Secluded Spring Promise

PRIVATE for @Jessie - I needed some Dressie back in my life <3
Random scattered post is scattered. I imagine they've been "scouting"and trying to "recruit" separately, meeting up every few days or so.. (?)

RE: The Lore experiences a bout of unseasonably warm weather.
- Midday, Partly Cloudy

Itchy! His fur, his paws, his whole body seemed to be itching. Warmth had finally come, a veritable wave of it flushing over the land, as if a finale proof that, yes, it was spring. Such a sudden uptick in temperature was rather shocking to plants and creatures alike though, pushing trees to bud and fur to shed in large, grayish clumps. A silver-dusted hind paw scratched fervently now at such a tuft, claws digging at the irritated skin below. Shedding had never been so maddening before, however the rapid shift from cold to hot seemed to have worsened the ordeal, causing the elder wolf to growl lowly as he lowered his leg, shaking thoroughly to be rid of the loosened hairs. It was this heat that had pushed him to move further north, hoping to find some cooler air, but instead he'd run into this unexpected wet-land. The spring might have been a welcome surprise to a weary traveler, had it not been for the fact that its edges played host to a multitude of newly hatched, buzzing, biting insects, only adding to the irritation of his poor skin. It wasn't just his outside that itched though. Something deeper was adding to his tension as well, something he couldn't so simply gnaw at. Everything was so insecure now, it was freedom but it was also vulnerability, and it made him worry more than he had imagined. Is lived as a loner before, enjoyed travelling as he pleased and not adhering to any rules other than his own, but after two years in Oak Tree Bend, he'd come to appreciate the stability of pack life. He wanted to have a family around him, he'd realized, others to care for and depend on. He'd left his former one behind with that goal in mind, to build one that was truly his. It wouldn't be easy, he'd known that from the start, but it would only get harder the longer he waited. And he'd needed to act, to move away from the toxic emotions that threatened to suffocate him in the Bend. But now, after a couple months of fresh air, he was weary of wandering aimlessly. It wasn't that he wanted to turn back – like they would accept him if he did – at least, most of him didn't. But he wanted to settle, to start building rather than scraping by like this. Word count: 440 ”Speech" Thoughts

FrantisekSpurny @DA & Dawnthieves.de

She couldn’t stop moving. The burning had started again and it was another unpleasant reminder of what she longed for. Her jaw was clenched uncomfortably as she made her way around her former home. These lands were much like an old friend to her and treated her well. When Jess traveled through them, it was like revisiting memories from her past, these much happier than the ones she had left on the other side of the mountain. Some of the memories she could greet with a smile, something she could say hadn’t graced her features in a quite a while. It was harder for Jessie to converse with the strangers that she met. For her to make acquaintances, it would require her to actually be friendly. When she was on business trips for Oak Tree Bend, she only needed professionalism. Now it was harder for her and while she did not confess the struggle to Drestig, she was sure her lack of progress communicated enough to him. It was her fault they were not moving forward and she was ashamed that they had not moved further along in their goals of creating the family they wanted together. The burning only got worse. Over time, her curiosity got the best of her and she longed to know what use to be of Ruiko’s kingdom. While she had not been overly close with the man, Hotei had and that meant something to her. Jessie's small body made her trip to Secluded Springs easy for her and her lack of companion made it an even easier trip. She had only been to the Springs once when the burnt man had wanted to see his older brother upon his return. Their trip had been brief and had only been for pleasure. Jessie had not gotten to see most of the Springs. She was captivated when she went within, her emerald eyes wide. The only reason she could conjure for not coming before was due to her obligations to her pack mates but now she was free, hopefully for not too much longer, and she was able to go wherever she pleased. The salt-and-pepper colored woman was, however, reminded of an extremely important factor of her life when his scent overwhelmed her. If they were still in Oak Tree Bend, she would have been sure to steer clear of him but she knew that even though it was spring she could not ignore him. They were traveling together and if she disappeared…well, she didn’t want him to think the worst. She followed his scent and it led to a stream where there were a nauseating amount of insects. He was just standing there. Jessie tilted her head slightly, standing far away from the area and wrinkling her nose in disgust as she took in his form. What was he doing? ”You do realize that if you just stand there, they are going to bite you. I’m really not interested in hearing you complaining during our travels.” Of course, she was teasing him, she could endure his complaints for as long as he to complain, because she would just be a smartass about it, but that didn’t mean she wouldn’t tease him about whatever it is this was.

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(This post was last modified: Mar 26, 2016, 02:26 PM by Jessie.)

These lands were completely foreign to him, free of both good and bad memories, like he was looking for. The stinging of insect bites though, told him that the search was not yet over. A familiar, dry voice called him away from his scratching, a slick grin replacing the irritated expression on his graying face. Travelling with Jessie was no pleasant meander, neither had he expected it to be. They needed their breaks from one another now and again, which was just as well as they could cover more ground that way, searching for a suitable place to settle. When they were together, this was the typical tone, and on his part, the dark Avalon enjoyed it immensely. Despite the passion on the night after the awful meeting, their relationship seemed largely unchanged; Which was what he wanted, mostly at least. Cocking a brow at his grayscale companion, Drestig drawled: "Oh but I thought you enjoyed my witty commentary!" Lifting himself back into a proper stance, stretching out his back and neck, he shook his shaggy pelt again, feeling little relief despite his aggressive scratching. Looking out over the water, he briefly considered jumping in, but gave up the thought, he wasn't much of a swimmer and however refreshing the cool water might feel, he was sure the itching would return as soon as he returned to shore. Instead he turned to face Jessie, eyeing the distance between them; "Are you gonna bite too?" Again his voice was jeering, brows arched high over flaming eyes as they settled on her. Despite the lengths between them, her scent carried to him easily, that seasonal change, so clear on it, making his skin crawl. Of course it wasn't the first time he had noticed it, travelling together it was unavoidable, and he couldn't deny its effect on him. So far he had practiced sophrosyne, but it grew increasingly difficult, and he wasn't sure he wanted to keep it up either. Of course it was a question that had never actually come up between them, on the night they left he had been too consumed by emotion. There were feelings running high within him now too, but they were of a different kind. He wasn't quite sure how to approach it though, and he found himself simply watching her, head tilted ever so slightly, breathing deeply, filling his nose with that intoxicating scent. Word count: 400 ”Speech" Thoughts

FrantisekSpurny @DA & Dawnthieves.de

A young deer has been separated from the rest of its herd. Hunt Opportunity

As soon as he turned to face her, she looked into his eyes, a smile instantly gracing her features. His comeback did not faze her, her grin only widening when he looked at her. Jessie laughed at him, her words light, ”Sometimes, but usually, you’re a pain in my ass.” The silver hued woman smirked and gave a soft snort. The small woman watched his movements with a careful eye, emerald eyes sparkling in the sunlight. His next words, however, stunned her. Her jaw relaxed and dropped a hair length, her brows arching so that her forehead wrinkled, as if she were concerned about a particular incident. For a moment, she said nothing and just stared at the dark man in front of her, pulse racing against her chest. Breaking eye contact, Jessie focused on an object to Drestig’s right, flushing and once again grateful for her multi-colored pelt. Clearing her throat, in what was most likely an awkward manner, she spoke, ”Umm…I..uhh, I don’t believe so.” Bashfully, she looked up at him, a hesitant smile on her lips. She shifted uncomfortably before straightening herself into a posture that Drestig was, no doubt, all too familiar with. Shoulders down and smile flattening into a neutral expression, with a slight tilt up Jessie spoke again, ”I’m being serious though…come away from the bugs. I’m not familiar with any herbs and I don’t know any healers on this side of the mountain.” She wasn’t saying this to be above him or assert her dominance in any way but out of concern for his well being.

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Her smile was a treat he had seen much more of in the past month than any time previous. At first it had unnerved him a bit, truth be told, so different from the stiff, neutral expression that had been her standard back in the Bend. But it hadn't taken long for him to get used to, in fact he quickly grew very fond of it, and he found himself going out of his way to bring it out. She answered snidely, evoking a breathy chuckle in the dark man, his eyes sparkling in a reflection of her own. "Aha?" He hummed, letting his gaze drift away from hers to instead wonder along the line of her back, settling un her hunches; Since she mentioned it… Another thing he much enjoyed was being a pain in her ass. Her demeanor changed at his question though, and he looked back to her face, surprised to see those, previously so lively emeralds, shifted away from him. She looked oddly surprised, had the comment really been so different from his usual banter? Or was it something else? It certainly seemed like he had put her off balance. When she replied, her voice was oddly thick, the natural rhythm of their usual back and forth completely lost. She looked back at him briefly, and for a moment he saw something surprisingly soft on her face, sending a pulse of warmth through his chest. Then it disappeared, replaced instead by her business-face, a hint of harness in her voice when she spoke again, giving an air of command. Drestig nodded, his smile shrunk into a puzzled 'O' of his mouth. Silently he obeyed, hopping over the small stream separating them, and trotting into the trees where she stood, away from the water's edge. As he neared her, he slowed, walking with confident steps to finally hold right in front of her. "There," He said, voice low and unusually honest; "Better?" Ember eyes sought to meet hers, something smoldering bright in their depths. His nostrils flared, standing so close her scent was overpowering, the itch within him flaming. The corner of his mouth quivered, teeth grinding, but there was no scratching this particular bite. Instead he rumbled a sigh, voice still low and intense as he said: "I don't need a healer, just a good scratching." For a moment his eyes left hers to glance around them, ears flattening halfway back; "And some dryer land, perhaps." The last words were just a mutter, falling from his lips as his attention turned back to Jessie. He honestly didn't care about their surroundings. Word count: 435 ”Speech" Thoughts

FrantisekSpurny @DA & Dawnthieves.de

He was checking her out. Drestig had some nerve doing so in the open space of the springs where anyone could be watching them. Her need for privacy overwhelmed her and the burning only increased. Jessie let out a quick sigh, watching him with the attention she would give her prey. The woman’s stench was overwhelming and while she would gladly go take a dip in the spring she was sure it would solve nothing. The burning would still be there and her desire would still be there. As far as she knew there was no cure. She was glad there was no argument with him when he bounded towards her, his medium built making it easy for him to jump over the stream separating them. The pepper-and-salt colored woman had come to learn that she much liked telling him what to do, just as she always had. A satisfied smirk played on his lips, her heart, once again, picking up speed at his proximity, the burning, still, increasing. Her voice, however, was a choked whisper, ”Yes, much better.” Her eyes followed up to meet his, connecting with his fiery eyes in their own heated battle of passion. They always seemed to communicate better through their body language and Jessie highly doubted that the case would ever seem to change. Drestig addressed her matter of healers and she couldn’t help the upturn of her lips at his attempt. Rolling her eyes for good measure, she watched as he looked around Ruiko’s former lands before his gaze landed on hers once more. She hardly cared about the bugs, or the water, or the burning that was running through her body and every fiber of her being. There was only him. Her voice was low and soft when she spoke next, ”Is there anything else you need, Drestig?” Jessie looked into his eyes, a hint of a smile on her dark lips as she closed the distance between them and touched her muzzle to his.

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She looked pleased at his quick compliance, just as he was to obey her, her expression very like his own. It soon shifted though, stiffening at her usual reaction to his – or anyone's – closeness. Today though, he didn't step back to give her space, he didn't want space between them. Her reply was meek, only causing his eyes to twinkle brighter, a silent laughter shaking his shoulders. She wasn't completely defeated though, the sharp glint in her deep green eyes a clear enough testament, and she even rolled them, smiling at his silly comeback. That smile, everything around him disappeared in the light of that smile. She spoke again and her voice was entirely different, the passion in it sending flares through his body. Never the less, there was a witty retort on his lips, but it melted as she touched him, their eyes locked for a breathless second. Then, rather than words, he answered her be returning the caress, brushing his nose up along her muzzle and into the soft, grey plush below her ear. Was there anything else he needed? Oh yes, yes there was, but it was right here. She was right here. "Only you." He whispered into her fur, breathing deeply, feeling how her scent, her touch, her very being affected him, threatening to break down any scrap of self control he had left. He continued to move along her light scruff, smoothing the mixed silvery and black hairs with his own, similarly colored muzzle. Slowly, gently, they had all the time in the world. Since they left the Bend, he had had many sleepless nights, worrying, trying to decide what was the best course of action. In the end, it turned out, what was best happened all on its own. He might be getting older, their future might be uncertain, but they were together. He reached the spot between her shoulders and paused, nibbling her hairs affectionately. He ached to move along, drawn by that very itch, burning within. But he held back. He wouldn't rush, he would treasure this, her, take his time to feel every tremor, every movement she made. For the moment, they were all alone in the world. Word count: 367 ”Speech" Thoughts

FrantisekSpurny @DA & Dawnthieves.de

He was quick to respond to her touch and Jessie reacted with a sharp intake of breath. As soon as she touched her, she was almost positive that she was on fire. Had she been clear-minded she would have felt shame for even thinking such a thing, for nothing could actually compare to being burnt but with Drestig’s presence being omnipotent, he was the only thing on her mind. She pressed her head firmly into his neck hair, inhaling his scent as he caressed her back, sending a pleasant tremor down her spine. A soft sigh of content passed by Jessie’s lips as she stood there, her tense frame relaxing into the larger man’s build. Her relationship with Drestig had always been queer but these were the moments that she enjoyed the most. They were the moments that made her heart beat and her soul become alive again. Drestig brought out the spark within her and she didn’t know what she would do without him. His verbal confirmation increased the burning fire and Jessie’s desire. All she could do was press closer to him and experience these new feelings. In the years past, she had forbidden herself to even test these waters, knowing that it would only end in something gone wrong, but now the both of them were free and they could do whatever they damn well pleased. The pepper-and-salt colored woman inhaled his familiar scent again and, if possible, moved even closer. She wanted to say more to him, to offer him more but her throat was constricted by…something and words failed her. It didn’t matter though because Drestig’s teeth were nibbling at her back and Jessie let out a sharp growl as another shiver went down her spine. Eyes dilated, Jessie pushed forward, bringing her tail under his chin before she looped around to meet him eye-to-eye again, her chest rising and falling as if she had just run to get there. Her wide eyes looked up at Drestig’s amber, her still low and soft, ”I do not appreciate being teased.” Her heart was still beating erratically in her chest as she looked up at the dark man. She wanted him but if that was not to be reciprocated then she needed to get out.

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Her reaction was like adding tinder to the fire burning within him, the feel of her body pressing into his making his heat speed up. His ears flipped back at the sound of her light gasp, and he answered with a low growl, continuing to cuddle the base of her neck. Then she moved on his touch, his chest tightening as the feeling of her disappeared below his muzzle. The brush of her tail against his nose, made him breath in sharply, just as she had before, a light tremor running all throughout his body. She turned to face him, their eyes locked, no world beyond them. He ached to close the distance between them, but hesitated, ears flicking back up at her soft words. "I don't tease." He answered hoarsely, then couldn't hold back a smile; "Not about this at least." It was a mere step to reach her again, dark head bowing to get below her shorter form. He rubbed underneath her chin, planting a slow kiss at her nape before pulling back up to meet her eyes. A year ago, he would have never dreamed of being with Jessie like this, of feeling as he did now for her. But now he wanted nothing else, no one else! The intensity of his feelings clear in his, still low, voice, he said: "I want you Jessie. To be mine, to make a family with me!" His eyes were flames, silver-dusted lips slightly parted as he breathed heavily, looking down at the woman who, in the end, had managed to win his heart. Word count: 264 ”Speech" Thoughts

FrantisekSpurny @DA & Dawnthieves.de