Wolf RPG

for my light <3 hoping @Jinx doesn't mind Raheerah catching her scent!

For a very brief moment, the beast had taken his companion outside of the borders of the Vale to explore the nearby ridges that loomed treacherously over the valley. He had always spied them on his routes and curiosity had overcome the male; not that he would openly admit it. Curiosity was naive and childish, youthful and foolish - of which Raheerah was none. But he imagined that the ridge would provide quite an astounding view of the valley, possibly well enough to serve as a lookout point for scouts. What also held his concern was its availability to outsiders. The ridge would produce an excellent view of the valley, yes, but it was not patrolled. That view could easily be held by anybody not belonging to the Vale.

It was for that reason he had pulled Xi'nuata away from the Vale, so that they could explore and judge the usefulness of this ridge as a potential lookout point for scouts. Raheerah himself didn't mind having to make the trek every now and then, but he wanted to gauge how easily the mountain wolves could traverse its steep slopes. He figured his companion would find greater ease in exploring them, for Raheerah himself was large and bulky, and his paws were clumsy.

They moved side by side; the sun was lingering just above the horizon as morning blanketed the valley in a warm golden light. The pair was following a path wound into the mountainside that would take them to the ridge that overlooked the valley, though it was still a good ten minute hike away. Raheerah's heavy steps were accentuated by a gruff grunt and his tail swung slowly behind him. His single eye wide and weary, taking note of their surroundings, but it was his nose that captured an interesting aspect of the ridge. Detecting a peculiar and familiar stench, Raheerah paused and dropped his nose to the ground. A rumble exited his throat as he glanced back up at Xi'nuata. He could remember this smell - it belonged to the white female that had overstepped their borders, and a variation of it was carried by the white male Raheerah had discovered not long after. The female had been here recently.

Morning had not yet reached its peak, when the slumbering female was awakened by her companion’s desire to wander. It was not often that he called for the pair of them to walk beyond the pack’s borders. In fact, it was hardly a happenstance ever since she was invited into the mountain haven. The excitement was what woke her, and the anticipation kept her fueled even as they trekked from the borders into the heart of the mountain.

Together, they walked the familiar path of the Sunspire until they assumed an upward path leading them to the overlook of the Ridge. And in the morning, it was quite a few. No color of the sky was left unannounced as solar radiance stretched across the growing sky of endless blue. The violet of night fading to naught as it was chased away by warm orange. In pause, the female sighed softly as she beheld this splendor of nature, then turned to her companion to take his impression…

…only to find him nose deep in the dirt of the mountain.

The female grumbled softly as she lowered her muzzle to a scarred ear and nipped at it sharply to garner his attention. It was not often they had the opportunity to walk from the borders together, and while she too was intrigued by the familiar scent of the Creek, she had no intention of spending this time tracking down what was not worth their effort. The trail led away from the borders of the Vale, and that was all that mattered. Before them was the dawn of the new day. The openness of the Ridge to explore at their leisure. “Will you not walk with me, Shadow?” the female cooed lightly, lowering carefully by her front to brush her shoulder against the dark, oily folds. “Or must I slip from the ledge to bring your mind to what rests before you?”

She had been staring out into the skies above them, and so he returned his gaze back down to the soils, where he could see vague pawprints pressed into the earth. Raheerah narrowed his eyes, and began to follow the trail with his gaze before he felt a sharp nip on one of his ears. The sensation caused him to unleash a thunderous snarl as he wrenched his head up and locked his gaze upon the one that nipped him. The fury born of her unexpected assault died down as quickly as it had risen; blazing in his single eye, it was extinguished as he heard her voice. Some sense of guilt filled him at having responded so harshly. She was right. For as long as he may trail after the foolish white female, he may never even find her again - Xi'nuata was right here before him, and he would be a fool himself to neglect her.

Raheerah snorted and pressed his shoulder into hers again, an attempt to assure her that his violet feedback was without true malice, and to offer a silent apology. "Doo nott." He rumbled stiffly, side-eying her. "Iiff yoou shaaall slip, mmy cluumsy paawws woould briing me to jooin yoou at the bottomm." Raheerah answered and peered away from her again. He was hardly agile enough to race down the mountainside trying to save her from tumbling away.

The dragon straightened and rolled his shoulders back. The stench of the Creek female bothered him still, but he matched his companion's observation. Despite however recently she had come here, her trail led away from the Vale. She was likely nowhere near here. Raheerah placed his focus on his light, leaning towards her and pressing his nose into her nape with a silent indication of his desire to carry on. His paws legs churned and drove him forward again, but he continued to watch Xi'nuata, as if truly concerned that she would toss herself off the edge of the ridge if he did not provide her ample attention.

Sharing den with the demon of the mountain afforded the female a kind of courage few would experience. She had seen the beast in his softest light and learned to adore him for it. Then she had seen him at his most terrifying moments and learned not to fear him nor his bite. Because of this his sudden snarl did nothing but roll a chill down her spine and harden her eyes with the single eye ablaze fixed on her. In all likelihood, he could have fought with her then, sought his teeth to her throat to submit before him, and still she would have not feared what would come. While some might assume it a gamble, she called it faith in the male she had come to cherish and adore. Her fear would not, and would never be for him.

Gradually, she gaze did soften when the flames receded and thunder quelled in his throat. In their place was a softer light and low rumble, mirrored fondly by the gentle growl upon receiving the returned touch of his shoulder. “I would not fall,” she whispered as she turned her muzzle inward to lightly touch his cheek. By his nudge she proceeded forward taking one careful step across the treacherous ridge at a time. “If I did, then there would be none to turn you while you sleep,” she jested lightly over his sleeping habits. “And I would not wish to part from your peaceful face while you slumber. It is the only instance where I can almost glimpse a smile…”

Glad now that his attention was on her rather than the trail, endowed with brighter spirits, she boldly slid closer to her companion til not only shoulder, but flank rested comfortably against him. Her tail swayed contently, brushing against him with a well-timed sweep to the rhythm of their step in unison. She was certainly in a mood this morning. Happier and comfortable than she had been in a long while. That he would relinquish his interest in the trail gave her hope that indeed this day from the borders could be theirs to have. Exploration was their only task for the day. And with the early morning to their advantage, they had the day and night to see all and enjoy the time together.

Bubbling over with anticipation, she suddenly turned her muzzle to his own and lavished his cheek and brows with an endearing tongue. Her tail was in a frenzy as she whined in content. Her paws wriggled in place as she tried to keep near him yet threatened to spring away in this newfound glee.

She lent him reassurance, turning to grace his cheek. One of his ears twisted back at the touch, and Raheerah could only glance at her from the corner of his single eye before they had begun moving again. As he had desired, she remained close to him and spoke in jest at him. It made him idly wonder if there was any truth to her words - was he so heavy a sleeper that he required her assistance in the night? Did he dare to shed smiles when the darkness took his consciousness? Dreams were still lost to him. Only images and memories played in the sights of his mind, and they were not always pleasant. He didn't care to mention it to his companion. He merely snorted and pushed against her shoulder in response to her light humor, casting her a glance that would speak his amusement for her words.

They had only moved forward a few steps, Raheerah's gaze perpetually locked on some part of his companion, when she encroached on his space further and dowsed him in affectionate kisses. Startled by the sudden onslaught, he narrowed his eye and flattened his ears, momentarily stiff. But he quickly retaliated, turning his muzzle to her and trying to gently grab her jaws. Though he very much wished to engage his companion in a tousle, doing so would be risky; he didn't want to tempt these treacherous peaks into pulling them down their slopes. "Coomme." He rumbled, pulling his jaws away from her again with the intention of climbing the ridge and reaching their destination.

The pair was moving closer, and he was eager to reach the lookout point as well as find stable ground to stand on. Though he could maneuver through these paths with ease, Xi'nuata's excitement made him cautious of slipping and falling.

Despite her excitement, she was careful in her footing. Though that was not to say that too heavy a press did not dislodge a stone to go rolling down the mountain face. In truth, the sounds of clattering rock were a comfort. If gave life to the inanimate and produced a song as unique as a wolf’s call that stretched a great distance. Along her spine, it rolled a chill of thrill in knowing that such a sound ended only by the unforgiving depths below their very paws. But none elicited as more penetrating a chill than what roused each time when engaged by her companion.

It was a spark that set fine auburn hairs to stand on end and brought her toes to quiver in glee. It drew her banner to rise and sway with delight, and her heart to hammer excitably for seemingly as something as minute as a touch. She crooned in play as he grasped for her muzzle in turn to her kisses, then released to guide her further up the ridge where the over-look awaited.

Without question, she followed with a spring in her dexterous step and unbridled mirth in her gaze each time she turned to look upon him. She was a woman enamored, true to its purest sense. And those she offered no words to this truth, expression alone was enough to convey it. She kept close to her lead, shoulder clung to his own as they walked in unison. But with an occasional playful step on her part, letting just the tip of a heavy paw fall over his own before letting it dance away.

Satisfaction fueled the male as they entered into matching step, continuing on their journey upward. He was pleased to have her remain so close to him; it lent him ease of mind that she would not fall, and that she would remain protected. Not only that, but her presence alone gave him relief. Raheerah could not always be certain of her whereabouts when she was not with him, and whether or not she was safe; he knew he couldn't control the tawny woman, and so made no attempt to instruct her to remain near him at all times. That didn't mean that Raheerah wouldn't adhere to her, however. She had likely realized by now all the times the dragon clung to the shadows, watching her from afar to ensure she was safe.

Her playful steps caused Raheerah to quicken, rumbling quietly as he, too, would land his large paws near hers as if in playful warning. His pace increased such that it took only a few more bounds to reach the lookout point. Already the sky began to open up around them, and the path spiraled up to an overhang that vigilantly guarded the valley below. Raheerah paused before cresting the ridge, waiting for Xi'nuata to take the first few steps onto it before he would follow. And he stood there next to her, gazing out over the mountain range that suddenly opened up beneath them. There, he could see the rivers that carved through the spine, small dips that told of hidden valleys, and the Vale itself beneath their very paws.

The colours of the morning illuminated the view with streaks of pastel gold and pink. He could see everything here in the light of the dawn, glowing as if the sun itself had come to grace the valley. He stood next to his companion, pressing his shoulder into hers. For a moment, he too had been overcome with the view, engrossed in picking out all the details of what he could see below.

Prancing steps soon smoothed to a careful trot as they progressed up the ridge. Shoulder to broad shoulder, contentment following in the presence and wake of the pair as the carried forward. In the few purposeful bounds he had managed to get ahead of her, she adjusted her own steps to become wider, eager, surpassing his own til she came upon the ridge and beckoned him coyly with a playful tap of her tail against his muzzle.

And there they stood overlooking the treasure below. The Vale in its entirety nestled around the endless arms of the mountain and above it, the sky expanding to horizons unseen. The very clouds parting to bathe its light upon the majesty of nature’s creation below. Such a sight was breathtaking, and for a moment she was swooned by it. Her lips curled with a smile as she leaned comfortably against her dearest companion, adjusting only when to fold down to her haunches as she admired the open heavens above them. She did not know if Raheerah new this sight would be theirs in this morning, but she was certainly glad he had awakened her for it. She felt spoiled by the beast at her side.

And yet, the vision of such beauty incited within her a thought of the recent past, as her eyes drifted from the skies to the snaking creeks leading to the floral meadows. “My shadow…” she turned her muzzle to rest upon his shoulder. “I have news for your regarding the Creek dwellers…” Softly, she nipped at his shoulder then withdrew letting her eyes rest respectfully upon his muzzle. “I had encountered their members twice… and in hungered conditions. And both times they were desperate and unyielding. In the hopes that no other of the Vale would meet them in that manner, I spoke with their Alpha in hopes of peace.” As her raspy chords played on, a gentle smile crested upon her weathered lips, not unlike a mother disappointed in the conduct of their child. “My offer was declined…” she uttered, yet it was far from the end of it.

“They would seek to avoid the neutral lands and keep to their own in the hopes that we might avoid each other. We would have the nearest open lands and the Vale to ourselves for game… yet I fear that the decision will make those more in tune with nature desperate. Would the prey of the Creek not flee when the scent of wolves becomes too much to strong? Would we not see them retreat from here?”

Raheerah was not a beast appreciative of beauty. He stood over the ridge and looked down at the valley, keeping a mental note of landmarks and their distances from one another, of what he could see from his aerial vantage point, and how he could mark new pathways along the borders to increase the effiency of patrols. The beauty of the golden morning was lost on him, but he admired the silence and the tranquility, and what could only be described as the cool warmth of the spring morning.

The silence was temporary, and soon enough his companion spoke regarding the Creek. Her mention of visiting them caused a displeased rumble to emanate from within his chest, but he remained otherwise silent until she had finished her report. It caused him to furrow his brow with concern. They had recently encountered a man from the Creek as well in search of not food, but herbs. Where the Creek dwellers really so desperate that they were resigned to stealing from their neighbors? "Thhee mooountaains wiill hoost a vaariety of preey foor us to claaaim. Iii aam nott conceerrned iif those of the Creeek chaase awaay theeeirs. Wee will siimply chaase themm from oouurs." He huffed and rolled back his shoulders. It was their loss if they didn't want to forge some alliance, but Raheerah hadn't been intent on keeping one in the first place.

Finished!

Had the brutish male not been displeased with her actions, she might have thought some ailment had befallen her beloved. But upon hearing his grumble amidst her tale, she smiled gently and brushed an assuring shoulder against his side. She knew of the strong reservations he had for the Creek, as they were recited by his actions and portrayed by his diligence to protect the Vale. And as it was, with each demeaning encounter by their neighbors, she too was adopting less of a tolerance for them.

But rather than dwell on what brought her disease of the mind, the woman instead led her conversation to the true purpose of her visit. The reason that she had not yet expressed to the Creek, or even her Alpha. But would allow the ear of her cherished to hear.

“My shadow…” obsidian-lined lids draped heavily over shying eyes of umber and gold, in the hopes they would not betray her truth before the strength was found to reveal it. She breathed deeply, steadily then let her eyes lifts to rest on the chest of her lead. “…I must confess that I did not only speak with them in the hopes of sparing our brethren from their savagery.” Once more she paused for a breath, fighting down the tremble of both her body and lips before gathering her wits to speak. “…It was… in selfish desire that we might hunt without worry of their hostilities. Because… perhaps not all in the Vale would be fit to fight in a conflict. Especially if they carry life… should it happen…”

As if on queue, she pressed into him, reassuring him that whatever discomfort he felt at her contacting the Creek wolves was without any true foundation. He had faith in her, and he knew that whatever she did she would have considered carefully before actually conducting it. Though the beast was put off by the fact that she hadn't brought it up with him, he also considered that he wouldn't have allowed her to go (alone) if she had, and his presence alone would have caused her meeting to change drastically. Still, going alone had resulted in failure, which wasn't all that surprising coming from the hot headed pipsqueak that ran the Creek. It was all he could do to remain silent on the matter, simply breathing in slowly and letting it mull in his brain.

Mention of his designation prompted the dragon to turn his head and rest his single eye upon his companion. He watched her, eager to hear her voice continue on after having begged his attention. But she in turn closed her eyes, and then avoided his gaze, having dropped it to his chest. Raheerah even arched his neck slightly, tilting his head as he peered down his nose at the woman. What she proposed was curious indeed, and sparked a wonder within him that extended to their packmates. "Whhoo of the Vaaale?" His question was simple, probing for some explanation behind her suggestion.

Though many in their ranks were female, which allowed many opportunities for their packmates to carry pups, it also meant that there were few capable of inseminating them. He himself was by no means a suitor, and he doubted the monk would have any part in producing pups. There also existed Ayvo and Leatherface, but they were still too new and unfamiliar to even be considered. He was intrigued, and it showed in the burning of his bright, orange eye.

Perhaps there was some higher power that enjoyed the torment of the creatures below, for it seemed to take pleasure in robbing her of eloquence in the matter of her explanation, and he understanding for the true meaning behind her words. As if warmed by the sun (however obscured by clouds), she felt the flesh of her cheeks grow warm as well as her collar, as if sudden stricken by fever. Like a fool, she had hoped she would not need to say more and that in time sense would come to the male she called her companion. But it was the curious gleam in his eye that told he was at a genuine loss for her meaning. It was disheartening though not nearly enough to divert her course. Rather than abandon it, she held fast to her convictions, breathing deeply and recollecting her tongue to begin again.

“Who of the Vale…” leaning forward, she slipped her muzzle within the crook beneath his jaw then so carefully drew deeper in to coil against his chest. “If you… and if Tenzin would allow it… I had hoped that…” she whined softly. “…that I might carry life. Not just for the Vale… but-“ her heart hammered relentlessly in her chest, and stronger still as she mustered what strength she could to lift her gaze to meet his singular probing eye set ablaze. “-for you. If you would have me, Raheerah… my shadow. If our bond is true, and we are bound to one another… if you favor me, truly… I can think of no greater show of this than to remain at your side and carry for you the life you would give me. B-but if you would not have it… if your eye is elsewhere…” as insecurity became to seep into her heart, she felt her tongue loosen as she prattled on with apparent doubt. “…I would understand… I would not fault you… nor would I stray from your side, even then. I would… hold true and remain as warrior under your faction…”

She drew in closer and the dragon accommodated her form, adjusting so that she would fit perfectly against him like the connective pieces of a puzzle. It was interesting just how tolerant the beast could be, though at this point his regards of the woman were less of tolerance and more of simple acceptance, in that she had somehow found a place in his bleak and darkened heart. He strained to hear her words with clarity, having been pressed into the thick coat of his ruff and spoken with quiet meticulousness. At her mention of the monk's allowance, he nearly scoffed - it should be well known that Raheerah neglected any suggestion that the male had any true reign over him, and he extended this belief to Xi'nuata, although forgetting that she was far more prone to respecting Tenzin as a superior.

That thought had left his mind as soon as she spoke of the one carrying life as being her. There was a slight tilting of his head again, and further confusion. The dragon had to suffocate all thoughts from his head, fearing that the rush of questions brought on by this information may actually drown out the woman's justification of her request. So silence settled in his head and he put his focus into her, holding a breath in his lungs. She had drawn back to meet his gaze, and he returned hers, holding the stare with unyielding tenacity. Behind the certainty of his gaze, however, there lingered some perplexity for her words.

He hadn't known how to respond to her, at a true loss of words until she suggested that the beast may not desire her. It was then that Raheerah could formulate his response. His throat vibrated with the rising of a rumble, and in the midst of her rambling he leaned towards her and grazed her lips with his fangs, silently asking of her to quieten. "Nooonne aare so woorrthy of myy faavor aaas yoouu, Xi'nuaataa." He growled between his teeth, parting them a sliver to allow the words to come through. For as long as he held her gaze, his single glaring eye had, for once, softened. Its flame vanquished, in place it boasted an uncharacteristic gentleness for the woman and her doubts. "Iiiff iiit iss whaat yoou wiiish. Theen Iii shaaall maake it sooo."

Raheerah did not know entirely what it would entail. He didn't know what would be expected of him, or how he should conduct himself; but if that was what Xi'nuata wanted, then he would do it for her. And, surely, she would tell him what he needed to do. The beast had pledged himself to Lham, but she was bound to the monk for the security he provided; though it gave him jealousy of all the attention the monk was given, zealous respect for his Lham kept him at bay from her. Xi'nuata was not near as holy as Lham but she provided him a satisfaction for his hunger that no other creature could, and for that reason he was indebted to her. He would do as she wished, loyally as a hound to its keeper. Even if it meant adhering to her side as more than her shadow, but as part of her, as she would be part of him.

His silent muzzling for silence left her on edge somewhat, both rigid and uncertain but compliantly quiet. Weighed by uncertainty, she gathered what more strength remained at her disposal to keep herself come collapsing due to fright. She feared not his bite nor physical scolding… but his word of rejections, however braced she believed herself to be. A heart that delved in solitude now emerging into the light of possibility was a fragile entity, and she feared it breaking beyond repair. She felt it hammer away, speaking of both its physical strength and fragility of its core. Her body quaked to the rhythm even when fixed against the stability of her companion. She had never been so frightened… so fearful of another’s words.

Quivering ears slanted forward to receive the inevitable verdict. Her breath stilled as he spoke, unwilling to let even the soft sigh of her breathing overtake his low voice. Both eyes were transfixed on the signal luminous impression of light, wavering only slightly in their radiance when the gentleness of his gaze reached her and was felt. Then at last she breathed… though a smile did not yet reached her lips. Yet her eyes shined with beautiful hope for the future that lied before them.

“…not only what I wish,” she whispered, wiggling her muzzle free in an effort to pressed her nose against his cheek. “-but you as well, my shadow.” She would not look at the life created between them as a gift if it was only she that desired their existence. “Would it… make you happy, Raheerah, if we shared this life together? Would you be glad… would you want me, to carry this life for you?” Her gaze remained gently upon his but it was not without an expectant light within them. Once more her breath was bated in wait, her body stiff as she waited for his reply. In a matter of minutes, the world had fallen away, and it was only the pair of them still within this moment in time.

He could feel her uncertainty after having spewed her words. It was as though the feeling had substance, curling in around his toes and legs and bearing down a weight on him so real it made his muscles ache. He didn't like to see her with doubt in her eyes, but he didn't understand why she would feel such a thing. Had he not demonstrated earlier her importance to him? That she was among the few who existed that he actually enjoyed? Not only that, but Raheerah would do whatever she asked of him. She should have put forth the proposition with unyielding confidence, because either way he would have agreed.

After what felt like an eternity he could see a smile grace her lips. The dragon peered down at her still, analyzing the gesture of her visage, reading the expression melded into the creases of her face and her warm, glowing eyes. He found it curious that she was so concerned with his own happiness, an element that in fact did not exist. That wasn't to say that Xi'nuata did not make him happy. She gave him many positive emotions, but Raheerah could never be truly happy. His mind had been far too twisted, and darkness stained his heart such that his satisfaction was derived of gruesome and selfish things. The only exception lay in his companion, who stood before him smiling and crooning for his approval.

He still did not know how to produce an answer. The beast wished to divert his gaze in thought, but the gleaming of her gold and bronze eyes held his own in place. "Yyeeesss." Raheerah answered lowly, and could finally breathe in. He lacked the capability to feel what she asked him to feel; in truth, he would agree because it was what she wanted. And he would continue to feel that way, not of his own desire for children, but his desire to make her happy. To give her what he could not have. He searched her gaze for some response, eager to see the joy light up in her eyes.

Little more than a few seconds of silence felt like an eternity as she waited for reply. She could feel the rhythm of her heart in her wait, each beat reverberating through the whole of her until she was consumed by it. Rocked by it. Were it not for the anchor she found in her companion, undoubtedly her resolve would have shattered in an instance. She was not born a creature comprised of confidence and inner strength, it was an inner fiber gradually woven and mended into what made the woman whom she was. It was not natural, but made of the experiences both survived and endured, yet when it came to matters of the heart, she was weak; fragile at her core.

But she need not fear the breaking of those fragile chords, for a singular word overwrote the doubt the carried. As a cloud would part from the face of the sun, so did the uncertainty drift away to reveal only the warmth and sureness in her eyes. And the glowed so brilliantly with hope and adoration for her beloved.

And then she sprang. Already so close but fueled by her elation she rose swiftly to her hind legs and curled her front paws over his shoulders. Both muzzle and tongue became a pale blur across his face as she kissed every corner, every tuff of fur, nibbling ear and brow and muzzle and nape as she burst in song with her excitement. “My shadow…” she sang softly as she fell again to all fours, twisting in place as if to catch her lashing tail before unwinding to settle once more against his chest. “You have made me… you have made me so happy. My shadow… my mate.”

(can we get the fancy mate links under our names now :'D)

First, he could see the joy glowing behind her mismatched eyes. It came on as a newborn flame, a smoldering ember that soon erupted into a roaring blaze, lighting everything in contact. He watched her happiness evolve and found it intriguing, completely enveloped in observing the sensation when she suddenly leaped at him. The action startled him; he braced his limbs, preparing to catch the woman. He laid back his ears and stiffened, supporting her as she planted thousands of tender kisses on his face. Her warmth, though unexpected, was cherished; a pleasant purr erupted from his throat as she grazed him relentlessly before falling back on her paws.

Making her happy had been his ultimate goal. The dragon wished for no more than to see her smile, to know she was satisfied. If calling him her mate did that, then he would accept it, and he would do the same. Raheerah had not envisioned himself tolerating any creature enough to claim them as his wife. But, at its core, they shared an ideal; the achievement of strength. The striving for perfection, for justice; they would work alongside one another in pristine tandem, and compliment each other in that way. He leaned forward and placed his chin atop her head, a content purr rumbling from his throat.

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