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 Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2008 3:55 pm
Chardon had left his lovely mate in the shelter of their temporary den, still sleeping. It wasn't often that he would very well likely leave her alone (after all, having just recently found her, he didn't want to lose her anytime soon), but he need to take a walk for a moment and think about things. This was all happening so very fast, and as happy as it made him, the lion couldn't help but wonder if this was the right thing to do.
So he walked around for a little distance, pausing to inspect some berries on a sparse bush to see if they were edible or not.
Hatsya sauntered across the empty plain, a half-grin upon his face, and a flutter in his heart. He'd come across quite the interesting lady leopard, and her image was still nagging at the edge of his mind. They'd parted for now, and that somewhat bothered him. But for the time, he was satisfied. That is, all but his stomach. A faint growl was the only muffled by his own humming as he continued on his path towards a scrubby bush, and unwittingly, a lion.
His ears flickered back and forth at the odd sound, but also at his stomach gnawing on itself. It hadn't been too recently that they'd shared a meal, and it was taking a toll. He wondered where the grazing animals were and if it would impress Koy even more if he brought back something to eat. That was a thing to think about. Hm.
He lifted his head to look around past the bush and spotted a black cheetah sauntering towards him. Chardon blinked for a moment before offering a friendly smile.Hatsya hardly noticed the lion flash a smile until he realized that what the bush offered was inedible. The pad of his paws stopped short while he sized up the lion, and his return grin was half-hearted. But he took a few more hesitant steps forward, his shoulders shrugging off his initial feelings, and instead thinking that perhaps this was a more fortune sign.
He bowed his head with respect, keeping his good eye on the lion, and spoke cheerily, "Hello."
"Hello," Chardon returned friendly-enough. "These berries aren't any good; I'm debating whether or not to go hunting." He scanned the area again. "Not sure where the herding beasts are, anyway. Do you know of something close by, perhaps?" Maybe this stranger knew a thing or two that he didn't, including where food was. Edible food.
The cheetah smiled as he looked past the lion, thinking intently, and slowly nodding. "I -think- there's a watering hole maybe half a mile away... Perhaps our skills could be best combined just in time for lunch." Hatsya's classic grin was plastered across his face. He'd never been hunting with a lion before, and the thought partially excited him, and flooded him entirely with curiosity as to how they would do it. His tail flicked curiously as he waited for the lion's answer.
"Mm, sounds like an idea to me," he agreed. "Although I'm afraid you'll probably beat me to the meal," he chuckled. "I'll try to keep up as best as I can. Care to lead the way?" For Chardon had no clue in which direction this watering hole was, and he would feel a fool if he began to walk in the wrong direction.
Which, of course, is a bad first impression.
Hatsya chuckled and shook his head, "Oh but I'm sure you could push me off." He laughed quietly again and his shoulders rolled with him. Quite a good situation, and he looked back to the lion, lifting his nose to catch whatever scent may lead to leading to the watering hole. He stepped off a few paces, paws light and anxious towards the scent of fresh grass. Fresh grass, of course which would lead to fresh water, and thus anything that would drink said water.
But he stopped dead in his tracks, and looked back, wide-eyed at the lion and exclaimed "Oh! I'm so rude! And Hatsya! I'm Hatsya, its very nice to meet you." He took a half-bow and grinned at his new hunting partner.
Chardon chuckled as well. "I'll try not to, then." The lion moved to follow, and laughed at the hurried introduction. "Chardon. It is nice to meet you as well."
He wondered what kind of animals were going to be at the watering hole. If there were zebra, he might have to let this Hatsya do the running work. Zebra and gazelle were incredibly fast. If it was something smaller and easier to chase after, then Char could most definitely catch one on his own.
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Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2008 8:35 pm
 The cheetah nodded as he accepted the introduction, and without another word, he turned towards their destination once more. His pace was an easy lope, probably a little fast for Chardon, but manageable, and as slow as he would allow. It would take very little time indeed for them to reach the water, and perhaps even less for lunch. As they continued, Hatsya could see the grass turn from the usual tan to sage, to green, and to lush pastures that indicated just what he had hoped. In mid-stried he looked over to Chardon and grinned, tail unnoticeably flicking with his excitement.Indeed the cheetah's pace was a little faster than Chardon was used to, but for the sake of the trip, he would go along with it anyway. He was being fed, after all. His paws slowly walked over dirt and the changing grasses. That was a sure sign of water.
He grinned back at his new partner and picked up his pace with his excitement. "Almost there, I take it?" Wonder what kind of food would be there...Hatsya nodded, already able to perceive the glint of sunlight off of the water and catch the scent of the prey beasts that had found it too. "Soon...." His voice came in short breaths, but still he pushed forward, forgetting that Chardon was not one of his kind. He dashed ahead to a lone outcropping that rose only a few feet above most of the land, but it was enough of a view for him to see the variety of animals before him. Wildebeasts and zebra drank side by side as gazelle waited for their turn, and hooves testified to those that had come and gone even before. Hatsya's grin was plastered across his face, and he had to look over his shoulder, and was surprised to not see Chardon beside him. His ears fell slightly, a little embarrassed that he'd forgotten his hunting partner.Chardon tried to run as fast as he could, but soon the cheetah left him behind, the adrenaline of the hunt snatching his friend and not letting go. Although the lion realized that Hatsya was just hurrying forward to survey the meal ahead, it was still worthy of a smile and a shaking of his head as he trotted faster to catch up with him at the top of the rock.
"I'm here. You're just faster than you look," he chuckled, panting already as he rested for a moment. Wildebeest sure did look good...His ears folded back slightly and his grin was sheepish as he propped his chin up on a folded paw, drumming his claws on the other. "So then, sir, what may I help treat you to on this fine afternoon?" Hatsya was undeniably giddy to get started, and was secretly hoping that Chardon would choose the largest game possible, and therefore, a wildebeest. But before that, he would have to center himself, and the cheetah drew in one large lungful of air. Hatsya knew that if this hunt were to be a success, he would have to take it seriously. However, that didn't wipe the smile from his face."Ooh, you're a funny one," Chardon replied drily. "But since you ask, I'd like a wildebeest served medium well done, complete with accentuating parsley and a few vegetables here and there." He sat, puffed his chest up, and looked down his nose at the cheetah below him. "That'll be all for now."
The lion's quick reply wasn't one to help Hatsya come into his hunting zone, and although the lion didn't know that, he didn't really care. Hunting was a serious business but at the same time, it was important to have fun.Hatsya smirked, and chuckled. This lion was pretty easy to get along with. He rolled his paws before standing and shaking loose any dirt that clung to his belly. Without speaking, but without losing his grin, his eyes swept across the herd, and he spotted the one. Even from a distance he could detect a limp. But it was still fat, gorged on the sweet grasses around the watering hole. His head jerked to signal it was the one, and he crept forward, plotting and planning how he would flush it out, drive it towards Chardon, and let him spring to finish it.Chardon saw the head-jerk quickly, and he crouched low to accompany Hatsya. Half a second later, he saw the cheetah's plan and instead, went the other way. Clever, this one. The plan was a simple one, after all: the cheetah would chase the animal around a bit, perhaps (probably) have some fun, and then drive it towards the lion to finish him off. Chardon made his way to a decent hiding space and inspected his claws. They would do. Now all it took was the wait.
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Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2008 4:04 pm
The cheetah lurked his way towards the herd, his body so low his belly nearly dragged through the mud. A quick glance confirmed Chardon's location, and Hatsya waited for the pieces to fall into place. And just as he had hoped, a small gap opened in the side of the great gathering of beasts, and he saw the target. Hatsya took off with his killer speed, and was upon the group in seconds. He laugh was drowned in the frantic calls of the herd, but it rung in his ears clearly. Their prey fell behind quickly, and gave the black blur less of a chase than he'd hoped for, but he could afford to be showy with such a lame wildebeest. He dashed alongside its loping limp, and once he saw the fear in its eye, he knew it was time to end the hunt.
Hatsya drove it onward towards Chardon, sparing the beast of any obstacles that would only prolong its suffering, that is, until it met its demise at the paws of a lion in wait.
He sure moved fast, this one. Chardon couldn't help but watch as the cheetah did what he did best: run. The lion couldn't even see the black feet touch the ground, or even the legs moving at all. It was just a huge blur that moved over the dark yellow of the savannah. Amazing. Part of him wanted to have at least all the other cats' blood running through his veins, so he could be as big as a lion, as fast as a cheetah, and climb trees like a leopard. That would be the best thing in the world, and his cub-self agreed happily.
"Here we go," Chardon whispered to himself. The wildebeest was running straight towards him, but at a good enough angle so he could jump out and attach to its side. And neck. His tail twitched in anticipation, his legs poised to spring. And then the beast was halfway past him, and then he leapt.
His teeth and mouth went immediately for the neck, his whole body avoiding the sharp horns at the front and the hooves all around. The limp didn't help the animal, for as soon as it had the added weight of the lion on its bad side, it collapsed and cried out weakly. It knew that it wouldn't last, or survive long enough to get away. Not with two healthy cats attacking it as a team. Chardon's grip did not weak as the beast thrashed around half-heartedly, and soon, it had stopped all together. The lion released the kill and grinned up at the approaching cheetah.
"Good job, partner."
Hatsya couldn't help but laugh at the blood now staining Chardon's smile, but at his current exuberance, it was almost a giggle. His breaths were deep as he walked towards his dinner, and his steps were still light, as though his paws wanted to continue what was already done. He circled past Chardon and sat in front of the belly of the beast, the grin still plastered across his face. "I must say the same of you, I've not had that much fun with a kill for a time now. But I must say, unless you want to flatter me further, we should get down to the true reward, hmm?" He motioned with his paw towards the gut, and tilted his head playfully before doing the honor himself of 'removing the dinner platter' and then somewhat barbarically digging in.
Chardon laughed as well, enjoying today's events. It had turned out better than expected; he had garnered a new friend and a well-sized meal. He bowed his head in thanks of the compliment, silently agreeing with Hatsya. "Not that I wouldn't be against flattering you, mighty and superb hunter, if you did the same to me, but my stomach does growl angrily at me. Yes, this is a reward indeed."
He also tore into the meat, slicing through the skin with a claw first before rooting around and finding the best parts. Though he ate from the opposite side, this end was the meat he liked, and though he would share if asked, Chardon knew they had enough meat here to fulfill them both. And so, the two feasted.
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