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Eyes darted across the empty plains of the savannah, one scrutinizing every detail, the other, reflecting them all. The cool that descended on the land every night was refreshing, invigorating, and Hatsya shivered, but for the feelings, rather than the chill. He stretched his lanky limbs, while rolling his shoulder. It was the precursor to hunting, though he knew not yet what he would be searching for.

His claws tore through the dirt, silently, propelling him forward, smiling and tail twitching on his nightly hunt, though not every was as successful as he hoped this would prove to be.

Hatsya's rolling gait unwittingly lead him closer and closer to what he desired. The air was still, and unyielding in answers of what lay ahead, but the same wicked smile twisted across his maw as always. His steps faltered for a second, as he pulled his head up to survey the territory, and it only served to widen his grin as he saw a figure, presumably a fellow cheetah, silhouetted and haloed by the setting sun and rising moon.

As he paced closer the spectacle was less and less real, and he cursed his one eye, believing it an illusory trick of the waning lights, and the grin slid from his face, to be replaced by a frown, and a restless working of his jaw. But he wasn't about to be discouraged by what might not be, and he decided to continue his approach anyway.

As his prey fluttered and flexed away from him, Hatsya's brows furrowed in both concern and consternation. He would not allow for his prey to escape, and made the subconscious decision to ensure it would be in his possession. It didn't take many bounds from the lanky cheetah to find to his flailing quarry, and he lightly sprung to catch her on her side.

It wasn't an offensive move, nor did he have any intention of hurting the soft pelt under his claws, but as he stood over the flaxen-coated female, pride spread across his face, though it was quickly masked by a benign smile and Hatsya removed himself from Jumoke, bowing his head, as though in a faux apology.

Something in Hatsya stirred so that he leaned a little bit closer, hanging on her words, but the experience he'd had caught up to him in a moment, and he pulled his head back, still smiling, but wise to her game. Sincerity spilled from his eyes and mouth as he spoke, "Oh! I'm so sorry, I mistook you for someone else, but I would like to make it up to you, just what would you like to play?" For added effects, he tilted his head, grinning widely, but very conscious of the space between them.

In his mind, Hatsya praised himself for having done so well on his hunt, but he knew he couldn't quite 'make the kill' just yet. But his prey was far more fun when they could play games like this.

Hatsya's eyes widened as it became apparent what kind of lioness he was courting, but he laughed as well, either because he found the situation awkward, or because he was genuinely intrigued by this female. "Well....." He started off with a bit of a drawl, almost to counter her exuberance, or perhaps to make it more interesting. "I thought you were, for just a moment, my best friend. She's the most beautiful cheetah that roams these lands, and irresistible to me whenever I see her. And now I can see that I was only a little bit off.....?" Hatsya waited, the expression frozen on his face and his good eye searching for her evaluation of his words, and waiting for her to fill in her own name.

Hmm, perhaps he shouldn't have gone with "best friend", especially now that he had to make up a name for her. As he dug innerly through the name's of past acquaintances or flings, he grabbed at the first female one he thought of, "Well, Jumoke, her name is Moja, but I've not seen her in the longest of time, and its left me very lonely." Hatsya nodded solemnly, cast his eyes to the ground, and waited for it to be convincing. After a sigh for effect, he returned his gaze to Jumoke, and spoke again, "But I'm Hatsya, and its very nice to meet you." He then exchanged his forlorn mask for that of a shy and inexperienced young male.

Hatsya had to check the grin that wanted to bloom across his face, so he nodded, smiled, and played the part he was cast. "I really appreciate that, Jumoke." He reveled in her name, her posture, and the willingness she had to participate in a game she probably knew nothing of, and he responded by stretching forward. While her toes scratched, his drummed in the rhythm of music and the stance of dance. Without facing away for a moment, Hatsya grinned almost as childishly as her, and circled her, following the pattern he'd practiced and nearly perfected. "But, I'm not quite sure what we should play, though there are certainly a few games I know."