Things had begun to settle down for Ragnar, at least when it came to his wives. Thistle had moved back into the den and true to her word had seen to teasing him by moving, inch by infuriating inch, closer to him night after night. He desired the night when her body would be beside his again and he would feel both of his wives curled against his sides, sleeping soundly in their Vikings' presence. Nerian still remained weary around his children but he figured that her apprehension would fade when she had her own this winter. Despite the amount of children that Stavanger Bay already had Ragnar intended to get her pregnant nevertheless, confident that the pack was sturdy and strong enough that they could handle it. With Thistle's ascension to the rank directly below him as his Alpha Female he felt a lot more confident. Ragnar could have continued to run the pack by himself. It wasn't too much considering he had ran a much larger pack back in Odinn's Cove by himself but it was nice to have her company, and nice to spend time with her. Not to mention it also gave him more time to spend with Nerian and his children as well. It was much more easy to balance the time he spent doing leader things, with spending time with his wives and children.

Perhaps it was the Outrider in the scarred Scandinavian that encouraged him to get out of Stavanger Bay for short periods of time every now and then. Regardless, he found himself venturing the Sea Lion Shores, curious about the lack of noise coming from Wheeling Gull Isle. For a moment he allowed his hopes to rise ...that they had left. That he had been right all along and they had destroyed themselves. The thought brought a merciless smirk to the Vikings' lips before he caught sight of a fellow silver colored man in the distance. The platinum silver Jarl lingered back, moving towards the waves though icy caribbean eyes did not leave the other as he moved so the salty surf could lap eagerly at his long legs and chest. He did not approach, but instead waited to see if the other male would notice him and if he did, what he would do.

Ragnar had grown up at the sea side, had joined Horizon Ridge only because it was along the shore and had then founded Stavanger Bay being sure to claim a stretch of beach, as well. He did not feel home anywhere else. He traveled to many lands, had climbed mountains and ran through forests and yet being surrounded by nothing but land created an alien-like claustrophobia that had became pressing upon the scarred Scandinavian during his brief travels of a lone wolf. They had been at the beckoning of the All-Father and he had no choice, no will to do anything but obey. He was no Priest nor Seer and therefore was not entirely capable of accurately deciphering the will of his claimed ancestor, still he interpreted as he saw fit and believed wholly in his interpretation without a second guess or even so much as a sliver of doubt. It had led him to this. To Stavanger Bay, to Thistle Cloud and back to Nerian. He had a strong core of members in the Bay, and a growing family, and friends that he could count on. He still missed Floki with ferocity but it could not be helped. So long as his friend was helping at trying to salvage Odinn's Cove and take down Vali then Ragnar understood.

The stranger broke the silence Ragnar had allowed to continue, alerting the Jarl that the other man was aware of his presence there. For a moment Ragnar considered just giving the other his infamous smirk, the coy tugging at the corner of his lips but tilted his head to observe the other with muted curiosity. Hello, Ragnar parroted, voice soft and heavy with his native accent. You are far from home, Ragnar observed, scenting Swiftcurrent Creek upon the other man's coat, being quite familiar with the scent of their pack. What brings a Swiftcurrent wolf this far South-West? Ragnar inquired.

It was not totally unexpected to see a Swiftcurrent Creek wolf this way, and considering Sea Lion Shore was a free territory he had every right to be there as much as Ragnar did, however, usually it was with some purpose, a message needing passed, or an outrider mission that was on the verge of being carried out. Shadow's explanation of his presence on the coast was an understandable one, not that it was really any of Ragnar's business, granted, but he was a curious beast by nature. It became infinitely a bit more personal at the following words to breach the other man's lips at the admittance of love problems. Problems that Ragnar understood well. For a long second the scarred Scandinavian was silent, not sure if should truly inquire as to if he could be of any assistance. As it was, Ragnar was not confident he was the best wolf to go to for advice in the love department, wondering unsure if he wanted to get himself into something obviously deeply personal with this stranger whose name he did not even know.

It seemed, however, to the Jarl that the man desired to speak of it to someone for he instigated the conversation without truly being asked. Granted, Ragnar had asked him what had brought him so far southwest but the other did not need to get as personal as he had. For a moment, Ragnar tucked the mention of love problems aside as the other mentioned Beric and complimented the ex-Isle man. We are well guarded, Ragnar agreed in a soft murmur, scarred ear flicking back lazily. Between Ragnar, Surra, Beric, and Verrine the Lodbrok did not doubt that they had a good team of unofficial wardens keeping the borders fresh and watched. It begged the question of how all these wolves kept trespassing and giving him the same bullshit story of I didn't notice it. Stavanger Bay's scent borders were impossible to not notice. You mentioned love problems? I may not be the best wolf to turn to for advice, He smirked lightly letting his eyes of Caribbean ice rest on the Creek man. but I am a Counselor of the Bay. He didn't have the trade officially yet, but he was close enough to set aside such trivial technicalities.

It seemed telling the Swiftcurrent Creeker that he was a counselor and offering his assistance while admitting that he couldn't guarantee that it would be good advice. After all, Ragnar's track record in the love department was far from stellar. He had almost destroyed what he had with his soul mate because he was selfish and he wanted both women without sacrificing what one for the other. It was holding together but Ragnar was not so ignorant as to say that it was flawless. In truth, he understood that it was probably barely holding together but this man did not know that, and Verrine and Julooke had been helped along by his 'advice' and as far as the Scandinavian was aware they were doing quite well. Do not over assume that a woman knows that you are interested in her unless you've outright told her, Ragnar took a pause here, which you haven't. Ragnar took a pause to organize his thoughts.

He had never been shy around the opposite sex, and had no problems stating his interest in them if his subtle advances were not picked up by them. Women like honesty. Sometimes they respond better to directness as opposed to subtle hints. I would suggest by simply telling her of your romantic interest in her. If you don't you might lose your chance. Ragnar told Shadow simply, with a slight lift and fall of his broad, scarred shoulders. As far as Ragnar was concerned Shadow's issue with the fairer sex was an easy fix to the Scandinavian.

Ragnar had never had any sort of reservations when it came to women. When he saw a woman he wanted, he went after her. He did not hesitate with any semblance of uncertainty. He dove in head first and if she rejected him then it was her loss and he either tried again or moved on to bigger and better things. His previous inability to form any solid attachment to his previous wives made the moving on thing painless and quick for the scarred Scandinavian. If you do not tell her yourself she will never know. If you are afraid and never tell her then you will lose any chance you might have had, Beyond that Ragnar could not offer him anymore advice. The first hurtle was getting it out on the table and until this man accomplished that much Ragnar could be of no more assistance considering he had no way of knowing if Shadow would even tell the woman, nor how she would react. Ragnar smirked slightly at the male when he introduced himself as Shadow — an paradox if Ragnar had ever seen one. Heimdall, Ragnar gave his moniker to the Swiftcurrent male.

Sometimes the advice of a complete stranger is better than the advice of a friend, If only because Ragnar didn't know Shadow and so there was nothing keeping him from being dishonest with him. Good luck with your woman. Ragnar smirked again, turned and began to walk away, heading back to Stavanger Bay; wondering if this male would potentially attempt to seek him out for future advice but knowing that it didn't really matter, either way.