A brave new world [Charon/Sunrise/Open]

The beach; a place where others would often think of it as a warm place with the hot sand and bearable ocean water where it was comfortable to play in. It was summer now and the skies were partly cloudy so the sun sometimes hid behind fluffy puffs. The salty, fishy breeze blew in and scented the area with it. Charon got into the habit of constantly patrolling the most of Kumari that didn't belong to a pack. Calling it such though he wouldn't agree with and if anyone asked, he was just 'moseying by', though he would say it wouldn't be any of their business either. Nonetheless, it gave himself an excuse to get out and a reason to his exploring habits. If he met anyone he knew, then its just more for him to know as to what they're up to. If it's a new acquaintance, then it's another mental tally for those of he knows of who reside in Kumari. One would think he's keeping a silent watch over everyone when it's just he's privy and has to know everything.

Charon took a whiff of the salty air and the first thought that came to mind was how much he hated salt water in his fur. He didn't go as far as the sandy beach but stayed where it was a little bit higher and there was grass underneath his paws. Plus it was more shady and he stayed cooler rather than the heat warming his body. Staying at a walking's pace, he was in no hurry. Seeing the beach and waves crashing reminded him of a recent event, last year or sometime other, when he saw some aquatic wolf who looked part mermaid. There was a wonder as to where the guy went but Charon hasn't seen him since. Maybe he swam off to another place or still lurks in the ocean?

Speaking of, teal eyes came upon another individual whose direction indicated he was coming from the ocean as well. Maybe it was the same one he was just thinking about. Either way, it's still odd to see a wolf originate from the ocean, as it may seem. Stopping to watch, Charon silently observed the unknown wolf slowly venture to the grassy area the bordered the sand, mumbling to himself something. For now, he just wondered and speculated, not wanting to do any confronting. If the other notices him, fine, but if not, then perhaps Charon could stalk and only would tell him how clueless the other was to his presence.

Charon could make out from the other wolf's gruff voice that he was a male, but he only continued to mumble to himself incomprehensibly. It either was a foreign tongue or Charon's hearing wasn't what it used to be. Lifting a paw to the side of his head, he used the back side of his wrist to rub vigerously, digging as far as he could to maybe loosen up any wax buildup. Finished, he inspected the back of his wrist for maybe something that he may have dug out. Nothing. Shaking himself out and erecting his ears again to listen more, the stranger stopped to pick at himself, getting seaweed and sand from his fur. The wolf seemed disgusted and Charon couldn't deny his own sentiments towards that.

Watching under the comfort of the shade of a nearby tree and despite it being a shadowed area, the day was just to bright and sunny for him to evade the sight of the stranger, as his heterochromiac eyes looked directly at his dark form. Charon's thick tail swayed from side to side casually, arched in a neutral manner. The other male wolf carried on cleaning himself the best he could, ignoring Charon's presence the best he could. However, after a moment or two, the male acted as if he saw a ghost, his features draining and even taking a step back. Shaking whatever it was away, opening his eyes, he checked himself in wonder. 'Who was this guy?', Charon's expression became confused as he only thought this question.

In that amount of time, the stranger traveled up to where the sand turned to grass, though it seemed he experienced some sort of episode. Charon failed to noticed the soft glow that eminated from his steps. Again, the male spoke in some odd tongue that even he has never heard before. It sounded like some language, but was close to another. Maybe some obscure german dialect? He was on guard and in turn Charon tensed a little. They didn't know each other and such was to be expected. But it seemed that the stranger was trying to converse with him and the immortal was fumbling as to what to say. It has been forever, it would seem, that he spoke his mother tongue to speak with another. "Eh, uh... sprechen Sie Deutsch?... Norske?... eh...", he cleared his throat some, "России , может быть?" Charon picked languages that he felt most comfortable speaking in that maybe this stranger knew of. "English, do you speak English?" He grew a little impatient as his tail swished. For now he kept his distance and perhaps he struck somewhere this guy could speak with him.

The stranger was noticeably still sopping wet, even with the hot beach air blowing in from the coast. Was he shivering from the still cool seawater that clung to his fur or was he afraid of Charon? The male stared at him and Charon stared back, eyeing each other and possibly sizing the other up. Charon wasn't so much defensive as he was curious and wondered what the other wolf would do. The sooty colored wolf remained motionless, ears erect and eyes glaring. That is, until the stranger moved his eyes away to look to the ground. This was when Charon also noticed that there were glowing paw-prints where he male had previously walked. An oddity, indeed. Was the stranger doing this on purpose or was this involuntary? Either way, probably something he shouldn't touch. It was different from the usual elemental abilities he was used to seeing with others whom he has faced.

Speaking in an unknown tongue that Charon has yet to hear, the immortal tried communicating in some other languages he knows of, maybe finding common ground. Going through a few and the male still silent, for some reason Charon grew impatient quickly and with a huff, asked if he finally could speak English. The first moment from the stranger: a nod in affirmative. Finally! The male's gruff voice finally spoke words that Charon could recognize. 'Well why didn't ya in the first place?', his mind spoke silent thoughts.

Unconsciously following the slight relaxing body posture the stranger took, Charon shifted his weight to one side, muscles not so tense anymore. With a little hesitation, the male spoke again, asking some predictable questions. At least it seems he's not from around here, as if his odd language wasn't enough of a hint. He even assumed that Charon should know of it. "No, at least not around here. I ain't nev'r heard of it... No matter, at least you do speak the common tongue and we can understand each other. Yer on a continent called Kumari, stranger. Yer gonna 'ave to get used to this language, as far as I know, no one else speaks this 'Vulftung', as you call it." Charon's demeanor remained quite neutral and indifferent; and other's who know of him would insist this is about as friendly he gets with most. The stranger continued to cringe and shiver with the seawater weighing him down. What should he do with him though? Bid him farewell and continue wandering or guide the male to the nearest stream at least and point him towards the way where he wouldn't find too much trouble? Charon could barely stand the stench of the seawater and fish coming from him anymore. He sighed 'Why am I doing this?' "There's a freshwater stream not too far inland."

The older wolf relaxed as he himself did, but then Charon offered his answers to his questions. It would seem that they weren't the answers that he was looking for. Charon noticed that his body tensed up and just froze. Was the older one suddenly in fear of something? Charon noticed some sort of internal battle was going on as he tried to think and comprehend what he has heard. It was obvious before that the stranger was not of this area and perhaps he doesn't remember how he got here. For all that Charon knew, the last thing that this elder knew of was that he was with his family or at least with someone he knew and a place he could call home. As sad and tragic it sounds, Charon didn't care. The last thing he wanted was to get mixed up in the affairs of someone who just washed up on Kumari shore. For now, he remained silent and allowed the male figure out his thoughts. If he could read the thoughts of another, Charon would find the old one to be quite the melodramatic, questioning everything and anything.

Charon heard the shiff of the grass as the stranger placed a paw on the ground, closing his eyes and seemingly concentrating. A moment or so passes before a blue glow emanates from underneath that paw. Revealing the blue light to him, Charon saw that a glowing blue pawprint floated. It was similar to the other glowing prints as he noticed earlier. Eyes narrowed and Charon got defensive at the odd ability this one seemed to have. "Don't be tryin' anything suspicious", he warned. Just then, the stranger mumbled something, something about a new cycle and accepting it. What was he talking about? He was turning out to be quite the character already.

Offering to take the older male to a stream nearby to wash off, he accepts, but asks for a moment. Charon reluctantly nods, wondering what else would have to be done that's so pertinent over his generous offer. Cautiously, Charon took a step or two back as he watched the other step into this floating colored pawprint. Even though he told him not to try anything funny, Charon wasn't quite ready to trust the old one. Electric zaps and static crawled over the elder as he stepped, which caused Charon's heart to leap in surprise, the fur on his neck raising momentarily. Going through, what looked like, another episode like before, only seconds passed until the old male stumbled back some. He whispered something again, but Charon couldn't make much of it out as his voice seemed out of breath. Once he had calmed, he declared he was ready. Charon wasn't so sure. "You sure?" He questioned as his actions told otherwise. The stranger grieved over whatever that pawprint was and soon joined up with Charon. Going ahead, he made sure to keep the elder to his side rather than directly behind, but still leading the way.

Asking of his name, Charon really didn't like offering his name to others before he knew theirs, especially if they referred to him as young. He felt a pulse in his temple before quickly calming himself. The stranger did look almost double his biological age and Charon constantly needed to remind himself that he indeed tried to keep his true age a secret and not everyone else knew of it. "Only if you promise to give me yours, old timer..." With a pause, he looked back to him to verify if he would. He continued, "You may call me Charon." If the stranger had anything else to ask, he supposed he would answer, but it would have to depend. Right now though, the salty air was wafting away and the smell of the grassy plain was filling his nose. Every once in a while though, an upwind would come from behind and blow the other wolf's stentch towards him. Really need to find that stream or river soon. He knew if he continued straight inland, he would find it. With that, he veered off to the right.

The sound of crashing waves were soon muffled by the sound of their paws stepping, the grass shuffling and crunching underneath. The stranger that Charon had found that had washed up on the beach, followed at his flank and could be seen out of his peripherals. Despite offering his guidance, he slightly regretted it because the stench of the sea was following him. The sooner they reach a creek or stream would be the better. In the meantime, the old one asked of his name. In turn, Charon demanded the elder speak his name first. After all, he was the one who was at the mercy of Charon at the moment. Fortunately, he complied. Turning his head, ears turned to listen, erect. With undivided attention, teal eyes looked to him. He explained what had just happened and how it connected to his namesake. A pity, his name being his title from where he hails from. But maybe that's also the norm? Who knows. In any case, it sounds like a prestigious title, Charon thought to himself as Graal had introduced himself. Offering his own name in return, Charon was glad he cooperated rather than made a big fuss like some others have in the past. He felt knowledge of his name should be earned and only he judges when it is thus earned. It could be as little as the other offering theirs first or gaining his respect in various ways.

"'Growl'? Did I hear right?", Graal's accent may have marred his name and confused Charon in hearing it correctly. Continuing briefly, Charon countered, "Nonsense, you should be proud of such'a label. Wherever you hail from, you must be quite the dignitary." He fell quiet to allow Graal to answer his question. If what the old one said was true, then Charon could respect such duties.

Tail flicking from time to time, silence wedged in between them. Not much for small talk anyway, Charon was perfectly fine with silence as they walked. Slowly, Charon was heading off to the right, heading more south than east, which where the streams were. He did this subconsciously, not noticing he was going more and more off track. A breeze flowed through his sooty colored fur. Graal spoke up with another question; about the humans. It almost sounded like that he was expecting the humans to be different here than where he was from. "I guess the same as any other? Stupid, eccentric, selfish and power-hungry creatures that have no regard for their surroundings." Turning his head, he looked to Graal, "Are they different from where you come from?"

A bushy tail swished above the small body of the sun wolf. The pattern on her back shifted to and fro as little paws carried her over the ridge line. The earth began to shift from grassy to gritty as the beach neared. The stream off to her right burbled and bubbled as it made it's way down from the mountains. The water clear, and lovely. The leathery nose at the end of her muzzle worked busily, as she had found herself further from home for longer periods of time. There was far too much to explore within these lands. Many new scents that kept her ever curious about the world around her.

A scent struck her familiar. Her tail wagged above her back as she knew exactly who it was. Though, there was a new and unfamiliar scent wit him. Una's head tilted slightly as she thought weather or not to approach. She stuck out like a sore thumb amidst the green. Her pelt a mix of oranges, yellows and soft reds. Curiosity got the better of her, and she could not help the desire to find out who the stranger was. Strange that she enjoyed so much meeting new people, even if it did get her into trouble more often then she would admit. A yip, and she was off and following the pair. Not trailing too close, but close enough to see them. Una was curious, but she was growing more cautious as she spent more time out and about.

Charon looked to be in top form, as always... yet the stranger was quite the opposite. Her ears perked and she got an idea. Swiftly she rushed off, her nose to the ground. She knew of a few hidden rabbit dens around here, as they liked to comb the beach for seaweed. Just outside one of their dens, upwind she waited for one to peek out. Wide eyed and patient she waited in ambush. Ten minutes went by before she saw a pair of ears stick out from the den. Muscles bunched in anticipation she waited for the rabbit to emerge fully. In a quick bound she over took the small unsuspecting animal and bit its neck to kill it. Taking it up into her jaws she ran back to where she had last seen the walking pair. A look around and she spotted the two walking together still.

Her jaws lowered and she set the rabbit down. A loud bark, and she made her presence known. If they hadn't already picked up the scent. Her tail swayed slightly side to side, and she picked up the rabbit once more. Una knew better then to just run up on others so she waited for them to turn around. Rabbit in her mouth she waited.

(I hope you don't mind me popping into this thread)

Graal apologizes for the horrific stench he was giving off and even being mostly out of his control, Charon was a little peeved by it. He could swear his olfactory was slowly melting away. Taking a risk by cutting off a sense, ice manifested just inside his nostrils to plug up the smell that Graal was emitting. Oh, that felt much better. Hopefully he didn't sound all nasally, giving away something that might upset the ol' wolf.

Unable to pronounce his name correctly, or perhaps hearing it wrong, Charon asked the elder if he did in fact hear it right. Either way, it sounded like an odd name, even if it was in his native tongue. Instead of correcting him, Graal actually commended him on the pronounciation. This led to a short explaination of the origins of Graal's namesake. His anscestors seemed to have simplistic natures in naming. Charon could remember those times, though his parents had to name him and his brother such exorbent names that had meaning, weight. Graal's story was interesting nonetheless and with the few more times saying it, the 'younger' wolf think he understood better. "'Graal'... to think a name would come frommuh simple sound that we make."

Remarking that the title that has been bestowed upon Graal by his peers or elders of his home sounded special in the least, this made the old one chuckle. Perhaps too generous. Graal humbled himself, talking down that his place was relatively low on the totem pole. Charon countered again, speaking his own form of wisdom. "Ev'ryone has their place and are as important as any other. Sure beats being an Alpha, leading and bein' in charge of ev'rythin', with little freedom. At least you get to travel and get to do what you want, tellin' stories." Not quite fully understanding what Graal stated about not taking a pack until late in life, he didn't pursue it. If he did hear right however, it didn't sound like he really belonged to a place at the moment and didn't have a place to go back to. But maybe hear right. It seemed like he was having a hard time understanding the old wolf.

The humans were on Graal's mind, suddenly wondering what they were like here. This made Charon think that maybe Graal's humans and the humans here were different. He couldn't imagine humans being any different. Straight up insulting the humans as a race, he explained to Graal. Agreeing at first, it sounded like Graal was used to similar situations. However continuing, he wasn't making much sense, trailing off. "You actually think humans have potential? All's they care about is themselves. Even then they fight each other over petty things." Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.

A bark came from off in the distance. Having since plugged up his nose, Charon didn't notice the approach. Hackles jittered, startled. Looking around where he heard it come from, there was familiarity in the bark. Eventually, there was a glimmer of golden fur and he instantly recognized who it was. Returning with a few barks of his own, he told the female that she was able to approach.

Charon's reaction to her brought a slightly amused look to her eyes. Ever the edgy one. When he barked back at her and Graal greeted her, she picked up the large hare and trotted down to them. Her tail waved behind her like a flag as she made her way down to them. She slowed as she approached, and then set the hare down at their feet. Her pink tongue grazed over her maw and she bowed her head in return greeting. "Hello there" she said softly, her Russian accent thick in her words. "I um, brought you something to eat..." She said, her ears back a little bit atop her head.

Bright eyes watched the two, and her sun pelt shimmered slightly in the sunlight. Her tail fanned slowly behind her as she looked at them. When Graal apologized for the smell, she shook her head lightly. "Do not worry, or apologize. The river is just up ahead, and you will be refreshed in no time. She said and then looked between him and Charon. "May I accompany you as well?" She asked, not wanting to intrude on them by assuming they would let her tag along.

Countering with unbearably true facts about the humans, Graal answers Charon's half rhetorical question about the human's potential. In truth they have advanced quite a lot in the two hundred years or so he was non-existent mortal plane. But he didn't want to admit that. Indeed, he did despise the humans and their mettle with his kind and other wildlife. And then there were humans who could take the shape just like him or Graal and most would be none the wiser of their true form. He listened to the elder with his own wisdom, he didn't want to absorb what he was saying but it was difficult as Graal spoke of how close his clan was with the humans. "Tch. Never heard'a such'a thing. United together... You must'a lived on another planet, er somethin'. Hardly like that anythin' here." Graal was in for a rude awakening if he expected of such a thing here. Humans were the same no matter where he's been. He couldn't believe such a thing and with his tone, probably rather ignorantly discredited Graal's past experiences as rubbish.

His mood beginning to tinge with sourness with the topic of humans, perhaps it was a good thing that Una had showed up. Always cautious, his body prepared for the unexpected, however quickly relaxed after what he saw. Granting Una approach, there was a pause until the three were at a comfortable distance from one another. She seemed upbeat like usual. It also seemed she had a snack that she got for herself just recently. Charon could smell how fresh the blood was. Licking her chops clean, she greeted them both. Although she said that she brought him something to eat, Charon wasn't so sure whether she meant him or Graal. Suspecting himself as it would seem odd to offer a complete stranger a premeditated snack, Charon instantly wanted to deny it. He could get his own food just fine, and still rather sexist, also didn't need no female fetching his food for him. Thinking twice, what little manners and etiquette he did have, he thought of a different way to answer. "I think our, eh, smelly friend here could appreciate the food more than myself." Charon chortled as he poked fun at Graal. Overly self-conscious as he's been, Graal apologized for the fishy stench.

Having a similar idea as he did, Una offered the nearby stream that he was on his way to. "That's where we're headin', actually." Charon confirmed with her and upon hearing it, she then asked to come along with them. Failing to see the purpose of her coming along since it was Graal who was in need a bath, it was her time that she would be using, not his, so he didn't care. He shrugged and neutrally said, "Sure, I don't mind... Though I suppose it's up to him anyway.", Charon gestured to Graal.

Once it was all settled, Charon would lead the group towards the stream once again.

(Sorry for my delay)