Don't Be Shy

When Isa calls her Andromeda, the girl ducks her head and smiles, enjoying the way it sounds in her exotic tones. No matter what station a wolf is in the pack, the purple pup understands the sadness, and possible fear, that being away from home and injured can cause. Because of that, she wishes to help make Isa feel welcome and offers her some simple comforts. When the fruit is offered and the blue hued woman picks up an orange, sharing that it is her favorite fruit and why, a warm smile spreads across the girl’s lavender lips. Seating herself across from Isa the girl’s smile only grows when the plum is offered to her.

Pale eyes round is surprise before blinking at the tender nickname that Isa offers and the girl’s heart melts for the woman. The smile that she offers now is bright and she nods thankfully before lifting the plum to sniff so she can savor the scent of the ripe fruit. Isa deftly peels the orange and Andy softly asks, “What is your home like, Isa? Is it far from here?” Mouth fills with saliva as her stomach rumbles its protest at not having the plum to digest. Eyes turn to the fruit and she takes a large bite, mimicking the woman’s sounds of pleasure as the tart, sweet juice hits her tongue.

At Isa’s voiced thanks, Andy smiles brightly, plum juice staining her lips as she happily says, “You’re welcome Isa! I’ll be sure to bring you many more oranges. I promise.” Shifting the fruit to one paw, the girl uses a paw to cross her heart in a show of the promise before giving a firm nod and returning to her plum. All too soon, the fruit is devoured but Isa then opens the packages of meat and places them between the wolves. Eyes widen as Andy takes it as an invitation to join her and Andy’s tail thumps the ground as she takes a piece of elk meat.

Again, the blue woman compliments her and the purple pup suddenly feels flustered, uncertain why she is getting so much praise for doing the right thing. Then Isa mentions her parents and Andromeda’s eyes falls to the piece of meat in her paw and she turns it over in her paws as he thinks for a moment before saying, “I… I think they are. Mom use to tell me that I was a kind child too but, uh, she went away about a season ago. And my dad is… dad. He doesn’t say much, one way or the other.” A shrug of lavender shoulders is given before she pops the chunk of meat in her mouth and slowly chews it.

Absently, her paw fiddles with the opening of the satchel as they eat and, when she finally swallows her food, Andy turns her pale gaze to meet Isa’s beautiful aqua eyes. With a gentle smile, the pup softly says, “I… brought you one other thing.” With that, she reaches in to the satchel and withdraws the little leather doll that Briar that given her when the family had left the Hallows. Lovingly, she cradles the object, saying, “My sister gave this to me after our mother died. It helped me feel safe and comfortable in a time when I felt anything but that.”

Lavender paws uncurl and legs stretch out to offer the doll to Isa as she says, “I’m sorry you’re hurt, Isa but she will help you feel better, I promise.” It is a child’s toy, offered with a child’s promise but, to Andy, it is the most important promise in the world. A warm, caring smile is on her lavender lips as she willing offers Isa her doll to help the woman feel better.


"Andromeda Fatalis"