Willow Ridge Tomorrow never knows

1 sorry for the wait and 2. So since I suck at describing this, I made a picture on how I perceive everything going. xD http://i.cubeupload.com/gxpsqU.png Let me know if anything doesn't make sense.

 

The smile remained on Enoki's features as the male's exchanged playful banter in the form of snaps directed at each others haunches, the sense of comradery easily transferring to the piebald female despite the lack of such physical interaction toward her directly. Smoldering amber gaze obtaining a more serious glint once the pads of her paws noticed the shift in terrain more readily, the soft soil exchanged for tougher, slick rocky inclines that could easily spell for disaster if they didn't watch their steps carefully. An array of smaller rocks hurling and skipping down the mountain side from above betrayed their intended quarry as it attempted to make an escape. A quick glance was cast toward the ebony blur that zipped past her as Wraith took to the jagged heights with as much skill and precision as the mountain goats themselves in pursuit of the fleeing Pronghorn, Craw himself soon passing on a flatter level below after alerting her to such a position change by releasing a low chuff. A bark in return informing him she understood.

With their target now located an instant shift in Enoki's demeanor took place, the inner huntress emerging to take the reigns as ebony limbs traversed the rocky terrain almost as easily as Wraith while following the hunting blueprint the men had already begun to set up. It was a simple, but effective plan forming. The trio of wolves were creating a triangular formation that in retrospect reflected well off their individual strengths. Having Wraith's surefooted movement could easily herd the beast over the jagged paths closer to herself where her gathered knowledge of their behavior allowed her an upper hand at further guiding it toward a location too complex for their feeble jumping abilities to scale. There it would be utterly trapped and defenseless then Craw could put his brawn to use and bring the damn thing down. It was nearly fool proof and the prospect of a successful hunt sent Enoki's adrenaline levels skyrocketing.

Following behind her fellow pack mates her gaze momentarily left the russet pelt of the Pronghorn to seek out such a spot that would serve as the take down zone, various crags and openings proving themselves just shy of perfect until a wide opening with three sides smoothed by blistering winds provided the ideal location. Knowing their quarry, with wolves hot on its trail it would seek the quickest escape and there was little doubt it wouldn't take to the opening thinking it was a pathway to freedom upon a quick glance if she charged at it from the front at just the right moment. What it would see from it's angled position would not be true until it was too late, allowing the trio of Willow wolves to corner it. It was here that the vertical smoothed walls were vital in aiding the hunt. Having no small divots or protruding surfaces there would be no form of close knit ledges for the Pronghorn to leap from considering they down right sucked at jumping otherwise, in turn leaving it at a disadvantage. No footing, no climbing, no escape. The small pile of bones scattered about a further indication this place was not the first time they and other mountainous prey fell victim to the cut out. Now just to fill the men in with her plan.

Scouring the grey scaled landscape for her pack mates, a bark was released to gain their attention, leaping upwards carefully to situate herself on the same level as the nook for now. Once the quarry grew closer she would drop down to hide until the right moment to charge. Pausing she then shouted out the battle plans. "@Wraith , steer the pronghorn this way! I found a cutout that will trap it and make bringing it down easier." Her attention then altered to Craw to deliver his instructions. "@Craw move in from the side to cut off its escape in your direction and I'll charge from the front to scare it into this nook. Once it's trapped in there we can corner it and wear it down further."  Plan set into motion now, she could only hope it would work and wait to perform her part.

(This post was last modified: Apr 05, 2016, 07:45 PM by Enoki.)

Hearing Enoki's barking orders, Wraith gave a short, low woof in understanding. The brute quickened his pace, fleet feet flying faster up the crumbling terrain before he made a daring leap down to a ledge closer towards the pronghorn's level. The risk paid off as the animal, surprised by the maneuver, tumbled down from the cliffs and into the cut-out @Enoki had mentioned. For a moment, Wraith held his breath. It wouldn't be the first time that a fall on dangerous terrain had been the end of a hunt - evidenced by the scattered skeletons in the area. But the beast struggled to its hooves, renewing its efforts to flee with wide eyes and flaring nostrils as @Craw and Enoki drew closer. Rather than leap down onto the flatter terrain as well, Wraith remained up high. He'd not be the stoat who counted his eggs before they were eaten. The mountain wolf intended to remain as a deterrent to the pronghorn on the off-chance it decided to scale the nearly vertical cliffside to get away from the pursuing wolves. Should it indeed make that decision, his jaws would be waiting for it to force it back down. On a laugh, Wraith looked down at Craw. "Don't take all day about it," he teased, light-hearted and heady with their impending success.

Burtn @DA & Dawnthieves.de

6/8 required posts done

Enoki did her part and devised a plan for trapping the pronghorn, making a kill all the easier. Craw also offered a gruff woof in understanding, and, eyeing where @Wraith and the beast were in relation to each other, began to position himself to steer it into the cut-out accordingly.

Though none of that was necessary; whether it was his intention or not, Wraith managed to startle the pronghorn into falling into the space from above rather than have it chased down and around into it. Vividly Craw recalled watching the black-furred wolf jump onto their meal back in the ravine the day they had met. Chuffing in quite amusement, imagining it likely that Wraith would perform a similar trick to impress them all now, he nevertheless moved to close in on the pronghorn to dissuade it from trying to escape.

The plan might not have been executed as Enoki had imagined, but the result would surely be the same.

"Are we not going to witness your signature killing blow?" he called back, tail rising in excitement as he prowled up and into the level of the cut out, shining yellow eyes on the increasingly-distressed pronghorn, who began to skitter nervously between the walls of the space as it tried to determine the best escape route. There were none for it to find. An eager growl in his chest, Craw looked up at where Wraith stood above them. "I did so enjoy your demonstration when we first met." Standing as a threat right in the middle of the pronghorn's only real exit, Craw glanced to Enoki, waiting to see how she wanted to proceed, wondering if his teasing towards Wraith had caught her interest. For his part, he was curious to see whether the death-from-above maneuver had been a fluke or some truly honed skill, and wouldn't mind a repeat performance.

Almost done guys! <3

There would be no need for Enoki to go into hiding as she originally planned as swarthy audits momentarily pricked forward to catch both woofs of understanding from the men before sliding back to rest against the back of her skull. Brightly illuminated gaze watching intently as the smudged silhouette of Wraith dropping down from above the frantic Pronghorn spooked the panicked beast enough to take a tumble down into the designated cut-out. Well, that was easy. The piebald maiden thought for a split second in response to the unexpected, but more than welcome change to their plans whether such was intentional, or not on Wraith's behalf. Regardless of the new development, though, the huntress could still smell the sweet fragrance of victory just inches from their noses. This would all be over soon.

Not wanting to risk a stroke of luck being taken for granted, her lithe form swiftly moved to saddle next to Craw's near the only opening and point of escape for their quarry. Teeth snapping and a thunderous growl resonated within her throat as a step or two were taken forward to further back the animal into the farthest recesses of the cut-out, a display that she hoped would prevent the animal from trying to make a run for it. With @Wraith as a deterrent from above should it dare risk scaling the vertical walls and not one, but two wolves blocking the entrance there was no way the Pronghorn would make it out alive today. The slow seepage of a metallic tang on the air further indication of such. A coal black nose twitched at the enticing aroma of blood once its scent grew stronger, no doubt a wound obtained somewhere after taking such a dangerous tumble.

An ear cast sideways to catch the exchange of words between the men about some signature killing blow. Curiosity piqued, smoldering amber irises removed their gaze from the cornered prey and their attempt at locating the open wound to settle them upon the spidery face of @Craw . "What is this signature killing blow?" She asked with a small tilt of her head, the curiousness clearly evident upon her face.

(This post was last modified: Apr 19, 2016, 08:06 PM by Enoki.)

The brute would have been content to allow @Enoki and @Craw to finish off the pronghorn. Afterall, it was the painted female who wanted to lead the hunt; it was she who should have the option of making the killing blow. But as Craw teased and the she-wolf expressed curiosity, Wraith was reminded that a hunt wasn't about who made the blow, only that it was done. Their prey hadn't a chance. With his packmates blocking off its escape, its only real option was up to his own jaws. Wraith watched as the animal struggled with that very decision as it was faced with the cul-de-sac in its path. Anticipating it, Wraith jumped as the pronghorn attempted to climb vertically. His large form crashed into the animal with the audible sound of colliding flesh. Wraith's jaws found purchase in their prey's russet neck just out of reach of its short horns. With his added weight along its back, the pronghorn was forced back to level ground where it fell to its side, unable to keep upright with the wolf on top of it. Wraith very nearly was caught underneath as well, but managed to keep his own balance during the tumble. His grip was strong and sure and Wraith didn't flinch from the now flailing legs as he was safely on the other side and out of range. The antelope was theirs for the taking. His growls were vicious, excited from their certain kill. While his descent upon the pronghorn had not been as graceful as his first kill in front of Craw, the job was neatly done without injury. There wasn't much more a wolf could ask for in a kill. Now he need only have his packmates come in to help him finish the task.

Burtn @DA & Dawnthieves.de

Officially over 8 required posts, good job guys <3

Enoki took the bait, questioning the signature move Craw had alluded at, and now that Wraith had such an expectant audience, well - obviously he had no choice but to succumb to peer pressure. A low, rolling laughter in his chest, Craw stepped forward a little more just to keep the pressure on their prey, but entirely giving the show over to Wraith who stood above them. He had caught the hint of blood in the air, a sign that the pronghorn had already hurt itself, and now the sharks would finally close in.

Salivating with excitement, Craw resisted the temptation to dive in, hanging back long enough for Wraith to make the leap. The pivotal moment happened just as the pronghorn decided to make a break for it, jumping up the near-sheer wall as Wraith came flying down, jaws closing firmly around their meal's neck and bringing it crashing back down. It wasn't quite so graceful as last time, but just as effective.

Taking his cue, Craw rushed in, coming at the fallen pronghorn from its rear to avoid its thrashing hooves. He sunk his teeth into the soft, delicate flesh just under its tail and tore, intending to cause the greatest amount of pain to throw the beast into shock as quickly as possible. With excited bloodlust he would ravage all he could reach of the pronghorn. Ideally he would have gone for the belly, for spilling guts was a more efficient way to achieve the same end, but the animal was going to get ripped apart either way. Snapping necks or closing windpipes was all very neat and clean, but not in the nature of wild dogs.

It was with wide eyes and a pause in her breath that Enoki came to find out for herself just what the two men had meant by this killing blow. From down below the pronghorn made a last attempt at freedom by attempting to scale the vertical walls caging it in, only the attempt proven futile as; not so gracefully, the entirety of @Wraith's weight came crashing down upon their quarry's spine from above with teeth embedded firmly into the muscles of the neck. The momentum and force enough to bring the animal tumbling back down to the ground in a heap of russet and black fur, hoofed limbs sprawling in sheer terror across from the dark coated wolf knowing the end was here.

A series of excited barks escaped Enoki watching the whole scene unfold, bewildered and relieved her pack mate hadn't been injured in the fall and her stomach roaring and clawing to be sated of its hungry state knowing food was only mere seconds away now. The sound of vicious growls mingling with the tantalizing scent of blood was enough to make her saliva glands pool excessively in anticipation. @Craw was first to zip past her in his own bloodlust, canines sinking into the tender and fatty flesh of the rump like a savage beast deprived of a proper meal. No doubt the pain was excruciating for the pronghorn as Enoki watched the flailing limbs gradually stiffen and warrant the perfect opportunity to strike where the spider-faced man had avoided due to the commotion.

Like a bolt of lighting the piebald woman was but a blur as her lithe frame bolted forward with jaws splayed eagerly, tarnished teeth sinking into the vulnerable underbelly and tearing with just as much savagery as Craw while avoiding direct contact with those ever sharp hooves. Immediately her actions were rewarded by the sweet metallic tang of blood on her taste buds with each sideways swing of her skull, shredding the wound into a full blown gaping hole was created. Steaming blood and guts alike tumbled freely from the laceration she had created as the sound of their feral growls echoed off the craggy walls. A coat of crimson soon staining the ebony hairs of her scarred muzzle as a sawed off chunk slid greedily down her awaiting gullet. Oh how magnificent victory tasted.

The black male shook his head, powerful jaws still locked into pronghorn flesh as @Craw and @Enoki raced in to attack. He felt sinew shred beneath his teeth and felt heady with victory as its distressed braying grew quieter until there were only its panted breaths to accompany the pack's growls until finally, there was silence. While Wraith would have then lifted his muzzle skyward to alert the rest of the pack to the kill, the honor belonged to Enoki as she'd led the hunt. He would defer to his superiors in that aspect. Only once he was sure in its death - the absence of a pulse beneath his tongue evidence enough - did Wraith relinquish his hold on the carcass's neck and pull away. He'd not yet had the opportunity to eat immediately following a pack hunt. With his first kill alongside Craw, pack dynamics had not existed between them and they ate as equals. However, things were different now as both wolves were technically ranked above him. Though he'd been responsible for the takedown, Wraith only put a paw on the pronghorn's neck and found something else of interest in the landscape to focus on while his cohort worked out between them how they would commence. Above, he spotted the first vulture. It wasn't possible for it to have smelled the kill yet, but despite the bird's poor eyesight, there wasn't a chance it would miss them. No doubt there would be more soon. For the most part, Wraith found vultures to be patient, waiting their turn in the food chain lest they become part of it early on. But once they came in droves, they tended to think better of themselves and less of the hunters. "Whatever isn't eaten should be cached soon," was his only advisement, still avoiding meeting their gazes as he cared little for post-hunt tensions.

Burtn @DA & Dawnthieves.de

The pronghorn's demise was inevitable from that moment on, and it was only a short matter of time before its struggles ceased. Craw pulled back from the heavily bloodied and broken rear, licking at the blood on his muzzle as he nodded at @Enoki, glad that she had taken the opportunity to go straight for its belly. That was his preferred way of ending things, with an effective disembowelment, but the kicking legs had been too dangerous when the beast had still been strong. The damage he and Wraith had done had been enough to give the huntress a viable opening.

Seeing as he had clearly deferred to Enoki for the hunt, Craw let the woman eat her fill first, sliding in after her to eat, leaving Wraith last. The dark wolf's words prompted Craw to glance up at him, and then to follow his line of sight to the bird circling overhead, and he grunted in agreement. He thought of suggesting that they haul it down to ground level and then summon any hungry mouths from the pack to it, to save them having to haul a whole dead carcass down the rocks and then through the willows, but instead stayed quiet, choosing to see how Enoki would want to handle it. Dipping his head back to the warm muscle, he buried his nose in the beast's innards to rip out another soft morsel from inside, content to listen and obey.

Feels like a good ending point here. Go ahead and fade off with them lugging the carcass home if you'd like <3

It wasn't long until a sense of contentedness engulfed Enoki completely as her once empty stomach was soon filled to its brim, a lazy yawn separating her jaws to announce such before a magenta painted tongue went to work cleaning the crimson stained hairs within reach along her snout. Smoldering gaze lazily cast about to spectate her pack mates indulging in their own splendor of a fresh kill once she had removed herself from the direct vicinity to partake in a more proper grooming session, two toned frame pressing comfortably against the cold surface of the nearest vertical wall while her tongue worked laboriously to clean the collection of blood splatter and caked dirt from her paws.

Lost in her personal care combined with the gradually increased weariness from their expended energy it was the sound of Wraith's voice that broke through enough to warrant her head to rise and settle her blazing amber gaze upon the equally dark coated male mid lick along her forelimb. Her ears pivoted forward to prove she had caught his advice before glancing skyward to the slowly expanding swarm of vultures hovering overhead waiting ever so patiently for their turn at the carcass. A silent scowl pressed itself onto her facial features for a spare moment watching the circling silhouettes until she grew tiresome of the repetitive motion. Of course the three of them couldn't pick the kill clean like the buzzards, but it would also be quite the work lugging home their prize. Frankly, in the end, it would be best to take their leftovers home with them.

Turning her attention back to @Wraith then @Craw; who was mid gorging on a section of muscle, she slowly rose to her paws and gave her body a pleasant tongue curling stretch as her upper body bowed toward the pebbly ground. Only once her tongue slid back into its dark domain behind her teeth did she address the matter at hand. "It would be wisest to take what we can back with us. I'm sure the others would appreciate true red meat in their bellies again." Rabbits were fine and dandy, but the meager pile of bones were hardly profitable catches to sustain a pack as large as the Ridge. The pronghorn on the other hand would tie them over for a couple days or so.