Verdigris Ravine cheekbone

pack event! optional participation! @Sari @Lament @Koa @Gaara @Brac @Ebra @Chisa @Andanari (@Candle @Kusuma @Harta @Aylah) <3 no posting order!

an antelope had stumbled into the ravine, wolf-torn and exhausted. its blood scented the hot air as it collapsed gratefully in the shade of a sandstone arch.

zoug's single eye watched from a high distance; the man turned noiselessly and went to gather the others.

food was forthcoming, and when he returned, the antelope was still. silent. only the heave of its flanks showed it was alive.

he gestured that the children should stay far back, and with other hunters, crept forward to see where a wound could be made.

the antelope lifted its head and bleated pitifully, and zoug rushed at that moment.

Andi stared with surprise at the large creature heaving and dying at the treeline. She didn't quite know what was going on. She looked for someone to go against, to watch safely with a friend. She wasn't scared per say, but she was certainly unsure what to expect.

And the sound the creature made. Her ears went to her skull in surprise. IT was then she watched as Zoug struck true. The other hunters following. Could she help? How?

Follow your father, Gaara. There is food. The sand hunter speaks and she is swift, gathering the boy joined then by her kin, to the desert deer which laid to rest. A final rest, for the wolves had already taken its life and the coyote this day were able to reap the benefit. 

She trotted in, bothering not to take caution from a prey so close to death. In but fleeting seconds, the antelope was dead and Ko'a was feasting.

when the antelope had been reduced to very little, zoug rose again and wrestled several vertebrae from its spine.

he held out one to each of the pups.

"to keep. sacred object from first killing." first taste of blood shared together.

it had been a clan way. now it would be their own.

Gaara followed quick at the heels of Ko'a and as he passes Andi up, he woofs lowly for her to come along too. 

With the deer already felled, the adults grasping for spine and throat, Gaara attacks along the side of the deer that didn't have hooves flinging around. Biting randomly and growling low. 

Then they ate. Gaara's now deeply blue gaze cut up to his father and when he was finished, he used a paw to pull the bone close.

She stood, stable next to her sister…. This was new, she could tell Andi was feeling different emotions, she could sense it.

The large beast lay upon the ground, in front of them though a good distance away. She smelled an odd almost earthy smell, accompanied by Zoug motioning upon the creature. It went still, she had held her breath for a minute, then she glanced at her sister, resuming breathing. “What happened? Does this one know?” Maybe aunty Ko’a knew….?

It had horns like the creature she had mention only a few days earlier while playing the sand with rattle. Deer? Was it?

Andi was going to follow, but them sister was there. She titled an ear. 

I think they be hunting it? But not hunting it? Does this one want to get closer?

She looked at Chisa she would go if her sister went.

The boy's grey lips grew darker, colored more like the deep red mask around his face as he went to continue to eat. Lifting his head up, he took note of both Andi and one of her sisters now there, watching from a safe distance. He woofs, urging them nearer with his call.

Chiiiiisa... Ko'a sees another of her cousin's daughters join them, to stand at the side of the first. Gaara woofs lowly, unspeaking, like his parents before them. More room for Ko'a words. Before here, before Clan joined Tribe, all Tribe were chatter boxes. 

Come, daughters of S'ari. Eat. Take your time. Chisa, does this one remember aunt Ko'a words? This is desert deer. This be its horns.

"come," zoug repeated after ko'a. the others spoke in tumbling words. gaara did not.

he grunted and motioned his son closer, knowing that if one tasted of blood, the others would also.

life! he signed vigorously, mouth reddened, single eye shining.

She was called, her name being said and responded eagerly. She scooted up beside aunty, before taking a bite to eat. “Yes, desert deer has horns!” She wagged her tail. Everyone seemed to be having a good time, this made her feel great! She enjoyed this, good food, time with family. The tribe was all one big family.

Andi pressed forward with her sister. Dipping her own muzzle to take a bite of the still warm creature. It was no longer fighting to live. Having given into its fate.

A small chuff of delight. And she continued to eat listening and watching.

She listened to her sister making happy noises, that made her happy.

Her mind was still trailing back to the whole event…. What was that thing they killed? It did taste good she gave it that.

fading!

meat and laughter. the success of a hunt finished.

the tribe feasted and carried home the bones for later sup.