[joining] the first chapter
#1
Player Name: Deb
Character Name: Jack Basket
Date of Birth: June 17th, 2009
Gender: Male
Species: Canis Lupus -- Luperci
Personality Traits: ambitious, mild-mannered, prone to drinking, impulsive (especially when drunk), occasionally flaring temper (especially when drunk)
Skills: experienced farmer (though North American soil and crops may take some getting used to), decent cook, decent repairman of wooden things, knows a thing or two about sailing and boat/ship upkeep, experience with horses and wagons, experience with landscaping and grounds upkeep, can read and write
NPC Characters/Animals: none currently
Residence: house 2 in Jordheim, please?

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The last time Jack had stopped to sleep a full night was pushed far back into his memory. Now, as he thought about it, he decided it must have been when he was still aboard the Constance. In the days following his disembarking Jack walked day and night until he found his destination. Then, and only then, was he free to sit down and admire the scenery. But, once he stopped moving, the full weight of his exhaustion started creeping in and Jack had to press onward in order to keep from falling asleep.


Eventually he found a scent which was distinct and purposeful. It took him a few minutes of investigation to realize he was at the border of a pack. This was a thrill in itself, as if he were on safari in some exotic place, where the wolves lived not as villages but as tribes more akin to family groups--at least, that was what he'd heard of the New World. It was supposed to be young and savage, but Jack thought otherwise. The wolves of the Old World had come a long way, why wouldn't these?


And so he sat down on a large rock, laying his travel pack down beside him in a pile of brown leaves. It was hot, for the seasons had changed while he crossed the sea, and Jack allowed himself enough time to unbutton the top of his polo--and, soon after, simply remove it--before he howled for an audience with the pack's leader. He was excited but anxious at the same time, for he had never attempted to join a pack before. But instinct provided him with a manual of appropriate behavior, and before anyone even heeded his call Jack adjusted his posture to a less assuming one.


This was the beginning of a new life.

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#2
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Have a Niernan, he'll call for a leader when Jack says he wants to join. Optime. Ciaran's about. Welcome to the pack Big Grin :: 481 ::

His patrol had been going smoothly, the weather was warm and he was nearing the end of his route, meaning his mind was starting to wander. He found his thoughts meandering over to the Golden woman that so often filled his thoughts nowadays. He was plodding along thinking of that perfect day they had had not long ago, completely unaware of the slightly disgusted look his cat was giving him, when a keening howl interrupted his thoughts. Ciaran, who now almost reached Niernans knee, sighed and rolled his grey-green eyes. "Thank Odin for that!" He exclaimed, "If you'd have carried on in your fantasy world I would have hit ya." He half growled. Nier raised an eyebrow at his Maine coon hybrid, "You'd have to catch me first!" He laughed as he broke into a run, muddy coloured paws kicking up shed pine needles and dusty soil. Ciaran let a yowl erupt from his throat before he burst into a sprint, his more agile paws avoiding the sprays of dirt that his master created.

Niernan was nearing the site of the howl, his tongue lolling from his maw as exhaustion started to set in after his long patrol of the border on such a warm day. He slowed as the trees thinned out, his eyes coming to rest on a tall Luperci who was evidently male. One thing he did notice was that the man wore trousers, something that many of the Luperci he had met refused to do. Those that did choose to wear garments chose cut off or ripped shorts, much like his own grey denim shorts. He strolled into the clearing where the man was standing, aware that he seemed to be making himself look more submissive, "Good day friend." He called, a hand raised in friendly greeting.

He felt a smile pull at his lips, unable to contain his good feelings on this fine day, "You've reached the borders of Vinatta, I am Niernan Stormbringer, Hollr of Vinatta. How can I help you?" The black and tan male tried to compose himself but was unable to keep the smile from his face. His attention was diverted momentarily by the weight of his cat suddenly pulling his left side down, the feline using his shorts as a stepping stone to reach his favourite perch on Niernans shoulder. Nier turned his head slightly, giving Ciaran an exasperated look, "You are really getting too big to sit there." His Irish tones softening the words. The cat simply yawned in his face and gave him an affectionate lick on the eyebrow. Niernan sighed and turned back to the newcomer, I apologise for Ciarans behaviour, he's technically still a kitten." He shrugged his shoulders in a motion that expressed a feeling of 'what can you do?' Before flicking his brown rimmed ears forward to hear the canines reasons for calling out on the borders.


Word Count ~ 481

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#3
hello (: thank you!

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Not long had passed before Jack was greeted by another male, slightly shorter than himself with very distinct markings. He was very dark, with lighter tips in a sort of backwards point pattern, two-toned as far as Jack could see. The finer differences of color were lost on him, despite his own pelt being so varied in shades. "Hello," he said, that weary-traveler tone making his words heavier than Jack meant for them to be, but he was much too tired to have any control over such details. Then, he rose from his seat, taking care to flip his ears back and bow his head.


When he was about to introduce himself, a cat appeared and scaled the dark male until he reached his perch on Niernan's shoulder. By the sound of it, this was a regular occurrence. Jack watched the small feline for a moment, interested. He'd never had a pet before and the horses that pulled his family's wagon and plow didn't count. The way he was raised, if an animal couldn't do work or produce byproducts there was no use keeping it around. But what use was a kitten? Surely they were merely companions. It was an interesting concept, and Jack considered finding a pet for himself. Perhaps a chicken or a goat, though, out of habit.


"That's quite alright," he assured his greeter, seeing no reason to apologize. "Vinátta, hmm." The word sounded exotic and exciting on his tongue. Jack looked around. "Are you accepting joiners? My name's Jack Basket." He tentatively extended his right hand, unsure of whether or not it was a custom in these parts to shake.

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#4
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No problem, always nice to have new members and this helps to promote Nier, so actually, Thank you. :: 478 ::

The man heaved himself from his seat, his vari-coloured fur rippling as he did so. His greeting was heavy with the weariness that only a traveller could experience, Niernans eyes softened, even if this man was only visiting he was sure that they could put him up for a while and let him rest. Niernan noticed the flick back of pointed ears and the bow of snouted head, he smiled slightly to himself; this man knew his pack politics, it was always nice to find someone who knew what they were doing. Nier bowed his head slightly too, advertising that he was no leader or high ranker quite yet.

He noticed the surprise in the others eyes as Ciaran climbed him like a tree, he assumed that it was down to the fact that Nier had a 'pet.' Not that Niernan would ever call Ciaran a pet, he was much more than that, more like a brother now. He knew that many Luperci held a skewed view on companion animals, many seeing a pet as useless. He knew that some deemed other animals as resources and resources only. He smiled to himself at how others would see Grace's obsession with taking in animals, not all of her pets had obvious uses, just like Ciarans use wasn't obvious... Yet.

Niernan waited, happily rubbing away at a spot on Ciarans jaw with one long finger, he was well aware that that spot made the cat melt. He smiled as the traveller seemed to mull over the name of his pack, he was always happy to hear the word, loving the sound of it and its meaning; friendship. Jacks introduction came along with a question, he thought back over all of the joiners they had had recently, he nodded. "A pleasure to meet you Jack. I believe we are taking joiners but I'll have to call on a Virding." He noticed Jacks outstretched hand-paw and smiled, he was always happy to find another Luperci that appreciated the old human tradition of the handshake. He took Jacks offered paw and gave it a firm shake. "If you'll excuse me for a moment." He took a step back and threw his head back to the clear blue sky, his howl erupting from his throat, the tone of the howl made it clear that he was calling on a Virding and not another pack member. He let the howl tail off and brought his head back down, he was then battered with a barrage of soft paw blows to his muzzle and forehead. He squinted his left eye to protect it against Ciarans wrath, the cat spat in clear High speech "You could have warned me, you oaf! You've deafened me!" Niernan simply chuckled an apology before turning back to Jack, "Saul or Lilin will be along shortly, I hope you don't mind a short wait.."


Word Count ~478

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#5
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[365]
hey there Deb, welcome to 'Souls and Vinátta!



Saul Lupus is by Alaine!

Despite his relative absence from the pack, which wasn't exactly an absence per say, more of an overabundance of issues that needed his attention, Saul was beginning to find himself with some free time once more. He was immensely grateful to Niernan for his vigilance on the borders and he was pleased that his dark cousin was showing such an interest. Their tense conversation the other day had been strange, but once the crux of the issue had been aired the cousins had been able to move past it. He hoped so anyway- it was very unlike Niernan to hold grudges and nothing grievous had actually occured.


This morning, Saul had risen and had worked with Teme on his reading. His boy was a fast learner and it was a shame it took seven months for them to obtain opposable thumbs. He was certain Temeraire would learn quickly how to write as well as he was reading. It was sometimes difficult to get his son to stay still and concentrate but today had been a good day and his boy had been able to read and whole paragraph without stumbling or asking what something said. Progress was refreshing, especially after Saul's week of set backs.


The call from a wolf at the borders interrupted their morning lessons and Saul gave his son an apologetic smile before rising and helping him pack away the books. It took longer than the Virding expected, but the second howl was from a familiar voice and Saul smiled. Niernan had picked up the slack and was calling for him. Giving his son a swift kiss on the head, Saul exited his house and took off towards the sound of the calls. It took him a few moments to reach his dark cousin, who he promptly clapped on the back and thanked for being quick off the mark.


I'm Saul Stormbringer, one of the leaders of Vinátta. I have a few questions before I can accept you into our family. He said, before conferring with Niernan and obtaining the mans name. Jack... Where have you come from? Where are your family? He asked, green eyes polite and stance dominant but easy.

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#6
thanks! (:

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He nodded quietly but politely, feeling that he had nothing more to say if Niernan couldn't get him accepted into the pack. Jack wasn't too good with small talk anyway, and he was far more interested in getting his bearings. There wasn't much he could see from here, but he noticed the trees thinned out from where Niernan had come from. He decided there was probably fresh water nearby; these Luperci didn't look like plumbers. But looks could be deceiving, he reminded himself.

Jack's eyes snapped to attention when he heard a rustling, the unmistakable sound of footsteps, coming from behind Niernan. He shifted slightly in his place, made himself look more presentable and less like he just got thrown off a boat. This was Saul, one of the leaders Niernan had mentioned, and Jack knew that first impressions were everything, especially when trying to convince someone to let you live with them.

"I'm from across the sea, so is my family. No one has come with me," he began simply and vaguely, wishing to keep the details of his personal life out of the light. "I decided I wanted to start a new life."

Jack leaned slightly forward, flicking his ears. "What else would you like to know?"

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#7
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[286]
we'll try and get this done quickly, so you can be titled up and start posting in Vinátta!



Saul Lupus is by Alaine!

The lack of conversation as Saul had drawn up had been noted- it would appear the male at the borders was a quieter character. He remembered Baharack and Karril, their complete opposite attitudes to life. It was a shame they hadn't stuck around, despite their promises that they were looking for a permanent home. He had to tell himself regularly that no matter what was promised, there were always those who left. Green eyes levelled on the brown male at their borders, perhaps trying to figure out if he would be sticking around or whether he would find Vináttan life too confusing.


The males simple words were just that- vague, skimming over details. Why was he on his own? Was there a reason for wanting to start a new life? Saul had heard a half hundred reasons to leave home and start anew, he was almost sure that one of those would fit the dark wolf. Cinnamon backed ears flickered back once as he watched the brown wolf lean slightly in, his question putting Saul's back up. He couldn't say why, perhaps it was the lack of manners in the questioning but he couldn't say why. The male's nose wrinkled once before he spoke.


You should be aware, Jack, that we are... quite protective of our own and you must be willing to pull your weight, patrol our borders, help with hunts. What other skills can you offer us? He asked, his voice hardened slightly. It would be a big disappointment, to go through this and have the male leave once more. Saul softened his question with the brief wag of his tail, green eyes fixed onto the males form once more to receive his answer.

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#8
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OMG! Chocolate with a touch of sea salt... It's like Valhalla in the mouth! Also Grr Nier is Grr :: 449 ::

Niernan had let a silence fall between them, he was happy to wait for Saul or Lilin, his mind wandering back to patrol. He turned his head and allowed a grin to slip onto his muzzle as his grey cousin stepped through the thin tree cover. He offered up the name of the newcomer and the purpose for his approach of the borders. Niernan gladly accepted the friendly backslap, flicking his ears forward and giving his tail a few quick wags in a show of pleasure and respect to his leader. He took a step back as Saul moved forwards and conversed with the agouti male, listening intently without looking like he was. He rolled his shoulders back and pulled Ciaran from his shoulder to cradle the cat in his arms, rubbing slowly at the cats thick chest fur with his long fingers. Ciaran let forth a rumbling purr which vibrated through Niers chest and arms. He smiled down at the cat but his ears were still pointed towards his leader.

Niernan allowed Sauls usual strain of questions roll over him, it was the newcomers answer that made him look up. Cerulean eyes flicked to Saul and then back to Jack, he was sure that the man meant no disregard, but the vague answer and the question he shot back at Saul could have been cause for concern. He let a sharp breath rip from his nose, the slightest hint of a warning growl exiting with the exhale. Ciarans purr had come to a sudden stop as well, he may not have been a wolf but he was still part of the pack and was deeply in tune with canine politics and the feelings of his friend. The cats grey-green eyes met Niers blue for a moment, before the cat scrambled back to the canines shoulder. Niernan was aware that some creatures chose to remain very private and were not comfortable sharing their life history with others, but on the borders of a strange pack asking for membership was not a place where privacy thrived.

It seemed his Virding had picked up on the tone and wording that Jack used as well, as his cousins voice had gained a hint of iron. Sauls statement about being protective made Niernan straighten up, he knew that he was included in that protectiveness and he took pride in that. He had recently stepped up his involvement in border patrol and keeping others safe, it was a way in which he could channel his over protectiveness productively. Niernan let his hackles fall, unaware that they had risen and he waited for Jacks answer, hoping that the agouti man didn't dig himself into a deeper hole.


Word Count ~ 449

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#9
may i change my preferred house to 8 or 14? i think i like him better in the middle O:

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Jack had meant no disrespect, but he was also not about to apologize for his sudden shut-up behavior. Though he understood that a background check was necessary, considering these men knew nothing about him, he was much too proud to admit that he had effectively run away. He met Saul's harder tones with a placid expression, seeing no reason to fan the flame nor moving to extinguish it. Whatever damage he had just done, Jack would work around it.

Here came the part he was prepared for, the part he had rehearsed several times as he traveled north from the port. Jack took a moment to gather his thoughts and pulled up the mental list he had prepared for this very moment. When he opened his mouth, the skills read something like a resume. "I was a farmer back home," he began. "A good one, I think. My daddy taught me everything our family's ever known about the earth and things that grow in it. I'm a pretty decent cook, too."


He paused, thinking, remembering things he'd cooked: the good and the bad. Jack chuckled once, quietly, before he continued. "On the way here I learned a thing or two 'bout ships and sailing. I can tie about a million different knots I didn't even know existed three months ago. Uh . . ." It was clear his list was running thin, but Jack was grasping at his memories for anything that might be even remotely useful.


"I can, ah, fix things," he said. "Especially wagons. I can drive them, too." Really running thin, now, Jack looked at his hand-paws and muttered out his final skill, something in his voice suggesting he was unsure of its worth: "I can read . . . and write . . ."

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#10
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[255]
aaaaaalmost there! ^^ I'll put him in #8 if you want?



Saul Lupus is by Alaine!

The friendly greeting to his cousin was pleasing to the male- it was good to have the males support on the borders. It seemed both of them had picked up on the vague answer, the slightly abrasive counter questions that perhaps weren't necessary. The slightest of noises came from Niernan and Saul felt his cousin shift behind him. A quick glance revealed gratitude for the support, but also a small warning in itself- there was little point in aggravating the situation. Still, Niernan was more than used to the borders by now and Saul allowed his small, almost silent display to remain. Cinnamon backed ears perked up and green eyes turned back to the male at their borders.


He was very surprised to hear that Jack was a farmer. His expression showed it, before a gentle sway took his tail. It would be good to have someone who knew what they were doing in that department. Saul nodded softly, accepting these words as though collecting something. Jack continued, admitting to learning a fair bit about sailing, earning a soft chuckle at his admission of learning ropes. The males voice dwindled, before he spoke about fixing things, and his final admission, that he was literate. Unsurprisingly, Saul valued literacy in his members and he gave an encouraging nod.



I think you'll fit right in, Jack. Would you mind following Niernan and I to Jordheim, our village? I have a few things to give you. Saul offered, before stepping back and moving back the way he'd come.

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