Back so Soon? [Adraxxia]

[Aspen]

Cold wind buffeted his thick brown and silver fur but the youth just brushed it off. It was way colder in the tundra for this to affect him. His coat had become much thicker as the winter drew nearer and his horns had grown as well. All in all Aspen was growing into a fine young Yagi, a fact he was oh so proud of. He was sure he knew someone else who would appreciate his new found good looks. Which brought him to the reason he had once again traveled, secretly, so far away from home.

The last time he had visited the Enclave had been an accident, but he was glad he had. Getting lost had proved to be very lucky. Though that hybrid Luparia set his teeth on edge and settled a growl in his throat, Adraxxia was the complete opposite. She was sweet and kind, at least thats what Aspen had gathered from their brief meeting. And she had asked to see him again. He had been really bored in the Empire as of late. There were no other wolves his age besides his sisters. While he loved them more than anything he needed to get away just for a little while. What better than to go to the only other place he knew.

Unfortunately the Empire Heir didn't have any clue of how to find the tri-colored pup. He settled on the philosophy of when in doubt return to what you know. So Aspen found himself in the location of where the two had first met. He knew it was illogical but he searched for her scent anyway. Like he had thought it was long gone. A sigh escaped him, golden eyes eying the forest warily. It would do no good for him to be caught. A young male of another pack wondering a forest likely full of hostile wolves searching for one of their females. Yes that was likely to go over well.

Aspen took a hesitant step forward into the trees. He picked his way cautiously through the greenery making sure not to lose his way back by scraping some bark off a tree with his horns every few yards. This way if he had to run at least he would know what direction was out.

"Adraxxia?" he called softly, feeling slightly foolish.

[Adraxxia]

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[atrb=background,http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q21/winkatuck/Untitled-3copy-2.png,true] [scrolly:h(330),w(400),sy,c()] Well the little heiress was out on her own once more today, lately it had become a true test to her fortitude to being alone. Most times she still snuck into her father’s den in the male tree, simply because she needed to be close to him, he was around a lot more now that they had more members to patrol and do the work he had been doing by himself for so long. Adraxxia also spent a good majority of the time in the female tree, trying to imitate the females there, but many of them were lyxxus, or keiyou, the pack seemed to have an abundance of them. Adraxxia wished for just once there was a female Yagi, who could teach her how things were supposed to be for them after all, Yagi were different from other wolf breeds, their size, their demeanor their attitude, she felt so horrible lost in the pack around her, and if was hard to even articulate how she felt to anyone. Her brothers had their father to look to, and several other strong male leads, but at least they had someone of their own kind, for a short moment she felt some, well more than a little resentment towards her mother for leaving her. She desperately wished for someone to talk to, and so throughout most of the days she spent her time muddled around outside, playing in the snow, diving in and out, and scratching her horns against the various trees. She also practiced walking, quietly, even stealthy but also practiced walking like some of the females did. In certain areas, away from others she held her head high and smiled gently, like she saw Rava do, and pranced this way and that, of course she did fall a few times, still learning through the puppy balance period but after a period of time she seemed to have a gentle, almost feminine gait about her. However, there was no mistaking how Adraxxia felt about herself, she was proud to be firstly, an heiress, her father’s daughter, and a Yagi. She would never argue with Luparia about species betterment, but in her heart she knew there was something about herself that was special, that Luparia would never have. She simply could not put her paw on it right now, but she knew in her heart. Her thoughts did linger many a day to the younger male Yagi she had met the day Luparia had been so harsh with her, Aspen. He said he was from the Empire…was it? Unknown to herself she was following the same path she had when she had first met the pup, perhaps her mind knew, and had picked up his scent on the winds while she had been too deep within her own thoughts to know where she was going. It was not until she heard her name when she stopped and perked her ears up. Lifting her nose to the air she scented him, Aspen was here! She ran ahead and burst through the bushes, landing thoughtfully in front of him. Her one yellow, and one green eye reflected the light and there was a happy smile on her face. She shook herself before she sat down in front of him, and wagged her stump of a tail slowly, “Hello Aspen! I can’t believe you came back!…” You wanted to say she didn’t think he would, even though he had said sweet things about her to Luparia, she was pretty sure the mean spirited little hybrid would chase him off with her bitter words and stinging insults. Collecting herself, she lowered her voice more and leaned in, “I’m really happy to see you, and how brave coming all the way from, the Empire you said last time right? It must be a long way!” Friendly as ever she just couldn’t help herself. [/scrolly]

[Aspen]

There was a loud rustling in the foliage and Aspen looked toward the noise apprehensive. Had he been caught? Would he be chased out, or worse attacked? It was now that the young heir pondered whether this was really a good idea or not. He wasn't even sure if he would find Adraxxia. But lady luck seemed to be on his side for the wolf that came barreling through the forest was none other than the little princess.

The young male let out a relieved sigh as Adraxxia came to an abrupt stop before him. It seemed as if she had gotten more graceful sense the last time he saw her. Golden eyes gleamed with joy at the excitement that she showed at his arrival. She had wanted to see him too. He smiled back at the tri-colored female. Aspen raise his head a bit and stood proud slightly trying to show off for her.
"Of course I came back," he said warmly," You asked me to, and I couldn't possibly deny the request of a lady."

Aspen preened when she said he was brave. The more she talked the more she feed his massive ego. This was great, his sisters didn't look up to him like this. No, Adraxxia was perfect. Sweet and playful. Not at all boring like home had become. And the excitement of sneaking away from home made the experience so much more gratifying. Coming here on purpose was much better then finding this place on accident.

"Yes, the Empire. It's not too far, but nothing is too far if I get to see you," he said. He meant it but he also wanted her to like him. Complements were the best way to go. Lay it on thick, care about what she had to say, he had a lot of practice sense he had to listen to his sisters all the time.
"What have you been up to sense I've been gone?" he asked, wanting to know more about her and life outside the Empire.

[Adraxxia]

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[atrb=background,http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q21/winkatuck/Untitled-3copy-2.png,true] [scrolly:h(330),w(400),sy,c()] Adraxxia could not help but feel joy, here was a male, besides her brothers and fathers who obviously liked her, liked her enough in fact to travel across wind, and ice and snow to see her. It completely filled her mind with tons of thoughts of how beautiful and worthy she must be. She never thought of it as ego or pride, but Aspen was unknowingly, or knowingly filling her up just as she was him. It was almost as if they fed off each other, but Adraxxia had to wonder if he had the same situation as her, siblings who really didn’t seem to care, parents who had more important things to care for then their pups who would some day take their places…It was indeed a frustrating situation, and one that as a puppy she had no idea how to remedy. Even though she was young she felt it beneath herself to beg or cry for her father’s attention, so now Aspen would apparently fill that need for male attention. When he said he could not deny the request of a lady Adraxxia practically squealed with delight on the inside, he thought she was a lady! Her eyes gleamed with pleasure at his comment, oh she would be a sucker for flattery probably until she became an adult, and even then she would probably need the occasional compliment, until she evened out with how she felt about herself. She wondered why she was so oddly colored compared to the wolf prince in front of her, but unlike Luparia, who had called him a dirt clot, or whatever she had said, Adraxxia found him strangely attractive. Most of her brothers were green, and her adopted siblings were all weird colors of all different types. But Aspen, he was so normal looking, and in that moment he looked so strong, Adraxxia unknowingly fluttered her eyes, as if the sight of him so strong was just too much. She giggled slightly. “Well what a wonderful strong knight to come at the request of this lady!” Adraxxia had no idea that this is what adults called, ‘flirting’ she only knew that Aspen’s comments and arrival made her happy and she did not want it to end. The one thing the little oddly colored female pup could always hang on to was yes, the first time they had met it had been an accident, but the second time, he had came just for her. Not to come back to argue with Luparia, or spar with her brothers, he had come back just for her. She stood up and looked around, her ears twitching, she had not come with a babysitter so that was one less worry as they played together but she was also listening for adventure! Her attention came back when he had said no distance was too far, her eyes softened for a moment, how she had wished to hear someone say something like that, something sweet just like that, the little one might as well have melted into a puddle right there. He was even interested in what she had been doing since he left! She sat back down for a moment and thought, “Well, my Dad runs the pack, so even though he has others to do the small things he is still gone a lot, and well mother has been gone for as long as I remember…” “Mama Rava usually takes care of me, but she has been absent too. Syver and Aroh, my brothers, well they have more love for each other and their adventures then they do me, so I get left alone a lot. I have younger adopted siblings, but well, it seems we are at odds with each other all the time. So I go out exploring, try to learn how to hunt, and sneak around, and of course try to be a proper lady.” She said the last part with a smile as she leaned in closer to him, “What about you Aspen? What’s the Empire like? Do you have siblings? What are you parents like?” She wanted to know oh so much about the knight who had traveled so far to ‘win her heart’. [/scrolly]

[Aspen]

It wasn't physically possible for Aspen to stand any straighter or prouder. He had a reputation to uphold now. He had to be the knight that Adraxxia imagined he was. He was a valiant knight and she was his fair princess. It all worked out quite nicely in his mind. Even the secrecy was exciting, for if they were caught surely Adraxxia's father would chase him off. And if his parents caught him he wasn't sure what they would do. It helped that they were busy with the pack at the moment.

He listened attentively, like any proper gentleman would. Plus he was genuinely curious about the tri-colored pup's life, and by extension, her pack. Aspen knew that other packs weren't exactly like his, but he wondered how different they really were.
Aspen liked the fact that she was the alpha's daughter. It made him special that he had gotten her attention. That was of course if she didn't give her affection out willy nilly but the brown and silver youth decided that she didn't.

He felt genuinely sorry about Adraxxia's mother. Aspen didn't know what he would do without his own mother and her strong guidance. Without family, without a pack, a wolf on it's own was nothing. At least thats what Aspen had come to believe. It was tragic to the young heir that her family was in such discord, though he knew there was nothing he could do about it. At the very least he could keep her company until it was absolutely necessary that he return home.

"The Empire is great," he said proudly, "It is very cold and vegetation is sparse so only the strong can survive up in the tundra. We live in dens borrowed into the snow. I have an older brother and two sisters as litter mates. They are fun but sometimes I wish there were other wolves our age to play with," he sighed. Aspen could have sworn this was the most he had spoken in a long time and yet there was still more to be said.
"My mother and father are the alphas. One day my brother will take over. I probably won't ever get a chance because my brother's heirs will be next in line. But if anything happens to Cedrus before he had pups I'm pretty sure I'm next in line."

Aspen wasn't quite sure he would want to lead the Empire anyway. At least not until he had seen the world some, satisfied his curiosity. Now that that was said the young Yagi was a sort of loss at what to do. He didn't want to seem boring, and he desperately wanted to continue to impress Adraxxia. A soft breeze brought a familiar scent to his nose. Golden eyes lit up and brown ears became perky.
"Hey, how about we practice hunting," he said excitedly, stub of a tail wagging. This way they could play and he could show off his superior skills.

[Adraxxia]

Adraxxia was watching Aspen very quietly while he stood up straight and looked so magnificent to the little female pup. Adraxxia was learning very quickly that she couldn’t quite be so free with herself. The truth was she always tried to be so very polite to those around her, from the females in her pack, to her own siblings, adopted or not. But when it really came down to it she was learning that not everyone had the same beliefs about manners and niceness she did. As a pup her father put no limitations of fighting amongst her brothers and other siblings, and even play rough housing with adults. Once she reached maturity to mate she would be considered an adult female and the adult female rules would apply to her. Adraxxia could not imagine ever leaving her father, and so as of now she accepted the female’s rules for what they were. She was not yet in the condition of rebelling yet. Her brothers were already beginning to explore their lives and pre-responsibilities per the males in the pack and her father, it just made times like these, with Aspen more special to her, cherished even.

She listened in rapt attention, but kept a small smile on her face, to let Aspen know that she did enjoy listening to his story as much as she was listening. She found it rather funny, that she was her father’s only daughter (that she knew of) and for all intensive purposes to her mind Aspen was his parent’s only son, in her puppy mind older litters or half siblings, even adopted ones didn’t count this minute. As he described where he lived she inhaled through her nose, trying to get a feel or rather smell for where he lived, so if she ever wanted to come to him or find him, she could. She leaned in close and gently place her nose close to her chest and shoulder, near his heart where she could get the best smell from him. She didn’t touch him out of respect, but she inhaled, and took the scent and made a small memory within her head, where she would forever keep her friend. “Well I think it’s very important that you are the alpha’s pup, like you said, if anything happens to your brother they’ll need you..”

She didn’t mention that there was no way she could take over her father’s pack, with the way things were lined out, Aroh would most likely be taking over, with Syver right behind him, together they essentially were her father. This knowledge was known, and slightly disappointing, but relieving as well. It meant Adraxxia could actually go places, and know other things than this pack land, and these wolves. “I know I want to travel the world! I want to see other things than snow, and meet other wolves…” She wondered if it would sound crazy to the proud Yagi pup in front of her. When he suddenly suggested hunting her ears perked again and her eyes lit up. “Oh that we would be wonderful! It would be great if we could get something!” Aspen was of course slightly bigger than her, being a little older, and so she deferred to him, also the pack training she had already had was kicking in and she waited for him to lead the way. She never lowered her eyes or tail or act subservient, it was simply a matter of respect for someone she intensely liked. “I’m sure you have great moves you could show me!”


[[*Squee* Such Cuteness.]]

[Aspen]

Aspen smiled, full out grinned, he never got this much attention at home. Heck he didn't even know it was possible to feel this good and this happy. It was the best idea ever returning to the Enclave. Adraxxia adored him, something he would never get from his sisters. To her he was important, an alpha to-be, her knight, prince, whatever. He would be those things and more if he had to. Perfect, that was what she was to him. Kindred spirits, lonely and oppressed.

"We should see the world together," he said letting his golden eyes meet her mismatched ones," You and me, I be we could have great adventures and learn so many things!"

He gave a small yip of excitement," but not until we are older. Would not want to just up and disappear and break my mother's heart," and with that he turned his focus back to hunting. Aspen like the way she let him take the lead. It made him want to show off even more. Her complements were almost making him glow with pride and he felt the need to live up to her expectations.

So Aspen led the way through the unfamiliar forest. The territory and terrain were knew to him but he was confidant he wouldn't mess up. He was so high up in his ego he didn't think much could hurt him at this moment. He let instincts take over and followed the smells and sounds of the forest, which led him to a doe who had strayed away from it's herd. Aspen hesitated. Deers were for group hunting, and while he had gotten quite big he was still a puppy. His ego was telling him to go for it his mind was saying something much different.

If he messed this up he could loose Adraxxia's favor, if he backed down the same could result. He didn't like the odds, which seemed entirely against him. Aspen needed a smooth reason to find something smaller without loosing face.

"Hm, much to big for two, don't you think," he whispered smartly to his younger companion. That would work right?

[Adraxxia]

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[atrb=background,http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q21/winkatuck/Untitled-3copy-2.png,true] [scrolly:h(330),w(400),sy,c()] Adraxxia stood up and slowly padded around in a small tight circle, as though she might be chasing a tail she did not have, but in earnest she was watching Aspen the entire time, her mismatched eyes gleaming as she sat down and gave him a happy bark. She felt so appreciated, and cared for in those moments. It would seem they were both feeding off each other’s attention in such a way that normal paranoia and bad feelings that they were supposed to have considering their home packs simply dissipated within moments of meeting each other. For a moment that bothered Adraxxia, should she have chased him off like Luparia said? Her mind told her he might not be a threat now, but as he grew he might not like her as he liked her right now, and that bothered the little tri-colored female. But her heart told her Aspen would never do anything to hurt her, no matter how old he got, they would always be friends, and he would always listen to her and be nice to her just like he was being right now. When he began speaking of seeing the world and traveling together her eyes lit up with excitement, what would it be like to travel with Aspen? Laughing, and seeing so many different things, it would be so much fun, the ultimate adventure, and one not even her brothers could top! She nodded excitedly, “Oh yes, there are many things I would like to see, my father has told me about some of the places he has been but I would like to see even more than that, meet other Yagis, and of course it would be even better with you there!” When he commented about being older before this adventure she nodded intensely, she did not have a mother to worry about but she was sure her father would tear through pack after pack to find her if she disappeared for any reason. “Yes I think my father would destroy anything in his path to find me if I disappeared, I am his only daughter after all…” As they explored through the forest and she knew Aspen was letting his natural scenting and instincts take over she kept very aware of just where they were. As much as she would like to take Aspen to the Home Trees and show him all of where she lived she had to be on the look out. She knew her father still patrolled and if she scented any members of her own pack she would have to hide them both to avoid a nasty confrontation. It took a lot of her mind away from hunting, but to her keeping Aspen safe to visit her again was a key priority, above finding something to practice hunting on. In the back of her mind smells were of course registering, so when they came to the doe her head lifted to look at the creature, even though it was bigger the doe looked on them both with wariness. It knew they were predators, albeit small ones. When he turned to whisper to her, she smiled up at him and gently nodded, deferring to him. “I would say you are very right, it is much too large, and I think you are very smart and sweet for watching out for both of us, we could get hurt…” Her father had already taught her that brains were as if not more impressive than brawn and the fact that Aspen had both endeared him to her even more so. She waited for him to lead on before she stopped and whispered…”I believe there is a rabbit close to here…” She placed her nose to the ground and sniffed and then sat back waiting for his confirmation on whathe wanted to do…She was a female of patience. [/scrolly]

[Aspen]

Was there anyplace else Aspen would rather be right at that moment. The moment Adraxxia said it would be better with him. Seeing the world, meeting new wolves would be better with his company. The answer was no, there was no place else he would rather be then hunting with this sweet angelic princess. He had practically forgotten the danger's of being in a strange territory, the dangers of being caught by anyone other than Adraxxia. He was too high on his pride at the moment. Sorry, common sense? Call back later please.

He related to the father comment. Aspen's own father was very scary at times, though he was enormously proud to be Arhkam's son. The one year old pup wasn't sure his father would tear up the countryside looking for him but there would be hell to pay for sure. Besides, he Aspen needed to be bigger, stronger. Enough so that he could protect the tri-colored beauty from any harm the unknown had to offer. Being a Yagi would help her, but she was still a female. It was the same as how his father protected his mother and vise-versa.

A mental sigh escaped him when Adraxxia agreed with him. As much as he would love to show her his no doubt superb skills, he was glad he didn't have to tackle a full grown doe to do so. A charming smile broke out across Aspen's face as Adraxxia scented out a rabbit. He was glad to know she was more than just pretty face. Stump of a silver tail wagging, he also sniffed the ground, catching the scent she mentioned.

"Your right, of course," he whispered back, before taking the lead again and stalking through the woods. It was only a few yards through the trees until he caught the large rodent in his sight. The two were obscured by a large bush and out of rage of the rabbit's smell. He pondered for a moment if he should let Adraxxia try for it only to scoff at his own thought. She wanted him to prove he was worth her time, she had let him lead, what else could that mean. So with a nod of warning he leaped out of hiding, powerful muscles propelling him forward.

The rabbit, which had been digging through snow to find edible grass, lifted it's head in surprise. It made to run but it was too late, Aspen was already within range. Brown jaws clamped down on the rabbit's neck, growing incisors sinking into warm flesh. The thing thrashed for a moment but went still as it's air was starved from it's body. The young prince winced, he felt the slightest guilt for not making the kill as pain free as possible, but he was still learning. Mentally he apologized and trotted back to his awaiting companion.

Setting his prize at her feet, Aspen bowed regally, "For you, Milady." He stood up and licked his jaws, eagerly awaiting Adraxxia's response. He was sure that had to have impressed her.

[Adraxxia]

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[atrb=background,http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q21/winkatuck/Untitled-3copy-2.png,true] [scrolly:h(330),w(400),sy,c()] She had a wondering thought as to what her brothers were doing right now, and what her father was doing. She had gotten used to having picnics with her family when the weather had gotten warmer, but now with things changing as much as they were she knew she had little hope of seeing her father until sun down. She often heard him speaking to some of the other males to be on the alert for intruders and wolves who were in the need of help. She knew her father would never let a wolf suffer if he could help it, in one form or the other. Her chest puffed out with pride thinking about her father, and the male who was with her now. He was protective, and obviously very smart, and she would soon find out what kind of hunter he was. She was excited and obviously waited patiently and downhill of him to not scare the rabbit away and make his chase and kill even more difficult. He was bigger and she enjoyed looking up to him, but she never looked at him in a subservient way, no Adraxxia had a way of looking up to him that made him feel adored and wanted, instead of making herself the helpless female. Where as Luparia found herself to be superior to anyone she met due to the mixing of her blood obviously producing what she felt to be a superior specimen, Adraxxia was a complete charmer, she had her father’s way of knowing what people wanted, and what would make them comfortable. He was charming, but he was also a wolf who had a big heart, but it was never in contrast with his brain. As of now Adraxxia had not the muscle mass or the complete brain functioning yet to be a complete femme fatale but she was a true young version of one. Her heart was beating wildly in her chest as he whispered to her, and her tail, rather silver and white colored stump was wagging fiercely as she lived vicariously through him as he dashed forward. She suppressed a squeak of excitement. She watched as his muscles bunched and then released as he went forward, and her eyes were quite serious as she watched him get close to the rabbit. Luckily for him snow could be a very big downfall to prey, it bunched around them and made it hard to move, a little snow could help, but a lot could be a death sentence. She saw him wince as the rabbit kicked and wriggled several times, and she made a small face as well. Her father had never condoned making a meal suffer for any length of time, it was just cruelty he had said. He didn’t even believe in letting enemies suffer, if they were to die, they would die by his paw, and quickly….(although what she didn’t know about her father could fill the skies at this point) She shook her head to rid herself of the mental picture and placed a small smile on her face so that when Aspen did come back she was smiling softly at him. She accepted the kill graciously and placed her nose gently into his shoulder. “I think that was great! You were so very fast, it didn’t even have time to get away!” She could have gushed more about his muscles or how sharp his fangs were, there were many things, but for now she just needed him to know that she accepted him, not just the rabbit but all of him, she knew acceptance was important to her, so it must have had a level of importance to him as well. “Thank you for the rabbit, but it would make me very happy if we shared it, because of course the brave hunter should have some of his own very wonderful kill. Every knight should be rewarded…” She giggled softly and nosed his shoulder again, she had heard stories from the other females about male wolves who had done brave things indeed and had been rewarded in many different ways. She didn’t technically know what all the ways were but she figured what was better than a meal? She tore into the meat first and took a small bite and began chewing, right now it tasted better than anything she had had, but maybe that was because of who caught it…Her eyes slid to the side to look at him, after they ate perhaps she could show him something that would impress him, just as he had impressed her…her mind began to try to think of something she could do that he would find impressive. A small flurry of panic set in as she had a hard time thinking of something she could possibly do that he couldn’t do better….she was determined to find something, anything. She had won against her brother in fighting, but she knew Aspen would win in that, he was bigger and older and probably had more experience….she continued thinking as she took small bites to allow him most of the meat, since after all, it was his kill. [/scrolly]

[Aspen]

The regal young wolf watched his partner's reaction carefully. He grinned as she praised him, not shying away like others would but basking in them. Aspen had to fight for attention at home. Between his sisters and the rest of the pack there just didn't seem to be enough for him. And Adraxxia knew just what to say. Honestly she could have him wrapped around her paws in a heart beat.

"It would be an honor to share with a beauty such as you," he said charmingly. Aspen was no fool though, and he could be just as much of a flirt as Adraxxia. Though the brown and silver Yagi preferred words over actions he had learned how to use them at just the right time to get what he wanted. And right now? He wanted to make Adraxxia like him. To giggle, to swoon and to sing his praises. The two were a fine fit together. A great balance of give and take.

Aspen took a bite, flooding his mouth with his first meal of the day. The sun was getting high in the sky, he noted. If he left soon he could be halfway home by sun down. That is if he sprinted the whole way. But Aspen wasn't ready to leave. Home had become boring, he knew everything relevant there was to know there. The forest was new. New smells, new plants, new animals and new wolves. Though he knew he couldn't really meet new wolves he was ecstatic just spending his time with Adraxxia. The bright eyed youth wondered if he could get her to tell him more about her home and the way the forest worked. He would ask about the inner workings of the Enclave if that didn't sound so suspicious.

"Whats it like here?" he finally asked after taking another bite of rabbit,"Is there more than just the forest?" he had more questions piling up in his noggin but held them back. If he kept on and let his questions get away from him he might just overwhelm the poor girl. His hunger for knowledge rivaled the size of his pride. More than wanting to know everything there was to know, Aspen wanted to know more about Adraxxia's home. To make himself familiar with the land. That when when he visited again he would know how to find her. Which reminded him..

"Also, we should find a place for us to meet, that way I don't get caught wondering around by someone other than you," he said. He considered all the places they could meet up. He wished to show her his pack lands but that was risky. Aspen wasn't up for putting Adraxxia in danger nor getting in trouble with his parents any more than he already would for sneaking off all the time. Visiting the Enclave all the time would also be risky. The Empire heir wasn't sure how many wolves actually inhabited the area and sneaking around after the winter months would be difficult. And Aspen definitely planned to continue visiting well after the winter months.

He thought about the mountain range he had to pass through to get home. Maybe there could work as some sort of middle ground between the two pups. "Would we be able to meet in the mountains in between our homes? I'd really want to continue seeing you."

[Adraxxia]

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[atrb=background,http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q21/winkatuck/Untitled-3copy-2.png,true] [scrolly:h(330),w(400),sy,c()] Adraxxia seemed very alert, and on point with how Aspen was feeling, deep down she believed he felt the same way as her, desperate for approval from her. Any kind of approval actually, it did not need to be specific, they both seemed starved. It mattered not that they had siblings who could fill the avoid, or in his case two parents, and in hers one blood, and many stand in “mothers”, in that moment it seemed as though they were two sides of the same coin. Turning over and feeding the other’s needy side, and on the other nurturing the less attentive places. Adraxxia felt a sudden sense of calm overtake her as she looked into Aspen’s eyes as he watched for her reaction. Where as before her heart was about to leap from her chest, now the slow, low beat of her heart was now calming to her, and the closer she leaned to Aspen she could almost hear his heart, slowly coming down from the burst of adrenaline he had just gone through. “The honor is all mine brave knight, I am humbled by your hunting skills, and your charm to share with the likes of one such as myself..” Adraxxia was quite articulate, even for her age, her brothers were less so, but then again she could contribute that to being male, or her own exposure to females older than herself made her act as though she were older than she really was. It would turn out to be a blessing and a curse. She wondered if they were both gifted with the skills of charm, seeing as they were both heirs to a pack, she wondered if it just came naturally for them to charm others in that special way…it was curious. She also looked to the sky and then back at Aspen and said in a soft sad voice…”You must be thinking about getting home soon…I couldn’t blame you, it is very cold at night…” She hated to sound sad at the thought of him leaving, but she couldn’t help it, her selfish side was coming to the surface and she didn’t want to go back to being ignored and bored once more without him. When he began to ask about her home, her eyes clouded for a moment, caution coming to tense her muscles slightly even as they ate together…how much should she tell him..? She had to believe in her heart he wouldn’t use it against her…but she was still worried. She decided to speak even though her mind said to be careful…”Well, we have a lake, which is very nice during the spring and summer but otherwise it’s very cold and sometimes partially frozen over, and we have a valley, which is great for running, and competitions and training….and of course we have dens like you do..” She failed to mention they lived in trees, it was just something she felt the need to hold back for right now after all, this was only their second meeting, maybe she could wait until they truly knew each other better to divulge those kinds of secrets.. “It’s good we have the clearing and valley, because it keeps a lot of the winds out, which I imagine your home the tundra gets a lot of, the trees provide much shelter for us….” Plus they are wonderful to hide in since we have so many fliers…she added mentally, she knew her pack was strong due to it’s diversity but again some things she felt the need to keep secret….She had eaten her fill of the rabbit, and between the both of them they had made quite a mess of it, as she licked her mouth and tried to clean her face as much as possible she looked up at Aspen. “I was thinking about that earlier, trying to scent for any member of the pack that might be coming, and accidentally see you…I think it would be best if we found somewhere else to meet, to avoid any trouble..” She truly was afraid her father would find them, she knew he would be unhappy about her letting another pack’s wolf, no matter how young into his territory without telling him…especially from the Empire…he did not have many good things to say about them. When he mentioned the mountains Adraxxia’s mind began to worry, she had never been to the mountains before, and she did not know if she could find them alone…but after a moment of worry she nodded and puffed out her chest. “I will go to the mountains with you, if that’s how I have to continue to see you, I will do it, it’s fair that it’s in between so neither of us has to travel further than the other..” She nodded firmly to show she was more pleased about the fairness, but in reality when he said he wanted to keep seeing her she was jumping around on the inside singing her own praises that he liked her so very much. In her head she saw herself doing a little dance, shaking her nub like tail and small horns in celebration of this fact. But on the outside, her eyes widened slightly, and she sat a little straighter and offered up that very charming smile to him as she nodded, “I would very much like to keep seeing you too…and exploring the mountains together would prove to be our first traveling adventure..!” It was the one adventure they could both go on without risking their families displeasure and heart break at losing them….”What times would we meet there, and where on the mountain would we meet…” She wanted all the details so she would never miss him if he were there..but once again she asked…”Now that we know this…will you be going home now..?”[/scrolly]