Astraios made his way back to the pack lands, and immediately went in search of Delphi. He didn’t think this was anything putting off would make better, and he’d much rather get it over and done with. Otherwise, frayed nerves would likely make him near unbearable to anyone around him. (Not that he wasn’t already pretty much unbearable). He found Delphi in their new den by the Steppe, and stepped inside.

“Hey, Del, do you have a moment?” He asked, a little awkwardly. Talking was never going to be his strong point. How did he get himself in these sorts of situations? He stepped further into the den, and settled down on the den floor.

"Delphi" & "Strai"

Delphi was busy sorting through her supplies when Strai walked through the doorway. At first, she paid him no mind. He was free to come and go as he pleased and so was she. Of course, she was excited to see him, but she was busy. Spring was here which meant she could finally resupply her stores for whatever concoctions she was going to delve into next.

When he awkwardly asks if she has a moment, she puts down whatever it is in her paws and turns slowly to look at him. The way his face is all... screwed up and he's laying on the floor has her suspicious. Her eyes narrow for a moment as she wanders over to sit down in front of him. Tilting her face lightly to the side, Delphi holds quiet for a little while longer. Let him sweat out whatever was plaguing his mind.

"A moment for you? I suppose," she answers in her sweetest yet sassiest tone as she smiles at him. Whatever it was couldn't be that bad, right?

"Delphi" & "Strai"

Strai struggled not to fidget as he sat there and waited for Delphi to acknowledge his request. He knew she was doing it on purpose, but uncharacteristically he didn't poke her about it. He didn't want to risk agitating her before he could explain what had happened.


When she turned to him, he moved a little closer to her. Sitting in front of her but not letting their fur touch. The wound on his head was dry and cleaned at this point, but still fresh. 


He didn't speak for a moment, he wasn't a wolf who liked to explain himself. Certainly not one to apologise. Not to anyone else, but Delphi was different. “Spider almost drowned, and gained a fear of water. I tried to help them by, uhh… pushing them in” Yes, perhaps in hindsight he could have handled that better. “They clung to me, we both fell in and I smashed my head on a rock.” He tried to keep eye contact with her, but his eyes ended up dropping to his toes. “They pulled me out, and were worried about me. I guess their adrenaline was up, because they kissed me.” He was speaking faster now, trying to get it all out before she could interrupt. “I didn't return it, and immediately set boundaries. They agreed to them. I wouldn't… I wouldn't betray you. I needed you to know.” He said at last.

They were so close and yet... their fur doesn't touch. She can feel the tension electrify between them. What was so bothersome that he couldn't... wouldn't embrace her? Studying his expression, Delphi knew something was off. Can see it by the way there is a new injury on his head, how he sits inches away, how his gaze averts to the ground. Her brow furrows further as her ears begin to fold backward. What had he done now? Strai was no stranger to trouble, but this seemed different. When he begins to speak, Delphi doesn't let her gaze leave him. So far, his words meant nothing. If he had pushed Spider in, that was between them, not her. Strai mentions hitting his head and her heart strains. Was he okay? Did he need aid? Her emotions swirl, rising before falling, a rage now settling in her chest. Kissed him? Spider... had... kissed... Strai? He gives her no room to burst at the seams as his words quicken. He wanted to be honest? To let her know what had happened? Confusion replaces the rage. She wants to hit him, to kick him out, to banish him to another realm. Was he being honest? Or was he lying? Blame it all on Spider? She had no reason not to trust him. Their relationship had developed and they had been working on... being nice to each other. If boundaries had been set then why was she to be mad at Strai? Rather, she had choice words for Spider. She had believed them to be friends and they had gone and kissed her boyfriend! Trembling, Delphi remains silent. What was she to say? Clenching her teeth together, she holds back the emotion and tears that fight to reveal themselves. No, she would be strong. She wouldn't be weak. She would be the bigger wolf. "I have every inkling to smack the shit out of you right now," her voice is terse as she speaks through those clenched teeth. Yet, she wasn't his keeper and wasn't going to keep him from his... their friends. Sucking in a deep breath before releasing it slowly, she shakes her head softly. Be the bigger wolf, yes. "I...," she hesitates, her eyes glistening as her resolve is shaky. "Thank you for being honest," Delphi whispers now as she leans forward and closes those last few inches between them. Resting her cheek on his chest is the only thing keeping her from actually ripping a toe off this time. "Delphi" & "Strai"

Defying all logic, Strai found himself growing annoyed at her lacklustre response. She looked as if she was going to smack him a good one, and then she released her anger and leaned into him. He had treated her carefully to minimise her anger to Spider, but perhaps he had treated her too carefully and robbed her of her anger. They were talking about his first kiss here. Something that rightfully should have been hers. Haven't they made promises to each other? Didn't that mean something to her? She should be mad! 


He found himself scowling down at her. Surprised by his own emotions. He wasn't a careful wolf, but he had put effort into being one with her. Especially lately, when they were getting along so well. He almost regretted that he was about to ruin it. Almost. “Perhaps you would have gotten my first kiss if you'd acted a little sooner.” He growled at her.

The sudden rumbling of his chest has her pulling backward. Face contorting into confusion as his words lash out at her. Ears pinned back and her own lips lifting into a snarl. Her emotions flipped like a switch as she scoots away from him. Forcing distance between them, she glares daggers. Her heart starts racing. Had he really just said what he had said? Did he want her angry with him? Was he a glutton for punishment? She clenches her teeth together as her muscles tense and flex. So had what he said to her been a fucking lie? Had he come here to tell her of the moment between he and Spider just to get a rise out of her? Maybe it hadn't been Spider's fault after all. "Get. Out." Delphi seethes, her face shifting into a full snarl as she moves to stand. Her fur bristles and she puffs up to appear even somewhat larger though it doesn't matter in front of Strai. He is massive compared to her. It didn't matter. He had what was coming to him now. Lunging forward, Delphi strikes out and aims to smack him hard against the chest. As her leg finishes its extension, she pulls herself forward and launches herself at Strai. This time, she aims for the throat. Jaws opened and fangs glinting in the afternoon light that shines through the doorway. "Delphi" & "Strai"

Delphi vs Strai for Maim (scarring on throat)
Round 1/?
Age: Over 1
Size: Extra small
Build: Light
Offensive Battle Accessory: Leather bracers with cougar claws
Defensive Battle Accessory: Spiked collar of bear teeth
Companion 1: Male Binturong, 22” - Battle
Companion 2: Tasmanian Devil, Female - Battle
Mutation 1: Saber fangs (Offensive)
Mutation 2: Spicy blood (Defensive)
Skills: Master Healer & Advanced Fighter

The change in Delphi was a lot more violent than he expected. While he had wanted to see her fighting for them, he realised he might have pushed her too far. Idiot yearling that he was. But while she might be fighting against him now, he realised he… wasn't. He was feeling other things as her paw smacked him in the chest. He didn't even bother to defend against it. He let that strike land, and hooked his own paw under her knee in an attempt to pull her towards him. His hormones were indecipherable to himself, and it wasn't anger his eyes smouldered with. Seeing her open maw coming at him, he bunched his neck fur and turned a little to the side. Trying to protect his vulnerable throat. "I'm still fighting for us.” He whispered, voice a little husky as he attempted something probably stupid and dangerous considering her bared fangs. He tried to bring his muzzle to hers, and kiss her. Astraios vs Delphi for a Kiss Round 1/2 Age: Over one Size: Dire wolf Build: Light Offensive Battle Accessory: Small dagger with sheath Defensive Battle Accessory: Protective bracers Companion 1: Snowy Owl, Male, Battle Companion 2: Snow Leopard, Male, 25" Mutation 1: Cheek Bone Spurs (Defensive) Mutation 2: Retractable Claws (Offensive) Skills: Expert Fighter & Expert Hunter "Delphi" & "Strai"

His words. Oh how his words made her want to scream. Fighting for them? For her? After what he had said? After what they had been through? And he really thought he was fighting for THEM? Rage burned in her as she felt her paw smack his chest. The contact of her paw pads against his fur both burned and stung. They shared a connection that she couldn't deny. Even as the tears bubbled in her eyes and his paw was wrapping around her leg, she still wanted to scream. Wanted her teeth to dig into his flesh until his blood spilled. He deserved it. She swore by it. Then he's turning. Scruff bunching up and deterring her bite. She avoids tearing at that soft fur. "I never stopped," she seethed, turning back to try and snap at his face and instead... his muzzle was right there. What was he trying to do? What was that look in his eye? A smolder that she felt deep in the pit of her belly. Hormones built a blazing fire in her as she tried to stay angry. Tried to resist. He didn't deserve this. Didn't deserve her. But oh how she so badly wanted to kiss him. Had been wanting to kiss him. Had wanted that closeness ever since they'd both entered the age of tumultuous emotion and hormones. "Thrall," Delphi breathes, not entirely giving in as she pushes her muzzle toward his. Instead of returning the kiss, not fully, she reaches out to nip at his chin. This would not be how their first kiss went. "Delphi" & "Strai"

Delphi vs Strai for first kiss do over
Round 2/2
Age: Over 1
Size: Extra small
Build: Light
Offensive Battle Accessory: Leather bracers with cougar claws
Defensive Battle Accessory: Spiked collar of bear teeth
Companion 1: Male Binturong, 22” - Battle
Companion 2: Tasmanian Devil, Female - Battle
Mutation 1: Saber fangs (Offensive)
Mutation 2: Spicy blood (Defensive)
Skills: Master Healer & Advanced Fighter

If her teeth grazed his fur just a little as he turned her away, that was okay. She had a right to be angry, and he never wanted her to hide that from him. Not that he understood emotions. One minute he was angry at her, the next something was writhing in his belly. He felt every part of their bodies that were connected. Her paw on his shoulder, his touching underneath her knee. The brush of her fangs against his fur. He couldn’t help it, he shivered. This crazy, venomous, spitfire girl did things to him that no one else did. She evaded his kiss, and her fangs nipped at his chin. He grinned, and his growl now held not a single trace of anger in it. “Venom.” He whispered back at her, lifting his head now and bearing his throat to her fangs. Showing her the vulnerability the angry, distrustful orphan showed no one else. Astraios vs Delphi for True Love <3 <3 <3 Round 2/2 Age: Over one Size: Dire wolf Build: Light Offensive Battle Accessory: Small dagger with sheath Defensive Battle Accessory: Protective bracers Companion 1: Snowy Owl, Male, Battle Companion 2: Snow Leopard, Male, 25" Mutation 1: Cheek Bone Spurs (Defensive) Mutation 2: Retractable Claws (Offensive) Skills: Expert Fighter & Expert Hunter "Delphi" & "Strai"

And the winner is...

Delphi

Astraios must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Totals: Delphi : Attack Roll: 86 Defense Roll: 72 Agility Roll: 76 Perception Roll: 37 Total: 271 Attack[86] + 40% Bonus[34.40]: 120.40 Defense[72] + 45% Bonus[32.40]: 104.40 Agility[76] + 10% Bonus[7.60]: 83.60 Perception[37] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 37.00 Total[345.40] + 15% Bonus[51.81]: 397.21 Astraios: Attack Roll: 6 Defense Roll: 4 Agility Roll: 67 Perception Roll: 48 Total: 125 Attack[6] + 70% Bonus[4.20]: 10.20 Defense[4] + 20% Bonus[0.80]: 4.80 Agility[67] + 5% Bonus[3.35]: 70.35 Perception[48] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 48.00 Total[133.35] + 20% Bonus[26.67]: 160.02

The smile. Those eyes. That growl. It is... carnal. A sound that makes her spine shiver. Her teeth grasp at the fine skin on his chin. His rasping voice in her ear as another shiver rolling down her spine and her fur bristling. It is then that her eyes widen slightly. His chin is lifting and he is revealing his throat to her. That delicate skin that makes him oh so vulnerable. Delphi doesn't hesitate. Her muzzle reaches forward, her front teeth are grasping that thin skin that is the only thing separating his life from death. Pulling at it playfully, her own growl rumbles in her chest.

Then her paws are reaching farther up, grasping around his neck so that she can pull him closer to her. Reaching up on her hind paws, she stretches to meet his tilted muzzle. Licking at the bottom of his chin, she pushes against him. "Just kiss me, Thrall," Delphi whispers, her voice aggressive, wanting, no. Needing to feel that connection.

Delphi && Strai

Strai grunted as her teeth found his throat. But this time, there is no threat to the motion. He let her grab at it uncontested. It was true that he wasn’t a naturally gifted speaker, but some things could be said without words. He told her with his actions of the trust and faith he had in her. Told her who he belonged to. He let a growl vibrate up his chest, into his throat.

Her paws stretched around his neck, pulling him down to her smaller form. Her command reached his ears, and who was he to deny her? Grinning, he obeyed. Pressing his muzzle against hers and sharing the kiss that always should have belonged to her. He brushed his tongue across her muzzle and parted his lips. “Delphi.” He whispered, before kissing her harder.


Delphi & Strai

Electricity zapped through her entire being the moment Strai's lips found hers. Every nerve in her body electrified and on fire. Burning bright and hot as she pressed back. That kiss that was always hers, meant for her and only her. No one would take that from her. She can't help the little noise that slips out against his muzzle. Her eyes close to hide that she fights to stop them from rolling back. Melting into his embrace, she shivers again as he pulls away slightly to lick her muzzle.

And when he whispers her name, she feels that electrified burning all over again. It was all she ever wanted to hear. To hear him speak her name. Then he is kissing her again but harder this. As if he was just as desperate for her touch as she is for his. Pressing back just as hard and willing to melt fully into him, she doesn't want to let go. Grasping around his neck so there's not even a millimeter of space between them, she pulls back so she can return a lick to his muzzle.

"Strai, I," she hesitates, tears in her eyes from the overwhelming moment. Fuck it. There was no turning back now. "I love you," her words are breathy and she gives him no chance to run. Instead, she presses back and kisses him again.

Delphi && Strai

Spider had kissed him, but the moment had been brief and unexpected. Here, with his arms around Delphi, he could savour the moment and appreciate the kiss. It was his first proper kiss and he melted into it. He knew his emotions were running rampant, and his heart was beating as quickly in his chest as it did when his life was in danger. But here, the only way to save himself was to push further into her. His arms were around her, pulling her onto his chest. Holding her tightly against him, so he could feel the way her heart hammered against her skin. He knew it quickened for him and there was something intoxication about that.


He was drowning in his emotions, overwhelmed by the heat of her coat against his. Her tongue brushed against his then, and he groaned softly. The soft tickle of it sent fire through his body.


Her words seemed utterly natural, but the possessive streak in him lit up at the intent behind them. He let out a small, rumbly growl. “I love you, Delphi-” he planted a kiss on her muzzle “-yours-” >another kiss “yours.” He told her. “My kisses are yours.”

The pressure of lips pressing and pulling away as he kisses her sends a rumbling giggle to build in her throat. Hers, all hers. He was damn right. Strai would be no one else's but hers. It felt good to be in his embrace and so close. Not an inch of space between them. It was if she was meant to fit in his arms.

Coming up for air, Delphi leans away and looks Strai in the eyes. "Don't you forget it," she whispers, a smile wrapping around her ivory lips. It didn't matter how toxic they were or what happened. She was his and he was hers. They would be together forever. Through thick and thin. Vulnerable only for each other. Except... she would have to address the Spider situation at some point. Maybe not yet. No, she would enjoy the embrace and their moment. That sweet moment that she wished would last forever.

Delphi && Strai

As he continued to embrace and kiss Delphi, he found himself grinning. He felt almost light-headed and incredible in a way he never had before. He was reckless and lucky, but perhaps not wise. So as he pulled his muzzle away from her so he could look into her dual-toned eyes he smirked. “I wanted to give you an outlet for your anger, did it work?” He teased her.

Yes, he had started their fight on purpose. It had almost gone incredibly wrong, and then it had gone… incredibly right. His arms were still tightly around her, and she was pressed up so tight against him. He wanted her. He wanted her in perhaps a way a yearling shouldn’t, and might get him in a world of trouble with Vidarr.


Delphi & Strai

His question has her eyes rolling. "You think maybe I could've let out my anger on something like a training dummy?" She snaps back, her eyes turning to look up at him with a smirk. "Or do you enjoy the pain?" Delphi teases, suddenly reaching up to grasp at his chin with her front teeth. Though they were only yearlings, Delphi knew she was in love with him. Knew that no matter what toxicity flowed through their relationship, she would always be there for him, want him, be possessive over him. It didn't matter who stood in their way, Delphi would fight for Strai. That much was obvious as she looked closely at his face. Was it fated by the gods that he had crossed her path?

"Delphi" & "Strai"

“Where's the fun in that?” He teased back. Sometimes the two of them were like fire and water, but he liked that, too. So long as at the end of the day, they were on the same team he could handle a little heat. He was caught by surprise when she suddenly snapped her head up and latched her teeth into his chin. “No fair, you know I can’t bite back.” he whispered, looking down at her. He reached a paw behind her head and lightly tugged at one of her ears with her claws.

He let out a teasing growl, more than happy to playfight with Delphi. He pushed his weight forward to see if he could make her stumble.


Delphi & Strai

"That's what makes it fun," she whispers back, a teasing grin on her face before she lets go and licks the underside of his chin. Their close proximity was always rather intoxicating to her. Something about the way he towered over her, his scent, how he peered down at her with those lavender eyes. Even when one of his claws tugs at her ears, she giggles and moves to nip at his chin again. Before she can, she feels Strai press forward against her with enough force that she has to step back. Her paws slide against the stone until she has all four off of him and beneath her. Furrowing her brow, Delphi lets out a playful growl. "Oh, now you're askin' for it," she teases, her lips pulling up to sneer at him before she jumps forward. Reaching out, she dips her head toward and playfully nips at his paws before continuing under him to nip at his back paws too. "Delphi" & "Strai"