Drooping Willows bates motel - Printable Version

All he wanted was to comfort his little brother and defuse the worry that bubbled up inside of his small body. The long-legged shadow would do anything for Niles—he was blood and Greer loved him more than he could ever describe (or admit). As much as he wanted to deny Niles’ request to help, he knew that the littlest Archer-Lyall would go searching for his sister with or without his help. If Niles got lost as well… Greer wouldn’t know what to do. He wouldn’t have that on his conscious. They would have to do it together; there really was no other option.

“O—o…kay,” he responded hesitantly, the word paired with a slow nod. “Niles help Greer. Find Issi. Together.” It was a promise, but it was one he wasn’t sure if he could keep it. The shadow wanted to remain hopeful—especially for the sake of his little brother—but winter was a cruel, bitter mistress and did not care if a lone pup wandered into its depths. He shivered at the thought, his brows heavy as he studied his white-cheeked brother. Unsure of what else to say his dark lips remained tight as he waited for the excitement to explode out of the little smudge. Since the yearling was always out and about he would make sure that he kept an eye—and a nose—out for their sister, even if little Niles wasn’t at his side. The snow may have covered her old tracks, but it didn’t mean that she wasn’t making new ones.

When it seemed that Greer had seriously begun to consider the idea of allowing Niles to come along with him - to look for Isolde - the boy's tail stopped moving altogether. Optimism kept that hopeful glimmer in his eyes; and, where Skoll or Angier might have immediately adopted the pessimistic view of acquiring a better way to pass the time while waiting for Isolde to be retrieved, the younger Archer-Lyall tried to smile up at that midnight black face. But, then, there came the word (one of several synonyms, really) he had been waiting for: "Okay." Even if it was a bit tentative, the cub took it for all it was worth. To him, syllables were worth more when there were fewer of them.

"'Kay," he nodded in return, excitedly prancing off to one side and casting his older sibling a gaze over his dark brown shoulder. He whined in a way as to continually keep Greer's attention, his little banner of a tail beginning to wave about again. "We go now?" It wasn't a demand or even an order but, rather, a request. He turned to look over the expanse of willows beyond their sister's territory before returning his gaze to his brother, anxious to begin their quest. "Please?"

The shadow prince knew he was going to be in trouble for agreeing to let Niles join him in searching for their sister. As long as the youngest Archer remained at Greer’s side he would be fine; the shadow would keep him safe at all costs. And, if the little Archer did not go with his older brother, he would end up going on his own — which would be much more disastrous. The long-legged shadow needed to keep his bother safe; he did not want him to disappear like Isolde had. Staying together was the best way of ensuring this, even if it meant wandering a little far from the pack borders. Despite Niles being the ‘little’ brother, he was not so little anymore. At nine months he was almost full grown, although he was much thicker than he was tall. Greer would forever remain the awkwardly tall Archer, his legs more similar to those of a deer than of a wolf.

He offered a smile in return at the little Archer’s enthusiasm, his head tilted slightly as he studied the prince’s expression. As soon as Greer announced that he would allow his brother to accompany him in searching for Issi, it was apparent (even before Nles spoke) that he would want to start immediately. As much as he wanted to postpone the mission, it would be futile to even attempt to convince his brother that starting a few hours from now, or even tomorrow, would be a better option. It was Niles’ littermate and he was determined to find his sister, especially since he had confessed that he felt he had been the reason why she was absent. “O—kay,” he responded softly, mimicking his previous voice as he nodded slowly, the hopeful smile still pressed to his dark lips. “Ni show Greer last see Issi?” He asked with a slow wag of his tail as he unfolded his legs, his height threatening as he looked down at his brother. That would be the best place to start — hopefully from there they would be able to survey the area to find their missing sister.

The second "okay" had brought Niles into a frenzy. "Les'go!" he yipped, anxiously hopping in place at the sight Greer's more optimistic and sanguine smile. "I know- I know where!" On a clumsy set of four limbs, he blundered towards his older brother and back to where he had been standing before. Once the older Archer was up on all feet, Niles let out a soft whimper and started with an easy lope.

Through the trees and even over a few ancient willow roots, he led the yearling on. Every so often, he had to stop and reorient himself; this had been a trick that Isolde had taught him. Look at the trees, she often reminded him. Look at the markings. Look at the shape. Look, look, look... Pale eyes roved about, obviously concentrating hard as to make certain that he did not lead Greer astray or bore him with his juvenile, undeveloped sense of direction and detective skills; that had been his missing sister's forte. They would get there, eventually, nevertheless, Niles was sure of it and, soon, the search for the youngest Archer-Lyall would commence...

Against the impending hours of dusk, the little princeling cried out as he forged onward, following the stretches of river bank for as long and as far as Greer would allow him, "Issi! Issi! Come back! You win..."

(Fade.)