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 Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2007 4:27 am
The kittens ran around the huts in great glee. The Hunting season was offically about to open and they got to go out beyond their normal hunting grounds. To see the large herds of antellope and wilde beast was always a memorable sight to the young ones. The great herds were migrating back to their homes now that the wet season had started.
Nolwazi was helping to round up stray young ones with her walking stick and would actually be going with one group to supervise. Though blind and aged, she knew some of the best hunting grounds by pure instinct. Some mystical power she still possessed always lead to the most fruitful of hunting areas.
Rules
1. Adults have final say in all matters.
2. Stay with in the area you are assigned
3. If you have questions, PM Byagane.
4. Please remember that kittens cannot be left alone.
Hunt Rules
1. One adult or one teen will lead a group of 2-3 kittens out into their assigned areas.
2. All teams lead by teens will be within calling distance of at least 2 adult areas.
3. Teams lead by an adult can catch up to medium size animals.
4. Teams lead by a teen can only catch small game.
5. This is a time for kitten training, so no sending them to kill a bear.
6. If two teams happen to meet, the head of each team may try to kill a larger animal but without the assistance of the kittens. Kittens must be kept safe at all times.
Areas
1. Sparce area of the savannah, good for catching birds/frogs/bugs. Also good for veggies and plant gathering.
2. More dense area of the sacannah, its near the tree line. Good for small deer/land birds/lizards.
3. Water hole area, only adults can go with kittens here. Large game such as wild cats/large dogs/crocodiles.
Teams
1. Tinta Merle, 2 kittens. Area 3
2. Asali, 2 kittens. Area 1
3. Tahki and Nolwazi, 2 kittens. Area 2
4. Rando Warrior, 2 kittens
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Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2007 3:14 pm
Tahki paced nervously, waiting for Nolwazi to finish herding the kittens and rejoin her. This was the first time she'd ever led a hunting party before, let alone a training party for kittens. She was an odd mixture of excited and scared, but she'd do her best to do the job her elders had trusted to her.
Picking up a lightweight spear, she tossed it briefly from hand to hand, testing its weight and balance. Finding it satisfactory, she set the butt of the spear in the dirt, waiting to see which kittens would be joining her party. They would be heading out in search of small prey, but just in case, she wanted the spear for extra protection. These were untrained kittens and they had to be protected at all costs. She wanted to be prepared for the worst, even if she hoped for the best.
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Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2007 3:41 pm
Kalli wandered about with her normal dazed look, though for now she was only half out of it. For once she wasn't roaming around aimlessly, She was looking for the older cougar that would be the on taking her out for the "hunting adventure" as she decided to call it.
Glancing to her left she spotted the teen she was almost certain would be taking her out into the surrounding grasslands. Kalli didn't tend to socialize much with the other members of her tribe- she prefered to keep to herself and her daydreaming- and thats why she wasn't comepletely certain. She paused for a moment before walking to the other girl. "Are you Tahki?" She asked in her low, soft voice.
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Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2007 3:48 pm
Tahki glanced down and smiled. Kneeling to place herself on the kitten's level, she nodded. "Yes, I am Tahki. You are..." she paused a moment, trying to recall the names of the kittens who would be traveling with her. "Kalli, is it? Are you ready for the hunt?"
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Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2007 6:12 pm
Kalli tilted her head slightly as she thought about how to answer. "Yes I'm Kalli. It's nice to meet you Tahki. I suppose I'm ready." Kalli wasn't as excited as most of the others were over the hunt. She's pretty sure that she doesn't want to be a huntress when she gets older but felt she should try at least once before she condemed the position.
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Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2007 12:07 am
"That's good, Kalli," Tahki nodded. "This would be the best time to make any last minute preparations or to ask any questions that you'd like before we get started. Is there anything you'd like to ask me? I'll do my best to answer anything you'd like to know." She smiled reassuringly, partially for the kitten, partially for herself. She was no expert on hunting by any means. Sure, Tahki knew enough to catch food for herself, enough to survive, but she still had a lot to learn before she could ever be considered a true 'huntress.'
Then again, being a young teen yet, she would have Nolwazi and her extensive wisdom to support her in this new responsibility. That helped to relax her quite a bit. Also, if the elders didn't believe that she could handle this, they wouldn't have trusted her with the position, right? Right.
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Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2007 8:43 am
"Hmph, since when are young ones so frisky. I'm not that old am I?"
The old cougar hobbled her way over to the small group that she would accompany. Her walking stick/staff was quite useful in rounding up rambuncious kits as they usually tripped over it. The tinkling wood pieces and colorful feathers that adored it were more noticable now that there was so much activity. She placed her hand on both kittens' heads and smiled at them through blind eyes.
"They are strong. And will do well. I feel the vibration of many an animal returning to our land. They are content and peaceful. And no fears for yourself Tahki, you will be a good leader. I am here merely for suggestion and guidance."
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Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2007 5:44 pm
Kalli gazed into space as she tried to think of any question she might have. "I'm afraid I don't have anything to ask right now, but I might think of something while we're out. I hope that'll be ok." She said after a few minutes. Her main worry of the day was going to be trying paying attention and not zone out like she normally tended to do.
Kalli looked up at the old cougar as she joined them. She stared at her for a few moments before realizing she was blind. "Is it hard being blind?" She asked without even thinking as she normally did. Some people considered it rude but she never really did care for what others thought of her.
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Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2007 7:27 pm
"Only when young kittens try and be silly. But I am not blind from everything dear kit. You can see with more that just your eyes. I see with my ears, I see with my tail. I see with all that I have. And for it, I lead a richer life. I know your voice, you are Kalli. The thoughtful one yes? Do you think you can be the eyes of an old one?"
She smiled down at the kit, but something troubled her in her heart. She had felt Kalli's constant lack of concentration and it felt eerily similar to the being up on the mountain. Not in the dangerous sense, but in the sense that it was her beginning as well. She would need to keep her ears open incase that which lived in the mountain came down for a visit.
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Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2007 10:20 pm
Greatly reassured by Nolwazi's words, Tahki smiled and nodded in gratitude. "Thank you, wise one. I shall do my best. And no, you're not that old. Kittens simply have a mystical never-ending source of energy that we forget how to tap into as we grow older," the teen teased; a rare moment of light-hearted silliness showing through.
Turning back to Kalli with a warm smile, she nodded. "Of course, that will be fine. Any time you have any questions, feel free to ask me. This is a training exercise and the best way to learn anything is to ask questions."
In a way, Tahki was relieved that Nolwazi asked Kalli to 'be her eyes.' Not that she was worried about the old one, of course. Tahki worried more about herself than the elder, to be honest. No, this way, she knew Kalli would be sure to stay closer to the group, especially to Nolwazi, and would be less likely to wander off. That way, Tahki could focus more on their surroundings, both in searching for possible prey and staying alert in case of possible danger. The area they were assigned was known more for small prey, but one could never be too cautious. Not when there were kittens involved.
"So, we have Kalli. Weren't we supposed to have two kittens?" Tahki frowned, glancing over at Nolwazi. "Who is our second, or do we have one?" She knew that the number of kittens lately had been low, but she'd been told that they would have two charges. Considering this group was special and had both she and Nolwazi leading, shouldn't they have more than one kitten? Had plans changed at the last minute?
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Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2007 6:02 am
((Since there are two kittens total in Longtail at the time, I suppose I'll be taking a rando-group.))
She flicked her tail non-chalantly as she rechecked the canteen of ink she had mixed for the occasion. In her other hand, she carried a set of kitten-training knives. The Tintamerle's ears were pricked and she smiled benevolently under the sun's warmth despite the violence to come. When it came down to the line, there was very little that scarred veteran could not kill, aside from other cougars. Today, however, the ink was just a precaution. She would be teaching today, so it would be best if she used her claws like everyone else and let the kittens learn by example.
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Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2007 8:53 am
Kalli stared up at the elder for a minute. Thoughtful one? That was a first for her. "I'll do my best to be your eyes." She replied. I suppose I really have to try hard to keep focus today. She told herself mentally.
Kalli nodded as Tahki answered her earlier qusetion. As Tahki asked Nolwazi about the other kitten Kalli wondered the same thing. Will there be a second kitten joining them? Kalli didn't really mind either way though she thought that the smaller the group the better, though she also knew that the more people in the group the less likely she was going to space out.
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Posted: Sun Mar 11, 2007 9:25 pm
Apparently, elders were still tracking down rogue kittens in order to herd them to their assigned groups. Not moments after Tahki voiced her question, an older kitten scurried over, dodging a playful swat from one of her elders.
"Ah...Dyani, I assume?" Tahki smiled warmly, beckoning the kitten over with a wave. "Nice of you to join us."
"I'm sorry, I--"
"Don't worry about it. We didn't leave you behind yet, so you're not late. I just wanted to know if any of you had any questions before we got started."
The brown, dappled kitten shook her head immediately, perhaps a little too eagerly to have even considered whether she had any concerns or not. Well, she'd better voice them eventually if she had any. Today marked the beginning of a very important season for Cougar tribes everywhere. Never was the prey more plentiful than during this phase of the hunting season.
What better time to begin training young kittens in the way of the huntress?
"Very well, then. Dyani? This is Kalli. Nolwazi, you should know, and myself. I am Tahki. If there are no further questions, we should get going. If you think of anything you'd like to ask later, please feel free. Today is for learning." Hefting the lightweight spear in one hand, she rested her other hand on Nolwazi's shoulder for a moment before taking the first few steps towards the savannah. Today would be long, but productive, if all went well.
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Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2007 6:04 pm
"Alright everyone! Lets get moving!"
The Cheiftess waved the signal flag and all the groups started to head off into the plains.
"I suppose we had best get moving Tahki." The wize one smiled at her.
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Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 1:45 pm
Kalli tilted her head to one side as they were joined by the other kitten. She studied the other girl for a few moments before looking back at Tahki and listening to what she was saying. Kalli nodded her head slightly as Tahki introduced her to Dyani. She followed Tahki as she headed forth into the thick grass of the savannah. She glanced at the sky for a second as she followed and had to give her head a shake has she felt herself starting to daydream again and forced herself to watch Tahki's back instead.
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