Coming Back Down To Earth
Cy Intellect Seasonal
05-01-2023, 12:28 AM
Kore cannot tear his eyes away from the moon, seeing the mother he never had the opportunity to meet in that silver goddess. The fire beside him crackles and pops, slowly devouring the logs while staving off the chill of the spring night. Failure squeezes his heart, choking the air in his lungs and threatening to send tears cascading down his galaxy-hued cheeks. The man feels himself drowning under the unbearable weight of his short-comings and his mind turns, once again, to where his brother might be.
Pawsteps draw Kore’s attention down from the celestial plains that sparkle brightly above and forces them back down to the dark, cold night. A figure, tall and dark steps into the dim light that the fire tosses out at its furthest edges and he watched him with silent wonder. Words reach the man and he blinks for a moment, watching the woman as his brain processes her words. Lifting a paw, he gently beckons her to the fireside, offering to share the warmth and his companionship in that simple gesture.
A smile wiggles his lips as he ushers her closer, his voice calmly saying, “There is always room for another. Please, come and warm yourself.” Cerulean eyes watch the woman as she approaches, the man making sure to keep his posture open and relaxed so as not to make the woman uncomfortable. Once she is settled, the man offers a deep bow of his head and says, “My name is Kore. I was just… talking to my mother.”
Ears slick back slightly at the admission but he offers her another, polite bow as she gives him a name; Cy. A comfortable silence lapses between the pair, the cheery pop and hiss of the fire lulling the wolves into a deep, relaxed state. Cy poses a question, asking the lone male who his mother is. The man, cloaked in galaxies, offers a rolling sigh. Once more, he turns his gaze up to the silent sentinel above them, knowing that his mother keeps watch from up there in her heavenly home and Kore offers a sad smile.
For a moment, he just stays like that, watching the moon as the fire crackles beside them. Finally, his soft voice, filled with emotion, fills the night air, “I never knew her. She… passed as my brother, sister, and I entered the world. We all were blessed with colorful markings and some said it was as if the stars themselves had touched us.” His gaze slides down to Cy as he admits, “I don’t know about that but I have always felt comfort whenever I talk to her.” Kore turns his gaze back up to the moon and he inclines his head, a small gesture to show Cy who he means.
The sad smile falters and falls from his lips as he continues on, “Soon after we left our dens, my grandfather packed up all my siblings and I and moved us. We were heading down to another pack when things… fell apart. Ah, but that is another story.” A paw lifts to wave away the words and, with them, the sad memories that are attached. He pulls the conversation back to his mother by saying, “Anyway, since then… it just helped to have someone to talk to. Even if it isn’t… real.”
Another sigh rolls out as Kore turns his gaze away from the moon and allows them to come to rest on the fire. Silence falls as he remembers the long, lonely months with just him, Ao, and Kal; it had been the three of them against the world. Now, his brother is missing and Kore has been chasing his fading scent from land to land, holding on to an ever-thinning thread of hope. Will he ever find Kalyke? Will the three of them ever get to be a family again?
A thought suddenly occurs to the man and his gaze snaps up to catch Cy’s lavender gaze. In his eyes, there is a desperation so deep that it has become unfathomable even to him. His voice quivers as he asks, “Hey Cy… have you seen a blue and black wolf?” The night wears on as Kore shares the story of his missing sibling and questions if she has seen anyone like him in her travels.
WC: 720
Total WC: 1561 / 1500