Archainn Tunnels You Got A Dirty Tongue

@Eirian <3
RE: Winter makes a comeback! A cold snap drops a dusting of snow across Relic Lore, killing early spring flowers.

Oh would spring never come! Every time a milder turn in weather came about, every living creature seemed to hold its breath, only to sigh in disappointment when the cold seized the land once more. This morning had been no different, a fresh coat of snow covering every visible surface, much to the dismay the young wolf who had to travel through it. As much as she appreciated the benefits of snow, one being how much easier it was to track prey through the powder, it grew tiresome after a while, and that mark was long passed. Still she had to get up, slowly uncurling from the tight space under a fallen log where she had spend the night; A low groan leaving her lips as she stretched, trying to clear some of the stiffness from her body. To her own surprise, she actually longed for the warmth of the other bodies in the communal den back in the Bend, one obvious bonus to pack life, she had to admit.

But the promise of a warm night's sleep was not enough to turn her homeward just yet; Home… Still such an odd thought, yet Oak Tree Bend was that now, and certainly no worse than any other place that had held that title in her life. Yet she was out here, alone as she'd always liked best. Despite a firm home base, she still enjoyed to wander and explore, nothing worked better to clear the mind than a brisk hike, and she needed space away from the others from time to time. This time especially, she'd needed to be alone, to process her feelings away from prying eyes; She still preferred to keep her pack mates at a safe distance. But her feelings needed an outlet, so she'd rushed off to allow that.

Arion had left. Gone in search of other things beyond the Sierra Hills. And she hadn't followed; Why..? He'd sprung it on her and her instinct had been to retreat into herself, to push him away. The one friend she had; My family is here..! But really, what was blood? Arion was her brother in spirit, he'd been with her always. And yet he hadn't asked her to come. Which was a ridiculous excuse, for if she had offered, there was no doubt he would have said yes. But she'd chosen to be hurt instead, deciding that if he wouldn't ask then she wasn't going to plead; I'm better off on my own! Here with Aponi, who at least seemed to believe in what she had!

She was startled from her churning thoughts by a shadow, suddenly fluttering close by her face, making her jump. The little creature seemed to have come out of nowhere, apparently just as startled by her appearance as she had been by it; Hell! …A bat? What was it with those pesky little things? Snapping her teeth in annoyance, the girl turned to look where the animal had come from, spotting a dark crevice in the cliff side she'd been walking along. Ever curious, she hesitated only briefly before ducking inside, finding a dark tunnel that appeared to continue indefinitely. And with nothing better to take up her time, she decided to follow it and see where she might end up.

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"Speech" Thoughts

After spending the previous day with the monochrome woman he had cursed to carry his brood and tending to every whim her impregnated heart could desire while he was there to indulge them so, the familiar and by now routine sense of his presence no longer being desired began to resurface and it was this sense that allowed the copper male to slip away from her silvered side after supplying a generalized idea of when she could expect to hear from him again. It was an odd arrangement at best they had in place, but they managed to make it work and Eirian was content to leave something that hadn't needed fixing alone.

Now his travel hardened pads trudged through the slush of yet another fresh dusting of snow that easily could confuse those less observant into believing winter had never truly left and spring was yet to peek around the corner, limbs following the slicked paths that slithered through the rocky cracks and crevices of the Heights, having opted to traverse over the mountain rather than below due to his lack of knowledge about the network of tunnels beneath the mountain the local wolves had acquired.

Eventually, tired limbs came to a halt and a break was had to remove clumps of snow that had lodged themselves between the webbing of his toes. A nuisance he couldn't wait to be free of once the warm weather had plans of staying around rather than making its presence known for a moment then plunging the inhabitants of Relic Lore back into a chilly world. During this momentarily break, motion up ahead caught the man's attention and caused citrus eyes to shift toward the blurred figure that waltzed across the horizon and disappeared right into the cliff.

What the..? Cream brows knitted together then rose in curiosity, gradually making his way along the easiest path toward the general area he could have sworn he saw the figure become one with the rocky wall. Where he surely expected to find a wolf; since his nose picked up on a strong perfume that seemed both oddly familiar and not, instead his efforts were greeted with nothing more than a blackened hole which managed to now confuse the man. "Hello?" He called out after sticking his head into the entrance, his words echoing off the cavernous walls. Had his eyes been playing tricks on him?

There is a rabbit's nest nearby. +1 Health

She let the darkness envelop her with pleasure, a delighted shiver running down her spine as she ventured deeper into the coolness of the cavern. The tunnel seemed to stretch on eternally, her golden eyes narrowing to see further as they adjusted to the low light. All she did see was more darkness, continuing deep into the mountains, as well as what looked to be openings into more tunnels along both walls. Her natural curiosity blazed, all senses on high alert as she hurried on ahead, itching to explore every nook and cranny; How was it all formed? Where does it lead?

But her eager exploration was interrupted almost instantly, as a voice called into the cave, echoing back and forth off the walls. Russet-tipped head snapped up, spinning to look back over her shoulder, towards the light of the entrance. Mostly she just wanted to ignore whoever it was, hoping they would go away if they didn't get any answer, but something about the voice gave her pause. She knew it! Turning fully, the young shewolf strained to see the distant figure, standing in dark silhouette against the outside light. She breathed deeply, taking one hesitating step and then another, trying to spot any discernible traits through the inopportune light. In the end it was the scent, carried to her on the light breeze streaming in from the outside, that identified him, unchanged by his aging, unlike her own.

Dark tail flew up in a high wag, a bright grin spreading on her face as she rushed to meet the man in an unusual display of joy. "Eirian!" She barked, throwing herself into the black and copper fur, so excited to see him again that all thoughts of self-preservation were forgotten for just a moment. Then she breathed in again, filling her nose with his familiar odor, only there was something else in it too, another perfume clinging thickly to his coat. The young wolfess pulled back, carefully folding her face into a more moderate, neutral expression. Back in control again, she gave a small, slick smile, oscillating her tail cat-like at her hocks. The myriad of questions in her mind were neatly ordered, put into line and adjusted to best hide the true thoughts behind them. So rather than outright inquiring about the stranger she smelled, she offered diplomatically: "Whe'ave y' been?" And what exactly had come of his plans with @Eek, as well as the dark woman herself?

Word count: 411

"Speech" Thoughts

Because of work, my activity will fluctuate every other week. For more information and OOC preferrences check out my profile

Perhaps his eyes had indeed decided to play tricks on him, aging the man well beyond the handful of years he held under his copper belt for all the man could manage to see within the dimly lit cavern system was nothing more than darkness and darker darkness that led to the possibility of the system extended well beyond what the eye could, in fact, see from the entrance. Gradually the echoing of his words began to wither until silence once more engulfed the darkness, a creamy brow arching in acceptance that he had been mistaken and nobody had ventured into the cave. If there had been someone inside, wouldn't they have answered him by now like he expected?

No answer, no reason to stick around. Eirian began to slowly withdraw from the entrance when sudden movement within caught his attention, citrus gaze narrowing to try and better determine if this was yet another trick of his eyes or was, in fact, someone or something moving inside. Whatever it was moved awfully fast and before the copper man could shuffle himself out from the entrance a solid weight collided with that of his own, his moniker spoken off a familiar tongue the only warning to the impending attack. Oof, two bodies staggered backward and still unaware of whom had come to him, ebony lips curled with a warning growl that his teeth were ready to snap at the fool who dared to touch him until lids peaked at just who the perpetrator was.

"Nalda?" Bewilderment clearly present in his voice as citrus irises took in the familiar dark russet coat that now had grown more since the last time he had seen the young girl. Young woman, he should say. Quickly, for he was not one to engage in social displays of affection for long, his head lowered to embrace the young woman in a wolfish type of hug and adorn her crown with a single lick before her body moved to uphold a more fitting stance for the girl he had come to know. 

"Everywhere." He commented vaguely yet honestly, a hint of his own slick smile adorning the corner of his inky lips. "What about yourself? I see you're doing well for yourself." A deep inhale bringing to his nostrils the individual scents of others that warranted a brow to quirk. "They treating you good?" Eirian wouldn't be above knocking a few heads together for her if she said otherwise.

For a moment she was a tiny pup again, enveloped in the soft touch of someone she loved and trusted, the brief kiss at her crown making her body tinkle with emotions she hadn't felt in a long time. But it was over quickly, her shields going back up as soon as they pulled apart. She couldn't afford to let don her guard. And Eirian seemed to realize the same, answering her question with a slickness, which brought a crooked smile to her face. She should have known better; There's no tricking an expert! He even moved on to smoothly change the subject, turning the conversation onto her, and Nalda secretly rejoiced, she'd missed talking to a true equal.

Her shoulders shrugged, eyes drifting aside casually, to wander over the landscape of melting snow right outside their shelter. "'is alright," she replied casually, turning her gaze back on the man with a small half-smile. Then, because it was him and she knew he really cared, she admitted: "M'aunt leads there, s' I'm covered." Whether it was because of their relation, or just similar mentalities, she and Aponi were getting along quite well. The silver queen had even condoned her challenge of Ember, despite the brutality of the fight and the other yearling's subsequent flight from the pack; That coward..! At the thought Nalda quirked her chin, smiling coldly as she relayed the story: "'ad t'teach Ember a lesson, sh' came'ere with us, b' ran'away after." Her joy faded then, ears falling back and eyes drifting to her paws; "Arion's gone too."

Again the young woman quickly forced herself out of the slump of sentiment, putting distance between her present self and the dejection she'd felt when her friend left. Despite her efforts Eirian had managed to get under her skin, and while she didn't mind admitting her feelings to him, she was intent on getting something in return. So she shook her head lightly, conjuring up an apologetic grimace and tsking lightly, as if she found her own emotions droll. Then she looked back into the bright yellow eyes, raising her own brow in mirror of his previous expression. "B'you," she started, voice once again neutral and smooth; "Y'aven't been all'lone either?" She could smell her, whoever it was, the strange bitch he had been with only recently, and she wanted to know who it was; What have you been up to?

Word count: 402

"Speech" Thoughts

Because of work, my activity will fluctuate every other week. For more information and OOC preferrences check out my profile

By the grace of whatever higher being there was roaming the vast world it was made clear that no skulls were needing to be bashed in by Eirian's own paws for Nalda was indeed being taken well care of by the pack she had chosen to settle within. In fact, it was mentioned that her aunt happened to be the lead female and at this, a smug smirk faintly tugged at the copper man's lips. So she had family in high places? This was a juicy piece of information he filed away should it prove to be of some use later on.

For now, though, he continued to listen to his young companion's tale, the smirk upon his lips only widening further to reveal the tips of his tarnished teeth when she ventured into a tale of how she had bested their former leader's daughter Ember. Like the cowardly, impurity she was the pale child had ran away with tail tucked firmly between her legs. "Serves her right for being such a weakling. She was just a cowardly and weak as her mother. I suppose the expression like mother, like daughter, rings true with those fools." He snorted his detest, snout angling upward just slightly to faintly show his disdain for those they had to put up with in the past.

Their shit talking was short-lived though as Nalda's expression quickly fell along with her gaze once she mentioned that Arion had chosen the same path, abandoning the young girl. Seeing one of his favorite wolves hurt Eirian couldn't help but reach out to bump the tip of his nose against her cheek, a low rumble sounding in his chest. "You're better off without him if he could leave so easily." He spoke softly, a satisfied smile settling upon his handsome features when she shook the funk away and bounced back to the girl he knew before turning the question onto him like he had earlier. There was the Nalda he knew and adored.

Oh, how silly of him to think something could ever be kept from his greatest pupil. He truly had taught her well and at this, another smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. A shoulder shrugging nonchalantly at her inquiry. "Not entirely. I had a promise to Eek I needed to fulfill." He vaguely informed. A child come spring as payment for her aid in destroying Broken Timber Pines and keeping him in power for as long as he was. For now the moniker of the woman he had cursed to carry his brood was of little importance to Nalda for there were no emotional ties to the monochrome woman, but if she pressed further for more then he would oblige and fill her in with whatever her heart desired to know.

She couldn’t help but bathe in the praise of her mentor, straightening up her neck and smiling smugly. Eirian might not be the principal cause of her dark mindset, but he had certainly helped shape it, raising her as he had, and it pleased her so to have made him proud. But she’d only let it show for so long, soon regaining her composure and neutral expression. She felt safe around the timber man, trusted him as much as she trusted anyone. But he had taught her well, showing her true face was weakness, even to him. Besides, she wanted to show that she had taken the lesson to heart, that his pride was not misplaced.

Still, she wasn’t the only one to falter, and the glimmer of emotion she caught in his eye along with the touch to her cheek sent an odd quiver through her heart. Part of her hungered for it all, not just his recognition but his affection, and she detested that part, having brought her nothing but trouble and hurt throughout her life. Yet it remained, linking her to those few that had yet to leave her. These thoughts, she managed to keep to herself, confident in her mask once more. She answered Eirian only with an icy smile, chin lifting much like his had moments earlier; I’m above him… That weak part of her heart ached, but she ignored it, made it numb as she was getting so skilled at.

It was made easier on her as the subject changed, her focus moving back to the question she’d asked about his company . Of course, the master answered skillfully, divulging only just enough. The mention of @”Eek” made a russet ear flick, though she was still disgruntled. It was certainly not the swarthy medic she smelled on him now. But then, neither had he said so. Still she asked: “Oh, ‘s’she ‘ere too?” It would be fun to see the tailless woman again, she too had a heart of darkness, and a mind to get what she wanted. Nalda didn’t need to ask any more questions, it wasn’t hard to put the pieces together; What does Eek want most of all? And what could the timber male provide her, this time of year; With a little help. Eirian had made a bargain and this was the price, nothing more. And yet it made something burn deep inside the girl. Here was another reason to see Eek then, to make sure she took her price with her, far away.

All of this, too, she kept to herself, smiling lightly and wagging her tail as she asked about the black woman. Then she tilted her head, turning her eyes from the man and to the world outside, nonchalantly. Tone conversational, she asked him: “S’what now? Y’off t’anywhere special?” If she knew him right he had a new plan in the works, and whatever it was it was bound to be interesting.

Word count: 494

"Speech" Thoughts

Because of work, my activity will fluctuate every other week. For more information and OOC preferrences check out my profile

Apologise for the short and crappiness </3

Common for the copper male at this point, he gave the young girl another nonchalant shrug of his broad shoulders while thinking back to the last time he had actually seen the ebony, tailless female. It had been quite awhile since the duo had last crossed paths and even then it was only a lingering scent in the knee deep snow that Eirian had followed somewhere to the north of here, winter forever being an unfavorable season for the young male. Apparently for Eek too. "Not sure, actually. Haven't seen her in awhile, but I caught her scent a few months back. Headed somewhere north before I lost her trail." Curse that damn snow and that nutcase woman.


As Nalda's gaze shifted away from him and onto the world around them, he too found himself looking away to take in their surroundings and giving an ear closest to her a quick flick when she spoke up to casually question about his plans now. "Ah, I've got nowhere special to go. Been mainly going wherever my paws want and paying a visit to that bitch I knocked up to make sure nothing happens to those pups. Need at least one of them to survive so I can repay Eek." The information tumbled freely from his lips, the secrecy he typically kept around his greatest pupil whisked away in how easily he felt comfortable around Nalda. He knew he could trust her and better yet offer to aid him and his plans. 

Nooo <3 Always love these two! You wanna wrap up and we can start an updated one?

Her nose wrinkled slightly at his adverse answer. Here he was, upholding his end of an old agreement, and the witch was nowhere to accept it! She needed to come back and collect her prize, and soon, or Nalda would have to make sure the little thing wandered off on its own. But all in due time. For now she noted that Eek had disappeared - yet again - and her intended brood was somewhere close by. The young wolfess wouldn’t ask about that any closer, no need to draw any more attention to the subject and reveal her interest; Not now… The pup would be helpless for a long while yet, no need to rush.

She was sad that she wouldn’t get to see the dark shewolf again, there were few in this world whose company she enjoyed, and Eek was one of them. But it was a brief feeling, like most that passed through the young woman’s mind. Her attention soon shifted back to her present company, another of the few, too valuable to be spoiled by other concerns. Eirian’s lack of concrete plans was a little surprising to his former pupil, but at least it meant he would stick around, hopefully close enough for more visits; I have missed him so!

His final words made her ears perk again, a cool smirk dancing on her lips. It pleased her to hear him speak so callously about the brood, and their unfortunate dam, tail even giving a casual wave behind her. “ ‘ll see y’gain then?” She asked, softly. Comfortable in his presence as he was in hers, she let the hope shine through in golden eyes as they sought to meet his tangerine’s. That would mean yet another upturn in her new life.

Word count: 296

"Speech" Thoughts

Because of work, my activity will fluctuate every other week. For more information and OOC preferrences check out my profile