[Forsaken] New Beginning (May challenge)
May. 17th, 2011 03:01 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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writing_shadows"Are you sure you don't need a hand to move your things?", Sam asked. Ruaidiadh shook his head, "I don't own anything I can't transport on my back or on my bike. All I needed was a space to get started, and you've sorted that." He paused, "And there are things I need to do alone - even if I want to run away from them".
Ruariadh slipped onto the motorbike - the stripped-down Tenere was getting
a little old, but it was well-loved and maintained, and he'd found in the Highlands that having a vehicle with minimum electronics had definate advantages,
particularly when the spirits decided to foul up complicated technology. He kicked the engine into life, waved goodbye to Sam, and headed back to Leith.
Soon he was racing along the road through Holyrood Park. It reminded him of childhood days, racing along quiet roads on Lewis on a battered Yamaha Fizzy. Moments of freedom from the bullying and harassment he suffered at the Nicolson Institute, occasionally shared with his younger brothers - as long as mother didn't find out, of course. She hated the bike. As he swooped around the curve, he felt the wind ruffle his sleeve, and without even needing to peek through the Gauntlet into the spirit world, he knew the wind spirits were racing beside him, tugging his clothes to let him know they were there.
A few minutes later, he was back in Leith, pulling the bike into the derelict warehouse via a side-door so he could load it up indoors. His bags were already packed, so he just had to strap them onto the tank and rear seat.
Once the bike was loaded, he walked over to the window, and climbed out onto the ledge outside. Gazing over the water, he spoke softly.. "That's me ready to go, mo bràthair. My pack needs me in their territory. Wish you were with me, but that destiny is broken, and it's time to forge a new one"
Gazing over the water, Ruariadh watched a small child playing in a garden, visible through some trees on the far bank. "You'd think I'd remember you as a kid, mostly, since thats when we spent our happy times together. Or how I last saw you, before I ran away. But you're all grown up when I remember you - a young man, a proud Rahu, even. Never even saw you like that, but here you are. "
He threw a stone into the water.. "Doug reminds me of you, you know. So much it pushes my buttons sometimes. He fights when he should run, just like you. And right when I'm most worried about him - he goes and asks me a favour. Just like you would do. He wants me to swear the Oath of the Moon."
Another stone hits the water with a splash. "Not that it's a bad oath, there's nothing in it I don't agree with, but it feels like burning bridges behind me. I just have the feeling that the stronger Pure in the Highlands left me alone because I'd never sworn it, because I'd never chosen a side. I wonder if they could smell that Oath on me, if I'd sworn it."
He nods, as if hearing unspoken words, "Sure, Luna chose a side for me. But an oath is a big thing. Trying to do the right thing, sure. Swearing an oath to always do the right thing; that's tough. You're the one who'd always do the right thing, whatever the cost. I'm the one who runs away, sneaks around.. and stays alive. " Splash! Another stone hit the water "I should have been there, little brother. I'd have found a way."
"But that future has gone now, that destiny broken. Coming here, joining a pack... Swearing that oath... These things start a new path, beginning a new destiny. I have to let go of you, little brother."
Leaning back against the wall, Ruairiadh, changing the subject, gestured at the building. "Who'd have known I'd randomly pick the IMF pack's old haunt to lurk in. Maybe this place just needs to smell of wolf, to be lived in."
He shook his head, procrastinating no more. Standing, Ruairiadh walked back inside. "I know, little brother", he whispered, "But they need me too. I've got Claimed to hunt, a territory to learn. New packmates to bond with, a newly changed wolf to teach a few things to, and.. so much more. There is no straight road any more, just one paw in front of another, and see where it leads me to."
He climbed onto the bike. It started at the first kick, as it always did. He didn't look back again.
Ruariadh slipped onto the motorbike - the stripped-down Tenere was getting
a little old, but it was well-loved and maintained, and he'd found in the Highlands that having a vehicle with minimum electronics had definate advantages,
particularly when the spirits decided to foul up complicated technology. He kicked the engine into life, waved goodbye to Sam, and headed back to Leith.
Soon he was racing along the road through Holyrood Park. It reminded him of childhood days, racing along quiet roads on Lewis on a battered Yamaha Fizzy. Moments of freedom from the bullying and harassment he suffered at the Nicolson Institute, occasionally shared with his younger brothers - as long as mother didn't find out, of course. She hated the bike. As he swooped around the curve, he felt the wind ruffle his sleeve, and without even needing to peek through the Gauntlet into the spirit world, he knew the wind spirits were racing beside him, tugging his clothes to let him know they were there.
A few minutes later, he was back in Leith, pulling the bike into the derelict warehouse via a side-door so he could load it up indoors. His bags were already packed, so he just had to strap them onto the tank and rear seat.
Once the bike was loaded, he walked over to the window, and climbed out onto the ledge outside. Gazing over the water, he spoke softly.. "That's me ready to go, mo bràthair. My pack needs me in their territory. Wish you were with me, but that destiny is broken, and it's time to forge a new one"
Gazing over the water, Ruariadh watched a small child playing in a garden, visible through some trees on the far bank. "You'd think I'd remember you as a kid, mostly, since thats when we spent our happy times together. Or how I last saw you, before I ran away. But you're all grown up when I remember you - a young man, a proud Rahu, even. Never even saw you like that, but here you are. "
He threw a stone into the water.. "Doug reminds me of you, you know. So much it pushes my buttons sometimes. He fights when he should run, just like you. And right when I'm most worried about him - he goes and asks me a favour. Just like you would do. He wants me to swear the Oath of the Moon."
Another stone hits the water with a splash. "Not that it's a bad oath, there's nothing in it I don't agree with, but it feels like burning bridges behind me. I just have the feeling that the stronger Pure in the Highlands left me alone because I'd never sworn it, because I'd never chosen a side. I wonder if they could smell that Oath on me, if I'd sworn it."
He nods, as if hearing unspoken words, "Sure, Luna chose a side for me. But an oath is a big thing. Trying to do the right thing, sure. Swearing an oath to always do the right thing; that's tough. You're the one who'd always do the right thing, whatever the cost. I'm the one who runs away, sneaks around.. and stays alive. " Splash! Another stone hit the water "I should have been there, little brother. I'd have found a way."
"But that future has gone now, that destiny broken. Coming here, joining a pack... Swearing that oath... These things start a new path, beginning a new destiny. I have to let go of you, little brother."
Leaning back against the wall, Ruairiadh, changing the subject, gestured at the building. "Who'd have known I'd randomly pick the IMF pack's old haunt to lurk in. Maybe this place just needs to smell of wolf, to be lived in."
He shook his head, procrastinating no more. Standing, Ruairiadh walked back inside. "I know, little brother", he whispered, "But they need me too. I've got Claimed to hunt, a territory to learn. New packmates to bond with, a newly changed wolf to teach a few things to, and.. so much more. There is no straight road any more, just one paw in front of another, and see where it leads me to."
He climbed onto the bike. It started at the first kick, as it always did. He didn't look back again.
