Drooping Willows do not go gentle into that good night

There is a family of deer nearby. Hunt Opportunity

i'll take the road & fuck it all away

His venomous words had been not just a declaration but a threat. There was no room for Niles to lift his head and hold it up in the Ridge that Sven desired. And if he tried to interfere? He was going to be cut down. As far as the pale teen was concerned, he'd given up his rights when he walked away from his home not just once but twice. There was nothing that could be said to convince him otherwise, no matter if others in the pack might wish to continue to coddle him, and why wouldn't they? He was Skoll in a more polished package, with white armour rather than black. Both suits were made of tin, but all anyone seemed to care about was the image. He would remind them what substance meant.

Enoki's barked command reached his ears, but there was something in his would-be rival's eyes that held his gaze. He saw the curl of the other boy's lips, the inhale and the defiance before the spray hit him. Like gasoline, it encouraged the fire to swell and roar. Finally Niles had pulled a snarl from him, the sound raw as it tore through his throat, fangs parting to snap at the air before the other's face once more. There would have been more, if a sudden force hadn't slammed into him.

Caught by surprise, the contact was jarring. Instinctively he allowed the momentum to move him, nimble paws wheeling him around to face this new adversary as a warning bark accompanied the flashing of his teeth. When twin moons finally recognized her, his ears leaned back and his tail curled at his hocks. Hers wasn't the dominance he'd been seeking to challenge, but like a cornered viper it was clear within his eyes; should she try to punish him, there would be retaliation. He would not be cowed, would not be made to feel like he was the villain they all had plainly expected him to grow into.

Niles had deserved this.

But now... Sven's jagged edges slowly began to soften as he realized; the pack was gathering, slowly but surely. It would not be long now before @Elettra was here, before she discovered her mate's corpse. His eyes fell upon Angier, and he had to blockade against the whine that threatened to escape his chest. Not for the man, but for his wife. Sven did not want to see her pained. A part of him wanted to turn to Enoki and beg that they not tell her at all, and because of that he knew that he needed to find her now, to bring her here. Postponing it did none of them any favors.

"I'll get Nonna," he uttered, his voice hollow as he slunk away. Turning toward home, his eyes lifted to catch Attica once more. Even from that distance, he could see the pained sheen of her eyes, and his heart sunk as he realized she knew. At her side in a heartbeat, he moved to comfort her with the pressure of his crown against her temple, gently pushing her away.

"I'm sorry, Atty," he whispered; not for what he'd done but what he had been unable to do. If he'd known she was near, if he'd noticed her running to them sooner, he might've been able to stop her from seeing Angier like this. It broke his heart any time she hurt; she was so much gentler than he had been at her age. Maybe he'd made the world too soft for her, but he still held out hope that her innocence was something he could preserve, without it backfiring on either of them.

"We need to find Nonna, alright?"

in this twilight, our choices seal our fate

(This post was last modified: Jan 25, 2017, 05:19 AM by Sven.)

NILES ARCHER LYALL

"Enough!" Enoki's call had not even stopped the boys. In fact, the row did not even stop until she forcefully pushed Sven off of him. "I said enough, Sven." Niles' lips pursed and he exhaled as he watched the more dominant woman brush the Archer aside. At least he had gotten the last laugh; that little bit of spit off his tongue, splattering all over his nephew's face and chin, had stoked that fire that the Lyall had wanted to provoke. The higher the flame, the faster the burnout...

The girl in the background had been forgotten as Niles breathed a sigh of relief, tears returning to his eyes as his mind caught up to what had happened. There were other words being spoken, more of Sven's chattering, but the darker youth merely stared up at Enoki, pushing himself back onto his belly with his right elbow. "Kiki?" his breath shuddered from him, the tone of her name presented with sadness and the sort of wistful longing that needed to be comforted by someone he deemed 'close to him.' Again, his jaws parted, but the words wouldn't come; he couldn't say it. His father had been unable to reach Willow Ridge and Niles had been too late to reach him.

As if to keep the Leader's attention, he let out a low whine to gauge just what kind of welcome he would receive without his mother or his sister present. If the wolves of Willow Ridge really didn't see Niles worth their while - with Angier's spirit drawn away in the coming of the fog - then he was more than ready to leave.

rage, rage against the dying of the light

we can say goodbye, just head home, but if we're going to be alone
Chimera is currently traveling with Niles and may hop into this IC thread!

Two toned frame remained rigid where she stood, smoldering gaze watching the pale Archer use the momentum from her sudden and unexpected impact to wheel about and face the woman. Skin wrinkling just a tad bit more over the length of her marred snout in response to Sven's defensive flash of teeth, her head lowered over her throat until gradually the recognition of whom he was dealing with began to register across his facial features. The backward splaying of his ears and his tail curled at the hocks, but a fire still burned within the depths of his ghostly eyes she was unsure would ever be doused. A wordless promise that if provoked he would lash out, but Enoki had no intentions of punishing him.

An ebony ear twitched in response to the hollow words that fell from Sven's lips, smoldering amber gaze watching him turn before slinking away to gather his sibling and saunter off in search of his grandmother while a heavy sigh escaped from Enoki's lips. For a moment the darker boy had been forgotten as her mind drifted toward Elettra and the pain that would be induced upon her heart yet again when her eyes fall upon the fallen silhouette of her husband, her throat clenching at the thought and a prick beginning at the corner of her eyes until a saddened version of her childhood nickname broke through the mental fog. 

Blinking away the early onset of tears, an ear tilted back toward the sound of Niles whine before her entire body followed suit, once harsh gaze now softened as it settled upon him. "Sh, I'm here.." She murmured quietly in an attempt to reassure the boy, lowering her head to press the top of her muzzle into the dampened fur of his cheek where the tears of his sorrow and pain had flowed. "Everything will be alright." A salmon tongue leaving the confines of her mouth to lick away some of the salty liquid from his face. But would it? She may have been there to intervene now, but there was no guarantee the magpie could be his guardian angel all the time.

we're not broken, just bent

Attica Grace Archer

Unlike the last time, she managed to settle her stomach down. She didn't have to run screaming or crying from the sight before her. Maybe it was because this wolf was a stranger (though she didn't know he shouldn't have been), or maybe she was just growing up... Either way, as @Sven approached and apologised, she swallowed the lump in her throat and blinked the tears away, mustering a smile for her brother. "What for? S'not your fault." Maybe that was why he was so mad at the other wolf, maybe he was just worried about how she would react to another corpse being left on their doorstep. She hated to worry him so.

A quick glance was thrown over her shoulder at the stranger in time to see Kiki trying to reassure him. Her brows drew down in worry as she bounded a few steps to catch up to her brother's side. "Who is he?" she asked with a hint of suspicion, why would they need nonna for a stranger? Were these wolves that left with her aunt or were they others that had run away from the willows? She couldn't say the thought had never crossed her own mind but she would never, could never hurt her brother like that.

(This post was last modified: Jan 25, 2017, 09:14 PM by Attica.)

Sven & Attica will be leaving temporarily for a round to go to the main den & fetch @Elettra, then will come back with her.

crawl on my belly til the sun goes down

Her response helped to soothe his nerves, and he could see her regain her composure, using her strength. It made him feel proud, and validated the trust he had placed in his sister. Where others balked, Attica always understood. It was the only always he had. He placed a single kiss atop her crown in thanks before moving on. They needed to get this over with.

It was Attica's tone of voice that told him which he she was referring to, and he did not look back as he answered.

"Our uncle, Niles Lyall. The one passed, he's Angier. Nonna's mate. They took off together without a word, then Niles just dumped his dad back here, couldn't even make sure he made it all the way or take a minute to tell Nonna he was alright, to see how his family has been doing."

The disgust he held for his age-mate was clear in his tone, and especially so as he declared, "Don't ever trust him, Atty."

i'll never wear your broken crown

NILES ARCHER LYALL

The Leader, once her attention had been stolen, doted upon Niles, washing away the tears and assuring him that everything would be all right. Continuing to snivel, he bowed his head at a loss for what else to say. She had seen how Sven had treated him, the hostility and brute force; and, there was no need for Niles to 'milk' any more comfort from her. He had been coddled all that time away from the Ridge; but, even though, Angier was gone, the boy had been given more than enough attention to simply take comfort in the magpie's closeness. Anything to ward the shock away.

For the time being, Sven and his sister were forgotten as they returned back into the depths of the willows. It went without a second thought to assume that they would bring someone else out - perhaps, anyone and everyone who would want to know that Elettra's mate had passed. Niles trembled, inwardly bracing himself for what his mother and sister would do and say. He knew he would have to apologize, but what he would have to do (if anything at all), he had yet to discover... At this point, he couldn't be certain he would be able to return home or what his age-mate, his future queen, @Ravenna might think of him for attempting such a stupid, foolish feat as returning to the distant kingdom of Torbine.

rage, rage against the dying of the light

we can say goodbye, just head home, but if we're going to be alone
Chimera is currently traveling with Niles and may hop into this IC thread!

*plays provided mood music and prepares self to cry.*

sola bona quae honesta

Elettra & Angier, forever.

Those things only are good which are honest

She knew they were all here, around her... Sven, Attica, Niles, Ravenna and Enoki... all her pack, all her family. Yet those pale, cold eyes could only see one: Angier Lyall. Her partner, her mate, her love. Though the wolves around her lips moved, she did not hear them. It were as though they were an ocean like the endless waters of Torbine and all she could hear was their waves. She had replayed in her mind time and time again how she would reunite with her husband and it always came down to this, always like this, and the gods did not disappoint... Each step as she drew nearer was like agony, her paws sore, legs shaky, hip aching as she kept herself up straight, as poised to perfection as she could muster before the fallen wolf as though even in his death she needed to stand tall, strong, beautiful before him. If he were broken, if he were skin and bone, Elettra Archer only saw him as the powerful, handsome man as he had always been. 'Remember... Remember when we met under the willows here?' Her mind reached out to speak to him where her true words could not form, only a whine pouring from her lips where others around may here. 'You were so arrogant, so smart then too weren't you?' The Queen would come to sit down close to him, close enough that her paws could touch the soft creamy fur at his neck. "I know your here... Why wont you speak to me?" This time, unlike the whining before, she speaks enough to be heard, her words a whisper, soft... comforting. Would he not show himself to her? She could feel him here. Of this she was not wrong. She had lost her ability to walk without a limp, had lost her sense of smell, but not her touch... not her sight, not his love.

She would lean down before his face, placing a gentle kiss at his cheek, her muzzle brushing through the ruffles of his fur where death could be scented, but not by her. He was hard, cold and although her heart would search for him, her mind knew that the corpse laying here was his own and he was dead. There was no longer a need to stay here now, waiting for him. Her throat began to tighten as she tried to hold back the flood tears, leaving her gasping for breath. The Matriarch falls to a lay before him, head resting down along her mate's nape, an overwhelming sorrow causing her to shutter. Her chest sinks, a sharp pain deep in her core forcing her eyes to squeeze shut. There is but a few hanging moments of sharp breaths until her eyes open once more, looking out beyond the gathering of wolves and to the glorious willows of her homeland. She needed look no further. With one last weak breath she spoke. "I see you..." And then she was gone. The dark woman was known by many as a very hardened woman... How ironic, that today Elettra Archer dies of a broken heart.

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(This post was last modified: Jan 30, 2017, 12:04 AM by Elettra.)

<333 :c

Renier Lyall
don't worry about me the heart is suppose to bleed

The silver blanket held wickedly to the willows, digging a sharp coldness that bit more than his nose. It dug swift, and fiercely into his lungs. But, the Lyall didn't remain at the shelter of his willow tree. Things needed to be done, and he doubted he would find much warmth if he remained. As was usual morning took him on another round of patrolling, and marking. Nothing  unusual. Nothing new but the freezing fog to cloak his journey, making him move more swiftly. Making him take a mental note that they still had plenty of deer meat for the time being.

He did not know the commotion that took place on the other side of the realm. Until a girl's young voice broke the eerie quiet. Likely Attica, and why her brother was undoubtedly near by, Renier shifted course to ensure she was okay. But, he was late.

Paws tramped along the trail, he could see them gathered in the distance. Everyone, except Nicolo. The scene kept unfolding before his eyes, landing upon the dark and silver coat of Elettra. She was next to some...

 No..

Adeline surged, pushing him forward. Rather from cold whip of the wind, or the tragedy his eyes began to water. His throat stung, and his lungs burned more harshly. Upon arrival, gold eyes reached to Enoki, and the figure of Niles. Then Ravenna, Sven, and Attica. Slowly, his stare fell on his Uncle's corpse, and the Lady Archer who rested beside him. A low whine brushed his throat. Death's cloak hung too tightly. Nothing could have prepared him for this. Swiftly, the rogue swallowed, momentarily closing his eyes, forcing himself to remain collected for not only his sake, but for everyone else. At least now in death they were together. Without a word he placed himself beside Ravenna, should she need a shoulder. Then the Lyall raised his muzzle, and released a sorrowful howl. The Ridge, the Lore, had lost two great wolves who would surely be missed.

(This post was last modified: Feb 01, 2017, 10:39 PM by Sahalie.)

She had halted in her previous position, the snow well packed down from her frantic spinning before. Her brother's words still weighed heavily on her mind, Don't ever trust him, and so she couldn't bring herself to come closer. Not when her Nonna and Aunt surged past with her brother, not when she watched Elettra lay close to the corpse of her mate. Attica could feel her heart shattering into a million little pieces, who would be next? But that answer would come so much sooner than she ever could have imagined. She saw the pain on her Nonna's face, the way her chest suddenly ceased in its rise and fall. There was a roaring in her ears, her own breath held waiting for the old queen's next breath.

It wasn't until Renier reached the scene, another grief filled howl filling the air that everything came falling down around her. There was no illness this time, no tears, just the cold of winter and a numbness that crept up through her paws and into her heart. Flat eyes fell on the wolf she had told her brother to leave alone and she was instantly filled with regret. This was his fault. The edges of her eyes hardened and her lip lifted in a silent snarl as she felt herself being torn in two directions. This wasn't like her at all. She wasn't the one filled with white hot rage and a need to strike down the unrepentant... or was she?

She needed to be alone. She needed to get away, so she silently took her leave.