glass walls and waterfalls

our bones may turn to stone, our hearts won't rust

❧
Swift paws carried her through the sea of grass with sharp turns and agile movements as she followed closely behind the fleeing rabbit. There were a couple times where she thought she had lost the damn thing, but quick recovery and course adjustments put her on track. A growl bubbled up from her as she reached forward and closed her jaws around the small frame of the creature. Bones crumbled in her jaws and the life within faded quickly. Vitala slowed herself to a halt and trotted up to the top of a hill where she would set herself up to enjoy her meal in the little amount of sun left in the days that remained so short now.

@Alaric

As pleased as he was to be back in a pride he found the day to day routine rather boring. There were only so many fights he could pick, and he had yet to find anybody that sparked his interest much longer than a moment. But she was interesting. It was the viciousness of the hunt that drew him in, the crunch of bone and splatter of blood on her nose. Capable, independent and bloody -- could he ask for anything more? The charming mask slides in to place as he approaches, a quiet chuff offered when he was a few strides away. "Nice work," he complimented, but did not approach until he was invited to do so. @Vitala

image by moogle, code by koi

glass walls and waterfalls

our bones may turn to stone, our hearts won't rust

❧
Her head rose from her meal at the sound of an arrival, licking the blood and fur from her lips. She dipped her head towards him in greeting and response to his remark. "Are you hungry?" She called over to him as an invitation to share the meal. Vitala placed a paw on the small carcass and pulled it apart to offer a piece to the stranger. She didn't often eat much, frankly. And she was never too put out to share a meal with a passerby. She found oftentimes it tested their intentions, too.

Vitala pushed herself up to sit and provide space for the stranger to approach if he wanted. Winds provoked the grasses to dance around them, the sibilant sounds of the blades filling the air with each gust.

@Alaric

She was welcoming, kind, and for some reason this disarmed him. Alaric was used to a certain viciousness, especially when it came to a fresh kill, and the woman's invitation was unexpected. He did not refuse her, though, but his smile softened a little and lost a bit of its wickedness. "Not terribly, but I would not say no to sharing a meal with one so... impressive." He eased back on the charm, bypassing his usual compliments in lieu of something more sincere. The words were steeped in truth -- she had impressed him -- no matter that they were still a part of his game. He moved to sit beside her but did not immediately take the meat, forest eyes focused instead on reading her reaction. @Vitala

image by moogle, code by koi

glass walls and waterfalls

our bones may turn to stone, our hearts won't rust

❧
Impressive? Vitala found her expression twist into one of a little bit of confusion, arching a brow at the man and shrugging. "Well, that's pretty unexpected, but thank you." She answered him with a little laugh, coiling her tail neatly at her feet. She was never really good at taking compliments, not that she received many to begin with. Vitala found herself on many occasions to be a bit of the awkward sort when it came to being vulnerable. The star-speckled huntress followed his movements with scarlet eyes as he moved to sit beside her. "I'm Vitala," she introduced.

@Alaric

"I watched your chase," he elaborated, as he settled down beside her, "many would not have managed to come out on top." She had been quick on her feet and clearly able to think fast, and he had found it impressive. Her beauty helped, of course, but he kept that tidbit for himself. "Alaric," he offered in return before he lowered his head to snap up a piece of the meat she had given him. "I'm... new here." He knew little about the land, and while he recognized her to be of a pride he could not claim to know which one.

image by moogle, code by koi

glass walls and waterfalls

our bones may turn to stone, our hearts won't rust

❧
That made more sense after @Alaric explained. She didn't feel like she was being watched, which could only be a testament to his stealth skills or her tunnel vision when doing something. "I'm pretty used to hunting small game. They were all that was around where I grew up. Over time I became really good at learning their patterns and keeping up with them." Winding her way through the thickened forests of her birthplace and the nooks and crannies she navigated to capture a meal flashed through her mind. "These days it's all I prefer anymore. Big game takes too much energy, especially if you're traveling alone." Which she often was until she reunited with her sister and joined the lagoon.

"You smell of the Oasis," she noted aloud, "Did you travel far, Alaric?"

He listened attentively as he chewed on his snack, intrigued by the woman and her travels. It would seem that she had been alone for some time, but he believed she belonged to a pride now. If his sense of smell was not leading him astray, in any case. “Mm, and it can be dangerous,” he tipped his head in a quick gesture towards the nasty scar along his side, a constant reminder of just how dangerous a hunt could be. “You are not alone now, though?” “I just joined,” he said with a nod, licking his lips of any blood that lingered, “but yes, my prior home was far.” Very far - he had been serious about a clean slate, and was pleased to leave behind any hints of his reputation. A fresh start with new opportunities… and new minds to corrupt.

image by moogle, code by koi

glass walls and waterfalls

our bones may turn to stone, our hearts won't rust

❧
She observed the scar the lion presented to her and her brows arched up in silent surprise. "I'd say you got pretty lucky," Vitala remarked, feeling fortunate enough to have come out of most events unscathed. Her head shook at his next statement, though. "I live in the lagoon with my sister" The grey cat explained, gesturing her nose vaguely towards home.

As @Alaric enjoyed his piece, as did she, tearing a strip from the rabbit to chew on. "The oasis are our allies, so I hope it treats you well." She offered politely, her tone still casual yet. She shifted herself to lowered from her sit back to lie down and grip her meal easier. Red eyes glanced towards her company at the meal they now shared among the sea of grass.

"What's the story behind that scar then?" By the way he had answered her it must have been a good one. But she did tread lightly in case it was a story for another time.

the lagoon. allies with the oasis. he filed this information away, realizing he had a lot yet to learn about this place. he didn't know all of the allies of his own home, nor all the names of the prides that were here, and that was information that he felt impertinent to have. in time; sometimes he was too impatient for his own good. "a hunt gone wrong, you could say. one of the yearlings dove in at the last minute and nearly got gored -- would have, had i not gone in the way. the buffalo was sick but his horns were sharp." he shrugged, as if the memory of that day did not bother him. his tone was matter-of-fact but internally he hatedto think of his failures. he sobers, a little, when he turns his head to her and continues - "it cost me everything. my pride, my family, and nearly my life. i had no desire to stay after that." new place, new start.

image by moogle, code by koi