Wolf RPG

They traveled westward for many days, stopping only to catch a nap or fetch a meal. Totoro tried not to think about Marie too much. They let themself recall her fondly, though they redirected their focus elsewhere when they began dwelling and missing their connection.

This morning, they walked through a thicket and emerged at the foot of a plateau. They considered climbing it to check out the views, though something prompted Totoro to walk around it instead. They found a waterfall on the far side and took a seat to marvel at it a while.

By mid-morning, the wind picked up a little, a southerly blustering down from the coast. It carried the scents of a pack, causing Totoro’s nose to wriggle with interest. They found their feet again and began to wander a little further west, the plateau and waterfall receding behind them as they approached the fork of a river.

The ground softened, becoming spongy beneath their paws. Totoro knew this place must be full of groundwater as a result of runoffs. They peered along the branches of the river, then tilted their snout into the wind to pinpoint the location of the pack they’d scented.

For the moment, they did not notice the single wolf much closer at hand.

The river ran south, though to the north, a forest stretched away toward the coast. Totoro decided the pack must live thereabouts. They considered venturing that way to investigate, though suddenly the fur on the back of their neck tingled and stood on end. They turned their head, eyes scouring the nearby greenery, certain they felt eyes on them.

A she-wolf appeared from the well-watered grasses. Totoro swiveled to face her properly, their eyes meeting before Totoro’s gaze swept to take in her entire figure. Sky blue then returned to cloudy gray as their tail broke into a wag. It was always a pleasure meeting a new face.

Oh, halloo! Aye, do you belong to them? Totoro wondered with a smile before introducing, I am Avery, though you may call me Totoro.

The black she-wolf seemed rather beside herself with joy at crossing paths with Totoro. This brought a broad smile to the latter’s lips as their own tail swayed. They chuckled merrily at her remarks, noting the particular way she spoke as she offered her own name.

No, you did not frighten me, they assured, but, aye, I am well! I have been exploring the area today and enjoying what I find. How about you? Totoro asked, prepared to invite Legend to accompany them if she wasn’t otherwise occupied.

Well, they answered with a sparkle in their eye, I prefer the term nomad. I do not belong to a pack, they clarified with a tip of their chin. I take it you do not, either?

Legend wondered what Totoro had found during their sightseeing. Their mind immediately flicked back to the waterfall tumbling from atop the plateau. Perhaps she would find it just as enchanting. Totoro motioned at her, an unspoken invitation to come along.

Retracing their steps, they led Legend back east. When they approached the waterfall, the sun glinted off its spray, casting rainbows throughout the air. Totoro gasped at the sight, pointing a pale toe and gesturing with their head to make sure Legend saw it too.

Totoro chortled good-naturedly at Legend’s distinction, as well as the nickname she had chosen for them. They laughed again, more loudly, at the woman’s question about finding wonders. That was, of course, part of their nomadic nature: they were always seeking and finding the next great wonder in the world.

I certainly try to, they replied. What about you, Legend? If you are a traveler, surely you have seen many great things? Tell me about the most wondrous thing you have come across in your travels, they insisted with sparkling eyes as they took a seat.

The waterfall made the perfect backsplash for the two wolves to swap stories about their respective adventures.

Their head bobbed in an encouraging nod when Legend questioned, “You would like to hear?” Totoro loved getting to know others by asking questions about their pasts, especially highlights like this. Their blue eyes glazed a little as they put all their focus into their sense of hearing, drinking up Legend’s every word and picturing the scenes she described in their mind’s eye.

You describe it so poetically! Totoro praised. Tell me more of this land. It is where you were born and brought up? Why did you leave such a place?

What had prompted Legend to travel away from such a mystical realm? Totoro had a feeling it might have to do with fire. Their ears pulled back slightly, wondering if they were asking her to relive a difficult chapter. Some wolves—perhaps even most wolves—had dark parts in their stories.