|In the [shadow] of a Mountain|

Vega watched Despair fraternizing with the alphess, expressionless and patient. So she was headed to that lovely oasis? He smiled to himself. What fun. The brujo had definitely calmed down since his first days here, living an easier life, indifferent to the climate, no enemies to disturb his sanctuary. A place still lingered in his heart for Temptation, but she was long gone now, taking of with her sister and never returning like she had promised. She toyed with him, just like all the others had. No matter. It was his way of life, and he accepted the consequences sans emotion.

Ceruleans scanned the femme carefully, looking good for a woman who had just given birth not so long ago. A smile dabbled on and off across his maw, looking more like a twitch, really. As the youngster led her happily, he rose to his feet and followed at a distance. He wouldn't intrude too much, just enough to grab her conversation as she rested. He hoped she wouldn't notice him tailing them. He wouldn't have minded, really, but it could turn a situation awkward and ruin it for him, no matter how slim his chances.

'This truly is an oasis..." The words echoed as much in the cavern as they did in his auds. What a lovely voice. "It is, isn't it?" His voice responded lowly behind the femme. If she looked, Calypso could see Vega's shadow just shy of hers in the pool. He passed her a friendly smile and lapped up a bit of the water on his own. The young and handsome hessian had continued his pursuit after not having run into any trouble on the way. It had taken him a bit of effort not to snicker well-manneredly at Spite's words as to the fear of entering the oasis. To find such a treasure on the other side was worth the thrill. He looked up from his drink, the eerie glow of the cave seeming to shed a subtle and captivating light on his baby blues. They did the same for Calypso for what he could see, and he suddenly found himself all the more enthralled. He didn't show it, however, hiding coolly behind a mask of calm.

"It's a good life we have here. You should think of taking an extended stay, Calypso." The name rolled off his tongue with a sort of beckoning presence, and though he didn't necessarily intend for it to come out so, he sometimes couldn't help it, even when he wanted to. "I'm sorry if I seem so forward," he said innocently, dabbling a paw in the clear pool, "It's just, you strike me as interesting. And just as well, I hear of my brother residing in your lands. You do know Lennox, correct?" Blah blah, a boring conversational point. He couldn't care less about his brother being alive or dead, the happy little prick. But anything to get the ball rolling. And so long as Jack wasn't here to stop him... let the plundering begin.

Small paws thudded on the ground as she sprinted through the harsh terrain, pace faster now that she knew she was getting close. She had caught his scent after weeks of scouring Fire and Ice, and now, she wasn't letting go. She didn't regret leaving. When Evon had visited, bringing news of the death of her family, she had needed to go herself, to see. It was still impossible to believe that the Lacrimosa were all gone. She had thought the council gods once, back when she still took orders. She had adored having a purpose, but now, there was nothing for it. For when she went, it was proved true. Everything, and everyone, she had once known, vanished like dust in the wind.

What she regretted was not informing Vega. Stupid, stupid, stupid move! Her mind had been so blown by the news, though.... in some ways, she had still been holding out hope of one day redeeming herself and going back. Not now. She hadn't wanted to tell him. There are some things that one must do alone. But she could have spoken with him about it.

It was too late now. Part of her was scared, and hated her for seeking him out. He'll never forgive you for being gone so long. Turn around, leave the memories of your parting as bright, pleasant moments, not the argument and dismissal that is sure to come now. But most of her yearned for nothing more than to see him again. Something about him had taken her in completely, so that even after their short time together, she could think of nothing else. And if there was one thing Temptation knew, it was that life was too short to not take exactly the actions that one wanted to take.

Giddy with excitement, but fearing rejection, the latter won out, and she slowed down her pace. She could sense others now, and wondered how to proceed. She could stay out here, wait to be greeted, send up a call? No, she never really understood that, and didn't want to be an inconvenience. Alright, nothing for it.... going in. Taking a deep breath, she began loping in the direction that she knew them to be.

She could see them when she was still a ways off, and one shape in particular drew her eyes in. She froze, but only for a second. Her happiness at seeing him once again won out, erasing any trace of doubt and making her momentarily forget that he was probably furious at her.

"VEGA!" She yelled, grinning, sprinting towards him. "I finally found you!!" Her brown eyes sparkled with happiness at the reunion, her incorrigible nature shining through once more.

Ah, so she caught on to his playful words quickly. He respected that. And he had fully intended to continue baiting her. Mate or no mate, he'd done it all before. It seemed to him, though, that she was in no mood to follow along, and knew very well the kind of stunts he was trying to pull. She would be hard to reel in, if he could do so at all. Sometimes it just wasn't worth it. But right now, it was too early to tell. He let the subject of his brother fall where it was, clearly seeing that there was no excitement in his life... except that random attack. That would have been entertaining to watch. Pity Matt never killed him. Pity Calypso would have nothing more to do with him if he expressed his sentiments aloud. He felt the black knot in his chest begin to tighten, just like it did before growing, consuming him into a state of silent and dreadful rage and judgment. A familiar voice suddenly came to his auds. They pricked and he turned to the entrance in genuine surprise. "Temptation," he muttered to himself. He looked to Calypso as she passed his name back to him and nodded his farewell as she exited. It seemed as though this endeavor was to be dropped in lieu of an appointment with a relationship council.

His ebony form emerged languidly from the oasis, and he moved closer to the white lady calling so desperately for him. He witheld affection. It would wait until the explanation was clear. His eyes betrayed little of what he felt, the relief for her presence, that she wasn't dead, that some other bru had stolen her from him. He was much the man he was when she first met him, inwardly tense and brooding, though far less vicious than what she had walked in on so long ago. He had missed dearly the soothing effect she had had on him, and it tensed him even more to be reminded of how long he had been without. His azure gaze swept over her and settled on her crown heavily. Not judging, just staring. It was inevitable, though, when he spoke her name again, that it would be filled with strain and sadness. He had waited for so long... his love put on hold for her. And not even a mere word to know what to expect. And yet, as he stood there looking as though he was going to set her on fire, his head lunged forward to nuzzle her cheek to cheek, press his nose into her ivory fur, and take in that sweet scent he had missed so. It was mingled with the smells of a strange land, and it made him miss her all the more for being away. "Temptation," He said again, though this time the name was audible to her and her alone. "Where have you been?"

Hearing him speak her name, she smiled, happiness radiating through her. Then she noted the way he held himself.... back, as though wary of her presence. Instantly the smile faded, and her stomach tightened. So all was not well. Expression serious, she took a single step towards him, quite the feat of self control, since it took all that she had not to fling herself upon him and never let go.

"Vega... I'm sorry. For not telling you. I don't know why I didn't, it was stupid of me. But I had to go back and see for myself." She laughed, a bit bitterly. "You know, it's funny. I always kind of wondered whether I'd go back to my homeland if I had the chance. I was happy there before, but could I be happy again, knowing what I know now? Guess that choice doesn't matter anymore." She gazed at him, wondering how long it would take for him to forgive her, if ever. "I have nowhere to go back to now. So I guess the call is yours."

Please don't write me off... Even while her eyes pleaded with him, her mind was prepared for the worst. She was who she was... an optimist, ready to take anything with a smile. This waiting period would bring what it would. If he forgave her, she'd be happy. If not, she'd pretend to be, just like she always did. And eventually, the pretense would become a reality.

OoC: The Starr does not like serious temptation =[

OOC: He's not totally heartless! He did nuzzle her before..

His blue pools took in every detail of her face as she spoke, trying to take in everything he had remembered about her, recall every last nuance he had forgotten. She tried explaining herself to him, but it didn't matter, whatever she said. The only thing to change his mind would have been if she had said 'I've found someone else'. He was far from furious, and the anger had only lasted mere moments. After all, she came back. Looking for him. What more could he have really asked for? He had recalled how much fun she had been when they first met, and compared it to her demeanor now. It showed him that she truly meant what she said, her apology, how she felt, that she really and truly wanted him to forgive her.

'I guess the call is yours.' He cocked his head at these words. They only surprised him briefly before he took everything and flipped it on her completely, playing with her as they had done those months ago. "Up to me? What do I have to decide, whether you stay or go? Well you're here, aren't you?" He played hard, seeming so frustrated, drawing out the kind of angry silence a father holds above his miscreant child. But he couldn't take it any longer. His icy blues were cold for mere moments before softening and melting into aquamarine pools. He smiled at her, nuzzled her heartily, and licked the edge of her ear lovingly. "I couldn't stand another minute without you." Of course he wanted her here. She had a past to work out, and he had to respect that, whether she told him her business or not. He could see so easily the begging in those eyes, and it almost killed him to have to see it anymore. With anyone else he would have demanded everything of them, given them the cold shoulder for a good week, but for her, he needed no more than a second. His smooth tenor, accented so beautifully, murmured softly in her auds as he excitedly mingled the fur at their necks. "I can tell you're looking for forgiveness. You should have never even thought of it, love."

Temptation's actions warmed Vega's heart. That smile... He nearly fell into her embrace, stealing an extended nuzzle that ran the length of her neck. "I missed you more," he teased, knowing her playful state of mind. And she reminded him of the game they played with one another. A game he had much rather remained in private if she ever wanted to resume it. He gave a low chuckle, pressing cheek to cheek with her. His keen smile could be heard in his voice "No, we didn't. We'll have to make sure we find the time," he teased. He knew she wanted to. And within such a pack that allowed so convenient an ease-of-exit, there was an infinite amount of time afforded to them for such fun and trivialities. He was ready to start the good life if she was ready to stick around. He was thinking much the same as she, really only having known one another for a day, but perhaps the connection was just that strong. Matehood in the coming days was quickly becoming a realistic possibility.

Despair approached and he turned his attentions from the ivory beauty for a moment. He stood beside her, physically vouching for her place among them without too much trouble. The lead hessian seemed to be pretty settled about this kind of thing anyway. He was still here, wasn't he? Just the way he approached, his casual speech, things were safe. He smiled silently, respectfully at Despair, and behind him his tail flicked that of Temptation's lightly, seeming almost a habit. She responded well to his approach, even responding off-handedly with her own question. Ah, he loved it. She was just too damn cute for him to help it. "I hope she's enough a wolfess to your liking. I've been ever so lonely without her," he quipped. He felt like being part of the conversation, and surely it couldn't hurt to have a little easy banter.