Fox's Glade to me, from the timbers,

husband @Dolce <3

lyrics taken from real love baby · father john misty

tags for reference! ;D · dated to 30th of dec

snowwoman found herself wandering from the valley, following scents and keeping pale eyes peeled as to prevent the approach of strangers finding themselves too close to the valley. regina @Ameline and rex @Ancelin had qimmiralaat of their own, she had learnt, and so, as if prompted by some maternal instinct, she felt her alertness heighten, keeping her steps light, and her ears pointed. watching, listening. the huntress.

but that did not stop the woman from being her typical, songbird self. although she prioritised steal, she let a soft murmur spill from her dark lips, melodic in nature, as she oh so typically was. her tail swayed gently behind her, for it was a love song that the bard whispered upon her scarlet tongue: uummativut isumaqsuqput, came the words.

taimali uqautilaunnga, qanuq piunngilaq ikpigijait? nanuralaaq moved north through the glade, scanning the grasses and the trees that she moved past. pausing every now and then to test the scents, almost invisible within the carpet of snow that lay upon the ground. nunaraquvunga, ivvit qupirruarjuuvutit, quiet. careful.

the rest would come as a hum as she traversed, tilting her head and swaying the hips with the melody that drifted from her throat. the last words to leave her lips would come in common tongue: i want real love baby, don't leave me waiting, tail swaying with the beat of the song. a rustle from up ahead would cause her to silence. alert.

was that a familiar scent on the winds...?

flirting between recruitment and freedom, dolce had stuck close to bearclaw borders. with a heavy mind, no less, since his uneasy meeting with @Tvar, and the knowledge that @Rala was here. apart of the pack, having found what she'd wanted. but not him—her promise, of her whisking him away when she'd found herself a home, was a knife in his chest. 

he didn't know why he cared so strongly. it angered him, at how weak he'd been to nearly get swept up by jealousy and sink his teeth into the flesh of a potential package. a man he'd have to work with, not against. if she'd already made her up her mind, then...

a scent is carried by the wind, and along with it, a voice that makes his chest ache. his torn ears perk, and he grows still. listening, watching, yearning. 

his paws move without reason, as if on instinct, to bring him closer. heart skips a few heavy beats, and suddenly, he doesn't care about Tvar and how close they must've gotten. all he cares about, is finding her again. seeing her again, in all her radiance and insatiable sweetness. 

there she is, frame by the snow she was born from, somehow more beautiful than when he saw her last. the brute of a man almost smiles, before he rumbles a deep chuff. expecting her to turn and grace him with a smile that could soothe any ache. 

"remember me, dove?"

and it was. a scent she had known, a scent that had not left her mind, not even in the presence of tvar. a guilt washed over her, then, as she had intended to find him first, to seek him out and bring him back to the valley with her. but she had only been within the valley for a few days, that was her excuse, she simply did not have the time.

but rala was quick to expel the feeling, rather moving towards the man and practically enveloping herself within his coat. yes, she murmured, nose finding his jaw, cheek rubbing against his neck, should dolce allow the touch. i meant what i said - i would have to have no memory at all, to forget you, aggakkut. her words came as softly as her presence, her pelt lingering against his own. she would savour this moment.

after a second, maybe two, she moved away. conflict lingered within her heart, and dolce smelled of tvar, just as she possibly would, too. neither men had claimed her, as she would not allow herself to be claimed so early, but there was a guilt that lingered within her chest. a guilt that she did not quite understand. polar-cub, dove, searched his expression, then. you found me, and there was a hope behind the words. a smile that could only whisper of her longing. and again, she moved closer.

her forehead leaned against his chest, now. slow breaths rose and fell.

relief. it flooded over him like the smoke from a gun, sank deep into bones. his docked tail twitched once, twice, before swaying. betraying his emotion, betraying the indifference he'd tried to force upon himself. she had remembered, and here she was, nearly knocking him off sturdy limbs as she collided into his barreled chest. 

the other feeling, the warmth and comfort, wrapped around his heart like a vice. a feeling he'd only felt around her, and would only continue to feel around her. the outlaw welcomed the touch. a man forged of steel and brutality, now melting into the touch of a small, irresistible woman. he lowered his muzzle to push through soft, plush fur. 

greedy, insatiable. his nostrils flared to inhale lungfuls of her scent, and he found himself foolishly hoping that it'd envelop him. that he would smell of her, more so than tvar. jealousy threatens to gnaw, but he doesn't let it. he simply chooses to enjoy having her near, so close and warm. nose presses firmer against her, a low rumble emanating from his chest. a deep, pleased purr. 

"told ya i would, darlin'. reckon i couldn't stay away." words so soft compared to normal, so heartfelt and raw. it's not that he even tried; she forced such emotion out of him, so easily it was intimidating. she'd bring him to his knees, and she'd probably be the death of him. 

but what a way to go. 

he draws his head back, only to press the end of his nose to the space between her ears. "how've ya been? keepin' outa trouble?" the words were protective, alarmingly so. he found himself yearning to hear her stories, to hear her ramble like she had the first time they'd met.

honoured to have this be her 100th post !! <3

he had found her. as she knew he would, as she hoped he would. and yet even in this moment, the other man, the one of bearclaw, the one of storm clouds and dark mountains wormed her way into his mind, into her fur. it was akin to how the southern man, handsome, coloured like the sun shining down upon the earth invaded her thoughts when she was with the other. a brow furrowed, a body firmed as she forced the image away.

he was siqinniqtillugu. sunlight ; warm, bright, drawn to him. and perhaps he was drawn to her, a thread of fate strung between them, keeping them near. the thought was nice. and yet, the implication of hurting tvar was not. rather selfishly, she wanted them both, wanted to mark her claim, to care for them and trace their scars when they rested. but rala knew that they would not want that. she would not force such a thing upon them.

good, she murmured, though with no less conviction. i do not want you staying away, her words were truthful, though not contradictory of the scent that laced her.

his nose, cold, unlike the rest of him, met the space between her ears, of which tilted when he spoke. he asked of her wellbeing, if she had stayed out of trouble. she struggle to form words, as each time a sentence threatened to leave her, she worried that it would be of tvar. instead, she said: i have made friends, a smile growing upon her face as she thought of @Irene, @Sivaak and, hopefully @Milan. but it fell when she thought of calfuray. the one who had gotten away. whose wounds she had tended to.

many women, she smiled. a few men, too, though she would not speak of them, yet. there would be other times to test the concept of dolce's jealousy, and right now, nanuralaaq felt that it would only grow a tension between them. irene and sivaak, i have only met once. calfuray ... a frown grew upon her pretty face, then, as she tilted her head to look up at dolce. sadness was not unusual for her, but to express it upon her face was not common. she searched his gaze. she does not trust easily.

she drew a breath, then. and you, dolce? stayed 'out of trouble'?

i do not wish for you to stay away. now that he'd found her, dolce couldn't imagine what could keep him away. no wolf, no force, no god could pry him from her grasp. he'd fight tooth and nail to keep it that way, too. it was a terrifying thought; to be so utterly enraptured by someone, that he'd face down armies to remain by their side. 

but he would. deep in his chest where that feelings blooms, he knows he would without a doubt. 

he can only hope she feels the same. he's not a fool—he can smell tvar, and can sense her apprehension when she speaks in that soft, songbird voice. he'd face him too, if needed. he'd killed many men for far less, he'd be nothing but another scar to wear with the rest. 

dolce pushes those thoughts aside, and reminds himself that she is her own woman, and he's put no claim upon her. she'd make her choice, if it came down to it, even if the thought of him being left behind made him want to burn the world to the ground. he'd lived without her for so long...but would he be able too again, now that he has her? 

he listens, content and calm, as she speaks of her new friends. pack mates he assumes, or others she'd met on her travels to bearclaw. it satisfied a part within him, knowing she'd been taken care of and found company in others. his dove did not deserve a life of loneliness, but one with everything good in this world. 

the sorrow that dances across her pretty face makes him want to chase it away. he'd do anything to see her smile again, the one that'd been haunting his mind. "s'alright, dove. some folk are tougher than the rest. haunted. give her some time, 'n she'll come around like the rest." he rumbled soothingly, encouragingly. to know there was a wolf out there that could resist her charm was baffling. 

he grinned, crooked and wolffish. "trouble follows me like the sun, darlin'." a low chuckle, a tease. "been different, a pack like this. reckon i might be a guard one day, patrol with cole." redemption. and a chance to prove his worth to her, his strength, his protection.

i hope she does, songbird hummed. she wished to keep an eye upon that wound of hers, and the limp that calfuray had left with concerned rala both that day and every day that the dark woman crossed her mind. snowwoman could only hope for nightwomans health. she did not was already without an eye. she did not deserve to lose a leg, too.

a smile, then, and a breathy chuckle at the words. trouble may follow you like the sun, but even the sun could never match your warmth, lilting words, spilling from her lips like poetry as looked up at him, dawn hues searching his own ; brown, oaken ... beautiful. he wanted to become a guard, he said. like cole. cole is a good man, she hummed. the words came casually, telling that they were friendly, though rala was uncertain whether they would be considered 'friends'. she had tended to his wounds, as she did with calfuray. perhaps that made them friends. did he recruit you, too?

words left smiling lips. quite the coincidence, if so.

"he's tough, loyal," dolce rumbled in agreement, his words tinged with approval. cole was a strong man, southern like himself—they'd talked little, but he had the potential to become a friend. a brother. one that could be trusted, unlike the many men he used to call kin. truth was, is that cole is who the outlaw wished he could be; a reliable, dependable guard. unwavering in strength, unshaken. 

perhaps if he'd achieved that likeness, he'd be the man rala deserves. 

"and he was. he didn't mention you were here—guess i just got lucky." the corners of his lips tugged into a rugged smile, but a genuine one. he'd missed the dove; such a strange sensation, but one he couldn't deny. "'m glad you're here. happy i found you." 

there's a pause. he'd never been soft or good with words of affection, had never worn his heart on his sleeve. but she made him feel brave enough to do so. or perhaps foolish enough. 

"been thinkin' 'bout you, ever since that walk." sincere, almost as gentle as he could speak. he hoped she'd felt the same. "how 'bout we go on one again? for old times sake."

been thinkin' 'bout you, came his tongue, rugged, accented in a way that made her brain tingle when he heard it. where tvar's words stirred something primal within her chest, dolce's made her heart bloom, almost as if his sentences came as an honour to the dove. yes, snowwoman said through what was practically a beam upon her face, now.

a teasing tone carried her next words: do you know the way back to the valley, siqinniqtillugu? eyes squinted, almost glowing with affection. before they would begin to walk, she would nose about his rightwards shoulder, rubbing her cheek against it as if restoring her scent upon his body. restoring her claim, her presence upon his fur.

she moved past him, then, as she had the first time they walked together, letting her tail flow across his side. i expect you to lead, her words spilt from dark lips as she looked back at him, a grin squinting her eyes, a growing warmth within her cheeks. a tone laced her words, a meaning that she could not quite place, thought it was something inviting. alluring, one could say. a wish for him to guide her. to be her compass.

her north star. her sunlight.

he was many things, and yet, all of them were hers.

maybe another round of posts & then we can continue the thread in the valley? ;D

the tank of a man practically melted against her gentle touch, so light and airy, much akin to the personality that had him reeled in. he'd wear her scent now, and his chest swelled with pride. perhaps a primal feeling it was, but he was only but a man. it'd cling to his fur and he'd hope it'd stay for days to come. 

before she'd whisked away, he'd return the gesture. cautious with his strength, the way it could overbear, his touch was a gentle ghost across her shoulder. his deeper, richer scent would cloak her. another swell of selfish pride, knowing it'd mask tvar's. 

a silent claim. one he'd defend, too, if push came to shove. 

he turned sturdy, scarred limbs, the corners of his lips curled with satisfaction, with mirth. "yes ma'am." he rumbled with a chuckle before he too moved forward, heavy paws crunching in the snow. he'd lead her wherever she'd like, should she just give the order. 

they walked together now, side by side, and dolce couldn't help but think that's how it should be, how it should remain. he'd do anything to keep her at his side. that'd been long decided, only solidified now. "reckon you could keep up, dove?" a tease, a challenge, a wag of his short tail.

a tease, a challenge ; had dolce yet to know how stubborn of a woman rala was? how competitive? her grin widened, toothy, almost menacing, should anyone else wear such a smile. i am too quick for you, uangnaq pirliq, her words left her lips, accented with laughter, with a breathiness that came with daring someone to chase. if he was only a man, then she was only a woman, as they should be, for however long.

and before he could respond, come up with a southern remark, she gave a flick of her tail against his body and trotted up ahead, an almost surprising speed accompanying her short legs, her stature. a few ways in front of him, now, her tail would sway, tall and flagging, and nanuralaaq would turn her head to shoot him a look. one that says ; think you can catch me? before she gave an almost girlish giggle and continue on running.

the teeth of the valley stood tall on the horizon. she hoped it would take them a while to get there, so that she may enjoy her time with the man, before the threat of awkwardness, of tension threatened to surface. nanuralaaq turned back, now, to take in the sight of dolce, pin-pointing wherever behind her he may be. tail continuing to sway.

feel free to powerplay her if you think it fits the scene <3

that feminine giggle, the one that had no right tugging at long-dormant heartstrings, was enough for him. with a competitive smirk and a gleam in oaken eyes, dolce burst into a heavy gallop after his dove. she was unexpectedly quick; graceful, as always, as she cut through the snow she was born from. 

he was larger, heavier—but he churned through the powder with the grace of a bear, sending the snow to arch in streams behind him. "now that just ain't fair," he hollered after her, a boyish, wolffish grin gracing his usually pensive expression. he forced himself to run faster, faster than he had in years, just to catch up. 

much to his surprise, he gained ground quicker than expected. paws thundered against frozen earth, neck stretching out to gently grasp the tufts on her tail. gentle not to harm her, but forceful enough to slow her effortless stride. with a deep laugh, he charged forward, the spray of snow left to fall upon her like glitter. 

"might hafta play dirty, dove." he roused from over his shoulder, muscles coiling and relaxing with each long and heavy stride.

a tug at her tail, one of power, though without malice, drew the snowwoman back a moment, just long enough for her to get overtaken, and for snow to spray upon her, only furthering her pale physique. she laughed, then, a loud 'ha' sound that echoed through the glade. oh, you will regret that! though her tone was laced with humour as she continued chasing after the southern man, that bright, warm light that led the way.

she grew closer, then, and once in reach of dolce, she would deliver a nip upon his flank, nudging her muzzle and cheek against his leg as they ran side-by-side, headed towards the valley. then, an affectionate nudge would turn into a shove, before she powered on ahead, jaw parted in a pant that carried her. keep up! she shouted through breaths.

happiness coursed through her bodies, fuelling her steps.

fade with your next post ? ;D

he knew she'd catch him, being the vivacious little thing she is. but he welcomed it with a broad, crooked grin, as her teeth clipped his strong thigh. it was akin to a fly landing on the back of a stallion; a gentle twitch, followed by ease when she ran her cheek across his fur. his heart thundered, and he wasn't quite sure if it was because of exertion or because of her. 

he faltered in his coarse for only a second, perhaps distracted by the vision she's become; effortless and fiery, a light that couldn't be snuffed. eyes warm with a rare affection, he surged forward to run beside her, their steps falling as one. it was bliss; a dream he wished he didn't have to wake up from. for now, he'd chase her the entire way back, until it came the time for him to reluctantly leave her side.

fade! i am already feigning for another thread