Wild Life

[PaintaPicture]

While the dream continued she heard a voice that was not in her dream, something else and felt hands on her but still couldnt snap out of it. She thought it couldnt get worse, and it was getting hard to breath. All of a suden she felt cold water thrown onto her and she sat up quickly almost gasping for air as she wiped her eyes and face looking at Latro.

She held herself up by her arms and then stood slowly. She wasnt sure if she should be agngry or scared. She walked outside and let the cool night air blow against her skin and let her hair blow around some. She clenched her hands into fists and her knuckles turned white and she let out a rather ferocious yell.

She dropped to her knees as what looked like red lightening shot from her fists diagnoally into the black sky. Gritting her teeth she stood up and leaned against the cave and held her head, like she had a headache..and she infact did. to much was darting in her mind, she couldnt calm her mind.

 

[Tseranc]

Latro let her walk away and be with her thoughts, counting himself lucky to not have been attacked as she came out of her sleep. When she reached the edge of the cave and screamed, and red arcs of lighting shot from her hand, he just sat back down against the cave wall.

“You’re in over your head now, aren’t you? Just had to go check on the wounded little girl, didn’t ya?” This time he was just blatantly talking to himself. There was no way he could deliver her to a city, not knowing that it had been people that had done….this…to her. But at the same time, he’d never felt so at a loss for what to do. Water and sparks were one thing, but night terrors and blasts of lightning were quite another. She needed help, and from someone more capable then he.

Finally he got up, and walked slowly over to her. “Well girl, it seems someone has royally screwed you up. Maybe it’s best you live out here away from them all. I’ll do what I can, I just hope I don’t get killed for it.” He put a hand on her shoulder, and looked sympathetically at her. He hoped having a friend might be enough to pull her through whatever it was that was in her head. If not, he was screwed.

 

[PaintaPicture]

As she leaned against the wall her head felt better and she looked out at the woods, the only home she could remember. His hand then touched her shoulder and she looked at his face, just as worried as it was when she was physically wounded. Tears rolled down her cheeks and she sniffled. She curled her arms against her chest and turned to him looking at him, like she wanted an answer.
"why?"

She spoke, and then realized what she did and didnt think much of it. Latro brought out her other side, the less predatory side of her, but he also brought out her past which was as blurred as the future. She didnt know why all these nightmares and things were happening, was it his fault? But it had happened before he showed up, just not as violent but he seemed to be helping not wanting it to get worse.

She wiped her eyes and looked at him, almost feerful of going back to bed. She didnt want her dreams to be haunted by what had happened to her in the past. But the woman she saw, didnt look like her, she had long wavy black hair and softer less tan skin, but the same green eyes as her. Maybe it wasnt her...but she was pretty sure it was. She felt her own hair and felt the tangled heap and then down at her arm seeing the dirty and sun tanned skin. She made her way slowly to her skin and layed down on her side, trying not to close her eyes.

 

[Tseranc]

Of all the ways to prove she could communicate, why did she have to ask such a broad question? After pondering it a moment, he deiced that no matter what she meant, he didn’t have an answer. He didn’t know who or why they had done this to her, or what it was, or why she could do what she could. He had nothing.

“I don’t know, but maybe we can find out.”

She looked tired, almost beaten, and wondered how many nights she’d been kept awake or tormented while she slept. Digging into his pack he brought out a pan, and heated some water, which he put a few herbs in. It helped him sleep, on nights he dwelt on the past, so maybe it’d be enough for her.

After making the tea, he let it cool a bit and put it into a cup. Demonstrating drinking it, but only the tiniest sip, so she could have the bulk of it. “Here, drink this, it will help you sleep. Maybe tomorrow you’ll be more rested.”

He handed the cup to her, and again made gestures that she should drink it.

 

[PaintaPicture]

She saw him boiling water on a strange thing and making some odd smelling drink. She looked at it oddly and watched him drink and when he offered it to her she took it looking strangely at it. She set it down and put her finger in it licking her finger. It wasnt bad, but it wasnt that great either. She picked it up looking at him and then taking a sip like he did. And then a bigger one setting it down again.

She licked her lips and yawned. She continued to sip at it, unsure of what she was actually drinking. After drinking about 3/4 she set the rest down more towards him, not wanting anymore. She was still annoyed, and didnt want to sleep. Yet she felt sleep coming over her and layed down softly looking at him.

Her eyes fluttered shut as she drifted off to a pleasant sleep, cooing softly and more comfortably. Her body not as tense and she was slightly more sprawled out than in her usuall tight caccoon like posistion. Morning would soon come and hopefully things would be different.

 

[Tseranc]

Morning came, and his eyes began to open as the sun's first light hit them. Latro quickly discovered that his morning routine would be upset but being in a cave with another human being, and not left to his own devices. He looked over, and his heart melted at how peaceful she looked, still sleeping.

He knew her rabbit supply would not hold out, and his own stash of meats was getting low, so he decided after taking care of necessities, he grabbed his bow and knife, and went out to find a good, flat, sun exposed rock.

Reptiles were the first critters up, warming on the morning sun, and hiding again before it got too hot. Since the cave looked over the river bed, he saw a few potential targets right away, and eventually decided on a large snake. The advantage of hitting a snake with an arrow, was it didn't know who to lash out at as it died. The disadvantage was his tip almost always hit the rock, and he'd have an arrow to repair or replace.

He cut off it's head, and prepared it there, so that he didn't have to work much with the knife back at the cave, and carried his prise home. He looked again and found her still sleeping, so was quiet about cutting and spitting the meal. Rekindling the fire, he began to cook up breakfast. Nightmares were usually hard work, and his gut told him dealing with strange women certainly was.

 

[PaintaPicture]

Her sleep ended slowly as the sun continued to rise and her eyes rested upon Latro cutting a snake and she stretched as if a cat might and slowly sat herself up looking at him. Continuing to stretch her arms up and then standing, walking outside and looking out into the forest, her nightmare and what happened the night before and she sighed and then walked back in.

She picks up her bucket setting it next to her and cups her hand into the water drinking the water and then wiping her wet hands over her face, like she's washing it. And pushing the bucket towards him, offering the water to him.

Looking down at her foot she takes the bandage thing off and looks at her wound, not sure of whats wrong with it really and then pinching Latro and pointing to her ankle. She started to realize he was helping her greatly and because of him it was healing. She moved her body closer to him and sat close wanting him to look at it, half smiling at him with a somewhat innocent look in her eyes.

 

[Tseranc]

He grinned back, at how she seemed to understand that he was there to help. Washing his hands as best he could, he looked at her wound. It was still infected, but was showing signs of healing; faster then he expected. Maybe that was a gift of being a sorceress, or maybe just a blessing of youth.

She looked much younger, when behaving like this, and he had no idea what her age might really be. He figured early twenties at the high end, but she was defiantly out of childhood but the curves of her body. He nodded at her, and pointed at it, “It's doing much better. If I could convince you not to walk on it, we could be better off. What do ya say the odds of that are?”

He chuckled, knowing that was a lost cause, but figured he;d work to minimize her activity as best he could. He heated some of her water in his pot, until it was boiling,then put in the bandage he had wrapped around her foot. Once he was sure it was clean of any infectious materials. He took it out, and prepared another balm like before. He'd have to go collect more of his herbs soon, he didn't bring near enough to treat her long term, just enough to take care of any wounds he got until back home.

Wrapping her foot back up with the leaves and balm in place, he tied it snuggly. “Okay, try not to walk on it, alright?”

He moved to turn the meat again, and soon was handing her small round pieces of meet, to eat. He waisted no time feeding himself either.

 

[PaintaPicture]

She watched him boil water again and the bandage as well. She sat there just kinda looking around, by this time she had eaten and started a swim in the river but figured it was out of the question at this point. She started thinking more and when he spoke she looked up at him, almost comprehending what he's saying. She almost gets it but looks like she was concentraing on some comlpex idea.


He re-wrapped her ankle and she watched his hands and the whole process. She listened to his question and kinda thought about, she understand, it was weird.
"O..k"
And she looked at him nodding her head. She then though nothing of it as she continued sitting next to him as he handed her a piece of snake she chewed and ate it quickly in her hungry carnal state while he did the same. She finnished then drank some water from her bucket and leaned against the wall still close to him for the most part. She was getting used to him, enjoying his company...he did other things to her that she couldnt explain, besides bringing out her speech capabilities.

 

[Tseranc]

The meal done, he wondered what filled her days, other then just trying to stay alive. He had his plants to grow and study, the wolves to play with, and hiking.

Thinking of the pups sent a jolt of sadness through him, knowing that Uhei would not be playing again. Still, he hardened himself and told himself he would not hold that against her. What's done was done.

He sat beside her against the cave wall, and figure he might as well get started on the speech lessons. First the basics. He moves a little away so he could face her, and pondered how to tell her he was about to teach. He pointed to himself, then his mouth, then her, “I am going to teach you more words.”

Then he nodded his head yes, and made motions with his hands to imply her to come over to him, encouragingly. “Good”

Next he shook his head, while gesturing to keep away, “No.”

He repeated both of these demonstrations a few more times, then pointed to her, looking to see if she had the faintest idea what he was talking about.

 

[PaintaPicture]

She saw him sit back against the wall with her and paused, seeing a look of sadness come over his face and then it went away and she didnt really know why. She blinked hard as things got blurry for a moment almost falling over and she snapped out of it and coughed clearing her throat as their little teaching lesson started.

She raised her eyebrow at him and kind of gave him an 'i know what's going on' look. She heard what he was saying and understood now, just getting the words out herself was the hard part.

She took a few breaths and looked at him and took his hands so he'd stop gesturing. Something about the night before must have knocked into a part of her memory that involved her speech from her previous life.
"i.....know..." and she stopped for a second. "how to speek..."

And she coughed again looking at him, her voice not used to speaking at all. Trying to remember sounds was the hard part and she nodded smiling at him. things were coming back to her slowly...very slowly.

 

[Tseranc]

He sat astonished. Apparently her dream broke something loose in her head, and things were coming back to her. In a flash he had a million question for her, but held back.

Instead he just stopped gesturing like an idiot, and smiled. “Well, guess I'm not talking to myself anymore.” He chuckled. He wasn't sure how much else she yet remembered, but he figured he'd stick to the basics.

“Do you remember your name, or why you are out here living more like an animal then even me?”

He passed her his water skin again, for the cough, so she wouldn't have to get up to get to her own bucket. “I guess speaking will make things easier, even if you can just tell me if you understand me or not. As you can see I'll talk all day long. It gets lonely out here.” He chuckled again, hiding any regrets he might have.

 

[PaintaPicture]

She looked back at his look of amazement and kind of smiled. She could understand him completely, but forming the words was difficult, but she knew she could get the jist of it soon. She laughed at him talking to himself, she had lived in silence, except for the noises from the woods and things around her.

She shook her head in reply to his question. She didnt really remember anything from her past, or her name. All she knew was from her dreams and she sighed sadly. She knew she lived in the woods, waking up naked by the river and lying there, thinking she had lived there for awhile.

She sipped his water then handed it back to him and swallowed.
"you...speak, to much."
she said slowly to him and then took a deep breath.
"annnnd, i'm nno...girl."

Studdering slowly to get the words out out and smirking raising an eyebrow at him and pushing the hair out of her eyes.

 

[Tseranc]

He laughed hard, slapping his leg, and continued for several seconds.

Wiping a tear from his eye, from all the laughing, he chuckled through his words, “I seem to talk a lot yes. I wonder if the pups think the same as you. I hardly say a word when I go to town, but once away from people I seem to chat up a storm with ever tree, rock and beast I encounter.”

After a few more deep chuckles, he sighed, as if to relieve the muscles from their work.

“So dear, if you'll forgive my chatter a bit longer, if you're no girl, and do not know your name, how shall I address you?”

 

[PaintaPicture]

She watched him dieing in laughter and she chuckled herself. She didnt think it'd be that funny but apparently it was, and she just smiled at him. It was cute the way he laughed and she blushed, not having had rosey cheeks in some time. She thought for a moment, about what he should call her, she really didnt know, nothing came to mind and she shrugged.
"..name...me..."

She giggled and looked at him. She wasnt sure if she was serious or joking. She wasnt sure what else he could call her, she didnt like being called 'girl' it made her sound really little and young, she wasnt...as far as she knew. She thought about changing the subject, feeling kinda stupid now for asking him that. She pointed down to the river and looked at him again.
"swim?"

 

[Tseranc]

Name her?! How the hell was he supposed to do that? Was it like naming his friends, the wolves? Could it be that simple?

“I will have to think on it, but I suppose a swim will do no great harm. But only if you let me help you down there. I didn't wrap up that foot so you can twist it and make it worse. And the balm goes back on once we're out, okay?”

He got up and offered her his hand to help her up. He slung his water skin over his shoulder, and grabbed the bucket she had found. No use in waisting a trip.

“In the old tongue, one as spirited, and...well they might call you Ferox. I think it fitting, at least until you can remember something else.”

He winked at her. “Ferox, lost but brave woman of the forest.”

Dear gods, was he flirting with a crazy wild woman?!

 

[PaintaPicture]

She saw him get a strange look over his face when she asked him but atleast he'd take her to swim. Of course she'd let him help her and she nodded her head , letting him know he could and they would re-wrap her ankle when she got out. She took his hand as she stood up and hopped a bit so she didnt put pressure on the bad ankle.

As he said the name she smiled, she didnt know the language he spoke of but she thought it sounded nice, and she liked that he picked it out. Grinning in approval of it and not sure what to make of the wink. She put her arms around his neck like he had done earlier to carry her and she figured he would do the same.

Looking into his eyes and smiling waiting for him to pick her up and go down to the water.
"lets...go..."
And she giggled again.

 

[Tseranc]

He chuckled as she expected to be carried again, as he had done before. Well, he had put the idea in her head, hadn't he? Lifting her up, and again trying to ignore the impossibly toned legs, and he grabbed those to distribute her weight.

It was a quick walk down to the river, but would be made more difficult with full water bucket, skin, and girl. “Well, here we are.” He lowered himself so she could get off his back, and then proceeded to remove his clothes, until he stood in just his knee length woollies.

He didn't wait for her, instead just ran and leaped into the cool water. With the sun already high in the sky, the air was warm enough for the cold water to feel great.

 

[PaintaPicture]

She holds onto him tightly and as he puts her down she moves slowly trying not to hurt her ankle more, like he instructed. Watching him take his close off except for one piece and seeing him jump in the water she took off her top and bottom walking into the water in the nude, getting in gracefully and swimming towards him as she goes under the water getting her hair and face wet.

She played with his wet beard for a moment then looked innocent as she splashed some water at him playfully. She then sat in the water, her breasts exposed above the water as she smiled at him. Then getting curious about him.
"where do....you sleep? With wolves?"

 

[Tseranc]

He tried very hard not to stare, and had to both curse and thank the gods that she knew nothing of modesty. He usually did not wear anything to swim, but figured in the presence of a woman, it was only polite A courtesy that was apparently lost on her.

She looked amazing, and not noticing became near impossible as she dove, then floated near him, splashing and fiddling with his beard.

Fortunately her words brought back a stab of sadness to distract him. “I have a home, about a day and half from here that I built. I share it with my friends, the wolves.” He frantically thought of something more to say, to change from the painful subject. “I also have two goats that I feed, in return for their milk, and I keep a garden for food and herbs. A few other animals frequent my home, but only the wolves stay on as my companions really.”

He wanted to slap her for bringing them up, almost as much as he wanted to feel those breasts pressed against his chest. It had been a long, long time since he;d know that type of companionship.

 

[PaintaPicture]

When she had asked him about his home, he looked hurt by her asking, almost cringing that she said anything. She almost didnt get it. But she nodded, she didnt really know what it was like to live with anyone else. All she knew was the animals that would some times walk by or the birds she liked watching that would land near her occasionally. But as far as companions went, she never had one that she was aware of.

She remembered the wold she killed and the look of sadness he had when she had. That was one of his friends, and she felt bad that she had killed it, even though it had attacked her, she felt a new emotion of guilt.
"I..I'm sorry..abbout your friend."

She swam around for a moment and going under and popping her head back up letting the water clean her off as she played a bit still. She swam over to him again holding onto his shoulder and looking over at him, like she just got an idea. She pointed to herself and spoke.
"come to your home, sssay sorry to wolves."
She didnt really ask, but she wasnt demanding either. She though it was a good idea, and wasnt sure if he would or not. Smiling sofly at him, as her body was on his, waiting for his reply.

 

[Tseranc]

He fought between watching a playful, nude woman, and an internal struggle between letting go of his sorrow, or fueling the anger.

“Things happen as they will. Uhei attacked first, you had every right to defend yourself. He knew better, but....well, he was like you and me. He'd been hurt by people too.”

He decided to swallow the anger, and live up to the comforting words he had issued. “When your foot is better, then if you wish, I will take you to meet Hymi and Isan. They are good creatures. Protective, but loving, in their way.”

But he smiled, even if it was forced, and splashed her back. “Seems you're a lively one once off your foot. I may have to worry over these swims of yours.” By the end, the smile was genuine.

 

[PaintaPicture]

She nodded along with what he was saying, he had pain in his voice and she heard it with every word spoken. And she wanted to see where he lived, she had never ventured far from her cave and wanted to go further than she had, hoping he wouldnt mind bringing her along. When he splashed her back she laughed at the thought of her being 'lively' off her foot, she thought she always was.

She splashed back and swam around more and eventually stopped and took a breather, getting a bit worn out and tired she stretched her arms and looked around seeing a nice patch of green grass and she got out of the water and then turned to him.
"dry off..now?"

She walked to the grass laying down on her back letting the sun dry her wet body. It was a hot day and the breeze was nice as she closed her eyes letting the sun into her skin.

 

[Tseranc]

He wondered at just how much the civilized world still marked him, as he felt a pang of guilt stab at him for very nearly gawking at her as she left the water. Tanned skin glistening in the sun, as she laid out without a shred of worry at him watching. Even nursing her foot, she walked with a confidence that no queen could duplicate.

Which one was the teacher, and who the student?

After a moment of pondering, he followed, and was almost grateful that once he lay next to her, and looked up at the bright blue sky, between the green branches, he could hardly see her naked chest rise and fall with her breathing.

He folded his arms behind his head, and thought on what was really happening here. A woman, who's memory might surely return, lived trapped in that body of innocence. He fought guilt over secretly hoping that other woman might never return, and just leave him to enjoy the company of a human that had no poor habits from civilization.

But she was also a puzzle, and one that pulled on him to solve. What had happened to her, and why. By who? She had to be thought dead, having lived here for over a year without someone coming to look.

All in all, she was a huge complication in his life that the nearly resented. But then it was hard to stay mad at a pretty face after all these years. For that he resented himself for being so weak.

 

[PaintaPicture]

She watched as he came and layed next to her in the grass. Both of them slowly letting the sun and air lift the water off of their bodies. After getting dry, or dry enough she sat up and looked at the water and then over at Latro, poking him again to look at her ankle. Wanting to show him it's almost healed, looking at him eagerly to see what the thinks about it.

Her eyes then traveled to her stomach as it grumbled in hunger and she looked around now remember she didnt bring a spear with her or anything.
"i go hunt..soon."
She smiled at him and pushed her damp hair back and then doing the same to his, seeing that some of it was in his face.