Slavik was itching to hunt today, and the caches could always use a little extra meat in them. He set off around noon to try and find something to eat- something decent sized, not just a squirrel. It was harder now that it was so snowy, his pelt stuck out drastically amongst the sheet of white. He was after all, a wolf built for the warmer southern plains. But he couldn’t let that stop him from executing his chosen skill, so he tried to work around his set backs. He rolled in snow before he began to stalk something, so at least the tips of his fur were snowy. It was no major advantage, but it was something to help out. Other than that he just had to work a lot harder to go unseen.
Today he was tracking a deer, he wasn’t sure how he was gonna catch it by himself, but he thought at least he could find out where it was going, and remember it for later. Likely a lone deer would be headed towards a herd, and this information could help with the pack hunts. He followed the doe’s scent down into a small gully, where the snow hadn’t fully reached and the ground was just a cover of cold wet leaves. He watched from his hiding place, as she searched for food.
arcturus had seen slavik roll in the snow; an unusual tactic for one departing soon on a meat-run, but his curiosity was piqued and after weighing the possibility of being alone with his depressing thoughts vs hunting and thinking of nothing but killing, arcturus naturally opted for the latter.
he couldn't help that his mind kept returning to revui - but he could do his best to keep his mind occupied.
falling in step behind the glimmering pelt of moonspear's sunniest subordinate, arcturus nosed the hoofprints left by the deer, waiting for slavik's move or instruction.
The snowcapped boy noticed another fall into step near him, he turned his head to find Arcturus, the dark furred son of the alphas. Slavik gave him a quick nod of acknowledgement, and where he would usually greet him verbally Slavik refrained. The hunt was on his mind, and he refused to speak and risk their obscurity. Now that there were two of them, Slavik felt far more confident in his ability to take down the doe, so he formulated a plan of action, as Arcturus seemed willing to take his lead.
Slavik brushed his tail over his companion’s shoulder to get his attention, then indicated with his nose for Arcturus to go to the right of the gully. They had the advantage already, of being up higher. She would have to work harder to get out, whereas all they would have to do was run down the slope. Still it would be easier if one of them drove her towards the other. Slavik started to the left, so that they could be across from each other, if Arcturus took his instruction.
arcturus' attention was rapt as slavik pulled ahead -- when he motioned for the boy to go right, he did so dutifully. hunching his back so that he was as low to the ground as he could manage, the dark yearling made his way uphill.
he would glance to slavik from time to time, to measure the wolf's expression to see if he was performing well, or if he did anything that the hunter disapproved of -- but without much more exchanged, arcturus settled into the snow and studied the doe, waiting for slavik's command.
The younger male took Slavik’s instruction and picked his way to the other side of the gully. Golden eyes followed Arcturus until the male was in place, and then looked to the doe to see that she was still where she had been. Her soft feet crunched lightly in the snow, but didn’t pick up and run. Good, they’d stayed hidden thus far. Slavik caught the amber gaze of his hunting partner, then gave a nod. Now he just had to wait for Arcturus to send the doe running right to him, and she would be theirs.
there, flattened down in the snow, arcturus was made aware of a particular sensation. his heart was hammering in his ribcage, and he suddenly felt so widely alert of everything -- it was almost as if the stimuli around him was overwhelming.
and weirdest of all, he suddenly had to pee.
oh god.
he blinked stupidly, confused by this pressing sensation that seemed impossible to conquer -- looking to slavik with a bit of a bewildered expression, arcturus saw he was motioning for the boy to go. he froze, his sunflower gaze traveling to the doe and oh god i really have to pee.
he lurched from the snowmound at a broad gallop, the flurry of snow behind him arcing in a spectacularly fine mist -- and as he ran his bladder overwhelmed him, likely due to the urgency of his strides. a yellow liquid splattered onto the snow as he went, the sensation slowing his gait until he at last hobbled into an odd trot, trying to avoid getting any of his shameful outburst on his fur.
the doe had naturally, caught onto the predator that was only half on her tail -- she spun, executing a neat pirouette in the snow -- and then bounded unknowingly straight to where slavik sat concealed.
Slavik’s nod was met with a look of bewilderment. It was so sudden and utterly confused, Slavik almost let out a snort. He had not a single clue what the look had been for, and he didn’t have time to ask or anything. It certainly threw him off guard, and made him snicker a little to himself, but luckily Arcturus had already started running so the sound of his footsteps covered up the chortles from Slavik. The sunshine boy waited until the doe was running towards him, then dashed from his hiding place straight at her.
She let out a frightened chuff, and started to alter her course, but it was too late. As her hooves scrambled at the thick, wet leaf coat, Slavik lunged for her throat. His sharp canines grabbed on tight and he pulled her down.. The elegant creature didn’t stand a chance once the large male had gotten her down, and it didn’t take long for her heart to pump its last. He did attempt to kill her quickly, as he never wanted to cause suffering, even for prey animals like the deer.
He stood above the kill and slid a blood red tongue over his blood soaked muzzle, which effectively did nothing to clean up. A grin was on his face, the thrill of the hunt pulsing through his veins. He looked to his companion to share in his excitement, but once he’d focused on Arcturus he noticed that the boy stank. His grin dulled into a shocked expression, Whoa, did you piss yourself?
he asked, a little less sensitivity than he would’ve hoped.
the doe had bolted well out of reach of arcturus' novice fangs -- but unfortunately, found her end in slavik's capable jaws. in a matter of seconds dull brown fur was upended and a red, seeping pool of liquid spread out in the snow. to arcturus, it looked like a bizarre cherry blossom in bloom as it spread its pale, rosy fringes outward.
he looked up abruptly as he caught slavik's question; under his blackened hide his skin was beet red. "no!" he insisted, hot and ashamed -- "i.. hiding, i had to pee and --" he looked away in frustration, having no words to explain his folly.
The Ostrega said he didn't, but he smelled otherwise. Slavik tried to wipe the shock off of his face, but it turned into a half smile before he did so. He looked down, embarrassed at the lack of restraint he was showing his hunting partner. But I mean, it was pretty darn funny!
The golden furred male tried to compose himself before replying, It's fine! We all pee sometimes. And hey we caught it so...
That was his best attempt at correcting this, hopefully Arcturus would see that and take pity on him. He really was trying really hard not to keep laughing, the smell of fresh piss still fresh in his nose.
after such an embarrassing incident, arcturus was no longer hungry. despite slavik's good-natured, even gentle, handling of the situation, arcturus felt shamed beyond reason -- and found himself desperately wanting to be alone.
it was not slavik's fault -- and truly, the boy hoped the man would not take it to heart.. but he had to go. somewhere private, where he could lounge and wallow in his own shame, and eventually show up later (likely at dinner) with a sullen silence about him.
with a quick gaze at the deer to assure himself he had taken part in its felling, he gave a big sigh and stormily slunk off.
teenagers, amirite?
