Xaniss the wolf

Character for ~Moonfire-Thornessa's contest (see her journal for info). I hope the fur isn't "over the top" I just wanted to make this one picture as detailed as possible for the introduction. And I think I paid too much attention to character and not enough to design but it's too late now

As the title says, her name is Xaniss. She is snowy white all over except a bit of short grey fur on part of her muzzle (the shaded part in the picture), with crystal green eyes. She wears what is known as Zalhava's Jewel on her left foreleg. It is a glittering green stone the shade of her eyes, set in a symmetrical gold band, the shape of which resmebles wings. The Jewel is known for its magical properties, and that is probably how it stays on her leg. Its power also enables her to grow small wings with razor feathers on her limbs (the wings are her back are natural but the feathers are also sharp as arrows) and run like the wind. The wing on her right foreleg is shown as example. But the stone also needs to recharge. She can shoot the feathers of all her wings, like how a porupine shoots its quills. She only uses this ability as a last resort, as it is painful, and the feathers take a long time growing back.

Her father is the leader of a pack (large pack, kingdom, whatever). He gave Zalhava's Jewel to her as a gift to Xaniss, as she is one of his favorites among his many children.

Xaniss's fur is very thick and serves as good defense against teeth, claws and the cold. But it can also come to life as dancing white flames at her will, the temperature so high it will melt metals (the Jewel is protected by its magic, couse). In this form, she is not vulnerable to waer, because they turn to gas before they even come near. However, if buried by earth, her flames extinguish immediately. There is also a limit to how long she can maintain this form, as it does take up a lot of energy.

Some think it is a pity that Xaniss only toys with Zalhava's Jewel, as it can easily help one become master of the winds. Others think it is fortunate, as she would be quite lethal if she had control over the wind, considering her element.

Though Xaniss often seems lazy and dreaming among the clouds, she is actually quite ambitious, her goal-- to become the next leader. She seems lazy, but she never stops thinking; her mind is like a thinking machine. If what she says seems ludicrous, it is because she's already several steps ahead. Using her remarkable powers of observation and deduction, she has gained the name of a seeker of justice, along with allies whose hearts she has seen into.
But in situations that require a quick response, Xaniss is at a disadvantage as she tends to analyze every detail. She doesn't dare make a decision until she is sure she has thought of everything. She is still young, and has lived all her life under the protection of others, so she hasn't had many chances to overcome her overcaution.

She also likes to gain in knowledge. It may be why her father gave her the Jewel, as it helps a lot in travels.

When she is not thinking about gaining anything, her company could be enjoyable, as she is an intent listener. Or it may be frustrating, because when she gives her opinion, it may be so rounded that it doesn't seem an opinion at all, or it may be too long so as to cover all the points.

I could have wrote more, but I think I've babbled long enough...