Beaver Dam Silver Vixen

Nia Hervok Side by side or miles apart They weren't allowed to mark the borders, but they were allowed to leave. The women weren't on a total lockdown. So why had that male escorted her daughter back? She had been sleeping with her daughter in the pack den and never saw him there. He was a mystery to the dame. One that she didn't like all that well. She grumbled to herself, paws stepping along the dam carefully. This wasn't a lockdown. She could do what she wanted within reason. There was a breeding ban, but this might be her last chance. She was no fool of how old she was. If there was no chance of grandchildren maybe there was a chance of another litter. Her heart lounged for the children she'd lost. She wouldn't be deprived of this opportunity if she could help it. Her scent was faint this year, but still there. She walked with her tail arched over her back. Nia jumped from the branches onto the shoreline. She approached the nearest tree to lean on it, brushing herself backward and forwards. Any relief to the itchiness was relief. "Talking" Tags: @ OOC: Heat thread!

Since his decided departure for new horizons, Ipnos reveled in the changes of the season. Everything felt light and airy. Like change was in the air. It was easily his most favorite time of the year. Like anything could happen...

His recent split from a potential partner and previous pack had been a doozy. But, nothing was going to get this good ol' boy down. He had nothing but bright skies and warm seasons ahead of him. He wasted no time. Down from the Moor, he trekked south into New Eden. Then, from there, he traveled into the east, where Northern Eden made itself known. Thick forests and wide open spaces were plenty here. He rather enjoyed it.

Having come from the breezy pink backdrop of Wild Cherry Orchard, Ipnos had a song in his throat. He hummed as he traversed Heartleaf Creek, a little hop and skip in his step. Along the way, he found a nice-sized antler to use as a gift for the next creature he met.

His path was surprisingly put to a halt. Sooner than he anticipated. She was like the moon in lupine form, light and accented with silver. Her back arched and rolled, her side against a tree, unmistakably relieving an itch.

Perfect.

He set his prize down and greeted her with a bark from across the beaver dam, "Well, 'ello there! Lovely spring day ain't it?"

Nia Hervok Side by side or miles apart   The voice met with an irritated groan. She'd gotten so consumed with scratching herself she didn't want to break away yet. Nia staggered from the tree and shook her pelt free of bark bits. "I'd say it's cloudy." She spoke while glancing upwards, her voice calm. She gave herself another good shake before turning to face to man head-on. My my. He was ruggedly handsome. She did not care to hide her once over of his tall frame. Healthy, muscular, and...hmm. His eye stood out to the woman. If it were not genetic, that'd be of no problem, but she could not be too sure. He seemed older like herself. The Matriarch straightened up to a pose caught somewhere between neutral and dominant. Her tail swayed high over her back, but she was relaxed and smiling at him. If he were a potential suiter he'd need to prove himself. She waited to see what he would do or say next. "Talking" Tags: @ OOC:

"I'd say it's cloudy." She didn't even so much as glance at him, giving her pelt a good shake. Regardless, he beamed at her, merely glad for the company. She was the first wolf he had seen in quite a while. "Least it isn't snowin'." When she did finally look at him, it was clear she was sizing him up, but not in an uncomfortable sort of way. He gave her the most charming look he could muster, even as her tail rose. She smiled at him and that had to count for something.

"Mind if I join ya?"

He didn't even hesitate to navigate his way down the river bank and around the dam. He was certain the locals wouldn't appreciate him using their masterpiece as a bridge. The prized antler he had found hung in his jaw until he dropped it before her feet. "Not sure if you'd wanna use this for anythin', but I thought it'd be a nice gift if you'd like it." Where he came from good sticks and antlers were a great teaching tool. It worked wonders for teething pups and teaching young hunters why it wasn't a good idea to face a deer head-on. Even if she didn't have interest in it, he'd take no offense. As the opportunists of nature, he knew other wolves were creatures who liked what they liked. As simple as that.

Nia Hervok Side by side or miles apart  "You could say that again."  Old joints didn't bare the best against cold winter nights alone. Most enjoyed being wooed and Nia was no exception to this.  She took note of his expression. "Not at all"  She wagged her tail to be friendly. Consequently, this made her perfume more noticeable. She watched as he avoided crossing the makeshift bridge and opted to get wet instead. Peculiar. Nia lowered to inspect the antler, taking note of the many tines and giving it a good smell. This was an excellent toy for pups. Impressed by his thoughtfulness she thanked him with a smile. "I respect your scavenging skills." She sought to stroke his ego with her words. She lifted her head so that they were looking at one another. He had a deep golden eye color. Pesky. She might've thought it lovely had she not felt annoyed with Oleander's existence. He was an obstacle in her path. Her creamy paw reached out to tug the antler underneath her, "Thank you." Her tone was like honey, sweet and smooth, much kinder than usual. She admired him once more before asking, "Are you a good hunter?" After her experience with her ex she wasn't too sure she'd allow a male to help raise the litter. Still, it didn't hurt to gather this sort of information. Plus it might open the opportunity to ask about his eye. "Talking" Tags: @ OOC:

"Oh, um..." he realized she was watching him intently. He took a step back to shake some of the water from his chest and limbs. It didn't do much, but at least she seemed taken with his offering. He drew closer to her again, reclaiming the space he had taken up before. Though, he did not sit or get comfortable just yet.

"I respect your scavenging skills," she met his gaze as his nose and whiskers twitched. "Thank you."

"Don't mention it. I admit it was a lucky find."

"Are you a good hunter?"

"Me?" he smiled, taking her all in now that they were close. "In my heyday, I was somethin' fierce. I teach and coach yearlings survival skills nowadays." His tail began to pick up in a steady wag. Her voice was like a siren song. Irresistible. "I'd wrestle up yer fav'rite game if you asked." He added a kicker, if only in an attempt to see her smile or hear her laugh, "But I don't do anythin' big. Bison and boar are a definite no-go."

Nia Hervok Side by side or miles apart  "Speech" The woman leaned back to avoid stray droplets from his pelt. It was polite of him to move away before shaking himself. Evidence pointed towards him being a well-behaved gentleman. This gave him three things in his favor. Looks, manners, and scavenging capabilities. "Don't sell yourself short." Again her voice was an alluring note to draw him in. She was flattered by his gaze, butterflies stirring in her belly. To be desired, what a feeling that was, especially at her age. She was past her prime and still could catch the eyes of a man. His words gave way to another likable trait, "Teaching is an important role." She cooed. A handsome man with daddy skills? Sign her up. He was becoming more and more pleasing to the woman. Her eyes ravaged him like a prime rib steak.  "Oh yeah?" "Shucks." She feigned disappointment, playfully adding, "I guess that means you can't get my favorite." Not that she'd expected him to. Hunting caribou took several wolves to succeed. "Talking" Tags: @ OOC:

She told him to not sell himself short and that teaching was important. His smile softened, growing bashful as he fell further under her spell. For a moment, everything about him grew still.

"Shucks, I guess that means you can't get my favorite."

He hummed in reply, the beginnings of a small chuckle stifled in his throat. He slowly lowered his rump to the ground and curled his tail close to him. Maybe it wasn't such a bad idea to give in to indulgence once in a while. Encounters like this were few and far between. Rarer still with the perfect weather and lovely company. Best enjoy it while he could...

His head canted to one side. Had he been human, he might've offered a hand to shake and a drink of choice from the bar. "Name's Ipnos. I reckon you live 'round these parts?"

Nia Hervok Side by side or miles apart The woman watched him get comfortable. He wasn't a threat to her, and his company hadn't been bad, so she followed suit. Lowering her entire body to the ground. She shuffled to get comfortable. The Matriarch laid there like a sphynx statute. Dark green eyes studdying him as she waited. How had she managed to forget proper introductions? She smiled her best smile,  "Nia Hervok." The dame thought twice about telling him where she lived. She didn't need him to show up at the Backwater causing her plans to crumble. So she settled for a glimpse of the truth, "I'm new to the area." Her tail gave a series of thumps against the ground. "How about yourself? How's a fine man like you end up alone?"The woman aimed to keep the flirtation subtle and classy. "Talking" Tags: @ OOC:

My, she was pretty. Ipnos couldn't help but look her over, nose to tail. From the clarity and hue of her eyes down to the mix of blonde and cream over her rump and tail. Beauty personified.

"Nia Hervok," she offered in kind. "I'm new to the area." Her tail wagged, "How about yourself? How's a fine man like you end up alone?"

'Fine man,' she had said. The rogue felt a tingle race up and down his spine. He could play coy, but beating around the bush was beginning to get boring. "I like to think being worldly has shaped me into who I am. I've been traveling alone all my life." It only occurred to him just now that in all his years he had only thought of settling down once. The woman who tried to hold his heart was left behind, like the rest of those he had met on his journey here. Opportunities to have a family and stick to a pack were long gone. Even if his previous packs appreciated him before, he decided he would never go back. He wanted to keep moving forward, and right now was all that mattered.

"'Nough 'bout me though, Nia. What d'ya say about an afternoon 'long the river? Sunbathin' and chattin'," he proposed. Even if beavers were confined to their lodges for most of the day, he preferred not to be caught off-guard by one. "A nice evening stroll and dinner?" What came after that, he was eager to find out, but he wasn't about ready to get ahead of himself. He had morals and Nia, like any other lady, ought to be treated with due regard.