tushanshu_logs | And Although I Wasn't Losing my Mind

Characters:Valdis and open
Date: April 2017
Location: Various
Situation: Various
Warnings/Rating: In Headers

March hadn’t been the greatest of months. Her discovery of Milyn’s affiliation with the cultists had led to a less than pleasant confrontation with the Foreigners regarding the matter. She would have been lying if she told people she wasn’t surprised by some of the venom contained within certain conversations. But it was all part of the plan, at least, until Milyn had been murdered by the Snakes.

Even then, it took several days before she realized what the odd feeling in the pit of her stomach was. Guilt. The moment she realized it, Valdis fled Keeliai and disappeared into the mountains. While she wandered, she discovered a shrine, a mural depicting the turtle's shell and an eight pointed star. The peace radiating from within the small cave reminded her of the serenity of the turtle's head before Malicant's taint destroyed it. She lingered for days, meditating and finding a sense of peace. She was loathe to leave the place, but it was a discovery that she had to share with some of the others. Perhaps it could even help them awaken Tu Vishan.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

He didn't move, but she knew he had heard because she could feel his emotions shifting, whirling around like a small storm. His voice in her head caused her tail to wave slowly and she reached out with her cold nose to poke his back.

I'm here.

That storm of emotions turned quickly to a flood of relief as he heard Valdis's voice sound in his mind. Still he didn't turn, instead letting his forehead touch the punching bag one more time and his eyes close, this time with relief and a silent note of thanks to whomever might be listening. Valdis was back. Skulduggery was back. Maybe... maybe everything wasn't falling apart after all.

When he did turn he managed to suppress the grin that was threatening to overtake his face. Mostly. One of the corners of his mouth turned upward ever so slightly, and the dark circles under his eyes did nothing to detract from the look of happiness--and mischief--in them.

"Look, I know this is probably a rude thing to say to a lady, but... you might want to look at shaving. Things seem to have gotten out of hand since you've been gone."

Valdis cocked her head, flicking one ear back and then forward again. She shook, all the way from her head to her tail, letting the thick, shiny fur ripple with the movement.

Well, she purred, amused, At least I don't reek of sweat and cleaning supplies. That's quite the odd combination you know.

"I do not reek," Erskine replied archly, cocking an eyebrow at the giant wolf. "Just because you could smell the whiskey on someone's breath from half a mile away with that nose doesn't mean that I reek. I think I still happen to smell quite acceptable, thank you."

(In his defense, despite the cleaning smells that do seem to cling to him, Ravel does usually smell quite lovely. Just maybe not quite as lovely at the moment.)

Of course most of that attitude right there was for show, and a second later he grins at the wolf. "Does this mean you're going to put up a fight if I try to hug you?"

You still reek.

Valdis giggled, flattening her ears and showing her teeth in a wolfy grin as her tail waved from side to side.

But I suppose I can hold my breath if you insist on a hug.

"Oh good. Less dog breath to worry about."

Probably a good thing Valdis wasn't in her human form at the moment and therefore couldn't hit him. Erskine was pretty sure she wouldn't try to bite him.

Pretty sure.

It was an interesting prospect, trying to hug a wolf the size of a horse. Thankfully it meant he didn't have to kneel down at all, but instead of wrapping his arms around her, Erskine more or less just leaned against the wolf's side. For a moment it was just that--a friendly sort of lean--and then he kind of melted against Valdis, the relief winning out.

You might need a bath after this. I am a bit sweaty.

She growled at his dog statement, but it wasn't even halfhearted. Erskine didn't really hug her, he just seemed to melt against her side as if all his strength, or perhaps it was tension, flowed out of him. She could feel his relief and shifted her weight slightly into him to keep him upright instead of moving away from the pressure.

A bit? she laughed, I'm not sure where I would take a bath, so you'd better not sweat on me too much.

"We'll throw you in a lake somewhere," Erskine muttered against the wolf's side, grinning. "Or hose you down like washing a car. It'll be fine."

Despite the joking he didn't stay there much longer, leaning against Valdis. After perhaps another minute he moved back, smiling as he tinkered with the gloves on his hands. He'd had a pretty good workout up until this point anyway. With Valdis back and his mind completely switching gears there wasn't much point in sticking around the dojo any longer--at least, once they were done talking.

"Did you... go home?" he asked, slightly hesitant.

She huffed at his joking, relieved that he actually seemed noticeably happy to see her. It was nice, having people who cared if you vanished, or were injured. People who smiled when they saw you, or enjoyed spending time with you. She had been so lucky to have this second chance at life. She turned her head when he moved back, nuzzling his arm with her muzzle, but she pulled away when he asked his question.

Yes? She answered, also hesitant, That was the first place I went.

Erskine smiled at the nudge on his arm, though the smile melted into a look of confusion at Valdis's answer. What?

It took him a moment to figure out that they weren't talking about the same thing, although he still wasn't entirely sure what she was talking about. Or that he wasn't just mistaking her completely. "When you left?" he prompted her. "You went back to your world?"

She didn't understand his confusion, why would he think she wouldn't go to the Hotel first? It only made sense to check in on Anton and him and she hadn't known he wouldn't be there. It all made sense when he asked his other questions.

Of course not, She scoffed, That world is not my home. My home is here, with you.

Still working on stripping the gloves from his hands, Erskine smiled down at the floor at Valdis's answer. "Good to hear it," he said, without looking up at her. Not that it would make a whole lot of difference if they ended up disappearing without getting the choice, but if there was so much as a whiff of a choice, Erskine didn't intend to leave Keeliai. Ever.

"Wait." He looked up suddenly, eyebrows furrowed. "You didn't get sent back? So... where have you been?"

No.

She tipped her head.

I've been in the mountains.

She didn't feel the need to tell him about the shrine. He wasn't here then, he wouldn't know the feeling at the Turtle's head, it held no meaning to him. It seemed to have no meaning for so many people these days.

She'd been in this world the whole bloody time?

"But... I tried to call you," he continued, somewhat lamely. He probably should have known she wasn't gone, but he wasn't entirely sure how. He hadn't been able to raise her on the radio. She hadn't been in the Hotel. How could he have known? "Why didn't you...?"

Well, she'd run away, obviously.

"Are you okay?"

Erskine...I didn't bring my radio.

Valdis hadn't expected she would need it and she couldn't handle the small item while in hound form. She dropped her head in guilt. Erskine must have been stressed if he had thought she had left forever.

I feel better for the moment.

And Although I Wasn't Losing my Mind

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject