xShe was a worker. Her own words. And she could eat them or live by them- and with no want to sully her name and degrade trust she was going to prove them sooner rather than later. Vysemala had spent the morning on a small hunt- taken down instead of big prey she'd brought in a fish from the waters in the east and a bird from the trees in the west inland. They sat before her right and left paw as she stood out among the Cove's landscape with both creature's blood interminged and not washed away from the lines of her face just yet. Brown, reddish hued with drying sanguine wine, lips parted and from within she rolled out a pair of deep vocalizations of declaration. I'm the best hunter here come prove otherwise.

OOC: Vysemala is challenging for Lead Hunter
Tag: AWx

She heard the cry, and smiled at the owner. Jewel was pleased that Vysemala was taking her roll seriously, and the lioness approached, ears tipped forward when she came into view. Laying before her - offerings to the pride were the fruits of her efforts. It amused Jewel that she had once more hunted a fish, but found the difference between earth and sky symbolic in the beasts that lay at her feet. The lioness shifted as she drew to a halt near the female, settling to her haunches and coiling her tails around her paws. Jewel doubted that there would be any that would challenge the female.. And she gave her a respectful nod - she had in fact said that challenges for ranks were encouraged. To be fair, she was a little surprised that the female had decided to take a hunter rank rather than something higher, but given her drive for food - it wasn't too surprising. "If no one comes in the next few moments.. Would you rather test for the rank, or receive it?" Jewel wondered if Vysemala was the type to take something given freely - or demand to be tested for it. If that was the case, then she would simply have the female lead them on a hunt - herself and any others that may be interested. Unfortunately, Caladan was a small pride, and to be away on a hunt with all the adults would be to invite disaster into their home with all the unprotected children.""

irish

xHer blue eyes found and fell onto Jewel. Both of Vysemala's brown corded tails twisted around and whipped then against one of her ankles forcefully. She exhaled through her nose- someone else could come and it would make little difference. The pressure came from Jewel's gaze and the gauntlet thrown down to the ground instead. No opponent could offer the same. "Test-" Vysemala's decision was snap and her voice was forceful, weaving around tight lips and the snapping of long teeth meant for ripping and tearing. There wasn't even a question so far as the small brown lion thought; not for anything but surely not when it came to this. There she stood in the middle of the pridelands declaring herself the best suited to take care of their hunts, their food, and would she dare do so without being willing to prove that beyond the fish and bird she'd already laid before her? Certainly not. "-and let there be no doubts."

OOC: Vysemala is challenging for Lead Hunter
Tag: @Jewelx

[OOC] So... I think we could do a 'temp' exit? Go do the hunt, then come back and finish the thread for her challenge/promotion? 8D So it counts and all that jazzeroo? Jewel smiled, her head dipping as she gave her agreement to the female. She would have handed her the rank without question - she was capable - it was obvious.. But there were some that would seek to prove themselves rather than simply take something offered without effort. "A test... Well.." Jewel shifted, glancing around and deciding that the children would be fine for the time it took. "Let's go on a hunt.. I'll follow your lead - and our pride will feast well in celebration of your new role". Ears tipped forward, her lips twisting into a smile as she watched the female, expression kind.. and also excited - curious even. Where would Vysemala take them? What would they be eating? Oh, the idea of something without scales made her practically start to drool.""

irish

x( and back from the other thread )

Blood had begun to dry across her lips, down her chest and around her ankles. The carcass in her jaw was still limp but beginning to cool as life long gone took all signs it ever existed in the first place with it. When there seemed to be a comfortable spot below her Vysemala slid into prone position, her Flamingo at her lips where as she began to work upon its freckled tough flesh to clear the way for a few feather free bites to be taken. "I'd like to first ensure your children know how to fish. When times get tough they can help and when times are good at least they'll be safe and confident around the water." Seemed practical for a cove pride at least. Need not have any tragedies involving water and small creatures no? As she talked she plucked, feathers that came off neatly and nearly whole in one pile- shredded bloody ones in another.

@Jewelx

They returned and Jewel added her own flamingo to the small - but considerable pile at the feet of their new lead huntress. When the female spoke of wanting to ensure that the pride youth knew how to fish, Jewel would nod. "It's a good idea - mine will soon be just shy of six months - and Jyzara's will be a little younger.. But we would welcome the training." The lioness hadn't asked her children what it was they wished to do as they got older, but this would be a good idea for when they did so. "As the pride gets larger - we will have to try to hunt larger prey... As our lead huntress - you will be in charge of the food stores and organizing hunts as needed.." Jewel knew the pride would be in good hands so long as Vysemala wished to remain. She had already showed considerate ambition and desire to do such things. It was impressive. "I don't know what we can find beyond the pride borders - but there will likely be something larger than birds.." Though the plumage _was_ quite pretty.. @Vysemala""

irish

Vysemala finally cleared enough away of the feathers to take some meaty bites and filled the air around them with the soft sound of her tearing muscle between breaths. A subtle bone crunch sounded and she pulled her head away, wrist reaching up to push some of the bits of flesh away from her cheek. "Anyone adult in the pride besides you and Jyzara? If not until we have enough adults I won't risk our strength going after anything too big." She glanced northwards to the skyline and the hazy lightless world beyond. "Who knows what's out there in the fog, some plains maybe? Someplace with enough space for real prey to grow big and fat I hope." She crossed her tails around each other for good luck. Until one of them found larger spaces they'd end up being limited by what traversed the shorelines and the bits of mountains clear enough to travel through in the west. They were not exactly rolling fields of grazing herds with room to run. "Have you seen any sign of it lifting further?"

@Jewel

The lioness shook her head when Vysemala questioned the adult ranks. "None as of yet, but there are a few that I know are checking with other prides, and their families.. so hopefully soon we can get that together ... perhaps call a meeting and get everyone acquainted." She sure hoped so.. Jewel shifted to start pulling some of the pink feathers from the flamingo, setting them aside carefully into a pile. "I hope the fog lifts soon - we could use more lands to hunt.. But as far as prey, I've seen tracks here and there on the edges of the fog that hints at larger things.. Hooves or... what I thought might be hooves..They were degraded too far to tell what they were." She frowned, her expression growing irritated as she stared down at the bird at her feet. Jewel shifted and tore out the large pieces of breast meat, laying them carefully on top of the feather pile. They would be brought to her children. She would exist on the leftovers for now. "I'm glad that we have someone like you to take the place of hunt master, Lady Vysemala. It gives me hope that the pride will thrive once we can get things moving and start to stock things." @Vysemala""

irish

xSweet aromas and tastes filled her mind and mouth. Warm heat of another body leeching away second by second, blood only moments ago having been circulating left an iron taste on her tongue. She took a second mouth full and grinned. "Here- for Jyzara's children." Vysemala having had the first few bites extended the rest with her paw while voicing her intentions. May as well get the little ones fat and happy before she put them to work learning and helping out. " And you're only glad to have me because you haven't felt the full force of my sass yet." Vysemala winked and buried a little chuckle under her breath. Good humor, fun and banter. And somewhere inside Vysemala hoped it would never come fully true that Jewel would grow sick of her and her ways. However fate pulled her here she was starting to become more and more glad that it had at all.

@Jewel - I think after yours it's ten, exit & claim for XP?x

She blinked at the female before laughing, her expression softening when the female spoke of her 'sass' and Jewel grinned. "Oh, I think I can handle it.. But I'm glad that you're with us, Lady Vysemala.. I am really glad to have another female I can enjoy the company of." And not _just_ children. When she offered the meat, Jewel smiled, shifting to move the pieces towards each other so that they could be brought together to bring to children. "We're going to have to find a place to store the excess food for the pride a it grows.. Perhaps we can find one together? There are a lot of caves in the cliff-face.. perhaps we can find one that is cool and dry to use.." Jewel wondered if there was a way to 'preserve' meats and she debated the merit of experimenting with submerging them in the salty waters just off shore.. @Vysemala""

irish