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 Posted: Sat May 15, 2010 8:56 am
The entire pack, her family, had been abandoned. She had been away a few weeks at the most, the end of her journey resulting in meeting the young and very handsome Halcyon. But somehow, while she had been enjoying her time away, things had happened within the heart of her family. They all just . . . . left. In fact, Calixte had lingered in the pack lands for weeks, hoping that some one would return and had thankfully been rewarded.
The silver ghost, Otaktay, had returned but only briefly. He found the young thing and had explained all he knew - disease had driven the pack away from one another, with Bindi and Dax both infected they had to leave. Those infected or too loyal to fear the plague went with Dax . . . with the others abandoned, and with fire striking the plains . . . there was no reason to stay.
Pandemonium was gone.
The news didn't settle well with the young female. She had been abandoned as a pup, only to have been taken in by the wonderfully sweet Bindi. And yet now . . . older. . . she had thought family the most important thing. While she wasn't blood-related to Bindi and Dax, she had always been treated as a daughter. So to find they hadn't waited for her, to find they too just left without wondering . . . it broke Calixte's heart.
She was once again alone.
Otaktay lingered with her for a few days before taking off on his own. The ghost wolf wasn't one for company, after all, and was in need of finding a new Alpha himself. So Calixte walked, alone, the small thing feeling very much alone and hopeless. Part of her felt betrayed but another part of her felt guilt; if she hadn't left maybe she could have been with her family and packmates. Maybe she too would have been struck down sick . . . maybe. . . maybe everything would have turned out different if she'd been there.
At least she wouldn't be alone, a stranger to the world, once again displaced. Of course there was Halcyon but . . . she still didn't entirely understand his intentions. They had been together but a day, but whether or not he meant what he'd said, she had to find him. Unless he had forgotten about her too. Unless his kindness had been just a game. . .a tease. . . .
Unfortunately for Calixte, she had no idea where to find her friend. So she traveled back to where they had first met, lingering nearby and often crying out her woe and loneliness for all the world to hear. She hoped the young wolf might someday return her song, might stumble upon her again. Tonight, with the sun setting and the stars sprinkling above, Calixte felt her hope beginning to wane. . . .
She hated to be alone, absolutely hated it. Even as a pup she never felt the touch of loneliness as much as she did now. After singing a mournful song, wondering if Bindi and Dax and her family were even still alive, she buried her nose in her paws and wept. Tears were her only companion outside of her shadow. What a terribly wretched world it was at this very moment.
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Posted: Sat May 15, 2010 11:38 am
The sons, Castor and Jono, had disappeared as pups, and now returned as adults, but for what purpose? Fall and May, siblings of the returnees had never come back, and Halcyon wondered about their safety and intentions.
Yet more pups had been born of his sister - Pol and Sol, named for the stars and sun, had come under a strange dawn, as stars had disappeared into the morning light as the sun had lazily risen in the sky. The male, near twin to his father, was perplexed, and certain that these things had meaning and connection to one another.
His mother, Loki, was growing older, but had never been stronger. He was hearing rumors all the while that she was to ascend to the position of Matriarch in the pack, and that Castor was to take over as alpha.
Halcyon's brow furrowed as he thought deeper; Hannah and Johnny had no inkling that two of their sons had returned to the packlands.
And then there was the new pack, supported by his mother, and led by a stranger and yet another family member, though the detail was hidden from all.
Halcyon's other sister had had pups that no one knew of, and one son lurked near South Seaside's border. He had had pups of his own, who now held high positions in this new pack adjacent to Halcyon's own.
Now the wolf's head hurt, and he realized that he had long wandered from the river he drank from earlier in the day. Stars were out now, just spattering the sky with tiny pinpricks of light. Searching around him, he realized he may be a bit lost, but what had broken him out of his reverie?
He headed straight in the direction of the mournful howl that had brought him back to the present, howling forward in return.
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Posted: Sat May 15, 2010 12:14 pm
Through her tears, the pale wolfess heard something she hadn't heard in what felt like ages - a howl. It was unfamiliar to her, the song not at all like one Bindi or Dax might sing, but it was a response nonetheless. Sniffling softly, the female suddenly felt herself very anxious and uncertain. . .
She hadn't exactly thought anyone would ever reply to her, the forgotten wolfess. Her songs ad been mostly to appease her heart and to let the sorrow drain from her spirit in song. . . but now there was a reply and a stranger was on his or her way!
Calixte's tears were quick to fade, fear and instinct gripping hold of her. She didn't want to look a complete disgrace and what if . . .well . . . what if this was the howl of Chaku or Juude? One of the owlves that she wasn't entirely familiar with. . .? Her heart wanted so bad to hope and yet logically she knew that the liklihood of the stranger being one from Pandemonium was slim to none.
They were gone.
Forever gone.
She had nothing and no one in her life and it was just the way of things. Rising to her paws, hoping she migh look big and strong in case the approaching stranger was aggressive, the petite thing put on her most solemn face. She was trying so hard to be strong and yet the tears that stained her muzzle and caused her eyes to be red was easily seen; the way her ears were pinned, her tail low, proved that she was not doing well at all.
Her coat was tangled, partially neglected due to her weeks searching for family or the familiar Halcyon. She wasn't starving but she certainly was thinning out, depression on top of not eating regularly as she had in the pack. Life was flipped upside down for the poor female. . . and honestly she hadn't a clue what to do about it.
Move on.
But moving on was so very hard. "I know you're out there," she spoke, voice strained as she waited. Maybe they wouldn't come. . . . though the howl hadn't been far off. Maybe they too would forget about the broken source of the song and find something better, something more interesting to do.
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Posted: Sat May 15, 2010 1:17 pm
He continued, keeping his path towards the sad song he had heard. He used to sing, once...
"I'm coming for you." his voice reached out in a promising howl to the stranger. He hoped that the wolf would sound off again, helping him to find his way.
Thoughts of his family problems stayed in his mind, but sank to the background as he first walked, then broke into a full run towards the source. He didn't care if he ran across a stranger or someone familiar, he only wished to greet them, to comfort them.
The wolf broke through a large bush and slowed instantly, skidding in the leaves...
She looked terrible; he couldn't stand himself. "Ca-" he choked out, rushing to her. He hoped she would remember him, and not be afraid. He wanted to groom her, smooth her rustled fur.
"Everything is going to be alright..."
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Posted: Sat May 15, 2010 1:38 pm
Calixte's tail wagged slightly in concern and anxiety as the sound of a wolf approaching appeared. Part of her wanted to slink to the ground and hide, to see who might come, but she was just a little too proud for that. Barely. She had gained so much self-confidence within Pandemonium she didn't want to look weak . . .
Calixte took a moment to stare dumbly at Halcyon when he skidded to a halt. His brown fur, that ring around his neck, and his over all large fluffy body guaranteed it was him all right. Her playmate, her friend. . . . After all these weeks the familiarity that hit here was too much for her.
"Oh Halcyon!" She choked on a sob and couldn't stop herself. Rushing forward, she buried her face in his neck and cried. She felt so terribly guilty, first for burdening him on all of this but then because the memory of him was so bittersweet; while she had been giggling and laughing and flirting with him, her family had been dying and leaving. They had to leave her behind and she hadn't been able to ever say good bye. . . In fact, Bindi and Dax and the puppies could have all been dead now as the disease, according to Otaktay, had been unpleasant and fatal.
So while she was absolutely thrilled to meet the one she might never have found again, it hurt all the same. Because the last time she was most happy was with him. . . . She had unknowingly chosen a stranger over her family, and Calixte felt as if she had let them all down. Bindi would never again know of her adventures, her 'siblings' would never know of their older sisters love and affection.
"It's all gone . . ." She admitted through her tears and muffled through his fur. "They're all gone. They left me, Halcyon. . ." Or had she left them? It wasn't meant to be permanent. . . it was meant only to be a small vacation away, to grow, to learn, to see how well she stood on her four paws.
So much for that.
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Posted: Mon May 17, 2010 7:16 pm
Even though the big wolf had just said it would be alright, his heart was breaking. There was no way to reassure his beloved friend if he was feeling the exact opposite that he wished to convey to her.
Sparks flew in his mind and his chest tightened as she made contact with him physically, reminding him of the time they met before. Halcyon rubbed the side of his muzzle against the top of her head, smoothing her ears and attempting to tame her fur back into place.
As she spoke, her words and sobs were muffled against him and caused him to rumble deep in his throat. "I'm so sorry, my love... so sorry." he managed, pulling away to nuzzle her face and dry her tears.
He attempted to nudge her to her feet, and moved closer for stability and comfort. "Walk with me Calixte, tell me everything." he offered, softly.
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Posted: Tue May 18, 2010 5:43 pm
The young female took a few moments to sob in to the soft fur of her friend. The guilt gnawed at her and the tears she had thought she'd finished shedding practically overwhelmed the petite female. Thankfully though, pride caused her to regain her composure (slightly) and his gentle ministrations allowed her to choke back any further hysterics. He nuzzled her face, helped to dry her tears, which only made her feel even worse.
She couldn't do right by anybody. What was supposed to be a happy reunion was now bittersweet and full of tears. Why life was being so cruel she didn't know. What was worse was that she'd have to sit down and bear everything. . . . But accepting what had happened wasn't easy for the gentle-hearted female. It was too much of a shock for her to carry the burden alone.
Taking a few deep breaths, Calixte couldn't look at Halcyon. He looked so calm and confident compared to her; she was grungy and not very pretty and not very happy. Shame on her for losing it like that. . . Sniffling, tail half-tucked before him she found her voice, though it was weak and quiet. "I'm sorry. . . I . . . I should be over it b-b-b-but . . . " Another sob threatened and she quickly shut her mouth, swallowing back any further tears.
Walking would be a slight distraction so she followed, though she naturally kept close. For weeks she had gone unnoticed and ignored; the affectionate female had no one to help comfort her loss and confusion so Halcyon's touch was good for her. Besides which, it came from a dear friend and one that had made her feel so . . . so lovely. Part of Calixte worried that things had changed, that he'd been fooling her. . . but it was too late now.
Until he made mention otherwise she was going to cling to him like her very life depended on it. "Well . . . I . . . I don't really know," she finally began, words shaky. "After we parted I . . I went back to my pack, Pandemonium and . . . and everything was dead and gone. A fire had run through the plains, but worse all the dens were abandoned and even a few members were dead. . . not from fire though but. . . apparently disease. The few weeks I was away demolished the whole pack - and Bindi, my . . . well she raised me like a daughter. . . she was sick and dying, as was her mate and some of her puppies and . . . They're just all gone. They left and those who weren't ill scattered. But what's worse is I don't know where they went or if they're. . if they're still alive and . . . and I never got to say goodbye."
Worse than not knowing the fate of her family, worse than the thought of death was the realization that she never had a chance to part with her family. They were gone. Completely. Disappeared without a trace, for she had looked and looked. . . "I . . . I just don't know what to do anymore." She admitted, her heart completely broken. While Halcyon didn't know much about Calixte, it was obvious she had been close with her family and the life of a loner wasn't something she enjoyed. Particularly because of her abandoned early-beginnings, her life before Bindi and Pandemonium.
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Posted: Sun May 23, 2010 9:01 pm
He shook his head as they walked, disagreeing with the female. "No, you shouldn't be over it..."
He kept close to her as she kept close to him, keeping physical contact at a high. His brows furrowed deep as he listened to her story. His mother had told a similar story, of sickness and starvation. Loki had escaped from it and that had led her here, to these lands. If it hadn't been for those terrible circumstances, Halcyon would have never met Calixte, but the big male wasn't ready to tell her these things just yet. He didn't want to cheapen her experiences, to make her feel as though her sadness was invalid to him.
"I will do everything possible to help you find them," he began, pressing his chin against the crown of her skull in an awkward half-hug. "I would be honored if you would come with me to my pack, at least until you can find your family." he rumbled, trying not to seem completely clingy. Halcyon was definitely attached to the female, but he didn't want to ruin things with her by holding too tightly at the wrong moment.
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Posted: Sun Jun 06, 2010 6:13 pm
The pale female was glad for Halcyon's company. Though her heart was broken and she worried severely about her family, the relief the large wolf before her brought was calming. Just walking with him, knowing he was there and he was listening and sympathetic made her feel good. Not completely better, surely not, but . . . . things didn't look quite as bleak and depressing as they had been before.
Only moments previous she had had no one in her life. Everything she knew and everyone she loved had disappeared and abandoned her for some reason or another. But now . . . at least there was Halcyon. And while she was uncertain if this was love or . . . or what their friendship was, right now he was the most important thing to her.
Though he offered t help her find her family, somehow Calixte knew deep, deep down that Bindi, Dax, all of the puppies were gone. Completely and utterly gone. She wouldn't be able to find them. . . .but she'd try. At least until she accepted their loss.
Quieting, the female said nothing for a long while. She had tucked her head underneath his own, curling against his chest as he spoke. He was offering to bring her back to his pack, to his family. . . And while part of Calixte didn't want to go, afraid of meeting a family that wasn't her, afraid of the tears that would follow. . . it was the best option she had. In fact, it was the only option. Even if she continued to rogue it, Calixtek new she was no great huntress, knew she was neglecting her own needs.
If she continued down the path she walked she herself would wind up sick, starving or dead. . . . And that wouldn't have been what the pack would want. That wouldn't be what Bindi would have wanted for her. . . . Allowing her tears to subside and dry, the young female took a shaky breath and gave a little nod. "I . . . . I'll go. I just . . . I don't mean to be a burden," she quickly stated, apologetically, woefully. She dropped her head to stare down at her paws, wordlessly telling the tears to stay away, that she wasn't going to cry again. "I just don't know what else to do. And I . . .you're the only one I have right now. . . "
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Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2010 1:03 pm
If Halcyon knew his mother, and he did, Calixte would be welcomed with open arms and never allowed to leave. He grinned wide at Calixte's statement that she didn't mean to be a burden, and nipped lovingly at her ear.
"Come along." he spoke soothingly, knowing that his family was just what she needed to at least begin healing. There could be drama, but for the most part the South Seaside pack was good at hiding that drama from newcomers and making them feel as though they had been born and raised in the pack.
His mother, Loki, had taken in many wolves and seen many go. It seemed her lot in life, now that she had grown older and taken a more lenient spot in the pack. There was a new acting alpha, but she was still in charge, and that alpha knew that he couldn't get away with anything stupid as long as Loki was alive and well.
He whispered in her ear as he walked, keeping as close to her as possible to keep her steady. "They're going to love you, you know."
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Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2010 5:58 pm
Calixte followed alongside Halcyon, sniffling now and then as she tried to recompose herself. She wasn't entirely sure where she was, much less how far away his family was going to be. Meeting new packs and strangers, while not unusual, had never felt so threatening to the female! Anxiety and uncertainty began to creep up her spine, her stomach churning at the thought of meeting his family, his pack, and on such circumstances!
Unfortunately though, she needed a pack to lean on. She was a fair huntress, but with her current state of mind and her small size, she couldn't put all her marks on pure luck or chance. She wasn't accustomed to being alone and rather hated it . . . this was an opportunity she couldn't pass by.
Thankfully, Halcyon seemed confident in his family's acceptance of her. While she would have proudly said the same about Bindi and Pandemonium, the fact she had no other family at this point made meeting South Seaside even more daunting. If she said the wrong thing, if she looked a mess. . . No. She wasn't going to think about it. Any more rejection in her life at this moment would kill her. Everything would be fine. Halcyon even said as much.
"I hope you're r-right," she murmured softly, glad that the constriction in her throat had lessened and her eyes were beginning to dry. Maybe she'd look half-way decent by the time they made it to his home.
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Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 6:07 pm
The pack was a bit of a journey away. He had somehow managed to think himself lost, and far away from the home he had started from. Those things were interesting, and he wondered how it would all play out in the end - though he hoped there wouldn't be an end, or at least if there had to be one, that it would be good.
"I can guarantee it." he smiled as he walked close to the female, guiding her steps and keeping her steady with his constant contact. The pack always had food, and those who had proved themselves loyal led good lives. He was sure that things had happened in his absence, things always did, but he wasn't sure if they were positive or negative things.
He knew that his mother was trying to bring new life to the pack after having everything split in two, her mate... his father... leaving with most of the members, and the uncertain wolves kind of slowly filtered themselves out after that. He was just an adolescent then, and those things didn't make much sense to him. They really still didn't, in any case.
"The journey will take a while." he finally managed to fish himself out of his own mind long enough to speak to his companion. "But it's nothing we can't handle together."
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Posted: Sun Aug 15, 2010 12:07 pm
Calixte was beginning to calm as she walked with Halcyon. His constant contact and calm presence were incredibly reassuring to her exhausted and frightened spirit. She had been so upset over the loss of her pack, of her family, that she honestly didn't have any tears to spare. She was spent and the sunshine of the days of yore was something she greatly missed. Maybe with Halcyon she could . . . forget. Maybe with Halcyon she could begin to heal and move on from the traumatic loss of her pack.
Honestly, it was the only thing she could do.
Trotting quietly beside the large, brown wolf, Calixte stayed silent for awhile. Her tears were drying and her throat was beginning to lose its constant ache. She mulled over the idea of being so far from his home, and part of her was relieved. The longer she kept moving away from Pandemonium and kept up with Halcyon, perhaps by the time she arrived at his home lands she'd be . . . better. Happier. Healthier. Maybe she'd be a wolf he'd be proud of introducing to his pack and not . . . not so broken as she was.
"I'm kind of . . .glad for that. . ." She finally spoke, offering a ghost of a smile. "I'm not worried about the journey. We'll be just fine....together." The last word was spoken slowly, the pale female stealing a hesitant look up at Halcyon. It was hard for her to understand exactly where their relationship stood - they had swiftly formed a bond upon their first meeting and everything had seemed to move so fast. She flirted, he had flirted, and yet now . . . .
well. . . . maybe the journey would better help her understand exactly where she stood with Halcyon. At the very least it would distract her from the loss of her family. And any distraction was good for Calixte.
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