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 Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 9:21 pm
In one of the major cities that scar the landscape like a pimple upon the planet. A cultural show was underway. The drums gave a strong and powerful mid-paced beat and dancers delighted in step; elsewhere, in space flight a pair of familiar hands opened a new page of a news paper. They’re still in circulation out of tradition and homage to history. Sitting comfortably in the luxurious chair of the passenger cruiser, bound for the space port that orbits the city's location.
The dancers told a story and the drums beat the emotion, a knight who does not know his allegiance following a damsel facing the horrors of her past. The crowd took pictures and flashes went off through the crowd. A flight attendant came up to the figure and asked,
“Excuse me sir, can we offer refreshment at this time?” to which he responded with a grateful tone, “I’m satisfied quite well for the time being, thank you.”
A familiar marking of his peoples insignia ran black across and down his cheek.
At the show the story continued with a loss of direction, forgiveness and jest. A happier beat sounded and reverberated from the stage. The PA system upon the cruiser chimed in. And the familiar jaw looked up paying attention, exposing a necklace that had some sort of locket. Upon its surface was an engraving of a castle.
“Attention passengers, this is the captain, we’ll be approaching the station soon. Thank you for flying with us, we hope you had a pleasant journey and we wish you well on your travels. Our ETA at this point is twelve Terran minutes, please be ready for your departure.”
The ears not of human nature twitched and pointed to the announcement taking in its words of journeys…beginning.
Softly the drums began to quieten and become gentle and soothing as the lady began to know peace again and the knight able to return to find his way. Still answers they have not found haunt their consciousness.
“Platform twelve flight one:three-seven-two:two is departing in twenty minutes, passengers please make your way to the gate reception.” an announcement chimed across the stations halls. Leather boots with buckles visible just under the rim of black jeans took stride along the large hallways towards a shuttle bay. A luggage bag on wheels carted behind him, his tail swayed slightly in time. He passed by the stations myriad of patrons, who were in a hurry, to continue on their way.
The crowed applauded as the show came to its end and prepared for their return from whence they came. The old friend took a sip of coffee as the shuttle prepared to position itself in orbit, flicking through a magazine.
“We’ll be beginning our decent shortly, so refreshments will cease. Our flight will last almost forty minutes from that moment. Which we’ll arrive at Baker Fields Airport; we wish you pleasant journeys.”
Finishing his coffee he placed the cup in its secure holding and packed the magazine away. Leaning back in the seat and resting, time would pass quickly.
The sun, dying for the night gave off its last hopeful rays of splendour and cast out brilliant yellow and delightful orange hues upon the undersides of clouds and across hills. Reflecting off the sheen of the city scape and silhouetted the buildings in great contrast. A luggage bag was placed into the boot of a rental and shut; the visitor walked to the driver’s side and got in. Shutting the door and starting the car, as he reached for the seatbelt and fiddled with the latch RunningWolf peered out the open window and looked about. A slight smile as he thought of where to go without too much of a clue.
The usual hustle and bustle of city life went on as his car was stopped at traffic lights on the way to the hotel. This gave him opportunities to observe, in particular news stands, newsagents, food courts and other facilities. He left his luggage standing neatly by the side of a small cupboard unit and turned on the TV. Flicking through the channels and listening to the news segments. Nothing seemed to stand out at this time. Tossing the remote unto the bed with the TV now off and removing his belt he lay on the bed. With the locket sitting on the bedside he turned to face the other wall and decided to get started tomorrow.
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Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 7:38 pm
The air crackled around her skin. She could barely breath due to the heat. Even when she did breath, gentle puffs of steam left her mouth. Despite the conditions she raced on. She needed to get this over with quickly. The creature that was beyond needed to see her. And this debt had to payed. Just like it did every five years. Pulling back her long red hair, she began to meditate.
Prepare quickly. You know there will be pain. You must be conscious enough to return. Breath in, and out. In.... and out... Just prepare.
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Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 8:04 am
He awoke early to the morning alarm and sat up turning on the television with the remote that lay beside him. As he flicked through the channels with one hand he reached out with the other and put the locket around his neck once again. ‘Wolf sat there watching the news segments but flicking through the guide during segments of disinterest; which quickly became all of them.
I know it has been a while, but surely as the situation hasn’t been resolved the tension from time to time would rise to broadcast; surely. He thought to himself as he sat there briefly lost in his mind.
Without any point in wasting more time ‘Wolf headed to the shower stripping down tending to the morning ritual. He resolved himself to finding some old friends, at least one if any; it was decided.
First I’ll hit the questionable boards online, some groups with a certain matching interest. Some of them are bound to meet up, there has to be a fantasy geek out there that pays more then desired attention. Someone not believed in this day and age, after all advancement has preoccupied most of the developed areas. With an absence of the old ways in numbers… yet there’ll be some that cling to the wondrous and rebellious. Everyone is still familiar with the recent crisis which shouldn’t make it hard to find them, heh that fateful day we got out of that mess. The majority of this world wants to remain in denial and feel safe again, well I hope we are.
With the showers end he indeed hit the net and busily surfed away. He found a few hits but most were hiding under anonymity to avoid persecution. Of course ‘Wolf should have guessed but a lead is a lead none the less.
I’ll have to get in somehow but this will take a little while. Someone has to have a big mouth here; perhaps I can spark some interest. Got to gain a little trust first I suppose.
Signing up with a few boards and giving the typical greeting, he searched what was available to him. Looking for twisted myths he could tweak and test lightly with what he knew better. But careful not to give too much, just enough to fish around; only a matter of time before he finds what he needs. Glancing at his schedule his bike was due to arrive through the freight customs tomorrow as well as the need to return the rental a few hours prior. With the car keys in hand he left the hotel for lunch.
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Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 6:27 pm
The flames were now all over. There was nothing but fire and golden eyes. She had continued forward in this desolate landscape, until the creature had come for her. Now staring in to it's glowing eyes she found that she was not afraid. Calm, and unmindful of the bright flames that surrounded her, Ember looked in to the eyes as is spoke in a voice that was almost too strong to bear. It reverberated in her bones, and roared in her ears like an explosion.
"Child of my element but not of this world, you have come here to pay for my continued loyalty and service. You also want my power to bind that which resides within you. But tell me child, for child you will always be to me, why should I help you? Why should I care? I have served you before but why should I now?"
Letting out a breath Ember tilted her head slightly and smiled. Then she spoke quietly to the being.
"Creature of my element, I have come to pay you freely and with no coercion just as I promised years ago. That is why you should continue to be bound with me. For I keep my promises and I pay my debts freely. And what lies within me is a threat to all. It will destroy and corrupt all worlds, not just the world I live in."
Letting out a loud roar that seemed akin to a laugh, the creature's flames grew brighter and it spoke once more.
"Child you are brave, I give you that. No other has held me in a bond for as long as you have. And no other has faced me this way when the time for payment came. Fo that reason, I will stand with you and help you. I have seen how you treat my kind. Others native to this land have sung your praises. But you must remember, my price must be payed no matter how much you are liked. And you must find our kind in your world. Protect us as we protect you, and I shall be loyal always. But now, my price. Brace yourself child."
Ember had a second to take a deep breath in, and then all she knew was pain.
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Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2008 1:23 am
The following day ‘Wolf had returned the rental vehicle and proceeded with public transport to pick up his bike. Oh his way back he pulled over in front of a news agency. Pulling out a mobile, an SMS notifying him of some responses from one of the boards he signed up. One of them was a curious meet up request. From the sound of the message it seemed like the guy was trying to put on an act. As if he knew things he really had no clue of; ‘Wolf could see right through it.
“But it’s a start, a direction to the goal at least that may provide me some answers.” He thought.
He signalled for a U turn and headed back down the road to a designated Café. Entering in half casual, half biker wear – his search for the contact began. Today ‘Wolf chose to leave his hair out and not wear the typical painted markings. It was just a minor attempt to look like any other tourist of his kind. There was little use in sticking out as a former figure head too easily. RunningWolf walked a little slow and deliberate, looking to the various patrons to see if anyone stood out as to waiting for him. Making it to the counter he placed an order for a coffee, and then noticed a casual at the back sitting distant from the rest.
Walking over with his coffee clasped between his hands to soak up the warmth. ‘Wolf sat down before the young man and asked him a question.
“What do the sands of time mean to you?” to which was replied, “Inevitability, so, the Adro I take it?”
‘Wolf nodded and confirmed the guys handle as well, after roughly five minutes of conversation it was already apparent that this guy knew practically nothing. No real surprise, he was quick to meet up and overly sociable. Likely just a gig he uses to meet girls of that nature, and friends to talk about the girls with. But, he may know someone who does know enough, not that he’d have the faintest idea himself. It wasn’t long before he got an invitation out of him to a ‘meeting’ which roughly translates to a slow party.
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Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 5:57 pm
With a start, Ember awoke to a much lighter pain. Probing her lip gently, the elemental discovered that she had drawn blood in her sleep. With a sigh, Ember sat up and pulled the twigs from her hair.
~That dream again... Why now? That happened years ago. I accepted that price. Perhaps it's because of what is happening now..... Perhaps it is trying to contact me..... but that isn't right.... ugh....I guess I will have to figure it out later.... too much to do now...
With a groan the woman sat up. Her hair was now all the way to the base of her spine, and it took her a few moments for her to gather it all. Then she stood and stretched hugely. Looking around for a moment Ember mutter quickly, and small spurts of flame flared up and then disappeared. With a nod, the elemental then turned and took off in some unknown direction.
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Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 8:41 pm
Later he walked into the party, dressed in black and buckled attire. His hair was still out and by the look of things; with the exception of what he is he blends in pretty well. In the back wannabes were messing with various boards with markings of mock popularised taboo culture other areas were reciting the most stupid of so called spells from worthless productions of twenty nine-ninety five each. At the bar, the more seemingly sane mingled and everywhere else was just chit chat.
He headed for the bar and sat next to his contact, opening with just general small talk. Some of them were giving him weird looks, in particular the younger ones. They hadn’t really seen an Adromaw around these parts, their contribution to the tourism was limited due to issues at home.
They were approached by one at some point asking if he was a real demon, gentle laughter of course followed with an explanation. After a couple of hours of mingling with various people and hearing the tall tales and offering little bits here and there. One slightly shy distant figure started to take notice of the hints.
They eventually got to talking alone on the side and the queries began. At times he became a little nervous as to whom ‘Wolf was became apparent. But all the same the excitement of first hand conversation kept him there and engaged. RunningWolf came to learn from him that he knew of the castle and that recently there was some sort of restoration, but things seem to have died down again.
Alternatively there was a bar where outcasts have gathered, suspected or rumoured to be inconclusively the very idolisation of the group. But the world generally dismisses them as just freaks and outcasts in general. Then he was shown a picture from the man, it was an artist rendition of Ember. He explained that there was once shortly after the crisis she was spotted and he drew this fiery portrait. The last time she was recognised by the masses as she seemed to drop off the edge of the earth.
He enquired more about the bar, what to expect from them and how he suspected one should act. If there were any incidents and so forth he should be aware about. If nothing came of it, he could always just go searching by himself.
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Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 9:27 pm
Ember panted slightly. She had been tracking this one all day. Usually she found them quicker than this, and she was becoming accustom to finishing things quickly. But this one was different. No matter how she tuned herself, something was always off. Normally, she could sense her prey within minutes, and lock on to them like a missile. However, with this one she had been ducking and dodging the pitfalls of the forest only to sense the thing in the other direction. But finally she had caught a break as the sun started to set. She had become familiar with the strange vibrations it left on the world, and now she was catching up to it. Soon she would be within sight of it.
She could hear the creature crash out of the underbrush and land on the gavel stretch of clear land that lead to the main road. ~s**t!~ It was heading for the near by town, and she had to confront it now. Bursting out of the forest herself, Ember cried out in horror at what she saw. Out of all the "altered" elementals she had found, this one was the worst.
In the center of the road stood a shifting green and red mass. It might have started it's life as a salamander, but it wasn't one any more. Before her was a creature about 4 feet tall, with duly scaly skin. It hissed at her with a mouth filled with too many teeth and dripping acid like spit. On the side of it's neck were heaving gills that released gasping puffs of steam ever few moments. A thin silver band around it's neck looked like a collar, but it just had the numbers 1-24 in scribed on it. It's back legs lightly furred rather than scaled, and the webbed appendages looked to have been sewn on to the creature's haunches. Misplaced gossamer finns jutted out from the front legs and wickedly pointed spikes ran along the creature's spine. It gazed at Ember with one golden eye and one blue, and both eyes were filled with hate. It let out a hissing cry that sounded like flames being extinguished with water as it leaked it's acid on to the ground.
Ember was not prepared for this. For a moment she stood staring, and then she retched uncontrollably as the bitter wave of wrongness from the creature mentally hit her full force. Looking up with tears in her eyes, the elemental spoke quietly and haltingly.
"Please... Element of my element. Stop this. .... I can... I can try to help you.... Both of you.... there are... there is someone that can help... Just stop running...fight the madness within you... please....I know your kind...."
The eyes of the mad creature gave away the fact that it had no more sanity left as it lunged for her. With a scream that became a roar of anguish an terror, Ember began the long fight to end this poor creature's misery. Her flames were bright and tall, while her screams were loud an terrible. Anyone outside in the near by town would hear her cries faintly and see the bright glow of her flames.
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Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 9:03 pm
RunningWolf strolled out of the party with a fairly confident pace. Holding the bike helmet in his left hand and looking to his vehicle which had his small wheeled and compact luggage bag strapped to the back. It contained just a change of clothes, towel and basics; travelling light these days.
He sat upon the bike in a confident manner and donned the helmet. With a turn of the key the military bike came to life. Digital screens lit up, displaying the revs, temperature, speedometer and other functional aspects. A holographic navigation and fog radar display projected itself at an in-ride height. He closed the visor on the helmet with the press of a button and got the bike underway. He was going to head for this so called outcast sanctuary and start looking there.
Lights repeatedly streaked across his visor as he cruised along a highway and then came to the rarely used exit. Quickly the end of the street lighting came and only his bike and the stars lit the way. Reducing his speed he kept an eye on the bikes fog radar, the asphalt had ended and now travelling on unkempt dirt roads presented its challenges.
Then his pleasant ride of solitude was interrupted. Being a little out from town things were seemingly more dramatic and clear than to the people amongst the city night life. That and something about it sent a chill down his spine, he felt paralysed. The eerily familiar screams and sudden unexpected appearance and red glow had him lose all sense. In an instant the bike shuddered under him and he felt weightless, thrown to the ground. The bike flipped and bounced at speed, eventually disappearing into the side of the forest brush. ‘Wolf slid along the road in his heavy attire and then rolled as he lost speed and friction took hold.
He moved slightly dazed for a while and groaned; fortunately he wasn’t travelling excessively fast for that very nature of the road. Though when his senses came round he hesitated as his mind flooded with that sound. Memories passed through him like a flood; pushing them back he rapidly crouched on his feet and peered out at the forest edge. The reddish glow was almost dancing and he felt almost tranced in lure of it. He walked nearly dazed and in a tipsy manor in the direction his bike took through the leaves hoping to find the vehicle, before something else finds him. It became clear that things were back to their usual self these days after all.
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Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 9:28 pm
Once again, Ember was painting, but this time it was from pain and exhaustion. As to be expected, her normal elemental flames didn't do much against this abomination. However, they did still hurt and annoy the creature thanks to it's water elemental portions. So she continued to use her flame, shooting fire ball after fire ball at the creature as she closed in on it.
As the gossamer fins began to crackle from the heat surrounding them, the creature let out a howl and spit its acid at Ember. Ducking quickly, the woman pulled out a wickedly curved blade. It was shot, not much longer than her fore arm, but it was made of a strange black metal. Silver designs were etched in to it's otherwise unadorned hilt. With grim determination, Ember tossed fireballs with her left hand, and cradled the blade in her right.
The creature, snapped as each fire ball passed it or hit it, and occasionally spat back acid. Other times it lunged in, it's fowl jaws snapping, and Ember would have to force it back with a strong column of flame. The water half of the creature was beginning to show some strain, and it limped slightly. The fins were now fully on fire, and the slight bits of fur on the hind legs were dark with soot. But still the creature did not stop it's lunging attacks. Ember moved quickly to avoid these lunges, but otherwise did not attack the creature. She was waiting, forcing it back towards the woods and looking for that perfect opening to do what was needed. In the depths of her concentration, she did not hear the telltale sounds that would have alerted her that she was not alone.
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Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2008 5:19 pm
Clearing his mind free he snapped his pace to and through the brush he was by his bikes side. Its head light lanced through part of the forest and checking the systems it only appeared that the damaged was to the armoured plate. He removed a couple of canisters from a side compartment and shoved them into the bag. Turing off the bike its humming life ceased, he left it there alone with his bag upon his back. Heading back out of the forest edge and crossed to the other side of the gravel road.
He looked to the dancing glow further down and listened to the strange commotion through his bike helmet. Skirting the side of the road to avoid the loud sound of the gravel beneath his boots, he padded his way along soft dirt and ground cover. The occasional crack of dry ground cover gave sound as he made his way to peer around the bend. There was a slight adrenalin build up as he slunk to a tree trunk by the side of the road in view of the situation. He was surprising close, but only just a short dash away.
The view from his night eyes provided a dawn appearance from the gathered and reflected light produced by the speckled night sky. Ember’s fiery battle intensified the details but tainted the colour of the scene in alluring hues. He watched on, some strange creature of impressive strength and a woman fighting in old ways and wielding an ornate blade. Continuing to look on the scene his night eyes slightly glowed and was just visible through the visor. His blood pressure elevated slightly at the danger, his knees bent a little almost eager to act.
“Could it really be?” he thought, zeroing on the creature marked 1-24, “and just what in the hell is that!?!”
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Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 8:12 pm
Still uncaring of what was going on around her, Ember's full attention was on the creature before her. She had begun to inch closer to it and that meant that she had to dodge even more of the abomination's acid attacks. Once one particularly fierce lunge, Ember finally saw her opening. Running strait at the creature Ember grabbed it hard around the neck. Whipping it around quickly, Ember placed the back of the struggling creature against her stomach. While this maneuver saved the woman from the worst of the creature's claws, she was still open to the acid. The foul liquid came out of the creatures mouth like gobs of saliva and landed on Ember's exposed arms.
However, the elemental only let out small hisses of pain as the acid hit her arms and began to eat through her clothes. For a moment Ember did nothing but hold the creature, and for some reason it almost looked like an embrace. Then, unmindful as the creature's claws slashed at her arms, Ember carefully found the heart of the abomination and then quickly stabbed it strait through. With an earsplitting shriek, the creature began to convulse wildly. With grim determination, Ember then pulled the knife from the body of the creature. Strangely enough, the blade was now glowing slightly. Slipping the knife between the skin of the creature's neck and the collar, Ember spoke once.
"I'm sorry I couldn't save you. Both of you..."
Then with a swift tug on the knife, Ember broke the collar of the abomination. Abruptly, the creature stopped convulsing and let out a long sigh. Then, it fell still on the ground, obviously dead. Looking down at the creature, silent tears began to stream down her face. Without cleaning herself off or wipeing the tears away, Ember sat down next to the creature and began to cut it apart with her knife. Carefully, she separated the fire elemental parts of the creature from the water elemental portions.
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Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 9:10 pm
She seemed reckless, strong and fiery but yet the compassionate hesitation he associated with Ember. There were very few he knew like that. Reasonably sure he took a gamble; given that she is armed it had better be in his favour. He stepped forward and intentionally broke twigs loudly under his boots as well as rubbed the gravel a little. With a raise of his hand his visor lifted and the straps of his helmet came free. Lifting it from his head and carrying it by his side from the open rim; his eyes glistened. He approached lazily and casually as if the scene before him wasn’t overly unusual.
He was getting fairly near but he had deliberately taken his time to give ample notice and not rush her into any action. If she’ll challenge she’ll challenge, if not ignore, recognise or aggress. Which ever result his gamble will yield. He said nothing as he approached; some unpleasant things are best left done in silence.
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Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2008 5:31 pm
At the sound of foot steps, Ember whirled around and crouched defensively with her knife in front of her. For a moment, she stared at Wolf and said nothing. Then she smiled slightly and stood.
"Hello Wolf."
Years of emotion were held in that simple statement; however, the prominent felling was of fondness. Ember's opinion of Wolf may not have changed, but her appearance had. Her slightly curly red hair now fell all the way to the base of her spine, and she now wore sleeveless shirts. Thin white scars crossed all over her arms, and the most prominent one was on the left side of her face. This scar traveled from the top of her hair line to the bottom of her jaw. The elements just looked slightly sharper and a little bit more world-worn than the last time Wolf had seen her.
Nodding slightly at Wolf, Ember returned to her grisly task. There was a moment of silence, and then the woman spoke again.
"It's been a long time Wolf. I am sorry you have found me during this..... task I have been charged with. How are you?"
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Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2008 10:08 am
As he was approaching ‘Wolf’s gaze was momentarily shifted somewhere between the dead creature and Ember. Before fixating defensive being again when she took sharp notice. It was at that moment he paused his stride, a curious shock of the moment. His lips slightly flexed and widened, not knowing if to smile or frown. The angle of his head slightly fidgeted as he glanced as politely and quickly as possible how different from his memories this person was. Such long hair, exposed arms that told a story in their own right.
At the greeting of his name he gently nodded and moved slowly forward again. And as she had returned to her task he eyed her scarred arms with sympathetic eyes. Holding his helmet against his body under his left arm he lightly clang his right leather covered arm as he did. It has been some time since he’s exposed his own arms around others, usually keeping it to himself. RunningWolf stopped to Embers side and noticed the cut collar laying there, placing the scratched helmet down to the ground beside him; he knelt to investigate the collar from the comfort of his gloves.
He turned over the collar and glanced it over, flicking it to the underside and the overside several times. Hearing Embers question, but remaining silent to her duty he told her,
“I’ve been getting by, though the shuttle ride was a little jolty.” He jested in the opening,
“Actually I was looking for you, though I didn’t expect to meet quite so soon.” His expression altered to near paralysis hoping any flustering would be hidden by the night atmosphere.
“My er… bike ended up in the bush.” Grinning for a few moments he finally spat it out.
“I’ve been meaning to thank you for helping me keep under control the…” He then fell silent for a considerable time.
“It’s been getting difficult to keep it that way lately, I could use some guidance again. That and… I had to get away from that place.” Shutting up he stared at the numbers upon the collar for a while with an expression of deep thought.
Ember being who she is and with such talents to keep her surroundings visible, would make out the dusty scratches and cuts in the thick leather; ‘Wolf was clothed in. Clear evidence of his earlier slide and his bag which had continued with the bike was pinstriped with green plant matter. Placing the collar back on the ground and shifting his weight to kneel on one knee and rest his right arm on the other, he asked
“And how have you been, Ember?” He looked upon her with the empty eyes of a torn soldier and a tired out politician who ran from it all to know peace; yet couldn’t believe it existed.
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![[RunningWolf]'s avatar](https://a1cdn.gaiaonline.com/dress-up/avatar/ava/79/db/4e32510313db79_flip.png?t=1224819800_6.00_01)
