Willow Ridge don't expect the world

For @Sven || January 8th, Evening, Cloudy, 15°F (-9°C)

Romanov Archer

Romanov typically kept to himself unless approached. He checked in with his father before going about his own business. More often not picking to patrol alone or sniff around the surrounding areas of Willow Ridge. He was always a call away, though. For he dared not startle anyone into thinking he might have gone away.

But this evening he wanted to find someone. A familiar someone. Romanov settled himself comfortable under a willow tree, away from the communal den. If who he wanted wasn't busy then they would come to him. The Archer boy tilted his head back with a soft howl released into the cool air for his cousin Sven.

He lowered his head and ended his call, letting his head be filled with thoughts again. Roman knew the shift in rank from his father to his cousin. Perhaps the older Archer would be busy with new tasks or already looking to be done with duties for the night. Hopefully Romanov wasn't being a nuisance.

art by crowteeths

the devil is & always will

Conveniently enough, the newly re-crowned Archer was just finishing with his self-assigned tasks and making his way back to the den to curl up with @Leotie, @Ravenna and @Lilith. Answering Romanov's call was a welcomed detour; he saw far too little of the youth, in his opinion. The change in the child had been evident, and drawing him back out of his shell was a goal of Sven's. However, with as much as he had on his shoulders, it had unfortunately been placed on the back burner.

Still, he would gladly make time for his young cousin. Sven found him under the willow tree and did not hesitate to welcome himself to the boy's side, curling up in the snow next to him. He could only guess at what Romanov wished to speak about, and felt certain that his concerns must lie with his father given the sudden change in ranks. Was he afraid of losing Nicolo as he had his mother?

"What is it, Rom?"

be a gentleman.

Romanov Archer

His cousin welcomed himself easily and cut right to the point. Roman shouldn't have been so surprised. He had called up the older Archer after all. "Hello to you too." He smiled easily, not taking the pale man's bluntness to heart. "I just had some questions if you weren't too busy." Romanov rolled his shoulders as he relaxed in his cousin's presence.

Undoubtedly both of his cousins - and now both his leaders - had been the most stable figures in his life. His own parents had seemed to wax and wane over his young months, his own littermates (for he still knew Elle to be a strange blood sister) had gone and come. But never did Sven and Ravenna seem to move like the wind.

"Do you think my father is going to get better?" A coolness to his tones while his amber eyes begged for nothing but honesty. Romanov didn't care what the answer was he just needed to know.

art by crowteeths

It's Only Dark.

A young deer has been separated from the rest of its herd. Hunt Opportunity