a realm of possibilities [private, TERRA] open to our hearts

This is an archived version of FeralFront. While you can surf through all the content that was ever created on FeralFront, no new content can be created.
If you'd like some free FeralFront memorabilia to look back on fondly, see this thread from Dynamo (if this message is still here, we still have memorabilia): https://feralfront.com/thread/2669184-free-feralfront-memorabilia/.

    [fancypost borderwidth=0px; width: 350px][justify][size=8]
    She looked away at his approach, ears flattening in unease. She couldn't face that worry, no. It was something she was unused to - she wasused to worrying about others, not others abut her - and it jsut didn't feel right. The question though, that she could do. Even if she had to ignore the hoarse tone that was normally absent in the Alpha's voice.


    "Laine? My father. I never had a good realtionship with him... he never wanted me. He accepted me, yes, but that was the extent of our relationship. Then he nearly died, and he wanted to change. He had impregnated another dire wolf, before this, and she came to him. She was going to have his pups, and he was going to marry her. I was already a bastard child, but I would also be cast aside when the pups were born. He wanted a relationship with me. I refrained. It never progressed much, because I was angry and hesitant. Then I left, and he... turned away from me as I left. And now he's dead." She glanced at him, shaking her head. "I don't know what to feel inside. "


    "speech" thoughts #thenoxarianna[/fancypost]

    [fancypost borderwidth=0px; width: 400px; ][justify]
    His eyes never left her, focused on the story because there was nothing more important to him at that moment than Arianna. What she was saying, what she was feeling- there was nothing more important, nothing took precedent. Whatever he felt for her was too pronounced.
    "I..."
    He wished he knew what to say. He wished he was able to speak with any amount of confidence, wished he knew something more. But he didn't. Instead, the wolf hesitated and tried to adjust himself so he was shoulder to shoulder with Arianna. To offer support, or to let her know he was listening.
    He wished he knew what to say.

    [fancypost borderwidth=0px; width: 350px][justify][size=8] ooc. I freaking love Terra.


    Though Terra knew not of what to say, he didn't really need to. He was master of non-verbal communication, and that was more than enough for the conflicted female that was in front of him... and then to the side of him. When he aligned his shoulder with hers, she leaned against him with the subtlest of pressure. It was both a thank you and a 'you don't need to say anything' gesture, and... she wasn't sure what else. There was something else there.


    "I am torn between feeling guilty, and not. About not letting him close." It was a terrible attempt to elaborate, but it may work.



    "speech" thoughts #thenoxarianna[/fancypost]

    [fancypost borderwidth=0px; width: 400px; ][justify]
    "You had your reasons."
    He muttered, because she did. He couldn't say he'd have done differently- knowing you'd be put aside was a frightening thought, but in the end Terra couldn't relate to losing a father. He hadn't known his own father, had never had the opportunity to miss the old man. Still, the dark wolf could understand regret, could understand guilt.
    [b]"And you could've never known this would happen."

    [fancypost borderwidth=0px; width: 350px][justify][size=8]
    She shrugged. She guessed she did, but she could never be certain about it. Sometimes, the things that went through her mind scared her... like the affectionate feeling for Terra that had welled inside of her. She also shrugged at the second statement, although she nodded as well. She... hadn't expected at all. Laine? Her strong father? What caused him to do such a thing? There was no reason for it. He had not loved anyone, and those he was connected to still lived. He had never loved her either, but that was just Laine. The fact that this happened still shocked her senseless.


    "I never would have. It's hard to believe."


    "speech" thoughts #thenoxarianna[/fancypost]

    [fancypost borderwidth=0px; width: 350px][justify][size=8]



    "speech" thoughts #thenoxarianna[/fancypost]

    [fancypost borderwidth=0px; width: 400px; ][justify]
    "I understand."
    He muttered, and he did- he preferred not to delve into the memory, the swinging (backandforthandbackandforth) a sickening thought in his subconscious, but he did understand. It was awful, knowing that someone you cared about was no longer around, and to see someone you believe to be strong go out that way was... no. It was soul wrenching.

    [fancypost borderwidth=0px; width: 350px][justify][size=8]
    Arianna cut him a glance from the corner of her eye, watching his expression and replaying the words 'I understand' in her head. They seemed... not just empty, meaningless words people would say when they didn't actually understand but were trying to comfort. No, this had a deeper meaning, a darker edge. Terra really did understand; someone he had known had... done something. "You really do understand," she murmured, leaning the other ways so she could twist around to gaze at Terra, a silent inquiry in her eyes. A silent inquiry that didn't need to be answered, of course, but even a tie like this curiosity pricked her like a thorn.


    "speech" thoughts #thenoxarianna[/fancypost]

    [fancypost borderwidth=0px; width: 400px; ][justify]
    A sad smile took his maw, and the wolf tried to nose Arianna gently, his voice almost a whisper as he spoke.
    "Dahlia. She was like a sister."


    Came the quiet explanation- there was more to it, of course. She had come back from that, and had stayed a while longer, but he didn't want to bring that all up. Not now, not when there were other issues, not just his past. That would lie idle and brooding in the background for a while. Still, Terra managed to focus in on Arianna, even trying to swipe his rough tongue over her ear.

    [fancypost borderwidth=0px; width: 350px][justify][size=8]
    The nuzzle made Arianna close her eyes, resisting the urge to... what? Cry? Run? It had been a long time since there had been someone who appeared to care for her; the last time someone did, they had betrayed her, or so she thought. She nodded slightly, in an acknowledgement of his words... and then she tipped her muzzle towards Terra, attempting to lick him on the muzzle gently even as she felt the tongue swipe over her ears. Said ear flicked, and she looked at the wolf, the sorrow in the depths of her eyes - both her own and for Terra's, whose past remained largely a mystery to her still. There was also affection in that gaze, a thankfulness, maybe. But a softness that had not been there before; a softness in which she had not regarded the large male before.


    "speech" thoughts #thenoxarianna[/fancypost]

    [fancypost borderwidth=0px; width: 400px; ][justify]
    Some droplets of water strayed from the rapids, making the Alpha shiver a little and turn to glare at the waters. A moment later, and his gaze returned to Arianna to see something tender in her eyes, something that made him feel... lighter? Less alone, maybe. Neither of them had clarified emotions, clarified feelings, and Terra promised himself that he'd get around to it but until then...
    "Maybe we should go somewhere less potentially hazardous."
    Suggested the Alpha, side-eyeing the river.

    [fancypost borderwidth=0px; width: 350px][justify][size=8]
    Oh right. The rapids. She forgot about those, as hard as it could be. She turned to the rapids, a small smile on her lips. She had grown used to her damp pelt and the roaring water, so her mind had blocked it out. There was a slight overhang on the river; the wolves had the higher ground. "Good idea," she murmured, beginning to turn around when her paws slipped on that overhang, and she crashed down, sliding towards the water. Claws sank into the dirt, the moss that grew. Thankfully, the moss was sturdy... but her paws were wet, and she was getting battered by the rushing water which threatened to tear her away.


    Terror in her wide eyes, she stared at Terra, completely helpless.


    ooc. you probably know this, but grabbing her by the scruff and dragging would work C:



    "speech" thoughts #thenoxarianna[/fancypost]

    [fancypost borderwidth=0px; width: 400px; ][justify]
    [ooc. mmkay c: ]


    It was so odd, since one moment she was there, and the next..
    Not.
    For a moment, Terra had no idea what had happened, only understanding when his gaze met the terrified eyes of the hanging wolf. There wasn't a moment's hesitation after that, the wolf getting on his belly and digging his paws into the ground. He leaned forwards, trying to grasp hold on Arianna's scruff and drag her towards him. His massive paws would find themselves rooted in the ground, so that he didn't follow the other into the rapids.

    [fancypost borderwidth=0px; width: 350px][justify][size=8]
    When teeth sank into her scruff and she was tugged sharply, pain shot through her. But, on the heels on that pain was relief. Terra was forced to haul her up a little bit, but then the female scrabbled against the soft ground, kicking soil into the roiling waters below... but also giving her purchase. She shoved on her hind-legs forward, a move that may or may not hit Terra, depending if the male moved or not. She sprawled out away from the edge, wincing and shuddering visibly. There were scrapes over her lower legs, from scratching against the sharp rocks, but they were nothing compared to the bruises she could feel forming by just laying there, panting.


    "speech" thoughts #thenoxarianna[/fancypost]

    [fancypost borderwidth=0px; width: 400px; ][justify]
    Ignoring the momentary impact, Terra rolled onto his side as the dire wolf found herself back on land. A pant or two later, and he was inching his way over to Arianna, nosing her gently and trying to pull out a response to confirm she was okay. The dark wolf gave a low whine, and murmured in a hoarse tone.
    "Please tell me you're okay, please."

    [fancypost borderwidth=0px; width: 350px][justify][size=8]
    AH, he was behind her. With a grunt of effort, she scooted herself away from Terra and rolled over and wriggled until she was facing him, all the while wincing. That would actually answer his question, but she stuck her muzzle into the fur on Terra's neck and chest. That had scared her beyond reasoning, and once again she found herself questioning how her father could have done what he had, since he most likely going off the cliff. Still shuddering, she wriggled closer until one of her shoulders also pressed against Terra. She was okay, but that didn't mean she wasn't hurting physically and mentally, and it didn't mean she wasn't scared out of her mind.


    "speech" thoughts #thenoxarianna[/fancypost]

    [fancypost borderwidth=0px; width: 400px; ][justify]
    Instinct ordered him to try and groom the other, try to reach as many scrapes and injuries as he could. His mind still raced on adrenaline, paws buzzing and legs burning, needing to run or fight or get moving but he couldn't. He would stay right here and not leave Arianna because besides the adrenaline he needed to be right beside her, to make sure she was okay, to make sure she was safe.
    "Ari, Ari, Ari.."
    He mumbled, rambling without knowing why. He took a deep breath, trying to get as close to her as possible.

    [fancypost borderwidth=0px; width: 350px][justify][size=8]
    As the males body wriggled closer to her and the soft litany sounded in her ears, Arianna truly felt comforted - particularly by the use of the familiar nickname. He'd never called her that before; the use of the name felt... right, in a way. Special. "Terra," she murmured back in response, in his fur.Her trembling was subsiding; her breath was calming. The fleeting remains of terror were dissipating, here, wrapped up in the wonderful Terra.


    "speech" thoughts #thenoxarianna[/fancypost]

    [fancypost borderwidth=0px; width: 400px; ][justify]
    He sighed, wrapping up around her and praying that he never had to do that again. It was ridiculous, because she was fine now and they were fine and she was okay and they were okay but oh Mother Moon he didn't want to ever have to do that again.
    He whined again, nosing his companion and trying to regain some amount of strength.
    "...somewhere warmer. Let's... let's go."
    He murmured, getting to his paws and trying to figure out whether or not Arianna would need help.

    [fancypost borderwidth=0px; width: 350px][justify][size=8]
    Arianna completely agreed with Terra internally. She never wanted to go through that again. The terror, the pain, the adrenaline spiking through her. While the adrenaline spiking through her was not a bad thing, the cause of it was very bad. To be that close on the brink of death... now that she was calming down, she was aware to just how close she had come to dying. Instead, she came away with scrapes and bruises. A much fairer deal.


    The whine caught her attention, and she returned it with a whimper and a swiveling head and ears. She nodded; she was beginning to numb from the wet on her legs. She forced herself up, cringing at the pain - she almost fell, for the bruises were almost done forming. She stabilized, though, and gave Terra a small, wan smile.


    "speech" thoughts #thenoxarianna[/fancypost]

    [fancypost borderwidth=0px; width: 400px; ][justify]
    Concern flashed through his eyes, and the wolf swooped to try and offer a shoulder for support. His paws were twitching with the need to care for, to do something about the situation. Still, the wolf kept as calm as he could, ears pinned back against his head.
    Then he was making an excuse and not a very good one at that.
    "I have herbs in my den, if you need something for the pain."
    He refused to look her in the eye, not wanting to admit that he really just... didn't want to leave her side.