A long time wandering

[Chayton]

Shrugging his shoulders, the bi-hued mann lets out a call. It seemed like forever since he had seen the faces of his pack members. One thing led to another and he found himself wandering the pack borders more often than he thought he originally would be. But now he found himself happy to return to the main area of his pack to greet his family.

Once his call had ended he sat lightly on his rump. Waiting for someone to greet him. With the war between Ge-rad and Sarnes and possibly the Balkar, the pack borders, Chayton had felt, had to be watched more often than normal. Perhaps it was only in his head, but none the less, he was here now.

He cocked his head and listened, hoping to hear the padding of paws along the ground, or the faint breath of a varg come to greet him. or his mate. Wherever she be now. He hadn't seen her for a while either, or his Dragga, Chalos. But he had been away from the main area of the terra for a while. He hadn't meant it to take so long. But sometimes things happen.

After a few more moments of silence he got to his paws and padded further into the heart of the terra. For the most part things were quiet and calm, a nice break from the past hectic times of a visitor from Ge-rad and other such things.

[Mist]

The loud chirping of small birds seems to try and fill the empty space left by the absence of most of Deor's vargs, but to some ears just makes it all the more evident that there is too much emptiness in the pack. Padding softly through the partly shaded center of the territory is a dark grey fae, her absent wandering showing her thoughts and views on the state of the pack. As a particularly enthusiastic meadowlark bursts into song in a tree somewhere above her Mist pauses in her slow stride and looks up at the small bird. She smiles slightly at him, noting his fearlessness as she walks beneath him, but her smile does not hold its normal joy, and it is evident that something has changed - either temporarily or permanently - to dampen the fae's usual spirit.

As she looks up, her mind wanders to a certain day in the past with another enthusiastic bird... and someone by her side. A small, almost sad smile forms on the fae's maw as she thinks of her mate, Chayton. It has been quite a while since she saw him last - many days - but she knows he has a good reason for being gone, and also that he will come back. Even if he were to take until she were old and feeble she would wait for him, her love never dimming but burning ever brightly through the days. Shaking her head as this thought fleets through her mind Mist knows he will not make her wait this long, but cannot help but hope he will not take much longer than it has already been.

Picturing his handsome face Mist lifts her head higher and glances again at the bird, realizing that Chayton would not want her to be less than her normal self while waiting for him. She smiles at the thought and picks up her paws again, this time stepping out with more of a purpose. After only a few steps she pauses again, ebony-tipped ears pricking sharply as a familiar, timbrous call echoes through the woods. Almost not believing her ears Mist's heart seems to leap as she hears the howl once more, confirming the varg's identity as the one she has waited for. Taking a deep breath the fae has to wait for a moment to contain her excitement before throwing her maw up to the fathomless sky and answering with a joyful howl of her own.

Before the echoes of the howl have faded into the forest Mist has gone like a fleeting shadow. Her lithe form blurring through the trees as the shadows seem to try and claim her as their own. Her strong limbs pressing down on the rich earth, taking her closer to the love of her life. As the white and blue mann comes into her view she slows to a slow steady lope, her eyes shining brightly as she lifts her head proudly. After a few moments she slows even more to a calm stride as she watches the mann ahead of her. Coming within only a few paces of him she stops, her eyes radiating her joy and smiling as she is not yet able to do. This calm is as the calm before the storm. "Chayton." She speaks just this one word - this name - but it holds all of her feelings as her soft, rich tones carry to his ears.

[Chayton]

Her voice was a sweet as honey. A beautiful sound to his auds after not hearing her lyrics for what seemed forever. Blue optics gently swooped over her, every feature on her a familar beauty that he had longed for.

"Mist."He looked at her, tassel wagging slowly, for he knew that she must have wondered where he had been. "I'm sorry........I've been gone for so long. I never meant it to be that long. " He waited, fearing that she would feel betrayed by his absence, he knew that she was tender to being left alone. Behind, without a word. It wasn't like him to do that, but things just kept coming up and.........but that was no excuse.

The breeze ruffled his fur, a shorter coat had replaced his longer winter coat. He looked thinner, not that he hadn't eaten, just he was mainly muscle mass.

She looked so brillant, standing there, like a light that he hadn't seen in years.

[Mist]

A barely noticeable shiver runs through Mist's form as she hears Chayton speak her name. She has waited long to hear his voice again, and though she has missed him, during his absence she couldn't imagine how wonderful it would be to actually have him back. Now that he has returned she feels as if she has almost too much joy for a normal varg to hold. Surely this happiness is reserved for the gods? But no, the world stills from its moment of wild spinning, and the joy and love in her heart burns as brightly as it did a moment ago.

Hearing his apology the grey fae smiles softly and takes a step closer, coming close enough to touch him. Lifting her nose she touches it to his own and shakes her head slightly. "Your return has filled the empty place in my heart, there is no need to think back on then. I will always forgive you, for I love you too much to live apart from you by choice." Speaking to him again makes her feel as if her love must shine from her, like a light for all to see. Feeling the warmth of the sun on her back she smiles a bit more, thinking the sun has given her that light that she could not give herself, no matter the extent of her love.

"Chayton..." She speaks softly, saying his name as if it will keep him by her side forever. That hope steady in her heart she leans forward and puts her head alongside his, closing her eyes and leaning against him gently. Life truly could not be better than this... your loved one by your side once more.

[Chayton]

Her words were always soft, understanding, and Chayton knew that he didn't deserve her, he doubted there was anyone on this planet that deserved such an angel. But, he would try, he would try to measure up to be a varg that came close. He had screwed up multiple times and yet she still loved him, loved every fiber of his being. "Mist, you are far too forgiving of me." He leanded against her, the feeling of her body once again against his.

my love, i have been less than, i have been cruel, though not intentionally. when i'm not with you, i count every breath that i take without you. his thoughts, if only she could hear them. If only she knew that being away from her was torture.

His head lifted and encircled her neck, a hug, a gesture of love, something to let her know... "Every breath without you seems pointless, every beautiful thing in this world seems ugly without you there." He took his head from her and let it fall for a moment. His absences, though unintentional were unexcuesable. She shouldn't just let him back like nothing happened. Things shoudm't be that easy, but that was one reason that Mist was way to wonderful for a varg like him, he doubted he would ever stand up to how wonderful she was. No one could be like her, selfless, loving and forgiving. He loved her more than anything, but he couldn't think of how to tell her.

[Mist]

Mist smiles softly, her eyes betraying her happiness as she looks at the one she loves most in this world. She loves the rest of her family and her pack, and... as much as she can tell without being tested she would die for them, but Chayton... she would die without him. Looking at him once more is like finding a lost hope. Without hope there is not life, but with true hope and faith there is life abounding in joy. At Chayton's words the shadowy fae shakes her head lightly. "No, if I did not forgive you I would be killing myself at the same time. I can not be bitter against one I love as much as you... it would simply not be possible. I would be untrue if I denied you your freedom, for it is one of the most valuable things we have in this life. Besides love, of course." At these last words another smile appears on Mist's fair face as she looks at the object of that love.

As Chayton encircles her neck with his own in a loving gesture she closes her eyes, perfectly happy, and then sighs softly as he pulls away after a moment. His words fill her heart even more with feelings of... unworthiness - to be loved and to love this much seems almost to great a gift for one such as her. "Every moment you are away from me the world seems more lifeless... but when I see you again I know why I am alive." After a moment's pause and her thoughts she laughs lightly, thinking how star-struck and madly in love she would seem to an outsider. At these thoughts she shakes her head joyfully, not caring how she seems to someone else. She is happy and wants Chayton to be happy. If she has to tell him in a million different ways a million times how happy he makes her, she will gladly do it, her heart beating all the while for his love.

((*grin* I'm soooo mushy! *shakes head* Oh well, I suppose I can't really help it if Mist is in love...))

[Chayton]

He embraced her once more, sitting besides her and leaning gently against her soft fur. A sigh escaped his maw. The world was beautiful, but different colors, different emotions seemed to appear more brilliantly when you are with the one you love. "I promise to not leave your side so often, I shouldn't stretch my freedom so much."

The bi-hued mann's appearance had changed with the coming of spring, fluffy winter coat gave way to a sleeker look, his blue was duller in the spring than in the winter., but his orbs still held the love for the fae next to him just like they did when he confessed his love to her.

The silence enveloped the mann as he still leaned against Mist, there were no words he could think of that would even come close to how he felt for her. But he could try. "Love, I don't want to come off as pushy, clearly I don't intend for this to happen right away....." his face burned with embaressment. "Eventually, don't you think it would be nice to have pups. Of course not now, but in the future?"

[Mist]

Mist smiles softly at his words and tilts her head. "As long as you miss me as much as I miss you when you are away, I know that you could never stay gone for long enough to do me permanent damage. You are free to do as you like, and free to return to me when you do not have the desire to wander alone. Know that I will always come with you if you ask..." Chayton's gentle weight against her reassures her, almost more than any words could, that he will always return if he can.

Turning her head slightly to look at him she cannot help but smile again as she takes in ever familiar detail of his handsome, lithe form. His unusual blue streaks have darkened, and are not so noticeably the bright blue of his winter coat. These marks and every other part of him are dear to her, and often in her memories and imaginings when she cannot see him with her own eyes.

Something in his tone as he speaks alerts her to his mood - something of embarrassment is present. Mist narrows her eyes slightly as she wonders what he could be about to say that would make him uncomfortable. As he continues she realizes what he is about to say and smiles, understanding his discomfort. Smiling she nods and looks down at him again, meeting his eyes as he looks up at her from his place still resting against her side. "To tell you the truth, love, I have been thinking of that as well. Yes, I would like to have pups eventually...." She says softly, thinking of how it would be to be a mother... of course she has her adopted daughter, Cagalli, but that is different...

[Chayton]

Relief washed over the bi-hued mann as Mist answered. He had hoped that she would want to have pups someday, and he figured why not ask now? "Enough of this chit chat of pups and love." Chayton barked, springing to his feet. "I want to play!""

He danced around Mist before springing to the left and tearing through the terra, making a wide circle that led back to where he and Mist had been sitting. As he whizzed by her he let out a bark. "TRy and catch me love!"

However, the mann was not as graceful as he had hoped, a small patch of mud mislead the varg. One moment he was running, and the next he was tumbling down a small hill and dissapearing from sight.

The world stopped spinning, slowly, but it stopped. Strangely enough the mann was standing on his paws, an odd way to land. Looking around Chayton wondered where Mist was and if she would avoid the patch of mud.

[Mist]

The sight of Chayton's face at her answer - a mix of relief and happiness is wonderful, and Mist suddenly realizes how good of a father he will be. He has a perfect amount of strength, love, understanding, and fun... and their pups won't know how lucky they are to have him as a father. A wide smile breaks out on the dusky fae's face at his next words as they reiterate his sense of fun. Shaking her head slightly in amusement she gets up just after him and watches him dance around her. She stays still for a few moments, tail wagging happily as he races away and then back to her. At his bark she recalls a couple other races in the past and without warning springs after him.

As he disappears behind a small hill she skids to a halt at the top, knowing what can happen if you run blindly forward. Peering down at him she sees the mud patch and the deep skid marks from his slide. Deciding it doesn't look dangerous she steps forward and feels her stomach fly up as she whizzes down faster than she had anticipated. Her slide stops a bit up the hill from Chayton as she hadn't started off with a run, but had... carefully launched herself forward. Somehow she is not lucky enough to stay on her feet and after a moment stands on fairly shaky paws. Looking over at Chayton she notices his dizziness. Tromping the few steps over to him as best she can she touches his nose with hers to try and make sure he is alright. "Chayton, love? You need to learn to... look before you leap." She speaks softly, obvious care in her voice as she looks at him.

[Chayton]

As Mist joined him in the mud Chayton grinned. At her comment the bi-hued mann let out a sigh. "Looking before I leap takes half the fun out of life love." He got to his paws and gently nuzzled Mist. "Besides, what's a little danger anyway, once I'm a dad I have to act more responsible." His features held a grin, evidence that he didn't take himself seriously.

He turned to look up the hill they had come sliding down. He pictured pups slipping their way down after their parents. A smile enveloped his maw and he leanded against Mist, tail entertwining with hers. "Love, how soon would you like to have pups anyway?"


He turned to looks at her, the chance for him to raise a family that would love, to make sure he had fully rid himself of his past. Obviously that wasn't why he wanted a family. Every day his love for Mist grew, and he wanted a way to show it to the world.

[Mist]

Shaking her head at Chayton's words Mist cannot help but smile. "But it wouldn't be fun if something happened to you darling." Licking his maw softly she nuzzles him. "Especially now that we're talking about having pups... but then I don't want the fun taken out of your life, 'cause I suppose you're as wonderful as you are at least partially because of it." Her smile widens and she nods and returns his nuzzle. "Well, let's say you'll have to be a bit more responsible. I'm not sure if you'll have to be completely responsible. I imagine our pups will start leaping before they look with you as their father..."

As Chayton glances up the muddy hill and smiles the ash colored fae tilts her head slightly and mirrors the action. Feeling his tail entwined with hers Mist bumps it slightly against his, as if reiterating his gesture. Her mind wanders to the future, imagining little pups playing with each other... perhaps in this very spot; their first yipping howls, so proud that they rush to tell their parents about it. Sighing softly, happily, Mist's imaginings are interrupted by her mate's inquiry. Smiling at him she leans her head against his own. "Soon. Now that I think about it I realize how happy it would make me. But as you said a moment ago, I don't want to be pushy either. We still have to ask Luci and Chalos for permission... what do you think, love?"

[Chayton]

Taking only a few seconds to decide Chayton let out a sigh. There was a lot to be done for a litter, and despite the fact that he knew nothing, he was ready "Well ,love. first, we need to decide when a litter would be the best to have."

His excitement was building, but he knew that their packleaders would decide their fate. It would be nice to have puppies. But Chayton wondered if they were rushing things, or if indeed this was the perfect timing.

"You know, perhaps we should scout around for a den, just in case we get a yes to have a litter, no harm in being prepared."He shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly and stood up. He scanned the area for a moment, they would probably want something that was closer to the center of the packland, but still away from all the main traffic and comotion, especially Farrah. Farrah would be a crazy, crazy aunt...if that was what she would be to them. Anywho, she would keep the puppies on their toes.

Deor would be the perfect place to raise a family. But Mist might be right, maybe it was time for Chayton to start looking before he lept.

[Mist]

Nodding Mist calculates in her head when it would be best for the pups to be born, and when the seasons would most favor them and give the pups the best chance of life. "You're right... and now that we have permission we can start thinking about it. Even though Deor has much milder winters than some of the other areas in Transylvania we should probably try and have them before the first frosts hit... or wait until spring." Sighing softly she looks at Chayton and sees that he has the same feelings about waiting that long as she does. "Well, since spring is not for another while... almost nine moons, I think we should have our pups before then."

As Chayton gets up she tilts her head up to look at him and nods again, realizing what a wise idea this is. Shaking herself to waken her semi-asleep limbs the grey fae follows her mate's example, getting to her feet and stretching her legs. "Again you prove that you will make a good father, love.... Our pups certainly will be lucky to have you! Now, a den..." After a few moments of looking around and imagining the Deor lands beyond her immediate sight, a smile breaks out on Mist's face.

"Oh, I just thought of a perfect place! D'you remember that cave we slept in that night after fishing? It was wonderfully warm and dry, and large enough for a family." Golden eyes light up as the fae thinks of the future with Chayton and her pups around her. "What do you think, love? I can't really think of any place that would be better... but if you're not sure we could always look around and see if we could find another den..."

[Chayton]

Nodding Chayton waged his tassel. "well we must begin to get ready." For a moment he pondered the possibility of where a good den might be. But before he could even let out a sigh Mist spoke up. The Cave? "Mist, love, that is a wonderful place to have the pups!!" He bounced around her, playfully licking at her. The cave had proven to be a nice place for them to rest while the night waned. IT was hidden enough for protection, but still well into Deor that they would be safe.

The cave was a perfect idea! "Well, let's go check it out and make any changes!" With a bark he raced up the hill and stopped waiting for Mist, wagging his tassel, rump and practically the rest of his body. What a wonderful mother these pups will have, and a wonderful pack!. Barely able to hold his excitement he waited for Mist. They would check out the cave and see how wonderful it was.

(((thread closed)))