Sex: MaleThe was a distinct chill in the air, extra noticeable after the last few, milder days. Spring might be approaching, but so far winter was keeping its hold tight. The Captain didn’t mind, he enjoyed the colder season, the crunch of snow under his feet and icicles gathering along rocks and branches, like rain frozen in the middle of a storm. The magnificence of water was that it came in so many forms, and all of them beautiful. But still, he missed the rush of river rapids, the roar of waterfalls, or even just the gentle crash of ocean surf. Perhaps he’d head out to the coast next, spend spring along the beach hunting seals. But for now, he wasn’t quite ready to leave Relic Lore, and so, the frozen mirror of the Lagoon would have to do. It was a beautiful place, if a little quiet for the pirate’s tastes. Thoughts "Speech" |
She padded through her little claim, bounding through the uneven grounds and toward the edge of the icy water. She would capture another then, downwind and not far. His golden blonde furs and long, leggy figure unquestionable. "Now who's haunting who's?" She quips playfully, though her eyes look to him sharply, ever doing her best to confuse him by her pushing and pulling of him.
![[Image: modesto.png]](https://i.ibb.co/NFJCKSc/modesto.png)
She was like a shadow, moving silently over the earth, her footfalls soft as seafoam. He only noticed her approach when his eyes drifted from the water, landing on her form as it drew near. Then his mouth curled in a warm smile, eyes dancing at her greeting. “Ms. Valle,” he hummed, bowing his head to her; “Seems ye’ve found yeself another pond.”
He glanced at the mirror-still water, but only briefly, before turning his eyes back on her, taking a moment to appreciate her appearance before admitting: “A’ guess ye could say we’re both drawn t’ water.” And yet it wasn’t the water that held his entire attention, in fact, it might as well not have been there, for all he was concerned.
"Bigger then the last." She spoke on behalf of the great lake. "But still not quite right." She comments with a rolling of her narrow shoulders. It would do, for now.
She moved then, striding in a lazy lope along the sandy and rocky shoreline and into his direction. "This spot has been home for me, now.
His eyes shone brightly as he watched her run to him, tail swishing behind him in tune with his heartbeat – unsettlingly fast considering his was standing still. She was majestic, even here on this sorry excuse for a shore. The pirate decided then that he wanted to see her were she truly belonged!
As she drew near, he answered her in a soft voice: “What keeps ye?” His gaze sought to meet hers, an earnest tenderness to his smile for a moment, before it turned wry, head bowing in deference. “If it’s a guide ye need, A’ humbly offer me services.” He kept his head low but glanced up at her with a humorous sparkle in his eyes, waiting for her response. When they’d first met, she’d spoken of her family, and taking them all back to their pack by the sea. Yet here she was, seemingly living alone; Something has changed… Though, he certainly wouldn’t mind travelling just the two of them.
His question cuts her and her pumpkin gaze cast downward though her head remained firmly lifted. "I just need more time..." She murmurs and as she finishes, looks back to him to see the devilish smile on his mug. It is the second time he has offered himself to her and the second which she had objected. Maybe a third time would be the charm?
"My mother..." She takes a deep breath and turns her vision from him and to the Lagoon. "Her mind is mostly gone and her body is catching up with her." Hell, she was nearly six and felt it. She could only imagine what Katna felt! "She cannot travel and I don't think the pack can comfort her." Take care of her, sure. Make sure she was fed, make sure to stop by and see that she hadn't croaked. But they couldn't care for her, not the way Modesto felt she had.
The tone changed almost instantly; the seriousness clear on her features even before she spoke. At first her answer was dismissive, and he was prepared to accept it – she owed him nothing, even if she’d simply changed her mind, it was her business. But then, slowly, she continued to explain.
Kyrios’ eyes grew softer, his smile shrinking from the characteristic, playful grin, to something gentler and more genuine. He understood, oh, he understood so fully and wholeheartedly, in his heart aches for the pain he could so clearly tell Modesto was feeling. When she finished, he reached out to brush her muzzle with his, offering what comfort he could. “A’m sorry love,” He said quietly, a genuineness to his voice that it rarely held; “Ye take all th’ time ye need, A’m a patient lad, A’ll wait.” He looked then to meet her eyes, making sure she knew he meant those words without jest; he’d stay here with here as long as she needed.
He reaches to her, comforting, soothing like the smooth rum voice he held. There in her spine is a quiver, longing for the touch. She had relinquished her right to have a mate, a family, when she had decided to be council. She would delicated her life to the wellbeing of her pack, to strengthen their name, make hard decisions and solidify their allies. Modesto did not have room to split her time to a family of her own. Then she came here and Viorel, Vayko and damn near all of them had thought it fine to shit on everything she had sacrificed for.
She nods her head slowly to his words, not pushing away from his closeness though did not look at him directly. Her eyes were fixed somewhere in the tangles of his golden fur. "There is no need for apologies..." She murmured. "Katna has lived a great and long life. She will be ten springs this next season. Most never could imagine living to this age. She is our eldest and has been Matriarch of the Valles for quite a long time." The death of this elder meant the death of a generation. A time now only remembered through tales and memories. Memories Modesto would carry on even if their ways had long since been forgotten now.
Seeing her grief was heartbreaking to the usually easygoing pirate. He’d been enthralled initially by her strength, her clear confidence and iron grip on her emotions. Now, to see something deeper than that was not unwelcome, but he’d hoped for warmth and passion, strong enough to match her firm character. And her obvious sorrow proved they were there, only darkened by the misfortunes of life.
As she leaned into his caress, Kyrios breathed deep and calm, filling his nose with her scent as he steadied her. His eyes were closed as he focused all attention on her, feeling her pulse beat in tune with his. Despite the hush of her voice, he heard her words clearly, listening attentively as she put words to her grief. As she finished, he hummed quietly, taking a moments silence before replying, voice just as low; “She sounds like a grande dame. As A’d expect, t’ have mothered ye, love.”
He pulled away to seek out her eyes, though his muzzle remained alongside hers, mere inches apart. There was a soft smile on his lips, as he looked for her reaction to his words. Then he continued gravely: “Mothers be the strongest wolves of all, t’ bring new life’n care fer it, even when their own bodies, or minds, start t’ fail.” He no longer followed the faith he’d been raised in so rigidly, but this was one lesson he would never forget.
Moving her muzzle back down along side the length of his own, she listens as he continues on. He speaks of a mother's strength. A strength that perhaps would never come out from within her, due to her sacrifice of deciding not to have children or a mate of her own. She nods only, her muzzle brushing the length of his, her ears falling back against her skull.
Kyrios is kind in these fragile moments with her and Modesto is ever thankful for it. She wished to show him how grateful she was for his loyalty to her. "Come," She breathes out delicately, "Allow me to show you my den..."
She turns from him, needing not look back to know that he would follow.