Phineas

❝We're the hope of the Pack, y'know. We just... have to keep going. You can do that for them all, right?❞ -

Phineas is an optimistic and kind irish setter of bright red hue and deep green eyes. He is the current alpha of Lux, and is leading them to The Final Home.

Persona Phineas is a sweet boy, who adores his packmates and will defend them with his life. As one of the first members of Lux, he is fiercely loyal to them. He usually has a positive attitude to encourage his pack-mates. He's also charming and charismatic, giving others the impression that he really likes them. Dogs usually like to come to Phineas for a friend or for advice, and he has an air of knowing what he's doing most of the time. Phineas, though, does have a great deal of self-doubt. He worries when every new member joins, since now he's allowed in two murderers that ended in death and destruction. Phineas has grown less sure of himself as he's aged, but keeps his faith in Polaris and the other deities in the hope that one day, he will indeed lead his friends to their final home. Phineas knows that he must be the hope for his Pack, just as Russel symbolized his own hope, and will do anything for them.

Physical Phineas, like his 11 siblings, is a considerably handsome dog. This mostly comes from his breed, Irish setter, which are most commonly show-dogs. He has rich red fur that can catch your eye from a mile away and dark muddy green eyes that often appear brown. Much to Phineas's chagrin, his fur is often matted, since an Irish setter's fur is typically meant to be groomed twice a week. Because of the scarce prey and hostile environment he thrives in, Phineas is rather scrawny and unimpressive. His face is defined with a sharp muzzle, and he usually has some sort of happy-go-lucky grin. Phineas has a small scar that runs across his back and a larger one that runs from down front right shoulder.

Imagery

History Phineas was born in a litter of 12. He was very often overlooked, but it didn't bother the young Irish setter. Often he liked to explore the streets, taking in the sights and catching birds. While his siblings were being prepped and pampered for show-dog life, he was learning to hunt. Phineas was taken with his parents to a show-dog event in a large city, his family wanting to persuade him to reconsider the life he was expected to live. After a not-so-great experience where Phineas openly taunted the contestants, he was deemed a lost cause and is let loose in the city. He was still less than one year at this point.

One day, while out hunting away from Shadow, Phineas met a beautiful Labrador named Sarah. They were close for a good amount of time, either with flirty banter or hunting competitions. Phineas eventually discovered Sarah attempting to kill Shadow- just so she could receive full attention from Phineas. Phineas fought her off and fled with Shadow, shocked and hurt. He never saw Sarah again. Her memory is a bitter one, and has left Phineas tentative about getting close to others and finding love.

Phineas developed an edge very young, and was a valuable hunter and scavenger. He wasn't without help, though, as he was met up with an old dog named Shadow whom he befriended. Shadow was a sort of father figure for young Phin, and he taught him the ways of a lost stray. After the disappearance of the humans, Phineas was tasked to defend Shadow on his own, who had grown very old and frail. It was hunting for the old dog that he encountered another canine, Stewie, and eventually his future Alpha, Russel.

Nowadays Phineas lives as the Alpha of a traveling group Lux. Although he has gone through many challenges as the leader of a group in a dystopian world, Phineas is determined to stay hopeful and lead his friends to their Final Home.

Relationships TBA Quotes "Of course you do. Murderers and cheats never stray far from the side of lies."

-Phineas, to Thorn after he found out his secret

"I don't think that's how it works. I promised that I'd give my body and my life to keep the pack safe. I cant be the reason for more deaths, not so soon after.... everything."

-Phineas, to Dutch after Thorn's death

"Listen, Dutch. I know I'm not perfect. Far from it. Frankly, I'm a terrible dog. I- I've made so many mistakes. But none of that excuses what I've said to you, because it's not true. What happened with your brother isn't your fault, and I trust your judgement more than anyone else here. I trust it more than my own, at the moment."

-Phineas, to Dutch after Thorn's death

"Bailey was a hero, but he shouldn't have died as one. He... he blessed us with his tireless energy and positive spirit. I only wish I could have taught him more. I pray to the spirits that Bailey watches over us, and will bless the rest of us during our journey to our dream home."

-Phineas, after Bailey's death

"We're the hope of the Pack, y'know. We just... have to keep going. You can do that for them all, right?"

-Phineas, to Dutch

"I miss being full. Really full. Of course, that was rare living on the streets but whenever you were you knew you were on the top, y'know? I wonder if we'll get that feeling again. One day! I'm sure we will! Eventually. Once we get out of this place, Russel says, we'll have open fields and all the food we can eat."

-Phineas, to Onyx

"Zeus was one of the first members of this Pack, alongside me, Shadow, Stewie, and of course, Russel. He and I, we had stuck together as friends, through all this time. Through the good and bad, Zeus has been here to support me and helped to raise this Pack from nothing, back so long ago when we united at that alley. I will never regret us all meeting, I will never regret our union as a Pack. I will, though, forever feel a hole in my heart where the two dogs, Dutch and Zeus, had lived. I encouraged them to become mates, to eventually fall in love, to adopt a lovely daughter. At the loss of such a vibrant life like Zeus, I cannot help but feel a little bit empty. Zeus's memory will carry us onward. His strength, his intelligence, his humor, will live on in this Pack. He symbolized hope to me, just like I hope to spark in you. We're the hope, not one dog, not some distant image in the future, not Polaris. We are what carry us forward in times like this, when it seems like there is nothing but death and pain in our future. I promise to carry you to the end, to Final Home, to salvation. You will not lose me, like we lost Dutch, to the darkness. I dedicate this night, now, to Zeus."

-Phineas, to his pack after Zeus's death

"I cannot hide the pain I feel at the loss of this vibrant young dog. After all she had went through; losing her sister, her mother, and her brothers, and at such a young age. Vela had symbolized to me the light within the dark, the hope where there is none."

-Phineas, after Vela's death Trivia
 * Phineas was named after a character in the book A Separate Peace
 * Phineas was a showdog
 * Phineas is connected to the deity Dubhe through his role as Alpha
 * He has 11 other siblings
 * He is one of the fastest runners in his Pack