Guin

Added: Rabbit Foot Den, Arctic White, Scattered Hickory Nuts

The only surviving son of an accomplished traveler, Penguin has always believed he was meant to step into his mother's pawprints and fill the role of their native pack's traveler. The few siblings he did have either died or left, never to be heard from again, but this was no cause for concern on his part. In fact, it only solidified the idea forming in his mind that he was the only one capable of inheriting Porcupine's legacy. The others were all simply not worthy. Even Bellvue, who was the son of a well-renowned traveler in their lands, Cassiterite: even he was not worthy to take up the mantle. Bellvue had expressed no interest in exploring other territories, and while they were packmates and great friends, Guin couldn't help but look down on him at times. He simply couldn't understand how anyone would pass up such an opportunity.

Of course, his illusions of grandeur didn't come from Porc. (She's not sure where they came from, actually). It may have had something to do with her not being all that close with her son. Or perhaps it was simply an idea he got from the many, many other travelers that passed through their home. It was difficult to say where it all went wrong. Not that Penguin blamed her for being distant; she couldn't help but be depressed when she was forced to return home one day after a scary incident with a mean pack of savage wolves. Penguin grew up, on his own for the most part, aside from Bellvue, and of course, a brief affair with the pack's red-coated herbalist. And by the time he had grown up, Porcupine had left to travel again, and there was not all that much for them to say to each other anymore.

And so Penguin began his own journey. He left his pack behind. There was nothing keeping him there any longer, not his friend Bellvue, who had disappeared and was never seen again, nor his beloved Adelaide. So it was an easy thing for him to say goodbye, aloof as he always was. (What anywolf had seen in him to begin with is, again, unclear to the rest of us. Maybe it is safest just assume they were attracted to his bad-boy persona and end the discussion there). He trusted that his newest half-brother, Scud, would be in good paws at home. He had taken Adelaide's place as herbalist, content to serve the pack this way. Surprisingly, Guin felt no ill-will toward the little thing.

He tried to imagine that his cold, odd little family saw him off. Scud was there for sure, silently hoping he would be less of a snob to the packs that he visited, and that he would learn humility on his lifelong journey. Porc, Bell, and Ade may have been there in spirit. Before leaving, he had taken to calling himself 'the conqueror'. What that meant was anybody's guess, but he would soon learn he could not take on the world single-pawed. And who knows? Maybe one day, the brat would learn that he wasn't entitled to everything he saw. All we can do is hope that he will become a good wolf some day.

====

Stringworms #44983

And so, Penguin set off into the wilderness, hoping to find something wild, and amazing, something that would be talked about for generations! And in a way, he did. Or, more accurately, that something found him.

You see, nestled rather comfortably in the coniferous forest, bordering dangerously close to a human settlement, there is a pack known as "The Pack Of Singing Winds". That is where our young traveler found himself one sunny day, put on edge by being so near a human settlement, but eased enough to continue on by the fact that should there be the need, he could slip deep into the forest unnoticed. Truly, he was the only one in his pack fit to be a traveler, as who else could be so clever as he to form such a clever plan? To brush so close with danger and yet come out unscathed?

It was these thoughts that had him distracted as he padded through the forest, only to be torn from them as his eyes landed on a most glorious sight; A wolf with fur like a clear sky at night, and blazing purple eyes that seemed to sear into his soul, leaving its mark like a brand. Penguin had to talk to this wolf, and Penguin got what he wanted.

The wolf – who introduced himself as Androdamos – was more than happy to talk, and Penguin soon found himself agreeing to stay with his pack for awhile. Truly, this beautiful wolf was the perfect partner for him, they might spend all their days talking and traveling together and Penguin thinks it would suit him just fine.

But, when they arrive at the entrance to the pack, who is waiting there for them but a wolf who Androdamos introduces as his partner! Penguin doesn't let his outrage show on his face, but he does make a point to be less friendly to this new wolf, Freya.

As the days pass, and Androdamos seems no closer to leaving his partner to run away with Penguin, Penguins hopes begin to fall. Androdamos and Penguin were the perfect pair, how could the universe be so cruel as to make Androdamos fall for another?

And so, by the end of two months, Penguin resigns himself to moving on. If Androdamos fails to see how amazing he is, that is his loss, not Penguins! Penguin deserves someone who can properly appreciate his wit and ingenuity, and Androdamos wasn't that pretty anyways.

====

phrog #15316

Penguin snickered quietly at the hunter slipping, claws scraping across the ice before they got up with awkward chuckle, ears pinned back. Before they managed to hurry away, the snobby wolf called out, "Miss your step again? Better start keeping an eye on the ground, don't want you missing the prey in a hunt, right?". The poor hunter ducked their head even more and Penguin huffed, grinning cruelly. He ignored the exasperated glances thrown his way and practically sashayed off. Well, as much as a wolf can.

The black coated male dragged his claws across the dry ground. The sun was beating down on his coat and the sand dust was everywhere, the desert was a horrible place. Shaking his head to get rid of the infernal fly that just kept buzzing around! It flew onto his nose and Penguin stopped, taken aback. "Get off of me, you filthy little-" He cut himself off, snapping at the small bug. It didn't move far. He lunged for it again and was stopped by a sharp snarl. Penguin froze, eyes shifting to the wolf across from him. A large, pitch black she wolf with blue flame flickering across her fur. A few more faces appeared behind her and a greying she-wolf came padding closer, a cape draped across her shoulders. It took a lot of explaining on Penguin's part, but the large pack soon decided he could accompany them.

About 3 days later he was kicked out with a snarl and new scar across his eye. Disgraced and upset, he began to make his way back to his home pack in the hopes of continuing to stay there. The hunter who had first found him, Tawel, was clearly not used to wolves as important as him. The pack expected him to be able to contribute to the pack, unfair really, in return for safe travels, food and experience among another pack. They practically demanded that he needed to be able to take care of some pups! Of course he couldn't do that but he did stay and tell them stories. After a few small stunts, the alpha, Fy Anwylyd, became suspicious but still left him be. Well, after a harsh lecture. Honestly, a traveller should be respected and practically revered! Not expected to take care of pups or something. So, obviously, he set the pups up to mess with the alpha. He didn't know she bothered to patrol! Stealing her bedding was funny, just because she had to patrol and was old wasn't his fault! She didn't need to react so rudely. Whatever. At least he'd be back home soon. ......and there it comes again. Stupid bug.

====

Flicking his ears and shaking his coat out, Penguin tried to drive the bug away. He snapped at it, tried to out-run it, to no avail. It often landed in his injured eye, insulting him with its tiny insubordination. He managed to catch some sleep at night. There was no time for him to think of the past, not when he had the whole world ahead of him. Soon enough, however, a different kind of bug reached his ear, in the form of rumors.

He hadn't made it far, nor had he been away for very long, when he started to hear whispers. He had already gained something of a reputation, albeit a small one, and wolves started to recognize him before he even reached their territories. One stranger that he met asked him how his mother was.

"My mother? You know Porcupine?" Guin asked haughtily, not impressed by the female in front of him, who nodded. But he had no news for her. Porcupine had set off on her travels before he had, he explained, and he could only assume she was still out there somewhere, just as he was doing. This interaction alone wasn't unusual, he told himself, as he moved on. He was met with scouts who did not welcome him, more often than not, but this did not phase him in the least. He was made for this life of solitude and adventure, but the more wolves he spoke to, the more he realized that no one had seen or heard from Porcupine in a long time, not even in places that should have been familiar to her.

This was troublesome, but what could he do about it? He had his own life to worry about, and Porcupine was more than capable. She had raised him, after all. He would never admit it, but he respected her. Although, she was getting rather old. Penguin pondered, but not to the point that it inconvenienced him.

It would be nice to say that Penguin changed his ways. Alas, the last we heard of him, he was still known to other packs as 'the conqueror', though he generally kept to himself, surprisingly. Perhaps he had more restraint that initially thought. He may have been trying to return home; we will never know. He was found dead on the side of a human road, his pelt stinking of exhaust, his skin burned. It is almost tragic, considering that his mother Porcupine herself was never found.

====

Porc

Added: Old Railway, White Spruce Cones [Pile], Arnica Flower Decor, Acorn Bundle Decor, Arctic White, Valley Oak, Yarrow Decor

When Naia first came down from the mountains, she was just an adolescent. Quiet and guarded, she kept her dreams to herself at first. As she grew, she slowly opened up, revealing her intentions. She did not want to stay in one place forever. She wanted to travel the world and experience everything she could, while also taking a piece of each pack she visited with her. She was given a new name inspired by the look of her fur, and once she was of age, Porcupine did her due diligence for her temporary family, using her knowledge of her home territory to help them scout. She also learned how to hunt in the surrounding grasslands and watch the young pups of the pack before eventually deciding it was time to move on.

====

Lionel (#34199)
_{White Spruce Cones - Pile}
Porcupine stopped by the Sun Stealers' den for a few days, looking for work. They didn't have much for her to do - the pups were all sat, the pack's borders were well-patrolled - but they gave her food and shelter, plus some funds for her future travels.

====

🥩JAckRAbbit🥩 (#40782)
_{Railroad Background}
Porcupine was rather a bit overwhelmed when meeting the "Seas Eclipse." lots of new faces and smells to deal with. Rosvell offered her a quite place is the Scouts den- away from all the fighting pups and grumpy elders. they exchanged names and stories, and while Rosvell wasn't one for much travels- he admired how far their dreams could take them. As the days went on, another wolf who goes by the name Spirit- wanted to show her something. it was a rather shady spot with soft grass and dark trees. a small hidden railroad track. here he explained that this is where he had his own child become a traveling wolf! it was a rather sentimental place. Not long after they exchanged goodbyes, and wished her safety on her travels and of the coming winter.

====

Olivia#44840
_{Arnica Crown, Acorn Bundle}

====

_{Arctic White and Valley Oak}
Porc returned home after a terrible incident. She was minding her own business, as one does, head low and eyes narrowed, watching the world ahead of her, in search of either her next meal or her next bed, whichever came first. Through the blustery early falling snow, she made out a shape, which soon morphed into two, then three, then more than five. She paused for a moment, recognizing these wolves weren't scouts. A hunting party, perhaps. She didn't want to get in their way, but her stomach was growling, and if she had seen them, she could be sure they had smelled her by now. They were headed her way, and they were not friendly. An entire pack of wolves descended upon her, and there was no time for her to attempt an introduction. They rounded on her and, apparently not liking what they saw in the lonesome traveler, jumped the poor girl.

They left her wounded in more ways than one, confused and alone and suddenly afraid of the world. All it once had to offer suddenly seemed insignificant compared to the dangers it held. She had always known this, of course, since leaving her birth pack, but she never thought it would attack her so unprovoked before. Porcupine limped home, helped along the way by kinder wolves, the kind she had come to expect to meet. They gave her strength enough to make it back to her family, and she decided to take a break from traveling to raise her only son. (Fat lot of good it did). Penguin was not a wolf she knew how to connect with. He had already grown so much in her absence, but she did what she could to be there for him, trying to talk him out of his daydreams of becoming a traveler one day himself. Her stories did not frighten him as she thought they might. He was a brave pup, if nothing else.

Eventually the time came. She had healed, with counsel from her closest friends. Her heart and body and mind, ready, and Porcupine set off once again, carefully excited for the world once more. Reluctant to leave Penguin, though he was grown, wondering what would become of him and his dreams one day. Maybe he would follow in her pawsteps, and she would see him again.

====

Lionel (#34199)
_{Yarrow Decor}
Rumor in the travelers' network was that it was a dangerous time to travel. Multiple travelers had disappeared - lured by fairy lights to their doom, some said. Others claimed a simpler explanation: unscrupulous packs were attacking travelers, robbing them of their possessions, and casting them out to die. Porc was mindful of the rumors, but she was a seasoned traveler and not about to let rumors keep her from exploring. Also she had a hot date with August of the Aberrock Pack. Afterwards, she stayed a few months with the Sun Stealers and gave birth to a litter of three healthy pups.

====

Porcupine did not see to it that her pups made it home. She knew Scud would be safe, led by a wolf from the pack she'd given birth in. She continued on her way, trusting that things would work out at home, that Guin would take his half-brother under his proverbial wing, and that the other wolves would ensure Scud's head didn't get filled with too many fantasies. That is, if her older son was still at home. He may have left by then, but she would never know.

What she did know, however, was many moons later, Guin died. How she knew, she couldn't say. She had traveled so far from all that was familiar, she doubted in her old age that she would make it back. She berated herself for days for being so foolish. No one would know what happened to her. But something told her, deep inside, that Penguin was gone. It was a strange thing, for a mother to outlive her child. She hoped Scud was alright. She hoped neither of her boys resented her, in the end, when she passed, and she would soon find, on the other side of the sky, this was not that case at all, and they were together in their travels across the clouds.