Neverwinter Forest trouble

someone to hunt with, perhaps? :)

Since Caiaphas had vanished and she was out on her own, Pantaleimon had wandered. For a few days, she had stayed in Ankyra Sound, but now that it was evident that Ankyra Sound would not stay a pack, for there was no strong leader to take things over, and many of the other Sirens had gone back to their respective former packs, Pantaleimon wandered. She was not sure why she wandered inland; there were no packs by the coastal area, it seemed, and she was not sure she could join any if there were. After all, they would only remind her of Mother Sea and Pantaleimon felt as though she was betraying Mother Sea by not returning home right away, or finding another Siren home -- going with Minthe and company, for example -- to serve as Consort. But something pulled Pantaleimon away, into indecisiveness, uncertainty, doubt.

Pantaleimon was pulled from her doubt when she lifted her head and, through the piny forest, saw a clearing with a couple of deer there; five, that she could count. Pantaleimon lowered herself to the ground. Her neck, shoulders and back were partially covered in dry green seaweed -- with a pink conch and a dried seastar on her neck -- which sheltered her white pelt from the deers' sight.

Pantaleimon closed in slowly. She spotted one emaciated creature that looked older. Pantaleimon was hungry, not liking the life of a lone wolf, and she looked around, hoping that another wolf would join her so that she could hopefully hunt down the emaciated, older deer.

Boone had become an immaculate hunter over the years. He succeeded more often than he didn't (though the difference was a debatable margin of 52% winning over a 48% loss rate) and he took opportunities where they came. This included hunting with strangers.

He had been watching the herd for about fifteen minutes by the point another wolf arrived. He was trying to decide the best plan of action or how he could potentially trick one of the herbivores to just leap right into his welcoming jaws, but even as unlikely as the latter event sounded, he had held out silent hope for it since he was flying solo that afternoon. It did surprise him marginally, however, to see something moving in the distant left, creeping towards the herd.

Boone couldn't decide what it was at first. It appeared to be wolf, mostly, but with some greenery shrouding its back, which he thought was perhaps the oddest thing he had encountered this week. (He'd already met a blue-nosed wolf, this one was green-backed, so what was next? Someone with purple feet?) He also couldn't tell because  the scent of the other escaped him at this distance, but when their eyes met he knew for sure it was another wolf. He stared for a moment, until it became clear to him that there was an intended target and that they could help one another with a decent meal at this time.

He picked up his wiry tail, and motioned with his head that he was going to take the opposite position of the herd and try to chase them in the other's direction. He waited for the silent confirmation, not worrying about how well this rudimentary plan was going to work -- with a stranger -- before he crept off to take his position.

Soon, Pantaleimon's eyes met with another wolf's. Pan nodded at the stranger when he gestured. Pantaleimon understood what he meant; Pan had done this same trick with Spyridon and Reek. A pang of sadness hit Pantaleimon as she thought of Reek. She had liked him, and he had just left Ankyra Sound... It seemed that Pantaleimon was completely on her own, as all wolves had abandoned the Sound.

The stranger moved towards the herd of deer, and Pantaleimon waited in place in silence. Pan crept a little closer to the herd of deer, staying hidden from them as she did. Pantaleimon was ready, ever muscle in her body tensed, and she waited patiently for the other wolf to chase the herd in her direction; hopefully they'd be able to separate the older, weaker deer from the herd with just the two of them.

Boone was confident enough in himself -- though self-loathing -- to hunt with a complete stranger without direction. It was a coin toss for why he did do it: either because he saw it as fortuitous or because he was hoping for the worst since he seemed to think he deserved it. Either way, he was eager enough to be involved in something that he didn't have to do alone for once.

He sprang from his hiding spot, aiming to drive the elder one with the protruding ribs and the smell of dark blood on her over towards his temporary companion. Masses of the herd took off in separate directions, but so far the older deer was making an awkward beeline for the hidden hunter just a few gallops ahead. It was slower, heaving and terrified, as it tried to flight after its herd. Boone streaked forward to intercept the creature should it turn, and to land a swift attack on the eventually surprised quarry.

Pantaleimon waited in silence in her hiding spot while the other male made way to chase the deer Pan's way. It seemed he had found the older, emaciated doe that Pantaleimon had been eyeing too, and he easily managed to split it off from the rest of the herd because it simply could not keep up. Pantaleimon felt for the deer -- she was not sure why she did this, empathising with prey animals, but Pan could not help herself -- as she watched it limp forth, heaving from the exertion already. She would grant it a swift, merciful death and use the meat well to feed herself and the stranger, to honour the creature.

When the deer came near, Pantaleimon leaped forward. The deer was surprised and reared. Pantaleimon knew this task well, to keep the hooves occupied while the chaser was able to deliver the final blow. However, just as the creature reared in surprise and Pantaleimon tried to avoid the front hooves, the creature tripped and fell sideways, where it lay struggling. Pan dove at the deer, but just as she lunged for its front, one of the deer's flailing front hooves managed to hit Pantaleimon on the face. Pan yelped in surprise, for she was used to being an immaculate hunter and did not often get hurt by her prey, but did not give herself much time to doubt.

Pan dove at the deer again before it could get up, and she managed to get it in the jugular. When Pan looked up, the other wolf was gone. Maybe it had left when it had seen how Pan got hit by the hooves? Pantaleimon looked about, a bit puzzled, but then started to eat hungrily, for she hadn't eaten in a while.

I hope you don't mind a wild Merc and I! :P Maybe we could bump the date up on this since Merc wasn't in the Wilds when this thread was made; but I'm going to say it's before he joins Redtail Rise since he was south(ish) for a while before he joined them. :-)

It was only after dithering around Stavanger Bay's borders for a few hours, growing bored with his masochistic mischief making and eventually leaving, dipping more South than he had originally intended. It had been quite some time since he'd been in the Teekon Wilds with any kind of permanence and he had the leisure of exploring it. It was at his beck and call, spread out before him, and the Outrider in him was hungry to learn it's secrets. Secrets that he hadn't found in his childhood here, and secrets that he had forgotten about in his extended time away. His path, undetermined as it was, had drawn him into Neverwinter Forest, though it was not his drifting that lured him deeper into the territory. No, it was the smell of a fresh kill. Though his hunger was mutable, it made his mouth water, nevertheless. Venison had always been one of Mercury's favorites.

The dark skylark's pace slowed as he neared the origin of the smell, eyes of imperial green taking in the fallen body of the doe, it's tan hide stained crimson — likely with it's own blood. As he moved closer to it, drawn by the scent of blood and the promise of meat (that he did not necessarily need but wanted all the same), he paused only when he caught sight and noticed the other wolf for the first time. So much for a free meal, he thought sourly. As to not startle the wolf dining upon the doe, lest they were not already aware of his presence he let out a soft chuff to announce himself.

Alright, no problem, we can bump it up. :-) Thanks for joining! :D

Pantaleimon hastily guzzled down the meat, hoping to be able to take enough of it so that she could drag it back to the Caldera. It was a long way, but it would be worth it if she would manage. Perhaps Pan could take part of it back, if she managed to rip off a leg or such. It would fill the caches well.

The presence of another wolf startled Pantaleimon, and she looked up to the other male. Pantaleimon instantly wondered if he would take the meat, but then, if he wanted it, he would likely have approached with a more agressive attitude.

"What do you want?" asked Pantaleimon, tail twitching nervously. She was usually meek and submissive, but currently the large white male wanted more than anything to protect the meat that was meant for the Caldera wolves, if she could help it. Although perhaps, if the other male would remain civil, Pan could strike a deal with him and he could help her take the meat to the Caldera's borders in exchange for a stomach full.

You're welcome! <3

It appeared to Mercury that despite his attempts to keep from startling the other male — large and ivory colored — he failed. The other's attention, drawn from his meal focused upon the dark skylark and Mercury offered him a small, sheepish smile. The question that came from the fellow loner was an abrupt one, the nervous twitch of his tail noted by the smoky black DiSarinno. To show that he meant no harm, Mercury relaxed his stance — which had tensed instinctively when he had gained the other male's attention. Mercury understood, though. He would not have wanted a stranger to sneak up on him (so to speak) when he was trying to enjoy his meal; and always there was the constant question of: are they here to steal it from me? 

“I do not want anything,” Mercury replied, and it was not a lie. Now that he knew the doe had been claimed he had, more or less, abandoned any hopes of getting some of it. He could feel his mouth water but he swiped his tongue across his black, leathery nose once in an effort to hide it. It wasn't as if it would be his last meal and there were plenty of deer herds to be found. “I wandered a bit too close and did not wish to startle you.” A lofty shrug of svelte shoulders was given as if to enunciate the fact that Mercury didn't think it was a huge deal and wasn't there to cause trouble.

When the black male relaxed his stance and said that he wanted nothing, Pantaleimon was instantly relieved. Although she knew her large and broad posture could scare off wolves looking for a fight, thinking she was a good fighter, Pan was not that great at fighting and if the young black wolf had looked for a fight, she might have lost it.

"Ah, I... Alright. Are you from a pack nearby?" Pantaleimon felt awkward, with the need to protect her prize and drag what she could to the Caldera, and yet having a civil conversation with this other wolf who did not even want to steal her food -- or at least said he did not.

Oblivious as Mercury was he did not notice his fair companion's relief, but worked to keep his stance relaxed and neutral. Though he still wanted some of the venison he had managed to accept that it was claimed and that he would have to take down his own. Upon physical appearance alone, Mercury considered as his eyes skimmed Pantaleimon's body in a instinctual assessment he was quick to assume that it was not a fight he would win. Mercury had height, alright, but his body was sleek and lissome, built for speed as opposed to brute force. Besides, Mercury desired brains over out right brawn, knowing that in a life or death situation a battle of brains and brawn would be an equal one. Each had disadvantages, and each had distinct advantages on the other. Still, he did not feel like fighting over a carcass. He wasn't hardly starving and hence not desperate enough to do something so foolish. Perhaps as a child it was something he would have done, but traveling out of the Teekon Wilds, running with Odinn's Cove and later Flightless Falcons taught him a lot of life lessons, helped to mature and age him; and Mercury would be forever grateful to them for it.

“No,” The dark skylark responded simply, honestly. “I suppose I have a home in the pack Stavanger Bay if I wanted it,” but he didn't, was what his silence said. He did not want to live under Ragnar's rule, especially considering they did not part well, nor on any semblance of good terms. “I'm Mercury, by the way. Mercury DiSarinno.” He offered an introduction, and then asked after a short pause was given. “What about you? Your scent is somewhat familiar but I cannot place it.” He had never gotten any real chance to commit the scents of the different packs to memory, but some  packs that had been around in his childhood had disbanded and some had relocated, so keeping track with his memory alone would have been near impossible.

It mystified Pantaleimon that the youth did not wish a home in the pack that he could have one in; in Pan's head, anyone should want a pack to run with, because if you did not, you'd wind up dead. She did not speak of it, however, and just nodded. It was evident that the youth did not wish to discuss it further, anyway, so Pantaleimon decided not to speak of his pack choice -- or lack thereof, thus far -- more.

Upon introduction, Pan nodded. Answering his question, she said, "Pantaleimon, uhm... From Redhawk Caldera." Pantaleimon subconsciously looked towards the Caldera as she spoke. Then looking back to Mercury she suggested, "If - if you h-help me get the meat to the Caldera, I... I could give you a leg." Pantaleimon waited to hear what Mercury would say to that; as a lone wolf, surely he would be hungry and by giving him a leg, Pan avoided having to leave the prey alone while she started to move bits and pieces of it, and risking having it stolen. Losing only one of the prey's legs was better than losing most of it to Mercury or other predators that wanted some.

Mercury's companion did not inquire as to what the dark skylark had left unspoken and he offered no inclination towards explanation. Even if Mercury would have wanted to elaborate upon it, he could not. He didn't know how to speak his reluctance to rejoin Stavanger Bay without delving into the conflict between his mother and step-father — which wasn't anyone's business. So he acted dismissive, and blew it off like Stavanger Bay wasn't worth his time, because in his mind it wasn't. He didn't trust his mother and he had nothing to say to Ragnar, which often led to nasty confrontations that Mercury just wanted to avoid. He didn't have to cause trouble for either side and it was truly as simple as letting them alone, so long as they left him alone, in the same vein. 

A name was given then, and a pack, drawing Mercury from his thoughts. The dark skylark offered the other male a subtle flick of his ear, eyes of imperial green following the other's line of sight to a territory in the distance. The offer, however, was a surprising one: in exchange for helping this male, Pantaleimon drag the deer carcass to Redhawk Caldera Mercury would be given a leg. The dark skylark had all but convinced himself to abandon the thought of getting some of the other male's kill, but the offer was a tempting one. “Fair enough,” It had been some time since Mercury had had the pleasure of dining on venison (for hunting alone didn't give him the ability to be super picky) and he was a relatively easy guy to please. The way to his heart was directly through his stomach ...or the saying went something like that.

Dutifully, Mercury waited for his companion to grasp a hold of it first and take the initiative to drag it — for it was his kill and he knew where he was going whereas Mercury did not.

The dark wolf was quick to agree to the terms that Pantaleimon had set, and she nodded, content as well. Perhaps she should have claimed all of the kill for Redhawk Caldera, but it would have been a lot harder to drag it all alone, and would take much longer. There would be chances that other wolves would be drawn near and that she'd be left with nothing. Now, she only needed to give up part of her kill.

With a soft smile, Pan grabbed one of the deer's hind legs. She figured it would be easiest to transport this way, with each of them pulling a leg. Pan started to pull, assuming the dark male would join her, starting the journey back to the Caldera. In exchange she'd give Mercury the promised leg, for Pan was a wolf of her word, and store the rest of the kill in the Caldera's stockpiles.

want to fade out here? :) feel free to post again or archive as is. ^^