Jackrabbits and Joy (Open)

[Ragtatter]

The old coyote loped along,feeling the sun's warmth against his pelt. A large, leggy jackrabbit hung limp from his jaws--the fruits of a successful hunt.

Earlier that morning, Sprig had gorged himself with the contents of a fox's cache. So much easier to steal food than to hunt it himself, especially given how his joints creaked these days. Still, this rabbit had leapt up nearly under his feet, and what old canine in his right mind would give up a gift like that?

The lean fellow tested the wind carefully, trying to scent any danger over the delectable aroma of his prize. Just a whiff of fox, which wasn't too worrisome.

With a wag of his tail, Sprig set to looking for a good place to hide his prize for later.

[Celestial]

And so it was, that Sprig's nose was accurate. A vixen was wandering the slopes of this wide, wondrous world. There was one thing on Trinity's mind - food. Never had she believed it wise to store food in a single pile. Thieves were far too abundant in this area lately. Alas, that meant that she was forced to scrounge for food almost all the time. Catch, eat, catch, eat, sleep. Perhaps it was time to get moving? Somewhere where she could put her food together in peace?

The musky scent of Coyote harshly rapped against her senses, causing her paws to halt their forward movement. Flicking her pointed ears forward, Trinity swept her gaze along the slopping hills. "Who's out there?" she daringly called out.

[Ragtatter]

Sprig's ears twitched at the crowlike voice--definitely a fox. "Just an ol' coyote," he called back, his voice a bit muffled by his prize.

[Celestial]

Something smelled truly delectable. Trinity tentatively wandered forward, paws pressing lightly on the ground. Sprig's form slowly came into view, the prey dangling from his jaws. Saliva built up inside her mouth. Licking her chops, the fox stared at Sprig untrustingly. "Prey running well here?" Could she coax him out of his meal? Charm him? Something?

[Ragtatter]

Sprig regarded the vixen for a long moment. He'd eaten fox once or twice, but in his experience, catching one was more trouble than it was worth. 'Sides, he had a full belly and a whole jackrabbit to himself.

The old coyote dropped the rabbit, resting a paw on it possessively. "Well enough, miss, well enough." He gave a short, friendly wag of his tail, "I'm Sprig. What might your name be?"

The old fellow didn't see much use in talking to the fox, but being polite to a stranger had never been a mistake in the past.

[Dusk]

The scent of fox and coyote attracted young Marble's attention. His belly was comfortably full from a recent meal of mouse. As he moved closer, it seemed that the coyote already had a meal, which made him feel a bit braver.

"Who are you?" he asked.

[Ragtatter]

Sprig glanced over at the newcomer, not exactly pleased with this turn of events. Keeping an eye on one fox was trouble enough, and now he had to watch two of them? Not the best situation to be in.

Still, he kept his tone friendly. "I'm Sprig," he repeated for the benefit of the newcomer, giving a polite dip of his head and a slight wag of his tail, "But I'm afraid I haven't caught either of your names."

[Celestial]

A low growl rumbled from her stomach. Immediately she dipped her head in embarrassment, desperately trying to conceal the fact that she was starving. It would do her absolutely no good to give away her secret before she even started to charm the old Coyote!

Suddenly, a voice intruded on their conversation. Whirling around, the vixen flattened her ears to her skull, staring intently at the tod. Another canine, let alone a fox, did not exactly bode well with the plan. "I'm Trinity," she hesitantly answered. Perhaps now was the time to flee? Thinking better of her flighty actions, she calmly sat down and stared at the two males.