Mending and Stitching | P

[Lark Easton]

Lark made her way through the made of tunnels at a walk, trying not to trigger too many pangs in her back. The female paused to rest, even though she was a cave entrance away from the healing den. Of course, the healer must have heard her approach because she came and started mumbling to herself as she examined lark. Lorraine was a beautiful white female with a black diamond on her forhead and baby blue eyes. The 4 year old healer muttered and chitted. Lark smiled and chuckled, wondering what she would think when she saw Ashes.

[Ashes]

As they had gotten closer to the healing cave, Ashes had started to lag behind Lark.  This place carried so many memories.  At least the meadow held the happy memories of his sister along with the terrible memories of her tragedy.  This cave held only memories of pain, suffering, and loss.

Lark had paused shortly before the entrance and, as her intuition was always sharp, Lorraine emerged quickly.  She began to examine every inch of Lark, muttering to herself in a low tone he couldn't quite pick up.  Ashes observed the exchange for a moment before stepping from the shadows into view.  Lorraine seemed to be focused on Lark but Ashes could tell her eyes had flicked over and acknowledged him.  Nothing ever got by her.

Lorraine paused her examination and spoke with a firm but kind voice, "Are you going to let me treat you this time?"  She was still looking at Lark when she said it and a flash of confusion crossed Lark's brow before Lorraine turned her head and looked straight at Ashes.

He glanced down at his shoulder, "I suppose I have no choice."  Try as he might, there was no keeping the irritation out of his voice.

Lorraine continued with an edge of concern to her voice, "Come now, I only want to help you Shen-"  Ashes snapped his teeth at her and bared his fangs.  In a low, menacing voice he growled, "I've told you that's not my name anymore."

Lorraine sighed, "Very well ... Ashes, I'll be with you in a moment."  She turned her attention back to Lark.  "Now dear, would you tell me how this happened?"

[Lark Easton]

Lark looked at the male as ashes approacheed and listened quietly as Lorraine had a muse about Ashes and caught what she was trying to sway but didn't hear anymore than allowed other than ashes growls and snarls. She gave the male a glare before looking at the white wolf when she asked lark a question. "Sparring match, Lara. You know how warriors can be." She flattened her ears to her head when the healer gave her a look of dismay. "I'm fine, really." She glanced at Ashes for a moment before she nodded to Larraine. "Ashes got his fair share, I assure you." She grinned innocently at the female knowing how Lorraine was when female warriors came around. She usually tried to make lark into a healer, but lark didn't find that line of work thrilling enough. Lorraine huffed and went to examine Ashes. "You remind me of your father, Miss Easton. Headstrong, but a fool." Lark didn't respond. She found something to distract her and that was watchiung how the female looked at Ashes.

[Ashes]

As Lorraine approached, Ashes took a few subconscious steps back.  This place still unnerved him with the many memories it stirred within him.  He barely caught that Lorraine was saying something to him.  In her calm voice she spoke, "Come now child, I have to inspect your wound."

Ashes's hackles raised instantly. Child?  Was that any way to speak to a warrior?  No, enough was enough.  He could take care of himself.  He prepared to wheel around and bolt out of the cave.  As he went to take another step back, he put too much weight on his right leg and collapsed to the ground.  Lorraine took the opportunity to close the remaining feet between them and began fervently inspecting his shoulder.  After a moment she cooed "Tsk tsk, you can't be so reckless.  We need to get this tended to right away."

The pain radiating from his shoulder was intense.  Ashes was intimately familiar with this type of pain and knew he could withstand it.  However he also knew that Lorraine would never let him leave in his condition.  From the ground he looked over to where Lark was still standing.  This amazing she-wolf had brought him back to reality and civilization.  She was important.  He glanced up at Lorraine and gestured to Lark with his nose, "Help her first."

"Sh - um Ashes, you're much more hurt than she is.  You need help." muttered Lorraine.

With a determined look in his eyes and a low voice Ashes stated, "If you want to treat me at all, you help her first.  She's important to me."  His gaze then turned towards Lark and his expression softened.

[Lark Easton]

She waited, lost in thought. She had enjoyed the males company, or at least their skirmish. She didn't mean to hurt him but then again she wouldn't be able to sit right for a while. As Lorraine had gone to examine Ashes, she tried to eavesdrop on their little conversation, but she didn't need to for long. Lorraine had been in lnstructed to attend Lark first. What a grntleman he was indeed, but still such an ass. The female snorted but glanced at the male questioningly when he looked at her with a soft expression. Why was he looking at her like that?

"Come along, dear." Lorraine purred. She disappeared around the corner but Lark had stood where she was, back aching and still oozing; a drop of blood splattered to the ground and the females enhanced hearing reacted by her ears perking. "Lark!" Her ears switched behind her at the healers suddenly stern call. With a dismissal of her thoughts about this male who turned so soft, Lark entered the cave and found a comfortable corner bed to lie on. Laying down was a task but with a growling fit, the female collapsed onto the hay bed with a tired sigh.

Lorraine began to bring materials to her and asked that lay still. Lark did so. When the healer began her work, Lark shut her eyes, both in pain and in a grand desire to sleep. "He is a bold one. Perhaps you should try your luck." Lorraine muttered as she worked to stop the bleeding. "A value my freedom." Lark replied. Lorraine knew better than to push her. She also just didn't have the energy anymore to talk. Lark lay there quietly as the wolf worked and stared out at the blank wall of the hallway where she knew Ashes remained.

[Ashes]

Out of his peripheral vision Ashes saw the exasperated look Lorraine gave him.  He didn't care.  She sighed and turned back to Lark.  He didn't hear the comments between them as his eyes were still fixed on Lark.  She was staring back at him and seemed to linger before a sharp comment from Lorraine made them both disappear into the cave. 

Now that they were both gone Ashes let out a whimper he had been holding in.  His shoulder throbbed in pain, reminding him how impressed he was with Lark's performance in the sparring match.  She will make a good ally.  He climbed slowly to his feet and slowly made his way into the cave.

He entered silently and stood in the doorway for a moment watching Lorraine fuss over Lark.  Once the process seemed nearly complete Ashes walked over and plopped down on a hay bed on the other side of the room.  Lorraine began to tend to him as well.

Gazing across the room at his sparring companion he thought back on the day.  Though it started out in a familiar cloud of depression but had surprisingly turned into one of the best days in a long time.  With this in mind he let his eyes slip closed.

[Lark Easton]

Lark watched quietly as Ashes entered the healing cave just as Lorraine put the bandage over Larks back. The female nodded to Ashes. She knew he would better going forward. No one should have to hurt themselves to make up for something that wasn't their fault.

Lorraine sighed at loo ked at her handy work approvingly. "There you go, my dear." She said with satisfactory. "Keep off your feet a bit. I'll send for a runner to get sleeping materials for you. It's a cold night down here." Lark nodded, "thank you" and laid her head about her paws just as the female went to attend Ashes. He seemed at piece too as Lorraine worked on him. She wondered if she had bitten him too hard.

Once Larraine had finished, she left to get water and returned quickly with a pale of fresh water. "Both of you drink this all up. No butts." She said and went to help ashes as she had set it before lark and all she needed to do was stand up. It was a task and a small tearing of her would, but she managed to get there with a small grunt and dipped her head, lapping the fresh water delicately. It was so refreshing....

[Ashes]

His nostrils flared at the scent of cool, fresh water.  Ashes suddenly realized how parched he was, but a day of fighting and trekking through the woods would do that I suppose.  Eyes sliding open, he focused on the bucket that was placed between them.  Lark struggled over and began lapping at the water within.

With a similar struggle Ashes stood and limped over next to her.  He leaned down into the bucket, their noses almost touching, and took a few long draughts of the refreshing liquid.  He closed his eyes and let the water course through him, feeling it seep into his weary muscles.

Letting his eyes open again, Ashes looked at Lark still standing before him.  "If you're going to work with me, you deserve to know the truth," Ashes whispered so only she could hear him.  "My name is Shen, my sister's name was Shannon, and she was seduced and murdered by Origin a year and a half ago.  I plan to hunt them down and destroy every last one of them.  Are you with me?"

[Lark Easton]

Lark licked at her lips as Ashes had his fill. She glanced at him before meeting his gaze as he spoke. She learned now of his true name and the female nodded with understanding. It was sad to learn that he had lost his sister to an Origin. They were ruthless beings. Lark shared a dislo me for them, sometimes pity. It softened her heart at Ashes to learn that her wanted her to join him; soft because Ashes was looking for revenge and he shouldn't think that way. "Go after a band of rogues?" She asked in disbelief, "give me z break." She said, laying down next to the pale of water. "We are in no condition to go out on a hunt for blood." Then she grinned, "besides, you already had a taste of blood for one day."

[Ashes]

Ashes flashed a big toothy grin and chuckled.  "Oh Lark, of course not right now."  Laughing was a strange, unfamiliar sensation, like warmth running along his fur.  He glanced down from his shoulder to his paw, "We need to heal.  But when I go, and believe me I am going, I want you with me."

He knelt down and took a few more dregs of water.  "I've had my fill of blood for today, and it was incredible.  I hope you feel the same."

[Lark Easton]

Lark chuckled at Ashes. "It was very thrilling." She tilted her head slightly. "When we are healed, I will go with you, but to patrol the borders." She thought he was thinking vengeful thoughts and she didn't want to kill anyone if they hadn't harmed her first. It was one thing if a pack of Origins came to the village; another when it came to killing for pleasure. "Rest is what we need." She reminded him lightly. "Then we will hunt with a righteous purpose." She smiled at him patiently.