The Wildwood Walk Alone

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Her emerald eyes glowed dimly as the corpse started to move with the help of her sister. Finally, they were on their way. She lapsed in an unusual silence, her eyes taking in the area carefully. If she wasn’t so small, she might not of had the problem of her shoulders being so sore, but unfortunately that would not be the case for her. Her stiff moments already indicated that she was agitated, and when he sister’s words finally processed in her head she gave an affirmative snort to her. She was honestly surprised that her sister hadn’t already picked up on her manner of things.

She was usually laid back of all else, but when it came to hunting, it was her thing. She was completely serious when it came to her business. Having a stranger holding her prize just didn’t sit well with her. The pack would definitely eat well tonight, and it was all due to Cali and Jessie’s hunting skills. . .not the old lady’s. She would say nothing though as the small trio made their way towards Swift River.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v201/bluepups/Calitable.png);background-position:top center; background-repeat:no-repeat; padding-top: 250px;padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; text-align:justify;">It felt good taking the prey that they had worked so hard for back to the others. The only thing that marred the feeling was Jessie's uncharacteristic surliness. She was grateful that Shadowstorm seemed to be taking it in stride. Conversation would have been difficult, given that she and her sister had mouths full of deer leg, so the silence continued until she deemed it time to take a short break when they were just past the half way mark. Giving Jessie a look of warning, she dropped the leg that she'd been dragging and worked her stiff jaw for a few moments to loosen the muscles and rolled her neck, stretching rock-hard shoulders as well. Although she ached, the feeling was worth the accomplishment.

She reached her front paws forward and leaned down, streching her back muscles as well and stood with a satisfied smile. They would be there soon. She turned towards Shadowstorm, who had indeed helped with the occasional tangle. She had likely saved them nearly an hour and Cali for one was immensely grateful to the older fae. Shadowstorm, thank you for your assistance. You have cut our travel time by a good bit! We are nearly there and I think that Jessie and I can take it from here." It felt like such a strange parting. Cali wouldn't have minded getting to know the other fae a bit better, but not at Jessie's expense. She wondered again at her uncharacteristic attitude. At least she hoped that it was still uncharacteristic. Had she changed so much?

A slight movement off to the side, caught her eye and a glimmer filled her emerald eyes and she was off in a flash of white fur. Mere moments and many direction changes later, a plump rabbit was in her jaws. She carried the small carcass back to the others and laid it down before Shadowstorm. She knew that the other was having trouble hunting because of the leg she was trying so hard not to favor. Her thin frame also spoke of it. Regardless, she had help, asking nothing in return. A second rabbit to fill her belly was the perfect thanks for her help. "A parting gift!"

Never Underestimate a Heart of Fire...

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"Shadowstorm, thank you for your assistance. You have cut our travel time by a good bit! We are nearly there and I think that Jessie and I can take it from here. A parting gift." Shadow was given a rabbit, another one that would keep her set for a while. She half debated turning it down, though her stomach told her otherwise. "Thank you Cali, I greatly appreciate it. I guess I must be heading off now. Maybe we'll bump paths later on in life. Goodbye." She said,, a tear almost from her eye. She had a feeling if she had gotten to know Cali, that they might have been threads.

Shadow padded off near the cave again. Her eyes had a small glimmer of hope for her future. She sat down, eating the rabbit and savoring the flavors. A loners life was one of hardships. This was a small kindness that went a great way. She'd pay it forward some time. Paying it forward was the best thing she could to in thanks for it.
*SHADOW EXIT!*

~ραяαησια ιѕ α tнєσяу, ι'м ησt ραяαησι∂, ι'м ιηѕαηє~

OOC: You can post or archive.

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The trek stretched on for quite a long time. Due to her small size, it was hard for her to keep pushing, but none the less, she did. Just like she always had when she had completed a successful hunt with the others pack in her homelands. Her tail curled behind her constantly, willing herself to push harder, to work harder so that she wouldn’t collapse of exhaustion. The break, called by her sister, was much needed by the time came. Jessie quietly lowered the hind leg onto the ground before she stretched her muscles, relaxing slightly as the small pains diminished. Her gray ears twitched slightly as she stared through the trees, her jaws unhinging themselves so she wouldn’t make them tense.

Her small body was easily noticeable now, her pelt clinging to her body from the slick sweat that dripped down it. The small girl had worked hard dragging the massive thing to a halfway point, and had barely noticed her sister’s return with a rabbit. Blinking out of her haze, Jessie shook her head, clearing it briefly before turning around to see Shadowstorm’s form disappearing into the undergrowth. She had gotten no farewell, and in all honesty the female couldn’t complain. Her head turned towards her sister, a small, sad smile on her face, "Ready to take this thing home?"

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v201/bluepups/Calitable.png);background-position:top center; background-repeat:no-repeat; padding-top: 250px;padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 15px; padding-right: 15px; text-align:justify;">Cali saw the brief hesitation before Shadowstorm accepted the gift and made her farewells, fading into the forest. She hoped that the other wolf would be well. The life of a loner was a hard one in the best of times. Having an injury that hampered hunting made that life exponentially more difficult. The extra protein would help her for a time and perhaps by then she might have found a home. The snowy wolf honestly couldn't imagine someone choosing the life of a loner over the security and love of a pack. It wasn't her life or her decision, but she found herself hoping that the black fae would find a pack to join and have a place to put down roots. Either way, it would be nice to see her again some day, hopefully hale and hearty.

She turned to her sister and smiled tiredly as she went through much the same actions she had to loosen jaw muscles and relieve minute cramps. She felt her own exhaustion and new that it was worse for Jessie. Her sister had never slacked though, never used her petite size as an excuse. If anything, she worked harder to prove otherwise. Wishing that they had more time to take a longer break, she knew that it was best that they both get back to it and be done with it sooner, rather than later. Giving her tough little sister a tired but encouraging smile she said, "Yes, let's." and they were off on the last leg of a highly successful hunt...

Fade to black...

Never Underestimate a Heart of Fire...