Drooping Willows Headstrong - Printable Version

don't need reason

Morganna Archer

don't need rhyme

It was bad enough to return home from her search empty handed, but now the itch that had been under her skin was replaced with a new sort of restlessness. She had searched for the perfect arena for days, finally coming to rest in a small clearing on the edge of the Willows that made up her home and the Hush Meadow. There were still wolves that stood between the young Archer and her mother and she had every intention of closing the gap. It was time to make the first move.

Snow still lay across the ground, despite the lengthening daylight. When the earth did manage to thaw it turned the snow brown with mud. She would need to be mindful of her footing but she was confident. Perhaps overly so, but with any luck this issue would be resolved without too much of a fuss. After all, she was only stepping up to claim her rightful place.

To be honest, she should have been better prepared, perhaps even gone out of her way to spend time with her aunt beyond a greeting in passing. She might have even gleaned some useful information about her past. She could only assume, being her mother’s sister, that she had a similar upbringing and would prove to be a worthy opponent.

Putting her musings to rest, she splayed her legs for balance and tipped her nose to the air, issuing forth a request for Adele’s presence. Her tail moved to sit over her back in a commanding fashion and although her head was held low the high position of her ears and the intensity in her eyes would serve as warning enough. This wasn’t to be a family reunion.

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She had taken a rare break from @Nicolò's presence, wanting to do something useful for her sister's pack. Adele had left the territory, using the skills she had honed in Torbine to track a herd that she had noticed was particularly close to pack territory. She had been tracking them since the early morning hours, since her nightmares had not allowed her to sleep peacefully. They had lessened in frequency, but the effects were still felt strongly. The chocolate woman had left the Ridge to get away from her troubles and focused more of her energy on tracking the herd. She felt a prickle of annoyance at the howl that summoned her, breaking her concentration and her easy, silent stride. Still, she was intrigued. What was her niece really summoning her for? Her howl didnt sound like one just seeking a pleasant conversation. So the medium sized she wolf turned, heading back towards pack territory. As she neared the clearing Morganna's call had come from, she met up with the familiar, comforting presence of her dark brother. She rose a brow at him in greeting, for surely he had heard the howl as well.

As she entered the clearing, her curiousity was answered. Morganna's stance was clear - Adele had been summoned for a challenge. Oh, this would be interesting indeed. Adele had once been interested in being a Priestess, but then her thoughts changed and she trained to be a huntress, ultimately excelling in being a tracker. Still, Torbine was a land of warriors and she was no less of one than any other, no matter her chosen skill. She wondered, had her sister taught her eldest children the ways of Torbine? It was time to find out. If Morganna wanted to take her place, she had to prove to Adele that she rightfully deserved it. Stepping away from her brother, she moved towards her confident niece. Her muscles tensed and her ears were drawn back as she narrowed her sandy gaze and her tail curved over her own form, moving into a comfortable fighting stance. Patiently, she waited for her niece to make the first move.

"Speech"

Dawnthieves.de - Table by PuppyThief

don't need reason

Morganna Archer

don't need rhyme

Perhaps it was the hormones coursing through her veins that made her so bold, perhaps it was simply teenage defiance that made her call her aunt @Adele forth, but when the coal coated woman finally made her way forth she was met with a reckless smile. Morganna was not much of a one for words so when the other woman met her stance she was relieved, to an extent. It was clear what she wanted and her aunt was willing to oblige. She would have time to thank the woman later.

In recent months she had spent more time scouting than tussling with her sibling, and she avoided the younger wolves at every opportunity, but still she felt prepared. Despite their protectiveness around others @Asriel and @Skoll had on occasion been relentless, coupled with her mothers more formal teachings, she felt more than prepared for the battle to come.

She didn’t waste time with needless circling or trash talk. The only purpose either would serve would be to drain on her own energy and she did not doubt she would need every ounce of what she had for the challenge ahead. Pulling her ears back to her skull and with a flash of her teeth and a small growl she danced forward to test her opponents reaction speed, hoping to land a small bite of warning on the older wolf’s shoulder or flank.

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Morganna wasted no time in preliminaries, aiming to take charge and begin. Adele responded with a growl of her own, feeling her hackles rise slightly. She didn't fear her niece. Whatever intimidation Morganna was trying to show, it wasn't working. The snarky girl sped forward, light on her paws and her jaws aiming to close in. Adele's reflexes had been trained to respond quickly, but unfortunately she didn't respond quick enough. She felt the slightest brush of Morganna's jaw close in as she barely moved out of the way. The chocolate woman seemed to be a little rusty. Actually, she couldn't remember the last time she had fought, either being just a playful romp or a rank challenge. The willowy woman wouldn't let this deter her. She would soon get back in the groove of things.

Her paws were silent as she twsisted her form a ways from her niece, turning quickly to face her niece once again. Lowering her skull, she aimed to duck whatever dirty game Morganna decided to dish out, her jaws open as her teeth seeked flesh. If she succeeded in her move, Adele would not draw blood. She didn't want to harm her niece, just aim to push her into submission. She wanted to see how quickly her sister's daughter would give up. Or if she would give up at all. Would she fight to get out of her hold? Did Archer blood truly run in her veins? Adele couldn't wait to find out. How determined was Morganna to win?

"Speech"

Dawnthieves.de - Table by PuppyThief

don't need reason

Morganna Archer

don't need rhyme

The feeling of coarse fur grazing her tongue made the young wolf cocky. While she hadn’t managed a mouthful of flesh it was still a point in her favour and more than she should have expected given her limited years. She saw her aunt turn in the corner of her eye, and tried to twist about to meet the older wolf head on. Her inexperience showed, any other wolf would have continued on for another bound or two to loose some momentum before trying to turn about. Her back paws slipped on a small pile of leaves concealed by the snow and her aunt’s weight barrelled full force into her ribs, teeth grazing the flesh between her shoulder blades. The force knocked the air from her lungs and she found herself on her back. It was a move her brothers had pulled so many times before.

Her lips pulled back, bunching on her muzzle and she flashed her pale teeth. She knew better than to roll back towards her opponent and instead let the momentum carry her over so she could gather her legs under her body and get back onto her feet. The melting snow dampened her coat, her raised hackles standing in savage spikes over her shoulders and down her spine. Standing side on would make herself a larger target, but she used the opportunity to raise her tail over her back once again as she puffed out her chest in an attempt to intimidate, clicking her teeth as she moved to face her opponent head on again. She wasn’t going to give up that easily.

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As she watched her attack become a success, Adele couldn't help but smile inside. Morganna's next actions were a cause of that as well. It seemed her niece did hold some Archer blood after all. The girl stood, waiting for an attack, her posture intimidating. The chocolate woman narrowed her gaze, and she too lifted her tail, lifting herself to her full height. Being taller than Morganna worked as an advantage in her favor. She was silent, not needing to prove herself intimidating to the yearling. Her attentive sandy gaze slid over Morganna, Adele quickly thinking of her next moves. The girl seemed to have fight within her, but all Adele needed to see was one more mistake. If Morganna did that, then Adele could quickly take advantage and pinn the girl, effectively ending this challenge. Her sandy orbs were bright with challenge as she finally took a step forward, but only to stand still once again. She needed Morganna to charge at her. If the patient woman waited long enough, Morganna would no doubt grow impatient and make her move, which would prove to be her mistake.

Adele kept her eyes watchful on the yearling, her keen gaze on Morganna's every move. Come on, she urged mentally. It was only a matter of time before her niece lost patience. All Adele had to do was wait. Morganna was a smart girl though, sly. Adele had to keep alert for any...unexpected surprises.

"Speech"

Dawnthieves.de - Table by PuppyThief

don't need reason

Morganna Archer

don't need rhyme

It was a stand off. The two wolves stared each other down, both seeming to take a moment to posture and catch their breath. Her breath came in heavy huffs as her eyes narrowed, watching, waiting for any sign that her aunt would make another move. Finally she lost her patience, flicking her ears back and gritting her teeth. She leaned back gathering her legs beneath her like a spring before she recklessly charged forward. At the last moment she would try to sneak around the the left and grab her aunt by the shoulder or the loose skin around her neck, but her move was an obvious one and probably wouldn’t find it’s mark.

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Morganna did just as she expected. The sandy eyed woman couldn't hold back the tiny smirk that etched across her maw as her niece charged, using the oldest trick in the book. With a determined gaze Adele wiped all traces of a smug look off her face and braced herself. Morganna turned at the last second, reaching for her right side. Adele ducked quickly, manuevering her lithe form so Morganna didn't reach her with her jaws. Lifting her head, the woman turned her head in the next second and took a firm hold of Morganna's neck with her strong jaws. The older tracker used the momentum of Morganna's charge to make them both tumble and both women rolled on the ground for a few moments before they came to a stop and Adele found herself on top of the female Archer heir. Her hold had been firm enough to keep the girl in place, but not enough to hurt her. It would stay that way, but Adele didn't let go for a few moments for she needed it to sink into Morganna's head who was the true winner.

The chocolate woman let go slowly and then moved backward, giving her niece some space. She looked down at Morganna, a little smile tugging at her lips. "You did well niece," she spoke. Morganna had proved herself determined, even though she had lost. Her head cocked slightly, thinking it all over. It was obvious why Morganna had called for her today. What would the girl say if Adele did the exact opposite of what she expected her to do? There was only one way to find out. A serious light came to her sandy eyes, and the Archer woman opened her maw. "I will give you this chance to prove yourself." She said nothing else but bowed her head and lowered her tail in a clear act of submission. Her sandy gaze then rose to meet her niece's peach gaze. "Don't dissapoint me Morganna. After all, Archers aren't one for dissapointment." She was serious. Morganna would not shame Willow Ridge nor the Archer name, or the woman would personally set her straight. With a flick of her tail in goodbye, Adele moved to leave.

"Speech"

Dawnthieves.de - Table by PuppyThief

don't need reason

Morganna Archer

don't need rhyme

Just like that she was on her back, staring at the tree tops from her position on the ground. Her muscles remained tense for a moment as she weighed up her options, the tips of her canines showing as she realised struggling was useless and she went limp, her head tipping back in the dust to expose her throat in surrender. It was enough and the older woman moved away, giving her space to roll and right herself, her ears folded down in defeat, a surly bitter look plastered on her face. She raised herself to hunched shoulders, her tongue moving to swipe some of the dirt from her face. The praise was unexpected and her head lifted, eyes searching and clearly questioning what she was hearing.

As realisation dawned the weight of defeat was replaced with something much heavier, but it seemed an easier burden for the young woman to bare. She righted herself, squaring her shoulders and lifting her head she looked after the woman’s retreating back and finally found her tongue. “Thank you @Adele.” she called in response “I won’t let you down!”

A thought suddenly niggled at the back of her mind and she ran after her aunt, slipping slightly in the slush and mud as she rounded a willow trunk just a little too quickly. "Aunt!" She barked out, slowing her approach and lowering her head in apology. "What's it like? Torbine?" Of course she had her mothers stories growing up, but she wanted confirmation from someone else, that it wasn't simply some glorified fairytale a mother told her children to help them sleep at night. "Do you think that might be where Asriel went?"

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