[FLASHBACK] Finding Food In the Forest (Solo)

by **Jynx** on September 12th, 2012, 10:36 pm

The 30th of Summer 512
The Northern Reaches

OOC :

The hawk was perched on a branch high in an old pine tree overlooking a grass-and-wildflower meadow with a small stream running through it. He had been sitting there as still as the branch for a bell. The sun had not yet cleared the eastern peaks but the dawning light was sufficient to see what he was looking for. What he was looking for was his breakfast. He didn't know what exactly was on the menu this morning but most likely it would be rodent or squirrel, possibly rabbit if he was lucky.

A movement registered at the periphery of his eye. Grass moving on a windless morning near the stream on the far side of the meadow. He tilted his head to one side to get a better triangulation on it. A small black head popped up above the grass and looked around for a brief moment. Just as quickly, it disappeared. But it had revealed itself long enough for Jynx to know where it was and what it was. He hesitated. Minks were predators like Jynx and they could be nasty. They had a tendency to whip that long lithe body around and bite even while being carried aloft. He would have to kill it quickly or he'd find himself in an arial wrestling match he might not win.

He dropped from the branch and spread his wings briefly to line himself up with his prey. Then he pulled his wings back in and dived to gain speed. He was about five feet above when he leveled out, skimming across the tops of the grasses and wildflowers at 60 miles per hour. The distance between him and his prey closed in seconds. At the last moment he spread his wings, using them as an air break, slowing from 60 to a near standstill in a second. At the same time he extended his feet and latched on to the mink's head with his claws. Powerful talons sank into the tiny skull, crushing it as Jynx beat his wings furiously to gain speed and altitude. He returned to his perch high above the meadow with his prize. It was a female, with a body about a foot long and weighing about one and a half pounds. A male would have been bigger. Using his powerful hooked beak, Jynx ripped out chunks of meat and swallowed them with gusto.

by **Jynx** on September 12th, 2012, 10:38 pm

OOC :

Jynx grasped the mangled remains of the mink with his claws and took flight, lazily beating his wings, slowly gaining altitude and distance from the tree. Eventually he dropped the mink and soared in a tight circle watching it disappear into the forest below. He didn't want to leave it near the tree because he was using the tree as a base of operations. A few dead animal corpses at the base of the tree would draw unwanted attention, both animal and human. Not that he expected to find any humans out here.

He flew over a hillock, letting its updraft carry him higher. He climbed steadily, leaving the forest, the meadow, the stream, the tree … all far below. He leveled out at about fifteen hundred feet. The sun was visible at this height, climbing over the mountains. It would take very sharp eyes indeed to pick him out at this altitude. But he could make out a great deal of detail because he had very sharp eyes indeed. About two miles west of his tree was a break in the forest. He moved in that direction came upon a lake with a beaver dam. The water flowing over the dam fed the stream that ran through the meadow where his tree was located. A tendril of smoke rose straight up from a point on the shore. A campfire!

A shadow blocked the sun and then something hit him in the back. Hard. He let out a “SQUAWK!” and tumbled through the air. He arrested his fall and was immediately hit again. Whatever it was, it was bigger and heavier than him. This time he didn't try to stop his fall. He instead went into a dive. He plummeted toward the ground, reaching a speed few avians could match. Then he pulled out in a long swooping curve and turned to see what had hit him. It was a vulture.

“Why would a vulture attack me?” He wondered. Vultures weren't predators. They were scavengers. However, they could be territorial, especially if they were nesting. Jynx guessed he had trespassed into an area a pair of vultures considered their own. The vulture was about twice Jynx's size and weight but nowhere near as fast or maneuverable. It was diving for him. He glided lazily along until it was almost on top of him. Then he darted down and under it, up behind it and down on its back. Razor sharp talons dug into the scavengers back. It screeched and began gyrating wildly trying to shake him off. Jynx broke off and sailed away. The vulture came after him. This time Jynx turned to meet the larger bird head on, talons extended. The two birds collided. He raked talons across the vulture's head, causing it to cry out in pain. It didn't come after him after that. It flew down and away. Jynx didn't pursue it. He had no reason to.

by **Jynx** on September 12th, 2012, 10:39 pm

OOC :

Later that day, Jynx was soaring over the lake along the shore opposite the campsite. He was about twenty feet above the surface watching the fish just below the surface. He glided over an area partially shaded by a rock outcrop with trees leaning out over the water. A splash notified him that the fish were jumping after insects flying around just above the surface. He put himself into a tight circle, watching the fish below. One of them moved toward the surface and so did Jynx. They arrived at the surface at the same time. Jynx grabbed the fish but it slipped back into the water before he could dig his talons into its slippery skin. He repeated this maneuver several more times and was finally rewarded with a twelve inch trout. He carried it to a nearby tree and proceeded to rip it apart, greedily tossing down pieces of fish. When he had gotten most of what was readily accessible out of it, he let the carcass drop to the ground and settled down on the branch for a brief nap.

by **Jynx** on September 12th, 2012, 10:40 pm

OOC :

That evening he crossed the lake and took up a position in a tall tree near their camp. Two humans were arguing about something while the third one buried some potatoes in the hot coals of their fire. Jynx's hawk side was quite happy with mink and fish. But his human side craved a more balanced diet. The third man eventually wandered off along the shore and out of sight. The other two continued their argument as they walked to the other side of their tent where they hunkered down over a piece of paper. Probably a map. Jynx wasn't interested in the map, of course. He was interested in the fact that the campfire was no longer in anyone's sight. Except his.

He swooped silently down to the fire and changed into a medium-sized man with long, unkempt blond hair. He dug one of the potatoes out of the fire and tossed it into the bushes a few yards away. Then he did the same with two good-sized carrots lying on the ground beside the fire. Then he transformed back into a hawk and beat a hasty retreat back up into the trees. When it became apparent that he had not been seen, he swooped down, grabbed the potato he had tossed aside and flew back across the lake. He landed on a sturdy branch and transformed again. Then the man enjoyed his baked potato. He followed up with another trip to the campsite to pick up the two carrots, which he similarly enjoyed. All-in-all it was a fine dinner.

by **Jynx** on September 12th, 2012, 10:42 pm

OOC :

The sun was sinking into the horizon. Jynx launched off his perch high above the lake and quickly gained altitude in a spiral. Then he glided in wide circles until he spotted the tree he was using as a base of operations. A few chimes later he was back in his tree. He fluffed his feathers and locked his claws around a limb. Soon he was asleep.

by **Valkyrie** on September 14th, 2012, 2:46 am

Jynx :

You Will Be Collected if Worthy

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your grade, please send me a PM and we can figure it out.

Completed [FLASHBACK] Finding Food In the Forest (Solo)