Darkeyes*Taipa

Darkeyes came trotting home, breathing the deep, clean air with a sigh of sheer pleasure. He hadn't realized how much he had missed it: the smell of home and love and family. Slowing down, he turned about to make sure his remaining daughter was keeping up.

Taipa was on her father's heels, and laid a gentle kiss on his cheek as he waited for her. She had matured so much since her fight with Bane, was so much less of a puppy and so much more of a young wolfess. She had shed her puppy fluff and an adult coat had come in, full, thick, and healthy. She had become slimmer and more muscular, destined to become the sleek huntress that her mother was.

But still the young fae had not forgotten her promise: she would make Bane pay for tearing the family apart. She had sworn to it. He would pay for the look in her mother's eyes: that feeling of deep hurt, betrayal, pain. He would pay... with his life... if it lay within her power.

Darkeyes smiled at his youngest, not even suspecting what was going on behind those deep brown eyes that were so much like his own. He nuzzled her affectionately and tilted his face to the sky, letting out a call to his love.

Cookie trotted behind him. He had managed to pick up their sent as he had been released. Cookie slowed to a walk and came up to Darkeyes. "Argg. That human gave me a sleeping gas. Did you get captured?"

Darkeyes*Taipa

Darkeyes smiled quietly at the pup as he came in. Yes, we were captured, but it turned out all right because they gave us some wonderful medicine. I understand the humans now, and Taipa is agile and healed. And he got quiet, thinking to himself in his now-supersmart brain.

Long ago he had lost his sister to humans, and so when Artemis had turned to live with them, he had been angry that she would go live with someone so evil who obviously hated wolves. But the v.i.t. that saved Taipa and his pleasant experience at the Labs was beginning to change his mind. Maybe... just perhaps... humans had a choice in life, just as wolves did, of which side they would serve. Perhaps it was a question of deciding WHICH humans were evil, and which were good. Perhaps the little princess had been right, and the humans at the Ranch were of the lighter sided folk.

Finally he shook his head, dismissing such thoughts for now, and let out another short howl, waiting for Moon Phase to come.

Taipa let out a yip as Cookie came in, for her father had told her how Cookie had helped them. Her tail waving skyward, she smiled quietly, in that moment looking almost exactly like her father.

"They gave me that liquid too." He said. Cookie wagged his tail. He remembered the traker he had been given. No, he shook his head. Could they try and find them again? He would not tell Darkeyes...yet. He gave Taipa a lick. "Your brother's wound gone right?" He joked.

Moon Phase

Sleek silver form, lightened and thickened with the coming of winter, had lifted her dial to the cold wind, catching on it the scent of her family. She seemed to perk up immediately, harks fully erect and stance lifted to a proud state. She hadn't taken time to compose herself, and rather dashed toward the scent like a young pup after their first rabbit. As she saw her mate and daughter, she went right for them, tackling the two in a bout of pup like intention. A smile lay wide of her face as she ignored cookie for this reunion which took far longer then she would have liked. Her tongue took turns planting kissing on both their cheeks, stopping only once the energy seemed to seep away, leaving in their wake a smile unable to be removed by even the worst news.

"Darkeyes, Taipa you have returned. Oh how dim the fullmoon seemed without you."

With that moment her nares took in the scent of her daughters pelt, catching a hint of human. Although her smile remained, she gained a concerned tone.

"Humans? You were with humans?"

After the discovery her nares came to a realization that Darkeyes too held the scent. Although she was of a concerning nature, the fact that they stood, healthier than when they left, kept her realitivly calm, and a smile still shining.

He did not mind being ignored for this once. He stepped back and let Moon Phase be reunited with her family. He smiled after Moon Phase, Taipa, and Darkeyes had their reunion.
"You must be Darkeye's mate." Cookie said, wagging his tail as a greeting. He would let Darkeyes explain the humans.

Darkeyes*Taipa

Darkeyes let out a whoop of sheer joy as he was tackled, and returned the licks with enthusiasm and energy he had not known he possessed. He had suffered to be so far from his mate, and was SO glad to be home.

Taipa wriggled and whined, nuzzling her mother and leaping about. She was now of a height with the older wolfess, and had missed her ma so, so much, as only a pup could.

After much kissing and whooping, Darkeyes finally remembered his manners, and introduced Cookie grandly as the pup who had helped him save Taipa.

He watched his love's face wrinkle in worry, and he hurried to set it to ease, a well placed muzzle pulling her dial to his chest. He spoke softly, calmly. Yes, my dear one. We have been among the humans. And, m'dear, I have made a discovery, which I must discuss with you. And his voice got softer, for her ears alone. Perhaps... away from the young ones? And he strengthened his tone to carry to the pups. How about it then? Can you both amuse yourselves while my mate and I have a talk?

Taipa nodded, looking to Cookie, her eyes carrying a message: Trust me, you don't want to hear it. It'll be all boring. Wanna play?

Cookie nodded. "That's fine Darkeyes." He said. Cookie wagged his tail and looked at her with his eyes carrying a reply: Tag, Hide-and-Seek, or another game?

Moon Phase

Silver fae looked tothe youngsters, waiting for them to become occupied with their games before slowly padding a few paces away, eyes on her mate. A smile still lingered, for not even human scent could destroy the reunion.

Darkeyes*Taipa

Taipa took a little bow to Cookie, smiling. Hide and seek would be wonderful. I've not played that in forever! I'll count, you hide! And she quickly turned about and closed her eyes, letting Cookie hide.

Alphen padded after his mate, and he sat by her side, drawing his head up over hers for just a moment before settling down to talk.

I have made a discovery, Moon Phase. One that I believe to be important to us... especially considering that Artemis now lives among them. You know that I would be the last to believe well of the two-legs, but... And he trailed off, almost not believing it himself. While I was among the two-legs... humans, they call themselves... I found that there are those who are kind to us. Those who do not wish death to us, those who truly care about our well being. It was one of these that saved little Taipa. Without her help, Taipa would have died. I know it. And he paused, trying to think of a way to say what he felt in his heart was the truth. And yet, I see against that image the memory of Kya... killed by the fire-shafts... the guns. And I see the humans laughing above her as I fled. And he shuddered, brushing the memory away.

He tossed about for a moment, pacing before coming to rest in front of her, meeting her eyes with so much love and dedication. I thought and thought... and finally, I decided... that the humans have the same choice ou and I do. They have the light side and the dark side, and the choice to reach to either and fashion it to their own purpose. And I think... just perhaps... I might have been wrong about those humans that Artemis lives with now. And that perhaps they were wrong about us. We attack their sheep because we assume that they are evil, because they shoot at us. But perhaps they shoot at us because we kill their sheep. We never stop to think of that, just as they never think that we might attack their sheep because they shoot at us. And... just maybe... they really aren't evil at all... just protecting their property, their young, their home... just as we would. Do you see? And deep brown orbs locked with hers, begging her to understand.

Cookie ran towards a tree. It was the same color as his own pelt and he blended in perfectly. Cookie made no movements, but his nose was getting itchy. He waited for Taipa to stop counting.

Moon Phase

Her harks remained perked to listen though her mind was battling between instinct and her mates words. She knew humans were evil, she just knew it. However these one's Darkeyes spoke of had saved Taipa. She didn't want to listen but mention of Artemis also kept her. She did love her mate and respected his thoughts, but even now she still battled to keep listening and gain some knowledge from all of this. As he finished she nodded, although inside she still was battling. However a glance into the eyes of her mate brought her to speak.
"Yes, I see. Although I still dislike the two... I mean humans, I can see the point you are making"

Darkeyes*Taipa

Taipa finished counting and perked her ears, listening carefully for the sound of Cookie's breathing. Her hearing was far more acute than that of a normal wolf, and so she picked it up without too much difficulty, and began following it to where Cookie had hidden.

Darkeyes nodded, seeing behind her eyes the war he felt inside himself. And when he spoke again, his voice was soft with understanding. I know that this is a new idea. I of all wolven should know how hard it is to change how you believe about something. I am not suggesting that we throw all caution to the wind and trust all humans. I am suggesting... that we consider carefully each human we encounter, and think carefully before we decide they mean us harm. That is all I mean, my love, so don't look so frightened of the concept. And he let a little smile don his features, with just a hint of teasing. But it melted as he spoke again, voice and face both solemn. We cannot change all humans, anymore than we can fly. But we can try to figure out which ones really want to hurt us. And if we do not try... is it not hypocritical of us? If the humans were of wolven shape, we would give them a chance to explain themselves before we attacked. For Taipa's sake, and for Artemis' sake... do we not owe... at least some humans... that same chance?

Moon Phase

"For them... I will attempt to understand..." Her tones were solem(sp?) and she spoke quietly with a touc of uncertainty. This was a new concept. Other then the healing lady, no human was trusted by her. And now he wished her to try and understand who she was attcking beforehand. Although it sounds so simple, the fae was not accustomed to this way of thinking.

Darkeyes

He let a small smile fall upon his features, knowing what a difficult concept this was. That is all I ask, my love. Come now, stop looking so worried. We rarely have occasion to meet with the two-... humans... in any case. For now, let us enjoy being home. And he smiled more broadly, twitching his tail against her flank. It has been much to long, Moon Phase. I missed you so...

Moon Phase

A smile crept onto her features as her eyes met her mates. With his words she seemed to fall against him, so happy to hear him speak such things again. "I have missed you as well my dear." Her voiced carrie softly in the breeze, fading away as her eyes closed and she leaned against him. Her nares inhaled his scent like it were water, something essential to live.

Darkeyes

He leaned into her warmth, eyes closing in bliss to be so near to her again. His breath came fast and he smiled, burying his face in her ruff as he murmured sheer joy. Ah, Moon Phase... seeing you again is like an elixir to heal all. It does heart and soul good. How I missed you, feeling you near me, smelling of you. Did you know you smell of jasmine and lavender? I have that smell memorized, my love. And forever shall it be paradise to smell it. It was the sort of silly thing that most males would not admit to noticing, but then the white alphen of Green Haven was not most males, and never had been.He inhaled deeply of her ruff, almost aching with the joy of it.

Moon Phase

The fairy smiled, lids holding shut as she took in his words. He spoke so beautifully, and his vocalizations proved so truthful. It came as a bout of pupish fun as she jumped back after giving him time to inhale her scent. With a playful smile her own form ounced on her mates, tugging youthfuly at his harks. It felt good to be near someone so close, and able to feel so young.

Darkeyes*Taipa

Darkeyes fell to the ground as his mate leaped away, not having expected it. Tongue lolling out in a silent laugh, he allowed himself to be tackled. He nibbled ticklishly at her underside as his form shook with his mirth, saying, Ah, Mother-one! Foul! Foul! And he shifted his weight, rolling to his feet, pouncing upon her, having a great time.

Taipa let out a bark of laughter watching her parents, and soon came to leap on her father's back, tugging at his harks much as her mother had, but from a higher perspective.

Moon Phase

The goddess kept up with her play, smiling widly as her daughter joined in on the little battle. Her bodice rolled from her mates before standing upon all fours once more. The setting sun now painted out a scene on the horizen comparable only to fairytales. The hues ranged from deep drimson, to a flirtacius pink, and all lay plastered for the world to view. her orbs soaked up the sight like a sponge, plpume swaying contently as she panted light.

Darkeyes

Taipa hopped down from her father's back, and Darkeyes came to stand beside Moon Phase, standing silently strong next to her, watching the sun set.

Cookie lifted his weight off his paws and climbed into a chamber he had discovered. He breathed silently, almost like he didn't breathe at all. He twitcthed his nose and felt relief flow over him. It did not itch anymore.