Skyfall

The days became dreary as autumn rolled along. Although the forests were vivid and full of fiery colors, they seemed somewhat subdued by the endless ashen skies and the large quantum of rain that poured onto the earth. Every once in a while, the valley seemed blessed with a sunny day and some warmth, but today was not blessed with that luck. Skyfall, despite the weather, decided to roll out of the protection of the leafing trees and get some exercise in. Sitting around in the forest all day was starting to ache at his unused muscles, and boredom began to nag at him. Without a pack or family, Skyfall didn't have anybody to keep him company, and so entertaining himself was completely his duty. And, thus, that brought Skyfall to the eskers on this rainy day.

By mid-afternoon, there was a fine mist spurting out of the sky. With a thickening coat and blessed genetics, Skyfall didn't mind it. He strolled across the sandy terrain near one of the streams, stepping over dead leaves that had strayed here. There weren't many trees out here. Just a few orange and yellow clumps, beaten by the winds that scoured across the area. Skyfall didn't feel especially secure out here. Although his senses were alert, he didn't trust the area. But his common sense was trumped by the ache to get out. And he found himself out here, trekking along a rippling stream. At one point, he clamored upon a small bolder and overlooked the rushing waters below. Suppressing a sigh, Skyfall looked into the precipitation with squinting eyes and sighed, his warm breath misting the air.

"What a depressing place..." Skyfall mused to himself, chuckling softly. How depressing indeed. This place, a playtime place for pups, was vacant and dead. How very depressing.

Lupanare & Pulse

Somewhere beyond the misting rain that obscured Skyfall's vision, a scream rent the air. It was a noise that no wolf could claim, but the bark and faint snarl that followed it was definitely canine in origin. The gurgling stream and the wind that billowed now and then across the age-old eskers made it difficult to hear anything else for a few moments afterwards. If Sky was alert and looking about though, he might spot a large, dark shape fleeing across one of the shallow dunes, heading in his direction, with a much smaller, silvery wolf in hot pursuit...

At just under a quarter-ton, Pulse should have stood his ground against Lupanare. Instead, the sambar stag had made a break for it and fled across the uneven terrain in panic. Sand kicked up under his fast-flying hooves, and his dark, shaggy mane flowed and rippled against his neck with every stride he took. Above him, two formidable antlers stretched high above his head, and could have made a good defense against the wolf that pursued him. But no, the deer ran as fast as his legs would take him, and was so frantic about the beast behind him that he did not see the one on the boulder. All he saw was a source of water, and water always made him feel safer...

Skyfall

Through the soft patter of rain drops in the rushing waters below, Skyfall could hear the soft, sand-muted thud of hooves upon the ground. Behind these dull thuds were the patter of paws behind them, and a wispy pant from a canine. Skyfall's body tensed up as he scanned the misty terrain, his eyes falling upon the shadowed figure of Pulse bolting through the mist. He caught sight of Lupanare, dashing behind the stag. The wolf's fur bristled with amusement as he calculated the situation, realizing he was witnessing a fellow canine's hunt. He smirked slightly, his tail brushing against his hocks with a pulse of excitement. How long it had been since Skyfall had participated in a hunt with large game. The life a loner didn't cater to such things, and Skyfall was used to the solo hunts for the small game.

Pulse crashed into the water below Skyfall abruptly enough that it startled the gray wolf a bit. But the stag seemed unaware of the wolf's presence upon his stony perch, and Skyfall was thankful for both of their blunders. Hunching down on his hind legs, Skyfall didn't take a second to consider the situation. Would the other wolf be thankful of Skyfall's help, or scoff him for intervening? Skyfall was already mid-air when he considered these things, and by then had little space to regret anything. So, instead, he landed in the waters, close as he could to Pulse without completely blowing his safety. The wolf growled, teeth glaring at the deer. Whether Lupanare wanted it or not, Skyfall was part of this hunt.

Lupanare & Pulse

There was a tremendous crash of sound as the stag hit the stream, sending water flying with every sweep of his long, powerful limbs. The dark fur took on an even deeper hue along his legs and belly where the water soaked him thoroughly, while the hairs on his back and face glistened in a grey sheen of fine mist and tiny water droplets. Instead of charging full speed across the chilly waterway though, Pulse wheeled around and brandished his long antlers at Lupenare. It was only then, as he was turning to face his foe, that a movement at his side and a blood-chilling snarl alerted the stag to Sky's presence. Pulse swung his head towards the brute, his antlers slicing through the air like two spears to strike at the wolf or intimidate him into backing off a few feet.

Lupanare slowed into loping pace when her prey entered the stream and turned to face her. A fleeing stag she might have fun toying with, but the wolfess was no fool to take on one that stood his ground, with no obvious ailments or injuries to give her an advantage. Any thought of playing with the deer took a backseat as her honey colored eyes landed on Skyfall. The caramel and cream wolfess slowed further, and came to a complete stop at the edge of the bank, and just beyond reach of the antlers that had turned threateningly her way. "Well hello there, stranger." Lupa's voice was carried in a curious, half-amused tone.

Skyfall

Pulse was not an easy foe. Actually, Skyfall found himself second-guessing his actions once the stag had wheeled his head Sky's way. The great beast wasn't something Sky would normally be picking fights with, and Sky was amazed that Lupanare would be driving at Pulse by herself. She-wolfs were crazy, Sky inwardly jested in the midst of this situation. Pulse's sharp antlers did drive the gray wolf backwards a few paces to avoid the weapons perched upon the deer's head. Sky's paws scrabbled against the cold mud, body withdrawing through the water. Pulse had chosen his safe haven well.

Releasing an edgy sigh, Sky took a moment to consider his next maneuver. Was the healthy stag worth the fight? For a moment, Sky gazed up into the face of the stag before stepping back another pace or two. He was nearly to the shore of the stream, giving the stag plenty of room. "I'd rather not die here..." Sky growled. He remained at his post, though, to intimidate Pulse for a moment. Let the stag thrash in the cold water for a few more moments; if Sky could at least toy with the fleeing stag's mind for a second, Sky could be a bit satisfied for the day. He expressed a low growl at Pulse before his eyes suddenly flickered to the presence of the wolfess on the opposite bank. For a second, he was taken aback. The fool he was had completely forgotten the beast that had been chasing Pulse, the one who had driven the stag into the waters in the first place. He blinked at her when she spoke, unsure of how to respond. He hadn't maintained very good social skills in his days as a loner.

Sky gave a soft huff, his head cocking at Lupanare. "H-hello..." He responded in a raspy tone.

Lupanare & Pulse

Clouds of heated breath billowed from the stag in rapid succession, while froth hung around the corners of his mouth from the long run he'd endured. Against the darkness of his face, the gray-blue eyes of the deer were alight with life and wild fear, and a great deal of hesitancy that was not lost on Lupanare. As defiant as Pulse stood now, the sly wolfdog saw this potential weakness in her prey and planned on exploiting it, if only to have more fun playing with the beast. For the time being, she held her ground on the bank, and let him thrash; and thrash he did! Pulse shook his head again and slashed a hoof through the air, slamming it against the water and the muddy bed below, showing the predators just what they'd get a taste of if they tried to get closer.

Lupa stood panting, keeping the stag within her field of vision, just in case he plucked up enough courage to charge her. Otherwise, her curious eyes were mostly dancing over this silver male that had invited himself into her chase, "Do you normally just drop into hunts like this then?" Where her question could have been ugly, the sarcasm she used was given in an almost teasing way, and no sign of aggression or irritation graced her features. "You would have been more useful about a half-mile back. But now that you're here, you wouldn't mind giving me a bit of help, would you?" Obviously, she was not put off by his intrusion or his hesitant response, or threatened by his proximity.

skyfall

He was a grand creature, Skyfall could respect that. Despite being pinned in the water, between two canines, Pulse was a hell of an animal. Even a pack of full grown, healthy and hungry wolves wouldn't typically be chasing after such a beast. But Skyfall wasn't immediately deterred by that factor, and he was simply pleased to have Pulse frustrated and stuck in a sticky situation. He expressed a low growl at Pulse's malicious movements, trying to convey some kind of threat that he was unafraid of the stag. Whether or not Pulse actually bought that Skyfall was designated on taking him down was another story.

Between staring down Pulse and listening to Lupa, the brute flicked his ears at her words. "Well, you're welcome..." Skyfall remarked to Lupa's first remark, his eyes flashing with the dryness of his words. She should be thanking him for keeping the stag stationary. There wasn't much for Pulse to do, unless he dodged to his left or right through the water. Otherwise, the banks were blocked by the canines. The mighty beast wasn't deterred completely, and Skyfall was an ounce worried of the slashing hooves and sharp antlers. Pulse was definitely a force to be reckoned with. If Lupe still had ideals of actually downing this creature, Skyfall would admit he'd be a bit impressed by her audacity. The fact she had chased him this far was enough to gain Skyfall's respect. "Next time you want to chase a healthy stag, call me up, honey," Skyfall responded after a fleeting moment, the wolf almost smirking at his wit. Her next prompt made him almost chuckle, but he remained his stance towards Pulse, disallowing the real humor to fall through. "What's the next move?" He questioned with a devilish flash in his eyes. Was she really determined in downing this stag? Or was she just in it for the hell of it?

Lupanare & Pulse

If only he were more confident in the deadly strength behind his hooves, or the set of prominent antlers gracing his skull like so many curved fangs, the stag would have charged one of the banks and put those weapons to good use. Hesitancy continued to plague him however, holding Pulse back in the perceived safety of the cold water, where he remained to be taunted and toyed with by the brazen wolves. While the growl from Skyfall did warrant a sudden burst of movement from Pulse, who pivoted sharply on his long legs and made a mock charge towards the bank, he ultimately stopped a few feet short of making contact with the predator, and slowly backstepped to the center of the stream again.

Across from Skyfall, Lupanare's fangs glistened in a delighted grin. Big and capable as this stag was, he was not bold enough to engage in his tormentors. She drew up a low growl herself, and soon had Pulse turning her way with an furious snort, "I might have to do that..." The way she trailed off and quirked her head, flashing honey-brown eyes briefly from Pulse to Skyfall, was a wordless query for his name. With one ear swiveled in his direction, the rest of her focus went back to the stag as turned a mock charge against her, and like the one made against Skyfall, this one stopped short of reaching the back. Nevertheless, Lupanare sprang back with fluid grace, showing off not only her spryness and agility, but a well filled out and muscular frame that suggested she kept herself fed easily enough. "Mmmm, now then... I think if one of us can get on his flank, we'll be able to slow him down. The other can wait for an opening." In responding to his last question, her answer was more driven to scare the stag, rather than attempt such a risky attack.

skyfall

The sudden burst of movement coming from the stag startled Skyfall for a fleeting moment. His heart lurched within his chest, and he felt his paws step a swift backwards step out of instinct. Yet, as soon as Pulse had lunged forward, he retracted himself back into the safety of the cold waters. The wolf cocked his head slightly, dark eyes flashing with amusement at the unabashed creature. He could respect the creature's prowess and refusal to allow the predators to intimidate him. Yet, Skyfall still allowed himself to exploit the creatures underlying sense of fear, not taking his menacing glare off Pulse. Although Pulse could feign an attack, Skyfall doubted the stag's choice to actually go in for a strike without dually noting that each canine was not alone, and therefore a reprise for his attack would be served swiftly.

The she-wolf on the other bank was quite the canine, Skyfall had decided in those few minutes that ticked on between them. They both wrapped up their friendship in the terms of pinning Pulse in the waters and waiting for the next move. Had the situation been not as dire and a hunt at stake, Skyfall would've wagged his tail with mirth. But expressing such emotions wasn't for these times.

"Skyfall," He replied to Lupanare's flickering gaze, before sinking his body closer to the slushy ground and taking a soft inhale. By now, Pulse had turned his focus upon Lupanare and Skyfall leapt two paces down the bank towards the water. He abruptly stopped at the edge of the water, hoping that his swift movements was enough to startle Pulse. Although Lupanare sounded serious, Skyfall was giving her one last second to decide on attacking Pulse, and possibly giving Pulse one last second to choose flight.

Lupanare & Pulse

When they should have been getting a run for their money, the pair of wolves enjoyed relative safety from the stag, so long as they were wise enough not to get within hoof-striking range, or step too far into the water, where the deer's longer legs afforded him quicker movements through the stream. His resolve was beginning to wane however, diminishing ever more quickly when he saw no fear on the ugly maws of these two aggressors. Even worse, the female was voicing her interest in pursuing the hunt, despite all of his best efforts to show her that he was more than a match to take on. Pulse fretted, swinging his head one way and then the other, trying in vain to keep an eye on both wolves and their constant shuffling. Up came a hoof, rising high above the the burbling waters, and there it hovered momentarily. Movement to his right caused the beast to turn sharply, anxious eyes darting after Skyfall.

Before he had time to slash his hoof back down and reinstate a threat against the male, he heard the patter of Lupa's feet on the opposite bank. With the suddenness of a lightning strike, the sambar stag turned fully on Skyfall and plunged forward with the same, barking scream that had rent the air earlier. The flight response had kicked in again, and Pulse chose to abandon the safety of the stream and make a run for it again. Whether or not Skyfall was able to dodge out of his way in time or not, the deer's powerful legs carried him clear out of the creek with two great strides, a trail of water cascading off of him and splattering the ground in his wake.

All of this happened in such short time that Lupanare had no time to return her own name. Skyfall had created a distraction and allowed the shewolf in turn to startle the stag from behind. What she hadn't anticipated was Pulse panicking in Sky's direction, and actually choosing an escape route that involved plowing over one of his attackers. In the confusion of flashing legs and turbulent water, Lupanare plunged into the creek and surged through the water, trying to reach the opposite back as quickly as she could...

skyfall

He had been a fool for expecting Pulse to allow them to continue with their playful games. Chuckling briefly, Skyfall had seen Lupanare's movement that mocked his own. Though, Skyfall was immediately filled with a wave of horrid fear as Pulse pivoted and began plunging for the bank. The wolf's paws slid in the mud as he tried to twist away from the flailing hooves of the stag, hauling himself to the side only to be struck in the side. The brute gave a gasp in agony, trying to roll out of the way of the back hooves before something was crushed this time.

Sky managed to miss the aim of the back hooves in his mad twist, landing in the mud and sliding a bit. He lay, stunned, on his side for several seconds. His heart was thundering wildly in his chest, and the feeling of blood roaring through his veins, pumping with adrenaline, was painful. To top that, Sky couldn't admit that his side was perfectly okay. Although Pulse didn't break anything, the stag would give Sky a bruise to his name. And this ego would probably be of injury for the while.

Sky could hear Lupanare crashing through the waters to his bank. He slowly lifted his head in her direction, offering her a sputtering chuckle. "S'all right..." he wheezed, his lungs aching as he spoke the words. He tried to maintain a small ounce of humor, though, to cool the she-wolf's senses. He was hurt, but not broken, and he didn't want her to worry herself over him.

Lupanare & Pulse

Had he the ambition and guts, Pulse would have turned back around after feeling the wolf being struck down by his hooves. Antlers would have been put to good use, and a few more kicks from those long, sturdy legs would have permanently snuffed the predator out of existence. Instead they beat the loam ground ahead, carrying the stag away from danger at such a rapid pace that he was soon cresting a low hilltop and disappearing down the opposite slope.

Lupanare watched her entertainment for the morning thunder up the side of the hill in a blur of black and and brown fur, then disappear shortly thereafter, taking with him the sliver of hope she had for feasting on sambar today. It wasn't much of an upset for the female though, and hardly dampened her mood. She had a full belly as it was, and amongst her pack, food was almost guaranteed when she returned to their central rendezvous site amongst the foothills of the mountain. No, her focus was now on this stranger - Skyfall, wasn't it? - who had just paid a hefty price for joining in this bit of fun.

Scrambling ashore, Lupanare didn't bother to shake her pelt free of dripping water. She padded boldly towards the fallen male, her soft ears guided forward and her eyes drawn into an expression of open concern that didn't dissipate when the male breathed out his wheezing assurance. "You don't sound alright. Or look much like it." His use of humor was turned back on him with a touch of dry wit from the shewolf, "He nicked you pretty good, didn't he? The bold little cuss, I didn't think he had the guts to charge either of us; I'd been playing with him for the better part of an hour before you showed up."

skyfall

The she-wolf was something. Skyfall, despite the pain rippling from his well-bruised side, gave a hoarse chuckle and rolled over from his side to his belly. He gave a heaving grunt, gathering his numb paws from underneath and hauling himself to his paws. His body wavered for a mere second, and Skyfall took a second to get himself accustomed to standing again. His side felt painful, but the proud wolf wasn't going to let Lupanare see how difficult it was for him to recover that quickly. A few more minutes on the ground would've done him good, but Skyfall wasn't going to subject himself, or his ego, to that vulnerability.

Skyfall cocked his head at Lupanare, offering her a forced, crooked smile. "See, all good," he responded with a touch of pride. His ears flicked at her next comment, nodding stiffly with a smirk. "Little bastard. I didn't see it coming," he admitted wistfully with a pout. "Surprised he didn't strike sooner if you'd been screwing around with him that long. He certainly didn't enjoy being trapped down in the water."

Lupanare

For all that Skyfall was worried about his standing in front of this she-wolf and nursing his hoof-bruised pride, Lupanare didn't seem to mind her now mud-flecked, waterlogged appearance. It continued to drip from her coat, creating a small puddle beneath where she stood, watching as the brute managed to gather his paws beneath him and draw his body up from the sodden ground. "...well, you're standing at least. That's better than nothing." The wry humor continued in her voice, taking place of the worry she wasn't willing to express so openly as she did in her expression.

Once the male was standing under the weight of his own two paws, Lupa took the time to shake out her coat, flinging water this way and that until her pelt had retained some of its former, caramel-colored glory. "Yeah, I've come across him before. The only deer like him I've seen in this valley so far. He's easy to spook." The wolf lowered her head, turning it back so that she could raise a hind paw and scratch briefly at an itch behind her left ear. After another quick shake, her attention was back on Skyfall, "I'm Lupanare by the way. ...You sure you're okay?"

skyfall

Skyfall gave a flinch at all the water that came his direction. He gave a soft chuckle, despite the sharp pain in his side, gazing at Lupanare with amused eyes. He locked his legs, trying to stop the swaying and to regain his composure. She was worried about him, but she didn't let it show through completely. Compassion was sometimes taken a weakness, Skyfall knew, and any wolf would disguise their caring emotions if they didn't feel completely at ease.

He question made him smile briefly, an apathetic smile. "Perfectly okay. A little hurt but I'll survive, Miss Lupanare," he addressed her, flashing her with a glimmer in his eyes. "You're pretty bold to chase a stag on your own, ma'am. Don't you have a pack to tag-team such task?" He didn't quite realize how sensitive of a subject that could be. Someone who had been as lonely as Skyfall for so long forgot what it was like to be removed from a pack or to lose loved ones. But he dropped it anyway, his words still formed with caution but little afterthought.

Lupanare

The inclusion of 'Miss' earned a grin from Lupanare, who was quite enjoying this brief conversation with the male so far. Smarting as Sky's side must be from the deer's hooves, it hadn't totally knocked the humor our of him, and he was able to shake off her concern with a somewhat-steady standing and a controlled play of words. "Well then, I'll trust you on that." When Skyfall brought up her boldness, Lupa actually chuckled quietly and nodded at him, "A pack... yeah, you could call it that. And I do hunt with them, but this-" The wolfdog tilted her head a bit to the side, in place of a dismissive shoulder shrug, "-this was mostly for sport. But now I have to say, I feel rather badly for getting you into a scrap like that. The least I can do is offer you some food from one of our caches."

Skyfall

The wolf cocked his head at Lupe's offer, giving a soft puff with his breath. He wouldn't deny the feeling in his stomach of hunger. Although he usually kept himself well-fed, the winter wasn't being too kind to the brute. Although hare and other rodents were certain, the cold had kept a majority of them in their burrows. This wolf was, admittedly, a bit famished. Skyfall wagged his tail softly, smiling at Lupe. "You know, I might not mind taking you up on that offer..." Skyfall responded to her with a hint of gratitude. Although this loner did have an ego that, in better judgment, would ward him off and allow the excuse that he didn't want to owe anyway, the spasming in his muscles told him better. An exhausted and injured wolf would not be catching dinner tonight. Besides, as Lupe as said, it was the least she could do, right? The brute smiled again. "I mean, if you insist, right?"