::Our Place::

I don't hesitate to go after Addy, but I do close my eyes when going through the Gap. I come out onto the beach and smile for a moment. I pad down towards the water's edge, and settle right next to Addy, letting our fur press together. I smile and reminisce in my head, thinking of all the nights we spent here. Those nights, where we sat just like this.
I don't ask Addy what she wanted to tell me. I decide to let her take her time and say it when she wants too.

I look out to the water before opening my mouth deciding to talk, though the first things that came out could have been taken as just talking aloud to myself, "It's hard to believe this is where it all started over something similar to this... it's kind of like a place for confessions I've realized... kind of a way to let go of the past and look forward to the future and starting a new life... if that makes any sense" Switching my gaze over I look at Aeter, my eyes glowing with happiness and warmth, "...and speaking of starting a new life... Aeter I'm expecting pups."
I searched his eyes trying to find his emotion and traces of thoughts lingering in them. I knew he would support me through this because it's who he was, but I wanted to know how he felt about this.

I start, and turn to look at Adalia. I smiled, and my own eyes reflected the same happiness and warmth. I licked her affectionately. "Addy, that's wonderful!" I said, the pleasure evident in my voice. "You're going to be a great mother, you know." I nuzzle her and add, "No pup could have a better mother."

A huge smile works its way onto my face, overjoyed that his feelings about it reflected my own. I lean into Aeter's fur burying my muzzle into his neck, I twine my tail with his. I look up at him, the smile never once leaving my face, "And they'll have a perfect father." I just take a few moments to savor the moment, looking out at all the stars lingering in the sky, and the full moon hanging there. "Aeter, what are we going to do about where we raise them? I can't just leave the Land Between Time and go to Golden Gate, but I want our pups to know their real home. And what about you? You'll have to stay there so you can preform your duties to the pack.. so what are we going to do?"

I smile, unwilling to let anything ruin this joy. Puppies - I remember a conversation from what seems like forever ago, me and Adalia, sitting here... and I did say that. That someday, it could happen. I was beyond pleased. I thought for a moment, then answered Addy. "I want them to know their real home, too, the Golden Gate. Even if we have duties... I don't think Nyla will mind. She'll understand. She'll understand that we want them to grow up there. I'm sure Nyla will let us go back and raise them there." I'm confident in my answer. i don't see how Nyla could refuse.

I chuckle slightly, my eyes filling with a bit of amusement, "Nyla always has been a soft and understanding one deep down..." I thought a few things over, but if not I'm sure we'll be able to explain the situation to her... at least we know for a fact she'll hear out what we have to say. The thought was quickly replaced by another, but this one pleasant and more of a memory, "You know, it's funny to think that we started as just two apprentices clueless to each other's existence, we've fought battles together, and now look where we stand; but I wouldn't trade anything for the world." I smile inwardly and think to myself, somewhat talking to the pups growing, 'you hear that my darlings, I wouldn't trade anything for the world and now I'll have you.'

I smile and lick Addy's ears affectionately. "It seems like just yesterday, doesn't it? We barely knew each other that day. And here we are.." My expression is warm, full of pleasure as I think back. "I can remember every word... and I wouldn't change a thing, not one word. This is just perfect, just the way it is." My thoughts drift, and I can understand Addy's worry over what we're going to do. But I'm confident - I want it as much as her, for the pups to grow up in the Golden Gate. I just know that we'll make it work, and I'm content with that.

"We'd probably just be at the Full Moon Bash." I joke, an amused expression on my face. I grow more serious and actually contemplate the question. I can't imagine how different things would be. I can remember the first day of training clear as anything - I remember every word. And not just for the learning part - for the friends I made, and how it changed me. I answer as truthfully as I can. "Well, Addy, all I know is my life wouldn't be so bright. Not without you. I can't imagine things any other way. That's why I give thanks for the way things have gone. Whether it's destiny or just how things happened, I give thanks. Because I would rather live one life this way - with you - than a thousand lives without you. Nothing would be the same, but this is the only way I want it.

I'm quickly at a loss to describe the pleasure, the happiness in me now, to be here with Addy. I answer her softly, my eyes twinkling with amusement. "Well, this hypothetical girl can try all she wants. You're the only girl I'll ever want." I close my eyes, too, knowing this will forever be committed to my memory. Every word, every movement, the smell on the air, the dark sky, the breeze, and Addy sitting against me. This will be one of those memories that I'll bring to mind and instantly be cheered. I don't have enough words to say how it is, it just is.

I laugh softly, my eyes flickering to Addy. "Yes, they'd better watch out." I agree, smiling. I want to hold this moment and live it forever, and I know in days in the future, when I need happiness, I can reach for this and have it. Although, I plan on just more happiness. Addy is going to have puppies... I'm going to be father. I can't wrap my mind around that. And now, I'm not even worried about how it'll work, I'm just savoring the pleasure.

I turn my head to Addy and contemplate. My eyes flicker off to the horizon, and I sigh. "I wish we could stay here forever..." I murmur under my breath. Louder, I say, "I guess. The big hunt is going to happen soon, right? We should participate, it'll be fun." I nuzzle her softly. "We'll have plenty of time to be alone like this in the future."

I perk my ears hearing Aeter say something, but a bit distracted my attention elsewhere, I hadn't really picked up the words he had said under his breathe. This time deciding to pay more attention and trying to pick up the words he said and more excitement washed over her. 'Hunting... I love hunting!' "I honestly forgot about the big hunt, it was the last thing on my mind... I wonder who Nyla decided to organize it with this time around and how the groups will get divided.." A warm smile washes over my face, "As you said on one of our first times here, we'll have everyday for the rest of our lives for this."

I smile back. "She'll probably ask an Avci. Perhaps Dusty, you know Dusty would love to have the privilege." I rose, stretching my legs and gazing out to the horizon for a long moment. Then I straightened and licked Addy's ears. "Let's go. I promise we'll have this time for us again." I paused, smiled, and added, "We'll definitely do it before we have our paws full with little puppies."

"I'm surprised she hasn't promoted Dusty yet to be completely honest. Who knows what Nyla has going up in that head of hers though." I rise to my paws, tail flicking back and forth, and I chuckle at the thought of having small little bundles of fur running around and about, playing and getting into trouble because lets face the facts, their young. Who doesn't get into trouble when their little. 'I wonder how many rascals we'll have to deal with... time will only tell.' Stretching a memory flickers through my head, "Out of everything that happened when I was younger I still remember when my parents showed me this place... we'll show our kids this place when they get old enough, right?" A large part of me really hoped that Aeter would say yes, I guess its just cause this beach held sentimental value to me and I wanted to pass it on.




(ADDY'S QUESTION TIME: even though I know you won't see this til you get back from vacation, which by the way I hope you enjoyed :3 Nyla said the pups were due on the 22nd so when should we put it off until?)

(Uhh...my first reaction was to wait until the next roleplay day. Cause, you know, it would be a bit weird for Aeter to find out and that day for the puppies to come... like, procrastination much, Addy? xD But God only knows when the next roleplay day will ever come, since it's been the same night for a good long while now. I... don't know. Perhaps we'll just see?)

I smiled and nuzzled Addy softly. "Of course. But let's let it be just our place for a little bit longer. And then we can pass it down." I flicked my tail. "Come on, let's get back. We don't want to miss out." I turned and in the sand beneath my paws, I drew my Ouroboros in quick, precise marks. It glowed, and I felt my normally ice-cold amulet also heat slightly. The Time Gap opened, back to the spot where we had left from.

I felt Addy brush against me, and without hesitation, stepped into the Time Gap. I didn't really marvel at it now, after it had become part of my life. But the first times, going through the Gaps, I remembered those clearer than ever. All those things, leading to now. To my being with Addy, to my being a father... Wow. I was going to be a father. That thought was really wild to me. I came out on the other side of the Gap, back at the Bash.

(Switching threads)

Not a heart beat after Aeter went through the Time Gap did i follow. Still, just as I had those starting days of training, I clamped my eyes shut, still never having the will to even try to open them for a second. I knew just what the side effects of opening your eyes in the middle of a Time Jump was, as I had treated many cases, and some severe cases were really bad and honestly made me shiver. So it didn't take me two heart beats to not open them. Stepping out I opened my eyes, falling over the other wolves at the gathering.


(flies off to other topic -closed and done :3-)