private with phoenix

Hallow glides over the rock on silent paws, nary a pebble left disturbed in its path. Out here, there is no shelter from the relentless downpour that has plagued the pack for weeks but it's certainly better than huddling under the cover of the trees where the mud and filth coats one's fur and clogs one's senses. There is no sign of the hare it had been tracking. The unforgiving rain drums a steady beat against Hallow's pelt as it turns to the rest of the party.

Their thick fur, slick with water, is plastered against their bodies. It only serves to show how haggard they look. The five exchange silent glances, their unspoken disappointment and a creeping hopelessness evident in the way they carry themselves. As one, they turn and carefully retrace their steps, slowly making their way back to the rest of the pack. The rain has wiped clean any and all scents and fog wreathes around their tired forms. To get lost now would almost certainly be fatal.

—

—

Hallow's ears prick as it registers the distant sound of voices. It had paused for only a second at a scent it thought it had caught when it suddenly found itself alone. It howled to call to the other members of its hunting party but they didn't sound familiar. It had to be worth meeting them, at least. The rain seems to grow quiet as it takes a step and appears before two wolves, one reddish brown and one gray. It watches as their expressions change from shock and perhaps a hint of fear to open hostility. Hallow simply watches and gives a single wag of its tail, attempting to be friendly.

Hallow jerks back sharply as the wolves bolt, although the movement more resembled a twitch or a lurch. Well then. Its claws click against the stone as it paces in a small circle (unusual for it to make a sound, something to be pondered later). After a second of consideration, it lets loose another long howl. The sound tears through the air but there are no birds around to send flying. It's boring to just wait around, though so it takes off at a full sprint after reddish brown and gray to see if it can find them again.

Hallow forces its weight onto its front paws and throws its body into a hard torque, narrowly slipping by reddish brown's snapping teeth. It feels her fangs clip it in the cheek, although thankfully the wound is superficial (it's unfortunate, but it is only mortal). It seems to be a case of mistaken identity with these two, and its assailant doesn't look too interested in talking it out (not that it will talk anyways, it thinks with a twinge of amusement). Now it's clear to it that the wolves aren't friendly, but these are the first wolves not of its pack that it's encountered and Hallow is more willing to take its chances with gray. It can't let her get away now. Empty white eyes turn towards the cliffs, searching for her, as Hallow spins itself back around and bolts after where it thinks she's gone.