prime hunting real estate

She stalked the sheep as it made its way, crossing into Temperate from the Mountain region. Using the tall grasses of the location to follow, she was thankful the prey singled itself out. It didn't belong to any herd or, perhaps a young adult looking for a new one. Either way, she hunkered down and waited for a sign. A flash of fur caught her eye and she turned to look as another being came close.

Tallulah chuffed quietly and lowly to the other being. Her duo-colored eyes flickered back to the sheep. You in? she seemed to ask the stranger. The prey didn't acknowledge the predators, grazing quietly among the equines that made the grasslands home. Tallulah didn't feel right hunting horses. Some subconscious belief, anyway. She would if she was terribly hungry. Though the question stood; if they wanted to take the sheep...

She was in.

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He'd never considered himself the type to hunt before he arrived on these lands and he knew he hardly hunted well now so when he followed after Tallulah none unlike a herd and its shepherd, he knew there was only one thing they were bound to do. It uneased him some, knowing what they were meaning to take down, having known so many that relied on him for safety... but things were vastly different here. Nikolai had to stomach that and know he'd do what he could to make sure its end was swift.

 

"I'll be right behind ya'," he said to her, voice a whisper, near her so closely their shoulders touched. "Fair warnin' though, I ain't the best at this... 've lost voles before."

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To her surprise it was Nikolai. She glanced at him as he spoke, raising a brow. "Ain't gonna learn by sittin' on yer laurels" she told him bluntly but kindly "if we miss it, we miss it. No big deal." She was careful to include we in the situation, because if he thought it was gonna be his fault alone... He had another thing coming.

Tallulah felt his touch near her shoulder and she leaned in briefly, trying to reassure him. Like he had done before, back in the mountains. Once he was assured they were in this together, she moved past him to corner the sheep. Her voice had been low enough for Nick to hear and the sheep to remain blissful. She stalked forward best she could, in a large arch before getting behind the prey.

The woman wiggled on the spot, bunching her muscles before springing. She let out a chuff to alert Nick that it was coming his way. She charged after the sheep, directing it to her waiting hunting partner.

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Nikolai had grown up with enough blunt folks telling him what was what that her words were usual, familiar to short ears. "I reckon so, I'd just hate ta' be the reason ya' go back empty-handed an' all," he admitted, having led a life defined by his use until he arrived here, it felt odd not knowing his efficiency. He trusted she knew her way around enough that as long as he kept quiet and listened then maybe things could lean in their favor.

 

No big deal he thought as she slipped ahead, him at her hocks, eyes sharp in their intent, body falling into a mirror mimic of her own pose.

 

Things fell then.

 

Abiding that signal, he readied himself, watching her move, strike.

 

On a heel, Nikolai surged forth, clumsy in his execution but at least accurate in landing in the sheep's path; baring his teeth, silent, the clearest sign of a vicious attack on the horizon.

 

He snapped for it, tried to land a bit, and came away with wool between his teeth, on the wet of his lips. The sheep wailed, turned, smart enough to know jaws were riding its heels and were at its front. It went straight down the hill to avoid both. Whether this would be to its or their advantage, well...

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She flashed him a smirk, shaking her head after a light chuckle. "Too far to drag meat back" Tallulah pointed out "it'd spoil the time I got there, aye? This is... selfish" She admits to him before the hunt begins. Her eyes focus on Nick, wondering what he'd think "a chance ta hone me skills... To cooperate with someone else and adjust to any situation..." And most of all "I'm also fuckin' hungry." She winked before turning to the sheep.

It wasn't as foolish as some prey were. Hell, many preys were clever. But a wolf who is hungry is a wolf who doesn't think that. They think the prey lives for the predator's fangs. Tallulah is in a hungry mindset. She will eventually calm, and respect the animal that is being hunted... But right now? That flies out of the concept. She charges after the sheep as it takes a detour. The clank of hooves pounds in her skull as she follows. Once or twice, she slips. But that's to be expected.

She was not a sheep. She did not have hooves. She was slower against charging down the hill. Trying not to displace her remaining energy, Tallulah kept up the assault on the sheep's legs. She snapped at it, making it aware that there were predators pursuing it. She angled her body to shift against the fluffy hide, forcing it back to the hill and up toward Nick. It was like watching a herding dog shepherd.

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He couldn't help but laugh at it. Selfish. Nikolai tried not to be, it wasn't in his blood, really, any spoils he earned were shared but her logic was sound he supposed. He also didn't mind the idea of being a little selfish with her.

 

The sheep had other ideas, of course. Nobody had being eaten on their agenda.

 

Its hooves clickclickclick in distinctive sync that'd ensure he wouldn't lose it even if he lost sight. Dirt and grass and its thick scent of fear as it barreled down the hill. Tallulah was better equipped; he blundered, heavier, stockier, following after with a more steadied idea on how to keep up without falling on his face.

.
 

Luckily, though not to his surprise, she did react like a wolf with the ability to hound it.

 

Nikolai slowed once he recognized what she was doing, trying to force it up like it had no other place to go, it believed her a little. Ushered up halfway to Nikolai, he sought to meet it.

 

For an instant, he did. His greater weight and the jaws he tried to lock in the right place worked together as he shouldered it, hoping to make it fall... though through the wool, his hold on the side of its throat was pitiful.

 

He drew blood as it thrashed away awkwardly. White wool turned pink. His dark mask laced with the scent of wet metal. And then it was gone, from his grasp, wailing and determined and stumbling back down the hill. Toward Tallulah.

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They managed to enclose the sheep between them, one predator on each side. Their prey was in the middle, becoming more harassed as time went on. Blood stained the sheep where Nick had punctured, displaying red and pink instead of soft ivory. Tallulah turned her head to the side, digging her canines deep into its neck. She held on as it bellowed and thrashed, more or less dragging her a bit as she planted her feet in the grass.

It was like watching a dog playing tug-o-war. The more the sheep yanked, she dug in and pulled back. The wounds were becoming fatal the more their prey resisted. She tried to lock eyes with Nick, willing him to end it. Sure, he had been a bit clumsy but his strengths lay elsewhere. He was built differently than her lithe figure. She was speed, he was strong. He could easily pounce on the sheep and end it now. She hoped her hold on it would remain strong —

Else they'd both come away hungry.

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His utter lack of skill was clear, he knew what to do but didn't own the experience to execute it as he should, and certainly not on prey so large compared to the rabbits he nabbed. Tallulah had a stranglehold on it, fighting against gravity and the sheep's sheer will to live, blood thick on the air and pattering against the earth. He hesitated, a brief second rippling through his muscles, half-worried another misstep would ruin this and she'd go hungry because of him.

 

Nikolai had also been on the receiving end of a sheep's kick. It wouldn't kill but it could rock the guts. The last thing he wanted was her harmed for his inaction.

 

With the sheep held, he cleared the distance between them, teeth bared until they weren't—sunk past soft wool into the tender flesh concealing a throbbing pulse, Nikolai's size finally served some purpose out here as he tightened his jaw and felt the vibrations of the bleating wail, tasted copper. He wouldn't know if Tallulah still held on or if he was managing it alone but it was clear enough he could. An iron jaw and relentless vigor. Nikolai struggled only slightly against the sheep's thrashes.

 

For all he lacked in the hunt, he made up for in the kill. Nikolai wasn't senseless, though, the cries of the sheep were none unlike the cries of his. He had the power to end its fright. Its hurt. A kindness he couldn't grant his own.

 

Nikolai adjusted his grip a little, moved to where his bottom fangs could tease the windpipe... and crushed it, a horribly heavy bite that saw the sheep spluttering, wheezing; blood on his shoulder where it coughed, on its nose.

 

Its hind legs gave out first, falling sideways. Nikolai did the service of holding on and somewhat easing its front to the earth like he suddenly wished it some comfort.

 

After a long moment, he released, crimson dripping from where it soaked his jaws and pattered his face. Another look over the red throat of the sheep and he knew it was gone; chest still, eyes wide, unblinking. Nikolai looked to Tallulah instantly, his tail offering a slight wag of excitement—what was he looking for in her, though? Correction? Critique? It certainly wasn't praise, he'd been so clumsy.

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Nick ended the sheep's life in an expert manner. Once he had grabbed it, she let go and circled to the side of their prey. Her eyes watched for any signs it was going to escape and hopefully try to cut it off before it did. This was not the case. The braying animal bellowed one final time and slumped. He let go and faced her, offering a wag of his tail. His eyes were almost hopeful and expectant, though she could sense some uncertainty. 

He had been right; Nick wasn't a strong hunter of larger animals. But that was okay. She approached him, bopping her nose against his cheek if allowed before stepping back. Everyone had their strengths and weaknesses. "Couple more like that, and you'll be a right hunter I reckon" she stated to the man "ya don't think I missed a few before now?" Tallulah laughed heartily, recalling her mistakes "we miss the chances we don't take." Words to live by.

Especially from a time not long ago. She bent her head to the sheep. "Aye, let's dig in." She licked the blood from her lips. A bath was in order after this. She didn't want to smell like sheep blood forever.

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Nikolai had presumed right, there was no song of praise nor a compliment to fall from her lips; that timid wag slowed until his tail fell entirely. He supposed there weren't any criticisms either, which meant he didn't throw his plays entirely. When Tallulah moved to tap her nose to his cheek, he caught her muzzle on the withdraw, licking once over the side of her bloodied lips. She spoke of something he was sure pertained to this, some encouragement that failure was inevitable, but a creature of use simply didn't see failure as an option. "Aye, good job," he said, voice low enough as though there was a soul out here to hear.

 

And then he watched her as she went to pick at her spoils of the, with a shake of his fur, he settled down, smacking his jaws that'd surely crust with blood. Hardly the cleanest creature. Nor the hungriest one would assume, smacking his jaws, seeing how she picked at the sheep.

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If there were no vocal criticism, she had none. Tallulah knew she was new to this world still, and not everyone would know this about her. Hell, Nick and she were acquaintances right now. Perhaps it would grow into something more, but for now... She could feel the disappointment from her lack of praise. While she tried to praise him humbly, perhaps it was best to give him more. As she pondered if the moment had passed by now, she picked at the sheep. Chewing and swallowing. Making sure it didn't go to waste.

Good job.

The side of her face burned where he had licked, and she tried to ignore it. Surely, he wouldn't do that if he was mad at her? But he was less talkative now, watching her eat. "No, ya did a good job too" she remarked to him, not bothering to lick off the sheep blood this time as she addressed the man. What was it about other canines saying they stunk at something but could still do it? "ya said you weren't great, but you weren't bad, Nick" she eyed him "sorry — I should have said that 'fore..." She looked guilty now. Her lack of praise could be seen as...

What?

Well, for one it was annoying. It was misleading. It was almost cruel.

"Ya surprised me. Ya knew what you're doing" Instinct but a bit more clever than basic "did ya work on a ranch too?" she asked him, curious now "m' used to herdin' sheep and chickens... Didn't think an'one else could here."

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Nikolai didn't feel anything toward her. Tallulah didn't have the duty of making sure he was soothed or that his concerns were relieved nor did he think it of her; though, his silence was unfortunately easy to read as everything but it was. It made her sudden ... compliment sound odd. He flicked an ear. "Naw, now why ya' sayin' all that?" he said, wordlessly beckoning her toward him; the sheep a mere foot or two away. If she obliged, he'd wait for her to settle down before moving to lick her muzzle, lips, even the shyest touch of her throat; cleaning her carefully, tasting blood and her on his tongue. It delighted him. "Ain't no reason ta' apologize, ain't done nothin' to be sorry for...and that definitely ain't somethin' to say it about." Nikolai didn't grasp it, nobody back home praised his efforts when he worked—sure, the... doggier parts of him desired something more but they'd never be satiated, a wordless win was the ideal.

 

You'd think he was trying to clean her of this guilt her features were kissed by the way he slowly drew his tongue along her cheek then neck, turning her crimson-soaked fur a shade of pink with his efforts. Some of him wanted to pull her down here with him, to better reach her throat, to feel her heart against him. Nikolai refrained, though, the space he offered would be there when she chose, if... the prospect of a meal was so alluring, he was sure.

 

"Sheep are just real big rabbit's, that's 'bout it," he dismissed and glanced up at her momentarily, before idly continuing his ever careful work. "Yeah, didn't 'erd nothin' though, that's still yer forte... All I did was guard the sheep an' such, them 'yotes back home hated me the wry things." After a moment, he stopped, pulling away from Tallulah's throat and muzzle and leaving enough room for her to initiate; to lean in and ask for him to finish what he started. "So that's what ya' did? 'erd? Does... Do ya' ever miss it? Uh, havin' a purpose, use? Been 'ere who knows how long an' I ain't found myself missin' nothin' more."

 [narrow]Nikolai loathed to think he was somehow giving less than he got.

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"Naw, now why ya' sayin' all that?"

She blinked. "Cause ya looked a bit down, and frankly I should have said something" Tallulah pointed out "was mighty rude not to say 'good job' first. Ya killed the sheep." She worried, as she usually did, that she was too sheltered for the rest of the world. Especially toward men. She didn't know how to navigate the social aspects of a friendship, let alone whatever this was. That's why she was trying to break her walls. Make them crumble. Or maybe, she just wanted to do that for Nick. Nobody else. But the woman was not so well-versed to handle her own emotions on that. Yet.

Nick continued to say she had nothing to apologize for, but she felt she had. His silence spoke, just as her awkward apology did. Curious, she shuffled toward him as he beckoned her. Tallulah didn't know what to expect, especially how to react when he began to groom her like a feline. Heat flashed against her face as he leaned in to clean, and part of her wanted to pull away. Just because it was a 'lady-like' thing to do. Politely decline. Give excuses. Maybe even run away. But she was not a dainty lady. And if she did that, maybe he'd be put off and lose interest. She wanted his interest.

So she stood as still, perhaps awkward and stiff, as possible. Each lick was like a jolt up her body, but if she shivered he might get the wrong idea. Nobody had groomed her since she was a child, after all. It was strange and uncertain. Nick acted like it was a normal thing to do, so she was going to treat it as such. He pulled away and she subconsciously leaned in, liking the feeling after forcing her heart to calm itself. "We guarded sheep too" she spoke "and Elysium gives me use" Tallulah also added "it ain't t' same as me world... But it is a good place. Good people. Same community type."

But.

"I do miss it" she said softly "but I asked round and nobody seems t' go back to their world" It's time to move on. "ever'one is content here. They made lives fer themselves. Mebbe... Ye can find a pack, somewhere ya can guard others?" She hesitated, knowing if he chose a pack that was unfriendly with Elysium it could be troublesome "mebbe ya could come to Elysium... Wit' me."

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He let out a rough chuckle, something that rumbled deep. "Maybe but not 'cause of ya', I just ain't used to not bein', uh, sure of what I can do n' all," he said, hoping to soothe the apparent worry she wore without the best concealment. He'd surely develop an ego if anyone, let alone her, came around and said he was doing something of note. The doggier parts of him didn't prefer his insistence on this, rather liking the idea of being told he'd done good. This, of course, he merely saw as a flaw to improve rather than much else. "But if we're doin' that, I sure wouldn'ta killed it if ya' didn't snag it, I just beat ya' to the praisin' punch."

 

Tallulah's company was enough for him, really, and so he was ever appreciative when she accepted his advances, a little contended hum in his throat as he tended her fur; which could be a little laughable, one might say, as it was clear the wolfdog didn't focus on his own grooming as much as he imparted the etiquette. In his defense, at least, he found himself the victim of one too many cats' idle tongues. Though she remained stiff for it, she eased into it upon his withdrawal, earning another lick to her cheek before he returned to her throat, working up to her muzzle. Letting her talk as she let him idle. It was good she found somewhere to settle her bones, he thought, the idea of her wandering as he did now was a sour thought he didn't let himself entertain. His ears twitched to the side at her admission.

 

No one ever goes back...

 

Fuck, was he hoping that'd be an inevitability all this time? Somehow he'd return, some revenant, born of ash and flame... his flock waiting, the ranch tattered but standing?

 

If upset beaded, her next words swept it from his mind. Nikolai blinked.

 

"What?" Nikolai muttered quietly, a whisper of a thing the wind could steal. The thump of his tail betrayed any subtly he could have mustered. "With ya'... Ya'd want that?" He said, bolder, "I want that."

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She chuckled, feeling the awkwardness leave after a bit of fight. Nick didn't say much else, content to groom the blood from her fur and talk when he felt it was needed. Her own silence slipped in, and Tallulah's eyes closed halfway, content as well in the end. She would have left it at that, if not for her slip. And he paused, though not in confusion. "Yeah" she blinked too, wondering if that was too forward. He said he'd like that - no, wanted that - so she dove in "ye said ye liked me."

And so. "I like ye too" she admitted with a fluster of her creamy cheeks "but if ye keep movin' around, I won't know where ye are. It'd be... hard to meet up. In a regular manner" And maybe he'd find someone else while walking around? her insecurity acted up momentarily "if ye was in Elysium, ye could find purpose and we could... hang out" She shuffled against the earth "Ms. Valeska and Amaranth won't keep ya, if it don't work out." But she hoped it would. She hoped he would settle there nicely.

Elysium was the best pack in her humble opinion. No real restrictions or rules. Plus, she could 'hang out' with Nick all the time then. Tallulah fixed on his face, wondering what he thought. Wondering if he'd still want to be there. She more or less confessed she liked him back, in a rather blunt way mind, but it was who she was.

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The quiet air which fell over them as one wasn't disliked by any means, the sort of atmosphere he'd lean into and let overtake him if they didn't have such verbal affairs brewing. "I do," had he been feline, he'd have purred, pressing his heavy head against her shoulder and overly content with the knowledge his affections were remembered. Not that he'd have cared to remind her again and again. Tallulah wasn't done. Dark eyes softening, his tail thumping furiously as he adjusted to press into her; bold as she was. "I sure would like seein' yer face every day."

 

He lifted up then, shifting where his forepaws held his weight as he sat on his haunches. "No idea why it wouldn't work out, darlin'," he said, wolfishly—for once—licking over her ears, one could say possessively, however discreetly. For all his worth, there were still... primal aspects of his mind he abided by, and having the wolf he so found himself admiring smelling of him and him of her, well, he wouldn't admit this also coaxed his acceptance. "Yer' there. I'm wherever ya' are, so long as you'll have me."

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He pressed against her, and she felt comforted this time. She leaned back, partly out of competition and partly to act natural. He wasn't going to be the only one showin' affection! She decided this when she said she liked him. She decided to break down her walls, and let Nick in... Be it a bad idea or not so soon, there was no point in having doubts. Now that she was relatively clean, all it'd take was a hop-skip back across the river to the mountains. Then further along the road, and then... home.

"It'll work out" she said with a teasing grin as he gave her ears a fond lick "but ye never been in a pack... I didn't want ye to give up an'thing ye felt was taken away." Tallulah tried to remain considerate of others, even if their actions could bite her in the ass down the road. Even if he felt he didn't want to be in Elysium, she would have still liked to meet up every now and then. It just spoke to his loyalty that he was going to give it a chance, and them have a chance. The thought felt electric.

She recalled Ms. Valeska having a talk with her about partners and pups. While pups were far from her mind, the hope was alive. Still too soon to call Nick hers, and him to call her his... Not in an official way, but more of a courting stage. No the hope that she had finally found someone to be with... "Come on, let's finish up. Both need the strength fer the trek back" She gestured to the fallen prey "it's a long way back to Fate's Respite." Unless he didn't want to go right away.

Which was fine, but she did need to go back. With or without him. But she'd rather it be with him.

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He didn't need it reciprocated, touch, words—call him old fashioned or annoyingly male but Nikolai found it to be his duty to make her feel wooed and fancied. He didn't mind her action, though. Returned it. "I don't feel no way," he soothed. "'ere to figure all this out with ya', I ain't thinkin' 'bout nothin' else." It was true. The vagabond ways he lived with were familiar though not lasting; far from the muscle memory recollections, he had. The idea of having a place to rest his bones at night. A place he could count on. A place that may very well accept his hypervigilant guard... all while with her? What more could he want? It was worth the risk.

 

He let out some puppy-ish groan at her statement, watching her move back to their kill. Nikolai would've liked her to stay longer, let him further tend to her further but it was without another word he rose, too, and followed

 

Just as he always would.

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