Dodge

## Application Sheet

Dodge was an orange-brown male wolf with darker markings and light green eyes. He served Xassa as a Gula after joining the pack with his friend Samiel. His story is ongoing. He was created and RP'd by VilkasVale.

## Personality

A wolf who's been around and isn't afraid to say so, Dodge lives more on the practical side of life. It's a style he's grown into fastest, and something he's shaped into his own form of art. When work is to be done, sure you can buckle down and get through it with gritted teeth- but why bust your tail when there's always an occasion to cut corners and cheat a little? Dodge doesn't believe in always playing fair, but maybe that's because he's lived off the idea that not everyone plays so nice in return.

Aside from blatant opportunism that fuels Dodge's fire, the male can be a bit of a struggle to sway and convince. He grew up in a time to always follow who was oldest, no matter what- and it takes a hell of a lot of grit to tell him things should be otherwise. However, contrary to this stubborn trait, Dodge is an eager learner, even if he may not outwardly say so himself. Try and tell him what's what with a little more wit than clever sense and a keen grasp on patience, and you just may have an ally in Dodge.

However, most notable yet of this wolf is his tendency to stick alone and handle things on the solo. It isn't that he is antisocial, or less interested in other wolves, but rather he's been so used to the silence for years and years of wandering. Still, company wouldn't hurt- and Dodge does crave it from time to time. If you can just come to appreciate Dodge for the strange and lonely wolf that he is… then you've made a good investment, for the long term.

## Pre-Group History

They'd come a long way from the start of this journey to get here.

Dodge blinked as he gazed down toward the roughly carved slope before him. These looked like the start of Badlands... he knew this stiff grass and rock embedded land from anywhere. Dodge dipped his head and sighed quietly, preparing for the hot air to fill his lungs…

It had been quite awhile since he'd stumble upon terrain like this. But first, the male would come to an abrupt pause from his journey.

Samiel would be catching up, shortly. They had some time to kill. Why not stop for a quick rest?

It was hot out here. Really, too hot to try and sort out a story to these wolves. Reason was Dodge's best option, and he knew Samiel would have to rely on him too. The better they could keep short and honest, the better…

He'd been dreading this. But Dodge knew as well as Sam that they couldn't run forever… and it looked like pack life had finally caught the both of them.

It would be a good time to revisit his humble beginnings anyways, Dodge thought wearily. Jog that old mind and see how well it worked. The scent of wolves was undeniable; they'd been close to a pack now. It would be best to start kicking up mental dust and seeing how liable that memory of his had been.

Dodge knew he could only outrun his past troubles behind so far… he reckoned he was lucky to have gotten away this far. And so, he began to reflect.

The sun was nearly it's hottest that day, with threats to peak the heat even further and test all the living things within its vicinity. Out here, it was wild. The bluffs soared and the prairies rolled against the perfect blue skies, the kind of place where the grass grows fastest when the sun boiled like this.

The kind of place Dodge found his start.

He was born to a larger litter, a litter of four. He hadn't been the youngest, but not quite the oldest, either. Dodge… just came to be, simply as the word would allow him. In his first few weeks of life, Dodge clung to his mother. It started with the feel of her fur… and he learned what love was, as her voice hummed within the dusty walls of the small den. It was finally sight that brought him all the closer.

His days of small youth and simple puphood would fade away, fast as the summer haze. The reality had been this: the growth of the pups, the discomfort of their mother who'd loyally stay beside them daily and nightly, the crave for something stronger than milk and small flesh and bone. It was time for growth and for moving on. Dodge wouldn't forget the day he'd been the first to climb out, dirt splayed across his nose and eyes opened wide.

The earth from above was vast and glorious and bright. He sniffed, and the warm breeze ushered him in and welcomed the pup with the natural cravings of earth and grass, the desire to discover new smells and sights alike. Dodge climbed out of the hole and stood… and the sky above him felt so full and present. Even the lingering scent of the den tried to coax the young male back inside, to hush any foreboding worries of the dangers in the world… but Dodge remained, distracted and unphased.

He craved, he yearned, he wanted.

Time passed a little faster again in the following weeks. A drought was picking up, and despite being amongst the youngest, Dodge was expected to help keep things tied together as just the adults had been.

Life outside of the den now was strange. There had been a good amount of faces Dodge had never seen before- a lot of faces who seemed to care about as much as he did for them. But, that wasn't to say the pup went without. Dodge was seeing less and less of his mother… and expectations had been laid out in thick. The older wolves guided him, but Dodge had to make choices for himself. Dodge had to help provide for the pack.

He really hadn't seen much of his siblings these days, the wolf thought bitterly to himself as he scoured the grassy plains as if taking on the tides of an ocean. They'd all taken to new things to learn. Gathering plants and learning how to deal medicine and practicing helping other wolves, hunting and learning how to take down large quantities of meat for the many mouths of the pack, and even seeking personal guidance to the higher ups.

Yet, here he was. Rough and unfinished in comparison to them, without the drive on top. He rolled his eyes at their eagerness to toss away their lives to such unimportant things. When there were as many wolves as there had been, why would they make the difference? The wind was hot today. Dodge found himself in a more sour mood than he'd like to be. Deciding to ignore his passive thoughts, the young male set off to find something to hunt and bring in for the day.

He was nearly a year now when Dodge grew used to his pack's ways. If they could even be called ways, he thought irritably as his stomach growled. Food had been scarce since they'd upped in numbers. Even the field mice had been a sight for sore eyes… and left Dodge to snack on grasshoppers and other bugs.

He'd had enough moping though, he decided. The sky was a smoky pink and purple clouds rolled in, heralding the coming of a pleasant, balmy night. He'd sneak off from the premises these wolves had claimed, and find something new to get into.

It didn't take long for trouble to catch up to Dodge. Voices not much bigger than his caught the wolf's ears, and blinded by youthful curiosity he could not ignore had Dodge headed the way he heard them from.

A small group of juveniles his own age had been standing about in a circle. They were arguing… Dodge squinted… but he couldn't quite hear of what. Edging closer however brought attention as the grass dryly rustled, giving him away. Six pairs of eyes met his, and Dodge gulped.

However, the trip had not made it clear to be a threat to their fellow packmate. In fact, they seemed happier by his presence. The bickering ended abruptly, and names were exchanged.

*Kaolei. Spur. Digs.*

They were… strange. Kaolei was the loudest of the three, while Spur was the quietest. And Digs… Dodge hadn't been too sure what to make of the faces. But as they grew to know one another in the simple yet awkward manner many their age had done before them, the four grew to be friends… and shortly, inseparable. In fact, Dodge had felt there was nothing they couldn't do.

And that would be put to the ultimate test. A full year had passed months after the group united… But change was on the way.

When news crept around and made its way. Dodge had been one of the few first to find out, along with his friends.

There was a meeting, a pack coming together, that sealed their fate. The alpha, now greyed and hollowed out from his once larger form, now stood ontop the rock he'd climbed onto, to speak with them as he had many times before. His cheeks were sharp and pronounced, his eyes almost gleamed and appeared sunken in. Dodge glanced towards his friends, as they hid within the tall grass from a distance off to eavesdrop. His voice, gravelly and low, barely reached the gathered wolves. Once, he'd bellowed and howled with pride to signify success in their growth… things had changed quite a bit since then. A few wolves Dodge suspected to be guards of sorts sat at either side the alpha stood.

There was a drought.

Their hunting, once plentiful and daily now only occurred weeks at a time, with little success. And with lack of prey population came the lack of other things to live and grow for the animals that consumed them… and the land, the home these wolves came to know was drying up as they knew it to be.

The small band of younger wolves looked again to each other, as arguments spread within the circle of adults. Snarls ripped into the air, and cries of wolves Dodge could not see were heard. It didn't take long for them to decide. The group snuck out of their tucked in spot… and once away from the gathering circle, ran. They had never once thought to look back.

Pants echoed the endless night as the group charged on, not caring to think of where they were heading. As far as they'd been concerned, they'd start a life of their own without the pack.

**"We don't need them!"** Cried Digs. Spur nodded.

**"There's less of us, anyways"**, Kaolei added with an authoritative stomp. The dust rose from her paw and briefly swirled around before vanishing.

**"We can leave there, and find someplace else to live. Someplace with more food and water."**

Dodge remained quiet, but his solemn eyes allowed the other three to know he'd felt all the same.

**"We can't ever leave each other though, no matter what happens."**

**"Promise?"**

**"Let's make a pact!"**

And so the wolves tore into each other, carefully breaking enough skin to spill a small amount of blood from each. Dodge too, bit into his own paw… and the four took formation in a standing circle, their exposed paws all touching the other's. The deed was done. They were a team now.

At first, the days blurred into each other. There was a lot of joy and laughs as the young wolves with newfound freedom played with one another and discussed ideas that would have otherwise been shunned. Dodge found himself relaxing and getting comfortable with the idea of living out in the open…

And then they began to grow hungry.

**"Well, we can hunt just like they did, right?"**

Spurr suggested.

**"I mean, we should all know how to hunt by now."**

Digs groaned. **"I am NOT up for hunting. Someone else can take my place."**

Dodge glanced between the three, feeling uneasy. His stomach ached, and all that had been around the wolves was thick layers of prairie grass. His attention was quickly grabbed as the others spoke up.

**"You NEED to hunt"** , snarled Kaolei at Digs. **"Look, everyone else here has been trying their best! You can't just make a pact with us and not get any work done."**

**"That's not fair! Why do I have to do it alone?!"** Digs fur began to raise, but not as quickly as Kaolei's temper.

"***Go.* Dodge can come with you- but if you come back with nothing, I'll see to it that you'll be alone."**

There was a long silence between the small group of wolves… an unspoken silence that none of them truly wanted to part. Still, Digs was not keen on fighting any longer. A grunt and a rise of his body signaled Dodge to follow after, and the two were off.

The sun was high, hot, and endless. Dodge licked at the corners of his mouth dryly but to no relief, watched Digs as he pushed lazily ahead with damp and matted fur. This was going nowhere fast.

…Until.

Rustling in the grass caught both wolves attention without having to speak a word to one another. Digs turned his head towards Dodge… the latter nodded. Down they both crouched, and Dodge felt relief for the dry yet cool dirt beneath them.

The air was hot as was his blood. This was their break for a meal at last.

Digs finally sprang through the air without warning, a snarl ripping from his jaws. Dodge held back, though he cursed to himself for his partner's reckless and impulsive act… hopefully, this would be good.

But a strained cry and screams from overhead told Dodge differently, immediately. Rushing into the scene the young juvenile watched in brief frozen fear as Digs had made the ultimate wrong move… and leapt upon a prairie rattlesnake. Scales shined and twisted as fur flashed and a streak of blood was drawn.

It hadn't been of the snake's.

Left in a heap of strained breathing and ghastly wheezes was Dodge's friend before his very paws, blood rushing from his nose and dirt caked into his now faded pelt. The snake had long disappeared, leaving both wolves in the heat of the mess. Dodge froze. He didn't know what to do- he couldn't know what to do. He was dying… he had to be. Dodge was sure of it.

"**Please",** rasped Digs. His eyes struggled, but eventually met with Dodge's, growing weary and heavy. Dodge watched the wolf's body heave… he had to act. He had to do something. Something, anything.

There was… something. He'd nearly tripped on it, rushing towards Digs. But Dodge grimly turned his head.

The rock on the way over. If he… could just…

Dodge took one pleading look towards Digs. And then, stepped away. The rock barely fit inside of his mouth, but he could carry it…

**"Where ARE you two?"**

Came a faint voice. It sounded like Kaolei… but he wouldn't answer. Dodge hadn't looked over his shoulder as he took off. After… everything, he opted to run. He'd never look back, never look anyone in the face again after that.

The sun was beating down hard on that day. He'd never forget the screams that made his spine freeze like ice, even all those feet away.

He was gone for good. He was truly alone.

He'd never forget first meeting him… Samiel.

Dodge had been deteriorating much quicker than with his band of small friends, as hungry and dried up as they'd been. In fact, Dodge would choke a dry snort of a laugh towards the foolish pup he'd known from only days ago.

Left to make use of his surroundings, the wolf made meals out of grasshoppers and lapped at the dew dropped tall grass to quench his parched throat.

Things were getting blurry, and his heart pounded in his ears. Dodge felt some blood trickle from his nose, thanks to the dry winds. He looked up towards the sky, wishing desperately for that endless blue to recreate itself and take form in a lake that would never dry up… would this be the end?

Not quite. A figure from ahead caught his eye, and from his cracked up nose Dodge knew immediately he was no longer alone. But… behind the figure, something glinted in his eyes and nearly caused Dodge to recoil his head and turn from the brightness. Had that been… water? Water, what he'd been looking for all this time?

He wouldn't let another wolf get in his way- Dodge decided he'd simply push his way past. But as his mind began to work what his body could not, the exasperated youth found himself tumbling, rolling down the path towards that sparkling bed of water… and right into the wolf. Dodge grunted. Slowly but surely, he looked up.

**"Ugh",** groaned Dodge.

And then, he realized that the water had been a mirage… but the wolf he collided into was not. In fact, he had been the closest to reality Dodge had ever come across in the past few days. He licked at the corner of his mouth, dryly.

**"Sorry. I'll get going."**

But that answer had not been enough. With unhappy acceptance after a few choice words by the wolf, Dodge knew he had no option but to follow the wolf known as none other than Samiel… or, worse yet, Smiley Sam.

Dodge held in a groan, and they were off, as Samiel had made the promise to help Dodge find water and eat better than just bugs and rats.

Together, they'd make for the world's strangest duo… but Dodge knew he owed Samiel all those years for saving him from the brink of death, out in the heat.

Well, here they were. The promise of opportunity had laid before them, if they chose to pursue pack life… and it was then that Dodge realized, with another groan drawn from his lips, that Samiel was ahead. Way up ahead. Dodge was out of options- he'd have to tag along now. Where did that idiot get off to now?

Here went nothing… into that endless horizon as they'd always gone.

## Trivia

* He likes being able to eat meat, and he prefers water not poached from cacti. Making friends is good sometimes, too.
* He doesn't like hunting for small prey, and he hates kangaroo rats.

## External Links

* Official Application Sheet
* VilkasVale's deviantART Gallery