Arora, Ataji, & Lepiota

Arora's melodic voice rose among the scattered trees in the heart of their territory, climbing high as she summoned her pack to her location. Tonight, as dusk began to claim the world in comforting darkness, they would hunt.

A second voice joined the alpha's; Lepiota was eager for her first big hunt outside of their territory.

Missing from the song was Ataji's rich vocals. The young male knew where his mother planned to hunt tonight, and he was a little wary of joining. Oh, he wouldn't refuse to go with them... but purposefully antagonizing the humans didn't sit well with the adolescent.

Nhevaris & Umbrik

A third note climbed with the rest, deeper than the others. A quieter one snuck in somewhere in the midsts of it all, timid and uncertain, but still eager to be part of the hunting rally. Nhevaris, and shy little Umbrik were ready for tonight's agenda.

Once the howl had come to an end, Nhevaris was soon loping towards his mate, with Umbrik's bouncing stride carrying him closely at his father's heels. "It sounds like you have a plan for tonight, my darling?" Nhev greeted, touching muzzles with his mate.

Little Umbrik, with his bright white coat setting him apart from the others, squeezed in between his mother and Ataji, always seeking his dark-pelted brother for support. "What do you think, Taji? I wonder if we'll bring down a deer?"

Arora

She met her partner with a returning nuzzle, while a look of intensity played within her dark orbs. Grinning, Arora answered, "Tonight we'll taste sheep. It'll be a good introduction to hunting for them, safer than the cattle, and easier than stalking wild prey."

Lepiota's tall, cinnamon-tan ears swiveled first towards her father, then back to her mother, listening with growing excitement to what was being said. She spared her meek brother a passing glance, answering him before Ataji had a chance to, "We're going after the human's deer tonight." She didn't really know what a sheep was, but Arora had told them enough stories that she understood what they were getting into. Sheep belonged to the humans, and they were going to steal one.

Ataji didn't share the eagerness of his siblings. He also held back a glare when his sister spoke in above him, knowing it was best just to let her speak before cutting in once she was done. "They're kind of like smaller... fluffier?... deer." His gaze rose to his father, "..is it safe, though? What about boomsticks and thunderbugs? And guard dogs?" Fear didn't play into his vocals as he pressed these concerns, but rather an abundance of cautious reservation.

Nhevaris & Umbrik

His stomach growled at the thought of fresh sheep, and he agreed heartily with his mate, "It'll be a perfect introduction for them." Ataji's hesitant question brought the father's eyes down to him, their shining confidence undimmed by the mention of human dangers. "Your mother and I will keep you safe. This will be a practice run for you three, not only to teach you about hunting, but how to handle the humans as well." Nhevaris nodded to the sky, "For one, the gathering darkess will aid us; humans can't see well without light. Just follow what we say, and you'll be fine." He dropped his nose to the top of Taji's head, giving him a small nudge before nodding to his mate, ready to depart.

Umbrik had listened excitedly to his brother and sister, but it didn't take much for Ataji's wary attitude to seep into him. The furious wagging of his tail had slowed, and one brow had climbed upward in an expression of uncertainty.

Arora, Ataji, & Lepiota

Arora allowed her mate to pacify their fears, but added a few words herself when she noticed Umbrik's excitement beginning to slip. "Humans themselves are far weaker than most animals; once you learn how to spot and avoid their boomsticks and thunderbugs, they are of little threat." She tilted her dial down, grinning a little as she added, "And you'll find no better food than what the humans can make with their fires. After tonight's hunt, if you three do well, your father and I will take you to find some of that."

Lepiota didn't need to hear any more, she was bubbling with enthusiasm and could hardly keep her paws still. "Where do we find human food?"

Still unconvinced, Ataji managed a meager wagging of his tail, not wanting to bring the group's mood down with his reservations, but unable to feel the kind of glee that his sister did. Engaging with the two-leggers just didn't sit right with the cautious youngling.

Getting the cue from Nhevaris that he was ready to head out, Arora turned from her family, answering Lepiota as she began to lope into the shadows of the night. "Patience for now, Lepi."

Lepiota fell behind her mother, while Ataji hung back to travel at Umbrik's side.