His ears are drawn forward by the cry of gulls, and his eyes pan upward to watch as they collect on the ground and float overhead some distance down the shore. He knows that gulls are like the crows of the sea; their cries and their gatherings are common indicators of food, and so the opportunistic lone wolf lopes toward them. His time is not wasted; a fresh seal has rolled onto the beach. Its blubbery form rocks in the receding lap of the waves. Its carcass is torn open from the rip of a shark's teeth and large chunks are missing, but there is still plenty.
He sniffs around the seal's face. Its eyes are missing, plucked free of their sockets by one of the gulls. He gets no further than the neck in his inspection, the strong fishy odor and the promise of a full gut coaxing him to feed. His fangs sink easily into flesh and he tears free his first bite. He holds it on his tongue, chewing slowly and enjoying the saltine taste as he appreciates the luck of the find.
Would like to bump to present, if that's okay?
Those ravenous little creatures had eaten up damn near every green thing for as far as the dark wolf's eyes could see. The mountain was bare of it's usual lush forests found this time of year, as well as the valley's that neighbored his home. They had moved on rather quickly, but had left nothing in their path. There was nothing left for their prey to feast upon here, and it seemed that every species of large game had left the area. Steady, knowing the pups would come first, set out to find food for them.
But, he didn't feel comfortable going too far from home, so he visited the shoreline. His eyes caught movement of another wolf and birds flying overhead, while the winds graciously alerted him to meat. He didn't know what it was, knew he himself hadn't killed it, and therefore it didn't belong to him, but in times like these, it was every wolf for himself.
Steady was a generally kind wolf, unless it came to protecting his family. Right now, he had to see his nieces and nephews were fed, and it just might be at the expense of this wolf. Hackles raised, and a growl releasing from his throat, Steady pushed off with his back legs towards the loner. His eyes quickly scanned the surrounding area, not seeing any other wolves that might object to him stealing this meal.
He came upon him quickly, but instead of straight out attacking the other male, Steady latched on to the other end of the carcass, growling ferociously as he tried to rip the dead animal out of the stranger's jaws. Steady put his muscles behind it, knowing he was strong. The other male looked tall, but Steady's training and abilities gave him the confidence that he would win, especially knowing he had no qualms about flat out attacking his opponent.
Gaia had called to
@Saena to inform her she would be scouting outside – primarily her intention had been to seek food for the children, and the lissome girl had found herself trailing along the shores, though had to skirt around a wooded area that had been claimed by a pack. There was nothing to be found anywhere, and Gaia’s own energy was sapped as she walked, her pace slower than the usual gait.
The stink of fish clung to the air as she meandered further up, and her pale eyes locked upon two forms in the distance – both towering over something massive and unmoving.
Closer inspection caused her eyes to befall a large seal – dead – though she did not recognize it as an animal she was familiar with. She came from a mountain pack originally, and the sea was something that she was a stranger to.
Her ears jutted forward – hunger stirring a bravado to her that the honeyed girl would not usually hold. Poised, and unassuming, she noted the ebony wolf attempting to stake his claim upon the huge meal, and indignant that this was more than enough meat to share, her own lips curled back, stalking to the side of both males to form a triangle. She would be taking her fill of this prize – and some back to the pups of Silver Creek, whether through regurgitation or by carrying some.
Sangilak stalked along the stretch of the beach, looking into the waves for any sign of a feast to be had. Her mate and companion were not too far off; she had decided they would keep to the ocean during this time where vegetation had been stripped from the world. A gathering of wolves ahead drew her attention, and Sangilak chuffed to bring her men to her as she marched in the general direction. Knowing that food was difficult to come by, and sensing no borderline here, she picked-up her pace as she saw one wolf latch into something the other wolf, from where he stood, blocked. Rounding to get a better view, Sangilak saw precisely what it was. It caused her pace to quicken, and her long strides drew her nearest to Rexxar, choosing this wolf as her ally in this. Still, she kept a tentative distance, not knowing how he would react; a forward slant of her ears implied we are with you before she looked harshly to the others.
A low snarl ebbed forth from her throat, lips peeling backward to reveal an ominous sight indeed. Her plume was rigid behind her hindquarters and she knew undoubtedly that her mate and Tatkret would stand beside her on this. Sangilak presumed she was pregnant, and would not waste one ounce of meat that she could partake in. She shifted to create an effective square around the carrion, the waters lapping at her paws. The wolf who attempted to carry the thing away was thought of as a fool: even with the missing portions of the bleeding creature, the seal was not at all light. If he made so much of a move toward her, Sangilak had long since decided she was not beneath cannibalism, and would, once she had her fill of the seal, finish him for dessert. The cruel glint in her eye revealed as such: she would do anything to ensure the survival of herself, her progeny, her pack--the very wolves who lurked nearby. While he was occupied with his attempt of taking the thing away, Sangilak moved to dig in herself, one ear turned toward Rexxar, and her eyes upon Gaia, with Steady in her peripherals.
Present day is a-okay!
He did not expect to feed alone; the draw of carrion was stronger when fresh meat was thinning. In no time, he was joined by a black wolf whose flesh was still thick upon his frame; the famine had not yet withered his formidable mass. Yet, he descended upon the carcass in an aggressive fury, grasping the end opposite of Rexxar and snarling at him though there was plenty meat for two, far more than the black wolf would be able to drag off.
The threat was met with disconcern and contempt as the smokey wolf's lips pursed and his ears remained tall on his head, eyes staring. He understood to a degree but harbored no respect for such malignant behavior.
"Could have just asked. I don't mind company," he commented with a nonchalant roll of his muscular shoulders. But this fellow was not the only one to come seeking a share of the carcass; a pale female also came.
She too made to stake a claim on a portion, as did yet another female, this one as dark as the male, and as aggressive and hefty too. Curiously, she strode to Rexxar's side as if in his defense, an unspoken alliance between them. Rexxar tipped his snout to her, lead to believe she did not take kindly to the selfish behavior of the other male and was more aligned with his own beliefs despite her feral appearance. She bent her head to eat, and so did Rexxar, with his eyes cast upward to watch the other two.
"Plenty to go around," he invited coolly.
Steady was not met with the aggressiveness that he expected, but he wasn't going to question it. The stranger was right, there was enough for the both of them, but Steady knew he needed a large chunk to take back to the pups. The other male's chill attitude would just make it that much easier. His teeth ripped into the decaying carcasses, tearing some of it, but he needed more.
Suddenly, the two males weren't alone. The first female to arrive didn't seem that aggressive, but the next had backup. Steady snarled at Sangilak, not afraid of any altercation that might arise. Steady knew he was well capable of defending himself, though he was not stupid enough to start anything, since he would be one against three.
Steady, wanting to grab and run, tore more fiercely into the flesh, ripping off a large chunk. Grasping it firmly between his jaws, he took it and retreated from the group of strangers. If anyone attempted to take his meat, it would be met with strong aggression. If they all let him be, he would leave in peace.
Gaia almost wilted at the fearful sight of the ebony she-wolf – but the girl, while unchallenging in her stance, remained determined that a part of that meat would be going home with her to feed the puppies – and Saena, for her milk flow.
The dark male continued to tear in to the carcass – seemingly giving up on trying to tug the fallen beast from the other wolves, and yet his attention drifted to the aggressive female, snarling in return. Gaia’s own ears pinned back to her skull, her shy eyes stealing a glance to the silver male, offering him a soft smile at his words – he would not begrudge her this opportunity, and she was grateful.
The dark male who had initiated the aggression first was quick to grab some meat and flee – Gaia did not move to stop him, and in turn, her muzzle tipped down, eyeing the large carcass that remained. “This will feed a nursing mother and her puppies,” she noted quietly, her gaze flashing between the two remaining strangers, and with that, the pale honeyed woman made to tear away some of the flesh, consuming the food – she could later regurgitate it. Silver Creek could not afford to be particular in the manner their food was delivered, and this way, she was less likely to have it stolen from her on the journey back.
Her posture remained defensive – as if waiting for an attack as she began to tear in to the meat.
Sorry for the hold up!
Sangilak did not care for the male who made to depart. It made no difference to her what he chose to do with his quarry; he would not take it all, and this was what mattered. The other female present—who was lovely to any wolf who could perceive beauty, but alas, Sangilak could not—took a share, as well. Neither was large enough to warrant complaint, and Sangilak did not much care. She chuffed to
@Tatkret and
@Sitiyok to come and dine, now. Rexxar was right; there was plenty to go around, and she looked to him appreciatively. She was still watchful of him, listening and keeping him in her peripheral for sudden movements. Sangilak had already decided she and hers would stay here with the corpse until it was stripped clean. If she was with child, it was the wisest decision.
Oops, thought it was someone else's turn LOL. Last post for me :)
The black male maintained his suspicion, tearing off a chunk and retreating with it. Rexxar watched him go; the offer had been made and he would spare no effort to have the stranger change his mind. It mattered not to the lone wolf, who was concerned only with his own empty stomach. The white woman was not nearly as skittish; she stated for whom the meat was for and proceeded to feed, watchful though in case anyone should decide they were no longer willing to share. But Rexxar went on feeding, as did the black female beside him, and once he had gulped down enough to distend his belly, he casually took his leave.
She inhaled the food – invigorated as flesh met lips. It went down smoothly – too smoothly. She took as much as she could, always wary of the others around her. The food would be regurgitated later for
@Saena and the pups – hopefully enough to sustain her milk flow if only for a bit longer. When she took her fill, she noted the silver male had gone.
In one last ditch effort, given the dark wolf and her companions still held an entire carcass to themselves, the girl would shred her teeth in to the seal, and tear off as much as she could while her paws nimbly scattered away. It was a nice chunk for such a swift action, and without looking back, Gaia took off to the direction of the Creek, eager to bestow the wolves of her pack some nourishment.