gripped his heart with an iron fist, everything that happened then was all his fault. Been a result of his failures.

He sighed sadly, "I would rather not remember it Nymph, I just don't want to." For a moment, Audas' normally composed voice broke slightly, a very short glimpse of grief. He continued to look at the water.

Nymph carried on, and much to his surprise, she didn't follow up on it, though if she heard that break in his voice or not, he didn't know.

"I tried to avenge your pain but I don't know if I was really successful. I mean, look at me! I'm half her size at best. Being small does have its disadvantages sometimes."

Audas as noticed the slight change in Nymph then and turned his head in her direction, widening an eye in surprise and slight amusement, the smaller arctic wolf turned her own head away, as if she was surprised herself.

"Sorry, I should just let you rest. Forgive me." Nymph said before sitting down and flicking her tail around her feet, Audas felt rather sorry now. Audas gave a quiet chuckle, "Don't worry about that Nymph, it's fi.." 

Audas as now had began to feel the effects of the roots on the shoulder wound, as what had felt painful  and hot before seemed to feel cooler and less agitated. He had only just noticed the effects, so he couldn't help but sigh with relief from the cooling sensation.

"Damn... You know your stuff, this wound is feeling a little bit better now already.", a small, very brief smile emerged before he sighed again.

Audas felt rather awkward as he said this, in the past he would try and use conversations as a way to obtain Infomation or as a delaying tactic, otherwise keeping them short. But this one seemed more... Well... He couldn't exactly explain it or put his mind on it. So he left it be.

"I'm actually a little bit surprised, I apologise for being a little bit... Stereotypical here but I didn't expect you to know these roots are useful, if we were in Canrus or in a snowy area I would understand but..."

Audas sighed again, lowering his head as he shook his head, annoyed at himself. He raised his head again forwards Nymph, looking rather apologetic.

"Sorry... I shouldn't have said that... I'm just trying to lighten the mood abit, it's been a while... damn, sorry that I keep saying that but... It's just be a while since I have spoken like this, just bare with me a little bit."

Word Count: 811
Notes: No Problem, sorry if I'm a little late as well here. Had to go out so I couldn't get the whole post done in one sitting.

[Nymph]

Nymph didn't push the subject of Audas' blackout, he obviously wasn't comfortable with her question. He told her he didn't want to even remember, so she carried on like nothing happened. She was slightly more of an open book than Audas, but she also had her secrets. Just as he must have his reasons for being so closed-mouthed about things.

When he showed surprise at her knowledge of how plants worked, she smiled a little as she thought of her family. "Mother was taught by her mother, a healer in a pack, how times of the year had affects on plants and what part to use when and for what ailment. Mother left the pack and traveled a great deal, expanding her knowledge in that time. I imagine not one part of Anikira hasn't been touched by her at sometime or another. Meeting my father, she finally settled down and made the north her home. She didn't want all she learned to stop with her so she taught me and......my brother." Nymph's eyes lowered at the mention of him. He was her world, now what did she have left? She finally noticed her awkward break in her story and looked back up, "Sorry about that." She cleared her throat and finished her narrative, "I always loved learning, everything she could teach me was fascinating to me. I share her natural curiosity, fascinated by what others know. Sometimes, it gets the better of me. Questions are all I have now."

She took a deep breath now that her shortened story was over. She was careful to edge around the uneasy parts of her life. She never mentioned why she left. She deeply loved and missed her family. But Audas shouldn't have to hear her sadness when he obviously had his own troubles. Before she was taken down the darker road of memories, she smiled at him, "I can surprise you. I'm smarter than I look." She was making the attempt to follow his lead and keep things upbeat. But, her thoughts kept her from giving it her best shot. 

During her little story, Nymph let part of her mind wander to what she knew about him. What she really knew! She realized it was very little. He was washed up from somewhere, apparently very far, and that was about it. He was loyal, big and strong. She admired the colors of his coat and was all around a handsome wolf. But besides that.....nothing. For someone who loved questions, she wanted to know more, but that was difficult without hurting him.

She came back the present just in time to catch his last remark. "Sorry... I shouldn't have said that... I'm just trying to lighten the mood abit, it's been a while... damn, sorry that I keep saying that but... It's just be a while since I have spoken like this, just bare with me a little bit."

The compassionate Nymph felt her heart ache for him, his emotional scars ran so deep. She waited be sure he was finished speaking and then let her voice reach out to him in its usual quiet manner. "Don't feel sorry for asking. Of course I will bear with you, you are doing the same for me. Obviously we have issues with life in our own way. But here you are surviving it, just as I am. Whatever pain you have, and I understand it to be a great deal, know you will always have a friend. I hope this brings you comfort, however small it may be." She looked at him to watch for a reaction. "I understand you don't want to remember. I don't really need to know everything. I just want to make sure you don't feel like you did when you came to this place. Remember you called yourself Outsider? Know that I never have seen you in that way." She wondered if all his memories pained him, Do you have anything to make you happy? She liked to see him smile, but it was a rare thing.

She wondered if he would ever accept her as a true friend. It appeared foreign to him to have anyone like that.

She realized that even with her tragic loss, she could still smile easily, she could find the silver lining in other aspects of life. He seemed to have trouble with letting go most of the time. Maybe it was because she deceived herself into believing Philkin was alive, while Audas was realistic enough to face facts.

There must be a middle ground somewhere. But where?

Word Count: 766

[Audas]

Audas listened intently at Nymph's reasons for her knowledge of plants, explaining how her mother had learned from her own mother and passed down her knowledge that she had gained over the years. Audas couldn't help but compare that to himself and his father, Everest. Only two major differences appeared between both stories, both Audas and his father knew very little about plants, but both would become skilled hunters, the second, he didn't want to think about. But either way, Audas had no choice but to learn alone, for Everest had died before he passed on the remainder of his experience.

Nymph continued on with her tale, "She didn't want all she had learned to stop with her so she taught me and... my brother." The Arctic wolf's eyes lowered at the mention of the word brother. And Audas couldn't  help but both confused and sorry, what event had made Nymph so affected by the word? Audas dreaded to think what that was. He had brothers and sisters, looking up to him, only one survived, and Audas again failed to be there to protect that brother, Reland, from death.

He forced the memory away as Nymph, after her pause, had started to carry on. 

"I always loved learning, everything she could teach me was fascinating to me. I share her natural curiosity, fascinated by what others know. Sometimes, it gets the better of me. Questions are all I have now."

Nymph took a deep breath as she had finished her tale, then, much to the grey wolf's surprise, she smiled at him. "I can surprise you. I'm smarter than I look.", the female explained. Audas, caught off guard, had a delayed reaction, so it took a few seconds before he gave a brief grin.

He certainly felt relieved when Nymph responded to his last remark.

"Don't feel sorry for asking. Of course I will bear with you, you are doing the same for me. Obviously we have issues with life in our own way. But here you are surviving it, just as I am. Whatever pain you have, and I understand it to be a great deal, know you will always have a friend. I hope this brings you comfort, however small it may be."

There it was again, the word 'friend', did she really think of him as a friend? Audas had to expect so, he would normally fail to respond, but Nymph had always been compassionate with him, he had to at least give her the respect to say thanks. "Thank You, I appreciate it."

The small female continued, "I understand you don't want to remember. I don't really need to know everything. I just want to make sure you don't feel like you did when you came to this place. Remember you called yourself Outsider? Know that I never have seen you in that way."

Audas closed his eyes and lowered his head as he took those words in, did Nymph's compassion know no bounds? But he know the impact of those words, both back in Canrus and here, on Ina'mos. He had not known that sort of compassion for a long time, or ever even. He initially struggled to reply.

"I... I remember that Nymph, those words meant a lot to me, I... I just... just..."

Audas finally shook his head in annoyance, after taking a deep breath, he raised his head and focused on Nymph's green eyes, "Look, the truth is I haven't heard such words in a long while, and... it really means a lot to me, I would like to thank you for that."

He finally lowered his gaze at his own feet. When he gained a slight thought.

He smiled briefly, "Anikira reminds me of it, of North America, I mean.", Audas closed his eyes as he indulged himself in one of the few good memories he had left. "Lots of different terrain, lots of different climates, life of course, I mean, Anikira has far more of that, but it also shares some of it with North America, massive forests at the foot of massive mountain ranges, huge rivers of ice flowing down some valleys..." Audas breathed slowly out, "We were around this area once, and appaerently we were walking are top of a massive underground volcano... Ha... A volcano? I admit I was actually rather shocked at that." He opened his eyes and turned back towards Nymph. He realised he was starting to go off on one.

"Truth is, other than that place being far... Well...bigger, Anikira does feel like a home."

Word Count: 751
Notes: Sorry it took so long.

[Nymph]

The snowy female smiled at Audas as he thanked her for being a friend. She felt that she might have chipped a small part of his uneasy wall away.

She listened attentively as he told her a brief tale about his home land. "It sounds very beautiful. I would have liked to race through the forests there. For some reason I love trees." She figured if she revealed little tidbits about herself, Audas would tell her a few things he liked, maybe that would keep him in a brighter frame of mind. "A volcano? My, that would scare me to bits!" She didn't know much about them, only stories for their power and deadly lava. "Did you have wolves like me there? I mean, white Arctic wolves. Or is everyone painted with wonderful colors like you? Was it cold in North America?" She wanted to ask who the 'we' was in his story but didn't think that would be a good idea. She just saw him relax a little moments ago and didn't want him to become troubled because she slipped up.

She stretched out her forelegs and laid down, starting to finally pay some attention to her appearance by attending to her forepaws. She didn't care about her looks much, but she did like to be clean. A part of her mind kept bugging her because she still had mud and blood stuck all over her form. She was a little sore still, but the roots were doing their job and eased it greatly. Forest colored eyes flickered over to Audas' shoulder to assess the damage once more. The poultice she put on it seemed to be setting well. Satisfied with what she saw, Nymph looked back to her occupation of cleaning her paws. Upon doing so, she found that she slit one of her pads open. With all that had happened, she didn't even realize that she injured her paw. She stared at it for a while before she continued to clean it like it was no big deal. 

She really didn't know what to do with herself now that her job as healer was postponed until the poultice fully set. So, Nymph decided to offer something that would need her focus and would help Audas heal faster. "I could catch you something to eat, if you would like. It wont be spectacular, but I'm sure I could find something. If not, just let me know what you need, I'll be glad get it. "

Word Count: 414

[Audas]

Nymph had smiled at the young grey wolf's thanks, it was the first time he had seen her smile fully since they had arrived at the caves, and that gave the brown coloured male a large sense of relief. The little female listened carefully as Audas awkwardly but gladly explained his native home of North America, Nymph complimented on the continents beauty, with its forests in particular. Audas had to help but agree when she stated she liked trees, even though he would admit that his personal view of trees would vary depending on the situation.

The arctic wolf was surprised by the volcano, and explained on how it would have scare her. Audas grinned, for slightly longer than he would have normally have, the reason, Audas could not find the answer to. He nevertheless felt compelled to reply about the volcano,

"It was supposed to be massive, spanning several kilometers across. But luckily, it was dormant, a sleeping giant that has been that way for thousands of years, the last time it had erupted was millennia ago."

Audas had learnt many names for many of the locations over the few years of his life, but the human names for such locations stood out the most, the wolf had to admit, as much as he disliked humans, they were at least great at coming up with good names and sayings. For example, some wolves had gave that massive volcano multiple names, most of them ridiculous. Whilst humans had called the super volcano 'Yellowstone', there was certainly no yellow rocks, at least in abundance, but it seemed... fitting... nevertheless.

It didn't surprise the male when the small snowy female quickly started asking questions, "Did you have wolves like me there? I mean, white Arctic wolves. Or is everyone painted with wonderful colors like you? Was it cold in North America?"

Audas carefully answered the questions, "Oh yes, there are quite a few arctic wolves, but they are mainly to the North, where the snow is often present all year round, but there are quite a few other species of wolf there as well, I certainly haven't seen any like Kismet though, but that's because he's from Europe, so there are likely different species there. As for the Temperture, the far North is cold enough to freeze the ocean just beyond the coast, whilst the southern areas can be extremely hot and arid."

Audas realised he had not paused to take a breath, so he quickly inhaled as he recognised this.

Nymph had finally seemed settled enough to lie down and begin cleaning herself. Audas was less concerned about cleaning and stretched his legs out instead, which had gotten stiff from being sat in the same position for a certain amount of time.

As the grey wolf sat back down, he noticed the female glance at his shoulder, prompting the former to inspect the shoulder himself. "I'm no expert, but this is looking quite a bit better now".

He drank another sip of water as he thought about his homeland, a homeland he couldn't return to. He had to treat this place like a home now.

The brown furred male stared at the water, the conversation had paused, and he didn't really have much to do. That was when Nymph spoke once more,  "I could catch you something to eat, if you would like. It wont be spectacular, but I'm sure I could find something. If not, just let me know what you need, I'll be glad get it. "

Audas didn't feel hungry, even though he knew he needed the energy. He decided to be honest, "I'm don't feel hungry, but that's going to make me sound like an unhappy patient, if you feel like I need it or you need the time, feel free, but I ultimately don't mind." Audas paused for a moment, before adding, "But I will keep it in mind anyway."

Word Count: 647
Notes: Sorry I keep saying this but sorry if this is again late, I have just got back in college so I was busy getting ready for it. Will be quicker next time.

[Nymph]

Nymph was so glad to hear him open up a little. Frozen oceans, dormant volcanos all of it was part of him. Despite the fact the he would not be able to return to his homeland, she proved to herself that he held happy memories.

"Sounds lovely to have grown up with such variety of environments. I only knew my immediate territory, I liked to explore but my parents were adamant I didn't go very far without my.........I mean, by myself." She couldn't bring herself to say his name now, she didn't want to ruin the relaxed mood so she carried on, "I wasn't used to going far away, until I met you and Kismet. Even though, we had an scary encounter, I am glad you let me travel with you. I've learned so much about my birth land that I probably wouldn't have had the chance to." Philkin was just as protective of her as their parents were, actually he was more protective. Traveling far wasn't exactly favored by the brother.

"I wouldn't think of you as an unhappy patient. I just...." She giggled a little and decided to come out honestly with him, "I am fighting my intense curiosity and being still is a little difficult. If you aren't hungry that is perfectly alright. I shall be content to try and straighten out this coat of mine. I'm sure it isn't very pleasant to look at." She stopped speaking to lap up some water, cleansing her mouth of the dirty taste. Fulfilling her purpose, she looked back to Audas, "What was your favorite thing about where you come from?" She stopped for a moment and thought before asking another question, "This is late in asking but, do you mind that I ask things about you? I am sorry, I never gave much thought to it. You seem a rather private male, and I naturally assumed my normal occupation. Please don't think of me as nosy and improper. I never meant to give the impression of an interrogation."

She became a little ashamed of herself. This whole time she only gave thought to what she could do to get him to open up. He was probably to polite to say he was irritated. But he did tell her when he would rather not answer. That was something, right? She began to berate herself mentally, How could you? He will think you are definitely a busy body or insane. Why don't you just shut up and give him some peace. After her little scolding of herself, she looked up and spoke quietly, "My home was relatively rocky, which made great places to play growing up. Hiding and chasing was simply spectacular. There were lots rabbits who darted in and out of little caverns, which made great sport a lot of the time." She decided that revealing more of herself would perhaps lessen the weight of her misdemeanor.

Word Count: 489

OOC: She isn't crazy, just hasn't learned how to talk to ones who aren't her family. Still rather new to this socializing thing. Don't worry about the time it takes for your replies, its ok.

[Audas]

As Audas had explained his homeland, Nymph in turn explained how she only knew her territory even though she liked to explore. However, as she explained this, she paused, and finished by saying that she didn't go very far by herself. The grey wolf however noticed something else, as if Nymph was about to mention someone in particular.

'Her brother?'

That word had also gave Nymph pause, what had happened to or with that brother was something Audas pondered about, he wasn't going to delve into that matter, if she was deliberately trying to avoid it, then Audas wouldn't go chasing it up.

The brown furred male felt a pang of sadness, he had a brother once, the near look alike but nevertheless different individual known as Reland, another one he had failed...

Despite this pang, Audas didn't show it.

As Nymph explained she still hadn't traveled far until she met Audas and Kismet, he felt both sorry for the female and relieved, when he was born, it was traveling even then, with not much of an idea on where the road would take him, Nymph hadn't had that happen, in a way, it was both a privilege... And a curse to travel. Nymph could call her territory a real home. Audas' home was just a road on one massive continent, even though it was a homeland, they didn't stop to set up a 'home' to stay.

When Audas mentioned him being the unhappy patient is his last reply, Nymph made her own remark, "I wouldn't think of you as an unhappy patient. I just....", then the little white furred, green eyed wolf giggled.

Audas felt a strange feeling, as if his own heart missed a beat, 'a giggle' was something that Audas had certainly hadn't heard in a while...

'Alika...'

An iron fist gripped his heart firmly, and he felt the rush of a flashback, Audas saw it coming and blocked it off before it could grip him. It... It was Alika who giggled so long ago, and Nymph just repeated it in her own way.

The grey wolf's mind raced, it can't be conincidence. He searched for any link between the grey wolf female of his past and the arctic wolf female before him. Other than the laugh back at the river and the giggle then... Nothing...

Nymph's voice brought Audas out of his mind, "I am fighting my intense curiosity and being still is a little difficult. If you aren't hungry that is perfectly alright. I shall be content to try and straighten out this coat of mine. I'm sure it isn't very pleasant to look at."

Audas, now recovered, replied quickly, "That's fine, dont worry about it."

Nymph's next question was tricky, what was his favourite thing in North America? The male had to admit he never thought about it, he tried to think of something, gritting his teeth and raising his head in concentration, but couldn't find an answer. Luckily for him, Nymph quickly fired of an new question.

"This is late in asking but, do you mind that I ask things about you? I am sorry, I never gave much thought to it. You seem a rather private male, and I naturally assumed my normal occupation. Please don't think of me as nosy and improper. I never meant to give the impression of an interrogation."

Audas pondered for a moment, he didn't want to talk to much about himself or his past, but... He did want to talk, for the first time in a while he... He just did.

Nymph looked ashamed for asking, and Audas didn't want the whole conversation to fall apart now.

"Your curious about things, that's perfectly acceptable, dont think of it as an interrogation, because it certainly isn't."

The males mouth hung open, as he searched for some new words to say, but he couldn't find them, so he reluctantly closed it.

Nymph seemed to reverse the flow of conversation now, "My home was relatively rocky, which made great places to play growing up. Hiding and chasing was simply spectacular. There were lots rabbits who darted in and out of little caverns, which made great sport a lot of the time."

Audas listened carefully at this, it reminded him a bit about his early days as a pup. He replied, "Must have been a nice place, I suppose every place has something in it that makes fun for pups, always something to hide in, there will be plenty of those spots in the rocks." Audas initially thought Nymph was from Caurus, now was the time to confirm it.

"By rocky, you mean mountains, cliffs or hills? Or just generally rocky? I will be guessing hills if there were rabbits?" He grinned as he thought about this. "I mean, rabbits are fun to chase? Right?"


Word Count: 808

[Nymph]

Relief flowed over the little female as Audas declared he was not upset with her. She flashed a smile and continued to look at him as he asked his own questions.

"There were a few hills, but it was generally rocky as well. I always thought as a youngster that my home was made from a dead mountain, which fell apart and scattered all over. But there were no other mountains around nor any cliffs. A big river flowed through the land, which was so refreshing in the heat of summer. There was also this valley with the most beautiful red flowers, however, that made it difficult to hide in when you're stark white." She smiled at the memories of good times she shared with Philkin. He was the best at finding her at hide and seek.

He also was better at chasing rabbits. "Yes, of course chasing rabbits is great fun! They would dart in every direction, go in one little cave and come out somewhere else. I can't tell you how many times I waited for one to come out and.." She took a deep breath. She had to say it, there were no stories of her life without Philkin in there somehow. Try as she may to side step mentioning him, Philkin was her life. Her history was filled with him. Audas wanted to know part of her story and she could no longer keep her dear sibling in hiding. She spoke a little slower, her throat tight as she mentioned him and then carried on as best she could, "Philkin would find it somewhere else. He was much better at the sport, well everything, but it was still tremendously fun."

She was very proud of herself. She mentioned him by name without completely falling apart. She smiled as her eyes welled up, not of sadness, but of joy. She made some sort of break through, not a huge one but she finally said his name out loud in who knows how long and she didn't burst out crying.

She wondered if Audas caught the difference in her voice, if he would wonder what it was about. Nevertheless, she knew her accomplishment.

Her throat still felt strained, so she lapped up water until it soothed the sensation. She was still traumatized by everything that happened to her brother, but she realized if she continued to cling to the better times, it did help her bear the burden of his death. The pain that would never go away.

Focus on the good. There is so much good. She hesitantly looked up at the brown Grey wolf. Wondered what his reply would be to all of it. So much happened to her in that one moment, he probably didn't even realize it.

Word count: 465

[Audas]

Nymph looked relieved when Audas explained that he wasn't upset at her curiosity, and quickly replied to his own questions, describing her own home, hills, a big river, a valley with red flowers. Audas couldn't help but be reminded of Caurus, the description seemed to match that territory's geography. Ironically, if that was the case, Audas would have washed up on the banks of the snowy female's own home.

He grinned briefly when the arctic wolf joked about her own colour amongst the red flowers, smiling as she looked back at her own memories, something that gave way to an emotion the grey wolf had not felt for a long time... joy...

Then came the topic of rabbits,  "Yes, of course chasing rabbits is great fun! They would dart in every direction, go in one little cave and come out somewhere else. I can't tell you how many times I waited for one to come out and.."

Nymph took a deep breath, as if she was about to reveal something she couldn't avoid. Audas looked on, waiting for the little female to finish, but in a manner that stated to take her time. Finally, the female continued, albeit at a considerably slower pace, "Philkin would find it somewhere else. He was much better at the sport, well everything, but it was still tremendously fun."

Nymph smiled and her forest coloured eyes welled up, not in sadness but in joy, Audas had to assume she was either indulging herself in the memory intensely, or she felt... Proud of something.

But while Nymph was filled with joy, Audas felt sadness and guilt seeped though him, a memory began to emerge to him, and it began to quickly pass...

______________________________________________


Rain had began to fall during that cold, moonless night at a cliff, overlooking the area ahead. Normally, this would be a peaceful location for one to rest, but now, it was the complete opposite.

Far below, down near the bottom of the overhanging cliff, the broken, bleeding body of Xavier lay, the leader of a war pack, a pack filled with killers, was dead. At the top of the cliff, the enormous pack stood in silence, stunned by the death of their Alpha.

Audas stood alone at the cliff edge, staring down at the remains of his enemy, the one who took so much away from him. Audas was covered in dirt and blood, but instead of a ripped shoulder, smaller  scratches and bites covered him nearly all over.

The young, bloodied grey wolf slowly turned his head towards the pack, his eyes filled with hatred and anger. One by one, the pack slowly dissipated, a member leaving every few seconds. Halfway through this, the brown furred male turned and walked across the clearing to the corpse of one he loved.

Alika lay on her side, her eyes wide open in fear, the enormous wound on her neck the clear sign of death, he sat down before her and quietly sobbed, "I am so sorry... I failed... Again...", tears flowed down the grey wolf's face as he mourned the death of Alika and hated himself for his failure.

Audas only just heard the sound of an advancing wolf behind, he was making no attempt to hide.

Shedding his tears away, Audas rose and turned towards the grey furred wolf that stood behind him, the one who shoved the log in the way that proved to be Xaiver's downfall.

The wolf spoke, "A pity it all had to end like this, don't you think?", the slight hit of dark humour lay there. Audas simply stared the wolf down.

The grey furred wolf turned his head towards the cliff edge, "That being said, that alpha was bound to die anyway." He turned back towards Audas, smirking as he did so, "At he very least, he will be making amends with his brother."

Confusion flickered across Audas' face, amends with his brother? This wolf had better stop talking in riddles.

The wolf noticed this, "Everest never told you Audas? About Xavier? You see... It's ironic to have two brothers, born with the same blood, turn against each other, hmm?" The wolf's smirk turned into a wicked grin, his voice filled with darkness. "You just murdered your own uncle... My own father."

Audas raises his hackles in response. His hatred of Xaiver intensified, as he prepared to fight this wolf if the need arises. He quickly snapped back, " If you want revenge just get it over with!". The cousin laughed cruelly, "Please, no need to snap Audas, call me Kaine." He focused on Audas, "I wanted to kill my father for years, in many ways you have done me a big favour. I think you can consider us both even, but only when I reveal two key facts."

Kaine took an additional step forward to his cousin. "Firstly, I will like to say your dear brother, Reland, is it? Is dead." Audas snarled at Kaine, he could just kill this being now if he wanted. Kaine laughed once more. "Audas, I am telling you the honest truth, Xavier killed him, so your quest for vengence hasn't changed." 

"Changed?!" Audas yelled at Kaine impulsively, what else as he going to say?

Kaine turned and began to walk away slowly, "KAINE! WHAT ELSE!", screamed Audas, the grey wolf paused, and turned his head back to Audas. This time, there was no smile, but he spoke with a certain degree of sadness.

"The second truth is Audas, you were betrayed... By one going by the name of Dex."

_____________________________________

Nymph turned away from Audas to drink some water from the pool, and Audas took his chance to turn away from the female, and shed a tear from his brown eye. As the tear hit the ground, the brown furred male placed his paw over the splatter mark in an attempt to hide it from sight.

By the time this was done, Nymph had finished drinking and turned back to Audas.

Audas pondered who this Philkin was, but the way she had said things about her past earlier suggested this was her brother. What had happened between her and Philkin though, was none of the grey wolf's business.

He had to reply to the female somehow, but he suddenly lost all the urge to speak, he mumbled his words a few times, before finally sipping some water to loosen his throat and speak again. "Sorry about that Nymph, it sounds like a great life you had as a pup." It wasn't as fluid as he was before, and he hoped any emotion didn't break through to her.

He ultimately didn't want to reveal his own past to Nymph, no one would want to hear about his dark, regretful past of his failures...


Word Count: 1132
OOC: Audas is beginning to remember parts of his past again, so he might get a little bit edgy.