Ghastly Woods dirty paws

Hollowheart Keep, your food caches are running low!
Partly Cloudy/Late Morning — 54° F/12° C

In my heart I just know that there's no way

the Guardian Chulyin

to light up the dark in his eyes.

For the first time in about a week, Chulyin had slept normally. When the sun went down, he'd slinked into the den, his eyelids particularly heavy. He couldn't even remember lying down when he opened his eyes to see faint sunlight. Admittedly, at first he'd felt a mild panic that he'd slept through the night. After having picked up a rough nightly routine, he feared something bad could've happened, but when he left the den, everything seemed be in tip-top shape. He let the air out of his lungs and felt...Pleasant. Sleeplessness did not typically make him irritable, but there was something oddly satisfying about sleeping through the night and finding that the pack had not crumbled around his paws. He headed towards the caches, poking his nose into the stores only to find that they were...Dangerously low. His heart skipped a beat and the man scowled. He supposed he deserved this for assuming that everything was in working order. Perhaps if he'd spared himself less sleep, there might've been more food since he would have checked at some point...Certainly.

Ah well. What was done was done, he supposed, and now all he could do was restock it. As he headed away from the densite, he sounded a howl, announcing a hunt should anyone want to join him before he got too far from the Keep. Heading due west, he knew of a small clearing separating the Cherry Orchard from the Wood, and the closer he got to it, the strong the scent of prey on the wind. Good. Perhaps if his call was heeded, they might find success.

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Like his counterpart, Couth had slept particularly well. He had no problems with restlessness, in fact there were days when he would venture to his den just before the sun began to set and settle comfortably until the cool air rocked him to sleep. This morning was no different and he awoke with a start, feeling himself well rested and his energy mostly restored, it was a wonderful feeling though he had done very little since his venture during a freak storm to search for herbs. He cursed his laziness and lack of direction as every expedition had led him back home in some way or another, he assumed that since that day he had set no foot outside of Hollowheart border and it bothered him. He needed to get on his duty, and being the only medic made it more prominent that he shape up and get his act together; the pack heavily relied on his skills.

Slipping from his den, he felt the warmth of the sun's rays on his back as he headed for another attempt toward the neighboring lands, he needed to restock what little he had found thus far and with the sun shining bright, he had plenty of light to guide him along the way. As he walked birds chirped and bees zoomed by, it was a pleasant morning that could warrant little bad news, that is until he heard the howl of the second, Chulyin, and stopped in his stride. He wanted to fill the caches, an honest duty, and sought a pack hunt that could sustain the caches with draining meat, and after contemplating the importance of his herbs and the duty he held at upholding his keep, he walked in the direction in which Chulyin's howl came; he could venture off later.

When he entered the scene it was but two wolves in attendance, including himself, and he nodded his head with greeting to the darker male having finally put a face to the howl before he spoke, "What prey did you have in mind?" he wandered aloud, noting the other's imposing figure and his scrawny physique--it would take a lot more muscle to bring anything down if they were the only hunters.

Busy busy busy. With Naira and Mapplethorpe focused on caring for their young, Sagacity and Chulyin had taken on the responsibility of maintaining the borders and keeping order within the pack's boundaries. Not that it was terribly difficult to do so- their pack was still small and close-knit, and she highly doubted anyone would dare step out of line. She'd become somewhat distant and quiet, colder. She had found herself quite disappointed by others too much, and associated only with a select few. She felt cooped up and strangled, being unable to fulfill her duty as a scout as she was needed more within the pack. But with the food supply running low, she felt the urge to strike out and explore, to see where they might find more prey.

Fortunately, Chulyin had the same sort of mindset. She was relieved, at least, that she could count on him; he was responsible and dutiful, and level-headed. He wasn't too proud or bold, but took his rank and job seriously. When the call came for a hunt, she found herself somewhat pleased, finally, and moved forth to join him. She caught Couth's scent and for the first time in a while, didn't bring a scowl to her face. Time had passed, and she'd more or les forgiven him for being such a birdbrain. He was keeping busy, after all, with his herb caches, and being useful was always a good thing in Sagacity's books.

When she joined the males she moved past Couth, brushing her shoulder along his as a sort of greeting as she moved directly toward Chulyin, greeting him with a much more fond growl and nudge to his cheek. He was reliable; she needed more of that in her life. She said nothing but began scenting the wind; whatever they could track down would suffice, in her opinion.

There are several fresh rabbit tracks in the snow. Hunt Opportunity

Sunshine beckoned the wolves of the Keep with a pleasant urgency. The Arctic wolf still felt as though every morning would be as dark and cold as those of the winter had been and to be greeted on her first eye's opening with such a golden sight was more than enough encouragement she needed to get up. Exactly how she would carpe diem was something she usually pondered over before rising, but a lavish stretch in spring shine took priority today. Quick contemplated that morning's work, wondering if she ought to sniff around the den of the Queen and see if there were any requests. Before she could even hasten to her four paws Chulyin's howl beckoned from beyond their borders. The temptation of a hunt was too strong to resist; off she went.

Along the way she encountered the additional scents of Couth and Sagacity. It quickened her pace. Four wolves could take down larger prey than three or two. Plenty of meals were out there grazing in the grass - and they could take their pick with these numbers. The tangled wood began to separate as the gathered Keep wolves appeared. Pace slowing gradually she approached her pack mates, offering a swing of her tail and a low woof of greeting. The smell of prey fresh and close was tantalizing, each breath invigorating her fervor and with it her itch to hunt grew as well. Forcing patience, she allowed her silver gaze to flicker toward Chulyin for instruction.

The howl reached the sable wolfess while she was heading in the opposite direction, intent on straying on her own, yet again , out into the Ghastly Woods, to make sure no strangers loomed too close to the borders. However the demand of a superior turned her instantly, and she sprinted towards the origin of the call, enjoying the feeling of strength in her legs as she ran though the forest.


It took some time for her to cross the lands, and she noted the scents of several others as she closed in, Sagacity included; Superb... But her presence, along with that of the other two, meant that they could go for large prey, insuring that the entire pack could be fed; provided they succeed. With the newly arrived pups, plentiful food was more vital than ever, luckily there were a lot more options now than there had been in winter; It'll be nice to have a real hunt again! While rabbits and other small prey offered plenty exercise, nothing could ever beat the thrill of a large hunt with the pack.


When she came close, the round lassie slowed to a trot, stepping out among her pack mates with an air of pleasant peace, these were her family, her closest ties and she enjoyed being with them. Nodding formally to the healer and the white-pelted fae, a tiny smile shaping her mouth, she stepped past the two to mark her presence with the two seconds. She stopped next to them, lowering her head and shoulders in a submissive greeting, and waited for them to give their orders, her body tinkling slightly in anticipation; Let's hunt!


Word count: 275

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no time limit just post asap once everyone posts, i'll move on again. (if you still want to join in, feel free to)

In my heart I just know that there's no way

the Guardian Chulyin

to light up the dark in his eyes.

As the clearing came into view, he paused, still quite a few meters away. Thankfully, his scent was being carried away from whatever waited for him beyond. Shadows moved about in the sunlight in the clearing, grazing peacefully. Taking in a large lung full of air, he could tell what waited beyond. Mule deer. And because they were in spring now, nearly summer, there would be young ones. If they could get two children, or perhaps even a mother and child, they would be set. As he waited, praying that his packmates might come to his aid, he planned out a hunting plan. The male, Couth, arrived first, and without a word, Chuylin answered his question, gazing straight ahead at the deer through the trees. Of course, they still weren't immediately visible, but certainly he would smell them. If it was just him and Couth, however, they might have to look for something a bit smaller. "Keep your voice down." The man grumbled.

Thankfully, Sagacity arrived next, and he was a bit startled at her hello, but accepted it nonetheless. Quick was next, and then Evann. They were a good team now. Five wolves should have no problem taking down one, maybe two deer. Without a word, Chulyin prowled forward, wanting to get close enough to see what they were facing. He finally stopped, hardly a yard or two from the clearing. Gazing through the brush, he could easily see a buck and a few does. But beyond them were the children, protected somewhat by their mothers. Eyeing the rack on the male, he let out another sigh. "Quick, Evann, Couth, chase the buck towards Sagacity and I. We'll be waiting here. Watch yourselves, but don't be afraid to chew him up on the way over." He would have preferred to go after the females, but bigger was always better. Besides, why not save a few youngings for adulthood? More food later.

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Quietly, they were joined by two more of the pack's females- Quicksilver and Evann. Sagacity's feelings toward Evann were that she was more or less still on probation. She was becoming healthier, and obviously trying to be more useful to the pack, so she could still prove herself. Still, Sagacity liked to have a scapegoat that she could hate on, and Evann had stepped into that role quite easily soon after she'd joined the pack. Quicksilver was given a slight nod, but little more than that. She didn't know the woman very well, nor had she given that much attention to the fact that she and Chulyin had been spending a lot of time together. She simply didn't care.

Her senses were sharpened by the scent of deer close by, and she moved forward to look, ears flattened against her head. Chulyin targeted a buck and earned a quick glance from Sagacity, who felt they might be pushing their luck, simply because she didn't have a great deal of faith in Couth's hunting abilities, she didn't like Evann and didn't know Quicksilver. But time was growing short and she knew better than to argue at a time like this when any time she took to question Chulyin would lose them this hunting opportunity.

Wordlessly, she moved, body held low to the ground, to position herself favourably so that she and Chulyin could spring up and ambush the buck once it was headed in their direction. This wasn't a role she was used to- she was much more accustomed to being one who chased and herded a deer in the direction of stronger wolves, but at a time like this, with wolves whose abilities she didn't know, she supposed she had to be one of those wolves.

In silence she greeted the fifth member with a raise of her chin. She recognized all of 'em, but hadn't made the effort to really know anyone personally. In the beginning she had not cared much, but was now wondering if it was actually a fault. They were all she had, really... well. What better way to get to know a wolf than a hunt?

Quick browsed their selection, but was less surprised about Chulyin's choice than she was excited. To wrangle a buck would be a fight, and the Arctic wolf was more than ready for one. Given the duty to chase she refrained from grinning. Though either role suited her, the clearing enticed her to run and so she was pleased to chase today. There was nothing she would rather do in the morning than stretch out her legs and get a hot, fresh meal right after. Reeling in her enthusiasm she turned toward the other two designated to run. "Mind your teeth," she murmured, setting her silver gaze upon Couth and Evann. Hopefully they did not need to be reminded of it, but with young so close the mule males would not refrain from violence to protect their blood.

Sagacity and Chulyin moved away to a fortunate position where they could ensnare the buck. Quick too rounded the clearing but in the opposite direction, trying to get behind the buck. There was, however, the problem of the mothers and their children. If that buck made it in to the herd they could easily lose him and any other chance at a meal today. Slowing her step she once again addressed Evann and Couth. "One of you get between the buck and the herd to separate him from his safety net," she suggested, mostly because she didn't want to do it herself.

Whether or not they heeded her word she did not care. The buck lifted his head. If he was about to catch them on the wind, they would lose their chance in moments, so instead of arguing the role further she shot from the shadows of trees and into the clearing. Jaws wide and nimble on her feet the female snapped at the buck's retreating flank to manipulate him toward Chulyin and Sagacity.

She followed silently as the group began moving, watching Chulyin as he let them closer to the clearing. Keeping her body lowered, ears forward to listen for any orders, the brown woman breathed deeply through her nose, filling it with the scent of prey. As they came to a halt, she followed the black man's eyes and feel a small tinkle run down her spine at the sight of the deer. After observing for a moment, the dark second gave his directions, and Evann nodded once in understanding, turning to take the others circling in the opposite direction around the herd.


The white female spoke, her warning unnecessary, and the dark-mottled girl simply blinked of the eyes to acknowledge that she had heard it. They moved in silence until reaching a suitable point to charge from, and Evann's eyes, never having strayed from the buck while they walked, quickly surveyed the flock and then turned to the others. She was ready to give directions when the pale female, Quick..? Spoke up again. Once more her advice was sound, and Evann had already planned to take that position, but the way it was delivered, like an order, made the superior wolfess twitch; You're not in charge here!


Evann's lips pulled back from her teeth in a silent snarl, her hackles rising. She sent Quick a sharp look, but then turned her attention back to their prey; now was not the time to bicker about rank, they had more important things to do, but her posture clearly showed her displeasure as she rose, tail raised high behind her.


And then they were off, shooting from their hide like bullets from a gun. Strong legs carried the brown lass over the grass, running in a small arc to flank the beast and drive him towards Chulyin and Sagacity. While Quicksilver went more straight or the buck, Evann's route let her in between the beast and his herd, singling him out; Hopefully! She pushed herself as fast as she could to reach the far shoulder, where her snapping jaws would force the animal to turn.


Word count: 351

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