The Ties That Bind [Closed]

[Avi]

Closed. Ja'soth, please!
TS: Late Spring 510 AV

After leaving the Spires, Avi had plans to head back to Syliras, and back to Syliras she was going. A lot had transpired in the Talderian wilds, but on the way back, she planned to hunt. It was twilight, one of her favourite times - even with her back to the aurora - she could still see the dance of Syna and Leth as they came close, so close, to touching. Further, it gave her a window before the other nocturnal predators came out, and when the diurnal animals began to slow down for the night. It was good time. Hunting was both easier and harder at once - easier because the the animals below would be tired from travel, but at the same time, they became warier and warier as the night progressed - they would be watching for predators.

But Avi was a Kelvic on a mission. Not only was she heading back to Syliras, but she was looking with a good, durable hide that she could use to present him with something first. It made no sense to use a saddle for him - they'd have to carry it, and a saddle wouldn't be comfortable for either. Her pack served well enough in that capacity, but what Avi had in mind was a harness for both of them. Something that would work better for his feet and something to hang onto, and at the same time connect the two of them so that she didn't have to worry so much about him falling off. It would be doable. Both of them could wear one, and connect them with a couple of straps and chains. It was far from a failsafe, but it would certainly help both of them.

She swooped lower, checking out the tundra, looking for any sign of tracks or prey on the horizon. Something big. She definitely needed something big. She was going to need a good, thick hide to provide lots and lots of straps - some were bound to get torn, and if she wanted to reinforce them properly... she wanted one good solid hide instead of having to hunt down multiple prey. If she had to, she had to, but she would see. Time would tell what would show up on the way back to the Spires. On the way back to her bondmate.

[Ja'soth]

The Northern reaches of Taldera were more tundra like as they approached the frozen lands of Aventhal but here there was still plenty of tree cover for things to hide in. Avi soars over the trees that she is familiar with since this is her home hunting grounds here she has hunted since she was young. The smells and sounds are those of home and easily sorted out.

The dance is that of the ages, Syna chases Leth across the skies and it seems that she might almost catch him and she passes him to slip beneath the horizon. The diurnal animals are tiring for the night but are aware that the nocturnal predators have just awakened and Avi is among those ready to hunt. The thick green carpet of trees spreads out for miles and the smell of home prevails.

She is a Kelvic with a mission, behind her lies the Spires now at peace and safe from the threat of Rhysol for another season. Ahead lies Syliras and Terminus her bondmate, she hunts for the purpose of presenting him with a gift so the prey must fit certain parameters and the food such a catch would provide would fill the hungry belly of one Talderan Black Owl as well.

The woods are alive with possible selections, but one sound stands out above all of them. It is a deep,base,bawl that trumpets through the air and is followed by the sound of thundering hoof beats. The sounds are of only one beast[ and it comes crashing into a nearby clearing chasing something. The creature stands a good 7 feet tall and is covered in grizzled fur, it is obviously a bear and one big enough to fit Avi's need without posing a threat to her safety.

[Avi]

Avi noted the bear, mindful to stay upwind of it… even though she was high enough that that shouldn’t have mattered. But bears had incredible noses. If a pin dropped in the woods, Avi knew, a dear would hear it, the eagle would see it, but the bear would smell it. That wasn’t to discount its other senses – but with all of the ruckus the big thing was making, it was hardly a cause for concern. Besides, black owls were a normal enough occurrence in Taldera… even if they weren’t all as big as she was. And in Mizahar, you never knew if an animal was what it seemed to be. She herself was living proof.

As she winged overhead, keeping an eye on the bear below, she considered her target. The bear was enormous, but she would be able to take it down. She had confidence in herself after all. There was no doubt that the fur and hide would be beautiful if she was mindful not to tear it too much. But it left her with a dilemma. As strong as the hide would be, to strip it of the thick fur would be a terrible waste. But she brightened. To go up north, even with Ivak’s Gnosis, Term would need to dress warmly. This would make an excellent cloak for him. Besides… she could cuddle inside of it with him, and, well, then they’d really be snug. That certainly got her blood going. Once she had that hide fixed and tanning, then she could find another animal with an equally tough skin and hopefully a little less hair.

While she considered this, she watched it for a while to make sure it was actually a bear. One never knew, after all, and only once she was finally satisfied did Avi angle her wings, going straight up before turning around, and flying in the opposite direction. Not enough to lose sight of her quarry, but enough to give her a decent run from which to hit it from behind. She dove, then, wings outstretched, her heavy body coming downwards at a medium slope. She had to be careful – this bear probably weighed a thousand pounds, if she was any judge, and that was going to be a bit of lifting. To use a sharp angle here would land her on the ground with an angry bear and broken wings. Besides, she would have to try to break its neck, and do it quickly rather than tear too much of the hide. Fast enough to surprise it, slow enough not to get herself killed. It was a fine line Avi was flying, but she knew how to play the game.

[Ja'soth]

Avi had not yet alerted the bear as it was making a lot of ruckus and its attention was on whatever it was hunting. Besides she smelled like a black owl and those were pretty common in Taldera. So it kept on the trail of whatever it was following. The thing was huge for a bear, easily twice the size of a normal bear and its coat was a grizzled brown.

Avi could easily follow it as it was going about its business quite nosily. It was not going to be an easy catch for her but not a challenge either since she was the larger and stronger of the two of them. She carefully gauged her drop to her target and swooped down upon it trying to grab it in her talons. Her flight was nearly flawless but at the last second the bear got a swipe off at her, digging claws into flesh, not deeply but enough to leave a wound. But in the end Avi got hold of it and they ascended to the sky so that she could finish it at her leisure.

While she was finishing off the bear, Avi was able to spot other movement along the treelines, there was some kind of hear of animals out there that might fit her remaining needs.