Chapter Text
“I don’t think you happen to have heard stories of us Wolfwalkers, have ya? I suppose I have to explain our story. Eons ago, those things known as “humans” were extremely superstitious. Running around like chickens without their heads, AHAHA!!! Excuse me. Men and women who were cursed, have been forced to live in the forest as wolves, whilst their original body lays asleep.”
The night time forest breeze blew gently through the leaves. Causing a calming rustle to be heard, fireflies hovering gently over the stream of water. The insects became the only beacon of light in this hour of the night. Stars shining down from the gaps of space that the leaves showed, leaving only one.
Only one, gazing into the starry night sky. He stared at the twinkling lights that hung themselves so comfortably and brightly in the sky. He always felt that the stars held all answers to every question, he would be the only wolf to howl at the stars. Never at the full moon, that was reserved for when he was with the others in his pack. Only alone, when everyone was asleep, he would howl at the stars. It’s kinda cathartic, in a way.
Hell, he felt himself begging to the lights, pleading even… to have someone to howl at the stars with him. He snaps himself out of his stupor of longing and loneliness, and circles himself under a tree near the cliff. Finally laying down and closing his eyes to sleep.
“Humans believed that anything and everything wild was the work of a devil. Because those Wolfwalkers had a kind of magic, healing magic, that can cure any ailments out of thin air. We can even see smells with our wolf vision.”
Pure Vanilla opens the window to the balcony, a small creak of the wood rings through the room. He winced and looked at the bed across from his, his sister is there. Well adopted sister, she stirs slightly as the chill from outside makes itself at home, her eyes remaining closed. He sighs in relief as he climbs up to the roof, he already knows how to. Despite his nearly fully blinded vision, his muscles remembers how to contort his body to get himself up there.
He crawls for a moment until reaching near the chimney. He gazes up at the sky, the gorgeous stars gleaming down upon him. He starts to sing his lullaby to the stars, he’s always done this. Even as a child, refusing adamantly to rest until he finishes his lullaby. He stops and sits down to watch them twinkle and shine.
“Thought I might find you up here.” He blinks and looks to his left, Lily is staring at him. She sits down next to him, looking up at the stars. “How long have you known that I’ve been coming up here?” She giggled softly, turning her maroon eyes to his own. “Since I my first night here. I didn’t want to intrude, but I couldn’t help but notice that you’ve been going up here more often. What’s happening? Is it regarding that argument you and-” he turns away.
“Stop!! Don’t!! Please…”
He didn’t want to think about what mother had told him. Lily had her hand on her mouth. She didn’t know that he was this affected by the argument. Since being adopted by the single mother, he had wanted to become a medical professional. And she knew he had what it takes, she’s been sickly her whole life and Vanilla was the only one who could fully figure out the illness and the proper treatment. Mother said that he could begin studying when he was of age, but when he did two years ago. She still refused, her reasoning this time was Vanilla’s deteriorating vision.
She remembered the fallout to this day. Vanilla hadn’t been the same since then, more emotionally drained and distant. She rubbed the bandages on her arms, “I’m sorry… I know that’s a sensitive subject.”
He only hums in response. Standing up and making his way back down, she follows him. He looks back to the stars again, blowing a kiss to them. She hobbles herself back into their shared bedroom to see his back turned to her. She lays down on her bed, “Goodnight…” He doesn’t respond right away.
“Goodnight Lily.” They both sleep after that, knowing that tomorrow is going to be mentally draining for the both of them.
“Oh pffff. How could I forget?! Don’t get too close, because we bite~ and if you’re bitten… you’ll be one of us.
You’ll be part of our pack.”
—
Wolf hunting was something that Pure Vanilla wasn’t looking forward to. He never wanted to hurt anything, he’s a pacifist at heart. But tis the Lord’s will for the men to be hunters. And today would be his first time going outside the towns walls. He would’ve loved to explore the place outside of these circumstances.
He stands in front of the gates, crossbow at his side. He takes his first steps out of the town and walks away to hunt. He’s amazed by the sight of the greenery around him, the town never had this. Lily would absolutely adore this place, he hops over a bush. Stumbling a little bit, before he continues his journey through the woods.
He stopped occasionally to listen to the birds chirping, the glowing beams of sunlight peaking through the trees gave the whole walk a warm atmosphere. His ears twitching as he heard what he assumes are the wolves he’s supposed to be hunting. He hides behind a tree, occasionally glancing at the pack turning. There are four wolves that sparked curiosity, one pure white, one red with a black tail, a smaller pink one and a large purple one. He stood there, remaining still as the constant thudding ceases. He hears a pained whimper, his eyes opened. He follows the sound and happens upon a small stream of water.
And a wolf. He watches the wolf from the bushes. The wolf is black, a deep jet black. White spots were littered on its legs, he couldn’t see much from his vantage point, but he could see the colors of the creature. He sees it try to stand up and fall down into the water, a whine of hurt emanating from its mouth. Pure Vanilla couldn’t stand back anymore, he had to help.
He sets his hunting crossbow aside gently and steps out of his hiding spot. The wolf notices, it stumbling back trying to get away from him. It lays down on the other side of the stream, still and terrified. He crouched down on his side of the stream, his hands open and up. “I’m not here to hurt you. I just want to help.” The wolf growls, trying to make itself more intimidating.
Pure Vanilla shushes the growling wolf, slowly moving his hand to grab his medical supplies that he snuck out with him. Bringing out a roll of bandages, placing it near the wolf. He was used to animals being afraid of receiving help when hurt, he used to be a shepherd as a little boy. The wolf sniffed the roll of bandages, which prompted him to reach his hand for it to smell.
The wolf turned its attention to his hand. The cold, wetness of its nose caused Vanilla to shiver slightly. It stopped sniffing. Pure Vanilla takes the lack of growling as the green light to proceed. He shuffles towards the wolf, crouching comfortably in front of the creature. He slowly takes the injured paw, a howl of pain escaping from the wolf’s mouth. He lets out calm shushes and apologies, as he examines the injury.
It’s definitely sprained, but he felt that there was something else wrong. He grazes his fingers on the leg, his heart twisting with every yelp of pain coming from the wolf. “Shhh… you’re okay. You’re going to be alright… Shhhhh…” were among the reassurances that he said to the creature. True to his feeling, he found the main issue. A burn on its admittedly adorable blue paw pad.
He cups some water from the stream into one hand while the other holds the wolf’s paw up. He looks at the wolf, its eyes wide and different colored. One was a bright cyan and the other was a deep blue, he blinked and took a deep breath. He knew that this was going to hurt way more than the sprain or receiving the burn ever did, which is why he was going to warn the creature.
“You have a burn on your paw pad, I’m going to put water on it. It’ll hurt a lot.” He brings the water to the paw pad. A wailing howl emerges from the wolf’s throat. Pure Vanilla winced at the noise, but continued. The sounds of pain intensified as he began to graze the water in between the main pad. Stopping at particularly high pitch whine and seeing tears flowing down the creature’s face. He slowly brought his hand to wipe the tears away.
“I’m so sorry. I’m sorry for hurting you further… it’ll be over soon, I’m almost done. You’ll be okay,” another high pitched whimper escaped the wolf “shhh… it’s okay.” He reassured in the most soothing way possible.
“You will be okay. You’ll get back to your pack soon… you’re doing great… shhh.” He grabs the roll of bandages and starts wrapping them around the wolf’s leg. He starts humming while he continues wrapping the bandage. Once he’s done, he cuts the bandage off from the roll. Taping it together so that it doesn’t get loose.
The wolf analyzes the bandage on its leg, then it steps forward. Bringing its face close to Pure Vanilla’s, he squeaks which makes the wolf tilt its head. It stares at him before licking his face and scattering off, looking back at him then disappearing into the forest. Pure Vanilla brought his hand to his cheek, his eyes looking at the sky and widening when he saw the oranges of the sunset setting.
He stumbled upwards and began running back towards town. Grabbing his crossbow he left behind, dashing his way out of the woods. Giving one final look to the forest before heading back to the town gates. He didn’t know what he was going to say to mother at dinner. Probably that it was a slow day and he didn’t slay any wolves.
It’s partly the truth. He’s just not telling the full truth. Sure keep telling yourself that.
—
Shadow Milk regrouped with his pack. Slightly limping while running back to his den, he closed his eyes and went back to his human body. He gasped for air as he paces around, trying to process what had just happened.
That human is an idiot!! Helping him when he’s supposed to be hunting his kind down. He should’ve bit him when he got close. But he couldn’t help but be curious by the humans nature. He left his hunting crossbow out of sight, and comforted him when he was in pain.
It intrigued him to no end. He never met a human like that before. He needs to know more, he looks back at his sleeping mother. He presses his head against hers, “I’m going to the town tomorrow. I know you forbade that, but I need to find you, mom.” He sobs, curling up against his mother’s resting body.
“I just hope that you can forgive me once I find you. We can play tricks on those dimwit fools from the town. Hehehe, I know how much you loved doing that” he sighed, curling himself closer “night, momma… I love you.”
He sleeps, his eyes opening in his wolf form. He circles near his mother’s feet and lays down beside her. A sorrowful howl echoed through the den, his grief being felt through every single wolf in the den. His voice cracked as he continued the howl, moments later he fell asleep in his wolf body.
Crying even though his eyes are closed. The forest is still alive. His home is still alive. And he won’t let anyone destroy it. He knows that town keeps destroying his home, he hates them. All of those damn townspeople.
Well… all except one person. One hunter who was foolish enough to help a Wolfwalker.