Lightning crackled across the sky, lights flashed following the sound as it threatens to spill rain any minute now. Chocolate orbs gazed upward to the sky, black nose wiggled as it inhales deeply to take in the humid air in hopes to capture any particular scents. It was different from her home. Trees grew sparse in the area with grass that reached under her stomach. She was new to the area but has traveled so far to see more and do more. With no one else in sight, she released a deep sigh and allowed her muscles to slouch as she relaxed for a moment. Stiff limbs remained still while Venus observed the area carefully. The creatures that roamed the land did not seem to mind the weather nor the predator that stood at a distance.

Her gaze flicked in their direction as she watched with hungry eyes, wanting to leap in and grab a meal, but it would rain soon and uncertainty began to weigh down on her decision. A droplet that fell from the sky plopped right on her nose, she blinked a few times then shook her head before glancing upward. It began to rain. A groan escaped her lips, “Of course this would happen…” The weather made the decision for her, she would make an attempt to hunt before she called it a day. The herd of deer stood down the hill from her position, the rain disguised her scent, making it difficult for them to decent her. Now would be her time to strike. Venus moved slowly, her body hunched low to position herself closely; she paused a few time when they became suspicious of their surrounding but they made no attempts to leave.

The pink tongue flicked out from her maw, smacking against her lips and muzzle. She grew impatient. A low growl rumbled in her throat, one paw hovering over the ground and her eyes locked on to the fattest one. All she needed was a signal. The female’s body remained locked in her position; muscles began to ache but she kept still for as long as possible just waiting. Suddenly, lightning flashed across the sky once more, startling the herd to flee the area with the brown wolf now chasing after them. Her legs pumped hard against the wet ground to shake after the fleeing herd with the intent of taking down at least one of them. Her target suddenly sprinted away from the herd, forcing Venus to make a sharp turn in pursuit of it with her maw parted open just slightly. She flung herself forward, claws quickly attaching itself to the deer’s leg and bringing it down.

It was a struggle at first. The deer merely escaped her clutches had she not reacted so quickly. Her jaw clamped around its legging, biting down hard to prevent it from fleeing her grasp. She made her move for its jugular, closing her maw around it to close the airway slowly. The deer trashed and screamed, but it fell silent soon enough with no other movement coming from it. It was a successful hunt for the female.

She had been watching the bird for the past few minutes. Her eyes would narrow every time it cleaned its impressive feathers, for such an activity would be pointless in just a few seconds. The spotted dire hybrid threw herself at the bird, expertly grabbing it by the neck before it could fully take off. Edie had learned not to hesitate for too long the hard way, by going hungry for five consecutive days before she had fully learned to hunt for herself. Now, she made a point of expertly catching her own prey for the sheer fun of it. This was not to say she wasn't a big eater. She always ate whatever she caught, for food was too good to be wasted. Especially in Alteron.

It was early evening, the shadows cast by the trees growing darker as Edie walked deeper into the forest, prey hanging from her jaws. She mostly kept herself to herself nowadays, in these shadows and away from her siblings. She felt at odds with them already, deeming herself much too good for their antics or what they aspired to be. Of course, they were still family and, even though it was a stretch to say she still loved them, she certainly was pleased with how her littermates were expanding their horizons and carrying the family name with pride. 

The hybrid settled down and began to tear at her kill. Her ear twitched with irritation as her family refused to leave her mind, as it was custom in Alteron to find your own place in this world and not depend on your family too much. Although Edie had taken steps to gain some independence, it would always be nice to maintain contact. After all, contacts could get you places in today's Alteron. 

For the moment, however, she ate alone. Her spotted coat gleamed in the fading evening light, making her stand out to any passerby.

He was less than impressed with the group he had been paired with for this expedition.  He had worked with a few of them before, and one of them he had even stolen when she was a child.  They traveled together for the first few nights, Rannoch keeping to himself, listening to the oddities that the others spat out at each other as they traveled.  The veteran kept his distance from them all - as best he could anyway.

He slept away from the rest, turning his head from the snores and the late night chatter.  He wanted to stay focused on the objective, but it was hard to when there was so much noise from the others, particularly the loudmouth female.  He grumbled low to himself, before getting up and walking a few more meters away, and situating himself down onto the ground again.

All he wanted was peace and quiet - but something told him he would not find it anywhere on this trip.