Stavanger Bay The Pointy End

@Ajei 
ended our other and then totally forgot to make this one. :/ For ref, set the morning after this thread, April 23rd.

Arrluk yawned as he lay in the ulaq of the great Star Hunter. Stirring from his slumper and battering away the tiredness from his eyes. He knew Ajei would be up and ready for the hike hours beforehand. He couldn't help but grin, sliding up next to his new wife and her bundles. Strap me up then, wife. 

You ready? A last ask before he would send out a call to his family and pack to let them know they were heading out. 

The travel there was an easy one. Between Moonglow and the bay was nearly a straight shot northward though open land of fields. Through the Chimera Arrluk would pick out flowers as be went to cheekily present to Ajei. It was thick with wildflowers to one half and he could hear rodents scurrying in the tall green grass to the other. From this they came to the Honeyed Pasture. Long golden grasses, trickling streams. The smell of deer just days passed and the smell of coyote even more recent. 

It wasn't until they reached the outskirts of the bay did they find forestry again, making for a protective boundary around the territory from the south, where rock formations of low cliffs cradled the actual bay from the east and west. From this point, going through the forestry was the obvious choice. 

Its been so long, I barely remember it. He murmurs to Ajei as he thinks back to Vairë's time here.

heh it happens <3

Ajei had prepared all she could the night before, and then she rose with the dawn.  She double checked and tripled checked their wraps of food. It was not a long trip, but she wouldn't have any hungry bellies!

Ajei lifted her head mid count and smiled. The light reaching her eyes. As she leaned up to lick along his muzzle. 

Okay, husband. She returned in kind.

It wasn't large packs to be settled along his shoulders. Just enough to carry. She herself had one too.

Laughter and joy followed each gift presented. A sniff to flowers. Some behind ears. Some tucked away in packs. 

She would often roll in them, after all. She was conscious of her own smell changing slowly as they days turned. She knew what it was, but there was a sense of wonder and a little fear to her thoughts. Did they have time to decide before her body forced them to make a decision. 

She had felt a bit exposed in the meadows and fields, but nothing had bothered them. And as they entered the trees a serene smile stole along maw.

She nodded her head. It had been for too long. She foundherself searching for tide pools and the ocean. They were covered here, but she could hear the break of the waves.

Water of all manner of forms spilled through the open forestry. If not the smell of the salt in the air, moving through the deciduous trees, then the sound of trinkling waters ahead as they moved through the blossoms of bluebell. 

Along their path they would come to a gentle flowing creek, scattered with a manner of vibrant mossy green rocks. Hey, look! His ears perked as he followed the down flow, which led to a little pool that formed a mini waterfall as it continued further through the forest.

There were many wondrous things to see on their foray. And many things they hadn't. And at Arrluk's call her head tilted and her green gaze grew wide at the sight. She lay her bundled gently at her feet and stared at it. It was beautiful and she couldn't take her eyes from it. 

Oh it's beautiful. She breathed. Moving closer to study it. Noting the fish in the water. She knew they had places to be, but surely they could rest here for a time right. 

Can we take a break here? She moved to lean against his side, still looking out over the small river waterfall. Her insides felt shaky. And a new scent clung to her like lilacs in spring. Arrluk would have noticed it by now surely.

But of course, nuliaga. Arrluk croons along with a playful grumble, pushing his muzzle through the fur of Ajei's neck as she comes to settle at his side and he moves to sit down there and look out at the water with her. She smelt lovely. Like the flowers he picked for her and, something else... had it always been this way? It was a peaceful place. Quiet. Savor the sound of the rushing water and birds chattering in the tree tops. 

Their journey through the flatlands had been an easy one, yet some fifty miles still stretched between here and the mountains of Moonglow. It would be good to rest their paws by the water. 

Even as his eyes studied the water out before him, his mind was racing as he felt the warmth of Ajei pressed to his side.

Ajei was hyper aware of Arrluk on this trip. It was not a bad thing, but there was an undercurrent of nervous anticipation. Of longing glances and gentle touches. She had always been aware of him, but now it was more. He was her husband. She belonged to him in more ways than she could say she belonged to anyone and he to her. And nature had decided it was time to play with fate. And her body also kicked up it's own yearning for the man who had always been her dearest. 

She settled against his side. Letting her mind wander briefly. She knew what was coming, had noticed the signs. They would need to have a conversation soon about whether or not they wanted children so soon into their marriage. After all there were things that could be done. Granted her education was not a thorough one. She had half whispers by teenage girls on what it could be to scientific talks during women circles.

She leaned up to preen at his shoulders and neck thinking carefully. Arrluk what do you think of children? So soon?

Grooming at his neckline, Arrluk lifts his head to her touch, arcing into it. I'd have them now, if you were ready. He answers with an honesty, his green and blue eye looking down, trying to see her from the corner of his gaze. 

Arrluk had known for quite some time now that it had been Ajei he wanted. Had imagined the years outstretched for them, the places they would go, the family which they would create. If only she were to have him. It was a build up which sent a nervous flutter in his gut now. Had his heart racing. He wanted to get this right. He had too. 

I know what I want, Ajei. He states as he pulls back. Enough so that he might seek the emotions in her red and what face. I think I've known it all along. For him, there was no reason to wait. Waiting, hesitating, procrastinating, it only hurt in the end. Arrluk had learned well by now how fleeting life could be. He wouldn't waste a moment of his time with her.

She was not surprised. Arrluk was a family man. Had always been. He had always been a good brother, a good son, a good friend, a good mate now even fell true. So she knew that he would be a good father. He would not leave as her own had. 

Though Ajei realized fiercely that she was not a fighter or a hunter or mean. But were he to leave her children as her father had left her and her brother. She would not allow him back. She would not put them through that. 

But she had no worries that this would happen. She had a deep feeling that Arrluk would not let a soul tear him away from them. 

The green of her eyes grew soft and wet. How sweet he was the orca wolf she married. She dipped her head down, but it was not of fear. No there was a shyness there. And then a deep yearning. She was not certain if they could have children yet. Her body certainly felt different. Her scent had changed, but it was only the beginning and Ajei did not know how these things worked exactly.. But that did not mean they could not practice, no?  And if they were lucky the children would come.

She did not know if other wolves did this for fun or only when they wanted children. But she was curious. So slowly she lifted her head, and there was a boldness to her gaze, but the edges hinted at the vulnerable girl she was still.

And surprised at her own audacity she spoke, softly, but her voice carried weight. Well as they say practice makes perfect. Shall we try? Then she let the invitation hang. A small shy smile playing around the daintiness of her muzzle.

Passion held deeply in the softness of her green eyes. His own of longing, of deep endearment for the woman at his side. The sweet shyness would always be there, in the fluttering of her lashes, the turning down of her chin as she cast her gaze aside. The quickening of her breath...

The delicacy of her nature had always allowed Arrluk to be easily protective of her, gentle with her. He wanted to give her anything, everything. To raise her up on a pedestal for the pure of heart she wete. Yet it was only her mind which allowed her to be cautious, quiet, uncertain. For her heart and soul was strong, so filled with honesty, dutifullness and loyalty. 

A hidden strength she did not often show was given to Arrluk now, however. One which had his heart beating harder, so much so that he was aware of it beating there in his ribcage. 

Y-yes.. His breath hitches. Until its perfect. His forehead moving to press against her own and he continues his movements. His muzzle arcing around the lining of her muzzle, down her neck, her shoulder. She smells like the waters, flowers and of course her own self, amplified by one-hundred. Every moment he makes - soft, smooth, awaiting with patience for her to tell him to keep going further...

Ajei felt her insides shaky and uncertain. And tight like a bow wire. She could not fully fathom the plethora of feelings that were slamming into her. But there was a want and a need. A hesitancy and a recklessness that needed heeded. She felt as if her very soul would implode if she did not get what this deep need demanded. 

Ajei was delicate in build. Anxious in mind. But her heart was strong. And despite that there was a delicacy to her build, she would not break. She was not in essence fragile of any kind. 

Every part of her that he touched burned and then cooled. Soft whines when he moved away. She gave him the permission he sought. Returning his own ministrations. Making sure, or at least hoping that she did what she could for him as he did for her.

When her very breath came in pants and she wanted to scream to the heavens. She shifted and turned. Green eyes watching him with love and hope and happiness and she waited sweetly calmly. For him to take her to the furthest reaches they could get. As close to heaven as they could. 

FADE TO BLACK