Drooping Willows jagged arrowheads

Forward dated a few weeks 'cause I'm fitting some exploring in between. @Elettra and @Angier

The woman had made her way across the mountain with her nephew in tow to find her other sister. Oh how complicated the family drama seemed. She refused to speak of the rumors she had heard from the maw of her mother, words she was not supposed to hear. They were vicious words of a man taking her older sister by force and words only heard out of anger her parents had expressed for the man. Sorya just wanted to find the truth and she had a feeling her parents would lie to her. She had been at a crossroad for a while. Part of her sought to return home but she refused to because her family would have proven themselves right. She missed Torbine, really she did, she just wasn't sure how to express it and get away from it. She hated the feeling in her gut.

She had sent Xetor off to stop following her but had occasionally noticed his scent around and she was annoyed that, in her paranoid opinion, he was still following the girl. She took a deep breathe only to find the scent of a pack. She was at the borders to a pack and she was curious, perhaps too curious so she raised a call for the alphas of the pack. Perhaps it could be a place for her to be while she sought out her sister, of course this would mean she had to be a scout, but perhaps it could be more of a Guardian thing after she had found her sister or if she had given up. She cursed her curiosity as she sat down a few lengths from the borders as she awaited the arrival of the most regal pair. Her mind briefly wandered to her family. Perhaps they knew her sister and could point her (Sorya) in the right direction.

auntsoryaauntsoryaaaaaaa....

Sköll was not at all the stupid sort, ignorant maybe, but it was not very often that something important slipped his mind. His mother had ben den-bound for a little while yet but to see a figure, cloaked in black with a muzzle that was half-white just like his, the boy just could not absolutely help himself. He had to do a double-take before he ultimately decided what to do. A smile lifted the corners of his mouth and her barked to her in a manner that audibly told her that he was happy to see her... that his joy and jubilation stemmed from the fact that the three younger half-brothers who had "joined" their family were not enough to keep her from her favorite son.

His tail lifted in a lofty wag, a proud banner of sorts as he strode up to meet her. Though, the closer her became, he started to realize something. She was a bit heftier than he had seen her last and he thought he could have sworn that she seemed much too... still? Collected? His pale gray eyes narrowed in suspicion and he stopped several meters from the doppelgänger of his mother. Something wasn't right. It made his stark black fur lift apprehensively, and for a while he thought of cursing the trio - damn that Deacon, curse that Castiel, and jinx that Greer! - and the man who had sired them. The four of them had changed his mother... reduced and morphed her into someone he could now barely recognize.

His right forepaw came forward a step and he flashed his teeth at her just once before swallowing hard. There was one way he could only address Elettra, at least, at a time like this, and he gave his tail a nervous wag, his voice so feeble that it might have shattered into a billion pieces if it had some sort of corporeal form. "M-Mother?"

i'm a dreamer, i'm a man

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

The faintest call out of the name mother made her ears perk up until she saw a yearling facing her. They looked so... similar. Perhaps they were too similar and she was immediately curious as to who he was. "I'm sorry ser, I am not your mother though. I.. I'm looking for my sister, she left before I was born but I've heard of her. Her name is Elettra.... Elettra Archer and I am Sorya Archer." She hoped the young man would be able to help her out in finding the wolf she had been searching for for almost a year. She black fur remained slicked back against her body and her light, pale grey eyes were brimming with hope in finding her. It was just a rumor.

For all he knew this woman didn't exist. For all Sorya knew, she was dead. She tried to look on the positive side and she gave Sköll a quick smile in secret hopes. That was all that could be done, was to hope. "Do I know you ser? You look familiar somehow." She asked as she thought back to her family in Torbine. He looked similar to one of her older brothers but he was obviously younger than her. Why was the boy reminding her of older siblings of hers? No, it was crazy talk, there was no way this was one of her older siblings. She drew a deep breathe, her tail tucking slightly. She wasn't stupid. He was a pack wolf and he deserved respect from the likes of a lone wolf like herself.

At least she had learned that much from Torbine.

Their eyes met and Sköll's ears drew back as they had been before, the uncertainty on his face as clear as daylight now. Just like his mother and his own pair of ghost gray eyes, she too had irises that were colorless. Maybe he had another sister he had not known about? One of his whiskered brows rose and his right eye squinted in a twisted, but thoughtful expression, as though he were thinking much too hard for his own good. That was ridiculous; the only sister he had, and a wretched one at that despite his brotherly love for her, was Morganna. The woman sounded older though, but nothing about his mother's stories rang a bell. Even more so, as far as the prince was concerned, he and his mother were the only two Archers who looked alike...

The lady apologized and the boy's head tilted in thought as she mentioned that she was looking for her sister. He held his tongue to keep some sort of insult or sneer from slipping out from his ivory lips, to keep himself from cutting her off. He was glad he hadn't; in fact, he actually didn't have to pry or even question her because - Just. Like. That. - she stated his mother's name and introduced herself.

Sorya. Archer.

Now, Sköll might not have liked learning about the history of his ancestors and family and the kingdom from which his mother, and he and his siblings in turn, had descended from, but some of it did stick to the folds of his memory. He knew about the other man, Lycus Corvius, who had "attacked" his mother, and he knew about his "Uncle Asher," whose unfortunate story was, by far, his most favorite (since it spoke of his mother and the power she represented just by overcoming his albeit weak attack on her). He even knew some things about his grandfather Roman and his grandmother Sansa and the Torbine Revolution which told about how they both broke the family's traditions when it came to choosing a mate. "Sorya Archer," regrettably, was a name he did not know or remember; but just her looks and that fact that she knew his mother struck a chord, but first... protocol. The last time he had done this, he had suffered at the mercy of Angier's wrath, something he never would have expected up until then.

The prince disregarded her question; they would get to that sooner or later. "You cannot see her," he stated, a tinge of coldness in his tone. "She is... busy at the moment. Why do you want to see her? I will personally relay your message."

i'm a dreamer, i'm a man

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

Sorya listened as he said that she could not be seen as she was busy. It meant she was there. Her tail wagged slightly when she heard the news as he offered to personally relay the message that Sorya had. "I just wanted to meet her, she left before I was born. I've only heard whispers about her, but she seems like a brave and a free wolf. I suppose I just wanted to know if the rumors in the wind were true. They didn't tell me much about her after all." She told the yearling with a small and nervous smile. Would he relay the message that Elettra's sister was at the borders to the pack she rested in? She wondered briefly who the boy was but everything was blacked out, a small frown on her muzzle. "Might I ask you your name?" She presented the question politely.

She was so close to the woman she had wanted to meet since first hearing about her. She was so close yet so far. The borders stood in the way of meeting her and it tortured Sorya. "If my sister is here, I'd like to join this pack." She presented once more as she added in a list of what she thought to be accomplishments. "I've been trained in healing basics and I'm a decent hunter, a fighter too." Sorya took a deep breathe as she hoped that her demands were not too much. Though she was indeed a stubborn and proud Archer, she had never really had any life experiences to harden the mentality and she found occasionally that it would just slip away from her. She gazed at Sköll but did not look him in the eyes. This entire interaction seem strange, curious, and was too good to be true.

The woman explained further that Elettra was her sister and Sköll's head canted to one side as he turned away to look at her from the corner of his eye. Was this worth getting in trouble over? Hmm. His gaze flickered over the woman's similar features again - the dark coat tinted with golden hues, the silvery eyes, the white chin and muzzle. There was still a chance that she was lying, but how many wolves were prone to knowing about the kingdom of Torbine? The prince's lips pursed as the rogue asked him for his name and expressed her wishes to join Willow Ridge. Elettra had always taught him to be proud, it was only characteristic of him, being his mother's son and all.

He let his introduction roll off his tongue, the words seemingly likened to the prick of a silver-bladed dagger, "Sköll Archer, prince of Willow Ridge." His lips sealed at the end of his informal title, letting the air between them grow still and hang with the anticipation of her discovery... that she was speaking to her nephew.

"I'd let you join, Auntie," he then stated with a toothy grin, his voice much too sweet for such a thought, "But as long as my step-father runs the place beside your sister, I have no power here. If I were you, you'd want to howl for him yourself." With his sneer still apparent on his face, the boy stepped back before turning around to look back at her. "I'm glad we met, but I value my reputation and the welfare of my privileges." He gave her one last smirk before making his leave, "I hope we meet again. Until then."

(Exit.)

i'm a dreamer, i'm a man

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

A small grin caught her when the boy introduced himself as Sköll Archer and then went on to explain that her sister was the queen beside his step-father. They boy was her nephew and Sorya was growing to like the boy despite the almost hostile attitude that she had received when she had first arrived at the borders. He departed for he did not want to get into trouble and it was understandable. His suggestion was taken almost as soon as he was out of view. She raised her muzzle and howled for the alpha who she would hopefully call alpha in the years to come. She wanted to learn who was who as far as her family tree was concerned and Elettra always seemed like a curious one from the whispers she held. Well, not so much as curious as an awesome sister to have.

She cut off her howl after a decent amount of time as she waited with her tail tucked beneath her in preparation for his arrival. "But as long as my step-father runs the place beside your sister, I have no power here. If I were you, you'd want to howl for him yourself." She recalled the words with a curious look. Her nephew didn't appear to like the man and if he didn't like her than she probably wouldn't either but she'd be able to manage putting up with him. Why wouldn't she like him? The boy reminded her of herself a year or so ago but she would give @Angier a chance anyways.

She only hoped her sister's catch was really worth the distaste of her own son. Sorya held an expressionless face as she awaited the man to arrive.

The howl that pierced his ears was a curious one. After so many months and weeks of peace and quiet on the borders - apart from the last lone wolf that Sköll had intercepted - it seemed that wolves were starting to find the wolves of Willow Ridge once again. He had just been by to check up on Elettra and the three sons she was now at the mercy of and was rather displeased that his patrol had come to a distraction that would keep him from returning to them anytime soon. Picking up the pace in his step, he traveled swiftly to the location of the call. His tail had already been held aloft from meeting with his family but it curled even more so when Sköll's cologne stabbed at his nostrils when he had come close enough to see a dark figure between the trees.

GODDAMNIT Sköll!

The Leader that had come to meet the stranger was very much unlike the man that Elettra had first met. His teeth were bared and his hackles had lifted to fashion him into a rather intimidating sight. Had he not been using his nose and still thinking as clearly as he had before blindly taking his frustration out on his step-son, he might have overlooked that it was not Sköll who had been waiting for him but someone, a woman, who looked very much like him and his mother.

The growl he had let loose was much too late to take back, but as he had been instructed, he handled this encounter like any other. It did not matter if the lone wolf before him looked familiar or harbored the same markings as his spouse; she was a stranger and would be treated as such. He stood before her, shoulders hunched and head lowered. Every inch of him demanded that he be seen for his moderately impressive size and fearsome stare, "Who are ya and what do ya want?" Then, just because he had noticed that the Trickster had been in the area, he added, "And where is the boy? I will only ask ya once."

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-Smacks Sorya- Too rude for yo thoughts girl

Sorya was careful as soon as the man arrived, she dipped her head as he got to the questions that she had been dying to answer to someone who could accept her. "I'm Sorya Archer, I understand my sister resides within the pack and also happens to lead beside yourself and I seek to join. As for my nephew, he just headed into the territory. Something about he didn't want to lose his privileges or something." She only answered because he seemed so serious and down to business. No wonder Skoll didn't fancy him. A grumpy pants for a step-father? Ugggh, that would be torture in her mind. She wondered what the man was going to do with the information Sorya had just given him.

Second • I, alone, know the name. It is now up to you. Cast out the sinner, let the guilty rise and confess.

She felt bad for ratting out Skoll but she had seen little options other because she was still looking to join and lying wouldn't be the best idea. The woman had her tail tucked and her ears pushed back to an appropriate level to show respect to the alpha. She supposed she should explain further like she had for Skoll but she was only speaking when permitted to do so. There was one line that he had said that kept repeating in her mind. I will only ask ya once. She didn't make any movements and she just just kind of frozen there. She drew a deep breathe and held it for a little while as she waited for the great and powerful alpha to speak. She wondered what it was that he was going to do.

(This post was last modified: May 04, 2014, 02:58 AM by Sorya.)

Angier thought her first words would have been an apology, judging by how she had lowered herself and tucked her tail. An "I'm sorry for disrupting you..." or an "I'm sorry, Sir." Instead, what had been said was: "I'm Sorya Archer..." followed by her understanding of the fact that her sister ruled this part of Relic Lore. She also made quick work of letting him know that she intended to join his and Elettra's pack. It was also noted that she was quick... Smart... Not only did she keep her introduction succinct and to the point, she was also so kind as to let him know what had become of Sköll, where he had gone and why he had left her there on the borders alone.

He let his gaze sweep over her, as though just one thorough glance might give him the answer as to whether or not to allow this woman, one who claimed to be Elettra's sister, into his ranks. The Trickster could be dealt with later, right now, Sorya had every fiber of his attention. "I would hate ta think of what my beloved Queen might say an' do if I told her that I sent someone with the likes o' you away from our border," he said slowly. "But answer me this... If ya are who ya say you are, tell me the names of yer parents, where ya hail from, an' what ya want with her." He snorted once, a simple telltale cue that he would not stand for anything less than what he had asked of her.

"Your sister 'as granted me powers likened to the ones from the kingdom you've left, Archer or not, I hope you 'ave the right answers."

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