Traveling Wajas - Chapter 2

A note about the breeds:

Normals are exactly that. They look like your normal midsized furry dog, sort of like a husky. Friendly and playful looking.

Aerials are the second most dominant breed in Wajas, with Normals being at the top. Aerials are rather flighty in appearance, with feathery wisps on their ears. Not one of my favorite breeds, although Linith caught my eye with his opening story.

A note about the CAC:

CAC stands for Cancer Awareness Club. Just as the message boards are a place to find good sales and interesting side games, sometimes you come across a Club that catches your eye. CAC is one that captured mine.

I have been a member of a local American Cancer Society's Relay For Life since 2002, and my family has had its own team since 2007. I have family and friends that have Cancer, I have family and friends that have beaten it, and I've had family and friends that have fallen to it. I walk each year in Honor of those still with me, and in Memory of those that are no longer here.

When I saw this club, I decided to join. The process was simple. Own a pink waja, have it wear the club's 'signature' pink scarf, and post the club's banner in your cave. No problem, right? Hate to admit it, but I'm not a big pink lover. I had ONE pink waja out of my entire cave, but over time, I've filled a whole section of my cave with these pink warriors.

Relay Dreamer is one of the banes that I created myself. I actually dyed her and her mate and bred them for fellow club members. She is now the spokesbane for my cave.

Pink Passion was also my first traveler that I made a short entry in his description and wrote a larger piece on the message board for.

- Pink Passion was a plain pink Normal that was not thrilled with his color in the least bit and wanted a change in look…

My first stop brought me to Katoteros. Although not a fan of my own fur, the stop surely opened my eyes. Within the pack were members of a group called the CAC. They support those with cancer and their flagship color is... pink. I was an instant hit.

A stunning bane named Relay Dreamer, or just Dreamer as she said I could call her later on, came up to me, placed her paw on my shoulder, and without a word said, bade me to follow her. There was a great feast laid out and there were blue and green pears that made me feel stronger, and some nice sweet tasting beverages that apparently left a mark on my fur.

After our feast, Dreamer took me to her fellow CAC members and I found myself spending more time with them than the rest of the pack since they were the ones that had welcomed me the warmest, and to be honest, after hearing some of their stories, I realized that perhaps my pink coat wasn't so bad after all.

I even had an older male aerial approach me later on, and he introduced himself by the strangest name... Real Men Wear Pink. I almost laughed. Almost. He said he understood that some men were not comfortable with the pink color, and he took me aside and some of the guys added another color to my fur.

When I returned to the group, Dreamer nodded with misted eyes. She said the blue mark would make it easier for me to deal with my pinkness, and it looked like the wind that blew at night.

I spent some time Dreamer after that, and I came to understand their fight. She asked if I would wear her pink scarf to remember my stay, and I'm not ashamed to say that I accepted with a tear in my eye. I felt honored that she had given it to me, and I promised to wear it proudly and help spread their word when and where I could.

Walking to the entrance of the cave, I bid a fond farewell to my new friends, and walked out with my head held high. Feeling something bounce against my shoulder, I turned and saw a rainbow unicorn flying lazy circles around me. Dreamer chuckled and said that he would follow me always, and that his presence would always remind me to never feel ashamed again.

Linith - a pale blue Aerial with fangs whose story started like this…

I'm... I'm so cold... Give me some of that warm blood of yours! I'm sure it'll warm me up (grins) Come on, it won't hurt at all. Where's that spirit of giving you should have around Christmas? Oh how I love Christmas…

2nd stop - Walking through the forest from the clearing where I awoke, I came across a small hunting party of banes and a single divine. The weather had been horrid. The wind and snow made the blood in my veins run colder than it already was. Shivering uncontrollably, I didn't have enough energy to do more than bare my fangs when the female bane approached me. Curling my lip, I managed a snarl of a warning.

Approaching cautiously, she looked back at the divine and motioned for him to drop one of the big bucks he was carrying in front of me. Sitting on her haunches, she watched as I sank my fangs deep in its still warm neck. The blood of the animal was cooling fast, but it did wonders to warm me. When I drank my fill, I stepped away from the carcass, and watched as the divine picked it up once again.

I was intrigued by the bunch since no words had been spoken since I came across them. The female and the divine were the only ones with wings, while the two male banes only displayed a bundle of muscle and thick coats. As I turned to leave them, the female spoke. Her voice was soft, almost hesitant. "You still look cold. Why don't you come back our cave to warm yourself for the night? There's a storm blowing in, and you'll catch your death out here."Laughing to myself, she had no idea how right she was. The thought of weathering out another storm did much to settle my mind on following the party as they carried and dragged their catches back to their cave.

As the party entered the cave, I stayed just outside. If they knew what I was, then I was certain they would turn me away. As I watched, the female approached a great winged black bane. With their heads together, and all the others around, I could not make out their words. Raising her head to regard me at the entrance, the large black approached with her head high and her wings folded tightly to her sides. Pausing as she walked outside, "Walk with me." As I fell in step beside her, "You're a blood drinker."

It wasn't a question, but for some unknown reason, I felt the need toexplain.

Chuckling darkly as I opened my mouth, she shook her massive head. "Don't bother. I have no problem with you staying in my cave, but know that if you harm any of my pack, you will answer to me."

I figured I could take her if I had to, but something about her made me pause and consider her words. "I can leave now if you prefer."

"Not necessary. Although this may be Christmas, our cave is open to all weary travelers no matter what time of the year it is. Now is no different. You are welcome to stay with us and join in our festivities. We hold feasts all month long in celebration, and I can assure you that you will not go hungry."

Accepting her generosity, I bowed my head and followed her back inside where she asked my name and proceeded to introduce me to her pack. They were a warm bunch. The smell of their blood was almost too much for me to bear, but when the feast was laid out and a large serving bowl was placed before me, all thoughts of those around me fled. The blood was warm and thick as I drank deeply. Shivering in contentment, I nodded my thanks to the leader.

After the feast, I was led to a quiet corner where I could bed down for the night. Leaving my corner in the middle of the night, I curled up on the hearth in front of the raging fire and slept.

Waking to a gentle nudge, I found a young pup feverishly working on a delicate earring made of bones from dinner the night before. Stretching, I rose and noticed my fur had changed colors. Interesting...

I figured it would be best if I soon left, so I walked to the cave entrance and was stopped by the leader. "I hope you don't mind the new coloring. I thought the deep red would fit you well."

Nodding, I was surprised when the young pup came running up with the earring dangling from her mouth. Dropping it at my feet, she sat back and waited until I fixed it on my ear. Rubbing against my leg with a delighted smile, she ran away yelling "Merry Christmas" over her shoulder.

When I turned back to the leader I was surprised once more by her generosity. Sitting beside her was a small bundle tied with a bow. Pushing it toward me, "Merry Christmas, Linith. May this help to keep you warm on your journey, and may this..." Leaning forward to drape a chain around my neck, "...may this remind you that you are always welcome here at Katoteros."

Picking up the bundle, I realized it was supplies to make a fire. Thank you didn't seem enough, but I said it anyway, and wished them all a Merry Christmas before I began the next leg of my trek.