Whisper Marsh 'til the love runs out

Namid 'Star Dancer' The Star Dancer had just taken another bite of the fish when a sudden splashing could be heard. Her cranium shot up with ears springing forward to attention as the saw the form of the boy shoot into the water with an excited yet. Her tail went upon wagging in an equal level of enthusiasm as she waited for the results. As he came up she almost flew to her feet, eager to see if he had caught the morsel or not. But, alas, as he turned around empty muzzled and with bashful appearance she saw it was not the case. His big eyes and lowered ears reminded her much of a young pup preparing to be scolded by a parent and her heart melted as it usually did in that situation. Rook looked so confused as she wanted to console him in some way. However, as she opened her maw to speak those hopefully helpful words she was attacked by the stench of a mammal oh-so-familiar to her. A deer. A look of bewilderment overtook her facial features and she sat up, looking around them in alertness. “Deer,”She said. Already her mouth was watering at the prospect of a meal larger than just a rabbit or fish. While she settled for them, it was known that any wolf would go for something that would make them pot-bellied with fullness. The silver she-wolf hadn’t smelled a deer in ages, and she certainly hadn’t been in the position to hunt one even if the situation had come up. She figured that their chances would be good if the two of them tried their hardest, as her optimistic glass half-full nature came out as it usually did. Hopping to her paws her tail wagged so hard that her rump literally started moving with it. A smile split her maw and it traveled up to her shining heterochromatic eyes and she bowed into a playful manor. “Let’s try it, please?” She asked, and this time it was her turn to act like an over energetic pup. The fae jumped all around, hope filling her heart and hunger pawing at her belly as she waited for the male to answer her with her favorite answer, hopefully. Find a place where there's joy, and the joy will burn out the pain.

(This post was last modified: Jul 07, 2014, 04:52 AM by Namid.)

Rook Lyall

He had expected her to nod and point him over to where he might have better luck in making another attempt to fish, but instead she uttered a single word, "Deer." One deep breath was all it took. The musk curled in his nostrils and made him come back onto the sand and pebble bank. Namid's tail began to wag and Rook's followed suit as he took a quick look around, watching and waiting for the sight of sepia-toned fur. The deer was probably just beyond the trees. Namid brought his thoughts back to the edges of the wetlands with a simple question.

The Lyall's lips drew into a thin line, all sorts of scenarios and probabilities forming at the forefront of his mind. His head ultimately tilted as he came forward, spotting a young doe's rump between two thick cedar trunks. Every instance in which he had helped take down a deer commonly included at least three or other wolves. He was often apart of the party that sought out their target, charging and barreling through the underbrush in attempt to knock the hoofed creature off their feet. His own mismatched eyes went to Bishop and where she rested in a makeshift bed of tall grass; a part of him was not quite sure if she would be so willing to work with Namid but with Namid being so eager just to try and accomplish such a feat, he supposed it could be good practice.

One of his whiskered brows came up as he turned to his fishing mentor, half a smirk appearing on his face before the expression completely morphed into a grave and solemn one. "Are you sure we can do it?" he questioned, his words causing the doe's ear to appear from behind a tree as she seemingly gazed in their direction (it was perhaps a rather good thing that deer did not have x-ray vision or anything of the sort). One of his ears turned to the side, the opposite remaining turned forward in a rather quizzical expression. He hastily lowered his voice to a forced whisper, "Do you have experience with this sort of stuff? I've only ever taken down something like a deer with a hunting party of four or five."

Created by Earl Grey of RPG-D

Chances are I have a BEN WHISHAW gif for that.

Namid 'Star Dancer' Namid, seeing that his attention briefly turned from her to something seemingly behind her, turned her cranium and caught the sight of the young doe. She automatically stilled her movements, trying to do as little as possible to spook the large mammal that would hopefully fall prey to them. As he explained, it came to mind how really unmatched they were at that moment. Still, she wanted to at least try and see. And the yearling was right; it would be good practice for them. Lowering her voice as well she replied, “I have hunted with my humans before. It is different, but essentially the same concept. We need to at least try. I wish to have a good meal for once, do you not? If we do not catch the deer I will catch you all the fish you may eat and we can continue, if you could like.” She said. In her mind that was reason enough. She stood still for a moment and tested the winds, sensing that they were downwind from the doe by the way the scent was carrying. It took her quick mind a moment to decide a plan before she, strangely, started heading in the opposite direction of their target. Her plan was to make it seem as if they were heading away from where the mammal was so that, perhaps, it would venture out to take a drink from the marshy waters. They would stay downwind, but they would hide in the small bank of trees for the deer to venture out before going for it. Rook would go behind and try to keep it from running into the woods, while she would go for the front and do the same. Together they would corner the doe then go for the attack. That was, as long as everything went as planned She could only hope that her companion was following her as she came up on the bank of trees, disappearing into the shadows before taking off at a fast paced lope. She stayed in the shadows of the tree line, but still had enough standing to see where the mammal was still barely poking out. As she neared her destination she slowed to a trot, then a walk, then to a standstill as the wait began. Find a place where there's joy, and the joy will burn out the pain.

Rook Lyall

Rook could clearly hear the deer foraging on the low-hanging branches of the thickets; it made the fur around his shoulders stand up on end. "Hah-yoo-mans?" he repeated the word under his breath, his pessimism and skepticism starting to get the best of him. He shot a look at the back of Bishop's head. At present, Namid's words had already hooked him in; and, a part of him, a small part, really, was willing to go ahead and indulge her rather whimsical idea. Since arriving in Relic Lore, he and his sister had survived without the luxurious feasts of deer and elk, choosing to save their energy for something manageable like rabbits and groundhogs and marmots. The Star Dancer began to test the winds, inching her muzzle up into the air and Rook hesitantly forced himself to focus.

He, too, sampled the breeze, taking note as to where the winds were blowing. As his mother and father had taught him and his siblings, he pinpointed an ideal location to hide, instantaneously making a map in his head as to where the deer should go and where a perfectly timed ambush would be ideal. Namid had a different idea and the masked youth found himself being led along and into the trees at a pace that had him scampering after her. At the very least, he was grateful that she stayed downwind of the creature and utilized the growing shadows of the evening. Once she had come to a stop, he, too, came to a halt, his head held low as he peered through the gaps between the trees.

Again, he arched a brow as he looked at her. He issued the softest snort he could manage, a sharp puff of air that hopefully garnered her attention... a simple sound that wordlessly asked her, So, now what do we do?

Created by Earl Grey of RPG-D

Chances are I have a BEN WHISHAW gif for that.

Namid 'Star Dancer' As the like-wise gazed male came to a halt behind her, he let out a snort. With an aud swiveling toward him and the other staying on the doe she turned her heterochromatic optics on Rook, cocking her head to the side. His gaze bore into hers and she could tell her was trying to relay a message. What could it be…then she realized she had completely scampered off without giving him an hint of what to do. Guilt flooded her as her ears went down in a bashful, sorry expression. She did that a lot, went off on her own like she had. Namid was a very go-with-the-flow type of canine and when she felt something, she normally did it unless she thought it would produce some bad results. Having not even asked him what he wanted to do, and she was sure his idea most likely would have been better than hers, she felt very output at herself. Having not waited to tell him their plan had put them in a very sticky situation because of her, mostly because if she spoke now there was a chance the doe could hear and then scamper off. She winced at herself and felt like sinking into a hole, a blush forming on her cheeks but she knew that, since she had gotten them there, she would have to try and get them out. Thinking for a moment, she nodded at the male then moved to walk around behind him hoping that he got the point that she wanted him to go behind the mammal when they went for the attack. She gestured with her muzzle to herself and walked to his front, signifying that she would go for the front. Running a circle she indicated herding, then she stopped. All of this probably made her seem crazy, like she had some sort of disease, and she was quickly losing hope in her plan. All she could do then was hope that he understood what she was trying to say, and if not then she would ask for his idea. Find a place where there's joy, and the joy will burn out the pain.

Rook Lyall

His brows came up and his nose twitched. She seemed to apologize though by the look of it, with her ears coming down and all. Rook, too, apologized; he shook his head twice and pointed with his a small jab of his muzzle toward the doe. It was apparent now the type of personalities each of them were. Where Rook was somewhat desperately looking for direction, a solid plan, Namid, it seemed, was the opposite, constantly "testing the waters" and easily adapting with a sense of spontaneity. She gestured back at him, drawing his attention to their prey to signify that she was going after it - then twirled around on her feet in a circle - to herd the doe? His eyes had narrowed as he tried to picture such a hunting strategy in his head.

Ultimately, he sniffed, then lowered his head down in a single nod. Okay, he seemed to say, the thoughtful and doubtful expressions leaving his face. That could work... She stepped in front of him then; had he not been paying close attention, he might have gone ahead in his usual position - the one his mother commonly requested of him - the ambusher or tackler. Paired with a wolf of similar physique - which, in the past, had been his father, Trisden, or Bishop - he proved to be an asset, helping with bringing their victim down to the ground. He lifted his left forepaw to point at the deer this time then opened his jaws widely before closing it with a soft click of his teeth.

Am I going to be the one attacking? he silently questioned, parting his jowls once more before quietly closing it a second time.

Created by Earl Grey of RPG-D

Chances are I have a BEN WHISHAW gif for that.

Namid 'Star Dancer' A moment of relief passed through the fae as Rook realized what she’d meant. Honestly, she’d felt rather stupid doing what she had if in the end he hadn’t understood. Though it didn’t draw away from the fact that she’d perpetually screwed them over in this, it showed that maybe they wouldn’t be so far off in the end. Taking a deep breath she tried to bump up her positive outlook, since she’d been thinking very lowly for the past couple of minutes. As her companion attempted to convey something to her, she looked her mismatches gaze on his movement. Words and ideas of interpretations rapidly funneled through her mind as she fought to decipher what he had meant. She replayed the movements, coming to the conclusion that he wanted to lead the attack. A nod rapidly bobbed her cranium, hardly taking any time to consider the statement. She knew he would most likely be the best at this and most likely had more experience and ideas. This would be a learning experience for the both of them, and if it went bad at least they had tried. Turning her attention to the doe’s direction, who seemed to be inching out more into the open, she waited for Rook to decide the best moment to attach. Namid would be good at corralling it in the direction they needed, she had much practice herding the livestock of her tribe when they had needed to. That had really been the job of the dogs and wolves in their family, to herd the animals into traps so that the Cheyenne could decide which ones they had wanted to use as food, which to use for breeding, and which they would let go. It let them keep thriving as they did, and it had been the pride of the companions of the humans to do their duty. Find a place where there's joy, and the joy will burn out the pain.

Rook Lyall

Another nod. He nodded back, signaling to her that this time he was ready with the accompanying wag of his tail. The deer had stopped moving again but this time it seemed to be looking in the wrong direction; it had probably misjudged where it heard the soft click of the Lyall's teeth. Time was silently ticking away now, and if they were going to make an attempt to bring the young doe down, they were going to have to do it quick. The deer was on the move again; Namid's gaze was drawn away from his face and towards their target. Rook followed suit, his own dual-colored irises taking in the deer's willowy limbs and knobby knees.

As quietly as he could on the carpet pine needles that cushioned the forest floor on the edges of the Marsh, he crept around the trees with his head held low and his bear-like ears held up high in utmost awareness. His tail held itself nearly parallel to his spine as he opted for the best position to try and catch their prey. To be quite frank, it was dangerous for them to attempt such a feat alone. He stopped in his tracks, the sensation of his heart beating feeling as though it were pulsing against his eardrums. Purposefully, he lifted an ivory paw and pressed down on the branch of a low-lying shrub. The crisp-sounding snap immediately sent the deer on high alert.

He should have asked Bishop to help them...

The hoofed beast spun around, its black nose wriggling while it tried to discern who or what was nearby. Rook paused between two closely-rooted trees, his gaze flitting from where Namid was bound to come bursting toward it and where the deer currently stood. If he was going to at least try to ensnare the deer, then he was going to give it his best; but, in his mind's eye he already knew that they would not succeed. He would have to pay close attention; just one misstep or one wrong assumption meant that he would easily miss it or even get a hoof to the face.

Created by Earl Grey of RPG-D

Chances are I have a BEN WHISHAW gif for that.

Namid 'Star Dancer' With heterochromatic eyes following Rook’s movements, she almost opened her maw to say something about the twig under paw. However, his movements suggested something of intention at the snap of the frail limb and she didn’t question it. It was obvious that he meant for the attack to happen at that moment and she couldn’t agree more with him. Seeing the doe in its momentary distraction she quickly scoped the area one last time. She knew she would need to drive it toward more open area, as if they let it escape into the woods then they would surely lose it. With the position of the large wood dwelling mammal, it came to mind that it would require her to go upwind for a few moments so she could get the right angle to do such a task. Taking in a shallow breath she nodded at Rook then headed in a direction upwards of their current position. She could see the doe’s nose twitch as a new scent suddenly invaded it, deciphering what it was. That was all the pause she needed as the silver she-wolf reached her designated area. Her ears sprung forward as she suddenly took off like a rocket, her long gate eating up the eat as she flew across the ground with sure strides. The doe flinched then automatically took off toward the woods as she knew it would. Adjusting her direction she headed off the mammal, letting out a rough bark which seemed to startle the animal. It back tracked, turning and heading in the opposite direction away from the comfort and coverage of the foliage. Namid, whose tongue was already lolling in a happy pant, made a wide turn to coral the animal even further. This would be her strategy for the time being, though it would obviously change once her companion was added into the mix. For now, all she needed to do was keep her stamina up. Find a place where there's joy, and the joy will burn out the pain.

Rook Lyall

Everything unfolded much like dominoes toppling over in a chain reaction without an anticipated outcome; and, as Namid darted forward, the deer reacted, which prompted Rook to react in turn. It spotted Rook standing there with his muzzle wrinkled and teeth bared and began to flee towards the depths of the Cedarwood to his left. With his paws digging into the ground, he, too, was off. Namid tried to steer it, to guide it elsewhere so that Rook could also adjust and see what he could do. A loud woof sounded out somewhere on his right side and the doe, frightened even more, turned fully around and started bounding toward the Marsh.

He scrambled to turn around, charging after it. This deer was probably as old as he was, but being born with lengthier limbs and the natural, inbred instinct to make itself scarce when predators are present, it easily outran Rook, whose stockier physique lent him the attribute of strength and brawn instead of speed and being quick on his toes. In what seemed like an instant, it had led the duo across the shallows of the wetlands, its hooves splashing about as it made to retreat into the opposite tree line made of willows and an assortment of other trees that weren't firs or evergreens.

Rook eventually came to a slow walk before fully stopping and sinking his paws into the submerged silt, watching the doe, with her white-tail pointing skyward in alarm, leap further into the distance. If Namid wanted to try and turn it back around, she could, but at this point it was already a useless cause. Rook needed someone else to help him in addition to keeping the deer moving forward, but it was apparent that a third set of eyes, jowls and ears were needed to intercept the deer and give him a window of opportunity to clasp his jaws on a hind leg once its endurance began to wane. He couldn't even keep up with the thing... He glared after it, exhaling loudly as his gaze followed and looked toward his hunting companion.

It had been worth a shot but for an adult wolf with a yearling as support, a young deer was a challenge. The Lyall thought back to Trisden, Renier, and Bishop, who was more than likely unfazed by the additional splashing. He held his breath a few times to steady his heartbeat to a more natural, calm rhythm and eventually sighed. His eyes took in the sight of the dark blue sky. Besides, they were already out of light to work with now that the sun had already descended below the mountain range.

Created by Earl Grey of RPG-D

Chances are I have a BEN WHISHAW gif for that.