Coran was both surprised and disappointed to see that the Druid's Moor had been claimed. He'd woken that morning to do some work by the ruin stones, but alas it wasn't meant to be. Instead he headed eastward to Wolfpaw Lake, scouting the area for prey. A chill was in the air, damp and cold, it clung to his bones and caused him to shiver. Coran knew movement would make him feel much warmer, as well as a warm meal.

Parting the cattails and reeds, Coran moved to the lake to drink and there, about 50 feet down he saw a small herd of white tail deer. There was a doe bending her head to drink and a few other does nearby grazing. He also saw a buck approaching the little group. Quietly, Coran settled down in the reeds, searching for opportunity.

"Speech" || "Thoughts"

The little woman was tired, drawn out. Hunger was getting the best of her in all honesty. She was waking up from her slumber not far from Wolfpaw Lake, after her long adventure to The Runestones. It was a beautiful sight and how they shown and glistened. She came to study them, it was a surprise even to her that they stood firmly. Finding herself thinking about them more since she came across them and a male that could have easily caused her damage, but didn't. Although at times - Identification feared she was annoying him how she would ramble on.

A few days maybe even a week passed by, she couldn't tell because of traveling around the place that the butterfly had called home. Fall was in bloom - causing the days to remain warm but then the nights much cooler. Fic did not mind the cold, but she was growing hungry. And day break. She would spot another blonde off in the distance, not far at all. Ears perking forward.

Paws set into motion, carrying her across the ground, emerald eyes catching sight of the deer. Mouth watered. Hunger set in more than before. Her body moving closer towards Coran, a small low chuff was given. Moving down wind, were she would lower into the weeds, that were thick.

The deer continued grazing and drinking from the waters of Wolfpaw Lake. Their ears erect staying alert, but relaxed still. A few doe turning to see the buck making his way closer to them. White tails flicked.

Fic's features tensed and relaxed, her breaths coming slow but shallow. Ears twisted back slightly, hiding herself a bit better or attempting too.

Keen eyes focused on the deer, searching for signs of weakness. He almost missed the perfect target, bedded down in the grass a short ways off from the does. A young buck, wounded, the light of the morning sun just reflecting off blood seeping from a shoulder wound. It seemed the buck approaching the does had been the victor. Coran moved carefully, about to stalk closer when a small, fawn-colored woman appeared, offering a gentle greeting.

Coran offered her a gentle smile in return. A hunting partner would greatly up the chance of success and of course he had no problem sharing. There was more food than he could eat. Coran gently gestured with his head to where he saw the injured buck. He looked to the woman for confirmation before he started to stalk forward. He sought to get to the other side of the buck, in hopes that when the young lady rushed it he'd be able to cut it off.

It was a slow game. A deliberate game. Coran moved cautiously, pausing as needed and moving forward when the deer once again bent their heads to graze. He was aided in this for his pelt was the color of the autumn grasses and his brindling markings helped him seem to fade into his surroundings.

At last he reached the far side of the buck and he settled in to wait.

"Speech" || "Thoughts"

Emerald pools scanning the deer that lay ahead. Watching, waiting. Looking towards the masculine whom appeared to smile gently in return. Letting his eyes lead her own, spotting the young antlered buck. The scent of blood wafting upon the early autumn wind. Knowing that the two of them would be allowed and more than able to take the buck down.

Fic crawled slowly and closer before she would allow herself to rise up and chase it towards the brute. If they worked together they would eat today. And it would help the hunger pains that made her stomach twist and turn. Soon the male went out of veiw but sniffing for the direction he lowered down into. Identification crept slowly and carefully as ears planted against her skull.

Making sure that she was on the correct side of the deer, she would knowingly have to watch out for the antlers that could easily injure her partner and or herself. Flanking the buck, who's ears twitched to catch any sight or sound from the two preditors with no luck. Her body relaxing, but at the same time tensing. Crouching more against the dewy cream colored grass, careful of where she placed her paws.

Her tail still, was it time? Did she feel ready? She watched as the buck rose from it's resting place. It was time. Identification rose quickly, her paw pads slapping the ground with every careful placement. Stearing the buck towards where the male hunkered down. Snorts were released from the other deer, as they stomped a few times then darted off to the horizon.

Fic's focus was locked onto this deer. Darting back and forth when the deer would do the same to try and loose her. Head lashing out to try and get part of the hind legs. Without clamping and watching when the buck would lash out it's legs at her every so often. Growls emited from the little female as she stayed on course.

Coran kept still and quiet. He watched the young buck stir, seeming to sense it was being watched but unable to locate where the danger was coming from. Instead it bent its head to lick at its wounds. Coran's blue eyes flicked from the buck to where he felt the woman would be. She too blended in well with the grasses of this area and it was hard to say exactly where she was. Wait, there she was! he kept close watch, his muscles tensing as he waited.

The buck's unease grew and it stumbled to its feet. At that moment the young woman raced forward. The buck turned and bolted through the undergrowth with the woman on its heels as Coran readied himself to spring. As soon as the buck was within range Coran leapt out of his hiding place, powerful hind legs propelling him forward and up. Coran snagged the throat of the buck and held on tight. His upper arms wrapped around the base of the bucks neck and he held on for dear life. It proved no simple task for the buck would not go down easily. It shook and tried kicking at him with its front legs. Coran tucked his tail over his gut and held on til at last the buck collapsed and soon passed.

Panting Coran released his grip. "Whew! That was a good hunt. Thank you for your help, my name is Coran. I'm happy to share this meal with you!"

"Speech" || Thoughts

Identification felt her mind stagger towards the male who clamped down upon the bucks throat, it wasn't anything but easy. Now the slightest pain from her muscles set into motion, the buck staggered, trying to kick out and connect the young woman thankful she was quick as well as sure footed. Fic though she was hit at first, maybe she was even. But it didn't matter. She had helped this stranger to make sure he was able to eat and as well as herself.

Surely, there was more than enough meet as the males words drifted to her peaks, jaded pools looking to him. As he introduced himself. Coran. I'm happy to share this meal with you. That excited Fic honestly, she couldn't honestly remember last time she had eatten. Tossing his name and his statement around within her mind. Not knowing if if was such a good idea. "I'm Identification. And I agree it was a splendid hunt. It's nice to meet you Coran."

She would sit there for a moment, allowing the male to start eatting first. Her mouth watering, as her tongue fell from the small gap, panting as her sides rose and fell. It was a well worth it hunt. Watching him carefully, to make sure he was not injured in anyway shape. "Are you sure? I didn't do the heavy work that you had done. Only steering the buck in your direction."

"A pleasure to meet you!" Coran replied after the woman introduced herself. Identification was a curious sounding name to him but he had heard stranger in these lands. Coran settled himself down at the neck of the deer and started pulling the hide apart to get to the meat. He ate a few bites before noticing that Identification was slow to join him. Coran licked the blood from his maw. He smiled gently at her. "Of course! I could not have succeeded in this hunt without your help, and besides there is more here than I could eat alone anyway." And it wasn't like he had a pack or anyone that needed him to bring food home. What didn't get eaten here would be left for the scavengers. Coran returned to his place at the deer's neck to continue eating.

"Speech" || "Thoughts"

Her eyes looked towards the male then the deer they had taken down, noticing the smile that crawled across his maw. She'd make her way slowly towards the fallen buck, and picking a spot that she always enjoyed. "I believe the scavengers will also be feasting after we are done." She shivered, hearing the sound of Violet approaching with ease, then flying towards the closest branch. As her teeth sank into the fawnish brown blanket, sinking into the coat she'd pull it away. Revealing the meat that she wanted. Taking a few bites. Coran was kind though to share his kill. He could have easily chased the young woman away, and not allow her close til he was finished with his fill. Thankfully he hasn't. He was gentle in a way and kind soul one could say.

The young woman would lift her head for a moment, cleaning the blood as a few deer watched as the two feasted upon their fallen companion. A few scavengers flying over the duo within the sky, not enough to alert many others just yet, but enough to be cautious over. She was a cautious woman though. Turning back to the meat at hand, she began to eat again.

Coran savored the warm meal, knowing that winter for a lone wolf would be a time of scavenging. While there were some prey he could catch on his own, larger prey like deer would be difficult unless he got extremely lucky. He wolfed down a few more big bites before glancing up at the nearby trees where he saw a raven land. "Indeed, as nature wills it. Our prey's sacrifice will feed many hungry mouths." He glanced at his own buzzard companion, hanging out in the trees until the wolves were done. It was nothing Coran dictated. He was absolutely willing to let his companions feed beside him but the buzzard preferred to wait. His caracal had gorged herself on a rabbit earlier and was likely sleeping somewhere in the underbrush.

Coran turned his focus to eating, tearing as much of the meat off as possible for every minute the scavengers would grow in number and there was also the risk of a bear or other large predator zeroing in on the kill. He'd finished most of the neck, leaving the spine exposed to the air as he started on the shoulder.  Soon he had eaten his fill, sitting back to lick his maw.  "I think I'm finished, how about you?"

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The woman was almost finished, winter would be setting in soon enough, and well winter months could become very hard upon loners, she would be blind not to take notice about this, her coat warmed under the late autumn sun which was not a little higher in the skies. Ears twisted as a few crows flew in, landing in close trees, waiting their turn. Taking a few last bites of the meat that was offered, she would back away, licking her lips. Turning to the male before her.

"I think it would be good for a rest, but appears that winter will be here soon enough. Thank you for allowing me to eat with you" Lifting her paw she would clean if from the blood which dropped when she had ate, making sure that the ivory wouldn't stain as quickly. She wondered what winter would bring for her and anyone around. "I am hoping that winter isn't harsh as we know it could be." Fic stated out while moving a way slightly to allow his companion to come eat also. Watching curiously.

"Speech!"

"Certainly! Thank you for your assistance." With a full belly he'd be able to make the trip back to the plains. With a pack having claimed the moor it meant going back via the rocky and dry terrain of the Redwater Rocks. At least now that it was autumn the journey wouldn't be as sweltering and harsh as it would be in the summer.

Coran nodded at the mention of winter. "I agree, I also hope there are no strange phenomena this winter. I must admit the long nights of northern lights, while beautiful, have set me on edge. I've just never seen anything like it." All that said it could simply be nothing. A beautiful happenstance but the brighter skies as the nights grew longer just conjured thoughts of the Long Night. A period where the sun never seemed to rise, when day became night and night remained.