fiammetta
by fire be purged
Atlas' tongue was as soothing as his manner, and his recurring licks brought about sense of contentment that Fiammetta was not often privy to. She was also intensely aware of the warmth of his body where it pressed against her side, and his comforting scent as it encompassed her with a sense of safety. She did not know when she had come to love the much younger male, but it was as clear to her in those moments as her destiny had seemed to be after The Burning. With that onrush of longing and surprise, she had buried her muzzle into his chest and inhaled him, reminding her heart that she was but a mortal and could no more fight the mysterious whims of fate than the birds who soared far above her head or the worms she could sometimes hear burrowing beneath the soil. She felt him swallow hard beneath her embrace and, ashamed, she turned her head away once more to offer him her wounds. The fact that he had not returned her affections in those moments did not bother her much, for his simple presence meant more to her than he would ever understand.
When the silence grew too great, and she felt the need to speak overwhelm her, he listened with an expression of frustration (although she could not see it), but the humming sound to which Fiammetta had grown accustomed filtered from his lips, and she knew he was listening. When Atlas replied to her, she mulled over his words, but did not seek to grace him with any of her own. It was an interesting proposition, to be sure, but it would require much deliberation and there was little she could do about such a mammoth mistake in those moments. So, instead, she slipped from the warm rock into the cool waters of the pool, a grin lighting up her features at the surprise in her comrade's own. In an effort to relieve him of his surprise, she cast a shower of droplets in his direction and, as she had anticipated, the magical spring seemed to release him of his silent curse. Locking his pale eyes with her single one, he followed her into the pool, circling her with his chocolate and gold pelt floating on top of the water where she could admire it for its uniqueness. Atlas was careful to keep to her good side, and she was grateful for his foresight. She went into a play bow, keeping her head above water and issuing a taunting bark, inviting him to reek his revenge. He seemed about to comply, when the scent of another washed over the pair and shattered the peaceful ease of their company.
Fiammetta felt anger and embarrassment coil within her soul, and she whipped around to face the stranger, surprised to see a female whose gigantic frame towered above her own. Beside her she could feel Atlas's frame tense but, at a glance from the stranger, he relaxed beside her. Surprised, she found herself jealously wondering whether he knew her, and cast a glance towards him. He had stepped up to stand beside her, and the fur of his shoulder brushed her own, but his eyes were fixed firmly on the brindled warrioress, as if he would never be persuaded to look anywhere else. Fighting her immature reaction, she narrowed her single orb and was about to speak when the other beat her to it, husky voice inquiring as to the meaning of her words. Fiammetta growled long and low, righteous anger lending her strength to speak when the pain in her heart threatened to drown her, “How long have you been watching us?” Almost before the words had left her lips, Atlas spoke, but not in any language she could understand. She was reminded afresh just how little she knew of the other, and how much of a stranger he really was to her. With a pained glance in his direction, she moved to the edge of the pool and hauled herself up onto the rocky bank, shaking water from her pelt and naked skin while she faced the unknown female. Standing in such a manner, it was even more apparent how small she was and how the stranger towered over her, but she was not given to feeling intimidated very often, and merely narrowed her single eye. In her heart she could only hope that Atlas would choose to stand by her, would leave the waters of the pool and be the supportive warrior she knew that he was.
No Home - No Family - 6YO - 22 in, 32 lbs