Blacktail Deer Plateau PACKTIVITY — Then the quiet explosion

Rina walked with the pack, following Peregrine's lead. Another, Osprey, had appeared, much to the delight of her Alpha. Family, perhaps. As the group got to where they would supposedly hunt, Rina hung back. Her greatest skill was not in the hunt, although she could quite well. This time she would stay on the sidelines with any others and simply watch, for fear she would let the hunt drag. Settling herself, the woman stayed alert, ears and eyes alert.

Perhaps it was because she'd already attended a pack hunt recently or maybe Osprey Jr. just didn't feel particularly interested in spectating today. In any event, she hung back with the others as her father gathered his most willing and able-bodied hunters and disappeared further into the territory. She thought Peregrine looked at her a bit sadly—perhaps the Alpha was sad that none of his children seemed particularly keen on becoming Gamekeepers—but Osprey didn't give it much thought. They were supposed to be bringing the meat to her... and Hawkeye and Saēna.

Speaking of which: "Yeah!" Junior found herself echoing Saēna for no other reason than to parrot her; she hadn't actually heard the comment or question eliciting her sister's reaction. "What was it about?" she added offhandedly, tilting her head, two-toned eyes fixing curiously on her sister's china doll face.

As Peregrine split the party, Dante veered left, joining the flanking crew. While his size and speed might have been better served in staying with Peregrine's group and intimidating the creatures to a run, his size was also well served to grasping the deer and pulling it down to prepare it for the kill. With the deer being led straight to them speed shouldn't be too much of an issue so long as he was quick enough to avoid injury in the process. He had the experience and skill to know where he needed to be, though.

Keeping silent, he came up on the left side and stood stock still, waiting patiently for the chase to begin and the deer to be in position. As he did so he scanned the herd, locating a couple who might provide good targets. He wasn't sure which would be on his side when the charge began but chances were good that at least one would be.

The hunt began suddenly, the deer taking flight and careening towards the rift between the two side groups. Dante waited, not wanting to move too soon and force the herd to the side. When he deemed the time right he sprang into action, charging at the deer and selecting a doe whom he had kept an eye on. Avoiding the hooves flying on either side, he leapt, missing her throat. Not wanting to miss this opportunity, he focused on the motions of her front legs and instead latched his jaws onto one of those. As soon as his teeth met flesh he dug his paws in, hoping his weight would be sufficient to at least stall the fleeing deer if not completely take her to the ground. Hopefully it would provide opportunity for another packmate or two to intercede and help with the takedown.

Kept it very vague! If him catching one right off is too much a powerplay lemme know and I can edit

It all quickly became too much for Pura. He stayed at the back, several paces from the last wolf, watching leaders, followers, and pups flock in the direction that Peregrine had indicated. When they paused, he took the opportunity to slip away, sneaking into the trees as quietly as he could. There were still three other pups to look after and entertain - he would not be missed.

PPing Tytonidae's actions here as well. :B

Fox had felt the ticklish touches of Ty on her hocks for several paces, and when she glanced around to look at Peregrine's child, Ty bolted off to some unknown direction. Fox raised a brow, but considering the girl was grown enough to be on her own in the pack lands, she made no mention of it to anybody else. Besides, there was a feast to be had, and she was certain that the youngling would be back for food when she realized what they were all up to.

When Perry motioned for her to stay with him, she followed his command wordlessly with her new pack-mates, wondering if they would even trust her to do a good job. She was a chaser, first and foremost, and she did not think that they would expect her to make the killing bite. But she would eat after Peregrine and Blue Willow. That much was certain. When he lunged forward, Fox did the same, her bright red coat flashing as she pushed herself forward. She was blind to the world around her, focusing only on the task at hand.

lasher followed suit, his earthen body flashing forward on dante's muscular heels. like fox, he was built for speed, to leach away the strength of the animal, but today he would use the latent power of his body to aid his packmates.

lunging along the opposite side of the deer as the silver-eyed male, lasher felt the impact of his handsome packfellow's strike into the ruminant's shoulder. veering away as the deer leant toward him, he returned with a pale gleam of white teeth, to rip into the hapless animal's other shoulder. while he lacked the brute strength of dante's shoulders, his neck, the delta easily kept pace with the struggling animal, blood spattering the earth at his forepaws as he sought the hotly pulsing jugular just beyond his grasp.

short & sad :/

Amelie's head could not yet wrap istelf around the simple fact that one of Peregrine's lover was a male. Her shiny yellow orbs traced Fox's slim face, what did she make of that? She'd have to be alright with it.. after all it was her wearing the title of mate. An quiet huff left her lips as no one spoke against the union --even if she could feel some were not happy with the announcement, no one made a sound.

Male or female, mate or no mate; the topic was quickly switched when an unfamiliar female caught Peregrine's attention. She watched the two wolves reunite with blank eyes --only did she pull her face away from the scene when the final command to start the hunt was given.

Amelie walked in the opposite direction from the crowd, she was not interested in hunting. Besides she doubted she'd even be helpful --the majority of wolves were heading towards the hunting group and a little girl like her wouldn't be taken into account in such a large group.

She made her way slowly towards the group of pups, were another female awaited. She lingered in the back for a few seconds after settling herself next to the former bully: Junior.

Last round. Thanks to those who actively participated, especially the small handful of you that hung in there all the way through! :)

It came as no surprise when Dante and Lasher proved to be the heroes of the hour, quickly selecting a doe and then closing in on her from either side. Noticing the development, Peregrine quickly darted to the left, letting the rest of the herd scatter away into the forest. He joined the effort to drag the doe to the ground by leaping at her hindquarters, his jaws clenching around a mouthful of her haunch as he stiffened his neck and dragged all his weight downward.

Moments later, the doe lay dead at the wolves' feet and Peregrine stood over the carcass, eyes flicking between his fellow killers. He planned to howl for the rest of the pack to join them, then decided it wouldn't do to make the guests of honor come to them. No, he wanted to present the kill to them instead. He motioned for Fox, Dante, Lasher and the others to take up positions around the doe's body and begin dragging it back through the wood.

When they arrived back where the other wolves waited, Peregrine released his grip on the carcass. He caught his breath, then set to work. Keeping the others at bay with warning growls, the Alpha male severed the doe's hind legs. He then retrieved the liver and other choice organs from inside the body cavity and set them aside.

Plucking up one leg, he presented it to Hawkeye with a deep bow of his head. He then padded back, grabbed the other and offered it to Saēna. The Alpha male bowed to her as well, then fondly ruffled the patchy fur beneath one of her lovely indigo eyes. "Without you, Osprey wouldn't be here," he said to them. Finally, Peregrine retrieved the organ meat and plopped it messily in front of Osprey Jr., whose forehead he kissed. "Welcome home, baby girl."

With the presentations complete, Peregrine faced those who were surely eager to join the feast. Taking a position at the doe's anterior, he took a single hearty bite to stake his claim as the pack's leader. He then growled, inviting the others to join him as he ate in celebration of all his loved ones.

*this is going to be a shoddy post i'm having a shoddy day, but wanted to get it in there*

Blue being not much of a hunter hung back, but she did what she could to help. She wasn't very hungry either so she sat quietly just observing, while all the while wondering where Atticus was. She missed him and hoped he was not upset with her. Even that thought could not mar the day, now that Junior was back among their fold. She smiled as they all ate, content to merely sit and watch her family.

Minor powerplaying since I suck and missed the last round. Let me know if anyone minds!

At least two of the pups seemed interested in Fin's offer to have fun with them. The others went off in other directions, though where Fin wasn't completely certain for a game of tag was quick to spring up between herself and the girls. It didn't last long, for the hunting party seemed to be back in no time. The hunters integrated again with the ones who stayed behind with friendly tail wags and body rubs and all sorts of happy wolfy goodness.

Fin watched as Peregrine dealt the choice pieces of meat to the guests of honor, softly whining her approval. When the swarthy alpha invited the rest to dine, the epsilon was quick to her paws and lunging in towards the beast's torn chest, happily growling as she took part in the very tasty celebration.

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buu i missed the previous round too :'( I'll just pretend he contributed in some minor way to the hunt bwahaha

After the doe's last breath had been expelled from its lungs Finn stared at the now dead animal, his sides were heaving as he tried to regain his breath. They had done good. The pup's return as well with the other female's would be honored --though Peregrine, Lasher and Fox could use this occassion as a bonding banquet too.. or whatever threesomes did.

He helped to drag the lifeless body and once it was placed at the middle he hung back, his tail waving expectancly for the higher ranked wolves to take their share so he could dig in.

fjkdshfjkdshfjhdskjfkds I MISSED THE LAST ROUND D; I guess Hawk, Finn, and Finley were distracted by ....bugs on the ground. Or something.


Hawkeye could not hear anything going on, and the group had travelled far enough away that she could only see so much before they disappeared. She simply stayed with the children, and wondered about Kisu's son and why we wasn't allowed to go with how big he was. She shrugged. He would be allowed soon enough, along with the others. It was just another reminded of how her family's pack and the other packs of the world differed.

Soon enough, though, they were back. Hunting was always over before she could think, but waiting wasn't too much longer. Hawkeye shifted in her desires to help, but, before she could, Peregrine dropped an organ in front of her and bowed to her. She looked around and shifted uncomfortably, not enjoying attention (especially since the girls were next to her as well). Her appetite just wasn't there. She was still trying to recover from the incident, and it felt odd to her that everyone was simply eating. It dawned on her that no one cared what had happened, simply that Junior was safe.

Kisu was also distracted by bugs...

Kisu watched Amelie from the corner of his eye. She probably sensed this, but he wasn't sure if he cared all that much. He moved his head slightly, which put her out of view. He wanted to try and see what was going on, but, of course, couldn't.

Sighing, the male scolded himself for not going with. He was a warrior and a hunter from birth, why hadn't he gone? He wasn't sure if it was him using the excuse that he was getting old or if he wanted to stay back with the girl he seemed so infatuated with.

Either way, the group was coming back and he sat up straight (if he could sit up any straighter). Peregrine tore the wolf apart, and gave his ex-mate without words, and then both Junior and his own daughter organs. He wondered about the two other pups who had suffered loss and mental trauma with their sister being gone, but he said nothing. Hung merely hung back while the others feasted. He wasn't very hungry.

Soon as I have a moment to actually catch up I have interest in threading with a few people ;) woop

Happily they managed to bring down their target, a large doe who would make quite an addition to the feast. Dante helped Peregrine and the rest to drag it to where the celebrants were undoubtedly waiting, anticipating the meal. Unlike some of his fellows, his appetite was just fine. He would wait, however, until Fox, Blue Willow, and Peregrine had taken their shares.

As Peregrine doled out shares to those who were being honored today, Dante bumped shoulders with Lasher. "Seems we strike again, bane to the deer of the plateau," he joked, but the approval was clear. Lasher was a formidable hunter and a pleasure to run with. Dante was glad he had gotten the opportunity so many times.

Moving away, he cast eyes around the pack, noting that some were hanging back. A couple in particular he had been meaning to meet with; Hawkeye, whose status as ex-alpha did nothing to lessen his respect for the formidable woman, and Kisu, one of the longest-standing members of the pack. He hadn't seemed to find the time yet but made a mental note of it yet again. There were others, as well, and he compiled the list, silver eyes thoughtful.

Kaihra had second thoughts about joining the hunt, but she swung to the right anyway when Peregrine split the caravan into three groups. She crouched in wait, her thoughts louder than the parade of deer the charging party quickly pushed into a frenzy. The deer veered to the side, and the males quickly overtook a formidable looking doe. They dealt the killing bite and the animal fell dead. Kaihra scurried over to help the males drag the carcass back to where the rest of the pack stood waiting.

Before they entered the clearing Kaihra stepped back to allow the hunters to drag the carcass the final few meters. She turned from them and paced around those gathered as she tried to shake the tension that still crackled at her fur. Her eyes darted here and there, settling on no one in particular until she noticed the dark body of Sun Spark near the back. Upon seeing him she tilted her head. She hadn't noticed him at the meeting, and she doubted he had joined them on the hunt. After a brief hesitation, Kaihra paced her way over to the old male and joined him in the shadows, giving him a half smile as she dipped her head in hello, but saying nothing as she sat beside him to watch the rest of the pack indulge in the feast.

She bent an ear to Saēna, should her sister feel like sharing the details of her dream, yet the arrival of the returning hunters distracted her both effectively and immediately. Bounding forward, she watched as Peregrine and the others dragged a sizable carcass into the clearing. She dropped slowly onto her haunches when her father proceeded to tear some choice pieces off the fresh kill and present them to Hawkeye, Saēna and herself.

"Thanks, daddy," the puppy replied, rising onto all fours, butt wiggling. After shooting him a grateful look and glancing at her mother and sister, Osprey began to eat, quickly stuffing herself on the richest spoils of the kill. She finished in less than five minutes and waddled to flop down in a sunny patch between her fellow guests of honor. A bloody, sated smile curved her lips.

“A goose and a bear and a Pied,” Saēna replied brightly, unwittingly dredging up the name of her mother in her aunt's presence like it was as insignificant as the other animals mentioned. Saēna by now knew that Pied had been her mother, and had been taken to visit the grave, but she had no concept of loss. The closest that had ever happened was when they thought Junior was dead. Somehow, she knew that knowing her mother would have been worse.

Before she could go into further detail, Finley enticed the cubs into a game of tag. Saēna was breathlessly chasing the greyscale female, determined to pass on her "it" status, when the hunting party returned. Her tailed waved wildly when Peregrine deposited a leg at her paws, and though she was small and certainly less impressive than her fellow pups, she flung herself over it with great gusto and began tearing off strips. She glanced sidelong at Junior, who was given the choicest meats, but there was no jealousy any longer for what her cousin got.

When Saēna had eaten her fill and the rest of the pack had begun to settle, she nudged Junior's cheek lightly, smearing blood even further up the dark female's face, before gripping the remains of the leg tightly in her mouth. She had consciously left some, and as she began to drag it away, most of those who knew her could probably infer she was going to find Pura and give him what was left.

gotta get that final round post

The teenager --which status as a juvenile was close to end-- watched with both bright and proud eyes as the quartet of pups rejoiced as the strange silver female that had come to entretain them started a good ol' game of tag. Though each of the kids had their..quirk, Amelie loved them all.

The memories of her playing that same game with Junior when she was just a baby struck her as she watched little Saena run behind the silver rocket. Though her thoughts were interrupted when the hunting party came back, carrying a fairly big doe into the clearing.

The jet-black female waited for her turn to grab a bite and as she ate her eyes lingered on every other member of the Plateu that over the months had grown to be family; though her yellow orbs stuck for a couple seconds longer on the face of Pura's father.