(free use pixel fox)

Ajax had a lot of growing to do. He was like a sketch half done, the idea rough and unfocused with bits and peices missing here and there. His horns were just nubby-nubs atop his crown and whilst his tail was real long and fluffy, it felt heavy in a way he couldn't quite grasp. Achy and sore too sometimes, similar to the sting of teeth coming in but more...boney? Whatever was going on with his tail it better be cool, he just had to wait and find out, he guessed since chewing on it did no good...except make it hurt even more.

Standing amongst the shallow pools that filled the cavern Ajax was happy to be left on his own, splished and splashed till his fur was sodden and wet. Foxy tail flat and dripping as he had the time of his life, playful giggles echoing off the walls. He was a good kid, a happy kid. A little prone to wandering off on his own when he shouldn't and impulsive as they came, but what kid at his age wasn't like this? That's what growing up was all about, having fun whilst it lasted, till it was time to get old and serious.

The days are much of the same for Calico Jack. Eat, sleep, explore and repeat. It is nice, calm, and completely boring. The patchwork pup lays in the black sand, basking in the warm afternoon rays of the sun when the sound of splashing pulls the small pup’s attention away from the gull that he has been tracking. Head swings over to catch sight of the cavern, ears high as he listens to the laughter and splashing.

Quickly, the pup wiggles and squirms until he is on his belly and, from there, he swiftly stands. Granules of the black sand stick to his the pristine white of his coat and Jack quickly gives his coat a hard shake, sending them flying every which way. Calico takes a moment to allow the sudden wave of dizziness to pass before turning to face the cavern.

Bounding toward the ruckus, Calico spies his orange, fox-like brother splashing around without a care in the world. Eyebrows lift and a mischievous grin plays across the pup’s dark lips as plan takes form in his mind. Crouching low, Calico Jack begins to stalk his brother, silently moving until he is behind his brother.

As Ajax pauses in his fun, Calico launches his small form forward, aiming to tackle his brother and send them both tumbling through the shallow pools. Great peals of laughter ring through the cavern, following Jack as he charges his brother.


"Calico Jack"

(free use pixel fox)

Ajax heard nothing but the splish-splash of water, the drip-drip of it falling from the cavern ceiling. It flooded his senses, made it near impossible for him to notice the approaching threat before it was too late, before they were both sent tumbling into the puddle on the floor. Kicking like an upside down turtle, Ajax's gaze finally narrowed in on his brother's dappled form. Who else could it have been but his cursed rival, Calico Jack? His laughter was infectious and Ajax couldn't help but giggle in-between attempts to bite at his brothers, ears and muzzle. Puppy chomps, that were more flailing teeth than outright attempts to grab and rip, or chew.

Still rolling about on his side, he raised up his tail to slap it down into the water, creating a massive splash that soaked them further. Good thing they both liked the water!

Ajax vs Calico Jack for spar
Round 1/2
Age: under 6 months
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Light
Mutation 1: Cat claws - Offensive
Mutation 2: Tail blade - Offensive
Mutation 3: Horns - Defensive
Skills: Beginner Fighter & Intermediate Hunter

Calico Jack’s sneak attack works and both he and Ajax go sprawling forward into the puddle. Great squeals of laughter erupt from the patchwork pup’s mouth as his brother’s gaze lands on him. A crooked, lopsided grin is given to Ajax as the soaked Jack’s tail thumps the water under him. Suddenly, and completely unexpectedly, his brother tries to bite him! Oh, what a turn of events!

Truthfully, Jack had hoped that Ajax was up for a good spar, the dappled pup needed to let out some excess energy that he been storing. White paws fly as he attempts to slap his brother, vicious puppy sounds filling the cavern as he growls and rolls. Pain flares as Ajax lands a hard chomp on Calico’s ear and the pup makes a loud squeak before redoubling his efforts to slap his brother’s face. High pitched growls roll from his throat as he begins to snap at Ajax, his teeth trying to find purchase on anything and everything they can find.

Small bodies roll and Ajax’s tail slaps the water, sending a huge splash over the two sparring pups. Calico Jack laughs again, great, high pitched squeals of unbridled joy while still attempting to fight his brother.



Calico Jack vs Ajax for Puppy Spar!
Round 1/2
Age: Under 6 months
Size: Extra large
Build: Light
Skills: Beginner Fighter & Beginner Navigator


"Calico Jack"

(free use pixel fox)

Ajax was a good boy, let go when his brother started to squeal, worried that he'd bitten on too hard! A quick glance Jack's way told him there was nothing to worry about and the rough and tumble continued, mouthing and playful whacking with oversized paws they'd eventually grow into. He felt a tug against the floof of his neck as Jack held on, so of course Ajax slapped at the water again with his tail. Hoping to make an even bigger splash this time! As to how they'd work out who the winner was...he didn't know. Was having too much fun to think about the end point, not when being slap bang in the middle was the best thing ever. Family was great!

They were making a right ruckus! Laughing and mock growling, splashing and the light thudding of paws slapping one another. Two feisty boys having the time of their life, what else were they supposed to do at such a young age?

Ajax vs Calico Jack for spar
Round 2/2
Age: under 6 months
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Light
Mutation 1: Cat claws - Offensive
Mutation 2: Tail blade - Offensive
Mutation 3: Horns - Defensive
Skills: Beginner Fighter & Intermediate Hunter

Calico loves his siblings but, out of all of them, he feels a special kinship with Ajax. It is a feeling he cannot quite put his paw on but as they roll around in the water, thoroughly drenching their coats while slapping and laughing at each other, Jack feels that indescribable tug of happiness that only comes from playing with Jax. When his ear is bitten and he squeals, his brother lets go and the pain is quickly replaced by more laughter.

Paws, too big for their small forms, smack and push as their bodies squirm in the water. Ajax sends up another huge splash of water and Calico Jack lets out a great peel of laughter. He wiggles closer to Jax, aiming to try and lay his body over his brother’s so he can nibble on Ajax’s ears. Winning isn’t important to Jack, all he cares about is having fun with his brother!


Calico Jack vs Ajax for Puppy Spar!
Round 2/2
Age: Under 6 months
Size: Extra large
Build: Light
Skills: Beginner Fighter & Beginner Navigator


"Calico Jack"

And the winner is...

AJAX

CALICO JACK must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Totals: AJAX Attack Roll: 37 Defense Roll: 86 Agility Roll: 50 Perception Roll: 48 Total: 221 Attack[37] + 35% Bonus[12.95]: 49.95 Defense[86] + 10% Bonus[8.60]: 94.60 Agility[50] + 5% Bonus[2.50]: 52.50 Perception[48] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 48.00 Total[245.05] + -30% Bonus[-73.52]: 171.54 CALICO JACK Attack Roll: 25 Defense Roll: 16 Agility Roll: 3 Perception Roll: 41 Total: 85 Attack[25] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 25.00 Defense[16] + 5% Bonus[0.80]: 16.80 Agility[3] + 5% Bonus[0.15]: 3.15 Perception[41] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 41.00 Total[85.95] + -30% Bonus[-25.78]: 60.16

By the time Ajax was done his brother was soaked to the bone, wetter than soggy seaweed he'd found on the beach! Like a drowned calico cat, fur all smushed down and flat, water dripping from his whiskers. Naturally, Ajax found this all rather hilarious and rolled onto his back as he kicked his legs in the air, fully enveloped in the hilarity of the situation till he struggled to breathe between giggles and guffaws. Being with his siblings was just too much fun, he never wanted it to end. Never wanted to be apart. "You-you're all wet. Wetter than a fish! Than a-a slug!" Not his sharpest quip but give the boy a break, his face hurt from smiling too much, you couldn't expect him to think too!

As they fight, rolling and laughing, living their best puppy lives, Ajax somehow comes out the victor. Calico Jack is soak to the bone, every inch of him drenched to the point where, if he tried to shake out his coat, the patchwork pup is certain the whole ocean would come out! His brother rolls, laughing and kicking his legs in the air while Jack does his best drowned cat impression and moves to stand.

Ajax’s laughs ricocheted around them which has Jack grinning happily at his brother and he tips his head to the side, bringing the opposite paw to the side of his head and gently smacking his cheek in a bid to get the water out. Jax speaks up and Jack stops his work to stick his tongue out before saying, “Yeah, yeah. Laugh it up brother ‘o mine. Oh hey. You like water too… right Jax?” A mischievous grin pulls his lips up before Jack begins to shake out his coat.

Muscles roll as the patchwork pup’s skin moves from side to side, ridding his body of the thick layers of water that drench him. From his nose, all the way down to the tip of his tail, Cal shrugs off the water, only stopping when his coat feels lighter. Steadying himself after such a hard shake, the much dryer Jack looks to his brother, joy dancing in his eyes as he looks to see how soaked his sibling is.



"Calico Jack"

Oh his brother was a crafty one, every bit a pirate as a gleam as shiny as gold lit up Jack's eyes. Ajax didn't even have time to offer an affirmative before his brother's form began to blur, flapping this way and that, sending a torrent of water right in Ajax's direction. By the time he was done, the little fox was closer to a drowned rat than anything else. All dripping wet, eyes squeezed closed and somehow pleased as a punch. Yep, he loved water! Was it obvious? "I told Mum one day I'mma swim to those faaaar away islands. Do you wanna come too?" It felt like an important question to ask, as fun was not to be had a lone. The more the merrier, happy memories were for everyone, not treasure to be coveted.

Jack shakes his coat out, getting all the heavy droplets out. Once he is done, he looks to his fox-colored brother and squeals at how he soaked he is. Big deep, rumbling belly laughs fall from his mouth and the patchwork pitches to the side and ends up right back into the puddle beside Ajax. It is all fun and games as the pirate pups enjoy being alive. When his fit of laughter begins to flag, he hears his brother’s voice and, from his place on his side in the puddle of water, Calico Jack cracks a huge smile just for his brother.

Ajax has been intrigued by water since they could stand and it feels… special that he would invite Jack along on a swim that he is planning. Rolling onto his belly, Cal says, "“I’ll go wherever you go Jax. If you want to go to the far-off islands, I will be right beside you.” It seems important to the small, patchwork pup that those words be said. Maybe it is more a reflection of what he feels inside for Ajax. Jack knows that, no matter what happens or where his siblings go, he will always be there for them.


"Calico Jack"