Green Goddess (Sophia/Simon)

[jarahamee]

The dense forest stretched out before the werewolf’s nose. Small birds fluttered overhead between the branches and the woods was alive with their calls. Simon could smell that deer and elk had passed here, a bear and a wolf.

In the midst of the rugged wilderness was somehow, impossibly, a fence. A plain wooden fence which divided the ordinary forest from a beautiful wild garden, which came with a carefully tended stone path. As he trotted forward, it became more like a vision from a fairy-tale: everything seemed both perfectly placed and entirely natural. The trees bowed over her head in a natural arch, leading forward.

The atmosphere was oddly peaceful. It was almost dream-like. Flowers bloomed on either side of the path. The far end of the path disappeared into an arch of interwoven wooden vine branches covered in white flowers. A small stream flowed nearby.

The plants seemed mostly decorative, though some were likely edible, more for beauty than for practicality. He could feel the loving touch of the tender in the vitality of what had grown here.

As far as he could see, there were no predators nearby, and no prey besides the songbirds in the trees. All was pleasantly still, save a distant rustle of a large herbivore somewhere in the brush. The faint scent of a wolf which was not a wolf tracked all over this place.

The arch seemed to be an entry into another, smaller area. Carefully encompassed by the twisting bowers of shrubs and bushes, the inner garden appeared. The plants grew in organized disorder; edible flowers, spices, fruit and vegetables twisting together, brimming with health. The ripe fruit smelled delicious, hanging low on the branches.

The path changed, branching into many smaller paths that cradled each section of the edible and spice garden. The central path wound onward to a wall of wild roses. In the center was a singular doorway.

Simon could smell smoke somewhere nearby; a cooking fire. Someone was making food. The house was not far away, or at least, a house suitable for making a meal. The delicate smell of food followed, butter, vegetables, oils, fresh bread.

[beastly]

The werewolf had a vague sense that something was wrong tonight, and had felt that way through his little adventure out into the forest, but that faded as he trotted into the little oasis of beauty and tranquility. It felt right to keep going, to explore this new place. The human part of his brain that was active appreciated the scene, and the wolf part of his brain was all too happy to identify delicious fruits that he could partake in. Simon took a break from his investigation of the space to wolf down several juicy apples he could reach standing on his hind legs. He only stopped trying to eat more of the fruits because the scent of cooking caught his attention.

Ever hungry, Simon crept over to investigate the cook and what they were making. He licked his lips, approaching the house and looking for a way inside. Windows, doors, holes in the wall... Any would do. In his hazy mind, he imagined heading inside and snatching up a piece of whatever was cooking. Maybe he could look very hungry. Or maybe he could just grab it. That would be tasty.

[jarahamee]

As he passed through the inner garden wall, which was made of thick, intertwining roses, he entered a small clearing. In the center was a circular house that seemed to be formed of painted blue terra-cotta bricks, thatched heavily to protect it from the rain. A garden of flowers grew there too, draping down in fragrant garlands over the entranceway, framing the door, alight with every color. The door itself was a bright yellow hue, painted in fine detail in spiraling patterns.

The source of the smell also became apparent; three metal cooking pots, and a single platter for a stack of cooked flatbread. The smell was overwhelmingly rich and delicious, freshly made. The bread had been formed on the iron stove in the center of the strange little house.

The interior was dim but visible: bookshelves, a bed in a wooden frame, several lanterns hanging from the ceiling and one on a naturally formed table. Two chairs woven of wicker were placed on either side.

Then, as if summoned, the lanterns lighted themselves, and a solitary figure made itself apparent.

A tall, leanly muscular humanoid with somber amber eyes and deep reddish brown skin appears in the doorway. Their long hair was pure white and thick like a mane, wavy, surrounding their face and shoulders, and though their body language was not threatening, their presence was substantial and powerful, like a predatory animal. They also appeared to be covered in scars; her cheekbone on one side was indented inwards and scars lighter than her flesh crisscrossed her visibly body. She wore simple linen pants and shirt in an off-white color and was barefoot; her feet and hands were clawed.

She was hardly what one would consider traditionally beautiful, but there was something about her that made him glow with vibrancy. For whatever reason, she was easily one of the most attractive beings that Simon had ever seen.

The strange woman looked down at the werewolf, and fell into a crouch, as if trying to be less imposing. In her softest voice, which was lightly accented, she asked;

“Oh, little man. Are you lost?”

[beastly]

Immediately, Simon liked the woman. Something about her was just... Wonderful. The werewolf's tail wagged, and he didn't move as she crouched. She wasn't threatening him, although she was big and very beautiful. His head was foggy, but he could understand her words well enough.

Was he lost? The werewolf cast a glance around the room and came to the conclusion that, yes, he was lost. He didn't know where he was. Where he was, though, was someplace good. It felt safe here, and something in his gut told him the woman wouldn't hurt him. Simon gave a nod. Yes. Lost. Not in a way that had him worried. He'd get home somehow.

He crept closer, tail still wagging, trying to get a better sniff of her and figure out exactly what she was. He was aware of himself and what was going on that he knew she wasn't human.

[jarahamee]

The strange woman crouched lower, allowing him to sniff her more thoroughly. She seemed entirely at peace, and unafraid of the large wolf in front of her. The wolf that was not a wolf. The wolf that was a man. A cursed man, at that.

She smelled like many things. The woods and garden around them, spices and wheat, and, most strongly, of wolf and something that was distinctly both not wolf, and nothing that he had ever smelled before. Even being near her made his senses buzz a little, in a pleasant way. Her presence was calming, and he felt fear melt away.

She made a soft ‘tut tut’ noise with her mouth, and then stepped aside neatly, allowing him entry into her hut.

The inside was filled with the smell of fresh food. Warm curry, fresh bread, spices and butter. Fresh milk in a clay jar. Despite the array of scents, he picked up no trace of the scent of meat, but the little hut did appear to be well-lived in.

“Are you hungry, little fellow? Where do you live?”

[beastly]

Simon happily scampered into the friendly woman's hut, tail wagging as he proceeded to start sniffing around and trying to find the source of food. He felt comfortable around her, and very safe. He pranced from one side of the room to the other, then returned to her side, still snuffling around. He didn't know what she was, but he liked her.

He thought he'd found a crumb of something on the floor and had been in the process of licking it up when she asked him if he was hungry. Yes! Of course he was hungry! He had enough brain power to nod and make a soft noise of affirmation. He wanted some of whatever she was cooking! The werewolf shuffled closer, anticipating a snack.

As for where he lived, Simon had no idea. Here was nice, he could live here. It just needed Ru. Then he could live here!

[jarahamee]

The tall woman unfolded herself as she rose from the floor, as graceful as a wild animal. Her long white hair shifted around her shoulders like a mantle. She followed the werewolf at a distance, serene and statue-like, moving around him in a few easy steps, careful not to make him feel trapped or enclosed.

As he moved towards the food, her yellow eyes peered into his.

So this was why he was here. The simple motivation of food. But there was a man inside him too.

She smiled faintly as she picked up a plate from her table, turning it in her hands, before making her way back to the pots. She lingered over it a moment more, as if deciding, drawing a ladle out of her skirts.

A piece of flatbread, and three dollops of the warm curry found themselves on her plate. It was almost artistic; three different colors. A feast for the eyes and the senses. Indeed, the food smelled almost…heavenly.

The strange woman placed the plate in front of Simon, and then took a step back to pick up a plate for herself.

[beastly]

Simon excitedly wiggled as he figured out she was feeding him. Everything smelled delicious, his mouth watered and he stayed just barely out of her way as she moved about to make up the plate. Smart enough to not be underfoot, animal enough to want to be. Was he human, he would've had more appreciation for the presentation. Simon enjoyed eating food, talking about food, thinking about food, but the wolf was only caught up on that first one.

He was polite enough to wait for her to set the plate down and take a step back before he attacked the meal with gusto. There was nothing polite about that, unless she considered his enthusiasm a complement. It was, hands down, the best thing he'd ever put into his body. It was warm and tasty, and as he wolfed down his meal he started to feel... a little more like himself. A little better. More awake.

By the time he had finished his meal, his mind was back with him. Oh, that had been good...

Oh.

Wait. Where the hell was he?

The werewolf was in too calm a space to actually freak out properly, but he was now able to fully register he was not where he was supposed to be. He was in someone's house! A stranger's! A magical stranger's house.

Simon cast a glance her way, watching her load up her own plate.

[jarahamee]

The strange woman pushed one of the chairs to her wooden table out with a foot, placing the plate on the table before seating herself more comfortably. She leaned back in her seat, picking up a wooden spoon from the center of the table and dipped it into her own plate. She spent a few moments eating in silence, and seeming to enjoy the company of her new, silent friend.

Finally, she put her spoon down, pressing her dish away from her body, as if she was at a restaurant, and turned her chair out and towards Simon again.

Her expression was relaxed, peaceful, but she could sense a change in her companion. His energy had changed. He was awake now. Truly.

“How do you feel? Do you understand where you are now?”

The woman’s voice was gentle. Her golden eyes shone in the firelight, bright as a wolf's themselves. She made no effort to approach or move. The way to the door was clear to Simon.

[beastly]

Simon wasn't sure what to make of his situation. It was always very awkward trying to communicate with people outside Ru when he was a wolf, and that was from his own home. He was in her space, and he couldn't really remember his journey over. Still, panic didn't grip him like it might've elsewhere. This was a safe place, and meant him no harm. He knew that in his bones. This really was much better than waking up covered in blood.

Slowly, Simon raised a hand to give her a thumbs up, then shook his head. He felt... Good. Fine. He didn't know where he was, though. It was somewhere that smelled more cozy and like home than his own apartment.

He shifted himself so he was sitting next to her on the ground by her chair. He had questions he couldn't voice. How had she made him able to speak? Where were they? Who was she? He felt no rush to ask those things, though. He trusted her.

[jarahamee]

Sophia leaned over as Simon drew near to seat himself next to her. She could feel his emotions changing, sharpening, broiling within him. The innards of his mind were more human shaped now, and though she could feel the contours of his thoughts, she knew he was missing something: his voice.

She shook her head, as if she had forgotten something important like clothing, and then brushed her fingers through her hair.

Her tanned face was lined with scars, as were her bare arms where they caught the light. She was dressed simply; an apron over simple linen garments. Her feet were bare, and though human in shape, their toes were clawed.

“Oh. I’m sorry….here…”

She reached out with a single clawed finger, pressing it into the center of his forehead. The pressure was warm and strange. Suddenly, he had the distinct feeling that he could speak, however anatomically impossible this act should have been.

“Now, I will start at the beginning. I’m Sophia. Who are you?”

[beastly]

Simon blinked up at the woman, the sudden knowledge that he could talk taking him by surprise. She must've done... Something. And who was he to complain? He was very much out of his element, and not entirely sure he wasn't dreaming. He cleared his throat, testing it, then spoke.

"Hhhi? Hello. Thank you, Uh, I'm Simon," the wolf tried the words slowly, the feeling of speaking in this shape alien to him, "I'm, uh, a werewolf. I think I got out and got lost in your...home here."

Simon glanced around the room once again with fresh eyes now that his intelligence had returned to him. He really was just... In her home. He'd walked right in.

"I'm sorry 'bout this."

[jarahamee]

Sophia’s gentle smile remained resting on her lips as she sat poised in her chair, one leg over the other. Her amber eyes were somber and calm, and forever deep in thought. This, along with her white hair, made her seem both old and ageless at once.

“Hello Simon.”

Her voice was deeper than he might have expected. She was a tall woman, but a voice so rich was rare. Her dark skin was covered in much lighter scars which were etched over most of her body. Her arms, torso and legs were muscular, strong and lean. She wore simple white linen garments, which seemed to be smeared with grass and vegetation staining from outside.

“Got out? Got out from where?”

The woman glanced out the door, as if either expecting the source of Simons, or more Simons to have appeared there. Finding none, she then looked back down at him expectantly.

“No need to be sorry. I like the company. It is nice to be with someone, sometimes…”

Her voice became softer and gentler, as if she expected that he might become upset. The tone that one might use for a lost child, or perhaps a lost pet somewhere.

[beastly]

Simon barely even noticed he scooted closer, or that his tail was wagging gently. He'd liked her as soon as he'd seen her, and nothing had changed that. He observed her, his big brown eyes watching her face and mannerisms. She didn't smell like any werewolf he'd met before... But she surely wasn't human. He wondered where they were. She didn't strike Simon as someone that was living in the middle of the city, he couldn't smell the cars from here. And all those scars...

"I, uh, I'm a werewolf, miss," Simon explained somewhat bashfully, "I take medicine and stay home when the moon is full. It didn't work, I guess."

The werewolf sat on his hind legs, putting a paw-hand to his cheek to feel his muzzle move as he spoke. She was being very kind to him. Which was sweet, considering he'd werewolfed his way into her house and probably begged his way into food. He didn't remember how he'd gotten the curry, but he wouldn't put it past his wolf-self.

"Okay. I just don't like to be a bother. Um, where are we? This place is beautiful."

[jarahamee]

Sophia held out her hand, as if offering to pet a strange dog. Her eyes were somber and thoughtful as she studied him. Like the demon that Simon had met before, she both saw him and appeared to see directly through him and into his very soul. He was beautiful, but fragmented within.

“You… are a werewolf. You have a human’s soul and a wolf’s soul in one. I am sorry this happened to you.”

A moment later, her eyes focused on his face again. His wolf face. She wondered if he knew that he was ‘speaking’ but not truly speaking. Communicating directly with her and into her mind.

“You’re out in the forests around the mountains, Simon. You happened to wander into my gardens, and now you’re here in my house. I live alone out here. I have powers, you see.”

She squatted down to be on level with Simon, and reached out to pet his head. It was pleasant to be here with him, and he was soft and warm. She did like having the company of another body in the house with her.

Her expression grew more somber, and her yellow eyes became sad.

“It is important that I don’t live too close to everyone. So I live here.”

She looked up again, her expression reflecting the change in her mood. She placed her hands in her pockets.

"Did you like the food?"