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Post by whispen on Jun 11, 2015 0:20:57 GMT
Puka inhaled deeply, perched precariously on the very edge of the rocky precipice. The breeze rippling his fur was heavily scented with the sour smell of fish, along with the familiar earthy smell of bear. His nose twitched in anticipation as he thought about the hunt before him and the spoils of war. The salmon run was in full swing, and he knew that the rivers would be lined with bear after bear, as far as he could see. This was far from his first salmon run, and far from his last. Even from far above, he could hear the rumble of the waters beneath his, and almost taste the brine in the air. He allowed himself a moment to bask in the warm summer air, surveying his territory, but then turned and padded back down to ground level. The bears were waiting.
Back on the ground, the sound of the churning waters rose to a roar, and the sharp smell of fish mingled with the fresh scent of the crystal spray that filled the air. Puka approached the area cautiously, ducking behind the thick brush blanketing the riverbanks. He couldn't smell any bear in the immediate vicinity, but it was better to maintain the element of surprise if he happened to be wrong. He peered down into the waters carefully, and watched the salmon swim by. Maybe, if he were lucky, he could snag some fish on the way home as well.
Just then, a low rumble caught him by surprise. It was the unmistakable growl of a bear, and he hoped that the creature had not yet sensed him. The rushing waters had disguised its smell. The large, shaggy bear was in the very middle of the river, swatting at fish as they darted by. Puka let out a low growl as he realized that it would be impossible for him to take it down on his own, and he backed out of the bushed quietly. He would have to head for home and find an ally.
His thick golden fur was now full of prickers and burrs, and though he gave himself a good shake he was still just as filthy as he was before. He hoped he would have the chance to clean himself off in the river soon and that his fellow tribemates wouldn't scoff at his unattractive appearance. Just in case one of them was nearby, he howled to call them to arms. He would need at least two others to come along, and then they'd be able to track down something substantial.
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AR
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Post by AR on Jun 11, 2015 1:14:09 GMT
A brown blur tore out from a behind a line of brush and dove into the rushing river. Cold water spraying everywhere, along with a handful of salmon, before the brown blur surfaced and gave a happy yelp. Miranda swam in circles before heading for the opposite bank. The river water again spraying in every direction and she shook it from her fur after climbing the river bank. Her tongue lolled out as she padded along the pebble bank. Fish were on her mind. The myriad of salmon swimming up the river would be no problem to catch, but the river where she was now was too deep. She had to look for where it got shallow and forced the fish to be vulnerable.
A howl suddenly rang through the air. Miranda perked her dark brown ears and estimated from where the call for assistance had come from. Further up river but close by. Picking up her pace, the brown toko crossed back into the brush that lined the river back and headed off in the direction of the other tokota. She soon found a warn path in the grass that made moving simple and she made good time in closing the distance.
The scent from the other tokota was now very strong. He must be just around here, she thought. When she laid eyes on the golden tokota she couldn't help but let an amused smile spread across her maw.
"You need help cleaning those seeds from your fur?" She asked jokingly.
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Post by whispen on Jun 11, 2015 1:40:17 GMT
"Oh ha ha. No, I can do it on my own" Puka sneered. He shook out his tangled coat again, but to no avail, only managing to ensnare the burrs even deeper. He would either have to wash them out in the water or have Kunik get them out for him. It would probably be both, considering how much they were now muddled into his pelt. Either way, he would refuse to show weakness to the female in allowing her to assist him. He gave his fur a final shake and decided to ignore the problem for now. Instead, he breathed Miranda's scent in deeply, attempting to determine what she'd been up to.
"Well well, enjoying the salmon run already, I see!" he laughed, sinking into a playful bow. "It's not hard to figure out where you've been!" He hopped to his paws and padded up to her to greet her, running his muzzle across her back to get a better smell. She had obviously wasted no time in answering his call, as the smell of the river and it's many occupants was very fresh. He wondered whether or not she had been successful in her hunt, then returned to the task at hand.
"So, as I'm sure you're wondering why I howled for backup, I decided to go bear hunting!" he said proudly, puffing out his chest to look impressive. "But the creature I'm targeting today is unfortunately...too big. N-not that I couldn't do it on my own!" he assured her, blushing at his weakness, "But I want to give it a fair chance! So....you in?" he asked, cocking his head to the side. He smiled widely at her, tongue lolling lazily from his mouth.
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AR
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Post by AR on Jun 11, 2015 3:09:42 GMT
"Shame." Miranda sighed. The tawny male wasn't that bad looking. She wouldn't have minded biting all those burrs out, maybe even giving him a playful nip or two.
She gave him a smile at the salmon comment before he came along side her and she took in his scent as well. Vegetation was the predominate scent, but she could also pick out the mingled smell of his pack and his human. He and his pack weren't known to her personally but she had seen them when the tribe gathered and she was glad she was meeting him now. She always needed more friends, and he seemed fun enough. Not grouchy or serious like some she knew.
"I'm in!" She yipped, tail wagging happily. Fighting a bear was much more exciting than chasing after fish all day. The fact that she had never hunted bear before didn't bother her in the least.
"But we have to be careful you don't end up sticking to the bear." The brown female quickly snapped at a burr tangled in the fur along the male's flank. She bounce backwards, landing in a playful crouch, with the burr covered in tawny hairs in her mouth.
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Post by SozinThis on Jun 11, 2015 3:47:33 GMT
Catori had been out exploring with her handler and some other tokota's when she heard the howl. She recognized it as the sound of Puuka's and she instantly perked up. The male was always a lot of fun, but focused when he decided to work so she enjoyed his company. Getting up, she stretched and glanced over at Hazel. Yup, not to the barred females surprise her handler ahd long since forgotten that they where out here with a purpous and had since started to clean and braid the other tokota's fur. Amused, but not wanting to join in, Catori decided her presence would hardly be missed and with a brush against her handler for affection she headed out in to the woods. Once she left the area she broke into a full fledged run as she headed towards where she had heard the howl. Dipping her way through grasses as ferns the sun beat down on her and provided her with warmth that she relished. She loved the sun on her fur, loved feeling it as she ran. It made her feel like she could fly.
Soon she approached, hearing talking. Opening her jaws to scent the air she realized that she did infact know the other scent as well. Not well, and certainly not by name but she recognized it as another one from the tribe. The scent of cross creek mingled within all their scents and made them noticeable as such. Coming forward she let her head bow, incase the other female with Puuka or Puuka himself had already taken on the role of higher ranking. Being last to the call she took a more submissive stance, as fighting for dominence was not something on her mind just now. She was ok with whatever they had planned, had she overheard bear hunting? The prospect seemed fun in theory, but could they really do it with just the three of them? She had gone on bear hunts before, usually in large parties of at least five, some times more. Having such large parties made rationing the rewards hard but if they where all tribe mates she didn't think that would end up being much of a problem at all... and she wasn't even hungry. As far as she was concerned she just wanted to get out and get actually doing something with her day today.
"Don't think you two are all alone either. Count me in as well if you think I could be of help!" She chriped, approaching with a lrage smile on ehr maw. She was a tokota that generally tended to get along pretty well with whomever was around so she rarely worried about not liking a tokota. There were few tokota's whose presence she actually disliked, and only one she could truly think of off the top of her head but that was Muta, and Muta didn't get along with anyone. Still, Tsuki was busy else where today so if her best friend was otherwise engaged, and Hazel didn't mind eh being here she was more than happy to help out some tribe mates take down a bear without needing anything but the thrill of the hunt to make it worth her while.
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Post by whispen on Jun 11, 2015 4:22:35 GMT
Puka yipped in surprise as he felt a bur, and some of his fur, yanked from his skin. It didn't really hurt, but Puka barked and snarled playfully at Miranda as she sunk into her crouch. His tail wagged like a banner above his back, signalling his nonviolent intentions, and he smiled a wolfy grin. If there was one thing he liked to do, it was having a good playful tussle. He was quite infamous for it back at home when he was just a pup and didn't yet have a job to do. The other Tokos in his former pack got tired of him quite quickly, in fact. It may have had something to do with the fact that he would bother them no matter what they happened to be doing, even during feeding or sleeping. Not that he ever regretted a second of it!
As he prepared to pounce, tensing his muscles, a voice rang out from the vegetation. Catori! Puka jumped up and pranced over to her, heart doing flips and stars in his eyes. He felt like this every time he saw the beautiful creature, and while he wasn't quite sure why, it always filled him with warmth. The female's head was bowed submissively, and Puka greeted her with his head high and tail wagging happily. He gently ran his nose down her side, breathing in her scent. She smelled as she usually did, like her handler, Cross creek, and like sweet grass.
"Yes! We were going to go on a bear hunt. There's a beauty down by the lake," he yipped excitedly. "I'm sure he'll be big enough for all three of us to share at least." He was nearly bouncing with excitement, sure that this hunt was going to be a blast with these two exciting ladies.
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AR
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Post by AR on Jun 11, 2015 5:00:23 GMT
Miranda was ready for some play-fighting when suddenly another tokota arrived.
She knew she shouldn't have been surprised to see someone else to show up to the tawny male's ealier call, but she was and it deflated her fun a little. But there was still enough air left in her to wag a low set tail and greet the other barred female with a small nod. She didn't know her, but like the male she had seen her before as well. There were barely any complete strangers on the island. Though, these two tokotas seem to be the opposite of strangers with the way the male tawny instantly floated to the other female's side. Miranda would have to behave herself. She sighed inwardly.
The burr was still in her mouth, and she spat it out with embarrassment. "W-we should get going then before it leaves." She waited to follow, since she had no idea where the bear was or how to start a fight with it.
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Post by SozinThis on Jun 11, 2015 5:10:51 GMT
Catori smiled as Puuka approached, letting out a slight sigh of releif. Though she was social, and preferred being ina group than on her own, that first introduction to a group always seemed to make her a little nervous, but she quickly realized that such feelings where unneccesary here. The female hardly seemed to bear the shape of one who was about to argue her presence, though Catori thought that perhaps she seemed as uneased by Catori's approach as Catori had been nervous... if that made any sense. Still, she didn't seem like trouble and so long as a toktoa wasn't out looking for trouble Catori considered them a friend. Catori was just about to introduce herself, in fact, when the female spoke and mentioned that they should be leaving. Oh,
She looked over to Puuuka and smiled ear to ear before glancing back at the female. if she was suggestion it, and not saying it, that must mean it was already chosen that Puuka was leading, and possibly had instegated, the hunt. Good, it meant she didn't have to worry about who ranked higher or lower than herself if she didn't ahve to worry about competing for leadership. Such things enevr lead to friendships really and Catori was here to work hard, then, and make a new friend. Well, and spend a day with Puuka which was never a day misspent of course.
"Alright, I'm ready, and I'm Catori by the way.. So, what's the plan?"
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Post by whispen on Jun 11, 2015 5:28:30 GMT
Puka sensed a small amount of tension, but it passed so quickly he wasn't sure the moment had even been there. He licked his lips a little nervously, but perked up as it was suggested that they leave. Finally, we're getting somewhere! he thought excitedly, wagging his tail as he looked back and forth between the two females.
"Alright guys, the bear was down by the river just this way," he barked, gesturing with a paw slightly to the West of where the trio stood. "He was a big one, so my plan was to ambush it if possible. We might be able to sneak up behind it, if we get in the water. It will disguise our smells, and the water might be loud enough to hide our movements as well," he said smartly. He drew a crude diagram in the damp soil with his paw, but it was so terrible it was hard to distinguish what anything was. He didn't seem to notice, and continued with his instruction. He fancied himself an expert at bear hunting by now, as he had gone on countless hunts. With or without a handler, he could handle himself out there. Kunik, his beloved human, had taught him to always take a bear by surprise if possible. He knew that it was much easier to take down the enormous beast if you didn't have to worry about the terrible claws or huge teeth.
"I can go for the throat, since it's the most dangerous place to be, and you two can go for the legs or back to subdue it." He nodded wisely. Before confirming that the others had understood his diagrams or speech, he jumped to his feet. "Now let's go!"
He turned and trotted off, quite ready to finally start the hunt he had been anticipating so much.
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AR
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Post by AR on Jun 11, 2015 5:54:34 GMT
"I'm Miranda."
She watched as the tawny male doodled in the dirt with an attentive expression. It didn't matter than what he was drawing looked like a moose growing goose wings and pine cone feet surrounded by baby otters, he clearly knew what he was talking about but just lacked the skills to show it in dirt. Miranda was a decent swimmer so getting to the bear shouldn't be a problem, but actually attacking one? That would be new. The thought was exciting and she was already imagining how it would go. She was a large female, bigger than Catori and a smidgen taller than the male. She could probably knock the bear flat if she got it from behind. With her own plan in mind, the barred brown female fell in line behind the tawny male.
She turned to Catori as they trotted along and asked, "And his name is... Poku?" She'd heard it before somewhere but couldn't fully remember it.
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Post by SozinThis on Jun 11, 2015 15:49:02 GMT
Catori had watched him, admiring his intent but having lost the plot a little along the way. His passion though kept her confident in his plan, and besides he seemed to know far more about bear hunting that her or the other female did so she supposed that was that. She trusted Puka to know what he was doing, and the other female looked like she could hold her own as well. But Catori had to wonder about her own skills though. She tended to be a little mascot around the tribe in a weird way. She played in the tribe run games, got along with everyone, but rarely had she actually done anything like hunting. So she probably wasn't as skilled as the other two, but she was determined to hold her own. As they got up, she gave her pelt a shake as she tried to clear her mind of any nagging doubt. The other female, once standing, was actually quite large. This gave them an advantage if Catori was just helping her knock the bear flat. The water would give them an edge if it masked their scents, but would it help if they where clumsy in it? One could not afford to be clumsy. She thought about this, trying to map it all out in her brain step by step so she could feel as ready as possible when the time came. Based on the other females size Catori could bet the bear could be swayed by weight alone. Catori was another matter, and should plan her place based on the knowledge that she did not have such weight to sway it as much. She would have to attack with more presecion to not waste her effors. Maybe if she tried from one of it's sides, so long as the other female attacked either from the same side or from behind. That way, once the bears footing was being lost, the water would really do most of the work.
This could work, she thought to herself, now feeling more confident.
"I'm Miranda" the words snapped her out of her own mind, which had been previously engaged on anything but where they were going in the present moment which perhaps was not the smartest thing. Looking to the female, Miranda, she smiled a big grin. She did like getting to know others, and always loved to make a new friend and this was no exception. She had a feeling her and Mirancda would be fast friends by the end of it, the pride of a successfull hunt usually fostered good emotions.
As Miranda asked about Poku, Catori giggled.
"It's Puka, but I think I like what you heard better." She said with a small laugh. Poku, she'd have to rememebr that for whenever she wanted to tease him a little bit.
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Post by whispen on Jun 12, 2015 2:05:24 GMT
Puka thought better of himself and looked back at the two females following him.
"Do you think you can both handle taking down a bear?" he asked playfully. Both of them looked more than capable, but it was possible one or even both of them had never hunted a bear before. To be fair, most handlers were a little wary about taking down such a large and dangerous animal. There was always the possibility of being seriously hurt...
But Puka wasn't afraid. The three of them were more than a match for even the large bear he had seen earlier, and especially if they had the element of surprise on their side. Hopefully, the current would help them tip the bear over the edge and cause it to lose its balance, the way he planned it in his head. Puka would allow the girls to attack it from behind, while he himself would circle around and latch onto it's throat seconds later. That way, they could surprise it and still take it down with a quick bite to the neck.
Puka turned back to the path, slithering in between the underbrush and briars. He followed the line of the cliff as it jutted awkwardly in to the sky, hugging the rocky sides so he wouldn't lose his way. He crouched down and slipped silently down to the edge of the water, his eyes searching for any sign of the bear. It had moved from its spot from the middle of the river as the small group had been talking, and he hoped they would be able to locate it quickly. Before it located them.
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AR
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Post by AR on Jun 16, 2015 21:14:58 GMT
"With the both of us it should be easy." Miranda said, speaking from zero personal experience. But really, if they could knock it off its feet in the water Puka could even drown the bear if he wanted it. It shouldn't be hard.
The brown female followed quickly. She was all jittery with excitement. Her feet sunk into the river's bank as the group stopped to look around. There was no bear in sight but with one sniff of the air she could smell that one had been in the area only moments before. The heavy scent was everywhere.
"Where is it?" She whispered to the male.
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Post by SozinThis on Jun 16, 2015 22:41:37 GMT
Catori tensed, pressing herself against Puka immediately when, looking around, the bear was gone. It's musky scent still heavy in the air, she hated it. She never liked the scent of bear admittedly, but it made it easier to hunt she supposed since it was a strong foul scent they'd be following. But here, where it had obviously been ahile, it's like it's scent was hovering all around them, hangingn in teh air and no doubt clinging to her pelt. Fear was rising in her throat, but she forced ehrself to gulp it down. Now was not the time to freak out. She kept her body ready to dart into action at any moment, her jaws open to try and scent the air better and her ears pressed flat back against her head. Her eyes scanned as far as they could see on all sides. She ignored the knots taking root in her stomach, planted her paws firmly in the ground, and got herself ready. It had to be here, some where. If it had gone compeletely the smell would have dissiapted even just a touch more slightly than it already was.
"guys..." She whispered, all of the sudden thinking she saw a flash of brown bear fur just to the east of them.
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Post by whispen on Jun 17, 2015 5:02:13 GMT
"Shhhhhh..." Puka insisted. "Stay absolutely still."
His voice was such a low whisper that it would have been a miracle if both females had heard him. His hackles raised as his keen eyes swept the area in an attempt to locate the missing animal, and a silent growl rose in his throat. His muscles were tensed, nearly shaking in his effort to stay stock-still. The bear was here somewhere, the smell of it was undeniable, and he couldn't have gone far in the short time it had taken to rally the small pack. Tension hung in the air like the thick humidity of the musky summer day, and Puka could smell the slight smell of fear. Perhaps it was coming from him. He had never lost a bear before.
Catori's voice sounded nervously behind him, and he slowly turned his head to follow her gaze. He heard a small crunching of leaves, and through the brush he thought he could see a spot of brown fur. But...It didn't look like the bear he had seen before. Whatever was in the bush was not the bear he was looking for, but Puka had a sinking feeling in his stomach. As the creature wandered closer, seemingly oblivious to the three Tokotas, his worst fears were confirmed. This was a baby bear, which meant the bear he saw before....
The air was suddenly shattered by the sound of a bear's roar. Puka whipped himself around, and towering above them was the large adult. The bear he had seen before, the apparent mother of a newborn cub. All chances of an attack had gone for now, and the only option would be to run, and as fast as possible before she could strike out with her dagger-like claws.
"Catori! Miranda! RUN!" he cried, his heart dropping. Luckily he was the closest to the monstrous animal than the others, and the two females would probably be able to escape in time. He barked and growled desperately at the creature to buy them some time, dodging a deadly paw. Then, he turned tail and fled, hoping to find some way to circle around and take the bear down. With luck, Miranda and Catori would have been able to come up with a plan to either get to safety or find some way to fight.
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