The Huntress.
Solo Seasonal
Her attention focused intently on the ground beneath her, aware of the dangers that lurked ahead. She had left a brief note for Oath, simply stating, "I’ll be back soon," accompanied by a small paw print and a delicate heart, making it clear who sent it. As she made her way closer to the Bifrost, a wave of anxiety washed over her, knowing that other predators and unknown threats were watching her progress. Yet, the warmth of his family's welcome helped ease her worries. She understood that gaining their trust and respect was essential, especially given her vision impairment. Fairytale felt a flicker of fear at the thought of disappointing them; she yearned to prove herself worthy, determined to show that she could contribute, no matter the difficulties she might face. She was not one to give up on her training, striving to become the best version of herself. A slight smile spread across her pink lips as she caught the scent of saltwater, the ocean gently lapping against the sandy shores that divided the two realms. She had heard tales of Auster, the land that laid out before her, and the land Boreas, which is ground currently beneath her paws.
Of course, she felt a pang of fear being so far from home and entirely alone. Who wouldn't? Yet the gnawing hunger was ever-present, a constant reminder of her needs. She had to be cautious not to overindulge and make herself ill. Her ears perked up, and her gaze focused on the water's edge, haunted by memories of the orca calf—often referred to as wolves of the sea—making her anxious about getting too close. She instinctively inched back a few inches, crouching down low, all the while her body began to shake. She beginning to pondered what she could have done differently, replaying past experiences within in her mind, though fragments surfaced and faded, leaving some details clear while others had eluded her. A very low grumble, she let out a sound of frustration, her tail drooping behind her. Sadness flickered within her deep, light rose-colored eyes as her twin peaks twitched on top of the woman's head. The ocean air did offer her a bit of coolness away from the hotter lands behind her.
The ocean breeze provided her with a refreshing coolness, a welcome contrast to the heat of the lands behind her, making it easier to breathe. While that of a smile spread across her pink lips as she began to gather some sea creatures that were within her reach, avoiding the need to wade too deeply into the saltwater. This allowed her the time to dig and collect what she wanted to bring back to the others. She needed to gather enough to prepare a full meal for everyone; it was the least she could do. Despite the lingering pain from the hunt with Oath the previous week, when he had found her washed ashore, she began to feel a sense of purpose. The young woman had let him down then, but together they however, had successfully brought down a young deer, and that was what truly mattered.
Although there was still a glimmer of hunting instinct in her eyes, she felt uneasy about the water that lapped persistently at her paws. After taking a few deep breaths to steady her racing mind, she took the time to collect herself and resumed gathering clams and other marine life. She caught a few crabs, giving a small bite, and tossed them into the dalmatian like satchel that Atreyu had lent her. However, Fairytale hadn’t mentioned to Atreyu that she had grand ideas for a feast-style dinner, and she had an entire day planned for it.
She observed a few birds, listening to their melodies echoing for all to hear. How wonderful it would be if she could catch one. After gathering the essentials, she set off towards Boreas once again. Squinting her eyes to peer into the trees for nests, she recalled that some birds nest close to the ground. That thought brightened her smile, and with a shaky breath, she moved towards the thawed lands of the Bifrost, keeping an eye out for ground nests. She knew she needed to stay vigilant, watching and listening for any signs of an aggressive bird. Oh, how she hoped that wouldn’t happen. Yet, she was aware that the possibility always lingered.
This time, she was fortunate; the parents of the nests were distracted, allowing Fairytale the opportunity to explore a few small nests hidden among the bushes. She took no more than one or two eggs from each nest, gently wrapping them in leaves and placing them in the satchel slung over her shoulder. As a token of gratitude, she offered a smile and a nod, along with a few flowers at each nest, before turning to rejoin the others. She had come under the protection of the tight knitted family.
Word Count: 823 of 800
Thread Move Log | ||||
Thread | Forum | From | To | |
1. | The Huntress. | The Bifröst | 11:05 AM, 09-17-2024 | 07:16 AM, 09-18-2024 |