What Happens in Winter [tagged and open]

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@kiowa
Shiver bounded over the snow. Her large paws making it easier for her not to sink. In the surrounding white world, her pelt blended in well. Though not as well as Zeke's would. She had a patch if royal blue across her withers, and a glittering stripe of morning yellow across her side. Zeke however, was a lanky white wolf wolf with a spattering of inky dots. She had net him just a while back. She was joining a pack alongside him. She would be the Gammess, and Zeke would be serving as beta. Tge rank fit her seamlessly and she thought Zeke would perform well in his own.

Shiver raised her proud head to the sky, not to howl, but to scent the air. She did not smell any scents that would hint at the presence if another wolf. The shewolf was slightly worried about that fact. If this pack was to function, they needed members. The silver shewolf shrugged and decided to have fun now, and worry later. She hadnt had fun since Rising Sol, and that was so long ago....."Zeke!" She barked. "Get your lazy Bones over here!" She called with a joking lilt to her commanding voice.

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Zeke trotted slowly after Shiver, following her paw prints in the snow. His white coat blended in well with the snowy scenery, but the black spots covering his form made him stick out. He generally did his hunting at night because it was easier. With the color of his pelt, hunting in any season could be a challenge...unless he was hunting on a snowy, rocky mountain side...then he blended in perfectly. He cast his gaze to the mountains in the distance and gave them a quick glare. The magic that changed the natural colors of the wolves' pelts here was a mixed blessing. Yes, there was beauty in the exotic colors. His mind slipped, unbidden, to thoughts of the she wolf named Shiver. He expected that her pelt blended in pretty well, especially in the fall and winter. But the bright, unique colors of pelts around could make made stalking prey challenging...for those without a power that is.

Thoughts back on the here and now, Zeke continued to follow Shiver's trail. He knew she could not be too much further ahead. As he thought about the she wolf, his pace quickened. His intentions for her were not all good. He liked her, but that was the problem. If Zeke had his way, he would seduce Shiver into calling him mate. What they would have between them would be real. He felt affection for her. But Zeke's heart was fickle and he had no plans to settle down and tie himself to just one she wolf. So when he had seduced Shiver and when she was carrying his pups, he would likely leave her in search of another female that could sire his young. This was not the first time Zeke had playing this game...it wouldn't be the last.

He heard Shiver's voice up ahead and chuckled. With a couple more bounds, he crested a hill and there she was. Zeke didn't have to lie when he called her beautiful. He loved the bright, exotic tones of her coat and he loved how the tender softness in her eyes could turn fierce. He was still getting to know her, but he liked what he saw. Zeke trotted up Shiver and brushed his side against her own. He wanted to do more, but for now he held back. He would capture her heart first. "You called, my Princess?" He murmured in her ear, his tones all liquid honey...so warm and sweet.

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((Why must you dwarf my posts? ;-; *cries* nah it's all good! X3))

Shiver sucked in a deep breath if frosty air. The atmosphere around her seemed to be laden with tiny, razor sharp ice crystals. The air she inhaled scraped at her throat and lungs, though it refreshed her. She had always loved the winter. The icy coldness and the shimmering cleanness. She exhaled, the breath billowing out in an opaque cloud of white steam. The puff drifted in the breeze shortly before diffusing into clearness. The silvery shewolf stood and took in her surroundings.

Skeletal ashy grey tree-trunks towered over her. Their frost-clad bark smooth and slick. Their branches stretched ridgidly out like claws, reaching outwards. Snow sat ivertop the claws, like a soft powdery blanket. Slim, clear icicles hung precariously from beneath, like lethal fangs. Shiver glanced around and noticed she thought do negatively of the world. She saw things and interpreted them as symbols if death. She cocked her head to the side and narrowed her eyes, trying to see the icicles as something else besides dangerous fangs. No such luck.

But the female was snapped out of her depressing daze by the warm, cozy, sweet tone of Zeke's voice. It made a tremor ripple through Shiver, not one caused by cold, but by the nearness of the handsome, formidable male. A small grin stretched across Shivers white muzzle and she turned her golden gaze towards him. Her eyes scanned him and held the emotions she wanted to display: consideration, trust, and affection. She felt a load of other emotions, but those she would rather not share. Not yet at least. "I thought you promised not to call me princess?" She purred and turned, flicking her tail across his nose while walking away.

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((lol sorry I tend to get carried away. The place I basically grew up RPing at encouraged 1-2 page posts every time XD It took FOREVER. Your posts are just fine!!! ))

Zeke was pleasantly surprised by Shiver's sass. He grinned broadly as she walked away and he had to trot to catch up. As he caught up, he brushed his shoulder against her pelt until their heads were even. Then he paced her, standing close enough that their pelts brushed occasionally. "Would you prefer My Queen?" He asked with a serious face, but then his tongue lolled out the side of his mouth in humor.

He continued to pace by her in silence for awhile and then he said in an almost shy tone, "I...I like you Shiver. I knew from the moment I saw you that you were special." He ducked his head in embarrassment and then peeked up at her, his icy blue eyes worried. "I have high hopes for our new pack. We may not be much now, but with you and I working together as Beta and Gammess, I know we can make this pack successful." He wagged his tail in excitement and his voice was confident. "I'm just glad to have a wolf like you by my side." He looked at her face and then stopped, just starring at her face. "You really are very beautiful Shiver..." He murmured in soft and serious tones.

((Zeke is so deceptive. Even *I* want to believe him!!!))

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((X3 I had one if my fav. Characters go evil for a while and he did practically the same thing but for revenge. It makes for a good plot!))

Shiver trotted at a brisk pace, not loping, but not by any means taking a leisurely stroll. The shewolf huffed in satisfaction at Zeke's answer. "I suppose Queen will do." She said, nose high in the air, eyes closed. But she opened them as a smirk played her lips, letting him know she was only kidding. Her slender head dropped back diwn gracefully. Her eyes were trained straight ahead, so that she could see her surroundings, though her ears had swiveled and folded so that she could pick up every trace of Zeke's words. When he spoke of enriching the pack, making it with, making it better, Shiver let her tail wag slowly.

After a while if silence, he spoke again. This time his voice was neither joking, nor proud. It was new, meek. Lowly. Scared. Embarrassed? Shiver stopped in her tracks, paws planted in the powdery snow. Her head turned to Zeke. She blinked, all the doubt that he was by chance lying melting away. He did think she was beautiful. He did think she was wonderful. The silver shewolf felt her face heat up and her neck fur begin to bristle. She looked down, nervously. Her bristling fur was not caused by anger or surprise, though there was plenty if shock. It was because she was not used to the emotions in her heart and mind.

She longed more than ever to love Zeke and admit her feelings. Her heart pounded, telling her to go to him. But her brain was in a flurry, mustering up a storm. It told her to be wary and wait for relationships. Of course neither won out. Shiver smiled and looked up, tail thrashing the air. "Thank you. And-Zeke?" she asked, golden eyes slight insecure, she was scared if truly showing feeling again. Real, genuine, raw emotion. But she felt that Zeke was worthy. She knew him. "I think you're wonderful as well, and I like you alot." She looked down sheepishly but then a wave of courage courses through her and she took a step towards him. "I-I think I love you." She whispered, eyes hopeful.

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((Oh the plots to come XD This is going to be so much fun!))

Zeke's heart was racing. His head was spinning. For awhile he forgot that this was all a game. He forgot that he was acting. And he got lost in that moment there with Shiver. She was in love with him? He closed the distance between them until there was barely an inch between his nose and hers. He looked deep into her bright golden eyes. "I love you too Shiver" And Zeke touched his nose to her own. He embraced her then and ran his muzzle through the fur on her neck as he had been longing to. He deeply inhaled her sweet heady scent and nuzzled her neck lovingly.

Suddenly, Zeke took two abrupt steps back. He looked her in the eyes. It is said that the secret to lying convincingly is to believe your own lies. Zeke's pulse pounded in his ears. His paw pads started to sweat with excitement, anticipation and nervousness. He swallowed because his mouth was suddenly dry and his tongue felt like it was covered in thick cotton. He swallowed one more time and cleared his throat. he locked his icy blue eyes with her golden ones. "Shiver...", he began formally. "...would you do me the honor of becoming my mate?"


((we need some line art with the two of them ^.^))

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((Eeeeek!!!! I can make that happen! I'm on it! I will have it by tomorrow!))

Shivers heart felt like it was going to escape from her chest. It pounded and thrashed, she sucked in a deep breath to try and get her heart to calm down. It didnt work. Thoughts bombarded her reasonably calm mind. They flooded in, breaking down mental doors, and scaling mental walls. Zeke loves me back. He asked me to be his mate. Am I ready for this? Will I say yes? Will we have pups? Is this a dream? Am I crazy?

The shewolf stumbled back, eyes swimming with black dots. She blinked them away and shook her head, quieting her racaus thoughts into a low thrum. Shiver raised her head again and calmed at his touch. It seemed he was the only one that could tame her. Thaw the frozen heart. Still the quaking fear. Disperse the gnawing doubts. There was nothing. Nothing but them. They were alone. They were content. A word escaped her jaws. A whisper that was barely audible, and though get were the only wolves around, Shiver felt like she had to keep it his. He would be the first to hear it. "Yes."

Shiver buried her nose into his shoulders and inhaled his sweet, piney scent. It was a fresh, distinct, yet not overpowering scent. It warned Shiver to the bones. At that moment she didnt want to be apart from this wolf. She knew with every fiber of her being that he was the one. The one and only. And if he were to die, in any way shape or form. Even if he did something dreadful and Shiver grew to hate him. -which she was certain he never would- Sge would always know that he was the one. No one else was left. It was fate that brought them together. Destiny that had then cluck together like puzzle pieces.

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((yay!!!! ^.^))

Satisfaction. She was his. Zeke's feathery tail wagged in quick, graceful arches. "I love you so much Shiver.", he said again as he nuzzled her fur. "I don't ever want to leave your side." He staid there for a moment longer, enjoying her touch before he pulled back. "I must confess...I have always wanted a family. What are your thoughts on pups?"

His plan was coming together so nicely. It would not be long and she would be pregnant. First, they needed to either build up their current pack or else find another pack to join. It would have to be the local good pack of course. He knew that, once he left Shiver, the kind hearted fools would help her raise his young. He didn't want her to suffer too much so he had to make sure they had a pack before he allowed her to get pregnant. And they would have to wait until spring of course. But already the snow was beginning to melt.

For the first time in Zeke's life, an odd thought crossed his mind. He wondered what his pups would look like. Would they have Shiver's golden eyes? Would they have his spots?


((The things we do to our characters. Poor Shiver. This is such a fun way to come back after like 6 years of not RPing))

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((6 years. *jaw drops* that's. a. Long. Time.))

Shiver took a step back do she could see him. Her smile was plastered in her face and Shiver felt that it could never leave. She was the happiest shewolf in the whole valley. She knew for certain her confidant was Zeke. He was her mate, her rock, her relief. In that moment Shiver wondered what it was like to be without him. It was strange to her because she had not been with him more than a -squash-

-That thought was killed off by shiver and she mentally raked it across the coals and tire it to shreds before mashing it with some ticks until it was a pulp. Then she flung the pulp into a bottomless abyss and sealed the top. Good bye doubt!-

Shiver considered Zeke's idea about pups. Well, shiver wasn't the most selfless wolf. She was kind, yes, but she put her well being above others. If she had pups in winter, they would certainly be unhealthy. She would probably have many still births. Shiver flung that thought into the abyss as well. "If we are going to have a family I have a few conditions. Not in winter most definitely, and preferably after the pack is founded." Shiver nodded decisively.

((Or today!!!
imgur.com/UF8cjpf

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((OMG! I LOVE it!!!!!! <3 <3 <3))
Zeke pranced around happily and then nodded his agreement. "Yes, I most certainly agree that we must wait until spring. I couldn't consent until we have a stable pack. So many pups born to loners don't make it" He frowned sadly. He continued on the border patrol, lost in his thoughts for awhile. He would have thought that they should have run into at least one other wolf by now.

After awhile longer Zeke paused by a stream. He stooped down and lapped at the cold water. It tasted cold, clean, crisp and fresh. It occurred to him that the snow was actually melting rapidly now. The stream, which had doubtlessly been frozen over a few days ago, was now flowing freely. Its banks were full to bursting with water from the snow melt. Spring really was just right around the corner. He looked over at Shiver and said quietly, "Maybe we should join another pack instead...one that is already established. A pack with good values, of course. But Shiver..." He closed the distance between them. "...it could take years to establish Snow's pack. I don't want to wait to start our family." He whined softly. "I know you are going to be an amazing mother Shiver. I'm not getting any younger. The time for me to have a family is now...while I am still young and strong enough to provide."

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This was a tough decision. Shiver frowned as she thought. It occurred to her that she had been making life changing choices all month. Here in Snows unsure foundation of a pack she had a higher rank. She liked that, she felt it was her destiny that had brought her here. But the question was did destiny bring her here for Zeke, or for the pack? Or for both?

The silvery white shewolf sighed and looked up at Zeke. Her choice would be over her family or her career. Shiver had never really bee in a string family before and wanted to expierence it. But as well she was afriad. Would it be everything she thought it would? Would being gammess be more rewarding?

'Nothing is more rewarding in life than having a happy family.' She recalled her mothers words. "Family is most important. We can join the strong eternal snowfall and then when this pack is strong, we can unite with Snow once more." Shiver whispered her tail slowing its rhythm then stopping, golden eyes hard. She knee that right now she would lose something. It was either her family or her rank.

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Zeke nuzzled Shiver reassuringly. "We'll go find Snow and explain our choice to him. He'll have to understand. When he finds more members and they are ready to claim these lands, he can call upon. We will leave the Eternal Snowfall pack and join him." He nuzzled her once more. He was playing his role so well, he hardly had to think about it.

Zeke stepped back from her and looked around with a frown. "Spring is almost here my love. Soon...." He looked at her in anticipation and then he changed the subject. "I hate to be parted from you, but time is running thin. We should each take a task. If you would go explain the situation to Snow, I can go ask the Eternal Snowfall pack for acceptance for both of us." He smiled at her affectionately. "By the time you get there, we will hopefully be able to call it home"

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Shiver shook as he nuzzled her. Had she made the right choice? It was too late to turn back really, the dhrwolf nuzzled him back, her elegant muzzle deep in Hus white and black spotted coat. "alright. We can meet in the lilly warren once our deeds are done."

The pale shewolf nodded as she spoke. She would go to Snow and she would explain to him the situation, with the best wording possible. Shiver leaned in and nuzzled her mate once more before turning away.

She padded off quietly. He legs moved faster as she broke into a canter, then faster as she loped. He crested a hill and looked back behind her. She hiwked shortly to Zeke before skidding down the hill and towards their first meeting place. Towards Snow.

exit Shiver

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Zeke calmly watched her go. When she was out of sight, he shook himself. He imagined that he was shaking off the character he had been playing like drops of water. Only now did he allow himself to really think. 'Fast work Zeke' he congratulated himself. His plan was going down flawlessly. He wondered at how naive some wolves could be. At heart, wasn't everyone just a selfish cur?

Zeke turned and started for the Eternal Snowfall pack borders. He was sure it would not be hard to gain acceptance. They were, after all, kind hearted, trusting fools. As soon as they had a place in the pack and Spring was here, he wanted to make sure Shiver got pregnant. He mused that he might stick around this time...help provide for her health so that his young would be born strong and healthy. He didn't know about Shiver, but he came from a good, healthy line. He might even stay around and help raise the pups. And when they were weaned....he could take some away with him. Perhaps they could even start a pack. He thought that Frigid Plague pack could do with a little competition.

With his mind full of plans for deception and power, he disappeared into the distance.
-exit Zeke-