•○ Nyoka ○•

On the 27th of October, a strange pup was born to Raccoon & Heartbeat. Startled, Raccoon began to neglect the pup, as well as attempt to hide it from Heartbeat, in fear of what he might think of it. The pack believed it to be a curse, a bad omen on for what's to come. Raccoon knew this pup would not live long, and she silently hoped her neglect would bring the pup to a quicker end.

But as time passed, the pup did not grow weaker, it merely stayed the same. The pup was still alert, and lively, despite it's back legs bringing a great deal of fatigue. The pack leader, Croop, began to notice this herself, questioning it greatly. Puzzled, she asked Raccoon for permission to take the pup to The Great Stone.

The Great Stone is a large, marbled stone of similar shape to a shard of quartz. If you offer the right items, as well as a drop of blood from a wolf of your pack, the stone will begin to illuminate, and wolves from the past, the dead, will speak with you.

Croop decided that the only way to figure out what the meaning of this peculiar, undying pup meant, was to speak with the dead. It was then she decided that against Racoon's wishes, she would approach Heartbeat about it, her beta male. His first instinctual reaction to the pup was fear, followed by confusion when told the pup was sired by him. He rejected the information at first, stating he had never even seen the pup before. Croop explained that Raccoon had been hiding her from him, and that he was the only possible father.

After more conversation, he finally was able to accept that the pup belonged to him, and though Croop expected him to reject the pup completely because of her defect, it seemed he had an unusually deep care and concern for the pup. This was abnormal for Heartbeat, as he typically does not build connections with his pups, aside from Xerces.

Croop explains that she approached him about this because she wants him to accompany her on the journey to The Great Stone, that it may help build the connection to the dead, if the pup they are conversing about has a paternal figure to accompany it. Heartbeat agrees they could benefit, and so they approach Jienai, the Herbalist at the time.

Jienai looks over the pup, searching for any other abnormalities. She explains she's never seen a defect like this before, and explains she's only heard of distant packs suddenly seeing pups like this born as well, however, a lot of them pass on quite quickly. She tells them it could very well be a curse, or a blessing. She agrees speaking with the passed on would be beneficial, to see what this pup in particular means for the pack. She also hesitantly explains that if the pup is a curse, that she may need to be returned to from whence she came, implying the pup may need to be killed. Heartbeat quickly gets heated and defensive of his pup, protesting and saying that he will not surrender his pup to death regardless. Jienai tells him gently that she may pass on her own, but if this pup causes great harm to the pack and does not pass, that other wolves may try to end it on their own, and warns of great chaos and could cause apocalypse, causing the pack to be torn apart. Croop says nothing, her face displaying her distraught thoughts. Jienai, moving on, noses over three items over to Croop, a lump of charcoal, a bone from a crow, and an amethyst shard, saying it should summon them efficiently. She also states that it may be better for the blood to come from Heartbeat, since he is related to the pup they want to speak about. He agrees immediately, no hesitation, anything to help the situation.

The journey from their territory to the Stone would usually take about a day and a half, including rest, but the pup proved to be a challenge for that. Between taking turns carrying her, as well as extra resting periods, it took about 2 days instead. Croop was prepared to offer some of her last milk to the pup, but they found that the pup was beginning to eat solids, as long as it was small enough, or pre-chewed. This made things a lot easier on Croop, since making milk is difficult for her body, especially now that she is older. But the hunts for small prey definitely took a decent chunk of their time.

When they finally arrived, they took an extended break, healing their bodies from the hardship of carrying the pup. When they were well rested, they finally took the pup inside the caverns, traveling deep into the ground where the air grew musty and still. Heartbeat, having never traveled there, was beginning to panic, feeling like he was losing his breath. Croop assured him that all was well, and as they reached the opening with The Great Stone, all was calm. An opening from the top of the cavern shone moonlight onto the stone, causing it to shine bright, even if the offering had not yet been placed. Drawing a circle in the dust and dirt on the cavern ground in front of the Stone, she placed the offering items inside, arranging them just right. Croop bites the back of Heartbeat's neck as gently as she can, taking a drop of his blood and placing it in the middle of the items.

The Great Stone instantly lights up, a starry mist beginning to swirl around it gracefully. Suddenly, two wolves from the pack's past, Jean, a past herbalist, as well as Davorin, a past Beta male. The two of them stand in front of the group for a moment, taking in the living world. After a moment, Jean approaches the small pup, nudging Heartbeat away despite his feeble physical protest. Jean places her head atop the pup's. closing her eyes. Stars fall from Jean onto the pup, sitting on her fur rather than sinking through. Jean opens her eyes, observing for a moment before her eyes brighten and she smiles. "This pup, what is her name?" Heartbeat approaches, licking the pup's head, "Orca." he decides. Jean's eyes widen as she chuckles a bit. "Ah, the killer whale. Such a fierce name for such a small she-wolf. However, I can see the resemblance." She noses at her fused legs, a clear resemblance to a fin, as well as her black and white fur. "Well, this little one is not bad news, be assured." She speaks softly as to not startle the now sleeping pup. "The stars rested on her fur, rather than sunk. This is good, as sinking stars are a sign of trouble to come, as her body would be rejecting their light. But the resting stars show that the body is accepting of the brightness, and brightness will come to your pack," she pauses, looking at Croop with sorrow.

"However, my dear Croop, you are getting older, it is time you prepare to assign your next leader." She brightens a bit, looking at her with hope. "But, it means a new beginning for the pack, which can be good if you place the pack in the right paws." Davorin steps forward, touching his nose to Croop's. "We will be here to welcome you, when it is time. Do not fret, you will be ready, too." Croop nods, a deep sad, but accepting expression. "I understand." Jean turns her attention back to the pup, "As for little Orca, you may be curious as to why she hasn't passed on yet." Heartbeat's expression grows quickly concerned, worried for bad news. "This pup, has been granted immortality from an ancient, ancient wolf by the name of Canista." She pauses, glancing from wolf to wolf. "It is a lot to take in, but this pup will be able to grant much wisdom and knowledge to your pack, as she is not only immortal, but gifted." Heartbeat, a bit anxious but excited, steps forward towards his pup, licking her ears as she lets out a small whimper. "Gifted?" Jean nods, "Yes, very gifted indeed. She has been granted the ability to share dreams with the dead. This could be very beneficial to the pack, as long as it used only when needed and not taken advantage of. Otherwise," She pauses, looking at them sternly. "The blessing could become a curse. You must be wise, and warn your future leader of this, that is why I brought up your impending retirement. You MUST pick a wolf who shares your values, a wolf as similar to yourself as possible." Croop exchanges glances with Heartbeat, a knowing look shared between them.

Jean nods at them, continuing on. "You must help this young pup to speak, so that she can share her dreams with the wolves she feels need to know the information. I recommend that she spends most of her time with the herbalist, as an herbalist can help to interpret said dreams," She pauses, her body beginning to fade away, stars drifting back into the stone.

"But be careful and wise with this one, she is a great power, whether that power lead to great benefit or ultimate destruction. That is in your paws."

• Previous Pack Spent: 50
• I Spent Total: 313Gc
• Trade buyout: 250gc
• 6 Marking Removals: 6gc
• 2 Marking Opacity: 2gc
• 1 Akhlut Marking App: 55gc