a whole new world [heika]

[Ray]

HALCYON vanatore my heart is like a stallion, they love it more when it's broken Heika The little grove that Iiona had brought Halcyon to turned out to be not too far in from the shore. So now he was making his way deeper into the tropical forest to get to know the lay of the land, taking his time to get accustomed to his surroundings. The overall weather was comfortably balmy despite it being early spring - Halcyon had remained more or less in the central regions of the mainland for the last season so it hadn't been terribly cold, but he hadn't been expecting higher temperatures like this til much later in the spring. It was a rather welcome surprise, though he couldn't vouch for if he'd feel the same way in half a year at the height of the summer. The air was much more humid than it was back in the White Forest where he'd grown up, so many, many years worth of walking away from where they were now. Every so often he'd raise his head up tall to survey the undergrowth with his one keen eye, taking in long, deep breaths through his nose to get acquainted with the heady cocktail of scents that was all the new flora and fauna inhabiting this beautiful green paradise. For it was quite lovely after all, lush and green all over at a time when the rest of the world he'd known would still be pale and spindly, only just beginning to put out the first tendrils and buds of new life. Everything seemed more vibrant, more pungent, more brilliant. As he walked along surveying the land, Halcyon's mind turned to thinking, as it was quite accustomed to doing. He'd often muse to himself all those years he was alone, even as he made his meandering ways up and down the valleys and plains of the mainland. This time, his thoughts were on the island's illustrious leader. In a way, Iiona did remind him a little of the alpha of his old pack. They were both confident and headstrong, direct and well-spoken. However Iiona's intentions seemed far more noble, with the welfare of her pack at the forefront of her mind - the alpha of his youth was ardent and capable but also sly and canny in turns, with his true thoughts and intentions always hidden, never revealed even to his small council. Perhaps that was why his pack had never been very large, Halcyon reflected, even as his ears flicked forward to catch a the sound of a flurry of movement. Quickly came the rustle of feathers against foliage before a bird of paradise burst from the undergrowth in a display of brightly coloured plumage, landing on a high branch overhead with a few powerful beats of its wings. He paused to regard it discerningly for several seconds, his gaze following its path upward into the trees. With his head angled upward, Halcyon could see the sun filtering through the jade green canopy, sparkling in places where the leaves left little gaps like stars. Yet larger spaces between branches left areas through which he could see patches of clear blue sky, patterned with wisps of clouds. Back in the forests he hailed from, the trees were a smudge so dark they were almost black on an otherwise featureless white expanse of snow, and the sky was often as gray as his own silver coat. Everything here was new and bright and incredible to him, and he was washed over with a sense of encompassing awe. For a second or two he felt almost young again, made small by the greatness of the forest, all the years of his wandering falling from his shoulders. Just for a glorious second or two. ---- ooc: I hope it's okay that I started him off without Iiona first! I didn't really want to awkwardly write around her so I figured maybe a little while had passed between the prev thread and this one, so perhaps she can come find him and then things can proceed.

[Heika]

do i dare, disturb the Iiona weaved her way through the forest, muzzle low to the ground as she followed Halcyon's scent. Earlier, she had approached the grove that was being used as his temporary den, only to find it empty as his scent trail led away from the area and into the forest. On one hand, she felt a twinge of respect for him. Halcyon seemed to be taking her offer seriously, taking the initiative to explore the Island himself. But, on the other hand, Iiona worried that he might end up biting off more than he can chew. She wasn't sure how much the mainland differed from here, but if he unwitting wandered into a crocodiles' feeding grounds... She shooed the unpleasant thought out of her mind. Luckily, however, it appeared that Halcyon hadn't wandered too far yet, and Iiona soon noticed his figure standing up ahead. Walking up behind him, she observed him curiously as she noted how he was staring upwards, at the green foliage and the brilliant sapphire sky. She considered both of them a banality. Trees and good weather were a dime a dozen here, and Iiona would often times find herself wishing for cooler temperatures. But, as she noted his entranced gaze, she wondered how foreign everything must be to him, a wolf not from these lands, a wolf without a home. Regardless, she had spent enough time pondering. Dragging her paw just enough to make her presence known, Iiona made her way besides Halcyon and offered him a faint smile. "A fossa for your thoughts," she said, honestly not expecting a response. It just seemed like an appropriate greeting, although she was a little curious about what was running through his mind right then. Still, there were other matters to take care of as well. "Also, how's your leg? If you're up to it, I am free to show you around the Island, if you would like."  W O R D S 320 T A G Ray N O T E S Lmao at that title. And, yeah that's perfectly fine! Also, I hope my twist on "a penny for you thoughts" makes sense lol UNIVERSE

MADE BY VEL OF GS + ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0
ORIGINAL PHOTO © DON BURKETT

[Ray]

HALCYON vanatore my heart is like a stallion, they love it more when it's broken Heika Halcyon had already been aware of Iiona's presence long before she'd thought to make herself more noticeable, though it wasn't that she was clumsy or anything to that effect. It was just that he was accustomed to compensating for his missing eye, and so he had developed a sense of hearing that was somewhat superior out of necessity. However, he appreciated her taking the care to ensure he knew she was approaching, instead of just appearing while he was seemingly occupied. "A fossa for your thoughts," she said, and the corner of his mouth quirked up wryly in return for just a second at the expression. What the fuck is a fossa? his internal narrative grumbled, though the grousing was pretty much harmless - probably as close to a good-natured joke as Halcyon could get at the moment. He was in a good mood all the same, what with all the things the forest had been showing him. "Iiona," he replied instead, inclining his head politely to acknowledge her. "Never seen anything like this before." His gruff voice was tinged with wonder. He'd been on the island for about five days already since he washed up on the beach, but the novelty of such a vivid and vibrant environment definitely hadn't worn off yet. Perhaps it was the fact that he had something completely opposite to compare it to that made it that much more incredible. "Also, how's your leg? If you're up to it, I am free to show you around the Island, if you would like." Now that she'd drawn his attention back to it, Halcyon registered a slight discomfort where the jellyfish had stung him, but it was more of a tightness of the skin where it had begun to heal over than actual pain. The welts had swelled up and then begun to leak a clear fluid over the course of the past few days, though they had finally dried up and were now much less of an inconvenience. He figured the fur would not grow back though, despite his seemingly smooth recovery thus far. Then again at this point it didn't really bother him anymore - he'd long given up any notion of preserving what remained of his appearance. "I'd appreciate that." What he'd meant to say was that he'd enjoy that, except Halcyon wasn't exactly an old hand at the nuances of good old interpersonal communication. He had been intending to make a little pilgrimage around most of the island anyway, but it would be much more interesting and fruitful with someone who knew the way like the back of their paw. Plus, the offer of honest company was still an odd treat to him after wandering alone for so long. He was of course unopposed to making the excursion on his own, but maybe it was time to remember how to be a functioning member of society again. After all, if Hal was so sure about his intention to join Iiona's pack, he would definitely need it. ooc: Sorry, I had to LOL Now Iiona can get on a magic carpet and sing lmao. Also it made perfect sense dw :') Btw feel free to move them wherever on the island if you have anything in mind, or they can just keep on walking lol

[Heika]

do i dare, disturb the “Never seen anything like this before.” So she was right; the mainland really was completely different from the Island. For a second, she wondered just what it was like, the place Halcyon had come from. Before he became a loner, he had to have parents, and a den, and a home to belong to. Were his parents kind? Did he have any siblings? A lover? As she mused about it, another question rose to the forefront of her mind. Why did he leave? Iiona brushed it all aside. Those were conversations for another time. “I’d appreciate that.” Besides, it looks like she now had a tour to begin. “Then, let’s go,” she said, taking the lead as she motioned for Halcyon to follow her. “Purgatory Reef is up ahead, so we can go there first.” Padding away, she paved her way through thick underbrush, raising her paws high enough to clear any messy roots and vines underfoot while simultaneously remaining wary of any branches drooping down from overhead. The thick jungle was, at times, difficult to navigate. She hoped that Halcyon wouldn’t have any troubles, and glanced back for a moment to make sure he was able to keep up. As they walked, Iiona briefly considered making small talk. But, honestly speaking, she wasn’t the type of wolf to do so. And, after considering the briefness of Halcyon’s responses, she concluded that he wasn't the type either. Regardless, the silence wasn’t overbearing, as it could be sometimes with other wolves. Instead, it was comfortable, and allowed for the natural sounds of the forest to be heard. Birds of the Island were singing to each other joyously as mating season was in full bloom, and insects buzzed as they flew by in the air. These were the sounds she had grown up listening to, and they were always soothing. Near the edge of the forest, where the sunlight was brazenly forcing its way through the thinning foliage and peeking out from behind the leaves dancing in the breeze, Iiona’s ears pricked up as she heard a rustling overhead. Coming to a stop, she looked upwards, her eyes raking through the mess of branches, greenery, and bright flowers until she saw a flash of red, a pointed snout, and a long, black tail. Sure enough, a red ruffed lemur was sitting in the trees above them, and it stared down intensely, watching the wolves with a caution that could only be provided by years of experience. “Halcyon, come look at this,” she spoke, motioning at it with her muzzle, unafraid of scaring the lemur away. If it thought it was in any real danger, it would have already fled. “Up there. It’s a type of lemur. We have a few on the Island, but they all taste about the same.” As she spoke, she continued to scan the trees for more lemurs, as they almost always traveled in small, tight knit groups. But, for whatever reason, it appeared to be alone today, as when it chittered nervously, there was no answering call. W O R D S 508 T A G Ray N O T E S lmao trust me Iiona can't sing for shit. But, just going to have her point out some prey so Hal won't be completely clueless in the future hunting thread lol UNIVERSE

MADE BY VEL OF GS + ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0
ORIGINAL PHOTO © DON BURKETT

[Ray]

HALCYON vanatore my heart is like a stallion, they love it more when it's broken Heika Obediently he fell into step behind Iiona as she began their little journey, keeping about half a wolf's length behind her and slightly off to the side. As she led the way surefootedly through the jungle's flora Halcyon had to pay attention to the path she was indicating, lest he get tangled in some vines or trip over a root. It was a strange and new experience to be navigating obstacles that forced one to be constantly clambering (or so it felt) up and over and down and around things like fallen logs or big gnarled roots, pushing through ferns and skirting the edges of marshy pools. It wasn't hard or draining, but it did take a certain amount of concentration which Halcyon was only aware had leaked onto his face when Iiona looked back to make sure he was still following. He furrowed his brows and glanced away for a second in slight discomfiture but couldn't keep that up for long, as he had to turn his attention back to maneuvering through a particularly convoluted tangle of creeper vines. Nevertheless, the experience was a pleasantly rewarding one, as Halcyon grew accustomed to predicting what kinds of obstacles were common in the jungle and how to get past them. Iiona was clearly at home in the tropical forest, easily picking the way of least resistance through the mossy trees, and he was indeed grateful to have her along. It would probably have taken him near twice as long to get this far if he had been wandering about on his own, and without an intended destination he would not have known how far even to keep going. As the forest became more familiar to him Halcyon was able to put navigating to the back of his mind, letting his area of focus widen from his immediate surroundings to the jungle at large. There was an assortment of activity in the background that created a pleasant hum of noise, with colourful birds darting every which way and the distant chatter of monkeys as they rustled about in the canopy. His ears flicked about attentively as his gaze shifted methodically from one species to the next, cataloguing them in his mind for later. The wide variety of fauna did cause him to wonder just how many other wolves were on the island - for all the animals he had been seeing, none of them had been of his kind. Iiona was the capable and confident leader of a pack, of course, but Halcyon having stayed in a grove on the outskirts of the island for the last few days had not encountered another besides the alpha herself. He had smelled some, definitely, but the scents were days old and muddled with the tracks of many other creatures. If any of them had been around while he was recovering, they were probably long gone by now. He was about to ask after the whereabouts of the rest of her pack members when she beckoned to him, indicating he should look where she was pointing with her muzzle, and the thought left his mind as he followed her gaze. Up in the trees high above their heads was a brightly coloured creature, similar to the one she had brought him that first morning on the island, except its fur was a vibrant red. Its eyes was large and seemed almost lidless, fixing the two of them with a careful stare. "It’s a type of lemur. We have a few on the Island, but they all taste about the same." Halcyon nodded solemnly, filing away that information for when it would become pertinent. Iiona had mentioned taste, so that meant it was suitable prey - he wondered offhandedly if many things on this island were therefore unsuitable for eating. "Do they come down at all?" He figured now was as good a time as any to learn more about how to hunt such prey, if he was to be making a life here. Hunting creatures that seemed so comfortable up in the trees had to be a terrible challenge. His yellow eyes were trained steadily on the lemur, taking in its tense posture, the anxious flicks of its tail. It seemed uncomfortable to be alone, which made him suspect it was not a solitary creature - perhaps it had been separated from its social group. ooc: Sorry about Hal's inability to say more than 10 words at a time LOL

[Heika]

do i dare, disturb the For a moment, Iiona’s lips twitched in upwards at Halcyon’s seriousness. She was equal parts amused with his dedication as she respected his open devotion to learning about the Island and everything that came with it. If he was currently acting in any interest of winning her admiration, then he was doing a good job of it. "Do they come down at all?” She returned her gaze to the lemur overhead just in time to see it screech defiantly and make a rapid retreat back into the depths of the forest, skirting from branch to branch with fluid agility. She had guessed right then. They didn’t have these animals on the mainland. “Yes, sometimes,” she answered, watching as the branches shook back and forth, dislodging a few leaves which fluttered to the ground, before settling back in place. “They’ll forage for fruits and nuts on the ground, especially during the summer. Otherwise, they stay up in the trees where they think they are safe.” As she spoke, she briefly considered revealing her power to Halcyon. But, as she mulled it over, Iiona decided against it. Whether or not these powers were common among wolves was questionable, and there were some secrets that may be better kept among the pack for now, at least. “Let’s go,” Iiona suggested as she turned to continue walking towards Purgatory Reef. “There’s a lot to see today, and it’ll be nice if we could finish before the sun sets. I was thinking we might be able to go hunting later, if we have the time.” She had yet to eat, having sacrificed her breakfast in interest of making sure that Aelyx, the aging shaman, had a proper meal at the start of the day. It was likely that, once she finished showing Halcyon the Island, she would bring Aelyx some dinner as well. Emerging from the edge of the forest, Iiona narrowed her eyes briefly against the intense, unhindered glare as the world burned white. But, as her pupils adjusted, she was greeted with a familiar expanse of crystal clear waters that betrayed the presence of boundless coral reefs and tropical fish below. Today, the sea, despite its usual fickleness, was rather tame. It dragged back and forth lazily, and a small sea turtle breached the surface to take a quick breath before sinking back under. “Welcome to Purgatory Reef,” she said, stepping onto the beach and feelings her feet sink slightly into the powdery white sand. “Sometimes, the fishers like to come here to look for food, but for the most part we stay out of these waters. As innocent as the sea may appear,” she cast a critical eye upon the waves lapping at the shore like a child begging for its mother’s attention. “It hosts a wide variety of dangers, as I’m sure you’re well aware of.” W O R D S 475 T A G Ray N O T E S LOL it's ok Iiona says enough for the both of them cause I suck at describing the setting and other writing essentials o o p s UNIVERSE

MADE BY VEL OF GS + ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0
ORIGINAL PHOTO © DON BURKETT

[Ray]

HALCYON vanatore my heart is like a stallion, they love it more when it's broken Heika As the lemur fled into the relative safety of the trees, Halcyon's one-eyed gaze followed it intently til it could no longer be seen, its fading presence only marked by the branches that swayed in its wake. "Yes, sometimes," Iiona's voice came from beside him, and with the lemur gone he turned his attention to her, swiveling his ears to pick up anything else she said. "The'll forage for fruits and nuts o the ground, especially during the summer. Otherwise, they stay up in the trees where they think they are safe." Were they not as safe so high above the ground as they thought, then? Halcyon turned his head to look at her bemusedly out of the corner of his good eye, a faint air of amusement tugging at the corner of his mouth. He couldn't tell if Iiona was simply joking or if she'd really meant to hint at something else. Regardless, he didn't think it was pertinent to ask - perhaps she had meant there were other predators here that could get them even at such a height. He knew back on the mainland there were large birds of prey that often swooped down on rabbits and even young deer, and brushed it off as that. Then Iiona indicated they should move on by turning away from the spot they had stopped at, heading towards where the trees thinned and glimpses of sand and sea could be seen glimmering between the tall, gnarled trunks. "There's a lot to see today, and it'll be nice if we could finish before the sun sets." Halcyon continued along behind her as she spoke, making a brief mental estimation of the current time of day. They had been in the forest a while, making the sun an unavailable point of reference, but he'd venture to say it was getting close to noon. That still gave them a reasonable length of time before the sun showed signs of setting, but if Iiona estimated they had a chance of finishing after sunset that just went to show how much more of the island there was to see. Of course, they had just begun, but Halcyon was interested to see just how many new and unexpected things this island had in store for him. "I was thinking we might be able to go hunting later, if we have the time." That brought both anticipation and trepidation - he was itching to see how the bigger prey on this island fared under his paws, but the more strange creatures he saw, the more Halcyon became worried that he'd catch anything at all. On the mainland, the biggest things that populated the trees were probably squirrels, and he'd seen some pretty big squirrels on his travels. They were easily overlooked when there was plenty more prey to be found on actual solid ground. He didn't know if he'd be able to sneak up on a lemur, though his invisibility powers would be much more useful on these creatures since once they noticed him, the gig was up. Buried in thought as he was, Halcyon made his way absently along behind Iiona til they breached the treeline and the bright sunlight made him blink, shocking him out of his internal monologue. "Welcome to Purgatory Reef," the alpha announced, stepping down into the sand. Allowing his vision to adjust, Halcyon took the time to pass his gaze over everything, taking in the breathtaking view. The water was beautifully clear, so much that he could see down into the depths and catch glimpses of the colourful underwater life below. A huge coral reef spread out into the distance, the likes of which he had never seen before. The beach he had landed on had nothing of the sort, just a transition from water to sand, but this place was like a treasure trove of strange new things. A harsh name for a place such as this, Halcyon thought, surveying the gentle swell and thinking back to the roiling waves he had braved the day he'd touched down on the island. "Sometimes, the fishers like to come here to look for food, but for the most part we stay out of these waters. As innocent as the sea may appear, it hosts a wide variety of dangers, as I’m sure you’re well aware of." He nodded with a wry, twisted smile, the memory of dragging himself out of the pounding surf still fresh in his mind. "Learned my lesson," Halcyon replied, as drolly as his voice could manage. "Is there a history to its name?" For he was surprised that such a lovely place could hold such a contradictory title. As he spoke he stepped wonderingly onto the sand as well, feeling it sift between his toes. It was finer than the crusty sand on the main beach, soft and giving, belying the sea's true dangerous nature. ooc: I'M SORRY I KEEP OVER TYPING Hal's posts just get longer and longer by themselves I'm just the conduit I swear

[Heika]

do i dare, disturb the As they stood there on the sand, admiring the insidious beauty Purgatory Reef was so well-known for, Iiona took a deep breath. The salty spray was refreshing, and the scent, albeit an acquired one, was comforting as well. Filling her lungs, she held it for a moment, eyes shutting lazily before she exhaled and grinned breezily. She was in her element, and was suddenly filled with an urge to dash across the open beach as she once had in her youth. But, as she suddenly became very aware of Halcyon’s presence, she quashed that impulse and the grin faded from her face as she recomposed herself. “Learned my lesson. Is there a history to its name?” Musing over it for a moment, Iiona reflected upon her childhood tales. “Technically, there is. However, the story has an uncanny knack for changing every time it’s told. The way my father recounted it for me was that the Reef was used as the greatest form of punishment. When wolves committed so heinous an offense that retribution demanded their lives, the criminals would be brought here and chased into the waters. Any attempts to return to shore would be met with flashing teeth and fatal wounds. So, the criminals would attempt to make it to the mainland. But, none of them ever escaped the Reef, falling prey to the dangerous creatures lurking in the waters.” Glancing over at Halcyon, Iiona realized just how disconcerting that story may be. Offering him a sheepish smile, she hurried to clarify, “My apologies for the morbidity. My father was much more eloquent than I am, and he told it much better. Anyways, I promise we don’t use that method of punishment anymore, being a little more civilized now.” Slowly strolling along the sandbank, Iiona suddenly had a lightbulb moment. Drawing closer to the surf, she crouched down and waited, perfectly still despite the water reaching up to lap at the tips of her paws. No doubt Halcyon was watching her as though she had lost her mind right then, but she pushed that thought away to order to focus on her plans. She needed for the waves to retreat, drawing back to prepare for crashing against the shore once again. And, as it did, her eyes scanned the sand rapidly. There! To her left, was a slight hole, the width of a pup's claw, that bubbled and foamed when it was no longer covered by water. Having found what she was searching for, Iiona leapt forward and, in a fluid, practiced movement, used her right paw to dig deep into the ground, displacing the sand before her muzzle darted into the hole and grabbed hold of her prize. With her jaws clamped firmly around it, she leapt back out of reach of the ocean just in time to avoid a creeping wave. I still have it, she thought to herself triumphantly as she padded over to Halcyon. “Here,” she mumbled around the object between her teeth before cracking it open with a strong bite. Dropping it in front of him, she revealed a sand clam, flesh peeking out from between the broken pieces of its last line of defense. It was about the size of the pad of her paw, and definitely not enough to count as a meal alone. But, all the pups on Sharktooth Island were raised to covet clam meat as a special treat, and she figured eating it would make for an interesting experience for Halcyon. “Try it,” she offered, nudging it towards him. “Just be careful with the shell. Some unlucky wolves have cracked a tooth on them.” Waiting patiently, she watched expectantly for his reaction, considering digging up another clam for herself as well. W O R D S 623 T A G Ray N O T E S LOL sorry for these posts always being so short! ;A; But omg trying to research clam species is so hard. Everyone just calls them clams lmao UNIVERSE

MADE BY VEL OF GS + ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0
ORIGINAL PHOTO © DON BURKETT

[Ray]

HALCYON vanatore my heart is like a stallion, they love it more when it's broken Heika Halcyon's ears swiveled towards Iiona attentively even as he continued to look out over the reef, marveling at the colours that seemed to constantly change as the waves rippled over them, refracting light back and forth in a myraid of different ways. She recounted the history of the reef for him, and hearing the unexpected tale Hal turned to regard her with a look of vague consternation, his brows raised in alarm. For just a second it made the ancestors of the island pack sound even more vicious than his old pack had been, when they'd unceremoniously exiled him all those years ago. "My apologies for the morbidity. My father was much more eloquent than I am, and he told it much better. Anyways, I promise we don’t use that method of punishment anymore, being a little more civilized now." At her hasty explanation his face relaxed, Halcyon taking a little more care to school his features back into a more content, if solemn expression. He hoped his reaction had not seemed wildly concerning - she could not have known the parallels between this past and his own, being run right off the borders of his own homeland. "I'm sure that story keeps most youngsters on their best behaviour anyway," he commented dryly, though the edge of his mouth quirked up to show his remark was harmless, and the corners of his eyes creased in jest. It became apparent soon that Iiona's attention was focused on the water's foaming edge, as she advanced right up to the waves until her paws were wet with it. Halcyon observed her in a mix of confusion and amusement, quite entertained (or as entertained as a wolf such as he could possibly be) to see the esteemed alpha crouched down in the surf and looking for something intently, her body tensed in determination. Then all of a sudden, as the waves drew back with a soft rushing sound, she darted forward and in one quick motion had snatched something right out of the wet sand. Nimbly she retreated before the water could chase her back up the beach, bringing her prize back to him. Though it looked at first as if Iiona carried in her mouth a smooth stone, he was quickly proven wrong when she applied a well-placed bite to it, resulting in a sharp crack. She placed it before him and it revealed itself to be a clam, relatives of which he had seen before at the bottom of rivers inland, but never troubled himself with. "Try it," the alpha urged, so he lowered his head to examine it more closely. "Just be careful with the shell. Some unlucky wolves have cracked a tooth on them." He nodded, acknowledging her warning. Upon closer inspection it contained a nugget of flesh within and smelled, naturally, of the clean scent of the sea. Rather like a walnut except from the ocean, he thought wryly, nosing aside the broken pieces of shell with care, then delicately picking up the little morsel in his teeth. To his surprise it tasted meaty with the distinct essence of the salty ocean, but also a hint of unexpected sweetness that spread over his tongue. The overall effect was resoundingly pleasant, and he made an effort to convey his appreciation. "That's actually really good," Halcyon acknowledged gruffly, trying his best not to sound like an ingrate. It was not lost on him that Iiona was constantly going out of her way to show him such little wonders as these, and he was truly grateful, though he was also aware that being the newcomer on this island, he had nothing of his own to give back to her. His gratitude and undivided attention would have to do for now, until he finally made a place for himself here, and had things and time to call his own that he could then give away. ooc: No yours are fine though!! <3 I'm really just trying to make sure Hal's don't drag :I

[Heika]

DO I DARE, DISTURB THE UNIVERSE?

“That’s actually really good.” Despite his brusque tone, Iiona could tell that Halcyon had honestly enjoyed the clam. Smile growing a bit wider, she felt her tail wag slightly at the compliment. “The pups here love them,” she said, looking back at the surf and recalling the afternoons she had spent here with her father, learning how to dig up clams and relishing the rich flavor of their catches. She had definitely eaten her fair share of the mollusks as a child. “They’d live off them if they could. Did you have these back on the mainland?” Allowing him time to reply, Iiona took a second to consider where to head next. Spending a few more moments there, in silent contemplation with the sound of the ocean as the background music, Iiona got to her feet and shook the sand out of her pelt with fervor; nothing was more uncomfortable than having sand embedded within your fur when you’re going to sleep, although that was a consequence the wolves of the Island often have to face as a result of living there. Still, that didn’t mean she had to like it. Satisfied that her pelt was mostly clean, Iiona glanced down at her dirty paws and resigned to lick them clean later. It was about noon. The sun glared down at them from its position directly overhead, and their next destination was a little ways off. “Do you see that mountain over there?” Iiona asked, directing Halcyon’s attention towards the clump of rocky bluffs directly in the center of the Island. All of them were tall enough to stand above the trees, but there was one in the center that was distinctly larger than the rest. “The tallest one, Lovers’ Peak, is where we’re headed next. Come on, I’ll tell you more about it on the way.” Heading back into the thicket, Iiona allowed her mind to wander as she walked down the familiar path. Now that it was nearly the hottest time of day, she was more than grateful for the shade the thick canopy provided, although she did have to suffer through the swarms of tiny gnats that buzzed around her ears. Every now and then, she’d chase them away with a quick shake of her head, though they were always quick to return. Around now, the pack usually gathered around Sky Falls for a quick break, seeking some respite from the heat and bugs before returning to their duties at sundown. But, with the waterfall being located at the center of the Island, Iiona figured that they might as well take a quick detour to the base of Lovers’ Peak before heading to the falls. “What do you think of the weather?” Iiona asked, slowing down slightly to walk besides Halcyon. “Personally, I find the summers on the Island to be uncomfortably hot, but the temperatures the rest of the year are pretty similar. Unless, of course, we’re unlucky enough to experience a storm. That’s about the only time it’s ever cold here.”

506	Ray
I managed to kajigger together a table! :'D But, omg, as I was writing this, I suddenly remembered how many bugs warmer areas have, and I decided to talk about the darker sides of paradise lmao

ORIGINAL PHOTO © DON BURKETT



[Ray]

HALCYON vanatore my heart is like a stallion, they love it more when it's broken Heika The pleased smile on Iiona's face was gratifying enough that Halcyon began to feel more at ease, the concern he felt about not being able to return her kindness growing ever so slightly less. Maybe in time he would find himself able to accept her casual extensions of friendship, knowing that he would have the chance to return them in kind. He allowed a small smile of his own in return, unfamiliar but cautiously hopeful - it had occured to him just how long it had been since he had spent time in the presence of another wolf just for the enjoyment of conversing, sharing the same space. Out of the mouthful of encounters he'd entertained during the long years of wandering, none of them had been particularly cordial. To have seen Iiona for a measurable period of time every day since he had landed was a surprisingly tolerable and pleasant experience. "The pups here love them. They'd live off them if they could. Did you have these back on the mainland?" Tilting his head and considering for a moment to assure himself his memories were accurate enough, Halcyon then nodded his confirmation. "There are clams like these on the riverbeds. However, I've never seen wolves go to lengths to eat them. It seems they are undesirable." Maybe it was the water they lived in that caused the two different types of clams to taste so different? It stood to reason that wolves wouldn't go through the trouble of diving into fast-flowing rivers just to fish up clams if they didn't taste good, but these little treasures buried in the sand of the beach were good. "Perhaps you could show me how to dig those out, someday." He phrased it like a suggestion, not really a request - though Halcyon was certainly warming up to the idea of there being a "someday" to look forward to at all, he was still a little uncomfortable with asking for things outright. He entertained a little flicker of hope that such a thing would be possible in the future. "Do you see that mountain over there?" His head snapped obediently in the direction she gestured, a reflex reaction he had developed as a youth desperate to please the alpha of his past. He did see the mountain in the distance, rising up out of the forest along with its smaller brothers. "The tallest one, Lovers' Peak, is where we’re headed next. Come on, I'll tell you more about it on the way." With a brief nod of assent, Halcyon fell into step beside Iiona, hanging back a little to let her guide the way. He shook his paws off perfunctorily as they transitioned back from the beach to soft grass and dirt, brushing as much sand off his fur as possible for now. They returned into the relative cool of the forest and Halcyon too noticed the persistent throngs of flies, so small that from a distance they made the air seem to vibrate with movement. Flicking his ears every so often in an attempt to dispel them, he continued to follow Iiona through the trees. "What do you think of the weather?" The alpha slowed her pace some to walk abreast of him, and in return Halcyon turned his head so that he could keep her in the corner of his vision as they walked. "Personally, I find the summers on the Island to be uncomfortably hot, but the temperatures the rest of the year are pretty similar. Unless, of course, we're unlucky enough to experience a storm. That's about the only time it’s ever cold here." "It's much warmer here than it is where I was born," Halcyon noted solemnly, thinking of the never-ending winters back in the White Forest. "It gets so cold that the rain freezes, and becomes snow that covers everything when it falls. It's warmer down South, but nothing like--" His mind was focused partially on Iiona and partially on dredging up old memories of the mainland, and so Halcyon had not paid as much attention as usual to where he had been placing his feet. He had placed his front paw on an innocuous-looking leaf only for it to give way beneath his weight to reveal a little hole below, caused by a tree root growing in a gnarled circle. As such, he ended up stumbling forward abruptly for just a second, quickly regaining his footing. He glanced back at Iiona sheepishly, his ears flicking back and slightly downward in unexpected embarrassment as he let out a puff of air through his nose. How undignified! Pressing his lips together self-consciously, Halcyon looked away again, trying to fix his gaze on the horizon - only, being in the middle of a vast forest, there was no horizon of which to speak. Damn it. A right damn fool you're making of yourself. You're supposed to earn her trust, not toss it away. ooc: Sorry for the wait fam <3 I figured Hal's been a bit boring so I made him fuck up LOL also wtf look at me saying I'll stop writing so much then I write 800 words I have no chill

[Heika]

DO I DARE, DISTURB THE UNIVERSE?

Listening attentively, Iiona hummed in acknowledgement as Halcyon answered her question. “It’s much warmer here than it is where I was born. It gets so cold that the rain freezes, and becomes snow that covers everything when it falls.” That was a first. She had encountered snow before, but only at the very tip of Lovers’ Peak in the midst of winter, and had found playing in the ice to be a novel experience, if not a little disheartening after the cold infiltrated her thin pelt and left her a sodden, shivering mess. Her father had laughed at her, of course, and continued to tease her about it every winter. The idea that the frigid icy powder could cover an entire landscape, however, was unnerving. Glancing around her, Iiona tried to imagine for a second a world of whiteness, one that lacked the bright green leaves dancing overhead and muffled any birdsong or cries that rang through the forest, and found it an intimidating prospect. She didn’t think she could go without the noises of the forest that she had grown so accustomed to over the course of her lifetime. “It’s warmer down South, but nothing like—” When Halcyon suddenly stopped talking, Iiona had glanced over at him worriedly, and just in time to catch him stumble before regaining his footing. It was obvious he was embarrassed from the way his head hung low and he exhaled sharply through his nose, so, for his sake, she successfully restrained herself from laughing. But, she was much less successful at keeping the amused glint out of her eyes, and the smile off her lips. Although she had not addressed it earlier, Iiona was aware that Halcyon had spent all his time with her walking around on pins and needles. His every word was measured, every movement calculated, and he was trying so damn hard to impress her, to win a spot in her pack, that she had already begun to respect him. But, before she could make a verdict, she also had to cover a very important base; she needed to know what kind of person Halcyon was beyond trying to please the alpha. In order to do that, she needed him to relax and loosen up, even if just a bit, and she had the perfect way to go about it. “Did you enjoy your trip on Sharktooth Island?” Iiona asked, eyes twinkling as she delivered the cheesy pun with the finesse only a master of the art commanded. “Don’t worry. I’m sure that, if you stay, you’ll have a nice fall as well.” Observing his face carefully, Iiona watched for any signs of displeasure at her lighthearted teasing, although it was kind of hard to read him as, instead of an eye, she was met with a jagged scar and an empty socket. As a result, she focused on the corner of his mouth, taking note how it had twisted down in an abashed grimace from his mishap earlier. Hoping that her joke would earn her a smile, she was also willing to settle for a halfhearted deadpan. She could tell that Halcyon was the stoic type, preferring to keep his thoughts to himself, so asking for a sunny grin might be expecting a little too much.

547	Ray
Sorry this took so long LOL but I felt like Iiona would like puns although she's absolutely terrible at them

ORIGINAL PHOTO © DON BURKETT

[Ray]

HALCYON vanatore my heart is like a stallion, they love it more when it's broken Heika With his tail twitching in embarrassment, Halcyon kept his gaze resolutely turned away from Iiona, which wasn't hard given that he possessed only half the normal amount of eyes. How was he supposed to prove he was capable enough to be worthy of acceptance into her pack if he was going to do something like this? Instead it showed he was unable to concentrate on something as basic as watching his footing, no matter that this might not have been a common occurence on his travels alone. The fact remained that it had happened, and in the presence of the very alpha he was supposed to be making a good impression on! If it had been a venomous snake and not just a hole in the ground disguised as a leaf, he might've already been dead! But yet, as his traitorous vision strayed back to looking in her direction, instead he caught a glimpse of a smile, and a sparkle in her bright gold eyes. "Did you enjoy your trip on Sharktooth Island?" Iiona's voice was amused, and resonant with the delighted confidence of one who knows they've made a good joke. Halcyon's ears pressed flat to the back of his head in shame, but even as they did he was turning his head back around so he could look at her properly with his good eye, and not just present her the ugly scar. Even so his humiliation was slowly beginning to seep away as she continued, "Don't worry. I'm sure that, if you stay, you'll have a nice fall as well." Her joking tone set him a little more at ease, and his ears swiveled back to a more comfortable position as he regarded her with a brief expression of disapproval that melted into a resigned half-smile. It was clear that she meant him no reprimand for his awkward slip-up, and was making a jest to lighten his mood. He appreciated that - Halcyon wasn't particularly good at purging awkward atmospheres, especially when they were his fault, and Iiona's blunt but cordial approach to getting him to ease up was surprisingly effective. "We'll see weather that comes to pass," Halcyon responded wryly, trying his best to make an attempt at a joke in return but not quite hitting the note of well-practiced humor that Iiona had so effortlessly attained. But apart from the joking he'd also noticed that Iiona had said - if you stay. The fact that she'd even entertained the idea of him having a future on the island - no matter the context - was promising, wasn't it? He hoped that it could be taken as a hint that he wasn't failing completely at impressing Iiona. Though, now that the topic was at hand, when did his goals make that subtle but significant shift from earning the alpha's trust to impressing her? That was a thought for another time, he decided, and pushed the trifling notion from his mind. Though his brows were furrowed from the effort of both trying to return the pun and settle his thoughts, the crooked smile remained on his lips, a rare moment of vulnerability punctuating the wolf's otherwise stony demeanour. ooc: Oh man sorry THIS took so long lmao I've been kind of sitting in a hole the past few days </3 Also you haven't met someone terrible at puns til you've met Hal LOL

[Heika]

DO I DARE, DISTURB THE UNIVERSE?

“We’ll see weather that comes to pass.” Iiona looked down and stifled a bark of laughter. It wasn’t often she found someone who appreciated her sense of humor — Lupe knew that most of the pack didn’t — so to find that Halcyon not only found it entertaining, but could also respond in kind was definitely icing on the cake. Iiona was, without a doubt, pleased by Halcyon’s reply, for it meant she had succeeded on two fronts: she had managed to ease his self-consciousness, even if only by a little, and he appeared to be opening up more. That was good. There were those in the pack who wouldn’t treat him as kindly as she had, and she could not defend him always. That would raise too many questions and cause too much scrutiny for something that holds no ulterior motives. Therefore, it was imperative that he find his own place amongst the others, and that would come much more easily if he was able to let them within his study walls. Reservedness only breeds distrust which, in turn, breeds resentment. It was amiableness that leads to acceptance. While it would be her making the final verdict, Iiona knew that if she betrayed the pack’s trust, she would also lose their respect and be in a tricky spot for a new alpha. But, those were all issues to be addressed at a later time. As of right now, she had something more pressing to deal with. When Iiona entered a pun war, she did it with no intention of losing, and just because Halcyon was new did not mean she was planning to let him off easily. Glancing back at him, witty reply on the tip of her tongue, she found herself caught off guard by what she saw. Although she had noticed him smiling before, often times she had felt as though he had only made that expression to humor her; they were always faint, and balanced carefully upon the line separating pained from happy. But, in that rare moment, he wore an honest smile upon his lips, and, in spite of the scars crisscrossing over his face, Iiona thought that he looked rather handsome, in a rugged way that no one else on the Island could replicate. Even though they were so similar, there was something about Halcyon that set him aside from the rest of the pack. Maybe it was because of the Island’s own shortcomings, or maybe there was something in the genes of wolves on the mainland that caused them to differ ever so slightly, but Iiona knew from the moment she had met him that he was different. And, it was that unnamed trait that made his smile all the more charming. Of course, as soon as she realized, she took the time to assure herself that she meant it in only the most platonic of ways. Her mother may have found love in an outsider, but she was not her mother. The council expected her to choose a mate from within the pack, as was tradition, and she was not inclined to make a break from precedents set by her ancestors. “If you thought that was funny,” she countered mischievously as soon as she collected herself, “then I guess your mind is rather clouded, although I’m not altogether sure from what.” As she spoke, Iiona did not miss how the soft dirt underfoot grew tougher as rocks dotted the ground here and there. The plants were thinning out, and the sun was once again beating down upon their backs with a vengeance. A little further ahead was the base of one of the smaller mountains. Dark volcanic rock, long since cooled and little changed since the underground volcano that had formed the Island itself had ceased all activity, was decorated with lichen and moss, green as was most anything here, as it sloped upwards lazily, forming a domelike structure. Unlike Lovers’ Peak — which was harsh and jagged as it tore through the lazy clouds overhead — it made for an easy climb, and pups would often be brought there to be taught the layout of the land. However, it was the middle of summer, and the mountains basked in the sunlight all day. While the pads of her paws were tough enough that the heat didn’t bother her, she wasn’t sure if the same could be said about Halcyon. He had mentioned that his home was colder, and covered in snow. The last thing he needed was another injury, even though the one on his leg was healing up well, so Iiona decided that the climb would be put off until a later time. Coming up at night was certainly a possibility, and the stars were exceptionally clear in the summer. But, if Halcyon was not a night owl, then it could wait until fall or winter, when the stones weren’t hot enough to burn undefended skin raw.

824	Ray
The bad puns continue LOL But, remember how I said I couldn't write more than 500 words to save my life? Apparently, I was lying cause this fucking novel came out of nowhere (super sorry you have to read through this word vomit lmao)

ORIGINAL PHOTO © DON BURKETT



[Ray]

HALCYON vanatore my heart is like a stallion, they love it more when it's broken Heika Halcyon was pleased (and relieved) to see that his own attempt at matching Iiona at her own game had not completely failed, as the alpha tried her best not to chortle. He knew the pun itself was a sad attempt at wordplay and not particularly funny, but the fact that she'd laughed anyway was gratifying, and encouraging. Perhaps he would fit in here yet, in time. If he spent the next few weeks conversing with Iiona and focusing on coming out of his shell, perhaps he might not find it too hard to be among pack members again in the future. He hadn't been that awful in his old pack, just... quiet and broody, and it just so happened that this exact thing was what had caused his banishment. As such, he was quite determined to try his best to be less of a stick in the mud. He knew he wouldn't become the island's resident chatterbird by any reach of the imagination, but perhaps he could get away with being half as reclusive and reticent as he was now, with the occasional smile and deadpan joke. Yeah, that'll be nice. If you think you can even cultivate a sense of humor in the next two weeks. "If you thought that was funny, then I guess your mind is rather clouded, although I'm not altogether sure from what." The impish lilt of Iiona's voice belied the meaning of her words and kept the faint smile on Halcyon's face from fading, quietly pleased to see that she was genuinely invested in keeping at this game they were playing. He had to think for a little to put together a response, for puns were not really Halcyon's area of expertise - words were not often his friends, and he was rarely humorous, though he could definitely see the benefits of having such a trait. Then his gaze lit up with a spark of inspiration and he lifted his head almost proudly, amusement tugging at the corners of his mouth and creasing his eyes before letting his next words spill forth. "It'll dawn on me," Halcyon would've even attempted to wink had he possessed two working eyes, but of course the roguish effect was lost with just the one, so he didn't bother to try. "I'm sure I'll see the light sooner or later." In all honesty, two bad puns did nothing at all to cancel each other out, and he wasn't even sure what he was trying to get at anymore, but hopefully Iiona would give him bonus points for effort. It was definitely pleasant nonetheless to know that even though he was failing at the game itself it didn't matter, and that one could still enjoy the back-and-forth of playful banter regardless. Then quite abruptly a surge of shame came up out of the blue and threatened to wash over him - he had to make a valiant effort to suppress the urge to wipe the expression of contentment clean off his face, though his smile still wavered with the effort. It was the strangest feeling of being out of his depth that had snuck up on him while he was unaware and finally enjoying himself, as if he was portraying to Iiona a wolf that he knew he wasn't. Was this really the same creature who had washed up on the beach because he'd walked into the ocean of his own volition, in order to get away from everything he'd once been in a past life? Would his ghosts continue to haunt him even after taking such a significant and symbolic step through the cleansing jaws of water to break away from his past? Glancing away pensively, he was painfully aware that with his sudden silence surely he must have dashed the peaceful moment to pieces. Thankfully the scenery around them had started to change as they walked, and Halcyon was again awed - this time by the great dark mountains that loomed up upon them. The one closest to them was smaller and looked simple to climb, though still tall enough to provide a considerably advantageous view from its gentle peak. The only true mountain he knew of back on the mainland was the Everbane, and that mountain was so vast he had not ever given much thought to conquering it. His ears pricked towards the low peak as he turned his good eye to Iiona inquiringly, something that felt like it was on its way to excitement glinting in his gaze. "Will we be climbing it, or had you other plans instead?" The sun still shone down upon them furiously, though, and though he was keen to take a birds' eye view of the island Halcyon was also quite content to return to the welcoming arms of the shady forest. His paw pads had held up well thus far, tough and leathery from years of living the hard life of a loner, though whether they would hold up to sun-baked basalt was a question he'd have to answer when they got to it. ooc: I'm so sorry this took so long omg also no don't worry!! I love reading your Iiona posts so this is great :^)