Spectral Woods Thief in the snow

OOC: Light snow 31 ° F, 0 ° C

The clouds had come in and now they were letting whispers of snow to drift down. Anthem eyed the sky warily. Nature could be unpredectable especially winter when storms seemed to come out of no where. He just hoped that the snow would stay like this while he was away from the pack territory, which brought him to the reason he was out here. In hopes of finding something to hunt in the woods he had come down from the mountain. A good hunter didn't keep going to the same spots all the time they floated to one spot and then to the other. That was no area was hunted in for very long. It left the prey animals feeling more secure when they didn't get hunted in areas that is until they were. 

Breath coming out in faint puffs Anthem stared at the trees before him. He was close to the spot that he and @Phyrrus had met. Curiously he tracked his way to the water spot that he had showed her. It was a good place to look for rabbits and other things that he might be able to bring back to the pack. He sighed softly as he walked. His pack was small and that suited him just fine it was the fact that he was worried it wouldn't last very long.  Some members he hadn't met had left and now there was only five, if you counted him. The stormy male stopped as he came across the spring. Nothing moved as he watched and no scent of prey was brought to his nose. Turning Anthem began to walk deeper into the forest while his thoughts touched on his pack. 

While he moved the sun peaked out from cloudy sky a brief ray of sunshine before it was swallowed again by the clouds. Anthem barely noticed but what he did notice was the faint cries of crows. His ears pricked forward before he began to move with more purpose. If there were crows there was a chance of a kill. All he would have to do was chase the hunter away long enough so that he could grab some meat to take back. a hard smile crossed his face. If only it would be that easy.

(This post was last modified: Jan 24, 2015, 04:18 AM by Anthem.)

I am the Anthem we sing,

  

My sister the Angele we follow,

     

My brother ,Nathaniel, our guide

Together we shall not stray.

Phyrrus had been exploring Red Fern more closely, achieving recognition of the snow covered hills and skeleton-like trees. Phy trudged through the thick snow until an audible crack startled her. She looked down and inspected the tiny shards of ice floating around her paw in cold water. She looked around, finding comforting knowledge in the place she was standing in. This is where Anthem showed her the stream. With a faint smile she walked on, muzzle to the ground to pick up any unwanted scents. It felt like her duty to protect Oak Tree now. She had pride in where she lived, and would fight for it on the drop of a dime. Crows screeched in the open air as they hovered over the spiny trees. Phyrrus slid to a halt, turning her head to the commotion. She sniffed the air and leaned back, her claws gripping the snow below and bristling her long hackles. The smell of spilled blood and wolf fur soaked into her thoughts. She let out a rumbling growl. Loping through the snow, she was ready to tackle any obstacles that might be thrown her way. With a menacing snarl she slid into the wolf's vision, her muscles coiled like a spring. 

(This post was last modified: Feb 14, 2015, 04:22 PM by Phyrrus.)

  

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

OOC TEXT

With his focus purely on the task he was doing he was surprised at the sudden flurry of motion in front of him and the growling voice that rang out. In a split second his whole demeanor changed his hackles raised and a snarl rolled out his throat. He lunged forward acting purely on instinct in that brief moment before his senses caught up to him and he realized that this wasn't an enemy but a friend. Pulling up short so that his attack didn't follow through he stopped mere inches from Phyrrus. His breath was coming out fast and a hard glint was in his eyes. Drawing back he paced in long strides trying to get rid of the adrenaline that had flooded through him. When his breath finally slowed and he didn't feel like he was about to snap at her he finally spoke. I was out hunting for something to bring back to the pack. He told her as he finally came to a stop. What about you Phyrrus? Why are you out here? 

The scent of pack on her fur didn't surprise him. She had offered to take him with her to Oak Tree Bend and he had declined. Now they were both in separate packs. His thoughts turned dark as he realized that there packs might not be allies but his outer expression didn't change. He hadn't been made aware of any packs that were enemies or even allies of Fallen Tree Cove so for the time being he would just have to speak carefully around other pack wolves. But then he had met Phyrrus before so whatever happened here happened. He just hoped that his brief moment of aggression wouldn't cause any issues.

I am the Anthem we sing,

  

My sister the Angele we follow,

     

My brother ,Nathaniel, our guide

Together we shall not stray.

She held her breath and closed her eyes as he scraped to a halt. After a moment of silence, she cracked open an eye. The tension was uncomfortable but she couldn't break away from his glare. She sighed in relief, letting her shoulders slump. He then took it upon himself to explain. What pack? I thought he wanted to remain a loner. She arched a brow curiously. Without thinking, she pushed her muzzle into the fur on his shoulders inhaling the scent of Fallen Tree. "Why the Cove? I didn't think pack life would be for you." She said, stepping back and allowing him to have his well deserved space. "I'm just getting comfortable with the land, gathering knowledge about where I now live." She smiled and rocked her weight from her back legs to her front.

"You say your looking for a meal? Mind if I join?" She asked politely. As of right now, company would be in her favor.

(This post was last modified: Feb 14, 2015, 04:25 PM by Phyrrus.)

  

OOC TEXT

At the raised brow that Phyrrus offered him he raised his own in return. He had don nothing wrong and it wasn't as if he had said that he would remain alone all his life, though fate often seemed to do that to him. Taking away those he loved and leaving him with a shattered heart. Her movement of coming forward to get the scent of the pack he was in had him tensing briefly before finally relaxing. He wasn't quite yet over the fact that she had startled him but he didn't make a move to stop her. As she pulled away he did give her a mildly curious look before he shook his head smiling slightly. I chose the Cove because it is in the mountains and they are always were I feel most at home. He lifted his eyes to meet hers. The stability of a pack is what I have been trying to find, but I wanted one that I felt suited me. He added the last part as an explanation for why he hadn't gone with her. Plus he was glad he hadn't Fallen Tree Cove was small but the area it was in was what held him their and the respect that he held for @Vespertio.

At her explanation he nodded in understanding. It was wise to know the area that you lived in so that you could keep an eye out. Her next words had him thinking. Glancing up at the sky he listened to the sound of the crows before looking back at Phyrrus. If you want to come that's fine. If whatever we do find is big enough we could split it between our packs. He told her before moving in the direction of the crows ruckus. He hoped that whatever they did find was large enough because if it wasn't he didn't know if was gentleman enough to let her have it for her pack, but then she had wanted to come along with him so he wasn't all that concerned.

I am the Anthem we sing,

  

My sister the Angele we follow,

     

My brother ,Nathaniel, our guide

Together we shall not stray.

She laughed and shook her head, "Such a gentleman you are!" She smiled. "All I ask is for company, and maybe a little snack after. But I'm sure Oak Tree is fine, it would be valiant and beneficial if you went home with a full meal. I assume it would be uncomfortable to explain to your alpha why half of the body was gone and riddled with scent of a female Bend member." She finished, hoping he understood. She turned around, facing the slew of crows. They flocked in numbers, crowding the thin trees. She padded forward, expecting him to follow or take lead, after all it was his find. She dipped her long nose to the snow, gathering more information about the scene. Her long legs sank into the snow to her surprise. It was drastically slowing her ability to move. With little huffs of frustration, she started to find traction on cragged ice. Finding her way out of the power, she shook her body sending mass amounts of snow into the air. Winter was her least favorite season, it was the most triggering of them all. She suffered from being in desolate places, often catching her in a state of depression. Fall was a much better time, everybody preparing and being productive- a workers heaven.

(This post was last modified: Feb 14, 2015, 04:26 PM by Phyrrus.)

  

OOC TEXT

As his companion started to laugh Anthem glanced at her ears twitching as he eyed her curiously. What had he said that could be so funny? Then she spoke and explained to him her amusement. He snorted softly denying her words as he moved forward more intently. It would probably remind him of how we met. He spoke the words with little infliction. He wasn't sure if he like to be called a gentleman or not. He wasn't anybodies hero or savior. He had spilled the blood of others he likely would again though he hoped he wouldn't have to. What he did know was that the night Vespertio and the stormy male had met it had been a night of heartbreak for him. Letting out all the pain he had before feeling numb once more. 

At the crowding crows Anthem walked forward more carefully to were they congregated on the ground. His nose scrunched up at the scent of cougar and his hackles rose. The noisy birds were distracting him and letting out a sharp bark he took a quick move forward at the same time. It was enough to scare the crows into the trees but not enough to scare them away completely. Silently he stared at the prone form in the snow before letting out a soft sigh. The body of a cougar lay in the disturbed snow. It's fur was shredded and in spots bone should through. It was obviously malnourished and in places frostbite was evident. 

Anthem had no use for the remains other than to use it as a reminder that some weren't as lucky in winter. He remained silent wondering if he should go back to the pack empty handed or continue his search for meat. Pondering in silence he watched as one brave crow returned to land once more on the remains to stare at the two wolves before it.

I am the Anthem we sing,

  

My sister the Angele we follow,

     

My brother ,Nathaniel, our guide

Together we shall not stray.

She pondered about his remark, trying to place what he meant. She didn't know if he was talking about her or his alpha. With an slight shrug, she turned away. After climbing up and out of the snow, she busied shaking the powder off of her silky pelt. The snow was shockingly cold and seeped through her fur like water. With low grumbles of distasteful language she peered up. To Phy's surprise, the stoney man was bristling with frustration. She stepped forward to where he stood, inspecting the scene for herself. A snow crusted feline was propped against ice and rocks. With a displeased frown, she added her notion. "Well shit. Frostbite?" She asked with a hefty sigh. She had encountered many cougars in her years, never to this size and age. It was quite a beauty, and the death of such a graceful craft was sickening. She aimed her vision to the ground, clearing her throat in discomfort. "If you'd like, we can make haste to find other prey." She said, still keeping her dijon optics at her paws. 

(This post was last modified: Feb 14, 2015, 04:28 PM by Phyrrus.)

  

OOC TEXT

Silently Anthem waited as his companion meandered up and saw what he was looking at. Frostbite was something every creature had to be wary of. It froze the skin, stopped the blood's circulation, and killed the area it was affecting unless treated. Anthem had not experienced it at all but he had seen its effects and heard that about the fact that you lost feeling in the area it was in. At Phyrrus's comment he nodded in agreement. It could be nothing but frostbite. 

Anthem glanced at Phyrrus when she cleared her throat, her discomfort obvious to him. Did the dead cat bother her? He looked back at its mangled form and the scars that he wore on his shoulder gave a small twitch of pain. This cat was like the one that had nearly killed his cousin and in protecting him Anthem had gotten hurt. It was a good thing that the others had heard what was going on and had come to help them kill the deadly feline.

Letting out a small huff of frosty air Anthem spoke. I think that we should do that I don't want to go back empty handed. As he spoke he began to walk forward and away from the carcass and the crows that were begging to flock once more to it. The farther he got the faster he began to move until he was at a steady lope. He was going north maybe with the lack of wolves in that direction there would be more game available to them. That's what he hoped anyway.

I am the Anthem we sing,

  

My sister the Angele we follow,

     

My brother ,Nathaniel, our guide

Together we shall not stray.