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 Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2012 4:57 pm
 Mistaking Clouds for Mountains cocked her head to the side, listening, just listening. She was still as could be and then suddenly she was all motion, running hooves, swift and sure. It was as if she were made of the fastest wind, the lightest clouds. Air rushed through her mane and she leaped, as ever sure as she was before she had began to feel the heaviness of child settling deep in her stomach. No, Illusion was not afraid, she lived without fear, steady and certain as the sun rising day after day.
Then she stopped. It seemed sudden, without cause, there was nokin around.
But it wasn't. The description of the trees, her memory vivid and clear, better than many, told her to stop. Here, a legendary walked, a haunting mare of great dignity, so self-possessed, or so the stories whispered.
Walking forward, slow with reverence, again, Illusion's head went to side as it often did as she thought. Her ears only pricked when the sound of small paws pattering caught her attention. Perfect. Steps lightening to imperceptible prance, Illusion followed her nose and ears to warm sacrifice. Her motions more minute, more precise, as she got closer and closer. Ramcat it was.
No issue.
They were clever, but Illusion was more so.
It was scuffle. A feint. A dodge.
Near escape.
Then a quick strike, so clean. And when Illusion looked up again, there was Ramcat held in her teeth, blood a near imperceptible stain from the clean kill.
Now to find the mare.
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Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2012 5:38 pm
 The past days had been kind. In all her time she had not had one kin seek her out for a blessing. And she felt refreshed. It could be such a bother and she was going to have to start letting it slip what things kin might bring to appease her to bless them. It seemed unfair that she should bless them for nothing in return. The next time she was to bless... The mare rose from her resting spot, deciding it was time to find a meal, as her stomach grumbled. It would not due to wait. Even the finest hunters were often outdone by hunger; it made one clumsy and impatient, pathetic in some cases. She rolled her muscles and stretched out any weariness that remained, as the scent of a fresh kill wafted towards her. A feral grin spread on her mouth. In that case, perhaps she'd only steal something. The change was effortless and the half visible mare trailed behind the flesh-and-blood owlcat. It pranced forward, tail high and confident, as it followed the smell. And soon nothing but air remained behind it.
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Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2012 6:27 pm
As she walked, Illusion kept her eyes sharp and her steps light and though her mind was sharpened with her task, she let herself wonder what it must be like to be ascended. A slow blink. It must be tiring to be sought out for blessings, alas, the draw of a blessing was too much to resist. Had she been in the plains, not a swamp born, she would have raced the grass in search of the fastest, cleverest hare, it must be mature, to strike it down in offering to the MotherFather and taken the harefoot, a symbol of the values of the kiokote who can manage to kill: speed, mind, and survival instinct. Now she was here amongst the swamp with clever ramcats and fast foxbuns, but none had the same pure exhilaration of the hares.
With effortless steps, Illusion walked on until she felt suddenly as if she were being watch. Gripping the ramcat tighter between her teeth, this was a offering for the legendary after all, the doe paused in step, still yet filled with potential motion. Looking around, she saw nothing, but she did not discount the instinctual knowledge that she was being watched carefully.
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Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2012 7:02 pm
It had not taken Lull in Sunlight long to follow the scent and she was surprised when she did. A kiokote was not what she been expecting. And one so cautious. She flicked her ears and began to consider the best method, but upon moving forward to get a better look at her surroundings, she felt that familiar tug. No wonder then. The owlcat padded forward, letting itself be revealed, and eying the ramcat. She would let it speak first. Then again with its mouth full, she let the mare's translucent form appear behind her. That would help, she was sure.
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Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2012 7:11 pm
As it was, it was a both a relief and not when the owlcat revealed itself. Surely not. It did relieve the feeling of being watched in hiding though and so it must. However, it did not feel right. The instinct had been triggered by some higher predator. Yet, here, in front of her was an owlcat.
With strangely glowing eyes and intelligence burning there, far beyond that of any normal creature. No, those were the eyes of a kin.
So when the shadow of a mare stretched out behind the legendary, only shifted in owlcat form, Mistaking Clouds for Mountains, barely twitched her eyes, only surprised because of the beauty and power of this small shadow show, but not because of the second form. Nodding, half to herself, half to the legendary, Illusion bowed, deep and low, one hoof lifting, giving her a graceful dip.
Straightening, Illusion took several steps forward, closer to the legendary, before setting down the ramcat in front of her. Then she took several steps back, fewer than she took forward, then paused for a brief moment before speaking, voice low with reverence, but still strong and sure. "An offering, great one."
"It is an honor to be graced by your presence." Eyes calm, Illusion took a slight breath before continue, "I seek a blessing for the children I carry and if it is your will, I would be eternally grateful for your blessing."
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Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2012 7:38 pm
Well how polite this one was. An offering, a bow, pretty words. The owlcat vanished as the mare solidified and stepped forward. "It would be rude of me not to bless you after the effort you've gone through." She titled her head to overlook this soon-to-be mother and thought. There was nothing apparent about this kin that needed to be taught. She had manners and was clearly capable of hunting. "I bless you with healthy children, strong and intelligent," she decided. It was rather generic, honestly, but the kiokote apparently wanted nothing specific, as she had no spoken of any want beside a blessing. Besides, she was hungry. She approached the kill and the kiokote, "Next time, save yourself the trouble of hunting. I'm plenty capable of that. A shiny object will endear me to you much faster," she smiled.
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Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2012 8:02 pm
Mistaking Clouds for Mountains nodded at the blessing, she felt no different but she was sure of the mare's power. And next time, she stored the information away, a shiny object, if the mare's words truly reflected her desires.
"Thank you." She paused and smiled. "I will remember that."
Illusion stood calmly, respect keeping her where she was despite the fact that she had gotten what she came for. It wouldn't do to leave without dismissal, to turn her back on one who had been so kind to bless her for a meal she could have gotten herself.
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Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2012 8:38 pm
It was surprising and yet not that the kin did not leave. In situation as these, often times she left herself without a word. This was rather unique for this doe was by far the most respectful and well-mannered kin that had sought her. "You are welcome. You should go and rest. Birth is no easy matter," she advised. She bent, taking the ramcat in her mouth, and turned to retreat to the shadows. Behind her the owlcat trotted (thought when it had appeared...), eyes bright with hunger.
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Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2012 8:51 pm
Illusion bowed at the retreating legendary, both mare and owlcat before turning to take her leave. She would follow the mare's advice, kindly given and very true.
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