Cue the confetti (tagged)

[Vile Chaos]

Blood

Rato;

He had left the brown and green girl behind after his sunbathing. He liked Bush, sure, but the girl could change her mood faster than the scrawny male could run. Wasn't that hard, either, so he needs a better metaphor. But he wasn't up for thinking, he never was. A spur of the moment type of guy, he was. Hopefully that won't go too wrong for him. It hasn't yet, but who dictates the future? Gods? If gods existed then sure. They could screw up Rato's go-with-the-flow personality big time. Knock some sense into the sarcastic male and teach him a lesson. They haven't yet (if they even were real), so Rato took that as a win.

He was in a strange clearing, with dead grass and droopy wildflowers. They looked sad, like everything else during wintertime. Honestly, what was up with winter? Why does it even exist? Rato would be fine if summer or spring was year round. Fall can stay, but only for the pretty colors it brings with it, and maybe one or two chills. Winter was just there to kill things off and make others suffer.

The boy was relaxing in the clearing without a care in the world. Soon, though, he'll have to get up and get some water. He was particularly parched. But not right now. Right now was a time to fade away and into memories. Into a place where he belonged.

[Blood]

Zeus;

Another winter, another bout of singleness, surviving, and loss of connection. Actually the loss of connection had been longer than just during the winter. Zeus couldn’t remember the last time he’d ran into another wolf or someone he knew other than checking in on his sister and her pup. And even the checkups weren’t occasional anymore. His nephew was growing older and therefore less needy. He could actually catch his own food, which consisted of squirrels or small rabbits, therefore Zeus was less needed around to protect and provide. His fathering days were coming to an end. Obviously he would still be around to help raise and support Laden in his maturing, but he wasn’t feeling like the best role model at the moment. Maybe when spring rolled around his spirits would bounce back. Until then, he was gonna let the winter depression sink in.

Zeus was looking for a nice spot to flop down and take a nap, because he had just woken up from one and didn’t know what else to do with himself. He grunted as he slowly walked through the clearing, thinking to himself how disgusted he was with his life. He needed to get a grip badly, and maybe a good run would shake him up. Something to get the blood rushing through his veins again. Something to stir up the youth in his bones. He wasn’t a grandpa wolf yet, crap, he wasn’t even a father of his own blood either. Zeus bent low and stretched his paws out before him, hearing several cracks in his shoulders before he stood up tall and shook out his pelt. No time for a nap, that would only make things worse, why not take a walk through the clearing, and maybe further. Maybe much further, a winter adventure wouldn’t hurt.

The start of his adventure didn’t get too far before Zeus spotted a wolf resting among the snow covered grasses of the Wildflower clearing. His brow raised and he was slightly curious as to why he’d suddenly ran into another wolf just when he was thinking about how alone winter was. He looked towards the mountains questioning Sheba’s always watching eye. The odds were out there, but Zeus just thought he’d make the best of it.

“Enjoying the sunshine?” He walked close enough for his footsteps to be heard, but not close enough to startle the sleeping animal.

[Vile Chaos]

Rato;

He didn't move when a new scent filtered into his nostrils. He was his happy time, and no one is going to wake him up. The other wolf was most likely passing by, too which they wouldn't notice the scrawny male stretched out and basking in the sun's warmth. Or, what was left of it. He scowled as a cloud decided to cover it from him. His scowl deepened when the other wolf started to talk to him. Oh, so they were going to have a conversation? After a moment of pure enjoying himself, he rose up to look at the grey male. He was big and strong, so Rato didn't stand a chance.

"I was," He murmured grumpily. It was loud enough for the man to hear him, probably. He kinda deserves this after bothering Bush when she was trying to do something or another. And hey, talking wasn't so bad. Especially with a man as handsome as the one in front of Rato. God, he wish he looked like that. Instead, he still possesses a small and weak stature. His personality is quite sour as well, which means nothing good for his love life. It'd be vert hard to even like him.

"What brings you around here, stranger?" He asked, trying very hard not to sound sarcastic. With him, it's actually impossible to tell the difference between him being genuine and sarcastic. "Make friends!" His good-for-nothing sister would tell him. He tries his best every new interaction, but it always ends up the same. Them leaving and him taking a nap. More naps for him, anyways.

[Blood]

Zeus;

The stranger continued to lay in its current position even after Zeus asked his question, and even into an extended silence which made Zeus question the direction in which the conversation would go. After what seemed like a very awkward silence, the wolf arose and shot his deep blue gaze towards Zeus, looking ever inch of him over with irritation clearly shown in his eyes.

“I was.” Zeus raised his brows to the specific tone of voice that the pitiful creature chose to use. His uniquely colored fur didn’t look the healthiest, and his skin was quick to show the bumps of ribs or the jut of a curved hip bone. Not sickly or starving, but definitely on the weaker side of the average wolf anatomy. But still pitiful, or at least that’s what Zeus would choose to call the stranger who greeted someone so rudely.

“Well forgive me for ruining it.” Zeus didn’t let his full irritation sneak into his tone, but sarcasm was definitely apparent. He held the gaze of the stranger and lifted his head slightly taller, his posture was already intimidating being much bigger than the pitiful little thing, but lifting his head would always help for dominance. Zeus wasn’t up for a snarky mood to upset his absolutely boring day, so he was about to turn and leave the napping creature alone when it decided to ask him a question in return. Zeus stopped and tilted his head back in the direction of the still resting figure, and looked down at him for a moment. His eyes were calculating the situation, trying to figure out if this wolf actually wanted to talk, or if he was just picking a fight with someone much bigger than his own size. Words and attitude were probably his only defense because that small thing probably couldn’t last long in a fight.

Zeus was already in a mood, and if this stranger decided to keep up his current attitude, Zeus might just have to walk away to keep from making something bleed. But for the moment, he was chill enough to give an answer. “Bumping into wolves like you I guess. That and I’m on my way out of this clearing. Nothing left for me here” Zeus was smart not to mention that his sister and nephew had their den made in the far corner of the territory. The less harm thrown in their direction, the safer they would be, and that would be the best way to protect them from afar.

[Vile Chaos]

Rato;

The other man's voice was dripping in sarcasm, much like his own. Rato couldn't really blame the other male; his presence tends to annoy others almost as much as they annoy him. He could change his snarky personality, but that doesn't seem like much fun anyways. The other wolf can choose how to react to his sourness, either put up with it or fight him over it. That'd mean the end of him, which he could care less about. If he dies, he dies. Nothing more too it.

He tends to have a bleak outlook on life, and nothing seems to be able to change that. Guess it's just going to stay that way forever.

The other wolf then answered his question. He was on his way out of the clearing that they currently resided in. Rato looked up and into his clear blue eyes. "But this conversation just got started," He commented, more tiredly then grumpily. He got up to his full height, which didn't even measure up to the other wolf's. Why was he built like this? Is this why he was named after a rat? That, and his parent's intuition probably told them what a sarcastic little bug they have on their hands. Even after he changed his name to something more masculine, it stuck. He hated to admit it, but his parents were right about that. Rato was a rat, and here he was in front of a stronger fellow (who was, let's be honest, kinda cute tho) who could kill him. What had he done to get here?

He flattened out his face into his go-to expression, which was a small scowl. He tried to look more open to conversation, since he complained about it just starting earlier. This man woke him up from his millionth nap today, he better get a good conversation out of it.

[Blood]

Zeus;

Well, apparently this stranger did want to actually talk. Zeus lifted a brow again at the peculiarity of this character. He was turn-off-ish with his attitude, yet he was probably dying for company because no one could stand to be around him. A grumbling sigh escaped his breath and Zeus watched the wolf stand up, which wasn’t much of a difference from him laying down. Zeus looked him up and down and he didn’t care to hide his unimpressed expression. “What else is there to talk about?” Zeus meet the gaze of the other wolf who was so intently looking into his before turning away and continuing to slowly walk out of the clearing. “Unless you have a name, I don’t care to talk.”

Zeus was leaving the rest of the effort up to the stranger. If he so badly wanted to keep the small spark of conversation alive, then he would have to breath life into it himself. The option was his, follow along or stay behind in the clearing that Zeus couldn’t stand to be in for other reasons not applying to the pitiful creature he just met. In all honesty, Zeus wouldn’t mind a conversation that didn’t have to do anything with his past. It would probably help him lighten up about life. So far this stranger was a decent distraction, so it would be a pity if he chose to not go after the conversation.

[Vile Chaos]

Rato;

Whoa, okay. He really gonna make Rato put in effort? He has never put in any effort in his entire life. He had coasted up to this point, and now he's gonna have to chase after a man to have a shred of social interaction. If anyone's up for the task, though, it's the gay himself. The other man was lucky that Rato even considered doing this. "First off," The scrawny boy called after the larger man. "You woke me up from my fifth nap today, which is probably unhealthy but have taken a look at me?" He lowered his voice on the last part, like he was trying to make himself feel better.

"Second," He added, catching up to the moving hulk of grey. Oh if he tried, this conversation could come to life like he was Dr. Frankenstein and the exchange of words were his creations. But was he willing to do that? He shrugged, and continued with his words. "My name is Rato. Very fitting, wouldn't you agree?" His voice still carried hints of tiredness, but now it was mostly it's regular rasp. He wasn't energetic by no means. He wasn't even bouncy as a pup, and that hasn't changed.

He shook his fur of access dirt and tried to match the other wolf's long strides. He failed.

[Blood]

Zeus;

"First off," Zeus heard the voice of the stranger call out behind him and a small smirk appeared on his lips. So he was willing to put in effort. This amused Zeus greatly, and only solidified his guess that the little thing was in dire need of company. Zeus was still a little curious as to how long the runt would want him as his company though.

His ears turned back to listen to the accusation being thrown at him, and he almost laughed. Fifth nap, that sounded very similar to his own boring life. Maybe this kid would turn out to be interesting company, however, Zeus continued his pace and kept along with his afternoon walk.

"Second," Zeus could hear the pitter-pat of light steps come trotting up beside him, "My name is Rato. Very fitting, wouldn't you agree?" Most of the sarcasm had left his tone, which put Zeus' irritation at bay. There was still something about the small wolf named Rato that just stuck to his fur. Was it annoyance, or just the quirkiness of his character that was enjoyable? Time would tell.

"Look kid, naps don't help to put meat on your bones, they make you lazy." Rato probably wasn't much younger than himself, but Zeus still found it fitting because Rato was pretty much the size of Laden, and Laden was a pup. So kid was his new title, Rato just didn't role off his tongue right anyways. And names are often very fitting. I'm Zeus." Zeus glanced down at Rato and now that it was mentioned, he could see some similarities of a rat in the colors of his brown fur. Zeus was proud of his own name, it sounded powerful, and it made him feel powerful. He only wished he had been granted the physical power to go along with it. Only in due season and by worthy service would Sheba grant him the power of electricity.

[Vile Chaos]

Rato;

The man had responded with a nice insight. Naps don't put meant on your bones. Rato shrugged, not caring if he was big or small. Either way, other's tend to underestimate the sheer amount of snappiness in his body. It replaces his muscles with empty air, switches brutes for brains. Rato was clever, he had common sense. Most wolves tend to lead their lives in absence of it, which ultimately gets them killed. "Ahh," Rato sighed, feigning disappointment. "And here I thought naps were a shortcut to power and fame," He said it with a smile directed towards the large man, showing he was just joking.

"Zeus," He tried out the name, having never heard it before. It suited the man beside him. It reeked with respect, reminding him of a king. Names usually reveal the best of character, and Rato seemed to realize that. Zeus was big and powerful and strong. Rato was crafty and lazy and sly. Names play to an individual's strengths.

"I like it." He complimented. At least it didn't translate directly to rat. He was named after the dull browns of his coat, not his other, more blue half. Then he would've been named something like Turquoise at birth, and he'd change it to Cerulean. Rato really didn't want to be called Cerulean. "Well, giant," He said giant with sass. Don't think he didn't realize Zeus called him kid. Many wolves do. "what had brought you this clearing, out of all the choice in this valley?" It's just a good-natured question, nothing too personal. They had just met, correct?

[Blood]

Zeus;

Zeus looked down at Rato with amusement. This kid really did have a snappy wit and this time Zeus didn’t bother to hide the smirk on his lips when he caught the smiling face of Rato looking up at him.

”If only.” Zeus let his mind wander to what that kind of a world would be like. Every power-hungry brute out there would be constantly sleeping. And those wise and devilish enough to rid the world of those kind of wolves would easily be able to dispose of them. Good thing that wasn’t reality, otherwise the little runt struggling to keep up with him would be more powerful than himself. He continued with his gaze forward, but tilted his head back down with a curious glint when he heard his name spoken by Rato. It seemed that he liked it too, but who wouldn’t, the name was fun to say in general, if it belonged to him or not. Hearing the compliment brought a little different feeling though, and Zeus wasn’t sure if he should be trusting Rato being honest about something like a compliment when he seemed to only have sarcasm in his vocabulary.

“Mmm.” Zeus hummed, and that was the only reply he would be giving. Their walk progressed in silence, and Zeus could only be sure that Rato was lost in that big head of his, but he quickly broke the silence with a sassy comment. Without looking down at the runt, Zeus’ brow raised at the particular nickname that Rato chose to give him. Probably payback for calling him kid.

“Family. But they’re all gone now.” Zeus didn’t want to go any further than that, and he was quick to change the subject. Family wasn’t the most enjoyed topic for him. “What about you? Mapping out all of the best napping spots? Because this is hardly the best choice especially during the winter. Ever been to the Heathlands? Those bluffs collect all of the south sun.”

[Vile Chaos]

Rato;

All he got from most of his words were short, carefree answers. Rato then heard him answer his question, about him hanging out with family. It made the small male think of his own family. My, were they a long way away. Rato didn’t really care for them, and they never really cared for him. He left on okay terms, mind you, but they never were that close. They wanted a daughter that was to marry into royalty, and they got a lazy son that rejects any idea of being forced into anything. Safe to say, he wasn’t the favorite.

But that doesn’t matter now, that was a part of him he would rather forget. Rato kept his smug grin alive before looking up at Zeus’s electric blue eyes. They were a really pretty color. “Precisely. I’m new to these areas, don’t know much of anything.” He then nodded back where they came from, where he was sleeping. “Too cold; I’d rate this place a five out of ten, but these heathlands seem enticing.”

He commented in his usual snappy tone, but there was something else to it. Perhaps it was a drop of loneliness, or a speck of questioning. Either way, Rato was intrigued by Zeus. Why would he leave family? He didn’t want to ask because that would be pretty hypocritical. He doesn’t want to talk about family either. If the large man picked up the slight change in tone, that would spell trouble for Rato. He didn’t know what had happened, but something clearly did. It was his body, not his mind, doing this.

[Blood]

Zeus;

This little runt was definitely interested in him. Why? Zeus had no idea, but his presence was starting to be a fun little distraction, and Zeus was welcoming anything at the moment.

"New, where are you from if not the White Wolf Valley?" Zeus was curious, he too had been born far beyond the mountains and had traveled with his siblings to find refuge in the valley. Was Rato also a refuge to a tragic family past? Zeus suddenly became more interested in discovering Rato's life story. Well, he didn't look that interesting, but he was sure to be holding some entertaining stories.

"Cold is a very accurate rating. And not just in temperature." Zeus left it at that. Whenever the Wildflower Clearing was mentioned, the only emotions or memories that surfaced where disappointment, anger, and abandonment. The only spark that kept him attached to this place was his sister and her pup Laden. Which, once he got old enough, Zeus would be taking him far away from that small little clearing.

In the mean time, Zeus was ready to take his own leave, and Rato seemed to be down for the challenge as well. His continence made it obvious that boredom was starting to show affects and Zeus caught the hint. "Well, lucky for you, that's where I'm headed now." Zeus had never had a traveling buddy before, so this would definitely be a new experience. And definitely test his patience with Rato's attitude.

((I'm totally cool with us moving our plot to a thread in the Heathlands anytime soon. There are a few boards to choose from, Bleak Bluffs Territory, or the Barrens))

[Vile Chaos]

Rato;

"From the south, if you must know. A trash kingdom called Regno Aviario, translates to Avian Kingdom." He said, a tone of saltiness easily finding it's way into the man's voice. "It was in the mountains, big surprise. There was nothing for me there, so I left." The place of his past was not something he threw in a conversation lightly, and he hoped Zeus picked up on that. That was a cruel and heartless place, that toss the crown prince (princess, at that time. We don't talk about that.) out to the lynxes for breakfast. It's a miracle he survived to arrive at this strange place.

Rato looked up curiously at Zeus. He was already aware of the bite in the air, but not in relationships. What had happened here that hurt the Superman-esque man beside him? It made him feel something weird that he wasn't to keen to delve into at this moment. He didn't press, probably the one good thing he actually did, but he did give the larger man a understanding look. Was he thrown out for who he is as well? That, Rato can relate to.

"Well, then I guess you have a travel buddy now." He responded. He could pick up on the hints, he wasn't stupid. Lacking of all common sense, sure, but not stupid. The scrawny male has never traveled with another before. And a male, at that. Oh boy this was gonna be good. Not for him, just in general.

//I'm also fine with whenever. And you can choose between each of the boards, I don't mind.

Also, fade!