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Post by Sulwyn on Sept 5, 2014 0:10:43 GMT -6
LIGHTS WILL GUIDE YOU HOME
✿Dreams were an odd thing for the young fox kit. She hadn't been raised to study and understand 'language' and all its flowing properties, nor the relative use of her human voice. She was brought up as an animal - and so that was how she slumbered. Not as a girl, but as a pup. Images, smells, sounds, colors... they all played a part. But the dreams were not nearly as complex in scholarship and maturity as they were for any other person. One moment in her dream she was chasing a fat, fat rabbit! In fact, she was so nearly close to getting a hold of it that her leg twitched a little bit in the tangled mess that was the blanket on top of her while she slept on the rug in front of the fire. It had been a couple of nights that she'd stayed in this room now with the redheaded woman that got her out of the trap, and she was beginning to get a bit more comfortable with the surroundings. In her dream, she finally pounced on top of it in the grass that was looming with a great shadow. Sulwyn looked up at what casted such a thing. And there they were... her few masters... the thin, gangly, awful man that was the meanest of all standing in front of the others with a small club in his hand - a leather leash in the other. In her sleep the fox girl began to whimper and let out soft, vocallized whines with her huffing exhales. Her muscles tensed and twitched slightly, body curling into the tightest ball it could muster as the club was brought down onto her body over.. and over.. the leash pulling tight around her neck and dragging her back to the cage.. Sulwyn did not like this dream. But she could not wake up. tag: GERALDINE ▪ words: 313 ▪ ooc: - BAD MEN... |
BY KERRIA ♥ OF GANGNAM STYLE
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Post by Geraldine Killian on Sept 5, 2014 0:20:48 GMT -6
Geraldine was dreaming as well. It was not a night for pleasant dreams it seemed. She lay as still as she could in her bed but her mind was far away. She was in the forests, flowers in her hair, long braid just as she wore in her sleep. Gown catching on the undergrowth as she ran, she was headed up to the cottage.
There was a moment where she stood outside of herself and watched herself run... and she noticed that she looked like Red Riding Hood, hair making a cape behind her, basket in one hand, axe in the other as she ran up to the place she avoided in her waking conscious.
She stopped at the foot of the hill before the cottage and was within herself again. There in front of the cottage was the stump that had served as a chopping block. It was dyed red with his blood... the blood she had spilled. Though the head was gone from her sight, the meaning was still there. She stepped past it toward the path to the door, her little bare feet making bloody footprints all the while, sticking with the fresh blood that she didn't remember stepping in. When she was at the bottom step, the door creaked open to reveal the ghostly and withered form of her aunt, dark hair flying about her like cobwebs, eyes sunken and hollow... one grisly, claw like hand reaching for her...
She woke just in time to hear Sul's whimpering and deem it more important than her own dream, and shoving aside what she was sure would be a fleeting terror, she knelt down to stroke the child's head and reassure her.
"Shh... I'm here... It's ok... I'll protect you..." Desperately... she prayed it was true. She hadn't done so great a job of that for the important people in her past...
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Post by Sulwyn on Sept 5, 2014 13:00:28 GMT -6
LIGHTS WILL GUIDE YOU HOME
✿Her ears moved subconsciously, flattening sideways away from the top of her head to make room for the hand that spread across her hair. She naturally twitched away from the hand, waking immediately as she was touched and turned herself around in the blankets to blink fearfully over to the redheaded woman with a small, shivering noise in her throat. When she noticed the calming tones, words, and expression on her face - she knew that she was no longer in her dream state. Her body relaxed and she became visibly tired again and leaning closer to her before falling with exhaustion in a curled-up position against the woman's lap in hopes that she would continue to rub her head. Sulwyn felt safe here - it was plain to see.. She felt safe with this woman. A sad and effortless moan rumbled in her throat quietly - so tired of the bad dreams and the memories of the cages. Her ears folded against her head, occassionaly lifting up to focus on the woman's heartbeat and breathing. Trying to match their paces soothed her.. just hearing how calm she was formed as a sort of natural therapy. She lifted her hands a little, gripping softly to the fabric on the bottom of Geraldine's shirt hem. "Hnnnmm," she whined against her, burrying her head a bit further into the side of her leg and rolling onto her stomach. She wanted to sleep more.. but now she felt mentally restless - even as worn-out as her little body was. Would the woman stay with her? Her fingers curled a little tighter, hoping to convey that she didn't want her leaving anytime soon. tag: GERALDINE ▪ words: 275 ▪ ooc: - Let's just stay here?.. |
BY KERRIA ♥ OF GANGNAM STYLE
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Post by Geraldine Killian on Sept 5, 2014 21:42:02 GMT -6
As Sulwyn awoke, Geraldine continued whispering soft comfort to the child. The soft moans and gentle desperation told Geraldine volumes even though she still did not speak often or fluently. "...Alright... Come then... we'll rest together." Geraldine gently moved her little kit so that they could curl up together on the rug, stealing a goose down pillow from her own bed, she fluffed it and pulled Sulwyn close, snuggling against the cool of the pillow in the warmth of the fire, tucking the blanket's edges all around them. Trying to think of some way to soothe them back into sleep, Geraldine began humming softly, stroking Sulwyn's hair as she closed her eyes and focused on her breathing. Geraldine was used to forcing herself back asleep and it wasn't long until her body was relaxed, cradling itself around the little thing she sought to protect, hair coming loose from it's braid and face relaxed in a rare show of trust as she slept. She looked different when she slept. Like a girl of innocence and carefree whiles. So different from the warrior who bore the world on her shoulders. She dressed like a man even in her sleep clothes; where as her mother wore a gentle gown that accented her feminine personality, Geraldine instead wore slacks that did not constrict her and a shirt that was buttoned up except for the final two buttons in either direction. In a moment's notice, she could be up with her armor on and striding out the door to dole out judgement to bandits or put an end to a raid... But for now, that same strength was being used to gently love and protect someone she didn't ever want to see harmed... something she wasn't sure she could hold herself to, but desperately wanted. |
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Post by Sulwyn on Sept 5, 2014 22:14:25 GMT -6
LIGHTS WILL GUIDE YOU HOME
✿The words and sounds were so loving. When the woman began the melody, Sulwyn lifted her head up for a moment to observe her. Singing was a new sensation that she didn't think she had ever heard before.. Not from a human. It was strange to hear the notes with words in, what sounded like, a very soothing melody. Her ears tilted and curved around to face forward in order to study and memorize the characteristics of the new thing, this 'lullaby'. Ohh... she liked it. Her eyes were marvelling, blinking slowly while her head fell to the side and gently leaned up against the woman's chest so she could continue to look up at her while she repositioned them around in the blanket, up against the pillow, and pulled her up closer to her lap. Even as Geraldine curled around her, the fox doing the same within her arms, she looked up at her face when the music had stopped and her eyes had shut to fall back asleep. Her hand still lovingly petted Sulwyn's hair in slumber, and although the kit adored the feeling.. she was getting a little warm all bundled by the fire, in this thick blanket, with another body - larger than her own - surrounding her. Sulwyn's tail flicked and curled up a bit to pull out of the blanket and lift the small dress she was given further up her back. Being exposed was nothing she was taught was to be ashamed of, so she simply wasn't. Her rear and lower back became exposed - the fur of her tail covering her tailbone and growing a bit up her lower spine.. a place that was also covered in randomly located, thin, convexing scars the color of her pale flesh. Whip marks acquired by years and years of abuse and 'training' from her human owners. An irremovable reminder of her seperation in equality and race.. but maybe that would change in this new home that she had found. She had always been afraid in that cage. But this woman didn't make her feel scared at all. tag: GERALDINE ▪ words: 349 ▪ ooc: - I will try and sleep too. |
BY KERRIA ♥ OF GANGNAM STYLE
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Post by Geraldine Killian on Sept 5, 2014 22:35:20 GMT -6
Geraldine rubbed the child's back as if she were comforting a small babe that had never been apart from it's mother. Her eyes blinked softly open. Wounds... Her calloused fingers could feel the ripple of once torn flesh. Those marks were familiar to her, but only because she had seen animals with similar marks on them... animals... and slaves...
Flesh marketing was not unheard of... not at all... and sometimes, it was an easy way for someone to gain citizenship, if they could get the paperwork done properly... however... In Domhan Tir, to mistreat a servant who did their best... to punish an innocent...
It was not polite society to do so. If you were known for having slaves, you were expected to treat them as a Lord is expected to treat his people. They may serve you, but you too serve them in the end. You protect their health and their well being. Her father never took servants because he felt that it was not necessary. They had their household well taken care of; the owning of servants to him was very nearly proof that you were living beyond your means and not following one of the constructs. Of course, there was no judgement on that particular sentiment therefore he had no jurisdiction to punish it, but all the same, her father's opinion was highly respected in this province... and so such things here were not often seen at all.
Caravans... those... disgusting, godless outcasts... they sometimes had slaves... and those poor souls often did not have their health even. How many times now had they chased out the vermin for attempting to pass off slaves they themselves refused to take care of onto our province for medical attention under the lies that they were immigrants... No official papers... often not even decently covered... walking barefoot through the forests and thickets... And the animals... Cages and filthy boxes... collars so tight they cut into the flesh of their throats...
No. In Domhan Tir, if you are over something, it is your responsibility to care for it. Animal. Child. Slave. Tree. Her father had taught her the responsibility of a Guardian Shield was fundamentally that very thing, and her mother, once a priestess, taught her the very theories of conservation and care taking.
Was the outside world truly so barbaric as to have cast this innocent child among the godless vermin? ... She felt her blood boil at the prospect of it and she ground her teeth. They should shut down the boarders... and let those vermin fry on the sands where they belong...
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Post by Sulwyn on Sept 5, 2014 22:54:24 GMT -6
LIGHTS WILL GUIDE YOU HOME
✿Though the wounds were... horrifyingly many - thin, long, and at jaggedly different angles all over - the fox didn't move an inch as the woman rubbed her hand along her back. They had healed and felt nothing more than just skin once more to her, not large or deep enough to have effected any nerves beneath. She had slept so deeply and heavily that not once through the night had she changed any position. Just a curled up, fuzzy, little, warm lump of contentment. It wasn't until the sun just began to rise, a natural alarm clock somehow in her system, that her stomach rumbled heavily. She rummaged underneath the blanket away from the woman and walked towards the locked door of her room, sniffing around its edges to see if anyone was walking around behind it. Perhaps she could get their attention. But no.. no one was around. She barely stood up on the balls of her feet for a moment, not wanting to put too much pressure on her bad ankle, and pressed her hands against the door, patting them against it and clawing downwards with her nails (which were still quite long and rough) in light motions, hoping the sound would grab the attention of anyone awake in the other areas of the home. She whined a bit, looking back towards the redheaded caretaker, and chirped softly in hopes to wake her. Not only was her stomach very hungry, but it had been a while since she had been outside to relieve herself. And she knew by now that she was never allowed to go alone.. she had already tried to limp off while following a butterfly. She knew now that that was bad and she needed to stay close. The older woman that made the soup had gotten upset and worried it seemed... and that didn't make Sulwyn feel very good. But she needed out now again.. and no one was yet awake. tag: GERALDINE ▪ words: 326 ▪ ooc: - Please wake up?.. |
BY KERRIA ♥ OF GANGNAM STYLE
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Post by Geraldine Killian on Sept 6, 2014 22:14:02 GMT -6
Geraldine, more on habit than anything, sat up when she heard noises and reached for her overcoat to wrap herself in, hair still a mess from sleeping and eyes still mostly shut. She stood and slipped on her boots before stepping out into the hall, opening the door for Sulwyn as she did.
She was scratching her neck as she walked down the wooden stairs that lead from her room to the main kitchen area where she would walk out the side door for two reasons. To bring in extra firewood and grab the milk that had likely already been left on the doorstep for them; a courtesy from one of the farmers who respected her father. Which one she couldn't recall. There were so many names...
Yawning gently, she stepped out into the light and down to the overhang where she would gather an armload of firewood. Her eyes glanced back to see if Sulwyn had followed her out as she usually did. Here on the side of the house was not fenced in so Geraldine would have to keep careful track of the child who was so easily focused on anything and everything else.
"Sulwyn? Come on out. Must start breakfast soon, so come get some air."
Setting the wood by the milk on the kitchen stairs, Geraldine turned her head to the small chicken coop where three hens named Mir, June and Puck lived to their contentment on corn and whatever else crawled into the coop and offered up eggs in return. Opening up the little fence and stepping into the dry straw sent up the morning call for them because they marched out as Geraldine checked the nests.
Picking three eggs, Geraldine glanced back to find Sulwyn as she closed the fence.
"Sulwyn? Are you ready? I got some eggs for breakfast... We'll feed the girls after." Ger's idea was that if she just kept talking to Sulwyn that she would understand eventually and respond. It might take time... but what other option did she have?
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Post by Sulwyn on Sept 7, 2014 21:47:57 GMT -6
LIGHTS WILL GUIDE YOU HOME
✿As soon as Geraldine stirred herself awake, Sulwyn chirped again and became anxious - standing up and down back onto her hands and scurrying around a little as much as she could with her bound and braced healing ankle. Her tail waved in a quick and heavy motion, whacking against the wall a few times which didn't seem to bother her any. The moment the door opened, she zoomed a bit too fast and carelessly towards the other exit that would let her outside. She resumed her excited movements and little sounds until that opened as well. The dewy morning grass welcomed her bare hands and feet, giving a fresh scent into her nose and allowing her lungs to breath in a clean and refreshing feeling. Her head lowered and she sniffed along the ground while walking. Her tail was straight behind her - ears pointing outwards until she found a spot along the grass behind the corner of the home. When she heard her name, or at least that's what she thought it was, she responded by poking her head around the corner. Not wanting to be left alone outside, she followed her back in with a much calmer sense than she had when she woke up. It had been a good morning - she hadn't gotten distracted to run off and did everything just right in good time. She already knew not to go near the chicken coup.. she'd already made that mistake with a swift peck to the nose after just wanting to play with the pudgy birds. The fox had learned better. A routine was setting in, perhaps. Once inside, she limped around the kitchen in wait for her caretaker to create whatever meal she would give her. She knew one was coming each and every morning after she went outside as they had every day she'd been here (though it hadn't been long)... she learned fast. Her body lowered to the ground, a habbit that she had still done for each meal in the home from her slaved days, and she waited with her hands flat onto the floor and face between them, ready to eat. tag: GERALDINE ▪ words: 358 ▪ ooc: - Egg time? I'll be good. |
BY KERRIA ♥ OF GANGNAM STYLE
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Post by Geraldine Killian on Sept 8, 2014 22:44:44 GMT -6
Setting the milk and the eggs on the counter, she turned to see Sulwyn sitting in the usual way. She bit her lip softly in concern. Would Sulwyn never sit at the table like one of the family? It was a tradition she had hoped the child would be able to take part in sooner rather than later...
However, she always seemed so intent on acting like... like a common dog...
Geraldine turned back to the eggs, warming up a pan on the little cook stove and putting the firewood into the oven. The rolls had been left to rise overnight so all she had to do for them was stick them into the warmth of the oven. They would be ready soon. Looking over at the table, Ger noticed mother had already gathered up several nice strawberries in a basket for her. That meant mother was already out and about and had left Ger to take care of the house for a while. Did that mean father was out already as well? Most likely. He didn't take his time on anything... and he also didn't have a small child to keep calm from night terrors. She wondered if she'd get scolded again for being "late" even as the sun was barely up.
Taking some of the minced green onions and shreds of ham from last night's dinner, Geraldine made an omelette for herself and Sulwyn, letting the smell of the bread fill the room as she worked.
She wasn't the greatest cook. She knew that. But she always cooked for nutrition rather than taste... that was a big part of it. She'd learned the hard way that carrots and eggs might seem a perfectly healthy mixture... but it left much to be desired when actually eating it...
She set up Sulwyn's plate, mashing up the omelette so that it would be easier to eat with her tongue but not so easy that she would inhale it without taking her time, which would likely cause a tummy ache later. Then she took another small dish and poured some milk into it. As the rolls finished browning (mother prepared them so they would be fit to eat) she put a bit of butter and strawberry preserves on one and put it on the plate with the egg and set both dishes down for Sulwyn.
"We thank Orik for this food and pray that it helps us to do his will. Amen." She then picked up a roll, sliced it open, put her omelette inside, and ate it like a sandwich, drinking a small cup of milk.
She stood at the counter rather than sitting at the table alone and munched while being next to Sulwyn. She wondered if this time with her was helping her at all. It seemed like they were making progress... but was it enough? Would Sulwyn be ok if Morgan sent her away?
"...You know... it's been a while since I had a day off... maybe I can get today off... and we can go on a nature walk. What do you think, Sulwyn? Pick some berries or go fishing? Maybe collect some herbs? ...I'll bring a book and we can read a little maybe too... I still have the first year learner from when I was a kid... basic things, but useful still." She was weighing in her mind if she would be allowed to do this or not... Maybe mother should ask... father wouldn't deny her if she needed something...
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