Loki flew over the craggy terrain, heedless - or uncaring - of the danger inherent there. His breath came fast, panting from far more than the exertion of running. When he had come down from that high of fury he'd been riding, he'd crashed hard - pulling away from his nameless victim, he'd fled without a word, not from fear of retribution but from the guilt and horror that choked him. He hadn't stopped running since he'd left the crypt, but he couldn't run away from himself. What he'd done... he was worse than Hati, worse than his father. He'd known the magnitude of the evil he was doing, and he'd done it willingly. He was supposed to be better than that - but he'd proven he was not. His long legs finally gave out and Loki collapsed, trembling and sick to his stomach, beneath the branches of a scraggly evergreen. Alone - good. He deserved to be alone. Deserved it... deserved worse. A monster. "Speech"

Shilah moved around the rocky mountain face with caution and practiced percision. Paw after paw gracefully carried the young healer through the perilous terrain and closer to his destination of home. Even though he was a pack wolf now Shilah was very much a nomad at heart. He just couldn't sit still and had taken once again to wandering though he did so with very specific goals and reasons for doing so. He was gathering herbs. Herbs he could not find in the warm lusciousness of Valhalla. Between his jaws was a gathering of chamomile as well as the more exotic belladonna, a painkiller and poison that could be a bit more difficult to find. It was on his way down that he caught the tangy, sweaty smell of stress. Ears flicked forward and he picked up his pace, following his nose to see a large black brute was collapsed a short ways off the path. Shilah took in the brutes form and frowned. The ebony male was not looking too good. He was shivering, panting and clearly unwell. Had he had a close call with some large predator. Shilah gingerly scented the air but found nothing that would alert him to immediate danger. Cautiously he approached the other male, stopping briefly to set down his gathering. "Hello? I'm Shilah of the Nomads, healer of Valhalla. You look to be unwell? will you let me help you?" He sided on caution this time. The brute was considerably larger than him and very strung out. While trained to battle as well as heal Shilah had no desire to test his luck. Of course he could also be quite stubborn as well when it came to helping others. Speech

Loki's solitude was shattered by the voice of a male, cautiously asking after him. Loki raised his head with difficulty, wild green eyes staring at the young male. "Help me?" Loki broke down into harsh laughter, bordering more than a little on manic. "Oh, little Valhallan if you could help me you would truly be a god, wouldn't you?" Why was it that every time one of his wretched family was in trouble, it was a Valhallan who showed up to rescue them? Why couldn't they just leave them to die off on their own instead of interfering with nature or whatever it was that was trying to wipe their evil off the earth? The lanky wolf tried to push himself back to his feet but abused muscles screamed at him and he got no further than partway up before he gave up and sank back to the ground. A wretched snarling sound, half self-directed rage and half strangled sob, tore from his throat. Loki burrowed his head beneath his aching forepaws, trying to hide from the sunlight that suddenly seemed far too cheerful. Why was the wolf still here? Wasn't there someone else around here to bother? Surely Hati had managed to tangle with a bear or something and was laying around just waiting for another Valhallan to patch him up. "Go 'way." His voice rose muffled from beneath the shelter of bleeding paws. "Speech"

There was something definitely wrong with the brute but Shilah could almost immediately tell that his help would, at best, be grudgingly accepted. The brute weakly lifted his head and Shilah went immediately to analyzing him. He was exhausted and dehydrated, but apart from the torn up paws and superficial wounds he didn't appear to be seriously injured. Mentally however? Shilah stepped back, fur raising slightly at the peel of laughter that erupted from the others maw. Oh yea?. he'd left his mind a couple miles back. Clearly the brute was traumatized by something. It was almost as if he was a few steps from a panic attack and a couple more from being a threat to himself and to others. Shilah carefully moved around the brute. Obviously this stranger had met a Valhallan and likely been treated by one which further made Shilah wonder if he was mentally ill. Had he had another similar incident? "I don't know about a god. I am but a humble nomad and I do wish to help. Please, rest for just a minute?" The wounded brute had tried to stant but aching, overused muscles, had quickly given out. Dam. Shilah would have to carry him or stay with him until he healed. Neither was particularly great especially as Shilah would need to get the patient to water. He stared down at the plants he collected and with a sigh began to mix them into a paste with his paws. Chamomile would help facilitate calm, the belladonna was a potent pain killer and would ease the inflamation. Hopefully, the dosage wouldn't cause the other to get too delirious but Shilah wasn't sure he should leave this brute alone to go find something milder. He chewed his cheek as he thought for a moment, guessing the dosage but unsure on whether to stay or go... Finally, he just decided to stay. Climbing the rocky craigs would take far more time than he cared to leave such an unstable patient unsuperviesed. Shilah moved closer to the brute. "Eat these it will help." Speech

She had wondered out of Valhalla, needing to just get away. Seeing so many happy faces was hard to take in. It was even harder when she felt like she had no one. No one really knew her, no one but maybe Odette and Caerul seemed to wish to take a few moments to speak with her. Lead Theta, she didn't feel like it. She knew no more about the pack and the pack did her. And each time she incountered a pack mate or stranger, Erani always seemed to be hot on her trail and pointing out her wrongs. Perhaps she was after all best isolated off from others till they really needed her. She felt slightly bitter towards everyone. Here she was lost, alone and no one seemed to notice but she bet you when someone was really hurt or ill they'd need her. Where were they for her?! She grumbled to herself till she picked up Shilah's scent. What was the young boy doing out here? She sighed heavily, head lowered to align with her neck and tail a loathe as she followed his scent. Voices could be heard after a moment, Shilah's and a stranger. She slowly made her way over till she was a few feet away. Stopping she watched the two of them, studying the situation. After a long moment she joined Shilah and sat at the stranger's side, blocking the sunlight in his face.Come now, let me see you. I will not ask what the matter is, only that you respect my Eta and let him help you. We do not expect any payment in return. Just relax and let him work. She said softly as she nodded to Shilah. She wanted to see what he was capable of doing to get a more understanding on his level of skills. Speech Thought Others

The Valhallan wolf was damn stubborn, Loki had to give him that. The black wolf uncovered his face to give the healer a glare that, if the world were merciful, would incinerate him on the spot. But of course the world would not, could not have mercy on someone like him and the Valhallan was left whole and unharmed. He even moved closer to offer Loki some sort of plant goo. Mercy... Helpless laughter once more bubbled up from his chest to shatter the quiet he'd fallen into. "If you were smart, Valhallan, you would put poison in that potion of yours." His teeth bared in a grin and Loki might have lunged for him, just for a laugh, if he'd had the strength for it. A third voice rang out, a feminine voice of authority and for a moment Loki expected it to be the Valhallan healer who'd plagued him before, but no, it was yet another of the busybody wolves. "Oh, for goodness sake, don't you people have anyone else to bother," he snapped as he rolled his eyes. Can't you see when a wolf just wants to rid the world of his own foul presence? Just leave me to die and get it over with. Maybe the first wolf had put poison in the goo both wolves were expecting him to eat. Maybe he should eat it and let them send him out of this world quietly instead of in blood and fire like he deserved. He'd just left her there wounded to die terrified and alone... With a venomous glare at the female that unexpectedly swam wetly, he half-snarled, "I don't want help. I don't want his help, or your help, or Erani-of-Valhalla's help, or any of your damn pack or your damn herbs or..." His breath hitched painfully in his chest. Mortified, Loki had to dig his claws into the ground to regain control before he would have burst into tears. Hroovitnir was probably laughing in his grave to see him now, the fucking bastard. "Speech"

Hysteric laughter bubbled from the brutes maw again as Shilah pushed the herb mixture towards him. Yup? this was not going to be easy, was it? He spoke of Shilah putting poison in it and Shilah bit his lip to stop himself from saying that, in fact, belladonna was one of the most poisonous plants a wolf could find. If Shilah slipped in his estimate he could very easily kill the other but the circumstances held very little opportunity. The patient was clearly entertaining thoughts of suicide and could hurl himself from the rocky face of the Maw at any point if Shilah left to gather more herbs. He'd just have to roll with it and pray nothing to serious happened. Shilah sighed inwardly. He was very skilled in physical medicine for a wolf his age but treating the mentally disturbed was a whole nother task. One he didn't feel equipped to handle right now but he made mental note of a few herbs believed to ease symptoms of depression. It was a worth a shot. If he could just incapacitate the other enough to gather something else. Shilah pawed at the herbs and pushed them toward the brute. It was then another wolf appeared. "Lady Imena!" What was she doing all the wait out here? For a second Shilah wondered if she'd been following him or? had Erani sent her? He was so used to wandering wherever he willed that it didn't even occur to him that this might not be acceptable behavior for a young Valhallan healer. Imena did not scold him however she instead set out to helping as well, moving over to the male to inspect him. The male true to his nature snapped right back with a retort. Shilah's ears flicked forward. Wait? He knew Erani? The patient's breath hitched. "Hey, take it easy there. Imena's right, just try and relax. The sooner you let us help you the sooner we'll go away. Now please, if you're able to, eat this. It will help with the pain and help you relax." He turned to Imena. "I had gathered chamomile and belladonna earlier and I didn't want to leave him for long. Any other suggestions? His de-hydration worries me and I'm not sure if there are any water-storing plants in this terrain. We could try carrying him to a water source which we may have to do anyway til he regains his strength. His limbs are far too taxed to just leave him here against the elements." Shilah felt it only right that he get her input. She was his superior after all and had lived in Alacritis far longer than he, having a better knowledge of the plant life available. Hopefully she'd have some ideas for their next course of action? if the brute would cooperate. Speech

As the male in distress snapped some rude comments her eyes hardened. She did not take his words lightly but she voiced no words on the matter. For when he turned to face her, those eyes filled with unshed tears, on the break of spilling; pulled on her heart. She sighed softly before laying down next to him and curling her body around him. His bitter words had no effect on her. Eyes lifted up to Shilah with a nod.We could use Willow bark, yarrow, or elderflower. But none really grow here. That and i'd rather you not wonder around here alone too much. The footing here is not steady. I don't want to lose on of my Etas. We can find something to restore his energy and try to get him back home. There he can rest and recharge peacefully. She said softly. Turning her attention back to the male next to her she shook her head lightly. Gently she would lick his shoulder in a soothing manner.Lets just start with who you are. What's your name? She knew with some patients she had had before, finding the most simple things in life, true facts, helped calm the mind. Starting with who he was, his age, where he came from and so forth. Maybe then Shilah and she could learn what the matter was with him.I wish we were back at my den...it would be a lot easier. She muttered softly, more for Shilah's ears. Speech Thought Others

It took a moment for Loki to choke back the threatening tears, and he angrily snapped up the herbs to cover it before he realized that the pair of them were discussing him as though he were a child, and he reverted to an icy dignity, forcing himself into a more upright position rather than partially sprawled. The female had situated herself at his side, he noticed quite suddenly when she licked his shoulder in a manner supposed to be soothing. Loki narrowed his eyes at her and opened his mouth to say something scathing, but stopped. He was feeling... strangely. Very strangely, and rather suddenly. A creeping feeling, a loss of control as though he were suddenly very loose and drifting in his own skin. He blinked at her blankly for a moment. "Loki Hroovitnisson," he told her, answering her question without thought, then snickered in a faintly dreamy manner. "Loki FROST," he corrected himself, having just come up with the absolutely brilliant decision to change his name. "You really shouldn't help me you know. I'm a bad person. I do baaaad things. I did something awful today you know." He nodded solemnly, then giggled when he realized his face was suddenly wet with tears. "Don't know why I'm so fucked up about it, 'snot my life I ruined. I'm a really bad person you know. You shouldn't be helping me. That makes you a bad person too." A sudden thought had him turn his head sharply toward Shilah, though the quick motion made him dizzy and he wobbled. "What did you give me?" he asked suspiciously, then doubled up in giggles. "I think I'm allergic," he finally gasped out the punchline to what he thought was a hilarious joke. Talk like this

Shilah nodded as Imena spoke, frowning as he did so. This was a rather bleak situation. His left ear twitched slightly at her comments about him wandering alone and loosing his footing but his face remained passive. Shilah had been raised near rocky faces like these but she did have a point. He was a pack member now and should be with his pack but his wanderlust nature was going to be difficult to break, he could tell that already. The ailing brute introduced himself as Loki? Frost? Shilah's eyes narrowed as he noticed the shift in the brute's manner of speech as well as his body language. "Maybe your'e so? fucked?" was that even a word? "about it because you are feeling remorseful. The truly evil do not feel regret for what they've done. Now hold still while I?" Shilah swore and winced. "You're not allergic, Loki." Shilah said calmly. If there was one thing about the brute it was his ability to remain calm even in the most stressful situation. Yet?he had screwed up? he'd overestimated the brutes size and given him a mild overdose and right in front of his superior. What luck? turning to Imena he whispered, "I apologize Lady Imena, I seem to have given him an overdose." Well that's what he got for messing with such a dangerous plant. What would his mother say about his recklessness? He could not tell how badly the brute was reacting. If the overdose was mild enough it would be best to let him ride it out. If not they'd need to induce vomiting promptly. If it was mild enough though they might be able to get him up and walking complacently in his delirium. "Loki, can you stand?" Speech

She would lay there watching the dark male next to her. As he turned to her, jaws parting for some retort she was sure, her brow would raise at him, waiting. But none came. Imena wasn't easily scared off with words, much less threats of any kind. The male's demeanor changed quickly as the herbs kicked in and at once her brows furrowed as he spoke. Something wasn't right her. Loki Hroovitnisson? Then Loki Frost. The last name was familiar. Though Imena kept much to herself, names floated by her often enough to have that last name kick in the back of her mind. She would make no comment for now though. As he giggled she glanced at Shilah. She was sure he had not intended to kill Loi, no matter how much the male wished them to do so. But the herb he used was a tricky one. Loki spoke again and her attention turned back to him."Loki a Healer does not judge another if they are bad are good. We just do what we were born to do. Shilah is right, only those of pure darkness have no regrets, no feelings. Not to mention, one can always change. She replied. As Loki questioned the herbs she would sit up, looking around them. The male was loopy no doubt right now. It was their best chance to get him to Valhalla. With his body in a high state it would not feel that taxing state of exhaustion. She smiled softly at Shilah. Shilah, just call me Imena. And do not stress. We both know how to rid his system of it if need be. But we best take advantage of this right now and get him home." She replied and nosed Loki's shoulder. Come on now, up on those paws. Lean on me if need be. Shilah can you get his other side please? She asked calmly. Oddly being able to do her job made her very calm and happy. She was steady and sure. She knew a list already of herbs they could find from here to home if they needed anything for Loki. Speech Thought Others

Born to be a king, I ask one thing in return

Loki gave Shilah an absolutely epic eye roll and made a face at him. "I don't do remorse. Remorse is for... is for... people who aren't me. You have no idea what I'm capable of, little healer boy, so... yeah. I'm capable of stuff. A lot of stuff." His expression had closed down, his attention straying as his mind turned down darker paths, his body beginning to shudder, the wicked teeth of memory beginning to close on him. "Don't be a fool," he snapped with a groan to the female. "People don't change. Evil is evil. That's it and done."

He may have spiraled deeper and deeper into an increasingly bad trip had he not been nearly startled out of what wits he had left by the female healer poking him in the shoulder. He yelped in an extremely undignified manner, fur fluffing out as he flailed wildly away from her and - miraculously - somehow ended up on his feet. He blinked, glanced down at his paws, and broke into a fit of giggles once again. "I - " he began with mock dignity through the peals of laughter, "I can stand just fine thank you." He was unaware of the wet tracks of fresh tears amidst the chortling, for his mind was deliberately shying away from the horror of what he'd done, latching on to the hysterical giggles as an escape.



"Speech"

a front seat to watch Earth burn

Shilah was grateful that Imena was not too furious with him. While a skilled healer he was not infallible and there were many herbs the young brute was still becoming accustomed to using. At this point he was mostly ignoring the brutes delirious rambling. The hysteric rambling was a bit unnerving and Shilah knew they'd have to listen to it on the whole way back but at least the brute was on his feet and capable of moving. "Yes, Imena." He nodded and quickly moved himself to the other side of Loki, the tears didn't go unnoticed but Shilah didn't want to say anything. As soon as they got him back to Valhalla they could work everything out. Shilah began to move carefully forward to help steer the unstable patient down the mountain face. ooc: a bit rushed but end? Should we start another in Valhalla? Speech