king of an island of one

Each step sunk deep within the snow, requiring great effort to be put into each stride. Erebos' constant travelling had kept his muscles trained, but had also taken its toll, leaving him hungry and worn. Stubborn as always, he had put off seeking help and had refused to consider joining another pack. He felt as though his time alone was not yet finished, that he had not accomplished what he'd wanted to, that nameless goal he'd set before himself when he'd first crossed the range. Nature would not listen to his excuses, however, and Winter set a large hand over him, pushing him deeper and deeper into the snowbanks, attempting to bury him completely and take him out of existence. There was no choice in the matter; he had to once more submit to a leader and trust them with deciding what was best for him, a circumstance that had failed him twice before.

It was a simple coincidence that he would admit defeat as he crossed into the copse of ice-laden willows and come upon the clear indications that a pack was within the area. What truly piqued his interest, however, was a particular strain within the complex mixture of scents; one of them was familiar, he was sure of it, though he was having difficulty placing why.

Supposing this pack would be as good as any, Erebos pressed forward, drawing as close to the homestead as was respectful. He had no idea of their nature, nor that the leader was a hard ass. There were no means for him to be aware that the rigors they might put him through could be exactly what he needed at this point in his life. He merely hoped that they could use him as much as he could use them and lend him shelter from the brutally incessant discharge of sleet and snow.

Ceasing to plow through the drifts, Erebos instead scaled a particularly stiff bank, allowing himself to be viewed from a distance as he assumed a submissive stature. He barked out his request, with the intent of drawing anyone already close by to his location; if no one came within reasonable time, he'd belt out a howl or two.

Another male. She scented him along her borders and loped slowly into his direction, her footfalls heavy in the thick snow, kicking it up as she moved with a heavy sway of thick, curvy hips. Her injury previously had all but vanished, leaving the Matriarch to her prime. The Winter would be harsh and held all within lock down. There would be no travels over the mountains to know the packs which dwelt there. There was no longer any need for searching far and beyond for herbs, as they no longer lived. The herds had not been scented near in weeks and traveling an equal amount of time to find them was out of the question. She had only but to thrive here, to stay close to her home territory and see to it that it was safe and flourished. All was on her radar; loners who wished to join that could contribute in search for food, as well as any other predator or prey that she sought fitting to take down for food. Bugs, snakes, birds, iced over fish, fox, coyote and more - she would be damned if she let her pups starve, nor any other who called themselves a Willow Ridge member.
Already she was three wolves down. Muerda seemingly have gone missing, perhaps lost in a snow storm passed. Calla, perhaps to have left in search for her sister despite the warning of the mountains and Tempest? The ill wolf in her chambers had all but vanished from the pack lands, without word of @Guiness ether to allow the Leader to know what had happened. It was recent that the yearling @Nios had joined and so Elettra was surprised at another rogue's presence so soon. There had been plenty of women within her ranks until recently and now it seemed the men would finally even out.
The male who now called out for attention was caught in Elettra's views, who stiffened and rose her tail to the signal of arrive, head lifting high as ears perked to the location. Pale eyes sought him out upon the snow bank and she pursued, silent in her approach, though eyes calculating as she inspected his size and healthy outlook. She encircled the bank, testing out the waters. If he could not serve her well as a pack member, perhaps they could store him away as food instead? Huffing, she stops before him, standing still tall and ready if need be. "Another Loner seeking shelter, I presume?" She speaks lowly, ever watchful until a dip of her chin is offered respectfully and proper. "Elettra Archer, Leader of Willow Ridge."

(This post was last modified: Dec 12, 2013, 12:16 AM by Elettra.)

With the fall of a very tough winter, Asriel became aware of the fact that the danger created by this change sent many lone wolves scuttling to find a pack to join for the winter. Naturally, he was somewhat set against these wolves- what kind of wolf in their right mind would have waited until this point to join a pack? He felt naturally prejudiced against wolves who sought a life out on their own- there was nothing flashy or dignified about being a lone wolf; if anything, it showed a lack of competence. Wolves were meant to live in a pack- and he could never see himself striking out to be on his own, were he could live a meaningless and selfish life. Wolves who joined a pack in the middle of winter were wolves whose pride only ebbed now that they realized- sometimes too late- that their life was n danger.

So it was of great interest to him to see who these wolves were- and what techniques his mother used when interrogating them. Was she harder on them? Did she expect more from them? He tailed her, following along in her trail and arriving on the scene not long after she did, to scour the male with a look of curious scrutiny. He took his place by her side, standing tall and taking pride in the fact that he'd grown enough so that he looked more like a small adult, rather than a large, disproportionate pup. He'd grown into his long legs and thick paws, and had begun to put on even more height and weight as the winter began. He looked forward to the day when his shoulders would rise above those belonging to his mother- though he knew fully well that his head ought still to be lower than that of the queen's.

His eyes were fastened upon the healthy-looking male, with silent interrogation as he waited for the wolf to explain himself, and for his mother to show him how the job of a guardian was done. <b style="color:#101115;">

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@Elettra @Asrielsorry for taking so horribly long to get back to this.


There was no need for Ere to cause anymore noise, as the queen herself was swift to meet his presence. Immediately he knew that she was not one for any sort of play or trivial discourse, but rather a woman of unrelenting purpose. As she had found him, there was no need for the icy pedestal, and as she stilled he slunk off the mound to take his place as standing below the level of her critical gaze. A surprise was the whelp that flanked her, and the condescension that permeated his features. It took a deal of self control for Erebos not to cock an brow at the youth; surely, he didn't appreciate being looked upon in such a haughty manner. He wasn't in any position to show disapproval of any ilk. And so, he focused on the matriarch and gave his explanation.

"Erebos," he returned after a nod to her supposition, purposefully leaving off his surname; it was the urge to severe that very tie which had him here at her border, after all. "If you'll have me, I'll ask for nothing more than I give in return; I will hunt in excess and complete any and all tasks you deem fit to assign me with."

It was the end of what he had to say, though he would gladly supply more information if she asked for it. He would not spin his words from straw to gold, to dress up his arrival and intentions in order to connive entry. After all, he didn't expect a woman with such a demeanor as this Elettra's to buy any grade of shit. Still, she might find the lack of flash disappointing and turn him away, at which point he supposed he would be forced to continue traveling. He would not beg and he would not make promises that he did not intend to keep.

Take your time Caddy!

Easing into the scene just after her came her first born son, Asriel. He was only just barely over a half year old and already he was quite tall and showing of much power to come. Painted in a sun-bleached black, a darkened brown in the sun and shining with a ginger saddle. His eyes were as bright as his father's were, though perhaps he would never know. Her eyes shift to him, though she does nothing other then this to acknowledge his presence. He is silent and she can only be left to assume he wanted to watch and learn. Surely, it would be he some day approaching Loners at the border in such a manner.
"Erebos...?" She speaks, hinting at a wonder of his surname. That is, if he did hold any family title. Of course, she did not know his reasoning for specifically leaving it out. Did not know he was the brother of a man she had found quite fitting, though had been mistaken of his own affections for her. Still, she listens on. His words have her lips pursing and her eyes still locked firmly upon him. They are simple and to the point as she did so like. Never before had she been a woman enjoying of sugar-coating and lies of false life devotions. It was those wolves who made her shit list when they betrayed her and those wolves which she hunted down.
"My pack is strong in it's variety - hunters, guardians, a prompt advisor and a well traveled scout. Understand your presence here is not needed, but a privilege to you if you wish to survive the winter." As she makes these words clear, she pauses. A test in a manner to see his reaction and the words which may or may not come with it. "If you wish to join, prove yourself to us in this manner: The herds are gone. You are quite a big boy and another Guardian would do well to keep rogues looking to snatch a meal at bay. I've opened word to my pack that everything well be considered food if we are to not only survive, but flourish healthily and greedily. Kill for me, for your new pack. Badgers, coyote, foxes, other wolves if they cross you and Willow Ridge the wrong way...."

Asriel hadn't expected any fuss to be made over him as he made his way to his mother's side. Though it wouldn't have embarrassed the prince one bit had Elettra shown any affection toward him, her silent acceptance of his presence was familiar enough- this was business, so she expected him to act in a princely manner, rather than acting like a pup who shadowed his mother and played in her pawprints. No, he was trying to match the mark she left in Relic Lore, and aimed to become the leader of the pack one day when his mother decided to give the throne to her heir. So for now, no coddling was needed- Asriel fancied himself to be almost as good as an adult anyway, and didn't want to be treated like a pup.

He did admire the size of the newcomer- Erebos. He didn't catch any sign of disapproval on the male's features, as his attention had seemingly been drawn, more than anything, to his mother. With her powerful presence, she commanded the scene, and Asriel did his best to model the same behavior, tilting his crown forward when Erebos spoke and watching his face with calm judgement. He did cast a glance to his mother when the loner insisted that he would hunt to excess for the pack; instantly, the prince wondered if he meant it literally. And he enjoyed the thought of telling Erebos repeatedly to hunt for him and the other wolves. He'd said he would...Thus, Asriel had every expectation that, if he was to join the pack, he would have to keep his promise.

His mother seemed to catch the same phrase and made Asriel roud to be a part of a pack which, as she said, had many strong individuals in it. Eerbos would really need to prove himself- otherwise, his life would be threatened, as had been subtly hinted by his mother. Asriel's gaze glistened and did not waver as he watched for the male's reaction. He hoped for something good. <b style="color:#101115;">

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He stared back at her as she repeated her name, purposefully trailing on the last syllable, questioning whether or not there was anything more to him. His silence would answer for her that there was not. This was all he was now, exactly what she saw and assumed. It wasn't until she spoke of the in-necessity of his presence that he gave her a verbal answer, a simple reply of <b style="color:#ed6114">"of course." Especially after her listing of their strengths, Erebos was well aware that they would not miss his presence, nor that of any other rogue's. As limited as resources were, there was no longer a benefit to more hands. In fact, it was coming to a point where more mouths to feed could quickly drain and destroy a pack. However, he wasn't one to not try, and certainly not one to sacrifice himself to make things easier for others. He would hold up his word to the best of his ability; if the severity of the region's situation worsened, he would devise a new plan. He continued to listen to her, had no qualms about living off of mediocre food so long as he was fed, and certainly had faith in himself to take on fellow predators. Her final suggestion, however, caused him need to stop and consider. <b style="color:#ed6114">"Cannibalism?" He repeated the word with little inflection. Surprisingly to himself, he was not horrified by the proposition, merely surprised. It was something he would have never considered, feeding off of the flesh of his own, but if there was nothing left, shouldn't the strongest continue to survive? At the cost of the weak, it was how the world worked anyways. There was a stretch of silence as this ran through his head, before deciding yes, he was willing to partake in such a thing should circumstances require it. <b style="color:#ed6114">"So be it. I'll bring to you the first chunk of meat that crosses my path."

Perhaps a little short, idk, the counter is gone. But I got this up quick before work!

Erebos is was then and nothing more, allowing herself not to align him with the man who once lived in these lands that had caught her fancy and unknowingly, the same in return. Phineas was long gone, taking matters into his own paws and now, his brother was here, perhaps to only stay for the winter as his brother before him. She nods delicately to the stranger, her silvery attention commanding as ever as she watched him. "I have children, Erebos..." She speaks as her gaze shifts to her son, standing properly and silently at her side. "There is nothing I will not do for them to insure their survival. If it comes to cannibalism, then so be it." He did not seemed sickened by the idea, ether, just that it was shocking that food was so little that taking down rogues that weren't so lucky enough to have a pack might end up being their own option for survival. "Welcome to our ranks, Erebos." She speaks then, holding him to his word. Though he was accepted, she would be so very willing to kick him out if he did not do his fair share of work (and more) as so promised. She turns then, nudging her son on the shoulder and awaiting the new Willow Ridge member to follow them in.

(This post was last modified: Jan 15, 2014, 07:50 PM by Elettra.)

doo-dee-do-dee-doooooo sum up! One last post from Erebos and I think we'll have 10?

Cannibalism.

It made Asriel's eyes glisten as he watched the newcomer's response. He liked to think that this male would actually do whatever he needed to do for the pack, and it excited him to think that he'd even be willing to kill others. It could make the pack some enemies...But only if he was stupid about who he culled. Nevertheless, with his size and strength, and the amount of faith Asriel had invested in the belief that the Willow Ridge pack would always reign supreme, he figured that it could be possible. They could get away with it. Especially if this guy was as willing to keep the pack alive as he seemed to be. Asriel was impressed with the stoic way he seemed to accept his responsibilities, and he found himself looking forward to seeing him again. He could be useful...

His mother allowed him into the pack and mentioned him, making Asriel tilt his head back slightly. While he didn't like to think that he needed others to take care of him, he liked thinking that others would do their best to make sure that he and his siblings survived. They were the heirs to the pack, and would need their strength. The wolves would one day defer to them, the same way they did to Elettra so he felt it important to have them respect him early on. Asriel said nothing as the meeting was drawn to a close and quietly gave Erebos one last look before he turned on his heel and followed willingly alongside his mother.

Erebos' eyes now fell to the boy as Elettra claimed him, emphasizing the validation of her position as if it had been needed. His rustic gaze lingered then as he reminded of Phineas' offspring, of Hypatia and Kyros who Erebos had been so fond of. Especially Hyp. His mind wandered to his departure from the Red Hills, of running into her so far from the safety of the pack's domain, with a fire in her gut. He'd hated to leave her, them. That was something he regretted. Perhaps the only thing. It would have torn him apart to know that Kyros had been taken by the malicious winter, and that he had failed to notice the beast that stalked Hypatia. Perhaps then there was such a thing as fate, for avoiding that information allowed him to stay sane.

Welcome to our ranks, Erebos.While the calm still of his demeanor did not so much as ripple, he felt great relief as she spoke admittance. While he hadn't invested any of his heart on joining this particular pack, he could now rest a spell, perhaps even take a little from their cache, and fully regain his strength. To once more possess the fitness of a healthy pack wolf rather than the less desirable and travel-weary state of a rogue. Then, he would work to hold the promise he'd just made. Perhaps having something to focus on, a goal to achieve was exactly what he needed right now. His security was far from guaranteed, but it was closer than it had been minutes before. With two mere words, he followed mother and son to what might now be called home.

"Thank you."

@Elettra @Asriel
lol fuck me this took forever. sorry. )x