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Post by Tambri on Jul 20, 2020 23:28:05 GMT 1
Tambri nodded first to No-Sting, then to Mahrak. "I think it'd be a good idea. Perhaps a pronghorn herd is nearby?" She glanced to the wolf and sent to him to start catching trails. So far she could, herself, smell there were squirrels, ravvits, and birds somewhat close to these caves, though not enough to focus on for a hunt. No, a pronghorn would provide enough meat for several elves.
"I am used to being awake with the moons. But the tribes I have lived with have had both. There are benefits, I suppose, to being awake during the day." Except sunburns. Hiding from the sun made sense to avoid that sort of pain. "Is your bond a hunter?"
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Post by No-Sting on Jul 21, 2020 18:28:21 GMT 1
"If by pronghorns you mean this," No-Sting said and sent an image of the rare local herd she'd spotted members of in the woods much farther from where they caves where. "Just asking because when I used that word with Choice, he sent me this." Her second sending held images of, to her, strange beasts with spiraling horns, a faint mane among its greyish brown fur and faint white stripes. "We're from all manner of places, it would seem, so I'm not sure all words we say actually mean the same thing."
She stifled another yawn. "Is there anything else you need? If not, I think I shall join my sister and our bonds in the Sleeping Chamber."
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Post by Mahrak on Jul 21, 2020 18:30:52 GMT 1
"That is one strange animal," Mahrak said in pure delight in response to No-Sting's second sending. "I'd love to see one of those for real one day!" Who knew what was hiding beyond the mountain chain or at the edge of the forest?
"It's warmer in the day, for one," Mahrak said, thinking of the long, dark nights in the Far White. "If we went hunting at full dark, I'm sure I'd walk into trees." He chuckled to himself. "And Longsleep here might look like a big ball of fur and laziness, but put him on the right scent and he'll impress you, I promise!" The tiger didn't have the endurance of wolves, but he had plenty of patience and was well-adapted to ambushes, especially in the snow.
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Post by Tambri on Jul 21, 2020 22:04:14 GMT 1
Tambri nodded at the two images. She hadn't thought of that. She also realized she had said 'prong horn' and not branch horn. She'd seen both, both had been referred to as prong horn. Though admittedly the second beast was a new one to herself, but similar to ones she'd seen in the past. "I mean more of a branch horn... Like this..." She sent an image of an elk or a deer. "The Prong Horns where I am from looked similar to the second one you shared. This is... definitely a strange situation. We're all from different places... I will have to remember that."
She glanced down at Spook who was no longer focusing on the strange bonds and elves, but rather trying to pick up a scent. He'd been given a task and he wanted to hunt, that much was obvious.
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Post by No-Sting on Jul 21, 2020 23:42:18 GMT 1
No-Sting received Tambri's sending with a frown of concentration. She was more tired than she'd thought. "A branch-horn should be easier to find, though as I'm sure you know they're a right challenge to take down. Best of luck to you, should you find one. The meat would be welcome, along with the hide and the horns." Another yawn. "Well, I think you and I have grown up in a similar place. What about you, watershaper? I've never seen a cat as large as yours before."
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Post by Mahrak on Jul 21, 2020 23:52:08 GMT 1
Mahrak nodded along to the sendings being shared. "Yes, I've seen both pronghorns and branch-horns where I come from too. Branch-horns are no kit's prey, but I think between me, Tambri, Longsleep and Spook, we'll give one a good fight," he said, all confidence. To him it didn't matter that he'd never hunted with Tambri or that her wolf was young - he'd been able to feed himself for turns upon turns all on his own; having help would surely make that easier, right?
"Longsleep and his kin tend to grow rather big, yes." Mahrak gave his bond an affectionate pat on the head and got a soft purr in response. "He'll never be able to dance through the trees as your bond can. I have seen lynx before, though never as up close as now. Lynx tend to avoid this big lug." Not that Longsleep ever would hunt another cat unless he was desperate for food. The idea unsettled Mahrak and he supposed that unease had touched Longsleep too. Few were the Far White elves who'd ever slain a lynx and there had been no hunt celebrations after such kills. "Should we perhaps be off then? Leave you to your sleep?"
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Post by Tambri on Jul 22, 2020 0:19:34 GMT 1
Tambri nodded. Branch horns could be taken down alone. SHe'd done it before she had Spook though it took more than one arrow and definitely wasn't an easy hunt. The kill wasn't as clean as she'd prefer. She had been lucky with a few hunts where she managed to hit the branch horn fatally in the neck. If they were lucky that'd be how they'd get this one. It was quick and didn't damage much of the pelt. Slipping her mittens over her hands she glanced to Spook who had wandered a bit farther, sniffing the air and everything else he could. "He's on the trail of something... Or he thinks he is... Best follow... Have a pleasant sleep No-Sting and... Swiftwind was it?"
She didn't wait too long for a response, heading off after the wolf. She knew that once the wolf began to scent a trail, it was best to follow. She figured Mahrak would either catch up or follow on his own.
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Post by No-Sting on Jul 22, 2020 23:57:37 GMT 1
"Good trails to you both, and your bonds," No-Sting said, managing a smile despite her wariness of Tambri's wolf. Hopefully the wolf had caught the scent of actual prey and not another bond-friend out there in the woods. "My sister over there is indeed called Swift-Wind."
The elf in question gave a wave from where she was waiting with the two anxious lynxes.
No-Sting gave Mahrak a friendly clap on the shoulder - since his bond-friend seemed less jumpy - and nodded to both newcomers as she began to make her way toward the cave. "Send if you end up in trouble. People will be out to aid you as swiftly as they can." At least she hoped they'd be. The group had a number of day-wake elves and she was fairly convinced they'd at least wake a sleeping hunter or fighter if they themselves feared going to the newcomers' aid.
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Post by Mahrak on Jul 23, 2020 0:01:15 GMT 1
"A good sleep to you," Mahrak said, happy to have received the shoulder pat. He felt like he was fitting in very well already, what a success!
Seeing as Spook looked more than ready to go, Mahrak switched to sending and followed along behind him and Tambri. **What is your favored strategy for dealing with a branch-horn? Longsleep is very good at hiding and I, though I might not look like it, am also fairly good at sneaking up on prey. We usually play it so that I distract the prey while Longsleep sneaks up on it and goes for its throat.**
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Post by Tambri on Jul 23, 2020 0:46:44 GMT 1
**Head on.** Tambri replied, scanning the region, more to get a mental map and layout of where she was at, now. **If I can land an arrow in the neck-vein of a branch horn it's over quickly. Hide is preserved, and there's little risk of being injured as he defends himself. Failing in that, I just want my prey to have a quick, clean death. They deserve that much for what they provide us.** She never liked to see anything suffer. Even humans, though she despised them, would never want them to suffer needlessly. Fortunately she hadn't had to fight many, and those she did fight, she ended up fleeing from. It was different to kill a beast. Something needed for food, for leather, for bone. To kill an elf was unthinkable, but a human? Only if there was no other choice. Humans were thinking beings, able to learn. While she feared them, she did hope that humans would learn to leave the elves alone, to live in peace.
Realizing she'd gone silent, she glanced over to Mahrak then back to Spook. The wolf was leading them away from the caves into what seemed to be a thicker patch of forest. **I think he's found the trail of something...Not sure what, just yet.**
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Post by Mahrak on Jul 24, 2020 22:46:41 GMT 1
Mahrak twirled his spear with a flourish, but fell in behind Tambri and Spook without making a sound. Longsleep fell in behind them. **Yes, quick is the best way to kill.** Safest also, but Mahrak did not enjoy the fear scent or to see the light go out of the prey's eyes. No, any death was a sad one, even those necessary to give other life a chance. Playing with prey was for kittens who didn't know better.
**Not much of a talker while hunting?** Mahrak send back, amused, after Tambri again broke the silence. **I can be a bit of an avalanche when it comes to talking, so feel free to tell me to shut up. Are you much used to hunting with elves who don't have wolves? What with you being so well versed in all manner of elf meetings, I mean.** He was genuinely impressed by what he saw as Tambri's achievements. She'd lived his dream!
Longsleep scented the air as well, but didn't share his findings with Mahrak. He seemed satisfied to follow Spook's lead.
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Post by Tambri on Jul 25, 2020 6:49:05 GMT 1
Tambri was confused by his questions. **Talk? With my voice? I honestly don't like it in general. Sending is... pure. Truth. But using your voice while hunting notifies your prey of your presence. So no, I prefer to remain quiet.** Then she wondered if he meant mind-voice. **Or... well... Sometimes I just don't have anything to say.** She tilted her head slightly then shrugged. They continued away from the caves, Spook starting to speed up. He definitely had the scent of something.
**What?** She sent to the wolf, but what she got back was an excited jumble that simply meant 'food'. She'd need to work with him on that...
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Post by Mahrak on Jul 27, 2020 0:00:18 GMT 1
Mahrak stifled a chuckle. It wouldn't do to come off as a poor hunter to a new potential friend. Not a great first-to-second impression. **I mostly meant talking as in sharing stories and words, not necessarily with mouth and tongue.** He added a flirty undercurrent to his last words as only sendings could allow. It was never too early to start looking for a furmate or three after all! **If you should ever need something to talk about, I'm always eager to speak.** Spook speeding up had Mahrak do the same. Keeping pace would be tricky, tigers not hunters in the same way as wolves, but they'd not traveled too far yet and were well rested. Longsleep would probably grumble about it but he'd get over it. It was good that tigers didn't dwell on things as elves did. Catching the scent on the wind at last, Mahrak frowned. Was that blood? **It seems we might be running into someone else's hunt.** Better keep extra eyes-high. OOC: My suggestion: Tambri & Mahrak might find a branch-horn wounded after a failed hunt by humans. Not run into any humans directly or so, but give clear proof that humans aren't far off from the holt  |
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Post by Tambri on Jul 27, 2020 0:19:54 GMT 1
**Blood.**
The single, well it wasn't really a word that Spook had sent to her, but that was what it meant. That was when she caught the scent, unaware Mahrak had also caught it. A wounded animal? Wounded from what?
Tambri mentally cautioned the wolf who immediately slowed while the elf took a wider path, circling around the scent.
**Something is wounded... not far... Did Keleero mention bears nearby?** It could have also been the resident pack of bonds but it still seemed odd that the kill of the pack would be so close to the caves. The pack had never hunted close to the holts she had been in in the past...
The scent was getting stronger the closer they got, until Tambri stopped, the wolf crouching low and ready to lunge not far away.
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Post by Mahrak on Jul 27, 2020 14:11:26 GMT 1
Seeing his flirting either go unnoticed or ignored, Mahrak shrugged to himself. There would be other opportunities.
::Prey, close,:: Longsleep sent to Mahrak, drawing in quick puffs of air to pinpoint the exact direction of the wounded animal.
**I don't think Keleero would know a bear if it hit him over the head,** Mahrak send back. That's the impression he'd gotten of the tall elf at least - he doubted the elf had been out of the caves at all, all his words and sendings on the topic vague and hesitant. **But this does look like a place where bears could roam. Might have gotten startled out of its white-cold sleep? Or maybe they have the white bears here?** That would be an issue. White bears were far bigger and more aggressive than their brown cousins. Better tread carefully.
Mahrak darted up into a nearby tree, thinking to get a better advantage for scouting. It bore fruit, with the help of the way Spook and Longsleep were heading. There was a branch-horn up ahead, wild-eyed and wounded. There was an arrow sticking out of its neck. Mahrak shared this impression with Tambri through sending, along with, **Like I said, it seems we've stumbled on someone else's hunt. Must be a big elf! Look at the size of that arrow!** He added an open sending with, **Greetings, whoever's out there! We're fellow hunters, hoping to provide for your people. We'll assist!**
OOC: Mahrak has zero experience with humans, so he doesn't pick up the clue the size of the arrow would be for other elves XD
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