He had spent the night in a thicket of grapevines. Something about the way the foliage intertwined itself to create a roomy but also dim interior enticed the boy. Managing to slink in through a small opening, he had curled up against a tree and eaten grapes for dinner. Not his favorite, but definitely not his least favorite either. With a somewhat full belly and protection from the elements, the boy was able to slide into a light sleep. When he awoke the next morning to gentle sunlight streaming through the canopy, his stomach was already rumbling again. With how quickly his long legs were growing and the bulkiness of his muscle and leaning puppy fat hung from his frame, he needed more than just a branch full of grapes to satiate him. Stretching away the feeling of sleep, Wilder slipped out of the confines of the Grapevine Cathedral to make his way northwest toward the shores of Auster. His trajectory would be the coastline - as much as he disliked being out in the open beneath the sun. He could already hear the distant slapping of waves as they crashed against the sandy coast. Surely he would be able to catch something of worth out there! As he approached, his bright vermillion eyes caught sight of something unusual. Where sand and shells would normally be was water. Had that been why the waves sounded louder than normal? His brow scrunched ever so slightly as he turned to look up the coast to where an inlet fed water out into the ocean. Maybe he would have better luck over there! Hesitating at the border of whatever pack he was smelling, Wilder stared at the creek that appeared to be practically overflowing. The rumble of his stomach pushed him over the border and soon he forgot that he was even trespassing. Instead, he focused on the task at hand. Food. Approaching the overflowing creek with long strides and sure steps, he doesn't slow down until his front paws are ankle-deep in the creek's water. Looking up and down the creek, he doesn't notice anyone yet and figures that he can probably get away with some hunting before anyone notices. Having not perfected his technique of fishing, Wilder stands still as he peers into the clear waters. Lowering his muzzle until his whiskers are brushing against the cool surface, he watches and waits. With how deep and fast the water was, there surely had to be something! Some small fish zip by him and he knows they aren't worth even attempting. It isn't until he notices something scuttling along the bottom does he try. Eyeing the slim and long thing with what appeared to be claws and really long whiskers, Wilder watches it until it stops and starts to shuffle its way into a larger piece of wood. Dipping his nose into the water, he opens his mouth and tries to catch it. What happens instead is pain suddenly radiating across his nose. Pulling back and out of the water, the yearling stumbles across the grass and lands on his butt. In the process, he let out a yelp of pain that quietly echoed through the trees. He blinks tears from his eyes as he lifts his paw to his sore nose. "What the hell was that?" Wilder mumbled to himself as he recovered from the shock of being punched by a mantis shrimp. Approaching the water once more, he crouches down until he is lying on his belly with his legs tucked under himself. Lowering his chin closer to the muddy ground, he peers into the clear waters of the creek. With the water being so high and rushing in from the ocean, its scent is salty and sharp. No wonder ocean creatures were able to survive this far inland! Staring with his bright vermillion eyes, Wilder watched them with both ears perked and muscles tensed. He would be ready if that mean creature punched him again. While patience wasn't his best virtue, he would try. He wanted to figure out what had socked him in the face. As his body stilled and only his breath would barely ruffle the surface of the water, he finally saw them. Quite a few of them actually. Large shrimp with big opal-colored eyes and beautiful colors of red and green that shone under the surface through the reflecting sun. Amazed, Wilder couldn't tell if he was mad that such a tiny thing had caused so much pain or not. Maybe he could be quick enough to catch one... Lifting a paw slowly, he waited with bated breath. When one of the shrimp scuttled out from under its hiding spot, Wilder dipped his paw into the water at the shrimp. Once more he is met with a striking punch to one of his toes. A frustrated noise leaves him as he retracts his paw and gives it a shake. "You little shits," he rumbles under his breath as he lets out a growl. Now he was determined to get one! Watching as the shrimp retreated back under the rocks and hollowed out logs to their hiding spots, Wilder didn't care anymore. He was much larger than them so he would not be bested by them! Standing up, he hovers on the shore over the water. Readying himself with a deep breath and tensing of his muscles, he lunges into the chest-deep water and shoves the rocks in different directions. Sand and dirt cloud the water making it impossible to see anything. Instead of being successful, he is, for a third time, punched in the toe, but multiple toes this time. Yelps leave his mouth as he springs from the water and back to the safety of the shore. His ears pin back and his lips pull up into a snarl as he lets out a growl. "Stupid shrimp," he hisses under his breath. Feeling defeated and frustrated, Wilder begins to travel farther inland along the creek. Maybe there was a pond he could find with actual fish he could catch.

wc: 1014

It seems like more and more wolves have been wandering into Ethne pack lands lately with little thought given to the fact that they are trespassing. Haydée is running a patrol when she finds the stranger’s scent on the breeze and she quickly changes course to intercept them. The wind drives her scent away from the stranger and she is effectively hidden in the tree line, small form obscured by the underbrush, as the young leader pauses to watch the huge, unknow male approach the creek.

Green eyes squint suspiciously at the stranger, ready to drive him off if he seeks to harm her pack but, for now, she will remain hidden. The wind continues to work in her favor, as the young man approaches the cool water and she curiously watches as he attempts to fish. The young woman is forced to stifle a laugh when one of the shrimps that scuttle along the bottom pinch his nose and she has to press a paw to her mouth as her form quietly shakes. While is able to keep her laughter quiet but the amusement is clearly expressed by her body.

Haydée continues to remain hidden, watching as this poor wolf attempts to fish and is only reward is pinches. The stranger steps away, growling at the shrimp underneath the water and she reads defeat and frustration in his posture. As he begins to follow the creek further inland, the young woman detaches herself from the shadows and causally moves toward, gently saying, “It is easier to catch the shrimp if you use a net. Otherwise…” she stops a short distance away the male and juts a paw out at his nose as she finishes, “they can hurt.”

Even though the young man is trespassing, to Hay he simply appears to be hungry so she tilts her head and says, “Though, if you are hungry, I suggest you try some of the fish that we catch. They are much more filling.” A warm smile appears on her maw as she looks at him, ready to offer him aid or her teeth… depending on how he reacts.


"Haydée Kedieo"

Still rather embarrassed by getting whooped on by some measly shrimp, Wilder is startled when the small girl appears out of thin air. His eyes widen, ears moving forward, and his tail tucks slightly between his tail as he turns to look at her. Something about the expression on her face tells him that she had seen what had happened and his mood sours a bit. If he had known he had an audience, he wouldn't have continued picking on the shrimp.

"I noticed," he answers gruffly at first because who wouldn't be slightly disgruntled when someone half your size sees you get beat up by something the size of a, well a shrimp. Expecting to get kicked off the lands because from what he could smell, she smelled definitely like these pack lands, he was surprised when she offered him some real fish. His expression changes once more as he lets his head tilt gently to the side and his stomach growls loudly giving away how hungry he is. "You sure? I'm not a beggar though. Not too fond of handouts either," Wilder's words are blunt but hesitant. He doesn't want the girl to think he's a scrounger or some desperate youngster who can't fend for himself.

"Speech"

The male seems surprised by her sudden appearance and girl tries her best to stifle the chuckle that bubbles up but, even if the sound is strangled, the corners of eyes still crinkle with laughter. Gruff words are offered in response to her comment about the prey and Haydée causally tilts her head, eyes considering the stranger as she reads the fact that he is disgruntled by the fact that the shrimp had won. While the girl might be embarrassed by a lot of things, getting bested by a prey you have no clue how to catch certainly isn’t one of them.

Yet, the warmth of the smile on her lips does not dim as she looks at the young man and offers him some fish that Ethne has caught. A rumbling of his stomach greets her offer and Hay laughs softly but sobers immediately as he speaks. With a gentle nod, the young woman is sympathic to his stance. Thinking for a long moment, she finally says, “Well, how about a trade then? All the fish you can eat in exchange for helping some of our hunters replenish the stores?”

It is a simple offer and one that Haydée believes is fair with the circumstances that has brought the stranger across her borders. She keeps the fact that she hopes to also teach him some more ways to catch prey to herself… for now.


"Haydée Kedieo"

The small woman's proposition has him considering it. On the one hand, he wasn't fond of the idea of sticking around her pack. On the other hand, it wouldn't hurt to have some more fish for dinner or the day after. While fish wasn't his favorite food, it was easier to carry around than a larger animal such as a deer. Plus, it wouldn't rot faster than he could consume it. Contemplating, he shifts his weight hesitantly back and forth a few moments before giving the woman a firm nod.

"Alright, you got yourself a deal," his smile is eager, but also excited, even his tail wagged a few times and his belly gave a resounding grumble of approval. "Not sure there is the place to hunt, but there's got to be somewhere good nearby," Wilder glances around and then at the creek's surrounding forest in hopes he can pick up a faint trail of something.

"Speech"

The young leader watches as the stranger ways his options and the young woman cocks a brow in silent question. He shifts his weight hesitantly back and forth as the young man becomes the very picture of nerves. Finally gives her a firm nod and states that have a deal. She nods in agreement as a huge, warm smile blooms across her features and she waves him toward her as starts to lead him falls while she explains, “My name is Haydée Kedieo and I am the Leader of this pack, Ethne. You are welcome to whatever food we have while you help our hunters. There are several spots near here where you can hunt and I will take you out on your first one after you eat.”

Haydée’s pace is swift but she makes sure that the male is keeping up with her as she leads him through the trees and continues to offer him the rules, “We have a den that you may use by the falls if you wish to longer than just today. As long as you don’t hurt any of the wolves here, you are welcome to stay as long as you like.” They arrive at the falls and she has him follow her to the food stores, opening the doors for him and allowing the hungry young man to pick and choose whatever meat he wanted; from fish to water buffalo and everything in between.


"Haydée Kedieo"