The Spring Hunt

[Kaziph]

Thaddeus hung back while the alpha spoke, but his eyes moved again toward Glycerine. He'd heard her words, but there hadn't been time to answer before Cass took up the meeting and finished it. Then they were to go separate ways, each important within the clan's duties, but different none-the-less. Well, at least he would have Keeya with him, if not Basile and the new fem. He nodded to Glycerine, a temporary farewell, and then looked toward the hunting group.

The dark wolf stood, stretched his muscles out in a graceful arch, and then padded closer to the young fem he considered his friend. He didn't see her as a potential mate; no, Basile's eyes had made it clear that that avenue was shut down early on. But he wasn't interested in looking for a fem at this point in his life, not in that way, and so being friends suited him well. He walked to her side and pressed his nose into her shoulder. Congratulations, Keeya. It is an honor to lead a hunt.

---

Beryl wasn't as thrilled with the meeting's end as the others might have been. She'd intended to go straight after Epitaph, but now it seemed like she was to help the clan... which, she would do, of course. It was not her place to fulfill her own desires before her clans' needs.

The dark hued fem looked around and spotted Kaji, newly accepted. She wasn't one to be friendly, but Beryl released a soft huff. I suppose we shall hunt, then, Kaji. Maybe we'll be lucky and find that bull moose after all, hmm? Her eyes didn't hold the same humor they'd held earlier. Now, instead, there was a look of determination that had replaced the confusion.

[Goanna]

As the alpha and his son moved off into the distance, Keeya began panting with excitement. She could hardly believe that she had been trusted with such an important role, a leadership role. Though she was slightly sad at having to do the job without having Basile around, it was now up to her to make sure that the pack was provided with a meal, and though she had had no experience at leading, was determined to prove herself. The silver wolf trotted over to where the remaining pack members were, and began collecting her thoughts, trying to figure out what should be done first. She noticed several members straight away, Beryl was chatting to a newcomer who she referred to as Kaji, while just then Thad greeted her. Keeya turned to him, figuring that there would be time to spare, valuable time that could be spent getting to know the pack members that she would be hunting with.

She now turned to Thad, playfully returning his gesture with a headbutt. Thank you, Thad. It is an honour. An honour I would not yet have dreamt of. She turned her head towards the others, thinking. She remembered back to the pack she'd been born in, how, before a hunt they had all participated in play and practice fighting with each other, to strengthen the bonds of the members within. By observing the group as they played, she would hopefully be able to determine which role each of them would play in the hunt. Keeya jittered about on her paws before tearing off towards Kaji and Beryl. Hello Kaji, I'm Keeya, she called out, before leaping at his side in a half-hearted attempt to knock him over. She then took off once more, pummeling into Thad, Beryl, anyone she could see out of the corner of her eye, leaping and pouncing and howling with energy, all the time waiting for the others to join in.

[Kaziph]

Thaddeus grinned at Keeya, but he was surprised when she started making such a ruckus. He had never really hunted with clans much, it had always been with other loners. His memory of his time in the forest was dim, and it grew dimmer as the seasons passed. Perhaps, after all, he had missed something by choosing to live alone.

The dark wolf issued a yip and leapt after Keeya with his tail flagging high and ears laid back on his head with excitement. He, too, bumped against her, but since he was still unsure his nudges were gentle. He found himself growing more excited and felt the blood pumping through his veins, into his legs that were itching to run. So this is why we make such a fuss! he thought happily. Then he laughed and spun to follow Keeya, bumping past Beryl on the way, and as he turned his voice rose and called out in a bay. Let the hunt begin!

---

Beryl was almost shocked at Keeya's antics. She had hunted with the clan before, long before, but even as a cub the lithe fem had never been one for play. She had been more of a loner within the clan, keeping to herself and her mother. She issued a huffing noise again and stepped back, but her auds pricked and instinct stirred when Thad called out the hunt's song. She almost joined in, but instead she lifted her head and scented the air. Let's go, let's go, stop this foolishness. Thad may have approved, but Beryl didn't.

[Tahoma]

As the alpha grabbed his muzzle he went silent and still, only moving when released. He quickly moved to lick the alpha's maw in respect. Thank you. He felt certain he wouldn't let his new alpha down. Or at least he'd try not to. One item of business down. Next. The hunt he was assigned to.

Food. The thought of food, coupled with the thought of the hunt clouded his mind in a euphoric haze and his tongue lolled slightly as he padded over to where the only familiar face in the crowd stood. Beryl. Right?

He grinned at her moose thought. Indeed. He was hungry enough to eat a bull moose, let alone driven enough to help take one down. Kaji plopped his rump down near Beryl and waited for the others to assemble.

His eyes fell upon the bouncing wolf who introduced herself as Keeya and tilted his head slightly in response to her flambouyant introduction. As she approached him he braced against her playful gesture and tossed his head playfully in return, again grinning and ready to hunt. A pleasure to meet you, Keeya.


His tail fluttered lightly against the ground a couple times before he settled again, driven by his stomach and the promise--or potential--for food. Patient. Quiet. Ready.


...There's a type of hunger that can eat you up...

[Goanna]

Keeya, sensing that the group was now ready to head off, raised her nose to the sky and picked out a direction in which to travel. After they covered some distance, she thought back to how Cassiel had assigned specific roles to each member in the previous hunt. That had worked well, and the young female decided to break up the group as he had done. She dropped back amongst them, and began issuing orders. Thad had displayed very much the same enthusiasm and energy as her during the play, Thad, I want you to help me start the chase.., while Beryl was impatient and had deemed the play foolish. Kaji had joined in the scuffle, but Keeya could almost feel his hunger for herself, and felt certain that he would not let prey slip away from him... Beryl, you and Kaji should wait, I think, once we come upon a herd, should lie in wait and once Thad and I have driven the prey towards you, it will be up to you two to ensnare it. Now.. ah.. I suppose we should find some! Her sudden glimpse of maturity and wisdom had disappeared, and she took off once more, calling to those who followed.

[Kaziph]

Thaddeus fell in line behind Keeya perhaps first, and his enthusiasm lent speed to his paws as he thought of the food they would soon be bringing back to the rest of the clan. He was tall and lanky, perfect for running quick into the thick of things. It would prove interesting, this hunt, for he hadn't been with others during one in many, many moons.

---

Beryl trailed after the fem, not particularly quick but not holding back, either. Her eyes were set on the earth before her, only looking up every once in a while to determine where Keeya was bouncing off to. The fem's surge of wisdom in assigning roles surprised the black she-wolf, but she kept her thoughts to herself and remained silent. Her head nodded, slowly, in understanding; I will do as I must. No prey will slip past me.

[Tahoma]

Kaji emanated intensity as Keeya assigned him a role. This was more than a hunt. This was his first pack in hunt in a long long while and his first hunt with this pack. He knew that he would have to prove himself worthy of his acceptance. Oh, and food was a nice perk.

His eyes were again embers smoldering against the ashen color of his dark grey fur. He was ready and he nodded in acknowledgement to Keeya. He didn't know enough about his packmates to really judge their skill or attitude but he felt they were in capable paws. And he was silently thankful that his partner was Beryl.

Kaji hoped that his first impression of Beryl meant that she would be as an intense and intuitive a hunting partner as she seemed she could be. And that he too would be intuitive enough against her skill.

This was surely not her first pack hunt and he felt slightly disadvantaged. He offered a quick, very quick, nervous glance at her and then looked back ahead hoping she had not noticed. He was ready. His tail quivered with his excitement as he waited.


...Sometimes the silence is the only sound...

[Goanna]

After some distance had been travelled, there was an overwhelming scent of sweaty, hairy bodies, a prey-scent. Keeya pushed forwards, urging the group onwards until they came to the edge of a herd of caribou. The large group of animals, chewing grass and occasionally moving about restlessly was enough to cause even the most well-fed wolf's eyes to water and stomach to grumble with the anticipation of a full belly. It had been some time now since they had parted from the main pack, and the wolfess cursed herself for wasting time. She was a poor tracker, and instead of assigning the role of discovering a scent, had led the group in amiguous directions in the hope of uncovering some obvious whiff of prey. Still, there was now a herd in front of them just waiting to be chased, and there was hardly any point in dwelling on past mistakes.

Keeya now started to become more aware of the quarry in front of them. Her ears pricked at the slightest noise and her muscles tensed and flexed in anticipation. In all her excitement, she very nearly forgot to motion to the others to move into place. With alert and shining eyes, she dipped her head towards Beryl and Kaji, urging them to move into position. She then crept around towards Thad, grinning at him and panting with that wolfish hunger that would hopefully drive them all to success.

(ooc: i'm so sorry i haven't been on, and for pushing this on now. :C )

[Kaziph]

Thaddeus stayed on his pack sister's heals, dodging through the grasses and and spring flowers with bounding strides and lolling tongue. He had forgotten, truly, the love of the hunt and of clan life. He couldn't remember having this much fun in ages. The cub that had hidden away inside of him was fighting through, and for once the black wolf didn't try to stop him.

Keeya led them along in a wild run, and soon the scent of prey animals enveloped his muzzle and took control of his senses. Suddenly his nose was working and scenting, and his paws were placing themselves with extreme care and silence. He saw out of the corner of his eyes Keeya gesture to him to move into position with her, and gladly he edged in closer to the she-wolf's side. Tell me when, he whispered through body language, nape hair bristling up and touching the fem's as he stood at her side.

[Kaziph]

Regardless of Kaji's smoothness, Beryl had seen his nervous glance at her, and she flicked her ears at him in response. Calm down. Her eyes glared into his, not aggressively though, and she saw there a burning sensation reflected in his soul. Interesting, she thought to herself as she turned away from him and continued along behind Keeya.

She did not find the run or the search at all thrilling like Thad, for the black brute's tassel was wavering dangerously closer her face several times as she pounded the earth behind him, right at his heels. It took a seriously large amount of self control to contain the growl that was building up within her, but she would not ruin the hunt. Her father had chosen the young Keeya, her own age, after all. Surely the fem was capable if Cass had picked her himself.

Beryl slowed when the others did as the prey they were targeting came into sight. Her eyes lit up, acidic green fire burning in the depths of the ebony mask she wore. Keeya's signal was seen and acknowledged with a dip of her head and a glance at her partner, Kaji. Come, let us slip into place. She padded along away from the others then, keeping low and quiet in order to make her way around the herd of deer. She was soon in place, nestled into a bunched up space of grass and peering through the stalks with auds laced back against her head.

[Goanna]

Keeya waited until she could see Beryl's bright green eyes glistening at her from her position crouched in the grass, till she knew that Kaji would be close by, ready to pounce. Up until now stealth and silence had been of the utmost importance, now she and Thad would have to make themselves known to the herd, would have to startle them so wildly that they would lose the suspicion and awareness and would stampede blindly onwards, into the waiting jaws. The grey wolfess lunged forwards at a small cluster of the animals, before breaking off into a slow trot. She made the same startling movements several times, and with each false charge, the lumbering beasts pricked up their ears a little more, snorted with unease and tossed their heads. They had no idea what to make of this, of the female figure snapping at them every so often, and one by one, the deer grew more wary. They began to move slowly forwards in a group. Keeya made one last false start, and this time, when she caught a glimpse of stricken, rolling eyes, she knew that it was time. Her breath quickening, she nodded to Kaji, offering a slight, lopsided grin to break the tension.

Then she ran.

She bolted out of position and flew towards the main group of animals, who bellowed and scattered in all directions. Keeya moved towards the left of the group, compacting them towards the centre once more, keeping them in control, whilst knowing that Thad would instinctively be doing the same. Her legs pounded against the ground, willing her on, racing her quarry. The deer snorted and ran on madly, blinded by the enemy that sprung from all sides and forced them back into the group. Once Keeya caught sight of the shining eyes ahead, and knew that the deer would keep running out of pure terror of the unknown, she broke off from the side and waited in the shelter of a tree, willing good luck to her packmates.

(ooc: sorry for not waiting for you Tahoma, but we needed to get a wriggle on)

[Kaziph]

The black wolf watched his pack mate when she stepped out of their hiding place and into plain view. The deer had eyed her warily, unsure, and when she started lunging at them their scents changed from peaceful to nervous. The lanky brute stepped out behind Keeya, yowls snapping open and closed with several loud clicks as he eyed the beasts, saliva building up around his tongue and threatening to drip from his muzzle as he thought of the meal before them.

Then she lunged, and this time she didn't hold back. Thad was right behind her, snarling and growling as he ran to add to the chaos. The deer scattered and ran, trying to break up into smaller groups to escape; yet just as Keeya had dodged to the left, Thad fell into the right to bring them along together toward Beryl and Kaji. He continued to run even after Keeya pulled back, for he wished to make certain the deer didn't change course at the last instance.

[Tahoma]

(ooc: No worries ;0) Sorry it's taking me so long!)

Kaji nodded to Beryl in agreement and quickly padded out parallel to her, falling quickly into place. His ears stayed acutely tuned to the herd and nervous snorts. He crouched low to the ground with his muscles bunching, ready to run when he was needed.

As Keeya nodded to him his blood quickened its passage through his heart and he knew the hunt was on. Once Keeya and Thad raced out he wiggled his bum and his lips curled back in an anticipatory, yet silent, snarl. His ears focused on the scattering herd, his pack mates, and his partner--Beryl. He waited for the deer to be singled out and for the signal from his packmates. Until then he waited until the animal was driven to them.

Once Keeya and Thad had the deer racing toward them he leapt out, hoping this was the plan, to try and help keep the herd centered so they could either separate one or tire as many as possible. He glanced quickly toward Beryl and then back to the deer as he raced toward them in a calculating manner. None would slip by him at least. At the moment, in the fury of racing fur, snorts of fear, and snarls Kaji noted the various possibilities in the herd. An older mange-bitten deer slowed behind the herd, but among the first new life of the season stayed within the center of the herd, kept safe by the harem and the head buck. He would be the one to avoid. The old deer then?

[Kaziph]

The old deer indeed. Beryl stayed within her hiding spot until Thad and Keeya had the herd stampeding toward them, directed expertly by the two lanky wolves. She saw Kaji moving first, and an instant later she joined him. The dark colored wolf didn't just jump out to snarl and guide, though, she moved in a direct line toward the elder of their targets, the one Kaji had pinpointed. Come, come!

She wove between the fleeing deer and dove beneath the feet of the last, their chosen prey. The move, daring and rather stupid, startled the big deer, and Beryl barely had time to dodge aside. The beast staggered forward and reared up, bringing its slicing hooves down where the fem's head had been moments before. She had accomplished her intentions, though. The rest of the herd was moving off, running fo their lives. Only the buck paused to look back, but then he too turned and was gone.

The old one had been left to survive or die alone. Beryl snapped at a foreleg, breaking skin and drawing blood to weaken her. Her muzzle was stained with the shiny red of the deer's lifeblood. It was time for them to descend upon her and finish their hunt.

[Kaziph]

Thaddeus ran. He saw the dark form of Beryl and Kaji's lighter hued body both leap from position, and proudly if not anxiously he witnessed Cass's daughter dive beneath the deer and bring it to a temporary halt. That was all they needed. He loped forward, not in as much of a rush now, and came to stand near Beryl. His tail was lifted excitedly, but his face bore the expression of a killer.

He, too, began to leap and gash at the beast, drawing more wounds open and slowly letting the life fade from the deer. He couldn't manage to get into a good position to leap for the jugular, but perhaps one of the others could. In the meanwhile, at least their prey was fighting less.