She marveled at the warmth she comfort his touch brought. His fingers settled between hers like they belonged there. Like calls to like. It was only naturally that they fit so well hand in hand. She wished she could see what it would look like when he was truly holding her hand instead of the guise she wore.
"I don't know what else is further North in the mountains. I don't know if there's shelter or how many towns there are," she fretted. Aleksander could manage it in his wolf form, but she'd only slow him down. She was simply human. She squeezed his hand. "Stay with me until you're ready to go North at least. You'll be able to travel much faster as wolf without me."
She'd planned on the cabin. She could make it by on her own without him. It was her original plan anyway.
"There is very little human presence once one enters the Great Forest. And very few settlements in the foothills," he agreed. "That is why it will be the safest. For both of us." He'd not leave her behind. Not to be hunted, captured, and dragged back to the hell that was the Lantsov manor.
He gripped her hand in return, firm. "I won't leave you all alone," he promised, surprised that the words even left his tongue. "You will be hunted and eventually captured." No human deserved to be treated like an animal.
"Let us first reach this place, then we will make a plan after." Because that was the first priority; getting to a shelter where they could regroup, resupply, and rest.
Not very many good things happened to Genya Safin. She'd learned to be skeptical of them because they always had a catch. She was skeptical now at his promise. She wasn't sure how she'd make a place for herself in space called the Great Forest. It sounded like a home for extraordinary, magnificent creatures. Not a Tailor.
"Let's get to the cabin first," she agreed. That, she could do. She squeezed his hand in return then leaned into his side slight. There was still some time before they arrive. The dark sky was beginning to lighten a bit. Maybe by the time they arrive, she'll have found her appetite again.
"We'll need a car to get to the cabin. It will be a long hike by foot," she said thoughtfully. One was more feasible for her and the other more efficient for him.
She shifted against him and he instinctively stiffened, but forced himself to ease; she was no threat. The train was moving, but slowly, thanks to the heavy snows of recent days. The contrary weather would, hopefully, also deter Lantsov and his goons from any immediate pursuit.
"A vehicle for part of the way, yes. The rest we must take afoot." Stealing a car and driving directly to their destination would be suicide. They'd also need more clothing, and if he was going to remain in this form for any length of time, garments of a better and more comfortable fit. But he knew how to scavenge; he'd learned from watching the humans.
"We'll need better gear and warmer clothes," she said agreeably. He'd led her safely so far. She'd trust him for the hike even if she was unsure how well she'd manage it. Genya needed better shoes to get through the snow and the unbroken trail. Genya had money. She could purchase them whatever they needed. It was more money she needed for just her. Zoya had been incredibly generous.
He was determined not to leave her behind. Even if she insisted on otherwise, he seemed adamant on that. It gave her a strange feeling. She'd never had anyone be so fiercely protective of her like this.
The sun had almost cleared the horizon when Genya indicated their stop, and the train sighed tiredly into the barely-populated station; it was still too early for a bulk of travelers. Well and good.
The town was definitely small, with only a few snow-covered streets, but it hosted enough shops and stores for necessities. It was still bitingly cold but the tall wolf nevertheless lifted his face to the wind, inhaling deeply. Yes, this was much better. The scent of pine was strong, and snow, and the mountains still far to the north. He smelled it all, and the instinctual tug down in his core was so strong it nearly made him stumble.
Yes. This was the right way.
He stood with a Genya on the station’s outer platform, gazing at the small town with lupine curiosity. Unthought, his hand silently reached for hers, their fingers lacing together almost automatically. It was still too early to go shopping, but standing here in the wind wasn’t wise, either. Surely somewhere had to be open for business at this hour.
The cold was biting, yet cleaning in a way. It didn't make her turn away. She liked the chill against her face. She tugged her hat down lower and made sure that her scarf was securely around her neck. She made sure the duffel bag's strap was on her shoulder before she stepped onto the platform with him. Their hands seemed to be on some sort of magnetic wavelength. They found one another with ease. She laced her fingers with his.
He looked right at home here. She saw it on his face. He was more relaxed here like he was in his element. This was where he belonged.
"Come, let's find a cafe or something. You need more than jerky," she told him. She gave his hand a gentle tug, so they leave the station and explore. It was quiet and sleepy, but they did find a well lit cafe on the primary street. She started wandering towards there now that she was drawn by the scent of coffee.
Food was definitely a welcome subject. He could also smell baking bread, sugary icing, eggs, ham, and other enticing scents that made his stomach rumble in protest. In this world of humans, he was more than willing to follow Genya’s lead and so he did, keeping her hand in his as they walked down the still-snowy sidewalk.
The cafe to which she brought them was warm, cozy, and small, with only a few regulars already at the small bar, nursing their coffee and breakfasts. The smell of cooking sausage made the wolf’s mouth immediately water, and he refrained from licking his lips only because it would seem strange for a human to do so.
So he unobtrusively let Genya order for them both, releasing her only to claim a small table near the back doors, instinctively taking the chair near the corner. Eyes on the room, always.
Genya had the first gnawing of hunger in her belly though she wasn't confident she could stomach much thanks to her anxiety. The fresh baked pastries smelled tantalizing. It was warm sugar mixed in with rich scent of coffee. Aleksander allowed her to take the lead. She was thankful that there only seemed to be a few regulars. Not too many people, and none of them looked at their entrance with any curiosity. Maybe they were still waking up.
She stepped up to the counter and read the chalk written menu hanging on the wall. She knew he'd likely prefer something on the meatier side, so she ordered him toast with both bacon and sausage. For herself, she chose a muffin and a few strips of bacon.
"Would you like some tea?" she asked him. When they were standing, he towered over her, so she had to tilt her head a bit to gaze up at him. "Or just water?"
"Water," was the immediate answer. Followed by a quiet confession of, "...I have never had...tea, before." Despite the acceptable human guise, which had its uses in his "work" for his masters both recent and ancient, there were still so many things he'd never experienced. As he'd seldom had need to remain in this form, he hadn't cared one way or the other.
Which was one of the reasons he was content to follow along, watch, and learn. Like all wolves, he possessed the "photographic memory" of all lupines, and was able to learn complex things simply by watching. A gift of his species, that. Useful to his masters. A blessing when it came to survival.
He sat only when she did, the ordered food on the table between them. And despite being ravenously hungry, he didn't dare reach for any of it without express permission. He hadn't procured it; it wasn't his. So he waited, patiently and without expression, for her to offer.
"You can try some of mine then," she decided easily. She ordered a jasmine green tea because she wanted something to soothe her nerves. She didn't think anything with too much caffeine would do either of them any good. She also wasn't sure how caffeine would affect Aleksander with his lupine physiology. He looked like a man, but she could still see the wolf in him somehow. No one else seemed to think anything was different about him because no one really looked at him. Either of them really. It was a good thing.
Their food was ready promptly. They brought it to the table they selected with their silverware and napkins. She took her fork and began peeling the wrapper on her cranberry muffin, but she noticed his naturally stillness. He didn't reach for the food. He simply sat like he was waiting.
She blinked and studied him for a moment. It took her an embarrassingly long moment to realize that he was used to being given orders. She reached out and gently brushed her fingers along his his wrist.
"You can eat, Aleksander. If we have food, you're always welcome to eat it without asking," she told him. She gazed into his eyes earnestly to ensure she got her point across.
This time, his hand twitched away from hers and he lowered his head, uncharacteristically abashed. He'd so seldom ever been given anything, at least not outside of the cages. He'd understood that the space within those gleaming steel bars was his, outside of them was not. He was a weapon, a creature out of time and space. Humans were superior. He was lesser.
Training, conditioning, and centuries of trauma, both mental and physical. But he'd learned.
He sensed her gaze on him, trying to meet his eyes, but he kept them downcast, as was now proper. He'd done his duty and delivered her to relative safety, now he was to step back into his place, which was at her command. Agency was conditional; he'd suffered enough to learn that.
"...thank you."
Quiet, less than a murmur. But it wasn't until she at last pushed the plate towards him that he dared take even a brief bite, forcing himself to eat slowly, like a human.
"I'm not your master, Aleksander," she said quietly when he finally began to eat. She let her gaze slide off of him, so that he didn't feel so pinned by her gaze. She stirred her tea with just a hint of honey and took a sip. The warmth washed over her. She felt her insides thaw out until she felt cozy. "You don't need to look to me for orders. I just want you to learn what you like and what you don't. I know all the choices are overwhelming, but I can help you."
She wouldn't stop encouraging his agency. He was more than just an attack wolf. He could be whatever he liked to be now. She allowed them to eat in comfortable silence to let him sate his hunger. She was right that his appetite would be much bigger than hers. Getting him a plate loaded with protein had been a smart idea.
"Do you want to try my tea now? It's cooler now," she offered. She tore off a piece of her muffin and offered it to him. "Try this first. The tea will taste even better with it."
He knew she wasn't, and that was the problem. When she'd emerged at his cell with the keys to freedom, he hadn't had time to think it through. Feral instinct had taken over, driven them both out and away, and now everything was at last catching up.
Despite the effort, he finished off the sandwich in short order and honestly could have eaten three more without a blink, but instead he sat in silence until she spoke again. Then blinked, surprised.
The muffin smelled sweet but also tart, and he hesitantly took the offered piece, slowly slipping it into his mouth and blinking at the instant deliciousness that flooded his tongue. He swallowed it almost instantly, nostrils flaring to take in the rest of that wonderful scent. ...that his magnificently compartmented mind instinctively catalogued right along with Genya's own unique fragrance.
The tea was bitter, but not overly so, and it made the sweetness in his mouth flood even more. But he knew better than to be greedy, so he handed the cup back with a very small nod.
After another long few minutes of silence, he heard himself say, "I...don't know how to exist without commands. I know what my duty is: to protect by default and eliminate a target named. Between that...I have no purpose. I am...I am a weapon, aimed by a master's hand." A tired, weary sigh. "Nothing more."
She beamed when he ate the muffin and sipped the tea. His expression was a marvel to watch as he reached to things. It was really adorable how his brows moved in surprise and quiet delight. She pushed her bacon strips over to him to eat. She was content with her muffin. She didn't want to eat too heavily or else her anxiety would make all the food sit unsettled in her belly.
"No, you're not just a weapon. You're a protector. You've protected me. You can learn to see what else you're made for. That's what freedom is all about. We get to finally learn who we can be when we're not bound by an owner," she replied. Genya ate half her muffin before she felt full, so she pushed that his way too. She nursed her tea. Her fingers cupped the mug as she held it aloft before her.
"I'm a little frightened of who I am outside of their control too," she quietly admitted. Her eyes turned towards the windows and watched how the street seemed brighter now. "They took me when I was a child. I never had a chance to really do anything."
This time, he didn't wait before taking the rest, munching down the bacon quickly, but savoring the sweet muffin, still mesmerized with its warm fruity tang. She spoke and he listened, almost pointing out that they weren't exactly free just yet - it was doubtful they'd ever be, unless by some miracle Old Man Lantsov died or was imprisoned, although the former seemed more plausible than the latter - but he didn't, not wanting to bring her any more unease than he already sensed in her.
But he had to point out, "You're human. Gifted, but still a human." Long fingers gestured towards the window. "You...belong here." He didn't. Even though he appeared as one of them, he wasn't. Dark brows furrowed as he gazed at her. "I protected you because...it is the right thing." Then he blinked, realizing what he'd just said. "I just know that it is."
Genya gave a little shrug. She was human, certainly, but she didn't feel like the other young women her age. All of the experienced they'd gotten to have were vastly different from her own. Although the Lantsovs had given her luxury by association, she felt like her social skills were stunted. She didn't know how to form or trust meaningful connections. She always thought that someone had an ulterior motive. They wanted to use her or get her in trouble with Tatiana.
Her friendship with Zoya had even forged because of the other woman's thorny nature. She was one of the few people who were so unapologetically themeselves. Their friendship had taken so long to build and through Zoya, she'd managed to make some other connections though they were more tentative.
"You know what's right. It's instinctive to you," she smiled at him. Aleksander knew right from wrong. "Even without orders, you know what's right. You're a good wolf."
His brows furrowed deeper as he processed this, but his attention was abruptly arrested by the bell above the door ringing as a newcomer stepped into the cafe. A constable, from the uniform, more than likely one of the few keeping an eye out for trouble in this sleepy little place. Nevertheless, a uniform meant authority, and there was no way to know just how far Lantsov had managed to reach in just a few short hours. The man's arm and influence was impossibly vast.
The wolf went perfectly still, only his eyes and just barely his head turning to watch the yawning man in uniform mosey up to the counter, exchange morning greetings with the clerk, and order a cup of coffee and a sausage biscuit. Fine nostrils flared, taking in the new scents, and the gold rings in dark eyes widened, then thinned, widened, then thinned once again.
Logic intervened over instinct; the Old Man had no way to know what either of them now looked like - the authorities were searching for a redheaded woman and a large black dog. Nevertheless, the wolf masquerading as a human kept each of his impressive senses attuned to their surroundings, a very low, very rough growl beginning to echo in the back of his throat.
The bell jingled above the door. An officer stepped in and chatted with the woman behind the counter. His body language was relaxed and unguarded. He didn't seem to be looking for anything but his morning cup of coffee. She'd gone tense next to Aleksander as well, but she reminded herself that they couldn't know who they really were. They look nothing like themselves.
Even Tatiana didn't know the true extent of her Tailoring. She'd used her for beauty touch ups. Not such drastic changes that Genya had done to herself now. No one in the Manor knew that the wolf had a human form. They'd only give themselves away by acting guilty. They needed a reason to keep the office from looking too closely at them.
She ran a hand along his shoulder and down his back. She leaned in towards him with their faces close together. She wanted to create the air of intimacy since people tend to skate their gazes over that. They didn't like intruding on private moments.
"You're okay," she murmured to him. "Just focus on me."
Her eyes looked into his. She smiled softly and cupped the back of his neck. "We're okay, Aleksander."
Her touch worked its magic, pulling him out of predator mode to blink at her, eyes widening sightly when she leaned so close. Like this, her scent was the only one in his nose, and it calmed him almost immediately, the golden rings in his dark eyes thinning once again.
He was acutely aware of her, the fine hairs on his skin quivering when her fingers drifted across them, and he suppressed an involuntary shiver. Without realizing it, he surreptitiously reached for her other hand, long fingers tightly lacing with hers atop the table.
“…on you,” he breathed back, mere inches between them. The wolf stared at Genya, seemingly spellbound. “…I can do that.”
"That's good. You're doing a good job," she praised. They were close enough that their noses were nearly touching. She brushed the tip of hers against his for a show of affection. The office got his cup of black coffee and a pastry. His eyes assessed the cafe to take in everyone there. The normal regulars he knew well, but there was a strange new couple. Tourists. They got those this time of year to see the winter wonderland the town became. He saw their intimate moment, so he left them be.
He stepped out of the shopping and back to his patrol car. They'd received a BOLO for a red haired woman and a large dog that had gone missing, but nothing like that ever happened to their sleepy town.
Genya released a breath when she heard the bell on the door jingle again. They were safe for now. They needed to get their clothes and gear and go. She squeezed his hand and smiled. "See? We're okay."
His breath caught when her nose brushed his. Such a small thing, almost unthought, but it captivated him without hesitation. Black lashes drifted down over equally dark eyes, and without even realizing it, he tilted his head to return the tiny, gentle gesture.
A strange feeling began to coil in his gut, sending soft warmth flooding through him. His breath quietly stuttered, hitching just the slightest. Her sweet scent was all around him and Aleksander drank it in, letting it wash everything away.
Until the bell above the door rang again, shattering the spell.
He blinked again, abruptly pulled out of that warm, sweet haze, and glanced quickly about, smoothly releasing Genya’s hand and leaning back in the chair.
Genya was surprised when she felt something stir within her. She'd never felt it before. It was like a liquid warmth that had something looked in both her chest and belly. It was something about his eyes. The way he looked at her made her heart stutter. The moment felt like it stretched forever, but when he pulled away, it suddenly brought the world back into full focus.
She was still leaned in when he pulled back. She took in a deep breath and sat straighter in her seat. Her hand still held on to his. She was reluctant to let go.
"Are you still hungry?" she asked. She wasn't sure why she asked. She knew he likely was, but he'd want to make their move forward now that stores were opening. They needed to plan their next step.
She released a breath and took one last sip of her tea. "What do we need then? We need warm clothes, winter boots, hiking gear? The cabin should be well supplied."
Even though he'd shaken his head to her question, Genya still took two more sausage sandwiches to go, snugly wrapped and stored in her duffel as they exited the cafe. The town was waking, all of the main-street shops opening for the day. There weren't many, but they were sufficient for what they needed, although 'trying on clothes' nearly ended in disaster.
Not used to being in such proximity with so many humans at once, Aleksander very nearly snarled at the bright, sunny salesgirl who bustled over to 'assist' the couple when Genya tugged him into a clothing store. He'd hung back in a paroxysm of anxiety and irrational fear as the two women discussed warm clothes, winter boots, and sturdy hiking gear. Taking them as a new pair of tourists come to experience the wonderful winter wonderland, the saleslady was more than willing to trot out a plethora of articles from which to choose, by which time the poor wolf had devolved into a whiteout overload of frozen panic.
But thanks to the saleslady's willingness to earn her commission and Genya's discerning eye when it came to fashion and function, they at last left the store considerably better outfitted than when they'd departed the train earlier. Well, Aleksander did, at least. All of the clothes procured actually fit, praise the Saints.
And he was itching to get out of this place; even such scant civilization as this was grating, especially when the Wild was so very close. He kept lifting his nose, scenting the cold air, instinctively turning his head towards the north and the clean pine fragrance that drifted down from the Great Forest.
"...a vehicle," he finally said, pausing on one of the few street corners. "Something sturdy."
Clothes and style were her forte. She handled the situation as gracefully as she could between handling the sales lady and a wolf on the edge. She made sure to be as efficient as possible. She'd been able to eyeball his measurements with good accuracy. She made sure they both had a good variety of clothing to get them through the trip and their stay beyond. They'd dropped a hefty amount of money, but she felt better in her new clothes.
"Like that?" she pointed out. Her toes wiggled in her new socks and boots. They were comfortable, but best of all, they were warm. Down the street, there was a beat up red truck with a for sale sign n the windshield. It was sitting right outside of a shop which presumably the owner of said truck was. Hopefully anyway.
"Come on. Let's buy it, so we can head North," she said with a tug of his hand. It was natural now to take his hand and slide her fingers between his. She led him to the shop, but she left him outside to examine the truck to his liking. The shop was a hardware shop with a grizzled old man behind the counter. He was sipping his coffee when he spotted he'd. Genya gave her sweetest, sugary smile and played up big doe eyes.
"That truck out there? Is it yours?" she asked cheerfully. It took all of five minutes to broker the deal. The allure of cash was too much for him to resist to ask for any details. Besides, she'd look harmless enough. She left the shop five hundred dollars lighter, but she had the keys in hand. She dangled them in front of him.
"Do you want to drive?" she joked. Genya winked at him. She felt a little less anxious now that they were about to be on the road. She unlocked the truck and opened the door to the driver's side. She pushed the duffel bag in first then slid behind the wheel. "You let me know how far to go before we stop."
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ninetydegrees
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on 2023-11-09 03:02 am (UTC)"I don't know what else is further North in the mountains. I don't know if there's shelter or how many towns there are," she fretted. Aleksander could manage it in his wolf form, but she'd only slow him down. She was simply human. She squeezed his hand. "Stay with me until you're ready to go North at least. You'll be able to travel much faster as wolf without me."
She'd planned on the cabin. She could make it by on her own without him. It was her original plan anyway.
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on 2023-11-09 03:10 am (UTC)He gripped her hand in return, firm. "I won't leave you all alone," he promised, surprised that the words even left his tongue. "You will be hunted and eventually captured." No human deserved to be treated like an animal.
"Let us first reach this place, then we will make a plan after." Because that was the first priority; getting to a shelter where they could regroup, resupply, and rest.
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on 2023-11-09 03:23 am (UTC)"Let's get to the cabin first," she agreed. That, she could do. She squeezed his hand in return then leaned into his side slight. There was still some time before they arrive. The dark sky was beginning to lighten a bit. Maybe by the time they arrive, she'll have found her appetite again.
"We'll need a car to get to the cabin. It will be a long hike by foot," she said thoughtfully. One was more feasible for her and the other more efficient for him.
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on 2023-11-09 03:30 am (UTC)"A vehicle for part of the way, yes. The rest we must take afoot." Stealing a car and driving directly to their destination would be suicide. They'd also need more clothing, and if he was going to remain in this form for any length of time, garments of a better and more comfortable fit. But he knew how to scavenge; he'd learned from watching the humans.
no subject
on 2023-11-09 04:32 pm (UTC)He was determined not to leave her behind. Even if she insisted on otherwise, he seemed adamant on that. It gave her a strange feeling. She'd never had anyone be so fiercely protective of her like this.
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on 2023-11-09 06:01 pm (UTC)The town was definitely small, with only a few snow-covered streets, but it hosted enough shops and stores for necessities. It was still bitingly cold but the tall wolf nevertheless lifted his face to the wind, inhaling deeply. Yes, this was much better. The scent of pine was strong, and snow, and the mountains still far to the north. He smelled it all, and the instinctual tug down in his core was so strong it nearly made him stumble.
Yes. This was the right way.
He stood with a Genya on the station’s outer platform, gazing at the small town with lupine curiosity. Unthought, his hand silently reached for hers, their fingers lacing together almost automatically. It was still too early to go shopping, but standing here in the wind wasn’t wise, either. Surely somewhere had to be open for business at this hour.
“Well?” A quiet question. “Shall we?”
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on 2023-11-09 06:43 pm (UTC)He looked right at home here. She saw it on his face. He was more relaxed here like he was in his element. This was where he belonged.
"Come, let's find a cafe or something. You need more than jerky," she told him. She gave his hand a gentle tug, so they leave the station and explore. It was quiet and sleepy, but they did find a well lit cafe on the primary street. She started wandering towards there now that she was drawn by the scent of coffee.
no subject
on 2023-11-09 09:25 pm (UTC)The cafe to which she brought them was warm, cozy, and small, with only a few regulars already at the small bar, nursing their coffee and breakfasts. The smell of cooking sausage made the wolf’s mouth immediately water, and he refrained from licking his lips only because it would seem strange for a human to do so.
So he unobtrusively let Genya order for them both, releasing her only to claim a small table near the back doors, instinctively taking the chair near the corner. Eyes on the room, always.
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on 2023-11-09 10:56 pm (UTC)She stepped up to the counter and read the chalk written menu hanging on the wall. She knew he'd likely prefer something on the meatier side, so she ordered him toast with both bacon and sausage. For herself, she chose a muffin and a few strips of bacon.
"Would you like some tea?" she asked him. When they were standing, he towered over her, so she had to tilt her head a bit to gaze up at him. "Or just water?"
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on 2023-11-10 12:33 am (UTC)Which was one of the reasons he was content to follow along, watch, and learn. Like all wolves, he possessed the "photographic memory" of all lupines, and was able to learn complex things simply by watching. A gift of his species, that. Useful to his masters. A blessing when it came to survival.
He sat only when she did, the ordered food on the table between them. And despite being ravenously hungry, he didn't dare reach for any of it without express permission. He hadn't procured it; it wasn't his. So he waited, patiently and without expression, for her to offer.
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on 2023-11-10 01:58 am (UTC)Their food was ready promptly. They brought it to the table they selected with their silverware and napkins. She took her fork and began peeling the wrapper on her cranberry muffin, but she noticed his naturally stillness. He didn't reach for the food. He simply sat like he was waiting.
She blinked and studied him for a moment. It took her an embarrassingly long moment to realize that he was used to being given orders. She reached out and gently brushed her fingers along his his wrist.
"You can eat, Aleksander. If we have food, you're always welcome to eat it without asking," she told him. She gazed into his eyes earnestly to ensure she got her point across.
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on 2023-11-10 02:19 am (UTC)Training, conditioning, and centuries of trauma, both mental and physical. But he'd learned.
He sensed her gaze on him, trying to meet his eyes, but he kept them downcast, as was now proper. He'd done his duty and delivered her to relative safety, now he was to step back into his place, which was at her command. Agency was conditional; he'd suffered enough to learn that.
"...thank you."
Quiet, less than a murmur. But it wasn't until she at last pushed the plate towards him that he dared take even a brief bite, forcing himself to eat slowly, like a human.
no subject
on 2023-11-10 02:26 am (UTC)She wouldn't stop encouraging his agency. He was more than just an attack wolf. He could be whatever he liked to be now. She allowed them to eat in comfortable silence to let him sate his hunger. She was right that his appetite would be much bigger than hers. Getting him a plate loaded with protein had been a smart idea.
"Do you want to try my tea now? It's cooler now," she offered. She tore off a piece of her muffin and offered it to him. "Try this first. The tea will taste even better with it."
no subject
on 2023-11-10 02:37 am (UTC)Despite the effort, he finished off the sandwich in short order and honestly could have eaten three more without a blink, but instead he sat in silence until she spoke again. Then blinked, surprised.
The muffin smelled sweet but also tart, and he hesitantly took the offered piece, slowly slipping it into his mouth and blinking at the instant deliciousness that flooded his tongue. He swallowed it almost instantly, nostrils flaring to take in the rest of that wonderful scent. ...that his magnificently compartmented mind instinctively catalogued right along with Genya's own unique fragrance.
The tea was bitter, but not overly so, and it made the sweetness in his mouth flood even more. But he knew better than to be greedy, so he handed the cup back with a very small nod.
After another long few minutes of silence, he heard himself say, "I...don't know how to exist without commands. I know what my duty is: to protect by default and eliminate a target named. Between that...I have no purpose. I am...I am a weapon, aimed by a master's hand." A tired, weary sigh. "Nothing more."
no subject
on 2023-11-10 03:08 am (UTC)"No, you're not just a weapon. You're a protector. You've protected me. You can learn to see what else you're made for. That's what freedom is all about. We get to finally learn who we can be when we're not bound by an owner," she replied. Genya ate half her muffin before she felt full, so she pushed that his way too. She nursed her tea. Her fingers cupped the mug as she held it aloft before her.
"I'm a little frightened of who I am outside of their control too," she quietly admitted. Her eyes turned towards the windows and watched how the street seemed brighter now. "They took me when I was a child. I never had a chance to really do anything."
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on 2023-11-10 03:27 am (UTC)But he had to point out, "You're human. Gifted, but still a human." Long fingers gestured towards the window. "You...belong here." He didn't. Even though he appeared as one of them, he wasn't. Dark brows furrowed as he gazed at her. "I protected you because...it is the right thing." Then he blinked, realizing what he'd just said. "I just know that it is."
It was the why that currently escaped him.
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on 2023-11-10 03:38 am (UTC)Her friendship with Zoya had even forged because of the other woman's thorny nature. She was one of the few people who were so unapologetically themeselves. Their friendship had taken so long to build and through Zoya, she'd managed to make some other connections though they were more tentative.
"You know what's right. It's instinctive to you," she smiled at him. Aleksander knew right from wrong. "Even without orders, you know what's right. You're a good wolf."
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on 2023-11-10 03:47 am (UTC)The wolf went perfectly still, only his eyes and just barely his head turning to watch the yawning man in uniform mosey up to the counter, exchange morning greetings with the clerk, and order a cup of coffee and a sausage biscuit. Fine nostrils flared, taking in the new scents, and the gold rings in dark eyes widened, then thinned, widened, then thinned once again.
Logic intervened over instinct; the Old Man had no way to know what either of them now looked like - the authorities were searching for a redheaded woman and a large black dog. Nevertheless, the wolf masquerading as a human kept each of his impressive senses attuned to their surroundings, a very low, very rough growl beginning to echo in the back of his throat.
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on 2023-11-10 03:54 pm (UTC)Even Tatiana didn't know the true extent of her Tailoring. She'd used her for beauty touch ups. Not such drastic changes that Genya had done to herself now. No one in the Manor knew that the wolf had a human form. They'd only give themselves away by acting guilty. They needed a reason to keep the office from looking too closely at them.
She ran a hand along his shoulder and down his back. She leaned in towards him with their faces close together. She wanted to create the air of intimacy since people tend to skate their gazes over that. They didn't like intruding on private moments.
"You're okay," she murmured to him. "Just focus on me."
Her eyes looked into his. She smiled softly and cupped the back of his neck. "We're okay, Aleksander."
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on 2023-11-10 05:40 pm (UTC)He was acutely aware of her, the fine hairs on his skin quivering when her fingers drifted across them, and he suppressed an involuntary shiver. Without realizing it, he surreptitiously reached for her other hand, long fingers tightly lacing with hers atop the table.
“…on you,” he breathed back, mere inches between them. The wolf stared at Genya, seemingly spellbound. “…I can do that.”
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on 2023-11-10 06:25 pm (UTC)He stepped out of the shopping and back to his patrol car. They'd received a BOLO for a red haired woman and a large dog that had gone missing, but nothing like that ever happened to their sleepy town.
Genya released a breath when she heard the bell on the door jingle again. They were safe for now. They needed to get their clothes and gear and go. She squeezed his hand and smiled. "See? We're okay."
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on 2023-11-10 07:21 pm (UTC)A strange feeling began to coil in his gut, sending soft warmth flooding through him. His breath quietly stuttered, hitching just the slightest. Her sweet scent was all around him and Aleksander drank it in, letting it wash everything away.
Until the bell above the door rang again, shattering the spell.
He blinked again, abruptly pulled out of that warm, sweet haze, and glanced quickly about, smoothly releasing Genya’s hand and leaning back in the chair.
“…yes,” he agreed, voice low, cool. “For now.”
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on 2023-11-10 10:54 pm (UTC)She was still leaned in when he pulled back. She took in a deep breath and sat straighter in her seat. Her hand still held on to his. She was reluctant to let go.
"Are you still hungry?" she asked. She wasn't sure why she asked. She knew he likely was, but he'd want to make their move forward now that stores were opening. They needed to plan their next step.
She released a breath and took one last sip of her tea. "What do we need then? We need warm clothes, winter boots, hiking gear? The cabin should be well supplied."
i had to 'borrow' genya a little for this, otherwise he'd have never done it, lmao
on 2023-11-11 01:08 am (UTC)Not used to being in such proximity with so many humans at once, Aleksander very nearly snarled at the bright, sunny salesgirl who bustled over to 'assist' the couple when Genya tugged him into a clothing store. He'd hung back in a paroxysm of anxiety and irrational fear as the two women discussed warm clothes, winter boots, and sturdy hiking gear. Taking them as a new pair of tourists come to experience the wonderful winter wonderland, the saleslady was more than willing to trot out a plethora of articles from which to choose, by which time the poor wolf had devolved into a whiteout overload of frozen panic.
But thanks to the saleslady's willingness to earn her commission and Genya's discerning eye when it came to fashion and function, they at last left the store considerably better outfitted than when they'd departed the train earlier. Well, Aleksander did, at least. All of the clothes procured actually fit, praise the Saints.
And he was itching to get out of this place; even such scant civilization as this was grating, especially when the Wild was so very close. He kept lifting his nose, scenting the cold air, instinctively turning his head towards the north and the clean pine fragrance that drifted down from the Great Forest.
"...a vehicle," he finally said, pausing on one of the few street corners. "Something sturdy."
it works for me!
on 2023-11-11 02:01 am (UTC)"Like that?" she pointed out. Her toes wiggled in her new socks and boots. They were comfortable, but best of all, they were warm. Down the street, there was a beat up red truck with a for sale sign n the windshield. It was sitting right outside of a shop which presumably the owner of said truck was. Hopefully anyway.
"Come on. Let's buy it, so we can head North," she said with a tug of his hand. It was natural now to take his hand and slide her fingers between his. She led him to the shop, but she left him outside to examine the truck to his liking. The shop was a hardware shop with a grizzled old man behind the counter. He was sipping his coffee when he spotted he'd. Genya gave her sweetest, sugary smile and played up big doe eyes.
"That truck out there? Is it yours?" she asked cheerfully. It took all of five minutes to broker the deal. The allure of cash was too much for him to resist to ask for any details. Besides, she'd look harmless enough. She left the shop five hundred dollars lighter, but she had the keys in hand. She dangled them in front of him.
"Do you want to drive?" she joked. Genya winked at him. She felt a little less anxious now that they were about to be on the road. She unlocked the truck and opened the door to the driver's side. She pushed the duffel bag in first then slid behind the wheel. "You let me know how far to go before we stop."
🖤❤️🖤❤️
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