DotW - Winds and The One (Gabitrix x Vasilis RP)

Amber eyes squinted against the cold wind that buffeted the thick fur of the large dark male. His pointed, cut ears were flat against his head to keep the intruding gusts out. He slipped in and out of the long shadows cast by the towering forest trees in Aryn lands. Twilight had come, and Vasilis was on the prowl. For now there was no exact intention or destination. His outing to Wispwood was a mixture of things. Scouting, keeping an eye out for prey, but most importantly learning the lay of his new home.

Long legs stretched as he moved quietly over thick pads of moss and easily leapt a long fallen and half rotted tree. A firm gaze took note of the many intricate details of the damp woodland, though it grew progressively more difficult to see the deeper he pushed into Wispwood.

The scents were overpowering, as they often could be in such a constantly wet environment. Rotting leaves, stagnant water pools, and a fishy tang all assaulted his nasal passages. Nevertheless Vas found the place intriguing and, in fact, quite peaceful. Something that was fairly new to him...peace and tranquility.

Vasilis slowed to a stop and raised his head to cast a stern look around. His chest expanded, nostrils flaring as he took in the damp air. Mist swirled and twisted with the wind, pulling the fur over his nape and cheeks off to the side. Above the trees swayed and rattled. Leaves dropped from the trees, turning and dancing on the way down, and the male had to wonder...if it was this windy this deep in the wood just how much stronger were the gusts out in the open?




She had gone out to simply gather a few herbs that they were running low on. Her strength had been minimal these past weeks since the Blutwald fight and Gabitrix simply chalked it up to sleeplessness and stress. She would take a break, as soon as the store-den was organized and she knew all was in order for the other Vicars. She normally wouldn't take so much responsibility upon herself, but Gabitrix had made Lady Athena a promise that she would be useful, and that she would do her job and help keep this pack safe. The pale female intended to keep that promise; rest could always wait.

The wind had taken her by surprise however, the strong gusts almost knocking her over as she tried to make her way back. Narrowed green eyes had spotted the Wispwood and the thought of sanctuary drove the pale female to fight her way within it. By the time she pushed through, Gabi' was panting heavily, her side heaving and chest straining. It didn't stop her from recoiling back a step once her eyes settled on the unknown male also taking shelter here.

Ears flatten and green eyes widen in surprise before she speaks, a heavy foreign accent sliding off her words, "I am.. so sorry," she pants, attempting to catch her breath, "I did not mean to intrude.. The wind is just... it is difficult.." Gabi' shakes her head slightly, slender haunches folding beneath her to allow her to sit.




At the sound of heavy breathing, Vasilis' ears cocked off to the side. His head followed in that direction, gaze landing on a pale feminine form that appeared like a specter through the shifting mist. When she looked at him, he noticed her hesitation and his mouth hardened. The only other movement was the lifting of his brows as she spoke, and then his head inclined just a bit.

"It's no intrusion." the male responded in his baritone before he took a step closer. "I was just looking around. I'm..new." Vas, being used to having to look his masters in the face while avoiding eye contact, kept his unwavering eyes trained on the females' visage.

"My name is Vasilis."




Despite her heavy breathing, Gabi manages a warm smile. "A pleasure to meet you Vasilis," she murmurs, her voice less strained now that she's caught her breath. "My name is Gabitrix. Welcome to Aryn Vasilis.. I promise it is not always this.. Windy. " she chuckles gently. Her features were kind, though her emerald eyes betrayed her exhaustion. Despite this Gabi' keeps the welcoming smile upon her slender muzzle. " If you need a guide, perhaps I could help show you around a little once the wind dies down?"




The male's head swayed in a nod at Gabitrix's offer, his eyes softening to a warm gaze. "I would like that. If I may ask, what are you doing out in this wind?"

As if on cue, the wind gusted up furiously. Leaves slapped Vasilis on the side of his body and face and he had to squint his eyes and pin his ears again until it subsided. With less outer ear came less protection for his inner ear. Again the mist swirled and thickened, almost entirely obscuring Gabi from Vas' view. With night quickly setting in the lands were growing darker by the minute. Crickets were beginning to chirrup and in the deeper part of the woodland an owl hooted a mournful song. Plus the dropping temperature only made the fog worse so he moved in closer until the white female was in view once again.




She opens her mouth to speak when the wind rips through the Wood, causing her to squint her eyes and turn her head away from the leaves and twigs that whiz past with alarming speed. Gabi' waits for the wind to die once more before sighing and returning her attention back to Vasilis. She notes he's come closer, making it easier to see him him through the wind and mist that swirled around them. "I was searching for some herbs that we are short on within our stock.. a few only grow out this way. I am a Vicar, a healer," she murmurs gently, a warm smile settled upon her muzzle.

Gabi's shoulders hunker over as the wind whips up once more, ruffling her majorly pale fur and fluffing her cheeks. The action brings a faint wince, the pain in her shoulder radiating down her left side. She sighs, rolling the shoulder gently before giving an apologetic look, "Not all in Aryn are warriors.. I learned this the hard way," she chuckles gently.




Vasilis's ears pressed forward when Gabi winced and he frowned gently. The second wolf out of two that he'd met that was hurt. There must have been a battle, something Bloom had failed to tell him.

"What happened here? I met another that was injured as well." his deep voice boomed through the fog, the faint glow of his amber eyes in the dark narrowing to slits. This concerned Vas. If dangers lurked in the vicinity he wanted..needed..to know.




She purses her lips together thoughtfully, a gust of wind ruffling her fur, "There was a battle.. a misunderstanding between Aryn and the wolves of Blutwald.. what is done is done I'm afraid," Gabi' murmurs sadly. She was born in a pack built on the foundations of war, however they were not the warriors. Invaders were always at their borders and one day, their kindness became their weakness and her pack was massacred from the inside out. Gabitrix used it as a lesson, that while sometimes violence was necessary, it should never be the only answer..

Gabitrix narrows her green eyes against the wind, muzzle tugging down into a frown, "I do hope this wind storm is over soon..." she mutters distastefully, her tail tucking around her back paws for warmth as a chill begins to set in through her thick fur.




His tongue slid out from between his teeth to swipe over his nose as she told him of what had happened. A deep sigh disturbed the fog before his mouth before he tilted his muzzle up to the sky, eyes looking to the dark trees that rattled and beat against one another.

"Violence is inevitable. No matter the best intentions of one..another will show up to to throw their weight around." he looked again to Gabi, taking notice of her discomfort and, truly, feeling the chill on his own skin as the cold leeched through his pelt.

"It's dark anyway. Let's head back to the dens. Maybe you can show me around in the morning? Hopefully the wind will die out by then." Vasilis moved nearer to Gabitrix, his paws taking him past her a few steps before he stopped to look over his shoulder to the lady in white.




She nods her head knowingly as Vasilis speaks, a soft sigh escaping her slender muzzle but barely audible above the howl of the wind. As he stands and mentions getting back to the den Gabitrix's green eyes flit to the side hesitantly. She really needed those herbs.. but he was right. It was already dark and striking out on her own in this weather would be irresponsible, especially with her not feeling well.

Her head lifts as he walks by and she nods in agreement, "Of course. I would love to take you in the morning." She stands slowly, her ears twitching to the slight twinge in her shoulders before she moves forwards to walk beside him. This new wolf, this Vasilis, he seemed like a good soul. Gabitrix liked to think the best of everyone, but he was kind with her and she had great hope for him within Aryn's ranks.

Green eyes peer past the thick bunching of trees and grins faintly, "After you!" She was pretty confident she would simply blow away.




His eyes slid over to peer at Gabi from the corners, a little smirk turning up one side of his muzzle when she urged him to go first. "Gladly." the male responded before lowering his head, flattening his ears, and pushing forward into the open.

As soon as he stepped out of the protection of the woods the wind blasted him like an attacker. Vas squinted his eyes and waited for Gabitrix to join him, for when she did he would move around to make sure his larger frame would block some of the female from the vicious winds. A glance would be given as they pushed on, making sure her shoulder wasn't giving her too much trouble. "So what do these plants that you need look like? We can search for them while you show me around tomorrow." two birds with one stone, and they would both benefit.




She smiles sheepishly, although gratefully, as Vasilis blocks the wind and Gabi' darts out quickly behind and beside him, keeping her ears back and head low. Sticking closely to his side, she realized that she hadn't really been this close to another wolf besides Alcatraz in a long time. She was starting to think she had some personal space issues... A sharp gust of wind causes her to suck in a breath and press against Vasilis' side, muttering under her breath. "Goodness.." Gabi' murmurs, before she raises green eyes at his question.

"Barberry.. I was speaking to another Vicar the other day and he said he was going to try to find some, however it is on the edges if not past our territory.. I am not totally sure of it's location honestly, but it would be a lifesaver to have within the healing den." she sighs gently, "I believe it is kind of grown as a bush.. green, possibly red leaves? I wish healing was a up-front art, but honestly I am still learning many things," she drawls, her words drowning out with another buffeting of wind as they walk back towards the main den.




Vasilis braced himself as Gabi pressed her side closer to his. Cursed wind! One ear was cocked toward the pale lady as she described the plant to him. "Barberry." he muttered under his breath, a curt nod making his head jerk in understanding.

For the remainder of the walk he remained silent until the dens came into sight. He exhaled a long breath of gratitude for their arrival, eyes turning down to Gabitrix and a small smile turning up the corners of his scarred mouth.  "I look forward to morning." he said in his low baritone as they slowed to a stop before the dens. "Till then."

He would wait for her to respond before he gave a flick of his tail and a nod to the female just before slipping into the dens.




She walked swiftly beside the male, keeping her head low until they arrived at the dens. Standing quietly as he said his farewell, Gabitrix dipped her head gently and offered a warm smile, "Until the morning. Thank you so much for your help Vasilis, it was a pleasure meeting you!" She stands quietly, watching him move off before slipping into her own den, the ache in her shoulders making her back and chest throb.

The Next Morning: Dawn

The sun had just crested the horizon. The sky was smeared in vivid shades of pink and purple, the few thin streaks of clouds high above forecasting a beautiful day ahead. The ferocious wind of the day before had died to soft, variable sighs. Paw steps crunched gently on the colorful leaf litter, a dark face peering into the shadows of the den. The head lowered, dropping a mouthful of plant life at those large paws before the jaws parted and the deep voice rumbled into the shadows.

"Gabitrix, are you within?" she may have risen while he'd been out in the pre-dawn, and Vasilis hoped he hadn't missed her.




The crunching of paws was actually what woke her, though it took her a moment to get oriented and blink the sluggish sleep from her green eyes. What times was it? She had meant to wake up much earlier then now. Her whole body hurt, perhaps from the buffeting of the wind or maybe it was just everything finally catching up with her. Ears flick to a familiar voice and Gabi' lifts her head, a faint smile unfolding as she pushes herself stiffly to her paws and makes her way towards Vasilis. "Good morning dear. What do you have there?" she questions curiously, green eyes flicking to the plants at his large paws.




He waited patiently as Gabitrix moved groggily to the mouth of the den and asked him what he had. His eyes lowered to the plants piled there, the bright red fruit was clustered heavily around pink-tinged green leaves. A small sheepish chuckle came from the male. "I hope it's barberry. I got up earlier and decided I might as well try to find it. It was a unique plant and it kinda fit the bit of description you gave me. It was the only bush I found with any kind of red on the leaves."

The male's eyes focused on Gabi's shoulder, seeing the stiffness in the way she moved. A light frown tugged his mouth into a frown as his brows pinched. "Are you alright? I don't want to drag you all over the territory if you hurt." he rumbled. Indeed, a tour could wait if she wasn't up to it. Vasilis would not let himself put her through that.




Green eyes inspect the plants curiously and she glances up at Vasilis, a warm smile on her tired features, "Vasilis.. I can't explain how thoughtful that was.. thank you so much! I will have Adrian verify that they are in-fact Barberry. He is much better at identifying plants then I am," she chuckles tiredly. Sitting back upon her haunches slowly Gabi' frowns, a slight sadness coming to her eyes. "Oh I do wish to take you on a tour as I promised.. I just do not think today will be a good day," she murmurs. "I am not feeling all that well. I think the stress and lack of rest has finally caught up to me," she chuckles, a soft cough escaping her as she does so.

The pale female shifts her weight, an apologetic smile coming to her features, "I promise though, I will take you! I do not believe this will last longer then a day or two. I think I have just pushed my limits," she muses, a reassuring smile given. She didn't like when others worried about her. She wanted to be the one to always take care of those around her so when it happened in reverse, well, she simply felt like a burden.




"I'm glad to help, Gabi." the male nodded slowly when she explained that she couldn't take him today,"That's alright, no need to strain yourself." Vasilis would tilt his head as a smirk crawled up his muzzle, "Take the day to rest. Consider me your personal errand boy. Have you eaten yet?" Ah yes, the dark male's specialty. Servitude. Only this time it was different. There were no Slave Masters biting at his heels and barking demands. He was a willing participant, eager to serve and assist his packmates. He knew nothing else in his life other than to put others before himself. Gabi needed help, that was clear, and she absolutely needed to stay off that shoulder if it were to heal in a timely manner.




The warm smile lingers, though it's lost some of its more vibrant flare. Vasilis was a dear, that was certain, but Gabi' hated feeling like a burden on anyone even someone who simply meant well. She tsks gently, "No no, I will not have you running about doing thing, I will be fine I promise. I snacked earlier; I do not have that much of an appetite.," she admits sheepishly, "I do thank you very much Vasilis.. you are too kind. How about you just keep me company?" she questions thoughtfully, her slender head tilting to one side quizzically. Gabi' slides to her belly slowly, long paws tucking under her chest comfortably as green eyes look up to him.




"I'd be glad to." the male responded before lowering himself to the ground and kicking his hind legs out to the side. His muzzle lifted and his nostrils flared as he took a deep breath of the cool crisp air. How he loved the tangy scents of autumn. It was energizing, and the cooler temperatures made him want to be more active than when it was a scorching hot summer day. It was easier to get things done.

"So, Gabi, tell me more about Aryn. I've only been here for a few days...I'm afraid I don't yet know much about your traditions, or even if you have any." Vasilis was, otherwise, just kind of floundering around wondering if any special occasions were coming up that he could help prepare for. In his old pack, there often were feasts, prey sacrifices, and general celebrations for the birth or joining together of influential wolves. It probably would have been a very nice place to live..if it wasn't for their culture to capture wolves to use as slaves and if he hadn't been one of them.




Gabi smiles sheepishly at the other males words, green eyes focused on him. "Honestly Vasilis, I have not been here for very long myself. I don't know much of the rituals of the Aryn pack... but I do know they value their family and pack more then anything.. they praise the Great Spirit.. which is similar to the teachings of how I was raised.." she murmurs softly, a sad smile on her muzzle.

She lets her slender head settle on her paws, eyes gazing up at him glassy, "What of yourself Vasilis? What brought you to this place.." Gabi' murmurs, ears inching forwards attentively. She shifts her weight, attempting to get comfortable, but by the way she settles its clear she cant find a comfortable position. Gabitrix wouldn't admit it, but everything on her body hurt.




Vasilis' pointed ears pricked, his only movement for the moment, as Gabi spoke of a Great Spirit. That piqued his curiosity, but before he would ask for more information he would answer her question. Before speaking his tongue would flick out to swipe thoughtfully over his black nose. Those amber eyes would lift and scan the sky, taking a moment to watch a far away flock of birds that were mere black specks as they winged across the heavens. Vas returned his attention to the white furred lady and his jaws parted as he began his tale.

"I arrived here a bloody mess. Exhausted, weak and injured I was taken in. This was the first pack I'd come across. I'm sure I'd passed a several others in my escape, but I was running on a one track mind at the time. Get as far away as possible. I literally ran into Aryn's borders. The scent of the territory marker is what stopped me. I back tracked, putting myself out of the territory so I would not be found trespassing, and there I just collapsed. I don't remember who brought me in, the face was a blur, but I awoke in the dens some time later. I was greeted, fed, my wounds tended to.." he extended a leg, using his nose to push back some fur on his shoulder to reveal fresh scabs, "I was a slave in my previous pack. I need not go into details about those times but it was not pleasant." his voice rumbled deeply, brows furrowing together as he recalled memory-flickers of atrocities he'd witnessed and endured. "Several others and I carefully planned, and finally made a break for it. Only two out of the five of us made it out...the other one died from his wounds later that night." here Vasilis fell silent, scowl still set deep into his face while he glared past Gabi as he seemed to be reliving that day in his mind. For the moment it seemed he'd forgotten to ask more about the Great Spirit.




She listens, sadness filling her green eyes as he explains his past and tells how he arrived at Aryn's borders. Gabi' lifts her head sluggishly, one slender paw stretching out to drape gently across his own. She's quiet for a long time, her tongue feeling thick in her throat, a swelling of emotions making her feel like she might explode. The amount of cruelty in the world was too much for the heart of one like Gabitrix. She felt for everyone, she felt the pain almost as if it were immediate and real. Her scar burned faintly as she lets green eyes search his own. "The things that were done to you in your past Vasilis are horrible and barbaric.." she says gently, "But something brought you here.. to us. And we will protect and care for you the way a pack should, the way you should have been all those years.. I promise," Gabi' murmurs.

She lets her head settle on her paws once more, wincing as she does so, and sighs breathlessly. "I'm sorry," she mutters, "I wish I felt a little better. I an not much of a companion right now," she breaths, managing a faint and raspy chuckle, a soft cough following after. Green eyes flit up and she smiles apologetically, shifting where she lays to try and get a little more comfortable. She mentally berated herself; Adrian had been right, she should have taken it easy when he told her to, but noooo Gabi' had to overexert herself and now look at her.




Vas' eyes flicked down to where her paw landed on his, her white paw against the caramel brown of his. When his gaze lifted he found her eyes looking into his as she spoke. Though his face remained hard he found himself staring a bit too long into those bright emerald eyes.

"That's alright, Gabi'. I try not to dwell on the past. It was out of my control and it won't change anything, but I chose to change my future." he uttered as he pulled his gaze away to look at her sore shoulder, "You are fine company. Tell me more about the Great Spirit." maybe there was a reason he had come to Aryn..maybe this Great Spirit that she spoke of had a hand in it?




She nods slightly at his words, and when he questions her about the Great Spirit she frowns softly in thought before answering, taking her time to speak. "Aryn believed in the One, or the Great Spirit. He is the giver and creator of all life and all around us.." she murmurs softly, "He created all out of nothing," Gabi' explains, her normally elegant voice rough and somewhat hoarse. "Each wolf finds their way with him on their own.. each wolfs path being different then another. He guides and watches over all of Aryn.." she murmurs. Gabi' coughs thickly, shaking her head, "I am so sorry Vasilis.. I think I am going to rest for awhile," Gabitrix muses, thinking about standing but instead curling into a ball where she lay near the darker pelted male.

"When I wake up, I promise to finish the tale. The beliefs of the Great Spirit are truly extraordinary and do well to give all hope in the world we live in now.." she whispers, green eyes peering up at him before fluttering shut. A soft smile graces her muzzle before she sighs, brows furrowing slightly.