.rage against the dying of the light!

[Aleksei Czartoryska]

He could feel his blood growing warmer with the desire to transform. Anger rippled through him like he’d been struck by a lightning bolt and suddenly the world began to gray. Aleksei had never been very good at controlling his urges – particularly the urge to shift – but today he didn’t need an excuse. He didn’t need to panic. He didn’t need anything save that familiar, perfect sense of wilderness.

As his muscles began to contort and spasm, his bones broke and fused themselves back together in new arrangements. His eyes rolled back into his head for a moment – gray oculars with a piercing glimmer of red – just in time for his head to lurch backward, thrown by the momentum of an exploding heart. But the pain didn’t last long before he had reattached his vital organs. Bigger organs. Bear organs.

Fur began to usher forth like ocean waves, conquering the young boy’s body in a matter of seconds. He felt a final shudder as his vertebrae realigned and his fangs extended beyond what could ever have been normal for a man… And then… he was a bear.

A big brute with long, rippling brown fur and an uncanny amount of strength. Aleksei’s heritage was one of such a beast. A great Russian bear as massive as three times a man. He was perfect in this form – everything he couldn’t be as a human. Strong, dominant, solitary, capable, and oh so majestic. He was a handsome creature in this form… And it’s why he loved to morph.

Shaking his now-shaggy body, the boy-turned-bear let his eyes come into focus before detecting the rich aroma of a stream. Fishy and odorous… it was Heavenly. He grinned a gigantic bear-smile and began to lope (as easily as a bear can lope) toward the nearest source of water.

Flicking his stubby tail in excitement, the youth took a great breath of air and leapt face-first into the rushing tides. His cannonball was enormous and surely sent all of the fish swimming their lives. He would hunt… eventually. For now, the urge to play had crept upon the young man and he splashed a massive paw into the water. Watching the waves was one of his favorite pastimes…

[Meiza Kosa]

of roses and daisies

There had been a time when she loved the water and ached to swim in the sea. Ever since she was young she enjoyed paddling and diving, of sinking into a world of quiet stillness and slanted light. Yet, having the thing one loves used as a weapon to be feared against them? Memories about water and what it had done for her and to her didn’t incite any affection. On the contrary it fostered feelings of wariness and loathing, of betrayal. By water was she decided a witch. By fire she’d have ended her life as one. Frowning at the thought she walked on. Basket in hand as she headed towards the pool she had visited so religiously as a child. She remembered, just as she remembered Shire, Kadence and her family here (indeed, the family that disowned here - yes, that very one). She remembered visiting the wood with her grandfather, of being taught things she’d never have thought of or even considered on her own. Her grandfather had always believed that the Garou were closer to perfection then any other creature. So close to nature, such a wondrously magical bled of mortality and truth. He said he was sad that he could not show himself completely to the human race. Sad that they, whenever they saw something both beautiful and powerful, feared it and grew a hate towards it. Sad, just as well, of how they cut down the trees and slaughtered excessively the creatures within it. Brutality and inhumanity ranged but was always present in some form, he would say with a weary smile. As if beneath his skin, underneath his fur he bore the testimonies of human wrong-doing and malevolence. … And he did. On his back were stains of burns and cuts and bruises and wounds. On his knotted hands, where age showed itself readily other old injuries did as well. Her grandfather had lived during trying times… just as she was now. Yet, she was home, wasn’t she? Back to the place where she began. Her grandmother’s house still lingered on the outskirts and her kin were still known within the village walls. Though they did not know her, and could not guess her connections, she decided reverently that it was the best. Meiza Allaire was dead and deceased, just as was most of the Allaire clan… Her secrets were her own then, and her’s to keep. Gabriel had never asked from where she came, but she supposed there was a reason behind everything. He didn’t want her prying into his history, and she didn’t… and in return he gave her the same - privacy in matters that concerned him not.

Coming onto the pool she raised a thin brow. How it arched defined her mood and hinted at the quizzical expression that lingered in her eyes. Examining the sight she toyed with the image of a stern ‘How Foolish’, playing up the fact she was ever so older and ever so… mature. Yet, the smile that tinged her lips, tugging it into a pleasing little grin and turned her eyes into such a softer shade of amber was the gravest of contradictions. Smiling she was because she was incapable of keeping a strict, unpleasant face against the sight she beheld. Simply a young’in having their fun. It wasn’t that long ago when she watched her own do such things. Happy they had been then, so very happy. Excited, as well when she and Gabriel took them deep into the woods where they could truly romp and play… It had warmed her, had pleased her to see them enjoy the sanctity of the wilderness where they (or her) needn’t worry or fret about being discovered. But, it seems that day has passed, she thought to herself with the Inquisition in her mind. With that her smile was subdued and a little frown morphed her lips and her eyes, which had brightened returned to being ever so dull. Returning to her worries and her woes, and the state of the world as well she remembered her life and remembered it as a time of trying… one that lacked smiles and laughter. Worried was Mrs. Kosa, so very worried. How long would it be before Kadence was overtaken by the religious fervor that had already engulfed so many? She shuddered at the idea of having to wake her children in the mid of the night to flee… of having to go through the ordeals of Shire in simply a different setting. Sighing, Meiza strolled further on. Nearing the bank of the water she eyed the lumbering brown beast. Setting the basket she had down beside her, she took a seat on the grassy lot at the edge of the pool, eyeing the water disturbed. “Now how’s an old mum suppose to fish with all the fishies frightened off, hmm?” She asked. Pulling her knees to her chest and then putting her chin atop them. Eyeing him steady, with her arms around her legs. Keeping the dress close to her, and keeping the other in view. Teasing littered her tone - she wasn’t scolding… even if there be a bit of seriousness to it. The basket she had with her had been for today’s catch.

Out of Juice; ;D I join chu~

[Aleksei Czartoryska]

Massive claws raked tiny swatches in the water that contorted and shifted; becoming tiny, swirling whirlpools that spread ever outward… searching for their peace and tranquility. Their place in the world. He let a deep growl rumble from the depths of his gigantic throat, dipping his chin closer to the water and observing the vibrations that further sent his playmate spreading, traveling, drifting, and cowering. The Russian bear’s lips quirked into the expression of a toothy grin, his large canines gleaming wickedly in the lighting and reflecting tiny pellets of sunlight back onto the water.

Lowering his head even further, the bear submerged his lower jaw and then his snout as he blew a large breath of air outward, into the water. Bubbles protested their unfair treatment, gurgling as they were pushed out of their cozy abode – like Aleksei himself had been. He imagined the inquisition like himself, blowing their breath into the face of the world and sending every molecule of life spinning, running, and rushing in its aftereffect.

Growling again, the big bear lifted his head out of the river. His eyes rolled back as he rocked onto his backside and gazed longingly at the sky. His fun was over now… having been reminded of a history that made him shudder in his sleep. Nightmares had plagued him every night and the Russian otherling only now realized how exhausted he truly was. Grunting, the bear tried his best to relax by shifting his position and leaning his back against a saturated rock inside the river’s grasp. He lay like that for a few moments before another’s voice pierced the relative silence of the forest.

Brownish auburn eyes rolled indifferently toward the voice’s source and he noticed for the first time the woman that had sneaked upon him and settled herself on the grassy shore. He snorted, forcing himself to sit upright and face this woman. Though she wasn’t old, Aleksei noticed that she wasn’t exactly young, either. A townswoman, most likely, that had come to this place for… what? His eyes flickered to her empty basket and her words resounded in his mind. She’d come here to fish? He sniffed the air and detected a trace of wolf. Garou… He thought to himself, openly staring at the older shifter.

Shrugging his massive shoulders, the young otherling turned his back to the woman, wading deeper into the rushing rapids of the river. He didn’t usually feel very inclined to help anyone, but he had nothing better to do on this day. Pausing all movement for what felt like an eternity, the bear finally spotted one fool fish swimming his way. Evidently, the creature’s splashing had not been as noisy nor as frightening as this lady had made it out to be. Aleksei felt is muscles twitch with anticipation… and finally swiped one large paw as the fish meandered to within his reach.

Up and up the fish went, flipping wildly in the air as it tried to swim against the breeze. The bear reared up on his back paws – showing off for the older, albeit pretty, lady – and caught the flapping creature in his massive jaws. A look of pride flashed in the depths of those auburn orbs as Aleksei turned back toward his witness. He waddled back to the shore in the way that bears do and dropped the exhausted fish onto the grass before the Garou. Without another word, the brute returned to the water and resumed his unmoving pose… waiting ever so patiently for another fish to get too close.

ooc: Yay! Welcome, welcome! Lovely post, by the way. o.o I was amazed by that and tried to write one of equal value... but couldn't. xD

[Meiza Kosa]

of tears and un-heard screams

When she was younger she was young. She was freer, wilder, more vibrant. Her eyes had always danced with color and expression. She was a vivid sort of being, dancing, always, happy, always. Always up to something. Always with something in mind. She was crafty but also playful… and always seeking out the ‘interesting to do‘. Shyness had never been a part of her being, and even if she had aged into a more patient, humble being, shyness… had yet to reign over her. Meiza watched him from her dry patch of paradise all but gently. Soft, she could seem, and kind. It wasn’t hard for her to shield her hard edges from view and appear a good maid, even while her eyes flickered (despite their patient ways) with hints at who, or what, she truly was. Humans had always been interested in the Creatures. A garou bewitching a mortal man was a story often heard. Garou were beautiful. Garou… were feral. She wasn’t a newcomer to the idea of tease. Her time had come and passed and she had cashed out happily with what she had - a husband and family. Though she had given up much in this, she wouldn’t change it for all the world. She loved her children. She loved her spouse. She loved her life. It was a good, honest life she lived. It was a life she could be content with, a life in which she desired nothing more. … Not even all the gold under the sea. Yet her life was becoming flawed. It was cracking down the middle. She feared what would become of her family… she feared what this Massacre would bring. She desired intently to protect them. If her sacrifice would do such a thing, she would gladly lay down and die. But something told her there was nothing she could give to save them. There was only things she could take. There would be a fight, she felt it in the deepest corners of her beings. Or there would be a flight. Meiza knew what this… this thing that threatened them was doing to him. She knew he was unhappy with it. Knew he was struggling with it. Knew he disliked that he could not confront and win and do something about it. He hated they had to run, but knew the wisdom in it. He knew there was nothing he could do. … But that didn’t mean he didn’t hate it all the more. Cold he was being, frigid… and she… oh, she just didn’t have the energy to appease him. She was tired. So very tired…

… But she couldn’t be tired. Whenever she thought of it she was forced to blink back tears. She had an image of knowing. Of confidence. Of being something to rely on, but how sure was she? How confident was she? How… solid, how steadfast? The times were trying and she felt the wear and tear. She hated having to wake her children and scare them so. She hated how they had to leave all the knew. She hated how they had to feel the blind hate of discrimination and persecution. She hated it.

How long could she pretend things were pleasant - how long could she be pleasant… while the world was on its head? … She could pretend for as long as she needed to. As long as they needed her to. She answered this on her own and willingly. Knowing if she didn’t answer for herself, who else would or could?

Mrs. Kosa smiled as she saw the sight. At first she had tilted her head to see the young one go about his way, seemingly shouldering her off without a care. Yet, amazed she was (and delighted) to see the show as soon as it was revealed. Clapping her hands while her knowing eyes showed gratitude, she smiled wide at her most cherished savior. “As handsome as you are kind?” She asked, her voice as sweet as sweetness could be, and her smile as pleasantly and openly as the tune she sang, “You wouldn’t be single, would you, young sir? I‘ve a daughter or two who could use such a striking fellow!” She said this so brazenly it would have no doubt made her daughters blush… but care-not was the title of Meiza when it came to being such a match-maker for her young ones. They all needed good lassies and laddies and, if she happened to encounter a gentlemen on her trails… how was it wrong of her to invite him to sup‘ and… happen to prod the two together? “I thank you very much young sir! Such a gentlemen, you‘ll make an ol’ girl swoon.” She said. Her delight in this was perhaps excessive but for someone who had not been blessed with good luck for such a long while, and for someone who… someone who had been so tense and unhappy… Happiness in the smallest things, and perhaps too-much happiness in the smallest things, couldn‘t… be helped. She had felt as if the world had gone awry, that… people had forgotten. But, it seemed, still, some things survived? Kindness, still was there, if only hidden so? Inwardly she breathed a sigh of relief. She didn‘t know why but… this… Her smile was unforced and pleasant, and as she took the fish he had given her so and placed it in its place (wrapped in cloth and in the basket) she looked back to the gentlemen who returned to fishing. “I am Meiza Kosa, pleased to meet a good soul. Here I had thought all goodness had been lost in Kadence!”

Out of Juice; Pshawh, nahwrories (andthankyou!). <3 Your post was most lovely! It’s only been mauh busy-ness that’s kept me from posting. ;D

[Aleksei Czartoryska]

Aleksei watched as her grateful eyes revealed first surprise and then some fashion of amusement. Turning his back to the woman and resuming his fishing, he listened to her singsong voice carefully. He dared not move just yet but… in another quick swipe the bear had retrieved his treasure. Catching a much larger, twisting fish in his powerful jaws, he again lumbered the shore and deposited his catch on the grass. Uncertain as to how many would make up for his transgression, the Russian deftly went back to his chore.

In the same manner as he had the first two, he caught another salmon. This time, however, the bear turned to face the woman and hesitated. Human sounds were for human voices. As a bear, Aleksei could not answer the woman – Meiza, as she had introduced herself to be – but as a man he could indeed return his half of the conversation. It took a few moments of concentration (Aleksei had never transformed with an audience before) but gradually his body began to ripple with the shivering of his powerful muscles. Twisting and shrinking, they shuddered in a violent tremor as his bones cracked and realigned. Veins were torn apart and reassembled in the same manner and his fur at the same time began to recede. Like the shadows of night at dawn, the heavy fur coat gradually disappeared into nothing – revealing the soft, pink flesh beneath. Human flesh.

Claws shrank back into his skin and organs shifted subtly, shrinking or growing where needed and ever-so-quickly yielding to the shape of a man. A naked man, if not for the water rushing past his mid-section and below. Exposed above the waist, but covered by the rapids in his most vital of area, Aleksei rolled soft, auburn eyes to the woman yet again. He let a smile coerce his features, but the silence remained. With the fish he’d caught as a bear – dead – in his hands now, the bear-become-man gently tossed it to the shore where he’d placed the other.

He thought dumbly for a moment of the possible consequences for transforming in front of a stranger but when he sniffed the air again, he was reassured that this woman, indeed, was a Garou. Never the bashful type, the Russian brute stood before her in all his glory. His clothes had been shed somewhere along the way to this place but he’d forgotten by this point their exact whereabouts. It didn’t really matter to him, however, because he wasn’t done playing just yet.

”Have no one.” He answered simply, his voice guttural and riddled with a thick accent. It seemed so appropriate for those that knew of his bear shape. Deep bass with a shadow of a dangerous charm, just like the powerful Russian creature of which he could transform. Volatile and known for his temper, Aleksei’s eyes bore the simmering rage of one that had been mercilessly persecuted. His hatred was evident on his human face, engulfing the otherwise handsome features in a fiery sea of tormented emotion. He had no reason to hate this woman at all, but the cold contempt was there for all to witness. Though he himself didn’t know who his frigid expression was for, it was there. And likely always would be. Damaged and vengeful, Aleksei truly seemed a sort of outsider.

”Meiza… Aleksei.” He mentioned simply, searching for the correct words to introduce himself. He could understand French properly, but when it came to vocalizing his thoughts… the young man found himself at a disadvantage. He’d grown up a wild sort, however, so language itself often present a barrier for him that he’d never expressed any desire to overcome. ”More fish?” He asked, knowing well enough what a crude sight he must be. His eyes proclaiming their rage, his face rugged and incapable of any sort of friendliness, and his body… dripping and exposed. Somehow, this was not the kind of scenario the brute had been expecting when he’d decided to take a swim…

ooc: awww. Why thank you! Yours was most lovely as well. o.o I feel so inadequate!

[Meiza Kosa]

of sand and ashes

She watched curiously as he resumed fishing. Interest plaguing her eyes for the sheer fact (among others) that she fished herself but never had any luck in the manner he seemed to. She could never bring herself to lounging in the water and patiently working the fish like him. No, it seemed like she hadn’t ever the time. Her family was a large one and required quite a fair amount of grub. Whenever she came to fish, she came prepared. Rolling up her sleeves and gathering up her skirts, she took out the nets she had fashioned from small, tidy ropes and set to work in that fashion. Entering the waters and coaxing the fish against walls, she caught bundles in nets the way her elder brother had taught her. Her ways were nothing but productive, yet his seemed much more enchanting. It was an art for the bear to catch what he caught, and she couldn’t help but relish watching the hunter in his element. Eager to see how he went about the task with an efficiency to be admired, she was caught off guard and saddened to see him pause so. It was only then that she realized what he was doing and nodded inwardly to herself, issuing a resounding ‘Ah! I see!’ to herself. Even then as the sound went about, bouncing through her skull and ridding her of questioning, different sounds entered the private domain of her thoughts. The sound of bones cracking, of muscles shuddering. Of tearing and stitching, of breaking to be forged. She heard the moans a body made in shift. Recognized the agonizingly painful movements of flesh and skin emerging from a large, lumbering bear body. Given her plentiful years she was well rehearsed in shifting. From human to wolf, from wolf to human it had become a more painless and seamless transition. Far as the Other form she… wasn’t an active participant of it. It had always seemed unholy to her, incomplete. … The best of both worlds, so many called that in-between form… but to her it was nothing else then a broken one.

Meiza Kosa wasn’t a shy person, we’ve said this willingly before. Yet, as the Russian titan exited the waters that had enveloped him so and stepped to good ol’ dry land she couldn’t help but raise a thin brow. Eyeing him mildly before a chuckle slipped past her lips, she couldn’t resist shaking her head. The old mum couldn’t say he bore anything she hadn’t seen. She had raised boys and had a husband of her own to wander on home to. Still, what a bold, brash fellow? If she had ever been one to blush she just might have turned a shade of red… never mind the fact she was old enough to undoubtedly be his grand mummy, or simply mother in the least. Pursing her lips she smiled, her eyes of ever-humble hazel remained mild as she did her utmost best to keep her gaze steady with his smoldering one. A passionate individual he was? Or simply an angry one? Tilting her head as she examined his gaze further, she nodded her head at his introduction, “A pleasure to meet you Sir Aleksei.” She said, still gazing intently at his peepers. Windows to the soul they were… and what a troubled, frigid soul there seemed to be lurking amidst his kindness. But, what had she expected to see? These were hard times, not just on her and her kin. The viciousness of these acts of hate were far reaching and brutalized not just France. She didn’t doubt the young lad had met pain… yet couldn’t find any part of herself condemning him for his hard eyes or brazen flashing. Meiza was capable of knowing things instantly. One such thing? If she liked someone. She liked this Aleksei, something told her she did and she listened to it - it coincided with what she felt. He was a good lad. Toughened? Naturally. But still good. “But, Aleksei, my darling, you must remember some manners. It isn’t good etiquette to be so…” She searched for a word, before settling on the one she often reflected to, “Brazen. As much as I love a private show - believe me, us old gals love them terribly - but I fear its simply not prim and proper for a gentlemen of your caliber.” She tisked him audibly, shaking her head as if sorely disappointed… despite the grin on her face and the pleasant humor in her eyes. She wasn’t bothered. But that didn’t mean she should be. Did that make sense? Mhm…

“Now go find your britches, laddie, or I’ll make you wear Torin’s! And no doubt they’ll be most uncomfortable, judging by looks you’re a bit bigger than him.” She cooed, rising from her sit and brushing off her tush. It wasn’t rare that she snatched Torin’s (or one of the other boy’s) clothing for her own purposes when she so desired. A dress was hard to navigate in and there came many a time when pants served their purpose for the working class woman. “You heard! Go along now, shoo!” It was a surprise she didn’t add the gesture of shooing with the world but she was too busy hitching up her skirts to bother. Taking some of the rope from the bundle next to the basket (she often did her best to bring loose rope whenever she went - one never knew when they needed a good string of it) she fastened the bulk of the fabric to the side. One expecting to see the long legs of the dame then and there were sorely mistaken. Even as she lost her shoes at the shore and rolled up the legs of Torin’s pants only her caves were privy to show the modest, yet scandalous, amounts of skin. Indeed, two fishes were far from enough even if they proved large and healthy. No, they’d need a little more then that for the family and their guest (little did he know, he would be dining with them). “And no one? My darling Aleksei,” It seemed as if the old maid derived the most pleasure by presenting the laddie with the pet name of ’my darling’, “We all have someone, whether or not we've found them yet is very much besides the matter! Now, we’ve much work to do before din! You do want enough to eat don’t you? No hurry with those britches and c’mlon!” She said, giving him a hospitable grin as she edged into the waters he had abandoned, her nets in her limber, long fingers. Not that she wouldn’t mind being taught how to fish like a bear… but she doubted now truly was the time to ask such things.

Out of Juice; Inadequate my big left toe! Dx And for the record I'm not fond of this post but it'lldo. ><