a thousand times I tempted fate;
Mentally he is chastising himself, scolding his wayward tongue that seemed to have it's own agenda. Never before had he such a problem with it until now, yes he fumbled and stumbled before but back then he backed those words up with force and violence as if to solidify their meaning. Here, here he can do no such thing just accept and hope that in time he would no longer make a fool of himself; in the presence of a female no less. As there still seems to be an after burn of blush on his cheeks, his paw idly doodling in the sand as he peeks from the corner of his orange eyes to the silver lady of the river. Discreetly admiring her from afar, squinting slightly as if he can see every little droplet upon her legs. He had never been one to look, females back home where battle worn and vulgar - an effect to their life. They wanted power, pursuing the men when they fell flat at battle. For a partner high in the chain granted you privileges, but mates did not exist so it was normal for another female to usurp another to get the rank with the male. Children from these pairings were rare, few making it into adolescence without protection - for they too were seen as competition, by parents and pack. Orra had truly saved him despite his later fall at her death.
He can understand the madness of it all now, can see the many faults he once overlooked within himself. Ears perk at the sound of her voice as head turns back and up, so that he now looks once again at her. At her gasp, he is quick to stand on his feet, fur bristling and alert eyes seeking the source to whatever has caught her by surprise and finding nothing he looks back only to see a broader smile upon her lips as his brows furrow in puzzlement. It is then he sees the rise in water, as she seems to enjoy the faster current that has overcome the river. Watching the way the water seems to tickle her belly his own tail seems to find enjoyment in this as it slowly sways as bristled hair slowly falls lax upon his back.
It is her question next that causes him to still as he gulps loudly, brows rise and eyes blink. "Me join you?.." He questions this as if she is asking him something of far more importance, his tongue once again taking over. Exhaling loudly as he speaks again, "Umm okay." He looks to her with a quiver in his lips, attempting to smile in return as if to ease his own awkwardness. But as he goes to step into the water further, he pauses as she looks over her shoulder. As he too finds himself leaning to look around her wanting to know what had now caught her attention. At the flash of light and following thunder, he seems to ease. Nose rising as he scents the air, seeking that coming rain aroma that had always soothed him no matter how far gone he was. As she turns back and speaks he cannot stop the choked garble of a laugh that is hindered by it's lack of use as he clears his throat softly, "Well I cannot leave you to be wet alone." That shyness is there laced within the tone as he steps into the current, drawing him closer to the female. Eyes shifting, never staying in a spot for long as they occasionally look to her, once again a warmth to his cheeks. He lacks the finesse of the female, as water splashes in his wake causing quite a ruckus as he looks almost sheepishly at the fact. Water clinging to the black and white of his coat, matting the plush fur in a cluster.
Another clap of thunder bellows in the sky as he comes to a still a few feet from the female, as lighting lights up the dark sky. He is unsure how she will feel at his close proximity, even he is confused at this but for some reason he has a small fear that the female was vulnerable so open with the coming storm. "Will you be safe, in the umm water... with the lightning?" He does not mention himself, more worried for the female. For the storms back home could be deadly, lighting was a force not even then could fight and he had lost at least two to mother natures wrath. The scarred face seems hesitant to remain at level with her, until finally does he settle those orange eyes against the warm mahogany of her own. Unsure what to do now, this was as far as his mind had processed as his brows furrow in concentration about where to go from here, all the while ears flicker as they track the coming storm. A light bulb seems to come on and his tongue seems to trip over his teeth in a rush, "I'mjericho." Blurting it out as if ripping off a band aid. Until he realizes his blunder. I-I mean, I'm.... Jericho." Slower this time, tone almost gentle as if she some how knows the brutal force his name had earned.
Jericho. six - no mate - no imprint - nowhere |