Neverwinter Forest For the LOVE of – Okay

@Tonravik @Tonravik @Tonravik Rough start, but here goes. Lemme know if anything needs to change. 

He was back south. Again. After his recent ventures north, he'd learned the hard way how much he hated barren terrain. There was no shelter there. No signs of life. He much preferred something green and alive and living over no trees and the impending sense of death and dying. Buzzards over head were far more acceptable when there were other things in the vicinity that could die too. Otherwise, it was like they were waiting for him to do something stupid. Right. 

Alas, this forest was far more his style. He was picking his way through the lands, trying to figure out where to go next. North was a lot of no. He'd kind of been this way before, but had been an ass about it. Then again he had encountered another wolf from the spine later on and that rough and tumble kind of play had been fairly entertaining. He mused, contemplating his own thoughts as they churned and bred like rabbits. Screw it. He'd just travel and see what came of it. 

The bear of a wolf lumbered throughout the Forest. She was scouting prey, here, knowing that her claim extended beyond the reach of the Spine when it came to food, given the fact that no others had settled nearby. This was good. Anyone that thought to would be chased off. Tonravik had an enemy in a wolf she had never met, but would not forget her scent. If the wretch thought to settle near the Spine, Tonravik would be out for her head, and the wolves that followed her. Otherwise, they could continue to live their lives.

There were moose within the Spine, and surely other prey, but she wondered what else she could chase into her lands. It had been a long time since she had played such a game, but she and Tartok had done it many a time. She was sure she could rally the pack to chase more game into their land; it would be easier to protect in the reaches of the Spine, but that anything was here was fine for the while. There were no other wolves to worry about.

A familiar scent wafted in her direction, and an ear twitched. She remembered his scent, and remembered their encounter vaguely. She was headed in his general direction, and Tonravik did not change course. The wolf was hard to offend on a personal level, and was simply a wolf through and through. Easy to please, and easy to piss off.

Was he hungry? He'd eaten not too long ago. So no. Was he bored? Yes. Definitely yes. He could only entertain his thoughts for so long before he began hoping and praying he'd run into someone even the slightest bit entertaining. Anything to give him something else to focus on. Anything to cull the monotony of the day and create a little bit of intrigue. These forests had proved entertaining last time. Hopefully they'd be just as amusing today. 

He wandered. Aimlessly. If he was truly paying attention he might have noticed he was walking in circles. Large, looping circles. He paced the forest. He liked this forest. This one. It was annoying squirrel free and void of strangers asking stupid questions. Okay. He couldn't make that last assumption quite yet, but he was keeping his toes crossed on that one. Only time would tell. 

His roaming eventually led him to crossing paths with a stranger. Well, not a stranger per-say. He'd recognize that looming form anywhere. "You," he said, falling in line with her. She seemed very focused on whatever it was she was after. "Fancy running into you. Here. Again."

As luck (if it could be called that) would have it, her path intersected with the male she had met once before. He even spoke. This shouldn't have surprised her, but it had, and she paused to give him a long, hard look... and then looked to the distance. Together they continued to move all the while, and she did not complain, keeping her stride while observing her surroundings. Her eyes caught the sight of tracks and the scent of deer, and that to her was more interesting to her at the moment than the others attention, if only because the large male had sorely disappointed her last time with his intent. She did not copulate without cause, after all.

She did not know why it was fancy to run into her again (as she took all things so very literally). After all, she lived here. He had a myriad of new scents upon him, indicating to her that he had been traveling. But, he had come back.

He was greeted with more silence. He should have expected as much. Considering their previous encounter had made for a rather crude one sided conversations (and yes, the speaking had been in a large part from his lecherous tongue), he doubted she had much to say if anything at all. Ever. In fact, she was the most silent of women he'd ever met aside from a mute that one time... which, given the circumstances, made this one a dead winner of all. If the mute could have spoken, Kero was certain he'd gotten an earful. 

Her? She did nothing more than pause to look at him for a long second before continuing on her way. Kero kept the pace, lingering at her shoulder and moving along with her. When she stopped to look? He stopped to look. When she lifted her nose to scent the air? He also lifted his nose. After a while, he realized exactly what it was she was stalking. A deer. Well alright then. If she ever found that, he was perfectly capable of helping with that. Until then? He moved and followed. Like a shadow. 

O:)

The duo stalked together, and this, this she appreciated. He was not loud or disturbing, crude or obnoxious in this moment. Perhaps he understood. She looked to him for a moment, eyes lingering this time... yes. It seemed he knew what she was doing. Good. And so they continued to move, tracking quietly even despite their weight. She moved often at a plod, but was surprisingly quiet of foot.

A snap in the distance caused the alpha to freeze.

She inhaled a heavy drought of air, and her ear twitched. They were not alone -- but what was nearby was no herd of deer. It was another predator, surely stalking their quarry as well... but this, this was no wolf. Something dangerous, something that Tonravik did not want any closer to the Spine. Hackles lifted up slowly at her nape, giving the bear of a woman something of a mane, muzzle wrinkling as another snap brought the animal closer to them. By now, it, too, was aware of their presence... and Tonravik let out a low, steady snarl: do not come any closer.

He felt the weight of her gaze upon him. His face fell flat, betraying his unamused and somewhat bored stasis. He could hunt. He could track. He could follow something all day long, but the chase was far more fun than the stalking. And after that? The eating part. And after that? Saving a few of the bones and worrying on them until they made his jaw sore. Unfortunately, in order to get to the "after" they had to do all of the "before". If there was some way to fast forward through this he'd be all over that in a heartbeat. Unfortunately, he held no such magical talent.

The snap echoed. He froze, much the same as her, save instead of hackles he lifted his head, eyes narrowing to peer into the distance as he turned his ears to listen and nose to scent the air. It was less on the defensive and more on the offensive, but she seemed to have all the threats and growls covered. He wanted the height. He wanted to see it knowing full well he could lower himself into snarls just as easy as she. 

He did not echo her. Instead, he shifted his paws, widening his stance as he listened harder, scenting the air for any sort of hint as to what else might be out there. It sure as hell wasn't the deer they were stalking. Something else. He eyed the trees and peered back into the forest. Silent, he tried to hear past her growls, watching and waiting for whatever it was.

Louder and louder her growl became, and the woman became all the tenser. In seconds, there it was, making no mystery of its own presence. Mountain lion. It was young, likely looking for a new home. Tonravik would not have it. The thing appeared skeptical, and hissed at the two wolves. It appeared to not want a fight. Even despite its youth, it looked like a strong thing, and Tonravik would waste no energy on it if it could be helped. She squared herself and clicked her jaws, watching the beige creature second-guess itself. Away from the Spine, Tonravik willed. She took a step forward, tail lashing in a far more predatory fashion than the lurking, homeless wildcat before them.

It took a tentative step back. It was all Tonravik needed to know. It swiped at empty air, and Tonraviks long, snarling note continued. Now, it was this thing she hunted. She had wolves to protect. Her ears thrust aggressively over her brow and she feinted forward, and the thing turned and sprinted a short distance off before it realized it was not being followed.

She quieted, but still stared into the darkness. Behind her, she felt the strong presence of the male who was alert and who had been quietly at the ready.

Mountain lion.

Kero's eyes narrowed as he fell into the defensive. That cat was damn near silent over the black female's snarls, but it made itself known all the same. It was a young thing. Inexperienced, but what was young grew older and wiser. Better for it to learn now that wolves were not a thing to be trifled with. Better for it to learn now what was and was not an acceptable place to be. This forest was not one of those places. Kero liked these woods far too much to share space with a young cat. It could set up its own range elsewhere. Perhaps north of here across the mountains. This feline could have what Kero didn't want. 

His lips wrinkled, slipping into a guttural snarl that wove deep and bold beneath the woman's own threat. His hackles raised, his ears flattening upon his crown as his fur bristled in a display of his own defense. It was all in vain. She had it completely under control and likely would have even without his presence. Numbers always helped, certainly, but between the youth of this cat and it's hesitance, Kero was just an extra body. It didn't take much for it to shy away. This cat wasn't looking for a fight.

It scampered off. Kero straightened, smoothing his fur back as he slipped back into an entirely neutral pose. The young lion was gone for now, but he listened to it go all the same, peering into the shadows of these woods. After a moment, he turned his gaze back towards the dark female, lifting a brow of inquiry towards her. What now? The deer she'd been hunting earlier were likely far off. Between the feline's presence and the woman's own snarls, there was plenty to alert that herd of danger. There was a reason why he'd held his silence.  

Kerosene had been smart in his initial silence for the sake of the prey; but Tonravik thought more of what could be cost. And soon she heard him, his impressive snarl. Tonravik was not immortal and almighty (though she was mighty), and appreciated his presence. He certainly helped the cause, that was for sure. It headed away from the Spine, and in time she, too, relaxed. 

She did not feel his eyes, but when she turned he was looking to her. She exhaled heavily, and sniffed... The herd had moved. She looked over her shoulder. The trip had not been in vain; they had warded off a potential threat to she and hers. 

So Tonravik looks to him. “Hungry?” The question was loaded; she did not feed lone wolves. But his assistance had been noted, and Tonravik imagined he could be useful yet. 

It took a while, but the female quieted. He watched her carefully, stealing his eyes from the woods beyond to glance upon the midnight she. Her body seemed to deflate, collapsing with a breath before she filled back out again and moved on. Threat averted. Mission complete. The horse and pony show was over. She'd won.

She glanced back towards him and posed a question. Just one word, but with the proper emphasis for him to know well what she was offering. "Somewhat," he admitted, sharing no more than the single word in return. She'd have to use more words if she wanted more assurance than that.

His response was vague. Somewhat. Tonravik blinked at him, and simply stated: “My wolves are not.” Succint, to the point. It needed no elaborating. So she absently sniffs the air again, deciding this was a task for another day. “We are few and strong. I seek loyalty and strength.” If he could provide those requirements, he could follow. 

They were a growing pack, now, and the wolves in her ranks she knew were strong and fierce. She sensed this one could be that, too; and it was the feral wolf in him that appealed to her, and that she sought now.

More words he got.

She did not disappoint. Her words were select and few, but it was enough. She led her pack well. It was evident in the way she moved; the way she held herself as she walked. Her presence was unrivaled. She carried an air about her that spoke volumes towards her character. No doubt, if she did not lead she'd remain a rogue. There was something about her that suggested she would not last long beneath the reigns of another.

"What do you need?" he asked from where he stood. She spoke of what she was looking for, but not of what she had and what she was lacking. There was more to a pack than loyalty and strength. Both were important, but there was far more too it than a few simple words.

She thought of things she needed. Tonravik was thoughtful for a moment. She could never have enough strength, but given he had asked, she presumed he was willing to offer that along with anything else he could give. 

“Healers. Protectors. Trackers,” she hums. She needed nothing else really; warriors, guardians, trackers, wolves with any herbal knowledge. She had little use for chroniclers... And her mind continued to sift.

He waited as she pondered. An exercise in patience. He'd had much of that practice lately. Too much of it. Wandering by one's self created far too much free time between here and there. He'd gone far enough. He was already retracing his steps.

Her words broke through the empty air. Healers. Protectors. Trackers. Basic things any wolf could learn. Truthfully, healing was more of an exotic trade, but where there was a will, there was always a way.

He wasn't done. "What do you want?" A vastly different question.

soRRY FOR SHORT POST IM JUST SENDING OUT AN EMAIL BUT DIDNT WANT TO HOLD THIS UP

 

What did she want? Well, she had most of what she wanted. Power. Wolves of worth and merit alike. Strength. Well, what did she want? "An answer," she supplicated then, tail twitching. She had a pack to return to, protect. Her own patience was not so great, and in this moment it showed. Would he join her, or remain here? Tonravik could not be offended if he did not wish to join her; she, and her pack, were not for everyone. And that was something Tonravik carried on her shoulders with pride. The Spine wolves were strong and sure, confident in their way of life. 

"An answer."

Kero smirked. He glanced skyward for a second, before dropping his gaze. Of course. An answer. Something told him she didn't offer these opportunities so frequently. Something also told him, he'd not get a third chance at this. He'd sabotaged his first. This..? This was now or never. 

They were wrapped in silence. He inhaled, sucking in a deep breath before releasing it slowly. Luke had said this was supposed to be easy, simple. They'd also agreed Kero was overthinking it. The mind was a great and terrible thing. 

"Alright."

The word cut through the air. 

"I'll do it."

He dropped to the ground, rolling onto his back to expose the soft side of his belly. He turned his head to glance at her, presenting his throat. 

"Don't let me regret this."

Tonravik watched as he rolled, revealing to her his stomach, submitting again; Tonravik listened to his words. Was he talking to himself? She was amused at his last statement, as amused as she could be, and gestured to her side complacently. "Only if you are useless. Even then will find a use for you. Food, maybe," she morbidly quips, though the lack of a grin suggested that she was not kidding. Of course she was; she was not a cannibal, and would not become one unless she was starving to death in the dead of winter and there was nothing else. She was not, kidding, however, in finding a use for him if he was useless; corpses at the borders proved points, after all, and so did old bones. 

It was enough inspiration to give anyone motivation to be productive. Tonravik was perhaps the best at motivating others, her not-so-subtle promises of death having a way of looming over ones head. Her tail twitched, and she prepared for the homeward trek with her then newest subordinate. "Come, Iqniq," she hums, thinking his furs similar to the red-orange that burned when the sky sometimes fell. Even if he told her his true name, Iqniq he had swiftly become to her. "I am Tonravik." And she was on her way, her flame in tow.

Seriously!? This was what it took to get her speaking to him? Join her pack and suddenly she had more words in such a short span of time than the entire duration that'd he known/met/whatever her. He felt slightly conned, a little bit played, but there was a rather large part of him that secretly liked it. Well played, woman. Well played.

He rolled over. Righting himself with a scowl. "Not worth it. I taste like shit." He stood, shaking the thin veil of dust out of his pelt. She turned, barking and order and a funny word that fell strangely upon his ears. This was the second wolf from the spine to give him a nickname and this was the second time he'd accept it. Whatever the hell it meant. On the plus side, he at least knew her name. He mentally repeated it, taking note the syllables and deciding it was far too long.

"Thanks for the introduction, Toni. Apparently I'm Iqniq." The word sounded weird on his tongue. Hell, he probably butchered it. Whatever, he'd figure it out eventually.

Following along behind her, he realized he still hadn't asked her something. "Does this mean we can have sex now?" He teased, recanting their first encounter. Except, there was a small part of him that was semi-serious.

Tonravik did not respond to his initial words, though did give him a look that seemed to suggest that she would be the judge of that if it came to it. Which, it wouldn't... not eating him, in any case. "Ton-ra-vik," she responds slowly, enunciating her name so he would not butcher it. Toni. No. She was not a woman who appreciated abbreviations. He'd surely be eaten if he referred to her as Toni, and she idly licked her chops... 

"Apparently I'm Iqniq". Tonravik enjoyed him. He took his new name in stride. She agrees with him, nodding, yes, you are Iqniq. They move along, and his words were met with a sharp look. Best to inform him now. "Breeding without consent results in castration. Whatever may be yielded by it is killed," Tonravik hummed, surely to heighten his arousal with such grand news. She herself had not yet come into heat; but the opportunity, in time, would present itself. 

She didn't like her new nickname. "Has anyone ever told you you're no fun, Tonravik?" he replied, using her full name since the shortened one was a no-go. He so knew what he was calling her out of earshot. Toni. Toni. Toni. Had a nice ring to it. Easier on the tongue. Ohh. But he'd best be careful with that one. She'd likely eat his tongue if she caught wind of it. 

He followed after her, keeping pace once more. She nodded along as he rambled, pausing only to cast him a sharp look and the ultimate of mood killers. "You couldn't have mentioned that before I said yes?" His ears fell, flattening upon his head as she laid the ground rules. "What about out of season?" he asked, curious as to where she drew the line. "Like, recreationally. And is that in pack only... No one on the side?" 

Had anyone ever told her she was no fun? 

No, actually. Likely due to the company she kept, of course... but being fun was not her forte, or something she was interested in either. His question was met with a perplexed look of her own. That wolves did such a thing recreationally was news to her. "If it yields anything," she says decisively, "There will be consequence." If not, how was she to know? She was not all-knowing. Of course, it was not something she understood or condoned, and something Tonravik could not take seriously. Recreational? What did that even mean? Her lack of knowledge in verbs, adverbs, nouns, adjectives, and other wordy things were only obnoxious when posed with questions like this. So long as he knew that he'd have nothing to use between his legs by the end of it needed little more explaining. 

As for outsiders, "The Spine is affiliated with none." More trouble than it was worth. "Trespassers are to be attacked on sight, killed if possible," she informs. "When cubs do come along, those not of the Spine will know not one single inch of my land." Her ears pivot atop her head, the words said loudly for even the any lurkers in the Wood to hear. She trusted he would use his discretion and know how close "too close" was. Of course, she had missed the point of his question: breeding with outsiders. 

She ignored him. He was going to have to get used to that. Of what he knew thus far, this wolf was exceptionally selective and took words at face value. He'd have to not only remember that, but be more selective in his word choice. Keep thing simple and straightforward. She was all business, no doubt he was wearing on her patience, but so long as he had her full attention on their way to the Spine? Yup. He was taking advantage of it.

"Got it. No yielding." Which meant he could be a horny bastard outside of the season. Which was also practically torture because as soon as the heat fell upon any of these women he'd need to head for the hills and make a hermit of himself before he lost one of his best features. He'd seen Toni's teeth. Those puppies were sharp. She'd also mentioned she needed healers so... nope. Not happening. His manhood was staying exactly where it was. 

She missed his inquiry about fornicating with outsiders and jumped straight to pack policy. "Good to know," he murmured, letting her know he'd heard her. Attack anyone who trespassed. Killing made for good bonus points. If children were in the picture security was even more serious. Wait a minute. "Are there plans for children?" he asked, curious. "I don't actually do pups." Like at all. Like. Forget trespassers. He was pretty sure watching kids would end up in death. Either theirs or his own. 

His latest question, and statement, did little to perturb her. While the pack would raise any cubs that might come when they were old enough, Tonravik recalled in her own life not everyone in the pack had been involved in her upbringing. Tonravik herself would be a part of no cubs lives aside from her own. So, to his question, "Yes." and she shrugged at his statement. "You do not need to. Just keep the outsiders away." So neither the Iqniq or the wolves not welcome could do them. 

She had not fallen into heat yet, though the hints of it had come; stress had kept it at bay, given the circumstances, but estrus could and surely would come given her place, now. The leader moved onward, waiting for more words or, better yet, none at all as they journeyed onward. 

Great. There were plans for pups. He should have known. There were always plans for pups. After all, what was a pack without youth? Without a legacy of furballs to primp and train into miniature version of the adults that already lived within the pack. Heh. Miniature Toni's. Those would likely be some of the most grumpy, brooding pups alive. Fur-blobs. He wondered if they'd get nasty if he poked them with a stick. 

Pups were off limits. Check. Chasing away outsiders? "Can do." Easy peasy. Toss out a few snarls. Raise the hackles. Snap a few times. Worst case scenario? Threaten and later pursue the other's demise. Sounded like he'd be able to show off his growly side too. 

"Seriously though," he piped up. She hadn't really answered his earlier question. "You told me what you needed. You never told me what you wanted."