OOC: @Ayvo @Leatherface @Acacia @Dovev @Vega | Located in The Trinity. Refer here for description. The early morning before hell breaks loose!
There were many new faces in the Vale as of late, yet glimpse of them was so far and in between, one might have thought them ghosts or figments of the imagination. Were it not for the scents they carried, even the warrior might have thought them lost in the pines or gone from the borders. It as unsettling to ponder, and ideal she did not want to favor let alone become truth. And sought to bring an end to the break of uniformity.
They were warriors in name, but it was time for them to become one in faction.
Before the sun reached its height of the morning, Xi’nuata set out into the heart of the pines to secure a place for training. She brought no food with her this time, trusting that each within the Vale had fended for themselves if not than morning then perhaps the night before. And if not, then they would learn the importance of eating and remaining fueled. One never knew when their energy would be needed.
A careful trek led her into the very heart of the pines, where there in stood the three pillars of earth and stone. A fitting setting for training, if ever there was one. Silently applauding the choice of venue, the woman raised her muzzle and let loose a summoning call to reach the ears of her faction brethren. The day was young and there was no time to waste. She would see them united and understanding of their tasks, if only afforded this day. |
It had been long since she'd responded to any calls from one of her kind; the last time something of those sorts had happened were before her previous mate had perished. Her feet pounded on the moist earth as her excitement grew and she paced herself beneath the thick growth of her new home.
Arriving at the source of the call - an opening in the midst of the thick pines – Larch's head swung around to take in the three large scraggy stones. Her hazel eyes came to rest on Xi'nuata and the brown and white Nu gave a bob of her head. It might have been a buoyant gesture if her eyes hadn't been shining with determination.
With the recent revelation that a Swiftcurrent Creek member had attempted to raid the Vale, it was more important than ever for Larch to be on the lookout, and to hone her skills in case some other trouble arose. She was at peace in the Vale, but she had a far from peaceful mind at present and learning was one way of keeping it sharp. Larch respected Xi'nuata as a warrior and a caregiver, but she was certainly more interested to see the warrior side of the tan woman.
Without announcing himself, he shot into the gathering. But while his feet slowed, they refused to halt among the gathered stones and wolves. Instead he paced, circling them in sloppy laps within earshot. Behind him his tail whipped happily, as if stinging at his heels to keep the momentum of his paws going strong. Eyes focused, his attention was devoted solely to Xi'nuata.
She stood still, an autumnal tree amidst the evergreens lightly dusted in white. Unmoving but not frozen, merely awaiting the arrival of those summoned for. Her expectations were neither high nor low, but apparently as gleaming eyes of umber and gold peered out into the woodland searching for movement.
Eventually the foliage would part as first a tawny hide broke through the floral, then second a mix of honey and earth. The paler graces of a male she knew only by name came after then, followed by the dark form of the silent hunter quite elated to heed the gathering call. There were still some faces yet unseen, but she did not ponder too deeply on them, believing they would appear on their own time. The territory was vast… but the warrior was not patient.
She growled softly to Leather, bidding that he find a still spot before she looked upon each present face and spot. “Good morning,” she dipped her muzzle to the whole respectfully. “You are here because you want to serve as warriors to the Vale… and I am here to assist in making these ambitions as reality. The title of warrior, regardless of its variation, is not given without the effort shown. Until you have proven yourselves, you are only ‘wolves’ of the Northstar Vale and your responsibilities are no different than those of the Monks and the Clerics.” She paused for a moment, allowing this information to seep in before continuing. “If you wish to change this,” she continued softly. “Then tell to me, and those around you, what service you seek to provide this pack.” Smoothly, her eyes fell to Leatherface to start them off. |
Food.
When the female finally got around to questioning what service all the wolves in her presence wish to give to the vale Ayvo pondered it for a minute while the swarthy male next to him answered in an unwavering tone. The service he wished to provide we simply protection. He had no ambition to attack opposing pack's unless they did so first. He would be the line of defense inside the vale, not the offense outside the pack's territory. Ayvo gazed at the female before him. "Protection. I wish to be a defender of this vale" Ayvo replied in a deep tone.
"Me, personally? I plan on bringing a hell of a lot of attitude." She prided herself for finding her old personality hidden beneath her mask of shyness. "I mean, we can say we want to protect the Vale, but all in all, words are just words if you don't act on them." She smiled and glided back into her place.
She was quiet as she listened to each express their expectations. Some simply, others more complex in what their duty would entail, but it was not without a sense of hope for what was to come. Gradient eyes turned to Larch inevitably, though her lack or contribution was pardoned due to their prior conversation regarding her expectations upon her return.
Calmly Xi’nuata returned her gaze to the group at large, regarding each of them with a thoughtful knit of her brows while formulating a plan that would suit and complement them all. Each had their own desires, yet in the end they would serve the benefit of the whole. With a thoughtful hum, the female at last raised her muzzle. “We shall play a game,” she announced, though her enthusiasm for such a childish tactic was lacking, impressing the actually importance of the suggested activity. “There is game in the forest, and as a team you will find, chase, and defend it. I will see how well you cooperate together, and how well you conduct yourselves individual for your desired tasks.” She turned to @Leatherface, her eyes wide and expectant.
“You wish to provide food for the pack, then you will act as the hunter. Find your prey, but do not kill it. Killing it will result in failure for this activity. You will know when it is time to down your prey.” She dipped her muzzle softly then gave her attention to the remaining three. “Your role will be to assist Leather in his hunt, as well as keep watch over the forest for any that try to disturb your hunt- in this instance, me. Once you have found your prey, @Acacia, you will be tasked with assisting Leather in the chase and downing it. While @Ayvo and @Larch -“ she bobbed her nose to each in turn “-you are tasked with defending your sport. If I am within reach of the prey, or take it myself, you fail the activity.
“If you all understand, then begin.”
She would leave them to disperse and coordinate amongst themselves, but as soon as their attentions were diverted to the hunt, a glance over a shoulder would find their mentor had gone to fulfill her own role in their activity. OOC: Xi’nuata will be watching, but you will not be able to see her until Leatherface finds the prey. Take as much time as you need to build your character’s confidence and development. Feel free to talk, coordinate either IC or OOCly amongst yourselves. This is a little something new, so let’s give it a good shot :D |
When the roles of this game were given, he's head turned to watch his fellow packmembers for their own inputs. He often didn't linger on thoughts, though the doubt haunted his mind as he moved to step beside Acacia. It was easy to switch to the task he'd been given, putting his nose to the ground with purpose; Leatherface did not spare a parting glance as he took off back into the surrounding wood with a low grunt.
There was no specific prey he'd been sent to catch, so the strongest trail he found first as the one to lead him. Rabbit, as they were bountiful in the warming weather. Leath confirmed his chosen trail with only a small twitch of his nose, tail swinging out behind him. He loped ahead to seek the creature out.