Redtail Rise parasite

The trail had long been lost to him, and his prey had likely gone to ground. It was embarrassing to have been laid low by the likes of him, and to have the imprint of the scoundrel's teeth ringing his ankle, burning, sometimes, when it was not cold enough to be numb.

Blood gathered on his hip still, the scab gone crusty and thick as it was continually agitated. That one never went numb, but the persistent ache and sharp pull of poorly healing flesh didn't affect his stride or bearing. It did affect his pride, but that was only for him to know.

The bounty hunter sniffed along the borders, investigating the many scents there, and the stories that they told. One scent in particular seemed to have gone stale — a deserter? Did they want her tracked down and brought back to face whatever passed for justice in these lands?

And what might they offer in exchange?

He rubbed his cheek against a tree as he passed, leaving his calling card to be found. Another, and then another, and then he veered away from the borders in search of somewhere to rest. A dry patch of ground under thick canopy seemed serviceable — but he clawed at the ground a little, carving out a shallow dish.

A stranger’s scent marred their borders.  It was not the disrespectful overlay of a claim, but Redd still followed the trace intently, needing to discover the meaning behind this action.  It was only one; she felt no need to summon the pack.

As the stranger came into view, Redd let out a low growl of inquiry at the darkened form.  She demanded an explanation, and though her fur did not rise aggressively, there was a tension that communicated her readiness to defend.

Why was he here?

the stormcloud was upon the borders when she could smell him, and there was little to disarm her as she thundered to where he was located. she would come with a respectful lope, noting that the red girl was already upon him with a defensive posture that threatened aggression should anything move out of place.

sunrise stands a pace or so back, allowing for the wealda to maintain her dominance and control over the situation as pale yellow eyes scan over his body and face. her body remains taut, as if about to explode should something trigger her.

The bounty hunter was there because he had no other place to be. Without a mission to occupy him, he was free to do as he pleased — or, in other words, at intolerably loose ends. And he was cold, and he was injured, and those two things were only passing irritations, but still. He wanted something else to focus on.

His body language was wary but submissive when a red figure arrived on the scene. His nose twitched; he knew her scent from his recent jaunt. He remained frozen for a moment longer before moving tentatively forward, seeking more information from the scents on her pelt. A straining neck closed some of the distance between them, but he did not come close enough to touch.

The arrival of another had him falling back a step. His tail flickered appeasingly against his hocks, like two hands in the air and a cheeky grin —

They had women. Plenty enough to maintain the sort of equilibrium he was most comfortable with. He retook the step he'd ceded. Were they going to chase him off? They would have to, if they didn't want him to follow them home.

Another came behind her.  Redd acknowledged them only with a twitch of her ears, but her attention remained fixed on the stranger.  She approached with her head uplifted and a warning tension, but took in his scent.  He did not seem a threat.

Unaffiliated and wounded.  Perhaps this was why he deferred.  Injury implied weakness, but there was no illness, so his strength held.  She allowed the exchange with tight patience as curiosity flickered.  The rise had many new and rising, but few of outside blood and experience.  If he would follow then he would be welcome.  If he brought dissent then he would be quickly driven off.

Decided, Redd stepped back and relaxed, her tail dropping to a more friendly placement.  She turned to Sunrise with a disarming huff, then set off with a final inviting look cast behind.  If he wished, he could follow.

she could see that the decision was made, and sunrise was quick to follow redd's lead. but that didn't stop her own movement, as she would let the man follow first before she turned her back on him. in many ways, she thought of it as a strategy to sandwich him, making sure that even if he did try the brainless move to attack, she'd be there to grab his nape.

but for now, she offers her own shake of the pelt to release the tension that she built up. though, as she steps to the side to offer the man entrance, her own nose pushes forward to taste the lands that he had traveled into before he came to the rise.

I’m going to wrap this since he is inactive! He can always join again in the future!

Redd led them towards the Rise, but at some point along the journey, the wolf seemed to change his mind.  Redd did not question it, though she looked to Saturday’s Sunrise with a glance.  He had been a chance at outside blood; a chance for a fresh start both in allegiance and pairing.  It was unfortunate to lose this, but better he choose his path now than regret it later.

Redd rumbled to the hunt lead’s daughter appreciatively, commending her display and navigation of the meeting.  Then she continued on, welcoming the other’s company as she returned to their claim.