Yey! 300+

Nayati had walked to Adagio Creek from the village, needing some time to himself to think, and the tranquil area had become his retreat. The soft sounds of the running water did much to soothe and calm him, and what the man needed right now was to be calm. The new Gadui Kanati walked up to the running water and looked down at his reflection. The first thing that caught his eye was the antlers that were now brightly blazoned across his chest. One hand moved to touch the design lightly. The past few days he had woke and had thought it had all been a dream, but there was the mark, bright as day.

A smile came to his face, brought partially by his advancement, but also at the thought of Liliana. At first her feelings for him had surprised him, but he had soon come to realize that such emotions were mirrored in him as well. They had been courting for some time now, and he knew that he loved her. If there had ever been a time in his life to make the step he was thinking of now was the time. He was a Master now, and he had no worries about being able to provide for the hybrid female. Yet still there was something holding him back. It was not his feelings, or his abilities, so what was it? Then it came to him like a cold splash of water: he did not have his father to consult on the matter, as he had always imagined. True, such things were not necessary, but Nayati had never been the type to make a decision unless he were absolutely certain.

His father may not be here to talk to, but there was someone else who was very nearly a father to him that he could consult. If he talked to Dawali, then perhaps whatever was holding him back would be eased and he would feel confident in making his final overtures to Liliana. Nodding his head to himself, he tipped his muzzle back and let out a howl for his chief. Dawali would know what to tell him, what advice to give.

300+

After he had finished his call he turned back to watch the water that now moved even more slowly with the ice that had collected around its edges. He had made sure to keep the tone of his voice casual so as not to worry Dawali; Nayati didn't need the Kalona sprinting over here out of concern. The Gadui Kanati crouched down by the water while he waited, his eyes scanning over every ripple and bubble. He imagined what his future would be like if he got a positive reaction from Dawali. A bigger hut would need to be build for the both of them. The two of them would be able to squeeze into his current home, but it would not be suitable for whenever they had pups. Pups, he thought wistfully. Even though the man had not thought seriously on the notion, he knew that he wanted to be a father and Liliana would be a wonderful mother.

Nayati stood as he heard movement coming towards him. He saw Dawali walking towards him with an arm raised high. The Utina mirrored the greeting, a smile easily coming to his strong features at the sight of his friend. He was so glad the Amara man was here. He did not know what he would do without the elder man's friendship and guidance. Not to mention he doubted he could be more proud to serve any other Chief. The words of greeting he was met with made his smile turn goofy for a second; he was not yet quite used to his new position. "Hello, Chief," he responded, hoping to maybe elicit a similar reaction within the senior wolf.

"Yes, there is something I wanted to talk to you about. I need your advice." There was some nervousness that was beginning to writhe around in his belly, but he was more collected than he thought he might be, finally broaching the topic with another. "As you saw, I came to the last ceremony with Liliana. We have been courting for a couple moons now." The corners of his smile could not help but raise as he spoke. "I know I love her, and am thinking of asking her to be my mate. Before I do though, I just...need some reassurance." Nayati looked to his friend expectantly, needing to hear whatever Dawali had to say.

They're silly X3 SoSuWriMo 503

The Utina was no stranger to the Amara's little jests and jokes at his expense. Even when he was little and was being a bit more serious than was necessary, Dawali had always been right there to knock him off his high horse. It was all a part of their camaraderie, a relationship that went as far back as Nayati could remember. When he was a pup, Asha and he had become fast friends and he had spent a wealth of time over with the Amara's. He had come to think of Dawali as like another father figure, or at the very least an uncle. It seemed so surreal now, having Dawali as his Chief, and now he was of such a high status himself. It was hard to wrap his mind around how things had gone from the starting point to the current one. One thing he knew though was that he could not have been more honored to go through that ceremony with anyone else. Having Dawali hand him that title and that relic, it made it that much more special to him. There was nothing so far in his life that could compare to that moment.

He knew that the Kalona likely had had suspicions about his relationship to Liliana after they had arrived at the ceremony together. Nayati was a very traditional man and he did not do such things without meaning behind them. To him, going to a ceremony with a woman was a sign to the rest of the tribe that there was something more between them than mere friendship. He had known that Dawali would pick up on that subtle signal, even if no one else would. His nerves at the moment would only provide a strong pointer to that conclusion, seeing as "nervous" was not often a word applied to the Utina male. When the admission was finally out though, he was pleased to see Dawali's obvious excitement and approval. "Thank you," he said modestly, though there was little modesty about his expression. Liliana made him feel something special, and sharing that news with someone, someone who meant a great deal to him as well, made him almost feel like he were floating.

The Amara man's response seemed so simple, but perhaps that really was all there needed to be. Love really was not complicated at all, not when it was true. Nayati likely was trying to make this more difficult than it needed to be. Already he felt easier about his decision though. Slowly he nodded as he contemplated the words he had been given. "You are right," he responded. Yes, it all seemed so much clearer now. Nayati looked back up to Dawali. "Would you perform the ceremony? It would mean so much to both of us, I know. Well...that is if she agrees," he said with a soft chuckle. Nayati didn't think that she would refuse him, but it was difficult to be completely confident. There was always that small possibility.

Me too! 8D SoSuWriMo 514

When it came to hunting, Nayati never found himself over-thinking things or second-guessing himself. It may not have always come naturally to him, but now it was like a second nature, almost even a sixth sense. He knew exactly when and where to strike, how to bring his prey down quickly and efficiently. Hunting was his element and his comfort in his profession was what had lead him to the station that he now held within his tribe. In everything else though? The Utina man had a knack for making other things much more difficult than they needed to be. His mind would go into overdrive. He would over-think, over-analyze. For some reason he could not quite explain, he felt the need to imagine every possible outcome and how he would handle each situation before he even attempted to go forward with the thing he was trying. It was a bit of a curse in a sense, which was why he needed so badly to talk to Dawali. Nayati needed that trusted, outside opinion to halt his frenzied thoughts.

At the Chief's added words Nayati could not help but to nod his confirmation. He was not terribly worried, no. After all, Liliana was the one who had initiated their courtship. Well, more aptly she was the one who had provided the catalyst for him to realize his own feelings for her. Liliana had been in love with him before he had even known that she liked him in that way at all. He never had doubted the truth of her feelings and he was not worried about her not wanting to be with him, but it was hard to ask such a serious and life changing question without some small worry and doubt. The story of Dawali's own proposal made a small chuckle come from the hunter's lips. "Really? That is amusing." His memories of the Kalona's mate were not as crisp and clear as they once had been, but he remembered her being a very strong and forward woman; it was clear where Asha had gotten her personality.

Nayati knew that his request was unorthodox; it was meant to be a Priest that conducted a mateship ceremony. There were none here though so really they would be breaking with tradition out of necessity. Plus, there was absolutely not another soul that the Utina would rather do the honor for them. From the other man's expression, he could tell that Dawali was touched by his question, but he was silent for so long Nayati was unsure whether or not he would agree. When the Chief's arms spread out and wrapped him into a quick hug though, the Gadui Kanati's smile was so broad his face almost hurt. He hugged the Amara back before the contact retreated back to a more comfortable distance. "Thank you Dawali. Truly, thank you." The Utina flinched a little as he was elbowed, but the grin never left his strong features. "I do not know, but I am sure someone could find a reason." A hearty chuckle accented his words.