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 Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2008 1:49 pm
Despite being a teacher, Highfog had always held hunting high in esteem. It was an art to steal a critter's life swiftly, quickly, with as little blood as possible.
But really, she didn't expect to do it right after a huge storm. The forest was so wet. Water puddles everywhere, reflecting starlights on the ground. Hey, maybe frogs are getting out tonight? Personally, she had nothing against amphibians for lunch.
In this part of the Deep Woods, she could see a couple other Sentinels looking for easy preys just like her. It would be nice to ask for some help, in case a larger prey showed up. Rabbits sounded likely (and tasty) enough.
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Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2008 7:48 pm
((I'm just going to use my post from the other thread since you mentioned this is right after the storm. ))
Today's events had been chilling. The weather had taken it's toll on all of Noctua and as it died, the woods was haunting as it remained quiet, only the sound of distant droplets of rain and the various outburst of falling limbs that finally gave up and dropped to the ground below. It was still too early for most Sentinels to venture out, only slowly stepping back out into the weather, unsure that it had stopped. The wildlife was just as timid and little could be seen in the way of movement aside from the parting clouds above.
If it hadn't been for the terrible shelter and Sly's own curiosity, he would have remained perched where he was left at the storm. However, he felt an urgency, a demand, to find out if anything had happened and if he was needed in any way. Sly wasn't much for being a helper, but he was there when duty called. Though most Sentinels where concerned with returning to their own territories to address the damages to their homes, Sly went in the opposing direction, deciding to scan about the woods for any signs that would cause alarm and would to be immediately taken care of. Maybe a fallen comrade if the case called for it. His mind only vaguely touched the idea of going home when he flapped his wings, feeling the strain of the water in his feathers, the chill of the cooling air, and the fatigue in his joints. However, he would not allow that to stop him though it did annoy him to a great degree that he looked far from the usual pristine appearance he usually kept himself in.
Flying, he passed by various shelters, watching timid Sentinels peak out and step out to look at the sky. Not paying them attention, he continued ot fly, scanning the ground while he went into areas less visited. If anything, the things that needed to be found where in areas that where not heavily traveled.
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Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 2:17 pm
Indeed, something like a small bunny moved quickly from one bush to another on the ground, and it looked like a good idea, definitely, to ask some help. Approaching from a figure several trees, silently, Highfog hoped the Sentinel she'd spotted had no special task to accomplish. A few drops fell on her half-way, pushed from leaves by some breeze. The teacher ignored them, not even chilling from the sudden cold down her back. She landed on a large branch, two trees away from the Shadow who was flying slowly above her. With a clear voice, turning her eyes in Sly's direction, she asked: "Excuse me, are you busy? I am looking for someone to help me hunting."
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Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 6:31 pm
Sly heard a voice call out and looked below, spotting a Sentinel who was looking up in his direction. She was asking to have some help with hunting. Debating, Sly wondered if he should pretend that he didn’t hear her, but since he looked down, it would be hard to deny it now. Turning, he glided around and slowly made his descend, landing on the branch she was on. Shuffling his wings, he looked over at her. Well, he guessed many inexperienced hunter would want to have some help and it would be even harder after the storm where most animals where still being safe and while other Sentinels where also hunting. He guessed he could help while looking. If anything, it was an opportunity to create a favor tie, where she would remember this and he could later guilt her into something if and when he needed something. “You need help?” He asked, just to be clear he had hear correct. “I guess I can do that. I’m looking around right now, but I could at least give you some assistance while I’m doing it.” He said, turning around. He wasn’t going to dally. “I’m heading this way, so just follow me.” He said, not bothering with introductions and taking off once more. He was a busy Sentinel after all.
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Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2008 8:44 am
"Thanks a lot!", said Fog, pretty glad. Repaying Sly later wasn't her concern right then. She just hoped more large preys would show up, so she wouldn't waste his time, and give him some good parts. Taking off, watching him carefully, she only took her eyes off every 10 seconds or so to take a look at the preys below.
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Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2008 11:23 am
Sly watched, looking about and scanning the ground, both for food and the illusive signs of anything he could use to report to his higher ups. The little addtion that was this new Sentinel was only irksome in her company. Still, a flight with someone to talk to was sometimes welcomed. Sometimes.
"How far are you willing to fly, if I may ask and how much prey are you looking for? Just yourself or others? I take it you're not a hunter." Of course she wouldn't be, seeing as she needed help.
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Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2008 9:15 am
"You're right, I'm a teacher. If it weren't for my lack of speed, however, I could have been an hunter too", she replied softly, keeping her breath for the hardest part. "And the food won't be so much for me as for Minders and fledglings, they both need it after this storm."
Something caught her attention. A few animals, surrounding and eating a meal that fitted their stomach, couldn't help but nibble noisily enough for the Sentinels to hear it. Highfog's slowed down, ready to land, but waiting for Sly's opinion on the situation: "I think we won't need to travel much further. If we're lucky, we could get them and their lunch too."
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Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2008 8:12 pm
"A teacher?" Sly guessed that wasn't too bad of a profession, considering it at least helped the clan, unlike those bards and artisans. At least she had taste to once have prefered a career as a hunter, but you had to have a certain determination and a great deal gifted by birth to be made of the stuff of hunters.
Taking notice of what Fog was spotting, he noticed the collection of animals eating something. "Good eye. If we are lucky, we can see if what they are eating is still recently caught. Go for the live ones first before they all dispearse when they see us. Their meal isn't running anywhere. Okay, let's go." He said, and started his decent.
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Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 1:16 pm
"Alright", replied Highfog with a nod, following silently the hunter until she landed at mid-heighy to choose a target. Squinty yellow eyes browsed the mammals, but she had trouble keeping her attention on them. Actually, there was something disturbing about the prey: it looked large, even for this amount of critters. At least, if they were scavengers, there was less risk of them defending their lives rabidly. Also, dark feathers hindered the animals' hunger for flesh.
Could it be...? After all, victims were to be expected after such a violent storm. The teacher hoped secretly that if it was indeed a Sentinel, their family or friends could be informed soon. Not too thrilled about stealing the kill anymore, she blinked. She lost too much time thinking already, she should have focused on a prey already. Not thinking twice about it, she went for the smallest, Martes-like critter.
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Posted: Fri May 02, 2008 8:27 pm
Sly, an overachiever, was going to try and catch two mus in one swipe, or at least take one down and swipe the other so that it was too injured to get far and hide. Too wrapped up in a good catch, he paid the dead animal no mind, instead swooping down and with quick precision, extended his talons and snatched one of the mus. Landing, he flapped his wings and with the blow of wind, went to n** at another Mus in hopes of catching it.
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Posted: Sat May 03, 2008 2:56 pm
Highfog's prey, a young ferret, defended itself and bit the menacing talon above its head. The Sentinel did not feel it right away, and with all her body suddenly weighting on the mammal's back, she kept it from running away. She needed a huge effort to snap its neck while avoiding tiny fangs trying to reach her own face. As she finally let it go, her toes burned: damn thing injured her right above the claws, she was bleeding! She however sucked it up, very proud to have been able to kill this miniature predator.
The other creatures ran away with a small amount of flesh. Highfog hopped, avoiding the ground with her injured leg, taking a look at the infortunate bird.
Large, dark feathers, two-toed legs left untouched... it made no doubt it was a Sentinel. On its belly, it was difficult, however, to say who it could be. Maybe specific feather-dyes or jewelleries could help give an identity back to the body. Sad, but however dignified, she slowly turned the dead face in her direction.
What followed was an unexpected deep, loud, almost beast-like desperate howl coming from Fog's trembling throat.
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Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 9:48 pm
Sly was happily content with a Mus in one talon and another limping away though assured it would make no progress in escaping. There were few things that made him happy and being productive was one of them and the best way to show a hunter was being productive was when he was catching something. No matter how many creatures he had delivered to The Matron, he felt a deal of person satisfaction when he did so, each and every time, regardless if it was a easy or hard catch (though he did like the challenging ones the best). Smiling, he looked up from culling the mus in his talons as he looked over at Fog, wondering how the teacher was fairy, as she had picked a more tricky prey than two mus. He was happy to see she had actually fared well, good to know that another member of the clan was being fed (as the welfare of the clan was one of the few things he was concerned about). However, he noted that she was not celebrating her catch and just as he noted the wide eyes, she screeched.
The sound was unbearable and made every glossy feather on his body puff out and curl at the ends as he visibly winced, clenching his beak to the point he felt he would break it. Such unbearable noise! Hissing, he waited for the ringing to subside in his ears and ready to yell, looked up at Fog. It was then that he caught her terrified and horror-stricken gaze and following it, he looked over.
The carcass of the animal was silent, a matted shape that was hard to define without a close inspection. The rain had done its damage, but with narrowed eyes, he could pick out familiar black plumage. Shadow. Sly felt his heart skip a beat. No. I couldn’t be them. They lived in the farther reaches of the forest. They wouldn’t have gone here. He noted the two toes. Sentinel Shadow. Breath hitched, he stepped closer, wary. When he saw no sign of dye, he started to only feel a decimal of doubt. It couldn’t be any of his.. He had to know.
Stepping slowly, he started to circle around the body. It had been years. He didn’t remember if they had molted yet, what dyes they wore now. Slowly moving, he was tempted to stop, not wanting to know, but moved out of the demand. He had to know who it was. As he slowly moved, he saw mangled features. It wasn’t them. However, upon looking up at Fog, he guessed she knew. “It’s a Sentinel.” He said, surprised on how much of a whisper his voice was.
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Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 9:22 am
Completely shocked, Fog couldn't look back at Sly. She had to take a second look at the corpse. She was certain. Paler feathers around now blind eyes were a good hint of their relationship. Softly, but still shaking, she wiped the mud and blood on the Sentinel's face. "I know!", replied the teacher with a voice distorted by sorrow, "Sh-she's my mom! I can't believe it! Blackwater! Mom!" As a widow, Blackwater had had a lonely life, staying far from social life. Of course, Highfog visited her mother sometimes, to ensure she wasn't sick. But never could she have imagined something horrible would have happened. "Her tree, the storm must have destroyed it", she supposed. Why didn't she go to see her mother sooner? "Th-they have been eating her... I can't believe they've been eating m-my m-mom... my poor mommy", Fog sobbed like a little kid, as she started to clean the rest of the body nervously with the tip of her wing.
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Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 10:20 pm
Sly wasn’t one for outbursts of emotions and he was even less one to handle someone else bursting into dismay. Awkward, he looked at the scene with a sense of turning nervousness, a mix of detachment and a business air of how to handle the situation to that of a worming empathy and pity. Distant, he looked as Fog continued to clean the partially eaten body as best she could though even Sly knew it was hopeless. She had been dead for some time and the animals had both dragged her body about before they proceeded to eat away at her. Among the broken feathers, matted with dirt and blood, there where noticeable spots of open red and gaping wounds from nibbling animals. Regardless, Fog took the same care as if her mother had merely been sick and needed some preening.
Stepping over, Sly shoved himself over and started to push her back, removing her body away from her mother. “Get back. Stop it now. There is no point. She’d dead!” He huffed, keeping her back. She would become hysteric and mad if she kept cleaning her off like that. “I know you want to bring some dignity to her, but there isn’t any point. You’ll only hurt yourself in your vain task. Just step back. If you want to bring her some dignity, let her daughter keep a level head.” It was easy for him to say, he knew, but he was trying to handle a crushed Sentinel from going down into a spiral. “ We need to tell someone of the death. If you want, we can hide her body so the animals do not reach her. After that, that’s it. Go home. Tell your family and her friends what happened if they must know. I’m sure they are concerned. Mourn then, when you have the time. Right now, we have animals that will want to come back and the sun will come out to bring out the smell of blood.” He stated, remaining distant for the sake of them both.
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Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 5:42 am
Still disoriented, Highfog painfully let Sly push her. So many thoughts disturbed her train of thinking, but nonetheless, she tried to listen to the Hunter. However, she just could not look at him. The truth in his advices hurt her, because all she wanted right now was to give her mother a normal appearance. When he was done, the Teacher's sobbing slowed down and faded, but her face couldn't hide a deep sadness and exhaustion. "You... you're right", she said, almost whispering, "I'll get... my prey back, and I'll tell everyone who has to know. But-t I was her... only family left. Yeah, I'm taking this." Ignoring her minor injury, she walked back to the dead ferret. Heavy, but she could do it. At least, the effort needed to bring it to the Matron would keep her from thinking.
"You... err, I... thank you, I-I've already wasted too much of your time", she spoke slowly, "You're right, there's nothing more I can do... I'll just... I'm sorry."
After this confused apology, she took a firm grip and started taking off uneasily with the critter.
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