OOC: First round due by June 9th

The warm morning promises a hot day and Fern wants to take her group out hunting before the heat settles in. A lot of preparation has gone into this hunt including the tracking of water buffalo. She had decided that they will be the group’s target and, after that, set about planning. In her room, the gray girl fiddles with her preparations as she retrieves her sword from the weapon rack and buckles it across her back. The creatures they will be hunting are large and the sword will be a way to help if things go sideways but will otherwise will have no part in their hunt. Moving toward the door to slip out into the hallway, Fern hopes her group is ready.

She had alerted them ahead of time about when she would be calling for them to hunt so that they could grab food and take care of anything they needed to before they would depart the castle. Pale paws hit to the ground floor and Fern swiftly moves out to the courtyard where she tilts her head back to call for her group. With that done, she settles onto her haunches and awaits their arrival. She ponders the group she got and how she knows Audra, Emile, Lia, Serenity, and Sota. While she has only met Emile in passing, the gray girl is confident that, with the help of everyone, they will work together in harmony.

They start to filter in and Fern greets each one as they arrive with a bright smile and cheerful greeting. Once the last wolf arrives, Fern looks at all of them with happy smile and gives a lazy wag of her tail. Straightening up a little more, Fern says, “Alright friends! Today we are going to learn how to hunt a large prey animal as a team. Now, I have an idea but I would like your input on the plan, so please don’t hesitate to speak up.” With that the gray girl slips on her teaching cap and begins, “Working as a team means playing to each other’s strengths and helping wherever needed.”

Blue eyes look to Audra and Sota as the gray girl offers them each a smile before saying, “Audra and Sota I would like you to our trackers. The first step to any hunt is finding the prey and picking out an ambush spot. That will your jobs. I can help you find the water buffalo’s scent but from there, it will be up to you both to communicate and pick out the group’s ambush spot.” Fern’s smile is easy and filled with confidence for them as she looks to the rest of the group. After a moment, Fern says, “Now, there is more than one way to hunt but we will be chasing the prey down together. I think it is the best way to learn how to read your fellow hunters and understand how to work with them.”

Fern allows the information to sink in a moment before she continues on, “Once we reach our ambush spot, I will pick the target out of the group. When the hunt starts, Serenity, Emile, and Lia while be responsible for cutting off the prey’s retreat from the left side while Audra, Sota, and I will take the right.” Going over everything in her head, the gray girl lets her eyes scan the group as she makes sure she didn’t miss anything. With a happy smile, she says, “Okay! Any questions, concerns, or ideas?” and opens the floor to the others to talk.


"Fern Lark"

Lia was happy to participate in any training her leaders thought was required. She was glad she had done a little work with Rudy. Not much, but at least enough that she knew she wasn’t going to trip over her own paws in a hunt. She answered Ferns call, and smiled at the familiar silver face when she arrived, offering a subtle wave before settling down herself.

Fern was quick to lay out the plan. Picking out trackers, and letting them know which direction they would need to be working in when the time came. Lia gave a swift nod so Fern would see that the small healer had caught the information. She would be working with people she didn’t know, but she’d figure it out. She scanned over the crowd to see i she could figure out who Serenity and Emile were.


Speech

With the hunt soon underway, Serenity waited for Fern's call today to join the rest of the hunting party for the planned events. She gathered with the others once she heard Fern's call, approaching with a smile but not really directed or looking towards anyone. She'd take a seat and wait to hear Fern's instructions.

She didn't have anything to add in to her plans, so she just stayed quiet and waited to see if anyone else would chime in their own part and change the methods a little bit. Otherwise she'd be just where she needed to be. Hunting, even large prey, was not something new to her. She had worked with other loners before to bring a hefty meal to the table. Now inside a pack it felt much different. Easier maybe. She would only be along for the ride. She'd move out as soon as everyone was ready.

"Serenity"

Sota was happy to be part of a pack hunt, and he didn't hesitate to react to Fern's call to gather. Quickly he made his way down from his room upstairs to the courtyard, beaming when he finally approached the few that had gathered so far. He knew more were due to arrive soon and so he moved to settle in near the others until they gathered. Once they were all present Fern began to speak up and Sota's ears perked attentively. Hunting was hardly his biggest strength, mostly due to his size, but he knew he could contribute in his own way regardless of that. He was given the role of tracker, which seemed like a hefty task but one he was fully willing to take on. He nodded in understanding, giving Audra a sideways look to confirm she was on board. Tracking down the scent of their target and picking a spot to ambush them from would be his goal, and after that he, Audra, and Fern would go in from the right while the others pressed in on the left and gave the prey little room to escape. The plan sounded like a solid one and Sota shook his head at her question, fully understanding the cooperative goal she'd laid out for them.

Emile knew he would be called upon soon and it was equal parts exciting and terrifying. He still wasn't sure what he wanted anymore but maybe feeling useful to his pack would help, maybe it would give him the push he needed, or at the very least hopefully it would distract him from his spiraling thoughts for a while. The call went out and Emile reluctantly moved his way towards the meeting spot, he was among the last to arrive, choosing to settle himself not directly next to his older sister but near her, she was the only refuge in a group of wolves he knew by face and scent if not by name. Emile was no hunter, he spent most of his time with his head buried in the dirt studying plants and so he knew very little about how to conduct a proper hunt.

He glanced up at his sister when it was mentioned he's work with her, a tiny barest hint of a smile pulling at his lips. It would make it a tiny bit easier. But he would still remain silent otherwise. He knew well enough that he did not know what he was doing and that he should probably trust the wolf with more experience.

Speech

Art by ChatonMignon31

OOC: Next round due June 16th

The group gathers quickly and, once everyone has arrived, Fern lays out the plan. Luckily, they all seem to be on board with her idea and the gray girl offers each of them a reassuring smile. They may not consider themselves hunters and that is okay. This hunt is more about trusting their packmates and learning how to work as group when needed with the added bonus of bringing home meat for the pack. With a firm nod, the grey wolf stands and says, “Well then, let’s go hunt some buffalo!”

Fern motions for Sota and Serenity to join her and once they approach, she says, “Don’t worry, this isn’t a test or anything. If you need help tracking, just ask. We are team.” An easy smile is offered to the pair and a wink is given as she adds, “You ready?” Once the signal that they are, she then leads the group out to Fossil Ridge where she helps her trackers to the water buffalos’ scents. Once the pair is confident, she gives them the lead while she drops to the back of the group to offer encouragement and help to Lia and Emile as they need it.


"Fern Lark"

The rest of the wolves were quick to arrive, and the small handmaiden let her eyes glance across each wolf. She’d brought some healing supplies with her as well, and was prepared if anyone got injured. She had a feeling however that if anyone was likely to, it would be her.

She stuck with the group as they moved away from the pack, and towards the rogue territories nearby. She hadn’t done a great deal of exploring herself, not wanting to risk any more encounters. Luckily, she didn’t need to know her way today. When Fern dropped back to check on them, she smiled at the knight


Speech

Serenity was familiar with all but Lia here but the unknown woman didn't make her uncomfortable. Still a gentle smile as she glanced across everyone and they were pushed into their starting places. She knew Emile struggled with anxiety and maybe doubts, but she was confident in him doing his best for the hunt.

Serenity moved forward alongside Sota who she had met before and Fern led them to the scent of the buffalo. She hadn't hunted buffalo in quite some time so once the scent was in her nose it was easy to pick up on. She moved on with a few glances back at Sota to be sure that he was following in quiet step towards the prey. She wasn't quite sure how versed he would be in hunting as a skill, she wouldn't prioritize it as one of her mains either but she had learned while traveling alone in her younger life. When they came up through the end of the valley, Serenity looked over at Sota in silence with a look as if asking him if he believed this would be a good ambush spot. The buffalo would probably be traveling through here soon to wander off into the more lush areas of Auster to graze, Fossil Ridge was certainly no place for fresh grass even when it wasn't the dry season. She'd look back to Fern who was behind with the others so long as Sota agreed as well.

"Serenity"

It was pretty easy to figure out who was who as soon as the group started to move, seperating slightly as they moved out of the packlands. He sent the fiery woman a small smile, tilting his head to keep his scar obscured as he did, which did mean he tripped slightly though the young man recovered quickly, managing to stay on his paws at least as they walked though his face flooded with heat and he dropped his head properly, keeping his gaze on his paws so he didn't trip again. At least until they slowed.

He watched as Serenity stepped forwards with the little male from the group and he shifted nervously on his toes, offering Fern a smile as she dropped back, nodding slightly but clearly anxious.

Speech

Art by ChatonMignon31

Sota cast a sideways glance to Serenity, giving a nod of acknowledgment as they began tracking down the buffalo together. He wasn't exactly used to hunts of this caliber but he wouldn't shy away from a chance to work with his packmates either. He knew if anything he was a quick learner and he'd catch on and work with his peers until they accomplished what they set out to. Reaching the valley they slowed their pace and shared a look that said enough, so no words were needed - this was where they'd lie in wait until the buffalo passed through. He nodded in agreement and hunkered down to wait. Once Fern gave the signal to begin their ambush he'd follow, and he trained his eyes on her as he waited for the cue to begin, poised carefully on the pads of his paws.

OOC: Last round! Replies due by June 30th.

Fern gives Serenity and Sota a bright smile as they take the lead, allowing her to fall back to where Lia and Emile follow after. Shifting over toward the nervous male, she offers him a warm, reassuring smile as she whispers, “It’s okay, nothing bad will happen. I promise.” She had brought her sword along for that particular reason, if anything start to go sideways, she will not hesitate to use. While they are here to learn how to hunt, she will not allow anyone to get hurt. Giving Emile a gentle, reassuring bump to his shoulder/leg, Fern then moves over toward Lia. The fiery pelted woman has been kind to her since the moment they met and, knowing how nervous she gets being off Hallowed land, Fern whispers, “We’ll be back home soon. Promise. Thanks for being prepared too.” She tosses the taller woman a wink before offering her a similar shoulder/leg bump as she had to Emile and she realizes just how tall most of her group is.

Soon enough, they arrive at the hunting grounds and Serenity and Sota share a knowing look. A proud smile is on Fern’s lips when Serenity looks back toward her and a firm dip of her gray head silently shares her agreement. With that, she hunkers her body down in the tall dry grass while her blue eyes look over her hunting team, offering them all confident smiles and reassuring winks. The sound of hundreds of buffalo on the move soon fills the air. Their hooves sound like rolling thunder as they filter into the valley, their loud calls leaving the wolves ears ringing. Eyes dart around to her group as she shakes her head to signal that it is not the right time. Hunting is a waiting game and they are about to learn that. Many of the buffalo stop to quench their thirst at the creeks edge, the heat actually aiding the waiting group. When the first group is satisfied, they break off to move toward where the wolves lay in wait and Fern slowly begins to shift.

Staying low, the gray girl repositions her body for the chase that is about to happen. Coiling her muscles and shifting her weight to her back legs, Fern is a spring, ready to be launched forward at any moment. Sparing glances to each of her group, she dips her head in acknowledgement when she finds them mirroring her movements. The buffalo near them and she allows two strong, healthy males to pass by their ambush spot, opting to go for the third male that has a slight hitch in his gait. Without a word, Fern suddenly releases all the energy that is stored in her back legs and rockets out of their hiding place. She barrels toward the large creature without a sound, hoping to catch it by surprise. They work as a team and, when the large male does spot them, it doesn’t have many options for escapes. Hesitation causes it turn too late, to flee too slowly and the rag-tag team is swift in overrunning it.

It runs a few steps before Fern snatches a back hoof in her mouth and she throws her body sideways, twisting the leg at unnatural angle until it snaps. The creature bellows in alarm but the cows are too busy forming protective circles around their children and the males cannot be bothered to help. With a mighty thud, the beast is laid low. Looking to the group, Fern pants, “Serenity, Emile. Pin the back legs. Lia, Sota. Pin the front. Be careful!” The hurt, thrashing creature is quickly pinned and, not wanting to let the beast suffer any further, Fern steps up to the neck and ends its life. As blood pools around the dead buffalo’s neck, the gray girl steps back, licking the blood from her lips and says, “Good job everyone! Now, what do you say we get this back home and have a small feast? You guys deserve it!” A bright smile is on her lips as she happily grabs a leg and begins to trot back toward the castle.

"Fern Lark"