Brandr had hesitated a moment at the wall before leaping over it and continuing into Celestial's territory. He was a new member, but with his free time spent in loner lands with his family he had yet to really connect with the Celestial wolves and he didn't quite know what they would think of him. His scent was mixed but still spoke strongly of his outside origins. Most of his duties had been border patrol but now it was time to make good on his promises to Gwen and call together a pack hunt. He'd had the fortunate luck to spot a herd of mule deer crossing the southern border. They had some older fawns with them and an older doe that moved as though she had arthritis or something wrong with her joints. There were some good options there depending on the number of wolves that answered his call. He tipped back his head and howled for the wolves of Celestial to come to him. Brandr hoped that Gwen had told them of her deal with him and that he would not be attacked outright. "Talk" "You" Think

ooc: If you have a Celestial wolf feel free to throw them in, even if they don't have a skill in hunting. If fighters want to join we can plan on having a rival predator ambush the group. If a healer joins I can have Brandr get injured, etc. Just hop on in and we'll work something out so everyone gets points!

First Round Due Oct. 24

Gwen glanced up with interest when Brandr's call rang out through Celestial's territory. Oh good, a hunt. She wasn't a hunter in particular, though of course she was good enough to get by, so a pack hunt would be a good time to brush up on that, and of course it went without saying that everyone would benefit from the team-building that went with it. With a stern word to her children to stay away from the hunters, and leaving her cat friend to watch to make sure that they obeyed, she set out to answer Brandr's call. She was surprised to see that only Brandr was there when she arrived, but given the pack's recent circumstances perhaps that was to be expected. Aurielle seemed to keep to herself quite a lot, and the rest of the pack seemed to take that as an excuse to be distant from one another as well. She couldn't remember the last time she'd seen Regulus' mate and son again, or Regulus for that matter. Gwen sighed and wrinkled her nose. What was she going to do if this inactivity kept up? What could she even do? When it came down to it, she wasn't alpha. It was up to Aurielle to bring the pack together. If Gwen constantly did so for her, she would never be able to make do without Gwen, and would never really be able to lead. Still, it troubled her to see the pack's morale so low, and Gwen knew she would have to try to do something about it eventually. She mustered a smile for Brandr as she approached him. "What were you thinking of going for today?" she inquired. Purely out of curiosity, and to pass the time until the rest of the pack got there, not out of any need to quiz him.

He had been slowly making his way back from the sandbed where he had some failed small game hunting. Because of that his mood was further dampened. The pack had been to quiet, he hadn't even visually seen his brother since his return and Lais was beginning to feel like he was literally the only one left in his family. Surely this wasn't the same pack his family had originally built? (He never had a history lesson so he didn't know much about the pack's history) He trotted back with his mind full of thoughts. He didn't know who he could turn to or even talk to about his feelings. He didn't know what in the world he could even do or if he could even help. The pack needed activity, to show the world the powerful force that came through the raid. They needed to recruit, to get more members. Maybe they even needed to move, he didn't know, but he didn't feel it was his place to voice any of this. He was just starting into the was where a distant howl made him pause and listen. Someone was calling a pack hunt together, something that perked up his mood. Picking up his pace he began running to make a quick pass through the wash. He wanted to participate and hoped that there would be success and bonding. He was a distance from the call, though when he arrived he only saw two gathered. He was panting as he walked up beside Gwen, giving a quite nod to the both of them while he focused on catching his breath and getting prepared for the hunt. "Laisren Talk", & 'Laisren Think'

Brandr mentally worked out a few possible approaches as he waited for his packmates to show. He favored looser strategies as hunts tended to evolve rapidly once they were underway and plans laid out before the action started rarely ever went perfectly to plan. However, he trusted his packmates to roll with the punches and pull the team together to victory and a good meal. As expected, Gwenevere was the first to arrive. Brandr assumed that, as the alphess, she was generally the most alert to the calls and changes going on in her pack lands. He smiled at her and dipped his head in greeting. "Mule deer!" He didn't bother going into detail as he'd need to repeat himself as soon as everyone else arrived. Everyone ended up just being Laisrén but that was fine with him. Three wolves would be enough to take a mule deer. He was yet unfamiliar with the make-up of Celestial and just assumed everyone else was either sick, too young or too busy. He dipped his head in greeting to the man. "Thank you both for joining me. I noticed a mule deer herd moving past the southern border of the plains when I was traveling into the pack lands this morning. One of the does appears to have some joint trouble in her legs. I believe she'll make for a good target. Please, follow me." Trotting into the plains his pace would slow to a steady walk as they slipped through the grasses. Down further, near one of the streams, was a small herd of mule deer grazing on the sweet summer grasses. He gestured toward the doe, closest to them, who was drinking from the stream and whispered, "That one, that's our target. I don't have a complicated strategy as she's not at full health." He didn't see any need to have someone circle around and indeed, that would be nearly impossible with the way the rest of the heard was scattered. "Our endurance is greater than hers and with the vastness of the plains we should be able to run her down before she can get to shelter. I would like to approach slowly at first though to eat up some of the distance. Then on my signal, we rush her. She will likely fall behind and when she tires that is when we move in. Laisrén, I hope I have your name right, if not feel free to correct me, I will leave the killing bite to you. Any questions?" "Talk" "You" Think

ooc:  
Second Round Due Nov. 8

Laisren, not unexpectedly, also appeared in answer to Brandr's call. Gwen smiled at him, nodding a greeting. The younger male had always been punctual about answering the call for hunts and meetings. He never complained, always contributed. If he made the effort to put himself forward he'd likely make a solid middle-ranked or higher wolf. He didn't seem ambitious though, so perhaps he was avoiding a rank deliberately, rather than simply being overlooked.

Brandr on the other hand had wasted no time before stepping up to lead a hunt. His divided loyalties could lead Aurielle to ultimately decide to keep him in a lower rank, but he was giving her a much needed break from carrying the pack and for that Gwen was immensely grateful. The more ranking wolves, the more wolves taking the initiative, the less she had to do as a leader. She could simply be another wolf in the hunt, instead of needing to call it and lead it.

Brandr explained to them what he wanted, a simple strategy but one that would likely prove effective in the situation he had set them up for. Gwen met his eyes and gave a firm shake of her head and a smile. She was ready.

It seemed the hunt would only be a trio something that made his stomach sink. He didn't understand what made the pack so.... quiet. Even his own brother had grown distant, even before his daughter had taken over. He kept his emotions hidden, wanting to be more focused on the hunt. His feelings and thoughts he could dwell on later and maybe find someone to express them too. Right now to him it felt that Gwen and her kids (aside from the newer fellow here) were the only ones active within the pack. His eyes focused on the male as he began to tell them of his strategy. To him it sounded like it would work, it sounded like that had the best set up as well. They needed more opportunities like this to help keep the small pack supplied for the winter. Lais quietly fallowed the male towards where the intended target would be, when the male's pace slowed and quieted he did the same, ears alert and eyes looking around them to find the herd of deer. He took in the herd, but redirected his attention to the doe that Brandr pointed out, his eyes scanning her form and taking in her movements. The take down plan would work, stressing and wearing down the doe until she didn't have much fight in her. It was simple to fallow and he was more then ready. As Brandr stated his name he looked towards the male giving a small grin and a nod to tell the male he had the name right. He would get the finishing kill which was fine by him. When he asked about questions he shook his head no and waited to fallow Brandr's lead. "Laisren Talk", & 'Laisren Think'

Brandr was pleased that his plan was clear enough that no one had any questions. At least he hoped that was the case and they weren't just merely being polite. Either way, he felt pretty confident. Brandr slipped into the autumn grasses, the golden tones of his coat blending in beautifully with the terrain. He slunk low, melting into the as he approached. It was a lesson in patience. Several times he'd had to pause and wait for the deer to settle back down. Moving the final few paces forward he waited. The doe was done drinking and now grazed a few feet from the stream. He trusted that his compatriots were in their positions. Now it was time to hunt. Brandr barked sharply and burst from the grasses, barreling straight for the doe. The deer panicked and scattered as Brandr accelerated. The older doe bolted at a 90 degree angle away from him and he turned sharply to follow. He continued, relentlessly chasing after her. "Talk" "You" Think

ooc:  
Next Round Due Nov. 24 Tea, if you'd like fight points for Gwen feel free to introduce a predator at your leisure.

Gwen followed readily as Brandr led the way towards the herd he had sighted, then moved somewhat apart from him as they made their approach. She wasn't a dedicated hunter, though she did well enough to provide for herself and her children, so she took care to keep herself well out of Brandr and Laisren's way. She wasn't used to hunting in groups and didn't want to risk the hunt by getting in someone's way unthinkingly. She concentrated on keeping her pawsteps silent and as much as possible avoided anything that would mark her position by moving. She moved in fits and starts rather than steadily to disguise her movements and before long they were in position. She had time to take a deep breath and crouch low, nails digging in, to ready herself to launch into a run.

Brandr's sharp bark rang out as a signal, and Gwen surged forward towards the panicking mass of deer. The doe they'd targeted broke away at an angle, and Gwen pivoted to follow, neatly bracketing her as Brandr chased her. He had judged right; the doe's joints whether from injury or disease or age were not up to the task of outrunning them, and they were slowly gaining on her as she fled. Up hill and down dale they chased her, until they were almost upon her.

Bunching her hindquarters she kicked it up a gear, going from that ground-eating endurance run into a sprint that brought her up beside the doe where she could slash at her flank in a spray of blood. Given Brandr's position she hoped that the more experienced hunter would work to hamstring the animal, and the trio could continue to wear her down until Laisren could get to her throat and end it.