The icy waters had washed her up onto a snowy shore, and from there, she had no other option but to go south along a craggy ravine. Though flat, the tundra landscape felt familiar, and for a while she felt comfortable, hopeful that things would be right once more. Further down, however, the temperatures began to increase rapidly. The summer season was in full swing with clear skies and a cricket choir to help lift her heavy spirits, distracting her from worries of what her uncertain future held. As the ravine gradually turned into a grassy expanse dappled with slender evergreens, the ivory canine considered her options.

Her only goal had been to run until she could no longer see the mountains. The steppes had flattened out into icy plains, with long stalks of grass so immaculately frosted it appeared artificial. It stretched on until the world's end, or so Muses thought until she found herself in an abrupt free fall down to inky waters below. Her next memory was of fridge waves forcing her body onto an unfamiliar shore. Since then, she could not shake the sinking feeling that there was no turning back. Perhaps the gods truly did exist, and she was being punished after all.

After passing a sprawling wall, testament to the prowess of the beasts that roamed the world before them, there was little to see. The worn travelers' path was mostly straight across immensely forgiving terrain. Her pace remained a stubborn walk, for she was determined to save her energy. Hunting on her own yielded far less success than when she was with a group, so she had to be mindful of how she spent her calories. As she came across an ancient battlefield, however, she was quick to make an exception. The scent of iron and the foreboding aura was enough to make the hairs along the back of her neck prickle. She loped out of there, slowing only when the scent had weakened considerably, and the sounds of a fast-flowing river overtook the eerie silence.

Odd metal fragments lay buried in the dirt and sand, prompting Muses to stop, cautiously inspecting them. They smelled somewhat like rocks, but strange things as well; chemicals that the white wolf could cot comprehend. Shorting, she tried to rid her airways of the scent, rearing back and prancing forward, silly as a pup. Little, playful antics always cheered her up considerably, and she used the moment of fun to inspire her to keep going, despite the heat and loneliness.

The boy’s silvery paws carried his hefty body over the plateau, hunger gnawed at his belly as his rusty muzzle scented the air. Iron clung to the breeze, reminding Oxide of the scent of blood. Not against scavenging when forced to the Nightingale thought himself lucky to come upon an abandoned kill. When he came across the first rusty shards buried deep in the green of the grass he had been sorely disappointed. With a disapproving snort he had lifted his head and continued on, frustrated.

Always seeking a better vantage Oxide sought out a high point, deep garnet gaze sought purchase on the horizon. With a little effort the boy found a low hill, he scaled the side of it leading to an old metal carcass. It was huge, with many intricate but rusted pieces creating another hill on top of the dirt hill. Ox carefully picked his way up to the top of it and the landscape opened up to him.

He stood silently, his red eyes scanning the plain below for any sign of life. When he finally found what he was looking for he didn’t hide his disappointment that it was another of his kind. The boy watched her from the distance, far enough he couldn’t quite make out her eye color. She seemed young in her antics, jumping around like a deer fawn. If he were not so hungry he might not have made the decision to approach, but two were better than one in searching.

Oxide carefully descended from his perch, and lightly made his way closer to the she wolf. He didn’t try and hide himself as he called out briefly his approach. ”Greetings, lady.” Oxide offered with a quick nod of his head when he was a couple yards away.

As her curiosity grew, so did her bravery, as she sniffed and pawed at the strange pieces of metal, yet never managed to figure out what they were. Before she had spent much time speculating, however, she was approached by a young wolf, his tones almost familiar enough to mistake him for a relative of some kind, perhaps around her age, she figured, noting that there was a lankiness to him that favoured yearlings. Even the males in her family often took three or four years to fill out fully.

She dipped her muzzle in polite acknowledgement, feeling the prickle of unease tug at her ears. Fighting against the feeling of laying that, she offered a shy smile, her tone friendly, with a hint of recognition, as if they were already acquainted. It was a practiced response, metered and carefully thought out, polite without setting herself up to be put in an uncomfortable situation. With so many family members cross bred and inbred, it was difficult to keep everyone straight.

"What can I do for you?" Spoken calmly, kindly, she could have been opening herself up to a usual exchange between two comrades, though her mind raced as she wondered what the stranger could possibly want with her. There was something else - a trained subservience - that was clear in the words she used. Used to a heavy handed, patriarchal tyrant at the helm of the pack, she immediately opened herself up to tasks of servitude without second thought. The prospect of a hunt, however, would soon whet her appetite; a task that she would have wholeheartedly agreed either way.

Her bright amethyst gaze was turned to stare back at him as she offered similar motions of greeting. Her head dipped softly as she faced him, and Ox wondered if he saw recognition in her eyes. The Nightingale boy was sure he hadn’t met her before, but was amused at her vocals as she answered him. There was no verbal greeting in return, only the offer of assistance. The boy felt his rusty lips pull up, knowing he couldn’t have received a better answer. His empty belly protested again as he looked her pale form over.

”My stomach is empty,” he almost mentioned his lack of proficiency in hunting. Oxide wasn’t about to admit weakness to the strange girl however. ”I am in need of sustenance and haven’t crossed paths with anyone else.” Did he outright ask her if she had a kill nearby? Did she want to take on a hunt with him? ”Can you offer any assistance?” While he preferred to take advantage of those around him he also knew that equivalent exchange was important. Sometimes he could take advantage, but he doubted he would today.

Muses tilted her head, curious, waiting for the youth to continue. He was hungry, but she did not immediately register an offer to help him. Hunting had been a joy she had been begrudgingly allowed to partake in, yet she had been forbidden from joining official hunting groups, or hunting beyond a certain range. Her role, first and foremost, was as a priestess. Although it no longer applied to her, it was a difficult mindset to shake. Rust tipped ears twitching sympathetically, she considered the male's situation for a moment. His size and build would have made him a poor choice as a hunter, but paired with an adept partner, he could be formidable; the kind of wolf to take down moose rather than rabbits. With just the two of them, however, they would have to hope to come across prey that they could realistically take down together.

"I don't know the area well," She hesitated, hoping to offer him full disclosure. Hunters often ran with adrenaline surging through them, and sometimes things could get heated between hunting wolves. Should he redirect his frustrations onto her, she would be torn apart. "But we can hunt together to find something to fill our bellies." Now that she thought about it, she was feeling rather hungry herself. She would need sustenance sooner than later, and hunting with someone else would ensure it could happen. "Are you... are you on your own as well?" This was her first admission of being alone in the world, and she hesitantly sought someone to connect to.

She was curious about his offer, tilting her head innocently as he asked his questions. She seemed to think about the prospect for a long moment before she answered with honesty. ”I don’t know the area well,” Oxide didn’t either, but he didn’t make mention of the fact as deep ruby eyes watched her. She agreed to his suggestion though, deciding two was better than one. He hadn’t much expected her last question though, and rusty ears visibly perked as he looked her over once more.

She was rather dainty, not likely a warrior at all. There wouldn’t be much threat from her realistically and all Oxide had was to gain. Though she seemed unsure about being alone, Ox embraced his freedom. ”Yes, I’m a loner.” He didn’t have any ties and no one held him back. ”I prefer it that way.” His words were deep, with his upcoming second birthday he was so near fully grown all that gave him away was his scent. ”Why, do you not enjoy it?” He offered another question as he attempted to close the distance between them just a bit more. Hopefully a little small talk about bring her around to trusting him a bit more.

The answer startled Muses, who could not imagine how anyone could stand to live alone. She had spent the entire season of spring on her own, and was certain that if she did not find a pack to join soon, she would die. Even as she tried to emulate each one of her sisters, take on their strengths as her own, she found she was deeply lacking. As she had been told time and time again, she was good for only one thing, and with only those words echoing in her head, she had begun to believe it.

From his tone and concise words, she thought that he was perhaps not one to talk, not interested in learning more about others, but he posed yet another question, more meaningful this time. She stood her ground, unafraid, lost in contemplation. It was clear that she did not want to be alone, but it required more explanation, she felt. "Of course not." She allowed her tail to hang in a neutral posture at her hocks, before elaborating. "I am a winter wolf. Not even the strongest survive on their own in the mountain range I used to live in." To venture alone meant almost certain death. Her instincts urged her to stay within her pack. "And I'm not used to it. I had many brothers and sisters growing up." Too many to count. So many that she craved the noise and chaos of dozens of wolves interacting within the camp. The relative silence was unnerving, and she inched closer instinctively, happy to be present near someone alive.

"Shall we see what's been through the area? Hopefully more than just mice." She suggested with a smile, pulling away only to get to work, lowering her head to start teasing apart the various scents she came along. For a moment, she desperately allowed herself to hope that hunting with the other wolf was every bit as exhilarating as it had been with her sisters.

Oxide had grown up with his mother, and his uncle. He never knew his sire, didn’t know his name or what he looked like. Occasionally a cousin or two would show up, and more frequently than Ox liked to remember his mother or Deimos brought home one fling or another. There were only two wolves who were constant in his life, and they both had despised packs. That feeling had easily been passed onto the young boy. Oxide valued his freedom above all else, and that meant from the rule of packs as well.

”Of course not." While he might have realized most wolves preferred the safety and comfort of a pack he never really thought about it. In his mind they were all forced to stay there and take up responsibilities and families. The Nightingale boy couldn’t stomach it. He hadn’t ever really been alone either, always there was Nysa or Deimos. The three of them had forged their own way, stealing when times got rough. She presented a picture of her young life that Oxide couldn’t comprehend. He was the only pup, the golden child from Nysa’s loins.

She wen ton to ask about their meal, and the boy couldn’t deny changing the subject. His stomach growled in protest and he nodded in affirmation. ”There may have been some warthogs further up.” He thought he’d taken in their musky scent. They were tough, but two wolves could take one. They could more easily dig it out of its burrow even.

More than anything, she wanted to be able to forget the ache of loneliness and loss. She craved the intimacy of friendship, but it was worthless if she perished from starvation. Food first, talk later. The rush of conversation as she and her sisters finished their meals together was perhaps another reason why she enjoyed a good hunt. It seemed nearly blasphemous to waste any more time, once they had entered an agreement together.

Following his lead, the ivory canis concentrated on the scents that reminded her of pork. She dared not ask what the strange name meant; warthog meant nothing to her. Nonetheless, she attempted to conjure an image in her head of what it would be. Likely a pig of sorts (brown, she imagined), with tusks (because that would be just her luck), and covered in warts. Hesitant to reveal her ignorance, she looked back, tipping her muzzle to indicate that her companion should lead the way.

"We can decide a strategy once we find them." If they found the warthogs, though Muses anxiously hoped that they would. "I used to hunt with my littermates, and we each had our own specializations." She mentioned offhandedly, padding along, carefully searching. She spoke absently, voice intentionally low so that she would not accidentally scare anything off. It was strange to reminisce, for in the months since the incident, she had not spoken about such things. Now she felt numb, nearly hollow.

It was good to see the woman had no intention of denying his suggestion, she moved with him as he shifted in the direction he thought they might find them. The bulky boy lowered himself so he might not be seen as easily through the grass. With one rusted ear in the woman’s direction and the other pointed towards the land ahead of him he heard her lowered tones. He nodded in response, the less words the better.

”What was yours?” He all but whispered as he slowed, garnet gaze peering to his right as he thought he’d seen movement. When he was satisfied it hadn’t been anything silver paws pulled him further forward. Pushing his nose into the air he tried to scent for the wild pig like creatures.

Again he saw movement, but this time it was definitely what he was looking for. It couldn’t have been better either. A sow and her nine piglets. He felt himself grin widely as he motioned for the girl to look in the direction he pointed. ”What should I call you?” His tones were low and his voice soft. He looked towards her as he spoke so she might actually hear him. ”I’m Oxide.”

Muses turned to the male, a wide grin stretched over her maw. She was typically humble, but knew she was a talented hunter, and was proud of it. Her "No one else can keep on prey like I can." The lower altitude of their location, compared to the towering mountains she had once prowled also provided a bit of a boost to her oxygen intake as well. "One sister was an exceptional tracker, and the other one was strong enough to take down prey even some of the males struggled with." Her pride for them was clear, eyes shining with light as she spoke.

As they neared, the scent of warthog became clear. From it alone, she could gain a plethora of information; the gender, relative age of the sow, number of piglets, and their health. She frowned as she looked in the direction that the silver and copper male pointed, seeing movement past the sparse foliage and the downward slope that kept the family hidden from the main path. "Let's settle downwind and wait until the mother goes off to forage." Though it was posed gently, almost like a suggestion, she had already turned, carefully seeking out somewhere to lie in wait.

"You may call me Muses." She rather liked setting it up that way; it did not have to feel like a lie, as calling herself Muses did now. Spotting a sheltered space behind a weathered concrete barrier that looked more like a misplaced rock, she made herself comfortable, folding her limbs to lay squarely, her chin resting on the pitted blockade. "Once she goes, we'll grab the two least fortunate." Briefly squinting into the distance, she tried to see if any of the piglets appeared significantly weaker or sicklier than the rest, but they all seemed very much the same upon first glance.

Oxide couldn’t help but perk his ears as the she wolf proudly spoke of her talents, his rusted brow lifted as she spoke also of the sisters she had once ran with. Her eyes bright with excitement brought about by her reminiscing her voice remained quiet so they didn’t disturb their intended prey. As Muses words filtered from her pale lips Oxide nodded, his movements a mirror of her as she shifted in the direction she’d intended. He stored her name to memory, finding her title a bit odd but not worth saying anything.

The Nightingale boy lowered himself to the earth beside her, but he kept all four paws touching the earth. He held himself so he might spring at a moments notice, Ox was not comfortable. His stomach wouldn’t have allowed it anyway, as hunger reminded him that he must be perfect in this hunt. Oxide nodded again as he agreed with her plan, his deep ruby gaze flicking to the sow. Her back was turned to them, and he thanked his lucky stars the piglets were big enough they were venturing farther from their mother.

The swine seemed content enough, and Ox wouldn’t put in effort to fill the silence between them as they waited. Silence would do them best now as the boy watched the mother warthog disappear through the grass. He looked back to his accomplice and felt his lips pull back to display his teeth. It was showtime.

"Speech"

The pair waited in relative silence, watching the family mill about, the piglets winding down just as the mother began to grow restless. Although her eyes remained semi-hooded, a pair of lavender slits nestled against an ivory backdrop, she was watching keenly, ears erect, quivering slightly with each change in the breeze, or sound made by the prey. They were about to take part in a complicated dance that could result in spectacular injury. Even the smaller tusks of the sow could cause serious damage if it caught a wolf between the ribs, or deep in the flank.

"Stay close." Was the only additional instruction she offered, before slinking forward in a predatory crouch. She moved, inch by inch, an ear cocked in the direction of the mother hog, listening to her ambling footfalls grow more distant as the seconds trickled away. To keep her mind occupied, she considered which piglet she should aim for, before finally deciding that she would simply pick the closest or easiest one. One per wolf would keep them satisfied until their next hunt, or so Muses hoped for herself.

When the timing felt right, she launched forward, darting through the brush while trying not to make much of a racket. She stooped her shoulders, head lowering and jaws parting as she aimed to latch onto one of the little creatures at the base of it's neck. Without slowing her pace, she clenched her jaws firmly, hearing a satisfying crack echo in the cavity of her occupied maw. If they put enough distance between themselves and the sow, she would likely remain with the survivors of her brood, rather than pursuing them further. Anxious to ensure that the warthog was not yet on her heels, and that Oxide had not lingered, she glanced over her shoulder, breath caught in anticipation.

”Stay close.” Was all she gave him as the woman moved in the direction of the piglets. Oxide mimicked her movements, sitting low in the grasses as he tried to hide his silver and copper fur from altering the sow or the young ones to his presence. He remained in Muses’s trail as she led the way and broke off as she did to get his jaws around his own piglet. As the young warthog’s scattered he chose the one that took off after the one Muses aimed for. It zigged when the other zagged though and Oxide had a little trouble gaining purchase on it, but with a properly aimed paw knocked its feet from beneath it.


The boy picked up the creature with ease then, grabbing round its throat as he raced after the lithe female and avoided the sow that was quick to return at the sound of her piglet’s distress calls. Ox worse an amused grin on his face as he caught her from the corner of his eye and she ran to charge at them. The Nightingale picked up his pace to avoid a goring as she halted and returned to the remaining brood, likely to never let her eyes from the remaining hogs.


He raced on past Muses, knowing he just had to move faster than her. The sow had quit already, but he raced her anyway, his prize still slightly struggling in his jaws as he searched for a good place to enjoy their meal.

"Speech"

The piglet hung limply in her grasp, swaying slightly with the give of fresh meat yet unaffected by rigor mortis. When she could confirm that she was in the clear with her own prize, she could dare to relax a little, a far away look briefly overcoming her piercing stare. The euphoric feeling of filling her belly with food she had earned was most satisfying, but it seemed that there was a hitch in her plan to immediately gorge herself. In the desolate far north, there was little to worry about when it came to other predators. She would have happily stopped in her tracks to feed herself, but it seemed the rust marked male had other plans.

As her pace slowed in anticipation of a sooner stop, she saw Oxide blow past her, the scent of competition hot on his heels. It roused her, heartbeat skipping a beat as she picked up her feet, legs pumping in order to close the gap between them. There was a hint of a spark that nearly lit her fire, but instead of pushing herself, she remained steadily behind the larger wolf, parallel to his flank. There had never been any reason to compete, not for her, so she found her motivation to win under developed. Everyone else was so focused on reaching the top, that it seemed more satisfying to help than to conquer.

Ahead of them was a little rise, where dense scrub provided an ideal cover, both shaded and private. Muses lifted her muzzle to attempt a rather muffled chuff, gently calling out to indicate that she had seen somewhere nice to settle for the time being. With a little smirk, she pulled away, veering off to take a shortcut, though her actions were teasing rather than challenging, her stride decelerating to a casual lope, and her attention temporarily preoccupied as she scanned the space for a cozy nook.

When he realized she was running with him the game became so much more enjoyable. Eventually the piglet stopped squirming in his jaws as the two of them ran together through the grasses and beneath the trees. Eventually the she wolf shifted away, choosing a nice place he had almost missed. He easily caught up to her, but took the position she had sported earlier. Oxide ran with his chest perpendicular to her hips and followed to the thicket.

He didn’t waste any time in settling down over his meal, the boy plopped unceremoniously on the ground. One rust marked leg balanced him and the other paw lay protectively over his kill. Ox’s tongue lolled out of his mouth as he caught his breath before digging into his meal. "Good hunt," he offered breathlessly as deep ruby gaze fell back onto her pale features.

"Speech"

It took Muses a little longer to settle, looking for just the right spot, pawing at it before she settled, and then finally arranging the piglet before her, all in what appeared to be meticulous ceremony. However, once she was done with that, it did not take her long to dig in, ripping open the chest to start at the soft flesh that was easiest to eat. Gnawing on bone and cartilage, her eyelids lowered, hooded gaze distant and blissful. It was always a treat to go for a run after a hunt, to burn off the excess adrenaline, and ease into the sleepy comfort of eating in good company.

"You're not a half bad hunter yourself." She joked in between mouthfuls, shooting the two-toned boy a playful wink. Among her family, it was common knowledge that she was naturally talented as a hunter. They would often joke with her, somewhat ruefully, as a priestess would never be able to go on the big hunts that could provide food for the family. The risks were too great to chance the life of someone so valuable. Oxide did not know that, but he resembled her brothers just closely enough that she could almost pretend she was sitting down to eat with one of them. At ease, she stretched out, and flopped onto her side, now merrily gnawing on the bones, lilac eyes all but closed in contentment.

Oxide caught his breath as his company took her time in finding a place to settle. His tongue hung from his mouth as he panted heavily to cool down. As she found her preferred place Ox finally caught his breath and started to tuck into his own dinner as she offered a similar compliment. He was not a natural hunter, but he enjoyed to fight more than most. He was an explorer with paws that never sat still.

”It’s not my best quality, but I do enjoy eating.” he joked back as he peeled the skin from the piglet’s belly and started in on the bacon. Arguably it was one of the best parts of an animal considered swine. Muses seemed content and much too comfortable in his presence. As her gaze narrowed and she relaxed Oxide allowed himself to look her over. There was no wolf for him to compare her to in his own life, maybe his father had been of lighter fur? But as far as he had seen his mother was dark pelted along with his uncle and his sister. She was just Muses, his hunting partner.