Diorite

Diorite was found wandering the edges of the territory early into Mantodea's lifespan, lost and alone save for a handful of barely-weaned puppies. Blind and looking more than halfway to starvation, Ambergris let her in to their den almost immediately, much to the disapproval of their packmates, who saw her as a fetter more than a potential friend. Still, Diorite stayed, and against the expectations of everyone, she survived.

Diorite was a sickly pup, growing greatly ill for seemingly no reason when she was very young. She has a bad case of catarects, a genetic condition, albeit one that seemed to come out of nowhere, that blind her permanently. While neither of her parents had the same, they still cared for her, even as she grew sicker, and even as she grew stranger. Diorite grew up loved, but sick - and eventually, her pack moved where she could not follow, leaving her with a trio of sickly-looking pups. While neither her nor the pups ever truly grew more healthy-looking, after long enough, it was clear they were here to stay.

Diorite has a story for everything, - imaginative to the end, she spins yarns of fantastical places, far-blown lands with monsters beyond any other wolf's imagination. Blind as she is, it's the common assumption in the pack that her flights of fancy are a result of her having little else to do but be lost in her own mind, picturing the world that she rarely steps out into. Still, this penchant for story has her well-loved by the pups of the pack, and by those who have the time and appreciation for storycraft to sit down and listen. She is one of the few members of the pack not offput by Dove and Magpie's death-touched pelts, though some may say it's simply because she can't see them, and maintains a warm relationship with both.

While she could have learned to be a hunter, with time and patience, or a healer, or even learned the ropes of one of the more esoteric roles that the pack needs, Diorite's true passion lies in puppies. Taking up permanent residence in Firelight Cave, Diorite keeps watch on the pups at every opportunity that she can, keeping them safe and warm and entertained. She's had no lack of puppies of her own, as well, Jasper, Fire Quartz, and Pietersite only a single litter. She has never lost a pup, and it is entirely possible that she never will.

She considers most of the pup to be "her" pups, in one way or another, and while the older wolves may consider this claim otherwise, the puppies often agree. She's an additional parent, a staple of the pack life - the den would not be the same without Diorite sitting in the nursery, spinning tales about antlered roosters and cats with the hindquarters of a snake. The pups are safe with her, and Diorite will make certain that, if there is a threat, it will not reach the puppies.

As feeble as her body appears, after all, Diorite is not lacking in strength. Her legs may creak and groan on long walks, but in short bursts, she is faster than nearly any other wolf in the pack. Her teeth hold the strength of a steel-jaw bear trap, her paws never slipping or faltering on the stone of the den she calls her home. Her ears are sharp, but her nose is sharper, and she has an uncanny ability to tell the intentions of even total strangers. The pups are safe with her - because she will not allow them to be anything but, and any intruder is likely to discover firsthand what sorts of raw fury she can bring to bear.

The flipside of this, of course, is that Diorite is as frighteningly possessive over her pups as she is over defending the nursery. From when they're born to when they grow old enough to hunt and make their own decisions, Diorite will defend them with a passion, and will refuse any attempt to separate them, even if it's otherwise necessary. Diorite will get herself sick cuddling with sickly pups before she will allow them to be taken away from her, never more than a few feet away until the moment they grow old enough to hunt. She will steadfastly refuse any attempt to allow one to leave to another pack unless it is a decision that pup makes themself, no matter the potential advantages, and will claw the ears off of anyone who attempts to take them away.

There is no reason for this, if you ask her family. There is little reason, as well, if you ask Diorite herself. Her reasoning is flimsy, after all, flimsy and irrational and foolish., as even she could tell you, and so she wouldn't tell anyone but those closest to her. Still, the faint memories remain - a phantom of a memory, from when she was very, very young. An image, however faded, of being left behind, of the warm scent of her mother dropping her by a stranger's side and leaving her behind. A ghost of being abandoned.

Diorite knows it's a silly thought. She didn't leave her mother's side nearly at all until she was practically an adult, after all. But still, it beckons, a faint memory going against all logic in the back of her mind.

Something tells her that she was never meant to linger so long in this world. But everything she has ever had is here, and she will fight tooth and claw to stay with the only home she has ever truly known, even if it taxes her more than anything.

Diorite has been in this realm for long enough that her false pelt is tattered and falls strangely around her ribs. She is sick, and she looks sicker, like she is a second from death. Her puppies grow up strange and thin, more accustomed to this world than their dam, but looking emaciated even in the peak of their health. Pieces of her poke through her disguise, features that are not wolf, features that do not belong on a mortal - but she does not abandon her disguise. This is the world she was raised in. Why would she ever abandon it? She was raised by mortals, she has never so much as spoken to the Faerie besides to chase them from her dens.

She has a place in this mortal world, now. She belongs here, in a way she has never belonged among those who share blood with her, in a way that it is hard to truly put into words. She will do anything to remain.

Former eyes: Green
Former skin: Corrupt
Former nose: Antumbral
Former claws: Corrupt

DON'T FORGET: retire at 7y 6m