The Wildwood a new beginning

It had been a time since her last talk with her leader and second at her side, unknowing of the return of both Aisling and Kiche. It was without a doubt that Grizzly Hollow needed members for the help of the still growing children, but Elettra had no means to allow members in the pack just for numbers sake. Loyalty, trust would be needed and Elettra by no means would feel this way towards member which had turned their back's on the pack in it's greatest need. Unaware, Elettra Archer's only worry was the hunt, having spent much time traveling down a herd of white-tailed deer. Smaller deer then she would have wished for, but still she followed without break, eager to make way. Hours ago Elettra had called out for the members of her pack- Jaysyek, Raigo, the children and the new man Crux. This would be the new wolf's first test by her should he show. With the children coming along, there would be no reason why he could not come.

How, with the protection of the forest around them, the derr became more relaxed. They were in the southern end of the Wildwood where it was burned and filled still with ash. Surely they were traveling north, towards the most lush lands and possibly to the other side to meet the fields of ether cherry or blackberry. They had stopped here for the moment, grazing on the new delicate foliage just growing as the forest struggled to revive itself. It is here within the distance did she wait for the rest of her pack, amongst burned foliage and ash.

Back in her home, despite the ever gnawing voice in her ear, she knew that she had things to do. Regain the trust of her leader, whether or not such trust would be used for good or bad, Aisling didn't know, but she did know that she needed it. The once-ghostly cat hadn't given her any direct orders yet and with a pack hunt on the horizon, she knew this was the perfect chance to get some stuff out of the way before he decided to unleash her upon them.

Her paws led her to the ashy wood that would be where the hunt took place, and from the smell of it, she was the first one to arrive. Elettra's scent was familiar so the pale girl followed it to the source, though purposely chose to all but ignore the presence of the black wolf, sitting silently a few feet away, waiting for more bodies to arrive. She would obey the orders given and execute them to the best of her ability. "Show them how powerful you are." The feline whispered, a smile in his tone. Her tail curled around her haunch, all the intention in the world to obey his command. <b style="color:#388d10">"speech."

<blockquote><i>puppy powerplay here.
i think if everyone who's going to attend will post by the <b>1st</b> that would be appreciated to keep it moving :) Sarah, Kiche would be welcome to sit with the pups if you want....</i>

Head shot up, and ears rose to Elettra's call, it was once again time to see how they all functioned as a unit. She was confident the other members heard the call, and could do well to get themselves there. She, on the other hand needed to round up for eager students. She jogged back to the den site, looking for four pale figures. She let out a sharp woof, alerting them it was time to go. It didn't take long for them to greet her, and quickly the five started the journey to the Wildwood. It was not the longest walk they had taken as they had not left Grizzly Hollow for any great time, and she felt her own stem of excitement to lead them into the unknown. Of coarse she was weary, eager to keep watch over the growing wolves, and yet continue to lead them to their final destination. The children had witenessed one hunt, but this time might be a little different because they were starting to hunt. White head lifted high, a smile on her face, she slowly trotted making sure all of them were following close.

This journey was fairly smooth, their legs longer now. She cast her head back, looking to each one proudly now and again. She was surpised Elettra's scent lead into the burnt grounds of the Wildwood, but did not doubt the lady's choice. <b>"Stay close, and fairly quiet"</b> she reminded, head turning back around, her eyes searching. It was not the dark coat of Elettra she saw first, it was the dark blond of Aisling. She cut the distance, and looked around for Raigo or Crux. She didn't see them here yet, but was not about to fuss. If they were too far, or engaged else where she figured three females could manage. She nodded a silent hello to Aisling, and stopped to the side of El. She looked to her children, a final head count, and than drifted to her haunches. <b>"Alright pups, can you tell me what we're going to hunt?"</b> She asked, she had caught the scent of deer, and wondered if they would recall the smell of the <span class='word'>sapid</span> meat.</blockquote>

Raigo felt like a votary, the way he was constantly on the lookout. Borden's scent had fast faded from the previously well marked Grizzly Hollow borders. They had been replaced by the aging Raigo, who's youthful demeanor was beginning to fade. The bright cheer that had come to define him was gradually being replaced by serious looks and lines of worry. He rationalized the switch in behavior as a necessary in order to help the pack survive. He would do them no good if he was only goofing off all the time. No, Jayse and Elettra and the puppies needed him to be strong, a stable and able body to rely on when times were hard.

The ground was familiar now, to the point where Raigo could run the circumference of the entire territory with his eyes closed. In essence, he felt apart of the ground that he had become the watchman of, and he was loath to leave it. But when he heard the call of Elettra, he was obliged to go. His fellow second was not one for idle chit chat - if she needed him, it was for something important. Setting off a fast lope, he set off in the direction of the call.

Arrival came some time later, as Elettra's quest for food had taken her far beyond the bounds of Grizzly Hollow's borders. But at least she had found something. Attempting to appear more confident in his role as the second of the pack, Raigo approached the small gathering with a lifted head and tail. Eyes immediately found Jaysyek, who's pristine white coat helped her stand out far more than the others present. Drawing close to her, he licked her chin respectfully before pulling backwards. Gold eyes looked over the pups gathered around her feet and he smiled at them kindly before turning his attention to Elettra. Nodding his head in greeting, eyes flicked past her to the other creature present - Aisling.

Uncertainty crossed his features, and he hesitated before simply turning away. He had met her, of course, but she had been one of the few who had decided that Grizzly Hollow was not worth calling home. She had left, and for whatever reason, decided it was time to return. Fine, but this was not home, not to her. "Plan?" The question was directed to the other two leading females. The scent of the white-tailed deer had not been lost on him, but without Borden there, who had primarily taken the kill, he was unsure of how they would function together as a unit.

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<blockquote>Today was the day! Well, everyday was 'The Day' in Trisden's world, the day when she would prove herself to everyone. This day just provided a little more opportunity than the rest. She was certain, from the moment that they had been told what was happening, that she would show them all. Trisden Lyall was the next best thing in this part of the woods, they'd see.

Despite all this excitement welling up inside the small wolf, Trisden was actually fairly calm on the outside. Her siblings would know she was like a bomb contained, and no doubt her mother as well, but she was utterly determined not to spoil a thing. Unbridled energy had ruined many a small hunt in the past, and everything from rodents to insects had escaped her due to poor timing.

But no longer!

She skipped happily along beside her mother and siblings, trying to hold her head highest by a fraction. They were taking an unknown route, something she noticed very early on, and her excitement rose. Where were they going? How far? Grand notions filled her young head as she bounced onwards, quickly getting used to following Elettra's scent, looking forward to proving herself to the pack's wise and vaguely intimidating Second. Her nose also picked up the smell of food, but, when they finally arrived and her mother asked the question, Trisden had to be the one to answer it. The only trouble was, she couldn't quite remember.

<b>"Um, um,"</b> she said, lurching into an answer to prevent the others from doing so, <b>"... rr... deer?"</b> Was that right? Oh, she didn't care - by now, she was practically hopping with eagerness. Her eyes darted from face to face, perhaps skipping over Aisling a little quicker than the others, and the very concept of Raigo's question flew over her head as she envisioned herself being the cornerstone of the hunt, integral to its success. Nevermind that she had little to no idea what she was really doing, but enthusiasm made up for it, right?
</blockquote>

<blockquote>She hadn't realized something was different, or something was about to happen. Every day was full of surprises to the young female in a changing world, but when her mother announced them they were to gather, and leave she knew they were about to venture somewhere new. And something was really different. She was eager, maybe not as much as Trisden or Theo, but going somewhere different was a thrilling thought. First her tail wagged enthusiasticly behind her haunches, and she bobbed through the tall vegitation trying to keep pace with her elder sister. She was fine not being first, keeping close to the light tan coat, but she would not be last - not today.

She kept the view of her mother's sleek coat in her bright yellow eyes, just to be sure they were headed the right way. She often could detect Elettra's scent, and breathed it on her own a couple times out of natural habit. Of coarse, she was estatic to be leaving home, but the idea did scare her to a degree. She knew there were bad things mother warned about, and it seemed so huge away from the familiar she often looked around, making sure there were no monsters lurking. Sometimes playfully she'd bop into Theo, or Trisden, or make a playful snap at Hocus prentending, more than anything she was brave.

Hearing the word quiet caught her attention. She slowed her pace, and followed singly behind the tall white of the Grizzly Hollow leader, and tried best to be just that. She too caught the scent of food, but like Trisden couldn't quite recall what they called it. Once she pictured it, Trisden had already said deer. Lettie's interest soon was on something else, when Raigo came upon the scene, greeting first her mother than them. She smiled back to her taller friend, and than glanced to her mother for a second, than looked back to the chestnut male. She wanted to go up to him, when he ask about plans she sat down deciding she better not interupt. She knew they were going to hunt, though she wasn't sure who "they" were. She had no intention of wanting to chase the deer, not yet any way.</blockquote>

<i>This can only end badly,</i> Hocus thought, musing on the dangers of the woods as they marched, bounded and somersaulted their way to certain doom. He recognised the smell they were following, although even the stoic Second's scent failed to give him much confidence. Every sharp branch above them could fall on him at the gust of the wind, each rotten tree was a trap, no doubt laid to trip to him up. Even the smaller creatures, which had appeared so innocent to him a few weeks ago, were now in league with the Great One, prepared to smite him at the slightest infraction to their safety. And here the wolves were, going to hunt something 1000% bigger.

Hocus snarled and made an annoyed grunt as his wary observations were interrupted by Trisden's excitability, but his lips curled back to normal as he recognised his friend. Why couldn't she be more like Arlette, at least for a day? Calm, justifiably, but not paralytically, afraid and respectful, rather than the glory-seeking creature she was being now? Hocus had quickly recognised the change in his sister's character. With Prosper gone, she really wanted to be top-pup, and he had no doubt she could achieve it, if the Supreme Destroyer didn't get to her first, to punish her for her hubris.

As they came upon the burnt land Hocus had a very clear reinforcement of his fears. Imagine being in Hocus' shoes, where a mere thunderstorm had been enough to convince you of the power, and intent, of an omnipresent being, and now coming across a burnt and leafless area. Whatever he had done to draw His ire, this area must have done something far worse. And yet, apparently, what the wolves were hunting was in this area? It took Hocus a few seconds to make the ridiculous and yet bizarrely obvious connection.

<b>"Is it G-"</b> thankfully his boisterous sister interrupted his timid question. Obviously it was going to be something other than That. What a foolish notion that was. No one had heard say the 'G-', had they? Right? Hocus gave a little cough and clumsily looked about him, concerned more with him and his siblings' survival than taking down a simple deer.

She was silent as each and every one arrived- Raigo, as she may hoped for, a second at her side. Jaysyek, trailing the children behind her as promised, so they could learn and learn well of the hunt once more. Soon, a need for hunting rabbit to leave for them to practice on would be in need. However, today would be for the pack as a whole, food for the winter to come. Disappointment would take her by the lack of arrival of Crux, though she would say nothing on the manner. Perhaps he had been instructed to stay behind to watch the pack lands, though still she had longed to see the new man in action. What most spotted her interest, was Aisling. She knew little of the woman aside from her meek and kind nature, all devoid over what seemed a hardened look now as she offered the same silence Elettra offered her. El had no reason to dislike the woman (for she did not know of her sway to the darker nature) yet would remain weary and certainly would not place her full trust into her, should she up an abandon them once again as many had before her- Vlarindara, Kiche, Borden...

"I've got it." She spoke then, answering out to Raigo's question of a plan. Still, the deer grazed on the new foliage lightly, still slowly on the move forward and away from the wolves as they made way to the lush part of the forest, untouched by the blaze of fire which had raged here a time ago. "It will be I and Raigo who will be the bulk in our group. We will wait in our placements and ambush. It will be our jaws and the power behind it which take down the prey. Avoid the hooves of the given beast, of course. I will aim for the left side of the neck and you, the right. A direct frontal attack towards hooves and possible horns is a risk no one should need taking." By this, they will be working opposite of one another, hiding within the brush on each side of the striking point, awaiting the deer to be led in the middle of them, where they may attack from ether side. One for the jugular and one for the throat. "Aisling and Jaysyek, you will be our runners. After we pick our target, it will be you two we will rely on to herd us the kill. Unlike the ambushers who work opposite of one another, you two will work together- side by side. Maneuver your bodies between the herd and our prey, chasing it into the direction of the ambushers. Stay behind the prey, but please, don't get too close." She would explain in full detail, describing the simple things they would already know if only for the children to get a better understanding on the tactic of the hunt to be played out. Raigo and Elettra would move forward into the lush foliage of the lands still green and unburned and wait, whilst the smaller, slimmer wolves better off for running would give chase in the hunt.

Elettra Archer's crown would arch, turning from her fellow members and onto the youth of the pack, wondering if they might have understood what she had whispered to them all. After this, she would turn her attention to Jaysyek. The deer were still moving out from the ashes lands and towards greener pastures as perfectly hoped, but it would be Jaysyek's decision, as their lead, to decide which in the group of deer would be chosen to hunt. In wait for her leadess decision, she would remain comfortable by the side of her, readying herself for her position to come.

Sorry, in a huge hurry :[
<blockquote>Fashionably late was what he'd liked to have called it. Crux knew his new packmates were likely disinclined to agree, but regardless of that, he had arrived. Drawing nearer to the group, he noted the faces present, having arrived just in time to hear Elettra begin with the hunting plans. Jaysyek, of course, on whom his eyes lingered momentarily before floating back to Elettra once more. When she had finished speaking, he lifted a brow apologetically, hoping that his arrival wouldn't come across as rude. That would hardly do, after all, and he was certain that he had much to prove to these wolves before they would really accept him as one of their own.

<b>"Hope I'm not about to ruin the whole operation,"</b> he quipped in his deep drawl, smiling jovially, yet it was clear that there was a hint of stoicism in his emerald gaze. <b>"Might I volunteer myself for the ambush team?"</b> Of course, he was aware that he wasn't in charge of the hunt, and so was willing to accept whatever position they offered him. Yet, from what he'd heard Elettra saying, ambush seemed like the best place to put him. His tracking skills, which he considered to be his best hunt-related attribute, were of no use in this situation, and so he briefly fantasized about using his sheer size to take down his prey before pleasantly waiting for orders.</blockquote>

(This post was last modified: Oct 04, 2011, 07:44 AM by Crux.)

<i>Sorry for the wait. Okay if everyone would please post by <b>October 12th </b>. If you can't just let me know :). I think once the hunt is going a post order will be in order. We'll work that out though.</i>

She quietly studied four, young faces, as they tried to remember. She paticularly had her eyes on Hocus as he began to answer, but whose words were cut off by Trisden's. Unsure what he was going to say, none the less a smile flashed across her face proud of her offspring. <b>"That's right."</b> She said quietly, hoping her daughter wouldn't let it go to her head, though somehow she was sure it would only fuel the fire. She wasn't awfully worried about it. It was natural for one pup to be bolder than the rest, and she didn't see harm in Trisden's exuberance for the time being. She dipped her head in greeting as Raigo approached, glad to see he had arrived after all. Ears cocked downward, mismatched eyes looking from Hocus to Arlette wondering what they were getting from all this.

<b>"It'll be alright,"</b> she assured him. She had noticed his watchful eyes on the journey over, looking for <span class='word'>bandersnatches</span>,and hoped he would believe she wouldn't let any harm come upon him. When Raigo asked for the plan, she turned her head looking to Elettra. Ears cupped forward she listened to her second's idea unfold, and was delighted she'd spoken in detail for the pups. Her attention drifted else where for a second, as to great surprise Crux joined in. A thin smile slid onto her cheek, and she slightly bobbed her head to the white male glad he could join them. Now if only the pups were listening close. The mother's eyes were on them hoping they were paying attention. Jayse was confident they'd learn. This was what it was all about, a mixture of watching, learning, their own trial and error, and of coarse just time. She caught the hint for her to choose which deer. The leader was silent, eyes darting over the deer in the distance all the while catching Crux volunteering.

She had hoped Kiche might have made it to sit with the pups, but she was sure he was probably much too sore, and tired still. She cleared her throat, her tail collecting round her haunches. <b>"Elettra I like your plan, but I'm thinking with Crux here perhaps I could sit with the pups, and Raigo could chase while Crux helps you ambush....as for the deer I think the second buck, the younger of the group looks promising."</b> Eyes met Elettra's pair of silver, than glimpsed to Raigo hoping that idea did not upset him. Jayse knew he was fully capable of doing an attack, and maybe El might preffer him, but maybe he'd like a change so she waited for someone to disagree.