Christmas Event-Jingle Chase

• --Fullbody - colored, shaded, with complex background (requires some substance to it- however, does not need to be magnificent): 5HP (No shading = 4HP)
  
• --For every 200 words - 1 HP (6,801) 35 HP
  
• --(LITERATURE) Including one of the 20 original starter tokotas in the story (must be a valid part of the story, and not just mentioned or cameo'd - 1000 word minimum) - 2HP+
  
• --Depiction of handler (50%+) - 2HP+
  
• --Depiction of one of the 20 original starter tokotas - 2HP+
  
• --Exploration picture: (can include handler and "non-commissioned art" bonuses) 2HP+
  
• --Non-commissioned art (art done by you, for your own tokota) - 1HP (Mine only)

--Payoramae 1321|LOG: Payoramae 1321 PRIZE LOG |LadyDeathsGhost|Total: 49 HP
--Ka-Ha-Vi 436|LOG:Vi HP Tracking Journal |Kasmut|Total: 48 HP (48/300)
--Yakone 253|LOG: Yakone 253|SageFacility|Total:  48 HP (48/77)
--Grim 1076|LOG:Grim 1076 - Summary Journal |DrazziElder|Total: 48 HP (48/75)
--Denali 1145|LOG:Master Hunting Journal: Males |tokoal|Total: 48 HP (48/75)
=======================================================
--Sol 871|InstantCoyote|Total: 44 HP (80/~)
--White Embers 1240|firedragoran|Total: 44 HP (44/75)
--White Sakura 1220|firedragoran|Total: 44 HP (44/75)
--Athena 1148|Nojjesz|Total: 44 HP (80/50)
--Skagway 1024|mangomoose |Total: 44 HP (80/50)
--Tulukaruk 1142 "Crow"|clupis |Total: 44 HP (for slot raffle)
--Amarauk 466 "Amara"||clupis |Total: 44 HP (for slot raffle)

ArtistComments:
GOD PLEASE KILL ME. I HEARBY STAND AND CLAIM MY CROWN AS HP GOD

STORY:

Snow flurries battered the worn riders and their mounts as they passed through he open maw of another canyon. The elk had whizzed by on their first day catching the animals completely off guard. Even the diligent Poallu had been no match for the herd of cows as they thundered right over their noses. No calves in the dead of winter but the herd itself seemed fat and ripe for the picking. 

Unfortunately the animals seemed a bit too healthy bounding away faster than the riders could gather their things and animals. The loose pups of the small expedition seemed to get off at a good start, Sol, athena and the now loose skagway had dashed to their feet hoping to snag even one of the stragglers but as a sharp kick to the shoulder taught athena, dont dive for the one closest to you. 

That was learned on Day one even without their dominant assistant Poallu 's help and on the 4th day athena still walked a bit wobbly from the blow. Winter had pulled up her dire skirts and began to sweep the mountains with her luster dust of fine soft snow a nuance to the riders and their mounts more than a help at the current going rate. 

With a grumpy sigh skagway and Athena walked side by side plowing through the mush in unison rather than blaze their own separate trails. As bumbly and dopey as the dIre seemed to act Sol was the only one with a good idea of how to traverse the white maze. he followed neatly behind his loose companions rather enjoying the extra wide trail they had plowed for him. The dIre had grown exponentially through his travels with the pack taking on each task a little more maturely each time, however they maturity hadnt lasted long. Much like the pup that he still was Sol still tore off at the occasional free range rabbit or pheasant, all prey he would obviously not catch even if he ran as fast as he could. But all in all the DIre was growing in personality and size with every day he traveled. 

Poallu watched the dire closely the female had been used to going down more south so she had seen half manes and sphinx and even the occasional shaved full mane but nothing as big and- Sol let out a joyfull bellow as he broke from his romp scaring a small flock of ducks from their hiding place among the bushess- bumbly as the ware and tare Sol. When push came to shove the dire was always there to throw his weight in but most of the time he had been he one pushing in the first place. 

The dominant female woofed once catching the male's attention almost instantly as he fell back into line with their pack. Something so big had to be kept under control heaven forbid he become unruly even with Poallu at their backs the 4 handlers and 7 tokotas couldnt even dream of calming an angered or even playful dIre. In this case for Poallu it was like looking into one of those crazy funhouse mirrors horrifyingly crazy. 

Sol continued to bound and play like a pup. Paying no mind to the riders and other animals attempting to avoid his antics. The world had turned into a white wintery wonderland and the colder it got the more at home the Dire seemed to feel with his large thickly padded paws and dense coat of heavy fur. Athena whimpered gently as he barreled by scooting closer to skagway who growled in the DIre's direction avoiding getting his toes trampled.

The tire pressed his attentions toward the two new faces to their small group Ember and Sakura the Vitiligo duo they had picked up in the last town. With a playful jaunty woof the Dire pounded over to their sides startling the two rather skittish creatures more than he had intended. 

"Knowing that big ol' lumbering lug he's going to scare away every single thing within a 5 mile radius." Nikita, Yakone's rider snickered watching as the Dire bounded around trying to initiate play from the duo who just werent having it. 

"Oh come on it's all in good nature." Diaki snickered at Sol took off piling snow onto the two in a feverish attempt to rile them up. "I like him."

Nikita chucked readjusting herself in her saddle as she looked over to the other riders. "So Diaki how is my Vi treating you?" She smiled as she half mane looked back at her handler in confusion. 

"Dia grinned and patted Vi's neck letting the female set her pace as they kept on the small trail with ease. "She's such an easy ride though i have to admit it's kinda chilly up here. Im used to all of the classic mane's fur keeping me warm." The girl shuddered slightly with a pleasant grin pulling her coat a little tighter.

"You think she's cold to ride?!" Nikita chuckled. "You should try a Sphinx! I dont know who has more coats on me or Yakone."

"It seems to just be a breed thing." Grimm's rider chuckled patting the sphinx female's neck as she eyed Yakone with distaste.

"Thats true, How did you run into getting your sphinx?" Diaki smiled tot he male rider as he repositioned his packs along the female's back. 

"Oh me?" he smiled shaking his head. "Nah me and the other guy are just renting these two from their owner. Came here on a thrill seeker's high and decided we wanted to try riding giant snow wolves." The other man on Denali's back chuckled patting the brown male's neck. "Iv gotta say though i may just have to move up here and get a few of my own theyre pretty neat animals i gotta say. What about you two?"

"Ooh, Yakone has been in my life for a while." Nikita waved nonchalantly patting the male as he all but rolled his eyes at her tone of voice. "Same with little miss Vi over there. What about you Diaki? Where are all your Tokotas? I know youve gotta have at least a few seeing the way you fawn over Vi and the others every so often. Dont think i dont see you sneaking Skagway and Sol a treat every now and then."

Dia broke out into a nervous chuckle as she waved off the question. "Oh its not me that has them it's my mom. I just clean up after them and theyres nothing exotic like a Sphinx. We have just one half mane male and he's...." The girl paused thinking of Honeybadger back home with Mathias. "He's a little special in personality but thats about it."

Nikita stuck her tongue out an gave Dia a thumbs down. "Oh come on im sure you have a favorite."

"Well there is Horrus." Dia replied meekly. "But he's just grown up with me he's the only one that's really mine."

"Awwe why didnt you bring him he could of run loose with the others!" Nikita grinned as Sol leaped over the vitiligo duo sending Ember skittering to the side as Sakura finally grew fed up. 

The two took off in circles as Sol squealed with glee nearly barreling straight into Skagway and Athena as they scrambled just to get out of the massive Dire bulldozer's wake. Ember had been confused at first whining to his sister as she snapped and snarled promising to rip the Dire a new one when she got a hold of him. The riders watched as Sol spun around to come nose to nose with Sakura dwarfing the female instantly as he play growled. The submissive turned tail and scampered away only half knowing that the Dire was just playing. Embers barked trying to catch Sol's attention but failed finally the vitiligo male took off after the dire and his sister trying desperately to get Sol to leave her alone. 

"Yeah i dont think Horrus would really do well in a group." Dia chuckled pushing on as the mounted animals huffed at the antics of the others. "Really doubt that we could of handled more than what we have right here. Especially with the Bull dozer in tow."

The riders burst out laughing shaking their heads as Poallu attempted stepping in on the rather roudy game of chase the submissive to death. However the Dominant female was soon on the run as well as Sol put his attention on her for his next round of Nip and Run. Poallu snarled in disbelief as Sol even went as far as to yank a few hairs from her tail and run off with the tuft of soft creamy white fur hanging from his lips. She had had enough quick as lightning she tore off after the dire intent on bringing him down. With a squeal of sheer glee Sol took off through the riding mounds of snow some so deep Poallu disappeared into them. Skagway and Athena smoothly drifted as far away from the action as possibly trying to catch their own breath from dodging the rampaging beast. 

Like the energizer bunny Sol just kept going huffing and puffing like a locomotive as he plowed the snow aside eager to escape the jaws of Poallu. With a snap the Dominant came down on the dire like a ton of brick and leave it to Sol. The dire fell to his side with a thud throwing snow in every direction as he squealed like a pup that had gotten his tail stepped on. The group broke out in to giggled as he lay there kicking and writhing in the snow with the pissed off Poallu at his neck singing with all his might. Snow had even begin to drop from the trees onto the mounded animals and the other loose ones from the sheer reverb of the Dire's deafening baritone. 

The riders were now nearly falling from their saddles slapping the treated leather as Poallu attempted to scold the giant baby with soft growls and nips. However Sol simply howled and whined and kicked like a tantruming 5 year old. Leaving the dominant female scrambling as he threw her about like a rag doll. From a safe distance away Skagway and Athena watched in amusement as they knew what was coming. The timid twins Sakura and Ember came up behind them still breathing a bit heavily from their run with the dire earlier. 

Just like the two thought she finally exploded Poallu jumped atop Sol and let out a loud napping sound her death bore at eye level with the Dire who fell silent. For a second he lay there keeping his eyes bellow her curled lips with with a feint huff he stuck his nose forward and lightly licked her face his way of saying he was sorry. With a confused grunt Poallu got up  unsure of the dire's motive but confused all the same as she walked away back to the head of the group ignoring the confused looks from the other animals as their glances darted back and forth. 

"Looks like kisses got him off the hook." Nikita grinned.

"Kisses always get men off the hook." Grimm's rider chuckled shrugging with a Casanova smirk on his strong face.

The girls rolled their eyes in unison reaching for a handful of snow as they passed a low hanging branch laden with the stuff. Too preoccupied with his epic come back the guy handnt notices until it was too late. Fwap! Fwap! Two thick snowballs slapped right into the back of his head sliding down his neck and landing on the back of his Tokota. Grimm grunted in disapproval rolling her eyes as she tried to shake the loose stuff free of her harnessing. The Sphinx had been just a tad cold as the new guy handnt picked up the right gear for her when they started off. Denali grunted in pitty as he walked over to his pack mate nosing the snow off the back of her neck as best he could before nuzzling the side of her face.

Up ahead Poallu had stopped at a large clearing. Keeping her nose to the sky as she sat in the snow.

"Think we should bed down here? We've been out all day/" Nikita leaned in close to Diaki letting Yakone pick a spot to get comfy for his untacking.

"I think thats a perfect idea actually after today's excitement." She grinned as Vi did the same.

~

Nikita and Diaki paused untacking Yakone and Vi before helping the boys with the two browns. The sun had begun to set over the bluff casting the snow in an orange hue before lighting the trees with crystals and strings of sparkling golds. The group had gathered among the thicket the riders tending to their tack as the mounted animals stretched their legs. Vi and Yakone sported matching sweat stains on their backs where the saddles had plastered their fur down with the grainy perspiration but the two seemed to get most of the imprint off by rolling ,whole heartedly. in the powdery snow near the camp.

"You boys gonna handle the fire?" Nikita grinned chucking a few sticks in their direction as she unrolled her packed sleeping downs. "Im beat from the ride."

The two men seemed to take the initiative and disappeared off into the brush chuckling over each other as Skagway followed out of curiosity. Athena and the two Vitiligo litter mates werent so eager for the rider's contact preferring to stay off to the side of the small grouping. Athena herself was curled up on herself in a small warm hole she had dug in the snow licking her chilled paws before leisurely encouraging Sakura over to join her. The white flecked female whined in acceptance walking over to the female to exchange reassuring licks and the general warmth they could share. Enjoying the calm and soothing presence that Athena posed Sakura hurriedly made a small hole of her own laying next to the tan female as to share her heat.  

Sol lifted his regal head taking in the air of the high north mountains as Poallu came up to his side eyeing the dire as she sat back in the snow. Sol grunted gently nosing the side of her ear in affection as the sun took its sweet time sinking down into the ridges. Embers had also come to the high ledge pressing his face into  Poallu's side for reassuring warmth as the dominant female lay down completely bedding herself in the snow. 

The ridden animals milled about in excitement keeping close watch on their riders but also enjoying their freedom. Grimm took her chance to finally got to scratch at the itch under her front leg that had bothered her all hike long. She and her counterpart Denali nosed around the camp finding a small rabbit bolt hole and even some fowl tracks. With a grin Grimm's rider began to unpack the small supply of food he had packed for her his counter part doing the same. 

"Hey how do you girls want to feed the animals?" The one who had been mounted on Denali asked curiously yanking a hunk of meat from his pack. 

Dia and Nikita stared on still a bit confused by the question. "Theyre.... theyre not sled dogs, they can hunt and forage better than anything that you can pack in that bag." Nikita chuckled pointing at the meat. "If its not spoiled then its food for the both of you for like 3 weeks up here."

The man frowned knitting his brow as Grimm and Denali came to investigate the meat. "Oh... So they just go off? What if they dont come back?"

"Come on have a little faith in her." Dia smiled gently. "They wont abandon you up here. Most of the time they sneak off for an hour or two to catch a snack then come back. Some eat out where they catch it."

As if on que Yakone came back with a small rabbit clamped in his strong jaw thumping down into the snow behind Nikita he went to town on the carcass puling it apart completely as they talked. Vi took a sniff at the kill padding off to find her own. 

"See?" Nikita smiled patting the male sphinx as he ate his meal. "Its wired into their brain to never leave their partners especially if they domesticated enough to ride.

"Besides," Dia chuckled. "If they did run off then we can just strap you both to Sol for the rest of the trip he woudnt mind the extra weight."

At the mention of his name the lumbering Dire got up from his place at the bluff trotting over to pester Yakone. The sphinx was thoroughly un-impressed with the Dire's size and bore his teeth in Sol's direction hinting he would take no funny business with his food. Of course the threat completely flew over the Dire's head who stuck his nose right in the light males face. Yakone snarled landing a toothy warning right on the Dire's nose sending him skittering away right into Dia's lap. With a thud the Dire rolled onto the small rider engulfing her in white fur.

Nikita gasped pushing off Yakone and over to the fell beast who whimpered at his obviously throbbing nose. "Dia! Are you okay?" She called trying to push Sol aside as he rolled to his feet.

Dia sputtered as the Dire got up to turn and look at her. "MAN! Its like being swallowed by a minivan wrapped in sheep skin." She coughed with a grin brushing the loose tendrils of Sol's coat from her sleeping bag that had also fallen victim to the Dire's weight.

Denali grunted deep in his thick chest nosing his way over to Dia before snorting and making his way off obviously thinking over taking a romp for some food. The brown male lifted his lightening head and woofed gently to Grimm flicking his ears forward to wait for the Sphinx to respond. With a happy whine she wandered over butting up against his side in affection as they wandered off into the brush unbenounced to their handlers who had become completely enthralled in making the meat they had packed for their animals. 

"Think they'll attract a bear with all that meat?" Dia leaned over propping herself back against VI's saddle after surviving getting pancaked by a Dire.

"I actually kind of hope they do." Nikita mused watching as they men ooed and awed over the magical cooking power of digging a small fire pitt and throwing a pot over it. The girls chuckled rubbing their foreheads as Sol, Embers and Skagway went over to investigate the mess that was brewing. 

Skag threw his brown head over Grimm's rider's shoulder nearly shoving the man over as he investigated them slow steaming brew they'd concocted. Sol chose to lay down next to thee other one shoving his massive head into the man's lap to assist as a lap warmer. The riders looked a bit distraught as Embers also eyed the pot licking his lips as the scents wafted from the burbling pot with a little bit too much interest.

"Uh, guys." They called in ernest watching as they males exchanged grunts butting into the men a but harder to drive their attention away from the pot. 

The girls laughed as they watched the younger tokotas circle them like sharks nipping and lovingly poking at the two in a game of chicken. Truth be told they couldnt really blame the tokota males for wanting a slice of that sweet brew happening in the pot but at the same time they felt a bit of pitty for the two newbies. Poallu also watched the grouping seeing her underlings act like a true pack. In retrospect the dominant female should of been proud of her little males for their dedication to pack mentality but she couldnt condone behavior quite like what they were displaying. The dominant female stood catching Ember's attention who instantly backed off in respect for the female. Sol woofed at the dominant nearly challenging her but quieted with one icey look from the seal den mother. Skagway backed up a bid nearly stepping on Denali's rider in his hasty retreat from the impending doom. Poallu huffed and sat herself between the men allowing them to cook their dinner in peace from the onslaught of some overly hungry pups.

"There see Poallu will protect you!" Nikita teased as the men leaned in close to the dominant female scratching behind her ears as they slipped her a few chunks of fat.

Slowly everyone returned Vi coming back with a small fox as dinner and the two browns Denali and Grimm coming back with small game as well. As the sun finally dipped well bellow the horizon the night began to leak in inking the sky with hues of purples and blues as the tiny pricks of light began to twinkle in the unpolluted black curtain. Dia and Nikita leaned back against Vi and Yakone  drinking in the somber silence of the beautiful ridges and the dancing stars. The boys fell blissfully silent as they pulled their pot to a rolling boil the meat had fallen from the bone which was fished out and given to Poallu. 

"Hey, you guys ready for dinner?" Grimm's rider called waving the girls over to their little feast. "I didnt bring nothin fancy but theres meat and potatoes and some other greens!"

Dia and Nikita looked from one another and back to them. "You guys didnt have to make food for us." They waved shyly contently curled up in their downey winter bags they smiled. "You guys go ahead and eat."

"Awee come on." Denali's rider smiled. "We wont be able to finish it all on our own we need to get a good meal in us for what we're after."

The girls sighed and scooted closer pulling their sleeping bags next to the toasty fire as they were handed their own bowls of the chunky soup. Denali had taken his position behind his rider after returning relaxing against the man's back as he began to snooze. Grimm had begun to do the same resting her butt at the base of the other man's spine not quite touching him but just enough to tell him that she was there if he needed her, or if he had more fat scraps for her.

"So what exactly are we after?" Nikita pipped up sipping the soup as Yakone curled next to Vi clearly not bothered his master had moved from his side to inhabit the fire and food pit.

"Well..." Denali's rider gave a mischievous smile looking at his partner. "They say at this time of year Santa sets his reindeer loose or well they just kinda run off but he lets people catch them. Its like this whole competition and you can KEEP them!" He stood expecting the girls to oo and awe at the news but to his disappointment they looked at him like he'd just dumped his entire bowl of soup on his head. 

"So.... Santa's reindeer."

"Yes."

"Loose..."

"Yes.."

"And you want to find them...."

"YES"

"Why?!" Nikita smirked fishing her napkin from the pocket of her jacket offering her bowl for another scoop of soup.

"Imagine what it would be like?! Saving christmas, meeting Santa and then getting a reindeer as a pet!" The men both grinned ear to ear like kids in the candy store.

"So you want use to hunt the reindeer with 10 massive LARGE GAME HUNTING wolves."

"Not hunt just capture! Lure close so we can get them to Santa safely." The guys shrugged taking a swig from his water bottle that had been fastened to his saddle.

"What do you even expect us to do to catch them? Roll Sol up in reindeer nip and turn him loose?" Dia snickered as Sol looked up at the mention of his name. The dire woofed in response huffing at her remark. "I dont think he'd appreciate that."

"Noooo." Grimm's rider shop back. "We just get them close after we find them normally they come to people... kinda. We can get them with 10 of these guys its not like its over kill to have so many just.... insurance!"

The girls shook their heads obviously a little displaced with the information and food they had just been fed. Dia sighed rubbing her chin as she pulled her sleeping pad up. "Well he does have a point. IF were were to go on this wild goose chase and IF we were to look for them and find them 10 tokotas trained in hunting and tracking would catch them. It could be a good opportunity to work our 'leave it' and 'dont touch it commands' so they wont hurt the animals."

Nikita sighed smiling as she too rolled up in her sleeping bag pulling herself back up against Yakone. "I guess im out numbered. We're going on this wild reindeer chase then. Now will you boys put the food up OUT of bear's reach we dont need any visitors in the night and im waaay too stuffed."

Dia smiled as well pulling her bag to Vi's side and tucking in as well. "Nothing like a good meal before a good hunt." She chuckled.

The boys looked to one another then back at the tokotas confused as to if the girls were kidding about the bears or not. With wary glances around in the brush they packed the soup tight for their next meal cleaning the pots and bowls with soap before turning in as well. The next day proved to be a long one especially if they were going after Santa's fabled reindeer.

~

The riders rose early that morning even before the animals roused from their well rested slumber. The next day promised to be a long one as they rounded their camp making sure not to leave anything behind. Yakone yawned in irritation fidgeting a bit to get his saddle in the right place as Nikita also shuffled about pulling her belts and skins to make sure they were all secure for the ride ahead. Vi grunted heavily itching her side as they waited on the boys still hoisting their packs atop the two browns.

"I dont get how you guys are so fast at this." The one who rode Grimm grimaced heaving himself into her saddle and groaning as he held his back. "Well this feels great."

Dia chuckled patting Sol's head as the Dire wandered over "Well you get used to that part."

The riders set off at a leisurely trot warming the animals up for the say as the loose pack wandered in and out of the fold of the group. Embers and Sakura melted into the back comfortable at the tail of the action while Athena and Skagway held up the middle investigating any nearby foods that came.A grey blur shot past the riders and their animals nearly splitting the main pack in half as the loose tokotas scrambled in panic. The animal that had broken the group took off to the front egging Yakone on just by taunting the poor sphinx male. With an annoyed snarl the mounted riders took off after their assailant barely able to see even the blurr of a coat as they sped on through the snow. Diaki attempted to poke her head above Vi's head aiming to get a real look at the unknown tokota. 

She has somewhat recognized the blur on it's way through she knew it was a grey animal with black markings and some white but that was about all she had gotten before they had left them in the dust. With a feint longing she had thought it was her male Horrus that had come looking for them but he would have stopped upon finding the group allowing Diaki to find him rather than disrupting the entire formation. No, this was another animal that she recognized. Dia grunted putting all of her weight into her knees as she pushed Vi even harder trying to get up close to the animal and finally they got a glimpse. The Rok instantly recognized the mystery tokota as one from her mother's pack. 

With a smile she pressed her fingers to her lips and let out a sharp whistle. The animal didnt quite slow down but Dia saw an ear flip back in their direction. "Payora!' She called hoping that the half mane female could hear her as they broke off into a short lope. 

Grimm and Denali began to huff insistently their muscles shaking a bit from attempting to keep up with the half mane's earth breaking pace. The two browns growled breathily as the Grey female turned around to greet them with a soft woof however her ears flicked back and forth taking in the large pack as they filtered in from all sides. Dia smiled not noticing that Payora had been carrying a rider and in her excitement dismounted and ran to hug the older female. Her mother had just recently aquired the half mane but she was something close to Dia's heart as she looked stunningly like Horrus when they stood side by side. With a happy sigh she pressed herself to the female's neck and took in her tough scent.

"What the hell do you think you're doing you idiot!" The half mane's rider dismounted in the confusion taking long strides to the other rider and yanking her away from Payora. "Do you have any conscience  for the people around you Diaki." The woman roared striking her clean across the face.

"Hey waoh woah!" Nikita shouted urging Yakone forward to try and split the two.

The woman threw Diaki down into the snow at Vi's feet yanking her snow goggles back as she smirked at the sphinx backed up from her icey stare. Her dark ebony hair fell clear to her waist as she placed a hand on one delicate hip. "And who are you."

"Nikita no thats my sister, Dakeini." Dia grunted pushing herself up from the ground and back against Vi's chest. "She wont hurt anyone."

"Diaki you completely broke Payora's concentration what if we were hunting? You completely threw her off." She snarled letting her crooked smirk turn into an all out snarl as her marred face tightened in pain. "You have no idea how an-" Dakeini lurched in pain doubling over to lean against Payora's side as her insides heaved.

"Sister." Diaki called trying to make a grab for the older woman but Dakeini shoved her away with another annoyed snarl. Dia fell back this time Vi reached her nose out to break the fall of her rider allowing Dia to get her footing before she fell. "Let me help you..." She almost whimpered as the other woman shook pulling her coat tighter around her.

Like clock work Dakeini let out a shrill whistle sending Sol Athena and Skagway scattering as they looked toward the woods surrounding them. "You threw off the entire team." Dakeini snarled lifting her small arm to the sky as her trillo, Virus landed with a thud. The ice bird creeled in Diaki's direction but payed no mind to the tokotas that began to press in. Sol let out a warning growl as the bushed began to rustle eerily setting the Dire on edge. He didnt like bushes the last few trips he had been on something always seemed to jump out and bite him when he came near the bushes.

A black tokota poked his head from the shrub line pressing his head against Dakeini's hand as a grey sphinx followed behind him quietly her head low as she looked over the group nervously. Sol bore his teeth in the male's direction clearly uneased by the presence of the black animal. The male returned his look with a menacing snarl his golden eyes pinned on the Dire as he approached him unafriad of Sol's warning or his sheer size.

"The Crow and Amara." Dia's Sister smirked in the direction of the group as they stared at the two animals.

"Wow well what are the odds of 3 sphinx in one area all at once." the man on Denali's back chuckled awkwardly trying to push the male brown forward. "If youd like you can hunt with our pack."
Dakeini's smirk deepened as she looked less than approving of the notion the though of stayin THAT close to her despised sister cramped her space like you wouldnt believe. However before the woman could speak up a wretched pain racked her side bluring her vision for a good 5 minutes as all she could do was cling to her saddle and breath. Dia stared at her sister sensing the woman's distress as she attempted pulling herself into the saddle.

"Sister," Dia whimpered mounting Vi and pulling up to Payora's side the two females nosing eachother curiously as Dia leaned over to Dakeini's side. "Sister please you know being around me will ail your pain. I have a bit of Famine's power i can help you." She whispered trying to keep her voice down from the other riders. "Please I dont want anything to happen-"

"You mock me with the power that was supposed to be mine." Dakeini snarled low shoving her sister back.

"I didnt mean..." Dia whimpered trying to place a hand on Dakeini's shoulder wishing she could understand her older sister just once.

Crow woofed at Payora who was engrossed in sniffing Vi's ear signaling her that he had caught a scent. The pack began to reel Sol's gaze enver breaking from Crow but raising in a high baritone as he too could smell the prey nearby. Athena and Skagway scattered off into the brush their tails high as they began to follow the scent without much direction. Dakeini frowned twisting her scarred face in a way that seemed unnatural for something that used to be so beautiful. Dia reached out snatching up her hand but was shaken off coldly as Payora pulled away to her pack who to their surprise was absent from where they had just stood.

"If youre looking for your black and your sphinx they followed Athena." Nikita grunted surveying the woman with a cold glare. "You can join us or you can try to separate your animals from the pack, DONT get in our way." The woman growled Urging Yakone forward was Sol took the lead nose plastered to the cold frozen earth.

Dia frowned in pity letting Vi follow suit with the boys not far behind. Poallu trotted at the back of the pack nuzzling Payora as she passed but not lingering as the scent of reindeer wafted through the wind like the stew the boys had made the other night. With in a series of minutes there was a loud yelp from the north end of the group, Athena Crow, and Amara had caught onto the scent. Amara took the lead relying heavily on her small size to dash through the thick underbrush as Athena and Crow took up their side positions. With another gentle call the grey female sphinx called to Crow and the reindeer shot out of the brush crashing over the grey's head making her skid to a stop in surprise.

Crow stopped for a second sniffing at Amara to ensure her safety before continuing on as the animal darted over the brush. It was dark and barely in sight the small pack had a hard time fighting for a clear visual on the animal as it sauntered on. Crow snarled taking off from the pack his pitch black coat masking him from the animals vision in the safety of the shadows.

Like a black shadow Crow tailed the animal hard nipping at it's heels as his pack closed in tight. Athena howled signaling the group that they grew closer and closer to their quarry but her calls went unanswered confusing the female greatly until Amara darted from a nearby bush. The grey female hovered in the direction of the reindeer and crow keeping herself low profile as Athena hurdled every bush like a champ. With ever growing anxiety the two female searched for Crow, the male had completely taken off like a black bullet trampling through the bush and shrubbery as they dwindled in the back ground.

Amara called this time her semi squeaky tone echoing through the heavy woods as she and Athena pressed on fearing the worst for their team mate. The clatter of hoof over rock could be heard off in the distance as they pressed harder the females fearing for the black tokota as they rounded a small break in the dense tree line, and there he was with the beast backed against the nearby cliff face. Crow snarled at the beast snapping his wide jaws at the animals as it kicked out in fury. The black male stared the creature down his solid amber eyes burning seeming to burn through the creature as the bells along it's harness rang in time with every ragged kick.

As a signal Athena blasted one long howl hoping to attract the humans and their ropes as she watched the other two box the animal in. She couldnt let harm come to it without the command of a handler. The animal was dark with silvering along its wide face the whites of it's large dark eyes clearly rolled as it lashed out at the sphinx female as she neared too close. With an angered bray the animal squealed at the top of it's lungs a haggard throaty noise that almost resembled the sound Sol made when he was excited.

With a snap Crow leaped the gap between him and the reindeer clamping his powerful jaws around it's antler to wrench it to the ground his chest heaving as he snarled next to it's face keeping his mouth firmly on the horn. The black had caught the animal right next to it's head if the shot had missed the black could have been maimed or even killed however he wasnt looking like he could go down very easy. With a darkening glare the male flashed his teeth in the reindeer's face. The horn threatened a sickly popping noise just to let it know that he meant business.

"Good job guys!" The man called loping up tot he group as He dismounted. Denali trotted to athena nuzzling her softly in congratulations but the real task was still there. "Easy boy good boy." The man coaxed as he approached Crow who still had it pinned. "We're gonna loop this guys harness and take him back home just let 'im go Crow." He asked gently.

The male's golden glare set on the man but thanks to the reflection of the goggles Crow only seemed to stare himself down. With one final snarl he backed off allowing the rider to loop the Beast's halter and pull it upright. The reindeer bucked a little attempting to pull from the man's grasp but was soon discouraged form any shenanigans as Amara paced to it's side baring her teeth as he pulled it to Denali. The male sniffed the tall creature once intrigued slightly as it was tied to his saddle.
"Okay guys Lets get back tot he group."
~
Dia pressed Vi forward a bit harder watching at her sister trailed off to the right keeping her eyes on the group. She attempted reaching out with her magic to ail the pain that racked Dakeini's body every time she got weak but the undead woman shoved it off fighting Famine with Famine as the spirit had latched a tiny sliver of itself to her body. Dakeini had always hated Dia for receiving the rite as heir from their mother and the fickle spirit making the sisterly feud even more one sided with Dakeini's growing rage.

Dia bit her lip hoping that her sister's condition didnt worsen on the ride as they pushed their beasts faster sol had caught the scent just up ahead and the excitement burned through every fiber of the animal's being. He called back to Poallu assuring the dominant that he had the prey in his sights receiving a grunt in acceptance as she pushed through their ranks to run beside the ridden animals. One had already separated as the call had been sent out from Athena also. The chase was on and no one could stop the tokotas from doing what they did best, Hunting.
~

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