Walking beneath the canopy of pines, the tigress’ lithe form moves gracefully between the shafts of sunlight, lingering in and out of the shadows of the Sparse Pines. Her massive paws move in a deliberate pattern, softly pressing against the pine-strewn ground, leaving no trace of her passing. Only the occasional rustle of leaves stirred by the gentle breeze breaks the silence of the forest, as she vaults herself over fallen obstacles with a fluidity that belies her strength.A predator in their natural habitat. She was walking near the borders, heading toward the eastern shore with a sense of purpose.

With the Spring season came an influx of prey in the forest- herbivores and predators alike entering their domain, including a herd of whitetail deer. Before leaving the Polar Sound, Azoula released a thunderous roar for the hunters of the pack. They would come together to kill the buck of the herd. She’d instructed them to meet her on the eastern shore of the forest, where she perched herself on top of a large boulder and was lying in wait. Somewhere near the heart of the forest was the deer herd, navigating the verdant meadows beneath the dapple shade of the pines. Completely unaware of the chaos on the horizon.

"Azoula Davati"

Ysmir was not ranked as a hunter, but that was where his skills lie. He was surprised to be called by a massive tiger to the hunt, wondering how a cat and wolf could coincide hunting techniques but he was going to find out. While he would have cautioned against going after the herd’s buck he figured his thoughts would fall on deaf ears. While he was likely the biggest he wouldn’t be the tastiest. Depending on his age he was certain it would be rather tough, and would have been better off siring more large fawns. If he was perfectly healthy there wasn’t much reason to kill him beyond sport. But that was his personal opinion, and one that he couldn’t even really voice.

He exchanged a glance with Barenziah and shrugged as he made his way to the meeting place. The day was beautiful, the greenery was blossoming and the sun felt pleasant on his coat. He gave the big cat a nod of his head as his gyrfalcon companion landed on his shoulder. Ysmir was endlessly curious about the hunt ahead of them.

The plan for a hunt caught Flare’s attention. He was itching to dig his claws into something. He offered to go, and when the howl came, he headed over to the border. He trotted along to where the cat and another wolf were already waiting. So far, he hadn’t mingled with the pack much. A bunch of cut-throats, the lot of them. Of course, that made them his people. But mingling wasn’t always wise, so he kept his distance. Waiting, and watching the pieces move.

He seated himself down, and waited to hear how the hunt would be organised, nodding his head to the cat in charge of it.


"Speech"

Leaving the Polar Sound behind, Sephiran lopes into his neighboring territory, entering the Sparse Pines with a look of gratification etched on his face. Lately, things have been quite mundane in the packlands- his counsel was focused on training the newest generation, which left little time for ploys of war and bloodshed. Tsk. But Azoula - the tigress he appointed as his Effendi Kole - was taking matters into her own paws. She summoned the pack’s hunters to her, commanding them to aid her in a hunt.

Sephiran had no interest in hunting alongside his subordinates - he would feast on their kill afterward, yes - but really, he was drawn to her call because of his depravities. He too perverse indigence in the suffering of others. It was also the perfect time to analyze his hunters for weakness.

For now, the Sultan saunters in and out of the shadows, observing his subordinates with a scrutinizing eye- wondering if any of them will manage to impress him.

"Sephiran Saxe"

ooc: Sephiran is observing, please skip him in the posting order

The allure of a hunt, of learning more, to up his skill, drew the young pup forward. He did not know any of these wolves, but he was sure they would introduce themselves. His approach is quiet, near silent, as he takes his time. With his body low to the ground and vibrant mauve and violet eyes on the group before him. If they didn't sense his approach, surely that would be enough proof he was ready to assist. Determined and with far more patience than most pups, he creeps forward through the grass and brush. Slinking around the outside of the group until his eyes land on Azoula. Surprise masks over his expression as a gasp leaves him.

A big cat was to lead the hunt? Puppy-like attention span is soon switched over to the fact that it was not a mere wolf who would be leading the hunt today. Scurrying forward with his belly practically scraping the ground, he hovers low beside the rock Azoula perches upon. Craning his chin up to look at her, he gives her a smile as his tail sweeps across the ground in an eager wag. "May I attend as well?" Maelstrom inquires softly. If he were to be anything unlike his siblings, it was to be polite at least.

"Maelstrom"

She’d seen Maelstrom leave. Wondering where he was going or rather what he was up to, she sauntered behind him at a safe distance. Their steps matching so he did not know she was following behind. Ears drew forward when he suddenly came to stop. Taking on that stance he did when trying to sneak up on others. Others.

Cressida eyed the few that lingered around. Even the large feline caught her attention. Her stance holding authority; however, relaxed in the same sense. It was what coaxed her out of her own hiding place. Body lightly brushing against her brother’s side along the way as he spoke. Quite curious as to what they were going to hunt today.


Cressida Kali Saxe

table coding by bunni ♥

With each wolf that arrived, Azoula would nod and acknowledge their attendance, realizing she’d never met the adult males. But they belonged to The Syndicate nonetheless. And when the children arrived, her gaze lingered on them, assessing their sizes, assuming their ages, and guesstimating their capabilities. The young male asked for permission to join the hunt, and the tigress dipped her head down toward him, a shifty gleam sparkling in her eyes. “You may.” She says, granting the pair permission. They were young, and would probably get in the way- but they had to learn how to hunt, and learn fast, or they would not survive in the harsh environment of the Saxe kingdom.

Her attention shifts to the Sultan when he arrives, her front end gracefully bowing down; a show of respect for their leader. They did not have to exchange words- Azoula knew he was here to observe and feast on the kill after his subordinates took it down. As was his right as King.

With the hunting party settled, Azoula leaps down from her rocky perch, landing on silent paws, and slinking forward with lithe, feline grace. “Hunters of The Syndicate.” She begins, addressing them all. “I’ve gathered you here for a hunt.” Her lips pull back into a sly, mischievous smile. "“But we are not collecting meat for The Syndicate. We have enough in our stores for all the… hungry mouths." Her volcanic eyes shifted to the pups. There were so many new children with hungry bellies, taking up resources in The Syndicate. “Today, we hunt for the thrill- a trophy kill, to appease our Sultan.” She can feel Sephiran lingering behind them, exuding an air of arrogance and superiority. “Deep in the pines, a whitetail herd is protected by an abnormally large buck- a male several seasons old, cunning, and masterful in his leadership, who will defend his herd until his dying breath.” She’s pacing at the bottom of the boulder, primal energy building inside her at the thought of a challenge. This would not be a simple hunt- it was a risky move to target the formidable buck. "If this hunt is beyond your capabilities.” She’s looking at the adult males now. “Leave.” She waives her paw dismissively at them, as if they might shy away from the challenge. As if they were foolish enough to reject a challenge in front of the Sultan.

“And those who stay,” Her ears perk up, tail flicking with restless energy, portraying her eagerness to engage. “Can follow me.” She begins to move into the forest, each step calculated and silent, her focus sharpening as she follows the scent trail leading them to their target.

"Azoula Davati"

When no one else moved, she did. Small paws eased through the low crowd to follow behind the mud colored feline. Keeping a decent and respectable distance between the two. She would not wait on the others nor her brother to do what was necessary. The rules were simple. Direction spoke clearly as to what the woman wished for them to do.

Cressida copied every step. Shoulders rolled to ease away whatever tension lie there. Steps silent against the spring earth. With the snow gone, this task was far easier as there wasn’t much debris on the ground. Ears shifted with the winds course. Eyes sharp, keen to the surrounding area. Nose scented the terrain as they walked. The trail leading them forward. Weaving through the forest at a calculated pace. She didn’t care who was behind, beside or in front. Only to prove herself.

No distractions. Only concentration.


Cressida Kali Saxe

table coding by bunni ♥

A few others arrived around him. Competition, but pack mates all the same. He would have to get accustomed to working in a unit. He found it difficult to trust others, assuming that they - as he was - was assessing and looking for ways to improve his own lot.

When the Sultan arrived, Flare acknowledged his presence with a respectful nudge, though it was clear the man was simply there to watch. So he returned his attention to the cat, and the upcoming hunt. She directed them to the type of hunt this would be, and their chosen prey. At her words, he snorted in mild amusement. Leave a challenge? That did not strike him as fitting for the wolves that would be drawn to a pack such as this.

He followed the cat, prepared for the chance to stretch his legs and enjoy the challenge.


"Speech"

Maelstrom doesn't acknowledge his sister's arrival aside from a brief glance in her direction. He's not surprised that she's shown up. Cress had shown a recent interest in hunting. Rather, Maelstrom continues to look at Azoula, his head nodding respectfully when she agrees that they can attend the hunt. Her words clearly dictate that this would not be an easy hunt by any means. Clearly, it wasn't a hunt meant for pups to learn or train, but that didn't mean he wouldn't try either.

Though he doesn't quite understand the danger that will come from hunting such a deer, the pup still follows. Settling in close beside his sister, he does his best to focus. Slinking forward, lowering his body, ears forward and alert as his eyes scan the surroundings. Ensuring that he keeps a good distance between himself and Azoula, he can already begin to feel the excitement that will surely come in the next moments.

"Maelstrom"

Smir was, as usual, silent as the wolves trickled in. A couple of pups along with another large male would be their party today. Their alpha made it obvious he was not intending to join their endeavor. Ysmir thought that act a bit odd, but dismissed the thought. These Saxe’s ran differently than anything he was used to. Eventually the cat lifted to her paws and addressed them, explaining herself before telling those who did not think themselves worthy to leave. Ysmir knew what he was capable of, so he followed after her dutifully.

There wasn’t much time before he knew the herd of deer were close. The sound of hooves crunching leaves from seasons before. Young deer prancing and playing and the sound of grazing. Ysmir’s dual toned eyes focused as he found the silhouette of their intended target, he was unmistakable even without his impressive antlers.

Ysmir did his best to maneuver himself around to where he thought the deer would flee to, when the others made their presence known he would be there to keep the stag from getting away with the rest of the herd.

Children. So many resource-draining, writhing worms were feeding off his domain- it was only right that they attend the hunt, to learn the risks involved in hunting down prey. Only, this orchestrated trophy hunt wasn’t meant to be a learning opportunity- Azoula firmly set the expectations of the hunt, encouraging the weaker-willed to abandon the pursuit. But none of them did.

The adult males, nor the children, were swayed by her warning. And the pups, regardless of their inexperience, decided to take this opportunity to learn. Even if it could kill them. The thought of their decimated little bodies scattered across the clearing, having been gouged by the buck's massive antlers, almost made him smile. Oh, the ways they could die on this day, the strain they could lift on his pack if they vanished from existence!

But only time would tell if Sephiran would experience such perverse joy today. Glancing between the faces of the group, the Sultan’s eyes flicker with unpredictable intensity- darting erratically between the males and the children, wondering if they would fail to meet his expectations. If they would die. As they moved to follow Azoula, he would vanish back into the shadows of the pines, traveling up to a vantage point where he could watch the hunt unfold.

"Sephiran Saxe"

Despite the tigress’ warning, neither the adults, nor the pups, shied away from the challenge. They fell in unison with each other, the forest around them seeming to grow quieter, as if in anticipation of the hunt soon to unfold. Azoula is head to the group, leading them through a narrow, beaten path that is barely visible in the thick underbrush. The crisp air was heavy with the scent of dew-soaked foliage and musk, but within it, was the smell of their prey.

Approaching a clearing, Azoula catches the sight of subtle movement- a flicker of dark fur among the foliage, moving in unison, as the herd of deer sauntered through the meadow and grazed on the grasses. In the middle, is the large, powerful physique of their target- a male buck seasons old, boasting a set of regal antlers, creating an imposing, almost intimidating sight. But Azoula and her party are not detoured- especially with their Sultan watching - instead, they fall into motion, spreading out into a wide arc, coordinating their positions to cover all possible escape routes.

The pups banded together, and the tigress shoots them a gesture with her intense gaze, signaling their purpose. Cause the panic, chase the prize to the adults. Settling into the grasses, the huntress waits- her tail flicking with restless energy, every fiber tense with anticipation and excitement.

"Azoula Davati"

The cat led the wolves to their prey. He was amused by this hunt, knowing that most packs chose their hunts carefully. Picking the weak, the slow. The old, or injured. These wolves went right for the buck, for the male in his prime. King of his herd. After this, the herd would scatter. Perhaps his females would make for an easy meal later. Weakened by his loss.

The cat gave her signal, the intent obvious. She would send the pups into the fray to cause chaos. Flare positioned himself, ready to move once a path opened to the buck, and he would make his move.


"Speech"

If the pups did their job, as he had no doubt, Ysmir positioned himself where the buck was most likely to flee after his herd. Being so protective didn’t make him cease being what he was. Flee first, then if there was no other option, fight. So Ysmir had to make it so he could no longer flee. When the stag started bounding his direction Ysmir waited as long as possible before making himself known by leaping out of hiding and going for the creature’s throat.

Ysmir was confident, he had both the other male and the tigress for backup as his teeth ripped into flesh. He held on, knowing he wasn’t alone as the buck thrashed. He wouldn’t let go until their prey stopped moving and was defeated.