Swiftcurrent Creek chert

joiner picks time of day <3

slowly the swamp panther woman healed.

in the mornings she stretched beside the lake until her coat was sifted with the sandy soil of the bank. she could not allow herself to fall out of strength even while injured; her narrowed yellow eyes watched any passersby with all the intensity of a chained crocodile.

in the afternoons, muskrat lay upon an outcropping or stone and fished the waters, refusing to be kept still so long as she balanced her broken ankle in a steadfast manner.

and in the evenings, the warrior moved through a series of twisting movements, grunting gently with the anguish as she sought to preserve the limber body of a heralded fighter.

Arric walked past the joiner. He had seen her. Near his little home. And the close proximity made him slightly nervous, but she was new and seemed a decent sport. He caught her stretching and froze at the look on her face.

Umm yoga might be a little easier on that leg and still keep you in shape if uh thats what you're trying to do. It has easier stretches.

He tilted downy head and watched with blue eyes.

yoga. she did not know this word, but as muskrat paused, she realized she did know that scent. "you are man to healer?" she asked, having already ascertained that akavir was not present in such a way for arlette.

the other was powerful, a mountain which cast a shadow across the panther. but there was no fear in her, only interest.

He nodded his head. Yes I belong to her. with a soft chuckle. He thought Arlette would appreciate his wording there.

He was larger, larger than even Akavir who often referred to him as a giant. But he held gentleness in his large frame. Though he was not afraid nor ashamed to use it for violence if he must.

Are you healing well? Does Arlette need to give you somwthing more.

"i fine. need nothing." besides, she would simply tell the plantwolf herself, feeling no need to go through her man.

intriguing though he was.

muskrat hid the thoughts which should not belong to a slave. "i do something for you?" the awqalli inquired, her narrow yellow eyes upon his expression. as akavir had not told her to join him, she did not expect it from this leader either, despite the fact his pregnant woman surely did not want his — well. slaves had their use. but not here, muskrat had learned.

Arric watched her with gentle kindness. Alright. Just so you're alright.

He shifted and shook out his shoulders. Sometimes he hurt. He didn't need anything, but Arlette was always hungry.

Do you feel like going hunting? I know you can't do much chasing, but If I can get them to ya. You can dispatch them right?

A grin. If he could chase and she could attack. Not much movement.

"yes. you hunt. i kill." muskrat was clearly relieved, and fell into a war-step with the gigantic man: to his right and at his elbow.

the long ears flicked. she would respond to whatever arric deemed as their quarry, simply eager to be useful in a way that she felt personally mattered.

Arric didn't think a deer would be smart and yet. He looked her over. Her aplint was holding. If he could bloody the beast. He frowned.

Could you manage a small deer? Or should i stick to rabbits? I don't want to hurt your paw, but Arlette has been really hungry for deer lately.

"i help kill deer. bring home what she wants," muskrat insisted. arlette was round with children and arric would only please her by bringing the meat his mate desired.

she padded at his side, searching for a trail as she adjusted to his gait.

Arric paid close attention to the she wolf at his side. Even changed his long legged walk to a smaller gait. So that she could keep up on her paw.

He found the trail of deer quickly counting and finding the small yearling doe. She wasn't as big as the others. Had no nursing babies. And she wasn't round with life. So she would work well for hom to chase and bloody for the black wolf beside.

He motioned. I'll chase her to you. Ready?

arric rearranged his steps for her. muskrat's ears flicked in appreciation of his cadence, and the fighter's silently intuitive manner of communication.

for a moment, she could imagine being upon a war walk with him.

a nod was given and muskrat slid into the underbrush along the right side of the trail, tucking herself into the shadows as bright yellow eyes gleamed, anticipating the leap.

Years of hunting alone, came to a head and Arric gave chase. His long legged stride easily outpacing the doe. And he snapped at her haunches. Herding her towards his little counterpart in the underbrush. He bloodied sides, legs. Mindful to leap from her hooves. She was tired and bloody by the time he ran her to Muskrat. 

He hoped she wouldn't injury herself too badly going for the deer. She would go for throat and he would hang upon side and hopefully drag the doe down far enough that they could get an easy kill in.

the massive wolf wasted little time. muskrat, briefly unnerved by the pounding hooves, rose to the challenge all the same.

she clipped teeth to the throat and was dragged, grunting as her injured leg struck the ground.

but she hung there, straining, until arric returned to deal the heavier blow, feeling the thrum of blood just under her tongue.

Arric tried to do as much as he could before the deer got to her. He tried to bloody it as much as he possibly could. He wasn't sure if he had succeeded. 

HE heard the soft grunt as she grabbed it and he quickly jumped into action. His own added weight bearing the creature down. Snapping it's leg in his jaws. Hoping that it would slow and she could finish it without too much injury. 

Arlette kick his arse if he hurt the girl.

arric's teeth cracked bone with a dizzying snap that might have sickened a weaker belly. muskrat saw the tone for the herald it was, and when the animal sank down with an agonized below, the swamp panther swarmed the open throat.

neat punctures finished their hunt, and she drank the blood which had pooled in her mouth with obvious relish.

the keen yellow eyes were delighted, and she looked proudly at arric, pleased for them both.

Arric stood still. His chest and face painted red. He panted softly. Giving a savage grin, full of fur and blood. And a nod. 

We did it! Arlette will be happy. You get first choice though. What would you like to take home for you?

Arric wasn't about to not let the she wolf not have something delicious and that she would choose. She was his packmate and an injured one to boot. And she had still helped him to fell a deer for his pregnant wife. She didn't need too.

unprepared for arric's offer, muskrat's eyes flashed with a mixture of mingled emotions, clearing to her usual neutrality a moment later.

"i take head, from just under chin to antlers."

the eyes would be a rich delicacy for an omega; she would hang the rest outside her densite.

Arric grinned and shifted so he could wipe the blood from his face and paws. Stretching out the muscles he had worked. A little tired, but in the best way. A good days work tired. 

Alright. Do you want some help?

HE didn't think that Arlette would mind so much. She would like it he felt that he gave the little shewolf something in return. And he would be sure to tell Akavir how she had helped.

"agradiseyki, arric," muskrat said, her face conveying a deep solemnity despite her joy at receiving such a portion. her tone was joyed as well as grateful, for she felt respected by their trade.

"mm, no, mukuku. go home to wife. tell arlette i wish good things for her and babies."

and what large babies they would be! she leaned forward to cut away her prize, meaning to carry it off in a dazzle of dripping footsteps.