(no subject)
Step by agonizing step he plodded, paws dragging along the rain dampened ground as he made his way towards home. The rain fell around him, pitter-pattering it's way through the canopy to dampen the downy blanket of leaves below, creating a suitable backdrop to the dark thoughts wandering aimlessly through his mind. Each hobbling movement sent pain raging through his body, stars collecting at the corners of his vision and eyes squinted against the rain that dribbled in occasional rivers down his face; tinted pink from the bloodied wounds gouged across his muzzle. His shoulder refused to move properly, for the wound Caligula had inflicted laid it open nearly to bone; he dragged his left leg along, leaving a distinct swath in the leaves. Chehalis paused, breathing heavily from the pain and exhaustion that such a walk was taking on his battered body. He needed to get back to his den, to lie down and send someone to find Accolon -- anyone, that could help.
A shuddering breath wracked his lungs and his legs gave out, crumpling to the ground and his bed of leaves. His wounds screamed for mercy, the cut across the shaggy part of his throat gathering a bit of dirt and other debris from his fall and sending exceedingly sharp pains racing to his brain and back at record time. The great beast had won, and he the loser left to die on his bed of autumnal leaves. Chehalis closed his eyes with a soft sigh, sullying his nerves with the gentle serenade of the rain and the cool water beating against his skin. A moments rest, no longer.
---
Beneath the snow, something stirred. First came a nose, then a muzzle, followed by the tawny head of Whisper's Nurzhan. Blinking away the flakes that clung to his face, he squirmed a bit to free his shoulders, and thrust a foreleg out to give him leverage. After his romp with his nephew, niece and sister, Chehalis had retired to sleep away his fatigue under a snow laden pine. Another flurry had swept across the Valley, dumping another few inches on the Forest and adding to the drift that enclosed his quarters, and making it rather difficult for the bleary leader. Regardless, he pushed on, finally shoving through the heavy snow to stand squarely on all four feet - bracing, he dislodged the excess snow with a quick shake, and moved off through the Forest.
Today was different, and like Love, he wasn't privy to human celebrations. But it was there, in the air, and in the music of the forest that he often turned a keen ear to. There, beyond the blowing snow, was the carols that sent an otherworldly hum vibrating through the woodland. But beyond that, he heard the distant sound of laughter; of elation, of teenage romance. Chehalis stirred, his heart moved with it for a brief moment before letting the tiny dancers swirl away - and in that moment he took a pause to remember Kiriana. Lifting his tufted chin, he stared up at the falling snow, and gave a nod in honor of her memory.
But that was not his world anymore, and just as soon as he'd turned his nose up, he soon turned forward and broke out into a rolling lope. Today, he let his heart lead him home - to Love. Each time his paw connected to the snow with a crunch, his smile grew. For each one brought him closer. And on this night, this night of nights that sparked with the magic of winter, he wanted nothing more than to be with her. By the time he ascended the rise, a fire-warmed grin was dimpling his cheeks.
There, wreathed by the snow, was his world.
Effortlessly he swept down to her, reaching down to gently press his nose to her soft, sweet-furred ear. "Evenin'," He murmured, tail swinging idly as he pulled back, and stretched across the ground so he could lie parallel to her. The snow clouds were illuminated by the setting sun - blooms of grayscale pink, purple and gold. Chehalis sat in silent reverence of one part nature, and the rest of the lady that lie beside him.
Ignore this, posting for a friend to see.
A shuddering breath wracked his lungs and his legs gave out, crumpling to the ground and his bed of leaves. His wounds screamed for mercy, the cut across the shaggy part of his throat gathering a bit of dirt and other debris from his fall and sending exceedingly sharp pains racing to his brain and back at record time. The great beast had won, and he the loser left to die on his bed of autumnal leaves. Chehalis closed his eyes with a soft sigh, sullying his nerves with the gentle serenade of the rain and the cool water beating against his skin. A moments rest, no longer.
---
Beneath the snow, something stirred. First came a nose, then a muzzle, followed by the tawny head of Whisper's Nurzhan. Blinking away the flakes that clung to his face, he squirmed a bit to free his shoulders, and thrust a foreleg out to give him leverage. After his romp with his nephew, niece and sister, Chehalis had retired to sleep away his fatigue under a snow laden pine. Another flurry had swept across the Valley, dumping another few inches on the Forest and adding to the drift that enclosed his quarters, and making it rather difficult for the bleary leader. Regardless, he pushed on, finally shoving through the heavy snow to stand squarely on all four feet - bracing, he dislodged the excess snow with a quick shake, and moved off through the Forest.
Today was different, and like Love, he wasn't privy to human celebrations. But it was there, in the air, and in the music of the forest that he often turned a keen ear to. There, beyond the blowing snow, was the carols that sent an otherworldly hum vibrating through the woodland. But beyond that, he heard the distant sound of laughter; of elation, of teenage romance. Chehalis stirred, his heart moved with it for a brief moment before letting the tiny dancers swirl away - and in that moment he took a pause to remember Kiriana. Lifting his tufted chin, he stared up at the falling snow, and gave a nod in honor of her memory.
But that was not his world anymore, and just as soon as he'd turned his nose up, he soon turned forward and broke out into a rolling lope. Today, he let his heart lead him home - to Love. Each time his paw connected to the snow with a crunch, his smile grew. For each one brought him closer. And on this night, this night of nights that sparked with the magic of winter, he wanted nothing more than to be with her. By the time he ascended the rise, a fire-warmed grin was dimpling his cheeks.
There, wreathed by the snow, was his world.
Effortlessly he swept down to her, reaching down to gently press his nose to her soft, sweet-furred ear. "Evenin'," He murmured, tail swinging idly as he pulled back, and stretched across the ground so he could lie parallel to her. The snow clouds were illuminated by the setting sun - blooms of grayscale pink, purple and gold. Chehalis sat in silent reverence of one part nature, and the rest of the lady that lie beside him.
Ignore this, posting for a friend to see.