Ocean's Breath Plateau ships going down, Captain

For any and all. Sad Olo is sad.

 

She was not herself, he had been told. She was not the wolf she once was before she hit the icy waters which drowned her mind. @Huā had told him this, that @Ying was not Ying any longer and after this, she wandered off like a bird in fluttered flight, off to be seen whenever, wherever...

When Aiolos found this out, that his Captain had been missing, an obvious drive to search for her plagued him. He called to Hua was received only @Atausiq. A stranger. A yearling made to quickly replace Ying's position and be placed over Aiolos' head as the new Leader, mate to Hua's side. He sought out @Ruò whom was the only one left to turn to and yet even her presence was more scarce then ever. He calls for her at her rock den, but she does not come and he does not force himself in. It seemed that coming to live closer with those he cared for only pulled them apart from him.

With a heavy heart, Aiolos leaves, trailing oht along the coast in search for his missing lead. He goes to the place he only knows to go - the plateau. His sanctuary, his former solitary home. Would Ying be here? Would anyone?

she had not slept nor found rest since returning to moonspear. kuktutux toiled outside her ulaq and paused only to eat a morsel of fatted meat from time to time.

revui remained upon her mind, for now the duck had a fear of him. but it was not the mortal terror one might bear for a stranger; kuktutux had convinced herself that the trader would one day appear upon moonspear with a throat full of her name and teeth bared in challenge.

but why would he fight a woman? the logical spirit prevailed, and yet despite its voice she went out to the naked curvature of earth where he had found her. 

no sign of the stonewolf, but a long-limbed red beast was here, and kukutux let out her breath in a sharp inhale at the stranger's sight.

No new scent of Ying could be found here. None of old, either. He rose up the easy incline up the plateau and scoured the area. As he moved he made an appoint to visit the places he once enjoyed visiting when he had spent time here living on his own, guarding a home that would not be. A home he wished to found with a woman which had convinced him easily enough to leave his place in Courtfall. Another place no longer. His thoughts lingered to @Gracious and as though by some fate, his fiery eyes rest upon Kukutux. 

A slight woman, pretty, eyes a bright green like newly sprouted spring grasses and she smelt of sweet grasses too. It took him a moment but, she was familiar to him. A former woman of the Court? He knew he, he realised but her name escaped him probably due to the oddity of it. I've seen you before... He admits as he turns fully round to her and approaches.

the duck did not much care for men these days, less so this one's familiarity. she had come to search for revui, to ask what how he might be persuaded home. it was not him she had found, but this male with soft tongue and gentle eyes. he smelled of the sea, reminding the waterbird of the woman who had once watched over arcturus with her.

"you followed andraste," kukutux answered shyly, keeping her posture demure and protective of her swelling sides. this far outside moonspear's claim, she would not risk a conflict. but he did not seem that type, and was tied to her through the shared memory of the swan. "and courtfall?"

She kept her posture low, unthreatening to not show any sign of confrontation and she holds herself in a protective manner. And it does not take long for him to notice the rounding off of her sides, a growing pregnancy. His head lifts high then, eyes turning around and behind her before falling on her again. A lone little dove was one thing, but a pregnant one too? How unmindful of her consort...

I did. He answers delicately. In fact, he followed Andraste often, feeling a need to protect her as be had felt for many of the females in the Court - @Gracious, @Agana, @Sacnite, @Tundra. All whom which were lost to him now. But then she died and the Court with and I returned to the Sea. Where he had only and truly belonged. And he takes in a deep breath, And you turned to Moonspear? Her scent would reveal.

"she brought me to moonspear, as a trade." kukutux spoke the words stiffly, realizing the weight of them and wishing in no way to dishonor whatever memory of their pale once-queen he held. "i do not believe i heard your voice many times," the girl went on, feeling as if the salt wind might spiral down her throat and carry out the words itself.

she blinked against the lash of it. "i am kukutux." only agana had ever truly known who she had been; that part of the duck had faded with her memories of courtfall and the sting of her last parting with the elf.

His ears fell at her words and he nods, though speaks not up of it. Hopefully, surely, Andraste had asked the little yellow bird before him if she was okay with such a trade and the reasoning behind it? Whichever way, Aiolos supposed it did not matter now. Surely, she was a free woman, able to stay and leave as she pleased. As any woman, for that matter. 

Kukutux. He speaks her odd name and bows his muzzle downward respectfully to her (and even the children which she carried). I am Aiolos. Though they were former Pack they only just finally had the opportunity to formally introduce themselves. 

I used to live here on this plateau for awhile some time ago. Do you want me to show you a place out of the elements to rest? He offered, wondering how long she had been out traveling.

aiolos. she found herself quite grateful that though she had come for revui, it was a gentler figure of familiarity that greeted her now. "i thank you," she said in quiet relief, springmint gaze holding his own for a moment. moonspear was a far trek back, and already the climb and the scour of the sea-winds had fatigued her.

and so she moved to the side of the seafirst man, following silently where he would lead, and turning her gaze upon him as she moved. "where do you make your home now, aiolos?"

He smiles to her thanks, a silent equal thank you returned to her kind gesture. The ivory and cream little woman shifts, coming along to his side as long russet limbs would lead them out from the open vast plain of the plateau where the sea-salted winds whips the earth into the shape which they sought fit. 

On an island just off the coast, east of here. The Empress calls our pack Yuelong. He informs, hoping down into a little ravine nearly hidden in thick mosses and ferns. The rocky cutout was one of the many trails in which rabbit used to navigate throughout the plateau without being spotted by predators. This one happened to be large enough for wolves to trek. I came this way in search of a missing Royal amongst us - Ying. Might you know of her? Moonspesr being allies of Junshi, there was a chance she just might.

ying. "i know that two men of my pack fought for her during ... that time," kukutux finished awkwardly. it was an unseemly thing to bring up, and yet she knew the name only in that regard. "she helped me to look after one of them after he had been wounded."

and yet revui had not taken what the laws of the old gods deemed his own.

she tried not to think of him now, the image of his handsome, cruel face fading before the eye of her mind. "yuelong," kukutux mused, thinking of the unfamiliar word. "i think i met also another woman from that place. what is 'empress?'" she too moved down into the earthscar, happy to be out of the elements.

Aiolos listened on as the creamy woman went onto explain how she knew of Ying. Her words didnt shock Aiolos really. After all, Ying was a quite pretty female and with a good head on her shoulders - proud, dominant, a leader. Surely many men would want to take her as their own and fight for her affections. Regardless, winning the fight or not didnt mean you would be chosen. Aiolos had won enough fights to know that. 

Empress is another word for our leading female, like a Queen. Her name is Hua. He informed, taking a turn and settling down to the ground, motioning his muzzle for Kukutux to settle next to him. Within the crevice here was a dipped and rounded off part of the earth, blanketed by fern and furs. His scent had long since been washed away from here but still the old bed would do fine. And your Alphas, do they have another name for their leadership too? Yuelong had, Courtfall, the Nereides...he was far used to the differences now.

he had certainly found a comfortable place. kuktuux was content to settle next to him, curling into the ferns as her body sought the warmth of her companion. she found aiolos intriguing in a way another man had not been; he had led her here, comforted her, and found a gentle place for her to rest. the man of the sea did not seem to wish anything in return for her presence. in that way he reminded kukutux of a woman's hospitality, though she did not see him as a sister.

wondering at how he had come by his knowledge, she nodded. "alpha," kukutux revealed, "though hydra is like a fierce bear. that is how i think of her. she is like dark ice upon snow, and all of the wolves in moonspear bow to her. and her mate is quiet, but he is a mountain."

realizing she had spoken much, the girl wilted demurely, deferring to aiolos if he would like to talk.

The sea fairing man was happy to have the woman at his side. Reminding her of his pleasant time in Courtfall. It had been the first time he had been treated with a kindness that was not laced with pity or simply out of lustful interests. Aiolos had come here to find a woman of the Nereides, but in the wreckage of the earthquakes, Courtfall had picked Aiolos up and showed him a world where he was not either a gladiatorial slave or a basterd son, either used as a punching bag. Though he would forever think of the sea side as home, he would always cherish his time with those in the seclusion of the vale.

The little woman spoke of her leaders then, simply the term of 'Alpha', the original and true form of lead if not 'Leader' itself. She spoke of them, speaking of the male's silent power and the woman's ferocity. All bowed to them, she said, and Aiolos was left to wonder if they were both revered and feared leaders. 

When she stopped, he smiles, allowing her to know by his soft expression that he was enjoying listening to her. Could you do me a favor then, to pass the message onto your Alphas, that Ying has been missing and if they have any information on her whereabouts, to seek out Yuelong? He wonders, ever hopeful the woman would do this small favor for him. It could save him some time whilst looking elsewhere.

"i will do this thing," she nodded. "i know she is a friend to moonspear." that was how it had seemed, after all, though kukutux would not mind any correction, lulled by his gentle voice and the peaceful nature of the shelter he had found, intrigue budded suddenly, sharply, in her gravid body.

"how do you know to serve another, as if you were wife?" horrified in the next second that she had insulted aiolos, the duck's eyes widened and shame burnt upon her cheeks. "you are not wife but ... you tend as if i was a husband," she finished, and then bit the inside of her jaw in anger that the words had betrayed her a second time.

'I will do this thing'. The way she said it made a small smirk to toy at the corner of his lips. The way she said it reminded him of the Yuelong women and sometimes how they learned to use their common tongue a bit differently. 

Then she asked how he had 'learned to serve like a wife'. Her own widened eyes and flushed cheeks were matched with Aiolos own. His amber eyes then blinking rapidly as Kukutux gathered herself and tried to correct her wording. Which, of course, didnt sound any better. 

I uhhh... well, He spoke, stammering on how to go about explaining that. He didnt feel as though he acted like 'wife' but with what he knew from Ruo, Ying and Hua's way of life, it was the females who were servants to men. Likely, surely, the blonde woman at his side now had known the same. 

Where I came from, before...men are lessers. He started. We serve the woman as protectors, grunt work, and if chosen used for reproduction. We held no rights, no rank, savor what we made up for ourselves. Woman are the superior sex, after all. And as he spoke it, it sounded cruel, unfair as obvious, but the last sentence still made it obvious although he had not enjoyed that way of being inferior he yet still believed woman to be above him when it came to placement in this world.

despite her blunder, kukutux found herself fascinated by the vision of the world aiolos created. men, subservient to women? a flush came to her cheek to realize what he meant by reproduction. a confounding word with a clear meaning. "i did not know there was such a place," she expressed in a tone of vague horror. "in my home, a woman could refuse a man who wished to marry her. but once she became his wife, she belonged to him."

"sometimes a man who was not satisfied with one wife could take another," kukutux flew on, still dazzled and perturbed by the concept of males being below women. her voice stopped a moment. "my ways are only my ways. i remain a stranger here. even my husband will not entertain the idea, despite the fact that we cannot —"

she trailed off, swallowed. "i knew a woman in the vale. kalika. she said she was of 'nereides.' she spoke of the sea. she said i did not speak as a woman should." the unspoken question hung in the air, and slowly the duck returned her shy gaze to aiolos.

Kukutux explained that at least, until a woman have herself to a man, they were free. Freedom was not ever exactly a thing where he came from. If it wasnt from the sirens, it was his much more poor upbringing before that. There was no such thing as refusing a woman with the Nereides, not without punishment. But they didnt take us as husbands, only consorts for that paticular season. He figured it was another way of power. That they didnt need to take a mate, that they didnt need to choose any man. Thry could pick whoever they wanted, whenever, at any given time. 

She trailed off then as she mentioned something else... Cannot? Cannot what? If her husband was worried that Kukutux could not be a good wife because she could not reproduce well, that obvious was not the case. A reminder as his amber attention turned over her swelled belly. He didnt ask, however. Not yet at least. I cant say I've ever met someone who practices the same tradition I grew up with around here either. It took me some time, but that's good, really. I didnt ever think I'd accomplish or have what I have now. A placement in the ranks and even holding a leading placement. An equal to some, higher in position with others enough to direct command. Of course most importantly, a child which he could raise and call his own and a boy which would have otherwise been executed on the other island which he had once lived. 

Suddenly then, the mention of Kalika caused his lips to pull in a hard line. His eyes softening and his ears falling back a moment. I knew her... Well, actually...or so he had thought so. That is why I had come here, found this plateau on the coast. It was to be our home, a place for our kind. He had reunited with Ovid, Elektra, but then...But when I returned, Courtfall was in shambles and she was gone. Along with all he has worked towards. Along with his former packmates and along with whatever children Kalika could have been carrying. He guessed, no- he was certain, it had been for the better of it now. Still, it hurt to think about, that much was obvious.

the rise and fall of aiolos' pleasant, cadenced voice carved an image for kukutux that was at once both wondrous and horrible. women using men for the production of children. could they capture the essence of a man if they made him a slave? her mother had murmured that a woman swallowed the spirit of the man who was closest and unrelated. that was why it was the sickness that alerted one to growing new life: the spirits battled in the belly, and if she was to be mother, grew there into her young. "a wife cannot refuse," she said vaguely. "but we had the protection of our own home. that was not so for you."

that was the taboo. she could not lie with her husband while she carried children. but he would take no wife for his own pleasure, and kukutux often worried that he might come to wish it. one day. "have you discovered joy here, then? you are free to do as you wish. and you have the sea so close." perhaps that was what he found delightful, this gentle man who had once been so bound. but did he wish to be unchained?

a woman with an overwhelmed totem. jarilo had been the closest man. it must have been he who gave a shard of his soul to sprout within. as if summoned, the children kicked in their small ripples, and kukutux looked down herself. eyes watched the small play of movement, and then she returned her spring-grass gaze to aiolos.

he had changed upon the mention of kalika, and the girl paled somewhat, ears splaying as the man recounted his connection with the sea-woman. "i am sorry, aiolos," she murmured. "i did not mean to press upon a wound in the heart."

His ears flickered to her first set of words, only a silent nod being offered. Of course, the siren women had their own 'favorite pets' but down when it came to it, that is simply what they only were - pets. 

Giving his skull a shake, he broke out of that reminder and moved on forward. I have. He said with a smile. I admit it took me some time, without having direction or strict rules. But then @Hua and @Ying gave me purpose and rank. Gave me work, missions, responsibilities... But unlike before, I'm trusted with them, respected, admired... He laughs a bit, finding himself this time rambling off. But high positions or not, my views havent changed much. Women will always be seen in higher regard to me then men, and for many reasons. After all, many men, and like he had been (and could have been still) were filled with angry desire. They often were too brash, didnt think things through, threw their weight around, messy. Woman led far better, at least from what he had so far experienced- the Nereides, Andraste, Hua, Ying...

No, that's okay - I'm fine. He said, pressing a sheepish expression over his features as he met her gaze once more. He too, had turned his attention to the womans womb. She was a women of the Nereides, powerful, determined, prideful. Any woman could fall for her and I did. But I imagine if things worked out and if we had pups, I'd still be a low male in the eyes of her people. I'd still have no place as father, no place as mate, or any place at all really. 

I have a pup on the way myself, actually... or pups, I dont know. He shrugged and his tail thumped the earth next to him.

such an emotional place aiolos placed kukutux. she found herself silent a second time, stricken with the images that his words created. how could such a place exist? and how had he found his way out of it? in many ways it seemed similar to her own world, though kukutux did not think she would have spoken so openly about it.

to the man's revelation, the moondrop's tail sounded gently against the earth. "that is a good thing. you seem ... you are a good man," she declared, though with a new firmness to her voice. he had engendered so when he had proven himself to have a nurturing heart, with no request of kukutux. no demand for repayment. "i am glad you are here," she murmured, ears sidling downward with a sudden shyness. "she was ... powerful. but not kind. you are kind, aiolos."

and now he would be father. the duck felt that he had earned it, for all the trials he had suffered during his younger times. beneath the redgold of his brilliant pelt beat a godblessed heart, and kukutux felt secure in the goodness of his presence. eventually, however, she glanced toward the higher place they had left, shifted. "my husband will be worried," and it gave her a sense of rightness to say such words.

We could fade soon, if you'd like? Im really enjoying these two.

Thank you... He spoke, breathless as the words whispered from parted creamy jaws. His amber attention passing over the golden blonde female and a smile touches his features at her display of shyness. I'm happy to have run into you again, Kukutux. Really I am. His eyes kept to hers with a bit of intensity, making his words solidified. She too was a good woman, a very sweet, polite and gentle hearted woman. He could only hope despite having been traded into Moonspear per an arrangement that she now found happiness amongst them and of course, with her mate. Aiolos had yet to have one. Had yet to think Ruo would ever take him as such. But maybe, someday...

His eyes then left her face to follow where her own atteention-back to the mountains, so easily seen up here on the plateau without any forestry covering your view of them. If your feeling up to it, I can escort you back? Perhaps not all the way, yet close enough to insure she would make it back safely and far enough not to step on any toes, especially by her mate.

yes ofc! i love them too; we should def have an updated thread <3

aiolos seemed to warm as if he were a piece of the sun itself. kukutux was dazzled by the open expressions that passed over his countenance. he was a different sort of man, and the duck was realizing that she prized the vulnerability in who she had once seen as a rougher kind. "i am, as well. it was good to speak of old things. and new things," she added, genuine in the light of her own springjade gaze.

"please. i would like to walk with you, aiolos," the round-sided snowbird answered softly, gathering herself slowly to small paws. the extra weight caused her to list; kuktutux steadied herself with a backward step and dipped her head demurely in deference to aiolos, prepared to be led upward once more.

Already got an area picked out. :) Last for me here for this one.

Aiolos couldn't have imagined how much he would have enjoyed his time here, on the Plateau, with this little yellowed woman. It only made him think more so that this place up high with the ocean in its front yard, was special, at least very much so to him. 

It was not often he was able to have  conversation like this, given his constant drive to do his best at work for his pack, his recent determination to find Ying and of course, a pregnant woman which he cared for much back home which he consistently tried to care for by bringing food to her ready. 

He knew, however, much as Kukutux did, he would have to return home and sooner then later. He lifted then along with her, pulling himself up the incline of the gully they rested in. He would travel as fast as she'd like, pausing to stop as needed and offer her his side when the earth became rocky. With the mountain's foothills before them and the scent of Moonspear thick in the air, Aiolos bid his farewell with a dip of his muzzle and touch to her cheek with snout. Then, he too made way back home.