A-Hunting We Will Go? [Cascade]

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The early afternoon sun was weak, hidden as it was by grey rainclouds. Thankfully, the springtime rain was light and hardly a nuisance, though there was a soft breeze blowing. Paws padded steadily across the damp ground as Shri made her rounds, diligently inspecting the borders. A lack of pack members did not mean she could slack off in her duties—if anything it meant she must try harder. Rumors were spreading about surrounding territories being snatched up right and left. It could prove dangerous if these neighboring packs grew too large before the Maira pack could establish itself.

She paused at the top of a stone covered knoll. Below, a small herd of deer converged around a stream that tumbled at the foot of the hill. They were moving slowly, entirely unaware of the predator which watched them. The Dove Hills had certainly proved to be teeming with prey in Shri’s short time here. A meal had not been in her plans and it would be prudent to take advantage of the situation, but—well, she just wasn’t hungry. And it felt far too wasteful to spend energy on a hunt she didn’t need. Instead, the wolf took a seat next to the largest stone on the hill, allowing it to block the breeze and light rain as best it could while she studied the slow-moving herd.

ooc: Ahhh, I'm sorry it's not that great!

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the gold plains and the dove hills have a lot in common; the vast openness, prey you have to run down, and all sort of visitors. that's the downside i guess to living out in the open; loners and outcasts always seem to want to wander in the open. at least they can see where their enemy is coming from afar. cascade, a white wolf with faded green eyes, came from the distant gold plains, but had to seek out a new home.

as cascade crossed the bluebell meadows and neared the dove hills, she noticed a herd of deer and started to tail them. traveling had made her hungry, and her not being fond of these territories was completely unaware of who owned what. the rain washed the scents away so cascade was virtually invisible to them unless they looked at her, but running down deer by yourself was hard. possible, but hard and required lots of patience. the deer stopped at a stream at the bottom of the hill, and cascade debated whether or not to take a chance. she looked around for ideas on the best way to do it, and then noticed a wolf sitting up by a rock. instinctively she ducked down, the long grass hiding her white pelt. but as she looked at the wolf, she recognized the female. she stood, and let out a howl to the other wolf.

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A flash of white from down below caught Shri’s eye and immediately her gaze zeroed in on a new wolf in her territory. The howl that echoed up to meet her was familiar, and with a closer look at the stranger, Shri realized she knew her. She glanced toward the herd. Startled by the howl, the deer trotted further away from them, although not completely out of sight. Good. Although Shri was not hungry, Cascade looked as if she might have been hunting them and Shri was not the sort of alpha to deny a non-pack member a needed meal.

She trotted over to meet the other wolf, careful to keep downwind and out of sight of the lingering herd. "Cascade," she said once she was close enough to not have to raise her voice. "I did not expect to see you here. I hope the seasons have been kind to you since we parted ways."

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cascade looked at the wolf that approached, which made her feel somewhat happy to see the familiar, friendly face. "shri, it's good to see you." said cascade. "i have been well; the land has provided for me. you look well." cascade smiled. "i have been tailing this herd for a while now, but this foreign territory has me unsure. i do not know who owns these lands." cascade stared longingly at the herd. she wondered why shri was here; it had been moons since cascade last saw her. she wondered how shri was doing, if she had a mate yet or if she had joined a pack. her thoughts were cut off from a growl in her stomach. cascade swished her tail, embarrassed.

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Cascade's gaze slid to the herd as she finished speaking and Shri didn't hide the small smile that curled the corners of her lips when the other wolf's stomach rumbled. "You are in luck then. These hills are mine, but you are more than welcome to continue your hunt. The prey here is plentiful." Shri's green eyes glanced toward the herd. "Would you like me to join you?” It would be good to hunt with another—especially one she got along with. Even if Shri did not plan on eating, she would be more than happy to help Cascade take down a meal. The wolf was a talented huntress, but a helping hand would still make things easier.

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cascade was took slightly by surprise that shri owned these hills. it made her somewhat guilty for wanting to hunt on it. but, with shri's blessing, cascade took the offer. "thank you- yes, please join me! it will be good hunting with an old friend again." cascade looked eager, but she waited patiently for shri's response to begin. the white wolf had expereince hunting on open terrain from the gold plains, but she knew all the best ambush spots and such. the dove hills, however, were a different story. shri would have to lead this one.

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Cascade's eager response caused a slight smile to curl Shri's lips. "Yes it will." Any hunt was exhilarating, but to share that rush with another always made it more so. Shri had been hunting on her own for many months now and just the thought of hunting with Cascade again had excitement running through her veins. Between the two of them she was quite confident they would manage to bring something down.

Shaking out her coat, Shri turned her attention to the herd of deer. They hadn't moved much further away, possibly believing that the predators so near were not intending on stalking them. It would be their mistake. As this was her territory and she knew the land best, Shri intended on leading this hunt--something which Cascade appeared to agree on. "Well then, there's no point in waiting any longer," Shri said, allowing a wicked smile to cross her face.

She glanced once more at Cascade before taking off at a steady trot toward the herd. It would most likely be a quick hunt, as the deer were small and thus less likely to attempt to stand their ground. The chase would begin quickly and would have to end quickly. In Shri's experience, their prey would attempt to keep from climbing any of the many hills so that they may reach their full speed. "They will run for the nearest flat ground," Shri quietly murmured, slowing down and crouching lower to the earth as she neared the deer. "Over there off to the right is where they will probably head. If you will circle over that way, I will run them toward you."

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cascade nodded her head to shri, and started to make her way over to where shri said they would run. she weaved quickly and but quietly over until she figured she was at a good point. she turned back to shri and nodded slightly, and waited for her to do her thing. cascade's eyes were fixed on the deer, and she noticed one that was favoring it's back left leg. oh, an injured one perhaps? she thought, then deciding that's the one she'd go for.

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Shri kept one eye on the herd and one eye on Cascade, waiting for the other wolf to settle into position. She slowly slunk forward, only pausing now and then when it looked as if a deer might notice her. She shot a quick glance toward Cascade. The wolf met her gaze, nodding, and Shri refocused on the herd. Step. Step. Step. She paused, muscles tensing and body poised. And then she sprung, strong muscles launching her forward and startling the deer into running. The swift sound of her breathing and the steady pound of paws and hooves was all the that she could hear. A handful splintered off to the left, but Shri paid them no mind, instead focusing on driving the rest toward where Cascade waited. One seemed to be lagging behind--injured or perhaps just old--and Shri hoped Cascade had noticed it. It would make an easy mark if the hunt went as it was supposed to. 

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cascade leaped forward, running for her targeted deer. running at full tilt, she intersected the injured deer and did a quick bite to its foreleg and it did a barrel roll. seizing opportunity, cascade slammed her jaws onto the deer's neck, letting the animal bleed out. when the deer eventually stopped fighting back, cascade released and licked the warm blood from her lips. she looked eager to jump on in and eat, but she waited for shri to go first.

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The deer scattered even further at Cascade's appearance, darting away in their panic to escape the new predator. A quick glance toward Cascade confirmed that her focus was on the struggling animal. But their target must have noticed her as well, as it was starting to swerve away from where Cascade would intercept it. Snarling quietly to herself, Shri lengthened her stride to herd the creature back toward her hunting partner. Cascade lunged, and the metallic scent of blood bloomed in the air moments later.

The deer stumbled, her foreleg in Cascade's grip, and Shri grinned as bloodlust rose within her. Nevertheless, she slowed to a jog as the deer fell. It was a small thing and Shri trusted Cascade to finish it off without her help. The wolf's jaws were currently fastened around a bloody neck, wet and panicked sounds wheezing from the deer. Stopping next to Cascade, Shri watched as the animal's struggling slowly ceased.

She glanced toward Cascade, who seemed to be holding herself back, and shook her head. "Don't wait on me. Help yourself. I am not especially hungry." Hindquarters settling to the ground and still panting heavily from her long run, Shri glanced toward Cascade before absentmindedly studying the land around them for a few long moments, giving the wolf a chance to eat her fill. In reality Shri’s thoughts were on her Cascade. She was a good, dependable wolf. One Shri would welcome to have as a member of Maira and her skill as a hunter was certainly nothing to scoff at. And, on a far more personal level, it would be good to have someone Shri already knew as a member.

Her green eyes slid back to Cascade. "I assume you are without a pack, Cascade." She paused a moment before continuing. "I won’t beat around the bush. I would welcome you in Maira, if you wished to join. I need reliable wolves and accomplished hunters."

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cascade started feasting on the deer; tearing and ripping off chunks of flesh and swallowing, staining her white fur with blood. her hunger made her a messy eater today, but that was the least of her worries at the moment. she soon finished her share, just in time to hear shri offer cascade if she wanted to join. she paused, and thought for a second. "thank you, shri." cascade looked down at the ground. "i.. have been searching for home. the wolves here are getting more hostile, and loner life is getting less and less ideal." cascade's voice was somewhat distant, but then she looked back up at shri, eyes glowing. "i would love to join your pack, shri. it would be an honour."

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Cascade did not answer immediately, but Shri was willing to wait. Deciding to devote oneself to a pack was an important decision and one not to be made lightly. She deserved to have the time to think about it. Shri would be disappointed it Cascade refused, but she would not hold it against the other wolf. But luckily that would not be the case, as Cascade didn't take long before accepting.

A small smile spread across Shri's face and she gave a short laugh. "I think it will be my honor." Her head titled to the sound as she studied Cascade. "And how do you feel about being my lead hunter? All other Maira hunters would answer to you."

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cascade's eyes widened. what an honour! "i cannot express the emotions i am feeling; it is most gracious of you to trust with such a position. i will not let you down." said cascade. her tail wagged happily, and her eyes glittered with happiness. no more running, no more hiding. this is my home now. she thought.