let it be beautiful [jax]

[`K E Z Z I ♥♥]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,450,true][atrb=cellpadding,0,true][atrb=cellspacing,0,true][bg=dbb781] Walk the walk Talk the talk Autumn was such a beautiful time of year. Zara strolled down the woodland path, her paws imprinting into the soft damp earth, the pine needles shifting under her weight and muffling the sound. A crow cawed overhead and took flight from the canine, soaring away into the crisp evening air. The sky was a deep fading blue, touched by a warm indigo and orange whilst the pink clouds drifted by as dusk began to fall. As the tall slender female padded forward she reached a large meadow-clearing amongst the picturesque forest. Her breath hitched a little as she gazed upon the wonderful scenery that surrounded her, nature really did take her breath away. Dewey cobwebs shone golden in the dying sunlight, decorating the long grass. A few deciduous trees had infiltrated the pines and so their branches were ignited with the last colourful leaves that clung desperately. The grey and white female shook her head, a smile playing with her maw in pure admiration. Zara glanced over her shoulder and waited for a moment, before stepping forward and moving through the long damp grass. The droplets ran down her pelt and as she reached the middle of the darkening meadow, the akita mix realised her underbelly, legs and chest were dripping with dew. She sat down, curling her fluffy tail around her paws and waited for her friend. He'd gone hunting a couple of hours ago and they had agreed to meet in this area. From over the top of the pine trees the sun made it's final descent, casting long shadows across the tall female and her surroundings. Nearly a whole month had passed since she had met Koen, three and a half weeks that had whizzed past in a blink of an eye. In such a short time, Zara had learnt so much about both him and himself. She knew that he had commitment issues, and she knew that this frightened her. Part of the female screamed to leave now, get away before it was too late, before she got hurt. If only it was that simple. Something pulled Zara towards the merle boy, something from deep within and somehow she knew he was special. He made her laugh, he made her feel as though she didn't have a care or worry in the world, as though he would always be there to brighten her day. There had been guys before but never like him. The light coloured dog sighed, she doubted anything serious would ever happen. Koen just didn't seem like the type to settle down and though she knew it shouldn't, she was saddened by this fact. No, she couldn't let herself get dragged into loving him. Zara could not afford to make that kind of mistake again. She missed her family and knew it would be time to go home soon, she knew then that it would be the end. He would have to make a decision to carry on travelling, or join Tempest with her. Though they hadn't spent every day together during the month, it had felt odd being apart from the mixed bred male. She could only go so long without feeling that familiar tug, that ache that signalled she was missing him. Missing his playful voice, his soft fur against her own, his blue eyes drinking in her frame. Zara glanced upwards at the dark blue sky, observing the twinkling stars as they began to reveal themselves. Her heart fluttered at the idea of never seeing Koen again, was she really that attached to him? To a stranger she had met beside an abandoned prison? Maybe she should push him away, and keep her distance from him. Perhaps they could just be friends, and meet up every now and again. Yet Zara knew that if she was to leave him, that would have to be it. She knew that if she ever saw Koen again, her heart would literally crumble into a million pieces. [[ ooc ;; so i set this thread in early november, which i realise is time skipping buuut oh well it just means that they have had a month or so together, more time to develop their relationship and also they breed in november so.. this could be the 'sexy-time' thread i suppose lawl ]]

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[atrb=background,http://i48.tinypic.com/6z4ms2.jpg] "Speech." Autumn had arrived, and the countryside was alive with the last breathes of heat. A chill wind whispered through the trees, sending a cascade of reds, yellows, oranges and browns to rain down on the tall, damp grasses. Stopped in the middle of the forest, a young deer's lifeless body clasped in his jaws, Koen felt goose prickles rise all over his body. It was his favourite season. Not too hot, not too cold, a picturesque view at every turn. Taking a deep breath, he looked at the edge of the clearing before him. The vague shape of another dog shone through the dying light; a familiar form. Blood matting the white fur around his mouth, the young male wondered if he should stop and clean himself up first. What if she thought he was a complete mess? But, then again, if he cleaned all the blood off, it might look like he had just stolen the kill rather than work to bring the fawn down. Already anxious like a pup with a massive crush, he took another deep breath, closing his eyes as he dragged the kill through and into the clearing, the corpse sliding between his legs. He hoped she liked it; it hadn't been easy to take down. Though a late birth in the season, he supposed, it was still a good size. Having just started to lose it's baby spots, the animals long legs proved more trouble to Koen when it was dead than alive as it had constantly tripped him up on the way back. The faint buds of what were to be antlers snagged occasionally on twigs and Koen's fur, only adding to the bother. It was why the mutt didn't normally hunt big game. But for this particular lady friend...it almost seemed like he should. She was worth it, and she deserved it. Huffing slightly as he brought it over to Zara, the moment he let go a wide grin had already begun to spread across his muzzle. While the blood might have made him look more intimidating than he had any right to, the thought was pushed almost entirely from his mind. Seeing her sitting there, the dew having soaked her fur and the dying light setting fire to the horizon, he could have stayed like that forever. But you don't want to. A tiny voice hissed in the back of his head. Half ignoring it, he struggled to find something romantic to say to complete the moment. Yet for once, he had nothing. His tongue struggling to push anything sensible out, Koen barely managed a breathless 'Hi'. He must have looked ridiculous. Maybe he was ridiculous. After playing the thief of hearts time and time again, he found himself caught up in this one little female. She wasn't perfect; she had her own dark secrets, her own desires and fears. But, neither was he. In the time they had spent together, they had learned a lot about each other. He knew she had family in a pack, she knew he had problems with sticking around. She stood up to the challenges that life threw at her, where Koen was more adjusted to running away. Yet, the more he spent his time around her, the more he began to ignore the tiny voices in the back of his head, telling him to not get too close. Never get too close. When they were apart, he longed to hear her voice again, to feel her body against his. But at the same time, he felt guilty for wanting that. She deserved better. She deserved someone who would be there for her through thick and thin, to do everything and anything to make her happy. Koen was afraid to give his life to her, but at the same time....he was afraid to lose her. She wasn't perfect. But it was those imperfections that truly made her beautiful. Zara held a grace of her own kind, a strong, confident aura that shielded deep wounds so well. There were cracks that ran down to her very core, and Koen wanted to help her heal. His tail wagging gently, Koen found himself staring. Shutting his mouth and tearing his eyes away from her, he nudged the carcass closer. I got this for you.

[`K E Z Z I ♥♥]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,450,true][atrb=cellpadding,0,true][atrb=cellspacing,0,true][bg=dbb781] Walk the walk Talk the talk Zara wondered whether her family was missing her, and how they were doing. She smiled a little at the thought of seeing them again, watching her younger siblings tussle playfully and her beloved parents overlooking side by side. Then there was Tempest itself, being so isolated from the pack meant that she didn't receive any news on how the war was developing. What worried her was that she wouldn't know if her family was in any kind of trouble, she wouldn't know until it was too late. The aching fear was what disturbed her the most, as though she could feel something was up, and that she needed to return to the place she where she belonged. But that would mean either leaving or bringing Koen along with her, it would be his choice to make and Zara knew she could not force him to go with her. A longing suffocated her heart and strangled her chest at the simple thought of saying goodbye to the male. She knew her parents would not approve. They wanted a steady, loyal Tempest safe option, something that wouldn't betray their daughter or their pack. The grey and white female knew that she would be taking a big risk bringing Koen into Tempest's midst if he did agree. Zara just wasn't sure what to do with herself, she was so caught in this whirlwind romance. If that was what this was? Surely all these feelings couldn't simply be about friendship, and she had seen the same conflicting emotions in the merle male's piercing blue eyes. Those explosive butterflies that detonated devastatingly the moment she laid eyes on his gorgeous frame. Suddenly she turned, ears pricking in eagerness whilst her deep ebony eyes gleamed with great warmth and excitement. There he was. Her insides melted slightly, her breath hitching as she drank in his fluid approach. She breathed a sigh of admiration at his catch, gasping a little. Zara managed a raspy "Hey", feeling somewhat bashful and glancing down at her paws for a moment. What the Hell, are you some kind of lovesick dove?! Get a grip ffs. She forced herself to straight a little, though every time she gazed into those azure eyes she couldn't help but smile happily. The female didn't think he looked ridiculous, he looked like a handsome rogue and she couldn't stop herself from leaning over to brush his muzzle affectionately. Sparks flew in the pit of her stomach, and her tail batted the fresh dusk air silently. This was getting over the top now, she needed to calm herself down or she'd look desperate, needy. Annoying. Zara stepped back and sat down once more, her gaze flickered to the sky now; the sun had finally disappeared, leaving the great expanse devoid of golden light. It instead was replaced with a soft purplish blue with peaceful stars flashing bright. She beamed as he offered her the dead body, "Oh Koen, thank you! A great catch might I add," The three year old laughed gently, before lowering her muzzle to snag herself a bite or two. She hadn't eaten in half a day and the deer carcass would most definitely be a welcome relief from her growing hunger. The canine glanced up at her friend, "Share with me, it's your kill" and with that she sank her large fangs into the deliciously warm flesh. Blood flooded her jaws as she tore into the meat, ripping the muscles and sinews with relative ease. Zara ate her fill before rubbing her mouth against the long damp grass, in an attempt to rub the gory stains from her chest and maw. She felt a little disgusting, and couldn't help a sneaky glance over at Koen to see if he was looking at her, repulsed. "That was absolutely wonderful, I suppose I shall have to repay the favour later." She chuckled provocatively, standing up and encircling him.

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[atrb=background,http://i48.tinypic.com/6z4ms2.jpg] "Speech." Her praise left him glowing, his tail thumping around lightly behind him. Leaning down, he snagged a few bites in between watching Zara. Since he had come across her, it was hard for him not to stare. At the mention of paying him back, however, he was stuck like glue. Or, more so than he had been for the past month. Licking his lips, he laughed lightly, shaking out his fur. Oh? How? His tone was playful, a mischievous glint in his eyes. He wanted to play. He wanted to watch Zara run free, the weight of the world lifted from her. He wanted to have every second under the stars with her that he could; not a moment wasted. Why not repay it now? It was then that his voice had taken a more sultry air to it. With most females, he got what he wanted of them as quickly as possible and then left without a trace. But Zara was different, Zara made him earn it. It was an idea that Koen had been quick to grab onto for her sake. He had watched her almost daintily try to rub the blood from her fur, glancing over at him as if hoping he hadn't seen or didn't care. If anything, Koen found it exciting. Maybe it was the mood the stars and the cool wind created; it was a time to start cuddling up to another body at night, lest one live their days miserably cold and alone. As she stood up and began to circle him, Koen reached out to nip gently at her neck. Don't be such a tease! It was almost pleading. Taking a deep breath, Koen thought how he could die happy if he got even so much as a passing scent of the gray female before him. It was rich, enticing, luring him in and egging him on. Taking a step closer, his chest bumping into her shoulder, he licked at her ear. You're truly beautiful. He sighed, pulling back to look into her eyes. You know that? With the whirlwind that had swept him up and taken his heart, it was almost terrifying how attached he had become. He couldn't let her go, but he knew what was bound to happen. It hurt him now just to think of how much it would break her heart. He could try to be everything that she wanted, but it wouldn't be who he really was. But what was he doing thinking of the future, of his past? This was all happening, then and there. Come with me. He whispered, bounding off a small ways. He knew of a small cave just a small journey away; it stood atop a cliff side, the narrow path leading up to it giving them the seclusion and safety, while leaving room above the treeline for them to watch the stars shine. His paws unfolding beneath him, Koen scarcely looked back. So what if they left the carcass, they'd had their fill. He knew, or sincerely hoped, she'd follow after him. He was ready to make the jump, to give her his all, even if only for the night.

[`K E Z Z I ♥♥]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,450,true][atrb=cellpadding,0,true][atrb=cellspacing,0,true][bg=dbb781] Walk the walk Talk the talk It was a truly surreal sensation, knowing that somebody wanted to spend time with you. That they valued you enough to make you a part of their life, no matter how temporary that was. It was an experience that Zara most definitely relished but also feared, she was worried that there would come a time when Koen would no longer be interested. When she and her conversations would start to bore him and slowly but surely he would change his mind on their relationship. The female knew she was falling in love with the handsome merle boy, but this only fueled her uncertainty. Giving your heart to someone on a silver platter meant only one thing, you were going to get hurt and quite frankly there was nothing you could do about it. So of course the only solution was never to wear your feelings on your sleeve, and most definitely don't let anyone get you down. Yet Zara knew life wasn't that simple, nothing was that easy when your emotions were involved. Why not repay it now? His low, seductive tones breathed into the dark air as Zara pricked her ears at him. Coal black eyes widened slightly as she listened to his provocative tone and felt him nip her neck tenderly. Her spine tingled automatically and she wagged her tail a little in pure delight. The Shepherd mix giggled slightly, though refused to say anything as he spoke once more. Don't be such a tease!. At this the female grinned flirtatiously, and flicked his shoulder with her curled tail in a playful manner. Finally she broke her silent vigil and ran her tongue affectionately between his ears, "Me? A tease? Never." A giggle fell sweetly from her slender muzzle and she leaned into him slightly as he whispered admiringly. You're truly beautiful. You know that? They were locked in each other's eyes now and Zara swore her heart had never beat so fast in her entire life. Ba-dum ba-dum like sound of festivals drums playing great and loud. She swallowed thickly, gazing deep into those blue pools of ice. Zara nosed his muzzle and inhaled his familiar, masculine scent. Things had just gotten really serious and she wasn't sure exactly how she felt about it all. Part of her wanted to just submit to his advances and allow herself to freely cavort with Koen and yet at the same time something inside her told her to be wary. To keep her distance and never let him inside, because once she did that it would be all over. The fun would evaporate from their relationship, there would be no turning back either, everything would go downhill if she allowed herself to slip up. She sighed and broke eye contact with Koen, glancing down at her paws in a moment of quiet thought. Come with me. He inquired and Zara raised her skull in question. What did he mean? Where was he going to take her - oh! The merle canine meant that! First of all she stiffened and then suddenly all sense of composure and secrecy was lost to the wind. The female rose to her paws and pressed her body close to the dog she loved, yes, Zara knew she could not hide the fact any longer. Perhaps the feeling would fade in time, but right now she did not care. There was a powerful beat inside her chest that told her to follow her instincts, to let him in. She whispered into his ear, "You know what Koen, I would love to." With that he bounded ahead and she leapt to join him, entwining her tail with his and feeling her thick fur brush against his soft pelt. Paw beside paw they began to trot confidently into the night. The time had come to seal their fate, forever.

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[atrb=background,http://i48.tinypic.com/6z4ms2.jpg] "Speech." -FadeToBlack- -MagicalBabyMakin'Happens- -ThreeWeeksLater?- Vague blue light filtered into the small cave the pair had called 'home' for the past few weeks. Letting out a deep yawn, Koen stretched, his toes recoiling slightly as a breath of cold air whipped between them. It had seemed like such a short while since they had first arrived. The merle dog couldn't help but to smile lightly as he thought back to that night, his gaze drifting of the form next to him. The connection he felt had caught him fast, but was stronger than anything he had experienced before. Nuzzling Zara's head, he got up and stretched again. A sharp gust of wind brought in a dusting of snow; was it already that time again? Snow was always one of the more comfortable seasons for Koen. He was more well equipped for fall, but winter, in its earlier stages, was good enough. With his long and silky fur, the mutt was well insulated against the cold and the damp, though deep snow would often cause clumps and tangles to form along his belly and elbows. Poking his head outside, the harsh winter wind quickly swept up his fur, tousling and tugging at it. Since they had fallen asleep the night before, the air had grown colder. But looking at the small path down the cliff-side and leading into the forest, every marker for which turn to take and every indication of a dangerous bit of path were blanketed in white. Koen's brows furrowed together, his posture going stiff. All traces of the comforting warmth he felt dissipated. If the snow did not stop, where were they to go? Pulling back in, he kept quiet as he padded towards the small stores of food they did keep. There wasn't much; a week, maybe two if they really rationed it out. The young dog tossed a worried look over his shoulder, back towards the mouth of the cave. The heavy grey clouds showed no sign of clearing, and the snow was still driving though it must have been almost up to his belly by that point. Even if the snow stopped soon, it would be days before what had already fallen would melt enough to allow safe travel downward. Sitting down next to Zara, he felt more at peace as he watched her. Koen was about as good at giving bad news as he was receiving it. Not once had he thought that staying so close to the mountains so late in the season could have been dangerous; he felt almost as if it should have been his responsibility to have known. Curling around her once more, he huffed audibly. Koen half hoped she'd wake soon, half hoped he'd be the one to wake up and all of this would turn out to be a bad dream.

[`K E Z Z I ♥♥]

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[atrb=background,http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx34/Kitten_Lovour/1mid.png] Her dreams were dark and frightening, filled with snapping feline jaws and the tearing of canine flesh. Screams rang out into the still darkness and chilled Zara to the bone, they did not belong to just anybody. The agonized screaming for help were her mothers. Suddenly she was awake, sitting bolt upright and panting heavily. She had gone from peacefully dreaming to wracked with a terrible, haunting nightmare that would plague her for nights to come. The grey and white akita mix swallowed thickly, glancing around and orientating herself. Black eyes locked onto her mate, and she was filled with an immediate sense of calm. Mate, she couldn't quite believe that word, it seemed too surreal and bizarre but technically that was what he was. The lithe female smiled at Koen, feeling the blood rush to her head when she thought back to that one particular night. It had been quite magical, she had given him her all and her everything. Zara could only hope and pray that now he wouldn't abuse what he had. The three year old pushed away the blood-curdling dreams, knowing that they exactly that, figments of her imagination and certainly nothing to worry about. Zara exhaled slowly, "Morning," she wagged her tail softly and bumped her muzzle against his own before rising to her paws. Stretching out her long body, the female was overcome by the need for affection and turned to nuzzle in against the merle boy. Though she was a tad taller than him, it was no problem to tuck her head beneath his muzzle and snuggle into his chest. The bitch sighed and smiled, relishing in his strong warmth and the security. Though she had never told anybody about it, Zara was a firm believer in romance and the idea of being whisked away into the mountains accompanied by her lover alone was quite a fantasy of hers. Though she came across as cold and stubborn on first impressions, once you had her loyalty she was incredibly sweet. Shivering against the bitter cold of the morning, the shepherd cross suddenly noticed the blanketed white that covered everything outside. Gasping slightly, she leapt up and trotted to the cave entrance. At first she felt excited about the prospect of frolicking and playing in the powdery substance, Zara had always loved snow as a puppy. It was only when she took a step forward and felt her paw slip disconcertingly, that she realised the true implications of the snowfall. They were stuck here. There was no way they would be able to safely maneuver their way down the steep incline that led up to their den! Frowning, the female's dark eyes flashed with uncertainty and she glanced over her shoulder at the red and white dog. "The snow.. we can't get down." Her eyes instantly sought the meager food pile and she gulped, there was not much left. Zara turned and padded back to Koen, sitting down and gazing out at the whiteness. "Oh dear, what are we going to do Koen?"

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[atrb=background,http://i48.tinypic.com/6z4ms2.jpg] "Speech." Koen couldn't help it when his face contorted into a look of confusion. Zara wasn't acting quite...like herself. Not that he minded the extra attention. In fact, as she rubbed lovingly across his chest and throat, if he could purr he'd be doing it then. But his mate was not known to be so cuddly. She was a romantic at heart, swooning over Koen's at times cheesy gestures, but never one to crave contact so frequently. She needed her 'alone time' just as Koen did every now and a while. Yet recently it seemed she cared less and less, and hung off him more and more. The demons he had been trying to keep hidden grew restless with as much time as they had spent together. He loved her, but did he love her more than his freedom? She would be fine without him, wouldn't she? It wasn't like she was pregnant or anything, god forbid that! Koen could barely imagine himself spending a few months more with Zara let alone caring for the spawn he'd help create. His own family had left him horribly equipped for child rearing, and the thought of being tossed into such a situation made his hackles rise slightly. Quieting his mind for a moment, he gazed deep into her dark eyes before responding. I'm not sure. He began, his voice soft with concern. We could try to make it down, but it would be dangerous. Reaching out, he nuzzled her gently. Too dangerous. But where would they get food? What they had would not last them long. Before the many voices in his mind could bicker over what to do next, Koen made his decision. Moving over to the small pile of stored food they had, the merle mutt tore off a small piece from a dried carcass, setting it down in front of Zara. We'll just have to ration what we have till one of us can get down there. Eat, keep your strength. His tone was more authoritative than he was used to; it sounded too much like his father's. A small chill raced down his spine at the idea. Was he really going to become like him, the one person he feared the most in this world? His eyes fading as if he had gone off into a distant place, Koen padded slowly back over to the mouth of the cave. He would hold watch for now; waiting for the end of the snows, if it ever came.

[`K E Z Z I ♥♥]

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[atrb=background,http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx34/Kitten_Lovour/1mid.png] "Speech" "Thoughts" The grey and white female felt her fur prickle with slight embarrassment and uncertainty as she spied the puzzled, miffed look on Koen's face. A long ear pricked backwards as Zara glanced briefly up and him, before looking sharply away once more and out over the gleaming white scenery. True, this was not generally the way she behaved. No the Akita mix had always been more of a tom-boy and she was very good at hiding her secret romantic side but there this was strange happy feeling from deep within her. It made her want to display her love for the boy, and yet her concern for his commitment all at the same time. The female just didn't know she could trust him yet, indeed she felt strong emotions for the merle canine, but placing her trust in him was something else completely. That would only come with time, if he gave it to her anyway. Zara was jolted back to reality when Koen began to speak solemnly, and she shook her head to agree with him, "You're right. It is far too risky to venture down, the chance of slipping is extremely high." Her black eyes swirled grimly, her hackles rising ... what if the snow didn't melt till the spring! They would be long, long dead by then. The bitch watched with worried eyes as her mate strode over to their smallish pile of food, glancing over his shoulder to consult her. Zara smirked softly at his tone, and raised an invisible eyebrow. "Yes, your majesty." The taller canine stood up again and leaned down to pick up a lean rabbit, taking it between her strong jaws and settling down against the hard wall. Large teeth sank into the fur, flesh and jelly, crushing the small bones like twigs. Through her mouthful, Zara mumbled "Huh, we couldn't have chosen a worse spot to stay." ooc ; i sincerely apologize for the crappiness of this post! o.o