Redtail Rise Burning

Age: 25 days. Pups begin to appear outside the den entrance. All welcome, special mention for @Prophet.

The light called to him. As it had been for days now. Pulling him further and further from the dark reaches of the only world he knew. There was something greater out there. More than the space of the walls closed in around him.

He had new strength now. Greater than before. His legs were relatively strong. He still stumbled once in a while, but had gotten the hang of toddling, more or less. Boldly drifting away from his sisters (and his mother, should she be present), Relic was not to be held back in creeping towards the light.

It gaped at him from the mouth of the den, struck his eyes harshly when he popped his head out. He wheeled his head back, shaking it to clear the black spots that dotted his sight. Grass and leaf litter tickled his young paw pads. Forgetting the rapidly dissipating shadows at the edge of his vison, he shoved his nose down, inhaling the loamy scent of the earth.

He knew this time would come.

Where the child found themselves grown, hungry little beasts unable to sit still. Why had it come so soon? Yet he should be thrilled for this too. It meant soon they would be fumbling guardians and hunters. Everything Avicus desired.

This was the only boy, though. One who Prophet could convince himself he saw his own coloring in. Although he supposed he might be able to do that with any of them if he tried hard enough.

Hunting already? He questioned with a warm rumble.

she can be skippable throughout by default <3 just in case I hold anything up

Ever since her eyes had opened, Redd took to watching everything she could.  She stared at her siblings, her mother, and the blood-bringers who interested her most.  They were large and deep voiced when they spoke.  The rumble of their words struck comfort in her, though she hadn't uttered a single one of her own yet.

Prophet grabbed the pup's attention immediately when he arrived.  She'd taken up a spot in the shade and been investigating the roots there, but she turned to watch as he spoke with brother.  Hunt.  A word she knew.  Her ears twitched, but she didn't join just yet.  She would see what happened.

Innate instincts were coming alive. His senses flooded. To him, everything was to be examined and tested. In his mind, nothing was off limits. 

A scent he knew well graced his nose. Paired with a flash of earthen fur. His sire. Relic tipped his head up to take in the man, who to him, looked like a titan in comparison to his smaller stature. There was nothing short of awe and admiration in his eyes. 

Hunting. Ah yes! "Phwaa-ah!" He exclaimed in excited affirmation. Then he shifted into stealth mode. Something small and bright green caught his eye in the blades of grass. A cricket. An alien looking thing, whose jumps compelled him to try and give chase. Hardly worthy prey, but hey, you had to start somewhere. He lunged, tumbling carelessly over a big brown paw in his excitement. He had sensed Redd's appearance, who hung back. Maybe he could encourage her to team up on his prey, with a yap for her attention.

They were odd little things, but he did find himself wholly endeared by them. Relic took off after an insect, hunter's prowess but hardly the grace. He supposed the boy would get there. Well. He would need to get there.

Somewhere Redd lurked, in the shade like a shadow. Another display of a good hunter! Or perhaps a tired child.

Will you two hunt together? He beamed, seeking to reach out a paw towards Relic while his eyes searched for the ruddy form of Redd.

Her brother seemed enamored with the stranger.  Redd watched him curiously and wondered why, but she felt no compulsion in herself to join in.  When the invitation came she blinked and considered it.  Hunt together.  She had never hunted before.

Perhaps.  The hunt meant the scent of blood and the promise of food.  Both of these were good things and to learn to get them herself would be better still.  The man came often with gifts.  She could learn as well.

As she decided she came slowly forward, closing some of the distance and watching Prophet intently.

A big brown paw reached out to him. Out of instinct, he nearly went for that too. But the movement was not nearly as enticing as that of the insect a ways ahead in the grass. At least in his young age, Relic could truly distinguish between what was prey and what was not.

After a moment's contemplation, Redd came forward to supposedly join him in his hunt. Nearby, he reached over to place a silent nudge on the top of her shoulder. He refocused again on his target. Narrowed his eyes and crouched down. When it stayed still, he began to inch ahead.

This one seemed every bit a tiny-Avicus.

Ruddy in tones and silent, lurking. He admired her for only a moment, eyes turned back towards Relic's stalking motions. Silently he gestured for Redd to fall in line — or get the kill first.

He would not intervene in this lesson until it was necessary. He only wished they had something bigger to practice on in that moment.

Redd nipped at her brother quietly in a rare show of childish affection, then froze as he refocused.  Her mind too went back to the task at hand.

She felt no need to compete with him for this.  Instead she instinctually split off from his direct route and crept around in an arc.  There was a possibility that he would miss and, if he did, the thing he hunted would run.  She did not want it to escape.

The instincts of the pack ran strong within her blood.  She would allow him first lunge and, in doing so, help to ensure their success.

And lunge he did. Sharp eyes fixed on his target, he did not let it out of his sight for a second. When he pounced for it, his timing may have been off. His accuracy, not quite perfect. But he could hone his skills later. His littermate, Redd was here with him.

Innately, he knew to drive his miniature prey towards her. Into her grasp, where it would be trapped between the two of them. The cricket leapt for it's life. Outmatched, hopeless in escaping slamming paws and snapping little teeth. He voiced his excitement in a buzzing growl, every hair on end.

quick out of order bc it makes sense <3 lmk if not okay

He nearly had it, but it was no issue.  She was there and penned the cricket in.  Redd had not been expecting it to jump the way it did - so far! - but she reared as it came within reach and managed to trap it partially beneath her.  Her brother was there to fully ensnare it.

This catch she considered his.  He had found it and stalked it, so she stepped back and allowed him to trap it completely.  Her tail waved and she smiled, something surprisingly rare for one so young, as she congratulated him with a small growl and a nip on the shoulder.  Soon they'd be master hunters, chasing far larger game!  She could not wait - her blood thrummed for the chase.