Still at a run, her breath comes ragged through her lungs and throat. Momentarily remaining obscured behind some delicate, thin foliage, she spots a certain red-maned male, easily overlooked so close to the flock of glaringly bright flamingos. Satisfied her claws are sharp enough for effectively rending flesh, she finally sets out to join the group, crouching low. Feeling the burn of the male's embered gaze on her, she keeps her gaze fixed on their quarry ahead. Externally, her carefully curated veneer of indifference doesn't give an inch, but inside her chest her heart races, desperate not to fail in front of him again.

Catching the small form of a young hippo rising just above the yellow grasses, she lowers her body until it's almost flat against the ground, preparing for a spring. Keeping a steady eye on Marius, she bolts out of cover when he does, and they manage to fell it before it gets a chance to retreat completely into the cool, murky water. As others begin dragging it back to land with frenzied tugs, she joins in on the effort, not wanting for some crocodile to make off with their kill. Considering her earlier workout, she allows herself to slump down onto the ground, momentarily catching her breath. Ambrose's rapidly retreating voice reaches her ears, and she looks around with an alerted swivel of her head. In an instant she's back on her paws, her growls distantly rippling through the evening air as she swipes futilely at his tail, seeking to take the tasty leg for herself.

EXIT
+10 Exercise to gain endurance (excluding spars) 2/2 (double xp boost)
+10 Maintain your weapons (sharpen claws or care for teeth) 2/2 (double xp boost)
+10 Participate in a hunt using the rolled hunt system 2/2 (double xp boost)

code by corvus

She moves in alongside the others, slaughtering the distance between her and the calf in long and heavy strides. Even for one so young, the hippo is a challenge, but with so many hunters to assist her, she's not dissuaded so easily. Her first instinct is to leap onto its back, away from its crushing jaws, her claws digging into its hide rather clumsily. Her weight isn't enough to slow it down, but at least she's able to do some damage on it before sliding off again. The juvenile hippo is felled, eventually, and she's painfully aware of being surrounded by pride lions. Knowing she's outnumbered, she waits until everyone takes their share, and then saunters up to the motionless creature to rip off a good chunk of her own. With a final nod to the hunting party, she stalks off with her prize. It should keep her fed for a few days.

-exit-

code by corvus

her muscles tire and ache, as she stands with the group and waits for the signal to attack. her eyes study the calf, noting it's size and near armored flesh. the hunt wouldn't be easy but, she knew it would lead to a great meal for all of those involved. as the group spreads out and prepares, she falls into her place- her mind focused solely on the hunt. when it was time, she would launch herself for the beast, grabbing hold of it where she can- to help bring it crashing to the earth. once the act was done, she would wait her turn to grab a hunk of meat- heavy and full to take back to the cache. the fields were close enough she could come back for more if any were left.

then she would head away, back to her boulders- and place the meat carefully in the shade- before she would resume her workout- working to push the muscles in her small body to their limit- shoving and heaving the boulders, until her body is quivering with exhaustion.

then, and only then... she would pick up her meat, and slowly head home to drop off the offering in the cache, and rest.

-exit-

_{— art by yumpy}

potential xp (doubled): +10, practice speed or strength, +10 complete a hunt in a neutral territory using the hunt system, +10 participate in a rolled neutral hunt.

of course, when she deigns to join those lesser than she is in a hunt- it would be prey that could easily harm her. regardless of the fact that it was a calf, it was large- and she knew where a calf lurked... its mother was usually not far behind. yet, she was hungry, and if someone did get gored... it would be entertaining to watch. she was confident in her ability to get away- so she joined them, making sure to stick to a more.... safe end of the beast, an eye forever watchful of its mother. instead, she'd use her speed to help chase it towards those who would kill it. she would rather, let them do the hard work- and just do her job as a distraction and a force to chase the beast into the claws of the others.

and then it is done.

she makes the point to sway into the crowd to take her place at the meal that they had slaughtered. She was hungry after all.

-exit-

ART BY MOOGLE, CODE BY LARS

Zelda's eyes scanned over the encroaching group until @Ghyslaine ♔ appeared and the gray woman hoped that the shiver that ran down her spine had not made her hair quake. Happiness mixed with frustration warring upon her as she struggled to find less pointed words to throw at the wheat woman. I am surprised you remember me, or that I even exist. She thinks coldly. Words that came out of her mouth far more plain than she might have liked but there was a part of her that still wanted to salvage whatever was left. The other part, of course, tried to tell her that she didn't need anyone that would turn tail without looking back at a friend. Or what she had thought was a friendship.

It was far too easy to focus in on the hunt as soon as it began and she was able to do just that. Excusing herself from the chit chat and starting up on the hunt at the dark male's hind. Taking down their prey with relative ease as she stood tired, exhilarated whilst she licked the blood of her attack clean. Zelda dabbled in the time left behind after the scuffle to take whatever was left of those that had departed. Chomping down on a piece bit by bit before deciding to pick up where she left off.

Trailing back towards Ecrosia with her head quite high, sniffing the wind and attempting to continue the tracking of another fell beast. The calves, of course, had done their part to satiate the belly of the individual, but she was more interested in the fun that came with having a success that was all your own. Finally her head bent down as she found something on the wind and began to weave through the fields. Bending this way and that over logs and stones, until she found the ruddy carcass of a warthog that had apparently already met its match. So much for tracking live food... she thought bitterly.

So with a singular huff she pivots around to find the last stone she had roped around. A quick leap onto the side of its berth and lazily flopping down on top of it. All in a day's work, she thought as she slid a tongue out around her mouth and was delighted to find a drop of blood that she hadn't quite gotten yet. Delicious. With a last spot of dessert now forcing her to forget her unfortunate find, Zelda relinquishes the strength in her body and flops down on her belly to the warm stone. Letting her entire backseat feel the heat of the sun's ungodly stretch. exit zelda.

+10 - Participate in a hunt using the rolled hunt system
+10 - Sunbathe or take a nap
+10 - Practice the skills of another trade (tracking)