A heavy clatter echoed through the cave system followed by a sharp, "Fuck!" as Tyrian stumbled over -and sent flying- what he assumed was loose rocks. Why assumed? Because it was pitch black and he couldn't see anything. Tyrian had been exploring the cave system for a few hours now. He hadn't seen light for quite some time. That, coupled with the passage's confusing twists and turns, should have been enough to force him back to the surface, but Tyrian's curiosity was damn near insatiable. He had once nearly frozen to death trying to cross a magical ice bridge in a snowstorm. This? This was nothing compared to that. The one thing that might keep him from reaching the end was that this time he didn't have a gorgeous traveling companion to egg him on. ""

These days she had wandered away from the band more than staying within camp. She found old dens or caves to stay in for the night, sometimes when she was even close enough to make it to camp. It was hard for her to be around them, especially with the last time she confronted Indigo. She may have seen how harsh she was after the fact, but it only hurt her more to think that Indigo didn't want her. That was not the truth, but it was how she saw it.

She had stumbled across the cavern by chance, she was on the ground and not above on the mountains to spot it easily. She didn't think much before entering, it was solitude she wanted after all. Or not really, she just wanted escape the band.

She hadn't chosen paths in the nearly pitch black tunnels, just followed where her paws had taken her until she heard the muttering of someone ahead. Or somewhere, she couldn't see anything. She stopped for a few seconds before walking forward again with careful steps, hoping to not tumble over her company as well. Or maybe she was hoping to a little.

"Duchess"

As Tyrian stood there shaking out the twinges in his bruised toes the echoes from his misadventure began to trail off. Instead of sinking into silence as expected his ears caught the sound of footsteps. Just when he became certain of this they stopped and he was left to strain into the darkness for proof of what he had heard. Before his imagination could run wild with spooks they struck up again, this time close enough for him to get a rough idea of where. His head swiveled towards the sound. Surely they'd heard his exclamation. Was that why they were moving towards him? Why not announce their presence? Welp, he was about to find out what was up as the passageway was narrow enough to bring the two into close proximity if neither changed course. His toes having forgiven him, Tyrian started forward again. Like whoever was coming his steps were slow and careful. "We're about to get really friendly, friend," he said dryly while gliding along one of the walls to give the other creature plenty of room to pass by if they wanted. "So if you can't handle that you might wanna pick a different path." His words served as equal parts attempt at humor and warning. Tyrian didn't know what he was getting into but he wanted it hinted he was prepared for friend or foe. ""

Her claws clicked carefully on the stone surface below her, and it seemed her company inside the caverns had heard her presence before she stumbled on him. The trail she was on started to narrow, and she paused momentarily as she heard the male's voice ahead of her. She couldn't see anything down here but she knew the brute had to have been close by and maybe just on the straight path she was taking.

She didn't say a word at first, still those quiet steps in her trail as she grew closer to him. She couldn't help the hidden smile on her lips though in the darkness as she was eager to face him. Maybe he thought she was someone ready to challenge him in the pitch black cave, or maybe he thought she didn't exist at all.

Unless he had sensed her presence from the clicking of her claws growing closer to him, she would have run into him by her paws reaching out in front of her, her own paw tapping onto his leg probably somewhere below the knee given their size differences. It was a bit startling, but she didn't turn tail and run. Instead, went to continue his previous threat. "I don't have a problem with that. Do you?" Her tones were quiet in the echoing tunnels. With her shoulder against a stone wall, she went to move past the large brute by rubbing her side up against his as if she didn't have any space to get by, she was probably exaggerating. "I don't suppose you've found anything exciting in these tunnels?" She went to turn back around inside the tunnel with the brute, facing either him or his rump. But still she couldn't make out a thing about him. She hoped he would move on and maybe they would find something or at least a way out.

"Duchess"

The lack of response after his words was a little unnerving especially since after a brief pause the steps started up again. So he had been heard but ignored. That didn't sit well with him and it didn't bode well. The only thing that stopped him from taking a more defensive approach was that the invading scent belonged to another wolf and wolves didn't pose the same threat as say, a lost bear. So he stood his ground and waited. The wait ended with him stiffening as claws brushed down the front of his leg. The voice that accompanied it was soft and seemingly without ill will which only added to his confusion and frustration. In situations like these Tyrian liked things to be clear cut. Ambiguity in complete darkness was a recipe for disaster. Still, he answered honestly in a tone that matched hers. "Can't say I do." As she brushed down his side Tyrian moved with the woman so that they more or less traded places. Her deliberate touch didn't go unnoticed and if she hadn't already earned his undivided attention that right there would have captured it. Since she took so freely from his personal space Tyrian returned the favor by skimming her coat with his nose to fully catch her scent. In that moment at least it seemed they were going to dispense with stranger niceties so why not? He was curious. By the time she turned around he was already facing her. A smirk in his tone, he quipped, "Just you; a woman tempting fate by rubbing up against strangers in the dark." She was either comfortably confident or guileless to approach a stranger as she had. If that wasn't tempting fate Tyrian didn't know what was. Was he being a bit blunt? Yeah, sure, but what did one say in a moment like this? He was amused, confused and wary, and that made it all the more entertaining to him. ""

He turned to face her as she walked by, though she wouldn't have known that other than the sound of his voice just ahead of her. He couldn't have known anything about her, just as she the same about him. Not even what she looked like. But Duchess could almost laugh at his statement, tempting fate. It was all she was doing these last couple seasons since the birth, wandering carelessly across terrains and strangers. She truly had no reason to continue her life, or she thought. She had burdened everyone around her. He wouldn't know that if he had the idea to hurt her or kill her, he'd be doing her a favor. She at least wasn't showing those darker emotions that she flooded with flirtatious remarks and intentions of other things.

He obviously couldn't see, but he should have been able to hear the smirk in her voice when she responded, "Oh... should I be afraid?" It was both spoken in a genuine curiosity and a tempting tone. She supposed she would find out, or the two of them might go their separate ways. She went to turn around carefully in the tunnel again, her tail could have brushed along his chest if she wasn't careful which, she wasn't.

She went to move on the way he came, though maybe it was down another trail too? It seemed that after a couple moments or so, an ominous glow flickered in the backs of the tunnels she could see. She still couldn't really see anything around her, but she knew there was something just further down.

"Duchess"

It was a shame that she couldn't see him, as her words caused his head to tip to the side and his mouth to close on his tongue as he 'gazed' after her in befuddlement. After a moment's thought he shrugged to himself. That was a fair enough response, he supposed, even if he hadn't seen it coming. Touche, bold lady. "Hard to say," he said in a lazy conversational tone as she turned to face what he thought was a different way either of them had come. Sidestepping the implication that he was the danger, he added a bit tongue in cheek, "I haven't been down that way yet." The woman moved off and after sucking on his lip thoughtfully Tyrian followed. "Maybe we should stick together for a bit. Safety in numbers and all that, you know." The woman was giving off some interesting vibes and Tyrian was getting the sense that sticking with her might be an adventure in and of itself. When his eyes adjusted to the glow ahead Tyrian's first thought was the lava river he'd seen with Lachlan. Would this be similar? There wasn't any heat like last time. No stink either; just the smell of damp, decay, and his new travel companion. "Have you been through here before?" ""

Duchess followed his direction, or really all she could believe was where he was suggesting. He didn't stop her as they turned but she couldn't fully retrace his steps while they were in the pitch black. She hummed quietly as he stated that maybe they should stick together, as if she would really be able to protect him from something bad. Though, yeah, she was a pretty avid navigator so maybe it would have benefited him to stay close to her while they traversed the unseen tunnels. "Whatever makes you more comfortable." She teased with her head turning slightly in her gait so he could hear her better.

They drew closer to the glow, something she had never seen before and it only piqued her interest. He had asked if she had been through here before which she responded with a shake of her head he couldn't see, "I have not. I don't usually frequent the north." It was standard conversation, and they were just about at their unknown destination for her to get her small piece in.

When she rounded the corner of the tunnels, she could finally see a marvelous view of the amber gemstones shining under the lights driven from above, and really just seeing anything in general was relieving. She continued to walk forward into the Grotto, her dainty paws quiet as she went to inspect the fire crystals. She would have been scared to touch them like they were hot, but upon closer examination she could see the gem-like appearances in sheen. She had waited sometime before moving to face the brute she was wandering with, finally able to get his face and stature in her memory. She didn't have anything to say to him, only offering him a tempting smile.

"Duchess"

Tyrian followed after the woman amiably. The glow ahead of them cast just enough light so that the woman and the path were silhouetted - something Tyrian's bruised toes were quite thankful for. It also gave him just enough of a view of her to pique his curiosity. A flash of an outline here and there slowly gave him a bare bones idea of what she looked like; how her features were small and delicate. Even in the dark her uncommon femininity stood out to him. "Me neither," he said in response to her comment about the north. "It's too cold for my liking most of the time." The pair lapsed into silence briefly as the tunnel opened up and the source of the glow was laid bare. The shimmering gems blanketed the cavern and their wild, uncut facets reflected moonlight haphazardly in all directions. Tyrian slipped slowly along the back wall and watched, fascinated, as the stones glittered. His attention was pulled from scene when he felt the eyes of the woman on him. Tyrian turned to face her and was not disappointed. Her coat was a chaotic mix of black and purple and the fiery glow from the gems only added to it. She was more delicate than he'd first thought with a dainty, almost breakable looking build that clashed sharply with the boldness she exuded. "Beautiful," he said simply and without bothering to clarify whether he meant the gems or the woman. His eyes were on her and she could make of that what she wanted. He turned from her and casually began to meander among the gems. If her teasing smile meant anything it was her turn to follow. "I said the north was too cold for my liking and that's true." Tyrian paused to run his claws over a sharp formation of red gems. "But that's not the only reason I don't come up here much. It's too...serious. Too bleak. The atmosphere's all wrong." He turned back to face her. "There's not much room for spontaneity. Or adventure." ""

As the brute peered down at her, Duchess looked into his eyes even if at a short distance while he looked over her. She couldn't deny how admired she felt from the stranger's eyes on her, and it was probably a little more exaggerated than it needed to be. She wasn't jumping for joy over him though. She let off a small smile as he complimented, she knew where it was after.

She did fall into step a little behind him but beside him when he moved around the cavern, she had already seen enough of their surroundings and still they were encased in the amber gems. There was nowhere she could look to be away from them.

She stopped beside him as he physically observed another one of the crystals, her eyes moving along where his claws traced over the gem but was still attentive on his words when he spoke. She smirked silently, her paws stepping up on the rock formations in the cave that hosted the fiery gems as if she could be eye level with him. She went to move in closer to him, but she made her own boundaries which were really none, but she didn't know his. "Sometimes it's not the places you go, but the people you meet." Her eyes had nearly fluttered as her gaze moved from his own and down the length on his nose, biting her lip gently as if she was holding something back. Her eyes flicked back up to his as she wondered if he would pull into her bait, not that there was any wrong intent coming from her. He couldn't know the severity of emotions that floated around rejection, they after all knew nothing about each other.

"Duchess"

Tyrian dipped his head in acquiescence. He supposed that was true. The north with all its ice and challenges bred dour wolves, and while that was nice and all in a hardscrabble life, Tyrian traveled to get a break from responsibility. He didn't want to be reminded about his duties every time he looked into a northerner's sour face. Perhaps that was why he found the north so...meh. Not enough escapism up here, usually. "I think you're right." His eyes fell to her mouth and the tiny little bite she was taking out of her bottom lip. Speaking of escapism... He wasn't a fool; he could see the way she was looking at him and her liberties in the tunnel were still quite fresh in his mind. "So, then, I think we should meet each other properly," he said with a small smirk. "The name's Tyrian." ""

Duchess hummed as he introduced himself, not letting her eyes leave his face as he spoke. He too viewed down at her lips as she did, and she had assumed they had the same thing on their minds, it was obvious. "Duchess." She spoke in a slow tone, she couldn't really care of his name or who he was, clearly she had other things on her mind from the get go.

Her head tilted slightly as she went to peer down at his illuminated chest before carefully reaching out a paw to place there along the front of his shoulder. "Are we going to keep messing around or cut to the chase?" Her gaze back at him was daring, but he could be assured that she wouldn't let him off so quickly either. She was one for a fling to move on from, but not so much to get it over with. She wanted to feel beautiful and desired, she hoped she could drive this from the stranger, or really any stranger. The wound was deeper than he could have known, though it seemed there was no sign of the real hurt she felt and the need of wanting him to want her. But she needed more than that. She was the cause of her own destruction.

"Duchess"

That faint smirk deepened briefly as Duchess placed a paw on his chest. That was all the encouragement he needed. The woman was beautiful, available, and keen enough to dispense with the song and dance usually required to tactfully determine gameness. Tyrian looked at her again, this time openly. While they'd been winding in this direction for awhile that last shred of uncertainty had politely blunted what would have been an otherwise overtly hungry gaze. No more. He would feast with his eyes first. He chuffed. "I was hoping you'd say that." Tyrian's smirk faded as he stepped closer. Chest to chest the difference in size was almost comical but he didn't see any humor in it. He wished to wrap her up in his arms and feel how delicate she felt against his chest. It was tempting to sweep her off her feet right then and there, but for now he'd let that feeling build. He leaned down slowly and sought to draw her into a kiss. The first would be testing and soft, but if he was met without resistance he would pull her in for another and give her a taste of his desire. ""

Duchess was easily receptive to his touch and advances as he closed the distance between them. Her other paw rose to meet his chest as well while she stood on her hind legs and found her back against the stone and crystalline walls behind her. She didn't know really anything of the man, Only his name that they had exchanged in less than a few moments ago. But that was the thrill of it, wasn't it? Not knowing where he could have come from. Not knowing he was an alpha, or who he could have had back at home. It was some sense of the arousal for her because she didn't want to know. It was better this way. Thinking he could have had a mate or a woman back home waiting for him was both scary and enticing. Scary because she didn't want to get too involved and have her heart broken, but enticing to think he could find that outlet in her instead. And it was why she kept pushing herself into these escapades.

Duchess met him at the pace he moved from and forward. The hint in heat of her returning kisses could have spoke in volumes to her experience, she was overall just happy that she could be noticed in this way. She had taken one by surprise how forward she was. She had also been thought to be some sort of spirit or faerie. And of course she had known rejection and uninterest as well. She was quite eager to see what transpired between the two of them in these moments. But one thing was certain, she wasn't going to turn around and change her mind. He may have seen that by now.

"Duchess"

His lips never left hers as he followed her to the wall. By now his breath was shallow and quick, and in the silence it was all he could hear; hers and his. The taste of her was on his tongue and each breath he drew in was hers. He pressed against Dutchess as a need began to swell in his belly and everything that had brought them to this moment was forgotten. Unsatisfied with what little he had tasted so far, he broke his kiss and begin nibbling down the hollow of her throat. Half the fun was giving it and so, still unsatisfied, he would continue his trek downwards, moving with her and guessing where she wanted him next. While he was ready and eager to lose himself in her, Tyrian wouldn't allow himself relief until the walls rang with her ecstasy. It was too easy to take for himself. The real challenge, the sweetest victory, and the only chance he had to play god was to give her a taste of heaven. He would drive her mad with bliss for his own chance at godhood. Tyrian sought to slide a paw between Duchess' thigh and tail, and, cradling her, he lifted his mischievous gaze to hers. The request was unspoken but his intent was clear. All she had to do was wrap her legs around his neck and he would do the rest. If she did as he wished Tyrian would move her into a more comfortable position for them both. His eyes never left hers he sought to place a coaxing kiss on her lower belly. -fade?- ""

Her paws traced along the length of his thick shoulders even as he broke their kiss and continued down her throat, making her gasp quietly from the disconnect and also from where his lips trailed. She didn't insist he stop, and as he went lower she too kept her eyes to his with that longing and lustful gaze. This was actually completely new to her, but she wouldn't question where his actions went. His intentions had been clear as hers were. He may have seen now, or maybe not, that he was in full control of her from the very beginning, Even before they made it into the glimmering firestone cavern. Even before they met. Duchess was an easy catch but at least she wasn't in it just for her own relief. It was in fact, all about him even when he made it about her. In her heart and mind that was. Everything was completely emotional for her, even with a stranger and even when they would go their separate ways afterwards. Who knew if they would ever see each other again.

One of her paws reached down her side to hook around one of his own that held around her waist, and she fully gave in to what he offered. Her voice filled the caverns and he would not go wondering if he had done the job right or not. Her other paw reaching down at his cheek when she was ready, silently and also eagerly asking for him to return to previous kiss.

-Fade-

"Duchess"

-fade in- He got his wish. Her ecstasy was music to his ears but before the echos had died away completely his lips found hers. Her taste was in his mouth and no doubt hers too as he pulled her from the wall and laid her on her back on the stone floor. Tyrian wasn't done yet. Her cries had further stoked his desire and given it a desperate edge. He needed her like he needed air. His paws found her hips and encircled them hungrily. With a forceful jerk he brought her to him and then greedily pressed deep into the heat of her body. For a moment he was lost in relief before it was swept away with an insatiable desire for more. His mouth on hers turned hard; his passion coming through in bites and gasps as he drove them - together - into the stone floor. -fade out- ""

Duchess was more than willing to bend for one's needs, this man would be no different. Her responsive noises, her actions, everything down to the core was felt with emotion and not just in it for the release. She wanted his satisfaction more than anything, and she hoped he could feel the heat in her fake love and inner emotions. She wanted to be desired, but she wanted for partner to feel even more. She would always put herself on the pedestal under them, or in some cases not even above ground.

Her breath caught in her chest as she relaxed on the stone under the brute, her grip was loose over his shoulders and chest, she really expected him to pick himself up and go on his merry way. That's not what she wanted, that's not what she wanted for the whole picture of her life. But she had learned to grow detached in the aftermath of her intimate escapades. She didn't push him away, she would welcome him had he laid there with her but she was fully built up for the instant withdraw.

"Duchess"

This was not where Tyrian envisioned the cave would take him, but as he rolled onto his hip to recline beside Duchess he wouldn't say he was displeased with the turn of events. If she didn't immediately rise his careless touch would be felt here and there in the form of a leg or shoulder along her person as he hadn't the motivation to disentangle himself fully. He rather liked her nearness and while they had shared in a good time it didn't feel like the sort of intimacy that one could assume a cuddle afterwards would be well received so he wouldn't move in for more. Still, he would not be bothered to move unless she made her intention to be rid of him clear. He took a deep breath and allowed his heavy head to fall back on the stone behind him. Before now Tyrian had every intention of exploring until he escaped the stone maze but now, with the taste of the woman still on his tongue and his back pressed against cool floor, what he would do next was a mystery even to him. Tyrian eyes fell on a mussed patch of fur on Duchess' shoulder where his teeth had clearly been and after only a moment's repose Tyrian leaned closer and gently ran a paw across it. While he hadn't been heedlessly rough or thoughtless in his actions it was important to him that he saw to it her needs were met. For him this meant checking that they were of the same mind; both sated and pleased. Were she bruised or otherwise in need of aftercare Tyrian would be attentive to her needs. They were strangers, yes, but part of his satisfaction hinged on hers and he wasn't ashamed to admit that. "Do you need anything?" ""

She still kept herself in a way to let Tyrian remove himself and leave when he felt like, no matter how much she wanted to pull in closer to him and be wrapped in that afterglow of their time together. She was reminded of how Indigo knew how to handle her in these times. Maybe it was easily seen, or maybe it was a normal behavior of two strangers having a good time together. Duchess saw it as more than that, even if the two never saw each other again. She felt more than just physical pleasures, she was a bit delusional but she wouldn't extend that any further than just a feeling. She was an emotional lover. She wanted her partner to feel real, true passion in her actions. She hoped Tyrian had.

Duchess' chin pulled into herself as Tyrian carefully traced over her shoulder, not seeing but knowing where his teeth had left a mark on her. Her paw too touched along the roughed fur before she smiled gently, "I think you've done enough." She joked a little bit, hoping that any small worries he may have had would melt away. She was satisfied, and a little mark on her wouldn't hinder those feelings. "I'll be fine." Her eyes glanced back up at his face as she wondered, and almost stated that maybe they should make their way out of the cavern or maybe he had something that needed his attention outside the hidden amber caves. But she said nothing. Her eyes carefully traced over his face while she was probably waiting for him to cut the line himself. At least after he made sure she would walk away okay.

"Duchess"