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+---- Thread: Wild Cherry Orchard The Greatest Show (/showthread.php?tid=19193)
RE: The Greatest Show - Adelard - Jan 15, 2021
Frankly, Adelard was not one for theatrics; and, while he had only been separated from his family and pack since last autumn, it was only acceptable for his twin to react in such a way. It was the longest span of time they had ever been separated from one another, and the furthest they had ever been from home. He was the only familiar thing she had.
He remained still while the others made attempts to gauge and dissuade him from a squabble. Bred and built to intimidate and overpower, one of his personal fortes drew from his preference to not waste energy where it ought not to be wasted. When what little dust had been kicked up settled again, he turned his attention to the group as a whole while Hudson's plan unfurled.
Solemn tone still on his tongue, he agreed to the arrangement and readied himself for the event ahead, "You can count on me." A quick side-glance to Aubine warned her for the split second they made eye contact, Behave... To Hudson, he further offered before peeling away from Rhaegara's side and stepping closer, "Tell me what to do or call out what you need if I don't see the opportunity first."
RE: The Greatest Show - Huddy - Jan 18, 2021
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Hudson took note of Rhaegara assuming a similar position to him, but in front of the other man. He couldn’t blame her, they were hardly acquaintances so she held a much greater loyalty to the other. But, he was sure even she could see how he’d needed to assume a defensive stance. His eyes turned to each as they uttered their consent to his plan, Aubine’s probably-bother being the last to respond. He stepped away from Rhaegara’s side and closer to him and he stilled, watching the larger man with a steady gaze, but he didn’t try anything so he chose to relax his posture. With a nod of agreement Hudson turned and began moving in the direction of the herds, “Best get going then, before they migrate somewhere else,” he called over his shoulder. He didn’t want to dilly dally, his stomach was rumbling and there was something that the pair of twins needed to work out between themselves, not drag the rest of them into it.
RE: The Greatest Show - Saga - Jan 18, 2021
Saga nodded her acknowledgement to Hudson's command, and her thoughts were finally able to turn towards the impending food. She wasn't quite sure how many moons it had been since she'd been on such a largescale hunt. 5? 12? More than that? There was no way to tell, really. Time passed so differently in that place... What really mattered now though, was that she was safe, healthy, and her next meal was potentially on it's way.
She made to fall into step with Hudson, feeling the cold bite at her nose, but she turned first to confirm Aubine would not fall behind. Only once she was satisfied with the fact that her new companion was en-route would the Tainn woman continue foreword.
RE: The Greatest Show - Rhaegara - Jan 18, 2021
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Rhaegara understood Huddy’s concern perfectly, but it would not stop her from standing in defense of her own travelling companion. He moved away from her and she stood down, instead turning her attention to the hunt just as everyone else had, a soft hum as she set herself up. She followed Saga and Hudson, sticking close to her travelling companion, content to play her role in this hunt and play it well. She didn’t know these wolves, and as a result she did not trust them one bit… and truthfully she did not like the idea of separating from Adelard, but for the sake of food she found herself willing to take that chance.
She hummed softly and it was as if she could already hear the blood rushing through her ears.
RE: The Greatest Show - Aubine - Jan 19, 2021
“Best get going then, before they migrate somewhere else,” Hudson relayed. Aubine couldn't agree more. Her ears perked back up some, but it was her eyes that gave away her eagerness to start. Nevermind Adelard anymore, he was already intent on heading off with his lady-friend. Aubine had a job to do now and she was keen to please and to eat... if they actually managed to snag some live prey.
Initially thinking she and Sága were starting out by splitting away from the group, Aubine had embarrassingly started walking in the wrong direction. The others had begun to edge towards where the scent of caribou wafted on the winter breeze when she realized her mistake. Almost awkwardly she spun about on the hard-packed snow and scampered to take up the rear. Her head and tail remained low, ever-alert and at the ready, as she fell in line behind Sága. Maybe they would strike out and chase once they had a good view of the herd in question. That made much more sense and patience would be the key until then.
RE: The Greatest Show - Adelard - Jan 19, 2021
Ever aware of the constant shift in rank and order of the small band of wolves, Adelard allowed Rhaegara to step in front of him. Without missing a beat, he followed after them, only slightly mindful of his sister and her friend at his back. They weren't cubs and didn't need to be herded like such. After all, it wasn't like they were going to play about and putter around while the "adults" prepared what they had set out to do. Sága hung back for moment, if only to confirm that Aubine was coming, and Adelard forged ahead.
He kept a leisurely pace behind Hudson and Rhaegara, his head held up in confidence and an air of determination. His toes tingled as they went, his limbs itching for that lethal leap. Behind him, his tail maintained a low, lilting wag. The sooner they caught sight of their quarry, the better. Adelard was ready.
RE: The Greatest Show - Huddy - Jan 19, 2021
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Everyone in their little band was quick to fall in line behind him as they began their trek up to the more open fields where the herd was trying to graze, nipping with their velvety lips at the little grass stalks that managed to poke through the snow or digging with their hooves to unearth some sort of nutrition. He’d been watching their patterns for a few days now, trying to scope out a sufficient member that he and Sága could take down just themselves because honestly, he was a little desperate. He had known that it was incredibly hard, near impossible, for two wolves to take on an elk, but desperate times called for desperate measures. Then, like a gift from the Ancestors, he met Rhaegara who had Adelard and his companion had come in tow with Aubine and there was promise in filling their stomachs beyond the few hares they could capture. His body thrummed with anticipation.
Soon, they reached a small hill that overlooked where the herd was stationed and it was at that time that the group split up. He looked over his shoulder and tried to make eye contact with Aubine’s brother, giving him a nod as his signal before he veered off to go further downwind. If the women did their jobs right, they would be able to split an elk off from the group then lead it back down to Adelard and Hudson’s awaiting jaws.
RE: The Greatest Show - Saga - Jan 19, 2021
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She could see them in the basin below, her stomach burning in anticipation as the light caress of adrenaline began stirring in her chest. If they were successful this meal could last the five of them for some time to come. Bright green eyes swept to the other women, signaling with the tilt of her head that they should go the opposite way, around the herd to draw them back towards the boys.
Trusting that they would follow, Saga set off quietly through the barely-there cover of winter-bare bushes and trees to position herself for the chase. Her eyes closed in prayer, as she asked the Gods to allow their endeavors to be fruitful.
Once satisfied with their position she looked to the others, asking with another curious tilt of her head, 'Ready?' At their signal, the woman would charge forward, confident that once the herd began moving they would be able to pick out the weakest member and separate it.
[/dohtml]RE: The Greatest Show - Rhaegara - Jan 20, 2021
Rhaegara kept her attention on the woman who seemed to be leading their small band with Huddy. She didn’t know them, and she didn’t trust them, but she was capable of letting them take the lead in their own hunt. She recognized that she was a guest in this hunt, merely an extra set of paws to help take down the kill. As a result, she went where she was needed, following them along as her eyes focused on the nearly monochrome woman.
Her head tilted and Rhae responded with an eager nod, unable to wait to get her teeth sunk into some of the sweet meat they would be tasting. She sped off at the cue, charging the herd and watching carefully as they broke into a startled run from the three women while keeping her eyes peeled for the weakest member. There. She snapped her jaws seeing one straggling behind the others, an apparent light limp from what was likely an old injury that never quite healed right. If the others saw it as well, and she wasn’t just imagining things, then that would be their best bet.
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RE: The Greatest Show - Aubine - Jan 20, 2021
From the crest of a hilltop, the trees seemed smaller and the herd of caribou even smaller still. In a show of maturity (mostly for her brother's sake), she did not try to wedge herself in-between anyone or attempt to push Adelard out of the way. She stepped up to where everyone had gathered and, as the last to the scoping spot, she stood on her own at the end. Sun-gold eyes scoured the bright white blanket before her, moving from one antlered individual to the next. The bulls, though without their antlers for the winter, were much too brawny and much larger than their female counterparts. She made note that there were no calves to track or pick out; and, secretly, she gave a silent thanks to her father's Adviser for equipping her with this now-valuable information.
Aubine had just finished combing through the thick of the herd when Sága caught her eye. She blinked. It was time to go.
She cast one lingering glance to her brother over her shoulder before following after the two women. If there had been anything amiss, he would have sensed it by now and pulled her from them. So far, he had given her nothing but stink-eye and grief. Maybe that meant he was onto something.
The trio crept around the caribou with Aubine carefully picking certain footprints to step in. One misstep and crunching snow underfoot would be enough to spoil it all and she vowed to herself that she would not make that same mistake as she had done the winter before as a yearling. Vigilance, not haste.
Sága gave the cue and the two of them were off with Aubine at Sága's flank. It happened like a breeze blowing over an almost endless meadow - the hindmost part of the group was sent into motion until the middle picked up pace and swept up the whole of the herd. Aubine kept her eyes peeled, keeping pace until she picked up on what Rhaegara had seen. A limp, no matter how slight, was the difference between life or death in this wilderness. This one's final day had come. Muscles already warmed up, Aubine moved to keep other caribou away from their ailing kin, hoping it would give Sága and Rhaegara room to maneuver it further away and into the take-down party's waiting jowls...