The question of home once more raced around Aleeza’s mind. She had had many homes and none, yet why did this place seem to fit the word better than any other? It had been years since she had been anywhere near here and had been in fact avoiding the region. Now, she could not keep herself away any longer and despite her suspicious nature towards other humans- the Kin were not exempted for this- she had learned to crave human contact over the last year’s, and those preceding it, solitude.

 

Not that she had been cut off from interaction with wolves. She had tried to banish them from her mind in the beginning, the first few years after she had faked her own suicide and left the Stedding, but had found it impossible. It had been a good year or so before she could resign herself to their constant contact and in the end found herself far happier for it.

 

How long had it been since she had last stood in these woods? The years seemed to run together like the mixture of dirt and sweat on her pale forehead. Had it been three?- or four? It couldn’t possibly have been more than four, could it? Her first year away from the Stedding had been spent putting as much distance between herself and that troubling place as possible.

 

The question of why she had left in the first place had slowly become clear after much reflection. Back then, she had had no sense of self or idea of where and who she was. In the midst of a people who seemed to know themselves and who and what they were, it was torture for her mind. She had spent her time with the Kin struggling to find closure with her past and find her new identity as one of the Kin and despite all their well-meaning help, they had really been powerless- it was her struggle, not theirs.

 

Not knowing what to do, she had left an apologetic note before leaving a scrap of her clothing attached to a tree near a cliff. And then she had fled into the night, begging the wolves who questioned what she had done not to betray the truth. While they had given her their word, wolves would not leave her alone.

 

It had taken months to reach the Dragonspine in Haddon Mirk, the farthest place she could go to get away from the Stedding. All the while, the wolves assaulted her with questions, desperately struggling to help her find peace within herself. Throughout the next year to year and a half, she spent her time living in the dense woods, meditating and eventually running with the pack of wolves there.

 

Under the tutelage of the wolves, she finally came to a sort of "pact" to combine her past, as a Tuatha’an, and her future, as a woman who could talk to wolves. Now, some four years after leaving, Aleeza stood at the edge of the clearing and, taking a deep breath, walked into the lights.

 

She kept her head down and hood up, refusing to meet any golden eyes and closing her ears to any curious whispers that followed her. Aleeza doubted any but Owen or Mat would remember her, let alone recognize her. Of course, she remembered them, there had been few- closer to none- people to have come into her life, even as acquaintances, since leaving this place to drown out all those she had met here. Everything was still burned in her memory, despite the thousands of miles her feet had taken her before they returned her to this place.

 

When her mind decided to pay attention to where her wandering feet took her, she realized she was standing in front of The Hole in the Wall, hand half-raised to the knob to let herself in. Light, but she couldn’t do it. She couldn’t move. She stood stock-still, frozen like a statue, equally unable to turn away as go in.

 

Aleeza ~Dark Sun Rising~

Former Tuatha'an

Prodigal's Daughter

OOC: you ask, and i answer Estel. :D here goes...

 

Speed strolled along whistling a merry tune he had just made up. Today had been a great day, although it had been challenging. Owen had showed him a few things with the bow, and he was picking it up rather well. “Even if I do say so myself.”

 

On top of that, he had enjoyed a good run and had even managed to get in a ride on Red before dark. All in all, life for the athletic 15 year old young wolf-man was pretty good.

 

Life here among the Wolfkin certainly wasn’t anything he would have planned, but it was better than he could have imagined. Now that he had finished rubbing Red down, forked him some hay, and gave him a little corn and oats, he was of a mind to fill his own belly in order to finish the day off properly. The Hole in the Wall beckoned. Already he could almost taste the steak Owen had promised him. As if to echo his thoughts, his belly growled hungrily. I’m so hungry, my stomach thinks my throat has been cut.

 

Laughing happily at his little joke, golden eyes flashing in the moonlight, he marched on toward his supper.

 

He was almost there, when he noticed the short woman standing motionless before the inn. Maybe the door was locked.

 

“Hey there! It’s not closed is it? I’m hungry. No it can’t be closed, because I can hear everyone inside and the lights are lit. How come you’re not going in, then?”

 

The woman whipped around in shock, her hood falling to her shoulders as she hurriedly stepped away. He got the impression she was skinny, but her fearful golden-eyed stare was all that he really noticed. She looked like a frightened deer more than a wolf. As best he could, he tried to calm her down.

 

“Hey, don’t be scared of me,” he said holding his hands up non-threateningly and flashing her his most winning smile, the one that always got him an extra piece of pie after supper. “I promise there’s plenty of food in there for both of us. Are you new here? Me too. Everybody calls me Speed. What’s your name? Why don’t you come in with me, and I’ll introduce you to Owen. Have you met him? And we can eat. I’m hungry, are you?”

 

It seemed to be working, because there seemed to be a hint of a smile on her face now, to go along with the shock from earlier. But then again, it might have been just his imagination. He hadn’t got the hang of the whole smelling people yet, so he wasn’t sure. Either way, he was hungry, and even if she was pretty he wasn’t going to stand out here all night starving to death.

 

Putting his hand on the door latch, he paused one last time. “Come on. No one in here is going to hurt you. And they make the best steak this side of anywhere.” With a last welcoming smile, he beckoned her and stepped inside, holding the door open and waiting patiently. Well, waiting for a moment, anyway. Patience wasn’t his strongest asset.

The voice startled her even though a part of her had been expecting it. Immediately fear set in, overpowering any logic and she reacted based on instinct, stepping backwards, away from the threat. Light, it had been so long since she had seen anyone else and though she was here for community, she had lived so long in solitude that she hardly remembered how to act around another human being and any ounce of the trust that the Wolfkin had started to rebuild within her had fallen away from lack of use. Trusting wolves was one thing, humans, especially men, was quite another.

 

Realizing he had frightened her, the strange man... boy back off and tried to introduce himself. His scent held no hint of malevolent intent and he was apparently too knew to the Kin to have learned to mask his scent to any degree. While he spouted questions like a thief spouted lies, she took the time to examine him. He was well-built, young enough for her have been off apron strings when he was born, and taller than her- not that that was an accomplishment. She eyes his bow warily, wondering which of the two of them were the better shot and whether she could fend him off if he were to attack her.

 

Whatever her doubts, perhaps paranoia was a better word, his scent was genuinely friendly and open, though it was hard to recognize underneath the pungent smell of horse that hung about him. The combination of her dislike for horses and the strength of the odour were enough to force Aleeza to reposition herself downwind of him to avoid the full force of the scent.

 

By the time he finished asking her questions, only half perceived by he as she focussed on trying to make absolutely certain he wasn’t going to assault her, a new scent was added to the conglomeration of scents wafting from him: impatience. Why was he impatient? If she didn’t follow him would he move on to some other victim? Surely he wouldn’t try anything in the inn? Not in front of Wall? Light, she knew Wall! -or at least remembered him. ‘I wonder if he remembers the terrified girl he talked to on the roof of the infirmary her first night here?’ Aleeza didn’t get her hopes up.

 

Motioning for him to lead the way, she followed as he held the door for her. ‘Unexpected. Mat would have done the same.’ As soon as she had thought of him, she pushed the memories away but couldn’t help but wonder whether the charming Sheinaran was still around. Analysing the room, she directed them to a table near the door and with a good view of the bar while remaining decently unnoticeable. ‘Paranoia indeed.’

 

When Wall came to ask for their orders Aleeza replaced her cowl, preferring to keep her identity hidden until she felt ready to face up to what she did and the reactions of the Kin who would remember her. Speed almost seemed surprised when she ordered her steak medium-red, which earned him an amused smile. Just because she was a woman...

 

As they set into their meals, the wraith-like woman could no longer stand his curious glances and scent. She realized she had not answered even one of the hundred questions he had asked but he had asked so many? Did he think she could answer them all before he could add more questions?

 

“My name’s Aleeza.” Well, he got one answer.

 

 

Aleeza

Dark Sun Rising

Speed was about to give up on the very strange stranger ever making up her mind, when she finally motioned for him to lead the way.

 

She still hadn’t answered any of his questions, but right now he didn’t care too much. He opened his nostrils and breathed in the wonderful aromas emanating from Wall’s kitchen. “This place is the best!” he said as he plopped down into a chair with a sigh and leaned his bow against the wall. Surprisingly, the quiet woman sat down at the same table, although she looked very nervously around the room. Speed’s only worry was how long it was going to take for them to bring his food out.

 

As Wall approached, whoever she was pulled her hood up for some reason. “Are you cold?” he asked because maybe she was sick or something. He didn’t want to get sick. He was sweating like he’d stolen something, it was so hot. But he was thoroughly ignored. Again.

 

Instead of politely answering him, she ordered then gave him a smug, self-satisfied smile. He was surprised she didn’t stick her tongue out at him! Didn’t she know he was starving?!? “My name is Aleeza,” she offered quietly as he turned to order from Wall, but he barely heard her over the noise in the common room and his desire to eat.

 

“I want the biggest, juiciest steak you have Wall. And some potatoes. And how about some biscuits? With butter! And, uhm, do you have any beans? I’d like some of them, too. And a big cold glass of beer!” With a big laugh from Wall and an exasperated shake of his head which meant a firm No, Speed laughed, too. “It didn’t hurt to ask. How about some milk?”

 

Wall walked away chuckling, and Speed turned back to his newfound companion. “Did you say something?” She was looking at him with her mouth wide open like one of those fish on the wall, for some reason. “You’re going to swallow a bug if you don’t watch out.”

 

Smirking, the young lad wondered if this lady was a nitwit.

Aleeza blinked. ‘What?’ Immediately her anger flared. Despite her quiet and wary personality, no one could accuse her of being meek. The young boy’s audacity stung her and subconsciously she reached down to grab hold of her quarterstaff. Men, boys, they were all the same! None of them could think past their own needs to the consideration of others! Women least of all! ...this was why she was paranoid around men.

 

“Excuse me?” Aleeza snarled with the rage of a woman scorned. “You go around pestering me with questions I do not feel comfortable answering and then you have the nerve to sneer in my face when I finally answer you! How dare you? What’s happened to the Stedding since I left? Young ones insulting their elders? Where is the respect I remember from before?”

 

With that, she stood, ignoring the surprised looks from the others in the inn and turned her back on him to walk out.

 

 

Aleeza

Dark Sun Rising

"Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned"

Huh?

 

Speed had no idea what the weird woman was talking about, but her odd behavior made him stare like he was watching a gleeman reciting a mad tale. He couldn’t believe she was so angry, but he couldn’t look away.

 

“What are you talking about?” he asked, wide-eyed and open-mouthed when she finally finished. “I didn’t do any of that! I was just making conversation, and you started acting like I kicked you in the shin and was about to do it again even harder. Are you crazy?”

 

Then with a horrified thought, he spoke in shocked amazement at what, in his eyes, was the most horrifying aspect of her behavior.

 

“You’re going to leave without eating?!?”

She turned around and stared at him for a moment. Had she been looking so hard for some threat or insult that she was twisting his words? Was she making a big deal of some perceived insult that didn’t even exist? ‘How do you expect to be able to fit in here if you’re searching for insults and threats in what everyone’s saying. Light girl, calm down, build up your trust.’

 

After a moment’s deliberation she slunk back to her chair. Upon sitting down, she muttered a barely audible apology for her outburst and then sat down to resume waiting for her food. Apparently, the boy’s silence signified that it was her turn to try and restart the conversation she had killed- slaughtered really.

 

Not really expecting much in the way of an answer, she started off with all the usual, boring questions. “So, how long have you been in the Stedding? I’m actually not new here, I umm... left for a while and only just returned.” A sudden thought occurring to her, she held up her index finger to ask him to wait just a moment and then went to the bar, asking for a half-mug of beer.

 

She returned, mug in hand and set it down on the table, pushing it towards him.

He was confused… As the strangely wary woman left the table for a minute, Speed carefully thought over the situation.

 

What is wrong with her? She acts like a young filly: half skittish and afraid of getting too close, but half enthralled with the notion of making new friends. I know how to train a young horse, but how do I deal with people like this? I guess I’ll just be myself, stay calm, and allow her to make the first move. Talking always helps with colts, so maybe I should talk a bit more and get her used to being around me… She’s certainly an odd one, though.

 

When she returned with a mug half-filled with beer, he smiled broadly. It was as if she had unwittingly validated his decision. Discretely looking around the room to make sure no one was paying attention, he gave her a wink and took a long swig.

 

Coughing and spluttering, he nearly choked on the foul brew! Laughing as he wiped the foamy liquid from his face, he answered her.

 

“I guess it’s an acquired taste. That’s the first time I’ve tried it.”

 

Her scandalized giggle made his grin grow even broader, and so he told her his story. Not about the painful parts of leaving his father and the feeling of fear when he had been so alone on the vast Plains of Maredo, but he told her all about riding Red across the sea of grass. About how he was found, how he had come to the stedding and met Owen who not only was white as a ghost, but who moved like one through the forest. The words came in a torrent, as was typical of him. He wasn’t one to hold back his enthusiasm. He told her how he had only been in the stedding for a few weeks. How he still hadn’t found a place to stay yet, but that it wasn’t a big deal because he was so busy learning new things. How he had proven a disaster with a sword but was pretty flaming good with a bow despite being so young.

 

She didn’t even mind that he used an occasional swear word. It was as if she had never been around anyone like him before. The look on her face was a mixture of rapt delight and uncertainty. Very much like a young filly, indeed, Speed thought to himself as the food finally arrived and he dug in.

 

As he crammed huge bites of steak, beans, and potatoes into his mouth, he asked for her story.

 

“Tho wut abou you, den?” he asked, somewhat garbled by the large bite of biscuit. He washed it down with a long swig of cold milk, let out a pleased “Ahhhhhh,” and asked again. “So you’ve been gone? How come? And what brings you back?”

For the first time in a very, very, very long time, Aleeza burst out laughing when Speed choked on the ale. As far as she could remember, the last time she had actually laughed in earnest would have been before her Howling some five years ago. The laughter lasted only about fifteen seconds, but for those fifteen seconds, a huge emotional weight was lifted and she could almost trust, almost forgive, almost be happy again.

 

She took the brew from him, drinking it herself instead. It felt nice to be able to simply smile, nod and look apologetic as someone else related their miseries, though she felt a bit guilty for being glad to not feel so alone in her struggles.

 

Her nerves returned when he asked why she had first run away and then came back. Of course the boy didn’t phrase it that way- he didn’t know she had run away, but she knew and she felt like a coward. Holding up a finger to indicate he wait a moment, she took another pull on the ale, finishing it. With a somewhat strained smile she gave a rather vague explanation.

 

“When they first took me here, I wasn’t ready to be here- I couldn’t cope with my Howling and couldn’t come to terms with everything that was happening. So, I took some time alone and now I feel I’m ready to be a part of Kin.”

Between gulps of food, swigs of milk, and tales of his past, Speed got the idea that his companion didn’t really want to talk about hers. When she responded with a rather nebulous answer, his suspicions were confirmed.

 

Around a heroic mouthful of steak, he asked, “You don’t talk much, do you? That’s okay. Some people think I talk too much! Can you believe that?!?”

 

When she answered with a small smile, he decided to change tactics.

 

“Well, I’m pretty new here myself. I’ve still got loads of stuff to learn. Maybe we could help each other… or,” the impulsive youngster blurted with inspiration, “I could introduce you to Owen! Have you met him? He answers most all my questions, and he knows tons of stuff! He’s kind of scary looking because he’s white as a ghost, but he’s really a good guy once you get to know him.”

 

On impulse, Speed stood in his chair to peer over the crowd in the inn’s common room. If he could spot Owen, maybe the Ranger could help take the load off Aleeza’s mind.

Aleeza smiled at the eagerness of the boy. “Owen’s still around then?” she said, drawing the boy back into his seat. Obviously the Ranger Leader wasn’t to be found in the inn. “He was my mentor before I… left. I expect he’ll be rather surprised to see me.” This the young woman accompanied with a sigh.

 

When the boy looked at her, she sighed again deeper. If she was going to fit in here, she might as well start by at least sharing something of how she had left. No doubt he would find out sooner or later and better from her than through the rumour mill. “I’ve been rather vague on the terms on which I left. I uh… well… I faked suicide and left. That’s why I’ve kept my hood up and that’s why some might give me looks like I’ve returned from the dead. I left about three years ago and am only coming back now after a long journey both physically and mentally.”

 

Feeling particularly tired, and disappointed that she hadn’t grabbed another mug of ale, Aleeza stood having finished her food. “It’s been nice Speed. I’ll see you around then?”