Werewolf Appreciation Night OPEN

The night had gotten dark. As the stars came into view, the sky overhead transitioned from last dusk's deep purple to night's star spangled ebon robes. Colin heard footsteps approaching. Emily. He smiled softly. He'd fallen madly in love with the Hufflepuff girl six months ago, even before the trip to Beauxbatons. For some reason, she wasn't afraid of him and showed no signs of actually disliking him.

Unlike Scout, who clearly detested the ground his feet walked on. And who hated the boy walking on that ground even more! Good thing she didn't come along with Emmi. For the last month he'd wobbled between this being the Best Idea Ever! and no way, this is a disaster ready to happen! It was one thing to confess to Emily that he's got lycanthropy and it was quite another to actually show it off.

The eastern sky was just lightening with the first hint that the Moon would rise, now all too quickly. Colin had felt its tug for a while before this moment. There wasn't much time now. Colin let out a long sigh. Emily's foot steps stopped. She was close by. "Colin," she said; "I'm here. It'll be okay." Her voice, her mere presence, comforted him beyond words. He smiled, even though she couldn't see him well in the dark.

He turned to face the moonrise.

"Professor Baird used to say that when the Muggles dropped asterisk nuts on the Moon, they didn't hardly weigh anything at all. He said it was all about gravity. I don't know what asterisk nuts are, Emmi, or why Muggles throw them onto the Moon, but I envy them. For me, it's just the opposite. I don't feel any lighter, yet under the Moon, I feel --- pulled. Yanked along with her like how when yer Ma grabs yer hand when you're a wee bairn and drags you along."

Colin began the task of undoing all the buttons on his white shirt. There were three things Colin McCoire always had on him no matter what: his scars; his wand; his werewolf fang necklace. Of those, the last two were not fitting for a wolf. As his shirt fluttered to the garden's still warm earth, he looped the necklace over his head and unstrapped Naur-an-Edraith's sheath from his right arm. His hands began to shake violently. This was always the hard part, the beginning. He handed his wand and necklace to Emily. He felt the tendons in his ankles begin to lengthen and twist under his skin.

"'S not too late, Em. I--- Urf!" If she didn't want to see, she still had a few seconds to turn away from the worst of it. He turned to look at Emily, a dark shape standing in the darkness, the edges of her beautiful face and the wisps of her long hair set aglow by the merest slice of Moon as it crested the horizon.

Now his legs shook and he crumpled to the ground, unable to stand! He whined softly as the bones of his face cracked, split open, and grew into an elongated snout. He knew from his studies that his eyes wouldn't change. They would be the same pond scum green after as before.

A careful listener might just make out what Colin could hear through the tissues of his own body. The cracking and reshaping of his ribs and the lengthening of his arms and the shortening and reforming of his legs. Colin thought ruefully that he really should have asked Tes's Ma about that eye bureau paraffin stuff that she talked about months ago. He wondered if it would help with the skin itch as bajillions of strands of thick fur grew from everywhere on his body, or the pain of his usually small fangs growing into big wolfy choppers!

Thank God the transformation had gotten a little easier over the years. He wasn't quite as shocked by the sudden pains and cramps and aches as he was years ago. Colin groaned softly as his tail bones grew and lengthened. He shuddered as his finger and toenails grew into big black claws, and then it was done.

Colin lay still for a moment. The Moon wasn't a quarter up yet. He always took this moment to gain his bearings. Normally, even as a boy, he had keen senses and a grace of body that no other kids apart from Wolves could match. Colin's heart leapt. Except for Emily. She, he had noticed for quite a while, had a quiet grace about her. More akin to Greebo's than to his own. Graceful like a cat, she was. One more thing to love about the girl!

And the world changed.

A few moments before, Tes's garden was fairly dark, and Colin knew that even in boy shape it would never look much more than a shimmering white surrounded by deep impenetrable shadows in the moonlight. Ah! But now! His nose, his eyes, his ears --- all his senses were freed! The night under the full Moon was a brilliantly lit place! He heard Emily's soft breathing, could scent her surprise. He opened his eyes. If Colin could smirk in wolf shape, he would. For he caught sight of some hapless marmot all the way across the garden, snuffling around by the stone wall. Colin shook his head, wriggled out of his boy kilt and shook himself.

He sniffed the cooling night air. Aye. Even with his eyes shut he could tell which way Liam had gone, could tell where Tes and Keith were, could very clearly follow Emily and Scout's trails around the Stone's house and garden!

"WHUFF!" Colin said. It was the closest thing his wolf shape would allow to a laugh! He turned to look over towards Emily. Wouldn't that be a fun game! Chase Scout Around the Garden! "HOOR!?" he said, now facing Emily.

He panted a few times, then hopped about eagerly! He wagged his tail energetically and scampered around where Emily was kneeling among the fragrant herbs. Colin lunged forward with a high yipping sound! "YEHHIIIIIIH!" and then he dove into a play bow and then leapt away from Emmi, his tail wagging the whole time! He did this twice more! Come on! Let's play!

Then Colin caught sight of her satchel. He alerted! His ears pointed forward as his eyes closely examined the satchel, just in case it poured forth yummy cheese and sausage snacks! He stuck his long snout in and whuffed curiously, sniffing at the contents. It was interesting to sniff the familiar things he'd seen as a boy. Oo! And here was something interesting! The end of it tickled Colin's nose! A bit of rope! Perfect! He clamped down on it gently and withdrew his head.

Colin whined happily. Emmi was his girl! He shook his head, inviting her to play tog-o-war! He dashed away and back again! He took off running full speed, then stopped suddenly with a yelp of surprise! "YEEEP!"

He looked down at the ground, his ears pointing forward. Then they folded back. This wasn't right! The rope was gone! What happened to it! He hopped around, sniffing the ground. He'd lost it somewhere! He yipped again to get Emily's attention. Emily was his girl, and she'd know what to do! So Colin ran in a wide circle that led him back to Emily where he dove at her feet and wiggled around on his back.

Who knows! Maybe she'd rub his tummy or scritch behind his ears or stoke his coarse white fur! Anything, just to be with Emmi and share this time with her!

@Emily Shephard | @Tesla Stone | @Scout Fu-Hai

August 9th 2025
Speech: #cfa120
Thoughts: Italics
@Tesla Stone - @Colin McCoire - @Scout Fu-Hai

It wasn't until Emily looked up to see the total disappearance of the sun as she was chasing Colin did that pit of anxiousness get deeper. With how close the moon was to its fullness, at this rate it would all happen any second now. And what was Colin doing? Leading the Huffie down what she imagined to be another rabbit hole of surprises. Otherwise, he would have to supply a very good reason for not joining the others for the transformation.

"Colin, it's almost time for your C-H-A-N-G-E... Shouldn't you be... You know, back there?"

Colin continued to ignore her and progressed in the opposite direction of where Tesla and the others were soon getting ready to change. Emily whined. "My friend, I can understand if you're shy or worried, but it'll be okay. No one here is going to judge or--"

"Professor Baird used to say that when the Muggles dropped asterisk nuts on the Moon, they didn't hardly weigh anything at all," He said suddenly. He said it was all about gravity. I don't know what asterisk nuts are, Emmi, or why Muggles throw them onto the Moon, but I envy them. For me, it's just the opposite. I don't feel any lighter, yet under the Moon, I feel --- pulled. Yanked along with her like how when yer Ma grabs yer hand when you're a wee bairn and drags you along."

Emily's features visibly softened. She knew all along Colin wouldn't be invincible about this whole excursion, but hearing the tension in his voice was enough to ignite a whole new case of sympathy for him. She placed a hand on his shoulder. "Astronauts-- travel in a large aircraft to land on the Moon. And they're not thrown, but rather embark on a journey for the sake of discovery".

The hand that took his shoulder travelled down his arm until Emily was eventually holding his hand. "Although I can kind of understand how gravitational force might not be so pleasant for folk such as yourself. Against my better understanding, I always assumed werewolves fell under a trance emitted by the Moon. I guess "pulled" makes a lot more sense..."

She then chuckled and shrugged. "You know, this might be a bit rich of me to say, but I feel pulled by the Moon too. But maybe not in the same way you might". She winked, promising Colin more company and an explanation for later.

Colin began to undress his upper half, prompting Emily to turn sideways at an attempt of giving him privacy. Not that Emily hadn't seen Colin's pink canvas of scars, chest and tummy before, but at the same time, the routine of a werewolf's time of the month was still alien to her. Honestly, this all seemed a lot easier if Colin would join the others. When the two were brave enough to face each other again, Colin handed Emily his wand and necklace. A quick glance between Colin and his possessions alerted Emily on what he wanted and she tucked the wand inside the waistband of her trousers, the necklace taking residence in one of her jacket pockets.

Then Colin went stiff before he bent over like an invisible weight pressed onto him. Seconds afterwards, he had keeled over. Emily was ready to get down on the ground and help him until she realised what was happening. It was happening. She frowned - this would be something she couldn't help Colin, even if she tried moving Heaven and Earth to do it.

Colin's shape began breaking and reforming, twisting in ways Emily couldn't fathom any werewolf undergoing. Her jaw hung loose as she witnessed his humanness gradually transmogrify into something powerful. Predatory. Deadly. His skin was devoured by coats of fur, his nails elongated into claws, his face contorting into something between a man and an animal. Had it not been for his lovable eyes, Colin probably would've ceased to exist in that moment given what now laid exhausted in front of Emily.

Emily covered her eyes in the last stages of his change, unable to bear witness to any more of it. It was painful just watching it happen, making Emily feel sick as to wonder how much more painful it was for Colin to endure every month. When she finally opened her eyes, she lost her breath in a shocked exhale.

"Colin...?" Her voice was barely above a whisper. She took a tentative step forward towards him. "Can you hear me? Are you alright...?"

A beat passed where he didn't respond, until he suddenly shook off the last of his clothes and made piercing eye contact with the Huffie. Emily swallowed. She knew it was Colin, but watching this half-man, half-dog roam, sniff and investigate Emily as it stuck its nose and snout into her sides, hands and stomach made her go stiff with anticipation. At any point, this creature could scratch or bite her and then she would be human no more. For all the advantages wolfsbane brought, this creature was still a dangerous weapon. Everything everyone said they were. A beast.

But Emily also knew Colin would never do such a thing. Not to her. Not to anyone.

Colin's eyes lit up and he barked, immediately zooming around on the spot like something possessed him. Emily's mouth twitched between amusement and confusion. Definitely not the makings of a monster. He was just a mad dog!

Colin infiltrated her satchel and found a loose piece of rope she packed for just in case, claiming it in his teeth and depositing it in front of her. That finally roused a laugh from Emily and she picked it up, only for Colin to steal it from her and wrestle it with himself. Emily sat on the grass and merely watched. At one point, Colin wrestled with it so hard it flung out of his mouth and across the field! Emily was helpless in containing her giggles when she saw Dog-Colin trying to find it again. She scooted over behind him towards a small bush, where the rope had landed across the ways.

"There it is, silly goose!" She stuck her tongue out at him playfully.

Colin, now completely over the rope, laid in front of Emily. With a slow and steady hand, she ran it through the soft fibres of his fur. It was soft, only ever so slightly bristly at the ends. "Your fur's the same colour as your hair..." she observed.

She stroked Colin's sides, relishing in the feel of his fur, before giving attention to behind his ears and careful ruffles to his belly. She had an ear to ear grin as she lavished him with affection. When her hands began to tire, she threw her arms around him and hugged him, holding onto him tight like he could slip from her grip. She nuzzled against the side of his head, the hairs tickling her cheek as she ran soft strokes down his back.

"To think it's really you under there," she said. "There's so much I could say about this moment... But I've no clue where to start..."

The moonlight caught her attention and she looked up with a tender smile towards the moon. She sat cross-legged on the grass, a hand still holding on to Colin as she looked up at the effulgent body of light.

"Colin... Let's watch it together. You and me".

_{Word Count: 1240}

Stats: Stamina: 8 | Evasion: 7 | Strength: 7 | Wisdom: 9 | Arcane Power: 8 | Accuracy: 8
Abilities: Non-Human Enthusiast |Cat's Grace

Kieth mostly observed the people around him after Colin ran off, not exactly sure if he could follow his friend or not. That left Keith alone, except for Tesla, Keith barely knew anyone here. Maybe a passing hello, or a class he once shared with them- he barely recognizes faces anymore. He didn't even want to come, but Colin had basically threatened him. "of course he'd never actually hurt me. Probably would've dragged me here if i didn't come by myself." he told himself by thought.

Though now that Keith was alone, he could think a lot instead of paying attention to people. So he found a path to a secluded spot in the trees to hide in until it the moon was out. He barely heard to other's from his spot, which he liked. "Some peace and quiet. How wonderful. I wonder why Colin ran off. I wish i knew more people here. I wonder how Minnie is doing, I should've sent her and owl or something about this. But now that im here everyone must know about me being a werewolf. Especially since they won't find me in this form when the wolves come out. At least I won't be alone."

There was lots of things on Keith's mind. So much had happened the last year he felt exhausted just thinking about what was to come. As soon as he saw it was getting dark he got up, heading towards the room the other wolves were going to. Popping two of ibuprofen into his mouth, he settled down and waited for it to happen. As the moon shone, he felt the familiar pain crawl through his blood stream.

And just like that keith was fluffy, on all fours, and calm. He slowly peaked out of the area and walked back to the forest. Finding a spot to lay down as he heard Colin and Emily together.

wc- 300ish? Mentioning @Colin McCoire@Minnie Duke@Emily Shepherd

Emily in Colin's Eyes

Colin yelped for joy! His girl found the rope and tossed the end to him! He leapt up effortlessly and snatched the end in his teeth. Heheh. At least he had all four of his fangs! She called him a silly goose! Of course, he could have heard her even in boy shape; but it was sooooo awesome to hear her voice with the wolf's ears! Oh, how Colin wished he could do this any time he wanted to! He had a thought about that! He'd have to get back to studying that curious recipe he and Liam had talked about last year. Maybe it really was a lycanthropy potion of some kind!

YIP!!!

Colin's ears flattened as he, rope still clamped in his teeth, tore off towards the house, leaving Emily in the garden! RRrrrrRRRRrrrRRR!!!! Colin whined. I'll be right back! Drat that his throat and tongue couldn't talk properly no matter how hard he tried! The grass and stones felt cool under his paws. He followed the scent trails as unerringly as any wolf! First he got to the great room where Mrs Stone had welcomed them and where the kids were gathered around waiting. OWoooOOOOoOOOO! Colin said. They didn't know it was him, perhaps, but certainly they'd either heard or heard about that idiot Slytherin boy that's always howling in the corridors!

Colin quickly left that part of the house and dashed along the corridors that led towards the den. There he found Kieth! Colin nuzzles his side and sniffed his face real quick. It was so good to see him here, free from the shrieking shack, free from whatever constraints he had at home. And then he found Tes! YIIYIIIUUUU! he greeted, nuzzling her in similar fashion. But it was the skinny white wolf he was after! UWUUuuUU? he asked. Liam yipped and came loping after his twin! They picked up the rope and dragged along behind them!

Quick as a wink, the pair were back outside, running full speed, bouncing off of each other as the rope alternately slackened and then snapped them into each others sides! It only took a few seconds to race back out to the garden where Colin had left Emily! Liam dropped the rope and sniffed around Emily's legs and then found her satchel! Colin whuffed. If there were any woofy treats in there, Liam would find them!

Colin looked up at his girl. She was so beautiful through wolfy eyes! Not that she wasn't through his boy eyes! He sniffed at her dress and nuzzled her hands then yawned and stretched luxuriantly. Colin lay down at her feet.

"Your fur's the same colour as your hair..." she said with wonder in her voice.

YEEYEE!! Colin replied. Obviously Emmi! He tilted his head to the side and flicked his ears about. She settled down in the garden and stroked his sides, her fingers running through his fur. Whoa. Colin's whole mind exploded! He had never felt anything like this before! Of course, AngelFyre had had first crack at this, but she was Fyre. This was EMMI!! Colin wondered at this. The feeling of a person's hand through his fur was amazing! He squirmed happily just like Greebo does you pet him! He looked into Emily's eyes. He knew that to her the garden would be a darkish place under the dim light of the Moon. He could see her --- not clearly of course, but the night was not at all dim!

Emily scritched behind his ears. He remembered that Sophia, one of his first friends at Hogwarts, used to do that. Somehow she had known even before he told her. Colin stretched out on his back and Emily ruffled his tummy! YEEP!! His legs wobbled. Colin was no less ticklish in wolf shape than he was in boy shape!

She hugged him close, nuzzling his face. Colin made super sure to keep his mouth shut so that his sweetheart would not get bitten. He realised then that, as they got older, Emily might find herself in werewolf related danger. He promised himself that he would defend his Emily at all costs. Nowolf would ever even come close to biting or scratching her! If one tried, he would pay. Dearly.

"To think it's really you under there," she said. "There's so much I could say about this moment... But I've no clue where to start..."

rrrRRR? Colin replied. The night would be an eternity for him, he knew. Wolf time and boy time didn't quite match up, he'd found. Part of him wanted to just stare at Emily forever. Though the other part could scarcely wait to become a boy again so they could talk! Colin gently pawed her dress. Very carefully. You can talk lass! I'll just stare into your eyes and listen!

It was also cool how Emily looked different when he was in wolf shape! Her features were a little fuzzy at a distance. He'd learned that he had to get up close to actually see anything clearly. And then there the bizarre colours! Her face looked sort of normal, but slightly paleyellowy; gone were her rosy cheeks after being outside. Her brown hair was dark with yellowhite highlights. Her beautiful eyes of hazel paled almost to greyllow, as did the shirt he knew in his mind was red an hour ago.

Liam curled up at Emily's side. Colin reckoned he'd rather be playing too. Maybe Emily had a similar effect on Liam too? She wanted nothing more than to just be there, in the garden, watching the Moon with him. Colin stretched out full length and licked Emily's hand gently. It was just like in his dreams. The girl on the tundra, the Moon overhead, the mighty walls of ice in the distance.

Colin would have to bring Emmi to the Sacred Place and tell her about them.

But not just yet. Woofy tongues weren't made to speak of ancient dreams and visions!

OOC Note: Anyone inside can feel free to write about touching Colin's fur or scratching his head or patting him or whatever!

@Emily Shephard | @Tesla Stone | @Scout Fu-Hai

August 9th 2025
Speech: #cfa120
Thoughts: Italics
@Tesla Stone - @Colin McCoire - @Scout Fu-Hai

And then Colin took off! Of course he did! He was always doing that. Emily called after him as he disappeared back inside Tesla's home. She didn't even try to run after him. Colin was already a speed demon on two legs... Emily wouldn't stand a single chance against four woofy ones!

The Huffie sighed and shook her head as the fluffy streak of white vanished from view. Even in wolf mode, Colin was absolutely bonkers. Perhaps that was why Emily felt immense relief when the transformation passed, why she was optimistic and chill about being able to play with him like this. Had Colin not been acting the way he was, Emily would no doubt believe she would be in apprehensive trembles the rest of the night until he reclaimed his boy shape. Even if deep down, wolfsbane guaranteed, Colin would be himself, some of what Emily came across in her further reading into wolfhood was still enough to stir that marble of uneasiness in her stomach.

Eventually, not one but two streaks of white emerged from the house and came bolting back into the garden. Ohh! Colin went and got Liam! That would explain the two wolves running so fast that they skid along the ground, tackling each other as they rolled over one another. One of them got friendly and weaved between Emily's legs before deciding to help itself to whatever Emily had in her bag.

"Hey--Hey--Hey! Easy! I've got fragile valuables in here! Sheesh, if you were wanting snackies, you only had to ask!" She huffed a laugh as she tossed the woofy an opened packet of rosemary crackers. Colin was certainly-- Hang on. Which one was Colin and which one was Liam? Those two were the definition of doppelgangers, the spitting image, mirror reflections. And that was them when they were human. Wolf form was no different. Same fur, same paws, same nut-job brain!

One was nibbling eager on a cracker while the other was just staring. Intensely. Ahh... Gotcha! The Nibbler was Liam! Only Colin would look at Emily with such interest as the wolf before her did. When she went to give another loving floof of the fur, it all confirmed her guess. The wriggly wolf under her touch was definitely Colin. Even the matt of fur couldn't shield him from the tickles!

Colin pawed at her lap when she sat down with them. Emily tried to read his face... But there's only so many things a wolf can really convey. Hmm...

Liam had himself securely comfortable on one side of her while Colin monopolised the other. The moon veiled the three of them in its radiance. Man... Emily soaked up the moon's presence, eyes fluttering shut as she let it wash over them.

"So... You know how I said I sometimes feel pulled by the moon?" she asked. "Well, this is kind of what I meant. Just sitting here, letting it envelope you... A bit like the sun, but at night! Though a lot more peaceful and quiet..."

She lounged back on the grass, her hands propping up the back of her head. "Back when I was little, I never cared too much for the house I grew up in. Only "Auntie" made it better by just simply being there with me. But I'll give it one thing I like about it... The very top room, where my room is, when it's a clear night and the moon is out, full or not, it was enough to bathe my entire room in moonlight. As a kid, on nights like that, I'd sleep on the other end of the bed so that the moon would cover my face in light. The moon can be as cold as -240° Celsius But whenever the moon shines on me, it always feel warm and gentle. Like a nightlight..." She smiled. "I'd gaze at it without turning away before eventually succumbing to sleep".

She placed a hand on each of the wolves' heads. "I suppose it's probably different when you're both 'special'. I'm curious... Do you hate the moon? Or maybe you've learned to like it..." A flicker of a frown crossed her face. "Maybe I'm being too nosy but... Did it hurt? When it first happened...?"

She quickly retracted her question with a fierce shake of her head. Colin began licking her hand and she giggled. She brought her other hand over and placed it over his paw, mindful of the claws. Colin was a puppy yet there was plenty left for either him or Emily to get careless with. Even a single scratch could render Emily changed after tonight. As if the teeth and saliva weren't dangerous enough themselves.

Emily brought her hands back together and briefly looked away shyly. "Is it weird of me to say that I've waited for a chance like this? I mean-- Not specifically seeing you as a werewolf and hanging out like this! Not that I'd never wanted that either--! I mean... For so long I've waited for an opportunity to help half-humans and magical creatures. Being human and not having the best knowledge of the Wizarding world, I always felt a bit useless when I hear about what other lycanthropes and half-humans have to go through. But now, thanks to Tesla's help, we've brought humans and werewolves together! Even if just for one brief moment".

She threw a tighter hug around Colin and Liam. "No matter what, even if the world decides to be stubbornly indifferent about werewolf kind, I'll still be there to help! I can bring medicine or snacks for the morning after or--or maybe even leave new clothes out for you if you ever need them! My mother may be dense about her role in motherhood, but she's smart enough to leave scraps of fabric and 'unwanted' outfits at home...!"

She pulled back to give both of them a sincere loving look, settling back into the grass to continue staring at the moon.

"I don't know why the universe decided to put a wolf in both of you, but make it a part of you. The wolf doesn't make you who you are, you make the wolf. So make it great, just like your human halves are...!"

_{Word Count: 1038}

Stats: Stamina: 8 | Evasion: 7 | Strength: 7 | Wisdom: 9 | Arcane Power: 8 | Accuracy: 8
Abilities: Non-Human Enthusiast |Cat's Grace

Emily in Colin's Eyes

Emily began talking to them. Colin was used to this a bit. Liam not so much, Colin reckoned. Liam lifted his head to check with Colin, but his gaze was fixed on Emily. Colin heard a soft crinkling sound. No doubt Liam was into the packet of crackers again. Colin whuffed as Emily talke with them. She told them about how she liked basking in the moonlight. She laid back and told them about when she was little and how the moonlight filled her bedroom. His own bedroom at home was similarly flooded with light --- though he had to share the space with Liam, Alex, Angus, Rigel, and often a bunch of cousins as well.

The girls were different. They either had their own rooms or shared a suite with bedrooms and a common area. Moira even told Colin and Liam that the girls had their own sunroom and a luxurious bath! Colin tried to sneak in once, but Aoife caught him and cast a spell on him that sent him flying down the hallway! They boys had only one long wood panelled hall with stone floors and sheep skins. Simple bunks of ancient wood piled with blankets and pillows served for bed. Yet they had a wonderful view across the Highlands with Loch Meadie to one side and the gardens and woodlands rolling away under Sun and Moon and stars.

Colin was surprised as Emily paused to ask them what they thought of the Moon and if their transformation hurt. Her hand stroked Colin's head, and her hand felt so tender and loving! Or-rUU! said Liam. Colin could hardly agree more! Yrr yrr! he replied. Emily laid her hand on his paw. She did that when he was boy shape too. Colin sighed. At least he could sigh properly in wolf shape!

The girl sat up and continued baring a part of her soul. Colin sat up too, and so did Liam. Liam leaned into Emily's side, licking his paw. Colin crouched, watching Emily intently as she spoke about her desire to see this day. Her desire to help folks like him and Liam. Her care for wild creatures both magical and mundane. She really had a huge heart, Colin thought and not for the first time!

Colin had to most vehemently disagree when Emmi said she was useless, however! Roh roh uuuww! WHUFF!

Yrr yrr! Liam agreed.

Colin sighed again. How could get this girl to see how absolutely worthy she really was? Emily say bathed in the moonlight. A girl of physical beauty. Gorgeous --- everything! She was smart and clever. And most of all, her breast contained within it the best part of any girl, a tender and compassionate heart!

AR-ROOO!! Uwoooo?

How could she not see this in herself? Colin nuzzled her knee gently, then sniffed at her hair and nuzzled her cheek! Some day, Colin thought. These are going to be kisses and declarations of how dear you are to me, Emmi!

Rrk!

Yeep!

Emmi suddenly threw her arms around the wolves' necks and hugged them both tight! Emmi said she'd look after werewolves. Colin's heart soared. He was so thankful that God turned his heart towards this girl. How perfect you are for me, lass! Colin tried to lick Emmi's cheek, but she held the wolves too tightly! He felt the pang, though, whenever Emmi talked about her folks. Colin's heart hurt every time she talked about her home life, apart from Auntie Nora. He knew that parents could be busy with work, but Ma was never too busy for any of them, even if someone high up in the Ministry came calling to her office! She always had the really little ones close by, and she made sure to help with lessons and all. And Da never minded a long string of kids following along when he working on some project! He even made a game out of it sometimes! He'd ask for a spanner or a mallet, and each kid would have to pick up the tool and pass it along to the next until it got to Da's hands! And of course, there was always Seanmamó! She made sure they knew all about herbs and creatures and the stars and the land itself. And Uncle Moray often took them traipsing around when he came to visit from down south. And Aunt Maureen, and Aunt Indigo, and --- gosh! --- there was so much family around!

Colin caught Liam's eye, as Emmi released them from her embrace.

Hark! he cried.

Herk! Liam replied.

That was settled! So much of Colin's family would love Emily to bits! Certainly Ma and Da and Seanmamó and Aoife and Rigel and Moira and Auntie Indigo. Pfft! No doubt that old git Hamish and Alex and Angus would call her a M- Even in wolf shape, Colin found it hard to say that word. Mudblood. GRRR! Colin growled.

Liam's ears perked up as he watched Colin. Yeep!!

"The wolf doesn't make you who you are; you make the wolf!" Emmi said.

Eroh-roh-roh! Liam said. Colin understood!

And without a sound, Liam leapt over Emily's crossed legs and crashed into Colin's side! Eep! Colin squeaked. The two rolled about in the gravelly path. Colin sprang up and clamped his mouth around Liam's tail! Rrk! And then they were off! They took turns chasing each other across Tes's garden! They rolled about, wrestling in the grass! Well, that was really no different than when they were in boy shape! They made soft sounds that could, perhaps, be interpreted as merry laughter. The two wolves had never been so content in wolf shape as they had been this summer. First with AngelFyre and Aoife; and now just with Emmi! Colin was so very glad that Liam came outside, and that he had shared his own transformation with his girl.

Colin suddenly darted over towards a stack of poles and wattle fence panels. Colin leapt! Liam leapt! Grrrrr! Grrrrrr! The sounds of a scuffle erupted from behind the heap! Then the pair of snowy white wolves leapt over the pile again and shot straight towards Emily! At full speed, they made short work of the distance! As one, they made a quick turn and sat in the grass in front of Emily! Colin deposited onto the grass what he had been carrying in his mouth. Twas a marmot. Slightly dazed and wet with wolf slobber, but otherwise unharmed. Colin looked from the marmot across to Emmi's eyes. I brought ye a present! He tail was set wagging!

He got up and trotted over to his satchel and fetched it back to Emily. He hoped she would understand. He always had squirrel and marmot treats with him! Liam on the other hand, took the opportunity to nose about in Emily's satchel again. Perhaps there were more packets of crackers there? He wondered if Scout would ever come out, or would he have to go inside and fetch her!? That would be fun! Colin opened his jaws wide and showed Emily all his fangs and carnassials.

@Emily Shephard | @Tesla Stone | @Scout Fu-Hai

August 9th 2025
Speech: #cfa120
Thoughts: Italics
@Tesla Stone - @Colin McCoire - @Scout Fu-Hai

Emily would be lying if she said she found Colin's constant running around tiring and bothersome - quite the opposite in fact, since she saw it an endearing and cheery aspect of Colin that lifted her spirits when they were down - but it was moments like this where the two of them would sit together in comfortable silence that she truly enjoyed the most, and secretly wished they shared more of.

Colin demonstrated time and time again he was a good listener - particularly so when someone was able to park him down and keep his attention. Based on past experiences, Emily herself knew she was one of very few to hold that ability with him. That's why sitting with him and Liam, in all their woofy glories, brought her the greatest happiness. She knew if she could spend time with them like this, she could spill her secrets as much as she wanted, knowing they would listen every time.

Emily noticed that every time she would stop for breath after speaking for some time, Colin and Liam would make softs barks and growls to each other. Like they were communicating. Emily tilted her head sideways, curious as to what they were trying to say to each other. In her head, she wrote a note to herself: Make a phrase book of werewolf talk. It would probably help the twins - and broader werewolf kind as it would humanity - to understand them when they were robbed of human speech.

The whole time Emily was talking, Colin was seeking out pets and scritches while at the same time gently licking at Emily's hand. Nearly every sentence was ghosted by a sharp exhale of stifled laughter from the Huffie when Colin tickled Emily's fingers, or when he smooshed his muzzle into her knee, or plopped his head into her lap when he tried getting comfortable.

Then out of nowhere, Liam-- No, Colin-- No, no Liam -- pounced over Emily's lap and tackled his twin brother! Both wolves, while undoubtedly playful at its core, brawled like two balls of cotton being rubbed together.

Emily watched them and waved her hands, trying to calm them down. "Boys! I mean-- Err, wolves... Easy! Be careful-- Watch out, you're going to turn Tesla's back garden into a crash site if you keep doing that! Colin don't use your mouth!" She hid behind her palms until it was over, looking up again to see that the two white puffballs darted away, only to them come speeding back and coming to a halt back at her legs. Emily yelped when they crashed back in front of her. One of the wolves - Colin definitely, with those magnificent emerald eyes piercing through her - came back with something wriggling in his mouth. When he plopped it on the ground, Emily could see the startled shaking of a little marmot.

Emily looked down at it with her jaw hanging loose, unsure of what to make of it until eventually she got down to her knees and tried cradling the poor thing.

"Aww... It's okay, little guy..." Emily stretched for her bag and pulled out a small bag of seeds, leaving a small handful in her hands and holding it out to it. The marmot snatched a few before scurrying off back into the hideout of the wattle fence panels where Colin nabbed it.

Emily sighed and turned to Colin, gifting him another appreciative ruffle of the fur. "A very kind gesture... But how about we leave the ecosystem as it is, hm? Besides--" She lightly dooped her nose against Colin's woofy one. "Nothing could top being with the one creature I hold dearest to me."

She admired Colin's teeth when he exposed them. Her head ducked and sidled at all angles as she got a good look at them all, examining each one closely.

"Wolves have forty-two teeth in total, did you know?" she said whilst checking out Colin's chompers. "six incisors... That's these ones here. Two canines, eight premolars and four molars. That's just the upper teeth alone! The lower teeth have the same except they have six molars. That's how wolves have more teeth on their lower gums than they do in the upper ones. Oh! And did you know that the fangs are two and a half inches long on average? No wonder wolves are strong when they-- Well... You get the point..."

Emily stopped her rambling when she heard rustling coming from behind her. Liam's head was stuck in Emily's bag, trying to fish out more snacks. Emily rolled her eyes in playful annoyance, taking the bag and digging out more crackers and tossing them to Liam. "You lycanthropes have quite the hunger, huh..."

The most terrible thought decided to cut into Emily's brain at that moment and her smile twisted into a weak one. "I can't help but wonder... What the weight of knowing that you could hurt someone like that feels like. Nevermind the burden of committing something so frightening and the guilt that comes after it..."

Her eyes bore into Colin's, her brow furrowed. "I know you'd never do such a thing, but for the sake of keeping my mind at ease... You'd never-- How do I put this... You'd never go beast mode, right? Because if one day you did... I don't know what I'd do."

_{Word Count: 895}

Stats: Stamina: 8 | Evasion: 7 | Strength: 7 | Wisdom: 9 | Arcane Power: 8 | Accuracy: 8
Abilities: Non-Human Enthusiast |Cat's Grace

Emily in Colin's Eyes

"Hrh hrh hrh!!" Liam sniggered when Emily reprimanded Colin over his ecosystem tampering! What!? He shot a glance at his twin. It's not like they weren't part of the ecosystem right? And anyway, twas just a fun game! Colin bared his teeth and waggled his tongue at Liam. Liam returned the gesture.

Colin raised his eyebrows and focused on Emmi as she started enumerating all his teeth. Liam cocked his head and watched. She looked very professional as she checked him out from every angle. Wait. Forty two teeth? "Arr?" he queried. He hadn't even thought to count his teeth whilst in wolf shape! And here was Emily, again, knowing more about him than he sometimes did himself!

She pointed them all out and named them and everything! Liam soon lost interest in Colin's teeth and headed back over towards Emily's snack factory. He wondered what could possibly be so good smelling in her satchel! She dragged it away from Liam, who whimpered in dismay. Now Colin was interested too! He made a graceful leap and stuck his long snout into Emily's satchel. He got a couple sniffs in before she bapped him. Colin extricated his snout from the satchel as confused as before. There was nothing much of interest in there and he gave Emmi a curious head tilt.

"Yewwy?" he said to the girl. It was the best his wolfy mouth, wagging tongue, and forty two teeth could manage!

She pulled out another packet of crackers and opened it for Liam. Tossing it to the ground, he seemed ecstatic! Colin blinked. Tesco what crackers!? That's what Liam was on about? "Hrh hrh hrrh!!" he laughed as his brother nosed his way into the packet. Could've at least been shortbread fingers! Liam paid him no mind, so Colin laid down at Emmi's side. He rolled onto his back and leaned his head back on Emmi's lap.

Chest rubs and belly scritches would be perfect just about now! "Yewwy?" he asked again. Colin suprised himself! He wondered. It felt no different to him, Emmi's touch, in wolf shape. He thought back to that day by the lake when Emily had traced all the scar lines across his torso. He looked up into Emmi's eyes. The Moon had travelled most of her way across the sky. Colin knew the time would soon come when he'd transform back into a boy. If only he could do this any time, and not just at the full moon!

She ruffled the shaggy fur on his chest. Emily had a way of considering the deep questions. Colin loved that about his girl. Colin loved that she was his girl! As much as he was her boy! Of course, it wasn't official official, but Colin had been thinking about that for a while now. He question shifted his attention. "I can't help but wonder... What the weight of knowing that you could hurt someone like that feels like."

Colin's gaze was steady. He was focused on her eyes. He loved looking into her eyes! He felt like his own love sort of travelled from his own and into hers! Hopefully she could see that in the dim and waning moonlight. He could hear that Liam had finished the whole packet of crackers and was now stretching out on Emily's other side. He felt honoured that Liam stayed with them. "Never mind the burden of committing something so frightening and the guilt that comes after it..."

Well, Emmi, that's why they imprison us in the Shrieking Shack. Because we're monsters and they don't trust us. It's like wolsfbane potion was never invented. It's stupid, is what it is. They shut us good kids up in a little dungeon while those who are off their potion get to roam free. They say it's for our protection. But I don't think it is. Not really. Sure, they don't want something so frightening and terrible to happen. . .

Such were the things running through Colin's mind as he listened to Emily share her worries. It wasn't that her fears were invalid. Colin knew well that if he and Liam hadn't dutifully drunk their potion every day for the last week, well he didn't want to think about what might happen. He wouldn't be at Hogwarts for one. He wouldn't be here for another. There was no way Tes would invite either of them if she ever suspected them of not taking their potion.

. . .I think it's for their protection more than anything else, Emmi. They just don't want to deal with us. Maybe they don't hate us. Maybe they do. But they are afraid of us. They don't --- can't --- trust us when we're ravening beasts. Even I would hunt and kill a person if I didn't take my potion, Emmi. But they don't trust us even when we're not off our potion. . .

"I know you'd never do such a thing," Emily said softly. Colin's heart burst with love and pride. Emily Shephard was surely the Best Girl in the entire world! "But for the sake of keeping my mind at ease... You'd never-- How do I put this... You'd never go beast mode, right? Because if one day you did... I don't know what I'd do."

Colin sighed.

Would never do such a thing. That was the key word, wasn't it? Would. Her confidence in him bolstered him. It was true of course, Colin McCoire would never do such a thing. He loved Emily truly. He wanted only what was truly best for her, now in this moment, in every time of her life, and even beyond her time on earth. He would do anything protect her. He would die for her if it meant his Emmi could live. Even so, there was that key word, would. You know, Emmi, there are people who hate me and Liam and my family. What if, some day when we're married and have a house full of bairns? I would never go beast mode. But what if, when we're no longer protected by Hogwarts, someone tries to tamper with my potion? Or switches it for a fake potion? Can you ever fully trust your lad?

The Moon was nearly down. The eternal moment of the full moon was nearing its ending. Her pull on his body and mind and indeed on his very form was waxing again. It would soon turn him and Liam into seemingly ordinary boys again. Naked under the stars in the back garden of a friend's house. No longer wolves. No longer capable of destroying another's life. No longer a monster. They would again be trusted to be around other kids at school.

Emily's eyes were waiting for his as the Moon began her last descent towards the horizon. Already he could feel the first ache deep in his hips and legs. Liam, he knew, felt it too, for he had stood silently, shaken the leaves and grass from his fur and had gone off to transform alone. Colin wondered about the wisdom of involving Emily in this. What would she do if they were married and he went beast mode? Colin gazed into Emily's eyes. He knew exactly what she must do in that circumstance. She must incapacitate him, if all possible. She must kill him if necessary. With his last waning sanity, he would beg it of her. That's how much he loved Emily. And if they had children, how much he would love them.

In response, he could but say only word. Her name. Softly. Gently. With a heart full of love he could not yet express to her, but that he hoped she would understand: "Yewwy. . ."

@Emily Shephard | @Tesla Stone | @Scout Fu-Hai

August 9th 2025
Speech: #cfa120
Thoughts: Italics
@Tesla Stone - @Colin McCoire - @Scout Fu-Hai

Emily scrubbed another hand along Colin's back when he started giving her the "Love me!!!" look again. She was happy to oblige, although she couldn't help but feel this was a shameless attempt to brighten up the mood after a pretty heavy topic of discussion. All in good intentions, of course. Emily was slowly becoming renowned as a worrier which Colin could pick up instantly.

She could see the gears in Colin's head working, most likely trying to solve and digest her teetering on eggshells when it came to the risks of Lycanthropy. There was a lot it looked like he wanted to say, and Emily would be keen to hear it all in his human lingo the next morning. That said, it never ceased to amaze Emily how he could act so bonkers in the wake of probable doom. That proved true when he got comfortable on her lap, the playful glint in his eyes and the want for attention exuberant in his posture. One side of Emily's mouth strengthened back into a smirk as she tickled Colin's front.

"You're impossible," she said, with all the tone that matched Colin's woofy endearment. He was looking straight at her again. Through the eyes. Through her. At this point, it was a mastered craft Colin had as much as it was a common trend when the two spent time together. She returned his loving gaze with one of her own.

"I suppose one way or another, all any of us can do is make sure we look out for one another." She ran a gentle knuckle down the side of Colin's muzzle. "I'll ensure you're comfortable if you keep striving to protect those you love, friend."

When the Huffie lifted her head back towards the sky after a bit, it only clicked that it had been quite some time since the Change happened. Looking around, she saw other wolves winding down, probably waiting out the last hurdle of the night before they return to their human shapes.

From off the side, "Auntie" approached Emily and the twins with folded blankets in her arms. "It'll be morning soon," she said. "And it tends to get much colder when the Moon wanes and the Sun takes her sweet time waking up."

She draped her ward in a blanket, repeating with the twins that were pressed against Emily's sides. She bent down and joined Emily in a space between her and Liam, who was still deeply enthralled with the crackers.

"So... Is this everything you were hoping for?"

Emily beamed. "Better than I imagined...." Emily sealed her statement with a tight snug for Colin.

Emily then felt something in her throat and she stifled a yawn, her burst of energy fizzling out as fatigue made itself known to her body. With the realisation that it was late - or technically early? - She was starting to recognise just what ungodly hours can actually do to a person. She rubbed an eye and "Auntie" chuckled.

"You're tired."

"I'm tired," Emily echoed through another yawn. She never understood how Colin could have so much energy, even when he had something as draining as lycanthropy hanging over him. Emily could drink all the caffeinated drinks in the world and she'd still pass out quicker than the boy.

"Auntie" patted a patch of grass behind her, placing a pillow in said spot. Knowing what she was getting at, Emily reclined back with her head propped up by the pillow, pulling the blanket up until it covered her, making sure she didn't jostle Colin out of his comfort.

"Have a kip, pet."

Emily hummed and within seconds her eyes fluttered closed, a barely whispered "good night" escaping her in one soft breath. Her hand rested still on Colin's pelt of fur as she drifted.

"Auntie" ghosted a hand across Emily's forehead. "Out like a light just like that," she smiled. "Time flies when you're having fun, as they say."

She bundled the blankets up snuggly around the twins. "You two better keep warm when the sun comes up... And to cover up anything unsavoury for a young lady's eyes when she wakes..."

Emily breathed softly into the pillow, her chest rising and falling in steady rhythm. The breeze wafting in the air couldn't stir her awake, neither shiver or huddle. "Auntie" laid back until she was beside her, wrapped up in her own set of blankets and pillows. Her hands remained stuck to Colin's side, her body too knackered to move.

"Auntie" ran a careful hand along Colin and Liam's ears. "Try and get some rest while you can, boys. I can't imagine changing back be any easier a feat than earlier."

_{Word Count: 783}

Stats: Stamina: 8 | Evasion: 7 | Strength: 7 | Wisdom: 9 | Arcane Power: 8 | Accuracy: 8
Abilities: Non-Human Enthusiast |Cat's Grace