Who

Caelisth, Vani & P'quil (NPC)

What

Stardusted Death comes for an elderly sheep….eventually!

When

It is noon of the thirteenth day of the tenth month of the tenth turn of the 12th pass.

Where

Training Pens, Southern Weyr

OOC Date 26 Apr 2017 12:00

 

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« It would be most helpful if they stood still…»


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Training Pens

A herd of elderly herdbeasts mill about in aged chaos, just beyond the neat line of fencing: this is a place for the young to overtake the old, make no mistake. A small spring bubbles up out of stone in the far corner, lending a bubbling noise as soothing background above the sounds of restless pacing.

It is the seventy-third day of Spring and 94 degrees. It is a bright, sunny day.


It’s been a few days now since Caelisth first took flight and now another first is fast approaching. FIRST HUNT! Her inborn confidence confirmed every time she takes flight, Caelisth is READY. Especially seeing as she has abandoned the beach in favor of watching the feeding pens for the past couple of days. Vani is ready too, and has finally carved out a little time for P’quil to oversee this momentous occasion.

“You got this Cae!?” It is part encouragement, part question even as Vani saunters towards the fencing so that she can lean against it and get an eyeful of her darlings first hunt.

« Of course! » Caelisth replies, a little miffed at the slight doubt that threads through her lifemates ‘encouragement’. « We have watched. And I am sure that I have the skills and the instinct to do this correctly» Her analysis shared, Caelisth prepares for take off! No point dragging this out.

Thankfully the beasts that comprise this ‘training’ herd are old and weak. Because Caelisth’s first pass is a FAIL! Sure she managed to score that black and white beasts back…but she was aiming for a neck break. Hmm. « This is harder than it looked.» Caelisth admits when she returns to the ground. She must consider this further, now that she has an actual experience to inform her strategy. « It would be most helpful if they stood still…»

Vani giggles aloud, but responds mentally » They won’t do that. Surprisingly I don’t think they want to be eaten. « There is affection in her droll explanation. » You will figure it out though. « This is one activity where Vani really can’t help. “Be sure she gets the one she marked. The poor beasts might be weyrling fodder, but there is no reason to make them suffer more than necessary.” P’quil interjects with his quiet experience. » Hear that love? «

« I was aiming for one of the fluffy ones. Tsiroth can have that one…he is oversized, he will enjoy it. » Try as she might, Caelisth can’t quite hide the cluster of sour grapes hidden in her constellations. But it is time to try again, and the little green that CAN takes to the air once more.

The second attempt is more successful than the first, Caelisth tags a sheep with one of her forepaws. Unfortunately her talon gets tangled in the fleece and the dragonet cannot maintain altitude. Caelisth and the poor unfortunate sheep tumble into the fencing in a flurry of limbs and panicked bleating. CRASH!! BUT SHE DOESN’T LET GO! Once she has found her feet again, she gives her head a shake and continues to stalk the unlucky beast. Vani covers her smile with a hand, even though P’quil doesn’t. His smile is indulgent because he’s seen it all before man.

» Don’t drag it out love. You still have to… you know. « Vani still shies away from violence, even if she understands the necessity…even if it is her beloved being violent. «If.. it…would…just…stay…still…this…would…be…much…easier…! » Caelisth is a bit distracted by the mechanics of getting just the right angle with her jaw to break the poor beasts neck as quickly and painlessly as possible. To the inexperienced it looks like she’s just treating the sheep as a chew toy, even as the unfortunate ovine keeps on trying to GET. AWAY. And then Caelisth’s fangs break skin, and the brittle bones beneath and the sheep stops moving. HUNT COMPLETE!

« How am I supposed to eat it with all this fluff in the way?…» Vani giggles, even as her eyes sparkle. This is another step closer to independence, and Caelisth is all too eager to reap those rewards. But there is pride and affection in her voice when she responds. » That’s why you’ve got fangs love. You’ll figure it out. Instinct and all that. «

And Instinct does take over, and Caelisth crouches over her kill growling with the ferocity of a half-grown kitten – This sheep is HERS! (and delicious).

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