All she could think was that she definitely needed to do some grooming after this. The upturned smell of soil was sharp and pungent on her nose as she worked her paws into the earth. She had to make this big enough to
live in. There was no more travelling to be done in the Wilds (well, only recreationally now) and with her new home address she sought to settle down comfortably on the mountain.
The den she found was partially already made, as if the indent underneath the tree had been deeper at one point but the mountain over time had pushed it back out. What really appealed to her was that it was closer to the base and only a short trek to the Oasis where Ferdie had dropped her off after folding into the ranks. It was ideal real estate, high enough to catch the mountain breeze but low enough she wouldn't crack her head if she happened to tumble.
Shaking flecks of dirt away from her whiskers she paused as fatigue began to set in, her shoulders on fire from the work out. She probably wasn't going to finish this by tonight.
He was wandering the pack-lands once again, he was still unaware of most of the locations that he called home. The air of confidence that had been lingering around the half-breed for several days was still ever so present as he made his way from place to place.
The oasis was apparently the place to go this week and thats where his paws carried him. That was until a familiar scent reached his nose, mingled in with the earthly smell of freshly tilled dirt. The almost permanent fixture of a half smile spread over his face as he trotted toward the female, to which he was still not officially introduced.
He seemed to be approaching from downwind, arriving just in time to witness her exiting the newly started den, flicking dirt all over. Oh the possibilities, Sneak up and biting her on the ass seemed like a fun idea at the moment. She already thought him a jerk, and she had invited him to do so. Slowly he approached, doing his best not to alert her to his arrival, if all went according to plan he would be almost within touching distance before he spoke.
That 'Bite me' offer, is it still on the table?
He spoke loudly, trying his best to impress his playful tone still.
Speech
With her head literally underground and attempting to catching her breath, the sudden voice did it's job at startling Kipling who's only response was to lift herself out of the hole. Bonk! Her skull slammed into the roof of the den where the tree's root served as an overhang. For a moment, she crumpled to the ground a sharp pain slicing across her temples. The next second she attempted to recover and realized just who exactly that voice belonged to.
Did he jerk off to causing her pain? What kind of sadistic wolf haunted this mountain? Why her? All valid questions. Seething, she scrambled to her feet and dragged herself outside where she attempted to whip around and sneer at him. Take a hike, dickweed!
Thump, He heard it loud and clear, visibly wincing at the sound as the female cracked her head on the top of her den. When she removed herself, covered in dirt and an evil expression he was still almost wincing at the very thought of concussing ones self. Dickweed, Thats a new one. It's Fang actually.
Speaking flatly, He shook his head for a moment his golden eyes fixed her with a curious look, trying to determine if she did indeed just knock her brains out.
Shrugging off his concern he spoke again, the males tail giving a soft to-and-fro behind him. He quite liked this female, she had a fun spark. It was a valid question, Unless you want a turn this time.
Dipping his head slightly, they were on even ground now, and he suspected she wanted to take a bite at him anyway.
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Her head was pounding, she would've probably squeezed out a few tears if she wasn't face to face to the last wolf she wanted to show weakness in front of. Keeping her eyes squinted on him, Kipling's own head ducked so that she could press her forehead against her leg to put pressure on the tension she felt. Yeah, well Dickweed is more accurate.
She mumbled under her breath, a few other nasty nicknames springing to mind.
Scoffing at his suggestion that she take a snap at him, she shook her head gently from what she could manage in her awkward position. And vomit violently for days afterwards? I'll pass. You're probably not as tasty as you think.
Not to say he was off the hook. He'd get what was coming to him, but if Kipling had a paw in it, it definitely wouldn't be on his terms. That was too easy, and with this track record he seemed determined to stack on the amount of revenge she planned to afflict.
Despite herself, a groan escaped her lips, the she-wolf turning away slightly to rub her head against her leg. She was sure the pain would fade eventually, but at the moment it was hard to focus on him and the aching in her skull.
As the female tried her best to alleviate the pain he inflicted, by proxy, he again winced. Had it been any of the others he'd met so far he probably would have offered help, but this female seemed to hold a grudge.
Lowering to his haunches he clicked his tongue when she retorted, rolling his eyes with a dramatic sigh and a smile. I'll have you know, I have it on good authority I taste fantastic.
A small laugh followed his words.
Well, if you dont want to take a swing back, how about you tell me your name. ..
He fixed his golden eyes on the female once more the playful half grin still present. Or I can just call you Tasty and be done with it.
He added, with a wink.
A single brow lifted, a critical expression reflected against his own smooth confidence. Ew, no.
Shooting down his suggestion as soon as it had flung out his mouth, her muzzle wrinkling slightly with her distaste. No matter what she said though, Kipling didn't trust that he wouldn't just call her Tasty
just to spite her. It's Kipling.
If you must know, she didn't add but still it was implied in her tone, reluctant to give him the honor of her acquaintance though that time had seemed to pass.
I'm starting to think you have a problem with your eye, Fang.
She teased then, taking a shot at his winking habit, as if he somehow thought it aided his nonchalant front. Maybe he'd keep it up and his face would get stuck that way. Even with that thought, Kipling had a hard time believing that would stop his attempts to be charming. Try to keep both eyes open when your climbing the mountain, yeah?
Anyways, I need water.
Her pain had dulled to a faint throb now, but still she remained exhausted from her previous efforts. Swinging her head forward, she attempted to dismissively walk past him, focusing her ears to the catch the sound of the refreshment she sought.
Her immediate reaction caused another small chuckle to escape him. Finally divulging her name, he contemplated for a moment to continue calling her Tasty, the thought passed, and probably wouldn't return lest she needed to be annoyed. Feigning a look of injury at her insult to his offered wink. Come now, even with one eye closed I'd have at least known where a pack border was.
he offered as she began moving past him.
He allowed her to take a few steps beyond before he quickly began following after, keeping a few paces between them.
What convenience, I was feeling awfully thirsty myself. Let me get some with you, Kipling.
It was a casual response, It was also the fine line between him wanting to talk more to smooth over their already shaky relationship, and wanting to torment the fiery girl some more.
She nearly wanted to admit that she had known she'd been trespassing on their first encounter, since he wanted to be snippy about bringing it up. But it was fuel against her in the end, and it was better to feign innocence in the long run. Though Kipling did wonder how her announcement about getting a drink had turned into an invitation. Not that he needed one, she could hear him behind her and she freely rolled her eyes although it went unseen.
Was he some sort of loyalty test? If you can stand Fang, you can stay in the Sunspire.
She would pass this initiation. And though she pressed that he was thorn in her side, Kipling would be flat out lying to say she couldn't tolerate him. He amused her to some degree, she just wished he was a little less damage prone; as in damage to her.
Luckily for the Lambda she'd made it to the mountain's stream without another scratch. Kipling angled herself, to watch him from the corner of her eye, somewhat paranoid he'd find a way to push her in. When she was sure he wasn't going to immediately barrel into her somehow, she lowered her head to drink.
He trotted along in silence, waiting for some smart-ass rebuke from her as she moved in front of him, when none was forthcoming he almost felt disappointed. He let out a short sigh when they arrived at the stream, leaning down he took a few laps from the cool water.
His ears swivelled atop his head as he listened for any sign she might be inclined to insult him again. Before long he broke the silence. You know I was only doing what. ..Ferdie, asked me to, chasing off encroachers, stopping you at the borders. .
He'd almost dropped an insulting pet name on his Alpha, despite his disdain that would be pretty clear on his face when thinking of their leader, he was not about to totally undermine his authority in front of anyone new.
Lifting his eyes he looked at Kipling, waiting on some sort of response from her.
Ferdie tells you to interrogate trespassers?
Kipling questioned skeptically, and if it was true than it would take some self control for her not to immediately claim that decision was stupid. She hadn't actually cared much about being run off (even the nip she'd received she'd easily shrugged off) she expected it naturally, the unnecessary breakdown before her flight from the mountain was what had initially grated on her nerves. Licking stray droplets from her maw, the she-wolf slowly shook her head disapproving of the tactic but not willing to admit it outloud.
If that was the case, for now, she'd let it be water under the bridge.
I don't get it. Is this like your weird way of saying sorry?
She suddenly blurted out, a half smile tugging at the end of her muzzle although she was not aware of it. Fang seemed keen to excuse his actions from before, although she doubted he'd openly apologize--which in a way she'd respect since really he'd been doing nothing wrong. Except be annoying, but she didn't really think he could help that; it must have just been apart of his charm
.
Watching him she moved to groom the streaks of dirt from her fur, running a damp paw along her face and chest.
The half smile slowly faded as she questioned his motives from earlier, narrowing his eyes at her he took a moment to try and recall exactly what she was referring to. More to the point, why would you not question a trespassers motives?
Well. ..Maybe the interrogation, as you put it, was my idea. I just don't understand why you decided to travel that far, and expected a good excuse. Had it been up to their discretion, you'd have been pummeled down the mountainside. All that mess with swiftcurrent, we were all on a bit of a fine line.
He rolled his shoulders in a shrug when he finished. He didn't often feel the need to explain his motives to anyone.
Sorry? Yeah, Let's go with that. There's also the matter of you being friends with the 'really really' quiet female. If I heard you correctly when you were talking to Ferdie.
His half smile returned when he recalled the word 'jerk' being practically shouted at his retreating form. Of course at the time he was making his exit from the fray, and may have mis-heard. Had he not however, he was almost certain Red wouldn't want him being at odds with her potential friends.
Some of what he said went straight over her head, having missed the context of the Sunspire and Swiftcurrent tension. But what she did know was that at the time she'd been hungry, lost, and alone. Nothing she would've admitted then, and certainly didn't need to now as she mirrored his shrug and diverted her gaze, still not willing to budge on the issue.
The mentioning of Red though caused her to freeze mid swipe, bringing her leg down. What about her?
Her tone was flat, refusing to admit she was a bit concerned with the way he'd brought up the topic. What really worried her the most though was that he seemed to think it was his business, and Kipling was curious to see how that was the case.
This was the difficult part for the poor male his charm moved to the side, seriousness took over, he'd already all but come to blows with Ferdie over the small coy-wolf, effectively alienating themselves from their alpha on the way. Her reaction on bringing up the topic seemed a bit off, dismissing the cause he spoke in an offhand way. I'm assuming you two are friends and all that, and I don't want to cause problems with her friends.
That's my bitch, and I don't want to upset her by pissing off her friends didnt have quite the same ring as he thought out phrasing.
Looking away from the female for a moment, he sat on his haunches once more, considering his next words briefly. She's important, to me, and I don't want to alienate her from others over my brazen actions earlier?
Did that make sense? It did to him, turning back to Kipling his face no longer fixed with the playful smirks, now a look of mild concern.
Awww
The tension dropped from posture, head tilting with the realization, You guys are totally humping.
There wasn't a pinch of modesty to accompany the accusation, it seemed pretty plain to her. And if Fang wasn't already getting it, Kipling would insist that he was at least trying to woo Red to that point. That's sweet.
She added, the comment genuine. She remained wary of Fang but seemed convinced he had her friend's best interest in mind.
I'm not going hold her taste in men against her.
Though why she'd be swayed with the scrawny hybrid she didn't know. Maybe winking actually still did work on girls, and when it came to Red was more lenient when it came to judging. The quiet she-wolf had helped her in a big way. But if she hates you, then I'll use that as an excuse to hate you too.
There was no serious weight to the remark and the jest was light. Still, she hadn't heard Red's side and for all she knew the coywolf could've loathed the hybrid.
Awww You guys are totally humping. And just like that the half-breed lost all composure, his well designed charm and posture would have been tipped entirely on its side at those words. If it were possible the wolf-dog would have turned the same colour as his love interest at that remark.
Despite blinking like a deer caught in the headlights at her remarks he quickly regained himself. a nervous laugh, not so much as a hah... ha. escaped.
Yeah, I can't attest to her taste.
He admitted quietly. He closed his eyes and took a few short breaths before he returned to his well practised patterns. The half-smile returning.
Pretty certain she doesn't hate me, though i'm no expert on females
. No expert with females? Did he really just admit that? a slight scoff, and sigh escaped as he looked away from Kipling, this scenario was making him decidedly more uncomfortable and embarrassed than it should.
Seeing him so flustered was a victory in and of itself. Keeping a close-lipped smile as he took a moment to compose himself, Kipling tilted her head at his confession. Nooo.
She teased, sarcasm dripping from every word she then spoke, And here I was convinced you were local ladies man.
To say she worried for her friend would have been to put it lightly. But that was something she'd have to with Red at another time. For now she was satisfied by putting Fang through the wringer for no other reason than it was fun for her.
She wanted to stay and see if she couldn't knock that smug look off his face again, but refreshed and groomed at this point it seemed like too much effort with what little energy she had left. Try not to get too ahead of yourself, big guy.
She advised the hybrid dismissively, not providing any context. Picking herself up she turned towards the makings of her future den, Kipling didn't mind spending one more night under the stars until tomorrow. I'm going to get some shut eye.
Beginning to take her leave after a few paces she paused speaking over her shoulder, That means don't follow me.
Not waiting to see if he'd sit and stay for once, she returned up the slope.
Short exit post is short
Another huff escape as she began turning to leave. He was left sitting slightly confused at her statement before she emphasised he wasn't to follow. Wouldn't dream of it. Shaking his head slightly, he began making his own way along the stream. Not entirely certain he had smoothed over the feelings with Kipling, but for now it'd have to do.
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