Redhawk Caldera balenote

optional pack activity! one post welcome :D @Eljay @Maia @Ukulele @Reyes @Lilitu @Cinna @Medb @Hymnal @Sylvie @Roswell

along the edge of the lake which made the caldera its own dominion, an ancient bull elk fell to his knees. several abscessed teeth had made it near impossible for the animal to graze on the last autumn grasses. the beast's decline had been steady, and on the sunny winter day his life ended.
many hours later teya found the elk.
the ravens had led her there and scattered as the grey-orange wolf arrived. she checked its scent for disease.
blind, foolish luck.
the young woman tilted back her head and crooned into the air for her pack. it was auspicious, and instinct suggested that this death was a good omen for the new life brecheliant might produce.
after she had eaten her fill, teya tore a long swathe from the carcass and carried it back to the spacious den that she and her mate had claimed for themselves.

Cinna heard the call from Teya, and she bounded towards the sound. When she arrived, it was to see Teya had gone, and a great bull elk lay dead and partially eaten - it was big enough to feed the entire pack, probably. Cinna didn't feel bad taking a generous portion for herself - she took it to go, rather than eating it there. Maybe she could share it with someone.

The woman had been cautiously settling into her new life in this pack. Brecheliant. The name and presence of her culture in bits of pieces truthfully brought her comfort… though not too much. She was on her own, as she always was. She had been tracking a herd along the edge of the territory when the call went up. The woman’s ears perked up and she made her way curiously towards the call.
 
She arrived to see the prey, pieces already torn off and she did not hesitate to go and grab her own filling, eagerly hauling it off to hide away in a den somewhere and devour it. She took only enough for herself, not wanting to share conversation or food with anyone until she had come up with a proper plan of what she was going to do and how she was going to do it.

She came to the summons, and looked upon the bull elk, heaving to its death. Looked at its staring eye for a moment, seeing her reflection in the big black orb. Wondering—did deer have stories, like wolves did?

They must.

Lilitu swallowed, and then moved to eat, feeling as if she were picky among the flesh.

As if she should honor this creature more than just a dinner table.

The thought nearly slipped away as she tasted the elk, and then altogether; she gorged, filling her belly with the stuff until she was absolutely satiated, coming away with a belch.

When the call sounded, Eljay gathered whoever wanted to come out of @Maia, @Sylvie, @Hymnal and @Roswell and headed out towards the location from where Teya'd called for them. He found that she was already gone, and he found the scents of various others who'd come and gone, too. There was a lot of meat; they were lucky that Teya found this carcass so quickly. At least, presuming from its size, Eljay guessed that she had only found it, and not brought it down by herself.

Eljay ate his fill and encouraged his family to do so too, while they shared stories of how each of their days had been. He smiled through the whole thing, feeling content to be with his family, and finally finding some peace at being back at Redhawk Caldera, like he'd always wanted to be. After they had all eaten their fill, Eljay gauged the size of the creature. Judging by who'd already eaten their fill, Eljay took some for the caches and left some for the few who'd yet to eat (if they hadn't already interrupted on or joined the family meal). Then he headed back towards the Blackthorn den, where he had decided the family (or those who'd want) should take residence here in the Caldera, to enjoy a nap outside.

Life was good.

Hymnal was excited to hear Teya's call and practically danced between her parents as they made there way to the meal. 

There was so much food, and Hymnal's mouth began to water at the scent of it. She bounded forward and tore a chunk off for herself. She would settle next to Sylvie to eat once her sister had gotten her own share. She hoped Roswell would join them too, so they could talk about sibling stuff. She would be happy to chatter to anyone though, and she was happy to spend time with the family.

When Papa started taking some for the caches, Hymanl would help as much as she was able, and then she would snuggle into her dad to join him in a nap.