Wild Cherry Orchard take me out

the magician's protégé

Renier Lyall

like father, like son

Slush. What was worse than slush? The fact it was everywhere, and pretty damn cold. The young Lyall wasn't hard up for entertainment; he was desperate and stubborn to catch the rabbit that continued to flee from him.

Jaws ground back and forth with aggravation. Come on. He was poised ready for the pounce when it had taken off again. This time he had to bound out of the safe haven of the forest, and through a short open field where he all together lost its scent. Golden eyes shot around, while his cream paws sploshed against the trails of melting snow. Where are you? Ears cupped forward, his leathery nose twitching, his snout drifting from on direction to the other. He could smell it along the brush. Then when he brought his head, further, half crouching it zoomed for cover, sending a splash of water into his eyes. A growl shot from his mouth, and the pup shook his head. Droplets flew, and he attempted to follow the little creature. He pounded across the ground he only became more wet, more frustrated. The end he watched the rabbit dart up a small hill, taking refuge between a very tall tree. Snorting extra moisture from his air way, he vigorously shook his coat, and sighed. He couldn't catch anything. Worn out, he began looking around for a dry place, and found a patch of snow yet untouched. Hanging his head, he meandered over to it before crashing onto his stomach.

The young man lied there for awhile, there was a faint rustle of the wind batting at dead leaves, and he could feel warm afternoon sun shining on his back.

(This post was last modified: Feb 20, 2013, 05:17 PM by Renier.)

The warmth drew her from the heart of the Thicket. All around were rousing signs of the coming season. Buds were beginning to swell with promise. The earth was thawing and with it all animal life seemed to quicken. Her feet led her away, her mind only partly conscious of what she sought. It led her like a moth to it's light. Warmth filtered thinly through the dense canopy. By the time she reached the border she knew what it was that called to her.

She wanted to see the sun.

Her movements were easily. Comfortable, for once, in her surroundings. Iopah knew what was coming. She could feel it in herself. For Iopah it was a bitter reminder, but for her pack it held promise. New life. She was unsure what it held for Nina. The current leadership was unconventional. Something would have to change soon. She did not know what the future held, but Nina had shown mercy on Iopah. Iopah would follow Nina and whomever stood beside her without question.

At the edge of the woods a damp breeze greeted her. She grinned wickedly, baring her teeth to the empty meadow. Or so she thought.

The creamy wolf stood for several moments, letting the sun soak into her pelt, before starting forward smoothly. She skirted several liquefying areas of snow, aiming for high ground. There was no certainty that this thaw was permanent. Weather could be unpredictable and Iopah was going to enjoy this while she could. Gracefully she let herself drop and the meadow grew still again. Minutes passed. If a wolf could meditate Iopah was now. There was a burst of activity beyond. A pale ear twisted idly to catch it. It came again and she turned her upper body to watch.

Initially she believed the youth was playing a game. A flash of white gave his intentions away and Iopah continued to watch, amusement growing. The rabbit actually appeared to be playing and Iopah could only imagine its laughter. The boy did not lack for tenacity. Weary of the game the rabbit changed direction, heading toward Iopah and Iopah felt her attention sharpen. The youth dropped dejectedly, but Iopah was only half aware: opportunity was approaching in the form of rabbit. Her scattered thoughts contracted till they could fit on the head of a pin; she rose to a crouch. Her stomach brushed against the wet snow as she crept forward. By the time she was close enough her belly was damp with snow melt. She felt a whisper of pity for the youth. His loss would be her gain. She set her hind feet before lunging forward. As luck would have it her left hind slipped in the snow and she just grasped the rabbit by a hind leg. It screamed in shock and pain. Iopahs mind hissed something angry. She jerked, mangling its leg then bit down on its chest. Silence fell but the damage had been done. Her head lifted to look down at Renier. She met his gaze evenly. She owed him nothing and if this had been silent she would never have considered. But her leaving would teach him nothing. Her jaw dropped to the rabbit and closed on it. Half of the rabbit did not amount to much and it took only seconds to eat.

Her gaze met Reniers again with the remaining rabbit clenched in her jaws. She flung it down to him without a word. She gave him a moment to glance at him. "Rabbit are best caught unawares." Her stance was confident without being cocky. She was curious for his reaction. Would be be appreciative or indignant?

the magician's protégé

Renier Lyall

like father, like son

They day would have been perfect, it was really, but Renier didn't care. He didn't pay much notice to the sun that warmed him, or the fact another wolf had witnessed his failure. His face was scrunched, and his hind paw kept shifting beneath his stomach. He was not comfortable, and couldn't seem to fix that. By then he heard the screams of the rabbit, and shoved himself to a sit. The boy craned his head, ears darting while his eyes tried to see what had happened. He noticed the tan and cream female looking upon him with gold eyes, the rabbit he had been after in her clutches. Renier wasn't afraid, but he wondered what she wanted and it was hard for him not to glare at her...very hard. He liked to think of himself as wiser now not to test a stranger. Or at least access the situation better before he gave the wrong impression. She wasn't threatening at the moment, or telling him to scoot. He couldn't discern the look she gave him.

She was closer, throwing it his way where his eyes would fall onto it's white, blood stained coat. Was she giving it to him? He reluctantly looked up, his ears twitching at the sound of her voice. It seemed like she was rubbing it in she had got it, and he had not. Why else would she say what she did if she had not seen him fail? The boy remained quiet for a moment, uncertain while studying her. She seemed to know what she was doing, and her scent told him she was older from some other pack. He wanted to wrinkle his nose at the idea, but stopped himself from doing that. No, need to get upset.

Pulling in a breath, he gave a brief look to the rabbit, then cocked his head at her. "I'm still learning," he mumbled, not really wanting to say it so she heard, but not wanting to be rude. "You..you should keep it," he stated, not wanting it since he had not caught it. "I'll get one, I'm sure there are more out here." He tried to smile at the lady, but his heart wasn't in it.

(This post was last modified: Mar 02, 2013, 03:14 AM by Renier.)

sorry sorry

He glared up and Iopah met his gaze nonplussed, blinking once in response. She was not impressed by his antisocial demeanor. He was young and inexperienced, something he was probably aware of. It this had happened nearer to the thickets she would not be as nonchalant. He would be competition, an potential threat. There would be no offered rabbit. And his disrespect would be met with more than her waiting gaze. But here they were in a no-mans's-land. Here it was different. Only the most basic of laws governed them. Baring an actual attack Iopah was fine with whatever he did. She didn't care what he thought of her. Iopah had stopped trying to please strangers long ago. This was a place of opinions only. And Renier was young yet, Iopah would overlook much in sight of his youth.

Her ears swung forward at his response. She could not tell if he was trying to be polite or if he was disdainful of her offer. Silly boy, didn't he realize it doesn't matter where a free meal comes from? She smiled knowingly, learning more about his pack that he realized he was giving away. He had never felt the sharp pain of starvation. Did not know the sickly sweet smell of his body trying to metabolize itself in an effort to survive. She shrugged at his rejection. Not her concern. He was indeed 'still learning'.

She saw the effort in his smile, though his heart was not in it, it was still there nevertheless. She nodded in response. "There always seems to be another." Until there wasn't. Her gazed flicked down to her offering. If he didn't want it, she was going to take it back. She kept her ears trained on him as she picked her way down the incline. There was a soft sound as her feet pressed into the wet earth. Coming to her rabbit she paused to finish it before stopping before Renier. His polite irritation with her presence was palpable and Iopah wondered how long it would last. Everyone had a breaking point. He smelt of evergreens. Iopah had been near his pine forest, knew where he hailed from. "Have you ever been this far north before?