Hush Meadow Possession

Early morning, chilly with a light breeze

The metallic scent of blood ad drawn him here, attracted him to the grassy meadow like a bee to nectar. The young male stood there for a moment, paws placed confidently upon the hard soil, his claws kneading at it with impatience. Silently, his eyes danced across the expanse open space, searching for the source of the blood. His eyes trailed along the far side of the meadow and there his bright amber gaze halted, his pupils constricting as he focused on the object which distorted the gentle sway of the dying grass. Pink tongue swept longingly across his hungry lips as his eyes inspected with mouth-watering doe carcass which lay sprawled out in its grave of dead flora. Xander’s nostrils flared, inhaling its scent once more.

His stomach urged him to sprint straight up to the waiting meal, but the male knew better than to just stride up to a carcass without taking certain precautions first. His amber eyes scanned along the horizon cautiously, making sure there were no predators, pack hunting parties or lone wolves in the area. Mind satisfied with the knowledge that he was very much alone, Xander made his way towards the deer, keeping his body low in his approach so as to not startle the ravens that already picked eagerly at the flesh of the doe, stripping meat from bone. Casually he stalked right up to the carcass, ignoring the ravens’ caws of annoyance and used his body to block them from getting access to the chest and hind limb, the areas which he hoped to find most plentiful.

After another quick scan around, the young male took would he could get. Large paws were placed, clamping down on the body of the doe, allowing his fangs to rip and chew at its meaty remains. A low purr trembled in his throat as he gnawed his way deeper into the hollow chest cavity, hoping to find a few scraps of liver, kidney or heart. Blood stained his muzzle a carnal shade of red, painting his paws too as he gripped onto the deer’s tough hide. With wolfish greed he ate with haste, swallowing large chunks of meat without hesitation. He was well aware that he would not be the only predator drawn to carcass, so he had to make the most of the time that he had to dine in privacy.

OOC: Set before meeting Valiant so he is still in the area and has spotty memory/personality traits. <3

That smelt sooo good. The copper taste called to him, enticing him like a well trained seductress to her bed. His stomach growled in encouragement and turned his footsteps back around. Food. Not quite fresh, but enough there to make a meal for today, perhaps tomorrow if he didn't roam to far. He had been up early with the sun, or what he could see of it in search of food. His shoulder was healing nicely, but he didn't want to test the patch of mud and herbs he had made too much by going on a full out hunt. Instead, he was in search of scraps to give peace to his gnawing stomach. My, how the mighty had fallen. A king who didn't realise he wore a crown, searching for scraps to keep his gut quiet. If only he knew how pathetic he was in comparison to but a few months ago. He'd have eaten himself for breakfast.

The scent was strong enough to follow, for he appeared to not be too far from the carcass of the doe. The very thought of sinking his teeth into the meat and bone of the animal he knew so well of made his hackles bristle with excitement and cause a casual drift of his tail behind him as he long legs consumed the terrain, following his nose with complete trust until he approached the edge of the forest that surrounded the meadow. The open setting could prove a problem, he would have to try and drag what he could back into the shadows so he could selfishly gorge himself.

He had been about to step free of his cover when the craw of a raven, followed by another and then another begun to sound. It appeared someone else, other than the birds had discovered his breakfast. With a wrinkle of his nose, he allowed a low growl to leave his chest and filter into the air. The one and only warning he would give before he strode from the forest border, into the open area of the meadow where his eyes found the more colourful male eating his remains. That just wouldn't do.His head elevated, his ears perked forwards whilst his hackles were permitted to stand on end. His frame was large, but he was thin and walked upon slender legs, however with his winter coat in full plume and his obvious displeasure, he bristled up to look at least a little more threatening... as if the ghostly grey stare, show of teeth and warning sound weren't enough that was.

He didn't want to talk. He wanted to eat and if it meant taking this food from the other male then fine. His shoulder was tender, but it was healed enough to withstand a bit of punishment before it would break open again. With any luck the other would just turn tale and scuffle away, but by the smell of him he was a loner. Perhaps he had nothing to lose. He could be just as hungry as Rhysis and not go without a fight. Either way, the fallen leader was ready, with his pads bedded upon the cold grass, talons digging in the dirt for grip. Body tightly wound like a coil ready to explode. He waited, he'd give them the chance to run... if he could avoid the fight he would, it would do him no use with his more recent injuries but he was willing to risk them for the size of the meal on offer. It was more than he had first imagined, and it was a prize he could not afford to let go.

His feasting was interrupted by a low growl that rumbled through the breeze. Amber eyes instantly darted up, ears flicking upright and jaws snapping shut with violent displeasure, a piece of meat dangling tentatively from the corner of his mouth. His eyes met the stormy grey orbs of a much younger male, dark in colouration, but larger in size. Xander stared the male down, gazes locked in silent conflict. A low thunderous growl trembled in his throat as he watched with irritation as the male stepped forwards assertively, his confident body language letting the older male know that he was not afraid to confront him over the rich pickings left uneaten. Xander crouched protectively over the carcass, standing with his limbs stretched out to claim it as know own. The dark fur along his spine bristled, sharp like pin pricks, as he tensed his muscles to bulk himself up.

His physical display was not enough to put the younger wolf off, it seemed, for he continued move forwards – his body tensing, muscles ready to lunge forwards. Xander snarled again, wrinkles creasing up the bridge of his muzzle in protest. He had not wanted to be faced with another fight; it had only been a few days ago that he had found himself up against another large male. His body still ached from that fight, and scratches and wounds of varying severity still scared his winter pelt. Perhaps he had been foolish for sheltering in claimed lands, but this time, Xander had every right to stand up for himself. He had been the first to find this kill and he had every right to protect it. ”Back off! You can pick up the scraps along with the ravens.” Amber eyes hardened on the young male, silently demanding he follow his orders.

Seconds seemed to tick by like hours, as the two wolves stood staring the other down. It seemed neither of them was prepared to turn around and retreat and so conflict was now required. Xander curled his tail dominantly over his back, jaws snapping together once more in warning as he sunk a little lower, ready to attack. With a single leap, he cleared the carcass and stood steadfast in front of it, guarding the doe with his body. Head down, to protect his neck, lean muscles propelled him forwards with speed as he charged his opponent. If he made contact he would attempt to snap relentless at his paws and limbs to drive him off. If that failed, he would continue forwards and aim for the male’s rump, hoping to bite onto some flesh and fur to further encourage him to move on.

He had guts, he would give him that, but guts were an unnecessary tool to survival. Surviving was. You didn't need to be cocky, arrogant or just plain stupid. You needed to be wise, make the right decisions to keep yourself alive. Hell, Rhysis had been a loner most of his life, from such a young age too and he had kept himself alive, barely at times, but he was here. He could only assume this wolf was desperate, desperate enough to want to fight for a scrap of food then again Rhysis was desperate too, but he was carrying an injury, one that could cost him this meal which is why he was pulling the dominant card- clearly it didn't work. "You'd be a fool to challenge a King." he drawled, a growl rolling with his words which were not to be heard it seemed. It was an unusual term for him to call himself, had he more time to think about the meaning behind it all, he might have thought himself a fool, for now there was no time to think but he would have to revisit that memory later.

The male slipped over the carcass, guarding it with his own body as he prepared. The movement was quick but Rhysis had come prepared; it was part of the package. As the other male barrled towards him, he held his ground, paws rooted to the ground and he took the snapping jaws to the limbs- it would mean the wolf's head was down, giving him a window to snap at the neck. He had to keep his shoulder away- cuts and scraps would not bring him down, but working on an already sore injury was not a price he could afford. Keeping his opponents head down was the only way he could win this struggle. So he allowed his legs to be bitten, the snapping of teeth hurt like a bitch, but his pain tolerance was high, he could stand it for the moment; his main interest was getting a grip, at least a good shot at something fleshy, an ear, the nape, anything he could use to force his weight upon and drag the other to the floor. At least, that was the plan.

(This post was last modified: Dec 30, 2012, 12:43 AM by Rhysis.)

His body charged forwards with speed, lean muscles rippling beneath the dominant bristling of his fur. The larger male refused to move and prepared for contact. Keeping his head down, bright amber eyes focused instantly on his opponent’s large black paws and front limbs. The contact came with a blow to the larger male’s chest as Xander collided head-first into him, his skull slamming against the top of the male’s breastbone. Keeping his focus, Xander snapped his jaws wildly at the wolf’s paws, hoping to cause a few painful punctures in his pads and digits that would leave the larger male less able to support his heavy weight or at least, put him off balance. The metallic taste of blood seeped across his tongue and stained his fangs a criminal shade of red. An aggressive growl thundered through his chest, pleased that he was able to inflict some kind of damage.

Next his attention turned to the male’s front limbs, which one did not matter. His radius and ulna to be exact. Jaws parted as he snarled viciously, before lunging his muzzle forward and attempting to lock onto his left front limb and trap it between his strong back teeth. Once he had a steady hold on his target, he could clamp his jaws down with all the strength he could manage before grinding and shaking his head roughly. His intent was to leave this male with something to remember him by: a broken leg or a bone fracture would do him some justice. In the frenzy, he felt the sharp edge of fangs pierce through flesh along the back of his neck. The pain felt excruciating for a few moments, skin stinging hot with agony, before a second surge of adrenaline caused the pain to subside to more tolerable levels. It seemed the male had caught him by the scruff, and now he felt his full weight being forced upon him. Xander’s muffled growl erupted in warning. Giving a final shake of his head, Xander released his vice-like grip on the male’s leg and attempted to quickly reverse backwards with his body low to the ground, hoping to avoid being crushed by the much larger male.

If he made it out in time, he’d sprint in a wide circle and attempt to strike with bite to his rump.

(This post was last modified: Dec 30, 2012, 10:26 AM by Xander.)

He could not have hoped for a better hold on the male, the pop of his teeth breaking the skin gave him extra glee for it meant he had a good latch on. A rumble rippled from his chest, the sound as natural as his breath at the onslaught. His fur remained standing on end, his tail high with dominance as he began to push forward, his talons digging deep into the ground for leverage as he tried to use his weight to push the male down towards the ground. He would not kill him, though he wouldn't pass up on the meal, however he would make him submit, give up his kill and be done with it. It would mean using less energy and less strain to his shoulder if the other simply just ran away. Those fresh cuts were going to be a bitch though, no doubt the snow would keep them clean but it was going to sting like hell for a while. Damn wolf.

It was funny really. When he was King, he would have snatched up his male and added him to his ranks. He was hungry yes, but he had guts; whether that was the lack of food and desperation was another matter, but he had always wanted to collect a nice group of strong males, capable of fighting their way out at least a paper bag. For some reason, he got the feeling that if he had ever been a King, which his gut told him was almost likely, the wolves he lead were not quite as fierce as he had hoped. It was a shame he had no recollection of that time, else he might have been more likely to give up the meal in exchange for his service in arms. If only he knew what his lost mate was doing the other side of the lands...
He didn't have time to think though, instinct and adrenaline were flooding his veins, working his darkened heart overtime as he sought to bring the other to submission. The lighter male began to pull away, his grip slipped lightly, trailing his teeth from the scruff and perhaps tearing the skin further, but the jaws of a wolf were strong, stronger than most on the planet and with a good grip he was unlikely to let go. All he could hope now was that his strength, put to advantage with his height, would push the other to the dirt.

(This post was last modified: Jan 13, 2013, 01:39 PM by Rhysis.)