Duchess said she wanted to be here with him and had warmed his chilly heart. Indigo continued to think about those moments before Resin arrived and he led miss Duchess towards the water. She insisted on helping him get clean, and he knew she wanted to make sure his wounds were seen to. Being the one to be cared for was a different experience for the massive purple pelted wolf. Indigo was the one who usually saw to the strays, he was one of the Hallows first defenses against danger, knowing that Duchess was there and eager to look after him in return brightened the boy.

The dried blood was beginning to crust on the outside of his fur but it was still sticky and irritating next to his sensitive skin. The gouged down his face chin and neck were back to throbbing dully and Indy knew he was reaching the time limit of how long he could safely wait before cleaning the wounds. He wasn’t eager to get into the freezing waters of the stream, but it was better than the alternative. Infection wasn’t good and licking the blood wasn’t pleasant.

Big black paws came to a halt as they reached the river at the borders of the Hallows. Ice accumulated at the edges, and had the sun not peeked out today he was certain it would have been frozen over. Darkness was falling and with it the cold was coming. Indigo braced himself for the uncomfortable experience by using his massive weight to break away the ice at the edge. It was a small pool, the water was still moving but the flat of the area created a small lagoon.

He didn’t pull himself back, instead he carefully entered the water. It took his breath away. He knew Duchess wanted to help, but he didn’t really want her in the water with him, it was much too cold for a leisurely swim. Indigo slowly and reluctantly lowered himself into the frigid water to begging washing away the gore from his mane.

Location: The Starlit Plains Duchess pondered what joining the pack would mean for her as she followed Indigo through the plains. She had to pull her own weight which was fine, and she was expected to do what she could for the pack on top of that. It was a lot of responsibility, things she was sure she would screw up. But she was also confident in herself at the same time. She liked to please, and putting her inside The Hallows gave her a new purpose. Maybe working, and alongside Indigo, would get her mind off of her past and help her move on to the next best thing. She had been devastated by her betrayal but not for long. Maybe not for long enough. It was probably festering down inside her somewhere while she sought to do other things with her life. Only time would tell. Her concentration had been broken as Indigo chipped away at the bank's ice. She had been so lost in thought she couldn't remember the walk over here, not that it was really important. She lingered up behind Indigo while he prepared himself to brace the water, and she would follow after him once he entered, despite his obligations. "I'll be fine." She insisted with a smile. The water was freezing on her paws, but she showed not that she was affected by it. Maybe she was used to some kind of pain, or she had learned to just embrace it. Either way, she was being stubborn in the way of helping Indigo with his wounds. Besides, it would be quicker if she helped, not that she really wanted it to end so quickly. Duchess, with her paws dipped in the water and Indigo lowered, pulled her wet paws up to Indigo's chest and just focused on pooling the water onto his wounds to help soften and break up what had been crusted. She didn't want to immediately start scrubbing at the scabbing wounds, that wouldn't be pleasant. Eventually she gently put her paw into his chest, carefully working at the deep lacerations. She was hopping she wasn't hurting him too bad, but she was sure he could manage. "I bet the cold water helps with the pain a little." She gave him a gentle smile but wasn't looking up at his face while she worked his wounds. She hadn't even noticed as the sky darkened and if she looked up, the clouds would be broken to reveal a bright, starry sky behind them. Walk "Talk" Think

Despite his protest Duchess insisted on following into the cold water, but he couldn’t even put up a fight he was so grateful. The faster he was washed the faster the pair of them could be out of the frigid water. They were going to have to make themselves comfortable in the living hall with the fireplace. Lots of furs, a warm fire, and her company would be plenty to keep him warm. Thankfully he’d thought to bring some older pelts to help dry them off when they got out. The cold really was an excellent distraction, within a few moments he could hardly feel his toes anymore and the sensation was swiftly leaving the rest of his body. The constant stream of icy cold water made speech difficult but at least he wasn’t thinking about his wounds near as much.

Which was better anyway as Duchess moved closer and began to rinse his thick purple fur. Indigo didn’t enjoy getting wet, especially in the Winter, because he always took far too long to dry. His mind couldn’t focus more than a few seconds ahead, the cold sapped him. He started to shiver slightly and he still hadn’t caught his breath. He tried to chuckle at her words as he sucked in the air as she pressed deeper against his skin. The wounds were deeper than he realized.

”It does. I’m just about numb now.” He told her through gritted teeth like he didn’t notice her paws at all. She was making quick work, but he was still transfixed by the cold. Indy didn’t notice the stars any more than he could appreciate the proximity Duchess lingered in.

Duchess would do her best as Indigo let her work at his wounds. She wasn't aware that he wasn't really himself, or what she knew of him,  because of the frigid cold, but as his body shivered she looked down at his dark form in the stream, "I think that should do. Lets go warm up." She walked out of the low water, grabbing one of the pelts and trying her best to drape it over him, it wasn't easy from their size difference. She would let him take care of it himself if he chose to, she wasn't going to baby him. She grabbed the pelt for herself though she hadn't been in the water as much as he had so she didn't feel as cold. Maybe her paws and legs, but the stinging pain barely bothered her. She was used to it. She walked alongside Indigo back to the castle, giving him a side glance as he still shivered from the freezing temperatures, drenched from the stream. His fur was freezing at the ends, and she couldn't wait to get him back to the castle. They made their way to the fireplace that seemed to make it's use now in these colder times, Duchess put a paw lightly on Indigo's foreleg asking him to lay down by the fire. She took her own pelt off now that they were ready to warm themselves up and went to place it over him. She may not have been much help in his battle and protection of her against the saber cat, but she definitely could make up for it in other things. Even when she felt she wasn't good enough. She laid down next to him and went to put her paws on top of his. Hers were cold from the water but also from the little snow they trekked through to get back to the castle. It wasn't much, but she knew eventually when the fire's warmth reached their bodies, their paws would warm each other's up. Walk "Talk" Think

Indigo lowered himself further into the water, dipping his chin and face as he rid himself of the cat’s and his own blood from violet fur. With Duchess help the task was over with blessed quickness. He lifted his head from the water and wasted no time in returning to dry land as the tiny purple marked she wolf proclaimed him free of the blood that stained him. Indigo shook himself as he straightened, trying hard not to get Duchess as he did so. He lifted an arm so she could drape one old fur over his arm as she struggled to put it somewhere. Indigo only barely hid an amused grin.

He used the fur to get the really drippy stuff off his chest and legs before throwing it over his back and returning to the castle with haste. Duchess was swift on her delicate paws and despite the wind cutting through him Indigo didn’t mind the canter. The yearling was still shivering when they reached the castle despite the exercise. He was sure to grab a couple fresh furs from his own little cubby on their way towards the fire.

There wasn’t anyone there, he was both thankful for and cursed, as the fire wasn’t incredibly big. Indigo lay the furs near Duchess spot and tended to the fire, giving it some of the old dried firewood that they’d found stored away. After he’d already done too much, Indigo’s attention was brought down to Duchess and the pretty paw she placed against his leg. As his brain began to thaw Indigo could smile and accept her unspoken command. With little coaxing he made himself comfortable in the pile of fur.

Duchess lowered herself close to him even with his wet fur. The yearling boy could now fully appreciate her closeness and the warmth she offered him as she stretched out her tiny paws over his massive toes. Indigo felt an easy smile linger on his expression, it wasn’t a normal emotion but he was grateful to Duchess for putting it there. Indigo sighed softly and draped his head over Duchess' shoulders. Finally he stopped shivering.

They both got comfortable by the fire, and Duchess was not expecting what Indigo would do next. He had a massive embrace to her, and she wasn't rejecting of it but it reminded her of what she had lost. And it wasn't even the most recent times with Draco that lingered in her mind. It was when they were pups, not knowing where to take their lives or if they would survive one day after the next. Life had been so much simpler when they were young. There were less demands and expectations. More time cuddling than surviving, or for what Draco wanted in his older age. She missed a lot of it, and she could only question what she did wrong. Why couldn't she be good enough for those she poured into everything in for? It just didn't seem fair. "Indigo..." She pulled her face back to look into his eyes, her own kind of sadness swirled in hers. But she wouldn't say anything after to him. Instead, after only a few seconds of searching in his bright, soft gaze, she would lay her head down between her legs and on top of his. She was fine with his cuddles, but she didn't want to believe they would take them anywhere past good friends. Indigo didn't seem like a bad guy, but she never wanted to get her hopes up. And she was so young to even fathom what more of a life she could live. Walk "Talk" Think

Indigo easily grew comfortable in Duchess presence, like he’d known her his whole life. He easily curled around her, for the company and the shared warmth. Indigo might’ve happily fallen asleep right there but he felt Duchess stiffen a few moments later as she pulled away enough that their eyes met. Indy tilted his features as she said his name almost expectantly before she trailed off. She wore her emotion on her sleeve, showing him the deep loss and sadness that sat just at the door of her soul.

The pair of them lingered there like that for a long time before Duchess silently lowered her head to her paws. Indigo thought himself perceptive, but in that moment he had no idea who or what the girl had gone through nor if he was doing the right thing or not. The boy was lonely, and Duchess was here, and close, and warm. It felt good to be close to her like this. ”Are you alright?” He asked her softly as he settled himself over her shoulders a second time, with much more caution in case she had been warning him away.

He settled gently over her again, she felt as he lingered in caution before making himself too comfortable again, "Yes, I'm fine." She scooted her rested form to be a little closer at Indigo's side, Their bodies touching in more than one place. Indigo's fur as the fire warmed and dried him was nice against her own small frame. She stayed laying where she was for moments more, "This is nice, I like it." She smiled though he probably couldn't see in the position they laid in. The fire was nice, and Indigo was nice. She tried not to indulge in the feeling too much. She almost didn't want to remove herself, but it also felt a little weird to be sharing the public space like this. Mostly because they didn't much about each other and she was now new to the pack. She chose to ignore what she found in Indigo's embrace, she didn't know what he had found. She finally went to carefully and slowly pull herself back from him, not standing just yet. "Where should I call my den? I assume a room in the castle somewhere." She didn't feel awkward or not right alongside Indigo, but the part of her that was desperate to be in the arms of someone else, the part she ignored, wanted to know him a little more before even considering. Not that she would listen to her brain at all on the advice. At least she intended to be careful with her fragile heart, even if she jumped in and wrecked it again. Walk "Talk" Think

Duchess assured him softly she was without strife and Indigo allowed himself to fully relax. He could feel her lean more heavily against him as her body curled against his. The fire was slowly drying his soaked fur, at the very least he was warm now, however long it would be until he managed to get completely dry. The fire, the furs, and Duchess would all assure that he wouldn’t freeze in the meantime. ”I do too,” he confessed softly in return as the dainty she wolf spoke. He could hear the smile in her voice, and he was encouraged. He could feel the brokenness of her, just like he felt inside, but they could still manage to smile together. Like his father once he decided to protect someone he didn’t let go easily. He trusted fast and string, a quality and curse.

He knew he didn’t want to rush into anything exciting, Indigo just wanted someone to keep him company. His heart was miles elsewhere, and love didn’t cross his mind. The easy affection had him caught up though, and he truly enjoyed his time with the girl. ”Wherever you want.” He told her softly, not wanting to deter her from any choice she decided. However much he wanted her beside him from here on out. (I think) ”You’re welcome to pick out your own chambers,” he started. ”Or stay with me. Most nights I share a suite with a girl named Cosette, it’d be warmer with another.” Indigo was completely innocent as he spoke, unaware he had the potential to upset his new friend with how close they were becoming.

Indigo would tell her she could pick her own chambers, or stay with him. But wait did he... have a girlfriend? He didn't make it seem that way. The thought of her sharing a room with both him and another girl, it was troublesome. But It also made her feel a little more welcome. She was worried about getting too close to Indigo, so if he was offering to share the den with the three of them, she felt like she wouldn't run the risk of finding him too close to her heart. It was too soon, he was a stranger, she was damaged. But she knew a part of her deep down was hoping this other girl wasn't a girlfriend. After a long moment of thought she would finally reply, "Yeah that sounds nice." She tried to muster a smile, hiding her unsure feelings. She would stand, looking down at Indigo, "We can go there now? I'm pretty tired." Walk "Talk" Think

Indigo was an innocent boy, he just didn’t want to be alone. The only love he needed was that of Aslatiel, but they were unable to embrace or even show that in the view of anyone. Wear a mask, fill the hole. Indy just wanted to have Duchess by his side. Her presence was pleasant and she easily made him smile. He was already protective over her and would have given up more than just his flesh to get her to safety. Softly Duchess agreed with his suggestion, and without hesitating she lifted herself from the little nest, she looked as tired as she said she was.

Indy looked back up at her, ”We could stay here by the fire. Its warmer and I don’t think anyone else will be by for the rest of the night.” Indy shrugged lightly, happy to stay here curled next to her, but equally wouldn’t have issue if she insisted that they go find his real ‘den.’ Indigo knew it would take a whole lot longer before he was fully dry. ”I’m not dry yet, believe it or not.” The fur on the surface looked pretty dry, and it was, but his coat still held tightly to the water.

She smiled at his offer, though while the toll of the day was hitting her she wasn't as happy as she was hours before. It was a big change, joining the pack, accepting to live in Indigo's den, laying here beside him cuddling... But she played the overwhelming emotions off as her being tired. There was no need to worry her new friend. She didn't answer him right away, lost in thought. But she continued to look down at him until she spoke, "That's fine too." She stepped closer to him, poking her nose under one of the pelts that was draped over him and nestled in beside him. "Thanks for bringing me here, Indigo." She laid her face back at her paws, "I missed the company." She could try to lie to herself and act as if Indigo was just keeping her company, but she could only take the lie so far. There would be a day, probably soon, she would take it farther than she expected. Walk "Talk" Think

The yearling was exhausted, he’d fought hard that day and his body was already using any extra energy to heal the wounds he sustained. The two of them traveled many miles, and sleep was swiftly dragging them away. Duchess didn’t disagree with him, her bright dual toned eyes sparkled in the firelight as she paused a moment. Like when he had stopped to enjoy the sunlight Duchess seemed to stop and appreciate where she was, here snuggled up to him. She returned to his side, curling in despite his damp coat and made herself comfortable.

Her closeness made Indigo smile, the corners of his dark lips pulled back and reached his tired gaze. The young Fatalis curled around her and his ears perked as she thanked him. He embraced her more tightly in response, but he froze slightly at her second words. His reaction lasted only moments and he relaxed further into her. They were more similar than first sight could allude to, he was happy that he’d brought her back here as well.

”Me too.” Indy confessed quietly, feeling the missing piece of his heart. Aslatiel was so far away, at least he had Duchess to help not feel so cold. She made him smile, and she warmed him now when he needed it the most.