Winter was little problem for a giant thing like Taiga, but many smaller predators suffered during the months where the snow fell thicker than they were tall. The enormous feline's massive paws were the biggest of snow shoes and her bulk allowed her to cut through the northern drifts. The grey and white cat often cut a path for her spindly legged companions, the trio of ungulates having an easier way than their wild cousins.

Along with the issue of travel, the cold and lack of greenery made a lot of the prey species thinner. Large groups of animals were often left hungry during the winter. Taiga wasn't picky, she would eat both the herbivores and the smaller predators if they got in her way. The smaller predators though... they often didn't have the luxury.

Taiga had just pounced on a fat snowshoe hare, her big body snapping its spine instantly. A second darted out in front of the cat and a big paw swiped out, whipping the rabbit into the air which she then caught with the claws on the same paw. Teeth came down, ending it quickly. Hot blood coated the woman's tongue and she lay down on her belly in the snow, intent on eating her snack while it was warm. She wasn't the only one that wanted a snack...

The whipping winter wind pulled the scent of coyotes right into the woman's pink nose. Russet eyes lifted from her split open rabbit to the edges of the raised drifts nearby. One by one, the pack of coyotes appeared. She could see their noses working as they scented the blood of the hares. A sigh pulled from the lioness and she rolled her eyes before rising to her paws, which seemed bigger than most of the coyotes. If they wanted to be stupid, she'd make them smart.

Behind the cat, her thick, striped tail lashed back and forth in irritation. She didn't like her meals being disturbed. So far there were six coyotes but she could hear more woofing and calling further into the forest. It wouldn't be a problem for her, but the more that showed up, the less likely it was for her to come away uninjured.

WC-372/1500

"Taiga"

The day has been normal for the small herd of unusual creatures. As they normally do, the group has split up to gather their daily food, the herbivores going one way while the giant lioness goes her own. Hooves carry the donkey through the forest as she thinks about how very considerate Taiga is to not to eat meat in front of them. Here, under the thick canopy of the tall forest, the snow isn’t as thick and the small donkey is having a much easier go of walking. Green stalks peak their heads above the patches of white and he uses his hooves kick up some of the powder and reveals the grass underneath. With his food freed of its wintery rest, the ass reaches down to crop at it with his long, flat teeth.

Nugget sits in his normal perch, keeping watch from the ass’s… well ass, for any threats. This winter has been rough for predators and prey alike and, the donkey does not wish to cross paths with any of the hungry beasts. Tail lazily smacks at some bugs that try to land on his hind end and, what his tail misses, his rooster friend happily takes care of. They continue to forage, the donkey slowly filling his belly while the peaceful surroundings lull him into a sense of safety. Long ears pick up on the sound of coyotes further away and the ass’s head shoots up, swiveling in the direction of, not only where the noise comes from but where Taiga had headed off too.

With a snort, Nugget tightens his grip in the plush fur of Oscar’s rump and the donkey swiftly swings them in the direction of their friend. Sure, Taiga could probably deal with the threats herself but the donkey will be damned if she has to face any danger alone. As a herd, they protect and help each other. Hooves thunder across the ground as the pair race through the forest, the donkey snapping twigs and crunching snow as he goes. He does not care that he is making a racket and alerting the predators to his approach. With a ton of noise, the ass and rooster burst onto the scene and find that Taiga is facing off with six coyotes.

Without stopping, Oscar races up to her side, squaring off against the predators while baring his flat teeth at the stupid predators. The sounds of even more of the creatures comes from within the tree line and the donkey darts a glance behind the six, spying more yellow eyes in the darkness. Tail lightly smacks against the back of his herd member’s leg, showing his support of her without using any words. The beasts seem uncertain now that a herbivore has come to fight alongside a huge predator and the advancing group hesitates a moment.

That is all the invitation the ass needs. With a loud bray, Oscar launches forward, barreling down on the closest coyote. Long ears pin back as he slams headlong into the creature, sending it crashing to the earth; much to the surprise of its friends. Shifting his weight into his hind legs, he rears up and aims his front hooves at the downed coyote’s head. Another bray and he comes back to the ground, the helpless predator only able to watch as those hooves bring his doom. With a loud, sickening crunch, hooves meet skull and the coyote’s body slumps sideways as its skull splits wide open.

All hell breaks loose as predators and one lone prey animal fight. Claws draw blood, teeth find flesh and hooves crack open skulls like watermelons. Growls and brays fill the air as blood paints the ground and fills the air with its coppery scent.




WC: 626
Total WC: 998 / 1500


"Oscar Monaghan"

Kyren was enjoying some lichen growing around the base of a tree whose roots were well exposed.  The exposed roots had done a fine job of offering some protection from the last snowfall so that there was very little covering them up.  He could scent some type of fungus growing in the moist ground, hidden by a layer of snow.  The reindeer raised its head frequently at any noise or smell that could mean danger.  Kyren was a bold stag and perfectly willing to take up a fight but there was no stopping some instincts and it was always better to avoid surprises and fights when possible.

“Trouble!” A raven sitting in a tree called out before flying onto the reindeer's head and then softly back up to the tree giving Kyren a betrayed look.  The raven enjoyed perching on Kyren’s antlers but those had fallen off as winter had first started touching the land.  Now he had velvety nubs that were no taller than his ears sprouting on his head and those made a poor perch for a raven.

Kyren’s ears swiveled as the giant reindeer listened, catching the sounds of Oscar destroying the forest with his fast running.  Kyren tossed his head up and took flight after the sounds and scent of his friend.  Soon enough the scent of the coyotes came to him also.  Kyren grinned, the abnormal saber-like fangs that jutted from his mouth all the more obvious as his lips curled up.  Even if he was a prey species, a coyote was no real threat.  They might go after foals and the elderly but they knew better than to mess with a grown reindeer.

When he caught up he snorted in surprise as the stupid canines were actually going after Taiga?  Mad idiots, regardless of their numbers and it was considerable.  They hadn’t run, nor paid much attention to Kyren at first other than a wary glance.  Kyren took the opportunity to rush a pair.  Front hooves slammed into the back of a coyote, causing a shriek and thud while his head dropped down to bite into the other coyote's neck to give it a good thrashing.  The taste of blood was a foul thing, causing Kyren to grimace.  

Glancing about Kyren realized the problem here had been numbers.  They were far less dangerous than wolves and many predators but they had come out in large numbers.  Well, a donkey, a reindeer, and a king kong sized cat should be able to handle this easily enough.  

Seeing Taiga was busy beating up a pair of coyotes already Kyren charged towards another that seemed to think sneaking up on her might work.  What were these animals thinking?  This coyote had already seen Kyren kill two of his kind and it shrunk off when Kyren got in close.  The two squared off, Kyren stomping the ground twice with a front hoof in a warning.  Were they mad to go picking such a fight?  

The coyote suddenly turned and attempted to flee, apparently wiser than some of his friends.  Kyren jogged after it but didn’t bother trying to actually hurt it.  Once the canine was sufficiently far away Kyren gave up the chase.

Word Count 534
Total 1532 / 1500

"Speech"