With the promise of a good hunt surely on the horizon, @Csitri's enthusiasm had Leila in high spirits. The trail of hooves led down, only a little, where a mudslide from recent rains now sprouted thick green grasses. "We must be." she said, hushed and excited. Creeping forward, her body quivered with sudden fervor - for in the shelter of some dislodged boulders were a small group of the creatures they sought. "There!" she whispered as loudly as she dared, sinking into a stealthier poise.

Leila opened her mouth to check the wind. Currently they were downwind thanks to a strong mountain breeze, and she narrowed her eyes, pleased. "Your pelt is better for the slopes," she mused, "If you want to get in a good spot to catch them, I'll make a big racket and drive them toward you." Leila was excellent at camouflaging herself in grasslands... but her pelt was very obvious in the open, dirt and stone terrain.

art © rabbit

a low gasp passed her lips as leila pointed out the small cluster of creatures ahead. csitri would nod to the ideas passed her way, not wanting to speak too loud and scare off their quarry. sinking low to the ground, she'd slink her way toward a more shaded spot - uncaring if the mud licked its way up her pelt. that could be washed away later and it only added to her camouflage.

claws flashed from their sheathes, jaws parted to keep an eye on the scents around them as she hunkered down in her hiding spot and waited for leila to do her thing. the plan seemed rather fool proof, so long as csitri didn't fuck it up.

her heart hammered in her chest, so loud that she feared the small herd would hear it and run off. this was the coolest, most intense thing she'd done in a while! and with a tiger no less! csitri was definitely going to be telling her family all about it. hell, she'd probably even try to drag leila home once they were less...hidden.

@Leila

Leila flattened herself down as @Csitri did not protest to her plan, and watched with bated breath as the lioness made her way down the slopes. Sure, it was no disappear-into-the-jungle stealth, but she was still good. She moved quick and her paws were quiet. Leila blinked, making a note to applaud the mottled woman on it later. She kept her chin low, but made sure to keep the grazing goats in her line of sight at all times.

Once her hunting partner had cleared the most difficult part, Leila began to move as close as she dared, using the boulders for cover. She was careful to test each rock as she placed her paws, not wanting to knock something loose and send their quarry leaping off into the mountains where it'd be nigh-impossible to follow.

Finally in position, Leila peeked out to make sure Csitri was ready. She could just about see the pale parts of her coat, but when she was that still... it'd be easy to pass her off as a piece of cliff. Ok. Go time!

With a great booming cry that bounced off the mountain slopes themselves, Leila leapt from her shelter of rocky shadows, making an exaggerated but precise rush toward the goats. They bleated in panic as she charged, fur bristling and teeth bared in a hiss, and turned fluffy tails.

"Now!" Leila called as she bounded after them, knowing she wouldn't be able to keep stride with the beasts for long, but needing to drive them the right direction.

art © rabbit