Spring was in full swing and Creed found himself admiring the beauty of it lately. Prey was more abundant than ever and everything smelled of new life and growth. He'd already spotted a few hinds with their fawns and he could smell rabbits in their burrows as he patrolled the lands Celestial had claimed. It was truly beautiful outside and he was enjoying the warmth of the sun as it beat down on his thick coat. Summer would surely be dreadful, but for now he was content with the temperatures. With Spring almost halfway over he typically would have been fretting about the upcoming Summer, but today Creed had a different thought in mind. He'd been spending more and more time around Kavdaya and, after a discussion with Regulus, he'd decided something he'd never actually attempted before. So with snowy female on his mind he finished his patrol rather hurriedly before he padded off towards the middle of the territory. He wasn't quite sure what he was looking for, but he had an idea in mind. It took him a good while, but by noon the fluffy male had managed to find a wide array of flowers. He was more than thankful that Spring had started rather early. The flora was in full bloom which made his job fairly easy. By the time he was done, Creed had managed to pick a bouquet of flowers with the stems clamped firmly between his jaws. It was filled with a myriad of colors of which only the prettiest he could find. He was sure some of them were probably useful herbs, but in this case they weren't for healing. Herbs were growing plentiful so he doubted a handful would matter. Content that he had found all he could carry he set off towards Kavdaya's alcove in the main den. He had a strange sense of nervousness in his gut which he found rather strange. He didn't get nervous often but he certainly was now. He swallowed it and tried to ignore the pit in the bottom of his stomach as he peered into the woman's den clearing his throat to get her attention. He would have said something, but his mouth was a bit preoccupied. Walk, "Talk" Think

Kavdaya Of The Nomads

She had, admittedly, been napping when the tread of Creed’s paws, familiar by now since his move to the main den system nudged her out of her slumber, enough that she was awake by the time his announcement of his presence was made. She met his appearance with a light smile of greeting, before the bright colors of his bouquet lowered her attention to his jaws. Several jumped out at her as being useful herbs, but they were all flowers. “You’ve some pretty good finds there, Creed.” She offered with a grin, as she pulled herself to her paws and sidled up to get a better look. She hadn’t re-applied the scent masking routine she’d been taking up, and her alcove was thick with her scent, mixed with the plants of her trade, but she paid no mind, instead looking over Creed’s finds with a closer eye, before she gently added, “But Foxglove – these flowers here – is a poisonous plant, though it has a few uses…” She grinned up at him with a chuckle and settled her hips to the stone ground, head cocking. Now that she looked him over, he looked decidedly nervous. “Is everything alright?” The concern in her Irish brogue and amethyst flecked eyes was palpable as she looked him over. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think

He was met with a warm smile and an easy smile would tug at his own lips though awkward considering his mouth was full of plants. She complimented him on his bouquet, but he could see that she'd been viewing it more from a healer's perspective that one who was receiving a gift. He didn't mind though and instead wagged his tail. She still seemed pleased with his finds and that's all that mattered. She stood and came closer and as she inspected them he stood patiently as she pointed out one plant in particular. Foxglove was not one he was familiar with but it gave him a sour taste in his mouth as he thought about it. He hadn't been aware he'd picked a poisonous plant, but so long as it had uses he supposed he wouldn't fret over it. He placed the plants down, honestly glad to be free of them so he could talk, and smiled at Kavdaya. He still felt that gut wrenching nervousness settling deep within the pit of his stomach, but he tried to gulp it down the best he could. He'd never actually done this with anyone so it was all new territory for him. She seemed to pick up on it and he chuckled softly as she asked him if he was okay. "Aye Ah'm fine." He said softly. "Ah was jus' wonderin if ye'd like ta go somewhere with me." Walk, "Talk" Think

Kavdaya Of The Nomads

He still seemed nervous, she thought, as he set the plants down and chuckled. She cocked her head with mild curiosity as he spoke. “I wouldn’t mind. I wasn’t busy with anything.” She stepped forward, slipping past the male, close enough that their frames lightly brushed, which she had to admit, get her belly a surprising swooping sensation, one she calmly ignored as she waited for Creed to fall into step with her. “Did you have any place in mind, or were you just wanting a stroll?” Irish accented tones were lightly teasing as she tipped her head to catch a sidelong glance at the grey toned Right Wing – soon to be former Right Wing – and a smile dallied about her features. IN all, it was a lovely day outside, and she didn’t mind just strolling, to be honest. Even an avid healer could use a break from her Craft now and then. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think

He couldn't quite contain himself as she agreed to come with him. A heavy weight seemed to lift from his chest, but some of it still lurked, ready to rise again should the nervousness return. For now he focused on where they were going to go. He hadn't thought past the flowers, but he did have any idea in mind. Teal eyes would watch her as she slipped past him. Her fur brushes against his as she passed and he felt the strangest of tingling sensations which left him a little dumbfounded. It took him a minute to regain his composure, but once he had he quickly fell in step with her while mulling ideas over in his head. She asked him if he had a destination and he nodded. "Aye. Ah was thinkin' tha' we could go ta tha lake if ye wanted? It's gettin' warmer and swimmin' sounds like fun." They weren't old farts yet and he was still a kid at heart from time to time. It'd been a while since he'd stopped to actually have some fun and he could tell Kavdaya had her paws full between Surreal and teaching. They both could use a break and relaxation time so it was a good idea in his mind. If not there were always many other places they could go. The west had an abundance of beautiful territories they could explore together. Walk, "Talk" Think

Kavdaya Of The Nomads

To say that she wasn’t happy to spend some time around the aging male would be to tell an outright lie, as as he walked beside her, she listened with interest for his suggestion of where to go. A bright smile parted her jaws at his suggestion, her head nodding. “That sounds like a delightful plan.” For many reasons. Both the female in her and the healer could think of many could reasons for going to the lake. She could feel that familiar energy that came with the heat cycle every year, buzzing through her pelt. It took a lot of effort to avoid bouncing, which wasn’t the norm for her, but she couldn’t stop the occasional brushes of their sides together as they walked. It was an underlying dance of courting, one the female psyche was born knowing. This was just the first time she’d had a male to dance with. “What do you think.. about having children of your own?” The question leapt from her jaws, but she didn’t feel flustered at all by the outburst. It was a question, and one she needed the answer to. If he didn’t want pups of his own, even though he clearly loved kids… Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think

He toothy grin was given as she seemed to like his idea of going to the lake. Surreal had done a nice job of picking two of the best territories in the west. None of them agreed with his pelt but he'd long since gotten over that factor. Once you lived in a place for so long you finally stopped noticing things like the heat. It helped that there was a fairly big water source to enjoy not far away. He hadn't missed her heat scent, he'd smelled it on many females throughout the seasons during his stay here, and he typically did well with ignoring it. Kavdaya's scent had it different lure to him this time which surprised him. He was already aware of his attraction to the ivory healer and wouldn't go so far as to deny it either. He'd reflect on it as they walked and their fur would brush just lightly enough to make it as though there were tingles running through his body. It was a thrilling feeling really and it was one he was enjoying. This was what it was like to court a woman. His head would turn slightly to look at her as she flashed him a question and slight surprise took over. It was so sudden and he hadn't expected it in the slightest so it took him a minute to come up with words. He'd never really thought about children when he was younger. He and his family traveled too much for him to really settle down, but he'd thought about it a lot when he'd moved into the plains with Celestial. "Ah've wan'ed kids fer a while now. Jus' never found tha righ' wolf. Wha' abou' ye? Ever though' about settling down?" Walk, "Talk" Think

Kavdaya Of The Nomads

A knot of anxiety eased as he admitted that he’d wanted children for a long time. Her smile warmed, before she turned her head forward, amethyst flecked sapphire eyes rising to the sky as they broke into the Plains. “Many, many times. But in the last several years, I’ve been traveling, and then busy being the Master Healer… No one’d really caught my eye.” And she hadn’t been paying attention. She cast him a sidelong smile, teeth glinting slightly as her browpoints lifted. “What would you name them?” She had come from a family that tended to end names with ‘-aya’ for girls, and ‘us’ for males, and would have a mixture of the parents’ names. Often a middle name among the Nomads would contain the name of a favorite flower or plant, given after a while of observation of the child to see what they liked most. She had never considered if she might follow that tradition. Until she’d left the Nomads to spread her knowledge and learn more, she hadn’t considered that a future mate might not even be a healer. Now? Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think

They had a little bit of a walk ahead of them until they reached wolfpaw lake. The conversation, albeit an odd one, wasn't unwelcome and he was glad for something to break the silence. His nerves were starting to be less on edge and he fell himself growing more comfortable in her presence despite his earlier anxieties. She was easy enough to be around and he realize he didn't have to worry so much. She explained her own reasons for not having kids and he nodded absentmindedly. She always seemed to be busy with her duties to the pack, which he admired her for, and he knew being Master Healer was a large job. So many had been sick in the past couple of years and her job wouldn't get easier with time. Not having a prospective male to have kids with would certainly hinder kids as well. She certainly wasn't the type to just lie around with anyone. His focus came back to him and he'd glance at her again as she flashed him another question. What would he name them? Hmm. His father's name had been Cifer and then the Ancora like ranged anywhere from mythical things to war and bloodshed. Each were something he had never truly been interested in and Creed fell into thinking of his and his siblings names. He was glad his parents had chosen something else for their "theme" so to speak. "Well Ah was thinkin' 'bout how mah paren's named Crucible, Cross, and mahself. Ah'd probably go along with tha'. Valor, Courage, somethin' along those lines. Honorable names so ta speak." Walk, "Talk" Think

Kavdaya Of The Nomads

She listened with interest as he talked of how he and his siblings had been named. She’d never really asked him much about his life, nor had she really told him anything about herself. But her body was beyond such curiosity, even if her brain was all for hearing stories about Creed’s life. However, the body was beginning to win out. She was nearly leaning into the male as they walked, just a hair from her full standing weight applied, though she kept pace with him. It was a common wolf move, walking pressed tightly to each other’s sides, and her tail topped it off with an easy wagging. She doubted any other male would have gotten this out of her, if she thought hard enough about it. “I like those names… Honor, Legend… They do have a ring to them.” She mused, nose only inches from his ear. Good gods, where had this come from? But she was starting to put the dots together. That bouquet had been all flowers. Hadn’t she seen courtship like that? Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think

They were touching far more now and Creed's mind focused on how much he enjoyed the feel of her frame on his own. His large mass could easy make up for the amount she'd shifted into him as they walked. He found his mind roving all over the place and his focus was a little diverted at the moment as he thought about his current company. He'd never courted a woman, never actually expected to find anyone in his life time really, but he wouldn't go far as to say he was bad at it. Nervous, yes - awful, no. His own tail waved lazily behind him. His mood was more than a happy one and as she talked he listened with a fair amount of enthusiasm. She seemed to like the names he'd suggested, but they were merely only ideas. He'd never had kids so to be honest he'd never really sat down to actually think what he'd name them if they ever did come. It was something he'd always put off for a later date if he'd ever found a mate. He felt a fair amount of curiosity as to what she'd name kids, but his mind was instantly distracted. When she spoke her mouth wasn't far from his ink tipped ears and he resisted the urge to flick one. Creed was the honorable sort, never thought to be with a woman outside of the bonds of marriage, but he was still a male. Cravings were still there all the same and before he knew it he found himself coming to a standstill without even realizing he'd done it. Whoops. "Have ye ever wanted a mate, Kavdaya? I know ye mentioned kids, bu' Ah know ye aren' the type ta do tha' withou' one." Bold presumption, but he assumed it was true nonetheless. Typically Creed wouldn't be so brazen with his questions, but he'd come to the realization seasons ago that he wasn't getting any younger. If he wanted someone he wasn't going to wait around forever because he didn't have that long. His only hope was that Kavdaya felt the same. Walk, "Talk" Think

Kavdaya Of The Nomads

She stopped with him automatically, and as he asked his question, her heart jumped in her chest, but she took her time in answering. “I have. Having a mate, children – many children – has been part of what I’ve wanted since I was old enough to think of such things. The only thing that equaled that want, I have. A place to spread my knowledge, among family.” A brief grin flashed across her features as she studied the male, eyes sparkling. “But lately… I’ve been more aware that time is drawing closed. And I must admit, someone has caught my eye lately.” Her head cocked slightly, ears perking. “What about you?” Good gods, if he’d just been bringing her flowers thinking they were all useful herbs, just to be nice, and he’d actually noticed some other female… Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think

She stopped with him and answered his question and he answered with a nod as he thought about it. When he was young all he could think about was coming back and returning to his home in the north. The ones who had claimed it were long gone and when he'd gotten here most of his family was gone too. He'd long since given up on the dream of Glaciem, but Celestial had been the replacement and it was all he could ever hope for. He'd come to the realization that not all family was by blood and these wolves certainly were his kin. He smiled softly at her as she flashed him a bright grin. His teal gaze would meet her own amethyst ones as she answered him. Ears pricked forward with interest as she mentioned that someone had caught her eye lately. He was by no means naive and the possibility remained that he could be who she was referring to, but he wasn't so bold as to assume it was either. She returned the question and he couldn't help the sheepish grin that formed on his face just then. "Ta be hones' it's ye." He spoke softly, wondering how she'd take the news. He'd probably feel like a fool if she wasn't interested in him, but it was worth a shot and he was going for it. There was no better time than the present. Walk, "Talk" Think

Kavdaya Of The Nomads

A smile enveloped her features as he answered, her head cocking. “Well, that’s a good thing, because it would be rather awkward if you weren’t available. Because I can’t see another fellow I would want to spend my life with.” A grin broke over her jaws as she spoke, her tone bordering on teasing. And then her body took over, that buzz under her skin demanding to be addressed. She stepped closer, a soft purr, tail waving slowly behind her. “The window of time is growing closed, but perhaps there is still time to see a few new lives into the world.” -Fadebecauseomg!- Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think

She teased him lightly and his face broke out into pure joy at her answer. A soft contented rumble reverberated in his chest and for once in his life Creed felt wholly complete. This was the final piece of the puzzle that he'd been missing and now it was complete. The last little slot was filled and with it came a joy he'd never known before. They might not have as long as others would due to their age, but he was going to enjoy every last minute of it with her. "Good, Ah feel tha same way." He murmured with a smile. She stepped closer and it was now that Creed would give into instinct. Nervousness and anxieties forgotten he stepped closer and nuzzle her neck lightly. His own tail waved languidly behind him and as she offered him one of the things he wanted most in this world he readily accepted it. -andthenfadecauseyayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!- Walk, "Talk" Think