I'm Tired of Looking for Answers

Birna settled in amongst the tall grasses that stirred sweetly in the gentle breeze. She rested down wind of the buffalo herd that was grazing lazily a ways in front of her. If they sensed her presence they made no show of it. Birna's whiskers twitched as she examined the animals, searching for signs of weakness that might indicate an animal she could reasonably take down. Honestly, she was doubted more and more each second that she could do this. Large as she was for her kind she was still a small cat and these massive, muscular creatures had added protection around their necks. This was a risky proposition.


Speech

The late morning sun was growing steadily hotter and Álarr set his back down to take a rest. He was heavy laden with herbs from the gulley as well as a number of trinkets he'd found this past trip. The travel had taken its toll and he had failed to pack enough meat for the journey. Oh he could make it back to Fireside, certainly, but it would not be a pleasant trip. As he settled down in the prairie to observe the wildlife he noticed the bison herd. Álarr hadn't a prayer of taking one solo so he didn't give it much thought til he noticed the pale cat that was watching them as well. It took him a moment but he recognized her from her assistance against a grizzly bear. Álarr got to his paws and crept closer. "I would help for a share of the meat. I don't need much."

Making his way in a lazy trot around the prairie's edge, his attention was caught by the herd of buffalo off to the side. Pausing a moment, Kuroo hesitated. From the one time he'd had their meat prior, he knew it to be delicious. Yet, there wasn't any possible way he'd be able to take one down himself. Considering whether he should try or not, his ear catches a quiet voice not far off. Turning to glance in the direction of some tall grass, he noticed a cat and wolf, both pale in color, watching the buffalo. Maybe they would need some help. Keeping his steps as silent as he could, he approached the duo with an interested expression. "Mind if I join? Could go for some buffalo," he said with a slight grin across his lips. Adjusting his weight into a more comfortable position, he hoped they wouldn't turn him down. KUROO

Her hair was finally beginning to grow back. While the black hairs seemed to be growing back much faster, she was displeased about the white splotches taking their time. It was part of the reason why she'd left the pack lands that day. She needed some time to herself to get away from the consistent badgering from Oki. Celeste knew it was all in good fun, she quite enjoyed his jokes, but that didn't mean she didn't need a break from time to time. As she kept her pace at an easy trot, the loud gruff call of buffalo caught her attention. That was an animal she didn't want to mess with alone. Thankfully, by the looks of it, she wouldn't have to. Moving aquamarine eyes over to where two wolves and a cat congregated together, the petite wolf couldn't resist. Approaching them, feeling slightly embarrassed by her odd appearance, she kept a placid expression on her face. "Room for one more?" Her baritone voice is confident and friendly as she waits to see if they'll let her join.

Celeste Akizora

I'm Tired of Looking for Answers

Birna's ears flicked back at the sound of something large sneaking through the grass. Her icy gaze soon fixed on a pale wolf with a set of curled horns growing out of his head. She stared in surprise for a moment but then two more wolves showed up including another that born a set of horns. Ram horns. How bizarre! Her raven companion had told her stories of the strange colors and mutations in this land and indeed they were impressive. She couldn't judge, bearing her own mutations but her's were far more hidden and inconspicuous than a set of horns.

Birna nodded. "Yes, I would appreciate the help. There will be plenty of meat to divide if we are successful." The question would be how best to approach this hunt. "There is a cow on the east side of the heard. I can hear her cough. My raven has informed me she suffers from some respiratory illness. If we can run the herd she is sure to fall behind and be ripe for the taking." It was not her usual strategy but with three wolves in the group she thought it best to hunt as they would but she would need to get as close as possible before making a move.

Birna slunk off through the grass, moving slowly and deliberately to get as close as she could without being noticed. When she sensed the others were ready she sprang forward, racing toward the cow. The herd suddenly scattered. Birna raced as fast as she could knowing she had limited fuel. With a leap she leapt upon the back of the cow and held on as it bucked and ran after the rest of the herd.

Álarr nodded politely to the other two wolves that joined him. He recognized the pack scent of the other horned wolf to indicate Ashen but he had no idea where the other male was from. A pack certainly but one he could not place. Not that it really mattered. He focused on the cat as she laid out a strategy. It sounded simple and straightforward which suited him fine. He could herd if needed to but this took less coordination and with a sick animal there were better odds they could run it down on the prairie. They had time on their side.

The cat slunk off and Álarr followed, breaking just slightly away to take up a position more south of the cow. When the leopard attacked Álarr charged toward the cow, snapping at her legs and seeking to make her stumble or at least run her til she collapsed. If one of the faster wolves, or the leopard herself, could get at the throat they could take it all the way down.

Kuroo listened intently to the words the cat said. While it was odd to be taking direction from a feline, he could tell she was rightfully experienced. His eyes lingered toward her raven as he nodded in agreement. Surely with three wolves and a large predatory cat, a sick cow would be easy to take down. When the feline began to slink off into the grass at a reasonable pace, Kuroo followed suit and moved toward the northern edge of the group, opposite of Alarr. He would leave the faster pace of getting ahead of the animal for the small horned girl. Keeping his eye on the sick cow as the cat leaped forward and the herd scattered, he began nipping at the other leg. Whether they would run her into the ground or take her down, Kuroo kept the pressure on the heels. Biting at the hind leg on his side, he could feel the rush of adrenaline zip through him.

Her ear twitched toward the cat as the information was laid out for them. Ah, okay, a sick cow. Should be easy with the four of them working together. The other two wolves appeared to be experienced in hunting as well. Celeste felt confident as she watched Birna begin to slink off toward the herd of buffalo. Waiting for a few steps as the two males took off after her, Celeste shifted her weight in preparation. Her muscles coiled, ready to take action, she let her gaze hone in on the herd. It appeared the raven had been correct. Lingering behind a bit, a cow hobbled along, making it apparent that something was wrong with it.

Now was her time to act. Racing off through the brush, hardly needing to lower herself due to her size, Celeste moved forward past Alarr, Kuroo, and Birna as they went for the hind end of the cow. Alerted bugles coming from the herd and the sick animal made them scatter and that would be for the better. If the healthier beasts decided the sick cow wasn't worthy to be saved, their hunt would be easier. Moving around Alarr to dip in beside the animal, Celeste kept pace with the sick beast as it tried to run. Listening to the struggling breaths of the poor cow, Celeste gave it a few nips to its front leg before lunging closer.

Her eyes waited and calculated her opportunity until the opening arrived. Leaping up on nimble paws, Celeste opened her mouth wide and aimed for the softer jugular area. Latching on as she bit down, her body flailed in the air as her hind paws fought to find purchase in the dirt.

Celeste Akizora

I'm Tired of Looking for Answers

Birna held on tight, using her claws and dexterous paws to fasten her grip. She could feel the muscles rippling as the massive creature ran but she could also hear the rattling rasping of its breath. It would not have the endurance to outlast them. Birna risked loosening a paw, launching it forward as she crawled closer toward the neck. It was slow going and as she eyed the thick fur and hide around the bison's neck she wondered if her fangs would even pierce it effectively. This might be a task for the wolves.

As if on cue the horned female leapt for the cow's throat, latching on solidly. Excellent! The sudden weight on her hind end caused the cow to stumble and slow. She bucked weakly but soon collapsed. Birna could feel the cow struggling to return to her feet and the cat swiftly pushed herself forward, precariously between the cow's horns to force its neck down farther to give the smaller wolf a better chance at solid footing.


Speech

Álarr kept pace behind the cow, snapping and driving at her. At one point he used his horns to goad her to run faster. He kept alert and as the cow stumbled and fell Álarr seized the opportunity to leap on the cow's back. He didn't have the claws or a good way to hold on but he was massive and his weight paired with the others was enough to pin the cow down. She would not be getting up again. He bit repeatedly at the cow's back, seeking to weaken her through blood loss until she eventually passed and the group could eat their fill.

Not as big or strong as the other male, Kuroo does his part in keeping the beast at a full tilt. The sooner it would tire, the sooner they could take it down. His teeth snap and gnash as the other female moves around to take aim for the throat. His eyes watch as the cat clambers up the back of the bison toward the skull. Now was his chance to help take it further. He could hear the labored and rasping breath of the bison grow louder as the drum of hooves begin to slow. Blood is trailing behind it now as Kuroo sees the other male leap onto his back. Kuroo takes his own position near the thigh and leaps on to dig his teeth in as it slowly begins to fall. KUROO

She could feel the animal's heartbeat in her mouth as the blood began to ooze past her lips. At one point, she thought she would lose hold as the bison continued to pummel its way over the prairie. Thankful for the other three who were doing an amazing job as helping take the animal down, Celeste's paws began to find purchase as she swung her neck back and forth to dig in deeper. Hot breath and spittle drenched her sleek coat as the bison finally slowed down and the light left its eyes. Covered in liquid that she preferred not to be covered in, Celeste kept her hold until the bison tumbled to the ground with the other three slicing into its body. Once the animal was rightfully passed, she released her sore jaw and took a step back to admire their work.

It was time to eat!

Celeste Akizora