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Post by ValkoinenLeuka on Mar 12, 2019 19:31:40 GMT -5
"I don't think Mom has tried to trust human in a long time. Not while I was here, anyway. If she does let you come back, she'll want to watch you just because you're in her woods." The pup replied, still trotting next to Sam. "But if you want to be here and she let's you, at least you can come back, right? I'd like to see you again."
The pup didn't have much hesitance when it came to stating the obvious. He hadn't interacted with hardly any other sentient creatures that could carry conversation outside of his mother and the rare other beast that tried to pass through her territory. As the human's pace began to slow, the pup matched his speed and tilted his head. He wasn't certain if he'd said something wrong or why they'd stopped.
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Mar 12, 2019 20:06:09 GMT -5
Sam nodded. "I won't cause any problems, I promise," he muttered. How many times have he said those words before? It was a default response to anyone who gave him a skeptical glance or questioned his presence. Yet never had he been more motivated to prove that those words were true. He loved the woods, and he didn't want to lose them. Of course, there were other spots of forest he could visit, but he would have to share it with other people and he wouldn't know the land as well as he did here.
"I guess I should be going," he said, glancing down at the beast beside him. "I, um, will be back tomorrow. I'll try to stay out of the way, and I won't go as far into the woods as I did today." Even if the creature said they would talk with his mother, he still didn't want to risk anything. He would stick with the places he knew were safe, or, well, the places he deemed safe.
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Post by ValkoinenLeuka on Mar 12, 2019 23:18:17 GMT -5
“I’ll find you before you reach our territory and I’ll tell you what Mom says.” The pup offered. He moved toward Same briefly, butting his head into the boy’s chest in a cheeky manner. He was excited to think the strange human boy would return, and he offered the boy a grin along his muzzle.
“Get home safe and come back quickly!” He added as he started backing off. Soon enough, he disappeared into the undergrowth though the sounds of his footsteps still rattled through the vines and dry twigs. He didn’t see the need to be stealthy when he knew the woods were empty now.
(We can cut to Sam’s return too if you want)
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Post by ValkoinenLeuka on Mar 13, 2019 15:45:50 GMT -5
As he’d promised, the pup had come down from the den on the mountainside toward where he’d seen the boy leave. As he left his mother’s territory yet again, he followed the stale scent the boy had left from yesterday until he heard him farther ahead in the woods. The moment he heard the familiar footsteps, his ears flicked and he dropped low to stay out of sight.
Once more, he leapt out from his hiding spot at Sam, stopping only inchest from bowling him over again. His tail swung back and forth happily and his head was only a few inches from the boy’s face but he still didn’t seem to care much about personal space. “Hello again!” He greeted, his teeth showing under a wide grin.
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Post by ValkoinenLeuka on Mar 13, 2019 18:30:16 GMT -5
The pup stayed almost exactly in Sam's face, still clearly happy he'd returned and even more pleased that he'd managed to surprise him. "Well if I want to be able to hide, I need to keep practicing. But are you ready? Mom's willing to talk with you about the woods." He told him. The fact that Felamore had considered any negotiations at all was a good sign, especially since she would have rather just chased him off yesterday. Granted, it might be because he had seen the two beasts, and because she'd spoken to the boy but the pup didn't put too much thought to it. He was just excited at the idea that someone new would be in the woods.
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Post by ValkoinenLeuka on Mar 15, 2019 4:22:43 GMT -5
The pup started to answer, but he seemed to think better of it. Really, he wasn't sure how he'd managed to change her mind, if he had even changed it at all. It was possible she had something else planned, but the pup didn't think she would do that. At least, not without telling him. He'd never known his mother to deceive him on something important like this, though it wasn't like he'd know if she had been.
"I don't think so? But I can lead you to her." He offered. It wasn't the best statement to make, but he didn't want to lie. He still thought about it as he started to walk and he made up his mind. If his mother really just wanted to talk, he'd pay attention. That much made obvious sense, it would be his first time seeing her actually attempt to communicate with a human instead of avoiding them or chasing them off. But if things changed and it seemed like she was going to try something bad, he'd do something. He wasn't sure what yet, but something to intervene and get the human out of her territory in one piece.
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Post by ValkoinenLeuka on Mar 15, 2019 20:37:32 GMT -5
The pup's ear flicked slightly at Sam's words as he walked, his tail picking up again in a slight wag. He didn't have much of a response otherwise. He wasn't even sure what to say, given how yesterday had been a bit of a wild event for both of them and today seemed to be just as uneasy. It wasn't really a long walk, either. Felamore was waiting for them very near the edge of her territory and she moved toward them as soon as they crossed over.
She was quick to locate them, given the human's scent and poorly concealed footsteps. As she approached, the pup moved ahead and stood beside her, tucking himself close to her side. He was barely half her size and now that they were standing side by side the difference was easily seen. Felamore looked over the human again, before she gave a quiet clack of her teeth. "You wanted to come back and be in my forest?"
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Mar 15, 2019 20:57:20 GMT -5
Sam followed silently. He was mentally preparing himself for what was to come. How could he convince these creatures that he meant no harm? That he would leave them alone and be no threat to their lives? One wrong word could get him killed. That reality sank in like ice in his veins. It was a bit on the over dramatic side, but it wasn't the first time such thoughts crossed his mind. This was the only situation that made him pause to think about. Perhaps because it was so surreal. After all, he was following a giant, six leg fox with horns on his head. If that wasn't a work of a fever dream, he wasn't sure what to believe.
Finally, the short journey ended as the mother stepped forward to meet them. Without the fear and panic of yesterday, Sam could only stare in awe at the creatures. They were massive! Well, the mother was at least. If she was that size, how big would her son grow to be? The sound of her teeth clashing against one another made him flinch, bringing the boy back to the situation at hand. "Y-yes... ma'am," he replied, adding the "ma'am" out of nervous habit.
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Post by ValkoinenLeuka on Mar 15, 2019 21:06:14 GMT -5
Felamore watched the boy intensely, her eyes watching every subtle movement for any read on what could be going through his head. She doubted there was any chance he could turn hostile, but it still made her feel more grounded to hold him in the same scrutiny she would have for any other beast standing unwelcome in her territory. Her ears flicked back and forth when he spoke. He at least seemed genuine in the sense that his fear wasn't entirely hidden but still controlled.
"What's in my woods that you don't have in your town?" She asked. "What makes you want to be in my woods?"
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Post by ValkoinenLeuka on Mar 15, 2019 22:18:46 GMT -5
(no worries, I know we've been quiet for a while and it can be hard to get back in)
Felamore's tail twitched at that and she narrowed her eyes slightly. He wanted to be away from the rest of the pack? That didn't sit right. "If you come out to these woods and something happens to you, will someone show up to look for you? I won't let your carelessness flood my forest with trouble."
The pup looked between the two as they spoke, trying to gauge where this could go. His mother didn't seem to be truly hostile yet, she was only acting this way to keep control of the situation. That much at least he could tell, but he needed to stay vigilant. Either she was waiting for a reason to attack or she had something already planned.
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Post by ValkoinenLeuka on Mar 18, 2019 15:41:47 GMT -5
The tip of Felamore's tail flicked slightly when he answered. The idea that the pack wouldn't come searching for their pup was a little puzzling but she didn't ask more about it. She already had what she wanted. Nobody would come looking for him if something happened to him through his own clumsiness, if another beast found him, or if she decided it was too dangerous to have a human around.
"Very well." She spoke slowly, her stance shifting for a second before she started moving forward. She still towered over the boy easily, and the pup matched her movements with a close eye on her. "You must swear to me that you will bring no one else into the woods, you will never speak of your time in these woods, and if you are told to leave, you will leave."
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Mar 18, 2019 18:25:51 GMT -5
As the east drew nearer, Sam looked up to see what was happening. He had to resist the urge to step back. What was she going to do? Had he said something wrong? But then she was telling him he could stay. It took a moment to process it fully, however, when it did, the boy eagerly nodded his head. "Y-you don't have to worry. I never talk much about my time here anyways," he promised. "I swear, I won't bring anyone, tell anyone, and I'll listen to whatever you say. I'd be stupid not to."
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Post by ValkoinenLeuka on Mar 18, 2019 18:45:49 GMT -5
"Good. And under your promises, I'll allow you access to our forest. For now." She stepped back, starting to stalk off into the undergrowth as she spoke. Felamore didn't take long at all to disappear amongst the trees despite her huge frame, but the pup stayed, happily starting to swing his tail back and forth so hard that it moved the rest of his body. Someone else would be in the woods! He had a human to ask about outside of the woods! He advanced, quickly filling the empty space that Felamore had left and ramming his muzzle into Sam's chest in excitement.
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Mar 18, 2019 19:05:24 GMT -5
He could stay. That thought alone almost made the tears spring forward once more. He could stay! Sam watched the older beast as she stalked away, dazed and relieved and completely at a loss for words. When the younger creature pushed against him, there was no keeping himself upright. He hit the ground on his rear, but didn't try to get up again. There wasn't a need to worry anymore, right? After all, these creatures wouldn't attack him after allowing him to stay, would they? "I don't believe this," he muttered, his multicolored eyes shifting to the startling green ones before him.
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Post by ValkoinenLeuka on Mar 18, 2019 19:11:06 GMT -5
The pup turned his head as he saw Sam tearing up. He didn't understand why he was so upset suddenly and he flattened his ears to his head. Had he not wanted to stay? Or had he pushed him too hard and hurt him? The pup was at his side in barely a second, crouched down low and trying to run his nose into Sam's arm to try to pull his attention. His tail thumped the ground softly and he made a soft chirp before speaking.
"You got what you wanted? Aren't you happy for that?" He asked.
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Post by ValkoinenLeuka on Mar 18, 2019 19:28:56 GMT -5
"I wasn't sure what she'd say either." The pup admitted, lightly pressing his forehead into the boy's hand when he tried to pet him. He didn't see any reason to act like he didn't like contact or like he didn't want to be interacted with. He was happy for Sam, and he already wanted to ask him everything. He would have, if Sam hadn't said he was overwhelmed already. Instead, he just stayed crouched next to where he sat, waiting for him to regain himself. "But she said yes. Don't worry about no's for now. You can stay here. Where do you want to go? What do you want to do?"
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Post by ValkoinenLeuka on Mar 18, 2019 19:55:23 GMT -5
"She didn't set any boundaries..." The pup mumbled as he realized. "Well, mostly just about what you do outside the woods. I guess you're okay to go where you want in the woods, but just don't be foolish about climbing loose rocks and dead trees?" He suggested, his ear flicking under Sam's hand. He gave the boy a small nudge with his muzzle again, trying to coax him to his feet. "There's a stream near here with little crawfish. We can go find some." He suggested.
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Mar 18, 2019 20:09:10 GMT -5
"That sounds nice," Sam said. Little by little, he was feeling the tension leave his body. By no means was he comfortable with this yet. Part of him still thought this was one big dream. However, there was no sense in refusing to go exploring. Sure, he had homework that needed to be completed, but that could wait. He had plenty of time to do it later. Right now, he lifted his hand from the creature's head, and rose to his feet, making sure he still had his backpack with him.
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Post by ValkoinenLeuka on Mar 18, 2019 20:15:23 GMT -5
The pup stood as soon as Sam agreed, his tail wagging wildly again. He shifted in place, waiting for the slower human to get to his feet and he gave him a soft nudge again toward the direction he wanted him to go before circling around in front of him. "It's over this way. You might have seen it before if you come this deep into the woods." He started moving ahead of Sam, though he stayed just within arm's reach. He wasn't certain how fast the boy would walk while he seemed to so dazed and he didn't want to immediately lose him.
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Mar 18, 2019 20:29:08 GMT -5
Luckily, Sam had spent enough time in the woods to have some confidence in his steps. Yeah, his brain might still be trying to work out what had happened, but that didn't reduce his awareness of the ground before him. Once he was up, he followed after his guide. I really need to find out what these things are called. "I know of a stream, but I don't know if it would be the same one," he admitted. A moment passed, then, "Can I, um, ask a question?"
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Post by ValkoinenLeuka on Mar 18, 2019 20:55:54 GMT -5
One of the pup’s ears turned toward Sam to listen to him as he continued walking. “There’s a few little waterways, most of them come from the same source.” He replied. His tail twitched in amusement and his muzzle pulled into a grin. “That is a question. But yes, of course. Mom didn’t tell you that you couldn’t.” He teased. He could hear the soft babbling of the spring already and he knew they were getting close.
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*Nightwhisper
"And guilty I may be, but don't give up on me... We will still be thick as thieves."
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Post by *Nightwhisper on Mar 18, 2019 21:01:19 GMT -5
Sam, in hindsight, should have seen that one coming, but he let it slide. "What... are you?" he asked. There wasn't a nicer way to put it. Of course, he didn't want to risk offending the creatures, but, at the same time, he was curious to learn more about them. He had never heard of any myths or legends that came close to describing these beasts. Either that meant they were harder to find than many things, or they were fairly new as far as mythical creatures were concerned.
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