[daices.]

Name: Tithonus
Meaning: Tithonus is a man from Greek mythology who the Titan of dawn, Eos, was smitten by. Wanting to keep him around forever, Eos pleaded with Zeus to let Tithonus live forever. The wish was granted. However, while it did let Tithonus live forever, it did not grant him eternal youth, and he withered away until he was nothing but ash, forced to wander the mortal world for all eternity.
Sad story: Family was supposed to stick together. That's what Tithonus always thought would happen.

Tithonus was but a yearling when his little baby brother was born. The small thing had been granted a wish from the charisma flower, a delicate pink thing that showcased itself when the little youngster opened their eyes, red orbs shining with brilliant personality. Tithonus immediately felt a strong surge of warmth and protectiveness for the small Xholi, watching with fondness as tiny grey paws scrabbled about in the grass as it tried to get up and ears too big for its tiny body swiveled and twitched in pure curiosity.

Their'parents found them together one night, Tithonus curled around the small Xholi, both breathing in tandem as the night wore on and the big brother protected the younger one from the demons in the dark. They slept like that ever since.

Half a year passed, and Tithonus and the young one flourished together. He often went on long runs with the small pup, huffing a good-natured laugh when the pup, paws scrabbling to keep up with Tithonus' lanky strides, tumbled into a scattered heap as they tripped over their own feet. Tithonus would help the pup up with a small nudge of his nose and a soft murmur of encouragement, always getting a warm, fuzzy feeling and a burst of pride when the Xholi got up, dusting themself off and practically preening to make up for the tumble.

Tithonus, now of age and working as a scout, sometimes wondered if it would be possible for him and his little brother to produce a pup. He didn't quite connect well with others, as he spent so much time with the little one. But his little brother was all he needed.

Another moon passed. Things started to go downhill, a sign of things yet to come. After a harsh spell of very little caught prey, Tithonus' little brother suddenly developed a severe case of diarrhea that just never went away. As nutrients passed through their body much more quickly than they were able to absorb it, the pup quickly grew gaunt and sickly, ribs jutting out sharply against limp fur and wasted muscles. Tithonus was quite beside himself with worry. He had to watch, every day, as his little one would lurch awake from a fitful sleep and bound away to do business, repeating this motion several times until Tithonus wasn't even sure if the young one slept anymore.

It seemed he was unable to protect the pup from the demons of the night. Not anymore. That sweet, sweet memory of seven months ago was a mere shadow as worried red eyes rushed over hollow cheekbones and matted fur, a sour stench always hovering just out of his reach as it settled over fur like a dense fog.

His little brother died a little over two months later. Two more weeks, and they would have been a yearling, training to be a scout. Training so they could run beside each other, bounding through the woods, laughter echoing off the trees they raced past in the washed-out purple of the setting sun and encroaching darkness.

Tithonus curled around the prone fur, sobbing into the still warm softness that was his little brother.

Their name had been Eos. Perhaps, if they knew of the history of another world, they would have screamed and cried and shouted at the twisted irony that fate had enacted upon them.

But they didn't know of another world. Only of this one, where Tithonus survived and cradled the sleeping form of Eos in the pre-dawn light, the light from the rising sun illuminating every curve and jut of Eos' bones, showing just how sick they had been. If another person had happened upon the two at that exact moment, they would have been struck with a strange thought.

For, in the weak light, Tithonus glowed, while little Eos, cast in shadow, seemed to be nothing but a spectre, forced to stay in this world through trembling paws and weeping red eyes. Tears seeped into the spectre's pale and wispy fur, trapping them.

Notes: Word count is 687/1000. The sickness that Eos develops is called EPI, which is when the pancreas doesn't make enough enzymes to digest foods. It can suddenly crop up as a problem out of nowhere, and can be fixed with pricey enzyme tablets... Which the Xholi don't have. I wasn't quite sure if this sickness was possible or if immediate family were allowed to create offspring, so I left that very up in the air. ^^;

[vympyre]

what a babe
res <3

name: Vesper
meaning: "of the evening"
sad story: probably something about how they were born in the wrong pack (born in dunia, although they are a moto xholi)

[tenebrosity;]

xXxXxXx xXxXxXX

Name: Rinan
Meaning: English, meaning rain
Sad story: 1000 word max

[Verdana]

Name: Orion
Meaning: Son of fire. Pretty self-explanatory, but Orion's Belt is also one of the constellations in the night sky.
Sad story:

[Sticks and Stones]

“You’re gonna have to be brave, Twig; the bravest you’ve ever been.”

Cold drizzle pattered on dry, dead grass, just hard enough to dissuade most pups from venturing too far from the hot nursery fire. The flames lit up the leaves on a lone cluster of shrubs, so that the dew shone like a handful of gems. This copse on an otherwise flat field was being used as a wall, a barrier from prying eyes. Two old friends were trying to say goodbye.

It was hard, harder than Orion could ever have imagined. It didn’t help that Twig was looking at him so reproachfully.
“Stop that,” he said firmly. “It’s not because of you. You didn’t do anything wrong, promise. It’s just that… It’s just…”
A pup shouted, and another laughed. Orion cast an anxious look back towards the pack.
“If I want to be friends with Them, I have to show that I’m not a baby. And only babies play with silly toys.”

‘Them’ was the Cool Group, a group of pups slightly older than Orion, who led the games and sat at the top of the pup hierarchy. They were not unkind, and they had never teased Orion before, but they had very strict rules about who they allowed to join them. And one of those rules was ‘No Babies Allowed.’
And Twig was a toy. Not much of a toy. Not a fancy toy. Really, Twig was just mangled twist of roots and grass, stained and weathered by Orion’s teeth. If you looked at Twig closely, carefully, with the right pinch of imagination and love, then two of the knots looked like two big ears, the whorls like eyes, a knob like a polished nose. Orion had had Twig ever since he was a little tiny baby. But he wasn’t a baby any longer.

“It’s not that I don’t love you. I do. I’ll always love you, Twig. But I don’t need you any more. Remember how you used to keep the monsters away? You’d sit between my paws and stare them down so they couldn’t hurt me. I’ll never, ever forget that. But I can face the monsters by myself now. I’m getting bigger and stronger every day. I love you, but I don’t NEED you. Do you understand? No – don’t cry,”Orion interrupted with a sniffle and a sob, big fat tears mingling on his face with the drizzle. Twig was immovable and resolute, though rain was pooling in its hollows of wood.

“It’s time for me and you to have different adventures. I’m gonna go and grow up now. I gotta be ‘prenticed, and then I’m gonna have a job. Maybe I will be a gatherer, or maybe a hunter. I dunno yet. But I’ll find out. And you – you’ll have your own adventures, without me. Maybe we’ll meet up again one day, and you can tell me all about it.”

Orion’s ears were flat back against his head, and it wasn’t just the rain that made his face so wet.
“I’ll miss you, Twig,” he whispered. “I’ll miss you so much. But Mum says that even when somebody leaves, they’re not really gone. They’re still in the grass and the leaves and the wind, and the fire. Especially the fire. I guess that means you’ll never really be gone, either. You can still watch out for me like you always have. I hope you will. I’ll keep an eye out for you.”

“Ri… Ri!”
“Uh oh.”
Somebody – probably one of the pupsitters – had noticed that Orion was gone. Soon the rest of the pups had taken up the call. They were getting louder, and probably nearer too. Orion looked from Twig to the firelight at the dens and back, torn and trembling with grief.
“I have to go.”
But he didn’t; he lingered, his ears twitching and his nose snuffling miserably.
“Don’t ask me to change my mind; I can’t.”
Twig didn’t. He didn’t say a word. But, of course, he never had.
“Riiiioooonnn! Where are you?”
“Thank you, Twig. Thank you for everything. Be well.”
And with that, Orion bounded away without looking back, tearing past the shrubs as if speed would dull the ache of separation pulsing through his torso. He plastered a fat smile on his face, and got ready to pretend that everything was alright. He would be doing a lot of pretending over the next few weeks.

Twig watched Orion leave, seeming to grow smaller and smaller the further away Orion got. It looked less and less like a Xholi, and more and more like a tangled of roots, sticks and grass. Soon enough, Twig was swallowed up by the long grass, and disappeared.

But it was not forgotten. No. Twig was never forgotten.

[Anastasia]

Name:
Meaning:
Sad story: 1000 word max

Res if I get inspiration

[plaegii]

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xx - - Arlet is a variety of apple related to Golden Delicious. The
xxx . name has French roots and it’s more commonly spelled
xxx . Arlette.
xxx . Mcintyre is a Scottish surname derived from Gaelic origin.
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ＨＯＬＤ  ＯＮＴＯ  ＴＨＩＳ  ＬＵＬＬＡＢＹ
ＥＶＥＮ  ＷＨＥＮ  ＴＨＥ  ＭＵＳＩＣ  ＩＳ  ＧＯＮＥ

Everyone knew certain things about themselves. Usually where they came from- how their life had begun. I... I did not. All I remember is water- and red. My favorite color. I remember it, because when I look back, I see it. It blossoms in the water like blooming flowers, then it fades and whisks away with the current before my paws can touch it.

And now, eyes opening, I could see across the lake. To the other side, where the leaves lay thick over the black glass-like surface and the grass was dotted by others of my kind. I didn't understand them- not really. I had but one friend, and their death still weighed heavy on my heart. And yet... it was the only thing that had managed to stick with me in a long time, so I suppose it was surprising. See; when one has no idea of their own history, it's like a black pit inside that can't be filled by anything other than echoes and questions. Questions often times answered by more questions.

Arlet. I heard my name, but I didn't respond. Not until it became in unbearable, consistent ringing in my ear that demanded attention. Snapping from my daze, my fiery colored eyes sought out the pale pink form of Diaval. Bit of a prat, but oh well. "Arlet." He said my name again, in which my over-size ears flicked back and gaze narrowed surreptitiously. "What?" I questioned, even though my voice was quiet and under-used. Even when I was happy I didn't talk much; it just wasn't really my thing.

"I just..." He paused, looking down. In that moment I felt mildly guilty, realizing I wasn't exactly the most friendly and this young Xholi had just approached me of his own free will. "I just wanted to say I was sorry for your loss." And now, I found, I was simply dumbfounded. Had he really just said that? We never associated, I was surprised he knew my name, yet he was apologizing to me for my own sorrows?

Before I knew it, tears were filling my eyes and spattering down my elongated muzzle in warm salty droplets. Ears laying back, blurry gaze on the ground, I swallowed back the lump in my throat just enough to speak. "Thank you, Diaval."

And I meant it. We didn't talk after that- just sat quietly by one another and watched the water that so closely resembled my pelt. It was... nice. So why did I still feel so empty? Maybe it was my deceased friend- maybe it was the new one who sat to my left.

Or maybe I was still figuring myself out.

[❌ DYNAMIGHT ❌]

reserve c:

[Schainukan]

❀Name:❀
Haiku

❀Meaning:❀
Kahili flower

❀Sad story:❀
It all started in spring, the wonderful time where life is created anew. The sky darkened as dusk hit the land, as usually as ever, a slender figure, much like a shadow, made its way through the lush green habitat, paws as silent as a critter holding its breath. Then, a high-pitched, distant screech tore the silence. Immediately Haiku's head shoot up and he stalked into the direction it came from. He was on a patrol, investigating things was his job, making sure no trespassers or even enemies lurked around his pack's territory. His nose took in the cooling air, flowing through is nostrils and red eyes narrowing. Speeding up to a trot, the Xholi arrived at a large tree. It was quiet. That was then as another devastating screech resounded, the unpleasantness forcing a low growl out his maw. It surely did not sound comfortable in his large ears. It was then that his eyes landed on something silverish and plump on the base of the tree. An owl chick. Partly still fluffy yet the final feathers already pushed their way through here and there. Its big orange eyes seeming even wider than they already were. It looked miserable in this kind of situation and even though Haiku knew well this would be the perfect chance to simply kill it, it practically already being half dead down there. Yet weirdly enough, he felt a hint of sympathy and pity for the little chick. After a moment of thought, he gave a huff and a scowl before localizing the nest above it fell from and gently taking the neck of the owl child into his maw, merely making sure for a second his sharp fangs didn't scrap it. As Haiku began to climb up the tree, heaving himself from branch to branch, the chick started to wiggle. Stay still you stupid, you'll fall. He thought and tightening the strength just enough to make it stop moving. Getting to the nesting hole, he had a slight problem how to set it back in there. After a little to figure out a way, he put it back into its home. It looked at him while making low noises, ones sounding like comfort, its eyes almost piercing. Giving his head a shake, the Xholi made his way back down. As he continued his patrol, he caught himself secretly hoping its parents would come back soon to feed it.
Over the following months, he oddly enough kept spending the tree a visit, making sure the chick was well. Each time, it gazed into Haiku's red yes with their orange. He watched it fully molting and trying to take its first flight lessons until it could fly free and developed a nice silver spotty plumage. He was always there, either hiding in the shadows or directly checking the nesting hole, against all odds he never even tried to harm the owl in any way. Even if most of the time their only contact was the endlessly staring into each others orbs, there were few times the dark canine actually gave it a lick or two. Trying to figure out why he actually saved this chick and kept checking on it. In the end, he never found the answer. From that time, months passed and his nightly companion was exactly this avian. As bad as Haiku was at making things up, he literally referred to him as 'Avian'. Then again, most often he simply called him thing, stupid or even flying something. Despite not being able to understand each others language, the words they spoke on their very own, they communicated mainly over body language. They had a lot of fun, here and there happening ridiculous antics. Not that Haiku would ever admit.
Seasons passed, summer, autumn and winter began, covering the lands with thick white snowflakes. His quiet stalk now not as quiet. Avian however, as silent as always. Merely the faint flapping of his wings audible. He always waited on this very tree for Haiku as it started to dusk, as long as the Xholi would need to appear. But, one winter day, Avian wasn't there. The canine told himself he might just be late from hunting or was caught up by something, maybe another bird. Who would have known what devastating truth lay beneath his missing. He didn't think much about it as it occurred the other day as well. Then again, as Avian was still missing the third day, simply disappeared, worry caught his heart and hold it in a tight clutch. All night he sought for him on the fourth day, growing desperate. It was then on the fifth, that Haiku had found a silverish something, covered by a thick layer of snow. Shoving it off with his paw, it was Avian. Mauled, murdered, his friend. Quiet, whimpering noises spilled from deep within his throat and every bad thoughts he bore suddenly turning into reality. On this lonely winter night, Haiku dug a grave for his companion and told his forever farewell.

[angelshy]

Name: Boketto
Meaning: "Gazing vacantly into the distance without really thinking about anything specific"
Sad story: 1000 word max

^^ Dropped
Congrats to the winner of this autumn rain leaves xholi! c:

[Moorray]

Name
Déchu
Meaning
Fallen in French
Word count
522

"C'mon, Fior!" Malar called to his friend happily. The soot-like Xholi with the red specks was carrying a pink flower in his mouth, while the dark red Xholi with the lighter red specks was carrying a raw gem in hers. "Aren't you excited? Our very own pups?!" Malar waited for the other Xholi to catch up. "Y-yeah," she smiled weakly. The process of bonding drained both of their power, but Malar was too ecstatic to be weary. "We need to get to the Shaman!"

Malar handed over the flower, and Fior the gems. "I will get you two when ready," the Shaman smiled and walked back into his den. "So?" Fior asked.
"So what?"
"Are we just going to sit here like idiots or do something?" Fior laughed.
Malar blushed out of embarrassment. "Oh yeah," he chuckled. "So? Want to take a little walk?" He asked. Malar looked to the sky, it was a perfect day out, almost too perfect to be true. "Sure." Fior replied and stood up. Malar did the same, walking slower then before they made it to the Shaman's den. He could take it easy now, everything was fine.

"So what would you want out pup's name to be?" Fior asked as they were walking along. "I like the name June. Cause then you could call them Junebug or something cute like that." Fior chuckled, "Oh really? I like the name Déchu."
"Okay, so if we somehow have two, we'll name one June and the other Déchu, but if we have one, I'm calling them June." Fior chuckled even harder, "Oh you fo-" Fior was cut off when looking forward, a bear, not too large, but a hungry one, was standing directly in their way, maybe 10 or so meters away. "What is it?" He, too, looked up to see the bear. "Malar, go, run," Fior said in a stern tone. "No, you're coming with me." Malar growled, putting his foot down, "We're both too weak to fight, you need to come with me."
"Your so stubborn!" She snapped, "I'm not letting that bear get to any other Xholi's where more havoc will be!" Fior stood her ground. Malar did the same, "I told you, leave! I don't want our pup to be parent-less!" Fior knew her fate was sealed, but wouldn't let Malar do the same. The male gained tears in his eyes, "I don't want to leave without you, just c'mon, the rest of them in our pack still have energy! Come with me now!" The bear started to charge that the two, and Malar was stunned with fear.
"I'm not letting you die!" Fior yowled as she pushed Malar out of the Bears tracks, making sure that their little pup would have one parent.

⭕️⭕️⭕️

"I-I'm sorry, Malar," the Shaman said sympathetically. "But you still have you pup to look out for," the shaman brought him into a pup on a bed of pink flowers, they were a rather hansome pup, a dark coat with red speck, just like his father, but this pup had dark red paws, just like his mother. "Hello, Déchu."