Redhawk Caldera cityscapes haunt dreams

For any RHC lovelies!

Winter was fast approaching, and Fox was already bracing herself. In fact, she'd been bracing herself for the past month. The nights grew colder, she now awoke chilly each morning, the dawn coming later and later in the day. Not only did the sun rise later, but it also set sooner, leaving each day a little bit shorter than the last. Right now, though, the sun was right at high noon, letting Fox's small physique cast a shadow only beneath her. She was heading toward the lake that sat atop the mountain, planning to grab a drink before she settled in for her afternoon nap.

Her pace was slow, perhaps even lazy, as she had no reason to hurry from place to place these days. Life on the caldera was sweet and calm, unlike so much of the past year of her life. True, she had learned that Peregrine's brother was missing, but that hardly had an impact on them, and there was no knowing where he'd gone off to. Perry seemed to think he had died, but Fox still thought he might have gone to Tortuga to avenge Bones. In any case, it was not her problem, and she stopped to drink at the mountaintop lake, lapping up the cool water with a bright pink tongue.

@fox You had it as trespassers in the wanted thread, so. Trespassin' right on in

Now he was almost certain he crossed a boarder some time ago, of course that didn't seem to stop the ivory boys paws from walking further into the unknown mountainside. His nose managing to stay pointed at the ground, investigating this rock, or that tree, there was something here for him. After his previous meal he'd decided to once more follow whatever wayward path the stars told him to go. How he interpreted them guiding him beyond the wilds and into what was most likely a claimed territory was anyone's guess. Of course though he could just blame a vegetable told him again.

Despite his adventure up the mountain taking him the better part of a morning, he hadn't come across another creature, prey or otherwise, that was of course until he found the body of water, and the slight red figure at its edge. Being protected all his life, and not having his ass kicked as of yet was still enough to make the brazen youth speak up from a short distance away. "So, like, I think I crossed a boarder back there." Back there being down the mountain and over the way. The youthful, almost vacant expression on his face waited for her to respond.
How little he knew.

Oh snap! Elhanna basically has two choices: fight or flee. If he does the former, he's not likely to win, since the rest of RHC will come to Fox's aid.

Fox froze when she heard a voice she didn't recognize, and she spun around to face a strange wolf she had never seen before. Immediately her hackles raised and her lip curled back in a snarl. Whatever dull pain was still in her rib was overwhelmed by the desire to protect the land that was her home. She said nothing, for she did not need to. This was a trespasser, and she was going to do what was in her right to do: kill him. That was, of course, unless he was smart enough to flee.

Considering her current condition, she wouldn't be able to catch him if he ran away right now and kept running until he was well outside the claimed territory. Of course, if he put up a fight, it would no doubt call the attention of her pack mate who would rip the intruder to pieces.

Well, now it's just a shame he's a stupid kid. Feel free to take a chunk of him before he bails.

And just like that El had found himself in a rather serious situation he wasn't exactly prepared for. The almost immediate reaction from the spitfire made him back-step. "Woah, easy hot stuff. I'm guessing that's a yes." It probably would have been a good idea to turn tail and run, but maybe he'd just startled her. He continued to step back, ready to take the same route back as quick as his stupid legs would take him.

His yellow eyes moved away from he mass of red fur for a moment to check his surroundings. Immediately he hoped he was faster on the run.

*takes!*

Fox ignored his blathering, immediately going for his hind haunch. She was bound and determined to take a nice chunk out of it. As she barrelled forward, she knew that she was going to feel her rib when she was through with him, but that thought was only in the furthest depths of her mind. All she wanted right now was for him to be gone. She may have been small, but she certainly was mighty.

When her teeth made contact with his rear, she bit down hard, though the skin there was tough enough that she did not break through. At the very least, it would leave a nasty bruise. She released him once the damage was done, certain that he would be scampering off more quickly now. If not, he would be in for a world of hurt.

Definitely crossed a border back there. It was almost an instantaneous reaction, the small fireball lunged at him before he even finished speaking. It was all he could so to let out a rather pathetic yelp and try to scramble out of the way.

The sharp pain that accompanied her hitting her mark wasn't lost on him either with an even more childish squeal. Play fights when he was young hadn't prepared him for the real thing, the looming danger that came with pissing off someone who didn't want to be pissed off. He turned and bolted, leaving whatever flesh and fur behind in her mouth. The searing pain was ignored and replaced by the adrenaline and shock.

For now he ran, not looking back, he just ran, if she followed he'd deal with it when he could run no longer, or he wouldn't, for now he wanted to be across the border and far away.

Spitting out the fur that she'd bitten off, Fox took off after the stranger, full of snarls and nipping at his heels. Because he was running away from the caldera's center, she felt no impulse to hunt him down and kill him. She just wanted him to be far, far away. Her feet continued to drum the earth with each stride, the ache in her rib becoming nothing more than a minor annoyance as her body extended and contracted.

When finally she felt like the trespasser was far enough outside the boundaries of her home, she began to slow to a stop. Panting, she remained protective of her land, hackles raised and wild-eyed. As long as he kept on running, there would be no further confrontation.

Running, his paws dug into the earth and propelled him further as fast as he could muster. The fiery creature was hot on his tail even after he'd passed the area he assumed was their border. The sounds of pursuit faded and he ran further still. He had no desire to let her be anywhere near him.

He finally slowed, turning briefly to see her standing, presumably staring him down. It was all he could do to watch back for a few moments whilst the idea of now trying to question flashed through his mind for an instant. This time self preservation took over, he shook his head and continued to move away, the smarting pain starting to become evident where she'd got him.
Bitch the only thought he could muster.

Since this would make a perfect warden thread... gonna bring Perry in to get it to 10 posts. :)

For a moment, Fox thought he was going to turn around and attempt to breach the border again. She let a low growl rumble in her throat, and it was then that he continued to move away from her homeland. If she had known what he was thinking of her, she would have concurred, but she was completely justified. It was her duty to protect her packland from trespassers. He was an idiot, at the very least, a threat at the most. And she would have neither lingering in or around her home, especially with winter so near.

When he had finally left her sight, Fox shook her coat and yawned—calming signals in the canine world. Knowing that @Peregrine would likely want to know about this, she lifted her head and let out a long, loud howl for him. She wanted to make sure he was on high alert in case the intruder decided to return. Perhaps they could up their efforts on the border to make sure something like that didn't happen again.

His mate's voice stirred him from a deep sleep. Peregrine twitched awake, then stood swiftly, weaving a little in his sleepy state. He gave his head a shake, followed by his body, then took off in Fox's direction. He didn't bother replying to her call, as he intended to show up in person and address his mate's concerns, then join her on a patrol.

When Peregrine arrived, Fox was still panting heavily, and she touched her nose to her side periodically, now feeling the pain from her run. Between labored breaths, she told him of what happened. “An intruder,” she began. “I chased him off, but he was deep into our territory.” She was not sure how such a thing could have happened, but she certainly intended to find out. Fox wondered if the news would make him worry about her, but she brushed the thought aside. He was aware that she was a seasoned warrior and warden, so he really had nothing to worry about. Fox was an independent woman!

He didn't worry about her. Even with her injuries, she was a tough lady, with three trades under her belt. The news that the intruder had gotten deep into their territory did concern him, though. Peregrine's brow furrowed. The intruder had been either bold or stupid—or a little of both—and the situation brought to light a weakness in their territory's defense.

"I'll encourage everyone to take shifts to patrol, whether or not they intend to be Wardens. Let's lead by example." He nudged her, then began to stride purposefully around the caldera, strutting with his ears and tails lifted and leaving his marks so that there was no doubt these lands were claimed by an able-bodied Alpha pair.

Fox nodded in agreement to his suggestions. They were good ones, and ones she would have recommended herself. The young leader stepped into line beside him, making sure that the caldera would be safe from any further intrusions. She certainly hoped that this was the last of that kind she would have to deal with. The two spent the rest of the afternoon carefully marking the borders and strengthening their stronghold.