OOC:After her conversation with Anemone

The warmth within the den, as she observed, was somewhat lacking. The late chill of winter crept through the hollow of the den imparting its greeting of the dawn by seep into the tired bones. Each breath, a lure to rouse the slumbering creature from her needed rest before the day began. Each breath, coolly felt, as a reminder that she would wake to the dark recesses of the keep alone. To awaken in the dark was not unnatural, for as pups they were born in the dark and dwelled within it til they had the strength to open and see the stunning light of the world. She felt a pup again, straining against the light yet unseen but felt through determined rays, coaxing the heavy lids to part and receive the world with umber and gold.

But where was her companion? Her eyes still closed, she knew him to not be there. Gingerly she inched her muzzle across the ground finding the place near her once warm was going colder in his absence. He had not been gone for long, but long enough to make an impression and stir her further. However reluctant she felt to uncurl and embrace the cold, she did so to prepare for perhaps a wander through the territory. Toning crème stalks unfurled in her rise, spreading long limbs and tough digits to grasp for the air then retract across the around. The knots of sleep were pulled and stretched free as her jaws gaped with the yawn of her rise. Then she inhaled the scent of blood.

The low rumble of her companion pulled her ears forward and raised her spirits, her tired lips curled with a gentle smile hardly seen within the shadows of their den, but heard by the song in her voice. She whined softly in turn then padded toward the entrance to greet her superior. For a moment the hare at his feet went ignored as she gave favor to the hunter instead of his prey. She graced his blind eye with muzzle extended, nudging the scarred flesh with care then left a peck on his cheek. Her head lowered respectfully as she skirted along his weathered visage to his muzzle and licked the fine hairs of his chin in greeting.

OOC:Woot Training!

Though they lived together and were often kept in the comfortable silence together, it was always a pleasure to witness the content on his face- however subtle the inclination of his glee. She could smile with ease even if it was by a gentle crest of her brows, and as though basking within the glow of a comfortable sun, she too could bathe in the radiance of his warmth. Her tail swayed with leisure even as she peeled from him, the strands of beige clinging to inky strands with the reluctance of a lover’s departure. Yet she remained near him, her eyes alight as she listened to his instruction and felt her heart leap at the potential of individualized attention.

Outside of her training with the Creek wolf, she hadn’t taken to any other routine beyond her running. In truth, she believed it to have served her well, making it easier for her to creep with the extra weight of her physique, but as a guard of the Vale, she did not feel her skill improving. And thus to learn from the appointed lead was an opportunity she could not, and would not miss.

She tipped her muzzle in confirmation, inching slightly away to better place the hare underpaw before lowering her jaws to slip into the warmth of its flesh. The melody of the feeding was a ballad she would not tired of, nor the taste of the flesh as it caressed her tongue. Rather than feed with grace, she consumed with earnest, near taking small bone with balding hide as the offering turned to naught but scraps in little more than an instant. Raising her eyes to meet those of her instructor she smiled softly in thanks as she lapped the finer droplets of the meal from her muzzle.

She did not question what they would train for the day, but smiled expectantly.

As much as her mind wished to romanticize his instruction, the very aspect of it was no different than that given by Njal- she was to run. Only this time it would be along the mountain. Her smile waned but slightly as the disappointment settled, but as easily as the change became her, her countenance adjusted again for a neutral disposition. She would not ague. She would not challenge. If he too would instruct her in this manner, then undoubtedly it was because he too saw the same thing as the Creek wolf.

She inhaled the mountain air and looked to her lead to begin their run, and stepped forward only when the black of his pelt began to roll with movement. She proceeded, at leisure at first then with a swift stride to follow after her leader and keep up with his feet. As they progressed, she felt the familiar burn of her legs but paid them no mind as she settled into a steady jogging rhythm. Her steps would falter only on the transition of flatland to the mountainous terrain, yet even then it was adapted to quite easily. She was born on mountains like this afterall.

But the incline of the rocks served their purpose well, wearing away the idle fat that burning muscle might take over. Her breathing though even began to take through the subtle part of her muzzle. Quiet but steady as she proved her endurance.

By the time the pair reached their destination, she could feel the dulled sensation of her paws having gone numb. It often came when running, when steadily falling heavily rather than gracefully on the ground. She felt nothing but the indentation of the rocks against her pads, no pain, no strain, but the pressure of her weight against the rocks.

As Raheerah moved toward the rocks that littered the clearing, she followed suit without question though took an opposing side. She hadn’t thought of a spar taking place not long after her rest, but rather that she could not learn from him if she stood so close. One could not admire the whole if too fixed upon the details. Exhaling, she leapt for a rock mound of her own, perched with all paws grasping the stone with care. Her tail remained outright, swaying purposefully to keep her balanced and steady. Her shoulders were forward pushing the folds of protective fat closer to her neck as she lowered her head at the ready to observe, and unknowingly spar.