Wind and the waves

will carry me, will set me free

• • •

    By the time the two had reached Sabine's den and she was able to secure her haul from the travels, dusk had fallen over Amaryllis. The nip on the air was sharp, but Sabine's thick fur did a number on deflecting the chill. She owed @Rivia a meal, probably more than one if she were being honest with herself, so she planned to still make true on that promise; she lost the race after all. Exiting her den, she glanced up at the darkening sky. "Shall we?" she said softly.

    Night overtook the land as they traveled; though, Sabine knew exactly where they were headed. As she moved, her attention would drift to the clear, star littered sky. The constellations led the way, just like her father had taught her. Trudging through the snow, Sabine traversed through the open fields toward Ivelum Gardens and while it bloomed beautiful flowers most of the year, it too was trapped tight within winter's grasp.

    It was not a random selection though. Sabine had been there a few days prior in the later evening and it had been abundant with prey, so she hoped for the same variety, but really, she would take anything she could catch. She did have her heart set on something large enough the two could share though.

+5 Study the constellations (1/2) - Pathfinder *double xp*

my mother's child is a savage

she looks for her omens in the colors of stones

⎈
Rivia waited outside of Sabine's den as she sorted out the items they took from the desert. Her back was turned to the entrance as if to protect the sanctity of her personal living space. She sat idly drawing in the snow with a loose paw, creating circles and spirals in the powder. Her trance was broken upon the lynx's arrival, her ears perking up and rising to her feet. "After you," Rivia replied, gesturing forward and following suit shortly after.

Nightfall in the snowy winterscape was much different than any other night. The snow shimmered and sparkled in the moonglow and the world was ever silent. Rivia found herself quite wordless compared to how she was in the day earlier. Perhaps to match the volume of the land at this hour; though, likely encroaching on tiredness. Occasionally her mismatched eyes would flicker to @Sabine as they traveled over the fields to a portion of the area she had never been before.

She wondered what they would be able to find out here, lifting her nose to scent the air. There were a handful of different types she could pick up on. Rivia broke her silence after some time. "What's on the menu?"

Wind and the waves

will carry me, will set me free

• • •

    The stars gleamed seemingly just for her, brighter than usual as she used them as a compass to their destination. As the two came upon the garden, Sabine slowed her strides, shifting quieter now. "I'm hoping for pig," she answered softly with a flick of her brows. Just the thought caused her mouth to water, but she needed to find one first. There were less silhouettes across the meadow than she had hoped, but she didn't lose faith, squinting through the darkness with flaring nostrils.

    There, through the thick of night, Sabine spotted her prey. She could just make out the shape of a bush pig snuffling through the snow, munching away at the vegetation underneath. "There you are," she breathed, instantaneously dropped into a stealthy crouch and prowling forward, leaving @Rivia's side. She maneuvered herself downwind, which wasn't hard as they conveniently already mostly were. The pig seemed unaware of her stalking, so she continued, growing closer to her kill.

    If there was a bit more cover, she truly felt she could even get within striking distance and remove the need for a chase at all, but she did not want to startle the pig, so she settled for the distance she had reached. Sucking in a deep breath, Sabine did not linger in the shadows, bursting into the moonlight toward the pig. With elongated strides, she raced toward her prey, claws extended and at the ready, teeth bared. The hunt was on.

+5 Study the constellations (2/2) - Pathfinder *double xp*
+5 Practice running or speed (1/2) - Pathfinder *double xp*
+5 Take part in a successful hunt (1/2) - Pathfinder *double xp*

my mother's child is a savage

she looks for her omens in the colors of stones

⎈
She raised her brow at the girl at her side, "You're ambitious," she said, though really, at least it wasn't a buffalo she had her sights on. They arrived to their destination, her eyes sweeping the rolling field of snow. Rivia sat back as Sabine got herself into hunt mode. As part of their deal from earlier that day she let her take the reins. She did lose their race after all. But a pig by herself? That was something she couldn't wait to see.

Off like a shot, @Sabine hurtled forward into the moonlight once her target was locked on. Grunts and squeals burst from the prey as it ran from its pursuer. Amused eyes followed her silhouette practically gliding over the snow after the pig. Rivia's gaze jumped ahead to the fleeing swine, but found something beyond that that brought the dark cat to spring from her spot with a gasp.

Her feet moved under her like a blur, swallowing the snow between her and the other lioness. "Sabine!" she cried out in the still night, shattering the silence, her tone urgent and pleading. She shoved her way through the snow with a growl and pushed herself harder to get catch up to the quick woman. "Sabine!" Rivia called out again, frustration lacing her tone.

The pig in her sights was heading back to a group of others which posed more danger to Sabine than just facing one alone. Cutting behind her to her other side, Rivia pushed herself to run between Sabine, her prey and the others, aiming to diverge them away from the group of startled and agitated pigs. "Go!" She whipped around to try and corral the other pigs, a visceral roar erupting from her chest. She swiped at the air to keep them back and hopefully allow Sabine the ability to keep chasing her prey. Though, the beasts were unrelenting.


+5 Protect a rogue from danger (1/2) - Outlaw; double xp
+5 Practice speed or strength (1/2) - Outlaw; double xp

Wind and the waves

will carry me, will set me free

• • •

    In total Sabine fashion, her impulsive decision was about to thrust her into yet another dangerous situation. She did not hear @Rivia's call the first time, but Sabine did hear her name ring out with the second, but at that point, the lynx could already see the danger up ahead. "Shit!" she shrieked, wracking her brain for the best move. Should she pull back? Likely it was too late, the pigs would pursue, plus... she wanted that dammed kill.

    Appearing through the darkness, Sabine could make out Rivia's form, the moonlight bouncing off the shine of her coat. She was hot on her prey's heels, following its every, darting movements as it squealed and screamed into the chilled, still air. It abruptly averted its course, startled by the seemingly ambushing second lioness. Sabine did not faulted, locked on to her hunt. She just hoped the drove of pigs would also be scared enough to turn tail and run, rather than coming to their companion's aid.

    Sabine did not turn to check. She did not slow her strides, nor shift her attention to the potential dangers that could lurk behind her. Instead, she leapt. Her claws sank into the bush pig's hind and the two tumbled over into the snow, their speeding knocking them both off balance, but Sabine was quicker to her feet, hurling herself onto her prey, fangs piercing the flesh just under the pig's jaw. She was watchful of its tusks, even its flailing hooves could do some damage, but her grip was strong, as was that of her claws. She held it until it stopped wriggling and the screams faded into silence once more. She could not see Rivia through the darkness, neither her or the pig family. "Rivia?" she called out into the dark, releasing her lifeless prey.

+5 Practice running or speed (2/2) - Pathfinder *double xp*
+5 Take part in a successful hunt (2/2) - Pathfinder *double xp*

my mother's child is a savage

she looks for her omens in the colors of stones

⎈
A cacophony of wild and shrill screaming saturated the air, deep bellows and grunts mixed within. Rivia hopped from side to side, lurching at one pig after another. A couple of them ran, likely younger, inexperienced ones. Though, two remained and were vigilant in their defenses. She focused on one, her claws extended out to rip through the flesh on its shoulder.

They both pushed beyond her in the direction of @Sabine and Rivia turned on a dime to hurtle herself after them again. Her leg muscles burned with fatigue, only made for short bursts of speed instead of this constant pursuit, but there was some override when it came to keeping Sabine safe.

Rivia gained ground on the pigs quickly, heading them off at the front and causing them to turn and retreat the other direction. For good measure, the seal-coated cat continued her chase a little longer than she normally would have. One of the slower pigs earned a grab to either side of its rump, her claws eviscerating skin that birthed higher-pitched squeals.

She released her front paws from the swine, hopping on her back legs until she returned all four feet to the ground. Trotting to a slow stop, Rivia stood with her sides heaving, staring into the distance where they had disappeared. When it was clear they weren't coming back, she turned and beelined it for Sabine. Coming over a hill and back to where the ground flattened again, she let out a relieved breath when she saw she stood beside her kill unharmed. "You got your pig," she observed aloud, trotting to stand before her, inspecting her kill. "You okay?"

+5 Protect a rogue from danger (2/2) - Outlaw; double xp
+5 Practice speed or strength (2/2) - Outlaw; double xp

Wind and the waves

will carry me, will set me free

• • •

    A sigh of relief snuck passed her teeth at the sight of @Rivia and she watched the cat erase the distance between them. Sabine stood over her kill proudly, the pig's blood dappling her muzzle and cheeks. "That I did!" she panted with a smile, "Thanks to your help." Fair was fair, she would admit the dark woman was a big help in this prize, as well as her safety in general. Sabine then looked herself over, double checking she was still in one piece. "Looks like everything is here," Sabine replied, "I'm good, you?"

    She did not give Rivia a chance to answer though, as her eyes caught sight of crimson dampening the larger cat's shoulder, the site glinting in the light of the moon. "You're bleeding!" she gasped, immediately leaving her place atop her kill and moving directly to the other woman's wound like a magnet to metal. She inspected it intensely, her face close so she could make out the details in the dark. "What happened? Was it a tusk that got you?"

my mother's child is a savage

she looks for her omens in the colors of stones

⎈
It must have been the adrenaline for she had no clue she was even injured until @Sabine said something. Raising her brows she leaned in to inspect where the lynx rushed to. To her surprise she laid eyes upon a gash on her shoulder, rotating the joint some to test it. She winced a little, but the adrenaline hadn't quite worn off yet. "Would you look at that," she observed, her eyes flicking back to Sabine, "Must have been, yeah."

Rivia laughed, dismissing her pain and leaning back to sit down. "They were really trying to get you, you know." Her toned was almost scolding, but mostly teasing. She watched her inspect her laceration closely, the light of night, or lack thereof, failing her. "I'm fine, I'm fine." Rivia protested, raising a paw to gently push against her; stubborn as always.

Wind and the waves

will carry me, will set me free

• • •

    She inspected the wound closely, acknowledging @Rivia's response to her previous question. A tusk could easily kill a lion and a wound from one could do the same. Sabine moved with Rivia as she casually shifted away from her into a seated position, studying the gash. Her attention did flash to glare at the woman's face for a moment. "They went after me and yet you're the one bleeding," she commented with jest, "So it seems more they were going after you."

    Sabine wasn't without appreciation though, as well as the acknowledgement that Rivia was hurt due to Sabine's own error in judgement with the hunt. With a wrinkled snout, she went back to work, but was gently shoved away in protest. "You're fine until your damn arm falls off," she grumbled, pulling away from the woman, "Then we can get you a peg leg and you can live out your dreams of being a pirate, mind and body."

    Holding up a paw, Sabine extended a single claw, pointing it at Rivia. "Maybe take one of your eyes too.. for the full effect," she said, wiggling her brows. She position herself back at the meal, inviting the future legless wonder to dine with her with a small gesture of her chin. "I don't have my herbs with me, but seriously, you should let me at least clean that soon," Sabine said, in all seriousness, "If not that, at least come to me straight away if something feels off." She wouldn't push her more on it, knowing her life wasn't currently at risk. Pig would be on Sabine's menu for a while into the future though, she'd get her revenge for that laceration.

my mother's child is a savage

she looks for her omens in the colors of stones

⎈
How funny they were once spitting venom and curses at one another. Now the exchanges between them were full of jest and teasing words. Still a strange dynamic to get used to if she sat and thought about it. "I'll let them eat you next time," she smirked, gently snapping her teeth with a sharp click at her for imagery.

"I think I'd look pretty hot with an eye patch, don't you?" Rivia teased, moving herself to settle beside the pig with @Sabine. For now Rivia avoided the subject of her offer to aid her wound. She'd think on it while she ate. It seemed that lately their relationship was the lynx constantly healing some form of injury Rivia had.

She placed a paw on the hind of the hog and pulled a bite off of the carcass to take within her paws and chew on. Blood tinted the lighter fur on her muzzle, bi-coloured gaze bouncing over to Sabine. "You know, pig meat was a rarity back home. Meat in general, actually," Rivia began to explain. "Food was scarce - we'd go days without it. You had to be good at fighting, stealing.." For a few moments, the dark woman indulged into some more story sharing. More tales of her fights of the past. The battles she had to endure to feed herself and her family.


+5 Tell a battle story (1/2) - Barbarian; double xp