Onida "Oni" Girard (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
naturaldisasster) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
sixwordstories2020-05-09 07:44 pm
naturaldisasster) wrote in sixwordstories2020-05-09 07:44 pm
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Feed my snake while I'm gone.
Ya know I will. You runnin' again? Woman, you move more'n I do.
Excuse your lips? [ She wasn't expecting to get called out on this, least of all by NPR. ]
Yea, well, you have sharks tryin' t'kill you. I have vampires, hunters, demons, ghosts, whole ass secret societies-- Even my own kind would like t'see me in th'ground.
Anyway, that ain't what this is. I'm just goin' up north for a little bit... Less than a week.
Yea, well, you have sharks tryin' t'kill you. I have vampires, hunters, demons, ghosts, whole ass secret societies-- Even my own kind would like t'see me in th'ground.
Anyway, that ain't what this is. I'm just goin' up north for a little bit... Less than a week.
Edited 2020-05-10 12:15 (UTC)
[An actual, honest to goodness smile.] Yeah, well, no one accused wolf-changers of knowin' what's best for their own survival.
You be careful. Ain't easy, takin' shit alone.
You be careful. Ain't easy, takin' shit alone.
[ She gave him a wry look. ] Or maybe I just have that effect on people. It's part of my charm.
What, I don't strike you as th'cautious type? [ Oni smirked, because they both knew what she was like, but she was oddly touched by the sentiment. ] You must think I'm headed to th'Sept for my regular ass-chewin'.
I'm goin' further North than that, past th'Ottawa. Worst case scenario is I pick a fight with a Wendigo.
What, I don't strike you as th'cautious type? [ Oni smirked, because they both knew what she was like, but she was oddly touched by the sentiment. ] You must think I'm headed to th'Sept for my regular ass-chewin'.
I'm goin' further North than that, past th'Ottawa. Worst case scenario is I pick a fight with a Wendigo.
I know you ain't cautious. You also ain't goin' it alone. Ya got family an' a pack that cares about you. Hell, I wouldn't be alone if I had a choice. You be careful.
[ Ah, shit. Oni tossed her bag aside, turning to face him squarely. ]
I know that, ok? I'm not tryin' t'ghost them, neither. But it don't make sense t'drag any of 'em all th'way up to East Bumfuck Canada just because I'm...
[ She jabbed a finger right in the middle of his chest. ] And you're not alone neither, Fishbreath. You have those girls. And we may not be Rokea, but you have us.
I know that, ok? I'm not tryin' t'ghost them, neither. But it don't make sense t'drag any of 'em all th'way up to East Bumfuck Canada just because I'm...
[ She jabbed a finger right in the middle of his chest. ] And you're not alone neither, Fishbreath. You have those girls. And we may not be Rokea, but you have us.
Maybe one or two of 'em wouldn't mind the ride. Hell, I know I wouldn't. It's been a while since I been that far north. Water's cold up there, but the fish taste good.
An' I know I ain't completely alone anymore. It's just a lot to get used to. Been set in my ways for a long time.
An' I know I ain't completely alone anymore. It's just a lot to get used to. Been set in my ways for a long time.
Really? [ She stretched out the word in a slow, sarcastic drawl. ] Like who? Half my pack are a bunch of cityslickers, and I ain't tryin' t'spend any more time alone with Nas than what's absolutely necessary.
[ Oni crossed her arms, head cocked to the side. ] Are you offering?
Hmmph, tell me about it. [ Was she agreeing with him, or sympathizing? Yes. ] Y'may be as stubborn as an ox, mais... I remember what it's like. Surrounded by people after bein' on your own for so long. It gets easier.
[ Oni crossed her arms, head cocked to the side. ] Are you offering?
Hmmph, tell me about it. [ Was she agreeing with him, or sympathizing? Yes. ] Y'may be as stubborn as an ox, mais... I remember what it's like. Surrounded by people after bein' on your own for so long. It gets easier.
Yeah, I'm offering. I ain't been up that way in a while, an' the girls are big enough now I ain't gotta be here with 'em all the time. A trip's just what I need to keep my feet from itchin'. [A grin.] Besides, I'm big enough, no one has the guts to kick me outta places when they get scared.
[ She's quiet half a moment, mulling it over in her mind. ] ... I'd have t'find someone else t'feed Gaspard.
Be ready t'leave in an hour. I wanna be upstate before midnight.
Y'might wanna let 'em know you're goin', in that case. [ She smirked, wondering which she would hear: dismay that they couldn't come along? Or two pre-teens on their best behavior, already dreaming up the shenanigans they could get into in their father's absence. Oni snorted, making a mental note ask the other adults to take turns checking in on the girlsand her snake. ] Merde, you're gonna stick out like a thorn, aren't you?
Be ready t'leave in an hour. I wanna be upstate before midnight.
Y'might wanna let 'em know you're goin', in that case. [ She smirked, wondering which she would hear: dismay that they couldn't come along? Or two pre-teens on their best behavior, already dreaming up the shenanigans they could get into in their father's absence. Oni snorted, making a mental note ask the other adults to take turns checking in on the girls
I dunno, do big guys in jeans and t-shirts stick out in Canada? [He grinned. The Brightwater was just as rage-prone as Oni, he was just quieter about it. More than one dock-side bar had been trashed when some drunk decided to pick a fight with Mike.] I got what I need. Lemme tell the girls I'm leavin' an' I'll be set. You wanna take the truck, or you figure on ridin' up? [NPR still had his bike, of course, but the big, black F-250 that sat in the driveway was big enough to be comfortable for a long trip. Currently, the toolbox in the back of the truck was full of tools and supplies that No-Prey-Remains used at his job at the docks.]
[Oh yes, the girls would be on their best behavior. At least until Mike and Oni left, and any time Ani was around. Neph, they still hoped would be on their side.]
[Oh yes, the girls would be on their best behavior. At least until Mike and Oni left, and any time Ani was around. Neph, they still hoped would be on their side.]
Only when they're about ten feet tall. [ She rolled her eyes, teasing. ] And don't speak a lick of French, though I reckon I can't hold that against you too badly.
[ That truck was enormous, and she was bound to catch at least one short joke, but did she really feel like screaming at him over the roar of an engine all the way up the Adirondack Northway? ] We'll take th'truck, if it's all th'same t'you. Worst comes t'worst, y'can sleep in th'cargo bed.
[ Oni grinned to herself, chuckling as her sharp ears overheard the conversation between Mike and his children-- The very picture of good manners. She took that time to make arrangements for her nouille diable, (and a babysitter,) texting anyone else who might care about her travel plans. ]
[ That truck was enormous, and she was bound to catch at least one short joke, but did she really feel like screaming at him over the roar of an engine all the way up the Adirondack Northway? ] We'll take th'truck, if it's all th'same t'you. Worst comes t'worst, y'can sleep in th'cargo bed.
[ Oni grinned to herself, chuckling as her sharp ears overheard the conversation between Mike and his children-- The very picture of good manners. She took that time to make arrangements for her nouille diable, (and a babysitter,) texting anyone else who might care about her travel plans. ]
[With the comment about sleeping in the bed of the truck in mind, No-Prey-Remains added a couple large, heavy bags full of gear to the backseat of the truck. In it were extra sleeping bags, a small camp stove, and other assorted things that made unplanned camping a little more bearable. Seeing as he likely wouldn't be able to return to Swimming Jaws, it was best to be prepared.] I spent the first couple years I was on land thinkin' dirtwalkers all spoke the same language. Course, there was a lotta stuff I didn't know back then. I'm gettin' better now.
Glad I visited with a rorqual yesterday. Pod of whales was just offshore during lunch. Shouldn't need to worry about access to the water while we're gone. [It was probably an open secret that sometimes he didn't come home to sleep. On those nights, rumors flew that a huge Great White was seen patrolling the coast.]
[When they were ready, No-Prey-Remains took them out of the driveway and towards the highway.] Ya know, it's only been a few years I got a passport. I used to just change to Swimming Jaws to cross dirtwalker borders.
Glad I visited with a rorqual yesterday. Pod of whales was just offshore during lunch. Shouldn't need to worry about access to the water while we're gone. [It was probably an open secret that sometimes he didn't come home to sleep. On those nights, rumors flew that a huge Great White was seen patrolling the coast.]
[When they were ready, No-Prey-Remains took them out of the driveway and towards the highway.] Ya know, it's only been a few years I got a passport. I used to just change to Swimming Jaws to cross dirtwalker borders.
[ Her lips twitch, fighting a grin. Oh, Jono. ] Nervous, chére?
Don't be. C'mon, I'll walk you through it.
Don't be. C'mon, I'll walk you through it.
Edited 2020-05-11 12:00 (UTC)
[ Oni eyed that extra sleeping bag before climbing into the cab of the truck with him. She'd had every intention of sleeping on the ground, in Lupus, if need be. ] And why wouldn't you? Do sharks have dialects? It's a weird human thing... I reckon everyone who weren't a homid probably went through th'same learnin' curve.
Pity y'probably can't swim in fresh water... Otherwise L'fleuve Saint-Laurent would take you right up to th'ocean. [ That was a big part of the reason why she agreed to let him come along. The urge to go back... It wasn't the same as his need to return to water but, of all the Fera, he would probably understand. ] Plenty of whales for you t'talk to.
[ She let out a bark of laughter. ] How did you get a passport? I don't even have a driver's license. [ Which might explain why he was driving, even though she was the one who knew where they were going. She was going to have to switch into Lupus when it was time to cross the border. ] Swimmin' across beats th'hell out of traffic, I bet. But I usually just... Moon bridge across. Nas and I had t'bridge all th'fucking way across th'Atlantic once, for a moot.
Pity y'probably can't swim in fresh water... Otherwise L'fleuve Saint-Laurent would take you right up to th'ocean. [ That was a big part of the reason why she agreed to let him come along. The urge to go back... It wasn't the same as his need to return to water but, of all the Fera, he would probably understand. ] Plenty of whales for you t'talk to.
[ She let out a bark of laughter. ] How did you get a passport? I don't even have a driver's license. [ Which might explain why he was driving, even though she was the one who knew where they were going. She was going to have to switch into Lupus when it was time to cross the border. ] Swimmin' across beats th'hell out of traffic, I bet. But I usually just... Moon bridge across. Nas and I had t'bridge all th'fucking way across th'Atlantic once, for a moot.
Rokea don't talk like mammals do, but whales and dolphins do. Some of them do speak different in different parts of the ocean. They can talk to Rokea just fine everywhere, but I notice when they talk to each other, it's different.
[At the suggestion of the river, he shook his head.] I can tolerate fresh water, I ain't a true shark anymore. But people notice a thirty foot shark in a river. It's easier to remain unseen in the ocean.
I never asked how Sara, the girls' mother, got me a birth certificate. I think someone in her family worked for the state government. But it's come in handy. It's helped with gettin' jobs, drivin', an' in my travels. [He looked at Oni.] I can't travel as easy as you wolf-changers. Swimmin' the spirit world ain't a place for Rokea. I think some Darkwaters know how to do it, but I don't.
[At the suggestion of the river, he shook his head.] I can tolerate fresh water, I ain't a true shark anymore. But people notice a thirty foot shark in a river. It's easier to remain unseen in the ocean.
I never asked how Sara, the girls' mother, got me a birth certificate. I think someone in her family worked for the state government. But it's come in handy. It's helped with gettin' jobs, drivin', an' in my travels. [He looked at Oni.] I can't travel as easy as you wolf-changers. Swimmin' the spirit world ain't a place for Rokea. I think some Darkwaters know how to do it, but I don't.
Your life?! [ She paused in the middle of digging out Gaspard's feeding tub. ] Y'understand he's not venomous, oui?
Otherwise I'd be pushin' up daisies, 'cause he's bitten me loads of times.
Otherwise I'd be pushin' up daisies, 'cause he's bitten me loads of times.
That's... What do y'even talk about, down there? [ She smirked to herself, imagining it was some sort of aquatic gossip, though she knew those conversations were likely all about fish. Fish Fish Fish, where's the fish.] Whenever I "talked" t'animals, it was always Piss off, 'less you wanna be supper.
[ Her grin widened. ] Darlin', you'd be surprised what people don't notice in that river. But, much as I hate t'admit it, y'do have a point.
... She really cared about you, didn't she? [ Oni lowered her voice for once, aware that this could potentially be a sore subject. ] I don't pretend t'know what a Darkwater is, cher. And I couldn't tell you why it is that some Fera go into th'Umbra and some don't. I probably could drag your big ass across th'Gauntlet someday, if y'wanted. Because I don't think I could ever do th'place justice with words.
[ Her grin widened. ] Darlin', you'd be surprised what people don't notice in that river. But, much as I hate t'admit it, y'do have a point.
... She really cared about you, didn't she? [ Oni lowered her voice for once, aware that this could potentially be a sore subject. ] I don't pretend t'know what a Darkwater is, cher. And I couldn't tell you why it is that some Fera go into th'Umbra and some don't. I probably could drag your big ass across th'Gauntlet someday, if y'wanted. Because I don't think I could ever do th'place justice with words.
[There was a lot to explain, and not all the words came easily for him. He paused for a moment, letting her finish, and he thought over what to say.] I ain't really said much about Rokea, have I? I probably can, it can't hurt. I'm already bein' hunted, ain't like I can be hunted worse. I'm what we call a Brightwater, a shark born durin' bright daylight or the full moon. Of all the Rokea, we have the most rage an' we find it hardest to keep our temper. It's why I do so much to relieve tension. Can't cause a scene, with hunters on my tail. Darkwaters were born during eclipses or a new moon. They have the least rage of all of us, an' they're more curious. If a Rokea was going to talk to spirits or swim the spirit world, it would be a Darkwater. [He nodded to himself. Mind you, he wouldn't mind learning, everything helped survival, especially when swimming between.]
The dolphins and whales I talk to...it just any dolphin or whale. Not all of 'em are able to talk like that. The ones that are, they're more like spirits, I guess. They're like living caerns. I can talk to one of them instead of tryin' to sneak into a grotto while the slew protecting it are gone. They like to gossip. Trade news, sometimes point me in the direction of somethin' threatenin' Sea or one of them. Sometimes they'll warn me about betweener hunts that are comin'. Orcas and some of the smaller whales like to play. They're athletic and they like it when Rokea accept their challenges. [He laughed, softly. He missed the orca he used to talk to, along the California coast. No-Prey-Remains had gotten good at leaping out of the water.]
An' Sara...well. Sara knew her mother was Rokea. Her father was a fisherman. Caught her mother stealin' from his nets. She was hungry, she'd just begun her Long Swim, and he didn' mind sharin' what he had. Eight months later, he had a baby girl and her mother returned to Sea. Sara grew up, became a vet. Found me after I'd barely escaped a Hunt. I couldn' even speak much, back then. Hated admitting I knew as much as I did. [He laughed.] I didn't like dirtwalkers back then, but with other Rokea convinced I killed my slew, I had no choice. Sara patched me back up, taught me to speak English, an' helped me learn enough to survive outta water. I warned her I couldn' stay, but I stayed long enough, she musta gone off her birth control, because I got word on my way to LA that she was expectin' Madison and Bailey. [He shook his head.] Wish I coulda been there more for her, but the hunters can smell Rokea blood. I was hopin' they'd follow me to LA and ignore Sara an' the girls. I figure, after what happened to Sara, it's probably safer for 'em if I'm there to protect 'em.
The dolphins and whales I talk to...it just any dolphin or whale. Not all of 'em are able to talk like that. The ones that are, they're more like spirits, I guess. They're like living caerns. I can talk to one of them instead of tryin' to sneak into a grotto while the slew protecting it are gone. They like to gossip. Trade news, sometimes point me in the direction of somethin' threatenin' Sea or one of them. Sometimes they'll warn me about betweener hunts that are comin'. Orcas and some of the smaller whales like to play. They're athletic and they like it when Rokea accept their challenges. [He laughed, softly. He missed the orca he used to talk to, along the California coast. No-Prey-Remains had gotten good at leaping out of the water.]
An' Sara...well. Sara knew her mother was Rokea. Her father was a fisherman. Caught her mother stealin' from his nets. She was hungry, she'd just begun her Long Swim, and he didn' mind sharin' what he had. Eight months later, he had a baby girl and her mother returned to Sea. Sara grew up, became a vet. Found me after I'd barely escaped a Hunt. I couldn' even speak much, back then. Hated admitting I knew as much as I did. [He laughed.] I didn't like dirtwalkers back then, but with other Rokea convinced I killed my slew, I had no choice. Sara patched me back up, taught me to speak English, an' helped me learn enough to survive outta water. I warned her I couldn' stay, but I stayed long enough, she musta gone off her birth control, because I got word on my way to LA that she was expectin' Madison and Bailey. [He shook his head.] Wish I coulda been there more for her, but the hunters can smell Rokea blood. I was hopin' they'd follow me to LA and ignore Sara an' the girls. I figure, after what happened to Sara, it's probably safer for 'em if I'm there to protect 'em.
Edited 2020-05-11 22:49 (UTC)
~Yeah, not inspiring confidence in me, luv. He just looks awfully big.~
[first text] Sure. Ah, feed it what?
[next text] Gone?Is this one of those 'they know something's up, so it's cool if they ask' or 'pretend you're sick so they can't ask' kind of gone?
[next text] Gone?Is this one of those 'they know something's up, so it's cool if they ask' or 'pretend you're sick so they can't ask' kind of gone?
No, you haven't said much. But th'changing breeds ain't exactly a chatty bunch, so I didn't expect you to. [ Well. Corax aside, and excluding certain individuals who were determined to be a nuisance.
This was a rare glimpse into the world of Rokea, so Oni paid close attention, though at some point she had to turn her face away; It looked like she was taking in the scenery through the passenger-side window, but in truth she was hiding the expression on her face because AQUATIC GOSSIP. ] Bright and Dark waters... Gaia, if that ain't some yin and yang bullshit. But I like those whales... When I was young, I wanted to race everything. If it were possible for me t'challenge a shark, I think my dumb ass would've done it too.
[ She smirked despite herself. ] Weren't plannin' on Madison and Bailey, eh? Well, you weren't th'first and y'certainly won't be th'last homme t'stumble into fatherhood.
I'm sorry about what happened to their mother, but it's good th'girls have you... And not only for their protection. [ Having said that, Oni stared at the lights of the highway as they sped past, their glow reflecting eerily in her eyes. ] You think they might be Rokea too, don't you? When will you know for sure?
This was a rare glimpse into the world of Rokea, so Oni paid close attention, though at some point she had to turn her face away; It looked like she was taking in the scenery through the passenger-side window, but in truth she was hiding the expression on her face because AQUATIC GOSSIP. ] Bright and Dark waters... Gaia, if that ain't some yin and yang bullshit. But I like those whales... When I was young, I wanted to race everything. If it were possible for me t'challenge a shark, I think my dumb ass would've done it too.
[ She smirked despite herself. ] Weren't plannin' on Madison and Bailey, eh? Well, you weren't th'first and y'certainly won't be th'last homme t'stumble into fatherhood.
I'm sorry about what happened to their mother, but it's good th'girls have you... And not only for their protection. [ Having said that, Oni stared at the lights of the highway as they sped past, their glow reflecting eerily in her eyes. ] You think they might be Rokea too, don't you? When will you know for sure?
[ It took her a solid thirteen seconds, and herculean restraint, to keep from making the obvious joke about how big her snake was. ]
Okay, so he's a big angry bastard who likes t'bite-- But so am I! And I haven't killed you, so you'll be fine. I promise.
Okay, so he's a big angry bastard who likes t'bite-- But so am I! And I haven't killed you, so you'll be fine. I promise.
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