Melodies for the Soul
#1
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Out of Character

Hotaru is a year and a half old, before she lost her eyesight.


In Character

At last, it was finished. Hotaru set down her carving tools and rubbed her tired eyes. Leaning back in her chair, the grey female stretched out her hands and let out a long yawn. Finally, she looked down at her creation. Sitting quietly on her desk was a beautiful pearwood recorder. Her uncle had traded several high quality pieces for the wood, and it was only by sheer luck that Hotaru had managed to convince him to give her the wood. Still, it was worth it.


A smile crossed the grey femme's face as she stared at the luxurious russet coloring of the recorder. It's sleek body and slender frame was pleasing to the eyes and the celtic knots that decorated the recorder's base and head added a flair of sophistication to the design. Gingerly, Hotaru picked the newly born instrument up and gave it a quick test blow. A sharp and painful squeak rang through Hotaru's ears as the recorder's voice cracked under her inadequate playing. Bashfully, the carver placed the recorder back on her desk. No on had ever accused her of having a good ear for music, and by her playing no one ever would.


Shaking her head, Hotaru grabbed a nearby piece of soft leather and rapidly wrapped the recorder. She clutched the package to her chest before briskly turning and striding out of her uncle's shop. The daylight pierced the she-wolf's sensitive eyes, making her blink a few times as she tried to block the glare that came from both above and below. As much fun as the snowy season was, it was far too easy to become snow blind. Cupping her eyes, Hotaru looked around as she searched for her twin brother.


Rather than finding Adrian, Hotaru spotted her father talking in a harried voice to his beta male, Malik. Hotaru wasn't sure what to think of the older wolf. He was a lot larger than most wolves and his piercing eyes always made the young female slightly uncomfortable. He wasn't born as a Kido, yet the dark brown wolf had managed to become a prominent figure within the pack and had become her father's closet friend.


Hotaru inhaled sharply, holding her breath for a moment as she steadied herself. With a faked air of confidence, she strode up to the two older males, her limbs and movements unconsciously stiff. "Father, have you seen Adrian?" Both of the wolves looked at Hotaru, their eyes piercing and it was clear that she had interrupted something important. "No, not since this morning. Have you tried checking at your grandmothers?" Hotaru shook her head, she wouldn't be asking if Adrian was at their grandmothers. "There is no reason to, grandmother went off with mother and the others to hunt."


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[/html] coding by sie
#2
[html]

Word Count → 694

I like this table.

Hotaru yawned and blinked his eyes against the sunlight. He looked down at the ground a few feet from him. He sighed and rolled off the thick branch he had been napping on. He hit the ground with an oof as the snow cushioned his landing. He stood up straight and yawned again, this time stretching out his arms. He heard his neck pop as he moved it. He looked around, shielding his eyes against the powerful winter sun. It wasn't that the sun itself was strong, but the snow below him magnified it to almost painful levels. Adrian tried to remember where he was, his mind still fogged over from his daytime nap. When his mother and grandmother had went out hunting, Adrian had snuck away to one of his favorite nap trees. He could scale the tree easily and balance himself on the wide branch. Then he would just lay down and go to sleep. Normally he only napped when Hotaru wasn't around to keep him company or when he wasn't practicing some instrument or another with his grandmother.

Thinking of Hotaru made the male wonder how long he had been sleeping. Father wouldn't have worried about looking for him, if he had even noticed Adrian was gone, and mother and grandmother were out hunting. That left only Hotaru to search for him and she knew about most of his secret places. Him and her had very little that the other didn't know about. Adrian saw Hotaru as his baby sister, though he knew they were twins, and would do anything he could to protect her. He couldn't imagine what his life would be like without Hotaru to brighten up his day. They teased each other constantly but he knew that when it came down to it, the two would do whatever they had to for each other.

Adrian started to walk back towards the main part of the pack. His tree was a few minutes from where the rest of the pack normally gathered. It took the Kido male about fifteen minutes to arrive back at the main part of the pack. And he arrived just as Hotaru approached their father to ask about him. Adrian smiled and walked up to the three, noting Malik. "Hello Father, Hello sister." He said with a smile, glancing at the two. He looked towards Malik and kept the smile on his face. He didn't particularly like the male. He always seemed to be sizing people up, like they were his prey. The only person the beta male didn't look at as prey was Adrian's father. Maybe that is why their father never noticed it. But Kido trusted the man to protect the pack, though he trusted him with little else. "Hello to you as well Malik."He said with curt respect. Then he turned back towards Hotaru and grinned, "You were looking for me?" He asked with a curious look on his face.

Adrian looked her over. She seemed tense among their father and Malik. While Adrian might not like Malik, he didn't feel nervous or tense around him. Adrian carried himself with an air of confidence. He showed his father and Malik the respect they deserved but he expected the same from them. Adrian had gotten his and Hotaru's father's drive and confidence. When Adrian set his mind to something, he did it. And he could be very stubborn. But his sister didn't seem as confident. He also noted the small piece of leather she held and the tired look in her eyes. He had seen that look on her face a hundred times. It was the look she got right after she got done with a project that she had worked really hard on. It was a satisfied and pleased expression but also one of exhaustion. It made Adrian worry when she kept herself up to work on something but when it came to carving, Hotaru was as stubborn as him at times. And he knew that she wouldn't like him bringing up the fact that she looked so tired in front of their father, so he held his tongue, for her.


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#3
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Out of Character

^_^


In Character

After the exhaustive process of carving, Hotaru was in the mood for checking all of Adrian's hiding places. She knew where they all were as most of them had been discovered during their puppy days. But the pack lands were large and Adrian's usual haunts were spread out across their territory. It was just easier to ask their father, even if Malik was their with his glaring gaze. Hotaru shifted uncomfortably as she lowered her ears a little. Amber eyes turned to her father, wishing he knew where Adrian was. The Alpha opened his mouth to speak but stopped and nodded his head.


Adrian's woody scent drifted towards her and Hotaru spun around. Her ears lifted and her tail wagged with delight as she rushed her larger twin. He was almost identical to her when it came to their fur patterns. Sure there were little differences in their coats, but they could only be spotted if one were to really inspect the twins. Hotaru waited long enough for Adrian to say hello to the higher ranking wolves before she jumped forward and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. The wrapped flute was carefully hidden behind his neck and Hotaru nuzzled her brother and gave him an affectionate lick. "Yes, I was! I have something to show you."


One ear flicked back as Hotaru heard Malik grumble something to their father. She thought it sounded like he had said "disgusting," but she couldn't be sure. Frowning, the grey female unwrapped her arms and grabbed Adrian's wrist. Hotaru tugged gently as she tried to lead him off, "C'mon, lets go to the glen." During the winter months, the glen was almost a sheet of solid snow and ice. The small brook that split the area was completely frozen over. One of side of the glen rested a dense forest that house a number of small prey species. Bramble bushes populated the forest making it seem more like a hive of thorns than anything inviting. But on the other side of the river spanned a boulder field that broke through the forest. During the winter months, the boulder's were cushioned by the soft snow and the light forest that transversed the fields edges provided shade and a relief from the blinding snow during the evening hours. It was one of Hotaru's favorite haunts.


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[/html] coding by sie
#4
[html]

Word Count →

Big Grin I posted under the wrong account, lol, but you know who it is suppose to be.

Adrian smiled as his sister jumped towards him. He caught her in his arms as she wrapped her around his neck. He chuckled and licked her ear, his arms wrapped around her waist. If it wasn't for the him and his sister's resemblance, people outside of the pack might have questioned their relationship. But their similar coloring gave them away as twins.

Adrian picked his sister up off the ground in a big hug and laughed as he set her back down. He set her down and then looked at Malik, narrowing his eyes. He had also caught something of what the other male said. If it wasn't for the fact his father was present, he might have confronted Malik. Malik might be beta but Adrian was the alpha's son. It gave him some lenience with his tongue. Which often got him in trouble as a pup. Adrian looked away from Malik and gave his sister a questioning look as she tugged at his wrist. "Okay but what do you want to show me?" He asked as he let her lead him off. He knew where they were going. Adrian had often found Hotaru at the glen when he had gone out looking for her. Or when their father sent him out to find her. Those occasions were rare but Adrian knew his sister better than anyone, so their parents always expected him to know where she was at.

Adrian let Hotaru lead him until he wiggled his wrist free and poked her in the side with a mischievous smile, "Race you." Adrian said before taking off towards the glen. He wasn't running as hard as he could, giving her a chance to recover from him taking her by surprise. But he still laughed as he ran ahead, listening to hear his sister behind him.

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#5
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Out of Character

ooc


In Character

A familiar smile stretched across Adrian's lips, one that made Hotaru feel complete. Whenever they were apart, Hotaru always felt empty, like she was missing a crucial part of herself. However, their special connection was easily reestablished and soon the tight feeling in the female's chest flew away as if it were as light as the wind. Hotaru laughed as she was hoisted off the ground and she reached up to playfully tug on Adrian's ear. It was just unfortunate that their happy mood was ended quickly by Malik's half audible comment. Hotaru wasn't dumb, she could guess what he was saying and the intentions behind his words. He wasn't the only one either. Some members of the pack believed that the twins were a little too close, but Hotaru knew better. She never saw her brother like that, and she never would.


Rather than dwell on the beta's words, Hotaru turned her attention to the gift she carried. Adrian's question was valid, but Hotaru just gave him a mischievous smile and said, "It I told you that, it wouldn't be a surprise. You'll just have to settle yourself with guessing until we reach the glen." The two walked for a few minutes, with Hotaru gently pulling on her brother's wrists. Thankfully, the moment didn't last long and Adrian gently poked her in the side. It was sudden, and Hotaru giggled as his finger prodded her waist. A glint of mischief lit up in Adrian's eyes and was soon quickly mirrored by Hotaru's own amber orbs. "Your on!"


Like thunder, they were off. The twins raced through the packlands, their optime forms speeding across the snowy plains. At first, it seemed as if Adrian was going too slow and Hotaru was easily able to catch up to him. However, just as she reached him, the larger male began to speed up. Their feet pounded against the snow, making deep tracks in the soft powder. Soon, the glen was in sight and Hotaru reached out to press her hand against one of the boulders. "Finished," she cried, and looked over to see if her brother had beaten her or not. Her grey sides heaved as she panted and her pink tongue rolled out of her mouth as she grinned.


Turning over, Hotaru leaned back against one of the boulders and looked at the wrapped recorder. Smiling, she stretched the bundle of leather towards Adrian. "I made something for you."

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[/html] coding by sie
#6
[html]

Word Count →

.

Adrian and his sister ran across the pack lands towards the glen. They stayed neck and neck the entire way. Adrian could hear both of their hearts pumping fast as the twins pushed themselves to go faster. Adrian had a big smile on his face the entire time. He even laughed one time but stopped because it came out labored. Before too long Adrian could see the glen and glanced over at his sister. He was sure he was going to win, being just a few centimeters ahead of her. But then his foot his something under the snow and he stumbled, his weight going forward as he turned the could be fall into a roll. He saw his sister touch a boulder to his right as he managed to roll on his shoulder and land in a soft pile of snow. Adrian ended up on his back in the snow, panting.

Adrian looked up at his sister's face, laughing though it hurt his already stretching sides. Her face held a grin just like his own. Her tongue was hanging out just like his and her sides were heaving. It wouldn't have been funny except it was Hotaru. The two had a special connection. They were like to pieces of bark that fit together perfectly. When they were together, nothing could stop them. And they were very rarely not together. He saw a side of his sister that she never showed anyone else. When it was just the two of them, Adrian could see the real Hotaru, and he realized how much it meant that she only let him see that side of her. That thought made Adrian's grin spread ever farther across his face as he stood up, covered in snow. He shook himself, throwing some snow onto Hotaru in the process. He just grinned at her and look surprised as she held something out to him. Knowing Hotaru, it could by any number of amazing things. He reached out and took it with barely contained curiosity and excitement.

Adrian unwrapped the leather from the small wooden instrument and inhaled sharply. The wood was beautifully carved and Adrian loved the color. He ran his hand over the carved design, trying to think of something to say. It was very rare that Adrian found himself at a lose of words. The male always had something to say. But he couldn't think of anything that could describe the emotions of awe and wonderment rising up inside of him. He looked from Hotaru to the recorder then grabber Hotaru up in a big hug, lifting her off her fit and spinning her. "I love it. Thank you so much Hotaru. You are the best sister in the world." He said, as he set her down at last, grinning like a big buffoon. He let go of her and experimentally blew on the recorder. The sound was rough but clear. He played a few different notes, experimenting with the note system and where to place his fingers. After he thought he had it down for the most part, he grinned at her. "Want me to play you something? You pick." He said, with an excited look dancing in his eyes. Music was his passion and he was always willing to play. Especially for Hotaru.

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[/html]
#7
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Requested song: The Irish Washerwoman

ooc


In Character

Both wolves were panting hard as the race came to a distinctive finish. Hotaru smiled in triumph, letting the joy and exuberance wash over her as the twins rested for a brief moment. Their faces were a perfect mirror of each other as the two shared their jovial feelings. The connection that the twins shared was absolute. In front of each other, they didn't need pretenses or pretty words. They didn't need to lie or deceive each other.


Hotaru laughed, clutching her sides as Adrian stood. His body was covered in snow, the white powder sticking to his double layered coat in odd locations. His back was almost blanketed with the stuff. However, that didn't last long, once the large male began to shake himself, snow went flying. Hotaru shrieked, Raising her arms to protect her face as bits of snow flung itself at her. Hotaru was tempted to grab a handful of snow and retaliate, but her thoughts strayed to her precious present. It wasn't made out of the most durable wood, an instrument meant to look better than it sounded. Sure, she was an acclaimed genius in woodworking, but instruments took a special hand, one that Hotaru could not master no matter how many hours she practiced. Hotaru's instruments sounded good at best. They were her weakness, the one hurtle she could not pass.


The young female almost wiggled out of her fur in anticipation as she waited for the grand unveiling. Adrian inhaled sharply when he saw the recorder, his fingers running delicately over the rose colored wood. For once, Adrian said nothing and just stared at his sister's creation. Hotaru stood, ears erect as she smiled affectionately. After a few more seconds of disbelief, Adrian scooped Hotaru up in a bear hug. Laughing, she returned the favor, draping her long arms down his strong back as he spun her around. Hotaru nuzzled Adrian as he spoke words of gratitude. "It was nothing, really. Once I saw the wood uncle brought home I just had to make it. Besides, you needed something to keep you out of trouble." Really, it was she who needed something to keep her out of trouble, not the other way around.


Once her brother had set her down, Hotaru settled onto a nearby boulder and stared at the glen as Adrian fiddled with the recorder for a bit. Unlike her, Adrian managed to produce clear notes almost immediately. Hotaru couldn't help but feel a little jealous, although a quick look at the recorder reminded her that she was the one who had made the beautiful instrument. Both wolves were grinning as Adrian offered to play something. Hotaru sat back, touching her chin with her fingers as she assumed her normal thinking posture. One hand supported her erect elbow as she dipped her head slightly. "Hmm... do you think you can play 'The Irish Washerwoman?'" It was a lighthearted piece that Hotaru had heard her brother play before, and was perfect for the mood that the twins were in. Jovial, airy, with a hint of dancing thrown in.


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[/html] coding by sie


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