Moon Phase

Moon Phase stared into the opening of the den, confusion, anger, so many emotions cluttering together. Not even the sweet call of Darkeyes could calm the torrent that swirled. Her silver head turned, but her light silver tail did not even offer a welcoming wave. Her eyes may not have been like his, able to portray anything he couldn't speak, but at least they could show her emotions well enough. Just as the alphaess turned back to the mouth of the cave, her harks were met with icy tones that left her to cringe. No one? We are no one? She was speechless.

Within the depths of the den she could hear small pupish growls and voices stirring. However none of their words made sense right now. She had barely noticed the little Reverie, whom upon her greeting; her silver orbs fell to her. What was she to do? Before anything could happen she was pulled back down by Taipa, who didn't even try to look up. A few moments of silence fell over the area before Taipas form shot past them all. She closed her eyes, fighting her instinct to follow her daughter and force an explanation from her.

Why was this happening? Her first four children seemed destined to leave her. First Artemis, abandoning her family for two legers. Next Apollo whose death was the result of Artemis's new found family. Then Bane, whom had completely forgotten their existence and gone to the darkest side a wolf could chose. And now Taipa, the daughter she had tried her best to keep here, safe from harm. The sweet dove who she had taught the moons secrets. The wolf that had time and time again proven she would return even when she was weak and broken.

Darkeyes*Taipa*Mutiny*Radiance*Zenith

If I could only dream this world away...
If I could keep this bitter life at bay
If only I could ever make you see
The wonderful person you once saw in me
The stories you told me
The lies that you told me
The lies you still tell me

"It's alright, never fear
Mama's here
She'll protect you, keep you safe,
Don't you worry, stay your faith."

Did I believe you?
Yes, I believed you.
Did I listen?
Yes, I listened.
But I don't believe it anymore,
and I'm no longer listening...

Zenith turned soft eyes to the retreating form of his mother, and his voice rose shrilly, eyeing his sister with the firm accusation built on ignorance. There you go again, Reverie! Why can't you ever listen?

Radiance cuffed Zenith, a growl in her tiny voice and a fire of fury in her little eyes. Stop it, Zenith! Mama's... not Mama today. She's... someone else. But Mama will come back soon. Stop hollering at Reverie about it. Her scolding eyes still on Zenith, she pulled up beside Reverie, offering her a comforting nuzzle as a sort of apology for Zenith's unfriendly words.

Darkeyes pulled up beside Moon Phase just in time to see his daughter dash by, and a hopeless Taipa! left him, carrying his alarm and fear so clearly. His bewildered eyes traveled from his mate to Sukia to Kalei and back again, noticing that all of them were looking...

He hovered over the entrance to the little den, hesitating, afraid to look down there. No, not afraid of the pups... afraid of what they meant. He and Moon Phase had tried... tried their best to protect Taipa. She was the last one... the only one left of their first litter who was still mostly untouched by the darkness. Her soul was still bright, she had not turned to the two-legs, she had not betrayed them, she hadn't been led astray. He was almost afraid... because it meant that he, Darkeyes, had failed. Finally, he marshalled his courage and ducked his head into the den, examining... eight, no less. He froze for a moment, memorizing them with a fascinated horror before he was able to withdraw again. When he had done so, he turned his eyes to his mate, the weight in his heart showing clearly there in those pools of brown. Perhaps... there is something... we don't know it was... And he faded, knowing he was grasping at straws. Finally, his voice came on a breath. We should... go after her. She... is weak an cannot go far. But he made no move. He could not.

From the edges of the terra, the sound of Taipa's heartbroken sobs swept softly across them all, causing Darkeyes' namesake to flinch closed in pain. He had to go... but he couldn't move.

Moon Phase, Kalei

Moon Phase could barely listen to the words of her mate. Even he was having trouble with this. When he mentioned following, she nodded slowly, turning her dial to Kalei. "Kalei, please calm the pups." Then she slowly turned back to Darkeyes and gave him a nod before heading off towards the edge of her terra. Once Taipa came into view she slowed, trying to be gentle. Her daughter was not emotionally stable now, and she didn't want to scare off her last daughter from her first litter. "Taipa..."

Darkeyes*Taipa*Radiance*Mutiny*Zenith

Darkeyes half-considered going with Moon Phase, but he was very definitely a creature of instinct, and his instincts told him that this needed to be a mother-daughter discussion. So, instead, he gave Moon Phase an encouraging smile and watched her fade into the trees.

Now that Kalei was clearly visible, Zenith, Mutiny, and Radiance were gazing up at her, curious. All of them were wanting to know who she was, but it was only sweet Radiance who finally had the nerve to step forward and let her quavery voice flow. Who're you?

Ma's footfalls reached Taipa's hearing as she came near her, but the young fae could not will herself to move, to get away. There was... it was all wrong. Everything had gone wrong. From the day Artemis and Bane had wandered among the two-legs, things has started to go sour. And now... now these unacceptable bastard pups whose father she did not know, whose paternal lineage she would never be able to identify, never teach them to take pride in. The pups... would grow up without a father, and now... well, Ma and Da could never accept them, so they'd be without family at all.

All these things ran through Taipa's mind in the split moment as Moon Phase said her name. Forcefully repressing the shuddering sobs, she forced her voice into coldness. What?

Moon Phase, Kalei

Kalei 'gazed' down into the den, her pink eyes blinking, though never seeing the young one's. However Radiance's voice rang clear as a bell, bring a small toothy smile to the features of the fae. "My name is Kalei. I'm... I'm your aunt." Her smile remained as her nose sifted through the scents, working to see exactly how many little pups there were within the den. "And what might your names be?" The talk between them would most likely be short for now. Kalei wasn't fully focused on this task. Rather she was worried about Taipa and Moon Phase.

Moon Phase was taken back by the shape tone, her eyes widening. Even though she'd heard the cold from within the den, it was now the first time outside that she was hearing it, and it surprised her even more. "Taipa talk to me. What is wrong? Your not yourself..." The alphaess edged closer to her daughter, worry visible in her ageing eyes. She wasn't about to let Taipa go without trying to figure things out. She cared too much for her.

Taipa*Zenith*Radiance*Mutiny

Radiance gave Kalei a funny look, gazing back and forth between her siblings for a moment before speaking again. What's an aunt?

Taipa began to mutter to herself, though it was plenty loud enough for Moon Phase to hear clearly. "What's wrong?" she mimicked cruelly, bitterly. What isn't wrong, that's a better question. As if she didn't know. Eight pups... they're mine, mine! And she sprang to her feet, flashing brown eyes holding her mother's.Not yours, not Da's not anyones! I won't let you hurt them. I won't! Tears were still running down her face without her knowledge, and her voice was feircer still. They may be bastard pups, but they're pups! My pups... mine...And she fading off, her eyes falling away from Ma's now, fighting with her inner turmoil.

It was so many things... a shame at being bred against her own will, an anger, mostly directed at herself, for allowing it to happen. She also feared for her pup's future, what it could be for them without family...

She moved a couple steps away from Ma, not looking at her, but still speaking. I... won't stand by and watch you hurt my pups.

Moon Phase, Kalei

Kalei only let a light laugh out. "Well you see, your ma, she is my sister." Kalei smiled, still proud to say it, no matter how strange Taipa was acting at the moment. She wouldn't bother trying to explain that she wasnot from the same litter, not yet. Someday later there would be time for all of that.

It was as if she was being slapped over and over. Each harsh word stung worse than the last, and her silver eyes began to well with tears. Taipa listen to me! Your Da and I are not trying to harm your pups. We could never be so cruel to harm anyones pups and you know that!" Her daughter seemed so dilussional. What had happend while she qwas gone... well besides the obvious. She was a single mother now, but what else had happened? Who had done this to Taipa? And where were they now?

Taipa*Zenith*Mutiny*Radiance

Just one more hill to climb in faith
One more step on the trembling bridge of courage
You say that I'll survive it all
Stand right there, watch me fall...

Once my wings held me over the sea
On high with birds and angels, but
Now I'm falling fast to the ground
Stand right there, watch me drown...

Once my heart flew on wings of white
Now it dies with my dreams tonight
I know you see my shadow in the sky
Stand right there, watch me die...

The clouds on Radiance's brow cleared, and still turned back and forth between her brothers, excited. Finally, tail waving, she moved close to the sharply-inclined entrance, not daring a venture up it but smiling. Well... hi! I'm Radiance! And this is... Mutiny, Zenith, Misfortune, Reverie, Trophy, Medallion, and Driven. She pointed to each sibling, many of whom were still staring at Kalei with varying degrees of fear, confusion, and curiosity. Then, with the innocent ignorance of a pup, Mutiny piped a question spawned by Kalei's pale orbs. Why're your eyes funny?

It was as though Moon Phase's words hadn't even made it past the bubble of fury surrounding Taipa. With a snarl, she spat back, You're so blissfully ignorant, aren't you? God, but I tried hard to protect you and Da, to keep you from knowing... I was so young then, the day he left... I swore I wouldn't ever let him hurt you again, even through hurting me, so I never said.

She was panting as though she'd run a marathon, her voice hard and feirce, the anger partially belied by the tears that continued to course down her and the shivering sobs that shook her frame. She couldn't hold it in her heart anymore, though she had sworn... she'd held it inside, alone so long. Your son... your beloved, miserable, wretched demon son. Three moons I was imprisoned by he and his pack, anyone's meat for working out frustrations!

She turned her body, the moonlight hitting just right so that her white fur was no longer able to hide her scarred chassis, her torn hide, the missing ear, everything that Ma knew of her, and more, more that she'd hidden from both Ma and Da. Only in this light could every part of her be properly seen, and there was barely an inch without a mark or marr. Her voice came soft and deadly. This! This is the treasure of the ancestors, the family I have! This, my brother's present for my love, and my pups the gift of an ally of his, planned and wrought by my father's father, carried out by his tools! Let your eyes memorize the havoc your son has wreaked on one who loved him so well, and may you realize the damnation he places upon our souls. Finally finished ranting, she stood for waht seemed like an eternity, panting harshly, orbs still locked with her mother.

After several moments, she sank down, the sobs now quiet and hopeless as she spoke in defeat. Why... why love... when it tears me apart? Bane... she choked on the name, but gathered herself and continued. He tears into my heart with every word and gesture. You and Da tear me apart because I must... must protect you. I tear me apart... I tear me apart... because I am not... I cannot be... I'm anyone's flesh. Why should I care, knowing that my heart will die again when they die?

An alabaster form pulled up silently beside Moon Phase, voice soft and half-broken. Because if any creature should cease to grow, to reach out in love, even at great risk... that creature is, spiritually, at least... dying. He gave Moon Phase a nuzzle, and though his pain for his daughter was great and heavy, only a single tear rolled down his face.

Kalei, Moon Phase

Kalei smiled at the names, trying to picture what each of these little pups looked liked, but not having the least bit of luck. It was the comment about her eyes, which came from a pup she didn't known yet, that made her laugh. She wasn't embarrassed by her sightless eyes. It was all she had ever known. "Well you see I can't see... I'm blind." She was unsure if they knew the word blind, so she decided to try to help them out. "It is like never being able to open my eyes, it is always black."

Her daughters words stung, and she flinched as she was attacked time and time again. She was unable to speak, unable to find a word which could sooth her daughter. She felt hopeless, made no better when her daughters lifetime of pain and suffering which she was just now fully understanding. If only she had known sooner! Maybe then she could have done something. Bane may be her son but he had turned his back on their family and committed crimes which were unforgivable even in a mothers eyes. Was she so bad of a mother that she did not think to wonder more about her daughter’s disappearances and strange injuries? Taipa was after all an adult, and had the right to be alone as long as she wished without interference, but maybe Moon Phase should have worried more.

Even with the appearance of Darkeyes, Moon Phase had no words. She felt failed as a mother, and most of all, she felt failed as a protector. What was she is she could not keep her daughter safe from the pain and misery that she had been put through. Taipa had cared so much for her and it would seem she had let her down. Moon Phase felt weak, her stance low and pathetic from her once regal appearance. Silver eyes lay on the dirt, not feeling like she deserved to look her daughter in the eye.

Taipa*Zenith*Mutiny*Radiance*Darkeyes

Mutiny's face screwed up a little as he concentrated, but when Kalei was finished, he nodded, mouth opened in the word of infinite wisdom. Ohhhhh... As though that word explained everything. With a smile and a tail wave, Radiance moved as close as she could to the base of the incline. Hi, Auntie Kalei!

For several, several moments, it seemed as if time had frozen, as if things had stopped in their tracks. Only the coming and going of each breath would have reminded them they were alive, but Taipa's brain was whizzing behind her eyes. Unknowingly, her thoughts were following the line of her mother's, thinking, You've done it now, Taipa. All those years, trying to protect them from it... gone in a moment of despair. Her father's words went unheard as her own thoughts swirled.

But slowly, and with a sense of finality, Taipa raised her head, steady in a way she hadn't been before, though her voice still quavered. I... I haven't ever... lost control like that. I'd... almost forgotten... And she turned, still not looking her parents in the eye, but facing them. He almost did it... Bane. He knew... knew all along... A look of astonishment filled her face as she began to pace a bit, and it was as if she hadn't been sobbing and accusing only seconds before, as if that had been moons ago. I... wouldn't have thought it possible of him, but... but yes, now I see. It makes sense.

Finally, the brown eyes rose, locking first with Ma, then with Da, a soft smile that was almost, almost the old Taipa: the smile that matched her father's exactly. Ma... Da... of course. He... Bane thought... to drive me against you, to use me as a tool to... and her voice faded in the horror of how near Bane's plan had gotten to success. But it won't happen. Again she turned, pacing. I know him... maybe even better than either of you... I know... She turned back to face them, calm and collected once more, face feirce with strength. My soul to all seven hells, it won't happen.

Something tight in his chest lifted loose and broke free, and he had to close his eyes for a moment to fight breaking down right then and there. Because whatever Taipa thought... this plan was too elaborate for Bane. He'd had assistance. No, my dear Taipa... Bane is the underling, the executor, but the instigator, the brain behind it, is someone I should have suspected all along... Shaman. The single word made him shiver, but not from fear as it once had. This time... it was from sheer, wild rage. I won't have it. Not anymore. 'Phase... mind Taipa and the pups. There is something I must know... And he gave his mate and daughter an apologetic nuzzle, not wanting to leave them in so sensitive a moment but knowing that he must hurry if he stood a chance of finding what he needed to know. Soon, the receding sound of his paws made it obvious he was leaving the terra at top speed.