Kimagure was careful with the fawn. It had ceased its struggling a little while ago, exhausted. Kimagure's mouth watered at the scent of it, the taste of it in her maw. It was not for her, however, and she had gone to a great deal of trouble to find and capture it. The juvenile deer was dazed, its spindly legs dragged behind it as Kimagure marched further and further away from the watering hole and the fawn's mother.

She had taken a nasty bruise acquiring the fawn for Eina, but that was no matter. Kimagure dragged her catch underneath the shade of a tree, dropping it and placing her forepaws on its body, pinning it in place. The lioness called out for Eina, prepared to teach the girl her first lessons about what it was to hunt.

Kimagure was coated in mud from head to toe for her troubles, a tactic meant to hide her snowy fur while she hunted. The lioness was tired as well, her muscles burning from the repeated attempts she had had to make to bring this situation about. The ivory had already done the hard part, but Eina would need to do the rest.

Since her initial encounter with Kimagure, Eina made sure not to stray too far away from the lioness--at least remain close enough so the cub knew where she would be. Such was so as Kimagure had seized the little ungulate. The dark cub had kept her distance, ensuring she could at least see the movements of Kimagure and the deer moving, throughout the scuffle. When she could observe the shape of the mud-caked lioness retreat to the protection of a tree, the young feline abandoned her hiding spot within the brush and slunk within the grasses, raising her head only to keep track of her destination.

When close enough, Eina would pick up the pace to a jog, slowing when Kimagure was in speaking range. She no longer felt like the ivory woman had any immediate threats toward the unrelated cub, but she refused to let go of the possibilities of danger presenting itself completely. Eyeing the pinned deer curiously, the cub felt a rush of excitement, though a display of polite patience was held, and she turned her gaze to Kimagure, the tip of her tail twitching.

Kimagure had not had to worry about Eina wandering off. The child had stuck relatively close to her, which was a relief. The ivory did not enjoy constantly chasing a child, it was stressful and made her look bad. When Eina drew near, Kimagure gazed at her for a moment.

"You're going to be a yearling soon, and it's time for you to start learning the basics of defending and hunting for yourself. Stalking and catching prey is good and fine, but it doesn't matter if you catch it if it gores you or you don't know how to safely end its life so you can feed. So we'll start from the end and work our way back.

This fawn is weak and tired, so it should not put up too much of a fight, but if it were an adult that would be a different story," she started, tilting her head down to gesture at the young deer. "Prey animals are not weak or vulnerable, they are equipped with their own weapons. For deer, their hooves are a danger. They might as well be stones and they can break bone with their kicks, put out an eye, or even kill you," Kimagure continued, lifting one paw away so that she could lift one of the fawn's legs, showing the hoof more closely to Eina. "The bucks have horns part of the year. With those, they can gore you. Every prey animal has its tricks. With deer, they will almost always run unless cornered.

Bucks will, sometimes, attempt to chase you or take you on depending on the time of the year. When it is breeding season, they are more dangerous. As large and strong as you will be, you might win, but at a price." the lioness's face was serious then, trying to make stern eye contact with the girl for what she would say next. "Never put yourself at any more risk than necessary in a hunt. There will always be more prey, but if you're hurt too badly you'll be too weak to hunt it or defend yourself from other lions or predators, an infection developed due to a hunting injury can be deadly too." she remarked, using her paws she turned the fawn so that its head faced Eina, quickly placing her paws back on its body to hold it when the little thing wriggled.

"Wolves hunt prey by pursuing it until it is exhausted, then nipping at vital areas till it bleeds to death. Lions don't have the stamina, though we often hunt in groups too. A leopard or a jaguar might try to severe the spinal cord, but their jaws are more powerful in relation to their size than a lion's. It's hard work to sever the spinal cord or crush the skull of most animals, so most lions suffocate their prey." she explained, eyes now back on the fawn, ensuring it was secure before she looked back up at Eina, her tail-tip twitching as she came to the point of today's exercise.

"There are a few ways to go about this, depending on the circumstances, and you should always choose whichever way you can kill an animal that is fastest and least risky to you. Sometimes I clamp my jaws over the prey's nose and mouth, keeping them from being able to breathe. Other times I close my jaws around their throat, usually nearest to their head, and squeeze their windpipe closed. Still yet, you can also try to rip their throats open, bleeding them, but animals take a long while to bleed to death even this way. Best to release them and follow the blood trail if you take that approach, unless you have help." It had been rare that Kimagure had tried to bleed her prey dry, usually only the largest of prey whom she could not reliably suffocate. Sometimes it was worth it to bide your time, but not very often. The energy wasted on a large kill wasn't often worth it, since the meat was either more than a small group of lions could eat, or you would be driven away from the corpse by other predators because you were too tired to defend it.

"The more help you have, the more options you'll have for size of the prey and for bringing it down, but for now we'll assume you're hunting solo. What do you think would be the best way to kill this fawn? What dangers do you see?" the lioness explained and questioned, talking at quite a length about the methods of ending prey's life, the risks associated. She raised her eyebrows, waiting to heart Eina's assessment of the situation.

@Eina

The inky cub watched Kimagure's face as she began her educational speech. Once Eina had realized it would be a lengthy one, she leaned back on her haunches, sitting in silence. She was glad the woman wasted no time in pushing survival ability upon her. She wanted to learn, knowing she would feel better if she knew her chances were fine, even if she were rejected by the unrelated lioness. She certainly wanted to make sure Kimagure had no reason to turn to that, though. Eina was much preferring the days of larger meals to come so long she was with Kimagure. She was no Dad, but it was all the cub would have.

Her gaze momentarily glided towards the doomed fawn, ears twitching as the ivory lioness' words continued to flow into her ears. She took a moment to examine the hooves that the lioness had put on display for a moment. As Kimagure touched upon horns for bucks, Eina used her imagination to picture the long prongs upon its head. She stored the information as it came, watching as the larger feline had adjusted the fawn's head. She watched the wide eyes of the fawn dart desperately as she looked back up at Kimagure.

Eina felt more intrigued as her guardian began to explain the hunting tactics of other animals. At first, she wasn't even sure why Kimagure chose to touch on this sort of thing, but the more information that came, the less Eina cared. Her curious mind soaked as much of the incoming words as possible, colorless eyes focused intently on Kimagure's face as she spoke. Soon, her eyes followed Kimagure's upon the fawn, and her claws scraped at the dirt below, eager tingling making it hard for her paws to remain completely still. Despite her rising excitement for the progressing lesson, she remained focused, paying close attention as the adult moved onto cover exactly how taking down her prey should be done.

And finally, it was Eina's turn to actively participate in this lesson. The questions hit her, and her legs tightened, and her eager eyes fell back on the fawn as she examined the situation. First, she decided to assess the dangers. The ungulate's head was bare, so it didn't take a genius to know that protruding horns wouldn't be an issue this time around. She stooped down slightly to peek at the snout of the animal--no pointy teeth from what she could see. In fact, when the spindly thing opened its mouth to cry out meekly, the teeth she could see appeared flat. Real strange, but nothing she hadn't seen before. Most carcass remains she had come across would have the skulls, or at least part of the skulls visible enough to see the flat teeth of the animal, when it would be an herbivore. Rarely would she discover the remains of a pointy-toothed animal. It was so scarce of an event that Eina would not be able to remember any exact instances clearly.

Her eyes moved down to the hooves of the fawn, and immediately she took note of such. Though, right now, they posed no danger so long Kimagure had the animal pinned. Eina figured in a real hunting situation, however, that such a thing wouldn't be the case. "Its hooves can hit me if it could reach." She answered as she continued to seek out additional dangers. She couldn't see anything more, though. She added, "I think that's it." as she worked to figure out how Kimagure would recommend killing it efficiently. After a moment, she looked up at the lioness. "I could hold its mouth and nose closed, like you said." She pointed out, her light fidgeting resuming as she hoped she had the right answer. The end of its snout was narrow, way more than able to fit entirely in Eina's mouth, even if it wasn't as large as Kimagure's. Surely that would be it?

Kimagure watched Eina examine the fawn, taking her time to answer. One thing Kimagure liked about the girl was that she thought carefully about things. It was the mark of someone who would not be easily tricked or manipulated. The girl finally answered that the hooves were a danger and just as Kimagure would have done, she would choose to close her jaws around the fawn's nose and mouth.

"Good, but deer are also capable of biting. The bites aren't particularly dangerous, but they still hurt and can break the skin/ As for method, you're right, in this position, closing your jaws around its nose and mouth are most likely the best and least dangerous way," the lioness replied, nodding at Eina. Kimagure then unsheathed her claws, forcing the fawn to its chest with its head still facing her. She looked back up at Eina expectantly when the fawn was correctly positioned.

"Now, it's time to practice what you've learned. It will take time for it to suffocate, so be patient. I will hold the fawn still.

@Eina

Eina

Eina felt a rush of soft pride at the ivory lioness' response, only for it to be interrupted by confusion as Kimagure informed her that deer bites were something to watch out for. Perhaps not horribly dangerous, but still undesirable. The confusion didn't bother her for long, as praise was given for her answer on method being correct. Her pointed teeth clenched tightly for a moment as excess excitement caused her to tense her body as the fawn was adjusted. A verbal cue was given to put her answers into practice, and the dark cub brought herself closer to the deer.

"Yes ma'am." Polite tones uttered from her maw as she leaned in to make her reach easier. She couldn't help but jerk back slightly when the herbivore made a slight, but sharp movement with its head, recovering within the same second. Eina's jaw fell open as she moved, immediately clamping down on the snout, as tight as she possibly could. It felt strange to be doing this sort of thing. She had always been a bystander, watching, waiting patiently until the prize would be brought to her. Now she was doing the work, or at least some of the work.

Resisting the urge to lap at the fresh blood that was falling onto her tongue, the dark cub worked to ensure her grip didn't falter. She dared a glance up at Kimagure, as far as her pupils would go, only managing to catch sight of just below the woman's jaw. Then, her sights moved back to the fawn, a huff hissing from her nose as she wondered just how long this would take. Sure, as time went on, the fawn moved less and less, but how long until it'd go completely still? Be patient, Kimagure had told her. She had to do just that. ⟺⟺⟺⟺⟺ Eina fidgets. "Eina questions?" 'Eina wonders'

Original Photo by Brynn Tweeddale on Flickr

i went to a sermon it made me livid... they called me a lamb to be protected by the Lord they're fools i am no lamb i am THE BEAST THAT EATS THEM and i see no Lord among you

    The grass was a rolling ocean. A gust of wind was a wave that the plants bowed and rose beneath. A vague memory of a similar sight lingered on the edge of the mind. Too weak to be brought forth. Sight was drawn to a herd of deer, small in number, scattered, milling around the edge of a body of water. One among the herd's number was in distress, and it was this member that the lioness focused upon. Crouched in the sea and raised her head just over the waves so she could watch without being watched. To understand what was the cause of the deer's stress.
    The bleating of the doe was panicked, searching. She turned left and right, pressed her nose into clump after clump of grass. A glance at the other members saw younger individuals. A mother lost her fawn. Calling for it to come to her. Trying to find where it went. A scan of the wall of foliage saw a place where the stalks were bent over. Where the dirt bank of the water was disturbed in lines. Something--the fawn--captured and dragged. But... no blood.
    Predator unable to finish the prey, but prey somehow prohibited from returning to its mothers' cries. The lioness sank beneath the waving grass and disappeared. Reappeared on the edge close to the flattened area. Bent down and inspected, scented. Lioness. Fawn. Fear. Closer now, the strangled cry of the young prey could be heard over the parent's calling. Low, the lioness moved through the waves toward the source. And paused as the scene of a mother teaching her young--lions this time--appeared.
    There was no hiding the observing lioness. Not with her pearl and obsidian pelt and a high sun. The moment she'd pressed her nose through the stalks to see what she saw, she'd have become visible. And she knew it. Care didn't seem paramount, though. Another step was taken to put the shoulders out of the grass, and body was lowered to the stomach on the terrain. A casual position from which to continue watching. An intentional exposing of oneself to express lack of threat. Then again, she was versed in wolf language. Not lion. Not yet.

369 words | @Kimagure, @Eina

Kimagure’s eyes were on Eina when the child agreed and made her attempt. The elder women felt the fawn’s rapid panting become more strained as the cub obtained the necessary grip. Kimagure flicked her eyes upward, scanning the perimeter even as she held the prey still and waited for the telltale signs that it had passed. Her eyes easily fell on another.

A lioness. Kimagure’s eyes narrowed, but she remained where she was. The other female’s body language was relaxed. She debated on releasing the fawn, but she could see no signs of aggression in the other lioness. If she had wanted a fight right away, charging in would have been the best tactic. Kimagure would have had to scramble to step over Eina to meet her. She endeavored to make eye contact with the other lioness, aiming to show she knew she was there. She flicked her tail back and forth, claws sinking into the fawn till blood beaded around her claws.

”Keep your hold for a minute or two after it seems dead, some animals will fake and some will just fall unconscious, waking up when you let go,” she instructed in a normal voice. Then, softer and in a whisper she said: “There is a stranger watching, continue what you’re doing, but if I say so run and I will find you later.”

Eina

The dark cub hadn't noticed the apparent stranger observing from afar. Her attention was wholly on the task at hand, despite her slowly blooming impatience for the fawn to die. She listened silently to the groans, wheezes, and muffled bleats that trickled from the suffocating creature as her eyes curiously scanned various parts of the fawn, from the pale spots sprinkled upon its back to the spindly legs that shifted weakly. A surge of excitement perked Eina up as the fawn appeared to slow its movements, growing less and less active, only for it to die down somewhat upon Kimagure's words advising her to keep her hold nevertheless.

She had to admit, faking death so your killer lets go is pretty clever. A slight grunt of acknowledgement rumbled in her throat as Eina adjusted her grip slightly, pushing her teeth tighter upon the bleeding snout, aching for the process to speed up.

Right after Eina had quickly processed her guardian's advice, her stomach sank at the news of a spectating stranger. Her eyes tore away from the fawn as she attempted to visually seek them out, only to fail thanks to her inability to turn her head without interrupting her process. She blinked, hackles raising nervously as she bobbed her head slightly in another acknowledgement.

⟺⟺⟺⟺⟺ Eina fidgets. "Eina questions?" 'Eina wonders'

Original Photo by Brynn Tweeddale on Flickr

i went to a sermon it made me livid... they called me a lamb to be protected by the Lord they're fools i am no lamb i am THE BEAST THAT EATS THEM and i see no Lord among you

    This was a comfortable position from which to observe, with interest, the workings of this mother and daughter. Yes, blue gaze was focused with intent upon the scene. Yes, it might be considered unnerving or even threatening. Did not the obvious relax of muscle, the bottom jaw opened in a relaxed pant, bely the true intentions of the onlooker? Did felines work differently from wolves in their inherent paranoia? Were this a wolf kill, the pearl and obsidian lioness would be watched but largely ignored unless she were either closer or crouched to pounce. Social etiquette was never her forte. Not then. Not now. Likely to never be.
    The continued instruction of parent to child indicated that there was no concern. Of course the gaze of the adult had caught upon the stranger, that much was noted. Yet the whisper of caution went unheard at this distance. The rise of fur along the spine of the cub was put down to the thrill and adrenaline of one's first kill. This one knew how much focus, how much strength and will, it took to ensure the death of one's first catch. And this one knew that distraction at such a critical moment could cause failure. Failure could cause lasting scars.
    Out of some modicum of respect for the situation, the lioness lifted her head to try to catch the eye of the mother. A silent nod of acknowledgement and affirmation of peace would be given. Then skull would be lowered back, and weight would be shifted onto one hip; A position that would require more effort and adjustment before attack could be launched, and an attempted further signal of lack of threat. Wait until the prey was dead, so that the cub could have the fullest experience. Observe the way they interact before words might get in the way.

308 words | @Kimagure, @Eina

Trade: Outlaw
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