Romeow & Julimut

Nodding the wolf goodbye, Tilly walked down the tunnel and found herself a nice patch of dark ground surrounded by beautiful crystals and sat to meditate. She had been practicing any chance she could. She couldn't escape entirely, she still felt herself breathing but she was able to feel her body numb a little and her mind go blank. She then began to go into her semi-organized mind now that it was calm and think. She used her knowledge to scan the territories she had learned about and thought about ideas as to how her people could adjust and how Kolter's could fit in equally.

She then thought about new rules... laws, even, to establish when she returned back home.
Then she thought about her family... friends... and became homesick. With all the psychological energy she could muster, she went back to devising plans for their people.

- - -

With a huff Lily's tail twitched. "Oh, please," she cooperated with her body, wanting this to happen, "do I seriously look that dangerous to you?" She laughed, allowing her eyes to be covered. "You have my word that it's only me! I wasn't suppose to get caught but I have a different idea. Why be dishonest to you, right? I'm sure your skilled nose can smell my lies anyways."

"Lies don't have a smell." Polum scoffed. "Besides, it's not you that is dangerous, it's knowledge that is." He crossed the stream easily enough and was at the mountain in no time. Once inside, he set her on her feet and untied her.

Scruffy looked her up and down with a sigh. "Not another one. I swear you two are like pups asking to keep pets." He shook his head and leaned back in his cushion.

"Ignore him." Polum laughed. "Pet's aren't allowed." He lead the way to The Hall.

----

Kolter stood in the center of the room. Four young stood around him in a circle(technically a square!) posed for battle. "You waiting for me?" Kolter smiled and one charged him. Her opposite ran forward as well. Kolter grabbed her leg as she spun to kick him. Using her momentum he threw her into the other. The other two charged and grabbed his arms. He drops his legs and kicked at their knees, causing them both to collapse. Catching himself he knocked them both to the floor before the first two managed to untangle themselves.

He stood alone, a one man army. Each blow was deflected and redirected. Never once did he threw a punch or a kick. He did not stop until they could not get up. The fur on his shoulders stood up along his neck. His eyes were dilated. His smile never faded. "Is that all?"

"I suppose that's true. Wise move doggie!" After hearing the gate keeper's comment, Lily couldn't help but let out a 'hey!'. Shrugging him off she stayed close to her catcher. I'm comin' Tilly!

"Phew! Not to offend, but this scent is horrid!"

- - -

With a frustrated growl Tilly squeezed her eyes hard and shook her head, returning to her physical being. It was hard looking for answers to questions she didn't fully understand. At least she was used to the dog smell.

Saving the small solutions she found while meditating, she stood shortly after and stretched. "Wonder what Kolter's up to. Maybe we can go outside and do something today." She murmured to herself, walking back to the main entrance before following the sound of Kolter's challenging laugh.

Polum looked back at her. "I could say the same to you. To be honest we smell nicer when we are wet." He entered The Hall where several dogs were sitting at tabled or standing in a spotty circle. He smiled as he saw his leader fight off the four trainees single pawed. Each in turn they landed on the ground until their bodies refused to get back up.

He gave a small yip and ran over to him. Kolter looked up at the challenge. "Ha, bought time you got back." He dodges a head lock and tackled his friends waist. They fell to the floor and rolled about in various grabs and holds.

Were it not for their smiles it would have looked like they were trying to kill each other. A blind, grey dog walked forward with a knobby stick in hand. She was bent with age. The crowd parted for her as she walked toward the two on the ground. Grasping the stick by the bottom, she brought the large knotted handle down on both their tails in turn.

"Now stop that you two." She said as the Alpha and Beta yelped and sprang apart.

"Mother! What was that for?" Kolter's fur lay flat now, though it was ruffled in various spots. Polum was just as bad though his darker fur showed patches of dust.

"You have a guest looking for her friend." The old woman pointed an aged paw at the entrance. "My dear, she is over there." Moving slowly, she pointed to where Tilly stood transfixed.

Oh, there's the alpha, Kolter. Lily's lips made an 'o'. Tilly sure is lucky to be crushing on THAT she mentally smirked.

- - -

A blush formed from Kolter's pure strength with the innocence of obeying Mother.
"Guest?" She murmured, following the elder's staff. "...LILY!?"

- - -

"Tilly!" Lily cheered, running to Tilly to be matched in distance with a slamming hug, young female squeals radiating off the cave walls. "I'm so glad you're safe!"

Tilly nuzzled her with great velocity and purring matched the squeals. "Oh, Lily! What are you doing here? They weren't too rough with you, were they?"

"Not technically," Lily rolled her eyes, "I'm not like you, I like to put up a good game before bein' captured. But I came here to see you, of course!" She backed away and twisted Tilly around, inspecting her. "Oof, your cat smell's gone, we're going to have to fix that." She said with a little giggle.

Tilly panted a bit from laughing in excitement. "Now, now, mind your manners Lily, things aren't as bad as what they seem here."

Lily elbowed her in the rib from being distracted by Kolter. "That's who yer hookin' up with then? You lucky kitty!"

"Lily!" Tilly gasped with a blush, shoving her. "Enough of that, I'm here with business."

"Business, right."

Kolter looked worried at first. The high pitched noise definitely attracted everyone's attention. Ears, if not heads, snapped in their direction. Panting slightly, Kolter walked over with Polum a step behind him. His pink tongue hung out slightly, as he walked up to the two felines. "I hope im not... intruding." He gave a quick bow. "But who are you?"

Polum tilted his head at the noises coming from the cats. It was rare for any dog to see a cat act this way, let alone sound this way. Yips and barks were normal, but cats made a funny noise now and again and this was one of them.

He felt weird. Watching Tilly act this way to one of her kind stirred something in his chest. The sound of her purring, it wasn't as steady as earlier. It sounded happy, but not the same. Stop that! She wants to talk business... then she leaves. Kolter disliked his own thoughts.

"Oh, Kolter," Tilly chuckled, embarrassed. She pulled Lily to her shoulder tightly in a buddy chain stance. "This is my best friend and littermate, Lily."

"Hollo." Lily smiled, raising a paw and wiggling her fingers. She looked around nervously, seeing all the ears and eyes facing them. "...I do suppose that was quite of an uh, entry, sorry 'bout that."

Tilly released her but stayed an inch away from her and quirked an eyebrow. "Although when it comes to her being here, I'm just as surprised as you."

"Well, then! Ya'll act like you're not happy to see me!" She jested, knowing only Tilly would be grateful. "I came because your mum wanted a spy to come check up on ya and I volunteered. Gettin' captured was faster than snooping around. Oh, and I have something to tell you. But just you, no one else. Sorry doggies!"

Several of the dogs behind them growls in outrage. "They have no trust!" "The King must think we ate her." "Sending spies. We can smell you out there!"

Polum stepped back, his tail between his legs as Kolter rounded on the assembled. His deep bark echoed wildly off the walls. "Silence! The King is a fool." He turned back to the cats, with out a look of apology. "If you want to speak to Tilly, I will be present." He lost his innocent appearance was once again the Alpha.

"My room will do. If that is to much trouble, you can sit in while we discuss 'business' as she puts it." He did his best to hide the small pang of sadness in his eyes. He motioned for them to follow as he lead the way back to his chamber.

Kolter's voice sent chills up the girls spines, fur rising in fear at their shoulders. Lily immediately clung to Tilly, whimpering lowly. Maybe I was too cocky Lily pondered.

I think you were a bit too cocky there, Lily... Tilly hummed, rolling her shoulders back once Kolter faced her. She ignored his insult towards her father and nodded. "That's fine." She looked to Lily for confirmation. 

"Y-Yeah I think K-Kolter should know t-too..." she nervously chuckled, plainly out of fear. Holding Tilly's hand, she let her led her after Kolter.

Lily being here changes nothing Tilly processed, Although... I'm not completely sure what to say. Hopefully Lily's information is something I can work off of. If not... I'll need more time...

Kolter follows the series of tunnels to his chamber. The darker wood stood out from the other doors along the way. He held the door open for them and followed them in. "Sit where you like." He waved his hand from the stools to one side, the cushion on another and the bed in the middle.

He shut the door once they were inside. Not feeling like sitting, he paced about. His arms above his head stretching. Kolter liked the freedom of not having a shirt on. They felt tight and constricted his movements. "You may speak first, if you wish."

She was watching me earlier. I felt it. What was she thinking then... What did her friend mean, hooking up? Surely Tilly must think this is about the boarder dispute....

Lily, looking around rather disturbed, noticed one bed. "Er... you two sle-"
Tilly promptly elbowed her hard with a frown. "Guest."
"...Right."

Tilly sat down on the edge of Kolter's bed, knowing well enough that it must look suspicious. I'll explain to her later... "What did you need to tell me, Lily?" She asked, crossing her hands on her knees.

"Well, as you can imagine, your dad's pretty steamed that you're with Kolter." She nodded to the canine before addressing Tilly again. "After I snooped around a bit I found ya'll's secret spot and concluded that there was no threat for your safety, and I explained that to your mum," she winced to herself realizing she just spoke of Tilly's meadow.

"Ugh... Lil... no matter, continue." As long as you didn't show her where!

"After speaking with her she set your dad straight and told him to give you some time to talk things out with Kolter." She began to rub her arm. "Uhm, you can't tell anyone I've told you this, because what I'm about to tell you is committin' treason." She looked to Kolter. "You must understand, er, Kolter, I follow under Tilly's rule. Not her father's. However, I refuse to betray our people. Anythin' I say around you is for Tilly's judgement." She looked back to Tilly and gulped. "Your mom told your father to wait for your order... you have two months. He has accepted Kolter's terms, with struggle may I remained ya, to expand his territory. If you don't come back within that time... he takes charge again. And he's an angry one y'know..."

Tilly sighed with stress, rubbing her face up and down. "I see." She looked up to Kolter with an exhausted expression. "Your opinion, Kolter?"

Kolter looked up at her friends hesitation. "I slept with my Warriors last night. Tilly was left to think in peace." His fur bristled slightly. Reaching back, he smoothed it down.

His ears perked again. "Our meeting was a one time thing. We didn't know who the other was when I helped her up the ledge." He continued his pacing. Kolter didn't like how it could have all seemed.

Stopping in his stride at her voice he folded his arms. "The Moon bids my silence, so what you have said will not leave me. I hope the land brings food to my pack, but in the past this has been done before. My father watched the same promise made then taken back. You refused to listen to our outrage then and... people lost their lives when words turned to action. How can I trust history won't repeat itself?"

He stepped forward. "Tilly may be your queen, but her father still seems to hold your throne. He may be angry, but he hasn't fought me."

Lily simply nodded to Kolter's explanations, not wanting to get on his bad side. His reply was something she had no authority to answer, so she looked to her queen to handle the situation. Tilly had been staring at Kolter the whole time.

"Kolter that's why I'm here," Tilly offered a sympathetic smile. "I know it's hard but... you need to understand my father is poisoned with the past and the wrongful ideas of the candid species. He's meant to be a father but... obviously being the perfect leader was not his fate. I'm here because we're going to change things. I'm here because I'm in charge, not him."

She brushed off his last statement. Fighting was not the answer to settling a score. "Lily, anything else?"

"Well, to get the sabertooth out of the room, I'm going to need to head back tonight or tomorrow." She offered a nervous smile. "I know that doesn't sound like an option at this point, but like I said, I obey only Tilly from now on and will only speak of her well being, not your home or ya'll's business." She rubbed her shoulder. "I believe in you two, I really do." 

Tilly smiled and stood to hug her, murmuring, "It was great to see you Lil..."

"One moment please." He stepped to the door and called to a passing canine. She nodded and ran off. Polum came sprinting down the corridor and slide to a stop in front of the doorway. Closing he door, he spoke to the beta. The sound traveled in but faintly.

"The others are growing restless and news that confirm many fears is not what we need." The dark dog panted. "They do not want this new Cat here."

Kolter seemed to think for a moment. "I can trust you to escort the... new comer safely to the forest?"

"Of course, Alpha. Should any lay a hand on her-" Polum growled in seriousness.

"Break it." He growled back. Opening the door, he looked to the felines. "Uh... Perhaps it is best you leave soon. That way you are not missed should they check up on you.

Kolter waited for Lily to leave and watched for a moment before shutting the door. "You will forgive me if I do not trust your words."

Relieved that she wasn't going to be considered a prisoner, Lily immediately agreed and gave Tilly a final hug and lick on the cheek as a goodbye. Her arm slide agonizingly away from Tilly's with a sad look before leaving the room to continue her duty as a 'spy'. See you later, Tilly...

- - -

"I will be dismayed and any work I've done to obtain your trust will feel for nothing," she bluntly said, crossing her arms. "Forgive? No, and you can't say you would the same. You're already offended of my parent's lack of trust. But I would learn around it and try again, because I really have no other choice nor desire." 

She closed her eyes tightly and rubbed the bridge of her nose with a paw, "I'm afraid I haven't come up with a solution just yet, I'll need more time, but you need to tell me what you want exactly, Kolter, all at once."

Sighing, Kolter sat beside her. An uncomfortable gap separated them fully. "I just don't want to be made a fool. You're people are well off, they have no reason to fight other then to protect what they have." He looked at her, almost puppy eyed. "I watched as my elders fought against lies. My father lost everything when your father Changed his mind."

He looked to his weapon wall. "You just don't understand!" He stood up. "How am I to judge how fruitful an acre would be when the range behind us lacks what we require? The pups you see playing, those are the ones strong enough to run! You tell me then, will my people be fed when the prey can choose a whole forest to roam."

She stood, all of her anger finally coming out in words she didn't know would form. "My people are poisoned! Pampered and spoiled, I don't need to be told twice! I am TIRED of you hinting about the past as if I know nothing! I've been here for two days and I've already seen enough!" She approached him, a little fur raised and glared at him.

"So don't you DARE tell me I don't understand! The pressure of correcting an entire society to alter their normalcy to better yours on my young inexperienced shoulders is enough to haunt me day by night! You heard Lily by mouth, you have your two months! Now, if we can't come to an agreement soon, two months may be all you have before history repeats itself!

I am me, not my father! You're talking to me now, not him!"

She turned away with a huff, patting her fur down and clearing her throat. "You need to let go to guide me through the future dammit."

Kolter growled deep in his chest. Those of his pack who spoke, or acted this way were usually dealt with severely. Her guts. Her unbridled courage to just unleash her anger at him stirred something. She showed no fear. She did not challenge him out right, but it was like she didn't need to.

His fur rose on his shoulders. Grabbing her shoulder he spun her around. "Nobody talks that way to me. Nobody...." He said in a deep voice that could easily be mistaken for anger. His eyes and voice softened as he continued. "But you... I don't understand."

He did not release her. Pulling her close he claimed her lips feeling something burst in his chest and replacing all the negative feelings and thoughts with just her. There in his arms. A small part of his mind screamed she would pull away. She would attack/smack him, reject him fully. Yet he let himself enjoy the brief moment.

When he growled, she wasn't afraid.
When he approached her, she wasn't afraid.
When he put his hands on her and made her face him, she wasn't afraid.
When his eyes locked with hers and she was about to learn her place, she wasn't afraid--she was angry. And that anger turned into momentary misery. She was so tired. Tired of her position, her mission, and him.

Tears came to her eyes because she realized she reached her own limit, and she failed.
"But you... I don't understand."

Confused...? A bit.

When he claimed her lips she was indeed surprised--and her emotions froze entirely. "Mmph-" her eyes were wide and her cheeks were as red as roses. The feel of his lips were something else--nothing she'd ever experienced before. Should she pull away? Could she?

She didn't want to appear weak, but when it comes down to it, who was really looking?
Who was actually caring?

"...Mm... damn you..." she growled, gripping his shoulder fur in her fingers, returning his kiss passionately with angry tears. Her body shook with submission and desire.

This hound was something else indeed.
Everything seemed to disappear in her mind, as if she was sitting and meditating again, but instead of business, all that mattered was Kolter.

A sob escaped him. Tears that haven't flowed since his youth fell down his cheeks. She isn't fighting me! His arms wrapped around her slender back, holding her against him. He couldn't think. He just wanted more. Hesitant, he kissed her harder, empowered by her returning his affection.

Her fur was so soft. Everything, he wanted to caress, to stroke. Her mind was that which he had never met. He was feared, respected. Thought of as a brute, but she saw more. Remembering their first meeting, she saw him as more. No one has ever treated him this way. She saw his potential, his future- No their future.

Our future....
Do we have a future? He slowly pulled away. Biting his lip, he hesitated and pulled his arms to his sides and stepped back. A dark voice in the back of his head was warning him. She Lies. They all do! This is just another one of their Tricks!

"Tell me..." He pawed at his eyes, feverishly wiping away the tears. Feeling weak for letting them go. "Tell me... Why... did you kiss back.."

Her eyes widened when he pulled away, she was able to think again... and she didn't like it. She already missed being mindless; his lips on hers. His warmth.

She turned and covered her mouth, ears back in guilt, tail hanging lifelessly. A small sob escaped when he displayed such emotion. Did he really care about her? Or was it some sort of trick? She already failed her people, how much lower could she go as to give into these distracting emotions?

"Yet another heavy question I don't know the answer to," she closed her eyes painfully, "I guess I believed in you in ways I didn't think were possible."

She cleared her eyes and didn't want to look at his sorrowful gaze. "If that's not a good enough answer for you, I'll leave... I'll-..."

She cursed herself mentally for not having an answer for anything anymore.

Kolter felt a pain in his chest seeing her wipe her eyes. He wanted to rip the throat out of- Oh wait, he made her cry. His legs felt weak. Down he dropped onto his knees before her. "Don't. Please don't go."

Another tear fell. He growled at himself. "I don't understand. I love my people. I love my home and the Moon. I would die in the honor of each, for and every pup and elder. Strike me where I kneel if it would save them all..." His eyes stared at the ground between them before he turned them up to her.

"Why do I love you." His breath was ragged as his body shook slightly. "My enemy... I want you closer then any dog I call friend. I want you. Don't go for I feel I might die with out having the chance to prove.... Something."

He stayed on his knees, his tail tucked and ears back. Never before has he held a more submissive pose. In battle, defenseless, he would charge to his death then turn tail. Yet this cat had brought him to his knees. Father forgive me. Lady Moon, I am a good son. I follow your light, yet I have found another woman who has won my heart...

She just shook her head, a small smile forming but the tears didn't stop. She never felt this way before and it made her a little bit sick, so she swallowed. "Kolter you're the bravest, kindest, strongest and most caring being I've ever come to meet," she chocked a bit, "and like I you're missing something, and I don't think you're going to find it down there."

Her smile peaked a bit more, and a small chuckle erupted. A tired, sad, amazed one.
"You're not going to prove anything from down there, either."

She held out her hand even though she felt like her own knees were going to buckle. Her body shook and so did her hand, but she needed to stand for this tired leader one last time.

"Now please, Kolter, stand," she shook her head with a sad smile, "this position doesn't suit you. Come here."

A few more tears fell and he sniffed. Nodding, he stood and held her hands. Holding them up, he placed a kiss on each before returning them to his shoulders. Returning his arms to her waist felt more then natural. It felt right. "It felt.... weird kneeling." He gave a small laugh as his ears tilted back in embarrassment.

"Does this mean I can sleep in my bed tonight with out fear of an angry cat?" He pressed his forehead against hers. Knowing she accepted him, drove the pain from his body. Kolter noted a few tears still fell from her eyes and with out thinking licks the wet streak on her cheek. He was careful not to slobber.

He realized what he had done and looked away in fear she would chastise him. "Sorry. Just, no more tears. Not tonight. Things just feel right... right now."

Tilly simply smiled and reached a hand to stroke his cheek, returning the favor of clearing a tear or two. She rubbed the back of his ear with a small laugh, "it did look rather uncomfortable down there."

She returned the pressure on their foreheads and closed her eyes peacefully, a genuine purr erupting. "I don't feel very angry right now," she brought her body closer to his, excited to be drunk off of him again, "so I think you'll be just fine tonight."