Secluded Spring Closing In On Autumn

Set on 8/31/15.
@Kenelm

The morning air was cool, but the springs remained warm. The woman awakes, her lids fluttering before she releases an unhappy groan. Another day. Her lip curls in a slight snarl at the cold air. Shifting here and there, she finally decides to stand after a few minutes. Upon standing on her feet, she shakes her coat out, dew from the grasses flying off her pelt. Pharika leans forward, stretching and yawning. Her chestnut eyes fall upon the waters. Wafts of fog linger over the water like an omnipotent presence. Face stoic, the dark woman drags herself forward. She never was much of a morning person.

As she stands at the edge of the water, she can feel the temperature difference. Her skin prickles as she teeters over the side. Gazing briefly at her own reflection, her mind begins to beckon her back to sleep. Huffing, she wades into the water. Should wake me up... Pharika thinks, the warmth now surrounding her limbs. Her eyes close and she stands stone-still. The birds had just begun singing their morning songs; they seemed to be more enthusiastic about the morning than she. As soon as she began to relax, a small splash makes her left ear swivel. Her eyes open and she peers toward the sound. Turning her body now, she curiously takes a few steps in the direction. Nothing. "Hmph. Whatever." After saying this, a fox springs from the grasses on the edge of the water. Pharika releases a startled growl, the hackles on her neck rising.

"Get the hell out of here, you rat." Her eyes narrow as she watches the fox skedaddle off toward the treeline. The woman watches, her eyes widening as she catches a glimpse of another fox waiting for it. Perhaps the one was testing to see if the area was safe. Raising her tail, Pharika steps out of the water, glaring at the foxes. Their slender faces stare blankly at her before they turn, slinking away to find another water source. Odd. She'd never really seen many foxes before, especially not together.

(This post was last modified: Sep 26, 2015, 11:33 PM by Sahalie. Edit Reason: removed extra spaces ;) )

ooc: Can we move the date to 8/31? I wasn't very clear about what days he was where... ><

---

Kenelm gave himself a hard shake as he continued south. No scent trail led him on, now, nor any paw prints or bits of lost fur. He didn't expect any, not right away at least. If her trail had vanished at the fjord, it didn't make a lick of sense for it to suddenly, magically reappear just because he might have picked the right direction - and he was relatively certain he had. Calanthe wouldn't have gone towards those highly flammable pines to the west, not so soon after the fire. He knew his sister. He knew she would shy away from anything that reminded her too much of their home. The wood he was in now felt cooler, calmer by comparison. The birdsong here seemed muted by the foliage, though it was still lovely to listen to so early in the morning. Again he began to hear the sound of water, and although his raw throat would be grateful for the relief of another chance to drink fresh water, Kenelm felt his muzzle twist for a moment in disdain. This was why he had lost his sister's scent: There was too much water around here. How did anyone find anything in this place when they couldn't walk for more than a day before finding yet another stream or fall or pond or lake? The sound of a growl made him freeze in his tracks, though it sounded as though the source lay before him. The barely present breeze filtering through the trees blew against his side, clearly not in the appropriate direction to carry the scent of whoever had announced themselves - hopefully this meant the reverse was true, as well. A pair of foxes slunk away from the sound, bodies low in agitation. Kenelm braced himself to fend them off, but fortunately they ignored him and continued on until they were out of sight. Good; he would have hated to scrap with those two weasel-dogs with another wolf nearby as well. Kenelm gave himself a shake, then carefully continued onward, towards the sound of water and the source of the growl. A woman stood in the water, her fur black with whitish peppering along her underbelly, legs, and face. She didn't seem terribly hostile, at least not towards Kenelm, for the moment. Her growl must have been to chase away those foxes; he could hardly hold that against her. “Good morning,” he called, keeping his voice cheerful as he moved a little closer. His tail and head he kept at a neutral level, although he allowed his tail to wag just a bit to further display to the woman that he wasn't a threat. After facing down a pair of foxes, he wouldn't be surprised if she was a little frayed.

With ash on the wind, I move forward...

Let's Cause Some Chaos

Sure thing :) Changed to 8/31!

Pharika's eyes fall upon the figures of minnows after returning to the water. She watches them in silence, her mind still pondering about the foxes. A voice interrupts her thinking. Turning slowly, her attention is now upon a male wolf. His coat consisted of lighter hues than her; he seemed like he came from the fog. Raising a brow, the dark woman tilts her head. "Well, good morning to you, as well." Silently she observes his stance- he seemed to want to come off as friendly. Pharika's tail remains lowered and still as she wades out of the water to get closer to the man.

"Glad to see someone is more of a morning wolf than myself." Her voice teased, a smirk tugging at the right side of her muzzle. Her chestnut eyes glow with curiosity. "It seems I cannot escape these springs." A grunt escapes her throat; it was out of amusement. The warmth of the water kept beckoning her, and she could not deny the heeding of it and the mysterious fog that lingered over it. Pharika's neck pulls to the right slightly as she looks past the man before her. She was looking for the foxes. It had seemed they disappeared for good.

"I'm assuming it was the foxes that gave me away, yes?" She did growl at them, after all. The unwanted attention she had gained didn't irk her too much. Interaction was going to occur, and she couldn't be anti-social forever. Her limbs chill as she stands. Rika wanted to return to the water, but she had to decipher the wolf before her first.

(This post was last modified: Sep 26, 2015, 11:33 PM by Sahalie. Edit Reason: removed extra space ;) )

There is a deer that was killed by a lynx nearby. +10 Health

Kenelm grinned and dipped his head with a quiet chuckle at the woman's commentary. “I've always been a bit of an early riser,” he admitted easily. “I suppose old habits are rather hard to break.” He sat down, figuring he was quite close enough for the moment, and nodded at the woman's next question. “The fact that they were running away from the water did strike me as a bit odd,” he admitted amiably. “I'm just glad you scared them off before they decided to scrap with you over the water.” The woman seemed visibly chilled as she stood up out of the water. Ah; the spring must be warmer than the morning air surrounding them. Kenelm hadn't noticed the change in temperatures much as he had travelled; all he knew was that everything was cooler and more humid than it had been the day the fire came, and that was good enough for him. If it flooded any time soon, he would tread the waters and be grateful that they made everything so much less flammable. He dipped his head again, this time as a show of courtesy as he said, “I should introduce myself. My name is Kenelm; I'm travelling through here from lands farther to the east.” That was enough information to start with, for the moment; he could ask her for any information she might have once he knew whether or not she could be trusted with the reason behind his travels. Instead his most diplomatic smile came back into play as he asked, “May I ask for your name?”

With ash on the wind, I move forward...

Let's Cause Some Chaos

Pharika grows more at ease when the male seats himself. Both his actions and words gave off quite the friendly vibe. Even though he seemed so laid back, Pharika couldn't help but still remain a little on edge. She had difficulty fully relaxing around any wolf until she knew she could trust them. Nodding her head, she allows a meek grin to come upon her face. "I'm Pharika." After a short pause, she speaks again "It's nice to meet you."

Her mind strains to come up with more conversation. Stop being such an ass, she thinks, almost physically narrowing her eyes at herself. Oh, it was a pain not being very social. "Is there something you seek?" She asks, unknowing about his sister that he was intently seeking. "A pack, perhaps? I, for one, am sick of travel. I'm worn."

She goes to part her jaws and speak again, but a scent in the air makes her pause. It tickles her nostrils; sticks to her palette. She turns her head in interest; what was it? Food, that's what it was. Pharika felt her stomach groan, reminding her that she was in fact quite hungry. Her chestnut eyes look to Kenelm; she hesitated as to what she'd do next. The next breeze that blows through her ravenous coat confirms the specific critter that she hadn't had since the beginning of her
travels- deer.

"Smell that?" She questions, her gaze held steady on the man before her. Her anxiety over wanting to get to the food almost slips her up on the other scent mingled  with the deer. Her body turns toward the odor, and she lifts her head, scenting the air diligently. It wasn't of a canine, no... it was the opposite. Some sort of feline. Having picked up and honed in on the distinct odor, the woman's muzzle wrinkles in disgust. She looks over to Kenelm to see if he'd picked up the same scent.

“Pharika.” It was an odd name, but not as odd as, say, Naberius. By comparison, Pharika was a name that might well have been encountered in Spirit's Gambol, had enough time passed. Kenelm hid those thoughts behind his smile as he started to answer her next question: “Not a pack, no. I'm actually--” He caught the scent nearly at the same time as Pharika did, and his head swivelled in its direction, mirroring his current companion's reaction. That was a deer carcass - the scent of blood laced the heavier smells of its hide - but the other scent that travelled with it gave him pause. That was a feline scent, but it wasn't like the mountain lions he had encountered in his travels so far. This one was different enough that it threw him off and made him wary of approaching the kill site - though Pharika didn't quite seem to share his reservations. “I smell deer meat and some sort of cat,” he answered, taking a step towards the scent. “It's not a cat I've encountered before, though - which is arguably a good thing, because the only ones I've ever had the displeasure of coming across were mountain lions. Nasty brutes.” He shook his head, then turned to Pharika again and said, “What do you think? Should we go see if there's an easy meal to be had?” There were, after all, two of them - and Kenelm wasn't one to turn down the chance at free food, not unless there was a very good reason to move along.

With ash on the wind, I move forward...

Let's Cause Some Chaos

ooc; Little bit of PP to get it moving, if that's ok! :)

Pharika shakes her head slowly. "This is no mountain lion. It is a lynx. Smaller, but still a pain in the rear." Her toes and claws knead the soft soil below. "Let's go." Without another word, she looks to the man before her before she turns her body. Lifting her head, she tests the air once more, soon moving swiftly around the springs toward the fresh scent of meat. She cranes her head back on occasion to see if the man is following. This was exciting to her. Hopefully they could scare the feline away, but if a scuffle were to be had, she would enjoy it. She hadn't fought in awhile; bloodlust was always bubbling within her. The wolf behind her seemed nice enough- she couldn't do this on her own, after all.

As they near the odor, Pharika brings her massive figure downward and closer to the thick grasses that lay before them. The grass tickles her stomach as she slinks forth; her chestnut eyes glowing with an excited anxiety. She comes to a slow, awaiting Kenelm to pause at her side. "Once we see the lynx, I will rush toward it. You come around the side of it." She pauses for a moment, gathering her thoughts and playing possibilities out in her head. A small wind blows as she thinks, allowing the scent of the lynx to sting her nostrils. It was very close. As soon as they were to stand up in the grasses, it was to be in view.

Pharika continues her plan: "If it goes to attack either of us, go for the legs. Its paws are massive. If this turns into a shitshow, we'll back off." Her eyes narrow as she now stares straight ahead. She could hear herself breathing; her heart drums furiously within her barrel-like chest. With a glance to her side, she awaits the words and actions of her current hunting partner. Hopefully this was going to be a success.

(This post was last modified: Sep 26, 2015, 11:34 PM by Sahalie. Edit Reason: removed extra spaces ;) )

A lynx. Kenelm had heard of those once or twice - mainly because his ear tufts had been compared to those possessed by the cats. It would be interesting to see whether or not there was any exaggeration in such a comparison, although he was still somewhat reserved about actually tangling with one. But there went Pharika, padding off towards the smell of deer without a second thought about whether or not they could take the cat in competition for its food. Watching her as they moved along, Kenelm couldn't help but wonder if perhaps Pharika wanted a tangle with the lynx; her body language was cautious, but didn't speak of any fear or reservation on her part. She nearly seemed on the verge of skipping as they wound their way towards the kill site. Kenelm was happy to duck low into the taller grasses here, his muted coat making him a harder target to spot through them as he moved. He halted when Pharika did, bringing himself up beside her close enough to catch her hushed strategy. It wasn't a safe plan, he didn't think - having both wolves attack from either side, or one from behind and the other from its side, seemed the safer option in his mind - but he was willing to give her method a shot in light of the fact that she had the better idea of what they were about to tangle with. At least she was prepared to back off if things turned sour for them. She was ready to go; Kenelm supposed it was now or never. With a nod to his companion, he started carefully forward, already manoeuvring around so that he wouldn't have to tear off towards the creature's side after it had already seen them. His steps were quiet through the grass, his movements careful and fluid so that he made as little of a disturbance as possible. Now was not the time to galumph carelessly about. The lynx came into view moments later, for the moment unaware of their presence. Fortunately this one appeared to be alone; Kenelm could neither smell nor see any cubs in the area. It was only the lynx and its deer - soon to be their deer. Kenelm slithered through the grass, his eyes never leaving the lynx as he positioned himself at its side and waited for Pharika to make her move. He could feel the adrenalin prick at the back of his tongue - could feel his muscles coiling down and heating up in anticipation. They would have one shot at this; he only hoped they didn't come away having lost more than they gained in the attempt.

With ash on the wind, I move forward...

Let's Cause Some Chaos

It was time. After Pharika whispers her strategy, she watches as Kenelm slinks off to position himself at the lynx's side. He moved quite lithely, she had to give him that. She keeps her gaze glued on his figure until he settles into his post. Pharika lifts each large paw carefully, creeping forward and closer to the feline. Thick blades of grass expose the lynx beyond them; it was digging into the deer. Perfect. Pharika lifts her head up just enough to see Kenelm crouched in the grasses again. With a nod to him, she lowers her body once more. Her muscles tighten and curl up to spring as she takes in a deep breath. The moment of truth.

She springs out of the grasses, her heavy form barreling straight toward the lynx. Her paws thump the Earth, her ears tucked against her skull and her tail low and straight. With her hackles on edge, her jaws open, preparing to meet flesh. The gray-brown cat's head shoots up from its kill at remarkable speed, and its ears flatten back as it braces itself. A hiss slices through the air as Pharika throws herself into the cat's side, closing her jaws before its shoulder blades. A frenzy of hisses and yowls escape the creature as it begins thrashing about its massive paws. Pharika lifts her head, the weight of the cat stressing her lower jaw. She could feel some of its sharp claws occasionally tearing at her limbs. Keeping herself grounded, the large woman awaits Kenelm's attack

He should be able to scare it off... Her thoughts are still clear as she holds a tightened grip on the feline. The scratches on her legs stung, but she refused to let go. The surprise attack from another wolf seemed like they would have this in the bag. She wanted to taste that deer desperately. The thick fur in her jaws makes her widen her nose; her breath is heavy now. This would be worth it, though. Finally having deer again after months. No more rabbit for this woman. With her ears still folded, Pharika releases the cat, taking a quick leap back as she does so. A claw just misses her chest; a small tuft of her ebon fur floats off as she growls at the lynx. This moment was incredibly crucial for Kenelm's appearance, otherwise she'd soon have a one-on-one brawl with this scrap of fur...

(This post was last modified: Sep 28, 2015, 11:09 PM by Pharika.)