Swiftcurrent Creek Too cold for a run

After that rather strange encounter with Bhediya, or Khoe, or whatever her name was, Dauntless retreated from the pack's borders and found a pleasant little creek to wait things out until Easy came back. It was frustrating, all of this, but he didn't have much of a choice. He had only come back to reconnect with Easy, and now she was headed back to Round Valley. It was all so inconvenient.

He supposed he could have gone back to Kaistleoki, but he couldn't imagine there was too much waiting for him there. Besides, he'd left without a word, so they probably wouldn't like him showing up unannounced. He'd done the same to Easy, sure, but she was his litter mate. Surely she'd be forgiving. With a heavy sigh, the Morningside wolf settled himself next to the creek, letting his eyes soften their focus as he thought about the conversation with the strange woman.

Baba was away hunting and had tasked Ashlar, before he left, with trying to do the same.  The boy wasn't sure exactly where to begin here but he knew he just needed to try all the same.  Mama always said that he would do fine if he just tried.  He missed her quite a bit already.

Ashlar began to hum as he nosed through the weeds at the edge of the river.  It was too big to cross, but so long as he stayed on the edge and well away it seemed safe.  He continued his soothing humming as he went, and was likely to scare everything off by doing so, but he didn't get the chance to truly start.  The sound cut off the instant he saw Dauntless, and the boy swallowed and took a quick step back.

Oh, uh, h-hi. Do you live here?  I'm sorry.  He cast his eyes down submissively and dropped his ears in anticipation.  The other wolf hadn't even made a move yet and already Ashlar was making preparations to depart with his belly low.

Somebody approached, and Daunty's ears perked up. It was a young(ish) one, by the looks of it. Nothing threatening, as far as he could tell, and so Dauntless rose from his reclined position and hoisted himself up into a seat. He seemed... frightened, almost, by Daunty's presence there, even though Dauntless hadn't done anything at except sit up. Odd.

Nah, just passing some time until my sister gets back, he replied. I'm Dauntless Morningside. What's your name, kiddo? Unless he wanted to be called kiddo for the rest of his life, he'd have to cough up some kind of moniker.

Rather than upset him, the nickname put Ashlar a little more at ease than a normal greeting might have.  He was more comfortable with familiar things and having Dauntless speak almost as if they already knew one another made him relax.

Okay.  M-my name's Ashlar.  His tongue still got a bit twisted, but he did offer a hesitant smile to Dauntless, and looked him in the face for the first time.  My dad's hunting close by.  He felt as though he too needed to explain what he was doing here.  It was neat that he had a sister; Ashlar had no siblings of his own.  When's your sister coming?  He had no reason to want to know outside of pure curiosity, but that overcame his usual hesitance in speaking.

The kiddo introduced himself, and Dauntless stored the name away in his memory banks. He stuttered a bit as he did it, but Dauntless didn't think much of it. Every kid was different. Ashlar explained that his father was hunting nearby, and Dauntless looked around without really expecting to see anything (he didn't).

A few days, I think. I'm just hanging out in the general area until she gets back. I traveled a long way to see her. Dauntless paused then, trying to think of how he might steer the conversation next. You want me to teach you some hunting tricks to impress your dad when you see him? he asked. Dauntless had taught Lavendar's kids a thing or two when he'd been back at Round Valley, so he was comfortable taking on a mentor role for a little bit.

Ashlar was quiet as he contemplated exactly how far 'a long way' might be.  He and baba had come a long ways from mama searching for the hollow.  It was probably the same, then, and certainly couldn't be much farther.  How could any wolf find one another over even longer distance?

Any thoughts (and potential sorrows) were immediately forgotten when Dauntless made his second declaration.  Ashlar couldn't resist the offer and his enthusiasm blew away any remaining timidity.  Oh, yes, please!  His eyes shone at the prospect of learning and, even more, impressing Gannet with the outcome.  Dauntless now held the boy's rivited and undivided attention.

Well, at least he was agreeable! Dauntless had half-expected him to excuse himself and say he wasn't allowed to talk to strangers. Instead, he seemed eager to learn something new, especially to impress his dad. Maybe all that time with his niblings really had helped him learn how to work with kids. The Morningside wolf smiled, trying to think of a good trick to teach him, or at least a helpful lesson. It would help if he first knew what Ashlar already had a handle on.

Do you know how to flush out bunnies from their hiding spots? he asked. That was one of the first lessons Dauntless could remember learning, and it didn't require too much skill to do so. Not only that, but he hadn't seen or smelled any large game, so starting small was probably the best way to go.

Ashlar wasn't sure if he knew how to do that.  The boy had never considered if there was more to it than the obvious.  D-don't you just run? He asked timidly.  If Dauntless was offering a lesson then there had to be more to it, but Ashlar asked the question before he could stop himself.  He immediately regretted it.

He kept his mouth closed as soon as he finished and watched with bated breath for Dauntless' response.  He was so big and so impressive.  Even bigger than baba, as big as Terance.  Ashlar was smitten.

Ding ding! Dauntless found his teaching opportunity. That's one way to do it! he said, not wanting to make Ashlar feel bad about his inexperience. It certainly wasn't the most efficient way, but it would work. Dauntless had been taught to guide them exactly to where he wanted them to go.

Come on over here, he said, taking a quick thirty-second walk over to where he'd sniffed out a warren. Lowering his voice to a whisper, he began to explain. This here is where bunnies live. It's called a warren, and the openings are too small for us to squeeze in there. Sometimes just running works, like you said, but you can actually make them come out of whatever opening you want! Dauntless let that sink in before he continued.

First, you try to find all the holes, then you start covering them up with dirt. That'll block off the exits. That's usually enough to get them scared, but if it's not, you can leave one of the extra openings open and bark through it. All they'll want to do is get the heck outta there at that point. If even that doesn't work, just start diggin' at that same hole, and they'll eventually come out.

The boy was mystified as Dauntless explained the logistics of the bunny burrow.  It was his first experience learning so much about the food they eat, and something about it resonated with him.  Ashlar had never considered that rabbits might be so similar to them as to have homes, nor that this was knowledge they could use against them.  It felt sad to him, suddenly, but he knew that to eat was natural.

The thought of them being trapped and afraid made him swallow.  Wouldn't they just dig out of the holes we buried? he asked in a soft undertone while he watched Dauntless start.  Rabbits dug as well as wolves or they wouldn't live underground.  Then they could just run away.

They sure will try, Dauntless explained, but not all of them are fast enough, so we get the slow ones. It was survival of the fittest in its purest form. Do you want to give it a go? I'll bet we could catch one or two if we worked together. Dauntless gestured toward a nearby entrance/exit, while he stood in front of another. If they collapsed enough of them, eventually one of the residents would have to make a run for it.

Ashlar's sympathy for the rabbits did not prevent him from nodding emphatically and choosing a tunnel.  Here he began to dig with a gusto and collapse the earth into the opening, turning the entrance into a crater.

Like this? he asked as he shoved the last of the dirt in.  He had already picked the next one he would begin.  Ever since the boy was young, digging had been one of his favorite pastimes.  He had never imagined it might come in handy in hunting.

Ashlar went at it, eager as ever. You're doing great! Dauntless said. He wasn't lying about that, either. In no time flat, they had a few of the openings closed off, and Dauntless spotted one of the rabbits making a run for it. Did ya see that! he said, eyes locked on the floppy-eared animal. That wasn't their target, though. You keep filling those holes in, and I'll wait down there for the next one to come running out.

Some might have considered this method of hunting to be unfair, but that's the way the world worked. Survival of the fittest, and Dauntless liked to think he was a lot more fit than some little bun buns.

Ashlar was getting into a rhythm with the digging and he beamed when Dauntless praised him.  Yeah? Thank you! He liked the fact that quiet wasn't needed.  Dauntless had a nice voice and the praise had the young boy glowing.

As he kept burying holes, Ashlar began to hum a light tune.  He timed the humming to the digging and it made the work seem to go faster.  Before long he was putting simple words to it.

Diggin dirt, dirt diggin.  Bunnies runnin, gonna get em.  He kicked a little dirt, then laughed and moved over to the next hole.  This was fun!

Crouching by the exit, Dauntless listened to Ashlar's little tune. He bobbed his own head along, although he remained still otherwise. His ears were cupped forward, listening for any signs of the creatures within to come running out of the warren. Then, there it was. The anxious, hurried sound of thumping. Daunty braced himself, jaw clenching and muscles taught as he kept his eyes locked on the exit.

As the creature bolted, Dauntless lurched forward, clasping his jaws around the rabbit's neck and pinning it down. Its eyes were bulging, and he wasted no time giving it a quick, clean death.

As Ashlar finished a verse he'd pick up another, either by repeating or by making up new words.  He'd always loved music and the fun of making up the song almost managed to distract him from what they were doing here.

The boy snapped back to the current goal when Dauntless caught the first rabbit.  Ashlar's eyes grew big with admiration, and for a moment he was frozen.  This man was so great and he was willing to teach him.  

That was all the impetus that Ashlar needed to come pounding over his current project.  He'd spotted another rabbit wiggling it's lithe form out of a half-covered whole just to the right of where Dauntless stood, and as it burst forth into a sprint, Ashlar made a snap for it.  He caught it on the hind end and just as it let out a horrendous squeal he bit down, severing it's spine.

The boy's ears fell back at the echo of the cry, and he dropped the limp rabbit at his feet.  His young face showed sheer surprise in how quickly he'd managed to accomplish what he intended.

We can wrap up with your next post or keep goin! I don't mind either way. <3

And just like that, his young apprentice made the kill. Whoa, great job, Ashlar! Daunty exclaimed. He really hadn't expected him to make a second kill, and yet there it was. So incredible. Ashlar was so smart. Yes, Daunty was really impressed. Your dad is gonna be blown away by that rabbit. Whoever he was, he was about to be one proud dad.

Why don't you go track him down and show it to him, eh? Dauntless suggested. I'm gonna eat mine right here, but I'll bet he'd like to see yours before you go chewing it all down.

we can wrap! I need some fresh ones on him and gannet <3

Oh, he glowed under the praise.  If Ashlar had been at all upset by the kill, the feeling melted away under the sun of Dauntless' adulation.  The boy beamed and dropped the rabbit as he pictured baba's delight.  He would be proud!

A part of the youth wanted to remain in the man's company longer, but Ashlar was a dutiful son and knew baba would worry if he did not return.  He gave Dauntless a somewhat sorrowful, somewhat hopeful look.  Maybe we can hunt again?  He asked, then picked up the rabbit once more.  It was not large but he would certainly be sharing it.

Yeah, of course, Dauntless said through a grin. He honestly wasn't sure if they would ever run into each other again, but he wouldn't mind it if they did. Perhaps Daunty might meet him with his dad next time. Surely he must be a nice fella.

Not wanting to keep Ashlar any longer, he shooed him off and dove into his own meal, crunching down on the bones and devouring the rabbit in about the same amount of time as it had taken them to catch it. When he was finished, Dauntless licked his lips and took a little midday nap.