agrippina gave oberon a lidded look that proclaimed nothing about her heart -- within, pulse was leaping in wrist and throat. did he have ambitions of his own? what did he desire? our queen is gracious. ask her to walk and speak directly, said the roman.
a smile then; she waited to see if he would warm in kind, taking him down an alpine path bordered in snowy trees. are you a tradesman, then? she asked after a moment, inquisitive for her own aims as well as for his sake.

The red pelted woman continued to guide him, leading him down a path of thick alpines with careful grace. I shall seek her out then after our tour. I'm sure that the Queen won't be adverse to my company. There was a pause as he carefully assessed her question, wondering where in the totem pole he would fit best within these cold hardened wolves. I am fit for protection, to keep those safe from harm and to guard the Queen. Otherwise, I would make a good scout or hunter for the pack.

It was a little more simple then he had once thought. But what did catch him off guard since coming here, was the matters of the heart. He wasn't yet ready for someone to take him as a love interest. Passions of the body were another matter entire. But maybe now wasn't the best time for such things. Another meeting perhaps was in their future.

a guardian. selfishly agrippina wondered if he could be prevailed upon for further forays in search of items which might be wanted. by a wife, perhaps.
mother had done daughter such disservice. in exile, taught the classics, etiquette, speech, singing, dance, muraling -- but no skill that might set her free outside of a husband. all things to bring with her to a household in service to a man.
agrippina was not quite bitter about this. freedom had taught her that there were many choices in the matter.
these forests are rich with game. what do you prefer, oberon? inquired the roman, now turning her eyes prettily upon the stonewolf once more.

This woman was a hard one to pin down, that was for sure. He watched her as she was thinking, watched her head rattle with what ever was going on in there. Then the red head turned to face him once more, wondering about prey. Deer and elk are my prey of choice. Though I will be satisfied with nearly anything. Fish is another fine prize for me. Oberon felt a sudden twitch at his lips. Is that a smile? A grin suddenly came upon him, with no rhyme or reason it seemed in that moment. What do you crave for, my lady? The question was fired back at her, wondering what would come from her mouth.

my lady.
in one life, agrippina had been raised to anticipate this. exiled beside her mother, she had drank in julia's words as wine and milk: promises that her father would mount a rescue, that her grandfather would relent and call them back.
that the husband to which julia had been married would beg for her return.
in time, all lies. all graceless lies.
my lady. in oberon's kind voice, she heard an opportunity. ram.
up in these reserves, there would be many of the surefooted beasts.

This was sure a hard woman to read. Oberon waited for her response, head slightly tilted in anticipation for what she would want. When ram became the request, he made a small smile in her direction. Then it shall be so. Lead the way and we shall have us a fine meal. Ram were formidable foes, promising to be a challenge for the pair of wolves. He was not deterred however, relishing in the coming challenge. It would take his mind off of things and bring him closer to his purpose in the pack. Perhaps even afterwards, he would join Wardruna and see how she was fairing as their new queen. Besides, sometimes a little friendly banter was good to break the ice.

minding her nails, agrippina wound higher into the cold stones. i am not much of a hunter, admitted the roman with a bright look. but learning comes easily to me. i am a student of many things. this time a light flirtation decorated her tone for oberon alone.
movement ahead. she slowed, looking to him. it had been rather large, but she was not able to see if it was their target. a delicate sniff, a little beam toward her hunting companion as they paused to assess.

A light smile appeared on his lips at her comment, noticing the light playful and flirtatious spark towards him. I have no doubt of that. Let's go. Oberon went right after her, noticing the scent as quickly as she did. The dark coated male kept on going with caution, slow and deliberate in his movements. Off in the distance, the creature in question was lumbering most proficiently across the rocky mountain terrain. It's just up ahead. Come on. He waited just a moment for her to follow him, leading the hunt as he stalked towards their quarry. Blue eyes watched it with keen intent, his body now crouching as he hoped to make an ambush on the ram. Slow and steady wins the race, as they say.

oberon continued to be responsive, which pleased agrippina. she had always been assured of her beauty, a series of classic looks handed down from relatives whose names she hardly knew now. ears tipped; lips moved into a bow.
he was good to look at, which sweetened ambition for agrippina. beside him she crouched, aware of the heat from his muscles, his breath, his tall stature.
in him, she desired to see the ambition of nobility -- but as a woman, her flesh quickened.

The heat of her body next to his was gripping, stirring something in him he had tried to hard to smash down. There was no time for feeding such desires, so risk worth taking for him. Besides, what would a woman want with someone like him? Oberon had failed to save the life of another. She was to be no different if she stayed close to him for long.

The hunt of the ram became a welcomed distraction, its noises catching his attention once more as the wolf made its move towards his prey. Once close enough, Oberon charged for the flank of the animal, hoping that his partner was close enough to also make her move.