Even with the birth of his two children and the arrival of Elle, Nicolo had need to worry. The ranks of Willow Ridge were dwindling thin and it seemed as though no matter how hard any of them tried, nothing could stop the small size of the pack. When he first arrived, the dark Archer had heard tales of how massive the Archer pack had once been and the legacy it could have held. It took almost everything within in to keep holding onto the hope that they could do this. It was Enoki’s optimism that truly helped him hold on. Even after all these years, she still held onto hope and Nicolo would be damned if he let his sister’s legacy die with her.

Though his place of leadership might have been put into jeopardy, he wished for the return of Sven every passing day. They needed the offered stability and the boy’s commitment to the pack, no matter his motives. In the meantime, the dark Archer did his best to travel outside of pack lands when duties at home did not restrict him from doing so. He wanted so desperately to be able to find some new recruits. He did not know how much longer they would be able to hold on for.

The dark man made his way north, with the mind that perhaps a change of direction would smile down upon him. When the sound of rushing water reached his ears, he was eager to rush forward, his stomach rumbling at the thought of catching something to eat. While the thought of rabbit was pleasing, there was nothing more satisfying than fishing. He knew that his sister, Adele, had enjoyed the effort that went behind it and whenever he had the opportunity to fish, he took it. However, when he arrived at the river, it was clear that he was not alone, pale yellow eyes settling on the pale opposite on him. Tail wagging behind him in a friendly manner, the dark man barked out in greeting.

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When the stranger turned, he wore a mask of neutrality. Nicolo was glad he made his presence known to the other man. It would do him no good to start off on the wrong foot with the stranger, especially in the state that Willow Ridge was currently in. The dark man took it as a good sign that his counterpart didn’t lash out at him. The Archer did his best to give the stranger a reassuring smile. The other man’s greeting was not the kindest, but the dark Archer would take what he could get. Pale tongue snuck out to lick his lips, moistening them before he spoke.

"Not in particular. Though I wouldn’t mind a hunting partner if you have the time." His eyes were locked with the darker yellow orbs of the man in front of him. Had he been a stranger and not known any better, he could have easily thought that the stranger and he were related. Their physical similarities were striking and it was almost unsettling. The Archer almost wanted to ask about the man’s family origins but thought against it. That was crossing a personal line that strangers certainly should not cross with one another.

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Pale yellow orbs brightened when the other man agreed to hunt with him. Ever since his sister died he found the thought of hunting with another taxing and often tried to avoid it. But he had it in his mind that this was not any normal hunting expedition. He was trying to get closer to this male in order to ascertain if he would be a good addition to a pack. Willow Ridge needed fresh blood and needed to get the word out in some way. They needed new recruits but in the same instance, Nicolo did not want to seem desperate. And so, this seemed the best route to take.

The other man’s words struck through him. He didn’t particularly have a preference but felt as if fishing was something that was sacred between Adele and him. Besides, as pale yellow eyes swept the rapids before, a small smile turned up on his lips. Just in case the man had in his mind that water was a superior form of hunting, he replied, "The water looks a little rough today, so I think I’d prefer land." He lifted his paw, in a motion to move their positions more towards the heart of the grove and away from the river. "I’m Nicolo, by the way."

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