Everybody hoping they could be the one

She was out tracking prey trails. She wasn't particularly hungry but caches could be built up and idle paws helped no one. So, she stalked after the trail of a lone doe.

A lone doe was a dead doe.

She trailed behind it, watching, waiting. But by bit she would get closer as she used the undergrowth for cover. She could be patient for prey, it just took the right moment. The right move. One wrong move could ruin everything...
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      It had been three days since the fisherman found himself startling awake to a world he'd been before. There hadn't been any indication of time that moved since the first time he'd awoken in such a strange land. And he couldn't remember if anything had truly passed in between, as if it'd been one dream, and then stirred awake a year later. But somewhere in his mind, he knew it had been more than just a night's rest. The leaves had changed, and he was not in the same place he'd fallen asleep in. Some may have thought of it as a loss, but Lexi couldn't remember any time in between then and now, therefore, only felt lonely once again. 

      Crouched down within the sparse bushes; Alexei kept eyes on a doe that seemed to have no buck watching after her. It wasn't Alexei's favorite meal in the world, and he disliked the amount of effort it took, and the desperate last moments of the prey's life. With fish, it was easier. A mindless pass time when he was a child. Or, really, it had become mindless since he caught on at a young age. Now, it took less out of him. Muscle memory at this point. But he hadn't found a good enough source of water that held aquatic life, and hunger was like a burning pit in his stomach. Her moments had slowed, as if the trek across the rocks had been too much for her. The wind blew past his face, her scent rolling right into his nostrils. All he needed was a quick move - if he was lucky. 

      His paw quivered, about to take a step, when another scent hit him in the face. It was like having the breath knocked out of your lungs - a surprise kick to the stomach, for Alexei at least. He'd never been the best around other wolves. There had only ever been a handful of wolves that he trusted and could tolerate him. A shock of weakness spread throughout his muscles, as if it was going to be too much. But another hunger of pain racked through his body. It had made his choice for him. The reddened man peaked from the leaves of his cover and glanced towards the stranger. He made sure there was enough covering him for the deer not to notice. He acknowledged her, to his left, with a small nod of his head, then looked towards the prey. It would be simpler if they worked together; hopefully, she would agree. Even if not, he could manage getting chased off. His head shifted back and jerked his head towards the prey, but kept from looking her too deeply in the eyes. 'Three,' he mouthed to her, 'Two,' He didn't know how she'd take it. Or if she would even notice him at all, 'One.' With a mere nod, he jolted out from the bushes and went to steer the deer towards the left, so the woman would have a chance to catch her before she escaped. 
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 She thought she was alone but someone was quick to appear. He was a man of contrasting dark and light colors, although in the moment she didn't take too long to look over his details. Instead, she noticed his motions. It appeared that he was ready to take down the deer along with her. She would give a single nod back to show that she was down for the hunt. Nothing better than having someone else to help take down a large piece of prey. 

 She made sure to keep covered in the undergrowth, alternating between watching him and watching the doe. He was counting down and with each silent number, she tensed, ready for him to lure the doe towards her. It was instinctual almost, knowing what it was that was required. She could feel a thrill run up her spine as she waited. 

 Then, on the number "three" he took action. He leaped out towards the deer, herding it towards her. She too leapt into action. She jumped up and grabbed the doe by the neck, bringing her weight down on it and throwing it off balance. They both tumbled to the ground and before the deer could rise again, she would grab one of its legs to hold. "Get it!" She barked sharply as she held it. She was in the danger zone while she waited for the man to finish it off.

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Thankfully, the woman had caught on. Alexei was grateful that instead of taking it as a threat in stealing pray, he'd come off friendly enough, and she, kind enough, to hunt alongside him. It had been somewhat of a godsend for him, knowing that it had been awhile since he had hunted rather than fished. He would be rusty in taking down prey larger than the size of a salmon or trout. 

      The scene before him played out exactly as planned. The stranger hopped out from her spot in the undergrowth as soon as he had steered the doe towards her. Her movements were one of an athlete's. As if she had done this before - which many had. He was one of the odd ones out. But something about her maneuvers in general spoke that she knew the patterns of a hunter's groove. She moved through the air and grabbed the female by her neck, slamming down into her so she would hit the ground. Alexei quickly moved to her aid, her words spitting through his mind with the utmost urgency. There was something within him, squeamish at the thought of being the one to take the being's life. At least with fish, it seemed easier. Maybe that was from his experience in the skill. But their eyes held the same gleaming look, as if they couldn't comprehend being taken out of their environment, and before they could, the lights went out. It wasn't as easy with the doe. He could hear her whines and high pitch shrieks in the last moments of her life. He would not make her suffer, or the stranger get hurt in her aid to him. 

      Alexei swooped in from behind her and joined the woman in gripping her neck, letting his teeth sink through the vital vein in her neck. Only a few seconds in, he felt her go limp and the teeth-gritting bellows silence all at once. Purple eyes shielded from the world for a moment, tasting the metallic taste in his mouth, which felt wrong, but the way his stomach growled, he knew he could not be picky in the matter. Another moment's worth of time passed before he unhinged his jaw and took a quick few steps backwards. Blood stained the whitened fur underneath his muzzle on his chin. The shuffle of his paws came after he had stood a few feet from the dead doe, "You first."  He stated, looking at her through his eyelashes. 'Alexei...' A voice came through his head, reminding him of his mother, and his eyes widened, looking straight at the stranger. "Oh! Thank you. Y'know, for hunting... with me." He didn't know if it had been her prey first or his, but he let the mannerisms his mother had been so insistent on come out. 
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 She held onto the deer, trying to avoid flailing limbs as she did so. The last thing she needed was a concussion or to get some of her teeth knocked out. Still, the stranger came to her aid quick enough. He grabbed onto the neck and before long the doe's plight had ended as she passed on into the next life. Or the void. Whichever came, Blackfoot assumed the latter. 

 When the doe died, she let go and stepped back to catch her breath. In the action she'd managed to get blood on her slate coat. That she would take care of soon enough, perhaps when she headed back home. She could take a bath in one of the freshwater streams or the ocean if she felt like it. She shook herself when he spoke and then nodded, not needing to be told twice. She settled at the doe's side and ripped it open, she would take a few hunks of meat and carry it a small distance away. Close enough where she could converse if he felt like it but far enough that she'd have warning in case he wanted to turn on her. She feasted on her meat chunks as he spoke again. Her facial expression betrayed nothing, as they usually did, she simply ate and remained impassive. 

 "Likewise." It was a thanks for him hunting with her. "Easier in pairs." It was a no-brainer, really. Why turn down help when it was beneficial? Logically that would make no sense. 

 She continued chewing on her food, watching him from the corner of her eye as she did so. "Who are you?" She'd not seen him and he didn't have a pack scent about him so it had her mildly curious as who he could possibly be.

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The smell of ichor tainted the air around the two lone souls in the mountain crease. There had not been an argument when Alexei told her to go first, much to his liking. It would have made him feel awkward. Fighting, verbally or physically, was not one of his strong suits. Though, if push came to shove, he'd do either. It wasn't as if he was afraid of it, rather would steer clear of it if he could. A simpler route. The woman took a few chunks out of the doe after ripping into her. Alexei flinched slightly, glancing downwards at the grass until he heard her step a few feet away and the soft munching of a meal. It was then that he looked up and gave a few nervous steps forward; to make sure that she didn't move from her spot and decide she wanted a taste of more than just deer blood. She seemed content with her own pieces of meat and herself, keeping somewhat quiet. 

      Alexei quickly took the chance and grabbed a few mouthfuls of his own before hopping back to the spot he was in before. He stared at the red meat for a few moments, gazing down into it, before he started to pick at it. The taste wasn't what he was used to. It was more fatty and dense tasting. But he closed his eyes and chewed. He had to have something to ache the pains that clenched at his stomach. 'Likewise.' Her voice shocked him back to reality, opening his bright amethyst eyes and finding her once again. 'Easier in pairs.' A weight came off his shoulders. Nothing about her appeared mean or rude, just neutral. The fisherman nodded, thankful the both of them saw it that way. There wasn't much more to add. He leaned down and started to munch again. It was a few moments before her next question entered his ears. 'Who are you?' This time, he kept his gaze down on his food, "Alexei. I'm Alexei." A deep breath pushed his chest upwards, then back down before he met her peer. "And you?" He asked, tilting his head ever so slightly. 
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 She could see him, his hesitance and how he was chewing at the meat. He didn’t seem all too comfortable with it. Strange. Or, strange to her. Food was food no matter the taste. Although it did make her curious… why was deer so strange to him? Was he from elsewhere?

 Her food was rapidly disappearing down her gullet. She hadn’t realized just how hungry she actually was. Although she wouldn’t take more than was needed, the rest could be brought back to the budding pack. She was sure Mal and Hua would appreciate it. Perhaps they’d appreciate a new soul as well. It was about time they actually started growing.

 ”Blackfoot.” She answered him. ”Pleasure.” Because it was nice to meet someone who didn’t have to be told to help to hunt. Moreover, it was nice to have someone with no qualms with sharing. ”Don’t like deer?” She was a straightshooter. To the point. She didn’t see the meaning in tiptoeing around things. She would much rather get her answers and had no issue with hurting feelings to get them. Not that she was being rude just straightforward as always.

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There wasn't a moment of silence in between them. In between the small talk and the munching, there was always something tingling the hairs in his ears. There were also the soft caws of birds overhead, soaring above the mountain and heading elsewhere. Alexei could understand their plight and envied that they could fly wherever they wanted at anytime. How easy it might be to see the world and escape to the skies where very little could bother him. 

      The taste of venison went bland in his mouth, but he'd take that over the gross taste that would come from anything rotten or of ground descent; such as rats or mice. 'Blackfoot.' The woman - Blackfoot answered him as he swallowed the mouthful of meat. Going directly to his stomach like a rock hitting the water, it was at least calming his hunger. Alexei nodded to her; it was a pleasure to meet someone who could understand the simplicity of hunting together rather than alone. He noted her name and keeping hold of it in his head. Maybe the information would be useful. After all, she was the first one he'd even seen after his long "nap." If it could be called that at all. 'Don't like deer?' Was it that obvious? 

       Alexei licked the blood off his lips and any remaining slivers of meat before answering. "No... Well, yes. It's just not my favorite... or what I'm used to." He did like deer, in the sense that he had to eat and if it was the only option, then he had to eat it. And this was an easier meal than he would have gotten alone. A bigger one too. Though, after a few minutes of their meal, his appetite was slowly gaging back up to normal. "I'm more accustomed to.. fish. Not that I have any right to complain. This is a fine meal." He didn't want to appear picky. That would dis-value the effort of their hunt. There was a pause before he spoke again. "Are you from around here?" Maybe she knew of a way down the mountains or had some advice about where a lake or river would be. Anything that would gift him some knowledge of the place that he'd found himself in. 
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[size=medium] Not what he was used to? Now she wanted to know what he was used to, then. Although she didn’t interrupt. If there was one thing that she was, it was a good listener. Besides, the answer came because she was patient. Fish. That was of interest and a perceptive wolf might have noted the way her ears would prick forward with interest despite the fact that her face didn’t change expression. [/size]

[size=medium] She would nod her head at his question, not needing to verbally answer with a “yes”. To expound she turned her nose westward to point out the direction she lived. ”Seeker’s Bluffs. We live by the ocean.” She didn’t expand further but it could be implied that there were lots of fish to be had there. ”Interested?” Because a pack was better than being alone. If you didn’t catch a meal you didn’t have to worry about starving. If you were injured you didn’t have to worry about huddling down and not knowing if you would make it till the next day. [/size]

[size=medium] She finished off the meat in front of her and eyed the deer for a bit before deciding to go after a leg. When she finished that, she could have a bone to chew on. So, she ripped off a piece of one with a growl and settled down again. [/narrow][/size]
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      Some of the cliffs' edges cast long, unwavering shadows down into the mountain valley that the two had been hunting in. Decorating the ground with various shadows, some that mended in with the others, making creatures of nightmarish visions and others of fairytales one might tell their children about. Alexei was dazed often, finding himself making shapes out of the simplest things. Once upon a time, he'd stare endlessly at the sky with his sibling next to him. For hours, he and Moira would point out shapes that resembled animals and some that they'd make up creatures of their own for. A ghost etch of a smile flickered onto his lips ever so quickly before it faded. Thinking of Moira was like asking to be punched in the gut. The thought of never seeing them again it quaked over him in regret at all the things they hadn't done together. If only he had followed them - and not that they had followed him, or they probably would have ended up here, together. He'd never wish the tragedy that happened to him happen to them though. So maybe he was glad, all in all. 

      The motion that snapped him back into reality was the nod of Blackfoot's head. He hadn't known how long he had been lost in thought - he couldn't assume too long at all. But he might have looked a little odd as he stared down at his meat as if it contained a whole tragic story within it. The nod perked him up. If there was a water source nearby, he could at least eat his fill of fish. 

      'Seeker's Bluff, we live near the ocean.' A bright light flashed before his eyes - or what seemed like it as something wheeled behind his now closed eyes; a movie playing out before him. Salt stung his eyes, a crushing force seemed to be the only thing that enclosed him. His head bobbed up against the waterline but quickly was smashed underneath the water like someone pushing him down purposely. Hard waves kept smacking him upwards, down, and anyway they could. Gasping for breath, all he got in his mouth was briny liquid. The taste of seaweed and brackish water. A scream escaped his lips, but instead of it echoing, it came in small bubbles. A powerful force smacking him into the corals below and knocking him out cold. Red blood spilling out of the gash in his shoulder and head, filling the water with the translucent look of maroon in the water. Then, getting sand scraped into his wounds, waking up on a beach with jagged rocks and a teenage girl staring at him. On the outside of his mind, where Blackfoot could see him, he gasped and coughed on the air, vividly. His eyes behind the lids moving rapidly, playing the scene out only for him. His paws clenched and unclenched on the ground. 'Interested?' The words do not remove him from the trauma that befalls him in his mind. 

      His ears tingle at the sound of skin being pulled from the roots of the body it was attached to. His eyes flew open, gasping for one deep breath and swallowing. Wide violet eyes looked down at the ground, his claws scraping against the rock; making an awful noise along with almost breaking his nails. It was better than being lost in relentless waves. Alexei almost collapsed, but remembered that it was not just him. He could barely bring himself to look at the woman, but found her shape through the underneaths of his eyelashes. "I... No. I... Thank you for the offer but, no." He can barely find the words to speak, coming out of his mouth slow and raspy, as if he had actually been drowning. He didn't know why it had been so vivid or why he hadn't thought about it in a while. It had been like as if he'd lost a core memory, but then came slamming back into his mind at the mention of an ocean. But it was clear, fresh in his mind, something that he would not forget for a long time. 

      There was one thing for certain: he did not feel hungry anymore. He could barely hold on to the food that he'd just eaten. Alexei stood wobbly on his legs as he looked at the stranger, a woman he only knew the name of and the blurry thought of a pack or group near the ocean. "Forgive me, I... You may have the rest of the meal. I'm sure you have enough to feed at home." Lexi couldn't find it in himself to move, otherwise he might fall, but he didn't look at her. He couldn't. Embarrassed or scared, or maybe both, it was hard to look anyone in the eyes when he was like this. Afraid he might see the shaking, weak boy reflecting in their eyes. 
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 It was almost as instantly as she said it did the man react.

 And not in a pleasant manner.

 He seemed as if he was going to scream, to cry, as if his entire world was coming to an end. Was it a phobia? Did her words have enough power to bring forth suffering from some event in his past? Her food was forgotten in an instant, her ears titled forward towards him. Her normally impassive face crinkled into one of concern. ”Alexei…” She would say, wondering if he would bolt or if he would faint. She wasn’t sure what she should do.

 He pulled himself back, declining her offer. He wouldn’t look at her, as if ashamed, but she looked at him. ”Apologies.” She said. She could not have known how he would react but still, she didn’t want to cause suffering if she could help it.

 ”Not many of us.” She assured him, not wanting him to starve on her account. She did not turn away, did not push him away, she simple lay there. After a moment she would avert her gaze, knowing that if she were in his state, she wouldn’t want anyone pressuring or staring at her. She… wasn’t good in these sorts of situations. She could only offer her company and in her opinion, it was crappy company at that. ”Take as much time as you need.” For what, she didn’t really know. To gather his thoughts, to collect himself before he wanted to go. Whatever it was. Still, she tried to help the mood pass by averting her attention again and gnawing on the piece of leg she had taken. She would allow silence if he so wished and if he wanted to leave then she would not stop him.

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It feels as though he can taste the tang of ichor in his mouth once more. But it is not the deer's and yet, his own from the day he ended up on the beach. Alexei bit into his tongue, anchoring himself to the moment and time he was in, and now wallowing in the past. Blackfoot's soft voice interrupted the piercing shrill noise ringing within his ears, and he tilted his head a little further up, as if were lifting him out of the fog of memory. 'Apologies.' Another round of her voice penetrated the ringing in his ears that came with silence. It is then that he looked up at her, finding her face against the gray mountains. "No, I am... sorry." Something like this had not happened to him in such a long time. It felt like centuries since that memory. How could it be so familiar yet far away? "The ocean and I don't get along... Not anymore." He'd muttered the last part of his sentence, but didn't mind if she heard. She'd already seen him almost lose his shit. How much more crazy could he get? 

      It was ironic, though. A fisherman that can no longer return to the sea. Ever since he left Agrid, it seemed that the once blessed boy had become cursed by the God who'd been so found of him before. Since birth, he'd been deemed a child of the water God and had ever right to believe it. As his other siblings as other elements that they were chosen for as well. Born under different signs, meaning unique elements. It'd been the moment he left that he was doomed. Even though that was supposed to be the whole meaning of the pack he was raised in. Searching for adventure and grandeur lives beyond. It seemed the Water God didn't favor his choice to leave, not that anyone would ever know. The sea took him alone. His family must have thought he'd found a good life. How wrong they had been. Cruel was the world and he drowning in it. He'd only had some clean breaks. 

      Blackfoot's remark made Alexei twist his ears up; wondering how many might reside on the ocean's beach. "I really don't need much. I couldn't eat anymore tonight anyway..." This encounter made the taste of deer actually sick to his stomach - or maybe it was an aftereffect of the anxiety attack that had barely passed. "You can have the rest of it. Even if there are few, every bit helps, right?" There had been one time when he'd held somewhat of a higher rank in a pack; sometimes the knowledge slipped through. It seemed as if he was regaining his memories slowly, and yet all at once. Finally, he could look up at her after taking a few deep gulps of breath, and making sure the ground would not crumble away from underneath him. 
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 Clearly, they did not get along. That was the understatement of the year. Although, she didn’t speak that. It would be pointless. Instead she let out a simple, ”Noted.” She would no longer bring up the ocean or sea or anything related to it. It would be cruel to make him repeat such torture and she was not one of the ones to do that.

 ”Will leave some.” Just in case he changed his mind. It would be just as cruel to make him have to hunt again. Even if he couldn’t eat more tonight, he might appreciate it later. Besides, leaving pieces of the kill would make it easier to drag back the carcass to her home. So, it was a win-win, as far as she was concerned. Then, she remained silent, unjudging as she finished off the pieces she had gotten for herself. She chewed through the meat and onto the bone, exposing it and working through the thing to get to the marrow within.

 It was a little while later or perhaps in between when she said, ”Don’t travel that way.” And she would gesture with her nose towards her home and the shores that ran along it. She was sure he wouldn’t question that advice as they’d both seen how he reacted with the ocean.

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An icy chill passed through the mountains. Maybe it was just the awkward silences between them or truly just the weather. The sun was out, as clear as day, as the morning drilled onward, promising for a clear rest of the day. But for Alexei, he felt it was time to sleep for a decade and then, maybe, the embarrassment and fear would fade. Thankfully, she didn't pry at the remark he'd made. It made it easier not to go into it, and since he'd honestly just meant it for himself, he was glad. The man took a deep breath and found himself steadier on his paws, looking at the prey that they'd both taken down together. Blackfoot mentioned leaving some and the man bobbed his head up and down in a small nod, taking a tiny step forward and grabbing a small portion. He did not want to seem rude or prudish to her. Just because he didn't like deer all that much. He was probably overthinking it, just like he did everything, but he'd been taught to be polite. She then, alluded to the western side of the mountains, was somewhere he did not want to go. Again, he nodded. "Thank you for letting me know, and for," He glanced over the prey they'd brought down together; 'For not chasing me off? Laughing at me in my weaker moments? Giving me information?' There were a lot of things he could thank her for, but his tongue felt twisted at each of them. "Everything." 

      Then, he dipped his head, as if to say 'thank you' again and turned off, making sure that he headed East instead of West. 

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exit <3
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