+- Vivarium (https://vivariumrpg.com)
+-- Forum: Vivarium (https://vivariumrpg.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=3)
+--- Forum: Spirited Highlands (https://vivariumrpg.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=25)
+--- Thread: AW Abandon The Darkness (/showthread.php?tid=12023)
Abandon The Darkness - Rurik - 6/6/2026
What a thrilling yet terrifying experience, to be whisked away from a traumatic life. Only to be given to a brand new world, the possibility of a new life. Rurik had awoken from a deep sleep, just after taking off from his natal pack. Mother had wanted him to find his sister, to also find the one that he once called brother.
But if he did find either of them in the end, it wouldn't be to bring them back home. That place no longer held chains to the ebony man. Finally broken free of their grip, he was to try and find a new way of being. But where on earth exactly was he?
The man had gotten to his feet, trying to get himself straightened out before heading off in any one direction. The land was spread far and wide, with great rolling hills and dotted trees all around him. As well as some scattered rock formations for good measure. A pretty sight but with somewhat less then favorable weather conditions. The wind was picking up relatively fast, the sky looking as though it might rain at any moment.
Grey clouds littered the sky, seemingly grumpy without the sun to spread its light. Then a new scent was picked up on the wind: the smell of deer was nearby. Rurik's stomach growled, lips now a little wet at the possibility of food. Does he dare go it alone? Hell, better then starving out here in the middle of nowhere. So off he went, alert and cautious.
RE: Abandon The Darkness - Selkie. - 6/9/2026
Selkie did not know these meadows- but there had been nowhere to go in the fierce winter cold, and they had to be close. The wind came warmer and sharper with salt and pine.
He was drawn by it. He missed the sea.
A swift pace carried him over sloping hills. He had carried his seaglass and shells all the way from the North and was glad he might not have to carry them any longer! It was very inconvenient. But they had come this far and he was not willing to surrender them now.
He was cresting another rise when he caught sight of the man. Selkie slowed his gait, ears angled. He was cautious, now! But still curious, and judged the space between them enough to make a quick escape.
Wendi should not have to handle it. Selkie did not know what was wrong with him, only that it was. And that meant he should keep strangers away!
He straightened. "Who're ye?" he asked around his mouthful of trinkets.
He was drawn by it. He missed the sea.
A swift pace carried him over sloping hills. He had carried his seaglass and shells all the way from the North and was glad he might not have to carry them any longer! It was very inconvenient. But they had come this far and he was not willing to surrender them now.
He was cresting another rise when he caught sight of the man. Selkie slowed his gait, ears angled. He was cautious, now! But still curious, and judged the space between them enough to make a quick escape.
Wendi should not have to handle it. Selkie did not know what was wrong with him, only that it was. And that meant he should keep strangers away!
He straightened. "Who're ye?" he asked around his mouthful of trinkets.
RE: Abandon The Darkness - Rurik - 6/13/2026
Rurik had been trying to mind his own business, the thought of seeking out his remaining family members being the only thing that mattered to him. But when the universe decided to place someone in his way, the black and steel colored male stopped his tracks with annoyance in his eyes.
A pup called out to him, items of the sea grasped in his maw.
No one that should concern you, boy.A flash of white teeth left his mouth, a clack of his jaws pressing together in a warning.
But if you should know for sure, come closer if you must.There was a sharpness to his gaze, in his words. Let the brat come.
RE: Abandon The Darkness - Wendigo - 6/14/2026
Careful, careful, never too careful.
It would be too easy to fall back into himself, and Wendi fought the urge. The urge to run, to sequester himself into the cold reaches of the furthest northern tundra, to not linger around souls so innocent. So soft. So beloved. What would Grim and Selkie become, if they stayed with him? Jaded? Violent? Or would they simply become loners, not used to the company of their own kind? Ill-adjusted, ridden with anxiety and desperation?
Yet still, he had figured which way was home. He had seen the pine forest, smelled the salt in the air. Knew they were close.
And he had let Selkie keep going.
The urge to return called, and that scared Wendigo. What would he return to? What would Sarge think, now that his teeth had scarred the Wisp? What of his other littermates? Would Kobold still like to hunt for treasure? Would Lichen still shadow him, quiet, comforting? Would Honor still try to boss him about? And the others? Would Lyra (Myna) and Mal look upon him with suspicion, a fae grown and dangerous? The other whelps - he had never interacted with them overmuch, but would they turn to taunting him?
Would the lot of them poke and prod and question and force him into a corner until he couldn't think?
Wendigo's presence was coincidental today, frowning as he caught sight of Selkie --ahead, above, on the top of a hill-- just as he called out to some unseen figure. In his own jaws, a great wide leaf; not as sturdy as a pelt might've been, but he had not the time to lay out any scrap of hide to offer something better yet for Selkie's wares. Enough had been gathered now that offering to help carry them wouldn't be sufficient, and a tool was needed.
The returning, gruff voice was not appreciated.
Wendigo's slow, long steps brought him closer to his brother. Once at his dappled flanks, looming overhead in quiet support, he lowered his head over one silver side to proffer the leaf for analysis. It took great effort to force his pelt to remain flat, but his ringed gaze flicked down the hill to the massive, dark stranger.
Cold. Impassive. Uncaring, truthfully; he was here to protect his littermate and display to those who came before him that Selkie was not to be threatened with impunity. Otherwise, it wasn't like he had much to say himself.
The glance was brief. It could not even be called a warning. In the next moment, Wendigo's focus moved back down to Selkie to see what he thought to gain from this man.
It would be too easy to fall back into himself, and Wendi fought the urge. The urge to run, to sequester himself into the cold reaches of the furthest northern tundra, to not linger around souls so innocent. So soft. So beloved. What would Grim and Selkie become, if they stayed with him? Jaded? Violent? Or would they simply become loners, not used to the company of their own kind? Ill-adjusted, ridden with anxiety and desperation?
Yet still, he had figured which way was home. He had seen the pine forest, smelled the salt in the air. Knew they were close.
And he had let Selkie keep going.
The urge to return called, and that scared Wendigo. What would he return to? What would Sarge think, now that his teeth had scarred the Wisp? What of his other littermates? Would Kobold still like to hunt for treasure? Would Lichen still shadow him, quiet, comforting? Would Honor still try to boss him about? And the others? Would Lyra (Myna) and Mal look upon him with suspicion, a fae grown and dangerous? The other whelps - he had never interacted with them overmuch, but would they turn to taunting him?
Would the lot of them poke and prod and question and force him into a corner until he couldn't think?
Wendigo's presence was coincidental today, frowning as he caught sight of Selkie --ahead, above, on the top of a hill-- just as he called out to some unseen figure. In his own jaws, a great wide leaf; not as sturdy as a pelt might've been, but he had not the time to lay out any scrap of hide to offer something better yet for Selkie's wares. Enough had been gathered now that offering to help carry them wouldn't be sufficient, and a tool was needed.
The returning, gruff voice was not appreciated.
Wendigo's slow, long steps brought him closer to his brother. Once at his dappled flanks, looming overhead in quiet support, he lowered his head over one silver side to proffer the leaf for analysis. It took great effort to force his pelt to remain flat, but his ringed gaze flicked down the hill to the massive, dark stranger.
Cold. Impassive. Uncaring, truthfully; he was here to protect his littermate and display to those who came before him that Selkie was not to be threatened with impunity. Otherwise, it wasn't like he had much to say himself.
The glance was brief. It could not even be called a warning. In the next moment, Wendigo's focus moved back down to Selkie to see what he thought to gain from this man.
RE: Abandon The Darkness - Selkie. - 6/15/2026
Selkie had seen the glitter in the coyote's eyes, in those brief seconds before it lunged. And did not think this was the same sort of hunger, not even in the click of teeth- but he did not like it regardless.
For a moment he hesitated, fur prickling.
Then Wendi materialized out of the grass, doing the looming thing he was very good at. In his teeth he carried a huge flat leaf, dangled pointedly in front of Selkie's face.
He was a little prickly about how closely bráthair had been watching him since the attack. But also, this wolf was not small like those other pups- or like a coyote- so he would be quietly thankful for it. "Oh!" He brightened, tail wagging. For his treasures!
"Look who ah found," he said, squinting dark-eyed at the (extremely large) traveler. "'E's very rude. Are ye lookin' for somethin'?" Ears perked. "Or are ye jus' tryin' to scare us?"
For a moment he hesitated, fur prickling.
Then Wendi materialized out of the grass, doing the looming thing he was very good at. In his teeth he carried a huge flat leaf, dangled pointedly in front of Selkie's face.
He was a little prickly about how closely bráthair had been watching him since the attack. But also, this wolf was not small like those other pups- or like a coyote- so he would be quietly thankful for it. "Oh!" He brightened, tail wagging. For his treasures!
"Look who ah found," he said, squinting dark-eyed at the (extremely large) traveler. "'E's very rude. Are ye lookin' for somethin'?" Ears perked. "Or are ye jus' tryin' to scare us?"
RE: Abandon The Darkness - Rurik - 6/15/2026
Rurik was about fed up with this little bag of fur, eyes narrowing at him with great annoyance. But before he could move on or say anything further, another one decided to show up. A sibling perhaps? The newbie took to the other with kindness, something that was foreign to the dark male. Then looked to him with the same scrutiny. Not that he blamed the youngster. Rurik probably would have done the same thing in his shoes. Probably had done the same thing.
You are the one that decided to snap at me with a question. Mind your own business kid. I'm looking for someone, but I can do it on my own.There was a coldness to his eyes, to his soul.
I'll just be on my way. You kids have fun now with your little games.The male took off towards the eastern hills, not looking back to see if they would even follow him. Not that he cared.
OOC: Rurik has left the building unless stopped!
RE: Abandon The Darkness - Wendigo - 6/24/2026
A faint curve of his lips denoted pleasure as Selkie cooed happily at the leaf, and Wendi was happy to hold it till his brother was ready to use it. Couldn't have it blowing away or getting ripped immediately! If the dappled littermate was displeased with his lurking and fawning, he didn't notice; he knew only to watch, to protect, to let them explore and handle the threats like the coyote when needed. To solve the problem, no matter how great or small - from satchels to strangers to dangers. After he was sure Selkie was okay, he would go check on Grim, too.
Observing was always what he had done best.
Selkie crowed about the stranger in a flurry of excitement, and seamlessly moved into asking him questions. Which... said stranger didn't seem to appreciate, telling Selkie to mind his own business. Wendi blinked, unphased, simply watching the interaction and once again wondering what his brother wanted. Did he just... want someone to talk to? Was Wendigo's silent company finally starting to drag at him? Maybe... it was time to go back to the Howff, even if only for a while.
The dark beast mentioned that he was looking for someone, but apparently had no interest in help. Maybe just no interest in harassing an adult as opposed to a half-grown kid. Should he be teaching Selkie and Grim how to protect themselves, not just hunting???? He played and wrestled, sure, but should he be... really worrying about what they knew? That, too, felt like a good reason to ferry them back to Wisp. She would know.
The stranger moved to leave. Wendi blinked, confused, looking to his brother with a 'what just happened' frown.
Observing was always what he had done best.
Selkie crowed about the stranger in a flurry of excitement, and seamlessly moved into asking him questions. Which... said stranger didn't seem to appreciate, telling Selkie to mind his own business. Wendi blinked, unphased, simply watching the interaction and once again wondering what his brother wanted. Did he just... want someone to talk to? Was Wendigo's silent company finally starting to drag at him? Maybe... it was time to go back to the Howff, even if only for a while.
The dark beast mentioned that he was looking for someone, but apparently had no interest in help. Maybe just no interest in harassing an adult as opposed to a half-grown kid. Should he be teaching Selkie and Grim how to protect themselves, not just hunting???? He played and wrestled, sure, but should he be... really worrying about what they knew? That, too, felt like a good reason to ferry them back to Wisp. She would know.
The stranger moved to leave. Wendi blinked, confused, looking to his brother with a 'what just happened' frown.
RE: Abandon The Darkness - Selkie. - 6/26/2026
He had not, in his few months of life, been talked to like this.
Selkie frowned disapprovingly, ears slanting forward. "If yer lookin' fer someone, ye should ask nicely fer help. But if ye don't want to..." and he was already off, by then.
The boy snorted in his direction. Fine! He didn't want to help anyway. He huffed and looked back over his shoulder to gently accept the offered prize and laid it flat out before him, patting at the edges until it sat flat.
"I bet ye could've beat 'im," he said to Wendi in an undertone, busily rolling his trinkets onto the leaf. But he did not want bráthair to have to do that... last time had made him very upset. Selkie did not understand why... only that it had.
For now, bundling everything up with oversized child's paws, he did not mention it. "Somewhere we're goin' now?" They were very close to home. Did he want to go back?
Selkie frowned disapprovingly, ears slanting forward. "If yer lookin' fer someone, ye should ask nicely fer help. But if ye don't want to..." and he was already off, by then.
The boy snorted in his direction. Fine! He didn't want to help anyway. He huffed and looked back over his shoulder to gently accept the offered prize and laid it flat out before him, patting at the edges until it sat flat.
"I bet ye could've beat 'im," he said to Wendi in an undertone, busily rolling his trinkets onto the leaf. But he did not want bráthair to have to do that... last time had made him very upset. Selkie did not understand why... only that it had.
For now, bundling everything up with oversized child's paws, he did not mention it. "Somewhere we're goin' now?" They were very close to home. Did he want to go back?
RE: Abandon The Darkness - Wendigo - 6/30/2026
Wendigo hadn't been a part of the social scene in many, many a year, excepting for his moons with the Howff - and, for obvious reasons, he didn't count those much. Hard to even be noticed when you were a whelp hiding in the rafters or nest. Even had he been speaking, it wouldn't have amounted to much.
Yet still, he couldn't understand what had happened. Was this just another beast hard-pressed to find words that didn't capture the way he felt? Or was just just some big bully that would've picked a fight with a kid had Wendi not been here? He... couldn't be sure.
He was of the former group.
It comforted him perhaps a little that Selkie didn't seem to know what was happening either, but only huffed and puffed and told the stranger he was being stupid before coming back to the leaf. Wendi simply proffered it and watched, pleased, as his brother began to flatten it.
'I bet ye could've beat 'im.' Wendigo hesitated, blinking, but grumbled a hesitantly amused sort of affirmative, bobbing his head casually. Sure, yeah, he hadn't gotten to where he was in his immortal life by being a pushover unable to win a fight, but that didn't mean he enjoyed it. That didn't mean he wanted to start fights wherever he went. He simply... protected.
Wendigo just watched his brother tend his treasures, quiet until: 'Somewhere we're goin' now?' For a long, long moment, he didn't react, as if he hadn't heard. He didn't want to, but he did. The prospect excited him, but scared him. Eventually, his ringed gaze turned towards Selkie, and then shifted -however hesitantly- towards the Row.
He had to know if the rest of the litter was alright. Let Wisp know he'd found Grim, too. Get an update on what was happening. See if his parents hated him.
Trepidation unsettled him.
Yet still, he couldn't understand what had happened. Was this just another beast hard-pressed to find words that didn't capture the way he felt? Or was just just some big bully that would've picked a fight with a kid had Wendi not been here? He... couldn't be sure.
He was of the former group.
It comforted him perhaps a little that Selkie didn't seem to know what was happening either, but only huffed and puffed and told the stranger he was being stupid before coming back to the leaf. Wendi simply proffered it and watched, pleased, as his brother began to flatten it.
'I bet ye could've beat 'im.' Wendigo hesitated, blinking, but grumbled a hesitantly amused sort of affirmative, bobbing his head casually. Sure, yeah, he hadn't gotten to where he was in his immortal life by being a pushover unable to win a fight, but that didn't mean he enjoyed it. That didn't mean he wanted to start fights wherever he went. He simply... protected.
Wendigo just watched his brother tend his treasures, quiet until: 'Somewhere we're goin' now?' For a long, long moment, he didn't react, as if he hadn't heard. He didn't want to, but he did. The prospect excited him, but scared him. Eventually, his ringed gaze turned towards Selkie, and then shifted -however hesitantly- towards the Row.
He had to know if the rest of the litter was alright. Let Wisp know he'd found Grim, too. Get an update on what was happening. See if his parents hated him.
Trepidation unsettled him.
RE: Abandon The Darkness - Selkie. - 7/1/2026
Wendi was quiet. Selkie was used to this, and concentrated wordlessly on his task.
That was until bráthair looked at him, slowly, and back across the trees. Selkie followed his stare, even though he knew what was there without thinking! And a dozen different feelings tightened a noose around his throat- excitement, anticipation, worry, fear.
His shoulders hunched.
"Ah want t' see máthair and vater again, " he murmured. "An" Honor, an" Kobold! But- did ye see Lyra an' Mal? Back in th' cave?" A shiver. "When we were breakin' the chains. They tried t' kill him. An' they killed someone else!"
A frown. He was very certain they would still be there too. "Ah don't want t' see them," he pronounced, with all the righteousness of a child.
That was until bráthair looked at him, slowly, and back across the trees. Selkie followed his stare, even though he knew what was there without thinking! And a dozen different feelings tightened a noose around his throat- excitement, anticipation, worry, fear.
His shoulders hunched.
"Ah want t' see máthair and vater again, " he murmured. "An" Honor, an" Kobold! But- did ye see Lyra an' Mal? Back in th' cave?" A shiver. "When we were breakin' the chains. They tried t' kill him. An' they killed someone else!"
A frown. He was very certain they would still be there too. "Ah don't want t' see them," he pronounced, with all the righteousness of a child.