Willow Ridge hail to the prince

Health to the Prince! Wealth to the Prince!

prince sköll archer

long live the archers of willow ridge!

May 24th; Early morning; Partly Cloudy; 57° F/14° C.

The sound of a songbird just outside the den woke the second-born infant with a start. Black-lidded eyes opened curiously but barely allowed for his field of vision to broaden. In the darkness of the Infirmary, a squint sufficed. Warily crawling away from the two warm bodies of his siblings, he doddered away on four wobbly but sturdy limbs until he was fully into the main area of the sanctuary his only parent had built. He slowly came to realize that the dark and comforting presence that was his mother, the being that provided him with everything he needed, was not here. His eyelids continued to flutter, trying to will his eyesight to sharpen but to now avail.

Two steps were bravely taken but in an instant afterward, Sköll Archer was back on his belly and elbows again, his face wrinkled with dismay that he had not yet found {Elettra} or anything remotely like her. Small, black-padded paws groped the air before planting into the cool soil that made up the den floor, his hind legs bunching then propelling himself forward after finding purchase in the ground behind him. By instinct, he should have staged an uproar, an appeal and demand for the nurturing his body now ached for, but in the past week or so, he had fallen silent between his brother and sister's own reflexive cries. Though he lifted his large head and tilted his nose upward, he opened his mouth in a lengthy yawn, his tongue curling before his jowls closed.

Again, the unseen source of warbling sound found its way clearly into the Willow Ridge den, and the young prince, though merely 16 days old, perceived it with a startling jolt. Despite his still-blurred vision, he glanced around, his folded ears rotating and swiveling about as his nose twitched. A whine caught in his throat and he crept soundlessly forward, his chubby form bringing his head into the entrance of the underground burrow. The singing sparrow somewhere above him in the willows seemed to have caught sight of him, and with a small chirp, it flew away, leaving the princeling alone to stare uncertainly at the soft outlines of gray clouds and silhouetted trees.

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i'm a dreamer, i'm a man

i'm doing whatever i can to make the bad things go away

sola bona quae honesta

Morganna

Those things only are good which are honest

The sound though muffled was shrill. It caused the young princesses brows to draw down over still shut eyes and pulled the bridge of her muzzle up into a wrinkled snarl of distaste at being roused from the buzzing warmth of sleep and pleasant dreams. She stretcher her small mouth in a yawn, pink tongue curling at the end before she allowed her puppy-blue eyes to crack open to the muted light that made up her blurry world. The fresh, sterile scent of the infirmary clung to the insides of her nostrils as it had since the day she was born but today something was different. Something was missing - two somethings. As occasionally happened, she found her mother was gone, and while her stomach gave a rumble of protest, more importantly she realised that one of her brothers, one of the soft bodies she often crawled atop when the dirt was too cold or simply squeezed between to access the warm milk that sustained them, was missing.

Dragging herself to shaky limbs she gave her largest cushion a sharp jab with her nose, attempting to rouse @Asriel from his own deep sleep before she set out towards the blur that must have been the illuminated entrance from which her brother had left. Her steps were shaky at best, finding herself deposited back on her rear more than once. The noise sounded again and her lips pulled back as she attempted to tell the creature off, a sound somewhere between a yap and a squeak of protest leaving her small chest. After all, a princess needed her beauty sleep.

It would seem she had emerged into a larger space than the one in which she and her siblings slept, this one smelled more earthy, and scents that had come to her fleetingly over the last fortnight lay here more strongly. There was an even brighter light, smudged with a familiar dark shape, just slightly larger than she and as she wobbled towards it she began to realise just how exhausting this venture was proving to be. Finally reaching the smudge she reached out with her mouth to tug at the tail she knew was in front of her somewhere but instead she missed and stumbled, careening into the familiar warmth that was her missing sibling. With a small whine she attempted to communicate her own hunger, and a shiver wracked her small frame. Just a few more steps and they would be out in the open, though with her blurred vision and stomach aching all she wanted was to go back to the familiar hole from which she had stumbled.

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(This post was last modified: May 26, 2013, 05:39 AM by Morganna.)

The prince of fire and ash had never been left wanting anything, at least not for terribly long. His mother and siblings provided him with warmth and his mother was the provider of food- there was very little else he wanted, aside from some playtime now and again, but whenever he needed those things they were there. So it was with dismay and a slight feeling of spite that he awoke to find that his source of food wasn't there, and that one of his siblings had left as well. He did not voice his protest, but decided to be patient and wait for their mother to return. He had no idea where the other sibling had gone, but he still had one who was beside him, faithful as always, providing warmth and comfort...

Until she too seemed to be lured by that sound, a strange one which appealed to Asriel as well, but not so much as a warm meal did. When Morganna moved away from him he opened his eyes to see where she was going so that he might be able to stop her. He blinked several times to try and clear his vision and make it easier for him to track her movements, but the dimness of the den combined with her dark fur made it more difficult. He made a small bark-like sound, one that he would use specifically for her. He had no names for his mother or siblings, but had already begun to learn that he could use different sounds for each of them, and different sounds to mean different things. His mother, bless her, always seemed to know what he wanted by the sound he made.

He followed the scuffling of Morganna's feet out of the den where they were normally housed and into a larger area. A circle of light drew him out into the more open space and he could see his brother silhouetted against the flood of luminescence. Asriel barked again, a slightly gruffer sound which was directed toward his brother. For some reason, he'd always used a more gruff tone with his brother, and a softer, chuff-like sound for his sister. Unfortunately, his mother was subjected to a huge host of squeaks, mewls and squawks, some of which weren't very pleasant. But now that he could see and hear he'd tempered his voice a great deal and had become a much more placid child.

He found his siblings and placed himself at Morganna's side, opposite Sköll so that the smallest pup was sandwiched between her two larger brothers. When she shivered he pressed closer and while she made a sound he recognized as one meaning hunger, he stayed silent, gaze trained into the light before them, waiting and watching.

Avatars by Allie <3

E gad I'm so posting to this!! ^^ Note he's not in the infirmary but out in the main den. = Feel free to bother him :)

The dark wolf rested quietly. His legs tucked under him and his tail slipped over his nose to keep warm. The burnt man's patches of fur swayed as a light breeze penetrated into the den from its entrance. The scarred bare patches of skin twitched chilled as the breeze passed over his body. The Tainns yellow gaze was missing, hidden under his dark eye lids. His nose twitched scenting the air as he rested. Once in a while the dark males front legs would twitch.

He was dreaming.

Inside the dream Kasai was chasing a bull elk through the forest. Though he was not alone. Jessie haunted his dreams alongside the dark beast. They chased the elk under a patch of fallen trees that leaned against a number of pines; their branches twisted and caught together holding the fallen trees half up. Then he swung around to the left of the elk catching up to it until they reached a fallen log over a stream. The elk cleared the stream and log easily while Kasai struggled under the log and over the stream. Jessie pelted past him small and swift unaffected by the fallen log and leaping over the stream.

The dark wolf marveled at her speed and the way her muscles rippled under her silver coat. As Kasai slept he muttered Jessie's name a few times twitching all the while as if chasing something.

Joinin the puppy party ;)

It was hard to get used to the squeaking of cubs not being the squeaking of her own children. Even the smallest peep of the Archer cubs had her maternal instincts on high alert. Skana had taken to sleeping outside the rocky den, lest she not sleep at all. Upon waking from one of her frequent naps, the compulsion to check on the pups grew so strong that she finally rose, shuffling over to the entrance and clicking her tongue at the sight of the three black bundles just inside the entrance, Elettra nowhere in sight and Kasai running after something in his dreams just inside.

They at least hadn't made it fully outside of the cave yet, and were thus safe from harsh rays of daylight that would reveal their tiny fuzzy bodies to any sort of predator which lurked outside. Skana wouldn't put it past an unhelpful eagle to descend down and pick up one of the wolf cubs in its talons much like a meal of hare or fish. She chuffed at the thought. Not on her watch were Elettra's kids getting carried off by a bird, and Kasai didn't appear he'd be much help as a guard at the moment. The old wolf stepped forth, sitting, then laying lengthwise blocking the crawling cubs from exiting much further. She sprawled out, long scarred legs stretching before and behind her with head tilted so her good eye watched the blackish furballs. This way, if they wanted to get around her they'd have to cross her first, and even if she dozed off, they'd at least wake her up trying to get over or around her.

Skana hadn't seen much of the cubs yet, besides the glimpses of black fur at Elettra's side when she went in to check on her. Skana's blurred gaze lingered on the tawniest of the trio, orange saddling over the pup's back in a manner reminiscent of their father, Kiche. She didn't doubt what Elettra had told her of the father, but seeing it with her own eyes was another thing.

Health to the Prince! Wealth to the Prince!

prince sköll archer

long live the archers of willow ridge!

It felt like an eternity had passed by but, in reality, it had only taken a matter of minutes until he noticed and felt his siblings join him at the entrance of the den. His smaller sibling - his sister Morganna - clamped her jowls over his tail but he was barely fazed by it... not when something out there was shuffling about and filling the air with all sorts of curious noises. He blinked hard, staring down at his dark-nailed paw before he set it in front of him. The other was quick to follow but before he could even hoist himself out into broad, albeit hazed over daylight, something moved in front of him.

Never mind that Morganna had pressed herself against him or that Asriel, his brother he would learn soon enough, had barked out a few times and joined them, Sköll Archer was going to seize the opportunity to explore while he could. He crawled out from the burrow's tunnel, squinting as he tried to bring the new obstacle into focus. His little button-nose twitched and wriggled, she smelled like his mother but somehow her scent had him frowning. Was this dark blur his mother? He couldn't tell, but he was going to find out.

Edging away from his siblings, he staggered forward, testing his balance for some time before reclining onto his belly and crawling to Skana's elbow. He sniffed and lightly grazed his lips and muzzle against the woman's side, waiting for her to use her teeth to pull him close or put him properly at her side, like Elettra usually did when she came to nurture them. The tip of his carnation pink tongue poked out over the white fur that made up his small chin then he withdrew it. What was left on his face as he brought himself into some sort of awkward sitting position was a playful grin.

The boy would have babbled, perhaps even laughed or barked at her, just to see if the obscure image in front of him would make a sound that would confirm any assumptions his growing mind had made. Even if this wasn't his mother, Sköll was determined to get her to react to him. He teetered forward again until the strength in his limbs gave way once more, laying beside Skana as he continued to gladly stare up at her and wag his sleek tail against her side.

"MmmMMM--" he half-whimpered, the noise from his throat partially startling him enough to clip the note short. His brows rose up in surprise before starting to distort the rest of his face into one that cried out for assurance.

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i'm a dreamer, i'm a man

i'm doing whatever i can to make the bad things go away

Such a princess XD

sola bona quae honesta

Morganna

Those things only are good which are honest

She felt her brother pull away again and squeaked in protest. A dark blur moved across the entrance of the den and her small face pulled down in a frown as her nose twitched dubiously. Who was that standing in their way? Still unable to see with any clarity, she could not make out the dark shape of the sleeping male, just the shadow of the big woman now blocking their exit to the world outside. The sound morphed into a whining groan as she sat herself down heavily. Her brother was getting closer to the shape but it didn’t smell like ma and her stomach began to grumble in protest. She leaned into Asriel’s side more heavily and nosed at the base of his ear, breathing in the familiar scent for reassurance.

Finally she decided she had had enough adventuring for one day. She got back to her feet and turned back to the depths of the den. Her blurred eyes offering little guidance in the dark. She stumbled several times before tripping over the outstretched twitching limb of the wolf that had been concealed within the den. A sharp yelp of shock left her chest as she fell to the ground and began to howl and whine - feigning a mortal wound, more startled than harmed by the flailing limb of the much larger wolf. Pulling herself back into a sitting position she continued to make a racket, knowing that if she continued to do so her mother (or someone) would come and make it all better. Not only would she find herself back within the relative safety of the den, but with any luck, the grumbling in her stomach would be eased as well.

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(This post was last modified: Jun 09, 2013, 09:20 AM by Morganna.)

Asriel's eyes turned to Skoll to observe the expression on the smaller boy's face. He'd been the one to lead them out here, the energetic, somewhat foolhardy one. As Morganna leaned into his side, Asriel made a low, purling sound and harmlessly gummed the fur of her neck to show additional support. Of his sister he had already become quite protective. His brother, on the other hand, didn't need protecting- it was the world which needed to be protected from the valiant pup, but Asriel was not altogether displeased with his brother's ambitions. It had served to take them closer to the mouth of the den, and amid the company of other wolves, ones they saw and smelled but rarely got the chance to spend much time with. He was aware they existed but as of yet cared little for them.

This would change, naturally, when they came closer to the pups. One in particular moved closer to block out the escape route, and though Asriel didn't intend to leave the den, he didn't like having that option denied. His expression remained fair until his little sister, who had decided that this drama wasn't for her, put up a fuss. Not long before her had been Skoll, who'd started wailing for no apparent reason. As he was closer, he was the one that Asriel fumbled toward, and clumsily cast one leg about the boy's shoulders, pulling him close and pushed his nose into the dark fur at Skoll's shoulder.

It turned out that Skoll needed protection as well after all.

Avatars by Allie <3

In the dream, Jessie had cornered the elk and cause it enough grief for the creature to switch into fight instead of flight. It had turned around on her waving its deadly sharp antlers to and fro waiting for the she wolf to come closer. Kasai had caught up finally still fresh enough for attack although Jessie was already panting and tired. His yellow orbs caught the determination within her green one's as she leaped forward keeping the bulls attention on her. Kasai had sen his chance and was circling around to give it what he hoped would be the final blow. A crushing bite to the neck.

His dream turned to chaos when a piercing high pitched howl caught his tired ears. Distracted by the young wolf's call for help Kasai turned to see the elk swinging its sharp antlers right into his side then woke with a start. His Tainn yellow gaze snapped open and his head shot up while the fur on his back bristled. The mans ears swiveled still hearing the whining cry and quickly the wolf realized that he was back in the den. Forgetting which pack he was in and who's pups he'd been guarding Kasai almost said "Quiet Borlla!" but held the sharp command back for his parents would not be happy about it.

Then as he gazed around Kasai remembered the scents that were infiltrating his nose. Those of his new pack mates. Oi crap I fell asleep watching the pups. Corinn- I mean Elettra's going kill me if she finds out. He was still reminding himself that this was Willow Ridge's den and not Swift River.

Looking down at the frightened pup Kasai sniffed her gently and gave her a slobbery lick right in between her eyes.

"Quiet little one. No one here will hurt you..." The dark wolf tilted his head to the side trying to look harmless and playful, even letting his tail wag a bunch thumping on the ground. His eyes trailed around picking out the girls brothers and another wolf nearby. He recognized her scent from the war but had not met her properly. Even so now was not the time with a frightened pup in front of him. "Hey ... shushhh.. here do you wanna hear a song?" He gave her a silly grin trying to coax the girl from crying. Kasai really didn't want El coming back to the den to a crying pup.

(This post was last modified: Jun 22, 2013, 03:23 AM by Hotei.)

@Skoll @Asriel @Hotei @Morganna Finally got this ol thread to 10 posts, go ahead and collect points now!

Skana watched as Skoll tumbled down beside her, not yet fully in control of his own locomotion. The old wolf chuckled at the abrupt noise he made, giving him a smile as she nuzzled his forehead with her snout in reassurance. She made a low whine nearly mimicking Skoll's whimper, before tapering her voice off to a short howl in demonstration. He would figure out his voice and limbs soon enough, though she would help along where she could.

The ruckus caused by Morganna further inside the cave caused Skana's head to quickly turn, eyes peering into the darkness and muscles tensing as she prepared to get up. However, Hotei's voice echoed forth, its placating tones telling Skana that he must have had things somewhat under control. She settled back down, only to jolt yet again as Asriel suddenly came up to grab hold of his brother. The brothers were preoccupied enough by eachother that she took the opportunity to rest her head and doze off to the soft sounds of pack life. If only she knew how much she would come to miss these slow summer mornings.