Saving the damsel in distress

Kotori rested easily where he was, listening to the gentle sounds of nature and watching the woman sleep.  Her black and white coat moved with each inhale and exhale of breath.  There were those little twitches of a closed eye or a sleeping muscle that bodies tend to make while asleep.  There was something peaceful about this time period of waiting.
An icy-blue eye opened and was looking at Kotori.  He met her gaze and gave a small grin at finally getting a hint of the real personality within.  There was a confidence in that gaze and considering her current state Kotori imagined that meant she was generally confident in herself.  He thought of being nice and looking aside and that thought lasted about as long as half a beat of his heart.  Nope, never.  He could compromise, however.

As she worked to stand up Kotori took the opening to do likewise, which should allow for both of them to refocus their gaze without truly being one to break their gaze first.  The larger wolf watched her stand, this time making it to her feet though the pain in doing so was obvious.  She refused to stay down regardless of pain which offered more hints of her character.  

This was no commoner wolf, not with the dip of her head nor the way she spoke.  Kotori watched her bow and was about to offer her a similar bow when her feet suddenly slipped out from under her.  Kotori had been standing still, relaxed and attentively listening up until she started to slip.  The brown-toned wolf lunged in a stride, pressing his weight against her back end in case she’d been about to fall farther.

His shoulder had been pressed near her haunches in case she’d needed a brace but seeing her appearing stable sitting Kotori stepped back further.  He looked the proud woman in the face, offering a bow similar to the one she had presented him, lowering his own head about to the same point she had.  If he was wrong about her being some form of nobility he’d regret this later but someone had taught her etiquette befitting that station.

“Ochitsuki, I am Kotori Fatalis, Sumatar, the leader, of the pack Valta.” Every pack loved having their individualized titles, so in case she didn’t know what rank Sumatar held, that should cover it.   “I can call my pack’s healer for that concussion.  I would like to know who it is I have rescued though.  Your speech and demeanor make me assume you are from a good lineage and high station.”  If she wasn’t it was a damned waste. “I’d also like to know what exactly happened, why I was you were even out in the ocean for this predicament.”

He also just wanted to spend more time with her.  She was beautiful, it was more apparent now or maybe it was just her demeanor that struck him.  That much certainly did resonate in him.  She was ready to leave right away but Kotori needed to know more about her.  Would she be interested in staying?  He wanted more time to get to know her.
 

"Kotori Fatalis"