Poem wasn’t sure when she fell asleep the night before, but she was sure that there had been someone close or holding her whenever she passed out. That thought brought the girl fully to wakefulness as blue and lavender eyes shot open. They were singing and then… she was waking up. She didn’t feel like anything more than that happened, but as she realized that she was alone Poem felt herself fall harder from the high of the previous night.

The young Destruction had enjoyed her night with Sparhawk and had hoped to spend a bit more time with him. She shivered lightly at the thought of him and how close they had been. And was suddenly very thankful that he was such a gentleman. That thought made her more sad about his disappearance in the night. She sighed heavily and put her head back on her paws, her first thought was the missing feeling of the man she’d met, the second was the headache sitting right behind her eyes.

Her heart hurt and she felt less than her best. She needed a good long drink of water, and then it would be time to go home. Abaven needed her, and she couldn’t run from her emotions and responsibilities forever. She’d enjoyed herself, Poem had fun with Sparhawk last night. He’d invoked a joy in her that she hadn’t felt in so long. The truth of it was she was feeling a bit sorry for herself. She huffed lightly, knowing full well that wallowing in her sorrow wouldn’t do anything. Poem was better off finding a place to clean herself up. With another heavy sigh the girl found her paws and shook herself of the fantasies that played in her head. She was making the trip home on her own, nothing had changed.

Sparhawk had slept exceptionally well. He always slept better when he wasn't alone. He was fine being alone, he simply didn't prefer it. Spending the night nestled up with Poem had made him sleep like a newborn pup. And so, when he woke, he decided to do something nice for the woman that had graced him with her presence.

The striped man had left before the sun rose. The storm had abated, which was fine and dandy. It made it a lot easier to catch the pair of ptarmigan that he would bring back for breakfast. Before he entered the cave, Sparhawk filled the skin with cool, crisp water. He knew that Poem would need it. Birds between his jaws and the skin on a rope around his neck, the man made his way back into the cave.

As Sparhawk took the path downward, he hummed a happy little tune. His mouth was full, but he still sounded decent. Red eyes widened somewhat as Poem began to come up the path towards him. He could see the sadness on her face. Sparhawk released a grunt and dropped the birds. "Miss Poem? You leavink already?" With one paw, he prodded the pair of ptarmigan. "I bring you breakfast." He shook the skin. "And water. I know you need." The man tilted his head in a slightly comical manner. "You stay and eat?"

She must have slept really well because she hadn’t noticed him leave at all. She was disappointed mostly. In herself for thinking the chance encounter had been anything more than a chance encounter. Frustrated, but moving slow, she made her way to the entrance of the cave, but stopped in surprise as she heard the familiar rumble of Sparhawk’s deep humming. Poem wasn’t sure that she had ever felt so uplifted as she did in the moment when she realized she misunderstood. She’d assumed the worst of him and as he rounded the corner she realized why.

A shy grin crept over her dark lips as he spoke, he sounded as disappointed as she felt in the thought of her leaving alone, or without breakfast. ”No, I thought…” She trailed off and shook her head. It didn’t matter what she thought, here was Sparhawk just as gentlemanly as ever, and more so than she gave him credit for. Humbly the girl bowed her head, ”I’d love to share breakfast, and water.” Mostly the water, because he was very right in knowing her need of the fresh liquid. She giggled softly at his tilted features and at the same time felt that odd fluttering in her stomach again. This time she couldn’t blame the alcohol.

”Thank you for thinking of me.” She offered up sweetly as she shifted to return to their warm chamber. Though the details were foggy she knew better than she had how comfortable and safe she’d felt in his arms.

He watched the different emotions flit over the woman's face as her lovely gaze fell upon him. Suddenly, Sparhawk felt a little self conscious. Did she not want to be around him? Was she trying to leave before he came back? Then she smiled and admitted that she'd love to share a meal with him and all of those insecurities went right out the window. It was a little strange to him that Poem had roused such feelings within him just then. He wasn't prone to flights of fancy or unrealistic expectations. The red man tried to not get his hopes up at all. What had that been?

Poem led the way back into the cavern, settling back into the place where they'd spent the night together. He placed one of the freshly caught ptarmigan's in front of the woman before settling on his stomach across from her. Shrugging out of the rope that held the water skin on him, he handed it over to Poem. He knew that she would be thirsty and might very well have a headache. It would have been much worse had he not cut her off last night.

Holding the bird between his front paws, Sparhawk began plucking the feathers away with his teeth. After some plucking, he had the breasts fully exposed and began to eat the lean meat. After swallowing his first bite, the man licked the blood from his chops and cleared his throat. "When we done, I walk you home, yeah?" He was intent on seeing her all the way home to make sure that she got back to her family safely.

He’d come back. He’d come back and he’d brought her everything she needed to recover from her first experience with drinking. Something she wasn’t sure she wanted to relive yet, but the emotions that had filled her along with the alcohol… She stole another glance at the mountain of a man as they settled back down. She lowered herself into a sphynx like position as he mirrored her and lowered himself before her.

Birds were one of the more frequent meals she received as a young child, her father always had a penchant for fowl. Maybe it was because he was such a bird brain himself. The thought made her chuckle inwardly as she worked away the feathers from the delicate skin of the carcass. At least until Sparhawk offered her the water skein. Her head throbbed as she accepted it without hesitation and drank from it much more heavily than she had last night with the wine. It was blessedly cool despite being against the heat of Sparhawk’s body.

She took a deep breath as she finished and returned her purple blue eyes to the ruby red gaze Sparhawk boasted as he offered his intended plans. He was going to walk her home. A blush grew on her features and her stomach flipped pleasantly at his words. She felt even more foolish for thinking he had abandoned her that morning.

”You don’t have to, it’s really far away…” She wanted him to walk her home, she couldn’t hardly believe how much she wanted that. Poem didn’t want to be a burden though, and he’d already done so much for her. ”I’d like that though.” Her sweet voice followed up shyly as she glimpsed from her ptarmigan and back to his face.

He was glad when Poem settled down to eat. He didn't particularly care for the women that pretended to not be hungry for the sake of appearances. Everyone eats. Everyone knows it. Why pretend? It had always been a silly thing to him. Somehow he knew that Poem wouldn't be one of them. They'd only met yesterday, but he could tell that she was a good woman. A true woman. Sparhawk liked that sort of thing.

When Poem told him that he didn't have to walk her home, the man released a snort. "Don't have to. Want to." At this stage in his life, the man was a gentleman. He would see the lady home. Not only would he have the comfort of knowing that she arrived safely, but he would know exactly where she lived so that he could call upon her in the future. Which... he planned to do. Already he knew it. There was something about this little songbird that intrigued him. He wanted to know more. He wanted to know all.

Silence stretched between the pair as they ate their meal. The red man was careful to not be too messy, but made short work of the bird. With one paw, he pushed the remains away. The cave dwelling creatures would have a decent meal of the scraps. Sparhawk then began to lick his big paws like a cat, carefully cleaning away the accumulated blood from holding his meal in place. Once finished, he pulled himself up to a seated position. "When you ready, we go. Take your time." He wouldn't rush her, but he would let her know that he was ready when she was.

Poem was anything but a small dainty flower that watched her figure or had ever been particularly vain. She was a warrioress, there was no time to make sure her fur lay perfectly on her body or to think about looking gluttonous. She didn’t even think about hiding her appetite, but it was her gulping swallows of water that was more likely to turn heads than the petite bird. She did eat rather daintily though, and she was careful with each strip of meat she pulled off. Poem looked up to the red marked man as he assured her that he wanted to do this. She lowered her eyes to the tiny bird at her paws as she blushed again at his kindness.

”Thank you, Sparhawk.” She told him bashfully with a soft smile on her dark lips. He really was a gentleman, there was no incentive to travel the miles with her, not that she could see at least. As the thought of saying goodbye at the border took her she wasn’t so sure she was looking forward to parting ways. That time wasn’t here yet, and for now she’d enjoy being in his calm presence. With his infectious smile and handsome features…

She shook herself internally and shifted her gaze before she could be accused of staring. She focused on her bird and was done not long after Sparhawk. Poem was bothered little by the bits of blood that stained her lips and paws, but she gave them a quick clean as he told her he was ready whenever she was. Poem looked back up to him and suddenly realized. ”Oh! Did you.. did you ever see if there was any clay worth harvesting?” She asked as the realities of real life reappeared. She’d come out here for her grandmother and had nearly forgotten while she forgot everything.

Once they were finished eating, Poem reminded Sparhawk of the clay that she'd come here to search for. The man chuckled. "Too busy singing. We check now, yeah?" Rising from his place, his gaze stayed on the pretty, dark touched maw of the woman before him. Coming incredibly close, the man leaned in, flicking his tongue over the corner of her maw where it met her cheek. Pulling back, he smiled. "A bit of breakfast left over, but I help. All gone."

Turning away, Sparhawk used his nose to sniff out a particularly damp spot, thinking that it might be an ideal spot for clay. With big paws, he began to dig, pulling up clumps of moss and thick dirt. It didn't take him long at all to get down to a layer of clay in the soil. The thick, earthy substance stuck to his paws. He might very well need a bath after this. He would surely need a rinse.

Bringing one clay covered paw around, he showed Poem. "It looks blue, but the light in here is very bad. Take it upside, yeah?" Glancing around, Sparhawk looked for something to place the wad of clay upon. A flat sheet of rock would do just fine. Taking up another scoop, he pressed the muck onto the rock, then began to collect his things. He would wait for Poem to give word before they traveled upwards and into the light of day once more.

His deep chuckle made her heart flutter as he realized just as late as she did that they’d nearly forgotten. Her lashes fluttered as she watched him stand up, his own garnet gaze lingering on her and causing ablush to rush over her features. She couldn’t forget the fluttery feelings that flashed through her last night, she mentally thanked him again for cutting her off of the alcohol. Poem inadvertently let out a soft whine as his tongue touched on her lips, it was more pleased sounding than she expected. ”Thank you,” she told him through a shy voice.

She watched him for a moment as he turned away from her, blue and lavender eyes lingering on his backside. Poem knew she was being inpolite so she stood up and made her way to his side as he searched the ground for her. At first shehesitated but after they’d been so close the night before she felt herself craving that closed distance. She brushed up beside him as his powerful limbs worked at the earth.

She couldn’t deny th color, it seemed like the same shade as her own fur. He was right though, she wasn’t sure if she’d be able to recognize its true color until they returned to the light of day. Either way she was sure it would be made useful. Maybe he’d ask her to help him rinse off the rest of the sticking clay from him dark fur… She mentally shook the images from her mind, he was a gentleman and she was getting away with herself. Maybe that kiss hadnt happened…

She’d brought a skin with her, just in case she and her companions found something like this. As Sparhawk collected his things Poem packed up the clay he’d dug up for her. She wrapped it carefully and tried not to get too overzealous wit the thoughts of what she would make from teh clay he’d gotten for her… And tried not to think too heavily on the other man that had helped her with a similar haul.

Poem turned back to Sparhawk with a shy grin, ”Ready?” Her ivory tail wagged lightly at her hips and she again suppressed how excited the butterflies in her belly her getting.

After transferring the clay into the skin that Poem had offered, Sparhawk took it in his mouth. He slung his own supplies over his red and charcoal shoulders and, at her question, they went upwards and back towards the light of day. It took a little while for his eyes to adjust to the glaring light of the sun, but, with a bit of squinting, he was soon okay. The man brought his attention to Poem, making sure that she was okay before sitting the skin full of clay down. Opening it, he gave a soft hmmph sound. "Looks blue to me." He would let her inspect the clay before they began their departure.

It seemed that a song was never far from Sparhawk. As they walked, he hummed along to some nameless tune. There was pep in his step. He'd slept very well nestled up against Poem all night. As he'd thought many times; he was fine being alone, but he preferred to have someone to curl up beside at night. Maybe Poem would be that one. Surely there had been some connection there. It hadn't all been the drink. She was pretty and charming and intelligent. Poem was a larger woman which he also liked very much. So far, there was no down side to her.

In time, the wolves arrived at a river. It was moving lazily along and didn't seem to be terribly deep. Even so, Sparhawk picked his way downstream a bit until there was a raised area where the rocks were clearly visible all the way across. No risk of drowning here. Since he was covered in dried clay and muck up to his elbows, the red man shrugged out of his pack. It was time for a swim.

Wading into the water, Sparhawk began to wash the muck from his tree trunk legs. The water around him ran with muddy blue murkiness. Since he was already here, he began to give the rest of his body a wash too. The man submerged his face, blowing a few bubbles for the hell of it before surfacing to rub his paws over that face. Water sluiced down his redwood and charcoal coat. It never crossed his mind to ask Poem to join him. He assumed that she was already clean. She certainly smelled clean.

Sparhawk brought the clay to light, but even before he opened up the skin she could tell the color. The mountain of a man was covered in the blueish clay. Poem chuckled softly, he was closer to her coloration than his own. Her front legs were splattered in it as well, but not quite to the level of her companion. She grinned at him as they started the journey, he was bright this morning, just as he’d been the night previous. Even thinking about those moments together brought a flutter to her belly, and her pale cheeks flushed.

She stole glances at him as they strolled along and hummed softly. Poem might have spoke but she didn’t feel too much of a need, simply being beside him was comfortable. They did eventually come to a river, and he was quick to get in. The young Destruction couldn’t decide if she would be considered impolite if she joined him without invitation. Sparhawk didn’t seem like he would be one to hold such manners too gighly so Poem dropped her packs and waded out behind him.

Poem blushed again as blue and lavender eyes took in his wetted form, she could see every defining curve of his muscles. She turned her gaze away before doing much the same and submurging herself into the cool water. It rushed over her face and coated her fur before she pushed through the surface and took in a deep breath of the air above. She shook herself in the water as she rubbed her paws against her legs to rid herself of the excess clay.

”We’re making good progress.” She commented idly while deliberately keeping her eyes from his form lest her face turn bright like a cherry. Of course stealing glimpses of her handsome companion were infinitely tempting.

Sparhawk was glad when she joined him in the water. Poem continued to surprise him. She wasn't dirty, but she entered the water with him anyway. Blue water rushed downstream and Sparhawk was clean once more. He didn't get out of the water just yet though. He would stay in as long as she did. Poem ducked under and the man's ears perked, waiting for her to surface. She did a moment later and he relaxed again, that easy smile on his maw.

At her words of their progress, the man chuckled and went to sit in the shallows. "Should we slow down?" He joked with her. It was obvious that he was enjoying his time spent with her. "You are an exceptional woman, Po-em. I enjoy our time spending together." He felt the need to compliment her. She was so... easy. Easy to be around. He didn't have to pretend. With Poem, he was simply Sparhawk. It was almost funny how quickly they'd taken to one another. There was still a bit of shyness on her part, but that was understandable and he didn't hold it against her.

Sparhawk leaped atop a large, flat rock. The sun beat down from up above and quickly began to sap the water from his pelt. The surface was large enough for Poem to join him if she wished and he really hoped that she did. Once they were dry, they could resume their leisurely trek back to Poem's home. He would see her to her doorstep and already he knew that he would promise to call upon her again.

Poem shook her head to rid her eyes of excess water before her gaze settled briefly on Sparhawk’s huge form as he shifted to the shallow water. She didn’t miss the way his wet fur clung to the muscle beneath. A weird wave of emotion rushed over her body, it tickled her toes and made her shiver lightly. She averted her blue and lavender gaze as her pale cheeks grew warm and red. He suggested that they slow down and she almost immediately answered ‘yes.’ She didn’t realize that she could want a moment to last forever, but already she enjoyed his presence at her side.

She couldn’t help but look back up towards him as he complimented her, and there was no doubt he could miss the red of her cheeks now. Her heart fluttered with his flattery and she didn’t know what to do with herself. ”I’ve enjoyed spending time with you, Sparhawk.” Poem confessed softly as he pulled himself out of the water and draped his wet form over a sun warmed stone with a silent invitation towards her. She couldn’t pass an opportunity to be close to him. Gracefully she emerged from the water and pulled herself up beside him.

With a shy smile the young woman draped herself over the rock, the sun catching her set fur as she stretched languidly. They still had a ways to go at least, she didn’t have to say goodbye yet. The thought saddened her and she tried not to dwell on why. ”What will you do after?” She asked as she tried to keep the sadness from her voice. Sparhawk was a brightness in her dark life, she wasn’t ready to see him go.

Just as she was appreciating him, he was appreciating her. The way that the water clung to her womanly curves made Sparhawks stomach tighten. Usually he wasn't this much of a lecherous cad, but she seemed to make him this way. Manly urges rose in him and he kicked them in the teeth, holding them at bay. It was a good thing that he was laying on a rock.

Poem admitted to enjoying his company and the redwood man beamed. He was glad that the joy wasn't one sided. It seemed as though he was making a friend of the woman and he was rather content with the thought. Even if the fates didn't push them together in a steamy relationship, he would be honored and overjoyed to simply call her friend.

As the pair dried on their rock, Sparhawk couldn't help but steal glances at the snow and steel beauty beside him. She was so lovely and yet she acted like she had no idea just how pretty she was. Sparhawk liked that about her. Usually he could tell when a woman knew she had looks. Poem was just sweet and innocent. Inwardly, Sparhawk gasped. Was she a virgin? Gods above... Heat flared across his cheeks now and his red eyes went wide as he snapped his attention back to the water below.

Angelic tones pulled his full attention back to her. What would he do after? "Not sure. Maybe come back and get more clay. Maybe try to find honey to make mead." Ears perked as he brought his red gaze to rest upon her face. "And what does the future hold for you, Miss Po-em?"

He smiled unabashedly with her, though she wondered if he was as uncomfortable as he felt. The young Destruction knew better than to indulge the bubbling emotions within. She enjoyed Sparhawk beyond a physical attraction. She’d only just met him and had to contribute most of it to her hormones. Still, the sadness of knowing they’d part was very real. The temptation to cement his memory was strong, but pandora’s box was better left unopened. Her heart would just have to continue to try and beat out of her chest as her cheeks remained in different states of flushed.

She missed his own blush, but his fur was dark and she was shyly keeping her gaze from remaining on him for too long. He spoke of clay and honey, being so humble she didn’t begin to think more clay meant more clay for her. She did wonder if perhaps he would reintroduce her to a batch of his honey mead. He followed up with reversing the question.

”I could help you find honey, since you’ve helped me with the clay.” And in no way was it because she wanted an excuse to see more of him. ”I need to stay nearer to Abaven though, we’ve been through a lot. There’s still a lot of work to be done.” She only hinted at the fact that he wouldn’t be able to lure her away from her family. Knowing good bye was coming made her uncomfortable, and she shifted to cover that fact. She revealed her opposite side to the sun but turned her belly towards the red marked man. Without thinking she touched her toes to his lightly, bestowing tremendous affection in that tiny movement as white fur lingered with charcoal.

Sparhawk listened as Poem spoke and he caught the subtle hint as she spoke of her home pack. He understood that she didn't want to go far from it. If he'd had a choice, he wouldn't have gone far from home either. She offered to help him find honey though. That was nice of her. The man shrugged lightly. "No use in finding honey without havink a place to make the mead. Maybe when I find a place to call home, eh?" Who knew when that would be? He wasn't eager to settle down, but if some place happened to catch his attention, he wouldn't fight it.

"How long until home?" Sparhawk turned his head, looking to the woman laying so very close to him. He didn't want their time together to end, but he would make a point to call on her again. That was something very nice to look forward to.