A Swim (OPEN)

[Deleted]

Misty was hot. She knew that she needed somewhere cool to take refuge before planning what to do. Meandering along, she spotted a creek to dip in. Her sore black pads ached even more as she plunged her light gray body into the safety of the shallow creek. Almost instantaneously her paws stopped hurting. Enjoying herself, she splashed about in the water. She hadn't done this since... No. Don't think about Lily, she's long gone. Remember her first rule to life. Don't grieve excessively. She paddled around, daring minnows occasionally tickling her fur. She laughed inwardly and drank from the creek. She felt her paws getting tired and pulled out of the river to sun herself on a rock.

After a while, she felt hot again, so she enjoyed the river some more.
I could just stay forever. Nothing to do except hunt the small fish and swim. She pushed the thought away. She had to make sure she would live a purposeful life! The sky started to become purple, the sun an orange ball. She pulled herself away to look for an area to stay the night before continuing on. She hoped she could find somewhere before dark, lest she be caught alone and helpless.

[Watermelonllama]

.:Aoka:.

The heat of the summer sun heated down on the unlucky. One of the most unlucky was walking, walking towards the creek. No, it's a river. The currents zig zag in a beautiful, azure, and complex pattern, a welcoming pattern. The bank wasn't very wet, and where it is, the water must be hot. The valley must be in a little drought, because the river wasn't very high, maybe to the knees. The grass surrounding it was unforgiving, brittle, dry, and it crackles when you step on it. The trees only helped a little, offering small shade to those who want it.

A wolf, of what it looks like from a distance, took long, graceful steps through the crisp grass. The wolf had optimism written all over. It was happy about life, the unbearable heat, yet not oblivious to the real world. It knows of the horrors of evil wolves, killers, more than most. This wolf is Aokakesu, a confident she wolf. Around others she doesn't know, Aoka is reserved, not shy though.

The pelt with different values of grey and blue was like the currents, weaving through the thick, dead grass. Aoka leapt aimlessly, deep in thought. When, all of a sudden, her literal turquoise eyes registered something. Another wolf slashed in the water. Aoka sighed, thinking the water must be cold. One paw in front of another, she crept up, thinking she was seen. This brought back painful memories of her mother and sister, but... They were gone, either mentally or physically. Aoka stopped for a split second. The grass underneath her feet crunched as she curled her toes and clawed at it. This, was Death. A place where everyone eventually goes, even if they don't want to. Aoka didn't mind resting forever. It was a part of nature.

Her shoulder with the sagittarius sign on it brushed a tree trunk. Aoka looked somewhat surprised and jumped back. She looked at it up and down, studying it. Then, Aoka flipped around and smiled at the other wolf, cocking her head to the side and shutting her eyes.

"Hope I-I didn't scare you," Aoka said cheerfully, breaking away from her smile. She walked closer to the grey female, at least that was what Aoka thought she was. Her walked over gracefully and regally. "I'm Aokakesu, b-bbut call me Aoka." She introduced herself to the splashing female. Aoka stood right beside the bank, her eyes looking up and down at the female. She shook her head slightly, smiling. Smiling for no reason at all. Her buoyancy was enough to keep Aoka smiling.

[Deleted]

Misty stared at the stranger, before deciding to reply. Life was short, right? "I'm Misty. I don't think I can shorten that." Her dripping fur weighed her down as she sat in place. "I was just looking for a den around here. Not permanently, but somewhere a wolf can actually sleep with some chance of survival. You're actually the first wolf I've seen around here."
She walked to the water's edge, giving her pelt a shake. The other wolf's blue markings steadily got darker as the sun sank. "Do you want to set up camp for the night? It gets pretty lonely on the journey." To get powers, she silently added. All thought broke off as she spotted a small cave. "Aha! Perfect!" She plunged into the icy river, grabbing a wadge of moss. When she'd gathered a big enough clump, she carried it in. Ignoring Aoka, she combed carefully through the moss, scattering the thorns and splinters around the cave entry to deter any that wished her harm.

She fervently wished for light, so she could make sure she wasn't sharing the place. Better safe than dead. She had to resort to feeling around. After feeling only craggy walls, she deposite herself in her nest, looking towards the entryway.

[Watermelonllama]

.:Aoka:.

Aoka watched from ominous turquoise eyes. They had no scleras or pupils. Just a design that looks exactly like an actual turquoise. She smiles when Misty spoke of her name. "Yeah, I don't think you can shorten it any farther e-either." Aoka said, looking down Misty's wet fur. Aoka, for one, likes the dampness of her pelt in a warm summer day, or evening. The sun started to set, bringing out her darker markings. She steadily nods and replies at Misty's previous statement. " Your a-also the first wolf I met since... I dunno. It's b-been awhile. " Aoka said, voice started out strong, and weakly ended. She doesn't like to dwell in the past, for that the past has not thing to offer her. She looked down to hide her strong emotions.

Aoka then snapped her head up when Misty invited her to set up camp, and that it gets lonely on the journey. What journey? Aokakesu looked on curiously. She wasn't a naturally curious wolf, but when someone doesn't finish, or lead her on, a statement she's the most intrigued wolf in the Valley. " W-what do you mean by 'journey'? Are you heading s-somewhere? " She asked, impatient when she started to ignore her and pick a wad of moss out of the river. Aoka then picked up some of her own moss.

Aoka then did what Misty did, gently combed through the moss, both scattering thorns and splinters. Then, she followed Misty to a small cave, where Misty started to weave the moss into the cave, warding off intruders.

" I'd love to help, a-and maybe even go, " Aokakesu finally said after a long and comfortable silence. Aoka hated silence. Awkward silence, nice silence, even little silence. She didn't enjoy the way time seemingly stopped. " But to where? " Aoka ultimately spoke, and blinked when Misty climbed into her 'nest' and starred out. Aoka smiled optimistically and sat in front of her.

[Deleted]

Misty looked towards Aoka. "To White Wolf Mountain, of course. Getting a power would really help me to survive and protect any wolves that need it. I might even start a pack, Aoka. It all depends on what happens next. It may take some time. I've heard Taboo only gives nondestructive powers to good wolves, and in summer the magic only gives destructive powers. I may even have to wait till autumn. But whatever happens, I'm willing to be patient." She looked at Aoka, but in the black she saw nothing. "Do you think that's too far-fetched?"
Not waiting for a reply, she shifted in her nest. She wanted to live. Lily's morals deserved to be passed on. Be a good wolf. Don't kill wolves unless for self-defense. Remain open. Love. Relish life. Don't grieve excessively. Better safe than dead.
They were rules to surviving but still remaining good, still remaining kind. Misty intended to follow them to the letter. To help repay the debt to Lily, for taking her in. Even though Lily didn't see it as such. Misty shifted for one last hearing, just in case. She heard nothing but the sounds of crickets and wind rushing through trees.
Satisfied, Misty rolled over and went to sleep.

[Watermelonllama]

.:Aoka:.

Aokakesu listened intently to Misty speak. Powers? Aoka has heard of the Power of White Wolf Mountain only from... Wolves she knew she couldn't trust. Contenta's "friends". She also heard of Taboo , Sheba, and Geist. Ever since then, she knew she wanted one. And she knows which one she wants. One she's needed since she was small. Even when Father was with them. Aoka glanced at Misty sideways, smiling. "May I come with? Ever since I've heard of powers and magic, finding out that there not f-fairy tales told to pups, I've desired one. And no, I-it's not that far-fetched." Aoka said as Misty shifted in her nest. The comfy nest. Aoka never really slept in a nest like that for awhile. Aoka sits down yet again, grinning.

Wind and crickets made noises as the sun set, cicadas singing their song. This, was the thin line in between beauty and ugliness. Light and dark. Sunrise and Sunset. Aoka understood them all. Balance, she didn't. Why is there balance if good is more powerful than evil? That question boggled her. She didn't understand that.

Aoka glanced at the now sleeping Misty. She didn't want to wake her, but she must. She must make it clear that Aoka is from my with Misty. Gently, she padded over and touched her until she was sure Misty was awake. "Sorry to wake you, you must be h-having a nice dream. But I'm not sure you heard me. I Autumn, I am coming with you to go see Taboo. And you can't say no." She ended, smiling cheerfully.

In the darkness of the night, Aoka's eyes were still visible in the darkness. It made her seem... Off. But she isn't. Brutally honest, and terrible at keeping secrets. She slowly swished her tail from left to right.

"The mountain isn't that far away, and summer's almost over. S-so what do you say?"

[Deleted]

"Yes." Misty replied simply. It would be nice to have a traveling companion. With that, she flopped down to go to sleep.

Misty's dreams were, simply put, nightmares. She had been in a field when Aoka had woke her up and she knew exactly what that meant. Lillia was beside her. They were chasing a nest of rabbits when a large moose approached. Lily called out to her. "Run!" She did. The most awful sound in the world filled her canine ears, then the sound of something hitting flesh. Misty felt something warm and powerful envelop her while the moose stood there, bemused. Lillia was just there, with an awful red stain on her jet-black fur.
"Remember me." It was a simple request.
Misty still screamed. "No! Lily! Don't go. Please!" Hot tears ran down her face as Lily's gray eyes saw hers, sliding shut.
Misty woke with the tang of tears on her face. Since she was up as the rays of dawn warmed the den, she decided to catch breakfast for her new companion. Sweeping the thorns aside then replacing them, she tried to strike at the minnows. Lily had taught her hunting, fighting, healing and fishing, though Misty was trying to clear her mind now to remember. She got something bigger to practice on when a pike came upstream in pursuit of minnows. Misty caught the pike, carrying it back in her jaws to Aoka.

[Watermelonllama]

.:Aoka:.

"Yes"

One simple word, one simple word that made Aokakesu overjoyed. She didn't care about the bluntness of it. She was going to the mountain to ask of a power! In autumn, of course. Taboo doesn't give out offensive powers, and Aoka didn't desire such. She wants one thing, one thing she's prayed for since she was a pup. Crystal. Plus, Aoka only knows powers in Summer and Autumn. And she was going with someone else that desire a power.

Aokakesu watched as Misty yet again drifted to sleep, and decided to do the same, a little outside of the warm cave. Her dreams — nightmares rather — took over Aoka as she helplessly watched.

'A magenta eyed, lavender wolf with a snout, tail tip, and paws white (With an effect that made the white and lavender look like clouds in the setting sky.) stood growling. The other wolf was older, and frankly scared. The lavender one was Contenta, and the other was her mother. Contenta lunged at her mother, named Alkaid. Alkaid tried to sidestep, but the thin and malnourished Contenta was quicker, easily pinning her down. Alkaid struggled underneath the suprisingly strong wolf. "Alkaid." Contenta bluntly rasped, anger burning in the little wolf's eyes. "C-Con...tent-" Alkaid was about to reply, but Contenta choked her with a paw before she could finish. "You don't know for how long I've wanted to do this. You hated me, resented me, and now... heh. You get what you deserve. Death! And little miss perfect Aokakesu is next." The lavender wolf hissed like a viper, and as quickly as one, sank her teeth deeply into Alkaid. The mother screeched and howled, until they died down, with the soul of Alkaid going to rest, leaving her daughters. The thin, small, lavender wolf smirked and snickered.

"Your next, Aokakesu."'

Aoka jolted awake, tears dancing in her eyes. She quickly wiped her eyes to see that Misty is already up and walking around, hunting. A pike was in her mouth, but Aoka just shook her head. She could hunt for herself. A little voice in the back of her mind said 'Be nice, Aoka and accept it!'. After a short silence, Aoka finally piped up.

"You didn't need to, but thank you anyway." Aokakesu said, all the while taking a morsel out of the pike.

[Deleted]

Misty looked at her.
"Sorry. I just tend to try and be productive when I wake early. Shall we get going?" she asked her companion.
She brushed aside the thorns near them, dumping their bedding near the creek and then soaking it to get rid of any lingering scents. She turned back to her traveling companion. "So what power will you get? I think I may go for Current. It seems like the best autumn power for me." She faced the morning sun. Autumn was coming, she could feel it by the chilly breeze on her fur. When Autumn did come, she would be trying to survive- as per usual. But maybe... could she form a pack? No. Not now. She would, eventually- a sanctuary for all good wolves. But now, she wanted to focus on the journey and her new... friend? Did Aoka consider her that? She was rambling. She faced northwards. She remembered clearly her navigation lesson.
The sun rises in the east and sets in the west. There is a bright star at night that points north.
The sun had risen where she was, so she needed to turn herself... Never Eat Soggy Worms, she repeated to herself. It was Lily's way of remembering. So that means... that way counterclockwise! She placed her first pawstep that way, motioning for Aoka to join her.

[Watermelonllama]

.:Aoka:.

When Misty looked at Aoka, she smiled warmly and got up to her feet. She nods at Misty's next statement. "I'd much r-rather do so right now, or else we might not make it!" Aoka exclaimed and started to paw at the ground. the other wolf stated to go through a process of dumping and rinsing the moss they slept on and then turned to Aokakesu.

"So what power will you get? I think I may go for Current. It seems like the best autumn power for me." Aoka nods at that statement, she could see Misty with Current. Aoka, on the other hand, knew what she would ask from Taboo. "Ever s-since I was little, and my sister cut and bruised me, I always prayed for a way to h-heal myself quickly, to where Contenta — my s-sister — couldn't open up the scratches as easily. And when I found out about Crystal, I knew my prayers have come t-true." Aoka poured her heart into that, or at least some of it. She wasn't finished. She took a deep breath and once again faced Misty. "You know we're not guaranteed a Power. We can a-ask for one, but only T-Taboo sees if it's f-fit." Aokakesu bluntly stated, her tail swishing to and fro.

Misty seemed to blank out for a second, deep in thought. Aoka never lost herself in thought, maybe because she's always paying attention to what's going on. She watched as Misty snapped back into reality, walking towards... somewhere. Aoka wasn't really sure. Misty turned around and looked at her, motioning for Aokakesu to follow. And she did. Aoka and her... She wasn't sure here either. Was Misty a friend? Aokakesu decided to consider her a friend, even if Misty didn't.

[Deleted]

"I know." Misty murmured. "But we can have a try. It doesn't hurt to ask Taboo, does it?"
She faced Aoka again. "Your sister, from what you've told me, doesn't seem like a good wolf. Just know that I'll stay by your side. That's the trouble with me. Once I consider a wolf a friend, you're stuck with me."
She faced Northwards. "Let's set our pawsteps on the path to White Wolf Mountain. You can't dwell on what ifs if you want to stay alive and happy. Focus on the best, but prepare for the worst. In this situation, the worst that can happen is Taboo refuses to give us a power. The only loss we would have is the days spent traveling, and we will still have friends in each other." Right? "In the best case scenario, we get powers. We will have a power and each other as friends. The gains of the best-case outweigh the losses of the worst."

Misty silently asked herself when she became so rational. Mentally shrugging, she stepped out of sight of the greenery, the cool creek and the place she had met her first friend in this territory, not just by the river, but in the mountain territory.
[Exit Misty]

[Watermelonllama]

.:Aoka:.


"I know. But we can have a try. It doesn't hurt to ask Taboo, does it?" Aoka smiled and nodded. She guess it didn't, but who knows? She felt the Autumn air finally set in as Misty spoke. Aokakesu marveled at Misty, how she suddenly became uplifting. Her sister was an evil wolf, and Aoka was stuck with her until she ran away from Contenta. Aoka smiled even wider.


"Let's set our pawsteps on the path to White Wolf Mountain. You can't dwell on what ifs if you want to stay alive and happy. Focus on the best, but prepare for the worst. In this situation, the worst that can happen is Taboo refuses to give us a power. The only loss we would have is the days spent traveling, and we will still have friends in each other. In the best case scenario, we get powers. We will have a power and each other as friends. The gains of the best-case outweigh the losses of the worst." Aokakesu took in what all that means. 'It means you need to be optimistic. Rational. And believe in your friends. Misty is my friend, and we're going at this together.' She finally decided in thought. Stick with her friend Misty. Aokakesu watched at she faced North and get swallowed by the scenery.


The creek swiftly ran towards Kai Lake. Aokakesu watched it one last time before following her friend towards the Mountain, smiling. "W-w-wait for m-me!" She called and chased after Misty.


(Exit Aokakesu)