Iktome Plains the road of trials

the sunlight washed over the tall grass and bathed the terrain in a warm glow. softly, a breeze traveled through the territory. it swooped and lifted, carrying leaves alongside it for a brief moment before dying away and leaving them to flutter to the ground. anti watched with the softest curling of his dark lip. the wind met him and brushed against the russet fur of his chest before it passed through him and moved onward. the volgra turned his head to follow it, as though he could see where it was that it was traveling to. a quiet sigh fell from his lips and he moved through the grasses slowly.
 
the scent of prey was in the air. anti turned his head curiously before lowering himself to the ground in a hunter’s crouch. his lean frame was swift and powerful in its own right. when his gaze had latched onto the shape of a rodent, he began his pursuit. the hunt did not take long for him. after a few quick steps, anti had darted forward and sunk his dagger-like teeth into the tender flesh of his target’s back.

Zane was a-prowlin.  Food and chicks, man, two goals that currently the hot rod wasn't having a whole lot of luck in.  This place was a damn desert and he was thirsty as fuck.  Hungry too.

Seemed like someone had some luck though.  Zane spotted the prey just in time for some weird-lookin fucker to grab it.  Hoooooo shit, nice snatch bro!! And if you aren't the ugliest mofo I've ever laid eyes on.  What d'ya say, willin to spare a bite for a traveler?  Zane gave a toothy, hopeful grin.  C'mon, time for some of that good old hospitality.

there was nothing other than the sound of the other male’s voice to announce his presence in the area. when his words struck, they forced anti to turn sharply in the direction of the stranger. his foggy gaze locked onto the features of the wolf he had never met. the length of his ears stood tall atop his russet crown before a single aud flicked to the left. it had not been the first time that a stranger had referred to anti as being ugly, and the volgra was certain that it would not be the last.
 
it seemed that the stranger had a peculiar sort of charm to the way that he spoke and interacted. for a moment, the wolf of the sun was envious of the ability to speak so freely. the mute did not know such gifts, and it was likely that he never would. as was his nature, anti threw the morsel toward the stranger and nodded his head. for you, his gaze seemed to say before his dark lips curled into a small smile.

Oh hell yes this funky looking sonofa did have some manners.  Well, that made sense, seein as he wasn't goin anywhere on looks alone.  Kind of a quiet dude though.  Thanks, compadre, you're alright.  You got a name?  Least he could do was get acquainted, he thought as he scarfed up the bit.

It wasn't much of a bite and was gone in an instant, but it was way better than the nothing he'd had previously.

quiet, yes… anti was far more than quiet. he had not uttered a word in more than two years. he could hardly recall what it meant to speak. it made instances like that one very challenging for him to wade through. if anu had been there, he could have spoken for the both of them. anu had a talent with his words that anti could not deny. it was not the volgra’s place to speak; he was there to protect. his destiny was as clear as it could possibly be – a stag born to guard.
 
when the stranger asked about his name, anti tilted his head to the side and opened his mouth slightly. there was no sound. his brows furrowed and his thin features took on an expression of curious sadness. yes, he had a name, but he could not offer it on his own. he did not believe that it mattered all that much if this man knew his true name, so he nodded his head toward the stranger. it was a motion of invitation. you may grant me a name, if you wish. you may also share your own.

Zane definitely was not insightful enough to pick his way through the other man's expression, but he was a talker.  So he got there anyway.

Nothing? Damn bro, what'd they do to you? He thought his brother was bad but this guy's game had to be below canyon level.  

Most woulda just ignored a poor, sorrowful soul like myself, he began dramatically, so I tell you what.  I'm going to give you the most kickass name ever, and then your face and voice won't even matter.  He was extremely self satisfied as he thought long and hard on this problem.  Of course, a brighter wolf might have realized that a name that the guy couldn't say wasn't going to be much help either.

do to him? anti blinked quickly at this query and peered thoughtfully into the earth at his paws. he was not certain what that might have meant. the commoner’s tongue was something that he had learned well enough, but he always found himself catching onto peculiar wording. nothing had been done to anti. he was a vessel, put on that earth only for the purpose of protecting those around him. the volgra did not take his job lightly. he had found his reason for life in the thrill of a battlefield and in offering himself in the place of another. anti could think of no higher honor than the one that he served. words were not necessary to one like him. the lean body had found his purpose and he did not lack anything because of that.
 
the talkative fellow had gone on to say that most would have ignored him. he used words that were challenging for anti to comprehend, only because they lacked a great deal of context for one who was not born into the common tongue. the other went on to say that he would give anti a name that would bring him great things. the volgra quivered slightly with elation at this idea and took an eager – but small – step toward the other male. the dark tip of his tail wavered at his rear as he waited in anticipation.

Oh boy oh boy, this was going to be great.  He was going to come up with the best name... the coolest name... the most awesome name...

Nothin.

Zane was all of the above, so he figured he had to know something about it.  But what made a name great? Zane was a pretty great one, but only because he was amazing.  This guy couldn't help his name, so he needed one that helped him.  Name, name, name.

I fuckin got it dude!  Brace yourself, because it's so good.  Ready? He grinned toothily.  Get this - Zeke.

anticipation coursed through the volgra, but it was heightened by the fact that he had zero expectations for the name that would follow. he did not know the culture that this other male had been born into. he did not know the customs of the common lands. he knew only the beliefs of his own home – his own people – and was intelligent enough to realize that things were vastly different in the world that anu had led him to. some would have been afraid of such a catastrophic transition of lifestyle. anti was dutiful to his caste. he was a guardian to his friend, and he had not found a single task so intimidating that it would deter him from his destiny. that did not mean that he couldn’t enjoy the customs of those he met along the way. if they had the patience for his lack of words, they were worth his time.
 
after a few moments of deep thought, the agouti man seemed to have found a stroke of genius. he accurately built up the delivery. anti peered at him with wide, foggy eyes. his tail did not cease the generous wagging movement as he waited. a toothy grin was flashed at anti, causing the guardian to feel a flush of heat in his cheeks. immediately after, the other man had offered him a name: zeke. it was like nothing he had heard before. his thin body quivered excitedly before he lowered his head in a deep bow. when his eyes met the other man’s again, they were filled with gratitude.

The name wasn't particularly creative, nor did it have any kind of meaning to Zane beyond that the sound was similar (not too similar) to his own.  That on its own made it pretty rad, though, and he wasn't at all surprised when the other guy was stoked as shit to get it.  Fuckin yeah right, he should be!  It was a dope ass name.

It was a little weird when the dude bowed to him, but Zane didn't exactly mind.  Ego properly stroked, he kept that grin on his face, but it grew a little more self-satisfied.  He'd done a good thing here today.  Zeke, alright.  Now you just have to fuckin own it, ok, and nothin else will even matter.  Chicks'll be breakin down the cave walls to get at you.  Take it from me.

the name was splendid; anti had truly never heard anything like it before. the words that seemed to tumble from the other man’s maw were confusing, for many reasons. the guardian was not even certain what this wolf called himself. perhaps it was the same name – zeke – and that was his reason for attempting to offer it so freely to anti. the sunwalker would not have known any better. it was not as though he could ask this charming fellow for his calling. anti only believed that it was prudent for him to remain focused on their conversation. he was fearful of losing the companionship so soon after having found it. there were not many who were accepting of his muteness for very long. the volgra did what he could to hold onto them.
 
it seemed that this wolf knew an astounding amount about wooing the ladies. at least, the confidence that he carried with his statement seemed to suggest this. anti would not have known better. he was entirely unfamiliar with the ways of common courtship. it interested him to hear the way that this one spoke of it. the instruction that was provided was for anti to ‘own’ his new moniker. for a moment, the guardian blinked in confusion and glanced toward the ground with an expression of concern. his gaze rose upward like rolling fog and locked with zane’s. anti nodded his head and drew his crown higher, attempting to show a proud physique. it felt unbelievably silly to him, but he was dedicated to proving his worth.

Because Anti hadn't asked, Zane hadn't even considered offering his own name.  That kinda manners shit his parents had attempted to sink into his brain, but like most things, it hadn't exactly settled.

It was a little hard considering the dude couldn't talk, but now that Zane had taken up the guise of kind benefactor, he was diggin it.  Here was a chance to get some major bonus points with... whatever.  And maybe a story to win the hearts of whatever poor girl he crossed paths with next.

Yeah, that's it!! Gotta walk around like you own the place, and don't take no shit from anyone.  Then everyone will know your hardcore, and the ladies love a guy who can protect them.  He looked Zeke's pose over.  Dude was funny lookin but he learned fast, and a little confidence looked good on him.  

You by yourself, Zeke?  He wasn't sure the wolf would count as good company, but passable company definitely.  And much as Zane liked to bluster, he wouldn't mind picking up a road partner for a tad.

anti was entirely enraptured in this man’s following words. his lengthy ears were drawn forward to collect the bits of information that tumbled freely from the stranger’s mouth. all of it seemed so very confusing, until the gold-touched man had mentioned how much women enjoyed the idea that a man could protect her. the sunwalker’s eyes came to life at this statement. the remark had filled the guardian with so much joy that he lowered his torso to the earth in a playful motion and then sprung upward to spin in a nimble circle. the dark tip of his tail flagged behind him. anti could protect! it was his destiny in life to be a watcher and guardian over those around him, and if this was what was appealing to women, it would mean that he would not have to face his life alone. the kindness of this wolf was more than the volgra could stand, but he did what he could to hold his trembling limbs still and to face his companion with warmth in the endless fog of his gaze.
 
zane asked if he was traveling alone, and anti was pulled from his thoughts of fantasy. a furrowing of his brow created a small crease between his eyes. the sunwalker was curious about where his friend had wandered to, finding the though to cause a small murmur of fret within his heart. anti shook his head to answer the man’s question, then he drew his lengthy ears forward and canted his head just slightly to the left as though he were asking the fellow if he was on his own, or if he desired companionship. if anti could manage to swing a new companion for himself and for anu, it would have looked very good for him – the man who could not speak.

Ahgajlfkjdflkjsdf I was removing him but I love everyone so much.  ;.; we should work somethin out hghg.  Probably last for me!

He wasn't on his own, but the dude was a weird one.  The running about made Zane smile, and he let out a little snort of laughter.  Alright then pal, if you're up for another, suppose I should come along and teach you a thing or two too.  If this guy couldn't talk then he'd obviously need someone to do the talkin for him, and Zane right here was a world class talker.  Best of the best, fuckin top of the line.  Whoever Zeke was traveling with would be hard pressed to argue with that, he imagined, and if there were any ladies in the mix, well.... all the better.

He didn't imagine Zeke would deny it since he was such a friendly weirdo, so he prepped to follow, watching expectantly for Zeke to head wherever it was he'd been heading before.