{ Dirk Ashby } The night was dark and stormy. It was early winter, and the changing winds told him that his "birthday" was near. Five years ago, he had been born. But, what had he done with his life since then? He'd had a short stay in Valhalla, but after the volcano eruption, he couldn't bring himself to stay with them. While fleeing the lava, he witnessed a small, mute, and deaf -- he assumed -- wolf burned, no . . . melted to death in the lava flow. Since then, he'd been roaming on his own, taking in the land and doing what he loved to do most: work out. During his time alone, he taught himself increasingly difficult athletic skills, from running up into and jumping off of the side of trees, to high jumping, to balancing on wobbly logs and narrow tree bridges. But he didn't ignore his basics skills so, despite the tempestuous weather, he was off on a marathon run, headed east into lands he had not yet explored. Soon, he found himself near the edge of the Lover's Mangrove, and he slowed to a stop, breathing heavily from his run. Dirk had never seen a mangrove swamp in his life. He paused tentatively as he came upon the first tangle of roots in the mangrove, gingerly taking a forepaw out of the ankle-deep water to place it on the twisted platform. Discovering it was able to hold his weight, he stepped up onto it and traveled on, flexing his agility by jumping over, onto, and around trees. Still, he stepped carefully, trying to avoid catching a paw in the sloping roots and breaking an ankle. He paused as the smell of scent markers wafted into his nose, then continued on, slowing his pace as he crossed over into the borders of the packland. Lifting his head, he let his low, smooth howl ring out through the trees. But his howl was cut short as he over-estimated the strength of a root and tripped head first into the faintly glowing river. He gasped for air as he broke the surface of the river, paddling back to dry land and climbing back unto the roots. His eyes widened with wonder as he turned and saw his path through the water illuminated in a bright blue light. "What in the world . . ?" he murmured, disturbing the water with a paw and watching, intrigued, as the light bloomed beneath his paw.

It was in the dark of night that Deteste most enjoyed his patrols. He did not interact with many strangers or members and though his love for the Ludicael was deep he enjoyed having the time alone. Thunder rumbled in the distance, following the lightning that occasionally lit up the mangrove. It was pouring and De's obsidian pelt was slick against his lean frame. He had found out in his first winter here that though the mangrove experienced warmer winters the rainstorms were relentless. Deteste kept a strong gait to warm his body, and a course tailored closely to the tangled mangrove canopy to keep as dry as he could. His breath was white in the winter air but quickly dissipated in the rain. The only visible thing about the man were his cerulean eyes which glowed nearly white in the dark of the night.


A strong wind slanted the rain before him and brought with it a mixture of muddled scents. These included an unfamiliarity. Deteste adjusted his course appropriately and prepared himself to discover Ludicael's latest visitor. Because the stranger was not far and because late night visitors were uncommon and often had less friendly plans for the Ludicael Deteste slowed his gait and walked silently among the mangrove roots which had become extremely familiar to him in his patrols. As he neared one of the territory's water bodies, he found himself walking atop the thick roots. Within the thicker part of the woodland the rain was less of a nuisance and allowed Deteste to feel much more alert.


Light flashed brokenly through the mangrove, a much closer strike this time, and the thunder that followed caused the canopy above to tremble. The flash revealed Deteste's object of interest and as he neared his counterpart's voice rose in song, amplified and then ceased with a large splash. He could have laughed but in wariness, but mostly respect, he held his laughter and hurried to the scene to make himself known while the other was temporarily at a disadvantage. Deteste eyed the young man paddling in the waters and regardless of himself he offered a toothsome grin. I see you have discovered our unique waters. He spoke in reply to the vagabond's amazement, his dark face emerging in the blue glow of the mangroves.

{ Dirk Ashby } "I see you have discovered our unique waters." "Ngh!" Dirk jumped, whipping his head around to gaze into the scarred face of what appeared to be a blue wolf. He gawped, dumbfounded, for a few moments, his eyes trapped by the clear blue stare of the wolf before him. "I guess this is what happens when you drink the water," he thought. "I wonder if all the wolves here look like him." For a moment, Dirk reconsidered entering these strange lands. He had no idea what sort of wolves lived within such a magical-looking landscape. But, as the moment passed, the though passed with it, and he blinked his eyes and tore his gaze away. "Mmn, yeah. It's fascinating," he fumbled, clearing his throat as he looked back into the glowing, swirling waters. "Do you know how it's doing that? Or . . . why? I've never seen anything like it." He sniffed one of his saturated paws and gave it a tentative lick. "Does it do something to you if you drink it?" He glanced at the dark wolf, who's fur was still reflecting the shimmering blue light. "Speech." "Thought."

Wolf from dawnthieves, manip by Ocena. Character belongs to Deneke! The maiden had been traversing the lands, familiarizing herself with the place she would now call home. Though it was raining, she still chose to wander about, simply watching where she placed her powerful paws. She had been stepping with fluid grace over the roots of the mangroves trees, when she had heard an abruptly ended howl. A newcomer? A smile graced her elegant face as she sped up, bounding from root to root with a cautious speed until she came closer to the pair; one, a wolf of her own pack, based on his scent. The other, must have been the newcomer, because a myriad of scents came from his pelt. The albino mistress no doubt stood out from the darkness, so she stepped forward, hoping she was not intruding on anything. She held her deceptively delicate cranium high, paws stepping surely over the roots, feminine hips swaying and her long tail swept through the air behind her. She heard their conversation as she approached, and was also interested in the answer, because she did not know what made the water so such a thing. Her ivory fur reflected the lights with which she shared a name in this place, blue becoming the dominant colour. She found a place where she could rest on her haunches, a single paw darting out to create a perfect collection of rings in the water, adding more faint light to the magickal place. As it returned to steady her, her tail wrapped around her teacupped paws, an absentminded yet regal pose. Her moonstone orbs glimmered, depthless and consuming as she gazed at the new wolf. The silver optics no doubt often caused youngsters to tremble, unnerved strangers, and entranced some men; but she tried to convey in those eyes that she meant no harm, simply to observe. So she waited, snowy derma a waterfall flowing over her body, long tail wrapped around her dainty paws, and twin ravens feathers embedded in the silky banners fur dancing until they settled once more against the luscious coat. "speech!"

Deteste's smile only widened at his counterpart's surprise and he paused to allow the young wolf a moment to recoup. His ears rotated slightly as another approached breaking his gaze with the vagabond before him to acknowledge the lady. He had seen her a couple of times and knew she was a Ludicael member but had not yet introduced himself or learned her name. He was unsure what to think of her seemingly vain affect but he had seen no misbehavior on her part and thus treated her politely. He nodded at the woman, who had halted only a couple strides away, before returning his attention to their visitor chuckling at his curious inquiry. No, the waters won't do anything if you drink them. he responded


The waters glow is caused when the microorganism within the waters are disturbed. They live off of nutrients from the mangroves and are unique to our tropical climate. It was the briefest explanation De could manage, he had had a thorough discussion about the unique biology of Ludicael's waters with Jupiter but only few wolves had interests or knowledge based on biology. Allowing a moment for the statement to sink in Deteste then cleared his throat and spoke again to address the identities of his company. I am De, Sol of the Ludicael. What is your business here my friend? he inquired with friendly timbre, then turning to address the girl nearby. I have seen you before, my lady, but I do not know your name. As Sol it should be my duty to know all those within the Ludicael. Deteste had only been promoted to Sol recently and as a relatively new member he was still unfamiliar with many of the pack's members. But since his promotion he had done his best to meet as many of the members as possible and was determined to what he could for his constituency.

The woman listened to the ebony man's explanation, fascinated by how simple it seemed. She cast a wary glance at the water now, this new knowledge to remain forever in her infinite mind. A title caught the attention of her sensitive ears, and she stopped. She stared, wide eyed at the dark male. Sol? She had never met this sol before. When he asked her name, she wondered whether or not to give her full name. Deciding it might be a good idea, she opened her muzzle once more to reply. Aurora Porcelain Anima Lunashka, my lord, but please, just call me Aurora. She told him politely. Her soft voice was smooth and silky, holding an otherworldly tone and faint Russian accent. Her lips curved slightly upwards to reveal parts of her perfect peaerl razors, shy and cautious as her moonstone orbs met his. She waited for his response, nervous he would be mad at her for intruding.

Tagged: Deteste | Word Count: 181