Duck Lake oh, i know that boy's going to rip me up

Tags for reference. She's looking for @Thorn, but AW to obviously keep everything interesting. ;)

The fire that danced along her spine was fair warning of what was likely to come—whether it be days or weeks, she did not know, but after her revelation of @Stigmata’s intentions, the long-limbed sylph was keen on seeking a way to either stop her heat from coming, or seeking a quiet place she could tuck herself away for its duration. It was not that she did not trust the wolves of Diaspora to not touch her—it was that she wished to be alone and ruminate, and to take away any and all temptation from any potential stolen moment of proposed passion.

For now, the woman had made her way down the slopes of the mountain, the graceful sway of her form navigating the terrain with a curiosity she intended to satiate. Thorn had been missing for many days at a time, and his scent was stronger here.

Her ears flicked forward intently, the gentle winter wind brushing the velvet fur of her cheeks as she tested the air with her nose. What was the impish behemoth up to in the valley?

there were many things thorn had learned to expect as routine in duck lake. the frozen water, the idyllic quiet -- and of course, the conspicious absence of ducks. most had flown to warmer haunts, though he did occasionally come across a wood duck -- a species, it seemed, that was entirely against the customs of its other avian cousins.

he was surprised then to see ketzia, coming towards him at a loose-limbed sway. his gaze did not wander -- for she had been branded as one of stigmata's own, and the beast would not test his leader's patience by being caught wantonly observing the lithe curves of her goldenrod body.

announcing himself with a chuff, the black eyjolfur nosed along the ground, making an indirect path towards ketzia in the hopes of intercepting her.

A hardened facade given to the world as she tracked her back mate, the mask began to slip upon his appearance—a massive form of swarthy fur and muscle that made his way toward her, his nose closer to the ground, drawing a curling grin of amusement to the corners of her lips.

Sidling closer to him, the lissome wolf greeted her pack mate with a fond press of her nose to his cheek, snuffing at the dark fur along his nape, studying the scents that clung to him now. With her tail draping casually through the cool air with the occasional flick, she pulled back, her good nature falling back into her previous melancholy gaze. This was the distraction she needed. “And what antics are you up to today?” Her voice was a smoky purr, and taking a step from the wolf’s side, her eyes surveyed the pond with mild curiosity. In truth, she would have preferred a pack that was within a roving valley, or perhaps a forest. But she had not chosen her home on the terrain, but instead on the merit of those within it.

a subtle shift in expression cascaded across ketzia's features, and thorn, having only glanced briefly upon her, wondered if he had imagined the flicker that stole across her narrow muzzle. her body language foretold she was at least welcoming of his company, but troubled by the brief shade he had seen steal across her glacial-green gaze, thorn held off from greeting her too enthusiastically.

his tail wavered loosely around his hocks, and he extended his muzzle politely before returning to ruminating in the snow. her inquiry was met with a quick flip of his roughly triangular ear. "i was thinking of hunting." he replied, but his tone lacked enthuiasm in the prospect. "yourself?"

his enthusiam was soon rekindled by ketzia's presence; the pair hunted, successful or not -- another good day in the books.