Otter Creek historic inspiration

companion discovery! an unnamed northern goshawk has taken up residency with jakoul.

She slipped just past the territory of Blackfeather, the creek to the east beckoning her. Perhaps her brain wished to find an answer to the earth's rumbling. Could she find it along the mountainside? Not that she truly dared to get close enough. If a rumble was to loosen some boulders from their high-up homes...well, she did not wish to be caught in such an incident.

Early on, the creek seemed relatively okay. Although it was not what it used to be. Shifting of the earth and rogue rocks created some pools in the narrow creek. Larger fish seemed to be trapped, swimming in circles or wiggling about to find an escape. There was an undeniable twinge of guilt but she was an opportunist. It would be an easy catch to grab a scaly creature from the pools.

She set out to work, positioning herself in a crouched way before she lunged. Neck extending and jaws snapping as she gripped the spine of a fish. Not once had she grown accustomed to the taste of them but a meal was a meal. Perhaps good things could come out of the earth's awakening.

With another sharp bite, she ended the life of her aquatic meal. She dragged it onto the shore with little care of the state of it. What she cared for was another. One more to bring back to the woods. And so she left her meal out in the open as she returned to the waters with her goal in mind. Then a soft swoosh was just barely heard. Head turned to see...oh. It seemed she was not the only opportunistic creature around. A lovely winged creature had found it in himself (himself? herself? jakoul was not sure) to begin the feast.

Silver eyes blinked wildly as she examined them. Such minimal care for her presence as the indulged. With a huff, she set out to finish getting her fish. A new one since it seemed that one had been claimed.

A new meal and an unexpected companion, she returned to shore and settled down. She held the meal close to her chest as she began to have her own fill. Grey eyes lingered on the bird as he kept pecking away, consuming the fish with ease. Then he did something peculiar — stopped and took a few hesitant hops towards the Morta. A low growl bubbled up in her neck as her tail lashed against the earth. This was hers and she would not share it with the creature who had already stole one meal. He still had at least half a fish left, the hungry bugger!

Yet he seemed keen to offer back protest. An unexpected beating of wings in her face as he gripped the fish out from under her, sweeping back with another stolen prize. She released her own attack of clicking teeth matched with wild snarls. But he stood unwavering on his pile of fish. Occasionally he would fly upwards if she dared close enough but always came back down.

This was not worth it. There were other matters to attend to and it was becoming clear that their dance would last as long as they both kept going. With one last snarl, she turned her back to the creature. She moved in a sly manner with the rare look over her shoulder. He seemed absent when she was far enough from the pile of half eaten fish. Of course, the Morta was not aware that was because he was looming overhead with the idea of following her back to where she came from.

More free meals, no?