Do-or-Die had moved from the shade as the last vestiges of sunlight fluttered through the mingling leaves. There was something in the shadows across the rapids. Every so often the light attempted to reveal it but then the darkness would prevail and she had given up divining what it might be. Instead she kept her eyes alert. The last thing she wanted was for some unknown swamp beast to decide she resembled a fine meal.A fine meal was something she needed. It was only with the grace of being raised in a tribe always home to at least one pregnant doe that she realized what predicament she was in. Rather than fear she felt some comfort in the realization. Even far from home she would now have family though she had always imagined a brother or two to join her, never children. Not so very soon.
Dipping her head, she lapped at the water and let her eyes drift from the shadows to look for fish. It often proved to be an easy meal and she had found it often gave her the right energy to ready for a more difficult hunt. Something she would need to engage in as the lives within her grew.
It was not until Do-or-Die had waded out and began her steadfast observation for a meal that the hidden mare's pelt was flooded with her pale stripes of pink.
Lull in Sunlight's glowing eyes pierced through everything around but went unnoticed. For that feat she was grateful. This was the first time she had had the opportunity to see more than a mere shadow of the Totoma. She remembered ambling after that shadowy beast ages ago and she was glad to see one up-close. And if her senses were right, it would soon be a mother. A smile broke across her face just as the plated female's mouth closed around the tail of a fish. How perfect.
The mare stepped forward as the owlcat shimmered into form behind her. It slunk with careful ease towards the water and pounced onto the smooth stones that littered the stream. "The children will be cunning," her voice was soft and cut through the quiet.
And as predicted the Totoma doe was so startled her mouth loosened around the fish's tail. It dropped toward the water only to be snatched by the owlcat.Do-or-Die gaped as the mare's smiling form vanished and the owlcat took its prize in its jaws. With a smug and pleased look, it slunk off into the shadows.
And the Totoma was left to catch herself another fish.
