+- Wolf RPG (https://wolf-rpg.com)
+-- Forum: In Character: Roleplaying (https://wolf-rpg.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=5)
+--- Forum: Archives (https://wolf-rpg.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=11)
+--- Thread: Qeya River tight rope (/showthread.php?tid=64542)
tight rope - Blackfell - January 15, 2025
for @Suliya -- tag for ref, feel free to join ofc
this wasn’t his territory, wasn’t his game. the lay of the land eluded him, and he didn’t care much for aimless wandering. so, he'd look for guidance—though, knew he wouldn't find it in @Gjalla. he was only receiving icy glares from the woman since his proclamation.
his gaze fell on a figure in the distance—a she-wolf, her pale coat blending with the winter's chill but not enough to evade his notice. his stride lengthened. when he was near enough, he barked—a short, non-threatening sound to catch her eye.
you look like you know your way around,he huffed.
care to show me the ropes?
RE: tight rope - Suliya - January 15, 2025
suliya regarded him with an unreadable expression, her pale eyes tracing his frame as if measuring his worth without a single word. a brief flick of her tail, and she dipped her head once—acknowledgment, not quite agreement.
she turned slowly, her movements fluid, before taking a few steps forward. a silent invitation. no words, no unnecessary conversation. if he followed, she would show him what he needed to see. nothing more. nothing less.
RE: tight rope - Blackfell - January 15, 2025
she wasn’t a talker—fine by him.
when she turned, he followed, his strides matching her fluid movements with a quiet confidence of his own. the frost crunched beneath his paws, the cold biting at the edges of his frame.
he didn’t press for more, didn’t question her silence, only kept pace beside her, his sharp gaze scanning the terrain as they moved. she had his attention, for now.
RE: tight rope - Suliya - January 15, 2025
she did not look back to see if he followed; his presence was a weight she did not need to confirm. they reached a shallow divot in the valley, where the earth dipped and gave way to a congregation of caribou.
the herd was clustered near the qeya river, their breaths fogging in the cold air. the cows moved slower, their bellies round with life, and suliya's pale eyes lingered on them briefly before she spoke, her tone low, unhurried.
the cows are pregnant,she stated simply, her gaze shifting to the male beside her. a glance, quick but piercing, before she turned her attention back to the herd. no further words were offered, letting the sight and her statement speak for themselves.
RE: tight rope - Blackfell - January 15, 2025
blackfell’s gaze followed hers, sweeping over the herd with a hunter’s practiced intensity. the caribou moved in a slow, rhythmic cadence, their breaths visible in the cold air like fleeting ghosts. his ears flicked forward at her words, and a faint huff of acknowledgment left him, low and steady.
he crouched slightly, his weight shifting to his haunches as he studied the herd. his crimson eyes lingered on the pregnant cows for a moment, then moved to the younger, leaner figures scattered among them.
he knew the logical choice. he was no green hunter. yet—he scarcely knew of these caribou hunter's ways. so he speaks, lowly, quietly, gruffly:
who do you go for?
RE: tight rope - Suliya - January 15, 2025
her breath curled into the cold air as she tilted her head slightly, indicating the larger shapes at the edge of the group—males, their antlers stark against the frosted landscape.
the males,she said simply, her tone steady and unyielding.
greater risk. better reward.
her tail flicked, brushing lightly against the snow-dusted ground as she straightened.
they’ll fight harder. but they carry more meat, more strength. for saatsine, we hunt with purpose.
she turned her eyes to him then, measuring.
do you hunt with purpose?her voice was calm, but there was a challenge hidden in the question, subtle and deliberate. she wanted to see if he would rise to meet it.
RE: tight rope - Blackfell - January 15, 2025
blackfell’s ears twitched at her words, her calm declaration cutting through the icy air with precision. his gaze shifted to the males at the edge of the herd, their hulking frames outlined against the frost-kissed expanse. their antlers, sharp and jagged, were a clear reminder of the fight they’d put up.
a faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.
i hunt to survive.
his tail gave a slow sway as he shifted his stance, his focus returning to the herd.
what’s the plan?
RE: tight rope - Suliya - January 15, 2025
i scatter them,she said simply, her voice low and steady, as if the plan had already unfolded in her mind.
drive the bull to you. you catch him.
her gaze flicked to him, lingering for a moment, searching for something in his expression.
don’t miss,she added, a subtle challenge laced in her tone.
without waiting for his reply, she turned her attention back to the herd, her muscles coiling in anticipation. she was already visualizing the chaos she would create, the paths she would carve to push their target into the waiting jaws of her new companion.
RE: tight rope - Blackfell - January 15, 2025
blackfell’s lips twitched faintly at her challenge, amusement flickering across his otherwise stoic expression.
i wouldn’t dream of it,he replied.
the bull was an easy mark to spot—larger, heavier, and surrounded by the faint air of dominance. blackfell’s focus sharpened, his body poised, every muscle attuned to the hunt that was about to unfold.
he gave a small, almost imperceptible nod in her direction.
RE: tight rope - Suliya - January 15, 2025
suliya said nothing more, her focus narrowing to the bull. her body dipped low, pressing close to the earth as she crept forward, her pale form blending with the snow and frost.
then she struck.
like a shadow, she burst from her cover, a blur of movement; wild. her sharp barks shattered the still air, and the herd reacted instantly, chaos erupting as caribou scattered in all directions. but suliya was relentless, her path cutting through the confusion like a blade, isolating the bull with precision.
she circled wide, snapping at the air near its flanks to steer it. the massive creature huffed and lunged forward, its heavy body barreling away from the group, and exactly where she intended—straight toward blackfell.
her eyes flicked to him briefly, catching his crimson gaze with a brief, expectant look before she refocused, her every move driving the hunt toward its climax.
RE: tight rope - Blackfell - January 15, 2025
blackfell jumps straight in.
head first into the action, long and strong legs propelling him forth—paws tearing, ripping, across the snow and sleet ground, exploding from the brush he had remained hid within. running angular of the stag, charging through the snow as it became knee deep, likewise slowing the heavy prey animal down.
the wolves, though, were able to drive through it with agile ease.
blackfell jumps into his peripheral, jaws snapping open, aimed for the jugular—a clean shot, save for the unexpected and sudden swing of the beasts rack. scoring a gash straight across the left side of blackfell's face in a curved arc, splitting open flesh, bleeding his face with wet, stinging hot blood. but adrenaline roars through the man and he is not deterred, pushing through the stinging pain and sinking piercing canines and molar against thick hide and fat.
the bull's breath billows from flaring nostrils and agape mouth as it bellows into the morning sky.
RE: tight rope - Suliya - January 15, 2025
she did not know what to think of him. a hunter? a fool? it is the childlike actions that bring forth the blood spilled upon the white blanket across the valley. he was too eager, too impatient, that he had forgotten of the mighty tusks atop the bulls head.
but suliya reeled. he seemed contempt— a flame ignited as he still tugged against the hide of the bull. though iron crept in through her nostrils, the lanzadoii woman would finish this one way or another.
leaping atop the beast, she rolled her weight downward to distract it from the penetrating bite of her hunting partner. with her jaws wrapped firm, her vigor struck true.
if only the male could pull himself together for the last fatal straw to the behemoth's life.
RE: tight rope - Blackfell - January 15, 2025
crimson eyes flicked toward suliya as she leapt atop the beast. the bull bellowed, thrashing beneath her weight, its antlers carving wild arcs through the air.
he didn’t hesitate. unbothered by the blindness that plagued the right side of his face now, ran hot with ichor. blackfell adjusted his stance, pushing against the earth to launch himself forward.
he wrenched his head violently, tearing through muscle and sinew, his strength and weight bearing down as the beast staggered. powerful legs beginning to buckle.
slowly, but surely. a powerful beast, pinnacle of his species, struggling to grind through the sleet as blood soaks his thick hide and wolves cling to him like thick ticks.
RE: tight rope - Suliya - January 15, 2025
with one final lurch, the animal collapsed beneath them, its thrashing growing weaker until it stilled entirely.
she leapt down, her paws crunching softly in the frost-kissed snow as she landed. her gaze swept to blackfell, taking in the crimson streaks marring his dark fur. the scent of his blood mingled with the metallic tang of the bull’s, sharp and unmistakable.
she stepped closer, nosing at the bull’s thick hide, her sharp gaze cutting back to blackfell.
how bad?she asked, her voice low, practical. there was no time for sentiment now—only action. the herd had scattered, but danger might still lurk in the frozen expanse.
RE: tight rope - Blackfell - January 15, 2025
it is only now in the silence of the hunt's aftermath does blackfell waiver. only for a brief, tentalizing second. jaw agape, sucking in large breaths, onyx sides heaving upwards with the exhaust of his efforts.
amongst the fallen stag he stands, his breath intermingling with the visible steam rising from the freshly deceased body. when suliya speaks, it is then he turns his head, allowing her a closer view of the curved fleshwound that now arcs his face.
curling from browbone to cheek. blood welling in thick, crimson rivulets. but the man wears it like it is nothing more than the hiss of a briar embedded in his paw, raising a foreleg to wipe away at some of the blood clouding his vision. the eye was spared.
but the lack of vision only returns tenfold in heavy welts of blood. he grunts, then.
needs help clotting. it'll be fine.
RE: tight rope - Suliya - January 15, 2025
suliya’s sharp gaze tracked the line of blood across blackfell’s face, her expression unmoving save for the faintest furrow of her brow. the bull’s death had been a victory, but the price was clear.
no,she said firmly, stepping closer to inspect the wound, though she kept her touch light.
it won’t be fine if it festers. go.she jerked her muzzle in the direction of the camp, her tone leaving no room for argument.
find the chieftain’s wife. she will tend to you.
she turned her attention back to the bull, her pale form a stark contrast against its dark hide.
i’ll start cutting the hide and taking the meat. you’ll be of no use here if you keel over.there was no malice in her words, only a sharp practicality born of experience.
she glanced at him again, her gaze lingering for a moment longer than necessary.
and tell her to hurry. the blood will draw more than just scavengers if we’re not careful.with that, she turned back to the carcass, already planning how best to handle the massive beast.
RE: tight rope - Blackfell - January 15, 2025
he couldn’t deny the logic in her words.
fine,he muttered, his crimson eyes flicking to her pale form as she worked over the bull. she was efficient, focused, wasting no time. it was admirable, though he wouldn’t say as much aloud.
his steps were heavy as he turned toward the camp.
exit blackfell!
RE: tight rope - Suliya - January 15, 2025
suliya didn’t linger on blackfell’s retreat, her focus entirely on the task before her. the bull was massive, its thick hide a testament to its resilience. but she worked methodically, her paws deft as they guided her sharp teeth and claws to cut through the tough outer layer.
the hide peeled away in heavy, satisfying folds, revealing the rich meat beneath. the cold air preserved it well, making her work easier, though her breath still puffed in steady plumes as she exerted herself. she paused only briefly to glance toward the qeya river, where the herd had scattered, their shadows fading into the mist.
returning to the task, she began separating the meat into manageable portions, stacking them carefully on a flat stone to keep them off the snow. the warmth of her breath lingered in the chilled air as she worked, her focus unwavering. this would feed saatsine for days, perhaps weeks.
when the preparations were done, she stood back, surveying her work with quiet satisfaction. the hide would be dried and stretched later, the meat divided among the pack. with a final glance toward the path blackfell had taken, suliya let out a small sigh before turning to gather her haul. the hunt was done, but the work of survival never ceased.