Kotori knew this area well.  The willow tree’s leaves strangely hung like a stringed cape to hide what was within each one, at least partially.  If one looked close you could see behind a tree but looking at the wide picture they did an excellent job of hiding their secrets.  Sight wasn’t the only way to hunt though, in fact, wasn’t even the main way to hunt.

Kotori could smell the boars and quietly followed the trail until he came upon the pigs.  There was a good number of the tuskers.  Young ones with the striped colors of youth and small size.  Then several good size adults along with two behemoth-sized boars.  The large ones looked like the most fun but the truth was he didn’t have a large number of wolves he needed to share the meal with.  

One of the adults then.

"Kotori Fatalis"

The warm days of spring often lull the older woman to sleep, especially if she finds nice patch of sun. However, Eulogy knows that her arthritic joints do not appreciate the inactivity so she has chosen to go for a good, long walk today. The willow’s branches hang low, reaching for the ground from their lofty heights.

A flash of earthen colors catches the old wolf’s attention and she turns to find a tall, young male on the trail of… something. Scenting the air, she finds that there are boar nearby and the brown woman quickly changes her path to silently follow after the other wolf. Without a word, Eulogy appears beside the male, looking up toward him for direction. She may be older but Eulogy knows a trick or two and she is eager to hunt again.


"Eulogy Destruction"

Even as Kotori considered his prey a new wolf appeared.  The earth-toned wolf considered the stranger for a moment.  The signs of age were apparent on her but she seemed healthy.  She had no words to say and yet apparently was looking to him for directions.  Kotori watched her for another second before looking forward to the bear again.

“We’ll get the largest one.  I’ll chase it off to the left.  You can scatter the ones to the right.  Careful, some run but some might fight back.  They got enough muscle and tusks to respect.”  Not that any of it would stop Kotori from a good meal and with her age she probably knew it but if he was to lead a stranger on a hunt he’d give a summary just in case.  Assumptions can cause all manner of problems.

“Once they show no signs of trying to come back to the one I’m chasing you can come to follow me and we will finish it off together.  Understand?” Would the older female listen to him?  Hunting with someone who wouldn't agree upon who to lead was destined for failure.

"Kotori"

The older wolf looks to the young man for the plan and he is quick to lay it out. A gentle smile is on her lips as Eulogy nods in understanding, ready to run and stretch her limbs. When he asks if she understands, she dips her head and says, “Of course. I will keep the rest from following you.” Another smile and the older wolf readies for the coming chase. Body lowers and she slowly moves forward, positioning herself so that, when the earthen male rushes forward, she can quickly move to keep the rest of the boars off of him.

Tension builds as her body coils, excitement zipping along her nerves at the prospect of hunting once more. Suddenly, the stranger rushes in and Eulogy pushes off, moving forward in a smooth motion that does not speak of her age. The plan falls into place, the male rushing in and pushing the boar to the left while the older woman places herself between the rest of boar on the right. They squeal and stomp, tossing their tusked heads in a show of agitation, some even raising their tails in a signal that they are going to charge.

Eulogy growls, dances around, deals out bites and slaps to discourage the pack from following its doomed member. It takes some work but, in the end, they admit defeat and move away, leaving to older wolf to rush after the stranger and their prize.


"Eulogy Destruction"

Kotori could get along perfectly well with other wolves so long as they let him take charge.  Yes, it had always been meant to be that he start his own pack at some point.   The stranger agreed with his plan.

Kotori watches the boar he targeted for a few more moments.  Once its head turn so that it was looking further to the left, the direction Kotori wanted it to run the wolf left his spot.  Other than making sure nothing was getting in his way and that nothing planned to attack him Kotori would ignore the other boar.  The other wolf was being given the trust to do her job.  If she failed he’d probably lose his meal but he wouldn’t let himself get gored by an angry prey animal.

Thankfully she did her part.  Kotori and the boar swerved left and she kept the others from following.  Once separated Kotori’s full focus was on the boar.  Kotori ran faster, getting alongside it, teeth snagging at its back, with the satisfaction of some flesh and making it run further from the other boar.  Another bite and the pig had enough. Its head turned, making a threatening gesture with its tusks.  It stopped running bellowing out its own piggy threat.  Kotori grinned, the food wanted to play.

Kotori charged forward and it did the same, Kotori spun sideways then leaped half his body onto its back, snapping for its fat neck, ripping off some flesh but then hopping away before the prey could truly attack back with those large tusks.

"Kotori Fatalis"

The chase was started and the pair’s prize is driven off in one direction while Eulogy moves to keep the rest of the boar from following. As the older wolf threatens and feints, bites and retreats, she keeps her ears peeled for any sounds of distressed from her hunting partner. It takes some time but the stubborn pigs finally take the hint, snorting at the older wolf before wandering off to leave their doomed friend to its fate.

Wheeling around, Eulogy takes off, fear pushing her to ignore any protests her body gives her. Soon the earthen male and their boar come into view and the older wolf almost snorts at the youth’s reckless attacks. While he seems to like playing with food, the gray and brown woman moves in, getting ahold of one of the pig’s back legs and pulling. The male takes the hint and, together, the pair pull the boar to the ground. As the stranger moves to stretch out the creature’s neck, Eulogy is there, stepping in to open its throat and end its struggling.

It squeals, gurgles, thrashes, and kicks but death will not be avoided and the pig slowly stills. Checking to make sure it is dead; the older woman then steps back to look at her hunting companion. A smile is given as she says, “My name is Eulogy.” It is a simple offer to trade names and the older wolf hopes he accepts so, when they meet again, she can greet him by name.


"Eulogy Destruction"