Elyse listened, but did not look, she kept staring into the flames, finding solace in everything from the way they danced and moved to the sound of the crackling wood. "They can learn. Sting knows what we can become and has even helped keep the wolf at bay. I even know a wolf that travels with a teenager in the city disguised as an emotional support animal who is there primarily to remind her that she is two legs," she looked at Ari then, a slight smile on her face. "That's what they call us. We are kin to the wolves, but we are not wolves. It is important to remember that - always. They know it too. Wolves are smart - they know we are not the same as them."
He spoke of home, although it seemed as if it wasn't necessarily a good memory. Elyse understood him more than he knew. To say her relationship with her father had been strained would be an understatement. He had, after all, killed her mother and tried to kill her too. Ari mentioned her hurt, and that was good. He was beginning to recognize scents as emotions. "My pain is not because of home, but it is my own. And forgive my bluntness, but I don't trust you enough to share it, but home... She looked away as she spoke. "Home is a friend that will never give up on me no matter what. Home is a man who made a promise to me that he never forgot. Home is a bunch of children that have every right to hate the world but have chosen to move on. Home is a young man so dedicated to his studies, that he can forget the world around him. Home is a young woman, searching for meaning. Home is a young man whose song thrills the senses. Home is a bartender that is always there if I need him. Home is an unseen roommate. Home is an ever watchful techie. Home is a bunch of dancers and their ever present protectors."
She paused, saving the most important one for last. She looked again at Ari. "And home is a teenage girl who told me 'I don't remember my mother, but I like to think she's like you.'" Elyse felt the shift of her clothing. She hadn't meant to do it, but she was now wearing a pair of jeans, running shoes, a white long sleeved shirt covered by a Batman t-shirt. She laughed a little bit, and kept the clothes. "Home reminds me that I'm human. It will be important for you to find that thing - maybe not home - but something that reminds you that you are human. The madness can't take you then."
The pain had diminished during her speech. Saying it out loud had a profound effect. She had a big family now, and one that was supportive of her no matter what. That helped a lot. Elyse stood up. "This place - this dream world doesn't work like the real world. Thoughts are a big deal here. You let your mind wander, and things could change. Like your clothing," she gestured to her own. "We're going to play a little game Ari. I'm going to let you chase me. I'm going to leave. You have to find me. No asking the wolves for help. You have the skills to do so. Remember - hurts here happen in the real world too. If you die here, you don't wake up in the real world. Be careful and mindful that you don't hurt me, Sting, or...Night Hunter." She looked at the other wolf as she got his name.
"Follow if you can," she shifted away.
He spoke of home, although it seemed as if it wasn't necessarily a good memory. Elyse understood him more than he knew. To say her relationship with her father had been strained would be an understatement. He had, after all, killed her mother and tried to kill her too. Ari mentioned her hurt, and that was good. He was beginning to recognize scents as emotions. "My pain is not because of home, but it is my own. And forgive my bluntness, but I don't trust you enough to share it, but home... She looked away as she spoke. "Home is a friend that will never give up on me no matter what. Home is a man who made a promise to me that he never forgot. Home is a bunch of children that have every right to hate the world but have chosen to move on. Home is a young man so dedicated to his studies, that he can forget the world around him. Home is a young woman, searching for meaning. Home is a young man whose song thrills the senses. Home is a bartender that is always there if I need him. Home is an unseen roommate. Home is an ever watchful techie. Home is a bunch of dancers and their ever present protectors."
She paused, saving the most important one for last. She looked again at Ari. "And home is a teenage girl who told me 'I don't remember my mother, but I like to think she's like you.'" Elyse felt the shift of her clothing. She hadn't meant to do it, but she was now wearing a pair of jeans, running shoes, a white long sleeved shirt covered by a Batman t-shirt. She laughed a little bit, and kept the clothes. "Home reminds me that I'm human. It will be important for you to find that thing - maybe not home - but something that reminds you that you are human. The madness can't take you then."
The pain had diminished during her speech. Saying it out loud had a profound effect. She had a big family now, and one that was supportive of her no matter what. That helped a lot. Elyse stood up. "This place - this dream world doesn't work like the real world. Thoughts are a big deal here. You let your mind wander, and things could change. Like your clothing," she gestured to her own. "We're going to play a little game Ari. I'm going to let you chase me. I'm going to leave. You have to find me. No asking the wolves for help. You have the skills to do so. Remember - hurts here happen in the real world too. If you die here, you don't wake up in the real world. Be careful and mindful that you don't hurt me, Sting, or...Night Hunter." She looked at the other wolf as she got his name.
"Follow if you can," she shifted away.