Silver Creek Silver Waters

@Heston Ill start another one for Mella

The past two nights had been eventful for the young woman, and as she finally got home at midday, Amber decided today would be a lazy day. Finding the nearest part of the silvery waters that crisscrossed her home, the shadow queen slipped into the depths and paddled strongly upstream with a smile on her face. The water was warm, the sun was bright, and the foliage had all but completely regrown. The creek truly was a beautiful place, and it was easier to be around and feel at home now. 
Again, however, she found herself feeling lonely, and hoped someone happened upon her soon as usually seemed to happen.

Sounds good. If you don't mind, can we place this near to the border? Technically Heston isn't yet accepted.  

Before long, Heston mused, he would be apart of Silver Creek. He felt he'd been doing rather well on his border duty, which is what he now considered his probation period. It made it sound much more important to his own mind, as if he was helping rather than lingering like a needy pup. So he was on the move again, following the territory line on his allotted side. He felt this method was much like dangling a fresh kill before a starving wolf and he thought he might tell Spring this as well. He approved of the method, certainly, and he would approve of the method much more once he was not the sufferer of it. It weeded out those unwilling to work towards the pack, to work for the life they wanted. If you weren't wanting to put in the effort, the pack need not put effort in you.

As he trot along, he heard the slowly nearing sound of running water. He licked his chops, realizing how dry his throat was. He increased his pace, headed for the stream and the cool water it offered. As he grew closer he heard the sound of splashing and slow his pace slightly, brow raised in silent curiosity. Slowly he headed towards where the water met the border and paused to look up along the waterway. Upstream he saw the shape of another, a dark wolf. In the water as they were, he wasn't able to tell if they were male or female. He watched them for a moment longer before bending to lap at the cool water. Once his throat was thoroughly watered he raised his head again and let a bark escape his muzzle, a call for the other if they would meet halfway, closer to the side of the border that would not get him banned from the pack. He waved his tail behind him openly, showing he was friendly and hoping they'd recognize that he was a hopeful to join and not just a loner.

Yeah I left it vague, so I'm just gonna assume shes on one of the smaller and more outward forks of the stream. One thats closer to the border.

Amber was one of those lucky ones to have been accepted by the alpha, or perhaps she was just fortuned to be the sister of she who ruled Silver Creek. She bypassed all the integration steps and was accepted into the family upon meeting Spring at the Basin, and she was only now just starting to realize what she wanted to do with herself. She wasn't lazy of course: she patrolled borders and hunted when the oppurtunity arose. 
The raven colored puppy queen splashed about in the water, snapping at it and lashing her paws through it in fun. She couldn't smell the male who approached and didn't realize he was there until his bark echoed across the liquid. Standing up tall and straight, freezing in place with her ears cupped forward and bold blue eyes, Amber became a statue of wild beauty. The only thing to tell she wasn't made of obsidian were those soulful eyes and the pull of her silky fur in the water. 
He seemed friendly enough, and so she let herself float down the river with a smile forming on her maw and a honey-sweet voice calling out. 
                    "Amber, Amber Ciel. Are you of the Creek?"
She hadn't seen him around, but had smelled him at the borders. Was he an initiate, awaiting Springs go ahead to enter and earn a rank?

The other was enjoying her time in the water, Heston had noted with amusement. He watched as the other straightened at his voice, rising from the depths and freezing. Their fur glistened in the light not only from being wet, but from being well-kept. Still and silhouetted against the glimmer of the water he could now tell this other was a female. He waited as the other slowly began to drift towards him, a dark glistening creature of the water. She bore a smile, blue eyes making the water look pale and lifeless in comparison. He returned the gesture, his own smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. He waded into the water himself, moving to meet her.

"Greetings, Amber Ciel." His voice rumbled from deep in his chest, masculine and warm. In regards to her question of his Silver Creek rank, he answered. "I hope to be shortly. Alpha Spring has permit me to linger around these borders and make myself known. For now I am simply on the outside looking in." He lowered his muzzle and used his nose to scoop water and send it dripping down the back of his neck. "My name is Heston, it's a pleasure to meet you." His orange eyes met hers for a moment and he dipped his head politely. "Has the heat sent you to the water? Or perhaps just boredom?" The day was certainly ripe for either. The heat wasn't unbearable, but it was warm enough for a swim to be refreshing rather than chilling. The water around his paws felt nice, the rocks underneath cooled his pads. "I wasn't meaning to disturb your fun, but I do want to follow Spring's instructions if I have a hope of joining your ranks. I hope you don't mind the intrusion."

Heston, so he was named, was not only polite but handsome, a double whammy in Amber's eyes. Respecting her sister's rules, not to mention the gentlemanly way he spoke to Amber, were points for him at the moment. Smile widening into a grin, Amber drew closer to the male with her feathery tail waving in the water behind her. 
                  "My sister runs a tight ship, I see, but clearly she saw something in you or she'd have sent you away. By your scent around here, I'd say it shouldn't be long."
Heat? Well, perhaps that could be it, or even bordeom,  but it was more the gentle tug of her fur and the weightless feeling she got while bouying in the water. Settling her deep eyes on the pale man, Amber gave him an answer to everything he wanted to know, maybe then some. It was clear in her body language she was happy he was here, and even the thought of being alone again made the ebony woman want to wrinkle her nose in distaste, even if she didnt.
                               "A little bit of both, I suppose, and the simple fact that I like water. You aren't disturbing me, in fact I was hoping for some company."

She moved closer, slipping along the current like a fish, born and bred in the water. The gentle tug of the current pulled her fur into silky streams behind and around her, giving her the appearance of a black and glistening aura. Her grin grew wider as he spoke and he met her eyes again, chucking slightly at her words. "Color me flattered then, to have passed her inspection. I'd like to think it won't be much longer. I'll admit that I am the type of wolf who dislikes being idle. I'd rather have something to do, someone to talk to." He smiled at her pointedly. "I've been on my own for a while now, company is a bit of a delicacy to me and I find myself starving for it." He turned slightly, diagonal to her and took the time to, as subtly as possible, look her over once more. 

"I'm glad to hear, I would have left you alone if you'd have wanted it... but I am not above dragging my paws and casting you sad and forlorn looks to make you guilty." He adopted a sad and upset expression, frowning in an exaggerated manner. "You'd have felt horrible for weeks, I think. I'm glad you saved yourself from that." He smirked as he finished, another warm chuckle falling from his lips. "I enjoy the water too, but it's been some time since I've been able to truly enjoy a swim. It's a vulnerable place, swimming. As a lone wolf there are far too few times that one gets to really...let go and enjoy themselves." His eyes met hers again, burning and dancing. "It's fun to simply float and not worry about....attacks." With the last word he whipped his tail in her direction, sending a splash towards her. He smiled playfully and waited to see her reaction before continuing.

Slight as they were, Amber's sharp eyes caught his own straying across her famine-slimmed frame. With an internal giggle, she realized just how much weight she'd lost, such a change from her usually heavyset body. Nonetheless she was thrilled to have his attention, and held herself a little straighter. Her ocean eyes softened, pupils dilating in affection, and her grin twisted into a sly smile at his ruse. The royalty-like way she saw herself didn't temper her humor at all, as some women who were stuck up.
               "Well since you put it THAT way, I suppose that means I can't just ditch you after this, can I?"
A giggle escaped her lips, and at his splash she squealed happily. She didn't worry about her saftey at all: she'd lived as a loner, through a famine, survived against the odds. No wolf would get the slip on her in a mere stream, she simply couldn't allow such things. Even throughout their conversation flirting, her ebony years stayed on a swivel for any approaching sounds. She swiped her paw across the surface of the glistening water, letting out a challenging bark as she sprayed him with water and promptly took off splashing down the channel at a trot. Throwing a glance over her shoulder, eyes flashing with joy and excitement, Amber dared Heston to give chase. She knew better than to take him actually into Silver Creek territory more than they were, and eventually if the chase went on, she would need to get out and cross the border on land to play in neutral grounds. 
                                    "Come catch me, and I'll think about keeping you company more often!"

Despite his best efforts, he thought she might have seen his subtle glances to her figure. He couldn't be blamed, though, could he? She was a beautiful female. The art that had made the female body was more refined than that of the male. The sublte dips and curves, the way the figure seemed to sway like the breeze rather than stony and firm like a brute's. He was allowed to look, within reason, so long as he didn't leer or drool. He might be appreciative, but he was still a gentleman. Women were art, not food. She cast him a sly smile and he returned it, pretending not to know the reason.

He laughed at her response. "Only if you part with me in the kindest of ways, otherwise I'll have to release my powers. I know it seems harsh but..." He sighed and trailed away, seemingly torn about having to guilt trip her. He knew of course that she was taking a gamble by playing with him so. A lesser wolf could truly attack her, or some other nefarious act. He was a large brute in general and she was petite, but thoughts of more aggressive acts were far from his mind. Had he not been so eager to meet and play with another, especially another lovely female, he might have considered that she might need more reassurance. As it was though, she seemed to trust him and need no such thing. He began to wonder if Silver Creek had a monopoly on lovely females because so far he'd met quite a few. It was just another perk of having decided to join this pack.

Amber giggled, then squealed as he splashed her. She aimed her own splash at him and let out a bark to challenge him before dashing away. He watched her leave for a moment, the glistening water flying around her dark body, and simply enjoyed the view. She called a verbal challenge over her shoulder and he grinned, loosening his shoulders. Before she had too much of an advantage on him, however he gave his own bark and leapt forward, flying through the creek after her. Big as he was, she would have the jump on him as far as maneuvering went. He was decently fast, but she seemed like a darting and slippery fish. He raced towards her noisily, wanting the closing distance to be audible to her. 

He was near to her now, running just behind her. Before long he'd be able to touch her with his nose.

Amber wasn't at all offended by his looks, if anything she was flattered. She knew she was good looking, and his attention further spurred her vanity. His politeness further stoked the fire, and it was no surprise her demeanor was more than a little flirty with her waving plume and wiggling hips. His size didn't daunt her and neither did the fact that he was, indeed a stranger. Amber only saw a new friend, a future packmate, and the posibility of even more later down the road. It was a far hope, she knew, but the hopeless romantic just couldn't help it. Her heart yearned for the affections only one could give her, even though she was truly a harsh critic when it came to such things. 
Heston's joking words were heard, but she was already on the move and the Ciel woman reacted with bubbling laughter. A true shame it would be, however, should he depart her company. He was the only available male, looking at it from a survival point of view: Should no other males join the Creek, he and Casmir would be the only two able to give Silver Creek puppies and keep the ranks full. 
The pale man didn't follow immediatley, and she slowed to question him with sad eyes before he lunged forward. Sending a wink his way and some silky words, Amber turned tail and bounded off, sending cascades of water onto the bank around them. 
                          "You couldn't guilt a pretty little lady like me into anything, admit it. It is I  who holds power over you, I think."
He closed in on her, using his bulk to fly down the river after her. Just as she thought he could grab her raven-feather tail, the shadowy woman banked left and out of the water. They were too far into Silver Creek lands for comfort now, and she dashed over the border wihtout another word. Her heart was pounding in her throat, excitement rising like a flood inside of her.

As he had prepared to reach forward and give her tail a few tugs, she suddenly swevered. Big as he was, he wasn't able to make such tight turns. He skid and splashed to regain his chase, finally resuming his path after her. He'd noticed that they were heading deeper and deeper into Silver Creek and was grateful she had noticed as well. He'd hate to have to call the game short to relocate, and he followed her eagerly back to the safe side of the borders. As he raced to catch her again he responded, finally to her previous sentence. "Ah, so you've found my weakness then. A pretty face and sweet words. Or perhaps I merely let you think you have the power? How could you know?" His words were snatched by the wind, but he thought she had heard him.

As it was, he knew nothing of the shortage of males within the Creek. Well, almost nothing. So far he'd met an abundance of females and only one male. Casmir had smelled of a female at that, so it was likely he was taken. He could guess that the pack was numbered in his favor, but he didn't know for sure. Had he known, he'd quite have liked the demand. As they raced he felt his fur sending water scattering behind them. Amber herself left a trail of glitter as she flew, glitter that soon began to strike his eyes as he gained on her again. Had he known the land better he'd have tried to trick her, but he still knew only a limited amount.

He was close again now and rather than waste his time trying to instill a sense of panic as he had before, he readied himself to leap. He was aiming to gently snag her tail, perhaps to bump her hip with his head. Anything to say that he had caught her. He leapt forward, stretching his muzzle with determination...

Amber heard his words wisping across the wind, but they only served to push her paws faster. Fast as she knew she was, faster still without her usual bulk, the male was strong enough to keep on her heels. Each moment that passed, despite her gain from breaking from the water, Heston drew closer. The Ciel was growing tired, but she pushed onward even as his breath reached her flank. Teeth caught the frays of her tail, and her next attempt to surge ahead was thrown off by the bump of his muzzle against her rump. Her hps edged the other way, and if she didn't slow she would likely only accomplish hurting herself. 
He'd won this time, it seemed, as her strides shortened and gradually stopped. Panting heavily, she turned her pretty face to the pale man with an innocent, cute little smile.
                 "You win this round, so it seems I'm stuck to my oath: you'll be seeing a lot of me if I'm the one tasked with keeping your company."
Ocean orbs glittering, Amber took a step forward and swung her hips towards him nonchalantly. It was a slight attempt of simply throwing him off, but perhaps deeper down it was more of a flirty gesture.... Same thing, right? Still panting, she began to circle Heston with slow, exaggerated steps, and never did her gaze leave his own. 
                                    "Perhaps you're tricking me into thinking I have the power, or maybe I'm luring you into a sense of security."

He felt his teeth close on silky tendrils of her tail and he gave a gentle pull. His momentum carried him forward further, enough to bump her hip gently. He laughed aloud at his victory, swerving to avoid her so as not to trip over her. Together they slowed and he ended his run with a playful hopping prance, nose pointed upwards in a victory pose. He stopped after a moment, his eyes lowering to catch her smile. He smirked in return, raising his brows to hear what they both knew. She spoke the words and he grinned wider, nodding. He was winded too, panting, but endurance had always been his strong suit. Speed, not so much. It took him a moment to gain speed, to maneuver.

"Oh," He panted, chuckling breathlessly. "Try not to sound too excited now." She turned and stepped forward, her hips swinging in his direction. His eyes slid from her hips to her face briefly, then watched with raised brows as she began to circle him. "I've caught you, but you're circling me like a meal?" She spoke again, twisting the situation back around. He sat, watching her as much as he could, until she would vanish behind him. His ears followed her travel, swiveling constantly. "Or perhaps we're both being tricked, thinking we both have the power when we're equally powerless." He waggled his brows at her. "You probably let me catch you because I'm so handsome. You just wanted a bodyguard to escort you around under the guise that you're visiting with me." He stood then, chin lifted. "I'll have you know I'm keen to your tricks, and I won't stand for it. If you keep at it I'll just have to go along it with the entire thing." He ended with a smirk a huff, winking at her.

Still panting lightly, Amber continued to circle through his words. Admittedly, each one he uttered brought the grin on her face higher and brighter. At his wondering of power, the obsidian fae just winked. One may never know where the true power lay, but in their reality it was Spring who held the throne. 
He sat in the center of the circle she paced, further teasing. She drug her tail along him every few paces, giggling slightly each time. It was his words of playful acccusation, however, that brought her to a halt. 
               "Perhaps I am, you don't seem to mind very much."
A sly glint in her ocean eyes showed that she was only playing, and her feathery tail wagged happily. He was handsome, yes, and his company would be lovely even if she knew she could protect herself. 
                           "But perhaps I haven't the slightest clue what you're talking about."

He rather liked Amber. She was quick with her replies, a sharp mind. She returned his flirting in full, batting her long lashes at him and feigning innocence. He thought perhaps he'd found a kindred spirit in her and saw the beginnings of a mutually entertaining relationship. Her tail tickled at him here and there and he returned the teasing gesture by snapping lightly at it, always sure to just miss. She halted after a moment, fixing him with a sly look. He didn't mind. If she was toying with him for some ulterior motive, he wouldn't mind that either. So long, of course, as that motive wasn't one of darkness. He didn't see darkness in her though, he saw only the goodness of a playful female. This could be another ruse, of course, that he was falling blindly for...but blindly falling he was.

He didn't doubt that she could protect herself, her confidence to flirt with an unknown male didn't seem to come from naivete. She knew she had abilities, knew she could defend herself if worst came to worst. Confidence in a woman was beautiful, it lit their eyes with an inner light. He was purely content to bask in that light, in those gazes. He nodded, a smirk twitching at his lips as he tried to maintain a serious face. "Ah, yes. I suppose you wouldn't have a clue. We're both innocent of any true motives, right? Just a male and female who happened across each other and decided to have a romp." He nodded, winking at her. "I'll keep my story straight for the others, you need not worry."

Now that he was well and truly interested in her, now that she was not only a pretty-faced mermaid he'd pulled from the river, he wanted to know more of her. "So since I caught you, don't I get a prize? Three wishes?" His mother had told a tale of a brute who'd caught a magic talking fish once, though he was sure the fish didn't have the eyes or figure that his catch did. "A kiss, perhaps? A little more information about you?" He knew she was Spring's sister, but he didn't know if she'd come to this land with her sister, he didn't know her story. He couldn't resist throwing the kiss in there though.

Perhaps in this man Amber had met her match, someone to play her games and stroke her ego. It was obvious, by now, that she'd caught his attention, and the opposite was also true: Heston has the shadowy womans full attention in his grasp, and she's more than willing to keep it that way. Perhaps she's simply too much of a hopeless romantic, but she can already feel herself sliping closer and closer. 
From where she stands before him, she winks back, and a giggle falls from her maw at his words.
              "What motives could the two of us have other than play, right? Just two packmates bonding." 
He continued, eyes holding a slight mischeif, and decided that he deserved a reward for winning. A kiss, he suggests, and Amber is glad for the dark, thick fur that hides the blush of her skin. Information about her is thrown in too, but the woman is unabashedly focused on the first wish he had. Wordlessly, she steped forward in grace and planted a sweet little lick to his cheek. Excitement rose in her throat, her spine tingling, but the fae takes a half a step away. They remain close, her eyes gazing wryly up at HEston, and now she does give him a little more about herself. 
                                  "There is your first wish, what about the other two?"
Information didn't count as a wish, to her, so without pause she went into herself a little bit. 
                                                                   "I'm new here, I've been traveling to find Spring the past few months. I plan on becoming a Naturalist: one who rules over the stars and poisons. Maybe Spring will teach me about herbs and I'll be a medic."

Tenatively going to set this after his thread with Shreya, so he knows some of the pack history.

Together they share a smirk over what their motives may or may not be. He nods to her. "Nothing at all. You just want to be sure of who is lurking on the borders, right? Can't be too careful." He expected her to scoff away his request for a kiss, and that is why he hid it within his other requests. He should have known better though, for after only a second Amber is shashaying towards him with the mischief plain on her face. He turns his face, exposing a cheek for her and she grants him a gentle peck.

He smirks, victorious again, for getting his first request. She asks after his second and third before providing her history, apparently she doesn't take that to be worthy of a request. He must admit it's not exactly on the level of a kiss. He is slightly surprised that she too is new here. Her plans are sound ones though and he nods. He hadn't given much thought about what he'd do. He was a decent hunter, perhaps he could seek to be a tracker. He wasn't sure if a mercenary was needed, but he could brush up on his fighting skills, perhaps pursue the trade of a Guardian. There were no specialties in being a silver tongue, or a flirt sadly, so he'd have to make himself useful otherwise.

"Perhaps I'll keep my next two wishes until I've thought of something to ask for. That way I'll have something to hold over you." He grinned slyly, his eyes twinkled with the joke. "Where did you live before this, then? Were you and Spring from the same litter?" He wondered if she had resided within the Maplewood, if she had been forced to leave when Spring and the others had. If so, why had she needed to search out Spring?

"I suppose I'll look into Tracking, or Guardianship, if I'm accepted. Herbs have never been my thing, though I'd like to think I'm decent at comforting another." He smiled at Amber again, softer this time. "Though I suppose it wouldn't be good for a mentor to be such a flirt, would it?"

Amber giggled wildly upon his reaction, rolling her eyes at his comment of holding something over her. As if, huh! She couldn't wait for his next two wishes, truthfully, for she was so far smitten with the man before her. What WOULD his wishes be? WHEN would they be? Hooked on wondering about this, however, nearly made her miss the rest of what he said. 
Before this? Erm, what?  Oh, right! Mental fart behind her, the shadowy woman shook her head a little and gave another smile; her stoic, flirty mask once again plastered upon her pretty face. 
                        "I'm a few years older, actually. But we both grew up in the same pack, outside the Teekons. What about you?"
He went on to talk about what he might do according to trades, and again a grin spread across her maw. She certainly didn't mind the flirting, but if it were towards someone else, maybe she wouldn't be so willing. 
                                              "Maybe not, but maybe some people like that sort of thing."

She seemed to love the joke and he continued to grin slyly at her. She'd never know when he intended to use his wishes. It could be two days from now, it could be a year. However long he chose to wait, until he'd found something suitable. He was not a wolf who forgot many things, and certainly not wishes that must be fulfilled by a beautiful fem. He nodded, but was surprised that she was older. They had both looked around the same age, in any case she was clearly well within her prime. He'd thought both Spring and she were close to his own age, but of course he knew never to ask a lady her age. 

He raised a brow as she stated that perhaps some people might like a mentor that flirted all the time. He smirked and laughed. "By some people, are you meaning yourself? Too many would be hot for teacher, I think. It'd be an epidemic. If I do take up mentoring, you'll be first to know though. Perhaps I could find something to teach you." Ah, that last one could be taken in a very naughty way. He hadn't meant it to sound so dirty, but the moment the words left off his tongue he'd known what it sounded like. He offered only a bemused smirk to accompany it, not wanting to seem too much of a sleaze. He was a flirt, yes, but he wasn't about to start whispering dirty words at Amber. He had class. The really dirty stuff he'd save for his mate.

He changed the subject quickly, wondering if that would push it too far for her tastes. "As for me, and my history. I came from outside the Wilds, as well. I have one litter of siblings, as far as I know. We were the first, but...well, I got my devilish good looks and silver tongue from my father so I'm sure they have more litters now." It was strange to think that he had family he hadn't met, likely would never meet. It was the way of the world, though. "I decided to seek adventure elsewhere, left home. " He skipped over his experience with the pack before here, still not entirely ready for the telling of it. 

It exposed him a great deal, the emotions there were still raw. Perhaps one day he'd share with Amber, it wasn't hard to imagine opening up to her. She was quick with a laugh, but her eyes were glowing with kindness. "End up in the Wilds and found this area to be my favorite. Little did I know I had chosen a pack of strong and capable women, the best kind of course. Lucky me." He glanced pointed over her features, winking at her as he commented upon the strong and capable females.

Amber was, to be frank, excited for the wishes, especially if he waited until they were better aquainted as she suspected he would. It was exciting to think about, and their flirting probably didn't help. He also seemed surprised that she was older than Spring, and naturally it gave her a confidence boost she didn't need. 
             "Maybe I do mean myself, but I'm sure I'm not the only one to appreciate good looks. I'm sure theres a thing or two we could teach each other." 
Another giggle burst from her throat, and she winked at him before calming down and listening to his story about home. The ebony female knew that he wasn't telling something, and she felt a twinge of sadness. She didn't show it though, smiling and keeping her warm eyes on him. His compliment warmed her fur, and without thinking she wiggled her hips at him with another burst of quiet laughter. 
                           "I'm glad you think so highly of me. There seems to be a shortage-meaning on‌e=of the big, strong, warrior guys: so us women have to do all the dirty work."
Some might've taken her words more negativley than she was thinking, but the grin plastered on her face and the wag of her feathery tail suggested she was jokig. It was true though, obviously, but there was no malice in her words towards the opposite gender for NOT being there.

He smirked at her reply, laughing that she'd returned the comment rather than being upset by it. "I'm sure there is. I'm still not convinced of my worthiness for mentoring. What if one of my students were to get jealous of the others? Hm? Then what would I do?" He winked at her playfully, obviously implying she would be the jealous one. He really enjoyed her laughter, she was so free and open with it. He was happy to see it, especially knowing the pack had recently gone through a famine and a great many other things.

She wiggled at him and he arched his brow, laughing with her. He hadn't laughed this much in a long time. It was nice, very nice. He chuckled as she mentioned his thinking highly of her. "Such confidence! How do you know I meant you?" He smirked, but then shook his head, dismissing his statement as a joke. He also didn't take offense to her comment, clearly the shortage couldn't be defeated by a single strong male joining (him), they'd need more. If only there were more of him. "It's earned. All the females I've met here, and that's mostly what I've met, seem more than capable of operating with a shortage or not. Is there something in the water here, other than you of course?"

With every wolf he met he found he liked Silver Creek more and more. Amber was no exception, and he was looking forward to being able to pester her in the future on her own turf. He was looking forward to holding those wished above her head, too.

He brought up the jealousy she knew she would no doubt feel should he find other students to teach, but Amber gave a shrug. It was no care of hers if some others got upset because she was around. Perhaps it was a vain thought, but it didn't cross her mind. With a sly grin wrought across her maw, she shot back her own answer with pride. Sure, she might be jealous of others, but in no part of her mind did she think she'd hesitate in chasing others away with tooth and fang. 
That is, if everything continued to go well.
                      "That's not my problem, or yours, its theirs for wanting what they cant have."
 Such confidence! How do you know I meant you?
The comment brought another laugh from her inky face, and the queenly woman shook her head. 
                                               "Well DID you have someone else in mind? Prove the pretty lady wrong then, Heston."
However, he was right. The women of Silver Creek-no, the members of Silver Creek- were more than capable of holding down the fort. They were strong, resilient, and while Amber hadn't been present before or during the move or the famine, she knew that the Creek wolves held a strong sense of pride in all they'd been through. A lack of males would not hold them back, nor would anything. 
                                                                            "Sorry, thats a pack secret: you've gotta be a full memeber to know!"

Perhaps it was a slight bit of projection, that he would assume she be jealous. He'd never truly been in love, though his eyes had danced across many a pretty face. He'd thought that he might be tasting the first tendrils of the bittersweet poison with the female from his last pack, but that was not a drink he was meant to take. Even still, he'd felt a few pricklings of green in his eyes when that female had cast her eyes on other males. She had been only a friend, but with friendship often comes love. Whether it blossom romantically or familially was the true question. He had felt the stirrings though, and he had felt a the growing affection in his heart. While he had been juggling the idea of two females, courting them both subtly but openly and in a manner so as not to confuse anyone, he'd thought that he might have his pick. Such are the ways of tragedy and love.

He smirked at her and laughed, nodding. "I suppose you'd be right. The heart wants what it wants though." He cast her a sly look, that slowly morphed into a more serious one. "I'll tell you a secret though, I'm not a man to ...shall we say...collect a body count. Once I call someone mine, I'll want no other." He paused a moment, thinking back. "Unless, I suppose, they are not so careful with my own heart. Then I could." He exhaled a puff of air, nodding. It sounded justified to him. Take care of me, I'll take care of you and if you fuck me over, I'll ensure it's mutual. A gentleman until given a reason not to be, that was Heston. Or, so he imagined himself.

She called his bluff and he merely shook his head, drawing his tongue over his teeth. "You've caught me out. I mean you, and a few of the other's I've had the privilege of meeting. Definitely you, though." He winked at her. His question of the water drew another taunt and he groaned, rolling his eyes. "Thwarted again, it seems. It shouldn't be very long for that to happen, though, I hope. I've met a few members of your pack. I think I'm mingling well with the locals. I have your vote at least, hm?" He waggled his brows at her, tongue lolling from his mouth in a goofy manner.

He smiled, but the joking air around them disolved like water in the desert. Not in a bad way: he told her that once he really chose, that was that. Amber busied herself wondering if he meant that he wanted to let her know she need not be jealous, or if he was telling her that there was no chance. Her ocean eyes fixed carefully on him, warm and understanding, just like the quiet words she threw at him.
                 "Loyalty one of the most important factors in happy mateships. I, too, have no interest in collecting a count. I flirt and I jest, but believe me when I say I'm not picking a mate easily. I am careful with my heart now."
Things got a little lighter then, and he admitted that she was who he meant. While the others were too, she had been the one on his mind. It brought her a measure of pride, of outright vanity, for a split moment, but soon enough she deflated. 
                                       "Of course you have my vote: I don't always want to come to the borders to see you, and you've still got wishes for me to fulfill." 

His mind was not on either option that she had created. He didn't want to jump recklessly into anything most things. He was merely telling her that should he find love in another, their flirting might continue, but he would be taken. Should he find love in her, well, she'd need not worry about his affections. He was merely sharing his character, allowing her to know him better.

She responded in kind and he smiled at her and nodded, showing his agreement. He didn't miss the now on the end of her words, and thought to ask her about it. He didn't only because he still didn't feel comfortable sharing his whole past yet, so it wasn't fair to ask her and not return the favor. He could see the compliment stirring in her chest and face, raising her up. He smirked as responded that he did have her vote. He chuckled and tilted his head at her, a brow cocked. "You would though, if you had to, wouldn't you?" He meant coming to the borders to see him. "I'm too wonderful a draw, I think, for you to keep away. Long trek or not." And her words about the wishes were true as well. He was interested to see what he would want from her, as time went by.

Amber's mind flooded with worry, wondering which he meant even though neither were correct and when she would know. Their meeting was pulling to a close, she felt it in the heaviness of her paws and the drag to lay in her den and sleep. Her belly rumbled in demand of food, but Heston was talking again and as tired as she was the pale mans words were thrilling. 
"You would though, if you had to, wouldn't you?"
Hell, she barely had to think: of course she'd be more than happy to come out here every day and see him. Now if their friendship went on, well, she wasn't sure she was as willing to come all the way out here to meet with her mate. Thankfully, he was already on his way into Silver Creek, and no matter their relationship he would be close. 
                         "I think I just might, Heston. That, I can admit for you."