life and times,

@Kite

As was her preferred status, the female remained silent, simply observing the youth as her mood altered from modest to neutral. Such were the was of youth, as she knew it; ever accommodating and ever changing to the mood of another. The she wolf imagined it had something to do with their need to adapt to what was present be if for acceptance or survival. But it was certainly not necessary while in the nomad's presence.

Before long,the warming of the weather took her attention as it made for an easier means to scent the air around them. Without the humidity after the rains, clarity came to nostrils once drenched by the lingering dew, and with interest she was able to take note of a delectable scent in the air, same as her company. She needn't be reminded that it was the smell of meat in the air, but it was an. Iced raw to her attention nonetheless. Gradients yes turned skyward to watch the crest and fall of the carrion-feeders, unknowingly guiding the larger predators toward more promising meat.

Without further persuasion, the large beast followed after her smaller lead, holding fast to the hare should they find their spoils in a disappointing state. The life of a wanderer had taught her not to dismiss one meal for another, as the hopeful supplement could in fact be worse off and in the end one could have been left with naught. She kept her eyes on the girl, more out of caution than wary. Perhaps this detour would show the true manner of this youth and whether or not her company was worth enduring... or chasing off once the meat was found.

When the other followed, Kite waved her tail again, eager to lead the other to some form of sustenance. And once Kite was assured the other was coming, she moved all the quicker, the only thing slowing her down being the way the mud clung to her. Her muscles burned by the end, but the burn was worth it; there was a carcass, recent... and the damage was not due to the storm, but a predator nearby. Kite circled the dead beast, sniffing around it and then sniffing the air for telltale sign of lynx. She bristled, but was quick to be at ease when the scent proved to be worthless; there was no predator nearby.

Feeling all the better for it, Kite looked back at K'arnae, wondering what her status was. You know, I do intend to join that pack you pointed to... Kite thought it worth to mention for some reason, her eyes lingering on the feral wolf before her. Maybe you should take a look at it, too? Kite suggests, her eyes bright and full of some strange hope. Kite did not really know why she felt strangely attached to this wolf before her. If she could understand it, Kite would know that this wolf looked identical to her mother in the splendor of her furs, except for the fact that she was unkempt. Behavior wise, it couldn't be more far off, but it was that subconscious pull that had Kite hoping that the stranger would even consider the notion. She waited, allowing the wolf her space while she ate... and would interrupt her no more when she received an answer.

@Kite

The walk through the field to where the carcass lay was in no time at all, the female was glad to observe. Not because she was not inclined to entertain her company for long, but because her hunger was dire and the prospects of more sustainable meat set her momentarily on edge. Periodically, she would glance to the younger wolf as if in her steps she might discern the youth’s intentions. Would she race for the carcass and claim it as her own? Or would she insist on sharing the spoils? Only time upon approach would tell.

Their arrival was met with the meat lying on its side. A few holes had been picked into its hide by small scavengers, but overall its body remained intact- minus the bits eaten away by the predator before them. K’arnae was never fond of the solitary hunters; they always tended to leave most of their kill behind. Which was excellent for the lone wanderer, but none the less a waste. Fortunately, the kill would not be left to rot in the sun.

Seeing as how the scent of the predator was far from the kill, and no immediate movements had been made by the youth, the beast dropped her meager kill in favor of the larger and walked briskly to its side before plunging her muzzle into its remaining warmth. She could have sung with glee for the sweet taste of its flesh, not hot with the fresh kill, but warm enough that her stomach was satisfied. She wasted no time in tearing the tender flesh from bone, cleaving away til there was naught but strips on sinew in place of her bite. And she did not cease, not until she felt the long desired bulge of her belly and the fatigue of the frenzy drawing to a close. She dropped out of a long forgotten habit next to the kill and began running her teeth along the tip of its rib, attempting to snap open the thick bone for its marrow.

In the midst of eating, she had heard the child’s intention… her hope as well. But rather than reply to her outright, she filled her stomach first until she felt more rejuvenated to speak with the young on properly. “…tried,” she mumbled, as she felt the bone snap under her powerful jaws. “…was not desperate enough,” she continued, as if the statement would explain all of the encounter. The details of that day were negligible. What mattered was that her eye had been turned from them, and they to her.

Kite was able to agnize the slight hint of conviction in the others voice. K'arnae was the first wolf she had heard to ever speak of the Woodlands in that way. She had tried, and it was... not worth it. Wolves of its own pack could have a bias, of course... and so Kite took K'arnae's words to heart. Of course, she held Mirren's favor to the place above any others regard, so Kite knew that despite the others opinion, she would naturally be in favor of the place until something personal occurred to have her think otherwise. Kite had not watched the other eat, not wanting to be rude... but for a while she stood with her in silence, to be sure the predator that had taken the thing down would not be coming back for it.

When a sufficient time had passed and Kite could again agnize that the creature would not return, Kite looked one last time to the stranger and nodded. I hope to see you again, she admitted, And I hope your belly remains full, so that you are never desperate enough to do a thing against your will. Kite's tail waved and she turned to be on her way, though moved slow in case the other had any last words to say. Kite doubted the other would have any desire to get a word in, given her quiet nature, and so she was not too worried... Kite was simply glad to have helped and been able to bid her own adieu.

@Kite | The seed has been planted!

A resounding snap followed the young female’s kind offerings, but why it was directed to her, she could not imagine. Perhaps it was some new trait taken on by the youth; to be kind to strangers in the hopes of avoiding danger. Regardless of what it may have been, it set the wanderer on edge to be at the receiving end of it. Yet her tell was little more than a twitch of her tail as it slipped from her thighs and curled against her leg.

An umber eye turned from the bone in her grasp as her teeth severed the covering to taste the gritting marrow, noticing that rather than feast on what remained of the carcass, the youth was turning away… and heading back to the Thicket? Disturbed, the she-wolf raised her head. What wolf turned down meat when it was present? Did she not realized the struggle, how difficult it was to find a nourishing meal even in spring? In truth, the older of the two was not inclined to share without first having her own appetite sated, but there was still a great deal of meat left, especially for one so small. That she would leave it was… troubling, though her concern remained inaudible.

But then her brows once furrowed smoothed with a thought; the youth had been expecting to join the Thicket pack. Perhaps her withdrawal from the meal was with hope the pack wolves could provide something more. Not scavenged meat, but flesh taken down by their own teeth and claws. Fresh and warm and dripping with precious sanguine pearls. A better prospect, surely, but a foolish one to trust in as no reward of that like was granted without its price. She only hoped the girl needn’t suffer some indignity for the taste of better meats.

Rising, the silent beast lowered her head to the carcass and began tearing at the meat by sections. Occasionally she would look around to ensure she was alone, and the youth out of sight, while tearing sections for herself to take with her to her den. It was a scavenging practice, but one that had kept her alive for all this time. Shameful, one might call it, but it was her life for the moment to live. And she did the best she could, regardless of the rewards that would have come with a change of heart. Tearing a hefty slab of its ribs, she began her walk towards home, conversing her energy as best as possible. After all, she had more trips to take.

{End}