Northstar Vale Complaining is Verbal Littering

These poor mountains could use a little more post love... Anyone's welcome!

Those cliffs were a bitch to climb. Seriously. He didn't remember crossing that range to be so fucking rough before. Either he'd just picked a bad spot this time or the world was out to get him. He was betting on the world. Something told him his luck was about to run out. This lone wolf thing would only last for so long until something or someone else changed that. He didn't know what yet, but he had this sneaky suspicion the winds would change. It was time to enjoy his freedom while it continued to last. 

He was starting to feel a lot like Sisyphus. Save for the giant bolder the guy was cursed to carry, Kero was starting to get a little tired of this up the mountain, down the mountain kind of traveling. First one way. Then back another. The exercise was great in the long term, but in the short term it was mentally and physically exhausting. He'd ventured to the top once more only to realize continuing would lead him to the base of a valley between yet another large hill (aka mountain). Oh well. For as long as he was gonna be here, he might as well explore. 

Kero descended into the valley. Down was a significantly easier direction to travel than up. Sort of. It worked different muscle groups which lead him to believing he'd sleep extremely well tonight. Until then, he had this valley to explore and a whole day to do it in. Maybe two if he liked it enough to linger. 

The mountain trees thickened as he drifted deeper into the valley. The ground leveled, releasing him to a lush forest that hummed with wildlife and lots of it. Birds chirped. Weasels, mice and voles scampered here and there. A small family of rabbits hopped nearby as though they were unfazed by the presence of a predator such as he. It was curious behavior and then he discovered the stream. A beautiful flowing water source that was gentle and pure. And delicious. Just and drink and the freshness of the snowmelt was like a taste of heaven. 

This place was paradise.

  The snow wolf was quite pleased with herself. She was finally at peace to know that her sister was still alive and doing well too. She could've asked to join that Pack, but no, she had to carve a new story for herself. Now that she knows where her little Moon is, her mind was lost. The girl hadn't known where to head, so she headed north to see where the land would take her. Mountains. Not the best thing in the world. For a while she had been traveling up and down, up and down, up and down. But finally the mountains disappeared and a thick forest formed.

 Light blue eyes scanned the area, searching for any sort of threat. This place seemed a bit too nice for her taste. She caught an orange glow in the distance and headed for it. It was a wolf, but luckily had no Pack scent on him. Good. There wasn't any waiting drama. She went up a bit closer. "Hello."

His head lowered to the stream. Water was a wonderful thing. This water was an amazingly wonderful thing. So clear. So fresh. He lapped up quite a bit of it until he had dribbles running down his chin. Lifting his head, his tongue made quick work of cleaning up the mess and he was presentable once more. Now... for another drink or not? He debated it, staring at the water and decided to go for it. Ooop. Bad idea. Brain freeze.

Kero winced, stepping away from the water as he pressed his eyes closed and fought through the initial head rush. Too fast and too cold. Well, then. He had been a bit hasty now hadn't he?

His mind was distracted, focused on casting away that initial pain. He almost didn't notice another wolf join him until a light shadow crossed into his peripheral and whispered a hello. He cleared his head and glanced upward, turning his crown to gaze upon the white female who'd chanced this vibrant vale. "Well, hey there," he greeted. "Fancy meeting someone in a hidden little hole like this. You live here, or just happen upon the place?"

  She chuckled in amusement as the wolf had a brain freeze, wincing at the shock of pain. It didn't seem like he noticed her until she had greeted him. She listened to his words. "Afraid I do not. I came up north after visiting my sister. Happened to stumble upon this place." The snow wolf lied down on the ground, looking up at the male. "Do you live here?"

He tipped his head aside as he listened. It was a small marvel that his brain freeze had passed. The world was a lot less nicer without the pain and it made for far easier listening. She was quick to reveal much about herself. Family in the area. Visiting, but not staying. He was curious as to why that might be. Wolves tended to be big on family. Then again he'd left all of his behind, so he couldn't speak to that.

"She nearby?" he asked. It seemed like the polite thing to inquire about. Then again, he knew for himself that not much was around this particular save more mountains in every direction. It seemed as if this forest was very much isolated from the rest of the world. "This place seems kind of out of the way..."

His thoughts drifted as she settled on the ground. Kero took a step back. It wasn't every day that someone just made their self at home without any kind of warning and certainly not in front of strangers. His eyes narrowed, not quite sure what to make of the gesture, but as it was nonthreatening, he eventually resigned himself to sitting down too. 

"No. I don't live here," he said, suddenly realizing his ear itched. He leaned over and lifted a hind paw to scratch at it. "I live anywhere I want."

Hello! *wiggle*

Zhavvi trotted up the mountain to the vale where she always trained with Kivi. Surely they didn't have a training today but she liked to be there, away from her Khalas. The female noticed she was getting better with climbing mountains. She could feel her muscle forming too, which she liked even more. As she gotten into the vale she noticed a familiar scent, instantly she was reminded of the red male. She stalked forward and noticed that he was talking to a pale female. Luckily for her the female left.

Zhavvi stalked forward and then nipped his butt in a playful manner, that was their way of greeting each other she decided now. Her tail wagged as she walked towards his face. They hadn't even exchanged names had they? Maybe she should try and tell the male her name this time. Her green eyes having an excited glint in her eyes.

Yay! Thanks for joining!

-waves a magic wand to make this thread happen after Winds of Change-

The female he was speaking to drifted away. Her white bodice seemed to dissipate, drifting away like a ghost upon the wind as their words were lost to quiet musing of times now long forgotten. He stared at the subtle stream, contemplating life and a number of other things he'd not foreseen nor anticipated for himself. Time turned. Time repeated. Time trapped.

He was not sure how long he was left sitting before a familiar scent drifted through the air. Like a dream, he ignored it until reality bit him on the ass. He jumped, turning to face her with a growl before she realized she was here in totality. The plains wolf. The one where their spar had turned into a somewhat crass playtime. Not the one who tempted her fate, but the younger far who'd seemed all to serious until she'd finally lightened up.

His face cleared relaxing as his features shifted to form a casual grin. His tail waved behind him, his tongue lolling a bit as he nipped her shoulder her lightly with his teeth. "You again," he spoke before he remembered they didn't share the same tongue. "Ava'yorn." He remembered the word the other plains female had taught him and he spoke it now. It felt strange upon his tongue and he was uncertain of its meaning, but he hoped it would suffice. Either way, she seemed please to see him again. That was enough for him.

Welcome! <3

Zhavvi's tail wagged gently behind her as she saw that the male recognized her. She was nipped back, not making any effort to dodge it. The male was allowed to nip her, Zhavvi decided. The younger female looked surprised when he spoke her tongue or well, greeted her in her tongue. Zhavvi thought that he couldn't speak her language but it seemed he knew at least how to say hello. She greeted him back. "Ava'yorn," she spoke and hummed. Her pronunciation was a bit better but she could understand what he meant to say to her.

"Juwwee Agaaainn," she repeated, thinking it meant 'Hello'. But she couldn't be more wrong. She looked damn pleased with herself to even try and speak the words. She wanted to know if he knew any other words from her language. "Zhavvi," she then spoke. She pointed her nose a bit to her chest. "Zhavvi," she repeated. Then her paw moved up to push against his chest, trying to ask his name.

She repeated the strange word back to him. It seemed more natural on her tongue, but it was still different upon his ears. Just one word and he felt as though he'd opened the door to some sort of parallel world where he could only ever glimpse inside.

Her attempt at repeating his earlier statement confused him. Oh. She thought–. Kero shook his head. "Ava'yorn, hello. Hello, Ava'yorn." it was the extent of his knowledge of their tongue. Oh. Except for the name the other female' tried to give him. What was that word again?

As he thought on it, she stole his attention as she pointed to herself and repeated a name. "Shaggy?" he attempted associating her name with the closest name he knew that seemed comparable in his mind. She repeated it again. Well now. He'd pretty much butchered that one now hadn't he? "Zhavvi?" he tried again before she poked his chest. Oh! His turn. And suddenly he remembered what she'd called him. "Tzarafar," he said with a shrug. He had no idea what it meant, but he could run with it.

Zhavvi looked surprised when there was a different word used for greeting. She repeated the word in her head instead first and then spoke it out loud. "Heellow,' she repeated not really sounding like she wanted it to sound but she was pleased nevertheless. She shook her head instantly when the male didn't say her name right. "Za--viiii," she spoke slower and trying to get the pronunciation right. "Zhavvi," she then repeated once more.

She looked up surprised when the male said such a random word. She tipped her head and chuckled. Did he just call himself asshole? The girl looked amused. Zhavvi shook her head as saying that that couldn't be his name. As much as she liked to call him asshole she would like to know his real name for a reason. She moved her paw against his test agains in a surprisingly gentle manner. "Majak ve dout ominak, Charir Ir."

Not bad. She'd repeated a greeting in the common tongue almost perfectly if you didn't account for the accent. He nodded, grinning as his tail waved behind him in an expression of praise. She'd done well. Him? Oh gosh. He'd destroyed her name. She tried again, saying it more slowly and breaking it out into syllables. There were only two. He could do this. "Zhaaa-vvii," he said again but more slowly. He paused for a moment, glancing at her to confirm this was correct before saying it again, but faster. "Zhavvi." Interesting name, but equally as exotic as she was. Cool.

The look on her face when he called himself by that word, name, thing made him realize the other plain's girl had definitely been pulling his leg. He'd figured as much, but if Zhavvi was laughing at his slip-up now, at least the nickname hadn't been entirely in vain. Nevertheless, her head shake dismissed the word and she came back around to him, tapping his chest again as she riddled off a chain of words that sounded mesmerizing upon the air. "Kero," he said, slipping his nose beneath her chin and nudging it a bit before he lifted a paw to his chest and repeated his name more slowly. "Ker-o."

Zhavvi was utterly pleased when he spoke her name well. She trotted forward and gave him a lick over his cheek as a praise because who wouldn't want to be kissed by a girl right?? Zhavvi then sat down and listened to what the red wolf had to say. It seemed he understood they were exchanging names and smiled when she heard his name. She would love to keep call him asshole but he wasn't really one so, that wouldn't be a fitting name. Her ears perked up cutely when he spoke his name. Kero. That didn't sound too difficult.

She hummed softly at the close contact and quirked up her lips. "Kero," she repeated with a bit of an accent but it was barely hearable. Her tail wagged. She gave him a friendly nod, as saying; Nice to meet you. The girl then sat down, battering her eye lashes at the male. He was rather exciting and so... new and mysterious. She couldn't really ask more about him because they didn't speak the same tongue. But they did exchange names which was good. She send him a bit of a flirty smile, trying to see how much impact it would have.

Ah-ha! He had done that right. Her confirmation in the form of a quick kiss was proof enough of that. "Zhavvi," he said again, teasing this time as celebrated his own private accomplishment in figuring out what he was supposed to call this tawny wolf. He beamed, grinning from ear to ear as she seated herself and took her turn and repeating his own name. After a moment she replied. Save for the subtle accent that made his name sound just a little bit better on his own ears, it was perfect. He gave a tail wag and returned a lick to her muzzle. Bravo.

Introductions in place, he was uncertain as to where to go from here. The trickling of the stream caught his attention as she batted her eyelashes at him. Oblivious, he stepped into the water and pointed at it. "Water," he said, introducing the word. "Wa-ter." He dragged a paw through it and kicked water up in her direction. "Splash." He did it again, prancing through the stream as he nudged her shoulder with his head then splashed her again. "Splash." His tail wove.

Sorry my muse for Zhavvi was like running for the hills the last few days!

Zhavvi was already a proud being and for Kero to say her name right was very much appreciated. The younger girl watched the other male. Water... Hmm. Okay, water. She got that part. Splash was the flying water right? She stepped a bit back before the splash could hit her. Being born and raised on golden plains swimming wasn't really part of her education. But she did like water as long as she had ground under her paws. This stream didn't look too deep. The girl then trotted forward and jumped in, close to Kero, so now they were both wet by the splash. Zhavvi laughed. "Water Splash!," she called out.

Instantly she went in attack making sure Kero would be the wettest of them too, this was also great to mask Kero's scent in her fur. Zhavvi was more than happy about that. She didn't want her father to find out and skin this nice local alive. He could see him use it as a rug or a doormat. That wasn't a nice thought. Zhavvi quickly focusses on Kero since he was a nice thought. She liked being around him with was saying a lot since she disliked her own family more than him.

No worries! Totally know how that goes. My Kero muse is always rampant. >.>

The stream was quaint and not too high. It rose only just above his ankles and was plenty easy to prance around in without any sort of need for swimming. Perfect for splashing, teasing, and teaching small words that would further expand her vocabulary. Water was important after all. Now she could ask about lakes or streams and the like. Splash? That one was just for fun.

He laughed. She pronounced these words just as easily as before. It seemed she had a natural talent for language. And for dodging and splashing back.

He was wet. Not everywhere, as there wasn't quite enough water to go around, but enough to cause the edges of his fur to gather like the quills of a porcupine. He shook his pelt as she splashed him some more, then paused and looked towards him. He shook again before an idea hit him.

"Run with me," he said tipping his head aside as he splashed a few paces through the water and turned back to look at her. "Run." He moved his legs, miming the motion it took to run. "With." He took a few paces towards her and brushed his side against her own. "Me." He lifted a paw to his chest to indicate himself. He tipped his head again, gesturing further up the small creek. "Run with me."

It would be much easier if Kero just started to run because then Zhavvi would definitely follow the male. But perhaps now it was more a invitation rather than him just running away. The girl watched the other male with a curious expression. She didn't really get was 'Run' was. She tipped her head but once the male started to do the running she got it. So he wanted to run with her? Zhavvi grinned and then sped past him with a laugh.

She did look over her shoulder for a moment. Since Zhavvi knew that she was incredibly fast. She barely had any weight to carry anyways. Her light frame was used to running long distances for long periods of time. Zhavvi therefor didn't used her full speed because then the male might not keep up with her. She twirled around. "Hurry up," she spoke in Dorthan.

He explained himself and she picked up quickly. Like literally. She sped off and ran at a speed he would never be able to keep up considering his size. He pushed anyway, pressing after her as he padded through the stream. Paw over paw, he eventually slipped back onto the forest floor so he could gain a little more traction.

After a while, she glanced over her shoulder, peering back at him long enough to slow so that he might catch up. He snapped playfully at her tail, nipping at her heels to encourage her into showing off a burst of that true speed she held. She was holding herself back. He knew. "Be free," he murmured between breaths as he followed at his own pace.

They are so cute?! Like.. ahhh. I wanna cuddle them both. XD

Zhavvi normally didn't think of others but she did when she looked over her shoulder to wait for her friend Kero. Yet, once the male nipped at her heels she made a jump start and sped up. She didn't know what the words meant he spoke of but if she would know what they had meant she couldn't agree more. Zhavvi's only dream was to be free and explore. Although it was also difficult for her to leave her family behind. She would break her father's heart even though he was controlling as hell.

The slender girl let out a howl of pleasure before she showed her true pace in a clearing, speeding up like she was just jogging before. She made a big turn in the clearing though, running back towards the slower male at almost a dangerous speed, the speed Zhavvi liked. The female slowly started to circle him and herd him a bit like they would do with their bison. The herd they protected. Technically they were nomads always traveling with their bison. Zhavvi wasn't even sure she could settle in a pack that would stay in one place. Eventually she stopped, panting heavily. "Wux re d'nag," she let out through her panting and then licked over his cheek to show what her words meant. After that she promptly snuggled herself against him.

Even if his words held no meaning upon her ears, she seemed to understand his message. She picked up her feet, increasing her pace until she was but a blur upon the wind. Her speed was incredible. He admired it, even as he loped along behind her at his own rate which suddenly seemed incredibly slow. If he was getting fat, he'd have to work on his cardio, but that was for another day.

They broke into a clearing and she circled him, herding him as she might on some kind of hunt. He played with her for a while, making it a more challenging endeavor until finally she grew bored and stope. Kero paused in the chase and slowed, glancing towards her as she ran her tongue across his cheek. Well that was certainly unexpected. His eye widened as she turned, rubbing her fur against his own as she pressed herself against his side.

He tucked his nose beneath her muzzle, lifting it slightly as he nosed through the soft fur of her cheeks. He had no idea what she'd said, but it didn't seem to matter. They were somehow communicating through body language and that was enough. She was fun. Or could be, if she lowered her guard long enough to relax. She was learning.

I guess this is dated before he mated Tonravik haha.

Zhavvi hummed softly, always liking the element of surprise she had due to her quick feet. The young girl sat against the male and let herself be close to him. She even closed her eyes a bit, which was an actual milestone for Zhavvi to do. She liked this red wolf native. Curious as he was they had their kindred spirits. Zhavvi let out a soft sigh and eventually laid down, still panting softly. She could run fast but it also meant that she needed to recover afterwards. She didn't mind to lie down next to this male she somehow trusted him, and she had no intentions of killing him which was a first. She even thought about killing her uncle, the only other wolves she could get along with. All the others; her father, Zoratto, Kivi and Tomahawk... they were all killed several times in Zhavvi's mind.

The girl wasn't really a nice girl. She was manipulative and cunning. She liked to get her way but for some reason this male was making Zhavvi's better side appear. The playful one and surprisingly affectionate side of her. She was even surprised how affectionate she was towards him at times.

Haha! Yup! I've reworked this timeline to have this thread happen during Kero's weeklong absence from the spine after just discovering Ton's early stages of Heat, but before all the challenges went down.

She pressed against him and eventually her hind paws gave out. Kero glanced down at her, watching as she panted against him before lowering herself to the ground. His own jowls were parted, his tongue rolling between his teeth as he gathered his feet beneath him and lowered his haunches behind. He sat there, lingering as she reclined next to him. She'd run hard. He'd pushed himself in efforts to keep up and could not.

After a few minutes, he caught his breath. Finding it, Kero lowered his front paws and shifted forward on the ground. He rolled, curling his forepaws above his stomach as his hips sake wide. He made himself comfortable on his back and lay there. The position was both vulnerable and somehow playful. He lifted his head and, like a pup, ran soft teeth along her ear.

Thought so <3 Now I can see Zhavvi spy on Kero and see him with Tonravik and get jealous. xD Oooooooo dear. RIP Kero. :P (Just kidding of course)

Zhavvi watched Kero showing off such a vulnerable and playful position. She hummed softly when she felt him nuzzle against her ear. Okay, maybe this was what being nice to someone resulted in. Kero was almost a bit like a mentor for her in showing how to have social behavior. With her father shielding her from everything she learned not to be very social and distrust everyone.

Her slender body moved, her nose nuzzling through the fur on his chest before resting her head there. She slowly relocated it so she was looking through his forepaws with an amused expression. She actually liked the nuzzling and soft nipping behind her ear. It was one of her weak spots. It was almost like her snooze button which was also the reason why she located her head. Kero didn't needed to know that side of her.

Haha! That does change things doesn't it!? LOL. She shows up... After Kivi's episodes, Zhavvi would not have the most welcome of receptions. Eep!

Teeth teased along the edges of her ear. She pulled it from him and nosed through the furs of his chest before lowering her muzzle a top of him. She'd effectively pinned him. Somewhat. He wasn't entirely uncomfortable with the closeness. Turning his head, he looked down his nose and found her staring at him. Well now. He licked her nose before letting his head fall back upon the ground. His jaws parted in a lazy yawn.

He could go for an afternoon nap.

Turning, Kero hooked a paw over her neck as he rolled over to his stomach. The position was awkward. He shifted, tucked both paws beneath him and nosed his muzzle beneath her chin so he might tuck his head under her own. His own chin upon the ground, he lingered there for a moment longer before he found himself uncomfortable. Shifting, he rolled fully onto his side and leaned his back against her, nestling against her lithe frame.

His eyes closed, but his ears listened.

Too late. She is already at the borders now xD She wants more of this lazy snuggle time! :D Last post from me <3

Zhavvi was also slowly dozing in the amazing summer sun, she loved summer. The slender girl woke up slightly as the male shifted but soon dozed off again, not really bothered by her surroundings. Normally she would work hard in this valley to make herself a better fighter but today, she was being lazy with her native friend. She only started to wake up when the sun was close to vanishing behind the mountaintops. A light breeze made her aware that the sun was gone. The girl sat up and then winced as he realized she had been away since this morning. Crap! She would need to go back home. On one hand she didn't really care. On the other hand she wasn't very keen on her father's rage.

The slender girl yawned and got to her feet. She studied the russet male and then glanced at the sundown. She would need to leave. Zhavvi nudged the male and then pointed her nose at the sun. She then stepped back, showing him that she needed to go. Her whole fur smelled of his scent. Oh she was definitely in trouble now. She mouthed a farewell and then vanished in the shadows, leaving the male once more.

I'll archive!

It didn't take him long to slip into a light sleep. Light, if only because in spite of how well he was getting along with this lass, he didn't know her well enough to fully relax. Plus, this was a public setting and he did not quite have the same comforts here as he did within the Spine. He missed it, he realized, but his reasons for being away were sound. Tonravik was in the early stages of heat. He was hoping that would pass by the time he returned.

He dozed, content to sleep off the afternoon sun until he felt her stir aside him. Waking, Kerosene glanced at her as she tried to communicate that it was time for her to go. He nodded, bidding her farewell as he lowered his muzzle back to his own paws and contemplated his predicament. He should keep moving. Perhaps he'd do something silly like wrestle bears under waterfalls.

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