So, I finally decided on a background story for this guy, and true to my nature, it's a bit tragic. But, he needed a backstory, and in all honesty, when I first made his character, he wasn't something I was overtly attached to, however now it's a different story, and he has been given an interesting tale. Also, I shaded him a bit differently this time around, so, if he looks different, that's why ^^;

Ahem, so, here's his story, pronouns are used for the parents because I don't want anyone to think I'm making unofficial poufs, they're NPCs;

A good generation before this star-speckled pouf came about, two poufs were in love in the heavenly town of Asterfall; however, it wasn't of equal value, one of them loved the other much much more. As many suspected the relationship took a turn when the two received a message from the palace; a baby had budded, and it was theirs. The argument started then; the father claiming that they could just not show up to pick up the baby, then they wouldn't be pressured with such unexpected responsibilities. However, the mother felt it was a responsibility they could handle, after all, they loved each other and that was enough, right?

Well, after a heated conversation, the two eventually left for Chrysanthos to pick up their new baby. It was a long venture for the two, having little in their savings to make the journey quicker, and neither was a high ranked knight or mage, but in any case, they made it to Chrysanthos and to the palace to pick up their new child. However, upon reaching the nursery, they were surprised to find out that the infant was gone! He had been taken from the nursery, after being declared abandoned, and brought to the orphanage.

The father thought this was their saving grace, a blessing in disguise and quickly suggested they head back home to their lives in Asterfall. However, mother was frantic to find their child, feeling guilty for taking so long in getting their and blaming their arguing on the delay. After being permitted to go to the orphanage to try and find the child, it took her only moments to look upon the babe and recognize him and their own.

Even if they were all solid colors and barely had much to define them from one another, this little plucky pouf was her own; his eyes shadowed by a thick forelock, he was quiet and observant of those around him, standing out only in his extremely calm demeanor; after all, what kind of baby pouf didn't want to prance around and play all day?

"That's him!" she exclaimed, going to race to the child, but before she could get to him, the father got between them; "Wait, wait wait... what if we just leave him here?" his voice low, but they were close enough to the young one, he could hear them despite their hushed tones.

"But, we have a responsibility to uphold"

"Not necessarily... this is the orphanage, he'll be given a great life if he grows up here.. a job at the palace? it's practically a dream come true for most..."

"But he's ours, we can take care of him!"

"But we didn't ask for him- you did!"

"You had to want him too!"

The heat between them was intimidating, and their arguing made the young pouf shudder in confusion; he didn't understand what was going on, and none of the other older poufs showed these kinds of emotions. Shrinking a bit, he gave a quiet bleat, backing away from the two and shyly looking around to see if any of the other pouf would come to do something about these two.

Seeing the babe react in such a manner, the mother was quick to disregard their argument to go over and coddle the babe, snugging her neck around him and giving him a comforting hug. "Oh no no, don't be scared little one... we're here to take you home..." her soothing voice giving unexpected comfort to the little babe, causing his shaking to stop. Shifting her gaze to the other, she frowned and kept her voice stern "I'm bringing him home, whether you want him or not... he's our responsibility, and we can give him just as good of a life than he could get here..."

She got a snort from the father, and after a mumbled spout of words, he stormed off and out of their life. He left her to take care of the babe on her own, and that's what she did, taking him back to their home in Asterfall and beginning the long and strenuous road towards their new life.

It wasn't easy, and for the longest time, mother found it barely livable thanks to the wealthier poufs that were beginning to over flood Asterfall; she was forced to turn their extravagant home into an inn, which only brought them closer to the turned up noses of the higher classes. Under pressure, and often looked down upon due to their class, the mother started to get depressed and silently bitter towards those who rented their rooms, forcing them to live in the basement, and sharing a thick blanket to keep warm.

Though she kept her bitterness and depression hidden, and did her best to teach the young one better way of living.

"The act of giving something to others is an art of flowering your heart" she'd tell him, wanting him to not be like these other pouf, and not treat wealth like something that should be hoarded to oneself. She wanted to help him understand that generosity was much more powerful than any amount of money or wealth. Kindness and generosity was all he needed in life; not money, not items, not even a home.

The young pouf did learn such teachings, and remembered the words his mother gave him, treating everyone he met with kindness and generosity, not having much to give in his younger years but those things he did obtain, he was happy to give away if he saw someone who needed such an item more than himself. Life was good to him; and honestly, he didn't see the mistreatment, or difference in class they had, or any of the woes his mother was going through.

But for his mother, life was not good. The strain became too much, and with what money she could scrap up, she bought a small cottage in Snowhurst, sold the inn, and moved her and her son to the new place, away from the stress the higher class gave her. However, the toll had been taken, and after moving, she still felt no relief.

By now, the babe had grown into a sturdy young pouf, gaining the name 'Dusk' for his love of the twilight hours. He had learned a few handy tricks to help with the upkeep of the house; general fixes in the plumbing, roofing, and all around fixer-uper. He was quite useful, and it didn't take long to turn their little cottage into a home; warm and inviting to all those that entered.

The humble town of Snowhurst was quite a refreshing turn for the two, however, it may have been a turn too late for Dusk's mother, as not long after settling in, she fell gravely ill. Dusk was more than happy to do odd jobs around the village to be able to pay for any herbs or medicine that would help his mother, but day by day she would keep getting worse.

Then, one day, Dusk met a powerful mage while working in town on someone's window. The mage was just passing through, though was happy to show the young poufs there his magical abilities and giving quite the display of fireworks. When Dusk approached him, he spoke to the mage about his abilities and what he was capable of. The mage told him of all the things those who had the magical talent could accomplish, how the school in Asterfall was accepting young ones such as himself and teaching them the ways of magic. Elated, Dusk ran home to tell his mother of such an opportunity, and how perhaps he could go to Asterfall and look for a cure for her, but when he got to their cottage; she was gone.

Confused and alone, Dusk spent the better part of his time looking for her, but to no avail. Rumors flew around town, and many encouraged him to just move on and accept life as it was; his mother was in the Dusk Fields now and there was nothing he could do about it. Although troubled by such, he eventually accepted the facts and began his solo life.

His ideas of magehood had been put on hold, now having to support himself on his own and do odd jobs to be able to simply survive. He'd often do odd jobs for people in return for supplies, but more often than not, he simply did such out of the generosity his mother taught him to have. Neighbor having roof troubles? Well, he'd be happy to fix that for them. Doctor is having issues with his dining room table? Well, he can fix that. People began to come to Dusk if they needed any kinds of repair, or help with their daily tasks, and always, Dusk was willing to help. If things were unable to be repaired, he'd take from his own home and given them as replacements.

Before too long, his cottage was completely empty; no table, no bed, nothing but dust and a few cobwebs to show for. Dusk didn't mind though, he was happy to see those items in the possession of those who really needed them, and even more so, to be able to uphold the belief his mother raised him to have. It was an honor, and a pleasure of his, and he never thought much of it. He honestly preferred to spend his time outside anyways, the stars being an odd comfort to him.

As he grew older, he taught himself more even more ways he could help the community; any skill in building, repairs, cleaning and even cooking, he taught himself to be able to help others and be a good Samaritan. Eventually, he even began to teach himself a little magic, finding out that he did indeed have a bit of a gift.

However, a dark cloud always seemed to cover his eyes, not just his forelock, and those clouds detailed a troubled pouf. He couldn't help but feel like he had been abandoned, and that his plight to help others was only a way to try and fill the void he felt in himself. He was troubled by it all, though he kept it hidden very well. With a faint smile, a soft toned voice, and a very calm demeanor, he goes about his days with this troubling cloud on his shoulders, not letting anyone in on his own woes, but more than happy to help others with theirs.

He had a kind heart, though was perhaps a bit too selfless, as he was the owner of an empty home, and as they say; home is where the heart is.

---

And that's his story. Long, I know, but it's the thoughts that were in my head and I just had to get them down, and lo and behold, they best fit in story format. Sorry about the pronoun game and 'mother/father' names, but I wanted to keep this more focused on Dusk, rather than anyone else (plus, I didn't want anyone thinking I was trying to make unofficial poufs).

But yes, This is Dusk's official story, and his background. I also wanted to draw him in an empty house, but.. background are not my friend... so, here you go, a little page doll instead. I am currently working on the first part of his mage prompt, but.. I might've bitten of more than I can chew as far as I could handle in his entry but... hey, working on taking my art to the next level.

Pouflons are a closed species made by http://tyronniesaur.deviantart.com/
Dusk Character, Story and Design ©  whitefoxfire

Pouflons; http://pouflonpalace.weebly.com/

Please do not steal in any way shape or form; do not roleplay, he is mine.