((OOC: Well, here's the first page. I'm gonna post this in chunks, so the second and then the third pages will be forthcoming as they get reformatted and then moved over here.))
Sougra didn't know how he got here. All he knew was that, when he'd dashed into the woods to escape the attentions of those mean human-cubs in the village, he hadn't exactly been paying attention to where he'd been going...and before long, he'd become hopelessly lost. He'd lived so long among the human place, living off stolen scraps of food and enjoying the general busyness of the area, even if his presence wasn't always appreciated, that that was the only life he truly knew. Alone in the wilderness...that was something he was certainly not familiar with. And to his untrained eyes, every tree looked the same, every bush not the least bit unique. And what sense of direction he possessed was virtually useless.
He was lost, alone, afraid, and wanted to get back to that familiar human place, where he knew he could fine both food and company. Even if the company tended to be a bit one-sided. And sometimes cruel. Like the recent turn of events that had caused him to flee in the first place.
Panting softly, he stopped abruptly and turned his head, gazing vexedly at the bundle of sticks that were tied to his tail, always just out of reach no matter how he spun and twisted in his attempts to reach for them. Sometimes he could grab ahold of them if he was quick, but he couldn't get the stupid things off! And wherever he went, they dragged on the ground, sometimes getting caught in bushes that he passed, always slowing his progress. And they hurt! Sometimes they bounced forward and smacked him along the backs of his legs.
This was so stupid...
Now, for the millionth time, they'd managed to get tangled up in a bush.
Argh.
Sighing, he snapped at them a few times with newly grown adult canines, though he was still far from adolescence. But, as usual, his attempt to rid himself of the things proved futile, and he lurched forward again in an attempt to dislodge the things from the bush. He had to keep going. He had to find his way back! And then, maybe, he could find someone who'd help him, like those nice people he'd met a few days ago. If they were still there...
Oh, great...this time, it didn't seem to be working, and his expression faded from an irritated one to a worried one, yellow eyes widening. With a small whine, the white pup tugged again, then twisted around to try and bite at the rope uselessly.
Oh no...no...he didn't wanna be stuck here! Not here, in the forest, alone! And it'd be dark soon, too!
Why'd this have to happen? Stupid human-cubs!
Another figure moved through the forest, though this one was human, and rather large. Looking up through the trees, he noted the position of the sun sinking steadily towards the horizon. He'd have to make camp soon...and he was starting to get hungry. The jerky in the worn backpack slung on his shoulder would suffice, but he was beginning to long for real meat.
As he walked about, trying to find a suitable place to make his camp for the night, he heard a whimpering off in the brush. Though human, his ear seemed to twitch at the sound, and his head rounded quickly to determine where the noise was coming from. He moved swiftly through the trees towards where the wolf was trapped, his soft leather-booted feet making nearly no noise as he went, his hand falling to the long and wickedly sharp hunting knife at his side and gently pulling it from its leather sheath.
As he came into Sougra's view, his eyes hardened, and he whispered in a strange tongue, seemingly to himself, "Na doroshonya krraseth volk..." He sighed, and approached the ensnared wolf. As he got nearer, Sougra could see that he was a rather large man, with hardened muscles and not a few scars, wearing an unfastened sleeveless leather vest despite the cooling autumn air under a cloak made from the fur of a snow leopard that is pushed back over his shoulders. Because of the sleeveless vest and the position of the cloak, a tatoo of a stylized feline of some sort would be visible, seeming to climb downwards off of his shoulder. But most importantly, the man (who couldn't have been older than twenty or so, hardly into his majority) had a kind face despite his stern expression.
Kneeling before Sougra, he held out a hand for the wolf to sniff, the stern expression beginning to melt away. He whispered soothing, though incomprehensible words as he put his hunting knife away. "Volk, du karashya nya vo llarnia re hassan ke..."
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Instinctively, Sougra shrank as a large human entered his view. Not so much from the sight of the man himself as from what the man was carrying.
Wide topaz eyes darted instantly to the long, sharp hunting knife in the man's hand, and then flashed back up toward the man, taking in his cloak...which was unmistakingly made from the skin of some animal. And dread began to settle deep in the pit of Sougra's stomach, making his tiny body quiver. All his previous annoyances were instantly forgotten, all his other thoughts shoved from his mind. He'd been among many humans, and all with little fear. Some might swat at him or yell at him, but none ever...he'd never seen any...
He'd never seen any approach him with a knife while wearing the skin of another creature. And he'd never been trapped like this before, either. And he wasn't ignorant of human hunters, either! He'd learned of them from his family before...and seen them in the village. He'd been told that, sometimes, they went after wolves, too...
Panic surged through him, egged on even further as the man spoke in a language he couldn't understand. Sougra could understand human language, the Common tongue, at least. But this he didn't understand. What was he saying!? What was he gonna...do...?
The combination of all these elements made for one frightened wolf pup.
The man came closer, and Sougra edged back and away from him as much as the rope around his tail would allow, which wasn't much. And if his tail hadn't been tied, it would have been tucked between his legs. He knew he shouldn't have run out here! He knew it! Even if those human-cubs had been mean, he had no business out here! Now...now he was...now he was here, and...
The man was closer now, and kneeling, and Sougra whined and shut his eyes, shivering...
Until he heard the man whisper something, a soothing sound.
Cracking his yellow eyes open, he saw the man had put his knife away, and was holding his hand out to him. Sougra blinked in surprise for a moment, then nearly melted with relief. So...he wasn't gonna hurt him. For a moment, all he could do was stare at the offered hand, but then slowly, cautiously, he pushed his muzzle forward, just a little, to tentatively sniff the man's hand, his eyes finally raising to watch the man's face closely. On a closer look, he didn't look mean...
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The man smiled, and slowly moved his hand to rest it on Sougra's head. His crystal blue eyes looked into Sougra's amber ones for a moment, then closed. Suddenly, the feline tatoo on his arm began to glow with a gentle white light, and white fur, spotted with black, sprouted from his skin as his features took on a feline cast. A tail snaked its way out of the end of his spine, and his boots fell off as his feet changed to a digitigrade configuration. He opened his eyes again, still that same brilliant laughing blue, and the corners of his muzzle turned up in a gentle smile at the wolf pup. He spoke again in that strange tongue, but this time the words would echo in the young wolf's mind, their meaning becoming clear. "Do not fear, little one, I am not here to harm you."
The glow on his arm where the tatoo used to be disappeared, and he removed his now-clawed hand from the pup's head. Then he quickly drew his knife and severed the rope connecting the bundle of sticks to the little wolf's tail. Reaching over with a clawed and furred hand, he picked up the bundle, looking it over carefully as he resheathed his knife. Well, somebody liked having fun tormenting the wolf pup...probably some kids from a nearby villiage. Damnable youngsters. They need to learn that they have a place in the balance of nature, and that tormenting other creatures is not it. He sighed resignedly. Oh well, he really isn't the one to be teaching them that...and besides, they had managed to provide him with kindling for tonight's fire.
Taking the backpack off of his back, he started rummaging through it. He pulled out a tinderbox, and then after a moment of further searching, a few strips of venison jerky. Biting into one strip with his now-formidable teeth, he held another peice out to the wolf pup. Poor thing was probably half-starved because of those kids...he spoke again to Sougra, and though while his ears would hear, "Eh, volk, naga do llanna toraen ell ne?" it would be translated in his mind to, "Hey, wolf, are you hungry at all?"
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Sougra's yellow eyes widened, this time in wonder rather than fear, as the human began to...change...fur growing from his skin while his form became more and more animalistic. But it wasn't wonder over the change itselfâ€"Sougra was familiar with shifting, though the type his kind was a bit differentâ€"but rather surprise over the fact that this human could do that. It wasn't something he had been expecting.
But the change was also comforting, as well. In a way, the man had just bridged a gap between himself and the pup, revealing that the two had a lot more in common than what Sougra could have imagined. He hardly needed those strange, comforting words to feel secure and safe around this stranger.
And Sougra's trsut only continued to grow when, finally, his sore tail was freed from those human-cubs' cruel trick!
Giving a yip of relief and happiness, the pup bounced forward and away from the bush he had been trapped near, snowy tail wagging vigorously as he turned in a little circle, clearly trying to get a good view of the appendage. It had a bit of a bald patch on it now from the rope rubbing against it, and some of the skin there was raw, but he didn't mind! So long as he was free...it was all good! The fur would grow back, anyway, and the rawness would heal. And, in the meantime, he could finally move around without that stupid thing bouncing along behind him, entangling in stuff and bruising his legs.
And, from the looks of it...he now had company. Which was a really a relief. Though he had been wary of the stranger at first, Sougra was flexible, and the stranger had proven he was kind.
Now, he was even offering him some food...and, indeed, Sougra was ravished. Even if he'd been free all along, he didn't know the first thing about catching his own meal. He'd been living off human scraps for far too long. Not his fault, really. He'd had no other choice after...after what had happened.
Stepping closer to the man, Sougra took the offered jerky gladly, plopping down on his stomach so he could hold into it with his front paws as he chewed on it with sharp teeth. He knew he should probably thank the man...but right now, he was far too hungry, and besides, he didn't know how to do so in this form. He didn't think the man, animalistic as he was, could understand wolf-speak, which was all he was able to produce in this form. And he didn't know how to use telepathy...
Which overall kinda sucked, since he didn't know how the heck to get back into his true form. He could do it with help and guidance, but now that he was away from his pack...he was stuck.
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The man looked over the wolf pup carefully. And it was a pup, just barely getting into its adolescense. It wasn't natural for such a young wolf to be out on its own, away from its pack...where was its pack, anyhow? He hadn't heard the howls of wolves for some time. This was getting stranger and stranger...
Looking down at how the pup devoured the first strip of jerky, the man just had to smile. Rummaging through his pack, he found another strip, and set it down at the pup's feet. After thinking for a moment, he spoke to the wolf again. "Little one, where is your pack?" The way that he said it wasn't in a tone of musing, but rather a question directed at Sougra that seemed to be expecting a response.
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Swallowing the last piece of jerky, Sougra was more than happy when another strip was placed at his feet, and he immediately set to work on that one, as well. He hadn't realized how starved he was! Then again, he'd had other matters on his mind at the time, other problems to worry about. It was really lucky that as soon as he had time to focus on his stomach, he was being fed!
Raising his eyes away from his meal as the man questioned him, Sougra was still for a moment as he tried to think of how to answer that, mouth still poised around the piece of jerky, which made for a bit of a comical sight. Hmm...he could try to answer that and see if, maybe, he understood wolf-speak. After all, he hadn't known the man could shift; there could be other surprises hidden up his sleeve...
But...hm. Then he might not understand him. And besides, there was also the issue of Sougra being stuck in this form, which he didn't mind altogether, except it made communication with humans hard! If he'd been in his other form in the village, he was sure he wouldn't have had so many problems to begin with!
How could he communicate, and in a way that would clue this man into that fact? After all, if he knew, maybe he could help him...
Ah! He knew!
Looking up at the man, he lifted his shoulders in a sort of shrug. And he was pretty sure normal wolves didn't shrug, and that it was more a human thing. And at the same time, his response was true; he really had no idea...
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Josef blinked as Sougra raised his shoulders in a shrug, an odd gesture, especially coming from a wolf. His eyes narrowed just slightly. Why would a wolf shrug, even if it had been spending time with humans? Josef was forced to conclude that this was no ordinary wolf.
He looked Sougra over again, more carefully this time. Well, he looks like a wolf pup, and doesn't smell any different than any other wolf...but that shrug was not something that a normal wolf would have done. Another thing, why wasn't the pup speaking? Perhaps it was a mute? It had been whimpering earlier, but he'd been unable to distinguish any wolfspeak from those whimpers. Hmm...his eyes narrowed slightly as he continued to examine Sougra.
As Sougra started on his second piece of jerky, Josef spoke again. "You aren't an ordinary wolf, are you?" This time, however, he was speaking in the Common tongue, though with a bit of an exotic accent. He leaned forward, looking Sougra in the eyes. "You aren't an ordinary wolf, so what are you?"
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Sougra's tail thumped against the ground as it wagged excitedly, his ears perked. For the moment, the piece of jerky was forgotten as he raised his head to watch Josef, mouth open in a sort of wolfish grin. He'd figured it out! His hint had worked! Well...he'd only figured out some of it. But that was enough! He could work with this!
Now...how to answer the rest in a way that could be understood...
His yellow eyes rolled upward for a moment as he thought this over. There was really no way he could think of to tell the man this in a clear way. He could continue performing charades, but that would be really hard, and it might confuse him, too. Or just look really silly. Hm...maybe he could just try wolf-speak. And if that didn't work, he could try and think of...something else.
But even trying to decribe what he was through speech would be kinda tricky. He didn't know how to decribe it!
A sudden idea came. I'm a...kinda like you! was the answer he finally came up with, communicating this through a series of soft but enthusiastic yips and barks, tail still wagging vigorously. And hopefully. Maybe he'd understand? He hoped he would! It was unlikely, but if he did, it'd make things so much easier! But...I got kinda stuck like this... He finished with a soft whine, clearly a little miffed by that turn of events.
His yellow eyes still watched the man hopefully, curiously.
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Josef blinked in surprise. A Shifter that had gotten stuck? That was something that he'd never heard of. Also, he'd never heard of these southern lands having Shifters, either. Maybe they were more rare than in his homeland, maybe the traders who had come to find his tribe just hadn't known about them, maybe, maybe, maybe...he returned his attention back to Sougra.
"A Shifter? I had not heard that these southern lands had them..." He looked Sougra over yet again, pensively this time. "And you got stuck in that form...that is another thing that I did not know was possible with Shifters. Intriguing. Hmm..." Perhaps this was a different kind, a different method of Shifting from his own. That may explain why he had not heard of it from the traders, and why the wolf had managed to get himself stuck as one.
He shook his head ruefully. "Well, unfortunately, that is outside of my area of expertise. I do not know how to get you 'un-stuck' from this form..." He sighed, looking down. "I'm sorry. You are welcome to share my food, fire, and company for as long as you wish, however. What is your name, young one?" His apologetic gaze returned to Sougra.
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Sougra's eyes widened in surprise. He had been hopeful, but not expectant, that the man would understand him, and the fact that he did brought on yet another wave of relief. The man probably didn't realize what a relief that was...Sougra hadn't spoken with a soul in weeks, because no one understood him. That someone finally could...man...he'd never take communication for granted again!
But in addition to relief, his excitement only continued to build, and he spoke on with unchecked enthusiasm. You can understand! Wow! You're the first person to be able to in...in a really long time! Yeah! I'm a...shifter, though we never called it that. We never called it anything, really! And yeah, we can get stuck...'cause we get taught how to change back and forth when we're older pups, like me. I was just starting to learn...but when mum was teaching me, something happened, and I was in this form, and then we got separated, and then I found the human place, and then I've been like this for so long and nobody could understand me or help me and...and...
He took a deep breath, finally slowing the deluge of "words". He just couldn't help it! It was really exciting that, finally, he could talk to someone.
His ears wilted a little when the man said he didn't know how to fix the problem...but that was only momentary. A moment later, and he'd perked right back up. It's okay! I'll figure it out! And if I don't...my pack'll help me. I got separated from them, but they'll find me. They're good trackers. The best! he said proudly and with the utmost of faith, laying back down to work on his jerky more. He really had no idea how to go about it...he'd always been guided into his forms by another wolf. But he was certain they'd find him again. It'd been a long time...but they'd still come.
And thanks! I'm Sougra. What's your name?
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The man nods slightly, a smile playing softly on his muzzle at the pup's enthusiasm. "Josef...and in this tongue I believe that my surname would translate to 'Snow-shadow.' It's a pleasure to meet you, Sougra." He takes another bite of his own jerky, chewing slowly. "And yes, I can understand you. My people pride ourselves on our connection with nature, and all of its creatures. Hence..." he gestures to his feline features.
"And as for how we shift..." He leans back against a fallen tree trunk, looking back up into the sky. "We aren't exactly taught, though we certainly aren't born with the ability. When a youngster of my tribe, male or female, reaches a certain age, they are turned out into the wilderness on their 'Moon Hunt.' They have one moon to hunt down an animal, and the animal that they choose and kill becomes their guide." He lifts the corner of his snow leopard fur cloak. "This was my choice, and now is my guide."
Looking back down at Sougra, he smiles. "Well, until your pack finds you, you are welcome to stay with me on my travels. If I can, I might be able to teach you something about my method of shifting, and you might be able to return to your own form." He grins. "I don't know what the elders of my tribe would think at me doing something like that...but I'd be willing to do anything that I can to help you."
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Sougra listened intently as the man spoke of his own tribeâ€"which Sougra translated as being something similar to a packâ€"and their own method of shifting. Which was pretty different from his own. His whole pack was made up of wolves, and all of them had two forms, one that was of a wolf, and a true form that was like a human's, almost. No hunt was required to learn and gain the ability; simply some teaching. It was an inborn ability and instinct, just like hunting. But just like hunting, it had to be taught.
That was pretty interesting! He didn't know there were a whole lot of other creatures out there that could do that!
Wow...I didn't know there were other...shifters? That was what he'd called it, right? I didn't see any others in the human place...you're the first other one I've met!
Swallowing his last bite of jerky, he sniffed around for any crumbs he might have missed, then licked his muzzle clean. And then nearly jumped up with another jolt of excitement.
You'd...let me stay with you? And you could teach me!? he asked, blinking up at Josef. That'd be really neat if you could! I don't like being stuck! And then, when my pack found me, I could show them! And...and I could really stick around ya? Oh geez...he could hardly believe his luck.
He wouldn't have to be alone...
That's great! Thanks, Josef!
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Josef nods. "Yes, there are humans who can shift. There aren't any around here, because," he snorts in derision, "the humans in these Southern lands mainly believe that they are seperate from nature, and not a part of it. They deny themselves the connection that is essential to continued survival." He sighs. "And they call my people 'savages' because we embrace what they have rejected."
He grins at Sougra's enthusiasm at the idea of being taught. "Just take that with a grain of salt. I don't even know if my tribe's method of shifting would work for you. It might, but then again..." He shrugs. "I don't want to promise you something that I may not be able to fulfill. I will help as much as I can, though, and if we can find your pack, then it will be all the better, and they can finish teaching you how to do it their way." His gaze grew distant as he considered the possibilities of how to manage getting Sougra unstuck out of being a wolf.
Shaking his head as he relegated that idea as a topic for another time, he looked up at the night sky. "However, tomorrow, we're going to have to do some hunting, and perhaps find a more permanent camp where I can prepare whatever we find..." Piling up the sticks from the bundle, he put a little tinder from the tinderbox under them, and struck a spark into the tinder using a flint and steel. Sighing in relief as the spark caught, he soon had a little fire going to ward off the night's chill. It was nothing compared to how cold it was getting in the Northlands this time of year, but still, it was nice to have a fire.
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Yeah...I know whatcha mean... Sougra agreed ruefully. Like...that's why those human-cubs tied that stuff to my tail... He gave a little snort, imitating the one Josef gave. And they'd laughed at him, too! Wouldn't be too funny if they had tails and he'd tied some junk to them!
He found that thought to be an entertaining one, but he'd never actually return the favor, even if he could. Unlike those human-cubs, he'd been taught well by his parents and packmates.
That's okay! We can still try it, right? When are we gonna start? Maybe he was getting a little ahead of himself. He had a feeling he was. But he couldn't help but feel excitement at the idea of learning the skill, of being in control of the ability. Or, at the very least, of returning to his true form. It had been a while...and he really missed it. And he was bigger in that form, too! Not much. He was still a pup, but if he'd been in that form in the village, he'd have been able to stand up to those kids, who had towered over him so much. And people might have been nicer to him, too. He'd gotten kicked so many times by people who just thought him some mutt!
A flash of indignation swelled in him at that thought. A mutt! He was a wolf! Were they really that blind?
He shook the thought away, his attention drawn to Josef as he lit a fire. Hunting? Really? I've never been hunting before. I was too young when I was with my pack...but I've grown since then! he remarked proudly as he pulled close to the fire.
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Josef considers. "When will we start..." He considers. "Bear in mind that this is a ritual not lightly undertaken, and it is going to be painful, along with the first time that you shift this way." He looks at Sougra, his expression serious. "Once you decide to do this, it will change you. Also, to allow you to turn into a human, or humanoid..." He pauses for a moment, then continues, "you will have to use me as your guide, though it will be more difficult for me to describe how to change to you, because I will remain alive.
"This process will also create an inseperable bond of magic between us, which will definitely be strange at first." His eyes narrow as he looks intently at Sougra. "The way that the process works is that we will create a bond between us, and then using that bond, you will be able to shift. However, as the bond will exist in our blood, we will need to let our blood comingle..." He sighs. "I realize that this definitely sounds strange, but this is the way that my tribe shifts." He pulls out his hunting knife, looking it over.
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If Sougra had been in his true form, he might have blanched a littleâ€"though even then it would hardly be noticeable, because in place of pale fur he would have had pale skin. Painful? Bond of magic? Yikes...now he wasn't so sure about this...
But...well, he wanted to learn how to shift. And he didn't know how long it'd be until he found his pack or they found him. It could be a long time before they were reunited, and he'd be so far behind his siblings and the other pups, who would by then already know how to shift! He didn't want to fall far behind them...they might tease him. His brothers had already teased him about his white hair and skin, because no one could really figure out how he'd been born so pale, when his parents and other siblings were dark. Of course, there were other pale wolves in his pack, so he wasn't all that different. Just among his family he was, and it was a subject of much amusement.
He certainly didn't want to be teased any further by those show-off brothers of his.
Okay. I'll...I'll do it, he said at length, topaz eyes watching that sharp dagger closely. Their blood had to comingle. Painful. He guessed that meant he had to...cut him. Hopefully, he was gentle...or, at least as gentle as he could be. I miss my true form.
As he waited for it to begin, or for further instructions, he spoke. So...what's the 'magic bond' do? he asked curiously.
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Josef nodded, and turned to hold the blade of the knife in the fire to sterilize it. "The magic bond would allow us to know where the other is at all times, a vague direction at long range, or at closer range, a more acute sense of direction and a sense of the other's well-being. At very close range...mind-speech, perhaps even a sharing of memories. However, the last is very rare, and only present in very strong bonds..." He looks at the knife, clean now and hot while not being hot enough to burn the flesh and cauterize any wound that it would make.
He looks at Sougra carefully. "Are you certain about this? This is your last chance to back out if you are not sure." His face was serious, and the firelight made shadows play across it in a strange dance, heightening the black spots on his face.
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Sougra nodded, another very human action. Okay...that didn't sound so bad. It only let them know where the other was, nothing scary like he'd been imagining. He could deal with that.
He could tell from Josef's expression and voice that this was a serious matter, and he didn't mean to think any differently. This was permanent...once he did this, he couldn't go back. This would be with him forever. And it would hurt. But...he did want to learn...he didn't want to be stuck like this, with no control over what shape he took or chose to remain in. He wanted to have that control. He wanted to have control over his own body, as he should have. And if he hadn't been separated from his family, he would probably have that control by now!
They would have taught him how to shift and how to control his shifting. His mother had been in the process of doing just that when they were interrupted and she told him to lay low.
This would just be, in a way, continuing what he had begun to be taught. Just a different method of performing the same skill.
I'm sure, he replied, though his voice was a bit meek as he watched the knife. He was sure. He just wasn't looking forward to the promised pain...
Hopefully, this worked, too. It would really be a pain if he went through all this and it didn't. But, still...it was worth the effort.
I'm ready, he continued, then stiffened instinctively as he braced himself for any pain that was to come.
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Josef nodded, shifted quickly back to human, and drew the knife swiftly across the palm of his right hand, blood welling up out of the wound. Then he quickly reached over, and cut across the inside of Sougra's right leg, right behind the paw, then grasped the leg so that both of the wounds were touching. The tatoo of the snow panther on his right shoulder began to glow brighter and brighter, and then a similar light began to appear on his left shoulder as his and Sougra's blood ran together, dripping down onto the ground.
Then he began to speak in his native tongue; however, the sound of it seemed much deeper and more resonant, almost seeming to echo through the trees around them. "Ssa ne koraeth llannael, ich'i volk ne harran yo..." He continued to speak, and a ghostly form appeared on his right side, of a snow leopard sitting by him. As the light on his left shoulder began to intensify as well, another figure began to coalesce from the light, this one of a wolf.
As the ritual continued, a light would begin to glow from Sougra's right shoulder as well, intensifying with a pulse from each heartbeat. Images would appear, flashing through Sougra's mind, of a young man running through trees, dashing through the snow, hunting a deer, learning to shoot a bow...images to innumerable to count.
After several minutes, Josef stopped speaking, and the glow began to fade from each of them, the ghostly figures on either of Josef fading from view. A new tatoo had appeared on Josef's left shoulder, this one of a wolf. He panted, the bloody dropping out of his fingers as his shoulder slumped. Looking up at Sougra from under a sweaty brow, he smiled weakly, and spoke directly into his mind. <The ritual is complete. I'll see if I can teach you how to shift tomorrow...>
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Sougra couldn't help it. Despite how he braced himself for it, despite the fact that he'd seen Josef slice open his own hand unflinching, he still yelped when his leg was cut, pain pulsing from the wound. Luckily, though, Josef had avoided cutting the pads of his paw, which would have been the equivilent to Josef's hand, because if he had...well, needless to say, walking would have been very difficult afterward. Obviously, Josef realized that, though, hence the reason he avoided the pads.
He watched as their wounds were held together, the pain slowly fading from his memory as the ritual continued. And it was then Sougra realized Josef was in his human form; he'd been too busy watching the knife's progress to realize Josef had changed at the time.
Two apparitions appeared beside Josef, making Sougra's eyes widen, and a glow on his shoulder was seen from the corner of his eye. But he had no chance to look them over or wonder about them, because a moment later, and his mind was bombarded by images, one after the other, of a young man participating his various activities. And Sougra watched all of them with rapt attention as though the scenes were flashing right before his eyes live.
Suddenly, it ended. Josef ceased speaking, and the images faded from Sougra's mind. Soon, everything was as it was prior to the ritualâ€"save the bleeding wound on his leg and Josef's hand, and the wonder of what he'd just witnessed.
Looking up to Josef as he spoke, this time in his mind, Sougra saw how weary the man looked...though Sougra himself felt just as he did before the ritual, save for a new pain and a little sleepiness. But he'd been a little sleepy before it, because he'd been walking for so long...
Sougra nodded, and limped slowly closer to Josef to lay down near him. Stretching out his injured forepaw, he set to cleaning the wound with his tongue, slowing the bleeding. Sounds good. Hey...thanks, Josef. For everything. You should get some rest, now. That ritual sure seemed to have sapped a lot of his energy.
