Willow Ridge I won't run, I won't fly

Going out on a limb here (locked in our LP points here in preparation for this event); @Guiness, I hope you're ready!! <3

angier lyall

I am lost, I am vain,I will never be the same

July 12th; Early morning; Overcast; 55° F/13° C

It had taken three long, grueling months for him to come this far... even if it hadn't been very far at all (or at least, by his standards). Since joining Willow Ridge, Angier had begun to see himself changing, no longer was he solely selfish, but he was actually learning to give pieces of himself to the pack. Sections of his time, bits of his soul, fragments of his heart - even if it had been broken and painstakingly pieced back together again. During the past two months he had watched his Leader's children grow and blossom; just being allowed to witness such feats had changed him indefinitely and he found himself harboring enormous amounts of respect for {Alexander}, {Corinna}, {Borden} and {Jaysyek}. They had all devoted and sacrificed large portions of their lives in making sure their children grew up in stable environments and, now, he truly understood how it felt.

Inside him a fire so great blazed within his rib cage; it consumed his voice and brought to his eyes a spark so bright that the sense of determination effortlessly rolled off his shoulders. He had awoken well before sunrise and carefully traveled to a particular part of Willow Ridge that he favored the most. Even if the sun had begun to climb into the sky behind a dense curtain of clouds, the stage was still perfect as the Lyall circled about the small clearing in the middle of four majestic willows whose leafy and flowy verdant branches easily concealed him from the outside. The grass was slick with dew, but even if he knew he risked the chance of losing his footing, he could not smother the already amplified determination pulsing through his bones and every strand of muscle he possessed.

The tawny brute, once certain that the area and time of day was ideal for such an affair, tilted his head back allowed his low-pitched call to resound through Elettra's realm. It daringly beckoned for @Guiness and no one else, but for those who were well-awake and listening closely, he proclaimed that he was ready once and for all to prove what he was made of...

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Keep in mind that Elettra is not actually here, but in the Infirmary with all the pups. I just wanted to post up her reaction to the call, I hope that's okay? If not, let me know and I'll can it!

Early morning left her irritable and groggy, her limbs stirring to stretch out in each direction, pushing her pups along in the process though likely not to rouse them from the deep, hypnotic sleep which took them. Her pups were too wild, to adventurous and full of daring nature when they were up to allow themselves to be disrupted in their sleep so easily. Though early mornings were fitting for Elettra who would have once went out for herbs on her own for hours beyond hours without worry of the pack she left behind, with another Lead to guard it. Not, she was the sole Leader, the sole mother and the sole Healer within her pack. There was no ounce of room within her life for venturing...
But a call ended this, a call which brings her head to lift and her shoulders to shift to proper herself up as an excitement wells within her. Angier's challenge to Guiness is clear. Although Guiness did not feel himself fitting for the position of Leadership, the man was still top within the male ranks, still the long standing and leading Guardian within their ranks. He was the protector, defender, of the pups with an iron paw even if an air of power and dominance to Lead was not within him. An obvious wonder takes her, an impatience to know how it may all unfold. Even Guiness knew the pack needed another Lead though Elettra knew he would not allow Angier to stand in this place unless he proved worthy of it, mainly with the protection and guidance to the pups in mind.
Though Elettra had managed all this time to Lead on her own as well as be a mother and do what little duties as Medic she could, the strain was obvious in her, weighing her bones and making her far more snappy then her usual commanding attitude. The male ranks needed someone to take charge, the pups needed a male figure to look up to, and she so desperately craved time to herself to replenish the lacking herbs before winter came. A male Leader of Willow Ridge was far overdue.

Sorry it took so long, extremely busy and what not. Will put this thread on top of priority list. Replies will be slow. <3

For once, it seemed, the large Thorben was no longer keeping a close eye on Elettra’s children, giving them a bit of their own space to go do more rounds on the borders. All had been at peace since he had returned to Willow Ridge from his current visit at Whisper Caverns. Everything seemed to be much better with Narimé the last time he had been and it had eased some of the stress that had been building up over the past weeks. Nothing had bothered him much sense then, but in the back of his mind thoughts constantly battled within his head. He knew he was runner up for the leading position within Willow Ridge, but he also knew that he was not the kind of guy to be able to uphold such a position. The Guardian was a worthy second and a loyal member, but when he came to leading, he lacked the skills a leader needed. Preferring not to be vocal unless his duty called for it, Guiness was content with being silent, and if he became alpha he would have to take on much more of a social role. This was something he knew that he would probably never be up for.

It was why when Angier called for him, making his intentions clear to the large man, did some sort of relief sink into the tank’s shoulders. It was pleasing to know that someone within the pack was finally doing something to take the lead position, though he was sure that the man on the calling end knew that Gui would not let him win easily. Grunting slightly, the large man made his way towards where he was sure the call had come from, his tail instinctively rising high above his back and his black lips pulling back to expose his teeth in a intimidating scowl. Growling slightly, he stood across from his challenger his golden amber eyes challenging him, daring Angier to challenge him for his position. If all went well, perhaps the Lyall would prove himself, and if not, Guiness had no problem taking him down and making the male work for what he wanted. Nothing was given for free, and certainly not Lady Elettra. She deserved the best and if Angier would not prove this, then he would just have to work harder to prove that he truly wanted El and her pack.

Pillar of Strength

angier lyall

I will never make it by Without you

The tawny man's head righted itself as the howl, even if it was merely a five or six brief seconds, died out against his vocal chords. All he could do now was wait... wait and prepare himself for whatever could possibly happen between him and Guiness - who was possibly and hopefully the last physical barrier that stood before a chance to truly serve Elettra as an equal. After that he was on his own, with his only his own devices, in navigating the stormy seas that undoubtedly surrounded the dark Lady in order to simply get to know her.

Swallowing audibly even if he wasn't nervous, he circled once more about the area before the sound of rustling alerted him to the Guardian's approach. Against the leafy green willow branches Guiness' auburn coat was eye-catching and demanding, even under cloudy skies. Just as {Borden} had once taught him, he returned the challenging display with one of his own intimidating glares. Immediately his tail rose and his eyes narrowed with the wrinkling of his muzzle. His black-lined lips lifted to show off his clenched teeth as he snarled loudly in response.

Inside his head everything went black and dead silent. His last conscious thought whispered that he was ready for this; and, as the drumming of his heart filled his ears, he squared his shoulders and lowered his head. The fur along his neck and upper back began to rise up in short spikes that matched the ones on his arched tail. There would be no mistaking in what Angier Lyall wanted from his superior...

Through their slits, his gold-ringed irises sized him up and boldly ventured forward in slow, even steps. He stopped in the middle of the clearing, having crossed it from his position along the veiled wall. An audacious snap of his teeth set his lofty tail quivering. The rumbling had ceased in his chest in a matter of moments and the Lyall was quick to refresh it, louder this time as if to wordlessly convey that he was not going to walk away from this very location until he had acquired what he had come here for.

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When he arrived, he was not so surprised to find Angier testing his dominance and by his own display Guiness lifted himself higher, his lips pulling back into a scowl. Canines bared at the man in front of him, his own pelt started to bristle. The Guard could see the determination and challenge in his opponent’s eyes and though Gui knew that El needed someone by her side that was not him, he knew that whoever wanted the throne was going to have to make it through him…or at least prove themselves to him. When his own dominance was once again tested, Guiness decided that now was the time to make his own decision. Violence was not something that he liked to partake in, unless it had to do with protecting his loved ones or was ordered to do so by a superior. Pursing his lips, he waited for Angier to make the first move and when it was obvious that he had not done so Guiness took the pleasure in starting their little match.

Launching himself at the subordinate, he attempted to grab onto his scruff so he could shove him into the ground and show the other male the dominance that he owned and held above him. A rumbling growl sounded through his chest in a threatening manner, as if daring the male to back down from the challenge that he had started. Guiness had seen the way the Lyall had interacted with El. He was not blind and was sure that he had seen some sort of commitment between the two of them, as if Angier actually cared for his alpha. He had also seen the trust that Elettra had showed in him. When their lady had offered for him to meet the children closely was when he first noticed such a thing. He would have been sure that the woman would not have let the newest member even close to her new born children. She had though and he knew that if this man proved himself worthy enough, then Guiness would let him rise.

Pillar of Strength

Sorry 'bout the wait!

angier lyall

I can't quit now, this can't be right

His own dominance display was met with an equally intimidating show of bristled fur. The Lyall's presentation had not been enough and immediately Guiness came forth, his open jaws readily pinching at the skin at the back of Angier's neck. Unable to rid himself of the uniformly giant Second and Guardian, he struggled for some time, trying to wriggle away from the brute's grip. The scars there didn't matter, as long as he could try to get Guiness away... that was all that mattered. Peeling his black-lined lips from his teeth, it was his turn to part his jowls and snap at the vulnerable skin on his opponent's inner elbow.

A click of his teeth was quick to relay his aggravation. He would not be bested. He would not be defeated so long as he stood up on all four of his tawny limbs. Another click and once he pulled his lower jaw from his upper mandible, he honed in on that precious bit of fur in the Guard's forelimb. One pinch. Two pinches... and yet another ferocious snarl. How effective the move was, he wasn't quite sure but he was certain that it would at least make Guiness falter even the slightest bit as to make him reconsider the brawl that was unfolding here and now. If the Guard wasn't already teetering, Angier was mentally ready to try and risk everything - teeth and nails, limbs, ears, and all.

In one rather desperate attempt, he craned his head forward, wholly ignorant of the grip that was still clasped about his nape, his jaws just barely closing in on Guiness' ulna and radius. The pressure was there, but by the way the Lyall quickly withdrew his muzzle, the intent to mortally wound and disfigure the Thorben was absent. He merely wanted Guiness off and away from him, if only to utilize his strength in some other way and introduce his rival to the ground.

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The men continued on, snapping and nipping at one another, the grip he had on Angier’s scruff still firm and strong. However, the nipping at his elbow did cause him some major discomfort and he shifted slightly, not liking the position he was in. The Guardian did not know how far the subordinate would go to take the spot that Guiness held with him, but he knew if he was at danger of breaking anything it would be smart and pull away. His stamina was already wavering considering his large mass and when he felt like the Lyall was coming to close to his bones, he pulled away, pain shooting through his elbow at the quick jerking movement he used to get away from the man. He was almost sure he felt Angier’s jaws almost close around his arm, but luckily he had gotten just in the nick of time for his teeth to scrap harshly against his body. None the less, he flattered and tripped onto the ground, a dissatisfied growl erupting from his muzzle. He was not one that liked to be on the ground and preferred to be the one looking over the others when he had the choice to.

From his place on the ground, he readied his forelegs behind him to push off, leaving his force on mostly his back legs as he launched himself towards the other man, his jaws opened and aiming for his opponents chest in an attempt to force himself upwards and push him down on his back and once again into the ground. Hopefully, his strength would make up for him this time, his breath now coming in soft pants. They weren’t frantic, but it did prove that he would put up a fight now for his endurance, which had thankfully built up over the year he had been there. Hopefully, this would be over soon and even if he did beat Angier, Guiness knew that he had to do.

Pillar of Strength

angier lyall

I will never win this game without you

@Guiness pulled away, much to Angier's satisfaction, but while he relished the fact that he had maneuvered the brute away, the Willow Ridge Guardian managed to regain his footing and propelled forward in revenge. Just like that, the Lyall seized the opportunity to counter it after realizing he had been too slow to initially assert himself and stand over Guiness to begin with. The mottled beast's jaws parted and Angier's, too, gaped open to reveal his teeth with a disgruntled growl.

His opponent's attack hit and Angier yelped as he felt Guiness' teeth find purchase somewhere along the front of his ribcage. A number of expletives were shouted out in his head as the pain radiated from the bite, across his chest and over his shoulders. He might have been prepared to brace himself for the momentum and weight from his adversary's attack but that singular bite had been enough to catch him off-guard. As Guiness had launched himself forward, Angier found himself teetering backward and the first thing to come into contact with the ground were his upper back and shoulder blades.

A fraction of a second was all that it had taken for Angier to realize what kind of position he was in, and immediately his instincts kicked into high gear, refreshing the monstrous sound of his snarls and kicking all four of his paws into Guiness' underside in attempt to prevent him from keeping his 'upper hand' on their current places. Just like the Thorben had done, the tawny man reached up after hooking his right forelimb on Guiness' left forearm, aiming to secure a piece of ivory pelt that belonged to the Guardian's chin or throat...

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PM me if this isn't okay. Guiness won the dice rolls, so...I figured I would shake it up.

It was all too obvious that his attack had hit almost exactly where he had intended it to. He enjoyed the fact that he had been able to get up on top, but at the same time, he knew in his bones that had the top was not where he belonged. Getting caught up in his thoughts, he hadn’t realized what position he had gotten in with @Angier and quickly tried to get the most of the situation bent his knee and bowed his head down, in the process getting his muzzle ripped at and causing his nose to knick, forming the blood that began to slowly creep down his muzzle. It showed that the man had potential and would be a good defender if anything should happen. Guiness was not done yet though and attempted to press one of his paws down on the chest of the beast beneath him, pushing him down with all his strength. Seeing him lying there beneath him, just did not feel right at all, and it was why he was so sure of himself when he made his next decision. Leaning down so that his muzzle was a mere centimeters away from his opponents ear, he made his low, monotone voice as threatening as possible, "Keep this challenge in mind if you ever decide to hurt Milady….I will not hesitate to take you down."

It was there, the coded message that held everything that he had to known. In the end, Angier had gotten up on top and would remain on top, but if a problem should arise, his threat would remain true. All the challenge had been on Guiness’s part, was a test. With one last command to the man, he got off of him. "Now get up," Guiness growled, his amber golden eyes watching as for the last time he would be dominant to the male in front of him. As he had discovered long ago, his place was as a commander, but not the commander. Dropping his chin to his chest and bowing before the man, he spoke with utter respect as his new found leader, "Is there anything that must be done, sir?" It was probably the most that the newly named alpha had ever heard come out of Guiness’s mouth, but now he was right back to business and if he must, he would take the next command given to him by his new alpha.

Pillar of Strength

angier lyall

I can't win, I can't reign... without you.

Angier should have seen it coming. He was already on the ground. Once he was belly-up, there was little luck to be had in recovering. He should have known this because the first instinct he had cultured in his youth when it came to dominance spars was to back down once a match had been settled. The one time he had tried to get back at a yearling Borden, he found himself the victim of a gruesome nape bite, and his brother did not let go until Angier surrendered and verbally acknowledged him as a superior. A large paw came down onto his rib cage and the Lyall let out a soft sigh, watching a small drop of blood came down from Guiness' muzzle and fell onto his chest. At least he had gotten him with one last attempt at a well-placed, well-timed nip.

The tawny man closed his eyes, a wave of utter defeat washing over him as he laid still beneath the Thorben's equally large frame. He had lost... Or he thought he had... He hadn't even realized how close Guiness' muzzle had come to his ear. "Keep this challenge in mind if you ever decide to hurt Milady….I will not hesitate to take you down." Wait... What? Angier's pale eyes fluttered open and for some time he stared up in to the gray cloudy sky. What do you mean? The other ears angled back into the lush grass while the one that was being spoken to kept still. He waited but no other words came until Guiness had finally withdrawn from him.

"Now get up."

The breath that he didn't realize he had been holding fled his lungs. If this moment in time had taken place four or five years ago, Angier would have whimpered and whined and cried as he righted himself, utterly ashamed by his performance as a subordinate and a submissive being. At present, it suddenly dawned on him as to what Guiness had meant. Once on all fours, he watched in surprise as the man dipped his head. The Lyall canted his muzzle to one side, leveling his tail with his spine in uncertainty.

"Is there anything that must be done, sir?" the Guardian finally asked.

Sir. No one had ever called Angier "Sir," and it stirred within him the most curious of feelings. Was this what it felt like to be a dominant male? Had Borden felt this way and then some when he was acknowledged as a victor and leader? Though adrenaline still coursed through him and visibly shook his limbs, he smoothly lifted his tail so that it curled over his back. Perhaps in time he would be able to garner the courage to hold it higher and with a lot more vigor and pride, but for now, practically draping it over his rump and lower back would have to do.

"N-no," he breathed, taking several seconds to fully comprehend the power shift that had effortlessly passed onto his shoulders. "Well..." he hesitated, swallowed in attempt to vanquish the dryness in his throat. While he tried to get used to asserting himself and nurturing his dominant and naturally instinctive side, he could only envision and think back to what would Borden would have done if he had been in his place. Right here, right now. "Wash up," he ordered, gesturing with his nose to indicate the blood streak that had made a nice bright red line down Guiness' ivory jawline. "Then leave us alone for the evening. Resume your normal Guard duties and activities in the morning." He fell quiet then, lifting his head with newly discovered confidence as his back straightened; for what seemed like the first time in his life, Angier Lyall stood at full height in the face of a pack member.

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