Continuing forward, Jillian's steps were much more tentative. To anyone watching, it would have appeared as if she had been alerted to some danger, and was leery of going on with her run...or walk. This couldn't have been farther from the truth.
There was no fear in the young female were at all. Instead what she was experiencing was a intense desire to ferret out the odd scent she had met up with, when she first noticed something not usual to the smell of death. Life. There was something else alive in the cemetery, besides Jillian.
Distracted by the large stones of granite, and marble, Jillian read through the inscriptions.
'Henry Purchase
This stone is erected to his memory
by his descendants A.D. 1891.'
'Elizabeth Brower
Frail of body, simple in tastes, and retiring in nature,
She filled the onerous positions to which it pleased God
To assign her with grace, dignity and fortitude.
RIP 1856'
'Lewis Franklin
Died while returning from the springs for his health, 1839'
'All you that do behold my stone,
Consider how soon I was gone
Death does not always warning give
Therefore be cautious, how you live
Repent in time no time delay
In my youth was called away
Hannah Peabody
1872
23 Years'
Being in her wolf form, Jillian still understood the world around her almost as well as when she was in her human form. Things didn't come to her mind in words though...more like pictures. These large tablets, and angels, and other tributes of stone had meaning to her and left her feeling a little sad, but the practical side of her that still dwelt deep, knew it was also just part of life's cycle. She moved along.
As she moved through the memorial gardens the odors changed yet again. Where she had entered was one of the older sections of the cemetery. There were older sections yet, but her path took her into some of the more recent areas...1948...1963...and even a new plot only dug within the past month. The last plot she stopped at, but being so new there hadn't even been a headstone laid to identify the new tenant.
'What?' A shadow passed just inside her peripheral vision, but moved so quickly that Jillian wasn't a hundred percent sure it had been real. Freezing in her tracks, the dark wolf sniffed, and moved her head in the direction of the shadow. Nothing was there. Panting silently, Jillian moved again only after several seconds had passed, and she convinced herself she was still alone. The smell of death, stronger here at the newer grave, was still overpowered by that of life. Her curiosity grew.
Oz? We're not in Kansas anymore
Once she'd left the Tropics, Jillian ran full out for a bit, loving how the cool night air whipped through her silky fur, and all the different scents she inhaled along the way. Night air in Nachton was completely different from the more desert air she grew up with in Nevada. Here the summer air was close, and slightly damp, humid. The Nachton air was slightly salty too, when the breeze blew in off the Atlantic anyway. At first she'd missed the dry sage filled air, but quickly decided to let go of the old memories, and make some new.
As each day passed Jillian's mind traveled to her old home less and less. Every morning she paused and spoke to her parents, reminded of them by the old photograph sitting on her nightstand, but once she'd gone over the previous days events, she was pretty much all Nachton bound. It was healthy that she hadn't grieved too long, and she knew her parents wouldn't have wanted it any differently for her.
But even with the new pack taking her in as they did, and even with all her new friends from school, and elsewhere, she still suffered minor bouts of loneliness. While she'd been involved in finals she hadn't had time to let it bother her, but with finals done...
'Maybe I need a pet.' She thought to herself. Maybe that would help fill whatever void she had. She wasn't sure she was allowed to have animals in the den, but would talk to Xeph about it the next time she ran into him.
Coming out of her thoughts, the young wolf found she had run so far she wasn't sure where she was. It didn't alarm her because the ocean was nearby, and she was familiar enough with that to know she could get herself home by following the shoreline until it led her back to the city. It was the forest that lay to her right that she wasn't sure about.
As she slowed her gait, Jillian veered to the right, and approached the trees, the odor of the ocean fading a little, and in its place was a scent of pine. Her steps grew tentative, and her nose was filled with a musty smell. Death. Old, dusty, mildewy, musty, death. In short order Jillian found herself entering a cemetary, and instead of feeling fear, she felt curious.
Jillian
14 years ago
Jillian
14 years ago
A swift breeze blew across Jillian's snout, and caught her off guard for a moment. She sneezed, and shook her head, but didn't pause for more than a couple seconds. Unaware she was walking in the direction of the shadow, the tombstones still held her interest. So many young were buried in the section where she now padded through.
'Sarah Frost, 1918'
'Maxwell Cole, 1918'
'James Stevenson, 1918'
All of the names represented many young people under the age of sixteen, who happened to die around the same time. It occurred to her they might have been killed by a plague, or something similar, and hoped she might remember to check it out some day soon while at the local library. Her interest in the local history had now been more than sufficiently piqued.
Another sneeze, and another snap of her neck at the reappearance of the shadow. This time though, whether because she was on semi-alert after the last appearance, or just more alert period, she did catch better sight of what created it.
Another wolf.
Jillian stopped in her tracks, not sure how to go on. If she had known whether the wolf was as she was, part human, it would have made some difference. If that had been the case she would have been more cautious. Wolves that didn't share her proclivity never seemed to be much of a threat. They were usually smaller than she was, and more often than not easy enough to elude if the need arose. At first they would usually show a mild interest in Jillian, and then figure out she was just not their kind, and leave quickly. At least that had been her prior experiences, though few.
Wolves who shared her human side were a different matter though, and had the potential to be much more dangerous. Consequently, Jillian took her time deciding if she wanted to leave the cemetery, or pursue her little investigation.
'Sarah Frost, 1918'
'Maxwell Cole, 1918'
'James Stevenson, 1918'
All of the names represented many young people under the age of sixteen, who happened to die around the same time. It occurred to her they might have been killed by a plague, or something similar, and hoped she might remember to check it out some day soon while at the local library. Her interest in the local history had now been more than sufficiently piqued.
Another sneeze, and another snap of her neck at the reappearance of the shadow. This time though, whether because she was on semi-alert after the last appearance, or just more alert period, she did catch better sight of what created it.
Another wolf.
Jillian stopped in her tracks, not sure how to go on. If she had known whether the wolf was as she was, part human, it would have made some difference. If that had been the case she would have been more cautious. Wolves that didn't share her proclivity never seemed to be much of a threat. They were usually smaller than she was, and more often than not easy enough to elude if the need arose. At first they would usually show a mild interest in Jillian, and then figure out she was just not their kind, and leave quickly. At least that had been her prior experiences, though few.
Wolves who shared her human side were a different matter though, and had the potential to be much more dangerous. Consequently, Jillian took her time deciding if she wanted to leave the cemetery, or pursue her little investigation.
Jillian
14 years ago
Distracted yet again, Jillian found herself several feet from where she had stopped, staring into the night sky. Out so far from town, the heavens were alive with stars, glitter thrown upward, stuck to the deep blue, black velvet. Every part of the day held something magical, and beautiful in it, if you only stopped to see. This starry pageant that played out before her now was one of the night time things she loved. The full moon chose then to push out from behind a cloud, and the star dimmed slightly in reverence. Jillian blinked.
The shadow reappeared, and this time without thinking she was off in its direction. Bounding over the headstones in her path, she increased her speed as the shadow moved more quickly. By now it really wasn't a shadow any longer, but obviously a wolf, and not your average timber wolf. This wolf was considerably larger than Jillian, funny though, that thought didn't slow her gait one bit.
Following the larger wolf's lead, Jillian circled the cemetery, running through the aisles of graves and markers, behind crypts, under low hanging branches of trees planted when the cemetery was new, and now heavy with age. It soon became a lark...frolicking as if she were playing with the younger wolves back home. Her heart was light with the frivolity, yet she really had no reason to take this adventure so lightly. She knew nothing about this wolf, and whether or not it would turn on her without a moments notice, and kill her dead. That was one area where there was no doubt...this wolf was way beyond Jillian's strengths.
The shadow reappeared, and this time without thinking she was off in its direction. Bounding over the headstones in her path, she increased her speed as the shadow moved more quickly. By now it really wasn't a shadow any longer, but obviously a wolf, and not your average timber wolf. This wolf was considerably larger than Jillian, funny though, that thought didn't slow her gait one bit.
Following the larger wolf's lead, Jillian circled the cemetery, running through the aisles of graves and markers, behind crypts, under low hanging branches of trees planted when the cemetery was new, and now heavy with age. It soon became a lark...frolicking as if she were playing with the younger wolves back home. Her heart was light with the frivolity, yet she really had no reason to take this adventure so lightly. She knew nothing about this wolf, and whether or not it would turn on her without a moments notice, and kill her dead. That was one area where there was no doubt...this wolf was way beyond Jillian's strengths.
Jesse
14 years ago
He noticed the female before she entered the cemetery, her scent was pungent, and filled his head in a way like no other. Confused initially, he could only follow her, and try to figure out what it was about her that was so different.
At first he remained safely afar. He had been in Nachton several weeks, but was just not feeling confident enough to venture out. He had responsibilities to take care of, and wasn't one to shirk those, but he also wasn't one to jump into a crowd and shout out his name either.
Soon he found himself closer to the female, wanting to see more of her, and still needing to know what this connection was to her. Why, after all his years, after all the time he spent on the streets back home, was he just now coming upon this anomoly? For a few moments he stilled, and thought back to the things his grandfather had taught him. Had there been words about such a thing? Not that he could recall. It was just fucking weird, and that's all there was to it.
Sensing she was getting too close, the young male wolf darted out from his hiding place, seeking a better one. He wasn't in fear of harm to himself, but he still didn't think he could risk being found, and knew he didn't want to hurt her, if she got in a position to do so.
Why, after all this time, had she shown up here? He had sought out a place in the woods that he could use as a base, to come and go from as he learned what he could about the nearby city. This particular section of the cemetery he had found to be the safest, with even very few visits from the groundskeeper. This area was so old that any kinsmen to those who lay here were also long gone, and these poor souls were all but forgotten. It was perfect for him...solitude abounded, and the game in the bordering woods was plentiful. Occasionally he even had to wonder why he needed to leave.
It was his human side that fought against that idea, and was too strong for the wolf to argue with. As much as he disliked a lot of humanity, there were still a few good people out there, he knew. Keeping a connection to those he could trust, thus keeping his own humanity alive, was one thing he had promised both his grandparents. Not to mention an even more overpowering desire to find someone to share his life with. Wolf or man, Jesse's most recent instincts drove him to do that, almost above anything else.
At first he remained safely afar. He had been in Nachton several weeks, but was just not feeling confident enough to venture out. He had responsibilities to take care of, and wasn't one to shirk those, but he also wasn't one to jump into a crowd and shout out his name either.
Soon he found himself closer to the female, wanting to see more of her, and still needing to know what this connection was to her. Why, after all his years, after all the time he spent on the streets back home, was he just now coming upon this anomoly? For a few moments he stilled, and thought back to the things his grandfather had taught him. Had there been words about such a thing? Not that he could recall. It was just fucking weird, and that's all there was to it.
Sensing she was getting too close, the young male wolf darted out from his hiding place, seeking a better one. He wasn't in fear of harm to himself, but he still didn't think he could risk being found, and knew he didn't want to hurt her, if she got in a position to do so.
Why, after all this time, had she shown up here? He had sought out a place in the woods that he could use as a base, to come and go from as he learned what he could about the nearby city. This particular section of the cemetery he had found to be the safest, with even very few visits from the groundskeeper. This area was so old that any kinsmen to those who lay here were also long gone, and these poor souls were all but forgotten. It was perfect for him...solitude abounded, and the game in the bordering woods was plentiful. Occasionally he even had to wonder why he needed to leave.
It was his human side that fought against that idea, and was too strong for the wolf to argue with. As much as he disliked a lot of humanity, there were still a few good people out there, he knew. Keeping a connection to those he could trust, thus keeping his own humanity alive, was one thing he had promised both his grandparents. Not to mention an even more overpowering desire to find someone to share his life with. Wolf or man, Jesse's most recent instincts drove him to do that, almost above anything else.
Jillian
14 years ago
Even with her semi-lack of fear of this wolf, Jillian knew she had to be careful. It was this constant restraint she employed that soon made the little game tiresome. Had she been able to just cut loose and go after him it would have made thing so much easier.
Eventually Jillian slowed down and stopped chasing, choosing to pace instead. The fun had diminished, and she wanted nothing else but to meet this wolf now, and see who he was.
During the past year she had met nearly everyone at the Den, and while she wasn't true friends with them all, thought she knew enough about them to recognize any of them outside the Den walls. The one was no one she'd ever met, that was known now.
He darted out again, off to her left side and behind another crypt. Jillian started after him, but stopped before she'd gone two steps. No, she was done with that. Rather than follow after him, Jillian jumped up on a headstone, then bounded up to the roof of the crypt, and after almost falling off, she gained her balance and stood proudly. Looking around her, from the much better vantage point, it didn't take long to see the wolf.
Flashes of old 'Buffy The Vampire Slayer' episodes filled her head, and as had happened on many occasions, Jillian imagined Oz was there. Having a fictional television character who she could both identify with, and crush on, had been a huge thing when Jillian was younger. No dead vampire Angel for her, Jillian thought Oz was just the best. And now, for whatever reason, this wolf stoked those memories.
Crouching down, Jillian studied as the wolf looked for her, wondering where she would go from there.
Eventually Jillian slowed down and stopped chasing, choosing to pace instead. The fun had diminished, and she wanted nothing else but to meet this wolf now, and see who he was.
During the past year she had met nearly everyone at the Den, and while she wasn't true friends with them all, thought she knew enough about them to recognize any of them outside the Den walls. The one was no one she'd ever met, that was known now.
He darted out again, off to her left side and behind another crypt. Jillian started after him, but stopped before she'd gone two steps. No, she was done with that. Rather than follow after him, Jillian jumped up on a headstone, then bounded up to the roof of the crypt, and after almost falling off, she gained her balance and stood proudly. Looking around her, from the much better vantage point, it didn't take long to see the wolf.
Flashes of old 'Buffy The Vampire Slayer' episodes filled her head, and as had happened on many occasions, Jillian imagined Oz was there. Having a fictional television character who she could both identify with, and crush on, had been a huge thing when Jillian was younger. No dead vampire Angel for her, Jillian thought Oz was just the best. And now, for whatever reason, this wolf stoked those memories.
Crouching down, Jillian studied as the wolf looked for her, wondering where she would go from there.
Jesse
14 years ago
A soft thud from above caused Jesse to look up. His pale gray-blue eyes locked with the nearly black ones of the female. His heart seemed to stop as the two young wolves froze in time for several moments. Fear is what broke Jesse's gaze, and with that he took the opportunity to run.
As he loped off he was conflicted. He had to find out who this wolf was, yet his feelings were too strong, and overwhelming to allow it. What would happen when she left, for it was certain she didn't live there, and the time would come when that happened. Could he just let her go, and risk not learning who she was? This problem, and this experience couldn't have been more foreign to Jesse if he had found himself ported to the middle of Paris, France. He was just not prepared to deal with this on top of everything else he had come to Nachton for.
Yet this was what he wanted more than anything else. He was sure of it.
As he loped off he was conflicted. He had to find out who this wolf was, yet his feelings were too strong, and overwhelming to allow it. What would happen when she left, for it was certain she didn't live there, and the time would come when that happened. Could he just let her go, and risk not learning who she was? This problem, and this experience couldn't have been more foreign to Jesse if he had found himself ported to the middle of Paris, France. He was just not prepared to deal with this on top of everything else he had come to Nachton for.
Yet this was what he wanted more than anything else. He was sure of it.
Jillian
14 years ago
Meeting his gaze startled Jillian so that she momentarily forgot where she was altogether. Once their eyes broke contact, and the male ran off, Jillian's footing slipped, and she slid off the top of the crypt, landing on the ground after glancing off a headstone. A quick yelp escaped her, followed by a soft whimper as she tried to stand.
Afraid to be out and about alone and injured, Jillian did her best to push herself to stand, and managed to do so after only a few minutes. Though the other wolf hadn't done anything threatening to her, she had no guarantees that he would continue to leave her alone. The best she could do was hope that was the case, and make her way back to the Den as soon as possible.
It also dawned on her that she might never find out who this wolf was, and that thought was very unpleasant. But right now there just wasn't anything to be done about it. She refused to change there, and walk all the way back home in a naked and vulnerable state. Jillian turned out to be lucky though, and as she moved the pain began to subside, and she knew she wasn't badly injured at all. The crux of the matter was she still had to go home, and couldn't afford to play anymore tonight.
Giving a couple parting looks, the young werewolf slowly began running herself, headed toward the shoreline, where she knew she could find her way home. She would return to the cemetery later, without fail, and hope that her luck continued long enough that she could meet up with the male. The next time she came it would be daylight, and she would be human. Jillian could only aspire to finding him in a similar state.
Afraid to be out and about alone and injured, Jillian did her best to push herself to stand, and managed to do so after only a few minutes. Though the other wolf hadn't done anything threatening to her, she had no guarantees that he would continue to leave her alone. The best she could do was hope that was the case, and make her way back to the Den as soon as possible.
It also dawned on her that she might never find out who this wolf was, and that thought was very unpleasant. But right now there just wasn't anything to be done about it. She refused to change there, and walk all the way back home in a naked and vulnerable state. Jillian turned out to be lucky though, and as she moved the pain began to subside, and she knew she wasn't badly injured at all. The crux of the matter was she still had to go home, and couldn't afford to play anymore tonight.
Giving a couple parting looks, the young werewolf slowly began running herself, headed toward the shoreline, where she knew she could find her way home. She would return to the cemetery later, without fail, and hope that her luck continued long enough that she could meet up with the male. The next time she came it would be daylight, and she would be human. Jillian could only aspire to finding him in a similar state.
Jesse
14 years ago
At the last minute Jesse turned about, and followed after the young female, who had run off in the opposite direction, albeit a bit lamely. He did notice a slight limp in her gait initially, but then when it all but disappeared, Jesse didn't concern himself any longer. It made no sense that this wolf mattered to him at all, and to prove that he told himself he was just following out of curiosity, and not true interest, he lagged behind significantly. He never lost sight of her though.
The trip to town went fast, but Jesse was glad he'd followed, and now knew where to find the female. He was also glad to find she was Kadzait, and part of his own pack, as he watched her move onto the property he had checked out the minute he arrived in Nachton. It was true he had yet to meet the pack alpha, but Jesse had looked over the Tikerak, and the buildings beyond, to make sure his grandfather's directions were accurate.
The female eventually went into a large stone and wood lodge. Jesse remained a good distance away, pondering his next move, while considering his immediate future. The incentive to learn more about the female sealed his fate that night. Loathe as he was to move into a 'family', he would make introductions sooner rather than later, and do just that.
The tatkret was dropping, and the night was becoming darker. Dawn would be on the horizon shortly, leaving Jesse little time to get back to his current sanctuary. Preparations would need to be made in order for him to become presentable, but he was now driven, and would make sure everything was done soon.
Returning to the cemetery took even less time than the trip out. A small part of him would miss the place if for no other reason than its wonderful solitude. He forsaw a lot of concessions and compromise coming his way, and wasn't sure he would do well under those circumstances. The future looked both bleak, and wonderous. He could only do his best to make the latter make up for the former.
She would help, he was sure.
(Jesse out)
The trip to town went fast, but Jesse was glad he'd followed, and now knew where to find the female. He was also glad to find she was Kadzait, and part of his own pack, as he watched her move onto the property he had checked out the minute he arrived in Nachton. It was true he had yet to meet the pack alpha, but Jesse had looked over the Tikerak, and the buildings beyond, to make sure his grandfather's directions were accurate.
The female eventually went into a large stone and wood lodge. Jesse remained a good distance away, pondering his next move, while considering his immediate future. The incentive to learn more about the female sealed his fate that night. Loathe as he was to move into a 'family', he would make introductions sooner rather than later, and do just that.
The tatkret was dropping, and the night was becoming darker. Dawn would be on the horizon shortly, leaving Jesse little time to get back to his current sanctuary. Preparations would need to be made in order for him to become presentable, but he was now driven, and would make sure everything was done soon.
Returning to the cemetery took even less time than the trip out. A small part of him would miss the place if for no other reason than its wonderful solitude. He forsaw a lot of concessions and compromise coming his way, and wasn't sure he would do well under those circumstances. The future looked both bleak, and wonderous. He could only do his best to make the latter make up for the former.
She would help, he was sure.
(Jesse out)
Jillian
14 years ago
By the time Jillian arrived at the Den she had worked out the pain in her side, and felt perfectly fine once again. Though she wasn't positive, something told her she'd been followed, and it gave her a slightly fluttery feeling in her stomach. Crazy.
Once she was back in her rooms the young female wolf became human again. The hour was late, but with school out it wasn't like she had to get up early for anything. Yet she wanted to get up early enough to go back to the cemetery and see what was what in the daylight.
This time she would visit on two feet, and possibly talk to the grounds keeper to see if he had noticed anything amiss lately. She would be careful, she had no desire to put whoever she'd see tonight in any kind of jeopardy. But it seemed the best course of action in trying to find out who this person was, and what they were doing in Nachton.
Then too, there was a small romantic spot in Jillian that was already fantasizing somewhat of the situation. It was not like her to let her head run off like this, or hadn't been since she had been much younger. Normally she was extremely practical, and never given to silly romantic notions. Why she was reacting differently now was another part of the puzzle she hoped to figure out.
Once she'd showered, and thrown on her baby dolls she slipped between the cool sheets on her bed, and was asleep almost before her head hit the pillow. A small smile crept over her face as she heard the distant sound of a wolf howl, and just knew it was him, saying good night.
(Jillian out.)
Once she was back in her rooms the young female wolf became human again. The hour was late, but with school out it wasn't like she had to get up early for anything. Yet she wanted to get up early enough to go back to the cemetery and see what was what in the daylight.
This time she would visit on two feet, and possibly talk to the grounds keeper to see if he had noticed anything amiss lately. She would be careful, she had no desire to put whoever she'd see tonight in any kind of jeopardy. But it seemed the best course of action in trying to find out who this person was, and what they were doing in Nachton.
Then too, there was a small romantic spot in Jillian that was already fantasizing somewhat of the situation. It was not like her to let her head run off like this, or hadn't been since she had been much younger. Normally she was extremely practical, and never given to silly romantic notions. Why she was reacting differently now was another part of the puzzle she hoped to figure out.
Once she'd showered, and thrown on her baby dolls she slipped between the cool sheets on her bed, and was asleep almost before her head hit the pillow. A small smile crept over her face as she heard the distant sound of a wolf howl, and just knew it was him, saying good night.
(Jillian out.)