A sense of freedom ]Open[

[Rascal]

A new home. It was still something that the sklavin was getting used to, but barely. He was and had already begun to love the idea of being away from the god awful rock he grew up on. He was out of there, into a new world with actual grass, trees and the clear sky above him. His haunches rested against the ground, his eyes closed and an odd smirk on his lips. He was humming softly with the whispering wind against his ears and his fur. It rustled some of his fur when the breeze increased but the wolf welcomed it with a wider smile. It was this that gave him the sense of freedom even though he knew he was far from it. Opening his eyes slowly he allowed them to focus and gaze up at the sun which sat in the early afternoon of the day. He gave another hum before standing and turning his attention away from the meadow he stayed in. He did know better than to walk off, but he had a bad habit even at his birth place of wondering off. However, he was smart enough not to wonder too far. The single thought of Kasimira nipping his already scared nose made him quiver some, but also chuckle.

His coat actually gave a shine, after taking his time once more after coming to his new home to actually clean it. The dirt brown streak that went from his nose to the tip of his tail looked golden in the shining son, his normally dark fur brighter. It was strange in a sense that Gabriel's mood went off the weather and surroundings. He paused in his walk to bend forward, stretching his muscles in his hind legs and giving a soft groan as he even heard something pop in his shoulder. He gave a grunt but recovered from the position as he stretched his heck out some. He liked to keep himself even more groomed than before. There was one thing he was loving the most, was that not once had he encountered mud. And that was like a little dream to him.

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[Wolf]

FAIRE ÉCHO

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A small red and cream female trotted through forest and meadow, her head held high and her eyes darting to-and-fro nervously. She was tiny, about twenty inches at the withers, and intricately designed. A delicate "V" of cream crossed her chest, along with a patch under her throat, and another that spread across her chest and tucked under her belly all the way back to the tip of her thinly fluffed tail. Tall, pointed ears filled with long, thin hair to capture every vibration and to protect her from wandering trails of dust and pollen top an angular head. Dark brown eyes, with a patch of cream beneath each, turn black in appearance from afar. A rail-thin body with barely any meat to her rests on long, skinny legs. Some would say she looks starved, others that she would be good in a fight that depended on speed and agility, and others would even call her colors and soft fur beautiful. She herself would agree with none.

The tiny female had just escaped from the Auktion Rock, a long and tricky nightmare that she'd really rather not reflect on. Fresh cuts on her ankles and scruff showed proof of her recent capture and beating, but she had gone quietly, so they had saved her from the worst of the pain. In fact, she had been totally silent. Faire Écho was still silent, and had yet to speak, even a week and a half later.

Entering a particularly sweet smelling meadow, she became focused on the soft green grass beneath her paws, and the small blossoms that were just sprouting and spreading their scent in the early spring days. Around her, the dead leaves of fall were caught in trees just starting to regrow, and the ground was soft and squishy from the recently melted snow. In this meadow, however, the sun had kissed the earth and turned everything green, warm, and wondrously smelling. So lost in all of these sensations, became she, that at first she failed to notice the almost black male that sat in the grass not far away.

Fair's eyes followed a trail of an especially beautiful flower stem, and as her eyes refocused on the nearness of it, they caught the sharp contrast of gray-black against lush green in the blurred focus of her brown gaze. Stiffening, she looked at it. A wolf with fur of gray, brown, and black sat, his sharp amber eyes hidden by his closed eyes. His. She froze, a silent plea for mercy and help in her throat. Epurna.. Why did you do this?! You know my fear of males, and you know why. Does it please you to torture me so? Her imploring thoughts were only the beginning, before the wave of anxiety hit. Male... Male... It's a male... It's a damn male! Did he notice me yet? What if he tries to hurt me?! Epurna, goddess, help! Please help me! The female's breath was short and heavy, giving her away if her scent and naive wanderings from before hadn't already. She had known she was on pack territory, yet she had been crossing it to reach open freedom beyond. Surely they couldn't do anything about that? Faire Écho hadn't planned on being spotted or discovered until she was far from reach, yet in her idiocy and joy at being somewhat free, see where she had put herself! Shorter and shorter her breath grew, her tiny and frail body freezing up as it lowered to the ground in an instinctively submissive posture, her dark eyes locked unblinkingly on the male, panic flooding her body, the scent of her terror flooding the meadow instantly. Oh Goddess, oh Goddess!

[Rascal]

Always remember the innocence.

Through his enjoyment of his new home, Gabriel could recall the silent words of his mother before she was taken from him once again. He was just enjoying the grass too much to even notice anyone was around, until the scent of a newcomer hit his nostrils. At once his head went up and he looked around. It was at that moment, his amber eyes spotted her. She was fair, and very beautiful, even to him which settled strangely in his gut. He didn't move however because of the smell of fear that just warped and circled around her. So he did what he thought was best. He sat. His eyes never left her as he sat there unmoving, taking in her lean and thin features as it almost reminded him of himself. He was bigger of course but still, they almost shared the same physical features. After a few moments he let his ears lax and a soft and even friendly smile curve on his muzzle. They were not too far apart as he finally spoke to her.

"Do not freight. I will not move. I can smell the fear from you. If it makes you feel at ease, I shall not move at all unless you wish it so."

Gabriel could be kind, especially to those who were scared. He had seen his own share of it back at the dump of Auktion Rock. But he would be true to his word. He would not move unless she wished it. The fear absolutely flooded his nostrils now and even from the distance he pictured her eyes were small and swollen with fear. He hoped that she would calm herself but for now he would stay put. To make himself less offensive, he moved to a lying down position.

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[Wolf]

FAIRE ÉCHO

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As the male's eyes opened and found her, no doubt from her scent, Fair stiffened even further and her body jerked to a standing position. Her entire featherweight was rested on tiptoe, every instinct and thought poised on the need to flee, to put distance between her and this threat. Some sane point within her listened to him, and noticed as he made himself less and less threatening posture-wise. The not-so-sane majority of her, however, found his mere presence to be a death threat, a rape threat, a threat of every imaginable kind.

At his offer to not move she gave a short, sharp nod. That would be appreciated. Epurna, please make him live up to his word. Do not move! Frantic thoughts flooded through her, near-black eyes wide with terror as she continued to stare at him unblinkingly. The thought to speak flit across the back of her mind, but that not-so-sane majority told her to keep her peace, to keep her silence. If he attacked, she would not speak. If he hurt her, she would not whimper from pain. If he tortured or raped or dragged her away, she would not scream. Not a sound, dearest Epurna. And don't let him move, not a step nor a twitch of his muscle, maybe not even a blink of his lid or a heave of his sides for air, if you be willing! Do not let him move, I could not stand it, not one bit!

As he seemed to be sticking to his word for now, she forced her body to relax. Her muscles screamed with disagreement, however, and she remained on tiptoe, staring the stranger down. He smelled of the air from this territory, yet he also smelled of that dreadful rock she had escaped from. Him too? Did he get hurt there, Epurna? Does that mean he is a slave as well, did he escape? Is he big and ferocious, did he kill his guard? Is he a raving mad with the foaming spittle of rabid rage? Her eyes peered at him from widened pupils and sockets. No, Epurna, I don't see rabies... Could he possibly still be enslaved? But out here alone? Impossible! But maybe he escaped, and he's not dangerous? No, no, no. He's a male! Deadly till the end, even when they make pretend to be kind! Do not trust him, not with your very last and dieing breath, Epurna!

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[Rascal]

He could still see the tension of her body even after he had spoken his words. He remained stilled and watched her. She hadn't spoken and so he took his time and assessed her more. The smell was oddly familiar. That was it. she was from the rock. His nose twitched. Had she escaped there? He flared his nostrils to take in more of the scent that the wind carried on her. He could smell the faint scent of blood. Was she bleeding? For some reason it made his whole body tense. She was hurt and she was scared of him. He wished to fling the fright away from her and tell her that everything would be fine but the situation was now completely up to her. His legs twitched beneath him as he stayed put. He told her he wouldn't move, and he wasn't going to go back on his word.

He didn't want to let his eyes leave her form and let her think others were around so his eyes stayed focused on her. He went back to taking in her form. Even with the grass high up, he could see that she could possibly be standing on her toes. Was he that much of a threat to her? What had she gone through? Without knowing he actually gave a whimper, his ears rested more on his head. She hadn't spoke still and it was worrying him.

"Please come here...I promise I won't hurt you. Are you hurt?" He frowned more. Normally he never prayed to the gods but today seemed to be one of those days. 'Epurna, please make this she-wolf understand..' He said, eyes closing, begging almost.

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[Wolf]

FAIRE ÉCHO

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Go to you? Is he crazy, Epurna? This brute thinks I will trust him enough to go to him? Crazy! Her pale blue eyes stared at him over the tall grass, nervousness not allowing her to descend to flat feet. No no, tiptoe was best for fast fight-or-flight reflexes, fast reactions, and fast speed. Fair would not let him trick her so. He just wants me for my body! Anger flashed through her, but fear still presided.

Slowly the tiny female began to back away. Epurna, what do I do?!

[/i] Faire Écho cried out silently, one paw sliding back behind the others, then another following. She accidentally stepped on a pebble, and though it was tiny, it twisted her paw just so and the mostly scabbed over cuts on the ankle broke open again. Fresh blood polluted the air and pain radiated from her in waves of heat, though she bit her tongue till it bled to keep from crying out. Remain silent. Maybe he'll think you're just a dumb mute and want nothing to do with you. Those stupid brutes seem to think it's a disease, that it rubs off on them. Like they could get any dumber, and like we'd be lucky enough for them to lose their voices! Oh please Epurna, won't he leave me alone?!?![/i]

Remembering the male's seemingly worried words, Faire Écho remembered her manners through her fear enough to shake her head violently no that she would not go to him, then cautiously yes, she was hurt. Damn brutes, ripping my fur from my body practically! My scruff and my ankles, ohhh ouch! So far the wounds were healing nicely, but the fresh blood from her back right ankle met air and caused a sharp stinging sensation.[/blockquote][/color][/size]

[Rascal]

Gabriel wanted to move. His body itched to move. Struggling to keep his word, his ears flattened on his head and his hind legs beneath him squirmed and kicked beneath him. He noticed the slightest of her stumble and it took only a little bit before he could smell the fresh blood in the air. Had she reopened a wound? Maybe cause a new one? He gave a whine, a rather loud one as his head went to the ground. He still watched her but it took most of his free will to stay put. Why couldn’t she come closer? What was wrong? Was it him? Did the guards of the rock scare her to the point she dislikes males and thought they were all ruthless? It was possible, plasuable even. But Gabriel didn’t want to think of it that way. He was, and had begun to hope she would come closer. But still, no words left her muzzle. He wished to hear her voice. She almost reminded him of himself during his years of his upbringing. He could tell that if she had either reopened or made a new cut, that she held her tongue. Maybe they were a lot alike, but different. He thought quickly before he began to speak again.

”I’m Gabriel. I reign with the pack here…It’s a beautiful day today don’t you think?” He felt as if he was making it worst than making it better. He groaned inwardly to himself. ”Look I really don’t want to make this worst. I can smell the blood now and you remind me a lot of myself when I was back at the rock. I gave you my word I wouldn’t move and I want to let you know that thinking you are hurt makes me struggle because I want to help. I understand that if you don’t speak that something must have happened. So…if you run I won’t follow. I won’t even repeat that I saw you. I am a wolf of my word, and I hope you will believe me.” He didn’t know what else to really say so he said it straight out. Gabriel wondered if it would help.

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[Wolf]

FAIRE ÉCHO

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Epurna, this hurts so much! Should I go to him? A sign, I beg!

[/i] The tiny Ethiopian Wolfess lowered herself to her belly, to counteract the pain of her weight on her sore ankles. Her sky blue eyes never left the brute, though she twisted her head just enough to lick clean the new wound. The male, Gabriel, seemed trustworthy enough so far... As they all do at first!![/i] Fair tried to argue with herself, but even in the most intimate depths of her mind she knew it wasn't true. The slave-stealers had never tried to be friendly. They had come with chains and whips and fangs withdrawn, killing and sabotaging with all their might. Those brutes never would have stood in obvious impatience, standing back because she wanted them to, and wanting to help her.

Not like he could break me anymore... At worse, his pack would take me. Might as well get the help I can, while I can, I'll find a way to escape if they try anything. But what if, right this moment, they stand in the trees watching and laughing?! What if, right this moment, Jonny is in those trees, waiting to finish me off?![/i] With a slow step forward, her eyes set. Then I either evade him again, or I die, gods be willing either way.[/i] And forward she went, silent as the word itself, to this strange Sklavin male's side. Faire Écho's eyes gave him the permission to help her silently, though a slight hardness to her feminine gaze warned him of what could happen if he chose to overstep any lines, or if any of the hundreds of traps she'd dreamed up actually existed.[/color][/blockquote][/size][/blockquote]

[Rascal]

GABRIEL

[/color][/size] Gabriel's whole body was tingling. Like he had mentioned to her, it was slowly killing him in a way that he couldn't help. With a spark of hope, he watched her take the first slow step forward. By habit, his tail let out a happy thud on the grass, making the grass beneath him smash to the ground. He looked at her from the distance as she walked his way, her eyes set on his form. He waited paitently as she walked over beside him and he at once took in her form since she had come much closer. Thinner than himself but he could see the muscle beneath her fur. His eyes however went straight to her back ankle where he saw the oozing blood seeping into the fur and dripping down to her paw. It looked painful and he could recall the same amount of pain he had gone through when a guard had slashed him on the nose when he was but a mere pup. His gazed up at her and saw the silent permission she gave, seeing the hardness of the gaze. Normally, he would have smirked and said something smart, but knowing she was already wary, he kept his focus at the task at hand. Her bleeding ankle.

Scooting just a little to lean foward, he let his tongue at first brush over the wound, curious to know if it was as painful at it looked. It was fresh, no doubt about it, but he could tell as he continue to clean at it that it had tried to heal. Perhaps her strain in whatever she had done previously had caused it to reopen. It had kept him rather curious as he cleaned the gash, waiting until it was as good as he was going to get it before pulling himself back. "There we are...It looked rather painful, I hope I didn't cause discomfort." That was an understatment. He knew from her just standing there it was probably discomfort in her very thoughts.[/blockquote][/blockquote] [/size]