Anii'Samra
Norolim was not used to the harshness of rogue life. An empty belly and tired paws were a recent discovery and the pale cheetah sighed with each step she took. She deeply regretted leaving her pride but she was far too stubborn to simply admit it aloud and to go back home. She had taken a liking to hunting, she would admit that much. The feeling of pushing her body to its limits was intoxicating and the exhaustion that came after and left no room for thoughts of any kind was refreshing. But hunting was still a messy affair and Norolim hated getting her coat dirty and bloodied.
Life might not be easy for a lone cheetah but it was even harder for Anii, a wild dog who chose to live on her own. It was difficult to hunt without a pack and her diet consisted mainly of hares, mice and small birds. Occasionally, she managed to catch a gazelle calf here and there but such luck did not come often and the young wild dog ended up spending a lot of time with a growling belly for company.
She spotted the lean feline first and was instantly taken in by the pale coat that seemed to shine in the sunlight. Slow and cautious, Arii made her way towards the white cheetah.
Norolim’s nose crinkled when she noticed she was no longer alone. A dog, just her luck. Not a very ugly one but still… Norolim was terribly prejudiced when it came to other species and it would take more than a pair of pretty grey eyes to make her change her mind. She supposed it was better than a lion. It was hard to convince others of her superiority when they were enough to snap her neck like a twig. She stared down at the grey-eyed wild dog without saying a word, wondering what the creature could possibly want from her.
Not all felines were friendly but Arii had met her fair share of talkative and kind cats so she wasn’t overly concerned about the cheetah’s reactions. Which wasn’t that smart, she supposed, considering how quickly one of these cats could catch up to her if they wished to cause harm. Which they usually didn’t, not when those fragile frames of theirs
“Hello. I haven’t seen you around.” She wagged her tail with cautious optimism, almost completely convinced that such a pretty feline was most likely as nice as she looked. “Do you live around here? I’m Arii. Anii’Samra.”
Norolim’s nose crinkled with displeasure when she was approached by the wild dog in a manner that was far too casual for her taste.
“I am Norolim.” She started in a haughty tone, raising her neck to look down at the wild dog. It was such a weak little thing in her eyes that if she’d met Arii a few weeks before she’d be barely worth her attention. But a few days of solitude and the fact that she was seeing more non-cheetahs than she’d ever seen lately was slowly affecting the pale girl. Besides, she was feeling a little hungry and canines were known for burying things for harsher days. “Do you live here? Have you buried food nearby?”
“That’s a very pretty name.” the wild dog said somewhat hesitantly, not sure what to make of the cheetah’s body language and expression. The question caught her off guard as Anii’s own expression might indicate. Was this complete stranger really asking for food right after introducing herself?
“Uhm… I have some things here and there. For emergencies, you know.” She finally admitted for lack of a better thing to say. “The hyenas have probably found it and dug it up already though…” She chuckled without conviction, looking fairly uncomfortable.
“Can you go get something then? I’m feeling a little hungry right now.” Her tone clearly implied that: One, she felt completely entitled to ask such for a free meal from a complete stranger and two, Norolim wasn’t used to or very happy about the fact that that her belly wasn’t full. It didn’t matter that her request might not be very proper. In her, the wild dog seemed to know the area better and so Norolim was – almost – a guest in the other’s territory. Although, she would probably have asked for a free meal regardless of the situation.
“What?” Anii was not a meek little thing that eagerly complied to a stranger’s haughty request even when they were bigger than her – as most things were. She did have a big bone stored away for an emergency close by but it would take a lot for her to willingly give it away. This was not such a case. “Do you always ask for free food from complete strangers?”
The wild dog snorted, taking one step back in case the cheetah became aggressive. Cheetah didn’t have sharp claws, she knew that! But they could still be very dangerous to a lone wild dog like herself.
“Rude little creature.” Norolim spat, visibly annoyed by the quick refusal. The stupid thing obviously didn’t realize just how inferior she was. She should’ve been happy to serve one such as Norolim and feel grateful that the white feline was paying her underserved attention.
“I will not taint my coat with your blood.” She said in the same haughty tone when she saw wild dog taking a step back, standing very still as the hairs on the back of her neck sprang up, betraying her discontent. “And I have no interest in things that don’t know their place.” And without another word, the cheetah turned and left, without reacting to anything else the wild dog had to say.
“You’re the rude one!” Anii replied with a little growl, deeply regretting having the idea to approach the pale cheetah. “Going around demanding food and looking down on complete strangers. Don’t you have any sel-…?” Oh, she wasn’t listening anymore. Stupid cheetah… Norolim. Arii hoped she tried the same routine with a lion next time. Or a leopard. Her pretty looks and elegance wouldn’t be of much use against one well-aimed blow. Arii watched her go. Stupid, stupid cheetah. “Good riddance!”
- FIN -
