Willow Ridge The Golden Boy

Patchy light snow — 33° F/1° C | Early Afternoon For @Octavius <3 I was thinking maybe Deacon could take Gus around the territory? Also, this song was what gave me some muse for Gus/Deacon :)

Deacon wasn't completly oblivious to the other child who clearly was not his brother. He prided himself on not paying attention to this other boy but he couldn't help it when curiosity got the best of him. The prince of the willows was even going as far to bring the other kid a gift. Although it wasn't much, just a hare's rear end he managed to snag from one of the caches. But he carried it as though it was a golden crown. Careful and delicate in his mouth. Once he was sure it wouldn't drop from his jaws he had made his way to where the golden boy's scent laced the ground.

Dropping the hare rear to the ground Deacon barked out to whoever would be there. "Oh golden boy, are you there? I brought you something." The dark boy smiled wide hoping that might even make the golden boy more interested in Deacon. Honestly a thought of looking stupid ran through his mind. What if someone, like his brothers, saw him and laughed at him for trying to be friends with the golden boy? That was a bit ridiculous. He was sure if he explained it to his brothers they would understand. Besides, Deacon could use some more friends besides his caretakers and own brothers. It wasn't that he didn't enjoy their company he was merely just growing bored of the same games and same wolves. He was craving something new in his life and it was a hard task to find something new without getting in trouble. So perhaps the golden boy could save him from his desire of the new.

(This post was last modified: Oct 18, 2014, 06:48 PM by Deacon.)

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Octavius Lyall
the ghosts of cedarwood forest know my name

Taima had gone missing again and this time little Gus Lyall had seemingly had the guts to trail the already 2-day old trail she had last forged through the willows. He puffed out his chest for what seemed like the fourth time in that past half hour but his confidence wore through. No. Might as well sit down and wait for her... Just. Like. Always. Sitting himself down with a soft thud of his lanky figure, he stared unseeingly at the yellowing curtain of his willow's branches. "Mom..." he sounded out quietly as though Taima were merely laying right beside him. His voice came a little louder before the world quieted again, "Mom?"

His ears perked at the top of his head and his auburn head whipped about towards the sound of someone approaching. A smile graced his boyish features and as he stood up to greet his mother, his tail happily wagged; but, the voice that broke the silence was not his mother's. Gus' face and ears fell and he poked his head through the branches to see just who was calling him a "golden boy." It was one of the others. Specifically, it was one of the two dark-coated ones, but not even a smile from the other boy could prompt Gus to react. Everywhere beyond the grand, old tree, the ground was covered with white stuff, which upon closer inspection with both of his paws and his nose, was cold. He didn't like it one bit. In fact, it made him miss the warmth of Taima's side even more than he already did.

His goldenrod eyes flickered to the other lad, disinterested in what 'gift' he might have been given, "Hey, have you seen my mom?"

Deacon huffed lightly. He was happy that the golden boy did show his face but he wasn't exactly happy with the way he was greeted. "Hey, have you seen my mom?" Honestly that felt bad to hear. Where was the Golden Boy's mom? It was so strange to hear that the Golden Boy couldn't find his mom. The Archer Lyall boy was unaware of what exactly went on in the strange living situation that was Golden Boy and his mom. Not to mention he could never figure out how exactly things worked. Deacon could recall seeing his father occasionally helping Golden Boy but he figured that was because Golden Boy was a pack member. Family. The whole Willow Ridge pack was a family as much as Deacon knew.

"Uh, no, sorry I haven't seen your mom." He frowned lightly before looking down at the snowy ground. He had yet to figure out what exactly it was but he was well aware it was cold. "She couldn't have gone too far." At least Deacon hoped she didn't. He didn't wanna feel guilty. Deacon had felt that feeling before when he was younger and it was a truly horrible feeling.

Trying to figure out a way to lighten the mood he offered a half smile to Golden Boy. "I can help you search for her if you would like." Shifting his weight on his paws he looked around for a moment to see if anyone was around before leaning in closer to the other boy. "Maybe we can even go on a little adventure." His voice was a soft whisper in case any of the adults were near by. "I've watched my older brother Skoll and he goes to some interesting places." Deacon's tail started to wag behind him at a rather quick pace with all the talk of adventure. "I could use an adventure buddy...don't tell my younger brothers I said this, but they're boring. They have no real sense of fun." He giggled lightly at his own words. His brothers were rather boring. Especially since Castiel had no really sense of adventuring and Greer seemed to always be doing his own thing.

Falling back onto his rear he offered a big toothy grin. "That is if you're brave enough to adventure with me.

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Octavius Lyall
the ghosts of cedarwood forest know my name

"Uh, no, sorry I haven't seen your mom." the other kid had said. Crestfallen, Gus sighed and backed away to withdrew his head back into the shelter of the willow's umbrella-like boughs. He reemerged almost instantly, though, when he heard that she probably couldn't have been very far. Taima had always told him that, but for the first time ever, as cynical and pessimistic as it might have been, he was beginning to believe that, perhaps, one of these days, she might not ever come back for him. Just like his father, wherever the golden man was these days... Apparently, he didn't care for his family or else he might have been here with Gus, waiting for the silver heiress to return. Perhaps they would have had their own home by now if that had been the case. Either way, the golden boy who had been left behind had neither the energy or the mind to waste of the two of them. At the moment, what mattered was what this age-mate was doing so far from the heart of Willow Ridge.

The idea of a venture through the willows was offered, bestowed upon large, curious copper ears with bits about someone called Sköll and the boringness of brothers. All too suddenly, Gus felt a bit of relief; if brothers were boring, he supposed he was lucky to not have any. But, if he had had a brother, he probably wouldn't have been out here, all alone, and a little less worried about when Taima was going to return. The swarthy cub giggled and, even if he wasn't laughing at Gus, the masked boy felt a bit awkward. He had never conversed with anyone who was the same age as him. Adult-speak, he felt, was less complicated and, most of the time, to the point... sugar-coated even, but he much preferred it over what naivety and small talk Deacon was now offering. At least, until it was suggested that Gus might not have been brave enough.

He strode out from beneath his willow now, standing fully in the snow and letting the measly flakes scatter throughout his red-and-brown coat. "I am brave!" he countered with a high wag of his tail. "What makes you think I'm not?" As soon as he had uttered those very words, he took a good look around, hoping that no one else had heard him. He knew what kind of trouble he could land in if he did so much as try to speak to other members in the pack apart from Uncle Angier or Aunt Elettra. His youthful face scrunched up in a sneer as he loudly whispered back, "You should get out of here. You're gonna get both of us in trouble."

"I'm not supposed to talk to you."

"I am brave!" Deacon's smile only grew wider as Golden Boy reacted with a bit of spice to him. "Oh trust me, I believe you're brave. Nothing makes me doubt it." Rising back up to his feet he barked at Golden Boy as he complained. Saying he should leave, stuff like they would get in trouble, but what was most shocking was when Golden Boy said that he shouldn't be talking to Deacon. The ridge prince was rather confused and it showed as his mouth hung a bit open at a lost for words.

Quickly pulling himself together he licked his lips before turning his body to face his right. "Under the order of the Prince I say you are allowed to talk to me and if my mom or dad see us talking I'll cover you. We can blame it all on me." Shooting a look to Golden Boy he was expecting him to follow after Deacon.

The dark boy started walking on wards not fully sure of where they would go. He was rattling his mind for somewhere they could go and not get caught by one of the older wolves. "So Golden Boy what just exactly is your name? My name is Deacon if you didn't know that already." Deacon had figured that everyone who was anyone knew his name but he was willing to cut Golden Boy some slack. Besides, he was starting to like him. He was rather bland but it seemed that if you pulled the right string Golden Boy came a bit more alive than usual.

The light snow began to layer over his dark coat. Shaking softly he tried to get some of it off. The snow was cold and Deacon was so use to the warmth of his family that even the slightest cold thing sent him into a rather upset mood. But slowly he was learning to accept the snow. He was learning that you could even do cool tricks with it. Maybe Deacon would later on try some tricks on Golden Boy, just maybe.

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Octavius Lyall
the ghosts of cedarwood forest know my name

At least the other cub had the generosity to believe him, but something still made Gus unsure about it all. As Deacon continued, being rather taken aback from being unaware of the rules the other Lyall had been subject to, he managed to find a loophole. "Under the order of the Prince I say you are allowed to talk to me," he stated, "and if my mom or dad see us talking I'll cover you. We can blame it all on me." Gus fought the urge to sneer, but it did not keep the suspicion and doubt from his tone, "You're a prince?" He had probably just made himself sound stupid but he didn't care. Of course, Uncle Angier and Aunt Elettra's children were princes and princesses, but what was a young lord to, say, one of those royals? Perhaps someone higher in rank? Gus wasn't sure.

Then, the cub started walking and Gus, against all his high-minded virtues, morals, and the promises he had made to his mother, hesitantly took one step forward. Then another... and another... until he was no more than a few paces back from the black-furred royal. He shot a backward glance to the tree he was leaving behind and swallowed hard. He had wandered all the way to the den before and he had followed Taima once to the small creek nearby; if he could travel that far, surely if he used his nose he could find his way back. Sniffing once and listening to the boy address him before introducing himself, Gus' brows quirked. If Deacon was a prince by name, then:

"I'm Octavius Percival Lyall Aq--" it sounded as if he had started to choke on something, like his own spit, but he recovered himself. "Lord and Heir of Grizzly Hollow." The skin at the base of his skull and all along his shoulders and sides of his face heated in a series of hot flashes; it hadn't been too new, but he knew better than to ask about his father or even continue to use the "Aquila" part of his name. Had his mother been around, it would have made her very, very upset. Hopefully, it wouldn't matter too much to Deacon.

"So..." he started, hesitation still clear in his voice as he repeated what Taima had patiently explained to him not too long ago. "Uncle Angier is... your dad?"

The young boy had to fight back a laugh when Golden Boy questioned him. "Of course I'm a prince. I was born to the king and queen. First born to be exact." His tone was highly prideful in his last sentence. Although he wasn't the true first born (for Asriel was the ultimate first born) Deacon was the first born in Elettra and Angier's litter.

"I'm Octavius Percival Lyall. Lord and Heir of Grizzly Hollow." A wide wicked smile spread across his lips. A lord must be like a prince, or so Deacon thought, so it was nice to be in the presence of another prince like himself. "Well Lord Octavius, I would like to see this Grizzly Hollow place of your's." He was more than interested in seeing Octavius' lands. The willow ridge lands were Deacon's place and it seemed that that Grizzly Hollow place was Octavius'.

"Yup! Angier is sure my dad. But hey, why do you call him Uncle Angier?" He was curious to figure out this mystery. Sooner or later the puzzle pieces of Deacon's giant family would all come together but for now he was more focused on learning about this little piece of the puzzle that involved himself and Golden Boy (now known as Octavius). Then it slowly came together quickly. "WAIT! You said Lyall somewhere in your name, right? I'm a Lyall too!" He smiled wide at Golden Boy pleased that he had put two and two together. "I'm Deacon Archer Lyall." The prince was starting to wonder if maybe Octavius was an Archer too. Oh how interesting this would all be in the end.

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"Well Lord Octavius," Deacon had started talking again. To Gus' surprise, he rather liked how his titled name sounded on the tongue of another. "I would like to see this Grizzly Hollow place of your's." Gus just smiled; the topic had been changed for the sake of diverting his attention from his mother and now was not the time to go back to Taima's whereabouts to explain that she had promised to take him to his grandfather's old lands. He still hoped that perhaps one day he would bring Deacon there. It was only courteous and fair, Deacon and his parents had been charitable enough to allow him and his mother to stay within Willow Ridge.

The other Lyall confirmed that Uncle Angier had been his father, but questioned by Gus called him "Uncle." He had just opened his mouth when Deacon exclaimed, "WAIT!" Gus' eyes widened and his head tilted when the now enthusiastic prince came to the realization that they shared a last name. Eventually, even as they continued on their slow and leisurely walk, he frowned. Was he being serious right now?

"Of course we have the same last name," he expounded. "Your dad is Angier Lyall and he's my mom's uncle. My mom's name is Taima Lyall." Duh...

Gus turned his head to fully look at Deacon now, partially grimacing with a hint of exasperation. He might not have known the names of Angier's children but he had the intellect to at least understand the concept of who was who in their somewhat complicated and extended family tree. He had to know, in the weeks before his mother's most recent disappearance, she had drilled him, time and time again, in memorizing the names of his relatives for when they were reunited with his grandparents and the aunts and uncles (his mother's siblings) who stayed with them. "That's why my mom and I are staying with your mom and dad. We're family and family's s'posed to stick together."

I'm An Archer By Looks

Deacon Archer Lyall

But A Lyall By Acts

"Oh, well I didn't know your mom was related to my- I mean our family." Offering a toothy grin at Octavius Deacon side bumped into Golden Boy. "I guess that means you can be my new brother Lore Octavius." Chuckling lightly he continued to lead them on a walk.

Deacon knew exactly where they were going. The Archer Lyall boy was taking Octavius to the main pack den where he knew others would be. Deacon wanted to show off his new brother. Even if they weren't really brothers Deacon liked the idea of being able to show off Octavius to everyone and tell the wolves of the Ridge that Octavius was declared his brother. It seemed like just a fine dandy idea to him.

Strolling along Deacon decided to ask a few questions. "So have you met my other family membes? Castiel, Greer, Aunt Sorya, Uncle Xetor..." His voice trailed off thinking of all of the other family members to ask Golden Boy if he had met. "Oh! Oh! Have you met my older brother Skoll or older and only sister Morganna? I really like them. Sometimes they can be annoying always telling me to stick to the pack lands and all but I feel like they probably do it for a reason though. Just like our parents do. All the lessons they give us and all." He shrugged lightly keeping the pace at a light walk.

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Deacon's grin was returned with a close-lipped smile. "Brother?" he questioned for a moment. "I guess... If... If we're the same age and all..." He still made a face; somehow that didn't really seem logical or even reasonable, but he let Deacon have his statement as it was. They really were family after all. His mother had made sure to let him know it and, obviously, his Uncle Angier and Aunt Elettra made sure of it also with their children.

Gus echoed his new playmate's question, "Other family members? You mean there's more?" The light in his eyes should have a stayed much longer than it should have, but the names that Deacon gave him did not match the list that already pre-existed in his head. Castiel, Greer, Aunt Sorya, Uncle Xetor... Deacon's older brother and sister, Sköll and Morganna... Gus gave his head a shake, undoubtedly unfamiliar with them.

"Well, they sound... nice," he commented, rather unsure of what to actually say since he didn't personally know any of them. "My mom always says to listen to your elders because they're trying to keep you safe." As if to validate his slice of wisdom, he nodded to Deacon, then swiftly changed the topic in case the other cub decided to counter him. "I don't have any siblings, but I bet yours are cool. Are they any fun to play with? I mean, I'm not- I'm not good at any games, but they sound like they're fun."

His tail wagged as they continued to walk along. Where Deacon was taking him Gus didn't mind; at least he had someone to walk with while he looked for his mother along the way. "I've met your dad before, he's nice..."