His reassurance was nice, but the responsibilities of the pack far outweighed that. And Duchess wasn't any type to ignore her responsibilities. It would have been better to lay up here in the watch tower, or down in the dungeons, kissing Indigo all day, but it wasn't apart of her nature to go against what needed to be done. It could have been a simple choice for any young soul like herself, but she wasn't that way. She knew while they were in the pack, the pack came first. Whether that was how Indigo felt or not was irrelevant to her thought process. Without lingering anymore, Duchess' paws gently dragged across Indigo's chest as she started to rise, and she took a couple steps back allowing him room to get himself up too. She was in no hurry though. Her eyes remained on him until he was ready, an enjoyable grin on her face. "We can stop by the stores to get some lunch." She'd go to start descending the stairs, "And then we can do whatever YOU want." Her eyes squinted in a tease but ready to obey what Indigo would have had in mind. For now, they could enjoy a meal together on their day off. Walk "Talk" Think

Indigo never shirked his duties, keeping the pack safe was his number one priority and he would never forget his vow over Rue’s grave. Still, the yearling’s single desire in that moment was to remain there with Duchess all day. Enjoying her presence and how good being with her made him feel. For so long he felt like his chest as a never ending pit. He always felt depressed and like his heart was broken into a million pieces. With Duchess he could smile again and forget the pain brewing deep inside. All too soon it seemed her paws were pulled from his mane and the girl was stepping away from his much bigger form.

The boy sighed softly and followed her lead, lifting himself to his paws and gently shaking out his thick fur. His blue gaze returned to her pretty features as she agreed to lunch, but then he got to choose what they did with the rest of the day. He was tempted to bring her back here, but maybe a change of pace was in store. Until then. ”Alright, lunch time.” He agreed as he reached forward to nudge her shoulder gently. He gave her a soft smile and led the way back down the stairs.

”So, for future reference, what is your favorite thing to eat?” He questioned her lightly as they went. He was determined to know her better than he knew her lips. His violet tail swung mischievously at his hips as he caught her from the corner of his gaze.

They would start their descent down the stairs to make their way back towards the meat stores, and Indigo would ask her not necessarily a personal question, but in a way it was. It made her realize how much they didn’t really know each other. It didn’t put her off at all, at least toward Indigo. It made her think, if only for a second, how quick she rushed into this as much as she didn’t want to. As much as she didn’t want it at all. But it was a lie to say so. She did want this comfort again. She just didn’t want to find herself hurt again. She was too involved in the needs of others to reconsider what she was doing to herself, or what Indigo was going to end up doing to her. She wouldn’t see it coming for sure. "I prefer red meat from like a deer, but occasionally I like salmon." They made their way into the hall towards the main stairways towards the courtyard, "I caught a large sloth though the other day, I wouldn’t mind trying that." She actually preferred cooked meat too rather than raw, not that either was bad. They made their way to the stores, and she grabbed a couple pieces of the sloth creature meat, it was cut into portions, salted and kept cool for safe keeping. She put the pieces and a couple strong skewers in a basket that was up on the shelving and exited the stores to look back at Indigo before moving up to the fire they had cuddled by their first night together, "I'd like to cook it if that's okay with you." She smiled before moving on. Once they arrived, she skewered the meat and set it up above the fire where the flames could gently grasp at the meat. There would be a few minutes before the meat was cooked, "Did you have a preference on what you like to eat?" Walk "Talk" Think

Indigo enjoyed spending time with Duchess and hiding away in their time off. Finding a secluded place and kissing the morning away. He wanted the affection more than anything, especially with everything he had weighing on his shoulders. Indigo wanted to forget and to get lost in Duchess. They did hardly know each other, but Indigo saw no wrong in their actions. He liked cuddling as much as he enjoyed just walking with her, and getting to know the wolf she was.

Duchess responded to his question easily, giving him two options. Red meat and salmon, both were excellent choices and Indigo couldn’t argue with them. He wasn’t a great hunter or fisher but he’d remember… just in case. ”Wait, Sloth?” That was one animal he wasn’t eager to attempt. ”Hmm. I guess if you want to try.” He wouldn’t be convinced until they were there. Duchess told him she wanted her lunch cooked, and she did well to remind him of Iolaire and the foods she used to prepare. Indy tried not to dwell but Duchess’s next question took him right back to his childhood.

Indigo looked away and hid the tears that threatened his eyes. He was having trouble denying how homesick he was these days. ”I love honied strawberries.” Indigo admitted to her quietly, remembering the treat like he’d only had them yesterday. He couldn’t wait to have a strawberry patch to make his own.

Duchess was too caught up in taking care of their lunch to truly notice the emotional expression that Indigo tried to hide, but she had noticed as he turned away, only a glimpse of the strange feelings he was pulling together from the fruit. It was an odd response, she was expecting the normal meat kind of answer. Perhaps duchess didn't really have the delicacy of honeyed strawberries. She was always out fending to survive, she unfortunately wasn't looking for berries to sweeten. She looked at him a few seconds, not sure how to respond. She didn't want to ask him about something that would bring up those sadder emotions. But it was tucked away into her mind. "Can't say I've ever had... strawberries. Maybe you can show me sometime." She offered a smile, genuine to wanting to share the memory, or change it to a happier one, whatever would make Indigo feel better in the end at least. She knew of like elderberries, or wild black and raspberries. But she had never heard of strawberries, not that she would have preferred fruit over meat anyway. She placed two clothes in front of Indigo and where she would lay for the meal, and pulled the seasoned and flamed meat from the fire, pulling the skewer out after placing Indigo's piece in front of him. She set hers up second, and found herself at an angle across from him, "You can chose our meal next time." She smiled, since the thought of the sloth didn't seem typically like a good one to him. She gently took a bite of the meal, it was a bit gamey but not like she hadn't had before. It reminded her of pork but not quite, it had it's own unique tang to it. The seasonings helped with the strange, new taste. She probably would stick to her usual deer if possible, but it wasn't a bad option and if it was for her survival she wouldn't complain. Walk "Talk" Think

Indy was thankful that Duchess was preoccupied with her task and didn’t have her dual toned eye on the boy’s expression. He was cracking, losing control of his carefully crafted mask that allowed him to hide the turmoil within. Duchess words didn’t make it seem like she had reason to suspect his deeper emotions and told him about her own lack of experience. Come to think of it though, Indigo wasn’t sure he had ever met anyone with possession of any kind of strawberries. Most wolves stuck to being obligate carnivores. Usually he would agree, but those strawberries would forever have a place in his heart and stomach. If Duchess had pressed him about them Indigo wouldn’t have hid anything from her, but he wasn’t so forthcoming in the information either.

Her smile was enough to whisk them away and after a couple of blinks of bright blue eyes he returned her pretty smile. ”It’d be my pleasure.” Indy returned with a quick nod as she positioned a placemat before each of them. Indy watched her quietly as she removed and prepared each piece for their consumption. Indigo was still uncertain about sloth, but he hadn’t ever tried it either. Duchess promised him that next time they shared a meal he could be the one to decide what they dined upon. Indy chuckled lightly as she put the meat to her lips.

Indigo didn’t withhold his gaze as she tentatively tried out the freshly cooked flesh. She didn’t make any kind of terrible faces as she experienced the meal first. As she chewed Indy returned his bright eyes to the skewer at his paws. Without anymore hesitation he took a nibble of his own, just slightly difficult with his long sabers. He had to say it was probably only Duchess’s skill in preparation that made it tolerable. ”You really know how to cook.” He told her brightly, avoiding addressing the actual taste.

She chuckled as he mentioned, she had been self taught in the skill, how she even acquired it she couldn't remember. Being a better memory cooking for Draco, it wouldn't be prominent while she shared this with Indigo, but she wouldn't say she was a great cook or anything. Though most wolves just ate their meals raw. She at least found new meats better cooked than raw, it made the weird tastes go down better. This sloth for example. "Thanks." She replied, flashing him a glance. Hiding the fact that the taste was odd worked well for Indigo, "Cooking has always been easier than hunting for me. Kind of hard for me to take down bigger prey." She noted her smaller size. She usually helped Draco with elk and things of the like. She typically fished or caught birds herself. But that didn't mean she couldn't find other ways around her small frame. She tried to make the lay of the land work out in her favor, since brute strength wasn't in her attributes. She finished her bit of meat, and started to gather the supplies back into the basket to take back down to the stores. "Okay, what next?" she spoke eagerly, though she was happy to just be here with Indigo, tour, kisses, or whatever he had in mind. She wouldn't have it any other way. Walk "Talk" Think

His compliment brought a chuckle to her lips, he didn’t know what kind of life she’d lived before they’d met. What he did know was that she was alone when they found each other and she had put her past behind her to move forward with him. She might not have thought herself very talented but she was a whole lot better than Indigo and he could appreciate her skill. Duchess mentioned her less than stellar abilities in hunting but Indy shook his head, there were always support roles and small prey like this. ”I’m not a great hunter myself.” He confessed to her as he finished his lunch with her. It wasn’t the worst he’d stomached.

They finished relatively quickly and Duchess swiftly picked up before returning to his earlier decision to make. What was next? ”Well, we’ve seen the highest point, ready to see the lowest?” He asked her with a tilt of his head as he picked himself up and began to lead them towards the corridor that would take them to the staircase below. He ignored the feelings that remained at the back of his throat. How much he missed his family and what once was. He hadn’t realized how perfect his life had been before… everything. Before he left. Before he abandoned Asla. He knew she had wanted and encouraged him to the Hallows and the separation but now that they had been apart for so long he doubted himself more every day.

Indigo shook himself as they rounded the massive wooden doors that were the threshold. The dungeon stair. ”You aren’t afraid of the dark are you? Or ghosts?” He was teasing, but his voice took on a more serious note.

She was surprised Indigo stated he wasn't a good hunter, considering she had witnessed him fighting off the saber cat well. But then it had her considering that standing your ground and attacking was different than chasing a prey animal, and then it kind of made sense. Indigo was a large, strong wolf and she was a small and agile one. But regardless of his giant, and somewhat terrifying appearance, he was quite the softy. Duchess wouldn't call him that, but she knew him from the gentle side, the cuddles and kisses they shared. Sure she was scared when he killed the saber cat, but she saw past his more aggressive behavior that was necessary. It was hardly different than her killing a deer, and she may have started to admire his skills in fighting as time went on. He mentioned as he did earlier, it was time to check out the dungeon. She wasn't that thrilled about it herself, but there was no harm done in doing so. She had made him choke down some sloth after all. "Only with you." She smiled, brushing into his shoulder and letting him lead the way. She couldn't imagine that a pack so kind could actually have prisoners, but her mind wandered to the possibility. Indigo asked if she was afraid of the dark or ghosts. She hadn't been anywhere quite deary like she was probably about to experience, but that only gave her an excuse to be close to Indigo, not that he would have rejected if they weren't going into a dark dungeon. "I don't know, but I'll be okay with you here." Her head rubbed into the thick fur of his neck, staying closer to him. She found herself more in step with him as they walked now, compared to their original meeting where he had told her to stay close and she didn't. She edged her shoulder and hip into him gently, looking around at the cages and chains along the hallway with a bit of tension as they peered around the different barred rooms. Walk "Talk" Think

Indigo didn’t hold back when the situation was dire, he put his all into defending Duchess even if that meant taking the saber’s life instead. He hadn’t hesitated, it was what needed done. Duchess could see past that part of him, the part that had no mercy for anything that threatened those he held under his protection. Indy wouldn’t allow any harm to come to Duchess, especially from ghosts, as she reluctantly agreed with him. Duchess let him know he was the only one she would let convince her into this kind of place. Indigo chuckled darkly and nuzzled her cheek briefly before moving forward. ”It’ll be fun, I promise.” He assured her as they descended deeper.

She didn’t know if she was necessarily afraid of either but she was certain that Indigo would take care of her. That high trust was obvious in the way her steps aligned with his along with how close she remained beside him. The fact put a grin on his features as he acted as her guide and guard through the gloom.

Indigo knew there were usually rats living down here, and at a specific place if you passed by it would send half the colony rustling over the stone. Indigo had gotten a heart attack the first time it happened to him. Now he intentionally went that way to get a reaction from Duchess. The noise was unlike anything else he could describe, the sound of dozens of tiny claws over stone was unnatural and eerie in these haunted halls.

She stuck close to Indigo, still looming over the shadows in the corners and made from the walls. Very little light came from outside, and even so the grey clouds didn't help at all. They walked creepishly through the tunnels, Duchess may not have been entirely scared but it was fun to play the part. Still, the place was eerie and enough to give her goosebumps as they couldn't see what lingered around the corner. A quick breeze shifted through the corridor, a howling followed behind it that made Duchess lose her quick step beside Indigo, but she quickly regained her footing to scurry back beside him. Not even a few seconds after, the screeching scurry of the rats Indigo had been thinking about moved from down the hall. She stopped immediately, making a quick side step to be plastered to Indigo's side. Her ears were perked forward while she was attentive to the strange noise and she made an almost silent gasp to the over dramatic fright. All they could see before them was a moving shadow taking up a portion of the floor, the cluster of rats moving from one cell to the other. She didn't know what she was seeing, but she was starting to think she didn't want to find out. Walk "Talk" Think

She had been close to him, but maybe not this close, when they made their way to the tower. Duchess’s proximity now was a very different feeling to that in the tower. Easy affection and bliss had found them up there, but this was different. Duchess remained close to him out of not as much affection but uncertainty. The shadows and walls seemed to move and shift as through they were given a mind of their own. Every shuffle of paw or stone kicked created a sound unique to the mundane occurrences that caused them. The echoing auditory fluctuations did more to give an unworldly feeling than much anything else. Coupled with the lack of sight, or so little sight it made your imagination your worst enemy. Indigo had struggled with that the first few times he came down here and with the girl’s closeness he could only guess Duchess felt the same.

The outside wind slipped through the dungeon creating a sound of tortured moans right as the pair of wolves approached the rats nest, and right on cue the sounds of hundreds of feets washed over the corridor. Indigo stopped as Duchess did, careful not to give away his own confidence as she froze and clung to his side. ”What’s that?” Indy whispered quietly, as though he were avoiding catching the attention of the mass in front of them. ”Who’s there?” He said louder, and though he knew it an echo of his voice the returning sounds nearly put a chill up his own back.

Indigo called out to the strange voice, or noises. Whatever kind of wicked creatures were beyond them. As Duchess had thought earlier, his more forthcoming nature she was starting to admire. And she knew that Indigo would protect her when the time came. But she hoped he never had to, she still didn't like the thought of him killing something, or someone, to the thought that they would be dangerous by that means. Maybe it gave her the thought of Draco, Indigo killing Draco... She didn't want that, her thinking of her past lover in death would have been too much to bare, not that everything he did to her was excusable. Maybe to some extent, she still loved him. "Indigo," She made a loud whisper, "I think I'm ready to go back." She quivered slightly, though not like their time at the beach, and not continuous. Just a rush of her nerves that were struck while in the dungeon. She didn't want to find out what the moving pit of darkness was in front of them, and she didn't want to think that some crazy dead man was in the tunnels haunting them, just beneath their noses. Walk "Talk" Think

All of it was much more than he expected to be able to frighten Duchess a little. She had no idea what was ahead of them and even as they stood there listening to the crazy sounds that filled the halls around them she barely moved in the darkness. As his voice settled into nothing her own sounded in a sweet echo down the walls. He plainly felt the shiver that raced over her body as she tapped out, the dungeon was too much and Indigo was really giving her a fright. The boy had a grin on his face and he was so so glad the darkness hid his expression. ”Alright,” he returned softly, leaning against her so his own body would guide her step. ”Lets start backing away.” He suggested, and did just that.

Indigo was careful how they walked, angled just enough that she would notice the diversion from the path. With only a few steps down Indigo would back them into a wall very suddenly. He’d offer his own surprised squeak to add to the illusion. ”Oh no.” He whispered again, adding a little flare of worry. ”It’s got us blocked off!”

Indigo would start to lead them back, though he would push them backwards as if they shouldn't turn away from the unknown creature. She still stayed in step with him, but as they moved her rump would bump up against a wall and Indigo would act like they had nowhere to go. Normally Duchess was more brave, but had she ever been inside a dank, haunted dungeon? No. Sure she was more flee than fight, but there was also some part of her that would do anything for the ones she cared about, like Indigo. She found herself with another rush of fear trembling through her body, and she started to lightly hyperventilate more so because she was trapped up against the wall. "Please, Indigo," Her eyes clenched to make her believe she was somewhere else, "Get me out of here." Walk "Talk" Think

Duchess followed him perfectly, all too perfectly actually. As he spoke and had them against the wall he could hear her breathing increase and as she sidled up beside him he could feel the trembling over her skin intensify. Then she was begging him to get her out and away from the dungeon and he realized he’d taken things too far. Ashamed of himself Indigo wouldn’t wait any longer to get her out of the damp dark place.

”Hold on.” He told her softly as he grabbed her scruff and tossed her onto his back. He was done with the theatrics, and wasting no time raced down the corridor they’d originally come down. What took a while walking was only a few short minutes and Indy ran confidently through the maze. Soon enough light was erupting all around them and he was carrying her towards the main hall. Unless she bid him to halt he wouldn’t stop until they were in the great room with its massive fireplace.

Indigo swept her off her feet, literally, and when she met the comfort of his mane she melted into him. She closed her eyes waiting to be out of what she was now relating to catacombs. The light of mid day surrounded them, but Indigo wouldn't stop there. He kept moving back to the main hall where they seemed to spend a good amount of their time together, other than the night time. Still, she kept her eyes closed until they made it to the fireplace, her body calming through every second she spent indulged in Indigo's fur. When they made it back to the main hall, she would wait a moment before sliding off Indigo's back. But she didn't completely leave his touch. She would eventually find her eyes up to his, a bit of embarrassment in them. At least she hadn't gone so far as to crying. Still, her tremors over silly unrealistic black blobs she felt was necessary. "I'm sorry." she pushed her forehead into his cheek, trying to express the apology or maybe the embarrassment. "I don't want to go back there again." Walk "Talk" Think

Duchess melted into his fur as they raced forward until they were far away from the dungeons. Indigo already felt guilty about scaring her so badly, he’d gone too far. Indy made sure she would feel safe before he finally came to a stop near the fire in the great hall. They remained motionless for a long moment and Indy very nearly lowered himself to the furs with Duchess on his back. She slipped off and Indy curled his limbs beneath him, bringing her much closer to her height as her bright dual toned eyes returned to his face.

He tried to smile and reassure her, lifting a paw to lower onto one of her own dark paws. ”No, I’m sorry.” He insisted, reaching forward to nuzzle her cheek apologetically. ”It was mostly me just trying to scare you down there. I didn’t mean to take it so far.” He lowered his head even further as he confessed. ”I promise that we don’t have to go back.” Indigo added, wondering if she’d even forgive his trespass.

She looked at him with an uncertain, and still bit of sad look as he apologized instead. But when he admitted that he had been exaggerating and trying to scare her, her jaw dropped a little in awe. Now she felt even more embarrassed that she believed in him, instead of seeing it as a facade. "You-" She looked only slightly angry at first, but it wasn't genuine. She was fooled, and he had done a good job of it at least, even if he didn't mean to take it so far. "You're mean." she put her front paws onto his chest with a push, showing how his acting was uncalled for. But she wouldn't be entirely angry, she couldn't really be mad at a joke. Her face lit up  again to show she wasn't actually mad at him before she settled back beside him, her head rested on the shoulder she wrought her fake anger on, "I'm fine with staying here for the rest of the evening." Their day had been eventful, but she couldn't be any happier than how she woke up beside Indigo, and now she was finishing the day with him. There was nothing better. Walk "Talk" Think

She hadn’t had a single clue that Indigo had been putting on a show just for her. For a moment she stared up at him with disbelief, her pretty lips parting like she couldn’t believe he’d do something like that to her. She pushed away from him for a long moment, as though she couldn’t stand the sight of him, but then he caught a glance from the corner of her eye as she revealed her own little deception. Indigo felt a wave of relief as she lowered herself back against him in forgiveness.

He too could feel the events of the day catching up with him, it was getting hard to think near as swiftly and the fire was as warm and inviting as Duchess was. Indigo didn’t take long to make himself comfortable. ”I think I can make arrangements for that.” He offered as he settled down further, leaning against his shoulder as he offered his chest for the dainty girl to snuggle against. The perfect end to an eventful day.