The last few months for Ukko have come and gone in a blur. For a long time, he didn’t have a purpose, didn’t know where he was going, and eventually found his way back to Ukon’s Peak where he’d reluctantly been taken back in. A promise to fulfill his purpose had been made before they took him in and a series of trials that were one more brutal than the next. A new scar appears on the front of his shoulder, below his neck, as a result, and a hardened gaze upon his features as he travels further away from his home again.
Knowing the cruel life of the peak not to be for him, and perhaps a little too late, he disappears one night without taking on the responsibility his father wants to take. Another time disappointing the man and Ukko is certain he’s bound to be nothing but for the rest of his life.
This time, with no intention to return, he travels alone without any real purpose. He had managed to come across familiar terrain with a bad feeling settling in his stomach, only to diverge his path once. However, he’d stumbled upon something else just as familiar as before, and ultimately gave in to wherever he’s going. With a lump in his throat, he gives in. While these areas are not familiar to him as he continues, he’s certain that around the corner he’s bound to recognize something, and so he continues along a rocky terrain until he meets the hollow and to his leisure, finds his immediate surroundings secluded.
After departing from the prairie, Asterr had headed towards the east, skirting the edges of the looming woods until she'd been able to break away and travel along the creek. She'd stopped only a handful of times for a rest to be taken, and always had they been short for she'd wished to distance herself from the darkness. Though within the woods there lived a friend, she could not find it in herself to trust the place as a whole, and so it was avoided without a second thought. The creek had held her attention for far longer, especially when she'd begun her ascent back up into the mountains. Though she could find some things that struck her as normal, familiar and easy to navigate, there still existed many turns that she'd been unaware of. Never had she given up, however, traversing the terrain until a peak had been reached, only to travel back towards lower lands once the other side had been noticed.
Each step was careful, wishing not to slide any length of the way down and risk injuring herself, but eventually had she entered the hollow. It reminded her roughly of the lair, for it thrived as a hidden beauty within a land of rocks. The scenery had spoken to her, the greenery being something that she could always find to be interesting. Made better had it been by the seclusion of the territory, for she'd believed there a chance that few souls of the canine variety might be found there. Thus her movements were slow, casual rather than calculated, and only occasionally did she taste the air. In the end, she'd seen Ukko before having scented him, and had misidentified him almost immediately as Noctura. While there were plenty of signs to tell her that the male she'd cherished and the stranger a distance off were not one in the same, she'd crept closer anyways. Perhaps it was because she'd wanted for it to be him, to know that he'd returned to her even after having witnessed her physical union with another, but never would she know for sure.
Once close enough to make out the finer details of his features, she'd halted, expression wilting as it was discovered that the stranger truly wasn't whom she'd desired him to be. She did not know the male ahead of her, she had never seen him prior to that moment, and yet she couldn't look away. Aside from his eyes—and his scars, but she could not see them—he looked similar to the one that she was nearly positive she'd lost, and so she'd been left to stare at him; if she were to stare long enough, then maybe he would morph into the stargazer.
If Ukko continues to wander, he'll eventually find somewhere safe and free and easy to call home. He'd shed his father's legacy, shed his mistake in the maplewood, and ultimately just be. He thought he'd want an exciting life but now he's starting to think he'd just prefer something quiet and sure and true. How he'd ended up in the Wilds again in the first place left unfinished, as if something he's meant to do, but the list of his mistakes seems much too long.
He can't right the wrongs of most things he did but purpose here's one thing he can turn around. Whatever it is, he'll let his feet take him where he needs to go.
It is then the wind changes and a gust of a metallic sweetness. His ears shift back upon his head as he freezes, slowing turning his head to peer back through his peripheral vision. He sees another wolf, outlined against rocky terrain and lost daylight, that seems to take his breath away. Ukko struggles to find himself, to kick his legs into gear and turn around all the way so he can make his way to her. Perhaps later he might realize his thoughts are clouded by the workings of his nose and his loins, but in that moment he knows now what brought him here.
No matter how long she'd stared at him, never had his identity changed. She'd felt disappointed, but also ashamed for having expected something from the stranger that he could not do. Born as himself, it was impossible for him to change into another, and this she knew. Yet even still, she'd taken a step forward upon meeting his gaze, thinking, again, that just maybe... but no, it would not happen, and she'd reminded herself of that whilst moving back. She hadn't gone far, moving only a few steps in the direction that she'd originated from. Her gaze was trained on his, observing him, and wondering of who he was if not her follower. Carefully, she'd advanced forward, but did not outright approach him. The girl was drawn in by curiosity, as well as a reason, for beyond him was the direction that she wished to go in. In order to reach the other side of the mountains, she'd need to trek passed him, which made her hesitant.
Asterr drew closer yet, but had steered off towards the side so that, while moving past, she'd not enter a danger zone. It was clear that she was uncomfortable as her approach was made, eyes hardly ever straying far from his direction, save for when she'd needed to make sure that nothing was in her immediate path. There was an increase in her pace when only a few meters existed between them, an attempt being made at slipping by. When she'd first seen him she'd been drawn in, but after her discovery had been made she knew not what to think of him.
There’s a long moment before either one of them does anything except stare at each other. He finally figures out how to sort himself and he slowly turns to properly face her at the same time she begins her journey forward. She doesn’t wait for Ukko to keep going to pass by, meaning she’s going in a similar direction than he’d been originally, and to avoid him, is making a wide circle around where he stands. He follows her movements until she nears to pass him, still keeping an eye on his direction, for which Ukko does not blame her.
“You don’t have to be scared,” he reaches out, side stepping several feet to keep up with her until he realizes his actions. Chasing her along won’t make her feel any safer and he quickly backs up a time or two to remedy his mistake. Ukko swallows the lump in his throat and feels it travel down the rest of his body and burn between his legs. Perhaps she should be scared. The large male shifts his weight then to ease some of the pressure that won’t let him forget what she’s doing to him.
The brakes were put on as he'd said something, considering his statement but making no more to reply to it. For the moment, she'd fallen entirely still, her breathing and the occasional blink being the only mobile parts of her. She could not say that it was not fear felt, but disappointment, for that would be rude and she'd always felt first impressions to be of great importance. So, after several moments of silence, she'd decidedly answered with, "I do not feel afraid." She could not, or rather, would not allow for herself to. Even though the presence of the dragon had gone dormant since her heat had started, she'd wondered if it was only a ruse, and so her usual behavior was continued—for the most part, anyways. She'd thought back to her time of play, which had been her first, but had quickly shoved the thought away in order to better focus upon the stranger.
Having noticed his movements, she'd shifted, facing him fully but knowing not in which way to proceed. He'd remedied his mistake by taking several steps back to make up for his previous advance, an act that she'd felt relieved upon witnessing. "Are you experiencing fear?" she'd questioned after he'd stilled, interesting in what was going through his head. Had she done something, or was he a gentleman that had been freed from nature's grasp?
She's quiet for a while and Ukko isn't sure what to make of it. He never breaks his gaze, especially since she stopped from going any further. Before it gets too awkward, she replies and he bobs his head in understanding. If he doesn't pursue her, she will have no reason to fear, but who's to say what's lurking up ahead? His deep, orange eyes flicker away in the direction they'd been going as if he might see a preview of what's to come.
"No."
Ukko straightens himself up then, squaring his shoulders back and smoothing out his posture in one easy transition. Even though she has turned to face him, the dark make doesn't get advance. He forces his legs straighten and still despite his urges to forget logic and allow the rest of him to do the talking. It would be easy to do. His jaws part to speak but his words become lost and his breath lodged into his throat.
"I'm Ukko."
When he'd glanced ahead, she'd followed his gaze momentarily, only to find that there was nothing there. She did not question his actions, for he'd been in the same spot when she'd looked back as he'd been when she'd looked away. It'd not been a ploy, it seemed. It was an intriguing situation—or so she would have thought on any other day. Then, though, she'd not allowed for herself to develop too great of an interest in him, believing that it might lead to wrongful actions. She had settled for keeping her attention on their exchange, taking note of his answer to her question, and then nodding to show her understanding of it. Neither were afraid, it seemed, leading her to believe that he was actually just a gentleman.
As he'd straightened himself up, adjusting his posture but otherwise staying still, she'd considered the possibility that neither of her earlier theories had been correct. That he was neither afraid nor a gentleman, but simply bidding his time. The thoughts had swirled around within her mind for longer than notions of such a nature usually would, but had ultimately been eliminated as per usual. To think the worst of others and claim it as a truth was not something that she'd ever be capable of doing, she was certain of it. Even if she had been the type, however, his introduction would have warded off such thoughts anyways, leaving her to begin again with figuring him out. "I am Asterr," she'd returned, but spoke not another word after. In her silence, she'd shifted her weight around, taking a moment to let her eyes trail over the parts of him that were visible, gauging the power that surely thrived beneath the surface. Had she grown up differently—and didn't keep males of a similar build within her tribe—then perhaps she would have been afraid, for his size alone could certainly be described as intimidating.
Ukko finds it hard to admit that both his body and mind want the same thing and the fact she hadn’t darted off now that she’s in an easy spot to do so. He’s quick on his feet, feeling the pull of his legs to close the distance between them but somehow he’s managed to tell them otherwise and planted they’ve remained. Even if he puffed himself up, made himself look bigger (a decision he hadn’t really made so much as… it just happened), the urge to be the best candidate for her estrus remains high. There are no other wolves to compare to and her scent is confusing that he can’t determine if she belongs to another.
“Where are you going?”
The thought of leaving had crossed her mind, a brief idea that was put on hold by her interest alone. She wanted to observe him further, perhaps linger until she could no longer, and so she'd not yet gone away. As long as he refrained from approaching, she had no reason to take off, and so she, too, stayed planted. Questions that she might be able to ask in order to gain the information she desired were lost within her mind, keeping her silent until he'd chosen to speak once again. "Home," she'd replied with, but offered no specific directions. Though she was somewhat reluctant to return, to enter her own lands once again, she knew that it was important she do so. It would only be a quick visit, a way for her to checkup and see how everyone was faring. She'd be in and out, avoiding those that might cause her trouble.
Briefly, she'd fallen silent again, but this time it had not lasted. "And you?" Did he, too, have a home in need of his presence, or was he out on his own? She would not ask with so many words, leaving it at a simple return of his own query instead.
Her answer is vague and she’s silent again, only to draw it out a moment later about him. Either way, the longer he stands there, the more awkward he feels, the more the urge builds, and the harder time he has standing there and trying to let it pass. The smart thing to do would to urge her onward, let her go home and he go somewhere else, but he’d be back where he started. Ukko glances away and rolls one shoulder as he considers the question before he shrugs a little more obviously to indicate he didn’t know. The hollow surrounding them remains still and quiet and the air between them only thickens.
The longer she’s around, the more his paws itch.
Ukko shifts his weight a little to take a few more steps where he’d been going. He doesn’t necessarily get close to her as continue his own advance, parallel to where she stands.
“I don’t know where I’m going,” he tells her and bites his lip, slowly swinging his head back around to look at her. He never once feels her eyes leave him and he knows that he won’t make a move she won’t see but now he doesn’t quite know how to get around the forcefield keeping him at bay. “But I want to go with you.”
There was silence again, a shrug having been offered in place of words. She didn't mind either way, whether he wished to speak or not. As long as his meanings were something that she could understand, then the girl would let him go. The motion had seemed to of led into a few steps, however, causing her body to grow rigid despite his direction not necessarily having been towards her. Her muscles had not eased back up, but she'd once again abandoned the idea of fleeing, held back by his voice. It hadn't been immediate, but eventually he'd given her a verbal answer, its meaning being equivalent to his previous gesture. She'd wondered how he couldn't know, before deciding that perhaps he'd gotten lost. The area could be unfamiliar to him, which would make his statement more understandable.
If he'd had a home prior to their encounter, she couldn't tell. His want to go with her had been unexpected, the notion initially unsettling. "Why?" she'd asked. "Is it a home that you seek, or is it because of me?" Knowing the answer wouldn't necessarily change her response, and yet, she'd felt it important to know anyways.
She questions his intent and his ears fall back on his head. His gaze doesn’t break away once he’s made contact again and this time, a few steps are put in her direction. A weary travel he is now, but his limbs are still strong and he’s still fast, and so he prepares should she duck and run off. She carries the benefit of knowing these lands better than he does, but that doesn’t stop the drive in his groin that grows. Where her question should make him think about his intention and why he wants to go, he instead focuses on how to get what he wants and deal with the consequences later.
“Does it matter?” he says, voice turned smokey and hush, and he takes a few more sweeping and smooth steps to close the distance.
Before an answer was given, steps had been taken. Though few they were, the fact that they'd been directed towards her had the girl taking several steps of her own to replace the distance lost. Deciding that his answer was necessary, she'd stayed, but had placed more effort into maintaining the space that lingered between them. But when he'd spoken to her, it was a question that she'd been given, rather than an answer. His tone had crept up along her spine, the words easing themselves into her mind. Did it matter at all? Asterr could no longer tell, her reasoning for having asked in the first place having drifted far from her mind as he'd neared her.
A reply was not made, the dragoness having started to move instead. Her path was set away from him, her steps starting off slow as she'd backed away. "Cease your advance," she'd voiced, ears pulling back slightly in the process. And though she spoke a command, her expectations of being obeyed were low, if they even existed at all. If not even someone that had since pledged his loyalty so long ago had been able to listen to her, then it was useless to assume that a near stranger might.
*makes this more awkward bc why not*
Asterr backs away as he approaches and doesn't answer his question, and instead puts a demand between them. He hesitates—even retreats a step or two—and watches her. He's losing whatever grip he had from the beginning but he didn't have a good handle then anyway. He'd stammered over everything and didn't know what to do, lost in his own world and worries. His tongue slides over his muzzle and snaps his teeth shut quickly, looking off into the distance for a moment longer.
"Make me yours," he tells her then, swinging his head back to look at her. Her defensive posture hadn't changed much in the silence few seconds he left between them.
"You probably wouldn't be out here if you had a mate, or someone..." he trails off and shrugs and for a moment he thinks of Tavi and what he lost there. The thought turns sour and he shakes his head.
"I don't mean make me your mate but I can help," he offers though he isn't certain what weight it might have with his advance. A rumble forms in his chest but remains inaudible, waiting to see how she might respond.
"I'll be loyal to you."
The demand issued had been listened to, the male having taken several steps back of his own. Still, she didn't trust him, rocking back and forth between staying and leaving. With the distance that separated them having been adjusted, she'd felt comfortable with slipping away. Within her mind she'd viewed the choice as a simple solution, assuming that her smaller mass might move at a quicker rate than his larger one. Yet, it remained only as an assumption that had influenced her opinion, and so she'd been made skeptical once again. There had to be a way to gauge his reaction time, but none of the traditional methods were considered acceptable. They were risky, playing against her usual way of acting and dismissing her childhood teachings—which was something that she hadn't planned on doing.
Following her command, he'd chosen to make a request of his own—have Asterr make the male hers. She couldn't come up with a way to respond to his words, and so had remained silent throughout the rest of his speakings. The girl could admit that he had a point, though it made her heart twinge to do so. After what she'd witnessed back on the ridge, she felt almost certain that she truly had no one to call her own, as the one she'd thought so highly of was surely gone. Her family existed still, but she knew the differences between the meanings enough to know that they could not fill every section of her life. And following her realization had come his claim of loyalty, but not to her tribe. It was her that he'd devote himself to, and while she didn't quite know how that made her feel, she knew that it was something she wanted. A being that would listen to her better than the current souls of her home, better than Jolon. It was that desire that had inspired her answer, too, for she wanted nothing more than to have at least one male around that could be relied upon without any doubt.
"I will accept your offer," the dragoness stated. "You may come with me, but if ever you break your word, I will rid my home of you without any hesitation." Even if it was not to the land that his loyalty could be offered, she'd seen no problem with allowing for him to join them. For once, she wished to be selfish, taking something for herself rather than for her tribe.
A large part of him hadn’t expected her to even answer, much less agree, and so when she’d taken up the offer he felt his jaw drop a few centimeters. He swiftly snaps it shut. Ukko lifts one paw to step forward but he leaves it hanging for an awkwardly long moment before sitting it down, fumbling over one thought after the next, before eventually he nods stiffly. It’s a strange feeling that’s come over him now, handed a responsibility he hadn’t thought to be true, but a wave within him knows he has to now.
“I won’t,” he says and takes a step forward. He doesn’t close the distance all the way, keeping several feet between them. Her scent this close nearly causes him to sway on stumbling limbs. It would be easy, he tells himself, but somehow he holds his own and looks ahead. “After you.”
It was out of habit by then that she'd tensed as a single paw was left suspended in the air, though quick had she been to remind herself that an approach may be necessary. The girl had been forced by her own mind to relax a bit, telling herself that it would be fine given not only his newly made vow of loyalty, but also the restraint that he'd shown her thus far. So when a few steps had eventually been taken, she'd kept herself still, repeating her previously thought mantra silently the entire time. It had continued until, finally, she had closed the distance between them by herself. It was ritual that drew her near, and so she'd approached his side slowly, only to then press her muzzle against his shoulder in a gesture of trust—trust that he would not abandon her, and would honour the word he'd given until death deemed otherwise.
Upon begin nudged back, she'd placed a few steps between them once more, but no longer did her gaze stay glued to his form. She'd started their trek with her eyes forward, only looking over occasionally to make sure that he was still there. It was in the direction of home that she'd started to lead him, acting as a guide through the mountains.