In the sun-drenched expanse of Algoma Prairie, Enyo crouched low among the golden grasses, her sharp gaze focused on the distant tree line. The air was alive with the sounds of rustling leaves and the faint call of birds overhead, but Enyo’s attention was entirely consumed by the scent of deer that wafted through the warm breeze.

The musk mingled with the earthy notes of the prairie, guiding her as she methodically picked her way through the tall grass. Gathering what resources she needed to craft the trap. With each step, she attuned herself to the subtle signs of the herd. There were trampled patches of grass, fresh droppings, and faint hoof prints on the soft earth.

Her heart raced with anticipation, the thrill of the hunt coursed through her veins. She had honed her instincts for moments like this, where patience and precision would lead to success. The midday sun cast long shadows as she continued her crafting, blending seamlessly into the environment, a predator at work in her element.

After her maw was full she would drop the sticks onto the pile of each other. She decided to get to work quickly. Her paws moved as she crafted a snare with expertise. Just the way she had done time and time again.


ROUND 1/6
"SPEECH"

CODE BY SIN

Epimethius had found himself inside Algoma Prairie. Shaking his coat out as he walked through the grass, his head turning to face the form of a rather familiar wolf. His ears flicked forward as he stalked toward her, lowering his body as he recognized her getting ready to fight something. He came up alongside her letting out an incredibly soft greeting bark that he knew she would only hear, slowly he came to her side. A deep breath is taken in as he finds the scent of the deer hiding somewhere far in front of them. He would help her on the hunt if she would have him. His eyes followed the tracks and evidence of the herd that had come through here as he waited for her to either shoo him off or accept his help. He looked at her as he to began to gather sticks up along their walk, eager to help her out. He stayed attuned to everything as he made to gather the sticks and resources that she was too. He would hate to grab the wrong thing.

From the corner of her eye, she spotted a familiar figure. A wolf-dog approaching with cautious curiosity. She recognized him from the hippo hunt, the dog. Typically such tainted blood would have sparked her disdain. Yet, something about his demeanor suggested he meant no harm.

Enyo straightened slightly, eyeing him with a mixture of wariness and intrigue. While she harbored prejudices against hybrids, the thrill of the hunt ignited a pragmatic side of her. If he could contribute without disrupting her focus, she saw no reason to dismiss his presence outright.

"Stay close and follow my lead," she commanded, her voice low and firm. "If you step out of line, you’ll find out just how swiftly I can put you back in your place."

She didn't expect the dog to help, but if he decided to assist her by bringing sticks and more rope then she wouldn't mind. Her paws moved, tying knots around a sharp stick. Her teeth would gnaw the branches to sharp points. The goal was to craft a claw trap that when triggered would snap and injure the prey.

She would tie the twine to create a thick corded rope. It took longer than she had hoped. Afterwards Enyo would get up, seeing that her stock of sticks was running low.




"SPEECH"

CODE BY SIN

Epimethius nodded silently, falling into step behind Enyo. This was her hunt, she was in command, and he wouldn't challenge that. He knew his presence wasn't a threat. Only a mere offering for help, she seemed to understand that at least. As they moved his eyes never stopped scanning the prairie, the scent of the deer growing strong by the second. With every step, his anticipation only grew. He matched her pace, as he crouched even further into the grass, ears twitching as he heard the distant noise of hooves in the distance. His focus sharpened, ensuring he would be more help than a hindrance to Enyo. Her intensity was palpable, and Epimethius respected her command. Her words may have been a warning, but then there was something they both understood-nothing was more important than the hunt. He stayed close, careful to avoid any missteps. As she began to weave together sticks and rope, he dropped what he had gathered in front of her. Before heading out and searching for more, after all she would probably need a lot! And he would be darned if he didn't help her.

She would grab more required items. She would sit for some more, combining all the needed parts together. Epimethius would bring her all she needed so she would focus on the trap.

Enyo moved with stealth, her muscles coiled like a spring as she approached the edge of a thicket. The trap was heavy but she would make it work.

The trap was placed in a prime position. She would push the deer toward it with the help of the dog. The sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground. Ahead, she spotted the herd of deer grazing peacefully, their elegant forms silhouetted against the backdrop of the prairie.

She crouched low, her keen eyes locked onto the largest doe, her heart pounding with the thrill of the hunt. Every detail was magnified—the flick of the deer’s ears, the swish of their tails, and the gentle rustle of grass as they grazed.

With a subtle flick of her ear, Enyo signaled to the dog beside her to stay low. She could sense the tension in the air. Any sudden movement could alert the herd.

Together, they were a silent team, poised for the moment when Enyo would spring into action, ready to turn the delicate balance of nature in her favor. The thrill of the hunt surged within her as she prepared to close the distance, each heartbeat echoing the call of the wild.


"SPEECH"

CODE BY SIN

Epimethius stayed low, his eyes following Enyo's every move. They had gotten their trap placed just right, and now all they had to do was wait. He knew he could have provided more help with the trap, but he knew Enyo was more than capable enough to make it. He had collected a majority of the supplies though! The sight of the grazing deer ahead filled him with need, and he could sense Enyo's focus, feel her muscles tighten by him, and know she was ready to strike. His pulse quickened, but he kept his movements controlled, his instincts sharpening as he mirrored her own movements. When Enyo's ear flicked, signaling him to keep low, he responded instantaneously. His body sank close to the earth, blending in with the harsh shadows, his breath steady as he watched the herd. The deer were unaware, peaceful for now, but he knew soon that would change; shift in a mere heartbeat. He admired the grace and precision in Enyo's approach, understanding that his role was not to lead but to offer support here and now. His muscles coiled as he readied himself, his claws scraping against the ground, waiting for the moment she sprinted forward. Epimethius was ready to follow; the excitement and energy of what was to come had him ready. He was ready to strike at a moment's notice; all he was waiting for was her command.

With her heart racing and adrenaline coursing through her veins, Enyo pinpointed her moment. The deer continued to graze, blissfully unaware of the predators lurking nearby. Suddenly, the largest doe lifted her head, nostrils flaring as she caught a whiff of something amiss. Enyo seized the opportunity.

With a fierce growl, she lunged forward, muscles propelling her through the grass. The sudden movement sent a shockwave through the herd, and the deer scattered in a flurry of hooves and startled cries. Enyo was a blur of black and white, darting through the prairie, hot on their heels. She hoped the mutt would keep up.

Enyo's breath came in steady bursts as she focused on the lead doe, her sharp gaze fixed on the movement of her quarry. The prairie was alive with the sounds of thudding hooves and the rustle of grass, but all that mattered to her was the rush of the chase.

With every stride, she closed the distance.

"SPEECH"

CODE BY SIN

This was his time to shine, Epimethius was faster than the woman ahead of him. While she was raw unfiltered power he was an equal mix of both, even while he was incredibly strong his size was not nearly equal to that of Enyo. His ears pinned against his head as he bolted after the woman, quickly overtaking her as he spotted their prey. He chased her. He planned to seize hold of the doe's back leg, to help slow her down so that it would be easier for Enyo and himself to take her down. Even if it took awhile, she was large, and it was only the two of them. But he knew it was not a matter of if they took her down, only when.

As Enyo chased the fleeing herd, she felt a surge of energy as the dog, bolted past her. She briefly noted the way his powerful legs propelled him forward, his determination evident in every stride. There was a primal thrill in the air, and for a fleeting moment, she felt a flicker of respect for his capabilities. He could be a valuable asset, perhaps even a good servant in the right circumstances.

It seemed the dog was pushing the doe right into the trap. Perfect.

With the doe still sprinting ahead, Enyo pushed herself harder, her body a finely-tuned machine of muscle and instinct. Just as Epimethius angled toward the doe’s back leg, Enyo made her move. She leaped forward, closing the distance in a heartbeat. The snare would snap, the sharp twigs body colliding with the creature’s side opposite of the foot Epi was holding.

The impact was jarring, sending the doe staggering, but she quickly regained her footing, the chase far from over. Enyo's jaws clamped down on the doe’s flank.


"SPEECH"

CODE BY SIN

As he felt Enyo make contact on the doe's flank beside him he tightened his grip on the doe. Nothing would make him drop it, he did not want to impede Enyo's hunt. He MUST prove himself valuable. He pressed his back legs against the ground, attempting to shift all of his weight backward in an attempt to slow down the doe. Even though all she cared for was running forward, there was no stop button for the doe until she was exhausted. So they would just need to exhaust her, and that was easy. He knew they could do it, nothing would hold them back from tasting the doe's sweet blood.

As Epimethius tightened his grip on the doe, Enyo felt the surge of energy coursing through her veins. Together, they worked in perfect synchrony, the dog anchoring the creature with his powerful hold while she prepared for the final strike. The doe struggled but Enyo remained undeterred.

The doe was extremely injured, her who side bleeding from the impact of the trap.

In one fluid motion, Enyo lunged forward, her teeth sinking deep into the soft flesh of the doe’s throat. The warmth of blood flooded her mouth, a rush of adrenaline fueling her resolve. The doe let out a desperate bleat, but it was too late, Enyo had claimed her target, and there was no escaping now.

In that moment, she knew this would not just be a meal. it was a testament to their strength as a team. Epimethius had proven himself worthy of continuing in his filthy existence.

"You've proven useful. I'll allow you to rip a haunch mutt."

"SPEECH"

CODE BY SIN

He continued to hold down the doe as if the soon-to-be lifeless body would still spring up at any given moment. He could feel the adrenaline still coursing through his veins as Enyo slaughtered the doe. He stepped back letting himself pant as he let himself cool down, and calm down allowing the adrenaline time to leave his body. His head lifted as he turned toward Enyo, his eyes shining with respect as he nodded toward her. "Thank you, Enyo. I'm unsure if I ever gave you my name before, but it is Epimethius." He would offer quickly, in a rush before he turned toward the haunch of the does body. Allowing his teeth to find purchase in the supple flesh before ripping it away from the body, settling down next to the corpse to chow down. Eyes trained on the woman beside him as he ate his fill, he did not mind he would not get as big of a share. Enyo in his mind, would make more of a use of it than him.