The Moon's Truth and the Ocean's Secret

1. The Soundless & the Thoughtless

Modern Day

Berkshires, Western Massachusetts, U.S.A.

Randi woke alert. There were quick and light footsteps emerging from the woods, heading towards his small cottage. He swiftly got up from his wool covered bed and took long strides to his window. Parting the curtains, he looked outside, his face illuminated by the rising dawn. There, approaching the stone foyer, was his Aunt Ulrika clutching a sack of apples. Immediately relaxing, he headed downstairs to receive his early guest.

Before his Aunt could knock he gracefully opened the door and greeted her, Good morning, Randi signed lazily. His Aunt greeted him with her usual knowing smirk. He took the apples from her extended hands and stepped aside to let her in. What brings you here? he asked. His face and movements still laced with sleep, he didn't bother putting the apples into a bowl and instead just grabbed one out of the sack and started munching on it.

Aunt Ulrika gave him a look as if she were to tell him to put the fruit in its place, but of course, instead she just grabbed an apple of her own and rubbed it clean against her shirt before simply saying, "I have a task for you," she took a bite. Randi looked at her expecting her to go on. However, she turned from him to take a seat at the dinner table and motioned for him to do the same.

He did, setting his large frame against the wooden table, he finished off his apple and decided that that would be his breakfast. He couldn't be bothered to prepare something at this hour.

With her mouth full she proceeded to say, "I need you to go to Bardou's pack to get this month's pay--Ah!" she held her hand up to stop him from protesting. He scrunched up his face like a child's at her words and the sight of chewed up apple from her open mouth. "Don't. I know this is tedious, especially with those assholes of sons the Alpha has, but I need to be home to talk with Amarog this afternoon," she retorted softly but sternly.

However much he wanted to, Randi knew he couldn't refuse, he had to be committed to his family's affairs just as his sister always is. And as infuriating as it was, he could take a few insults from the two 'infants'. He only hoped he could keep calm and his temper under control. Like most werewolves, his emotions were heighten, especially when provoked, and could result in a lot of conflict with other pack members. Alright, I'll go, he signed, looking into her golden eyes.

Sometimes, Randi forgot how similar they were to each other. Not only by physical attributes but by the same fate of constant fearful eyes, weary movements and misconceptions believed and murmured by their own kind. She was somehow adobe it all, as if being a mutation had nothing on her. As if this kind of treatment didn't apply to her. As if she weren't cursed at all.

For him, it was harder to ignore everyone's behavior towards him, especially when he got the most attention. Ironic, he thought, it's usually the loud ones that stand out.

She gave him a pat on the shoulder as the absence of her body caused the wooden chair to creak. Randi looked to his back to see her turning the knob of the front door. "Come by for dinner, Accalia will be home tonight," she glanced at him and added as an afterthought, "I'll make key lime pie." she sing songed tauntingly, giving him a soft crooked smile, she was gone.

He smiled to himself at the image of Aunt Ulrika and Accalia debating over new found environmental studies over key lime pie, that was something to look forward to. Deciding he wanted to get a head start on the day, since he was already wide awake, he got up to fetch some firewood from his porch.