Secret Woodlands far off places

anyone is welcome in this! i figure since the other event is for the whole pack and is still going on, we could make a couple of individual fast-paced threads revolving around sw's newest RE, food caches are running low! Looking for 1-2 others in this one :D

Kite closely monitored the caches. As a prospective scout (she had every intention of becoming one), Kite knew it best to scout their own lands as well as the outside ones. She combed every piece of the Woodlands and noted as of late that more and more food was coming from the caches as opposed to going to them. This made sense; Nina had just given birth to the Woodlands future, and so when she could not hunt or others could not hunt for her, food would need to be delivered. The caches were not low enough to truly be concerned, but certainly low enough for her to fret. It, in her young age, was honestly an easy feat. Kite wanted to help. And so help she would!

The yearling sniffed at the ground, and then sampled the air, before determining her course of action. There would need to be a small hunt to fix this matter, and perhaps wolves hunting smaller prey just to keep the cache from coming empty would be useful, too. Kite was no leader—yet—but she had been born of them, and taught that it was always best to be safe as opposed to sorry. Kite would not let the Woodlands be sorry on her watch; she would do everything in her power to keep them safe. And so the girl loosed a howl, summoning any of her pack-mates in the area. No need to rush, the call said, but come if you are free!

huh, Io's bein' a little nicer today...
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A howl carried across the thicket.

Iopah's head lifted sharply, turning away from the border, to focus on it. Around her the forest was cast in an amber sheen as the sun began to set. The voice was unfamiliar. Certainly they must be a pack mate, a lone wolf would not walk to the heart of their territory, then call out for someone to catch them. Still, it was unsettling to not have a scent to pair with it, and her lips curled back for a second. She turned back to watch the sun drop farther for a second. She had intended to meet some of these new-comers, this was a good a time as any. Lifting her own muzzle toward the sky, she called back strongly, letting them know that she was coming.

She was regaining some of the weight she had lost over the winter, but still moved through the thicket with sure grace. Her pads had thickened to ward off the thorns, and she could easily avoid the vines that had once tripped her up. In two years the impossible had happened. The mountain-loving wolf had thoroughly adapted to the close confines of the thickets. She still missed the strong gusts that seemed to run right up the side of a cliff, but a day spent in the nearby fields usually fulfilled that nostalgia.

The call was not urgent, but still, she made good time. Coming into sight of a young female, Iopah slowed, looking her up and down. Now that she was closer and the pack scent reassured her, there was no aggression in her approach, merely a slight lifting of her tail. Iopah liked order, disorganized wolves did not work well together. Her show of dominance was not meant to intimidate, simply to establish that organization of rank. She spared a glance around, then turned to Kite with a slight tilt of her head. She could see nothing terribly amiss. "You called?" She inquired.

:D Yay! Glad you joined as well, thanks <3

The howl of another excited Kite. It was not a wolf Kite knew, but she would... soon. It was time to establish her residency here and make good of it. She would not be an idle member. Kite would make it a point to do right by the Woodlands, and aside from Mirren no one really knew her here. Rayne too she supposed, but even he didn't know her all that well. Thinking of him, Kite recalled she would need to check up on Rayne. The Tainn hoped he was well...

Sooner than later, the other arrived. Kite noted her posture and although she herself desired to ascend in the ranks, Kite felt no urge to challenge the wolf before her—not at the time—and so she responded as was expected. Her own tail idly twitched between her hocks, low and respectful, her head dipping in both respect and greeting. The other was of the same proportions as she, really, and carried a lovely coat of cream and brown.

And then she spoke. Kite's eyes moved from the others feet to her forehead, not once even attempting to breach protocol and meet her eyes, knowing the challenge that would present. Hey, yeah, I'm Kite. It's nothing too major but I thought I'd bring it to light before it ever became that way. The caches are running a bit low... Kite pauses, peering over her shoulder. I could probably work on filling them up again myself, but I think teamwork would be best. That, and I had wanted to meet another Woodland wolf, a quiet, nervous laugh escaped her—heh—and the wordy Kite had reported her findings without missing a beat.

@Kite
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Iopah blinked at the volley that was volunteered to her question, letting her jaws part in surprise. That was not what she was expecting out of this demure young wolf. Her respectful demeanor jarred with the excited words that tumbled from her mouth. After the words stopped, Iopah continued to watch her, halfway expecting her to start back up again. Then, when she was confident Kite had finished she watched her for a few more moments, not sure what she thought of this effervescent wolf.

Her lips curled up and she gave a head-shaking snort of laughter. When her head came back up her gold eyes were bright with amusement. Who was she to judge? As far as Iopah was concerned, if Kite was honest and wanted to hunt, then she could communicate however she wanted to. The words Kite spoke made up for the ones that Iopah didn't. They balanced each other out. "Well," she said, "now we've met. I'm Iopah."

And Iopah had noticed the same thing with the cache. Compared to the winter that just ended, for there to be anything in the cache was a blessing in itself. It was not as much of a concern to Iopah. She knew Nina was eating well, bringing her meat directly and not bothering with the cache. Mirren was doing the same thing, she knew. And from their scents Iopah could tell everyone else was healthy, and old enough, to catch a meal for themselves. However, Iopah was not going to say any of this and it did not dampen her enthusiasm for Kite's suggestion. Iopah was the last surviving member of a pack that had virtually starved to death, though, she was blissfully oblivious of her family's demise.

"Let's see what we can find then...." With no more preamble she turned and set off into the forest, flicking her tail lightly and turning her head over her shoulders to make sure Kite was beside her.
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If I don't set off a random 'Hunt Opportunity', you're welcome to make up something for them to hunt/find :)

(This post was last modified: Jul 10, 2014, 03:46 PM by Iopah.)

SORRY I FAIL Dx You too have whatever creative freedom you desire <3<3! If you wanna have them happen upon whatever made the sound, that's fine :D

The others pleasant reaction made Kite quite literally beam. The wolf was all too eager to befriend the wolves of her pack, ready to call them family as she had with the Plains wolves. Those of the Plains were her blood, but Kite knew that did not really matter at the end of the day. This pack would become her family, now. Aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, ...and hell, she'd found a husband here, too. Kite was more than excited for that. She'd settle for friend first, of course... but in the long-run, it would all change. Happy to have met you! And at the others acceptance of her words, Kite nodded. Alright.

Kite walked beside the other woman, listening carefully. Although she had a penchant for making conversation, for now she was quiet knowing the task at hand was an important one and required both their attentions to be on said task. She did not know if there was large game in the immediate vicinity, but even a couple of large hares would do until they could find a herd to bring down. As long as Nina had everything they could get available to her. A crack of wood in the distance caused Kite's ears to swivel in that direction, and she glances to Iopah. The other woman was wise to the prey in the area, and would know better than she at this point in time if that sound was worth scouting. The wind betrayed nothing by way of scent, and the young wolf is willing to move with Iopah.

Their route took them along a winding prey trail, leaving behind the paths the wolves used. From heavily scented and worn by dozens of powerful feet to a thin ribbon of disturbed foliage. Pushed-aside ferns and nibbled wild grape vines, leading randomly through the thicket. The trail was not intended for wolf, as slight as the two woman were, at times they had to duck to pass unimpeded. There was no wind, but the way was peppered with the scent of woodchuck and the occasional mule deer.

Despite their quietness, both were busily processing the thicket around them. alert to a fresh track in the soft earth, a scent carried on the weak breeze, or tell-tale animal call. At this time of evening mule deer does beckoned to their hidden fawns with a low-pitched grunt. Anything could come to them and they would be ready to react.

They heard the snap of wood simultaneously. Iopah's entire body tensed, pointed in that direction as if by a magnet. There was no further sound and she remained frozen, though her nostrils worked furiously to bring in a clue. Nothing. The lack of information made her lips pull back, frustrated. She remained still, working through the possibilities as Kite waited behind her. Hares were too small to have made that much noise. Mule deer was most likely, though it could be a large woodchuck. Iopah has certainly caught more than her share of them in the thicket.

And, of course, there was the possibility that it was one of them. A fellow wolf. There were three rambunctious male pups living in the thicket after all. Every day they explored further from the den, much to Iopah's pride... and chagrin. She still owed Unitas that promise.

She weighed all those factors, adding everything up to a decision. She lowered her head, finding swiftly, then indicating a disintegrating mule deer track. She made no noise, in the close thicket sound carried easily, but made a show of pressing her black nose into the tracks. When her gaze lifted it came to rest on Kite, waiting for the understanding to dawn. She slunk from the thicket, flicking her tail sharply for Kite to follow. Now they made even less noise. Four pairs of pads, carefully placed and widely splayed. Keeping from towering oaks, wary of spent and crinkly leaves. Creme and tawny separating into two figures stealing toward the source of the sound. Iopah thrilled at the ease they traveled together with, needing to say nothing and still be rewarded with complete understanding. They were cut from the same cloth. Two misplaced Plains wolves.

Finally the breeze brought what she was waiting for. Mule deer. Her feet stopped, and she turned to Kite, eager to press forward but insisting on making sure Kite had caught the same scent. She had seen too many hunts go bad. Wolves that hurried forward without their partners, or didn't catch the scent until it was much too late. Iopah had come too far to see history repeat itself. As soon as Kite communicated her awareness they would continue.

(This post was last modified: Aug 11, 2014, 01:18 AM by Iopah.)

A lynx has left behind the remains of a deer. +5 Health

Kite trotted after Iopah, not lagging behind but moving near-beside the woman. Iopah was her leader still, though, and Kite respected that. The two covered any ground that they could in the area they traveled, sniffing each tree and prodding every rock with lichen upon it. They sought evidence of life, though after the Winter life could be hard to find. At least, the sort they were looking for. The sort that would give the pack some true sustenance...

Iopah had caught the same sound she had. Kite was glad for this. The mind could play some cruel tricks, but now was not the time for such games to be played. As Iopah moved to the earth, Kite lifted her muzzle slightly and parted her jowls to taste the wind that came in. The sound of rustling distracted her, and Kite looked to see Iopah press her muzzle into the earth in an exaggerated gesture that Kite could understand. As Iopah moved forward, Kite did the same, her keen eyes flashing hungrily. As Iopah looked back, Kite caught onto the same scent her elder had. Kite surveyed the land immediately ahead, and then looked to Iopah and nodded. By the smell of it, they were not too far away; hopefully they could come upon the animals before one could fink to their authority figure and move. But they now had the advantage.

Kite moved beside Iopah then, a serious look upon her face despite the excitement she undoubtedly held. Something inside of her told her that she and Iopah would make a great team, and she was eager to work with the woman. Two misplaced Plains wolves. Well, they had found one another. And together they could truly find their place. A single ear twitched, waiting for the gesture, the word, that they would continue.

@Kite

Now was a time of waiting. Head angled and gazing over her shoulder to watch Kite. She didn't move during this vigil, unwilling to miss a gesture from her that would allow them to continue. It almost hurt to stay still, to hold back and simply wait. Iopah had already caught the scent and, even though she wasn't hungry, the readiness to hunt was strumming through her. A mixture of that anticipation and her own natural intensity made her gaze sharp. Solid gold eyes did not waver from Kite's face.

Finally the other's head turned away suddenly and Iopah's ears fanned forward attentively. She watched Kite glance about, but her gaze did not turn to follow her companion's. The silent vigil was broken at Kite's nod. She blinked away the sharp expectancy, and her lips drew back in a grin.

When she stepped forward Kite was close by. Aside from the distinct scent there was no other trace of their quarry. A few minutes slipped by in a silence marred only by the soft brushing of their limbs. The scent grew and split into multiple animals. Iopah's ears flicked back in consideration. The thicket was thick and dense up ahead. In such a small hunting party, their similarity was a slight disadvantage. Neither of the women were large wolves. They were meant for chasing, winnowing out the weakened, and guiding them toward a large waiting wolf. But they had no such brute, it was just them. She drifted closer to Kite, near enough for pale fur to brush against tawny.

Her head curved around to murmur between them. She breathed, "Close, quiet", trusting the other to understand. Any second now the deer would come into sight. It only made sense to separate if they were going to drive them in a particular direction. There was no hidden wolf, so the direction this chase took was irrelevant.

I was thinking 2-3 deer, you can invent the slow/weak/stupid one for them to chase :)

Kite felt Iopah drag against her. Her tail whipped left and right and Kite moved forward, shoulders rolling and eyes keen. The warm breath of Iopah could be felt by the suddenly catlike Kite, whose eyes did not waver from their path. Hot breath was expelled from her nostrils in a speechless retort, yes. The lightweight Kite was eager to see their prey, and suddenly, suddenly!, there they were—

Three. Two does, one fawn between them. They, already, were looking in their direction; Kite imagined they had been for a while. Even through their silence, the senses of deer could be quite keen, and at one point the wind had been in their preys favor. Kite stalked no more. Her muscles coiled and she lurched forward even as they turned to run. The young one would lag... but her eye spotted something much more of use—an injury upon its back right leg. Likely one of their own tried to hunt it, but perhaps the two does they would be up against were formidable protectors.

Kite was glad for the fawn. They likely would have had a difficult time of bringing down a full-grown doe, and while it would not be impossible for them it would be a long, arduous task of heel-biting and leg pulling. Together their weight could be substantial, but independently the duo were made for the chase, not the kill. The injured fawn made the odds in their favor. Still, Kite was ambitious. A doe would do more for the pack...

Kite did not look to Iopah, but a sharp bark asked but one question: Who.