Moonspear thoughts on a grey day

She'd lurked on the sheep all week and caught onto their patterns quickly enough. She'd actually been hoping to find a weakness in one of their less noteworthy members -- maybe a yearling, or a younger, less experienced member. Even all of the females in the lot seemed sturdy, but their most decorated male with his impressive curl of horn seemed to lag. She suspected age was catching him, that perhaps his joints ached or his breath went short faster. Amekaze couldn't say in truth, but in her hours creeping on their group and she saw him off on his own, lingering quietly and moving slowly. It riled the hunter in her, but as a pack creature, this was not an undertaking for her alone.

Soft, fluffy snow began to occasionally fall on this bitterly cold day and she peered skyward in hopes that this would not pick up quickly. While perched somewhere north of the low meadow she knew housed the sheep, the dark alpha raised her muzzle for a low, questioning howl. Hunt? Maybe she could inspire some interest in her fellows.

It was a bold undertaking, but she was feeling pent up and like expending some energy. If they could find success, they would feast heartily and for a good while. She liked their odds well enough to try -- even with remembering the last time they had tried to hunt a ram, when the Redhawks and lightening had tried to interfere with them.

She sniffed the winds and waited, not willing to go to close to the prey's general area just yet. Not without knowing if she'd have the power to proceed at all. No point in harassing them needlessly; she wanted them to stay here cozily for her to pluck from their numbers as she pleased.

christmas hunt anyone? o:

at the sound of a howl, Aria's ears pricked. she had met Charon, though she had not met his mate-- presumably the other alpha. it was a hunting offer, something Aria wouldn't dare pass up. the pack needed food, and she needed to show that she was a dedicated and participating member of the pack. part of her hoped Constantine or Floki would show up so she'd have a friend, but for now she'd just suck it up.

when she arrived she gave a respectful dip of her head, waiting for her alpha's permission to relax and introduce herself.

She watched down the slopes until Aria's approach gave her a new focus. Her head tilted subtly, and tail switched very gently despite the rise she gave it. The dark alpha did not know her well at all but she was certainly a start towards potentially rallying a hunt -- what she was looking for most of all today. Full bellies lent themselves towards good morale. "Greetings," she chuffed quietly. "Perhaps more will come too, and we can hunt in earnest. The ram is weakening by the day," she gestured to them in the distance, fighting off the urge to lick her lips before she turned back towards the pale female curiously.

oh god i totally forgot, i'm sorry!!

the pair waited for a little while but no one came to help out. aria pursed her lips quietly before glancing to amekaze. "should we try to take it down ourselves?" she asked with a small smile, her tail wagging a little bit and her ears raising gently. it didn't seem that they were going to get any more packmates down here, and the ram might not put up too much of a fight if it was weakening still-- besides, better take it down before it wandered too far out.

Keeping patience in mind, she eventually couldn't be bothered any longer. No one else showed, but Aria did not seem to pale at the idea. Her perking ears steadied Ame's stance as she weighed their options quickly, quietly, before nodding softly. "We can see what we can do," she decided on beneath a growing smirk, edging in favor of a bold move that while risky; it just could be luck on their side if nothing else. She didn't want to chance injury too recklessly, however they did have a knowledgeable Pyx in their midst to handle things in case of the worst -- their numbers were obviously scarce so she had to preserve herself in that regard. "It should not hurt to give it a little run, if nothing else," she shrugged. "We just have to watch ourselves." Amekaze did not even know how experienced in ram hunts Aria was -- although this was a good chance to see for herself. If they wore it down enough, their odds would increase, but there would be no telling how it would go until they went. She started to move on them, carefully picking a route that was short, yet effective in getting them to the ram.

aaa no it's fine! no rush. we probably could just fade it up to a lil narrative whenever too lol<3

the woman nodded, her tail waving. "sounds like a plan," she said with the same smirk, her luminous eyes shining. anxious as she was, aria was the queen of careful, more now than ever. she dipped her head slightly in a request for amekaze to lead the way, and would fall right in line behind her as she went. she hadn't hunted large in a while-- constantine and she had stuck too small prey while they were on their own, since it was easier and less risky. amekaze said that this one was weak... so perhaps it wouldn't be that bad.

keeping her ears perked, aria remained alert for the ram as they walked, excited to show her alphess that she was capable and a functioning member of the pack.

whatever you want! if you want to end the thread you're welcome to PP aria, but i don't mind continuing <3

Since having the puppies, she'd hunted sizable game far less so even if this did not escalate to a full-on takedown, she reasoned it would still serve as a good start to shake the rust off a bit. As soon as they were both in agreement, she slid into motion and eyed the path she'd take -- a quick one, that cut immediately towards the majority of the prey. The wider trails looked either like difficult travel or bound to take them right into sight. That wouldn't give them much time to situate into positions, but Ame was alright enough with this to go in without too much preparation.

With just the two of them, the strategy would have to be loose. There was only so many places they could be at once, and so much power. Yet especially this time of a year, even a twisted ankle from a hazardous escape or a wound from slipping the grip of a predator could spell a lingering, slow death.. which she would still benefit from later. Anything could happen..

When they got closer, the pressure on the would increase as soon as they took real notice. Now nearer still, there was plenty to take in and observe -- despite only wanting to draw her focus upon the ram of the group, the centerpiece, more or less. Still, experience granted her enough wisdom to know it would all be useful in the long run.

Now she began to notice him noticing them and with a quick chuff, she nodded to Aria and gestured her nose: she'd take a higher route from just behind the group, and leave Aria to finish on this one that should she continue on it, it would run her parallel. Split, they could do more, guard more vantage points, and well.. Amekaze knew someone would have to get closer to cut him away from the rest, and keep him from just going to where they couldn't get to him on the steep cliffs.

She had to watch her footing but took several surging strides closer, up and around now.. Doing so got a young-looking female moving away, which she liked, and the ram started looking irritated as he too tried to shy back and assess the situation. Her guard was up accordingly while she kept moving closer, being watched and scrutinized now. 

The ram huffed and began to move off towards his family again, seemingly looking to disregard the wolves. Amekaze gathered her speed again, and aimed her path in his way to cut him off, then potentially towards Aria.

And together they would rally. The ram offered them a few small jogs, obvious in his displeasure towards the wolves. The Moonspear hunters skirted in close when able, snapping -- reminding -- him of what one wrong step could spell for him. While they made no contact, the point remained. He was frustrated and eventually left, but it was not a waste. Amekaze had heard the way his joints popped and he would hesitate on certain pivots.

This she would remember, and use against them one day.. if nature did not claim him before she could.