Private Watch My Back

[Telula Vale]

Location: Naboo, thick woods
Attire: [xXx]
Objective: Warg with a Wild Beast
Tag: | Damien Van-Derveld |

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There was always so much going on. Between lessons, and missions, working on new and old apothecary things, new spells, just...there was always so much going on. And yet, somehow Telula always managed to find the time to at least check in with Damien. There may not have always been time to hang out, or to visit, or to even get more than a few words in here and there, but the blonde witchling always managed to make sure she at least checked in. She made sure he was alright, and she let him know that she was alright in return. However eventually, Lula had, had enough and she needed a break from the routine. Granted, it wasn't all just for play. There was indeed an actual theory behind Lula's reasoning for wanting an escape from everyday tasks.

Over time, Telula had mastered the ability to slip in and out of her Galek Hound's mind. It was second nature for her to take the reigns and control Kai - in the heat of battle or otherwise - and it wasn't just the Hound that Lula had managed to gain control of. Creatures here and there were easy enough to connect with, to take control of and manipulate, but they were all passive creatures. Familiars that knew her, and were used to having the witchling around. So, steadily the natural curiosity that riddled Lula's frame on a day to day basis bloomed into action. She made sure that others knew hew plan, that the Nightmother knew her plan, and then she had approached Damien with the idea of an outing. While she had not told him all of the details as to why she wished to venture out into the woods - he didn't need to know about her annoying curiosity quirks after all, - she did at least make sure he knew where they were going and why.

From there it had been a simple matter of putting plan to action. Not so surprisingly, Telula had made sure there were snacks packed, though it was nothing fancy by any means. Everything was tucked away in a pack she had on her back, and she was only just a few steps ahead of Damien as she led the way. "So from what I read, there are some Akk dogs roaming about somewhere in the woods. Well, plenty of places I suppose, but there are some around here somewhere specifically."

She turned so that she was facing him and walking backwards with a warm smile on her face. "I want to see if I can Warg with one of them. They're not entirely dissimilar to Kai, but he's my partner," who wasn't with them on purpose. "I want to try and connect with something new, something fresh and wild." her smile turned grin. "And that being said, I would greatly appreciate it if you helped to make sure I didn't die in the process." That wasn't the reason she really invited him, she did want to just spend time with him. But having him around to help keep her from dying? Absolute bonus.

 

[Damien Van-Derveld]

WEARING: xxx
TAG: Telula Vale

Naboo was different than Ryloth, vastly different. Regardless of where he found himself, Damien was busy conducting whatever work the Nightmother deemed necessary. In a way he was glad his cousin was no longer the Nightmother, and in another he missed her. They could be family, and just that, if they desired to be now. Yet, Damien found himself the only Van-Derveld still completely loyal to the witches that had taken him in. He was not like the others that bore his last name, the insanity which seemed to fill their minds. Katrine had all but avoided it as well. Still, Damien had not left, and he found more reasons to stay as time went on.​

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One reason in particular.​

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Telula Vale.​

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The blonde was different than the others. While most of the witches had an edge to them, even a demanding nature, Lula seemed to treat the younger wolf as though they were equals. He had been so used to being treated as property, or some plaything for a witch with certain itches that only a man could scratch. The tattoos he bore on his body spoke of the culture he had been raised in, and the clan on Dathomir that had claimed him. Damien liked the breath of fresh air that was Telula Vale, and he liked that she cared enough to check in.​

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What were they too each other? It was a question Damien did not have answer to, but one he wanted to.​

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The invitation to join her seemed another opportunity to discern it. He was concerned that she wanted to try out her hand with wild animals. He knew all too well how they could think. Mastering a more tranquil or tame pup was not the same as trying to control the raging mind of a wild beast. When she asked for protection, Damien knew she would need it, but that was not why he agreed. For the first time, he felt he had a choice. She was the first to present him with the option to spend time with her, rather than demand it.​

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"Akk dogs? You really should work up to a rabid canine mind... Trust me, not always the best place to be, or the easiest to control."​

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If she only knew how Damien knew that.​

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"You uhhh... look good by the way... and you're gonna let me carry the pack," he said as he ran up to catch her and take the pack off her shoulders. "Nice to get out for a change rather than be cooped up with your books and potions? Nature... it was where we were intended to be... to be one with it, and enjoy it, the sights, the smells... the feeling of the grass and fertile ground. The thrill that comes with the hunt, and the satisfaction of a fresh kill... all of it."​

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Damien smiled.​

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"I'm glad you asked me to tag along. It's nice to get away... with you."​

 

[Telula Vale]

Tag: | Damien Van-Derveld |

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It was a mutual curiosity that the pair of them shared, the whole 'what are we' train of thought. For Telula, she was not a people person. Yes, it was easier to be around other people now, familiar people at least. She was still shy, still incredible bashful when new people came into the picture, but she at least would no longer run and hide from them, peeking around corners...most of the time. But it had always been so easy to be around Damien, and while she had never before questioned this fact, perhaps she should have. People were intimidating enough on their own, but Lula had always been so easily flustered by men - and even more so after what had happened to her before her joining of the Solanaceae.

Damien however, was different. He did not use tricky words, or threaten their friendship if she did not give him what he wanted. There was never any pressure between them, of any kind, and it was nice. He made her feel safe, which was a feat in itself, thus why she had asked him along. She thoroughly enjoyed his company no matter what the pair of them were tossed into, and she knew he would make sure she didn't get herself killed.

Case and point. "Oh, so you think I can't handle a wild beast then?" her melodic tone was laced with a playfully teasing edge now. "It's because I'm a girl, isn't it?" Naturally she knew that was not the case at all. Lula was no idiot, she knew what she wanted to do was by no means the brightest thing in all the worlds. It was reckless, dangerous, and potentially deadly. Which is why she wouldn't have come to attempt it alone. One, she had no means to protect herself once she started unless she got control, and two there was no guarantee that they would find a lone Akk dog.

But, another thing about Damien? He was certainly good at derailing her thoughts. His compliment to her raised a hue of pink to Lula's pale face, and her teasing expression vanished with a flattered smile instead. One that was short lived due to protest when he caught up to take the pack from her. There was playful fussing from the blonde, and while she made it difficult for him to loose the pack from her person, there was no real fight or protest from her. She eventually let him take it, huffed dramatically as if she were horribly put off, and then grinned again.

"I'm glad you agreed to come along," she steadied her pace this time so that the pair of them could walk side by side rather than her leading the way. "I wasn't going to ask anyone else. If you would have said no, I would have just let it be. I wanted you to be the one here with me." Whether it was a foolish idea or not, she hadn't wanted anyone else to experience it with her, one way or the other, and for a plethora of reasons she couldn't explain.

 

[Damien Van-Derveld]

TAG: Telula Vale

There were so many retorts which ran through Damien's mind. Could she handle a wild animal? All he could do was smirk at her jest. She already knew the answer, she knew he knew she was only teasing. Yet, this was the first time he recalled their conversation turning to banter so quickly. He was not a natural flirt, not like others of his family. In some ways he was innocent of what it meant to pursue another. What he understood about the ways of women was tainted by his time on Dathomir, raised by those who forced what they wanted, took it without thought.​

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"If that were the case... you'd be a terrible witch," he finally settled on as he chuckled.​

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She paused in her stride long enough to allow Damien to catch up. He was glad she did. They had stopped long enough for her to express the sentiments she had. Were he easily embarrassed, the wolf might have blushed. On the other hand, he was relived she did not want anyone else with her on this crazy adventure. It certainly spoke to what she wanted, and who she wanted. If Damien had ever been unclear as to why she liked to check in on him, this statement certainly made things less foggy.​

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He nodded and quietly took her hand as they began to move again.​

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It was a quiet action, but a response to her words nonetheless. The simple touch was his manner of reciprocating her feelings on the matter. Maybe it was a bold assumption as to what she had meant by them, but Damien knew Lula well enough at this point that she would not hide her intentions. She had never hidden anything from him before.​

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"I'm not used to... this... Dathomir did not give me a choice in things like this. So the idea I could have said no... I wanted to be here, but... I'm still adjusting to the idea that a female would give a male any choice in the matter of wanting..."​

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Damien hoped she understood his insinuations.​

 

[Telula Vale]

Tag: | Damien Van-Derveld |

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Oh Telula understood. She understood more deeply than anyone with her disposition ever should - hell, more than anyone ever should. It was the act of manipulation and taking that had really closed the blonde witchling in on herself, after all. She had considered herself damaged goods, and had left it at that. She had not fought when the decision to send her to Ryloth had been made, but she had not been happy about it either. New people she would have to deal with, to try and be around. The very idea of it had been a nightmare that plagued her, and then to actually make the move? Horrible.

Yet here she was, now easily walking hand-in-hand with Damien. How easily her fingers had laced with his, and she hadn't even hesitated over the action nor thought twice to do so. It was such a natural fit, easy as breathing. "I would be a terrible witch," she finally commented, having been lost in thought over all of the things that were said. Though out of them all, that seemed the best place to start. "And perhaps I am," she added. "We'll see when we come across these dogs."

The other topic of their discussion was a little more tricky. It was personal to him for understandable reasons, but Lula had her own demons in that department as well. "You should always have a choice. It isn't right to take that from someone, no matter how its done or why." She sighed heavily through her nose, then turned her head to look at him. "There will never be a point in time where you do not have a choice with me. For anything." there was assurance in her tone, promise even. She would always ask him, never demand, never take anything - be it help, friendship, favors, or otherwise. Though she did pause and smile warmly. "Unless there are snacks involved. Then all promises are void."

With that in the air between them now, her promise to always be considerate of him, Lula was quiet for a time. Occasionally she would glance at Damien, or stop just long enough to listen and look around, but mostly she was contemplating. It was easy for anyone who knew her at all to recognize the curiosity as it burned inside of her, as the wheels turned, and eventually curiosity won out. The fingers of her free hand eventually reached out so that she could very lightly ghost them against the markings on his bared skin closest to her. She did not actually touch him considering she did not have permission though her fingers lingered close enough for the heat of them to be felt surely, but it seems curiosity had finally gotten the best of her.

"I don't think I ever did ask about these," she stated to him, studying what she could see now as they walked. "Will you tell me?" Should she know? Maybe, but it's not as if Lula had grown knowing anything about witches or their runes. She had also, once again given him the option to decline. It was his story after all, and she would accept if he did not wish to dredge up old bones.

 

[Damien Van-Derveld]

TAG: Telula Vale

The idea Damien would always have choice with Lula was as comforting as it was foreign to him. He wanted desperately to believe her, and he did, but part of him was also used to being treated a certain way. The fact she did not treat him like property or make a claim on him, was different. Naturally she had to take a serious moment and make it humorous. Damien chuckled, but fell into the silence which had grown between them.​

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What was there to say? He could nod, which Damien did. They had come to an understanding, but it still did not answer the question of what they were to each other, nor did it speak to what either of them wished or wanted. Damien was content to have a friend in Lula, but her willingness to treat him like an equal made him wish they were more. The thought crossed his mind at least. Would he ever find one among the witches which would treat him the same? Likely not.​

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His thoughts were pulled away as the witchling began to trace his tattoos. For a while she said nothing, other than letting her curiosity guide her actions. The heat of her fingers caused the hairs on the back of his neck to stand on end. Then came the request. It was only a matter of time before she asked. Damien was surprised she had not already done so. He smiled with a chuckle as he too her hand and let her touch them.​

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"You can touch them you know."​

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She let her fingers follow the lines and feel the scars which the ink covered.​

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"There is not much to tell. The clan my grandmother was the nighmother of on Dathomir had a rite of passage for their adult men. The tattoos are simply the markings that I completed that rite. They are what mark me as a true nightbrother of Dathomir. It was a long process, but they turned out alright."​

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Of course Damien left out the whole... dark side messiah part of what his grandmother was raising him to be. Damien was certain that was not a story to get into now. She had no idea he could turn into a wolf yet, and that was more pertinent. It was who he was.​

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Damien stopped.​

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"There," he pointed, "tracks... a whole pack... you sure about this?"​

 

[Telula Vale]

Tag: | Damien Van-Derveld |

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At first Telula thought she had surely taken a step too far. The fact that Damien had reached out to grasp her hand when she had started to observe the markings along his frame made her instantly aware of how invasive that was. However rather than be reprimanded, her fingers were pressed to his skin and she was given permission to satisfy her curiosity. Despite that fact, her fingers were still careful; while there was of course the pressure of her touch, she did not prod nor poke at him. She just allowed the pads of her fingers to trace along the raised flesh while Damien explained to her what the marks were.

"That sounds like a story worth hearing," she told him, lifting her gaze to briefly meet his before she returned to studying his skin. A story worth hearing for another time, it seemed.

When he stopped, Lula's feet dug in and she stilled as well. Her hand fell away from his skin and her gaze followed to where he pointed. A sensation fluttered in her belly, something that was a broad mix of anticipation and nerves. They had found the Akk dogs, and only now was she questioning herself. Damien's question was a valid one; was she sure about this? Could she even really do this? It was so easy to slip in and out of Kai's mind, to gain that control, because he was her familiar and she had, had him with her for some years now. But this...

Lula set her chin and sighed through her nose. "Yes," she answered him firmly, though that was directed at herself and not him. She needed that extra confidence right now. "But maybe we should see if we can find a lone one...instead of approaching the whole pack all at once." Tackling one of these beasts was going to be difficult enough. Angering a whole pack of them? Probably not the best of ideas...