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Post by ~ T r i s s c a r ~ on Jun 6, 2006 10:25:54 GMT -5
[glow=white,5,300]Espio had adopted a suspicious look as he heard pawsteps approaching the Healing Den. Just then the scarlet form of Valentina appeared, her eyes cheerless. She sat next to her mate, a tiny smile flitting across her lips, but the brute could see it was forced. He returned her nod, remembering with some amusement how he had first met her and Tyrant. How they had hated him then! He frowned and looked down at Triss, who had padded up to him with a sly smirk. She lifted her vulpine head and—as always—curled her tail around herself. She had changed, too. Everyone he knew had, it seemed.
Eyeing the trio of retrievers once more, he slid down into a lying position and yawned, showing his sharp, ivory teeth. He lowered his head onto his paws and lifted his dark violet gaze to Aphrodites. Trisscar settled down beside him, curling up into a ball. When he nudged her he saw that she was really asleep.
More footfalls were heard, and he lifted his head wearily. Twigs cracked under seemingly heavy paws, and once he heard a vociferous string of barking and tumbling. Whoever was making so much noise had to be very, very big. His dark muzzle wrinkled into a snarl, and he swiftly leapt to his feet. He crept forward to the entrance, still growling, and instinctively standing in front of the others.
“Hey-a . . . whoa!”
A white mutt stumbled into the fox-dog, knocking him over. Espio snapped at the intruder, before realizing who it was. “Cody, you idiot,” he growled, pushing him off and sitting down. Nothing but irritation showed on his features, but inwardly he was very relieved.[/glow]
The Blue Heeler mix panted, trying to stand up again. His brown-and-white ears flopped down into his face, and he shook his head wildly. “I heard you guys fighting, so I tried to come as soon as I could but you came into the den . . .” he explained hurriedly, swinging around. “Is everyone alright? What happened? Where’s Reverie and Laion? Where’s—oh, hello!” He caught sight of the new dogs, and he bowed, nearling falling over again. “My name’s Cody,” he said. Triss giggled sleepily and lifted her head to look over at him. Espio snuck up behind him and bowled him over with a swipe of his paw, and then he stalked into a dark corner and sat down again.
|| Sorry, but this is how all of Cody’s entrances go. . . . He bounces in like a fool, falls over, and ends up getting hit on the head. ||
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Post by .::Tyrant::. on Jun 6, 2006 14:38:05 GMT -5
Tyrant's expression become sombre as Valentina appeared in the cave entrance, his eyes softening, losing their spark of laughter and becoming tender and gentle. He watched her approach and offered her a smile, placing a loving lick on her scarlet head and breathing in her familiar scent almost gratefully.
Suddenly, the sound of clumsy pawprints and panting tumbled into the cave. Tyrant sat up slightly straighter although, unlike Espio, he feared little for the safety of the small den's inhabitents. Jaegar was gone, and he highly doubted that any other serious danger would arise so soon, especially with the wolf's presence probably having scared off any dangerous intruders.
A warm chuckle slipped from Tyrant's jaws as Cody burst into the cave, looking utterly flustered. He waited for the dog to settle down before beginning to explain, giving Espio an amused smile.
"Don't worry, Cody... everything's fine. Jaegar's dead-" he shifted closer to Valentina as he said this, pressing his side against hers in an attempt to comfort her. "-Reverie is somewhere around - probably scouring the borders for danger if I know her - and Laion is..." Tyrant glanced at Valentina, but his mate looked troubled enough as it is without having to excuse her brother's absence.
"Laion will be back soon." The Top Dog stated firmly. Of course, he did not know Jaegar as well as Valentina, and therefore did not know that the wolf was unlikely to return 'soon'. But Tyrant was doing his best to destress his mate, and all his friends. He could do no more.
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ooc: I'm pausing mah roleplay to tell you all that Riza has decided to leave as she can't keep up here... heh. So, I'll continue as if the retrievers never arrived, kay? =]
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Aphro offered Valentina a warm, comforting smile. She couldn't really understand the femme's pain, for she had never been in her position. Instead, she attempted to convey in the look she gave the wolf-dog her willingness to help.
Cody's arrival caught her attention - it would have been impossible not to - and she turned to giggle at his and Espio's antics. She had shaken off her serious relief and sobre state, and had decided to ignore as best she could the dull throbbing in her head. Instead, she decided to enjoy herself. To have fun and to flirt. Why not?
Slinking after Espio, she settled next to him in the shadows and glanced sideways at him, her chocolate eyes shining mischeviously. She said nothing, merely stared, tail thumping the floor. Her expression was impulsive and coy, veiled yet shining with glee. Shifting closer, she placed a paw on his. Then, without warning, she suddenly lifted her head and licked him tenderly across the muzzle. Grinning, she looked away again, almost casually.
She had been waiting to do that for a long time.
ooc: heeheehee... that was kinda wierd and sudden but eh. -shrugs- I'm kinda tired.
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Post by ~ T r i s s c a r ~ on Jun 6, 2006 15:57:33 GMT -5
|| lol! And that’s too bad about Riza. . . . ||
[glow=white,5,300]The black brute’s ears perked up as Tyrant swiftly explained what had happened to Cody. His voice trailed off as he spoke of Laion however, but he finished swiftly with, “Laion will be back soon.” The former hunter felt a somewhat unnatural pang of sympathy; Laion had been the reason he had made up with Triss and actually join the gang. So he considered the wolf as a friend.
Sighing, he decided to watch Cody’s reaction. The naïve dog wagged his tail at the news, but then ducked his head in apology and respect toward Valentina. Espio glanced at the wolf-dog for a moment, then back at the scout. Cody was snuffling around for a second, but then he raised his voice in a hesitant query. “Will we be able to go back to the hollow now?”
Espio had nearly forgotten that Trisscar’s den was not the place for them to normally dwell. Triss nodded and then lowered her head again, and Cody bounced over to her, laying a couple of feet away. At least Triss had made one very close friend in all of this . . . gang life. She wasn’t as used to it as the Shepherd mix was.
He caught Aphrodites out of the corner of his eye, but before he could do anything she had placed her paw on his. He turned to look at her, but in that instant she swiped her tongue across his snout, turning away after. He froze for an instant, expression unreadable, before he laughed softly. Espio leaned against her, licking her own muzzle and staring playfully at her.
He had been waiting a long time to do that, too.[/glow]
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Post by .::Tyrant::. on Jun 7, 2006 12:33:46 GMT -5
Tyrant raised an eyebrow at his sister's playful antics, a heartfelt smile playing across his lips. He quickly averted his eyes, however, for he didn't want to make the two dogs feel uncomfortable. Nestling his head atop Valentina's, he instead chose to listen to Cody's enquiry.
"Of course! The hollow is safe now." Tyrant smiled. He, too, had temporarily forgotten the Hollow in the dramatic sequence of events. A baritone chuckle escaped his lips. He nuzzled Valentina's crown tenderly before getting to his feet, exiting the den with a wave of his tail, beckoning for the others to follow. He thought it was probably best if Espio and Aphro were left alone.
The Top Dog glanced behind him at the husky-cross, his expression not grave, but warm and gentle. He had not had any alone time with Valentina in a while, and hoped to get her on her own in the Hollow. She was his second in command as well as his mate, and he wanted to make sure she was ok. Everyone else seemed happy enough - except, of course, for Laion, but that was one of the things Tyrant wanted to talk to Val about.
Aphro watched Tyrant exit, eyes glittering. Her advance on Espio had been swift, but her affection towards him had been building for a long time. She had not yet had time to express it properly, and couldn't be bothered to draw it out with subtle suggestions. Leaning her head against the dark male's shoulder shoulder, she smiled, nuzzling him gentley. Her eyes still shining, she watched the other dogs in the den, wondering if they would follow Tyrant or choose to stay. She doubted they would remain... and also hoped they wouldn't. She and Espio hadn't been alone under relaxed circumstances before, and she craved that experience.
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Post by ~ T r i s s c a r ~ on Jun 7, 2006 13:06:11 GMT -5
Cody’s expression was full of relief and glee. He jumped up and wagged his tail so hard that his rump began to sway with it, then looked with perked ears at Trisscar. She smiled and stood up, too, but remained still as he trotted a respectful distance after the Top Dog. Finally things were getting back to normal. And—maybe—with Jaegar gone, more dogs would join the gang. The mutt lifted his head proudly, eyes half-closed. And he would be the one to seek them out!
[glow=white,5,300]Espio felt Aphro lean against his shoulder and nuzzle him gently. He gave her a warm grin and looked up. Triss was still staying put, watching with a cocked head as Tyrant left. She whipped around and eyed her half-brother a bit nervously.
“Maybe you should go get some more herbs, Trisscar,” he suggested in a soft growl. She nodded quickly and sprang out of the Healing Den, all to willing to leave him. The fox-dog sighed and pressed the side of his muzzle against the hunter’s, sighing heavily. The mask had slipped completely away from his face, letting all of his emotions dance in his blue-violet eyes.
There was anxiety for the future, sheer happiness that the ordeal was over, a touch of sadness for the wolf-dog and her sibling, amusement left over from Cody’s entrance . . .
And all of the warmth in his heart for Aphrodites.[/glow]
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Post by Valentina on Jun 8, 2006 21:20:37 GMT -5
The wolf-dog too had been watching Tyrant's sister and the dark Espio's antics out of the corner of her eye, and though she concealed her watching them, the tiniest coy smile still tugged at her creamy maw and she snuggled closer to Tyrant happily as he rested his muzzle atop her head. Her eyes glinted all-knowingly and though she hadn't gotten a chance to know either of the two in depth yet, she had a happiness in heart that went out to them both.
All the rest of conversation Valentina had not heard however, and she went unphased by Tyrant's words and everyone's sombre respect toward her. Cody's bouyant entrance also helped to wedge the crow bar further between reality and her thoughts lost in depression via Laion and Jaegar, and she was thankful for the simple company of her mate and the relieved tone of the gang. There's nothing to worry about now.. she told herself, but the blue eyes still had a gleam of sadness. He was still her friend, and it hurt both her and her brother. Still, no need to depress the others with her moping around.
She felt Tyrant leave her side and her head swiveled to follow him. She caught his chocolate gaze when he looked back at her, and this was what seemed to bring her truly out of her thoughts. Suddenly she simply longed to be at his side, to just escape all the chaos and drama and just be alone with him. A true smile graced her lips and she trotted after him with as much of a flounce as her injuries would allow. She snuck Espio and Aphro an inconspicious wink and chased Tyrant out of the Hollow.
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Post by .::Tyrant::. on Jun 10, 2006 9:28:44 GMT -5
Aphro gazed brightly back at Espio for a moment, tail thumping the dusty floor. She caught Valentina's wink out of the corner of her eye and grinned, giving a soft laugh.
The rhodesian's head tilted to the side as Espio didn't speak, although impatience did not marr her pretty face. She wondered when, if ever, Espio would ask her to officially become his mate. He didn't strike her as the most pro-commitment dog, and she wondered if he was getting cold feet. However, the warmth in his eyes told her otherwise.
Finally, Aphro decided to take the first step towards formalising their relationship herself. Why not? she thought with a shrug, running a tongue over her lips. Brick had been bursting with happiness when he asked her to be his mate, why shouldn't she experience the same gleeful excitement?
"Espio," Aphro began, her voice a coy, husky murmur. She was bursting with excitement, but her expression had sobred slightly, although her eyes still glittered. "Will you be my mate?"
A grin slowl spread over Aphro's muzzle as she watched for the brute's reaction. She obviously wasn't expecting disapointment.
ooc: I'll finish later
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Post by ~ T r i s s c a r ~ on Jun 12, 2006 14:14:04 GMT -5
[glow=white,5,300]The dark brute thought he saw the husky cross winking at them, and he smirked a little, turning his attention back on the ridgeback. She was looking a bit thoughtful, and an odd feeling had crept into his stomach. It was a sick feeling, though he didn’t show that it bothered him. Truthfully, he was thinking . . . of Sarita. The black femme with the icy blue eyes, and the warm, loving temperament that matched Aphro’s . . . He had loved her, but he had never asked her to be his mate. And he had lost her forever. He didn’t want to lose Aphrodites, no. He was beginning to gather up the courage to ask her, when she spoke his name coyly.
He caught the glitter in her cinnamon eyes as she spoke, though otherwise she appeared calm. “Will you be my mate?” He was silent for a couple of seconds, complete surprise overcoming him, though his expression hid it very well. His indigo eyes grew blank for a second, then he leaned toward her, nuzzling her cheek and murmuring into her ear.
“Aphro . . . I love you,” he breathed before drawing away to eye her happily. Espio murmured to her, “Yes. I’ll be your mate.”[/glow]
|| *snuggles Espio* Aww! Well, uh . . . sucky post. *slaps self* But whatever. ^.^ ||
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Post by .::Tyrant::. on Jun 21, 2006 11:40:02 GMT -5
Aphro giggled as Espio inclined his head towards her, his damp nosing brushing against her ear as he whispered his reply. The giggle became a full blown laugh and she leant away from him, her large, liquid eyes shining, her chestnut mouth grinning as she stared up at him, happiness written all over her pretty features. "I love you too," she admitted in a gleeful bark. And she really meant it. As she said it, however, she realised just how strong the emotion was. She thought back to what they had been through together, and her smile grew. She truly did love him. Her heart, which had been broken for so long, was Espio's now, whole and strong and happy. Aphro could suddenly feel the presence of Brick and her deceased pups, but it didn't make her sad or guilty. She knew they would be happy for her, and this made her doubley exuberent. Quite suddenly, the female threw herself at Espio, slamming into him and knocking him to the ground. She laughed and proceeded to cover his face with tender kisses, only stopping to lie down next to him and rest her head on his dark shoulder. ooc: Excuse minor powerplay...
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Post by ~ T r i s s c a r ~ on Jun 21, 2006 13:40:32 GMT -5
[glow=white,2,300]Espio[/glow]
Espio's dark eyes flitted across her features briefly, able to see her happiness. Bliss danced across his face as she barked, "I love you too." The black shepherd mix sighed, all of the icy sheet that had covered his heart before burned away by the love he felt for Aphro. He had known that there was something special about her from the instant they had first met.
A vision flared up from behind his eyes . . . The wolf Jaegar, leaping at Aphro, and suddenly the scar on his neck seemed to burn, though it was only in his head. He realized what would have happened had he not jumped before her. He leaned forward a little bit, tail swaying leisurely on the ground, when she pounced at him.
Grunting, he was knocked flat onto his back. Aphrodites began to thoroughly lick his face, and he laughed, squirming under her kisses. The pretty femme stopped and rested beside him, her head on his shoulder. His own narrow muzzle lay gently on her auburn limb, and he nuzzled against her neck, smiling contentedly.
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Post by .::Tyrant::. on Jun 22, 2006 11:12:51 GMT -5
ooc: Hmmmmmmmmmmmm.... what happens next? -has no inspiration-
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Post by .::Tyrant::. on Jun 26, 2006 12:19:02 GMT -5
Aphro snuggled closer to Espio, tail twitching beneath her in a muffled wag. She closed her eyes, sighing with content, and relaxed completely.
Just before her mind went blank and her breath became steady, Aphro opened her eyes, smiling sleepily up at her mate. She nuzzled him gentley before rolling over onto her stomach and pushing herself to her feet. Yawning, she streched luxuriously, the ridge of hair that was unique to her breed prickling in pleasure as she did so.
As she straightened up, a broad smile crossed her mouth, and she was instantly excited. Her sleepy mind had cleared, and she now had a plan of action. She wanted her relationship with Espio completely formalised so they could relax in the knowledge that everyone else knew how they felt towards each other. Aphro wasn't one to hide her feelings - the sooner their love for each other was completely known the better.
"Shall we go and find Tyrant?" She asked Espio with a beam, bending down to lick his nose and then padding to the entrance of the den. She glanced behind her quizically, waiting for an answer and somewhat smug in the knowledge that she would drag her mate along whether or not he consented.
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Post by ~ T r i s s c a r ~ on Jun 27, 2006 9:09:11 GMT -5
[glow=white,5,300]Espio Nyoka[/glow]
The fox-cross lifted his head when Aphrodites stirred, and he returned her gentle smirk. His feathery tail began to sway, the love for her dancing across his face and shining clearly in his dark amethyst eyes. She licked him on the nose and asked, "Shall we go and find Tyrant?"
Espio faltered for a moment; he knew what Aphro had in mind, and -- being a less sociable brute -- he wasn't completely comfortable with it. They'd know anyway, he grumbled inwardly, but she had already walked to the entrance of the cavern.
He breathed in the sweet scents of the forest and his mate, and very slowly stood up. "Let's go," he muttered, taking his time in making his way to her side; it made it look like he was going of his own accord, and not just because the chestnut femme wanted him to . . .
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Post by .::Tyrant::. on Jun 27, 2006 13:02:00 GMT -5
ooc: -locks- I'll continue this at the lake tomorrow or something.
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