He took her arm and she followed him down one of the spiraling ramps that he'd built to accommodate their daughters when they first moved into the terrace. The girls didn't need the ramps anymore now that they both had found their Oprtime forms, but they were still quite useful. Little did she know that it was more comfortable for the man to use the ramps than the other ladders fastened to the tree trunks. Either way worked just as fine for Orin, but she found she was quicker up the ropes or ladders than walking the winding spiral ramps.

They reached the forest floor and her toes mingled with what was left of the ground sprouts. The cold and fading light would have them all gone soon, and then the forest floor would be composed strictly of dead leaves and shrubs. They wouldn't even see that for long, though, because the snow was inevitable. It would soon cover this land in its fine powder, turning everything stark white for months on end. As she gazed out through the trees she wondered what the Terace would be like during the winter. And what of the great storms this place was known for? Would they have to move out of the Terrace for the season? She wasn't very fond of the thought, but it was one that she knew she would have to entertain and plan for. After the snow storm last year they ought to know better than to go without a disaster plan.

She waited while he unfurled the blanket, moving to one end and helping to flatten the wrinkles out. Then as he placed everything down she slipped into one spot, settling down cross-legged and waiting eagerly for the meal. “Anything sounds good right about now,” but truthfully she had never had woodchuck. Sure, the little rodents could be a bother and she was apt to chase them down, but she didn't make a habit of eating them. Not that there hadn't been times when she had eaten less desirable things like sewer rats when she and Niro lived in Florida.

She inhaled deeply and then let the breath out. “Ahh, it smells good. Gimme!” Her rudeness was feigned though her hunger was real, and she laughed as she jerked forward, grabbing at his arms, her fingers wriggling to grab the food from him.

Her laughter filled the forest as she reached farther, trying with fervor to win this game of keep away, but she was at a decided disadvantage and no matter how long she stretched herself she was still no match for the man’s height. Then again, the man’s height was never a match for her climbing skills, and the audacity of her nature. She kept her head angled toward the meat and Shawchert’s nose bumped against her muzzle in a loving kiss. She snickered and shot him a faux look of anger, then leaped up with her arms out, wrapping them around him and boosting herself until one claw touched the meat. She couldn’t catch hold of it, but tagging it was enough.

“Hah!” she bragged as she slipped down, though the meat was still in Shawchert’s grasp. “I win!” She hadn’t really won anything, but that always seemed to be the rules when Orin was playing. Whatever happened, their play ended in ‘I win.’ It wasn’t arrogance, just a long running joke for the woman.

She slipped back down to the ground and nestled up next to Shawchert, watching quietly as he pulled out more food. She had seen the yellow vegetable before but had never enjoyed it herself, but judging by the delicious scent she knew that she would be giving it a fair chance today. Her eyes were on the food and her thoughts were on the picnic so Orin had forgotten all about earlier when she thought there was something else on the red wolf’s mind. She didn’t even notice at first when he began to situate himself around to face her, but a moment later he caught her attention and she turned her honey gaze to look at him.

He was kneeling. Well, that wasn’t so out of the ordinary seeing as he had been setting up their lunch. But that serious look was back on his face again… and then he started talking. She looked confused for a split second, giving him her somber attention while he said what he had to say. Perhaps this was going to be one of those fun little picnics that involved lots of long speeches like in the books from the 1800’s. Though she didn’t read them anymore she still approved of living them. So she settled and smiled, awaiting his speech…

And as he spoke his words and they sank in her expression mutated from politely curious to shocked splendor. At first her white ears sank back to hide within her shaggy yellow mane, and then they perked up again when he finally got it all out.

Her hands flew up to her mouth to cover her gasp, and she froze for a moment, staring at him. Though the moment was only a couple seconds long it might have felt like eternity for the other, or anyone who might have witnessed the event and so dearly wanted to know her answer. Then she began to nod. It was a slow, unsteady motion that grew stronger and surer until it was a vehement gesture, paired with sparkling eyes and a wide grin.

“Oh my… by the moon, Shawchert, yes!” She laughed softly, her mind so wrapped up in his proposal that she hadn’t even bothered to stop and think. “But… on one condition.” She paused, a seriousness suddenly overcoming her. “We have a ceremony. I want to be wed in front of the pack, with the pack’s blessing. Only then can we truly be together.” It was what she wanted, what she desired so badly. She wanted to be joined with Shawchert but she would not do it without the sanction and celebration of the rest of their family – of the pack.

It was indeed strange how things had come full circle. Somewhere around this time a year ago the two were just meeting; Orin with her ankle stuck in an apple tree, Shawchert the night in shining armor. Since then they had been a lot of other things to each other; friends, lovers, alpha and subservient, enemy. They had only known each other for a short while before the conception of their three children joined them together forever, whether they liked it or not. So much had happened in one short year. They had separated, their puppies were born, one lost only a few days later, Orin had warred with Sky Katruk and at other times the women had been wonderful friends, and so much more. Too many things to count, too many things to list. Some weren't even recognizable by the mind, but only unspoken by the soul underneath.

Orin felt all of this and more as she jokingly leaned in to Shawcert, her mouth parted and an obnoxious “Ahhhhh!” coming from her throat as she waited for her bite of meat. She pretended to get impatient with him, even though her took no time at all, and snapped at the morsel like a human's dog of old grabbing for a treat. She nipped his fingers in the process, but didn't bite hard. She laughed as she chewed the meat. “Oh I'm sorry,” she chortled as she wiped her chin. “Did I get you?”

The man could withstand a lot more than that, though, as proven by the trials and tribulations they had been through throughout the last 13 months. She leaned into him again, less playfully this time, and nuzzled her muzzle against his. He felt warm against her and a gentle, cormforted canine 'mmm' sound came from her throat as she tenderly kissed her love.

What time had done to them... what time had done for them. It was everything a life should be, at least as the books had it. Orin would give anything to take back some of what had transpired just months ago, but either way their life was like some kind of fantasy. Comedy and tragedy. Thalia and Melpomene. When she was a young, whimsical girl, she dreamed about a life like that. And now that she was a somewhat older, yet still young, whimsical woman she still wanted it, though her ideas of exactly what made good comedy and good tragedy were different. Sometimes she wished she could go back to the time that she thought being stuck up in the branches of an apple tree counted as “tragedy.”

But her mind wasn't worried about such dark thoughts at the moment. How could she be? Not while at this picnic with the man who would become her mate. In just a few short... well, how long? Days? Weeks? Better not be months! They would have a ceremony and be mated soul to soul before their pack; the pack that they had both helped found.

With his returned kiss she grew more passionate. Her lids slid low and then closed, shielding her golden eyes. Her body pressed into his and one hand reached up to his shoulders... slid around behind his neck... played with the fur there just like she had on that day. A small, satisfied sound eked from her throat as she kissed him again. Her eyes opened slightly, emphasizing the strange almond shape. They were aflame and spoke leagues to what she was feeling at that moment. Seduction? Probably. Orin was good at that, even though she didn't know it. Come on, baby, the ball's in your court...

Just when things were getting good Shawchert stopped. Orin’s eyes popped open and she looked at him surprised, confused. What was he doing? She searched his face for answers while he explained himself to her.

“What?” she said a bit confusedly, pulling back a bit. What was he talking about… going further? Suddenly it dawned on Orin where the moment had been leading. She had gotten into it and unconsciously pursued him, not really aware of what she was doing. Flashes of what she had subtly asked him for went through her mind… both of him and then of…

“Oh, god, no,” she said in sudden disgust and pushed him away. He tried to slip his arms around her to hold her but she wriggled out of it. Her expression was some weird mutation of revulsion. A hot streak of anger bit her and unfortunately for Shawchert he was the first thing in its sight lines.

“How could you think that Shawchert? I just told you I wanted to have a ceremony. Why would I… how could you… ugh!” She grew frustrated quickly, tripping over her quick words and wincing each time her flash bulb memory gave her an image of something she would have much rather forgotten. Something she thought she was past.

“No. No…” she shook her head fervently, tightly pinching her eyes shut. For a moment she was quiet, shaking her head, and then finally she stood up and opened her eyes, her gaze an inferno. “You’re not going to charm me into thinking that’s not what you want when you give yourself away. Get it off your mind! In fact.. don’t even… just… no.”

She started backing away as she talked, and finally she spun around and ran off. Something about the last look she gave him said clearly, 'don't follow me.'