Paper and Water

[frey]

Large thunderstorms were passing through the Plains of which the Crystal Pack resided. Bright flashes of lightning and loud claps of thunder could be heard afterward. It hasn't rained much recently and Frey stood outside in the heavy downpour. The smell of rain was refreshing and he would always define this smell with spring. He didn't particularly care whether if his coat got soaked or not, the water having no effect upon his abilities with his paper. This heavy rain would create maneuvering challenges nonetheless, he thought to himself.

Waving the thought away with a metaphorical paw, Frey was close to the dens where others kept themselves dry. Even though it was mid-afternoon, the sky had darkened considerably and it felt like it was closer to dusk than what it really was. Turning his head upwards, eyes blinked numerous times to keep the water out. Contemplating many different things, he had caught wind of another joining their ranks. He didn't know what exactly yet, but hadn't met them either. Sniffing at the air, Frey couldn't smell anything but the wetness of the air and the earth. He hadn't seen them in the dens so he was curious if they were afraid to assimilate themselves or were just a plain solitary individual.

Deciding to take a quick look over the den's perimeter to clear his wary thoughts, Frey's body began to peel away in sheets of paper and regathered above his back and formed white paper wings and they were quite large. Retaining most of his form, Frey's feet were the only thing missing as the outlines of his paper could be easily seen on his form, having rough edges in places. Hovering now, sheets of paper floated about his form, finding places against his body to re-attach. Frey began to slowly drift about the perimeters.

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[amber]

Amber felt extremely uncomfortable. It wasn’t because of the rain, or the cold chill of the atmosphere. No, that felt nice, the freezable water soaking her fur, giving her a false sense of power for a moment. Pacing by her assigned den, her jumbled thoughts were attacking her. What made her think that the Crystal pack would be any better than the other packs she’s been in? She couldn’t hunt. She couldn’t fight, let alone defend herself. The most probable outcome of her new pack was banishment. Again. She couldn’t handle that.

As Amber sat in front of the cave-like structure, she peered inside. It was a small burrow at the base of a large pine tree, mostly obscured from a passerby wolf’s view, unless they were looking for it. The inside was dry and smelled of autumn leaves. Completely opposite of what she preferred. Having lived most on her life alone in the forest, she grew into sleeping in the open, rain or shine. Preferably rain. But this was different. Amber pondered whether she should try it out. It did look comfortable, physically. The problem was that she didn’t feel a sense of security in there. It felt like being cornered up against a mountain. The walls ever the present in her mind’s eye.

She decided to just rest outside, where she could use a frozen, sharpened stick as a weapon for intruders. Just as Amber was starting to lay on the ground, movement caught her eye in the distance. Gazing out into the fog, she noticed a lonely sheet of paper floating carelessly by. She reprimanded herself for being so jumpy. But before closing her eyes for a nap, a huge cluster of organized, and strangely dry sheets of paper start approaching. Her eyes wide, Amber keeps as still as possible, focusing on freezing her sharpened twig. The paper seemed to take on a shape. Like a gigantic bird, but with a wolf-like body. Except without legs. Strange.

Trying to blend in, she kept close to the ground and held her breath, as she awaited for the atrocity to pass by.
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[frey]

The small sheets of paper that created his body were soaked as much any body would be in this heavy downpour. The weight alone made hovering a challenge but only a few feet off the ground wasn't too much of an effort for Frey. The wings that kept him in the air were rather large and were angelic even, despite their hasty assembly. Retaining all of his purples, blacks and silvers, the transformation into his paper form didn't inhibit his appearance much in anyway. He still looked like a wolf, but with wings and one could tell if close enough that he had a papery texture. Then again, his feet were absent so that would probably deter some of their reactions towards him.

Not really thinking it should matter, he was within Crystal territory and he knew most in his pack and most knew what he was capable of. Floating about, Frey didn't see much of anything really. The fog kept his visual range close and he figured he would make more rounds in order to cover the ground he can't see. Tree's faded in and out of the fog. Every once in a while he would glance over to where the dens would be and listened for any movement.

After nothing but the sound of rain and water splashing, Frey's ears picked up on something different. Stopping his seemingly aimless floating, he remained in a static hover state and looked around. Holding his breath, he heard something else, like a foot step. Looking over in the direction where he thought it came from, he saw nothing. Slowly turning his head, he looked behind himself, perhaps the rain and his ears were playing tricks on him. Noticing something white colored against the ground, his eyes narrowed in question and he began to hover his way towards where this white mass was.

Approaching it, the fog cleared and he found it to be another wolf. Blinking a few times, his face remained in its usual stoic appearance, "You must be the new recruit I keep hearing about", his mind didn't question whether if the new comer was hostile or not. It would be hard to get to their dens and settle down this easily so he assumed it was the newest member to the Crystal and not just some random wolf. "My name's Freygerðr, Peacekeeper of the Crystal and brother to Celeste", despite his stern look, he sounded friendly in his introduction and waited for the other's reply.

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[amber]

Amber became less of a coward when the paper wolf addressed her. At first, it seemed like she was dreaming, with how strange this scene looked to her. But then she figured that this must be one of her packmates. She was told that all the wolves in the Crystal Pack possessed special powers on her first day. Yet Amber never expected a power to be that… extreme. It was almost impossible.

Realizing that she hasn’t responded yet, Amber cleared her throat. She didn’t want to be disrespectful, especially if this flying, legless paper wolf was really the brother of her Alpha. “Um… hello, Freygerðr…” She was a little uncomfortable, mostly because she hardly spoke to another wolf her entire life. She used to live alone, even when in a pack. So it felt strange, this wolf trying to have an easy conversation. “Yeah, I’m the new wolf. My name’s Amber. It’s… nice to meet you?” She didn’t know if it really was nice to meet him. He seemed kind, but she’s had bad encounters before. “I’m sorry if I’m being disrespectful, I’m just… I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be rude.”

Shyly, Amber rose from her fetal position on the grass and stood with complete submission. Tail tucked between her legs and ears laid firmly back against her head, she stared at the ground. Lord knows what would happen if she even made eye contact. “Please forgive me.” It was just barely audible, but she’s sure that Frey heard it.

[frey]

Carefully watching the apparent wary female, Frey didn't move or change his hovering position. Almost curious, yet horrible thought came to mind; he was almost afraid if he lifted a brow or inhaled too sharply, she would faint. He could tell how tense and nervous she was. Frey wanted to remain formal and domineering, but perhaps his current form was too imposing, especially with how much she stumbled over her words and her tone. Possibly, in the future sometime, he should inform and teach her ways to be less vulnerable and improve her self-esteem. It wasn't best for those in a pack to be so weak, they were only a hindrance in Frey's mind.

Unknowing of her past, who she is or what her habits are, Frey wasn't going to say much that was going on within his mind, fear of just making things worse. He began to wonder why she even wanted to be part of a pack if she was going to be so apologetic and submissive about everything. Perhaps she couldn't fend for herself is reliant on others for protection. No matter, Frey thought to himself. After the last apology with her standing up now, Frey let out a small sigh through his nose and his paper began to disperse, breaking up his angelic paper form. The wings broke apart and began to re-attach themselves to his body as it began to lower. Paws rematerialized and his form solidified back, giving him his natural animalistic features. Once the last small sheet of paper seamlessly melded back into his body, he blinked at the female. Inhaling, he spoke in his usual neutral, yet kind tone, "No need to apologize, you've done nothing wrong nor disrespectful, Amber. I'm not going to bite...But please, call me Frey", he offered his nickname, in hopes it made him seem more friendly.

He continued to look upon her, seeing if she would look back up at him. Believing that in order to respect someone, they must respect themselves. He knew that she didn't fill either of those criteria and knew it possible she wouldn't move from her position. Those within a pack needed to show respect upon each other and depend on one another, that's what it meant to be in a pack. If she was going to be a part of Crystal, then she first needed to reconcile with herself. "There's no need to fear me, we're allies now who will begin to share our lives together and you with everyone elses here...I'm not going to hurt you nor is anyone else here...", he remembered when the Demon invaded the Crystal lands. Albeit a tragedy, their lands have been peaceful ever since and Frey wasn't going to let that change, "I promise." Frey lowered his head some to see if he could get her to look at him if she hadn't already. From what he just saw though, Frey could see himself as a pup in her; scared, alone, feeling lack of purpose. Slight empathy began to rise from inside.

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[amber]

Glancing up quickly, then flitting her eyes away just as fast, Amber noticed that the paper wolf – Freygerðr – wasn’t composed of paper anymore. The sheets turned into a solid animal, with four paws and no wings. Although she did have to admit that his wings were beautiful while they lasted. And when he started speaking again, she found that his voice wasn’t harsh and reprimanding like she’s used to hearing. It was more kind than anything. The tone of it made her less nervous, allowing her muscles to relax a bit. She needed to quit worrying. Celeste told her that the pack was gentle to their packmates, yet Amber didn’t believe her as strongly as she wanted to. It just wasn’t normal for wolves to show empathy or kindness towards the weaker spirited like her. But she was starting to believe her Alpha’s words now. That fact allowed her to feel a little pang of relief, even if just a whisper of it.

Frey’s promise actually made Amber’s tail loosen up and give a twitch, like the start of a wag. Feeling more confident at his short speech, she forced her head to tilt up a little, so she could see his face. She also made sure not to look him directly in the eyes for too long. So, looking at his eyes for a moment, then over his shoulder every once in a while as to not incline him towards a challenge, she responded the best she could. “Oh, um… okay, Frey.” His nickname sounded a little more upbeat than his full name, and it stuck. “I… appreciate your kindness. I’m sorry if I’m such a coward. I had a… rough childhood.” Her voice wavered on rough, but she kept going. “I try to stay out of as much trouble as I can, but I’m usually the one who’s used as a punchbag for a pack’s problems.” Thinking that she had spoke too long, she winced a bit, awaiting the first blow of punishment. When it didn’t come, Amber actually released her ears from their death grip, and they stood a little. Not enough to show dominance, though.

Glancing briefly up at Frey’s eyes once more, she smiled a little. Amber finally realized that nothing in his expression was harmful, or showed warning of hurting her. That gave her the courage to let her tail hang free, and she fixed her posture. “I… It’s nice to meet you, Frey…” When she said it this time, it was with confidence, not cowardice.

[frey]

Frey allowed his head to drop a little when he saw Amber's eyes glance upwards at him to meet his eyes with hers. The flat line that made up his lips curled a little to form a small smile, though it left as soon as it came. Frey wasn't the one to show more than a fleeting glance of his emotions to anyone. The only exception would be his sister, Cealy and even that doesn't happen often. After she did leave eye contact with him, Frey kept his head low, though raised it just a little to get more comfortable. The rain was beginning to become more noticeable with him, having materialized back into his solid form, and by not focusing on observing and moving. Standing still made it feel like he was carrying an extra few pounds. He had this urge to shake himself off, but it wouldn't make a difference now.

Noticing her eye contact waver, Frey blinked as she began to speak. He was glad she now said his nickname, seeing that she felt more comfortable saying it rather than his full name. He continued to listen to her as she did speak a little better this time. It had seemed that his reassurance had given her more confidence in what she said. When she mentioned the fact she had a rough childhood, his expression softened a little; assuming as much, he was about to say something in return, but chose to wait until she had finished. It was sad to hear of her place in other packs. Though, Frey wasn't naive and knew that other packs had certain places for ones like Amber. Frey nodded in solemn acknowledgement. "I understand where you come from, Amber. I can empathize with your upbringing. But here, you have no need to worry for such things. We have no need for your past role as an omega. Fear not of yourself around others, but embrace them, as they are your family now." He offered his advice to her to abandon her old ways of living and welcome the new future. However, Frey new that would take a while for her to become accustomed to. Everything takes time and things have to start somewhere.

Seeing her smile again broke his flat expression once more and he smiled in return. He hummed slightly in a satisfactory tone when she vocalized in an almost happy tone that it was nice to meet him. Moving to sit at this time, he lifted both of his forearms up and faced the pads of his paws at his face. Holding them close together, small sheets of pure white paper began to slide down his forearm towards his paws. They began to collect and fold together, creating some sort of shape. Petals began to form and eventually it took on the shape of a perfectly formed white Chamilia flower. Finished, his arms faded back into their organic form. Looking at the flower, then at the female, Frey extended his arms to her with the origami flower, "And it's a pleasure to meet you as well, Amber."

[amber]

After a minute, when Amber noticed Frey smiling back towards her, she quit looking away so often. She felt comfortable around him now, with his unusually nice attitude and understanding manner. Maybe he would be able to show her more of how the Crystal Pack lives. She obviously didn’t have that much intel, coming from aggressive packs in the past. And when he made a point to say that nobody is treated like an Omega here, her ears perked up. It was nice to know that rash behavior wasn’t a normal thing here. Even if she wouldn’t be the one receiving the beatings, she hated watching others gain the punishment all the same. Just like Bryn, her sidekick, her one and only best friend, the only wolf who stood by Amber’s side during a daily beating in her second pack. Too bad the beatings had a bad influence on Bryn. She became pretty harsh herself over time… Now Amber had no idea where her best friend had gone off to. Not showing any emotion about her memories, she put the thought under lock and key, still paying attention to Frey.

At first when she saw the paper sheets slithering down into his paws, Amber didn’t know what to think. She was still mesmerized that Frey could transmogrify his atoms into a different form. After a few seconds, though, she gazed curiously at the shape he was forming with the paper. Within a minute, she gasped inwardly. It was the most beautiful flower she’d seen before. The intricate folds made the object seem more lifelike, and she couldn’t stop staring in awe. “Wow,” she whispered, to herself or to Frey, she didn’t know. “That’s amazing…” And when he offered it to her, she finally tore her eyes from the Chamilia to look at him again. “Really? You want me to have it? But… but isn’t it part of you body or something, the paper?” All fear gone, Amber didn’t want him to lose anything. She’d feel guilty.

Deep in thought of how Frey’s power really worked, she sat down, fiddling with the water on the ground, unconsciously freezing a small puddle. Thinking that it probably wouldn’t affect much, what with the small size of the origami, she came to a decision to just accept the gift. “It’s wonderful... Thanks so much. I think this is one of the nicest things to happen to me in a long time.You’re very kind.” Remembering her past once more, Amber again felt her shyness coming back. “I really appreciate it.” And with that, she gently took the flower into her paws, careful not to crush it, completely aware of the rain that could make the paper soggy. Making sure to guard it from the overcast weather, she nodded in goodnight to her new friend before heading into the den. No matter how much she liked sleeping outside, Amber didn’t want anything happening to her gift.

[frey]

The paper Chamilia was almost effortless to make for Frey. His skill in origami and paper folding was high and probably a skill that hardly any other wolf held. Sure, he perhaps he held himself in higher regard in a special skill, but it wasn't something that he went around showing anyone he could to get the recognition. Frey really didn't need that. Humble in his actions and self-portrayal, the flower he had made for Amber was something to be considered something special. He has given many to his sister, though at this point they weren't as special as they first were. He usually made things to cheer her up or take her mind off something temporarily. The duty of an Alphess he knew was a taxing one, so he was there as much as he could for her.

The paper that Frey had controlled of wasn't really an act of reconfiguring his body on a molecular level, but a technique that he molded his mana into paper so he could control it. Speaking of, the Chamilia shaped flower that he created from folds of paper was finished and he lifted it slightly, gesturing for Amber to take it. Lips twitching slightly into a smile at her awe, he was happy she liked it. He nodded a little when she asked if it really was to her. "Of course...Yes, but a few sheets aren't a bother. I want you to have it."

Finally letting go, the flower shape would forever hold its shape as long as he was alive and in fact, would never wilt or deteriorate in water. Though if oil were to get on it, damage could be done to it. Still remaining seated, Frey watched her and nodded softly to her as she thanked him, "You're very welcome...I'm glad you like it." Seeing her turn back towards the dens, he watched her carry the flower carefully inside. Frey wasn't sure if she was turning in for the day or coming back, so he approached the threshold and blinked a few times to adjust to the darker inside. Startled a little, a flash of lighting lit up the dwelling and a few seconds later the crack of thunder rumbled across the pack lands. He really wasn't sure what to say and remained there quietly and awaited a more direct sign if he was allowed to stay longer or if she wanted to be left alone. He understood either response she would give.

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[amber]

Gently tucking the origami behind a large tree root protruding from the wall, Amber sighed in wonder at its beauty. She wondered how Frey learned to do that, with the paper. It was absolutely the most extraordinary thing she’s seen someone accomplish. Surely there wasn’t another being to ever do that before. Making origami from the paper of his own body. The words sounds strange, but the action is a different story. Amber became almost envious at Frey’s ability. All she could do was painstakingly waste minutes, attempting to partially freeze a puddle of water. It was pathetic. But it wasn’t her fault. She didn’t know she even had an ability until after her parents died. Her mother was a warrior wolf in her birth pack, and was one of the most practiced water controllers. She could do the whole shabang, from moving, freezing, to even creating water with the flick of a tail. If her mother didn’t go to war, she could’ve taught Amber what she knew. Now Amber had nobody, and her ability wasn’t getting any better with time. Nobody could teach her but herself.

After securing the flower, away from rain or loose dirt/rock, she turned back to the entrance, just as a large bolt of lightning, followed by thunder, hit. The sudden flash gave enough light outside to see that Frey was still standing there, a bit unsure. Moving towards him a bit, closer to the opening, Amber sat down again and tilted her head to the side. “That was a lovely flower you made… I’ve never seen anything like it.” Noticing that he was just standing there, probably cold, she bowed her head a little in apology. “Hey, do you want to come inside in the dryness to talk more, or do you just want to leave for the night, and we can talk later? You’re probably annoyed by me by now, and I’d totally understand if you just wanna hit the hay and call it an evening…” She started to sound a little sheepish, not wanting to disappoint anybody. “I’m sorry, I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable or anything…” Amber looked down at the floor of her den, once again a bit afraid of getting beaten or something. But then she cautiously glanced back up, remembering that Frey did say she was equal to everybody else in this pack. It was definitely gonna take a while to get adjusted.
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