One Day At A Time

[nikolai]

It was so boring here. There was nothing to do, no one to see. The pack that he had been born into was small and mostly family, and that held no interest for him. He did not feel attached to it in any way.

Nikolai wandered, smoke-like, through the realm of thought, his mind searching slowly through the land below for another mind; a mind that he could take residence within. There were plenty of creatures in the swamp, however it was difficult to find a mind that would be suitable for him to try to enter. As he searched for a mind he could only sense the touch of a mind and the species of which the mind belonged to. Other than that, he could discern nothing of another creature simply by being aware that the mind was there. That made it difficult to decide where to try to enter, and he was still considered inexperienced as it was.

Today his fur was a little more reddish than purple, though the main color was still a shade of reddish purple. The outline and random stripes of maroon-red were brighter and more like blood today. His tail was a tail today, rather than being smoke-like and streaming out behind him. In fact, his entire body appeared to be rather solid. Or, at least as solid as he could make them seem in this realm. He had formed paws and appeared to be walking, though occasionally he would float several feet before walking again.

Beneath him the swamp stretched on for many miles. The water was lower right now, and there was thick mud in places. For some creatures, this place could be a death trap. For others, it was a safe haven. He could sense amphibians everywhere, but they were of little interest to him. If he were going to take residence in a mind then it would have to be something larger and more powerful. A frog would not give him the kind of existence that he desired.

Nikolai stopped and sat down in frustration. He needed to find a way to make his existence more solid. He would not fade out of existence. It didn't matter what he had to do to avoid that fate; he would do it. Though only problem was, there had to be something around for him to take residence in before he could avoid that fate, and it seemed as if he were out of luck here.

[Apocalypse]

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[atrb=background,http://i437.photobucket.com/albums/qq94/NuckyGirl/wolfeh-6.png] The swamp was most definitely one of the more interesting places that Apocalypse had visiting recently. The menagerie of creatures hidden beneath the umbrage of low hanging trees and vines was expansive. He could get a clear image of what it was like in this location just be stepping on the minds of the fauna. None were extravagant enough to prove host worthy, but it was an interesting place to come and think, or plot. The shadowy harbinger was shrouded in a black, mist. His red eyes were blazing with an internal fire, daring anything to cross his sight. His four tails wavered lazily like summer swollen rivers coursing to the sea. One glowed like embers, a beacon of his achievement thus far since he had entered the area. A burning smirk split the blackness of his strongly set maw as he reminisced. This was where he got his first horseman of the quarter-century. The male harbinger had the shape of a tall and powerful wolf, his chest like a barrel and his ears perked at constant attention. This was his usual form, his image of himself that he had perfected over the years. He gazed over the dream realms' version of the swamp. It was iridescent at the moment, shimmering and shifting. His attention turned to movement a little ways off. He gave a rumbling growl, mainly to announce his presence then actually confront the other harbinger. He stood tall and waited to be approached...

[nikolai]

Nikolai's head turned, abandoning his search, when he began to feel as though someone may have been near. There was nothing there at first glance, and he began to examine the mind of a drab swamp bird, curious as to what lay within. The bird was small and weak and let him in easily, but there was little going on inside the bird's mind that could give him a solidified form. He turned away, moving fluidly through the realm of thought once more.

It was the growl that got his attention first, then he saw movement in the distance. Drawing himself up as much as he could without changing his appearance to make himself look bigger, Nikolai stood at his full height. He wasn't as tall as the wolf in the distance, he knew, but he was far from small as well. The growl wasn't threatening, but Nikolai lifted his tail just the same. He growled as some kind of response, and also to announce his own presence. It had been some time since he had come across an individual of his own species that wasn't family. In fact, he couldn't remember if he ever had.

Wary, but not hesitant, Nikolai took enough steps towards the stranger to be able to get a better look. This particular Harbinger was large, though he already knew that. It reminded him of a shadow, what being darkly colored and all. The eyes were red, and Nikolai instantly thought demon, though he wasn't about to make assumptions about this wolf. His own eyes shone a bright white, with a tinge of yellow. He could see that the harbinger he had begun to approach had four tails. Nikolai had never thought of that before, and he wondered what it would be like to have more than one tail.

He stepped forward again, his ears pricked forward and tail raised. He wasn't sure what to do, though, having never really met any of his kind. This was a new experience for him.

[Apocalypse]

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[atrb=background,http://i437.photobucket.com/albums/qq94/NuckyGirl/wolfeh-6.png] His ears flickered forward at the returned growl. He turned to face the other harbinger, inhaling the scents around them. He had a familiar scent, he tilted his head to one side, "Elpidia?" That's who the other Harbinger smelled like, but they did not act like Elpie. They seemed to well, inexperienced. That and Elpidia rarely took the form of a male around him. Apocalypse was so familiar with his own scent that he did not notice it on the harbinger. Though the gears did begin to turn, "No, you are not her. Who are you?" He thought for a moment that it might be one of his own. Not that he could tell right off the bat, he was only present for their birth. His tails swirled like incense behind him as he looked critically at the young one. "I don't think you will find a suitable host in this area just yet. Not many venture to this swamp at this time of the day." His voice rumbled like distant thunder. He was open to conversation, especially because there was no mind to fight over at the moment.

[nikolai]

Nikolai did not recognize the wolf by either sight or scent, and so concluded that he must not have any relation to the stranger. Of course, he didn't realize that there were familiarities in the stranger's scent, or he might have thought otherwise. His own scent outweighed the traces of his mother's and father's scent in his nose.

"My name is Nikolai," he answered strongly, but offered no other explanation to who he was. If this wolf wanted to know more about him, then he could ask more specific questions. Nikolai kept his head held tall, almost in a proud manner, but also to show that, despite his age, he wanted to be held on equal grounds with this stranger. He could learn how the world worked on his own, without the help of a stranger.

Nikolai's voice was smooth but strong as he spoke. "I'm aware of that," he said clearly. He was well aware of the fact that few suitable hosts wandered here during the day. That had been clear enough when he had found none upon first arriving here. "But it never hurts to explore, does it?"

[Apocalypse]

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[atrb=background,http://i437.photobucket.com/albums/qq94/NuckyGirl/wolfeh-6.png] He chuckled darkly, "Depends on how long you wander, kid." He stretched out his long, sturdy limbs and shook out his smokey pelt. His red eyes fixed on the young harbinger. he took him in with his almost soulless eyes. "Nikolai, eh? I'm Apocalypse." He sniffed the air then stepped closer to get a better scent recognition of the young one. His curiosity was tickled. He smelled like Elpidia alright. "Tell me, how old are you?" He decided it was best to circle this concept. Not that he would feel bad for not recognizing his own son, with as much as harbingers changed, it really was only the mothers that would notice who their pups were. He towered over the pup, his imposing presence still as the waking swamp. A few creatures were beginning to stir, but none of consequence.

[nikolai]

Nikolai didn’t move away from the larger, older, and most likely more powerful Harbinger. “I am sure that even if I wandered here for some time, I would come across a suitable host eventually. But I won’t stay here long.” His words were in defense of his intelligence, and he wasn’t sure if it even made sense, as confident as he sounded.

He did not recognize the name Apocalypse, but that didn’t mean he hadn’t heard it before. He wouldn’t have remembered a name unless he had actually met the wolf in question, and he knew that he had not met Apocalypse before. He would remember such an imposing individual.

Nikolai shied away from the question about his age, giving only a vague answer. He was aware of the fact that Harbingers lived for an indefinite amount of time and that he was young in comparison to all but his siblings. “Not very old,” he answered. He was young and very inexperienced, and he knew that. But he wouldn’t let on just how young he really was.

While Apocalypse’s form was indeed much more imposing than his, Nikolai did not shrink under the gaze of the older wolf. He stood as tall as he could, holding his posture and not backing down. He would never back down for anyone.

[Apocalypse]

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[atrb=background,http://i437.photobucket.com/albums/qq94/NuckyGirl/wolfeh-6.png] He chuckled darkly, he could see Elpidia's spunk in this one. Surely it was his own son. He moved past him to walk a slow circle around the pup, taking in the form he chose. Every harbinger was different, it was rare to see similarities in appearances. He finished his circle, coming up along side him to take him in out of the corner of his eye. He did not retort to his comment about looking for a host. He did not see the reason, every harbinger was looking for a host. The vagueness of the age was what got to him. It amused him for a moment, even more so when he refused to back down from Apocalypse. "Your stubbornness reminds me of myself. Suitable for my son." He let the words roll like thunder from his throat. He walked past him back to his original position, standing tall and proud. "Keep it up and you will be able to outlive most of your siblings" It was true, Apocalypse really did not know how many of his offspring had survived over the many years. He only assumed that most did not live past twenty-five.

[nikolai]

Nikolai fought the uncomfortable feeling as the older Harbinger circled him. He wanted to confront the wolf, but logic told him that doing so would be a bad move on his part. He stood still, but irritation flashed in his eyes as the wolf complete the circle. Nikolai was not looking for Apocalypse's approval, and it almost felt like this wolf was circling him to look him over and see if he was worthy of approval.

Son? What was this Apocalypse going on about? Nikolai had never known his father, that was true, but this wolf could not possibly be his father. Right? Confusion flashed in his eyes as he stared at the wolf who claimed to be his father now. He said nothing in response, for there was nothing that he knew to say to this strange revelation.

Nikolai lifted his head, refusing to stay confused for long. "What makes you think that I am your son?" he demanded, his voice not wavering even a little. It was a strong voice, one with power in it, though he was still young. He felt that he was meant to outlive his siblings, whom he often saw as weaker. He was the leader, the one that had less trouble with hosts than the others. He would survive, thanks to his stubbornness. He was determined.

[Apocalypse]

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[atrb=background,http://i437.photobucket.com/albums/qq94/NuckyGirl/wolfeh-6.png] He snorted sparks and ash from his nostrils as the whelp questioned him. His fiery eyes narrowed and he looked straight at his supposed son. "You smell like Elpidia. I am the father of her last litter. I was at the whelping, so I know there are young harbingers...about your age, running around." It was hard to gauge age, he didn't even how how old himself was. His tails lashed out behind him, "You seem like you could be stronger than my past offspring...not that I really know who they are, or where they are." It was not that he was a dead beat father. It was just that harbingers did not really have a need to have fathers past siring. There were know real threats in the dream world.

[nikolai]

Nikolai’s body rippled in response to the large male. The fur on his body billowed, though there was no breeze in the dream realm and he was not moving. What the male said made sense, of course, and there was no doubt in his mind that this was his real father. However, defiance ran deep in his veins, and he was determined to be argumentative, even if that was simply refusing to back down in front of the older, wiser, and more experienced harbinger.

”That’s because I am strong,” he stated, lifting his head even higher than before in pride. It was his personality that was strong; a harbinger needed a strong personality to have the ability to convince others to become their hosts. He had that strength, and he was determined to put it to good use. He would not fade from existence.

[Apocalypse]

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[atrb=background,http://i437.photobucket.com/albums/qq94/NuckyGirl/wolfeh-6.png] He chuckled at the defiance this time. It seemed that he was correct. This WAS his son. So Poccy had a sense of pride to see himself reflected in this youngster. Narcissism. One of the biggest sources of fuel and vitality for a harbinger. "I see that you are. Don't change in that respect. It will save your life later on." He was giving advice to his son. He himself was mostly a loner, but then again it was a lonely life. Adding competition to the mix would make things more interesting in the long run. "I am not usually one to...offer assistance." He gave a curt nod, followed by a cocky smirk. "But I am open to act as a mentor is you so choose to accept." It was very odd for him to offer such a thing. However he was tried of the monotony that this land had to offer, so he wanted to think of a way to change things up a little. Who knows, maybe his son could help him with his master plan and together they could rule.....

[nikolai]

Nikolai carefully considered Apocalypse's words, weighing the pros and cons of fostering a relationship with the wolf that claimed to be his father. His outward appearance, however, denied the fact that he was actually drawn to the offer that Apocalypse had made. His eyes narrowed into a glare, as if he were offended by what had been offered, and he lowered his head a little in a threatening manner. The only thing that, at this point, kept him from accepting the offer was his pride.

"If you don't usually make such offers," Nikolai began, "then why do you make this offer now?" Though Nikolai was young, he did not intend to be drawn into a situation in which he would be used or betrayed. "What do you gain by acting as my...mentor.?"

[Apocalypse]

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[atrb=background,http://i437.photobucket.com/albums/qq94/NuckyGirl/wolfeh-6.png] He chuckled his dark rumbling chuckle. It was amusing seeing this pup be so diplomatic about something so early in his life. It was refreshing. His eyes lit up with a spark of pride as well, this kid did not blindly go running into things. "To be completely honest. I'm bored. It's been a few decades since I've tried anything new. That and you are the first of my offspring that I have met and been able to identify as my own. Or at least cared to." He sniffed the air again, as if double checking. Yes...it was his scent mingled with Elpie's. "As for what I gain...." He took a moment to ponder that, a parted grin crossed his maw, resembling the threat of a fiery volcano. "It might just give me the motivation I need to claim a few more supporters for my cause of becoming corporeal." He had no reason to hide his plans, he had been attempting the same line for centuries, the times had just never been in his favor. "You don't have to stick around for long if you don't want. Just know I am willing to help your influence grow in the Dream Realm." He himself had a diplomatic mindset at this point, of course littered with ulterior motives for himself personally. Though he was not going to hide what those were. He kept his hot gaze on his son, seeming to burn through him as he waited for an answer. His triangular ears twitched slightly as if listening to the swamp around them.

[nikolai]

Bored? So that was why this wolf was making such an offer? Nikolai's eyes widened momentarily, then narrowed again as he thought about the offer that the elder wolf had made. Nikolai supposed that, after a certain amount of years is this damned dream realm, things could get boring. Already there were times when he grew bored, though that was most likely to be when he could not find a mind to invade or when there was no one else to interact with (which happened often).

Nikolai's tailed lashed once, then twice, much like a cat's rather than a wolves. It was a result of the thoughts that ran through his head. "I'll accept your offer," Nikolai said in a clear, confident voice. "For now," he added after a short pause, to emphasize the fact that he would leave whenever he chose, whether that be five days from now or five years.

His eyes focused on Apocalypse's face, watching him with suspicion. While this wolf claimed to be his father and had made his motives known upon being questioned, Nikolai would not trust so quickly. However, he needed all the help he could get to learn the ways of the Harbinger and become skilled in them if he were to survive the test of time.