Title:Youkozuma E. Gangrel Alias: Youko Age:7 Gender:Femme
Defining Aspects:Aging is never a languor – it is not a weakness. And even though 7 push most onto the escalator of heaven Youko looks as if she had made a bargain with Father time herself. Even rumors fly about that she had drank from the pools of immortality. But I assure you, that none of these fan fictions are true. Yes, Youkozuma has lived through a great ordeal and though most of her comrades & colleagues are long perished vitality has no end – as of yet. For the majority she still resembles that same feisty wolfess, that same one whom first ventured into SOTW. But vixen? She is not – Youko is not one of the most drop-dead-gorgeous wolves carved out by angels. She cannot make a pigheaded male drool and yearn for her love’n. Nope, instead Youkozuma is ordinary, plain, and simple. Not ugly, gruesome, or hideous. Not luscious, seductive, or heavenly. She is merely a wolf, not a drag queen. Perhaps one may find her lavishing in a beauty of her own, but I shall leave you with your own opinions. This goes for her eyes as well which are brown. Not amber, black, or rainbow. Nor is it honey-brown, light brown, dark brown, or hazel-brown. But simply put: brown. Moving onward, the bodice at one point looked on the edge of emaciation but during her absence Youko has put on some weight. Mostly fat and tone towards the torso, some to the flanks, and withers. But her strength hasn’t deteriorated as of yet. It seems Youko had improved her fragile build over the years to a more impressive stance. Radiating a more brutish and dominant physique that adds well to her nature. You can even see the bulging biceps, triceps, and fine ripples to even her most gentle of footfalls. In overall, she is quite healthy; thanks to the extra build of fat that makes her almost complete. The appendages, on the other hand, are still remarkable as ever being long and gracile, with little ankles. As for her height she has acquired her full capacity of 4.11ft, and growing 6 1/2 in length. It is certainly unusual for a wolfess to reach such an enormous sizing manner but dire ancestry still swims in her veins. Even the ebonite pelt, the silken bristles are indeed elongated to a more bushier mane. Giving her more a wild, exotic look to her features. Its beauty is almost equivalent to that of a geisha’s weave, but the softness is almost heavenly; like touching the finest of silks. It seems that each individual bristle is highly pampered and radiates scents of forest foliage and exotic flowers. Usually others are peppered in gray and become showered in mange. Fortuitous on Youko’s part that balding hasn’t even been apparent yet. But even the wagger possesses all of its finery, resembling that of a red fox’s bushy tassel. Though Youkozuma still acts like the emotionless dolt that she always is. For at least the majority – which means all the time – she is serious beyond belief, it is not known to see Youko “giggle” or “smile” in delight. The wolfess is very formal draping her facial features in a boredom or nonchalant way. She has always been one mastering these expressionless faces, masking her true inward thoughts and feelings.
Persona: She is not necessarily evil nor is she necessarily good; Youkozuma herself doesn’t even know where her legions lie. But surely who really does in this world? It’s not like wolves were birthed with just one nature, it’s various and even complicated: The most coldhearted wolves can love, and the most benevolent can be tainted. Depending on one’s background & history surely determines of what they may be molded into. But Youko’s persona in particular does not vary a large range on the personality scale. Instead it’s divided into sections and recently these personalities have a tendency to head butt one another. Like two lions fighting over a small scrap of meat. One could say the she-wolf has what maybe a personality disorder or some mental illness she cannot elude. Whatever the cause maybe it is surely due to these series of “unfortunate events”, given the full credit to altering her being. It has even led her to be a little crueler then others, unpredictable, and even at times a bit misleading. It is not that Youko is malicious in nature but rather insensitive and harsh. In her mind the world has rejected her, therefore, she has built masks of certain sections of her ego. One of them being a little more consistent then the others; called belligerence. Youko is aggressive or war seeking and in her mind feels the lust for dominance and ascendance. The feeling of importance is something she worships in her mind. It has even made her one of the feistiest competitors, a dictator, and a rebel who doesn't fear to speak convictions. If life were a game the little daredevil would gamble it all on the tables – with all risks possible, please. However, this makes her corrupted and at times rather untrustworthy. From this you can perhaps guess the next mask, narcissistic. This one is more tied to the lines of aggression and corruption: for both had reproduced a small seed of selfishness. Lust had certainly made Youko a bit greedy with the focus of only caring for herself instead of others. She is not in denial of the fact of making a name for herself and is almost in love with her character. Talk about self-esteem issues or an obeast ego. But who doesn’t like some attention once in awhile? Only Youko just wants to keep it a little more consistent is all. However, the narcissistic mask also ties into with Independence, a rather more complicated and perhaps saddest of them all. Independence is pretty much self-explanatory though it goes more in depth to the historical events of Youko. Being a misfit had taught herself to be untrusting of others and not relying on their stability. This has caused a great flaw in Youkozuma’s pack life & friendship skills, not really knowing how to keep a relationship stable. She’s a creature that feels the need to detach herself from society and has difficulty socializing with it. This has left her to be the silent one of the group, but skittish she is not. It is merely a preference as quoted “All wisdom is acquired by knowing how to stay quietly in a room” ( but they had never said to act like a mute ). In this way she has gained herself a more observant nature. But when it comes to the affairs of love it is far too complicated and messy. Besides it is like living in a city without any walls; why make yourself vulnerable to its poison?
Wisdom is a mask that possesses the most virtue and benevolence. Some times Youkozuma is looked upon as a fuzzy version of Confucius due to her wise mentorship. From old age she is granted the blessings of intelligence, knowledge, and experiences due to previous events. Since the day of her birthing she has matured almost instantly and has learned much from it. Wisdom has also gifted Youko the talents of patience & serenity. It is not in her nature to be hotheaded or consumed. Instead she has a rather calm and collected air, tranquility almost something natural. For even in war it does not upset her balance of serenity or stir it in anyway. Some wolves live in ignorant bliss or beat-around-the-bush but Youko, on the other hand, believes in the cold hard truth. It has given her the tendency to be blunt with things without the shame of voicing her opinion when necessary or asked. This sharp tongue has even given her wits, offensive sarcasm, ruthless comments, and a rather cruel sense of humor. But no ones perfect, however, wisdom has even a downside to things and can be easily tainted as well. The cunning Trickster, a mask frequently used for Youko’s own entertainment purposes. Being this mask uses Youko’s wisdom to have such a way with words, such as riddles. Easily she can manipulate the minds of others and persuade the most dogged of creatures. Putting up either an act or an illusion that is beyond convincing to the eye of the beholder. It is very misleading and makes her thus untrustworthy to others. Of all the masks it is the most unpredictable and results oneself into a series of impasses. To trick the mask of trickster? You would have better luck in freezing the ocean solid.
History:
T H E C H R O N I C L E S of Youko
Chap. ITesseract of Time.
agood fairytale usually starts out as Once upon a Time. But this story does not have a time or a perfect setting. It was like living in a bubble, a tesseract that seemed almost infinite with a war that was as ridiculous as blind religion. In a far away land that reaches past SOTW and it’s neighboring realms, past the great lakes and the marshland, was a realm on the tip of the other side of the world. A land that was barren and deserted of all its life deprived of its own fruitful soul. The sun was dark, the trees were dead, and nothing ever grew or flourished. Barbaric wolves, influenced by Dire Gods had lived here for eons, but their prehistoric nature has caused the uproar of change. For it wasn’t always dead and full of decay. Much to blame for this was Kousager, alpha of the Syn’dra clan whom claimed the Eastern tip. For it was Kousager who did not allow a united front with the Appchins, claimer of West, despite their Gods had commanded it so..
The Appchins, being the favored of their Gods was the first to leave the safety of their grounds immediately. When Savencroft, alpha of Appchins, had generously offered Kousager to join their migration he had coldheartedly declined and rudely shoved them off his land. This had worried Savencroft greatly, for Dire Gods were not benevolent to irksome worship. Perhaps it was fear of leaving his birthplace, perhaps he was envious of the Appchins and spitefulness swam in his veins, or perhaps he was far too consumed in his power that he could not “share” the reins of ascendance. Whatever the cause was, Kousager remained dogged and had even refused the whims of the supernaturals. For some time it had stayed like this, the Syn’dras carrying on their normal routines as if time was forever constant. Meanwhile the Appchins quickly began their united legion in the North. Forming a highly diplomatic system of council instead of monarchy & dictatorship. But nothing really lasts forever…
Chap. IIA Plague on Both Thy Houses.
It was true; the Gods did not appreciate Kousager’s rebellion at all. The winds had stirred and the atmosphere had turned gray instead of bright azure. They were getting impatient, even with the Appchins whom worshipped them endlessly. Savencroft felt that this responsibility was now his and to save both his kin and the Syn’dras he would have to persuade Kousager otherwise. However, the negotiation was a difficult one, but Savencroft was insistent whilst Kousager was just plain dogged. After some time tempers began to fly and brutally Kousager attacked, pinning Savencroft on the floor and ripping off his face completely. Shortly after he was beheaded and the head thrown back into the lands of where the Appchins had formed their clan. Indeed, a gruesome site to see, the council leader’s head was missing his warm, cheeky face. By now the Gods were infuriated, they had favored Savencroft dearly like a son, and to behead him was an insult. A slap in the face. Impunity was called for, there will be no redemption until justice be served. Unfortunately, there was no way to bring back the Appchin’s leader. And soon mayhem and chaos, anger and vengeance began to taint the benevolence of the Appchins. However, things were happening a little differently for the Syn’dras. Starting with the first rumor of our heroine. This is where the tall tale begins as its first chapter of birth.
Kousager’s long strides were frantic as he raced an invisible hourglass home. He was late and not fashionably late either. He was missing his first son’s birthing, the seed that will one day rise to the throne. As he eagerly neared the entrance of his domain the shaman literally threw himself at his sire’s feet.
“My lordship, I am telling you this for your own sake. It will not do you good if you… go in there.”
“SHAMAN. How dare you defy my rights! I SHOULD KILL YOU, UNGRATEFUL SWINE!”
“Sir please-“ Already late Kousager shoved him out of the way and charged into the heart of his cave. He would deal with the elder later. When he arrived he glanced at his partner Falum, she gave a heart-warming smile but who gave two shits about her. He was only here for his son... his son! He began to dance around her, hunting to glimpse at his fine descendent. When alas he had found his pup he blinked twice in astonishment and then reared back aghast holding in his vomit.
“It-it-it-it.” He choked.
“M’lord! I have tried to tell you!” the shaman pleaded.
“It is black… why is it black?” He whispered to no one in particular. To normal wolves this wouldn’t be so ghastly. But to Dire wolves it is clearly not in their genetics to be of “different color”. All dires of every fluent lineage contained all of the same genetics: Ivory coat, pale blue optics, and the first-born a male. It would be the first time in history that a first-born son was to be birthed as black as night and with such dull brown eyes. This was surely a wonderment and almost a fear if the entire Syn’dra clan knew of this. But surely this was impossible. It had to be a dream.
“Throw. It. In the river.” Kousager, wide eyed, stared at it as if it was a vicious predator. His gaze transfixed they did not move as he spoke.
“M’lord” The shaman retorted.
“Kill it! It is a monstrous creature. This is the God’s doing, the lot of ‘em are playing games on us. Like puppets, shaman, like sick little puppets. Throw it in the river I will not have a demon son. Drown it. Kill it. Destroy it. Do whatever!”
The shaman took a rather deep, collected breath, and closed his eyes “M’lord... It is a girl.”
Now the demon child had to die. Black, brown…. Woman! What was next? Leathery wings? No, this act was to purify the colony and secure its pedigree from those who try to taint it. But mostly Kousager could not have word spreading about his reputation. The child from hell would surely destroy his name! What would they think of Kousager now? A vampire? God forbid, he had to get rid of it – there was no choice. It started to rain harder than normal, in fact for centuries; it had almost pained the shaman’s old eyes as he carried the burden securely in his jowls. After some time the elderly wolf had made it to the water’s edge, it was rapid and venomous, as if the waters were a beastly creature deep inside. Thinking that his deeds for the lord was finished the rain came to an abrupt subside the moment the shaman released his jowls. The blur of fur was tossed in and instantly the waters diverged into high walls shooting towards the skies. Lightning then struck the ground, but these were electrical rays of death. It had almost seemed as if someone was controlling them purposely, striking directly at the Syn’dra’s grounds. When the shaman tried to take flight a bolt came shooting down, striking him with a roar. Shortly after Kousager, followed by the rest of the clan, ran towards the river to see the commotion. As he approached he could hardly make out what was left of the shaman’s burnt body and quickly averted his attention to the diverging river. Down there, something remarkable happened, something that didn’t often. Dire Gods had hardly wasted their time in the mortal realm. Usually they would use deities for their dirty work, which was a bird, rodent, or some sort of mammal.
But today, Ohun himself blessed them with his appearance. The Syn’dras all looked like bugged eyed fish, everyone’s muzzle opened ajar as they gazed at their supernatural being. Ohun, the great Ohun was present. Sitting ever so nonchalantly at the bottom of the river, in the interval of two separated walls of water. To Kousager, this meant no good. But to those who have witnessed this act could surely claim that the rumors were true. The great God of gods stood as tall as a grizzly bear and possessed the build of one too. His facial features were almost feline, cougar-ish, as slit pupils eyed each individual with remembrance. Each single bristle floating gracefully to his every movement and glinted as though each were made of gold. But what was more alluring was his aura, which radiated a glow throughout his body and left a trail of what seemed like the northern lights behind him. When he had gathered his audience’s full attention he stood above the young cub and pronounced in a fearful yet soothing voice:
“The child will stay.”
Well, you would think that baring a demon child…. A female demon child was bad enough it was now the least of Kousager’s worries. Ever since that thing was born it had only caused the alpha great grief and mayhem. The first plague was the decline of making new blood, as hard he may try it seemed that Kousager was now something dubbed asexual. Preventing him of making any new future heirs. This caused him most frustration for there was never such a thing as an “heiress” in history. Males were always looked upon as the dominant figures in the group. Females were just their prophets, their pleasures, and their birthgivers. Nothing more then that, so having a female as a future leader caused much uproar in the pack. This even caused grimaced faces to the femmes who had no problem with their feeble status. Being lower meant no pack foraging trips or war, if they were made equals they would now have to perform male duties – which they were not accustomed to. But as days went on it seemed survival was getting unbearable. The Gods were now casting plagues upon the lands, slowly deteriorating Kousager’s humble kingdom with a group of malicious instincts. They ate any vegetation known to mankind; even some trees fell prey to this. They even ate wolves that got caught in way as well. Then came unpredictable weathers ranging from a series of serve storms that caused major floods. Or some times to painstaking heat waves with long periods of drought. Destroying the land almost meant the shortage of food except for a few termites and instincts. The herds, flocks, and gaggle of things the Syn’dras had feasted upon migrated to far away lands. Due to the lack of any vegetation, even weeds, left the Syn’dra kingdom to a barren wasteland of decay. When it seemed the Gods couldn’t destroy enough a small series of problems now came upon the clan. The most popular one was the death of litters, they were just pups born dead… leaving the families in much distraught. As well exotic diseases the healers could not cure. It was just death, death upon death, the land was dying and so were the Syn’dras. But they did not blame it upon themselves or the Gods, no. They blamed it on the child… Kousager’s demon child.
Chap. IVMalevolent Sheep
“Why, it is as dark as the soul of a spiteful umbra.” “I heard demons gave their blessings to it the day of the birthing." “The accursed child should be banished, executed! It must be murdered!” "There is no such place in our society for this monstrosity.” “Yes, it is tainted. WE MUST find a way to dispatch the route of this evil. Before the evil dispatches us.” “So then we all agree? We shall dispose of this humiliation, and exile this cruel unworthy punishment of our pedigree to its death?”
All of them - “Yes, to its death.”
“Oh poor, sweet Falum, it was not her fault that she had given birth to the grotesque. Oh pity her, pity her and her demon child!”
Different wasn’t always a good thing.
Different meant no matter what you do – you couldn’t: Whether it was a high expectation, finding status, or trying to conform. You just couldn’t be whatever you wanted and despite the difficult efforts it remains an impasse. It made you pungent, and individual in a sea of all the familiar faces. It made you distinct and sharp to the inward eye like the very first speckled leaf of autumn in the midst of green. Different meant you could not belong because you’re branded with rejection. It was perhaps during her puppyhood that she found it the most difficult of her years. Through brush and sheltered wildlife Youkozuma had always watched longingly at the children’s play. Some times fantasying of the thought of one of them asking her to join but it always led to disappointment. Still, she had hoped anyway. Dreaming days when she could play freeze tag, chasing geese, or even racing just one lap around an old oak tree. It was a simple yet secretive ambition that the 4 month cub yearned full heartedly. Today the other children were playing leapfrog, whilst Youko simply laid in the underbrush, enjoying the site in silence. But as the three toddlers, with rather short attention spans, neared closer to the woods one of them had broke off suddenly and ran to the direction of Youko’s camouflage. This caused much panic to Youko, her father had forbid her of coming into contact with the other residents. She was to be home schooled till her 8months but when her parents were gone and the shaman fast asleep Youko’s sneek outs were a ritual. But it was too late!
“Nah-nah-na-nah-nah, you can’t catch me Edwin!” the boldest one bellowed.
“Not fair Asterius you had a head start!” the one called Edwin retorted, still crouching over as the third struggled to leap over his plump body.
“Asterius! Wait! We cannot-“
“Oh quiet phinny your such a worried whim- OMPH!” with a thud Asterius had full on charged Youko, bumping heads and sending the other upon their rear. When the others finally came over they were shocked but not so much appalled as the elders.
“Watch where you’re going moron!” Asterius being the more courageous or ignorant of the two spoke out first. Breaking the interval of silence as if nothing was amiss. Panic stricken, Youko just shook like a leaf, her nerves rattling with unease. As she tried to reply she found herself dumbfounded and could not find the courage to speak or utter a single word. “What’s wrong with you?”
“Brother” the she-wolf approached “the elders have forbidden us to speak with it.” She whispered in his ear and could not find within herself to take her pale blue opals off Youkozuma. However, Asterius saw this as another game and gallantly puffed out his chest in a challengingly way.
“So it is you demon.” He studied her “My father says that you’re a bass-turd, demon child.”
“Yea, a bass-turd!” laughed Edwin “Uh, hey Asterius what’s a bass-turd?”
“Um… I dunno but it sounds pretty funny like feces.” The two males now laughed together. But Phinny had a rather distasteful sense of humor and continued to stare at Youko. “Hey, I have an idea. Let’s play revelations at the end of the world. Anyway you’re the savage beast that has to chase the villagers” –he pawed at Youko who was still shaking like an earthquake “which is Edwin and Phinny. And I’m the messiah who has to crucify you in the end.”
“Hey how come your always the mu-sa-va?! I want to be the mu-sa-va one day.” Edwin whined.
“Because I’m the only one who can say it right! Now let’s play” Instantly Phinny and Edwin took off with a trail of laughter behind them. Frightened by these sudden actions Youko took off the opposite direction with a tail between her legs.
“No, no, no!” Edwin stomped back “Don’t you know anything? You’re suppose to chase US” he grumbled. But Youko just stood there in the spotlight, she was clueless… she just wanted out, a way out of here before anybody realizes what was going on. As if frozen by time Youkozuma was in the middle of them, they formed a circle around her and bellowed in laughter except for Phinny who seemed a little sympathetic. Youko instantly curled as close to the grass as possible wishing she could sink into its depth and disappear. This was her first chance of playing with cubs her own age and already she had made a fool out of herself. Embarrassed and frightened she only stared at the her front digits.
“We’re over here stoo-pid!” they taunted.
“Doesn’t even know how to play a game.”
“Can’t even look at us in the eyes!”
“Come on stoo-pid, this way this way! The poor bass-turd demon has no idea!” Asterius laughed aloud.
“Asterius! How dare you talk like that, I thought I raised you better- My dear lord…. MY DEAR LORD!” Game over. For what had happened nearly lasted two seconds, a frantic screaming mother, a crowd of angry residents, and shortly after the arrival of Falum whom was dragged to the other side of the field to have a more “private conversation”. More then half the pack had showed up, forming a large yet distant circle around Youkozuma. She could hear faint whispers amongst themselves but couldn’t exactly make out the words.
“Falum, can you not control that monstrosity? She could have eaten those poor children, you know demons lust the taste of our infants. If Ruana had not come looking for our son Asterius this could have been disastrous for us all. The child has already damned us, don’t make it anymore worst then hell!” An elderly male spoke out, looking at Falum with pure disgust. “I don’t want that… that THING to come around us ever again. Lock it up till its savagery is of no MORE!”
“Eurydice is not a monster-“
“HOW DARE YOU FALUM, HOW DARE YOU GIVE THAT SATANIC THING A NAME!” He spat. “that thing is a f**king nightmare. Just remember who birthed the prodigy in the first place, and who gave us the plagues of death as well. Not I, not you, or the Great Ohun himself. It was your burden” Fiercely the male lifted his digits and smacked at Falum with such brute force she had almost tumbled backwards. “She is fortunate enough I did not strangle her at BIRTH!” As the crowd began to disperse from Youko the male whom berated the demon’s mother went along with them. None daring to take one last glance, migrating further away from any civilization that batted around Kousager’s burden. Only three faes remained, comforting Falum as they sat ways away from the startled Youko whom was still confused about today’s events. But as she focused on her mother she noted that Falum did not dare look upon her with loving eyes. Instead Falum seemed clouded with sadness and even ….shame.
“There, there Falum… I know it must be hard on you, but maybe one day the Gods will pity you and the burden will die in its sleep. Yes, that’s right darling, let’s all hope it dies soon and becomes your burden no more…For the sake of all of us” some comforting words… - to be continued
Chap. V Youko's Soul of the Wild "-Some old posts"