It figures. Kerke finally starts to get his mind off the female leopardess and she pops right back up. As he was on his way to get a drink of water a familiar face came his way. It was another cheetah he had spoken to some time ago, asking if they had seen a leopardess of Moeras’ description. At the time he had not, however Kerke wondered if he now had news. “Hello there, friend. What brings you around here?”
The other cheetah gave a nod at Kerke’s greeting. “You remember that lady leopard you were lookin’ for? I think I found her. ‘Bout a half day that way, saw her sleeping on a rock. ‘Least i think sh was sleeping, wasn’t about to go up and ask.” He glanced back over his shoulder before giving Kerke another nod. “Good luck there.” With that he left, trotting away back Kerke.
“Thanks.” Kerke watched as the cheetah left, silently debating on whether he should even go find her. It was likely she had completely forgotten him by now, however the more he thought about it the less he liked the idea. He had worked himself up quite a bit thinking of a way to apologize, though he was still not sure what about. Without even thinking it over he realized he had already made up his mind. With a small sigh he started off the way the other cheetah had indicated. At least it would only take half a day.
Moeras had certainly seen the cheetah watching her. He kept his distance as he circled around her. She was not sure why, but was far too comfy on the warm rock to bother moving to shoo him away. Much to her pleasure though he did not stay long. Whatever it was he was doing there he was done with now, and good riddance. At least he had not bothered her, though she had woke from her nap when she heard him near. So perhaps he had disturbed her. Well he was gone now, so at least she could continue her nap. The day was no even half over, she still had plenty of time before she would be forced to rouse herself out of hunger.
It was a few hours past midday by the time Kerke spotted the female in the distance. At least he assumed it was her. A leopard draped over a rock lay in his path ahead, and he was not all that surprised to find she had not moved since he had been told of her location. “Greetings!” He called out, hoping to catch her attention before he came closer.
Far sooner than sh would have liked Moeras was once more brought out of her sleep. The voice was quite familiar, but surely it was not him. She had not seen that cheetah for quite some time, so how likely was it that he would find her again in such a big place? Slowly she opened her eyes and lifted her head, turning so that her gaze fell upon the only other body around. “It is you. I had hoped my ears were hearing things, perhaps some trick of the mind in half-sleep.” She spat, certainly making no attempt to hide her displeasure from him.
Kerke flinched slightly. It seemed she did remember him, and was less than happy to see him again. “Sorry to disturb you. I debated on whether or not to simply not come, but I wished to apologize for our previous meeting. I had not meant to seem so forward, and hope my actions were not offensive to you in some manner.” He stood straight and spoke as clearly a he could, keeping his distance lest she strike out at him again.
Moeras scoffed. “You should have thought twice then, I would have preferred you not even come.” She pushed her front off the rock, glaring down at Kerke from her perch. “You should just leave now. I will be a lot less pleased if I am forced to remove myself from this warm rock in order to chase you off.”
Kerke took a step back, frowning visibly. “Again, I am sorry to have disturbed you. Perhaps it would have been wiser to simply stay away, but my mind simply wasn’t seeing it that way.” He let out a sigh before bowing his head slightly. “However now that I have said what I intended I shall take my leave of you. You can go back to your sleep if you so desire and I shall bother you no more.”
“Good” She replied, settling herself back down on the rock. “Then you have no more reason to be here bothering me, so go.” Moeras fell silent, watching the cheetah until he finally turned to leave.
“Farewell then, and enjoy your rest.” Kerke bowed his head again before turning and slowly making his way away from her. That had gone as well as he had expected, but silently he had hoped she would have been different than the last time he had seen her. He had hoped maybe he had offended her, and that was the reason for her acting in such an unfriendly manner, but perhaps that was simply how she was. That she truly did not like his presence there. Kerke paused and looked back over his shoulder, finding that the leopardess was not ignoring him, her eyes shut. Perhaps she had even fallen asleep already. It would not really have surprised him, but it didn’t make it easier to leave on such a sour note. With a sigh he turned away once more and continued away, figuring to walk until the sun was nearly down before finding somewhere to settle for the night.
Moeras watched the male cheetah through half-lidded eyes as he walked away, and then paused. He stood for a moment looked back at her before turning away again. She continued to watch until he was becoming but a blotch of colour in the horizon before fully closing her eyes and shifting in to a more comfortable position. “Good riddance.” She spoke softly to herself, huffing lightly before settling down to continue her rest.
(Word Count: 1034)
