Oh Little Butterfly (joining)

[djinn]

Djinn scampered through the shallow water, her coat flickering as she passed through soft beams of light that peirced the gloomy darkness of the area. It was a beautiful area, if you didn't mind water that is, but Djinn wasn't stopping by for a swim, Oh no, not in the least. She was fully grown now, free to travel far and wide, and she had traveled here, chasing after a shimmering butterfly, chasing it into this swamp.

Djin gave a yelp as her front paws gave way under her. She toppled head first into a deep pool of water. She came up spluttering, beating the water with her fore-paws, barking out a call for help. Her thick coat was begining to soak through, dragging the young wolf down. She worried about drowning, because the deep pool seemed to begin to drag her deeper, the heavy, mud filled water was hard to manuver in compared to the streams she was used to, and she was panicking. What if a bad wolf found her, and dragged her out. She would be, in all rules, caught. Djinn was a lumen, a canine cursed to grant wishes to others. She thought she could faintly smell other wolves around, or she had before her nose had filled with water... Maybe there was a pack nearby? Djinn gasped for breath, the water was cold and her struggling was stirring up more mud, making the water thicker, sticking itself to her coat, which had now changed to a bright echoing orange, one never seen in swamps like this. A bright color for Danger and panic. One would see it from far away if one peered through the trees the right way. Djinn called agian. Please... Help! Anyone? She coughed, panic rising in her throat. Oh bother I know how to swim... if only I could see where the end of this darn sink hole was.... She swam forewar, her logical lumen brain over-riding through her panic. She reached the bank but realised another problem... The bank silt was too loose, every time she got a grip the mud would give way under her. There truely was no way out untill someone came along... But she couldn't give up... Not now when she was so close to other wolves, too bad she would have to meet them this way... and she had been hoping to ask to join, but who would want a foolish adolescent Lumen that couldn't watch her step in their pack?

[Nelio]

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[bg=00c5cd] Ah the duties of a Beta male were never quite done were they? Constant border patrol, arranging hunting parties, hunting and tracking down new members so that Sun could handle the inter-pack dynamics and keep things in line when it came to all the important matters. It was part of his job to make sure Sun’s life and job were easier. She could spend her days thinking of…well he couldn’t possibly know what she thought of or did, but she was truly like the Sun and he would make sure that nothing dimmed her brightness. Nothing would damage the peace and beauty that was their territory and their life. That was not to say there were no dangers, because there certainly were, but as a pack many managed to avoid them, or at least have someone there to look after them. Even though it was dangerous, he patrolled alone this day, the pack’s numbers were growing and it made Lio happy that the swamp would flourish under Sun’s continued reign. He was swiftly avoiding any water so that he could stay on four legs and paws instead of having to drag himself through the swamp or try to find the channels to swim through to complete his rounds. Suddenly, his ears swiveled to the left as he heard a wolf bark for help and the slow sucking of earth and water and something heavier. Springing into action he dodged the puddle on his right and headed off in the right direction with renewed strength. His eyes did not have long to seek before he found a bright orange beacon. She was too big to be a flower, and moving too slow to be an animal. It did not deter his speed however as he quickly made his way over to her, “Hang on, help is coming!!” He made it to her just in enough time to see her falling through each attempt to drag herself out of the sink hole. It was apparent he was going into the water whether he wanted to or not. He stepped into the mud and promptly sank back into the water. As the thick water touched his back legs the transformation came through and the sickening crack of bones and muscles filled the now quiet air as his legs began to merge together. Because he had more strength there was no whimper or cry of pain, but his eyes slammed shut and squinted. In the next moment he was below the thick water, pushing his body under the brightly colored wolf’s body to push her up and beyond the slippery mud. His muscled tail pushed the thick water from side to side beneath them, treading water as he continued to push her up. He was covered in mud, wet earth and water. Finally, they were both above the water, and then a few moments later, beyond the mud. Grunting and sighing he knew the female was safe, but they were both filthy. With a small, clear pond not but three feet away, he drug his tail over the debris on the ground to the pond to attempt to rinse himself off. While he moved he spoke to her, “I would advise you watch your step here in the swamp. For every beauty there are two dangers to catch you..” Within the pond he shuffled and turned his fur over, the bright blue flecks marring the natural earth tones which became brighter as he became cleaner. “Now that we have established you are not quite a water creature, what is your name and what brings you to trespass along the Quesse Anar Pack Lands?” He knew nothing of favors and wishes, and would have saved her regardless, because that was just who he was, but now he had to do his duty which was to find out who she was and why she was here…

[djinn]

Djinn's eyes snapped up at the sound of bones cracking and muscles snapping. However she could only see a flicker of what had made the sound. Seconds later she felt herself being lifted out of the mud and dirt. She trembled as she got up on her paws coughing up the water that had settled in her lungs. Only after having finished this task did she look up to her savior. Her eyes grew wide as her pelt color dimmed to it's normal purple shade, flickering with several new colors under the mud. Cael aren't you... Oh a beautiful specimen! Her pale pink eyes flickered in curiosity and wonder. She hadn't seen many of these before. Only one or two who had ever been transformed and a pawful of those who hadn't in her presence. Slowly his warning sunk in through the wonder and she hung her head, her purple darkening to blue of shame. I'm sorry sir, I wasn't paying attention... Haven't been out in the world very long... She watched out of the corner of her eye as he cleaned off.

She shook some of the mud from her tail, not wanting to crowd him in the semi-clean pool. She could wait till he was done. Her color flickered between purple and blue as he made the joke about not being a water creature. She smiled sheepishly as she forced it to settle down as a darker form of her normal purple. My name is Djinn... I am searching for a home that will accept one as myself and look after me. A lumen on their own isn't very safe... especially with having to give out wishes and all... oh my goodness I almost forgot... Sir, for saving me I am required to grant you one wish and one wish only.... My powers are weak still and I can only control bits and pieces of what a wolf might want, and I can't influence others, only yourself... She looked at him thoughtfully and shook her pelt slightly. Of course you can also deny or set aside your wish until another time. However just remember denying your wish means you can never use that wish and will not receive another wish for a very long time... Using your wish would also result in not receiving a wish until all requirements are met and a certain amount of time has passed. Djinn looked away and closed her eyes. This is why I want to be a pack member... If I stray and am caught by a bad wolf... who knows what could happen... Such is the doom of a Lumen.

[Nelio]

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[bg=00c5cd] Well, he was stuck like this until he dried, which could be hours if he managed to drag himself through the swamp to get back to his den. It was frankly too long of a walk to drag himself, so the better option for him at this point was to swim back, or find a huge enough rock to lay on until his dried. While he seemed to be focused on cleaning himself and remaining so he was listening to the other female. Her constant color changes were, odd to him and so he did not exactly know how to react to the female. When she called him a beautiful specimen, he turned his whole body towards her and raised his eyebrows. “Well I will take that as the compliment it was known to be…” Okay, so he was a little vain. Just a little. “I can’t exactly change like you, but I change in my own way and that’s enough for me.” His statement was true fact, he enjoyed many aspects of himself, but being able to change colors was something he had not encountered. It made him wary, even though she was young enough to apparently get caught in the mud. He noticed as she laughed, or felt shame, or embarrassment her color changed, he assumed it could get rather annoying to look at, or it could be a constant amazement. As of yet he had not decided which it was. Soon she was talking, and in his mind rather quickly, giving him much information about herself. He could see she was in need of a pack, in need of protection, even without the ability to grant wishes he assumed it would be better to be in a pack. Especially when you were apparently colored as brightly as she was. He could not possibly see how she hunted or could avoid anyone stalking her. Purples and pinks were not colors that were easily hid. When she explained the process of wishes his ears seemed to stand at attention. A wish, at his disposal? What could he possibly want? With all the conditions, he honestly did not know if it was worth it to make a wish. For now he simply said, “While I emphasize with your condition, I think I shall just tuck that little wish away for later sometime. As of right now I cannot see myself needing anything.” When she spoke of being captured by a “bad” wolf he turned his head. Well, he supposed there were wolves out there who wanted what they wanted badly enough to capture and force a wolf such as herself to do their bidding. However before he could invite her into the pack he had to make sure that she would pull her weight. “The Quesse Anar Clan is a pack that promotes peace and constant learning. As a lumen what will you be able to contribute to within our pack? Will you be able to be loyal, forever giving and helping this clan to survive and thrive? Will we be able to depend on you in times of turmoil, to stand and defend our borders against those who would tyrannically take away our peace?” After he let her have a moment to answer he questions and really think about whether this was the pack for her he spoke again, “What job or rank do you think would be best befitting your skills?” These were all things he needed to know and feel in his heart were true to give to Sunchaser to assign her a rank, duties and responsibilities for the pack…

[djinn]

She smiled as he accepted the compliment. She had meant it in that way. He really was a beautiful color. Her smile widened as he compared himself to her. She knew they had almost nothing in common species wise except for the changes, but accepted it none the less. She realized that she had said so much so very fast before this new wolf and reprimanded herself. This wolf was pack yes but that didn't mean he needed to know everything about her. She was really going to get herself in trouble one of these days!

Djinn nodded at his decision to save his wish. That was a smart move. One it meant he knew there may come a time when he needed to ask a favor of a lumen and two she could judge better on his character. By not using the wish right away she knew that he was not a very bad wolf. He was also not a needful wolf if he was content as he was. Her ears pricked as he began to talk about his pack... He seemed to want her to join, but he also had some questions. Lumens such as myself are a weak species... however I am fairly quick. We are a very long lived species like sennyo and we do not eat meat. I feed of life souses. I think I could thrive as a hunter, maybe not bringing down a creature, but working as a team I could tire out the creature and so would save the others the energy. Also any creatures I take life energy from who die can be eaten by others in the pack. I am not built for fighting... but I would defend those who deserve to be defended or are close to me without fail. I never give up until i can't go on... Oh... and you must be wondering how I would fare on a hunt in such bright colors.... Her pelt began to dim, the objects behind her becoming visible through her until even the mud on her pelt could no longer be seen. Her dis embodied voice floated from where she still sat. Being a lumen has its advantages... She slowly re appeared, a soft white if her true coat before her beloved purple coated her body.

[Nelio]

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[bg=00c5cd] Lio could understand where this wolf was coming from. In actuality he did knew a lot people considered the Cael to be just a pretty species without any real defensive or offensive skills whatsoever. But that was just a mindset carried through by many legends from the beginning of time. In truth many Cael, especially those that traveled were very strong and very adaptable. However many other species simply could not get over their tails and colors, and even their voices. Lio was one specimen who was happy enough to be handsome, but also worked to make himself a force to be reckoned with as well. Lio really didn’t know what to wish for in reality. Right now he had a wonderful home, not only access to bountiful prey in the swamp but the ocean was never too far away to travel, and the wolves he had met so far were all friendly and worthwhile ones to get to know. So while his life was good now, he knew that at a later date he might be prone to needing a favor and that is why he decided to reserve the wish. You never really knew when things would take a turn for the worst unfortunately. As she went into description about how the lumen species fed and lived her contemplated what exactly she would be good at. After all, even quickness sometimes was not enough when it came to hunting and fighting. But obviously the lumen had to have some quirk up their sleeve to live as long as they did. As she blundered on about how she could contribute his mind stored away key pieces of information. The idea of sucking the life force or spirit out of an animal disturbed him, and he could see why other wolves hardly tolerated these lumens. However, he assumed that under the right circumstances, it could be useful, especially with novice hunters, or pups needing experience. While they may get tired or fail at the pivotal moment, she could be there to wear the beast down and still bring the hunt to success. Such a skill could even be used in fights he supposed, and suddenly she was not so much of a liability to him. Now she could become an asset. However, she would soon shock the water right off of him by changing right before his eyes. He suddenly backed up surprised with her color changes that were so rapid, the quick motions making him look very awkward. His ears listened very carefully, because he could still hear her. He sniffed the air, he could still smell her, and he had to agree that her powers could definitely have an advantage, camoflauge ,espionage, the list went on within his own head of the things she could do for the Quesse Anar Clan. “I imagine it does have many advantages that even you might not be aware of yet. Because of your powers and abilities I think it would be best for you to be named as a hunter. You can not only contribute best to the pack that way, but you can help others to attune and perfect their skills when it comes to their first hunts. Be sure to learn something new each day, either about yourself, or our other pack members, and try, please try to stay safe within the swamp…Buddy up with someone doing patrols, or ask someone to help you…I might not be so close next time…and while colors gain attention, unless someone is close you might be in for more trouble than you bargain for.” He smiled at her and turned his body to move a few feet. “I welcome you to the Quesse Anar Clan, and hope you find family, adventure and peace here. I am going to sun myself until I can dry and move more swiftly. You are welcome to keep me company, possibly find yourself a meal, or move carefully in the direction of the dens…” With that he gestured in the general direction of the dens, as he climbed up onto a higher fallen branch and laid down on his side, to allow the water to run down his coat… ((Note: Once a wolf sees a lumen they cannot become invisible to that wolf…so she couldn’t disappear once Lio has seen her…))