REGRETS COLLECT LIKE OLD FRIENDS here to relive your darkest moments It was so chilly here in the North. Since the summer spells had hit, Flamesong had not been able to escape the heat in his Valhallan home. The plains were void of large and shady trees to shield from the biting heat of the sun, and his only rest was either out of the territory or holed up in his den. It was for this reason, he kept telling himself, that he had ventured so far away from home. The silver man knew that he was not trespassing on any packlands, he was sure of that. He did however know that Tortuga had land nearby, and the possibility of running into a certain pale beauty was thrilling. He felt like a pup, wandering away from home in search of adventure. He was not breaking any rules though. The woman was a good friend and there was no harm in keeping his out-of-pack allies close to heart. Before long, the silver man's cold paws encountered hard wood, and by the looks of it, Flamesong was standing in the depths of a large man-made wooden object. He had no idea what it was, but it's caverns were intriguing. The man temporarily forgot his purpose in the Northern lands and pushed onward. The scents were so strange in this wooden cave. It smelled like oceanwater and burned forest wrapped into one object. There were strange items and shiny trinkets that he had never seen in his life. Amber eyes twinkled in curiosity as he happened upon a large wooden box, it's lid knocked off of its supports and thus spilling its contents onto the deck below. He nosed his way into the weird box-like object and felt his nose bury into a soft object that felt almost like fur, and a bit like cold water. He pulled the thing out and watched as it draped over the ground beneath his paws. His tail wagged in childlike wonderment and he found himself lifting it in the air again, only to run beneath it as it drifted over the chill air. A chuckle escaped his maw as the thing fell across his back, enveloping him in soft, silky warmth. He had to do that again. it's always darkest before the dawn[FLAMESONG ETHEREO]

Qanik

in defense of the innocent

Large white paws carried the Tortuga wolf further from her territory. She'd stayed pretty close by of late, still coming to terms with the changes in the pack. Qanik was getting older; she didn't deal with change easily, especially change coming so close on the heels of her actually finding a new home. Now she was venturing out again, but not toward the south as she so longed to do. If she were to admit it to herself, she would know that she was avoiding Flamesong. She was afraid of how attracted she was, afraid to see him again after the time they'd spent together after her accident. Afraid, maybe, to find out that he didn't return her affection.

So she traversed the northern lands, exploring them as she hadn't done since she was a rogue. A strange structure caught her attention, and she moved closer to investigate. Almost immediately a familiar scent assailed her senses, and Qanik had to smile in chagrin. Trying to avoid Flamesong by going north, yet fate had other plans.

She stepped forth into the cavernous interior, following the scent until she could see movement, then stopped. Her face softened at the sight of Flamesong playing with some relic. "Hello, Flamesong," she murmured.



speech.

cowardice is the only sin

REGRETS COLLECT LIKE OLD FRIENDS here to relive your darkest moments It had not been long since he began playing with the soft thing that Flamesong was interrupted by a soft and feminine voice. Hello, Flamesong, she had said to him. Immediately he froze, legs spread apart in surprise and head lifting, ears perked to attention. He turned his fiery gaze to the entrance of the wooden cavern and could not help but wag his tail at the site of her. "Qanik!" He exclaimed with delight and loped over to meet her. She looked so lovely, smelled so lovely, looked beautiful and graceful and such a relief from the drabness of the dames in Valhalla. Sure, Valhalla held pretty she-wolves. But one such as Qanik, an intelligent and headstrong beauty who could hold her own in any situation; females like that were a rare sight to behold. She was perfect. He reached her in seconds and could not resist from pushing his muzzle into the soft fur of her neck. It smelled sweet there, almost like honey and rainwater. Couldn't he just stay there forever? Nestled in the soft bosom of the woman that he deeply cared for. Politics were politics....and what did they matter to the youthful hearts of two who didn't have much longer to use them? He pulled away from her warm body then, rubbing his silver muzzle against her own ivory one, aiming his amber eyes at her sapphires. A warm smile was printed across his features. "I've been thinking of you..." He stated rather haphazardly. His eyes would not leave her face, concern tinting his amber gaze. "Have your eyes healed properly? How is your vision? Can you see me alright?" He asked her in pure untainted concern. He had no poisonous motive to determine his actions, only the way that his mind led him, and it was always in good conscience. Could she have been thinking of him too? It seemed like it had been so long since the storm. He was pleased that she was up and walking again, looking stronger than ever. it's always darkest before the dawn[FLAMESONG ETHEREO]

Qanik

in defense of the innocent

At the sound of her voice Flamesong stopped what he was doing and bounded over to her. He pressed his muzzle into her ruff, and Qanik had to stop herself from jumping back in instinctive startlement. A moment's indecision, and Qanik returned the gesture hesitantly, burrowing her face against the side of his neck. Flamesong showed affection so easily, but was it because he genuinely cared for her, or because it was the way he was with all his friends? It worried her that she didn't know him well enough to know that, but her heart was unswayed by worries and logic to turn from her own involvement.

Flamesong pulled back, rubbed his muzzle along hers, and Qanik's eyes half-closed in happiness. "I've been thinking about you," he said, and her eyes opened wider to watch him as her heart stuttered. She had been on his mind, despite the distance between them? He launched into a sudden barrage of questions, then, about her injury, and Qanik could not help but let out a low laugh.

"I've improved greatly. My eyesight is as good as it was before the accident, thanks to you." She smiled at him, internally pleased that he'd have been concerned for her health even as part of her worried that it was simply the worry of a healer for their patient. "And you, Flamesong? How has the world treated you since the storm?"



speech.

cowardice is the only sin