Coaldust

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

Coaldust was one a very cheerful and vibrant pup. Until one day, when out playing, he slipped and ended up tumbling into an abandoned mineshaft. While he was not hurt in the initial fall, Coaldust found himself lying in a strange, dark place -- full of acrid smells and haunting echoes, the sun seemingly miles out of his reach.

Thankfully, a passing stranger heard the puppy's cries for help, and they were able to start a rescue. But it was several hours before the rest of the pack was able to dig the puppy out of the darkened mine.

The experience left the young pup rather shaken, and with a lifelong fear of the dark and enclosed spaces. Coaldust is also very cautious and pragmatic, often staying very close to other wolves and warning them of potential dangers -- both real, and imaginary.

For many days, Coaldust returned to the entrance of the mine, and stood in the yawning gap, trying to force himself to go inside. He hates having this weakness, and he knows in his heart that one day, he might not get a choice, and will have to face his fears once more. But each time, he feels his heart clench in his chest, and his legs turn to ice, and he is forced to turn away.

One day --- he tells himself --- he will be able to go inside, and be liberated from his nightmares.

But not now. Not yet.

-----------------Traveling Wolf Rules:---------------------------

1. Please add some kind of lore if you decide to take him in! It doesn't have to be anything too fancy, but something is always better than nothing.
2. Do not keep him for longer than 7 rollovers.
3. Do not pairbond or change his name
4. Please take good care of him! I'm not asking you to be perfect, but if I see a den full of nothing but starving, sick, and miserable wolves, I will probably pull him back.

Happy trails!

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

Username/ID: Lumity (#70033)
Pack Name: Owls
Decor: Black Leather Sporran
Lore: Coaldust and Hush stumbled upon the home of the Owls in the early morning. They were warmly greeted by the elder leader Willow and a younger wolf named Moonstone, only slightly older than Coaldust by around a month. Upon entering, Coaldust quickly became at ease with the pack and its pups, playing around with them and helping with pupsitting when the older wolves needed a break- because one of the sitters was getting older.
He also saw several strange floating lights and heard odd whispers, but overall quite enjoyed his stay with the pack.

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Username/ID: MapleCoffee (#49360)
Pack Name: Northward Shores
Decor: Island Scrub Jay
Lore: [Continuation of Hush's bio] Despite being so high up, the Northern Cavern was comfortable and snug. It was home to the pack's elders. There were 10 of them in total currently, and all rather pleasant wolves. They were more than glad to share anything if asked. Hush was taking full advantage of this. She, surrounded by curious puppies who were also there to listen, would attempt to ask questions. The wolves in this pack did not have a complex sign language. It was simple and for specific things such as hunting maneuvers. There were a few signs that the two sign languages coincidentally shared, but it was not enough to hold a complete conversation. So, Coaldust often had to assist as a result. Through their back and forth of questioning and answering, Hush would teach the elders and puppies a bit of her sign language. It was, overall, a great learning experience for everyone involved. A little while later, Coaldust was taken aside by one of the elders. This elder's name was Kazuo. She had something to say to him, something important. An old saying derived from humans, she claimed, one that meant warning. "A canary in a coal mine. Someone or something that is an early warning of danger." Just the thought sent shivers through his pelt. Why was she telling him this? To his slight surprise, his name apparently sparked the memory in the old she-wolf. Kazuo decided that since he was a traveller, Coaldust should know the saying and take extra precautions. "Let your intuition be your canary. If it wholeheartedly believes your life is at stake, listen to it," the elder told him. Coaldust truly didn't need to be told twice. But as he looked over to Hush, it suddenly dawned on him that the two would be parting ways soon. Maybe he should take the saying to heart. After all, he would be on his own from here on out. Anything could happen now.

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Username/ID: Srinyx #244
Pack Name: Pont-y-Rhedyn
Decor: Owl Feather Decor
Lore: Coaldust took the next leg of his journey south, far from the frozen tundra to a small sheltered valley. He followed the well-worn paths through the thicket to a small clearing near the river. Here he was eagerly greeted by a crowd of boisterous wolves, who quickly handed him over to the leader for formal introductions. The pack welcomed him warmly and invited him to stay as long as he pleased, but they seemed too busy with structure changes to entertain him much. Nonetheless, the valley was rather comforting. The winding river and dappled forest were a far cry from the darkness he feared. It was a welcome sight. With much of the pack out on errands most days, Coaldust was left in the company of the pupsitters and elders. He built up a rapport with all of them in turn, but became rather close Melynddu, the pack's herbalist. The younger wolf was deaf and relied on sign language, and while it wasn't exactly the same as the one he was used to with Hush, Melynddu was overjoyed to meet a traveller she could easily talk to. He spent much of his time accompanying her as she gathered herbs and prepared salves, regaling her with tales of his home pack and his travels thus far.

Only a couple months into his stay, the pack's leader passed and a young, uppity wolf took over - uncertain of what the change would bring, Coaldust gave his thanks and decided to move on. Melynddu gifted him an owl feather as thanks for spending time with her.

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Username/ID: MoscoMoon {Lethan} #1120
Pack Name: Airn Aizle
Decor: Floating Wisp [Low]
Lore: Coaldust arrived in Airn Aizle very late in the evening. He almost stumbled blindly into one of the packs scouts, for he couldn't see where he was going in the thick fog that rose from the ancient trees. Zariel was surprised, but laughed it off and led Coaldust safely to the packs territory. He stayed there for over a week, after being greeted by the packs Alpha Vi. Striking up a close friendship with a couple of the other travellers, Coaldust was sad to say farewell to the pack, but promised to come by again if the wind brought him back. Before he left, he was offered a gift by Zariel.


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Username/ID: Minii #84916
Pack Name: Thunder peak
Decor: Scaterred Bones
Lore:

Deciding to finally attempt to conquer his fear, the wolf closes his eyes and jumps into the mineshaft. He feels his heart quicken, and his skin itches, but he trudges deeper into the deep heart of the mine. Coaldust opens his eyes after a few moments, and he stares at the cold beauty of the area around him, although the darkness outside of it turns his body colder. His breathing and heartbeat slows and he lets out a soft sigh. Now he could return to his pack - no longer a coward.
As he walks around, he hears a voice behind him. He looks over his shoulder in surprise and fear, and there stands a wolf with kindness in their eyes. His breathing almost stops - the wolf is not only beautiful, but it is so young. Just by the scent he assumes that they're male. The other wolf smiles slowly.
"I am just as surprised as you are, comrade." A wolf behind the young one slowly emerges and smiles at him. "This is my apprentice - Jade. I'm Sudden Storm." The older female wolf says with a tilted head.
"My name is Coaldust. If I had known that you lived down here, I would not have bothered you." Coaldust says with a slight question in his voice. So these wolves get to live in the cold beauty of the mineshaft.
"I was told the story of you, sir." Jade woofs softly, bowing his head as he approaches carefully. "I... I enjoyed it. And now that you have returned - could you stay and teach me about fear?"
Hesitating, Coaldust feels his tail slowly start to wag. He nods cheerfully. "I would not mind teaching you about Fears. Our Fears build us into the creatures that we are."