Hala was not eager to see Cifarelli again, despite their similar looks and personalities. She expressed her dissatisfaction and left the Grapevine Cathedral feeling a bitter taste in her mouth. She prayed that she would never have to face the brute again, knowing it was probably wishful thinking.

Next came the fog, thick and enveloping, clinging to her legs as she walked. She breathed in the cool, dense air, finding it more refreshing than the previous warmth. Giving her a scent she wouldn't notice until she'd leave. Her thoughts drifted to Eltrys, the earth-toned man who seemed unexpectedly kind and had offered assistance to Hala without any obligation. It was a gesture she wasn't accustomed to, but she couldn't help but appreciate it.

The woman found herself in an opening with no sense of direction. The fog slowly dissipated, revealing a clear path ahead. She took a moment to gather her thoughts and let her mind wander freely. When the usually opinionated voices fell silent, she took the opportunity to gather her own thoughts. It was a rare moment that left her feeling clear-headed.

She attempted to shake out the dry and musty scent from her coat, but it stubbornly lingered. Despite her efforts, she continued to try. As she sat down, her eyes took in the orange-red pools dotting the landscape, surrounded by small ridges on the rolling plain. The scarce trees offered little relief from the weak winter sun.

The bones and ridges were scattered by hunters long ago. She lowered herself onto the grass, twisting her ears as she rubbed her head and then rolled onto her back, attempting to rid her coat of the scent of Wraiths Woods and replace it with a new one. Closing her eyes, she wriggled like a puppy on her back.

She felt hunger pains and used it as an opportunity to stand back up. She scanned the territory around her with her eyes. The lady's attention was caught by a dik dik, which was not uncommon to spot a small herd of them in the plains. However, it was not a frequent sight, as they had plenty of places to run and hide. Despite the abundance of food in the plains and rolling hills, she scanned the area for other animals. She noticed a few other mammals, but the dik diks were especially alert, cautious of where they roamed.

Moving cautiously and deliberately towards the shelter that could provide some protection, her plans were thwarted by her dark coat. Even if they weren't already on high alert, her slow crawl with her tail behind her wasn't enough to go unnoticed. As she inched closer, one of them detected her scent and alerted the others with a whistle. Hala wasn't in the mood for hunting, despite feeling hungry.

The woman realized she would have better luck at night, as her darkened coat could blend in better than under the weak winter sun. She muttered a curse under her breath, her silent words filled with frustration. Hala decided to give up on the unsuccessful hunt.

Hala Indigo

table coding by bunni ♥

After Hala had ment Cifarelli at Grapevine Cathedra.
Then Eltrys in Wraith's Woods.

Blackfoot

---

Her stomach rumbled, a nuisance that reminded her of one positive that came with staying with her mother. A constant hunting companion. Alone it was much tougher to bring anything down. A fact she was being reminded of as she stalked a herd of small deer. That always seemed to be just out of range of her and it didn't help that her dark blue fur stood out amongst this landscape. No amount of hiding seemed to fix it and after the fifth time of the herd moving out of range when she circled closer, she was cursing and angrily stomping away. Fuck them. She'd find something else. Anything else. Anything had to be easier than this.

So, she wandered on her way, trying to keep her steps light as she searched for a hare or rabbit. They weren't substantial food but would do for now. It wasn't as if she'd have an easy time trying to get a deer on her own. Not now, anyway.

Perhaps it was fate, then, that she stumbled onto someone with a coat that was similar to her own. The woman was moving further in the distance but a bit more studying of the situation allowed her to glean what had just occurred. She saw the fleeing deer and the she-wolf moving in the opposite direction. One could guess what had just occurred.

Blackfoot might have been a tad bit antisocial but she was logical. Two wolves hunting had more of a chance of success than one. She stood in indecision for but a moment before coming forward and clearing her throat to get the other woman's attention. "Need assistance?" Always straight to the point. Idle small talk was not something she craved.

"Dialogue"

---

You gotta be so cold to make it in this world

Hala growled to herself, under her breath. Winter was setting in, although it could be worse than it already was and the woman had known that. Sure, it was harder to hunt due to the pigment of her coat, and how she hated that already. Ears laced tightly against her skull, her fur rustling in spikes as shaking her head. The sound of another catching her attention quickly. Ember pigmented pools watching the dark blue woman wandering closer.

Hala Indigo wasn't one for company let alone someone she did not know. But realizing that it would be much easier to hunt with another than alone, tossing the idea around within her mind. Her body was tense but relaxed. "I believe it would be benifical to us both." Short and simple. Hala wasn't one to want to chit chat with others, well that is until feeling that she could trust.

Hala Indigo

table coding by bunni ♥

Hala's Speach - speech
Thoughts (voices) - voices
Stephens Speach- stephens voice

Blackfoot

---

She was happy to see that the other she-wolf didn't waste time either getting to what they only cared about. Hunting.

Blackfoot acknowledged her words with a singular nod of affirmation. Yes, this would be a partnership that would be mutually beneficial. Hunt together and split the spoils, both come out better than if they'd gone it alone. "Hunt at nightfall?" It seemed logical to her, with no real places to hide out here they would be better off taking cover at night. Perhaps each going in from opposite directions, one to flush prey out and the other to grab the target. She and her mother had done it plenty of times before.

"Rest until then?" Provided the other woman was fine with that idea. They could keep to their own little corners until it was time to go. She hoped the other wolf wouldn't be too irritating till then... she was never really hopeful of anything but so far, she seemed fine enough. Of course, that could all change in a heartbeat.

"Dialogue"

---

You gotta be so cold to make it in this world

Although the darker woman wasn't one to offer help really for anyone except those close to her. Somehow she had allowed this woman to join her in silence until they hunt as one at night time. When the moon was in the skies. Ears twisted back and she gave a slight grumble. Offering just a simple nod towards the other. Her tail curling around her haunches as Hala began to allow sleep to take over, even though it wouldn't last too long, it would bring her some rest for a few hours anyway. And she somehow was pleased over this.
Hala Indigo

table coding by bunni ♥

Hala's Speach - speech
Thoughts (voices) - voices
Stephens Speach- stephens voice

Blackfoot

---

So far, she quite enjoyed the midnight woman's company. She was quiet and kept to herself, with Blackfoot was more than happy to oblige. They found a spot to rest and the blue woman laid down. She didn't fully relax to sleep for a while, and even when she finally laid her head down, it was only to lightly doze in case she came under attack by this new wolf or any other creature that wanted to mess with them. However, time passed without anything really happening. When the dark wolf nodded and grumbled at her, she returned the favor with her own nod and made sure to keep an eye on their surroundings while some more time passed.

Finally, she felt it was time and she let out a soft "boof" to rouse the other she-wolf into wakefulness. She would rise to her paws, giving a stretch, and then she turned to her companion. She simply inclined her head, a silent question that said, "ready?". If so, she would turn to begin tracking so that they could find that pesky herd of deer or perhaps another herd with an easy mark for them to take down.

"Dialogue"

---

You gotta be so cold to make it in this world

Hala was a light sleeper thankfully, the cooler night air brushed threw her slate chocolate coat almost like a lovers embrace. She loved the night the most. Rising up herself, the woman shook out just enough to rid of the dust, stretching and giving a small silent yawn. The scent of prey were starting to gather to graze in the evening air. It was much cooler, but still humid. Now would be the best time for them to hunt. The moon was slowly rising to its throne in the skies.

Her bodice still as brushing the rest of the slumber from her body and mind. It was a light but soundful sleep, a easy rest, something she had rarely ever had the pleasure of witnessing. A small smile was offered as well as a nod. Beginning her own tracking, her paws carefully placed infront of one another, making sure that she wouldn't rustle a rock or anything around. Or hell, move anything that would startle the prey they both had begun to track.

Hala Indigo

table coding by bunni ♥

Hala's Speach - speech
Thoughts (voices) - voices
Stephens Speach- stephens voice

Blackfoot

---

They were on the move. Noses to the grind, trying to scent where their meal would come from. Blackfoot focused more on the trail, making sure she didn't move carelessly. She was thankful for the cover of night, it cloaked her well. Keeping her from being easily detected as they searched for the prey that hid in the darkness.

It was a little while before she scented anything but once she did, she alerted her companion with a quiet grunt and a flick of her tail towards the direction of the scent. She could tell that it was dik-dik and the closer they came, the quieter she became. She melted into the landscape, lowering herself more and more until she stopped in a ditch that overlooked a small field where a small herd lay sleeping. There were a couple of lookouts and she made sure to keep an eye on them as she scoped out the herd. "Which one?" The words again, were a breath of a whisper as she searched for an easy target.

"Dialogue"

---

You gotta be so cold to make it in this world

The female followed the same scent as the other, a slight snarl was released. Knowing it was possibly the same herd that alerted others before she was allowed to get a decent meal. It wasn't hard honestly to spot the nice herd ahead, not far but not close. Enough to give them time to decide who would go which way to seperate one from the herd.

Belly close against the ground, creeping slowly. Crawling into the same small ditch, her eyes locked upon one of the scouts, proving it would be a slightly harder task, but if they found their way around the herd and went after a sleeping adult, it would fill both of their stomachs. A whispered voice returned a reply. "If we creep around to a sleeping adult."

Keeping her voice low and careful to not raise it any higher. Awaiting the other females response.

Hala Indigo

table coding by bunni ♥

Hala's Speach - speech
Thoughts (voices) - voices
Stephens Speach- stephens voice

Blackfoot

---

She nodded, understanding the woman's line of thought. Now... which one? She turned back to the herd, brow furrowing as she tried to decide which one they should grab. Tsk tsk... decisions, decisions. After a search, she finally settled on one near the western edge of the herd. The lookouts weren't directly facing that one and since it was at the edge, it should be easier to separate it out and grab it than if they went for one near the center of the group of deer.

"That one." She whispered, flicking her ears towards the one she'd singled out. "At the edge. White flank." This particular deer had a small splash of white on its left side.

She looked back at her companion. "Get as close as we can? Rush it from each side?" If they executed the plan correctly, they'd both be able to grab it before the sentries' call or the herd's panic could save it. Its throat should be theirs before it even got the time to properly rise to its hooves.

If the plan was all good, she was ready to go.

"Dialogue"

---

You gotta be so cold to make it in this world

The pitch colored woman with her firey pools followed to the deer with a porcelian against her pecan coat. The other woman with pear jewels for eyes pointed the deer out, Hala admired the demin hued lady against the anchor fur mixed well with one another. Giving a quick breath, she pulled back far enough to were she was no threat.

Hala looked as if she was going to go back into the woods known as Wraiths Woods. But instead she found herself circling the entire herd at a safe distance the dark spruce night gave her and the other butterfly enough cover to hide, keeping her eyes slightly closed, the wind was calm, if you could call it a wind anyway. Rosewood tonuge would flick against her nose as crouching down, spotting the deer once more.

Crawling silently and as close as she possibly could without giving any alarm, she waited for the other to get into place.

Hala Indigo

table coding by bunni ♥

Hala's Speach - speech
Thoughts (voices) - voices
Stephens Speach- stephens voice

Blackfoot

---

For a brief moment, Blackfoot wondered if the other she-wolf was going to opt out of the hunt. A move that would have left her equal parts confused as well as irritated. She realized quickly what was happening when the woman began to circle the herd so she could get into place. Blackfoot followed suite, keeping an eye on the herd that they were circling as well as the ground below so that she didn't accidentally kick a rock or step on a twig. Ruining the hunt at this juncture would piss her off to no end.

She managed to keep completely quiet and took her position on the opposite side of their target. Carefully, slowly, she crept into position. She crept as close as she dared before stopping to glance towards the other dark she-wolf. She was barely visible against the inky darkness of the night. Hell, if she didn't know where to look, she likely wouldn't have even seen her. She felt a bubble of approval in her chest at how well they'd worked together thus far... but it was not over yet.

She turned her gaze back to the deer and after a few last-minute calculations... she lunged. She wasn't the fastest she-wolf out there, but with how close they'd managed to draw, she was able to cross the distance to the sleeping doe without issue.

She heard a call go up from one of the sentries but at that point, she'd already sank her jaws into both of the doe's rear hind legs as it tried to get up. She jerked sharply upwards and to the right, causing the deer to fall and twist, leaving its throat open for the other she-wolf to bite.

"Dialogue"

---

You gotta be so cold to make it in this world

Watching for the other woman, the preditor waited. Creeping closer until she paused once more. Muscles sprung the lady forwards to the deer, the others calling out alerting the others, darting from the path, she took notice to were the other was wrestling with the animal. Hunger rang her stomach into knots, soon she would feast.

While the other yanked and jerked on the hind legs, Hala seen her chance. The throat left wide open, it's painful cries would soon come to an end. Hala quickly grabbed, clamping down. The deer gave a half cry out, as the inky like woman jerked her own skull, ripping the throat open. Placing her paws upon the fallen deers neck for a moment, she would then back up.

She growled at the others who darted yards away, watching as a member of the herd had fallen prey. Warm blood dripped from Hala's maw, she'd allow the other to eat first. Patience was something Hala had come use too. And besides, she'd allow the other to feast first not only because days before she had the joys of chowing down a rabbit after Eltrys had left, something they had hunted together.

"Feast." She stated loud enough for the other to hear her own command. "I'll keep other preditors at bay." Taking note to the distant yips from coyotes. But they weren't the only animal out hunting or looking for a free meal, and Hala wasn't stupid enough to allow that to slip from her mind.

Hala Indigo

table coding by bunni ♥

Hala's Speach - speech
Thoughts (voices) - voices
Stephens Speach- stephens voice

Blackfoot

---

Like a well-oiled machine, they brought the deer down. The sounds of the fleeing, panicked herd slowly faded into the background as the doe lay bleeding onto the earth after the she-wolf finished it off. Blackfoot released the doe's legs, watching them fall lifelessly to the earth. She turned her attention to their surroundings, watching as the last tails of the fleeing cervids disappeared into the darkness. Slowly, the adrenaline faded from her veins as she sat near the doe.

She wasn't going to argue about eating first, it had been a while since she'd had a substantial meal. She wouldn't eat slowly though, she didn't have to make the she-wolf's watch more difficult by lollygagging until the nuisances showed up to hassle them over their meal.

She began to gorge herself, not caring a lick about table manners. She ate quickly and efficiently at the flank first and then moved to ripping meat off of one of the legs. Before too terribly long, she'd polished off roughly half of the meal. The blue wolf lifted her head and peered at the other woman, "You eat." She stepped back, giving the black wolf room to eat. "Will keep watch." Tit for tat, equal work. It was only fair, no?

She would turn her back to the woman, perking her ears to keep an ear on their surroundings. She could hear the yips of the coyotes, could tell that they were getting closer in hopes of an easy meal. If they showed up, they would not be getting past her until her companion was done.

"Dialogue"

---

You gotta be so cold to make it in this world

Watching carefully for any other nuisances to show or attempt to show themselves around Hala and the unknown womans kill. She sat there patiently, allowing the other time to get her belly full. The other woman cared not for table manners but Hala known the woman probably did have some. Soon it was time for herself to eat.

Hala gave a nod, although she wouldn't eat much. It would top off her earlier meal. It was equal work, and more than enough to go around. The dark woman dug in, only to hear a set of growls from the darkness, a sound that drew Hala's attention up. A fucking pack. Great! It wasn't too big of a pack, but a pack to say the least.

Ears twisted back against her skull, stepping over the recent kill, her head shoulder height. Her tail whipped in annoyance. The yips seemed to come to a end, probably taking note of the two females. Hala opened her jaws, only to snap them shut. Blood from eatting spraying from her tongue. Lapping at her tongue in annoyance.

Her body was relaxed but tense, she didn't want to deal with this at all. The small pack of coyotes drew closer, stalking the two females. They sent out a larger male. He was hungry, and a stolen kill was just up his alley way. He wasn't normally one to go stealing from others, but tonight was different. Tonight he was too hungry, and would provide given the chance for his pack. A snarled growl seeping forth.

Hala Indigo

table coding by bunni ♥

Hala's Speach - speech
Thoughts (voices) - voices
Stephens Speach- stephens voice

Blackfoot

---

Oh, great. The pack was definitely getting closer.

She felt a low growl rumbling in her throat as she stared out into the darkness as she waited for the shapes to materialize. Her tail lifted, head lowering while her ears pinned against her head. She hated coyotes that couldn't keep to themselves.

She paced this way and that, trying to figure out if they would grow bold enough to attempt to grab their kill. If they did grow bold enough, where would the first attack come from? She huffed louder and louder snarls as the pack grew nearer and nearer. She snapped her teeth at them, flecking saliva and blood into the air as one of their number grew bolder.

"Finish. Will keep them back." For however long she could, anyway. There was only so much she could do if they all grew bold... but for this one. Perhaps she could make an example out of him to stave the others off for longer.

The male snarled at her and she snarled back. She lowered her head, seafoam eyes studying him as she waited. She didn't run out to meet him and instead let him get closer and closer until he was within striking distance. Perhaps he thought she didn't have the bite to back up her bark, perhaps he was overconfident in his abilities... either way, it didn't matter because she had a plan of attack. Wait until he was closer...

Then she lunged, striking like a snake as she went for his muzzle but got the skin at the side of his neck close to his head instead as he turned to get away from her attack. She heard a satisfying yelp as she twisted her fangs in deeper, ripping and tearing as she wanted to tear a chunk out of him for daring to be so bold. Perhaps she would have killed him if he hadn't managed to squirm out of her grip, sans a hunk of flesh and fur.

"FUCK OFF!" She snarled at them all as she gave the male one last parting shot to his retreating tail. Not wanting to chase because that would just leave the carcass free for another to rush in.

"Dialogue"

---

You gotta be so cold to make it in this world

Hala continued to eat while the other held the brute back, glancing up every now and again to make sure that the she-wolf was alright, but prooved that she could hold her own. The dark mocha who appeared black gave the other points within Hala's book. Finishing her fill, she stretched out. Watching in amusement as she chased the coyote away. Yelling at the masculine who dared to venture closer, but got his ass handed to him.

"Fucking pests." She quickly stated out, looking to the other. "I do not think he will be back anytime soon. And thank you." However, Hala didn't state her name for the other, not yet. Not right now. Flicking her tail as she sat down enjoying the cooler night air. It however did hold a small distant promise of spring, which would bring life back into the areas.

Hala Indigo

table coding by bunni ♥

Hala's Speach - speech
Thoughts (voices) - voices
Stephens Speach- stephens voice

Blackfoot

---

She didn't give up her watch just yet, even as the male coyote retreated back to his pack. She kept her eyes on the other dark shapes in the distance, watching as they eyed the pair a little more warily now. Perhaps they were sizing up their odds now that one of their number had been ripped into so viciously. "Fucking irritating." She tacked onto the dark she-wolf's words about them being pests.

It seemed though that they got the message and likely figured the scraps that remained weren't worth losing possible limbs over, so they stayed back and slowly seemed to be trickling away. Only then did Blackfoot step back and take a spot on the opposite side of the carcass from the other wolf. She leaned over and ripped one of the leg bones off so that she could have something to chew on while she let the food digest in her gut.

To the woman's thank you, she gave a grunt. Then, in between bites of the bone she said, "Same to you." Because out of the hunting partners she'd had, this woman was quite... well, if not pleasant, then easy to work with.

She listened to the things in the night around her. The sounds of nocturnal creatures doing their night to night things that kept them busy. At length she finally relented and gave her name, "Am Blackfoot." If anything, she felt like the woman had earned that much. Plus, it was just her name and she didn't think much of it to give to a wolf that didn't irritate her.

"Dialogue"

---

You gotta be so cold to make it in this world

Hala chuckled to herself, agreeing with the other woman, it was true and damn so correct that it was fucking irritating that they could not enjoy the meal without down right disgusting pests coming to try and steal what was not theirs. Ripping a bone for herself, she nawed on it. Looking up to the other woman known as Blackfoot and giving a dip of her skull in respect.

Twin peaks twist back and forth listening to the same nocturnal sounds. "Hala" Was all she simply stated, offering Blackfoot was her own way of showing respect to the other woman. Her tail curling close against her hind quarters, enjoying the bone that was offered from the deer that laid before the duo.

Hala Indigo

table coding by bunni ♥

Hala's Speach - speech
Thoughts (voices) - voices
Stephens Speach- stephens voice

Blackfoot

---

Hala. She nodded her head, committing the woman's name to memory. She deserved that much. Especially since she'd been such a good companion.

For a while more, Blackfoot simply chewed on the bone, working to splinter it and get at the marrow within. A delicious desert that was well-earned after their hard work of working together to bring the deer down. For a moment, she wondered if Hala travelled alone like she did and if she had to depend on chance to bring things down. An idea formed in her mind. One that she was hesitant to voice at first due to the training instilled in her by her mother.

So, she settled for a middle ground. "Hunting in pairs is easier." Not quite saying what she was thinking but getting close enough that the other woman could take it or leave it, if she wanted. A travel companion, temporary or not would make surviving that much simpler. It was logical, really.

"Dialogue"

---

You gotta be so cold to make it in this world