(Scar? Morbid twisted humor? NOOOO XD))

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Scarred Thorn

+++

Scar sat down on his haunches as he waited for a reply, pleased that there wasn't the familiar stab of pain in his peg, although it did throb quite a bit. It was still painful, but he had a feeling the dull ache would never quite go away. At her question, he snorted quietly, but was glad she noticed his leg really was doing better. Scar had sacrificed SO MUCH to sit at the pack and do NOTHING for DAYS on end. He couldn't do it any longer. "Ah, splendid. I'm starving as well. Great plan." He said with sarcastic cheerfulness, as it seemed to mentally injure him to actually be cheerful. Scar turned with a prick of his ear as he heard Aspen's voice. He caught Vindaria's sidelong glance, and bit back a reply about dying and pain, instead thinking up a normal-ish answer. "... well." The One word seemed to hurt him to say. How boring was *well*? "Everything's been going well. I'm glad you have returned from your trip." He added, as to not leave his single word dangling in the air.

(Since Aspen is dropping from the rp, I will not generate a longer response lol)

After they finished talking to Aspen, Scar stood and headed into the woods, his nose twitching as he sorted out the mangled scents of animals and dirt and plants and everything else. Once he picked a trail, he followed it, his ears pricked.

Vindaria
Female/Protector

Vinda gave him an unamsed look at his sarcasm. Really, could he not be simply cheerful? Not that she blamed him with all that had been going on, but really, it couldn't hurt him to try! She stayed silent however as he greeted Aspen, seeming to fish for the words to speak before finding a good sentence. She let out a small breath of relief as they were able to leave after a few moments, heading into the forest, she just behind his shoulder. Although she had bossed him around quite a lot the past week, she still retained a sense of his authority, especially when he was being serious, as he seemd to be now. But she couldn't resist commenting on his previous sarcastic words from earlier as they headed out on a scent trail "I'm glad we're both in accord on the subject of starvation, should help this hunt go smoothly" she said with a wry glance at him, trying to gauge his current mood.

Scarred Thorn

Alpha Male

+++

Yeah, he knew he probably should've held that one back. Welp, more things learned. The tip of Scar's tail twitched as he walked, silently placing his paws down where there wasn't crackling leaves. He was thinking... for a couple reasons. Mostly because he was worried, again, about being the Alpha Male. He obviously sucked at the job, but that wasn't the point. Was he getting too friendly with all the wolves in his pack? Of course, he could maintain ... adequate friendships, but he was still their Alpha and they had to respect him. As soon as he thought it, he mentally smacked himself. Him, too friendly? When pigs fly. He tried not to sigh, lifting his head slightly as the trail widened a little and the undergrowth grew thinner. At Vinda's words, he slowly looked over at her, knowing what he wanted to say, but not being sure whether to gage that as sarcasm and ... there were too many options to think about. "Hunts never seem to go smoothly, but starvation is definitely a method to press it." He smiled slightly, his tone the slightest bit joking. Honestly, his smiles still looked more like an angry wolf baring its teeth, but he was working on it. His head snapped forward and gait slowed as a scent filtered through the air. He angled sideways slightly to make sure he was downwind, then gestured for Vinda to go around, upwind. Now he could see, a small group of three does. Two looked older, and one was young and small. Hopefully, when Vinda's scent got carried to them, they would spook and run. Then he could take them down. Meanwhile, Vinda could chase and herd the deer towards him. He settled into the underbrush, ready.

Vindaria
Female/Protector

Vinda was watching Scar carefully as he lifted his head, seeming to be brought out of his thoughts at her words. Her eyes narrowed the slightest in mild concern. That was one large thing about scar, he was always thinking, and usually those thoughts were mostly getting into his head, overthinking, and berating himself. At least that's what they seemed to be from the few deep conversations the two had had so far. His reply was all too true, and she gave a slight nod of her head, returning his mildly alarming smile with a true one of her own, as she knew better than to ruminate on thoughts not her own. "Unfortunately true, but i'm sure we'll pull this one off at least adequately well" she said with a light snort of mild amusement. The time for chatting was over immediately as she caught the scent as well, and focused on something she hadn't really done in an entire week... obeying her Alpha. Keeping her eyes on him she gave a nod and slipped off into the underbrush. So, she was to be the scare, he the attack. A bit of worry slipped through the defenses in her mind. Was he truly ready for it? Would he be able to judge the distance properly? What if one of them struck out and reinjured him? "Get out of your head Vinda, that's Scar's job to worry about. You're hunting now, and he's the Alpha. Get your head in the game" she growled low to herself in frustration as she moved further upwind. Letting her worries take up a small dark corner of her mind, she focused the rest of herself on the scent of the deer. It was harder now that they were downwind, but she could get a good handle on their location, and slipped around them. Crouched in the brush, she waited, counting down to ten seconds under her breath, to be sure Scar was ready. Then she leapt out of the brush, just as they caught her scent and leapt forwards in fright.

Scarred Thorn

Alpha Male

+++

Scar settled down to the forest floor, his muscles tense and ready to spring. In mere seconds, a pelt flashed and the deer sounded off the alarm, springing away and starting to run towards him. He singled out the weakest looking one, creeping forward before waiting. It drew closer, then started to turn. It was now or never. Scar sprang out of his hiding place, pushing off with his powerful haunches. Despite sending a shot of agony through his hip, his leg did not fail him, covering the gap between him and the deer easily. His jaws latched onto its throat, and he used his front paws to slow his momentum and swing around. As soon as his back paws were on the ground, he twisted his head and dug his claws in, sending the deer sprawling on the ground. Thankful for his weight, Scar clenched tighter with his jaws, warm blood washing into his mouth. After a little while, the animal stopped thrashing and trying to get away. He let go with a huff of pleasure, licking his lips as he stepped back, all but grinning his usual wolfish smile. If he was strong enough to successfully bring down a deer, he was fully healed. Scar flicked his tail, looking pleased. "Thank you, Vinda- couldn't have done it without you. Nor could I have healed, because however annoying your slightly necessary worrying was, it convinced me to stay still long enough to heal." He inclined his head, a slight joking tone weaving its way through part of his sentence, although he genuinely seemed to mean the sentiment.

Vindaria
Female/Protector

Vinda loped along behind the deer, making sure to keep them headed directly downwind, not letting them stray to either side. Suddenly a dark form leapt from the bushes with surprising agility, speeding towards the deer, who erupted in chaos. Vinda narrowly avoided an outflung hoof as the deer wheeled, disappearing on both sides, and clearing the way for her to see Scar, raising his head, standing tall over a downed deer. Relief filled her and she trotted up to him, quite honestly impressed at the speed and accuracy in which he took down the deer, despite his impediments. And the grin spread across his face made all the worry she'd felt moments ago, and throughout the week, completely worth while. She smiled, her eyes glowing slightly with happiness as well to see him so well recovered. At his words she ducked her head slightly "You could have Scar, you survived on your own, no you thrived on your own, for many years before I came along. But I am glad that my worrying was able to assist in speeding the process along" she said, lifting her head with a slight smile, catching the slight teasing in his tone, despite the fact that it was true.

Scarred Thorn

Alpha Male

+++

Scar flicked an ear, still paying attention to their surroundings, always attentive. He felt much like the wild and free wolf he should be. For the first time in a long time, he didn't feel burdened by the weight of the pack. At her words, he snorted, old self back in full force. "You mean, I tortured myself to stay alive. However HORRIBLE sitting still was, it's much MUCH better than limping my way to never being able to walk again." He added an extra snort for a dramatic flair, and to emphasize his point. He flicked his long tail as he stepped forward to grab the limp animal around the neck. It was probably a good 123 pounds... decently big for an older doe. "Mind helping me get it back?" Scar asked, deciding not to push his leg too much, as dragging a heavy deer more than a mile didn't seem like a great idea if his leg already hurt more than usual. He got a good grip on the deers neck, then started back towards the camp, with Vinda's help. Once there, Scar dropped it in the middle of the area, lifting his head. He was hungry, but he wanted to make sure everybody else ate first. It was an instinct that he never had to worry about before all this.

Vindaria
Female/Protector

Vindaria noticed the small body movements, and realized in that immediate moment that Scar was truly back. His alertness was raised as he glanced around before returning his gaze to her at her retort... and he was back. She raised an eye slightly at his down putting words, but resorted to a small nod "I suppose that is true" she finally admitted, finding nothing to argue with considering the end of his words, then gave a larger nod and padded up to secure a firm hold on the deers shoulder. With the two of them dragging it it didn't take long to reach the pack, and she let go after Scar did, taking a respectful step back, although she had a sneaking suspicion he wasn't going to take his own share first as he should.

Scarred Thorn

Alpha Male

+++

After returning, Scar glanced around before stepping away from the corpse. The others would have to see it themselves. However, he wasn't going to eat until they did. He was mildly hungry, but he didn't want to steal the good meat from the others. He wasn't skinny- or dangerously so, anyway. He didn't need to stuff himself at every opportunity. Blowing out a slow breath, he padded over to the low hanging pine, then paused. After a quick glance around he turned and exited the camp, trotting northward. After a couple seconds he sped up into a lope, one he could keep going for a while. A couple miles later, he came into a big open field, filled with flowers with the sun shining down heartily on the green, wavy grass. After making sure there weren't predators, he shot forward even faster, grinning as the wind started whistling through his fur. He hadn't run like this in so, so long. Rather joyously bounding through the flowers, knowing he was experiencing the feeling he should've as a pup, he didn't worry about if the pack was hungry or if he wasn't doing a good job. He let everything exit his mind and closed his eyes for a second, sucking in a big breath as the world rushed by. After a refreshing romp, he slowed to a Trot, then a walk, pausing in the middle of the field and tilting his head up towards the blue sky. It was a perfect day, and he wanted to enjoy it.

Frostbite lifted her nose "your not good at hiding sent trails or being quiet" she responded laying down on the cool floor her white tipped ear perking forward at the bird