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 Posted: Sun May 04, 2014 9:46 pm
 Storm was wandering far from her parents for once, they were busy and she felt like adventuring. The clouds were heavy with rain but she was okay with that, her coat usually kept out the worst of the weather. Well unless it absolutely poored, in that case she would just suck it up and get soggy. Storms were a part of nature and nature had to deal with it. As she moved carefully from place to place she caught a new scent. She wondered if she had wandered onto the boundary line of someone else's territory. This smelled interesting! She kept to the line with her nose down, wondering who lived here. Smelt like..two males maybe a female too? Hmm interesting, interesting. She hoped they were friendly, unfriendlies were no fun at all..not that she had met any but that is what her mother said and she could see why.
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Posted: Sun May 04, 2014 10:31 pm
 Thundercloud was out hunting, close to the borders nearest their den. It was a bit of a walk, a little out of the way when he could have gone to lands much closer and just as fertile with prey, but border checks were important enough to make the trip. Not only was it reinforcing the scent markers, it let him know who or what could also being coming and going into Yama Pack territory. Of course right now the pack was too small to keep up a constant watch. The rains were more common now, washing away old scents quicker than they could get new ones up, but once they reached summer and autumn months things should dry out more.
There was a storm threatening the skies even as he walked. Nothing like the one that had broke over them the day Iskiri had come walking into their den, but the clouds carried potential for a soaker nonetheless. Well with luck their markers would make it. It wasn't like their scent wasn't scattered throughout the land anyway, given how he, Steelspark, and Iskiri wandered when they went out to hunt. Once Starblade matured they could even began practicing taking down large prey as a group, but until then someone had to watch the kip and two weren't enough without risk of injury.
The wind picked up slightly, blowing new scents to him. Thundercloud turned his head to take them in, when something caused him to pause. Frowning, he took a deeper breath of air. A Fume? Perhaps. It didn't smell like anything else he recognized native to the land. He looked around, then selected a tree to hide him. The thick, low-hanging needles would be able to hide his bright coat and the piney smell from rubbing against the needles would disguise his scent temporarily. He crouched and waited, watching in the direction the wind blew from but keeping eyes and ears open. If this was a potential threat he needed to know.
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Posted: Sun May 04, 2014 10:48 pm
Storm walked along the line and passed a few pine trees her nose still glued to the ground. Hmm this was fun! New fumes, well she just had to meet them now didn't she. She wondered if there were any in hearing distance, maybe those males were handsome? Maybe she could find a mate here? Only one way to find out.
"Hello? Is there anyone around I could talk to?" She tilted her head waiting for a response. She was an adult now and she could find a family of her very own if she wanted. It felt kind of good to be able to chose such things.
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Posted: Sun May 04, 2014 11:11 pm
Thundercloud listened as the female posed her question, wincing slightly internally. He wouldn't have called out in the middle of strange territory with unknown occupants. He assumed she knew something was here, the brief glimpse he'd gotten she shown her nose to the ground like she was scenting something. Of course he was ignoring his own history as a tough unafraid of anything and ready to fight at a moment's notice, but such moments of convenient amnesia often came upon him when kindred recklessness showed itself.
He disengaged from the pine without disturbing it, then circled and came out into view where the female could clearly see him. "Picked a heck of a time and place to come looking for a chat, missy." As if to underscore his words a gentle rumble of thunder echoed in the air.
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Posted: Sun May 04, 2014 11:33 pm
"Well if you are not wanting to get wet why are you out here too?" She tilted her head. He had kind of popped out of no where, it kind of scared her but he also could have pounced her the same way and he didn't, which was untactful if he did mean her harm. Sneak attacks were a predator specialty. She was surprised she hadn't seen him with that bright and shiny orange coat.
"It's a nice place, and I love the moment when a storm breaks its silence, but that may have something to do with my coat and my name. My name is Storm. My mother says that I howled as a kip when the first thunder heralded a breaking storm. And to this day I only slink indoors if they are really bad or really wet. I am waiting for that moment of truth and I had stumbled upon this boundary line and wondered if any from this pack were out and about. I assume you are from here? The wind is the wrong direction or I would have guessed already."
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Posted: Mon May 05, 2014 12:15 am
"I am from here, which is why it would be perfectly normal for me to be out. I know how the weather works around here and where to go if it proves to be more than a drizzle. Most people who see a storm on the horizon, traversing strange land, they take shelter. Course most people also don't go openly wandering on pack land to seek a pack out when they know nothing about that pack."
Maroon eyes examined Storm curiously while he talked. Steelspark would have (and had) snapped at him before they knew each other (or even because they knew each other). Starblade probably would have waved away the implication that she was traveling into a potential storm; he could tell she'd grow up to be more stubborn than her mother. This female didn't seem to care, in fact even looked forward to walking into a storm. He always picked warm and dry whenever he had a choice in the matter, but to each their own.
"Well anyhow, if you like a good storm you picked the right place. We get the most rain around this time of season. Tons of lightning during the stronger ones, so usually not the best of times to be wandering. Name's Thundercloud. Not after an actual cloud or anything, it's more of a personality thing."
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Posted: Mon May 05, 2014 11:09 am
"Oh good you are from here. Its a really beautiful territory."
She smiled as he mentioned his name. "Nice name, are you often gloomy to warrent such? Or more like a real storm are you more broody and speculative about your surroundings?" She paused, "Sorry for all the questions, I'm just curious."
"I like to watch rain as well as be in it, I'm not completely crazy. I think thunder and lightning are just fantastic, but of course most of my family has lightning on their pelts so I may be a bit biased."
"So how big is your territory, are there many places you can watch storms from here?"
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Posted: Mon May 05, 2014 11:52 am
"More like a thundercloud on the horizon than one over your head pouring down buckets of rain and lightning, though I guess I could have those moments to." Thundercloud shrugged. "Generally I don't try to define myself, I make people figure it out on their own."
He turned his head to look over at the horizon, ears alert for sounds of sudden movements from the female, but he didn't peg Storm as hostile for the moment. "My territory is fairly large. How long it would take to cross from one end to the other depends on weather conditions and the route you take." He turned his head so he could see Storm. "We're not hostile from those who are just passing through, we just like to keep tabs on travelers."
He turned his head once more to scent at the breeze. There was no more than a bare hint of rain, but he was sure some was coming. He had a job to do. With another pack member now two could go out at a time to hunt, so the risk of going hungry was lessened, but he needed to get going regardless, in case Iskiri had a bad hunt.
"I need to hunt now, before the threat of rain drives game into hiding." He turned a thought over in his head, considering it for a moment, then said, "You may join me if you wish. In exchange we would share food and shelter." He gave another shrug. "It does not make you part of my pack if you do so, and you're free to refuse. I just thought I'd extend the offer."
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Posted: Mon May 05, 2014 2:20 pm
"Oh," she said to his words on trespassers, "Well what if I did want to join? What would I have to do? And I would like to go hunting with you, I've practice with rodents mostly, I haven't quite graduated to rabbit yet, but I could help somehow."
This was so exciting, hunting with complete strangers, and maybe he would let her join? A new place with new fumes, she would have to let her parents know of course but he seemed the alright type if a little stiff, but that was because she was new she was sure of it. She could be a bit straightforward for some but there was no sense in beating around the bush.
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Posted: Mon May 05, 2014 3:35 pm
Thundercloud raised an eyebrow. "I'd say give the land a trial run before you make such a permanent decision. It can be a hard life here, especially for those who don't love it and aren't willing to commit themselves to it. If you still decide you wish to remain here after you are more familiar with the land, we always accept newcomers."
He snorted. "I would also recommend improving on your hunting skills if you haven't been able to catch rabbits yet. Small creatures form the staple of our diet for now, until we have enough of the pack to safely take down larger creatures." He turned and began an easy lope, expecting Storm would follow. There was still ground yet to cover, and he kept his eyes open in case an opportune moment presented itself.
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Posted: Mon May 05, 2014 5:11 pm
Hmm maybe he thought she wasn't tough enough, well she was tough but it would be smart to check out the territory like he said. She had been known for rash decisions at times maybe she could learn more from him then just group hunting.
Polite, tactful and upfront, that is what he was. Which she appreciated. She trotted after him, working all this information over in her mind while minding her step. His fluffy orange coat was easy to follow thankfully. She wondered where they were going to hunt, not that she knew the territory at all. Maybe she would get a shot at a rabbit. They were smarter and much faster then mice but she should go for it and at least show she was not afraid to try new things.
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Posted: Wed May 07, 2014 7:58 pm
The two ran for fair span of time. Thundercloud seemed content to pass the time in silence, more concerned with keeping his eyes, ears, and nose focused on the territory around them. Finally though, as they reached a section of forest where the tree and brush got thicker, he slowed to a stop. He signaled to Storm to be silent, then turned to watch the foliage with ears pricked forward and eyes blazing with intense concentration.
After several minutes spent scanning the foliage he spotted some tell-tale movements, and nodded in satisfaction. Checking the wind and hoping it didn't turn suddenly, he moved back a bit. At a slightly safer distance, he turned to Storm.
"Looks like you get that chance to hunt rabbit after all. Thick undergrowth is popular with them, provides hiding places that bigger animals can't get to. That's why it's easier when you can hunt them in a group. Someone flushes them out, while the others wait to strike." He stared questioningly at Storm. "Which position do you think you could manage?"
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Posted: Sat May 10, 2014 8:14 pm
"I'd probably be better at flushing, then I can watch your strategy too and be better prepared when I take the catch position." She ruffled up her fur in anticipation and slunk off to a good area to start her stalk from, she would practice the stalk for a bit and then freak out once she got to some bushes and make a whole bunch of noise.
She was doing well..until she found that bed of dried pine needles which she used to make a right little racket. It worked thankfully, the rabbit shot out and she raced to watch.
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Posted: Sun May 11, 2014 2:16 pm
Thundercloud rolled his eyes a little, but otherwise waited patiently. It seemed like Storm had no real technique yet, which argued that this wasn't something she was used to. He wondered how she caught prey now. Well she had said she'd never caught a rabbit before, so this shouldn't be unexpected. She'd develop technique over time, and it was as good as start as any first-timer.
She did spook a rabbit, though it wasn't coming out in the best place for a catch on his end. More signs of inexperience, though it took a lot of practice to flush rabbits in specific directions. At least the rabbit came out sort of in Thundercloud's position.
He burst up from his hiding place and charged. The rabbit, focused on escaping the thing behind him and running at full speed, was going too fast for an instant back-peddle. There was a moment of hesitation while it stopped and tried to pick a new direction to run. A moment too long. It wasn't his cleanest kill. He got the rabbit by its ears and gave his head a vicious shake, whipping the rabbit through the air and breaking its neck.
He felt the body go limp and tossed it a little in the air, catching it in his jaws again and giving another shake to be sure. Sometimes small creatures just went limp with shock and took off once you put them down thinking they were dead. This one was pretty well dead. Satisfied, Thundercloud set it down on the ground and looked up to see Storm watching expectantly. He snorted. "Not bad. Work on sneaking up next time. If you spot the rabbit before it spots you, you can pick a direction to sneak up from and chase it towards the hunters."
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Posted: Sun May 11, 2014 2:45 pm
"Right, I'll have to remember that next time. Good catch, sorry it came out all wonky, I wasn't sure you had it but you managed." She hopped over the bushes to get to him. "They are quite a bit bigger then voles, definitely worth learning to hunt them. Thank you for giving me a shot Thundercloud."
She sat and curled her tail around her feet. This was a nice place, crunchy pine needles and all. At least he hadn't botched the hunt. She didn't think she would have been prepared like he had been to catch the rabbit, but then he was a lot more experienced then her.
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