Born to love, forced to be sick
3-3-3 OC

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Speech Emotional Actions Thoughts

Vespertine stood silently in a field, staring down at a stream of water. Her eyes narrowed softly at the reflection of herself, watching it ripple in the water. Every tangle in her fur, every breath reminded her, somewhere, of what life was like, but...she couldn't pull the memories forwards; everything was foggy and fixed behind a haze she could not break.

Slowly, the female laid down, ears flicking softly at the sounds of birds and the grunts of elk. Everything was so distant it felt like a fever dream, and gods, did she know what those felt like. Her stomach began to burn and twist. When had she truly eaten last besides near-rotten scraps? She couldn't truly recall, not anything...good at least. She'd stolen a few meals from other animals, ones she probably should have feared but lacked that instinct to do so.

For now, she lay hidden within the fog that settled along the earth, basking in the early morning cold. Every breath was crisp, a reminder, even to her barely concious brain, she was alive in some form, even if it didn't feel like it now a days.

Guilt weighed heavily on Kirain’s heart after her encounter with the strange woman and Eilidh. She had been so desperate to protect that she’d shown no grace to the she-wolf who had wandered into the Rise. Thinking back, the poor thing had looked dreadful, her fur matted and filthy, her muzzle frothing, her body thin to the point of frailty. Far too thin for comfort.

So, that morning, Kirain set out to find her, to apologize, and to make sure she was all right. Stopping by a cache along the way, she gathered two rabbits before putting her nose to work. It wasn’t difficult to track the stranger down, even through the fog that drifted low over the ground. Her scent was unmistakable, and unpleasant. She was clearly still in poor condition, and Kirain’s guilt only deepened as she followed the trail.

When she finally spotted the woman by the water’s edge, dull-furred and pitiful in her solitude, Kirain slowed her approach. Gently, she placed the rabbits before her as an offering, then retreated a few careful steps.

Hello there, she began softly. I… I wanted to apologize for the way we met the other day. That wasn’t very kind of me. I’m Kirain, one of the leaders here in Camhanaich. Her voice was warm, her expression open and earnest. Are you all right? Do you need help? I hope you don’t mind that I brought food, you look hungry. Is there anything I can do for you?

Settling into a sit, Kirain watched the stranger with silver eyes full of quiet concern.

Born to love, forced to be sick
3-3-3 OC

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Speech Emotional Actions Thoughts

The female lay by the stream, barely alert enough to hear the approaching wolf until she spoke up. Sluggishly, Vespertine lifted her head to look at the white wolf, remembering faintly this was...the mother of the pup she'd been trying to help. Slowly, she sat up and looked to the white wolf once more.

Sor...ry

The word was choked, gargled even as she spoke around the mucus within her throat.

Jus wan-ted tu helph...Have my...own?

She struggled with words; hazy and muddled words seemed to fall from her jaws, and slowly she lowered her head. Did she have kids? She remembers small faces, faces that didn't have their eyes opened. Were they hers? She didn't know, but she knew that the feeling had risen to help that pup as best as possible. A mother's instinct was bone deep, not mental; it was simply woven into the soul.

Immediately, it was clear something was dreadfully wrong with the stranger. Her words came out sluggish and uneven, as though each one was a struggle to form. Kirain’s brow furrowed as she silently studied the she-wolf before her.

No, I’m the one who’s sorry, she murmured gently. I appreciate you trying to help my daughter. I just didn’t understand what I was seeing, and she was so distressed. You have children of your own?

Her expression softened. Wonderful little things, aren’t they? Absolute lights of my life.

Her voice faded as her eyes lingered on the stranger’s ragged form. The poor creature needed help, that much was obvious, but how much could she offer without seeming overbearing? The last thing she wanted was to drive her away.

You should eat, she said after a pause. It doesn’t look like you’ve had a decent meal in some time. Perhaps, once you’re done, I can help you get cleaned up, and then find you a place to rest? You’re more than welcome here within Camhanaich. This is a safe space for all those in need.

The little dame didn’t know what to expect, nor quite how to proceed. All she knew was that she wanted, more than anything, to help.