Willow Ridge lookin' for heaven, found a devil in me

rank challenge for @Blitz, all welcome but spectators will be skipped if necessary. permission to pp given by trix.

As the vision in his left eye became clearer, Sven became more himself. If anything, he was becoming more assertive than he previously had, a certain aggression in his actions that did not exist before. The cause was not evident, but any could speculate; maybe it was the newfound vulnerability of losing eyesight in one eye, or maybe he felt he needed to prove something to the rest of the pack after they witnessed him in such a state. Whatever it was, he had yet to talk about it, and certainly had not been approached.

Maybe today would be the day that changed.

As was occasionally done by whoever had gotten the time to head out and hunt, a gift of fresh meat had been left outside of the pack's den for wolves to feast on as they got the chance before the remainder would be taken and buried. The scent of blood had coaxed Sven awake and he entered into the sun to take his turn. From an opposite angle, Blitz was noticed approaching the kill. Acting instinctually, Sven picked up his pace and clacked his jaws together in warning, placing himself between the meal and the Mizuno before bending to partake of the food; a natural act of dominance.

After all, alphas always ate first.

(This post was last modified: Oct 15, 2018, 11:43 PM by Sven.)

In a pack, order always had to be maintained. Without it, the delicate foundation on which their strength and unity as one, would crumble. Blitz had stepped up to the mantle while Sven recovered from his injuries. Not because he wanted to. But because he had to. He shouldered the responsibility of doing what was right. These days, his loyalty to the Willows ran as deep as the sea blood in his veins. He took on the new role with the full understanding that the shift in power was temporary. This land, this kingdom belonged to the Archers by birth right. He respected the Archer family name and Sven far too much to stand in the way of what was his. But also enough to test the male of his suitability to reclaim his rank. He wanted to be sure that the Archer was fit, and nothing less.

His stomach rumbled, his tongue watered in anticipation of the meat that would satisfy him for another few days. Being alpha did have it's perks. He had access to the best cuts of meat and the more desirable organs, all his to claim or share with Ravenna. His shadowy form neared without hesitation to the carcass, hardly expecting anyone to step in and stop him. The flash of white that was Sven, newly awoken from the den, caught his eye. He had always allowed the stronger male to feed first, or made it a point to carry his own portion away, to feed separately. As Sven placed himself between the sea wolf and the kill, complete with a click of his jaws, his eyes narrowed. So, he was finally feeling better huh?  By how much, he would find out. However temporary his rank may be, here Blitz would assert it, especially when a fine feast like this was involved. Issuing a low growl, ears pinned, he stepped over the open rib cage, pushing against Sven's right side to attempt to force him out of the way.

It had occurred to him on some level that at some point, Blitz might rebel against Sven's growing audacity. It wasn't because, in both name and deed, the sea wolf was the current reigning alpha, but because of the that small, niggling suspicion that had been birthed the moment @Ravenna admitted her interest in breeding with the man. Expectations that Blitz might one day attempt to overreach and take more than he'd been given had never fully died, no matter in what ways the Mizuno had proven himself to be benign.

They reared their heads once more as Blitz railed against Sven's assertion, attempting to claim the kill in his own way. The rumble he issued was met sharply with a snarl, and while the other man pressed, Sven rammed. His shoulder knocked sharply against Blitz's own, aiming to shove the other wolf back a few steps and away from the meat.

Had it not been for the sheer intensity of the circumstances, Blitz would've smirked, smugly. Sven's snarl was heard loud and clear, but did not intimidate the ink coated Mizuno. Both wolves were imposing in stature and looks, each in a way all their own. Acidic eyes locked with silver, his top lip curling. "So, finally got some fire back in yer belly, huh?" He crowed lowly, his accent slipping around his tone when he was feeling feisty. There was no threat in his eyes, no malice. Just tenacity and the will to stand up for himself.

With a grunt, Blitz was knocked aside a few good steps, but didn't lose his footing. He braced his paws against the earth firmly, dark tail lashing. So then...he'd change tactics. He allowed Sven the chance to lower his head once again towards the carcass, and that's when he took advantage of the other mans position. Swinging around to face Sven from the side, he rested his chin firmly over the other's, applying increasing pressure. A passive way to attempt to force his head down, lower than his own. Blitz would refrain from using his teeth. No Archer blood would be spilled today. Not ever...not from him.

Feel free to skip. Rav is just watching.

In the early morning as the Willow's Queen lifted from her placement in the den, she woke to the smell of a fresh kill. It was not uncommon for this to happen, breakfast in the morning for those members who worked hard to feed their pack mates. Ravenna stretched, her tongue rolling out with a yawn and then walked lazily into the sunlight. Here she noticed Blitz attempting to push Sven's muzzle down by his own, a way to display his dominance over him in a gentle manner, more reminding manner. When Sven did anything, he rarely was gentle about it, especially when it came to his position in the pack. Surely however Blitz would want Sven to take his rank back fair and square, the right and natural way. Ravenna sat down, still blinking away her tiredness as she watched.

Skip me.

though i'm empty when you go

The day she was looking forward to and yet partly dreading arrived. The certain snarl from the den site left little room for doubt. Well she was here she might as well watch. She'd have little peace till it was over with. Ridding the worry, the strain from her limbs, silently she approached. Making sure to keep her distance. Sven had certainly not grown lax with his injuries. In fact he seemed more determined which was saying something. She wondered if Blitz knew that. Though she hadn't expected him to bow down in turn. One reason to make sure there should be a change, and the other she could assume for pride. She dipped her head to Ravenna in greeting. Despite how she probably wouldn't distract them she still kept quiet. Standing, trying to remain as impassive as she could while it went back and forth.

i just wanted you to know

Leotie can be skipped.

not looking for some fairytale bliss

Upon waking Leotie stretched as best she could in the small quarters of the den. The scent of a fresh kill drifted into the small space causing her stomach to growl with hunger. It became clear that breakfast would have to wait when she stepped into the open. Her blue gaze drifted between Blitz and Sven. She knew what this was and she couldn't say that she liked it much.

Knowing Sven she knew the day he would want to take leadership back was approaching it was just a matter of when. She worried that it was too soon and that he might be injured again. Still she knew what it meant and she would not interfere and allow him to take back what he'd fought so hard for and was rightfully his.

Her eyes then landed in the forms of Ravenna and Lilith, they lingered on the dark form of the huntress for a moment. Then she moved to Ravenna's side where she took a seat to wait for the outcome, a silent show of support for the father of her children.

i want something just like this

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

Scully had actually been heading in while most of the others were rising, becoming more and more of a night owl the older he grew. Intent on slumbering away the morning, his plans were interrupted as he drew closer to the den site. Initially, it was unclear what was happening. He saw his father with all the signs of anger upon his features, and Blitz physically trying to subdue him, posture high and mighty. Was he bullying Sven? But the others were nonplussed, observing as though this was something normal.

Thats what made it click. This was a show of dominance. Scully moved to his mother's side, face calm but hackles up. Father was finally taking his position back, and the boy did not want to see him fail. In fact... the youth took a single step forward, head lowering as his eyes narrowed. Ready to launch into the struggle if Sven started to lose and make sure Blitz was knock back down to second.

scully will not actually interfere. any adults are welcome to snap at him/correct him for his aggressive posturing.

Were Sven a different wolf, he might have found some fun in what was happening, enjoyed the challenge, used this moment to bond with the Mizuno. After all, with all of their time spent with one another in the Ridge, raising children together even, there should have been more brotherly affection between them. But the Archer was too cold and too distrusting of a creature to allot enough warmth toward the other man for that.

When the other spoke, Sven glared, muzzle rippling with a silent snarl as he bared his fangs, a wordless claim that the fire had never gone.

Blitz had appeared to of backed off, and so the Archer bowed his head once more to partake in the meal. He mightve felt a sense of accomplishment, but there had been something in the sea wolf's posture that spoke of this not being done quite yet. Indeed, it wasnt: before he could taste the blood of his food, Sven felt a sudden pressure as Blitz attempted once more to force some kind of submission out of him. While the Mizuno was keeping to his own rules, Sven would not treat this with any less severity than any of the other challenges for rank he'd undertaken.

Like a viper he twisted and struck, teeth aiming to clamp down on the looser skin of or near Blitz's nape. If successful, he would pull, hard, to yank the other man down toward the ground.

Adeltra had been wondering when her pale cousin would challenge for his rank back. After all, nothing kept Sven Archer down for long. His wounds were healing more and more with each day under Ravenna’s watchful gaze, and she’d noticed his sight getting stronger and stronger in the one eye he had left. What was with Archer’s getting their eyes gouged out anyways? She blinked in a wince at the thought.

But, as the scent of prey blood filled the air, as well as the sound of snarls and growls, she knew she didn’t have to wonder much longer. Meandering out of the den, she walked at a calm pace toward the source of the sound. Just as she’d expected, it appeared the two men were duking it out over a kill. Yet, she knew it was no mere territorial fight. No, the winner of this would be their alpha.

Honeyed-amber gaze turned to the wolves who were scattered along the outskirts as spectators. One, in particular, he gaze settled on. The silver dusted form of Scully, posturing aggressively with his silver gaze locked intently on his father. A small smirk lifted the corners of her lips at the fire within him, a true Archer. But, as it seemed Archers did, that fire could turn lawful or chaotic. They would need to keep careful watch to make sure he stayed on the right path.

The dark girl moved to his side, offering a bump to his shoulder and a playful nip to the base of his ear. “Have more faith in your dad,” she murmured into his ear, a reassuring squint given with her eyes. Even if Sven didn’t win this round, he would in another. Or the next, or the one after that. She knew her cousin didn’t quit until he had what he wanted, what he considered his. And, above all else, he considered the Ridge his divine property.