Having been in need of a few things, the dainty, dark woman had set off South. The terrain changed many times before she arrived at her destination. She didn't know that it was her destination, of course. The lady simply stopped when she found something worth collecting. This place, with it's willows and marshes, was a treasure trove. And the cattails... there were so many cattails. Such useful things. With so many uses, they were quite valuable to the young healer. As Iolaire picked her way through the willows, she stopped here and there, using her knife to harvest cattails and other plants that would be of use. She was glad that she'd emptied her pack before this journey. It was sure to be full upon her return. Having been at it for quite a few hours, Iolaire decided that it was time for a rest. The small wolf chose a tussock of grass situated in a warming ray of sunlight. The light made her pristine tri-colored pelt glitter like diamonds and she was rather proud of that fact. Sifting through her pack, Io pulled out a chunk of dried ox and began to leisurely tear off pieces to consume. There was no hurry here and the fae was utterly relaxed. "Speech"

Lucretia was busy with her sister and though he found himself happiest in her presence he wanted to give them time to themselves. Not that he thought Deathbelle gave much thought to his presence, he was just a dog in her eyes. His relationship with his mistress was completely different from the Ashen Empress. He adored being in the service of Ashen’s Shamyn. They were perfect partners, and Bourbon had a hard time supressing his love for her.

Another reason he sought some time to himself, he wanted to get his bearings straight, to think about his life and take a step back. He was deep in thought as he paced forward over the Auster lands. He never intended to go so far, but he couldn’t help but notice the scent of the Armada way out here.

His nose brought him to the lounging form of Iolaire. She had seemed a polite wolf, a fellow healer. In the least Bourbon could respect her for that. ”Hello, miss Io.” He offered with a bow of his head and a wag of his head as he approached her.

The woman had been so spaced out that she hadn't even heard the collie approach. It wasn't until he spoke her name that the woman snapped out of her mental reverie. Two-toned eyes blinked in slight surprise and she turned her head to look at the approaching form. Ah, it was Lucretia's pup. "Hello, Bourbon," she purred in response. He was such a cute little dog. Well, not little. They were of a similar size. "And please, just Io." She offered a kindly grin.

Patting a patch of grass beside her, she invited the canine to pull up a seat. "What brings you so far from home?" A grey brow arched in question. She waited for him to answer, her attention fully upon him. It was odd for him to be so far from Lucretia's side. She'd been told that he was quite devoted to his mistress.

"Are you hungry? I have a bit of dried oxen and was just having a bite." She indicated the chunk between her paws, but there was more in her pack. She always took dried meats. It saved her the bother of hunting. She wasn't very good at hunting anything but rabbits and small game birds. She could use her wits to outmaneuver larger beasts like the oxen that she was now consuming, but she needed some brute strength to carry it out.

Bourbon expected to see the surprise in her gaze, he didn’t often leave Luce’s side and even less often did he travel so far from Ashen’s borders. Still she offered a smile as she greeted him in return and insisted he call her only Io. ”If it pleases you.” He agreed with a slight bow of his head.

He took her invitation to join her in the grass, but shrugged lightly in response to her question. There were many reasons and he wasn’t sure how many of them he wished to get into. Of course he’d answer if pressed, ”Mostly to clear my head.” He decided on with a wag of his tail as his gaze drifted in the direction of Ashen’s territory.

Bourbon turned to where she brought his attention to the dried meat she brought with her. ”Lucretia would not praise my decision, but I can’t pass up a treat like that.” He admitted as floppy ears perked and his long haired tail wagged at his rump. ”Did you make it? He asked curiously, wondering about the process and if his mistress would approve if she could do it herself.

He was such a charming creature. The dark woman was quite glad to have his company. It beat being alone. Though Iolaire was no stranger to solitude, there was much on her mind as of late. She'd given up Deathbelle, for one. There was a lot to be sad about, but she refused to do so. Iolaire was a pro when it came to controlling her emotions. Most of the time, anyway. The face thing proved that this wasn't always true.

Bourbon spoke, saying that he needed to clear his head. She could tell that there was more remaining unspoken, but she wouldn't press him. If he wished to speak about it, he would. The longing gaze back in the opposite direction was noted.

Finally, someone wanted to partake in her meal. Everyone always seemed to turn her generosity down. Digging into her pack, she pulled out another large chunk of dried oxen, placing it before the caramel colored dog. "Lucretia passed up my offer of lunch. Why you should deny yourself, I don't understand." The notion irritated her slightly. Bourbon wasn't a slave. No companion was a slave. The irritation was washed away as he questioned her again. "Yes, I made it. Thin strips soaked in herbs and hung up to dry." This was a particularly good blend, she thought.

Silence took over as the pair ate. Iolaire had started before him and she she finished before him. The woman licked any clinging residue from snow dipped paws and then flicked her blue tongue over blackened lips. A question formed in her mind and soon found its way emanating upon accented lyrics. "Do you see yourself as a wolf's pet? As lesser? A servant?" Iolaire did not see things that way. Not at all. In her eyes, Bourbon was on the same level as she. They were equals. Just as she and Bast were equals. Green and gold eyes shone with utter seriousness as she waited for his answer.

She didn’t press him, and he debated about confessing his inner thoughts but thought better of it. He hadn’t processed them enough himself to articulate anything to the she wolf that might be coherent. He put Luce mostly from his mind as Iolaire offered him a bit of the dried oxen. She made note that Luce hadn’t accepted the offer in his place. ”What she doesnt know wont hurt her.” He offered with an amused grin.

”Luce has trouble eating food she hasn’t prepared herself because the famine in the old empire. Her parents both died from food borne illness.” She seemed informal, from his observation of her meeting Luce as well as their meeting now. So he returned the disposition easily. ”She certainly hasn’t forgotten it.” Luce held a lot of scars from her past, but he knew he was helping her become stronger. Their battle against the boar evidence of that. He memorized her process, it seemed like an easy process in her words.

Bourbon didn’t waste anymore time with his dried beef. Io finished first and her question surprised him. He raised his brows and slowly finished his last bite, something unheard of in most dogs. ”Luce and I are partners in many ways.” He started, asserting his equality to her in their relationship. She looked to him and he looked to her. ”But I live to serve that woman.” He added, finding her gaze with his striking blue eyes to show how serious he took his job.

The little rebellious streak that shot through Bourbon brought a pleased grin across Io's features. She was glad that he wasn't some little puppet under a wolf's thumb. She was glad that he could still make his own choices. Iolaire had met companions that refused to breath without their 'owners' permission. She couldn't stand it. Not one bit. It was akin to slavery and you didn't want to get her started on slavery.

Bourbon explained Lucretia's aversion to food that she hadn't prepared on her own. It made a lot of sense. She wished that the woman would at least try to beat her neurosis, but Lucretia wasn't someone that Iolaire was very concerned about. She didn't have a connection with the woman. So, Io simply accepted the collie's words with a nod.

Her loaded question seemed to catch the dog off guard, but he recovered quickly. His explanation was slightly half-assed. He didn't say whether or not he thought of himself as an equal. He called himself and Lucretia partners in some things and said that he lived to serve her. The tiny wolf furrowed her brow. "But does she serve you in return?" Her nose wrinkled, small, pristine teeth flashing momentarily. "I have an aversion to slavery," she admitted. "Most companions are treated as slaves. Property." Green and gold eyes moved to the dogs icy blues. "The thought of you thinking that you're on a lower tier than wolves genuinely bothers me." What on earth would he think of that?

Bourbon certainly kept his own autonomy, had he not Luce might have already worked herself to death. She listened to him as her caretaker, even if she wouldn’t ever admit his position. He was a bit uncomfortable with her next question though, with tales of great heroes who served their betters growing up Bourbon felt nothing but natural taking up his subservient position. He was a loyal dog and his position of servant was where he felt most right.

Did he think himself on the same level of wolves? No, his life wasn’t worth nearly as much as that of his mistress. ”No, not in the same sense as I to her. She serves the pack and I support her in her work.” Sher certainly didn’t serve him in the sense that he served her. Lucretia was his whole world, her being happy made him happy.

”I was given to her as a gift, and our relationship began with me as her property.” He admitted to her but he also tried to soothe her worries. ”But that is not how she treats me.” She needed him and he needed her. ”I would gladly give my life in return for hers.” How did he make the she wolf understand the complicated relationship he shared with Lucretia and Ashen? ”Not that she would ask me to do so.” He added, sure he wasn’t getting his point across.

The small dame sighed at Bourbons explanation. He wasn't worth any less than she was. Any less than Lucretia. It pained her that he thought of himself in such a manner. She supposed though, since he'd been brought up to believe of himself as a servant, then a servant he would be. The line of questioning obviously made the collie uncomfortable and so she would drop it. Instead, she offered the dog a slightly sad smile. Reaching one paw out, she gave his own pale paw a pat. "You're a good boy, Bourbon."

What was bothering her so much? Iolaire lay her head down on her paws with yet another sigh. She knew what it was but she didn't want to admit it.  Not out loud, at least. It all boiled down to the fact that she was already lonely. Io was glad that she had done her part in healing Deathbelle, but now there was nothing to focus on other than just how truly alone she was in the world. Yes, she had friends and family, but that wasn't always enough.

Casting her gaze towards the caramel pup beside her, Iolaire felt the need to apologize. "I'm sorry, Bourbon. I'm in a bit of a funk today." She couldn't explain much more than that without opening a whole can of bleh.

Bourbon didn’t convince her very well he was sure, but she was polite and did not wish to cause him any discomfort. She gave him a lot to think about though, and this wouldn’t be the last time he dwelled on her words. Iolaire gave him a quick pat and called him a good boy and that was the end of their conversation.

The dog watched her as she lowered her head and sighed softly, he learned quickly that his small stature and cute features made it easy for him to cross boundaries most couldn’t not. The dog leaned against the tiny woman and reached forward to nudge the side of her neck encouragingly.

”I don’t mind.” He told her honestly as he settled back into his own seat. ”If you want to be alone I’ll leave, but.. you seem like you could use the company.” He offered with a smile and wag of his tail against her dark fur.

Hmm, he really was a good dog. The collie leaned over to nuzzle reassuringly into the side of her neck and Io cracked a grin. "Thanks, Bourbon." He was too kind. Then again, he was born to please. Raising her head, the woman placed a quick lick to a caramel and white cheek. He was very sweet and she appreciated that he wanted to stay with her regardless of her messy state of mind.

His tail swished against her and she grinned anew. She doubted that he had any idea what he was doing. He was trying to be happy and comforting, but his presence and close proximity just reminded her that she hadn't had a man in a long, long time. In Io's mind, dogs and wolves were the same. She wasn't some crazy, sex crazed heathen though and the thought quickly shuffled in one ear and out the other.

"You're welcome to stay or go. Entirely up to you." If she was making him uncomfortable, she wouldn't take it as a slight if he chose to go back to Ashen. Really though, she enjoyed simply having a body beside her. The warming rays of sunlight were making her a little tired and she considered asking the pup if he wanted to take a nap. Two sleeping bodies were safer in the wilds than one.

The she wolf returned his affection and his tail wagged a little faster as he smiled at her. ”You’re welcome.” His intentions were completely innocent, he lived to please. He was happiest when he made those around him happy. He didn’t know what he was doing to her internally, at this point the possibility to be with his mistress was barely a thought, but one he would soon realize he wanted very much to act on.

She didn’t send him away and she didn’t ask him to stay. She really was an advocate of freedom of expression. Bourbon chuckled inwardly. If she wasn’t upset with his presence he would remain. ”I think I’ll stay.” He told her, firm in his decision. It had been a long walk this far south, and he was glad to enjoy the sunshine. ”No good travelling on a full stomach.” His thoughts drifted to napping as well.

The woman nodded at his sage words. "Too true," she replied. A yawn tore from the tiny healer a moment later and she stretched, toes flexing and paws splayed. At the end of her yawn, she gave her skull a shake. Casting a look towards her companion, she noted that he looked a little sleepy as well. On a whim. Iolaire extended one foreleg and gave the collie a tug, pulling him against her slender frame. With a little wiggle to get herself comfortable, Iolaire placed her head upon her forelegs. "Let's take a nap, pup." Another little yawn bubbled up  and she ended it by snapping her teeth together. "Afterwards we can walk back to Ashen together." She had more than enough cattails, after all.

Warm from both the wavering sunlight and the body of the man beside her, green and gold eyes slowly drifted closed. Sleep found her quickly, which was odd for the little lady. It usually took her quite some time. She wasn't complaining though. It seemed as though she simply needed someone to sleep beside her. Not too hard to believe. After their nap, they would go back to the world that they knew. And Iolaire would go back to being her unhappy, internally moping self. Great.

Iolaire agreed with him on the bit about travel and he smiled at her answer, she seemed pleased with his presence at least. She shifted with a quick look and he has suddenly settled beside her. Bourbon smiled in surprise but sighed heavily against her as she suggested a nap. ”I’ll give no complaint to sleep and a return walk with you.” Bourbon smiled to himself and his tail wagged lightly as Iolaire quickly fell asleep against him. Eventually the wagging ceased and Bourbon driften into a nice catnap along with her.

The dog had his mistress to return to, he wasn’t sure who Iolaire had to lean on. She seemed lonely, but he had no way to help her besides offering his presence. As well as a nap together. Maybe he’d need to make a note to help tend to the Armada’s healer along with Ashen’s.

Iolaire slept very well and, when she rose, felt very well rested. Having risen before the collie, the dark dame gently extracted herself from his side, careful not to wake him. Moving to one of the ponds, Iolaire rinsed out her mouth and then drank her fill. Once finished, she would move back to where Bourbon slept. She sat nearby and waited, glad to simply relax for a time.

Next would come the walk home. Well, temporary home. The home that they would claim was a land that she didn't even know. Funny to call it home. The small woman had many plans for their future home. The garden that she would cultivate would be expansive. She also planned to build a stone dwelling. A permanent home for the first time in her life. It was something that she'd always wanted to do and now would have the opportunity.

She woke him up as she moved, but she moved so carefully he didn’t want to alert her to his changed state. He could linger for a few more minutes. Bourbon did stretch a bit as she moved to go and get her drink of water. He would do the same, but for the moment he was comfortable. The dog stretched fully and rolled onto his back so his belly faced the sun. His gaze nearly upside down as he watched Iolaire return to the little knoll they slept on. ”Good nap?” He asked curiously as his lips fell back on each other and his teeth and gums were exposed. He lingered there for only a moment longer before righting himself and taking to his paws.

Bourbon shook himself and trotted over to the pond himself. Long furred tail swaying behind him as he stepped gracefully forward. He too enjoyed a long drink before turning his attention northward. They hadn’t slept for too long, but they wouldn’t be getting back until well after sunset. He hoped Luce hadn’t missed him too much.

The look of the upended dog was comical,  his lips subject to gravity as they were. Io couldn't stop a sudden laugh from bursting free. With a nod of her head and a grin,  she affirmed his question. "Yes,  a very good nap.  Nice and rested." Eats flicked forward as she asked him the same.  "And you?"

The woman's gaze followed as he moved to the pond.  She then stood and stretched,  waiting for the collie to finish. It was a long walk back but it didn't bother her.  It was nice to stretch her legs and it was even nicer to do so with company. Settling her pack in place,  Io padded to the mouth of the knoll. She reflected upon her trip.  Her pack was full of herbs and cattails. So many things to make when she got home.