#shapeshifter canine

[theriverscribe]

Sam and Morpheus from my series, “By the Grace of God.” Colored Pencil (which I still try to use like paint)

I’ve had some mental exhaustion with writing recently, so I’ve been trying to art instead.  He has a halo in the larger version, but I didn’t like how it came out, so I cropped it.  The wings aren’t how I picture them, but art is hard...especially when you can’t add digital effects like “white glowing grace” overtop.  Also, how do I hair?  What is hair even?  Why didn’t I just stick a hat on his head??

[theriverscribe]

For Morpheus: Has there ever been a charge that you couldn't help and did you/do you blame yourself for that? Are you afraid that it's going to happen again?

There were a few children I knew would not work out within a few hours of meeting them.  Mean-spirited and spoiled.  And their parents encouraged their behavior.  Luckily, they were only looking for a bodyguard, and I recommended others who were better suited.

I have only lost one child under my protection–long ago, when I was still newly transformed and fresh from training.  There was a war, and she was the daughter of a chieftain.  The other clan attacked in far greater numbers than our own, and I…

Morpheus’ ears droop as he lowers himself to the ground.  A small whine escapes his throat–sad and soft.

I was overwhelmed and severely injured.  They took the girl.  I searched for three days before I found her, but it was too late.  They’d snapped her neck and left her body as a warning to her father.  I guess it was a mercy her death had been quick–and that she’d suffered no other injuries at their hands.

I returned to my Mother, begged her to consume my spirit so I’d never fail her again.  Instead, she healed my wounds and left me in charge of her new pups.  Decades passed before I accepted another charge away from Mother’s realm. 

Fear is part of this life.  It keeps us alert to danger, and aware of what we have to lose.  I do not let it consume me, but use it to keep myself and my charges alive. 

Send your Character Asks to @spn-bythegraceofgod!

[theriverscribe]

So Sam........ How's learning to ride Morpheus going? I remember when I took lessons to ride horses when I was younger, and I was so sore the day after. I bet it's about the same for you.

“Well, I never had horse riding lessons, but I did have to ride a horse for hours when Dean and I went back in time to the old west.  It was awful,“ Sam says with a grimace, “and sore doesn’t begin to describe that experience. 

“But riding Morpheus is nothing like that.  I’m practically sitting on a moving pillow instead of a saddle.  And his gait doesn’t bounce me around as much.  Plus, we haven’t really made it to ‘running’ yet, so that’s been good. 

“Don’t get me wrong–I am still sore.  But it’s from my muscles working to keep me upright and in place.  I’m not chaffing against hard leather.”

Sam looks around, making sure the others aren’t listening in.  He finds the coast is clear, but still drops his voice down to a whisper.

“Actually, it’s a lot of fun.  Everything about Morpheus is great!  I’ve always wanted a dog, but even when I’ve managed to have one for a short time it was always mixed with guilt or sadness.  I could never enjoy them fully because they were reminders of what I’d lost or left behind.  But Morpheus?  I’ve never had a friend like him.  I mean, talking dogs are what kids daydream about, right?  And now I have one.  Well, I don’t have him, because he’s his own person, but you know what I mean.”

Sam blushes as he grins, and scratches nervously at the back of his neck.  

“So, it’s…yeah, it’s great.  He’s great.  Riding is great, even when I’m sore.  But don’t tell the angels.  They already hover over me, waiting to heal every tiny scrape and bruise they can find.  I don’t need them checking me for ‘sore muscles’ on top of everything else!”