Finally the snow had begun to melt, if only a little. Her paws had grown soggy in no time as they left the outskirts of Abaven to head out on a brief reconnaissance mission. She wanted to see how well the nearby lands were defrosting. Maybe they'd be able to finally shake the ice out of their fur by fall. Theory blew out a breath of hot air that still turned to steam in front of her face. It'd been so long since she'd been able to breathe without seeing the air escape her lungs in real time. The things you took for granted. "It looks like the ice is breaking up here nicely... and the trees have even kept some of the snow off of the forest floor," she called over her shoulder to her father. She'd asked him to accompany her; it was rare they had a moment alone, between him raising his younger children and her trying to sneak as many moments away with Thalia as she could. They hadn't spoken directly about her relationship yet and she was grateful for that - if pressed, she wasn't sure if she'd be able to explain it. At least not in a way that made sense; but he understood love, right? Rhyme had certainly allowed his heart to lead him in the past. Despite her age, she still wished for her father's blessing. He had been the only constant in her life.

Rhyme felt the relief of the weather finally breaking, the cold extended winter had far surpassed its welcome and the old man was eager to see warmth and life return to Abaven. Of course there was certainly new life within to keep occupied with. His grandchildren brightened the pack like little else could. Seeing their bright little faces warmed him even through the long cold season. He didn’t feel as old as he was this season, but he was beginning to look like it. The fur around his mouth, nose, and eyes especially was becoming dappled with silver and the mark of old age.

The aging wolf still moved fluidly, and for that he was thankful. At one point he hadn’t thought he’d wanted to keep going in life, but he still had so much to live for. There was proof of that in his company today. He wasn’t often blessed with an outing with Theory but he would take it with gratitude. ”Who knew dry paws would be so novel.” He chuckled back in returned as he veered closer to where she walked.

When the cold weather finally began to loosen its grip Elise immediately started chomping at the bit to get going and get away from their home for a little bit. She started wandering past the borders more and more, eager to get distance under her paws again and enjoy not having to trudge though the snow each and every time she left the den. Of course now she had to deal with the soggy ground and muddy terrain, but that was far less irritating than the snow and ice that froze her paws whenever she wanted to go anywhere. It would also make for some much more pleasant conditions for them to patrol and train in as she slowly got herself used to the regiment that Iroh had laid out for her. She still wasn't entirely sure if fighting was the exact remedy she had been looking for, but she was throughly enjoying having an excuse to spend more time with her mate.

That was also one of the reasons that she jumped at the chance to go on a little excursion with Iroh when he presented the idea. She was kind of to the point that even if she hadn't been invited, she might have invited herself just so she could go do some exploring after almost two whole seasons of not being able to. She walked closely to Iroh's side, her sapphire gaze drifting around the dense trees of the forest they were passing through. Occasionally she'd let herself sneak him little affections like brushing her side against his or reaching up to give his cheek or jaw a kiss, stealing loving glances with sly grins. She was always in the best mood whenever she was on trips with him and this was no exception - even if her pale paws were getting soggier by the moment.

Elise Adravendi

He never wanted to hinder the adventurous spirit Elise possessed. While he didn’t intentionally, the long winter surely did. Neither of them really desired to go very far from their cozy den, but now that it felt like they were finally getting spring both wolves were ready to get out. Iroh readied supplies and carried a pack, furs, dried meat, his tea set and herbs. It wasn’t so warm yet that they wouldn’t want to snuggle up to a fire and tea. Of course he had every intention of keeping up with their training while they were out too. By the time they returned to Aerie Elise was going to be an old pro. Just being on the road would help work off the extra baggage Iroh had been putting on over the winter. He’d always been built heavy but there was no lack of insulation on the massive man.

They walked side by side, Iroh smiled every time Elise bumped his shoulder lightly. Having this time with her always seemed special, even if they spent the next ten years together he’d never tire of walks side by side like this. Iroh didn’t miss her suggestive smiles and inviting grins. They had no real destination, so now was as good a place to set up a camp…

”I think its about time for tea.” He suggested as he slowed in a small clearing. Stealing a kiss before he unpacked and started working on a fire and heating the water he’d kept in the pot for just this moment. He gathered up a couple older branches to help build his fire. While the water warmed he threw out a thick fur over the driest ground he could find and gestured for his beloved to make herself comfortable while he began to steep the tea leaves. Of course he was stealing kisses throughout the process.

"Right? I never thought I'd hate winter this much. It used to make me grateful for the change of the season... but this one has just made me bitter," she sighed. Every time she glanced at him over her shoulder it seemed like new threads of silver and white appeared. Time marched relentlessly onward. As much as she tried to ignore it, she couldn't cast off the lightening of his fur as a trick of the light any longer. His age was now apparent. There was no use denying it. Soon she'd ask him to step down from the beta position - maybe even today. Theo wanted him to rest, finally have a moment to bask and enjoy his second (third?) chance at family. "Alright, just a bit further now and I think we're good to turn around. I've just about seen enough. It looks like it's melting well enough and soon - " her words caught strangely in her throat as a dark shape moved ahead in the grass. It was a queer sensation that ran through her body: ice water pouring through her veins, then a feeling like deja vu. Or staring off the edge of a cliff with your claws just barely curved over the precipice. "Is that... Noir? Or?" she said softly, almost too quiet for Rhyme to hear unless he was right by her side. He had the right build. The dark coloring. Even the curve of his muzzle and slope of his forehead were achingly familiar. Theo just couldn't quite place it. "Hello?" she called out. It echoed around the empty, spindly forest. Who are you?

Rhyme was trying to remember a time when he did enjoy the snow, the older he got the more bitter he felt towards it all. His joints stiffened and ached with the cold and getting out of the warm bed and leaving Samara was so much harder. Mostly he could ignore his longer years, like his parents he wasn’t about to go quietly into the night. He’d hold on as long as he could, his children and now grandchildren deserved it out of him. He had bad days, but he still took to his duties each day. They kept him young, along with training up the next generation. The old man trotted along at Theory’s side, always amazed at the woman she had become. Pride was a sin, but he felt it to bursting for his alpha daughter, and he knew that if Shaye could see her she would feel the same way. She had done well to choose his daughter as her heir. At times to Theory’s detriment, unfortunately, but she turned into an incredible leader.

Rhyme was forced to halt when Theo suddenly stopped, mumbling something as her gaze fixed on the horizon. While she saw her brother Rhyme saw a ghost. For just a fleeting moment he saw that woman from years ago now. He’d never learned her name, but the both of them had been eager to find solace in a stranger’s arms. Had that night led to something more than a good time? Rhyme’s heart dropped but he stood stoically next to Theory as she called out curiously. With the both of them feeling their suspicions flare his deniability crumbled.

Elise grinned and chuckled as Iroh mentioned that it was time for tea, returning his kiss before letting him go to begin setting up their campfire with a small shake of her head. He had been the only wolf she had ever met to make tea and he was also the only wolf she had ever met to do something like this as often and as consistently as he did. Even on their adventures he still brought the teapot with them and it never failed that they would always have at least one pot sometime during the day. She didn't mind though. It was very endearing and it was something unique about him that she loved. She gratefully settled down onto the fur he provided for her, stretching out across from him with a familiar gleam in her eye as she watched him work.

However, before she could act or speak on any of her thoughts a voice called out to them from a short distance away and her head popped up, her sapphire gaze landing on a pair of dark coated wolves with white markings that were similar to one another, clearly related in some way. The male was clearly much older than the woman - a father and daughter maybe? Or grand daughter? Either way, the looks on their faces looked like they had just seen a ghost. Elise knew they weren't on pack lands or anything so she knew they weren't trespassing so they couldn't be in trouble with these wolves, but why were they interested in them? She got back to her paws, glancing between the strangers and Iroh with a flick of her mismatched ears.

Elise Adravendi

Iroh was distracted by making the tea, and kissing his woman, that he didn't notice the approach of the strangers at all. He stared lovingly into Elise’s beautiful eyes up until the moment he heard the unfamiliar voice. He was only able to tear his gaze from her because he was caught off guard, thankfully as blue and lavender gaze fell on the strangers their stance said they were not going to be a threat. Not that he really appreciated the way they were looking at him and Elise. They had the scent of Abaven on them, the pack where Thalia was staying for the time being.

Instead of allowing uncertainty to rule him Iroh grasped for his manors and had Sarabi fetch two more bowls for tea. ”Greetings,” he offered with a smile and dip of his head before scooting close to Elise and gesturing towards the pair. ”Would you join us for tea?” He invited them closer, nothing if not eager to enjoy one of life’s great pleasures. Tea with a stranger, two was even better. ”Iroh Abraxas, and my mate the infinitely lovely Elise Adravendi.” He nodded towards the better half of their partnership as his tail wrapped possessively around her hips.