Northstar Vale Can't Make Somebody Love Somebody

The early morning light woke him up and he blinked blearily around. His thoughts on the dreams he had the night before, of the precious faces he had loved in his lifetime. Blue eyes blinked and he stretched with a yawn. Muscles and bones popping from years of wear and tear. He wasn't old as far as most would go, but he wasn't a young buck anymore either. And years of hard living and hard working and fighting and pits, well his body was no longer as good as it once was.

He shook the dew from his fur and headed towards the water. He jumped in eyes closed, the cold water a shock to his system and waking him up. Long limbs pulled him onto the grassy earth and the water dripped at his large paws, while it pooled in the dips and valleys that made up his musculature and hide, slowly he shook it from his golden and tawny fur and stretched down into the earth then back up. He'd start a jog in a minute. But he stopped for a moment to watch the sun continue to rise.

Ike as up early too. His dad was due any day now and frankly he was nervous for him. But Ethan had assured him he was fine and he had Dasher to help him and all of Epoch. So Ike headed out of the den and slightly into the territory where he noticed a wolf of Epoch who he’d not formally met, only heard of. Reyson. He placed the name in his head. He decided to approach him.

Knowing Reyson was more seasoned than him, Ike dipped his head respectfully in greeting, allowing the older man to speak first

Reyson knew there were other wolves due with babes, but he largely ignored them. Though he realized eventually Epoch would be mostly young and barely any adults and that made him a tad nervous. Only because it would take more to feed them all.

Reyson saw the young man coming and part of him wanted to walk the other way. He wasn't up for socializing, but he realized it was an unkindness to be that way. So he dipped his head in return.

Morning. Ike is it?

Ike nodded. “Reyson, right?” He said. He also added “Morning”, as he wanted to continue to be respectful.

 “Do you want to hunt or something?” Ike asked. He was planning to hunt regardless but a hunting partner would make things easier.

Reyson dipped his muzzle down. Good morning. His voice still rough from sleep and morning air. He shifted and moved away from the youth. Shaking the water from his fur.

Then he nodded. Very well. he didn't like how informally the boy spoke, but he was not his child and he had no right to demand anything of him. And frankly put. Reyson was just sort of prickly today. So he'd ignore it for now, hoping that it was just bad mood that lay heavy upon him.

A hunt wouldn't go amiss and he'd enjoy it. So he motioned for the boy to lead the way. He wanted a hunt, then he would lead. Perhaps Reyson could help teach him something if he needed it.

Ike nodded as Reyson motioned for him to lead. The warmer weather was bringing more prey but today was cloudy and rainy so not the best day. He did manage to pick up the scent of a small herd of carribou though. He had learned basic tactics for hunting such creatures from his dad but he was sure Reyson would know better ones. So once they came into range of the herd he turned to his companion. "How do you want to hunt these? The way I know is by luring a weaker one out and hunting it by itself but I'm not sure if that's the most efficient way." He said.

Reyson listened, but said nothing at first. You can do it that way. That is probably the best way. YOu can also grab the one in teh very back and if you do it quiet enough and quick enough the other's may not even know you did it, but you have to watch for the lead stag. He'll skewer you as soon as look at you.

Ike nodded. "Can we try it that way? I want to explore my options." He said. He knew he'd have to be fast and would be risking serious injury but he wanted to try.

Reyson nodded. They could do that. it would be dangerous. But he'd make sure to be in the way if the stag came towards them. HE wouldn't allow the boy to get hurt.

Let's go.

Ike nodded. He started to stalk silently around to the back of the herd, his body right against the ground, to keep himself as hidden as possible. His white pelt didn't camouflage well anymore now that most of the snowy season was done. He got to the back, where he had easy access to the back deer, who was a doe, and checked with Reyson to make sure he was ready too. Then he lunged for the doe's back leg to try and drag her down. He had to be fast

Reyson jumped into action as the boy did and he grasped at the haunch of the creature. Though he had to turn to snap at some of the others. The herd was on the move and the she deer was scared and desperate. He raced to help Ike and watch his back. Pressing at her side to try and bowl her over.

The force combined from the boy and the man got the doe to the ground. She swung her head wildly as she buckled though and Ike struggled to avoid her antlers, hoping Reyson did alright evading them too.

He was able to get access to he throat now and hoping Reyson could mostly hold her down himself, Ike lunged in, latching his jaws around her throat and digging his teeth in before pulling out for the kill. 

The does motions imediately weakened and after a little bit of struggle, she soon stopped and lie still. Ike looked to Reyson, panting. "We did well." He said. "Did you get hurt at all?" He asked, checking himself but finding no wounds.

Reyson was fine to stay away from the antlers and the hooves. There was desperation to her movements. Ike stilled her movements and Reyson gave a snort of approval.

I'm fine. And we did. Reyson shifted and panted a minute.

Ike nodded. "My dad's a pretty skilled hunter and he started training me the ways of it when I was younger, so I think that's contributed a lot to my skill in the art now." He said though he wasn't sure Reyson would care. "Lets get this back to the pack now though." He said.

we can fade here if u want