She almost always seemed to be a few steps behind him. But then Nikhila was often more deliberate in many things. Every once in a while she's plunge headlong into something, and often enough it had been Xeph that made her check herself, think things through a bit more, but for the most part she was thoughtfully behind. After Xeph found them a more secluded spot she too undressed, but neatly folded her close and set them aside before embracing her own change.
She loved the change, and had almost since the first time the moon had forced her body into a new and different form. It was powerful and exciting and yet it was also the other side of her, savage and civilized a perfect balance. Completing the transformation Nikhila shook herself from nose to tail letting Xeph search for a fresh sent. Seeing that he was giving up she enthusiastically bounded after him. Not satisfied with just the edge of the run she plunged deeper into the woods, eventually slowing her pace to a trot and then a walk as she sorted out the old scents from the new, the smell of the earth and underbrush from the small game that she'd encountered here before.
The crisp unmistakable smell of squirrel rose from the ground and her head went down even further. Yes, this was it. This was new and clean. She whined softly, plaintively and paced back and forth. She may have found a good trail but it was just a small thing. Now that there were two of them he might want to try for something larger.
Before Mourning (Private, PM for Invite)
Xeph sat on one of the benches that bordered the Tikerak. It was dark, and most of the Pack were in bed, but as was the norm Xeph wasn't among them. If his sleep was often troubled by nightmares, then tonight's would have been particularly hellish. His mother was settled in to her new room, he had to assume, for he'd left her with Hammer. Tomorrow Brig and the Pipers would be on their way to Canberra.
Xeph himself was concerned. What bothered him, it was difficult to put his finger on. He wasn't really much of a talker; there wasn't really any sense in seeking out a friend to be chatty with. Normally he'd work, but his mind just wasn't in the game right now, and not for the reasons he had thought would keep him awake.
Tomorrow, he thought, he'd go to his own office. He employed a fulltime veterinarian, but he worked at his own clinic as well. Routine appointments would keep his mind off of it until he had a chance to sort things out.
For now he just felt like staring, which was exactly what he did. The moon was half-full. The sky was clear, and moonlight drifted down, illuminating the surroundings in a soft glow. It would be a good night for a hunt, if he felt like hunting. But sitting here being broody seemed enough for now.
Nikhila
17 years ago
Xeph
17 years ago
It was Nikhila who found the scent first, plunging deeper into the Long Run. Xeph shifted his ears forward toward her, raising his tail. Squirrel. If he could have, he would have laughed. Trust her to find the scent again.
He lowered his nose and followed it himself for a while, completely in tune with her, and definitely not willing to let her get off easily. Rabbits, moles, other small animals, Nikhila could hunt as well as any wolf. Squirrels were the bane of her lupine existence, however. Practice makes perfect.
Finally discovering the head of a fresher trail he moved aside to let her take the point, and simply followed along.
((ooc: Both out to the Long Run))
He lowered his nose and followed it himself for a while, completely in tune with her, and definitely not willing to let her get off easily. Rabbits, moles, other small animals, Nikhila could hunt as well as any wolf. Squirrels were the bane of her lupine existence, however. Practice makes perfect.
Finally discovering the head of a fresher trail he moved aside to let her take the point, and simply followed along.
((ooc: Both out to the Long Run))