A Deaf Ear to Joy

[Felypsa]

Cendyne stepped back once as the amberfire approached, but only out of instinct. Actually, her heat did not bother him too much. His mother had exuded a strange kind of warmth that he always found so comforting. Somehow he always equated his mother with warmth, and warmth with his mother. So he was not afraid of this new arrival, though she was unlike anything he had ever encountered before. She was warm, like his mother, and so she could be trusted. In this way, Cendyne still maintained the innocence of a pup.

The amberfire and Spiral spoke; Cendyne observed their maws moving to form the words. His mother had often spoken to him knowing that he couldn’t hear her, but he always understood her. As a result, he had been able to recognize certain words as she formed them with her mouth. Spiral and the amberfire spoke differently than his mother did, but he was able to “read” a few words they spoke.

He caught the fiery wolf’s initial “Greetings,” and relaxed, knowing she posed no threat. He also thought he saw her say “names.” He nodded and smiled, trying to show that they were no threat either, for she seemed as wary of them as they were of her! Thankfully, Spiral was able to explain things. He saw her return the greetings, then recognized the words
“Cendyne,” “deaf,” and “mute.” He knew these three words particularly well, for if his mother ever encountered someone, she would use these words often.

He was worried that Spiral would leave him and go off to become acquainted with this wolf, but to his relief she proved she did not forget him. He read the runes she scrawled into the dirt, and nodded though he did not understand. An amberfire? Was that a species or the wolf’s name? Either way, he attached that word to this strange wolf’s identity. Amberfire. That would explain the warmth.

Then Spiral and the amberfire spoke back and forth, too quickly and too strangely for Cendyne to catch any of the words they exchanged. Cendyne jumped a little when the amberfire jumped, startled by the sudden action, and a little worried. But when he saw everything was safe and secure, he relaxed. Spiral, it seemed, had offered the amberfire water, and she did not seem to like water very much. Perhaps she was explaining why right now. Cendyne stared at her, trying to “read” the words she was saying, but understood none of them.

Cendyne noticed something with the arrival of the amberfire, but attributed it to her brightness and warmth. Yet he was not imagining it; the sun was indeed rising! Dawn was on its way! He nudged Spiral and nodded over to the amberfire, as if to say, Come, follow me. He turned towards the lake and padded to a certain area, where you could see out over the lake with perfect clarity. He loved this time of day: the beginning.

Out by the horizon, where distant lands and water met the sky, a glowing golden-orange orb was rising, sending beautiful rosy colors across the brightening sky. Cendyne loved this especially because the sunrise was silent; one needed no sounds to enjoy it. Mizu Lake was the perfect place to observe it. It was like being treated to a miracle every morning. Cendyne looked over briefly to see if the others were going to join him, but then turned back to face the gorgeous spectacle.

[naxus]

<sup>Naxus looked at the sun and howled a song of happiness. She had finally met two wolves that wre not fleeing her heat. Cendyne looked very friendly, and Naxus' muzzle came down from her howl. She spelt in the thick dirt, 'My name is Naxus. I come in peace, and would love to get to know you better.' Naxus finished the sentance. The sight of the wolf seemed to be more intact than hers, and his touch seemed brilliant as well. Naxus wrote under the first sentance 'Have you eaten?' and waited.

The amberfire spread her brillinatly shining wings to full spread, and they cast a shadow of darkness over the earth. The strands of air and fire spirit were tingling it anticipation of her first flight. The wings started to flap. This new sensation unsettled Naxus' balance, but soon the wolf had taken off in a flurry of fiery fur. For a few seconds, Naxus looked as if flying away, but in fact she came straight back.

"Spiral, that was my first flight. And with it, I have befriended the first wolves. You two I will never forget, all my years of life. It may sound unlikely, but one day I may grow even more." Naxus' body was full of fire and muscle, and she looked unable to grow and more. "When I go, I will see you again, but for now, I will stay with you, my friends. I do not have very good skill, as I have only met four wolves. You, Cendyne, Black and myself. It is most important to meet yourself, I have learnt it through may years of being free."
Naxus was surprised how bold she shounded.</sup>

[Felypsa]

Cendyne did not tear his gaze away from the glorious sight for some time, and when he looked back he observed that there were runes in the dirt. Not written by Spiral, though, but by the ambefire. Cendyne was pleasantly surprised to have found yet aonther wolf to know the same runes he did. Such a thing was rare in deed—fate must be looking out for him.

“Naxus” she called herself. Cendyne smiled at her; it was a nice name. He read the next question; had he eaten? He shook his head, no; he had not eaten since early yesterday. He was surprised to find that he was actually hungry. He was not so good a hunter; his deafness was a disadvantage. His mother did all the hunting when she was around. Cendyne looked at Spiral, wondering if she, too, was hungry. If so, perhaps they could go on a hunting excursion together. Cendyne’s hearing was nonexistent, but his sense of sight and smell was superb.

Naxus’s sudden flight startled Cendyne, making him step back in wonder as she lifted into the air, as if by magic. He had wings, too, like his mother, and in his puphood he would fly around with her. But Naxus’s flight was different from the smooth fluid motions he had gotten used to—her wings sparked and trembled strangely. Cendyne did not realize it was her first time.

When she landed, she began speaking to Spiral, and again, Cendyne tried to follow the conversation. He could only make out “wolves” and his name. But the amberfire seemed very excited and even passionate. Cendyne smiled at Naxus and Spiral both, showing his friendliness, but really, he had no idea what was going on. Something had happened, but it had completely gone over his head. Such was life without sound.

[ookamiprankster]

Spiral smiled. This new wolf seemed friendly, and posed no threat. As for the water, well, that doesn¡¯t matter, but Spiral made a small mental note to not splash in lakes. Cendyne nudged her, and beckoned the Amberfire. He walked towards the lake over to a certain spot. Spiral padded over to him, saying to the fiery wolf ¡°Come. He wants us to follow.¡±
As she neared, she noticed that it was dawn. The sky was beautiful! She had never seen such a sight. The sun was rising, spreading it¡¯s colors across the sky. She looked over at Cendyne and smiled. He looked happy, and she could easily see why. It was a brilliant spectacle. One that took your breath away.

A new beginning, she thought happily. And it was. Her life had changed in a matter of moments. She gazed at her two new companions. They were her first friends, and she would never forget them. She never wanted them to leave, either. She suddenly grew a bit sad at the thought, but pushed it away.

The Amberfire started scrawling something in the sand now. Spiral reluctantly tore her eyes away from the beautiful sunrise to look at what she wrote. Naxus. So that was her name. It fitted her, somehow, as names do.
Then, Naxus spread her wings. Spiral gazed in awe at them, casting a great shadow over the earth. Naxus started to fly away, and Spiral was worried that she would go, but she soon came back.

She explained how that had been her first flight. ¡°Amazing,¡± Spiral breathed. ¡°That was truly amazing.¡± It was. It was the first time she had witnessed any wolf fly. Before, she had thought only Angelic wolves could fly.
¡°Ahh¡­that¡¯s alright,¡± she said, ¡°I too, do not have very good skill either. I have only met You, Cendyne and myself as well.¡±
Turning to Cendyne, she smiled. With her muzzle, she started scrawling in the sand. After a few minutes, she stood back. That was her first flight, it read, with it, she befriended the first two wolves. Us.

[naxus]

^{Naxus looked at the two, "I have caught a young deer in my cave. Yes, I DO have a cave. But the catch is well enough to eat, if you have not." Naxus scribbled her words into the ground. She was pleased Cendyne understodd the way of writing. She was not sure if these two had seen a wolf fly yet, maybe an angelic wolf...she did not know. Her friends seemed amazed, as she was herself.}

ooc: I am sorry it is so short.

[Felypsa]

Cendyne did not have to wait long for understanding, though, as Spiral quickly scrawled out a summary of what had just happened between her and the amberfire. First flight? Cendyne nodded, impressed. His first flight had been long ago, but he did know that it left a lasting impression on him. And Spiral’s declaration of friendship pleased him. At last, not one, but two companions willing to stay with him! Three lonely wolves having found one another were no longer lonely. He could not help but smile, and that smile said it all: he was very happy that these two wolves would be his comrades.

Then Naxus also wrote to him, and her words relieved him. Of course, he had a home as well, a burrow that he had once shared with his mother, but in which now he lived alone. He wrote, I am very happy to accept your offer. I have a home, but I would love to go to yours now. The fact that Naxus was so generous as to share her food delighted and relieved him. It saved him the trouble of going out and relying entirely on scent and sight to catch a prey of his own this morning.

He looked over at Spiral and gestured with his head, towards Naxus, as if to say, Let’s go, shall we? He could hardly believe his luck. These two were so very friendly; he counted his blessings for having found them.

[ookamiprankster]

Cendyne nodded toward her, his signal clear. Spiral looked at Naxus, ¡°thank you very much. I haven¡¯t eaten either. I do not have a cave here, or anywhere for the matter as I have never settled down for more than a few nights.¡± Her stomach growled with hunger right after she had said those words. Spiral blushed in embarrassment. ¡°Sorry,¡± she apologized, ¡°Guess I really do need food.¡± She walked over to Cendyne, giving a happy smile, mouthing out the words ¡°Lets go.¡±