Altar of Fire You've got that medicine I need

For @Blitz
Inspirational music: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AEXykmKWebQ
Warning: The song has dirty words!

The late afternoon was cool with a gentle breeze which moved over the rolling hills of the Fireweed Rise. Though nightfall was still hours away, the overcast sky made the day gloomy, dark. Even out here in the open one could find peace in a private moment. Ravenna sought this, if only for a little while. Already she could feel the change in her body stirring and with an intensity that far outweighed that of the year prior. She had been here at this knoll last year, keeping her distance from Enoki if only to appear less threatening to her ruling. Ravenna, during her first heat, had been irritated and overwhelmed with that new feeling. A feeling now which made Ravenna's fur along her spine stand on end, her skin crawl and her heart thumping hard in her chest. Last year it had taken everything in her to hold back her natural urges, her dominance hard to swallow. Now she could embrace it, now she didn't have to hide.

Still, she found herself in the same spot she had last year, moving through the vast open field towards the Alter of Fire. Each step was one of pride and right, her tail high in the air, waving if only to purposefully stir up any and all males in the area. Her silvery furs scrapped along the rock alter to scratch an itch that could not be satisfied. Hoping up onto the top of the rock, she laid down with a sigh and a smile upon her lips. Finally, spring had arrived.

(This post was last modified: Mar 02, 2018, 10:45 PM by Ravenna.)

The weather was warming. There was a sense of anticipation in the air. Blitz was no fool. At three years old, he knew plenty well what all these subtle changes meant. In his birth pack along the coast, he had seen his own parents go through the same rituals of affection when the air began to warm. Smelled the change in his mother, witnessed the protectiveness of his father. Back then he was a youngster and the significance had been lost on him then. And then his world was turned upside down when he, Niq'x, Pip and Tyne had been dumped in Relic Lore. Had you asked Blitz back then of his thoughts towards the mating season, he would've scoffed or recoiled in horror at the slightest thought of coupling with another wolf. His priorities had been different then. Selfish...focused towards getting home and looking after his sisters. Nothing else. But somehow in the middle of it all, one figure had remained a constant in his life. Ravenna.

He was stuck here, well away from the sea. And he was fine with that, content with his place in the Willows. But what was the silver woman to him now? A friend? A leader? The answer was simple;both. With the changing of the seasons upon them, came the change in her scent. With it, that definition of who she was in his eyes, grew more and more blurred by the day. This year, unlike the others, Blitz acted upon his instincts like any other male was inclined to do. As the only un-related male in the Willows, his attention towards Ravenna grew more focused. More intense. Often he would shadow her, bordering on becoming a pest. He kept his distance, for his own sake should she not welcome his company. And also because he was not the top dog in this pack. He wouldn't dare step on Sven's toes, even accidentally.

But on one late afternoon day, while she was away from prying eyes within the Willows, he just couldn't help himself. He followed her towards the fields, trailing her at a safe distance. Like a moth to a flame, her enticing scent drew him in, closer and closer. He was on guard, his aggression heightened towards any un-related males, keen to drive them off as soon as his nose caught wind of them. As he sifted through the tall grass, his ink colored fur still pristine in it's winter thickness, he spotted her. A fleck of silver in the distance, like a beacon calling to him alone. Conflicted, greedy acid green eyes took her in in a new light. She was a woman now. A capable leader and a perfect figure ready for children of her own. His memory dialed back to their very first days. The meeting at the Caverns. She just a young pup, and him a yearling. That day marked the beginning of their friendship. And that's what Blitz thought all they'd ever be. Friends. He never imagined that one day...today, he'd look upon her with a more primal admiration. After a moment of hesitation, he moved towards her at a confident lope. With an easy leap, he was on the rock and by her side. Glinting green eyes gazed down towards her, a playful smirk on his lips. "Need any help scratching that itch?"

(This post was last modified: Mar 08, 2018, 04:22 AM by Blitz.)

Blitz Mizuno was not a hard man to spot. At least not out here in the open field, still snowy from the winter season gripping on as long as it could. His pelt was stark black, not a blemish to be seen and his bright green eyes shown vividly in contrast to his dark coating. He had been trailing her as of lately, knowing the change of spring was just along the way. Once Ravenna had gone into heat it seemed Blitz spared no time in making his move on the alpha female. Perhaps it was confidence or perhaps he assumed all along he would seek her out as the only unrelated male within the ranks. Either way it would be a lie to say Ravenna was not happy he had come, shown by the smoke on her face and waving of her tail along the rocky platform.

As a member of her ranks, Blitz was the best option to sire her children should they have a predominant father figure in their life. He would be there for them while at outside male would not. Still, this made more of a threat to Sven's leadership by having another man breed in the ranks. Ravenna figured, however, the risk with Blitz was the same risk Ravenna was having to take with Leotie.

To be honest, the day the pair had met in their youth Ravenna had thought she would never see that sea wolf again. Back then he had been very determined to round up his sisters and find his way back home to his parents near the ocean shores. Since his travels he had made way back here again, deciding to stay with her in the willows. The silver woman could only hope he had found happiness here and was here to stay all the same. Only time could tell really.

He came with an obvious confidence as he bound onto the rock next to her, his question causing a smirk to form over her lips. ""You know I've always enjoyed your boldness...But your gonna have to do better then that." She teased and she pressed her pale grey side into him. "Makes me wonder though if you've been at this game before." She then found herself eyeing him with wonder, head cocked to the side to look up at him. She then decided while he was still sitting and she was laying, it would be easier for her to look at him if she flipped over on her back. And so she did so, legs curling to her chest and her tail waving both playfully and tauntingly.

There are several fresh rabbit tracks in the mud. Hunt Opportunity

He towered over her, a dark shadow of a wolf with piercing green eyes against an inky backdrop of a face. "Is that so?" He rumbled, eyes twinkling at her challenge. He began to lower his large dark head towards her while she looked up at him with her head tipped to the side. She was even cuter beneath him, sprawled out like that. The touch of her fur against his legs set his nerves on edge with excitement. He shook his head, dark ears falling back. "Course not. Not once." He replied honestly. Back in the old days Blitz simply did not have the time or desire to indulge in the pleasure of the breeding season.

Which made him wonder...the longer he looked down at her silvery form now, so open and welcoming. Why was she so receptive towards him? Was it just convenient that he was the only unrelated male in the pack and that he had now caught her alone? The more her tail wagged, the heavier her scent became, sending his head reeling. The ex sea wolf struggled to control himself, but his legs betrayed him as he stepped forward, over her. His dark muzzle reached down, pearly incisors clipping gently at a silvered temple. Amidst the mix of metallic and night fur, he murmured in a low voice with the slightest hint of concern. "Does Sven...does he know?"

His voice was a grumbled tone, edgy and foreign even. She felt the air grow heavier around them as he stared down at her from his standing position atop this rock while she lounged, scrawled out next to him. It was not hard to notice she was comfortable around this wolf, both friend, pack mate and... Lover? He then answered her, saying that he had never given into the act of the breeding season and so, didn't have some children off somewhere she did not know about. Good. After all, he was a year older then her and she did not know if there was others that might come knocking on her door one day. Not that it mattered now that he was here with her. It just, well, felt good knowing that not only was it her first breeding season she took part in but his as well.

He then moved and found himself straddling her to which she replied with a continual waving of her tail, seeing how long he could stand her scent and how far it would push him to his limits. Her back legs lifted up, paws lightly pushing at his underside and one of her front paws lifted, touching at the side of his cheek as he nibbled at her temple in courtship. He questioned her then after a few moments, causing her front paw to fold back down to her chest as she looked up at him with those pale silver eyes. "He does. Sven and I discussed both our desire for pups this year." She spoke, letting it sink in a moment that this was okay between them and he was not doing anything that would cause Sven to punish him for it there after. She smiled with his question, happy that Blitz wanted to know that this was okay with his lead male before pushing forward with trying to 'woo' his lead lady. It meant he respected Sven and cared for the heirarchy of the pack. He did not wish to do wrong by anyone even if it meant being unable to fulfill his own desires.

"...And I want you to help me with that, if your up to the commitment?" She looked up to him in wonder and hopefulness. Of course, they were not mates, not by a long shot and yet he would be a father to her children. Already as part of the pack he would be obligated to care for them but as their father it would be obviously even more so, should he wish it.

He released a breath he did not realize he had been holding in a sigh of relief. So Sven did know after all. Ravenna had even taken it upon herself to discuss the subject of children with him specifically. Though the Mizuno's time spent with the lead male was limited, the relationship he shared with Leotie was not lost on him. It came as no surprise that the Archer also wanted to sire children of his own. "That makes me feel better." He peered at her, eyes serious. "I have far too much respect for you and Sven to go snooping behind his back."

His dark brow crinkled in an expression of deep contemplation while he tilted his chiseled face to the side. Ravenna wanted pups...Sven wanted pups. But him, a father?  Despite his gruff and brutally honest demeanor, paired with his imposing stature and looks, Blitz had an especially soft spot for the young. He had decided to stay here in the Lore for good, pledging his loyalty to Ravenna and the Willows. And though he may never reach the coast again, what better way to extend the Mizuno legacy right here.

He stepped to the side, allowing room for her move about freely. Carefully he lowered himself into a sphinx like position on their rocky throne, his side pressed firmly against hers. He was taking his time and with good reason. One, out of respect for her. And two, to answer some tiny unknowns. First time parenthood was not to be taken lightly and if they were to invest in the future of Willow Ridge, he wanted to do it right. While they were not officially mates, Blitz couldn't think of anyone else he would rather have bear his offspring. After only just reuniting early in the winter, he was far from ready to delve into a committed relationship. "Rav..." He muttered, his voice thick with appreciation."I'm honored you would choose me for...well this." He shifted on his side then, turned to fully face her. Acid green eyes bore deep into silvery pools. "I only ask...why? Why me, when a woman of your strength and beauty could have any man in the world?" He wanted to know what made him so special...so deserving.

Ravenna's smile did not waver as Blitz spoke of his respect for both she and his mama alpha. She was happy to know the dark male was happy in his placement as Sven's subordinate just as @Leotie was happy as hers. Right now things were good with the two Archers in the leading position with a stability the pack had needed for quite some time now. Perhaps one day Blitz might get a idea of challenging to second to be level with Leotie, or even leader itself, but Ravenna didn't ponder this. As long as a tank challenge was done properly, the winner nor looser should be looked to poorly and no malice should be involved. It all came down to what was best for the pack as a whole. That's what made a good home.

He moved then, no longer looming over her as he moved back to her side, pressing against her. She found herself rolling back over onto her belly, leaning into him for support. Sure she was a large woman of one hundred and twenty-four pounds but with Blitz being on the larger end as well, she doubted he would have trouble with her pressing into him. They were talking all this through and yet their bodies continued to toy with one another.

He spoke out her nickname, causing her grey ears to perk. He was happy she had wanted him for this, for her first pups, for a new hierarchy of leadership into the new spring. But as he shifted to look at her closely, he wanted to know why. Why him? Well, there was many reasons... Both simple and less so. If he needed confirmation, then she would give it to him. She laughed a bit to his comment of her strength and beauty. Obviously flattered she was, by the way her tail thumped on the rock under them. She never thought herself as particularly beautiful. In her youth and imagined Isolde would have grown to be something delicate and gorgeous. Petite, soft dowy timbered furs, lovely facial markings... Ravenna had been a plump girl and as she grew, thickly built like her mother which was not bad exactly. But her for was not dark. It was grey and though perhaps glowed a beautiful silver in the moonlight, it was coarse and wiry hairs which often more then not stuck out in places. Maybe she was pretty, sure, but beautiful?

"Well..." She then began. "On a more primal note... Your obviously a strong wolf. Large and with enough survival instinct and health to travel so much and still be it tip top shape. Seems like good genes to me." Obviously something to take into consideration for healthy pups with no stillborns. Then a smirk toyed at her lips, eyes fixed on him. "Of course, there may be a few others out there willing for the task...Its common for Archer women to breed with multiple males to insure pregnancy until they find themselves a mate." She teased as she studied him, seeing if he held any objection, any hidden jealousy. They were far from bound to one another and yet she still wondered how much he really might be 'falling for her' so to speak. It was true what she said and although Elias may have been another interest of hers (though more of a primal level then a 'crush') their relationship was rocky at best at the moment. "...But I like you Blitz. Whether I was with someone else or not, they are only friends. But you..." She paused, uncertain of what to say. She had never like-liked anyone before. Eskil last year had been a lustful thing and Elias was a beautiful man but he was more or less friend-zone than a boyfriend. "Well it's just different." She finally then said, giving a mental nod at her short explanation.

(This post was last modified: Mar 09, 2018, 05:03 PM by Ravenna.)

Settled beside her, Blitz was the perfect image of an attentive, yet polite male in courtship. With his somewhat gruff attitude, he was hard to peg on more serious subjects, especially one such as making babies. Now that it was there spread out before him, the dark Mizuno did not hold back in making his opinion clear. Children were the future of their bloodlines. Treasures to be cherished and raised with a firm but kind paw. His well known fondness for pups apparently extended well into his character enough to make him a thoughtful parental figure. His place in the pack, he was content with. He didn't crave power or flashy status. Just recognition. He seemed to understand that in the Willows, one likely had to earn a certain degree of respect. He didn't push for it. Just stood by his superiors like a steadfast sentinel, pulling his fair share.

It is often said that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Something which he believed in. Sure, there were other females out there who were curvier, more petite, with more intensely hued coats. But in his eyes he appreciated the simplicity in Ravenna's form, often attributing her fur to slices of moonlight when the light struck it just right. She wasn't quite like the typical "girly" wolf and that quirkiness he liked. Maybe it was her roughish edge that appealed to him so much, so identical to his own persona. As she began to speak he listened patiently. He lowered his head down to rest his chin on her shoulder, vivid eyes fluttering shut while he inhaled her intoxicating scent. "Well...I do try to take care of myself..." He murmured into her silver fur, his voice slightly muffled. He drew back a fraction, listening intently as she explained that Archer females were known to seek out multiple males in the breeding season. It wasn't anything personal...just seemed to be more of a primal survival mechanism to optimize the chances of pregnancy. No traces of disgust, jealousy or anything suggesting that he felt inadequate were there on his features. He gave a soft nod to confirm he understood. As his leader she was free to pick and choose and she pleased. They hadn't solidified anything, expect other than a deep bond that just stretched beyond the boundaries of friendship. When he heard her voice again, referencing him, he pulled his massive head back, watching with a breath he didn't know he was holding. She liked him. In a good way. One that really couldn't be put into words. A sheepish smile crept onto his lips, ears dialing back an inch. "I'm flattered, Ravenna." Slowly he inched his inky muzzle closer. "And you know what? I like you too." He muttered with renewed confidence, sealing it with a tender kiss to her crown.

Contentment, relaxation and desire. She could feel these emotions radiating through Blitz is he laid at her side, burrowing his muzzle into her shoulder as she spoke. She imagined over the next few months they would be doing a lot of this, Blitz listening whilst he nuzzled and groomed, Ravenna a wild range of emotions as she sought out the attention of the man who knocked her up. They would walk side by side one another as they scouted the land and tended to the birthing then for the arrival of the children. It would all be a new experience for the both of them, one that Ravenna was sure she was ready for, especially with someone she trusted as much as she did the man at her side.

He was not put off by anything which she had said and if he was he did a damn good job at hiding it. It felt good to know he accepted her choices, whether it be due to their friendship or due to the fact she she was his Alpha. And he liked her too which placed a sheepish smirk onto her features to mimic his own.

"Good." She said then, finding herself lifting up from her spot, upper half lowered and rump to the air as she gave a good stretch before hoping off of the Alter of Fire. Moving along slowly through the open field, her tail flagged, suggesting she was ready to give into him.

[Fade.]