Ho'tu

Ho'tu was a male rock ptarmigan who lived in the regions of Fellfang. There, he befriended a she-wolf named Illsa, and began to serve as her familiar and companion. His story continues alongside hers. Ho'tu was created and RP'd by k-eilonwy.

## Personality

* ***Genteel and Soft-Spoken.*** Upon first meeting you will find Ho'tu a pleasant character: he speaks in a gentle tone, acts gracious towards everyone and generally doesn't get involved in conflicts, acting as a peacemaker should tensions arise. He is reasonably kind and amiable towards others, having a strong moral compass and firm sense of honour. Lowering himself to playing dirty or shuffling isn't really his cup of tea - or maybe he is just too goody-goody to really do anything controversial. Nonetheless, Ho'tu was raised to be well-mannered and polite, and that is what he will always be.
* ***Pliable and Complacent.*** Ever a people-pleaser, Ho'tu is obliging to a fault: his good nature is easy to take advantage of, and boy does he not oppose it. For the most part, you won't find him arguing with anyone or being stubborn, as he dislikes conflicts and tensions. He often prefers to go with the flow - be it strong confidence in Nature's will or belief in fate, but he has a complete faith in predetermined futures. And if one can't change what the future brings, why try then?
* ***Straight-Arrow and Boring.*** Plainly speaking, Ho'tu is a big prune. He seems to make everyone yawn just by appearing, not to mention the instances when he gets to open his beak - then it's a real tedium. The bird would rather stick with something he knows and is pretty content with what he has right now, making him sceptical about anything new or unusual… However, he is an individual who thrives under consistent routine: given his way, he would live his every day the same way, and he wouldn't ever grow tired of it, perhaps to make up for the lack of peace and consistency in his earlier life.
* ***Prudish and Snobbish.*** Over time, the timid bird has put up walls of pleasantry and affability to hide his disdain for those with different values, views or even appearances. Inwardly, Ho'tu is a hypocrite, judging others rather quickly; first impressions are important for him, for someone whose whole life in the wild depends on carefulness and distrust of strangers. His moral compass prompts him to distinguish between friends and foes, prey and predators, leaders and subjects, so in his eyes, there is little one can do to change their standing or birthrights. You are either born a winner or loser, and the treatment you receive is according to these categories strictly… Of course, these are just inner opinions, in reality displayed in very, very subtle ways.

## Pre-Group History

A perfectly normal childhood in a perfectly normal family in a perfectly normal community; from the moment he got out of his egg, Ho'tu's life was predetermined by fates of millions of ptarmigans like him before him. He was raised by a mother-hen alongside numerous siblings, found friends, reached adulthood, gained a mate, *Ala*, a girl as meek and plain as he was. They were planning a future together, one that seemed perfectly normal, peaceful, simple and plighted. One where they would continue the cycle of normalcy, raise their own chicks and be content with life.

There was an unpleasant stain on this perfect future, however. And it was one of Ho'tu's own brothers.

It all could have been different if he was stronger, braver, more assertive, like him, like Kotor. Instead, he was submissive and scaredy, unable to stand up to him, the possessive dictator. When Kotor took over their flock, chasing all the other males away and scooping the remaining females under his strict regime, Ho'tu suddenly found himself unwelcomed, unwanted, unworthy of his place in the flock. Like all other brothers, he was chased away, not leaving poor Ala behind to live under a tyrrant's wing however. They fled the tundra together, beak to beak, and travelled a long way before they could truly feel free, though still inwardly fearful of Kotor's stalking. For the first time in a long while, they felt free and content, building their nest on a meadow, making the new place their home.

But this was just the start of hardships for the two lovebirds.

Winter has covered the world and the flora decayed, leaving little to no source of food; it was a harsh season, one filled with hunger and deprivation, but Ho'tu and Ala did their best to keep up. To adapt. To *live*. The task seemed more difficult each passing day, especially with the over-looming threat... *of the pale ones.* Now, since birth they knew that wolves in general were to be avoided, lest the birds would become their dinner: they have seen their share of unapproachable light-pelted lupines before. They knew better. But something about these particular ones, as white as phantoms, felt off - even the other wolves feared them, many falling victims of their attacks. No matter how much Ho'tu and Ala didn't want to get involved in the situation, it would seem that they could not escape danger in their new home. So they planned to move south in spring, when it would be easier to travel...

This was when the darkest day threw the shade into Ho'tu's life.

He left Ala for a few sunrays of day. He was only meant to be gone for a bit, finding some food for them in the nearby forest line.

*Oh*, how he was mistaken leaving his mate alone in the wild...

When he heard the yelps and screams, he didn't know what to do at first; there were horrifying, pleading, agonizing sounds. He wasn't sure where they came from at first and his first instinct was to wait it out. However his heart skipped the beat at the horrible thought that... *She*...

Ho'tu rushed back to find several of these huge beasts looming over his mate's lifeless body.

It felt like all the air got sucked out of his lungs.

...

  When the monsters left her alone, like some children throwing a toy they got bored with, Ho'tu limped towards her body... She was unrecognisible, his light, the *chirp* of his life, his perfect little Ala... The depths of his despair were horrid, unbelievably horrid. His throat was as dry as a summer tundra, and his eyes were constantly wet like a salty sea. He wept and wept and wept for sunrays, nights, moons, and the grief would not heal any time soon. He was unable to do anything, knowing that he could've done so much to save her, to prevent *this*... But alas, nothing would bring her back.

Ho'tu couldn't even part with her body, no matter how distorted and foul it would grow. He had no strenght in him letting her go of his sight again, no matter how late it was.

The spring was slowly reclaiming its place in the world, and Ho'tu found no point in moving on, without *her*. He stayed close to her, miserably trying to scare away anyone daring to come close to her again: he would *make sure* no white wolves would get to her remains. Then one rosy day two lupine loners would notice her on the ground. The bigger one, a dark male with intelligent eyes. And with him - a small pup, white as the snow but wearing the moon's mask on its face. Paralysed with fear, numbness and hesitation and hidden in a nearby bush, Ho'tu watched the two come close to his love... and bury her carefully, tenderly, paying *respects* to a fallen bird they knew nothing of... Just two passing predators... displaying such kindness...

Ho'tu has never forgotten the scene since then.

...

Many moons have passed since then, a whole year, in fact. Lonely life has hardened the poor widower, but he was able to survive the horrible pale ones invasion, until the last of them disappeared finally... He was able to travel this new world, the Domain, in relative peace, of course, minding the regular, *normal* hungry wolves. He hardly moved on from Ala's passing, but he didn't cling to it as strongly as before, chosing to continue living - for her sake.

Spring descended upon the world again, and Ho'tu found himself on some pack's territory; unknown to him, these lands were the home of the shattered warriors of Fellfang, mistrustful and worn-out. However the lucky winds brought him here to find a kind soul from the past...

The white pup with a moon on her face; now a *grown she-wolf.*

## Trivia

* Hates mud and sludge, takes a lot of time to clean himself.
* Isn't really physically affectionate and prefers to keep distance with most individuals; the only exception is Illsa, whose back he likes climbing a LOT.
* He has a strong inner need to be liked, can't live with the feeling that someone might disapprove of him - so he would always try to cotton up and fawn on anyone who dislikes him. Even if he did nothing *wrong*. *Even if he needs to let it go.*
* Likes to give gifts to those he cares about. Takes a while to choose the best present, so he does it in advance.
* He doesn't speak about his past with anyone but his bonded wolf, let alone reveal his birthplace. He keeps this a secret to everyone, not wanting to stir the bad memories...

## External Links

* Official Application Sheet
* k-eilonwy's deviantART Gallery