Calling out for you...(Tawny)

[Nelio]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=width,500,true]

[bg=00c5cd] He was walking along the cliffs, judging distances and becoming more familiar with diving. It had been weeks since he had seen Jade or Mari, but he knew loners could be flaky. The idea of the circus had been a good one, but it seemed it would not come to fruition, for the only ones left were Tawny and Lio, for even Tawny’s sister Jade had gone missing, perhaps back to the Clan. He did not know but the truth of the matter was while he worried, he had searched the cliffs, the waters and the caves, she was not here, and she was not family. They had not begun to travel yet and so Lio felt odd about any obligation to search for her. His brown, and gray and even tawny pelt that shined brightly in the day sun reflected the speckles of blue with a gentle, but firm ferocity that simply could not be ignored. His tail swished from side to side as his head looked up and down. From here he could see the beach and he was looking for Tawny. He had hoped she would stay here with him..they seemed to have a lot of similar views on things and she made it easy for him to believe they were both meant for something more, even as loners, having left their pack. His mind was wandering though, what act would they be if there were only two of them? What would they have planned then, a group of travelers were subject to all different types of dangers and problems. With a sigh he sounded a call for her in specific, and hoped that she was in close enough range to hear it. Instead of just making it a howl however, he turned it into a song. His voice rang out over the cliffs and echoed over the water to sound into the small forest around the beach. It was a first to see him out and about during the day time, because he honestly preferred the night, but his schedule would have to change when they began..if they began to travel in any capacity. Day time you could see things, predators and other wolves coming, at night time it was easier to ambush someone. All these thoughts ran through his head while he waited for any sound, ears perked at attention. His fur was smooth and bright with the sea having combed through it day by day. For some wolves it would mat and knot their pelt, but for some reason the rich colors in his seemed to blend together only marred by this speckles. He stared down the cliffs again, as if debating on whether or not he would jump down and into the water or make his way to the bottom. In the end he merely took a seat on top the cliff and waited, he was a very patient male and he had no desire to gain a fin right this moment.. [[Interrupted muse damn it, but still good!]]

[Tawny <3]

[atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,false][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,450,true]

[atrb=background,http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd415/Somatra1/tback-2.jpg] [scrolly:h(370), w(340),sy] Her heart was heavy, weighed down by every negative emotion there was drifting through her veins. Not even the serenity and the seclusion of the cove could calm the female. It was all a mess to her strangely thinking mind, a jumbled blur that she could make no sense of whatsoever. Her body throbbed numbly, pulsating as the blood seemed to stretch her skin outward, trying to escape because it was running so fast. Her heart was fluttering against her chest like a trapped bird, thrumming repeatedly against her ribcage. Her copper flecked, silver eyes stared at the water as she lay in one of the cool caves, filled and overflowing with tears. The chocolate fur upon her face was soaked with those tears. She had not been doing as well as she had hoped. Her sister had gone missing. Jade would not come to her when she called and there was no sign of her whenever she searched thoroughly for her. Oomara had not been around much either. In fact, since meeting her upon the beach, she had not seen her at all, not even for practices. Though, she was not as worried about Oomara as she was about her dear sister. She had lost her once and, now that there was literally no sign of her anywhere, she could only come to assume the worst had befallen the former beta. The thoughts of such things were not good for her mind, nor her emotions. However, they were unavoidable things that had to cross her thoughts whether she wanted them to or not. Tawny's ears twitched when she heard a call for her, someone calling her name. Hope caused her heart to leap out of her chest, then drop to the floor when she realized it was not Jade as she had wanted it to be. Her body had propelled upward in a somewhat sitting position when she heard that sound and she honestly did not want to go to him, seeing as she knew it was not her sister. All of the life seemed to be sapped from her eyes, body, and everything else about her. However, as she thought about it, she knew that she was probably the only supporter he had left, considering the other two vanished like they did out of nowhere. With a small, half-hearted smile, she got to her feet and bounded out of the cave. The female immediately spotted him when she was far enough down the beach, standing atop a cliff. She turned tail for a moment to get to a specific place where she could climb those cliffs with ease. After many, many days of continuous training, her legs had strengthened significantly. She could now climb up and down these cliffs with ease, a well earned reward over time. She made it to the top eventually and padded slowly to the male, head hanging low. Her ears and tail were drooping alike, showing her clear sadness with everything that was going on. She approached him finally, moving to his side and giving his shoulder a gentle, greeting lick. She stepped back and sat down carefully, trying to meet his gaze but finding that she couldn't. "You called for me...Nelio?" [/scrolly]

[Nelio]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=width,500,true]

[bg=00c5cd] Pain was a funny thing, not in a humorous way, but simply in that even though it was an emotion it was like anger, or love, or even rage. Important emotions, even though not visible could often be felt by more than the person initially having them. Pain was especially true, and more often than not triggered a response out of others even if they themselves were not feeling the emotion initially. Lio contemplated these thoughts as he waited for the female. Emotions were odd, and he was sure many did not even think about how they truly worked . Lio could say that he knew Tawny’s pain, but he didn’t. He did know how to think the worst of things though, when he was separated from his own family he was not even afforded the luxury of looking for them. The sea itself had parted them, and he knew not even which direction to search in. When his sister had left, he had traced her yes, he had even caught her, but he couldn’t hold her. If what she wanted was to leave and travel, even knowing it made her survival more difficult, he could not stop her. It was the same with the circus, he could demand the members stay, or go, it was a band of traveling gypsies or rogues, they owed no allegiances to each other , even though that made things easier. When he heard her coming up the cliff beside him, and coming up to him, it near broke his heart to see her like this. As if the weight of the world was being carried on the back of this poor female. Tawny may have been strong, and could defend herself and run with the best of them, but she was only one wolf, and one wolf against a heartache as wide as the sea was not something she could deal with alone. When she licked his shoulder he turned his body into hers and pushed his head under hers and gently pushed it up. His own face buried into the fur of her neck and chest as he held her like that for a long moment. Just offering her the comfort of another wolf, another Cael, even though he might not have been the one she wanted. He gently moved his head and licked her cheek lightly before he chose to speak. “I know not where everyone else is, but that is not my concern, here you are sitting before me, and the very sight of you looking like this…tears at the flesh of my heart. You are the first Cael I met here at the beach who had the same ideals I did, who jumped on the idea of traveling and performing…who stood by my side. Yet here you still stand…yet we are both so very alone.” His metallic silver eyes looked out over the ocean. “I cannot say I know your pain, because all pain is different but I do know of loss.” “The only thing that keeps me going is some small smidgen of hope that I may live my life to the fullest, and by doing that I bring some sort of peace, not only to myself but to those I have lost, no matter where they are..” His eyes turned back to her, “It would be selfish of me to ask you to remain with me..after leaving the only pack close enough where you shared it with your sister…to have even lost her it seems…but I wish to be selfish…Tawny will you find it in your heart to remain here…with me…make new plans perhaps?”

[Tawny <3]

[atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,false][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,450,true]

[atrb=background,http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd415/Somatra1/tback-2.jpg] [scrolly:h(370), w(340),sy] Her eyes widened slightly at the show of comfort, his touch startling her for a moment. She felt his head go underneath hers, then bury in the soft pelt of her neck and chest. It lasted a longer time than she had expected and, for a moment, she was not sure as to why he was doing this. He was trying to comfort her and the thought of that made a small smile turn onto her face. Slowly, she pressed her face into his neck, drinking in his scent. Such a thing calmed her down, as though the smell itself took away that weight that was hanging so heavily upon her shoulders. She supposed that was a normal thing, whether the smell be of friends or family, scent was just an incredible thing. She felt a little cold when he moved away, but managed to smile at him when he licked her cheek. She returned it by running her tongue slightly on his muzzle. As she listened to him speak, her ears began to droop again. So, he had the same concerns about everyone else that she did, but to her it was more of Jade that she was worried about, especially her sister. She knew not where she was and, after having been reunited after their accident when they were little, losing her a second time was more painful than the first. She hoped she would no lose herself completely to the emotions in her heart, submerged into an emotionless comatose. She did not want that to happen, especially with him around. She would keep her promise and not leave him here alone to do his own thing. She sighed some, knowing that would be hard, though she was aware of how hard it would be. However, she was not the type to give up so easily, despite how much pain she was in. Tawny blinked a few times, surprised to hear him ask about her staying with him, though he felt it would be selfish to ask her of such a thing. Selfish was far from what she was thinking. He would be alone if she left him here, and that was not something she wanted to do. She needed time to think, yes, but he did not seem like the type to crowd another. She would take time to think as she slept or something. She would not bother him with a problem like this. She sighed when he finished speaking. "Nelio... I don't know where Jade is. She won't come when I call and I cannot find her anywhere, leaving me to only assume the worst of things. As disheartening as that is, I know what I want to do. Don't think of yourself as selfish in asking me to stay, because I wasn't planning on leaving." She knew that was the truth, but the confusing part to her was what she was going to do with herself and what Nelio planned on doing now that the group had practically failed. She did not state this outright, of course, in fear of hurting him. However, she needed to know what was going on, what his ideas were now. She would get a word in edge-wise as well, but for now his words were more important to her. "So...what now? Any plans?" It had come down to the fact that Jade had not been around long enough or at all for that matter, seriously leaving her to assume the female was dead. The fact of the matter was at that moment, Nelio was more of a family to her than anyone else. Even the Clan had not been that great. There was no one there, leaving the place empty and the pack useless. Jade was gone now, and Nelio was her family. Her copper flecked, silver eyes rested on him, waiting for some shimmer of hope of an idea. [/scrolly]

[Nelio]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=width,500,true]

[bg=00c5cd] It was obvious to Lio that he cared for Tawny, she was like him in so many ways it was almost funny. She had a brown pelt similar to his, eyes that were jus a different shade but oh so metallic, if he hadn’t known better he would have thought they were separated at birth. Since their first quiet meeting on the beach he had ever intention of convincing her to travel with him, for she looked as miserable as he was at the time. Now he had someone to comb the beaches with, someone to roam the waters with, he thought even someone to nap next to if he so felt the desire. He would do whatever was within his power to do to make her feel better and try to get over the loss of her beloved sister. As her face came close to his neck and he heard her take in his scent he sighed and smiled gently, his ears falling back for a moment before flicking to the left and right respectively. He snorted playfully when she licked his muzzle and nosed at her shoulders and head in response, a slightly playful yet gentle move which he hoped would continue to keep her smiling. His whole intent right now was to make her smile and take her mind off this, this same intent was what fueled the circus within his mind. If a traveling band of Caella or wolves could bring joy and entertainment to other’s and take their minds off pain and loss then he could honestly say he did something with his life. Lio looked at her from the side, she was the perfect wolf to share this task with, he knew she was a fighter, and dedicated and organized. He wondered why her sister had gotten Beta female and not her, all things considered he would see her as the better candidate. Ah but that time was passed and he waited near anxiously for her response to his question to remain there with her. He could understand if it was truly too painful for her to stay here considering it was here that she had lost Jade…here that she had told her about her plans to leave the pack they had joined together. He would understand but it would still hurt to be alone…even though he had just met Tor, and liked her, rather loved her too, it would still be painful. He was overjoyed to hear she wasn’t planning on leaving but it was hard to show his excitement when it was paired with such sadness. He whined against her lowly and nodded. “I understand somewhat of what you must be thinking and how it must be impacting you…you know I am here..if you want to talk or share ideas or concerns..I will always come when you call or when you need me..Always.” His eyes showed the lock and key promise to her as he looked into her own eyes. When she asked about ideas, he assumed she meant the circus and he sighed shoulders falling. “I know not what to do now…I thought of simply sending out a call to all wolves interested, Caella and not. I was thinking…some Cael will never be good on land despite any training…we need other wolves for traveling, for protection, even for other performers, it might add depth to the show…We will of course be the only water performers but maybe we’ll have a better chance if we sound out a call to all those within the Cove lands and nearby that could be interested? Other than that…I am sorely…empty in the pool of creativity..” His eyes, silver as the moon looked very sad in that moment..

[Tawny <3]

[atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,false][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,450,true]

[atrb=background,http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd415/Somatra1/tback-2.jpg] [scrolly:h(370), w(340),sy] His touch was at least comforting to some degree to the female, letting her mind, rather her subconscious, know that she had someone there for her whom she would most likely never be rid of. She hoped she would never be rid of him. He was a good friend, obviously caring for her enough to ask what was wrong and things like that. She had never truly had that kind of comfort before, seeing as the group of Cael she had lived with a long time ago had shunned her greatly because of her coloring. Gold scales and brown fur were rare, making her the pariah of that old pack. She spent a lot of time away from them, learning things more on her own than she did from them. Her own father did not even like her that much. Her mother loved her greatly, but went along with the pack so she wasn't kicked out. Tawny left. She gave him a soft smile, "I know you are here for me, Nelio, and I appreciate that, I truly do. Trust me, you've no idea...how much just knowing someone cares makes me happy." This was true. Tawny had never really been cared by someone so much before, except for Jade. She loved her sister and she knew her sister loved her the same way. Well, she had loved her the same way. As of right now, Jade was nowhere to be found and would not come to Tawny whenever she called for her. It was depressing really, that the only thing she had lost and regained was the thing she had come to lose again. At least, the Cael that she was with, the Cael that she knew, were not disapproving of her presence just because of the way she looked. She had always found them a disadvantage, especially when it came to finding someone to love. At least, that's what her father pounded into her head. Sighing, the female listened intently to his words, taking them in. For a moment, her mind believed that he had lost all hope in the idea of the Cael Circus, but there seemed to be something there. He appeared like he still wanted to try and that was a good thing. Giving up was not something that was good for one's moral. A soft smile traced the edges of her lips, though it was a sad one. She felt bad, like she needed to do something to help get this idea started again. She felt as though, in a sense, she had failed to help Nelio with the things he needed done. However, she agreed with what he spoke of. They needed more than just Cael, not just for protection, but if the Circus idea went through, then it would add variety to acts. "I think that is the wise choice. We should stay here for awhile and see the result of this." The sadness in his eyes caused an aching in her chest, a sharp one. Her ears pressed against her head, then drooped low as though there was nothing holding them up. This made her sad, seeing him like this. Hesitantly, she stood up from where she sat and scooted closer to him. Honestly, she did not really know how to offer comfort to someone. It was an unnatural thing to her, and it was not something she had ever really given to someone else. Tawny pressed the top of her muzzle against his shoulder, sort of digging her nose into his skin, sitting back down on her rump. "Don't be sad, Nelio. It will all work out somehow. Even if the Circus idea does not work, then we could always try something else. Like...travel all the land or something." At least she was trying to offer a glimmer of hope. [/scrolly]

[Nelio]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=width,500,true]

[bg=00c5cd] There were few things in Lio’s life that were completely certain. So very few things, he knew certain underwater plants to help with stings and injuries the water could inflict. He knew the terrain of the Cove in more depths than many, if only because he ran, climbed, and explored it on a daily basis. He knew that when it came right down to it, he was alone. Yes he and Tawny had each other, but she would never be his sister, and he could never be Jade. Some things simply could never be and no matter how long they stayed together they would have to admit this to each other in some form or another. His face scrunched in unpleasant lines. This was why he had been so happy to be with Tor..if only for a day she made him forget all these bad depressing thoughts, and the fact that he could not be there for Tawny in that way made him sad. Although maybe if she met Tor… “Tawny..do you ever think we are weird looking?” He couldn’t help but ask, the fact of the matter was that they both had brown coloring, yes he was not completely brown, as he had the same blue flecks and speckles along his body that broke up the brown but he was not aqua like Tor, or beautifully colored like some Cael he knew. He knew it was no one’s fault in the end, even his mother and father were differently colored, but they still had some parts of them that were brown. He had never thought he might be looked at as weird or perhaps not even fully Cael because he was not as brightly colored as the others that came from the sea, it would seem that most Cael were colored as brightly as some of the life under the water even… It was an odd thought but he couldn’t help but voice it to one of the female’s who was closest to him…at least for as long as she chose to be close to him. “If knowing me and knowing I am here for you makes you happy Tawny, then you have given my existence, at least at this point some meaning..” He truly meant the words as well, if he in any measure did something good for her then he could count himself as one of the lucky few who had a purpose. Yes he would like to get the gypsy band together and begin the circus, he would love that in fact but even if that didn’t work out she had given him something in that moment that could never be replaced. “I agree…the Cove seems to attract all kinds of wolves, and if we remain here we have a better chance of recruiting members. It might make other Cael, and even other wolves feel safer to have a variety of wolves traveling with us, then they wouldn’t have to feel as though they were sitting bait if we ran in to trouble. A Yagi might be helpful at least looking more intimidating then we do, and perhaps a lyxxus to be a scout or messenger, Keiyou would be great too, think of the acts they could do in the air…!” His excitement had come from some place deep down..yes the acts in the water would most likely be strictly Cael, but with others, others they could boast a whole new set of acts and entertainment. When she began to dig her nose into his shoulder he whimpered and whined with her, playfully and in turn put his nose into her side and snuffled around, taking in her scent and that of everything around her. He hated to be sad around her, he did. But sometimes life will take it’s toll regardless of what happens. She was offering him hope, and he would be a fool not to take it..truly he would. “It would be wonderful to go traveling with you Tawny, I am sure we would have many adventures along the way…stories of excitement that could thrill pups for generations…” He smiled at the thought but then said, “Hopefully though we can get others to join us in making history….I will send out the call in a few days time…and hopefully we draw all the wolves the Cove has to offer..!”

[Tawny <3]

[atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,false][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,450,true]

[atrb=background,http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd415/Somatra1/tback-2.jpg] [scrolly:h(370), w(340),sy] His question caused her to pause for a moment, silent completely, as if she wasn't going to answer at first. Of course, however, the question made a smile break out on her face. A laugh jumped out of her throat, melodic tone ringing through the air as her body trembled slightly with the action. It was sort of funny to hear him ask something like that, as she had not expected it to come from him. Not many would ask if someone else thought they were funny looking, probably just for the fact of avoiding embarrassment. Nonetheless, the female calmed herself down, not speaking until the last giggle left her lungs. It had merely been amusing to her and she hoped she hadn't hurt him by doing so. Some were offended when others laughed while they were trying to be serious. "Well... I didn't have friends for the longest time. I was shunned just because of my scale color." She shrugged. "But to a wolf who lives on land, we must appear strange. They can't do the things we do and they couldn't if they wanted to. We are...unique." Yes, that was a good way to put things. She was glad that she was not pushed away just by her scale color now, glad that she had successfully made friends on her own. Her ears twitched. She had given his existence some meaning? That captured her interest and her mind began to try to figure out why he had felt his life had had no meaning before this. "Nelio...every creature's life has meaning. Whether others appreciated you or not, there will always be one person who appreciates and loves you above all else. I know I appreciate you, that's a fact. Jade hasn't been around, but you have. Who do you think I'm more likely to turn to?" It was true that the male had been around more to her than her own sister was. She just supposed her own sibling was too busy for her, leaving her on her own once more. Tawny watched with a smile as he seemed to get more and more excited over the thought of inviting different species of wolves within the group. She liked the idea, but she had to admit that was a rather nerve wracking thing. Some wolves could come with ill intentions and others would not, though there was still a reason to worry about everything. If this failed, then they would need to work on a back up plan. A frown settled on her face as she listened to him. She had a feeling that he would be crushed if this idea didn't go through this time. She just hoped and prayed to the Great Spirit that it would, for the last thing she wanted to see was a crushed Nelio. She allowed her smile to be put back on her face before he turned to see it. She did not want him to know of her constant worrying over everything. It wasn't really worrying, it was more of...contemplating over the things that were likely to happen. She yipped and nipped at his ear gently when his nose went into her side. Honestly, it tickled, making her want to wriggle around and move away. She dipped her head down and rolled over onto her back, sticking her legs in the air to bat lightly at his muzzle. She was rather surprised with herself, allowing herself to lose some of her composure right now. It was a nice thing, to be able to relax once in a while. She did not do it often, but now that she had done it she made a mental note to do this more often. It felt nice. She stared up at him with her metallic eyes, continuing to reach for his muzzle. "Traveling would be nice...but I do think we should at least try to get through this plan first. If it fails, then at least we have a fallback plan." She paused a moment, listening to the pups part. "Pups? Would another fallback plan be ending a long journey by joining a pack and telling stories to numerous pups?" Perhaps he had another idea, but she only assumed that this was the one he was thinking of. She looked up at him, dropping her paws some, and smiled. Tawny felt like a puppy. [/scrolly]

[Nelio]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=width,500,true]

[bg=00c5cd] The fact that Tawny stayed silent for so long made him wonder for a moment if he had asked a completely idiotic question, what if she had never thought about that before, and if she had what if she didn’t care. Tawny seemed like the type who might not care, but Lio did, even if there was nothing he could truly do about how he looked, it would be good to know if he was weird looking to others, it might help interpret why he got some funny looks here and there. Soon however, he was saved and she began to laugh, although he didn’t know if what he had asked was serious, he was content to have her laughter when it came right down to it. Now was the best time for such things to occur, and even though she was sad if he could make her laugh well then there was truly hope. He turned his head towards her as she laughed and tilted it slightly as if to ask what she found so very funny. He listened carefully as the last laughs left her maw and she began to seriously answer him about her own trials with being naturally colored. He found nothing wrong with either of them but the fact that she didn’t have many if not any friends because of it was saddening. He had never been shunned or treated differently and for a long moment he was sorry he had asked, it was not his intention to bring up old memories or bad feeling for her in any capacity, that was in fact what he was trying to avoid. He did however, think about what she said, he assumed that to most land wolves the things they could do would make them seem weird. “I suppose unique is a great way to put it, and even if others did assume we were weird looking you are correct we can do much that they really can’t do.” She had given him a sufficient answer all things considered, but he continued to watch her ears move and he could seemingly hear the clicking within her mind as she thought of something else and spoke again. “I am sure you are right in that every creature’s life has meaning, but I suppose sometimes the creature does not know what their meaning is until much later.” He smiled and snuffled against her shoulder playfully. “It makes me truly happy that you appreciate me, and in turn I appreciate you. It was so wonderful to meet you on the beach that day, when this little plan was hatched, you were there to support the idea and give me the push I needed.” He did not know what would happen when it put out the call for all wolves interested would go. He would have to feel each of them out, and ask for Tawny’s feelings on them as well. He had no desire to travel with thieves, murderers, or any type of wolf that he felt he could not trust. He may have gotten stronger and more able to walk on land, but he did not ever think he would be the kind of fighter he had seen in his life time. Perhaps in the water he would be a force to be reckoned with, but he did not know many other species that would willingly go swimming, especially not in water above their chests. It was indeed cause for concern in any capacity. When she nipped and yipped he smiled and growled at her playfully pawing her feet with his own. His tail wagged back and forth happily as he enjoyed her joyous company once more, attempting to forget all the other things he had on his mind, at least for now. When she rolled onto her back he smiled down at her, and playfully tried to nip her paws as she swung. This was what he had always wanted with his own sister, his own companion, and now he was finally receiving it from the brown colored female. “I agree, a fall back plan is always nice to have. But I am with you on this, and I want to try to make it work to the best of my…rather our ability.” She was after all his partner basically. He leaned down to try to snuffle and snort against her chest and stomach before laying down beside her and practically rolling up beside her. “I don’t know, maybe that could be towards the end of the traveling..when we are older, and less capable, maybe it would be best to think about joining a pack then…then we can be crochety old wolves with plenty a stories for the young ones..” He chuckled lightly and laid against her, still nipping gently here and there..”I am really thankful you are here Tawny..”

[Tawny <3]

[atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,false][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,450,true]

[atrb=background,http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd415/Somatra1/tback-2.jpg] [scrolly:h(370), w(340),sy] Tawny felt nice laying there, listening to everything he had said. She was glad to have someone like him around, a brother figure, something she had not come across before. She remembered all of the bad things others had said to her when she had lived in her old pack, but that was all in the past now. She needed to put that behind her, for she had something much better now. She had something better than any of them would ever have, something so precious that she was not willing to risk it for the world. A relationship, a good one at that. It was a bond that she would never rid herself of, or at least never allow herself to be rid of. She loved this bond, it was something that she had never even gotten from Jade. Even when Nelio nipped back at her playfully, she felt...happy and appreciated. She felt herself laugh when she snuffled and snorted against her stomach and chest before rolling over and laying beside her. She rolled over onto her stomach, pressing her side to his comfortably. Resting her head upon her paws, she smiled when he continued to speak, nipping her fur here and there. The idea of being a crotchety old female telling tales to pups made her want to laugh. Sure, she could not see herself like that now, but perhaps it would come to happen when they were old and grey. "I like the idea of scaring pups with fantastic stories of adventure. It would make for something like...retirement, but only when this adventure ends. I don't want to join a pack for awhile, at least until we're old. After that experience with the Clan, the last thing I want is to join an actual pack." Her voice was somewhat bitter when she said this, but she spoke what she felt. His next words had made her heart soar, causing a warm feeling to spread throughout her pelt. He was thankful that she was there. Those words were new to her and they meant an awful lot. Tears pricked at her eyes, though she was not sure why. Perhaps it was just the reaction that was so strong that caused it, but she did not allow them to fall. A small chuckle left her lips as she lifted her head with a warming grin, leaning over slightly to lick his ears softly. "I am...so happy to hear such words. Thank you. I am glad for your presence as well. In this moment, there is no place I'd rather be. I'm glad to have supported you through this so far, but I do not plan on leaving any time...at all." Tawny nuzzled his cheek lovingly, pressing her forehead to his neck and leaving it there, feeling the tears ready to trickle over. They were from happiness, not sadness. Far from sadness. She was glad...to have a friend. [/scrolly]