Morning Everything

AURORA

The place that was once comforting gave her the creeps to enter, her ears pinned as she migrated further and further into the marsh like terrain, feeling the mood and water slosh between her toes like a sponge. How she hated it, all the more so when her newest memory was far from a pleasant one, anguish plastered on her face as she took in a breath to regain some composure. Each step slowly gained more confidence as she went on, coming out of the dampened mosses to reach more stony walls that lined the peaks she had no hope to climb without aid. Thankfully, whom she was searching for would not be up on the pyres that overlooked all of Rionnach but rather at its heel, coiled up in the roots.

Her ears would perk as she finally found the secluded cavern away from everything else with streams of morning sunlight peaking down past the grove, far from where civilization touched and not without any surprise as she searched for a glint of a red eye or the tresses of white that popped from the black in the dark folds. They looked the part of someone that would hide in such a place, trying to hide their unorthodox appearance from judgmental eyes but she knew better than to think the beast shy that rattled along with far more curiosity than bashfulness.

When she’d finally caught a glimpse of patchwork, a smile would pull along her face but before it seemed she was even noticed that frame would disappear back into the dingy cove. She would stand there perplexed for a moment before slowly moving toward the entrance, tail swaying calmly. “Doctor Montenegro?” she called softly, a mixture of warmth heavy on her voice despite the concern and confusion that was emphasized. “Doctor, I-I-I hope you don’t mind the visitation but I worry about you out here alone, among news I feel you sh-sshould know,” she said, stopping at the tinge of decomposition that touched her nostrils. They always smelled a little off, but their home smelled all the more abnormal, not that she could see anything as her eyes were failing to adjust swiftly enough.

“And…I have been feeling w-worse lately,” she’d add after a few seconds, remembering passing out a few times in the past month or two. Everything was going so fast; time was just a nuance at this point she had completely tossed out a window. She didn’t wish to start prattling on had they not wanted her company but there were many things on the tip of her tongue she was both eager and afraid to speak.

Sing Me a Tune Sweet Dove

table by rae

Dantés

"devil's delight"

Fangs snapped to the air as frustration began to broil over into a strangled snarl in their throat. Irritation evident at how a creature seen as needed could slip so easily from their grasps. Perhaps proper restraint should have been given, teeth should have torn at a limb to slow and hinder that beast’s steps. At least it was nothing wolven. Nothing that could voice complaint should another discover an injured hide before they issued pursuit. It would be seen as nothing more than prey escaping the clutches of one who wished to fell it.

Path shifted to pull themself over tangling roots, chase could still be given through the marshes… at least until an all too familiar scent captured the senses. One which bid ears to preen back before lips curled in silent distaste at her timing. They hardly wished for the company, did not wish for one such as she to see them in this state. Caught in an inopportune moment as they lay perfumed by blood and a heavier twinge of medicinal herbs. Without another thought their scrambling hold lay released and a chimeric hound pivoted back into the shadows of their hide away.

Scraping paws quick to move over features in hopes of wiping away spatters of crimson, instead smearing themself with muddied water as it bled over white. Motion ceasing the moment those dulcet tones echoed lightly through the darkened cove. A practiced grace coming over them as that scrawny frame twisted to face her, lips turning up in a softened smile before they slithered back toward the cavern’s maw. Eager to greet one who called out in such lovely phrase. Their mottled figure knowingly blocking her view deeper within the twisting tunnels of their home.

“Worsening symptoms or something new?” Patchwork crown dipped as they nearly think to press it toward her, creep closer in hopes to gauge any fluctuations within before words could flee her lips. See if one could sense a rising heat to her skin, any stutter of breath, an unnatural beat to the pulse which hammered within. Take in any shift to the natural perfumes which decorated her - witness if it gravitated toward anything more sickly than they’d grown used to. Yet in these moments the doctor holds restraint.

Content to leave nothing but a mismatched gaze peering toward her as water dripped from their countenance. And as if allowing themselves to fall from work mode their eyes softened, “I could never deny your visits Aurora but you should not worry over me too much. A lot can be done alone. No one to make me take breaks.” Silent jab toward those who insisted they eat, step away from studies and allow a body to rest. Nose hoping to bump lightly against her then, steps carrying them past to see if she’d follow them from the low light of the caverns. “Let us talk outside my dear. The air will do us both some good.”

AURORA

She would stand quietly in the doorway, waiting though her ears would twitch every which way as she heard commotion within the little nook she could only wonder the size of. On the outside it looked tiny, like a small little natural den that she would sleep in when her mother took her on little mother daughter outings near here. Looks could be deceiving, however. From her understanding caves could go on and on, scouring the entire underbelly of the land they normally traversed none the wiser. She often was curious what they were like but at the same time she feared lurking down in such places she had never seen before and crossing scary creatures, or that the ceiling might collapse down upon her.

Such thoughts would make her nervously take a few shaky steps forward, creeping toward the entrance in worry whatever was making so much noise might be harming the Doctor. Before she could enter the cavern suddenly a patchwork face had emerged, caked in more filth than she thought possible, making her skin crawl and fur fluff up on end in alarm. There was an iron tinge in the air as well, making her brows grow concerned on what was even going on and suspicions on why they were this way in the first place. The way the liquid dripped and spilled off their coat meant it was very recent, but she found it harder to believe the marsh had entered stone.

Voicing anything would be put on hold as they didn’t miss a beat to speak, not even giving a greeting, jumping straight to the chase of their profession. “Worsening?” she answered on impulse, looking between their vastly different eye colors and nearly going cross eyed when they got so close. “I’ve been f-f-fainting and weaker than usual,” she reluctantly admitted. What she wouldn’t admit was that she had been foolish in not taking her medicine like she was supposed to, for an extended period of time, in order to keep the color in her gums and the fatigue at bay.

Her brows would pinch when they denied her worry. “If you can worry over me, I can over y-you,” a voice she didn’t used to have stated with even tone instead of a mousy whimper. Her own statement made her flinch as she said something similar to Victorian a while ago when he was taking care of her after one of those fainting spells, causing her gut to knot and her breathing to shift a little as if she was in physical pain. Short and shallow before she would relax back down.

“Yes, of course. One of the things I c-came here to tell you was that my new Aunt said, she’s high up in the chain of c-c-command. She warned the family that-that the w-w-war will likely start around here and is having us return to the Mainlands for our safety. I wanted to invite you to live with m-me till it washes over,” she said softly while she would be guided away from their home, glancing back over her shoulder at the entrance before focusing on where she was walking.

She had already gotten permission to set up a room for Dantes should they accept the offer, not surprised a Doctor wouldn’t be declined so easily, especially if they were in charge of her health directly.

Sing Me a Tune Sweet Dove

table by rae

Dantés

"devil's delight"

Mismatched gaze blinked away the gentle cascades of water as it dripped from their features, a falsified concern reflecting in those eyes which soon fled behind tinted lashes. A short breath escaping them before softened attentions would return to the vibrant stare peering back, “I will see what there is to offer. A different medication may be in order… or least a more powerful one.” Though it still remained a mystery as to what plagued her now.

An off-kilter step not entirely foreign, the tiredness of her features something they’d grown used to seeing as was the paling tones of gums whenever they were allowed a far closer look at her. Unabashed examination to behold all they could of the subject before them, always fascinating - even when it was not she they proded at. Though such silent musing cannot be allowed to consume them now as instead a quiet huff of laughter laced their vocals when some semblance of sharpness attempted to cling to her steadied lyrics.

Lips peeling back into an amused grin as sodden visage pressed nearer, a voice kept low as if it were a secret meant only for her as phrases teased at her ear, “Then we shall worry over each other.” No matter how one may implore her to cast them from her thoughts, in reality they could not stop her from fretting over what she did. Yet it is the way her breath hitches and shifts which bid them closer, muzzle nearly brushing if she did not draw back. Jaws parting in uttered show of their own ‘worry’, “Are you alright dear Aurora?”

Though no matter her answer, space would be granted so that one could attempt to guide her from the maw of their home. Patchwork crown tilting in silent question - intrigue - not only at the offer given but the supposed start of war right here beneath their paws. A curious location was it not? “Why here?” Query they knew she of all wolves did not hold the answer to, though there was much to consider from what she’d just unveiled. In the very offer she made.

Should they accept such an invitation, they would have to behave, the sordid aspects of their work kept under wraps and away from all who dwelt there. It would do them no good if prying eyes or noses discovered the true nature of their work lest they wished to become the very subject of the doctor’s attentions. One on one, private visitations, secretive, damning should any other know of it.

Yet should they stay, the skirmish would hinder the progress of science. There came risk that some unfortunate soul may stumble upon their hide away and fall into both it and their clutches. Bodies would come in grand supply from the fallen, however, there also came a chance that they would be dragged into a fray they’d rather avoid. The doctor was no fighter. Trickery and proclaimed medications more their forte.

Idly talons would click upon fragmentations of stone as paces began to stall, focus turning entirely upon Aurora in a quest for more. More information over the very home she welcomed them to, “How many live with you? And would they grant me privacy to continue my studies without too many interruptions beneath their roof?” As well as grant time, seclusion, with the very wolfess who had sought them out here and now.

Patrol

A whole patrol walks by and the soldiers stop. When they notice you, two approach you. One is a tall wolf with bright blue eyes and the other is of similar height to you. "Why are you here? And where is your commanding officer?" asks the tall one.


This event affects only WANTED wolves. To try and persuade them and/or engage in a fight with them, please post in #updates.

AURORA

She would give a ginger nod of her head as they went on about treatment, unsure what they could even do when they didn’t know truly what her issues were, seemingly an abnormality in science to an extent. What made the flowers she currently took do anything at all to help her? That was a question that often echoed in her head, for if she knew what made them so special for her ailment, finding something with the same effect would be easier. “Have you thought of o-other options? The tea seems to work to a decent effect when taken daily but…” she trailed off, once again not wanting to admit she was being poor with ensuring that was the case.

The laughter did not make them jump like it used to, though it did draw her attention back from falling into her thoughts, her tail flicking a few times in silent annoyance that they wouldn’t see so close to her face. She’d smile a little at the acceptance of them being equals in worry, that annoyance becoming one of content. Ears did flatten sheepishly when they lingered all the more into her space, feeling like she should be used to the close proximity but really, she wasn’t. Every time it made her fur fluff up a touch, flustered by those soft eyes that were otherwise menacing in their vastly different colors. Eyes of two different rats, the red reflecting her far better as the black ate up the shadows. Her eyes would narrow just a touch, deciding to lean a touch forward to press her nose into their cheek to see if they would back off or remain upon realization. An experiment of her own.

Her head would turn away, perhaps too quickly to even see the result upon the question on their tongue. “I- I just… my guard- he,” she flustered, failing to retrieve a coherent thought till she purposely gathered herself, taking in a breath and breathing it out slowly. “Last I fainted, he had f-f-found me unconscious and he was really attentive until I kind of- well- he’s distant now and I don’t know why it h-hurt so much,” she said quietly, the kind of quiet the Doctor hated from her. An affliction of the heart was hardly the specialty of a Doctor so she didn’t even know why she was telling them anything besides maybe because despite being doctor and patient, student and teacher, she saw Dantes as a friend to a degree and didn’t think she had to worry about them spilling her secrets.

There was no worry about judgment with them, she believed that anyway.

The question that followed would make her ears jolt back up, her head turning to them like a deer in headlights, having absolutely no answer in that second. “Well-” she laughed awkwardly, clearing her throat to try to shrug off the expression she had just had on her face. Think. “Probably to avoid harming civilians, I-I’d think…plus its neutral ground for the most part. Not too many live where it floods like this,” she offered an answer that felt the most logical. If the last war served anything, it was a guide to how battle moved here, pushing between sides till one took over the other. To start in the middle was oddly fair in a way but the landscape here was unforgiving, which made it a rather peculiar choice. She understood the confusion for she was just as confused why not the Lake or less inhabited parts of Melrose where everyone's footing could be equal.

When was war ever equal though.

She’d take in a breath again, shrugging the talks away from war to focus on the main objective of coming here. The assortment of questions brought a smile to her face, finding it a little comical they sounded like the student this time and if not a touch adorable if it wasn’t for the questions posed. Peculiar as they were. “Many. I’ve never counted before. It’s all of m-my family with the name Helvig and then servants and maids but they won’t likely bother you. I’m sure I c-can arrange privacy for us so long as you don’t enter the Manor s-soaked like that,” she glanced at them up and down, still wondering but not wanting to outright ask. Dirt wouldn’t do. “Can you clean up... s-s-sssome?” she asked nervously, not wanting to sound offensive but feeling like she just did.

Sing Me a Tune Sweet Dove

table by rae

Dantés

"devil's delight"

A light hum reverberated in the doctor’s throat, consideration for the request made of them. In truth they had considered other options before. Something not diluted into teas. “I have,” admittance came easy, no lie to be hidden behind such lyrics as it came natural to their profession, “There are other herbs we can try. A supplement not taken with tea though I cannot promise it would taste as good.” It was medication after all. An innate bitterness clinging to a great many plants yet there was always a way to dilute it, tamper and mix in far sweeter aspects that risked lessening potency but would make it more palatable… for her they would do whatever was necessary.

Though they were not allowed to tread too deeply into the more medicinal side of their craft, any considerations falling to the wayside as that nose pressed briefly to their cheek. Silencing thoughts if only for a moment, stalling any phrase that may have flicked upon their tongue as instead lips peeled into the same toothy grin they offered so often. No distance put between them for they saw no reason to pull back even as she did as swiftly as contact had been made. That chaste ‘kiss’ as fleeting as her courage. As bold as she may have been in those passing seconds - it was all but gone now. Once vibrant eyes averted, a crown turned as she stumbled with her embarrassments.

She tripped over her tongue and gave way to secrets, a hidden hurt in relation to this guard of hers… how interesting. If he was one who dwelt in the household then perhaps they should have a little talk. “You believe you’ve made a fool of yourself in his eyes?” The way her tone dropped spoke volumes though while they were dying to know what she may have done, they did not press the matter. If she wished to speak more of it they would not silence her voice, however, it seemed she would do that all her own. It drew a sigh from the chimera’s lips as all delight from their grin faded into neutrality.

Mismatched gaze never straying from the girl as she appeared to sink into herself and as if she were pulled from the brink, wild eyes found them upon uttered phrase. A simple question to turn the tide of speech, hold it upon talk of war. To avoid harming civilians? How noble of them, how boring, though a soldier’s carcass was as good as any when it all came down to it. If only their fangs could find it before the vultures could steal it away, ruin good meat… resources by burying or burning it to ashes. What a waste.

And yet there would be too many eyes once those fighters found their way here. Too many chances for their acts to be discovered, for one to stumble upon and delve into the secrets of their den. No matter the temptation to stay - to leave was for the better especially should it be at the side of one such as her. A creature that made such pretty promises in the arrangement of privacy, including herself in the picture. Never counting servants and maids, did any in the house? Did that leave them as favorable prey? Wonderments they could not help but indulge before that final phrase would bring eyes to briefly widen in amusement.

Maw stretching to expose fangs before jaws parted in the harshness of hissing laughter, “You have nothing to fear my dear. I will keep myself presentable. Nothing will stain my paws or dirty my coat,” their teeth, their claws - not within sight of the proclaimed nobility though in privacy… they could make no promises. “I will be on my best behavior darling Aurora. I promise you that.” Behaved, mannered, their cravings subdued to not draw the suspicion of any who dwelt at her side. Many she’d claimed, it opened a whole realm of possibilities.

So many would linger just beneath their talons and with the title they carried - one of a healer, a doctor - it was sure to earn trust even against the more startling aspects of their appearance. It would be no different than the charade presented to the public. An act to ward away prosecution, exile, or even a call for death. Oh yes, they could behave. However, now was no such time as their mixed gaze flickered over her. A figure turning so that they faced her entirely rather than striding at her side, “In a hurry to leave are we? Bidding me to clean up here and now… in front of you?”

Lyrics were teasing as they leaned ever closer into her, the wetness plaguing their fur running against her muzzle as their own tilted toward her ear. Their voice dropping, “Unless you planned to help?” The light rumble of laughter rolled in throat at such suggestion knowing full well she had not implied such a thing. Yet with the way her eyes turned, how she shifted nervously upon even asking them to tidy themself up even a little… it was impossible to resist.

AURORA

A weak smile wanted to surface at the little buzz in the other’s throat but instead her gaze diverted sheepishly, not wanting to put any weight on their thoughts to decide any quicker than they were comfortable. A sigh would take the place of the smile, anxiously waiting for what might be on their mind but doing her best not to show it while at the same time trying not to look too disinterested either. Socializing was hard and she was starting to believe she would never get the hang of it in her lifetime. Thankfully, there wasn’t much waiting she had to endure, finding they had a fairly ready answer out the gate, though surprise was clear on her face at how concrete their tone was, as if it had been a thought on their mind for some time.

“Not all teas are pl-pleasant, especially when not accompanied by honey. Most are b-b-bitter so it wouldn’t be so dif-different. May I ask what those herbs are, Doctor?” she asked softly, her tail giving a gentle sway. There was part of her that hoped that they had some one them already, stowed away in their tunnel of sorts. The sooner her symptoms could be treated, the better she might feel though she awaited a day when she felt as normal as everyone else. It was a wash of a dream, feeling like if nothing was found yet to mend all her issues, such a day would never come.

She didn’t know why she was surprised when they didn’t react as stunned as she had at the little cheek press, they were never one to give her space. Maybe she had hoped the Doctor would feel that nervous recoil that she did when they got into her bubble all the time. Foolish she had been.

Maybe, deep down, she had hoped for something else as a daring light shimmered in her eyes out of their sight. Even she wasn’t sure what she was after in those fleeting moments that left the other smiling like usual.

With the shift in conversation, she was deeply fretting over opening a topic she already wanted to close in no time flat, nodding with a small sway to her figure to get some nervous energy out. “I- I suppose you could s-s-s-say that. I had used my position as his superior to control a si-situation against my mother’s wishes for how he catered to my needs and that’s when… it g-grew more awkward between us. It’s like he shut off all emotion,” she admitted with an inability to meet their mismatched gaze no matter how hard she tried to gain that courage back. “S-s-sorry. You don’t probably want to hear any of th-this. I just don’t have much in the way of friends- I-” she broke off, feeling like she was just burying herself deeper and deeper into a hole. That pathetic feeling only increases by the moment. “Forget I said anything.”

She wished she could just burrow in the soil like a rabbit right about now and she had a feeling it wouldn’t be the last time in this interaction, they always found ways to make her feel like dying to get out of her awkwardness. She was thankful for the blabber about war right about now, finding it somehow the easier thing to focus on without wanting to escape her own body.

This laugh of theirs was a bit more unsettling than the last, making her think more of a snake than a wolf before the lyrics would make it all come out far sweeter to their ears. No matter how abnormal her teacher acted at times, they always had words that found ways to soothe them while also greatly confusing how they felt toward them. She’d abashedly smile at their promises, hoping they were being honest and not just trying to drape wool over her eyes to get into a bit of luxury. A part of her didn’t believe there was a speck in them that craved luxury though, not when they could be anywhere, and they chose a place of murky bogs that clearly derailed their appearance even more to looking like a sewer rat.

Alarm took her over when they mentioned cleaning up in front of her, making her uncertain how to react beyond a startled: “Oh!” She was about to turn tail and run off when they moved closer, causing her to freeze in place instead, twitching slightly at the feeling of moisture against her muzzle that was far from clean. Before she could even focus on that, a voice that sounded far from what she was used to made every one of her hairs stand on end in a fluster display, looking extra fluffy as she clammered for words. “I could assist if you n-n-need me to-” she replied without thinking at all, well not until after she said it and got even more nervous. Between the rush of heat in her body, the rapid flutter of her heart and then a crashing embarrassment that came in milliseconds after when they started laughing again, she was growing extremely dizzy. Her world was fading fast and before she knew it, she had fallen right into the chimera as her vision went entirely black.

What a time to faint.

-tease flirting was super effective, Aurora faints, can continue or close here-
Sing Me a Tune Sweet Dove

table by rae

Dantés

"devil's delight"

At her question their head would tilt with a knowing smile, curiosity always suited her and yet there had been hope she’d make guesses of her own toward potential treatments. Though no matter what unspoken desires failed to lace against her breath - she’d face no admonishment from the chimera as briefly a tongue flicked over their fangs. Silent consideration taken toward her request, “In time I will show you the options. List names, how to use them, go over known side effects and how they may aid your condition.” Another lesson but a portion of what they thought to offer still needed to be gathered, “You must always know of what goes into your body my dear Aurora.”

Unknowing tease for they knew all too well of the little lies that had laced their tone over particular herbs in the past. It was all part of the study, of an experiment only one needed to be privy to… but no matter, it still seemed to be producing results. Something to observe in the curious little wolf who stared back at them in ways so few did. However, now was no time for studies when so much more seemed to weigh upon the mind. After all, she’d come to them for a reason. One they still held hints of confusion over with this offerance of housing - this talk of a guard scorned.

Those once glimmering eyes seemed to fade the more she spoke of this unknown, reflective orbs giving way to far more than she may intend and yet lyrics screamed ever louder over her plight. The foolery she had indeed placed upon herself with shamless acts - power imbalance she’d proclaimed. Tension, a rift, that locked away emotion though did a guard truly need that to complete the tasks assigned to him? It would only make things all the more difficult. Yet it was clear it weighed heavily upon the smokey maiden’s heart. There had to be more to it. Details she was unwilling to speak of before bidding them to forget all which had fled her lips.

Perhaps they should speak with this guard of hers.

Surely a time would come for it especially when they were granted an opportunity to lurk in the halls of luxury. He had to be there. They would have time to concoct a plan but for now all focus lingered upon one perched before them. “If that is what you wish I will not bring this up again,” but they would not banish it from their mind. It would be remembered, an unnamed figure jotted down in the recesses of their cerebrum. A man to… observe when embracing this false life temporarily granted. One of luxury beneath the watchful eyes of proclaimed nobility.

For now they would make promises. Some of which would truly be taken to heart while others would be cast to the wayside the moment they were certain it could be kept hidden. If one could not cast judgment upon the acts which seized them - could not trace it back to them - then it mattered not what transpired by their claw. Opportunity awaited them in that unknown realm and with it the student they gradually came to know so well.

Knew which buttons to press in order to fluster, draw forth her embarrassment for their own amusement and when she froze beneath their presence a smile could only widen. Ears swiveling toward the rabbit beat of her heart as she balked, her jaws agape as she stammered and fought for words against shuddering breath. And before anything more could fall in dripping honey from the doctor’s lips they found pause - the girl’s features seeming to blank as a weight fell against them. Near silent huff of laughter rattled in their chest as eyes beheld her presence.

Nothing they had not endured in the past from other beasts, compared to a great many she was hardly a burden to bear. Though unlike those who fell to a cacophony of drugs she would not be dragged into the depths of winding tunnels. She would not be left amongst festering corpses and experiment proclaimed as utter failures… no, such things would not find her. Not yet. Instead that figure would be tenderly shifted, their own hide turning to allow Aurora to slip gently to the grounds beneath them and with a huff of breath a mottled frame settled alongside her. They could clean up after she’d awoken from her daze.

-fade to watching over Aurora until she’s not dead to the world-