Martha & Timber

Many changes had come to the Wolf Center since Martha's last visit. She only hoped that they would still help her out in her situation, for she knew that the local town vet was likely to seize Artemis and destroy her for being a wolf.

Parking her truck, she got a rope out and tied a make-shift collar around Timber's neck, then went to fasion a muzzle on him. Over the years, he had grown increasingly untrusting and hostile towards strangers, and Martha had no doubt in her mind that he'd take a blood-drawing snap at the vets here; if they would even take him in for treatment. He was by no means a killer, and would only go for the hands of people, but that still didn't make him a pleasant patient.

In one quick effort, Martha grabbed Artemis from the truck while managing to keep the frustrated collie inside. She hurried towards the door and kicked frantically at it, since her hands were occupied with the wounded wolf.

Tahmores*Elder Brother

Tahmores had been here helping to train the new Wolf Center staff by educating them in the customs and behavior of packs. He had been looking over the notes he had written down on packsong when he heard a ruckus at the door. Dropping his pen in the haste to open the door, he was startled to find Martha on the other side, hauling a miserable looking Artemis. Martha! What on earth...? However, he knew it wasn't the time for such things, and simply reached out to take Artemis from her, whining quietly to set the wolf at ease. Artemis was one he hadn't had muct contact with, and though he wouldn't blame her for it, he'd rather not be bitten. Though he doubted she could manage it with her jaw in tatters.

He smiled softly at Timber as he moved to carry Artemis further inside. He had grown to like the collie very much. Hey there, brother. Got yourself in a mess, eh? We'll soon patch you up. And he lay Artemis gently on the nearest table and made room for Martha to join him.

Tara, Artemis

Artemis whined some at being moved, at the moment completly thrown off by the unfamiliar smells and sights. Once set on the table she forced herself up, orbs set to looks around room and all of it's oddly shiny utensials.

Tara was unstairs, checking on the few wolfs that still remained in quarentine. She had heard the kciks at the door, andwas surprised to find italready taken car of. Her first sight was Martha, whom she only noded to. Now why had such a racket been made. But then she turned to the operating room, and saw the reason. She covered her mouth in shock, the wounds terrible and almost unimaginable. She wanted to set to work right away, but she had toask questions first, especially because this was not a wolf from the enclosure. "What happened to the wolf?" It was her only question, directed towards Martha and Tahmores, although she doubtedhe would know seeing as he had been here helping out.

Martha & Timber

"Thank you, Tahmores." Martha said, her eyes showing the depths of her gratitude as he began to help her with Artemis. Before she left to retrieve Timber, the woman turned to speak with Tara, "She's one of my flock guardians; we live a ways north of town on a ranch, and have a big problem with wolves and ferals attacking." There was a flash of panic in her voice, for she didn't know if the Wolf Center had changed their guidelines on dealing with such cases. But, since Tahmores was here, she figured that Artemis would be in no trouble as far as the authorities went. And if she were... Martha would of course do all in her power to stop them.

Timber, who had begun to struggle anew with his makeshift muzzle and collar, calmed down the moment he saw Tahmores. His tail even wagged just the faintest bit. Maybe this visit wouldn't be so bad afterall...? Now Martha had returned to the truck and picked the collie up. Once more, he struggled in her arms, thrashing about and doing his best to get free without doing any harm to his master; not that he could with his muzzle all tied up anyway.

She carried him in and set him down on the ground, while holding onto the rope that kept his jaws shut. "I know it's late at night, but please, could you help us?" She knew Tahmores would, but Martha felt a bit uncertain about Tara.

Timber's hackles rose up as he looked at the strange lady, and he growled ominously despite a sharp-worded reprimand from Martha. Now he was feeling strangly protective of Artemis, and loathed to see a strange human be near her; especially when she was so critically wounded.

Tahmores*Elder Brother

Tahmores turned kind eyes to Tara: he had grown to know her, and knew that she would help if she could, but he didn't want to speak for her, so he remained silent. Hearing Timber's renewed growling at Tara, he let out a low howl that brought Elder Brother to him. Turning back to Tara, he posed a question. Martha has helped me many times, Tara. She's a woman to be trusted. Will you help us?

Brother gazed around, a little bemused at first, but quickly took stock of the situation and turned to Timber, hoping that the collie would listen, his voice the light scolding of a friend. Now, Timber. I thought you knew better than that. Think you my boy would let anyone who meant harm get near a ranch pet? The girl's good enough, if a bit confused. he smiled that crooked, good natured smile, and added as an afterthought, She's also kind of easy to scare, my friend. Careful you don't drive her completely off. She might be able to help us.

Tara, Artemis

Tara looked down at the collie, the growls startling her although she wasn't fearing her life so she remained still. After listening she nodded. "Of course I will help. After what you did for this center, it's the least I can do." Her words were spoken to Tahmores, and before long she as in the operating room. She overlooked the fae's wounds from a safe distance, Clentching her fists some. This was not a rutine operation for sure, it would require special care. Before trying anything else she turned to Martha. "I'll need to use anesthesia to fix the jaw. I'm not sure how well she'll take me trying to poking her with a needle tho..." Her voice trailed off some.

Artemis eyes the new human, taking a step back although hiding and aggression. She had yet to experiene any bad humans, so she wasn't very fearful. Although she still wasn't comfortable with her. Her harks perked when she heard Timber's familiar growls, and edged herself towards the end of the table, judging the distance to jump down. It wasn't insanly high, but her jaw hurt just standign there, to have to bounce about from a jump would feel many times worse.

Martha & Timber

"Oh, thank you! You don't know how much this means to me." Martha replied with relief, though her voice was still tempered with concern for Artemis. Once again, she sent a sharp word to Timber, who had a bad habit of ignoring her when he deemed he was in the right. Then she went to Artemis, putting a gentle hand over her scruff. Not hold or pressing down, just providing a source of touch that she hoped would be reasuring. "I'll hold her if she struggles." The woman said in reply to Tara's worries, then spoke to the wolf, "It's alright, everything will be fine." With her other hand, she stroked the wolf's head, but was ready to restrain her if she tried to jump or anything when she shot was administered.

Timber didn't cease growling at Martha's command, but he did tone down when Elder Brother spoke to him. "You know her?" Came his muffled response, for the binding around his muzzle hindered his speech. The collie relaxed some and did away with his vocal protests, though he couldn't calm himself down enough to lower his hackles completely, "I do trust you and Tahmores." He said at length, giving the wolf a long, penetrating look that conveyed what his words had said. Still, he had a hard time allowing Tara his full trust, but now at least he was silent.

Tara, Artemis

Tara watched Martha, only coming towards the wolfess as she saw the woman had somehold on her. As she neared, she was slow, not wanting to frighten her too bad. And finally she ijected herwith the drug which would go to work putting her to sleep for the time that would be needed to fix the jaw. It was just a matter of minutes before the fae fel under.

Artemis lifted her head at the touch, plume waving despite her mangled jaw. She didn't notice Tara's approuch until she felt the needle, and only that made her head turn, andf her plume stop waving as a small warnign growl was issued. Although, it didn't last long. She found her eyes becoming heavy, and she let her body lean against Martha as she fought for a few minutes to keep them open. But before long her eyes fell shut and she was out.

Tahmores*Elder Brother

Tahmores watched carefully as Artemis went under, only beginning to move about as she dozed off. Then, he moved with the quick precision of one quite accustomed to the surgery room, though in truth he'd been here only a few days. He had taken the time to memorize where everything was in those few days so that he could act quickly if need be. Working quickly, he dug out all the tools he thought Tara might need, including needle and thread for stitching, a local painkiller and clean needle, several sizes of scalpels and clamps, and an injection used to fight infection. Laying them neatly on a tray, he rolled them on the provided trolley up next to the table, waiting to assist the girl.

Brother smiled at Timber, noticing that he relaxed enough to stop growling. I haven't known the girl very long, but she means well, Timber. She really wants to help us. Wolves and pets alike.

Tara

As soon as the wolf went under, Tara set to work with a fast, steady hand. She first went for the needle, injecting where the jaw had been torn and cracked, hoping to keep any infection away from the wound. Then she shaked the area where the bone had snapped aay from the face, so that she could more easily anilyze the wound. Then she X-rayed the fae, handing protective cloaks to all in the room before finally taking the picture of the jaw. She analized the bone before reaching for the stitches. And by comparing the x-ray with the real bone, she was able to stitch the jaw back together. The stitches went through the bone as a way to hold it together through healing, and it would desinigrate as the bone healed itself. Once the jaw was secured back in place, Tara then injected the pain killed in the area, hoping to sooth out any pain. Finished with the major work, she stepped back, viewing the work before reaching for the reversal drug. She injected the drug, and then motioned for Martha to come over. Artemis would wake momentarily.

A few minutes after the drug was administered the wolfs hinds twitched, her ears flicking about at sounds of instruments being put away. The room felt like it was spinning, andshe closed her eyes harder to make it stop.

Tahmores*Elder Brother

Tahmores handed Tara the tools as she seemed to need them, watching carefully and memorizing the procedure in case he ever needed to do it himself. When it was finally over, he laid a hand on the girl's arm and smiled, a soft Thank you his only word.

Finally, he turned towards Timber. They might as well help him while he was here, but he didn't think that the collie would let Tara near him, despite Brother's reassurance, so he spoke again to the girl. I think we'd best do Timber ourselves, Tara. He wouldn't really hurt you, but he's more comfortable with us. I think Martha and I can handle his leg. He was hoping she wouldn't take it as the brush-off that it sounded like. He really didn't mean it that way, but he had come to know Timber and had learned that he really didn't like anyone outside the "family". Really, the boy just wanted to make it as easy as possible on everyone.

Tara

Tara nodded and smiled, running a hand lightly over the top of Artemis's skull before stepping aside. "I understand" Her voicewas soft, knowing well that some canines took to perticular people in different ways.