Let's Get Together

[Kaziph]

[this thread is the plot that really needs to get a goin'!]

The dawn came and went, and Nuri found his life here in the Akeldama comfortable if not pleasant. Amaya at least kept him from being lonely, and although both wolves seemed predisposed to silence, there was often the chance at words should the mood strike either of them. The sun rose and set on the sandy earth around them, but the hunting wasn't what one might call good. Mice were always easy to catch, but the fast rodents, the hare especially, could see his bright white coat from a distance and make a run for it before he could even get close enough to start salivating. What I'd give for a nice caribou, he thought idly one afternoon.

The seasons had changed again, and winter was touching the island with its chilly fingers. It made the elder shiver when the nights came, and he would retreat to the den with or without his companion. She was younger, after all, and could decide for herself if she wanted to stay out in the cold winds. As Nuri was sitting down that day, he happened to glanced to the she-wolf, curiosity shining in his eyes.

I'm growing terribly tired of all this, these, bad meals. I say we range out further today, see if we can't find something worth chewing on for a days at least. The pale wolf stood, shaking his pelt to rid it of some of the ever clinging dust. Surely we can find something bigger than a mouse and tastier than a berry. The old brute look to the open lands, laugher in his kind face as he considered which direction to take. Let's go that way, shall we? Without waiting for her response, Nuri set off, padding at a leisurely pace so that she could catch up.

He walked on for almost an hour before he came across any worthy scents. It was the old scent of a strange animal, one he couldn't place. He knew that it wasn't an animal he had run across before, but it reminded him of a deer almost. The brute followed the trail for another few miles, keeping himself busy imaging what the beast could look like. It smelled like prey, after all. He saw then in the distance several small figures, which grew larger the closer he came.

When he finally came close enough to see them, his eyes widened. They're antler-less deer! he thought happily. There were males and females in the bunch, but he knew it was too soon for the stags to have dropped their antlers. He studied him, his curiosity overcoming his instinct to kill momentarily. The beasts were as tall as deer, perhaps a little shorter. They were predominantly gray, although there was one brown creature in the group, too. In total, the herd equaled only six of the beasts, and two looked young. He wondered at the strange brownish black marks which each bore on its shoulders and down its back, like a stripe. He couldn't know he was looking at wild burros, a completely new species to the island.

Four of the little creatures had fallen into the ocean near the island, quite by accident, and had washed ashore on the west coast. They were a strange species, but they were just as easily hunted by the wolves as deer. Nuri licked his lips, and then glanced back to see if Amaya had followed him. He knew he couldn't take the beasts down by himself... but with help, he could have a decent meal for several days to come.

[Tay]

Scathe and Minaria

Scathe walked ahead of the two females, none too pleased with himself and how easy he'd given in. He kept his ears flicked back though, listening to the careful paw steps of little Inyo. The scar over his eye itched as he paused to take in the scents. He could smell some kind of animal near, and that was where he was headed. He couldn't quite identify the scent. It was almost like Caribou, but...not. He shook his head, slightly baffled and glanced to the brown fem. Have you ever encountered this scent before, Minaria?

The honey eyed fem had followed behind the grumpy male, keeping the pup between her and him. She too knew what scent he'd been tracking, but could not place it. When he addressed her, she was caught off guard. He'd mostly been silent this walk. She looked to him and inhaled deeply. It is unique to me. This...almost deer smell. I've never come across it before.

Scathe heard her words and nodded. He would see this animal before he decided what he would do. For all he knew it could have fangs and claws as he did. He walked carefully, thankful to hear Inyo's steps following in his shadow. Finally, the creatures came into view and he stared at them in puzzled wonder. A species of deer without antlers? How is this helpful to them?

He watched them a moment, allowing Minaria to observe there appearance. His orbs traced the outline of the herd. He glanced back to the two behind him. What do you think? Will this be good enough to fill your belly, Inyo? He then looked to Minaria, and he lowered his head. I apologize for my actions earlier. I should not have dismissed you so quickly. Would you be so kind as to help me in this hunt?

Minaria held in the snort at his apology. She assumed he wasn't exactly used to having them fall from his lips. She smiled though, despite the awful attempt. Of course. I could not let a beautiful young pup like Inyo go hungry. She glanced down to the fem, grinning again.

Scathe nodded, knowing he lacked skill in apologies. He didn't care either way though, she was going to help him and that is what mattered. He raised his grey orbs to look over the herd again when he spotted the form of another wolf. His body stiffened, though he shook it off immediately. He could smell the wolf now, and he scolded himself for missing the scent in the beginning.

He knew not how to continue. Two separate hunts going on would be chaos. He assumed the brute too was interested in making a meal of this new animal and he flicked his tail to the fems, letting them know where he looked. He waited for the brute to take notice of him as well.

[Kaziph]

Nuri's sharp eyesight caught the trio of loners in their grasp almost immediately, and the white wolf stood watching them as they took in the sight of the herd just as he had moments before. He twitched his ears when the brute finally looked to him, and the older male's muzzle dipped politely. From the looks of things, the other wolves wanted to hunt, too... which was all the better as far as he was concerned.

As Nuri's pale form began to move toward the others, the burrows spooked and shied away from the bright speck in the distance that moved like a predator. The brown one, the eldest, had never seen a wolf before, either, but the herd's instinct is to flee rather than fight. However, since the white speck was not moving closer but parallel to them, the burrow held his family in check and continued to graze with a watchful eye on the white wolf.

The brute approached the other group of wolves, holding himself in a nonchalant, non-challenging position as he padded forward. His eyes, dark brown in the pale white mask, were watchful and intent, but there was kindness in his features as he came to a stop a few meters away. I wish to hunt, and four are better than one or three. Do you agree? His words were silent, portrayed in body language as he brought his eyes from one wolf to another. The red creature surprised him at first, but his surprised had been registered well away from them, before Scathe had ever seen Nuri standing off in the distance. He couldn't for the life of him think what the creature was, but obviously it was wolf enough if it was following two other wolves. He wouldn't question her presence.

[Zanna]

The new group had appeared before Amaya had had the chance to utter her response. The burros were different to her, too, although similar to the wild horses back in her home land. Her pack didn't often hunt those, as although they lacked antlers, they were quick and kicked with extreme ferocity. These animals were much smaller, though. Their short hairs lacked the horses' luster and their bodies were compact and short. She doubted they could run very fast.

As she had been about to inform Nuri of this, these new wolves had appeared, and the Male had headed over to greet the trio without hesitation. She supposed the confidence to approach others without hesitation came with years of life drifting from companion to companion, separated by periods of solo wandering. One day Nuri may leave me... The thought was more jarring than she had assumed it would be. She had known the male for very little time, yet he already seemed to be a part of her. It was as if he was her Alpha to lead her, and she his pack to follow him without question. She shook the thought from his head, turning her full focus to those before her.

She took them in silently... were the two wolves a couple? If so they seemed to be an odd pair. The femme wasn't terribly unique... but she was pretty and had warm eyes. The male seemed to be most opposite. He was an unforgettable figure, his face scarred, leaving one wondering if he had ever been a handsome brute. She couldn't seem to picture him without the scar over his eye, but he didn't seem foreboding, despite the fact. He seemed sturdy, like a tree; strong and firm and neither ugly nor pretty. Distinct but neutral. The small fox-thing between them seemed even more out of place yet. Foxes were fair game to eat as far as she was concerned, yet the little thing didn't smell fox. She smelled... different. She gazed intently at the little creature, offering it a small smile to see if it was wolf enough to register a greeting.

She refrained from speaking or introducing herself, letting Nuri discuss the hunt. She wasn't one for talking freely to those she had never seen previously. Nuri hadn't given his name, and so she saw no reason to share hers. The whole situation seemed a bit odd to her, but so did nearly everything about this face. she lowered her stance, as if to clarify that she wasn't calling any shots here.

[Tay]

Scathe and Minaria

Scathe watched as the brute approached, and he glanced down to Inyo. He hoped the brute would be smart enough not to criticize the pup for her strange appearance. Thankfully the brute did no such thing. He asked to hunt, and Scathe looked to Minaria. He thought it a good idea himself, perhaps afterward he could inquire more about the Isle from these wolves.

Minaria's honey brown orbs looked over the brute. He smelled of the Isle, of loner. She wondered how long he'd been here, for she was sure she caught his scent on the wind before. She saw Scathe's glance, which distracted her from her thoughts of this new kindred spirit. She looked to him, dipping her head slightly, saying she would hunt with them others. To be quite honest, it'd be insane to refuse such a nice offer.

Scathe glanced to the fem as she trot over, he assumed this was the fourth. He nodded to her, turning his gray orbs back to the white brute. We will hunt with you, if we may first have your names. I am Scathe and this is Inyo. He offered no explanation of her, feeling it was his own business.

I am Minaria. She nodded to the two in turn, looking down at the pup once more. Scathe seemed intent on not telling anymore then need be, and it was almost amusing.

Scathe looked toward the creatures they would son feast on. Inyo will hide in some brush, and we will hunt when you are ready. He caught himself from directing the hunt, giving this to the white brute without a word. It was the brute's invitation, and Scathe would not step on anyones toes while he was so new.

[Kaziph]

Nuri's eyes lit up as he saw the political machinations the other male loner was attempting to put into effect. It worked, regardless, for the while brute had found he rather liked this male, just from their song in the silence. The adult female, too, he found kindly. He dipped his head again, this time a name being spoken gently on the wind. Nuri. He half lidded his eyes and glanced away from the group, toward their potential prey, as he considered the techniques.

Whatever the beasts were, they looked quick. He was certain that if they just charged, the herd animals would bolt and be gone with all trace of their deliciously scented hides. He certainly didn't want that. Nuri turned his gaze once more on the others around him, and he found himself eyeing Amaya first. You're fast, yes? I think this hunt will need the skill of speed - and luck. The white wolf turned his muzzle in a new direction, slightly diagonal to the herd animals. I happen to know there are a lot of... caves, over in that direction. Ground holes, dug long ago. No need to tell them how he knew, he thought, his right foreleg twingeing at the memory.

Perhaps if we can run them through that treacherous terrain, luck will chance with us and bring one of those spindly legs down into a cave. I would hope, breaking it. Since he really didn't have much experience with this type of animal - well, no experience - Nuri wasn't sure how to approach them. He had seen how skittish they had acted when he had crossed the open ground, so they were already aware of them. They were probably fast, too, judging by the length of their long legs. This was the only idea he could think of.

The wolf looked to Scathe, wondering what the other loner male thought. For some reason, he didn't consult with Amaya or Minaria on the issue. Perhaps it was the assumption the two females followed the males, and though wrong it may have been, Nuri's dark eyes didn't ask for a fight over the matter.

[Zanna]

I am Amaya, She murmured softly, looking up at the bizarre group. It is good meeting you, Scathe, Minara, and... Inyo The fox-thing was wolf enough to have a name. Perhaps she was some odd hybrid. Or something. She turned her attention from the little one, looking instead toward the two males discussing the hunt. She didn't much mind not being consulted about the hunt. She was a female; the fact that she was even asked to state her own name was more than the respect she had been given in her former home. Femmes were, after all, for looking pretty at a male's side and not for speaking dumbly and wasting his time. Nuri didn't make her feel like his lesser, it was more a habit not to give input.

She nodded uneasily at Nuri's suggestion. She was certainly fast... but chasing creatures over holed land, to break an animal's leg? It felt unsafe, dangerous. Excuse me, Nuri and Scathe, she woofed in a soft voice, yet louder than when she had spoken her name, What should we do, in the event that the wolf chasing the creatures should stumble? She knew the consequences of a broken leg could be brutal, even with a pack to look after you. It could heal wrong, permanently unusable. Or if the bone should cut the flesh? Infection could spread deep into the leg, even spread into the rest of the body. It all seemed rather risky, the plan overly ambitious. She trusted Nuri, of course, but her deepest instinct told her that this was crazy.

[Tay]

Scathe and Minaria

Scathe nodded to Nuri's plan. He had never encountered these beasts before and taking one down was something he'd like to do with care. The fem, named Amaya spoke and his ears and grey orbs turned on her.

My dear, Scathe said, his voice suave and sweet with persuasion. You merely just have to watch your footing. It sounds dangerous at first, sure. Does not every hunt sound dangerous though?

Tackling a creature that is many times your own size with razor hooves and antlers that can tear the thickest hide? I personally do not wish to tangle with the creature up close for I do not know it's weaknesses. I could only assume...and that in itself is dangerous.

Minaria slid her honey orbs to Scathe skeptically. She had to admit, the male was good at persuading. She'd not heard that tone of voice exit his lips in her time with him and it was almost amusing. She looked to the fem, seeing wisdom in her words. Minaria was pressed for a better way to hunt, however. I too know of these ground caves, Nuri. You learn much from being a loner for so long.

Since you and I know of these holes and their general placement, perhaps you and I should run in the center. We chase them directly behind and through the holes while Scathe and Amaya fan out to our sides. They will be mostly safe, for if I remember correctly the holes are concentrated in a straight area. They will keep the prey from splitting away and will navigate them through these holes.

She smiled at the young fem, hoping to have taken some of her worry away. They seem skittish enough. We probably won't need to run very fast at all.

[Kaziph]

Nuri blinked as Amaya spoke, listening to her concerns. He had already considered that they might fall or be wounded themselves, but wasn't it worth the risk? His eyes slid across her pretty young frame, and the brute realized exactly how much she had to lose if she were injured. She wasn't old like him, her days had yet to be spent. She was right to wonder about his plans. He was about to agree to make changes when Scathe spoke, and the white wolf paused to listen to the other male's persuasive words. He exhaled a breath, almost but not quite a sigh, at the brute's tone.

He found himself agreeing with Minaria, though, after a few more moments of the silent conversation. Like he had already figured, he didn't have much to lose, and he knew where the holes were - at least he had a good idea of where they were. I like Minaria's idea, he said with a breath and a flicker of his ears in the older loner's direction. I'm fine with running through the middle. You, Scathe, and Amaya can run along the outside, keeping away from the ditches but also keeping the prey in tight until one trips.

[Zanna]

Amaya's head spun slightly at the persuasive male's words. They were spoken so calmly, so surely, and very smoothly. The way this Scathe held himself, the way he spoke, even his reassuring smile seemed familiar, in a way. He seemed to be saying "trust me, I am a male, I understand these things better than you do. I will not lead you wrong." She wanted to believe him, both his words and tone. He seemed to deserve it, for some reason.

Yet, the words of Minaria and Nuri prevented her from taking Scathe's side. There were other ways of doing things, ways that made more sense than blindly sending a wolf who had no idea what these "holes" were like darting directly through the thick of them. Yet, somehow she felt like a coward for not taking on the challenge. Better a live coward than a dead one, she thought, still slightly embarrassed.

She nodded silently at the conversations, as she usually did in such matters, taking note of what she would have to do. She found herself strongly disliking the idea of anybody risking their own legs in a chase after animals that might or might not trip, much less Nuri. What if something happened to him? But what if something happened to any of them? Somebody had to run the beasts. She supposed the one who knew them best should have to face it. As Scathe had said, were there not risks in everything?

She kept her maw shut, averting her gaze from the others; she was already embarrassed enough. She didn't need to worsen it.

[Kaziph]

Thread closed, too much time has passed. We'll say the hunt was successful, and they have gone their separate ways afterwards, unless otherwise indicated by plots.