Biding my Time

Open to anyone or wild fauna. Tuwa is in the northeast • Discovery thread 2

Clouds rolled violently overhead, and Tuwawi wondered if a storm would break on the mountainside she patrolled. It was a magnificently rich land, verdant and lush with a mix of broader hills and steep, bald cliffs. Tall pines were well-rooted into the fragrant loam, and the slopes were easily traversed by the plains-born mother. It was a grand location, unlike other mountains Tuwawi had lived on throughout her life. Sunspire, Tartok's peak, and Silvertip were all treacherous places - mystified and fortified against any wanderers. But here... this place felt just felt right, the the prospect of claiming this purchase filled her heart anticipation.

Silver gaze traced ground, prey path's worn into the mountain's earth - but she wasn't here to feed... not yet. Ptarmigan had gone her own way, and the thought of rallying enough bodies to transport her offspring was a new worry on the Sveijarn's mind. They would figure it out... Njal would have ideas. Even though her husband had not yet laid eyes on this place yet, Tuwawi was certain it was made just for them.

Finding a young pine, Tuwawi rubbed her vermilion side against the prying bark, leaving her scent and a few stray red hairs behind. It was a message to others - someone intended to live here.

The most unfortunate thing had finally occurred. It was his own fault, as much as it pained him to think so. His adventure to the west had been harrowing and filled with stress; the arrival of wolves to the valley had gone unnoticed until that very moment where Hassun had deigned to investigate. And now, having sought out his old hunting grounds and the company of his wives, he found this. A wolf had decided to slip in to his precious territory and he hadn't been around to prevent it - but Hassun wasn't afraid. He could deal with one measly wolf.

From his hiding place among the tangled roots of his favorite trees, he could see her. A ruddy red figure pressing her ugly hide all over the bark. He knew what that meant, and he would not allow this bitch to lay claim to an area that was already under control. Only one predator could survive - or so Hassun believed - and it was with this no-nonsense attitude that he would face the stranger. If he couldn't stop her now, she'd surely go back to the west and find more wolves to aid her; they ran in packs, after all.

While the stranger busied herself with propagating her heinous claim, Hassun left the roots behind. He crept toward her with as much fervor as he could while remaining silent - his paws carefully placed, knowing exactly which animal trails to follow in order to navigate around the wolf so that he could arrive behind her. This was his land and he wouldn't let it go without a fight. The anger within him boiled within his very blood, drawing out his claws as he got nearer, and caused a low warning to bellow from his chest. In his agitated state, the lynx erroneously warned the encroaching animal of his presence too early.

It was inviting. The land didn't strain so heavily on the vagabond she-wolf, she found she could traverse it with more ease than the other peaks that towered the heights of the Wilds. Still, it was a mountain, and enough of a workout that it served to let Kipling know she was moving with purpose. But nice scenery only went so far, and she wondered to herself how far North was she going. Was this even still the Wilds at all?

Gliding down the hump of a hill, Kipling pressed forward towards a thicket of trees. The air was heavy and she sought some cover, assuming there'd be some rainfall. There was time to mull over her trek and backtrack, having no formal ties to the land. Why should she worry about how far North she went? To herself she tried to reason that in truth she didn't really have any obligations, and still she lingered on the thought, thinking that perhaps she hadn't gone too far at all and could still hover around Teekon without stepping on the toes of the natives. But she didn't want to do it alone.

Her ears pricked, attention drawn to a fiery figure pressed against a pine. And then Kipling's gaze quickly shifted to the lynx that challenged the claim. They were all strangers, and she had little time to consider what was happening before she galloped forward to surround the lynx from behind her lips folding back in a clear threat to the feline; it was easy to choose sides in this situation.

thanks for joining :D!

The dense evergreens and pines captured her attention, nose filled with the sharp aroma of northern woodlands, steeped with the perfume of fresh sap. Thickly boughed conifers lined Tuwawi's path as she slowly walked, taking her time to carefully inspect the new terrain. The danger behind crept like a phantom and no scent of peril was carried upon the dank air. The sky darkened, and it was as if nature attempted to warn its newest guardian of more nefarious creatures lurking in the shadows.

Tuwawi was completely unaware of the feline well-hidden beneath the dappled shade, as she expected little trouble to come her way. Dropping of bears and cougars were around, no doubt... but there was nothing fresh and few marks on trees to suggest an innate risk. The lynx, however, was a different sort... quieter and more prone to avoid interaction together. She could not know a native male watched her from the nettles, with the intent to defend his turf.

A low, rumbling sound echoed from the rear as the forest became silent in the presence of two predators. Tuwawi jumped with a start, whipping her head around to see the threat. Her saffron hair stood on end, like a spooked cat, when she saw the great, moon-sized eyes reflecting back from betixt the verdant branches. Fear stupefied Tuwawi's reflexes as her body tried to decided whether to fight or take flight, and she could only stand there, paralyzed, to brace for inevitable impact.

Little did she know, another wolf, Kipling, was aimed like an arrow towards Tuwawi's assailant. However, this wolf was beyond her vision, hidden by the trees, and went unseen.

All at once he was outnumbered - something he should have seen coming. When there was one wolf, there would always be a second; they were a plague from the westlands that Hassun did not want to trifle with. But his stalking and his attempt at assault had brought him close to the red wolf, and the subsequent snapping of a creature behind made him retaliate in haste: he gave up on the subtleties of sneaking and charged at the crimson interloper, a blur of neutral gray and hissing, in an attempt to sink his claws in to some part of the animal. The red animal seemed surprised by his appearance, and just as Hassun was stunned by the arrival of the second wolf he hoped to use the momentary pause to his advantage.

It all came to her on impulse. She was no practiced warrior and had the feline not been a obvious threat to her fellow wolf, Kipling would have preferred to turn tail. So rolling with what her body told her, when the she-wolf closed the distance between the pair, the menace of her curled lip transformed into a full on attack. Perhaps a more skilled wolf would've simply allowed their body weigh to do the work, seeing as she was coming on a full speed, but for Kipling that was not enough.

Unable to slide to a halt, as she let loose her fangs, she aimed to catch them on the nape of the lynx; to scruff him and taking him along with her. If that was the case wouldn't have thought twice about subsequently knocking/tossing him in the other direction. It was close enough that by consequence she might've knocked into the red headed as well, but with the feline working as a road block, it was doubtful she'd would power through with enough force to do any major bruising.

Tuwawi was an undoubtedly fast wolf — a trained warrior by any measure — but time had stiffened her nerves and motherhood had made her muscles lazy. The journey to this range had left the Sveijarn without her usual energy, and though her brain screamed MOVE only a single paw was lifted before the feline's pursuit was on.

Wolves were markedly swift, but a feline's speed was unmatched. In the blink of an eye he was upon her. A fine creature for his species; well muscled and spry with a sleek, bespeckeled coat. Of course, it was all a blur in Tuwawis's wide, gunmetal irises, which didn't see as much as they felt. Adrenaline pumped into overdrive as she attempted to scramble away; but the earth was unforgiving and the soft ground slipped like water between her digits. Tuwawi recoiled in an attempt to brace herself with what precious seconds remained, jaws open with to receive her assailant. Only then did a wisp of tawny catch her gaze: another wolf at the rear.. and on the offensive. The stranger's enamel glistened in the shade, and suddenly thunder boomed overhead as if to announce her attack. They would collide - that was for certain - but to what measure could the lynx's talons be deflected? Tuwawi loosed a shrieking growl as her auburn hair bristled violently, unprepared to ensnare the cat but hopeful the pressure of her companion would deter its charge.

Attempted exit of Hassun! Feel free to chase him or stop him. Also if you don't like the minor PP let me know and I can edit!

There was a split second where Hassun was consumed by all of his rage. A split second of sharp heat coupled with the thunderous applause of his heart as it raced. The second ticked on by, and the feline was launching himself at the red wolf with the full force of his anger - only to be struck from behind, grappled with, torn in to by teeth, and cast aside. He tumbled and lost his footing when the second wolf bore down upon him; the sensation of pain as it rippled through his body made Hassun's efforts completely futile.

He fell in to a ball and rolled, and by momentum carried the attacker with him - colliding with the fire-wolf in a mess of fur and frenzied limbs. Hassun wanted to right himself, deciding quickly that running would serve him better than fighting against odds such as this: so he did his best to stand, to swagger, and in the process pulled free of the second wolf whose hold was weakened by their combined collapse. His flesh had been torn deep and blood now trailed behind him, but he had to escape, he had to protect his wives and their children.

In the next instant, the cat was trying to run for his life.

It all happened so quickly Kipling hardly felt the loose fur on her tongue before she lost her footing and her heart skipped a beat. Convinced in that moment that her less than skilled charge had cost her a horrible mistake in tactic, the two animals tumbled together and parted. She had little time to revel in the relief she felt before she flipped in an effort to get back on her feet; in that moment she couldn't consider the red-wolf's positioning, all senses focused on what she considered her enemy. She expected the lynx to charge back and perhaps swipe at her, instincts telling her to keep her head low but he rose and fled in the other direction.

Panting at the effort she'd exert in her initial attack, Kipling own actions were sluggish in comparison to brisk escape the feline made and she pushed herself onto her feet as he disappeared from sight. Jogging forward a few paces to make sure he was gone for good, tail raised with adrenaline and anticipation--it dropped a few seconds later, content that he would not soon return.

The other wolf tore a gash in her target, and the lynx was sent into the dirt. In a flash of fangs and fur, Tuwawi collided with both the tumbling cat and canine, her jaws clicking shut as the air was knocked out of her lungs. Oof she wheezed as they impacted, the forest's trees swept into a dizzy spiral. A splatter for brilliant vermilion caught her gaze. Blood... but whose? Nails dug like pins into her shoulder as the lynx grappled for footing, eager to escape his precarious position. With a massive heave, Tuwawi sprung to her feet; mostly uninjured but disoriented. By that time, their foe had already wheeled away and the nervy female bayed at his retreat.

Tuwawi tried to comprehend exactly what had just happened, her expression blank. Auburn hair stood on end and a few beads of blood pooled where the lynx had inadvertently clawed her. Surely he had meant to use his teeth and flexible body to wrap about his foe like a devious python... However, that had not come to pass in thanks to this mystery rescuer.

Eventually Tuwawi's heart slowed and she blinked, finally understanding that she had been this bobcat's prey. It was completely unexpected. A bear... maybe, a cougar, sure... but a lynx? They were usually quiet creatures. If anything, it reminded the mother to not take the peaceful forest for granted. Nefarious creatures always lurked. "I owe you one," she stammered, still reeling from their lightening-fast confrontation, "didn't see him coming."

“Did that really just happen?” It tumbled out of her mouth without thought, a wave of disbelief churning over in her mind and making her paws feel numb. She didn’t do things like this. Now that the threat was gone Kipling had the time to digest exactly what had just transpired and she was frightened at the consequences she might have faced if the lynx hadn’t decided to take flight so soon. Withholding a tremor that threatened to slip down to her tail she sucked in a deep breath and pushed back the tension she felt at its release.

She turned then looking less shell-shocked and more concerned at the other fire cloaked woman who seemed to share her shock. “Are you okay?” It had all happened so fast and trying to keep track of the quick cat she really hadn’t been paying mind to who she’d actually been trying to keep safe. A quick glance at her and she could see no immediate wounds, but a slight tinge of blood scented the air and she wasn’t entirely sure it had all been the lynx’s price for his attack.

Trying to piece back her senses she realized what the stranger had said only a moment after and she shook her head. “I was just… It just happened. I probably wouldn’t have seen him either.” Kipling wanted to reassure her with a slight nudge to the woman’s shoulder, but she kept her distance, unsure if the gesture would be unwelcome. Instead she hovered and settled for moving closer.

This woman appeared just as exasperated as Tuwawi; a level of disbelief shrouding her previously vicious expression. Wrinkled lips and toothy snarls ironed out into a pretty face; feminine and nubile with a fair, tawny complexion. Lapis eyes scrutinized the ember's punctured shoulder, and sifted her figure for more glaring wounds. "Yes, I... think so," Tuwawi responded with a pause, voice still flustered. Her mind was already looking to the future, weighing the safety of this mountainside. Would Njal and herself be able to eradicate these skulking predators?

However, the sharp scent of wolfsblood brought her back, and she turned to lick the sanguine beads from her fur. She sneered now, thinking ten different ways she could skin that damned cat. Perhaps a hunting party would be in order.

"They hunt so quietly," Tuwawi said as she finished cleaning her wound, "but you've got a keen eye. I'm Tuwawi... What's your name?" She approached the other female with a genial posture, eager to learn more about the girl who had prevented a near catastrophe.

I'm gonna wrap this up and archive it b/c of pack stuff. ^__^ I'm gonna take the liberty to PP Kipling and say she told Tuwa her name, if that's okay with you - if not let me know and I will amend.

The women had a brief conversation following the bobcat's assault. Kipling was the enigmatic woman's name, and Tuwawi had was gracious in her thanks. If it weren't for her, she might have been mincemeat by now. After a brief time chatting together, the women went their separate ways. The ember continued towards the mountain's height, but stayed acutely aware of any lingering nasties, especially places marked by the native predators; bear, cougar, or lynx. Eventually the scents faded, though Tuwawi's caution did not, yet she persevered and continued to chart the mountain.