News had spread of a carnival getting ready to be pitched in Fern Gulley.  For weeks, Fern had begged Rudyard to take her, even going so far as to give him her best, ‘puppy dog eyes’. Luckily, it doesn’t take much convincing (she had still begged him because it was funny to see him get flustered) and the motely boy actually seems as excited as she is. The pair walk side by side up to toward the entrance, stopping near to get an admittance bracelet and sign up for the tournament. When they cross the threshold, the energy and excitement have Fern bouncing on her paws. Eyes wide with amazement, she nudges Rudy and points out all the interesting sights as they walk. There are just so many! The smell of fried food has the gray girl tilting her head back and inhaling deeply, saliva immediately pooling in her mouth at the delicious scents.

A pup sprints in front of the pair and Fern laughs happily, the enthusiasm of the youth adding to her own joy. Wolves shout and herd their pups, coydogs call out from their various booths and the gray girl spots a stand with various pendants and bangles on it. Giving an excited squeal, Fern points to the stand and says, “Rudy! We should get each other something special! You know… since we are mates now.” Her chest fills with warmth at the thought, the sense of belonging wrapping around her. Coaxing the boy over to the booth, the gray girl dips her head in greeting to the russet female coydog that runs the booth. The coydog says, “’Ello loves. Fancy some jewelry? A necklace for the lovely lady? Or perhaps a pretty set of bangles?”

As ocean-hued eyes roam over the sparkling gemstones and glittering silver, Fern mumbles, “Oh we’re just looking.” She gives Rudy a glance, trying to see if she can read what the motley boy is thinking.

"Rudyard & Fern"

Rudy wouldn’t miss out on a festival without a real good reason.  Still, he had never expected to find Fern so adamant to beg him that they could go.  Even after he had agreed and been excited, another day would come and she’d beg again as if he might change her mind.  Well, he had played enough pranks on everyone else Rudy imagined Fern teasing him was fair play.

As they entered the fairgrounds Rudy’s eyes were taking in everything left in right with curious eyes.  After a bit though Rudy started having more fun watching Ferns energy over the whole thing.  As Fern mentions buying each other something Rudy follows her with some amusement but offering his own notion, “alright, we can do that but, we also need to try out however many different foods they are offering.  It smells great.”

“Hmm,” Rudy sized up the coydog musing as he then gazed at the jewelry.  “I could barter with some nice pelts I’ve got.”  He’d have to pick out something she’d like!  Did she want a necklace or an earpiece or something else?  Fern was already pretty and he was fairly certain any color would work well.  

“How about that one?” Rudy pointed with a paw, pointing out a bit of jewelry that had three turquoise circles stuck together by a curved bit of gold that ran between them.  Hopefully, Fern liked it.

"Rudyard & Fern"

Fern bounces as she walks alongside Rudy, the festival’s atmosphere feeding into her own sense of giddiness. When she spies the jewelry stall and playfully pouts at the motley to make him join her, he agrees but offers his own condition… sampling the food. The gray girl’s eyes light up with joy, her stomach rumbling in agreement before she can answer, “Deal!” The pair walk to the booth, Rudyard humming as he sizes up the various pieces and offers to barter some of his nice pelts. Ocean-hued eyes look to the boy who has her heart, a warm smile crossing her maw at his kindness. Standing next to the motley wolf, Fern gently leans into his side as her eyes dance over the objects.

Rudy spies a piece first, pointing it out to the gray girl and her eyes turn to the turquoise pendent. Fern’s breath hitches at the beauty of the gold and turquoise. Releasing her breath with a soft, “Wow”, she turns her gaze to look up at Rudy and says, “That is beautiful. But… its too nice for me.” Heat floods her face as she ducks her head to go back to looking for something for Rudyard, eyes glancing back to the beautiful pendent from time to time. Finally, she finds it. The perfect thing for Rudy. Eyes widen as she points a paw to a leather band exclaiming happily, “What about that Rudyard? Would you like it?”

Light paw points to a wide, black leather band that has smaller, thinner black stripes braiding up from the back. In the middle, a golden arrowhead is held with the braided cords and two small, round rubies rest on either side of the arrowhead, their bright red gleaming in the sunlight. Wide eyes turn to the motley boy as she asks, “What do you think? Would you wear it?” A happy smile ticks her lips up as she looks at the wolf that has her heart, hoping to make him happy.

"Rudyard & Fern"