Thinkin' about her everyday

Open for Vanderfell and Shiroshika hunters to help him take down a large caribou! I would like for this to move fairly fast!

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Tracking was easier when he was accompanied by someone who can follow invisible tracks. Hieronymous made an effort to ask certain Vanderfell and Shiroshika members to join him on this hunt to kill two birds with one figurative stone - bring back meat for their wedding so they may all feast and do his part, as well as take down the largest caribou they can find so he may offer it to Ira for their ceremony.

And it had to be the largest caribou as well. The one with the most impressive antlers and he would accept nothing less for this day. It had to be perfect, and he knew how dangerous this would be. Normally the plan was to hunt the weakest and sickest, but this time, they had to get the most impressive beast.  

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He was reluctant to venture into the tundra again, not only fearful of crossing paths with Reiko but of being found by the cat who'd maimed him. At last the furs had begun to sprout in the area where the snow leopard had caught him with her claws and although the flesh would never be as it were, it was healing well.

Quicksilver followed Hiero dutifully, having decided upon his return to throw himself into building better bonds with those in Vanderfell instead of giving in to the weight of his depression. He cast his discomfort aside in favour of his friends' upcoming wedding despite burning with quiet jealousy at their union. His wish for them to be happy, however, outweighed the ache felt in his own heart.

He hung back, blinking at snowflakes that settled on his lashes, and kept an ear trained on the groom-to-be in wait for instruction.


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Despite his reluctance to get off his ass to participate in Hieronymous' plan to fell a great prize, he was glad now to have gone along. Winter loved snow and, to have ventured into a place where it fell in abundance, he felt jubilant! His stride contained such enthusiasm that, spurred to do well, he pressed on to the front of the party in effort to take lead.

He was, after all, a son of Dawn Morningside. He was born to partake in the hunt, even though he didn't much like it under normal circumstances.

There were no tracks of the groom's intended prey, but the undeniable musk of caribou hung heavy in the air as the group moved further into the frozen plains. Pausing at a sound not far off, the young Chyornyj wolf motioned to the others to his comrades to do likewise; his lobes pricked high atop his crown, forward.

A great bellow of a stag sounded from ahead, beyond the haze of falling snow before them. Winter's tail quickened in its wag as he turned his head to beam at those closest.

“We are here,” he announced, loud enough for only the hunting party to hear, though his eyes were upon the face of the future High King, “time to choose your target. Shall we carry on? Slowly, be careful of the ground underfoot - it's slippery in places.”


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From what she heard, that the normal was woman would pick flowers and the assortment, while the men would hunt. Obviously so, Orlaith protested and rejected the idea altogether. She was a warrior, not a priestess. Even if it was for their wedding, she wasn't really willing to let that slide through. Some part of her though was slightly disgusted watching the googly eyes of Hiero, now constantly on Ira, and the future of.. Ira doing it back. It sent shivers along her spine at the very gross thought, but hey, would have to congratulate them in some sense.

Even if it meant he was her superior.

"Pick a fat one."

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No more new joiners please!!

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Thankfully he had three others with him on this hunt - three other noses that could help guide him in the right direction as the drifting snow covered any visual tracks that Hieronymous relied on. With the four of them the hunt of a large buck with impressive antlers was still risky, but at least better than him unsuccessful and alone.

Quicksilver was quiet but that wasn't anything completely new. He was normally quiet in groups and even so when they were just together - so he thought little of it. Instead he took appreciation of Winter's advice of their footing and letting them know that they were here. Indeed they were. With a little focus he was able to see the herd through the snow, and a little sway of his tail indicated he had spotted them too.

Orlaith wanted a fat one - naturally, and Hiero chuckled at her comment. “I need the one with the biggest antlers - I assume they will also be large and fat from age.” As with most ungulates, the older the male the more points on his antlers. “Quicksilver and Winter can go in first. Get their attention and then Orlaith and I can come in to muscle them to the ground, how does that sound?”

Even if he was to be their High King soon, Hieronymous' attitude would not change. Friendly and cooperative was his route, even now during the hunt he hoped that all could get away from this relatively unscathed.

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Winter, the youngest of them, signalled for the group to stop. Quicksilver did so, easing his pace and raising his ashen crown to flit his pale gaze briefly over each of his comrades as they took turns to discuss.

He was a peacekeeper, a lover of the land, a follower - not a hunter. He could take instruction and execute it beautifully, but struggled with nerves if ever he had to take charge. Glad for the others to arrange it all, Quicksilver dipped his narrow muzzle in quiet agreement even if the idea of isolating the beast with the biggest antlers terrified him.

His gaze turned to Winter, seeking the brown of his youthful eyes with a soft, encouraging smile as he patiently awaited him to take the lead.


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The wind, biting cold, wafted snow into his face as he glanced briefly in the direction of their unsuspecting prey. Winter squinted against it, trying to make out any shape of caribou through the falling white, while keeping a tufted ear trained on Hiero.

Orlaith made request for a fat one, and he agreed wholeheartedly! Hiero, however, did not - he claimed to have need of the beast with the biggest antlers. Winter looked his way, surprise in his eyes, as he considered the possibility of being gored to death.

This groom was insane, obviously. But hey, it was his wedding and his choice, so... so be it?

“Alright,” the silver-gold yearling chirped, and swung his head toward his ashen companion to chuckle, “hope you're as fast as your name suggests!”

He trailed off to the side, having already made up his mind to circle around to try and get a better look for Hiero's chosen target. The weather made it more difficult, but there was confidence in the way Winter moved - quietly, carefully, and his voice was low as he explained where Quicksilver needed to be and how to perform.

“There,” he mustered softly, at last able to see a caribou whose rack curved high atop his massive crown. Each was symmetrical, with many tines, and Winter hissed a breath past his teeth; this would not be easy. “Keep your eye on that one, I'm willing to bet my tail that he's in charge.”

Together the duo carried on around until they took up position at the rear. If this truly was the herd's patriarch, Winter knew he would not take kindly to the attack. With a bark to announce the chase, he pushed forward toward their target. Surprised, the group began to run, but the biggest of them did not. He shot the two wolves a pointed stare as he braced himself, and lowered his antlers with every intention of swinging them their way whenever they'd venture too close.

His attention fixed on Quicksilver and Winter, the beast was unaware of the others who might threaten his back.


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"Ay' ay cap'n." She assumed normally that would be her role, as Orlaith was a rather heavy-set woman. Thankfully though as a warrior it wasn't fat, like Winter (so she says), but likes to boldly claim she is but sheer muscle power. Proudly so will always take the more manuel tasks then anything thinking, leave it to those critical thinkers. She didn't really care to have the brain power when a lot of issues could easily be solved by pure fighting, as wolves should do. Some these days are often more weak-willed, and generally so desired to absolutely pummel them.

Crawling into a more stalking position, the fireclad woman was following along Hiero. Normally would be one to like to take the reigns of such situations, but it was his wedding ; couldn't protest.

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Sorry for the wait on this one! We will get it done I promise.

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Of course, normally Hiero would agree. The biggest and most healthiest of them was the worst choice to take. But this was a special occasion - his special occasion and for that he would make sure to take the brunt of it all as they went into the fray. He would be damned and curse himself t'ill the day he perished should anyone other than himself get any major wounds (preferably he too would not but we know how Noki works).

No one argued with him, he was certain they all thought it at least and he simply smiled sheepishly at them all hoping it would all be clear in a few days as to why he chose what he did.

Winter pointed out the biggest of them, the proudest buck with the most impressive set of antlers and there he knew too, that this would be the one. A pair of antlers from a moose would have been more impressive, grader too for his over the top self - but even he knew it would be too dangerous and too heavy for them to carry back. So this was just as good. Maybe one day he could renew his vows with a moose crown - when they didn't have to present it and drag it around. 

The two other men took their charge while Hiero and Orlaith stalked around from behind. The herd scattered while the impressive one stood his ground to give the others time to run. Unfortunately, this time he was the one they were after. While his focus was on Quicksilver and Winter, Hiero took around to the rear and charged out from their cover as soon as they were close enough. Fangs locking on the beast's flank as it immediately began to buck around.

The hunt was on.

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Quicksilver followed his grey-gold companion through the snow, swift and silent on his frozen paws. He felt rather nervous to have been given the role of distracting a beast as mighty as the caribou patriarch, and the idea of felling him went against everything the druid believed in. To kill the herd's protector would upset nature's balance - they would either disperse or perish to predators, and hunting through the cold season would come with great difficulty.

He would not challenge Hiero's decision, however. The mottled wolf was to be his leader alongside Ira, and Quicksilver wanted to trust in his judgement as he did hers.

Winter took charge, and the silverwhite nodded along to his instruction. The great deer took notice of the duo and shot them a pointed stare, antlers lowered toward predators as his does made a nasty escape. He was magnificent, a beast to be spared and respected, and to run at him went against every fibre of his being.

But he did it anyway.

The druid veered around, slender limbs carrying him away from an attempted assault as caribou antlers swung toward he and his yearling pack mate. Soon the other half of their hunting party rounded on the brute from behind and, as his attention turned defensively on them, Quicksilver seized the opportunity to move in on lower limbs. His grip found the area below a strong knee and he pulled, intent on causing damage, but the hold was released as the powerful leg struck out. He jerked to the side, circled again, knowing that this prize would not go down quickly.


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seeing as Winter went inactive here i come LOL or if waiting for me.. this entire time.. i'm sorry

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Orlaith followed Hiero's commands, even if she was rather reluctant on the matter itself. Wasn't one to truly take orders besides Ira, and even then she hasn't really done anything of the matter. Vanderfell was peaceful, they held neutral allyship with others packs, though if she remembered.. It was only true allies through marriage, which she didn't really argue on. Didn't matter to her, she was just a guard ; who wasn't satisfied whenever someone was above. Completely went out the window realizing Hiero's rank up and had yet to think about it.

Though it was his wedding, and she also didn't mind the hunting. As the two were behind chasing the elk. She was hell-bent on snapping from behind as the rest were taking upon the legs and flank ; oh she didn't let the elk fall behind or think he could stop! Her teeth kept clankering upon the tail, grabbing at times his rear-end in an anger and attempt of a pull.. Though often she let go, a mindless chase to keep him on running as the other two would exhaust his legs.

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I know it's a long thread but we will get it done for skills! We can end this soon within the next couple posts each if we want to make it quick~

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There was no telling what the others were up to now. Snow and blood flew all around as the beast bucked in pain as the attackers surrounded it. From the corner of his eye he could see Orlaith also doing her part of the hunt, aiming to take the beast down with Hiero alongside her.

But things were not that easy. They never were, especially for a healthy buck like this one - it would be a reminder as to why they always would go after the old, sick and injured as opposed to the ones with the most impressive antlers. 

The thing twisted around, lowering its head to attack its hunters. With a kick the soon-to-be High King flew off of his target, finding himself entangled in the antlers for a moment before being flung off into some random patch of ground. He couldn't tell, couldn't see where the prongs had punctured his skin. His knee had taken damage for the time being, blood leaking out of the open sores where the antlers had perforated. 

At least he wasn't alone. The others were working on its legs, a good distraction while he waited for it to think he was dead - or at least believed it enough to turn its attention on the other two.

The moment its attention was turned from him, Hieronymous would return to his feet. Even with the wounded knee he would make haste back into the fray, aiming a killing blow to end this quickly before anyone else would get injured. This time he would aim a bite on the windpipe of the creature, trying to avoid anymore defensive swings of the fighting beast.

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Ugh I suck, wanna conclude this soon?

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Everyone seemed to find their place: Hiero up front, Orlaith harassing the hindquarters, Winter off to a flank and Quicksilver took up post at the opposing side. Their target was boxed in - not like he'd made any attempt to flee, anyway. Still he lashed out with rear limbs and swung his impressive antlers, making contact with the groom-to-be much to the druid's horror. Hieronymous, however, did not recoil in pain. He got himself back up and brought himself once more into the fray, much to Quicksilver's surprise.

There was no time to linger on the curiosity of what just happened, for the future High King reared upon his prize to grab for its throat. The stag arched his neck and tried to huff frustration through flared nostrils, though pressure on its windpipe meant he could not intake another breath. He parted his jaws in a gasp, desperate for air, and Quicksilver moved in to snap once more for lower limbs. It kicked out at him as he veered away, and the beast dropped to its knees.

From his maw came a strained sound, the guttural cry of a dying animal, and slowly the fight began to drain away.


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Orlaith gritted her teeth as she watched an ally fall to the beast, but even then it was almost done. A vengeance of sorts, as she sought toward with a might. A growl quipped up from her throat while the continual frothing at the legs went to, and yet, she started to pick up her speed. Especially as it was going further down and losing energy. When she noted that of Quicksilver taking claims at it's throat, she took a glance at it's weakening and wobbling legs.. And made a choice.

She ventured toward the belly, her fangs clasping onto the weak underpart and feeling her teeth slice into the flesh, a grabbing from the expunging stomach as so she was to tear forth. Though that enough brought a pain to the stag, as it's stomach and neck was attacked, the beast fell forward to the side and bellowed in a cry. She had to step back for a moment, watching a slice of his stomach tear open and his neck gushing out with a carpet for their victory.

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^^

Everyone had played their part in falling the beast. Though blood poured from a wound somewhere on his eye, blinded by the red that seeped through and swelling that closed it shut already; he knew that this beast was just about to go down. There was no time to tell what was happening with the others, he could only tell that something was happening as the beast reacted. Shaking, violently stomping, and arching his neck - every movement indicating different pain that was being brought on to it as it died under their grip. With every struggle it gave, every muscle that flexed and relaxed - his grip grew stronger. Suffocating, crushing, patient…
 
Soon enough his paws felt the ground again, his posture remaining rigid a little while longer to make sure that the caribou was indeed down… dead, and not just biding its time to spring back up and injure them all in one last Hail Mary in the desperation to cling to life.
 
As it grew limp under his grip; tick-tock went the clock before finally he was comfortable releasing the beast’s throat. Blood caked his thigh, eye, cheek, chin, and throat - a mixture of his own and that of the caribou. Which was where was uncertain, but the King was unbothered as he turned to grin at the other hunters with a prideful smile.
 
“We did it!” He’d cry out victoriously, thankful for all their help. After a good rest, he’d instruct them all to work together one last time in bringing the prey back to the pack. Careful to make sure the antlers would be intact so they could be cleaned and prepared later for their wedding ceremony. It was perfect. And he couldn't be more proud of the hunters this day who were all so generous in assisting such a wild desire to take down such a daunting beast.

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— Total Words: 313

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