welcome to your new hell, Welcome to the Menagerie. Or as we like to call it, Dome Sweet Dome! We are an eight-year strong futuristic shapeshifter and sci-fi creature roleplay, dedicated to bringing you a world unlike any other; a world in which your character has become an experiment and must fight for survival in a domed city, cut off from the rest of the world. Choose to be any animal in your fight for survival in an artificial world built by the Keepers as they subject you to experiments beyond your control. Choose to wander the world inside the walls alone, as a Rogue, or find safety in numbers in one of the groups known as Rings. How will you survive?
60 - 65 ºF
blustery with scattered showers spotty sunshine
YEAR 2309
shift bans.
» Cougars (aka Puma, Mountain Lion, Panther)
» All Tiger Species
» All Lion Species
» All Wolf Species
» African Leopards
group bans.
none.
encouraged !
FEMALE CHARACTERS! create a RETRO or ANTHRO and get 250 CP + a free skill! read me for more info!
last updated: april 19th, 2016
Click on each Ring or Retro group image to view their ranks!
GROUP UPDATES
CARNARING
Jocelyn Edelwolfe is the new Alpha! Seija Mulviene is the new Beta, and Grey is the new Delta. Lead Hunter is now Boone Haywood, Head of Border Patrol is now Noelle Ndango!
FALLENRING
-
FULSIRING
Fulsi has a standing treaty with the Nakoma, granting limited access to their fresh water.
NAKOMA TRIBE
-
ANALOYA PRIDE
a while back, the Analoya suffered a suspicious poisoning of their river, luckily with few casualties; the Bellator are suspected of having taken part in it, and there are whispers that Pride leader Wanderer is talking alliance with the Nilda for access to their clean water.
BELLATOR HERD
As new leader of the Bellator, Loril has instituted some rank changes. See this thread for more information!
LAWAII FLOCK
no updates!
NILDA PACK
no updates!
CARNARING QUICK STATS
ALPHA -- Jocelyn Edelwolfe, Clouded Leopard, played by IronChild
BETA -- Seija Mulviene, Spotted Hyena, played by Seija-chan
DELTA --Grey, Mackenzie Valley Wolf, played by Kriss
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Hallie found herself smiling back at Rog as they went, his hands on her hips to steady himself as she gripped the hair of Orions mane. She hadn't ridden him in a few days before the trek so she hoped he would be okay, but he seemed fine. They trekked along a small pathway through the northern section of Analoya territory. They weren't too far in, but far enough to maybe get a hand at some larger game. She was excited, having never been this far into Retro territory before .. even though, as she thought, they weren't too far in.
Soon enough Pax called for them to stop and she grinned as they were able to rest, stopping Orion and swinging herself off. Patting his neck she reached up to give Rog a hand as she looked over to Pax at that new girl, finding herself glaring a bit as she grabbed her sack from Orions back and plopped down on a fallen log. Rog went to stand not for off with the new girl. She smiled as he reassured the girl that she was doing fine and turned to watch Pax out of the corner of her eyes. "Whose got first watch?" she asked him as she fiddled with her pack, though before she had time to think Rog had found his way back over to her and slung and arm over her shoulder.
"You gotta take second watch with me Hal! ... Stick the new girl with Pax," he whispered teasingly as she turned to look at him, her tail slightly fluffed in surprise. He really didn't mean it like he didn't like her, he just liked people he knew better -- that and he was quiet when it came to meeting new people.
"Well..," she started as she looked over to Pax, who had given them a passing glance. "That'll be fine," Pax had responded before her ears drooped slightly as she grabbed her pack and pulled out her blanket from it, laying it out so she could fold one half over herself before she looked around. "No fire, right? It's too crowded plus we are on the border of Analoya..," she said as she sniffed the air before glancing to Pax.
"We need'ta cook the food we got so it doesn't spoil," he said as he glanced to her and she ducked her head in embarrassment; she should've thought of that. "I'm sure we can risk it," he finished as she gave him a glance. She wondered if she'd ever lead a troupe one day like Pax always seemed too -- the only way was to step up and prove herself. Though it seemed, as of late, there was nothing exciting going on.
She laid down on her side, shifting a bit on the cold earth since she hadn't been able to find a new pair of pants yet to replace her cut-off shorts that she was still wearing. The days weren't so bad but the nights were definitely getting cooler. Her tail wrapped around the top part of her legs as she pulled the blanket around her and watched as Rog brought firewood and built a small teepee with the sticks. Rog soon had the fire lit and was looking to Hallie, "aren't you gonna eat skinny thang?" he asked her as she smiled reassuringly at him. "Save some for me for our watch, I'm tired and I'd rather eat when I get up then fall asleep after eating," she said as she closed her eyes, pulling the blanket up to cover her mouth and rest just under her nose.
Her ears twitched as she heard Orion lumber around to stand close to her, just on the other side of the log as he munched on the grass there. It was nice being on a small patrol like this, she always enjoyed it when she wasn't surrounded by a bunch of bodies. Though, at the same time, she missed the warmth it kept as she shuddered a little while dozing off.
After he'd tended to his horse Briar, Pax had settled himself by the fire and was slowly roasting the days kill as the others went about setting up the small camp and eventually settled down for the night. The sun hadn't set just yet, and he knew he could risk another few minutes of warmth and comfort from the fire. He'd sent the new girl Corrine to sleep and would let her stay up on second shift with Hallie and Roger. He'd been attempting to soften his treatment of the newbies, make them more comfortable in the ranks and more willing to adapt.
As he finished up cooking the last of the prey, his eyes wandered over to Hallie. He caught himself thinking about her a lot more these days, whenever he had a spare moment to think about something other than patrols or stirrings of battle. It was a strange thing, how easily she captured his attention, how easily she occupied his thoughts. It was as if she'd taken root in his mind, and he couldn't do a thing to chase her away. She stopped him from thinking about the wife and daughter he'd never hold again. A rush of guilt overcame him, and he wondered if he was a horrible man for admitting that they'd been in his dreams less and less. There were times when he could just close his eyes and she'd be there, his Clara; standing before him, so real, so tangible he could reach out and touch her. But now when he closed his eyes he could hardly picture her at all. He felt himself reaching for the chain around his neck where his wedding ring had hung for years, but stopped himself midway, a knot forming in his throat. He'd lost it during the War.
Paxton pulled himself from his thoughts, knowing that now was not the time to become some deep intellectual thinker who lived his life by his emotions. It was a time to focus, to keep he and his troupe safe from any who would wish them harm by staying alert. He'd already let the fire burn too long since night had fallen, though it was difficult for him to tell. His vision only registered temperature, though he'd learned to recognize the different colors the world took on when night had set in. He stood and put out the fire, quietly kicking dirt to smother the flames.
He sat for four or so hours in complete silence, keeping his eyes wide even though he didn't technically need to keep them open to "sense" anything. The heat sensory pits the Keeper's had mutated out of him didn't rely on his optic nerves (which had been damaged and left him blind), but they enabled him to sense the heat around him and essentially "see" in infrared. It was a godsend at times, and at others he hated it. He estimated it was time for a switch in watch, and gently roused the other three from their sleep.
He went to Hallie's side, and his hand lingered a moment too long on her shoulder as he woke her. "Wake me if there's any trouble," he said. "Or if you need anything at all." He said in a low murmur. He gave her shoulder a light squeeze before grabbing a blanket and tucking in for a few hours rest.
ooc-- gaah
Last Edit: Mar 14, 2014 23:15:47 GMT -5 by Pax Ford
She hadn't really startled out of sleep, the blanket having lulled her into her dreams with the pull of warmth and the promise of happy endings. She couldn't remember what it was exactly that she dreamt about as her eyes fluttered open to meet Paxton's; but it didn't quite matter to her as she felt the heat that was in her body rush to her cheeks. She nodded to him, her hand having brushed over his as he squeezed her shoulder tight, before watching him saunter off to his pack and own desired sleep.
She stretched her arms above her head as she rolled onto her back, her toes curling and her muscles stretching out their kinks from laying on the forest floor. She didn't quite feel refreshed as she lay there a moment, though she had no plans on going back to bed as Rog came over with the new girl in tow. Pulling herself up in a sitting position she took the blanket and folded it, placing it over her pack as she stood. Gooseflesh rose along her arms and legs as she dug around her pack to pull her jacket out and swung it around her shoulders. She yawned once more as she sat on the end of the log she had slept by, the others sitting next to her.
As they settled in for their watch she couldn't help but look to Pax, watching the soft rise and fall of his chest with rapt attention.
---
The new girl, Corinne, had been making idle small talk here and there with Roger the past hour or so; something about differing the smell between the rings of order. She listened only half the time as she kept her eyes out into the forest around them, her eyes closing as she pulled up one knee to wrap her arms around them and rest her chin on top.
Her hearing was one of her more favored assets the Keepers had given her, and having had it the longest of her abilities she had honed it quite well. Always sitting and listening to everything around her in the Nook, trying to differentiate the distance she heard certain conversations, certain sounds ... everything.
Shhhhft. Thumthum thumthum.
She stilled as she heard it, her eyes snapping open and her pupils dilating as she let them form the details of the forest around her. She couldn't see them, and the air was too still to smell them; yet just enough of a breeze to make small things blend in with the night. She clicked in the back of her mouth, once ... light ... and Rog stopped his talk as he shushed Corinne, looking quickly over to Hallie. She only saw him from the corners of her eyes but it was all she needed. Signaling him, Rog quickly went for his pack, dragging along the scared Corinne with him.
She moved slowly, feeling her feet hit the ground and moving with the motion of her body to make practically no sound. She thanked the Keepers silently for this new odd dexterity she had. She was in a crouch as her hand went for the handle of the 5" military blade that was hidden inside right knit boot. Touching the handle out of sheer nervousness she made her way over to Pax, her foot falls heel to toe, rolling across the ground with ease as she came to his sleeping form. She knew he was way more jumpy than she, and she was prepared for it.
Coming close to him she grabbed his shoulder, squeezing to rouse him as her other hand found it's way over his mouth. She hand pulled her hand away to raise a finger to her mouth in a motion of silence when she felt the wind knocked out of her as the man she had gone to wake was now on top of her with a arm across her chest and the other gripping her hand that was going to her mouth, which now it was pinned to the earth. "Ow," she hissed as she looked up to him, her ears swiveling to the side as she listened for the sounds again as she tried to focus. Though it was hard with your head ringing from impact with the ground. "Pax it's me," she spoke low.
He looked surprised and whispered an apology before releasing her hand as she moved her own hand away from his mouth before he asked her what was going on. She slowly moved to lean in and press her lips just outside his ear, barely breathing her words. "There's a group coming right for us from the south, I'm guessing cats since .. they don't sound like humans to me," she said as she tried to reel in her mind and focus while her heart and stomach did jumping jacks in her chest at the closeness of them. She could smell him and his body heat melded into hers ... god she wished that they weren't in the situation they were in at this moment. God she wanted to kiss this man.
It was taking him a considerable amount of time to finally fall asleep--the usual plague of being able to sense everything around him, even with his eyes closed. At times it was a godsend, but when trying to sleep it was more like a curse. He couldn't block it out, couldn't just close his eyes and make the world disappear. Everything was sharp, focused, a swirl of colors and sounds. He could sense Hallie, Roger and Corrine; he could see the heat radiating from their bodies amidst the swirling chill of the night air.
But at long last his breathing evened and he faded into a strange world of unpleasantly dreamless sleep, a strange flowing mix of awareness and unconsciousness. Even in his sleep he could feel the world around him, and something was making his pulse spike as his heart began to race. He felt like he was running, his breath quick and sharp as he felt the danger rising, felt as if a dark threat was looming over him.
At that moment he felt something grab his shoulder, something covering his mouth and he felt for the briefest moment that he couldn't breath. He jerked awake and with a low snake-like hiss he grabbed the form above him and flipped it to the ground, simultaneously straddling it. He glared down at the body beneath him for a moment, one hand pinning the offending arm to the ground and the other planted like lead across the chest. His breath was sharp and labored as he struggled to make sense of all the heat signatures circling in his mind.
"Pax, it's me,"
His unseeing eyes widened slightly as Hallie's whisper reached him and he immediately released his hold on her. He grimaced, understanding dawning on him as her scent flooded over him, that he'd just pinned her to the ground. "Shit," he cussed, though keen to keep his voice low. "I'm sorry Hal. Didn't know it was you." he said, though as he moved to get off the poor girl she motioned for him to stay quiet, and drew him closer. Her breath was a soft whisper in his ear and he felt a shiver of delight tickle briefly down his spine before, it was replaced with a flash of unease. "There's a group coming right for us from the south, I'm guessing cats since .. they don't sound like humans to me,"
His muscles tensed instantly as he nodded curtly to Hallie. Whoever it was that was coming for them was still too far off for him to sense them, but he could tell by the urgency in Hallie's voice that they were coming in hard. He lifted himself off Hallie and pulled her to her feet, grabbing her hand and guiding her to Roger and Corrine. "We need to get the horses ready and ride outta here," he whispered. Usually he'd stand and fight, but they were in the Analoya's territory and they'd be a lot more inclined to kill. "We got cats comin' our way. I dunno how many of 'em, but I sure as hell don't wanna be here to find out." He realized he still had a hold of Hallie's hand, and found himself not wanting to let go. He gave her hand a tight squeeze of reassurance before turning to Corrine. "Up ya go, darlin'" he said, grabbing the girl around the waist and placing her on Briar's broad back before hopping up in front of her. He waited for Hallie and Roger to mount up before letting out a low whistle for them to move out.
They charged through the undergrowth as fast as their horses could take them, and after about ten minutes or so at a fast canter Paxton was starting to think they'd cleared the danger zone. He was about to motion to Hallie to slow the pace to save their horses when he saw something flash above him in the cool blue treetops. A flash of red and orange. A body. And then suddenly he saw two more from above and knew it was more than just roosting birds. He urged Briar forward with a harsh "h'yah!" that he knew would signal Hallie of the danger, if she hadn't heard already. The forest was almost pitch black and he knew it would be difficult for the others to see anything that wasn't five feet in front of them.
But it was too late, as something swung down from the branches above and plowed into them from the side, sending Corrine tumbling to the ground. Briar reared and lashed out with a searing whinny, as Paxton fought to stay on her back. He felt something that felt like a knife sink into his thigh, just barely holding back a scream as he struggle to make sense of all the blinding, flashing colors and the flurry of action. He couldn't tell what was going on around him, though he assumed that Rog and Hallie were likewise under attack.
A sudden pain seared down his leg as he blindly struck at what was attacking him, realizing that it wasn't a knife. It was a wing-like arm that had talons scrabbling to get a hold on him. "They're Anthros!" he hollered as he managed to free the stiletto knife on his free side and sink it into the winged, clawed arm that was tearing into his thigh. As the bird-like anthro pulled back with a scream, clutching at its arm Paxton swung himself off the horse and lunged forward, managing to snag a hold on the anthro's greasy, feathered neck. He could tell it was was a woman and she was screaming something at him and flapping her wings, drawing attention. He shoved her against a tree and dragged his knife along her throat, effectively silencing her; she sank to the ground with a soft gurgle. He saw Corrine's body crumpled on the ground, unmoving, and stooped to pick her up and sling her over his shoulder, grabbing hold of Briar's reigns as he hauled ass back to try and find Hallie and Roger when he realized they'd gotten separated in the blitz.
He could see them a few yards off, fighting with another anthro, but it fell to the ground just as Paxton made it to their sides, and Paxton was relieved to see they were both still alive."There was one more," he said, motioning to the canopy. "But it's gone. Probably went to get backup," he said, wincing through a sudden throb of pain from his thigh. He could feel the blood oozing from the claw wounds, but knew the anthro hadn't cut anything vital. "We need to get to the clearin'. We can make our stand there, 'cos runnin' ain't gonna do us any good. They got fliers." he said, and motioning to the unconscious girl slung over his shoulder, continued. "Let's get a move on and find that clearin'. I dunno how bad Corrine's hurt."
It wasn't long before they reached a clearing, one that Pax frequented when he hunted in the woods. It had a thick copse of trees along one side, one that made an effective barrier that you could keep your back against. The trees and undergrowth had grown so close together even a mouse would've had a tough time squeezing through. "Keep near each other best you can and make sure you keep this line of trees at your back," he ordered, drawing his hunting knife from the sheath on his shoulder. "That way they can only come at us from the front an' sides. I'll take front 'n center, Rog you take right flank, Hallie the left," he said. "Keep close and holler for help if you need it." He looked back to see Corrine's body hidden amongst the brush, and wondered how long it'd be before their trail was scented.
It didn't take long before he heard the heavy beat of wings and muffled pawsteps in the woods just beyond. "Here they come! Hold position," he said, though the feeling of dread was lessened when they finally came within range of his sense, and he got a head count. There was only three on the ground and from what he could hear above, one in the air. He glanced to Hallie and gave her a reassuring nod just as the three crashed into the clearing, heading straight for them.
ooc-- huuuurr long post
Last Edit: Mar 14, 2014 23:16:57 GMT -5 by Pax Ford
She wished the moment could last longer, his body heat nice against the chill of the air around them while they lay there. Short lived, he lifted off of her, grabbing her hands to pull her quickly to her feet before he kept a hold of one; guiding her over to Rog and Corrine. She let her fingers curl around his hand as he spoke to the other two, feeling him squeeze her hand before he let go. She reluctantly let his hand slip from hers before turning to call Orion with a click of her tongue.
The black stallion tossed his head as he came over quickly, grabbing a fistful of his mane to swing on behind his shoulder blades. Holding Orions sides with her thighs she grabbed her pack from Rog who handed it up to her and then grabbed his hand to help him swing up behind her. She glanced back to Rog, who in the darkness, she could still see the slightly worried look on his face. "It'll be alright," she said with a smile before Pax's whistle cut off whatever Roger was about to say as Hallie turned back to urge Orion forward.
It wasn't long before they were on the home stretch, the border only about 20 minutes out before her ears swiveled, the soft rustling of the branches above her and Paxton's loud 'hyah' only cementing the fact they hadn't gotten away. She grit her teeth and squeezed Orions sides firmly to send him bolting forward and off to the side. She swung around and stopped as she heard the branches shift hard as some anthro dropped from above, Orion snorting as he butted his head against the things side to send him launching. He got up quickly though as Hallie reached for her knife, but Rog was already on the ground and slamming the body up against the tree. Blood filled her nose and a gurgle sounded as she heard a body hit the ground before Rog appeared in front of her again. She smiled her thanks as he pulled himself back up as she turned Orion towards the sound of Briar as Paxton came through the brush.
They glanced to each other as Paxton spoke, a worried look crossing both of their eyes before they turned back to Pax. A new blood smell lingered to Hallies nose, different from the little she smelled on Roger and the stuff that leaked from the dead anthros body. She nodded as Paxton motioned to Corinne, not having noticed her unconscious before now, it being so dark. She glanced to him as well. "Are you okay?" she asked him as they went, although she didn't really expect a truthful answer if he was hurt anyway.
She slid from Orion's back as they made it to the clearing, the horses wandering to the other side of the canopy like they knew before she went to guide them. She breathed deep as she crouched to take her knife from her boot, holding the sharp edge out as she positioned herself to Pax's left. She was determined not to need any help from anyone as she mentally prepared herself, she had only killed once and it was the first time her and Pax had been on a party together. She glanced to him then and caught his gaze as he gave her a nod; they would be fine. Everything was planned and would work out.
She turned back to focus her attention forward as the lioness anthro came at her, her feet sliding out to widen her stance before she stepped once into the pounce from the other, though quickly bent back and tumbled underneath the females form. Coming up behind her she swiped at the girls back as she growled and seemed to roar as she quickly spun around, reaching out to pull Hallie into a crushing hug. Hallie cried out a little, the female obviously having enhanced strength as she hugged her, laughing at Hallies pained look. Hallie found her footing then and standing on one foot swung her knee up into the others gut to make her loosen her hold. Slipping from the grip she came around quickly while the other was still winded, her hand finding the floating rib as she slipped the knife through and punctured the lung - exactly how Pax had taught her one time. The girls eyes widened as she gripped at her throat, grabbing at Hallies shirt as she fell to her knees. Hallie frowned, a sadness behind her eyes as she looked away, prying the girls hand from her shirt as she slumped over; though something had her ears swiveling to find its source.
Her head flew this way and that, trying to pick out the noise between all the scuffle as she noted that both Pax and Rog were still standing; although going against more experienced hunters it seemed. She grit her teeth, her ears straining before she heard it, the tension being pulled back on an arrow. Her breathing sped up as she found her eyes scowering the trees and falling on the form before following his aim; Paxton - who had just downed one of the anthros comrades. Everything seemed like it was going in slow motion as she bolted forward, surging faster like she had found she could after her last black out. It was odd but she thanked the Keepers in her head as she yelled out to Pax as she heard the twang from the bow let loose.
She didn't slow down, hoping she was fast enough to make them both clear the shooting area as she found herself slamming into Pax's side. Although in the split second she felt his footing give and felt them going to the right a lancing pain went through her left shoulder and a cry ripped from her vocal chords as she was sent back on her ass, more pain shooting through her shoulder as she landed on the ground. Through bleary vision she looked and tried to lift her arm up to grab at the shaft, barely getting her fingers wrapped around it her whole right side was screaming from pushing Pax over. She'd have to yell at him about being so muscle-y when she could work her vocal chords properly. Though the only thing that managed to come out was cries of pain, hot tears beginning to make their decent down her face. "Pax..." she managed to choke out. She hoped he was alright .. maybe her pushing him gave the anthro enough time to let loose another arrow? She hoped her efforts weren't for nothing.
ooc: holy moly that was long. 8D hope you like!! >3
Paxton tried to keep his attention on Hallie, and he could at least be aware of her through the strange almost 360 view of his surroundings through his thermal sensory mutations. But time and time again as the enemy rushed in, he lost sight of her amongst the whirl of heat and movement. It was hard to tell who was who, scents and forms intermingled. The air was hot and heavy and thick with blood, clouding his senses even more. Withing moments, he was almost fighting blind (again). A body slammed into him and took him by surprise, and as he twisted away from the assailant he felt claws graze against his side in attempts to latch on to him. As he twisted he grabbed the anthro's arm and wrenched it so the anthro fell back against him, quickly locking his arm around its neck. His grip was steadfast, held there with the strength that coursed through him as his adrenaline spiked (thanks to the Keepers). With his free hand he unsheathed his knife and in one swift movement jabbed the thing in it's back once, twice, three times, and on the last hit he felt the hilt of the blade sink into its body. He twisted the blade, as he withdrew it and let the body drop at his feet.
Paxton turned and sensed that Roger was still battling, but that Hallie had just felled her opponent. He felt a surge of relief that she'd made it through. But he was pulled from Hallie again as he sensed Roger hit the ground after receiving a blow to the head. Paxton turned on his heel, fixed the anthro's heat signature in his gaze, and with a steady flick of his wrist hurled his blade. It landed square in its back and it crumpled to the ground, but Pax didn't give it a chance to get up. He was on it in a split second, freeing the knife from his boot sheath and slamming it into the man's skull straight through his temple. He twisted the blade before removing it and the blade he threw. He straightened himself up and twirled the blades in his hands, preparing for the next wave or attack; he heard Hallie's cry a moment too late as he felt her body slam into his, sending him stumbling a few feet to the right. He recovered easily and tried to catch her as she fell. Everything had happened so quickly, his senses were still reeling, and he couldn't make heads or tails of what had just happened.
All he heard was her screaming and with his hands wrapped around her back he felt hot liquid saturating his hands. He stared down at her, shocked at the feeling of blood, her blood smearing on his arms. "Jesus, Hallie," he breathed, his voice shaky, barely able to comprehend what she'd done. "Hallie, what did you do?!" He yelled, tears stinging his eyes as she said his name as fear settled thick and heavy in his chest. "Rog! Rog! Hallie's been hit! Goddamnit," he said, trying to feel for the wound. He could see something sticking out of her shoulder, hands trembling. An arrow. A goddamned arrow. He didn't understand why she'd shoved him, why she'd pushed him out of the way, and all he could hear were her cries of pain, could smell her blood thick in the air, and he couldn't get his shit together, couldn't pull himself out of the shock that she'd just saved him, and now she was bleeding out in the middle of hostile territory, and she...
"Hallie, please," he rasped, falling to his knees, pulling her against him, shielding her from attack. He could hear Roger fighting something in the trees, and he yelled that he'd gotten the sniper. "Please hold on." he said, as he slowly got to his feet and scooped her up, heading towards the horses. Roger came over, and Paxton let him take her from his arms as he vaulted onto Briar's broad back and Roger handed Hallie up to him. He placed her in front of him, wrapping a strong arm around her; Roger did the same with Corrine, who was barely breathing. Paxton's heart was loud in his ears, dread heavy in his heart. He placed a gentle kiss on Hallie's head, eyes stinging with prickling tears of guilt and shock as he urged Briar into a full gallop, melding into the dark shadows of the forest.
ooc-- merp. sorry for any typos
Last Edit: Mar 14, 2014 23:17:28 GMT -5 by Pax Ford
ooc-- time-skip to a couple of days later back in Nakomie territory
To say he was worried would be an understatement. Guilt had settled thick and heavy in his chest, clouding his mind with anxious regret. Thoughts of her death had plagued him night and day since he’d gotten her back here, unconscious and bleeding heavily. They told him that she’d pulled through, but they were worried about infection. She hadn’t woken up yet, either. Paxton paced outside the ramshackle infirmary building, barely able to concentrate on anything else. He couldn’t stand it, this not knowing, this helplessness he felt. He hadn’t been able to do anything for her, and she…she had…
He shouldn’t have taken Hallie with him that day. That was a ridiculous thought though, and he knew it. He didn’t have a choice, really. Zephyr was in charge and every able body that could help, must. That’s why he had been teaching Hallie, teaching her self-defense and fighting tactics so that even if he wasn’t there to watch out for her, she could take care of herself. But he still couldn’t handle the fact that she’d basically saved his life and might be dying in his place. And that was a thought he couldn’t live with. Not again.
After two days of waiting, he was just about to break down the door to the infirmary when a Healer opened the doors and signaled him in. The man’s face revealed nothing beyond his own tiredness. Paxton crowded against the man’s back so he would walk faster, craning over the Healer’s shoulders to try and see any trace of her faster, even though in this place he couldn’t really tell the heat signatures apart. The Healer motioned him to a cot where, when he got close enough, he could sense the vague details of Hallie’s sleeping face, and more importantly see the warmth of her body and feel the vibrations from her heart beat. He felt himself grinning even before he kneeled down next to her, reaching out a hand to gently squeeze hers.
“Hallie…” he said in a breathless whisper, his throat tightening as he thought of how close he’d come to losing her. He realized how much he cared for her, how different things would be without his friend.
Last Edit: Mar 14, 2014 23:17:47 GMT -5 by Pax Ford
She couldn’t remember anything except Paxton’s warmth, his voice, movement – and pain. She hadn’t had a lucid thought since she worried over whether the other as okay or not. But the fragments of things she did remember began with the cowboy and mostly ended on a cot in the medic wing of the Nakoma.
Now though, as she began to come to, she became aware of the ache in her shoulder thoroughly. She briefly wondered just how long she had been there; though in all possibilities she could’ve been there a day with the amazing abilities the healers here had. She went to breathe in deeply and whimpered a bit as a jolt of pain shot through her shoulder. She didn’t smell blood though, and from what she felt there as minimal bandaging; most likely covering the wound for now. Most times healers only had enough energy for infections, bones, and a few layers of repaired skin. Soreness couldn’t be helped but it was a whole lot better than the feeling when that arrow slipped through her shoulder like a knife through butter.
Gingerly she opened her eyes, her lashes fluttering as the low light helped her to focus faster. In one instant she realized two things, that the hand she was squeezing was in fact, Paxton’s. Second, she had obviously not eaten in the time she was here since her belly ached a bit and her mouth was dry. She swallowed heavily, dragging a tongue along her chapped lips as she then smiled to the man before her. She turned her hand in his grasp to thread her fingers through his, her heart beginning to pound loudly in her ears. “Pax…,” she said softly as she had turned her head to look to him.
In the back of her mind she figured she looked probably horrid, everyone always did after a trip here, but it was better than taking a visit to the graveyard. She shifted a bit as she attempted to sit up to lean back against the wall at the head of the cot, although she was stiff and fighting the uncomfortable look that spread across her face. She glanced to him, “Can you help? I just want to sit up to breathe a bit better?” she said in a half propped up position, her hand still tucked into his as she had attempted to simply use her arm; not thinking about it being her bad arm.
Paxton let out a sigh of relief when she woke, and turned her head to look at him. The sound of his name coming from her lips calmed him, settled the turbulent emotions that had tightened in his chest. It was strange, in that moment Hallie reminded him so much of Clara—she’d always been able to calm him down with a few soothing words, or the assurance of a touch. He glanced down at Hallie’s fingers as they threaded between his own, a gentle smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
His eyes flickered back up to hers, sightless, but out of habit. It gave him some semblance of his old life, to act as if he could see. He saw the traces of detail on her face, could see the shapes of her lips and eyes, the outlines of her nose. It was hard to distinguish emotions, but sometimes if he concentrated hard enough he could read expressions. All he saw now was her grimace of pain as she tried to sit up, and worry washed over him all over again.
He could feel the knot in his throat grow stronger as he saw her struggle, and reached forward instinctively to help her. He’d already had his arms gently around her when she’d asked for help. “Just take it easy Hal,” he urged, gently helping her sit up and lean against the wall behind the cot. He grabbed a pillow from an empty cot to the left and stuffed it behind her, trying to make it as comfortable for her as possible. “Are you warm enough?” he asked, brows furrowed in concern. “I…” he started, wanting to launch into an apology already, but he couldn’t muster up the courage to speak around the knot of guilt. “Are…you okay? Do you need anything? Water? Food?” he said, standing and signaling to the Healer to bring her whatever she needed.
ooc--
Last Edit: Mar 14, 2014 23:18:00 GMT -5 by Pax Ford
She felt his strong embrace around her and smiled gently, her eyes closing momentarily as she let him move her and shove the pillow behind her. She smiled, resisting the urge to grab at his hands just then as he moved about, asking her if she was warm enough. “Yeah, I ‘m good for now,” she said as she grabbed the blanket that had fallen to her knees when Pax helped her move and pull it up to her waist.
Sitting up had improved her breathing definitely, and the tension in her shoulder was heavy, stiff, though only stayed a dull throb as she lifted her hands to run through her locks. Smoothing the fur on her ears she looked to him as he spoke and stood. Reaching out with her hand, she found his and curled her fingers around his. “Water would be nice. But don’t worry, it’s more stiff and sore than anything,” she said as she tugged his hand to get him to sit once more next to him.
“Are you alright?” she asked him as she let her eyes scan him for any signs of a fresh scar or wound. “I would be mad if they got you after going through all that. And is Roger and that new girl alright? ... Corrine?” she asked him as her ears that had been curving back and forth around her to scan for noises out of habit turned to arc towards him. Her hair fell around her face in soft waves.
She moved her hand to thread her fingers through his again as she smiled softly. She knew she caused him to worry, although she didn’t mean too. She hadn’t really thought about getting hurt; just making sure that Paxton didn’t.
ooc: ...
Last Edit: Mar 5, 2013 19:35:16 GMT -5 by SEIJA-CHAN
Paxton glanced down when she curled her hand around his, caught between pleasure and distress. Part of him wanted to smile, but the other part of him felt how weak her grip was, how fragile she still seemed. His expression was one of bewildered confusion for a moment before he settled on a nod, and sat down again. He held her hand between his own, running his thumb unconsciously along the top of her hand; he didn't realize he was doing it even as he stared down at their hands intertwined. He was trying to sort out his thoughts--what he wanted to say to her. Hell, he was still trying to figure out what he felt, though he'd had plenty of time to mull on it.
But he was afraid, afraid that they'd gotten too close too fast, and that her near-death was a sign to hit the brakes even more than they had already. He'd wanted to keep her at a distance like he did everyone else, keep her from getting close to his heart. But that hadn't exactly worked out, had it?
His eyes flicked back to hers when she asked if he was okay; the corners of his lips twitched up in a slight smile. "I'm fine Hal. Ain't too worse for the wear," he said, pausing when she asked about Rog and Corrine. "Rog is fine, boy barely got nick on him. Corrine...Corrine hasn't woke up just yet, but the medics think she'll make a full recovery with time." Paxton drew in a deep breath, glancing down at their entangled hands, his fingers playing over her soft skin. He thought it was strange how comfortable he felt with her hand in his, how easily they fit together. How her touch didn't make him want to pull away, like any other woman's had since Clara. Her hand seemed so small and soft framed by his calloused palms; god, he could hardly bear it.
"I was so worried about you," he said a bit hoarsely, still staring down at his hands that still held hers. "I don't know what I would've done if..." he trailed off, clearing his throat. He shook his head as if trying to shake off the guilt, but its hold wouldn't loosen on him. "Why the hell did you do it, Hallie?" he asked in a mumble. "Why?"
Last Edit: Mar 14, 2014 23:15:28 GMT -5 by Pax Ford
She loved the feeling of her hand in his, and if given the choice she could probably go around like that forever - and hell - forever was a pretty long time. She smiled at the thought lightly, the corners of her lips pulling up as she let her tongue go out to wet her lips again. As if on cue, the healer came back with a glass of water to hand to her - it actually was cool too, considering the autumn chill had made it into the river of theirs. She used her free hand to bring the glass to her lips, letting the cool liquid cool her throat and wet her dry mouth. As breathed out in a content sigh as she pulled the glass away, glancing to the side of her before setting the glass down on the small stool that was being used as a makeshift nightstand.
She let her eyes glide to their hands just then, her gaze flicking from his worried face to the cowboys hands that enveloped her own, gently stroking the skin. She would've felt content if he hadn't looked so worried, tired and stressed; and with this thought she felt her own features pull into a small frown. Though as he answered her, whether she knew if he was placating her, she let a small smile pull her lips up to match his own momentarily. He seemed to go back and forth between being focused and then falling back into his thoughts as they sat there. She wondered what had his mind so actively engrossed, but held back her curious tongue from prying at him since it didn't seem like the right time.
She shifted to move herself to turn and face him more, her legs curling the opposite way so she could sit comfortably. Watching him, she felt the urge to pull him close to her like she used to watch in those old-timey movies her and her mother used to watch in French. Her mother would sniffle at the movies while Hallie sat on the floor, as close as she could get before her mother would scold her to not sit so close, and watch and hope for that to be her someday. The boy holding the girl or even the girl holding the boy close to her chest, petting his hair ... and saying everything would be alright.
"I was so worried about you."
She let her eyes dart to his face, her own lips parting as if to reply although she couldn't find the words to. She frowned a little as she watched him, his eyes glued to their hands.
"I don't know what I would've done if..."
She let her other hand come up to find it's place on the side of his face, gently urging him to tilt his head up to her. He cleared his throat and shook his head a bit, though she found her hand still cupping the side of his face; the stubborn man still finding a way to keep his eyes low.
"Why the hell did you do it, Hallie? ... Why?"
She almost didn't catch what he had said, the low mumble on the verge of drifting away into the background noise that was all around them. She felt her lips pulling up into a soft smile, her thumb gently stroking the side of his face as she leaned closer, shifting slightly awkwardly as she held back any wince of hers so it didn't show. She wouldn't have him worrying about her so much, she decided (even though she kind of craved it - the whole gentleman taking care of his lady, thing). She let her forehead come to gently lean against his, her having to bend a little down to make this happen as she pushed up against his forehead with hers while she found herself looking down, her canine ears folding back and away from them as she felt the heat rise to her cheeks. The closeness of them always did it easily, making her blush, even though sometimes just the thought of him did it as well.
"I did it because ... I ... I care for you Paxton. You've saved me before and ... and I wanted to save you. I didn't plan on getting hurt instead ... I just ... thought I could get us both out of the way. Though plans sometimes backfire when you try to shove a big, muscle-y cowboy out of the way," she said as she grinned softly and let her eyes flutter open to look to his eyes, her large optics framed by her large lashes as she rose her hand higher to brush the pad of her thumb under his eye.
"I don't want to ever loose you, Pax..." she whispered, her tail gently curving against her thigh, the tip of it quivering and flicking this way and that of it's own accord it seemed.
ooc: omehgerd, all the feels. ;__; actually spent last shift at work reading all of their old threads to post to this. GAH. my little rp'er heart .. it sputters. <33
Her hand grazed against his cheek, soft fingertips sending a shiver through him; he could feel heat rising to his cheeks at her light touch. He kept his eyes on her hand, the one still clasped between his own. As her hand cupped his face he leaned into it on instinct, eyes drifting closed as he relaxed into her touch. He breathed out through his nose, trying to keep his thoughts clear. Trying not to let the rising heat in the pit of his belly draw him away from reality. This wasn’t reality, it couldn’t be. The dome wasn’t a place that would let this be reality. But as she pressed her forehead against his he let loose an involuntary noise, somewhere between a grunt and a soft groan. He swallowed hard against the sudden waves of warmth flooded through him, relaxing him completely. He never realized how tense, how strained he was until she touched him.
It was a surreal feeling, one that he had imagined what must’ve been a hundred times. A feeling he had imagined, but tried desperately not to—he didn’t want to feel this way. He didn’t want to think that the slight increase in her pulse when he walked in was because of him. He didn’t want to keep imagining the softness of her lips. Or to keep seeing himself wrapping her in his arms and holding her there, as she kept him safe from the gaping shadows that threatened to overtake him day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute. He didn’t want this overwhelming affection, this complete and utter helplessness. It made him weak, vulnerable and it put her in too much danger. He wasn’t worth ten of her, and she had nearly died for him. No. It couldn’t be reality. He let go of the hand in his lap and reached up to the one cupping his face, placing his hand over hers. He relished it for a moment before he grasped it gently and pulled away, in the slightest.
“No, you didn’t plan,” he said at last, the sudden sharpness of his voice cutting through the dull murmurs of the medical wing. He winced at the sound of his own voice, and lowered it again to a mumble. “That’s the point. There was no logic to it. And when you act without logic, you die. You got lucky.” He paused, finally meeting her gaze. “I don’t ever want to lose you either, Hallie. You mean too much to me to let…to let you…” he swallowed hard, letting his hands fall onto his lap. It was a few moments before he spoke, his voice trembling.“This place takes everything you care about, every effort you put into growing a new life, it takes it and turns it into, into ash, right in your hands. You could be holdin’ it right there, right in your arms and then you blink, you breathe, and it’s gone. Just ash, crumblin’ away. And you’re left wondering, why, why you let it happen.” He cleared his throat and turned away from her, unable to look her in the eye, unable to be so close, yet so unsure of what to do. “And I ain’t gonna let it happen again.”
Last Edit: Apr 5, 2014 23:57:06 GMT -5 by Pax Ford
Post by Hallie Phearson on Jul 13, 2014 23:41:59 GMT -5
Hallie just let herself feel. Feel not only what she felt for Paxton but what she felt from him in his body language; breathing, sounds and motions all wrapped into one alluring package that had her sitting on the edge of her seat. Craving one more utterance, one more touch from him to send her thoughts all crazed and everywhe-
"No you didn't plan" .. he seemed to hiss as she flinched visibly, her ears drooping ever so slightly, her eyes creasing downward in a hurt expression, and her lip protruding with the slightest pout. As he continued his tone seemed to lighten in the slightest, but the meaning behind it did not in most instances. "Pax..?" she whispered when he finally turned from her and she forced herself to sit up, straining against the dull ache and resistance that seeped through her shoulder and made her want to give up once more.
"No." she whispered.
No. She pushed, breathing hard out through her nose as she moved her legs to curl under her and push herself up and circle her arms around his waist. She would've aimed for higher up but her left shoulder wouldn't take it, so they settled for the lean curve of his abdomen. She pressed her ear to his back as she squeezed her eyes shut, lacing her fingers together as she bit her lip to stop herself from completely loosing it.
"Pax .. you can't live if you never give life a chance. Us a chance. I may not have planned, but life can't always be planned! I don't want to sit around thinking what could've been... Pax .... I love you."
He was glad that he couldn’t see her face and was for once thankful for being blind. It gave him the courage to say what he had to say without having to see that heartbreaking expression on her face, something that would’ve halted him in his tracks before. It was different now that he couldn’t see. He felt things on a much deeper level, to be sure. But it also gave him the ability to separate himself easier, and this instance was no different. But even though he couldn’t see her, he could still feel her, goddmanit. Feel her as she leaned into him, wrapping her arms around his waist and pulling him closer even as he turned away from her. It took every ounce of willpower he had not to lean back into her as she spoke, to scoop her up in his arms and cradle her against him. To bring her lips to his and not relent until they were desperate for air. It had been years since he’d felt desire so strongly, so keenly. Every fiber in his body yearned towards her; he felt her breath against his skin even through his shirt, so attuned was his body to hers.
Her words lit him on fire, as if he had not already been engulfed in flames; he made a grunt, a deep sound rumbling in his chest as he swallowed hard against everything that was fighting within him. Desire. Fear. Love. Her promise of the future was utterly terrifying in that there was no promise. There was no planning, no guarantee, no keeping her safe. “What could have been…” he muttered after a moment, voice nearly cracking with the effort to speak. The future had always terrified him and his future with Hallie nearly crippled him with fear. He felt his whole body stiffen, chest tightening as he struggled for air. The confusing swirls of colors and shapes that made up his world sickened him until he felt his head was spinning. His muscles stiffened to her touch and he reeled away from her in what felt like slow motion as he pried her hands from around him as gently as he could. “It won’t ever be,” he finally spoke as he sought desperately for words, voice lacking any anger or malice. To him they sounded slurred as they seethed through his near-clenched teeth. He knew she was right, that he couldn’t truly live if he didn’t have hope enough to try. But he had survived too much pain to risk even that slim hope that they would be happy, that she would be safe and sound by his side for years to come. He didn't know if he had enough left in him to live the way she wanted. “What is between us will be with me until I die,” he said, swallowing hard. “But I don’t have enough hope left to give us a chance. Not in here.”
He stumbled to his feet, numb to everything around him except her. He couldn't sense where he was going blinded by more than just his war injury; his throat burned as he swallowed against the savage cry clawing to escape his lungs, driven and whipped like a frightened beast by fear and self-loathing. He knew he was being a coward, but it was the only way to save himself from what he saw to be destruction in the end. He planted two hands on the bed and bent over, head swinging between his two arms. "I..." he started but couldn't think of anything else to say. He slammed a hand down on the mattress with a muffled thump before ripping himself upward and turning just as sharply on his heel. He stood for a moment with his back to her, head lowered and chest heaving as he sought direction.
After a moment he slowly lifted his head, squared his shoulders and did one of the hardest things he had done since he had been thrown into this hellish place--he walked away.
Last Edit: Jul 14, 2014 3:02:20 GMT -5 by mo money
Post by Hallie Phearson on Jul 14, 2014 0:50:11 GMT -5
She was on fire with emotions, the words that had been such poison to her lips had fallen with such ease, such conviction; and she knew in her heart that he felt the same. He had to. She loved him so much, with every fiber of her being that she was confident in the emotions he returned.
So when he pulled away from her, prying her hands from his waist as he stood, she felt her world slowly closing up around her. Her heart began to pound horridly against her chest as the color drained from her face, her shoulder beginning to pound with much more fervor as she cradled her arm against her.
She didn't understand ...
"What is between us will be with me until I die .... But I don't have enough hope left to give us a chance."
No. Nononononononono.
"Not in here."
"Pax, no. You d-d-don't b-believe that!" she stammered as tears burned at her eyes, burning her vision as she reached forward to try and grasp a hand that was now planted on the bed a moment to late before he picked it up and slammed it on the bed before he flew up and turned away.
"Pax!" she was determined to get him to stay, ignoring the looks they were beginning to recieve as he stood still for what seemed like forever before he started to walk away. Her heart was in her ears and throat, barely letting her yell out to him.
"Pax!! PAX! Listen to me!"
But his form disappeared around the doorway as she slumped to the ground next to her bed, not realizing she had stood to go after him, her breathing labored from her ribs not being fully healed as she let out a strangled yell. Tears were now freely flowing down her cheeks as she weakly tried to push the healers away from her, Kearie, the Nakomas large centaur female shooing them off to leave her a moment even though she stood to watch her before helping her back onto her cot.
Alone once more she turned her face into her pillow, her eyes screwed shut as she hit the pillow with a closed fist, weaking crying into the fabric. "I would hope for both of us Pax .. I would hope so you didn't have to," as pathetic as it sounded, all she wanted was for him to come back. She couldn't believe the man she was in love with had just walked away from her ... and she didn't know if she'd see him again.