The Dark is Rising

[The Warden]

Out of the mists of time it comes…

There was a rustling in the brush, a scattering of earth underpaw. This was obviously no hunter, for the pounding of the wolf’s pawsteps frightened otters down their burrows and deer into their glades. A shadowed form, moving swiftly through the deep night as wolves had done for many seasons. She ran.

Older than the oldest rhyme it comes…

The night was clear and the starry lights of the ancestors of countless thousands of generations shone brilliantly beside the plaster-white half-moon. Yes, it was time for a mating. It was her time of the month, she could feel the heat in her like a flood. She hurried.

Coursing through our veins it comes…

The blood pounded through her ears and her heart raced as she crossed the border into the territory of the Dark Lord. Excitement fueled the steady thump of her paws on the rocky earth and spread it out into an uneven gallop. Night was her favorite time. No. It was her time. In this darkness she felt empowered, enlightened, and this inspired her to run even faster. She flew.

Pulsing through our brains it comes…

The white fae skidded to a halt suddenly. Looking first to the right, then to the left, she waited, scenting the air. No fresh traces of anyone. Most things were abed by now. But not she. The canine leaped to her feet and scampered onward, toward the stale scent of the male. The rhythm of her pads covering the ground in great strides resumed. The fairy crossed over a puddle in one mighty bound and continued her trek. She raced.

The pure, unbridled sound of…

Hawoooooooyaaaaaah!

Crane skidded to a halt and threw back her head, crying out into the darkness, letting the lord of this place know that she was here. The scream rang through the land, echoing off the trees and mountains. Yes, it was time.

For the Dark, the Dark is rising.

[Halo]

Out of boredom Ryker dozed upon a high rock placed in the coarse grasslands below his mountains an its rocky plains, but his senses still wide awake and waiting for something interesting to present itself to him. Crane's call travels across the clear night sky upon a breeze that brings it straight into his waiting ears, the sentinels twitching faintly in recognition and bringing the black beast directly to life, sitting up upon his belly with a snort and an anticipating gaze across the land while his nose snuffles with great interest in finding a scent, any scent that would lead him to a distraction.

That way! And he's up on his paws and leaping to the ground, forcing his limbs into a leisure stride so as not to make his appearance of one too eager; yet, the vixen's smell is tempting enough for his pace to drive him crazy. Since he is still a distance away from sight, he angles his snout towards the sky and issues forth a returning hail in a short, low tone. 'I'm here. And I'm coming.' It would be a great shame for her to think him unavailable or absent, to leave before he arrived. Shame, shame.

He finds her. He approaches her with his head held high and his whole being postured with an air of authority. Yet there is a small smile on his face, perhaps a little cocky, but there is something about him that says he has a right to it. Besides, he has a right to his elevated opinion of himself and to respect; he is alpha afterall, even a guardian of the dark society (a position that does not come lightly or go to just anyone). Finally he speaks, his voice deep and rugged yet smooth as he deeps the tip of his muzzle for the slightest of moments in greeting. "Good evening! What brings one such as yourself into dark territory?"
~Ryker

(OOC: Sorry to keep you waiting. I hope this post is good.)

[The Warden]

What brings one such as yourself into dark territory?

Crane heard the answer and her blood leaped. He was coming. She sat waiting, twitching with anticipation. But by the time Ryker leaped into her presence, Crane had calmed herself and had her frenzy for mating under a tight rein. When the male entered her sensory range her insides twisted. My, but he was handsome. And arrogant, she noted from his walk and talk. But that was well, for it meant he was likely the lord of this place.

You did. It is my time. I require a male. You were nearest. I chose Dark because I myself am Dark. If you are the Alpha of this place, then I am for you. My name is Crane.

[/color]

The fae lifted her chin and looked the dog in the eye. His pride and hers seemed an equal match. If he was expecting deference from this one, this brother had another thing coming. Crane was bad in her own right. It had been years since she had interacted with her own species and even longer since her last mating. But the need was on her strongly this year and the white witch had bent to her instincts at long last. But would he bend to her?[/center]

[Halo]

The dark brute raises his brow in a curious manner, neither bothered nor flattered by her proposal but simply interested in her because of it. He doesn't introduce himself just yet but approaches to at a closer proxmity, padding around her to admire her from new angles and finding her snowy pelt and slim form quite pleasing to his eyes. And she is strong and most definitely dark in nature, two delightful accessories. Then there is her pride, not necessarily a bad thing, but something to watch. "Such a bold proposition, my lovely Crane. But how can you be certain that the alpha of this land is the one for you? He might not be at all a kind fellow."
~Ryker

(OOC:! Dangit! I lost my first post! Sorry this thing sucks. The FIRST time was hard enough to squeeze anything out of my dried out brain...and then...This! REALLY sorry! Hope it gives you something to work with.)

[The Warden]

He might not be at all a kind fellow.

Crane barked a short laugh and sat down. She knew that at this point she smelled quite irresistable to most males, but the Dark Lord was seeming to handle her very well. Maybe he was worthy of her after all. She had been none too sure before, but now... Her lip curled in a smile. Or was it a sneer?

Is that so? Well, the alpha may find that I'm not at all a kind lady. But we need not like each other to join together. All I require is mating. I'm not asking you to marry me.

[/color]

Yet, she added in her mind. When she first sought him out, Crane's original plan had been to merely mate and go. An in'n'out type deal. But she had not expected such an...interesting personality. She might have to hang around a little longer than she had previously planned.[/center]

[Halo]

The midnight brute smirks and stops his circling as he comes around the fem's front just as she sits down. He chuckles in dark humor, his tail twitching behind him in a half wag that settles in a curl around his haunches as he perches upon them; he still maintains a certain regal air that radiates from him. Always, he desires to be known to all that he is top dog, in a rough and tough royal sort of way, to show off the black soul that he carries in his chest but not feeling any fear when it comes to turning on the charm. Him afraid? Hell no! Not of anything!

"I must say I find you and your offer rather...enticing. A temptress of such rare talents should not be so quickly pushed to the side and left alone." He smirks, one lip turning up slightly up in a roguish sort of grin, a sinisterly good mood shining in his crimson orbs as they 'secretly' continue glancing over her (drinking in the sight of her but not really trying to hide the fact that he's looking). Why should he worried about her disapproval? She's in his land and he is Alpha, he can do what pleases him. Besides, she would not have come here with her proposal if she were to be offended by his roaming eyes. "If you plan on sticking around awhile...I might just have to agree to this joining."
~Ryker

(OOC: Sorry...blahblahblah! My mind wasn't working all that great. )

[The Warden]

If you plan on sticking around awhile...

Crane blinked placidly at the dark brute before her. She wondered if he really knew what was in her mind: her designs on him and this land, her deep ambition for queenship of this Dark packland. But there was no need for him to all of this now. Perhaps later, before she murdered him.

I plan on hanging around, milord, if you'll have me.

[/left]

The white fae winked at him shamelessly. Better to suck up now and stab him in the back later. Just so long as she ended up bearing his heir.

You know my name, but I still don't know yours. How are you called?

[/left]

[Halo]

Ryker smirks when the female winks, his tail tapping anxiously behind him. There is only so much a guy can do when resisting resisting hormones (especially in front of an attractive female, who's in season no less). But he doesn't want her to notice his impatience or think him any less in control because of her. She requests his name and he obliges. "Oh, is that so? How rude of me. Ryker is my name and it is a pleasure to make your acquaintence."
~Ryker

(OOC: I'm so sorry for the crappy reply! I didn't know what to write.)

[The Warden]

(OOC: It's perfectly fine. I not only make you wait for a month, but then I also give you an awful reply. Sorry!)

Ryker is my name and it is a pleasure to make your acquaintence.

Crane huffed something that may or may not have been a laugh at Ryker's insistant emphasis on pleasure. Well, enough talk, if he was so eager...

What a lovely name. So then, do you accept my offer, sir Ryker?

Ryker. It truly was a nice name. It was a name of a friend she had once had. Come to think of it, that Riker had actually gone mad and killed himself, leaving behind a grieving widow. Maybe that wasn't such a good analogy.

[Halo]

The black beast smirks and stands, wordlessly pacing forward and brushing against the female’s side with the faintest of touches, turning his head around to address her in quiet, controlled tones. His eyes grin with enthusiasm as he reaches out to nip at her ear lightly, maybe an encouragement. “I accept,” he answers simply, his tail drifting back and forth with a life of its own and he resumes a relaxed composure that states, ’I have all the time in the world’. It’s all a big show, he really is eager for them to be on their way to somewhere more...private.
~Ryker

(OOC: Hey, don’t know if you want to go to Sunset Rocks, or we could have them find a private place on the mountain (since breeding can take place at S.R. or on pack lands). You let me know. If you decide you wanna continue the thread here, feel free to direct them somewhere.)

[The Warden]

Crane's insides leaped when he touched her, her biology betraying her. She wasn't truly superbly excited about coupling with Ryker, but maybe... If he liked her well enough... He might consent to taking her as his queen. Then, when she was cemented in the good grace of his pack, she would stab him in the back and rule his pack and raise his heirs. She let a foolish doggy grin break over her face at that thought. The white witch saw the eager sparkle in Ryker's eyes and also saw her own reflection, smiling at him. Well, let him think that smile was for him. If you only knew... Crane leaped up and frisked away from him, calling out to him playfully.

Then what are we waiting for? Let's be off!

[/color]

OOC: We'll go down to Sunset Rocks if that's okay. You want to start or me?

[Halo]

(OOC: I'll make the post at Sunset Rocks. Just keep an eye out for it. It'll be there. *ramnbling*)