HOME | DD

Description
It was final. She was moving to Shadow for a few months.

Maryanne was... beaming. This had to be one of the most important things she'd ever been apart of since her initial promotion as Blacksmith Apprentice- and now...

Since Percy had left, she'd be alone and... quite honestly exhausted with keeping up with everything by herself.. not to mention a lot of it was half-ass due to lack of proper training. She got things done, and worked diligently thanks to the training she did receive as well as her young observations as a cub..

It just wasnt enough.

As Pluto concluded her comments on Ice's current standing, the lion mutt made her way around - telling her sisters and brother goodbye and farewell until next time. They were the only family she had left, so of course they came first. And as fast as it came.. it ended and blue eyes met greens and golds. Her boys.

"It's official! I'm.. going on vacation huh?"

Warrick shuffled, a mix of happy and sad emotions coursing through his expression, and Mallow... Well... He could only smile with traces of something else jumbled in his gaze.

Warrick grinned, a happy surge running through his body that he got to at least experience his graduation with some of his siblings along side him. His friends by his side. With Mary, even for this short time. It would've been awful if she'd of had to go earlier then the day of the gathering...

As usual he was the first to arrive by her side, half dwarfing the smaller form of Malone as the snow leopard followed in the path their giant friend had made through the milling cats in his wake. Both were their full sizes now, adults in their own right, even if their faces still held traces of their boyish youths. Maybe she should start to call them her men, now..? Mary snorted to herself as she waited for them to settle.

Malone spoke first, having made sure to get an edge in before Warrick on principle. He'd had a suspicion she was going to have to leave for a while now, and had been preparing himself for this moment for the last few weeks. Not yet... not quite yet... the moment isn't right.

"I had a feeling they might do this," the silver male started, "and im not all that surprised by it either. You'll be miles better then him anyway"

Malone couldn't keep the leaked frustration and disgust out of his tone as best as he tried to hide it. He just... couldn't hide how he felt about her absconded family. Warrick shot him a glare, but he ignored it.

"We'll miss you a lot... we'll take care of everybody as best we can while you're away, and we'll keep the blacksmiths den cobweb free, too" he smiled. He bit back a wince. The thought of an empty blacksmith den made him feel... wrong. A camp without Mary in it will be so alien to him. It was only for a little while, he reminded himself. "We're so proud of you. You... know that, right?"

Mary put his comment past her, deciding to touch on the topic on a later date. She knew how Mallow felt about her family's departure, and although it seemed like a valid argument, she could never bring herself to agree. She loved them too much.

"Im gonna miss you guys like... crazy. But I'll be back...-" Maryanne grinned a little, "Don't think I won't be checking tho for those webs.. you both know how I feel about spiders."

She cleared her throat then, meeting Warricks gaze before coming to Malones bi-colored pools. ".. Thank you.. I don't think I could've gotten this far without you goons."

"I think you could've. Easily. You're special." Malone stated confidently, seeming to raise himself up a little more; To stand a little taller, raising his chin with a sense of purpose.

Warrick eyed him warily, before looking back to Mary. "He's right... But... you are too. I don't think any of us would be here right now if it weren't for each others help. Least of all me." He offered a weak, telling smile. He wasn't lying. He.. genuinely didn't know what would've become of him if he hadn't of had Mary and Malone's support back then.

He'd been in such a dark place when his dad had gone, and then Magna, and the babies... so much had happened. "We'll always be here for you, Mary. Just like you were for us. We're only a boarder or so away, so it wont be that bad, huh?" The tiger mutt seemed to have wanted to say more, but in the few moments he'd taken to compose himself, Malone cut in like he'd been practicing for that moment for weeks.
With a confidence he didn't think Malone had after his injuries and ego damage from the landslide, the snow leopard moved forwards, into Mary's personal space like an explorer confidently forging a path through uncharted territory, and almost in slow motion - at least to Warrick's eyes - Malone leaned in... and it happened.

He kissed her.

At first, it was nothing but shock.

The quick motion and sudden dominance over the kiss made the lion mutt freeze almost, trying to process what was happening to begin with. Her ears shot back and a red blush rose to heat her cheeks. But... it didn't take long to figure out what was going on before Maryanne Mcrae returned the kiss, eyes coming to a close as their scents collided.

The move was bold, and gained attention outside of the trio as well. Faint smiles clouded the background, and others came more vocal. Bystanders, and relatives of the snowy one by one either whistled or squealed in delight at the sight before them. But in the moment.. all of that was a blur, muffled by her own thoughts and dreadfully rapid heart beat.

Malone was lost in the moment for a short while, a whirl of good emotions in his head that felt like a mental breath of fresh air compared to the dank, void of nothingness he'd been feeling grow over the last few months. His whole body celebrated with him as he broke away, tenderly bumping his nose against her cheek and pressing close, burring his nose against her neck fur as he closed his eyes, chin resting on her shoulder and pressing her head gently into his own in a kind of pawless hug.

"I'll... be waiting for you" he hummed, voice quiet.

The moment was broken, however, when Kracken's wolf whistle blurted out over the throngs of cats around them. Malone flattened his ears and pulled back just enough to send his uncle a sharp, embarrassed glare. He barely noticed Warrick, who had only just managed to stop staring at them, his eyes pale, round with shock. An emptiness seemed to edge the light green of his irises. A pain he stared at in the near distance.

Then it was gone as easily as it had come, Warrick's smile returning as his mask slid over his face like an old, worn glove.
Be happy for them. Its all for them now. For them. It might have been easy to catch, if either of the two smaller cats were watching him recover the wind beneath his wide sails. But neither did.

Too absorbed in a confession that had been, the tiger mutt finally realized, coming for weeks now. He'd noticed them getting closer while he was in his rut. But he had chosen to ignore it. Chosen to ignore it, because what else what he supposed to do...? Then later on, when he realized his own feelings, he was waiting for the right moment.

Waiting for the right time. Waiting. Waiting... You waited too long. Now its for them. Its... always been them. You knew that.

He watched as Malone started a good hearted shouting war over the heads of Chara and Pheonix, who had stepped out from their places near Griffon and Tolmi to playfully intervene. They wore smiles and teasing glances.

Theirs were genuine, he thought.

Unlike his.

Maryanne laughed a little to herself, still in minor hysterics while Malone went off to playfully banter back and fourth with his own family. Still rather flushed, the lion mutt wasn't quite sure where else to look, or what do to next. But her thoughts were reeling.

He kissed her. She just had her first kiss.

From the side, it seemed the commotion pick up even more attention. Among them, stood Griffon and Tolmi - nearing Kraken and Chara's loud teasing. A quick smirk quirked the sides of his mouth, as he met Toulouse's gaze, but it didn't hold up. The look of defeat.. radiated from the large orange hybrid... and Griffon let a wave of sympathy wash over his demeanor. A sudden good, celebratory feeling gone to waste.. all with one glance.

That was the look of heart break.

It was only near moments before Warricks composure was.. almost back to normal- but anyone with a clear head would know things weren't alright. The Tiguar could see it plain as day. Thats when Maryanne turned once again, grinning almost ear to ear and finding reality again. She came to face Warrick.. and was kind of speechless.

"Gosh... well- That... that just happened-" She murmured, a little exasperated but only out of joy.

The white noise in his head died down completely as Mary turned to speak to him, but his disguise never faltered. He wasn't aware Griffon had seen him. Seen him in the small moment of utter devastation. If he had, the relaxed, sheepish smile that crooked the side of his mouth probably would've come out a lot stiffer.
If he had noticed, he would've wondered if his dad was proud of the new skill he'd learned, the one he'd only ever managed to cultivate in his absence. He'd never gotten to see his mask. His strong man impression. He'd of also felt ashamed that he'd let his crestfallen hero see it at all. Luckily though... he hadn't.

"It did, huh...?" he hummed quietly. For them. "I can't say I didn't expect it, honestly. He's crazy for you."

She looks so happy...

"..I- ... Had a feeling I just... Golly.."

Mary had a hard time processing it, but only to some extent.. and yet suddenly Warrick became a lot quieter. She didn't mean to make him feel left out, especially when they were all together just moments before. Mustering up a smile wide and bright, the blacksmith gave the tiger hybrid her full attention.

"..I uh.. I'm really gonna miss you War. You've been, one of the greatest things in hard times. And- Congratulations on graduating big guy.. I'm so proud.. You and Malone have both been so- Augh..." Mary let her chin rest along his shoulder as she nearly lunged forward to hug him. "I'll see you when I finish my training... Ok?"

A few shouts and crowd murmur started to rile up around them, signaling the fact that their time together was coming to a end.

"I think thats my cue.."

Warrick's eyes widened a second time at that, his stomach churning and a lump his throat, but he hid it a second time and hugged her back, carefully folding his large forelegs around her snugly and sitting up a little on his haunches. His hug started of careful and gentle, but after a moment, he hugged her properly, squeezing her and resting his head over hers.

"Home wont be the same without you..." he added, voice just as quiet as his breath tickled against her ear.

Only just about audible over the crowd. An edge of vulnerability to it that could quite easily be mistaken for emotion related to her leaving, rather then what had just happened. He was quieter then he had ever been as long as Mary had known him. "Hurry back... okay...?"

Almost reluctantly, Warrick released her from his grip and took a small step back, placing his paws back flat against the ground and offering another, hesitantly proud smile towards her. This was her big day. He refused to have her last memory of him being strange.

"Who knows how bad our armour will be without your special paws to fix it back into place," he finished, taking in a deep breath and puffing out his chest to show off the jewel Mary had been kind enough to gift him, nestled carefully on his breastplate in a shining silver fastening

Maryanne laughed, emotion prickling at the corners of her eyes. It had been... quite the evening thus far- and she wasn't all that sure she wanted to let it go so soon. The moment was young, and she yearned it to grow older... just a little bit longer.

"I'll do my damnedest. Just do me the favor of not breaking things with the intent of me coming home to fix them." She purred, chuckles rising with her comment "- Because I don't think I will"

Looking over her shoulder, Tactius stood patiently in wait.

"Alright.. Till next time..-" Mary said, bits and pieces of sorrow dribbling into her words. And just like that, she had turned to depart.. not without telling Malone one last goodbye, giving the snowy a nuzzle to his cheek before scampering off after the rest of Shadow - her gait bouncy and new.

Warrick watched her go, his chest aching, the nuzzle just salt on his already sore wounds. But with a mighty shake, he tried to scatter the bad feelings as best he could, as if they were water droplets clinging stubbornly to his thick fur. When he stilled, his look was determined, and he stood somewhat tall again. ...

Though it lasted only a second until mute horror replaced it as he remembered one crucial thing he should've done.

Hurry! "Mary, wait!" he called out, leaping to his paws and skittering over as fast as his size and the amount of cats around them would allow him, skidding by her side and offering an embarrassed volly of genuine, respectful apologies to the Shadow Empire leader for taking up so much of their time.
They really have the patience of a saint... at least she'll be safe in shadow...

As he panted, catching his breath, he desperately rifled through his armour until he found a small charm he'd put away in it weeks before. He wanted to give it to her anyway, but he was saving it for her Birthday. ... He'd probably miss it, now.

"I-I- Um. Here. I was planning to give it to you in October, but, I don't know if we'll see you by then now... Happy birthday" He extended his huge paw carefully to show a rather impressive talon. It looked like it had come from a monster of some kind, but in reality, it must have been from one of the huge, beasts of an eagle they sometimes saw skirting the air currents in Ice Empire territory. The kind that could snatch up a cub without a second thought.

It was twined at one end, if a little clumsily, in some dried deer hide he'd asked Sencha to help tie before she had been captured, with her smaller, defter paws. It was long enough to be worn as a band or a necklace - he'd made sure it could be adjusted easily. It also sort of looked like a dragon's claw.

"I hope the dragon's fire never leaves your forge. Its to give you some luck."

Maryanne looked at the rapid mess that was her best friend before her, letting a goofy smile lit her expression almost instantly.
"Warrick this is... Thank you--" Was all she could fathom. It was magnificent, and powerful... and hell was it now sentimental. She knew what she'd be doing when she got to camp..

So carefully, the lion mutt passed it around her neck - blue eyes grateful and wide, shimmering with deft emotion. "Take care of him for me, my dragon needs maintenance..." She joked "..but I uh.. I love it. I'll treasure it forever."

"I'll feed him cubstories - he always loved those" the tiger mutt lightly joked back. "I'll keep him alive with my little siblings, don't you worry. Now go show Shadow what an Ice Blacksmith can do" With that, he knocked his head one more time against hers in a silent farewell, and started to move away for the final time, doing his absolute best not to give one last look over his shoulder.

Malone met him halfway, frowning suspiciously.

"What was all that about?" he asked, sniffing over him a little and flicking his tail tip. "You alright...? You feel hot"

"We're gonna miss her birthday, so I give her her present early..." was his only answer, looking at him tiredly.

Malone's duel coloured eyes widened and his pupils sharpened. He swore. "I thought I had more time!" he hissed, scratching at the ground. "Damn it! Ugh... I'll just... get her something better for when she comes home... you'll help me right?"

At Malone's hesitant, genuine request, Warrick swallowed any bubbling, bitter feelings and nodded, the smile on his face not quite meeting his eyes. Malone didn't seem to notice it.

...

"Of course I will," he said

___

Collab between me and Zincwolf
She sketched, I did the rest
And the RP below is both of us as well.

EP to Mary and Warrick

Tags for features:
TheNorthStar2014 | Chara, Pheonix & Kraken
Opportunity-Rover | Tolmi
Sparaze | Tact
Shasta-Pasta | Pluto

Description
It was final. She was moving to Shadow for a few months.

Maryanne was... beaming. This had to be one of the most important things she'd ever been apart of since her initial promotion as Blacksmith Apprentice- and now...

Since Percy had left, she'd be alone and... quite honestly exhausted with keeping up with everything by herself.. not to mention a lot of it was half-ass due to lack of proper training. She got things done, and worked diligently thanks to the training she did receive as well as her young observations as a cub..

It just wasnt enough.

As Pluto concluded her comments on Ice's current standing, the lion mutt made her way around - telling her sisters and brother goodbye and farewell until next time. They were the only family she had left, so of course they came first. And as fast as it came.. it ended and blue eyes met greens and golds. Her boys.

"It's official! I'm.. going on vacation huh?"

Warrick shuffled, a mix of happy and sad emotions coursing through his expression, and Mallow... Well... He could only smile with traces of something else jumbled in his gaze.

Warrick grinned, a happy surge running through his body that he got to at least experience his graduation with some of his siblings along side him. His friends by his side. With Mary, even for this short time. It would've been awful if she'd of had to go earlier then the day of the gathering...

As usual he was the first to arrive by her side, half dwarfing the smaller form of Malone as the snow leopard followed in the path their giant friend had made through the milling cats in his wake. Both were their full sizes now, adults in their own right, even if their faces still held traces of their boyish youths. Maybe she should start to call them her men, now..? Mary snorted to herself as she waited for them to settle.

Malone spoke first, having made sure to get an edge in before Warrick on principle. He'd had a suspicion she was going to have to leave for a while now, and had been preparing himself for this moment for the last few weeks. Not yet... not quite yet... the moment isn't right.

"I had a feeling they might do this," the silver male started, "and im not all that surprised by it either. You'll be miles better then him anyway"

Malone couldn't keep the leaked frustration and disgust out of his tone as best as he tried to hide it. He just... couldn't hide how he felt about her absconded family. Warrick shot him a glare, but he ignored it.

"We'll miss you a lot... we'll take care of everybody as best we can while you're away, and we'll keep the blacksmiths den cobweb free, too" he smiled. He bit back a wince. The thought of an empty blacksmith den made him feel... wrong. A camp without Mary in it will be so alien to him. It was only for a little while, he reminded himself. "We're so proud of you. You... know that, right?"

Mary put his comment past her, deciding to touch on the topic on a later date. She knew how Mallow felt about her family's departure, and although it seemed like a valid argument, she could never bring herself to agree. She loved them too much.

"Im gonna miss you guys like... crazy. But I'll be back...-" Maryanne grinned a little, "Don't think I won't be checking tho for those webs.. you both know how I feel about spiders."

She cleared her throat then, meeting Warricks gaze before coming to Malones bi-colored pools. ".. Thank you.. I don't think I could've gotten this far without you goons."

"I think you could've. Easily. You're special." Malone stated confidently, seeming to raise himself up a little more; To stand a little taller, raising his chin with a sense of purpose.

Warrick eyed him warily, before looking back to Mary. "He's right... But... you are too. I don't think any of us would be here right now if it weren't for each others help. Least of all me." He offered a weak, telling smile. He wasn't lying. He.. genuinely didn't know what would've become of him if he hadn't of had Mary and Malone's support back then.

He'd been in such a dark place when his dad had gone, and then Magna, and the babies... so much had happened. "We'll always be here for you, Mary. Just like you were for us. We're only a boarder or so away, so it wont be that bad, huh?" The tiger mutt seemed to have wanted to say more, but in the few moments he'd taken to compose himself, Malone cut in like he'd been practicing for that moment for weeks.
With a confidence he didn't think Malone had after his injuries and ego damage from the landslide, the snow leopard moved forwards, into Mary's personal space like an explorer confidently forging a path through uncharted territory, and almost in slow motion - at least to Warrick's eyes - Malone leaned in... and it happened.

He kissed her.

At first, it was nothing but shock.

The quick motion and sudden dominance over the kiss made the lion mutt freeze almost, trying to process what was happening to begin with. Her ears shot back and a red blush rose to heat her cheeks. But... it didn't take long to figure out what was going on before Maryanne Mcrae returned the kiss, eyes coming to a close as their scents collided.

The move was bold, and gained attention outside of the trio as well. Faint smiles clouded the background, and others came more vocal. Bystanders, and relatives of the snowy one by one either whistled or squealed in delight at the sight before them. But in the moment.. all of that was a blur, muffled by her own thoughts and dreadfully rapid heart beat.

Malone was lost in the moment for a short while, a whirl of good emotions in his head that felt like a mental breath of fresh air compared to the dank, void of nothingness he'd been feeling grow over the last few months. His whole body celebrated with him as he broke away, tenderly bumping his nose against her cheek and pressing close, burring his nose against her neck fur as he closed his eyes, chin resting on her shoulder and pressing her head gently into his own in a kind of pawless hug.

"I'll... be waiting for you" he hummed, voice quiet.

The moment was broken, however, when Kracken's wolf whistle blurted out over the throngs of cats around them. Malone flattened his ears and pulled back just enough to send his uncle a sharp, embarrassed glare. He barely noticed Warrick, who had only just managed to stop staring at them, his eyes pale, round with shock. An emptiness seemed to edge the light green of his irises. A pain he stared at in the near distance.

Then it was gone as easily as it had come, Warrick's smile returning as his mask slid over his face like an old, worn glove.
Be happy for them. Its all for them now. For them. It might have been easy to catch, if either of the two smaller cats were watching him recover the wind beneath his wide sails. But neither did.

Too absorbed in a confession that had been, the tiger mutt finally realized, coming for weeks now. He'd noticed them getting closer while he was in his rut. But he had chosen to ignore it. Chosen to ignore it, because what else what he supposed to do...? Then later on, when he realized his own feelings, he was waiting for the right moment.

Waiting for the right time. Waiting. Waiting... You waited too long. Now its for them. Its... always been them. You knew that.

He watched as Malone started a good hearted shouting war over the heads of Chara and Pheonix, who had stepped out from their places near Griffon and Tolmi to playfully intervene. They wore smiles and teasing glances.

Theirs were genuine, he thought.

Unlike his.

Maryanne laughed a little to herself, still in minor hysterics while Malone went off to playfully banter back and fourth with his own family. Still rather flushed, the lion mutt wasn't quite sure where else to look, or what do to next. But her thoughts were reeling.

He kissed her. She just had her first kiss.

From the side, it seemed the commotion pick up even more attention. Among them, stood Griffon and Tolmi - nearing Kraken and Chara's loud teasing. A quick smirk quirked the sides of his mouth, as he met Toulouse's gaze, but it didn't hold up. The look of defeat.. radiated from the large orange hybrid... and Griffon let a wave of sympathy wash over his demeanor. A sudden good, celebratory feeling gone to waste.. all with one glance.

That was the look of heart break.

It was only near moments before Warricks composure was.. almost back to normal- but anyone with a clear head would know things weren't alright. The Tiguar could see it plain as day. Thats when Maryanne turned once again, grinning almost ear to ear and finding reality again. She came to face Warrick.. and was kind of speechless.

"Gosh... well- That... that just happened-" She murmured, a little exasperated but only out of joy.

The white noise in his head died down completely as Mary turned to speak to him, but his disguise never faltered. He wasn't aware Griffon had seen him. Seen him in the small moment of utter devastation. If he had, the relaxed, sheepish smile that crooked the side of his mouth probably would've come out a lot stiffer.
If he had noticed, he would've wondered if his dad was proud of the new skill he'd learned, the one he'd only ever managed to cultivate in his absence. He'd never gotten to see his mask. His strong man impression. He'd of also felt ashamed that he'd let his crestfallen hero see it at all. Luckily though... he hadn't.

"It did, huh...?" he hummed quietly. For them. "I can't say I didn't expect it, honestly. He's crazy for you."

She looks so happy...

"..I- ... Had a feeling I just... Golly.."

Mary had a hard time processing it, but only to some extent.. and yet suddenly Warrick became a lot quieter. She didn't mean to make him feel left out, especially when they were all together just moments before. Mustering up a smile wide and bright, the blacksmith gave the tiger hybrid her full attention.

"..I uh.. I'm really gonna miss you War. You've been, one of the greatest things in hard times. And- Congratulations on graduating big guy.. I'm so proud.. You and Malone have both been so- Augh..." Mary let her chin rest along his shoulder as she nearly lunged forward to hug him. "I'll see you when I finish my training... Ok?"

A few shouts and crowd murmur started to rile up around them, signaling the fact that their time together was coming to a end.

"I think thats my cue.."

Warrick's eyes widened a second time at that, his stomach churning and a lump his throat, but he hid it a second time and hugged her back, carefully folding his large forelegs around her snugly and sitting up a little on his haunches. His hug started of careful and gentle, but after a moment, he hugged her properly, squeezing her and resting his head over hers.

"Home wont be the same without you..." he added, voice just as quiet as his breath tickled against her ear.

Only just about audible over the crowd. An edge of vulnerability to it that could quite easily be mistaken for emotion related to her leaving, rather then what had just happened. He was quieter then he had ever been as long as Mary had known him. "Hurry back... okay...?"

Almost reluctantly, Warrick released her from his grip and took a small step back, placing his paws back flat against the ground and offering another, hesitantly proud smile towards her. This was her big day. He refused to have her last memory of him being strange.

"Who knows how bad our armour will be without your special paws to fix it back into place," he finished, taking in a deep breath and puffing out his chest to show off the jewel Mary had been kind enough to gift him, nestled carefully on his breastplate in a shining silver fastening

Maryanne laughed, emotion prickling at the corners of her eyes. It had been... quite the evening thus far- and she wasn't all that sure she wanted to let it go so soon. The moment was young, and she yearned it to grow older... just a little bit longer.

"I'll do my damnedest. Just do me the favor of not breaking things with the intent of me coming home to fix them." She purred, chuckles rising with her comment "- Because I don't think I will"

Looking over her shoulder, Tactius stood patiently in wait.

"Alright.. Till next time..-" Mary said, bits and pieces of sorrow dribbling into her words. And just like that, she had turned to depart.. not without telling Malone one last goodbye, giving the snowy a nuzzle to his cheek before scampering off after the rest of Shadow - her gait bouncy and new.

Warrick watched her go, his chest aching, the nuzzle just salt on his already sore wounds. But with a mighty shake, he tried to scatter the bad feelings as best he could, as if they were water droplets clinging stubbornly to his thick fur. When he stilled, his look was determined, and he stood somewhat tall again. ...

Though it lasted only a second until mute horror replaced it as he remembered one crucial thing he should've done.

Hurry! "Mary, wait!" he called out, leaping to his paws and skittering over as fast as his size and the amount of cats around them would allow him, skidding by her side and offering an embarrassed volly of genuine, respectful apologies to the Shadow Empire leader for taking up so much of their time.
They really have the patience of a saint... at least she'll be safe in shadow...

As he panted, catching his breath, he desperately rifled through his armour until he found a small charm he'd put away in it weeks before. He wanted to give it to her anyway, but he was saving it for her Birthday. ... He'd probably miss it, now.

"I-I- Um. Here. I was planning to give it to you in October, but, I don't know if we'll see you by then now... Happy birthday" He extended his huge paw carefully to show a rather impressive talon. It looked like it had come from a monster of some kind, but in reality, it must have been from one of the huge, beasts of an eagle they sometimes saw skirting the air currents in Ice Empire territory. The kind that could snatch up a cub without a second thought.

It was twined at one end, if a little clumsily, in some dried deer hide he'd asked Sencha to help tie before she had been captured, with her smaller, defter paws. It was long enough to be worn as a band or a necklace - he'd made sure it could be adjusted easily. It also sort of looked like a dragon's claw.

"I hope the dragon's fire never leaves your forge. Its to give you some luck."

Maryanne looked at the rapid mess that was her best friend before her, letting a goofy smile lit her expression almost instantly.
"Warrick this is... Thank you--" Was all she could fathom. It was magnificent, and powerful... and hell was it now sentimental. She knew what she'd be doing when she got to camp..

So carefully, the lion mutt passed it around her neck - blue eyes grateful and wide, shimmering with deft emotion. "Take care of him for me, my dragon needs maintenance..." She joked "..but I uh.. I love it. I'll treasure it forever."

"I'll feed him cubstories - he always loved those" the tiger mutt lightly joked back. "I'll keep him alive with my little siblings, don't you worry. Now go show Shadow what an Ice Blacksmith can do" With that, he knocked his head one more time against hers in a silent farewell, and started to move away for the final time, doing his absolute best not to give one last look over his shoulder.

Malone met him halfway, frowning suspiciously.

"What was all that about?" he asked, sniffing over him a little and flicking his tail tip. "You alright...? You feel hot"

"We're gonna miss her birthday, so I give her her present early..." was his only answer, looking at him tiredly.

Malone's duel coloured eyes widened and his pupils sharpened. He swore. "I thought I had more time!" he hissed, scratching at the ground. "Damn it! Ugh... I'll just... get her something better for when she comes home... you'll help me right?"

At Malone's hesitant, genuine request, Warrick swallowed any bubbling, bitter feelings and nodded, the smile on his face not quite meeting his eyes. Malone didn't seem to notice it.

...

"Of course I will," he said

___

Collab between me and Zincwolf
She sketched, I did the rest
And the RP below is both of us as well.

EP to Mary and Warrick

Tags for features:
TheNorthStar2014 | Chara, Pheonix & Kraken
Opportunity-Rover | Tolmi
Sparaze | Tact
Shasta-Pasta | Pluto