She couldn’t say why she was here, but after leaving Elysium her paws had wandered just a bit. Leaving Ikigai there was one of the most difficult tasks in her life. She was still reeling, and didn’t have it in her to return home yet. The northern reaches were the ones she had the least experience with. Unlike her tropical home the lands here were chill and cold. She wasn’t built for the cold, so the experience was thrilling. For the most part.

What was truly thrilling turned out to be the swim from the mainland. The water was incredibly cold, but thankfully shelter was easy to find in the mountainous rocky outcroppings around its edge. She could have sworn this island hadn’t been here on the way in.

Venom scrambled up the rocky shore, shaking out her coat and ducking into a cave to get out of the wind while she dried.

"Venom"

Atlantis Island

The swim out to this strange, rocky island had seemed like a good idea… at the time. Jack, drunk on the victory the adults had claimed against the Armadain wolves, had decided to go out exploring… and found himself in the North near said Armada. However, Calico Jack was not like the adults who sought out a fight but instead is up here to satisfy his wanderlust. And that island out there is the perfect place to do it! The calico pup had not known just how cold the water was until he charged in but, determined to make it to the island, he had thrown caution to the wind and continued on.

Small paws scrabble put the rocky shore, depositing the sopping wet pup on the island. Chest heaves as the boy sucks in great lung-fulls of air and starts to think that might only slightly regret the trip here. The sheer stone cliffs don’t leave Jack room to rest and the tired pup is forced to find a cave to take shelter in. Once on solid, mostly level ground, the pup shakes out his coat, giving it a rough cleaning and sending huge drops of water flying every which way. The pup doesn’t consider the fact that he might not be the only one out on this remote island, exploring.

So, when the sound of someone further in finds its way to him, Calico Jack stops trying to get the water out of his ears and casts his pale blue gaze down the dark, eerie cave path. He attempts to scent the air and ends up in a sneezing fit as he inhales some of the salty water that dared to cling to his nostrils. Once it has subsided enough, the boy calls out, “’Ello? Anyone there?” Jack might have sounded intimating if it wasn’t for the fact that his voice is young, uncertain, and now, slightly congested.

Damn, this trip is off to a great start.


"Calico Jack"

Venom shook herself again as she wandered into the cave, it seemed quite a bit deeper than how it looked outside. Finding a way through the rocky outcroppings and mini mountains to the inside of the island would be easier if there were some subterranean tunnels. This was a beautiful island, despite the cold of the northern reaches it was incredible. Snowy capped mountainous peaks, incredible old growth forests. Sunset eyes searched the back of the cavern as white gloved paws began to take her deeper, at least until the sound of another voice caught her attention.

The Empress turned back around to the entrance facing the ocean, quite surprised to see a younger pup there. Absolutely sopping wet, like her, with a coat that instantly reminded her of her ex-husband’s family. Beyond that she held no recognition. And his scents were mostly washed off from the ocean. His uncertainty was obvious in contrast, which warmed Venom despite her desire to be cold. She was over Hattori, it had been longer than a year since he had left her life, she had moved on. This child was innocent.

"Here,” She returned softly as her dual toned form emerged from the shadows. "You should come in out of the wind.”

"Venom"

The pup looks down the tunnel, knowing he heard a sound but unsure if there really is someone there. A small sneeze escapes and he almost yelps as a tall, pretty lady, suddenly steps out from the shadows further down. Jack’s fur hangs heavily on his frame, filled with the salty water of the ocean he had just swam. Grateful for the company and seemingly nice lady, he offers her warm, albeit slightly uncertain, smile as he moves forward while he silently hopes she isn’t one of those wolves who hates pirates and kills them on sight.

Still, he isn’t going to allow the cold and possibility of murder dampen his spirits, he is here to explore! Nearing the big lady, Cal happily says, “ ‘Ello! I’m Calico Jack! I just wanted to see what this island is all about. Kind of… misjudged how cold and long the swim was.” A chuckle bounces off the dark walls of the tunnel before a sneeze quickly follows after it. Stepping forward, the boy is eager to see what this island has to offer. From the shore he seen mountains cloaked with snow and the heads of tall trees had even poked up from the center.

With a bounce is in his steps, he moves along, happy to be out explore even if he is just in a tunnel for the moment. The smooth rock is slippery under his soaked paws but the smell of those trees draws him onward, making him unafraid of slipping and falling flat on his face.

"Calico Jack"

The Empress had always been much softer when it came to puppies, and her pale lips curled in a gentle smile as the boy meandered into the cave. He was a scrappy looking thing, obviously not ill accustomed to being alone. Now that his fur was beginning to dry she could smell the very faint scent of pirate on him. Not that Venom would judge the boy with the full force she might one of the adult members.

Besides, the sea water was cold, and the island was not near as hospitable as some within the archipelago. Even she, a grown woman, felt the effects of the environment against her. This cave was enough shelter though. It was cut off from the wind, and beneath the earth remained a constant temperature. Much more comfortable than the chill beyond the dark rocky entrance.

"And my name is Venom.” She replied as he took a better look at the mossy stoned walls that surrounded them. Just like a child, far more curious about what was around him than for his own good. "It’s very cold, you should be sure to be nice and warmed up again before you try to go back through the water.”

"Venom"

Calico Jack moves toward the tall woman who introduces herself as Venom. With a wide grin, the pup gives a huge, embellished bow while saying, “A pleasure to meet Venom.” It is not meant in a mocking way but more of a, ‘I am the most charming pup you will ever meet’ sort of way. Her words pull a chuckle from the patchwork pup as he says, “It is extremely cold. I will be staying here until I am dry.” The dark tunnels offer warmth and shelter from the winds but the scent of trees further ahead seems very appealing. Slowly, he moves onward but hesitates a moment longer as he asks, “What about you? You’re not heading back yet… are you?”

Worry creeps into his voice as he looks back at Venom, noting that she is still damp too. Part of Calico Jack knows that, if he gets into any sort of trouble (predators and the like) that he will have no one to help him. That means if Venom leaves, then is truly and utterly alone… again. With a small, uncertain smile to the woman, Jack continues to press on, not willing to show just how scared he is. No one will come to look for him and, if he dies, no one would know. Wait… would they even care? Swallowing around a lump in his throat, the pup finds the light at the end of the tunnel and exits into a dense forest.

Mist hangs in the trees, obscuring the view of the volcano at the center of the island. Yet, the tall, towering trees still have green in their leaves which create a canopy overhead and the air is considerably warmer here than it had been on the way to the island. Moving toward the nearest dark barked tree, Jack comes to a stop at the base and slides down to his belly before curling into a tight ball. Tired and cold, the pup tries to take a nap before deciding to try and brave the waters back home. Maybe he had been foolish to come all the way out here by himself. Well, too late now.


"Calico Jack"