Proteus

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son of the sea

---

The boy stood in the shadow of a drooping tree, eyes on the cascading water before him. His eyes traveled the edge of the water, the way the stone cupped up like jaws, overflowing with water. He admired the way the water rolled down the rocks, rushing into the pool of water below. He wondered of the origin and the end of the river, whether it tucked away into the sea somewhere or ended in a swampland or a river that took it away to some other land, miles and miles away.

There was so much to explore.

He was new to this place, having just arrived across the sea late the previous night. He had found a place of safety to sleep the night and into the day, curled up under the roots of a tree. Now was time for roaming, learning this new land - the time for sleeping had passed.

Proteus was excited. When he had decided to embark on an expedition to find a new home, a new life, it had not been an easy decision. He had a family, friends. Parents who loved him, or so they claimed. Well, that was unfair. Of course they loved him.

Why wouldn't they?

He'd lived two whole years and had made nothing of himself. It was comfortable, sure. He was young, was able to do what he wanted when he wanted without too much of a problem. What life was that, though? There were no pressures to learn, to grow, to achieve. He couldn't have, even if he had wanted to. In his birth pack, there was no room for ambition. You had you place from birth and that was that, no rising the ranks though it was possible to fall. His parents worked very hard to ensure the family was comfortable...

What use was comfort?

He shook out his coat, slipping forward to dive into the crisp water of the pool, fresh water cleaning the salt from his coat. This place was full of opportunity, full of new sights to discover and new wolves to meet. He ducked under the water, closing his eyes and spinning his paws before rising to the surface once more.

Dialogue looks like this.

Come down, come down sweet reverence

Jynn marveled at the gorgeous royal blue waters that spilled down into a crater like pool below and then off into a small river. Mist flowed off from the water where it struck and it danced and played over the rocks on its way down to the pool. Spring was in full swing in Auster. Green grass cloaked the ground and beautiful green trees covered the mountainside. Here and there she saw clumps of gold and violet flowers. Even a few blue and red! It was lovely here and she decided to take a break exploring this area before she worked her way north along the coastline. Jynn padded to the edge of the pool and bent her head for a drink but yelped in surprise. Rising up from the water was a young man. "Oh! Hey, what are you doing down there?"

Proteus

---

son of the sea

---

He took a deep breath, enjoying the comfort of the water. Despite having swum for what felt like forever to get to this continent, drifting for a time atop a floating log to rest, he had not grown tired of water. It flowed through him almost as readily as blood, as if it pumped through his heart in its beautiful waves instead of the red within him. His eyes opened at the sound of a yelp and he startled back, kicking against the water to move himself away from her.

One could never be too careful when catching another off guard.

She spoke words he recognized and he breathed in relief, moving to the mossy shore and pulling himself up, shaking his coat out. Having a swim! He offered a grin, I'm Proteus Darkspawn, how do you do? He'd give a dip of a bow, lifting a foreleg to tuck against his chest while his head swept down and then up again, completing the greeting. I've just arrived on the continent, had to get the salt out of my fur. Despite his attempts at cleaning out the saltwater, he doubted he would ever not smell like the sea.

He had never seen a lady quite like this one, he noted as he surveyed her pleasantly. She had long black legs and wide ears that looked like they could hear for miles. Was she a wolf, like himself, or was she something completely different? Either way, he didn't mind so long as she was friendly.

Dialogue looks like this.

Come down, come down sweet reverence

Jynn was relieved that the man, Proteus, seemed friendly and to be doing alright. She was a good swimmer but she doubted her abilities to haul anyone out of trouble without also drowning herself. "I'm doing well. Out exploring a gorgeous territory on a lovely day. Welcome to the continent of Auster. My name is Jynn." She could understand about getting the salt out of one's fur. She'd done much the same after her visit to the Ibis Islands in the east. She worked her way around the edge of the pool, closer to the waterfall where she noticed what looked like a cave behind it.

Jynn's large ears perked up as she peered closer. "Say, Proteus, it looks like there's a cave back here. You wouldn't happen to know what's back there would you?"

Proteus

---

son of the sea

---

Satisfied that the stranger wasn't going to leap at him to devour his soul or whatever, the boy stretched, letting his muscles release the tension of the last few... however long it had taken to get here. Thank you! Does this region have a name, a claim? He glanced around with a little chuckle, I'd hate to be trespassing without realizing it! His tail wagged but she seemed relaxed enough that nothing was wrong. She was moving around the edge of the pool so he started to investigate some of the plants that happened to be at the edge of the water, not wanting to invade her space or show too much interest in this new stranger, Nice to meet you!

She seemed to find something and he looked over, ears pricked with curiosity.

A cave? Oh, neat! He hopped into a trot, heading her way and peering around her at the cave entrance, Not a clue! I hadn't even noticed it, barely just arrived! He grinned at her, Let's check it out, yeah? and through the downpour he leaped, paws catching easily on the rock behind the water. It took a moment for his eyes to clear and focus in the light but when they did, he let out a sound of surprise. This whole area smelled like sugar!

Dialogue looks like this.

Come down, come down sweet reverence

Jynn continued to eye the cave as she answered. "Yea, I believe it's called the Lazuli Falls." Perhaps she was just a bit jumpy around caves having had a run in with a bear this past autumn. Logically, she couldn't imagine a bear wanting to live in a cave behind a waterfall but she'd seen stranger things. She scented the air, trying to see if she could catch any warning scents but nothing stood out to her. Proteus suggested they check it out and a moment later he leapt through the falls. Her ears flicked back and a moment later she leapt through herself.

"Whoo! What a rush!" She shook out her coat, letting her eyes focus on the strange clear crystals growing along the walls. Jynn stretched out her neck to sniff at one. "Hey… these smell like sugar." She glanced to Proteus then stuck out her tongue and licked quickly at one. "Oh hey! I think it is sugar."