I am looking to adopt...
Kennel number: F65
Name: Tokal
Breed: Donor didn’t specify: I don’t plan on changing whatever she decides it is, though.
Why do you want this animal and what will you do for it?: Aside from the absolutely gorgeous design, the truth is that I’ve been working on an art/writing project that requires far for characters than I will be able to draw. This design absolutely clicks with one of the character ideas I had. As aforementioned, this project will involve a ton of art and stories, and this character will definitely be included in that.
Personality: Tokal is, first and foremost, a being of peace and serentity. He strives to be a deep pool of still water; no ripples of fear and uncertainty should ever break the surface of his calm. He’s worked a long time perfecting this nirvanic state, and it shows in his near-complete lack of ability to be ruffled. When others are angered or heated with emotion, Tokal is the cooler head that advises a calm and collected response.
All this is not to say that Tokal feels nothing; when something does manage to break through his serenity, it pierces straight to his core. It is for that reason that he strives hard to rid himself of anything that is not complete calm.
As a complement to his unbreakable peace, Tokal also possesses a strict moral code. He will never kill, never lie, never steal; he faces all situations with the understanding that he will always be (in his eyes) morally impeccable in his actions. He is absolutely unshakeable in matters of right or wrong; everything is black or white, with no shades of gray allowed. This can be limiting in situations where a more nuanced response is called for- for example, while he would not kill his greatest enemy, neither would he kill to save the life of a friend. It can be frustrating for others to deal with his rigidity on such matters, as no amount of argument or persuasion will ever change his mind.
Tokal, while incredibly slow to anger, is also loth to pledge loyalty or friendship out of hand. If one does manage to impress him, though, they will have a true friend for life. Though peace and morality take priority above all else, Tokal will always support his allies to the best of his ability; and while he is slow to act, when he does, it is with unyielding perseverance.
Likes: Meditation and reflection are incredibly important to Tokal; he’ll take much more pleasure from a long, solitary walk than a giant party. Despite the lack of thumbs, he also enjoys activities like gardening and making art; the difficulty and slowness required for a being like him to do such things is a plus, not a negative.
In terms of food, he enjoys subtle, nuanced flavors. Tokal is a vegetarian for moral reasons, and thus will always choose a simple plate of greens over the most savory piece of meat.
For companions, Tokal prefers those that share more of his moral views. However, he is often amused and intrigued by how others react to situations. Thus he’ll often sit on the sidelines of conversations, preferring to “people watch”.
Dislikes: If there’s one thing that absolutely shatters Tokal’s calm, it’s love. He gets confused and irritated at how it affects people, including him. Thus he shuns flirtation and courtship, and will become annoyed at those who try to woo him.
Tokal also despises violence; he strives to be a pacifist in all situations. Sharp words and violent action are antithetical to his worldview.
He also hates food that is too spicy or sweet. How can one be a living embodiment of peace when they’re hopped up on sugar?
History/Background:In a land that is not our own, a child was born.
To describe the world he lived in is pointless; how can one tell of a color never seen, or a touch never felt? Suffice to say that it was an alien world, in the truest sense of the word- a world where the sky is the earth and color flows like water through the land. It would be easier to describe how the child lived in the world.
The child’s name was Tokal, a name given not by parents but by an order of monks to which the newborn child was delivered to. Tokal’s parents did not give him up out of desire, but need- they were too young, too inexperienced to raise a family. Such is a story that has been told time and time again. But this is not that story- this is Tokal’s.
Tokal grew up with the monks, never once seeing or meeting his parents. He instead learned the art of meditation, of peace and inner calm. On the outside, he was a model student-attentive to his studies, mindful of his teachers. The only worry his mentors had was for the female students who were less attentive to their own studies when he as around.
Their fears were unfounded, though- Tokal never once returned their advances. For inside him bitterness lurked, a hatred directed at one object- love.
That bitter seed had been planted when Tokal was quite young. He had been in the monastery courtyard with the head monk, Anastor. It was spring, and the world was washed in pastel to welcome new life. They were planting the year’s new crops. Anastor was dutifully digging holes in the fluid ground to plant the seedlings, while Tokal helped- or, more correctly, wagged his tail and giggled as the plants curled and wiggled over his paws.
The little one looked up. “Anastor, do plants have parents?”
Anastor stopped digging and looked down at the sky, smiling faintly. “Yes, Tokal. All things must come from something else.”
Tokal rolled over onto his back, looking thoughtfully up at the older monk. “Then why don’t I have parents?”
The smile vanished, and Anastor looked away from the pup for a moment. “You do, little one. They brought you here the day you were born.”
“Why?”
Anastor’s ears twitched back. “Your parents were young, Tokal. They weren’t ready to have a family yet.” He sighed. “They were in love. They loved each other so much it blinded them to what it meant to actually raise a child. So they had to give you up. But they loved you, Tokal, you must understand that.”
Tokal’s ears drooped for a moment, then he scrunched up his face and barked, “But that doesn’t help! They loved and they gave me away!” He stood up, tail dragging forlornly on the ground. “Love. Stupid love,” he muttered. Then he looked over at the plants. They didn’t love, he knew that. They just grew, and did what they had to do. Love didn’t interfere with their lives. His eyes stung, and little droplets floated from his face. “I hate love!” And away he ran.
“Tokal!” called the head monk. Then he sighed, and went back to planting the seeds, knowing he had just planted one inside the heart of the little pup.
Art: –WIP-
Other: Sorry for the long form!