Willow Ridge the saltwater room

Heads up to the pack; Nicolo has passed leadership onto Sven. This should be considered common knowledge in the pack. Dated for 1/4. @Ravenna @Leotie @Lorcan @Lilith @Odin @Kip @Romanov @Adeltra @Blitz @Nicolò
All welcome but Sven is specifically seeking Ravenna.

the devil is & always will

Sven had seen it coming, had always known that this would be the way things would come to be and, with Enoki's disappearance, knew that it would be soon. Burdened by his mate's disappearance on top of the growing pack's demands, Nicolo had grown not just weary, but ill. Unable to maintain the leadership, he had approached Sven privately to discuss the situation. Ultimately, the young Archer's crown was returned to him, and damned if it didn't feel good.

He'd left Nicolo to rest, stepping back out into the frozen world with his head held high. A moment was taken to survey the kingdom that was once again rightfully his, before tilting back his head and sending up a howl for the whole pack to hear. It's notes communicated dominance and ownership, announcing his leadership crisply in the winter air.

When the last note had faded, he set out in search of his equal in rank. He and Enoki had formed an understanding during his short time as alpha before those rogue mutts had attempted to take his life from him; he would not waste time in ensuring that his and Ravenna's reign together was just as agreeable. While he had thoroughly appreciated the piebald woman for all that she had done, not just in leading the pack but for him personally, this was how it was supposed to be.

This was the final shift in leadership the Ridge would see for a long time; the dawning of a new dynasty.

be a gentleman.

(This post was last modified: Jan 05, 2018, 10:56 PM by Sven.)

Since her joining Leotie hadn't seen much of Nicolo, she knew he was Enoki's mate, Romanov and Adeltra's father. It only made sense that he would be upset by the piebald woman's disappearance. So when Sven's call reached her ears she had on some level been expecting it. She'd been in enough packs with leadership changes to know how things worked.

The call had been for Ravenna but being second and having made the promise that she would help in whatever way she could Leotie made her way to Sven. It was her home.to.amd she wanted to know what was going on and what she could do to help. She dipped her head to him.as she would any leader when she approached to acknowledge his new status and that she supported him. She'd done it before when he told.her he was going to challenge, he’d barely had a chance to lead before he was taken from them. Now was his chance to make the difference in the pack that he wanted.

Please see Kajika's OOC profile for OOC preferences, thank you

A lynx has left behind the remains of a deer. +5 Health

This will be Lorcan's only post, just acknowledging the change in male leadership.

Laying contently beneath the vines of a bare willow tree, enjoying the dappled sunlight which danced along his back, Lorcan’s bright golden eyes studied his surroundings with curiosity. Rolling and jumping around in the fresh snow had cured him of his restless, which had built up to almost unbearable levels whilst he had been recovering inside the dark infirmary alone. Now that he was outside, the male was grateful to just enjoy some fresh air.

It was as he spied a raven hopping along the snow in search of a meal, that @Sven announced his new rank within the pack. The howl caused the raven to cry and spook, flapping away in a flurry of black feathers. Frowning slightly, for the sudden change in male leadership had not been expected by the newcomer, Lorcan took a moment to silently digest the information before he lifted his head towards the crest of the willow tree. His own howl sung back into the wind, in acceptance of his new leader.

# P O R C A N

sometimes, two people have to fall apart to realise

how much they need to fall back together

This will be Addy’s only post

She’d known it was coming. It had to have been, the Ridge needed a strong leader and while her father was strong in mind his health was failing. He’d grown sick from worry and stress over their mother and no doubt the residuals or losing his children for a time. Watching his deterioration, however, left a sickness of her own in the pit of her stomach. A sickness that came from the realization of mortality, that her parent was not this being that would always be there and always be the strong man she’d grown up with. As Sven’s call rang into the air she felt like she’d been slapped in the face by this cold reality.

She would not be bitter about this as it was only natural. Her cousin was doing what was best for them, for their pack and their family, and she would give him all the support he needed despite the hurt inside. She lifted her own head, her voice warbling her own song of appraisal into the air to congratulate and accept their new alpha.

When Sven's call sounded out over the Drooping Willows, announcing his leadership once more by the grace of Nicolo, Ravenna did not find herself at all shocked that it had happened. She expected, in time, Sven would find himself rising up again in power because it was no secret he was a dominant wolf, keen on making this pack something of his own. With Nicolo unwell after his daughter's disappearance and then mate, it was obvious her uncle was in poor spirits. She wouldn't, couldn't, blame him. The situation reminded her too much of when her father had went missing and how her mother had acted towards it. Now Ravenna only had to figure out where Sven stood with this situation now that he was equal to her.

To be honest, Ravenna had, even though she had only been in leadership a few months now, gotten used to leadership on her own, a trait which she likely had picked up from her mother who had done so a time or two before Angier took up leadership. Ravenna did not have to "see what her partner might think" she did not have to question anything, inform anyone. She made the decisions and hoped that her pack mates would remain loyal enough to back her up on them. Now with Sven in leadership? Unlike many of the men who were leader before him, Sven would not settle on the sidelines while the female took main hold. She worried on one paw yet and relieved on the other. This also meant she was not the only one to make the final decision. That the pack responsibilities as a leader would be split equally. That not one, but now two strong leaders ruled the pack which thus, made the pack stronger.

Ravenna needed to seek out her nephew and so did, her nose in the air to scent him over the crisp winter air, her ears high and twitching for further signs of him. Lorcan and Adeltra's reply sounded out in acceptance as the grey scale woman stalked the lands of her pack, soon to make way into the direction of Sven as he sought out her. By the time she reached him, Leotie was there at his side, no bout here to listen in as always. She was a good wolf when it came to council as she was always on scene, never seeming to miss out on any information. She had wished to be a scout for the pack and Ravenna took note of her constant presence as a good sign. Ravenna smiled to Leotie and, holding back the worries in her expression, moved to press against Sven in a rough manner as often she did. The front of her chest moving to press to his, her muzzle going to move over his nap and a growl echoing from her throat, tail high and waving in a display of her own dominance over this pack.

the devil is & always will

Unsurprisingly, @Leotie was the first to respond, appearing at his side. She was never really too far to start with. He butted his skull against hers, acknowledging her gesture but silently affirming that this changed nothing in their friendship. He certainly wasn't about to start acting any more high and mighty than he already did. The howls of the others rose up then, approving of the shift in ranks. It reminded Sven again how far he had come since his childhood. The climb had been long and arduous, but ultimately worth it, to fight and scrabble for the wolves of the Ridge to not just acknowledge him, but respect him as well.

Then came @Ravenna, and Sven returned her soft grumbling as he reciprocated her embrace. For a beat, he simply enjoyed this feeling of returning, welcomed, back to the position in which he belonged. Then, with a nip to her cheek he withdrew, back to business, which was a much more familiar state.

"Nicolo conceded that he's no longer fit for leadership. I think he'll be more receptive to your care now, too. We can't let him go out searching anymore, not until he gets his strength back."

be a gentleman.

not looking for some fairytale bliss

She was not only proud of Scenery for finally achieving what she knew he'd wanted for a long time. She also felt this way was better than challenging as he wasn't taking the alpha role but being entrusted with it. She knew Sven would do well and she would be by his side every step of the way. She smiled when he head-butted her understanding the gesture.

When Ravenna showed up she received a smile and Leotie dipped her head to the woman. Her way of saying that she still respected her position. She hoped that Ravenna knew that no matter what may happen between the Agouti woman and Sven the silver woman had nothing to worry about. Leotie then watched the interaction between the two alpha’s.

Then it was time for Ravenna and Sven to talk at which time Leotie stayed quiet listening as she always did. She would only speak if she felt it necessary for her to do so.

i want something just like this

Please see Kajika's OOC profile for OOC preferences, thank you

Nicolo had stepped down willingly, believing he was no longer fit for leadership. This was something that likely the majority, if not everyone, within the ranks knew to be true. Even her own mother, as powerful, prideful and dominant as she was, knew when to step down. When she had gotten injured... When she had become old and sorrowful from the loss of Angier. Ravenna nodded silently by Sven's words in knowledgement and agreement.

"The loss of a mate can shatter more then just your mind. It seems to suck the very life from you..." A thought originally intended for herseld but she slipped the words out loud, sure that Sven would not be judgemental by it. She wondered, with what she had witnessed in her youth, if she could ever find the strength to find love and take a mate of her own. "I do hope without the obligation of leadership worrying him, he will rest more, take more of the treatment.. " Though she shrugs, adding. "He is stubborn though, would about kill himself to find Enoki. It's hard to blame him." She admitted, knowing they could do their best to keep track of him but they also couldn't keep his prisoner, either.

Changing the tone, she went on... "I'm glad your at my side now, Sven. Just don't go getting whisked away again." She spoke, referring to him having been attacked and gone missing the last time. She reaches out, touching at an area of ruffled fur by his shoulder where she knew a scar to be hidden, one of many.

the devil is & always will

Sven's ears angled back almost imperceptibly at the thoughtful words uttered by his accomplice, as they rang far too true for him as well. Perhaps watching love kill his grandmother and uncle as well as torture his father had a great deal to do with Sven's inability to commit himself to deeply to another being; it felt almost as though declaring romantic love were the same as signing your own death warrant. Perhaps the fallen would tell him its worth it, but he could not justify accepting something so ultimately miserable into his life.

A problem for the future, however.

"I'm here for the long haul," he vowed solemnly, though a smirk played across his black lips. The time before had been out of his paws, but Sven was a wolf that had to believe he had total control over his own life even when this was proven to be impossible. It helped him remain sane.

"We should discuss what we both want, now that we're finally leading together."

be a gentleman.

Feel free to fade with your posts, @Leotie & @Ravenna!