| Welcome to Environ. We hope you enjoy your visit. You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free. Join our community! If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features: |
- Pages:
- 1
- 2
| Life, Love, Adventure; Aztec the Wolf goes on a crazy ride... | |
|---|---|
| Tweet Topic Started: Aug 25 2011, 06:45 PM (640 Views) | |
| Owlstar | Aug 25 2011, 06:45 PM Post #1 |
![]()
|
The life of a captive animal is a simple one, too say the least. Food is handed out on silver platters and the ways of the wild are just distant memories in soft minds. Few even know the world beyond their chain-link fences. Aztec is no exception. Raised by people away from other wolf contact, he has become the epitome of a zoo animal. He is docile and willing, no better than a domestic lap dog in his behavior. His life would be dull torture for any wild animal, though his enclosure supplies the "basic needs" of any animal. There was a place to sleep, a place to drink and something to eat. In Aztec's home there are even play things, but with his calm disposition and lazy tendencies from his easy upbringing they bring little amusement. All he desires is the company of humans, a poor comparison to life as a true Gray Wolf. A glimpse of the sun... Aztec's day was the usual drabness, though in his clouded perspectives the day was most interesting. Through the clouds the sun shone and he happily stretched out beneath the warming rays. A he lounged carelessly, observing his keeper with a cool eye. His yellow oculars lacked the fierce finesse of his wild cousins. Though his observing talents proved untouched, instantly, as the keeper ambled through the enclosure, something was surely different about him. His gait was not quite the same, not as active. Aztec adored his keepers with the love of a devoted pet. On most days, he would greet them with tentative whines and a tucked tail as he licked at their faces. Though, on this particularly warm day he didn't want to leave his precarious spot of warmth. A slight worry rose in him, he wondered if his keeper was hurt! The keeper was a pack member in all senses and it caused him to sit up and peer with renewed caution. Striding towards in den at a gentle trot, he watched his keeper with growing concern. It was such times when he cursed the language barrier between them. All he could do was whimper and shift towards the keeper. His eyes locked with the human and in that moment he tried to convey his emotion in a universal language. All he could see on other end was sadness and he quickly relocated his eyes to his paws. A few minutes later the keeper left hurriedly and Aztec kept his eyes low, avoiding further, very confusing, contact. Strange behavior... He began to think heavily about what it meant, about what it could mean. Aztec was a thinker, though his imagination was not vast, his thoughtfulness and philosophies were based off his human contact. He had begun to think in ways like them, though his were vastly simpler. A wild animal would be too busy surviving to delve into contemplative thought too deeply. After he had thought the topic to death, he began to wander towards his neighbors' fence. He has been raised with them; ever since he could crawl he'd been in the company of a very quiet, tolerant Pallas's Cat. He has been called Romulus though he certainly no founder of a great city, if he was given the chance, he would probably politely refuse and continue to chase mice. Aztec loved him greatly and often asked for his steady advice. The Conversation.. "Romulus!" He yipped quietly, pressing his snout against the chain-link fence. The distinct smell of the small wild cats entered his nose, Romulus was out today but so was Bella. Aztec was always nervous towards the female, she feared him and on their first meeting she had given him a painful slash to the nose. For many reasons, he hoped Romulus came alone. "Come on, Rom, I need some advice!" Out from the shade of his alpine trees, the furry frame of Romulus came into sight. He was looking ruffled and a bit scruffier than usual. A smile worked its way onto his short muzzle as he saw Aztec, though it was fleeting. "Aztec, it's been too long, especially since we are practically cage mates." A feline grin appeared, and then faded. "I cannot stay long, friend, Bella, as you know, does not approve of us." A dry chuckle escaped his lips, "I can't blame her, you are a dog and I am a cat." "I promise to be brief." Aztec smiled, it was simply a comfort to be near a long time friend. He wished Rom and Bella the best, though he occasionally grew envious. A slight twitch of an ear shook off the feelings. "Well, Rom, one of my keepers is acting very strangely. I really can't make it out. He seemed to be sad, but I couldn't look him in the eye. It is very difficult to communicate with these people." He gave an affirming nod, as if it adding meaning to his statement. "I'd like to know what's wrong, he's a pack mate!" Romulus seemed to be deep in thought before he began to respond. His words were slow and measured and carried a certain amount of age and experience that made him trustable. "I think there isn't a lot you can do, Aztec. We animals cannot tamper with man...Give him affection and loyalty. I'm sure whatever is ailing him will pass." Romulus's Advice The wolf regarded his friend closely and then thought quietly for a moment. Slowly, a nod formed and he bobbed his head in agreement. "Yes, I think you're right. A man's doing is their own and I shouldn't mess with it. I will give him true loyalty, like a good animal should." Aztec phased into deep thinking and Romulus sat there for awhile looking equally as contemplative. Weather they were thinking the same things was not obvious. Aztec looked up after awhile and was surprised by Romulus's continued presence. "You can leave now Rom; don't want to keep you from Bella!" Rom chuckled and nodded, "I agree, I'm sure she will be in a right hissy fit when I return. We were in the middle of grooming, and I say, the time has gotten away from me." He glanced at the sky, which was partially covered in clouds; the sun had crawled over the crest of the sky and was inching down into the horizon. "I will be off than Aztec! I hope to see you again soon." The Gray Wolf smiled toothily and nodded, "Soon." He agreed and the Pallas's Cat meandered back into the undergrowth and was quickly out of site. Aztec headed in the opposite direction and into his comfortable stone den, fresh hay had been placed and he happily rolled in the fragrant stalks. With his spare energy expelled, he quickly fell into a deep slumber. A deep slumber... His dreams were fraught with mysterious noises and things he could see just out of the corner of his eye. Near the end of his dream, he was transported to strange places, distant places he has never seen before. There was snow beneath his paws and it felt so real and then suddenly, he would be on the crest of a dune, with his paws burning. Aztec woke up suddenly, his breathing harsh. He had a sudden desire to go out and relieve his anxiety, walking a familiar path that circled his fenced territory. After a few circles he settled near a familiar tree, sighing with relief. But he began to hear voices, whispered but still there and the sound of feet. His yellow eyes gleamed in the moonlight, but he couldn't locate them. They smelled of humans and they were all around him. Fear! Panicked into frenzy, he crouched low in submission, unsure of what to do. They were all around him, he was sure of it. Aztec squeezed his eyes closed and hoped it was all just a frightening dream. But as the voices increased in volume, a sharp pain on his haunches snapped him out of his stupor. He yelped and whipped around, seeing the faces of the humans that had frightened him so. His own keeper was amongst them, he felt betrayal seep into his bones as he became drowsier and drowsier. Finally, his eyes couldn't stay open any longer and he collapsed onto his side. Edited by Owlstar, Aug 25 2011, 06:45 PM.
|
![]() |
|
| BrittanyLauren | Aug 25 2011, 09:49 PM Post #2 |
![]()
|
I really like your story so far! |
![]() |
|
| nats | Aug 27 2011, 01:24 AM Post #3 |
![]()
|
I love your shots so far, great pictures, and I also love the story so far - it should be an interesting story and I wonder what'll happen to Aztec. |
![]() |
|
| GouramiMan | Aug 28 2011, 05:45 AM Post #4 |
![]() ![]()
|
I really like the story! I never have seen a story like this before. |
![]() Thanks Tosca for the awesome banner and avatar! Current projects: Reef fishes | |
![]() |
|
| Owlstar | Aug 28 2011, 08:21 PM Post #5 |
![]()
|
PART 2 A great wall surrounded an icy stretch, frosty trees and jagged rocks scattered the plain. It was a strange place, cold and desolate with the warm sky smiling from above him. A frigid breeze circled in the enclosed place. Aztec lay half asleep, half unconscious in a snow drift, his light fur almost disappearing into the snow. Slowly, he was flickering back into consciousness, his eyes coming into focus. Waking...The first thing he noticed was the biting cold that nipped through his thin fur. Shocked, he lifted his head, a pounding headache raged in his skull as he examined his surroundings. In all his life, he had never seen such a strange place. In his sheltered home he had never set paw on any frosted substance, indoor enclosures had been provided. Aztec stood and backed up, his paws were skidding in the snow, and he was panicked and terrified. Where were his humans? He had seen them; they had made him to sleep. A petty whimper escaped from his lips as the cold are bit his nose. His sheltered life had been suddenly taken away from him in one night, he felt sick and betrayed. Now, he didn't know what to do. There were no humans to comfort him and his beloved keepers weren't there to give him something to eat. His stomach was starting to rumble fitfully. Picking up some courage he stepped forward, as his paw resettled it sank right into the snow. Yanking it out with a whimper, he started his awkward walk away from his waking spot. It wasn't long before his paws were numb. Though there was no food around, he could see a massive wall surrounding this icy place. Something about the formidable structure gave him hope that there were people, but there were no people smells. Only strange, unknown smells that both alarmed him and made him very curious. As he stared at the daunting wall, he saw a flash of movement. The wall...Peering into a whirl of gelid wind, he saw nothing but he didn't linger staring at the wall. He paused briefly before setting off, should he follow this wall? It seemed reasonable, maybe there was a door! Maybe there were people just beyond this wall. But then he remembered the people who had frightened him so, that had made him sleep. He didn't want them to do it again, anxiety inched into his mind. Did they put him here? He tried to reject the thought but there was so much evidence toward it. Why would they do that? He had been a good animal; he had never bitten anyone or even growled at a person. Why did he deserve to be abandoned in this horrible place with no food? He was sure he had never been this hungry before, his stomach felt like it was eating itself. Feeling tired and simply horrid he parted from the wall, it was garnered with too many emotions that he didn’t want to deal with. But soon after the wall left his sight, he wished he had stayed with it. The wind were merciless, the wall would have given him a little shelter from the unrelenting attack. In the end, with his body shaking and the sun sinking, he curled up in a raggedy shrub. He was unhappy, sad and very confused. Maybe it would all be a dream… Rest...In the middle of the night he was awoken to the shrill barking of a strange animal. He was still on the tundra, still cold, probably colder. The moonlight lit the snow and it was beautiful, but all he could focus on was the onslaught of snarls and yips he heard. Coming from his sparse shelter he could see a very strange looking animal. It was fierce looking, with bared teeth and pinned ears but it was no bigger than a cat! The noise it was making was rather shrill and fierce, though in the wild a full grown wolf would have no trouble with the animal, a small arctic fox. But Aztec has never seen one before and was instantly stricken with an obscene amount of fear towards the fierce animal. Frightening furball...Between the snarls and bristling tail, the fox began to speak with his fiercest voice. "I am Loman, master of the ice and owner of this land! You are a trespasser to this place, prepare to be punished!" It was almost comical with his exaggerated tail whipping and snarling. It was almost hard to understand his speech when he interrupted every other word with a bold growl. But Aztec had no idea that he could have just walked over the puffy fox and started to sob in distress. Loman was the first animal he has seen other than Romulus and Bella, and by far the scariest. He flipped onto his side and cried out, "Mercy, mercy! I didn't mean too, I was put here. Please, don't punish me I've naught done anything wrong! Oh, master of the ice, please spare me..." He trailed off into whimpering and shaking so hard, he couldn't get another word out. Loman seemed surprised by the reaction and a bit embarrassed as he took a step back, his fur flattening as he looked with concern at the wolf that had given up so easily. "Oh, uh, I mean, its fine… uh, it's just. Oh, well, uh..." The fox watched with growing concern as the stricken wolf didn't get up. "Jeez, I didn't mean to frighten you so much." He worked a half smile onto his mouth, "C'mon, get up, what's your name?" C'mon...Still nervous, Aztec eyed Loman, sniffling pathetically. He raised himself into a half-crouch his tail between his legs as he addressed him. "I'm Aztec, and I have no idea where I am..." His eyes peered at his paws as he whispered the phrase, he expected Loman to attack him at any moment. It would make his night even worse, "I just woke up here...I'm so confused. If you could... I would like your help." "Where are we? Well, I'm not sure. There's a wall but it feels like my old home, the tundra. But its strange here, smells different. And they watch us." Loman growled softly, glancing over his shoulder. "My mate and I were taken, we survive here. It's a strange place... There have been many like you Aztec, animals that don't belong. Most of the time they just wander off in the long direction..." He turned towards the straight that just went on, it seemed to have no end... Forever...Aztec just stared out into the vastness, he had never been in someplace so large before, it was daunting and made him feel very exposed and unprotected. Loman stared as well and let out a long sigh, "I never see them again, in any case. They just disappear, I've never been to the end of this place and I am perfectly content just to keep to myself, right here." "What am I going to do?" Aztec cried at last, seeing nothing good in his future, he didn't want to die here, cold and starving. "I'd never been out of my home before, and there's nothing to EAT!" Before, he had ignored his stomach but it had come back with a vengeance, growling and rumbling and paining the young wolf. He bowed his head, "I'm going to die..." "No you aren't!" Loman barked firmly, "You'll come back to my cave and meet the family, we have some food stored up and I'm sure one wolf won't eat us out of den and ice." The arctic fox chortled and started towards the direction of his home, he noticed Aztec hesitate and he smiled warmly, a fatherly protectiveness had begun to form for the young wolf. "Don't worry, Aztec, you aren't going to die... I won't allow it." Aztec smiled and went to his side as they began towards Loman's cave. "I have one question, Loman." "What is it, Aztec?" "What are you?" "...I'm an Arctic Fox." "What's a fox?" "Oh boy..." Together... |
![]() |
|
| nats | Aug 29 2011, 01:44 AM Post #6 |
![]()
|
Awwwh Aztec's so clueless its rather sweet xD I'm glad he's made a new friend at least - but I'm pretty sure he will end up unintentionally eating them out of "den and ice" |
![]() |
|
| Braq | Aug 30 2011, 09:19 AM Post #7 |
![]()
|
Lol I like this. The level of detail you use in describing Aztec's emotions are great, not to mention the dialogue is going good so far. Also I commend you for having the patients to capture very good shots of the animals in game with conventional methods. Can't wait for more
|
| |
![]() |
|
| Owlstar | Aug 30 2011, 12:10 PM Post #8 |
![]()
|
Thank you all for all the compliments. :3 The next installment should be up within a few days, some new characters will be introduced. |
![]() |
|
| Jake434 | Sep 4 2011, 05:09 PM Post #9 |
![]()
|
Great story! I love your pictures. |
| |
![]() |
|
| Gabriel M | Sep 8 2011, 09:34 PM Post #10 |
![]()
|
great story, i loved it |
![]() |
|
| ForeverPain | Sep 10 2011, 10:45 PM Post #11 |
![]()
|
Super cute story! |
![]() |
|
| Arrancar | Sep 15 2011, 06:18 AM Post #12 |
![]()
|
Great story |
![]() |
|
| Lorenzo | Sep 21 2011, 11:14 AM Post #13 |
![]()
|
wow |
![]() |
|
| Owlstar | Sep 25 2011, 01:27 AM Post #14 |
![]()
|
PART 3 Sorry for taking such a long time to update, I'm usually the last to admit that school has been very hectic. So, here we go! Trudging...They trekked through the cold landscape in silence, the wind was biting at their faces and the sun was quickly setting on them. Occasionally, to break the monotony of the howling wind, Loman would comment on his family and how wonderful they were. Aztec would politely smile and nod his head but he had never experienced a family like Loman's, he didn't remember his parents or even another wolf. The harder he tried, the more distressed he got about not remembering. Loman didn't mind the silence, taking it as just natural nervousness. "I'm sure you will get along well with my mate, her name is Akauna. We had pups this season and they will be so curious. They've never seen a wolf before, my girl is called Akira and my son is Sable." Loman got a faraway look and he smiled, "They are so beautiful, still have their dark downy fur." Aztec blinked at him curiously, regarding the emotion. He had seen something similar to it when Romulus had talked about Bella, but it was different. It was foreign to him and he just smiled and nodded, too confused to input an appropriate comment about it. He turned his nose to the wind as Loman went down a dip and paused, sniffing the air. Aztec noticed his friend’s fur was beginning to bristle and nervousness prickled through him. He looked past him and saw a massive white beast. What is that?"What is that?" Aztec whispered, crouching low to the snowy ground. It had clearly not seen them yet, and he crouched low behind Loman, whimpering nervously. "Loman, that thing is huge! What is it?!" He could see the tenseness in his friend’s shoulders and the hardness of his stare. The beast seemed to be lumbering in a different direction from the pair but it was just as formidable retreating as it would have been approaching. Loman glanced at Aztec and gave a low growl. "Polar bear. I didn't know they were around here; we are going to have to go around the side. I don't like Polar Bears; they are dangerous beasts when they're hungry. Much to close to my den. We must hurry." The fox slunk through the undergrowth; his steps were hurried and nervous as he made his way down a small hill. Worry...The last part of their chilly journey was short and tense. They marches quickly and didn't rest, Aztec was feeling the cold when they finally stopped. A rocky out cropping surrounded them and the wind had disappeared, leaving him much warmer. Loman had still not relaxed, "Stay right here, Aztec, I'm going to check it out. I'm sure Akauna wouldn't want a wolf just trouncing in out of nowhere." Aztec nodded and settled on the cool ground, his paws curled beneath his chest. As he lay passively, chin down, he heard a series of yipping and chatter. Alarmed, he nearly rose but restrained himself when he realized it was a happy sound for the foxes. There were smaller yips that he assumed were his young. Aztec smiled but felt strangely empty about the happiness Loman had. He had never had such affection in his life. He loved his people, but he was sure it wouldn't be the same as living with other wolves. He half shrugged and waited for the yips and chatter to quiet and Loman stepped out, he was happy and bright, a big smile across his face. The fox gestured toward the entrance of the den and Aztec slowly stood and peered into the dim den. A she-fox was standing defensively in front of two little pups, and Aztec couldn’t help smiling at them. Meet the family...Akauna seemed to find no threat in the grinning wolf and relaxed after a tense moment of examining him. She watched him as the fidgeting pups charged forward fearless in their curiosity. Aztec recoiled slightly at their exuberance but willingly let them examine them, yipping short words between each other as they flounced around the predator. They crawled through his legs and tugged at his tail, followed by getting scolded by their mother. Loman found all very amusing. After getting over the initial amusement and warmth of the den and its inhabitants his belly was rumbling and the smell of fish was pungent. Normally, fish was revolting and since he was little all he had eaten was ground beef. So much had changed already; a small diet change wasn't crushing. Loman had noticed his interest, and he nodded at a small pile of fish, Aztec picked his way through the den, stepping over pups carefully. He thrust his muzzle into the bounty and began to readily chew on the fish and slurp down the mild delights. It was practically nirvana and a glimpse of normality to his life. His new friends seemed to watch him with wide eyes as their stock of fish quickly diminished to a few ragged fillets. Puppies and feasts... Loman's eyebrows rose when a week of fish was devoured in a sitting. He smiled uneasily as Aztec flopped down and gave a loud belch. "Well, somebody was hungry. We'll have to go fishing again tomorrow." He approached the degraded pile and nibbled at a fish as Akauna and the pups stared equally as wide eyed. The wolf looked up with yellow eyes tired from the day's activities. He seemed to realize that everyone was staring at him. Aztec was confused for a moment than glanced down at the fish pile that was no longer. "You don't have any more?" He stared wide eyed, "I thought you had just put this out. I'm so sorry, I didn't even know! My keepers always just brought out food." His ears lay back anxiously, waiting to be chastised. "No, no, it's fine, I'll take you to the best fishing place tomorrow, get some instincts into you." Loman grinned and settled beside his mate; Sable and Akira were equally tired and curled into little balls. "I'll wake you before the sun rises, it will be the best time for fishing." Aztec nodded sleepily, soothed that he would not be punished for his hunger. It was warm within the den, sheltered from the wind and the snow. As Loman and the pups fell into sleep along with the pups Akauna stayed awake, talking the time to watch the wolf in slumber. He was formidable with large paws and glimpses of his canines as he shifted in slumber. Akauna shook her head, what a life, taken into an arctic dome and living with a wolf. Strange times indeed. Long awaited rest...
|
![]() |
|
| Jake434 | Sep 25 2011, 02:14 PM Post #15 |
![]()
|
Great chapter, Owlstar! |
| |
![]() |
|
| 1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous) | |
| Go to Next Page | |
| « Previous Topic · Story/Adventure S&Ts · Next Topic » |
- Pages:
- 1
- 2










Waking...
The wall...
Rest...
Frightening furball...
C'mon...
Forever...
Together...

Trudging...
What is that?
Worry...
Meet the family...
Puppies and feasts...
Long awaited rest...