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 Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2009 5:45 pm
Howlite was confused by the strange orange helix's words and he refused to hide his fangs, even though the male sounded calm. Alive? Well, why wouldn't he be? Helixes just didn't drop down dead, did they? Even in the cold weather they were recently facing.
He was about to demand an explanation on why the male was having such foolish thoughts when a surprised yelp suddenly sprouted from his lips. His expression more confused and slightly fearful now as he turned, shuddering from the pain he felt at the base of his tail. "What happened?" he managed to gasp out through the throbbing pain, when he saw his tailless hindquarters. There wasn't even a stump of his tail left, only an almost frozen patch of bloody snow. His tail, which was one of the few things about himself that he considered beautiful, including his claws and fangs, as it helped him balance himself (and he believed that never loosing one's footing was the best way to win a fight), was gone. All of it.
However, he didn't need an answer. His dream rushed back at him, his nightmare, and he remembered what happened. He gave an involuntary whine of bitterness at the memory of the female, and he looked around wildly for her, although not without fear in his eyes. He was relieved to find her nowhere nearby, and he wondered if the other had killed her, or chased her away, but he doubted it as there was no blood nearby and the male seemed not much larger than himself.
He shook himself from his thoughts when the orange helix spoke again, and he realized that even if he hadn't killed or chased Hunter away, he couldn't deny that he had saved him. He felt a new respect for the orange helix, but a confusion, too. How had he done it, and why was he still here now? He remembered another helix rushing in, but after that he had no memory of what had happened. He pressed his ears forward, his running thoughts and pain making it hard for him to pay attention to the words the other was saying and his brows furrowed when he attempted to lip-read. His attempts were futile, as he had never done it before. He tried to speak, to tell the male something, but couldn't manage it quite yet.
So he only stood, one trembling paw at a time, watching the other for a moment. He could barely hold on to his thoughts long enough to form another plan, and, lowering his head submissively, he followed after the helix obediently, feeling like a small pup again.
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Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2009 8:19 pm
Of course, after all this, Warren wasn't heartless enough to actually leave the guy behind. But if he needed to pretend to in order to shake the guy into moving, he would. As soon as he was sure the other male was following though, he turned and doubled back.
'You seemed rather out of it there for a while, but better now. I take it I don't need to relate everything that happened then.' Warren's tone was grim, and his attention was divided between surveying their surroundings for any sign of the winged demon and keeping an eye on the other male. He seemed shaky at best, but at least he was moving on his own. That'd have to do for now; Warren just had to keep him moving.
He wasn't normally one for it, but he'd ramble if he must.
'She's gone for now; I just don't know how long,' he muttered, an eye on the skies. Probably not the most reassuring of comments, but Warren really didn't know how to lie. 'She's injured, but not seriously, so don't bother hoping she'll die from it or anything. She's probably off to lick her wounds and recover a bit, so we ought to have time before she's out again. I get the feeling she won't risk a fight while injured. Probably the only reason she took off earlier.'
Honestly, he knew he was lucky he hadn't ended up looking much like the white male himself. Warren was fast, but he was still quite a bit smaller than the wild female...and probably more sane, which in this case was probably a hindrance.
There were far too many 'probably's floating about. The orange Helix's expression was set as he silently noted that he really needed to learn to fight in close quarters if he was going to keep ending up in these sorts of insane situations.
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Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2009 8:49 pm
Howlite flattened his ears, trying to busy himself by stepping on the helix's exact paw marks. He was unused to talk, so the male's rambling helped distract him, as well, although he was painfully reminded of what had just happened to him each time he stumbled. He thought the snow was cold and uncomfortable, and he was unused to the lack of weight, but he had no idea on how to heal wounds and was afraid he'd bleed to death if he touched it, so he let it be.
The words the orange male was speaking was soothing, although it just went in through one ear and out the other, Howlite decided. It helped keep his already confused mind busy at least, although he kept from replying. At the mention of Hunter, he quickened his pace so that he was closer to the other, although it was not concious movement, and sighed softly, his breath coming out as a whispy white cloud in the cold. He shivered.
When he thought the male was done speaking, the sudden silence that followed made him nervous, and he opened his maw in an attempt to speak. He could taste dried blood and smell it, too, when he spoke. "What's your name?" he asked quietly.
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Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2009 10:45 pm
Shaken out of his thoughts, Warren glanced back momentarily. The kid wasn't doing so hot, but he was keeping up at least. Now, if only they could hurry up and get out of this accursed, freezing snow. The further south they moved, the closer they should be getting to warmth and sunlight.
Hopefully.
'Warren,' he answered with a simple nod, keeping up the swift pace. He was pushing the other male, true, but it was necessary. As long as the kid could keep up, they'd need to keep moving like this. Distance from this cold, harsh land could mean the difference of survival.
'How about you? Got something I can call ya'?' His tone was light, hoping to keep the conversation from dragging down again.
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Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2009 11:19 pm
Howlite perked his ears at the name. He had never heard one like it, and thought the sound of it was strange. "Warren." he repeated, testing it. He thought it sounded like "warning." His tounge lolled out and he panted with exertion. His breath came as cold steam and he felt tired but he fought to keep pace with the male.
He glanced at Warren warily, before deciding it was all right. "Howlite." he said, glanced at his paws. His steps were uncoordinated and staring at them made him even more weary. "I think it's the name of a stone... or something." he said.
He had started to slow down more and more often, and every time he realized it, he quickened so he was next to Warren before slowing again. He was still too frightened to let himself lose sight of his savior.
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Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2009 11:36 pm
Nodding, the orange adolescent logged that new information away. 'Good name. No idea what mine means. All I know is that it's always been my name. Go figure,' he chuckled softly, shaking his head in a disguised attempt to check on the other's status. Not good.
Frowning, he slowed his pace. He wouldn't ask the other if he needed a rest...even now, he sensed too much pride from the other for something like that. Still, they wouldn't make much progress if the other collapsed in the snow. Best to find a place to rest for a while. They ought to be out of that female's territory by now anyway. The snow should be their only enemy here.
'Hmm...hey, wait here just a moment, okay? I'm going to see if there's a decent enough place nearby to take a rest. I won't go far and you oughta' be able to keep sight of me against the snow well enough. Hang tight and I'll be right back.' With a reassuring nod, the orange Helix started off, the snow soon flying beneath his paws. True to his word, he didn't go far, only circling outwards in search of some shelter from the ice and wind, if only temporary. Just something good enough to provide them with a rest before moving on.
Shortly, he found something; a possibility at least. A snow-covered tree, seemingly unhelpful at first, was hiding a hollow beneath its roots. Likely the former home of some creature...at least hopefully 'former'. A quick sniff around the base proved that nothing living had been anywhere near here in some time. There was room enough inside for at least one Helix...two if they didn't mind close quarters. Beggers couldn't be choosers at this stage.
Shaking off the snow, Warren was off again, having to use his sense of smell to pinpoint the naturally-camouflaged Howlite against the snowy backdrop. 'Think I found something. Not the fanciest of quarters, but any port in a storm, right?' he quipped, keeping the tone light. What in the world did that phrase mean, anyway?
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Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2009 11:59 pm
Howlite kept his head low, trying to protect himself better from the cold wind that had started. He glanced up at Warren's coat, wondering if the color of one's pelt helped gather sunlight since the male didn't seem to be as cold as he. He had heard something about albinos dying quicker than the others for their pelt and he growled bitterly.
His ears quirked and he looked up when Warren spoke, giving a slight nod. "All right. And I don't need to know where your are or when you'll come back." He muttered the last part quietly and he doubted Warren heard, for the male was already gone.
He sighed in relief for the rest and tried to sit down without hurting himself. Now that he couldn't concentrate on walking, the throbbing pain came back and he whimpered pitifully, thinking himself alone. Curling around, he licked at the snow on the place his tail used to be, flattening his ears as he both growled and whimpered at the memory of Hunter.
He turned and perked up his ears when he saw Warren return, flinching from the sudden pain he felt on his hindquarters, and for the first time, he was glad his tail was missing, lest the male saw him wagging it. "Okay." he mumbled, unsure of what the male meant. Dens could be fancy?
Shaking the foolish questions out, he looked up at Warren and stood, padding beside him to show that he was ready to follow the male again.
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Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 12:20 am
Warren led the way to the small burrow-type shelter, much slower than his earlier, blurring pace. Most healthy Helixes couldn't keep up with him at full speed, let alone an injured one. He kept an eye on Howlite and another on his own pawprints, soon reaching the tree.
'It's not much, but it'll do. If a little snug, anyway. Maybe if we think of it as 'cozy' instead,' he chuckled, pulling his head out of the entrance to the den and reaching up to paw some snow off his ear.
The wind was picking up again and even Warren had to shiver, fluffing out his fur to provide as much insulation as possible. True, the sunlight helped a little, but to be honest, the orange Helix had always been rather warm-natured. Sure didn't help that his fur was decently thick and well...fluffy. Not exactly the most masculine trait to be proud of. Howlite probably hadn't noticed this before in his dazed and injured state while Warren had kept him from freezing, but he was sure to in the close quarters once they entered the den.
Here's hoping he was glad enough for the added heat and wouldn't comment.
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Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 12:29 am
Howlite was glad they were going slower, although he was far from comfortable. What he saw at the end of their destination made him falter, for it was not what he had expected. He had always lived in a large and spacious den when he was a pup, then slept outside as an adolescent. He had never been to such a small area before and, looking at Warren again, he suddenly felt... shy.
He was sure his coat and even his breath stank with dried blood and Hunter had mos likely rubber her putrid scent all over him in their fight. He wouldn't want to demoralize himself even more in front of Warren. "I... I'm not sure." he said, backing away.
He trembled when the wind came but still he sat down stubbornly in the open muttering a quick, "It's too small for me. I'll just wait here." Surely, freezing to death was a much better option than admitting he actually cared about his appearance.
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Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 12:43 am
Taken off-guard by this sudden reluctance, Warren's head tilted to the side curiously. 'Scuse me? There's plenty of room in there for one, let alone a couple adolescents. It'll keep us both warm and dry until the worst of this storm blows over.' If the storm did blow over, of course. This weather was already pretty unusual to begin with.
Warren sighed, shaking his head. The kid was gonna' kill himself out here; death by exposure was not a fun way to go. Not that death was ever fun, but that was completely beside the point. 'Look, if you makes you feel better, I'll stay out here. Even if it would be better for both of us to share the space. But kid, you're going to get in there and stay warm if I have to shove you in there myself. I didn't come this far for you to die on me now.' He shot the other male an odd look. There was a touch of light-heartedness in his voice...but also seriousness.
Would he actually do it? Who knew?
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Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 8:17 pm
Howlite was surprised by what Warren had said. He didn't think he'd offer him the space, as small as it was, to just himself. The offer was nice and the promise of warmth and protection from the snows did appeal to him, but he wouldn't liked it if he knew it was his fault Warren ended up cold, and possible dead, right in front of a shelter. But he didn't want to be stuck in there with him, either.
He looked down shyly at his paws, suddenly having a keen interest in the way they looked. "It will be uncomfortable." he said. The way he said it made it seem as if he was worried about being cramped. He was really worried about Warren's nose, though, and his own. He didn't think even he would be able to stand it when they were in a small space... with warm air.... He still hadn't forgotten that Hunter had urinated right on his side.
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Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2009 12:57 pm
(XD hunter's such a b***h.)
Speaking of the winged demon, she sat in her lonley cave in the face of the cliff, bones lining her den and the pelts of helixes and other animals forming a warm, dry bed. She had hung the tail bones up over the 'mattress', using a vine and a stalagtite. It was a sort of trophey.
But she wasn't done with that white helix yet. His blood had been so sweet and he had almost given up after she tore his tail. She'd get the orange one, too, assuming his fur would be warm to snuggle under on the brisk nights, when the wind blew right into her cave.
She padded to her cave entrance, licking her leg, chest and wing wounds. She has been driven away, but the battle was not over. A smile peeled across her fanged, bloody maw and she looked out over the trees below. She took a deep sniff of the air. From here, she could tell they were just on the boarder of her territory.
She would wait until morning, just when the moon was beginning to fade and the sun only tickled the horizon. She would find their hiding place and dig them out if she had to. She was like a snake and they were an empty nest of eggs. She snickered and then began to chuckle, breaking into a laugh and then into a howling roar of gruffaws that carried over the land like a horrid arrow.
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Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2009 11:42 pm
((*chuckles* Indeed. Here's hoping they're bright enough to get moving in time... XD ))
---
'Uncomfortable? You'd rather be dead than uncomfortable? Are you daft?' Warren was somehow both amused and irritated. What sort of Helix had he saved afterall? Perhaps there was some brain damage he wasn't aware of...
Still, he liked being alive and he wasn't fond of the idea of that ending anytime soon. Desperate times called for desperate measures and all that. Warren wasn't normally so harsh, but if that's what it took to get the necessary done, then so be it.
'I'm not sure you understand the situation here,' he growled softly in a low voice. 'You're injured and distracted and that's understandable. But, that leaves me in charge of making sure we stay alive. I'm sure you haven't noticed, but the smell of that she-beast that's hovering about? That's not just coming from us.' The reek of Hunter covered both of the males, considering Warren had already had to keep Howlite warm with his own body after the fight. The stench was bad, yes, but this wasn't the time to focus on such things when their lives were at stake.
'This is still HER territory,' he continued darkly, eyes narrowed as he attempted to make his point. 'I have a feeling she's only resting, as we should be doing now. There's nothing to say that she's not planning on coming after us. We're still in her territory and we still reek of her scent. She may have claimed us as her prey and if I'm right, she's not going to give up so easily.'
His tail twitched behind him, betraying his irritation and growing anxiety about the situation. Everything seemed to be...for lack of a better metaphor...snowballing downhill. 'So listen, 'cause here's your options for what we do next. Either we rest up here for a little while, then get moving so we can escape her territory and find somewhere to wash away her vile scent...or, you can continue to act like a spoiled brat, probably dying of exposure out here and leaving the crazy female a buffet when she shows up again, and I can just take off and leave your a** here. I'll remind you that I'm not injured and that I don't HAVE to stay here or rest. I can leave if you'd prefer that; doesn't matter to me.'
He closed in on Howlite, leaning in almost nose-to-nose with the other male. 'So, what's it gonna' be? You gonna' get your fuzzy butt in there, or would you rather stay out here and feed the crazy lady your frozen corpse?'
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Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2009 12:13 am
Howlite coughed. "Well...." he started, but was cut short by Warren's words. He wrinkled his nose angrily and opened his mouth multiple times to speak, but clamped them shut soon after, as he found no opening in Warren's little speech to intervene and he felt his voice was still too small at the moment to cut off the other male. Plus, too much noise might attract predators. So, giving an exasperated sigh in a pup-like attempt to show his distaste, he decided to wait it out.
He tried to keep a bored expression for the whole thing, although his eyes lit up with fear at the mention of Hunter and her territory. Near the end, he raised his lips and ruffled his mane agressively, although his flattened ears and lowered head showed otherwise. He tried to keep his eyes level with Warren's, but after a moment, he was forced to look down, admitting his defeat.
"Fine." he said, glaring at his paws. "Sorry for caring." He got to his feet angrily, failing to realize the fact that Warren was only doing it to protect him, and went to the tree, trying to stuff himself into the side, as far as possible from Warren as he could get. He was an adolescent, but he wasn't that old, and although he would never admit it, he still acted like an annoying pup at times. Curling up, he whimpered and decided to take out his anger on what was left of his tail, and he licked the base angrily, causing more blood to appear.
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Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2009 12:53 am
Rolling his eyes slightly at the response, Warren shook his head. Just like a pup...only a big one in this case. Still, at least he had the sense to move his butt into the shelter in the end. The orange Helix had his money on 'spoiled, overgrown pup' over 'brain-damaged' at this point. He wasn't sure if that was better or not. Probably not.
Oh, the things in which he got himself tangled.
'Apology accepted, he quipped dryly, covering a smirk as he followed the other into the shelter. Honestly, he'd made his home for the night in much tighter places before, but for a spoiled brat, this was probably torture. Too bad. The kid would live. Which was entirely the point of all this.
Completely aware that Howlite was acting like a child and trying to avoid him, Warren cheekily made a point of curling his furry body around the other's. The fool probably didn't realize he was practically covered in snow, though squeezing into the entrance had brushed the worst of it from both of their backs. Still, their best chance for survival was sharing body heat amidst the storm outside.
Warren watched the other's actions, then silently shook his head. If he needed to act out, then fine. The wound wasn't bleeding enough to cause much more damage and the pain might dull the other male's juvenile fury. Though, if it got any worse, he'd have to stop him. So, seemingly ignoring him for now, Warren muttered, 'We'll rest for a couple hours here. We can't stay all night here; I don't want to risk it. Just stay long enough to recover some strength, then we'll get going again. We can truly rest once we reach safety. And maybe a nice, clean river,' he added with a rueful grin.
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