Fallen Tree Cove Its nice to finally meet you

OOC! @Lunette Back dated to a few days after the hunt 11/25. Going to be vauge on the details of the hunt but going to assume it was successful. If you dont mind can we assume theyve interacted a few times since its almost impossible for them not to have? Set around late morning :)

Things were looking up just a little bit. There had been a pack hunt which provided enough food to fill the caches and get them through a good amount of the winter. The dark woman had spoken with Namid and Kajika and she felt a bit better but still distant. She still slept in her make shift den away from others and still kept busy. Doing three patrols a day if she could since she no longer needed to hunt for the caches. This day was no different, having already finished one patrol early this morning the temporary matriarch felt she could take a small rest. It was actually sunny out today so she decided to head towards the rock that hung over the freezing lake. Snow mixed with dirt and dead leaves crunched under the sandpaper like pads beneath her large paws. As her large form snaked down through the trees and over the rocks her mind wandered. Thinking of just about everything. About how far she had come from the practically unsocialized yearling to now leader of a pack. About all the events that have taken place in the past few months and how many different possibilities there are for the future. Moon couldn't help but worry that Namid could very well not be ready to step up anytime soon. A sigh fell from her inky maw as the thought ran through her mind. Giving her head a shake she whisked it away. The true lake qeen would be able to step back up all she needed was time.

Stepping from the trees silver eyes scanned the shore of the lake. There were spots that had froze all the way up to the pebble beach while others remained free of ice. Moving to the left away from the direction of the communal den the midnight pelted she-wolf made her way to her favorite spot. There was a patch of water free from the ice with fish swimming in the shallows. A smile formed on her face as she remembered her first lesson with @Kajika on her first morning in the Cove. This ice free patch was much larger than that of the one from her lesson. Deciding a snack wouldn't hurt she stepped into the frigid water and lowered her muzzle so that it was only inches above the water. She dared not breath normally for she did not want to disturb the waters surface and tip off her prey of inpeading danger. Silver orbs scanned the water watching, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

I don't mind. ^^ It makes sense that they've had some off-screen interactions.

Lunette Vuesain

I’ve got my love stuck in my head

The sun had risen on a world painted pale by frost and snow, like a sign of glory, somehow, triumph over life and the harsh cold biting through thick furs. They had prevailed, once more, and Lunette had been witness to the ferocity of her kin—the skill, the bond, the unspoken comprehension of how the forest and its denizens worked. It had been sickening and enchanting, and in the days since, she had brooded. The rush through her veins had been intoxicating, nauseating, and thinking of it made her heart beat faster in anticipation and fear. Did she want to feel it again? Could she handle feeling it again?

Her life had settled into some kind of rhythm, constricting and oddly satisfying at the same time. She explored Fallen Tree Cove—she would soon know every nook and cranny of it—but she still didn't dare go much further. Each time she did, the fear blossomed dark and foul in her, and she pulled back. The night was enjoyed from the safety of the packlands, close to its heart, and the days spent chasing shadows or napping in the pallid light.

The darkest days were yet to come.

She had started the morning in true lazy fashion, crawling out from the darkness of the den to continue her blissful sleep in the light. Unwilling to be roused, she had been left alone, a nice, fuzzy carpet welcoming everyone into their home. But as the sun climbed higher, the light had peeked under her lids, and eventually the girl had decided she had had enough of sleep. Yawning, she had stretched, shaken the snow and sleep from her coat, and made her way down towards the lake.

The contentment of sleep clung to her still as her silver paws found the well-worn track down to the shore. Sunlight glittered on the lake's ice and snow, beating down from a blue sky, and to her surprise, she found a black shape with its paws in the shallows. For a brief moment her heart leaped and she thought it was Kajika, but then she realized it was Moonshadow. Oh, well. That wasn't too bad, either. Parking her dainty behind in the snow, fur sticking every which-way and tail curled around her paws, she watched the older wolf at whatever she was doing—staring at her reflection, it seemed. Yawning quietly, she kept her silent vigil, curious as to what the other would do.

OOC! Out of character comments here

Her breaths were shallows so that they would not disturb the waters surface. The cold water made the fish move slower which made them easier to catch but prolonged the waiting. She was in no hurry to do anything else so waiting wasn't a problem. It had been at least a good five minutes before her mercury orbs spotted the glint of light that came off the preys scales. She readied herself for the catch but the fish was swimming along the edge of the ice. The hole was large enough for drinking but not fishing. Her brain searched for a way to make the hole bigger and quickly recalled the method she had used in her lesson with Kajika. Looking to her paws her eyes searched for a good sized rock that she could use to break the ice. Once she found once she picked it up with her mouth and leaned towards the edge of the ice completely unaware that by this time another had joined her on the shore. She broke away some of the surrounding ice but was still unhappy with the hole. Large dark paws stepped into the frigid water so that she could better break the ice away. Once she was satisfied with her work she slowly backed out of the water and placed the rock down.

Now she would wait again but this time her labor was rewarded much faster as multiple fish came into view. Moons gaze sized each potential meal up until she found the one she wanted. Slowly stepping into the freezing water once more she moved so that her jaws hovered just above the fish. She waited until the fish moved just enough so that her mouth would land right into the middle of its back. Her head shot down quickly into the water and emerged with the fish. She stepped out of the water and gave her head a couple of good flicked up and down so that she could kill her meal. Once the fish was dead she turned so that she could go find somewhere to eat. She jumped in place and her hackles rose as she was startled by a figure that sat on the bank. It took her a few moments to recognize the small pale form as that of Lunette. She gave her pelt a good shake so that her fur would go back to normal. Setting the fish down she gave the pup a warm smile. "Good morning Lunette. How are you today?"

Sorry for the wait!

Lunette Vuesain

I’ve got my love stuck in my head

She had never watched a wolf winter-fishing before—hadn't wanted any kind of fishing, to be fair. For the longest time, she had no idea what Moonshadow was doing. Had she frozen in place? Frozen her brain? Meditation? Talking to herself? Lunette didn't know, couldn't fathom why she stared at a hole in the ice, but asking felt like sacrilege—like it wouldn't disclose its secrets. So she watched and waited, ever more confused when Moonshadow dropped a rock on the ice. What? she wanted to say, pale brows furrowed over chocolate eyes. Had their leader truly lost her mind?

Whatever she had done with the rock, it apparently wasn't enough, because she stepped into the frigid water, breaking away the thin ice with her legs and paws. Lunette was outright scowling now, but it was not an unkind expression, just confused, and a little concerned.

Then—ah, she sighed—things became clear. Moonshadow's head shot down into the water, and came up with a silver-scaled fish wriggling in her maw. The sunlight struck it hard, making the young child narrow her eyes against its glare. Ow. Damn light. She grimaced, which kept her from seeing the startled expression on the other's face, and when the fish was finally out of the sunlight Moonshadow was simply smiling warmly at her. Lunette returned it, albeit hers was a tad more guarded. "Morning," she replied evenly, wondering how to answer. Bah. She finally settled for "I'm good," which, on that particular morning, wasn't a lie. Sometimes it slipped out of her mouth to protect the expectations of others, but today, she meant it. The monster in her mind hadn't woken up yet.

She blinked in the fine winter light, and let her gaze roam across the frozen shore until settling back on the dark wolf. "And  you?" As the words made their way out of her mouth, she realized she did not know a lot about the black female; she was their leader, yes, and aside from passing comments, shared warmth, things like that, she knew very little of the wolf herself. But, like Kajika, she probably was from somewhere else as well. The thought made her suppress a shiver. The world was so damn large—she thought the mountain range was large, and she hadn't even walked it from end to end.. to imagine a world even larger, full of more mountain ranges, made her feel very small and vulnerable.

OOC! No worries! :)

The light the fish caused to shine in the small girls eyes had gone unnoticed by the temporary monarch as her brain worked to recognize her form. After realizing it was the youngest Vuesian Moons fur smoothed itself out with a good shake. Placing the fish down she smiled at the pup asking her how she was. The girls answer was guarded but the ebony woman could hardly blame her. Much had happened in the past few months with the rank change and the fact that the two female hadn't ever really gotten to know one another. Large dark haunched lowered to the cold rocky shore as silver eyes gazed upon the pup. She answered with a simple "I'm good" . "That's good to hear" she replied "Would you like some breakfast?" Moon asked nosing the fish a bit closer to the girl. She had no problems with sharing her meal. The midnight pelted woman had a habit of placing others before herself and with having to step up as leader this became even more prevalent. The silvery girl eventually returned the question causing Moonshadow to pause for a moment to think how to best answer her. "I'm doing alright I suppose" she replied deciding it best not to go into detail about her dismay with a child - especially a child of the rightful rulers. Lunette needn't worry about her Moon figured. Its best to keep the girls innocence alive for as long as possible. The ebony alphess didnt want her worrying over her either so she kept her true emotions hidden.

Lunette Vuesain

I’ve got my love stuck in my head

It was an oddly nice morning. She felt.. sleepy, in a sense, as if she wasn't quite awake yet, and it made her at peace. Relaxed. Things didn't seem quite so daunting or frightening, the shadows not as deep, even though the contrast made them dark—and Moonshadow, well, she was just Moonshadow, sworn protector and leader. And, for the moment, company. There was no fear in Lunette, no fear of judgment, no fear of displeasing, just the sleepy, mild curiosity about who this wolf really was, and where she came from. Frightening as the size of the world was, it also had a strange appeal, amplified by her sister's adventurous nature. If Ismena saw something out there.. surely, there had to be something?

When the older female sat down close to her, it surprised her. She.. well, they were pack and close in those terms, but she hadn't expected her to sit down so easily, as if she wanted to spend some time with Lunette. It.. it felt good. Her chest swelled slightly with boosted confidence, and her ears swiveled forward to catch the words. At the end of them her brows rose, and she watched in disbelief as the fish was nosed closer to her. For me? she thought, caught off-guard, and her gaze skipped rapidly from fish to Moonshadow a couple of times, before she managed to get out a small "Y-yeah...". In defense of the sudden—though brief—terror, she began to lower her head, only to catch the answer to her question.

She supposed? Foolishly, Lunette did not consider that others might, at least sometimes, operate as she did, and tactlessly she asked, "You suppose? You don't know?". Though, she might as well be talking to the fish mere inches under her nose.. and even though the words themselves were questioning, her voice was not unkind, but she fled from that, too, sinking her teeth into the cold meat of the fish. One paw was laid on its head, and she kept to the end of it, conscious of blocking Moonshadow from eating her own kill.

And.. speaking of.. slowly, she raised her head, and regarded the older female. She hesitated; bit her lip; ran through all the potential disastrous scenarios, before finally speaking. "Could you.. could you maybe teach me to do this?" she asked, quietly.

OOC!

The already present smile grew a bit wider as the young girl accepted her offer of breakfast. While the girl wasn't her own Moon would still provide for her as if she was. All children, in the dark woman's mind, were to be taken care of regardless of blood. So she sat watching the you best Vuesian eye the aquatic prey. A chuckle escaped her inky lips as Lunette spoke. While her words were meant for the temporary lead female it looked as if she was speaking to the fish. Did she know? Yes she did but she didnt want to worry the girl. Moon took a moment to think how to reply "Sometimes its difficult to explain ones feelings out loud or even to themselves. So I'd have to say yes I suppose for alright is the easiest way to explain it". Her tone was kind as she decided that was the best way to explain it.

Silver eyes watched as the tiny pup ate the fish, holding its head with her paw while eating at the other end. She didnt mind in the least bit that another was eating her kill. The growing girl needed the meal more than the midnight woman. Curiosity flashed in Moonshadow's mercury orbs as Lunette lifted her head to look at her nervously. Her curiosity was satisfied as the girl asked to be taught how to fish. "Of course dear I'd be happy to" the dark alphess' tail wagged happily behind her. Her? A teacher? The thought filled her with unexpected joy, excitement, and pride. For having come to the cove with next to no skills she was amazed with herself about how far she had come simply to lead. Now teaching the next generation an important life skill? "How about you finish up and then we can start" she would allow the girl to finish - if she wanted to that is - and then she would start the lesson.

Lunette Vuesain

I’ve got my love stuck in my head

If it was one thing Lunette appreciated, it was sincerity and thoughtfulness. She had no real feel for the natural cadence and rhythm of a conversation, and talking to her was frequently punctuated by too-long pauses as she mulled over something. Hearing the silence as Moonshadow considered Lunette's probing question was many things: relieving, surprising, heart-warming... There was always, always something to be had in truly considering what it was you wanted to say, and Lunette found herself with her fangs parted but not sunk into the fish, waiting for a suddenly much-anticipated reply.

When it came, her brows furrowed, and she buried her teeth in the fish. Seemed like a thoughtful response needed a thoughtful reaction and analysis, because at first, she wasn't sure she understood what the older female meant. Her jaws ground the cold, slippery flesh of the fish into smaller pieces, and after she'd swallowed that mouthful, she nodded. "Words can be difficult," she agreed quietly, bending over the fish again, still keeping to her end and wondering when Moonshadow would shoo her off, or simply join her. It was her fish, after all, and if Lunette wanted a whole fish she could damn well get one herself, right?

Except that she didn't know how to, but that wasn't anybody else's problem, really.

"Of course dear I'd be happy to," was the response to her timid request. She felt equal parts terrified and equal parts overjoyed, her heart doing a backflip as her teeth suddenly lost traction and her jaws started shivering. In Lunette, it was a perfectly normal response to having dared to ask something, but an inconvenient one as well. Flattening her ears to her head she hid it by burying her teeth in the fish again, letting its body soak up the vibrations. Turned out it was all hers, too, which she only felt slightly guilty about, but she was in no state to argue—not when her teeth were rattling in her mouth, if she'd remove the fish.

She swallowed, nothing but air and anxiety going down her gullet, and drew a deep, steadying breath through her nose. All things considered, it was still a good day, which was, maybe, the most disheartening part; more dysfunctional than your average wolf, and still, more functional than the every-day Lunette. It was a wonder she didn't hate herself more than she did.

She nodded, mutely, and dislodged some more meat from the fish, and gulped it down. The post-adrenaline trembling had already begun to recede, and without it weighing heavy on her mind, a little excitement trickled in. She'd—she'd get to fish! And she had asked about it, all on her own! No one had come up with the idea, or told her 'hey, let's go fishing'—but she had asked! Unbidden, her tail started to wag fiercely, and suddenly alight with pride and courage, Lunette quickly wolfed down the rest of the fish. Once it was gone, she sat straight up, licked her muzzle clean, and stared very, very attentively at Moonshadow.

OOC! Teaching 1/3

It seemed that the small girl accepted her almost round about answer and actually agreed with it by saying that words were difficult. It was an insightful response for someone so young. A warm smile grew on the temporary leaders inky lips. She knew how timid Lunette could be but she didnt know that it also included asking questions to those within the pack. Silver eyes watched as the lake princess finished the fish and became visibly overjoyed. Moonshadow took a moment to think how to best go about teaching one how to fish. Her thoughts drifted to @Kajika and how he preferred to teach by showing. The ebony female decided that would be the best course.

"Alright so fishing isn't like hunting. It takes more patience and time" she began moving towards the hole in the ice that she made. "First you want to find a good spot where you can hover over the water. In the winter its more difficult because you most likely won't want to stand in the water since it would be too cold. Also in the winter you might have to make your own hole in the ice. I use a rock but you can use whatever works for you." She stopped before stepping up to the hole for she didnt want to scare the fish off with her voice. "Once you find a good spot you can begin. I'll do it once and then you can ask questions and try yourself." She smiled and waited for the silver girl to affirm that she understood. Once she did the temp matriarch moved to the waters edge. She stepped into the water so that only her toes were touching the freezing liquid. She leaned over the water and watched for a fish. The cold water made the aquatic prey move slower which made them easier to catch once they were in striking distance. Her breath was steady and slow as to not startle the fish. Mercury orbs locked onto a specimen and waited for it to come close enough for her to grab. Once it was she shot her head down into the frigid water with jaws open. Feeling her target with in her mouth Moonshadow jerked her head from the water pulling the fish with her. She took a few steps away from the water before dropping the meal. Giving her large head a good shake she rid herself of excess water. Bending down she picked the fish up by its spine and gave a good shake, killing it within seconds. Placing it back on the rocky shore she looked back to her student. Smiling she asked "Would you like to try now? You can also ask a question if you have one" she added wanting the girl to know it was okay to ask them.

Shallow water has trapped several fish in a small pond. Hunt Opportunity