Bearclaw Valley Ladybugs will flee you, wolves run wild in you
6 / 2 THREADS
506 Posts
Ooc — Chelsie
Tactician
Offline
#1
All Welcome 
Not mandatory for anyone, Aventus is just rallying the troops. Merrick and Astara tagged for reference but the former can always gate crash!

It was time now for Ursus to pick up its pieces. Time for Bruin-jaw to usher them into a new era, centered around the protection of its newest. Whatever had come before, Ursus was now a pack of primarily family, and those who were not his blood were, he hoped, at least loyal enough to hold the title. Time for them to prove their worth.

From the glade where @Astara slept with the newborns and @Merrick lingered as sentinel, Aventus prowled with purpose to the flowerbeds of Rivenstone. The surrounding foliage wasn't as well-maintained as it usually was, with the pack's numbers dwindling and his parents recently occupied, but the wildflowers were beginning to transform from young buds to full-fledged blooms, so the view was inviting all the same. Aventus spared no time or thought for the beauty of it, himself; he tramped through them almost without regard and came to stand in the center of the clearing.

Then he tilted his muzzle to the sky and called for the remaining wolves of Ursus, for @Solaria and @Ashlar and @Arielle, to attend him for assignments.
Firestorm
90 Posts
Ooc — Liv
Offline
#2
Solaria came quickly, almost as if she had materialized out of thin air. Though this was most definitely not the case, the fire-nape came from the trees and came within the Bruin-Jaw's sights, standing like a soldier at attention, awaiting orders.
this is my book
and i know how to work the spells and charms in it
i know them all
1,610 Posts
Ooc — ebony
Master Warrior
Master Missionary
Offline
#3
cameo <3

drooping eye started as his son's proud howl rose from the direction of the meeting-place.
another iteration of the bear-witch might have shown himself immediately, preoccupied with thoughts of a coup.
but since his red girl had gone, and since ursus had shown them favour in the form of more children, merrick had kept himself resigned and mostly unseen, gone to ground. not with his blackbird, of course; he still wore her toothmarks in a ring around the orbit of his remaining eye, and retained a healthy worship of her. but with himself, and with his gods, an endless loop of hunting and listening and slumbering nearby.
he would let the boy alone. merrick had no doubts in aventus' piety. the bear had shown favour to their eldest. the bear-man would listen. would heed. would remember his own holiness and responsibility.
merrick settled himself again.
355 Posts
Ooc — hela
Offline
#4
Arielle had always been fascinated by the beauty of flowers, even as a small girl. So she was no stranger to center of the territory where the meadow seemed bursting with flowers of various colors. This was her first time ever seeing such a place and she had no idea it could look even prettier than it already did. Admittedly, she spent more time here than anywhere else in the territory, never skirting her duties, of course. Well, the duties she assumed should be hers. She had managed to catch a few rabbits and a vole or rodent here and there; hunting wasn't her specialty by any means, but she had managed to get by on her own, and had learned a couple things at least. Patrolling was another story. She understood the mechanics of it, but as someone who had never fought with anyone before, she had trouble believing that she should be patrolling in the first place. She felt marking the borders should be left to the leaders, and since fighting was mostly out, that didn't leave much reason for her to be near the edge of the territory in the first place. Still, she tried occasionally, deciding she could at least alert the rest of the pack to danger if she ever stumbled on it. 

Today, she had deposited a rabbit in one of the caches, and then found herself wandering near the flowers again. It was warmer here than in the mountains, which she enjoyed very much. She had just inhaled the delicate scent of an indigo flower when she heard his call—Aves. Her presence was requested and his howl sounded serious, which instantly made her heart beat quickly in her chest. She wondered if she had done something wrong and was now in trouble.

Whatever his reason for calling her, she thought she better face it now and get it over with. Her stomach knotted at the thought that she might have let Ursus down in some way, but hiding from the problem wouldn't get her anywhere. 

She trotted into the clearing, tail and ears held down in submission. She took a seat in front of Aves next to a packmate she didn't know very well. Her gaze settled on his chin, never meeting his own, and then she waited for him to speak.
600 Posts
Ooc — Starrlight
Offline
#5
Aventus' summons would have previously been answered immediately by the boy who now lurked in their territory, but this new state lent reluctance to him. He had never before had reason to question, but he found himself wondering why he should. They had given him no answers, they thought him useless. He wished to prove that he was not, but that didn't mean he needed to jump when they told him to.

He didn't like these new thoughts. They felt bad, like a rot in his mind. He shouldn't be thinking this way.

When Ashlar joined the group, he did so silently, and stuck to the fringes to watch cautiously. Despite the complexity of the changes occurring within him, he was curious; Aventus had never called them together like this, and the bear king was nowhere to be seen.
6 / 2 THREADS
506 Posts
Ooc — Chelsie
Tactician
Offline
#6
They came, trickling in one by one. First Vesta, dutiful and prompt as always; then Arielle, who Aventus watched closely out of some mysterious interest; and finally Ashlar, bringing up the rear, hiding his thoughts well despite his reticence. Aventus looked at each in turn, and then smiled.

He didn't smile often. It was an eerie thing, a brief slip of yellowed teeth between his lips.

Ursus welcomes new life, he announced, swaying his tail to put the others at ease and release a little of his own tension. He was uncertain how to feel about the new arrivals, but Aventus knew his role in Ursus. He knew their protection was of the utmost importance. Even if they rose again him one day. Even if they walked the crumbling path Avicus had chosen. He would deal with that as it came.

We hunt now to feed their mother and fatten them, he said, peering at Ashlar now. He hadn't forgotten the chocolate wolf's demand that he fight, even if he appeared ignorant of the other's turmoil. And make an offer to the bears for their favour. We reinforce our borders, strengthen our hold on this land. Protect them, at all costs. But first, we hunt. Silver eyes darted to Vesta, then Arielle.

Who among you would like to lead the hunt?
Firestorm
90 Posts
Ooc — Liv
Offline
#7
At attention, Vesta listened as Aventus spoke, telling of the newly born pups and keeping them safe. 
He spoke also of reinforcing the borders, and hunting for food to keep everyone strong and fed. 

Then, an open extension, an invite, to lead a hunt. 
Looking from Arielle to Ashlar, seeing none of them step forward in the moment...
Solaria took a couple steps forward and swayed her tail in wide sweeps. 

I volunteer. 
600 Posts
Ooc — Starrlight
Offline
#8
A hunt and an invitation.

There was no sign from the boy of stepping forward to lead. He remained where he was as a silent fixture, listening and absorbing the instructions. They weren't what he'd expected, but his misgivings eased as the challenge put forth was clarified.

Of all of the things, a hunt he could do. It did not even cross his mind to think he could lead it, however, and he waited patiently until the inevitable occurred. There was always someone suited.

Without a word, he glanced to Aventus, then took the few steps to close the distance somewhat between himself and Solaria. Whatever came, she would find a willing support in Ashlar.
6 / 2 THREADS
506 Posts
Ooc — Chelsie
Tactician
Offline
#9
OOC: Since I've let this get a little outdated, I'm happy to continue the hunt in-thread or fade out with them going off to hunt, whatever you guys would all prefer!



As always, Vesta was forthcoming in her desire to serve Ursus. Neither Ashlar nor Arielle stepped forward to take the helm, which was disappointing, but thankfully, the red-saddle Starbone had no qualms with leading. Aventus tipped his chiseled muzzle toward her.

Vesta shall lead, he announced. If nothing else, he was glad to see Ashlar supporting the Starbone. If he would not lead, he must at least support. Arielle seemed more distant, somehow. Aventus considered her with silently pursed lips, then shrugged the feeling off. This was meant to be a celebration of new life in Ursus. No use speculating on the moods of those present.

Aventus gestured for Vesta to pick their quarry and lead the way, flanking her on opposite shoulder from where Ashlar stood.
Firestorm
90 Posts
Ooc — Liv
Offline
#10
I'm down for a fade or a new thread! gets Vesta more posts lol, and if we do a new thread maybe we can dice roll to see if they get a moose or an elk? <3


Solaria nodded once, firm, as Aventus announced her lead for the hunt. With this, as the Bruin-Jaw came to her other shoulder, the fire-nape sniffed the air.

Moose? 
Elk?

Something.

Briskly, Vesta decided there were not enough here to take down such large prey, instead sniffing for a deer or something else a little smaller.
 
Nothing. 

Would she be seen as ambitious, or an idiot? With a hesitant exhale, she headed for the scent of the quarry. 
What would they find?
355 Posts
Ooc — hela
Offline
#11
i'm fine with fading out. sorry for holding things up!


She had been a little distant. She was not very confident in her solo hunting skills, and she had never hunted with a group before, so she was feeling a little out of her element. But she wanted to look strong and capable in front of Aves and had gathered up the nerve to offer herself to lead, not thinking of the disastrous consequences. But the other woman had beat her to it; it made anger bubble in her gut, slowly simmering and building. She had stolen her chance to prove herself, and Arielle was having trouble being reasonable about it. She imagined Vesta falling and getting trampled during there hunt and smiled to herself. If only she could be so lucky.

Her focus was pulled back to Aves as he spoke, and she quickly trotted forward to join the group, silently watching and entertaining more dark thoughts in her mind as they moved.
600 Posts
Ooc — Starrlight
Offline
#12
Id slightly prefer finishing here, just because a thread would be backdated around 2 months if we started one! But it doesn't matter hugely <3

Last time he had helped, but this time he was determined to do more. He had not gotten a bite on the prey, had simply served as a piece in cornering it. No one had told him he was wrong in doing so but still he had felt like it was not enough.

Today would be different. There were fewer of them and it would take all to bring this down. Ashlar felt his fur prickle at the tense feeling in the air, likely caused by the anticipation of what was to come.

She was good at finding what she looked for. He made a note to ask her later, Solaria, how she knew what to do. If he was ever thrust into leading he would have frozen. He did not know how.
6 / 2 THREADS
506 Posts
Ooc — Chelsie
Tactician
Offline
#13
OOC: I'll fade and archive here assuming they succeeded at whatever they went for, then! I'd be happy to have a present day hunting thread with Vesta at Silvertip Mountain if you were wanting one for trade purposes, Liv!



With all that settled, and a sidelong glance at the silently simmering Arielle, Aventus fell in behind Vesta. It didn’t take very long for her to find a trail and follow it to their hapless quarry.

Though none of them, save perhaps Vesta, was well-versed in group hunting, the four Ursus wolves managed to corner their prey and take it down with minimal injuries. They feasted, and Aventus imagined their collective spirits rising. When all was said and done, bundles of meat were parceled out for caching and Aventus carried a chunk back to his parents, tail waving. He was proud of the combined efforts of Ursus, and held each of them — Arielle, Ashlar, and Vesta — in higher regard than he had before.