SEASHELL #1
After hunting with his brother, it became apparent that the glen - and its surrounding territories - were full to bursting with life, and Willow couldn't be certain if it was a common thing here, or what. He was thankful, of course! Any lone wolf would be pleased with such a high chance at a meal; and so, as he roamed further from the scent of his brother and off on to his own path yet again, Willow was in higher spirits.
As he roamed he came across some clear graze-lines left by the resident deer population. He barely had a chance to investigate the clipped ends of the trees when he heard movement, and as soon as he turned his attention to the shadows flanking his position, he saw a doe with a trifecta of fawns. They vaulted off in to the green, taking his breath with them.
The grey yearling sighed, unsure of what to do. He had to do something, had to keep his paws moving as he scoured the land and tried to keep his mind from slipping into plans and why those hadn't worked since coming to the Wilds. Hviske trotted along, stopping here or there for a rabbit or a quick break as to not deny those luxuries, when he came across something... odd.
There were fawns bolting away from him, three of them, their spotted pelts clear in the sun's light. It was then he noted that the deer... and rabbits... and many prey species were... plentiful. Weird. Hviske tilted his head as he watched the fawns run, fighting the urge to give chase until he remembered that the wolfling did not possess the knowledge of catching fawns.
Odd. Very odd.
When the family had dispersed, Willow was left to gather his thoughts.
The instinct to give chase to them was strong, but so too was the surprise he had felt, and a part of him didn't really want to chase the little ones. It was better to chase the stags anyway, especially in the spring and summer, to prevent the needless culling of virile mothers. He had seen no sign of a buck as he'd traipsed the area; but there was plenty more of lesser quality to hunt, he figured.
As he began to investigate the scents clinging to the grass and the top-most dirt, he saw part of the trail the doe had taken. Hoof prints were barely visible in the soil. He chuffed softly, raising his head as an errant wolfish scent drifted to him; that was when he noticed the silvered stranger lurking nearby, watching from a patch of the forest lit by dusty sun-shafts.
Hello,
he called out brightly, forgetting for a moment to deepen his own voice - so it came out almost girlish, and the sound of it made his ears twitch back a moment. He cleared his throat as he took a step closer, but paused and sniffed the air. Not sure about you, but I've never found a place with so much prey. You here to hunt?
I forgot to subscribe :/
Sad, yellow eyes greeted the other wolf after a swiveling ear found the voice. First, a woman's, but then - a man's? They, he supposed. They looked nice. Had this wolf come to watch the deer, too? ... I do not know how to hunt deer. So I was just... watching.
It seemed odd to admit to strangers. He'd made a living on the backs of other animals' hunting, but it was no life for a predator. Even a... young one. The prey is quite plentiful lately.
Hviske nodded, trying to make conversation. ... who are you?
his head tilted slightly.
The stranger's answer was fitting, given their age. It was a surprise though. Willow didn't comment on it.
There were many signs of other animals here too, so they would not necessarily be required to chase something as large as a deer. Willow could find ample evidence of smaller creatures throughout the underbrush as he investigated, sniffing above the grass.
My name is Willow. I'm only passing through.
How many times had he used the same script? Too many to count.
There's a lot more here than deer. We could make a game of it — if you're interested.
It might've seemed strange for him to be so friendly and accomodating to a stranger, but to Willow it felt like being home again, teaching his younger siblings the ropes. He was comfortable being this welcoming, helpful sort of person for the time being.