Ocean's Breath Plateau The world never stops

Rodyn traversed the well worn lands of Moontide. And with it, each step, each breath his mind raced. There were so many things to consider. None more than the future of his pack, the wolves therein, and himself.

Moontide was large, but many of the wolves secluded and quiet. This was not a problem but it made it difficult to fully grasp numbers.

He lifted a leg to mark a border and let his mind trail other pathways. Thinking hard.

Ponderosa had, with the permission of her parents, slipped away from their near seaside den and deeper into the Moontide’s plateau. 

She picked out one scent, as she often liked to do, and followed it, her nose to the ground. Her ears twitched and swirled with the many sounds of nature, the crunching of fallen leaves under her feet. 

She continued on like this until she paused, bringing her head up swiftly as soon as she heard another’s steps, a scent on the wind. The scent she was following. 

She stood proudly, but not without a slight trembling, her growing body strong, a mix of her mother’s femininity and her father’s strength. She recognized the red coat of this wolf. She waited, for him to notice her.

Rodyn was lost to his thoughts. But not so thoroughly that he didn't notice the younger girl standing near. She looked like one of the pups of Raindrop, but he couldn't be certain anymore. He had been gone so much lately and returning. That he didn't know them. But as he drew nearer. Ah yes this one was, her name started with a B? No A p.

He dipped his head in greeting. Mind working to remember her name. And soon enough he latched upon it.

Hello Ponderosa. Out exploring today?

She let out a little gasp when Rodyn turned to her and spoke. He was still somewhat of a stranger to her, most in part to the seclusion of their den. When he dipped his head, in respect, she mimicked his motion, as she’d seen her mother do as all. 

She didn’t have much to say, “Hello.” Her voice was quiet, naturally, and she was somewhat shy, “Yes, I am. I was tracking smells, I like to do that.”

A quiet chuckle. He had not realized how shy she would be of him. So he stopped his movement forward and simply stood calmly.

Oh yea. Do you like to learn where they lead or hunt? I'm a hunter myself.

Did they have another budding hunter? Or perhaps a naturalist?

The red man stopped, and hesitantly, she relaxed her stance, just a little. He spoke gently, kind, and it would be rude for her to leave his question unanswered. He managed a small smile out of her, nonetheless. 

“I like to follow, and find what and where they lead to.” Rodyn also said he was a hunter, and this did intrigue her, and her ears perked forward, her tail swaying gently. “Really? What was the biggest thing you hunted?” 

Rodyn didn't wish to push his presence upon the girl. He was fine with letting her follow behind him silently if she preferred it that way. She was sweet.

Hmm probably an Elk or a caribou? Though Seal are pretty big too.

He had also hunted cats in his day. But he tried hard to stay away from them. He had even tracked a bear once, but his brothers had chickened out at teh last minute. Not that he blamed them at all. He was kind of glad for it.

As he spoke of his brave hunts and captures, a quiet “Whoa.” Came from the girl’s lips. This man must have been strong, and before she realized, she crept out of her shell, “Can I follow along? Please? I wanna watch a brave hunter.”

She padded up close to him, her ears and eyes alert, even more curious. It seemed that she would get on well with her alpha, Rodyn. And perhaps as she grows, he could teach her to hunt, alongside her parents of course.

Rodyn had never thought about his hunts as particularly brave. He enjoyed it. It fed those he cared for. It was both a necessity and an enjoyment. So why not do it? The prize didn't matter as long as bellies were filled.

She was nearer and nearer and then looking up at him. And a small smile blossomed at her eagerness. So they had so many huntresse's starting out their journies it made him happy.

Course you can. Let's start with something small first. How about rabbit, or gopher?

She brought a smile to the alpha’s face. Her tail began to wag faster, “Okay! Thank you!” She exclaimed, her yellow eyes bright. “Hmmm.” She thought, her brows furrowing, “Well, Gophers like to hide, and bunnies are fast. What do you think?”

To ‘Rosa, Rodyn was a master, so it would only be natural that he would know what the best choice was. 

Could you please add her back in the ranks? :)

A small smile. WEll there's no reason we can't have a little fun with it. So how about gophers. Because we get to make lots of noise to rouse them? You want to try that?

They didn't technically have to make a lot of noise, but it was the good thing about it. If you did they ran to their other end faster. Made quick catches and you had what you needed.

She began to bounce about, “Yeah! Let’s do it!” And she followed suit behind Rodyn, forgetting any shyness she felt before. 

Soon, the pair reached a field, and scattered across the green land were mounds of dirt. Curious as she was, she trotted up and ahead to one of the holes, and peered down it. “It’s pretty dark down there. They must be small if they can fit in the tunnels.”

A soft laugh and he stepped towards thr mounds of dirt. A small smile on his face. Gophers were fast and small. But they also scared easily and ran from home.

They are smallish. Like a weasel. So we have to catch a few. So we're gonna have some fun with this. Gophers sre scaredy animals. So one of us is gonna get near a hole and bark as loud and as mean as we can and they'll all run the opposite way hopefully. Nothing is guaranteed in hunting..

She listened intently to his words, his instructions, and readied herself. 

“Okay! I can bark, while you chase. That way I can watch and learn from you.” Her tail was still wagging like a bubbly puppy, so she would have to settle it, get into hunting mode. 

“When can I bark?” She asked before she found herself a gopher hole. 

We can close this up whenever your ready. I apologize for the response delay. I’ve been busy with college work and part-time work.

You're fine. I'll fade with this post.

Rodyn smiled and dipped his head. When the other youngling got into place. He gave her a sharp nod.

The bark that resounded sounded larger than it was and the creatures rushed from the ground. He could hear them. He was quick to dispatch one and then two. Enough meal for the two of them or even a snack. But he would allow the youngling to take both. Show her family.

Take these for your family. And Thank you.