And as I go softly into the night...(Nomad!) [M]

Zero · December 05, 2013, 06:05:09 PM

Nisha was close to despair. Even the most optimistic, cheerful person could find themselves discouraged and their hope quavering. She didn't know where she was going, who knew if Gavin had ever even passed this way? The chance of finding her brother was absolutely none. He was older, stronger, faster, he could be anywhere in the world he wanted by now. It was probably better this way, she had only ever held him back and slowed him down.

The world was in an eerie, silent twilight. The mountains loomed ahead, impassable and unsurmountable; behind her were only hills she couldn't even climb. Threading her way through the endless valleys between steep hills for days had gotten her nothing but exhaustion and hunger. Although the constant ache in her middle had dulled into a kind of resigned numbness. Huddled beside a large boulder was the trembling husk of a person. The cold was about the only thing she could still feel, its chill stung her flesh mercilessly, like a swarm of bees. She couldn't even remember the feel of warmth anymore.

Idly she wondered if this was what it felt like to die. Even the thought of tears couldn't surface; she had no more tears to shed for her plight. Death seemed almost a relief at this point. Almost a small contentment could be grasped; at least dying would bring an end to it all. Maybe she would even see her mother again. Was that possible? Gavin had told her that such childish fantasies as heaven were for the fool-brained. There was only hell and misery to be found after life. At least she could dream otherwise...

Soft grey eyes closed to the world, unseeing. In such a short life, she had already seen enough suffering for a hundred lifetimes. Yes, she was ready to let go now, and the faintest of smiles touched her lips.

Nomad · December 05, 2013, 07:32:25 PM

Kneeling down low to the ground Ronan shifts his gaze from side to side for a moment before he turns his gaze back to the ground below him as he reaches down, running his fingers through the dirt and leaves as he fells over a foot print in the dirt, one of others that he had came across and that had caught his attention. Pushing some leaves aside Ronan shifts his gaze over the foot print. " Mmmm. " Ronan murmurs lightly to himself while looking at the foot print.

Looking over the print, Ronan knew that it was from a human though he had been searching for animal tracks since he wanted more food aside from what he already had. Though it was not what he had initially been looking for he had come to the conclusion that he was going to follow the prints for a while and see if they lead him anywhere or to anyone. Shifting his gaze from the foot print Ronan looks in the direction they where going and notices another.

Seeing another foot print Ronan raises from the ground and begins to move forwards once again though he keeps his gaze set low so he could keep an eye on the direction the foot prints are going. As he moves forwards Ronan begins to pick up his pace and move into a more brisk pace. Step after step Ronan moved forward at an enhanced pace as, his gaze shifting from side to side as he scanned the forest in front of him keeping tabs on the tracks so he could follow after them.

Suddenly Ronan began to slow his pace as he shifts his gaze for a moment before he lifts his head so his nose raises into the air. Raising his nose into the air Ronan begins to sniff at the air since some smell had caught his attention. Shifting his gaze as he draws in quick breaths through his nose Ronan turns his attention back to the ground and notices the tracks he had been following. Stepping forward Ronan stops drawing in air through his nose as he follows the footprints, moving towards a large bolder that the footprints seem to go to.

Zero · December 07, 2013, 05:33:47 PM

Nisha didn't know if it was instinct or delirious dreaming, but something had begun to make her skin crawl, and not from the cold. She didn't feel like she was alone anymore, and wasn't sure whether to be relieved or terrified by that thought. The primal part of her, the pure animal instinct, told her to get up, to run, and to get away as quickly as she possibly could. The higher part of her mind, the more logical and rational part, thought that was silly.

Even if she'd wanted to run, the pathetic creature that huddled beneath the shade of the rock was incapable of running anywhere. If there was danger, there was no way to avoid whatever was picking at her subconscious except to escape notice. Wearily she pulled herself into a tighter ball, shrinking down against the boulder to try to look ever smaller than she was. When she couldn't force her body to compact any farther she went still as she could, scarcely dared to even breathe.

Only moments ago Nisha had been ready to die, and now, at the very thought of danger, she struggled to stay alive. Why should she care if something was out there? Truthfully, deep down she was terrified to die. Would she go to hell? Gavin said there was no such thing as heaven. Even the thought of there being absolutely nothing after life frightened her.

Nomad · December 07, 2013, 06:06:47 PM

Turning his gaze to the bolder, Ronan scans over for a moment before he shifts his gaze away from it as he pauses in his step. Looking away from the bolder, he takes a moment to glance around at his surroundings as he sniffs at the air once again. Though it didn't seem like a trap he knew that their was still a chance it could be and if it is a trap he didn't want to fall into it unsuspectingly and have to fend off an unknown number of attackers.

Feeling that it was not a trap Ronan glances down to the tracks and follows them as they lead around the bolder. Having followed the tracks this far he was curious to see if someone was on the other side of the bolder or if their was no one there. Either way he was going to find out. With this in mind, Ronan begins to move once again closing the short gap between him and the bolder before stepping around the bolder and gazing down to see if their is anything hiding behind it.

Ronan grows a bit surprised as he sets his gaze upon a small humanoid figure huddled down next to the bolder. Looking down at the figure, he could see that it is a female, his gaze shifting over what he could see of her figure as he looks down at her. For a brief moment he remains silent as he gazes down at her. " Mmm, " the male murmurs lightly as he gazes down at her, finally he begins to move and kneels down in front of her before he brings a hand up and reaches out to her, " Hello there, " he says with his gaze fixed on the female.

Zero · December 10, 2013, 09:59:55 AM

Scarcely daring to even breathe, Nisha lay there trembling as she waited for what seemed an eternity. Surely whatever was out there would move on. They didn't move on, though, she could sense them drawing closer; before long they were hovering over her, so close she could practically feel them. What did they want? Why couldn't they just leave her alone? She hadn't done anything to draw their attention, and she wasn't worth noticing anyway.

The sound of his voice drew a soft gasp from her pale lips. Weary eyes fluttered open, so grey irises large as they looked up at the other with gentle confusion. Nisha's eyes were unfocused, her vision blurred, only able to really make out the shape of the intruder. Her voice trembled, barely able to croak out a few stunned words.

"Gavin? Is that you?" Her mind was a violent vortex of confusion; in her current state of near delirium she couldn't really tell the deference between reality and her fevered dreams. Tears began to roll down her cheeks as a shaky hand reached out to try to grasp at his hand. Eyes fluttered closed again, relief evident on her pale, sunken features. "I knew you'd come back..."

Nomad · December 10, 2013, 02:54:46 PM

As she spoke, her words brought a minor amount of confusion to the male, she had spoke a name though it was not his own instead it was more then likely the name of someone else she perhaps knows. For the moment he remains silent as he gazes at her, taking hold of her hand when she reaches out for his. Holding her hand in his he watched the expression on her face change as she closed her eyes. Once he had a hold of her hand he began to pull on her gently to draw her close to him.

For a moment, what kindness that dwelled within the male shown as he drew her close to him and brought his free arm up and slipped it around her waist, holding her close to him with his gaze fixed on her. " It is alright, I'm here now. " He murmurs lightly to the female, " What are you doing out here? " he inquires as he brings a hand up and pulls the cloak from his back and drapes it around her shoulders. With her in his grasp he held her closer then a simple hug, instead he held her so their bodies pressed together.

Zero · December 11, 2013, 07:53:54 AM

Nisha didn't resist being drawn against him, quite the contrary; she leaned into him, fingers clutching his hand almost desperately, other arm lightly pressed against his stomach as her head rested against his chest. A soft sigh escaped her as she stayed there pressed against him, feeling safer and more at ease than she had in the months since Gavin had left her there by the river, promising he'd come back for her. His voice was strange, but she didn't even care.

"I waited for you to come back for so long, but you never came..." Tears rolled down her cheeks, her delusion fragile but she clung to it desperately, wanting her brother to be there more than anything else in the world. For months Gavin coming back to sweep her up and take care of her again had been her fondest dream, truly her only hope. "I looked and looked for you, but I couldn't find you. I've been so scared, and hungry, and alone. Please don't leave me again."

Nomad · December 11, 2013, 01:57:05 PM

With out resistance he was able to pull her close to him and instead of her fighting back or not doing anything she clings to him. Gazing down at her he found he enjoyed it in some way or another. She seemed like a lost and scared animal that needed to be taken care of. Again as she began to speak to him, Ronan found he didn't know what she was talking about. It was if the female thought she was talking to someone else, someone close to her. With his gaze fixed on her, he notices the tears as they begin to roll down her cheeks.

Bringing a hand up he begins to run his fingers through her hair as he leans down and kisses her on top of the head softly " It's ok now, " He says softly to her. With the condition she is in, he didn't think she would be much fun to play with at the moment. It didn't look like she would be able to put up much of a fight against him which was something he enjoyed about what he did. Bringing his hand from her hair he reaches down and slips it around her waist to hold her firmly against him before he begins to stand fully to lift her from her feet. " Are you hungry? " he inquires as he watches her in his arms.

Zero · December 13, 2013, 05:05:34 PM

Nisha continued to cling to Ronin as if he were a lifeline in the midst of a swirling tempest. If she let go she feared she would be lost forever with no chance to save herself. Inside the girl knew that things were wrong. He didn't smell right, he didn't sound right, he didn't feel right, but in her state she couldn't bring herself to care about the fact that this couldn't possibly be her brother. At the moment it really didn't matter who it was, did it? He was being kind and comforting.

"Yes. Please, please can we eat now?" She couldn't even remember what it felt like to have a full belly. The hunger pains had finally stopped, but that was only a symptom of how close she was to starvation. Being as thin as she was, it would be very easy to pick her up, and she certainly hadn't resisted. Instead she still feebly tried to cling to him.

Nomad · December 13, 2013, 05:52:54 PM

After the question he keeps his gaze fixed on her, his arms holding her against his form off the ground. As she spoke up with her desire for food he gives a faint nod and reaches into a pouch at his side. Fishing around for a brief moment he pulls out a bit of dried meat, like a jerky, and offers it to her, holding it close to her mouth so she could take a bite. " Here. This is all I have, " he says as he watches her, not sue if he eats meat but it was the only thing he had to offer her. Aside from not knowing if she eat meat he was not sure she had the strength to chew it on her own.

As he offers the dried meat to her he shifts his gaze from her and glances around for a brief moment before turning his gaze back to her. Given it was evening he felt like finding a place to hold up for the night, perhaps start a fire and relax, or perhaps do something with this female he has found.

Zero · December 18, 2013, 07:39:29 AM

Nisha was weak, but ravenous. The offered jerky stirred something in her and she bit into it without hesitation. She longed to bite into something that would have blood gushing down her chin. The jerky was dry and tough but it would have to do for now. Beggars couldn't be choosers, as they said. Besides, her mind was started to wake up again, the fog was slowly lifting from her mind and her deadened senses were beginning to come alive again.

Unable to really get her teeth into the meat properly, she settled for a gently chewing and sucking on the hard food. Just the taste of meat was arousing her hunger. The little scrap wouldn't satisfy in the least, but maybe she could get this strong male to get her some more, preferably fresh. As Nisha worked on trying to soften the dried meat to eat, her mind was slowly trying to make sense of everything that had happened since she first closed her eyes.

Obviously this was not Gavin. That had grown clear. It wasn't her brother's gruff voice, nor was the manner right. Gavin would have called her a fool, would have pulled her to her feet and demanded that she follow him. There would have been fresh meat for her; she would have had the first real meal in a long time to the chorus of his lamentation of all her shortcomings. Since this was obviously not her brother, who was it?

Looking up she could now see clearly that his hair was very light, unlike her brother who had raven hair. He was tall and strong, that was kind of like Gavin, she decided. Her brother would not like her being so close to anyone, and maybe he was right. She didn't know what the male wanted with her, but she couldn't resist him even if she wanted to. Considering that he was feeding her, she really didn't want to.

Nomad · December 18, 2013, 04:58:57 PM

When she took the dried meat into her mouth he watched her for a moment as she bite down onto it, for a moment he held it, offering a stable hold on the meat incase she wanted to tear off a bit of it to eat. Keeping his gaze on her after she had bitten onto the dried meat, he sees that she is not going to tear off any of it, instead simply chewing on. With her chewing on the bit of meat he releases his grasp of it, letting her have the rest of it.

As she chewed on the dried meat he had given her he watches her as she chews on it for a few brief moments of silence before he finally speaks up " Perhaps we should find a place and get a fire going, " He says while he watches her. After speaking he shifts his gaze from her, again he glances around for a moment. Turning his gaze back to her he smiles softly as he watches her. Though he hadn't said anything to the female when he handed her the piece of dried meat, he knew that it was his last which meant he would have to find more at some point. Though he was not sure if he wished to do that sooner rather then later given he had a female in his grasp.

Zero · December 19, 2013, 06:41:52 AM

Nisha reached a hand up to hold onto the scrap of dried meat when he let it go. Her large grey eyes had taken to studying him with interest. When he gave her that soft smile, suggesting they find somewhere to rest and build a fire, she couldn't help but smile back shyly. Gavin would be furious with her. Not only was she accepting help from a stranger, a strange male, but she was going to talk to him too. Well, Gavin wasn't here, so she couldn't hold herself back in fear of his wrath.

"A fire would be good, and more food. There are sheep in these hills, I haven't been strong enough to catch them, but you are. You could hunt anything you wanted." Her voice was soft and sweet as she gazed up at him from his arms. There wasn't even a hint of alarm in her. Frankly, this stranger had shown her more kindness in the last few minutes than some people had shown her in her entire lifetime.

Nomad · December 19, 2013, 06:55:54 AM

Looking down at her as she begins to speak, he listens as she agrees with the idea of finding somewhere and starting a fire, though she has more to add to it. It seemed she wanted more food and knew of where he could get some. As he listens to her, he grins faintly at her comment about his ability to hunt. Having given her the last of his dried meat he figured going and doing a little hunting would be a good thing, he could get some more food.

" I see, " He murmurs lightly as he looks down at her in his arms. With her in his grasp he begins to move, stepping away from where he had found her before he starts to move through the forest in search of a good place to set up for the time being so he could start a fire and go find these sheep she spoke of. As he began to walk with her in his grasp, he falls into silence as he shifts his gaze, his focus having turned from her to finding a place where he could set her down and get a fie going.

Zero · December 19, 2013, 07:10:17 AM

Maybe suggesting that he find food could be considered pushy, but Nisha was starving and food was heavy on her mind. Besides, he would need to eat too. Sheep were slow and stupid, easy prey for a strong, competent hunter. He carried her away from where they had been, not really saying much. Well, not saying anything at all really. Perhaps he was the strong, silent type. Considering her position, she didn't really care if he was a mute or a chatterbox. He was helping her, that was all that mattered.

"There's a little dip in the land that way. It would shelter a fire from strong wind and make it less visible." Her hand had risen to point weakly at where she knew they could find a decent shelter for the time being. A cave would be nice, but the softly rolling hills didn't have a great number of those, and none very close.

Nomad · December 19, 2013, 07:18:26 AM

As he moved through the forest with her he shifted his gaze from side to side, both searching for a place to start a fire and settle down for the time being as well as any threats. Hearing her speak up again, he glances down to her for a brief moment as she informs him of a place where they could go for shelter. Though he knew he didn't have to listen to the advice, since he had no real idea of where to set up a fire and camp for the time being he decided to take the advice given to him.

With her pointing the way out he heads in the direction she had pointed towards. Keeping her in his arms he continues to move, moving in the direction she had pointed out until he came to the location she had spoken of. As he arrives at the dip in the land, he comes to a stop and glances around for a moment before turning his attention back to her for a brief moment. Having arrived at the spot he kneels down and sets her onto the ground, his gaze resting on her, " .. Wait here and I will go and see about getting something to eat. "

Zero · December 19, 2013, 08:11:38 AM

Nisha had settled in his arms nicely, just enjoying the warmth his body gave off and the small bit of food she was methodically working on. The silence stretched between them as Ronan carried her to the place she had suggested. When he had finally arrived and gently set her down, she had finally managed to actually eat the dried meat and she watched him leave with a small amount of curiosity and apprehension.

As soon as he was out of sight she forced herself into motion. Tired and weak as she was, there was simply too much work to be done to just sit there like a lump; especially if he was going to be bringing back food. With practiced care she dug a small fire pit, and then set to work gathering fuel to burn. By the time he returned there would be a small crackling fire. Nisha huddled near it for warmth, waiting to see if he would actually come back or if he would abandon her too.

Nomad · December 19, 2013, 02:48:27 PM

After leaving her on the ground, Ronan left to go and do some hunting to get them some sheep. To make things easier he transformed, changing from human to wolf. Having changed into a wolf he went to work, tracking down the sheep she had spoken of. In his wolf form, Ronan finds the sheep easily and once he had found them he takes a moment to watch them and pick out a large looking one, though with the fur it was a somewhat difficult task. Finally once he found one he went into action, stalking the sheep for a few moments to get close enough before pouncing onto it, taking it down in one swift attack.

Though he would have liked to get more, he is only able to get a single sheep, which he knew would do for the time being. Once he had brought the sheep down he transformed back to his human form and picked the sheep up before he began to head back to where he left the female he had found. Before making an appearance back where he had left her, he takes a moment to put his cloths back on. Dressed and with a sheep in hand he steps from the forest, having smelt the fire he was surprised to see that she had started a fire for them instead of sitting around and waiting for his return. As he comes back his gaze falls upon her as she sat huddled near the fire.

Zero · December 19, 2013, 04:14:44 PM

Nisha had a lot of time to puzzle over her situation while she waited. Building the fire had given her something to distract her hands and body with. A useful task to complete always helped settle her nerves. Making her body stay moving was also important. If she stayed still for too long she feared shutting down again. Plus it would hopefully be a nice gesture with her gracious host. So far he had been very kind to her, but even she was wary of finding out what motives he might have. From her experience there were far too few people in the world that were nice simply for the sake of being nice.

Whatever his reasons, she wasn't in any condition to refuse his help and she really doubted that she'd get far if she tried to leave if he wanted to keep her around. She wasn't huddled by the fire for a very long time before her unnamed benefactor returned from the hunt. The fire was warming her but it never seemed to penetrate the chill deep in her bones. Grey eyes moved to the sheep hungrily, but she didn't get up. He'd share when he was ready to.

"Thank you, for saving me. I think I was dying, but you woke me back up." Nisha had lifted her gaze to meet his eyes briefly before dropping them back to the ground, unwilling to meet his gaze. She didn't want to provoke him or seem defiant. "My name is Nisha Ulrich."

Nomad · December 19, 2013, 04:33:43 PM

Standing still for a moment, he keeps his attention set on her, his gaze slowly shifting over her form before he brings it to her face, looking to her eyes for a brief moment before she casts her gaze to the ground. Beginning to move, he makes his way over to the fire, nodding faintly as she introduces herself. " I am Ronan. " He says, introducing himself before he comes to a stop closer to her. Coming to as top again he sets the dead sheep down before kneeling to get a better look at her. " You did good starting a fire, " he says with a smile, his gaze again shifting as he takes in her physical features again.

Bringing his hand up he reaches out and places it softly on her cheek as he brings his gaze back to her face with a soft smile. He only keeps his gaze on her for a brief moment before glancing away from her, looking back to the sheep he had brought for them to eat. " Can you prepare it? " He asks, his gaze turning back to her. Though she had started the fire, he wasn't sure if she could cook the sheep, though he had no problem eating it raw, either way he wanted to get something in his belly before moving on to what he had planed for her.