Heartleaf Creek Hunt Opportunity - West RL

OOC: Set after the rank challenge. Food was scarce. This cruel winter and the all too familiar ache in her belly was a harsh reminder of that fact. Astra was left to wonder if when, if ever, prey would return to Relic Lore. Her first winter here had been anything but pleasant. First the flood which swept away her home in Secret Falls, only days after joining. Then the constant rains that followed. And now, this frigid winter, with snow piling up day by day. Lastly, was the challenge for her rank. All of these events had been taking a toll on the she wolf. Nothing had gone right...she felt as if the world were against her. In the past few months, the once agreeable, level headed female had transformed into a detached, irritable creature. Hardened and cold. Wishing for nothing more than peace after the dispute within Cut Rock River, Astra separated herself. She headed Northeast, to regions which had so far, been unexplored. There, she did what she did best. Search the dismal lands for any search of prey. As an exceptional tracker, who was an expert on the migratory patterns of prey and with a knack for reading the weather, she would never turn down a chance to find more food. Any opportunity could not afford to be wasted. Not in these harsh times. She would search every nook and cranny of these wild lands until she exhausted herself, even if it meant that in the end, she came up empty handed. Nose skimming the ground, dusted in a layer of fresh snow, her stomach rumbled dully as she searched for even the faintest scent of food. The going was tough, trudging trough the layers upon layers of the thick powder. With her attention fixed on the task at hand, she barely even acknowledged the scent of other wolves nearby. That is, until the tantalizing scent of Elk snapped her out of it. Snapping her head upright, she blinked several times, as if in disbelief. Were her senses betraying her? Had she finally gone mad? Following the trail, guided by the wind, her mouth watered as she drew closer and closer. The smell grew heavier, saturating the air. As did the smell of other wolves, also hungry for this rare prize. She was indeed, not alone. A howl pierced the air, summoning her and all the others of Cut Rock River to this place. Only moments after the summons, she emerged onto the scene, pleased to find that Maksim, Aeolus and another female were already there. But, they were heavily outnumbered. By other wolves, from another pack. And judging by the snarl which had broken loose from Maksim's maw, they were most certainly, not friends. Astra knew nothing of the skirmish that had transpired between him, Naia and two of the Hollow Heart Keep wolves. An incident on their lands, over food that was rightfully theirs. But that didn't matter. If her Leader saw them as a threat, then she would back him up, no questions asked. She was sure his reasons for addressing them so aggressively were justified. Sliding up alongside his left flank, Astra approached with her head high, shoulders squared, tail raised in dominance. She was as irritable as ever, and one of these unfortunate wolves would make a fine scapegoat for her. "Leave now, you filth." She snarled, teeth flashing in a threatening display. "Otherwise it will not be just the Elks hide we'll be feasting on." She murmured darkly.

It seemed as if each passing season brought a new passing heart ache. The end of summer had marked the end of the world as she'd known it and the loss of her family; the end of autumn had marked the beginning of months of lonliness; and winter had stripped her of her best friend─her sister. The cutting cold and snow had changed the land and in many clear ways had changed her life. Quil had drawn closer to her pack mates after the return of her brother, @Mace, and in all honesty she didn't know what would have become of her if he hadn't sought she and Cinder out. Now Cinder was missing, and though she knew that the dark princess' chances of survival out in the icebound world were slim, she wasn't going to give up hope. Not now, not ever. But the cold left her chilled and her belly ached with a throbbing hunger. Quil was teetering on the edge of dismay and sought comfort from the only father she had now, @Maksim.

The young Attaya searched him out, roving his usual routes along the barren borders. When she did eventually find her guardian's trail, it led...away from Cut Rock River? Glancing over her shoulder in the direction from which she came, a gleam of sadness and a glimmer of tenacity battling in the depths of her amber eyes, the adolescent decided without doubt to leave the safety of her home in Maksim's pursuit.

Time brought her to a place she didn't believe she'd ever been. Quil navigated the rolling banks of snow and foreign forestry with wide, watchful eyes, pushing the fear of possibly getting lost away with a child's sense of indestructibility. Snout to the ground, it was clear that she'd moved in the correct direction but something suddenly struck her; a number of fresh, familiar and strange scents now interlaced with the single one she'd been tracking. Her brows furrowed. What in hell were they all doing out here and why were the─

Voices. She could hear them sounding in the distance, echoing hollowly against the trunks of the surrounding trees. Maksim's distinct rumble was audible and the edge in his voice made her heart race as steady strides brought her closer. Breaking onto the scene, 'surprising' didn't really touch on the sight of the gathering. More like 'curtly confrontational.' She'd found who she'd been looking for, and it appeared as though he and a number of others were squaring off with another pack. Tension hung in the air as the lithe-framed girl quickly made to join hers, her ears flattened to her skull as she proudly slipped to her guardian's side, halting as her fur finally brushed against his own.

When it came down to it, the Attaya wasn't bringing a knife to a gunfight, and if a brawl was about to go down she would certainly pull her weight.

"speech"

LOVE DON'T LIVE HERE ANYMORE

(This post was last modified: Feb 11, 2014, 05:45 AM by Quil.)

As the formidable winter raged on hunger was increasing within the pack, along with tempers. While he had confined himself to the walls of his den since losing Anastasia the young healer was not blind to the disputes that had occurred among his pack mates. There had been a few rank challenges, causing tension to grow between several pack mates. Lachesis knew that eventually the time would come for him to challenge a wolf ranked higher than him, but right now he didn’t care. Right now he really didn’t care about anything aside from surviving from the winter. The grief of losing his closest friend still burned furiously in his veins, and the world around him remained foggy. He wasn’t sure what to do, or how to act, he just knew he had to survive – for Anastasia.

A howl sounded, echoing through the territory and causing the spider-legged yearling to pause. He had left the safety of his den to stretch his legs and attempt to find something to satisfy the irritating burn of hunger, but it looked like food found him. Without hesitation the willowy youth lurched forward, long legs pushing him forward as he closed the distance between himself and the wolf that made the call. There was food, and XIX was prepared to do whatever necessary to get his jaws on some of the fresh meat.

However, when he arrived, Lachesis realized he was not the only wolf with salivating jowls. A frown creased his dark lips as he approached Maksim and the other present wolves of Cut Rock. Dipping his head in greeting to the green-eyed leader the skeleton turned his gaze to the wolves of Hollowheart, his upper lip curled as a low growl bubbled within his chest. Heartbreak and grief had changed the once calm (and incredibly awkward) yearling; the winter had hardened him, shaping him into a wolf he barely recognized. His pear-coloured orbs swept over the familiar shape of Karpos, the former prince of Pitch Pine Trail, but his expression did not waver. As much as he wanted to protect the shadow prince XIX had to also look out for his pack – they were his family now. He would not hurt the muddy-eyed pup, nor would he allow his pack mates to – he knew Aeolus would be doing the same – but the yearling was prepared to attack any Keep wolves to keep them away from the elk. “Leave,” he snarled, echoing Astra’s words as his lips pulled away from his teeth.

stick with those who stick with you

And if I bleed, I'll bleed, Knowing you don't care! She had only just returned to her home among the trees, tired paws feeling the relief of once more walking familiar ground, when her queen had demanded the packs attention. Despite her fatigue, Evann was eager to obey her leaders, the hunt for food an always important task, that would rank over her own need for rest at any time. She had followed her pack mates out onto the plains, keeping to the back of the group, staying alert; eyes, ears and nose in constant search for any sign of prey. Still, she had drifted off a bit, paws moving mechanically, eyes only absently noting the snow, stretching silently before her, when a sudden, high-pitched sound cut through the ire quiet of the land. The thin fae froze for a second, head lifted, ears perked, she recognized the call of her sovereign, bringing the heavenly message that she had awaited for so long; FOOD! While she ran towards the goal, breathing heavily as her paws slammed into the snow, she sensed the presence of others, zeroing in on the opportunity. A faint smile curled her lips while she made her way over the land to answer her alpha's call, eager to see what exactly had spurred the queens summons. Just as the first forms came into her view, blurred in the gray light of the storm gathering above, a new sound pierced the air, scenting a rush of ice through her veins; someone else was claiming their prize, her call much more feeble than the strong, dominant howl of the Hollowheart czarina, but demanding enough in its right. Evann snarled lowly and pushed forwards, this kill belonged to The Keep, no one should dare come between them and their prey! Her pack was gathered, strong and proud it stood, facing off against - she scoffed - a meager force of four, six if you counted the pups; Ridiculous! Head and tail held high, she joined the numbers of her pack, positioning herself behind Sagacity, a spot fitting for her lower position, and added herself to the silent might of Hollowheart Keep. Opposed them, she recognized the brute she'd run into a few days earlier, hackles rising as he spoke pretentious words of claim over the elk that was searching for food under the snow close by - blissfully unaware of the danger against its life building as the wolves gathered. These enemies would feast on nothing but snow and dirt today, she would make sure of it! Word count: 417 "Speech." Thought

Lips pulled back as the shadowed man rolled up to the scene. He had been nearby, always on the hunt for food, though it wasn't until his sister had howled that he caught the trailing scent of elk. He had wasted no time in getting to the creek, eyes narrowed upon the scene that had developed. There were wolves everywhere, Keep and Creek alike. A battle was brewing, but Chulyin found himself hardly bothered. There was food, startled and aware food. And he wasn't about to let it get away. Without hovering in a single spot for too long, he blowed relentlessly through the snow past the gathered crowd towards the elk.

He kept his tail low, knowing full well that he might be pursued, and Chulyin had little want of his tail being torn off. Though he did not have speed on his side, he used his sheer bulk to make it easily through the field of snow. Nostrils flared as he began to forget the wolves now at his back, bounding towards the retreating bull. His teeth were exposed, the cold biting at his gums, but the blood flowed red hot through his veins. The snow was nothing but soft earth to him, consumed by the shadowy man. Sooth morphed into the supernatural, and back again. If the fools behind him wanted to speak, they could starve for all he cared.

(i apologize in advance if anything is wrong in this, but...i really don't have the energy to read all these posts, so please just PM me and let me know.)

summary chulyin is saying screw it and is just going after the prey

(This post was last modified: Feb 12, 2014, 02:45 AM by Chulyin.)

Lurking until the end of July - Please PM/tag me to get my attention

I really should be writing my school paper, but I couldn't resist!

The smell was undeniable. It was a scent she'd been waiting for since winter hit and its approach made her stomach lurch with anticipation and the saliva in her mouth overflow at her jaws. She anxiously waited the chance to chomp down on fresh, warm meat and followed the scent and sound of her fellow River members expertly. The hunting field was teaming with wolves, both from her pack and of neighboring and instinctively she swallowed the lump in her throat from the possibility of blood shed over food. She was hungry, and desperate but she was also very weak and would stand little chance in a battle of brawn--she only hoped to bring down this bull moose without having to injure another in the process.

Coming close to those she was familiar, Maksim in particular as she admired his strength, she felt a bubble of emotion flow before a gut wrenching growl came from her jaws. Despite her weak state, she would look after the best interest of her pack members, she owed this much to Maksim and Lachesis for saving her life, and would do so until death prevented her to. "This bull is for those of Cut Rock River, leave unless you desire a fight," she voiced, attempting to sound as intimidating as possible to those of Hollowheart Keep. She would not let the others see the fear on her face, her poker face was grant, but inside her stomach churned for fear of getting severely harmed, what use would she be in bringing down the bull if she could not chase off the vultures in wait of getting their share. She settled to her haunches, attempting to shake the dizziness that followed from standing too long, but she stared intently at those of the other pack, settled safely at the side of her leader.

(This post was last modified: Feb 11, 2014, 05:26 PM by Bastet.)

Avatars by Becca! Thank you!

Gent had felt the strength from their numbers, united as they had been when they'd defeated the winter's wall of ice and found providence at the mountain's ghastly end. As he moved through the brittle brush, all senses well tuned into his surroundings, there was nothing but confidence within his chest that together, they would be bringing home a full cache in itself. And was not wrong; at least, that was the assumption that soared through his being when he heard Naira's call. The boy powered through the powder, reaching proximity before slipping into stealth. It took only a few quick inhales and swivels of his ears to understand the gravity of the situation. d the brewing skirmish, and kept her pale eyes on the prize. In his peripheral, he caught sight of @Chulyin who sought to sneak past the fray and hunt the golden beast who's scent made Gent's mouth water uncontrollably. Seeing that his pack had already put up a good defense, Gent decided to join the offense and fell into suit behind Chulyin, intent on following his lead and assisting him in taking down the elk. It also came to his attention that these wolves were of the pack that he had trifled with, and the possibility of revenge made this opportunity nothing more than perfect. At this point, Gent would rather die than lose.

(This post was last modified: Feb 11, 2014, 07:52 PM by Gent.)

Eek had long since ceased to feel the ache within her heart caused by being separated from her pack. That didn't mean she wasn't still hell bound determined to get back to them, of course. She had simply learned to adjust to grief, given her morbid life style choices, and was pushed to focus on the goal. To do anything it took to make it back over the mountain come spring. And so she had joined the wolves of Hollowheart Keep, and she strove now to aid them in their hunting, to fill her belly as well as their's. She felt no connection to them, did not sleep comfortably within their borders. They were nothing like the family of Magnolia Glen. But they had taken her in, given her a chance in the face of starvation, and for that debt she worked hard to repay. Naturally, Eek turned away from physical altercations; she would scream and spit venom all day, but hated to risk her blood over a matter that could be solved just as easily by turning tail. Pride wasn't worth your life. And so, in line with her instincts, she skirted around the brewing skirmish, and kept her pale eyes on the prize. She saw her pack mates, @Chulyin and Gent, and slipped into unspoken formation, three pitch black predators cutting through white. With some distance between her and the two men, she sought to keep the elk from bolting toward the gathered Cut Rock River wolves once her comrades sprung into action.

(This post was last modified: Feb 11, 2014, 07:53 PM by Eek.)

Kisla is hot on the heels of Chulyin and Gent. She snapped at the air toward them and is attempting to grab a tail or ankle.. Given her 110 speed to their lower speed, hence why I had her able to almost catch up.. but not quite. She has a sore limb.

Something was stirring.

Kisla raced to the cry as swiftly as she could – the snow kicked away from her, and while she was once speedy, the hindrance of her previous injury and of the depth of the snow would keep her from where she wanted to be for a longer time. The scent was exhilarating – she could smell the caribou before she came upon the gathering. The potential meat caused her jowls to pool with saliva, and her stomach gave a rumble of discontent – it pleaded to her, and the Tainn dove was only too eager to appease it. She was no good to her pack or family dead.

She came upon them then, her eyes instantly finding Maksim. Others were there as well – Lalani, Aeolus, Lachesis, Astra, Quil, Bastet. And yet for each River wolf, there was a Keep wolf, and the tension spliced the air as it seemingly crackled with energy. They traded words now – Maksim’s threat and those of her pack mates had been missed, but the standoff was not.

Kisla bristled in turn, her own figure lifting as she strode toward her packmates. While she would have pulled up along the swarthy figure of Bastet, it was a dark flash that caught her attention, and it was then she noticed two black wolves racing to the direction of the elk. A snarl bubbled past her then – creamy lips pulling back to froth with fury, and with a harsh bark, the Tainn woman shot after them, taking the action to head off the others toward the meal that the River pack would claim. Her snarls were furious as her eyes remained on the target of their hinds – only then would she recognize Chulyin, and while the recognition was indeed there, the brief comradeship she had extended him had long since vanished. This had become more than personal. Previous injury aside, she was still almost as swift as them, and began to close the distance quickly. It was then her jaws would snap in the direction of their tails, hoping to grab one and stop the attack on the elk that would feed her pack mates.

sparking up my heart

Minka had wandered off of Whisper Caverns territory, much farther than she normally would have but the hunger pains had pushed her. The ground was barren, just a wasteland of untouched snow with not a single scent of anything living upon the air. The fae had been searching for nearly an hour and a half and was almost ready to give up when the scent of something she had almost forgotten reached her nose. Muscles tensed and the woman's body froze in place, was her mind playing tricks on her, could this possibly be real? It was mere moments later when the sound of howls reached the alpha and her hackles rose, her own howl filling the air. She called for all of them, @Ash, @Tokino, Narimé, @Simaea, @Inali, @Namara, even the pups, @Yuka, @Titan and @Malia. If other packs were there it would surely lead to a fight, something the alpha would want to avoid at all costs, but she would do what she had to do in order to keep her family alive.

The tawny woman knew better than to waste her energy by running to the scene, though she did move at a quick trot. Finally she broke through the trees and the clearing was not a pretty sight, wolves from a pack she didn't recognize dominated the area, but amongst the turmoil she recognized both Astra and Maksim. Rusted hackled stood tall on Minka's back but she made no move to enter the clearing, instead her golden eyes swept about in search of the caribou. She had come for one thing and one thing only. If someone was to start a fight with her or the members of their pack she would defend them, but she just wanted the food, she was here on defense, not offense.

fate hasn't finished

MINKA LEIGH

with you yet

by Sarah

(This post was last modified: Feb 11, 2014, 09:03 PM by Minka.)

click!