#;; searching for something unknown ;; tala thread

[multisuperfluity]

Continued with @yaksha-garden and Tala!

— ☽○☾ —

Amber eyes narrowed at the other. Tala couldn't have cared less about the state of the place, it wasn't hers just a shelter she had found to keep out of the rain, but what she did care about was the other's willingness to just barge in and make a scene. The wolf had attacked first she would admit to that, but it was out of self-defense (or so she told herself).

And she may have been in her human form, but Tala's fangs and claws were prominent as she scoffed, nearly snarled. "I didn't stutter. Why are you even here? Why are you still here? Haven't you caused enough trouble?"

[multisuperfluity]

— ☽○☾ —

Tala had no intentions of causing problems while she was there. She was very much going to use the unique opportunity to, for once, relax. Almost a foreign concept to her but if this place was as her acquaintance described, it was the perfect place to try. Did she plan on staying forever? No.

But for a while? Yes.

"Sounds scenic." She smiled, but she was a little jealous. It sounded beautiful, perfectly in sync with the nature around it. She was looking forward to seeing it, and the rest of the area. Something she was going to waste no time in doing. She walked on, but stopped and turned to give a a sincere look of thanks.

"Thank you again. I'll be seeing you soon."

𝐇𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝. Scaling a small mound, he perks his ears to scan the terrain. They're not hunting, but by mentioning the packs he figures it's best to be alert. The packs know the felicid minds his business, so it's his new acquaintance they might be hesitant about.

Flicking an ear back, he chuffs. " Time is merely a concept. " A jest, but when he's out here, in his own skin, he likes to slip away from the concepts of man. " You're free to come and go as you please, and if you wish to find me– " He directs his snout to the lowest mountain in the visible range. " My cottage is up there; past the pond and behind the waterfall. I'll let my brother know so he doesn't stop you. "

Maybe he should mention that he can shapeshift. If the she-wolf does visit though... she'll probably piece it together.

[multisuperfluity]

— ☽○☾ —

Starter for @themultiversebundle with Tala.

"You look human...but you're not. What are you?" Their scent had given them away in an instant, and their appearance a close second. Yet the wolf clearly wasn't intimidated as she continued to lay there in the dying grass. The seasons were changing, the weather getting colder, but it never effected her as much as other creatures.

In fact, it was the time of year few creatures came out of their warm homes. So this was odd.

[multisuperfluity]

Starter for @ofsnarkandmagic from Tala!

— ☽○☾ —

The redhead sat at the edge of a flowing river, hands cupped to bring to her lips for a drink. It wasn't overly hot out but she hadn't come across water in a few hours, having been stuck in one of the drier parts of the region. Why she ever left the forest, she didn't know. It never led to anything good, never offered her any good clues.

If she had noticed the other just yards away there was no indication of it. Either she hadn't heard them, or deemed them to be no real threat to her. She was hardly top of the food chain, but in a pinch she could run away if need be.

She was fast, not strong.

[multisuperfluity]

— ☽○☾ —

"If that's what you think, am I not entitled to live it as I see fit? It is my life, after all." She didn't expect a real answer from them, nor did she really care what he thought. The canine did as she pleased, looked after herself first and gave little care to others who didn't have something to offer her. She tried not to be confrontational, if only for her own sake, but sometime that simply didn't work and the claws had to come out.

She owed the world nothing. She owed people nothing. Her only duty was to herself.

She didn't know why the creature before her had a different outlook, but eh wasn't the first she had come across who seemed to care far too much about others. The worlds were full of those like him and Tala couldn't say she understood it.

"You overestimate me. If you're hoping for some grand revelation, you won't get it from me. You're better off preaching to a Beast who hasn't been around as long as me, or been through what I have." And, yes, she was quite sure she could kill and eat him without caring one bit about the whole process. In fact her whole demeanor remained uncaring, akin to an adult being bothering by a chatty child. She even stretched leisurely before staring at him. She wasn't a fool, no one willing said something like that without ulterior motives or a defense in place.

But she did take a step forward, as if to call his bluff. "And how dumb do you think I am?"

"Don't you care about anything? Life is a gift."

A gift he was given a second chance at. That. That was why he felt obligated to become a doctor. Chaos gave him his power to heal, Tikal trained him well. He wasn't a fighter, but he was a hell of a defensive wall. That was his role. He was to protect others, whether it be in combat, or in the hospital.

"Just because life treats you badly, doesn't mean you treat the world badly. I'm by no means some happy go lucky guy or anything, but even I can appreciate the sanctity of life. People die, and we'll never be able to stop that. But giving them quality of life for as long as physically possible, why wouldn't you want that? Put yourself in their position."

Despite his tone, there was a surprising amount of compassion in Ray's voice. Almost uncharacteristic of him. But he'd never met someone who held the same mindset he once held. Maybe he felt he had something to prove, more to himself, than to her.

"Do you want to feel pain? Unbearable pain, pain you can't begin to imagine? Pain is unavoidable, but treatable. A lot of diseases and ailments are not. But if you're so sure you could just eat me and go on with your day, prove it."

Uncrossing his arms, there was little other change in his position. But at a second's movement, she'd find out quick how strong a shield he could generate.

[multisuperfluity]

— ☽○☾ —

"Is that really the only reason? Why would you care if you're already dead? It won't change anything." Clearly the redhead had a very different outlook on such things. But she had never seen much reason to change that. She was fine as she was.

❝ i like to try and make friends, that way when i end up dead or dying, there will be people around me, caring enough and missing me when i'm gone, rather than not having anyone around. ❞ he responded simply.

[multisuperfluity]

— ☽○☾ —

When that day came, there was plenty for Tala to tell. Her world was something that held endless wonder and mysteries, but a fair share of fear and the unknown as well. But it was her home, and despite being able to traverse to other realms the wolf would always call it such. She would never abandon it, because she couldn't. As far as she knew it was still the only place she really had, the only place she might be able to figure out what the hell she really was.

But now was a rare moment she was going to let herself forget all that and just run. It was something Tala genuinely enjoyed, that feeling of tearing the earth with her claws, the wind in her fur and the pumping of muscles. She didn't think she would be able to beat Harmony, but it didn't matter.

There was undoubtedly a smile on her muzzle as she followed the girl through the village and to the porch. Though that may have had to do with the teen's method of stopping, something Tala didn't not follow as she slowed and stopped by the simple means of walking onto the porch just as the door opened.

Maybe the only thing that saved Harmony from some teasing. Frankly the wolf was surprised how sturdy the door was given that apparently wasn't the first time she had done that.

"She did mention something about you being a good cook." Maybe a bit of a bold ask from someone she just met, but the wolf had a one track mind at times.

So many questions swirled in the teen’s eyes as Tala spoke of magic and beasts. At some point they were going to have to sit down and have a conversation about the differences in her friend’s Zone on top of so much more now that she seemed to become more comfortable with the idea of nearing the village. But that would be after their race.

Nothing got Harmony’s excitement like a race, and while she knew she had the speed to beat her friend, there was nothing like giving a head start for just a bit more challenge in closing the gap. The teen’s happy howl came as she dropped to all fours and took off.

The sound was enough to alert those in the village, as well as the older hybrid in the Inn, but nothing came of it beyond a few chuckles from those down the hills. Harmony grinned as she caught up easily with Tala and then passed her. The back porch came into view. This time she had every intention to win.

Even if it did come at the cost of smacking face-first into the wooden door. The thud echoed off the mountains as she rubbed at her head after sitting back up. As the door opened, she sheepishly grinned at the look her father gave her. One of pure amusement as he took in the door.

“One o’ these days, you’re gonna go through it…” His gaze lifted and a smile given to the wolf nearby. “Whatta I owe ya for keepin’ her outta trouble?”

[multisuperfluity]

— ☽○☾ —

Tala was careful about those who knew what she really was. Even so, she could count the number who really knew on one hand, and she liked it that way. The amount of people who had even seen her shift was scarce, and half of those times she had been able to play it off as the other seeing things. There was no dramatic transformation for her, not compared to others. It was quick, relatively painless, and happened in less than a minute. It was more magic based than physical, yet wasn't about sparkles and pretty lights. It was one more reason she knew she was, for lack of better word, a freak in that respect.

It wasn't something she would get into, of course. Nevermind she wasn't the sort to show off, but she didn't think that Alina cared much about it. And if they did? It wasn't any of their business. Tala was no show pony.

The snort made her quirk a brow, amber eyes flashing with an interest. She wouldn't say it, even if her expression may have announced it outside her wanting it to, but she was almost impressed the other took matters into her own hands. Made her own space, and seemed to have little regard for anyone who judged or thought differently about it. That Tala could respect. May have even been a little jealous of. Not for the first time she wondered if she should find a cave or cabin out in the wilds and just stay there. Live off the land, avoiding people and killing those who came too close as a warning to all. Could life be so simple?

"Around humans, I see no need not to. They can't tell the difference between most things, and a night or two of being free might do you some wonders." Tala was lucky in that respect, and she knew it. Most would just confuse her with a big dog and think nothing of it if she were to try such a stunt. Like she hadn't already.

"Provided you're not the kind to give into certain temptations in your other form, and cause yourself more trouble that is. I don't think humans these days are above the torches and pitch forks."

            ALINA FELT A SLIGHT SWELL OF JEALOUSY when it came to shifters who had more... normalized beastly forms. ones of creatures that actually existed in the world in a way that society, humanity, that all beings had come to accept as natural. a wolf, a bird, a horse, whatever... those forms - while the act of shifting itself was unusual - wouldn't get them IMMEDIATELY on a radar ( really their only benefit, and the only aspect she felt envy in regards to ). it would take witnessing the event or prolonged exposure to the behavior of the shifter for it to create the unease. to i n v i t e the suspicion and judgement. such wouldn't always be the response, either, as alina knew there were plenty of characters out there who would kill to live out their werewolf ( or other "magical" being ) fantasy.

              those sorts of people were a bit shallow in the strzyga's mind. confining the situation of being something inhuman as something marvelous and freeing when so much else came along with it... but she supposed she couldn't entirely blame them for craving something beyond their mundane lives. her existence wasn't perfect, but she couldn't imagine just going through every day with nothing more to her than what most people did. eat, sleep, job, repeat, yatta yatta. she at least had c h a o s to break up the humdrum of repetitive days. granted, some of such was crafted by her, and a human could really wild out their lives by just doing something completely off the rails...

         but most of the time they'd suffer consequences. alina was better with the whole escape and get away aspects.

                   she bounced her shoulders and offered a hum as her only real response. advice wasn't her forte. she could criticize, clearly, but offering statements of actual value? hah. she had one thing going for her in such a department, and it was simply that blonde was at least better than her mom. a LOW bar to get over, and alina was quite certain a starving rat could provide more solace to a person than her maternal figure out.

       when the questions pivoted to her, she snorted. "nah, i make my own space. usually in this form, but i don't mind this one so much. i can actually sing and play music like this. the eight foot tall, bird like creature i am otherwise has about two settings or abilities... eating people or scaring them for amusement... even animals don't like that appearance too much. though i gotta say, i should really see if i can pass it off as a costume around halloween. it'd be pretty fun to be in a haunted house or something spooking people and getting told i've got a great look. would be a real boost to my confidence, i bet."

[multisuperfluity]

— ☽○☾ —

Tala only grinned. That was exactly what she meant. Most fae she had met personally were far from the kindest, and had a streak of mischief that bordered on fiercely annoying. At least to the wolf. Others seemed to merely find them quirky, but she was interested to see what the one there in The Veil was like.

Maybe that would be all it took to change Tala's mind about the creatures.

And knowing there were more canines there only furthered her interest. She wondered what they were like. Similar to herself, or the opposite? She supposed she would be finding out soon enough.

"That is one instance where I will trust my instincts when I come upon them." She couldn't say what she would do when she did find a castle, but she knew she would eventually. Be it on purpose or not. And there was a look in her eyes that said she wasn't afraid, but curious.

Still, she stretched, front legs extended in front of her before she straightened again. "But I supposed I have taken up enough of your time."

𝐀𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐬 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝, 𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐮𝐩 𝐚 𝐩𝐮𝐫𝐫. She's still a rascal if that's what you mean. Just not the asshole type. " Crin had her tendencies, but the banished fae truthfully saw more joy in life tending to nature than meddling with it. Which he's thankful for. She's been a wonderful companion all these years.

" The latter isn't necessarily true. " He continues, directing his snout towards the northwest range. " Wolfpacks and herds still claim their large ranges of territory and are pretty protective of them. Some have taken the settlements for dens, but the castles... Well, nothing has been brave enough to touch them. "

Airin slows a bit. Mischief rolls off his purr. " ...Unless you are? "

[multisuperfluity]

— ☽○☾ —

The wolf was walking on the bank of the stream, eyes torn between looking at its surface and all that was around her. Everything here was beautiful, and there was a burning in her chest, an excitement, she hadn't felt in a long time. She wanted to take off, to just run, but kept where she was to continue the conversation.

"A friendly fae? There truly is a first time for everything. But in a place like this...I imagine the best comes out in all creatures." For once she would be optimistic here, though tilted her head at the mention of abandoned places.

"And they just sit there? No one's tried to make something of them?"

𝐒𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝, his paw splashes into the mellow stream. " The Veil stretches pretty far, " he began. " Most of what you'll find is the deep forests surrounding the Carpathian mountains, but... in the southeast, you'll find the local fae, Crin. She's friendly, so you don't have to worry 'bout her. There's actually a few mythical creatures living here... "

He stops weaving through the tall grass. He tilts his head in thought. " Can't say if they're safe; I don't mess with them much. But– further north is my cottage, and scattered about the land are abandoned human settlements and their castles. " // @multisuperfluity

[multisuperfluity]

— ☽○☾ —

The canine didn't question it, though she had a feeling she hadn't entirely made herself clear when she spoke. To be called a Beast was not an insult where she was from, it was no different than calling her a 'wolf', it was just what she was. Nothing more and nothing less. Monster was slightly different but she was used to that one as well, particularly from humans.

The wolf was a hard one to shake from titles alone. She had hard to rattle in most circumstances, that's what made her a survivor. She relied on herself, cared little for others, and did as she pleased. Her life was simple when broken up in such a way. But that didn't mean she enjoy some times, even the walk along the trail was something she could relish, even if her nose was working overtime to register all the smells as they neared the village.

"Then it's something our worlds have in common. All Beasts are thought to have magic, but I don't believe it. Given that I seem to be an exception to that rule, even if I haven't taken much time to test how true that is." Not entirely the truth, she had spent those first few years wondering why she was different, why she wasn't connected to other Beasts by the same magic they all seemed to have. She could transform, yes, but that wasn't the same thing and she had always known that.

Chaos Energy? She didn't have a clue what that was, she had chalked it up to being the name of this world's magic. But she would ask about it later. After their race.

"You're on." She only gave the teen a moment before her paw found purchase under her and the canine took off with a surprising grace. Faster than her average kin, it helped make up for her lack of strength.

It was better to ask than assume and Harmony smiled to her friend as they walked. The only time it had faltered was when Tala mentioned being okay with the two other names.

“Nobody here would call ya a monster or beast.” That much she was sure of. Especially since the last time she’d heard someone refer to her father as such, those in the village had not been kind to the one who did it. “Everybody will either call ya by your name or your species.”

Now that they were on their way back, the teen made sure Tala wasn’t getting stuck on anything along the trail. While the lookout wasn’t one that had been used in a long time, the trail was still one that many frequented on their hunting parties. Deer and other wildlife were known to frequent the area.

“Sometimes the ones that use magic are pretty nasty but sometimes they use their magic for good. Depends on which ones show up. We don’t have a lot o’ magic users in our Zone but that’s cuz the power comes from Chaos Energy.” Harmony wasn’t entirely sure that made any sense to her friend but the village was coming into sight at the top of the hill. Or at least the back of the Inn was.

“Race ya t’ the porch?”

[multisuperfluity]

— ☽○☾ —

Tala was far too used to using her basic senses to stop now. They were how she had stayed alive for so long; listening for danger, sniffing out potential predators or enemies, even following the odd prickling on the back of her neck. She trusted them more than her own mind at times. She knew she had little to fear in the village, but she wasn't going to relax fully either.

She did cock her head at the question, taking no offense to it whatsoever. In fact, she had smirked. "I can't mind being called what I am. It's no different from being called a monster, or a Beast. That's what I am. A wild dog. No master, no home."

And that was the way she preferred it. She hadn't been tied down since before learning what she was, in a sense. And she refused to go back to that. To rely heavily on others, to trust them. Call them family. One betrayal had been enough, and she had lived a long time without falling to another. She rarely made friends, and that was by choice.

But rarely didn't mean never, and as she watched the teen fly to the path Tala had to wonder why she was really there in the first place. With a small snort she pushed the thought away and just followed along, while giving the teen a look.

"Your world's magic is strange...even in my world changing people at random is frowned upon. Something only 'wicked' witches and those with far too much time on their hands do for fun."

Harmony couldn’t help but giggle when her friend went in for the sniff and ended up sneezing. It was something that happened often to her when she had been younger and always had the urge to sniff something new. She had managed to wrangle that instinct as the years had gone by, but there was still an occasional time where she gave in.

But they had what they were looking for and could head back to the village to give it to her father. A mission success.

“If anything, everybody’s gonna find ya cool cuz ya can talk. The ferals in our Zone can’t do that… uh…” For a second, she paused and ducked her head. “Ya don’t mind being called feral, do ya? If ya do, I’ll make sure everybody knows not t’ call ya it.”

Sometimes the teen forgot that some words had different meanings in other Zones. Some were worse to be called than others. And there were the times she remembered being called a dog and getting upset.

Still, she gave a few flaps of her wings to hop back over onto the path and waited for Tala to join her before leading the way back.

“Oh. Remember how I said magic made me look like this? My dad’s the same way but he looks like an Angel. ‘S supposed t’ all go away after my birthday.”

[multisuperfluity]

— ☽○☾ —

Strictly speaking. Tala didn't know why she bothered with the human form at times. In regards to her own home she knew where she would and wouldn't be accepted for being what she was. She could avoid the areas where she would be ridiculed and, in some cases, attacked for being in her canine form. Until she craved violence, or even just proving a point that was. She was stubborn like that. She preferred to be out in the wilderness anyway, not in towns or cities. She only dealt with them because of the wares they could offer.

She may have been a beast, preferred being wild, but money still made the world go 'round and even she wasn't entirely immune to that sad fact. She wasn't one to steal unless necessary, even less likely to rob. The wolf had learned it was hardly worth the trouble it brought; far too small a gain for a large risk.

"Not entirely, but even you have to know how some people would react to seeing a wolf, one that can talk and who acts like more than a competent human than beast. Though I'll admit, not hiding that side of me has a certain...temptation to it." To be without human judgement, or humans at all except those she met at random, on paths or those foolish enough to hunt her. Part of it sounded marvelous. Another part of her remained unsure, small as it was. She shifted her weight at the thought. Maybe something was just wrong with her...

She could sense she was boring the other, and while part of her hardly cared given the abruptness of their conversation and how wildly out of place it had been, Tala looked at the other curiosity. She didn't care how fun or boring she was, she didn't live to entertain others, but she did expect some exchange here. Plus now she was interested. The two of them seemed to have much, and yet little, in common.

"And what of you? Have you found this so-called balance? Do have a place where you belong? Or don't?"

           STARTING TO BECOME BORED, alina's gaze was found to be flickering, looking every which way as though something would pop out of entertainment value. it was her own fault, she knew, pulling herself into someone's business and engaging in the discussion. it had been CLEAR to her the other hadn't desired such topics, but the blonde had pressed. she had been hopeful for something a bit more intriguing... instead, it seemed, it was just a shifter with humanity complexes. an issue that was e x c e e d i n g l y valid... people were complications that brought about more headaches than anything. still, something about entrenching oneself into the whole what am i dilemma had long since worn out its interest for alina.

     was she fully confident? did she never struggle? far from it. unleashing the beast was something she yearned to do more often, to have a balance between the human visage and the monstrous cravings... but lingering on that and refusing to make the most of either form was a dull way to go on in her opinion. embrace both. be chaos in human flesh but a calmer beast in feathered clothing. jam to music, then r i p o p e n a man's chest later. too limiting to consider one the cage and the other her freedom. alina was whoever she wanted to be, whatever she wanted. a demon with human sentiments, she supposed. even if the statement didn't play nice.

                     "is someone forcing you to use it?" she examined her nails, scratching at a loose bit with a pout. ugh. at least they didn't affect her talons. blue gaze glazed to the other again briefly before fingering her bracelet. "because if no one's making you, then i suppose it's you keeping yourself from just... shifting and never coming back, you know."

       animals existed. if she wanted to live SOLELY as one, then she ought to go do it. "life's too gross and weird to spend it being trapped in a form you don't like. you're already having to probably lie about yourself on top of it, the least you could do is just be the body you want... or whatever. i didn't phrase that well, i'm fully aware."

                writing lyrics was easier than chatting.

       "but i suppose you might have to be this way. in which case, you really ought to work on how to make it at least bearable. if only so talking to you would be more fun." tala probably didn't WISH to be more fun to talk to ( in fact, probably yearned for alina to shut up ), but that wasn't going to stop the statement from finding voice.

[multisuperfluity]

— ☽○☾ —

It looked about how Tala expected for something that had been lying in mud for who knew how long. She half didn't expect the thing to be stuck shut and require something other than the teen's hands to open, but watching her pry it open had fascinated the canine. At least until she was distracted by what was inside.

On instinct she had given the item a sniff, only to sneeze right after. Definitely old, but she was starting to see why the box had been wanted. The items were intriguing, namely the maps. She wondered how they differed from how the land looked now, if at all.

Sometimes answers could be found in the past, not the present. But that was beside the point in this case, she knew.

"Don't mention it." It had been an easy enough task, despite the mud she was going to have to clean off her paws. Nothing a little more walking wouldn't fix. She was tempted to go her own way, to see the aforementioned field, but she was also curious to see the inside of the village. And Harmony's father. If she was going to come back, it wouldn't hurt to have a better understanding of the layout and people inside.

"I can come to the village. As long as no one will mind a talking wolf, that is."

That small sound had also drawn the teen’s attention. Harmony stood up straight and looked over as her friend started digging. By the time she had made it over, the rest of the box was easy for her to reach in and grab.

Clearly, it had seen better days with the spots of rust covering a few corners, but at least it was intact.

“One way t’ find out, right?” Bracing the underside on her forearm and gripping the side with one hand, the other firmly held the lid and pulled. What looked like so little effort had popped the box open, and they could see the contents. A leather-bound journal with pencils, some other paper scraps, and neatly folded maps.

It was exactly what they had been looking for. Harmony grinned and hopped a few times into the air, excitedly after closing the lid as best she could. “This is it. Thanks for the help.”

It would have taken so much longer if the teen had been by herself.

“Did ya wanna come back t’ the village with me to show my dad or keep explorin’ a bit? I know the trail past this leads t’ a pretty cool cliff where ya can see a valley full o’ wildflowers… usually. Might not be as full this time o’ the year.”

@multisuperfluity

[multisuperfluity]

— ☽○☾ —

Of course there were things the wolf liked, but she failed to see how they were for anything or anyone but herself. And she was fine with that. Selfish, maybe, but why should she waste time making the world a better place when so many people did the opposite? She could be cruel, heartless even. Usually she was, of only for her own benefit.

But she had a soft spot. One so few knew about or would ever see. She had morals, though some believed her incapable of such things. She had rules she followed, a conscious. Children, young animals, they were never going to come to harm by her own fang or claws. Those who were innocent were left alone. Those struggling wouldn't find themselves under more stress because of her.

Her lips curled into a partly sour smile at the question nonetheless. "Then, maybe, that's the problem. I'm stuck between man and beast. People see me as one thing, I think of myself as the other most days. It's the conundrum I've had my whole life. I can live as one, or the other. I don't believe there's a harmony in being both. If i had it my way, I wouldn't have this form at all."

Being human, or at least looking it, had caused problems. Far too many for her. She once thought that was all she was but fate had other plans for her. And for once she wasn't going to question it. The latter part of her life had been...better, she would admit. Confusing without a real purpose, but better.

"I'm the one who fights to survive. I kill if I have to, and defend when I need to. My life hasn't led me to do much else, unfortunately. I get work here and there, but I only accept the right people."

                   BEING INVOLVED WITH HUMANITY was a problem that would likely be her downfall, but alina has detached herself from caring in the end. if something was going to take her out somehow, then she wanted to at least be engaging in a life she felt worth living. not hiding away and praying to avoid more PAIN. she still mourned eden, and the agony of what happened twisted the demon's very core... but it would never stop her from pressing forward. she didn't have p l a n s, no ultimate goal. merely experience. a thought process that was, perhaps, from a state of privilege in some regards, but a path all the same.

               "nothing? you don't like anything? no cooking or music or stories or learning or traveling? all it takes is a bit of interest in something and you've provided a value. to art, to culture, to the environment. how you live, what you eat... everything you do is impactful to something. everything you share or v a l u e. it's not strictly about giving. that's one of the few things that separates man and beast. animals will let the weak die." and of course humanity could be just as cruel depending on the people you were surrounded by.

                     the culture or community... sports and music and art and school... they left those who weren't strong enough, brave enough, talented enough, SMART enough eventually fall to the wayside. but only in those areas. there was always more, always something. it just took a bit of digging of people's own to sometimes find such. but even then, there was usually a group, a person, a community, the earth itself ready to support those who couldn't achieve in one area.

               a person might fail to become a scientist or even a barista, but a smile, a laugh, a thought... anything could take them down a different path.

    that was why alina hadn't joined her mom and turned her back on the world. at least yet.

         "ah. the survivor who fights to defend or the one who will fight to KILL? a rabbit doesn't fight back against a fox with the expectation to win."

[multisuperfluity]

— ☽○☾ —

The sound that next left the canine was probably the most subdued noise she had let out in the last few minutes. Contentness, maybe, but she wouldn't give the other the satisfaction of knowing that. Though a simple glance at the wound would have reassured the she-wolf as well, but the other holding it up did the trick.

Figures she wouldn't have been dealing with a normal person. Not that she had room to talk being what she was. Tala may have been in human form but she had failed at hiding what she really was during their encounter. Did she care? Not really.

Her only focus was on getting rest now that she really needed it. The fact the other seemed to get that, was even willing to give her the opportunity, was enough for her. Maybe even made her feel a little bad but that was one more thing she refused to acknowledge, much less say out loud.

But she would give one reassurance. If one could call it that. "I'll be out by morning...if the rain stops."

Eden paused in the doorway. They gazed out at the downpour impassively -- it wouldn't be a terrible hindrance for them, but for others... They glanced up at the sky. A solid ceiling of dark clouds.

"I am," they confirmed. There was no particular reason they wouldn't be. Their form was durable, even if its ability to heal was less reliable than it once was. This really was a matter of offense than anything else -- for Eden, at least.

By now, the blood on their arm had lost its strange lustre, leaving mainly the dark crack-like shape of the wound. They raised it again as a sort of demonstration. "I'd hardly be a good guardian of the land if this is what took me down."

Another pause. While their back was turned to Tala, they made a face at their own words.

"Apologies," they muttered, but trailed off before they could elaborate.