One More Adventure (Arctic)

[Arctic Fang]

Inwardly he growled. He almost regretting asking her to teach him because she soon left the confines of his arms but not without leaving the feeling that her lips had just seared a brand into his cheek with her kiss. All that he wanted to do was to hold her. Indeed he felt the hormones rise in his body and in the pit of his stomach there were swarms and swarms of butterflies. How could a femme do this much to a tough beastly Captain? It was beyond his comprehension and it was driving him insane. He would need some time to think about this whole situation, this turn of events that so suddenly seemed to turn his world upside down.

Arctic's breath was taken by her movements and it didn't even bother him that she was dancing with an otter, his eyes were only upon her and his lips turned up and into a smile. Now if it had been the male wolf that was dancing with her... that 'may' have been an entirely different story.

As she danced around the fire she moved like liquid and she took on a different vision, a different hue, with each twist and turn. Even the flying sparks from the fire seemed to obey her. She was like a dream and the only thing that he could do was stand there and watch her but once she approached him he gladly allowed her to lead him out into the crowd with the sash around his brawny thick furred neck.

Merrily he danced behind her, wanting so badly to just be near to her but she kept frolicking out of his paw reach. It was very teasing yet so pleasurably frustrating the way that she played with him. Indeed it kept him on his toes and longing for more... just one more touch, just one more glance from those striking eyes of hers. "Sometimes you just have to watch and learn." Arctic laughed and chimed back at her. "But can't I watch and learn by touching as well?" Gracefully he leaped forward and grasped her around the waist. He twirled her in circles with her back planted in his chest and his nose in the crook of her neck.

[Vexa Blueclaw]

Where Serena's post is suppose to be!

[Arctic Fang]

Arctic was really having the time of his life. He has never really felt the freedom of acting like a total dork but now seems to be that time for him. The Captain didn't think about what his crew thought. That was the nice thing about being in charge and being the crew as well. They would all get drunk and the next day think the lesser of no beast. Though... Arty had to admit that he usually didn't make such a large fool of himself. This was truly the first and he 'did' receive some odd glances and some merry chuckles from those that served under him. It didn't matter to him though.

Everything else melted into the background. He didn't know about how Serena was feeling but that's how it felt for him. The male just hoped that he wasn't making that big of a boob of himself with all of the attention that he was giving to the femme. But then again later on, if anything became of their relationship, she would be glad of his attention, especially because of his time that he would have to spend away from her. Yes eventually everything would even out, as they both would see.

"Arctic...I never did ask, what's the courtship time here or where you're from?" The male stopped spinning her and then looked down in her eyes. Of course he'd answer her. It was no more personal then the questions that he had asked her. Softly he smiled. "The courting time where I come from? Well... We to had arranged marriages and so it would all depend how quickly they needed to get married or how soon the parents wanted them to wed. It varied really. I'm not sure how it is at the Fort but it seems to me that beasts meet and then fall in love and then marry if they so desire. I don't think that there's a certain time limit one can stamp on falling in love. Do you?" The wolf took a deep breath and then without another word led Serena off of the 'dance floor'.

He eventually let go of her paw as he needed both paws to pour them each a drink, his the usual and her another wine spritzer. After this he led her to a place that they could talk. The brute now wore a more serious expression. Quickly he downed half of his beer and then looked to Serena for the answer to his previous question.

[Vexa Blueclaw]

Serena's heart fluttered when he spoke but before she could answer, Arctic was leading her away from the fire to a more quiet spot away from the merriment of the crew. Never in her life would she have expected to ask her previous question or much less be in a situation to ask it. When she had left her tribe and seen what the outside world was like, she had more or less given up hope of being accepted and loved by a potential husband. Many beasts desired the "perfect bride" and though Serena had more or less been trained and raised for such a role, her unusualness usually canceled out any chances she had at happiness. Now though? It suddenly didn't seem like a whole lot to ask to get married and raise a family, travel with Arctic or stay in a home all her own within the fort and raise her pups in the between time when Arctic was away.

Arctic spoiled her but it felt like it was because he didn't know what else to do. He didn't know that a simple smile or nod would be enough, that she would happily except even the bare minimum as long as he was trying and he did love her.

Seating herself at one of the tables, Serena accepted the wine spritzer from Arctic and sipped it. She did notice that he downed half his beer in one swallow which indeed was quite a feat. Sipping her wine, Serena set the glass on the table and took a deep breath. For all her flirtatiousness earlier, she really was loosing steam rather quickly but, Arctic just did that to her for some reason.

"I...wasn't raised to really look for love too closely. We were supposed to learn to love our husbands but...now...I don't think you can confine love to anything" Serena said, a paw loosely holding her tumbler of wine.

Serena flexed her paw lightly on her skirts, smoothing wrinkles out of the material, one of her nervous habits. She wasn't sure what else to say. She had more or less made it plain she was interested in marrying Arctic and it was obvious he took great interest in her but...what came next? Wait...she knew what came next.

"If...if you would let me, I..could teach you the mating dance of my people" Serena said, trying not to stutter and failing. "A male and fem do it when..when they accept one another's marriage offers...it...is only done once."

[Arctic Fang]

Arctic sat next to the femme. He was never in this sort of situation before. This was all new to him but he 'was' enjoying it immensely even though his paws did slightly tremble when his mind was trying to think of the perfect things to say to this perfect wolf-ess. "I have found that I can only trust my own instinct. It has yet to lead me astray as many other beasts have." Arctic kept sipping of his drink until it was completely gone and he had to get up and get another one. Luckily the keg wasn't to far away from where they were sitting.

It only took him a moment to return with a smile and what she said next caused his smile to widen. He knew what courage it must have taken for her to say what she just did. The male leaned forward and placed a paw on hers with a serious look in his eyes. "Serena... There is nothing more that I want then for you to teach me the dance but..." He took another sip of courage before finishing. "But I am not sure you realize what is involved with dating me. I may be gone from the Fort months at a time. The last thing that I want to do is make you feel neglected." There were many things that needed to be ironed out before he would agree to learning the dance. He needed to hear certain things from her lips.

[Vexa Blueclaw]

A smile came to Serena as she studied the captain. Was that really his main worry in them being together? Oh dear he underestimated her durability! He would need to learn but for now she was simply keep it to words rather than actions. Resting a paw delicately on the captain's white-furred arm, Serena chuckled lightly and watched the crew dance, laugh and fumble around the campfire.

"Arctic, I've been alone for two years and many times in my tribe the males would leave for long periods of time. That was why fems learned to use daggers and craft, so we could occupy our minds. Often our crafts reflected our longings for our fathers, brothers and husbands but, we learned to endure."

Her tone was gentle, assuring him she would not suffer his long trips out to sea. He had already offered to take her with him on some of his ventures which Serena did not mind. No doubt her mild seasickness and lack of decent grace on a ship would pass with time and experience. Beside the fact that she was used to prominant men being gone from her life for months and seasons at a time, Serena also knew she would not always be alone. The fort was a crowded place and since she spent most of her time in the market, it was unlikely that Serena would be friendless for long. She had an agreeable personality and was not afraid to get to know her customers if they bought from her often. She had already made friends with the head healer in the infirmary, a grey wolf named Kota Greysong but Arctic need not worry about him. Kota already had his own fem to fancy.

Serena was a strong-willed fae and wouldn't fall to pieces if Arctic left for a long trip. She might worry during the storms but she wouldn't fall apart. She had her own measure of pride that simply wouldn't allow such a thing. It would be disgraceful.

[Arctic Fang]

It wasn't that the male didn't want to court Serena but he worried. He had been away from the traditions of his tribe much longer then she has and her traditions were much more a part of her existence. "Okay Serena. What about love? Do you think that you could fall in love with me eventually if we do the mating dance? If I am understanding this correctly the mating dance is the ceremony of marriage. Don't you think that you would need courtship time to fall in love with me? What if I am a total idiot and you come to hate me?" Arctic could be a bit over bearing and prideful at times. His ways were a bit different then her own. He just didn't want her to feel obligated to have to stay with him if she were miserable.

The male's blue eyes looked very deeply into hers. He needed to know that she was really ready for this.. mostly because he knew himself the best and knew how he could be. Softly he touched her face with the back of his paw and stroked it tenderly. His eyes had never been more full of feelings, even if they seemed a little glazed from the amount of alcohol that he has recently consumed.

[Vexa Blueclaw]

Ah so his only concern wasn't just him being gone for a long time. Good to know. Love? Ah that was what Serena had been searching for since before she left her tribe. All young girls wanted it, someone to adore and spoil them, understand them like no other and take them for everything they were, good and the bad. Someone that understood how she had to keep her hands busy or that she didn't mind taking care of others. Arctic was like a dream come true, a bit different than she'd expected in the wolf of her dreams but he was true nonetheless.

Arctic had morals and values, he kept his crew under control but never hurt them, his intentions were good and soon he would be more accustomed to what he felt. Serena didn't mind pride and anger, everyone had multiple sides. It was simply the fact that one had to learn how to take things in stride. They both had a lot to learn about one another but, so did any young couple no matter how long they were together.

"You could hold a dagger to my throat now and I wouldn't hate you" Serena assured Arctic softly, leaning into his touch with a soft smile. "Love is there, we just need to help it grow. If you wish to wait, you know where to find me."

Pressing a small kiss on the corner of Arctic's mouth, Serena stood, slipping her paw from his grip. Brushing a bit of sand from her skirts and smiling softly to the captain, Serena looked out to the moonlit ocean, the Storm Striker looming offshore like a giant water beast. It was very unlikely that the crew would be heading back to the ship tonight so, Serena decided she would see if she could seek out an empty tent with a cot in it and rest while trying not to worry about if Arctic would reject her or accept her.

Slowly, the fem began to walk toward the camp.

[Arctic Fang]

The words that she said soaked into him like the sea water soaked into a sea sponge. It touched his heart and made it heavy with guilt. But really he had nothing to feel guilty about. He only wished to make sure that she was sure. He already cared for her to much to cause her any heart ache what-so-ever. Softly she kissed the corner of his mouth. There was nothing more that he wanted then to turn his head... just a little... and capture her lips fully with his but for now he would allow her the time that she needed to retreat. It 'was' practically killing him though to see her walk away from him. His stomach hurt so bad that his body felt like it would collaspe to the ground or at least double over in pain.

Arctic sighed heavily and then down the rest of his ale, immediately going to get another. He drank of it as he watched her make her way to the campfire. The Captain noted some odd glances that the crew was giving to him. He looked at them and squinted his eyes and then shrugged his shoulders as if he didn't know what they were going on about.

As Serena made her way about one of the crew grabbed her arm and began to twirl with her, in a square dance manner. "Come M'lady! Such a solumn face just doesn't suit you. Let us dance the night away for tomorrow will bring with it it's own anxieties!" Arctic laughed due to the antics of the otter. His crew simply wanted to have fun but they did have good hearts. If he didn't think so they would be traded in for another.

Porter soon approached Arctic and prodded him. "What are 'er doing Captain? Why is the lady not in your arms right now?" Arc just snickered. "There's little that I can hide from you Port." The white wolf looked up at Serena and then back as Porter. "I'm just afraid that she will be unhappy with me in seasons to come. I always imagined myself falling fully in love and then marrying but in her tribe they seem to fall in love after they are married." Porter laughed. "Oh! Is that all that's buggin ya Captain? Well then let me assure you that any femme would give their left foot to have you. I see the way that you look at her and the way that she looks at you. Believe me sir. Love... will come. Quicker then you think." This got Arc's mind to thinking. Of course Porter was right. He's never felt even a small piece of what he feels just looking at Serena.

Silence rained over the conversation between Captain and the Porter for a few minutes. Arctic heaved a deep sigh and his male helper nudged him again. "Go claim that female Captain. She is a rare gem. You'd be a fool to let her get away over such trivial matters. Don't let the night pass without telling her so, or at least showing her." Porter winked at him and then staggered on his way. Oh sure he was drunk but Porter had more wisdom then any beast Arctic ever knew.

[Vexa Blueclaw]

Serena let her somber expression slip as the otter took her paw, twirling her about. She followed the motion with ease and smiled at the kindly beast. A bit drunk he may be but his intentions were good and it did Serena's heart good to see such nice beasts about. Accepting his offer to dance again, Serena let him lead her around the fire and the crew parted to give the room so her skirts wouldn't catch fire because of the crowd. The band kept the music upbeat and happy, easy to dance to and hard to be sad to.

Keeping her eyes away from the captain, Serena let herself be passed around again from otter to hedgehog, hedgehog to squirrel, squirrel to another otter. From the otter, Serena found herself spun into the arms of the wolf she'd danced with earlier. He smiled good-naturedly and took her to dance around the fire. Like most tribe-living wolves he seemed to understand the natural beat and rhythm of a good dance and was quite skilled. Serena let him spin her about and moved with ease around him though she didn't look at him with anything other than a kindly smile and a laugh as they turned and he picked her up off the ground to spin her before setting her back on the ground. As the song wound to an end, Serena curtsied like a decent beast to her wolven partner and accepting a light kiss on the paw from him.

"May'hap another dance m'lady before these rough beasts whisk you off again?" the wolf asked.

"I would be flattered" Serena said with a flattered smile.

A second song started and Serena again let herself be led by the wolf. He seemed like a true gentleman though his personality seemed much less brash than Arctic's, more refined as though he had danced through the hearts of faes before rather than blundered and fumbled his way along. It was a nice change but perhaps only a temporary one.

[Arctic Fang]

Just as Arctic turned to do as his heart directed him, due to the awakening that Port's words had given it, he spotted the wolf dancing with Serena. It made his blood boil and the skin beneath his fur crawl but he managed to keep himself under control. Perhaps this was a sign. Perhaps the femme wasn't meant to be with him at all but that his meeting her was merely a way that fate used for this wolf and her to meet. Perhaps....

Art turned to walk away and head back to the ship but Port's words intercepted him bodily and echoed in his brain. They went off so loudly that it sounded like he was standing beneath a church bell. Slowly the male turned upon the balls of his footpaws and walked over to where the pair were still dancing. Art patiently waited there though Serena could probably see it in his eyes that he was 'trying' so hard to refrain himself. Even his muscles bulged due to the tension.

[Vexa Blueclaw]

Letting the wolf sailor whisk her off for their second dance, the fem focused on relaxing herself, letting herself feel the rhythm and enjoy the music and laughter rather than dwell on Arctic. She was more mature than most maidens, at least those from her village seeing as most married rather young. She knew how to control herself and this, Serena was quite good at. She didn't swoon and fawn for every handsome brute that glanced her way or chase anyone. If Arctic needed space or was unsure, then she would not push. Perhaps fate wished them apart?

Twirling gracefully, skirts swishing quietly with the motion, Serena passed from the paw of the wolf to the paw of a rather burly grey squirrel. Dancing for the fellow for a short bit, the fem was turned again toward the waiting grey wolf before something caught her eye, just barely. It was movement. Pausing mid-turn, Serena's blue-purple eyes saw Arctic looming nearby looking as tense as a bowstring ready to snap. Catching the captain's eye, Serena studied his expression carefully. He looked as tense on the inside as the outside and for some reason that bothered Serena. She was among his trusted sailors, his crew and in good paws as far as she was concerned regardless of their drunken rowdiness. He seemed to be waiting for her but, Serena was a patient soul and he would have to learn similar restraint. Very subtly Serena shook her head just a little, a signal for him to wait.

Completing the turn to the wolf, Serena continued her dance with him. She was glad he seemed to at least know his way around the dance floor without stepping on her paws. When the song ended, Serena twirled gracefully with the final beat, flowing easily into a gracious courtesy as her partner bowed like a courtly gentleman. There was a friendly glow in his eyes, a gentle soul and quite harmless. It was good to see sweet beasts among Arctic's crew.

Leaving the drunk beasts to their rowdy laughter and general merriment, Serena slipped out of the crowd around the fire. Glancing over her shoulder toward Arctic, Serena made her way toward the beach where the tide was rising with the moon. Going to the water's very edge, Serena collected her skirts and sat in the sand. As the waves rushed upward, they collected around her footpaws, the sensation odd but pleasant nonetheless. The water was cool but not cold.

Resting her forearms on her knees, Serena watched the moon and the night sky, wondering whether Arctic would follow her or start a brawl with the wolf she had danced with. He would need to learn to trust her. His crew would not touch her if she did not wish it and she did not wish it. Should things ever progress, sooner or later Serena would need the aid of the infirmary healer, Kota Greysong and the last thing she would need is Arctic starting a fight just because the gentlebeast was a wolf.

Shaking her head at the very idea of anyone fighting with Kota, Serena continued to wait, ears pricked toward the ocean but really listening for Arctic's footfalls.

[Arctic Fang]

Oh she was quite the femme. She knew just how to twist his stomach up in knots. Silently she bid Arctic to listen to her and to be patient. He bit his bottom lip as he waited for the dance to end.

Making him wait wasn't all that she did. She slipped passed him and teasingly glanced over her shoulder, making her way down to the beach to bask in the moon light. Of course Arty followed her like a lost love-sick pup. He wanted to catch a glimpse of her figure being caressed by the moon's rays. Serena couldn't be more beautiful. Her facial markings seemed to glow.

Silently he slipped in behind her and then sat next to her. The first thing that he said may have been stupid but he had his reasons for saying it. "You know if you are interested in the male wolf on my crew you would have my blessing." 'Everything' depended on what she said next. Arctic took a deep breath and silently prayed that she would say what he wanted to hear.

[Vexa Blueclaw]

Serena knew she would never be able to mistake Arctic's footfalls for another's. There was a distinct heaviness in his step, even as he walked in the sand. Remaining quiet as Arctic seated himself, Serena occupied herself by watching the waves and the moonlight dance easily around them. She still feared downing but, Serena was also a rational beast. Being so, she knew two things for certain. The tide would not drown her and if anything else, Arctic would be there to pull her to the surface should something undesirable happen. Glancing at Arctic as she spoke, for a moment the fem wondered what he was going on about.

Then it hit her. Of course! He was a tad bit of the jealous type though not as bad as Serena had seen in others. It amused her that he thought a few dances was enough to allure her attention from him. Even if it did, Serena doubted she would be allowed to steal on of his sailors. Not because Arctic was cruel and would intentionally hurt her emotionally but, because she had an itching suspicion he wanted to be the brute she wed. Of course, that was fine by Serena.

"You would deny my request captain" Serena stated easily, a soft smile on her maw. "We both know it for I would not ask it. I am a fem, not a fool despite popular belief. I know where my heart is called."

It had been the common consensus in her home that fems were intelligent when it came to the care of young ones and tempering daughters into the roles they were called to. Few males in her home had considered fems skillful at the ways of the heart. That was why matchmaking had been done by the father, for more or less personal benefits rather than love. Some wed for love but only if both parties agreed it would in the end benefit the families. The males were wrong though. Serena's mother had told her many fems would be discrete and use various methods to get the matches they wanted. The male may have the final say but the fem was the real chooser of her husband if one pulled the right strings.

Right now though? Serena felt no need to pull strings. The one she sought was seeking her, even if he wouldn't fully admit it to himself. Serena was a patient beast. She could wait. It seemed though, he needed a slight push, an assurance that would be constant and assure him that whether he was present or not she would be waiting.

"You need not be jealous or suspicious of your own crew captain, they could not steal from you." Serena spoke while turning to look out at the ocean, the markings around her eyes bringing out her true eye color, trapped somewhere between purple and blue.

[Arctic Fang]

"You would deny my request captain." Arctic chuckled due to this comment from her but did not say a thing until she continued. Oh yes he had a feeling that she would continue. She didn't seem to be the type to hold her tongue. Arctic leaned forward, well toward her. He whispered softly. The male wanted nothing but a straight answer. "Tell me where your heart is called? Is it by your own beckoning for is it influenced by the male?" The last thing that he wanted was for her to want to marry him because she could feel 'his' desire. Arctic wanted her to want it because 'she' did.

The male sighed and looked back out toward the ocean. He could learn to love the sea. It wouldn't take a big sacrifice on his part to give his life to it. Of course he would need to separate his occupation from his personal life, that much he knew. He was a smart beast. "You need not be jealous or suspicious of your own crew captain, they could not steal from you." Again the male chuckled. "I don't know my crew well enough yet and I doubt that you would know them that well so soon. When it comes to a 'once in a lifetime' femme I have a feeling that many males would do just about anything to win over her heart." He grinned and then continued. "But not me. I feel that if a female is attracted to me then she should just come right out and say it. I want to know that it is me that she wants rather then some stuffy old male wolf that has already been married several times." Arty dug into the sand with his footpaws and then looked back out into the ocean.

He didn't sit there long enough to give her a chance to respond. Instead he stood and was drawn by the waves of the sea. Yes he just revealed the nature of the male that she seemed to think a gentle beast but again he believed that at first glance it wasn't always best to judge someone. He was pulling her out. The Captain wanted her to tell him what she wanted.

Arctic walked out to waist deep water and then looked back to Serena, to see if she was following.....