Sex: FemaleAideen Athesila It didn’t feel right, heading away from home rather than towards it when she left Grizzly Hollow. She might still be upset with her husband, but Secret Woodlands was where she belonged, it was her pack, and her children were there too. She wondered how they were doing, what they were thinking about all this. She hadn’t exactly taken a lot of time to explain to any of them, she’d been too rattled; I hope they’re okay… Not that she doubted they were well taken care of, they were old enough to be without their mother for a while, and no matter how furious she was with Miccah, she knew that he, and their older siblings, would look after the boys. Perhaps it would even be a good thing, them being forced to spend more time together. But she still missed them. Yet, when she finally said her goodbyes and left the Cedarwood, it was in a southeastern direction, nose carefully searching the forest for scents of wolf. Visiting the Hollow – as well as the recent encounter with Gent – had made her realize how important allies, and keeping up with them were. She’d remembered then, how close Nina had been with the healer queen Elettra, her pack once their closest ally. But the two groups had begun drifting apart, even before the matriarch’s death, and since then there had been no real contact between them. Until now, Aideen had been so overworked and exhausted, that she hadn’t been able to spare the situation more than a passing thought. But now that she was out and about – and finally well rested for the first time in many months – She’d had a chance to revisit that problem as well. And so, it was in search of Willow Ridge that she left behind her friends among the cedar trees, heading south until the forest changed character. She’d never actually visited the pack herself, but the description of their location was still sharp in her memory, and it wasn’t hard to know that she was on the right course. The large, gnarly willow trees, bending their branches in olive-colored curtains formed a gorgeous, open wood around her when she turned east, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere. Soon she began to notice the markers of frequent wolf traffic, and then the land began to grow rocky, rising into the very Ridge she’d been searching for. Halting a polite distance from the border, the petite shewolf raised his head and called smoothly for the inhabitants to meet her, tone casual and friendly; She was here hoping to mend bonds. Word count: 432 Thoughts ”Speech” |
This call, though, was not from a Draw wolf, that much the magpie matriarch could decipher, but whom the howl truly belonged to was unknown and perhaps had she shared the notion about strengthening the bond with their allies to the north; Whisper Caverns to the west now nothing more than that, a whisper, she would have an inkling as to whom was now waiting patiently at their doorstep with nothing but the best of intentions in mind. It seemed life had been a whirlwind for both of the remaining packs that belonged to the former trinity bond.
Rising, Enoki gave a parting kiss to the tops of her children's head before excusing herself from the latest round of storytelling in order to handle the business at hand. Dappled silhouette gracefully maneuvering through the rocky and tree riddled forest until a tawny figure began to appear on the horizon, a loud chuff signaling her arrival before coming to a more conversational distance. Tail hoisting just enough to declare her rank before lowering back into a more neutral position. No, this was definitely not a wolf from the Draw and the woman's curiosity only piqued with what this could be about. "Hello there. Enoki Archer, how may I help you?" Her voice soft and sweet per usual while smoldering amber irises grazed over the woman standing at her doorstep to study her.
He was able to arrive on the tail end of her introduction. Without wasting a moment he bounded up by her side, practically acting like a mini-Enoki with his looks and posture. "Romanov Archer!" The boy chirped as he looked up at the small female. She kinda looked like a bigger Elle. Except Elle had more silver on her face like a mask. Roman simply wasn't old enough to try and decipher why she looked different compared to him and Adeltra though.
Briefly, the boy looked up to his mother hoping she wouldn't be too mad with his decision to follow after her. He had to protect her after all! Especially if Dad or Ravenna wasn't around. They were both really big and strong. Mama was big and strong too but that didn't stop the boy's protective nature.
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This left him around for little moments like this, anyways. His paws turned without thinking toward the source of the call. It was unfamiliar but held a telling note of confidence within it. It didn't appear to be the strained song of a rogue in need of shelter. Regardless of the intrigue the summons inspired within him, and his lacking rank, he still felt innately duty-bound to see this visitor through. When he arrived, it was no surprise that Enoki and one of her progeny were already greeting the woman. Her petite stature was what caught Sven's attention first, even above the fiery coloration of her pelt.
Rather than interject and prolong her telling them the reason for her call, he merely nodded to the stranger and silently awaited her voice.
He had been prowling after a plump rabbit for a little while now. He figured that it would make quite a nice snack for his children, and even offer Enoki a break from whatever shenanigans their children would be getting into. Just as he was ready to pounce and obtain the rabbit, a call echoed throughout the territory. Startled, the rabbit hopped away into its hole. Shooting straight up, the Willow Ridge alpha let out an irritated growl, pale yellow eyes narrowed in frustration. With a huff, her turned on his paws to head towards the border. It wouldn’t do him any good if he ignored the calls on his borders. The dark Archer trotted towards where the call originated, nostrils flaring as he neared. Enoki, Romanov, and Sven. While he was pleased that others had arrived before him, reinforcing how Willow Ridge was – hopefully – returning to a state of normalcy and power, it did nothing to quell his earlier irritation with himself. What must they think of me? Nicolo made his way to his mate’s shoulder, tail lifting above his back before lowering – though still being mindful of Sven’s presence. As he inhaled again, to get a better idea of exactly who this stranger was. There was something familiar about the scent that drifted towards him – herby and mossy. Secret Woodlands? He hadn’t thought about their northern allies. The last they had heard from them was when their scout had been sent to check in with them. That had been before the Morganna drama. Tongue pressed against his teeth, curious about what this visit could be about, but he remained silent, waiting for her to state the purpose for her visit. |
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Aideen Athesila She wasn’t made to wait long, a low bark soon announcing the arrival of her first greeter. Aideen smiled and nodded as the mottled woman came to stand before her, the brief, dominant stance revealing her rank. But she quickly relaxed again, meeting the smaller female with a friendly smile and soft introduction. Before the visitor had time to answer though, another, smaller wolf joined them, walking up next to the lady who was undoubtedly his mother, delivering a polite introduction of his own. Aideen smiled broadly, nodding at the boy as she had his dam; “It’s very nice to meet you Romanov.” Her eyes lifted to the piebald shewolf, smile still wide; “And you too Enoki, I’m Aideen Smoke, leader of Secret Woodlands. You’ve got yourself an upstanding young guardian here.” She tilted her head down towards the pup, her tone that of a fellow mother rightfully praising a child. Others had joined them during the introductions, both males remaining silent, though the older took a stand at Enoki’s opposite side, showing his position in the same way that she had. Aideen nodded to them both, her own tail low as was common practice for visitors to another’s lands. Then she continued to explain, looking at the female leader as she spoke, since she was the one who’d been talking so far; “There used to be an alliance between our packs, though regrettably it’s been neglected lately. I’ve came hoping to rekindle the friendship.” Her voice and posture remained casual throughout the speech, though her eyes grew dark as she added: “A lot has happened since we last spoke.” Word count: 270 Thoughts ”Speech” |
The Archer man kept most of his attention on their guest, offering a polite smile and nod where was appropriate. Aideen Smoke was a polite woman and seemed to have her wits about her in terms of how she managed herself and the diplomatic relations of her pack. There was nothing Nicolo respected more than that. It was something they valued highly in the Torbine, especially order. As far as he was concerned, the alliance between Willow Ridge and Secret Woodlands had never wavered. It had meant something to his sister and therefore, it carried on to him once her passing. Of course, a lot could change over the course of a year and a half. Glancing towards his wife out of his peripherals, he spoke for them all, "Indeed... The last scout we spoke with informed us of the shift in leadership." If any other visit had been arranged, he was not awarw of it. |
WesternStock @ DA, KYghost @ DA & Dawnthieves.de - Table by PuppyThief |
As he had missed the first portion of the visitor's speech, he was unable to decipher who her pack was. He tried to recall the names once mentioned to him by his nonna, Whisper Caverns and... was she from the Woodlands? His nose quivered as he attempted to glean the answer from her scent. She certainly didn't smell of the marsh or the caverns, but maybe they had relocated and only now were able to tell their once-neighbors what had gone so wrong.
Regardless, this was definitely the kind of talk he wanted to be in on. Still silent, he continued to listen intently. This would all be crucial information for him to know when he inevitably regained leadership.
Softly he tried to repeat a word. "Ah...lie...ance." His brows furrowed slightly before he regained his composure. He could ask about the word to his cousins or parents later. Surely they would know all about it if this Aideen lady was here to talk about it.
Hospitality, that was what his leaders wished to display to the petite woman at their door. As she had said, there was a lot to be discussed, and for the leader of a pack that once used to be invaluable allies, a tie that was never quite severed but had been quieted by distance and time, it would not do to have her discuss every matter standing out in the cold like a stranger. So instead, Aideen was invited in. Pleasantries would be exchanged until they were at the den, where those involved could settle comfortably to discuss. The pale young man would rouse @Ravenna and invite her to sit with him at a distance, listening in. No doubt, any information shared would be vital to the duo that were destined to become the next set of leading alphas in the pack.
/Fade