Overture Downs seekers wish

the rhythm of her heart changed as she crossed the open snowfields, leaving behind the steady cadence of the caribou herds. their pull had been strong, a lifeline to her kind, but today suliya moved against that tide. she sought something different—something she couldn’t yet name but felt as an ache in her chest.

her breath puffed in soft clouds as she navigated the frost-laden expanse, her sharp gaze scanning the ridges and folds of the land. the memory of winter’s wake lingered in her mind: his deliberate movements, his storm-laden coat, his piercing gaze that seemed to see through her as easily as she saw through the herds.

she didn’t know what she was looking for exactly, only that she had to find him. there was an understanding between them, quiet and unspoken, that pulled her in his direction.

winter's @Wake, she called softly when she reached a rise, her voice carried on the winter wind. her pawsteps slowed as she waited, ears pricked for the faintest sound of his approach.

Suliya Lanzadoii!

A call filled with gladness was returned to her, and his appearance came swiftly after that.

She was even more eye-catching without a roving herd as her backdrop, the powdered silver of her coat catching the light in a radiant halo. He made for her with a hunter’s quick prowl, coming to stand tall before her with unblushing confidence. A full moon had not passed since their last encounter; he had not expected to see her again so quickly — let alone be the one sought, when he was supposed to be the seeker.

Winter’s Wake tried not to let his ego swell obnoxiously as he imagined her reason for calling.

You summon, I appear. Such control you have over me, he grinned at her, playful.

suliya’s eyes lit with a rare flicker of amusement as winter’s wake strode toward her, his confidence as unwavering as the winds that whispered through the open lands. her tail lifted in a slow arc, a subtle display of the pride she felt in her own summons being answered.

such control, she tsked, the corner of her mouth curling upward in a way that was nearly a smile—nearly, because suliya was not one for such indulgences. but here, now, with him, she allowed herself that sliver of levity.

her pale gaze flicked over him, assessing, amused. perhaps i do, she mused lightly, her tone carrying a note of dry humor. or perhaps you simply enjoy answering my calls.

she stepped closer, her movements fluid, letting her tail sweep once behind her, a faint invitation wrapped in confidence.

She had seemed so serious their first encounter that it was blessed to see Suilya amused by him. Wake basked in her hiding smile, eager to make it more prominent.

Either way, I come all the same. His eyes traveled down her legs as she stepped nearer, his gaze swallowing, enveloping, caressing, hungry. The rogue matched her movements, pacing around her in greeting, in near touch. The space between them filled with the warmth of their skin, and the languid language of his body threatened to feel her at any moment.

But he left the distance for her to close or shy from.

He let their unspoken attraction breathe and bloom beneath his sunfire glow.

Must we speak? Or shall we dance?

His prime years were upon him, but his youthfulness had not yet left. He bowed suddenly, in the juvenile language most sought to leave behind, and his tail swayed high, challenging her to give chase.

suliya watched him with narrowed eyes, her expression unreadable as he circled her, his movements fluid and deliberate. there was a heat between them, palpable and undeniable, but her mind wrestled with the implications. she could feel the weight of sun eater's expectations pressing on her, the unspoken rules of lanzadoii blood binding her choices.

but here, in this moment, winter's wake seemed to melt those constraints away, like ice meeting the first touch of spring.

you don’t lack confidence, do you? she quipped, her voice sharp but laced with a reluctant amusement. her golden eyes followed his movements, studying him as though he were a puzzle she wasn’t sure she wanted to solve. the way he spoke, the way he moved—it all challenged her carefully constructed walls, daring her to step beyond them.

when he bowed, her skepticism flickered, replaced by the faintest trace of a smile tugging at the corner of her lips. it wasn’t often she indulged in such things, but something about him—his audacity, his playful nature—struck a chord she hadn’t expected.

dance? she echoed, her tone skeptical but curious. for a moment, she hesitated, weighing her next move as though it were a life-altering decision. then, with a sharp exhale, she lowered herself slightly, her tail flicking with measured intent.

fine, she said at last, a spark of mischief igniting in her gaze. but don’t think i’ll make it easy for you.

and with that, suliya surged forward, her movements swift and precise, closing the distance between them in a challenge of her own. if he wanted a dance, he’d have to prove he could keep up.

What is there for me to be insecure about? The winterwolf had countered, his mien somehow both coltish and serious.

Though made in jest, it was true that his vanity remained ever fatal. He was well aware of his ability to attract, to repel, to love and destroy. And since stepping out on his own, he was now more sure of himself, of his own heart and desires and capabilities, than he was likely to ever be.

And here was the Saatsine priestess, accepting his offer to rollick.

Her nature was more dignified, however, shifting their dance more towards challenge than mild sport. And Wake, more of a competitor than he let on, was glad to oblige.

Quick as a jackrabbit, the snowrunner lurched out of her reach and into a gallop across the open air. His power and speed were explosive, able to keep away from the chaser with glancing dodges and playful swerves.

But Suilya was a lifelong deerchaser; she could outwind him every day, every hour, every time. His meteoric strength would wane long before her endurance would ebb, and knowing this, Wake sought to make her capture of him imminent, so that he may turn the tables and chase her instead.

suliya’s breath steamed in the cold air as she gave chase, her legs pumping with the ease and rhythm of one born to the hunt. winter’s wake darted ahead, his movements quick and deliberate, but she could see it—the slight falter, the flicker of his power beginning to wane. he was no caribou, gliding over the snow in endless rhythm, and she was no stranger to chasing those swift and elusive creatures.

her focus narrowed, each step pulling her closer, each stride carrying her into his shadow. she did not call out, did not waste her breath on words. the thrill of the chase spoke for her, the pounding of her heart singing in time with the crunch of snow beneath her paws.

closer. closer.

then, with a final burst of speed, she closed the distance, her body slamming into his with just enough force to topple them both into the snow. the world spun for a moment, a tumble of limbs and laughter and cold, before she found herself atop him, her chest heaving with exertion, her paws pinning him firmly against the frozen ground.

snow dusted the bridge of her nose, and she paused to lick it away, her golden eyes meeting his with a spark of triumph. she grinned down at him, her breath warm against the chill.

caught you, she murmured, a teasing lilt in her voice. but she did not move to release him, her weight pressed against his as if daring him to find a way free. the game had shifted, and she was curious to see how he would play it.

As they turned over and over through the snow, Wake found himself in a state of nearly suspended animation, amazed by Suliya’s nature. She was regal and wild and serious and competitive and devout and glorious and fierce all at once. He laughed with her, and for himself, for having found such a rare jewel in the valley — among a swarm of reindeer, no less!

The snowpanther felt her press him firmly down, pinning him, eliciting more laughter as he tried to catch his breath. If she thought he might squirm or otherwise beg to escape from this closeness, she was sorely mistaken.

Are you certain, my lady? he panted. Or is it I that caught you?

He gazed up at her; her divine features framed by a rimming of light that reflected off the clouds of her billowing breath, her eyes warm upon him, her laugh a foreign song he wanted to learn the lyrics to. The beauty he saw there had no earthly equal.

He gave a tickled howl: I pray Aion never take me! An eternity to look upon this face will not be enough!

suliya’s laugh rang out, soft and lilting, as she leaned over him, her breath forming small clouds between them. is that so? she teased, her voice carrying an edge of mock severity. then perhaps i should take mercy on you, winter’s wake. let you up before the snow steals all your strength.

but she didn’t move. not yet. instead, she tilted her head, letting her paw press just a little firmer against his shoulder, her gaze playful but sharp. you speak of eternity, yet here you are, winded after one little tumble. her grin widened, the kind of grin that dared him to try and change their predicament.

maybe, she added, her tone light and deliberate, you’re the one who’s caught after all. not such a fearsome storm now, are you?

but even as she spoke, she relented slightly, shifting just enough to let him wiggle free if he dared. the challenge glinted in her eyes, inviting him to match her spirit.

It was a revelation to hear Suliya speak to him with such dominion, her words intoxicating to the wolf incentivized by power and desire. She was priestess, worshipful eyes shadowed by the brim of her cornette, and huntress with longbow drawn. Now another layer revealed itself, the glimmer of a queensveil: devout and commanding, wise yet unpretentious.

It became clear to him then that she was not meant to merely be a reindeer-chaser for the rest of her days. 

This snow will melt long before it takes my strength, Winter’s Wake drawled. But this wildflame of hers, combined with Wake’s own firespirit, would make for a dangerous inferno. A blaze he’d thoroughly embrace with the feverish rapture of a pyromaniac.

The priestess pressed against him with more force, rousing his excitement until he was certain this exact experience of her lampshaded assertiveness would live forever in the memory of his flesh. I was not aware you thought of me as such, my lady, he confessed, grinning. I should tell you then that I am only fearsome when I must be.

At her inciting eyes, he made a sudden, forceful move to reverse their positions. Panting as he was, there was no shortage of strength to him, and he felt aflame to now lay atop her, to feel the svelte firmness of her sculpted body beneath him.

I have no reindeer heart, I fear, he laughed. But I shall have an eternity to catch my breath as I chase you.

suliya narrowed her eyes, playful but unyielding, as wake moved with the swiftness of a storm to reverse their positions. beneath him now, her tail flicked, her body taut with energy but yielding just enough to keep the game alive.

to chase a woman forever? her voice was a low purr, her smile sharp. i wonder if you have the stamina for it, winter's wake. chasing me isn’t for the faint of heart.

she wriggled slightly beneath his weight, not to escape but to tease, a glint of fire in her pale gaze. fearsome when you must be? i wonder if you think yourself a hunter, or if you’d rather play the prey.

her muzzle tipped upward, brushing close to his with a challenge written plainly on her face. show me, winter’s wake. show me what you’re made of. or do the huntresses of the saatsine frighten even you?

her laugh was a wild, lilting thing, and she pressed against him just enough to make her presence undeniable, her fire unmistakable. the dance between them was one she seemed all too eager to keep alive.

Suliya did not relent! Nor would Winter’s Wake ever want her to.

Not a woman, the snowpanther growled, nipping affectionately at the featherdown of her chest. This woman. And I will chase this woman for as long as she wants to be chased. He pulled back to take in her glorious face: those fierce and brilliant eyes, that stonewash mask, the mischievous arc of her smile.

He desired that such a look could only be given to him.

Wake’s body followed her own as she threshed friskily under him. He would hold her pressed against him until her body made it clear that she wanted to run again. Their dance far from over. I am versatile, he teased. He would take, and he would give. But I am no prey.

The huntress leaned close and made her decree. That he show her. The thoughts of overtaking Suliya filled him with a potent yearning. His ambitions turned quickly immoral. Avariciousness nestled like a scorpion in his belly. She would find her challenge met with a devilish resolve.

Do I seem afraid, sacerdos?

His mouth curled to imagine her lying prone before him.

Velox! He motioned for her to pry herself from his grasp. You must run me ragged before I forget myself!

suliya’s laughter was a low, sultry hum that rolled from her throat, brimming with both delight and challenge. she relished the fire in winter’s wake, the unrelenting spirit that matched her own stride for stride. his words—his devotion—sparked a heat in her chest, though she would never let him see it soften her fierce exterior.

not prey, hmm? she purred, her voice like velvet over steel. we’ll see about that, wake. even the mightiest hunter stumbles when the chase lasts long enough.

she let her weight shift beneath him, testing his hold, teasing him with the promise of slipping free. her gaze bore into his, daring him, her smile sharp with mischief. afraid? she echoed, leaning in so her breath ghosted against his ear. no. but you should be.

with a burst of agile grace, suliya twisted out from under him, her movements fluid and practiced, born of countless hunts. she bounded a few paces away, her tail flicking with playful defiance as she turned back to look at him. her stonewash mask framed those piercing eyes, now alight with the thrill of the game.

Surely you do not wish to run from me forever! Wake gave a coltish protest as she started to slither from him. He grappled at her in faux might, intentionally letting her slip through his grasp so that he might feel the forceful grind of her lean body against him.

A whisper then, telling him to fear her, before she wrenched herself free and pirouetted to taunt him with a rebellious swish of her tail.

Wake lie in the snow for a moment, merely admiring her. She had surprised him with her spirit, her raciness, her soul flame. None of this could be seen beneath her worshiper veneer. What may have appeared to be a saintly statue affixed to the altar of the caribou church, had transformed into a dancing meadow siren. One he intended to catch and make his wishes upon.

The winterwolf sprang after her, bounding with the strides of a stag as she whirled away from him, the two of them kicking up a flurry as they raced.

suliya’s laughter rang out like a bell, sharp and bright against the quiet of the snow-laden forest. she moved with the fluid grace of a shadow, her paws barely seeming to touch the ground as she darted ahead, her lean frame cutting through the frost like a blade. she cast a glance over her shoulder, golden eyes gleaming with mischief as wake closed the distance between them.

her tail flicked, a daring challenge as she veered sharply, weaving between the frost-covered trees with effortless precision. she could hear him behind her, his powerful strides closing the gap, but she didn’t falter. the chase was intoxicating, a dance in the snow that set her heart pounding in time with the earth beneath them.

when he surged closer, she turned sharply again, forcing him to adjust, a sly grin tugging at her lips. you’ll have to do better than that, winterwolf, she taunted, her voice carrying through the cold like a song on the wind. the thrill of the hunt drove her, and she had no intention of making this easy for him.

To an onlooker, perhaps even to his companion, this pell-mell sprint would have looked like two racers fighting for dominance on the track. Or may have appeared to be the hectic fleeing of prey from its pursuer. But rather than sport or tease or arduous task, Winter’s Wake felt as if he were in a waltz; synchronized and sinful and musical and carnal and graceful and glancing and spirited and—

Everything else melted away to stillness around their racing figures. He and Suliya existed in a void together, and the winterwolf craved no freedom from it.

After all, it was no small gift to run at a full tilt without withholding his agility or softening himself to match a gentler woman. Suliya was more raptor than songbird; unrivaled by anyone he had met before. The sterling lynx held back nothing and in doing so allowed him room to impress her.

But she was not impressed yet—she taunted him! And Wake knew that it was due to the resistance he felt towards ending their dance. He would not let her heckling go unanswered, however, and with a surge he reached to ensnare her in his grasp, eager again to tumble with her and feel once more the sunfire of her pressed against him.

their paws drummed against the snow, a rhythmic cadence that spoke a language neither needed to utter aloud. the world around them blurred, the cold biting wind forgotten in the heat of their chase. suliya darted ahead, a streak of silver and snow, her movements sharp and predatory, teasing and untamed.

winter’s wake followed close, his dark form a shadow to her light, every stride deliberate, calculated, yet still wild with exhilaration. her body weaved, challenging him, daring him to match her ferocity, and he rose to meet it with every ounce of his strength and grace.

their figures danced through the open expanse, a duel of movement and instinct. she would twist, he would follow; her steps light and agile, his powerful and unyielding. they were neither predator nor prey, but equals locked in a game as old as the season itself.

suliya’s taunting flick of her tail was met with a sharp burst of speed from wake, his muscles coiling and springing as he surged forward, teeth reaching for her flank. she was just out of his grasp, her form a tantalizing blur, and he could feel the rush of her presence like a wildfire in his chest.

but he would not relent. with a sudden bound, he lunged, his body twisting to intercept hers, the snow erupting around them as their momentum collided. there was no pause, no end to their dance—only the primal, unspoken promise of their chase and the spark of challenge that ignited between them.

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Electrified by Suliya’s beauty, her piousness, and now her vigor, Winter’s Wake could feel his fur start to stand on end. As if every nerve-ending tolled with feral impulse. His blood felt to be singing. Spine curled with tension.

He savored her capture. Every pant, every stitch, every bruise. And his muzzle sought to soothe the silverstar, while the rest of him morphed into ravenous hooks; a body pulsing with need. Tongue lolled as he pulled her close, drunkenly reaching for that perfect hold, and the snowserpent pressed long against her back to exposit his desire.

Hot-blooded, and in a motion of the same vein as ripping his lover’s blouse, Wake moved to position her, and himself above her, arms grasping for her hips—

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suliya met him with equal fervor, her snow-colored eyes blazing as his touch ignited every inch of her. the fire between them was relentless, a tangle of silver and shadow as their bodies melded in the biting chill of the snow-laden earth. her breath hitched, her laughter a low, sultry hum as she turned into him, meeting his grasp with an eager press of her own.

the world beyond their entwinement blurred, leaving only the heat of their exchange and the way their movements spoke a language ancient and unrestrained. her voice dropped to a whisper, a fleeting murmur against his ear before she let herself fall into his rhythm, her trust given freely, completely.

and as the winter winds howled around them, their figures disappeared into the snowy expanse, a seamless fusion of passion and instinct. the night pulled a curtain over their union, fading them into the dark embrace of the wild.

fade to black

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Again he would cover her during the hour of that storm. Twice more before he was spent.

When Wake at last collapsed breathless at her side, he laughed from the sheer euphoric feebleness thrumming through his limbs. How rough had he been? It was a fantastic blur; his memory of it already pale in comparison.

The winterwolf gazed at Suliya, her sultry laugh a siren’s tune replaying in his thoughts. His dark eyes glimmered appreciatively as he prayed silently over her felicitous form.

I attribute this divine encounter to my gods. To Sister Ananke for fulfilling my needs. To Brother Chronos for allowing me this space in time. To Brother Kairos for the storm of covering eyes. To Sibling Aion for not reaping my soul, which is rightfully yours, before this moment.

Praise to the Powers That Be.

A long blink and a deep inhale of her fragrant scent.

Amen.

suliya lay sprawled beside him, her breath still uneven as she let the snow cool the heat rising from her skin. her golden eyes glanced toward him, catching the glimmer of satisfaction mirrored in his own. a coy smile curled her lips as she spoke, the words slow and deliberate, carrying a thread of lingering amusement.

amen, she repeated, her voice low, savoring the sound. what does it mean? her head tilted, her gaze fixed on him with a mix of curiosity and teasing. you said it after— a soft laugh escaped her, the kind that held no mockery, only intrigue.

the storm raged on around them, but the warmth between them defied the cold. her chest rose and fell steadily now, the sharp edge of exertion dulled into the languid haze of satisfaction. she reached out, brushing a paw lightly against his flank, impressed—no, delighted—by his stamina.

if it's a prayer, she murmured, leaning back into the snow, i think i could learn to say it.