Duck Lake I tell you that I'm thinking about,

hoping for a hunting/scout thread— all welcome! ; tag for reference

Cole padded through the dense underbrush, paws light against the cold ground as he neared the lakeside. It was early—just the right time to catch the ducks before they took flight to warmer places. His gaze fixed on the water’s edge, where the fowl often gathered in clusters, oblivious to the hunter lying in wait.

The deerskin pelt @Milan had made for him draped across his back, warming his shoulders against the chill of dawn. He wore it with pride, despite knowing his own contribution to its making had been a bit... limited. Milana had done most of the work, but she'd insisted it was for him, and Cole couldn’t deny that it had grown on him—both the pelt and her insistence.

As he waited, Cole stilled himself, watching the sky as hints of gray light teased the horizon. The ducks would be awake soon. His mind focused, honing in on the challenge ahead, the thrill of a good hunt filling him as he crouched low, waiting for his moment to strike.

Elowen moved carefully through the trees, each step calculated, though there was a hesitant lightness to her tread, a wariness that betrayed her cautious nature. She hadn't expected anyone else to be here—most avoided the lakeside at dawn, preferring the comfort of sleep to the biting cold that nipped at her fur. But she couldn’t resist the quiet solitude it offered her in the early hours before the world woke.

As she drew closer to the water, she spotted him—a figure draped in a deerskin pelt, his focus unwavering as he gazed toward the water’s edge. She stilled, observing the way he crouched, poised yet relaxed, eyes trained forward. The pelt he wore looked well-made, and she couldn't help but wonder if he'd crafted it himself.

A shiver of uncertainty ran through her. She should turn back, avoid the risk of interrupting his hunt, yet something kept her rooted. After all, a stranger wouldn’t notice a quiet watcher on the sidelines. Perhaps should could scavenge anything he left, take a feather or two to Lorcan as a gift—a thank you.

Cole sensed her presence before he saw her, the faint sound of her breath threading through the still morning air. Rising slowly from his crouch, he turned his head just enough to catch a glimpse of her—a pale figure blending into the frost-laced dawn, delicate as a snow-kissed dove against the dark line of the trees.

She smelled like the wild, unclaimed by any pack, her scent mingling with the crispness of the lake air. His gaze lingered, warm and steady, taking her in with a quiet curiosity. No sense in startling her, he thought.

With a slight dip of his head, he broke the silence, his voice a gentle rumble.

Mornin', he greeted, respectful yet open, a hint of a southern drawl threading through the word. He let a small, polite smile cross his muzzle, gesturing to himself. Name’s Cole.

He paused, watching her reaction with interest, his stance easy and unthreatening, as if to say she was welcome here—for now.

His voice carried over the silence, a gentle rumble easing through her like a soft, unexpected warmth. She blinked, unsure whether to flee or stay, but something in his calm gaze—open, grounded, and entirely unhurried—kept her still even as her blood flushed hot. This wolf didn’t seem to radiate the edge of a threat, nor did he hold the rigid authority of those used to ward off strangers.

She shuffled her paws beneath her, edging closer, not quite meeting his eyes but glancing back toward the lake, where the faint shapes of ducks rested on the water’s edge, oblivious.

Swallowing, she dipped her head, voice soft and hesitant as it met the cold air. "Elowen," she introduced, offering a shy smile that didn't quite meet her eyes. "Here for the ducks, I assume?"

Cole gave a respectful nod, his expression calm and grounded.

Could be, Elowen, he replied, his voice steady, with a warmth that didn’t press. Or maybe there’s more worth our time than just the ducks.

He paused, glancing thoughtfully toward the lake before looking back at her, his tone plain but genuine. Think we could work together?

She tucked her chin, the faintest trace of a smile touching her lips before she nodded, a hesitant excitement lighting her gaze.

“I… think we could.” Her words were soft, but there was an earnestness there, a flicker of resolve. She glanced out toward the water, the ducks still unaware of their presence, clustered along the lake’s edge with a certain serene innocence.

The plan began to take shape in her mind, and she looked back at him, “If we come from both sides, we might be able to surprise them.”

Cole leaned in close to Elowen, his eyes gleaming with excitement as the ducks flitted through the air. He ran his tongue across his lips, unable to hide the grin spreading across his face.

Lord, there’s so many of ‘em, Elowen. Gonna be a field day, I reckon. His voice was a low rumble, dripping with southern charm. He glanced over at her, his gaze softening with a hint of mischief. Alright, here’s the plan. You take the left flank, and I’ll take the right. When they fly low, we both take a shot. Keep steady, now.

He gave her a wink, then set his sights back on the ducks, the thrill of the hunt coursing through his veins. Ready when you are.

She nodded, a slight flush creeping up her neck, but her focus quickly sharpened as the ducks began to stir. She shifted her weight, slipping into position, her paws light against the frost-covered ground. "'S long as you don't startle 'em too soon, sure," An inkling of doubt or a response to his enthusiasm, she wasn't certain.

"I’m ready," she whispered, her tone steady, though the flutter in her chest betrayed her calm demeanor. She looked back at him for a brief moment, and for a heartbeat, a part of her wanted to impress him.

She held her breath as the first few ducks took flight, their wings cutting through the cool morning air. Her muscles coiled, ready to spring into action. "On your mark," she murmured, more to herself than him.

Cole's eyes flicked over to Elowen, a grin tugging at his lips, the excitement of the hunt rising in his chest. The moment hung there, suspended in the cool morning air, and he gave her a single nod.

Go, he whispered, his voice low and steady, as he bounded forward, his body flowing with fluid motion. His paws barely made a sound against the earth as he surged through the brush, tail tight behind him.

In the blink of an eye, he was upon the ducks, his eyes locked on two that were closest, their wings fluttering just above the water. With a swift leap and a flash of teeth, Cole snatched one from the air, his jaws snapping shut with deadly precision. Without hesitation, he turned, leaping again to catch the second, pulling it down with the same speed and force.

Two down, just like that. His tail flicked with satisfaction as he landed, ducks at his paws. He turned to Elowen, a gleam of approval in his eyes. Two down, darlin', he said, his voice warm with pride. Your turn.

Elowen watched with wide eyes as Cole moved—fluid, precise, a natural force in action. Her breath caught as the ducks fluttered in the air, their wings a blur against the early light, but Cole was much faster. Her pulse raced as he turned to her, reminding her of their objective. For a moment, her throat went dry.

But she swallowed it down, steadying her breath. With a quick, quiet breath, Elowen crouched low, her muscles coiling in preparation. Her eyes tracked the next cluster of ducks, and she let them fly closer before springing into action. A swift pounce, sharp focus, and her claws met air—though not with the same perfect precision as Cole. She snagged one, her claws sinking into the feathers, and for a heartbeat, she struggled to keep her grip as the bird flapped desperately.

But she didn’t falter. With a quick twist, she snapped her head back, pulling the duck into her grasp, her paws firm against its flailing wings. A soft laugh slipped from her as she turned, pleased with her catch despite the.. unrefined nature of her success.

"Got it," she said, her voice breathless but triumphant. The satisfaction of the chase mingling with something else—a little spark of pride she hadn’t known she had. She looked up at Cole, her smile soft but genuine. "Guess I’m not too bad after all."

Cole watched her with a mixture of amusement and approval, his grin widening as Elowen snagged her duck. The pride in her eyes mirrored his own satisfaction, though his was born from the precision with which he'd hunted. He chuckled, his voice warm and teasing as he sauntered over to her.

Not too bad, darlin’, he echoed, his southern drawl pulling at each word. That’s some fine work right there. He nodded toward the opposite end of the clearing, where another troupe of ducks circled above. But, looks like there’s more where that came from.

His tail flicked in the air as he glanced back at her, his gaze steady but playful. You hungry for more? he asked, the challenge in his tone light but eager. Could be a good run if you’re ready.

Elowen met his gaze, a faint smile tugging at her lips as she set the duck aside at his paws, caught somewhere between his playful tone and the thrill of the hunt still humming in her veins. She was surprised by how easily he pulled her along with his energy, his relaxed confidence a far cry from the careful, solitary approach she was used to.

A small, playful smile crept onto her face as she glanced toward the circling flock. "I suppose a little more wouldn’t hurt," she hummed, an edge of coyness lacing her tone. "After all, it’s not every day I get to hunt with an expert."

Her gaze flickered back to him, warmth shining through her quiet confidence. With a quick nod, she turned, her shoulders tense with anticipation, ready for the next burst of speed. "Let’s see if you can keep up." she said, her voice a little lower, steady and sure.

Cole’s grin widened, his eyes sparking with that familiar Southern charm as he dipped his head, tail flicking with excitement. Well, now, you're on, he drawled, a playful glint in his eye as he surged forward, muscles coiling as he leapt out toward the water's edge.

The thrill of the chase was a fire in his veins, and he was more than ready to show her what he could do. The ducks scattered as he darted forward, paws barely skimming the ground with each bounding stride. He cast a quick, teasing glance back at Elowen. Reckon I can keep up just fine, missy. Question is, can ya match me? he called, laughter in his voice.

Focused on the hunt, Cole put all his energy into closing the gap between himself and the flock, determined to make good on his word, feeling the challenge pull at his competitive streak.

Without hesitation, she sprang forward, her lithe form darting forward. The cool morning air nipped at her as she matched his pace, her paws gliding across the earth. "Can't get rid of me that easily, Cole," she teased.

A soft laugh escaped her, carried on the cool morning air, and she angled herself slightly to veer off in a new direction, aiming to split the flock and up the stakes. As they closed in on the scattering flock, her focus sharpened, her gaze zeroing in on a lone duck veering to the side.

The distance between her and the duck closed, and in a final, precise lunge, she leapt and caught it, landing with a satisfied huff. She looked over at Cole, her eyes gleaming with exhilaration as she held up her catch, a small smirk playing at her lips.

Cole’s eyes gleamed with focus as he lunged at another pair of ducks, his jaws closing around them with a crackle of feathers and bone. He ended them swiftly, sparing them any struggle, and then turned back toward the shore with his catch. As he stepped out of the water, he shook his wet fur, sending droplets scattering into the air. He glanced at Elowen, her teasing words still ringing in his ears.

He placed the ducks down on the deer pelt he’d brought, carefully arranging them to carry back. His gaze lifted to meet hers, catching the thrill in her eyes and the satisfied smirk tugging at her lips.

Reckon I couldn’t, even if I tried, he drawled with a grin, his Southern accent rolling easily. Seems you got yourself a fine catch there, too.

He nodded toward her prize with an approving glint in his eyes, already savoring the satisfaction of their morning’s work.

Elowen’s grin widened at his words, a light flush coloring her cheeks from both the exertion and the playful exchange. She couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride in the hunt, especially after Cole’s challenge and the way she’d matched him step for step.

"I do," she draws out the vowel with a smile too big to be insincere. As he placed the ducks down, she trotted over, her pace easy and light.

"'S pretty good for amateurs," she quipped, eyes flicking to the ducks they’d gathered. She knelt beside the pile, her tail sweeping the ground in contentment as she looked up at him. The morning had been more than successful, and there was something undeniably satisfying about the ability to share it with something aside from a over-curious sparrow.

Cole chuckled, shaking his head with a grin as he watched her settle by their haul, her pride unmistakable. Pretty good? Darlin', I’d say you did better than most seasoned hunters, he replied, his voice warm, a playful gleam in his eye. He couldn’t help but admire the way she moved with that easy confidence, the satisfaction she took in their shared success.

Settling beside her, he nudged one of the ducks with his paw. Think those ‘amateurs’ might be a little jealous if they saw you now. His gaze lingered on her for a moment longer than necessary, softened by a genuine admiration. The morning’s energy lingered between them, and for a heartbeat, he allowed himself to enjoy it.

Next time, he added with a smirk, we’ll have to set our sights a little higher. Show ‘em what amateurs can really do.

Elowen’s ears flicked back shyly at his praise, her gaze darting to the ducks and then back to him, uncertain how to respond to such direct compliments. She shifted her weight, her tail brushing softly against the ground as she ducked her head. “I-I don’t know about that,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. “Got lucky, ’s all. Had a good partner, too.”

Her chest tightened at the way his gaze lingered, warm and unyielding. It was a little too much, too close, and she wasn’t sure what to do with it. She glanced away, fixing her eyes on the rippling surface of the lake instead. The soft blush warming her cheeks betrayed the nervous flutter in her chest.

She laughed nervously at his suggestion, the sound quiet and unsure. “Higher?” she asked, her voice wavering slightly as she dared to peek at him. “I think... I think this was plenty.” Her paw brushed one of the ducks as if to make her point, though she couldn’t quite meet his eye again. Her voice softened, almost to herself, as she added, “I wouldn’t want to slow you down or anything.” Her gaze flickered to him quickly, the hint of a self-conscious smile tugging at her lips before she looked away again.

Cole’s chuckle was low and warm, a sound that seemed to carry easily on the wind. He tilted his head, watching Elowen’s nervous movements with a kind of quiet amusement. There was something endearing about her modesty, the way she tried to downplay her skill.

Luck, huh? he drawled, his Southern lilt giving the words an easy, teasing edge. Reckon there’s a bit more to it than that. You got a knack, Elowen.

He shifted his weight, taking a step closer but keeping the space between them respectful, his golden eyes lingering on hers for a moment longer than necessary. But if this is plenty for you, I’m not one to argue, he added, his grin softening into something gentler. Still, I can’t help but wonder if you’d ever like to put that knack to use somewhere new.

His gaze drifted to the lake for a moment before returning to her. Bearclaw Valley could use someone like you. What do you say? Would you want to come back with me? Take a look around, see if it suits you?

There was no pressure in his tone, just an invitation offered with the same warmth and patience that seemed to define him.

Elowen's ears flattened against her skull as his words lingered in the air, her heart skipping a beat. She couldn’t quite make sense of how to feel about them. Was he just being kind? Or was there more to it? The heat in her cheeks flared again, and she found herself tugging nervously at the tips of her fur. “Y’think?,” she muttered, her voice nearly lost to the soft breeze.

The suggestion caught her off guard. The idea of going to Bearclaw Valley, somewhere new, where she might be needed—well, it sounded daunting. There were too many unknowns, too many ways she could embarrass herself, could mess up, could fail. But at the same time, the thought of having a place, a purpose… it stirred something in her chest.

Though, Lorcan had offered her the same. She felt guilty for not going to him yet. Then again, would he have missed her anyway? He didn’t seem like the type to settle.

After a long moment, she stole a quick glance up at Cole, her paws shifting uneasily on the ground. His gaze was so steady, so sure, like he actually believed in her, and that made the flutter in her stomach only worse. "Don’t know if I could keep up," she murmured, looking away quickly as she tucked her chin into her chest, retreating into herself. Her tail curled around her legs. "Got someone waiting on me, I think.”

"He... he might not want me to go, anyway." she said, voice quiet, uncertain if it was right to bring him up at all, but she couldn’t help it. The hesitation in her words spoke volumes, her feelings too tangled to sort out.

Cole listened carefully, watching the hesitation flicker across Elowen’s face like shadows on water. He nodded slowly, his warm brown eyes softening in understanding. Whatever her reasons—whether it was fear, doubt, or loyalty to someone else—he wouldn’t press her. Everyone had their paths to walk, and hers was clearly still winding.

Fair enough, he said, his voice gentle but firm. Sometimes it ain’t about keeping up, but finding where you’re meant to be. Sounds like you’ve got someone who’d miss you. His mouth curved into a small, reassuring smile. That’s worth holdin’ onto.

He shifted his weight, the cache of ducks at his paws a silent reminder of the work he still had ahead of him. With a slight dip of his head, he started to gather them up. Good luck to you, Elowen, he said, his tone carrying a quiet sincerity. Hope you find what you’re lookin’ for.

With that, Cole turned, his sturdy frame moving back toward Bearclaw Valley. The faint scent of pine and distant water mingled with the breeze as he left her behind, her decision respected, her company appreciated, if only for a little while.

Elowen’s chest tightened as she watched him turn away, his words lingering in the stillness like a gentle echo. Her ears flicked back, catching the rustle of his departure, and she swallowed hard against the lump forming in her throat.

She shifted uneasily, her paws tracing idle patterns into the soft earth as her gaze to the pair of ducks he’d left behind. His lack of judgment, left her feeling oddly exposed, as though he’d seen right through her walls without even trying. She let out a soft, unsteady breath, her tail curling around her as if seeking comfort.

Her mind wandered, unbidden, to Shadow Ridge—and to Lorcan. She didn’t know why her thoughts jumped to him now, but they did, settling there with a mix of unease and something warmer she couldn’t name. Maybe Cole was right; maybe there was something she was holding onto. Something—or someone—that made staying put feel like the safer choice.

The wind shifted, carrying the faintest trace of pine and water back to her as Cole’s figure disappeared into the distance. “Good luck to you too,” she murmured into the air, too soft to carry far, but the sentiment genuine nonetheless.

Elowen didn’t move for a while, rooted to the spot as she let her thoughts settle like leaves in a stream.