ɸ Unraveled Words [Tortuga] ɸ

[ZY]

I know the world's a broken bone,

TEXT || TALK || THINK

Zy was driven by instinct; pierced by fear as sharp as the air stinging his throat while he ran. He heard the howl, but simply shrugged it off as something that shouldn’t concern him. From his snow covered lookout perch he saw his Queen’s black dot streak to her borders, disappear out of sight, then race back with what seemed like a renewed intensity. Moments later another figure tore across Irrsin’s fields, leaving a trail of broken snow and crimson in its wake. He sat up and watched the shape until it was no longer visible through the fog of winter, but did not give chase. Deciding it was best to see what all this commotion was for Zy made his way back to the den site.

As he approached something just didn’t seem right. Small splashes of red dappled the frost near the Royals’ main den entrance, and the air felt charged with the scents of conflict. Cautiously he padded to the closest trail marker to identify the creator through smell. His heart felt the weight of his discovery. What color was the shape he faintly saw leaving Irrsin? With an unusual amount of stealth he peered into the cavern for a brief moment. His eyes met with an icy stare and black pelt, but not their lighter companion. “Shit.” Immediately he pivoted on his back paws, sending showers of powder out from his sudden change in movement and sprinted the same way as the tracks led.

Frozen tendrils clutched his beating core so tightly he thought it could burst; Adrenaline and anxiety working in tandem to fuel the organ’s accelerated rate. He could hear it in his ears; A rapid thrum which nearly masked the scraping of snow and ice beneath him. The rhythm of paws to earth –that impact, his heartbeat— was all which tethered him as he sailed over the white terrain. Zy was reminded of the day when fire raged through Irrsin and the familiar feeling of dread. He shouldn’t care, after all he was just a sklavin to this pack, but, against his will, somehow certain members managed to squeeze their way into his life. Zy searched for Marzell and Adelina the same way after the fire as he now searched for their father. He’d had enough of being a plaything of the gods; of everyone he began to genuinely like—his, dare he say it, friends— falling victim to the threads of fate. He was tired of being left alone with himself.

Gradually the trail became less and less obvious the farther into the woods Zy traveled. The whistling winds blew snow much like shifting sands, and eventually he lost sight of it half way to the falls. “Damn it Turpa, can’t ya’ get your old man to give me a break every once in a while?”, he sharply asked skyward. Assuming the Irrsin Alpha would continue trekking to Kanzeln he, too, pressed onward, praying the Gods would lend him their luck. Slowing his pace to a brisk jog so to ensure he wouldn’t miss his target’s white pelt against the analogous background he searched high and low, trying to keep his moral up as the hours passed. Then, he had a breakthrough. A change in the wind direction brought a familiar scent to the charcoal male.

Eagerly Zy charted a course towards the smell, hoping his nose wouldn’t steer him wrong. Sure enough at the end of the trail, near the river from the falls, he found who he’d been searching for. “Tortuga?” It was rare for him to use the white male’s full name, hell he couldn’t remember the last time he’d said it seriously, but he was so genuinely relieved and surprised to have found him Zy’s tiny brain could barely keep up. It was all the jubilant male could do to stop himself from tackling the other out of sheer relief, but he did burry his cowlicked dome into Tortuga’s thick winter coat, torn between laughing and crying. “God Damnit ya’ bastard. Leave a better blood trail next time.” He furrowed his golden brows as he met with the other brute’s cerulean eyes. “The hell’d you do to get Kassi to treat you like me?” Zy laughed weakly, attempting to cover up his concern. Couldn’t have his bro thinking he was too mushy-feely.

TAG: ⋆Ravɛn / TORTUGA
WORD: 722
NOTE: Hope its okay <33 You can decide however long he's been gone. I was thinkin around 3-6 hours, but I dunno. Brooooooomannnce. <3

ZY

But melt your headaches, call it home.

[TORTUGA]

✝o r t u g a

It had been several hours since Tortuga’s reckless flight from Irrsin and still his heart beat heavily in his chest. While his thoughts that had come perilously close to bordering madness had long ago faded, his extreme emotional discomfort had not. He’d ran even when he’d passed the borders, his muscles burning, blood flowing freely. He’d darted through the forest, around trees, over ditches, going anywhere that the path lead in his haste. It was only when he’d found the falls that his mad flight had finally ceased. Bloody and broken, he’d collapsed into the water, washing himself and relaxing in the cool pool until his wounds ceased to bleed. He knew nothing of herbalism or healing, so he could do no more for them besides keeping them clean. He’d simply slunk out of the water, dripping and sore as his adrenaline began to wear off. The pain was formidable then; Kasimira had been a monster in her fury.

The tiny pebbles that dotted the shore had shifted and gave beneath him as he lowered himself into the shade of a large plant. Fortunately for him his fur was thick, and it was not quite as cold as it had been previously. Still, the water clinging to his pelt would form icicles soon. He would have to force himself to move should be begin to feel the harsh clutches of hypothermia clawing at him. For now, however, he would rest. Slowly his lids drifting closed, sides still heaving as he laid still. Eventually he drifted somewhere that was half reality, half dreams, his pricked ears still catching the sound of life around him. Despite this, however, he did not sense Zy before he spoke.

“Tortuga? God Damnit ya’ bastard. Leave a better blood trail next time.”

Slowly Tortuga’s eyes opened, although he did not immediately move. It was only once Zy butted his head into the ivory chest that the brute stirred, a smile that was a ghost of the usual ones gracing his muzzle. He dipped his head to touch Zy’s head with his muzzle briefly. It was a warm greeting, for Tortuga did not miss the worry in Zy’s eyes, and more than anything he was touched that the sklavin had come after him – like against Kasimira’s knowledge and wishes.

“The hell’d you do to get Kassi to treat you like me?”

Huffing softly, Tortuga pushed himself into a sitting position. He no longer cared what the pack might think of him, but Zy…he would admittedly be beyond disappointed if the only one he considered to be a friend turned from him. And Adali…ah, he hoped that Kasimira didn’t take her anger out on the shy sklavin.

”I was unfaithful,” he admitted finally, pausing as a particularly nasty sting of pain radiated from his scruff. After a moment he continued. ”Sinead of Einheit found out, somehow. She came to Kasimira with the news.” There was no anger or blame in his tone; it was expected of Sinead to come forward with vital information due to their alliance. Besides, he’d caused all of it himself.

”I’m no longer welcome in Irrsin,” he said with a low laugh, shaking his head back and forth slowly. ”She blames me for the death of Marzell and Adelina as well. I suppose I’m a lonewolf again. It's funny; this is where she and I first met.”

Pain flashed through him with the realization of it all, but it was well deserved. He gazed at the shimmering pool for a long time, his body still – he had no desire to stir the inklings of physical pain again. Finally he turned his head, cerulean eyes meeting golden as he tilted his head. ”You really came after me. I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised, since you never listen to Kasimira…but thank you.”

NOTES: AWW FEELS | WORDS: 637 | TAG: ¿℟ᵿҝɸ

[ZY]

I know the world's a broken bone,

TEXT || TALK || THINK

With the change in his positioning Zy could see just how severe Tortuga’s battle wounds were. The majority of damage done seemed centered around the back of his neck, and appeared to not be bleeding, which was a good sign. Aside from that the white male lacked other major wounds, but watching him move still made Zy inwardly flinch in sympathy pain. He knew Kasimira could inflict some serious damage, having felt the brunt of her rage on more than one occasion, so the fact that Tortuga was still all in one piece was a good sign. He kept wracking his brain trying to think of reasons for her aggression, but his question was answered as the other male spoke.

”I was unfaithful. Sinead of Einheit found out, somehow. She came to Kasimira with the news.”

He wasn’t sure if the flinch was from pure physical discomfort or if there was some sort of regretful pang reflected in the action. Still, the fact that the Queen heard of her mate’s betrayal from someone such as Sinead was more surprising than the news itself. Zy had figured something like this would happen eventually, seeing how distant the Alpha pair had gradually become after the fire. And when Tortuga brought back Adali, oh it was obvious then, the tension from Kasimira was practically tangible every time she saw the other white fem. Of course he was curious, and had it been under other circumstances nothing could have stopped his quest for gossip, but this was a much more somber matter. Every ounce of restraint Zy had was used to stop himself from asking who the other party was; a resolve he intended to keep until all of this blew over.

”I’m no longer welcome in Irrsin, She blames me for the death of Marzell and Adelina as well.”

Suddenly it all made sense, the tension, the aggression, the distance; Kasimira needed to have someone to blame for the loss, so she chose the only one she could blame but herself. Zy felt his lip tensing into a mild snarl before he shooed it away with a sudden release of air. For all the times she called him immature, for once Kasimira was the one acting like anything but the responsible adult. Had she never lost anything before? Had something she loved taken from her? Did she think she was the only one affected by their loss? She didn’t even have the decency to blame herself, which wasn’t surprising, since of course Queeny could do no wrong. Zy couldn’t blame Tortuga for looking anywhere for some relief when his own mate was practically driving him away.

I suppose I’m a lonewolf again. It's funny; this is where she and I first met.”

The way Tortuga glanced down at the reflective pool made Zy just want to hug the poor guy. He couldn’t imagine what he must be going through. He had to run from his own home and his mate was the one who drove him from it. Tortuga obviously still had feelings for Kasimira even after what she had done to him, which just made the scene all the more pitiful. She didn’t even give the poor guy a chance. There wasn’t much that could drive Zy to violence, but this situation was getting pretty close. After a long period of silence Tortuga finally spoke again.

”You really came after me. I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised, since you never listen to Kasimira…but thank you.”

Those sad cerulean eyes looked into his own with such sincerity Zy wasn’t sure how to react. Those last two words were almost foreign, considering how sparsely they were ever said to him with candor. Long buried memories of his old master came trickling back, reminding him of the fond times he tried so hard to forget. This time, however, he would try to hold on to them. Zy sat himself down next to Tortuga close enough that their sides touched. It was probably the longest period of time for which Zy was quiet in his entire life before he spoke. “Y’know. For once I think I ignored her for somethin’ more than just being an ass.” He pushed into the other male’s side, careful to be gentle enough to not jostle him too much. “At least she didn’t muss up that handsome mug of yours. Lady who got pissed at me wasn’t so kind. Couldn’t see outta this eye for a good three months or so. “ He laughed and turned the scarred side of his face towards his companion. She was a real looker, feisty too, which was pretty obvious. His scar was completely his own fault though, and wasn’t caused by someone he truly loved. That last part must hurt worse than any physical wound for poor Tortuga.

He sat silently for a moment longer, trying to figure out just what to say. Subtlety and consideration weren’t exactly areas of his expertise. “It prolly doesn’t mean much, but I don’t blame you. For any of it, I mean. The fire—Zel and Dal. I …” He trailed off, looked at Tortuga with a crumpled brow, then examined the water below, hoping he would get the sentiment his words failed to express. He wanted to say he looked for them, that he knew they were probably still out there somewhere, that he missed them too, but couldn’t. “I… just…” Zy turned and childishly pouted at the white brute, attempting to cover up his concern with mostly fake anger. “You’re not allowed to leave too.” He paused then gave Tortuga a weak grin. “So get better, ya’ damn oversized snow-Adonis. I’ll even be your sexy nurse if you want.” Unable to keep a straight face he winked and began laughing at the thought. The world wasn't ready for that kind of beauty.

TAG: ⋆Ravɛn / TORTUGA
WORD: 968
NOTE: Don't like most of this for some reason. :I IDK <33 But I love them. Pandora and its song magic.

ZY

But melt your headaches, call it home.

[TORTUGA]

✝o r t u g a

“At least she didn’t muss up that handsome mug of yours. Lady who got pissed at me wasn’t so kind. Couldn’t see outta this eye for a good three months or so. “

At this Tortuga’s gaze flicked up, a wry smile tugging at his lips. Kasimira had done quite a number, leaving claw marks down the side of his muzzle…but they weren’t deep enough to scar, unlike Zy’s face. He could only imagine what the flirtatious sklavin had done to earn the wrath of a lover – probably something that he’d found very comical, but that the femme obviously had not.

“It prolly doesn’t mean much, but I don’t blame you. For any of it, I mean. The fire—Zel and Dal.”

As quickly as it had appeared, the smile was gone from his face as Tortuga gazed solemnly at Zy. He’d told himself over and over that he wasn’t to blame, that he couldn’t possibly be the reason the fire had happened, and yet somehow hearing it come from the muzzle of another made his chest tight. It was a small solace that someone, anyone really, didn’t blame him. It was an added bonus that it happened to be Zy. Tortuga had been so sick with shame in the days afterwards that he hadn’t been able to even look at the slave, but now he realized how ridiculous he’d been. Zy would not judge him; he would not cast him out.

”It means…a lot,” he murmured, unable to find the words he needed to express how deeply he appreciated Zy. It was an odd feeling to be so content in the wake of disaster, but Tortuga supposed it was better than being numb or broken. He would take the path that life placed him before, no matter how difficult or illogical it may have seemed.

Zy’s words brought Tortuga back to earth, and there was a brief moment of silence before his laughter rang out, prompted by the image of Zy seductively nursing him back to health. It was so…absurd, and yet it was exactly what he’d needed. Very slowly, he shook his head.

”Now Zy, you know better,” he scolded with a quirk of his brow. ”Don’t tease me if you have no intentions of following through.”

With a grin he heaved himself into a sitting position, ignoring the pain that jabbed at him like tiny knives. With time he would heal. His body would strength, his mind would settle back into some acceptable state, and he would find somewhere safe to reside until he knew what to do about Kasimira. Returning to Irrsin to speak to her didn’t seem to be a very good idea, at least not for a very long time. Shaking his head, he sighed.

”I’d bring you with me if I could,” he told Zy. ”But I’m sure Kasimira would hunt me down and skin me alive if she figured it out. You are her favorite, after all.” The last part was said with a wink; it was no secret how thoroughly Zy was able to get under Kasimira’s skin. Tortuga had always found it very amusing, if he was being honest.

NOTES: eheh | WORDS: 529 | TAG: ¿℟ᵿҝɸ/ZY

[ZY]

I know the world's a broken bone,

TEXT || TALK || THINK || THEM

He sat there and watched his friend in silent worry, fearing he would be unable to help him in the slightest. It was times like this when Zy understood in the shallowest terms just how fragile and weak their mortal bodies were. However, when Tortuga’s laugh broke the silence Zy knew, even as an insignificant speck, to the wolf beside him he was able to be more than a pathetic sklavin; to him he mattered. And, to an attention whore like himself, what more could he ask for. He grinned mirthfully, laughing and forgetting, if only for the moment.

”Now Zy, you know better. Don’t tease me if you have no intentions of following through. I’d bring you with me if I could,”

He knew he could do nothing for Tortuga’s condition, and yet he felt the need to offer, if only to provide distraction for a few brief seconds. Zy was back to feeling helpless, and even though he hid it well, it still cut deep knowing he could barely do anything to assist his friend. Feigning offence he pouted, crumpling his brows into a puppy-like face. “Not even if I asked nicely?” He knew Tortuga could resist his begging, but Zy still had to try.

I’m sure Kasimira would hunt me down and skin me alive if she figured it out. You are her favorite, after all.”

With the white pelted brute’s wink and comment came a torrent of snickering from the ashen male. Driving Kasimira up a wall had become one of Zy’s favorite past times, even if he sometimes took it a bit too far. He remembered overhearing conversations between the alpha pair, the raven coated queen always asking her mate just where ‘their little troublemaker’ had gotten to. Zy knew she didn’t hate him, and at times was surely thankful for his entertainment, but still, he couldn’t imagine her missing him all that much. “I doubt she’d care enough to go looking for me. She hasn’t done that the past dozen or so times I’ve snuck out. But... the place would be pretty dull without me, wouldn’t it?”, he jokingly asked. It’d certainly be quieter around Irrsin if he wasn’t there. But then who’d keep little Dresna from turning right into her mom without a guy like Zy around to shake things up?

“But if you’re set on bacheloring it up, it’s not like I’m gonna stop you, or could. Dresna still kicks my ass every time we spar, so even with you all beat up and stuff, I doubt I could keep you in one place if I tried.” Zy shook his head, laughing at his own inadequacies in physical strength. He could outrun probably every wolf in Irrsin, but when it came down to wrestling, he was as hopeless as it got. He spent a good portion of the royal pups’ childhood stuck underneath their grubby little paws and remembering it just made it seem even more ridiculous. “At least let me stick with you for a while until you get back up on your feet. Or until you find somewhere to go… or something.” He shook his head and shrugged. “Hell, for you I’d even give a go at being a mediator between you two. Just keep my death speech short, alright? Here lies Zy, he fucked bitches.” He laughed and hoped it wouldn’t come to the last part, but at least they couldn’t say he died a coward.

TAG: ⋆Ravɛn / TORTUGA
WORD: 575
NOTE: "Fucked bitches" is totes what I want on my deadppl ash filled rocketship to the sun when I die.

ZY

But melt your headaches, call it home.

[TORTUGA]

✝o r t u g a

For some time, Tortuga considered Zy’s request. Everything inside of him urged for the ivory male to gently refuse, to send Zy back to Irrsin to avoid any further conflict…and yet he couldn’t. If he was being honest with himself, completely honest, Tortuga did not wish to be alone. It had been so long since he’d been the overconfident brute from his youth, wandering where he would and seducing vixens along the way. He could remember the days when he preferred solitude, much like the first few night’s he’d passed in Irrsin. He’d been enthralled by Kasimira still, doting on her like the captivated brute that he was, but he’d laid awake at night with his paws itching and legs aching to run. It had faded, with time, and it had never truly returned. Even now he found himself desiring Zy’s company, and although he knew that Dresna at least would miss the sklavin terribly, he selfishly agreed.

”I suppose you can come with me,” he began slowly, the words lifting a bit of the weight from his shoulder as he glanced towards Zy, his gaze sober and voice somber. ”But I don’t have a clear destination in mind.”

Even as he spoke the words, Tortuga realized that he was wrong. There was something that he needed to do, answers that he needed to seek. He did not even know where to begin…but yet again, the answer came to him quickly. He needed to find Chalandra, and Sinead would hold the key that he sought to tracking her down. It was a daunting task; he certainly would not be welcome in Einheit now that he’d been exiled from Irrsin, and especially due to the fact that Sinead knew of his infidelities. Unless….unless he had help. He glanced towards Zy considerately, frowning as he weighed the risks. It would be far too soon for Sinead to learn of Zy’s disappearance; in fact, he very highly doubted that Kasimira would bother to tell her at all. It was no secret that Zy regularly snuck away from Irrsin – Tortuga had even spotted him crossing the borders on multiple occasions and had not bothered to stop him. Perhaps Zy would be able to enter Einheit safely and speak with the domineering queen of the desert. Still, he could not demand this of the sklavin – technically speaking, Tortuga was no longer his alpha.

”I need to find Chalandra. I need to figure out why all of this happened,” he said, the words feeling heavy as he spoke them. His icy gaze narrowed considerately as he thought. ”Sinead might know where she is, but I will not be welcome in Einheit. However, a certain handsome sklavin might be able to speak with her and work his magic…” He trailed off, a mischievous glint in his eyes as he winked at Zy. Plotting distracted him – it dragged his thoughts away from Kasimira, who he could not currently think about without being enveloped by a wave of anguish. Distractions were good; they were safe.

”What about it?” He asked. ”Up for an adventure?”

NOTES: OKAY so I figured we could wrap this up here, or with one more Zy reply (up to you) and then do a Sin/Zy post? c: | WORDS: 515 | TAG: ¿℟ᵿҝɸ/ZY