Perimeter (Calantha)

[Hannibal]

Towering trees swayed overhead as Hannibal made his way peacefully through the forest, casually exploring the lands he had just been accepted into. Arche was kind, fair, and seemed a capable leader--though truthfully, one could not know all that from one simple meeting. However, the wolf in question was quite practiced with reading others as well as situations, and his initial impressions were rarely wrong; additionally, his painted companion Graham, currently keeping pace easily beside him, had expressed no concern either, which lead Hannibal to give the alpha the benefit of the doubt.

Graham was a great judge of character, and he had accepted Arche as easily as Arche had accepted him, which, all things considered, was a blessing. If Hannibal could not have kept Graham with him to keep track of his health, it would be a detriment to the pack and the individual alike. Luckily, there was no prejudice here against non-wolf members, and the two had been welcomed as easily as if they had been one.

Amber eyes observed the territory with a practiced ease, now that the hard part was over. Hannibal had been antsy and uncomfortable not hours before, when he had been anticipating meeting the pack wolves, but not he was calm and collected, having a more defined purpose on his mind. The wolf was determined to know the land as well as he could, to better defend it if neccessary. Though he had not been formally given a job, he intended to demonstrate to Arche his excellence at defense and offense in order to put his training as a young wolf to use. Hanni was at his most comfortable when in combat, and had many advantages to offer in the ways of fighting. There really was no other place for him in a pack, which he would make very clear when the time came.

For now, he was busy committing the lands of Airila to memory, an easy task when he was focused. Though he was not as socially adept as many wolves, he was quite good at storing information and took as much pride as he could in the fact. Hannibal had no delusions that he was more intelligent than the average wolf; he simply knew, from experience, that his brain worked much differently. While he could memorize lands and attacks, he was much less confident in the ways of trickery and lies, and often times could not detect sarcasm or deception if it was well-presented. Graham, luckily, would often signal to him when someone's intentions were impure, and had saved Hannibal in a number of sticky situations.

"This is a beautiful place, Graham, wouldn't you say?" Hannibal said quietly, stopping for a moment to feel the softness of the grass beneath his large paws. The forest blocked most of the light from the floor where he stood, but some of it filtered down, enough that navigation was simple and vision uncompromised. A soft sigh left his lips as the male stood with his friend, content for the first time since he could remember.

Words || 519
Tags || Calantha
Notes || Aww Hanni is a cutey-patooty. Also I apparently like to start Calantha threads with Per words? Okay. 

[Calantha]

It had been, all things considered, a peaceful day. The diminutive coyote had spent the majority of her time wandering through the forest, allowing tiny paws to lead her where they would. She had long ago become familiar with every part of Airila, and while she had not yet been given any specific rank, she found ways to keep herself busy. As it was, Calantha found herself strolling slowly, documenting specific plants and herbs wherever she spotted them – although she did not dare pick them. That was the job of the Gatherers, and the femme did not wish to rob them of their duties. Instead she sought to ensure that she still remembered the knowledge her mother had instilled in her so very long ago. Healing, after all, was an art, and like any art one had to familiarize themselves with it. It was a gift, but no gift was granted freely by the gods. She would not appear unappreciative by allowing her knowledge to falter.

Elderberry, she thought to herself as she passed a sprawling plant dotted with tiny red berries, saffron eyes remaining glued to it even as she moved. For coughs, minor sicknesses, infections… Her thoughts trailed off as she frowned, certain for a moment that she had forgotten something, when suddenly the sound of a voice gave her pause. It was foreign to her, and yet Calantha was not exactly familiar with all of Airila’s members yet. Large ears flicking atop her skull, the femme trotted forward, passing a line of trees and pausing. Standing contentedly amid the grass and foliage was a wolf she had not yet seen, and beside him…well, it was an animal she was entirely unfamiliar with. Her eyes lingered on the spotted pelt of the small dog-like creature for only a moment; she knew very well what it was like to be stared at for being different, as if one were a puzzle or a riddle. She offered both the wolf and his companion a gentle smile as she crept forward, stopping a short distance away with a bob of her head.

”Hello,” she stated simply, her voice as light and carefree as their beautiful surroundings. Had she not known Rikez and his feathered companion, Huginn, she might have wondered why the stranger was accompanied by the spotted animal. Her gaze slid back and forth between them once more, her tail swaying at her haunches. ”It’s quite a lovely day, isn’t it? I hope I’m not disturbing either of you.”

Yellow eyes lifted to meet the amber gaze of the male, who was significantly larger than she was – but that wasn’t entirely uncommon for the coyote femme. ”Oh – my name is Calantha,” she said after a moment, a small laugh following her words closely. ”I’m fairly new to Airila, so I apologize for not introducing myself sooner.” She was unsure of how long he had been here – perhaps a shorter time than she herself had, but regardless, she would be more than happy to acquaint herself with another one of her pack mates.

TAG: Hannibal

WORDS: 512

NOTES: HERE U GO WIFE

[Hannibal]

Silently the two males observed the small clearing in which they had stopped, Hannibal watching the tops of the trees with his neck arched, Graham inspecting the trunk of a tree a few feet away. It was a comfortable distance for them when alone, though the painted dog typically liked to be much closer to his wolf friend. The only time Graham refused to be present was during a battle or hunt--his diminutive size and lack of skills made him only a liability--and even then he watched from the sidelines in case Hannibal were to give signs of being about to seize.

Pointy and round ears alike flicked back when the sound of a soft, quiet voice floated on the breeze, and Graham's body moved in an instant to stand next to Hannibal's, while the wolf turned much more slowly to see where the sound was coming from. The delicate nature of it made him feel more at ease than normal, though instinct still took over and tightened the muscles of his legs and neck, in case a defense was needed.

Bright eyes lit upon Calantha and softened immediately, for though he did not recognize the type of canine she was, it was clear that she was much smaller than he was--closer in size to Graham, in fact--and the small smile and wagging of her tail were the least threatening displays he had ever seen. She spoke again, addressing the fact that she clearly had stumbled upon them by accident, and her kindness brought a smile to his lips as the rest of his body relaxed as well, though he remained standing and turned himself to better face the newcomer. "It is a lovely day indeed," he said gingerly, nodding to his companion. "I was just telling my friend Graham, in fact."

Hannibal turned briefly to the dog and very nearly burst into laugher; the small creature was crouched down, ears back but not threateningly, and his eyes were wider than Hanni had ever seen him. The wolf typically saw only the stoic or worried nature of the dog, not so much what this was, which he assumed to be awe. Graham was a very perceptive creature, though not in the way Hannibal was, and must have noticed that this female--Calantha, she was called--was not a wolf, which intrigued him. They had not come across a canine such as her, and while Hannibal was unconcerned with the fact, Graham seemed to want to know what she was.

"Don't mind him. He's harmless," Hannibal felt the need to say, though he wasn't aware that he should likely apologize for Graham's odd behavior. It just did not occur to him that anything was wrong, he simply wanted Calantha to know that there was no harm intended. "I'm Hannibal. I just met with Arche a few hours ago, and he graciously accepted me to Airila as well." The wolf nodded through her apology, noting it without bringing it any more attention.

He paused for a moment, then sat down in an effort to make the situation more comfortable, startling Graham beside him. The wild dog shifted backwards slightly, hiding most of himself behind his companion as he peered at the coyote, slowly perking his round ears back upon his head. "You aren't a wolf either," Hannibal stated, unsure how to ask what she was; so he settled for stating what she wasn't, hoping she would tell him on her own.

Words || 602
Tags || Calantha
Notes || Oh my how rude Graham stop staring

[Calantha]

While at first the male seemed slightly startled by her presence, as was to be expected when one snuck up on another – even unintentionally, he relaxed swiftly, a smile that mirrored Calantha’s appearing on his muzzle. It was his companion who was introduced first as Graham, and Calantha’s eyes swept to the spotted animal once more, her smile never faltering. He seemed wonderstruck by her, and while it was not exactly unfamiliar to Calantha, she assumed that his reasoning was much different than that of others. He, too, was not a species typically seen upon Anikira – Calantha had never seen anything like him anywhere, for that matter, and so already she related to him. She, too, had felt something near to disbelief when she’d first spotted him. The coyote was so accustomed to being the “odd one out” that the presence of a creature equally as foreign as she was…surprising, but not at all unpleasant.

When the wolf spoke once more, Calantha’s attention returned to him, and a soft laugh slid from her muzzle. ”Oh, he’s fine. And it’s a pleasure to meet both of you.” Truly, it was; he was new to Airila just as she was. ”I haven’t really found my calling here yet, but eventually I hope to earn a place as Shaman,” she informed him. It was something she’d been mulling over for some time now. Calantha knew it was an important position, and one that she would have to prove herself capable of performing, but she could see herself doing nothing else. Healing had always called to her.

As Hannibal moved to sit, so sit Calantha, lowering herself onto her haunches and curling her bushy tail around her paws. The sight of Graham peering out from behind his wolf companion drew a laugh from her once more, and when Hannibal finally voiced the question - that was not really a question but poised in preparation for one all the same – Calantha did not hesitate to answer. ”I’m a coyote,” she said with a slight bob of her narrow muzzle, the stray beams of sunlight that filtered through the canopy catching the edges of her angular features. ”Near enough to a wolf, I suppose, but at the same time…not. I came from a distant land.”

Her head tilted, the curiosity overcoming her as she glanced towards Hannibal’s speckled friend. ”I’ve never encountered anyone like Graham before, though. Not even on my homeland. Have you been with him for long?” She asked, pausing briefly before adding, “It feels so strange to be the one wondering instead of informing for once.” Already she could not wait to see Rikez again, to inform him that she’d met another wolf who was blessed with the companionship of different species. It was a miraculous thing, and one that Calantha found herself a bit fascinated with. She could see from Graham’s behavior how very comfortable he was with Hannibal, just as Huginn was with Rikez. It was certainly something she’d never seen before coming to the strange land that was Anikira.

TAG: Hannibal

WORDS: 509

NOTES: Graham is so adorable <3 

[Hannibal]

At the sound of her laugh, Graham's ears perked way up on his head, and he very nearly moved out from behind his friend, so intrigued was he by the soft, tinkling sound. It was musical even to Hannibal's ears, and he felt himself become completely at ease in the presence of the tiny female. She was kind and gentle, which was something the male was not used to--most of the females from his past had been harder, the worst being his abusive mother.

She spoke of shamanism, which was something Hannibal had not ever heard of, but he nodded politely as she spoke anyway, hoping Calantha would say something he could easily reply to. Otherwise, he would mostly remain silent, allowing the awkward quietness to stretch out until one or the other broke it again. Though the wolf was not unused to silence--Graham did not speak to him, and he avoided others typically--he knew that some wolves despised the quiet and would do anything to avoid it. Perhaps a non-wolf (a coyote, she called herself) would not be bothered by the silence.

"You do seem much more closely related to wolves than Graham does," Hannibal said, lifting his paw to scratch briefly at his muzzle where some sort of bug had landed. "I'm not exactly sure what he is, only that I found him just when I left home, two years ago. He was much smaller then, helpless, and he just followed me. Didn't seem to do any harm." The wolf shrugged, as though the whole situation were no big deal.

In reality, Hannibal would likely not be there if it weren't for his faithful companion. Graham warned him when he was about to go into an epileptic episode, and sometimes was able to detect deception that his much larger friend was oblivious to--being less socially adept than most, Hannibal could not always tell when he was being lied to, but the dog was a great judge of character. The two were close despite their lack of vocal communication, and it was typically obvious when the two were together.

"I suppose a coyote would get a lot of attention in a land full of wolves," he commented, not surprised that she seemed content to ask questions rather than answer them. "I expect Graham will get the same treatment, though he has the advantage of needing me to explain." His smile flashed again at that, and he glanced behind him once more to where Graham was slowly, almost agonizingly, moving forward, his side pressed tightly against Hannibal's as he crept toward Calantha.

"If you don't mind, I do believe he would like to take a closer look," Hannibal said lightly, nudging Graham's hind end gently and pushing him into the open space between wolf and coyote, where the african wild dog froze, brown eyes nearly hidden behind widened pupils, his tail tucked neatly between his crouched legs. Fear seemed to be overridden with curiosity, and the small creature approached the similarly-sized female, his neck stretched out and nose sniffing deeply.

Words || 534
Tags || Calantha
Notes || I just realized that Graham is technically bigger than Calantha but he's all scrunched up so shhhh.

[Calantha]

 And so it was that Graham’s species remained a mystery to Calantha – although one she did not mind. It was beautiful, the coyote thought, how two creatures of such different origins could know little to nothing about the others species and yet still travel in close companionship. It was obvious from the way he huddled behind Hannibal that Graham took great comfort in the wolf – indeed two years was quite some time for the two to have traveled in each other’s presence. She aimed another gentle smile in Graham’s direction, hoping to alleviate some of his discomfort, before Hannibal’s voice drew her attention once more.

”Honestly, I’m surprised that Arche allowed me to join Airila. Not that he is unkind,” she hurried to add, shaking her head slightly, ”but…well, I suppose it’s not exactly common for a coyote to roam amongst wolves. Especially here.” She had seen it before when she was young, but so very rarely that it was not exactly a common occurance. Since coming to Anikira she had yet to see another of her kind. Perhaps it was different for creatures like Graham and Huginn, who were so close to their wolf companions that it was not odd to take them into the pack. ”I’m glad that he did, though. I feel like this is the best place for me.” She could not imagine going to the other packs now – one of them who was rumored to be ruthless, and another who apparently valued femmes above males. Anikira was a strange place indeed, so unlike her own home. She marveled at the realization almost daily.

She noticed Graham beginning to inch forward just as Hannibal voiced the dog-like creature’s intentions, and Calantha was content to sit perfectly still as Graham was shoved gently towards her. She allowed him to familiarize himself with her for a moment before she slowly extended her neck, touching one of his various spots with her muzzle just slightly. ”Your pelt is so lovely,” she told him earnestly, and although it was apparent that he did not speak, she found that she wished to tell him anyways. ”And your ears! People always say that mine are massive; I quite like yours.” They were bat-like and sprawling atop his head, and she grinned at the sight of them, her gaze flicking quickly to where Hannibal sat. ”I imagine that Graham is very protective of you?” She asked him, hoping that she was not overstepping any boundaries by asking. Although it was difficult to tell in his hunched state, she thought that Graham was larger than herself, and therefore fully capable of posing a threat to anyone who might potentially wish to harm Hannibal – although Calantha could not see why anyone would. But then she was reminded of a monstrous creature who’d harmed her first friend for no reason at all, and Calantha was yanked back to the present. Not everyone is good, she thought to herself, before flicking the thoughts away as she awaited an answer, determined to concentrate on someone who could potentially become another friend.

She would think of the past later.

TAG: Hannibal
WORDS: 520
NOTES: WAAAH thoughts of Auron

[Hannibal]

While the dog interestedly inspected Calantha, Hannibal continued to listen to her comments, nodding his head in the affirmative when she was finished. "I agree, I did not expect such acceptance from Arche. At least, not so swiftly. I hardly had to explain Graham, except to mention my, ah... ailment," he responded, voice catching slightly as he mentioned his physical detriment. He had come to terms with his seizures, but it was still sometimes difficult for him to mention them, especially to someone who didn't necessarily need to know. Arche, of course, needed to be aware of what happened to his pack wolves. But Calantha? She did not need to know. He wasn't sure he would explain any further.

"I'm glad you have enjoyed your short time here, though," Hannibal added, throwing out a very small smile in order to alleviate any awkward air that might be circulating. "It's good to know that those who already reside here are comfortable. How about the rest of the pack? Are they all as welcoming as Arche?" Truthfully, the wolf didn't much care--he would discover for himself what the personalities of each wolf contained. But Graham was still awed by the coyote, and he could go nowhere without the small creature; thus he might as well make conversation, and there likely were less-than-pleasant wolves he would meet in time. Better to spend his first moments with a kind coyote, even if the small talk was pointless.

When she touched him, Graham froze where he was, big brown eyes flicking to Calantha's face, ears listening to her words. Though he did not speak the way she and Hannibal did, he was usually capable of making his intentions and comments quite clear, and this he did with a small, tentative smile and a quick wag of his fluffy tail. It was obvious that he appreciated her compliments, though at the mention of her own ears, he frowned ever so slightly. With a second's hesitation, he lifted his nose and touched it delicately to the coyote's ear tips, one after the other, and finally he stood normally instead of hunched down, his long legs giving extra height over the female.

Hannibal, noticing the change in Graham's comfortability, grinned widely at the pair, amused and relieved all at once. It was very obvious that his companion was growing used to her, perhaps even wanted to be her friend, and she was treating him much better than any wolf he'd ever met. "He does what he can to keep me safe, but he isn't a fighter," Hanni said with a chuckle. "His size disadvantage makes it difficult, and he isn't exactly fierce. I don't need much protection that I can't give myself, luckily." Though his ability to fight and defend himself had manifested from a troubled past, he was forever grateful for the one activity that never failed to keep him grounded.

Words || 511
Tags || Calantha
Notes || Well that wasn't great but Graham is so I guess it's fine

[Calantha]

Ailment. Calantha glanced up for a brief second as she comprehended the word, but did not ask. If Hannibal did not elaborate then she assumed that he did not wish to, and she was never one to press for details that others would rather keep to themselves. There was a time when she could not bear to speak of her past without it making her uncomfortable, and it was a feeling that she did not wish to impress upon anyone else, so the coyote focused instead on his following question.

”I’ve met a few of them, but not all,” she admitted, thinking back to the pack meeting that had taken place when she’d first step foot in Airila. ”They were all kind, and seemed more than happy to have an addition. Even one such as myself.” She smiled wryly, her thoughts flicking to Rikez. She cleared her throat, the noise delicate and light as she said, ”I was brought here by one of the warriors – Rikez.” Was she imagining it, or did her voice sound different when she spoke his name? Flicking one ear in an attempt to brush off her lingering bashfulness, she continued. ”He is gruff, but…kind. I met two of the gatherers, and a hunter as well, but that was the extent of it.”

Her attention turned to Graham then, and she was pleased to find that her words had seemingly pulled him from his shell as he straightened, revealing his height. The brush of his muzzle against her ears was surprising, and for a moment she faltered, touched that he had done such a thing. A swift wag of her tail made this apparent, a smile springing easily to her muzzle. ”It must be nice to have someone with you at all times, nonetheless,” she said. ”I’m glad that I got to meet him. I doubt I’ll ever encounter anyone else like him again.”

Her curiosity was rising again, and Calantha tilted her head just a fraction as she asked, ”Are you native to Anikira?” It was a question she usually asked those that she encountered simply because she was not, and despite her time upon the island, she still knew so little about it. She hoped that she was not asking anything out of line – she was always a tad bit uncertain, but she was careful to keep her posture and expression pleasant, not wishing to make Hannibal feel as if she was demanding an answer from him. ”I come from a distant place,” she offered, so it did not seem as if she was prying without providing her own answers. ”I still find it so strange here sometimes…but in a good way. It’s much larger than where I come from, and so beautiful, too.”

TAG: Hannibal
WORDS: 460
NOTES: Graham is my new favorite! 

[Hannibal]

As a wolf who took seriously the observing of others, Hannibal did not fail to notice the spark of curiosity that danced in Calantha's eyes as he touched upon his medical issue briefly, but she said nothing and so he dismissed it. Perhaps it would have been polite to elaborate, but he did not understand basic things like explaining what was unsaid because it was polite, and so it blew away like the soft breeze that flowed around the trio. Had she asked, he certainly would have answered.

She answered his question in the expected fashion, and the wolf nodded to the coyote, understanding entirely. He had not yet met anyone else, but he had only a day ago been accepted across the border, and it was a fairly large territory; there would be time for the meeting of others, and for now he was content to wander and explore with only Graham by his side. "I'm sure you have a lot to offer such a pack," Hannibal said off-handedly, figuring it was better to speculate her usefulness than agree that it was odd such a small being would be welcomed to a pack of wolves. "There are always jobs within a unit, even for the smallest of members." A small smile crept across his muzzle as he watched both of his companions, amused by their slight difference in size and huge difference in appearance--Graham tall and slim, Calantha stouter and made of muted colors.

"This Rikez, he is special to you?" the male asked after a slight pause, cocking his head to the side in curiosity. Calantha had seemed different when she spoke his name, a subtle but noticeable chance in her tone and demeanor, and Hannibal grasped the opportunity to learn more of the both of them. Information was power, after all, and he would do well to take advantage of her willingness to speak. Obviously he would use the information only to better the pack, as he was not the type to scheme; he only wanted to know as much as possible about all he could.

Graham, having apparently overcome his fear completely, pulled slightly away from Calantha as she spoke, as though not to crowd her. The leggy dog still stared, but with less intensity as he seemingly committed the details he had learned of her to his memory. As she spoke of his and Hannibal's relationship, the creature smiled and trotted happily back to his companion, rubbing along one side and up around him to the other as though he were a feline, finally sitting next to the much larger wolf and opening his mouth to let his tongue loll out. It was something he did when comfortable, and the action made Hannibal's smile return.

"Indeed. Having a steadfast friend is always wonderful," he said warmly, patting the top of Graham's head a few times with the bottom of his muzzle. The obviously familiar gesture was met with a light nip from the much shorter muzzle of the african dog, and Hannibal chuckled before turning his attention back to Calantha. She was easy company, something he very much appreciated after months and months on his own with Graham, and it became clear to him in that moment that they would be friends as well.

"I was born here, yes," Hannibal began, nodding as he finally settled his rump on the ground as well. "Nowhere near here, naturally. I was born in the mountains to the east, with my siblings. Home life was unkind to me, and I left to pursue a brighter future." There was little, if any, remorse in his tone, as the wolf had long since gotten over his hard beginning to life. The one benefit to his odd mind was that he did not dwell on the tortures of his past. "How did you get here, if you were born elsewhere? Did you really brave the sea, small as you are?"

Words || 679
Tags || Calantha
Notes || (:

[Calantha]

"I'm sure you have a lot to offer such a pack. There are always jobs within a unit, even for the smallest of members."

Hannibal might not have known it, but his words were identical to those that Calantha had told herself hundreds of time. Her words, however, had been half-hearted attempts to comfort herself in the face of doubt. His sounded so much more certain that she felt her spirits lift. She would make herself useful despite her size and species; she would prove that she was a valuable addition to Airila, another link in the close-knit armor of a family. It would take time, but it would be time well spent; she would prove to others – and herself – that she could belong.

At the mention of Rikez, Calantha’s ears flicked atop her skull, and the skin beneath her fur warmed as she nodded. ”He is. He’s the one who brought me here and introduced me to Arche,” she told Hannibal, her soft smile giving her feelings away. ”We’re not mates, but…” She trailed off, her expression one of careful hope. It would have been presumptuous, she thought, to add “yet”; from her experiences with the dark brute, Calantha thought that he cared for her as she did for him, but nothing had been established yet. Still, she could not help but wish. She had never felt for one as she did for Rikez, and while she might normally have been embarrassed to share her feelings with someone she’d met so recently, Hannibal’s honestly inquisitive gaze comforted her.

Talk of their original homes tore her thoughts from Rikez, and Calantha was happy to see Hannibal settle before her; both he and Graham seemed comfortable in her presence. ”I’ve always adored the mountains. I was born on the crags of an inactive volcano; quite similar.” Mountains and places like them were dear to her heart; she was glad that Airila offered them. ”Oh, yes, I swam,” she said in regards to his question, shrugging her delicate shoulders. ”I was no longer welcome on my home land. I was being hunted, and they would not leave me be…so I fled to the only place where they would not follow.” She could all too clearly remember the ache and burn of her muscles, each burning breath that she took when the water invaded her lungs, and the relief when she had at last pulled herself to shore. ”I thought I might not make it, so I prayed; I don’t know if that had anything to do with it, but I survived. And I found that I was stronger coyote than I was before, too.” The last statement was followed by a smile. ”I hope that you can at least say you’ve found the brighter future you sought?” She asked. In the beginning, when she’d first arrived on this island, she’d been heartbroken. But with time came the realization that she was better now than she had been, and Calantha could only home that Hannibal could say the same.

TAG: Hannibal
WORDS: 506
NOTES:

[Hannibal]

There was a deep longing in Calantha's eyes as she spoke of her male friend, and Hannibal sensed that, while she wished they were mates, they had not quite made it that far. Being unfamiliar with the nature of romance, the male could not begin to understand what the problem was. If she desired Rikez as her mate, why did she not simply say as much to him? Perhaps it was a quirk of the coyote species, or maybe some ritual that males and females must first dance just out of reach of each other before joining. Regardless, the entire situation only confused the large male, and while he nodded along to her words, he did not offer any more of his own on the subject. Even if he had known what to say, that part of the conversation had passed.

Conversation turned to nature and mountains, and a small smile made itself apparent on the faces of both Hannibal and his painted companion. The two had spent a good amount of time exploring the mountains before reaching Airila territory, and they had thoroughly enjoyed every part of it--the height, the climbing, the cool breezes. "Graham and I have spent time in the mountains as well. My favorite part was hunting the goats; his were the caves," the male offered, surprised by the fact that he had given up such pointless and personal information without prompting. Calantha was bringing out a slightly different side of him, it seemed, and it wasn't altogether unpleasant. "Though I have never seen a volcano. I believe there's one somewhere southeast of here."

Upon hearing that this tiny female did indeed swim across the ocean to get to Anikira, his respect for her rose immensely. It was a shame that she had been hunted and forced to leave her home, but the tenacity that had lead her to brave the ocean spoke volumes about her character. "That is an impressive feat you took on. Perhaps you've always been stronger than you thought." A pause, then, where Hannibal cocked his head to the side. "May I ask why you were being hunted?" he inquired, aware that his question was probing but still slightly curious.

While the words she said were not necessarily a question, Calantha was clearly asking him if his future had improved, and Hannibal nodded in response. "Leaving home was a necessity for me. It held its positives but more negatives. My mother could not deal with my physical detriments and I could not deal with her punishment for them. I would have killed her, I think," the male said, with little inflection to his voice. It was true; his mother, after she had beaten him, had lost all respect from her son, and had he not been dysphoric from his seizure, he may have punished her right back that day.

But life had other plans, and instead of matricide, Hannibal had left home to start anew. "So yes, I do believe my future has brightened considerably. I hope it continues," he said with another small smile, nodding to Calantha. "Yours has too, clearly."

Words || 539
Tags || Calantha
Notes || Woop

[Calantha]

The mention of a potentially nearby volcano had Calantha’s ears perking atop her head, her gaze immediately sliding towards the southeast as if she could spot the volcano from where she stood. One day, perhaps, she would visit it; it was a very long trek for one so small, but it was nothing she couldn’t handle. Maybe Hannibal would be interested in accompanying her so that he could catch his first glimpse of a volcano…and then, as she thought it, another wolf who had not seen one of the fiery mountains flashed into her mind. Auron. Immediately she was winded, although she was careful not to show it, her ears stilling atop her head as she turned away from the direction to face Hannibal once more. Auron had not got to see a volcano before he’d died, had not gotten to see so many things…and so Calantha was determined in that moment to travel to this volcano, to think of Auron when she arrived with hopes that he could see it from…wherever he was. Heaven seemed appropriate, for if there was one, Auron would be there. You were too good for this world. You deserve a paradise.

"That is an impressive feat you took on. Perhaps you've always been stronger than you thought. May I ask why you were being hunted?"

Once more Calantha swept the thoughts of her long-passed friend to the recesses of her mind to dwell upon later, when she was alone. ”When I was very young, I survived a sickness that I should not have. It was known on my island for claiming the lives of pups, and as far as my pack knew, there were no reports of any young ones surviving it. But I did.” Calantha shrugged; she did not pretend to understand all illnesses, and she did not know how she had survived. She only knew that somehow, against the odds, she had. ”They thought I was blessed because of it. My pack were faras – gypsies, I suppose they would be called here – and they were very…spiritual. But as I grew it quickly became apparent that I was not blessed, and they thought I had angered the gods.” She shrugged, her gaze flitting idly towards the trees. ”My mother warned me one night that they were going to kill me. It’s the only reason I even stood a chance.”

Momentarily she felt bad for talking so extensively of herself, but then Hannibal was sharing his own experience, and she cocked her head to one side as she looked at him. ”I’m very glad to hear that you’re future has brightened,” she said, the sincerity clear in her voice. Her own future had indeed brightened considerably as well, something that she was glad to reflect upon now, but there was another thing pressing upon her thoughts. ”I hope you do not mind me asking this…I wish no offense. But you mentioned physical detriments…” She trailed off momentarily, trying to word her question kindly and carefully. ”May I ask what you mean by that?”

TAG: Hannibal
WORDS: 509
NOTES: SAD AURON THOUGHTS

[Hannibal]

It was fun, Hannibal found, to hear of Calantha's past, though it clearly had not been fun for her to experience. The coyote had been through much in her short life, and she had survived with as much tenacity as anyone he had ever known. A strange, new feeling bubbled up in him as he listened to his new friend speak of her experiences, and he found himself wondering what it was. It was not something he had ever felt before, and was very subtle underneath his blanket of features, but he thought it must be pride. The wolf was proud of this female he had just met, for all the things in her life she had already overcome with such a bright and positive outlook.

"You have done and survived more in your youth than many wolves I've known. Perhaps all of them," he said softly, that new feeling now leaking over into words he could not have held back if he tried. Hannibal had gone passed impressed, and wondered if this was what it felt like when a parent was raising a child, seeing them grow and take on challenges much bigger than they were. "I can clearly see why Arche has trusted you to be a part of Airila, and why Rikez is very lucky to have met you," he added with a smile, hoping his words were acceptable at the time he spoke them.

As if on cue, Graham, previously silent, barked a gentle "woof" as if to agree, his own grin far surpassing that of his companion. A few thumps behind him signaled the wagging of his tail, and he looked encouragingly at Calantha to emphasis what Hanni had spoken aloud. She should absolutely be as proud of herself as he was of her, for all she had done, and both males hoped that she was.

Talk turned slightly, and Hannibal perked his ears back atop his head from their relaxed position as Calantha took a long, round-about way to ask him about his physical ailment. She was, it appeared, only being polite, but the length of time it took her to ask was somewhat bothersome to him. "You need not worry of offending me, Calantha," he replied, face again serious. "I am not sure I could be offended by anything that was fact, especially a fact I have come to terms with."

He cleared his throat, then, and continued on. "From my birth, or so I assume, I have suffered from seizures. They come with little warning, and result in my losing consciousness, twitching, falling to the ground. From what I have been told, they appear violent, but I feel nothing during. Sometimes I hit my body on a rock, or a tree, and become sore that way, but the seizure itself does not hurt. When it is finished, I cannot see nor comprehend much for several minutes, and I am quite winded and disoriented.

Before I found Graham, there was no one to warn me of impending seizures. But I came to realize that he could sense them, and he warns me with just enough time to get myself somewhere I cannot hurt anyone, or myself. And, of course, he keeps watch while I cannot, though his ability to fend off any attacker is unfortunately very low." At that, Graham nipped lightly at Hannibal's elbow, his giant ears flicked backwards as though in irritation. Hannibal laughed softly, warming his face and tone again as he looked at his painted friend. "I'm sure he could distract them. But a determined enemy would almost certainly get past him. I've tried to teach him some basic combat skills, but he either does not understand or fears he will hurt me."

Words || 642
Tags || Calantha
Notes || n/a< 3

[Calantha]

"You have done and survived more in your youth than many wolves I've known. Perhaps all of them. I can clearly see why Arche has trusted you to be a part of Airila, and why Rikez is very lucky to have met you.”

It was this, inevitably, that made Calantha smile more fiercely than she had in some time. In the beginning, she’d been so determined to doubt herself. She had not been strong when she’d first stepped foot upon Anikira, narrow chest heaving and breaths coming in half-sobs. She’d been weak then, lungs burning, eyes watering, soul yearning. And for some time afterwards, she’d remained so. She’d prayed and prayed…and then she’d realized only she could help herself. She did not cast away her faith, but she did not rely solely upon it, either. And now…now someone was acknowledging her strength, acknowledging her usefulness, and even her feelings in regard to Rikez. She heaved a deep sigh, feeling her worries carried away from her on the wind as Graham agreed in his own way.

Conversation turned to more serious matters then, and Calantha listened attentively, drinking in the details of his ailment. It was something she’d never heard of before, even with her knowledge in healing, and something she did not think her mother had known much of, either. Still, she wished to know what she could do in the case that Hannibal ever suffered a seizure in her presence, and she was glad that he had Graham to protect him – even if the spotted dog had some reservations about combat.

”Perhaps he would be willing to spar with me?” She asked, gaze flitting to Graham as she smiled reassuringly. ”Nothing serious, of course – I’m no warrior. But he’s only a bit larger than me, and maybe it would do some good. I understand if he would rather not, of course…but the offer stands.” It was the least she could do; anything to help, and she would gladly do as much as she possibly could.

”You mentioned strife with your mother…” she said, trailing off briefly before remembering that Hannibal had chided her not to be afraid of asking questions. ”Did it have anything to do with your ailment? Or other matters?” Truly it was not her business, and yet Calantha had the feeling that she was becoming friends with Hannibal, and it seemed like something a friend would know. She would not make the same mistake that she had with Auron – not spending enough time with him, not asking enough questions. Already she was fiercely determined to find companionship with Hannibal and his sweet companion – not because she had to, but because she wanted to, and because for the first time since Auron’s death she felt entirely at ease.

TAG: Hannibal
WORDS: 461
NOTES: A bit short, but I wanted to get it posted before bed. Let me know if you need me to add more for you to reply to <3

[Hannibal]

Seeing that Calantha clearly appreciated his compliment--despite him having meant it simply as fact--brought some of her joy to the male as well, and his smile, though less fierce, was just as clear upon his muzzle. It warmed his heart to see that he had caused that smile, and he wondered briefly if this interaction would eventually lead to the two of them being as close as he and Graham. There were different connotations, of course, for Graham served a much more grim purpose in his life, but in the times when he was well, they were the best of companions. What was there to stop this wonderful coyote from becoming a close friend as well?

After he told her of his seizures, Hannibal watched Calantha's face fall slightly, but it did not fall far, and she countered his statements with a suggestion--one that caused Graham's ears to perk again, though his body shrunk slightly. Clearly the idea of fighting of any kind was slightly terrifying to him, and he wrapped his short tail slightly around his body as he tried to appear much smaller than he was. Hannibal frowned over at him, then shrugged and turned back to the female. "I think it's a good suggestion," he said, "But Graham may take some convincing. When I'm in battle, or training, he finds somewhere to hide. He even once climbed a tree to keep out of sight. Perhaps if you could promise no harm would come to either of you, and if I supervised?"

Hannibal raised an eyebrow to Graham, nudging him slightly, and the dog lifted himself only a little as he turned his big, brown eyes to his lifelong friend. Concern shone in them, though whether it was concern for himself or for Calantha, Hanni could not be sure. "Graham," the wolf said softly, adopting a tone he had only ever used with the painted dog, "Fighting is an outlet, and it doesn't have to end in death. You've never seen me spar with anyone for practice, only for blood." A thought occured to him, and the wolf turned his amber eyes to Calantha for just a moment before looking back down at Graham. "If I were to show you, with her... would it ease you?"

Graham sat in silence, glancing from Calantha to Hannibal and back again, thinking. After a moment, he gave a small nod, the tiniest affirmative, and Hannibal smiled lightly, turning back to the coyote. "If you don't mind, of course, Calantha," he added, asking permission without posing a true question.

Before the sparring, though, he would answer her question, and he glanced off into the trees to jog his memory. "My mother was not the type to show affection, and she expected perfection. There was no pleasing her, even before my seizures began, and she did not even know of them until I was of an age where I could leave home. I do not know what it was that made her so bitter, and I never asked. The night I left, she attacked me while I was seizing, and I woke with more pain than I have ever felt since." Though he made no mention of his father, the strong wolf came to the forefront of Hannibal's mind during his story, and kept a light and almost happy tone to his voice. His father had been amazing through it all, and some days the male still missed him.

Words || 601
Tags || Calantha
Notes || Wheee