Despite the pounding rain and the whipping winds, Arne once again found himself on a beach. Through squinted eyes he trailed the way the white caps crashed against the spiralling sands that lead to a forested centre. It would probably offer more cover than the lone palm he leaned against with Arvid curled into his side. The warthog had tried to warn him about the rapidly darkening sky, but the boy had ignored him, and the change of pressure in the air that signalled the storms approach. He wasn't quite feeling himself, less carefree and more like he had been cut adrift, like the fronds and timber being tossed about in the ocean waves.

He stepped towards the almost island, ignoring the fact that he would have to cross open water to reach it, the sound of distant thunder tuned out as he focused on the far off patch of green. He wouldn't know if it was better than where he was until he got there.

"speech".

running around like a clown on purpose

With the turning of the year, came the patchwork boy’s first full year of life and Calico Jack has been taking full advantage of the freedom that comes along with it. Sure, he has already been traipsing around the world, finding new places and new people along the way, but this is different. Now he willing takes more risks with little of the consequences. Like today, he out at a delta, along a beautiful stretch of beach while an angry storm unleashes hell.

There is a beauty in the chaos and destruction that the storm brings; the high winds tearing of long frons from trees and tossing them onto the churning waves. The usually bright, white sand is now sodden and yellow, sticking to his black paw pads as he passes. Waves crash and thunder booms and Calico Jack laughs joyfully. In fact, he isn’t just walking along the long stripes of sand that form bars leading toward an island; he races.

The joy of being alive, of cheating death with every breath he takes in the storm, fills him with a sense of invincibility. He runs as fast as his legs will carry him, the high winds trying, and failing, to send him sprawling on his side. Jack’s coat is soaked and some of his fur sticks out at odd angles while other parts are coated with the sand he kicks up. All in all, he is sight.

A form huddled underneath a tree with a warthog near him has the pirate boy angling toward them. The male stands, eyes locked on the island surrounded by the white capped waves. Curious, Calico Jack slows and hollers, “Hey! You going for a swim?” A grin tugs at his lips as slows down, approaching the man and warthog, forgetting, for a moment, his race along the beach.


"Calico Jack"

Art & Code © Skelle 2023

The Jarvela boy is ripped from his brooding by another young man asking if he is going for a swim, and finally he really sees all that stands between him and the distant island. He manages a laugh, but it may be lost in the rolling thunder and violent winds that tear about them. "Don't think it'd make me any wetter!" he offers as response with a smile. The younger wolf is colourful, coated in patterns that remind Arne of Kuroo's monochrome coat. "But wet sand is great for racin' on, wanna see who can get around that rock and back first?" He gestures down the beach with a tip of his head and not a care in the world for the storm that whipped around them.

"speech".

running around like a clown on purpose

The storm rages, sending waves to crash across the white beaches while the rain continues its merciless downpour. Trees bend and groan with the relents tug of each gust and the earth itself seems to be protesting against the abuse. Calico Jack enjoys the crashing waves, the lightning that arches from cloud to cloud and the booming thunder that follows. It is chaos in its simplest form and the boy loves it. Excited to be alive, the boy races on.

As he spies an unknown wolf, he moves toward them, skidding to a stop near the male and sending wet sand flying every which way. Heart hammers in his chest as the stranger looks to him, thunder stealing away the laugh that Jack sees on his lips. His grin only grows and he offers his own laugh at the reply, shaking his head hard to send droplets spraying around him (not that it is that noticeable with all the rain around them) while saying, “I don’t think we could get any wetter if Neptune himself came and drowned us!”

At the man’s next words, the boy’s eyes widen with excitement and he joyfully barks back, “Now we’re talkin’! Your friend is the start and finish line?” A brow quirks in question before moving to the starting line the male indicates. Turning his bright icy blue gaze to the tusked stranger and says, “I’m Calico Jack. Kick it off when you’re ready.” A wink is tossed his way before Jack rolls his shoulders and hunkers down into his starting stance, muscles tensing as he waits for the race to begin.



Calico Jack vs Arne for Race
Round 0/?
Age: Over 1 year
Size: Extra large
Build: Light
Skills: Master Fighter & Expert Navigator
Specialty: Marauder (not applicable)


"Calico Jack"

Art & Code © Skelle 2023