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+--- Thread: AW Another one bites the dust (/showthread.php?tid=8004)
RE: Another one bites the dust - Devika - 7/28/2025
A gentle lick to the forehead drew her ice-blue eyes upward to meet his molten gaze. There was a flicker of humor there, she could see his embarrassment, sense his uncertainty. To ease his mind, Devika offered a soft lick to his cheek: a quiet gesture of affection and trust she had never given before. But she trusted him, wholeheartedly. Something in his presence, in his warm, steady calm, brought a different kind of peace to the ghost. One she yearned to pursue, to cling to.
When he spoke of rest and safety, her gaze softened. He was right, it was time, and she gave a silent nod in agreement. It wouldn’t take long to find a suitable place; the land offered plenty of coverage. Then again… her eyes flicked to his hulking frame, and a smirk tugged at her lips. Gentle giants were such curious things. How did something so large move with such care, such intent? She doubted her own ability to be so deliberate. The thought of herself as a bumbling giant brought a brief, amused gleam to her eyes.
Finally, she pulled away and rose to her feet. A quick shake of her painted fur, then a tilt of her head to signal she was ready to move. Her icy gaze swept the surroundings, already assessing what they would need for a proper place to rest.
RE: Another one bites the dust - Duskbreaker - 7/30/2025
Affection did not come easy to the large male. His mother was the only one who showed it, and sure, she was not afraid to do so. But the lack of affection outside of her, with no siblings and being somewhat outcast socially, it was simply a surprising thing to encounter on his sudden trip to another world. Was everyone more physical, or was it just this situation? The lick on the cheek was appreciated, and he certainly decided he liked the affection when it was freely given, yet dare not ask for it.
The woman agreed to finding a spot to rest for the rest of the night. The stars were important story holders, but sleep still came to take us all. He savored the touch as long as she allowed it, but accepted that passing of the moment as she pulled apart. Molten eyes get a better look at her interesting fur, in a pattern he had never seen before. He was quite taken by it, considering how different it was from his homeland. Yet the man did not stare long, turning his head to look at the forest.
He had never had to find a place to sleep that was not his den with his mother. The warmth of home was no longer offered, and the lack of experience was showing through the cracks. He takes a step or two forward, but in the end knew not what to do. He could guess, but knowledge is a thing to be shared. If Devika knew the way, he should follow her.
”If you know the path to a fitting sleep, grant this one the honor of following. In such matters… this one holds little wisdom,” he says, perhaps a touch of hesitation in his voice, but ultimately he tries his best to keep his confidence up. He knows that he cannot know everything, and needs to remind himself not to be ashamed. His limbs were ready to follow, but he was also prepared for if he needed to figure it out.
The woman agreed to finding a spot to rest for the rest of the night. The stars were important story holders, but sleep still came to take us all. He savored the touch as long as she allowed it, but accepted that passing of the moment as she pulled apart. Molten eyes get a better look at her interesting fur, in a pattern he had never seen before. He was quite taken by it, considering how different it was from his homeland. Yet the man did not stare long, turning his head to look at the forest.
He had never had to find a place to sleep that was not his den with his mother. The warmth of home was no longer offered, and the lack of experience was showing through the cracks. He takes a step or two forward, but in the end knew not what to do. He could guess, but knowledge is a thing to be shared. If Devika knew the way, he should follow her.
”If you know the path to a fitting sleep, grant this one the honor of following. In such matters… this one holds little wisdom,” he says, perhaps a touch of hesitation in his voice, but ultimately he tries his best to keep his confidence up. He knows that he cannot know everything, and needs to remind himself not to be ashamed. His limbs were ready to follow, but he was also prepared for if he needed to figure it out.
RE: Another one bites the dust - Devika - 7/31/2025
It seemed her new companion was out of his depth when it came to seeking shelter. The realization amused Devika, and she gave a soft shake of her head before brushing past him with a bump to his shoulder.
Taking the lead, she moved deeper into the trees, sharp eyes scanning the surroundings for something suitable, something large enough to house them both. There were plenty of options… for tiny wolves. The ghost gave a quiet huff, clearly annoyed that nature had decided to be difficult.
Eventually, they came upon a pair of boulders leaning against each other. At the base, there was a decently sized opening. She stepped forward, sniffing around the entrance to check for any signs of current occupants.
Empty. Quiet. Perfect.
Slipping inside, she got to work, digging and circling, clearing out loose soil and debris, tamping down the earth beneath her paws. It was rough, but it would do. The space was snug but comfortable, and more importantly, it would keep them out of the elements.
Sticking her head back out through the entrance, she gestured for him to come in before vanishing once more into the warmth and shelter of the hollow.
She settled along one side, leaving ample room for him to join her, and waited quietly for him to do the same.
RE: Another one bites the dust - Duskbreaker - 8/3/2025
He felt…vulnerable right now. The safety of always having one single spot for a home had its downsides, and that was right now. Yet, the male knew to keep his eyes, ears, and mind open. He had much to learn, and it appears Devika was one he could learn much from, even if her stories were not sown with words.
Large paws followed as she brushed against him, leading the way. She held more confidence in this manner, and it appeared that her eyes were trained upon what to look for in these lands. He looked to her as she huffed, blinking as he attempted to put together what the huff was about. Perhaps it was difficult to find something that fits them both. He did take up a lot of room. His size, simply a burden, gifted to him by a father he never knew.
She lead him to rocks that had a gap large enough for them both. He watched as she inspected it, and he leaned forward to sniff as she did. He also did not smell anything of note, but he wasn’t totally sure what she was sniffing for. Devika moved in, and he was about to follow when dirt flew out, some landing on his nose. He shook it off, and sat back silently observing. He wanted to help, but the anxiety of messing up had him a bit frozen. Often he was told what to do in the pack, and due to his size compared to the others, he was often just considered in the way. So, he stayed out of the way.
He grinned when she popped her head back out, tail wagging slightly with natural excitement. She did not exclude him from the sleeping spot. He was getting prepared to spend the night outside if required, but the gesture lead him in. Hulking form lowered and moved forward as she settled, and he turned around towards the entrance, tail brushing against her, feet stepping on her tail. He felt it, and frowned.
“Forgive this one. These limbs are large, and the space is not. No harm is meant to your tail.” he says as he adjusts, laying down and trying his best to give her space- yet there is a little space. He minded not sharing the space with the stranger, but he was conscience that she may feel claustrophobic next to him here.
“If you ask this one to stand guard beyond, it shall be done without pause. Your comfort is the star that guides.”
Large paws followed as she brushed against him, leading the way. She held more confidence in this manner, and it appeared that her eyes were trained upon what to look for in these lands. He looked to her as she huffed, blinking as he attempted to put together what the huff was about. Perhaps it was difficult to find something that fits them both. He did take up a lot of room. His size, simply a burden, gifted to him by a father he never knew.
She lead him to rocks that had a gap large enough for them both. He watched as she inspected it, and he leaned forward to sniff as she did. He also did not smell anything of note, but he wasn’t totally sure what she was sniffing for. Devika moved in, and he was about to follow when dirt flew out, some landing on his nose. He shook it off, and sat back silently observing. He wanted to help, but the anxiety of messing up had him a bit frozen. Often he was told what to do in the pack, and due to his size compared to the others, he was often just considered in the way. So, he stayed out of the way.
He grinned when she popped her head back out, tail wagging slightly with natural excitement. She did not exclude him from the sleeping spot. He was getting prepared to spend the night outside if required, but the gesture lead him in. Hulking form lowered and moved forward as she settled, and he turned around towards the entrance, tail brushing against her, feet stepping on her tail. He felt it, and frowned.
“Forgive this one. These limbs are large, and the space is not. No harm is meant to your tail.” he says as he adjusts, laying down and trying his best to give her space- yet there is a little space. He minded not sharing the space with the stranger, but he was conscience that she may feel claustrophobic next to him here.
“If you ask this one to stand guard beyond, it shall be done without pause. Your comfort is the star that guides.”
RE: Another one bites the dust - Devika - 8/3/2025
It was quite the sight watching the large male try to situate himself in the cramped space. Devika found it vaguely amusing, she couldn't imagine how frustrating it must be to carry so much bulk, especially when her own slender form slipped into most places with relative ease.
That amusement was short-lived, though, as a sharp jolt of pain ran through her when her ghostly tail was stepped on. She jerked it close, tucking it protectively against her body. A light nip was offered in response, not out of malice, but as a gentle reminder to be mindful. She wasn’t truly angry, just a little huffy about being stepped on, which she felt was fair enough.
She gave a quick nod to accept his apology, then cast a sidelong glance at his offer to stand guard. Stand guard from what, exactly? They were two sizable wolves nestled in the middle of nowhere. If anyone was foolish enough to try and bother them, they'd be dealt with swiftly, or so the dappled dame believed. Besides, he was the only soul she’d encountered in this snow-laden stretch of land. If others had been more present or persistent, perhaps his caution would’ve made more sense. But they hadn’t been.
With a spark of mischief, she reached out a paw and gently bopped him on the head, amusement glittering in her pale blue eyes. She gave herself a stretch and shifted closer, her body pressing lightly to his as warmth began to meld between them. They were in the Alpines, after all. Wolves or not, the nights were bitter, and it had been far too long since she’d slept near anyone at all.
Any thoughts about making him uncomfortable vanished as she settled beside him. Resting her head atop her paws, she turned her gaze to him, curious to hear if he had more to say. His voice, deep and steady, was pleasant, something grounding and strangely comforting.
But then, as she looked into those molten eyes, a thought surfaced.
Come morning, he would leave.
They always did.
And just like that, the fragile joy she had been clinging to began to dim. The ghost would be left to haunt once more.
Why did that thought ache? Silence and solitude had been her only company for so long. Perhaps it wasn’t the places she would haunt, but him.
The idea made her snort softly to herself. Her, trailing after him like some wordless shadow. The image was ridiculous. But maybe… maybe it wouldn’t be so bad.
Not so lonely.
Not so quiet.
RE: Another one bites the dust - Duskbreaker - 8/4/2025
He felt bad that he was not the best of being able to tell where his body was at all times. It was like he knew it was there, but also, he simply wasn’t completely aware of its boundaries. Her nip was justified, and he nodded as he kept his eyes on the floor. Well, it was also dark. He couldn’t see what was going on too well, but at least she was a lighter color and caught the touches of light that did come through the mouth of the den.
It was odd to be comfortable and yet anxious. It was something he felt he could not control. There was always this worry he was doing something wrong, and that he was burdening others. Yet, he did somewhat well at hiding it for the most part…but those who know, can see it.
In regards to his comment that he could sleep outside the den, he blinked as she bopped him on the head with her paw. He made a soft yip noise in reaction, and playfully banging a front paw on the ground. He took that as a sign that he was okay to stay, and was perhaps a slight punishment for daring to question the desire for his presence.
“This one shall remain. Let us cast our dreams to the stars…and rise when first light touches,” he said calmly, then began to hum a little tune to himself with eyes closed. It was not a very long tune, but obviously practiced and ritualized. Once he finished, he looked to ensure everything appeared okay with Devika before lowering his own head down.
It was his first sleep in a den with someone else other than his mother, in a new den. He felt a bit nervous, but knew somehow that he could trust her. Perhaps he is simply naive. He tried to quell the thoughts in his head as he slowly drifted off into a sleep. It was cold out, and occasionally the wind would sweep the cold onto their noses. Otherwise, their body heat kept the place nice and allowed for a rather comfortable sleep.
It was odd to be comfortable and yet anxious. It was something he felt he could not control. There was always this worry he was doing something wrong, and that he was burdening others. Yet, he did somewhat well at hiding it for the most part…but those who know, can see it.
In regards to his comment that he could sleep outside the den, he blinked as she bopped him on the head with her paw. He made a soft yip noise in reaction, and playfully banging a front paw on the ground. He took that as a sign that he was okay to stay, and was perhaps a slight punishment for daring to question the desire for his presence.
“This one shall remain. Let us cast our dreams to the stars…and rise when first light touches,” he said calmly, then began to hum a little tune to himself with eyes closed. It was not a very long tune, but obviously practiced and ritualized. Once he finished, he looked to ensure everything appeared okay with Devika before lowering his own head down.
It was his first sleep in a den with someone else other than his mother, in a new den. He felt a bit nervous, but knew somehow that he could trust her. Perhaps he is simply naive. He tried to quell the thoughts in his head as he slowly drifted off into a sleep. It was cold out, and occasionally the wind would sweep the cold onto their noses. Otherwise, their body heat kept the place nice and allowed for a rather comfortable sleep.
RE: Another one bites the dust - Devika - 8/4/2025
Not many more words were shared, much to her disappointment, but to her surprise, a soft tune began to hum in their place. She listened intently, curiosity piqued. Where was the melody from? What did it mean to him? Were there words that accompanied it? Questions swirled in her mind, but they would remain unanswered, at least for now.
She watched as he finally settled beside her, eyes fluttering shut. Sleep was close, that much was clear. Not wanting to resist the inevitable, she let her own eyes fall closed.
As they drifted toward the land of dreams, Devika couldn't help but wonder what the new day might bring. The thoughts churned, then gradually quieted, and with a sense of calm, the ghost slipped into sleep, at peace.