Hunting for the Unborn

[Tay]

Zena beamed at Larka, happy to have been put in a leadership position. She let her voice drift into the group, calling to the sky. Once that was done, she turned to her group. She was unsure if Atka would join in or not. This hunt will be dedicated to the unborn it will nourish. Her creme banner waved happily.

She waited for the others to signal that they were ready to begin. Once they'd begun hunting for prey, she would assign the wolves to their part in the hunt..

[Amanda]

Kira waved her plume contentedly as she moved to stand beside Zena, trusting in her both her mother's judgment for choosing Zena to lead instead of her, and in Zena's unique perspective on who would do what to most efficiently feed her unborn half siblings.

[Saosin]

A T K A

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Atka couldn’t help but turn his eyes unto hi mate, and within them danced the pleasure at Larka’s confidence and decisive words. How unsure she had been when first he had come to know her, and how very different she seemed now. Somehow stronger, somehow knowing herself more completely. He could see the burden of motherhood too, within her eyes, glowing and growing with each passing moment. He knew that indeed she had been a mother previously, and was not virgin to such circumstances, but alas each pregnancy brought about new experiences, and for the first time Atka would be sharing in those experiences. This caused the need to hover near her, to protect and also... to provide. Of course these two needs were a conflict of interest. And yet in the end, a decision was made. Gently his warm, soft pink tongue found perchance upon her muzzle, soft whimpers of affection offering her his sincere love and promise of return. And then dutifully he stepped nearer to Zena, ready to take on his part of the coming hunt.



Place a name upon the night, one to set your heart alight
and to make the darkness bright
Paint the sky with stars

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[Amanda]

Larka pressed gently into his side, her look showing him plainly how her confidence was due to his unashamed affection for her. It had made her realize her true potential, had bolstered her confidence enough to be the leader she needed to be. That was all it would have taken so many years ago, just an unshameful act of kindness and love towards her.

Rising and bidding them the best of luck she made her way towards the den, her belly swollen with life. She was not yet far enough along to hide herself away and be a flurry of snarling claws and fangs to those she loved, but she knew that time was approaching.

[Kaziph]

S A R V A R N I

The large wolf stood as the orders were issued and wolves began to melt into their places like a well oiled machine. His dark eyes followed the departure of Cloud and the others going to meet the stranger who had called to the forest clan, but he shifted after Zena, by instinct following her. She had been named leader, after all.

He looked between the ones that were to hunt, silently judging them. Atka was strong, like himself, and would probably be best at taking down prey rather than running it. That was enough for him to feel properly suited, for at least he had another like himself in strengths and perhaps weaknesses.

As they came to stand near one another and called out in their joy of the hunt, Sarvarni remained quiet, for he was still watching the clan's interactions. He had missed seeing it in his time alone, since his argument with... well, that was the past. There was no use reliving it. So he stood, waiting, for the order to move out.

[Tay]

Zena watched Larka leave and then turned to the gathered group. She considered them for a moment. Four strong wolves. Four strong Ravilin wolves. They could do this. She was not scared of her leadership position. She found that the feeling of it actually settled quite nicely upon her. She gave a low bark, meeting eyes with all the wolves. Let us begin.

She jumped away from the group only the landing of the intial jump made noise on the forest floor. Zena was stealthy, as all wolves with any hope of eating learn to be once in a forest. Her tongue lolled from her mouth as she trot at a brisk pace. She could taste the familiar musk of the forest scents, but the desired scent of prey was sadly vacant.

She knew the others would also be scenting for prey as they made their way. She continued her brisk trot, not willing to stop until she, or another, had caught that beautiful scent on the wind.

[Amanda]

Kira followed steadily behind Zena, relieved that Atka had come along. their chances had greatly increased now, they had two swift wolves and two strong wolves to balance out their party.

she stopped running several miles later when a faint warm breeze was blown by fate across her muzzle.

What is that? It is vaguely familiar...Ahh, it is moose.

Her pretty crania tilted slightly as she pondered the creature she had never seen, but had been told about.

I smell...moose...I think...

She started heading north a few strides until she caught the scent again.

yes. definitely moose. I have smelled this before...

[Kaziph]

S A R V A R N I

Sarvarni fell into line behind Zena, just in front of Kira. His nose was working, but all of the scents were new and he couldn't get his senses wrapped around just one enough to call for a trail. So he ran along, keeping pace, and listening to the world rush around his silent paws.

Kira's voice made his ears swivel about on his crown, and as he ran he concentrated on the scent she had named. Moose. Yes, that was right. He'd hunted them plenty of times in the north with others. They were hard to bring down, but a weakened one... with the four of them and time, they might could accomplish it.

His voice rumbled forth, then, supporting Kira's call. I think we should at least check it out. Perhaps it will prove a good catch. He glanced back to the pale fem, eyes kind. He realized then, looking at the others, that he was the only dark hued wolf in the hunt. The rest were as white as snow.

[Saosin]

A T K A

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A ghost party it would seem, with the haunting of a doppelganger thrown into the mix, progressed through the landscape with purposeful speed. Each one indulging upon the scents that were left through the thicket and those which hung upon the breeze like twinkling stars upon transparent twine. The soil was fertile and pliable beneath Atka’s massive paws, and easily gave way beneath the propulsion of his limbs. The earth was in perfect state for moving across at great speeds for it was soft enough to grip with their claws and was not rough upon the pads of their feet like in the summer months when the ground was so dry and brittle it cracked like cement as they stepped.

In time his pink tongue had began to fall from the corners of his gaping jaws as he indulging greedily upon the fresh spring air, oxygenating his lungs which fueled his large though agile body forward. Sinews of delicate alabaster ruffled with each progressive motion made by the gliding of his muscles. The fiber’s stark white gleam only slightly marbled with the onslaught of various debris from their travels. Keen aquamarine eyes picked and preened at the forestry that closed in about them, working in time with his nasal sensors to detect prey.

It would seem the pungent aroma of a moose slinking through the timbre surfaced upon all their senses at once. His muscles became rigid and his eyes thinned. Even his tongue lapped hungrily at his dry gums as the taste of the animal lingered upon his taste buds, his salivary glands responding immediately, dowsing his jaws with a slick glistening lining. “I agree… that is definitely moose and though they would provide plenty of good meat, we must heed caution. They are strong, often vicious animals when they are threatened. Let us watch our steps.”

Place a name upon the night, one to set your heart alight
and to make the darkness bright
Paint the sky with stars

[/center]

[Tay]

Zena smiled as Kira caught the scent. She wasn't sure how she'd missed it now. The strong musk of moose was hard to pass by. She merely nod in agreement as Varni and Atka spoke. Well done, Kira. Zena smiled, brushing shoulders with the fem. She galnced off toward the scent. Moose slightly worried her. A female moose could prove just as deadly as the bull.

She looked at the ghostly group, Varni being the only shadow. She smiled at her miss-matched friend. She took her golden orbs away from him before thoughts of Carrick could rear up. Let's go then. The daylight will not wait for us! She smiled in a joking way, and then pad forward. Her footfalls were ever silent as she ran. Her ears were focused forward, attention eagerly placed on the scent.

Zena slowed her steps as the scent grew stronger. Her ears now flicked around, trying to catch any stray sound. Up ahead, a loud snort made her freeze. She lowered to the ground, and realized the moose they'd been after seemed relatively alone. This was the best case scenario. They might have run across a female and her calf, or worse, a male and one of his fems.

Said moose was blocked from Zena's view by a large bush growth. She backed her bodice up so that she could take shelter behind a tree. As she moved, her paw snapped a twig, it rang out into the air, and the moose threw her head up. While her ears twitched around, and her head seemed to swing about dumbly.

Blind. The fae's eyes are as clouded as the sky in winter. It was now Zena noticed the gray tinge to the beast's fur. She turned her head to find her group. While this prey wouldn't be able to spot them, her hearing would still be wonderful. Zena spoke silently to her companions. The fae is old, blind and it seems that no male is near. She must be past desirable age.

We could either have Varni and Atka go up ahead of us, then Kira and I run her into an ambush, or we could try to ambush her here. She thought over each scenario. Both had their set backs and strengths alike. I'm not sure how close we could get to her unless perfectly silent. Zena waited for input from the hunting group. She couldn't remember hunting moose before.

(OOC: So...I didn't know until I looked in up that moose don't run in herds. I thought they did. )

[Kaziph]

S A R V A R N I

Sarvarni nodded in silent agreement with the group. Moose it is, then. He hoped they would be fortunate enough to come upon a weakened beast rather than one at full strength. Then the scent suddenly grew stronger, and Varni's steps almost seemed to become lighter and body tenser. They were close, now. Just as the thought crossed his mind, Zena was pausing, then stepping back... and a loud crack sounded through the forest.

Great. He dipped his head and came to a stop behind his companion, the leader of the hunt. Well, at least it solved the riddle of whether or not to hunt this beast. Old and blind; it wouldn't be just a breeze, but certainly it would be easy. The hind would not be able to see where she was going or any ambush, she'd just be able to hear the noise of approach.

Best, I think, he said in response silently, to try to run her. If she's completely blind, she won't see us waiting to ambush her, only hear the rustle of your approach. He shifted sideways, quietly, so that he could peer around their hiding place to see the doe. She was wearily standing now, head up, listening to the area around her with fear in the lines of her large frame.

[Saosin]

A T K A

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The archaic forest rustled and quivered under the eminent chaos that was to come, and with its age and knowledge came a peaceful understanding of carnage that calmed and soothed the atmosphere. For this was the cycle of life, the breath of the very earth itself. Shafts of luminosity peered down through the boughs of limbs, shattering like so many crystals upon the soft, pliable forest floor. The grasses, newly born and fervent swayed in simple timing with the will of the breezes as they reached towards the heavens in pursuit of the sun’s nurturing graces.

With hesitant, yet lightly placed steps of precision, Atka pressed in against his companions, wary of what the approaching alarm had caused. Yet still their party seemed to hold the advantage for now. And his muscles relaxed slowly, allowing his attentions to be turned to his comrades, ears flicked distinctly towards them with severe intensity. The choice of their actions might mean the difference between victory or failure, nourishment or hunger. It was a great weight that weighed on Atka’s mind, for he knew the time had to be very, very near when Larka would give birth to their pups. She would need a great amount of food to provide nourishment for both herself and the pups. And of course like every first time father, he was anxious and worrisome of everything and anything that could go wrong. Shaking himself a bit, he tried to redirect his attentions back to the group; his worrying thoughts would do none of them any good. Softly he spoke, nearly inaudible to any save a few inches away.

“I think Sarvarni is right, perhaps we should go on ahead and lay in wait.”




Place a name upon the night, one to set your heart alight
and to make the darkness bright
Paint the sky with stars

[/center]

[Tay]

Zena nod at the suggestion both Varni and Atka agreed upon. She swished her banner in thanks for their input and glanced to Kira. Atka, you and Varni go up ahead, you won't have to hide yourselves well if you're quiet. Kira and I will run her toward you, after we know you're in place. She could sense Atka's eagerness to check on Larka, and she knew they should get a move on with their hunt.

She nudged Varni and smiled, before heading to Kira's side quietly. We get the fun part, sister. We just have to be as loud as possible as we chase her. Her banner swished against Kira's as she wait for the boys to hide themselves.

[Saosin]

hmm so since we are gonna just skip this.. wanna say we completed the hunt with little difficulty and headed back towards the den?

[Tay]

Zena stood to the side of the downed moose carcass, panting heavily. Blood stained her mouth from her attacks, and she turned to congratulate her friends. That was a good hunt, my friends. She gave a good fight, but as always, the Ravilin's emerge on top! Her golden orbs looked to Varni and she smiled teasingly. Not bad for your first hunt as a forest wolf, my friend. You could use some work, however. She waved her banner, signaling that she was only joking.

It was then that Larka's desperate cry reached them, having been carried along by the newly budded leaves on the trees. Zena's head whipped around to face Larka's direction. Okay, we'll all gather a bit of food for her to feed our new kin with. We can return later to feed. That said, she tore into the belly of the moose, she did not snatch up the most vital parts, however. She grabbed some less important chunks, that would still prove nourishing.

She stepped aside, blood clinging to her muzzle while the meat dangled from her jaws. She would leave the better parts for Atka or Kira to get. As mate and daughter, she saw that they had more of a right to give Larka the best parts.