[beau]

 

Originally Posted by iliri

Shadow Blaze
massive jet-black german shepherd wolfdog mix with deep brown eyes
he/him | ww pack member | in camp

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Shadow Blaze shifted his weight slightly, his dark brown eyes flicking toward Swift Smoke as the other dog ambled over with a grin. The familiar, relaxed drawl in Swift Smoke's voice didn't stir much outward response from Shadow Blaze. Instead, his gaze remained steady and calm, taking in his patrol-mate’s eagerness. He hadn't been expecting to be called for a patrol, but he had already mentally shifted into the task. His broad frame remained unmoved by any visible enthusiasm, yet his mind had already begun planning for the route ahead. With a curt nod, Shadow Blaze pushed himself up to his feet, muscles rippling beneath his sleek pelt as he shook off the remnants of stillness. "Yeah, let’s head out.” he replied in his usual deep, measured tone, his voice betraying none of the thoughts that churned behind his calm exterior. He gave Swift Smoke a final glance, then turned to head toward the northern border, his movements fluid and deliberate as his large paws left tracks within the soil. The air was crisp, and though the sun was still climbing into the sky, there was a sharpness in the breeze that hinted at the coming cold. Winter was approaching, and the pack would need every advantage they could get to ensure their survival. The landscape ahead unfolded with familiarity as the duo began their patrol. The northern border was a patchwork of hilly grasslands and forested areas, where the ground sloped and rose unpredictably.

On the western half, the hills stretched out, golden grass swaying gently in the breeze, while to the east, the trees of the Whispering Woods stood tall and dark, casting long shadows over the ground. The woods always made patrols for him feel more isolated. Here, it felt as though the trees themselves were watching and keeping their secrets close. As they moved further from camp, the scents of the land began to change, sharpening with the unmistakable traces of prey and other forest dwellers. Shadow Blaze's nose twitched, catching the faint smell of squirrels lingering in the air. His steps remained steady and purposeful, each movement deliberate as they neared the forest’s edge. His ears flicked forward as they began to pass under the first few trees, the canopy above filtering the sunlight into dappled patterns on the forest floor. This area, where the woods met the hills, always felt more alive, as if the forest was holding its breath, waiting for the right moment to strike. “Keep your eyes open, I don’t know if something may be lurking around here.” he murmured to Swift Smoke, the words more instinct than instruction. His attention was now split between watching the shadows of the forest and listening for any sounds out of place. Winter would soon drive much of the prey into hiding, and any opportunity to bring something back would be worth taking, but that wasn’t their only concern. Patrolling the border meant more than just food; it meant ensuring that the land was still theirs and safe.

@beau

Swift Smoke
he/him | member | northern border

Swift Smoke took it slow as they made their way through the land, allowing himself to properly enjoy the view before it got blanketed with snow in a few months. Going quickly wouldn't ward off any predators or attract any prey, after all. He hummed an acknowledgement to Shadow Blaze's words of caution, eyes narrowed as he scanned the forest for anything worth their attention.

A flicker in the corner of his eye made him pause, which was then another flurry of movement. Suddenly a squirrel shot out, practically scampering over his paws in its rush. Swift Smoke, his eyes round with surprise, snapped his jaws quickly, just barely managing to snag the critter by its tail. He gave it a rough shake to finish the kill then set down his catch.

As he scanned the area once more he realized that the forest seemed to be crawling with squirrels, all in a hurry to get somewhere or another. "What the hell..." He whispered. Still, he wasn't gonna complain. Instead he geared up to attempt after another one before they all wizened up enough to evacuate the area.

[ rolled a 14 for the catch
apologies for the delay - we have an extension to the 18th ]