&& now i think i'm ready to [bust] a move [open]

[Schuyller]

He knew of packs. He knew of their stickly nature to have territories. He knew these boundaries - but he cared not. Schuyller was bored with the neutral, unclaimed lands. They were nice but not dazzling; he found the Flyanta pack lands to be just that. They were all so excuisite and accompanied by water, which may not be his element, but it went right along with it, making him feel at home. He had made up his mind that he wanted to be apart of this pack, socially awkward or not. He just had to find someone who could help him with that.

Somewhere along the way of finding the someone that could accept or deny his acceptance into the pack Schuyller got distracted, veering off from his beeline path of scents. His metallic-silver like eyes strayed upwards. Above him the sun had set. They sky was a lovely dark blue with outlines of brilliant light blues reacting to the sun's lingering light. Stars were beginning to shine and skattered the inky canvas. Somewhere, perhaps behind a thin cloud, the moon was shining too, but he did not see it. So, it was, with his eyes aimed up, how Schuyller managed to veer off towards the sea. His feet hit water before he realized what was happening. Instantly his eyes fell. Around him the sea was brushing his ankles and spread out in all directions. He blinked against the increasing darkness and sighed in relief when the moon finally came out.

He gasped. Ahead lay a small island. Lush palm trees dotted it, outlined against the darkness. It was then he realized he was walking on water, sorta. By luck he had caught the sandbar at low tide and was able to walk further into the sea that what was normal. He was at a loss as to how it happened, not clued in on low-tides around here.

[Ɨlluƨion.]

I L L U S I O N !!

Illusion gazed up at the swath of stars above his head, his white tail curled over his paws, silver eyes half-shut as he breathed in. His stomach and paws were dripping wet, his chest heaving raggedly, fear-stench coming off of him. But he sat underneath a palm tree, peeking at the darkening sky, the last fragments of light fading under the cold twinkle of the stars. He tilted his head slightly, letting a wind pick up and blow the water off his fur, a token from his journey across the sandbar to the beautiful island. His act had amazed himself, considering he was hydrophobic. He had seen the others journey often across the sandbar, leaving him outcast and sitting on the shore, quivering at each wave that surged up to lick up his paws and drag him into a salty abyss.

Maybe it was worth it? The arctic wolf shivered in the night and rose to his feet, shaking out his bangled forepaw. This place was beautiful, especially moments ago, when a spectrum of colors had glittered briefly before his eyes. He had seen plenty of rainbows before, by the waterfall, but this one had looked almost like an aurora as it danced briefly in front of him. But now it was gone, and he was considering going back onto the mainland. If only he hadn’t been so frightened of the ocean swallowing up this patch of sand when he finally fell asleep…

The moon touched every silver hair in his pelt to a brilliant gleam, bringing out what little beauty his small, scared frame had. Sure, he was a good-looking wolf, but it was in such a feminine way that any male would be disgraced because of it. Sighing, he padded toward the beach and let the soft, glittering sand sink between his toes. A sight startled him, making his fur fluff up briefly, and he jumped back after the element of surprise had receded.

The wolf in front of him could have been his brother: shades of white and grey, and a slender build that looked so much like a female’s, had the omega not brought his scent to him on the wind. He cocked his head and took another step forward. This male was not as ruggedly handsome as the ones he often crushed on, but that was appearance-wise. Maybe that build would not have fit him, made the newcomer look awkward. He cleared his thoughts with a flick of his torn ear and called out, a bit quietly but not as shyly as usual. “Hey! Who are you?” He walked forward again to greet him, then hesitated as he felt the water brush his paws, and leapt back as if something had bit him.

[Schuyller]

Schuyller's eyes relected the night scene vividly. Normally green-hued and silver mirrored eyes absorbed the dark moon-light and inky blue, becoming dark with only the silver streaks remaining of his true eye color. His eyes were a bit of a mystery. They were considered hazel, but like most hazel eyes, they could never quite pick a color. On normal occasions they were mainly green and silver with clear spots. It was those clear spots that absorbed other colors, like a mirror, so it wasn't uncommon to see them change with both his surroundings or his mood.

He blinked and focused on a different area, watching as slowly the hazy outlines of the palm trees he noticed earlier came into focus. He could see the rise in the ocean's level: an island. It didn't seem large, but a decent size; quite lovely, too, probably jaw-droppingly beautiful in the day light. He hadn't seen the rainbows that appeared above it as the sun fell, unfortunately, he had been too focused on the sky directly above his own head. For a moment or two he considered going to the island but didn't trust himself not to fall off the path he'd accidentally wandered upon. He didn't know how wide it went out, not that he was against swimming, he just didn't feel up for a surprise.

But he got one anyways. He, like Illusion, hadn't noticed he wasn't alone. When the other male called out Schuyller fluffed up noticably. "Oh-" He gawked, blinking back surprise. He focused in on the male. He was small and slender, not so unlike himself, though Schuyller was taller. He had a girlish body, again like himself, and Schuyller couldn't help but smile. They could have been brothers, he too noticed, looking at the actic wolf's white and silver-streaked fur.

"Hey yourself." He replied, his voice not so squawky as he settled down. Instead it was it's normal, clear bell-like clarity with just a girlish hint of softness. He hated it. "I am Schuyller." He replied, briefly dipping his muzzle down respectfully, trying his hardest to be polite and only speak when necessary, rather than talking the head off this wolf. He noticed, and smelled, the wolve's obvious fear and it was only then Schuyller saw what it was for: water. He smiled grimly and touched his nose to the shallow water of the sandbar. It froze and crystalized to his touch, all the way to the island's edge. It was a thin path, but sturdy due to the shallowness, and it led directly to Schuyller. He smiled at his handiwork. "Feel free to come over."

[Ɨlluƨion.]

I L L U S I O N !!

The stranger looked startled as well when he’d come forward, his own fur rising, each silver and white streak caught by the moon. He then looked over the arctic male with a slight smile, though Illusion didn’t know what emotion was in that curve of his lips. Slightly self-conscious, it took him a moment to realize that it was probably only him realizing the same thing that he had noticed. But it would have been too strange for them to be related. His siblings had died at birth; that he was sure of. The newcomer looked about his age too, adding to the eeriness, but he got used to it in a moment and wagged his tail in greeting.

The monotone-colored wolf greeted him in an oddly soft and feminine voice that caused the Flyanta member’s ears to perk up in interest. He tried not to show his slight amusement and slight fondness for the sound of his words. He grinned and echoed to himself, “Schuyller, huh?” It was an odd name, of the like he had never heard. Most wolves around him had melodic or symbolic names, while this one was fairly to the point, the first syllable teasing his tongue. He blinked at the dip of Schuyller’s head and shook his head with a half-smile. “I’m Illusion,” he mumbled. “Don’t bow your head at me. I’m the lowest of the low around these parts.”

After his momentary freak-out at the water, the other wolf dipped his head to the water. In a flash of white the water froze, building a bridge of ice that stretched to the beach. Illusion gaped in shock as he witnessed the elemental power and, shivering, hesitantly eased onto the ice bridge. His paw slipped once and left him to whimper, but he coughed and regained footing, heading easily over to Schuyller. His silver eyes were fixated on the water, more out of terror than awkwardness, as he said quietly, “Thanks for that, hon.”

[Schuyller]

Schuyller, too, knew that they were not kin. He had two brothers, both of which were accounted for, and both of which were certaintly not the dainty Illusion. It was just an odd happening that the two looked similar, especially in a world where wolves had peculiar appearances; colors, wings, jewelery, and the likes. He'd fancied one day having 'accessories' but hadn't gotten around to it. He was modest in looks and, a bit vain about his appearance, wanted to spice things up a bit.

Illusion himself was a beautiful wolf. Schuyller really didn't have a fixed type he was attracted to. Males, females, black, white - he wasn't picky. True, he had to be attracted to the wolf before anything, but once you got to truely know someone looks didn't matter quite as much. Schuyller's real problem was personality. He had a blunt, awkward one himself with a mouth that ran wild, and to counter that he needed a special kind of wolf, the likes of which he'd never encountered before. He was brash if he didn't like someone so he had to be careful around Illusion if he was indeed apart of the pack he longed to join.

He caught Illusion's smile at his voice. It was a reaction he was used to and let it go. "Yeah, Schuyller. A bit odd, I know, but most of my family had names like mine-" He had begun to ramble and instantly bit his tongue, quelling his unsaid thoughts. He grinned like a dope as if to say 'oops'. He let Illusion finish talking, blinking kindly but frowning at his last few statements. "You can't be lower than a loner. Besides, it is my choice who I act respectfully towards. No harm in being polite, and besides, you're fur is too lovely to be a loner. Am I mistaken about you being a member of the pack here?" He sighed. Again he rambled.

Once again he shut up and silently observed Illusion's progress across his ice path. He stumbled and Schuyller openly laughed - a little - before remaining quiet again. He wanted to rush out and help the poor fellow, not liking the soft whimper, but he tried to ignore it for his sake and dignity and let him cross on his own. "You're welcome, dear."

[Ɨlluƨion.]

I L L U S I O N !!

Schuyller jumped to defend his name no matter how varied names could be, making an unusual and unique name the norm. That it was like those names of his lineage made sense, as Illusion’s own family had borne names of simple vocabulary words such as his uncle Flint, but even as he spoke and the omega listened eagerly, he cut himself off sharply and grinned as if he had made a mistake. That was perplexing. But, then again, the past could account for many personality quirks—such as being bullied and ordered to keep one’s tongue, which could have led him to cut off his words in case they became to long or out of control. The omega frowned and said nothing.

The lone wolf seemed confused and concerned also, trying to figure out why he was so low. He smiled and shook his head as he answered his query about his being in the pack. “Yes; I guess the groomed fur and jewelry are a giveaway,” he said quietly, shaking the rings on his full ear. But of course Schuyller had commented on his beautiful pelt already, making his ear tips grow warm. He was not used to praise. He was used to getting stared down at by the other, prettier wolves of the packs, the females who spent days studying their reflections. Yet another reason he did not quite belong.

“And being a lowly omega wolf is my place,” the white-furred male added with a tiny shrug. “I wouldn’t care to have it any other way.” It was true that he did not want power, but he wanted acceptance, and as he spoke his voice was laced with a bit of sadness. This emotion shimmered briefly in his eyes as he heard the laughter of the other wolf as he skidded on the ice and approached. Lack of acceptance had led him to be so afraid of water. He could remember all too well his father’s teeth in his scruff as he was heaved over into the pool, his mother’s paws forcing his head down, as his young uncle howled and failed in fighting his way through to help.

“You’re welcome, dear,” Schuyller said once he’d gotten close enough to touch him. He flicked one ear in the direction of his voice, wondering if he chose to the affectionate word out of habit or to play along with his own easy dropping of pet-names. He swung his head around to fully face him, and stared at his eyes in a bit of shock. If the rest of him was just pretty, his eyes were beautiful dark blue with flecks of silver that stood out. Another thing that caused him to start at the similarities, with his own eyes being mainly silver-grey with a single fleck of blue in one. But this thought was just a brief one that he did not linger on. Schuyller’s gaze seemed different, with hints of other color, a mix that could probably show up at any time. He laughed as he realized he was staring.

“Bet the ladies love your eyes,” Illusion said lazily, and looked past him at the main shore longingly.

[Schuyller]

Schuyller wanted to die. He knew he should have been quiet, relaxed, and cool. He felt his extremidies flash warm with doubtless embarassment. He had learned, as Illusion had expected, to clam up when all else failed. His family had taught him his awkwardness was not to be shared with the world: it wasn't ready for it. He sighed to himself and could only grin. He really liked who he was and wished he could embrace it. He knew there was nothing holding him back but two years of doing what he was doing made it hard to break the chain. 'One step at a time' He told himself, lowering his body temperature slightly to relax.

"Just a little bit." He promised, smiling. His eyes, oddly enough, hadn't noticed the jewlery that was now so painfully obvious. He looked now and saw rings decorating his ear. "Those are lovely. How did you manage to come by them? He asked, curious. Schuyller knew of wolves with oddities, such as jewlery, but had never been lucky enough himself to find such a treat. He wouldn't mind something, nothing big, but just something to make him stand out. As of now he doubted his ability to get into a pack that held such beauty.

"I'm glad you are comfortable with your place, but at least you have a place. You belong to something, lowly or not. If you are happy there is no need to put labels on your place." He replied, noting Illusion's voice held a ring of sadness. "Chin up. I would love for a place myself. Being a loner gets tiresome. Much more lonely and far too boring." Coming from a family it had been a hard transition for him to be a loner for so long.

He could only blink back at Illusion when he'd gotten closer. He watched his paws on the ice, seeing how he was careful to avoid the water. Schuyller was comfortable with the water, as his element was ice, and had no problem swimming or walking on ice. Practice had gotten him over that. "I could help you with that, you know." He said, instantly looking aghast. Opps. He hadn't meant to sound so rude, but the bluntness Schuyller was notorious for slipped. "I meant the water thing." He added.

He fell silent and caught Illusion's own eyes, his being silver-gray with blue, not so unlike his own at the moment. He closed his mouth and tilted his head a bit, feeling a little awkward. He wasn't used to be stared at - studied - so closely. He was preparing to cough but Illusion seemed to realize he was staring and laughed it off. Relieved, Schuyller smiled, shaking the unease from his head. "I wouldn't know. I have never really been around a lady. To be honest I think you're the first one to look - actually look- He teased "-at my eyes."

He noticed his eyes wander to the shore and extented his little ice-floe path to it. "Sorry. Don't let me hold you back." He nodded towards shore, motioning the male to continue: he'd follow.

[Ɨlluƨion.]

I L L U S I O N !!

Schuyller was an awkward fellow and kept grinning as if he’d done something wrong, but that just made him adorable. Every wolf had their quirks that made them seem like a pup, just as they had every other moods. Wolves consisted of not black and white personalities, but of hard and soft. Anyone could press at the soft point in a hard wolf to gain their trust, just as he mused that the ice elemental before him could have a hard, darker side. Just as he had his fits of self-seclusion, when all he wanted to do was brood over his past and present thoughts and shut off those around him, brushing aside dear friends.

Shaking his head mentally, Illusion laughed lightly at the comment about his earrings. He closed his eyes, still wearing a smile on his thin black lips, as he remembered the brush of a soft tawny muzzle against his ear and the slight grunt breathing hot air on his cheek as the thin metal bent around the skin. A smooth tongue had licked the blood away, leaving him to admire his reflection. When he opened his moonlit eyes again, the arctic wolf grinned lightly at Schuyller. “A friend gave them to me,” he said elusively, and flicked his tail.

His grin at the memories lessened before twisting subtly into a frown. The fur on his nape rose lightly at the mentioning of having a place. It was true, he supposed, but he sometimes pined for the life of a loner when pack squabbles got tiring. He shrugged and stared at the ice under his paws, lifting a cold pad for a moment to stare at his claws. “It depends on what company you have, I suppose. Some wolves are boring, and you see their faces every day. In a pack, if you are with friends, you have those bonds and safety and a sense of family. But to be clustered with those who look down on you, you just want to leave.”

He bit his lip as he supposed he might be turning away a prospective joiner, but the thought dissipated when the shaded male offered him help with the water. His eyes widened and he twisted his head to look at him, scowling, hackles rising again. His gaze slowly swept back to the water, and he edged slightly away from it, closer to the center of the ice and closer to the other wolf. “Yeah, right. Good luck with that. Some things can’t be helped.” He tried to push aside his sarcastic expression and sighed, adding shamefully, “Thanks though, honey. But I’ve tried.”

Schuyller noticed his staring but smiled whenever the white wolf caught himself. He felt embarrassed as it was pointed out he was the only one to really stare at his eyes, and he let out a growl that was playful. “I’m…observant,” he defended, laughing. As the ice bridge lengthened to the shore, he nodded and walked past the wolf, trying to squeeze between him and the water. He gave the loner a grateful, acknowledging sweep with his tail along his flank and walked urgently but carefully onto dry land, where he flopped down and rolled in the sand, without any embarrassment. He could almost crouch and kiss the ground.

[Schuyller]

Schuyller didn't know exactly what was going on with him. He knew his personality was on the rocks; he'd constantly try to adjust to something others would feel comfortable with. He could never quite get it right, though. He was either too awkward or far too rude. He couldn't quite place a happy medium. Even looking back at his childhood he couldn't explain why he acted the way he did. Sure, he was picked on, made fun of, and ordered around often as the runt of the litter. He was also forced to leave, being hushed into silence and snapped at often, before that. He still didn't like to place a blame. Hopefully, he prayed, he would be comfortable with who he was enough to open up and quit pretending to be someone he wasn't. He wasn't sure if Illusion had caught on to his little game, but he was sure he didn't like it if he had.

He tuned into Illusion, slowly, hesitently letting the limited memories of his brothers go. He smiled briefly, recalling how his mother wished for at least one girl after the four brothers had grown up; real hell makers. He noticed he was still looking at his earrings, but it went unnoticed, Illusion was in a dream-state himself. When at last he spoked he seemed dreamy. "Sounds like a story." He replied, only wondering what the male could have meant. With it an open ended reply Schuyller instantly thought crude thoughts.

As he watched the arctic wolf he felt himself flinch. Something he said appeared to hit a raw nerve. He frowned apologetically, hushing himself for at least a little while. He knew where Illusion was coming from. Afterall, Schuyller himself had came from an awkward, broken up pack that turned into a cold, dictatored little army. His shoulders rolled into a shrug, letting the memories disapate. "I do know what it's like to be looked down upon. I came from a pack before I was a loner." He woofed quietly, not willing to give up too much, but enough to show Illusion that if he was indeed having a rough time in a pack, he hadn't been the only one. Still, as rough a time in a pack as Schuyller had he still got lonely real fast. Talking to yourself, hunting on your own, sleeping isolated...it got old. He thought he would soon lose his mind.

Hoping he'd patched things up he relaxed, but only too soon. He watched again as the lighter male's hackles rose and his frown deepened. 'Way to go old boy.' He scolded himself, tongue moving against the roof of his mouth. He breathed evenly and twisted an ear back, looking at Illusion with obvious confusion. Most wolves didn't anger at the offer of help, but with time, he realized there was a lot to Illusion that he didn't know; it was wrong of him to jump to conclusions and push offers on one he'd just met. "I see." He managed to say, but now studying him a little closer.

Schuyller noticed his staring but smiled whenever the white wolf caught himself. He felt embarrassed as it was pointed out he was the only one to really stare at his eyes, and he let out a growl that was playful. “I’m…observant,” he defended, laughing. As the ice bridge lengthened to the shore, he nodded and walked past the wolf, trying to squeeze between him and the water. He gave the loner a grateful, acknowledging sweep with his tail along his flank and walked urgently but carefully onto dry land, where he flopped down and rolled in the sand, without any embarrassment. He could almost crouch and kiss the ground.

He swished his tail behind him, letting ill feelings go. "You can call it that, but I think you were lost in my eyes." He teased harmlessly, woofing lightly at the other male's easy growl. He shook his head and carefully stepped onto the ice after Illusion. His damp paws stuck for a moment before he cooled his body temperature to match the ice. Comfortable, he strolled into shore a little after the arctic male. He stool and watched as Illusion promptly fell to the sandy floor and rolled. He couldn't help but chuckle as he sat not too far off. "You're a most unique wolf."

[/size]

[Ɨlluƨion.]

I L L U S I O N !!

“Sounds like a story,” Schuyller said simply to his elusive reply. The arctic wolf smiled lightly at him and felt a bit more cheery than he had before. As much as he mourned his old lover, he had to be glad for the time they had spent together. He wasn’t angry at all for the hatred his parents had shown him as a result in his sexuality, and assumed that it would have turned out that way anyway, whether or not Reynard had showed up as the first wolf for him to fall head over heels for. He sighed pensively and glanced at his reflection, flicking his tattered ear, then frowning at the ripples in his face in the water.

Illusion turned back to the loner in interest when he’d mentioned he had been a part of a pack. “Yeah, it’s rough,” was all he replied at first. Curiosity sparked in his gaze, but he was more willing to let the other male reveal what he wanted when he wanted. They had just met, anyway. He did not want to go into a lot of details about his own history, either. Casually as he could, he glanced upwards at the sky and murmured, “Was it family?”

At Schuyller’s confused look after his frustrated nature, he decided to give in to his shame and explain himself, at least a little bit. “No, I’m sorry for snapping at you. You had good intentions... I’m sure that if anyone was able to help me, it’d be someone like you.” He shrugged and didn’t think much of the statement, mostly adding the last part in order to appease him. It really depended where his mindset was to judge if he would sprint away from water or if he dared to drink from a big pool of it. With those wolves that were kind at his side, he definitely would be less afraid. He offered the other a more sincere smile.

“You can call it that,” Schuyller woofed teasingly to his defensive statement as he followed him on the bridge, “but I think you were lost in my eyes.”

Illusion stared back at him with a pretend shocked expression, then grinned devilishly and replied, “And what if I was?” With that, he turned his back and ran toward the sand, to where he was presently rolling around in it. He was practically giving himself up with those statements and his overall demeanor, if his new acquaintance was sharp, but he didn’t give a damn. He was not about to throw away his identity for the sake of not getting leered at. He could deal with the consequences of being a—a unique wolf, as the loner said. That was very well put.

“You have no idea,” Illusion chuckled as he rolled onto his stomach and thumped his tail. “Sorry if it’s frightening you off. But I’d be bloody boring if I wasn’t ‘unique’ like this.”