The Sunspire I can smell you on the pillow where you used to lay

@Nara 

After a busy morning that was spent hunting, Wraen had chosen a comfortable resting spot in the forest area of the Sunspire. There was a bed of soft moss and the perfect balance between shade and sunlight to aid a well deserved nap. Now and then she drifted out of her sleep to lift her head and have a lazy look around only to get herself more comfortable and to continue to enjoy her rest. 

However life in the forest goes on, even if a predator wants to sleep, and she was awoken by angry squeaking and chattering noises, followed by rustling of leaves and the sound of several small feet running. Wraen opened her eyes and caught sight of two chipmunks having a very heated argument about some acorns in the vicinity. Curious, but not yet up to go and end the conflict, she rolled on her belly and settled to watch the two.

It had been a pleasant start of her day. The fresh morning air made her want to get up early and take a stroll. Nara stretched lazily and yawned before setting out to Eldershade Grove. The sun's rays lit up the forest floor in several places. She tipped her muzzle up to see a thick canopy overhead. Spring had really started. Grey fur contrasted with the green in the distance. When she approached the wolf, she recognized Wraen. Hi, Wraen! Nara called out to her, Enjoying the peace and quiet? she asked.

"I was," Wraen chuckled, turned to acknowledge Nara's presence and wagged her tail in a friendly manner. It had been a little while since their last adventure together (and it seemed, that whenever they two got together, something interesting was definitely bound to happen) and wondered, what her company would bring them today. 

"Apart from those two critters, who decided to fight over stuff right in front of my nose," she beckoned to the chipmunks in the distance, who had settled their disagreement for now and had scurried away. Yet now and then, here and there she caught sight of the two, skimming diligently through the leaves and grass in search of food. 

"How have you been?"

Nara followed her gaze to the two small, furry creatures. She had seen them before, but never managed to get this close - they usually disappeared into a treetop before she could get a decent look at them. In a way, they were a lot like birds - they live in trees and they are just as annoying. They sure are noisy she agreed.

I'm fine she responded with a smile, It's a great day today and I'm starting to remember what spring feels like Nara continued and sat down on her haunches next to Wraen. The grass was damp, but warm. What have you been up to?

"Tracking, hunting, making caches - the usual," Wraen replied without having to think much about, what to say on the matter. Her days were pretty much the same, one after the another and at times the routine grew boring and she felt a little lonely. But her sense of duty as one of the providers for the pack was strong and for time being (which would be a very, very long time, when all of the puppies would be born) her own preferences and wishes were pushed back in the background.

"And I presume that you have been doing the same, have you? With so many wolves around, not too much time for having fun and doing nothing," she said and emphasized her words with a yawn.

Since they were the only two hunters in the pack, she could sympathize with Wraen and thus nodded fervently, Hunting has sure kept me busy these days, Nara agreed. Although she found pleasure in chasing hares and whatnot, she had been running to and from the mountain almost non-stop lately and she could feel it in her entire body - sore muscles, achy paws and a tiredness that felt like all the sleep in the world couldn't make it better.

To be honest, she started, suddenly serious, I'm a little worried about all these future puppies. She remembered the time when her surrogate mother had her first litter - boy, could those little ones eat, and their mother too! and now that more wolves have joined the pack… Nara continued and then drifted off into silence. Her eyes were fixed on the grass in front of them, where only the fluffy tail belonging to one of the critters could be seen. I just hope we'll be all right she said, softer this time. With we, of course, she meant the whole pack and not just them. But ultimately, the fate of the hunters would seal the fate of the pack.

"Funny you should say so," Wraen replied with a wry smile, "seems to me that very few are too concerned about that." She had not really spoken with Terance ever since they had fallen out weeks earlier, and for this reason had not purposefully sought out Seabreeze's company either. Olive's litter she had seen from afar, but out of resentment towards the female itself, had not come near to congratulate her. Rannoch's concern about the future had seemed to last until he had disappeared in the bushes with Liffey. In the end she had decided to go with the flow and stop worrying about things that she was unable to change. If the wave was to swallow her - so be it then. 

"There is little we can do about it now, can we?" she asked rethorically. "We will have to go for the big game soon though... at this rate the small stuff won't last long," she added. "Have you got acquainted with any of the new guys? Know - perhaps - if they are any good?"

I have met one, Iovan I think his name was, but I never thought to ask Nara responded. The other ones she had seen briefly at the Sunspire, but never got the chance to get acquainted. I could ask around and see if anyone wants to come and help us out? she suggested. They could definitely use the help, especially if they were going to hunt large game in the near future. 

"They don't really have a choice, do they?" Wraen asked, because it had never occurred to her that anyone would have a choice of whether to hunt for the pack or not. If you did not, you had an en route to the wilderness and no coming back here. 

"I say we just call people for a hunt and see, who turns up," she offered her own suggestion. "Those, who do not - unless they have a very good explanation... as a smart witch once said: "There will be a reckoning!" she finished her otherwise very serious statement on a humorous note. 

"Fancy giving those guys a bit of a chase?" Wraen offered Nara, when she saw the pair of chipmunks waving battle-axes again.

No, I suppose they don't Nara said quietly. But what if they're too inexperienced and get themselves in trouble, she thought, but decided not to voice her concerns - she trusted Wraen and didn't want to question her. Besides, her words were true. I like that idea. I'm sure they'll help once they understand the graveness of the situation, she agreed.

Nara followed her gaze to the two small creatures that ran around in the grass. They sure were fast, but she never shied away from a good chase - she gave Wraen a look and a grin that said you-betcha!

"Excellent!" Wraen got to her feet, did a little yoga with perfect "downward/upward" facing dogs and to finish the excercise, she shook her coat. Now ready - she focused her keen gaze at the two quarreling rodents - her tail was swaying excitedly, as she followed their movements and while her brain was calculating the perfect moment for an attack. 

Eventually, however, she decided against an elaborate plan, because the prize would be (if there would be any) quite small compared to the mental effort. Therefore she shot a happy and mischievous grin at Nara and then set off towards the pair from one side. They noticed her and scattered - each in separate direction, giving both wolves equal chances for having fun. 

Wraen left the other for her companion and went after the one, who dashed right by her feet. Few seconds later, with an eager hunter on it's heels, it managed to disappear in an underground burrow. There Wraen stopped, plopped down to her stomach and stuck her nose in, catching the smell of the little animal, feeling it's warmth and presence in the darkness, but at the moment being unable to reach it yet.

She waited for Wraen to get ready, which seemed to take an awfully long time. It was clear that this hunt would just be for entertainment only, and on a warm and bright day like this, Nara allowed herself to have some fun.

Finally Nara said, feigning annoyance, when Wraen shot forward. She followed suit. The two critters scattered when the grey she-wolf came close. Nara pursued the one that had gone to the left - the other one had sprinted past Wraen. Its tiny legs were moving so fast that they became nothing more than a blur. With her eyes fixed on the chipmunk, she darted after it at full speed. It zigzagged between small rocks and branches and Nara had to concentrate on not tripping over her own paws. 

Suddenly, the creature made a sharp, ninety degree turn. Not to the left or right, but it went up - almost sending Nara careering into a tree. She threw her head back to look at the chipmunk. It was glaring at her from a branch high up in the tree. Nara made a couple of pathetic jumps, trying to reach the lowest branch, before sitting down in defeat. She turned her head to look at Wraen, who was lying with her muzzle stuffed into a small burrow. Nara let out a short bark in amusement - one creature had fled to the sky and the other to the earth.

While Nara was busy chasing the chipmunk up the tree, Wraen began to dig the ground in the hopes that with hard work and persistance she would be able to unearth the little thing. For her it had ceased to be a game, when the need to finish the instinctual row of reflexes had kicked in. There was a feverish glow in her eyes and movements, while she worked. And though usually luck would be on the burrow animal's side, this time odds were not in it's favor. A realization of approaching danger came a second too late - Wraen pawed at it quickly, grabbed it in her jaws, crushed it in an instant between them and swallowed it whole.

Then she turned and went over to see, what her companion was up to. "Ever tried climbing trees?" Wraen asked, while fixing the little critter with a gaze and seeming to seriously consider going up for it.

Impressive Nara said as she watched Wraen successfully catch and kill the chipmunk. She had already given up on the other creature that was now up in the tree, celebrating its victory. 

Uh, no she answered hesitantly, cocking her head to the side as she watched her friend, who seemed to really want to try. Is it even possible? she asked eventually, turning her muzzle back up again to gauge how high the first branch was.

"With the right tree it is," Wraen replied, smiling and thinking about her hideout in the Bramblepoint, and the amazing feeling, when she was up there and watching over the surrounding territories. Seeing everything, yet being invisible to the rest herself. 

"Not this one, though," she said, letting the chipmunk slip away from her gaze. "At least a guy so small is not worth so much effort." She had not been hungry before, but now she felt it was a good time as any to head out for some more substantial meal than just a chipmunk. "Let's go and do some mousing. Not too plenty here - but I was down in the plains the other day - should do well for all of us."

Nara nodded. I guess you're right. Although climbing a tree sounded fun and exciting, she didn't want to break her legs and possibly some other bones in her body for a chipmunk, no matter how smug it looked at her.

Sounds great she agreed with Wraen. The Sunspire wasn't the most hospitable place for most animals and they would have more luck on finding a catch in the valley below. I'm ready if you are - when do we leave?

"Let's go now," Wraen replied, happy for her friend's enthusiasm. She took the lead, rushing forward, excited for the prospect of more fulfilling meal consisting of more than just one chipmunk.