Willow Ridge all this over a family squabble

@Nicolò! <3 Set the morning after this thread

Perhaps predictably, perhaps disappointingly, perhaps to his eternal glee, the third sunrise came and went without celebration. He made sure of it; Craw had risen before the dawn and sat at the edge of the meadow in order to watch the sun rise and dissolve away the night, and with it, Skoll's promises. They blew away like dust on the wind, and hopefully all of Morganna's doubts about what to do about her brother went with them.

Once the sun no longer touched the horizon, and the sky was a firm, consistent blue, a dirty sneer marred Craw's previously neutral expression, allowing himself to slip from his professionally kept composure. With Skoll's failure set in stone, though, came new challenges, the start of a fresh wave of promises. Unlike some, Craw kept his. Turning his back on the sun, almost scornfully, he prowled back into the willows, once more in search of an Archer.

"Nicolo," he rasped, after catching sight of the man, trotting towards the dark-coated leader with tail held somewhere between neutral and respectfully low, waiting for acknowledgement.

Nicolò felt like he was walking on eggshells around the pack. He knew that he did not many in his corner, not even his own sister, not that he could blame her. Elettra was just trying to look out for her daughter and ensure her future, her only daughter. He was not angry with her, only disappointed that the situation had escalated the way it had. If they could have only been more civilized, perhaps things could have turned out differently. Over the months, it had become quite obvious who had chosen what side and the odds were truly not in his favor. The man spent most of his days patrolling the borders and ensuring that the caches were filled, with the help of his sister, Adele. He bothered him that others may have thought that he wasn't doing his duty towards the pack. It was all he wanted to do. His intentions were good. All he wanted was to make Willow Ridge great again and that was not going to happen unless something changed within the pack. It came as a large shock to him when Craw approached him one day. The dark Archer turned on his heels at the low greeting, his eyebrows raising, not having heard the other dark man's approach. Nodding towards the other man, who had only grown closer to Morganna as time moved along, her clenched his teeth together for a moment, not knowing what to say. He opted for a blunt inquiry, "Craw, is there anything I can do for you?"

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

@Nicolò's manner was a little cooler than it had once been, but no matter; with the new turn of events, Craw felt less threatened by the older Archer than ever. Besides, he was here for good mutual reasons; he was confident that Nicolo would see it as such.

The leader replied back with his usual formality, and Craw approached without hesitation, feeling once more that little twang of regret that it had come to this, for he enjoyed Nicolo's strict, traditional style. Unfortunately, it did not seem that the pack as a whole agreed, and no matter the man's intentions or skills, they were not being put to effective use inside the Ridge. This time, though, his amicability towards Nicolo was coloured with the knowledge that he had underhandedly threatened Morganna, and, as such, Craw's manner was perhaps a little colder, too.

But that was all going to change. "There is a lot happening that you should know," he grunted, and made to step forward, clearly inviting Nicolo to walk with him as they talked. "Skoll's pregnant woman has gone - fled the lands. I assume it was out of concern for her offspring's inevitable rivalry with Morganna's. It was our intention to run her off, but it seems she anticipated it. The intention was to neutralise Skoll, for his influence in the pack has only been destructive.

"Plans have since changed. You're a sensible man, Nicolo, you know that the leadership isn't working. I'm sure you'll agree that something needs to happen, else the pack will continue to rot." He glanced sidelong at the Archer, wondering if the man was sensing a threat, a challenge to his leadership - Craw had spoken of removing Skoll, after all, who was the only male between the two men in rank - and sought to correct any hasty assumptions with a thin smile.

"Morganna and I will be leaving before her children are born. You can have the Ridge."

There was a shift in their conversation from before but it was understandable, so Nico did not think much of it. He did not think less of Craw, the man was simply following his leader, the one that had given him a home and had, more than likely, woven her story to fit her plans perfectly. Craw's manner was professional and when he made the offer to walk, the dark Archer could hardly refuse. He matched the other man in stride, listening carefully to what was being said. The news of Hecate was of no surprise to him, her scent long gone. Their intentions of driving her out made sense and the dark man's pale yellow eyes were focused ahead of him, more than pleased that these were their plans in the first place on that front. It did not come as a surprise, however, that it had been Morganna's plans to get rid of Skoll. The historian had assumed so all along and he could not help the small snort of amusement that fell from his lips. It was only when the topic changed to talk of leadership did Nicolo turn his head to look at the brown man. His eyebrow arched, curious as to what he had to say. As he had mentioned before, he was fond of what Craw had to say, even if it was half of what Morganna had to say at this point. With pursed lips, he nodded in agreement over what Craw was saying. It would indeed rot if both of them remained in leadership. What they had was no partnership. They were hardly on speaking terms, if they could even call them that. What he expected next was a challenge of sorts but what he received was nothing of the matter. He hummed deeply, scanning the other man's eyes for any sign of deceit before responding, "I see...well...know that if you ever find yourself in need of a home because Morganna decides that she isn't of need of you anymore...you will have a home here. It pains me that it has to come to this." It truly did, but there was nothing that could be done now, only a hope for a better Willow Ridge.

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There had been some initial doubt regarding how Nicolo would receive the news that Skoll had been moved against. They were both Archers, of the same close family, and though Craw had never seen any love lost between the two dark-pelted men, he did not yet know what kind of wolf Nicolo was, exactly, when it came to family. Although he couldn't be that altruistic, given his treatment of Morganna. And so the admission had fallen freely from Craw's mouth and in return he heard soft amusement from the male lead, and knew that he had judged correctly.

It was not surprising that Nicolo might have assumed that Craw was planning to challenge him, in some fashion. As the pack's Third, Craw had no right to bypass Skoll, no matter the man's absent and disappointing behaviour when it came to his responsibilities, but that didn't mean it was impossible for Craw to have shared his intentions. As it was, the true nature of those intentions appeared to take Nicolo by surprise. The two sets of yellow eyes met as both wolves assessed the other, Craw watching suspicion flicker through the other man's studious gaze. That eventuality had been accounted for.

What Nicolo said next, however, had not. It took Craw a few moments to realise that the Archer believed his niece to be using him, and once that sank in, he just laughed.

Angier had tried to protect him from Skoll, and now Nicolo, bless him, was trying to protect him from Morganna. The assumptions flying about were superbly ridiculous, for what demon had Elettra mated with to produce this litter of hellspawn which everybody distrusted? And it was so cute that anyone thought that either was a danger to Craw.

It was a good thing, perhaps, that he'd never gone into detail about his past with anyone, for they might not think him such the delicate flower in need of protection - and Craw found that he didn't mind being so terribly underestimated. Let them see what he was, in time. There was no rush.

The sound of his amusement was deep and rumbling, a laughter born right in the depths of his belly, one which shook his shoulders and head with the strength of it. "Your concern is most appreciated," he grinned, licking his lips as he glanced back to Nicolo, pleased that he had initiated this splendid conversation. "I do not know how far we will get, but I hope that means that our packs will not be at odds if we are close enough to warrant diplomatic relations. I think you will find Morganna far more agreeable at a distance... she will not be your concern anymore. Nor yours to criticize."

Craw would be full of surprises. What Nicolo was also not expecting, was Craw to laugh at his proposal. The dark man remained stone-faced as he waited for some kind of explanation. It confused him as to why the other sensible man thought this to be funny.  Pale yellow eyes stared point-blank at the other male, watching as his whole body shook with his laughter. The storyteller was silent, letting the laughing fit pass so that the other man could finally answer to his offer. When he speak, Nico's ears flicked forward again, eager for the explanation that went along with whatever that display was. All he received was a nod to his call to attention and the man said nothing, listening to Craw's hopes for the future. It was Nicolo's turn to grin. If they were leaving, he had no intentions of having any connections with Morganna. While he certainly did not want them to be enemies, he did not want to be associated with them in any way. His voice was smooth when he responded, "Perhaps...I'm still slightly disappointed that this will be the last conversation I will have with you for quite some time." Nico eyed the other dark man with pursed lips. Out of all the wolves that Morganna had accepted into the pack, Craw was the only one the dark Archer had spoken to and actually truly appreciated and liked. He hoped that he would be able to make due with what was left of Willow Ridge. No doubt, Morganna would have others, aside from Craw, following her to wherever they were heading.

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(This post was last modified: Jun 05, 2016, 11:16 PM by Nicolò.)

The Archer's manner was cool and composed despite how obvious it was that he hadn't expected Craw's mirth. That mirth, though, was tempered slightly by the amusement which sank itself into @Nicolò's expression, for humour was not something usually worn by this particular wolf. It felt off. An ear flicked back towards his companion at the smooth response, uncertain words betrayed by a confident manner. The olive branch that Craw had extended was left hanging, like an offered hand which was yet to be shaken. Fine. It had been done out of courtesy; if Nicolo could not meet him halfway, then Craw was not about to waste his time and effort.

Nicolo's professed disappointment drew only a thin smile on the pale spider's face, reading all too well into the meaning behind it. "Then if everything goes to plan, this will be the last one," he countered coolly, keeping the growl out of his voice even though his rasping throat could never match those silky tones. He could keep his manner calm and controlled, though, the laughter dead as he came to a standstill, yellow eyes fixing on Nicolo's own. This was no longer a conversation which suited a casual stroll. "What, exactly, did she do to earn this hostility?"

Dark ears flicked forward and despite his high opinions of Craw, they were slowly starting to darken. It was not as if that mattered any longer though, for, as he mentioned, they would be on their way soon enough and Nico would not have to breathe a trace of Morganna's wicked scent ever again. As long as Willow Ridge remained in tact after their leave then the dark Archer would be assured that this was all worth it, that the war between them was not fruitless. Their banter, however, soon turned serious and the Archer turned his sharp gaze on Craw. The dark man in front of him was not to be trifled with and Nicolo hid the smirk that threatened to burst at Craw's question. Of course, it would only be after all this shit went down that the other man would ask for his side of the story, only further proving that he was leaving for his lover and would follow her every beckon. He wanted to laugh at the irony of the situation. This whole time they were truly all following her blindly, not knowing how twisted she was, how horrible and cruel she could be to anyone who did not benefit her. Perhaps he was being whiny but it was the truth. And he would give Craw exactly that: the truth. His voice was smooth when he spoke, no edge in his voice as he explained things, "She threatened to kill any offspring of mine should she be in power here and the time come." Nicolo shrugged his shoulders before continuing, "Anyone who believes a child's life is blackmail material deserves to burn. So I retaliated." His gaze was pinned on the other man, curious to see his reaction. It was clear he was not a fan of Morganna's...now he knew why.

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Was that supposed to be some grand revelation? Was Craw supposed to gasp and say oh no, you're right, I misjudged her and she's a monster? Was he supposed to be horrified at the implication that Morganna would prioritise her children above all else? "You can't think that highly of an infant's life," he replied, just as cold, "for you cared so very little when I just told you what we were intending to do to Hecate and her unborn litter. What do you think the usual fate of a heavily pregnant lone bitch is? Don't pretend you're some holier-than-thou saint, Nicolo, you only care about yourself. I know what Morganna said to you. Is that really all she did? And clearly her threat worked; where are these puppies of yours? I smell no bitches bearing your seed," he sneered, "not even your sister."

This meeting had taken an unfortunate turn. Craw decided that he had misjudged Nicolo, and regretted previously defending him. The man made a pretty show of his cool calculations, but it was a farce. At least Skoll didn't try to pretend he was anything other than what he was - didn't believe it. Nicolo thought he had just delivered some truth-bomb, but it had fizzled out with a squeak, just like everything else he had done. "Tell me - what have you actually accomplished for this pack? Aside from pushing out Elettra's eldest daughter, that is."