Taipa

A lean white form stumbled into the terra, bleeding sluggishly from a number of wounds. The most noticeable was the remarkable crimson river from the place where her ear wasn't; the kind of disfiguration that draws the eye unwillingly.

She had gone past thin to skinny, even gaunt, her hunt for the meaning of the moon's words driven her past all feeling of hunger.

But the shadows that once hung over her spirit were gone, a bright light emanating from her that only the eye of the soul could see. After flitting between dark and light most of her life, Taipa had met the darkness face to face and found it cold and forbidding.

Despite it she had entered the darkness, trying her best to help one who was trapped there, who had been eluded into believing that the dark was home. She had hoped that love might be enough. But when the dark had chewed her up and spit her out again with no more notice than it gave a passing wind, she sighed and turned her back on it, this time without looking back. The one who had turned to darkness, whom she had loved so well, now held no love of hers.

Her legs gave way beneath her as she staggered through to the main packlands, the meeting place they had used when she was but a pup. Unwilling and unable to regain her feet, she let her bod fall, tiara resting against the ground perched on a nape that no longer held the strength to lift it. And after awhile, fitful sleep came to claim the brown eyes, carrying her away to a place that danced with demons, shrieking her name.

Moon Phase, pups

The silver huntress lifted her dial, the cresent moon in the sky illuminating th beyond thin formt hat appeared over the border. Her harks perked and an eyebrow lifted in question, although it took a few moments for the small breeze them blew to bring the scent to her nares. Taipa? and blood? The second brought her eyes to form wide black holes, and almost without realizing it, she was up off of her legs and back onto her feet. Her pace showed her concern, and she rushed to the side of her daughter. "Taipa?" Her voice wavered, shaky and uncertain of the state her darling was in. Only at this distance did she realize the missing ear, and she could feel her limbs shaking as her lowerdher muzzle to gently shake her daughter.

The pups had yet to wake up, their forms spred outover the grass from where she had come. The summer heat kept them from cuddling, although they were never too far from one anouther.

Taipa

The sound of approaching paws and an urgent voice cut into the fog of sleep, ringing around between her ears. Snarling in her sleep, she cuddled into herself, now a scrawny ball of fluff. Sleep was all that mattered... the urgent voice was not important...

A gentle jarring was what finally woke her. Brown eyes batted open and lit on the silver form above her in confusion. Ma was many days run away, separated by many terras and miles. her vision blurred, and with it the silver form became something less familiar. Finally deciding that her mother's figure had been a figment of wishful thinking, she spoke wearily. If you have come to kill me, you'll have to do it while I remain prone. And do hurry up about it. I'd like to get back to my rest.

Moon Phase, Pups

The silvery mynx stood stunned, the words odd and foreign. SHaking her dial, she returned to shake her daughter with her muzzles, speaking soft words to soothher out of her sleep. "Taipa darling it's me. It's me hunny your mother. Won't you open yours eyes for me." She continued the shaking, refusing to stop until her daughter snapped back to reality. the poor thing needed rest, that was true. But shehad to know whom did this. The mix ofscents that clung to her fur were masked well by the blood that also satined her pelt.

Taipa

Taipa curled tighter about herself, for the darkness of sleep seemed so pleasant right now... but as her mother's voice returned, growing more worried, she surrendered and roused herself, for she could never sleep when she felt her mother was hurting.

Lifting her head slowly, unsteadily, she looked up at her mother, her tired tone matching her father's voice exactly. Hey, Ma. Long time no see.

Moon Phase

Alphaess like a relieved sigh fall from her kissers, a small smile appearing on her mug at the words. "My darling, what has happened to you? Who did this to you?" the words came out quickly, worry still there, eventhough soemhad evaporated with the spoken word of her daughter.

Taipa

Taipa concentrated on her mother's words, using them as a link to the world to keep her awake. Even so, it took her a few moments to force her brain to understand them, and a few moments more to form a response. When she finally spoke, it was still a little jumbled. I went... saw Artemis. Tried to talk to Bane. His packmates... they weren't happy. It wasn't quite the truth, but close enough. She couldn't tell her mother who had done this. She wouldn't be happy. So she left it by saying "packmates". It was simpler.

But her face smiled a little as she looked up, voice still tired but trying to look better to save Ma some worry. Easy there, Ma. I'm okay. Just... just a little tired, is all. Doesn't even hurt much. And her nose quested at the air, finding new scents. You and Da have some more pups or summat? I smell new wolves.

Moon Phase

The alphaess listed to her daughters words intently, smiling when they came, and even holding that smile through the worst of it. Her daughter was alive. Her daughter was strong. "My darling..." the tones weer soft and motherly, and her eyes went to overlook the wounds. Only her question brought the dove out of her state and she answered quickly."Yes, you have new brothers and sisters. When your feeling better your father and I will bring the troops for a visit" She forced a smile. These wounds were something a nights rest would not cure. It would take many nights, possible till the next moon. It was worrisome, although she forced therself to think of how strong Taipa now was.

Taipa

Taipa smiled up at her mother, closing her eyes for a minute and inhaling the scent of the new pups... seven new scents, seven new names, seven new chances for Ma and Da to be happy again. I do hope they are a bit more cheerful than we are, Ma. We were a bit... grumpy. She put it gently, knowing that her Ma would know what she meant. I'm sure they are all sweet things. And she yawned again, now attempting to keep awake. Where's Da? she asked.

Moon Phase

The goddess let a light bit of laughter fall from her jaws. Grumpy would be putting it lightly, for though she loved her hildren, they sure had it in for her. She laughed inside the safty of her mind before nodding. "Your father sleeps with your siblings. You know how he is. Such a good dad" She smiled brightly now, the moon above letting her pearls become more visable then ever. And for awhile she left herself like that, beaming,, happy after all the bad. She should be happy. Her daughter was alive, and she would be able to meet her siblings soon. No use looking on the bad side now.

Once the smile faded, her eyes darted to the moon, speaking again a bit more distant as she had before. "So she sent you?"

Taipa

Taipa let her own laugh fall, smiling truly this time. Yes, that sounds like Da.

But her mother's question perked her ears, awakened her fully without effort. She turned the words over in her head, considering before she spoke carefully. She sent me on an epic journey, Mother. And her words became soft and low, almost thoughtful. She sent me to... decide for myself where I would stand. To... climb off the boulder. She didn't know if her mother would understand, but she couldn't think of a better way to explain her fight between the dark and light sides of herself.