//.Red Sun Rising.//(((Yelae)))

[Lydair]

Amber rays penetrated the futile darkness, punched yawning holes in the shadows and brought Ge-Rad to life; birds twittered about the bare branches of the chilled trees and lera scampered about, drawing much attention to themselves for preying putnar. Crimson shadows overtook the golden halos that enveloped Transylvania; in old lore the sign meant that innocent blood had been spilt, but no Varg could ever know that for sure. The grasses swayed, their once-lush stalks that a wilting brown as they wept for the warmth- but no, for the season was on its last thread, and the thread was one rime-covering cold snap away before it was done, succumbing to the forces of winter's icy grip. A single Varg sat atop the hills, overlooking the beauty with a stunning cyan gaze that flashed blue-green in the lights, northern, eastern, western, southern- it filtered everywhere, breathing fresh morns. The femme's thick tail curled around her lean hindquarters; a slender body and cobalt pelt told of her true heritage: She was a hybrid, and at the thought her tapered, pearly maw raised proudly.

Lydair hadn't come here simply to stare foolishly into the horizon; since one of Ge-Rad's newest members had appeared, Lydair had been chasing her feelings for the white scout, but now she knew that she had to make it up to Yelae, become friends- or at least no longer an enemy- to the blue-green orbed fae. Throwing her head back, the Healer parted black lips in the form of a spiraling song, her voice mysterious and beautiful as always as it danced through the air, twirling and carrying itself through Ge-Rad. Calling for the white femme, Lydair's ears curled, twitching, and she lowered her head to gaze around her, a bright, warm smile flickering at the edges of her muzzle.

(((Sorries for the lateness, and then this piece of crap. >.<)))

[Yelæ]

A lone she-Varg was resting, however, though her eyes fluttered and she gave a near-sleepy expression within those green-blue orbs, she was anything but. Her heart was racing, for not long ago had Shako announced his love for her, and she revealed her feelings for him. However, there was the other she-Varg who once loved Shako, but now realized she loved another. She was happy for the female, for perhaps the bitter feelings between both would depart, and they could be peaceful.

As though her thoughts were read, a lone call pricked her ears into an intentive position. Rising, the white pelt was now maimed by a firey-orange chest. Stretching her long legs, she followed the cry, pondering the reason for her summons. Hopefully it was on a positive note, she thinks, flinching slightly at the thought that is could, very well not be friendly. Though she was not the Sikla of the pack, a proud scout was she, Yelae carried herself as though she was ashamed of her looks which caused discrimination in her born-pack. However, some of the despair seemed to have ebbed away after joining the pack, and finding out how Shako felt for her.

Spotting the hybrid, she stops at a good three tail-lengths away, unsure of what the call meant. It was not interpreted to be something on a negative scale, but rather something positive. "Why have you called me?" Yelae inquired, eyeing Lydair warily.

((Pardon for MY peice of crap! Even YOUR so-called "crappy" posts are better then mine! I do not mind the lateness, however...))

[Lydair]

The hybrid glanced toward the approaching scout; Yelae eyed her warily- but her reasons were just. Lydair had been rude to the quiet and reserved femme unnecessarily, and the Healer knew it. Lithe white paws kneaded the ground anxiously as the cautious white Yelae paused a few tail-lengths from the cobalt hybrid’s seated position; a graceful head bent into a respectful dip for Ge-Rad’s scout; Lydair knew her job would become increasingly harder as packs such as Sarnes and Balkar would soon be feeling winter’s bite- prey would become scare for all Vargs, and the logical answer would be to usurp other pack’s terra- Lydair was unsure if Draeg would begin asking for increased patrols…not to mention the distinct increase of cubs; Firefly had brought Zenith and Raikan with her from Deor, not to mention the senior cubs of Ge-Rad and Uskiya’s due litter- and Lydair was planning on having her own pups, for the she-Varg adored the young balls of fluff, and none she had met besides the seemingly spiteful hybrid Amore, had ever resented her. Thinking back to Yelae, Lydair offered a warm but nervous smile.

”I-uh-Yelae, I know you didn’t deserve anything I gave you, and if you wanted to leave right now, I wouldn’t blame you…” The cobalt fea stumbled over the words, her cyan orbs flashing. ”But I really hope we can become friends.” The Healer’s gaze rested on the femme’s blue-green orbs; they didn’t look much different than her mother’s and Lydair found nothing wrong with them. Struggling to find a better topic than ‘ Please forgive me’, the femme’s smile evolved into a bright grin and she woofed her congratulations. ”So…are you and Shako mates, now?” she thought about her own love, Koan, and her heart fluttered giddily. ”I love him as a brother, Shako, and he I as a sister- but I can tell he has much deeper feelings for you.”

[Yelæ]

"And yet you resented me without knowing me," murmured the female, suddenly pulling her ears back and tucked her tail inwards in an embarassed manner. She did not mean to let those words slip out so easily, yet they had tumbled from her lips like a cascading waterfall. "I wanted to be friends before you resented me, and even afterwards. When I came into this pack, I wanted to be welcomed...something I have never felt before in my life. I wanted friends..." Her words were not cold, only distant as she retraced her memory to the time when she just met Shako, and he had promised her that the pack would welcome her, and how much it resembled a fantasy in her mindset.

Shaking her head, she takes one step towards the female, then pauses. "We are not mates yet, for I feel as though I am not ready for the commitment...but we are indeed lovers..." she searches her mind, trying to place the correct word for the stage they were at now; Lovers seemed apropriate. She looks down onto the ground, ashamed for her words earlier and prayed that they would not ruin this rather gentle meeting between the two.

((Bah, suffering from Writer's Block...again...))

[Lydair]

Lydair lowered her head, embarrassment gleaming in her bright orbs. ”I’m not usually a rude Varg, Yelae- truly. It’s just…when I saw you with Shako…” she shook her head, her tail flicking to lay on her paws. But the femme’s distant words were nearly lost as Lydair scanned the horizon, her thoughts drifting as she stumbled into a daze. Shaking her blurred thought from a tired mind, the Healer growled yet another apology. ”They’ll all end up accepting you, I promise. Draeg promised he’d talk to you both, seeing as he’s already talked to Koan and I.” Brightening, Lydair woofed to Yelae, bouncing to her feet. A grin flashed through her features and he tail stung the air, the faint hiss of her silken fur teasing the wind as it wagged. Her muzzle rose proudly and an excited cyan gaze sparkled. ”Have you heard? Uskiya is pregnant- the cubs will be here soon.” She boasted. The coming cubs weren’t hers, she knew, but she would be like an aunt to the puppies, and the light gray femme was close to the she-Varg.

Nodding her head, Lydair growled her agreement and nudged Yelae. ”I’m sure you’ll be ready soon.” she assured the femme. ”Koan and I-“ she stopped, her face blank for a moment before she chuckled. ”I don’t suppose you know about that, do you? Koan and I are mates. I have a new father-in-law…and Cwen is my aunt, I suppose, though I’m not sure if she’ll ever recognize it. I haven’t told Trile- he’s the cub I’m unofficially in charge of- but he’s my cousin now.” She beamed with happiness and settled down beside the she-Varg, glad to have the chance to talk with her like- Lydair was amused- old friends. ”I’m actually hoping to talk with Draeg to see if I can whelp my own litter, after winter has ended.”

”Tell me, tell me,’ Lydair began, grinning at her new friend. Her slender hybrid form sprawled onto the grass. ”How are you; is Shako doing well? Are you enjoying Ge-Rad?”[

[Yelæ]

Her eyes brightened when she heard the talk of cubs. It was perhaps an unwritten want of every she-Varg to have at least one cub in her life...and the talk of newborn cubs made Yelae's heart soar. Her head felt light now, happy with no-beast in particular that she had found a new friend. Giddy with the news of them being friends, and no longer hostile to eachother, the Varg sat down, welcoming the prescence of her...friend.

"I am fine...at least, now I am. Before I felt somewhat guilty for loving him, but now that you have found another, I feel as though I could love him without a fear in the world!" Her eyes twinkle as her memory was drawn back to the Falls. She continues, "I believe Shako is doing well, seeing as he is not sick, and nothing seems to be troubling him at the moment. And Ge-Rad is like the pack I've never had!" Her tail thumps to the ground with a joy that no words could describe.

"I wish my family could see me now, they would never believe it! They always said I would have nothing, but now I have everything!" It was the first time she had spoke of her family freely, without her eyes casted ascew from the conversation. However, now that she spoke of them, she wondered what had become of them...and if they were still alive or not. Even if they did force her out of the pack, their unknown whereabouts caused her to think for a moment, pausing from her giddyness. She really did not care what happened to them, but still...they were her family. But now she had her own, Ge-Rad and Shako, her true family.

[Lydair]

(((After I slept my own writer’s block is gone. –dances- This post will at least have three paragraphs- I’m so used to writing them that long. XP )))

The wind had begun to be awarded scraps of warmth from Fenris, and the bouts of breezes that tumbled and danced through Transylvania ensnared the scents of the lera, and the putnar, perhaps ruining hunts or starting them. High on the hill, Lydair felt the rays she now longed for; when she had first crossed the Carpathian Mountains and trekked deep into its center, it had been early autumn and the days had been fiercely hot for one with such a dark and thick coat. The cobalt femme closed her eyes, listening to Yelae’s voice, and raised her head towards the sun. A smile curled her pearly maw; this could be one of the last warm days they had left. The hybrid’s tail curled over her back, brushing against the furs, and Lydair craned her neck about to smooth her pulled furs back into place. Bringing her head back around, Lydair’s gaze settled on Yelae, and she grinned, nodding emphatically. ”I’m glad for you, then. And for Shako. If either of you ever have a problem…especially one that needs medicinal things…don’t hesitate to come to me. “ Laughing, Lydair’s eyes sparkled at Yelae. ”Ge-Rad is a good pack, led by good Vargs. Sometimes I think…” Lydair shrugged the thought away, going back to listening to Yelae.

”My own family would be proud of me…before she died, my mother always told me I would be a Healer. My drappa Brena, and her mate Thor… they might not believe it, but my family, they would. “ The femme grew quiet for a moment as she thought about Draug and Iomar…Zephyr and Nera…Sahm and Eclipse. But they were in the past, and the past always dies, is always a slave to Death and Wolfbane. Don’t linger on your bad things, sweet. Nera would say slowly to her, on the night Iomar died. Stay with your good memories, and hold them tight- don’t ever let go of your family…look to your heart for your dreams. It will lead you on. A sad smile forced the grin down, but Lydair shook her head. Remember. Turning to Yelae, she had a sudden idea for their next topic- ”Unless it brings hurt to your heart, would you like to talk of our pasts? It would keep us occupied until the prey are about, and then we could hunt if you’d like.” Lydair cocked her head, waiting for the she-Varg’s answer with a passive gaze.

(((Okay…I lied…but maybe I could count the first one as two paragraphs, just small ones? XP)))

[Yelæ]

((Still, they are very good...unlike mine. I need much improvment, and RPing does help with my writing skills! ^.^))

"Perhaps...it would be best if we talk about our pasts. To keep them from causing our hearts to break...if they are terrible pasts," she adds, unsure if Lydair's own past was dreadful, "But if they are terrible, it is not wise to forget all..." A red cardinal fluttered past, it red feathers in contrast to the graying world as it landed in a near-bare tree. It reminded Yelae of how lovely the little things were in life, and at the same amazed her as to how something as small as such a bird could bring beauty into the setting. The once colourful leaves of autumn were now browning, falling off of the branches to cause barren trees and a blanket upon the ground.

Deciding to go first, seeing as a small silence filled the chilled air, she began. She worded her life as though it was nothing more then a story, such as the ones her siblings were told in the whelping den those many years ago, of Tor and Frenris, and the highly-raised topic of Wolfbane.

"The first thing I remember was how the others stared at me whenever I exited the den. Their minds were plagued with the story of the selling to my soul of Wolfbane. Though it may seem foolish, they feared me, feared my, what was to their opinion, my strange looks. However, I have seen far more stranger wolves in this area. They treated me as Sikla though I deserved a higher ranking, being first-born cub to Rose, the Alpha female of the pack. The way my pack worked, was the first born was the dauphin, or rather the one who would recieve the title as Alpha when the Alpha died. That title went to the second born, my brother, after I opened my eyes and my pelt showed its full colour.

"Something caused a stir to see a firey red deck my chest, and the unnatural colour of green instead of blue when a cub opens its eyes. They soon regained some blueish hue, but forever remained that way. As for the orange upon my chest, they all said it was proof that my heart and soul were sold to Hell, and the beauty was a sin instead of a gift. Sure enough, even our Omega, Kip, had higher power over me, and I was forced to eat last. They did not kill me, for they at least had some sense that it was a sin to kill a packmate. They were superstitious...and when the death of one elder who fouly talked to me occured one sun, they lost it. I was tortured before, whenever my mother or father picked me up by the scruff of my neck, they bit too hard and tasted my blood, but after the death all began to attack me alike with words and even became more physical than before, knocking me to the ground or scathing me when they had the chance.

"Finally, once I became one, my prescence was no longer welcomed on the lands. My own mother and father sent their warriors to chace me out of the pack lands, and given the right to kill me if I refused. Fearing for my life, I ran, and even out of the pack's boundries I continued to run until I could no longer, and I was officially a Kerl...it was two years after that Shako found me and told me of Ge-Rad, helping me find a home."

She was silent after that, looking at the spot where the cardinal once was, however it had fluttered away sometime during the end of her life's tale. It was the first time she had told the basic story of her life to anyone, she never even retold it to herself. Yelae was even suprised with herself for not breaking down when she told it, for she seemed to break down whenever she thought of it. By being a pack member, by having friends, by having Shako...I am truly blessed... she thinks, hanging her head and she dares to let a small smile play upon her maw.

[Lydair]

"Yes- speaking of the things that bind our hearts-yet make them weep-can ve the best thing to do." Lydair agreed with a nod of her head. "My mother, Nera, she would always say 'Don’t linger on your bad things, sweet. Stay with your good memories, and hold them tight- don’t ever let go of your family…look to your heart for your dreams. It will lead you on...remember.'" Lydair grew quiet, watching with a smile pressed upon her white muzzle as the yew-colored sky-lera darted past, blessed with agile wings and grasping talons. Her cyan gaze dulled as she thought of her story, of Gin and Tor, but she shook her head, and glanced at Yelae, her mind running over the words that flowed from the scout's mouth as she spoke of her heritage, her history. Blinking rapidly, the cobalt fae tired to comprehend her own mother and father running her from the pack; the thought of a sickla having power over her because her chest held an orange hue and her eyes were a crafty blue-green. She sat, quiet and resolved for a moment, pondering the white femme's history. "I'm...I don't know how I could have survived, had my own parents ostracize me, Yelae. I'm sorry for your losses...and for the stupidity of your pack and your parents." Brightening, the Healer grinned and relaxed, nudging Yelae gently.

"I am first going to tell yuo a story," she began. "Of Gin and Tor. A long time ago, in the Valley of the Gods, the great god-packs were in a horrific war that raged constantly, never alloting peace to anyone. Countless Vargs were killed; it seemed Sita had given ehr love for nothing. Among the packs were Tor's pack, Zuren, and Wolfbane's, Elthor. these two great-packs were fierce, and battling deep into every night.
Tor had a messenger, the cardinal Gin, meaning silver, for she was of the loveliest silver hue, with a mask of a shimmering gray. Gin would faithfully give the goddess' orders to Zuren's general, Baicur, and in return Baicur would offer the bird a sprig of willow, in honor of Sita and the hope that Elthor and Zuern would one day find peace. But Fenris and Zostar were angry with the two, for causing so much death and sestruction, and they set about plotting the end of the wars. Finally, Fenris said, 'Baicur is to die, but with his death Elthor will fall, for the warriors shall find such an avenging spirits in their hearts that they will slay the leaders of Elthor, our darkest pack.' Zostar agreed, but words slipped from his immortal jaws to Tor, and she begged hercounterpart Fenris to spare her general Baicur.
The day of judgement came, and Gin took her final message to Baicur. Suddenly the flame of Zostar alit in Baicur's eyes, and he snarled and leapt at Gin, killing Tor's dear bird. All through the battlefield Zostar and Fenris lent strength to the Zuren. Tor alone saw Gin's fall, and with a saddened howl she drifted to the valley, and picked her bird up, descending to the heavens. There she weapt the stars , as crimson blood stained Gin's feathers. Her wet stars-tears ruffled Gin's feathers, and he sat up with a cheep, to Tor's delight. But on that day, she commanded that all his lineage and rwlatives shall eb stained crimson, with a mask of the deepest black, to remind us all to forget and love."

Lydair fell silent again, before hesitating. "now i shall tell of my history, in its shortest version."

"I was born to Nera and Zephyr, the latter a husky from the Man's den. Nera was my Drappa, Brena, sister, but Brena and her mate Thor did not know she was pregnant. When she gave birth, it was my unnamed sister, who was stillborn, my brothers Draug and Iomar, and me. We all had the pelts of a hybrid- and we got our senses unnaturally early. Iomar's eyes were a fierce orange, flecked with brown and red. Thor killed him when he was just a few weeks old, in our river. it was mid-winter- the ice thawed, long enough for his death, and then froze. Brena and Thor ostracized my family and me when we were each fifteen weeks old. I began training as a Healer from my mother; Draug was trained by a bold warrior named Orril.

Eventually Nera pined away, leaving us alone. Days later, a vicious fire ravaged our camp, killing nearly all the cubs and elders, as well as my Drappa. Thor left without his own motherless cubs, who lived, with whatever Vargs could walk. Draug and I saved Brena's cubs, Sahm and Eclipse. We traveled for months with those two cubs. Finally...fate met us harshly. Eclipse died of a disease I could not cure...
Draug died a season later." Lydair grew quieter; her voice grew hoarse- it pained her to speak of her history, terrible or not. Taking a shuddering breath, she continued. "He was gored to death by a stag when we were hunting. It wounded me, but not nearly as badly. The Herla's tines caught him in the throat, and ripped down his chest. Sahm...when I was grieving for my dead brother, a vixen snatched him up and carried him off. I could hear his screams and pleads as she whisked him away."

Sighing, Lydair brightened. "That's it...my history. I traveled here..met Vargs...joined Ge-Rad...and the rest is present. I have made many friends, and few enemies..found love, relished hate and jealousy...but in the end, my life has worked out well, I believe."

[Yelæ]

As Lydair's story of Gin ends, for the moment of silence in between her eyes stray towards the branch where the lone cardinal once was, and her eyes searched the skies from his perch. A small speck of red was in the sky, and shortly disappeared into the gray surroundings. Hearing Lydair's voice once again, she listens intentively to her history.

"However, it is not the end," Yelae adds quetly to Lydair's final statement. She was uprised with herself at these words, but continued, "For our life continues to go on whether we enjoy it or not. And even those who have died live on...in our memories. Memory is a precious gift, it should never go to waste. However, sometimes memories can corrupt our minds, causing us to turn against ourselves...but those who are truly strong, who believe that there is something better tomorrow, will live on into the present. However, others aren't so lucky..."

((Writer's Block...again...I think I suffer from this disease more often than anything else! >.<))