**Using magical realism for Reuben's dyed fur
Reuben The pads of Reuben's paws throbbed as he plucked the grit from between his toes. There were miles yet to walk and he still felt no closer to Sulliven. He pictured his younger twin shivering alone in a dark corner of a cell and chewed on his front claws anxiously. The claws of his front paws had been an uneven jagged mess ever since he’d gone into hiding and his anxiety had only grown worse now he was coming out on a doomed mission to rescue his unlucky brother. Equipped with a disguise and a new name he’d journeyed south from the highlands, wafting the sweet scent of blackberries wherever he went. He half wondered if he had gone overboard with the amount of berry juice he had used to dye his fur. It was too late to worry about since it would be weeks before his fur returned to its normal colour. He hoped that the disguise was convincing enough that others would assume the darker solid fur was his natural colour. It was quite eye-catching under the sun, appearing purplish-black rather than his usual blue. If he was in a better mood he might have enjoyed his new appearance, but all it did was remind him that he couldn't go back to being Reuben Karsia. He was Reuben Serein now. A soldier to-be if everything went as planned. Truth be told he was terrified of being discovered and ruining Sulliven's chances of freedom. With a drawn out sigh he slumped against a redwood, feeling the weight of his burdens dragging him to the ground. He had no idea where the barracks were or where he was. All the trees looked the same. @Rayne |
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At first he thought it might merely be his tired mind playing tricks on him when a nearby voice reached his ears. Reuben rolled his head to the left and then the right, and there was nothing, but an endless sea of red trees. He didn't consider the other side of his resting place to be the hiding place of the voice’s source. Then suddenly there was a face and a nose that was almost touching his. He jerked away in surprise and fell on his back. Thump. The flat of his skull bumped against the trunk and he laid stunned as his head tingled with pain. ”Oh, I'm sorry I didn't even see you there...." Her apology seemed sincere enough and the way her paw touched her chest as if her heart had tried to escape told him that he wasn't the only one alarmed by this sudden encounter. It was hard to shake the mindset of prey when he’d been in hiding until recently. Questioning every shadow, crackle of a leaf and distant voice was exhausting. |
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Reuben shuffled to make himself more comfortable on a cushion of leaves. It seemed like his unexpected companion could use his help and feeling useful was something he craved. He was far too used to being the cause of someone's misfortune and wanted to change that part of him for Sulliven’s sake. When she mentioned the war, he felt his stomach tighten as he recalled the last time he’d been on the battlefield. It seemed the war was going on without him and this girl was somehow wrapped up in it. She didn't look like a soldier, but he knew ordinary citizens had taken up arms for their own reasons so he tried not to fret about discovery. Her problem was a younger wolf’s sudden infatuation with her and his musical way of expressing that affection. It was a first for Reuben. He’d gotten his fair share of approving looks from wolves, but had always avoided such emotional entanglements out of a fear of commitment. |
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As if the burden she bore was one and they shared, Reuben let out a sympathetic huff and shook his head in commiseration. Their next dilemma was that she didn't think he would take the bait without some sort of proof that the relationship was real. His dark features soured at thought of the plan failing already and he considered potential options. Someone acting as the other half of the fake relationship occurred to him. He turned to her then and their eyes met, blue and green sparkling with inspiration. She spoke first and the someone she had in mind was revealed to be him. He had considered it for a brief moment of madness and then dismissed it. Her current problem was caused by a stranger declaring his love so he’d crossed himself out as an option since they were strangers too. He blinked at her and rubbed his head once more to make sure he hadn't scrambled his brains when he’d hit his head. She laughed it off as if she thought he would reject it and he quickly shook his head. |
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There was a voice in the back of his mind, similar to Sulliven’s, telling him that it wasn’t a good idea to form ties with someone under false pretences. It faded into the background as softly as if it had been the buzz of tinnitus in his ears. He told himself that he was doing a good deed and helping someone out. The consequences of such a flimsy lie never occurred to him. Reuben’s heart was numb with pain and he needed to feel something if only for a moment. Rayne’s problem was the solution and he was greedy to play the hero for once in his life after being cast as the villain for so long. Rayne was kind, far too kind for her own good just like his brother. She didn’t want to hurt the boy who loved her and Reuben was willing to become a shield to lighten the blow for her. |
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