Do you want a short story written about your OCs? Please fill out this form to start the selection process: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1.....rm?usp=sf_link

Selection rules:
1) I write what I want and I'd appreciate some respect in that regard. If I reject your request, I will usually tell you why in an email/note. Please don't try and change my mind; arguing will just decrease your chances of a story in the future.

2) There is no set timeline for completion, but I will provide reasonable updates if asked.

3) I use what information I have available. If it is not clear that your OC hates banana popsicles, there's a chance they might enjoy one in my story.

**NOTE: I haven't written anything in about 3 years, so sorry about any rust that might be showing :p

The quiet mountain atmosphere was disturbed by the soft footfalls of a lumbering wolf walking slowly toward a small pond. Dante tried his best to not disturb the delicate ecosystem, but he quickly began to eschew this thought the closer he got to the pond. The crystal clear mirrored waters beckoned to him. He had been travelling for several days on foot and had not seen an inn nor a soft bed in a while. The thought of being able to wash his body and relax for while proved to be much more tantalizing than his desire to remain unnoticed. Dante reached the edge of the pond and set down his travelling satchel and started to take off his pants. So fixed on the idea of relaxation, a large naga was able to poke his head out of the water and observe Dante for several seconds before he took notice.

Dante jumped back, pulled his pants up, and let out a shocked bark at the observer. The naga giggled and pulled himself out of the water fully, exposing his silver-blue body.
"Don't worry, you're not the first wolf I've seen undress."
"Do you make it a habit of sneaking up on people when they are vulnerable?!" Dante spat back, now more angry than scared.
The naga laughed. "Do you make it a habit of coming into people's homes nude?"
Dante thought for a second and relaxed. "Yeah, I guess you're right. I'm sorry. I didn't think..."
"You didn't think there would be a naga this far north? My kind do prefer the warmer waters in the south, true, but I have had... disagreements with my kind before."

It was then that Dante began to notice more of the naga before him. He was definitely different than the nagas Dante was used to seeing in the south. Instead of a red body, this one had a silver-blue body that made him almost invisible in the crystal water of his home. His hair was also very long of a male, the purple locks falling on his shoulders in a nearly-perfect fashion. Tracing his eyes over the naga's body, he noticed several large purple scars all over his torso, many of them looking like claw and whip marks. Dante began to wonder what type of creature he had run into and his tension began to show.
"Do you like what you see?" the naga asked with a wry smile.
Dante blinked and snapped his eyes back to meet the naga's. "I'm sorry... I'm just tired and I guess I started staring."
Dante picked up his satchel and began to turn to leave.
"You don't have to be embarrassed. I'm different, I get it. If you wanted to stay and have a bath, I won't mind."
The naga slunk back into the water. "The name's Amalesh by the way."
"Dante. And thank you."
Amalesh slipped beneath the water and disappeared.

Dante waited a minute before getting undressed and stepping into the pond. The waters were icy cold, but it felt amazing on his joints after days of walking. As his chest went below the water, his mind drifted back to his home back in Orah and the love of his life. Jessie was a beautiful Russian Blue cat that made every day a joy for Dante. She was a hard-working, loving woman that was definitely one in a million. A couple weeks ago, Jessie fell ill with a mysterious sickness. The local town cleric was able to partially cure her, but she was left with terrible headaches. The cleric had told Dante about a potion merchant in The Valley of Secrets that most likely had a cure for the headaches. The next day, Dante set out on horseback and met up with the merchant about a week later. He bought the potion and began to travel back when his horse was stolen in the middle of the night by a bandit. Since he had spent all his money on the potion, Dante knew he needed to make his way back home on foot, and that's how he ended up at Amalesh's pond.

"Being lost in thought is almost as bad as being lost in the mountains," Amalesh whispered into Dante's ear. Dante let out a yell and shoved the naga hard.
"What is with you and invading privacy?!" he barked.
Amalesh threw his head back in laughter. "You make it so easy!" The naga pulled himself out of the water and draped his body over Dante's broad shoulders. "What were you thinking about anyway?"
Dante relaxed and sank back down with Amalesh's weight comfortably balanced. "Home," he replied. "It's only been a couple weeks, but I miss my bed and my lover."
"Understandable," said Amalesh, "I think about home a lot too. At least you have a home you can go to back to..."
"Are you alone by choice or by force?"
"A mix of both," the naga sighed. "I didn't particularly agree with many of the choices that my elders made and they did not approve of many of my own. After a few of these disagreements, I came here."
Dante noticed that Amalesh was tracing the outlines on his scars as he was recounting his story. Dante leaned back into the naga's body and relaxed even more.
"There are some definite upsides to living out here though," Dante mused. "Clear water, fresh mountain air, no politics..."
"No friends, no companionship," quipped Amalesh.
Dante looked at the naga puzzled. "And what do you call this?" he said as he squeezed the naga with his arms.
Amalesh giggled. "I suppose you're right. But, you're not staying forever..."
"No, I can't," replied Dante, "but Jessie has been looking for a new place to get away from it all. And once she gets better, I think this place will work out great."
"That would be nice..." Amalesh said as they both fell quiet.