Willow Ridge seems like it's been forever

It shouldn't have come to much surprise for Enoki that her private conversation with Sven would no longer belong to just the two of them. In the distance, the dappled matriarch could hear the padding of paws against the soft ground and although her head didn't need to turn to know who it was approaching an ebony ear did tilt back to acknowledge her husband's arrival no doubt drawn to the borders much like herself the moment Sven's call had breached the air. A brief nudge of her nose to his cheek was offered in greeting before her attention returned to the ivory male before them, waiting to hear the answer that would put the mystery of his disappearance to rest.


A familiar flare of anger lit a fire behind those mercury silver pools of Sven's as he began to paint a picture for the couple about what had happened to him, in all actuality having started a few weeks before the incident of his actual disappearance. Some rogues had tried their luck scoring an easy meal within their hunting grounds and came up short pawed thanks to Sven's handiwork of chasing them off. He had thought that was the last he would see of them, but they had returned not only with reinforcements but a hunger for revenge that had Enoki's nape bristling at the thought of them touching a single hair on his head. 

 an unexpected drop of his sire's name off his tongue smoothed the fur that had begun to stand on end, ears pricking forward and a look of disbelief crossing her facial features while her gaze took a few moments to drink in the decoration of scars both healed and semi fresh that adorned his body. Skoll of all wolves happened to save his son's life and not only that but had a new pack of his own? The idea almost made her scoff, but here his son was. Alive and in one piece for the most part.

The conversation then took a more pleasant turn as the man wondered about the pups and how they were, but before a single word could fall off her lips once her jaw parted to speak a much squeakier voice cut in with an exuberant 'Good!' warranting smoldering amber irises to drop and settle on her trio of children. Adeltra; the social butterfly she was proving to be each and every day, held a bright grin upon her face before realizing she had disobeyed her mother, that grin faltering slightly while she chose to saddle up closer to their father and ask if she was mad at them. Her attention then shifting to Romanov who had adopted a more shy nature in this gathering. A meek hi uttered from his lips.

A stern look served as the only reprimand they would receive for not listening, her expression softening like the sap she was for how happy her children A stern look served as the only reprimand they would receive for not listening, her expression softening like the sap she was for how happy her children made her even when they deliberately disobeyed their parents. "Mama's not mad."  To reassure her children she lowered her head to their level and applied a tender kiss to their crowns before shifting her attention to Sven. "Sven, I'd like you to meet Adeltra--" A quick muzzle point toward the little girl. "--who we named after Adele and Elettra and Romanov--" A muzzle point toward the young man gradually coming into his piebald genes. "-- who we chose to name after Nicolo's grandfather." Then there was the matter of the third pup, Elle, under Enoki's care that wasn't of blood at all, but it didn't feel right to go into depths about her history in this moment. Regardless of her true heritage both Nicolo and Enoki had done their best to treat the silver and russet girl as if she truly was their second daughter. 

Ravenna had only been able to catch the butt-end of Sven's little story. That he had survived whatever attack he had injured because he had been found by Skoll's group and had been treated. The mentioning of Skoll's name had conflicting feelings for Ravenna. She was happy to know that her older brother was alive though she was equally angry with him knowing that he had willingly left both of his children behind and had created another family with yet another woman. He was a no good scoundrel, this was for sure and Ravenna pitied whatever woman fell for his acts. But he had saved Sven and for this Ravenna could not have been happier. She did not need the story of who had attacked him, did not need to know why. All the woman cared about was her age-mate nephew and that he had safely returned to the Willow Ridge territory.

Ravenna from her little hunt had come as quickly as she could have. Her fur still stained a dull shade of red over her chin and throat from the muskrat she had both caught and eaten. Rushing up to her pale relative, she whines loudly, bumping hard against his chest and front of his shoulder. Even with his new collection of scarring, she knew he could take on the weight of her and the weight of her affections. Her lips peeled back, a mocking display of aggression given to the pale colored wolf as she snaps playfully at his ear, her tail high in a banner of dominance towards him. There head on head show towards one another going all the way back to their childhood. "I've missed you so fucking much." She whispers the words to her nephew in the ear she had just snipped at, her tail then sweeping low and shaking between her back legs. Her eyes darting to her little cousins and her leaders as a happy smile eased over her features. Sven Archer was home.

The couple waited for the answer of their nephew – though there as an audience of one more – and even when his tale began he could not help it when his eyebrows creased forward in concern. The frown that was making itself known on Nicolo’s face only deepened as Sven continued. It was sickening. It took a true kind of monster to toy with their prey instead of getting the kill over with. It was a true testament to the strength his nephew possessed. The next part of the pale boy’s story had the dark Archer’s eyebrows shooting up, jaw going slack for a moment before he recovered into its neutral position. Out of all the possibilities, Skoll saving his son seemed the least likely. It would not have even crossed his mind that the turned Archer would be out there with another bitch under his paw and a pack under his control. The thought made a bitter anger course through him. If anything, he would have imagined that his sister’s son was somewhere off with Morganna in Whitestone Monadnock, causing trouble and breaking hearts. At the mention of his injuries, Nicolo again did a once over of his flank, the blemishes apparent upon his skin. It would be rude to stare and the dark man found himself looking back towards the pale man’s silver eyes. At the mention of his children, pale yellow eyes softened and his frown relaxed into a neutral line. Enoki was ready to answer when one of their children excitedly jumped in. A grin stretched onto the man’s face as he craned his neck back to look at Adeltra – who was closely followed by Romanov – both of whom stepped close to him. He snuck a glance towards his wife and knew that his love only grew for her as he watched the tender look of love within her eyes. With two of his children with them, it only left him to wonder where Elle was. Yellow eyes swept the willows behind them, eyebrows bunching together in concern before he turned back towards Sven to concentrate back on their reunion. Enoki was quick to introduce the children to their nephew but the presence of another quickly distracted from anything that Nicolo might have wanted to add on. His heart warmed at the display that Ravenna offered to her nephew. It was easy for anyone within the pack to notice that she had taken Sven’s disappearance the hardest and he had no doubts that she would be the happiest upon his return. The happy smile that spread across her face was all he needed to know that this was right. There was something else they needed to take into consideration though but the Archer acknowledged that now was not the right time to ask such questions, especially not in front of his children. Nicolo wanted this to remain a happy memory, brought on by the return of one of their family members. For the first time since he arrived he spoke, "Welcome home, Sven."

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

this post is scattered af i'm so sorry. prob could wrap up this round? no posting order.
@Niccolo @Enoki @Ravenna @Romanov @Adeltra

The answer was swift and certainly not in Enoki's timber. Sven's eyes darted to look behind the piebald woman, spying a young girl bounding toward them with a less than certain boy slinking after her. His muscles froze as he watched them, an unexpected swirl of hesitation overcoming him for the briefest of moments. It was broken, however, as yet another wolf emerged from the Willows to greet him.

If he'd ever been told in his childhood that he'd ever even once be this happy to see Ravenna, he would've spit in the speaker's face.

The tension melted from his body as he leaned into his age-mate's embrace, nuzzling his chin atop her crown with a content growl rumbling through his throat as his eyes closed. His tail was now sweeping through the air enthusiastically, and a deep sense of peace came over him. This was what he had wanted from his return, but hadn't dare hoped for. He had expected some measure of cynicism at the least, but those around him had seemed to mirror his own emotions during his tale, and none of the frustration seemed directed at him. They were thankful for him, happy to have him back, and they did not blame him for what had happened.

It was like the final pieces had fallen into place, as though he'd stumbled upon affirmation he hadn't fully realized he'd been searching for. Piety could stay with Morganna, they could both keep the North. Skoll could have the South, and his scattering of half siblings could have their freedom to pursue their own lives. This, right here, was his family.

A heft paw struck out to swipe at Ravenna's crown while his teeth clicked playfully through the air. As the two were reunited, he had heard Enoki's introductions, and hadn't needed the explanations to know where the two cubs' names came from. Pride swelled within his chest as he looked upon their next generation, Adeltra in particular holding that Archer flame within her eyes. Already Sven had faith that she would make a fine matriarch to follow in her predecessors' pawsteps.

"I missed you too," he returned, silver eyes holding Ravenna's momentarily before jumping to each of the assembled adults in turn. "All of you."

"Archers, hm?" he then asked of the children, before slapping his great big paws upon the ground and bowing playfully. His lips were spread wide over his white teeth in a wolfish grin.

"That means you've got a huge backlog of cousin Sven time to catch up on."

Apologized profusely

Adeltra’s auds flickered downward at the stern look given, small body lowering in quiet apology. Yet, as the look began to morph her tail began to wag happily. She returned the lick to the crown with a few quick puppy licks to her mother’s chin, high pitched yips escaping her jaws. Suddenly, another presence joined them and she watched as their cousin and frequent babysitter Ravenna joined them. Her eyes widened slightly as the pale woman practically tackled Sven. Ravenna had always been kind to them, yet like most adults, she had her rules that could make her strict. Even when she was being playful the young Archer had never seen her act like that. She watched in fascination, muddle blue eyes switching quickly between them.


She was brought out of her reverie by her mother’s introduction of them, chin lifting proudly as her name was given. The girl still didn’t quite know the importance of her namesakes or the heavy weight that sat on her shoulders because of it, but in time she would grow to bear them happily. Sven’s eyes landed on them and she held them with curiosity, a certain mischief swimming within then. Then, suddenly, his massive frame rose then fell with a thud and the girl’s body stiffened, her tail flagging in shock before she blinked and realized what his posture was. Then, her demeanor switched entirely. A bright grin spread across her lips and her tail wagged furiously, practically shaking her entire body. She, too, lowered herself into a playful position before offering a growling bark. Then, the little Archer surged forward to tackle the man’s ear. She could already tell she was going to like him a lot!

Their little pow-wow was soon to be intercepted by another member's approach that had probably missed the Ivory man the absolute most out of them all. Smoldering amber irises shifted their gaze from the faces of her children and the returned Archer in time to witness a blur of silver charging straight for Sven and Enoki did little to stop the smile and wag of her tail that followed watching the two age-mate wolves engage in a rowdy display of affection. The first truly genuine, happy smile settling on Ravenna's facial features since who knew when. A piece of evidence toward how far Sven's presence stretched in the willow forest.


"Yes, welcome home, Sven." She agreed with her mate, leaning into his dark side comfortably while shooting Ravenna a gleeful smile in return before her attention shifted to how her children would react to Sven's invitation to play. His much larger size and scar riddled body easily a possible deterrent but being every once an Archer as their namesakes claimed she doubted they wouldn't warm up in a heartbeat to their long lost cousin. 

Sure enough, it was little Adeltra that took the lead on figuring out just what Sven was made of, a hearty laugh leaving the magpie's lips as her daughter not only mirrored his playful stance and vibrated in excitement after being caught off guard by his sudden display at first but went further and actually took a lunge for the pale man's ear in typical feisty fashion. Yep, they would get along just fine. 

Sure, the man was very large (Romanov now had another large cousin to look up to) and had strange marks but everyone else liked him. That meant he had to be safe. A grin replaced his timid features. He couldn't let Adeltra have all the fun with this new cousin Sven! The boy enthusiastically barked and let his tail rapidly beat the area behind him. Large paws struggled to keep up with his bouncy movement.

Romanov what Elle would think of their new cousin. Where was she anyway? Had she decided to stick back? That would be at least one less sister he would have to keep his nervous gaze on. Granted if she wasn't here...what was she doing back in the heart of the ridge? He pushed the worrywart thoughts aside in order to focus on his new family. Elle would be alright.

"There better places to play back there!" He threw his head back towards the heart of Willow Ridge. More things to climb and hide under. Everyone had said welcome home, right? Surely Sven wouldn't mind the idea of playing elsewhere then. "Right?" He chirped at Adeltra but also glanced at his parents. The boy was ready to spring off the moment he was given approval.

It's Only Dark.

Her attention was blinded for a few moments by Sven and Sven alone. She had always known him to be a bit of a roamer, like the most of her family from both sides even, though his heart was in this land. He would always come back if he was photo capable of doing so. Which is why she had been so worried, because something had to be wrong. It was obvious by the new collection of scars on his body that he had gotten into quite a fight though she didn't pound him down with questions just yet. Surely he needed a good meal and probably some rest for his travel back. Then she could find out what all happen to her age-mate nephew.

Once they did a few rounds of tussling back and forth with one another, Sven spoke out of missing her too, of missing all of them. Ravenna's silver attention would turn down to the pups just as Sven's own silver gaze did. His display and words to Adeltra leaving her tail further wagging. And then Romanov spoke about going to find a better place to play, within their home instead of here at the doorstep. "Show us a good spot then, Romanov." She spoke, closing the distance between herself and her cousin in just a stride or two and nudging him against the side of his flank. "I'll race you!" She called out, taking a few quick paces and then looking back to make sure the boy was following. A bark was then sounded out into the direction of her leaders, hoping they would join them. The packs duties could surely wait, even just for a little bit...

(Faded exit.)