[NEXUS] Clearing in the Countryside II

[The Bushranger]

A very long time ago, a small field in the outer parts of Acronymia, before it was even Acronymia, was used by a certain young-looking half-ghost as a neutral sparring ground with a certain ice elf from a certain rival organisation. Ever since, he's returned occasionally when he needed to be alone, and to think.

Awhile back he built a small, woodsy hunting cabin, planning to retire, as it were, after having his heart broken in HALO. He lived here for awhile, before finally his heart healed (well, as much as it could), and he realised he couldn't abandon his friends (and fiends).

But the cabin remains, and is still used from time to time when he needs it...or wants it. Seeing as he's now married and often spends time here with his wife (and, sometimes, Angela).

But when they're not around, the cabin is available for weary travelers to rest their bones for awhile...

[UncleWolf]

Wolfbane leaves the peace of the woods and heads back towards the house, stopping to get some more venison from his kill for a new meal. He only takes a single bite of the raw meat on the way in. Once inside he puts the previous left overs into a pot with the new meat to make stew.

[The Bushranger]

Eileen nods to Wolfbane as he returns, still in a quiet conversation with Acacia.

However, it seems to get wrapped up, as she heads for the ring transporter, waves goodbye, and activates it...vanishing.

[happyturtle]

After watching Eileen go, and wishing her well, Acacia looks up and smiles at Wolfy. "Hi."

[UncleWolf]

He smiles back. She'll notice how he looks almost completely relaxed and calm compared to before. "It seems that we're by ourselves now." Jonah's tone is a bit playful even though he knows nothing will probably come of it. Yet.

[happyturtle]

She grins. "Should I be afraid?"

[UncleWolf]

He puts a hand around her waist to pull her close. He grins back. "Do you want to be?"

/Hey! That's my line.../ Jonah chuckles. /You'll get your chance again soon. don't worry./

[happyturtle]

He can see in her eyes that the answer is 'Maybe a little', but instead of answering, she leans forward and tries to catch his lower lip in her teeth and growl softly.

[UncleWolf]

He leans forward, giving her an awkward kiss considering she's biting one of his lips. He growls back.

[happyturtle]

She lets go of his lip to kiss him properly, though she could still do with more practice in the whole kissing thing.

[UncleWolf]

Jonah breaks off reluctantly and leans back, turning off the stove. He smiles at her afterwards. "It wouldn't do to burn down the place while we're... distracted."

[happyturtle]

Acacia looks at him with eyes that are the soul of innocence. "Oh? Do I distract you?"

[UncleWolf]

He chuckles lightly before smiling warmly. "Exceedingly so."

[happyturtle]

"How did you hide your feelings from me for so long?" Acacia asks, a little seriousness at the edge of her playful tone.

[UncleWolf]

"With ever growing difficulty." His tone is still playful, but the answer is serious.

[happyturtle]

She lifts his hand in both of hers and kisses his fingertips. "Then why did you?"

[UncleWolf]

Jonah shifts his hand a bit so it rests on the side of her face his eyes turn a touch sad. "I had believed that you deserved more than a washed-up paladin like myself could ever give you." His smile returns a little. "I still do a bit, but I wouldn't give you up for the world and neither would Furball."

[happyturtle]

"Pfft. I'm glad Furball had more sense than you then," she says, cuffing him in the side of the head. Not hard enough to injure, but still none too gently.

[UncleWolf]

Jonah brings his head back from being cuffed, smiling a bit savagely, showing his slightly pointed teeth. "So you are wanting to play then?"

[happyturtle]

"Bring it."

[UncleWolf]

Jonah growls happily and drops into a crouch, ready to pounce.

Furball laughs. /I think I've finally become a good influence on you/

[happyturtle]

Acacia crouches just a bit as well, watching him closely, and ready to run as soon as he moves. He's still wearing his armor, so she knows she's faster than him.

[UncleWolf]

Jonah darts forward, reaching out to try and grab her leg.

Lets hope they don't destroy too much of the house while they play.

[happyturtle]

They won't. Because he misses, and she runs out the front door. Not too fast though. Wouldn't want him to lose the trail.

[UncleWolf]

Jonah keeps after her, not as fast as possible, after all, he wants the chase to last. Even though he's in human form, he occasionally drops to his hands as well as wolfish instincts take over.

Furball howls in his mind as they hunt.

[happyturtle]

Acacia leads the chase, laughing as she runs. Jonah chasing her instead of Furball... it was ridiculous. It was wonderful.

She wasn't sure how long it lasted. A half hour? An hour? More? But she could hear him drawing closer, and she knew he would catch her soon.

[UncleWolf]

Jonah can't help but grin. It had been a long time since he pushed his human form this way. It felt wonderful. Believing its gone one long enough, he puts on more speed, wanting to sweep her up into his arms.

[happyturtle]

He manages to grab her, and they both go tumbling to the ground in a tangle.

[UncleWolf]

After they tumble, Jonah manages to end up on the bottom. He keeps his arms around her and breathes heavily. He looks up at her, smiling.

[happyturtle]

"You caught me," Acacia says, laughing and panting, and looking down into his eyes.