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Description
Kaia looked down at the four tokotas who had joined her for this hunting trip. As the only dire of the group she was by far the largest, which made her feel rather protective of them. She was also the most fluffy of the bunch.

For some inane reason she did not quite comprehend the humans had chosen to bring three sphinxes – Perf, the graceful graying tawny, Zilar who tended to be good at stealth, especially in the winter months, as her light coat blended in with the inevitable snow. There was also Rhavanial – or Rhava for short, the piebald tawny sphinx was outgoing, loud, and very social with everyone. Last but not least was Talvihtia – or Talvi as she preferred to be called, a half mane snow roan who was very sweet and seemed to have a large well of patience.

Evidently Kendrick and Arved had met in a bar, the two had not seen each other in ages. They talked and drank, joking, trading stories and commiserating. Eventually Kendrick had suggested something like that they should hunt together sometime. Arved had agreed, he was always up for a good hunt. It had taken a few weeks to get their schedules in order, and decide which tokotas to bring and when they should go but they were finally together.

Arved rode Perf, as Kaia was too much of a pain to climb up and down if they brought some prey down, though she did make a very handy storage space for prey they would have normally needed a sled, several normal sized tokatas or many humans to transfer. Kendrick was riding Rhava, though he had chosen the piebald for no particular reason. Fortunately, it was summer so there would hopefully not be any problems taking the sphinxes for hunt.

They had decided to try for one of the new prey that they had both recently gotten license to hunt, lynxes. While nature might not cooperate with their plan at least they had a goal in mind.

Trouble with lynx hunting was that they were small, fleet, and often very well hidden as they tended not to be too near the ground unless they were by their dens, using their dextrous paws to climb up trees, to sit and watch from above.

It was not likely the lynx would attack the tokotas, however if they ran across a mother protecting her young they would have a fight on their hands.

They had chosen a fairly non-descript bit of forest to comb, Kendrick and Arved conversed amongst themselves as the tokotas wandered, sniffing for a hint of prey, never getting out of eyesight from one another.

“So, what's everyone's favorite food?” Rhava asked chirpily, the first to break the silence among the tokotas, her eyes were wide with curiosity as she glanced from side to side. “Kaia?” The curly maned dire regarded the young sphinx, determining if the female was being serious or if Rhava was trying to pull her leg. “I like salmon” Kaia said finally, she nudged Perf encouraging the graceful female to answer.

“Well, honestly I do not like raw food terribly much, its often far too messy for my taste” Perf admitted. “I prefer something like the steaks the humans make from the animal's meat they eat, though those can be still rather juicy. Jerky can get stuck between my teeth so easily, but I guess I would say my favorite is when I get pork rinds.”

“Mine is bear meat!” Rhava said. “It just fills me up and I'm always so full of energy after I eat it!

“You like pretty much any food Rhava” Zilar pointed out, not unkindly.

“I know, its all so good though!” Rhava wagged her tail. “C'mon Zilar, Talvi, our guests have been nice enough to tell their favorite foods, so tell 'em yours.”

Zilar flicked her ear, listening to sounds of the forest for a moment before responding. “I think my favorite food would have to be quail, though deer is usually pretty good too.”

Talvi made a face “Quail? No thank you, I prefer non feathered food. I have to agree deer is a nice meal though.” All the tokotas nodded unsurprisingly in agreement at that. “However, my favorite food is actually seal.”

Silence once more settled upon the tokotas, though it was a less awkward thing now, strange how one question could bring them that bit closer.

Zilar could tell Rhava was trying to think up another good question to ask them all, the outgoing pup was always full of questions, though she did try to pick non-controversial queries, ones that would bring them together rather than tear them apart.

Just then though Talvi let out a short sharp bark, she had found a scent. She stood at the base of a large pine tree, staring up into the evergreen branches.

Kaia stepped up to the half mane's side “You find something?”

Talvi nodded, searching for any movement “I think its from this morning, smells like a lynx and a squirrel, I'm guessing the lynx was hunting the squirrel, chased it down here then back up into the tree. What do you think? Can we track it?”

Kaia sniffed at the base of the tree, considering the age of the scent and sniffed around some more. “Might be difficult since it goes back up into the trees, good find though, we might be close, lets keep moving, keep your senses on alert everyone.”

The tokotas split up somewhat, noses to the ground as they tried to suss out which way the lynx had gone, Kendrick and Arved were keeping a sharp eye out for any movement in the trees. It took a bit but finally Perf found another spot, this time around some rocks and a small pond, and barked to alert the others who quickly joined the sphinx.

Perf looked up at Kaia, her head arched gracefully as she waited for the dire curly to lead them into their next move. “This is definitely fresher, good find Perf. It also smells as if the lynx comes here often, my guess would be this is a sort of watering hole for it. That likely means the den is close by. Remember we might be looking for a hill like area with some small caves, or any secluded area the cat may have made into their den. While lynx are typically loners if its a family leave them be” Kaia instructed.

Once more the tokotas fanned out, using their keen senses to search for more clues as to where their prey might be.

A wooded hill looked promising and the three sphinxes headed straight for it, Perf delicately picking over ground, while Zilar snuck in and out of tree cover. Kendrick and Rhava followed closely, the piebald a bit more carefree about her movements, more interested in the company of the other tokotas then hunting.

Zilar found the first sign of a den, spotting a little cave in the side of the hill, rocks, tufts of grass sticking out over the entry way, and the scent of lynx was strong. The tokotas came to a halt downwind of the den, hunkering down.

Arved knew that Kaia would keep a level head and that Perf would likely follow her lead and while he was not worried about the rest of Kendrick's tokota he did mention to be sure not let Rhava get overly excited so as not to give the game away.

“Alright” Kaia whispered to the others. “We're going in together, we want to try and keep the lynx cornered so they can't escape up a tree. Its going to be faster then us and if I had to guess very unhappy about being found and hunted, remember it has claws and teeth too, and while it may not be the size of a bear the doesn't mean its bite can't sting. Zilar and Perf as the quietest you'll move in first followed by Talvi and Rhava, I'll be right on your heels.”

With their plan in mind the five tokotas moved toward the cave, each taking an angle, the hair on Talvi's neck stood on end and Rhava tried very hard not to let out an excited whine as they inched closer.

It was only the golden glowing eyes of the lynx that gave the tokotas any warning that their prey was indeed inside before a warning hiss came from the animal.

Perf knew better than to stick her nose in though so they began the wait. Eventually the cat would have to come out. Kendrick and Arved dismounted their respective sphinxes and set up a camp nearby knowing the tokotas would have better luck if they did this on their own.

Hours past, and Rhava was getting bored, she had been trying so hard to be good, to stay quiet so that the lynx would forget they were even there, but Zilar recognized the look in the piebald's eyes.

Luck was on their side though as the lynx chose that moment to stick its tufted ears out, its almond eyes surveying its territory. In a flash Rhava was on the lynx, her muscles coiled up and she pounced.

It was a quick death for the lynx and Rhava wagged her tail proudly as Kendrick praised her. Soon the lynx had been skinned and they headed back to their base with Rhava leading the way.

Description
Kaia looked down at the four tokotas who had joined her for this hunting trip. As the only dire of the group she was by far the largest, which made her feel rather protective of them. She was also the most fluffy of the bunch.

For some inane reason she did not quite comprehend the humans had chosen to bring three sphinxes – Perf, the graceful graying tawny, Zilar who tended to be good at stealth, especially in the winter months, as her light coat blended in with the inevitable snow. There was also Rhavanial – or Rhava for short, the piebald tawny sphinx was outgoing, loud, and very social with everyone. Last but not least was Talvihtia – or Talvi as she preferred to be called, a half mane snow roan who was very sweet and seemed to have a large well of patience.

Evidently Kendrick and Arved had met in a bar, the two had not seen each other in ages. They talked and drank, joking, trading stories and commiserating. Eventually Kendrick had suggested something like that they should hunt together sometime. Arved had agreed, he was always up for a good hunt. It had taken a few weeks to get their schedules in order, and decide which tokotas to bring and when they should go but they were finally together.

Arved rode Perf, as Kaia was too much of a pain to climb up and down if they brought some prey down, though she did make a very handy storage space for prey they would have normally needed a sled, several normal sized tokatas or many humans to transfer. Kendrick was riding Rhava, though he had chosen the piebald for no particular reason. Fortunately, it was summer so there would hopefully not be any problems taking the sphinxes for hunt.

They had decided to try for one of the new prey that they had both recently gotten license to hunt, lynxes. While nature might not cooperate with their plan at least they had a goal in mind.

Trouble with lynx hunting was that they were small, fleet, and often very well hidden as they tended not to be too near the ground unless they were by their dens, using their dextrous paws to climb up trees, to sit and watch from above.

It was not likely the lynx would attack the tokotas, however if they ran across a mother protecting her young they would have a fight on their hands.

They had chosen a fairly non-descript bit of forest to comb, Kendrick and Arved conversed amongst themselves as the tokotas wandered, sniffing for a hint of prey, never getting out of eyesight from one another.

“So, what's everyone's favorite food?” Rhava asked chirpily, the first to break the silence among the tokotas, her eyes were wide with curiosity as she glanced from side to side. “Kaia?” The curly maned dire regarded the young sphinx, determining if the female was being serious or if Rhava was trying to pull her leg. “I like salmon” Kaia said finally, she nudged Perf encouraging the graceful female to answer.

“Well, honestly I do not like raw food terribly much, its often far too messy for my taste” Perf admitted. “I prefer something like the steaks the humans make from the animal's meat they eat, though those can be still rather juicy. Jerky can get stuck between my teeth so easily, but I guess I would say my favorite is when I get pork rinds.”

“Mine is bear meat!” Rhava said. “It just fills me up and I'm always so full of energy after I eat it!

“You like pretty much any food Rhava” Zilar pointed out, not unkindly.

“I know, its all so good though!” Rhava wagged her tail. “C'mon Zilar, Talvi, our guests have been nice enough to tell their favorite foods, so tell 'em yours.”

Zilar flicked her ear, listening to sounds of the forest for a moment before responding. “I think my favorite food would have to be quail, though deer is usually pretty good too.”

Talvi made a face “Quail? No thank you, I prefer non feathered food. I have to agree deer is a nice meal though.” All the tokotas nodded unsurprisingly in agreement at that. “However, my favorite food is actually seal.”

Silence once more settled upon the tokotas, though it was a less awkward thing now, strange how one question could bring them that bit closer.

Zilar could tell Rhava was trying to think up another good question to ask them all, the outgoing pup was always full of questions, though she did try to pick non-controversial queries, ones that would bring them together rather than tear them apart.

Just then though Talvi let out a short sharp bark, she had found a scent. She stood at the base of a large pine tree, staring up into the evergreen branches.

Kaia stepped up to the half mane's side “You find something?”

Talvi nodded, searching for any movement “I think its from this morning, smells like a lynx and a squirrel, I'm guessing the lynx was hunting the squirrel, chased it down here then back up into the tree. What do you think? Can we track it?”

Kaia sniffed at the base of the tree, considering the age of the scent and sniffed around some more. “Might be difficult since it goes back up into the trees, good find though, we might be close, lets keep moving, keep your senses on alert everyone.”

The tokotas split up somewhat, noses to the ground as they tried to suss out which way the lynx had gone, Kendrick and Arved were keeping a sharp eye out for any movement in the trees. It took a bit but finally Perf found another spot, this time around some rocks and a small pond, and barked to alert the others who quickly joined the sphinx.

Perf looked up at Kaia, her head arched gracefully as she waited for the dire curly to lead them into their next move. “This is definitely fresher, good find Perf. It also smells as if the lynx comes here often, my guess would be this is a sort of watering hole for it. That likely means the den is close by. Remember we might be looking for a hill like area with some small caves, or any secluded area the cat may have made into their den. While lynx are typically loners if its a family leave them be” Kaia instructed.

Once more the tokotas fanned out, using their keen senses to search for more clues as to where their prey might be.

A wooded hill looked promising and the three sphinxes headed straight for it, Perf delicately picking over ground, while Zilar snuck in and out of tree cover. Kendrick and Rhava followed closely, the piebald a bit more carefree about her movements, more interested in the company of the other tokotas then hunting.

Zilar found the first sign of a den, spotting a little cave in the side of the hill, rocks, tufts of grass sticking out over the entry way, and the scent of lynx was strong. The tokotas came to a halt downwind of the den, hunkering down.

Arved knew that Kaia would keep a level head and that Perf would likely follow her lead and while he was not worried about the rest of Kendrick's tokota he did mention to be sure not let Rhava get overly excited so as not to give the game away.

“Alright” Kaia whispered to the others. “We're going in together, we want to try and keep the lynx cornered so they can't escape up a tree. Its going to be faster then us and if I had to guess very unhappy about being found and hunted, remember it has claws and teeth too, and while it may not be the size of a bear the doesn't mean its bite can't sting. Zilar and Perf as the quietest you'll move in first followed by Talvi and Rhava, I'll be right on your heels.”

With their plan in mind the five tokotas moved toward the cave, each taking an angle, the hair on Talvi's neck stood on end and Rhava tried very hard not to let out an excited whine as they inched closer.

It was only the golden glowing eyes of the lynx that gave the tokotas any warning that their prey was indeed inside before a warning hiss came from the animal.

Perf knew better than to stick her nose in though so they began the wait. Eventually the cat would have to come out. Kendrick and Arved dismounted their respective sphinxes and set up a camp nearby knowing the tokotas would have better luck if they did this on their own.

Hours past, and Rhava was getting bored, she had been trying so hard to be good, to stay quiet so that the lynx would forget they were even there, but Zilar recognized the look in the piebald's eyes.

Luck was on their side though as the lynx chose that moment to stick its tufted ears out, its almond eyes surveying its territory. In a flash Rhava was on the lynx, her muscles coiled up and she pounced.

It was a quick death for the lynx and Rhava wagged her tail proudly as Kendrick praised her. Soon the lynx had been skinned and they headed back to their base with Rhava leading the way.