Little Goat Mountain Still a soldier

Reyson traversed the tiny goat mountain eyes on the prize. There was something to be said for his tenacity. His wound a dull ache as it healed. He tried to ignore the itch that was juat beneath the surface of the scab. It wasn't festering or warm so he fwlt it was mostly healed.

The goats were smaller than most prey, but still hail and hearty. He however had confidence in his ability to waylay one. It'd be nice to have a hunting partner, but not required.

She'd walked into a hunt. Fennec scented it as soon as she hit the mountain ledge and froze while her ears scanned the vicinity. She didn't recognize anything but the goat so far but she was tense.

If she scared it off she risked screwing up dinner for whoever was stalking this prey. Fennec resolved not to move, though she continued to listen, trying to determine the creature's proximity to her. If it came in her direction, she might not have a lot of time to get out of the way, and she wasn't familiar enough with this mountain to move quickly safely. Any step she took too quickly could send her into open air.

Reyson saw her and quickly righted himself. And studied her. Their meetings were not kind ones thus far, but he held no ill will. He moved a little closer, to be wothin ear shot but not to startle the goat. He spoke softly

Lady Fennec. Are you searching for more plants for your garden?

He titled hos head and stood at attention. Eyes taking in the form of Towhees daughter and naturalist of Mereo. Perhaps healer, he wasn't certain.

Fennec's fur rose as she sensed something moving closer and she showed her teeth instinctually. She didn't snarl, but she also didn't relax until she recognized the voice. It was the man who had sparred with her.

Just taking in the sights. She replied, a clear joke despite the complete lack of inflection that she gave it.

You're hunting. She took a small step backwards, feeling behind for solid stone before committing to the move completely. It frustrated her that she didn't know this place well enough to help. If Fig were here she might risk it - he would know how to guide her to help. Instead she was worse than useless and it annoyed the shit out of her. He probably knew it too.

Reyson didn't take offense he undersdtood her teepidation. To be in a world of darkness. He wasn't sire hed be as adjusted as she seemed to be.

He gave a soft chuckle. Had it been towhee, he would have remarked shadows and all. But he didn't know fennec that well and felt it would be in poor taste.

Sort of. I was watch8ng and debating. I'm reyson by the way. Not sure if we shared names. I've heard yours from maxim and towhee.

Would you like to try to hunt with me? It may take some learning on my part, but.

She hadn't bothered to learn many of their names. For some reason it just didn't feel important.

You expect a sell like that to inspire much confidence, let alone enough to put my life in your paws? No thanks. Fennec replied, slightly sardonic. The prospect of falling was not was she enjoyed, and goats were dangerous prey even without unknown drops nearby. Last time she'd been shoved off a ledge she'd spent a week stranded on the bottom of a ravine, then more than a month with a punctured lung. Hell no on risking a repeat.

Don't let me get in your way. If he wanted to keep on keeping on, she could wait quietly. She wouldn't risk screwing up his little setup until after he'd already passed or failed.

Reyson studied her and shook his head. A flare of irritation growing deep within him. But he shook it off.

Very well. If you want some more plants for your garden i'll help you if you want me too when i'm done.

He didn't need to help her, it was clear the prickly porcupine woman didn't like help. but he would offer anyway. Truthfully he wanted to tell her to take her attitude and shove it, but that was not his way unless she purposely pressed. But he didn't know what she could press about with him.

He shifted and moved away. Body down and ready to hunt. He studied the movements of the herd, looking for any that he could easily taken down. An elderly Ewe caught his attention.

He took her in, weighing the pros and cons. ANd then he would strike.

Fennec remained silent after that, listening with a somewhat moody tenseness as he seemingly disappeared into the hunt. She knew she'd know where things lay immediately once the chase kicked off.

In the meantime she waited. She wouldn't help immediately, but if things came her way she'd have a choice to make.

Reyson sprang into action. Luck was on his side, the ewe to weak and tired, due to the cold her joints aching. He was atop her before she could move, and the rest of the herd ran off. The end was swift and he drug it nearer to the femme.

Would you like some meat to put somewhere near you? Or the goat pelt for your den? I don't have a den.

He tilted his head. And then bent to the task of separating.

Fennec's pelt rippled with discomfort as he offered to bring her a number of things. I don't have a den either. And I don't need your charity. Her tone had a razor's edge to it. It was likely that he simply meant to be nice, but all Fennec heard was accommodation for perceived weakness.

I can help to take some back. Unless you'd rather call someone more suited. He didn't deserve to be treated this caustically. Ever since she'd arrived, it seemed no one was interested in any of the skills she had to offer. The moment with the cougar had been a breaking point on top of a number of other shattered elements. She didn't have much of anything left.

Reyson stared at her and gave a snort of derision. Charity hmm? And here thought taking care of other pack mates and being nice to them was part of being a pack wolf. I guess I was wrong, since you clearly have a better perspective than I.

I will accept the help, graciously. he added calmly. There was no change in his outward demeaner, no change in his voice.

He dropped some of the meat at her feet and shouldered the rest. There you go.

Then he turned and started back down the mountain. Hopefully she could hear him and follow and didn't fall over the side. Her attitude was annoying, but he could understand. Things like her blindness however it may have happened and the small glimpses of her life that he had heard. She had a reason to be bitter. But he did not deserve to be on the receiving end.

His tone rankled her even more. Who the fuck do you think you are?! He should know damn well that it wasn't the same thing. Fennec took the meat without commenting back and began to stalk back towards Mereo. Eventually she'd have to swallow her pride and allow him to take the lead, but for now she refused. She'd been half-tempted to leave it there and let him carry the entire thing, if he was so clever, but useless on principle was still useless. She was tired of doing nothing.

She was too frustrated at things in general to realize her own anger was hypocritical. Asking not to be helped, like any other packmate, was asking for special treatment... but that wasn't what she wanted to acknowledge right now. She had a nasty habit of making her own issues everyone else's problem. Lucky for Reyson, she'd make herself scarce the moment they made it back to Mereo.

fine to fade here if you want!