Priorities, AW

The form of a lanky femme was barely distinguishable through the onslaught of rain. She hated the rain. Hated it. It made her itch and twitch her pelt as an audible sizzling emitted from her skin. She sounded like she was dying; there was enough water to put out any flame if it hadn’t a living organism with breathing lungs and a beating heart to support it. Above these issues, the rain made her terribly cold. If she focused on the pounding drops long enough she could swear she’d see her colors run clear and she’d be forced to live a life detached from her beloved element.

But she wasn’t focusing on the rain. In the long run, she knew she’d live. Her long limbs deliberately carried her over the terrain without the intention to find cover as they had for the last hour or so. She paused, raising her head high with a quivering nose, distinguishing more important scents from the flood of water. Soon enough her toes were squelching in the sand again as she picked her way over the terrain. There was rotting Antick in the air, and she intended to find it.

She licked her nose, as if it needed moistening, to enhance the smells around her. It was like playing whack the piñata; if she found it there would be plenty of candy to be had. She had gone through the list of possible concerns over the fallen carrion. For one, it could be a kill, and not some old beast that just happened to die, but she felt that she was still far enough away from the packs epicenter to need to worry much about that. For two, there could be another Tinean already on the carrion, one that may not be keen to share. She’d rather eat scorpions (something she certainly wasn’t above) than get into a trifle over a meal. Her lithe frame was made for wandering and scrounging, not pointless fights. And three, the Antick could already be down to bones and scraps of meat. This last concern wasn’t really a problem though. Irritating sure, she’d of been out in the rain for no reason, but the possibility of a grand meal was always worth an inspection. Even in such inclement weather.

She crested a soggy dune, getting a better view of the surrounding area, testing the wind again and finally honing in on her desired dinner. She set her orbs alight, just as an extra precaution and scanned the surrounding area before approaching the Antick. Her nose quivered once more but didn’t quite pick up on fresh Tinean scents. Deciding that it was safe enough for an attempt at the food she licked her chops and loped down the hill to the carrion, noting that there was still plenty of meat.

She was on the Antick and prying off her prize in a matter of seconds. She could always come back for more, but she’d never stand over an animal to eat. At least not on the first go around, it was too easy to be run off that way, leaving the meal behind. She came away with her usual first, a thick strip of meat off the animals’ thigh. Loping a few paces away and she dropped the meat to the soggy sand and used paw and maw to tear off chunks. Another habit of hers was to always eat standing up; she couldn’t even recall the last time she had settled in for a meal of carrion. She never took the time to find a den to take a meal to either.

She looked up, licking her chops and glancing warily around before going back for seconds. She could take her time and taste her food now that her immediate hunger was sedated and it was no longer critical to eat. She hovered over the Antick, being a bit particular about her next cut before finally reaching into the animals open belly and pulling muscle off of its spine, the backstrap. She glanced about, the meat clasped within her jaws before moving off to the side once again. Flopping the hunk down, she pulled off a tasty morsel and chewed slowly, looking about and listening to and through the pounding rain.

.:OOC:.
*dances in* Howdy! xD

.:IC:.

Yawning widely, Vulcanis climbed up through the entrance to the Underground. Blinking, he realized with hsi fuzzy morning mind that he was begining to have sight in his right eye again. Ah, good. Another few weeks, and he'd be right back to normal. Shaking his head to clear some cobwebs, he also noticed that it was still raining. Oh, well. The others wouldn't like it, but he did. Even more after the last Lasair than he had before. Liftign his nose to the howling wind, he tried to single out some scent other than water. Hmm... There was something. Smelled like an Antick. Not too long dead. Good. It was a good distance away, though.

He'd intended to hunt with Malachi the night before, after meeting her upon hsi return from Carnelian Isle and the shrouded Lands, but she'd ended up near drowned, so he'd taken her back to his den and put her to sleep with some Pinnamie (or tried to). He'd left her there to come out now and find something to eat, as it'd been nearly a week by that point. He started out with a long, loose stride, heading down the slope from the tunnel entrance. And, about halfway down, he hit a soft sand wallow and went sliding down on his snout. When he reached the bottom, he jumped up quickly, just incase anyone had seen, and allowed the rain to quickly rinse the incriminating sand from his pelt. "Great..." he muttered to himself as he started walking again.

He kept going for a while, listening to the rain pitter-patter against the sand and the stony outcroppings as he traveled towards the border. Cresting a dune, he looked down and saw the carcass. And another wolf. tinean, but unfamiliar. From her size, she was probably female. Her patterning was difficult to discern through the rain, but he could tell she resembled her element in every way. Like the rest of them. As he began down the slope, he called out loudly in his deep tenor, so as not to sneak up on her and cause trouble. "Greetings."

©Jenn

table by emblem

The Way of the Hunter Never Dies Orange Tinean wolfess flew through the rock tunnels as best she could, not caring for the slight limp in her gait this morning. Served her right for nearly getting herself killed yesterday. She shook her head and yawned. She'd woken up alone in Vulcanis' den, his scent strong enough to say he'd just left. Now of course she was off searching for him again. She was going to hunt him an antick like he'd asked the other night. Now if he couldn't be grateful enough to see it that was his problem. She did not like waking up alone in an odd den so naturally her mood was less than perfect at the present. Her shoulder throbbed as she bounded up a rock slope. She spread her mouth to take in a better whif of the air. He'd certainly come this way. Mala tossed her head as she caught sight of the hole he'd taken and grumbled. Stinking male wolf had to take the hardest hole to leap through. The Tinean flared up immediately, glad because the pain was momentarily halted in its tracks, and launched her form through the hole and onto the wet sand. A low growl emanated from her throat as rain sizzled off her face, back and every other easily seen part of her body. This storm was really settling in for the long haul in the desert wasn't it. Malachi winced unhappily as she trod over a sharp stone. Now this trouble was starting up again with her paws? Mala closed her eyes unhappily before plodding on through the storm. It took her a good long time to locate Vulcanis' scent once more. The rain was almost unbearable at this point, but there were no thick thunderheads above, just dim lighting. It occured to Malachi that for once her eyes didn't hurt from looking about in the sunlight. Maybe this storm had a silver lining. As she stepped over a dune a wet clod of mud flew in her eye and she cursed the storms once more. Well her opinion was always changing. The rustic femm halted at the top of the dune as three scents touched her careful nose. Vulcanis's was the most present because he was most familiar to her, the second that of a freshly killed antick and the last an unfamiliar female. Mala squinted against the pouring rain to see Vulc's dark shape scurrying down the same dune she was standing upon. Another dark form stood over a broken body. The form was that of the unknown female. Mala did not go down immediately however, she stood a top the dune with guarded eyes upon the pair. Her role from hunter changed dramatically to careful observer. She sat down on the sand and narrowed her eyes, waiting to be seen while watching the scene before her unfold. Some would say she wasn't doing anyone a favor, but she was just being practical, plus her shoulder was nearly killing her from all of the walking.

Thunder boomed overhead, impossibly loud as it rolled massive and omnipresent over the normally scorched desert. Rain pounded down, vicious drops seeking to drench the stalwart Tinean who padded alone in the semi-twilight of the heavily overcast sky. It seemed to hiss in irate fury as it met her heated aura, turned to steam and left her dry for the most part. The residual steam hovered around her brindled form like a secondary aura. Shayateen didn't actually think anyone would be stupid enough to brave their borders in this tempest. She was out in case any of her fellow packmates needed assistance, such was her nature. Some scents were magnified by the torrent, the scent of earth and the few growing things. Once this rain let up, the desert would explode with floral life. Plants that were dormant for years would put up swift growing shoots and the oasis would be a mecca for frogs of every shape and variety. It was not so just yet, however. Now was the time to watch one's paws lest one find herself spawled in the muck. Fortunately, as she was a Beacon, she could use her charms enough to dry the soil beneath her paws, lessening the chance she would slip and shatter her illusions of grace and steadfastness. Hah! That sounded like something one of her sisters would come up with, certainly Surayya would. Shay hoped her family was weathering this well, tucked in their dry tunnels and avoiding the ones that must be flooded by now. Karrash knew the desert soaked up the water like moss. Presently, the scent of an Antik and three Tineans came to the powerful she wolf, and it occured to her that she was rather hungry. One of the benefits of being a Beacon was having a choice as to what you got to eat off a kill. Testing the scents with her keen nose, she scented Malachi and Vulcanis, two of the Omega Rangers, and a younger female she had yet to meet. With Antik liver on her mind, the Sentinel set off for the source of the scent. Flame rippled along her pelt, hissing and billowing in the wind and rain as she crested a dune and, after taking in the scene with a canny orange and gold eye, headed for the carcass, bearing confident and sure. Such is the way of wolves that the higher ranked individuals get the better parts of a carcass, and with that in mind, the Beacon crossed to the antick and tearing at its belly with quick efficient strokes, uncovered the liver and kidneys, claiming and dowing the choice bits as was a Beacon's right as long as the Luminary was not present. After the delicious slid of innards coursed down her throat, Shayateen turned to Vulcanis and smiled, "Well, Vulcanis, I see you have returned home... If somewhat soggy," She flicked her tail in an amused wag at the male's sodden appearance, then she nodded to Malachi and turned her piercing gaze on the unknown wolf, "And you, who might you be?" table by emblem

She was on her third bite of tender back strap when through the rain she scented, and eventually spied a dark form in the distance. She watched, nonchalantly taking another bite as he neared, confirming that it was indeed a he when his low tenor voice range through the wind and rain. She mused mildly if this was his kill or really one she had just found. Regardless, she remained in her position, off to the side, carefully chewing each mouthful. She wouldn’t back away ears flattened and tail tucked, calling herself guilty, until she was accused. For now she’d just assume that this was natures kill -besides, his voice hadn’t carried a protective snarl or anything of the sorts.

Her tail flicked in response to the male before a bright orange form cresting the dune he had just come down caught her attention. As he neared she inhaled, picking up on what she assumed to be two intermingled scents. Ah, a he and she. She backed away a few steps taking her morsel with her; now that she was outnumbered she’d give these two a bit of space, if only to keep them in the same line of vision. She couldn’t decipher if it eased her that the femme stayed at a distance, or if it unnerved her.

Her nerves began to get the better of her as a third form appeared from the desert. This one strode confidently, ignored the other three, and rather quickly devoured the some of the Anticks innards. No longer feeling the luxury of time, the rest of the back strap was devoured in large meaty gulps. Her food was much safer in her stomach than it was on the ground before her. She licked her muzzle and nose clean, thinking, in hindsight that she ought to have scrambled off with her choice bits. Really, she couldn’t expect to be left alone with a whole carcass before her. She was not the only hungry wolf in the desert.

But she was not to be alone any longer. From the comparison of the two near Tineans scents, she deciphered that these were pack members, with the confident female likely being one of a higher rank. She watched from her sideline position as the brindled female addressed the dark male as Vulcanis, who evidently had just returned from the lands. She gave a nod to the orange wolf on the dune, giving more evidence that this was indeed the Ruby Desert pack, before finally focusing on her with an ‘and you’.

Feeling more new-comerish than ever, she attempted to mask her nerves and prepare her rusty voice to speak. One on one she was fine with meeting new individuals, but this three on one deal made her feel that if she slipped up there could be unfortunate consequences. Thank goodness she was covered in black’s reds and oranges, if her coat were of greens or blues she’d feel like prey. She dipped her maw respectfully, and in an airy voice unintentionally interlaced with whispers she spoke, "I am Tourmaline, a recent addition to the pack as a Ranger." It seemed that her voice could be pretty if she ever used it, but she was not one to talk aloud to herself when she was alone in the desert. She couldn’t think of any more to add about herself. The woman had asked for her name, not her entire life’s story. She flicked her tail and gave a slight wave of her head, "And you all are?"

This post has been edited by Tourmaline: 07 Nov 2009

Skies on Fire,

Flames burn Higher...

.:OOC:.
*dances*

.:IC:.

Vulcanis was quite surprised to see Shayateen waltz right up and start picking bits out, but then he remembered her not-so-recent promoton. In that case, it made sense. He, personally, preferred the fatty brain and the tounge. Emboldened by Shayteen's actions, he stepped forward and started to gnaw at the neck, just below the third cervic vertebrae, so that he could take it with him and sit nearby to force his way in to the skull. He saw the new female nod at someone behind him, and he turned his head. He was surprised to see Malachi. After the night's events, he would have thought she wold have slept a while longer.

"Come on down, Mal!" he called up the dune before turning back oto the neck he was tugging on. Finally, the spine gave way and he was able to drag the head a short distance to devour at his leisure. With that done, he deigned to rspond to Shayateen, and to the other, Tourmaline. "A pleasure, I'm sure, Tourmaline. Yes, Shayateen, I have returned... Finally. Congratulations on your promotion, Beacon." The way he said it, it sounded less respectful, and more like a playful taunt.

Skies on Fire,

Flames get Higher...

Skies on Fire :: AC/DC
Table by Jenn

table by emblem

The Way of the Hunter Never Dies The rusty Tinean shook her head in disbelief as another wolf crept through the rain to join the two wolves below. Karrash it appeared the rain was drawing everyone out of their dens today. She growled angrily at the irritating rain and flared herself up with flames. Loud crackling and hissing sounds snapped through the air in mild irritation as they rain was vanquished. Steam roiled around her candle-lit form for a moment before spreading out over the crown of the dune. Malachi squinted now as the new form ripped something from the dead antick without consult from the hunter. It could only be one wolf in the pack that possessed so much boldness. Malachi even doubted if Firehawk would have been so brazen as to steal a piece of prey from another wolf. It was Shayateen no doubt. Mala's mind flicked back two days when they'd met up just as she had returned home. Her opinion had changed of the newly appointed Beacon. Shayateen was actually the epitome of female power in the Tinean ranks. Mala smiled at her description of the Beacon. Boy she really needed to stop putting things in such perspective. Her skin tingled as she felt the eyes of the wolves flicker to her from below. Vulcanis now faced her for a moment after he tore off his own piece of prey. She shivered involuntarily and scowled at herself. Stinking emotions... She had a bone to pick with him so she brushed off the strange feeling and replaced it with mild irritation. The new female and Shayateen nodded to her, but Mala felt it would be wrong to return the gesture at such a long distance. Her mind flinched at the thought of triapsing down the dune to meet her packmates, but when Vulcanis' voice rang out in greeing Malachi could not just leave anymore. She stood up, resting most of her weight on her good paws and keeping her left leg up in the air. She delicately placed the injured paw down and began her solitary walk down to meet them. Pain worked its way through her system, but her hardheaded pushed it all away to the back of her mind where it throbbed dully. It took her a while, but eventually she reached the level sand. Without the need for intense navigation, the citrus colored Tinean picked up the pace to an uneven jog. In no time she reached her packmates. The lithe female sat beside Vulcanis, curling her tail around her paws primly. “Hi Vulcanis,” she whispered softly into his ear before turning to the other females. She dipped her head respectfully to Shay in greeting. “We're meeting everywhere lately it seems, only this time I have an irritating injury compliments of this darn storm.” Mala flicked her gaze to unfamiliar she-wolf. "I'm Malachi, Omega Ranger.” She flicked her hungry gaze to the much dead antick. “Would you mind if I had some of that Tourmaline?” Her stomach growled loudly, begging for some relief. Mala only shook her head and smiled.

Real life commentary goes here

Shayateen watched as the uncertain stranger introduced herself. Four Omega Rangers then, at least Firehawk was watching after them, a small mercy in her mind. She remembered how nervous she'd been when she'd first joined the main pack. Shayateen doubted any here would believe she was the same wolf who had made that less than auspicious entry in the pack meeting that had been nearly 5 moons before. As Vulcanis answered her, the Beacon glanced at Tourmaline, assuming she had gleaned the pertinent informatiom from Vulc's greeting, insofar as she knew her name and rank. Shayateen shook herself as the steam coiled around her form. Malachi then ventured toward them and the Sentinel's gaze sharpened when she saw the Ranger's limp. It was pretty bad, too. There was little chance of the Omega being able to run, let alone walk any great distance. "Malachi, what happened to your leg?"

After introducing herself she stood quietly, awkwardly, as Vulcanis proceeded to dismantle the Antiks head from its body. She sat, passively watching the scene unfold before her as her ears flicked about towards various sounds through the rain. Soon enough Vulcanis paused in his work when he spied the orange wolf on the ridge- ‘Mal’, and invited her down. Only after he came away with the animals head did he bother to rejoin the conversation, acknowledging her and then turning to the brindle wolf-Shayateen, and congratulating her. She had called it right, the brindle female, was a wolf of higher rank, a beacon. She didn’t quite get what rank Vulcanis was, but guessed it to either be equal to Shayateen due to his tone, or lesser. Neither of the two answered her question directly, but it was rightfully assumed that she could gather the desired information from their word. She met Shayateen’s glance with a slight nod.

She minded her eyes and did not stare as Malachi limped down the dune, but the offhand gate was hard not to notice. The way she sat, and whispered into Vulcanis’s ear prompted the assumption of mates, if not, soon to be mates. Love was such a curious thing. Her thoughts wouldn’t have dwelled on the emotion even if Malachi hadn’t spoken up. She glanced at Shayateen to judge the fae’s reaction towards Malachis injury before she was up on stage again. Her ears pricked a bit as she learned of Malachis ranger position in the pack, an enticing bit of information, and flicked backwards as the established member asked her for a piece of the antick. “No, of course not. Help yourself.” She felt it to be an odd question, but one that made her feel a bit more comfortable in the group. Shayateen asked Malachi outright what she thought would be a rude question coming from her, due to having just met the other. She eyes drifted over the landscape while her ears listened for the answer.

Skies on Fire,

Flames burn Higher...

.:OOC:.
*dances*

.:IC:.

His tail wagged slightly as she whispered a quiet hello in his ear. It was nice finally having a friend. He gone, well, the whole two years since joining the main pack, without any solid friendships. Until now. It felt nice. Very nice. In fact, his heart rate had picked up a moment ago, quite like it had when Aethel was around before her disappearance, or Lexis... He shook his head, thrusting the thoughts aside so that he could focus on everything else. Like welcoming this new pack member. "Forgive me. I failed to introduce myself. I am an Omega Ranger, like my friend Malachi. "

He glanced to the other, who had just been granted permission to eat. He hadn't thought to ask. After all, it smelled as though the anitck had not just been killed, so the other had most likely chanced upon it, as he had it and her. He glanced again to Malachi, and then more pointedly at her shoulder. It looked bad. She must've strained a muscle thrashing the night before. He grimaced, and decided that he'd have to do something about it. Maybe... Yes. He would wait for her to eat before asking her. He'd wanted to visit anyway, find out why he'd not seen her... He hadn't even found her after they'd fled the blasted Lan that had snuck up on them... He'd wait until Malachi had eaten, then. He turned his attention once more to Tourmaline. "Welcome to the funny-farm."

Skies on Fire,

Flames get Higher...

Skies on Fire :: AC/DC
Table by Jenn

table by emblem

The Way of the Hunter Never Dies Malachi just looked around comfortably, enjoying herself amid her packmates even in the downpour that threatened to crush out the Tinean flames. Of course it would never happen. The Tinean Pack in general was too used to hardship for a little rain to catch them off guard. Malachi felt pride in her pack. They never seemed to be able to lose their fighting spirit even during these times. Well not exactly these times necessarily because she didn't feel threatened right now just a little off put by the showers. Her eyes settled on the new Ranger with interest. At least she seemed to be competent in her language. Mala flicked her ears at Shayateen's question, but didn't reply until after she'd taken a thigh of the antick and was properly seated at Vulcanis' side. She gave him a quick grin before turning her gentle eyes on Shayateen. She smirked abashed at her answer to Shay's question. Mala whispered out in a low voice, “Um... Last night Vulcanis and I went out to hunt...” She felt her fur tingle in embarrassment as she continued. “We raced to an oasis in another direction from our dens and I kind of was thrown into a pool of water trying to escape the blasted wind those Anords are killing us with." She winced as a spurt of pain whisked up her shoulder. “Needless to say my muscles are a little tired." Malachi whisked her tail as she gulped down some pray. She smiled at Vulcanis' comment. “I wouldn't call us a funny farm Vulc. We just have some tiny issues is all," she said flashing a grin in Tourmaline's direction.