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 Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 8:48 pm
What Butterfinger did enjoy was fishing, it was his main past time. He sat by the river and gathered quite the cache of fish for his pack each day. It was useful, but he didn't get any chance to socialize, in fact Butterfinger was downright socially inept.
If he should ever met a strange wolf alone he didn't know what he would say. He stared into the calm river his own blue eyes peering back at him. "Fish..." He muttered to himself not liking his soft voice. He was sure he could have been mistaken for an omega had he not been confident in what few abilities he did have, and his families love.
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Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 10:08 am
Tae rarely desired the company of others, not because she bitter and hated other wolves, but because she was a solitary adult and it suited her, not matter what others thought of lone wolves, the life suited Tae and she had adapted well to it after so many years. But of late she had ventured down into more populated areas as her deep ingrained nature of a pack animal pulled at her and forced her to have her fill of interaction with others. How long that would that take to satisfy she did not know, but she didn't dislike doing it, it often opened her eyes to many things. But in the end she would have her fill and return to her reclusive life as a lone and vanish back into less populated areas.
She was never far from any form or source of water, she had a strong connection to it and it brought peace to her soul. This morning she found herself following the course of a calm flowing river, with steep over hanging banks, providing an adequate environment to find fish. A favourite past time of hers and an easy source of protein. She paced the bank, not overly bothered about casting her shadow over the water, she was not after fish today, not yet at least.
She rose her head a little, her eyes detaching themselves from the rippling reflection of the water, she caught a scent of another wolf on the air and there, just down river from her, she caught sight of him. She carried on walking down the bank, slowly as not to alarm the other wolf and cautiously approached the strange wolf. She lowered her head as a sign of respect and stopped within 10 paces of him and sat and waited for him to react.
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Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 12:31 pm
In a flash Butterfingers snout was in and out of the water, his white fangs gleaming and small rivulets of blood seeping into his muzzle. He had snatched a fish from the water with the ease of much too much practice. As he moved to set his catch aside in a neat row with two others she spotted a blue toned female sitting there.
He stepped back a bit startled before giving a tip of his muzzle in greeting. She made him slightly nervous, he really didn't talk to anyone but his family members. As far as Butterfinger was concerned the rest of the world comprised of family, forests, and fish. He had been missing out on friends.
At a loss for what to say his mouth opened and closed before finally he managed a few simple words. "So...D'ya like fish?" He almost tripped on his uncooperative tongue.
His eyes widened as he realized and remembered that was no way to start a conversation. "I...Uhh...I meant...What I mean is, um What...I mean Who...I mean. I mean to say that uh, Hello I'm Butterfinger!" He looked down flustered.
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Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 1:07 pm
Tae, didn't look at the male, instead she rose and glided down the side of the bank and slipped into the water. She walked slowly just to stand a few paces from the bank, she stood deadly still allowing the fish to acclimatise to her presence. Then with a quick flick of her paw she sent a silver fish flying into the air and she snapped her jaw shut around the wet creature. She turned back to the bank and leapt from the water. She didn't shake the excess water from her lower legs and belly where the water had touched, instead she just allowed it to roll off her oily coat.
She came up to the male and looked at him in the eye, storm grey meeting sky blue, she lowered her head and placed the dead fish in line with his others. She didn't look at him in the eye after that, instead she turned about and came to sit at his side, she looked out of the fast flowing river, she eyes drawn to the water and in a soft whispering voice she said.
'Butterfinger, you may call me Tae.'
She felt she had already answered his first question. She sat next to him, allowing him to feel her calming presence, she could tell he was nervous and she had not desire to make him worse. She simply sat and allowed him to get use to her presence, just like the fish.
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Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 2:06 pm
Butterfinger watched with curious blue eyes as Tae slipped her fish alongside his, he licked his lips and tried to calm down. She was steady and relaxed beside him and he examined the fish she had caught, perfect. He gave a soft smile and nodded to her his nerves slowly calming.
"You're good" He added his tone a bit more reserved.
Finally his paws stopped dancing about and he sat cool and calm once again, the way he had first been when lost in the world of fish and water.
"Tae...is a pretty name. Do you, your...I mean your pack is near here?" He was trying to grasp at what conversations he might be able to manage.
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Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 3:44 pm
She sat silently for a moment longer, her eyes fixed upon the rippling surface of the water, the water on her coat nearly all gone, the cooling bite of it slowly vanishing. She could tell the other wolf wasn't adept at conversation, she herself felt it wasn't always necessary and often over used. She replied after a while, her voice steady, calming.
'I don't belong to a pack, I don't suit the style of life it presents. I like to flow, like the water.'
Tae didn't say more than was necessary, she wasn't a huge conservationist herself, not because she was nervous or shy, she just thought more could be said in other ways, with her eyes and her body language. Still she did not look at the male, she believed that eyes were the gateway to the soul and more could be said that way than any other, it was also the most personal method and took some practice to hold a stare, she didn't want to fluster the male and thus held her gaze to the water instead. Softly she added.
'I hope I am not intruding upon you. If I am I apologise and I will leave you to your fishing.'
She paused for a moment then added.
'Though if you wish I could provide you with some company and a few more fish for your catch.'
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Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 4:22 pm
She was so steady, so calm, the way the water stilled at times in the shadow of the moon when he could gaze at it and not have any fish dart past. He wanted to take the time to gaze at her like the streams and ponds he knew so well. Instead he ripped his gaze from her drying fur and tipped his head.
"I used to travel with my brother, we finally found a pack...family we had never met." He smiled "It's nice to have a family, and a place to feel safe." He frowned hoping his words wouldn't offend her. "I mean for me it is, your like the water, sometimes they need the rapid movement, the falls...but I'm more like a pond...I need to be still and calm."
He gulped and hoped he didn't sound as if he was rambling, but she seemed content to stay, and he was happy to have her company.
"No, no, your no intrusion at all, I appreciate a partner. I'm normally out here alone all day, the uhh fish scent gets to the others sometimes...but not me, I can't really smell all that well."
He looked down a bit ashamed, a wolf without a proper sense of smell, not like his brother who could track anything anywhere with his shiny healthy wet nose. If Butterfinger wasn't always dunking his face into water his nose would be dry and useless.
"Company would be nice...you don't have to share your fish if you want to keep them."
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Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 11:44 pm
Tae sat calmly and listened to the other wolf before responding.
'We all have our own failings, some physical some metal, but we all have them, it's how we deal with them that counts. Plus you know fresh fish doesn't really smell too bad, it's after a day or two that they begin to smell.'
She let her gaze fall upon the fish and realised it had been a while since she had eaten, yet hunger had not reached her stomach yet, devouring a fish or two may help prolong the need to hunt for something larger. She thanked the male kindly.
'Thank you for the company also. As for the fish; I may take one or two but the others I catch you may have, I get a joy out of catching them other than just the need of feeding myself and it'd be nice to know I've helped you in some way.'
She turned her head slightly and looked across her shoulder to the male next to her, she wouldn't be surprised at discovering he was an omega in his pack, he was so submissive, she wondered why he lacked so much confidence within himself. His eyes were down cast and his shoulders slumped. She turned and looked at him, storm grey eyes casting a warmth over him and slowly she bent her head and leant towards him to nuzzle her cold wet nose into the thick fur of his neck, a small sign of affection. She slowly pulled away and turned back to watch the water flow. She said nothing and in time she rose and walked one or two paces before again slipping into the water, intent on catching a few more fish.
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Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 9:53 am
Butterfinger nodded softly at her, she was right about everyone having their failings. He looked at her curiously for his weak nose couldn't really smell a bad fish until at least four or five days had passed, he took care to store them in an icy river bed that his cousin had shown him to preserve them. Butterfinger also bathed everyday to ensure even if he couldn't smell himself no one else would be offended. His coat was always damp and choppy from the amount of time he spent near and in the water, and his toes had amazing webbing between them, his brother often commented he might make a better duck or fish.
He watched as her gaze turned to the fish and nodded softly at her. "Take your pick, I always keep plenty stored away for the pack, it's for winter..." He knew how far off winter was, but stored properly the fish jerky would be a tasty treat for all once the heat did leave the season.
"I like to catch them too, but since I'm out here all the time I try not to grab too many. I wouldn't want to run out, sometimes I let them go if their still flopping about on the riverbank." He nodded softly.
Butterfinger was startled by the nuzzle but he smiled and his tail gave a few sweeps across the grass. Despite her cold nose he felt warm inside, the moment was special for him. He lowered his head to give her a gentle nuzzle in return before watching as she slipped into the water. He stood and shook off now his stance was eager. As he moved over to the edge of the water his posture was much more confident.
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Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 10:19 am
Tae smiled inwardly to herself, such a small kind gesture could make such a difference to another. She saw him in another light now, he wasn't an omega, he was just constantly living under the impression that his failing made him less of a wolf, he needed some confidence resorting to himself, that was all.
She slipped into the dark swirling waters and waded out to an area where she knew the fish could be gathering, in the deeper part of the river, where the current slowed and eddies formed. Here she stood, shock still like a herring bird. She watched the fish calm to her presence. She let one or two opportunities past by, simply enjoying just watching the silver fish flicker around her legs, like shooting stars in the nights sky. Again, with a quick flick of her foreleg she sent one of the larger fish flying from the water followed by a small jet of water, the fish and the water droplets sparkling in the sunlight, she watched the fish start to fall back to the safety of the water but quickly she jerked forwards and snapped the fish from the air. She held her jaw shut until she felt the life fade from the small creature and fall limp in her mouth.
Slowly she turned and waded back to the bank and leapt gracefully from the water. She walked a few paces to where she was sitting previously and bend down to lay the fish on the ground and then began to eat it, avoiding the larger bones of the rib cage and backbone, a skill she had mastered over time. Afterwards she sat up and looked down upon the male who was now perched over looking the river. She watched him observantly, he had a different style and it intrigued her how he caught them.
The water rolled from her oily coat. Her coat was thick and suited her needs, extensive swimming and the lack of a mate or pack members to add warmth at night meant that nature had slowly adapted itself and she'd grown a thick soft undercoat with a thinner more oily one above, which only made her coat look all the more richer.
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Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 10:53 am
Butterfinger had let his eyes wander up towards Tae watching as she swept the fish from the water, the motion was fluid and graceful. He turned back down to watch as the fish settled and darted past him as she ate. Finally after a bit he leaned slowly closer until it seemed as if he might tip right into the water.
With a flash of his jaws he had snatched up one large fish and a smaller silver one was caught on his lower fangs. He trotted over and set them down neatly pushing them into the line with the rest. He looked at the smaller one a bit surprised and grinned happily. His tail wagged a moment, he only managed to catch more then one at a time during a spawning or after intense concentration, this was lucky.
He looked at Tae and grinned "I think your good luck." He smiled and licked his lips beads of water flowing down into his neck and chest. His fur around his muzzle was spiked about wildly the water giving him a lions mane instead of keeping him sleek.
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Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 11:12 am
His method of fishing wasn't that different from her own, though with hers she could keep her eyes on the fish longer, not having to strike with her head. She wondered if he demonstrated the same method while actually in the water and not perched on the bank, she didn't know how that would work, the motion of moving the head down to the water while standing would cause to much motion between starting and finishing the strike, possibly startling the fish. It worked well for him though, eyeing the two fish he lay to rest with the rest of the catch, she rose her gaze to let it fall upon the ragged male.
She couldn't help but let a small burst of laughter escape her jaw, it sounding like the babbling of a brook, small and mirthful, gently echoing away though still lingering upon the air. It had been a long time since she'd laughed, she rarely displayed any outward emotion, always so calm and collected. She let her lip curl into a small smile as she gazed upon him. His hair was wet and ruffled and his broad grin just added to the effect. Her voice was filled with a certain warmth, as were her eyes.
'Maybe I am.'
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Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 4:24 pm
His tail wagged as he heard her laugh, the sound was gentle and brought the curve of a smile to his muzzle. He liked her, this calm clever female who fished as well as he did, maybe better. He grinned at that, never had he found another wolf who enjoyed the calm of fishing, most preferred the thrilling, mad dash, chase for prey they could take down and rip apart.
For Butterfinger the fish was like a puzzle, it had to be eaten with care, preserved carefully. He could remember his first lesson, a sliver of bone embedded in his jaw, his brother trying to yank it out and finally the painful splintering. He ate with great care now, no more fish bones, no pain. Sometimes he shared in the meat kills of his pack, but his staple was fish.
Kindly Alas, the pack healer, had sprinkled tasty crushed herbs over his fish, after such a treat he felt energized and his nose even cleared a bit. It was a good life, a bit lonely during the days, but at night he always returned to the love and warmth of the den where his family accepted him. Twix would scold him for returning damp, Tempeste and Venera would come to him to share the stories of their day, and he would spend time with his brother and nieces and nephew before sleeping.
"I know you are, you make me feel as calm as any of my family." He walked over and placed the small 'lucky' silverfish infront of her paws. "It's like the river herself sent you to keep me good company." He sat down his posture shy again, a strange transformation.
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Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 8:40 am
She looked at him, and met her storm grey eyes with dazzling blue. She could not understand why he allowed his posture to slip back to how he once when she first saw him. She tried to imbue some confidence back into by complimenting him in return. She looked down at the small fish and then back at him.
'You don't need my luck, your as good a hunter as I've ever seen. Just because it's fish doesn't mean it's not as skilful as bringing down a deer.'
It was true as well though. She could hunt as well as any other wolf and she knew the demands it took on the body. Yet fishing, she remembered many a time when she had fished with her deceased mate and it had taken her far longer to achieve than anything else she had done. She watched him and then after a moment she rose and moved over to him and lowered her head, tucking the bridge of her nose under his jaw and lifting his head a bit. She slowly pulled away and looked at him.
'That's better.'
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Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 12:33 pm
Butterfinger let her words soothe him, he knew there was a skill in fishing, but somehow he felt at times foolish for his lack of hunting ability. Was his prey worth any less because he did not run after it but waited in patience? He relaxed slowly and his posture lifted a bit his frame not so downtrodden as her words comforted his thoughts.
"It does seem that way at times though, like rabbits and deer might somehow be a better goal then fish. Fish are so rich tasting, and they help my coat, and they keep me healthy...I think. I don't eat as much meat as the others."
He lifted his head as she moved her muzzle under him and slowly the transformation occurred again, Butterfinger looked braver, larger, less of an omega. He gave a soft smile and let himself remain in the more open pose, normally he felt so shy and small away from the comfort of the water. He was happy to be calm with Taw as well, of course she was soothing like the water as well.
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