Post by maya on Sept 21, 2009 21:13:56 GMT -5
{The following is an RP between Maya and Duncan RPed outside the forum. It sets the stage for the rest of their story.}
The black jeep pulled quickly into the gravel parking lot. It wasn't an official parking lot, one that had over time been created over time by the cars of the La Push kids. She parked her car in it's usual spot of the tree and turned off the ignition leaving the key in so her stereo kept blasting. She hummed along as she hoped out of the car and around the back to the trunk. Her dog, Darcey barked loudly at a passing bird from the passenger seat before leaping out and chasing it down the trail to the beach. Maya was wearing her black wetsuit peeled down to her waist, exposing her coral halter style bathing suit top. Her hair was down and trailed down her back in untamed wavy locks. She took her board out of the trunk and leaned it against the tree.
Ancient evergreens hung over the parking lot. They framed the view of the beach below and open ocean. She looked out over the beach, the waves were wild. Huge swells formed and crashed fiercely creating a foams white froth, calling her out into the ocean. She smiled. On the far north horizon black clouds were forming. She had maybe an hour before the would roll in. She could get a few good runs in before the storm closed in. Just to be safe she went to work quickly pulling the top up on her jeep, in case it started raining before she could get back to the car. When Maya finished she went and turned the keys, pulling them out to stop the stereo and throwing them on the passenger seat. No need to lock up the car out here. She was the only one out here today and it was unlikely she would meet someone she didn't know.
The beach was quite and empty besides the flock of birds bobbing up and down on the waves and Darcey noisily trying to get at them without having to venture into the cold water. Fall had set in and the Ocean had started to cool. She sighed thinking about the winter ahead and having to layer under her suit. She hated feeling stuffed up in it all winter.
She grabbed her board and started off down the short trail to the beach. The sand and grass felt familiar under her bare feet. She inhaled the salty wet air as she made her way downhill to the rocky beach. She forced her board into the wet sand so it stood on end and began quickly braiding her long umber hair so it wouldn't get in her way once she was in the water.
The weather for today will be in the low 50's, high winds and a chance of a thundershower later tonight." The older fat man on the television proclaimed, sweeping his hands over the green screen in a professional fashion. Well that's all that he needed to hear. It was around noon, and after receiving a brutal beating from a pillow by the hands of his Nan, Duncan reluctantly crawled from his nest of blankets to the TV. Seeing he had no mutts to walk, he called it a day off. And what a perfect way to spend it, then surfing.
It didn't take him long to change into his swim trunks ( Black with green stripes ) and a black surfers tank. Not that he would sunburn, but the less clothing the wore, the more questions would be asked. He still couldn't convince his Nan that he wasn't into streaking, but that time he came home nude was hard to debate. The wet suit that he used to ware while catching waves sat in a rumpled heap collecting dust. Ever since the incident, he had no need for the extra heat in the water. Other he was getting fatter, or it had something to do with what happened.
Not one to question good fortune, Duncan was quick to kiss his Nan bye, grab his board and walk down to the shore. It wasn't a long distance, less then half a mile. With his surfboard under one arm, and a towel slung around his neck, he looked as if he belonged on the sunny shores of Florida, not the chilly rocky beaches of La Push. Thrusting his board into the sand, he pouted at the lack of large waves, seeing mostly beginners just learning to surf riding the ocean. "Com'on storm...bring me some bad weather so I can have a bad ass time.." He grinned, looking up to the overcast sky.
He then noticed he wasnt alone on the beach. Turning his head, his eyes caught the girl first. Settling in with her board, it seemed that she heard about the luck they were about to have. A fall swell ment great waves for those who were brave, or stupid enough to take part. Shrugging his shoulders, his eyes then moved to the dog barking at the birds bobbing in the ocean. Grinning Duncan dropped to his knees and gave a sharp whistle from between his teeth, slapping his thighs as he called the pooch to him.
Maya had her back to the beach and was facing the open ocean. She had almost finished braiding her hair when she heard the sharp high whistle behind her. She turned quickly, wondering if someone was trying to get her attention. Instead she saw a tall blond guy in swim trunks calling Darcey. Who did this guy think he was? Swim trunks in October? Either he wasn't very bright or he was trying to show off.
Darcey was down the beach when he heard the call. His tan ears perked up and he turned his head lazily to look down the beach. Seeing a human crouched and beckoning him her ran down the beach like a dope, tail and limbs flying through the sand. Maya shook her head and rolled his eyes. He was so easily won over. She was about to grab her board and head into the waves. They were weaker than she had hoped, but she was already here. Then she saw Darcey stop out of the corner of her eye.
The dog stopped dead in his tracks, leaving deep skid marks in the sand where he dug his heals in. He now stared right at the man with his ear perked, sniffing the air heavily in his direction. She had never seen him behave like this. Darcey looked at Maya and then turned back to the man. Maya took a better look at him from her distance. On second glance he was familiar. Drew? Devon? Something with a 'D'. It would have been difficult to miss a blond haired, fair eyed boy on the res. She had never run around in the same circle as him when she was growing up, and hadn't really talked to anyone since she'd been back.
Darcey was now making his way over to the man. Circling around his back and front sniffing him, much like he would behave with another dog as opposed to a human. She'd never seen him act like this. Maya took a could of strides forward. "I don't know whats gotten into him." She said with a shrug.
Duncan couldn’t help but grin at the labored and dopey antics of the large dog. He was more then certain he had some hound in him, and maybe even a bit of mastiff with how he lumbered about. As the dog greeted him, Duncan talked in a soft tone, letting his hands stroll down the dogs spine and beneath his chin, rubbing his chest. He was sure to make his movements slow, and keep his voice at a even tone. Being what he was, he knew most of the ‘language; of the canines, and it made it so much easier for him to interact and understand them. He could tell that this guy was a guardian, but to what?
Tearing his green eyes away from the mutt, he looked up to the girl walking forward. And at once he could understand why he guarded her so very well. It felt as if someone had tore into his chest, gripped his heart and squeezed it as hard as they possibly could. His breath left in a shudder, a cold sweat breaking out upon his already burning skin. What the hell was happening? At once he wanted to cry, scream, laugh, and just run. A river of emotions and feelings flowed through him like a flood, drowning out anything else but the thought and the idea of -her-. Maya. He had seen her around the Rez. In school they hung with different crowds, him the surfers and dare devils, herself…well..he didn’t really know. He never paid much attention to her in school. He saw her around the town every now and then, but not as often as he suddenly -wished- he could.
His mouth felt like it was full of cotton. He couldn’t breath, he couldn’t even think of what to say. Instead he just let his shoulder press down onto the sands, rolling onto his back as he tired to distract himself with the irritation of the rocks and broken shells jabbing into his skin. Nothing. Only her. His hand reached out, stroking Darcy’s head as he held his breath. No. All he could smell was her now. Even with his eyes shut that was all he could see was her. All of a sudden, everything in his life didn’t matter.
Only -she- did.
Maya watched from her distance as the dog warmed up to him and calmly interacted with him in a very... understanding way. It was one of the strangest things she's ever seen. It was like they were communicating with one another silently.
The man looked up at her with his dull green eyes. Suddenly it was something had come over him. He convulsed a little and gasped before rolling on to his back, continuing to stroke Darce. At first she frowned, what the hell was wrong with him? Then she was a little worried. She took a few long strides to his side and fell on to her knees. He board balanced for a second before falling over into the sand.
"What... Are you... She looked into his face, worried. When she saw there was nothing physically wrong with him she was confused. What was this dudes problem? Her wet suit was still peeled down to her waist. Goose bumps started to prickle her creamy tan skin. She furrowed her brow as she looked at him and stood up again. "What's your problem?" She said bluntly. She often got herself in trouble with her "tell it how it is" approach to conversation.
Every word that came from her lips dunk deeply within him, echoing within his mind like a song he couldnt get out of his head. Her scent overwhelmed him, it was better then fresh baked cookies, or vanilla ice cream, or anything he had ever come across before. It took nearly all of his strength and reserve not to reach out and gather a strand of her hair, bringing it to his lips and face to just let himself get lost within her scent.
A light sweat broke out upon his body, the itch sand and jabbing shells doing nothing to distract him. It was like he was drowning in a ocean of her, and he didnt even -know- her at all! It was so stupid! How could this possibly happen to him? He recalled how much he made fun of Zak when he imprinted upon Corliss. How that was his every waking thought, his every dream and word. When the pair of them were within wolf form, it was like a onslaught of love and raw emotion. Duncan often found himself getting sick from it all, saying it would never happen to him. And now it was.
This was imprinting? Loosing everything that was important to him, anything and everything just because of one girl. And why? Because she was suppose to carry on the line of shifters? She was the best 'carrier'? It made no sense to him. He didnt know her, how could he possibly even like her, forget loving her! Suddenly he wanted to puke, the bile rising within his throat as he sat up quickly, grabbing his board and throwing himself upon it and the ocean, paddling out.
She watched in confusion as he looked at her as if he was in sheer pain. What was his problem with her? She didn't even know this guy. She was outraged. He grabbed a board he had apparently thought was his and swam out, vomiting as he paddled.
She looked down to grab her board and leave so she wouldn't say something she would regret and/or punch him in the stupid chiseled jaw, when she realized her board was missing. Her jaw dropped as she looked and saw HIS board laying in the sand and HER board the one he was currently escaping (and puking) on. Suddenly her outrage turned into fury and she grabbed his board and shot down the beach into the water, diving onto the board and paddling as fast as her arms could move. "Hey!" She shouted over the surf, gaining on him slowly but awkwardly. The board was a bit too long for her, clearly made for a bigger person. The arms of her wet suit which were still dangling at her waist caused drag in the water, slowing her further.
She didn't even know what to think anymore. First he was so tender with Darcey, then something came over him, making her worry and finally he vomited and ran off. She didn't understand it. And what she didn't understand, she didn't like. But now all she wanted was her board and to get the hell out of her. There was one thing keeping her from that... him. Her body was so cold, the water was freezing and her thin body started to cool down as well. She started to gasp for breath but continued to paddle, the freezing water washing over her naked skin.
Great, Now that he puked his breakfast into the water and whatever it was him and Zak feasted on last night )Deer? maybe? He wasn't sure..( it was now swirling in the water like some sick lava lamp. He shuddered and quickly took a clean mouthful of ocean water into his lips, swishing it before spitting it out. A little bit better. He needed a toothbrush or a mint. Stat. The paddling sound behind him snapped his attention away from the sick feeling in his mouth as he looked back, and then down.
He took her board. Without even knowing, he was so desperate to have anything of hers, he took her board. It felt like her, it had to. It was her own so, there had to be some bit of her in it right? Another shudder passed over him as he quickly slid off the surf board and bobbed back up to the surface. "J..Just go back! I'll bring it to you I promise..I..I dint know what happened..just go back to shore you'll freeze to death!"
Meanwhile he was pumping out heat like a furnace, and if she got close enough to touch him, she could tell that there was something wrong with him. Gritting his teeth he started to panic. What could he do to get her away, but keep her close? "I mean it! I basically just chummed the water with my fucking guts OK? Swim back!"
She was closing in on him, now about 10 yards out from his cloudy pool of vomitty ocean. She hard him tell her to turn around as she paddled furiously through the ocean, bobbing up and down over increasingly larger waves. Her body shuddered, also telling her to stop and turn around, but it was too late. She gasped as a wave passed over her, soaking her body and submerging her momentarily in the chilly frigid water. She gasped at the exact wrong moment and took in a mouthful of salty water. She filled her mouth and rushed down her throat choking her. That combined with her body now trying to fight the cold made her convulse and slide off his board.
She sunk into the churning ocean, the storm now starting to close in on La Push. She blinked her eyes open in the water but her body wouldn't responded. She mentally screamed at her limbs, trying to force herself to propel upward toward the surface but the more she sank the more she became disoriented in the swirling tide, unable to tell which direction was up now. Her body still shivering, fighting.
If only he hadn't stolen her board. If only he hadn't been an idiot and taken off at the sight of her. She didn't even know who he was and he was now going to be responsible for her untimely and tragic death. She was sorry this was going to be her last thoughts and said a quick and silent prayer to an anonymous deity before trying again to kick her legs.
"Oh fuck." Duncan swore beneath his breath, watching it in slow motion as the cold wave took her down. She didnt have her wetsuit on, unlike him she was likely to die in the cold water. Another wave of sickness crossed over him just as the thought.He just found her and now he was going to loose her to this? If she didnt die from drowning, when her body hit the bottom of the ocean it would have been torn to ribbons by the sharp rocks and corals.
Then she would bleed, and if his puke before didnt get the local sealifes attention..her bleeding out would. All of this over him mistakingly taking her surf board. If she died from this he'd never forgive himself. He could hear the frantic barking of her dog at the shore. How could he look into that mutts eyes and tell him that his master had died? Impossible. He wouldnt let that happen.
Kicking himself under the water, the salt stung his eyes but he didnt care. The water was churning due to the oncoming storm, making it difficult to see anything. But a flash of salmon caough his eye as he pushed forward, the wolf within him giving the strength he needed to cut through the murky depths like it was a meer swimming pool. When Duncan first laid his hand upon her, he felt the cold shudder again, like now he wouldnt be able to let go. He didnt want too, her skin even though it was freezing felt like butter within his hands.
With a swift kick, his arms wrapped around her torso as he pushed them both to the surface. The swim to shore would be easy, as he grabbed the nearest bobbing surfboard and laid her flat upon it, pushing her up to the franticly barking dog, and dark sands of the La Push beach.
Darkness swirled around her and her wide eyes shut slowly. The salt stung her eyes, nose and throat. She gasped again as something took hold of her waist. She felted herself being pulled toward the surface, he limbs remained limp. The thing around her waist was hot, burning hot and it shocked her eyes open again. Was it that man? Or something else? She couldn't believe a person could give off so much heat.
As soon as her head was above the surface of the water she started coughing. Waves smacked her face as she was lifted onto a surfboard. Her body lay across the board and she gripped the the edges as tightly as her weak body could. She coughed up mouthfuls of salty water. Her throat burned as she threw the water up, turning her head to let it run out of her mouth. She kept her eyes closed tightly to help relieve the burning sensation as she felt the board rise and fall over another wave, this one smaller, she was nearing the beach.
Maya could hear a familiar barking, Darcey, her best friend. He sounded frantic. What a chicken, how could a dog that spent so much time at the beach how could he hate the water so much? She lifted her head as high as she could and tried to see who was pushing the board. She could guess who, but she liked to verify things first hand.
She was furious... and in pain. Why did she have to follow him? Why did he have to be such an idiot? A few rouge raindrops landed on her face and body, making her cold skin shiver again.
Duncan pushed the board to the shore, letting the small waves break behind him so the water didnt crash over her. Kneeling, he quickly scooped her up within his arms like she was nothing more then a rag doll. For once he was happy that the weather was horrible, it ment no eyes were upon them on the beach and no one would pester him. He had this. He needed to keep her safe, needed to protect her. And he still wasnt too sure why.
Turning and sitting on the beach, he has Maya's body propped up within his arms, stroking her bare throat with his fingertips gently. "I..dont know what happened. Whatever it was I'm sorry...just dont die on me alright? I'll really be pissed if you died right now Maya.." His voice was low, and even though his tone was kidding, he ment every word of them. He was certain that his world would shatter if anything happened to her.
Forest green eyes looked up to the large face of Darcy, unsure if the dog was worried about his master, or if he was thinking about ripping Duncans face off. "She's alright buddy...I wont let anything happen to her.."
The mutt crept gingerly around Duncan and sniffed her face. He whined a little and licked her salty cheek in one long stroke. Maya erupted in a fit of fresh coughs, sea water flooding out of her mouth and running down her chin. She gasped violently taking in wet air and filling her lungs. The dog barked happily and licked her again.
Maya blinked her eyes open. She ached but she was ok. She realized she wasn't cold anymore. Something warms was wrapped around her upper body. She turned her head to try and figure out what it was, disoriented from her near drowning. She looked up, it has him. He was burning hot and staring at her, his arms propping her near naked body up. "Wha- What the hell?!" She shouted, trying to push her way weakly out of his arms. He had saved her, but if it wasn't for him she wouldn't have nearly died in the first place.
Maya's eyes were filled with rage but as she wiggled out of his arms and tried to stand up her thin weak legs collapsed beneath her and she fell awkwardly back down, wet sand sticking to her skin. Darcey rushed to her side and tried to nuzzle her face, seeing she was visibly upset. She couldn't even find the words to tell him off, but she tried. "What is your problem?!" She asked trying to push herself up off the ground again, standing up shakily. "Who are you anyway?!" She shouted as her body started to feel cold again, now away from his frighteningly hot arms and chest.
Duncan bit his lower lip as he watched her stumble, but he didnt move to help her. He was concerned of course, but he also didnt want to push it. He messed up enough already today, and he wasnt about to crowed her more then her already was. Taking a deep breath, for the first time he felt himself on the verge of loosing control. The rage that Rell talked about, even that Zak mentioned. The shaking, the snarling and tearing of the beast within him wanting to brust free from his skin.
He never understood why, but slowly it was becoming clear. In wolf form, he held no bounds to anyone but his pack. The life was simpler, more pure, and he could think clearly even with his packmates within his mind. The wolf was natural to him, four legs becoming more comfortable then two. And that scared him.
But not nearly as much as his imprint on her. Maya. She was his everything. But he didnt know anything about her. All he knew was Darcy was with her all the time, waiting outside the stores when she shopped, sleeping on the beach when she surfed, and following behind as she walked around the Rez. Duncan felt very jelouse of the dog. "I..I'm Duncan White..."
She frowned and steadied herself, putting a hand on Darcey's head. He was solid and didn't even budge as she lightly swayed a bit and then steadied herself again. Duncan White. Of course, that was his name. Stayed with his grandmother, stuck out on the reservation like a sore thumb with his California surfer looks, and apparently California surfer stupidity.
"What the hell if your problem?" She asked again as he gawked at her with green goo goo eyes. She didn't even wait for him to answer. All she wanted to do was get home and crawl into her bed under the quilt and sleep for days. She coughed again, her throat still scratchy. She looked around for her board. No where to be found. She heaved in frustration seeing it bobbing around out in the cold water, floating further and further away from the shoreline. She would have to come back tomorrow and scan the beaches for it in case it somehow made it's way back to the beach. Otherwise it looked like she was in need of a new board. Thanks A LOT Duncan she thought to herself shooting him a glare with her dark brown eyes.
With another huff of frustration she turned, her braid flying and tried to start making her way up the trail to her car. Her legs wobbled beneath her and she nearly fell over, Darcey rushing to her side leaning up against her and she steadied herself on the dirt wall of that made up one side of the path. She seethed with anger but didn't want to make the mistake of staying and catching pneumonia or something. That's all she'd need. She nearly slipped again, her unsteady feet sinking into the sandy path.
She was pissed. Very pissed. And he couldnt blame her. She just wanted a fun day at the beach, and he had to go and ruin it for her. She probably had bits of his lunch in her hair, would catch a cold, and now her surf board was floating out in the ocean. Part of him wanted to run after her, to carry her into her car and set her in, kiss her and tell that he was sorry. It would do nothing but piss her off more. Better to let her cool off, instead of pushing it.
But just watching her walk away, pulled at his heart. It burned, it ached, it hurt. He was leaving her. But he would see her again right? Taking a deep breath, he fell back onto the sand and pressed the heel of his palm into his eyes. Swearing at himself he knew what he had to do. Dive back into that water, gather her board, wash it and wax it, and leave it on her door step with a note. What would he say? Sorry. He was such a idiot.
Darcey look back at Duncan on the beach. He whimpered a little. Maya did not look back. She was nearing the top of the hill and her legs were feeling slightly stronger. At least string enough to drive and get her inside. A bath was sounding really good about now. She thought about the song from her mother's old record album of the musical South Pacific "Gonna wash that man right outta my hair" and deemed it appropriate. Her mother would be working late tonight and early to tomorrow so she would practically have the place to herself.
She reached the top breathing heavily from making the climb in her weakened state. She cursed him silently for not helping her get up the hill. Though deep down she knew she was so furious about loosing her board and nearly drowning because of him that she never would have accepted the help from him. Darcey whimpered again as she hobbled to her Jeep. She didn't see another car. How the hell did he get here? No matter, it wasn't as if she would offer him a ride now.
She went to her trunk and found her clothes balled up as Darcey jumped into the passenger seat, still watching Duncan on the beach. She grabbed the pair of ripped jeans and sat on the bumper of her Jeep as she pulled them on. They were a little cold from sitting in her trunk for who knows how long and she shuttered a little. She left the shirt and walked back around to the front seat in just her halter bikini top, unbuttoned jeans and no shoes. She scooted up onto the seat and grabbed her keys from under Darcey. She shoved them into he ignition and frowned again as she glanced to the beach and saw him sitting in the sand looking pained. She hoped he felt bad. He ought to. Her radio blasted on again as she violently backed out of the parking lot and spend down the road.
When he heard the gravel crunching, the fury of sand being kicked up as she pulled away in a huff, only then did he sit up and look to the dust cloud that remained. How could he mess things up so easily? Zak and Corliss hit it off right away, without any hitch. Fell in love and got married. Duncan almost drowned his imprint and coated her in puke. Charming if you were a sick-o. No point in pouting over it now, as he pushed himself up off the sands and walked twords the water.
He didnt even feel the cold, just the pulling of the tide as he swam out to her board. It kept drifting further away, leaving the shore out of his sight until her grabbed it and slid himself upon the board. His own long surf board was sitting on the shoreline, resting and waiting to ride the large waves coming due to the on coming storm. It would have to wait.
Carrying both with him, he made the long trek home, and swore at himself at every moment he had.
The black jeep pulled quickly into the gravel parking lot. It wasn't an official parking lot, one that had over time been created over time by the cars of the La Push kids. She parked her car in it's usual spot of the tree and turned off the ignition leaving the key in so her stereo kept blasting. She hummed along as she hoped out of the car and around the back to the trunk. Her dog, Darcey barked loudly at a passing bird from the passenger seat before leaping out and chasing it down the trail to the beach. Maya was wearing her black wetsuit peeled down to her waist, exposing her coral halter style bathing suit top. Her hair was down and trailed down her back in untamed wavy locks. She took her board out of the trunk and leaned it against the tree.
Ancient evergreens hung over the parking lot. They framed the view of the beach below and open ocean. She looked out over the beach, the waves were wild. Huge swells formed and crashed fiercely creating a foams white froth, calling her out into the ocean. She smiled. On the far north horizon black clouds were forming. She had maybe an hour before the would roll in. She could get a few good runs in before the storm closed in. Just to be safe she went to work quickly pulling the top up on her jeep, in case it started raining before she could get back to the car. When Maya finished she went and turned the keys, pulling them out to stop the stereo and throwing them on the passenger seat. No need to lock up the car out here. She was the only one out here today and it was unlikely she would meet someone she didn't know.
The beach was quite and empty besides the flock of birds bobbing up and down on the waves and Darcey noisily trying to get at them without having to venture into the cold water. Fall had set in and the Ocean had started to cool. She sighed thinking about the winter ahead and having to layer under her suit. She hated feeling stuffed up in it all winter.
She grabbed her board and started off down the short trail to the beach. The sand and grass felt familiar under her bare feet. She inhaled the salty wet air as she made her way downhill to the rocky beach. She forced her board into the wet sand so it stood on end and began quickly braiding her long umber hair so it wouldn't get in her way once she was in the water.
The weather for today will be in the low 50's, high winds and a chance of a thundershower later tonight." The older fat man on the television proclaimed, sweeping his hands over the green screen in a professional fashion. Well that's all that he needed to hear. It was around noon, and after receiving a brutal beating from a pillow by the hands of his Nan, Duncan reluctantly crawled from his nest of blankets to the TV. Seeing he had no mutts to walk, he called it a day off. And what a perfect way to spend it, then surfing.
It didn't take him long to change into his swim trunks ( Black with green stripes ) and a black surfers tank. Not that he would sunburn, but the less clothing the wore, the more questions would be asked. He still couldn't convince his Nan that he wasn't into streaking, but that time he came home nude was hard to debate. The wet suit that he used to ware while catching waves sat in a rumpled heap collecting dust. Ever since the incident, he had no need for the extra heat in the water. Other he was getting fatter, or it had something to do with what happened.
Not one to question good fortune, Duncan was quick to kiss his Nan bye, grab his board and walk down to the shore. It wasn't a long distance, less then half a mile. With his surfboard under one arm, and a towel slung around his neck, he looked as if he belonged on the sunny shores of Florida, not the chilly rocky beaches of La Push. Thrusting his board into the sand, he pouted at the lack of large waves, seeing mostly beginners just learning to surf riding the ocean. "Com'on storm...bring me some bad weather so I can have a bad ass time.." He grinned, looking up to the overcast sky.
He then noticed he wasnt alone on the beach. Turning his head, his eyes caught the girl first. Settling in with her board, it seemed that she heard about the luck they were about to have. A fall swell ment great waves for those who were brave, or stupid enough to take part. Shrugging his shoulders, his eyes then moved to the dog barking at the birds bobbing in the ocean. Grinning Duncan dropped to his knees and gave a sharp whistle from between his teeth, slapping his thighs as he called the pooch to him.
Maya had her back to the beach and was facing the open ocean. She had almost finished braiding her hair when she heard the sharp high whistle behind her. She turned quickly, wondering if someone was trying to get her attention. Instead she saw a tall blond guy in swim trunks calling Darcey. Who did this guy think he was? Swim trunks in October? Either he wasn't very bright or he was trying to show off.
Darcey was down the beach when he heard the call. His tan ears perked up and he turned his head lazily to look down the beach. Seeing a human crouched and beckoning him her ran down the beach like a dope, tail and limbs flying through the sand. Maya shook her head and rolled his eyes. He was so easily won over. She was about to grab her board and head into the waves. They were weaker than she had hoped, but she was already here. Then she saw Darcey stop out of the corner of her eye.
The dog stopped dead in his tracks, leaving deep skid marks in the sand where he dug his heals in. He now stared right at the man with his ear perked, sniffing the air heavily in his direction. She had never seen him behave like this. Darcey looked at Maya and then turned back to the man. Maya took a better look at him from her distance. On second glance he was familiar. Drew? Devon? Something with a 'D'. It would have been difficult to miss a blond haired, fair eyed boy on the res. She had never run around in the same circle as him when she was growing up, and hadn't really talked to anyone since she'd been back.
Darcey was now making his way over to the man. Circling around his back and front sniffing him, much like he would behave with another dog as opposed to a human. She'd never seen him act like this. Maya took a could of strides forward. "I don't know whats gotten into him." She said with a shrug.
Duncan couldn’t help but grin at the labored and dopey antics of the large dog. He was more then certain he had some hound in him, and maybe even a bit of mastiff with how he lumbered about. As the dog greeted him, Duncan talked in a soft tone, letting his hands stroll down the dogs spine and beneath his chin, rubbing his chest. He was sure to make his movements slow, and keep his voice at a even tone. Being what he was, he knew most of the ‘language; of the canines, and it made it so much easier for him to interact and understand them. He could tell that this guy was a guardian, but to what?
Tearing his green eyes away from the mutt, he looked up to the girl walking forward. And at once he could understand why he guarded her so very well. It felt as if someone had tore into his chest, gripped his heart and squeezed it as hard as they possibly could. His breath left in a shudder, a cold sweat breaking out upon his already burning skin. What the hell was happening? At once he wanted to cry, scream, laugh, and just run. A river of emotions and feelings flowed through him like a flood, drowning out anything else but the thought and the idea of -her-. Maya. He had seen her around the Rez. In school they hung with different crowds, him the surfers and dare devils, herself…well..he didn’t really know. He never paid much attention to her in school. He saw her around the town every now and then, but not as often as he suddenly -wished- he could.
His mouth felt like it was full of cotton. He couldn’t breath, he couldn’t even think of what to say. Instead he just let his shoulder press down onto the sands, rolling onto his back as he tired to distract himself with the irritation of the rocks and broken shells jabbing into his skin. Nothing. Only her. His hand reached out, stroking Darcy’s head as he held his breath. No. All he could smell was her now. Even with his eyes shut that was all he could see was her. All of a sudden, everything in his life didn’t matter.
Only -she- did.
Maya watched from her distance as the dog warmed up to him and calmly interacted with him in a very... understanding way. It was one of the strangest things she's ever seen. It was like they were communicating with one another silently.
The man looked up at her with his dull green eyes. Suddenly it was something had come over him. He convulsed a little and gasped before rolling on to his back, continuing to stroke Darce. At first she frowned, what the hell was wrong with him? Then she was a little worried. She took a few long strides to his side and fell on to her knees. He board balanced for a second before falling over into the sand.
"What... Are you... She looked into his face, worried. When she saw there was nothing physically wrong with him she was confused. What was this dudes problem? Her wet suit was still peeled down to her waist. Goose bumps started to prickle her creamy tan skin. She furrowed her brow as she looked at him and stood up again. "What's your problem?" She said bluntly. She often got herself in trouble with her "tell it how it is" approach to conversation.
Every word that came from her lips dunk deeply within him, echoing within his mind like a song he couldnt get out of his head. Her scent overwhelmed him, it was better then fresh baked cookies, or vanilla ice cream, or anything he had ever come across before. It took nearly all of his strength and reserve not to reach out and gather a strand of her hair, bringing it to his lips and face to just let himself get lost within her scent.
A light sweat broke out upon his body, the itch sand and jabbing shells doing nothing to distract him. It was like he was drowning in a ocean of her, and he didnt even -know- her at all! It was so stupid! How could this possibly happen to him? He recalled how much he made fun of Zak when he imprinted upon Corliss. How that was his every waking thought, his every dream and word. When the pair of them were within wolf form, it was like a onslaught of love and raw emotion. Duncan often found himself getting sick from it all, saying it would never happen to him. And now it was.
This was imprinting? Loosing everything that was important to him, anything and everything just because of one girl. And why? Because she was suppose to carry on the line of shifters? She was the best 'carrier'? It made no sense to him. He didnt know her, how could he possibly even like her, forget loving her! Suddenly he wanted to puke, the bile rising within his throat as he sat up quickly, grabbing his board and throwing himself upon it and the ocean, paddling out.
She watched in confusion as he looked at her as if he was in sheer pain. What was his problem with her? She didn't even know this guy. She was outraged. He grabbed a board he had apparently thought was his and swam out, vomiting as he paddled.
She looked down to grab her board and leave so she wouldn't say something she would regret and/or punch him in the stupid chiseled jaw, when she realized her board was missing. Her jaw dropped as she looked and saw HIS board laying in the sand and HER board the one he was currently escaping (and puking) on. Suddenly her outrage turned into fury and she grabbed his board and shot down the beach into the water, diving onto the board and paddling as fast as her arms could move. "Hey!" She shouted over the surf, gaining on him slowly but awkwardly. The board was a bit too long for her, clearly made for a bigger person. The arms of her wet suit which were still dangling at her waist caused drag in the water, slowing her further.
She didn't even know what to think anymore. First he was so tender with Darcey, then something came over him, making her worry and finally he vomited and ran off. She didn't understand it. And what she didn't understand, she didn't like. But now all she wanted was her board and to get the hell out of her. There was one thing keeping her from that... him. Her body was so cold, the water was freezing and her thin body started to cool down as well. She started to gasp for breath but continued to paddle, the freezing water washing over her naked skin.
Great, Now that he puked his breakfast into the water and whatever it was him and Zak feasted on last night )Deer? maybe? He wasn't sure..( it was now swirling in the water like some sick lava lamp. He shuddered and quickly took a clean mouthful of ocean water into his lips, swishing it before spitting it out. A little bit better. He needed a toothbrush or a mint. Stat. The paddling sound behind him snapped his attention away from the sick feeling in his mouth as he looked back, and then down.
He took her board. Without even knowing, he was so desperate to have anything of hers, he took her board. It felt like her, it had to. It was her own so, there had to be some bit of her in it right? Another shudder passed over him as he quickly slid off the surf board and bobbed back up to the surface. "J..Just go back! I'll bring it to you I promise..I..I dint know what happened..just go back to shore you'll freeze to death!"
Meanwhile he was pumping out heat like a furnace, and if she got close enough to touch him, she could tell that there was something wrong with him. Gritting his teeth he started to panic. What could he do to get her away, but keep her close? "I mean it! I basically just chummed the water with my fucking guts OK? Swim back!"
She was closing in on him, now about 10 yards out from his cloudy pool of vomitty ocean. She hard him tell her to turn around as she paddled furiously through the ocean, bobbing up and down over increasingly larger waves. Her body shuddered, also telling her to stop and turn around, but it was too late. She gasped as a wave passed over her, soaking her body and submerging her momentarily in the chilly frigid water. She gasped at the exact wrong moment and took in a mouthful of salty water. She filled her mouth and rushed down her throat choking her. That combined with her body now trying to fight the cold made her convulse and slide off his board.
She sunk into the churning ocean, the storm now starting to close in on La Push. She blinked her eyes open in the water but her body wouldn't responded. She mentally screamed at her limbs, trying to force herself to propel upward toward the surface but the more she sank the more she became disoriented in the swirling tide, unable to tell which direction was up now. Her body still shivering, fighting.
If only he hadn't stolen her board. If only he hadn't been an idiot and taken off at the sight of her. She didn't even know who he was and he was now going to be responsible for her untimely and tragic death. She was sorry this was going to be her last thoughts and said a quick and silent prayer to an anonymous deity before trying again to kick her legs.
"Oh fuck." Duncan swore beneath his breath, watching it in slow motion as the cold wave took her down. She didnt have her wetsuit on, unlike him she was likely to die in the cold water. Another wave of sickness crossed over him just as the thought.He just found her and now he was going to loose her to this? If she didnt die from drowning, when her body hit the bottom of the ocean it would have been torn to ribbons by the sharp rocks and corals.
Then she would bleed, and if his puke before didnt get the local sealifes attention..her bleeding out would. All of this over him mistakingly taking her surf board. If she died from this he'd never forgive himself. He could hear the frantic barking of her dog at the shore. How could he look into that mutts eyes and tell him that his master had died? Impossible. He wouldnt let that happen.
Kicking himself under the water, the salt stung his eyes but he didnt care. The water was churning due to the oncoming storm, making it difficult to see anything. But a flash of salmon caough his eye as he pushed forward, the wolf within him giving the strength he needed to cut through the murky depths like it was a meer swimming pool. When Duncan first laid his hand upon her, he felt the cold shudder again, like now he wouldnt be able to let go. He didnt want too, her skin even though it was freezing felt like butter within his hands.
With a swift kick, his arms wrapped around her torso as he pushed them both to the surface. The swim to shore would be easy, as he grabbed the nearest bobbing surfboard and laid her flat upon it, pushing her up to the franticly barking dog, and dark sands of the La Push beach.
Darkness swirled around her and her wide eyes shut slowly. The salt stung her eyes, nose and throat. She gasped again as something took hold of her waist. She felted herself being pulled toward the surface, he limbs remained limp. The thing around her waist was hot, burning hot and it shocked her eyes open again. Was it that man? Or something else? She couldn't believe a person could give off so much heat.
As soon as her head was above the surface of the water she started coughing. Waves smacked her face as she was lifted onto a surfboard. Her body lay across the board and she gripped the the edges as tightly as her weak body could. She coughed up mouthfuls of salty water. Her throat burned as she threw the water up, turning her head to let it run out of her mouth. She kept her eyes closed tightly to help relieve the burning sensation as she felt the board rise and fall over another wave, this one smaller, she was nearing the beach.
Maya could hear a familiar barking, Darcey, her best friend. He sounded frantic. What a chicken, how could a dog that spent so much time at the beach how could he hate the water so much? She lifted her head as high as she could and tried to see who was pushing the board. She could guess who, but she liked to verify things first hand.
She was furious... and in pain. Why did she have to follow him? Why did he have to be such an idiot? A few rouge raindrops landed on her face and body, making her cold skin shiver again.
Duncan pushed the board to the shore, letting the small waves break behind him so the water didnt crash over her. Kneeling, he quickly scooped her up within his arms like she was nothing more then a rag doll. For once he was happy that the weather was horrible, it ment no eyes were upon them on the beach and no one would pester him. He had this. He needed to keep her safe, needed to protect her. And he still wasnt too sure why.
Turning and sitting on the beach, he has Maya's body propped up within his arms, stroking her bare throat with his fingertips gently. "I..dont know what happened. Whatever it was I'm sorry...just dont die on me alright? I'll really be pissed if you died right now Maya.." His voice was low, and even though his tone was kidding, he ment every word of them. He was certain that his world would shatter if anything happened to her.
Forest green eyes looked up to the large face of Darcy, unsure if the dog was worried about his master, or if he was thinking about ripping Duncans face off. "She's alright buddy...I wont let anything happen to her.."
The mutt crept gingerly around Duncan and sniffed her face. He whined a little and licked her salty cheek in one long stroke. Maya erupted in a fit of fresh coughs, sea water flooding out of her mouth and running down her chin. She gasped violently taking in wet air and filling her lungs. The dog barked happily and licked her again.
Maya blinked her eyes open. She ached but she was ok. She realized she wasn't cold anymore. Something warms was wrapped around her upper body. She turned her head to try and figure out what it was, disoriented from her near drowning. She looked up, it has him. He was burning hot and staring at her, his arms propping her near naked body up. "Wha- What the hell?!" She shouted, trying to push her way weakly out of his arms. He had saved her, but if it wasn't for him she wouldn't have nearly died in the first place.
Maya's eyes were filled with rage but as she wiggled out of his arms and tried to stand up her thin weak legs collapsed beneath her and she fell awkwardly back down, wet sand sticking to her skin. Darcey rushed to her side and tried to nuzzle her face, seeing she was visibly upset. She couldn't even find the words to tell him off, but she tried. "What is your problem?!" She asked trying to push herself up off the ground again, standing up shakily. "Who are you anyway?!" She shouted as her body started to feel cold again, now away from his frighteningly hot arms and chest.
Duncan bit his lower lip as he watched her stumble, but he didnt move to help her. He was concerned of course, but he also didnt want to push it. He messed up enough already today, and he wasnt about to crowed her more then her already was. Taking a deep breath, for the first time he felt himself on the verge of loosing control. The rage that Rell talked about, even that Zak mentioned. The shaking, the snarling and tearing of the beast within him wanting to brust free from his skin.
He never understood why, but slowly it was becoming clear. In wolf form, he held no bounds to anyone but his pack. The life was simpler, more pure, and he could think clearly even with his packmates within his mind. The wolf was natural to him, four legs becoming more comfortable then two. And that scared him.
But not nearly as much as his imprint on her. Maya. She was his everything. But he didnt know anything about her. All he knew was Darcy was with her all the time, waiting outside the stores when she shopped, sleeping on the beach when she surfed, and following behind as she walked around the Rez. Duncan felt very jelouse of the dog. "I..I'm Duncan White..."
She frowned and steadied herself, putting a hand on Darcey's head. He was solid and didn't even budge as she lightly swayed a bit and then steadied herself again. Duncan White. Of course, that was his name. Stayed with his grandmother, stuck out on the reservation like a sore thumb with his California surfer looks, and apparently California surfer stupidity.
"What the hell if your problem?" She asked again as he gawked at her with green goo goo eyes. She didn't even wait for him to answer. All she wanted to do was get home and crawl into her bed under the quilt and sleep for days. She coughed again, her throat still scratchy. She looked around for her board. No where to be found. She heaved in frustration seeing it bobbing around out in the cold water, floating further and further away from the shoreline. She would have to come back tomorrow and scan the beaches for it in case it somehow made it's way back to the beach. Otherwise it looked like she was in need of a new board. Thanks A LOT Duncan she thought to herself shooting him a glare with her dark brown eyes.
With another huff of frustration she turned, her braid flying and tried to start making her way up the trail to her car. Her legs wobbled beneath her and she nearly fell over, Darcey rushing to her side leaning up against her and she steadied herself on the dirt wall of that made up one side of the path. She seethed with anger but didn't want to make the mistake of staying and catching pneumonia or something. That's all she'd need. She nearly slipped again, her unsteady feet sinking into the sandy path.
She was pissed. Very pissed. And he couldnt blame her. She just wanted a fun day at the beach, and he had to go and ruin it for her. She probably had bits of his lunch in her hair, would catch a cold, and now her surf board was floating out in the ocean. Part of him wanted to run after her, to carry her into her car and set her in, kiss her and tell that he was sorry. It would do nothing but piss her off more. Better to let her cool off, instead of pushing it.
But just watching her walk away, pulled at his heart. It burned, it ached, it hurt. He was leaving her. But he would see her again right? Taking a deep breath, he fell back onto the sand and pressed the heel of his palm into his eyes. Swearing at himself he knew what he had to do. Dive back into that water, gather her board, wash it and wax it, and leave it on her door step with a note. What would he say? Sorry. He was such a idiot.
Darcey look back at Duncan on the beach. He whimpered a little. Maya did not look back. She was nearing the top of the hill and her legs were feeling slightly stronger. At least string enough to drive and get her inside. A bath was sounding really good about now. She thought about the song from her mother's old record album of the musical South Pacific "Gonna wash that man right outta my hair" and deemed it appropriate. Her mother would be working late tonight and early to tomorrow so she would practically have the place to herself.
She reached the top breathing heavily from making the climb in her weakened state. She cursed him silently for not helping her get up the hill. Though deep down she knew she was so furious about loosing her board and nearly drowning because of him that she never would have accepted the help from him. Darcey whimpered again as she hobbled to her Jeep. She didn't see another car. How the hell did he get here? No matter, it wasn't as if she would offer him a ride now.
She went to her trunk and found her clothes balled up as Darcey jumped into the passenger seat, still watching Duncan on the beach. She grabbed the pair of ripped jeans and sat on the bumper of her Jeep as she pulled them on. They were a little cold from sitting in her trunk for who knows how long and she shuttered a little. She left the shirt and walked back around to the front seat in just her halter bikini top, unbuttoned jeans and no shoes. She scooted up onto the seat and grabbed her keys from under Darcey. She shoved them into he ignition and frowned again as she glanced to the beach and saw him sitting in the sand looking pained. She hoped he felt bad. He ought to. Her radio blasted on again as she violently backed out of the parking lot and spend down the road.
When he heard the gravel crunching, the fury of sand being kicked up as she pulled away in a huff, only then did he sit up and look to the dust cloud that remained. How could he mess things up so easily? Zak and Corliss hit it off right away, without any hitch. Fell in love and got married. Duncan almost drowned his imprint and coated her in puke. Charming if you were a sick-o. No point in pouting over it now, as he pushed himself up off the sands and walked twords the water.
He didnt even feel the cold, just the pulling of the tide as he swam out to her board. It kept drifting further away, leaving the shore out of his sight until her grabbed it and slid himself upon the board. His own long surf board was sitting on the shoreline, resting and waiting to ride the large waves coming due to the on coming storm. It would have to wait.
Carrying both with him, he made the long trek home, and swore at himself at every moment he had.