Drooping Willows paranoia

Posting this here to get attention from WR members, or anyone nearby, but @Celandine and Greer are where the Drooping Willows & Sacred Grove meet (so quite a ways from WR territory). Please don't post until Pinn does! <3

It felt weird, heading home. Greer did not think he would be returning back to the willows so soon. He did not want to, but for Craw, he had to. He respected the older wolf, and still wanted to prove his worth. The spider had been apprehensive about allowing the shadow to join their little group, and Greer was determined to show that deserved to be a part of the monadnock pack. While scouting was not his first choice, it was something he was good at. He was both quick and diplomatic, and with Celandine at his side, they made a formidable team. His pale counterpart did most of the talking, while Greer’s presence was more like that of a bodyguard. With his tall, over-sized figure the shadow was rather threatening in appearance, even with his slender figures and willowy legs. With the sharp-tongued Celandine, they were the ultimate scouting duo.

Craw had instructed for the pair to head south, back to Greer’s birthpack, to see if the pack was still standing. The group had left due to the lack of proper leadership in place (a result of Nico’s presence) and Morganna’s growing frustration. Greer had wanted to leave for quite some time, and their departure had been the perfect exit.

Greer, of course, was worried about running into his uncle. If he was even around. For his mother’s sake, he hoped that the pack was still intact. Willow Ridge was her legacy; Greer would hate to see it fall apart due to some idiot taking control. A frown creased his lips at the thought. His mercury gaze turned to his pale companion to ensure she was still close behind, for his long legs moved a lot quicker than hers. For this scouting mission, Greer took lead. The ridge had been his home and he knew the quickest way of cutting through the mountains. It was still a journey — the pair would be out for week, maybe even a little longer. Craw had given the shadow permission to linger longer if he felt it was necessary — to spend some quality time with his family. Greer had almost snorted at the suggestion. While he still cared for his parents, and his little brother, he did not care for the rest of Willow Ridge. If anything, he would detour east and make a pit stop at the Bend to visit Kyna.

After a few days travel they drew closer to his mother’s territory. Their movements became slower, more cautious, as the canopy of trees grew thicker above them. Craw warned them to not get too close to the border; the spider was worried about the pair running into Nico (and so was Greer). Instead, they hovered at the border of the grove and the willows, their noses pressed to the ground in search of any Ridge wolf other than Nico. 

Very slowly, Celandine was growing used to her scouting missions with the inky male. That wasn't to say that she wouldn't love a mission of her own, but she had to admit that there was a strength in numbers. Sending two would almost always make a statement. It was as if they were saying 'we have so many members that we can afford to lose both for a while'. Still, she felt as though the alphas didn't trust her, sending her with a guard lest she make a break for it. She wondered briefly if they'd ever let her head off with Maeve. Even the former princess knew what a horrible idea that would be. With nothing stopping her, her paws might just find themselves south of the mountain. Gods staying in one place for so long was really getting the best of her. 

Without the sentimental attachments that Greer likely had, Celandine felt no impending doom, no fear for what had become of the Ridge. If it was in ruins, so be it. If not, well that's probably what Morganna would want. Either way she would be sure to rush through the reunion and bring back word to Whitestone. The alpha female was want for it, and when Morg wanted something, she didn't want it two moon-turns from the date. 

She did wonder if Greer would be joining her on their journey home, fully aware that the dark man had been given permission to stay if he pleased. It would be odd returning without him, though she gave no more thought to the idea. Instead she filled her mind with the thick musk at the borders, counting the various scent trails lingering there. One or two males, a couple females here and there. It wasn't the Ridge that they had left, that was for sure.

Have you seen my OOC preferences?

tagging WR (& Hecate just b/c why not :P) <3
@Nicolò @Sven @Elettra @Adele @Enoki @Ravenna @Attica @Hecate

As they drew closer to the willows the scents of both familiar and unfamiliar wolves became more distinct. His teeth gritted together as the shadow grew uncomfortable, despite the familiar territory. Despite these lands being his birthplace, it hd not ben a home to him for quite some time. It did not feel right being back here, even with his history embedded in the land.

The shadow was not opposed to having Celandine as company, despite his preference to being alone. With this particular mission it was smart to have a second pair of eyes and ears — Greer and the Whitestone wolves did not know what became of their former pack. Was Nicolo in command or did Skoll finally manage to take the throne back? Were there any Willow Ridge wolves left? A frown cut across his maw at the thought. What of his mother; his father? The frown cut deeper. Surely there was someone lurking around to answer their questions… they just needed to find them.

Although the shadow wanted to join Celandine to relay the information back to Craw and Morganna, he was going to take full advantage of the fact that Craw was allowing him to extend his stay. Willow Ridge did not interested him — no, the shadow was far more keen on making a trip East to visit his favourite scarlet wolf. She was the only true friend the Archer had, and since the group had headed for the lowlands, he had not gotten a chance to visit her. He just hoped she wasn’t planning on making her way north the same time he was headed east…

He continued shuffling closer to where the Ridge lay hidden among the willows; however, he was careful to keep his distance at the same time. Greer did not want to disturb the locals — he merely wanted to collect information 

Their numbers were still low but with the addition of Renier within their ranks, Nicolo felt much more secure within the pack. He did not feel as if he were walking on pine needles and he could only hope that things were going to get better from then on. @Adele and he had not been speaking as of late and he felt as though it had to do more with his busy schedule than with him avoiding her. His intents for the day had been to go out of the borders to find a trail in hopes to extend some kind of apology to her through a hunt but as he came closer to the borders, a familiar scent covered in something filled his nostrils. Flaring in displeasure, he moved in the direction it was coming from, his medium sized build working nicely on his stamina and speed. As he left the safety of his border, his jaw clenched tightly at the sight that met him. Yellow eyes surveyed the two wolves and at this point he had no doubt that they could see him as well. He would be civil, there would be no fighting here because he did not wish to start a war between packs. Nicolo would not put his sister through that, nor would be put his pack through that. This was more than just between niece and uncle now. He nodded to both of them, his voice strong and calm when he spoke, "Greer, is there something I can do for you?" In other words, what are you doing back here? Renier had already returned to gain entrance back within the pack but Nic highly doubted that this traveling pack of two had come back to do such a thing.

WesternStock @ DA, KYghost @ DA & Dawnthieves.de - Table by PuppyThief

Wanting to move this along <3 Sorry for the wait @Nicolò @Celandine
Feel free to jump in other WR wolves @Elettra @Sven @Attica @Enoki @Ravenna

It did not take long for someone to notice their presence, as expected. The ridge wolves had always been observant when it came to their borders and trespassers were typically addressed immediately.

The shadow had been hoping for someone he was a little more familiar — comfortable — with, but his uncle would suffice… even though he was part of the reason why he had left with Morganna and co. With an absent flick of his tail Greer dismissed his thoughts as he focused his mercury gaze on the obsidian creature approaching them. His jaw clenched as his movements ceased, toes curling into the dirt. Out of respect, the yearling dipped his head to the older Archer, though his gaze did not waiver from his statuesque figure. There was no bitterness in his voice as Nicolò addressed them; he was only looking for answers.

While he wished his pale companion would break the silence first Greer knew it was not her place. His uncle had addressed him, not her, as she had nothing to do with the ridge wolves. She was offering him nothing but her companionship, and to act as a mediator if necessary. Which meant the shadow was going to have to speak a lot more than he wanted to.

“How mother?” He asked after a pregnant pause, his features softening as he studied the larger wolf. “Morg want see her.” Greer was curious as to how Nicolò felt about the group that had left for the north — especially Morganna. It had been her cunning tongue that lured the wolves away from the willows.

He trailing along the pack's border had not been going on for long when she had caught the fresh scent of her uncle. Although she had no intention of having a heart to heart with him, a curiosity brought her to slowly loping his trail to see where exactly he went on his rounds. It was more often or not that Ravenna's attention pulled outside of the lands of Willow Ridge in order to search for different herbs, bark, berries, pieces of meat left behind. Although with the winter coming and the plants slowly dying, she knew there was little left anymore to obtain. So she followed, something perhaps which fate had out for her because not after long did Nicolo's scent meld with that of two others - a stranger was... Greer? How long had it been already since she had seen her dark brother's face, a face she had remembered seeing the moment she had exited the safety of the den for the very first time. When she arrived, she kept her distance, somewhat behind her uncle and leader. Pale brows furrowed, an expression of both longing and pain placed on her lips. She did not say anything. Did not know what to say. Her elder sister having up and left, taking her brother with her, was not at all a fond moment in her life and still was bitter on her tongue. Isolde had died, Morganna and Greer had abandoned their pack and their family, then Niles left... then Skoll. She had not a single sibling left in the land and what was worse, Elettra had only a single child. If anything, what had nearly destroyed the pack was everyone leaving the pack, instead of coming to a mutual understanding. If none thought Nicolo capable of leadership, not a single male within the pack had stood up to oppose him ether. They had given up... which was at least one thing Ravenna could say her uncle had not done. ””

It went without saying that there was a certain tension between the two males. Greer, having left with Morganna, had no reason to return to Willow Ridge borders and yet, here he was. When the Archer Lyall son left, he made it clear that he did not care about the future of the Ridge pack. Craw's promises before he left echoed in the back of the alpha's mind, but he remained calm, not wanting to jump to any conclusions until the boy's part was said. Another's presence approaching from behind was a comfort to him, the scent familiar. He would not be alone in this confrontation. When the other male finally spoke, Nicolo felt as if it was the first time he ever heard the boy speak. The question was simple and yet, he had no right to ask such a thing, his next statement only causing the anger to bubble within the pit of his stomach. The only visual cue that gave him away was the pursing of his lips. Pale yellow eyes evaluated the pair in front of them. Elettra was not doing well, that was no mystery to Willow Ridge, but they would look after her, just as any family should. When he spoke, his voice was hard, "Morganna lost her rights to ask of such requests when she left." The male's tail flicked behind him in irritation, before continuing on, "Elettra is managing but she is going through a rough time right now." Greer had never done anything wrong towards Nicolo, aside from not inform him of the private meeting his niece held within their own home. He would be honest to the boy and let him know what their disappearing act caused.

WesternStock @ DA, KYghost @ DA & Dawnthieves.de - Table by PuppyThief

Greer should have known it was a foolish request. Morganna, along with himself and a handful of Ridge wolves, had left. They had abandoned the willows due to the shift in leadership and forged a new path for themselves. Until Craw had approached him about leaving, nobody in his birthpack knew about his plans of leaving. Hecate had known, when he had first thought of looking for something else—something new—but their relationship, friendship, had strained when she had taken a liking to his brother and subsequently forgotten about the silver-eyed shadow. Kyna knew, but she did not count. His secret had always been safe with the scarlet wolf.

He had stuck around longer than he had planned, in hopes that things would change for the Ridge. His brother had promised to dethrone their uncle but failed. Morganna had grown restless and decided it was best to start anew elsewhere; Greer followed suit without hesitation. They could have departed on better terms—taking a few wolves with them wasn’t exactly the best way to say good-bye…

A familiar face appeared behind the large Archer, but Greer’s focus remained fixated on his uncle as he spoke. The shadow felt guilty for leaving behind his younger sister; for not being there for her the way a big brother was supposed to be. Would she have left with them, too? He dismissed the thought as soon as it entered his mind, his attention returning to Nicolò as he digested what was said. Elettra’s health had always worried the shadow; it had been why Morganna had stepped up in the first place. “Getting better?” He asked, curious. Despite him basically abandoning her, she was still his mother and he still cared (as much as his vacant heart would allow). “Morg have children. Want meet mother.” Since Nicolò was being honest it was only fair that Greer did the same.

(This post was last modified: Dec 05, 2016, 07:37 AM by Greer.)

Her uncle had remained taking charge of this little get together, speaking out that Morganna had lost her rights to any words in this land when she had turned her back on them. Ravenna's lips pulled to the corner of her mouth to this, silently remembering that Nicolo had not made her rise to power easy on her rather, causing a sort of civil war within the ranks which ended up in the loss of many of its members. Then again, Morganna had fought for her right. It was not like the majority of the pack would not have backed her up on this, being the first daughter of Elettra Archer. Ravenna's eyes remained on Greer. He was the dark, quiet older brother she had been curious about as a child. Now, Ravenna assumed she would never be as close to him as she would have otherwise liked. All of her siblings had abandoned her, including her age mate sister who had ran off too far in the winter and died. Not a single one of her siblings had stuck by her side and remained in the pack to help take care of their aging parents. It was her which did the work of it all. Now, she was far closer to her niece and even her nephew @Sven who both also knew what it was like to be abandoned. Still, when he mentioned Morganna's children her ears perked, tail waving delicately behind her. She would have wanted to see them... ””