OOC I am setting a post by date for this: first round ends a week from now on the 23rd. If you don't post by then, you WILL be skipped. No posting order

Takeshi had gathered several wolves from both Ashen and the Armada for a hunt. It was easier now that his ability to speak was out in the open, so he could give instructions as needed much more efficiently. In the end, it was three Armada wolves; Magnus, Grimshaw and Kotori, and 3 Ashen wolves; Yaeume, Ike and himself. Honestly, he was a bit skeptical about having Magnus tag along, considering his lack of a limb and his frankly concerning baldness, but the man had insisted he wouldn’t hold them back so the Ashen prince relented. He’d instructed Yaeume and Grimshaw to pull two large sleds in addition to himself to transport the meat back to their packs when finished, where they would divide it up evenly. It was never too early to stock up for the coming seasons and in case of an emergency, that much was evident from the past few months.

They’d ventured several days south of their packlands into the south of Auster, where the massive prey animals they sought out resided. He’d made the decision that they would go after a Rhino. Though the animals had a thick outer hide, all of their attendees were quite massive themselves and hosted a variety of mutations that would aid in their endeavors. This, coupled with their companions, he expected to provide a fruitful hunt.

They arrived at the Dragon’s Blood Grove, his nose twitching as he scented a herd of Rhinos nearby. He shrugged out of the harness strapped around his chest and shoulders and gave himself a shake, the fur where the leather had been coated in a fine layer of sweat. He waited for Yaeume and Grimshow to drop theirs as well before turning in the direction of the herd. Despite his ability to speak, he frequently found himself reverting to his ingrained silent ways. He led them over a small crested hill, where they were able to overlook their prey. His glowing red gaze squinted, trying to single out the best choice for them, and after a few moments he spotted it. “There, in the back. There’s an old cow, probably doesn’t have much fight left in her. Ike, Kotori and Yaeume, you’re on herding duty because you’re the fastest. Magnus, Grimshaw and I will be on take down, though it’s going to take all of us to put it down most likely,” the boy said. It was surprising to see he was much like his father in his manners of speaking; short and to the point.

He turned, making his way to a good hiding place until the trio secured the separation.

"Speech"

Upon her recruiter's orders she and somone she didnt know pulled each a cart where they would later on carry the meat of a rhino, yes such animal was in today's menu. Ume didnt mind, almost all of their hunting team were large wolves, and with them they had a chance. Not certain but possible if each one of them did their part efficiently. She always worked that way, fast but with quality and she expected everyone to be the same, she hoped so. Arriving and leaving her sleigh behind she walked up to the horned teen ready for the plans. She and "Kotori" would do the herding. She was fine with it hoping whoever she was paired with was ready. "We will do." She said as if she expected Kotori to agree too. She had brought her katana with her and her servant, the more jaws available the best.

"Speech"

code by Shelby, art by Uwycorne

Kotori had jogged along easily for the trek, more so because he didn’t have to pull a cart.  Pulling carts was something meant for lower-class wolves, not a prince.  Kotori also wasn’t one for listening to others on what to do unless such wolves were above him in status.  It grated on him but if he wanted a chance to hunt some seriously large game he had no choice but to deal with it this time around.  

Kotori gave a simple nod of his head when informed he’d be doing the herding.  How this other wolf decided who was faster he wasn’t sure of but it also didn’t matter too much.  Kotori had decent speed and was likely faster than those who just had to pull the carts all the way here.  Did he really think he knew who was fastest or just trying to look good?  Whatever, guess, or knowledge it didn’t even matter.

Kotori had never seen these creatures before and wondered when Takeshi had been here before to know them by sight and or smell.  Kotori had spent a bit of time in Auster exploring and it surprised him that he’d never spotted creatures that should have been so obvious.  Somehow the giants had hidden or just been in a different location when he had passed by.  Still, there they were.

There was no doubt in Kotori’s mind that ‘herding’ would indeed be a short thing before they all tried to take down those massive beasts.  He could already tell hunting as a large pack would be hard as it meant teamwork.  Kotori had a rather independent streak in him.

"Kotori Fatalis"

Grimshaw was quick to jump on the opportunity to take a trip down into Auster to hunt with some wolves from Ashen as well as some of his own pack mates. He wasn't familiar with either of them, but he recognized them and kept the talk to a minimum during their travels. Although his infection had taken it's toll on his body, Grimshaw was quickly regaining his strength and weight back so felt little stress about tagging along. He even offered to pull the three legged, bald pack mate on the wagon he had to pull anyway. The man wasn't exactly light, but it was a long trip and despite the mans insistence, offered to allow him the decency of some amount of rest on the journey. It took a few days, but he didn't mind. The meat he would be pulling back would weigh much more and having the steady weight to pull out there was just a little bit of training if anything.

When they got to their destination, it was a place that Grimshaw admitted had never been to before even during his time down in the Hallows. If he wasn't on a hunting party, he would make a short day trip to visit Artorias. Though with five other wolves, Grimshaw couldn't take the time for himself down here. When they settled in and found a rhino cow to pursue, Grimshaw nodded in agreement about the plan.  

"Speech."

Although Magnus had insisted on joining the hunting party and argued that he wouldn't slow them down, he couldn't have been more grateful with the nearly adult pack mate offered him a ride on the wagon he was asked to pull for the meat they were going to be bringing home. Although his hair was gone, it was regrowing slowly each and every day. He still wore his cloak to keep himself protected from the sun and prying eyes of others, but he was growing confident that his coat would return sooner or later. Next time he'd think twice about taking a bath with a strange ball of mud from an even stranger creature. He didn't know what he was thinking in the first place believing them, but there was little he could do about it now.

He didn't like leaving the safety of the Armada, but he felt like the fresh air and change of sights would be good for him. He hadn't ever been Auster, that he knows about anyway, and was interested in seeing what was down there. He knew of a pack, but beyond that it was completely uncharted territory to him. It took a few days to get there, and even some more time to get to where the young ashen boy was taking them to hunt. He was well rested through the trip wit the frequent wagon rides, but was careful to give the kid breaks sometimes. Besides, he'd have to walk the whole way home. Better get used to it now.

When Takeshi found a good target, an older rhino cow that looked as if he would keel over at the mere sight of a gang of wolves, Magnus agreed that it would be the best animal to go for. While he'd never hunted a rhino before, they definitely looked like a hard animal to bring down.

"Speech."

Shuriken followed her brothers lead, again feeling the guilt tug at her belly and the voice at the back of her head speak. She wasn’t good enough for this position. She wasn’t graceful enough, fast enough, good enough. It felt like a constant drone. She continued to compare herself to her siblings and she continued to fall short. She was glad they avoided the Hallows, seeing Ezra would only remind her where she stood. She was lesser than her siblings, she was lesser than that girl.

The princess shook the self depreciating thoughts from her coat as mismatched paws carried her along with Take. This was going to be a massive endeavor two packs in the making. Ike prayed she didn’t mess anything up too catastrophically. She held her head high and tried not to blush too bad when she tripped, and stood next to Take when they finally approached the herd.

He put her, Kotori, and Ume on the herding part. Ike nodded quick and acceptance. Rolling her weight to her toes and focusing her gaze on the target. An older individual that probably didn’t have much time left anyway. Then it was time to go. Ike looked to her partners and headed towards the massive beasts. She looked braver than she felt as the girl raced towards the horned creatures.


"Speech"