Swiftcurrent Creek Elysium

@njal and @fox

The dewy light of an overcast afternoon faded into dusk as Tuwawi traveled along Swiftcurrent's border besides Njal, moving in tandem at a brisk pace. There was a bounce in her step, well chuffed that they had found each other at last... as well as a particular sharpness reflected in her almond eyes -- cat-like and keen. Now and again the small redhead stole a moment to buffer Njal's peppered shoulder or nip at his neck, savoring his presence with affection. It was a good distraction as they searched for Fox, the alpha who had recently found herself in leadership, unbeknownst to the newcomer, Tuwawi.

She was oblivious of Lethe's tragedy... unaware of Swiftcurrent's inner workings at all. Neverwinter had sheltered her well, and although Tuwawi was prone to weaving in and out of the forest, she had never traveled far enough East to pry. There would be many great things to learn about this new land, and she was hungry for it.

They eased their way across the boundary between home and wilderness, and Njal felt a swelling of confidence as his paws landed upon Swiftcurrent lands. It was bittersweet, but he did not show it. The fact that Lethe had passed so recently still weighed heavily upon the man's spirit, however, he now had Tuwawi. He could focus on her, and leave his grief for later.

The woman's occasional administrations of contact caused him to rumble softly, a pleasant, pleasurable sound. They walked together, with his sturdy short strides, and her quick and long ones; somehow staying in tandem despite the differences in their bodies. He slowed when necessary, but they made good time; slowing to a halt when the heart of the territory was around them. Fox had to be around here somewhere - they were both so eager to find her.

When they halted, Njal turned to his wife and bowed his head to her. He brushed his cheek across her own and nipped lightly at the fur atop her head, preening her with little motions while they waited.

It just so happened that Fox's home was right in the center of her new domain. She had not really planned it that way. She'd just found a good hollow tree and made it her own. Fox was not one for planning, and with the way things were going, she did not think she would ever try to plan. Life was far too unpredictable to do a thing like that. The newly-crowned Alpha had just done a quick sweep of the southern border, and was coming back for a nap before she would head off to the eastern border. It was the last one that needed to be covered in her own urine. The work was exhausting, but she knew that it was what needed to be done.

As she neared the center of Swiftcurrent Creek, there was a mix of strange smells. Njal's smell was not strange, but the fact that it was mixed with somebody she did not know caused her hackles to raise and her lip to curl. When she looked upon him to investigate, the sight was not one she wished to see. In fact, it downright pissed her off. Fox was never one for words when her temper got the best of her, and so the tiny Alpha did what she did best. At full speed, the fireball threw herself at the two, fangs flashing, eyes wide, and she was snarling something fierce.

Not only was there a stranger in her newly-acquired home, but she was taking Njal away from her. Jealousy surged through the girl. Coupled with fierce protection for her home, it was not something anybody should want to face.

The couple peeled from the border and changed course, moving through the heart of Swiftcurrent in good time. Tuwawi lagged slightly, and took the opportunity to inspect the landmarks as they passed, from the gnarled boughs of a rotted tree to the sweet smelling sap of a young pine. All the while a melody of rushing water filled the background from the nearby river for which the territory was named. Along with the sights came the scents, and already Tuwawi could detect some familiar odors that sent her back to the days of Seahawk. However, there were new aromas as well, and she pined to meet those she would soon know as family.

Eventually the wedded pair found themselves at the center, and Njal delicately groomed her crown as they waited. Tuwawi's lids became heavy as her eyes closed, content in that moment. However, the peaceful picture was torn when a savage growl erupted from the bramble, accompanied by a wild flurry of teeth and claws. Tuwawi snapped to, her muscles tightening and coiling as her eyes searched for their assailant. Adrenaline coursed through her veins while reflexes caused the ember to dance away, lips unsheathing pearly blades beneath a blistered scar. The tawny wolf bombarded them in a charge so egregious it made Tuwawi's red mane bristle, her posture evasive and ready to counter defensively.

It was not the welcome she expected. Surely being accompanied by a member of Swiftcurrent's own offered some sanctuary? Tuwawi tempered her own fire, and shot a silver glance to Njal as she tried to understand exactly why they were being berated so. The small woman backpedaled to recollect herself near Njal, ears folded flat out to the side as her ruddy banner curled. It all screamed I don't want to fight, but Tuwawi heavily questioned the judgement of the feral yearling before them, and wondered if her message would permeate.

Njal had a limited understanding towards how women worked. It was a plain fact, but it was there. He was ignorant to the feelings of his new Alpha, even as the peace that he shard with Tuwawi was shattered. When Fox rose in to being before them, she had a snarl painted across her petite features and was wildly out of control - surprising Njal into inaction, which was unlike him. His body grew rigid from the sound alone and he would have defended his wife, but the ingrained loyalty to his leader prevented him.

Tuwawi handled it as best she could, from what he witnessed. As she crunched low and held herself behind him, Njal finally took the cue and wedged his blocky self between the girl and his wife; perplexed and a little irritated by the unwelcome assault. The man's fur bristled slightly but he still resisted the instinctual urge to curl his lip at his Alpha. It wasn't right - but neither was Fox's behaviour.

Njal watched the girl for a moment with a challenging power behind his gaze, lifting himself to posture against the girl, until she calmed down at the very least. With a heavy breath Njal tried to ease the tense situation, but he found himself doubting his words in the back of his mind. "Fox. This is Tuwawi - my wife." Emphasis was placed upon the appropriate word, before he lowered his stance in a subordinate gesture of peace. "We have been separated for some time, but have found one another. I ask that she be given a home here, with me."

He didn't have to say it - but if Fox refused, he was sure to leave this place behind. It was a threat he did not want to make, with all the progress and attachment he had made within Swiftcurrent.

p.s. i love playing pissed off characters. so much fun!

Had her near-double not submitted right then and there, Fox would have attempted to kill her. She did not accept any outsiders within her borders—accompanied or not. When Njal bristled, Fox shot him a warning growl. How dare he attempt to undermine her! The word "wife" was said, and Fox's brows angled downward as her lip curled once more. She made no move to attack, but it was clear through every single inch of her appearance that she was displeased with the whole situation.

“How does one lose a wife?” she shot back at him. Fox knew nothing of romance, companionship, or what the whole mate thing was about, but she had known her parents. They were loyal to each other. From the moment they had sealed the deal, they had never been more than a day's trek from one another... and even that was a rare occurrence. “What kind of fool are you to bring her into the heart of the territory. Nobody except those who are part of the creek should be here. This is our home.”

If feelings had been developing for Njal, they dissipated in that moment. He was an idiot, no smarter than the wolf who paused to ask questions before chasing Fox from her borders in the pine forest.

Tuwawi's tongue rolled over her chops as Njal intercepted the petite female, her face going slack when the imminent danger passed. But the threat was still there and it kept her body high strung, ready to buffer another hostile attack. She remained sheltered behind her husband and took care to stay outside of striking range. Njal was firm in his approach, steadfast in his conviction, and even though Tuwawi could not see his face she knew the expression he painted.

"Fox. This is Tuwawi - my wife. We have been separated for some time, but have found one another. I ask that she be given a home here, with me," he rumbled with more patience and composure than Tuwawi could ever hope for. She looked to the one named Fox, upset and seething. It was a scene all too familiar, and it felt like an old ghost was in their presence. But wait - Njal was asking permission from this girl? Was this Swiftcurrent's leader?

“How does one lose a wife?” Fox snapped, words spiked with more venom than a snakebite. Tuwawi's eyes narrowed as her ears pressed forward. The ignorance Fox exhibited was overwhelming, certainly she knew nothing of this world. “What kind of fool are you to bring her into the heart of the territory. Nobody except those who are part of the creek should be here. This is our home.” At the word fool Tuwawi pressed into Njal's side, and stifled the growl she so wanted to utter... but she knew she would illicit no favors by lashing out. Instead Tuwawi remained quiet, hoping to extinguish some of the chaos that was unfolding.

The man did not move when Fox verbally retaliated, showing him the hurt that she felt in few words. He indeed felt like a fool now, even before she spoke the word - foolish for trusting this child who so clearly was not as strong as she thought herself to be. He had brought Tuwawi in to the heart of the land to find the wandering new Alpha; he had done it out of faith that the woman who served as his other half would be deemed acceptable for their ranks. Njal was irritated by Fox, to be sure. He could not avoid the sensation of frustration that brewed within him, barely contained by the propriety of rank and assumed dominance.

Instead of answer her heated questions, Njal simply watched her. He seethed as patiently as he could, while beside him, Tuwawi pressed closer. While he wanted to turn and comfort his wife, he did not. Fox was of more importance in this moment - her acceptance was what they were after, and that meant her fury needed to be calmed. "Tuwawi is my other half. We are united. If you refuse her, you refuse me, and the pack will suffer for it." There, he had done it. Provided the ultimatum. With a swift deferring glance away from Fox's intense gaze, he settled a dull expression upon the top of her head, and added, "I will escort her to a safe location if you need time to think, Fox." He sounded like a disgruntled parent - but it truly took a lot of Njal's patience and composure not to snap at the new Alpha. It was clear to him that she was only a child, now, and that put a fresh strain on their dwindling relationship.

exit fox! i'm also going to move njal down the ranks, since fox is currently a grumpy bitch. i didn't realize how hot-headed she was. @_@

Fox knew it was unlikely that she could beat Njal if it came down to that, but she also knew that Jinx would back her up. Somehow she doubted that Jinx would allow a trespasser upon their land. If she had known that Njal thought her a child, she would have asked him why he bowed before her as if she was an adult. If he did not like her place in the creek, he had every right to challenge her or leave, if that was his preference. Fox continued to stare hard at the gray Gamma, heeding no mind to the rusty female. She was clearly not an immediate threat, and Fox's problem was more with Njal at the moment.

“You brought a trespasser into our home. It does not matter her relation to you, only to the pack. I can see she is not at fault, as you clearly allowed her to think this was acceptable behavior.” Njal did not seem to understand why Fox was upset. He only thought of himself, not of the pack. His inability to think of others was downright wretched, and Fox made note of it. Should he continue to act as if he was the only one in the creek, Fox would punt his ass out quicker than she could throw an insult.

It was insult to injury for Njal to think that he was the only thing keep this pack together. As if his disappearance would somehow cause them to fade away. Fox still had Jinx by her side, along with a slew of others.

“She is welcome,” huffed Fox before either of them had a chance to respond. Immediately after, she stormed off to finish marking the eastern border as her own.

Turmoil boiled over as Njal and Fox continued their heated exchange. Her husband remained unfazed by the dusty alpha's noxious words, and Tuwawi felt her chest squeeze when he gave the final offer. Remorse was a distant sentiment, and the red woman relished in his unwavering loyalty. This was a secret emotion, however, and she looked to Fox with cooled eyes, waiting for the decision from the yearling alpha while diverting her eyes to a far off sequoia.

She spoke of the pack, and it spurred memories of Tartok... Siku... now there was a wolf who was born to lead: the ebony beast of Seahawk's mountains. Benevolent yet firm, savage yet tamed... the complete opposite of the young wolf who pitched a tantrum before them... who justified a violent assault on her own for bringing his family to the pack. Fox lacked tact, displayed thus far by her absence of eloquence and affinity for verbally assaulting her underlings. Tuwawi looked to her with a leering gaze, convinced of the Swiftucurrent alpha's ineptitude, but all the while remaining silent and unassuming.

As Njal's threat sank in, and Fox's piece was said, the alpha mumbled a curt, “she is welcome,” ('welcomed'... really?) under her breath before turning tail in a huff to attend to other responsibilities. A few moments passed and Tuwawi exhaled, defusing from the tense encounter. She habitually shook herself to help distress as her tongue slid across her inky nose, eyes on Njal with a "what the fuck was that about," expression. She sidled over to him, neck cresting across his broad chin, and glanced to the empty wood of Swiftcurrent in winter.

Up to this point, Njal had considered Fox to be akin to a sister. Or a daughter. Some form of family which he could trust, and put faith in. Yet as the girl continued to fight him on this matter, he felt himself grow distant. Her acceptance of Tuwawi was a quick thing; a few words spat in a huff as she departed from their company. Njal did not watch her go. He stood firm and unmoving while the ruddy creature escaped from the situation.

When Tuwawi exhaled, he finally turned. The tension in the air was still quite strong but it ebbed and lulled as he tried to relax. The expression on her face brought a deep sigh to Njal's lungs, and a small shake of his head. "She will calm down." He muttered as the woman drew close to him. He shared in her heat for a moment, trailing his tired eyes across her perfect face, and reached to nuzzle his nose through the fur of her spine. "I was improper for bringing you here at this time," He admitted next, as he rested his chin atop the woman's fire-streaked skull. Perhaps she did not want to hear him admit it, but it was true.

"We recently lost our Alpha. Lethe-" The name caught upon his tongue and Njal returned to an uneasy silence, although it was short lived. "Everyone is still adjusting. But I couldn't imagine leaving you there," He drew back from Tuwawi now and watched her, his dull gaze unnaturally bright. "You are welcome here. Even if it doesn't seem like it."

Njal's voice was low, his pitch fading, as the words he spoke fell like ash. Tuwawi gave him a knowing look as she listened, understanding the troubles that weighed on her husband's shoulders. Lethe was a familiar name to the Tartokian. No face presented itself within her mind, but there was a gentle whisp of a memory, and so she shared in his grief. Losing a loved leader was a devastating thing -- it helped explain the puzzle that was Fox's rampage. "Mm," she offered, affirming what Njal had said. "I am sorry to hear," she told him in a raspy whisper.

The Russian's masculine skull rested tenderly on her brow. Tuwawi stood perfectly still, welcoming his shelter and protection until he stepped away to address her personally. "Everyone is still adjusting. But I couldn't imagine leaving you there. You are welcome here. Even if it doesn't seem like it," he said, tone lowered on the last sentence, liquid eyes shining gold. Her face softened as she thought, not knowing if she could have endured another year apart. Her gaze met his as she reached out to lick Njal's surly chin, "couldn't dream of it."

She tipped her chin down, "then I stay," she said with a smirk. In the end, they got their results. Tuwawi was now a member of Swiftcurrent, although she felt pressure to carve her niche quickly. Fox seemed to be more turbulent than than pack's namesake, and it didn't forbode well as to what the other members of were like.

"I am happpy, Njal," she admitted to him, "For the first time.. in a long time.. everything is coming together. Speed bumps were bound to happen. And now.. you and I.. here," Her sentences became fragmented -- more so than even her mate's. Regardless, her head tilted as she looked to him with a gentle gaze, "..a life together."

As tumultuous as this new beginning was, Njal found himself thankful for it. The drama was something of an irritation but it would spur them both to work harder, to prove that neither wolf was a waste of resources. Fox was angry at them - at him - but he would find her in a few hours (or days) and talk to her. Everything would settle down. He had enough faith in the new Alpha for that, at the very least.

Tuwawi's responses and physical contact helped to ease him out of a tense frame of mind. Her happiness was paramount, which was... Perhaps, why he had chosen to bring her so deep in to the territory in search of Fox. They had spent such a long time apart that Njal just had to get her accepted. Even if it meant breaking the rules. He rumbled a pleased sound as she spoke. "I will never leave you again." The man promised. He drew close, caressing her softly, placating his remaining nerves with the touch of her body.

A moment later, with a small draw of his chest across her fur and a furrow of her neckfur with his teeth, he drew away - leading her quietly through their new home.

[exit!]

Tuwawi could feel her chest clench out of joy when Njal made his promise. How could the desire to be with someone be so strong as to cause actual biological pain? She smiled, a soft gaze resting upon her husband brimming with trust, and the knowledge that he would stand by his word. He always had. Njal plucked at her red mane affectionately before turning away to guide her deeper into Swiftcurrent. Tuwawi followed close, now, shoulder pressed against his hip as they descended into the winter clad territory, both now apart of the Swiftcurrent Creek pack.

Exit.