Tonight was a peaceful, if overly-quiet night. Anatumaini felt that she rather liked it. A quiet night, a night undisturbed, a night left alone to her own thoughts... okay, maybe she didn't really like it that much. Drifting off into thought made her think of things best left forgotten, and that was the last thing that the leopardess wanted right now.
Stretching carefully, feeling out each and every muscle for any stiffness or aches, she climbed to her paws and set off at a comfortable walk. There was water around here somewhere, and if it was drinkable then she could use a sip or two. Perhaps there would even be someone there who could provide a distraction from the thoughts that kept buzzing around her head like persistent flies.
She wasn't going to get her hopes up, however.
Her heart pounded in her chest, and she looked around her in fear. She didnt think the brute would follow but he just might be and she was nervous of that. He had hurt her, and she had the wounds and bloody prints to show it. She hadnt been able to stop and take paralyzing fear driving her. She only traveled at night now, careful to hide in the bushes at the first sign of noise.
Her pale blue pelt, decorated with darker blue stripes seemed to shine in the moonlight. One might think her a Na'vi if they saw her. She wasnt too sure what that was though. She'd just been asked a few times.
Sniffing the air delicately, Anatumaini caught the scent of an approaching creature, and the unmistakable scent of fear. Curious now, she turned from her original destination and followed the scent - perhaps she could provide aid to whoever it was? It wasn't long before she spotted the blue female, and once she was close enough she called out a soft "Hello," before pausing.
Hopefully she hadn't just frightened the stranger that much more than she already had been!
She jumped a bit, gulping and green orbs wide. She felt her heart skip a beat but then she took a breath. She seemed friendly enough, though the female still gulped, and crouched low to the earth.
"Hello." She said, voice strained as it was obvious she was terrified. She wasnt good with meeting others anymore. She'd never been social, but now she was almost terrified of everyone.
"It's alright," the leopardess said gently, realizing that now wasn't the time to remain reserved. Such behavior would probably be seen in the worst possible light by the obviously traumatized stranger. "I'm not going to hurt you... there is water nearby if you need a drink," she added, attempting to keep her voice low and soothing. "My name is Anatumaini."
She wouldn't ask for the other's name, not unless she wished to give it. That might be too much for her right now.
She sniffled a little, her eyes looking rather like a hares. But she stood back up and looked around her once more, before nodding to the female.
"N-Nice to meet you." She said, smiling a little and her face going stoic once again.
"I could use water." She said, looking at the earth, and keeping that bit of distance. "I’m Sir'Bia...Er..Bia." She said.
Anatumaini nodded once, and listened for a moment, sniffing once to be sure she had the proper location of the water source. "It is nice to meet you, as well. The water is just over that hill, I believe," she said, purposefully keeping hr tone gentle and relaxed, attempting to sound as non-threatening as possible."Would you accompany me there? It is safer to go to water in a pair than it is alone."
"I-Ill follow you there. I cant stay, I could be in danger and I just want to find home, and somewhere that can save me." She said nervously, her eyes ticking back and forth. She was obviously extremely nervous and paranoid, unable to help it.
"But I c-can follow you there." She said, nodding.
Resting would obviously be out of the question, then. But a drink of water might at least give the other feline the strength to go on. "I would very much appreciate it, and a drink should help you at least a little," she said, and then turned to walk over the hill, glancing behind her now and then to make sure that Bia followed.
Bia followed closely, making sure not much distance got between them. She was giving in to her need of water however her instincts wanted her to keep going. Just get to where she needed to go. She figured she'd know when she got there.
When she heard the water, she looked once, then twice, and took off towards the waters edge. She wanted a drink and even through the pain of her body she was going to get there.
The leopardess was unsurprised at the speed that Bia neared the water with - her temporary companion of-sorts was clearly in desperate need of a drink. Anatumaini was just a few pawsteps behind, but she didn't drink very much. Instead, she scanned her surroundings for whoever or whatever might be chasing the other female. The last she could do was keep a lookout while Bia refreshed herself a bit. She could do nothing for the other's injuries, but she could do this much.
When she had drunk her fill, she stood up, and wiped her maw with her paw. Looking at the female with grateful eyes, she smiled softly.
"Thank you.. You were v-very kind." She said, bowing her head. Her wounds hurt but she wanted to at least hit the row of trees she had seen in the distance.
With one last look to the female, she looked nervously around her, and loped off as fast as she could. She was still rather slow, her wounds sapping her energy. But she still had a ways to go.
Anatumaini smiled and ducked her head a little. She didn't bother calling after the other female, since she didn't want to interrupt her flight again. Instead, she simply looked down at her own paws and sighed a little, muttering hr well-wished under her breath. "May you find the refuge you seek, and the peace to calm your fears." Then, without another word, she trotted off in the opposite direction, with no clear destination in mind.
Word count: 1069
