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 Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 9:32 am
Kal's answer was to just keep running. He had gained himself another couple seconds, but it would take longer than that to reach the brambles. Even so, the little white stallion was beginning to hope he would make it. If he could just keep it up, gain just a bit more distance, he wouldn't have to depend on the kalona's mercy.
He dashed wildly into the thicker area of the woods that indicated the bramble patch was near, taking a route much like he had in the young forest that would force his hunter to dodge or crash through branches in chasing him.
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Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 9:48 am
Well, one thing was on Kal's side. The young forest was certainly annoying to run through, but at least the branches there didn't have the benefit of time to make them strong. There had been many of them, but Bax could easily break his way through.
These branches however? These had time on their side, and had grown much stronger over the years. Bax fought his way through some of them, and eyed an upcoming log. Hrm...no problem. Though apparently it was, because as he leaped to clear it his hooves clipped the top and sent him slamming into the ground.
The Kalona struggled to get back up, giving Kal those precious moments he needed to reach safety. The pale stallion bolted after him again the moment he was back up, but he had lost a considerable amount of distance.
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Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 10:00 am
Kal's heart leaped as he heard a thud near the log behind him, and he put on another burst of desperate speed. There! The patch of brambles was an extensive twining mass of scratching branches and sharp thorns, and there was just enough room at the base for a large foal, or an unusually small adult, to wiggle in and hide.
And that's exactly what the little alicorn did, he skidded to a halt, tucked his wings close, and began scooting backwards into the gap. He got rather scratched up himself, but there was room, and he kept going until he was deep enough in to protect his entire body. If the kalona wanted him, he would have to try ploughing through the sharp and unyielding bushes, or risk the entrance now defended by Kal's horn.
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Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 10:23 am
Kal got into his hiding place just in time. Mere seconds afte the Alicorn had settled himself in, snapping teeth followed by a large body slammed right into the brambles. Quickly the Kalona backed off, shaking his head in desperate attempt to get the brambles off.
...Still. Some stupid pointy bush was -not- going to keep him away. Mind clouded with anger, Bax made another charge at the bush, and instantly met with Kal's horn. Again he scrambled back, a nice gash now ripped across his muzzle.
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Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 10:29 am
The kalona's ferocity was even more terrifying now that he had to actually face it head on, and Kal's entire body trembled as he kept his horn pointed. The bush and horn had kept the larger stallion from hurting him so far, but he had no idea how long his defenses would keep him safe. The scent of blood, both his own and his attacker's, just made him shake worse. He had never drawn blood with his horn before...
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Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 10:33 am
Bax shook his head, sending a few droplets of blood flying. Those damn brambles though...those clung on.
"You have to come out of there sometime little one..."
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Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 10:40 am
"I-I d-don't think I do, there's a storm coming..."
Kal's voice was laced with fear and exhaustion from the chase, but somehow he managed to reply logically and coherently. He could stay in the bushes for awhile, eating the blackberries and leaves near his head, but with the scent of blood lying threatening in the air he couldn't stomach the thought of touching them. He would still rather starve than surrender himself to be torn apart.
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Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 10:47 am
Bax gave a snort and proceeded to stalk around the brambles to look for a weak spot. After several minutes of searching he turned up nothing. The only logical entrance was inhabited by that damned Alicorn and his horn.
Returning to the front, the pale stallion gave an irritated snort at the entrance to the brambles.
"I can wait out any storm too."
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Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 10:55 am
Kal's ears twisted as the kalona searched, but thankfully found nothing. His hideaway was impenetrable as long as he could stay in there. Unfortunately the only relaxation he found within his safety was the frightened numbness that had started to creep over him. He knew the stallion had been right, he would have to go out sometime.
"You'd get cold and wet out there."
As if on cue, the first drops of rain started falling on the canopy above them, trickling down through the leaves to hit the ground in thick, heavy drops.
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Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 11:05 am
"So?"
Bax settled down to wait, cold eyes focused on the other.
"I'm sure a nice meal will warm me up afterwards."
Still, the cold drops of rain were not that pleasant. Bax unfolded his webbed wings in an attempt to keep the water on them and off the rest of his body. Still, it was inevitable that he was going to get soaked.
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Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 11:11 am
"Perhaps you should go find a warm meal then."
Kal met the stallion's dark eyes with his own nervous blue ones. He was a bit more protected from the rain, but as it began to come down harder the water worked it's way into the bushes and dripped through his pale fur. The cold drops on his injured leg stung, but the little alicorn was too tired to heal himself just yet.
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Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 11:31 am
"I already have one waiting for me."
The pale stallions wet mane matted against his head as the rain started to come down harder. With an annoyed snort he tried, unsuccessfully, to huddle further under his wings.
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Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 11:39 am
"It's not waiting for you here."
Kal shifted slightly, feeling branches and thorns press into his side as he tucked his tail more comfortably against his opposite side. It was almost amusing seeing the object of his fright attempt such an awkward and uncomfortable posture to try keeping himself dry. But it was probably only amusing because Kal was still tense from the near escape and tired from the run.
He shook his mane a bit to free it when it got caught in the branches, and sent more water running down his neck and flanks. Even despite the rain it looked like he was just getting comfortable for a long stay in those bushes.
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Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 11:53 am
"Hrm...I think it is."
He was quickly tiring of this though. If it came down to it, he could always hunt this little Alicorn down later and rip back into him...literally. For now it might be better simply to move away and find himself an easier meal.
For a few more minutes though, he'd stick around.
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Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 12:00 pm
Kal snorted a droplet of water from his nose.
"All I see is blackberries and they are as cold as the rain today."
The little stallion knew he wanted the kalona to go away, but unfortunately he had no idea what he would do once the other left. It was getting darker, and there was no way he would go out in the dark where the larger stallion might still be around to chase him. Perhaps he would be able to get some rest though, before night feel completely.
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