Location: Amron's Castle Duchess was starting to find her footing inside The Hallows. It wasn't that hard for her personally. She wasn't exactly the most social girl, but she wasn't really anti-social either. She liked providing for those at The Hallows even if she didn't know them all that much. It made her feel needed, and it made her feel like she was impressing Indigo even if he didn't notice her efforts. Their night on the beach together was still constantly on her mind. The stability and comfortableness she felt with Indigo, but also her traumatic anxiety that she felt ruined the moment. The better was higher in her memories, she at least didn't want her spasm to infect the good memory with Indigo, and she hoped he felt the same way too. She woke up from the night, she was a bit of an early bird herself. But she usually waited for Indigo to wake before starting her day. Curled up beside his massive form, her neck twisted as if to get the kinks out of it, her head rubbed against his shoulder lightly. Her paws stretched a little forward to curl around his own leg, and she would wait for him to wake up before disrupting the room. Walk "Talk" Think

Indigo wasn’t one to sleep in, he had a schedule that he kept closely to with little variation. He fell asleep at the same time and woke at the same time most every day. This morning was a bit different, he’d slept far past when he usually rose with the sun. Not that you could really tell where it was in the sky, clouds continued to hide anything but a dreary infinity. Maybe it was the warm presence at his side that kept him asleep for so long, not that Duchess company was new.

The girl was making her place known in the Hallows, she was pulling her weight and more. Indigo appreciated her calming presence when he was falling sleep. The warmth of her and the subtle sweet scents that hung in her fur. The soothing allure of her put him in a trance that he wouldn’t admit to, maybe that was why he slept so late today. The boy wasn’t often so fully at ease and the change was enough to let him fully rest and more. He breathed in softly as he instinctively curled around Duchess sleepily as she wrapped her arm around his.

Indigo shifted his hips so he could better fit around the dainty girl, he lowered his head over his arm so his red marked blue eye could sleepily find Duchess' soft features. He sighed contentedly and his eyes fluttered closed, as though he could easily return to sleep while he had her there.

She found herself dozing backwards as she waited for Indigo to wake. She felt the same as he did. His breathing and heartbeat was calming to her. The warmth they found in each other was just as soothing with the cool, subtle breeze that ran through. She continued to lay there with him while Indigo took a longer morning snooze, though not aware that they had been sleeping in. Not too long, but eventually her eyes fluttered back open and she lifted her head to see a brighter day through the window. It was still cloudy as were all days but the amount of light through the clouds was brighter than they would normally see in the early morning. She gently placed her muzzle to Indigo's cheek, taking gentle nibbles through his fur before whispering, "We've slept in." She could have laid there with him all day too, but there were mouths to feed or patrols to run or just anything in the regards to the responsibility of the pack. Though perhaps Indigo wasn't needed for an earlier morning patrol today while no one came to take him away, or maybe someone felt they would give him the day off. Walk "Talk" Think

They lingered there for far longer than Indigo intended, but he was so comfortable and warm beside Duchess he needed a bit more shut eye. He was breathing deeply, having drifted back after curling around her smaller body. He wasn’t disturbed by Duch lifting her head, but the soft feeling of her nuzzle into his cheek brought him blinking open his eyes into wakefulness. The transition was slow, but as she nibbled along his jaw Indigo couldn’t help the yawn that lifted his sabered fangs from his chin. Her words were just as gentle but they had a harsh meaning. He didn’t have a morning patrol to his surprise and pleasure. Waking up slowly with Duchess was what the boy needed after his restful sleep.

There was always too much to do instead of laying around cuddled up all day. He would have, and he felt like Duchess might have to, had it not been for the weight of responsibility. The yearling yawned again and not so subtly wrapped his arms around the violet girl and pulled her a little closer. ”Must have needed the extra sleep.” His own wounds from the day they met were finally beginning to heal. The scabs that covered the gouges were really beginning to itch, but it didn’t seem like much would scar over very bad.

Duchess smiled as Indigo commented. She was definitely not against sleeping into the late morning with him, his hold made her beyond comfortable while filling the sense of emptiness she pushed to the side while she was with him. At least after their night on the beach together. She felt him a little differently now that she pushed into the next step, even if it wasn't entirely clear to him what he was doing to Duchess. Her own eyes fluttered while she still came back awake, looking back at the window and placing her head on Indigo's shoulder for a moment. After she gathered her thoughts to start the morning, her legs took a far stretch out in front of her and her rump lifted away from Indigo and up in the air until she came to a full rise. Looking to Indigo hoping he would follow after her, but she couldn't deny she already missed their morning cuddles. "I haven't seen much of the castle yet... Did you mind showing me around?" Her head tilted, she still spoke quietly while the late morning still felt young to her as they had just finally woken up, "Unless you are busy." Her eyes took a quick glance to the floor, a sign of disappointment if Indigo had other plans. But she wouldn't cry over it if he had, returning her gaze back to him, "Today seems as good a day as any." Walk "Talk" Think

Taking her to the beach had been an eye opening experience, the energy between them had changed. They were affectionate before but there was a deeper meaning to each touch. Indigo hadn’t figured it out yet, he cared for Duchess a lot. More than a lot of wolves and she helped to fill the hole where his heart should have been. The one he should have been able to give to her. But it was never his to give away. Aslatiel was his other half despite how much he cared about Duchess, and how much he loved having her close. She was a balm to the unhealing wound he nursed, and he wouldn’t willingly do anything to hurt her. But here he was, encouraging her to fall in love with him and he didn’t even realize.

Indigo held her for a few moments longer, the both of them fully shedding their sleep, before Duchess slowly lifted herself to her paws. Indigo mirrored her motions, stretching out his long legs with another yawn before Duchess spoke. Slowly he lifted himself to his full height, shaking out his purple pelt before he answered the dainty dame. Indigo smiled mischievously at her chosen words. He offered a reassuring nudge to her shoulder before he spoke.

”I’m never too busy for you.” He promised playfully, feeling refreshed and in a bright mood on that dreary morning. Maybe it was the extra sleep, maybe it was just waking up with Duchess. ”What have you seen so far?” There wasn’t a whole lot to note when it came to the castle, but there sure was a whole lot of it.

She blushed as Indigo stated he was never too busy for her. Her anxieties almost always ran to nothing, proving her lack of confidence wrong time and time again. But she still had high confidence in other things, it was strange the makings of her mind. She would go to exit Indigo’s room, out into the hallway waiting for him before getting ready to move on, "I’ve been to the meat stores, and through the courtyard obviously. I haven’t wandered much farther than that." She admitted, she spent most of her time outside of The Hallows scouting for prey and herbs. It was a harder task with the extended winter no doubt. She knew she had to be careful of the strange predators outside the wall too, so she tried not to travel far on top of that. She started to descend the stairs into the courtyard, but she figured once they made it there, she could let Indigo take the lead. She wasn’t after anything particular, she just wanted to spend more extra time with him while their days were usually filled with pack responsibilities. "Is the castle any different in the summer time?" Auster’s seasons were actually flip flopped compared to Boreas. But she wasn’t sure if Indigo had even experienced an Auster summer. This would be her second, but she had lived here all her life after all. Walk "Talk" Think

Indigo’s blue eyes didn’t leave Duchess for very long, but unfortunately her fur was much too dark to properly appreciate the sweet blush on her features. The bashful expression was enough. Indigo easily followed after her, slipping through the door of their chosen room. The pair of them walked slowly towards the courtyard, Indy bumped against her shoulder slightly. She mentioned the stores and the courtyard, ”Well, that first room I brought you to when we got here? Those are the guest rooms. We’ll stop by so I can show you the herbs stores too.” He mentioned softly as he gently guided her that direction from the grassy courtyard.


Indigo walked slowly, enjoying the time with Duchess. They were often much too preoccupied with the tasks and responsibilities on their plate. Not that Indy was complaining, keeping busy helped him to keep himself from his deeper thoughts. However much being with Duchess distracted him, but she wasn’t just a distraction. Indy genuinely enjoyed being in her presence. Her question was soft and curious but Indigo chuckled slightly.

”I honestly don’t know.” He told her as they walked, and he led them towards the guest rooms and the healers stores. ”The Hallows only recently traveled down here in the early winter, I haven’t seen it in anything but snow.” He told her softly, lowering his head and stealing a bit of affection in nuzzling her cheek lightly before he revealed the stores to her.

She remembered the guest rooms they had stayed in, and had walked past them and the herb stores while taking things to the meat stores. She wasn't really aware that The Hallows was meant for the healing of others. She definitely wasn't opposed, she liked the idea that all wolves in the walks of life could come here for healing and relaxation. It was a good purpose, and it seemed all the wolves who resided with The Hallows seemed perfect for the job. No one seemed to have judgment towards others. It was something she enjoyed to feel. They would come closer to the herb stores, she had known the area once they grew closer but didn't know exactly the location of the stores. She never needed to know it for herself. Indigo opened the door so they could peek in, she didn't want to enter to disturb what flowers and ointments and other treatments remained. It seemed most of the herbs were already made into pastes to be ready for applying. There were also bowls, bones, and teapots along the shelving. She hadn't known any knowledge of healing, not even the basics. Luckily she never had the need to know. That didn't mean she didn't want to change that. The amount of herbs in the stores was a little disappointing. Since most of the herbs were already made in to pastes, she considered the little amount of flowers that Indigo could have liked looking at. And it made her want the everlasting winter to end only for him. "Winter will be here this coming season." She announced sadly, while looking around at the shelves and stores, "But hopefully the snow will go away soon. Auster has never seen snow before." She looked back to Indigo before backing out of the herb stores. She wanted to move on from them because thinking that Auster's cold season wasn't even upon them was depressing. And they could only hope that the ice age would be over with before the season was up. Walk "Talk" Think

Indigo had the feeling Duchess was becoming comfortable with her home here. She leapt into her responsibilities and earned her place here, she didn’t just rely on him. She was independent, but Indigo still had that strong protective feeling over her, but it melted into a sense of pride too. She was obviously lost when they met, but then again he was too. Knowing he’d offered her some direction gave him hope for himself.

The boy tried not to sigh too heavily as he pushed open the door. The pungent scent of so many dried herbs and poultices made his ears fall back as he remembered yet again the deadness of the world outside. Would green life ever return? Or would they be cursed to this icy purgatory forever? As though she could read his mind, Duchess told him that the winter wouldn’t last forever. Auster would see its winter but maybe it would be more mild than this.

”Maybe we should do some traveling.” He told her, but the note was primarily for himself. There were a lot of jumbled thoughts clouding his mind, but one in particular really bothered him and he hadn’t figured it out yet. Indigo sighed softly and shook himself, trying to remain in the present as he enjoyed the tour with Duchess. ”Alright, dungeons or the watch tower?” He asked, looking down at her affectionately.

They would back out of the herb stores, and Indigo would mention traveling. She liked seeing all the places their world had to offer. She tried to see the beauty in all things, it helped soothe her quiet depression and anxiety. Beside Indigo though, he only made the time more enjoyable and memorable. It was nice to know what laid in every land around them, and if the continent above them actually finished it's extended winter come next season, she wouldn't mind the vacation either. She was still young but she had experienced an actual Auster summer, so she knew what they had been missing out on. "That sounds nice." She smiled at his offer. She did a lot of venturing without him on a day to day basis, but any company, especially Indigo's, was more than welcome. He would mention a couple options to her, and she couldn't help but chuckle to them. The dungeons or the watch tower. She almost wanted to reply sarcastically to go to the dungeons, but she wasn't really that type of wolf. It was still an amusing thought while she could have considered the tour a date of some sort, and Indigo was offering a tour to the dungeons. "The watch tower seems nice." She still smiled after her chuckle, and would go to follow Indigo up to the higher floors of the castle. While the castle offered much to them as a pack, it seemed to mimic itself all around. The rooms in the halls were starting to all look the same and blur together. As did the clicking of their claws across the stone floor. She still peeked out the windows as they went by in the halls, and eventually they made it to the stairs to climb the watch tower. She let Indigo up first, following gently behind him as they winded the staircase. It almost seemed like a tight squeeze for him, but it worked out perfectly for his frame. They would make it to the top and she would immediately look over the edge of the wall and out at the cliff and beaches below them. She sat back without looking to Indigo at first, still admiring the rough seas in the distance. She leaned her shoulder into his leg and rested her cheek on his own shoulder. She imagined the sun out and across the horizon, even if it wasn't sun rise or sun set right at this time. She could only wish the sky was more beautiful but still sitting here with him was like a dream come true. And she wouldn't let the lingering clouds ruin their moment. Walk "Talk" Think

Duchess admitted her approval of the potential of travel. The only real tie to the Hallows she had was through him. Already Indigo’s thoughts had touched on being his own leader. Of banding his strays together to see the world. He hadn’t fleshed it out, and thoughts were as far as he’d come. Mentioning travel was the first he’d say anything aloud. The thought of seeing the world with Duchess at his side was one he;d hold close. It was warm and hopeful, something bright in the cold winter spring.

She chuckled at him as Indigo presented the next two places he’d think to bring her. The boy believed she giggled because of why he thought it was amusing, would she prefer the tallest place in the Hallows or the very lowest? No matter, he enjoyed the look of her grin as she decided on the tower. Which, in his opinion, was the better choice. He led the way, fitting through the stairwell carefully as he did so. He tried not to let his tail get into Duchess face as he paced quickly and lifted himself into the small room.

Indigo didn’t much care about the view, his blue gaze settled on the girl as she took in the view for the first time. He felt his lips pull back into a grin as she leaned back against him. Duchess lay her sweet head on his shoulder and he couldn’t help himself as he leaned over to nuzzle her forehead. He refrained from mentioning the last time he’d walked somewhere with her. He still didn’t know what she relived that night, but Indy didn’t forget and he’d be aware of pressing too hard. Not that he truly realized what he was refraining from.

”What do you think?” The question was a common occurrence but it still held the same weight. He wanted to know how Duchess felt about the potential beauty around them. He just wanted to hear her speak.

She was oblivious to Indigo's own admiration of her instead of the view of the the castle's beaches. Her head gently twisted on his shoulder while she still looked out at the ocean. Yet another memory she would remember forever, and there was only one way to make it better. He asked her what she had thought, which he had asked her before at the beach. The repetition was far from annoying, and it made her feel like Indigo was most interested in her emotions or thoughts. It was an admirable trait she found in him, only more of a reason to fall deeper for him. A smile was gently pulled at her lips as she pulled back a little to face his own features, "It's beautiful." She stated as she did the beach. Everything was beautiful with him, he was beautiful. When she was here beside him, admiring the beauty of the world around them, she couldn't be happier. Her opposite paw from him reached up to pull around his foreleg so she could turn him toward her just a little bit more. And her nose would reach to his as she went in for another longer, thoughtful kiss than the first. It seemed to come after the same words as the first time. But the feelings she felt became stronger with every one. Walk "Talk" Think

Maybe his affection for flowers and their natural beauty helped the boy and his ability to stop and appreciate where he was. Indigo always felt the weight of the world on his shoulders, but having Duchess beside him he felt like he could really see the beauty around him. He could pause and appreciate the world he was born into and not just obsess about his problems. Indigo could see through her eyes and as she looked up and answered him he knew it to be true just the same. Seeing the world and seeing her experience the world was enough to soothe the sabered boy.

He grinned, but didn’t hold tightly to the expression as Duchess shifted and reached up to him him again. This one showed her real confidence, up here sheltered from the wind from the ocean and the elements. Indy leaned into her, returning the kiss softly. He let her lead him at any pace he wished. Indigo only wanted to see her sweet smile and forbid the feeling of fear she showed at the beach. Being alone and close like this was nice and felt freeing. The tightness of his chest loosened and he breathed in like for the first time.

Blue eyes fluttered open to search her dual colored gaze as he pulled away slightly. ”You are beautiful.” He added with a grin and stolen kiss between her brows.

While the deep emotion was still there, she felt Indigo holding back slightly, or just allowing her to go at her own pace. And honestly, she didn't want that. There was a feeling deep down that she wasn't fulfilling to him, that he should be allowed to take what he wanted. Everything from her experience prior is what made her feel this way. And there was really nothing Indigo could do to make her feel differently, at least for now. She tried not to let her tension show, instead focusing on keeping her eyes in Indigo's. He complimented her own beauty with that of a different kind of kiss to her forehead. She pushed into it gently before moving back again, going back into a deeper kiss than the first, pushing her chest into his body lightly. She nearly wanted to push Indigo, but she knew her own limits. She didn't want to end up like the night on the beach, but she wanted to please Indigo more than he could know. Not that it wasn't a little obvious she wanted to be deeper than they were. Walk "Talk" Think

This was exactly what Indigo wanted, a quiet, private place, and all the soft kisses that Duchess had to offer. He could have been happy grabbing hold of her and pulling her closer, chest to chest lying on the tower floor, but he was careful not to push. He didn’t want Duchess to feel anything but the crazy emotions that lifted in his own chest. They weren’t all rainbows and butterflies but Indigo wanted all of them and the feeling inside they brought.

Duchess leaned into his innocent kiss, and Indy savored the precious moment before she pulled away slightly and returned her dark lips to his. She was much more passionate, pressing her chest into his, revealing her eagerness. Indy allowed himself to lift an arm around her shoulder, holding her to him but with enough slack she could wriggle free if she wanted to. Indigo could feel the desire building in his belly, a feeling that he wasn’t very familiar with beyond his experience with Aslatiel. He hadn’t even been sure another girl could make him feel this way.

Indigo pulled her closer, and very carefully tried to pull her with him onto the watch tower floor. He wanted to be closer, he wanted to be overwhelmed with her. Entranced with her scent, and taste, as they shared their warmth. Indy moved his muzzle from hers, shifting so he was nuzzling against her ear. ”What do you think?” He asked her again, curious about what she was thinking as they kissed in the tower.

She didn’t flinch as Indigo put his arm around her and pulled her in. She welcomed it. She wanted to be closer to him too. So close that it would feel impossible to be closer, but still that they weren’t close enough. Indigo generously went to pull her to the floor and she would oblige willfully but carefully too. She didn’t want her traumatic panic attacks ruin the moment. She didn’t even know she suffered these until she was with Indigo, but she knew immediately the reason behind them. This time she wanted to be on top of Indigo, at least giving him the ease of knowing she was in control of her own mind. Their eyes locked like this was a familiar feeling, but also felt different to her every time she looked at him this way. She fell easily for him, and he didn’t make it any harder by the way he treated her. He asked her again what she thought, this time almost a different sense of the question. She thought a moment while still looking in his eyes, though she didn’t want to keep him waiting. "I just want to be here with you." she could have said forever, but she didn’t want to push it. She’d be pushing herself at least, as much as she knew she didn’t want to wind up back in a vulnerable situation with Indigo. It seemed like it was too late for that as much as she ignored it. Walk "Talk" Think

Duchess followed along as he pulled her close, not resisting even a bit. There was no hesitation as she curled closer and draped herself over his chest. His massive weight settled onto the stone floor instead of looming over the dainty girl. He didn’t want to see her experience that fear he’d seen in her on the shore ever again. At the same time they both wanted to be close and were unguarded in their affections.

She brought her dual toned eyes to meet his and set Indigo to wonder how deeply he could get lost in her infinite eyes. He asked his question and the answer took a long time to come, not that the yearling minded waiting. She could have all the time in the world she needed. When Duchess spoke, Indy smiled from surprise at her words. He didn’t know what he expected, but it wasn’t as heartwarming as the words she said.

”I want you here with me.” He told her in return, unable to keep the distance between them as he reached for another gentle kiss. He’d aim to wrap his red marked arms around her shoulders as he willing forgot about everything but her sweet lips.

Her own paws clung through his mane on his chest above his shoulders as he held her tighter. The way they were laying now was much different than before, and it seemed to put her body at ease more. Not that she wasn't wanting Indigo more than this. For either the good or bad reasons. His own confirmation of wanting her there, she mimicked the gentle smile while he went in for another kiss. It seemed they had gotten comfortable with this, at least she felt like. Their nightly cuddles and now free time kisses. Duchess felt like they could keep it that way forever. But she also felt like when the time felt right for the next step, Indigo would be the perfect fit. He was gentle and patient with her, making her believe he was more experienced than he was. She let the kiss go on a while before pulling back gently, her eyes in almost a tired daze as she looked back into his features, "I wish we had more time like this." It was a genuine offer, or a feeling. Certainly not a sad response to the good time they had together that would soon turn back in to responsibility. Duchess was a lot more mature for her age. She couldn't really put her finger on why, maybe just from being abandoned at a very young age. And the need to please was definitely from her previous abusive relationship. She at least liked being a caregiver if nothing else. While Indigo could protect her in ways she couldn't herself, she would have done anything to return the favor to him. Her head moved under his chin while she rubbed and nestled into the thicker fur around his neck and throat, "Was there anything else you wanted to do today?" Walk "Talk" Think

Indigo enjoyed the way her paws entwined in his mane and she held onto him. Being needed was a feeling he didn’t get all too often. Indy felt like he was the dependent one so much more often than not. Knowing he provided her with protection, affection, and that she truly wanted him beside her was enough to warm his hardened heart. Being here alone with her was easy and made him feel like his problems weren’t so heavy anymore. However much his actions could lead to even more heartache if he only opened his eyes. The yearling should have realized where this was heading, he knew what to expect (mostly) with his relationship with Aslatiel and he counted down every day until he was able to see her again. Duchess was his welcomed distraction. His warmth on the coldest of days.

The kiss was tempting and caused the yearling’s skin to become much hotter than just enjoying each other’s warmth. Thankfully she pulled away as Indigo was growing uncomfortable with the pressure. It wasn’t a bad feeling, but a frustrated one. Indy knew there was something missing but he was willfully ignorant. Her dual toned eyes looked down at him before she made a confession, yearning for more time together like this. Indigo smiled, and nodded slightly. ”We will,” he promised her quietly.

She nuzzled under his chin comfortably, pressing against his vulnerable throat. Indigo’s dark lips pulled up into an easy grin as she asked about the rest of the day. The pair of them had woken up slow and already had their tour, but beyond that only his patrols were on his itinerary. ”We could get something to eat, and then later we could do to the plains.” He still wanted to see the sky, but maybe it was better the sky was a perpetual cloud. He’d be forced to think about Asla too much. ”Alternatively there’s still the dungeons to explore.” He chuckled lightly as he rested his massive paw on her shoulder.