Willow Ridge Your journey has only begun

Time to meet the little ones! @Adeltra @Elle @Nicolò @Ravenna @Eek @Eskil and Romanov can be lightly pped since Rachel hasn't gotten to his account yet <3

Enoki Ashrelle

If there was one thing the new mother had not anticipated with the gift of her children both blood and adopted, it was just how quickly they grew and began to develop into their own tiny little selves. By now Adeltra and Romanov had entered their third week of life with little Elle; the adopted cub thrust upon the magpie matriarch in the wake of dire circumstances by Eskil, trailing behind the others just a little given her later date of birth. Despite this Enoki doted on the young girl as if she truly was her own, but now it was becoming more apparent that the cramped quarters of the birthing den Enoki had selected would no longer be able to contain the mobile cubs. It was time to officially introduce the pack to their newest members. But first, bath time.

Due to her close proximity, little Elle got to be the first victim of the day to Enoki's cleansing tongue. A few swipes along her silvered crown then down a tawny spine made quick work of clearing any loose debris that collected on her puppy down. The mother's attention shifting onto Romanov next and then Adeltra who seemed to enjoy the tongue bath the least of the trio. Her cries of complaint and wriggles to break free from Enoki's gentle grasp by using her paws futile until the Archer daughter was as pristine looking as her siblings. "Alright now. Today's a big day for you guys." She speaks softly, rising to her paws and giving her mangled, dappled fur a shake to make herself equally as presentable as her children. She could groom herself later.

Slipping past the entrance of the den she pauses to glance back over an ivory clad shoulder, smoldering amber irises glistening with delight and excitement. "Come along children. Elle, Adeltra, Roman." Voice soft and encouraging in hopes of drawing the children out into the giant world that lay beyond the den they have known since birth. Tilting her head back the matriarch releases a howl to summon the pack together. Today was going to be a glorious and exciting day for the pack. 

Word Count: 359

Ashbash 2017 - Sebastian Unrau 

(This post was last modified: May 27, 2017, 02:50 AM by Enoki.)

Warmth and darkness greeting the small tawny pup like old friends, that is if you count literally being all she knew the entirety of her short life so far, snuggled up against her mother’s belly when the generator of warmth shifted, it earned well, she wasn't really sure what it was beyond a firmly protested puppy noise that she had emitted, through the warm tongue running over her soft pelt shortly turned the sudden ripple of discomfort into pleasure, that alas, was shortly lived as Enoki moved on to clean her siblings.

Soft baby blue eyes blinked open as Elle’s entire world so far opened up into it's usual blurry shape around the girl, the magpie matriarch’s familiar and fuzzy bi colored fur greeted Elle’s sight. Fascinating grew though, things seemed to be just a little bit sharper, the soft and vast sea of Enoki’s fur that served as the young pup’s safe haven was just a bit more clear, from a dull grey fuzz or slightly less dull and fuzzy.

What was she doing? A flood of pure and undiluted terror, ana emotion she was yet able to process filled the girl when Enoki suddenly stood, slipping toward the wall of white light that had been the border of her world. A panic laced yip escaped the young pup’s muzzle as she wriggled and stumbled to stand, swaying on her stumpy legs as she waddled after, she had to bring her bac- As she crossed through the screen of light, slowly she realized something...there was a lot out there.

Stunned fear and fascination filled Elle’s attention span, having transcended from the dark and dull earthy abyss of her old home to..this thing. She blinked slowly, glancing around, unconsciously scooting closer to Enoki, lest she tried to disappear again, silence filled the female pup as she could only gaze around in aw, or sensory overload, either was possible but one thing was clear, her small jaw hung open. At Enoki’s howl, she got excited, she tried copying the fuzzy shape’s posture, her muzzle raised toward the sky… a short
lived squeak escaped the fearsome little pup.

The girl’s world was filled with warmth, milk, and playtime. It was all she knew, yet she craved more. She watched day in and day out as her mother exited that big light at the front of the den, but before she could follow another was always quick to enter and bar her path. It frustrated her and she was sure to let them know it, whining in her high pitched puppy keen and nipping at the legs and paws that blocked her with her puppy teeth. But, then she’d turn and go have a wrestling match with her brother or sister to dispel the energy. All was forgotten in a moment by her short attention span due to her youth, but the curiosity remained about what was beyond that strange escapable light.

She’d been playing around with a ball of mosses when her mother pulled her over, a wail escaping her jaws at being separated from her entertainment. The woman’s tongue swept over her and she batted at the muzzle with a pout, quickly rolling over and giving herself a defiant shake when all had been said and done. Enoki moved toward the light and the girl was quick to follow even though she was sure that her plans would be foiled, hot on her heels. Yet...this time nothing was happening? She paused just before the entrance, skeptical for a moment. Her puppy blue eyes were narrowed, waiting for something to stop her but...nothing did. She took a few hesitant steps forward and stopped, then repeated. Still nothing. Her little heart hammered wildly. Would today finally be the day? What was she waiting for? Perhaps they had forgotten or perhaps they were delayed. Regardless she was wasting her chance! The dark little puff ball rocketed forward on her chubby legs.

Everything was suddenly so bright! It was amazing and she couldn’t help but look around the new, blurry world with awe. Then, her mother’s voice rose into the sky along with her sister’s and not one to be outdone the girl tilted her head back and let out various little “arooo”’s, her tail wagging rapidly behind her frame. This was the best day ever!

It was without a doubt that Ravenna Lyall was tired. She had only just a few hours ago reached the borders of her home after having traveled to the north to inform the Draw wolves of Sven's disappearance. They had not seen them, so any news which Ravenna would delivery back to her uncle and Enoki would be placed aside for the moment as she rested. It was only an hour's rest, maybe a little more. When Ravenna woke her eyes were still heavy, her paws still sore, her stomach still growling... She had moved as swift as she could back home, if not running, then trotting, though even this would not prevent Ravenna from joining in on this day. The moment Enoki's howl reached the skies Ravenna was on her feet again, moving in a fast lope towards the small den which Enoki had made as a birthing den for her first litter of children within the Ridge. When she got towards the den she would immediately slow her pace, not wishing to alarm the mother or the three children that would be gathered around her ankles. As a very uncommon fashion for the woman, even before the faces of her leaders, Ravenna would drop down completely low, her stomach nearly grazing the earth as she stalked towards the pups, as to not make her already large form even larger with her height and weight. Her tail waved wildly from behind her, ears perked up with direct attention towards them. Silver eyes would brighten for her leader as she smiles in silent greeting until she lays down before them completely. ”Hello, its finally nice to see you all outside the den...” She speaks to them. She could only get so much of a view of them down in that dark hole they had been in. It was the first time Ravenna had seen pups so small. Even Attica had not been this little when she first arrived. ”I'm Ravenna... I'm family.” She spoke, eyes darting between Adeltra and Romanov before finally casting to Elle. Elle... The name still stung her every time she thought of it. She was not part of her family. She was not a part of anyone's who was here and she was uncertain of how to take the little girl. It was not her fault though, of course, and so Ravenna did well to play nice and not make her feel like she 'wasn't' family. ””

The light that shone through the den light was forbidden – that was the rule set by their mother, and each time his wobbly legs tried to rebel and carry him there (he would get swifter each time), Enoki was quick to correct him. So he would tussle with his littermate and Elle – and otherwise spend his days sleeping, or nursing. This day was different however – after a quick bath, and some words that Romanov did not truly grasp as Enoki spoke fondly to them, it would seem she coaxed them to the light – and suddenly, like that, the rule was thrown out the window.

Adeltra and Elle beat him to it, but the dark pup was not far behind them. His eyes were keen, though, as he took in his surroundings. Blinking as his gaze adjusted to the light, he studied their home outside the den, completely fascinated and enthralled with being allowed outside. His tail gave a clumsy wag, and teetering forward as Adeltra loosed her own little howl, he too tipped his muzzle up, his own song falling more to a guttural puppy growl, that ebbed away to a yip.

Another approached them – fair in complexion, and he quieted. He did not fear – he simply remained intrigued by her, and blatantly began to study her features, his youthful mind already grasping the need to recognize others.

It's Only Dark.

Ever since Ravenna and Nicolo found Sven's bloodied scent headed outside of the lore, Nicolo had taken on the duties of leader. With Enoki taking care of their children, it was the best he could do. While he felt guilty for not being able to be by his mate's side, it was his hope that Enoki understood and accepted what was happening. He heard her call while he was marking the borders on the far side of the territory. Yes, it's time for the children to meet everyone. After lifting his leg on last time, Nicolo turned in the direction the birthing den, setting off at the quick pace. He did not want to miss this. Though there was one extra in their little family, the dark man did not mind it. He was not surprised when he heard that Enoki had taken the child under her care and did not raise his voice in objection. He would not make the same mistake with Elle as he had with Sven. When he arrived, Nicolo first did a sweep of his wife, a soft smile curving onto his lips. She was the picture of goodness. He then looked towards the children gathered, eyes softening, a special gleam in his eyes before settling on his niece. His dark banner wagged happily behind him, seeing Ravenna in such a position, trying to interact with the children. He had never truely appreciated her presence within Willow Ridge but the truth was that despite everything that happened she had stuck with them. Nicolo moved over to stand next to Enoki, content to take in the reactions of their children as they greeted the new world.

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

No posting order <3 Still time for @Eek @Eskil to join in if ya want

Enoki Ashrelle

There was stopping the motherly grin that began to tug at the corner of Enoki's lips as her children tried their best to join in on the howl to summon the rest of the pack. Their tiny songs more like squeals and growls than howls, but adorable all the same to the first time mother. Not long and the first arrival appeared, the only member to be adorned with a pelt of sterling silver signaling the return of Ravenna from a trip to the North alerting their friendly neighbors of news regarding Sven's disappearance. She could see the tiredness in her eyes from the journey, but she would not rob her of the chance to interact with the children. Once some time was spent with the little ones an order would be made that she go and get the much-needed rest she deserved.

A warm smile was offered in return to Ravenna as smoldering amber eyes watched the young woman adopted a posture so strange to witness. The usually proud standing Archer-Lyall now poised with her belly mere inches above the new blades of grass, no doubt her way of ensuring the cubs would not be startled by her much larger body. A pang of sympathy racked through Enoki's heart when those silver eyes fell upon Elle, her words of greeting growing silent once they settled on the child not born of the matriarch's womb.

But the moment was quickly over as the only male of the litter was the first to react to the presence of someone that wasn't his mother or father, tiny howl drawing to a soft silence between puppy blue eyes studied the woman before him intently. Enoki then turns to run the length of her marred muzzle along the underneath of her husband's chin, a soft rumble reserved for him alone sounding out in pleasant greeting before glancing toward the heart of the territory to see if either Eek or Eskil were on their way to joining the celebration of greeting the newest members of the pack.

"They've grown so much already since the day they were born," Enoki speaks in quiet observation, eyes softening once they fell back upon the curious pups.

Word Count: 368

Ashbash 2017 - Sebastian Unrau 

The girl’s howling was cut short as other’s fuzzy frames began to make their way into her vision. Her sight still wasn’t perfect but it was getting far better day by day. A pale figure wormed its way over and her brother seemed to be the first to take the step toward figuring out who exactly they were. The princess didn’t want to be the only one out of the know, so she happily pranced her way over. The other’s features slowly became more apparent, such as a pair of intriguing eyes. Adeltra’s own puppy blues locked onto those, her little head tilting to the side. She wanted to get a better look! So, she did what any girl with a brother would do. She used Romanov as a stepping stool.

Almost without realizing it she was grappling to climb on top of her sibling’s back, little legs slipping and slipping trying to gain leverage and stick her snout further out and jam her head closer to the taller wolf’s. She offered frustrated yips and baby growls, wishing she could either be bigger or that the strange wolf would come closer. At some point her paw slipping and she was left crashing to the ground with a squeak, rolling over with wide, surprised eyes but a wag in her tail.

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

The pale figure held his attention until another approached. This one was more familiar to him, having visited him and his two sisters various times whilst they were trapped within the dark space. Blue eyes skimmed towards the darker figure, tail wagging behind him before his line of the figure was obstructed by his sister. A startled cry strung from his lips but it quickly turned into an irritated growl as her paw dug into his sides. Gritting his sharp canines, the boy rolled his shoulders and was greeted with the sound of his sister's lithe form crashing down next to him. A triumphant, proud grin overtook his features, baby blues focusing down on his sister.

Adeltra did not hold his attention for long, the voice of his mother soon distracting him from whatever tricks his siblings had to pull. His head moved before his paws and soon enough Romanov was stumbling towards his mother, a large grin overtaking his features. Another startled cry left his lips as he tipped forward, eyes widening as the ground slowly neared his face.

It's Only Dark.