Creature Comforts

[Mina Silbetier]

There was that familiar sound. The pitter-patter of rain. The morning had started of warm and inviting, but by mid-day darkness had enveloped the city. Thunder had rolled through, brining flashes of lightning with it. As the day went on, the thunderstorm simply went back to a simple rain. The conditions were good enough to have the streets crowded once more with the people of Astoria City.

A stench of mud, wet clothes, wet animals, and merchants drifted through the air. People crashed into each other as they made their ways down streets that were aligned with trading stands. Even with the rain, this was simply just a normal day in the city. People moved about with their daily activities and chores. Humans interacting with other humans in the way their society dictated.

Mina found herself among all of these said humans on this day. She found herself right in the heart of the crowded street, trying to pass by without being noticed. Her travels had tired her body, and the rain made tracking any scent challenging. With water, some smells became faded while other foul smells enhanced. Even her wolf nose was finding it hard to track the sweet scent in such conditions. Now was the time for rest.

To humans, Mina appeared to be a slender, silver haired woman who had been soaked by the storm that had passed through the city. Her hair clung to the sides of her face, and her clothes held her shape tightly with their dampness. Her white stockings had fallen down her legs a bit from the rain. Her movements were a bit slow and almost dreamlike in appearance. To the trained eye, she was a drenched gray wolf shuffling through the crowd of people.

Her dark eyes surveyed her surroundings as she tried to figure out a place where she could get dry and rest. The female wolf preferred to stay somewhere secluded where no hunter could easily find her; however, she was willing to settle for anything at the moment.

Mina finally broke through the crowd of people and felt as though she was able to breathe again. An inn came into the wolf’s line of vision, and in quick steps she made her way to the building. Within a few quick moments, Mina had entered the inn and was out of the rain. The warmth greeted her at once, and the wolf found herself at ease and was smiling to herself.

[tazcalbat]

Haukea sighed as she moved slowly through the busy streets. It had been pouring down since sunrise, and showed no sign of letting off anytime soon. She crossed her arm and shivered, then looked around before she pushed her way through the crowds. She hated large city, and even more, large crowds. Why had she ever moved here? She had no clue. She had just ender up here. Her blond hair matting in knots as she walked into the rain. She had to return to work. She had started part-time at the local inn, trying to make some money, and to learn what she could of the people who lived here, and the local news.

Finally Haukea arrived at the inn. She reached out and opened the door. After checking in, she headed to he room to change. Once in dry cloths, Haukea feels somewhat better. She took orders from the guests who were there before she arrived that were still waiting. She looked around, all humans, but none of them seemed to be looking for anything specific, like a beast.

Haukea looked up as the door opened and in walked a soaked, silver headed girl. Haukea didn't believe it for a moment, then she was sure. She walked over to the girl, acting like she hadn't realized what the girl was, and greeted her like she would have any other guest. May I help you? You look tired, I could show you to a room. she offered in a friendly voice. Oh how she hated this job, but this may be the chance she was waiting for. Maybe the fake friendliness toward strangers was worth it after all.

[Mina Silbetier]

Mina was taking off her wet jacket as a familiar scent slipped across her nostril. A wolf was here; not a familiar wolf, but a wolf all the same. What a peculiar place to find a beast? But of course, Mina had found herself at the inn, too.

Someone was speaking to her, and when she looked up the wolf was right before her and was asking if she needed a room. So, the wolf was a worker in this inn. Mina had ran into many wolves who took on human jobs; truly this was no big surprise. At least she would not feel completely surrounding by the humans.

“Yes, a room would be nice,” Mina said to the girl with a slight nod. “It is rather wet outside, and I have found myself drenched. I would greatly appreciate you showing me to a room far away from anyone.”

She hoped the other wolf would understand what she meant. Perhaps they could become a bit more acquainted. Wolves needed to stick together; at least that was what Mina believed. The only way they would be able to find and open paradise was if every wolf was looking for paradise. Maybe this was another wolf in search of paradise.

[tazcalbat]

Haukea nodded, understanding what the girl meant. She waited a second to make sure she was ready, then turned and led her up the stairs where the rooms were. She couldn’t believe this was happening. This could be her chance to talk to another like her. This wolf, or beast as humans liked to call them, could show her purpose, or at least teach her what other wolves are like. She had only gotten to know one other like her, and he was killed for what he was. The memories of that night still brought with them a feeling of rage at the ways of humans. Their answer to things unexplained and things that scare them is to kill it.

She relaxed a little as they reached the top of the stairs and were out of sight from any humans below. The best part of working here is that the inn was build sturdy, and was nearly sound-proof. The only time it wasn’t was if you were screaming at the top of your lungs, which did happen occasionally, due to fights breaking out. The staircase was positioned right between two long hallways. One stretched to the right, the other to the left. Both had rooms lining each side. Five per wall. A large stained glass window separated the two halls.

Haukea took the left-hand wall, where the staff and important guests stayed. To her this was an important guest. She led the silver headed guest past door after door, until they reached the last pair of doors. She had decided to give her guest the door across from hers. She reached out and opened the door on the right side, then gestured for her guest to enter. This is you room. Mine is right there. she said pointing to the door behind her. This way they could talk without interruption, that is if this ‘important’ guest was willing to talk to a stranger.

Haukea gave her guest a genuine smile as she added. My name is Haukea Kai. then she backed out of the way to let the other girl enter her room. Her tinted brown eyes shining. Begin able to be around another like here in such a glum place for her kind alone would have made her day, but she had a feeling that there was a chance that they could maybe become friends, or at least talk some. Something struck Haukea odd though. Although she had seen others like herself, she never could understand how they could see each other’s true form, when humans could not. They only saw the side the beasts chose to show them. She had heard people talk about it, and had proven it many times, but it still seemed impossible. She looked at the gray wolf once more then turned to leave.

[Mina Silbetier]

Mina followed after the wolf as the other led her through the inn and up to a room for the night. She wondered if this wolf enjoyed working at a human establishment. She could never simply work at an inn or some other human place. Mina was not willing to lose pride in herself by feeling like a simple dog. Dogs did work for humans. Dogs stayed by the side of a human. Mina was no dog. She was a wolf.

Walking into the room, Mina’s dark eyes surveyed the area. This would be nice place for a night in out of the cold and the rain. She was glad, though, for the kind service of this fellow wolf. At least some wolves knew to look out for other wolves.

Mina stepped over and sat down on the bed. She stretched out her arms before pushing her wet silver hair back behind her shoulders. She felt comfortable regardless of her drenched state. She knew the other could see her as her natural self. This Haukea Kai could see Mina for the gray wolf she really was.

“I am Mina,” she said with a kind smile. “Please, shut the door. I do enjoy my privacy away from humans. Their ears aren’t meant for conversations we could have.”

She wanted to find out about this wolf. Why was she working here in an inn in Astoria City? Where had she come from? Did this wolf not know about what was going on in the world? Paradise was calling, and here she stood working in a place full of humans.

[tazcalbat]

Haukea turned around and looked back at Mine. Of coarse, I understand. she says stepping up to the door and pulling in closed behind her. What is it like? I mean being a wolf? she asked. Although she was a wolf herself, she had always been more of a loner, so she had no idea why she was different, why she had this ability. What were beasts good for if everyone just wanted them dead?

She tightened her blond ponytail, then looked over at Mina with her golden eyes. Did this gray wolf know? Could she help explain the things left out in Haukea's lessons in life? Haukea knew full well that Mina saw her for what she was, a scrawny tan wolf. Although her small, light weigh frame made her fast, and her desire made her strong, it was easy to think of here as a weak runt going by appearances. In fact, she had been the runt of her litter.

Haukea looked around the small room. It consisted of a bed, a small end table, a small dresser with a mirror on it, and a closed off closet area that was the bathroom. Heakea walked over and motioned toward the bed. May I? she asked before sitting down on lower part of the bed.

[Mina Silbetier]

Did this girl really not know what it was like to be a wolf? Haukea was a wolf herself, and yet she did not understand. How had wolves fallen so far to not know their heritage to not know who they really were? They walked without purpose much like many of the humans did. They were simply surviving instead of living.

Mina had always had a purpose regardless if her purpose changed. She always had some sort of will to live. Even in the days where it was just her and her brother out in the city streets, she had a reason to live. She had lived for her younger brother Alric. He had been what made her strong. Truly, the only time when her life did not have purpose was after he was murdered by the hunter.

Mina’s purpose now was to find that alluding scent that kept passing through her nostrils. That sweet scent that she knew would lead her to paradise. Paradise, the place where all wolves had to search for and open. Yet, many wolves like this one before her did not understand this. They did not understand to follow their instincts and their noses to paradise.

"Sit down; it is fine," Mina said kindly. She thought to herself for a long moment. She knew that not every wolf had heard of Paradise. Not every wolf knew of their purpose within the world. She would just have to guide this one to the truth, to their destiny.

"It feels wonderful to be a wolf," she said to Haukea. "If you haven't, you should leave this city for a while. You should simply run and live how we were meant to. Use your nose and track down beautiful scents that can lead you to the greatest places known to this world."

[tazcalbat]

Haukea sat down gently, then waited for Mina to speak. She could tell that the silver wolf was thinking of how to start. While the room was silent, Diamond used the time to think to herself. What should she tell this wolf? Was she a friend? Would she help me find my purpose? these thoughts, along with others like them, flashed through her mind. Haukea had seen wolves fight just like humans, was that normal? Were they like here? Were they even less wolf than her? Was that possible?

She looked up at Mina as she started to speak. I leave this life part of the year, just to be free, but I always return. It is all that I know. I have only spoken to a few others like us, but they are all dead now. I am alone, and have yet to understand so much about myself. Can you help me?[/b] she asks, hoping that this wouldn't offend the other wolf. Hoping that this was what she was meant to ask, that this was the right path. She was sick and tired of being 'human' she wanted to be herself, not have to look and act like something she wasn't really. She wanted to stop living a lie, like so many humans did.

She was ready to leave this all behind. Ready to start a new life, a life with purpose and reason. A life worth living. Even if being herself killed her, she would rather die fighting as a wolf, than to die old as s human. She wanted to be with others like her, wanted to live like she was meant to, free and wild. She was a wolf, and from this moment on, she would refuse to return to her human life out of lack of purpose. If she must return to this, it would only be for short amounts of time, and only as a last choice.[/size]

[Mina Silbetier]

To live amongst humans like this for such a long time would bother Mina. She had lived along with humans majority of her life. For the longest time, the wolf had had no choice in the matter. They had tried to make her one of them, but the wolf in her held strong and guided her. She lived around the humans, but Mina would never become one.

“When you find work in one of these cities, you seem to never want to leave. You have a purpose here among humans. You work in this inn and you get paid for it. If you stay here, you will not find out who you truly are. You will discover that you are simply want the humans want you to be. You are a servant to their needs.”

Mina was glad to have never truly gotten pulled into the normal stream humans created. She had an old couple she did care for, but they came to her aid in her hour of struggle. They were two humans who she cared for and would protect. They, however, did not control her life and how she lived.

“I am leaving this place after tonight. I need the rest greatly. I have been traveling constantly over the past several days. There is a scent that I am lured to, and I am tracking it down. I am going to find Paradise, and I believe this scent is the key.”

[tazcalbat]

The blond human held her breath as she waited for Mina to respond. She waited thinking about all that might be in her future starting now. All the 'what ifs' if you will. Would she be able to make it as a wolf? Would Mina teach her what she needs to know? Are there others like her that don't know their callings? Could she help them? What if...? The room started to spin in her mind, her thoughts taking her far from here. She quickly returned to the here and now when Mina started to speak again.

The words this silver headed lady spoke were heaver that Haukea expected. She had never thought of it like that. Was she really just a servant? Was she just another one of them, and nothing more? Was her life and all of her years here nothing? All meaningless? Now what? The young tan wolf was lost, truly completely, lost. She nodded as she realized that what this other wolf said was all true. She looked up at her again as she continued.

This was her chance. She knew with every part of her being, that she had to leave with Mina. This was her last night as a waiter, tomorrow she would be, and should have always been, a wolf. Her true nature was screaming for her to listen. Then suddenly she remembered something. A small, seemingly unimportant at the time. She remembered a scent. A scent so wonderful that it temped and lured her to stay longer and to do more in her true form. A scent that insisted that she never return to her human disguise. It was so strong, and so appealing, that it was far beyond the power of words. It was one of those things that you simply must experience for yourself to fully understand. I can do get you tea that will help you sleep and give you strength if you like. I know a secret recipe that my friend taught me before they found him. she offered, seeing that this wolf traveled far and hard already, and needed rest badly. Then Haukea looked Mina in the eyes. Can I come with you? Will you teach me how to find Paradise and the things that a wolf need to know? My only family was the wolf I called friend. He meet me when I was really young, and all he was able to teach me was how to survive, but that lesson was cut short.

The young lady was unsure how the gray wolf would take her offer, or how she would react to her asking to tag along, but she knew she would have no reason to go on living if this wolf refused to help her find her calling. She had pinned all of her hope and any chance of the life she was born for in her request to leave with Mina tomorrow. Now Haukea’s future was up to Mina. Would she have to stay here a while longer, or would she finally get to learn what those of her past were unable to teach her, how real wolves lived?

[Mina Silbetier]

Mina listened to the plea of the other wolf. She listened to the desperation that held strong to the other’s words. So many wolves needed guidance, and the gray wolf often wondered if she was able to give the best advice. She wondered if she could take on that burden of being a leader. But, she had already chosen her fate. She had already decided that she wanted to be the one to guide other wolves to Paradise. This was predestined.

Dark eyes turned to Haukea as Mina looked long and hard at her. The other female wolf needed this help. Her life as a wolf depended on it. How could Mina look to her without simply wanting to help? How could any wolf look upon her own kind and say no? They all needed each other desperately. Every wolf needed the other. Who could be certain which wolf or wolves were suppose to open the gates and call this world to an end? Wolves had to work together and look to the aid of others of their kind.

“Yes, come with me,” Mina said to the other. “I will teach you as much as I can, as much as I know. We need each other. Wolves need to find unity for that unity will be what makes us all have the ability to enter Paradise. I do not know how long we will travel together. Perhaps we will spend the whole journey together, but that is not certain. For as long as I can, I will help you find what is calling us all.”

The gray wolf gave a gentle sigh and a gentle smile. She could not help but feel joy to see another of her kind fill with a certain life.

“We may separate at some point. Hunters could throw us away from each other, but do not lose the want to find Paradise.”

[tazcalbat]

“Yes, come with me. I will teach you as much as I can, as much as I know. We need each other. Wolves need to find unity for that unity will be what makes us all have the ability to enter Paradise. I do not know how long we will travel together. Perhaps we will spend the whole journey together, but that is not certain. For as long as I can, I will help you find what is calling us all.[/i]

Haukea listened as the silver she-wolf answered her plea, answered her prayers. Then it hit her. Suddenly everything stopped, time, life, the very substance of anything and everything. She wanted to be happy, truly she did, but at this moment and felt absolutely nothing. Not good or bad. Not happy or afraid. Nothing. In truth she was feeling everything at once, and this was how she handled it, by blocking out everything and receiving nothing. Her own version of shock. As Mina began to speak again, the shock began to give way to the flood of emotions. Joy, relief, anxiety, restlessness. All at once.

She looked at Mina, nodding at her last words. I understand, and thank you. she said as her lips moved into a smile. Her eyes shined. She had no way to fully express what she felt. How can one explain how it feels to finally have a purpose? To finally have a reason to live, and to know just what that is? It is something that is very hard, if even possible, to put such a thing into words.

Haukea turned to leave, then headed downstairs. She returned a few minuted later with a mug filled with her special tea. It had a green color and smelt of herbs and mint. She knocked on Mina's door and waited, unsure if her new friend had gone to bed yet or not. In her mind she still heard the other wolf's words, and had thoughts of the future floating around. [/size]

[Mina Silbetier]

Mina could not help but smile a bit at the other wolf’s words. Gratefulness still existed in the world, and this other wolf was grateful for Mina’s words. Her heart seemed to begin to pound. Another one of her kind with that lust for life and that lust for Paradise. The more she found others to talk to and convince to go after the wolf dreams, the more she felt confident with their success. They would all find Paradise.

She watched as Haukea left the room, closing the door behind her as she walked out. Mina curled up on the bed, getting comfortable. She was hoping not too be disturbed by humans while she stayed here in this inn. She wanted all the sleep and comfort she could get. Her legs slipped beneath the covers and she rested her head against her pillows.

A knock upon the door. The wolf was back, and she had tea. Mina could smell the liquid so clearly through the door. The sweet yet sharp smell of mint passed through the gray wolf’s nose.

“Come in,” she called out, sitting up a bit in the bed. She propped herself up on her right elbow, facing the door.

[tazcalbat]

Hearing Mina's words, Haukea slowly opened the door. She walked over to the bed and placed the mug of tea on the end table. Sorry to bother you, this tea should help. I hope you like it. She spoke softly. She was still grateful to this wolf, but the shock had worn off most of the way. I let you rest now, sleep well. She said as she started to walk back over to the door. With a last look at her guest, Haukea smiled over her shoulder, then turned and left the room. She quietly closed the door and started to go to her room. Then thinking better or it she walked casually down the hall. All of the guests had called it a night, and only a few stranglers remained in the tavern.

She glanced around one last time, then headed to the kitchen. She made herself a mug of the tea. She sat down at a table and sipped the mint tea. She then placed her glass on the table and went to find her boss. She was in her room. Haukea explained that she had to leave, and that she was glad to have worked there, even if it wasn't all true. She also said that she was sorry about the short notice. Her boss handed her her wadges, and nodded in understanding. She knew that the blond girl would probably want to leave at some point. Saying her farewell, she placed her glass in the kitchen and headed to her room. There she changed into her casual clothes and laid on the bed.

For a long while she lay there staring at the sealing. Thoughts moved through her mind, slower now. Finally Haukea stood up and got under the covers. As soon as her head hit the pillow, she was out.

A light knock on the door woke her. With a silent groan, Haukea looked at the window. It was early, near four, Haukea thought. It was still dark out. Coming! she called loud enough for the other person to hear. Slowly she rose from bed them walked over to the door. When she opened it, Mina was there to greet her.