There was a hole within her. A hole that she hadn't been able to fill. It didn't matter how hard she tried, the emptiness ate at her. Each day seemed to make her feel more and more hollow. Family gone. Father mad. Grandmother dying. Her night with Indigo. The strange interaction with Mojito that left her feeling conflicted. On top of all of that, there was so much responsibility heaped upon her shoulders that she thought she might suffocate. The night was cold and windy and the wolves of the Armada were sure to be inside, hiding from the elements. Asla had called off patrols for the evening as even the hungriest of predators wouldn't brave the wailing, stormy winds. A small fire burned in the hearth and cast its golden light upon the spacious den. Asla had the fur to the sleeping chamber pulled tight, encasing herself in darkness. Naiche could show up when he wished. She didn't really know where the golden wolf was, but with the weather, she imagined he would return soon. Sprawled out on her side atop the pile of furs, Asla stared at nothing. She didn't want to keep feeling this way. She wanted to feel something that wasn't negative. For a while, she'd like to forget her woes. But how? With a groan, the young woman stretched, toes splaying and spine bowing. She rolled over with her back to the doorway and stared into the wall. "Aslatiel"

Naiche didn’t understand the concept of not working.  Especially after Sirius had told him to watch his kids and the majority of them had already left!  Naiche didn’t walk along the border of the pack for outside problems but instead had roamed about inside quietly making sure there was no trouble from within.  Most wolves were pretty quick to be inside dens in this rotten weather anyway. Working was the only reason Naiche roamed either.  How was Asla handling things?  Did she want companionship or some time alone to rest?  She had gone to him before when upset so maybe he should be there for her now?  Sometimes it was nice to get a little time alone though to work through one's own thoughts?  Naiche would have loved for a dangerous foe to have snuck into the camp that he could have fought but other than frustratingly cold there was nothing wrong. Finally, he made his way back to the den where Asla lay.  The golden wolf was cold and more than ready to lay down to grow warm.  Coming in he found her back facing the entrance.  What should he say?  Did she want the company?  Well, she’d probably tell him if she didn’t.  Naiche walked up quietly to her, “Asla?” the voice quiet to not disturb on any thoughts.  He almost laid down against her back before changing his mind to walk around to her front end.  Unless she stopped him he’d lay down up against her belly, if she wanted to curl in she could, if she wanted to pull away and tell him to leave for a while she could.  Asla liked to cuddle though, so this was the best option Naiche could come up with for now.   “I’m here when you want me.  To help, whichever way you want.”  Did she need help with work?  Absolutely Naiche was always ready to help in that area.  Did she need an ear to talk to or just someone to curl up to?  Naiche could handle those.  Whatever she wanted Naiche would try to help her get it. "Speech"

Discomfort was a good word to explain how she felt. Ever since her night with Indigo, Asla realized that she was in heat. Her body was running rampant with hormones. The need to breed, so to speak. She had control over herself, of course, but did she really want to control herself? She'd been saving herself for Indigo just as he'd been saving himself for her. Now that their first times were out of the way, her loving was free game. Asla ran through a list of potential males in her mind and gave a scoffing laugh at her own girlishness. Movement out in the main chamber brought grey ears perking. She continued to listen as Naiche made his way into the room. He questioned her and she cast a glance over her shoulder at him. The golden wolf was able to sense that something was off with her. She could see the concern in his white marked face. Ah, Naiche... it was still strange to see this caring side of him. He showed his love for her with every look. She didn't deserve him. Naiche moved forward and placed himself between her and the cold wall. He pressed the length of his body against hers and a little switch flipped in her mind. The cream colored fae sank into him, pressing her face beneath his chin. Purple eyes closed as she twined her limbs with Naiche's. It was nice to lay here with him. Physical contact was always pleasing to Asla and she was glad that he was getting used to it. It seemed that Naiche truly just wanted to make her happy. His next words proved it. Anything that she needed? "What if I need something that you don't want to give?" Or maybe he did want it. How was she to know? Naiche had never made any sexual advances towards her, unfortunately. Why, she didn't know. Others had made advances and, honestly, she really liked that they did. It was good to be desired. Did Naiche desire her though? He had certainly been on her mental checklist. With a sigh, Asla leaned forward and kissed Naiche square on the mouth. Purple eyes met gold and she spoke low and soft. "If you truly mean that..." she began, pressing her chest more tightly against his own, "then I want you to make me feel something other than sad." Her request was filled with hints and no doubt the lust poured through her plum colored gaze. If he didn't catch those hints, then he was trying to ignore them. "Aslatiel"

Naiche was surprised by both kiss and the way she spoke and, well what she said. Sure, he understood but had never imagined Asla wanting him. Sure, tease and taunt him and hell at first this agreeance he imagined was partially for her amusement at how it made him feel awkward. When had it come to this? Wasn’t Indigo her one love? He had already told Asla he loved her and she had admitted she could never feel the same. The shock seemed forever to Naiche as the rain of surprising thoughts came tumbling, thankfully thoughts are fast enough it was no more than a couple of seconds. She wasn’t asking for them to have eternal love it was just what she said. She wanted to forget and this would help. Hell, why not? As the notion became a reality he realized he did indeed want to be with her at that moment. “Sure, let me help you.” Naiche might have been surprised at first but with the same drive he could put into a fight he could put into this as well. Some things come naturally when allowed after all. -- Fade -- "Speech"

-Post-fade- Aslatiel lay there, her breathing having settled in the aftermath of their lovemaking. Naiche was sweet... but he wasn't Indigo. There had been hot, heavy passion between herself and the massive purple man. With Naiche he was caring, but there was a sense of duty to the actions. Maybe next time he would feel more at ease? Was she already thinking of a next time? Well, at least he'd taken her mind off of other things. A yawn pulled from Asla and she curled up beside the golden wolf, still pressed up against his slightly larger frame. She was feeling significantly better than she had been previously. She was feeling very tired though. With another yawn, Asla buried her face against Naiche's chest, her limbs still entwined with his. "Goodnight, Golden Boy," she spoke softly. She then promptly fell asleep. "Aslatiel"