DWC 2025; Day 2 ~ Layer/Wither
The beginning of this story...
The remainder of the afternoon was beginning to bleed into the early evening, the glow of the sun still penetrating to the forest floor and providing ample light but for how much longer? Susan had taken the time to gather wood from the nearest area of her little camp, a fire designed and lit to ensure the colder evening would be easier to keep at bay. Already it had been hours of unfolding for the short stay she intended for this weekend long event.
In truth much of the work went into gathering materials and shrubbery from around the area for building a blind around the immediate perimeter of her camp -- To the size of something with just enough space for her, the tigers and Jenny to rest and maneuver comfortably. Back breaking, but a necessity for peace of mind. Still, she felt an urgency that, for what remained of daylight, she couldn't stay here a moment longer.
In this cocoon of safety, snuggled between tigers and under the watchful eye of a dutiful hinny, it had to come to an end some time soon if anything more was to be accomplished. At this point her restless self felt like she was completely ignoring the entire point to their being here, this deep into the untamed tropics.
She wanted most of all to start tallying wildlife to the best of her abilities, and get a sense of what existed in too high a number compared to others before night fell. Just something to start the cogs of planning.
With haste, Susan would kill the fire to reduce the risk of burning the materials of her camp down -- The recent rains had done well to saturate the woods thus the concern of wildfires was minimum. But her goods were dry and perfectly flammable under the right variables. Besides, she planned to walk outside of the perimeters of her little battle station. It is irresponsible practice to leave a fire unattended, even if smoldering!
She'd stand to her full height, still terribly short in comparison to her pack animals but not terribly conscious of it. She still had a posture and mind of pride, shoulders square and head held high as cold, contemplative eyes inspected the immediate area for signs of movement or life. The beasts in her accompaniment would rouse with their Madam's motions of preparation, observant as she gathers long dark tresses, weaving her hair into a tight and smooth ponytail before reaching for her rifle.
Anthrel, the very first of Susan's big cats, would linger at the woman's side, her greying deep orange and black fur shimmering in the rays of light. This image would bring Susan to slow, her mind turned away from their surroundings. Had she always been so... silver?
This thought provoked an unexpected emotion. Longing. Reflection.
"It was just yesterday, you were some small cub being poached for riches..."
Silence returns after her expression, but somehow Susan knew that Anthrel understood. The big cat would blink ever so slowly, the sight once more warming the woman's heart. Long enough was this exchange, the duo sharing in tender expression and a gentle petting motion made with shortened nails through thick, soft fur. This would be closer to their fifth hunt together on this mountainside, maybe their twentieth overall since Anthrel was old enough to hunt. It certainly would not be their last, either.
Susan had much to be thankful for, and being blessed with the accompaniment of such loyal beasts was certainly one.
After this pause of consideration between the two, Anthrel would lead the secondary tigress back into the trees. This protection detail in the canopy of the trees brought the Madam much of her comfort, a content smile curling the corners of her lips.
For a moment the woman quietly reviews the hinny then, staring at her in the same way Sue did when first introduced to the beast. It stood with a slight hunch to it's full horse figure, tall ears sprouting from an undeniable donkey head. She stood out like a sore thumb, tan and cream with a sable like grey to her extremities. Jenny was the ideal prey to opportunistic predators, something Susan couldn't deny.
The maiden signs wistfully then, leaning into her heels before approaching the mare with a soft voice, ensuring the beast saw her before she ever approaches, "Alright, pretty girl. You stay." To leave the hybrid here to lounge, eat and drink to her hearts desire seemed the safest option. Though Sue does pause long enough to express to the hinny, "Don't let any strangers enter camp. You know how to reach the authorities, yes?"
The joke fell flat given the hinny's long face. But Susan was amused enough by the exchange. She would dismiss the thought, turning to start putting distance between her and camp, seeking to follow the river south. The idea was to establish herself with the locals and familiarize herself with the odds and ends, every rock and crevice, every cave and thicket -- She was interested in what might call it home. As it was already, animals around the waterway were alert to her presence the moment a brisk wind (which were becoming quite frequent in occurrence) drifted through the trees; Like wind sprites caught in the hollow trunks and those all encompassing canopies.
Of course Susan made sure to not pay too much attention to her observers. Her scent was carried as far as it could be stretched, but she remained calm despite it. Better to pretend she was meant to be here and go about her business. While she could handle blasting away a few bullets to deter trouble, there was a force greater than herself close by that could dismantle most issues without effort. That was a powerful feeling to possess, but not one she would so egregiously abuse. The safety of her tigers were just as important to her, thus Susan would take precaution to not disturb nature in a way that would make it want to bite her in return.
Besides, her attention was caught more so on the smaller details to the area in her surroundings. Land marks were committed to memory to ensure she wouldn't lose her way too easily the further she drew from camp.
Over the years she had dedicated much of her time to study the patterns of wildlife and the regeneration of the land -- Even when she was a child hiding in the woods behind her mother's establishment, she always found herself watching the way things worked. To her it was honorable to manage and fix what you can in nature, especially in the concern of animals. These beasts were meant only to consume their fill and meander on with their lives, turning up enough soil through breeding, resting and fighting to start the regrowth process for new life in the area for generations to come. And by her observation, the land wasn't healing as it should have been here.
The over population in this section of the mountain side was more evident than the year prior. The quality of the flora and of the water way were key interest this trip. However, it was the layers of different tracks crossing over each other left, right, diagonally that truly stunned her... So much activity in just this one spot, even for a watering hole. All around in the area there seemed far too many to truly get a sense of individuals or herds, but she was able to pick out the odd forest critter here and there. Though she noted the frequency of ungulated patterns over others, she suspected some manner of wild hog might roam this portion of the mountain side. Still, predator and prey, finding their way here and all around this section of river-- It provoked confidence in Susan's mind that her astute ways had guaranteed her a fulfilling hunt, but on the other hand didn't do much to stave the anxiety in her heart for the creatures that survived now. Was there suffering in these forests and she just didn't know it? Probably. That was the cruelty of the world. Someone - or something - was always suffering somewhere.
Some part of her brain crooned that it was better them than her, but the thought is pushed aside as suddenly as it raises it's ugly head. No reason to be so selfish out here.
In truth... She was hoping to see positive signs of regrowth before making any further decisions to the tone of this hunt. Granted in her mind it was already positive enough she hadn't come upon any animals who proved less than successful in this game of survival. She hadn't stumbled upon any withering corpses of starvation and deprivation yet, and she earnestly hoped it stayed that way. But one thing was certain... She had her work cut out for her, and a potential new hunting spot next year to monitor the changes as to how these next few days might influence the land.
For better or worse she was excited for what the next day would bring -- A notion she would linger on the longer her walk drew, pacing the river way with watchful eyes taking in the sights, sounds, smells until the sun began to set. This uneventful afternoon walk would end with the woman back at camp, a filleted fish skewered and cooking over the re-lit fire, bones drying on the coals... All to the lullaby of the nocturnal inhabitants, screeches and howls echoing in the black of night.
