Heaven Help Me

When her golden gaze turned towards me, the half grin grew to a full one, glad to see she was receptive of my approaching her. But then, all at once, there seemed to be this heaviness that pressed on my chest. Then again, it wasn't heavy at all, it was so light, like a feather balanced upon my heart that weighed a thousand pounds. It was a strange sensation, feeling as though I was rooted to the spot and yet that I could fly at the same time. I had no idea what was causing it, wondering if there was maybe something in the air out here in the meadow or perhaps a plant that grew nearby. My breath caught in my chest for a moment, making me take a couple quick inhalations through my nostrils before I felt like I could breath normally again. I didn't realize it in that moment, but my breaths evened out into a synchronized rhythm with the rise and fall of the sides of the female that laid before me.

She introduced herself, Leafshadow, and my ears flickered towards her attentively, some part of me knowing that her name was of the utmost importance. I couldn't help but wonder why; maybe this arrowhead title she spoke of was of significance within the pack. Although I had no idea what it meant - Namira and Amoxtli hadn't told me about the pack's structure other than that his dad was the protector of the forest. She must have figured out I was pretty new around here, because she went on to explain that she was a hunter and scout for the pack. And then she offered me the second raccoon laying at her side. Without thought my paws carried me forward, closer to her as though drawn by some invisible force. I scooped up the offered meal before backing up once more, realizing how close to her I'd gotten. It didn't feel wrong, even though my upbringing had taught me to be respectful of other's personal space. What the heck was going on?

I backed up only enough so that when I let my haunches fold to the ground we sat directly opposite of one another. Setting the raccoon down at my paws I stared into her face once more, mesmerized. If I had thought Amoxtli to have a unique and special pelt, Leafshadow's was the rarest and most exquisite coloration I'd ever seen. I'd never felt so strongly about the stunning nature of someone's pelt before. I felt compelled to tell her as much, but managed to bite my tongue and only say, "Much obliged," in thanks for the raccoon. I just sat there and stared at her for a second, still baffled by the ruddy brown color that fell like a hood over her face. Blinking, I realized myself and cleared my throat before awkwardly looking down at the raccoon I'd not yet begun to consume, before glancing back to her once more. "Pardon me, Leafshad'w, m'name's Mikken."

Something sure was going on here, making me feel all anchored and yet the freest I'd ever felt. It was a bit mind boggling, in combination with the stunning pelt of the female before me. Suddenly I rocked back on my hindquarters and lifted a hind leg, itching at my chest, but it did nothing to alleviate the feeling. Not that I was really sure I wanted it to go away. Letting my leg fall back to the earth I leaned forward and put a paw upon the raccoon before biting into it, pulling back fur before taking a bit of flesh and swallowing it. I didn't want to seem rude, having taken her offer and then not actually eating it. After that single bite I licked my lips clean again and sat up straight. "Is there sumthin in the air in this here meadow? Sumthin just feels right diff'rent, and I haven't the damndest idea whattit'd be makin' me feel like this." I looked to her questionably, hoping she might be able to explain it to me. Or maybe there was just something wrong with me, because she sure didn't seem to be affected by it; then again she'd clearly lived here for a while so maybe she was just used to it. I hoped she could clear things up for me as easily as Namira had cleared up the difference between Enocra Woodland and Taviora.

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