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Post by Deleted on Mar 24, 2023 4:02:23 GMT
Many days and weeks had passed since Maverick ventured out of Kah'ren and crossed into the Railway's Forest. It seemed that being out in the wilderness suited him best, after all. He knew very well that the resources the forest had to offer were way more valuable than anything in that human town. As a former hunting dog, Maverick had little problem surviving off the land. In fact, he preferred it. It kept him busy. There was definitely no shortage of chek, if one knew where to look. But he considered the shu'a, the deer, to be the best prey option. He liked mapping out their trails and learning where they congregated. One deer would provide him enough food to last a long time. He'd gotten a buck and a yearling this winter, and he was glad when the cold air helped to keep the meat fresh.
Nature followed him with the slow transition of the season. Sprigs of bright and cheerful greenery now dotted the forest, and many of the trees were budding and growing out their leaves. The woods were starting to smell earthy and alive. Many more critters were also beginning to show themselves. Hares would sometimes leap out from the bushes in front of him, and just the other day, Maverick had entertained himself watching some crazy squirrels bicker and chase each other throughout the branches of the trees. He had also noticed the arrival of song birds ever since the weather changed to more mild temperatures.
Lifting his black nose to the sky, Maverick inhaled the new scents. The multi-colored cur was currently out roaming the forest, as was usual, pausing every once in a while to look at some old tracks or smell his surroundings. He wasn't expecting much, but he wouldn't be against finding some big game. That would certainly be ideal. Suddenly, as if the universe granted his wish, a breeze carried a musky scent to him. Maverick stiffened and quickly lowered himself to the ground.
A single boar was also looking for food. It was brown, and covered in a shaggy, coarse coat. Its snout rummaged around at the soil, trying to root for any source of nutrients. Its tusks were short, but sharp.
Maverick was frozen to the spot watching it, his heart pounding in both excitement and anticipation. The boar had no idea he was there. What were the chances for a boar to present itself like this, all by itself? Maverick had hunted boars in the past, with his human partner. Boars were harder to kill than deer, but they had a lot of meat on them. It was too good an opportunity to pass up. Maverick stalked forward a few steps, his eyes glued to the target.
Then he lunged.
The boar saw him and took off before Maverick could get in close. He gave chase, his long legs moving quickly through the mud. Not only were boars strong, but they were fast, too. The catahoula chased the fleeing boar closely through the woods, ignoring the dirt that got kicked into his face. He caught up with the boar and dug his canines into the creature's haunches. He heard the boar squeal but it kept running; its thick hide could absorb the strikes from Maverick's teeth as he bit down. But that would only last so long.
Slowed by the dog's extra weight, the boar was forced to slow to a stop, and it whirled around to defend itself. Maverick jumped away as the boar bared its tusks at him. One wrong move would result in him being sliced open. But the boar's back was against a large tree stump. This was where Maverick wanted him.
Maverick would loose a flurry of barks whenever the boar would attempt to move, keeping it in place. The boar was cornered, but he knew that this was when they were most dangerous. Maverick made a quick decision to call for help. He normally hunted solo - but even he would make an exception for a boar. He threw back his head and let out a howl.
"Any canna who hears this! If you want some food in your belly, come help me bring down this uguru!"
He hoped his voice would ring through the forest and reach the ears of some dogs who had some grit. He was not sure if there would be anyone around to hear. But Maverick would not let this opportunity go to waste. He knew that even with just one or two more pairs of teeth, they could take it down quickly. Whether or not other dogs showed up or not...he'd be determined to bring it down, or die trying. |
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Why'o Clan
Owi
Played by Space Dinosaur
5 years
20" / 50 lbs
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
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Post by Hara'Mukha on Mar 24, 2023 23:27:49 GMT
Hara'Mukha strode casually through the wooded area. Well, as casually as he could muster. The elkhound's hind leg on his right side was still a burden to him, even after a whole month had passed. He was beginning to worry that what he had first believed to be a temporary injury would ultimately result in becoming a permanent disability. He shrugged off the thought and pressed on, keen to keep his mind out of such dark places.
The medium-sized dog had wandered into the forest on a slight mission. He was tired of being cooped up within the Why'o clan's walls. After all, he was not a part of their clan. He was a dog of no clan. He held no alliance or loyalty to anyone. He was a canna'thi - his own dog. Right? He paused briefly at the thought. The Why'o dogs had taken him in and, as much as he hated to admit it, their healers had helped his broken body to heal, if only a little bit. And, when he had set out to leave none of them had stopped him. Not that he planned to remain outside for long. He wasn't against taking advantage of the clan's hospitality they had offered him. No, he planned on returning. Hopefully with a stock of fresh herbs to add to their medicine cache.
Eewee'ook and pata'mira were the top items on his priority list. One would be good for his aching knee joint and the other would be good for the clan in general. Hara had taken notice of the seemingly abundance of puppies littering the halls. He had definitely not been able to ignore their playful yips and laughter that echoed about. Both plants were also hardy and could possibly be found in the slush and mud of the current season - if one knew where to look.
Dark ears perked at a distant, familiar sound. No... it wasn't distant... it was getting closer!
Hara dove to his side directly into the muck and scum of the forest floor. A squelching noise sounded as he regained his composure and rose to his feet, the mud sticking wetly to his thick fur. The squealing uguru had just narrowly missed ramming head first into the distracted forager. He held his head low, his tongue lolling from his mouth in a panicked pant. The elkhound's heart raced and his adrenaline surged from the encounter. If he had lingered only a few more seconds where he stood he surely would have been gored by the hog's tusks. Plus, he could have sworn he had seen a dog latched onto the swine's rear end.
The sound of another canna's howl brought him out of his brief trance. No longer focused on what he considered another brush with death, a fury filled the canna's udu. He sneered at the absolute indignance - the sheer audacity! Lowering his head forward, he began a belligerent march towards his offender. The male held his body in nearly a straight line across his top, the only exception being the corkscrew tail that curled over his back. The intimidation factor of his stance only somewhat diminished by his pathetic limp.
It did not take long to find the other dog. He stood a fair bit taller than Hara, but the feisty, medium-sized canna did not care. He snarled out a threat. "What err you tryan' to keel some-un? Er- canna... not lout..." His thick accent left his words not at all palpable. He paused briefly, his words managing to confuse even himself. Maybe that concrete to the head had done more to his brain than he had initially believed. He shook out his fur - both physically and mentally shaking off his embarrassment.
"I weel 'elp you cull this uguru. If only to show you 'ow eet's done." His voice boomed with confidence as he moved a quarter circle around their prey. It was his instincts to be loud and aggravating towards his target, drawing their attention on him. Hara had never questioned why he behaved in the way he did when hunting large animals. Even if he had, he had no way of truly learning or understanding these behaviors were genetic. Letting out a fierce bark he feinted towards the swine, diving in and out while his voice repeatedly echoed like a deafening alarm.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 25, 2023 16:53:47 GMT
 ❀⸻𝓢𝓪𝓻𝓾⸻❀
"I swear you get more difficult to understand every second--are you sure you're not just trying to fool our ears?" Saru commented as he followed his packmate from the brushes. He had caught sight of his clanmate on his way to approach the howler, and now that his long legs had managed to catch up he took in the view.
There was a large swine and an unknown dog facing off, and soon enough Hara'Muhka was dashing in and out of the fray. Saru had been on a few hunting schemes with Muhka so he understood the memo. Saru glanced to the stranger and momentarily wondered if the brute would try and stifle them of their half.
He assumed if the newcomer was smart he wouldn't attempt to keep them from their well-deserved meal. Snarling, the doberman finally turned his full attention to the boar that was currently being distracted by the two males snapping and barking at it.
Saru, ever loyal to his pushy, challenging nature; leapt forward and clamped his teeth on one of the pig's ear. It squealed as the long-limbed dog pulled at its head violently. He was attempting to tug the cranium to the side so its throat would be available to the other two canines. He had to avoid its flinging hooves and sharp tusks in the process.
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