Larkcall Lowlands sympathy for the devil

RE: You discover an unguarded cache and feast to your heart’s content! Anyone is welcome to join in :D

Afternoon, Light snow, 26°F, -3°C

Lorcan had been watching the coyote for some time as he lay crouched down behind a snowy mound just within the trees, sheltered from the snow which still fell in sheets out on the lowlands. From his position in the woodlands which skirted the edge of the heathland, the hungry subordinate had an undisrupted view of the coyote’s activity. Luckily for Lorcan the wind was blowing towards him, so from what he could tell the smaller canid was unaware of his prying eyes.

Minutes ticked by as the coyote put some effort into digging into the thick blanket of snow, spraying the white stuff everywhere as it desperately tried to locate its buried cache. Lorcan licked his lips as he watched the coyote then pick up what appeared to be the remains of a hare carcass and carefully placed it into the hole alongside the other remains it had scavenged; food it presumably planned to store for the upcoming winter months.

After the coyote finished covering the meat back over with snow, Lorcan watched with devilish delight as it quickly glanced around to check that no one had seen it. Lorcan didn’t dare make a move until he was sure the coyote was far enough away to be out of sight. Then, bounding eagerly out from the tree line, the subordinate raced his way straight to where he had seen the coyote only moments before, tail waving through the air with uncontained enthusiasm for what he was about to unbury.

Hastily he nuzzled through the thick blanket of snow, sniffing out the exact position where the cache was hidden. Upon locating it, Lorcan reared up onto his hind legs and plummeted his forepaws down with force, breaking through the snow’s crisp surface; and after some additional pawing around, finally exposed the treasure he was after. Nostrils flared and an excited yip erupted from his mouth as he shoved his face into the concave opening.

A myriad of delicious scents tempted his attention, but after sifting his muzzle through the various pieces of meat and hide, his teeth finally grasped onto the most appetizing. In one swift motion, he hauled out a large chunk of deer meat, hide and all, from the coyotes burrow. Grunting contentedly, he dragged his prize a few feet away from the open cache before settling down in the snow to begin feasting on the hallowed spoils as the ravens began to circle overhead.

(This post was last modified: Oct 30, 2016, 01:20 PM by Lorcan.)

# P O R C A N

sometimes, two people have to fall apart to realise

how much they need to fall back together

@Lorcan

Somethin' bad about to happen

Winter wasn't the best time to set off alone. It was a bit harder to get around as the snow piled up. A lot colder on her own. But, she wasn't about to change her mind, run home with her tail between her legs. Prove her brothers and mother right. If anything she was more determined to stay, and get by with her own wit. The only thing bothering her was he empty belly. Something she could remedy herself. So she thought.

A faint coat of snow covered her silver pelt with her patience. In the open plain she figured it was a perfect place. A grand view she had long sat in the same place, watching and waiting for the opportune moment. There was hope she might spy a late burrower or wounded prey dragging itself through the light storm. As golden eyes lined up and down the pale, yellow tundra, slowing growing white, no such luck. Her muscles long still, started to ache with the slow flow of blood.

Then, a black shadow and another caught in her sight from the distance. A lift to her muzzle she could make out it was a silhouette of a flock of ravens. This, was something. She stretched her cream appendages forward, cautiously drawn toward the scavengers. Bingo! A sure sign of food, and her mouth watered at the thought. As the loner cut the distance, she could see a large figure of brown and tan appear through the veil of white. Damn it! By its size it had to be a wolf. But, she wasn't entirely discouraged. She wasn't in poor health to fight, and she could at least see how attached he was to his meal. It was better than nothing.

She lowered her shoulders, head, and tail. Flattened her ears, and eased his way. A sign she wasn't going to be an immediate threat. "Looks like you are either very skilled or very lucky," she commented to announce her arrival, a soft wag of her silver banner. On purpose she halted, keeping her distance. Golden eyes drifted over his features, guessing him to be about her age, and either with a pack or not gone from one long. What a great effort it was to stare at his tawny snout instead of the great chunk of meat.

@Remington

The scent of another wolf caught him off guard and before he had time to think, the dark fur along his spine had bristled instinctively. Pausing mid-chew, a chunk of red meat still hanging from between his parted jaws, Lorcan lifted his head up and sniffed cautiously at the air. It seemed there was a female hanging around, one about his age and from what he could smell, she was a loner. A low growl of agitation rumbled through his throat. Loners were unpredictable, especially this time of the year when they grew desperate for food. A hungry wolf was capable of almost anything.

It was then, as his body tensed, that his golden eyes caught sight of the approaching female. Her dark fur was in stark contrast the crisp white of the snow, making her form all the more noticeable. Immediately Lorcan became defensive. His lean muscles tensed beneath his agouti fur and his body crouched down low to shield the large chunk of deer meat that he had been happily chewing on until she had appeared. The bridge along his muzzle wrinkled as she approached, a silent warning that he was no prepared to give up all of his stolen meal.

Her demeanour seemed less than violent though, as she approached him in a respectful manner with her head dipped low and her dark ears flattened against her head. This caused the agouti male to relax just a little, the snarl disappearing from his face as he went back to chewing contentedly. To her greeting he smiled, pausing from his chewing once again to look up to her. “Lucky.” He confirmed, before clenching the large chunk of meat in his mouth and dragging it a few more paces away from the main cache.  “A coyote left their cache unguarded.” He explained as he eyed the stranger’s dark form.

“You are welcome to take some, there is enough to share.” He dipped his head respectfully as his black tipped tail swayed at a neutral height behind him, before he leant back down to tear hungrily at his prized piece of deer. The way Lorcan saw it, there was no point fighting over the spoils. Hopefully, once the loner had taken a belly-full, there would still be plenty to take back to the pack.

# P O R C A N

sometimes, two people have to fall apart to realise

how much they need to fall back together

@Lorcan

Somethin' bad about to happen

The other wasn't a fool with the use of raised mane, and a harsh, vocal warning he did not easily share. The vixen made no move, except for her eyes, they dipped further to the ground. Though they had seen the lines form on his muzzle, and she felt maybe she would abandon her idea.  The tawny man seemed to see she wasn't a stupid thief. Why maybe she could outrun him, not with a hunk of meat to carry. A fight wouldn't necessarily claim a victor or loser. Not if they both hurt.

It seemed her words brought out a smile, and he answered between chomping his meal, he was lucky. It was only then she dared to lift her gaze, seeing the tension waver. Then watching as he pulled his piece aside. Maybe, out of temptation's reach. He explained a coyote had been unwise, and left the spoils. "Serves him right." They never seemed the brightest, but it didn't stop them from thinking they were. So she wasn't about to pity them.

But, she did not know what to think as he offered some to her. Rem didn't think it would be so easy. She had never met a friendly stranger, at least when it came to food. Surprise lit her silver facade, and golden eyes. She couldn't help stare, brows furrowing in both disbelief and thought. He was all polite about it. Maybe, his mother had raised him a gentleman. Still, loner or pack wolf she saw no reason for him to share. Even if a piece wouldn't be missed. Food was important, more so this time of year. "What makes you so kind to share with a complete stranger?" She couldn't help ask, hating being thrown off guard.

(This post was last modified: Dec 08, 2016, 06:46 PM by Remington. Edit Reason: typos i always miss )

There is a moose carcass that has been scavenged by coyotes nearby. +15 Health

@Remington

The female’s remark was met with a mischievous grin and a single raised brow as he paused, meat still clenched between his blood-stained fangs, to glance across to her and wave his tail at a neutral level behind him. The dark coated female seemed surprised when he shuffled aside and welcome her to take some of the spoils, but the agouti pack wolf didn’t bother to respond, too busy gorging on the coyote cache to fill his own belly, until she finally voiced a question towards him.

Swallowing down a chunk of meat with a satisfying gulp, Lorcan took a single step back from his prized piece of meat to finally focus all of his attention on the female. “I know how hard it can be this time of year, especially without the support of a pack—” He responded sincerely, his head tilting empathetically to the side as he gazed across to her. “—and there’s more than enough to share.” He added, nodding his muzzle towards the open cache to silently encourage her to take what she wanted.

Turning back to look down at his large chunk of meat, his neck swooped down to swiftly tear off another mouthful before he gulped it down. “If I had made the kill myself then perhaps things would be different, but the only one losing out here is that coyote.” He glanced across to her and grinned again. Those coyotes were truly a pest and the less of them that were around, the better.

# P O R C A N

sometimes, two people have to fall apart to realise

how much they need to fall back together

@Lorcan

Somethin' bad about to happen

She caught his smirk, but he seemed far more concerned with the meat, and putting it all away in his belly. She wondered if she should even bother to thank him. It took some self control to hold back the urge to roll her eyes, and grab her own piece and run. If he didn't want her company, she had no qualms leaving him to dine alone.

Patiently, he finished another large piece, and answered. His words, and reasoning was kind, and sincere. But, the look he gave her left a sour taste on her tongue. Sympathy? If he should feel sorry for her. If she was a man would he have given her such a look?

Maybe, because it reminded her of her brothers mock chivalry it had left her with the feeling of distaste. Just as he had offered her, and gave a respectful nod of his head. She simply tried to flick those feelings aside. Trying not to pin those things on this gentleman.

"Awe, well I'm grateful you see it that way." she simply stated, keeping her tone light. Then managed a grateful smile. As he had directed she could move forward, and stuff her own mouth. With precision, she ripped off a piece of her own, then she dragged it backward where she had started.  Silver tail offered a couple wags, and swiftly she began devouring her own meal. All the while there was still an urge to flee. But, she could not decide if it was a voice she should listen to, or the same one that simply cautioned her over and over to tread carefully under any circumstances.

The silver wolf couldn't ignore what he had just said. There was an issue that wouldn't rest. "So you're telling me if you'd caught this yourself, you might have been a dick about it? Or if I was a lone male, maybe?" There was no assumption, but just honest curiosity in her voice.

She licked her lips, bright eyes studying him. "Your pack must be a ways from here."

@Remington

Lorcan dipped his head towards the lone female as she offered him a grateful smile and between wolfing down chunks of meat from his own piece, his golden eyes flicked back up towards the monochrome coated female to watch her eating close by.  Once again the air was filled with contended growls and grumbled as the agouti male set to work stripping meat from bone and swallowing chunks down whole. His muzzle was quickly staining a deep shade of crimson and where he had wrestled with the large pieces of meat in the snow, large smeared bloody paw prints were left there as a reminder.

Swallowing down the last of his second serving, his russet ears perked up as the female responded to his last statement. Salmon pink tongue swept hungrily across his charcoal lips as he set about trying to mop up the last pieces of flesh and blood from around his jaws as he glanced across to her. A frown marred his features and his tone suddenly became very serious. “No ma’am.” He responded hastily, shaking his head, desperate to rid her of her negative assumptions. “Your gender has nothing to do with it. Male or female, no loners have it easy.” He reassured, tilted his head slightly to one side as to question if she understood him. “But, if I had made the kill myself then surely it is understandable that I would wish to save some to take back to my pack?” He asked her, curious for her reply to see if she would contest him further.

“Whitestone is further north of here, but it is only a day’s travel away.” He responded before tilting his curiously and asking a question of his own. “Which direction have you travelled from today, miss?”

# P O R C A N

sometimes, two people have to fall apart to realise

how much they need to fall back together

@Lorcan

Somethin' bad about to happen

She hadn't excepted to find much enjoyment out of this encounter. With a satisfying amount of food, and a painted muzzle for what it was she'd remain grateful. It might just be the thing that kept her going. Why, she felt like she'd like to return the favor. She wasn't sure how to measure it to do so. Likely it would be a dilemma for another time.

How quickly he put her questions to rest. Wasting no time to make it clear it wasn't it. That he wasn't like that. "It's Remington, and thank you, it is nice to hear it isn't the case." Why ma'am was respectful the word made her cringe. None the less it was refreshing to know her gender made no difference. It made her hopeful there were more like this one out there. Those who saw a wolf. With indication she threw another question. "Were you a loner long?" Why curious of the circumstances, she was sure,like her own, they wouldn't be offered easily.

He seemed to want to make a point of his own about food. "Yes, I would do the same." She couldn't argue with that. In fact she had only wondered what she might provoke. She was neither disappointed or satisfied by his remark. It pretty much told her he, and likely his pack were like most. Everything was for everyone of the pack. You didn't reach out for loners who didn't bring anything to the group.

The new information she placed to memory, still uncertain if she would remain in the lowlands or seek refuge else where. "From the south,"she answered. There was still a bit of meat to be taken, but she wasn't sure if she wanted to finish it here or run off just yet.

The lone female seemed to quickly accept that he was not one to discriminate and the agouti male smiled across to her, with his blood stained lips, as she thanked him graciously. “I’m Lorcan.” He responded simply with a curt nod towards her, feeling it polite to at least return the same formalities to the dark female. Again he turned back to chew on his piece of meat which was quickly shrinking as he wolfed it down hungrily. Russet ears perked up as Remington asked him a question. The agouti male gulped down the last of his meal with a contended growl before he turned his attention completely towards the female, moving a little closer to sit in the snow.

“No..” He shook his head, golden eyes briefly glancing over to the southern horizon at the treacherous mountain peaks. “I travelled alone for less than a month before I joined Whitestone.” He admitted, almost sheepishly. “I’m thankful that I joined the pack when I did. I don’t think I’m suited to surviving on my own.” He cringed at the memory the shoddily made den he had made in the mountains that night. A den which had taken very little disturbance to come crashing down into a pile of dust… How different his life could have been.

Their conversation returning back to the food and how he’d save some for the pack, reminded him to inspect over whatever meat remained in the abandoned coyote cache. Pushing himself up onto his paws, Lorcan traipsed over towards the small food pile. He’d taken the largest portion and @Remington had taken her share. His golden eyes flickered across the remaining items. A partially-eaten snowshoe hare and some miscellaneous chunks of meat, bones and innards. His gaze flashed up towards the female before he carefully grasped the dead hair in his jaws and placed it between his paws to claim it. He’d leave the rest for Remington.

He was surprised to hear that she had travelled from the same direction that he had all those months ago. Though he wasn’t sure how far she’d come from, if she’d gone anywhere near that mountain, she was sure to be tired and to enjoy the softer terrain of the north. The only problem out in the tundra, though, was that they were constantly exposed. “I’d suggest heading back to woodland you must have passed through..” He began, gesturing with his muzzle towards the trees in the distance. “There’s not much shelter out here and there’s cougars around.” He meant well with the advice, he just hoped she wouldn’t find him patronising.

With large majority of the food eaten, it was time for Lorcan to return to Whitestone with the hare. He’d make sure to store it in the food cache for later. “It was nice to meet you Remington, stay safe.” He bid her farewell with a nod and friendly sway of his tail, leaving her the remains of the coyote cache, as he grasped the hare between his jaws and trotted back in the direction of the monadnock.

-Lorcan exits-

(This post was last modified: Jan 28, 2017, 10:02 AM by Lorcan.)

# P O R C A N

sometimes, two people have to fall apart to realise

how much they need to fall back together