Drooping Willows The Ancient Alliance

This is for Elettra only...thank you. <3

She had succeeded. And though the stress of her mate’s disappearance weighed heavily on her shoulders she had been less jumpy recently thanks to the formation of Secret Woodlands. Everything had worked out smoothly and the members she had gathered were ones of kind hearts and devotion. They had been there for her and now she would be there for them, leading them and making sure that they stayed protected within the borders. Her mind had wondered much since they had formed and once everyone had settled down, Nina had been able to finally get away, in order to finish one last string of business that she owed to a royal lady. She took her time on her journey to the willows though, letting her mind wonder and good eye take in the scenes that rest in some of the territories she had been in countless number of times. She had been in Relic Lore for almost a year now and in the time, much had happened…mostly for the good.

When she did arrive, she stopped away from the borders, her green eye taking in the territory she had been in for some short time while she had been healing. Ruiko had broken the alliance between Copper Rock Creek and Willow Ridge when he had left…and now that the pack had disbanded, it was obvious that Nina owed much to the regal woman, especially after healing her leg into such great shape. With a short huff Nina tilted her head back and howled, calling for Elettra and the willow’s alpha only. Most of the pack members knew her, even some of the newer ones, including Sloane’s two siblings that she had the honor of meeting. Hopefully, they would understand the underlying message for the call and leave it to their dark lady to answer.

It seems when you're around, my life is complete.

I'm assuming Shade was able to tell Nina what happened to Koda before this thread?

For the time, everything seemed to be falling into place, everything was settled. Narime had found her way out and made way back to the Ridge pack lands, spending time resting and regaining her strength after her unfortunate adventure. Phineas and Guiness were able to return due to this and with Narime on the mend, Sica had taken it up with himself to take over her hunting duty. Not to mention, with Tempest's arrival, the pack had yet another hunter to help them through the harshness of winter. All was well - savor exactly one thing. ....Elettra had not seen Shade in some time and with it, came no report on the whereabouts of Koda Reinier. Elettra's mind still plagued with worry for him and caution for herself being the only leader now to keep the pack in balance. She kept a strong, weary eye about her further then before to insure the placement she rightfully deserved within the very pack she had created to her own.
When the call sounded, Elettra was merely wandering, trailing the boarder and marking it over with her scent, where Koda's was distant and light. Her black ears perked to the scent, her various gray and silvery coat shaking the snowfall about her backside as she trotted into the direction called. Elettra was unknowing of Nina's success and had assumed that the woman came with much worry of her mate, perhaps in question of a possible return of Willow Ridge's lost Leader. "Nina..." Elettra offers the woman, dipping her grey rimmed muzzle into her direction as her pale attention assessed the one-eyed girl mildly as she made her approach.

She didn’t have to wait long for the arrival of Elettra…but even as she had waited, her nose had picked up the extreme lacking of Koda’s scent around the area. It was obvious he hadn’t been around in quite awhile and it was going to become harder for the Woodlands leader to cope with the fact that she might never get to see her mate again. When the black woman made her way towards the stronger form of Nina, the lady dipped her head in respect for the Willow Ridge alpha, her emerald eye making contact with her own, the female’s greeting towards her causing one of her own to come, "Elettra…it is always good to see you." She then sat down, her tail curling around the front of her paws to keep them warm. Her own flattened ears were the only sign of distress that would come from the alpha. She was not here to mourn her mate, for she had found out from Shade what had happened. She was here strictly for business and to get one more thing off her shoulders. She owed Elettra more than most of the wolves she had met in her life.

She wasted no more time in debating on things that would have to war in her mind another time. Instead she turned her attention back to the task set in front of her. "Secret Woodlands has officially formed…and I believe that alliance would be put in place now?" even as the golden female spoke, her heart swelled. She wanted to know if the hit was hard on Elettra now that her leading male was no longer with them. Nina also wished to know who had taken his place now that he was no longer fit to be alpha, considering what she had heard from Shade. The golden brown girl was now constantly worried about what was happening to the male. At the moment, she didn’t even know if he was alive, which didn’t set well in Nina’s stomach. It didn’t matter at the moment though, there were other things she had to take care of.

It seems when you're around, my life is complete.

Elettra finds herself momentarily stilled, watching the one-eyed timber woman before her. The grief is absolute though Elettra speaks not a word on the manner. Emotion, painful and pleading often resulted in the act of lashing out when it came to herself and was not the best to speak to when it came to trying to soften the blow of the cruelty of life. There was a lack of delicacy in Elettra which prevented her from the cooing of sweet talk. Elettra would not tell Nina 'everything is going to be okay. Don't worry' when Elettra did not know this to be true. As far as Elettra was considered, she was leaderess, but would not allow herself to give up on Koda until she saw him in person, until she could gather what the future laid out for in the Ridge. Koda was a blow for not only herself, but Nina, for surely the woman before her had meant to take Koda at her side once spring arrived in order for children in her new pack. Had Nina planned on offering a returning favor for Elettra giving up her leading male without a fight? Had she planned on giving Elettra a member of her own, a score of food and herb? It meant little now, Elettra supposed, for if Koda was not of fitting nature to led here, likely he would be less of the sort in Nina's own pack.
"Indeed, it would." She pauses only long enough to take her own seat directly before the woman before her, her position tight and erect in promising noble stature. "Secret Woodlands, it is then? Did you after all take refuge in the Thicket?" She questioned for confirmation, speaking far too business-like for her own well being, if only to keep both of their attention off the severity of what was happening to 'their guy'.

She calmly watched the area around her briefly, before her single eye reverted back to the Willow Ridge leader as she spoke. The timber wolf’s ears pricked towards the woman, paying attention to the words she would say. When Elettra finished, the emerald eyed fae spoke, "Yes, that would be correct. It is quite…different than the Springs." The facts were perfectly there. The Springs had been quite open, it had been easier to see sunshine and much life traveled through the area, in the thickets one would be lucky to see a little slit of sunshine. Sure, the area still had plenty of life growing and running around, but after you entered, it was as if you were swallowed in complete darkness, the exact opposite of what Nina’s personality showed.

She sighed mentally before flicking her ears in Elettra’s direction once again. "How is your pack fairing?" her question was finally out there. Many other questions underlined the one she had said though, involving Koda and Elettra herself. It was an opportunity for Elettra to open up, and perhaps gain more of Nina’s trust. She barely knew the leader if she was being completely honest with herself and she definitely wished to get to know the royal lady better, especially if they were going to be acquaintances and perhaps even friends. She thought of no other way better than for the two females to actually talk formally about something that would both be bothering them…or well, the newly named alpha supposed that the Archer leader was worried and distressed about Koda. Mentally shaking her head, the Reinier swallowed and watched the Willow’s alpha for her reaction.

It seems when you're around, my life is complete.

"I'd imagine." The dark woman answered delicately, thinking on her remembrance of the Thickest when she had come along that area before - dense, dark, entrapping. It was shrouded in a mysterious air and seemingly sucked you whole when you entered, a labyrinth of sorts, turning and twisting. It was of an interest why Nina had chose this area in the first place, though perhaps her spot of land, this 'Secret Woodland' was a paradise beyond the tangling, swirling darkness and thus, protected by this confinement around it. Surely at some point Elettra would have to see herself, but it was a travel she was unwilling to take at the moment. After all, it was surely two days out, not the best when it came to being allies, but Elettra took it none the less do to the companionship she held with the woman and her leader before hand.
A frown then turned on her grey lips as the subject changed, something they both could not have avoided for long and it was Nina who decided to break the ice. Elettra did not bother to go into details that Reed, their former Second and long standing fisherman, had left them in Remy's wake. She did not say that Narime had returned safety and was mending fast, nor that Tempest was doing well in her new pack and for Sloane not to worry. It was obvious what this subject truly was about: "Koda...." Elettra's muzzle is parted for a sigh, shaking out her various gray hued coat and pressing her pale toes into the snowfall. "Shade has not yet returned to me. It was only a day ago Tempest set out to help on the search. I've not had any word and I am uncertain what to do..." There was little else she could say on the manner to the woman, but it was obvious on Elettra's features she worried for the man. Why would she not? He was her pack-mate, partner, friend...and whether or not he returned to the pack, lest he regained his memory it was apparent she had already lost him for good.

Nina swallowed, her good emerald eye watching the Willow leader carefully trying to gauge her reaction best to her ability. The golden woman had never been good at reading the lady and sometimes it confused Nina to high peeks at how Elettra handled things. It was as if the woman herself was made of stone and it was one of the reasons that the new alpha looked up to her. The willow alphess was the one who Nina reminded herself she should channel when something came up and she needed to stay calm about it in front of the presence of others. It was how she had handled the mountain lion situation not too long ago and the lady had been quite proud of the leadership skills she found she possessed. There was always the duo double within someone that was just waiting to come out. Her first skill being healing and her secondary…apparently being leading.

When Elettra’s answer came, worry seeped into the back of Nina’s mind. Koda…still not found and Shade hadn’t come. Tempest…oh how her friend had tried taking care of her. That was two of Elettra’s members looking for their lost leader. If that was so, then what did that mean for the inside of the Willow pack? If they too had fallen into the worry that Elettra and Nina were in, she wasn’t sure pack life could have been too good at the moment. Then, she could see it, or she thought she could. The underlying worry within the leadess’ eyes. She wished she could reach out to her and give the woman comfort, but the golden lady knew that would probably not be the wisest of things to do in this situation. All she could do was offer her own opinion, "I would wait it out…for a few more days, see if anything comes up. Appoint a new alpha, if what Shade has told me is true and Koda has lost his memory…then it might be the wisest of things to do." The woman swallowed the swelling emotion within her chest and bit down on her tongue. She would not look weak in front of Elettra, in a sense, they were now equals.

It seems when you're around, my life is complete.

A duo. Much indeed. There was a vision of Elettra which most saw - a wall, stone and worn by the wars which had raged upon it but never tearing it down, like the walls of Troy themselves. She moved with an air of proud royal breeding and spoke properly and professionally. She kept calm in situations, distant in order to see the full view of the world around her. It was to perfection, these qualities, which not many in her family held the ability of obtaining though which was the exact qualities which granted her the ability of leadership. But there was a second side to the woman, the other half of her duo - emotion, rare and unmanageable, wild and dangerous. She held everything of the fighting prowess, the blood craving, the dominance and arrogance with her family held and many could not hold back, creating warriors and assassins, killers and executioners. But where he bloodline created large litters of mainly men, she was woman and with her emotions of her bloodline, came that of her womanly nature, furthering her fits of rage and desire, desires like love. Love which was blind and selfish and cruel.
With Nina's words, came Elettra Archer's quick reaction, allowing the one-eyed woman to be revealed the two sides of the coin which Elettra danced upon. When she speaks now, a growl is marred upon the edge of her tongue, fitting with her sudden tension. "I will not give up -- !" Her jaws snap, shutting in a click to cut off her sentence. Her temper was as always, quick and wild as her fiery dominant and royal personality. She did not like being demanded by anyone or anything. Even her right paw, her Advisor, knew to suggest and push Elettra into the right way, but never to spit demands. Nina's sudden mentioning for her to appoint a new Leader directly stung Elettra, leading her to her snapping attitude. It was her decision, and as El had begun before cutting herself off, she would not give up on Koda so easily. He was Nina's mate and Elettra knew she wanted nothing more but him to leave these lands and return to her, but Koda had been with Elettra from the very beginning, mate or not. "....I'd like to see him firstly." She says, her voice more eased this time, though chilled and distant. It was obvious what was to occur but not something Elettra was willing yet to accept. Shade would be next in line for leadership, lest Elettra appoint another man directly. ...But she knew not. Would Sica even want to lead with her? Was Phineas even staying beyond winter? Did Guiness have the diplomatic and political ability? Shade and her Second and best fitting for the title, though deep down Elettra could not shake the weary gazes which he sometimes fed her, not to mention if he was Lead, it would only further give Rosealia reason to want to be at his side, lead with him, mainly with Spring so near.
She shifts then, her plush chest a swell with an inhale of deep breath. This is the seconds between recollecting herself, and should Nina be focused upon her, would see the rage, the worry and the tension in Elettra visibly melt away before her one green eye. Elettra's emotions, so vast, rarely seen and unobtainable by any, are lost again. "Please...stay for the night? Your journey home must be nearly two days out...?" She is as calm and professional as firstly. Once more, she is stone.

(This post was last modified: Feb 11, 2013, 01:52 AM by Elettra.)

As soon as the words flowed out of her mouth, did the sharp retort from the Willow alpha come to her ears. Flattening her ears on her head, she stared at the female, feeling bad for the way she had made her words sound. She had definitely not been trying to command the alpha to do anything, simply giving her outlook on things and giving suggestions to the woman. Though, Nina supposed they were all on edge at the moment, and she shoved Elettra’s anger over her left shoulder, silently taking the snapping hits with ease. Nina made no more comments on the man, and a small part of her began to wonder as she observantly watched Elettra’s features. Koda had lost his memory and the alpha thought he was fit for the position of alpha still…from what Nina had experienced as a healer, there was no cure for memory lose except for time and from what had been reported to her, all of Koda’s memories within the Lore had been erased. Hidden in a black hole that had eaten at his mind. There was always the possibility of Elettra thinking of her as selfish, but truly, yes, she loved Koda, but if he was not set to be alpha her own pack, both of the lady’s would be screwed.

Her nose twitched once, the rage and tension that Elettra had been holding within her gaze lightened before the alpha offered her something she just couldn’t refuse. The woodlands leadess was exhausted from her two day travel and she honestly wanted to rest her paws before she would head back within the thickets. Nina was thankful that the royal lady was offering her this, it gave her some time to think and sleep. Dipping her head respectfully to the leader in front of her, she spoke calmly, "Thank you. I appreciate this." She then rolled her shoulders and stood up, waiting for Elettra to lead the way within the depths of her territory, which at one time, Nina too had walked upon. She still remembered most of the territory, not many of the crannies here and there, due to the highly drugged mind state she had been in. She would now be going within the territory again to rest up for the long days trip ahead of her. Who knew…perhaps the next day something good might have happened.

It seems when you're around, my life is complete.

No reaction. No retaliation nor mocking gesture lay before Nina, only calmness, perhaps an understanding in feelings for Elettra's nature. Perhaps, after all, the woman before her was begining to understand the workings of the darker lady but for whatever it was worth, Elettra appreciated the lack of need for another pissing contest between the two, as both their attitudes had gotten the best of them the first time they had met. Much had happened since that time and much help on Elettra's part to which perhaps any snappy attitude could be looked over for the time being and in this situation, at least.
Nina standing up then, working out her shoulders in preparation for being lead to the den-site, Elettra took this as an obvious gesture that the one-eyed woman was ready to go and so in turn lifted herself from the chilly ground and turned to guide her back to her home.

Short, crappy, but THE END.