See That Life Is Beautiful [MudBug]

[SMIFFAGRIFF]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=width,450,true]

[atrb=background,http://i51.tinypic.com/f1jfbo.jpg] Watch my moves! Read my mind! "Hear my voice!" It was weird, she thought, to finally be out of her home. To tell the truth, she was just as nervous as she was excited, yet also quite thankful for the opportunity. Issac, her new friend, and a healer too, was risking quite a bit by showing her out of the Tempest Pack when her mother and father so adamantly wanted her to stay safe within its boundaries. Well I'll show them one day! she reminded herself. Being blind is not the same thing as being helpless! As they padded along, Addia kept herself just barely touching Issac's side, just to be sure she didn't lose him. In odd and unknown territory, she wasn't sure what would come next, which way she would need to turn. One day, she'd know each part of this city by how the ground felt under her paws, but for now, every time the terrain changed, Addia had to stop and inspect the ground. They'd first walked down asphalt, and then pretty suddenly, the ground under her pawpads became soft, moist... "Where are we now?" Addia piped up for about the hundredth time on this walk. It was a wonder that Issac hadn't made a run for it yet, what with all her questions. Addia supposed it was his duty to keep her safe. She was the daughter of the new Alpha male and female. She stopped again, lifting her nose to the air to sniff. Suddenly, a whole picture painted itself in her head. The trees, the bark on them, how they were slightly damp from morning dew still... the ground under her feet and the worms swimming around deep down under it... the birds flying above the canopies... and then with her head lifted, she could even feel the warm rays of the sun breaking through the leaves on the treetops. A wide smile worked its way up onto her maw, and she breathlessly whispered, "It's beautiful here, isn't it? Is this a forest?"

[MudBug]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=width,450,true]

[atrb=background,http://i54.tinypic.com/2ewfcls.jpg] Watch my moves! Read my mind! "Hear my voice!" She stepped carefully, staying close at his side. He supposed any other canine would find it hopelessly tense for them to be constantly touching like this, but it just made sense in this situation. He wondered if it was more boring, or more of a challenge, to explore without your eyes? Likely both. He enjoyed being able to watch her closely without her caring that he was staring. It was interesting to watch a canine that had to be so... attentive. He hadn't realized just how taken for granted such simple things as sight are. A small thank you went up from his heart to whoever it belonged to. She asked him, for the umpteenth time, where they were. Her questions didn't bother him, how else was she supposed to learn? It would be foolish of her to brandish about being independent and not even know how to learn, wouldn't it? "Where does it smell and sound like we are?" He spoke like an honest question, not wanting to sound like some sort of teacher. "It's beautiful here, isn't it? Is this a forest," she called to him, after having investigated the ground and skies. Well, she's not stupid, just blind, he thought with a smirk. "Yep. This is the forest alright. Nice job. All the best stuff is in the forest, if you ask me. But, nobody does ask me." He chuckled, with just a trace of bitterness, as he spoke. He slowly walked just a few paces ahead of her, briefly breaking their touch. He lined his tail with her muzzle, but kept it from hitting her face just yet. "Here, take my tail. We're going to have to get through a few bushes and stuff. It won't be easy to stick together side by side. Just go slow."

yeah. it's crap. i'm sorry. BUT HEY, it's better than nothing.. isn't it?

[SMIFFAGRIFF]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=width,450,true]

[atrb=background,http://i51.tinypic.com/f1jfbo.jpg] Watch my moves! Read my mind! "Hear my voice!" Addia tilted her head quizzically at Issac when a bitterness seemed to lace it. Oddly enough, she sympathized; she too, never was asked about what she wanted. It was always decided for her because she was blind. With a small smile, she quietly spoke, "Well I'm asking. I want to know what you find interesting about this place..." she trailed off, her smile turning into a bit of a scowl when her companion instructed her to follow him by his tail. What did she look like, an elephant holding its mother by the trunk? "I'm sure I can follow you just fine without your ass in my face Issac," she scoffed. "Don't forget I'm used to walking without any light. I'll feel the terrain change...." I hope. God, if i trip over something, I'm going to be eating my words. With a quick shake of her head, she dropped the thought for now, deciding she'd deal with the embarrassment if it came, "Lead the way, princess." With a smirk, she walking after Issac a few paces after he started moving along. Ears pricked and nose working on overdrive, Addia found herself somewhat overwhelmed by everything - it was all so new and exciting! But her attention was always quickly taken back to Issac, trying to make sure she followed him step for step. A rustling ahead alerted her to the bushes, and she paused for a moment, sniffing the plant before ducking through it. She felt a few thorns from the brambles snag at her fur, but otherwise, she was in tact, "See? I can take care of myself." She nodded once, sternly, as if to emphasize her point, before she caught a whiff of strong bitterness. "Are those your herbs?" Addia asked before her nose scrunched. "They smell so gross."

[MudBug]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=width,450,true]

[atrb=background,http://i54.tinypic.com/2ewfcls.jpg] Watch my moves! Read my mind! "Hear my voice!" Addia refused his idea to guide her through the brambles. He should have expected that. She seemed intent on making him worry about her. He'd have no choice but the fret for the rest of her life if she didn't stop refusing sensible help for her ridiculous pride. He only shook his head and looked onward instead of reprimanding her like she deserved. "Suit yourself." He started deeper into the forest, going at a pace so slowly he was certain the trees were moving faster than they were. He didn't mind it much, though. Isac could do slow. Too fast, however, gave him a headache. He remembered that Addia had asked him a question, and he was instantly thankful to have a reason to speak. He couldn't think of anything to say before, and felt the need to atleast give her his voice to follow. So what did interest him out here in the woods? The question sounded easier to answer than it was, and he almost began to regret having to answer as quickly as he had been happy for the question. Still, he tried his best to be honest and still make sense to anyone other than his strange self. "So, you asked what interests me about the forest and plants and such. I suppose it's just my favorite way of helping. I get to avoid the fighting, and still be a part of the good, the healing. It's also kind of fun to be almost disguised as a rebel. Everyone loves to assume I don't care about my pack at all - I just lurk around in the woods chewing on leaves. As true as that may be, technically, I do care about my pack dearly. It's my family. My plants and herbs and healing concoctions are all for them, they just don't know it yet." As he spoke, a bitter scent reached his nose and smiled widely. He realized he was smiling, and felt sad that Addia couldn't see it. It must be horrible, to never see a smile. He turned back to her as she exclaimed about the horrible, beautiful odor. "Yep, those are the ones. Welcome to my little hideout, Addia. Watch your- ..mind your step. Don't want you crushing all my precious plants, obviously." They had, indeed, reached his little hide away. The plants were abundant, and the one she was smelling in particular he was most proud of. It was the only plant he collected for something other than healing. Though it went against his peaceful nature, it was a plant meant to be used to aid in the attacks. It's purpose was the distract and daze the enemy felines. It only worked on felines. Catnip, humans would have called it.

[SMIFFAGRIFF]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=width,450,true]

[atrb=background,http://i51.tinypic.com/f1jfbo.jpg] Watch my moves! Read my mind! "Hear my voice!" Addia turned her sightless gaze to Isac, knowing that was where he was, but dreading the fact that she couldn't see him as he explained his ways. Honestly? Addia found it all fascinating. Healing to help rather than fighting? That was so much different than what her mother always proposed. She blinked once, tilting her head in thought after he'd finished explaining. "Anyone that doubt's your loyalty to the pack is a fool," she stated bluntly. "You should tell my mother what you do out here- scratch that, perhaps my father. Brooke isn't too into... peace. I think Bane would take kinder to the idea of having a healer in the pack." Addia paused when Isac started to speak again, snorting with annoyance at his little slip up. She almost spat out a sarcastic comment to the "watch" your step, but he corrected himself before she had the chance. And then came the most amazing part. "A... A plant can do all that?" she bent down to sniff at the catnip, nose scrunching again at the bitter smell. "But it seems so disgusting. Cats really eat this shit?" She let out a bitter laugh after that. "Maybe that's why they're all assholes. They eat disgusting food." Though she still full of attitude, Addia had to admit she was impressed with Isac's knowledge. Stepping away from his stash, she started to sniff around the perimeter of the clearing. The way the earth felt under her feet was a sure sign that Isac came here often if not that his scent was strong here as well, even with the herbs covering most of it. Maybe it was just her oversensitive nose. "I feel so small," she muttered. "Now that I've been out of the pack, everything seems so much bigger. Even without being able to see it... I just feel it I suppose." Her ears flicked suddenly as she finally heard the scurrying of creatures around the undergrowth, "Is something else out there?" She realized, with a start, that she had no idea how to hunt prey, how to defend herself... nothing. She'd been isolated from the world for so long... and now she had no way to help herself. That meant that if something happened while she was out here, she had to depend on Isac. The question was... did she trust him?

[MudBug]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=width,450,true]

[atrb=background,http://i54.tinypic.com/2ewfcls.jpg] Watch my moves! Read my mind! "Hear my voice!" He still felt foolish, beaming like a fool around his blind friend - she was his friend, wasn't she? - and still, he smiled widely at her statement regarding his loyalty. "Thank you, but I'm afraid not everyone got to hear my winning explanation of my strange habits. Oh yes. I'm certain listening to the plant chewer explain how misunderstood he is, is at the top of the leaders' to-do list," he said with a bitter chortle. He instantly regretted the sarcasm, it had been directed more at himself than Addia. She instantly took a liking to the ideas of catnip, which didn't surprise him. It was intriguing to think of a simple plant driving cats mad with just a nibble. Still, he couldn't feel as attached as he did to his medicines. Regret laced every last plant of the feline drug. Regret that it was meant for harm, not healing. He would find a way to justify himself, someday. That was his promise to himself. A dumb promise, he knew, but it was all he had. He laughed, right on cue at Addia's jab about the cats' eating habits. The sound came out with a rehearsed tone, and he hoped she didn't notice. The last thing he wanted was for her to feel patronized. Perhaps that was inevitable, but he would still avoid it as long as possible. Alarm crept into her tone, however, when she heard a harmless scuttle of leaves in the vast wilderness surrounding her. Isac looked around, as if he were humoring her, only to realize she couldn't see him anyway. His mind constantly reminding him of how she could be acting differently around her was tiring, and he decided, at that moment, not to pay it any mind. "Yeah, must be a rabbit, or some other critter. Blasted thing reminded me how hungry I am. What about yourself," he asked with an excited tone. He couldn't being to imagine what it might be like on a hunt with Addia, but he wasn't afraid to give it a shot.

[SMIFFAGRIFF]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=width,450,true]

[atrb=background,http://i51.tinypic.com/f1jfbo.jpg] Watch my moves! Read my mind! "Hear my voice!" Though Addia couldn't see him, she could feel the bitter sarcasm in his voice as he spoke about the leaders. A sudden wave of sympathy washed over her at that - the alphas - no, her parents didn't listen to her either. What was the chance that they'd listen to Isac then? She flicked her tail once, but couldn't bring herself to say anything. What could she really say anyway? With a growl, she spoke almost incoherently, musing to herself, "If mother was a good leader she would listen to all her pack members..." Even me, maybe, she wanted to add. But for once, this wasn't about her, and she didn't want to make it about her either. She'd been both hidden away and spoiled by other dogs tending to her needs. Addia never stopped to think that other members of the pack might be just as bitter as she was. I wonder if anyone else doubts The Mistress... She was quiet for a while after that, letting her anger fizzle down into apathy as usual. However, when Isac said he was hungry, Addia couldn't argue, "I am too. But uh..." she trailed off. Oh man, why did this suddenly make her feel nervous? Sure, she could follow someone around easily enough without tripping... but hunting? She didn't know where to begin with that whole process. She'd absolutely make a fool out of herself. With a groan, she pawed at the floor, ashamed that she once again had to rely on the help of others to feed her. "I hate being blind. I can't do anything useful... she let out an uncharacteristic whine at that, but bit back her emotions. Not here... no now. She was tougher than that, wasn't she? Addia didn't want to cry over something so trivial. It was just a hunt - but no, it was more than that. It was just the idea that she'd never be useful to the pack that upset her. Diego, her brother, was already a soldier. And her? She was breaking the rules with some crazy leaf-chewer. Yeah, that seemed really productive. "What the hell did I think I was doing out here? Fuck... maybe I should just go home."

[MudBug]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=width,450,true]

[atrb=background,http://i54.tinypic.com/2ewfcls.jpg] Watch my moves! Read my mind! "Hear my voice!" Great, now he had done it. How could he have been so selfish? Letting his own self-pity show through in the presence of the blind, ignored, sheltered daughter of the pack leader? If anyone had a right to feel shortchanged in this life, it was Addia. The atmosphere had to lighten up, and it had to do so now! The last thing either of them, especially Addy, needed to do was wallow in self-pity and mope about their troubles. Sure, she had the right to do so, but it surely wasn't helping her cope any better. They would hunt, damn the torpedoes. The forest was no place, but perhaps the meadow, he thought. Yep, that would work. Wide open meadow. She could romp around without worrying about hitting a tree, or some other obstacle of the forest. He put a smile back on his face - more for his own benefit - and spoke in a light, excited voice. "You don't like being blind, hm? Well, Ms. Obvious, thanks for pointing that out. I can't imagine you like dwelling on it either, even if you act otherwise. As for 'what the expletive' you're doing here, I thought you were getting out, for once, and not letting the iron grip everyone seems to have on you, with nothing more than their opinions, not stop you from living your life. Unless, of course, you would rather go back to lolling around in the cemetery, we could head out for the meadow and catch ourselves some early supper." With that almost-speech, he stepped around Addia and through the bush they had just passed through, stopping just on the other side to call back to her one last time. "Coming, princess?"

[SMIFFAGRIFF]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=width,450,true]

[atrb=background,http://i51.tinypic.com/f1jfbo.jpg] Watch my moves! Read my mind! "Hear my voice!" Addia was left speechless, shifting uncomfortably, caught somewhere between shock, gratefulness, and fury. Oh, how dare Isac talk to her like that! But then again - he was so completely spot on. A strange, somewhat twisted grin found its way onto Addia's muzzle, and with something of a scoff, she flicked her tail once before muttering, "Didn't I already tell you that name suited you better than me?" But really, that was all she was. A sheltered, spoiled princess. It was a little disgusting, she realized - but if there was one thing Isac was allowing her to do, it was to change... finally a chance to move away from that whole "daughter-of-the-alphas" mentality she'd been raised by. Addia didn't chose to be blind, or to be the daughter of Brooke and Bane, or to be locked away inside pack boarders - but this... this blatant breaking of the rules - she did chose that. And she wasn't about to back out on it now. As she came out from underneath the bushes to stand beside Isac again, she turned her sightless gaze to him and let out an almost uncharacteristic affectionate smile, "Thanks for that... So uh... How do I hunt?" As if on cue, her stomach rumbled in anticipation, and maybe also in excitement. This was all so new and interesting! Maybe she could catch a deer! Or a moose! Or-- You're blind, her mind cut in for her. That logical voice of reason, her damn brain. Always such a killjoy. "Er... do you think I even can hunt? Mom always said it would be impossible for me to catch anything... worthwhile."

[/size][/justify][/blockquote][/blockquote][/color][/td][/tr][tr][td][/td][/tr][/table][/center]