[DotW] Don't Eat the Shrooms

A RP between The--Moniklr's Ludko and Zoketi's Temperance.



Ludko

Ludko sniffed around, exploring The Desolation in depth for the first time since he’d arrived to Fellfang. He’d heard that the witch-doctors often braved this dangerous plot of land just for the herbs that existed here. He had to admit he was curious, and he was beginning to realize that half of these plans were plants he had never seen before.

As he wandered, sniffing at different plants, he finally noticed a bright orange mushroom. The color was mesmerizing, and he was beginning to suddenly feel hungry. Looking around, he carefully picked his way over to it, giving it a hesitant sniff. It didn’t smell dangerous.

With another quick glance around, he stooped, opening his maw and preparing to bite.

---

Temperance

The auburn female kept a steady pace as she strode along the ridge. It was a clear day, with a gentle breeze that helped to lessen the sun's heat. It was especially windy up on these hills, and Temperance was quite enjoying it. She found this spot of the territory to be highly intriguing, even if it did possess a number of harming attributes, such as the uneven landscape itself. However, she didn't expect someone else to be out here.

Temperance quickly spotted the other canine, who was determined to be a packmate by his scent. A swift glance-over and she was able to recognize him as the hunter Ludko. He seemed to be examining the various vegetation that dotted the rocky terrain. Naturally, the she-wolf's paws carried her towards him, deeming it only proper to stop by and greet him.

As she neared she spotted him lowering to snatch at something on the ground. Her hazel eyes quickly found the vivid mushroom. Amanita jacksonii. She sprang towards him, body sparking with alarm. "Stop! Don't eat that!" The she-wolf cried, paws thudding on the hard packed soil.

---

Ludko

Ludko jumped, losing his footing and accidentally knocking the mushroom over with his snout. He let out a whine, and scrambled to regain his balance on the rocky ledge, finally regaining his posture, and panting wildly. His heart was pounding in his ears. He stared in shock at the mushrooms he had just crushed before turning his bewildered gaze to the wolf who had shouted at him.

She stood over him, having barely coming to a halt before knocking into. Her scent told him she was Fellfangir, and the lack of relocation of her told him that she was one of the pack’s newer members. Ludko managed to blink, finding that he was unable to stand, but that he could at least form a single question.

“Wh-What did I do?”

---

Temperance

She skidded just in time, paws pushing up scattered dirt as she came to a stop just before the other wolf. Her ears flicked up, hazel eyes peering down her narrow muzzle. She seemed to have given him quite the fright. One brow lifted as she took a careful step back, giving an satisfied glance to the smashed mushrooms. Ludko's question made her narrow her eyes as they refocused on his shocked features.

"You almost made yourself very sick." She stated bluntly, shifting one forepaw towards the remains of the orange mushrooms. She straightened up, moving further back so he could rise. "Mushrooms are not a common food source for wolves..." Temperance added, half to herself, as if assuring the lack of logic of the situation.

---

Ludko

Ludko pouted a little at her words, feeling a bit like a pup being chastised. He huffed a sigh, straightening and facing her.

“Right, sorry . . .” He apologized lamely, still feeling that almost launching the both of them into a rocky death was a bit of an over-reaction to him eating a few mushrooms. However, at her point, he became embarrassed, looking down at his paws.

“I . . . I may have a bit of a habit of trying a bite of everything I’ve never seen before . . . Even mushrooms.” Ludko admitted.

---

Temperance

The auburn female blinked in satisfaction, pivoting her ears forwards as she watched the other recover. She was able to ignore his embarrassment - thinking that was the most polite thing to do anyway. Better to feel awkward than be dead on the rocks.

His hesitant explanation made her squint slightly, head tilting to the side. "I'm surprised you're still alive." She stated without thinking. Temperance then stiffened, realizing her words might have been a little rude... or perhaps a lot. She cleared her throat. "Er, that's not what I meant..." She shifted her weight, betraying slight uncertainty. "It's a strange habit, that's all."

She glanced briefly away, tail held stiffly against her haunches. Keep judgement to yourself, her thoughts nagged. Remember how sensitive the rest of your species is.

---

Ludko

“You sound like my mother . . . And everyone else who’s ever learned about what I do.” Ludko gave a small laugh, though his ears perked when the she-wolf suddenly seemed upset as she explained that it was a strange habit. He laughed once more, this time louder and heartier.

“I’m surprised I’m alive myself!” He chortled, his laughter slowly fading into a few giggles. “Don’t be so on edge about being honest.”

Carefully he stood, shaking out his pelt, “I’m Ludko. Who are you? I don’t think I’ve really seen you around.”

---

Temperance

Her ears pivoted up in surprise. Did she really? Well, that was good then; she wasn't totally being the wild card. The auburn female gave a little head shake, one brow quirked up slightly. She was bewildered how easily he seemed to laugh, taking plenty amusement in the situation which could have ended in his death. But...maybe that was a good thing. It was better than panic.

She managed a slight smirk as his laughter began to subside. His comment on honesty made her head tilt slightly. She'd found before that her honesty was too much - many a time another had become angry in response. It was refreshing to find someone who didn't think like that. "Hm.."

"Temperance." The reddish she-wolf straightened as well, giving a polite nod. "Nice to officially meet you, Ludko." She smiled again, tail fluttering out in the wind.

---

Ludko

“Well, despite the surprise tackle, it’s nice to meet you too!” Ludko teased, looking back down at the mushrooms that had almost supposedly made him very sick. He poked at them gently with a forepaw, still enamored by the color of them. His tail wagged as he turned his leafy green gaze back to Temperance.

“What are you doing out here, anyways? It’s kinda dangerous.” The russet hunter laughed as he quickly added, “Though I guess I don’t have room to talk. I’m just wandering, since there really isn’t any prey to hunt out here.”

“I suppose most walks of life know it’s too dangerous out here.” The drengr smiled, noting that he was too curious to let a little danger stop him from exploring this place.

---

Temperance

Her nose wrinkled in slight amusement. Her smile faltered slightly as the male prodded at the mushrooms, but she realized he was not going to eat them - of course not, no one was that dumb. She stared at the fungi for a few moments longer, then pricked her ears as Ludko went on, catching his cheery laugh. Again she puzzled at it, but admired it all the same.

"I would think so." She rumbled, leaning her weight to one side. "I came to explore. I'm pretty capable in dangerous situations, so I haven't been worried." She added, lifting her head slightly and smiling again. "I admire your bravery, but perhaps you would do better with someone to watch out for you, hm?" Her eyes glittered in amusement, though she was partly serious.

---

Ludko

The russet drengr gave a smile, “Exploring? Seems about right. Only the witch doctors come here, so it’s a mystery for the rest of us. One that needs to be solved!”

He stood, excited at the thought already, and his tail wagged when Temperance offered to accompany him. Ludko’s smile widened, his own amusement becoming apparent.

“I feel safer already,” Ludko said warmly. “So, which direction are we going to head next? Most of this place is just rocky crags. I haven’t seen too much of anything interesting aside from the mushroom.”

---

Temperance

She nodded again, a last glance sent towards the vivid mushroom, looking as innocent and tasty as a baby mouse. Which, of course, it was not. Bizarre, she thought, how such a tiny thing holds death within it. But logically, it wasn't bizarre at all. Temperance mused over this until the other wolf spoke again.

Her ears twitched around. "Perhaps southwards?" She tipped her head up and pointed with her nose. "Towards the Crystal Mountain - it might offer some interesting views." She added, making out the peak of which she spoke, solemn and tall against the horizon line. The reddish she-wolf glanced to Ludko, the desire to explore bubbling up within her once more.

---

Ludko

Ludko looked to where she pointed, his smile growing wider and tail wagging some. He wasn’t sure the last time he had been around that area, but he did know that he certainly hadn’t gotten a good enough look the last time he was there. Glancing over at Temperance, he could already see that she was raring to explore as well.

“I’m for it. Let’s go!” He began walking in the direction of the mountain, his tail wagging. As they went, he felt compelled to fill the silence with conversation.

“So Temperance, I don’t remember seeing you around before I left. What brings you to Fellfang?” The red wolf asked, sparing a glance over his shoulder as they walked.

---

Temperance

She pattered forwards, elated by the thrill of an adventure shared with company. Exploring was good fun, but twice as much so when one wasn't alone. She tilted her nose to the sky again, drinking in the crisp air, before her gaze fell back towards Ludko, attention caught by his next statement.

Her ears pivoted up as she mused over a response. "Little beyond my own paws, honestly." She rolled back her shoulders, tail lifted up and fluttering with her movements and the rush of wind going past. "I was not keen on being a lone wolf, so I sought to join a pack, and Fellfang happened to peak my interests." Temperance went on, blinking as she recalled her first steps inside the pack's territory. Already the land was familiar to her now, and she reveled in her choice.

"Have you been here long, then?" Came her unsurprising addition, hazel eyes darting over her fellow packmate.

---

Ludko

As they loped along, Ludko took a deep breath to take in the fresh air. He smiled, feeling the warmth of the sun on his fur and just enjoying traveling with his pack-mate, despite just meeting her. His smile widened at her response.

“I came not long after Jarl Fable became the leader of Fellfang. I was lucky. If he wasn’t Jarl, I doubt I would have joined.” The red drengr explained. “I was a loner once, as well. My father was swept away with my siblings when I was young, and when my mother died, I didn’t want to be alone. My father came from Fellfang, so I sought to find them and join their ranks.”

He gave a quick laugh, “Of course, at the time I had no idea that my father wasn’t exactly a true member. He was captured, so I left for a while to clear my head about things. I’m back and here to stay though! Fellfang is my home, and the skuld is my family.”

His leafy green eyes shone brightly with enthusiasm as he finished his explanation.

---

Temperance

She listened with fervent interest. His story proved far more intriguing than her own; at least, in terms of relation to Fellfang. Temperance had no affiliation with the pack prior to her entrance as far as she knew. But that was something she liked. Starting anew, fresh. Not that Ludko's was bad, in any way.

A swift nod was given, assuring her companion she'd appreciated his reply. Though briefly touched on, he seemed to have had his fair share of misfortune, and for his bright cheer she respected him even more. It was difficult to find happiness after hardships - but even more rewarding if done.

"It's a good home." Temperance agreed, legs stretching out as they moved. To her slight surprise, she found she couldn't think of anything else to say on the matter. Perhaps that was all that it needed; a simple statement. She lifted her head, drinking in the cool breeze, and closed her eyes for a few seconds.