Haunter was already regaining some of the weight he'd lost in his most recent travels. Food wasn't abundant this time of year, but apparently the Creek members had done well in their choice of territory because he'd been able to freely fish and satiate his hunger for the past couple nights in a place he would (for now) call home. He remembered Fox mentioning to him that one of their own would need assistance in filling the caches if he wanted to continue being useful, but he chose to do so on his own for now without seeking the added company.
The ranging black wolf was on his way to a spot on the creek where he knew he could break the ice and fish, but was distracted by an incredibly fresh scent and small tracks in the thawing earth that carried his eye down the listless trail where a rabbit had just been foraging.
Abandoning his previous pursuits, the long-legged male changed course and loped quietly after the quarry, the runner feeling eager for a good chase rather than the patience and timing required of fishing. He slunk through the cold, sunless afternoon, absolutely silent until he spotted the hare, nosing about in a fruitless search for vegetation. The scuffle between predator and prey was short-lived, and fifteen minutes later Haunter was coming back up the path with an emaciated rabbit dangling from his jaws.
He searched now for a cache in which to place his catch.
What the hell was it with him and catching wolves when they were eating? The broad shouldered male trotted forward, his deliciously colored, chocolate pelt glistening under the winter sunlight. He caught the scent of a pack mate in the distance, but when he finally came into view, was carrying a juicy rabbit in his maw. Hecarim grunted, displeased with himself for having such bad timing. No one liked to be interrupted while they were eating, but he couldn't imagine anything more awkward than the two seeing and then ignoring each other.
Hecarim continued his glide forward, heading in the same direction as his similarly colored packmate. He had decided on just tossing a hello and jetting out of the male's way, in an attempt to at least show his comrade respect. Afternoon,
he greeted.
Being new, Haunter didn't know where a single cache was located and would have to use context clues and tracking in order to find one. His job would've been made easier by a packmate who knew the location of these hiding spots—Fox had told him to find Solène first, but he ignored this afterthought—so he would just have to suffer this task made harder because he was doing it alone.
It was lucky for the other male that Haunt wasn't eating, because when it came to his own food, he was particularly vicious. Fortunately, this particular snowshoe hare was for the pack, so he was not displeased to be greeted by another packmate in his search of a cache. The black monolith dropped the dead rabbit, letting his tail hang lankly behind him (as he was still a Lambda at this time) and pressing his one ear forth interestedly towards the stranger. He inclined his long muzzle slightly, in returned greeting.
"Are you Solène?" he asked unabashedly. Though the name sounded a little feminine in context, he wasn't one to judge, but nor was he afraid of asking even if the question sounded dumb to anyone else. He'd only asked because that was the wolf he was supposed to be locating for this task.
Hecarim was wary, preparing himself for another Jinx-like meeting. Instead, the male seemed at ease and quite disinterested in food. Hecarim's ears perked curiously as the male began speaking and was ultimately amused by the unexpected question directed at him. He could hardly control the smirk picking at his lips. Uh, no, sorry.
Hec responded, a small smile creeping on to his maw. I'm Hecarim. Do you need help finding her-or... him,
he asked, figuring he may as well contribute if he could.
"I wasn't truly interested in finding the wolf," he admitted; "but if you know of a spot where I can store this rabbit, that would be equally as helpful." He gestured towards the rabbit and then started to pick it up again, but hesitated. "I'm Haunter," he added completely as an afterthought, considering that Hecarim had introduced himself, and then he picked up his catch. Even if Hecarim didn't know where any of the present caches were, he might still be useful in creating a new one.
Haunter bobbed his head, giving the higher-ranked wolf leeway to lead the way.