Sacred Grove [TfT] Reindeer Hide

Tit for Tat, This or That

Usually teeth aren't very effective at separating large pieces of hide from animals, but it appears some master craftsman has taken great pains to pull a large (half a square foot) piece of hide off of a reindeer. What beautiful work!

While hunting and continuously getting to know the habits and favorite haunts of her prey, as a hunter, one could never limit their options strictly to their own territory. It had happened before and it would happen again, eventually. Prey in her neck of the woods would disperse, becoming increasingly harder to find. In order to keep everyone well fed and happy, a hunter had to expand their horizons. And not into a neighboring packs land if they wanted to avoid trouble. Finding neutral grounds in which prey was plentiful, to hunt without interruption, was key. It was all a matter of knowing where to look, and if a trip some distance away from home was worth the gamble.

Such was precisely what the second ranking female of White Fir Notch was up to now. Jynx did not at all mind stretching her legs. In fact, she enjoyed every chance she got to get away from her hard won home. But each time, she was grateful to return to that paradise, welcomed and secure among those she considered her extended family. There was a bounce in each of her steps as she brushed through the undergrowth of a flourishing forest. Tail held high, ears up and eyes bright, her spirits were elevated. And why shouldn't they be? Everything in her life was falling smoothly into place as of late. Puppies were emerging from the den, the scrap with both the boar and the cougar had proved fruitful. Her skills were being tested, and honed sharper with each challenge. She was certain, with a little more time and hard practice, she would earn her role.

Gleaming yellow eyes picked through the vibrant greens and browns of the glade she had found herself in, a winding brook gently snaking its way to the south. She paused to contemplate the area. She had never been in this particular spot before, but it certainly was one of the most peaceful she had visited in a while. Even with her winter coat now mostly long gone, the reddish female fancied herself a drink. It was nearly summer now, and the days were getting hotter. She had to stay hydrated if she wanted to explore a little longer. Paws guiding her to the trickling stream, she lowered her nose down, parting her lips for a refreshing drink. Keen yellow eyes remained upturned, fixed on the opposite bank and the pile of sandy stones before her. She paused mid sip. Those weren't stones at all! It was the partially intact, well preserved hide of a caribou! Immediately forgetting her thirst, the intrigued wolf leapt over the water, some of which lapped at her feet, to inspect this fascinating find. Cautiously, she sniffed around the pelt, looking for any telltale signs that a predator may still be nearby. But the edges were surprisingly well trimmed, if not a little ragged. Impressive, considering how large this particular piece of skin was. With no owner in sight, her eyes glittered, a grin creeping to her maw. This was by no means her work, but it certainly could be in the future! So, as a flourishing hunter, with plans to be the best, why not keep this token for herself? It would one day become a symbol of her status, of her accomplishments. Until then, Jynx had no intentions whatsoever on sharing this rare, beautiful find with anyone else. This was hers alone! She clamped her jaws down firmly but gently on one edge, muscles stiff and a growl ready in her throat, should any other greedy eyes dare to encroach. 

The soft murmur of of the quick moving brook had been what drew the ebony girl along it’s length, clamped firmly in her maw laid a few herbs that she intended to add to her hord- store inside of the medical den, ever since Gent hadn't been with Raela and their pups, Sylva had it all to herself. A soft snort escaped as she tried to picture the behemoth of a wolf actually staying in the den, she was happy though, to be in the company of the herbs and berries, her herbs and berries, it was her own little corner where she could think. Ever since that somewhat bitter encounter with @Merys , Sylva had been trying to observe others more, it seemed that many things could drive someone to act out of character, greed at the top of that list, though it still caused conflicting feeling within the girl’s chest.

The scent of Jynx broke through her thoughts and caused the girl to pause, she hadn’t really gotten to know Jynx that well on personal level and now seemed like a good time if her packmate wasn’t busy or occupied. Tail swishing happily behind her, she moved a little quicker until she came across the glade. A cheerful and somewhat muffled yip of greeting escaped as she caught sight of the rust colored female crouched over something.

The yearling gingerly placed the herbs down as to not hurt them before focusing on the huntress, though the happy attitude quickly drained away as she saw something clamped like a vice the other wolf’s maw and the aggressive stance. She wasn’t even sure what it was that had been found but there was a small spark of desire starting to burn but she kept back, after her encounter with merys, Sylva didn’t want another packmate to tell her off for something.

ThoughtDialogue

Renier Lyall
kill all that
holds you

ooc;@Jynx

The rogue carried himself with some purpose, and direction. His paws ate up the land beneath him, and his eyes kept to the horizon trying to get out of this godforsaken grass and rock lowlands. Why he cared little to eat nor sleep, he would pace himself when his breath became rampant from his speed or the heat then return to moving south. Other than out of the Lowlands he had no real goal where he would land. What he would do. There was no reason to go back to the Ridge, and the Hollow wasn't much better choice. He really needed an option with new faces. Ones that didn't care who he was, only what he could do for their pack.

When the sun rose high the next day, he did take a moment to sleep. Relieved he was finally in the heart of the lore where he could avoid those he knew, and decide where to go form here. Why he managed some rest, his throat was dry, and he wasn't sure what but he found himself jolted awake. Nothing better to do, and sure there was a river not too far from here,  the idea of simple standing in it seemed his best idea in days.

Taking it slow, he followed his nose, soon hearing its flowing voice. Finally. Easing down, he placed all paws in, taking a few quick gulps. It was amazing how well just a good drink of cold water could make him feel. He went to get another gulp when heard a loud splash further downstream. He wanted to avoid whatever it was all together, but something said he should at least go look to what it was. If it was the promise of a meal he should take it. Licking his lips, he climbed the bank, and wandered further. What his eyes found was not something he wanted much to do with because it wasn't hard to miss the red coat of the female wolf who had some flap hanging from her teeth.

All righty then. Brows touched together in his puzzlement, not understanding why she was so excited over a piece of hide. Nor why on earth he should care, or had used his energy to walk this way.

The arrival of Sylva caused Jynx to groan mentally to herself. While she did not mind the peculiar black child and wished to get to know her better, today was not one of those days. She wanted time to herself, peace and tranquility, away from the bustle of the pack. At the dark wolfs appearance, vibrant yellow eyes flicked up, locking onto her instantly. She could see that Sylva was curious, yearning to get closer, but kept back. A wise choice, considering her current state of possessiveness. There was an unspoken rule among wolves. No matter your status or rank within the pack, should you claim an item first, you have every right to possess and guard it from others. Such was the classic wolf behavior which Jynx was now displaying. Another guest arrived shortly after her black colored pack mate. More mature, obviously, and with a coat a few shades paler than her own. To her relief, he only seemed to be curious, if not perhaps a little confused. Of course he would. As a stranger, he had no knowledge of Jynx's passion for the hunt, thus tying her interest to this prey related object. Nor the value she saw in it. With a delicate shake of her head, she adjusted her hold on the hide ever so slightly, and lifted it off the ground. Her tail, level with the ground, advertised her heightened confidence. Turning her eyes back to Sylva, the only vocalization she gave was a soft, but stern growl. A warning not to come close and lay her jaws on what was now the Second's rightful property. Renier on the other hand, wasn't even given a second glance as she vanished beyond the creek and back towards home.

anodyne-stock @DA

Exit post.

With neither the mystery male who had popped in merely to observe, nor her packmate challenging her for possession of the hide, Jynx was confident in that it now belonged to her. Her mild warning towards Sylva seemed to pay off, as the dark child had made no move to inch closer to investigate the prize between her jaws. Sylva was welcome to follow Jynx back home, but only at a distance. Or, choose to remain on her own. It was not at all often that Jynx was in such a selfish mood. But she had been making progress in her skill as a hunter by leaps and bounds. In her eyes, she deserved this reward. As the soft fur of the hide tickled her nose, she could not help but inhale deeply. Savoring the natural scent of Caribou, that of the earth and all other elements that had wiped the pelt clean since the loss of it's owner. On her way back to the Notch, Jynx would move swiftly and discreetly in hopes of avoiding any more wolves. Especially those who might want to steal what was in her jaws. Once home, she would stash it in a private den, away from the communal one. Perhaps though, in time, if she formed a bond with one of the children, she would come around and share. -Exit-

anodyne-stock @DA

(This post was last modified: Jul 19, 2016, 12:14 AM by Jynx.)