Hush

---------------------------Lore:---------------------------

Mild CW for medical trauma:
Hush's life had been a struggle from the very beginning. Born with an umbilical cord wrapped around her neck, she would have nearly suffocated to death, had it not been for her mother's intervention. Whether it was an aftereffect of the damage to her throat and lack of oxygen, or a result of the traumatic experience, no one was entirely sure.
/end CW

But either way, ever since the day she was born, Hush never gained the ability to speak.

Otherwise, the pup seemed to be completely healthy. She was alert, and intelligent, and highly empathetic. But whenever Hush tried to bark, it came out as nothing more than a whisper. Whenever she tried to howl, it was like something was caught in her throat.

Unfortunately, tragedy struck a second time when Hush was only a few months old. When she lost her family in a terrible forest fire. Hush and her mother ended up being the only survivors -- though each believes the other to be dead.

Passed out from smoke inhalation, Hush was discovered among the ashes by an old Silver fox. Who took pity on the young wolf, and decided to raise her as his own.

While Hush still could not speak, the two of them quickly found their own ways of communicating with one another. Inventing their own form of sign-language, through a combination of ear-turns, tail-twitches, and paw-gestures.

. . .

They spent many moons living together, hunting and fishing and taking care of one another. Until one day, when she turned one year old, her adopted father approached her, and sat down beside her.

"I'm getting old, Hush." He said. "I know you are only a yearling, but just look how you've grown! You're a full-grown wolf now, you know."

Hush could only stare at him blankly. Where was he going with this? Her father sighed.

"I've seen the way you look when the wolves are howling at night." He said. "How you look up at the full moon, and how you perk up at the scent of every passing deer. I... know I'm not going to be around for much longer. And I'm sorry I've not been able to provide you with everything you needed."

Hush nuzzled her father's neck, assuring him that wasn't true -- she loved him dearly, and would never want for anything more. But her father shook his head and laughed, as her affection nearly bowled him off his feet.

"Come now. I don't think it's fair to expect a wolf to live on a diet of nothing but rats and rabbits. You can't tell me you've never wanted to find a pack of your own."

Hush bit her lip. It was true, of course. Even if she could speak, she knew she would never have enough words to explain how she felt. When she heard those distant howls carrying on a full-moon night, and how it made her spirit want to leap out of her body, and go chasing after them. How many dreams she'd been having recently, of running with a pack, through the rolling spring hills, and snuggle up in a den beside them, sharing warmth in the cold winter nights.

But what use was a wolf that could not speak? Would they even consider her a wolf, if she could not howl? Hush could only stare at her father in wordless fear. He brushed his tail against her gently.

"I know this may seem very frightening. But you are a brave, kind, and extraordinary wolf. Any wolf worth their fur would be able to see that. You will find your place out there. One day. I promise you that."

Hush brushed her nose against her father's cheek.

Will I ever see you again?

His silence was her answer.

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Note: Hush's mutism is an important part of her character. I am open to her communicating through sign language or other means, and I might be open to discussing some other ideas via DMs. But please do not erase her disability by magically having her "find her voice" or learn how to howl.

Thanks!

---------------------------Traveling Records---------------------------

Username/ID: Lumity (#70033)
Pack Name: Owls
Decor: Brown leather sporran
Lore: Hush and her brother Coaldust arrived in the pack of the Owls soon after dawn, met by the elder lead Willow and her heir Moonstone. Hush was delighted that Willow and Moonstone knew how to speak without words, something Willow and some of the older members had learned as there was a deaf traveler that stayed with the pack a while ago. Hush settled in quickly, she liked being in the pack and the other wolves didn't look down upon her for not being able to speak. She made good friends with Moonstone, as well as some of the apprentices and younger wolves in the pack.

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Username/ID: MapleCoffee (#49360)
Pack Name: Northward Shores
Decor: Bird's Nest [Tree]
Lore: In the heart of winter, the two wolves hurried to find shelter. The unforgiving snow came down in waves to smother everything in its wake. Along with unending darkness to obscure the view of anything ahead of them. A horrible situation to be in, really. The tundra, unsurprisingly, offered no hospitality. There was nothing to shelter them. Before the two started calling it quits and sleeping outside, Hush noticed a wolf trailing behind them. It was advancing cautiously, low to the ground in a submissive stance, and very clearly just as confused as they were. Hush turned around to face the wolf, which prompted Coaldust to do the same. A wolf with pointed markings showed itself to the two. Their name was Rowan, a scout sent from the Northward Shores to keep an eye on Hush and Coaldust because, as it turns out, not only were the two trespassing on pack territory, but they were also in a harsh blizzard. Lustre wanted to know if he needed to help the two out. Both of them, admittedly, were freezing, exhausted, and the permanent dark was starting to take a toll on Coaldust. So, Hush would agree with an urgent nod. Rowan quickly led Hush and Coaldust back to the pack and provided a rocky den as shelter. With them safe and sound, they got ready to take a well-needed nap. Hush stayed awake a bit longer, however. Her mind was full of curiosity about the pack. She hoped to meet some of these wolves in the morning. Questions of their lives, the roles they fulfilled, and overall thoughts on pack life swirled about her head. Who knows what these wolves' had in store for her to know? [Continued in Coaldust's bio]

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Username/ID: Albae
Pack Name: Wolves of Nemos
Decor:
Lore: It was different this time. During all her travels, Hush had never met a pack like this one. A pack put together of refugees, the unwanted, the ones who didn't quite fit in. As the surrounding lands turned into a warzone, weakened by the Faelcu and driven out of their territories by strangers most packs in this area had scattered. Anyone intelligent and strong enough to leave had left. Just not this pack. And not Hush, though she had tried.
But ever since she had discovered this strange pack, she felt something calling to her. More than once she had dreamed of her last talk with her father. "You will find your place out there. One day. I promise you that." His words echoed through her mind over and over again.
Maybe, this was a sign. Maybe she was meant to stay here, in this weird patchwork pack. They had welcomed her friendly, though none of them understood her sign language. They talked to her as if she had always been here, treated her like one of their own, not like a stranger passing through. If Hush wouldn't have seen the warzone with her own eyes, she'd believe these wolves were living in completely normal and peaceful times, where they didn't have to worry about traitors, spies or assassins.
And there was another reason that called her to stay... A wolf, a special someone. Being close to her felt like that one time Hush had swallowed a living butterfly. It would be worth a try... If it didn't work out, she could still leave after all.