Porcupine Ridge Sapphire

@Stark <3 set at PR at sunset. (: 

These mountains were intersting-- very different than she'd ever seen. The trees, although bare, were coated in scraches and there were large chunks of bark all around them. The mountains themselves were the same as every other mountain she'd seen-- but the view was still stunning.

She sits along a cliff, her ears perked just in case anyone came along, and stares out onto the horizon. The dirt was downright disgusting, really. It covered everything in sight and the budding trees and sprouting grass was not grown enough to really put a dent in the brown. But the sunset-- damn that sunset was something to marvel at. She lets out a long sigh, tipping her lovely head to the side.

His days recently had taken him further past his proud Keep. The presence of more wolves he was comfortable with meant that he was growing more adventurous. Not that he expected a rebellion from the wolves of the Keep, but, still, to know that there were more that supported Octavia than did not it made him feel more relaxed about being gone for a day. He could scout out different areas, get more familiar with the land, and that in turn would be beneficial for his pack when it came down to it. 

The wolf had started to climb yet another ridge, the endless seeming mountains around his home just begging to be tamed left the ranging male itching for more knowledge. The sun was already beginning to set and while he had every plan to return home before everyone was asleep still he lingered, looking over the sunset as the colors started to illuminate the ridge. He glanced over at the woman, still giving her plenty of space. But for a moment, two wolves could enjoy the sunset in silence.

A man arrives, and Portia gazes his way momentarily before turning her freckled face back towards the sunset. She sits in silence for a while, leaving the view to be enjoyed with no interruptions. The honey yellows and dark oranges begin to turn pink and violet, the night sky beginning to take it over. When the sun was almost halfway gone under the horizon, she turns her attention back towards the dark male, her green eyes searching for his stunning blue gaze. 

Portia moves nearer to him, but not too close for comfort. She does not speak yet, but her body language invites him to her-- through speech or actions, whichever he'd prefer.

It was strange that neither spoke, or perhaps, that was even more natural. Stark looked her over, relaxed as the sunset and the both took in the sights. The light faded towards the purples of twilight, giving a soft little murmur. While he was not the type to typically slow down - even in the midst of the famine he had pushed and pushed to ensure the survival of his pack - Stark still occasionally could appreciate the sky and it's miraculous colors. 

When she moved again, so did he, coming a couple steps closer. He offered a slight bow of his head, respectful as he stood near her. He looked her over, the freckled appearance and her bright eyes, she was beautiful. Womanizer or no, Stark was faithful and did not advance further. He let the woman be comfortable, not catching a scent on her that he knew.

He moves closer, but not close enough to remain so silent. She makes the first move, not thrilled with the outcome but still friendly as ever. "Hmm," she hums, her gaze looking him up and down. "Silent, dark, and mysterious... I like it," she says, her eyes flashing as they widened for a split second. She flashes him a sweet smile, her tail tapping against the earth once or twice. "Portia Rose," she says, preferring her middle name over her last in casual meetings. "A pleasure."

She moved and addressed him and the smile that rose on his face was genuine. It lifted to his eyes, brightening them a couple shades before he decided to speak. "Stark." He offered no last name, no draw to his father's nor his mother's. Maybe he would discuss with Banner, make a new name for just them. "The pleasure, ma'am, is all mine." He said smoothly. 

"What brings you out on such a pleasant night?" He asked, looking out to the twilight, the hues shifting from radiant purple towards the dark navy, the promise of stars to join them soon. 

She holds her smile still, watching as his features lit up in the dim moonlight. The dusky orange still lingered along the horizon, but the dark purples and navy's had already staked their claim, and their darkness had engulfed the land almost entirely. His dark features were shown almost entirely in sillohette form-- she was lucky enough to nail his coat down while there was still plenty of light, otherwise he might as well have just been a black blob with a dashing pair of blue eyes.

"Is it now?" she counters, an eyebrow raising cheekily. She means nothing by it, not looking for a response, but it's out there all the same. "Exploring," she then says with a tip of her head upwards. "I could ask you the same thing..."

The woman spoke teasingly and Stark gave a soft laugh, shaking his scruff out as he regarded her pale figure. Her coat was alight with the hues of the night, slowly as they claimed the stakes of pale fur as their own, using her as a canvas. "Nearly as pretty as you, though I'm not sure who's leaning on whom." He teased, giving her a wink. Harmless flirtation aside, it was promising to be a lovely night and with the oppressive heat it was the only time he felt comfortable enough to actually do much.

"Exploring. He echoed to her query. "Each mountain I scale is different than the last." Though his roots were firmly planted it did not escape the need to stretch his legs and to gain more knowledge.

Portia rolls her eyes, but soaks up the compliments with delight. "Oh please," she chirps, daintily lifting a paw. "You flatter me, Mr. Stark." Her eyes find his face again and she tilts her head to the side as she listens, her tail tapping the earth again. "Tall, dark, handsome... and a mountainman-- of all things honey," she teases, her white teeth glinting in the pale light. "You are quite the catch aren't you?" she says, quirking an eyebrow.

"What mountain did you scale last?" she asks, hoping to find a decent conversation.

"Sometimes, depending on who you ask." Stark countered with a grin. He couldn't speak for himself - underneath his proud facade there was a level of deep self depreciation. Instead Stark glossed right over that, though, not leaving the room to question it further and instead focusing on what she was saying. The woman posed a question and Stark had to think back - the last real mountain he'd scaled was the Ridge, Ravens Watch wasn't quite the impressive slope even though it had housed his sister for a time. "Emberflame Ridge," He offered. "It's just starting to grow back - I bet in a couple months it's gonna be beautiful." 

Stark regarded the possibilities of where she might have come from, from the places that she had been - he was lustful for knowledge. "Tell me, what's the prettiest land you've seen so far."

"Where's that?" the girl asks, her tail stilling itself for a moment as she waits for a response. It would be too bold of her to ask him to take her there himself in the future, but she'd remember so she could go on her own-- or perhaps with another man. 

She studies his face as another question arises, but she can only make out parts of his features. Pity, really, he was so devilishly handsome earlier. "Hun, I wish I could tell you," she says, her response breathy and exaggerated. "Though... There was a lake, just south of here, nestled at the bottom of a mountain range-- I suppose that could make the top pick," she says after a few minutes of silent thought. Her lips curve in a mischevious smile though, and her tail taps against the earth a couple of times. "This would definitely be a close competitor though."

"Other side of the expanse ." He said evenly. "Opposite of here, basically. You have to be careful on the Wall though. A gust will knock you down." Stark had felt it, it was so dangerous and yet he didn't stop his exploration. He still needed to go out and explore, to test his limits. "South of here? I haven't headed down, I'm not familiar with it." Stark wasn't opposed to investigating though, he just needed to get some more legitimate meals in him before he took on such an adventure.

"I'll have to make the journey." He said with a smile, looking over at her. He couldn't make her out as well, although the sky still lended far more to her pelt than it did to his. He curled his tail around his paws, looking back at the view. It really was beautiful. 

As Stark explains, she nods along, listening and absorbing some of the information. Not that she wasn't interested, she just wasn't all the fond of learning. She'd rather experience herself and learn through trial and error-- not by being told everything. It usually got her in trouble, but she managed to escape without a scratch to show for it.

"I'll keep that in mind," she says, smiling sweetly at him. "It's wonderful down there-- I've been all over the place, no where specific though, just wandering," she adds, feeling he should know that she too explores. Again, more like wandering, but all the same to a stranger. When his gaze turns back to the view, hers follows. She sighs softly. 

maybe fade w your post or my next one? :o

That was good, the sensation of finding a kindred spirit in another wanderer. "If you want to go explore, let me know." It might be worth it to make a journey sometime. The next time that his paws started to itch and he needed to wander he would set out and see what could be found. The lands were as broad as the starry sky, there was a lot to see. Even if the rest of the evening was spent in silence, he'd be comfortable and pleased in that. As it was, they'd lapsed back into peaceful quiet, admiring the shade of the night until they parted with both heading back to their respective homes.