Shy Deer Steppes in the junkyard, it's every dog for himself.

Thin air might've dizzied some, but it served to help the stationary puma focus. Pinned down against the granite and pumice hues of the steppe, the cat lay in wait as the sheep grazed closer and closer. His breaths were soft and slow. The only motion that might've been noticed was the light stammer of his pinprick pupils as he gazed from one animal to the next. 

Not long ago the sheep, bleating, had hurried in his direction- spooked by something, perhaps. And while they were still cautious and alert he would wait, bide his time...

A sudden uproar- the sound of hooves clacking against stone, of small rocks being sent skittering down the slopes and helpless bleating- but over that, a growl. The puma scowled and lifted his noble head. Someone else, something canine, had spooked the prey he'd been watching, waiting for. 

Out of spite, he didn't feel inclined to let the time he'd spent waiting go to waste. Let the wolves preoccupy themselves with frenzying the herd- with the sheep distracted by their long, snapping jaws, he had the perfect chance now to make his own move. 

At first he was a silk ribbon spilling smoothely over the stone, the line of his spine hardly showing that he took any strides at all. But once he closed the gap he froze for a moment, and then began to bound. The magnificent creature advanced on a small clutch of sheep that had been herded in his direction by the pincer move of the wolves- and in huge, ground-eating leaps he burst forth to descend upon them.

they were not packmates, and yet that drive to work as a team came instinctively. tamar veered off and arsenio followed with a flash of fangs intended to drive their prey right to shoko.

the sheep swung to shoko, who waited with breath held and head low. he lunged as the sheep passed his shoulder, his teeth sinking into muttony wither.

shoko held, while the sheep bucked and dragged him like he weighed as light as a feather.

he knew nothing of the cat that strode forward in assertive bounds, scattering sheep behind them.

not yet not yet —

tamar darted after the stranger. her own teeth closed through the wool on the opposite side. she too was dragged, and dug her claws in, back and front.

dust rose behind them upon the steppes, interring the scent and figure of the cat for now.

The thrill of the hunt masked all scent of the wild cat. Arsenio was working to frighten their intended target toward the gaping jaws of the other man. His mind was upon the chase and the queen they had left behind. He wanted only to finish their hunt so that he and Tamar could return to Satsu and then he could work to urge the lady home.

Much as he despised the Pharaoh, Arsenio could not help but to feel that his duties were easier to accomplish when they were in the protection of Akashingo.

The Greek hunter barked loudly, hoping to startle the sheep and offer Shoko a chance to latch his teeth to the animal’s throat. One swift bite, one tear of the man’s fangs, and the animal would fall.

Replying to move this along, as it ties up so many people in one thread!

they were gone a long time according to satsu, who until now had been watched-over by eyes at all moments, and could think of little to do once she was alone.
yes, it was fine to lounge in the sunlight. to feel the sand between her toes, the rough, dry grass upon her belly as she lay and rolled, and otherwise disheveled herself, until the absence of tamar and arsenio felt oddly wrong.
as she stood and stretched with a curve of her back, a whisk of her tail against the earth as if to clear away the dust, she saw something large in the distance lunging among the pale dots of sheep; it looked too big to be a wolf.
in training her eyes upon the horizon she did eventually trace the shape of arsenio, being large and ruby-red beneath the glow of the sun, and saw that her people were hunting some ways apart from this hulking thing, and too far from her to call to them.
her tail stood high then, a bristling bottle-brush, and tension filled her every cell.

I hope it is ok to skip, character is inactive. <3

shoko clung for dear life, joined soon by tamar. it always took him by surprise how strong the struggle of his prey could be: more than twice he was jarred and nearly lost his footing.

arsenio came in with a flurry of barks and teeth, giving shoko enough time to loosen his grip as the beast swerved away. shoko lunged after in heavy grunts, his teeth holding fast to the beast's shoulder, now neck.

any moment now the buck would slow, giving tamar and arsenio time to hamstring it and bring it to the ground.

last post for me! she can be PPed after this <3

arsenio's voice boomed through her veins.

she was strengthened by it. tendons snapped beneath her sharp smart jaws.

blood welled between her teeth.

she would keep close while they killed the animal, and when it had ended, tamar would bear bloody flesh home, held high and proud in her slender muzzle.

We could probably wrap this up? ^.^ Since the cat fell inactive, I’ve not mentioned them in my replies.

The animal fell and the hunters had been victorious.

Arsenio pulled back, muzzle gleaming with blood. His gaze shifted to the others who had helped to bring the prey down and nodded with approval. The hunt had gone well for wolves who had never run together before. The redstone guard still wished to return to the lady Satsu and to make sure that their party began journeying home.

The Greek looked to Shoko with an approving and curt nod of his head, a small farewell.

Sorry for the wait! Yes, we can fade it with Shoko's reply if everyone is cool with that.

She had seen something large moving in the distance, chasing the creatures on the opposite side of her wolves; but as soon as Satsu moved to call out for one of them, her voice hitched, and as she looked back the thing was gone.
Gone, but with a tremble left behind in her withers. Whatever that was, it had been larger than any wolf she had seen - and so her eyes traced the horizon as the wolves made their way back.
Turning only when the scent of blood poured with the wind, along with it the familiar scent of Akashingo carried by both the mazoi and fellahin; there, she saw Tamar carrying a prize.
Pride might have won out, in that moment, had Satsu not been so unnerved. She paced in place, looking over her shoulder and then back to the duo, having forgotten the man she had entrusted both her people to, as she was on alert. When Arsenio drew nearer she relaxed somewhat, and saw the meat carried between them.
Yes, there, the pride came — and she would lead them home before the flesh could spoil.