Strength in numbers

Ricin talks and, while at first, he was afraid that he might be saying too much, the words just keep spilling out. And Manea listens to him. She does not berate, interrupt or ignore him, instead offering an ear when the pup needs it most. A deep, yearning stirs in the blue pup’s chest as he wishes that his mother had been like her. Instead, the wolf who had given him life had held nothing but contempt for her pups and Ricin had borne the brunt of that hate. All his other siblings were born strong and healthy, following in their father’s paw steps and showing an aptitude for fighting or hunting. But not Ricin. He had been doomed to be ‘weak’ and follow in his mother’s stride. For some reason, that fact only seemed to make her hate him all more.
While his siblings got to spend their time learning with their father and getting to bask in his loving praise, the light-hued pup had been forced to stay near the den and wait for their return.

The wolf had given him life would hurl insults and objects if he tried to enter the den, forcing the pup to wait out in cold winter elements for his siblings to return. Ricin still remembers the day his dad died, how his siblings had come running home, crying and shouting for their mother. The woman had followed the trail back to the scene of the carnage with the pups following timidly in her wake. That was when everything changed… that was the moment they were cast out on their own. Emotion chokes his words, as he remembers that dark day, causing his voice to be hesitant at times and completely breaking at others. But all the while, Manea listens. She rides the waves of emotions with him, never interrupting his confession.

When the last words fall from his lips and Ricin works to stifle his sobs, the lighter pup keeps his gaze diverted in fear that the kind wolf will strike him. The light boy feels broken, a mess that is beyond anyone’s help and he curses himself for not being stronger. Because his eyes are averted the pup misses the moment she reaches a large paw to him. So, when Manea wraps her foreleg around his shoulders, Ricin stiffs in dread and turns, wide, tear-filled eyes to the woman’s face. He expects to find anger and loathing there just the like mother had every time she looked at the light pup. Tears still cascade down his cheeks and, when he finds something akin to love on her features instead, Ricin completely loses what little control he had over his emotions. She pulls the crying pup to her chest, as he allows her to as everything comes pouring out.

Manea licks away his tears, nuzzling his head and holding him. Ricin cries into her chest, frame quivering with the effort of suppressing his loud sobs. Time loses all meaning to the light-hued boy as he cries and relishes the motherly love he has never felt. Eventually, the tears slow and peter out, leaving the pup feeling wrung out and like an open, exposed wound. The fear in Ricin screams to pull away, to get out of Manea’s reach for the inevitable smack that is sure to follow. But he cannot leave her embrace and instead nuzzles further into her chest as his hiccups and shakes. Bright, red eyes look up to her kind face and he finds the woman looking back at him. Breath hitches as she speaks, Ricin’s guilt working hard and to drown out her words. But the pup fights the ingrained response, instead latching onto what she has to say.

When she presses her nose to his crown, Ricin’s heart flutters wondering if this is what having a mother is supposed to feel like. He leans into her touch as he listens, turning slightly so his gaze can fall the darker form of his brother. After she finishes speaking, the lighter pup just sits there, leaning into her while looking at his brother. The hiccups finally subside and determination fills his chest. Eyes still locked on brother’s form, Ricin speaks softly, his tone filled with hope for the first time in… well, since he can remember. He says, “I love him Mrs. Manea. He was willing to sacrifice everything for me. And… I would give up everything for him.” A gentle smile appears as he continues, “I think you are right, that fate brought us here for a reason. And… I am grateful that we get to be here... with you.”

The brothers have slowly learned that things happen for a reason and whatever thread ties the pups to Manea and her family, Ricin is eternally thankful for. Dark-colored eyelids start to dip as the weight of the day and releasing pent up emotions finally take their toll. But he forces himself to stay awake, just for little bit longer. Ricin turns his tired eyes to Manea and says, “I don’t want to leave. I want to live here with you, forever. I want to prove my worst fears wrong and show just how worthy I am to be alive.” A yawn splits his maw, interrupting his speech for a moment. Eyelids begin their slow march downward and it takes even more effort to force them back open. Tiredly, he mumbles, “I will sacrifice anything to be able for us to stay here with you.” Yet another yawn and his head dips as he blinks his eyes back open. When had they closed? Sleepily, Ricin asks, “Mommy, can we stay here?” The pup’s drug and sleep muddled brain does not pick up on the fact that he called Manea mom.

As another yawn escapes, Ricin pulls away from the purple wolf moving to curl up with Chade. Truthfully, the pup would love nothing more than to fall asleep in her safe, loving arms but the brothers have always slept curled around each other. Muttering unintelligible words to himself, the lighter-hued pup gets comfortable with Chade and finally closes his tired eyes. They quickly shoot back open, fear resting behind his crimson gaze and he turns to Manea, asking, “You are going to be here when we wake up… right? This… wasn’t just a dream?” The anxiety melts away slowly as the exhaustion tries to lull him to sleep. Ricin fights it, needing to hear her answer before dropping away into the currents of sleep.


"Speech"