Tarnish hadn't meant to end up so close to Ethne's borders, but he didn't particularly care. One of these days he was going to get a rematch. He skirted through the deep forest, considered running a little recon mission, or maybe leaving a message for the wolves that lived there but instead he caught the scent of something strange. His nostrils flared at he tried to sort out what it was. He was pretty sure it was a prey animal. Smelled kind of… goaty? Tarnish went right into tracking mode, following the scent deeper into the forest until he found a small group of large, and strange looking animals. Worc hopped along beside him, whispering that they were creatures called Takin.

Tarnish settled into the shadows, eyeing the strange creatures in the distance, in particular noting one that moved oddly, as if it were in pain. Already his desire to hunt was settled firmly in his chest. The question, of course, was how to get something that big dead on the ground?


Raider Brats

A hunt. The boys were bound and determine to hunt something good. The path was goat-adjacent... good enough. Hell, anything was good enough at this point, Erik was going to end up hangry if they waited much longer. Unlikeable enough as he is, hangry Erik is a different kind of force. It's fine. They have a trail.

Strides long, gait purposeful, Erik follows the scent. Closing in, though, he realizes they're not alone. A boy, dark, though too far upwind for Erik to tell where he'd come from. Clear that he'd seen the injured beast as well, but there was no way for the stranger to take it out on his own. His call to the stranger is gruff, the tip of his head leaving his intentions (hopefully) clear enough. If they hunted together, they could eat together. Easy.

Gaze flickering from his charge to the stranger, and then to the takin, he's coiled. Ready. They would hunt.

"speech"

Jiro didn't and did care all at the same time. The allure of being out of the bamboo without his parents was exciting, but also exhausting at the same time. His growing legs hurt and he wished they wouldn't. He couldn't help but drag his growing horns along tree bark every chance he got. He would've kept vocalizing his complains if it hadn't been for the very serious and pointed glare Erik had thrown at him. Like okay, wow, spoil sport, ruin a pup's fun why don't ya.

But that was okay because in the few words and gestures Erik did, he had informed him they were going hunting. Unlike fighting and other tasks, Jiro enjoyed chasing down animals. Being able to grab them with his big paws and take a chunk from them was fun in a sense. Maybe one day he'd be able to stick a horn in them too!

Following closely behind his brother, he careful not to bump into him when he goes off the trail. Ahead of them, he can see the Takins and the notices the slightly older boy off to the side. Jiro smiles at him with a wag of his tail, his puppy-like excitement eager to meet someone new. But once more, a pointed look from his brother tells him he needs to focus in on the hunt that will commence.

He definitely was not sticking around Auster for any reason... Nope, not one bit. Not that he would admit it or anything. Nope, he just liked the area. The mild weather, generally wet climates, and good prey to hunt was definitely the only reason he was sticking around. Definitely not hoping for an opportunity to sneak into the castle at all. At least, that's his excuse. As he wanders the grapes, head in the clouds, barely paying attention. His thoughts are on the girl who seems a little strange... a little off, like he is.

Though he's content to daydream, he doesn't ignore the scent of wolves. Four males, two of them younger than he is. Hesitating, taking in the scene, he notices the takin further up ahead. Was one injured? The tilt of his nose and gentle breeze clued him in that he might be right. Coming closer to the trio, he looks between them, a smirk playing on his own lips. "So how we doing this, boys?" Wilder calls out in a whisper as he stands between Tarnish and Erik. Turning his gaze then to focus on the herd of takin in front of them, he licks his lips excitedly.

WILDER

Tarnish watched the creatures as the moved, noting how muscular they were as well as how strange their faces were with such enlarged nostrils. No doubt they'd be tricky to sneak up on but at the moment he was far enough away and downwind so he wasn't worried. Movement caught his attention and he looked to see a dark-pelted yearling approach. Tarnish tensed at first but then relaxed as he followed the boy's gaze from the Takin back to him. Tar nodded. Yes, he was more than happy to split the kill just for the thrill of taking such a strange beast down.

Before he could speak a strange little horned pup appeared. Tarnish quirked a brow at Jiro. What the heck was this tiny pup doing out here. What good was he going to be? Tarnish supposed he could always pick the kid up by the scruff and toss him as a distraction. Ah… that was mean. He knew it was, especially when he'd been just as determined to hunt at that age. Thankfully, another older yearling arrived to even out their numbers, asking what the plan was. Well fuck if he knew. Tarnish bit his lip before puffing out his chest. "We'll kill the injured one. I'll sneak up as close as I can and startle the herd. The rest of you help drive it away from the others. Let's get it alone and whoever has a chance to get the throat, take it." Tarnish didn't bother with rigid hunting plans. Things rarely went to plan anyway and he didn't care who took the kill so long as the thing died.

Uninterested in feedback and eager to start Tarnish slunk forward, his pitch black pelt blending into the shadowy underbrush of the forest. He slunk closer and closer, slithering forward until he dare not go any closer. The Takin were all looking around at this point, their large nostrils flaring. Likely they smelt that something was off but could not locate the source.

Tarnish exploded out of the brush with a snarl, aiming for the injured takin as they exploded into motion around him. They scattered away from him in a pounding flurry of motion. Dang they were big up close!


Raider Brats

Not the most patient babysitter, but then, his own hadn't been either. Erik is gruff in the same way his older had been, with fewer of the yielding jokes and less silliness. No, instead he's a more keen teacher, a sharper protector. A bastard prince looking after a real one-- the start of how many high fantasy novels? It's okay. This narrative has doomed both boys in different ways. Erik just doesn't have the patience for complaints.

A fourth wolf joined them. Erik's expression drew for a moment, but he seemed... fine. It would likely take all four of them to dispatch the beast anyway. Right, the plan. It seemed like the darkest boy had something min mind, and it all sounded reasonable. A stiff nod, though Erik dropped his head to speak directly to Jiro. "Don't get stepped on." Erik's voice was ragged in his throat. While the warning is gruff, at least it comes from a good place. Couldn't have him getting squished, Hattori probably wouldn't let Erik take the pups out anymore.

They take off, Erik taking the lead to cut the injured individual away from the pack. Pushing it off in the opposite direction from the original boy, chasing intently, nipping at the creature's heels with reckless abandon. Though Erik isn't fast enough to catch it, he's certainly fast enough to make sure this particular takin has a bad time. Driving the beast away from the herd, towards his companions, Erik couldn't say he wasn't having fun.

"speech"

A fourth older boy arrives, appearing cheeky and excited. Jiro wants to say something, but refrains. The look he's receiving from the black-coated boy and his brother tell him it is not the time nor place to be making comments. Instead, he listens to the boys discuss what is going to happen. Drive the injured one away from the herd after it's spooked so they can corner it and take it down. Appeared simple enough and with the four of them, they'd surely be able to accomplish the task.

Before he takes off, one paw in the air, he looks up at Erik with a raised brow. The ragged warning drawn from Erik's throat as him huffing indignantly. No way he'd be dumb enough to get stepped on! Once his huff is dissipating into the air, he watches as the other boys burst forward. Listening to snarls and clacking of teeth as the thunder of hoofs and frantic calls come from the takin, Jiro's breath is nearly taken away. Frozen in time, he is amazed at the scene before him. Right, right, he's supposed to be up there too!

Charging through the brush after Erik, he snaps at a few adults heels to keep them from coming to save the injured one. Once he can catch up to his brother, he pushes forth a fury that he doesn't typically exhibit. His puppy teeth crash together as he comes toward the side of the takin. Careful to avoid flying hooves and rocks, he's pleased with himself that he's actually keeping up.

Wilder is pleased with the plan. Run, chase, take it down. Simple, easy affective. He only offers the boy a curt nod before turning back to face the herd of takin. The strange goat-like beasts are nothing he's ever really seen before. Sheep, goat, antelope, he notices all the time. Has even taken a few down before, but these hairy beasts looked as if they belonged in the mountain, tucked away from prying eyes. It only made him more excited as the dark coated boy charged forward toward the injured animal.

Waiting a few beats after the strange, creepy one and the puppy, Wilder knew he would be able to catch up. Taller than the other three, it wouldn't take long as he broke from the brush, his own paws drumming the ground beneath him. Allowing the surge of anticipation and adrenaline to soar him forward, Wilder would take up the rear and snap directly at the injured takin's heels. He's not afraid of getting kicked, simply leaning his head back or pausing his step to avoid a hoof to the face.

WILDER

Tarnish centered his focus from the wild movement of the herd back onto their injured target. It's gait was off, unnatural but through sheer power and adrenaline the beast fled. Tarnish altered course to follow after the others, his sleek form propelling him forward. They'd succeeded at separating the takin from the herd, now they needed to take it down. Weaving through the trees he spied a fallen one up ahead. In a moment of inspiration taken from Azoula the great tigress, Tarnish put on a burst of speed, racing up the large, angled tree to gain height before launching himself forward and up. His panther-like claws unsheathed as he collided with the back of the takin. The sudden extra weight caused the beast to stumble. Tarnish's claws anchored in deep to muscle as he held on for dear life. His jaws were in the back of its neck and he thrashed. The takin reared, trying to throw him but failed in its attempt. The move costing it speed and soon the others would drag it down and kill it.


Raider Brats

The boy is indignant, but Erik just... he has to say it. Something about older brothers and making sure that if you get your ass handed to you by something else, it's your fault not his. Launching himself after the beast with a snarl, hot on its heels, all things to remind the boy that he's alive. Exhilarating, and with a meal at the end? The bastard boy was well and truly, living his best life.

As the strange boy leaps upon the takin's back, Erik's ears flatten back against his head. Pushing for a bit more speed and throwing his weight into the rearing Takin's hind legs, he toppled the beast forward. It would prevent his comrade from getting squashed, and no one would take a hoof to the dome in the process. Growling low and wet in his throat, Erik lashes out with sharp fangs, sinking into the injured creature's hind leg. He knows he's strong enough to hold it while someone else takes the moneyshot.

"speech"

That pleased feeling is starting to slip away. The takin is fast and so is his brother and the other two older boys. How were they keeping up so well? He had to do something so he wouldn't fall behind! Pushing his legs as hard as he can, Jiro is relieved slightly when the takin stumbles. Tarnish is atop the beast and that gives Jiro an opportunity to jump. Since he's smaller now, the animal doesn't notice the weight he brings upon him.

Grabbing on for dear life, he wraps his legs around the takin's leg. Biting down over and over to try and get to a vein, he can barely keep hold. The jarring feeling of being practically dragged through a forest is nauseating. But he's going to do his best. He won't let his brother down! Not even as the takin continues to slow and let out pained noises. This was his cue that they were getting close!

He's the largest one of the party. His long legs will come in handy toward the end. Reserving his energy for now, Wilder continues to nip at the heels of the takin. Even so much as taking a bite out of a thigh as Tarnish lands atop the beast. The stumbling mistake from the takin allows Wilder to slip off to the side. He notices Tarnish riding atop the takin, attacking it from above. What a clever way to do things!

And then he notices the other boy, the quiet one, is attacking the other rear leg. His younger brother is attaching on to the front leg inches away from him. This was his moment. The takin is slowing down, getting exhausted from all the extra weight. Releasing the reserved energy he's been saving, Wilder pushes forward and makes it up to takin's head. Dodging a sweeping blow from its attacking face, he dives back as the takin winds up for another go. His jaw opens wide, latching successfully onto the takin's vulnerable neck where he can clamp down and open it up. Severing the jugular, his face is doused in blood, but he can hear the takin take its last breath before falling to the ground.

Quick to let go and jump back, he avoids being squished by the giant creature. Breathless, he looks to make sure the other boys aren't injured either. "Ready to eat?" He says, breathless and also exhausted, but too excited to try something he's never had before.

WILDER