Shadows and Dust

When Ulric heard the explanation behind the delicious looking spread in front of them he felt his heart warm in his chest and a wider smile pull across his lips, a bit of emotion welling up in his chest. "Eska, that's... that's incredibly thoughtful of you." He was a terrible over worker and perhaps Eska had noticed that about him even just in the few days that they had spent together. He never let himself stop, partially because he was horrible at delegating the work and partially because he still fought with his own self doubt and worry that he would let the pack down. He drowned it out with more work, more patrols, more building. Taking time for a break and a nice meal like this wasn't something he let himself do - at least not until he met Eska.

At her insistence he moved to lay beside her on the fur, looking at the rabbits, the berries, the wine that she had gathered for them, genuinely touched that she had put in all this effort. He looked at her for a moment as she passed one of the rabbits to him and shifted close enough for their sides to be touching, flaring to life that now familiar electricity across his skin. Smiles came easier when Eska was around. He dipped his head to gently nuzzle his cheek against the top of her head, saying, "Thank you for this. Really." That still didn't really cut it to tell her how he felt, but it would have to be good enough. Leaning his side more into hers, he turned his attention to the rabbit at his feet and started eating and picking it clean, enjoying every single bite of her hard work.

After several bites he reached for the wine, taking a long drink before placing the bottle within both of their reach. This one was a bit sweeter than the last and a bit easier to drink. He chuckled softly with a little smirk, telling her, "Good choice." He enjoyed these quiet moments with her as he ate and drank while the sky darkened above them, slowly revealing the dazzling stars that gave the plains their name. Everything had felt easy with Eska from day one despite the dark tone their meeting had started on. He didn't feel like he had to be anything he wasn't and there was no conflict or struggle in his thoughts. As that pleasant warmth from their wine started to spread through him with his stomach full of delicious rabbit and this beautiful woman leaned into his side he struggled to think of a way to make this moment better.

He pulled the bowl of berries closer once they had both had their fill of the rabbits, catching one carefully on one of his claws. "Lady's first?" he asked with a smirk, holding it up to her. His tail came to curl around her hip as he naturally shifted closer, pleasantly foggy in the haze of alcohol and happiness.

Ulric Adravendi