Drooping Willows Intermittent

askin' nothin', leave me be

Morganna Archer

takin' everything in my stride

Her roving had taken her further than she may have otherwise wished, but as she always did, she once again found herself under the familiar boughs of willow trees, thin beams of moonlight cutting through the slender branches, a trail of steaming breath left in her wake. While her first thoughts once may have revolved around summoning her brother @Skoll, to share with him that she had found no trace or trail of their absentee brother. Instead she found herself wondering over whether she should try to seek the company of another? His scent still lay about the borders, the tawny Lyall that went by the name of @Renier. Instead she paused at the borders perplexed.

She had not warned her mother of her departure, although in her naivety she had assumed her position secure. She was not to know of the absence of one of her biggest rivals, being @Taima. Nor was she to know that another of her siblings had disappeared throwing the pack into chaos once again. The dark yearling continued to skirt around the familiar scent markers, not convinced she was ready to return quite yet.

Dark toes trailed through the snow that now covered the ground, and not for the first time her mind wandered to the coming Spring. Her brothers words burned into her memory still, If you won’t do it, though, then I will. But would she? Could she? Her travels had left her lean, but her stamina was growing. Where others had bulk she would have speed. Enough of a warning had been left in her wake and so the dark wolf retreated into the shadows where the willows made way for the grander trees of the Sacred Grove. If nobody sought her out, perhaps she would make her return known at first light…? Perhaps.

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(This post was last modified: Feb 03, 2015, 02:03 PM by Morganna. Edit Reason: Table borked )

I left a clouded mind and a heavy heart

There was restlessness in the Ridge. The man couldn't decide if it was his own, or if he was feeding off the emotion of his pack mates, his leaders. He had his own reasons, but there were more upsets. More family members who had been taken by wanderlust he presumed. Still he remained, keeping at least one promise he had made. While it may have bothered him he could not do more, he wasn't about to search for lost souls. Maybe, they didn't want to be found. He had no way of knowing.

A heavy huff fell from his dark lips, and he mindlessly stamped at the tracks beneath his cream paws. Leaving a weird pattern of indentations. There had to be more to life than walking the lines of someone else's trail. That was probably why he was here. He hadn't wanted to take up his father's place, least not in the way it was presented. He had yet to decide what else there was. Since he wouldn't make a decision, he was here, being the guard of his Uncle's home. It was better than nothing, eventually things had to change. A violet twitch of his tail, he padded further along in silence. Eventually, he came to the conclusion he had checked the perimeter well enough and it was time to stop. He double backed on where he began, but was greeted by a fresh scent. Morganna. She hadn't been easily found these days, not that he would admit to looking for her. He would expect instead of it crossing into home, it appeared she had turned away. Why would she come all this way, and leave? Frown pulled at his lips, bewilderment at his light brows. Well, he was going to find out.

The Lyall began to follow her trail, what Ren wouldn't know is she was likely watching him from the shadows not far off.

(This post was last modified: Feb 09, 2015, 04:35 PM by Renier.)

Livin' Easy, Lovin' Free

Morganna Archer

Season ticket on a one way ride

She had settled herself amongst the roots of a large tree, using spade like paws to scratch away the piled snow until she found the frozen earth beneath. The banks of her makeshift nest concealed her almost completely from both the wind and observation, her ears folded flat to her skull and her tail covering her nose so only her eyes peeked out over the rim of her temporary bed.

For a moment, she thought the approaching wolf was @Angier, her eyes narrowed in the moonlight wondering just what might bring him out here at this hour of night. As the wolf drew closer however, she realised it wasn’t her step-father at all, but Renier who had come sniffing after her trail. Her tail twitched in the beginnings of a wag, a dull thud against the snow sure to give her away. Shifting her weight quickly, mischief clear on her face she threw herself at his back with an “Oof.” quickly darting back, her tail waving high behind her back with a playfulness that had been all but absent since her oldest brothers departure.

She raised her head challenging the older wolf, her tail still waving and a smirk pulling at the corner of her mouth. “We 'ave got ter stop running inta each other like this!” She challenged, clearly deciding she was not ready for rest or reports just yet. She still had no idea where she stood with the man before her but the invitation was clear. She wanted to find out.

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(This post was last modified: Feb 10, 2015, 06:20 AM by Morganna. Edit Reason: fixing 'ganna speak )

I left a clouded mind and a heavy heart

Dark nose skimmed the white snow, but once away from the borders his paws easily stepped beside her own tracks. But, it wasn't any clearer why she was headed this way. What the hell ya doing? He pondered, quickening his stride despite his small reluctance to actually catch her. She didn't loath him, but he was not her favorite wolf either. So came the debate. Should he simply see what she was up to, and than decide if he need ask where she'd been? He was doubtful to get an answer. He wasn't her brother, a parent, nor protector. Only a pack mate.

There was no more time to think. It was only a whack against the snow that warned him something was coming. Gold eyes peered into the black, the same shadow blurred, crashing into his side. A deep woof fell from his lips from surprise as he tried to remain on all fours, to better see who had ran into him. A scowl would seem to etch across his forehead, but it was more of question than anger. Eyes could not help but follow her swaying tail. Was she toying with him? Was this a charade of sorts?

He knew a sign of a challenge, and automatically his crown and tail rose to meet it. The brown and tawny appendage was slowly wagging in turn, perhaps a small clue to his uncertainty. Maybe it was her smirk, or words that won him over. "Maybe," he murmured, with a glint of something in his golden gaze.  Then he sprung forward with a playful growl, attempting to grab a piece of her dark fur with his teeth. He never liked to be out done.

Don't need reason, don't need rhyme

Morganna Archer

Ain't nothin' that I'd rather do

The moonlight bought out the silver in his coat and she made no effort to conceal her bold stare, Really taking him in for the first time she saw more than another Lyall, she saw Renier, the wolf that patrolled her mothers borders, her borders diligently. She saw loyalty and pride that she had been blind to before, but there was more and she couldn’t quite put her nose on it.

She didn’t realise she had been holding her breath until he spoke.

His response bought a giggle from her chest as she allowed herself to be swept up in the moment. The sight of his much larger frame moving towards her with a growl in his throat, set butterflies loose in her stomach, cutting her laughter short and sending her front end diving to the snow in a play bow. She had left her retreat too late and allowed his teeth to catch in the fur of her shoulder, her own teeth taking aim at the creamy target his front legs presented. Part of her wanted to run away, hide in the shadows until she could ambush him again, she was sure she could play that game all night, but for now she would hold her ground.

Not wanting to lose the sudden warmth that enveloped her, not even realising how cold she had been prior, she moved her playful nips and shoves up towards his chest, her own growls, more a coo than a roar adding to the ruckus that pierced the silence of the night. She was just waiting for an ear to come within reach, and with a tug she would be off, or so she told herself.

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(This post was last modified: Feb 10, 2015, 04:45 AM by Morganna.)

I left a clouded mind and a heavy heart

The sound that erupted from her throat teased his ears, pulling at something from within he did not know. He realized he had believed she never did laugh or frolic. Always serious, reserved, and disgruntled by his appearance. How the more he wanted to hear it again. To be the cause if to check and compare.

Even though the doom of failure hung over him, it wasn't enough to keep him from trying. She did not balk, but openly excepted the invitation with a bow. He could wonder what a trick this was. What pain could follow. Instead his teeth collected her dark red highlighted coat, a gentle tug was given and he grew lost in a game. Shoving forward, to keep his own ground as she, rolling growls that followed half nips.

The yearling equally landed a bite, moving up his chest. Her bulk,her strength suddenly apparent. Instinctively he attempted to protect his throat while thrusting his muzzle at her neck also trying to snag an ear or cheek with the tips of his teeth. The Archer caught his first and his growls temporarily ceased and he felt vulnerable suddenly standing still if at her mercy. Yet, curious what she would do. Who she really was.

(This post was last modified: Feb 13, 2015, 09:24 PM by Renier. Edit Reason: table )

There is a family of deer nearby. Hunt Opportunity

goin' down, party time

Morganna Archer

my friends are gonna be there too

There was no malice as she tugged his ear gently, quickly relinquishing her hold and pulling away. Her nose scented deer but she had no desire to hunt (after all there were plenty of half frozen corpses about to scavenge from yet). The snow slowed her retreat significantly, yet still she stopped to look over her shoulder to make sure he was following. It was a reckless smile that lit her face in the moonlight. On a night like tonight it wouldn’t be a surprise for her to slip on some small patch of concealed ice and break a leg, or be too distracted looking over her shoulder and run head long into a trunk, but for once she couldn’t care less. She was bulletproof.

Turning her attention forwards again, she slowed enough to allow her companion to launch a counter attack if he so wished, her laughter split the air and startled the herd that had been stripping bark from trunks and chewing on branches nearby. The stags bray and the thundering of hooves dulled by the thick snow only caused her to laugh even louder. Let them run! she thought unable to wipe the smile from her face.

They had been told winter was a time to stay near, a time to relax and recoup. So for once, she was going to do just that.

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I left a clouded mind and a heavy heart

Breath wavered in his throat, and came out in a faint umph of surprise. Not only did she let him go, she spurred onward, only pausing to look back at him. Disbelief flooded his chest wanting to cause doubt, questions of reason. The Archer's ember eyes seemed to burn it away as quickly as the feelings came. He was not held by her teeth any longer, but captivated just the same. A mystified smile rose onto dark lines of his lips,  curiosity and interest lingering in his eyes. The rogue pushed his limbs onward, not wanting her to fall from his sight. Even when the air spoke of deer his steps did not falter. It did not seem she was interested in a meal, and neither was he. So the Lyall followed, trying to leave uncertainty behind.

About to reach her, he sprung toward her neck in an attempt to grab her nape. She laughed again, and completely threw off his aim. Instead of grabbing her guard hair, he tumbled down, collecting a mouthful and noseful of snow. A jerk of his head, and swipe of his tongue he cleared the cold taste with a grunt. Then sharply, gaining his feet and composure he hoped the deer in the distance, who realized how close a pair of wolves were, had stolen her attention from his misstep.

His competitive nature drew him into a sprint. Another line of attack chosen, something more direct he sharply barked. Making a pounce forward, trying to entice her back in his reach.

Sorry for the PP - one more reply and we should be right to claim!

don't need reason

Morganna Archer

don't need rhyme

It was a good thing neither were interested in hunting because they would have gone quite hungry if they had, (not to mention Renier’s aim was a little off in the moonlight). She managed to contain another laugh at his misfortune, smirking as rallied and turned to face her again. Bark was answered with her own and when he pounced, she charged.

It was a short distance that seemed to stretch forever, time dragged out in her mind as she assessed her target. Neither seeming to want to run to one side or the other the aimed to meet his chest, ready to wrap her paws around his shoulders so her mouth could open wide over his cheek and forehead. There was no force behind her bite, a mere grazing of teeth over skin in an affectionate scratch.

Now that she had him close again, the adrenalin began to fade. Truly she should have been asleep hours ago, her journey had been a long one. Dropping her paws and pressing into her chest she sat, tilting her nose up to boldly lick the short pale fur over her opponents muzzle. She still smiled as she drew away, once again checking over her shoulder to see if he would follow her back to the snow hollow at the base of her tree.

The night would be much warmer if there were two of them.

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