Change. Change. Change. It was everywhere. It permeated the air. He could feel it in his very bones, seeping up through the soil that he padded across. Alacritis was shifting. Where the change originated from he could only guess, but he knew Tortuga was most likely part of the start of it. Had the rest of the land gotten wind of wife?s ascension to power? He wouldn?t be surprised. Big things like that tended to travel along very quickly. That made him wonder. Had any other packs gone through such a dramatic change? Were they in the process of making such changes? One specific pack came to mind; Valhalla. What had become of the king Collision?s family? Was the grey king still ruling the Valhalla wolves? But more specifically, what of Chrysanthe? The last time he had chanced upon her she had been in high standing within her family, with not much news to report. What about now? It had been a while since their last encounter and Demonio wanted to talk to the youth again. She was a good friend and he wanted to see how she was getting along. Plus, he?d promised he would keep her updated about his situation with Desdemona. He could only imagine what her reaction would be once he told her that he had made her his wife. Their last encounter had been chance, finding each other throughout the free lands. But now, the ivory knight wanted to meet the clay-faced girl in her own home. Curiosity about the land he should have explored long ago still lingered and he figured it was as good a time as any to maybe sate his curiosity. Before setting off for Valhallan soil, he bid farewell to his wife, explaining to her that he would be going to catch up with an old friend in Valhalla and that he would be back later that day. After a tender farewell the knight had taken off, his powerful limbs carrying him across Tortugan soil into the free lands. Many of the territories he passed were familiar to him, flashes of encounters passing through his mind?s eye. But as he traveled, he realized there were some other territories, well hidden at that, that he had never noticed before. He made a mental note to explore those unfamiliar lands when he had a free moment. Perhaps he would bring his wife along to explore with him, if she wasn?t busy with pack business. Valhalla wasn?t too hard to find; to his knowledge they were the largest pack in Alacritis, so they were kind of hard to miss. Chrysanthe?s scent had stayed logged in his memory bank and so he?d called upon it to aid him in finding her home. It was a breath-taking place, much more lush and beautiful than his own home. Despite its beauty he would always prefer his home over any other place, since the love of his life lived there. He remembered how his wife had come here not too long ago to see if she could form some kind of alliance with Valhalla. Had that gone well? He knew there was a slight tension between Valhallan and Tortugan wolves, but he was hoping that wouldn?t be the case with his presence. Chry?s scent led him easily enough to the Valhallan border and Demonio stopped just shy of it, knowing that it wouldn?t be smart to just allow himself inside. Haunches folded beneath the massive brute, rump kissing the soil as he lowered himself to sit, bi-colored gaze sweeping the territory. Crown was tipped back, pale lips coming together as a summoning bay erupted into the atmosphere, calling out to the clay-faced youth. He cut the call after a moment, audits twitching to and fro as he listened to voice echo into Valhalla. He hoped Chrys was around. Were another Valhallan to show he would simply explain his reason for being at their border, but he hoped that wouldn?t have to be the case. Talk like this

The meeting had been draining, but the sickness in her stomach was now less prominant. Nerves were no longer such a hefty sum of the equation, she was where she wanted and needed to be. As Valhalla's leader, she was absolutely determined to make it something worthwhile. Collision had tried and failed, and she hoped that she would learn from his mistakes and not make the same ones herself. Fighting Syrinx had been a dreadful experience, but she had proved to herself that she would do anything for the wolves of Valhalla, even draw the blood of her own kin. Thinking of her brother, she hoped that he would settle down and stop scaring the very lupine that she wanted to protect. To come in and try to take the crown after disappearing on them for so long - how did he think that he was in the right?


She sighed, so much about that meeting had been painful. Icarus leaving, Syrinx challenging, her father nearly dying. Surely her members were sorely panicked - she would have to calm them in the coming days, soothe them in a way that only their alpha could. A test, a true test, she was glad that her sister would be here for that. With Cairo out of commision, Collision and Preston missing, and Syrinx being an unknown factor in this mess, it was hard to depend on much of her family but Pip. It was so strange, she felt a bit isolated - but at the same time knew that as long as Valhalla was her home she would never be alone. So long as she was here, Erani would be here, as would her family. Soliel and her children were Adravendis, and they were here. Aislyn had never abandoned her, had believed in she and her sister and supported her through everything. She would always have wolves to strive to protect.


Yet the nagging feeling that she was getting into more than she had bargained for would not leave her.


It was in the midst of this feeling that she heard Demonio's howl. Instantly she felt her lips pull into a smile - one of her two Tortugan brethren. She had adopted the man as her own, as a friend, and it had surprised her to hear him so suddenly, but made her happy. The newly crowned alpha howled back, a surprisingly warm greeting for someone of Tortuga, if anyone were to investigate they might just be confounded at the bond she had forged with this white knight of a brute. Yet she knew that although he was in the darkly aligned pack he had one of the most noble hearts she had ever caught a glimpse of.


Demonio, where on earth have you been?" She said, and for a moment her nerves left her, for she was a friend greeting another friend. Yet it would seem that every time he ran into her, it would be shortly after a change in status. Although she was nervous and inexperienced, she was the alpha here, and she carried herself as such regardless of her inner doubts. "It has been nearly three seasons - so much has changed." Hopefully he hadn't changed too much - she rather liked him just the way that he was. Standing in front of him, she now lacked the awkward gangliness of a teenager. A woman through and through, she had grown into her muscle and her curves completely. Her blue eyes met his mismatched gaze head on, they were roughly the same height. "How are you?"

It would be a shame if he'd traveled all the way to Valhalla only to discover that Chrysanthe wasn't home. Even with his wife now, he still wanted to spend time with the clay-faced youth. She had been one of his first friends in Alacritis and he was determined to maintain their friendship. It didn't matter that she hailed from a pack that didn't necessarily liked his own, that was of little importance. She wasn't a valhallan wolf and he not a tortugan one. They were two wolves, two friends. What packs they came from didn't need to the defining factor of their friendship. Demonio liked and respected Chrysanthe and he would always maintain his friendship with her, even if one day their packs ended up going to war. Which he sure wouldn't happen now that his wife had taken the throne. Just when he was beginning to think that maybe Chrys wasn't home, her all too familiar voice rang up from within Valhalla, answering his call. The knight rose to his paws, ivory plume wagging happily. His friend was here. Icy and maroon gems scanned the border before him, searching for the tell tale cream figure that belonged to the young girl. Or young woman he should say as Chrysanthe came trotting into her view, her visage reflecting same joy he was feeling at having some time with a friend. She had grown a lot since their last encounter. The awkwardness of youth no longer defined her figure, but instead he could see the feminine curves that filled out her cream body. She was a young woman now. A very beautiful young woman in fact. To his eyes, she seemed to be growing up quite fine and he was sure that at some point or another she would come to a position of power within her pack. How could she not? Her voice reached his ears as she greeted him, asking him where he'd been. A playful smile curled his jaws. Oh you know, here and there, everywhere. He chuckled good-naturedly as he joked with Chrysanthe. It felt good to talk to her again. I've actually been home. A lot of things are changing in Tortuga, if you haven't caught wind of it already. As he stood before the young woman, there appeared to be something different about her. It wasn't blatantly obvious. There weren't any missing limbs or visible scars to be seen. The difference about her wasn't physical. It was something else. He could sense a shift in her, in the way she carried herself. He remembered their last encounter and she had held herself as if she held a high rank. She did the same now, but it was more pronounced now. How much had he missed? It has been nearly three seasons - so much has changed. How are you? Her voice broke his thoughts, returning his attention to the present. I can believe it has. I have been more than good. Amazing really. What of yourself? I can see you've grown since I last saw you. Still as beautiful as always I may add. He wished to cross the border and embrace his friend, but since she hadn't invited him in yet and he wasn't sure exactly where she stood as far rank, so he restrained himself, patiently standing at the border. He was content with staying right here if they so wished. He was in no hurry to get anywhere. Talk like this

The brute looked over her just as she did him, and eventually he smiled before answering her question. It was a good natured expression that was entirely contagious, and she smiled back at him, holding back a little bout of laughter of her own. It shone in her eyes, even though though the sound didn't escape from her lips. As he spoke, she listened, agreed even - because there had been changes in his pack, she faintly knew. In return to his statement she nodded. Those changes had much to do with Valhalla - apparently the two packs had forged some sort of partial alliance and treaty. It was quite a feat for both packs, which had reasons to be hostile toward each other, and both had managed to look past them for the sake of their members.


As for the time that had passed between them, she was curious as to what he had been up to. How were his pursuits with his lady? Had he successfully woo'd her? He had promised to keep her updated, but she understood how life could easily get in the way and time could slip between the cracks. She held nothing against him for showing up so late. "Amazing? Why, that sounds like good news to me." She wanted details, but in order to get them it seemed that she was going to have to give a few of her own first. His compliment caused her to laugh, a quiet bit - and she motioned for him to step over the border. "Come, come! You have quite a bit to fill me in on." She was excited, he had momentarily swept away her worries and doubts. A bit of gossip with a man she considered close to her heart, in completely platonic way, but he was still very important to her all the same. "And you are just as dashing as the day I met you, a knight dressed in white."


"Valhalla has gone through many changes, but the most recent is the crown being passed down to yours truly." She idly spoke, a dabble of pride in her voice of course, because this was hers, and she would take care of this pack for the sake of her family and loved ones. Youth and inexperience be damned, she would make this pack as beautiful as it was before the chaos and the move. "But what of you? Did you woo your lady Demonio? Do not think that I have forgotten." It had been long enough - was he a father?! Oh she hoped so, she would love nothing more than to meet his little fluffballs. "I never did get the chance to meet her..."

For a moment in time the two needn't worry about the responsibilities that had to do with their packs. Well Demonio didn't really have any responsibilities to begin with, but still, he didn't need to worry about Tortuga for the moment. It was just him and Chrysanthe, catching up on what had been going on in the past couple of months, if not longer. He could see how his mood was contagious, her own answering smile spreading her lips, though she didn't quite laugh, despite wanting too. He could see the smile reach her eyes and it pleased him to see that she could be in such a good mood. He never wanted to see Chrys sad or in any kind of distress because once he found out who was the cause of it, they could kiss their sorry hide goodbye. She seemed aware of the changes that were happening within his pack. He wasn't surprised. He knew his choice of words would pique her interest. He had after all promised her that he would keep her updated on his pursuit of his now wife. That was basically the purpose of his trip to Valhalla, among discovering what changes had occurred on her side of Alacritis. Amazing? Why, that sounds like good news to me. Come, come! You have quite a bit to fill me in on. Much to his relief, the creamy young woman invited him over the border, wanting to take the conversation farther into her home. He had absolutely no problem with that. Hind limbs unfolded from beneath him, raising the knight to his paws once again as he shook himself briefly to clear his pelt of dirt before taking the few steps forward that would allow him into the Valhallan lands. His first time in Valhalla. She returned the compliment he had presented to her, causing his ivory lips to curl into a full blown grin. Still the same old Chrys. But before he could come up with a response, she was speaking again, commenting on his Valhalla had gone under a change of rule and that she was now the queen. Wait...Chrysanthe was the queen?! She deserved nothing less. I expected nothing less from you my friend. You are well deserving of the crown. Congratulations is in order I believe. A queen. His wife a queen and now his best friend too. What a coincidence. He dipped his head, bowing to the newly crowned queen before she caught his attention, bringing up Desdemona. Still the curious youngster he'd met all that time ago. He chuckled at her words. Oh I know you haven't forgotten. Which is why I am pleased to tell you that I have indeed wooed her. In fact, she has become my wife and is now pregnant with my children. He braced himself, imagining what kind of reaction she would have to his news about becoming a father. He was still pretty shocked himself. You know you are always welcome to come visit Chrysanthe. I would love nothing more than for you to meet my beautiful wife. His words took on a tinge of pride as he spoke about Desdemona. How could they not when he was married to the most amazing woman in the world. Talk like this

He sounded pleased with her, proud of her, and this was something that she could easily get used to. It was something that her father, her brothers, couldn't give her - but Demonio easily stepped in where they had failed to step up. It lifted her spirits to hear his congratulations, and she felt the blood pool in her cheeks as he bowed to her. Blushing wasn't something that the alpha was often caught doing, but there were the rare moments where the pride hadn't already welled somewhere inside of her where she was caught off guard. "Thank you." She answered back, her thanks sincere.


She was more than happy to listen to him speak of his girlfriend. The word was nearly enough to make her laugh right then and there - but he continued to call the woman that he had successfully courted his wife. Excellent! He was her husband now, he had gotten what he had wanted and she couldn't be more proud of him. "You will be a lovely father Demonio." She wanted to see him with them, see how he acted when he was with her. The white knight was always so proper, although he managed to exude an air of play with her at times. Was he more or less proper with his woman? Did he joke or spoil her senselessly? She was endlessly curious, apparently the newly christened leader was nosy when it came to those that were close to her.


"I would love to meet her - and you children once they are born." There was a bit of a yip to her voice, she was happy for him, and her tail wagged behind her as she spoke to him. The strange man that was more of a knight than a warrior, that she had carried home all those months ago only for him to find his own path - had forged himself a home and family. "What is she like? What is her name?" Why, he had never told her the woman's name! She was surprised at him, and at herself for never properly asking. Perhaps she knew her - Tortugan folk seemed to have a way with worming themselves under her skin. "I never did get the chance to meet her..."

He held no blood relation with the young queen, but to him, she was family. She was his best friend and something like a younger sister. The ivory knight was protective of her and he cared about her deeply. She was the first wolf in all of Alacritis to befriend him and that would always grant her a special place with him. So it would make sense how proud Demonio was of Chrysanthe that she had accomplished gaining the title of alpha. She rightly deserved it. She was intelligent and extremely mature for her age. He knew with certainty that taking on the challenge of alpha wasn't something that would be too terribly difficult for the young maiden. She would give it her all he knew that for certain. She thanked him sincerely, her clay-colored cheeks looking just a bit darker than usual. Was she blushing? Demonio laughed to himself quietly, shaking his nearly imperceptibly. Despite being a bit older now and holding a position of power, he would always see her as the young girl he had met all that time ago in the battlefield, who'd been to taken aback by his looks and the fact that he was a warrior. You're very welcome. he answered quietly, dipping his head forward once again, always mindful of her new status. It was his turn to blush, the ruby color seeping into his pale cheeks, crown raising a bit higher, plume curling over his haunches as it wagged with pride. She thought he was going to be a good father. You don't know how much that means to me Chrysanthe. Thank you. Putting aside the formalities for the moment, the brute leaned towards the cream woman, planting a gentle kiss to her cheek, as she had done to him the last time they had met if memory didn't fail him. I would love to meet her - and you children once they are born. What is she like? What is her name? I never did get the chance to meet her... She couldn't hide the fact that she was happy Demonio had found his own family to belong to. He was beyond happy himself as the way his life had turned out. Her voice was a constant in his ears for several moments as she fired questions at him, expressing her want to meet his wife. The porcelain man was more than happy to fulfill her wishes. And I would love for you to meet them. I would love it if you could be present during the birthing. I'm sure my wife wouldn't mind at all. He nodded to himself, making a mental note to bring about the subject of having his best friend at the birthing of his children next time he and Desdemona had a moment to speak. Desdemona is her name...She's the new alpha of Tortuga. Perhaps you've heard her? She's....She's amazing. Perfect. Everything I've been looking for when I wasn't even looking. She understands me so well...I honestly don't know how I managed to snag her. I'm nothing special and she's....she's an angel sent from heaven... He trailed off, thinking himself to sound silly for talking in such a way to his best friend about his wife. But he couldn't help it. That's the way he felt about Desdemona and he wasn't shy about letting others know. Talk like this

His gratitude at her compliment was quite sweet. He was one of the few that she would be affectionate toward, her siblings, Tikaani and Gideon being the other exceptions. She loved them all, some in different ways, but they were all important to her, close to her heart. The alpha smiled as he kissed her cheek, poking at his nuzzle with her own before settling back down. He seemed so happy, so content with his life in Tortuga. Did he know their reputation? Did he care about their background? And if he did, would he care? She wouldn't be the one to tell him, perhaps he and his little lady would be able to make something of themselves regardless.


Surprisingly, he entertained the idea of her being there when they were born. While she would love to be present and offer Demonio and his lady support - she was a bit skeptical about being on Tortuga lands, and what said wife would think about a Valhallan being so near to her newborns. "If she doesn't mind, I will be there." She had given her word now, all that was left was she or Demonio asking the woman about it before she had her children. The red faced womanw ould probably stick closer to the white knight than she did the new mother and her pups - but it was still important for permission to be granted. A new mother could be quite ferocious.


As for who this mother was - she was left gaping for a few seconds when Demonio finally told her the other's name. Desdemona, Chrysanthe was absolutely floored. How had that happened?! Of course she had heard of the dame, she had come here requesting a truce and left with a neutral alliance after speaking with Epiphron. The details were unbeknownst to her, but the point was - her best friend here, was mated to a once enemy's leader, and wow it was funny how things worked out. Hearing him talk about her though, made it a little less strange.


Ragardless of rank, status or alliance, he really loved her. "You're something else Demonio." She chuckled, impressed at the loop he had thrown her. "Here you are, madly in love with a litter on the way, and you still don't see how amazing you are. If anything you two deserve each other." An angel he had called her - that made him the same didn't it? "But I think that she's lucky to have you."


She was a bit jealous of him, making a family with his beloved. She had yet to speak with Gideon, and she wasn't quite sure what he would want from her at this point. It was disheartening, that the relationship they had built might be null now - and perhaps she would never know a happiness like Demonio was experiencing now. Yet she was still happy, clung to a bit of his own joy and called it her own seeing him so ecstatic. Perhaps that could be enough? At least for a while? "It's good to see you happy Demonio, you were so worried before. You had better take care of yourself."


"And perhaps, one day, I'll see you leading beside Desdemona?" He had a lot of qualities that she could see pertaining to leadership. Of course, the white knight may not be someone that Tortuga openly accepted, but apparently this was a new dawn and day in Alacritia and just about anything could happen.

He was a warrior, a man who would charge into battle any day, as long as his reasons for doing so were justified. Emotions weren't strangers to him, but her certainly wasn't the kind to go around flaunting them or even letting on that they affected him in way. He was careful around others, keeping himself guarded, putting up the warrior's front rather than who he actually was. But when he was with Desdemona and his best friend Chrys, that warrior fa?ade was no longer needed. They both knew who he was really was, so trying to cover it up would be a waste of him. And he didn't want to cover up the real him with them. They were his family and he needed his family to see him for who he was, not who he wanted them to see him as. And they did. And obviously they accepted him, or else he wouldn't be married to wife and he wouldn't be here talking to his best friend. Best friend. He would've never pegged himself for ever having a best friend, and yet that's what Chrysanthe would be for him for the rest of his life. So long as she wished to be. He would never force anything from that she didn't want. A light chuckle slipped past his pale lips as she poked his muzzle with her own nose, always the fun youngster he remembered, just a bit older, more filled out and with an important duty now. He could see a slight hesitation about her at the mention of being present during the birthing of his pups, but she agreed to be there regardless. He was well aware of the reputation Tortuga carried and he knew they weren't exactly well-liked throughout the other packs, but in that moment he wasn't a Tortugan asking a Valhallan to come. He was Demonio asking Chrysanthe to be there for one of the most important events in his life. She was his family, and he felt that she had the right to be there. He wanted to share the moment with her after all. A nod of gratitude was presented to the young queen. Thank you. You will have nothing to worry about. I will personally escort you from our borders into my home so you can bare witness. Anyone who has objections with that will be answering to me. He knew his promise probably didn't hold as much weight given the fact that he held no high rank, but it was a promise regardless. Rank or no rank, would safely see her into his home and bring her to witness the birth of his children. He knew Desdemona would have no objections. Though she didn't say anything in regards, he could see the shock written all over her face. Was she that surprised that he was married to the now queen of Tortuga? A crimson blushed attacked his cheeks as he ducked his head. Had she not expected that from him? He didn't blame her. He hadn't exactly expected that either, to ever be married to a queen, but that's kind of the way things had turned out. He wasn't sure if she saw that as a bad thing or not, given the shaky new alliance they had, but she seemed pretty happy for him as she spoke, crown raising to meet hers, mismatched gaze on her own azure. You're something else Demonio. Here you are, madly in love with a litter on the way, and you still don't see how amazing you are. If anything you two deserve each other. But I think that she's lucky to have you. There was that blush again, even hotter this time. It made him feel good about himself knowing that Chrysanthe truly approve of his marriage to Desdemona. She probably would've accepted it even if he'd been married to some other woman, but he liked knowing that she was happy that he was with his true soul mate. It's good to see you happy Demonio, you were so worried before. You had better take care of yourself. And perhaps, one day, I'll see you leading beside Desdemona? He chuckled. You really don't know how much it means to me Chrysanthe that you support me like this. It makes me truly happy to be able to call you a friend, perhaps even my best friend if you allow it. And you don't even have to worry about me taking care of myself. You know I always do. A shrug lifted his shoulders as she mentioned the idea of him leading beside Desdemona. Maybe, maybe not. I've never really seen myself as an alpha type. But enough about me. What about you? How has your love life progressed? Surely you have found someone? Haunches folded beneath the massive brute as he sat before the young queen, curious as to how her own love life was developing. Talk like this

He wasn't ranked within Tortuga yet, but she still considered his promise to be worth something. Quite a bit actually - she couldn't imagine the knight breaking his word, even something like this. His wife was the Queen, and the last thing that she wanted to do was upset the woman and the fragile balance that they had with Valhalla. Perhaps she was different when she was with Demonio - he certainly had a way with others that would surely affect her in a positive way. No matter how amazing that he thought his wife was, he had his own qualities that made him equally as impressive.


Although he seemed to be a bit embarrassed about it when he was told to his face.


His slight blush was hidden by fur, but she swore that she could see a little dabble of red beneath the white. She couldn't help but smile wider, trying to hide her laughter because she really didn't want to laugh at him. He was just precious though, almost to the point where he seemed too gentle to survive in the pack he had chosen to follow his beloved to. Yet he didn't seem to have a single regret about it through out their conversation.


Albeit, that didn't mean that he wanted to lead the wolves there. He didn't see himself as the type to be an alpha - she nearly objected, he had a few qualities that even she didn't manage at times. Yet he asked what had changed for her, where she was at this moment in time in terms of her lovelife, and she faltered. "I have, but it's a bit complicated." She missed him, whenever she had the chance to slow down or was reminded of him it became apparent. "He's from a different pack." Not to mention married. And a polygamist. And possibly quite upset with her because she almost married his nephew without saying a word to him.


"I'm afraid there's not much hope for anything to be made of it." She sighed, letting her disappointment show, but refusing to appear downright sad before her companion. "Perhaps I'll be more lucky next time." Yeah right, like she had been lucky with Demonio himself. Yet she digressed, she was young and had plenty of time to find some sort of love... right now though, she couldn't imagine herself with anyone but Gideon James. And deep down she doubted that would ever really change.

They had done enough talking about him already. It seemed every time he met up with his friend, they always talked about him. She was naturally curious as to how he was getting along, he could understand that, but he didn't like talking about himself all the time. He wasn't super important. Chrysanthe's life just as important as his, if not more since she was an alpha now. The ivory man listened intently, audits flattening against his skull as she spoke about it being complicated. Complicated? Chrys was in a complicated relationship? How could that be? There was nothing complicated about the young woman standing before him. Any man would be lucky to be able to call his friend their wife or even girlfriend. She was a beautiful young woman with an extraordinary heart. There was nothing complicated or complex about that. At least not to Demonio. He's from a different pack. I'm afraid there's not much hope for anything to be made of it. Perhaps I'll be more lucky next time. A sad look overtook the white man's mismatched gaze, his heart going out to the young woman. I wish there was someway I could help Chrys. You deserve love and you deserve someone who can give you everything they have. If there was anyway for me to give that to you, I would in a heartbeat. Anyone who decides to spend the rest of their life with you is lucky. You're one of the most amazing woman I have had the honor of meeting in my life. She was an alpha, which meant that her responsibility lied with her pack now, but that didn't mean that she should forfeit her happiness just to keep the pack happy. She was an individual, with feelings and hopes and wants and desires, those of which were just as important as anything that had to with the pack. OOC: bah, suckish post Dx Talk like this