500+ Poor sad pup.

Palaydrian had been avoiding Jiva ever since the coywolf had been on their borders. She just wasn’t sure what to say to him, especially since the meeting had left her feeling raw. The Band Aids that held together her broken heart after departing her homelands without a goodbye to her family, had been ripped off and replaced by a fresh wound with the knowledge of having someone she thought was so close and now who knew how far away. I shouldn’t have worn my heart on my sleeve, she thought as she trudged away from the den, head spinning with different scenarios with Jiva. What could she say? What would he say? Would the easy flirtations still come, or was that a brief whisper of the past? The young Soul had so many questions, but very few answers.

Zalen had offered his insight on the situation, but even after that Drin still wasn’t sure. It seemed the only one with the answers she seeked was the same person she was afraid of confronting. Young love was amazing and passion filled, but it had its darker sides of being fleeting and brutal. Would Drin be another casualty of the latter? The not knowing was making her stir crazy and anxious, but a part of her almost didn’t want to know...in case it wasn’t something she wanted to hear.

A defeated grumble pass through her lips as she slowly sauntered through the woods. The birds chatter was dying down now as the world prepared to sleep. A large part of the tawny golden femme just wanted to see the red wolf again as her body ached for his touch, and this time she was free of heat so she grudgingly knew her feelings were true. “Ah me,” she sighed much like the echo of Juliet from the human years, but her next inhale of breath brought with it the scent of her Romeo.

Her heart fluttered with sudden excitement laced with panic. It had been too long since her ocean eyes had seen the mohawked boy. Ready to turn heel and scamper back to the safety of the den, Drin forced herself to walk forward repeating words of encouragement in her head. Just be cool. Be yourself. Act like nothing happened. Just be cool. Be yourself. Act like nothing... her eyes fell upon him in lupine form looking how she felt, completely defeated. Drin’s tail gently wagged as she approached him with a soft whine and settled down beside him to rest her head on her own paws.

Maybe words weren’t needed at the moment. Jiva was foremost a pack brother that needed canine comfort and Drin didn’t have a selfish bone in her body. She’d offer support and whatever else he asked of her. Seeing him so distraught released her from the chains of her own anxiety and torture for the time being. The tawny angel could wait for her fate.

300+Good thing she’s such an understanding girl or Jiva would be in trouble!!

Though Palaydrian’s heart was heavy, it matched Jiva’s in speed and intensity. She was happy to be in his company again, but afraid of what he would tell her. What had transpired between him and the coywolf would forever be his to keep private, but she wouldn’t stop him from telling her either. Drin simply wouldn’t ask. It really wasn’t her place, and any fantasized nightmare she had dreamt up about Jiva and the pretty coywolf would also remain a secret. He didn’t need to know the dark recesses of her heart and how sometimes she wished she had the cahones to challenge Emma outright, but she knew she’d never do that. She was always the good girl....so much so it sometimes hurt her in the end.

Like now, the tawny gold angel was preparing herself for the worst. Maybe Jiva was so down because he had to tell her that everything that had happened between them couldn’t occur again? No that can’t be it, she told herself. If it it had been that, Jiva could have easily come to her and just told her....it wasn’t like they had confessed feelings to one another yet, and now Drin wasn’t sure if she would do even that. She’d been hurt too much and was beginning to slowly build up her walls again. But she waited in silence for his answer and a barely audible sigh of relief blew out of her nose.

Drin moved closer to Jiva to press her flank against his. A comforting gesture that she hoped he wouldn’t mind. “You owe me no apology Jiva,” she nuzzled his neck with guarded affection. He smelled too good so she didn’t allow herself to linger too long, one’s heart could only take so much. “Is there anything I can do to cheer you up?” Drin asked, almost pleading with her ocean eyes that wouldn’t send her away.

300+ Bwee, cuteness overload!

Temporarily lost in her thoughts, Palaydrian thought back to the day she had met Emma. An unhappy thought fluttered through her mind when she remember that the coywolf had called her foolish when she had only been offering the stranger friendliness. Everyone makes mistakes...why don’t you get off your high horse? What a pretentious bitch... she thought, surprised at the tendrils of anger lingering in her heart. It bothered her, but she realized with frustration that deep down, if she were to meet the girl again she’d still be cordial. Drin had too much dignity to dirty her paws with such petty fights. The angel just wasn’t as volatile and high strung as most females, she’d always just been “one of the guys”.

The young Soul dismissed the thought when she realized Jiva’s energy had changed. Gold tail flag brushed against the earth as she exchanged a smile with him, but what he did next completely caught her off guard. A small whine of pleasure emanated from within as his cool nose ruffled the wash of lilac and cream on her cheek. Tail wagged even harder in response, but just as fleeting as her nuzzle had been, was his sweet nudge. This didn’t stop her heart from soaring and with pure delight as she knew this wasn’t the end of affections between the two.

Bi colored occean eyes gazed up at the male as he rose off the earth and offered her a request for adventure. Drin knew she would go anywhere with him. A little knocked kneed, from his wolfish kiss, Drin shifted up from the ground to his level. “That sounds like fun! Maybe even a little bit scary, but I’d love to accompany you,” the tawny femme replied flashing him another heart melting smile. The last time the two had hung out, Jiva had shown her the most beautiful sights in New Dawn and had taught her some leatherworking. Drin greatly appreciated the patience and time he took to show her his skills, and she was more than willing to go exploring in a human town. Who knows what they would find!

300+

Palaydrian was smitten like a kitten for the wolf dog. The way his tail curled over his back was too cute for words, but Drin wasn’t think about how adorable he was. No, the angel’s mind was soaring towards thoughts of building a family with the mohawked male and she was nowhere near her heat days. The thought made her heart ache even more, but Jiva’s excitement trumped her pining mood and filled her with the playfulness she had felt the first day they had met. Drin mimicked his small leap of joy and fell in stride beside him.

The tawny gold wolf wasn’t aware there was an abandoned human city nearby, but she was thankful they wouldn’t be making a trek there. Small stuff first over overwhelming buildings and artifacts. “Well I’m sure you and I will be able to handle any life we may find!” She yipped with excitement and jostled into Jiva’s shoulder. “Maybe even some tools for your leatherworking?” She suggested, really having no idea what they could find in the area or actually what Jiva had meant by the place having more life, but she wanted to impress him with her bravery.

It was definitely a pup-like mentality, but every time she was around the bi-colored wolf, she felt free and almost as if she could take on anything. He kept her spirit light and usually responded positively to her hyper mood. Drin liked that about him, he wasn’t about to tell her to grow up or act her age. They were both fairly young after all. Playfully snapping at his curled tail, the she wolf was obviously ready to go and prepared for whatever was up ahead in the dying sunlight. Thoughts of sadness and questions that started with “what if” were now a thing of the past.

400+ Hope you don’t mind a little light pp.

Worries and doubts had been chased away from the angel’s mind. Jiva’s warmth now filled her and consumed her thoughts as they moved along together, he playfully bumping back into her and she grinning when she caught his wink. Palaydrian didn’t want her time with him to end. Walking and talking with him felt so natural and so right in the moment. The feelings had to be mutual, their hearts beating in tandem, and the night still so young. The village he was describing sounded as if second succession had completely taken hold. Drin like the thought of this, the earth simply taking back what once marred her pretty face long ago and turning it into something wild and beautiful once more. The excitement of seeing such a thing put more pep in the timber wolf’s step.

Clothes. The young Soul repeated in her mind as her head cocked to the side in puzzlement. What is clothes? And dresses? She asked sincerely, as she tried to think back to her run in and conversation with Zeitgeist. He had been wearing something then, but she hadn’t asked for the name of it. He simply called it attire, which even then she wasn’t too sure. He couldn’t meant the thing he wore on his head or the thing he wore on his back. However, if Jiva said his mother wore something, she guessed that it meant some type of fabric. Fabric she knew, or had some limited knowledge of the material.

I’d love to find some books! Maybe you can teach me how to read...possibly write some time? She asked timidly, but something told her he’d be more than happy to accommodate her request. I’d really appreciate that, she said with a little more courage, as his playful retaliation to her bite only goaded her on more as he bound ahead of her. With a dulcet laugh, the Siamese coated fae chased after him. He could answer her questions later, right now it was all about play!

Her large paws pounded against the forest floor as she gave chase, a few times she closed in and was able to swipe out harmlessly at Jiva’s back paws. Her giggling most likely slowed her down, but she was enjoying the athletic burn in her thighs and arms. Running like this gave her a sense of absolute freedom and her spontaneity was at an all time high. Drin started gaining on the mohawked male again and this time she put more strength into her bound as her shoulders began to line up with his torso. She turned her attention to him and with one strong leap she pounced. I’ve got you! Drin squealed, as her paws expertly wrapped around his middle and the two tumbled over one another.

WC:: 300+

She felt like a pup again tumbling head over tail with Jiva embraced firmly in her arms before they thudded against the ground. His laugh filled her ears and caused her own to bubble forth from her belly. If anyone came by they would most likely shake their heads and laugh at the youth of their pack. This was springtime awakening flirtations in its finest. Drin growled in mock dismay when the red furred wolf dog managed to wiggle his way out from under her and she nipped back at his neck, but she too fell to her side laughing.

Her bicolored eyes focused on Jiva and she suddenly had the desire to curl up next to him or rest her head on his exposed chest. She imagined how good that would feel, the comfort of his fur and the sound of his beating heart against her cheek, but so as not to appear odd, she sprang up onto her four legs. Tail wagging wildly behind her raised rear, she began taunt jumping towards him pounding her front two paws on the ground just inches from his body. This was when she noticed his laughter had stopped and his eyes were looking at something ahead of them.

Her playful stance ceased when she followed his stare with own eyes. Tail lowered gently and threatened to tuck beneath her, but complete awe spread across her face. There was no reason to be afraid. They had made it to the border of the deserted town, and in the fading light Drin could make out the skeletons of civilization. She saw silhouettes of small structures against the riot of colors that made the sunset sky. Eyes of wonder turned back to Jiva whom at some point had starting watching her again. Think we’ll see any ghosts? A mere tease with a smile, but a part of her still clung to some fears.

WC:: 2+ What if she doesn’t want to change? What then, huh huh huh?? JK

Jiva’s words warmed her heart and caused her to raise her eyebrows as if to say “Oh really?” but the fae smiled in return and moved off the ground and back onto four paws. Her tail was wagging side to side as they walked in tandem towards their final destination, but she delayed when the wolf dog suddenly changed. Hesitation seized her for a few seconds, but his grin was all the encouragement she needed to shift as well. He makes this so easy for me, she thought to herself before she allowed her mind to go blank.

Her eyes blackened only temporarily as she gave in to the natural yet unnatural change. They opened upon her gloved hands holding handfuls of earth and her one gold and one lilac leg bent beneath her, long wavy locks of gold and chocolate lowlights creating a veil around her crouched body. Brushing off her hands as she stood up, Palay tossed her tresses to the side and matched Jiva’s grin, walking closer to him to reach up towards his mohawk. What do you use to make it stay? She inquired as the corners of her eyes crinkled with glee as her fingers delicately traced the hair from his head and to the tip.

It was an intimate moment she hoped would last, but her ears suddenly swiveled towards the abandoned town. A tinkling sound was born from the wind sweeping through the remnants of humanization. What was that? A wide eyed Drin asked before dropping her hand and resuming their walk towards the shadowed unknown.

WC:: 3+

Palaydrian half listened to her crush as her ears strained to capture the faint jangling again. It only came a few more times before the wind died down again. Her senses were heightened and her curiosity was piqued, the young Soul needed to find out what was the source. Her alternate stockinged and bare legs carried her across the earth towards an old structure that at some point must have been the four walls of a home. Old beams of rotted wood lay haphazardly in the middle of the collapsed house and the only intact thing about it was the outline of what used to be a window. The glass planes of it lay shattered in a crude web on the dusty floorboards.

Drin walked by this structure without a second glance, hoping she’d hear the tinkling sound again. Barely breathing she moved through the town like a ghost, lilac ears on high alert when just the tiniest “ding” sounded to her left. She glanced back conspiratorially at Jiva before proceeding forward, basically tiptoeing around the brick edge of another fallen house. Her bare right foot suddenly rang out in pain. Oh! A muted cry as she fell forward, her gloved hands catching her fall on what appeared to once be a wooden porch. Embarrassed, she pulled her legs towards her to kneel on the musty landing as if she had meant to go down on purpose when her senses honed in on the queer noise.

Jiva look! Drin expressed with the joy of a child, pointing at some sort of mobile hanging from the still intact roof. The ancient strings attached to it had metal objects tied to them and each time they collided with one another, even with the barest breath of wind, the tinkling sound occurred. Palay lost herself, amazed with such an odd invention, she began to laugh.

WC:: 3+
D’aww!

The desolate town wasn’t as scary as she thought it would be, at least not for the moment as she was still laughing her pretty head off at the odd ornament hanging from the still intact roof of the house. It probably wasn’t as daunting though because of her company. She remembered Jiva was with her, and toned down her outburst of mirth, but soon found that the red wolf dog had knowledge to offer on the tinkling instrument of wind. Windchimes, she repeated now that her laughter had died down and she picked herself off the soggy wooden deck to stand.

Her pack brother swept by her and stole her breath along with his strides. Their fur mingled for a few seconds before he was standing beside the dangling object and gently poking the metal rods with his claw. Grinning ear to ear, Drin moved forward to investigate the windchime closer. She loved the sound it produced, it was nothing she had ever heard before and something about it was haunting yet cheerful. An echo of the sounds of the past. Had someone stood in the same place Jiva was to disturb the metal rods with their own hands?

The ocean eyed girl watched as he reached up to undo the ties that bound the wind chime to its ancient moors and she reached out her gloved hands to take the artifact from him. I think I have the perfect spot for it, she mused, giving him a breathtaking smile before thinking about her actions as she stepped forward and very gently placed a small peck on his cheek. Shall we continue our search? She asked briskly walking past him to hide the blush in her cheeks as she continued into the darkened skeleton of what was left of the house.

WC:: 4+
”Glass objects” haha!

Her lips were on fire from the kiss and every fiber of her being wanted her to place her lips upon his cheek again, but she continued her purposeful walk into the din of the house. She too was grinning in the shadows as she ran a hand over the dusty objects that once resembled a couch, end table, and lamp. Her right hand was clutching the windchime against her stomach when Jiva called her over. Drin moved around the ancient furniture and settled in by the red furred man’s side. Above the musty odor of the abandoned house, his sweet scent captured in her nostrils over and over again. She couldn’t get enough of him, but he was calling her attention to something in his hands.

Her gaze dropped to the broken glass first, but in the failing light her eyes went beyond to the strange paper below. Printed on it was something she had never seen before. This must’ve been a drawing of some sort...but the beings in it looked so real. Drin shuddered as if something cold had touched her, but object was giving her the creeps. No...can’t say I have...but do you think that’s what they looked like? She murmured, touching the frame with her left hand and slowly tracing the outlines of the humans with the tip of her claw. This was their home, she said matter of factly, causing another ripple of chills to climb down her spine.

Visibly shivering caused her to smile, she knew it was foolish to believe in ghosts, but now that she had seen who had possibly lived here before...she wasn’t so sure if it really was so silly. Wanting to remain brave in front of Jiva, she moved away from him to explore more parts of the house. She came to a dark hallway but beyond that was more moonlight. Drin quickly passed through, realizing she was only freaking herself out, but she was relieved to find herself in a room full of windows.

The floor here had changed from wood to some slick surface (tile) and her nails made odd clicking sounds as she walked around. This made her giggle just as the wind chime had, but this room was full of exciting things. The walls were lined with strange boxes that she found she could open by pulling on the rusted handles on the outsides. Most of the boxes appeared to be empty or at least the contents had turned to dust within, but while she was nosing around in the drawers and cupboards she noticed some sort of rack on one of the bare walls. The glass objects cradled in the wood caught her attention. Jiva? She called softly to the other room. I think I’ve found something.