I count the steps that you take...
06-16-2018, 08:33 PM
Star had known it would take time to heal, but had never realized just how much slower winter made the process. A few days had passed since she returned home in a sorry state, in that time she had managed to make her fur look nice again and she was finding it easier to cope with reality. She didn't want to admit the entire ordeal had been just a tad too much for her to handle, and as a result, Stardust remained relatively quiet around the pack. Hell, she rarely came away from her den except to eat or drink or take the medicine that Hailey had given her. It was a relatively sunny day, a soft chill in the air from light breezes, and Star found herself sitting atop her den beneath her weeping willow tree. She could feel the weather, but this time was different. Usually with winter came a rush of heat and flirtatious behavior toward her mate. Star wondered if it might have to do with her physical and mental state; if the witch that abducted her had messed with her body to the point where she couldn't do all she and Frost had planned. Perhaps, she was simply too old now. Funny, for the first time in months, she didn't feel old. There was an odd anxiety that followed her around, a fear that the dark woman would find her, would kill her. It was a ridiculous fear, she was protected here, she was loved here and safe. It was difficult to remember what safety felt like, but she did her best as she waited for Frost to return from yet another hunting trip. He had been feeding her like crazy, and she felt as though she had gained at least five pounds in the four days she had been home. There was still an enormous amount of guilt that she felt for getting herself kidnapped, for being drugged, for being stupid. She needed to tell him the full details of what had happened to her, but as she started talking about it, she froze. The very thought process behind her experience prevented her from talking about it. Stardust knew she suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, among other things, but she wasn't sure if she should make Hailey work harder than she had to. All she could do was wait for the comforting presence of her mate and best friend, and try not to feel so insecure about her place in the pack. |
06-16-2018, 09:16 PM
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Art by Kanvos
06-18-2018, 05:48 PM
Anxiety was probably the worst of her symptoms, making her paranoid and restless, keeping her awake and listening to all the night sounds. A few other issues came up as well, mostly her worry over Frost's feelings on all of this. Was he mad that she had been stupid enough to be kidnapped and drugged? That she believed a wolf to be friendly when she should have easily seen through the mask? It was maddening, but she remained silent about it, not wanting her mate to be any more stressed than he already was. Paw steps outside alerted her to another, and she moved her head to look hopefully in Frost's direction. She let a smile ghost her face as he lay the freshly caught meal before her and nuzzled into his neck as he did the same to her shoulder. Her stomach growled, but she placed a lick to his forehead as he settled beside her and gave a small grin. "Thank you, my love. I was beginning to feel a bit peckish." She turned back toward the meal and ate gratefully, finally able to taste the actual meat instead of the bitter tea that she had been fed for months. She groomed more, finding energy in every meal he brought to her. Star knew she would have to open up eventually, so she decided she would do so once she finished eating. Frostbite deserved to know, and she needed to feel safe again. There was hardly a safer place she could think of than Lirim, and she hoped she recovered enough to get back to her duties. She was home, and if anything, the experience had given her a renewed vigor about life. It was time to fully engage and rid herself of her nightmares and stress. Cuddling closer to her mate, Stardust cuts a haunch out for him to share with her. She wouldn't be able to eat all of it just yet, but she was slowly working on it. |
06-24-2018, 07:37 PM
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Art by Kanvos
06-25-2018, 07:34 PM
❥❥There was more to her improved mood than Frost's excellent care, Star was beginning to settle into security once more. She felt it every day as she grew stronger and regained more of herself from the countless doses of poppy tea she had been forced to drink. The woman had never found water sweeter than when she had first opened her eyes and realized she was home and close to her pond once more. The silence while they ate didn't unnerve her, but she did find herself staring off into space as memories threatened to overwhelm her peace. It was so hard to fight the darkness back, but Star was more determined than ever to get back to normal. She didn't enjoy feeling so weak, so...fragile. She wasn't used to it. Frost's voice broke the gentle silence that had taken over for the moment, bringing her out of her mind and into the present.
❥❥ His question didn't surprise her, he had been asking it at least a thousand times a day, but she didn't mind his worry. Stardust was rather glad that her mate loved her enough to see to her care personally, and that he fretted over her condition made her smile rather than snarl. When he spoke, he kept his voice quiet and Star wondered if it was for her and the headaches she often had or if he was afraid of her answer. "You feeling better today?" His rich voice asked her softly. Star responded with a small smile and a gentle nodding, "I am. My muscles hurt and my head is constantly killing me, but I am getting better." She knew he hurt, knowing him for so long, Star knew when he was hiding pain. He was just as much of a mess as she was, and she blamed herself for being naive and trusting of others. How could she help them get better? What would be the best way to heal the passed months of separation?
❥❥ Stardust looked to Frost's handsome face and smiled, "I love you, and I am thankful that you are being so patient with me. Don't worry, I know I am safe. I am only waiting for the memory not to be so raw, and I will tell you everything. I just can't while the pain is fresh." The healing woman looked him over, then buried her face into the thick fur at his neck, making happy growling purrs that made her sound almost like a cat. He worried over what happened to her, she knew he did. She didn't blame him for wanting to know, he would want justice as she did, but she simply couldn't remember everything that had been done to her. What she could remember burned holes into her mind and heart, so she just tried her best not to think about anything other than recovery.
"Soothing voice." Quiet paws. Whispering mind. "Spoken to."
❥❥ His question didn't surprise her, he had been asking it at least a thousand times a day, but she didn't mind his worry. Stardust was rather glad that her mate loved her enough to see to her care personally, and that he fretted over her condition made her smile rather than snarl. When he spoke, he kept his voice quiet and Star wondered if it was for her and the headaches she often had or if he was afraid of her answer. "You feeling better today?" His rich voice asked her softly. Star responded with a small smile and a gentle nodding, "I am. My muscles hurt and my head is constantly killing me, but I am getting better." She knew he hurt, knowing him for so long, Star knew when he was hiding pain. He was just as much of a mess as she was, and she blamed herself for being naive and trusting of others. How could she help them get better? What would be the best way to heal the passed months of separation?
❥❥ Stardust looked to Frost's handsome face and smiled, "I love you, and I am thankful that you are being so patient with me. Don't worry, I know I am safe. I am only waiting for the memory not to be so raw, and I will tell you everything. I just can't while the pain is fresh." The healing woman looked him over, then buried her face into the thick fur at his neck, making happy growling purrs that made her sound almost like a cat. He worried over what happened to her, she knew he did. She didn't blame him for wanting to know, he would want justice as she did, but she simply couldn't remember everything that had been done to her. What she could remember burned holes into her mind and heart, so she just tried her best not to think about anything other than recovery.
07-05-2018, 09:36 PM
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Art by Kanvos