Post by Pavane on May 1, 2011 19:15:31 GMT -5
Niyt - Female Adol. Wolf
Zuphi - Male Adol. Wolf
Late Winter, at the Storyteller's Butte.
---
The sun is nearly to the horizon, just a tiny slice of that bright disc casting long shadows across the desert. The evening wind has begun to pick up, blowing through the sands - and the soft grey fur of one young wolf, sitting atop a small rise. Her eyes are closed, but her position is alert, ears perked. Perhaps she's listening... or waiting.
Passing through the familiar deserts, a dark shape cautiously moves along under the sun. The male wolf keeps his eyes open and alert, all of his senses seeking out any potential dangers.
The wind tousles the fur between Niyt's ears, carrying sound to them, and they perk up. Her head tilts to the side - and yet her eyes remain closed, despite her curious expression. There's something here, beyond the small creatures and the distant hum of her pack.
Zuphi's paws plod steadily along the rocky earth, as he wants to get a bit more distance between himself and any potential dangers before it got dark. He lifts his nose to the air and sniffs around briefly.. His tattered ears perk up as he catches a familiar scent from months ago.
Niyt hesitates for a moment longer, thinking on what news the wind brings her - and then she lifts her muzzle into it, and gives a soft, brief howl - the call that says, "Here I am." The world is safe enough, for her - her pack is nearby, on the edge of hearing for that call, and though there are dangers in the desert, she does not worry. Here she is.
Zuphi almost wants to run and greet his familiar associates, but he's still wary. Flattening his ears bashfully, the charcoal male turns to continue on his way, but then he hears the howl. A familiar, friendly sound. He can't help but wag lightly a few times as his head lifts to the sound, considering.. There are risks, of course... What what doesn't kill him will make him stronger, right? Especially considering his disfiguring facial scars. He returns the howl with a deep, hollow one of his own, letting it drift into the wind.
Niyt smiles, as she hears that answering howl. Here she is - and here he is. She lowers her muzzle, and rises to her feet. Her eyes open, pale gold veiled by fog, and she begins to lope down the hill, towards the answer she heard. Her paws cover the ground gracefully, despite the growing darkness.
Zuphi's ears may be tattered, but he can still hear perfectly! He picks up the pattern of thuds made by the approaching female and he sniffs the air, hoping to catch the scent and identify just who is greeting him. Holding his tail straight out in a neutral position, he howls again, softer.
The wind tumbles about, brushing along Niyt's fur - and then carrying that scent through circuitous twists, and bringing it to Zuphi's nose. Niyt slows to a walk as she comes closer, her ears perked and her tail lifted in a half-circle curve. Her eyes are bright - though there's something odd about them, focused somewhere in the middle distance instead of on what lies in front of her.
Keeping himself calm so as not to alarm her, Zuphi's head tilts as an old friend appears. He allows her to take her time; after all, this is HER home and he's only passing through! His ears slant horizontally, trying to show that he is of no threat. He makes no direct eye contact either, as he's up for no challenges.
Niyt pads closer, her posture alert, confident enough that it has no need to be challenging. Her tail is arced gently upwards, and her steps are graceful and unhurried as she approaches. Her gaze is the only strangeness, unfocused and clouded, neither the steady stare of dominance nor the abashed looking-away of submission. She pauses, just a few steps away. The puppyish enthusiasm of the last time they met seems... wrong, now. But... what's right? She hesitates. "Hello, again..." she says, and then trails off.
Zuphi's ears twitch and he "smiles", offering a friendly pant and a wag. "Well, so w meet again. Been awhile.." he trails off again. He blinks perceptively, noticing her gaze. "What're you seeing out there?" He curiously moves his head to follow her gaze.
Niyt smiles back, that gently lifted tail swaying back and forth in a wag. Whether it's the right thing or not, it seems to have worked. "It has," she replies, and takes another step closer. There doesn't seem to be much of anything, out there - more sand, a few scraggly cacti and rocks. It's hard to pinpoint exactly what she's looking at, with those strange fogged eyes. She shakes her head at the question. "Nothing."
Zuphi senses that he is in no danger, but he thought he should clear things up anyway. He's a total gentlewolf. "Was just passing through, really. I didn't want to cause any alarm." He even dips his head in a light bow to the young she-wolf.
Niyt laughs softly, and nods. "We still remember you." She ducks her muzzle slightly, her ears splaying for a moment in a sort of blush, and then lifts her head again. She certainly remembers, at least!
Feeling the tension lift a little bit, Zuphi sits on his haunches and sighs in relief. "Well, you've certainly grown! It's great to see a friendly face again."
Somehow, it's different now than when her parents talk about how big she's getting. Niyt isn't entirely sure why, but it is. She nods. "It's been a while," she answers, then ducks her head. That's been said, already! "So have you..." And that, too! Uhm. "Where have you been?"
Zuphi sighs to himself. "Oh, mainly sticking around the foothills. Plenty of little things to snack on." He laughs, rather embarrassed. Some hunter!
Niyt perks her ears. "Our pack came from there, once." She pauses, and laughs. "Not so long ago, I guess. Just before I was born. But now my father just says it's not safe." She tosses her head, and hmphs.
Zuphi nods. "I can see why. I mostly kept away from anyone who lived there, but I won't lie. It was pretty scary sometimes." He blushes and cocks one ear sheepishly.
"Really?" asks Niyt. She'd mostly assumed it was her father's exaggeration. He's so overprotective, sometimes - so what if sometimes the bad things actually happen? That doesn't mean he has to hover over her all the time! She's her own wolf, after all! Even if she is just an adolescent, surrounded by her family. "It's worse than here?"
"Yeah," Zuphi laughs mildly. "There's a lot more places for creeps to hide. With all the trees and everything, you never know what's around the corner." He takes a second to peer over the plains. "At least out here, you have visuals on your side."
Niyt laughs, and nods. Her gaze doesn't follow yours, though, still not focused. Even when she's looking at you, it's more like she's looking through you. "More voices, I suppose. I don't know if it would be easier or harder to understand... I'm still going to visit there someday, though. No matter what."
"My only advice is to just be careful," he responds softly. He can't help but feel his face flush in a blush.. "The world needs more good folk like you, Niyt." Hey, he remembered her name! That's a start!
Niyt's normal scowl at being told to be careful is replaced by a smile. This time, it's somehow sweet. "I will," she replies. "I've learned that much."
"Ah! Good!" the young male responds. "Sorry, though.. Heh!" he hunches his back a little as he chuckles. "Starting to sound like a silly old fuddy-duddy."
Niyt laughs, and she steps forward to bump her nose lightly against the other young wolf's cheek. "You're not that much older than me. Does that mean I'm going to start acting like that, too?"
"Only if you let yourself," Zuphi jokes. Feeling her nose on his cheek, his golden eyes nearly bug out. A lump forms in his throat and he's all of a sudden lost for words. "Uh..Uh, I er, heh..!"
Niyt made the gesture quite unthinkingly - and now, with Zuphi's response, she realizes just what she did. Now, nearly grown, she has a much better idea of what things like that mean. And with that understanding... with that understanding, she realizes, she doesn't regret it one bit! After all, if her brother can, then so can she! She smiles, and she nosebumps again, more deliberately this time.
Zuphi admits that he sort of like this! He playfully falls onto his side. A wide smile is spread on his maw and he rolls in the dirt, He still feels that he can play despite the fact that he's not exactly a pup anym,ore. "You're good at that."
Niyt laughs as Zuphi falls aside, her ears swiveling to orient. It takes her a moment - her eyes don't seem to help, not following the motion - or even aligning right with the other wolf's position, as she steps her forepaws forward and settles into a playful bow, tail waving. "Maybe," she replies.
Sensing the playful manner, he paws the air, "paddling" with his huge forepaws. He smiles up at her and rolls over to lay flat on his belly. She seems to bring a sort of "puppyish" manner out inb him.. He likes it. He sits back up and... He noses her cheek back.
Niyt grins, her tail wagging as she sways her torso from side to side, then reaches out a forepaw to nudge lightly at his side as he rolls over. She's just starting to settle back herself, when that touch to her cheek comes in return, and her whole body freezes for a moment - tail caught in mid-wag, and one of her paws stopped in the air. She blushes, in that moment, and then her wag resumes, and she steps closer, leaning in and gently licking at his muzzle in a hesitant kiss.
His first kiss! His first kiss! Zuphi is close to doing backflips. He admits that this particular shewolf brings something out in him; guess it helps that they'd met so young; it adds to the comfort level. His tail thumps the ground as he leans back and licks her muzzle in return.
Childhood friendship is gaining new levels, now. Niyt doesn't understand it, but she's certain that she likes it! Especially when he starts kissing back - it's nice, in a way that she can't quite put to words. But then, she doesn't need to - she can just enjoy it. Her tail sways back and forth, and she smiles happily, basking for a few moments in just how nice it feels.
Allowing himself to relax, Zuphi simply takes comfort in being able to rest his tired paws, and spend time with someone close to him. He trots forward and sits next to her. He continues to kiss her, nosing into her neckfur to memorize her scent.
Niyt leans in, her slender body warm as it presses against his. Grey fur mingles together - the darker is his, the paler hers. Her tail wags, brushing in to thump softly against his as she kisses him, and nuzzles up as he noses down, gently licking near those torn ears with an affection that doesn't mind their tattered appearance.
Zuphi exhales lightly, the warm air rolling over her fur as his body shudders with every wag. His tail lays over hers and his eyes wander to her gestures as she licks his ears. He catches his breath slightly.. "Sorry I'm..not the most attractive male.. That's what curiousity did to me as a pup. Warning- never challenge a porcupine." He grins down at her and noses.
"I like you, Zuphi," she says with a smile, her tail curled against his as they sit together, and then laughs at the mention of porcupines, and noses back. "Don't follow shadows, either. That's what my curiosity did."
"Mmm," Zuphi hums aloud, savoring her warmth. "I'll keep that in mind, then." He even leans down and grooms her face, kissing her eyelids and up over her ears. "I like you too, Niyt.."
Niyt closes her eyes - not that it makes much difference to what she can perceive - and smiles as he grooms there, tucking her head in underneath his and leaning in, smelling his chest, the thick fur there and all the smells it carries - but most of all, his own scent. "I'm glad."
The young male smiles, a warmth filling his chest and for a moment he fels as if he could fly- not that he'd try that! He even lets out an affectionate whine and continues to groom, speciically her ears like she'd done for him. He is very slow as he even rests a forepaw on hers.
Niyt nuzzles through chest-fur, little noses and affectionate licks - but mostly content to simply be close, to feel the warmth of his body, the way each touch makes something in her quiver and melt. Her tail lifts up gently and thumps down again, somehow managing to twist around his and twine together in the process.
Zuphi hums again. "Mmmm. Thank you, Niyt.." He licks her muzzle and carefully bumps his nose against hers.. He's slow but deliberate in his movements; he has a feeling that something may be effecting her sight, so he's careful with his motions. "I'll do what I can for you.. I'll even be your eyes if you want me to.."
Niyt touches her nose back to the young male's, and smiles. Her eyes open again - and this close, there's clearly something wrong about them, their pale gold clouded and blurred. She manages well enough, with the slowed motions - feeling the shifts of body against hers, hearing the slight noises of movement - but it's all got that slight strangeness of other senses substituting for a missing one. She smiles. "I can follow the murmuring, mostly..." she says softly, explaining something that's grown familiar - but with unfamiliar words, because she doesn't usually talk about it. "Everything... has a sense to it. All the spirits, always... talking? Singing?" She laughs. "Being. That's... how I find my way, these days."
Zuphi nods gently and rests his chin on her head. "Mmmhmm. I think I can sort of grasp what you mean. I mean, I can never fully understand, but I will try my best. If you'll let me." He blushes and gently nibbles her fur.
Niyt leans in against him, and laughs softly. "I'm not sure I understand it, and I'm the one who does it," she replies, and tilts her head up to lick at his cheek. "But it's good to have company, along the way of not-understanding."
"I'll stick around as long as you welcome me," Zuphi responds. "hak yu for..well, for thecompany." He noses her ear again and continues to wash her ears.
Niyt smiles, leaning in. Her ear flicks slightly at the nosing, and then relaxes as she rests against him and nuzzles gently at his chest. Her welcome is clear and certain. As for the rest of her pack, and what they're going to make of this - well, she'll deal with that later. For now, she's just going to enjoy his closeness and warmth.
"Well, Niyt.." Zuphi gulps, his heart staring to pound a bit..Something is burning in his throat, words struggling to come out but he isn't quite sure how to.. "I, uh... I would.. Like to.." He pins his ers and kens slightly. "I'd like to court you.. If..! If that's okay! I man, if you already have a suitor, I-!" He stammers and loses all track of things... He's just not sure how to make of these new emotions washing oer him.
Niyt tilts her head up, as Zuphi begins to speak. His voice is different, hesitant and tangled up and blushing. With good reason, as it turns out! She blushes too, her breath catching in her throat for a moment. If it's okay? Her heart says yes, but the idea of courting - of all that entails - brings all those thoughts she was avoiding back to mind. What will her mother think? And what about her father? Will they approve? Does she care? All those thoughts swirl around her, and then she takes in a deep breath. Enough worrying. "You may," she says firmly. So she's decided, regardless of what trouble it may bring!
Again, Zuphi feels lighter than air! He starts to lovingly wash her face and wags furiously. "I look forward to it. You're worth it.." He nibbles her ear and puffs up, and even letting out a deep, fulfilling howl. He's just so happy he couldn't express it any other way.
Niyt smiles happily. She listens to that howl for a moment - and then joins it with her own, muzzle lifted up beside his and her higher-pitched voice dancing alongside his, adding depth and complexity to the sound. Here he is - and here she is, in the same place and calling together to the world.
The sound hypnotizes him and he howls until he's out of breath.. "Guh..!" he exclaims as he takes a breath. "Your voice is beautiful, love!" He grins big. "I uh..hope you don't mind a petname."
Niyt laughs, and steals a breathless kiss at his muzzle before she lets Zuphi fill his lungs. Her mother's a singer, after all - she could hardly escape without at least a little training for her voice! Still, she's seldom had such an appreciative audience. "Love. That's what all this is, isn't it?" she says with a laugh. "That's what it murmurs - says - sings - is."
Zuphi's expression falls momentarily and he looks down at her, this time tenderly meeting her eyes. "You.. Do you feel it too, Niyt..? Could it be..Just that? Love..? Because..Well.. I think it is, too." He licks her muzzle several times.
"I don't know for sure. But... we can find out." She nuzzles up, and licks him back affectionately. Her eyes are fogged, true - but they're also soft with tenderness. She may not be able to see - but she can certainly feel. "I want to find out. All of it..." She laughs. "We're still curious, aren't we? Despite porcupines and shadows..."
Zuphi chuckles. "Guess we are. But we're always learning. We never stop. I'm willing to learn with you..." He leans down and presses his neck against hers, resting his head on the back of her shoulder in a sort of canine "hug". "You've brought alot of light into this little orphan's life, Niyt."
"There's a lot to learn," says Niyt, nestling in against him. "But we can figure it all out. Together." It's a big world, but surely they'll be able to handle it! So what if one of them is an orphan without a pack, and the other one is blind? Little problems like that don't stand a chance of stopping them. So speaks an adolescent, in the warm glow of passion.
"Would you like to just rest here, love?" Surely Zuphi was enjoying the possibility of having a mate! He wanted to treat her the best way he could.. "I won't make you do anything you don't want to.."
The moon is beginning to rise, to replace the sun that's sunk below the horizon. Definitely getting late, and with the question, Niyt realizes it. She'd meant to return to her pack - but why not stay here, instead? There's warmth and companionship aplenty, and it means putting off those awkward explanations. She nods. "That sounds... very nice."
"Mmm. I'm honoured." He curls protectively around her, and even begins to hum a little. He's not sure why; he just feels the need to hum and be as good as a possible-mate he can be.
It is now your pose.
Niyt settles in, cuddled up against the warmth of Zuphi, the paler grey of her fur surrounded by the darker of his. She yawns, and then tucks her nose down against his side, lying in the cool of the desert night with their bodies - and emotions - to keep them warm. "Good night," she murmurs softly, and then lets out a contented sigh. It certainly has been a good night, so far as she's concerned...
"Good night, Niyt.." Zuphi responds, licking her forehead a few times. He rests his head against her soft fur. He's hoping that the pack won't tear him to pieces, but it wasn't like he'd done anything really bad, right? All is lost in dreams as the young wolf nods off himself..
Zuphi - Male Adol. Wolf
Late Winter, at the Storyteller's Butte.
---
The sun is nearly to the horizon, just a tiny slice of that bright disc casting long shadows across the desert. The evening wind has begun to pick up, blowing through the sands - and the soft grey fur of one young wolf, sitting atop a small rise. Her eyes are closed, but her position is alert, ears perked. Perhaps she's listening... or waiting.
Passing through the familiar deserts, a dark shape cautiously moves along under the sun. The male wolf keeps his eyes open and alert, all of his senses seeking out any potential dangers.
The wind tousles the fur between Niyt's ears, carrying sound to them, and they perk up. Her head tilts to the side - and yet her eyes remain closed, despite her curious expression. There's something here, beyond the small creatures and the distant hum of her pack.
Zuphi's paws plod steadily along the rocky earth, as he wants to get a bit more distance between himself and any potential dangers before it got dark. He lifts his nose to the air and sniffs around briefly.. His tattered ears perk up as he catches a familiar scent from months ago.
Niyt hesitates for a moment longer, thinking on what news the wind brings her - and then she lifts her muzzle into it, and gives a soft, brief howl - the call that says, "Here I am." The world is safe enough, for her - her pack is nearby, on the edge of hearing for that call, and though there are dangers in the desert, she does not worry. Here she is.
Zuphi almost wants to run and greet his familiar associates, but he's still wary. Flattening his ears bashfully, the charcoal male turns to continue on his way, but then he hears the howl. A familiar, friendly sound. He can't help but wag lightly a few times as his head lifts to the sound, considering.. There are risks, of course... What what doesn't kill him will make him stronger, right? Especially considering his disfiguring facial scars. He returns the howl with a deep, hollow one of his own, letting it drift into the wind.
Niyt smiles, as she hears that answering howl. Here she is - and here he is. She lowers her muzzle, and rises to her feet. Her eyes open, pale gold veiled by fog, and she begins to lope down the hill, towards the answer she heard. Her paws cover the ground gracefully, despite the growing darkness.
Zuphi's ears may be tattered, but he can still hear perfectly! He picks up the pattern of thuds made by the approaching female and he sniffs the air, hoping to catch the scent and identify just who is greeting him. Holding his tail straight out in a neutral position, he howls again, softer.
The wind tumbles about, brushing along Niyt's fur - and then carrying that scent through circuitous twists, and bringing it to Zuphi's nose. Niyt slows to a walk as she comes closer, her ears perked and her tail lifted in a half-circle curve. Her eyes are bright - though there's something odd about them, focused somewhere in the middle distance instead of on what lies in front of her.
Keeping himself calm so as not to alarm her, Zuphi's head tilts as an old friend appears. He allows her to take her time; after all, this is HER home and he's only passing through! His ears slant horizontally, trying to show that he is of no threat. He makes no direct eye contact either, as he's up for no challenges.
Niyt pads closer, her posture alert, confident enough that it has no need to be challenging. Her tail is arced gently upwards, and her steps are graceful and unhurried as she approaches. Her gaze is the only strangeness, unfocused and clouded, neither the steady stare of dominance nor the abashed looking-away of submission. She pauses, just a few steps away. The puppyish enthusiasm of the last time they met seems... wrong, now. But... what's right? She hesitates. "Hello, again..." she says, and then trails off.
Zuphi's ears twitch and he "smiles", offering a friendly pant and a wag. "Well, so w meet again. Been awhile.." he trails off again. He blinks perceptively, noticing her gaze. "What're you seeing out there?" He curiously moves his head to follow her gaze.
Niyt smiles back, that gently lifted tail swaying back and forth in a wag. Whether it's the right thing or not, it seems to have worked. "It has," she replies, and takes another step closer. There doesn't seem to be much of anything, out there - more sand, a few scraggly cacti and rocks. It's hard to pinpoint exactly what she's looking at, with those strange fogged eyes. She shakes her head at the question. "Nothing."
Zuphi senses that he is in no danger, but he thought he should clear things up anyway. He's a total gentlewolf. "Was just passing through, really. I didn't want to cause any alarm." He even dips his head in a light bow to the young she-wolf.
Niyt laughs softly, and nods. "We still remember you." She ducks her muzzle slightly, her ears splaying for a moment in a sort of blush, and then lifts her head again. She certainly remembers, at least!
Feeling the tension lift a little bit, Zuphi sits on his haunches and sighs in relief. "Well, you've certainly grown! It's great to see a friendly face again."
Somehow, it's different now than when her parents talk about how big she's getting. Niyt isn't entirely sure why, but it is. She nods. "It's been a while," she answers, then ducks her head. That's been said, already! "So have you..." And that, too! Uhm. "Where have you been?"
Zuphi sighs to himself. "Oh, mainly sticking around the foothills. Plenty of little things to snack on." He laughs, rather embarrassed. Some hunter!
Niyt perks her ears. "Our pack came from there, once." She pauses, and laughs. "Not so long ago, I guess. Just before I was born. But now my father just says it's not safe." She tosses her head, and hmphs.
Zuphi nods. "I can see why. I mostly kept away from anyone who lived there, but I won't lie. It was pretty scary sometimes." He blushes and cocks one ear sheepishly.
"Really?" asks Niyt. She'd mostly assumed it was her father's exaggeration. He's so overprotective, sometimes - so what if sometimes the bad things actually happen? That doesn't mean he has to hover over her all the time! She's her own wolf, after all! Even if she is just an adolescent, surrounded by her family. "It's worse than here?"
"Yeah," Zuphi laughs mildly. "There's a lot more places for creeps to hide. With all the trees and everything, you never know what's around the corner." He takes a second to peer over the plains. "At least out here, you have visuals on your side."
Niyt laughs, and nods. Her gaze doesn't follow yours, though, still not focused. Even when she's looking at you, it's more like she's looking through you. "More voices, I suppose. I don't know if it would be easier or harder to understand... I'm still going to visit there someday, though. No matter what."
"My only advice is to just be careful," he responds softly. He can't help but feel his face flush in a blush.. "The world needs more good folk like you, Niyt." Hey, he remembered her name! That's a start!
Niyt's normal scowl at being told to be careful is replaced by a smile. This time, it's somehow sweet. "I will," she replies. "I've learned that much."
"Ah! Good!" the young male responds. "Sorry, though.. Heh!" he hunches his back a little as he chuckles. "Starting to sound like a silly old fuddy-duddy."
Niyt laughs, and she steps forward to bump her nose lightly against the other young wolf's cheek. "You're not that much older than me. Does that mean I'm going to start acting like that, too?"
"Only if you let yourself," Zuphi jokes. Feeling her nose on his cheek, his golden eyes nearly bug out. A lump forms in his throat and he's all of a sudden lost for words. "Uh..Uh, I er, heh..!"
Niyt made the gesture quite unthinkingly - and now, with Zuphi's response, she realizes just what she did. Now, nearly grown, she has a much better idea of what things like that mean. And with that understanding... with that understanding, she realizes, she doesn't regret it one bit! After all, if her brother can, then so can she! She smiles, and she nosebumps again, more deliberately this time.
Zuphi admits that he sort of like this! He playfully falls onto his side. A wide smile is spread on his maw and he rolls in the dirt, He still feels that he can play despite the fact that he's not exactly a pup anym,ore. "You're good at that."
Niyt laughs as Zuphi falls aside, her ears swiveling to orient. It takes her a moment - her eyes don't seem to help, not following the motion - or even aligning right with the other wolf's position, as she steps her forepaws forward and settles into a playful bow, tail waving. "Maybe," she replies.
Sensing the playful manner, he paws the air, "paddling" with his huge forepaws. He smiles up at her and rolls over to lay flat on his belly. She seems to bring a sort of "puppyish" manner out inb him.. He likes it. He sits back up and... He noses her cheek back.
Niyt grins, her tail wagging as she sways her torso from side to side, then reaches out a forepaw to nudge lightly at his side as he rolls over. She's just starting to settle back herself, when that touch to her cheek comes in return, and her whole body freezes for a moment - tail caught in mid-wag, and one of her paws stopped in the air. She blushes, in that moment, and then her wag resumes, and she steps closer, leaning in and gently licking at his muzzle in a hesitant kiss.
His first kiss! His first kiss! Zuphi is close to doing backflips. He admits that this particular shewolf brings something out in him; guess it helps that they'd met so young; it adds to the comfort level. His tail thumps the ground as he leans back and licks her muzzle in return.
Childhood friendship is gaining new levels, now. Niyt doesn't understand it, but she's certain that she likes it! Especially when he starts kissing back - it's nice, in a way that she can't quite put to words. But then, she doesn't need to - she can just enjoy it. Her tail sways back and forth, and she smiles happily, basking for a few moments in just how nice it feels.
Allowing himself to relax, Zuphi simply takes comfort in being able to rest his tired paws, and spend time with someone close to him. He trots forward and sits next to her. He continues to kiss her, nosing into her neckfur to memorize her scent.
Niyt leans in, her slender body warm as it presses against his. Grey fur mingles together - the darker is his, the paler hers. Her tail wags, brushing in to thump softly against his as she kisses him, and nuzzles up as he noses down, gently licking near those torn ears with an affection that doesn't mind their tattered appearance.
Zuphi exhales lightly, the warm air rolling over her fur as his body shudders with every wag. His tail lays over hers and his eyes wander to her gestures as she licks his ears. He catches his breath slightly.. "Sorry I'm..not the most attractive male.. That's what curiousity did to me as a pup. Warning- never challenge a porcupine." He grins down at her and noses.
"I like you, Zuphi," she says with a smile, her tail curled against his as they sit together, and then laughs at the mention of porcupines, and noses back. "Don't follow shadows, either. That's what my curiosity did."
"Mmm," Zuphi hums aloud, savoring her warmth. "I'll keep that in mind, then." He even leans down and grooms her face, kissing her eyelids and up over her ears. "I like you too, Niyt.."
Niyt closes her eyes - not that it makes much difference to what she can perceive - and smiles as he grooms there, tucking her head in underneath his and leaning in, smelling his chest, the thick fur there and all the smells it carries - but most of all, his own scent. "I'm glad."
The young male smiles, a warmth filling his chest and for a moment he fels as if he could fly- not that he'd try that! He even lets out an affectionate whine and continues to groom, speciically her ears like she'd done for him. He is very slow as he even rests a forepaw on hers.
Niyt nuzzles through chest-fur, little noses and affectionate licks - but mostly content to simply be close, to feel the warmth of his body, the way each touch makes something in her quiver and melt. Her tail lifts up gently and thumps down again, somehow managing to twist around his and twine together in the process.
Zuphi hums again. "Mmmm. Thank you, Niyt.." He licks her muzzle and carefully bumps his nose against hers.. He's slow but deliberate in his movements; he has a feeling that something may be effecting her sight, so he's careful with his motions. "I'll do what I can for you.. I'll even be your eyes if you want me to.."
Niyt touches her nose back to the young male's, and smiles. Her eyes open again - and this close, there's clearly something wrong about them, their pale gold clouded and blurred. She manages well enough, with the slowed motions - feeling the shifts of body against hers, hearing the slight noises of movement - but it's all got that slight strangeness of other senses substituting for a missing one. She smiles. "I can follow the murmuring, mostly..." she says softly, explaining something that's grown familiar - but with unfamiliar words, because she doesn't usually talk about it. "Everything... has a sense to it. All the spirits, always... talking? Singing?" She laughs. "Being. That's... how I find my way, these days."
Zuphi nods gently and rests his chin on her head. "Mmmhmm. I think I can sort of grasp what you mean. I mean, I can never fully understand, but I will try my best. If you'll let me." He blushes and gently nibbles her fur.
Niyt leans in against him, and laughs softly. "I'm not sure I understand it, and I'm the one who does it," she replies, and tilts her head up to lick at his cheek. "But it's good to have company, along the way of not-understanding."
"I'll stick around as long as you welcome me," Zuphi responds. "hak yu for..well, for thecompany." He noses her ear again and continues to wash her ears.
Niyt smiles, leaning in. Her ear flicks slightly at the nosing, and then relaxes as she rests against him and nuzzles gently at his chest. Her welcome is clear and certain. As for the rest of her pack, and what they're going to make of this - well, she'll deal with that later. For now, she's just going to enjoy his closeness and warmth.
"Well, Niyt.." Zuphi gulps, his heart staring to pound a bit..Something is burning in his throat, words struggling to come out but he isn't quite sure how to.. "I, uh... I would.. Like to.." He pins his ers and kens slightly. "I'd like to court you.. If..! If that's okay! I man, if you already have a suitor, I-!" He stammers and loses all track of things... He's just not sure how to make of these new emotions washing oer him.
Niyt tilts her head up, as Zuphi begins to speak. His voice is different, hesitant and tangled up and blushing. With good reason, as it turns out! She blushes too, her breath catching in her throat for a moment. If it's okay? Her heart says yes, but the idea of courting - of all that entails - brings all those thoughts she was avoiding back to mind. What will her mother think? And what about her father? Will they approve? Does she care? All those thoughts swirl around her, and then she takes in a deep breath. Enough worrying. "You may," she says firmly. So she's decided, regardless of what trouble it may bring!
Again, Zuphi feels lighter than air! He starts to lovingly wash her face and wags furiously. "I look forward to it. You're worth it.." He nibbles her ear and puffs up, and even letting out a deep, fulfilling howl. He's just so happy he couldn't express it any other way.
Niyt smiles happily. She listens to that howl for a moment - and then joins it with her own, muzzle lifted up beside his and her higher-pitched voice dancing alongside his, adding depth and complexity to the sound. Here he is - and here she is, in the same place and calling together to the world.
The sound hypnotizes him and he howls until he's out of breath.. "Guh..!" he exclaims as he takes a breath. "Your voice is beautiful, love!" He grins big. "I uh..hope you don't mind a petname."
Niyt laughs, and steals a breathless kiss at his muzzle before she lets Zuphi fill his lungs. Her mother's a singer, after all - she could hardly escape without at least a little training for her voice! Still, she's seldom had such an appreciative audience. "Love. That's what all this is, isn't it?" she says with a laugh. "That's what it murmurs - says - sings - is."
Zuphi's expression falls momentarily and he looks down at her, this time tenderly meeting her eyes. "You.. Do you feel it too, Niyt..? Could it be..Just that? Love..? Because..Well.. I think it is, too." He licks her muzzle several times.
"I don't know for sure. But... we can find out." She nuzzles up, and licks him back affectionately. Her eyes are fogged, true - but they're also soft with tenderness. She may not be able to see - but she can certainly feel. "I want to find out. All of it..." She laughs. "We're still curious, aren't we? Despite porcupines and shadows..."
Zuphi chuckles. "Guess we are. But we're always learning. We never stop. I'm willing to learn with you..." He leans down and presses his neck against hers, resting his head on the back of her shoulder in a sort of canine "hug". "You've brought alot of light into this little orphan's life, Niyt."
"There's a lot to learn," says Niyt, nestling in against him. "But we can figure it all out. Together." It's a big world, but surely they'll be able to handle it! So what if one of them is an orphan without a pack, and the other one is blind? Little problems like that don't stand a chance of stopping them. So speaks an adolescent, in the warm glow of passion.
"Would you like to just rest here, love?" Surely Zuphi was enjoying the possibility of having a mate! He wanted to treat her the best way he could.. "I won't make you do anything you don't want to.."
The moon is beginning to rise, to replace the sun that's sunk below the horizon. Definitely getting late, and with the question, Niyt realizes it. She'd meant to return to her pack - but why not stay here, instead? There's warmth and companionship aplenty, and it means putting off those awkward explanations. She nods. "That sounds... very nice."
"Mmm. I'm honoured." He curls protectively around her, and even begins to hum a little. He's not sure why; he just feels the need to hum and be as good as a possible-mate he can be.
It is now your pose.
Niyt settles in, cuddled up against the warmth of Zuphi, the paler grey of her fur surrounded by the darker of his. She yawns, and then tucks her nose down against his side, lying in the cool of the desert night with their bodies - and emotions - to keep them warm. "Good night," she murmurs softly, and then lets out a contented sigh. It certainly has been a good night, so far as she's concerned...
"Good night, Niyt.." Zuphi responds, licking her forehead a few times. He rests his head against her soft fur. He's hoping that the pack won't tear him to pieces, but it wasn't like he'd done anything really bad, right? All is lost in dreams as the young wolf nods off himself..