[ P ] Superstitious

T

he sinister pup gave whatever excuses she could conjure. One ocean blue orb only needed to flicker over both children a single time, immediately taking notes of their body language. A raging tidal wave formed within her gaze that warned Larkspur. The pup received that silent message loud and clear, though it did not stop her from getting the last word in. Nimue's lip curled back and she snorted indignantly with the girls departure.

She remained standing there for a moment, alert and defensive. Eventually she released a sigh and deflated, hesitantly turning back towards the tiny wisp of a child. Nim did her best to keep the scarred side of her face turned away from her as she padded towards her.

Watching the babe wipe the mud into her eyes she frowned and moved to seat herself close to the little one. The wolfess drew a paw around the pup and pulled her closer, leaning her head down to start to wordlessly groom the dirt and grime from her innocent features.

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

Datura

She sat motionless, expression crestfallen as it was slowly exposed from beneath the muddy mask Larkspur had bestowed upon the pale child. Eyes remained tightly shut, even after they were clean from the muck – she couldn’t bear to be seen like this, or to even look at the grown-up who was so patiently attending to her needs. This woman smelled familiar – and Mother’s scent mingled with the other’s curiously. It was enough to suggest to Datura that she was safe, that this was another of their kind. More of the family that Mother spoke so fondly of.

After what felt like a very long time, when she was finally able, she opened her amber-hued eyes, but Datura failed to notice Nimue’s scarred facade. The pup was too shy to do anything but wriggle away from her grasp as soon as she was clean enough – not spotless, but at least her white fur was more apparent than it had been in the wake of Larkspur’s tormenting. Her gaze was trained on the ground between the woman and the girl as Datura bowed her head in silent gratitude, but the lingering taste of dirt in her maw, along with her inherent timidity, stole any words of thanks away.

She was anxious to get away from the woman, to be left in solitude again. Without ever looking up, she darted away from Nimue with her tail tucked between her back legs. Perhaps she would cry when she was alone, nurse the mental wounds that Larkspur had left after just one encounter. But all the crying only further proved Lark's point: she was pitiful, indeed.


[exit]


@Nimue

template by bean

A

long sigh was released through her nostrils as she further relaxed. Although it was a menial and somewhat unpleasant task, there was something comforting within it. Nimue couldn't quite place it, her own need being met, but it drew forth memories of her own mother.

She closed her eyes and allowed the past to visit the forefront of her mind. And if only for a moment...she felt as though she could once again hold something close to her heart that was her own.

It did not last. The wriggling of the child roused her back to reality, her eyes snapping open and head lifting as the girl left her embrace. Although she gave a grateful bow of her head, Nim instantly noticed that the pup would not even look at her...

Nimue quickly moved to her feet lips parting to speak, but was too late to stop the babe from scampering away, tail tucked in fear. Slowly her mouth closed into a hard set frown as she stared helplessly at the patch of undergrowth that had swallowed the wisp of a child.

A lump formed in her throat and her ears lay flat, shadow creeping from the corners from the clearing intent on washing away the color of her world, leaving it dull, tasteless...an infinite mass of darkness pulling her under, drowning her in a loneliness she could never describe. Despite being found, she was still so hopelessly lost within herself...adrift among a sea of overwhelming sorrow...

@Datura

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck