northfall.
so, winona had decided. she figured, if she was going to try her luck anywhere, she supposed it should be the one she knew the most about. which wasn't much -- sentries, warlords, whatever alder had said -- but it sounded better than folie à deux south of the tundra. so, that left one thing to do: go.
yesterday she started walking, and today she arrives.
the scent trails have lead her to a formidable looking cluster of tall, jagged mountain peaks. she feels tiny beside them. the snow is so deep that in some areas she has to jump in order to move forward. she wonders what the interior of northfall's territory will look like -- caves, maybe? cliffsides? a vale? she cannot tell from where she stands. she climbs up to the top of a nearby slope in order to better see in, much too nervous to get any closer to the border alone.
her head tips back in a call, eager for any answer.

Arvid was actually just stepping out of his den when the call sounded. He’d been thinking about rechecking his borders, given the amount of guests he’s due to expect for the celebration; even considered putting something along the border to show loners and other wolves who had never been here that ‘yes, you’re in the right place,’ when the call came.

Some part of him wonders how hoarse his throat will be by the end of the week. He heads down to the border to meet with the one who called. A female, about the same age as him, however, and doesn’t appear to be covered in scars, at least not the ones he can see. Her coat suggests she’d do well in a colder climate, such as Northfall.

Good evening, Arvid bows to her in greeting. I am Arvid Stormborn, may I ask who my caller is? He smiles and tilts his head at her, allowing his citrus eyes to take in the sight of her like a fine wine.

she's not alone for long. soon enough, a boy comes into view, approaching from over the hillside -- not alder, but he looks a little like him. they must be related. his calm disposition provides a flood of much needed relief, but now comes the hard part -- how on earth do you join a pack? she'd only ever done the opposite. one hazelnut ear twitches nervously.
hi, nice to meet you, arvid stormborn. the surname goes right over her head. i'm winona. winona nighttaker. i'm looking for northfall?
his eyes linger on her for what feels like forever. is he looking because he thinks she's attractive, or is he looking because he thinks she's ugly? she can't quite tell and it floods her stomach with a fluttering wave of unease. he's certainly not bad looking himself, with his pale pelt of creamy tan hues. after a moment of allowing him his time to ogle her, she returns the stare; letting her gaze, somewhat spitefully, roam wherever it pleases.
i was told northfall might have space for a new member.

Arvid bites his tongue with the flicker of his ear; yeah, he hasn’t really gotten used to this Konungr thing. He doesn’t know how to introduce himself and announce his status over the entirely of the pack without sounding like he thinks he’s above everyone else - when really, he grew up with every single one of them.

He wants to ask if she’s taken the night, but she’d probably just counter and ask if he was born in a storm. Was he? He doesn’t know. His name isn’t even remotely Nordic, and it doesnt even match his accent, or their Viking bloodline - but changing a last name without a marriage and so soon after the murder of his father would be disrespectful.

He sighs and casts his gaze upon something else, as it just now occurred to him that he might have been caught up in her beauty a moment too long.

Greetings, Winona. You’ve found Northfall and we always have room for those willing to join us. Would you please tell me more about you and your skillset, so that I may know where to place you among my ranks? He politely sits with the wag of his tail, awaiting to learn more of her.

her senses had not lied to her, thank fuck. glad i found the right place, she dispels the tension wrapping itself around her with a breathy laugh, shifting somewhat so that she may sit down. and i'm glad you came to find me and didn't bite my head off. alder said everyone here was a warrior, so i was a little worried.
his gaze is still lingering, now more fearlessly than ever, and a strange stirring of hunger begins to coil in her belly. she likes the way he's looking at her.
well, her spell is broken by yet another question, this time about herself -- her skills. i'm training to become a hunter and a scout. does that count? her question is earnest, almost pleading. i'm not much of a fighter, but, y'know... i can be taught. i'm a quick learner.
winona brings her gaze back up to his eyes, which sparkle and catch rays of orange-sorbet dusk light. she smiles. what about you, arvid? are you the leader here?

So Alder found this one, did he? Arvid tilts his head with this information, a smile upon his lips; he knew Alder had potential and he is glad that he has, so far, not been proven wrong.

The vast majority of us are warriors, yes, but that doesn’t mean you would have been greeted with teeth, Arvid chuckles with the shake of his head. We are only barbarians when we have to be, which is usually in the heat of battle or when we chose to follow another to bed.. his careful gaze, though hot, lingers over her once more.

A hunter and scout are good, secure roles; just about every kingdom and pack calls for them, especially if they want to survive. A hunter and warrior are the same, essentially; a warrior with a different language, if you think about. Not that he needed to explain to her about pack roles, of course.

When she mentions learning, though, that catches Arvid’s attention and he nods. And we can teach you - or Alder can, if you are more familiar and more comfortable with him, and while learning to fight may one day save your life, it is not a requirement if you aren’t truly interested.

It is then that Arvid’s breath hitches in his throat, at the catch of color in her eyes, as she asks about him. Is this supposed to happen? Do the recruits normally care? Arvid doesn’t know, he’s only ever been in Northfall.

Yes, Winona. I am one of your leaders, with Peresphone, my betrothed queen, being the other.

…and there begins the thought of selecting a chosen queen.

so perhaps she’d had some misconceptions about northfall. alder isn’t so much of an oddball here after all, if this is what all of them are like — personable, kind… attracted to her.
well, she can’t be sure about alder, but this guy most definitely is.
winona decides to girlboss a bit too close to the sun.
he seems to be receptive to the idea of her joining the ranks, and his praise of her chosen trades brings a genuine, rosy smile to her cheeks. whatever you want me to do, i’ll do. just as long as you’ll let me stay. she inches closer, ever so slightly closer, arvid’s breath now hot against her face. teach me, have me hunt, work night shifts, whatever’s needed. or wanted.
she knows what she’s doing, and he certainly does too.

His ears flicker forward and his citrus gaze locks upon her as she inches closer, so close that they are almost, but also not, touching & Arvid wonders how his father would have handled his. Was his father ever part of an arranged marriage, like the one he had set up Arvid in? There was little he got to learn about the man before he was so violently torn away from them all.

He smirks upon her words and how dangerous they are, though. Upon watching her scoot closer, and for a moment he lets his gaze linger upon her.

And he doesn’t move. He inhales her scent and smiles softly. Had she been paying attention to the verbiage of his words, she would have known he was allowing her to stay.

We’ll keep up with your training and place you among my hunters. You may report to Ronja in the morning. She’s our best. Welcome home, Winona.

just like that, she's in. home free, baby! jackpot! her body shimmies excitedly as she beams up at arvid, tail swishing at her feet. you won't regret it.
the next moment is sobering, in a way, her gaze now fixed upon the sanguine, handsome grin plastered upon the boy's face. he's trained upon her, enthralled by her, even. it's pleasant, but simultaneously almost unnerving. she's reminded of the snide remarks that came from chapped, scowling lips; you'd have to trick someone into touching a body like that. i didn't give birth to a whale. she hopes he doesn't notice her shudder.
so, arvid, deciding to play it off, winona rises to her feet and beckons him forward with a wave of her feathery tail beneath his chin. first mission complete. new task at hand: get in hot guy's pants. do you think you have time to show me around?

Aside from family, and that of the queen that his father had given him for breakfast, and on the occasional times she likes to press her body against his in show of support - in addition to that one time he was with Sheauga and that dude in the forest, this is the first time he’s been this close to a strange female.

And an attractive one, at that, who’s now ranked below him - and why does something about that absolutely arouse him, just like the way the shudder of her smaller frame does? He enjoys the way his name rolls off her mouth, and he’s left blinking after her, as her tail assaults his chin.

Absolutely, but why don’t you lead the way? He liked a view, after all.