Don't you know I'm not the same The moonlight cascaded as Az made his way along. Shoulder crudely patched up but scabbing nonetheless. The swim here had been unpleasant to say the least. Salt clung too his pelt, but he had mostly dried out by now. His quills sttod at attention from discomfort of the itchiness of it. He ignored it mostly though. His paws touched sleek floors as he padded into the space. His eyes cast upon the area, decrepit yet somehow felt like maybe a temple of its own design. What beings could of built this structure? Did they leave of their own volition? Did they worship the decaying painted gods on the ceiling? Many questions came and he could not see the answer yet, but he knew he would find it somewhere sometime. He kept moving, his pace slow and gaze wandering. He would have to bring Oath here and get his take on the place. Perhaps kiska and their gods resided in these halls. Faint tapping sounds could be heard as he moved, nails clicking on the hard but smooth surface. His path taking him to a even larger room, one with a grandeous feel to it. His path stopped in the center of this room and he lowered his haunches. His eyes stayed on the ceiling. This temple was massive, and this was only the first floor. He could see Oath preaching here if Judila had never of fallen. All the Morningstar children would of loved this gem he felt. Walk, "talk", Think I grew up to be the gravedigger

_{Art and code by Asena; lines by Srynix}

Atreyu took her time with the swim over to this seemingly forgotten island, her eyes fixed on the massive building before her. She didn't want to waste all of her energy just swimming, plus Bigs' little legs could only paddle so fast. Finally, they came to shore, both of them shaking the water from their bodies. Atreyu's holographic eyes never wavered from the temple-like building, until they looked toward Bigs and she nodded her head in its direction. Looking down to watch her step, Atreyu notices fresh paw prints. These were dire wolf prints, and she leaned her head down to see if she could catch a scent. They were recent enough that a familiar tinge of smoke and ashes could still be found. That campfire smell was known very well, and the wolf it belonged to was close by.

Her heart fluttered in her chest, what would she say when she saw him for the first time in what felt like a year? What were the odds that she had actually found him after so long? Bigs could practically feel her excitement and he smiled, knowing just what it meant. 'Have you found someone?' He asked, his pointed ears raised and perked up as tall as they could go. "I think it's Azriel..." Atreyu said, though she was unsure if she could trust a scent. There could be others out there who smelled similar to her once-betrothed, still-betrothed, she wasn't sure. With the fall of Judila, Atreyu wasn't sure what could be salvaged from their home and what couldn't. There were a few things she wanted to change, most a direct result from the attack of the demon king and his raiders.

Taking a breath, Atreyu moved forward, following the familiar scent and praying to their gods that it was actually Azriel and not an imposter. Entering the building, her paws moved silently across the tile floor, a happy side effect of retractable claws. Holographic eyes stay peeled for any sign of her childhood friend, though she would not call out for him and end up attracting unwanted attention. Bigs' nails, however, gave away her approach as she looked for Azriel and Atreyu wondered if she should have left the tiny dog outside to wait. He would have made more noise fussing at her for leaving him behind, though, and the spotted woman knew better than to try and make herself separate from the dog unless necessary. Soon enough, Atreyu caught up with a dark wolf, though it was hard to tell if the wolf was actually Azriel or not as it was dimly lit in the building.

"Azriel, is that you?" She called out to him, hoping that it was him and not some figment of her imagination or worse. Though she did not live her life in fear, the spotted dire woman still worried they would be hunted in these lands. It was a worry she couldn't shake, and where she once had dreams, now she had only nightmares. She hardly paid attention to the room they were in, those holographic eyes trained on the dark form before her, hoping and praying she had finally found Azriel for herself. Oath, Petra, now Azriel. Things were finally coming together, and she could honestly say it may start in these very halls.

"Atreyu" || "Azriel"

code by bird, art by asena

I am the righteous hand of God He sat for a while, eyes on the paintings of the past. More questions than answers were hidden here. He wasn't against it though. In fact he wouldn't mind having to search for the answers. After some time a set of nails has a dark ear twitching towards them. Sounded small. Not a threat then. Nor was he concerned. This place smelled vacant and like there hadn't been wolves here in likely a long time, so he definitely wasn't trespassing upon someone's home. The voice that had found its way to his ears had him turning both ears back towards it though. A creature of the past, one that knew his name. Mismatched eyes turned, though one likely would think he only held a blue one in such lighting. Eyes narrowed upon the frame of the femme. Not in a hostile way, but in a way of close studying. Jewelry clicked as his head turned, a sound he was used to. Her question was allowed to dangle for moments before deep rumbling vocals graced the now Judalian queen. "My queen...." he let it hang with that and a respectful nod in her direction. He was uncertain where his once betrothed now stood with him. Did she wish he was dead so she could move on? Did she prefer he be only her friend once again? The arrangement had been made by their mothers, but Azriel had watched his own mother have her throat ripped from her in defiance of the demon king. Az himself hadn't escaped unscathed. He was a changed man after everything. He himself felt he should honor his mother's wishes, however that also meant Atreyu needed to decide to do the same. And neither had seen each other for nearly a year. He would let her lead this. How this went, how it ended, the ball was in her court. He was sure she was likely changed as well. Walk, "Talk", Think And I am the devil that you forgot

_{Art and code by Asena; lines by Srynix}

The amount of sheer relief and joy that rushed over Atreyu's heart, flooding her entire body with warmth, should have been enough of a clue for the spotted woman. The first thing she noticed as the dark wolf turned to look at her was the quills on the back of his neck and shoulders, then his blue eye seemed to shine in the dim lighting of the once hotel. His greeting brought a small relieved whimper from her throat as she rushed forward then, her intentions clear. Though the title felt foreign she didn't correct him, actually, she couldn't say anything in that moment. Instead, she rushed headlong into him with enough force to knock them both to the hard floor if he hadn't already braced for impact.

Their betrothal had nothing to do with her joy at seeing him alive for herself, it was their previous closeness that had her rushing into him. They had grown up together, and while she had mixed feelings about their arrangement, Atreyu still loved him just the same. Their parents had been brutally murdered before their eyes, and their entire pack save a few souls had been wiped out, but there they were. Perhaps it was a sign, maybe they were meant to be together as their mothers had wished. In her joy, Atreyu hugged Azriel tight - if allowed - and then did something that would surprise them both.

Atreyu couldn't help the next action that came from her, it was almost instinctual, and she had no time to stop herself. Before she could do anything her lips were already in motion, aimed straight for Azriel's cheek in a chaste kiss. That seemed to be the key to fixing her speechlessness, "Oh, I thought I lost you! I'm so happy I found you for myself!" Oath had informed her that they were traveling together, she knew he was alive (or maybe a figment of Oath's memory), but to see him here and feel his hard frame against hers was more than joyous. Atreyu pulled back just enough to check him over, her paws moving politely over his frame. "How are you?" She knew it was a loaded question, none of them was exactly right anymore, but she needed to know.

"Atreyu" || "Azriel"

code by bird, art by asena

He hadn't expected the reaction he got, though he should of guessed he would of. Atreyu being more touchy feely than her brother even when they were young. Though still a defensive man so it should of been no brainer his quills and scruff tensed, standing on end. A now instinct when something came at him. He was a solid thing so knocking him over was a feat in its own, though he hadn't expected it so she did just that.

His legs spread to catch his form from face planting. An oof came from him as she collided with him as well. He let her get her hug in from the floor. He half expected her to try to scent mark him, however primitive it might of been. Though the hug wasn't returned, permission had not been given. He was still a guard until told otherwise. Guards didn't give affection back, regardless of their feelings for the royals.

It had been a teaching, something ingrained, among the fact that he wasn't sure where he stood now. Things were different. With Atreyu as the queen matriarch she could order their betrothal null, could even order him to marry Oath if she felt like it, and he would obey. His loyalty to Judalia was a very real thing still, even if only she and Oath lived of their royal family.

His eyes widened and he pulled his face back to look at her in shock as she planted her kiss upon his cheek. His face stayed shocked only for a moment before becoming that of a man thinking hard, deciphering meanings and puzzles. His hardened hide hadn't known the feeling of a woman against him for a long time, and his bodily reaction he hid with a cleaver movement of tail and leg to cover it. It was inappropriate he chastised himself.

Her paws checked him and he made certain to keep his shoulder and other things in check. He didn't need to explain to her that a buffalo had tried to put its horn through to his heart on his first night in these lands. Her question came and he chuckled. "Breathing, currently." his response was careful sarcasm as he tried to still decipher if the kiss had meant anything or if it was only just that, a kiss. Had her morals dipped so she kissed every man now? Or was he special? Did she intend to continue their friendship? Or did she want more now? She still wasn't a full adult, but did it matter? He wasn't sure the laws of these lands. She would still be considered a teen in their homelands, untouchable to all in his eyes. "And what of you my lady? How do you find yourself?" also a loaded question but he cocked the eyebrow over his dark eye. He needed a few questions answered but how she handled him from this moment on might answer those for him.

"Atreyu" || "Azriel"

code by bird, art by asena

She hadn't expected to kiss him either, and she matched his shocked look before pulling herself back together and giving him a shy smile. Her joy had been overwhelming, and decorum had left her for a moment. Before pulling away to check him over, she took a steadying breath...it wasn't her fault that breath happened to be filled with his smokey scent. They had been friends before and she was used his scent, but somehow after so long it had actually become more...appealing. When they had first heard about the betrothal they had both been less than pleased, being such close friends they couldn't imagine being together as man and wife. Maybe it was teenaged hormones or the fact that they had both done a bit of growing since last seeing each other, but Atreyu didn't view the betrothal as a bad thing anymore.

Her paws roamed over him, feeling the hard spots on his skin where there were scars. Yes, he would have gained some as a guard of the royal family, but these she could tell were from sheer brutality. Gained in the attack on Judila no doubt, her face showing the sorrow and grief over their shared losses. Then, her paw hit something new, despite his shifting posture to hide it. Holographic met mismatched eyes and she tilted her head in concern. "What's this one from?" She asked as she craned her neck to see the wound. If it looked too bad she would have to treat it, no questions asked or opinions taken. Besides, she had been training more since arriving here, and she was pretty sure she could take him if he decided to fight her. She may not win, but she wouldn't let him get an infection that could steal him from her again.

Was it really stealing from her already? Perhaps, this should be one of their first orders of business. Atreyu knew in her heart that she wanted to honor their mothers' wishes, it would also be a way to keep them alive and remembered. But, did Azriel feel the same way? Would they be forcing something that shouldn't be? Their mothers knew better than that and Atreyu felt a bit guilty about doubting them, even if only for a moment. "I find myself heavy in thought. I want to know how you feel first...and well, it may not be the right time to talk about it but..." She paused, looking him in the eyes wondering what he thought of her, how he thought of the betrothal now that so much time had passed. "What our mothers wanted between us...Do you want that still?" It was her way of letting him know she was still wanting to keep it, though she may not be old enough to wed quite yet. Would he be honest with her, or would he leave it all on her shoulders? She didn't wanna force him into keeping something he didn't want.

"Atreyu" || "Azriel"

code by bird, art by asena

Despite him trying to hide it she found his shoulder wound and he jerked it back. Too proud to admit that the bruising had the area tender, too proud to let someone care for his wounds. His wince should of said it but he covered it with a grumble. His answer to what it was from was a brisque word to attempt to placate her curiosity. "Buffalo." He wasn't keen on having his wounds poked and prodded, every wound told a story, every scar a victory or loss he wore proudly.

She paused and he took the opportunity to sit up and shake his pelt out, clinks from his jewelry accompanying the motion. The jewelry was something he would forever wear. Only when he died would he remove it. Though after a moment his movements also paused as he looked at he with a calculating look. Was she toying with him? Was she serious? She wanted his feelings on the situation? A careful inhale of her scent from his nostrils and slow release was given as he measured the seriousness on her face. She had once said the thought was disgusting, that there was no way he could be more than her friend. At the time he had shared the sentiment. But now? A measured careful tone came from him as he tested the seriousness. "What I want is less than relevant isn't it? Your my queen, you control whether our previous arrangement stands or if u would rather me go marry Oath, or whoever. If you ordered it I would follow it..... Would i prefer to honor my mother's wishes? Yes, but it is up to your wishes."

His quills lifted before falling back into place as he looked at her expectantly. He half expected her to laugh in his face and tell him it was a good joke. After all they had both opposed the idea when they were told in the first place.

"Atreyu" || "Azriel"

code by bird, art by asena

Atreyu felt her ears slide back on her head in displeasure at his jerking away from her, her lips pressing together and her eyes sliding back to meet his as he gave his single-worded answer. She knew better than to ask him to treat the wound, the headstrong demigod wouldn't let anyone touch a wound on him. If she truly wanted to she could command him to let her fix him up, but she understood why he wanted the scar. Arching a brow at him, Atreyu got a stern look in her eyes, "You're going to let me keep an eye on it. If it shows signs of infection, I'm treating it." The tone she used was one that suggested she would not be argued with. Yes, it was his body, but his body was now squarely under her rule. Judila still lived through them, and while she might be young, she would be the queen it needed.

When he next spoke, Atreyu was careful to listen to every word, looking over his face and body as he gave her his answer. Again he shifted to her wants, telling her she was the queen now and the decision was hers. Trust was paramount, and she knew she could trust Azriel with her life. She wanted Azriel to trust her as well, and as a show of that, she gave a carefully delivered reply. There was a seriousness to her that could match the grave, but one could see the hope in her eyes as well. Yes, she wanted to honor their mother's wishes...but, he had to want it too. He said he wanted to, but Atreyu had to be sure. "I want you to want it, not just for our mothers, but for us. The future of Judila rests in my claws, so I need a willing partner." She was nervous he would tell her that he still found the thought abhorrent, that he would rather play the field. "You don't want to marry Oath, do you?" She said the words with a smile, to show she only joked about that part, trying to alleviate some of the seriousness of the moment.

She could admit she found him to be very attractive, though she wasn't sure if it was hormones or being separated from him for so long. There was a deeper sort of love for him rather than the superficiality of sexual need, an unconditional sort of love. There were changes to the both of them, to be sure, and learning to live together would be a unique challenge for them both. He cared about Judila just as deeply as she did, though, and he was allegedly half god so he would technically be a great match for her. He had to want it, she would not force him into a marriage he didn't want. What would be the point of that? Atreyu wanted him happy, loved, and secure in his home. What would she be if she forced him to marry her with a royal command? That would make her the very thing she planned to hunt down, evil.

"Atreyu" || "Azriel"

code by bird, art by asena

To her demanded order he gave a stiff grunt. His body was his temple basically sort of thing. A demi god like him tended to wear their scars proudly. Or at least in his mind they did. Physical and mental. Both shaped a demigod and he intended to show it all as proudly as he could.

He watched her face as she took in his words next. How she watched him, how she studied his reactions and measured him. His own dual toned eyes measuring her. Gauging her reaction to him. Auds pointed to her waiting for the jingle of a laugh at him taking her serious. Waiting for her to tell him she had joked with him over the entire thing and she still abhorred the idea of marriage and him in the same sentence. The laugh didn't come though. Instead her next words were just as serious, measured carefully. The subject was not uncomfortable but both needed to know how the other expected to proceed it seemed.

She could of just ordered him to proceed or to forget any option of marrying her. but she didn't. She was interested in his wants. The soldier in him wanted him to ask her what she wanted but he doubted she would tell him. He also disliked the idea of forcing it for both of them. She dangled something else that was there to consider. Judalia. Loyalty was a keystone for the man. She was the future of Judalia, and that meant any children she had. That thought made his ears flatten. Children.... she would need them so the matriarchy would continue, but he didn't know what to do with a child. Did he want children? He couldn't answer that. His eyes fell. Could he see having children with her in the future? Yes. It was wrong, wasn't it?

His eyes lifted after a few moments of thought. Her hopes played in her eyes and he took another steady breath. He trusted her to make choices, but she had been so young he could see she may need council, and he had seen so much he had become cynical. He ignored her jest about Oath, knowing full well even she would know that wasn't his thing. Though Oath was his closest friend currently. "I want to want it Atreyu, baby steps though. We both have changed a lot I'm sure. If you want it, then we proceed, get to know the new us, and decide from there ok? I won't force you into something you won't love in the end. Marriage isn't something I will take lightly, it's forever, an all or nothing sort of thing." He set his paw on top of hers gently and gave her a deep breath before smiling. Marriage was a big thing and he refused to let someone he married walk away ever. There was a problem? You worked that shit out together.

He wouldn't measure his wife on beauty, position, power or anything. He would measure her on personality, heart, and what went on upstairs. Call him old fashioned but he wasn't one to just take the first pretty thing on his arm and then turn her over when she no longer appealed to him. Though he wasn't sure she would like the second part of his marital views. Man and wife, they were equals in everything. "We need ground rules if we are going to proceed though....." he was giving her an out. A chance to stop him with that statement.

"Atreyu" || "Azriel"

code by bird, art by asena

She took his grunt to be acquiescence to her command, a smile touching her face. "It'll leave a mark whether treated or not." She knew his need for his scars, though she may not fully understand the reasons for it. He had always been very stubborn in that regard, though this time Atreyu knew that treating this wound would still result in a scar. Buffalo were known for leaving their mark, and Atreyu thought he was maybe equal parts brave and stupid to take one on. Azriel wouldn't have done so on his own though, she knew someone else had to have been with him. Returning her attention to the matter at hand, the spotted woman perked her black ears to hear every word he said.

What did it mean that he wanted to want to? How confusing. She could understand that he wanted to feel each other out better, that much was a given, but did he want to do so as friends or did he want to know her as betrothed? His next words answered her question as if he could read her mind. If they were to proceed he had a few rules for them. Well, she had her own rules. They had come to an agreement at last then, "I have a few rules myself, then." She stated the words calmly, but her voice did waver with nerves. She would have to work on that if she was going to be a great queen, her mother and father's voice never shook when they spoke. She did wish to proceed with him as future man and wife, though the thought was still foreign to her. She almost laughed when she remembered how bad of an idea she had once thought it was.

Maybe it was what they had been through, Azriel had survived with her and her siblings, maybe there was a reason for it. The gods and ancestors must have wanted them to be together always, and so they would be. Atreyu would do this the right way though, no matter what. What teenage girl didn't dream of having a wedding? Atreyu smiled reassuringly, inching just a bit closer to him for security reasons. The only thing she would ever truly demand from him would be affection. She did want children, but that felt like it was ages away. Right now, she had a kingdom to build, and she was hoping that Azriel would be the one to help her build it back.

"Atreyu" || "Azriel"

code by bird, art by asena

He awaited for her to stop him. She didn't. Instead she slid herself closer, and stated she had her own ground rules. He definitely was receptive to rules on both sides but he figured he would start.

He dipped his head as she said she had some though and his rumbles proceeded. "First things first, we don't share on either side, I wont have some other man come in claiming your his. And I'll have no other." he figured that was likely a given but it needed stated. If it was verbally stated, then there was no confusion on either side. He waited for agreeance on her part before he continued.

"Secondly, should we marry after we get to know each other, I refuse to be some decoration behind you until you need the muscle or my seed. Equal power on both halves. You may be matriarch but I wont have others walking all over and disrespecting me publicly or behind closed doors." he was firm with this. Voice leaving little room for argument, but open to amendments. He wasn't a Tyrant but he wouldn't have her people viewing him as nothing more than a sperm donor.

He waited to hear out her amendments before moving on though. "Third, you have a problem you tell me, I wont have my betrothed or wife resenting me and hating me behind my back. We have a problem, we sort that shit out together. Marriage isn't something we can just walk away from, I expect us to stay together until Father comes to claim my soul." there was no compromise on that one in his voice. He was unwilling to budge on it and characteristically stubborn about it.

Last one he fixed her with a look. This one he expected to have her fight him on. "Lastly, you go no where without a guard, I don't care if its just to piss. I watched our mothers die and I'll not have you go too. And until you get a guard I shall accompany you. We also take a small council, we are both still young and to rule it is only intelligent to have the opinion of others, we obviously get final say but having the opinion of others would be good." he wanted to see the empire rise once more. To see them thrive under Atreyu's paw. But he wasn't willing to budge on her having a guard. If he had to chain her to him he didnt care. She would be guarded. PERIOD.

"Atreyu" || "Azriel"

code by bird, art by asena

Azriel dipped his head in acknowledgment and proceeded to go first with his first rule. The first rule mirrored her own and she checked it off of her list, giving a nod and an understanding smile. "That is also one of my rules, you have my word, Azriel. There will be only you and only me." She said in agreeance, her tone warm and even now. She was still nervous, but at least they seemed to be on the same page so far. Atreyu wouldn't dream of breaking someone like that, it was one of the reasons she was not the type to run around hoe-ing about. Not to mention that as once heir and now queen, it was unseemly for her to just open herself to anyone.

After she gave her word to him, he continued with his second rule. This one was a bit shocking, though she could understand where he was coming from. She didn't think it was truly about a power grab, not from him, it was more the ability to be known as something other than king consort. Though things were serious, Atreyu couldn't help the understanding smile that crossed her face. "I think I said this before, but I need a partner." Her black streaked eyebrow raised and she smiled wider, "As matriarch though, I hold final say." That was her only amendment to his second rule, she wanted her king to be an actual king and not just a sperm donor. Her parents had ruled together and so would they, if they were to wed.

His third rule warmed her heart because it reflected the way she wished for him to communicate with her. He wanted to know if she had an issue with him, and she wanted him to come to her as well. Just because she was queen didn't mean she would always be agreed with. It was unrealistic to expect any sort of relationship to work unless this kind of communication happened anyway. "That's a given, I would hope you would do the same for me. I would hate to find out you didn't like me after all. We have to communicate in all things, even the hard stuff." The wording of a youthful woman, though she was wise beyond her years. But, she agreed with him once again. This was also one of her rules. How else would they know what to work on for each other? They had to be able to talk about difficult things like this otherwise the pack would fall to ruin between them. Resentment always led to arguments, what would that look like to the world?

He fixed her with a mismatched look then, almost as if he expected her to fight what he had to say next. Then, he said it. Small council? Fine. Guard to pee? Hell. No. While she understood his need to have her protected so fiercely, she really thought she could handle going to the bathroom by herself. "I'll accept your guarding, but...I demand at least bathroom breaks and one hour of privacy a day. I would go insane with someone hovering all the time. The small council we can do, though. I think it's prudent to have more voices involved than just ours." In order to survive this part of Judilian history, Atreyu would need all hands on deck. She would have to get good at hearing different opinions and strategies, she would have to get better at diplomacy as well. Maybe that was where her father and mother had made their mistake, they hadn't listened when everyone had told them no.

Atreyu had one more rule to add to what they agreed on, one final and most important to her. "I have a fifth rule, we must love each other. Truly love each other, not for the crown, or demigod status, but because of who we are...I don't mean just as friends, but if we are to be husband and wife, when the time comes, I want it to be for love. Not politics. If for some reason you don't, I want to be the first to know. I will do the same for you." She would make sure to tell him if she wasn't falling in love with him romantically. Sure, the attraction was there, but they didn't know each other anymore. What if she had changed to the point he couldn't love her, or vice versa? Atreyu tried not to let it break her heart, just the thought, did she really feel so strongly about this already?

"Atreyu" || "Azriel"

code by bird, art by asena

she easily accepted his ground rules but the fourth seemed to ruffle her proverbial feathers. Not the council part. But the having him guard her or having someone guard her. He let the emotions play on his face. Displeasure that she would oppose it. Displeasure that she wanted to have the hour break. His rumbles came to defy her on her defiance. This wasn't something he was willing to give on. "Its not hovering, a guard isn't something I will give on. Your life is important to Judalia and to me, I will not have you unsafe. I will guard you myself if your privacy is what your concerned with then I'll have you know I can work around that. It isn't that I distrust you its the fact that I never had the demon king under my fangs, he still knows life and I refuse to give him or his minions of evil the opportunity."

The massive man moved carefully as he spoke. Encroaching upon her space if she allowed. If he had to personally purchase a servant he could train he would. And he would ensure her safety above all else. He aimed to wrap a possessive but gentle paw around her and pull her into him. Eyes would be kept ahead of him as he aimed to tuck her head under his chin in the same movement. She may be just as tall but he had bulk from years of training. She would know safety in his arms if he had any say so in it.

Her fifth rule aligned with his own ideals and he gave a stiff nod of agreement. He gave a chuckle before he let her have his rumbling tones again. "You will definitely be the first to know my lady. Though be warned love is a fierce thing with me. If I love you it you will never forget nor doubt it. Do I love the little girl I grew up with? Yes, but I'm not fool hardy enough to think she is exactly as I remember her. We will take the next few seasons to relearn one another and how we fit together. Should I be unable to love the new Atreyu, you will be the first to know." He wanted her assured but also to know that he wasn't about to ever let her forget his love if he came to love the new Atreyu. Alot with him should scream ferocity in his mind. Cudros could not have bred a better specimen in his opinion of himself.

"Atreyu" || "Azriel"

code by bird, art by asena

While she might not like the idea of being guarded twenty-four seven, Atreyu saw his reasoning and sighed with a sort of defeat. He made a good point, and while he moved forward into her space Atreyu made no move to stop him. Her heart thumped wildly in her chest when he spoke, the scent of smoke and ashes filling her nostrils as he put a possessive forelimb around her and pulled her into his embrace. Atreyu leaned into him, taking a certain comfort one could only get from someone as close to her as Azriel. While they may be changed some things remained the same, she would always find comfort in him. For a moment, all seemed right with the world. "Fine. You will guard me, as you always have. While I trust your judgement, I wouldn't trust a stranger with that job. Lucky you!" She may not like the idea, but she could stomach it a bit better if she had him keeping watch over her.

He held her close as he assured her that she would be the first to know, and Atreyu closed those holographic eyes. Taking a deep, steadying breath against his neck and smiling once again, the seriousness of their arrangement dealt with. Now, they could get some exploring done. This seemed like a nice place, once she actually began to look around. "What do you think this place was used for?" It had enough shelter and space to house Judila, and they had been forty wolves strong. She wondered if it was some sort of shelter in its heyday.

OOC: Sorry its so short. Mom distracted me XD
"Atreyu" || "Azriel"

code by bird, art by asena

Lucky him indeed. She agreed and he let out a breath from his nose. Thankfully she hadn't put up much more of a fight. He would of hated having to fight her physically to get the point across. Physically forcing her would be one of the last things he wanted to do.

She seemed to not mind him holding her, but he gave a glance to her tiny companion. Hopefully it didn't mind sharing her. If it did well it would need to get used to it, after all she seemed to want the idea of him as her husband, for now. Though he knew it would likely change. She would find out he had grown quiet volatile and had no reservations against killing, then she'd want to be rid of him. Judalia had never been a place for violence but he had grown to be violent to protect those he cherished.

He let her go when she sought to move on from the conversation of their betrothal. His eyes went back to the mural he had been looking at when she came in. A hum of thought as she asked his opinion. "Perhaps a temple.... the paintings here depict strange beings though and I'm uncertain..... maybe these ancient beings had a monastery upon this island. It seems large enough and the architecture is grand. I can only imagine their gods being worshiped here.... what do you think?" he turned and started down the wall, eyes never leaving the architecture and murals. He'd seen stairs to lead to floors above but this room had his attention currently.

"Atreyu" || "Azriel"

code by bird, art by asena

Bigs was a confused little creature in these moments, he felt as though he was witnessing something that needed to be witnessed (like their rules) and like he needed to look away at the same time. Atreyu was affectionate, but she had never kissed anyone who wasn't close family before. As long as Atreyu felt safe enough to let the brute embrace her so, he was fine. The second she was hurt, however, the one known as Azriel would know a new kind of hell. Those beady eyes of his stayed averted until the two parted themselves and began to talk about things that were more group-appropriate. Atreyu was not good at timing either it seemed, but she got her man he supposed with a small internal laugh. If she was happy, Bigs was happy, and he let the quilled wolf know with a nod of his head.

Atreyu was entranced with the entire place, but her mind kept wandering back to the what ifs of their relationship. What if he found out she wasn't the same girl from Judila, that she had changed because of the demon king and his horde of demons? She was not afraid to kill if she had to, not anymore. Before the thought never would have occurred to her, but now? Now, she would make short work of anyone who threatened what she loved. There was a bare minimum trust for strangers now, they would be lucky to make true allies in the future. What if Azriel learned just how affected by the whole ordeal Atreyu actually was? Would he love her less? Would he want her less?

"Hmmm, a place of worship? Perhaps, or maybe it was a communal home of some sort." Atreyu wondered if the beings from the paintings had once lived here, or if they were imagined likenesses of the ones who did. They must have been massive to need all of this space though. Atreyu smiled and gently nudged Azriel before taking off down a darkened corridor, ducking around a corner to hide from him if possible. Though in these halls her scent would be easy to track, if he didn't stay right on her tail like he said.

"Atreyu" || "Azriel"

code by bird, art by asena

He nodded to Atreyu's tiny dog when he nodded to him. Good at least the small thing would be respectful of the two of them. But that didn't mean Azriel wouldn't put him in his place if he so decided to try to keep Atreyu from Azriel. The guard was to be by her side for eternity after all.

He eyed the paintings more though as Atreyu spoke. A hum of thought given to her thoughts on the purpose of the building. Could be. Though Azriel felt this place had been more grandeur than a simple housing island. Though his attention was dragged away as she nudged him. His eyes cut to her form as she took off down the corridors. A frown took place on his lips and a lift of his peirced brow.

Nevertheless he stood and made to go after her. Not quiet at a fast pace but instead a relaxed one. He would hear another on the floors here before they got to Atreyu so there was no reason to rush. His eyes stayed on the surroundings, though his nose twitched, following the fresh scent of his betrothed. A flick of his tail as he left the room was given to the dog. He could either follow or fuck off, Azriel wouldn't care. Atreyu couldn't be in safer paws.

He didn't keep pace with her but he stayed on her trail regardless. "Oh my... where ever did my queen go... guess I should just leave and continue looking around upstairs....." a smirk touched his lips. Would the false concern go over her head or would she catch it?

"Atreyu" || "Azriel"

code by bird, art by asena

Bigs stayed put for the time being, not truly interested in the games between them. Their exploring this cathedral-like place could take ages, so the little dog settled on a piece of curtain cloth that had survived through the years. Atreyu smirked at the fact that Bigs was taking a bit of a rest, it meant his nail clicking wouldn't get in her way on the tile floor. Azriel had come after her and she watched from behind a door of one of the rooms as he spoke, claiming he would go upstairs. Atreyu moved on silent paws to sneak up behind him before he could go to the stairs. Her aim was to get close enough that she could pounce on him from behind, avoiding his quills. She would bat at him almost like a cat, and then run away. Finally able to show how excited she was that he was actually alive.

Her paws scrambled almost comically against the tiles of the floor, and she slid around a corner nearly crashing into a doorway as she did so. Then she hid away from him again, her warm voice echoing through the halls, "You can't leave me behind to go upstairs, we can go up there in a minute." She wouldn't let him go upstairs without her, and she peeked around a corner to see if her shadow followed her or not. After all, he was sworn to protect her.

"Azriel" || "Atreyu"

code by bird, art by asena

His eyes stayed forward so when she pounced on his hips he sat in surprise. His lips splint into a grin at her, his quills standing as he stood again. Not with aggressive intent but as a deterrent for her. His eyes watched as she went running and slipping on the slick floors. A chuckle was thrown at her failure to keep her feet, before his eyes narrowed. "Three.... Two.... One....." He made sure to count down loud enough it would echo in the empty halls so she would hear. There would be no fun if she didn't know she had started a new game, but this wasn't one he would let her control.

His massive paws met ground at a quick walk as he made his way more gracefully than her towards her previous escape. Though her words put a malicious grin on his face as he gave a deep throaty chuckle. A new idea had came to him and he turned for the stairs. She wanted to keep him from the stairs huh? Well that would become his new trap. "Oh? But I think I will.... I'm sure your little dog can do my job but better." A prod at her, a lure to rile her and ruffle her feathers. He didn't intend a word of it but he kept it a smirk on his lips. He moved up the stair well partially and turned to face how he had gotten up there, crouching and readying himself. This game of tag becoming a game of cat and mouse, and he was an extremely intelligent cat if he did say so himself. As soon as she showed herself he would pounce aiming to grapple her and roll onto his back so she would be on his chest but unable to escape.

"Atreyu" || "Azriel"

code by bird, art by asena

She listened for the sound of approaching footsteps, instead the echo of his nails against tile seemed to get father away. He confirmed this by stating he would go upstairs without her and that Bigs could do a better job at guarding her. She laughed at this, though, as Bigs was fast asleep by this point, having fallen into such a state by waiting for their discussion to be over. Flattening her ears against her skull, Atreyu peered around the corner just in time to get tackled by Azriel. Rolling them so that he was on his back, Atreyu wasted no time in making the pin. Laying her weight over his frame, Atreyu aimed to trap him in his own game, gently nipping at his forelimbs and giggling as she did so.

Teenage hormones were acutely aware of the intimate position, but fearless as she was, Atreyu would not shy away from it. These sort of games would only serve to strengthen the newly forming branch of their already close bond. After so much had happened, Atreyu still felt close to him and to her family, but there were changes that had happened. Even Azriel seemed different, his way of moving had even morphed into something more cautious, more guarded. Atreyu felt the same, though she refused to let it show. The demon king might be the one wolf she truly feared, but one day she would have her revenge. "Bigs is a bit of a stick in the mud though," she said, gently reaching out to boop his snout with covered claws. "You are much more fun." The words were said with a laugh and she made to try and get out of his grasp, knowing good and well that if he chose to hang on, she wouldn't get away from the demigod.

"Atreyu" || "Azriel"

code by bird, art by asena