Ravensblood Forest what are those?

The towering sequoias stood like ancient pillars in a cathedral, their canopies so high they seemed to touch the clouds. Firefly trotted beneath them, his earthy brown coat with its reddish hues blending almost perfectly with the russet forest floor. The muted red along his back and face caught the occasional dappling of sunlight, giving him an almost regal glow despite the naive curiosity that practically radiated from him.

He paused, his amber eyes wide and shimmering as they swept up the colossal trunks, scanning their heights with a mix of wonder and disbelief. The pale fur around his muzzle and eyes softened his expression, but the sharp glint of adventure in his gaze hinted at a young wolf eager to see and experience more than the bounds of his small world.

Wow," he breathed, stepping cautiously closer to one of the sequoias. His short, practical fur bristled slightly as the sheer size of the tree overwhelmed him. It wasn’t fear exactly—more a feeling of being utterly insignificant. How old are you, huh? he murmured, tilting his head. He reached out to paw at the bark, feeling its rough texture under his pads. 

He turned his head, ears flicking at every rustle and creak of the forest, as if the ancient trees themselves might answer. His naive optimism made him certain there was something—or someone—waiting to be discovered here. He didn’t even notice the way his amber eyes scanned the distant shadows, too caught up in the thrill of his first taste of the unknown.

snags

Another interloper, drawn to the shadows of the forest. Like weeds they emerged without so much of a care to the land they were trespassing onto, and Nox was beginning to grow impatient. 

Quietly, the panther stalked Murkwood's newest intruder with fire in his eyes, watching from a distance as a ruddy paw caressed the bark of a nearby trunk with childish wonder. "Talking to the trees? That's a new one." The captain couldn't help a breathy snort of amusement as he smoothed his bristling pelt with a few hasty licks and emerged from the undergrowth with an amicable wave of his tail.

Without waiting for a response, Nox sidled up to the stranger and shot him a sidewards glare. "Ain't ye got better places to be?"

Firefly nearly jumped out of his fur at the sound of the voice, spinning around so quickly that he stumbled back against the sequoia’s massive trunk. His amber eyes were wide, his ears pinned back, but the naive glint in his gaze hadn’t yet dimmed to fear.  

I—I wasn’t trying to cause trouble! he blurted, his words tumbling out in a rush. Straightening up, he shook himself off, his fur fluffing slightly in an attempt to appear more composed. I just... well, I’ve never seen trees like these before. Thought I’d—uh—take a closer look.

He tilted his head, studying the panther cautiously but with an undeniable fascination. Are you from here? Do you... guard the forest or something? He paused, his tail wagging uncertainly behind him. If I’ve done something wrong, I’m sorry. Honest.

The captain did not hide a hearty laugh as the stranger startled much like a young pup being told a scary story. "Easy, easy," his voice smoothed as he relaxed nonthreatening against a nearby tree. "I ain't gonna hurt ye. Yet." The thought that one day he could become a cautionary tale to the kids of this coastline was enough to lighten his mood enough to scrutinise this newest interloper with more than surface level dislike.

His shoulders came to a similar height as his own, but where Noxir's body was all sinew, it was hard to miss the subtle ripple of muscle beneath the man's ruddy coat. "They're interesting, ain't they. Only place they grow on this 'ere coast." Well, as far as he was aware. 

"If I was that much o' a forest guardian, yer guts would already be spilled." The stranger's pitiful apology was met with a wide-split grin, scaremongering all bark and no bite for now. "My crew and I call this forest home." It was difficult to stay annoyed at the man's naivety - and if the look in his eyes was anything to go by, he was as honest as they came.

Firefly’s ears twitched at the captain’s laugh, and he huffed, puffing out his chest slightly as if to recover some dignity. Well, that’s good to know, he muttered, his amber eyes narrowing for a moment before the corners of his mouth tugged upward into a reluctant grin. You had me going there for a second. I’ll admit, you’re pretty good at the whole ‘scary forest guardian’ act.  

His gaze flicked to the massive sequoias towering around them, his awe quickly returning. They’re not just interesting—they’re incredible. Only place they grow, huh? Guess I picked the right spot to wander into. His voice carried an innocent enthusiasm that seemed to soften the edge of his earlier wariness.  

When the other mentioned his crew, Firefly tilted his head, curiosity sparking in his eyes. A crew? You mean like a pack? He paused, glancing around as if expecting others to emerge from the shadows. What do you all do out here? You’re not... pirates, are you? 

He grinned at the thought, his tail wagging behind him. Because if you are, that would be pretty cool. I mean, scary too, but mostly cool. There was no malice or suspicion in his voice, just the wide-eyed wonder of someone eager to uncover a story in every corner of the world.

The guy was an amusing sight, he'd give him that, and Noxir let him ramble, ears flicking in vague interest to his spiel about the trees. He hadn't given them much thought beyond the unusual red sap that dripped from their trunks. "Almost seems like they're bleedin', eh? Wonder who cut 'em." The captain half-expected the man to have turned tail already, but what kept him rooted to the forest seemed to be a hilarious mixture of stupidity and fascination. 

Perhaps there was merit to him yet; his crew could do with a good laugh. "What do ye know of pirate life?" his brown quirked at the man's words, neither confirming nor denying his suspicions - wondering only where he'd heard these rumours from. Scary was one way to put it. From a landlubber's point of view, it was natural to fear those of the sea. Cutthroats and sellswords - even the wenches were an acquired taste. But no true pirate feared one of their own.

firefly’s ears perked, and his amber eyes gleamed with curiosity as noxir’s question hung in the air. pirate life?he echoed, tilting his head in thought. well, I’ve only heard stories, but they’re always about adventure, aren’t they secret hideouts, daring escapes... and, yeah, maybe a little bit of mischief.

his tail wagged slightly as he continued, clearly warming to the subject. it’s dangerous, sure, but i bet it’s also exciting. discovering new places, living free—it’s gotta be better than being stuck in one spot your whole life. he glanced at noxir, his expression softening. but it’s not just about the freedom, is it? you’ve got a crew—people you trust, who’ve got your back. that’s gotta count for something.

firefly paused, realizing he might be rambling again, and gave a sheepish laugh. not that i'd really know. closest i've ever been to the sea is... well, right now. he gestured vaguely toward the distant sound of waves crashing against the shore. but if I had the chance to see it all for myself, I’d take it in a heartbeat.

he studied noxir for a moment, his grin turning sly in response to his question. why? are you going to tell me all those stories are true? or are pirates just good at making things up?

"The truth, aye...depends who yer talkin' to," a contemplative expression crossed the captain's face as the man questioned the truth of what he had heard. "And which pirates they're talkin' about."

"Some of them ain't so nice. They're raiders by nature, stealin' any land and wolves they can get their paws on." A glance to the other to gage his reaction. Was he scared yet? "There's a saying when ye run with those types; dead men tell no tales. I'm sure ye can figure out what that means."

"Luckily," he went on, "we ain't like that. My crew is my family, an' if it's adventure and freedom yer after, this might be the place for ya." The captain, considering a landlubber? Perhaps he'd gone soft, but he saw potential in the guy. "Ye'v certainly got the enthusiasm for it." Passion could go a long way, even if the man's skills were...lackluster - they could always be improved.

A sharp tooth grin accompanied his final words. "Whaddaya say; shall we test out yer sea legs?" 

firefly's ears perked up, his eyes bright with excitement despite the ominous undertone of the captain's words. the tales of raiders and ruthless pirates sent a shiver down his spine, but the mention of family and freedom struck a chord deep within him. he’d always craved a place to belong—a purpose beyond wandering aimlessly or being tied down behind pack borders.

he gave a sheepish chuckle, shifting his weight nervously. dead men tell no tales, huh? guess i’ll have to make sure i’m one of the ones still talking.

firefly straightened, puffing out his chest as if to steel himself. adventure and freedom, you said? that sounds like exactly what i’ve been looking for. his tail wagged, betraying the flicker of nerves in his voice. i can learn. i mean, i'm a strong swimmer even though i'm a bit small but i am a really quick learner. though i might not know much about pirating or... well, anything like that yet, but i’ve got heart! he met the captain’s sharp-toothed grin with a crooked one of his own, a mix of determination and exhilaration lighting up his face.

"You'll be talkin' so much they won't even have a chance to kill ya," the captain guffawed, pleased with his luck of running into such an amusing conversationalist. Despite his obvious nerves, the man made no move to flee and Nox watched with increasing interest as his resolve only seemed to grow.

"Swimmin's a good skill to have. Will get ye far when it comes to fishin'," a nod of approval as he pushed off from the tree towards where he stood. "An' as long as yer heart's in it, ye'v got a place here with me. Keep that close to yer chest though, ay? Some don't take nicely to kindness." 

A real pirate showed little weakness, for a chip in the armour was the perfect opening for a perceptive enemy. "Ye got a name?" his shoulder nudged boyishly against their newest recruit. "I'll show ye the basics of pirating, if ya like."

last from me!

firefly blinked, caught off guard by the captain’s offer, but a wide grin soon spread across his face. firefly, he said, his voice steadier now, though still tinged with excitement. guess it’s not the most fearsome name for a pirate, but it’s mine.

he straightened up, his tail wagging despite his best attempt to seem collected. and I’d like that—a lot, he added, a flicker of determination crossing his face. i’ll work hard, i promise. won’t let you down captain.

he glanced out toward the horizon, the ocean’s vast expanse stretching endlessly before them. the thought of learning the ways of the sea, of carving out a place for himself among this crew, sent a thrill coursing through him. thanks for givin’ me a chance. i won’t waste it.

and now he'll try to start swabbin the deck