Tanuchan

Sorry for not posting, I've been having crazy days here... I'll try to squeeze in a post soon!

I'm in. Great idea, Sweet - thank you for thinking of it! It's indifferent for me if you write about "me" (if you know me ) or about Tanny - the character .

rosy

http://home.att.net/~slugbutter/evil/neutral.htm

Sweden

Mia (are names acceptable? If not, just ignore me )

straightjacket

piece

cherry

ice cream (well, it is kind of one-word...)

skunk

red

Halloween

Piglet

Yeap, you're Niko and I'm Chiko. Erm... wait... *reads again* Seriously: Mynx=Chiko Tanny=Niko The tanuki sisters, description above.

straw

rose

colt

nightmare

I'm in... character to come.

honesty

(polar) bear (yeah, I know it's just one word - kind of explaining why Arctic -> bear )

whale-watching

Patrick, Mynx, and anyone who has eventually bid on me: I'll be out of town and with very random net access (if any - I doubt I will have access) from the 12th to the 26th... so be patient if you need to contact me

Co-written with Panther. Thank you for the date, it was a wonderful one ~~~~~~ Early in the next morning Tanny is already out in the forest when dawn's first rays touch the lake. A soft breeze creates small ripples that reflect the golden rays, creating an overall silvery-golden effect on its surface. Sitting on the grass in the exact spot those first rays touch, Tanny has in her hands something that glows in golden-red hues. A closer inspection shows that it is a reddish crystal, and that the golden tint comes from the sunrays reflecting and playing within it. Humming softly, Tanny throws a grounding line to earth, and reaches for the threads that run clear and strong under the lake. She concentrates on the crystal in her hands, and little by little the tiny facets grow brighter, smoother. The delicate threads of energy that run through the crystals are not easy for her to manipulate, in spite of being of earth in nature, but her patience and care show the results she had planned some time later. In her hands, there is now a small crystal dragon that glows golden-red, sunrays trapped and reflected in the myriad facets that make its scales. After a careful examination she nods in a satisfied way, and leaves it on the sun while she stretches and, on an impulse, dives into the lake changing into her wolf-shape mid-leap. As the water closes over her head, she smiles and remembers the details of the date of the previous day. The marvel of being immersed in clouds, their ghostly whisps of condensed water touching her skin while feeling the powerful muscles of the dragon under her; of seeing the land far below, with the forest and mountains spreading in mysterious shapes beneath the flying dragon; and the gentleness and charm of her mage-date - they are all burned in her mind, and treasured deep in her memory and heart. Surfacing, Tanny swims to the border and reassumes her human shape after shaking the water off her fur. Sitting again by the lake she picks up the crystal dragon, feeling now the warmth it absorbed from the sun. Smiling, she again grounds herself and bends her skills towards water and earth threads. Red for the warmth made of earth that heals all crystal with many facets each holding a small thread: for healing, for respite, for steadiness and strenght. Her mind bends towards the threads within the crystal once more, remembering the hidden vein from which she had collected that piece. The color had reminded her of fire, and it reminded her now of Panther's irises - flames dancing in mischief and that, she suspects, would glow in anger if the need arouse. She weaves the threads around the golden sunrays trapped within the crystal, smiling and keeping in her mind the marvel and exhilaration of her ride. Golden for the memory of dawn and hope sunrays that bring a bright new day. Keeping the threads firmly held, she reaches now for the water. Choosing carefully, she picks the flimsiest but strongest thread, and weaves it carefully around the others. And blue for the water for clouds in the sky for comfort and soothing the touch of friendship. It's not too long later that Tanny, still strongly linked to earth, senses through it a familiar presence threading on it and coming toward her. Standing up, she waves to Panther. "Good morning, m'lady... I have received your message." His voice is curious as he holds her hand and bows over it in a greeting, and Tanny squeezes his paw warmly. "You must stop calling me 'm'lady'... unless you want me to make it clear to you that formalities usually embarrass me a lot." Grinning, she looks at him and to the lake behind him in an unmistakable way as she adds, "In some places it is said that felines don't really appreciate water, though I don't know how much of that would apply here..." Panther chuckles, and nods. "I can swim as well as any wolf, I can tell you that. But I hope you haven't asked me to come here just to check my affinity to water...?" "No, indeed not - though if you want to take a swim, the lake is really soothing and relaxing at this time". Still smiling, she grabs his paw again and puts into them the crystal dragon, now in a delicate silvery chain. "I shaped it using the earth threads that are part of its nature, and it is laced with water. You're a mage, so you will be able to bend your will into it - it'll warm your heart and give your mind the strength and healing of earth if you need it, and soothe and comfort through the water threads. I know they aren't your elements, fire-mage, but I hope that you accept this from a friend's heart." Panther looks down at the dragon in his paws and smiles at its little shape. "Many thanks, M'Lady. I am sure that it will help remind me of my home, where I had many dragons, but alas, I could not bring them with me, and now, only Anguis remains loyal to me. It is a great gift, and one that you did not have to give. It will receive a place of honour within my quarters." Carefully tucking the dragon within the folds of his robes, Panther smiles at Tanny before giving her a bow and excusing himself, saying that he has some errands to take care of, and arrangements to make as he is still getting settled.