Run Into The Shadows [Kenai]

[Deleted]

The afternoon sunlight had faded into darkness as looming, ominous clouds invaded the bright blue sky overhead. Within minutes, the heavens were concealed by low-lying cloud as a dense fog invaded the forest where the wolf had been hunting alone. Now that the sun had vanished, Datura was uncertain of the time, unaware of the hours that had passed since she wandered off into the woodland on her own. There was a storm approaching, this much was obvious. She could feel the electricity in the air intensifying as the wind howled through the trees with the fury of an enraged alpha defending his pack. The sound of the coming tempest roared, and Datura’s ears pinned back against her skull as her paws hurried along the worn dirt path.

She was not afraid of the chaos that threatened, undaunted by the storm as thunder rumbled low in the distance over the vast ocean that had brought her to this place weeks ago, but she knew it was best to find her traveling companion before he realized her errant ways. Datura was still becoming acquainted with Anikira, her new home, following the lead of Goliath, the first wolf she had encountered on the massive island she had unintentionally drifted to. Her belly was usually full, and thus, she was satisfied. She wasn’t happy, but her current situation was certainly good enough for the present, and she had no intention of leaving the giant Goliath and the protection his unusually large size offered to the fae, who felt like a small child in comparison. Apparently, there were many wolves that called Anikira home, representing numerous species – most of which were much larger than the female Mexican wolf, who was not ignorant to her own plight. What chance did a small femme like her stand in a wild place like this, with so much competition from packs and other loners?

The deluge began suddenly and with ferocity, and Datura was drenched within seconds, the water seeping into her auburn coat. Her pace quickened, instinctively searching for higher ground where probable floodwaters would not sweep her away. In the distance, she spied a clearing, and she rushed into the meadow. Pulling her paws from the thick mud with some effort, she brought herself out of the dense forest, to a safer place in a meadow. The sound of the rainfall was soothing to her frayed nerves, and the she-wolf allowed her twin amber eyes to hide beneath their lids, letting her guard down for what was meant to be only a matter of seconds. The late spring shower soaked her thick pelt as she allowed herself a rare moment of respite in the rain, incognizant of her fellow lupine company lurking unexpectedly nearby.

words: 458
tag: Kenai

[Kenai]

Much has changed for the male within the last year or so. Some for the better and others...well....it seems to be alright.

He has learned much about this place called Anikira, thanks to the help of some wolves he now calls friends. Because of them, Sydas and he have finally fulfilled their mission in finding their beloved Kismet. But, as strange as life is, he wasn't leaving the island - for he has a family of his own.

Sydas and Kenai decided to stay as well. Try and settle down, find their place here. The quiet male decided to branch off for awhile and spend some time thinking...that was awhile ago. By now the pups must be born. He wondered if Sydas was with them - spoiling the newborns with all her heart and soul.

Then there was Tchiya. The arctic female who had spent most of the time traveling with the brother/sister duo. She seemed to fit well into the family unit and became close friends with them all.

An angry downpour of rain broke into his thoughts and made his coat wet and heavy in only a moment of starting. He didn't mind it though. In fact, he stopped and raised his head up to the sky, feeling the heavy shower splatter on his features. After staying put for a few breath lengths, he looked back to the earth with his burning orange eyes and continued his trudge across the land to a meadow just a little way off.

It wasn't long before he saw another figure, a female. She seemed to enjoy the downpour as well as he. He stopped his movements and pondered as to whether he should greet the seemingly oblivious femme in favor of simply moving on.

He looked at her a little closer and noted she was on the smaller side of the scale with a flame touched pelt that may brighten up when it isn't soaked through.

Formality and polite manners won the internal tug of war, and he opened his mouth and let out a simple greeting: "Good day." It wasn't bubbly nor overly enthusiastic, you see, Kenai is uneasy with females. Something he thought might change, since females seemed to be all he meets. He tried to conjure up the name of a male he has met on this island but not one came to mind.

Luckily, he had manners and decorum to fall back on when things got sticky in his throat so he couldn't make easy conversation. "I am Kenai." He bowed his head and slowly brought it back up. He wasn't sure if she would be startled by his interruption, so he decided that an introduction would create a open gate to bring her around and not fear him - if she was the type to be given to such a thing on an initial impression.

Word Count: 480

Tag: @datura

 

[Deleted]

 The fleeting relief she felt was quickly replaced with dread when Datura realized that she was no longer alone. The other’s scent had been concealed like a secret by the sudden storm, and the appearance of the male was met with a low snarl as her eyelids flicked open. He approached without the rigid conceit the female was accustomed to seeing in the opposite sex. Nothing in his deep coral eyes suggested any intention of violence. Even still, as he came nearer, her amber eyes were critical, narrowing as she took in the sight of the stranger. Her shoulders squared and she stood in a defensive manner. She knew better than to trust a stranger, especially one that is male.

To her infrequent good fortune, she found that the male was not much larger than she was – not nearly as imposing as Goliath, anyway. Her posture did not relax until the other uttered his first words to her: Good day. The fae merely blinked in response to the wolf’s greeting, as if she was surprised but trying to keep her composure, despite her soaked pelt. He seemed friendly enough, and the way he carried himself convinced Datura that he was not an alpha or anything close to it, even before he spoke his name aloud. Kenai introduced himself, nodding his head in a polite bow.

Again, the she-wolf blinked her reply.  No one had ever shown her any semblance of reverance, and she was thrown off her guard.  Her posture seemed to melt slightly into something closer to relaxed, though her expression remained skeptical. She remained standing, always ready to bolt – there was always the chance that this one did not travel alone. ”Kenai,” she repeated, without bothering to return his nod. In her world, manners were a waste of time unless there was something to be gained. The male was unbothered despite the downpour. Strange.

All the while, the rain never ceased. The earth beneath her paws was thick, the mud threatening to swallow each digit if she remained standing still for too long. She shifted uncomfortably, forcing a tepid smile across her dripping muzzle. ”I’m Datura.” Her ears pinned back as the sound of the thunder intensified towards the west. The storm was heading closer, and the fae decided now was not the time for feigned formality. ”And we should probably find somewhere else to be before the storm reaches this clearing,” she said, her voice rising over the noisy rain.

Who better to lead her to safety than one of Anikira’s own? Or at least, she hoped, this was a native-born wolf, someone with intimate knowledge of the area that could spare them both from being struck by lightening or sucked into the heavy mud. Her tranquil veneer was beginning to crack, the peace she had felt before Kenai’s arrival vanishing as fast as he had appeared. Her head swiveled around with increasing anxiety.

words: 488
tag: Kenai

[Kenai]

She seemed surprised which he expected her to be. But there seemed to be something else, but he wasn't quite sure what that would be. Was she frightened? Nervous? Or simply caught off guard? Kenai was not well versed in the ways of a female even though his sister has tried to enlighten him whenever possible.

Shrugging off his mental quiz to himself, he looked closer at the sopping wet lupine before him. She was quiet for awhile which made Kenai briefly wonder if she understood him. But after a few more minutes, she returned the introduction with her own name. Datura.

The angry thunder seemed to startle her and she requested to relocate. He nodded, "There isn't much for cover around here apart from the trees. It's mostly open meadow. However, a few trees do have exposed roots that make for decent shelter in times like this."

After speaking, he chose a path that would lead them to one such place that he knew of. He turned his head to see if she would follow. "If you don't mind, I'll show you."

He had to smile at himself, he seemed to have a knack for finding femme's in need. Not that he prided himself on being a dashing rescuer - in fact quite the opposite. He just found it redundant that he should be so shy of them, but always seemed to find himself in a situation like this.

The uneasiness of Datura's state of mind was obvious as she swept the area with her eyes, looking for an escape. "I promise. I wont harm you or try anything of ill repute. I'll show you where the tree is." He didn't know if that was called for, but he had no clue how to communicate with her. He didn't know....anything!

Word Count: 301.

Tag: @datura

OOC: Sorry for the shortness. Better next time.

[Deleted]

To the stranger’s credit, he didn’t seem offended or annoyed by Datura’s lack of proper decorum. Manners and politeness were lost on those trying desperately just to survive, and Datura had never bothered – it was eat or be eaten, take or be taken in her world. Kenai’s deep amber eyes seemed to glow, shining despite the surrounding gloom. The evening had turned dark and gray, a cold bite carried in the whistling gales that brought the storm ever closer to the lupine pair. Datura didn’t bother to shake the wetness from her fur as the rain continued its violent onslaught.

It seemed unwise to follow the stranger, but Datura liked the alternative even less – staying put to risk lightening bolts and flooding. He offered to show her the way, turning to lead the lost she-wolf to a better area, where it would be a little more safe to wait out the coming storm. Datura nodded in reply as she noticed a faint smile spreading across the other’s long muzzle. A brow arched questioningly, but Datura remained silent.

Despite the kindness lurking conspicuously in his eyes, she knew that there was always the chance that he could be leading her into far worse trouble. He promised not to hurt her. Of course, what a wolf said and what he did were two different stories. Still, there was a great deal to be said about energy. Some wolves were so overbearing and angry that their company was intolerable, even for a few minutes. But there was something different about this male, traits existing that were more surprising to Datura than his sudden appearance in the storm. If his intentions were as pure as he claimed, he had little to gain from this encounter, and nothing to gain from saving a lone she-wolf. It was simply in the fae’s nature to never trust anyone, to always be suspicious and coy.

Swallowing her misgivings, her anxieties, and her sense of pride, the femme stepped closer to Kenai until she was standing at his side, mere inches away from touching the other. Her head ducked just barely to show that she was willing to follow his lead. She spoke above the roar of the rainfall.  ”Were you born here on Anikira?” She wasn’t one for banal conversation, but this bit of information seemed worth knowing. Perhaps Kenai knew the best places for hunting, the spots unclaimed by the numerous packs that called the vast island home.

words: 414
tag: Kenai

[Kenai]

The defensive way she held herself through their brief encounter did not trouble the multi colored male in the least. He could understand the feeling of doubt if the positions were reverse. While Kenai usually lived life with a 'treat every one well until they prove they deserve otherwise' kind of motto, he knew that 'guilty until proven innocent' was far more popular.

But he was curious at this train of thought. Why are so many wolves like that? He had done nothing wrong, but most of the females he has met greeted his with distrust. Kyra was the immediate name to come to mind. She never lashed out at him, but there was that same edgy glint to her eyes as Datura had. That was until they got to know each other better, now he would even dare to call her friend.

Turning back to the present, he noticed that the fire dipped female came closer to him, her disposition  caused him to wonder if she was judging whether to stay or bolt from him.

After what seemed to be a hesitant acceptance of his offer, they started to move towards their goal of a dry shelter. Honestly, Kenai believed their conversation over. She didn't seem the chatty type and he was naturally pretty quiet. But she ventured out a question despite his assumption, proving once again how little he knew of femmes.

"No, I am from Africa. Quite some time ago, my sister and I came here to find a long-lost relative of ours - which , I am pleased to say, we have located. She remains with him now to spoil the pups and catch up more. In our time here, we have explored this island quite a bit and made a few wonderful friends." He stopped, realizing he had given her more than she wanted. He was slightly nervous and decided to make an effort not to ramble so much. But since she asked about his birth, he saw it as acceptable to ask about hers, "Where are you from?"

Another clash of thunder rang out over their heads, reminding him this was no pleasure stroll and the weight of the storm had not come upon them yet. He kept his pace at a quick trot, not wanting to go faster in case he would lose the one he was trying to help.

Word Count: 397

Tag: @datura

[Deleted]

Datura had spent her year as a mature adult wandering alone, wary of others and elusive whenever possible. It was the easiest way to stay alive – take care of yourself and stay away from everyone else. She had little interest in socializing with her own kind back in Africa, but had found it to be beneficial so far on the island. She matched Kenai’s pace, paws hurrying through the thick mud so she would not become trapped there forever.

Although she had not asked for much, Kenai offered a bit of insight about his life: a sibling, wonderful friends. Her own story was much less interesting than his, with his long-lost relative and spoiled pups. ”I’m from the mainland, as well. I arrived here recently, and with nothing to return to.” A conflicted expression appeared on her visage, her eyes lowering to the muddy ground beneath her paws, away from Kenai. She had no desire to speak further about her family and hoped that her vague comment would appease his curiosity about her recent past. She would never admit to another living soul on Anikira that her parents had been bred in captivity, escaping to freedom by sheer luck when their enclosure burned to the ground years before Datura’s birth.

Her family’s history was a topic that Datura was deeply ashamed of, and would easily hide with deceit and avoidance if others inquired further. She would not admit the roll that humans had played in her past. Hopefully, though, she would not have to lie, if Kenai didn’t ask. She changed the subject adeptly, redirecting the conversation back to her would-be rescuer in an attempt to ignore the storm – though it was becoming quite difficult to overlook the puddles forming all around, and the threatening rumble of thunder. ”Are the pups you speak of your own, Kenai?”

It was only a random guess, one that would be proved wrong, but she knew that family types enjoyed talking about their little ones. In her experience, most pups never made it to adulthood, and she wondered if the mortality rate was just as atrocious here as it had been within her own wandering pack before their demise. It was not uncommon to lose entire litters to starvation, predators – there were a hundred ways a pup could lost or be killed. The fae wondered silently: why should pups be spoiled, if they are likely to simply die?

words: 404
tag: Kenai

[Kenai]

While Kenai seemed to be over compensate with his replies, his female companion seemed resolute to answer questions with only the necessary information. He thought of pressing her for more detail and even opened his mouth to do so. But as he turned to look at her, he saw the troubled expression on her features, followed by avoidance of any eye contact on her part. Something happened that pains her...He then closed his maw and continued trekking in silence on the matter. The patient male decided if she wanted to share, she would at her own discretion - perhaps if they got to know each other better....

Datura ended the silence with another question about his life. The topic caused him to blush unexpectedly, "Heavens no. They are the pups of my uncle, whom we came to find. He found a lovely female as his mate and this is their first litter." He let a nervous smile cross his face, "I have no pups of my own. Nor do I have a mate, frankly, never met a lady that I have been infatuated with. My life has always just been about my family now - mostly Sydas, we are quite close and she'll be the first to tell you I'm quite protective of her."

He scrunched up his face, once again he gave more than she asked for. He couldn't help his endless rattling.

Love for his family was all he was trying to get across. He never pictured a life without Sydas. But she has spoken of a male she met when they first came here. What was his name? Fury? Perhaps Kenai would have to live life alone if-and-when she formed an attachment.

He didn't linger on this thought for long, it was neither here nor there when it came to the situation at hand.

"Has the island been good to you so far?" He asked in effort to recover from his fumbling behavior.

Word Count: 327

Tag: @datura

[Deleted]

Kenai’s loose tongue and genial nature revealed much about the male in a matter of seconds. Despite the rain and the thunder, Datura was already studying him – what was important to him, who he was loyal to, the way he carried himself in spite of the ferocious storm. He was not exactly confident, and Datura noticed it, though she had not yet guessed that he was simply shy around the opposite sex. Already, she knew that the wolf was devoted to a sister, Sydas, and an uncle. He had also revealed that he had no fae awaiting his return, no other tender heart to whom he must be faithful. Datura noted his choice of word – infatuated rather than love – and wondered if this was intentional.

It took little more than infatuation to give pups to a she-wolf, something that Datura still hoped to avoid. Sometimes, the circumstances to conceive required even less than infatuation. Perhaps just a random passing, the wrong signal sent from afar. She was fairly convinced that, whether or not they would admit as much, every male was more interested in creating his own legacy than romance.

While Datura did not share a similar goal currently, she could use this notion to her advantage. Being female and being small both had their distinct benefits. Her body was free from any obvious scars or injuries, giving the femme a more innocent impression. She could defend herself as well as someone twice her size. With Kenai, it seemed, she would not need to. She had no beloved sister or relatives to speak of – even when her kin was living, she had not been especially close to any of them. Many siblings had been born, and nearly as many had been lost. There was no sense in growing close to someone who was probably going to die.

”Well,” she began with an airy laugh, giving a nod towards the persistent mud. ”Certainly better before this shower.” Datura eased the tension in her voice, and her expression softened, though she wasn’t certain if the other would note these subtle changes in her demeanor and attitude. She knew a pretty face and a sympathetic story could go a long way.

”No, it has been difficult since my arrival.  I was attempting to hunt, but it’s so hard to do it all alone.” A feigned sigh parted her lips. She made no mention of the hulking brute she had met on her first day on the island, or her decision to follow him. It was unlikely Goliath would find them there, anyway. Instead, she seemed to shrink, allowing herself to seem a little smaller than Kenai, a little more helpless. From the corner of her golden brown eyes, she watched, waiting, patiently looking for any semblance of pity from the kind stranger.

words: 469
tag: Kenai

[Kenai]

He was grateful that the little fire colored female seemed to be relaxing, perhaps she figured that he really meant no harm to her and decided to let her defensive manner slide away - even a little.

She spoke of difficulty and hardship since coming here. "Oh really? Well, if you would like, I can fetch something for you once the rain hinders its abrasive behavior. Since winter has released it hold on Anikira, game has become rather numerous as expected with the returning spring." He let his eyes graze over her form simply to assess how dire her condition was, to see if he really should try to find something sooner than that. The energy she displayed traveling alongside him showed that her reserves weren't yet depleted and her stomach wasn't sunken in at an alarming appearance. She could probably wait until the worst of the storm blew over.

"See those trees? Its in that little cluster. Not long now." He looked ahead like that tree was a beacon, Of course, he didn't really mind be soaked through but having the option of drying off was looking pretty good right now.

"Life is harder alone, I know." He softened his tone, almost being drowned out by the rain. "If you would like, I can try to help you out in some ways. Like directions, pack boundaries, names to ask for in case you need help." The gentleman whose name is Kenai was struck with sympathy for Datura.

Once he came to be under the cover of the abiding trees, he slowed to a walk and then turned his path slightly away, "Excuse me a moment, please." After that, he took a few more steps before stopping and rigorously shaking excess water from his coat.

Upon finishing his immediate task, he returned to his previous place, "Its that one." He pointed further on with his nose to a mighty tree that opened below into a cavern suitable for two sopping wet lupines like themselves. "Ladies first."

Word Count: 335

Tag: @datura

[Deleted]

Datura did not bother to mention that she had been hunting alone for over a year now, ever since her family’s untimely demise. She also failed to mention that she had been traveling with a wolf called Goliath who towered over her, and thus, was much larger than Kenai. It did not occur to Datura that her first traveling companion might not be thrilled to learn that she had encountered another male. Her mind was focused on the task at hand: use her feminine physique and her clever mind to her advantage, to gain a free meal or important facts about the packs that called Anikira home. A satisfied grin was concealed as Kenai offered to hunt for her. She was capable of hunting alone, but why bother when someone else was willing to do it for you?

Information about the local packs would be invaluable, and to hear it from someone who seemed to have no trouble making friends out of strangers would be especially useful. Datura would not refuse an offer like that. Her smile broadened and she gave a quick nod in response. ”Knowing where I should and should not go would be very helpful, thank you.” She would avoid those places that were less-than welcoming, and the fae would have to find the ones who were friendly and lacking suspicions. She wasn’t interested in joining them, naturally. Even the most accepting of packs were not to be trusted.

She followed the male’s lead, taking a moment to attempt to free her thick pelt from the rain droplets before entering the small shelter he had brought them to. When the summer came, she would lose fur to help keep cool, but for now, she was still dripping when she took a seat near the back of the cavern. The ancient tree’s roots were twisted and gnarled there, offering protection. The direction of the tumult outside seemed to have altered course, for it sounded further away now. Still, it was better to be safe. Even if lightning struck the tree, it looked like a secure spot to wait out the passing storm. ”Thank you.”

The smell of wet earth and wet fur filled her ebony nostrils, causing Datura to sneeze twice. Her honey hued eyes never strayed from the male. Despite her best efforts to appear calm and collected, it still made her uncomfortable to be this close to a member of the opposite sex. But if the plan ruminating within her skull was to work, she knew she had to play the part of helpless female in need of a free meal and unimpeded advice. Her form inched closer to the other, head ducked in an undoubtedly submissive manner. ”I have to admit that you startled me back there, Kenai. It is hard to guess a stranger’s intentions. I have had bad luck with strangers during my time spent solo.” A smile appeared, coy and coquettish. ”But I am glad that you found me, though. Who knows what might have happened otherwise?”

words: 505
tag: Kenai

[Kenai]

The earthy male followed Datura inside the cavern and sat down, letting the remainder of the water drip off his coat and saturate the earth beneath him. He took a deep breath of the damp air and tried to shake the feeling of being watched. He looked over to find two light amber hued orbs looking at him, he quietly cleared his throat and looked down at his paws. Why is she looking at me so..?

A soft shuffling sound indicated she moved closer, and he hesitantly to look up at her. ”I have to admit that you startled me back there, Kenai. It is hard to guess a stranger’s intentions. I have had bad luck with strangers during my time spent solo....But I am glad that you found me, though. Who knows what might have happened otherwise?”

He lightly pawed the ground, "Datura, I'm positive that if I wasn't around, you would have managed just fine without me. You have traveled all this way alone and overcome all obstacles that have faced you so far. I was just a happy accident to lead you to a dry piece of earth." He gave her a small, shy smile. "I do apologize for startling you though, I know that being alone can make one an easy target for those with less than honorable intentions."

He ran out of things to say at that time, until he came to the realization of a topic they hadn't finished earlier. He spoke as he, hopefully without offending her, moved so the space between them expanded. "The packs. I have nearly forgotten to tell you about them. Well there are several packs, some are kind and others down right evil. The Osani are...nightmarish in their dealings with outsiders and those within their ranks. The leader is a female named Yahvi. They tend to wander with no absolute pack boundary lines." He paused to let her file away that information. There was quite a bit she would have to remember and he didn't want to overwhelm her by going to fast. "The Descai pack are similar in behavior of deadly force and selfish desires. They are located in Acerbus and the Alpha is a brutal being by the name of Vorilye. I would advise avoiding both of these packs if you wish to stay out of trouble."

"Next are the Ultoris, a close knit pack of those with special talents and skills. Fury is the alpha, he isn't what you call a dictator or anything but he expects to be obeyed and respected by those would follow him. But then again, what alpha doesn't? They are very protective of each other and anyone loved by the pack."

"The Airila are by far the most peaceful and the largest of Anikira, led by Torio, a noble wolf by all means. They highly regard friendship and trust. The Zakur and Tassos packs are the ones I know least about. I know not the name of the Alphas nor how many are in its ranks. I know that Zakur is in the Oriens and the Tassos are in the Occasus."

"I'm sorry I cannot tell you more, I have met very few pack wolves and most of what I know is on what others have told me." He finished his discourse in the hopes she would be distracted with the new knowledge she had instead of watching him so intently. "Hopefully, this is some help to you."

Word Count: 583

Tag: @datura

[Deleted]

Then, the reality of the situation dawned on her: he was nervous in her presence. This was an unusual experience for the fae, and for a passing moment, her façade faded into amusement. His dubious energy was unlike anything she had experienced during her short encounters with others of their kind. She eased the pretenses she had been forcing, standing once more to stretch out each of her limbs before sitting again. The fae’s auburn tinged tail curled around her paws as she sat a reasonable distance away from the shy male. Flirtatious behavior was wasted on this one, and for that, Datura was silently relieved. Both wolves were still wary, but for different reasons. Datura was not accustomed to making others fearful or uneasy, or whatever tense energy Kenai was exuding.

He spoke of honor, and she contained her incredulous laugh. What good was honor when one was starving to death? Datura had enough to eat now, but the notion of honor had been dropped by the wayside years ago.

Her golden stare remained fixed on the uncomfortable male as he spoke of Anikira’s prominent packs and their intrepid leaders. She soaked up the information he offered candidly, allowing the names of packs and alphas to ruminate. Osani. Descai. – aggressive packs, something that Datura respected, but had no use for. Ears pricked forward when he spoke of the more amiable groups, absorbing the salient information offered for her own future use. She watched the stranger as he spoke, barely hiding her pleased smile to learn so many valuable details about her new island home and its inhabitants. The names of the areas Kenai recited were unknown to the female, but she had all the time in the world the wander the lands and discover these places for herself, with the exception of claimed territories.

Finally, her gaze shifted to the mouth of the small cavern, in time to see the bright flash of lightning. The thunder that followed seconds later seemed less deafening deep within the roots. ”My natal pack had no territory to defend. It would be difficult, I imagine, to try to settle down.” She glanced back to the diffident male to see if he would agree with her assessment before continuing. ”I have never defended a land, only my life and the lives of my pack.” A grim expression painted her features, lip curling back in an ironic smirk. ”As you can see, I have not done a very good job.”

If the other was not keen on the flirtatious approach, Datura reasoned, then pity was the next best strategy. Both ears sagged and she quickly wiped the sardonic look from her muzzle. She had no reason to lie about her tragic history. It was the emotion she displayed that was her bluff. ”You are fortunate to have your family. Everyone I once knew have all been gone for a long time now.” Her attention turned to her front paws as she spoke, her voice heavy with feigned sentiment.

At first, it had been difficult. She had mourned for her parents. But grief would not bring them back. Sorrow was a weakness, something that Datura had overcome in the twelve months she spent alone. She could not allow emotions to shadow the necessity to continue fighting to stay alive.

words: 553
tag: Kenai

[Kenai]

He was relieved that she was both respectful of his wishes to remain a little farther apart and at the same time was not offended by his wish to do so. Some females seemed to take his standoffish behavior personally.

This time her attention was not a uncomfortable one as he expected a listening ear once he told her what she wanted to know. But she then seemed to float back to a different time for her eyes seemed to fog over with distant thoughts, it was then she spoke. It was a short tale of defense, loss and solitude.

He had to admit that his heart went out to her. "I'm so sorry, Datura." He spoke in a quiet tone that resonated within the cavern as he saw her face fall and ears droop. "I know not what has torn your loved ones from you, however the time that has past by has proven your strength of character. Even if life since then has proven difficult." He wasn't sure why he was speaking in a such way but it was all that came to mind. He wanted to help, but he barely knew her and as such he was not prepared to do so. 

"Does life hold no light for you?" He posed this question in hopes of bringing her into a brighter frame of mind. Loss wasn't something that one just got over, some never did.

He shuffled his paws on the ground, something he did ever since puphood when he was exceptionally bashful. "I apologize for seeming rather presumptuous, I just so dislike seeing others in pain. Hearing that you have suffered so greatly...is painful."

Looking up to her, he spoke once more, "If you would like, I shall offer myself as a friend." The honest male rarely thought of being taken advantage of, he was what you may call 'pure of heart.'

Word Count: 317

Tag: @datura

OOC: Sorry for being rather sappy, I do that when I'm tired. Forgive my late reply.

[Deleted]

Her sympathy tactics worked – perhaps a little too well. Maybe Datura had not been expecting him to really care. Most would fake an interest in vague tales of woe, or feign emotion. Her gaze turned back to the male when he spoke in hushed tones of her deceased kin and her strong character. Kenai asked about life, if it had any hope or if it was merely darkness. Her lips pursed tightly as she considered a response, but her performance had been interrupted by genuine concern. Not even her family had treated her with such encouragement when they were alive.

For once, Datura found herself to be speechless. Her jaws parted, as if to speak, but no words formed on her tongue. Unwelcome visions of her pack’s horrific end began to resurface, and she shook her head briskly in protest of the memories. They were dead because of humans, the one animal Datura trusted even less than her own species. She would never share this intimate detail. It was too shameful.

She found his attempts to comfort unexpectedly soothing. There was unmistakable sincerity conspicuous in his baritone voice. It was unlike anything she had ever seen or experienced from a strange in nearly three years of life. I shall offer myself as a friend... Certainly, no one had ever proposed friendship before. Datura was unaccustomed to such kindness and integrity, and her faked sad expression had morphed into something between confusion and fascination. He was pained by experiences that were not his own, a history that Datura herself refused to mourn. The fae’s rigid expression changed, and for a brief moment, the hard look in her golden eyes softened. ”The darkness claimed me long ago,” she responded cryptically.

After a passing minute of desolation, the she-wolf cleared her throat. Her stare averted once more as she spoke quietly. ”Life is not meant to be easy. That was what I was taught as a pup.” Outside, the rain was beginning to subside. Datura had lost track of time once more, but the sun was still out, hidden beneath the dim gray clouds. A chill in the air suggested it would be night before long, and she wondered absently if Goliath had noticed her absence, if she was pushing her luck by staying away this long, or if he would even care. She had every intention of returning to the massive brute, whether or not she received a free meal from Kenai.

Now, she felt less hungry. Her feelings were conflicted, but the fae was desperate to quell any semblance of misery she was experiencing. Her facial features shifted once more to show her ambivalence, reminding herself of her self-prescribed apathy. She had no desire and no reason to allow herself to feel. ”I have never met a wolf quite like you.” This time, she spoke the truth. ”Should we ever meet again, I will consider you a friend and not a foe.” A strained, unusual smile traced the corners of her thin black lips, but the emotion lurking in her eyes was gone now.

words: 513
tag: Kenai
ooc: No worries! I'm going out of town today,

and I will be back on Sunday.