Willow Ridge Wild Goose Chase

For @Attica and @Sven <3 RE: Enoki, you've disturbed a flock of geese as they rest during their winter migration!

Scarred snout poked curiously into the dimly lit space of the pack den as amber eyes adjusted themselves briefly to the change in light readily available, scanning over various divots in the earth that served as markers where individual members of Willow Ridge had staked their claim for the night repeatedly. A low chuff pushed past the woman's inky lips in hopes of catching the attention of a certain dark coated wolf laying inside, but presented with no signs of young Attica the magpie gave a small shrug of her shoulders before removing herself from the den's opening. No doubt Sven had already snagged the girl for the day with the first signs of dawn, per usual, leaving few other places for the piebald Timber to search. Today she had woken with a thought to take the child out for a small lesson in hunting, deeming it time she put the breaks on her task of finding lost souls to replenish their numbers outside the pack and instead work on building her bonds with the wolves within the pack. Perhaps it couldn't hurt to extend an olive branch to the girl's ivory guardian either since their relationship; if one could even say they had such aside from living within the same stretch of willow forest, was rickety at best.

Backpedaling, Enoki shifted herself about to begin padding away from the empty den, prints in the soft snow the only visible indication the woman had stopped by to investigate in the first place. Above, the sound of geese honking caused smoldering amber eyes to gaze skyward and watch the flock of migrating birds travel across the sky in a traditional V formation. A brow raising curiously when the huntress noticed the flock gradually becoming lower and their obsessive honks louder until the collection of brown and cream plumage with black accents disappeared behind the umbrella shaped canopy not too far off. It was an interesting place for the migrating birds to take a rest, but their foolishness could easily turn into her delicious gain. Meat was meat no matter how big or small when it came to keeping a pack of wolves fed. If lucky, maybe she'll find Attica and Sven quick enough they could partake in a good old fashion wild goose chase before the birds moved on for warmer climates.

Ebony limbs picked up the pace as they weaved across a good portion of the Archer ruled kingdom, gaze shifting between the surrounding treeline in search of a black and white duo while also keeping tabs on the location the geese have come to settle for the time being. Another chuff passes over Enoki's lips to try and catch the siblings attention wherever they may be, the sound spooking some of the closer birds enough to leap into a partial flight and glide a few feet away before ruffled feathers were smoothed back down and peace was once more obtained for the moment.

Hunting Dem 1/3

Attica Grace Archer

She was hiding from @Sven. He hadn't been up for the game of hide and seek but that didn't bother her, crawling under the low-lying shrub she attempted to stifle her giggles as he passed her (probably on his way to patrol the borders given his unwillingness to play games in the first place). She hadn't noticed the birds come in until their honks filled the air, likewise, she hadn't noticed the bush under which she was hiding still held some of the seasons last berries until a bright beak burst through the folliage to peck at her flank.

The young wolf yelped, startled from her cover with a great crash. It was the fat gobbler all over again. Eyes so wide the whites were visible the girl backed up, startled birds, only mildly ruffled by her presence taking up their incessant honking once again. Wings spread wide the first one charged and the girl was too terrified to move. She crouched low, tail tucks and ears folded back. Teeth bared in warning, but that wasn't enough to discourage the bold flock who followed their brave commander intent on chasing the young wolf away from what they had decided was their berry bush.

Ashbash 2016

 

(This post was last modified: Mar 15, 2017, 06:25 AM by Attica.)

It took only that single yelp ricocheting over the snow to send him running. He tore through the powder and over the ice, ears pinned against his nape and eyes widened to take in all that they could, searching desperately for the ink stain that was his sister. When he found her, and the flock of geese strutting toward her, he could all but feel the sting of talons against his own skin. The teen had never tangled with these birds before, but they were far larger than the owls he had pissed off, and was certain their powerful wings could do damage.

Anyways, he would be damned if he'd allow anything to threaten his sister, much less actually harm her. Thus, it didn't take any time at all for him to act. He didn't have much of a plan, but one wasn't needed to accomplish his narrow-sighted goal, for all he cared about in the moment was making sure not a feather touched the Archer heiress.

With a snarl that hopefully stole their attention he lunged into the thick of them. Fighting them off didn't matter so much as pulling the spotlight off of Attica so that she wouldn't suffer their attack.

Hunting Dem 1/3

Swarthy limbs came to a halt and dark head lifted high as the sound of a yelp followed by an uproar of aggressive wing flaps and honks filled the air, smoldering amber gaze shifting to watch the flock suddenly begin to crowd around a single berry bush which caused a dark brow upon Enoki's face to quirk in confusion. What was so special about that bush to cause the entire flock to descend upon it? Only once a flash of blurred ivory charged into the feathered depths of the geese did the magpie woman connect the dots on why Sven would so suddenly be intent on maiming the migrating birds. Attica.

That was all it took as well for Enoki to set her limbs back into motion, snow flinging in her wake as inky lips curled away from tarnished teeth and a thunderous rumble resonated within her throat. No further warning was given to the birds as her body rushed to place herself between the bush where she assumed Attica to be hiding and the fury of an angry goose, serving as a buffer while jaws parted to snap at the first set of wings to come pummeling down toward the top of her head in defense. The sting of talons scratching against the side of her face felt dull in comparison to the day she had the claws of a wolverine raked across the side of her snout when she had defended Elettra's boy Deacon, but the thought was cast aside as lids squinted against the attack. Head shaking like a rabid dog once a mouthful of feathers was had. This outta teach them to rest near a wolf pack again.

(This post was last modified: Apr 19, 2017, 03:29 AM by Enoki. Edit Reason: adding dem )

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

Hunting dem 2/3

If her eyes had room to grow wider still (without her eyeballs falling clear of her face) then the dark girl would have shown such, as it was, all that was left to do was crouch down and bare her teeth in some veiled attempt at appearing fierce. But she needn't worry for too long, @Sven charged onto the scene, followed closely by @Enoki and the girl found her courage as the magpie pinned one with her teeth, much like she had done for her Aunt @Ravenna. Now was her chance for revenge.

Ignoring the rest of the flock and honing in on the bird that (almost certainly) now sported a broken wing, Attica tried to emulate her aunt and go for the base of the long thin neck. What she hadn't been anticipating was how much force would be needed to do as her aunt had done. The now enraged bird began to peck at her face as she tightly closed her eyes and increased pressure, a growl of annoyance filling her chest as her teeth pressed on plush feathers, slowly suffocating the bird, but not before a clawed foot thumped her in the chest and a heavy wing boxed her ear. The later lead to a head shake which was finally enough to deal with this one but that said nothing for the birds that were still going after her brother.

 

(This post was last modified: Mar 15, 2017, 06:25 AM by Attica.)

hunting post 2/3 for sven

His plan more or less worked. A far larger and more threatening presence, he attracted most of their wrath. Still convinced that this was a fight they might win, they converged with beating wings and raucous honks. Something disturbed them off to his side, but it wasn't Attica and so he paid it little attention. The scent was of the Ridge and that was all he needed to know about the fourth party.

Bleating and jabbing they were trying to cow him into running, but those that got too close to his jaws were snagged. A few vicious clicks caught the air, but one goose was punished with a crippled wing that left feathers on his tongue, and then a second did not survive the encounter at all. He crushed its skull and left it where the body crumpled; later, once this swarm had been chased off, they would be able to collect any carcasses and bring them back for the caches. So long as Attica was safe, this could actually prove fruitful.

Man, was he gonna be bruised up, though.

His eyes attempted to track Attica as she joined the fray, heart leaping but reason calming it back down. He saw now that it was Enoki who was with them, and new the woman to be protective over his sister in a way the woman had never found fit to be with him. She would be alright, so long as the both of them were there to ensure she didn't get hurt.

So he kept up his own work of snapping and growling, occasionally felling a bird. It was a particularly large flock, but soon they would have to realize the futility of their battle and leave.

Hunting Dem 2/3

Enoki Ashrelle

Swarthy eyelids kept themselves closed against the assault of battering wings and talon strikes, the muffled growl that bubbled within the magpie's throat gradually building with each hefty shake of her head until she felt the effort behind the geese's thwarts lessen until it stopped altogether. Lids then opened to reveal the slender neck clamped firmly between the points of Attica's teeth, the child finding her courage sometime during the initial battle. Jaws parted to release her own hold on the significantly broken wing, a smirk adorning the inky lining of her lips. Perhaps the child could make quite the hunter herself after some training down the road, but for now, such ideas could wait.

Initial threat dealt with, both @Attica and Enoki's attention shifted from the fallen carcass at their paws to those still breathing and hell bent on chasing off the ivory-clad wolf, but it seemed their brains finally clicked with the notion that this was a losing battle for them. Individuals closer toward the back of the flock seemed to gain their senses first and decided to take off in search of better resting grounds, their raucous honks fading as their silhouettes disappeared behind the distant tree line. Those that remained now became the new targets for the patchwork woman and with a series of barks purposely mirroring the obnoxious honks they made, her frame charged forward with vigor toward the gathering pile surrounding @Sven. 

Word Count: 238

Ashbash 2016 - Sebastian Unrau 

(This post was last modified: Apr 19, 2017, 03:29 AM by Enoki.)

Hunting dem 3/3

The death of the bird between her jaws seemed to signal a change in the tide, the geese gradually realising that perhaps this wasn't the wisest course to take. As those at the back of the flock retreated, broad feet thumping against the ground before finally taking wing, a few stubborn birds remained, honking and beating at her brother. Enoki was the first to set after them, Attica streaking in like a black and silver shadow at her flank. Now that she had done it once, she was convinced that she could do it again, and wouldn't nonna be proud to see not one fat bird, but two or three?

Most of the birds scattered, realising the battle was over, but one stubborn bird remained. The girl set herself upon it, a last second direction change sending her tripping over her own feet. Instead of reaching the neck she had been aiming for, she landed paws splayed across the creatures back. As it flailed beneath her, turning to peck at her ribs and flank in an attempt to shake her off, the girl struggled to gain her bearings, still trying to figure out just where she was and how she had gotten here. Thankfully, there were two grown wolves on hand to back her up.

 

hunting dem 3/3. hoping we can wrap this up between us @Enoki?

He was starting to lose track of the others amidst the sea of black wings and beady, angry eyes. The honks were deafening his ears, which lay firmly sealed against his skull in self defense. Man, he was really starting to fucking hate birds. They never seemed to bring anything but trouble, unnaturally feisty for how brittle their small bones were. These fuckers weren't like the nesting owls or diving sparrows he'd contended with before, however; they were fat, muscular. It was a wonder they made it off the ground at all.

Thankfully, the situation began to change. The flurry of feathers thinned and the strikes upon his flank and shoulders lessened in frequency. They were clearing away, finally making their retreat. It had gotten through most of their small bird brains that this wasn't a fight they could win. His pale eyes began their search for his sister, and she appeared in a very unexpected way. The last of the geese to attempt to take flight was suddenly weighted down by the child's lanky body, the look in her eyes speaking volumes that this wasn't exactly the plan.

Before harm could be done to her, Sven lurched forward. His jaws wrapped easily around that long neck and crushed down, caving in its throat. It took moments longer for the beast to actually give in, until its lungs couldn't take their emptiness any longer and the goose collapsed with them.