Jace found himself at his apartment as sunset gave way to nightfall. He sighed and looked about the dark vicinity of the place. He shook his head; why would anyone want to come here? Especially the Wolf?
He sat down at his dining room table and lit his fireplace. His eyes trailed over the dancing flames, losing the depths of his thoughts in the glimmering embers. Much had been happening as of late. Markings have appeared in the Tenth District, and so far he and his acquaintance, a vedalken named Kavin, had no luck deciphering what the markings were. Within the first month, they barely had anything other than gibberish that did not connect.
He rubbed his temple; He was frustrated. The markings, what did they all lead up to? It was a question he wanted answers to, but as of the moment, he had no lead.
Your active mind indicates frustration.
Jace shot to his feet, turning to see the Wolf in the room. Wait, how did he...?
Through the Shadows, The Wolf answered him. Surely other competent creatures with a hand of magic is able to travel through solid stone in the shadows of nightfall where light is weakest.
Jace had no words to say. However, this Wolf had to know what he was dealing with, and who he was talking to.
"Who are you?" He asked.
A wolf passing by in Time, The Wolf answered. I am of no importance to you.
"A name would still be appreciated," Jace grumbled. He stood by the fireplace, and the Wolf strode closer to him. He stiffened.
You're frightened of me.
"Why wouldn't I?" Jace asked. "A Wolf the size of a horse in my home? With large teeth strong enough to crush my skull?"
Is that how you make me out to be? The Wolf cocked his head to the side. Or to every wolf you meet? Are we so cruel and heartless to you, human?
Jace paused. Why was he saying things like this? Was he truly just afraid of the sheer size of the Wolf who stood before him? Or every wolf he met? He lowered his head in shame. "I...I'm sorry."
Don't be.
Jace's head shot up at the response. "What...?"
Mankind, elvenkind and other humanoid creatures have a deep, instinctive fear of wolves. It's not uncommon to see such a fear breach the surface behind a man's mask, The Wolf explained. And for that, I feel sympathy for you. I understand how and why you would be afraid, and you have every right to be.
Jace stared. This Wolf...spoke far wiser than what he had been used to. He was understanding of Jace's inert fear of wolves, and for that, he even granted him the full right to be afraid of him. But now that Jace had heard him through...he didn't feel as frightened anymore. He hummed.
By the way...it's Catori, from the realms of Escar, Terralis, and Earth. I travel through Time to keep a steady eye on those whose destinies have been predetermined. I have been called many names during my time: Anubis of Egypt, Cu Sith of Scotland, Ookami in Japan, The Big Bad Wolf in children's stories, and Totem Spirit to many Native American people, The Wolf stated.
"Ookami...?" Jace rolled the word in his mouth. He had heard of the word before in Kamigawa, but the people had referred to them as "Wolf Spirits". To them, Ookami were mere legends.
"So what brings you here to Ravnica, Catori?" Jace asked.
Laying low for now, and hoping to have a nice escape, Catori answered. His withers rose and fell in a shrug as he added, I tire of the other realms, as Fate is but a constant Wheel of Time. I figured I'd come here and spend a little away time and ensure that the Planeswalkers follow their Fate Scrolls.
"You know about...?" Jace caught himself and nodded slowly. "How...?"
I've passed by here before. How many times need I say? The Wolf answered him. But I stayed for a brief term. Though coming back has only shown me how much things have grown these past several centuries.
Jace tilted his head. Catori, from travelling through Time, was probably ageless, and knew some things here and there.
With that said, Catori went on, I was wondering if I may wander the libraries here in the city. I hear they're the best resources.
Jace's brows shot up. Was the Wolf asking him for permission? "Why would you ask for my consent?"
A Telepath holds the very map of the world in his mind, Catori stated. Plus, your destiny will allow you to hold the very laws of the city in your hands. You could choose to reign the City, but your personality and your virtue root you from such a luxury.
Jace's eyes widened. Catori...knew what he was to accomplish in the future? Holding the very laws of the City in his hands? Could he carry such a responsibility?
"If...that is what you'd like."
A smile worked its way on the Wolf's face, tugging his lips into a lupine grin of sorts. His tail slowly wagged in appreciation. Jace smiled in turn.
"Also...do you have a human form?" Jace asked, out of curiosity. "It would make me feel comfortable speaking to you than I would an animal. People would believe me a madman for such a habit."
The Wolf nodded. By the light of the moon glancing on his fur, he shrank from four legs to two, and grew by two inches in height. The light dimmed.
Catori stood before Jace in simple travelling attire, a navy blue cloak covering his left shoulder. Under the cloak was a deep black haori and kimono of a stronger shade of blue with silver trim, on his wrist a vambrace of dark leather with metal designs of sorts. Around his waist was a deep golden obi, finishing his attire slate grey hakama that transitioned to a snowy white hem. His tabi boots were of black leather dye, with surprisingly thick soles ridged for traction, and over them greaves of similar design to his vambrace.
His face belied his Oriental attire, semi-rounded yet sharp to show adulthood, unblemished skin like a clean, up-kept prince. His golden eye peered at Jace, or through him, the other curtained by his deep midnight bangs like his wolf fur, a sided ponytail draping his right shoulder and down to the middle of his breast. Atop his head were alert wolf ears, and about his feet curled his wolf tail.
Jace took a moment to see what he was seeing. Catori in his strange attire, broad-shouldered, yet handsome and young face with eyes that had seen much and shone with a crisp clarity. The air around him was ethereal, nobility tempered with modesty, an air fit for the palaces and courts, not among the lesser paid folk.
"You dress like a journeyman, yet the air around you is like that of a lord or even a shogun," Jace noted. Catori gave an absent shrug. "I dress in comfort and for function, not for anything more."
Jace snorted and nodded. He tilted his head to the angle of the cloak, seeing that his left was completely veiled. He recalled the Wolf being three-legged, but Catori's humanoid form showed otherwise. If anything the cloak hid the lost limb too well.
"Your left arm," Jace asked, "What happened to it?"
Catori took a moment to think of how to answer, but a smile worked its way on his face. The smile gave him a comfortable sense of warmth, and Jace liked it for some reason. "Sibling rivalry, that's all that needs to be said."
"Ah," Jace nodded in understanding. Two words were enough to tell a story, and that was all he guessed Catori cared to share. He glanced up at the night sky, seeing how late it got.
"I should leave you to your work," Catori bowed to the Telepath and turned, reverting back to his Wolf form from the glancing light. Jace watched the Wolf stride confidently to a dark corner of shadows in his apartment, and was gone in an instant. Jace hummed in wonder. What all did the Wolf know about him? Maybe, depending on what he could pry from the Wolf's reflective mind, he could figure him out, and maybe whatever the Wolf knew, could be of some use in the coming days...
