Willow Ridge Wait For It

 @Craw For you. <3

As each new member climbed into their home for sanctuary, Nico made it his duty to seek them out and at least introduce himself. It was the least he could do and he made sure that he knew their names. Most of them proved to be less than important to him. After all, he much preferred to spend time with his sister, Adele. However, every once and awhile, the Archer would need a break from his sibling, but he always remained close enough just in case she was in need of him. Their bond was unbreakable and no one would be able to break it. It wasn’t often that he sought out the presence of another, especially if they weren’t related to him. Currently, he was not having any luck running into anyone. Truthfully, Nico would have enjoyed being with the children but he usually missed them. They seemed to be quite integrated into the pack land and Nico did not have any plans to ruin that. So instead of looking for his pack mates, he decided to look for a man he hadn’t met too long ago, Craw. Perhaps if he wasn’t too busy, the pair could go for a run and try to hunt something down. With this in mind, Nico stopped in his tracks and politely requested the presence of the other man.

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We could see what SoW throws at us? :D

This, Craw thought as he lifted his head, ears pricked to attention, was the first time someone other than Morganna had called specifically for him. It was well-mannered, with no urgency, and, intrigued by what could prompt such a casual summons, Craw turned on his heels to make his way towards its source.

He was trying to identify the voice as he travelled, and had narrowed it down to two possibilities by the time the elder Archer came into view. Yes, this seemed right; he doubted that a call from Skoll would have been nearly so polite. "Nícolò," Craw greeted, coming to a stop a short distance from the dark-coated man, tail and head lowering in acknowledgement of the pack's hierarchy. They had crossed paths before, but this was the first time they might share a more meaningful conversation. Though he was clearly curious to find out what had caused the Archer to request his company, Craw initiated with a clarification: "You are Elettra's sibling, correct?" He knew they were blood, and his nose told him he was right, but it was good to be certain who he was talking to.

Nico was not a demanding man unless he was in absolute need in something. While power was something that he cherished and would use, he did not find the need to exert it at every meeting. Craw took his time in arriving, to which he was fine with. This meeting certainly was not urgent, nor was it required. None the less, Nicolò made a mental note that the man had come to his summons and had stopped whatever it was that he was doing to do so. His banner waved casually above his back, asserting his rank while showing that this meeting was not about business. To the other man’s greeting, Nico simply nodded his head, his black ears flicking forward attentively with the other’s question. To confirm his thoughts, he nodded, his deep voice smooth, "Yes, that would be correct. Though she is quite older than me." His voice was teasing and he waved his tail again, prompting them to walk. This time, it was not a request. He was never one that liked to stand in one place for long. The story teller found that it was a waste of time when they could see so much more by traveling. After they passed their time in silence for a bit, Nico finally spoke, "How has your time been in Willow Ridge? Do you enjoy it here?" His voice was calm and smooth as he asked the question, his pale yellow eyes set ahead as they traveled. He could listen without attentively looking at an individual. It was a tact that he had mastered when traveling with his sister over the years. After all, she had a bit mouth and never shut up, but it was alright. Nicolò loved her for it.

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With confirmation of @Nicolò's place in the pack - both in their exchanged postures of rank and his relation to Elettra - Craw nodded once, falling into an easy pace alongside his darker superior as Nicolo initiated their walk. The pair were, in many ways, in stark contrast; dark and pale, large and average, with a rasping, rough voice on one and deeply smooth on the other. The only trait they both shared was a pair of yellow eyes and respectful manner, and Craw felt comfortable in the brief period of silence as he waited to learn why he had been so specifically called. With the other's lack of urgency, he assumed it would be little more than a meet and greet - and there was nothing wrong with that. With so many Archers in the pack, it was in Craw's interest to learn where priorities and affiliations lay. Was Nicolo closer to his sister or his niece?

Craw licked his lips when the questions finally came, as casual as he had suspected. "I do," he affirmed, glancing at the smaller man briefly, realising that Nicolo was choosing to keep his eyes on the path ahead. So Craw was probably not being tested, or not yet. "I hoped to be a part of something strong and durable when I joined. I have not been disappointed; the Archers are clearly a formidable force." He offered a toothy smile, whether or not Nicolo chose to see it. "Is Elettra doing well? I have not seen much of her since the incident. Morganna is performing well in her stead, I expect she is proud."

The silence was comfortable and while Nicolò certainly loved his family, for once, it was nice not to have one of the Archers constantly perched on his shoulder. But even if he was simply there to converse with Craw, an opportunity to further the pack would be great for them. However, it seemed that the Ridge’s subordinate would want to continue with a few pleasantries before they would do anything of the sort. This was acceptable and Nico listened to what he had to say. He was pleased to hear what Craw had to say, pride forming in his stomach. It seemed as though even across the lands the Archers came across in the same manner, just as they should have. His interest was further peeked when mention of his sister reached Craw’s lips. Truthfully, Nico did not know how well Elettra was doing. He knew that when he came to her health it was she who decided when she wanted to be seen and it would only be a matter of when. He did not mention this to Craw, however, knowing that while he might have been within the Ridge and certainly family, he was not blood and the dark Archer was aware of how much his dear sister valued her privacy. When he responded, he kept it brief, "I believe she is doing better. It is so for anyone who has a pack to back them." It was a simple fact that could be true for anyone and it was simple so that Elettra could maintain whatever dignity she wished to keep. His pale yellow eyes observed the land around him, before turning back on Craw, asking him another question, "Have you thought about what you would like to specialize in here?" If he was going to be leader, he was going to need to know about his pack mates to keep up with their aspirations. Nico might as well have started then.

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The response was neat, straightforward, pragmatic. Of course she was better for having the pack support her; so it went with anyone. The use of the word believe was interesting, though - was the man not entirely sure how his own sister was faring? Were they not close? Did he not visit her often, or was she enforcing privacy as she recovered? The internal politics of the Archer family wove ever deeper, subtle hints here and there. As Craw considered the plain-spoken man beside him, he wondered what @Morganna thought at the idea of ruling alongside her own uncle. Craw had gotten the impression that they weren't particularly close, either, but had not broached the topic properly. Perhaps after this meeting, however illuminating it was, he would rectify that.

Such juicy matters would have to wait until later. Nicolò only wanted to talk business. Craw rolled his shoulders absently as he considered the question, a soft grunt escaping him. "Not particularly, though it is not hard to answer if you want one. Guardian has always suited me best - it was my duty in my birth pack." And look at him, even managing to keep the bile out of his throat as he mentioned them. Guardian he had been, though Warrior was a better term - not that it was a very commonly accepted one in the less-harsh parts of the world. Far too aggressive-sounding, far too hostile. Better the friendly Guardians do all the killing, and only in self-defense, of course. But he said none of this, and instead only paid respect to Nicolò's rank: "Do you find the pack lacking in any field? Is there some role you are hoping I would fill?"

He remained stuck in silence, ever patient for the man’s response. It was not often that Nicolò had to opportunity to speak with members of his pack and if he did, he wanted as much information from them as possible. Craw’s answer was not surprising. He was a muscular man, more than himself. The dark Archer observed him silently, his pale yellow eyes raking over his figure before finally returning to his face, running over his last words in his mind. An amused snort escaped his maw, jaws opening but no laugh emitting from them. As far as he knew, no formal roles were assigned. His tone was not mocking when he answered, but was light, "If Guardian suites you best, then I support your decision. I believe we are lacking in all roles and that everyone should pull their full share in all areas but keep their focus on what they do best." His dark brows raised slightly, curious as to what the other man thought of this. He was, after all, new to leading and what he said was on a whim. He truly didn’t know what he was doing. His sister, Adele, had told him that all he needed to do was remain calm in situations to make it seem like he knew what was going on and weave a story, just like he knew how to do, from his past experiences. Nico knew how to do that and he dearly hoped that his sister was not leading him astray.

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There is a moose carcass that has been scavenged by coyotes nearby. +15 Health

Nicolò was quite a different beast to his brethren. Most of the Archers Craw had spent any time with were feisty, hot-headed creatures, but Nicolò was all cool. That was not to say he did not share many of his family's other qualities, such as his projected self-confidence and to-the-point conversational manner. Archers did not beat around the bush. It made the current male lead a rather more difficult wolf to read, however, though Craw was still reserving judgement for himself. He judged that Morganna was not too fond of her uncle, but the man had given the pale wolf no reason to feel the same. There was nothing, as yet, stopping this from being a rewarding relationship.

For now.

An ear twitched as he listened to the reply, it just as diplomatic as ever, though it was interesting to hear that the ridge was not full of highly-trained wolves in particular roles. Was that because Elettra had never cared for the matter and encouraged universal skill sets? He refused to believe that the willow wolves were not ambitious and didn't care for the prestige. Licking his lips, Craw glanced out at the path ahead they were treading for a moment, considering his words. "Does that mean," he said at length, the low rolling rumble ever at his throat, choosing to say less and see what Nicolò drew out of it, "that you lack experienced Advisors?"

Craw was silent. Nico assumed that the other man was an observer, much like he and Nico found somewhat of a kindred spirit in that way. Craw’s next words caught the alpha male’s attention. A small smile came to the dark Archer’s lips. The other man was smart in the way he asked his questions and Nico found that he enjoyed speaking with him, on an intellectual level, at least. He let the silence pass between them for a moment. While it was true that they did not have a titled Advisor, it was known throughout the pack that they had a worthy one. When he responded, his voice was still cool, "Not particularly. Elettra makes quite a worthy Advisor she just hasn’t asked for such a title." And she doesn’t need to if she challenges up for her rightful throne. Of course, he would tell Craw no such thing and would not utter anything of what had passed between him and Morganna. What happened between him and his niece would, hopefully, stay between them so that they could settle their family dispute for the good of the pack. His yellow eyes took in Craw again and his next words were blunt, "You’re smart. I’m glad you’re here, Craw." Nico’s banner wagged pleasantly behind him, an indicator of how true his words were. Craw was one of the few members he had the time to meet and he had proven quite pleasant the company despite what Nico would have thought going into it.

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