We Find Ourselves Elsewhere || Bellaluna

[Wrathmange]

[glow=#212330,4,1000]If I had a heart I could love you...[/glow]

As a breeze raked across the plain and the grass bowed in whispering awe of its power, two midnight-blue eyes peered unblinking into the distance. Long shadows melted slowly with the sinking of the sun below the horizon, overall dimness and darkness overtook the world, and still the eyes moved not from their focus upon a single point far away.

Finally, when the air was cool and the sky dark, the eyes diverted their gaze with the spark of a thought. Beside an old twisted tree sat a young, sad she-wolf whose light grey fur seemed to glow silver where the pale moonlight touched. She had been waiting for the moment to arrive, and arrive it had.  Standing and shaking off the stillness in her body, Wrathmange howled to signify the beginning of her ritual, then set to work. The lump, the remaining symbol of her past, lay limply upon the ground at the very base of the tree between some roots. Among other things were various floral debris which the she-wolf had picked up around the land and brought to this makeshift shrine, and now she carefully removed the necklace which hung loosely but well hidden within her fur. She struck two dark little stones attached to the necklace together, making sure to place her body between the wind and her target; sparks flew hungrily out and clung to the fuel and soon a small, contained flame crackled hot in a shallow pit surrounded by stones. The fire lit up her features and cast an eerie glow upon the mass at the base of the tree.

The wolf began to hum and listen.

---

[glow=white,2,100]"idle chatter"[/glow] | [member=23336]Cobra[/member]  | Here you go, friend! Throw in whomever you want.

[glow=#212330,4,1000]More, give me more, give me more.[/glow]

[Cobra]

[align=center]

Have you ever heard the wolf cry to the blue corn moon -

the whispering of winds made her head lift up from where she had been grazing moments before. the grass around the snow white beast bowing to th power of the wind. bella knew where she was and why she was here. it was simple, really. the woman had to get away from her home from time to time.

was it extremely risky as an okapi? there was not a doubt in her mind of the risks being a prey item brought. yet, she was gifted life by vita and would be protected by vita until the time was right for her life to end. she had faith that today would not be her day to die, but if it was, then so be it.

it was the small flame that caught her attention amid her thoughts. the okapi felt a desire to both run and draw near. yet, she chose to draw near despite natural instincts. every step was graceful. careful to not harm anything. powerful in motion.

it was then that she spotted a stranger there. stopping, the woman kept her head lowered to protect her neck, just in case. greetings. she offered softly to the other. hoping she would not need to fight or flee.

speaking

[sub][W]isker[/sub]

[Wrathmange]

[glow=#212330,4,1000]If I had a heart I could love you...[/glow]

As the minutes passed quietly, memories meandered through her mind. She thought of her puphood, blinking colors of all sorts on a cool starry night, sun-drenched summer days exploring and collecting trinkets. She remembered her litter mates, they were almost all just as avid collectors as she, and they would wander far - at least as far as the scouts would allow - in search of bones and flowers. She had forged some strong bonds, though the strongest of them all was between herself and her partner. Her voice caught in her throat as the memories of that beautiful young wolf flashed up to the forefront of her mind like a reflection across water. Mange nudged the lump with her nose and gave a small, quiet whimper; in the silence that followed, she heard the visitor.

Ears pricked and eyes peeled, she peered around and met the gaze of a pale beast, a ghost, for sure. This was, of course not the ghost of her partner whom she had just been remembering. It spoke to her, head level and wide eyes fixed upon her warily. She responded in kind. [glow=white,2,100]"Good evening and welcome,"[/glow] the she-wolf crooned, managing a welcoming smile toward the okapi. Her words were without malice and the welcome was without ulterior motive. Had she wished for this vigil to be private, she would have chosen a more private spot than out in the middle of a plain where tree coverage was thinner and visibility higher. She offered the other a spot, gesturing with her paw to a place in the grass off to the right of the shrine, and made no move to get up so as not to startle or cause any undue suspicion from the visitor. [glow=white,2,100]"Join me if you like. I hope your evening goes well."[/glow] After holding her gaze upon the pale okapi for a moment longer to see what she did, Wrathmange returned her attention to the shrine and began to hum while waiting for the other to do what she would. Even if the giraffe-like creature didn't come over, Mange made it perfectly clear she had no intentions of preying upon her tonight, though instinct told her this could be the easiest and most convenient meal she'd had in weeks. Pushing raw instinct aside as she often did while performing rituals, she proceeded peacefully.

---

[glow=white,2,100]"idle chatter"[/glow] | Bella | ---

[glow=#212330,4,1000]More, give me more, give me more.[/glow]

[Cobra]

[align=center]

Have you ever heard the wolf cry to the blue corn moon -

bella did not have any family to remember. her parents were long gone and her being an only child. the church is her family now and she focuses on this fact. the woman tried not to let herself get attached as others would die long before her. vita would not let her go. not yet. she was far from dead and yet so far from living.

she never loved someone. never had a family bond to anyone. she had no idea what the other felt, but she knew everone needed compassion. bella was compassion come to life. my evening goes as many others. i simply wander from home to enjoy the night. she replied as she moved to rest on the spot offered.

eyes on the other before looking back to the flames.

speaking

[sub][W]isker[/sub]

[Wrathmange]

[glow=#212330,4,1000]If I had a heart I could love you...[/glow]

Wrathmange hummed in acknowledgement of the others' words and gave her an understanding nod. She, too, had often ventured out on a peaceful evening to collect her thoughts and take pleasure in simply feeling and breathing without duty or responsibility weighing upon her mind. How long ago that all seemed now. But no matter; after tonight, things would be looking up for the wolf. This vigil would give her the closure she desired and usher in a vision for tomorrow which was as of late much clouded by her grief. And now, she had someone to share her experience with, if they would hear it.

[glow=white,2,100]"Glad to hear the night is still going, for you,"[/glow] she replied after a minute, watching the firelight flicker across the okapi's figure. She could think of scarcely anything else to say for another while, but when the wind rushed once more across the plain and rustled the leaves above, she lifted her head and let out a slow, lilting, mournful howl; a song to be carried on the sudden gust. Finally, she spoke once more. [glow=white,2,100]"She is-- was... The One has received her back unto Their maw, now. My most closest companion, my most cherished friend."[/glow] Mange was struggling for words, grasping desperately at fractions of ideas to piece together into coherent thoughts on the matter of her partner's life. There was the fog, again, mist clinging to all but the most untouched recesses of her mind. Why was it so hard to speak? if Wrathmange was anything, she was articulate; tonight, though, she found herself unable to form proper sentences let alone give the kind of eulogy she felt that her partner deserved. The One has forsaken me... A hitch in her breath... No. They-- there is a reason. There has to be. [glow=white,2,100]"There has to be..."[/glow] she whispered, not realizing the words came out at all.

---

[glow=white,2,100]"idle chatter"[/glow] | Tag | The Vigil - Phase 2

[glow=#212330,4,1000]More, give me more, give me more.[/glow]

[Cobra]