Indigo wondered if his mood was being affected by the endless winter, or if there was something deeper bothering him. The dreary days that blended into the next and the next with no end in sight was certainly taking its toll on the yearling boy. He was like a flower himself, he needed the sunshine to bloom and grow and he felt like he had stagnated with the endless winter. He yearned to have green life around him again, and eventually the boy decided to try his luck in heading southward. The cold hadn’t gotten so bad until the spring returned, and he wondered if he went as far south as he could go if he might be able to find a respite in the chill of the world.

Massive purple paws made huge prints in the snow behind him, it was hardly a couple inches worth of accumulation but Indigo still felt the curse that was the cold. As he walked alone there was another heaviness to his heart that he tried not to accept. He keenly felt the missing presence of Aslatiel at his side. The time they were separate was coming to a close, summer would return and so would he to her side. Indigo knew he had to get through the infinite winter first, and as he walked he wasn’t even sure he would see the sun again. The giant warm ball in the sky or the sunshine of his heart, his sister.

Indy continued south as these thoughts raced through his mind, the boy was uncertain he would ever be relieved. His massive head hung low as he walked, alone he could show how beaten down he felt, and embrace the hopelessness that threatened him but he was unable to show within the delicate inner circle of the Hallows. There were wolves with much bigger problems than he had, and Indigo knew it. But being able to be out here alone he could embrace his inner demons.

A heavy sigh left him as Indigo finally reached the very southernmost beach of Auster, and again he felt disappointment take him. There was still no green here, and it was just as cold as the castle. Though he wasn’t sure he could pinpoint the exact location his feeling of defeat came from, it was still there. Overwhelming and crushing. Indigo furrowed his brows and allowed the emotion to take him. The massive boy lowered himself into the snowy sand as he begged the tears not to fall.

She had been doing much better than expected, given the fact that she had been most recently abandoned by the boy who she thought would be her love for the rest of her life. Looking back, while still in anguish, she found herself feeling silly thinking that she was so young and that this young brute would be with her until the day she died. They were so young when they met, maybe it wasn’t love after all, not that she would entirely come to notice. Duchess had wandered the southern continent of Auster while trying to find a new purpose. Surviving wasn’t the only thing on her mind any more. That almost seemed like baby stuff now that she was older and didn’t have anyone to share her life with. She hadn’t even bothered to find her abandoned lover, he made it pretty clear he no longer wanted to be with her. While she was off on a meaningless exploration because that’s what her life was like these days, she couldn’t help but notice the giant brute, purple though much more than herself, nearly sulking across the freezing plains. She knew that feeling, not that she knew anything about him. But the way he held himself, the way he walked, she understood just from the glance. She didn’t make haste to join him, instead slowly wandering along behind him from a short distance. He came to a near collapse as he came to the most southern land of their entire world. Duchess frowned slightly at the sight, only wishing there was something she could do to help him. But that was a silly idea given the fact that she hadn’t even stood before this stranger before. It didn’t stop her from approaching him though. Light paws dipped in the snow covered sand as she came beside him, poking her nose down to his face as he dwelled in his own emotions, “Are you okay?” Her voice a near whisper, not wanting to frighten him too much but also didn’t want to interrupt his emotional breakdown. Sometimes, it was needed. Walk "Talk" Think

The desperation held tightly to him, his heart tightened and he felt the emotions pulling at his eyes. Indigo was so good at pushing everything he felt down, at not showing the deeper emotions inside. He couldn’t keep going forever like that though, eventually it built up to where he couldn’t hold back anymore, that was why his restless paws had brought him all the way out here alone. For a long moment he debated about asking Cosette to come with him, but he eventually went on his own. As he felt the tears prick at his bright blue eyes, tears for Rue, tears for himself and the distance between himself and Aslatiel… a soft voice returned him to the present.

Indigo didn’t jump as he heard her, there wasn’t much that could startle the massive boy these days. He certainly hadn’t expected another presence. With a short sniffle to rid himself of the evidence of his emotions Indigo’s red marked features turned to catch sight of the girl beside him. She was tiny, her voice matching her stature, but more surprising was her coloration. He wasn’t caught off guard by her presence, but by her beauty. Indigo wasn’t one to judge appearances but he always seemed to be drawn to the most beautiful wolves,

Her coat was a blend of soft black fur mingled with soft purple galactic markings and vibrant dual colored gems for eyes. Indigo couldn’t find his words for a long moment, it seemed like the closer he got to adulthood the more he noticed the pretty wolves around him. Indigo hardly remembered that she had asked him a question because he was so caught up in her appearance. Indy lightly shook himself of his own thoughts and returned the mask over his face. The last wolf he wished to bother with his own sob story was this pretty little stranger.

”Yeah, I’m fine.” Indigo lied, not one of his strong suits but he wasn’t about to pour his troubles onto her delicate shoulders. He could carry the weight himself. ”Or enough that you shouldn’t trouble yourself.” Indy added, already feeling bad about being deceitful. ”I’m Indigo,” he continued softly suddenly feeling awkward in his own skin but at least he wasn’t dwelling any longer.

Duchess gave the brute space while he contained himself, his collected sniffle noted but not called out. She raised a brow as he tried to insist he was fine, but it seemed he could barely lie to himself. She tried to give him a small smile of her own, as if to put the state he was in behind them. That didn’t mean it wouldn’t linger on her mind from here on out. She would wait for a different time to give him consolation, that was, if they ever met again. “My name is Duchess. It’s nice to meet you Indigo.” His name was fitting for him, perhaps unlike her own. Maybe her more darkened appearance was what gave her parents the idea for her naming. Not that they stuck around long enough to find out. Duchess believed that she was not good enough for her parents, while she was not good enough for her lover. She felt not strong enough, not pretty enough, and overall just a failure. Not that she showed it outwardly the same as Indigo and his entire facade, though he did well to change from one state to another. She sat up, still giving him the gentle smile she started with. “Why did you decide to come out here alone then?” She wasn’t teasing him, more trying to move out of the dreary feelings he chose to mask. The smell of the pack nearby she caught on to, but she wasn’t exactly familiar with anything other than the loner life she lived with just her and her lover. Walk "Talk" Think

She was hardly an overwhelming presence, her tiny form and soft voice were hardly a disturbance to the massive brute. Even as he spoke she offered him a look of disbelief. Indy could hardly lie to himself let alone the dainty dame. She didn’t say as much, but she knew plain as day what he was hiding. The yearling boy didn’t miss her offering of a grin though, and felt the warmth of it despite everything weighing on his shoulders. There was a kindred spirit between them and even if no swords were spoken Indigo could feel it between them.

She told him her name in return, returning pleasantries as both of their minds wandered much further than the wolf beside them. Lost. Not in a physical sense, Indigo knew exactly where he was, but his soul felt like it was wandering. Like he hadn’t quite found where he was really truly supposed to be. For a long time he believed it to be next to Aslatiel, and even now he felt that way but here they were with uncountable miles in between them. He thought he’d found his purpose in protecting Rue, but he had allowed her to fall to an ugly death. Now he was occupied with Cosette, his friend, the one he took care of, but he could still feel the missing pieces that refused to be found.

Duchess continued softly, her pretty smile still playing on her features as she pushed him slightly. He could tell she was attempting to be light hearted as she asked about his loneliness and brilliant blue eyes looked up to her. For a moment Indigo contemplated his next lie, but there wasn’t any real reason to hide from her. He didn’t know her and she knew not him, and after they parted ways he wouldn’t likely see her ever again. A soft sigh left his lips as Indigo returned his eyes to his dark paws. ”So I wouldn’t bother anyone with how okay I am.” He tried to return her attempt at lightening the mood but it felt flat. He shook himself slightly, making another attempt to rid himself of the dreary feelings now that he was in much more pleasant company. ”I’m sorry we’ve met while I am not… great company.” He struggled for a word. Indigo looked back up to the fairy like she wolf as he felt something that didn’t make any sense. It was like he knew no matter what he said the girl would understand him completely.

Her smile dwindled while he doubted himself, but she wouldn’t blame him for feeling such a way. She wasn’t one to scold him for that fact after all. It would be hypocritical of her.It didn’t mean that she wanted him, or anyone to feel that way though. It wasn’t a healthy lifestyle. Still, she would rather herself suffer at the hands of someone else than displease them. Her face turned a little crooked as she peered from below his massive form. She went to lock eyes with his, wanting him not to look so down on himself. At least maybe she thought if she could make him feel more highly of himself now, it would linger even just a little bit. Her paw lifted up towards his face, hoping she wouldn’t frighten him in the process. It gently touched his cheek where she thought she saw a tear, or maybe it was just her imagination. Only a gentle touch on his thick fur to wipe it away, whether it was there or not. “I don’t think so.” She returned the smile she had previously to him. She stepped back, turning her body around before moving her gaze behind him, offering for him to walk with her. If only back towards his pack, but she wouldn’t steer him away from wherever he wanted to go, if that just meant spending more time beside her, that was fine. Walk "Talk" Think

He watched her expression fall slightly as his eyes lifted to meet hers. Duchess tilted her head ever so slightly as her dual toned gaze fixed to his own. Dark red marked ears slicked to his skull as she looked deep into his very soul. The entirety of his emotions lingered right behind his eyes, and if he didn’t know any better Indigo would have said she was picking out each one. The girl was silent and moved slowly, lifting a tiny dark paw to Indigo’s cheek. He moved on instinct, naturally leaning in to her soft touch.

Indigo closed his eyes and listened quietly as she spoke again, absolving him of any perceived wrongdoing. He was surprised that he didn’t want her to move away as her paw fell. Indy opened his eyes as she motioned for him to walk beside her. Indigo was already sure he wouldn’t be finding any plant life here, and the added disappointment of being empty handed wouldn’t help the feelings bubbling up inside.

He sighed internally and lifted himself to his paws, offering no argument. He needed to walk, being out here helped to clear his mind, but mostly made room for more self-pity. Indy followed after her, his pace a crawl as he could easily overtake her small stride. He couldn’t help the way his eye continued to catch her, and for a while he wondered if she really was some kind of fairy folk. The way she looked into him instead of at him, the sparkling way her coat flowed over her delicate build. A question formed on his lips but he couldn’t quite get the words to form on his lips, so he simple asked: ”Why?” Why was she here, why was she being so sweet to him, why did she care about a sad stranger on the beach? Why did she take the form of an angel?

She was secretly surprised that the brute moved into her touch, but she tried not to think much about it. Maybe it was something he was missing or craved, it may have been something she would never know. Indigo would join beside her, taking her smaller strides to mind was a little hard to ignore and it was appreciated. It was his question that put her a little off kilter. “Why…?” Her voice was welcoming compared to irritated that he didn’t ask a more logical question. Her brow toward him raised as she wanted to wait for him to give her a better question. Instead she would question him, “Is a walk with a stranger really that bad?” A teasing tone. At least she wasn’t aggressive, she knew some wolves could be. But there was little a tiny wolf like her could do to a massive brute like him. She didn’t really think of the possibility of him flipping a coin to hurt her, only because of the state she had found him in. It would be a surprise to her to say the least. “Are you at least a little cheered up?” Walk "Talk" Think

Indigo was a kind hearted soul despite his outward looking appearance. Towering, maned, saber toothed monster. He always got second looks, but his inner softness was even more evident it seemed. Duchess had no reservations approaching him, nor getting close to offer a bit of support from a complete stranger. She showed him no fear, and Indigo responded with easy trust. He couldn’t quite put to words the rest of his question even as she looked up to him and requested the rest of his thoughts. At least she couldn’t read his mind.

He didn’t answer in time before she followed up with a question of her own. Duchess managed to bring the hint of a smile to his fanged lips. Now she was teasing him, and Indigo was allowed to relax with the rhythmic motion of his own slow pace. ”I guess it depends on the stranger.” He admitted in a similar teasing tone. The girl wore the night sky on her fur, she had to know her company was pleasant. Duchess went on, revealing what Indy couldn’t help but believe were her true intentions. To see a smile on his face.

The yearling Fatalis gave her what she wanted, and not in some forced fashion. A genuine smile graced his lips as he glanced towards her. ”I think you might be made of cheer.” Indy chuckled lightly, subtly unwilling to admit any level of cheer out loud. He wouldn’t deny that he enjoyed the way she put him at ease, even when he felt crushed by his own world. She didn’t know him or what plagued his mind but she wanted to see him smile and Indigo appreciated her efforts to the bottom of his heart. Finally he returned to the question of why. ”Why did you decide to come out here alone?” He mirrored her own question with a tilt of his (nearly) maned head.

She couldn’t disagree with him. Maybe she was a bit naive but it was probably because of what wrongs she had come across in her short life. She wanted nothing more than companionship, perhaps a rebound from where she was just left but that was okay. She wouldn’t regret what friends or more she would make in the time after. She blushed to Indigo’s cheer, shaking her head just lightly, “I don’t know about that.” She didn’t think highly of herself as Indigo didn’t for himself. She wasn’t sure if her self esteem would ever let her feel good about her achievements. She was a pleaser and not the other. She liked to see others happy at the expense of herself. Indigo would reflect her question, and she tried to keep up a higher spirit in her tone, not that it wasn’t evident that the thought put her down a little bit. “I….” She trailed for a second, not sure exactly what to say. She didn’t want to put her troubles on the shoulders of the stranger, same as he did, but she didn’t want to leave him unanswered especially after she had made note to turn his attitude around. “I don’t have anyone.” It was a simple way to put it, she was alone entirely. A lowly loner that, probably in her words, didn’t have anyone to protect her or share her life with. Walk "Talk" Think

Indigo didn’t really know what he wanted beyond that which he could not have. That fact alone affected his life like little else had. The reason he was all the way in Auster when he should have been beside Aslatiel. He should have stayed in the Armada no matter how hard it felt, and now that he was here he tried not to regret his choices. Learn to put on a mask, enjoy what the world had to offer, always return to where his heart was kept.

So far he hadn’t done any of that. He’d failed miserably with Rue and she haunted his dreams. Cosette was sweet and so very dear to him, he felt protective over his young friend. She gave him a purpose again. Still he’d forgotten something, how to simply enjoy life instead of just surviving in it. Losing Rue affected him in ways he couldn’t even fully comprehend, but he hadn’t felt this at ease since before she died. Duchess possessed a special aura about her, maybe it reminded him a little of home. Of innocence, warmth, and comfort.

She wasn’t any perfect being though, not an angel nor fairy and as he turned the question back on her Duchess fumbled. Her demeanor changed, barely enough to be discernible but her voice broke too and Indigo could feel the strife beneath. A feeling that echoed deep in the yearling boy. Indy stopped walking so he could concentrate more fully on her delicate features. For a brief moment he wondered why he seemed to attract orphans. Not that he would have changed anything, meeting these wolves helped him appreciate what he had. Each played their part in shaping who he was. Did Duchess have a bigger role to play than a simple walk with a stranger?

”You can stick with me.” He offered softly, already ideas were swimming around his head. He couldn’t keep bombarding his grandmother with the wolves he found. He wanted to take care of Duchess and Cosette, he could do so much better for them then he did for Rue. He was the son of a great Warlord, he knew he would never rule the Armada but he very well could form a Band. ”Only if you want. It’s nice to smile again.” He carefully confessed to her, they did just meet but Indigo didn’t take long to get attached. Sirius liked to show himself in very different ways in each of his boys.

Duchess slowed to a halt as Indigo did, eyes fluttering as she felt a bit of awkward blushing while he examined her more. But as he would offer her a place to stay, a low giggle hummed from her throat like it was a silly idea. It was after all, they knew nothing of each other besides the fact they both appeared kind in nature. But she didn’t reject him, “I think I’d like that very much.” She couldn’t help but keep a bigger smile on her face while he let her know he was happy, or at least as happy as he could be. To smile again. “I miss being with someone too.” She referred somewhat to the feeling of loss that she understood in him, but she had stated it more to show Indigo that he would be helping her too. His eagerness to attachment she wouldn’t be far from, but their situations different to what caused them to feel that way. Walk "Talk" Think

Indigo couldn’t argue with her assessment of the arrangement, an amused giggle left her lips and he chuckled in return. Within an hour of meeting the pair of them were already joined at the hip. Still, she didn’t say no to him and her innocent giggle turned to her admitting how pleasant the idea really was. Her grin grew and Indy’s expression mirrored her own. He really did feel better now that he was smiling again. This care free feeling was different from how he felt around Cosette. The striped girl brought him joy, but there was something about Duchess that grabbed him tightly.

He didn’t know who she lost, but she hinted to her strife. She was alone, so her family or pack, or even if his mind wouldn’t touch on it, love, all of them were gone. If they ever existed in the first place. Indigo felt the same sting, and was glad to offer himself to her own joy as she lent hers to him. Indigo smiled freely, and tentatively reached over to touch her shoulder supportively. They both knew too well the feelings just below the surface, but it was a relief to allow them to be forgotten together.

”Loneliness is a good friend of mine,” he admitted softly. ”I hope I can manage to keep him away from you now.” He continued, easily reciting a flimsy vow. Words didn’t mean anything without action behind them. Indy would pledge and show her, keeping the old foe at bay himself.

She didn’t move to Indigo’s large paw on her shoulder, only welcoming the touch without changing her more joyful expression. She did well to hide what the touch had done to her, wanting to put her closer to the male. But it seemed this wouldn’t be the last hour they spent together while Indigo offered her friendship and protection. It was weird how he mentioned keeping him away from her. Almost like he saw into her, knew beyond the fact that she was hurt. She hadn’t even said that directly. But he didn’t know the extent, even if Duchess was thinking that Indigo had some kind of superpower to sift through her thoughts. They would begin to move more north towards his home, but it seemed they wouldn’t be heading straight there. That was okay though, because either way she would have been wanting to spend more time with the purple giant. Walk "Talk" Think