a gift from the gods
cyprian
11-16-2023, 08:26 AM
11-16-2023, 11:50 AM
Loneliness was something that wasn't foreign to Cyprian. Long days, nights, years of being a gladiator; a prized fighter for the emperor, had set the mastiff mix apart from others. Never did he dare get close to another for tomorrow they could very well be dead. Yes, there were lovers. Many, many lovers. A few upon whom Cyprian had looked favorably, holding them in higher regard than others. There had never, however, been a friend. Having been released from the emperors tender care, as the fighters in the pit liked to call it, Cyprian was well and truly alone for the first time in his life. The giant yearned for companionship in any form. The wild was far too quiet for one that had always had the buzz of the Colloseum in his ears. That buzz, like the scurry of rats or the scuttling of beetles, it had lulled the Alabai mix to sleep for four years. Cyprian was released with no possessions, his only property being his own life. He had no home. He had nothing. In the back of his mind, the man wondered if it would have been more merciful if he'd died in the games. Ah... but the fighters determination still rang true within him. Never give up. He would make due. Heavy paws padded along the base of the canyon, their scratchy pads spinning up puffs of dust here and there. Cropped ears were following the sound of water. As he thought of the life giving liquid, the brute slapped his chops, realizing just how dry his mouth was. Cyp pushed himself into a lope, thick cords of muscle rippling beneath the man's short pelt. He was a beast. A powerhouse, and it showed. As Cyprian neared the water, movement on the other side caught his eye. The behemoth's head lowered and he squared up on instinct alone, but his posture soon relaxed when he noted the source of the movement. A man lay on the other side of the water and he looked worse for wear. The scarred giant watched as the patchwork wolf tried to rise and stumbled. Despite his former profession, Cyprian was a gentle man. Without hesitation, he waded across the clear, cool water, forgoing his own thirst in lieu of helping one in need. The man's voice was rich and low, like the far off rumble of seismic activity. He neared the other man, trying not to spook him and probably failing. Cyprian was a sight to behold. Gargantuan, muscled, scarred, cropped and docked. And yet, there was kindness in his pale, blue eyes. "Will you allow me to help you to the waters edge?" "Cyprian"
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11-16-2023, 02:31 PM
11-28-2023, 02:21 PM
Having made his way across the river, Cyprian stood before the man. He didn't quite know what was wrong with him, but he looked weak and thirsty. The offer given, the dog didn't have to wait long for the wolf to accept. Cropped ears had shifted forward at the man's tired yet welcoming vocals, and then he was aiding him so that he could rise. Gently and with care not at all befitting one so large and intimidating, Cyprian slid his blocky skull beneath the other male, sliding him onto his back. With sure footing, Cyprian made his way to the waters edge. Just as gently, he sank down to his taut belly, waiting patiently while the man dismounted. At the edge of the river, there would be little need to do more than stretch out his neck to drink. Cyprian stayed on his belly, though he joined the man in a drink of the water. His mouth had indeed been dry. The men stayed there silently while slaking their thirst, Cyp having reached his limit before the other man. A speckled tongue swiped clinging droplets from the brutes jowls before he shifted a bit, achieving a position of comfort. He wasn't the best at socializing and was used to being silent until spoken to, lest he receive a beating. So, the mastiff mix remained quiet and waited for the smaller man to finish. "Cyprian"
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11-28-2023, 02:33 PM
11-28-2023, 03:05 PM
Once more the giant's short cropped ears moved, though he didn't have much in the order of ears at all. They'd been snipped very short as a child so that enemies couldn't latch onto them. Cyprian couldn't quite place the accent despite having met men from all over the world during his time in the arena. He liked it though. It was... soothing. The man thanked him and the mastiff nodded, chin dipping once. The sandy colored man went on to say that he had passed out and the behemoth's brow furrowed slightly. "Are you unwell?" Pale eyes roamed over the other man, looking for any sort of physical damage. He could see none. Perhaps it was something internal? Cyprian was no healer, but he knew basic aid. All fighters did. It didn't even dawn on Cyprian to offer his name until later, and, when he realized that he was still unnamed, it was as though a lightbulb visibly went off within his mind. Brows lifted and his gaze focused fully on the smaller male. "What might your name be? I am Cyprian." It was obvious just how awkward and unsocialized the brute was. "Cyprian"
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11-29-2023, 10:41 AM
12-11-2023, 04:33 PM
The man made light of his situation, brushing away the fact that he was weak and very well could have died in the heat of the canyon. Cyprian still stared in concern, but he didn't question further. Perhaps it was true that the mottled brute wasn't good at caring for himself. In which case... who had been caring for him up until now? A name was given and Cyprian tested it in his mind before nodding in acceptance. Lono Keona. The name was... joyous and made Cyprian think of wide open spaces and gentle breezes. Of children playing in waves and weaving crowns of flowers. He'd never speak such thoughts out loud, of course, but he did think them. Lono asked Cyprian a question in turn and the hulking mastiff's brow furrowed slightly. He had considered not telling those that he met of his origins, but what good would it do? He was awkward and it would surely make others curious as to why. The giant dogs voice was a low rumble, but it was so very gentle at the same time. "I've come from very far away," he began. "I used to... be in the emperors service and was forced to fight for his pleasure." Surely Lono would know of the emperor. "I won my freedom and I have been traveling as far away from there as possible." And then he was silent, not knowing what else to say. "Cyprian"
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1. | a gift from the gods | Bent Canyon | 08:26 AM, 11-16-2023 | 03:44 AM, 02-13-2024 |