Later, without strangers and others present, Jigano agreed, a flicker of gratitude winging its way through the bond before they went their separate ways. Dainty paws padded over the dust of Longheat, nose and ears tuned to the Woodland he had come to know well in the past year and a half. Soon two years, he realized belatedly, wondering at how the time flew.
Time wasn't the only thing that could fly, however. Not a scent, but the sound of quiet clucking reached his sensitive ears and he slowed his trot to slink through the underbrush until he could see the little bevy of tasty birds, foraging away after summer seeds. His fox's instincts were already salivating at the plump little snacks. He thought he could have taken one of the birds easily, and Isuma could have snagged a second, but they weren't just hunting for themselves today. Some of the little flock needed to get away to maintain the population, but there were more than enough to share. I've found some pheasants over here! He called through the Attuned bond, as 'loud' as he could and hoping it would carry to those who had gone in other directions. Not very big, but enough for each of us to have a snack if we want. Not everyone had grown up on four feet, of course, and might not enjoy their game served raw and still bleeding. They could keep theirs to cook up later, though. And in the meantime he stayed hidden, watching the birds avidly and ready to pounce if something should startle them into taking wing.
Jigano alerts the others to the pheasants and waits, ready to pounce on one if the birds get spooked and try to fly away.
Time wasn't the only thing that could fly, however. Not a scent, but the sound of quiet clucking reached his sensitive ears and he slowed his trot to slink through the underbrush until he could see the little bevy of tasty birds, foraging away after summer seeds. His fox's instincts were already salivating at the plump little snacks. He thought he could have taken one of the birds easily, and Isuma could have snagged a second, but they weren't just hunting for themselves today. Some of the little flock needed to get away to maintain the population, but there were more than enough to share. I've found some pheasants over here! He called through the Attuned bond, as 'loud' as he could and hoping it would carry to those who had gone in other directions. Not very big, but enough for each of us to have a snack if we want. Not everyone had grown up on four feet, of course, and might not enjoy their game served raw and still bleeding. They could keep theirs to cook up later, though. And in the meantime he stayed hidden, watching the birds avidly and ready to pounce if something should startle them into taking wing.
Jigano alerts the others to the pheasants and waits, ready to pounce on one if the birds get spooked and try to fly away.
