Dead Empress Backwater blue jean serenade

Round three deadline April 8th, 2021 -- planning for round 3 to be the chase, 4 the take down, 5 post-hunt and call it done

what i really need now is a double shot of crown

Those participating seemed eager, and he felt a sense of joy and pride that this was already going so well. It felt like his first official mark on the pack. Vi volunteered to join him with the takedown whilst the three girls volunteered to do the chase. He nodded, rising to his feet as his tail wagged slowly from side to side, before he decided to hum. “You three stay here, give Vi and I some time to get in position and then start the chase. We’ll be to the southeast.” He explained to the three of them before motioning his head along.

He crept southwest, away from the herd enough that they would not be noticed and hid in some of the bramble that lined near the edges of the Wildwood, the creek near where it met the Grove. His ears were pressed flat against his skull as his eyes narrowed and he simply watched and waited. His tail still wagged lightly from side to side as he could feel the adrenaline starting to course through his veins.

chase away ladies!

Vayko’s plan was a good one, and the situation reminded Viorel of their first time leading a hunt back at the Estuary. It was a funny memory to think of now, they had been barely more than children then, and now a year later they were leading their pack in a hunt. Oh how time flies as they say. Giving the women a smile, and a quick, ”Be careful, okay?” he wanted them all to stay safe obviously, though for different reasons. One carried his children, one was his girlfriend, and one was his advisor. Yellow eyes lingered on Vanadis for a moment before he winked at her and then followed his cousin into the brush.

Hunching down so his bulky frame would be less noticeable as they snuck through the undergrowth as silently as possible. Once Vayko found his place, the salt and pepper wolf gave him a gentle nudge on the haunches before creeping past him. Settling down about a couple meters farther, the tawny form was barely visible in his hiding place. Yellow eyes shifted from Vayko to the herd that he could spy through the branches. All there was to do now was wait for the women to send them their way.

Feel free to PP Vana chasing :)

Vanadis nodded at Vayko's command, and crinkled her nose at Viorel's wink. "Good luck." was all she said before the boys disappeared into the brush.

Pale eyes flickered over the herd as they waited, searching for a point of entry as well as any visible weakness. There were enough wolves that they shouldn't really need to pick out a weak one, but the easier the takedown, the quicker they'd be eating. As luck would have it, Vana's gaze fell upon an older looking bull who seemed to lack some of the muscle the other's were sporting. She tilted her head to the side, before shooting the other women a questioning glance as if to say, 'That one?'

Should they agree, Vanadis would lurch foreword to start the chase, ready to help separate and steer the creature toward the boys.

Same with Clover! :)

Clover gave a quick glance in Vanadis' direction as the other female offered to join the chasing group, excited by the prospect of the three of them working together to chase the deer towards the boys. She nodded at Vayko's instructions, returning the smile that Viorel sent towards her and the two other females before quickly turning to face the deer herd.

Her gaze flicked between the herd, looking for one that seemed like it would be less of a challenge to take down. With the group they had it would not be too difficult, but there was no need for them to take any unnecessary risks. She met Vanadis' questioning gaze for a moment, her own eyes travelling to the older bull within the group. It was a good choice, and she moved herself into a crouched position, ready to spring forward into a run if Sharlee also agreed on the choice of prey. With the three of them it would be a breeze to herd it towards the boys.

Sorry for the delay in getting this round up -- this is the take-down round. Final Round will begin April 19th

what i really need now is a double shot of crown

Determination and hunger seated his step as he took his place, waiting patiently for the ladies to bring their chose closer to them. He could feel that gnawing hunger deep in his belly. Even in the best of times when his belly was full, a hunt always seemed to make him hungry. Normally, it was fish, but he had to admit these land animals tasted decent. He’d had them at the Cove of course, he didn’t live off of fish, he just preferred them. They brought the bull closer, his tail lashing from side to side as he waited.

His eyes briefly flashed to his cousin, a soft nod to him as a signal before he dove from where he was hiding to cut the creature off. It flared, the panic in it’s eyes as it realized the downfall. It was slow, old and decrepit compared to the rest of the herd, which made it ripe for the picking. He lunched forward, narrowing avoiding a hoof that came down in a stop as an attempt for the creature to fend itself. He sunk his teeth into a haunch, aiming for the neck but missing his mark due to the creature’s actions, feeling it start to fumble as it flailed trying to kick him off. Victory was close, but it was up to Vi to deliver a killing blow.

There was a level of excitement that came with the hunt. It almost felt like this was what said their pack was official. Sure they had claimed their land an all but for them as a pack. Going hunting together made it even more official. Part of Sharlee had hoped more would show like Andrey and Aunt Modesto but she was happy with the number of them that had shown up. 

The way it was shaping up the boys would be doing the take down and she and the other girls would be doing the chasing. That worked out just fine in Sharlee's eyes. 

She gave a quick nod to her brothers words, "You two be careful too," she stated before following Clover and Vanadis into position. She wasn't exactly sure when they should go so she waited and tried to watch her brother and cousin. She crouched down to wait for the right time to take off after their prey.

(This post was last modified: Apr 12, 2021, 08:49 PM by Sharlee.)

From his vantage point in the foliage Viorel watched carefully, critically, as the women masterfully worked together. It brought a swell of pride to see them separate their pick from the herd, they had hunted before now but this was their first time officially as the Backwater. But, there wasn’t very much time to sit around and think about his warm and fuzzies, the elk and the women were bearing down quickly on them.

Vayko struck first, and knocked the elk of balance, although not as smoothly as they usually hoped for. The beast reared up and thrashed against his cousin, but in its panic did not see the second male lurking in the bushes. Striking out Viorel latched onto the neck, clenching his teeth as it trashed, until it was finally still. Once he was sure that their prey was dead his finally let go, sides panting, and a triumphant grin on his face. Lifting his muzzle to the sky he howled to announce their winnings, it was time to celebrate.

Though it was their first big hunt together, they all seemed to fall into their places, and work effectively as a team, separating the bull from it's heard with ease and driving it toward the boys. Whether he had intended to or not, Vayko was able to distract the elk, leaving Viorel open for the kill.

The creature didn't struggle for long, succumbing to injury and loss of air much quicker than she had thought. Her tail wagged as it's body stilled. The fight was over, and they were victorious. She had high hopes that their luck would continue on.

"That was easier than I thought."

As one the women all had rushed to the older bull, able to separate him from the rest of the herd without too much trouble, and before she knew it they were directing him towards where Viorel and Vayko lay in wait. She could feel the blood pumping in her veins, and before long the bull had reached the boys, only mere seconds later to be met with two attacking wolves. First Vayko, latching onto the shoulder, then Viorel, grabbing firmly onto its neck with unforgiving force.

Clover slowed down to a stop, not close enough to be kicked by a stray hoof from the thrashing bull, but still close by so that she could jump in if things went wrong. But it seemed as if the two boys were enough to take down the bull, as before long it gave one last struggle, and finally it lay unmoving. She joined in with Viorel's howl, her own song matching his celebratory tone, before turning to grin at the two women next to her. They had worked well as a team, better than she would have thought for their first hunt together. "Great work everyone," she said with a gentle laugh, glad that no one had gotten hurt.

LAST ROUND! I will be archiving this May 1st.

what i really need now is a double shot of crown

Things were coming together well, and they were working cohesively as a group which certainly made him feel better. He hummed softly as he Viorel brought the creature down fully, feeling as the tension associated with the creature’s life faded from it’s body as he released his grip with a light pant and a wide grin. He licked his muzzle clean and nodded to both of the floozies’ words. “I agree, Vanadis.” It had been easier than he thought. He had worried that things would not bode well because the entire pack was not there… but in the end it had all worked out.

He just hoped that everything was going to work out like that, and that they would continue to reap good fortune. He let out a song of his own to join them before his brain instantly started to turn for the next hunt, the next fight… the next, something that would befall them. “Dig in, everyone.” He motioned to Vi in particular to allow him the first bite, respecting the hierarchy for once in his life.