Love Bites

Day 7

In this past week, I have learned many things about the nature of werewolves and their ways of living. For starters, they are not the bloodthirsty nightcrawlers that works of fiction have led common society to believe. I'm not saying this due to my experiences with them in my occupation, however. My observations have revealed time and time again that they function and feel emotions the same way as you and I, albeit showing these through means that may be absurd to the passing villager. During this time I have also become a unofficial member of their ranks, earning the title of Foraster, translating to outsider. I personally find the name to be rather interesting, for if I were to be a werewolf, or full blood as they like to call it, I would most likely be ranked as a Beta, which, ironically, is the same Rank as Andante, daughter of Lead Alpha Collin.

In relation to aforementioned subject, I've found that the hierarchy of these packs are rather similar to that of Victorian royalty and their subjects, or to keep things simple, that of a lion and his pride. Alphas, preferably male Alphas, are typically chosen to be the leaders of their packs due to their protective and loyalist tendanices, although this is not always the case, as packs who do not have a designated Alpha among them will move down the line till they find a suitable member to keep things in order. Betas follow behind Alphas, usually being seen as the Lead’s advisors or confidantes. Their wit and high intelligence makes them ideal for discussing various topics, especially when dealing with an issue that requires making a life altering decision. Omegas are at the bottom of the trifecta, most relying heavily on the ranks above them to care for and protect them until they are of age to live on their own. They tend to be soft spoken and reserved, preferring to observe their surroundings and make decisions based on what they see or feel rather than on impulse. Hunters and Scouts are self explanatory: one hunts and tracks down prey, the other is a lookout. While these roles sound simplistic, they take a lot of concentration and skill to do well. The members that are lowest on the hierarchy totem pole are the Unranked and those like me, Forasters. According to Lead Alpha Ember’s Beta Quetzal, there are actually many werewolf packs that have outsiders living among them, although they are very widespread and difficult to locate as they don’t stay in one place for too long. Speaking of living, I have decided to remain in my hut, if only for the sake of not having to gather and relocate all of my materials, of which there are many. Plus, I’d rather sleep in comfort then spend my nights in a cold cave, risking the chance of getting hypothermia in the winter months. Of course, I am not built to endure such extremities, so I applaud the werewolf race for being such persistent troopers.

Luckily, (or unluckily depending on who you ask) I won’t be roaming the area alone anymore. Beta Andante has been spending these past few days with me here, an idea that has taken many a hour to get approved by her father. The ordeal was...trying, to put it lightly. Yet, I have the utmost respect for the pegasus, as he recently gave away his other daughter, Pixel, to her soulmate. Speaking of the unicorn, I got the chance to speak with her the night before. She seems to be glowing with contentment, and I couldn’t be happier for her. Collin may had been wanting to hold on to his remaining little girl for a while longer, only to be whisked off by some stranger. He seems to have gotten used to me though, as just the other day he pulled me aside to ask whether or not I’m enjoying Anne’s company, to which I responded positively of course. The mare is rather charming, and her excitement in discovering ‘advanced’ things reminds me quite fondly of her sister. However, unlike the unicorn, she tends to get distracted easily, which isn’t the most ideal when in comes to making potions, which require a high amount of precision. I have already had to put out two fires, losing a few patches of fur in the process. Despite the mishaps, she is eager to learn more about where I come from and how I work. Perhaps one day I will bring her to Sunset Valley, given that I gain approval to do so. Something tells me that werewolf fathers don’t let go of their children so easily...but I digress. Anne is certainly something else, but maybe that’s what attracted me to her. Her smile, the slight tilt of her head when she’s confused about something, the way her eyes turn into the loveliest shade of emerald green whenever she gets annoyed at my attempts to help her combine potions when she ‘clearly’ knows what’s she doing. Perhaps it’s just in my imagination, but I’ve noticed that she tends to stare at me a little longer then she probably should whenever I pass by. Maybe she keeps conveniently locating that fly that buzzes around, I’m not sure. She asked me the other night about my thoughts on relationships, to which I had a bit of trouble with responding. After my ordeals with Orion, I don’t feel quite ready to dive into anything serious just yet, as I am still recovering from his rather painful removal. For now, a mutual friendship will suit me just fine, and if things start to blossom between us, then so be it. Whatever challenges we come across, we can face them together, all of us.

~ North Star