Basilisk was trying to get back into the swing of things within the Armada. It felt strange to be returning after an absence. Going to Ashen had been his first real venture outside of the pack. The first one to last longer than a week or so, anyway. His room didn’t need any airing out, Hazel had kept on top of things in his absence, it seemed.

There was the matter of his chores within the pack to attend to. At his fathers request, the Heir made his way to the Armada woods, and let out a cool. His strong voice sounded more commanding these days as he requested wolves come for a hunt. Summer was a good time to build up the packs stores.

"Speech"

Life in the Armada still felt strange for Mortis. It was like he didn’t know where he fit in, anymore. Truthfully, he hadn’t known for a long time. But he was determined to put in the effort and do what he could to make this feel more like home. With that in mind, when he heard Basilisk call out for a hunt, he responded immediately. Putting down the knife he had been sharpening, and storing it carefully to the side. It wouldn’t do for someone to trip over it.

He rose to his paws and shook out his wings, before heading to the woods at a trott. He wondered what pray Basilisk had in mind for them, and how many wolves would show up. Perhaps he would see some new faces.


"Speech"

The young girl was still feeling quite lost among the Armada. Unable to speak, it was hard to connect with anyone. There was really only one wolf so far that she felt she had become friends with and to her knowledge, he was staying with a different pack. So she wasn’t really sure what to do with her day to day activities unless instructed by Sirius. Which… if she were being honest, he absolutely terrified her. And Halo was busy like a lot so she couldn’t stick by the healer’s side all the time.

By some miracle, she had heard a calling howl. From what she could understand, someone was requesting wolves out in the forest for a hunt. Maybe they would teach her some things? Maybe she could be useful for once? She wasn’t a small wolf by any means, just had no clue what to do.

She picks up her pace and makes her way out to the woods. On her way there, she catches a familiar scent. Her tail quickly starts wagging as she begins to run to the source of the howl. Excited that her current favorite wolf could be back, the yearling races to the spot. Sliding in with her paws scrambling as she tries to stop, she lets out a squeaky yip at the sight of Mort.

Staying low to the ground, the girl stops close to Mort with her tail tucked between her legs and forcing herself to look at the very very large wolf who was with him. Smiling gently, she tried to appear bright and eager even if she was nervous and scared of how much larger this guy was compared to Mort.

A hunt? Hazel could go for a hunt. When she considers it's Basilisk's voice that sends the call... yeah, she's showing up for this one. Appearing through a break in the trees with confident, practiced steps, the girl draws near to them. Not just Bas, but Mortis too, and a girl. Wait... a girl? Hazel takes a moment to assess the yearling, her gaze softening just a little. There's something about her that feels relatable to Hazel, though she doesn't really know why. Doesn't really know in what way. She offers only a nod before tossing her head at her best friend. "Damn you're loud." She winks, then stretches, as if she's preparing for the hunt. It feels good. She feels good. Light on her feet and ready, today would be a good day for hunting. "What're we hunting?" Hazel hovers close to Basilisk, though the new face among them still has her interest. Curious. She can't help but be curious. "Hazel" & "Basilisk"

The first wolf to turn up was his winged Uncle. Basilisk and Hazel had taken over the tree house that the older wolf had originally built, and he hadn’t asked for it back. Thank goodness, because Basilisk hadn’t known a better home.

The second wolf to turn up surprised him. A short, brown wolf he vaguely recognised from around the pack, but hadn’t interacted with. One of the slaves. Well, he knew his Grandfather approved of initiative, so he would hardly be on to turn her down when she volunteered to hunt.

The third wolf… not, the third wolf was definitely the most troublesome of the lot. He knew he would have to keep his eye on that one. He narrowed his gaze and Hazel, before his lips twitched in a barely contained grin. He was the leader of his hunt, and had to act authoritative. But he very much wanted to leap at Hazel and tackle her, as if they were pups again. He had missed her very much while he had been away in Ashen.

He cleared his throat, ignoring her jest. “Alright, I had the trail of some deer just to the North of here. If Hazel and I flush them out, you and Mortis can cut them off, or bring them down. With Hazel and I to bring them down if they baulk at your attack.” He explained, pointing out the brown wolf instead of calling her by name. “Any questions before we start?”

"Speech"

Mortis was the first to arrive, and he gave a nod to the towering Prince. He had once stood in the rank the striped wolf now possessed. But he held no ill will towards his tall Nephew. He and Hazel had been cute kids, and it still surprised him to see them grown.

Dee turning up was also unexpected, and he gave the small girl a welcoming smile. Extending his wing to brush lightly over her back in a gesture of welcome. “Have you done much hunting while I was gone?” He asked her softly. Keeping to a question easily answered with a nod or a shake, in case no progress had been made with her speech.

As Basilisk paired him up with Dee, he was more than happy about it. He would be able to watch over her during the hunt that way. “No questions, I’m ready” He said

"Speech"

The brush of Mortis’ wing over her back brings comfort and helps settle her nerves. She turns her big blue eyes up to him with a soft smile. When he questions if she has done much hunting, she thinks for a moment before answering with a small shrug of her shoulders and a slight nod. It was her trying to say yes, but also it’s not going well. Her eyes crinkle at the corners in slight embarrassment but also humor because she knows Mort won’t judge her because at least she’s trying. In the next moment, her attention is turned toward a girl that approaches. This one appears confident and smooth. As their gaze meets and a nod is given in her direction, the young girl is almost… jealous? She quickly nods back in hello as her mind reels inside. Confused at the feelings that bloom inside of her, she wonders why she is feeling that way. The answer is right there, beneath the surface, but it will have to be something she regards later. For the big giant man is talking to them now. He also appears very regal and authoritative in all the right ways. There is a mental note to herself that she is enjoying the company of others. When they are nice and don’t treat her as if she is different, she doesn’t feel so… odd or scared. She’s just another one of the pack! Right? Her nerves build again as the plan is laid out and she can’t do anything else except nod in agreement. She can’t speak, can’t remember how, so there’s no way to tell the leader that she’s not that good at hunting but she’ll try her best. Glancing up at Mort, her eyes and expression say it all. I’ll do what I can but thank god you’re here to help. She steps slightly closer to him because so far, other than Halo, Mort is the only other wolf that makes her feel at ease. Rolling her shoulders back and shifting her weight, she prepares for the oncoming hunt that would begin soon. Her first pack hunt! Hopefully it would go well…

She is electric. Amped up, maybe not in the most becoming way. Light on her feet, with keen eyes and a certain electric excitement that courses just below the surface. A spark. Hazel catches Bas's grin, the way it bubbles right under the veneer of authority and... whatever else. He was doing a good job, if her opinion held water. Still, she can't help herself, offering a reckless, brilliant smile. There is something wild in her eyes. Something brilliant, wild, wonderful here. Electric. She notes how the slave girl hangs back, sticks to Mortis. Hazel can't blame her. She's yet to hear the girl talk, but she knows all about the weird shit trauma does to your brain. Intimately familiar. Bouncing on the balls of her feet, the girl's gaze is bright on Bas's face. "Yeah, what's takin' so long?" A brilliant grin, Hazel is positively raring to go. "Hazel" & "Basilisk"

Basilisk choked back a laugh and shook his head at Hazel. "Alright, this way" he said, leading the small group towards the scent he had caught earlier. He knew when they were closing in, and he turned back to the wolves. He indicated with some paw motions for the silent wolf and Mortis to head around the herd and take position.  Another paw wave at Mort's Kea got him a nod. The winged wolf understood. He would send the Kea when they were in position. 


That left him and Hazel to take position here. He scouted out the best spot to ambush them from. Crouching down, he turned to Hazel and gave her a mock swat and friendly glare. Pretending to be annoyed at her smart ass talk. Being the responsible heir he was, he stuck his tongue out at her before turning his attention back to the meadow. Keeping an eye out for the Kea.

Mortis squeezes Dee gently with a wing, and gave her an encouraging nod. He'd stick by her and make sure she was okay. As Bas laid out the plan, he simply nodded his head. He had no questions, he knew his role.


As Bas led them towards their prey, he followed at Dee's side. When they reached the moment the party needed to split, he directed Dee around to the other side of the herd. Finding a place for them not to hunker down in. That done, he sent his Kea ahead to tell Basilisk. He turned to Dee, and raised a brow at her. "Ready?' He mouthed softly. Knowing his superior height would protect her if a deer attempted to trample them in its shock.

As Bas laid out the plain and Hazel egged him on, she could feel her own sort of excitement begin to build. Maybe it was out of nerves or fear, it didn’t matter. The tingling she began to feel in her toes made her look forward to the moments that come. With one last snug of Mort’s wing to help comfort her, it only helped her newfound feeling of eagerness. Smiling up at the giant, the girl nodded her head and took off after him, Bas, and Hazel. One thing she knew she was good at was following directions. Bas’ paw movements were easy enough to understand. Following Mort’s lead to take a wide berth around the herd so they could easily flush them out, she would finally take pause when Mort did. When they hunkered down in their hiding spot, she once more looked up at the winged wolf as he asked her if she was ready. She couldn’t help the smile, the small wag of her tail, and the excited nod of her head that let the larger wolf know that she was as ready as she ever would be. Turning to look out at the herd grazing before them, she readied herself and focused as best as she could.