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 Posted: Wed Nov 10, 2010 4:30 pm
So here it was, her first time any real distance from the den since they'd arrived. She bounded along in the cool morning air, reflecting on her time with Nav. He was such a strange, private, conflicting indvidual. There was no question she'd hated him, as much as she was capable of hating, right after he'd captured her. Bruised, battered, and injured, who wouldn't have?
But somehow... somehow she found the way to see beyond that. It wasn't easy. Even now it wasn't easy. She still couldn't tell if he was likely to strike her again or not. Keeping on his good side seemed a fair guarentee of good treatment, but she was not a cowed female. She had her own mind, and she was certain she would speak it from time to time, in contradiction to him! The very idea of being subverted and meek all the time made her toss her head as she ran. Such was not Fura.
But last night... that had been different, even for him. He'd voluntarily, if subtley, shown her some minor affection. And he'd let her show more overt affection for him! It made her heart sing to think of their time close together last night. This morning, of course, he'd been just as gruff and closed off as usual, but she had endured it with the warming secret of his paw on hers in her heart.
Dark forms on the horizon caught her attention, veering her mind from her thoughts to the matter at hand. The swooping forms were clearly avian, but it was too distant to discern if they were parrots, ravens, or vultures. She altered her course, her mind returning to her thoughts. Here she was, out in the open by herself. It surprised her in some ways that he'd let her come hunt. He'd guarded her so jealously, and seemed hesitant to trust her. Surely he feared that she'd simply flee? Why, she even knew he could not pursue her for a time, due to his paw! The cool wind ruffled the grasses around her and rushed past, as if beckoning her to freedom.
But what was freedom? Yes, she'd been brought here against her will, but her will had never been asked. Had it been, she'd as likely have come here willingly. Now she had the immediate if illicit freedom to run if she so wished. But did she wish it? Her heart still warm with Nav's first gesture of possible love, she could not lie. No, she had no wish to leave him. Not now, possibly not ever. Not so long as she could still find glimpses of that more tender, gentle lion beneath the rough and harsh exterior. No, she was in the pride to stay, for Nav's sake most of all. Who would look after him if she left? Who would hunt for him? He'd be left humiliated, not just by her escape but by needing to call on others' banus to hunt for him. What a cruel thing to do to a reasonably (most of the time) decent lion. Who could do such a thing? Not she.
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Posted: Wed Nov 10, 2010 4:52 pm
It turned out that they were vultures after all. But what they were circling was flat out astonishing. In fact, Fura wasn't entirely sure what it was. She had never seen the like of it. She crept nearer, uncertain if the creature really was dead. But it did not move the closer she got, and for certain the vultures were feasting. She was able to discern where the eyes had been in the grossly malformed head. She circled it warily, scattering vultures as she went.
It was positively massive. It's bulk, even lying flat as it was, rose far higher than her head. Why, it must have been giant when on its legs! She peered closer at the oddly shaped head. It was wide and flat, with eyes to either side of the broad skull. She'd have guessed it was a prey animal by that, but who in their right mind would hunt such a mammoth beast? Also, it had huge, jutting teeth, one on either side of its head, extending from a surprisingly small mouth. How could such a tiny mouth hold such huge teeth? It baffled her entirely. And it had no nose! None that she could see anyway. Above it's mouth was a very long, fatty part that looked like a tail to her. A tail, on it's face?! Her entire pelt shuddered in revulsion.
Round the other side were four legs, each as thick as the trunk of large trees. What strange paws it had! They couldn't be hooves, but they were completely flat on the bottom, with no pads, no claws, no anything! If she hadn't seen how odd the rest of it was, she'd think surely this must be another cruel twist of birth. But no, she was coming to realize that whatever this was, it likely was exactly as it was meant to be. It had a huge, rounded belly that looked like it could have held her as a meal. Maybe this thing wasn't prey after all. It sure looked intimdating to her, and to her knowledge, lions were the biggest predators around!
At the rear was a tiny rodent tail, all out of proportion with the rest of the huge creature. Shaking her head, she took a moment to stand back and shake her head in amazement. It was unbelievable. Noone would hear her tale and take it as truth! The distant yips of hyenas or wild dogs recalled her to her task. She needed food for herself and Nav, and here it was, ready for the taking, if she could just get enough before the other scavengers arrived.
She went to work quickly, avoiding the bulging belly. While innards were excellent nutrition, they were impossible to carry back to Nav, and would only attract more attention to the kill than she wanted right now. Alone, she didn't stand a chance against any roving packs of canines. So instead she clambered up on it's side and took aim at it's substantial flank. The very feel of its unfurred hide beneath her paws told her this was going to be a tough job to get through. But Nav needed her, and she would not give up.
It took all morning to claw and gnaw her way through the hide enough to drag a huge hunk of muscle free. The vultures were gathering all the more thickly, and several smaller carnivores were hiding just out of her sight. The incredibly tough hide hung slackly, tempting her. Could she do it? She glanced at the sun and decided to try. She worked furiously, detatching a large piece of haunch hide from the body. As the sun passed it's high point, she had managed to tear free a large piece of hide, including the odd ratty tail. It would have to do, and could provide proof of her find. Not her kill, of course. Her find. Only a crazy thing would attempt to kill such a monster, and she was forced to assume it had died of natural causes rather than of predators.
Draping the hide over her body, she bent down and sank her fangs into the large treasure she had claimed. The other predators could have the rest. She had what she needed, and might even be able to come back for more tomorrow. For now, it was a long, long way home, and her burden was heavy. Good thing her paw was feeling so much better, or she'd never have made it. Gamely she began the arduous task of dragging the meal back home to her mate.
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