|
Post by Hiruko Koudo on Apr 26, 2012 16:56:07 GMT -1
The days were becoming warm and sweet with the passing of Spring. The breeze sang a soft whisper of life that filled the grassy plains with the rustling of tall grass of lush green shades. Hiruko sat among the tall grass, almost consumed by the blades.
His hands were dirtied with bright, terracotta clay from the ground below. The recent wet months had made the soil very fertile and the clay in this area was useful for making new clay bowls and cups. But this was not why he was here. He was molding a peculiar object, a rounded shape with a long, spout like growth petruding from one end. This was to be his new instrument: an ocarina. Hiruko had one once on his homeworld and wished to listen to the songs of his people as a reminder of home.
Now that the shape had been created, he could now return it home and bake the clay so that it would harden and become strong. This would be when he would perform the difficult task of carving the holes that would give the ocarina a soft, flowing sound and allow him to create different pitches.
His work had left him very lonely and made him feel guilty that he was not in the presence of other but he just wanted a small reminder of home...
|
|
|
Post by Seirei Hisakata on May 12, 2012 21:51:32 GMT -1
Little Artemis was taking a break from life back in the den. No one really had anything for him to do, especially with Seema taking charge all of a sudden. His father always favoured Sai and Kai for hunting, and he did not fancy playing with this sisters, so he had snuck out for some fresh air. Plodding happily through the tall grasses of the plains - he was so short he could barely see where he was going - he started chasing a lazy dragonfly, pouncing playfully whenever it landed on a different blade of grass. Getting a little carried away, he began to put more force into each spring, until he pounced hard, missed the dragonfly and landed on something else. Something soft. Panicking slightly, Artemis looked up and saw with relief that it was his father's friend, Hiruko, whose paw he had accidentally attacked. Clearing his throat, he spoke up, "Ehem, erm ... hi Uncle Hiruko. How's it going?"
|
|
|
Post by Hiruko Koudo on May 12, 2012 23:32:41 GMT -1
Though Hiruko was generally aware of anothers' presence through instinct, his focus on the ocarina had distracted him from his awareness and Artemis' sudden pounce had come as quite a surprise to Hiruko.
His use of 'Uncle' really touched Hiruko's heart. It was so nice to hear a word that made him feel like family, something he had had little experience in (besides the growing family of his own) for a long time. He would cherish the moment when his children finally spoke to call him 'father'.
"Good afternoon Artemis," Hiruko greeted him, smiling at the growing cub. "I am just making an old Torakan instrument from Tialka's clay." He held out the unfinished clay ocarina to show Artemis of his work.
"It will create a beautiful sound once I have baked the clay and drilled finger holes for pitch into it. What brings you out here away from your siblings?"
|
|
|
Post by Seirei Hisakata on May 14, 2012 14:38:04 GMT -1
Artemis sniffed the ocarina curiously. It smelt of damp clay with a hint of Hiruko's scent from where he had been working it with his paws. He had never really seen a musical instrument before, if you did not count the grass whistles he and his siblings made in the summer, though he had heard of them before. The only music Artemis was used to was the morning calls of the birds in Lacina Forest, and the one tune his father always seemed to hum around the den.
Always quick to notice things, Hiruko's question hit Artemis right in the heart. He did not know what to say really, what if Hiruko passed on what he said to his father? Or even worse, his mother. "I ... I just wanted to get away for a bit, you know?" he mumbled, sitting down beside the tiger, flicking his little tail through the blades of grass, making a rustling noise. "Dad's busy teaching Sai and Kai to hunt. He tried teaching me a while back, but ... I'm not very good ..." his voice trailed off sadly. He suddenly changed the topic of the conversation. "Hey! Did you know? I'm almost one!"
((OOC - Just realised, the pups actually turn 3 in September xD Blimy time flies))
|
|
|
Post by Hiruko Koudo on May 14, 2012 21:42:05 GMT -1
Artemis hesitated and Hiruko sensed a barrier between his words and what was the truth. Hiruko sat up straight and placed the unfinished ocarina down for a while.
He hadn't gotten to know Seirei's cubs much before. The most interaction he had had was with the troublemakers: Sai and Kai. Artemis was a shy pup and stood back from his other siblings. Now that they were growing up and the fact that Hiruko had children of his own, he wanted to get to know them. And so far, he seemed particularly fond of Artemis who had seeked his company.
"It's okay, Artemis," Hiruko reassured him. "I can keep a secret." He winked at him and smiled to confirm his words. "And if you are almost one, I see no reason for you to learn to hunt also. Remember, your father loves you all but his focus on Sai and Kai doesn't mean any of you come second best. All the same, if you want to learn, I could always teach you."
|
|
|
Post by Seirei Hisakata on May 19, 2012 21:54:59 GMT -1
Artemis knew that Hiruko was right. He knew his father loved them all the same - he often had to say so when the five of them argued - but deep down, Artemis still needed some form of acceptance for who he was as an individual, and maybe Hiruko could offer him that. "Really?! You mean it?" Artemis bounded up to Hiruko, placing his little paws on his chest, his mouth open with excitement. "Thank you, Uncle Hiruko! Do you think Daddy would mind? Maybe ... maybe if I get good at hunting, then I could show him!"
|
|
|
Post by Hiruko Koudo on May 20, 2012 17:47:07 GMT -1
Hiruko smiled at the pup who was now bouncing with excitement. "Every word," he replied back. "I'm sure your dad would be thrilled. After all, he has a lot on his paws right now and as much as he would like to train all of you, he simply can't do it all at once. But I can teach you, after all, I will have to teach my own children one day."
He sat up and stretched. His laziness had weakened some of his muscles and he needed to get them going ready for his hunt. "We can start now if you'd like?"
|
|
|
Post by Seirei Hisakata on May 22, 2012 13:26:45 GMT -1
Artemis grinned with excitement. With Hiruko's help, he was going to try to be just as good as Sai and Kai. Then they might treat him as an equal, instead of teasing him. He loved his brothers and wanted to be closer to them, but the two had a bond so strong, it was hard for him to get a word in sometimes, so naturally they had grown to shun him, though not intentionally. It had just developed that way.
"Ok! I'm ready!" Artemis was getting a little too energetic, and his bouncing caused him to trip over his own paws, and he landed with a little "Oof" in the grass. Embarrassed, he straightened himself out and hastily sat in front of Hiruko, ready to listen. His father had always taught them that listening was just as important as acting.
|
|
|
Post by Hiruko Koudo on May 22, 2012 13:51:20 GMT -1
Hiruko chuckled lightly at Artemis' excitement but stopped so as not to embarrass him when he fell over. He couldn't believe how obiedient Artemis was, it was as if he was Hiruko's student.
"The first thing you need to consider when you go out for a hunt-" Hiruko began, his paws held behind his back professionally. He felt like a teacher,why shouldn't he behave like one? It seemed to give a good impression over Artemis. "-is the amount of food you will need. If the stocks are running low or there are a lot of mouths to feed, a bigger kill is preferable. However, since we are practicing and there are only two of us, I think a smaller kill will be more appropriate."
Hiruko made sure Artemis followed carefully and that he wasn't confused by anything he said. He paused briefly for the pup to consider this fact and then continued. "Next, once you have decided what you will be hunting, you need to consider where you will find it. Many animals live in the forest, particularly the bigger creatures however we will be able to find some birds and rodent here in the plains."
Tracking would be a lot easier for Artemis since canines had a keen sense of smell. Hiruko's sense of smell was excellent but he didn't use it to track. Felines used other methods such as sight and sound, and in Hiruko's case, his power of Earth also allowed him to sense the aura in those around him.
"Follow me," Hiruko told Artemis, signalling with his hand to follow. They walked through the grass a while before Hiruko sensed a small animal. It was a rabbit nibbling carelessly at the tall grass. "Shhhhh." They bent low, Hiruko's tail flicking gently from side to side, muscles flexing, his whiskers twitching. He froze suddenly, feeling awkward.
He generally hunted alone since it was easier to hunt in his feral form however, it opened up a vicious and primal side of him when he did, hence why he hunted alone. In his feral form, he would not only gain strength, stamina and ferious traits, he would also become extremely territorial and unpredictable. All in all, he was reduced down to the very primal instincts of his ancestoral species: no more than a wild animal.
Hiruko couldn't allow Artemis to be around him in his feral form. He could potentially hurt him. Or worse...This did prove a challenge, however, as it meant he would have to try and hunt in his natural form. I will just have to make do for now, Hiruko thought.
He cleared his throat. "Now, the trick is to take the creature down as quickly as possible," he said whispering so as not to disturb the rabbit. "What I want you to do is run towards the rabbit as quickly as you can, grasp onto it and go for the throat. It's the quickest and least messy way to take down a kill. With a small creature like this, we are looking at agility, not strength which may work to your advantage." He winked at Artemis, encouraging him, as he knew he would most likely be nervous.
"Whenever you're ready," he told him. "I will be right behind you to help if you need it."
|
|
|
Post by Seirei Hisakata on May 27, 2012 15:28:54 GMT -1
Artemis watched Hiruko silently, absorbing all the information he could - the tiger's stance, his proximity to the ground - and mimicked him, now turning his focus from Hiruko to the small game ahead of them. The rabbit may have appeared an easy target to Hiruko, but for Artemis, it was only a fraction smaller than himself. He gulped nervously. Coordination was not his forte, but he had to try.
Taking in Hiruko's advice, he planned to sprint out as fast as he could and pounce, which he knew how to do at least. He readied himself, rear end wiggling, and then ... he was off. Panting with the effort, Artemis dashed through the grass in a straight line, his eyes locked onto his target. The rabbit must have heard the rustling, for it pricked up its ears, sat up and looked straight at him, frozen in fear. C'mon, c'mon ... Artemis thought as he got closer and closer. He was four feet away, three, two, and he pounced. The rabbit seemed to gather its senses at the last minute, however, for it sprinted away, leaving Artemis' paws grabbing wildly at thin air as his prey escaped him. The pup landed heavily with no rabbit there anymore, doing a few somersaults through the grass until he slowed to a halt. The rabbit was now no where to be seen.
"Ohhh," Artemis groaned, hitting the ground with his paw frustratedly. "I almost had him."
|
|
|
Post by Hiruko Koudo on May 29, 2012 6:20:16 GMT -1
Hiruko stepped over to him and patted him on the back. "It was a very good try," he said encouragingly. "Remember that some hunts are no always successful, even I miss a few now and then. Let's try again. Practice will help."
They walked quietly through the grass a little further, Hiruko's ears twitching to the different sounds, trying to pick out the rustle of a small meal. He stopped when he caught sight of a wild boar, its nose scuffling around in the mud.
"Try again Artemis," he told him quietly. "I have your back for this one. The boar is a little bigger than the rabbit but I think it will be easier to catch as they are slow and clumsy. You go for the throat and I will follow behind, holding it down. Just keep your eyes on the boar, watch its every move. Don't think, feel." He nodded at Artemis to confirm he was ready and focused his eyes on the boar, awaiting Artemis' charge.
|
|
|
Post by Seirei Hisakata on Jun 2, 2012 18:29:32 GMT -1
Artemis gulped a little when he saw the size of the boar ... and the tusks. Here goes nothing, I suppose, he thought, as he got into position again. He took his time, eyeing up his prey. He breathed slowly, in and out, focussing his attention on the boar only, eventually blocking out everything else. Soon, his breathing was in time with the animal, like they were breathing as one. He did not even have to think about when the right time was to pounce, for he did not even notice his legs spring into action. Hiruko was right. Feeling it had improved his skills ten fold. He was faster, stealthier, and in no time at all he had dug his claws into the throat of the startled boar, clamping his jaw down on its blood vessels.
|
|
|
Post by Hiruko Koudo on Jun 3, 2012 17:27:29 GMT -1
Artemis had it all under control in a flash. Surprised by his speed, Hiruko rushed to his side as his jaws clung tightly around the boar's throat. The boar squealed and wriggled and for a moment, Hiruko thought Artemis would not be able to hold on any longer. He dug his own claws into the boar's rump to hold it down and it squealed harder before it lay limp before them.
"Good job, Artemis," Hiruko said with a smile. "I'm impressed! Someone with your speed and agility, well, you take after my own heart. You see, some use strength to their advantage, others use their traps or powers they have gained as a gift. But you use your speed to catch prey efficiently, as do I."
He was pleased Artemis had succeeded, it would be something he could go home to his father and tell him about.
|
|
|
Post by Seirei Hisakata on Jun 5, 2012 17:34:30 GMT -1
Artemis beamed up at Hiruko, oblivious to the blood spattered all over his muzzle.
"I couldn't have done it without you, Uncle Hiruko!" He sat there thinking for a few moments, then decided what was right to do. "Please keep the boar for yourself and your family ... as a thank you." He smiled. Hiruko had taught him so much, it would be rude not to offer him a gift in return. Besides, he would not be able to drag the entire thing by himself all the way back to his den. He was bursting to tell his father and brothers what a day he had just had.
"Thanks for everything!" He gave the tiger a brief nuzzle, and was then dashing off across the plains, back in the direction of the forest and home.
[END OF THREAD, I presume]
|
|