Turtleback Lake Making the best of it

They'd been in their new home almost two weeks, it had been that long since she had last seen her mother. Oksana had thought she caught her scent outside the territory but she hadn't been sure as it was rather faint. It left a few questions for the pup but she didn't want to acknowledge them or what they might mean. She knew that she had to move on from it, her past. Her mother and father were no longer with her and she had to accept that too. It was going to be hard but she could do it and she could become what her mother had always wanted her to be, a good member of the pack.

Oksana thought about how she could do that, Inna had given her the j formation and the training and now all she had to do was apply it and practice. Her hunting certainly needed more practice since she was only okay at it. She needed to be good at it so she set out away from the borders once more. This time though it wasn't to get away for awhile or to go in search of her parents. No, this time she was going to bring something back for the cache. The little Raven was determined.

As soon as she set out she put her nose to the ground though careful with her footing since the area was still very new.

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Fishing Post 1/?

Another wolf nearby was being a lot more wild with her footing. Pip had been lurking around the pack's new territory ever since she'd been a treated guest within their borders. While she'd not made an obvious presence - sticking only to the infirmary until she left the next morning with a full belly and good rest - the mute had been certain to leave gifts as often as possible to repay them. She was in the process of finding her next gift.

Beneath her paws, the ice cracked at the edge of Turtleback Lake as Pip bounced on it again and again. Determined to make a hole, she reared up on her back legs to slam down hard with her front paws. When finally she broke through her front legs were covered with water up to her elbows and she carefully backed up to wait for one of the lake's fish to swim near enough for her to grab it.

To entice them closer, she lapped at the water a little, hoping the disturbance would resemble a bug or other such item that a fish would find of interest in the heart of winter. Now she would have to have patience.

The agouti female lay with her paws almost dipped into the water, eyes steadily pinned on the surface. The mute could wait for hours if she had to - she'd done it before. Hopefully, it wouldn't be quite that long.

(This post was last modified: Feb 09, 2018, 09:11 PM by Pip.)

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She'd sniffed some way from the border in her hunt, she wanted to finally catch something all.on her own. Her mother wandt there to be proud of her any longer but that didn't mean that she couldn't be proud of herself, right? She didn't want to be like her mother and he drug down by her grief and she didn't want to lose those closest to her either. Neither of her parents disappearances from her life had been her fault and she refused to take any blame for it. They had made their choices she knew that.

Her hunt was interrupted by loud cracking sounds that if she didn't know any better sounded like ice. Maybe someone was using the trick she had learned or maybe it was her mother and she could at least see that she was okay. She still loved Inna and hoped the best for her even if they couldn't be together anymore. Forgetting her hunt and to watch her footing Oksana ran toward the lake as fast as she could not wanting to miss the chance to see her mum.

However she was very disappointed when she came barreling on to the shore, Mum, she called but soon saw that it wasn't her mum at all. Instead it was a rather small wolf that was russett in color and she was laying next to the water. Oksana sighed before looking at her paws and the ground before them.

She knew she couldn't stay there forever and it would be impolite to not speak with the wolf. She gave a quick look around as she approached the wolf at the shore. “Hello, I'm sorry to have bothered you. I...um...thought you were someone else.” She pawed at a rock that was at her feet, “Um, are you okay?” She asked since she did think it a little odd that the woman was laying next to the water like that.

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Fishing post 2/?

Mum.

Pip turned, her heart in her throat. It gave an unsteady jolt, but her brain caught up with her silly feelings. No, she was never Mum. She was Ma and Aegir was nowhere near here. The little mute shared in the pup's disappointment, but forced herself to smile and swish her tail across the ground in greeting. Surely it was one of the pack's pups. She didn't mind the company as long as she was kind. By the look of her, Pip could hazard a guess that she was.

The girl's quick apology and voiced concern proved it right there that she certainly was kind. Pleased, her swishing tail became thumping lightly against the ground. The agouti female nodded - yes, yes, she was fine! Just fishing! Pip tilted her head as she considered. What better gift to give a pack? Give a wolf a fish and feed them for a day. Teach a wolf to fish and feed them for a lifetime. With her strength returned, it was well within her capabilities.

As long as the little one wouldn't be frightened by her...

Pip inclined her head to beckon the pup closer in silent request for her to join her before returning her gaze back to the water. If the fish were cooperative, maybe the little one wouldn't get bored before something showed up. Should the little one settle beside her, the mute would reach forward to lick lightly again at the water before settling back to wait once more.

(This post was last modified: Feb 09, 2018, 09:11 PM by Pip.)

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

Fishing post 1/?

Part if her was angry with herself for even entertaining the idea that her mother would be this close to surge territory. She knew what Ayti had told Inna and she knew how the older Baranski felt about all of it. Perhaps that was why she found it so hard to be angry at the Raven for making the choice that she'd made. More she was angry at Atyi and Lachesis for what they had done, how they had treated Inna. There wasn't anything she could do about it and she knew that, she was just a pup after all so the adults usually didn't pay much attention to her.

This one however seemed to be nice and didn't seem the disruption of her barging in on whatever she was doing. The apology seemed to be accepted and a nod from the lighter coated woman seemed to indicate that she was fine. Oksana was a little perplexed why she hadn't just said that but she didn't mind. What she did notice was that her scent seemed a little familiar but the pup couldn't place it just then.

The little crows head canted to the side as she tried to figure out what the little woman was trying to tell her. Her eyes widened a moment later and a smile spread across her lips as she took the invitation that was given to her. “Your very kind,” she said as she joined the woman, “I'm Oksana, what's your name?” She asked curiously before seating herself next to the quiet wolf, "What are we doing?" She asked looking between the water and the woman. She watched at the woman lapped a little at the water.

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Fishing post 3/?

As the little black pup introduced herself, Pip smiled sweetly. Truthfully, it was the part she liked least. She didn't mind when others gave her a name - in fact, she rather enjoyed listening to the names others would come up with for her - but the tension as the silence lengthened was always uncomfortable. If only there was an easier way for strangers to know she had no voice rather than them having to stumble through it to realize. The responsibility for causing such unease rested squarely on her shoulders each time. It could be exhausting.

Pip could only shake her head and open her mouth before closing it. There would be no name from her. If the pup wanted to call her something, she would answer.

Much better with the next question, the agouti returned her sunset eyes back to the water's surface. She stared with an intensity that didn't suit her otherwise meek personality. Pip was never more focused than when she was fishing. Every fiber of her being was poised for the task, for it was one she'd been doing since she was tinier than Oksana.

What luck! Pip watched as the water's surface rippled. Not too soon, she reminded herself. It would be good for the pup to see that timing was everything as well. Carefully, Pip dipped her tongue in the water again. She let it stay there for a moment, tension evident in the stiff hold of her body. Her strike was like lightning. As soon as she felt the little nibble at the end of her tongue, the mute drove her muzzle forward, mouth opening wide only to crunch down on the fish's head. It was an awkward angle, but Winter made such things more difficult.

The little female stood, backpedaling quickly to drag her catch from the water as it thrashed in desperation. Only when she and the fish - a lake trout - were far enough from the water's edge did she let it go and sit nearby while it flopped on the ground. She beamed at the pup, tail thumping proudly as she inclined her head towards the fish. Oksana was welcome to play with it, or eat it! That was how she'd learned, after all! Her father would drag his catch onto shore and let her and her siblings play with it before starting to teach how to go about actually fishing. Besides, part of the battle was keeping the fish from going back in the water! Now it was up to Oksana to ensure that didn't happen (though Pip would intervene if it looked like she was losing such a battle).

Fishing post 2/?

As with most wolves Oksana expected the woman to reply with her own name when she'd given hers. That was not the case this time which the little Crow didn't think it was because the woman was being rude or mean since she had not yet presented herself as such. In the pups experience the rude ones generally were from the start. She canted her head to the side curiously when the woman shook her head and opened her mouth. It only took a moment for Oksana to realize what she was trying to tell her.

I see. You don't have a voice. That explains a lot but don't worry, we'll figure it out. she said giving the woman a bump on her chin, Do you mind if I give you a name just so an have something to call you? She asked not wanting to go ahead and call her anything if she didn't want that.

The pup was curious about what the woman had invited her to do so had asked but she didn't receive a spoken answer. Instead she had to try to figure it out. Oksana thought this was rather fun. She'd never met a wolf who couldn't speak before and while communicating was difficult and a little awkward she didn't mind. Working out what she was being told was a challenge that she liked and the woman seemed so patient with her. The pup thought maybe she had that alot talking to wolves who didn't know she couldn't talk.

It was as if mother nature knew the question that the little Crow had asked because right then with a little lap at the water the woman was pulling a fish out of the water. Oksana had watched the whole thing carefully trying to understand but it became very clear what they were doing, We're fishing, she stated happy that she had figured it out. Her tail wagged behind her as she went to examine the fish that now lay flopping on the shore.

She looked to the small woman, I haven't ever seen anyone fish like that before. It was actually really smart she thought. When she looked back to the fish she saw that it seemed to be flopping a little too close to the water so she went and after a couple of tries got a grip on it's tail. She then drug it back up the shore further from the water. She didn't want them to lose the fish they had caught. With the fish safe and it's flopping slowed she turned her attention back to the woman, Can you show me how to do that? She asked, Please.

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Fishing post 4/?

Pip blinked with surprise, followed closely by a relieved smile. Trust a pup to discover the issue without judgement and accept it as easily as if being told the sky was blue. Affection came swiftly for the young one as Oksana nudged her chin as if she were the pup in need of comforting! Were all the pups of this pack so darling? Lavender had been kind as well. The little mute hoped they were friends. If not, she imagined they could find enough common ground if they tried.

As she was asked if she minded any particular name, Pip shook her head pleasantly, eyes crinkling at the edges with amusement. She couldn't wait to hear what name she would be given this time. Of all of them, her favorite was by far Signy, but she supposed it was to be expected to adore the name given by one's paramour. But even the name Squeak held a favored place in her heart. And she couldn't forget Squawk!

But soon enough, the fish was between the pair of them and Pip got to lift herself higher at the surprise in the pup's tone. She sounded awfully dazzled by her performance! It sent the mute's tail wagging harder, happy to have made such a good impression. The agouti female watched with delight as the pup chased after the fleeing trout, laughing silently complete with shaking shoulders at the age-old struggle of catch-the-fish. They were such squirmy buggers.

Impressed herself when the pup managed to pin it down and actually carry it back by the tail - a difficult feat to say the least! - Pip stood and bowed her head in acknowledgement of a job well done. When Oksana requested she teach her, the mute beamed brightly, orange eyes shining. It was exactly what she intended!

With the first catch safely up near the bushes and far from the water's edge, Pip showed the pup to crawl back to the hole in the ice so as not to disturb the fish. She left room at her side so Oksana could have a clear view and carefully draped her head over. Gently, she dipped her tongue into the water to bait any more fish closer. Whether there were any more in the area or not remained to be seen, but even so, it was good to show the pup how to do it on another day. It took skill, yes, but patience most of all! Fish were not be rushed.

In her birth pack, Pip had learned many ways of fishing. Some were taught by her elders, but mostly she'd self-taught. Aside from her siblings, most of her pack had preferred she didn't exist. Having a wolf with such a handicap had been a blight upon them. But this current tactic had worked well in tidal pools, and would suit the lake just fine. It was too wide for any wolf to go diving through, and too deep as well. In the streams and rivers, other tactics would work better. But with such still water, it was the subtle art of a tongue flick that could serve to bait their prey near.

Through the ice, Pip could see her tongue flick had attracted the attention of something red. Maybe a char or salmon? She wasn't sure with such few details through the thick ice. But it was larger than the first catch, so it made it more exciting. With her eyes, Pip looked from Oksana back to the shape. Did she see it? The mute flicked her tongue again into the icy water and watched as it came ever closer.

Impatience tempted her - she wanted to catch it for the pup and show her how it was done! But rushing would only earn her a cold, wet face with nothing to show for her. So Pip waited. And waited.

Fishing post 3/?

It was the first time that she had ever met a wolf who couldn't speak but that didn't worry the pup. She let the woman know that they would figure it out and find a way to communicate, Sana knew that if she really paid attention to the woman she would know exactly what she was trying to tell her. It also helped that the Agouti was a patient woman who didn't seem to get frustrated easily. The question of if the woman had ever been able to talk did cross her mind but she thought it impolite to ask so didn't.

Instead she focused on a name for her so that she would have something to call her. She took a step back to look her over as she tried to come up with a name. If you like it I would like to call you violet, I think it would suit you quite well. Oksana hadn't ever named anything before but she thought that the woman deserved the name of a flower and Lavender was already taken. Beside violets were small like the woman but pretty which she was that too. Oksana nodded, I think that is the perfect name for you. She was glad that she had found her a suitable name.

There wasn't much more time for talk of names because Violet had soon caught a rather large fish. Which led the pup to figure out they were in fact fishing, how exciting. Her mother had shown her a couple ways but she'd not had a chance to practice much. This way that her new friend was teaching her seemed a much more effective way of doing things.

The fish once on the shore tried to make a get away back to the water but Oksana acted quickly and soon had it back away from the water. She wasn't going to let Violet lose her well earned fish. The fish had been heavy but the pup felt she was well up to the task, she was much bigger than she used to be. In return and acknowledgment of what she'd done she got a bow of Violet's head. This brought a wide smile and rapid wag of her tail from Oksana, she was glad to know she had done a good job.

Since Violet couldn't speak instructions like others Oksana chose to mimic her actions. She thought it was the best way for her to learn what her new friend had done in catching the fish. She crawled in next to the small woman and watched as she dipped her tongue gently into the water. The pup would have never thought to do it this way but from what she had learned she thought that it made a lot of sense.

When practicing in the river in Hearthwood her mother had told her she had to take things slow with fish. They were skittish creatures so she understood that now she and Violet would have to wait for the fish to appear. Oksana wanted to catch the fish right away being a pup her patience wasn't that of an adult but she contained herself and kept her eyes on the hole that was in the ice for any sign that the trick had worked.

Then through the ice the little Crow so some movement first and then a flash of red. She looked to her friend just as her friend looked at her. She gave her a nod, yes she had seen it and she hoped it would come closer. Again Violet flicked her tongue in the water she she saw the fish come closer to the hole. It was everything in the pup to stay where she was and not do something that would scare the fish away.

She looked back to the small woman next to her to see when she might grab the fish from the water like she had done before. When she saw that they were still waiting Oksana tried to calm herself, this was very important and she wanted to do well.

(This post was last modified: Feb 10, 2018, 10:31 PM by Oksana.)

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