Grouse Thicket Dancing on our feet to an introspective beat

Noon left the Hinterlands in high temperatures, the hot summer sun beating down on the lands beneath it. The wraith hoped for rain, for a respite to the unbearable heat, but none was granted. While others might enjoy the hot summer, she much preferred the autumn and spring, the perfect transitions between bitterly cold and steaming heat. She came this place often, it seemed, but today, instead of exploring the thicket further, perhaps in search of a meal, she had sought shade and merely lain beneath a thick oak, reclining comfortably on her haunches, eyes slitted and panting in the slightest.

It'd been a few days since his acceptance into the Court, but already, the soldier was restless. It seemed that he wasn't used to pack life, especially peaceful pack life without any spars or battles or tactictical plans. Without any use for his knowledge. It wasn't that he wasn't grateful for the home, but he simply felt he could be doing something more useful than patrolling, day after day, sometimes even at night too. So, that morning, Nico rose, did his usual morning routine of some breakfast, then a patrol, before he excused himself from the fledgling lands of his pack and left for a little fresh air. He would be lying if he said he didn't feel a little bit trapped in the Glade, amongst the fancy words of the pack ranks.

It was hot. And the deWinter did not like it at all, for he was, after all, a wolf of the North. Damn, what he would give to be back in the lands of the ice and cold. But he had pledged loyalty to this pack, and unless they didn't make it to creation, he knew he couldn't leave, not just yet. Nico exhaled sharply and trudged through a place which he was somewhat familiar with, but couldn't quick put his paw on. It came to him a moment later, when he saw a familiar figure beneath the shade of an oak. The soldier paused, before emerging from the shadows, green eyes twinkling with warmth as he bowed his head politely. "Didn't think I'll see you again," Nico said, lips tugging upwards in his trademark smile.

A familiar scent danced through the air on a rare breeze, her ears pricked, attentive. Nicolas. Her gaze roamed the tree's, the heat not as prevalent in her thoughts, instead the handsome brute who had been the first to best her since her time in the wilds. Already, she had learned from it, applying the techniques he had used in her teachings, to Burke and Shink and perhaps, someday, the pups. She was close, so close, to earning her specialty, and her gaze was already set on the rank she so longed for; Warlord. 

But pack ranks and other such things were pushed from her mind as Nicolas came into view, drawing her attention with his words and polite bow. She rose to her feet, admiring for the briefest of moments his chiseled figure. She was most definitely not the kind of woman who swooned and awed over males, but Nicolas had certainly drawn her attention, being not only handsome but a proficient fight, great fighter,  and seemingly, from their last meeting, of good character. He most definitely had her interest, and she greeted him warmly. Matching his nod, she replied "Likewise. Though I must say it is good to meet you once again. How does the loner life bode for you?" she asked with a smile, genuinely interested. She had not bothered to examine his scent thoroughly, and had not noticed the scents of others on his pelt as of yet.

Aeronwyn rose with the same quiet grace he remembered from their last encounter and the corner of his lips tugged upwards into his signature, charmingly crooked smile, his green eyes crinkling gently around the corners as she greeted him warmly. Meeting her was like a fresh breath of air, something he hadn't seem to had after a few days in the Glade. He wasn't ungrateful, per se, he was extremely glad for a home of sorts, but a part of him felt that it wasn't the place for him, that regardless, he was going to leave anyways. He hadn't made up his mind about that, yet, but it was disturbing to say the least. He pushed those thoughts away, instead, focused on the pretty girl in front of him, who was both mind-numbingly beautiful and a brilliant fighter on top of that. Gods, what he would do.

Nicolas winced slightly at her words about the loner life, and lifted a shoulder in a shrug. "I've joined a fledgling pack," he told her, expelling a breath out with a sigh. "But I'm not sure it was the right decision. I'm grateful and all, you know, but I just get this feeling, like....I won't belong. That's it not the right place for me. A place with fancy names and Kings and Queens..." he shrugged and sighed, "It's a bit too fancy for a veteran soldier who just really wants to settle down but still be able to spar and fight and...kings? Not really my type, now that I think about it." He didn't know why he was telling her this, she of all wolves. Not that she wasn't nice or anything, but he didn't really know her. But he didn't really know anyone around here either, so, he supposed that she was just as good as any other to talk to about his current predicament. Besides, Nico felt that she could be trusted, and usually when he got that feeling, he was right.

He answered, and to her surprise, honestly and in-depth. He could have, had he wanted to, merely said "meh" and been done with it. But the fact that he confided in her made her feel honoured, and truly drove in the fact that she had changed since coming to Teekon. Had she been the fiend that she was, she doubted that anyone would be civil enough to speak to her, let alone confide such a thing in her. She listened carefully, and was reminded of her first attempt at pack life. But something hit home with her, and she suddenly realized what he was referring too. The Glade. Shit. That he could be a part of them...one of those sheep, following the false King and Queen-but he had said that he felt like he didn't belong, seemed to share her views on the matter. 

This talk of royalty and the stuck-up wolves that led the place led to a fierce dislike for the court, however, her assumption was made with no words other than a subtle, momentary stiffening when she had first realized of where he spoke. Hesitantly, she began to speak, not of her views of the court, but of her own story. "When I first came to the wilds I soon joined a pack.  It seemed perfect, until I realized...they weren't who I thought them to be, nor was I who I had once been. One day, they did something, a horrible, unnecessary thing that had me leave, and forge my own path, pledge my loyalty to those who sought a better home." It was vague, and she skipped a few details, but it held significance to her, and she did not quite know why she told it to Nicolas. It was the same feeling that she had held onto when she had followed her Lord and Lady away from the brotherhood. "Now, I find myself here. My pack, it is one of learning, where one may pursue whatever they wish, and teach others of their own knowledge. It took a while, a few wrong turns, but eventually, I found a place I belong."

She was silent a moment longer, then spoke once more. "I know of the Glade. Of the Queen and the King, of the land they call royal. I have had...meetings, with both them and their followers." She didn't elaborate, not quite sure how to without dumping a whole new load of words on him. In her mind, she had rambled on already too much.

He wouldn't have made it to the rank of Colonel back in Winterhail without using his senses to the best of his abilities. He remembered an old veteran, his trainer who used to tell him that he needed observe, rather than simply look and see, because if he simply saw, then he would overlook the important details. Everything, even the seemingly insignificant details, were important, and what one might think was useless, might be the key to solving the puzzle in the end. He kept this to mind even to this day, even after his mentor died, and it was that training that allowed him to notice Aeronwyn stiffening ever so slightly when he spoke. Nico did not know why, but he assumed it was either because something he said struck a nerve, or she knew what or who he was talking about. Not that it mattered to him..yet, so he didn't mention it.

Instead, Nico listened quietly as the pale fae began speaking, telling her own story. She spoke of the first time she arrived in these Wilds and joined a pack which seemed perfect up until she realised that they were not who she thought they would be and when they did something horrible, she left, pledging her loyalty to those who wished for a better home. Nico listened intently, even though he knew that her story was missing details - he didn't push, he, by no means, had any right to interrogate her on her personal life. In a way, he was glad she even bothered listening and offering him stories and advice in first place. Aeronwyn continued her story to present day, telling him that she'd found a pack where she belonged, a place of learning and teaching but most importantly that despite a few wrong turns, she found somewhere where she was needed and where she wanted to be.

Nico stared at her curiously and took a few steps closer to her before stopping, aware that she might not like to get close to him. Instead, he offered her one of his few genuine smiles that spread along the length of his face and lightened up his somewhat haunted green eyes, "Thank you," he murmured sincerely, hoping that his eyes and his expression would somehow convey the gratefulness he felt at her for sharing her story, for trusting him, a former soldier and spy and perhaps, for giving him, some well needed advice. Yet he still didn't know what to do with his current predicament. She opened her maw then, and told him that she knew of his pack and of his superiors, their royal land and that she had encounters with them. She didn't elaborate, but Nico could tell.

"You knew them, you know them," Nicolas tilted his head in a way a bird of prey may look at their target before diving in for the kill, but there was no malice in his eyes, or bitterness in his face, but rather, open curiousity. "Let me guess," the corner of his lip tugged upward into a crooked smile, "it wasn't a good encounter and you disliked it...them." He fixed his gaze on her gently and breathed quietly, before shaking his head and taking a small step back, "I'm so sorry for dumping this bullshit on you. You don't deserve to be burdened with my crap, I mean, wow, I'm an idiot, such an idiot." He took another step back.

He approached, she let him, quietly, though wary. But he thanked her, earnest and sincere, and she relaxed in the slightest. None of her tension was visible, for this time she controlled her emotions and thoughts well, and oddly, she truly wasn't all that bothered. Had this been another, she certainly would have retreated with a hiss and a glare, but such was her interest in him that, unless he tried to get to close or attack, which she found unlikely, she would tolerate it. 

But then he seemed to figure out her words, lending her a moment of unease; but there was no malice in his gaze nor his words, and she carefully admitted some of the truth. "You guess truly. Let's just say some poorly marked borders and anger on my part spurred off a meeting I would rather not repeat at the moment. Thus, my relationship with your pack is...strained." she said, rare mirth in her gaze for a moment. She wondered if loyalty to the King and Queen would compel him to attack her, and for a moment the unease returned, however, it was shattered by his next words.

Her eyes were stormy as she let her gaze fall on him, not a challenge, but firm reassurance. "You are no such thing. You are bold, to confront the worries you face, admit them, instead of hiding them behind you and continuing on regardless. You have not wronged me, by sharing these things with me, you have honoured me. Your thoughts are no bullshit, they are true to you, and they are significant. One will struggle, to find the place they belong, but it is a wonder to finally find it." Her stance was proud, drawn up as she delivered these words to him, firm but not at all unkind. She truly hoped that she would make a friend in him, was honoured at the trust he placed in her. She hoped, for his sake, that he would find a place he belonged.

The small smile grew into a grin as Aeronwyn admitted that her relationship with Royal Fire Court was strained because of her anger and poorly marked borders. He laughed softly, a gentle noise that rumbled from his chest, "I'm going to assume by 'strained', you mean 'almost irreparable'," but there no vitriol in his tone but amusement, and like her, his eyes danced with mirth, something that hadn't happened in a while. It would be a lie on his part if he said he didn't miss it, or that he didn't miss being able to talk to someone with such ease.

But once he apologised, her silver eyes turned dark like a storm and she fixed her eyes on him firmly. The smile slowly faded from his face as his green orbs turned guarded. Contrary to his expectations, she did not yell or chastise, but reassured him that he, apparently, was not an idiot but that he was bold to confront his worries and admit them instead of hiding behind it. She said that his thoughts weren't bullshit but that they were true to him and thus, significant. Her last sentence in her speech spoke of struggle, but that it would be a wonder to finally find a place where one belonged. Nico's gaze grew wistful. The last place where the deWinter felt he belonged was in Winterhail, but now he'd left, and a small part of him wondered if he would ever find somewhere that felt like true home again.

He pulled himself back into reality and his gaze lightened, noting the proud stance she'd used to deliver the words and chuckled softly, hanging his head for a moment before lifting it up again, smiling at her. "I would have hugged you if I didn't think you would hate me for it," Nico said, "and," he flashed her one of his more charming smiles then, "you look beautiful, more than usual, when you're all proud and lecturing me like that." His eyes gleamed with a teasing glint, but he hoped he hadn't offended her with his last sentence, as he had meant for it to be a compliment, even though it wasn't one of the best he'd delivered. "But really, thank you, I mean it." He tilted his head thoughtfully, "Maybe I should leave the king's pack, but I dunno, I've sworn loyalty."

She watched, as his expression went from on of mirth to one guarded, and finally wistful. Her speech seemed to take effect, as he replied that he might like to hug her. She didn't quite know how she felt about that, but her posture relaxed from the proud stance she had held and a small smile flitted across her maw. She was about to reply when he spoke again, the words striking a chord. 
"you look beautiful, more than usual, when you're all proud and lecturing me like that."

The wraith had never been told that she was beautiful, never been flirted with like this before. Sure, she had had admirers in the past, and she knew it. None of them had drawn her interest, drawn it as Nico had...but the blunt proclamation of her beauty made her something she had never been for a long, long time. Flustered. Always in perfect control of her emotions, threats, attacks, cruelty; they bounced of her like she was made of stone. 

So then, in a brief moment, her defenses dropped. Her muzzle made a tiny "o" as she struggled for words, mind reeling at the oddness of this situation. But he continued speaking soon after, and after she had made the tiniest little squeak did she pull herself together, emotions reeled back in a bottled up carefully, though her lapse had been...alarming. He spoke of his King again, and after a brief pause, she said carefully, lest any emotion spill over again. "Loyalty is a thing that is gained over time, born from respect and closeness. Speak to this king perhaps, if you so seek to leave, tell him of your woes. Speak to him, if only to say goodbye, for fleeing in silence is no way to leave." Her tone was smooth and even, and her expression her normal one once again, not the brief, flustered fool she had been a moment ago. But the event, the simple words, had toppled her facade, if only for a moment, and she had a feeling that the other new it.

He watched, a flicker of amusement flitting through his vibrant green eyes as the words he spoke registered in her head. She looked flustered, her muzzle dropping, forming a small 'o' and she fell silent, seemingly struggling to find words. To save her from further embarassment, Nico spoke once more, but watched her carefully as she pulled herself together with a small sqeak. Damn, pretty and cute. The boy tilted his head; he sensed from what he'd just saw that she was unfamiliar with flirting, did not know how to respond to compliments such as his own. He did not find that innocence in this area unappealing, as another wolf might, but rather, the opposite. It made her a bit more alluring, in a way.

Nico shook the thoughts away. Unless, somehow, they ended up in the same packs, he doubted he would ever have a chance with her, what with her being...well, who she was, strong and pretty. No doubt she would have loads of suitors. Besides, it wasn't like he knew her, right? They'd met a total of two times, he knew next to nothing about Aeronwyn other than her being a brilliant warrior, a wolf who used somewhat formal wording, some of her life story and that she was a pack wolf. Nothing, basically. For all he knew, she might secretly be some sort of person who had an obsession with corpses. Okay, she didn't seem like that type of wolf, but you get the point. Besides, it wasn't like she was the only girl on the planet.

Nico smiled at her, "If I do leave," he began, his tone thoughtful. "What are the chances of, let's say, me joining your pack, Aeronwyn?" the corner of his lip quirked upwards teasingly as his eyes glittered.

He noticed her slip, that much was obvious, but said nothing of it, which made her glad. She didn't want to speak of that, not in the slightest, that odd, nervous feeling she had had. She was a Warlord (Well, almost), a warrior. Warlords did not get...flustered. Nico was true in the thought that she had little experience with this flirting, her skillset was vastly different. She shook the incident from her mind, resolving not to make such a slip in the future. 

Luckily for Nico, she did not, in fact, have an obsession with corpses, though her thoughts travelled along the same line. Why did she trust him? It was a gut feeling, she thought, a respect, perhaps. Still she would be careful, for while she knew quite a few things about the handsome male now, he could still have hidden depths she had yet to discover. He had certainly drawn her eye in a way that few, very few, had before, and she hoped to at least make theirs a friendly relationship. 

Then, surprisingly, he asked about joining her pack. She was glad for his interest, for he seemed to have many things he could teach her peers, and she was sure that he would make a fine addition to their ranks. Her small smile returned at his good nature, and she thought a moment before speaking her mind. "The chances are high, should you address my Lord and Lady with respect. They are fair and kind, and their pack is one of learning. It is a place where one may grow with the teachings of others, and spread their own knowledge." she smiled again, tilting her head in the slightest. "I believe you would fit in well, should it be your wish to join us."

While Aeronwyn resolved to never make such a slip again in the future, Nico decided that if he ever met her again, he would have to make her lose her facade, if only because she seemed real-er and she was cute when she was flustered. If he ever met her again. Obviously he was going to meet her again, one way or another. A part of him had already resolved to join her pack, if he ever left his current one. If only because it sounded interesting the first time he heard it, and she was there, and it would probably be better than the way the Court operated. Probably. But what was life without taking chances?

A small smile tugged at Aeronwyn's lips as she began to spoke, saying that as long as he addressed the Lord and Lady (what was with these fancy titles) with respect, he would make a fine addition to their ranks. He grinned then, "Glad you think so highly of me," he said, a teasing edge to his tone, but continued to listen to her praise her leaders and her pack, and wished that he could hold the same amount of pride for his, but there just wasn't, it was nonexistent as of now. Maybe if he stayed...no, not happening, especially not now. "I'll let you know when I leave, so you can recruit me," Nico said, then asked her curiously, "Do you come here often?"

At his teasing remark, a grin tugged at the corners of her maw. Urgh. Why was she constantly smiling around him? But he spoke again, tugging at her wandering thoughts, and she nodded. "I do. When I want to be alone, it is here I come." Pack life was great, amazing, however, she was an independent creature, and at times wished merely to have time to herself, let her thoughts wander or simply dwindle down to nothing. Her gaze flickered for a brief moment to his brilliant green eyes, the ones that had so interested her the first time they had met. Realizing this, she quickly dropped her gaze again, to a more neutral location. Honestly, she needed to get a grip on herself.

She thought a moment before adding, "Come here, when you so choose to leave. I'll come here daily, at noon, and wait for a while." She paused, feeling like their meeting was drawing to a close, and not exactly sure how she felt about that.

His chest constricted slightly when she grinned at his remark. He liked it when people had the appropriate reaction to his comments, but he decided then that he really liked it when she smiled at him, or at his choice of words, whatever, it was still the samething, and it brought a wider grin to his lips. She told him then that she she wanted to be alone, she came here, and at that, Nico threw her an apologetic look, "Well, I suppose I must have disturbed you when you wish to be alone, I apologise if I have done so, though I....doubt that's the case," he said, still smiling, but remaining serious at the sametime. He didn't know yet how she felt about his presence, but he hoped that he hadn't ruined whatever private time she had to herself. Not that it mattered. Nico would bother her anyways. It was a treat to see her flustered, after all.

Nico met her gaze evenly, and smiled wryly when he realised Aeronwyn was staring just a slight bit too long, but didn't comment on it, sensing that the warrior might not particularly like it. She seemed to notice the moment he did, and dropped her gaze, though the soldie wished it had lingered a tad bit longer. He'll take what he gets though; it was rare to get a reaction out of the impassive female. That was why her next words surprised him. She told him to come here if he left, and that the silver fae would be here everyday at noon and wait. Aeronwyn the Impassive would wait for him? Everyday? Wow, he must have made more of a lasting impression that he initially thought. 

His surprise did not show on his face though. Instead, his signature smile tugged at the edge of his lips and he dipped his head slightly, green eyes twinkling with some unidentifiable emotion. "Well," he said, his voice thoughtful. "I never thought you'll come here daily just for me.," He teased. Nico waited for a moment, before lifting a shoulder in a playful shrug, and smiling in good humour at her, "Don't take it the wrong way. I'm just joking. But I'm really, really glad that you'll do that for me. Honoured, even. I don't want you to feel that you need to come here if you don't want to though, I don't want to force you to do anything so...only if you want to. I don't mind," he hesitated then, before giving her one of his rare genuine smiles, "I'm really honoured, Aero. But don't trouble yourself too much.....I'm..yeah, not really worth it but thank you anyways..." He was beginning to ramble, which was extremely bad. 

For the sake of resuming his self control, Nico looked away for a moment, exhaling quietly, before looking back at her, hesitance written over his face for fear of having done something to upset her, thus losing her. The soldier cleared his throat. Well, that was embarassing. That was never happening again. He smiled.

He replied to her first words with something that seemed like an apology, something that was unnecessary, in her view. She hesitated but a brief moment before echoing her thoughts with words, ones that may have seemed like "Flirting", save for the fact she had no notion of the concept, nor was it her intention. "Rest assured, your presence here is no disturbance, Nico." she replied calmly, sincerely. She could be alone whenever she so wished, however, a meeting with another that had so interested her was never unwelcome. She did not explain this, expecting him to be at ease with her quick words.

With her next, she noted that his eyes gleamed with an emotion eluding her, and she found herself sending a small smile his way at his words of mirth. Her smile grew, eye gleaming with mirth now, as he rambled. Of course. He was very, very honoured, but no, she didn;t have to, but he was honoured all the same. She merely let him go on, until he had reached the conclusion of his words. "I come here often enough, it is but a short journey from my home. Do not worry yourself so, it is no inconvenience for me." She replied earnestly, as amused and intrigued in his slip as he had been at hers.

you got my 100th post! :)

She assured him that his presence was of no disturbance to which he replied with yet another one of his 'bad boy' smiles and a soft chuckle, "I'm glad," he said, the corner of his lip quirking upwards slightly into something that resembled a smirk, though he said no more about that, deciding it was too mundane a subject to concern the both of them with. They should be discussing something more important, like, for example, the next time the two of them meet because gods, did he want to see her again.

Not that that'll be a problem...given the plans slowly forming in his brain.

At the end of his little ramble, Nico wished the earth would open up and swallow him hole but he found the courage to look at Aeronwyn in the eye and noted the gleam of mirth in her sterling gaze and the smile on her lips and couldn't help but grin as well. "It's a short journey from my home as well, so, it's a good spot, I suppose," he added thoughtfully, his gaze wandering for a moment before landing back on the silver fae. "Okay, that's cool, then. It's settled," Nico took a step closer, before stopping himself, a curious smile lingering on his lips.

"Would you mind if I hugged you?" The soldier inquired, amusement dancing in his bright green eyes.

There was little left to speak of, plans having been made and a location picked. Little did she know that these simple, well-intended plans would prove to be thrown completely off, and things would come to light she would never have guessed about the curious male that so garnered her attention. At his final words, she chuckled softly, a small smile dancing on her muzzle. "If you so wish to loose a limb or two, by all means." she retorted, though her tone was light. 

The time was high for her to make her leave, she had spent too much time here already, without alerting anyone to her absence. Not that she normally would have cared, but she was growing close to Malice and therefore was a bit more considerate in her actions. "I shall take my leave now, Nico." she said, adding on after a brief pause, "I do hope we meet again soon." 

With that, she gave him a small smile, nodded and slipped past him, heading behind him on a wayward trail toward home. She glanced back when she was a ways behind him, small smile still on her muzzle, before slipping into the woods, and thus out of sight, but not for long. She would see him again, and soon. This she would make sure came to pass. 

Yay! Happy (belated) 100! :D

His eyes twinkled with mischievous delight and he grinned at her response, taking a small step forward. Fine, he grumbled playfully, but you can rest assured knowing that one day, you will let me hug you, and you'll enjoy it. Man, Nico never knew that hugging could sound so dirty. But then again, he'd never really thought he'll fall for a female again, not after....him. But in this world, pretty much a lot of things, if not everything, was possible, as long as you had the willpower, or the imagination.

We will, Nico said, I'll make sure of it. Aeronwyn was an interesting creature and Nicolas was 98% sure that he wanted to get to know her better, maybe even live with her, become packmates, have a life togeth-. Stop. He wasn't going to map out the future..he would go with the flow and see what happened. 

Even he, however, wouldn't have thought that in a million years, his happiness would be ruined by himself, by something he'd created on his own accord.

"I'll see you soon, yeah?" Nico called out as she smiled and slipped past him, heading home. He watched until she vanished from his view before smirking to himself, letting out a soft sigh of satisfaction. He would stay there for a moment, relishing his freedom, living in the present, before he too, would begin his trek home.