Sew up my eyes [AW]

[Bhu ♥ Irwin]

I had not needed to fight my way to Alonda, but my mind was far from quitting its planning. The woman we had gone to help was now standing loyally beside her father. There seemed to be no negative feelings drifting from Mother Carska towards her daughter, so I decided to ignore the betrayal. However, my logic said such forgiveness is odd, seeing as all the hell Alonda has put us all through.

But I respected Carska enough to put my mind on other things...like the fact that the odd winged child was attacking Daiade.

My mind blurred as I stepped towards the lunging beast. I was prepared to protect Daiade at all costs, however illogical my brain said such was. I need not do so, though, as Paradox took hold of the empty headed enemy. I quickly turned to the bloody remains of Daiade, barking an order at Mahal.

"Cobwebs, sap, and big leaves!"

I pushed my entire body against the open wound on the male, using my own pelt to block the bleeding exit. I could only let my eyes move to watch the going ons, knowing the even a tiny shift of my body would permit the blood to waterfall out once more.

A tearing sound, followed by a wail drew my eyes over to Paradox atop Alaois. The man had almost fully dislocated the winged beast's appendage. He had torn just an inch too low; too low for Alaois. The creature had no feeling just an inch above the tear, so he would have simply laughed if the wing was torn off at that point. But Paradox had dislocated it at the body, a place home to nerves and bones and blood.

No one seemed to move forward to stop his bleeding.

My ears flicked as Bidziil let out a deep throated laughter and I turned to glare at the man. I hated Alaois, but to laugh was barbaric. Especially when the man laughing was the one who had put Alaois in this position. I wanted to walse up and smack Bidziil, but I knew I had to keep Daiade's wound plugged. Alonda shifted beside her father, not openly giving into his disgusting amusement; but her lip did twitch. I couldn't be too upset with her; she was trying to be civilized.

Alaois was forgotten by me as I watched Helsa, tailed by Allana, take a seat on Bidziil's side of camp. I scoffed at Allana's weak nature. There was no way I could fall for her Folami antics; I knew she was a lioness, but I'd never tell. This was her chance to finally be herself and she was blowing it because of blind loyalty to Helsa.

Alaois' squeal grew louder as I watched him pull away to stumble back over to Bidziil. The wing was now dangling from Paradox's mouth, no longer attached by even a strand to the fool's body. His stupidity amazed me. Maybe Paradox would have allowed him to keep his wing if he had stayed still. But he had sealed his own fate. Now he was a one-winged idiot and he would forever be seen as such. The boy stumbled wearily to lay behind Bidziil and Alonda, gasping in pain while trying to hide the sounds.

Logan and Evangeline flanked each other as the moved closer to Carska, filling in a seat beside her that Nimrod had once stood in. I watched Jeremiah look judgingly to Lucifer's crumpled form and saw the disgust play in his eyes. Glancing to Bidziil, he scowled. Jeremiah was not a fan of Alaois, but he was not one for mutilating one's packmembers for mere pleasure; taking advantage of the loyal ones. He scurried over to Carska and sat as far away from Logan while still being in Carska's group.

My eyes pranced over to a little form that appeared from behind Hati. It was Kadan, and the boy seemed so confused. I watched his eyes go between his parents and Carska. That child had never been the most aggressive of the litter; he just seemed indifferent to the world. But now he had an emotion of indecision on his face. He'd take a step towards Carska, and then retract it. All the while his eyes would divert over to Hati and Lucifer, but never Bidziil. I came to understand his emotions; this was an easy choice of loyalty for the boy, it was only a matter of fear. He was not a kittenhugger, but he did not like reckless murder and family mutilation, which was assured under Bidziil's rule...so he wanted to go with Carska. But his eyes said he was unsure of it because he either feared attack from his parents at his betrayal, or perhaps he was not ready for a world without the assurance of his parent's guardianship.

The boy took a deep breath and made a run to place Carska between him and his parents, then stood firm to stare defiantly at Bidziil. Bidziil didn't even seem to notice him, however. I glanced over my shoulder to offer the child a smile. He returned my silent greeting with a blank stare, but he did dip his head.

The warmth of Daiade's blood began to soak through me pelt to lick at my skin. I silently begged someone to return with the things I requested. The man was too old to lose this much blood. What would Abeni do if she ever returned and found her father had died? I had heard of her suicidal beginning, and I had no doubt she'd fall to it again.

My ear flicked as pawsteps came heavily towards me. Glancing forward, I saw Alonda coming up beside me. Her eyes seemed uneasy, hateful, but overpowered with concern. She obviously only now realized why I was laying up against her uncle. She did not speak to me directly, but she rubbed her head against her uncle's skull. "You're a strong Folami, Daiade. Even if your heart does not agree with mine, I know no injury will keep you down for long." She pulled her head away from his and I saw her blink back one lone tear of concern. "I love you, Uncle." As she turned away, she caught me watching her warmly, a small smile playing my lips. Her kindness melted to boiling lava. "Repeat anything I just said, impure blood, and I will wring your fucking neck." I masked over my smile and watched the dog walk away and place herself back beside Bidziil, who was too proud to have noticed his daughter's antics.

My smile returned.

[I L Y I C H]

I reacted instantly; body springing away from Clarimonde and the horror of my fallen Uncle to sprint into the woods. Mother's furious howl barley reached my ears as I ran. "Be careful boy!" Her head had swung up to snarl as Babylon crept after me. The white coated man did not follow me.

Cobwebs, sap, and big leaves! That's what Clarimonde had said. My head spun around, eyes flaring as I sought what she needed amongst the trees. no good! This was no good. My head bashed furiously against a pine tree before me, beating its blood into my fur. Once the sap was running I rubbed my snout in it, coated myself in it.

Spiders... spiders! Now with a rather large amount of sap clinging to my snout I rushed forward picking through leaves with my paws, careful not to smudge the sap on anything. Several slightly brown fern leaves were soon gripped in my jaws. A spider web was found amongst branches, and wrapped around my front left paw.

Panic was beginning to set in as I hobbled back, glaring sideways at Babylon who glared right back at me. My frame hobbled forward as fast as it would go, tears pricking in my eyes as I realized just how much blood was pooling between Daiade's and Clarimonde's bodies. Uncle.. my uncle! He wouldn't die would he? He couldn't die! Panic flared even higher as I stumbled up to Clari.

Dropping the ferns beside the girl I focused on nothing but her; ignoring Mother as she moved in front of our troubles. Her harsh voice snapped at Val as he scooted forward slightly. "Move back boy," I glanced up at him, forcing my face into aggression. It was hard not to feel angry, but that fury was not pointed towards Val.

I pressed the healing things to Clarimonde, offering the sap awkwardly as I brushed my muzzle up towards her own in an effort to pass it. Once my given task was done I fell back, a shadow had fallen over us and I glared up at it as I did so. Paradox looked down at us, the bloody wing still hanging from his jaws.

Ew.

The man tipped his head, the blood on his black snout almost glowing against the dawn light. That is before he whipped his head back, flinging the wing in the air and caught it in one giant smash of fangs and teeth. The wing was groaned to bits and swallowed rather noisily. Not that I noticed the noise. Had Pari just eaten Alaois's wing...? That... that was disgusting. Oblivious to the expression on my face Paradox pressed his snout forward, touching Daiade gently with his violent nose.

The black man twitched on the ground, having slumped fully when Clarimonde pressed up to his wound Daiade's head hung over her body, mouth gaping and blind eyes flared. "Thanks... thanks" He shifted slightly, trying to test damage without fully moving. His doctors hovered over him and I shuffled backward, eyes tilting to lock on Mother. The gray Alpha's body was stiff and violence rippled through her. My steps brought me abreast to her, my head tipping back as with one furious surge my fury fell loose.

"You are a barbaric monster! Daiade did nothing but protect his pack mates...! From you! Because you don't give a damn about any of us you selfish frivolous bastard! W-We waited for you...!" I almost snapped, but a warm body pressed to my side. Mother's tongue pressed warmly across my neck, and with a shuddering breath I went on. I had to let it out, I'd been too kind. I had refused to let it out for so long. I had to turn the bottle on its head. "Y-you...! If he dies I swear to Skoll.. I swear Ill make sure you do to." My lips pulled back into a face crumpling snarl and mother turned to look at me. A soft whisper pulling form her.

"There's my boy"

Daiade groaned from the ground, wriggling slightly as he was worked over. "Im not going to die silly child" I wagged my tail at him in response, hopeful for his life. Paradox huffed and pressed him backward, or so I guessed from Uncle's grunt. Mother shifted suddenly, and I turned from angry to confused as I glanced towards her before understanding lit. She had simply circled me to nose Kadan towards Daiade. Uncle glanced at the gray child, smiling weakly. "Come here boy I wont let them touch you" Mother moved back to my side, touching me gently before pressing me backward.

"Clari, Paradox can he stand? We must leave for the loner lands. I think I have a place for us." My eyes strained as I twisted my head to watch Bidziil and Daiade at the same time. Paradox grunted, glancing at the now covered wound. He didn't seem very happy about it, but we had to move. And if mother had a place for us to sleep it was even better.

"To new beginnings" The bloody folami purred, turning his blue eyes to lock on his red beauty. This was a change for the better, or so I tried to force myself to believe. Paradox obviously thought so. With a heavy breath in I backed up further to turn and burrow against Mother who returned the caress. Her eyes were turned towards Alonda for a moment and with a sad blink she turned to face her brother. Paradox moved forward to guard our fronts, grinning like a fool at Alaois.

[Bhu ♥ Irwin]

"Honestly, I was not aware Alaois could, or did, make contact with Bro--"

I froze at my paniced tone, angling my eyes downwards towards Alonda, who now peered upwards hopefully. My head shifted and I saw Nimrod momentarily glance harshly over his shoulder, not at all liking my tone nor words. I had been so close to letting everyone know for sure that I was still Carska's Bidziil. I could not let any of them know.

I could not even let myself know.

Shoving the mask forwards, I hid any sign of pleasure at Alaois' misfortune. The beast still cowered behind me so I kicked a foot backwards. He squealed once but got the message and silenced, quickly scrambling to put forth his mask and stand proudly behind me. I could feel his quivers of pain, hear his almost silent breaths of agony. But he stood loyally, saluting the monster I was.

What a god-damn machine.

I could not hate the child anymore as I realized the boy was the same as I. He was exactly how the human's meant for him to be, beside the fact that his wings had proven to be mere decorations. What right did I have to despise a fellow puppet? We went about our duties in different manners, and that was simply all I had to show distaste to. I was a fucking hypocrite and that would stop here.

"Allana, Helsa, mend Alaois." I barked the order and the child was quick to make a beeline into the trees to find the materials Clarimonde had ordered for Daiade. Helsa was more hesitant, but eventually made a slow curve to Alaois, forcing him to lay down so she could clean off the wound and find the slit that spit out the blood. Once discovered, she put pressure on it until the eager child returned with the materials.

I knew Carska's pack was preparing to leave, and my heart raced as I watched the husky girl and Paradox aid their blind patient. Concern for the old man was hidden behind a brick wall, but it was there and almost strong enough to crash on through. If not for my daughter looking so much like her mother and standing loyal beside me, I would have crumbled and begged Carska to stay. Even now my knees wobbled.

"You should head out before the midday heat makes it unbearable to journey." Even with all the barracades up, a sliver of the former me coated those words. I hid the emotions well away from my face, but it seemed I was unable to do so to my voice. I did not look away from Carska, even with my wavering voice much weaker than I would desire.

"Alphess, you and your pack are welcome to stay, long as they respect my seat as Alpha and obey my laws. The humans will not be pleased if this split takes place. I would not put it past them to hunt all of you down and kill you." I turned my eyes away from Carska to set them on Mahal. I wanted to tell her to think of our children, but knew a human would tear out my eyes with such words. I instead looked to the youngest child standing on her side of the pack, the former alpha's son that had betrayed him. "Think of those too young to think for themselves. At least make that puppy of the beaten Alpha rejoin his family." I was not demanding her, but my suggestion was said with a heated tone. My pain was growing, and thus it was being masked by a growing tsunami of anger.

"Be a good example, Alphess."

[I L Y I C H]

Mother had moved to allow Uncle to rest against her shoulder. The man's chest looked sticky and badly damaged under it's layer of healing devices. When those things were remove I had no doubt the wound underneath would be thick and deep. Wincing I turned my eyes back towards Paradox and the man's side long stare.

He wanted to move, that much was obvious. Bidziil had given us his leave, but that did not mean others would not attack us. Preparing myself I glance back towards Carska and her shining silver form. The sunlight had almost given her sleekness a gossamer edge. Her Alpha stance was slightly altered by the weight of Daiade but it was true in her figure.

Mother had been born to lead. Bidziil had chosen her for that reason, and that was obvious now as the woman flung away her own emotions to react as her pack needed her to. Dragging in a deep breath Mother lifted her head high and looked to Clarimonde. "Take up his other side will you my dear?" With that taken care of she leaned her shoulder forward to entice her brother into walking.

I shifted aside to allow them to move in their oddly proud lurching walk. Carska opened her mouth not to spew orders as one would expect but to offer condolences. "Thank you for your wise words Alpha" Father's name did not drop from her maw. Her face had gone cold, a blank expression of anxiety creeping into place. She had to get her pack away before the 'good alpha' changed his mind.

I slipped after them, waving my tail towards Logan in a fearful show of companionship. I didn't know the man well, but I wanted to. I fell back to walk near him and Evangeline. Even as I slow to pace beside them my black velvet ears remained perched forward to listen to the steady stream of words coming from my Mother's mouth.

"I regret nothing, an those that do may stay. I hold no sway over their judgment, Alpha." She spoke as if talking to a child. As if she were explaining something to a wee new born. "If your humans see fit to hunt us then we will hunt back. I will not allow my pack and our pups to be injured for selfish reasons." Carska's heavy steps brooded slightly as they came to pause near the camp entrance. "I will force nothing of a child who is old enough to choose for himself... I will not order something I myself can not do"

Then her head swung around and her eyes fixed on father and sister. A smile drew up on her face, not a false smile but a real almost blinding show of joy. My face twitched in shock. Mother had mood swing problems, but I could understand it. She loved Daddy... even as he did this to her. "I love you forever and always Alonda, you remember that." her smile died slightly, though it remained in her eyes. "Bidziil" And with that she turned her back and led us out. Away from everything we had ever known. And we followed.

For new beginnings.