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 Posted: Sun Aug 15, 2010 6:29 pm
Stretching out and yawning Jani’s body didn't take up much room inside their small den. Her eyes opened to such a bright world, it wasn’t the first time but every time seemed go much brighter then the last. Glancing around quickly Jani felt lonely; almost empty without her other half. It was odd that everyone looked so different and that her mother acted so strange and not at all like her father, she was happy that she could at least rely on her twin the only other wolf that looked just like her… The only other being out there that would be a constant in her life.
It wasn’t that she was afraid of her siblings or her family it’s just that they were so very odd in their differences and Jani was just happier being with her mirror. She wasn’t in love with herself she just, she just liked being around the same thing, something she knew best from everything else.
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Posted: Sun Aug 15, 2010 7:25 pm
 Kona let out a small sigh, sitting once again tucked as tightly to herself as possible. Somehow she felt that if she stepped too heavily, or took up too much space, she might lose herself completely in the vastness of it all. Everyone seemed to be sleeping peacefully, but it was mid-day, and the lonely pup hadn't been able to fall back to slumber any longer. She picked herself up resolutely and with soft footfall made her way to the mouth of the den she shared with six siblings and their two parents. She had no intention of breaching the den itself, but the cool air floating in from the opening was a welcoming feeling.
She sat quietly, a soft breeze brushing the hair back from orange eyes. Kona wondered what was out there beyond the circular clearing, the rock her father lounged on during the day to keep a better eye on them. One day she would be big enough to sit atop that rock, and maybe see the whole world from the pinnacle. In her short time alive, she had heard other wolves in the pack speaking, and knew that her great grandmother was the alpha of this pack. She had been told that the alpha was the top wolf, and had a lot of work to do. Kona secretly hoped that maybe soon her grandmother would come to see them, and tell them stories.
The petite female slowly tilted her head to the left, pointing her muzzle in that direction. The smells of things she was yet to learn the names for were tantalizing, and she wished to learn everything possible about those things first. They overpowered even the most strong of scents from her siblings and parents. She felt extremely curious as to her surroundings; the more she thought about what might be out there, the more anxious she grew at the prospect of exploring - but she was obedient, and would keep her parents words about not wandering off alone to heart. For now, what Kona could see from her spot just within the den was good enough for her, she told herself, though she wasn't quite sure she believed it.
As birds flitted through the mid-day sun, Kona smiled gently, letting the sunlight warm her small face. Her ears twitched every so often in response to a bird's call. The pup's eyes closed as she let herself get lost in her own mind, pondering the pictures she had seen while she slept. They were mostly images of her family, her siblings play fighting outside, her father watching over them like some sort of deity who would protect them always. Kona was unsure of her mother, who seemed forever worried and agitated, but the negative feelings against her matron passed after a moment. There were far too many good things about her life to focus on one small bad thing, at least right now.
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Posted: Sun Aug 15, 2010 7:42 pm
Frowning Jani’s gaze scanned the area, she didn’t care much for where she slept or where she was or even who her siblings were she just wanted to be around something she knew something she knew for sure would always be there. Catching a glimpse of the same pattern as her pelt Jani slowly made her way over to her twin, she couldn’t sleep properly without her twin even knowing she was new to this world she just couldn’t sleep without her other half. Ignoring all else, the sounds the scents Jani smiled as she plopped down next to her twin, her sister her only other wolf that mattered to her.
Her mother would fuss over her father about something, then her father would fuss over her mother about something and then Jani would have to listen to the other wolves around them outside the den about other things. It was all just so much and she didn’t care for any of it, she just wanted something that would never have to fuss never have to bring in such nonsense about everything in this big life. The colors were bright and the smells were heavy, that’s all Jani really cared for; other than her sister of course.
Letting out another yawn Jani’s little mouth showed off little fangs already in the process of growing and breaking through those little gums, she knew they were for breaking up something but maybe later in life they could be used for more? Sighing Jani ignored her own wonder, it didn’t matter what these sharp fangs and claws were used for… It would always be changing.
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Posted: Sun Aug 15, 2010 8:26 pm
As thoughts of her mother subsided in her mind, the pup's ears swiveled back, hearing the pawsteps of a sibling approaching. She was certain that it was Jani, from the way the sounds came closer. Her other siblings might not take such a close path to her, though she couldn't be completely sure as they were all young, and personalities had yet to show in an outward manner. "Jani." she spoke the name as a greeting after she was certain it was the right one. She tended to keep close; maybe it was the similarities in color and markings, or maybe she just felt a closeness that came from inside. Kona couldn't tell, and somewhat felt guilty at the detachment felt when it came to the mirror image. She felt the same towards her mother, and couldn't be completely sure why. They were family, and she loved them, but she felt strange at the lack of a connection.
The pup looked down at her sibling and watched her yawn. She still wasn't in the least sleepy, but at the action, she felt her own maw quiver and finally force her into a stretched yawn as well. She thought the reaction was interesting, but wasn't too concerned with it past that. She also wasn't sure what to say, and wasn't completely certain she wished to dribble on about nothing. Was there a way to form a bond with this sibling?
"Did I wake you up?" she was curious, but not apologetic. She resisted the urge to sigh, a movement that she knew outright would be a body-shaking motion. She felt as though her feelings were under the dirt now, as though a darkness had befallen her time in the sun, a cloud had covered the great yellow ball of light. Why, so suddenly? And why did she choose to let herself feel this way? Was it her uncertainty against her sibling and mother? Or was it something deeper, that Kona couldn't put her paw on just yet?
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Posted: Sun Aug 15, 2010 8:39 pm
Shaking her head Jani gently smiled at her counterpart, “No… My own body did.” She still didn’t understand why she had such a need to be around the mirror image, but then again part of her didn’t care enough to stay awake and figure it out all. Her mother seemed like another pup only bigger and her father seemed like a party pooper, like he didn’t really care for Kairi… but then again it didn’t really matter now did it? Jani had her sister, her twin her counterpart that would forever be able to make her stable in this odd world. But then as time passed Jani couldn’t help but wonder what her sister’s thoughts on the matter were, what did she think of their mother? Or father? Or siblings? Did she care like their father did, or was she like their mother and wanting to play?
“Kona… Do you care for our family?” It was an odd question, and a far too intelligent for such a young pup but Jani couldn’t let her thoughts go this time she had to know what her twin was thinking what her counterpart could possibly grow up to be.
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Posted: Sun Aug 15, 2010 9:55 pm
After a few moments of letting the question hang, Kona couldn't avoid it any longer, and had to answer. It was a weird feeling to her, that her twin might be thinking along the same lines as she did. "Yes." she answered, simply. For reasons unknown, the pup felt as though there wasn't much reason to speak more than that. It answered the question asked of her well enough, didn't it? She wanted to hope it was enough, but couldn't come to care about it that much. The pup turned her head back to look straight ahead, keeping still and closely tucked, all four paws touching, and her tail was still glued to her left leg. Jani was comfortable laying out and sprawling, but Kona... Kona needed to keep small and compact.
A few moments more had the pup a bit too curious to keep quiet for much longer. "Why?" she asked, wondering if Jani cared for them either. She knew that Jani cared for her, but, as for the rest of the family, she couldn't say. As for Kona, she cared for her family, but she truly loved her father, and Rock, and Tanner. They were her favorites so far, though Rock really got on her nerves sometimes, he was able to coerce her to speak her mind a lot more than she was used to. But the others, she wasn't so sure of, and at the top of that unsure list, was Kairi, her mother, and Jani, her twin sister. She had no idea what it meant.
A stronger wind kicked up, throwing dust across the clearing, and Kona could now smell a different smell in the air. Things felt wet, though the air was still dry to her. The most prominent smell, one she had yet to learn was the salt from the vast ocean she had yet to even see, was getting even more extreme now, and she wondered what was happening around her. "Jani..." she spoke once more, a warning of sorts. It felt to her that something strange was happening, and when a loud rumble threatened from afar, Kona jumped and took a step back, tumbling over her sister in her haste to get back inside.
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Posted: Sun Aug 15, 2010 10:30 pm
Jani frowned at her sisters respond, her sister sounded as if she knew for sure what to make of everything what to make of her emotions for her family. Jani on the other hand felt nothing for anything, did that mean she didn’t care for her family? Glancing in the direction of her mother Jani felt a shiver run down her spine, it made her shake a bit and her fur puffed out… She felt a sort of kinship with the wolf but she didn’t… care what happen to her, she didn’t care if Kairi decided she hated Jani.
It was nerve wrecking thinking of this, maybe her father? Glancing in the direction of his usual spot Jani again didn’t have a pull towards the male wolf, have a need to prove to him that she was the best or that she wanted his approval for anything in her life… Or her future. Would he hate her if he knew she didn’t care for any of them? Did she care if he hated her? No, no she didn’t care.
Her gaze locked with her sisters’ form, the other sort of strong kinship was rising within her when she saw her sister, when her sister was around. Why did she only care for her sister? Maybe she was different then her sister. Another shiver ran through her and shook her form; she didn’t like thinking of differences… Suddenly her sister perked beside her, and Jani could smell it was all. The air was so… Thick and heavier with… with cold, water? Watching her sister Jani saw the mirror image of herself become afraid and even startled when a large booming sound filled the sky above-
Suddenly her sister tripped over her and Jani finally felt for once, she felt angry at the skye above for startling her sister. Standing Jani let off a quite pathetic growl at the opening hoping to scare off the loud noise maker.
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Posted: Sun Aug 15, 2010 10:52 pm
Kona picked herself up from the ground, appalled that she had fallen from her controlled state so quickly. She watched wide-eyed as her sister growled back at the sky, shifting her paws nervously. "Come... come on." she stumbled a bit as she backed up. When Jani didn't answer her or move from her spot, Kona darted forward, grabbing her by the scruff of her neck. She mumbled something before dragging her twin backwards, away from the opening of the den.
The pup could hear more growling from the sky, and a loud rattle coming towards them, as though some great god was want to strike them down for sitting so close to the outside without permission. The pup gasped, letting go of Jani's neck scruff - maybe her father was a god, and this was his way of punishing them for disobeying his most base of rules.
She watched in trepidation as the ground grew dark as the sky had in just moments, and realized that water was falling from the sky, drowning the dust and turning it to dark mud. Mud that Rock would be playing in later, if allowed. Mud that he would threaten her with, and she would have to bite his ear to make him go away. "Jani... maybe it won't come in here." she whispered, almost inaudibly over the roar of the sudden storm.
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Posted: Sun Aug 15, 2010 11:05 pm
Jani ignored her sister as she tried to pull her away, why would he sister want to do that? Jani was just trying to protect her from this oddity from the world around them. Jani didn’t understand what was going on, why was the ground getting all wet? Oh well it didn’t matter! It was scaring her sister and she didn’t like her sister to display such wild emotions like fear and and… Other type of emotions that weren’t in Jani’s thoughts at the moment.
Jani didn’t think it was their father, she knew their father wasn’t all powerful she knew their mother wasn’t all powerful either she didn’t know how she knew she just did. Everyone seemed so normal around her, they seemed normal and… boring in their differences. Glancing back to her sister Jani was confused for a moment, she shouldn’t be afraid Jani had this under control.
“Alright…” Relaxing Jani went back to her sister wanting nothing more to then to banish the being that is responsible for making it rain for making her sister so fearful.
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Posted: Sun Aug 15, 2010 11:27 pm
Now that Jani was relenting her attack, Kona felt a bit more brave. She didn't appreciate her sibling trying to get them killed by angering this phenomenon currently gracing them with its presence. As things seemed to even out, Kona crept forward, back towards the opening. It was just water, and the sky's grumble had softened considerably from the first few warnings. Things were just pretty now, and she finally reached a point where she could sit comfortably and not get hit with any of the wet drops. This was it? This was a wonderful occurrence, and she wondered how long it would last.
A raindrop hit her nose, causing her to jump, but the pup quickly regained her composure. She licked the wetness from her muzzle and smiled softly, noting that it tasted much more pure and refreshing than anything she had tasted so far - that being her mother's own milk. She wondered if there were places where this water was widely available without it having to pour from the sky. Someday, she would find out. She knew there was no way that they would have to rely on their mother for food for much longer. There had to be more to eating. She couldn't wait to see what she could pair with the water to keep herself strong and healthy.
This time, when the sky growled, Kona stayed still, letting the rumble course through her paws and up her legs. Somewhere in the sky, a great light exploded, lighting the previously darkened world for mere seconds. She felt almost electrified by it, her fur standing on end for a split second as it happened. She hoped this would continue for a long time, so that she could enjoy it. She wanted more of this feeling, a feeling of being truly alive.
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Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2010 11:29 am
Jani followed her sister’s instincts and sat down, relaxing once again against the now cooler floor. Outside was wet now and getting wetter, it continued its loud booming but Kona no longer seemed afraid of it. Her sister being calm seem to calm Jani, Jani liked being calm she didn’t like being on the defensive nor did she like having to show such horrid emotions against such an oddity in the world around them. Jani didn’t care for the being that created such loud noises, such wet floors and if Jani had her way she’d do her best to scare the fool off if they ever tried to think of coming here again.
Glancing to her sister Jani watched as Kona no longer seemed afraid, which was good but it made Jani feel like she wasn’t needed then. Suddenly Jani thought of their previous conversation, Kona had asked her a question, should she answer it? It didn’t seem like Kona really cared either way. “Yes, my answer from before.” She didn’t see the need to say anything more, there was one difference Jani refused to say aloud, Kona didn’t need to know her most inner thoughts… No one needed to know she didn’t care for her family, only her sister.
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Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2010 6:57 pm
Kona sighed as her sister approached again, and began speaking. She wasn't sure if she could handle a lifetime of this, and wondered briefly if wolves could live on their own, comfortably. She would need to work hard to become a good huntress, to support herself one day. Instinct told her brand new mind that something had to be hunted for her to eat and survive. Something very much alive like herself, and if she didn't watch out as she grew, she would become the hunted very fast.
The small pup frowned as she inched forwards into the water, hopeful to scootch out of reach of her twin. Maybe Jani would get the point and leave her be. Kona felt that this could be a calming ritual for her, to sit and ponder on things, past, present, and future, but if Jani felt the constant need all of the time to be right next to her, she wasn't sure if she could go very long without snapping at the twin she was growing to resent. The rain was coming down in sheets now, and Kona's long fur atop her head was soaking fast, dripping into her eyes and causing her to blink and shake her head. The water was cold, and the pup appreciated it, for all the hot nights she had spent cooped up in the den with her family.
This was wonderful; Jani had yet to follow her this far out, and the cooling water soothed her raging mind for a few moments as she closed her eyes once again, listening to the thunder roll through the sky. She was learning that right after the noises, came the prickling in her toes, the involuntary rising of her fur.
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Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2010 7:59 pm
Jani watched her sister, her body twitched to get up and follow the small pup the mirror image of herself going out into the rain and getting wet. She wasn’t wet though, and it confused her so very much. Standing Jani headed towards the opening of their den, a wall of water was pouring over the entrance and Jani was tempted to run through it to complete the transformation from dry to wet. It wasn’t fair! Jani wanted to be the same as Kona, she needed to be the same she needed something that wasn’t different something, anything!
Growling Jani could feel her nerves twitch with the need, with the urge to run out there and attack the being that summoned such a difference on their home. Her gaze never leaving her sister’s form Jani’s mind wondered, why did it matter that her mirror image was different? Why did it matter so very much that Kona cared for their family and she did not… Why did anything matter! Letting out a loud yelp Jani’s mind twisted and turned, torturing her thought pattern with horrid images of differences that Jani couldn’t comprehend.
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Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2010 8:19 pm
Before Kona could realize it, things were getting out of control. After a particularly loud and sudden burst of sound from the clouds above, the pup felt the beginnings of another small electrical jolt, and then her entire body seized. Her teeth slammed closed, and her fur went on edge as vision was taken from her and a nauseating smell filled the air. A split second later, the lightening left her body through her paws, dissipating into the ground below and leaving the pup to slump helplessly to the ground.
The young wolf lay on the dirt floor, half in the den, half outside. Her fur was singed, showing jagged missing patterns of fur where the lightning had traveled through her small body, and wounds in their place. It had touched her face, her right cheek had a thin sliver missing, and it traveled down her throat and branched out across her chest, finally travelling down her right leg, clearly showing the path of destruction.
Moments later, the pup still hadn't got up, or made any sign of life. An eerie quiet had befallen her and easily took up residence in the den mouth surrounding her. Now her fur was soaked, and ringlets of blood trailed over her front half where the burns were prevalent. It was difficult to tell if she was even still breathing. Somewhere deep inside, the pup whined for her father, hoping that the sudden nightmare would end and let her wake up.
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Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2010 9:06 pm
Suddenly Jani felt her body shake, what was that! Her growling increased, what had happened to her sister, her mirror! Rushing over to the fallen pup Jani scanned the body for… differences, they were everywhere and it disturbed Jani greatly. Her body shook with the sheer need to imprint those differences onto herself so she wasn’t so… alone. Glancing upward Jani barked at the sky demanding to change her sister back or to change herself? Not even Jani knew.
In such a small body Jani felt her body become tired quickly and she glanced back to the den, she needed to get her family… her mother or father, the thought disgusted her. The fact that she couldn’t care for her own sister, the only wolf she seem to take an interest to… Growling again Jani rushed off into the den, hoping against hope that she could change pelt into her sisters.
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