The sun was nearly down by the time Moeras finally woke. With a loud yawn she rolled slightly, one eye slowly opening to gaze out at the ground below her from her tree branch rest. Another yawned followed as she slowly pulled herself up, turned carefully and made her way out of the tree. Once her feet hit the ground she stretched each leg and shook the sleep from her muscles. A soft growl from her stomach made her turn her head, looking searchingly around the distance for the shadows of herds. There appeared to be one in the distance, though she could not quite tell what of from this distance. After another soft yawn she started towards it, paws nearly dragging over the grass from her slow and lazy pace.
The herd had paused to rest at a watering hole, likely to stay nearby for the night. Most of the adults were either grazing, drinking, or talking about where to head next. Lika, however, was not interested in any of these options. Instead she bounced excitedly away from the rest of her family, glancing back quickly to see if anyone noticed her departure. A few curious and longing gazes followed her from a few of the younger members, surely wishing they to could leave the rest of the herd and see the excitement that the rest of the world held. Lika, however, was bigger now, and quite glad for it. She may not yet be an adult, but she was not as closely watched any one. A fact that not only made it easier to get out, but also made her parents quite unhappy when she did. This was not going to stop her though. The world outside her herd was so much more exciting!
Moeras had finally brought herself close enough to see the herd. Zebra. Certainly not a bad meal, if she could catch one. She lay behind a rock, crouched low, and carefully watched them. There were a few smaller ones she could go after. There didn’t seem to be much more options, other than chasing after a healthy adult, which she might be able to do if she wanted to put that much effort in to the hunt. However that she did not want to do, so the babies seemed the best option. After a quick glance around she started to slink forward, pausing here and there to make sure they had not heard her. Slowly she made progress, the ground between her and the herd shortening. By now, if she pushed all her energy in to a sprint she could probably get to them, however preferably she would like to get closer. They had not yet heard her, and the wind was in her favor tonight, however fate did not seem to agree so much.
Before Moeras could make a move the herd, in unison, looked up and started to move away at a trot. A voice caught her attention and she raised her head, glaring over at what was getting in the way of her meal. A boisterous and loud waterbuck had run at the herd and was now seeming to annoy them away, at last this is how sh was seeing it.
Lika had found in her wanderings a small herd of zebra. She had always liked the striped animals, heir pelts were so curious to her! She quickly made her way towards them. “Hey! Hey there, zebras!” The herd all looked up at her as one, staring rather confused at her. “Been around here long? You guys seen anything cool or weird? I did once. I saw this bird swoop down and attack a lion! It was so crazy!” Lika started to drift off as she spoke, not noticing the herd had started to walk away from her until she stopped. “Hey wait, where are you going?”
A zebra turned to her and snorted. “Go away, little loud mouth. You are going to bring every predator in the area over here!” With a huff the zebra turned, rejoining the rest as they walked away. Lika watched after them for a time, following slowly after until she finally lost interest. Certainly not the friendliest of zebras she had ever met.
Moeras sighed deeply. When she got up she had certainly not expected another prey beast to chase off her meal. She eyed the waterbuck for a bit before slowly slinking forward, the thoguht falling in to her mind to try for this beast that had so foolishly run in to her path and scared off her preferred meal. As she came closer she started to think this would work, she would get this one. Certainly a better meal than a baby zebra. However perhaps fate was not truly on her side as suddenly the wind shifted, and to make matters worse she had failed to see the stick in her path until her paw came down, and it broke with a snap.
Lika raised her nose to the wind, a familiar scent blowing her way. Then came a snap, and Lika turned to see a movement in a grass. Curiously she moved towards it, though made sure to keep some space between it and her. “Who is there? I know you are, i smelled and heard you! Not too stealthy if you go stepping on sticks all the time!” Lika bounced slightly, quite impressed with herself for having spotted this predator in the grass. Suddenly she dashed towards the spot, jumping at the last minute to dodge the hidden beast.
Moeras watched the waterbuck as she turned and made her way closer, though seeming to give a wide berth in case Moeras attacked. Then she spoke, and the little thing dared to insult Moeras’ skills as a hunter? However before she could reply, or attack, or do anything the young waterbuck charged at her, a move she had certainly not expected. It was quite a bit faster than she had expected and Moeras rolled sideways, paws flailing with claws out at the crazy beast. One she was back on her stomach she pushed herself to her feet, glaring and growling around to find the waterbuck. Much to her displeasure it was already leaving her behind. She contemplated giving chase, but that was far too much effort. At this rate she would have to run longer than she would have liked. It was simply not worth it, and certainly a story she would not care to relate to anyone.
Lika had chuckled as she leapt, turning direction upon landing to make her way back towards her heard. She glanced back as sh went, watching as the leopardess rolled back to her feet and stared after her. “Bet she didn’t expect that!” She spoke to herself. “The little ones are going to love this story!” Though she was sure her parents certainly wouldn’t.
(Word Count: 1149)
