Two Birds With One Stone {Shade}

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From most of Dmitri's memories, he can conclude that he wasn't supposed to be here right now. He was not meant to go far as a young pup like he did; it was pure "luck" that he was able to survive long enough to develop into such a skilled hunter and crafty tactician. Even when he became more able, it was "luck" that brought him to this land and not another hopeless desert or frigid tundra, "luck" that he ran into the wrong wolf at the right time, and "luck" that he was able to be absolved by the right wolf and continue living here even after many more encounters with the wrong wolves at the wrong time.

He wasn't really a firm believer in this "luck" idea, but if it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, if you believe it to be other than a duck, you are probably wrong. Despite some of the greatest achievements he has had in a long time being credited to this may-or-may-not-be-existent concept, he was still skeptical about relying on it. Just how was he expected to get the fur of a wolf with powers? Its not like they can drop a clump of fur on command right? You usually loose fur in a battle, and a battle against a wolf with a power is a battle thats a destined loss for Dmitri. The more realistic goal was not any better either. At least he knew of the weakness of a porcupine was their soft underbellies. Still, he would have to find a way to flip the damn thing over before he could do anything. 

Dmitri sighed, looking up to the sky as if it had all the answers. He was sure, give it enough time, he could come up with a plan, but if he didn't get hurt in the process of doing one, he probably would in the process of doing the other...

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Shade loved the falls but she had to be wary of water now that Sheba had given her the power of electricity. She had been practicing using it by stunning different creatures that wandered across her path. It was proving to be quite useful in the pursuit of meals. All she had to do was concentrate, put her paw to the ground, and the electricity would stun the prey. It was only a momentary numbness but it was enough for her to kill the creature and eat its tasty meat. In fact, Shade was in search of some food when her nose caught the scent of another wolf.

This wolf was near the banks of the falls and he looked deep in contemplation. Shade was wary but also curious. He didn't smell dangerous or of any particular pack, so she decided to approach him. If he was dangerous she could always use her powers to momentarily numb him and make a hasty escape. "Hi there! she called, stopping a yard or two away from him. Best to keep her distance until she was able to determine if he was safe to be around.

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Hearing another creature approaching and catching the scent of a wolf, Dmitri took a moment to inhale deeply, close his eyes, relax, and put on a face that was more friendly and a little less distressed. "Hello," he spoke softly to the wolf, giving an initiation of his friendliness by a wag of his tail. "Are you a wolf of this area?" He was almost certain it was free land here, but you couldn't tell anymore lately. His gaze somewhat shifted to the falls, scanning the area for the animal he desired.
When she didn't seem to give a hostile response, he continued. "My name is Dmitri. Although I am not native here, I have been living in this land for some time now."

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Shade was glad to see that the wolf was friendly. He seemed harmless at least for the time being, so she decided to pursue the conversation. "Hello Dmitri, my name is Shade. I wasn't born here but I've lived here for awhile now. I think I know the area pretty well." Shade said, thinking about when she had firs journeyed to the mountain. It seemed so long ago now. Shade followed Dmitri's gaze and wondered what it was he was looking for. "If you don't mind my asking, what are you looking for?"

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Dmitri looked back over to the wolf, mumbling an apology for being rude and assuring he was listening. Was it really okay to tell her? She might try to help out and get hurt in the process...He figured that since it was Shade's choice in the end of how she would respond, there was no harm in doing so.

"I'm trying to look for a porcupine; the spinney-haired devils sometimes come to this area and I need to kill one for its quill." The way he phrased it had a slightly cruel tone to it, but something about killing an animal you don't intend to eat just for one, harmless thing sounds cruel altogether.

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Shade nodded as Dmitri spoke. Although she didn't come to the falls very often, she figured he was right about the porcupines. It was a shrubby area and they always seemed to be lurking in the bushes. "I know those creatures. They're difficult to attack obviously. However, I may be able to help you." Shade thought a moment about telling Dmitri about her power. She didn't want to seem like she was flaunting it but there didn't seem to be much harm in telling Dmitri. "I have a um...a gift that the white wolf Sheba bestowed upon me. I can stun small animals by sending a current through the ground. If we manage to find one I can stun it for you but you'll have to roll it over pretty quick to get at its throat. Why do you want one of them anyway? I can't imagine they're good eating."

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Dmitri's eyes brightened at the light of this new development. What are the odds,exactly? He managed to hide the rest of his excitement and immediately began to scheme...he could accept her help, of course. Then, in spite of her assistance, an "accident" could occur, letting the beast loose. If she was to get hurt during the process, then some of her fur could be obtained after the creature properly gets taken care of. Of course, the whole thing was risky...he could get hurt in the process and relying on the porcupine to act accordingly-...
Wait...no. Why was he thinking this way? Planning her injury like she was a secret enemy to be dealt with. Shade had done nothing to hurt him-in fact, she was offering to help! Maybe back home, but this wasn't that kind of place. He hadn't gotten that critical social bonding that allowed him to put trust in other wolves yet, but that was no excuse to make himself untrustworthy. That being said, he simply told her the truth.

"Ah, no you are right. Their meat is bland and stringy. I need to retrieve a dead porcupine's quill and the fur of a wolf with a power to help create a potion that will bestow me with a power of my own..." He felt slightly embarrassed to be asking for help, but it was better than incriminating himself.

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Shade thought she saw a glimmer of something sinister in Dmitri's eye and began to second guess her offer of help, but it quickly passed. She smiled uneasily but then listened to what he had to say. A reminiscent smile came to her maw as she thought of Sheba and knew that this must have been her doing; she had a strange penchant for quests. Shade laughed openly and said "I see. I bet you went to see Sheba? She had me do something similar to get my electricity gift. I will be glad to help you stun a porcupine so you can gain your quill. If you like I can also go with you to Sheba and pull out one or two of my furs if you like." Shade smiled and wagged her tail. It had been awhile since she was able to have this much fun. Plus it would be nice to use her powers for something useful as opposed to simply stunning animals for the fun of it and for the practice.

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Dmitri's demeanor immediately lightened when he found the wolf could relate to his situation, but precautions come first. "Ah, well do not misunderstand; I am very grateful for your offer of help, but how good would you say your, um... aim is?" In a less polite and more direct manner of speaking; he didn't feel like getting electrocuted today.

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Shade laughed good naturedly. It was definitely a fair question, after all she could accidentally stun either one of them if she wasn't careful. She had, however, been getting a lot of practice lately. "Oh don't worry, I have superb aim." Shade smiled as she remembered the fight she had gotten into a few seasons ago with that angry mountain lion. "I can direct the current easily through the ground. I've used it to stun a puma before so I'm sure I can easily stun a porcupine." So Shade hadn't actually stunned the puma, she had still scared it off sufficiently enough to keep herself safe. Plus she was able to numb one of its front legs and with all the practice she had gotten since then she was confident in her abilities.

"Okay lets get this show on the road!" Shade said enthusiastically as a fat porcupine wandered across their path. It looked undisturbed by the presence of the wolves but that wasn't surprising as it wasn't an animal that usually needed to worry about protection. Shade narrowed her eyes and took aim at the slow moving animal. It was close which was helpful so she wouldn't have to exert to much energy. She took a deep breath and concentrated, this had to be precise. A marking that looked similar to a scratch mark on Shade's right shoulder glowed a bright maroon color and suddenly the porcupine uttered a squeak and fell over. "Okay quick! The porcupine is stunned and it fell over so its throat is exposed!"

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Dmitri didn't have to be told twice. In fact, Shade didn't even have to finish her statement. He was darting forward, crouched to the ground like a feline or fox creature, and at the porcupine's neck before it was even properly turned over. He used that momentum to crushed it to the ground with his bite and his paws on its abdomen , putting minimum opportunity for the poor prey to struggle against him. He wasn't one to overkill, but felt it was necessary in this particular situation. 

Now that it was finally still, Dmitri's nerves calmed and he slowly let go with a sigh. He had still managed to get a quill or two lodged into one of his legs, but he needed them anyway. So long as he wasn't physically incapacitated, no damage was done in Dmitri's mind.  "That was actually quite refreshing. I'm sure I would not feel the same way had not  been for your assistance." Dmitri carelessly plucked one of the thorns from himself with a slight wince. Flipping the satchel open with the tip of his nose, he placed it inside and looked back to Shade. Are you sure you want to accompany me on my journey back? Its a pretty far one and I wouldn't want to take up your time."

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Shade watched as Dmitrit speedily finished off the porcupine. She admired that he was able to kill the porcupine swiftly and without struggle so it died peacefully. As he trotted back over to her, Shade saw that he was stuck with a few porcupine quills but that was the risk you took when you messed around with porcupines.

Shade thought for a moment. "Well I definitely wouldn't mind coming with you. Perhaps Sheba would level up my power for helping you and getting more practice." Shade smiled at Dmitrit and wagged her tail, she would like to accompany him to see Sheba but then she realized he may not want her to come along. "Urr...that is if you want me to come. I don't want to intrude." Shade said.

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(So sorry for the wait! As the week winds down, I'm being literally suffocated by work. I won't stall this any longer so you can continue with your life *bow bow*) "Your company would be appreciated, actually." He didn't really get the chance to talk to other wolves. He had always been so weary of strangers. On top of that, he is too skittish around territories and packs to even communicate with their members. Yes...its best to stay uninvolved if you want to stay out of trouble, right?

Dmitri gave a rather sheepish smile and turned off in the direction towards the White Wolves' dens."I'm actually curious about your powers. I wouldn't mind if you talked about them. I want to know what it is like..." It was an amazing yet terrifying idea that he would have his own very soon. He wanted to know what he was in for.

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ooc: No problem! I know what that's like D: The only time I'll bail on a thread is if I see the user hasn't been on in over a week so no worries :3 Also do you want to make a White Wolf thread soon or do you want Dmitri and Shade to talk for awhile?

Shade smiled happily, she hadn't had this much interaction with another wolf since she had that run in with the puma and her friend Lyra. Being a loner meant she barely saw many wolves up close and on the rare occasion she did run into one, they were usually dangerous and she didn't want to take the chance of them attacking her. Shade trotted forward on her tall gray legs and followed Dmitri towards the caves of the White Wolves.

"Hmm well lets see...I've had my powers for many moons now. Electric currents are very difficult to control and you have to have a lot of concentration and the ability to focus all of your energy on one spot. You seem pretty down to earth so I think you'd be good with electricity." Shade blushed a little, she wasn't used to complimenting wolves. "Er..anyway I quite like it. It comes in handy for a loner like me. I have to be able to protect myself and electricity isn't too destructive of a power so, with practice, you can control it easily. Unless there is a raging storm then you absolutely need to get into a stone den or you act as a conductor and the lightning in the sky practically electrocutes you. Oh and on that note, you can't jump into water or you'll get a very nasty shock. All the fur on your body is electrically charged so it can be painful to other wolves if you rub up against them too closely." again Shade blushed. That was one part of the power that she hated because, like all other wolves, she enjoyed physical contact. But it didn't matter since she was on her own most of the time.

"I can stun small animals and I can numb certain parts of bigger animals. Once in the winter, I was so hungry I was scavenging and I came upon a bear that was catching fish at these very falls. He had quite a nice pile of salmon next to him and I was so desperate that I shocked him and numbed his front legs. While he was panicking from losing the feelings in his legs I ran over and snatched a salmon. Luckily, I got away before he was able to chase me." Shade laughed as she remembered how angry the bear had been. "Its nice talking to someone about my powers. Its nice being able to talk to someone period. I don't really get to see many wolves around....anyway, what power are you interested in?"

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((OOC:  Just moved into my dorms~and thanks for sticking it out with me. I actually plan to just wait until next Summer/the power update and play it like its the same time range so I guess they could talk if you want. Its fine if you don't. Feel free to do a closing post at any time.))


Dmitri listened carefully with genuine interest in everything she had to say. Not only was having a power captivating, but the power of electricity was fascinating as well. Difficult to control was expected from such a beautiful form of nature's power. The thought that the wolf before him could generate such a power was exciting. Today surely was a fortunate one. "You think so?" He responded quite surprised. He had considered an ability like hers coveted; he wasn't compatible with it for the same reason Shade said it would fit.  

Shade seemed to have a mind quite alike his own. He was searching for a power that would protect him, not destroy anything in his path. Being a loner as well meant it was necessary, especially with so many greater enemies. "Oh, how unfortunate. " He started, upon hearing about the storm and water disadvantage. " I really do tend to enjoy the storms. Its such a terrible yet marvelous display of power by nature. Its dissipation also leaves the most calming and serine atmosphere. I also love to fish. I wouldn't know how to handle fishing in that case." He laughed at the thought of it. Of course, he would not give up on fishing. He would just have to take the toll of it...if he obtained the electric ability of course. "I...wouldn't have to worry about contact shocks." It would be a while before he was comfortable around other wolves. Who knows? Maybe he would be fine with them as soon as he had a power in his defense.

Dmitri's eyes glimmered at her story. It reminded him so much of one of his own, that he could clearly visualize the events as if it was playing out before him. He smiled and laughed at the thought of the bear's disgruntled face when he was shocked and a wolf was getting away with his meal and reflected a little on his own adventure in which he stole from a powerful bear. Usually, he wouldn't think lightly about such a thing; he could have easily been killed if he was spotted, of course. Being in the land of White Wolf Mountain was changing him into the more lighthearted and happy wolf he was deep down inside.The wolf he never really got a chance to be. "I'm surprised I remembered how to talk to someone. All I have been doing for so long was just roaming and thinking." Dmitri turned to Shade with a genuine smile. "I really do admire your ability to handle such a great gift as lightning. Like yourself, I only wish to be blessed with a power that I can use to defend myself." Its a bit of a selfish wish indeed, but in the end, with all the nice qualities Dmitri had, he was still a selfish wolf.