The Wordless Ones have a Pack

[Elyse]

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.

[Aristomenes]

She described the things that were meaningful for her, with words on wings. It seemed to him that she meant to build something out of a former disarray. He admired her construction, since it seemed he had only begun his own. He was.glad that she had told him even this much. It meant he was right, to walk into the clearing, even though he would have been so easy to kill. And that would have been a shame, although he wasn't quite sure why yet. It was something he had yet to do. 

But when she told him the rules of the jungle, he fell into a different kind of attention. Like a soldier being briefed on his target, he put her words into practice. His camouflage stopped shifting like a greasy ocean current across his face, and revealed his own self. His clothes grew solid and lasting. And he broke into a smile as she suggested a game, this time friendly. 

He threw back his head and laughed richly as she took off. Out of habit he took his rifle, too old a habit to be shed. But he slung it easily over his shoulder, and put his nose to the air. Powerful strides carried him in her direction. Always, he kept his senses open to the terrifying monsters his two legged friend had warned him about. "I am very good at this..." He said it loudly to the rustling leaves, and laughed again. Night Hunter again sent the image of the young cub, learning to hunt; this time, the cub fell dramatically, and landed in a pile of bear dung. "Gah, so little faith. Do not help me, she has commanded it!" 

He bounded after her down the syrian coast, and broke along the Euphrates. Soon mountainous persia whipped their hair with the wind, and burned their cheeks. For a few long, thrilling moments, he felt the joy of the chase. He found even more satisfaction as he was made to pause, and rummage for a track, or a scent. Her skill pleased him. Perhaps she would be a part of his new life. He began to be consumed by this hope, because without the army he had no purpose.

A tibetan monastery stood lonely on a snowy peak. He watched her tearing towards it, and he howled with happiness, and launched after her. The snow flakes billowed about him as his swift athletic strides made it look easy, in the deep snow. His need to hunt was different than this. This was a lot more fun.

[Elyse]

Elyse moved, mindful that Ari was following. She traveled farther than she had before into territories had not known, somehow aware that Marta had done the same already. She had to go into the dream with Marta again sometime. She would really learn that way. Still she wore the clothes usually did - a tribute to the teenager that had claim her as family.

When Elyse arrived at the monastery, she waited for Ari to arrive, sitting on the steps. He approached and she smirked. ”Tired yet?”

She didn’t give him long to respond. Elyse stood up. ”Shifting - you can instantly travel somewhere hold it tight in your mind and you can go there. If it’s far away, you might have to shift often. If you’re unfamiliar, it might be harder. Heading back to Moscow. I’ll be in the city. Find me there.

It took several shifts for Elyse to end up in Moscow. She went to the Sanctuary of the Ascendant Flame. Elyse wasn’t a believer in their religion, but it should hopefully be easy for the pup to find.

[Aristomenes]

He smiled in response, and stopped in front of her. He listened carefully as Night Hunter shook his fur free of the snow. And then she disappeared, the game still in effect. He laughed, and thought about what she had said. Here, intention was the driver of these changes. He had been in places like this before, but the cold hardly bit into him until he acknowledged it.

The world blurred and he stepped across the land. Then St. Basils cathedral, and smaller steps, with his nose to the wind. He remembered the city well enough. If he ever had to walk the streets of Moscow again, he would have to be careful. The sanctuary appeared to him now as an ominous force. Even if he is a god, it seems unwise.

Ari walked up the imposing steps and onto a clearing before it's impressive facade. He found her, and approached. "The devotees of ascendency gather here, but not you. Aren't you grateful that he saved us from the bomb?" His eyes sparkled with sarcasm. The things he had read about the place reminded him of the army, and how you could be surrounded by friends and never receive the trust of a true pack.

[Elyse]

He followed, seemingly picking up the idea quickly. She sat on the steps outside the sanctuary. She watched him approach, a vast difference from the hunter before. Her goal in her teaching had been mostly to make sure he reminded himself that he was human. That besides the basics of the dream. He already seemed less grim and had a sense of humor.

Ari’s jibe was just that - a jibe, but he had made an assumption. She wanted to know why. ”You assume that I’m not a devotee of the Brotherhood, Waiting Cobra, was it? How do you know this? Perhaps I picked this location for that reason. Perhaps you just insulted my faith.”

Elyse wasn’t a follower of the Brotherhood, but assumptions were dangerous. ”Im not and you didn’t insult me, but it’s safer to not do so. Anyone could be a friend - or an enemy. I’d still like to know how you came to your assumption that I wasn’t a member, but I advise caution. Especially since I’m usually pretty bad at it.”

A lack of caution had gotten her in trouble with her father. Had she kept her secret, her parents would still be alive. But she’d still be hiding. She didn’t regret her decision, but it didn’t mean she still didn’t question whether it was right.

”Another lesson - if you’re here dreaming, you’re not sleeping - at least not as well. Spending too much time here will exhaust you. Get some real sleep sometimes. Allow your body and mind to rest.” She sighed and stifled a yawn. ”Woth that said, I do have a job and need to get some real sleep. Practice is good. The wolves are also a good resource for learning. They’re experts here, and are usually willing to impart some knowledge. They’ll also be better at telling you how to get out - I just sort of do it. But remember, you’re human, and to get rest.” she smirked. ”Good to meet you Ari the Waiting Cobra of Istanbul.”

[[OoC: She hasn’t left yet so you can feel free to interact with her more. She’ll wait around for a bit, but you may mod her leaving if you don’t have anything for her]]

[Marta]

Marta entered the dream with Splash, intending to explore the woods more. She would avoid the cave. Ricky hadn't investigated it yet. At least, as far as she knew he hadn't. Ricky was changing and not in a bad way. More of his original personality was coming back. He was still concerned for his charge, but he was beginning to learn that Marta was very capable of taking care of herself, and she had plenty of people looking after her. Marta was growing, and even though now she was feeling okay, she felt the slight twinge of anger within her, burning softly in the background. She would need to find an outlet for that.

Marta was about to shift to the woods when a familiar scent came into her nostrils. Elyse! Elyse was in the dream. That was odd, Elyse hardly ever came to the dream. She hated it here. Splash sent her images. Elyse wasn't alone, she was with another wolfkin - a man. Marta sniffed the air, finding out where she was. Marta found the direction and shifted, finding herself outside the Sanctuary of the Ascendant Flame. Elyse was sitting on the steps and the man was there as well.

"Elyse! What are you..." her voice trailed off as she noticed what Elyse was wearing - a Batman t-shirt covering a long sleeved white shirt, jeans, and a pair of running shoes. Marta looked down. She was wearing the same thing.

Marta had always known that Elyse cared for her, but she hadn't really truly understood the scope at which the woman loved her. Marta had been honest when she told Elyse she saw her as a mother figure. She had been at the house once and had woken up to see that Sky had projected an image of the two of them when Elyse's alarm went off. It hit her then. Marta was the reason Elyse got out of bed in the morning. She was the reason Elyse hadn't ended everything when things got bad.

It was a simple thing. Clothing. But the message it sent was something special. Marta went to Elyse and gave her a hug, knowing that the stranger was watching. Words didn't need to be said between Elyse and Marta. The hug said enough. Splash padded next to her and sat down as Marta turned eyes to the stranger. "Who's this? Do we have a new packmate?"