I don't not usually write but when i do (pun intended) i write mostly short stories, as it is very hard for me to keep a plot going , This next one is one of them and it is unlikely to be continued. But if i ever get some "inspiration" and it is relevant to the forum I might post other short tales here, to keep everything nice, self contained and mostly NOT spammy.
As you can tell I
So my first piece: No title as I am terrible at naming thing, you can look at my username for that.
A fair warning thought this is not particularly high literature and Ensglish is not my first language and it shows. If after all that you are still interested be my guest
Spoiler!
Excerpt from a newspaper from the capital of the Republic of ILLEGIBLE. A job posting for the new railroad.
August 12 1927
Attention all!
The National Railroad Company is looking for you!
Due to the opening of the new industrial train station at the Guadiana Valley we are offering jobs and lodging for anyone with demonstrable experience.
Available jobs are:
Freight Handler
Machinist
Trainmaster
Railroad Engineer
Logistics expert
Ticket Salesman
Railroad operator
The rest of the ad is missing
Official Republic Radio Addressing the 28th anniversary of the victory over the monarchy:
...Here i thank all those patriots who gave their life not that long ago to bring down the oppressive royal regime that plagued this great country for centuries. And paved the way for the creation and development of a modern democracy.
Not even 30 years ago the battle of the [static] valley took place, where the might of the republic crushed the last royal citadel, forcing the deposed royal family to surrender.
And now after decades of civil unrest the country is getting on track for a bright future. Foreign investors like Mr Pratt from Pratt & Co. Steelworks, are now opening factories all across our beautiful country. Creating jobs and opportunities for all of our people to…
Bulletin board from [missing].
April 15 1928
Vulpine Sighting over the town.
On the past weeks several citizens have reported to the Civil Guard various occurrences of Vulpine sightings all across city.
We would like to remind you that the city has always been near an important Lupine settlement and our relation with them has always been cordial, and we used to have Lupine visitors all the time before the war started. So there is nothing to fear about these recent sightings
However we have got reports about missing chickens, looted silos and warehouses. The department recommends keeping any valuables under key and keep livestock inside their stables at night.
There have been no reports of tools or money missing in any case but changing your safe combination and securing your tool shed is never a bad idea.
According to our experts this is expected season for vulpine activity and we expect them to be out of town before long.
Until then:
Be Safe.
Police department and Civil Guard.
Another post from the same bulletin board.
April 16 1928
Errata:
In a previous post the department misidentified the local sightings as Vulpines, a more detailed investigation revealed that the they are Lupine not vulpines.
The department apologizes for the mix up. In any case for all intents and purposes they are the same thing other than that same precautions apply.
Be Safe.
Police department and Civil Guard.
Handwritten note, under the post:
Of course they are Lupines you idiots! There have never been vulpines in this part of the country!
Railroad operator letter. Addressed to her boyfriend back in the city
May 1928
-Dear Matthew.
Please don’t freak out. You remember I told you how there is no light from my house to the station right?
Every day is crossing a dark road, as I am the first to arrive to the office. And i rarely have any problem I really don’t.
But i do need to tell you about this tiny incident that happened yesterday:
I was going my usual route minding my own business when I heard like something was walking behind me. I turned around to check, but there was nothing.
And before you think anything. No i am not hearing things, I am not crazy! Anyways The noise continued almost halfway to the Station.
Then i felt this thing breath in my neck. This time I turn around and it was one of those Lupine things.
It was all furry and ugly and it stole my backpack!
Fortunately I was carrying that knife you gave me, and made them back off, they were actually three!!!. Sadly I wasn’t able to recover my backpack. And my lunch was there. So i spend the whole day hungry…
Rest of the letter is missing
Diary entry from local Machinst. Riley “Rex” McArthur: Railroader/ machinist.
June 18 1928.
Dear Diary: I know i do not talk to you as much as i should but i need to get this out of my chest and i Am out of whiskey. That was one hell of a night...
Earlier i was reading in my room. When I heard them, Lupines, lurking around the garden and front yard.
Those Lupines keep getting into town at night to steal stuff. I usually don’t give a damn about it since I have the common sense to use locks. But tonight a big crashing noise scared me out of my sofa.
I took my grandad shotgun and went outside. A trio of Lupines were stuck on the remains of my shed. I had spent the whole winter repairing that piece of crap and those suckers tear it down in a minute.
They were even laughing! The gall of those things. A bucket of paint fell on one of them and he was now green, so i guess they had something to laugh at. But that was my paint too.
“What do you want here!” I yelled at them.
“Get out of my property!” I continued.
They stopped laughing at stared at me,perhaps afraid? No matter I decided to teach them a lesson I took aim and, just my luck, a fourth one tackled me from behind.
Alas i got the last laugh. I managed to shot before falling. It was not a clean or direct shot but I got one of them.
The other 3 rushed to it, leaving me in the dirt. From my not so vantageous position i watched as they tried to help their friend. Who was, mind you, very much alive. I have no idea what they were saying. I cannot speak that language but i did not need to.
“Save yourselves, leave me behind” must have been something like that. The Lupine in question, a female one for the matter, was still stuck on what was left of my shed and bleeding.
At this point I had enough I stood up and shot again. This time, as usual really I am not a good shot. I failed miserably but the loud bang convinced the trio to left their friend behind.
I got closer, I was not gonna let this [censored] get away. But when I saw the thing cowering under the moonlight. Whimpering and , I assume, begging for her life. I could not bring myself to shot.
Look, she was terrified of me, she was stuck inside a wheel in the remains of a half-assed shed crying and shaking in fear, covering his face with her arms. Slowly bleeding out. That is no way to go.
I noticed she began to faint, I was surprised she managed to stay conscious for that long. Now she was harmless and despite my best judgement I pried the wheel open and took her inside. I did not have much time so I called my pals: The veterinarian and the physician. “Between the three of us we should be able to do something for her”- Or so i thought.
I send word to that gal at the civil guard. She owes me a favor, that might come in handy.
So is she gonna make it?-
“She lost a lot of blood” - A gal in a white coat, a doctor, answered, while stitching the Lupine side.
“What did you shot her with man? It is like you were trying to shred her” - A guy with a grey overall asked, typical veterinary outfit, he was dressing the Lupine wound on her right thigh. The shot hit her on her side, damaging her torso, arm and leg, and some of the buck blew her ear off.
“I am surprised it missed her lungs and most important organs, but still...”
“We are not trained on her physiology or anatomy, we cannot do much more than patch her up and hope for the best”
“Why are you helping her?” - A lass with police uniform asked from the back of the veterinary clinic- “I know these two have a reason, the vet is a furball lover and the doc here has some weird oath to keep, but you? You hunt on your spare time, why help this thing?”
“From the point i took the shot she became my responsibility, whether she lives or dies is now my fault. And i feel sorry for her”
A day had passed and the machinist had not been able to get the image of the pleading Lupine out of his head. He was a hunter on his free time, not a particularly good one, but a hunter nonetheless, Yet killing that Lupine, right there like that felt incredibly wrong for him. He even felt like crap about taking that shot, for what? Some kids messing his mostly dead garden?
“Always the noble hero right?” - The officer retorted- “Wait is it moving?” Yes she was, squirming under the doctor, the vet and the machinist grip. A cornered canid was always something dangerous.
“Oh my god. it is gonna kill us all” The until now collected officer lost his mind and hid under a desk. Trembling in fear at the sight of the awakening Lupine.
“Give her whiskey”- The vet sentenced “Are you crazy?” The doctor objected
“Well if you rather use morphine and guess the appropriate does that does not kill her be my guest”
Diagnostic sheet found at local clinic
Ordinary diagnostic sheet. Has a human figure drawn to the left but someone drew a tail, hears and a muzzle over the figure with a red pencil.
It reads:
Patient: Jane Doe
Species: Lupine
Sex: Female
Diagnostic:
Multiple gun injuries on the right side of the body. Small caliber buck removed from arm, leg, torso and abdomen. Missing piece of right ear.
Multiple lacerations and bruises on the back wood splinters removed from her.
Dislocated ankle paw lower limb.
Foreign bodies were removed and wounds were cleaned and disinfected. Lower limb dislocation reduced and limb immobilized.
Due to safety reason medication has been restricted, no opioids administered. Used alcohol for sedative purposes.
Prescription:
Non-steroidal and no-opioid painkiller will be used once the patient wakes, if needed. If possible dressing must be changed daily and wounds disinfected regularly. Antibiotics will be administered as a podromic measure.
“She is waking up” our brave officer exclaimed while hiding behind the desk. It took her awhile but the young lupine managed to sit on her improvised bedding, clutching her right side. She looked lost, confused, disoriented and in pain, after all they were light on the medication. She also seemed unable to notice her “hosts” standing outside her “room”.
“She must, be thirsty” The doctor commented, and she was, as soon as she found the water bowl she drank it. They half expected her to go down and drink like a wolf, not to pick it up with her good hand.
“Should we try to”-“No, we better not startle her, for her own sake” They watched her for a while as she regained her bearings, still oblivious about them.
She eventually stood up and stumbled toward the doors. She tried to open it and slowly realized she was locked inside. The reality of her situation stuck her hard. She fell to her knees whimpering and crying.
“What do you expect, for all she knows we captured her to butcher her or sell her” The doctor kneeled beside her outside the enclosure and reached for her shoulder through the cage bars. the Young Lupine recoiled but did not backed away
“Hello sweetheart, you are safe I am a doctor, we are only trying to help you” She used a soothing and melodic voice to which the lupine responded positively. “Can you understand me?” The lupine nooded. “Good I need to ask you some questions, don’t worry they are easy”
The doctor started her routine questionnaire, “Were you in pain, Do you know who you are” etcetera. Meanwhile the vet stood impassible next to the machinist.
“I am not used to talk to my patients like that, at least I do not expect a response” He idly commented
“I imagine...” The railroader answered
The sound of the railway man snapped the Lupine attention from the doctor, she turned to see what was the source of that familiar voice. And her face filled with horror as soon as she saw him. She backed away as far as her enclosure let her trying to hide under her bed, whimpering.
“As if i needed to feel any worse about this” The railwaymen added.
“Oh yes i forgot you are the victim here” the doctor retorted
“Look i am sorry. I should not have shot you” that sounded better in his head.
“Listen we are trying to help you now, just be still and the doctor will heal you right”
“You are not helping” the doctor had a point, the machinist scared the young Lupine out of her mind.
“If he keeps like this she is going to open her stitches, all that work for nothing” The vet commented
“I have an idea, i brought it for us but she needs to calm down, and we can share some” The machinist left the room and returned shortly with a roasted chicken.
“So that is why my oven was on, go figure” the vet said.
The smell of the poultry calmed the poor thing. She approached the front of her cage sniffing. The enclosure had a small hatch in front, a way to get stuff in and out without risking and attack.
“I will give you some ok?” But as soon as the machinist opened the hatch the lupine reached out a took the whole thing out of his hands. She then began to devour it, bones and all.
The trio back away from the cage as she continued to “attack” the chicken. The whole room filled with the sound of chewing and bones breaking under the lupine sharp teeth. Still under the desk the policewoman was about to faint.
After mere 5 minutes the whole bird was gone, fortunately her mood had improved, she finally stopped crying and was wagging her tail while licking the tin were the chicken was cooked, and her fur. By some miracle her bandages kept clean.
“So what are we gonna do with her” The machinist asked
“We? I am sorry when you brought her to us i imagined you had a made 2, no at least 3 plans for her” the vet answered
“Don’t fight or she will cry again” The doctor objected “look we will keep her around until she heals, then we will let her go back to her town right?”
“I am afraid i can’t let you do that” The policewoman said, after regaining some of her composure.
“She was caught trying to steal from the city and damaging private property. I cannot let her walk away just like that. Besides now someone can finally tell us why are there Lupines getting into town stealing stuff, not that these fleabags need any reason”.
“Meaning?” the doctor asked in a dry tone
“Meaning i am gonna toss her into the dungeons until we figure this whole mess out!
-”You can’t send me to jail!!”
The four of them turned around and stared silently into the cage. They did not know a Lupine could speak their language so well.
August 12 1927
Attention all!
The National Railroad Company is looking for you!
Due to the opening of the new industrial train station at the Guadiana Valley we are offering jobs and lodging for anyone with demonstrable experience.
Available jobs are:
Freight Handler
Machinist
Trainmaster
Railroad Engineer
Logistics expert
Ticket Salesman
Railroad operator
The rest of the ad is missing
Official Republic Radio Addressing the 28th anniversary of the victory over the monarchy:
...Here i thank all those patriots who gave their life not that long ago to bring down the oppressive royal regime that plagued this great country for centuries. And paved the way for the creation and development of a modern democracy.
Not even 30 years ago the battle of the [static] valley took place, where the might of the republic crushed the last royal citadel, forcing the deposed royal family to surrender.
And now after decades of civil unrest the country is getting on track for a bright future. Foreign investors like Mr Pratt from Pratt & Co. Steelworks, are now opening factories all across our beautiful country. Creating jobs and opportunities for all of our people to…
Bulletin board from [missing].
April 15 1928
Vulpine Sighting over the town.
On the past weeks several citizens have reported to the Civil Guard various occurrences of Vulpine sightings all across city.
We would like to remind you that the city has always been near an important Lupine settlement and our relation with them has always been cordial, and we used to have Lupine visitors all the time before the war started. So there is nothing to fear about these recent sightings
However we have got reports about missing chickens, looted silos and warehouses. The department recommends keeping any valuables under key and keep livestock inside their stables at night.
There have been no reports of tools or money missing in any case but changing your safe combination and securing your tool shed is never a bad idea.
According to our experts this is expected season for vulpine activity and we expect them to be out of town before long.
Until then:
Be Safe.
Police department and Civil Guard.
Another post from the same bulletin board.
April 16 1928
Errata:
In a previous post the department misidentified the local sightings as Vulpines, a more detailed investigation revealed that the they are Lupine not vulpines.
The department apologizes for the mix up. In any case for all intents and purposes they are the same thing other than that same precautions apply.
Be Safe.
Police department and Civil Guard.
Handwritten note, under the post:
Of course they are Lupines you idiots! There have never been vulpines in this part of the country!
Railroad operator letter. Addressed to her boyfriend back in the city
May 1928
-Dear Matthew.
Please don’t freak out. You remember I told you how there is no light from my house to the station right?
Every day is crossing a dark road, as I am the first to arrive to the office. And i rarely have any problem I really don’t.
But i do need to tell you about this tiny incident that happened yesterday:
I was going my usual route minding my own business when I heard like something was walking behind me. I turned around to check, but there was nothing.
And before you think anything. No i am not hearing things, I am not crazy! Anyways The noise continued almost halfway to the Station.
Then i felt this thing breath in my neck. This time I turn around and it was one of those Lupine things.
It was all furry and ugly and it stole my backpack!
Fortunately I was carrying that knife you gave me, and made them back off, they were actually three!!!. Sadly I wasn’t able to recover my backpack. And my lunch was there. So i spend the whole day hungry…
Rest of the letter is missing
Diary entry from local Machinst. Riley “Rex” McArthur: Railroader/ machinist.
June 18 1928.
Dear Diary: I know i do not talk to you as much as i should but i need to get this out of my chest and i Am out of whiskey. That was one hell of a night...
Earlier i was reading in my room. When I heard them, Lupines, lurking around the garden and front yard.
Those Lupines keep getting into town at night to steal stuff. I usually don’t give a damn about it since I have the common sense to use locks. But tonight a big crashing noise scared me out of my sofa.
I took my grandad shotgun and went outside. A trio of Lupines were stuck on the remains of my shed. I had spent the whole winter repairing that piece of crap and those suckers tear it down in a minute.
They were even laughing! The gall of those things. A bucket of paint fell on one of them and he was now green, so i guess they had something to laugh at. But that was my paint too.
“What do you want here!” I yelled at them.
“Get out of my property!” I continued.
They stopped laughing at stared at me,perhaps afraid? No matter I decided to teach them a lesson I took aim and, just my luck, a fourth one tackled me from behind.
Alas i got the last laugh. I managed to shot before falling. It was not a clean or direct shot but I got one of them.
The other 3 rushed to it, leaving me in the dirt. From my not so vantageous position i watched as they tried to help their friend. Who was, mind you, very much alive. I have no idea what they were saying. I cannot speak that language but i did not need to.
“Save yourselves, leave me behind” must have been something like that. The Lupine in question, a female one for the matter, was still stuck on what was left of my shed and bleeding.
At this point I had enough I stood up and shot again. This time, as usual really I am not a good shot. I failed miserably but the loud bang convinced the trio to left their friend behind.
I got closer, I was not gonna let this [censored] get away. But when I saw the thing cowering under the moonlight. Whimpering and , I assume, begging for her life. I could not bring myself to shot.
Look, she was terrified of me, she was stuck inside a wheel in the remains of a half-assed shed crying and shaking in fear, covering his face with her arms. Slowly bleeding out. That is no way to go.
I noticed she began to faint, I was surprised she managed to stay conscious for that long. Now she was harmless and despite my best judgement I pried the wheel open and took her inside. I did not have much time so I called my pals: The veterinarian and the physician. “Between the three of us we should be able to do something for her”- Or so i thought.
I send word to that gal at the civil guard. She owes me a favor, that might come in handy.
So is she gonna make it?-
“She lost a lot of blood” - A gal in a white coat, a doctor, answered, while stitching the Lupine side.
“What did you shot her with man? It is like you were trying to shred her” - A guy with a grey overall asked, typical veterinary outfit, he was dressing the Lupine wound on her right thigh. The shot hit her on her side, damaging her torso, arm and leg, and some of the buck blew her ear off.
“I am surprised it missed her lungs and most important organs, but still...”
“We are not trained on her physiology or anatomy, we cannot do much more than patch her up and hope for the best”
“Why are you helping her?” - A lass with police uniform asked from the back of the veterinary clinic- “I know these two have a reason, the vet is a furball lover and the doc here has some weird oath to keep, but you? You hunt on your spare time, why help this thing?”
“From the point i took the shot she became my responsibility, whether she lives or dies is now my fault. And i feel sorry for her”
A day had passed and the machinist had not been able to get the image of the pleading Lupine out of his head. He was a hunter on his free time, not a particularly good one, but a hunter nonetheless, Yet killing that Lupine, right there like that felt incredibly wrong for him. He even felt like crap about taking that shot, for what? Some kids messing his mostly dead garden?
“Always the noble hero right?” - The officer retorted- “Wait is it moving?” Yes she was, squirming under the doctor, the vet and the machinist grip. A cornered canid was always something dangerous.
“Oh my god. it is gonna kill us all” The until now collected officer lost his mind and hid under a desk. Trembling in fear at the sight of the awakening Lupine.
“Give her whiskey”- The vet sentenced “Are you crazy?” The doctor objected
“Well if you rather use morphine and guess the appropriate does that does not kill her be my guest”
Diagnostic sheet found at local clinic
Ordinary diagnostic sheet. Has a human figure drawn to the left but someone drew a tail, hears and a muzzle over the figure with a red pencil.
It reads:
Patient: Jane Doe
Species: Lupine
Sex: Female
Diagnostic:
Multiple gun injuries on the right side of the body. Small caliber buck removed from arm, leg, torso and abdomen. Missing piece of right ear.
Multiple lacerations and bruises on the back wood splinters removed from her.
Dislocated ankle paw lower limb.
Foreign bodies were removed and wounds were cleaned and disinfected. Lower limb dislocation reduced and limb immobilized.
Due to safety reason medication has been restricted, no opioids administered. Used alcohol for sedative purposes.
Prescription:
Non-steroidal and no-opioid painkiller will be used once the patient wakes, if needed. If possible dressing must be changed daily and wounds disinfected regularly. Antibiotics will be administered as a podromic measure.
“She is waking up” our brave officer exclaimed while hiding behind the desk. It took her awhile but the young lupine managed to sit on her improvised bedding, clutching her right side. She looked lost, confused, disoriented and in pain, after all they were light on the medication. She also seemed unable to notice her “hosts” standing outside her “room”.
“She must, be thirsty” The doctor commented, and she was, as soon as she found the water bowl she drank it. They half expected her to go down and drink like a wolf, not to pick it up with her good hand.
“Should we try to”-“No, we better not startle her, for her own sake” They watched her for a while as she regained her bearings, still oblivious about them.
She eventually stood up and stumbled toward the doors. She tried to open it and slowly realized she was locked inside. The reality of her situation stuck her hard. She fell to her knees whimpering and crying.
“What do you expect, for all she knows we captured her to butcher her or sell her” The doctor kneeled beside her outside the enclosure and reached for her shoulder through the cage bars. the Young Lupine recoiled but did not backed away
“Hello sweetheart, you are safe I am a doctor, we are only trying to help you” She used a soothing and melodic voice to which the lupine responded positively. “Can you understand me?” The lupine nooded. “Good I need to ask you some questions, don’t worry they are easy”
The doctor started her routine questionnaire, “Were you in pain, Do you know who you are” etcetera. Meanwhile the vet stood impassible next to the machinist.
“I am not used to talk to my patients like that, at least I do not expect a response” He idly commented
“I imagine...” The railroader answered
The sound of the railway man snapped the Lupine attention from the doctor, she turned to see what was the source of that familiar voice. And her face filled with horror as soon as she saw him. She backed away as far as her enclosure let her trying to hide under her bed, whimpering.
“As if i needed to feel any worse about this” The railwaymen added.
“Oh yes i forgot you are the victim here” the doctor retorted
“Look i am sorry. I should not have shot you” that sounded better in his head.
“Listen we are trying to help you now, just be still and the doctor will heal you right”
“You are not helping” the doctor had a point, the machinist scared the young Lupine out of her mind.
“If he keeps like this she is going to open her stitches, all that work for nothing” The vet commented
“I have an idea, i brought it for us but she needs to calm down, and we can share some” The machinist left the room and returned shortly with a roasted chicken.
“So that is why my oven was on, go figure” the vet said.
The smell of the poultry calmed the poor thing. She approached the front of her cage sniffing. The enclosure had a small hatch in front, a way to get stuff in and out without risking and attack.
“I will give you some ok?” But as soon as the machinist opened the hatch the lupine reached out a took the whole thing out of his hands. She then began to devour it, bones and all.
The trio back away from the cage as she continued to “attack” the chicken. The whole room filled with the sound of chewing and bones breaking under the lupine sharp teeth. Still under the desk the policewoman was about to faint.
After mere 5 minutes the whole bird was gone, fortunately her mood had improved, she finally stopped crying and was wagging her tail while licking the tin were the chicken was cooked, and her fur. By some miracle her bandages kept clean.
“So what are we gonna do with her” The machinist asked
“We? I am sorry when you brought her to us i imagined you had a made 2, no at least 3 plans for her” the vet answered
“Don’t fight or she will cry again” The doctor objected “look we will keep her around until she heals, then we will let her go back to her town right?”
“I am afraid i can’t let you do that” The policewoman said, after regaining some of her composure.
“She was caught trying to steal from the city and damaging private property. I cannot let her walk away just like that. Besides now someone can finally tell us why are there Lupines getting into town stealing stuff, not that these fleabags need any reason”.
“Meaning?” the doctor asked in a dry tone
“Meaning i am gonna toss her into the dungeons until we figure this whole mess out!
-”You can’t send me to jail!!”
The four of them turned around and stared silently into the cage. They did not know a Lupine could speak their language so well.
Before i go i want to explain why i wrote this if you are still here that is. Don't worry is much more interesting that my story!
Spoiler!
Back in the early 1920's my great grandfather worked on the railroad on a very rural part of the country. As such electric lighting was still not a thing so he had to cross a very dark area every morning to get to his job. He used to tell that from time to time he felt something followed him. What was that? Acoording to him Nahuals.
What is a Nahual i hear you ask? Well in mexican folklore a Nahual is a person who can shapeshift into an animal or something like that. Imagine Raine from the comic, however unlike Raine who mostly is harmless and adorably awkward a Nahual main hobbies consist on killing cattle, poultry and kindnapping/killing people. At the end of the day they are part witches and part werewolf.
My great grandad also used to tell that sometimes at night he had to come out of his house brandishing his shotgun so the damn beast would let him sleep.
So i took those weird stories and mismatched them with the Twokinds idea of a world with both humans and non humans living in it and what you read is what came out.
What is a Nahual i hear you ask? Well in mexican folklore a Nahual is a person who can shapeshift into an animal or something like that. Imagine Raine from the comic, however unlike Raine who mostly is harmless and adorably awkward a Nahual main hobbies consist on killing cattle, poultry and kindnapping/killing people. At the end of the day they are part witches and part werewolf.
My great grandad also used to tell that sometimes at night he had to come out of his house brandishing his shotgun so the damn beast would let him sleep.
So i took those weird stories and mismatched them with the Twokinds idea of a world with both humans and non humans living in it and what you read is what came out.