How to catch a ... deer? hunt lesson

Zephyr remained uncharacteristically quiet and shrunken as the group of wolves (and bird) headed off toward fossil ridge for their lesson. The young raptor had partaken in a fighting lesson in the season prior, but it was mostly verbal and conceptual based, not requiring any action or even swift walking from his underdeveloped talons. Already this was more movement than normally demanded of the fledging bird, and he was certain that had he not been in the beginning stages of learning to fly, he would have spent the entire walk, lesson, and return home desperately clutching Artorias' fur - even if he was due to soon overtake his adoptive father's massive size.

Zephyr had not yet mastered most of the technical requirements of flight, but he could manage short and low-altitude glides if given a large smooth slope to run down. The territory itself was rather boring to look at, but it did boast plenty of rolling hills and steep ridges to break apart the monotony and if nothing else, at least the terrain of the Fossil Ridge had enough slopes that he could get some wind beneath his wings and practice. Random unidentifiable rockish-stickish things occasionally poked out from the ridge sides, but traveling with a group there was much less time to investigate and explore. This was a lesson, not a day out on an adventure of curiosity like he was used to. Already he wasn't the largest fan.

How was a wolf supposed to teach him how to hunt, anyways? Zephyr had learned quickly of the difference between his own anatomy and the creatures who had adopted him. He could not run like water as they could, could not leap massive tree trunks or turn at speed, and his own sense of smell might have been gone entirely in comparison to the powerful noses of wolves. If it weren't for Artorias' influence and his desperate desire to be accepted amongst the canines, he likely would have hid himself away in the Goose Room and not come out until this whole ordeal was declared over. Familial love was a powerful thing indeed.

As their instructor began to address them, Zephyr took a break in the grass. Talons outstretched before him he plunked down on his rear and sighed, giving his rapt attention as expected of him to Rudyard who proclaimed himself practically a deer. Zephyr could agree, the wolf did seem rather deerish.

He did not have long to be amused over the fact before Rudy continued to speak, and with every new sentence that broke from the deer-wolf's mouth, Zephyr's worries intensified. A few quick basic details?? Zephyr knew nothing about hunting at all, who's idea was it to throw him into an advanced-expert class? His head whirled in panic toward his father in a brief, wide-eyed, 'why do you hate me' sort of look. Subtlety was explained next, and Zephyr glanced down at his chest and gave a soft, almost imperceptible sniff of his plumage. Did birds smell? Zephyr had no idea. Gods, this sucked. Even if he was somehow devoid of distinctive smells, the young raptor was almost certain he'd already failed the 'don't let them see or hear you' part of the hunting requirements. While hatched by a barn owl, Zephyrus was not one. In learning to fly he was loud and flappy, and no longer was he small enough where he could hide between a wolf's forepaws. Prey: 3, Zephyr: 0.

By the time Rudyard had finished his speech, Zephyrus had lost count of how much of a disadvantage he was at. His head was hung in shame, his beak curved downward in a self-deprecating frown, and then one comment in particular caught the raptor's ear.

"“Oh, and while I’d give your pets a run for their money, this time they don’t get to participate."

With the speed of a bullet Zephyr got to his talons. Escape! Sweet, glorious escape. He gave a sleepy stretch of his wings and did his best to sound dejected, for Artorias' sake at least. "Oh no, shame. I'll go find Eiwen! Maybe she needs company." Spinning swiftly on his talons he began to march happily away, for all of a few feet before he was intercepted. Damn. "I could be a pet." He argued beneath his breath to Artorias but grumpily fell in line beside the group again regardless.

Gwynevere began the group deliberations and Zephyr shrunk further at the question. It was posed casually, but to Zephyr might as well have been advanced mathematics. He nudged a bit closer to the Aegis, hoping that regardless of the decision made he would not be made to split off from his adoptive parent.

"Zephyr"