|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2011 11:09 pm
The sun was still beneath the horizon that early morning as the leopardess plodded out from the dense brush, and into the tall golden grasses of the plains. Maori yawned big as she made the journey from her home and out into the savannah, the trees becoming more spread out the further along she went. It was a cool, clear morning, and Maori had decided that it would be a good time to hunt. She hadn't downed a gazelle in some time, favoring the fish and small game she went after at the river, but now she hungered for larger prey, something that would last a bit longer.
When at last there were few or no trees, and only vast plains before her, she sat to rest, and to look out across the land, silent and alert. She was pleased to see that the gazelles that hung around for the shade and good feeding of the forest were still off in the distance. In such a lush place, there were always such herds milling about. She rose, and slunk off through the grass to begin her hunt...
Only a few hours went by before she was back in nearly the same place, prize in hand (or mouth, in this case). The little tan and white body hung lifelessly from her jaws, and she hurried to the nearest tree, driven by instinct to take it there first, for fear that someone else might smell it and try to take it away. The threat of hyenas was never far off, and she was hungry enough today to care about where her hard work went. She had it up the tree in no time, and laid there on the same branch, panting softly. It had been a lucky catch, and she took a moment to rest and bask in the morning sun, idley watching the world below her for signs of other life.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2011 11:52 pm
 Mubina lay on her side by a rock and woke to the morning light. She needed to keep moving, needed to be as far away from him as possible. The thought of him made her sick to her stomach and she felt her heart breaking all over again. Gathering the little energy she had, she pushed herself up onto her paws and slowly began to walk in the opposite direction she had come from. The plan was to be as far away from him and avoid her family for now. She didn't want to see them when she was so out of it.
Mubina rested frequently and after a few hours, she used up the remainder of her energy. It had been awhile since she had a good meal. Her stomach was pretty empty at the moment. She didn't feel like trying to hunt. Instead, Mubina slowly lay herself down. She needed rest. That is what she needed.
She had just closed her eyes when she heard noise and smelled blood. Food was nearby. Maybe she could wait to see if they'd leave any scraps behind. She sighed and got up once again, this time to look for whoever it was that had the scent of food with them.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2011 12:27 am
The rustling in the grass did not go unnoticed by the leopardess, who had not seen the cheetah earlier. The pink was rather easy to spot now though, as high up in the tree as she was. Her fur had prickled just a little at first, frightened that it might be the dreaded hyenas...but it was a single lithe form in the grass, moving slowly, almost sleepily, she noted. As Mubina got even closer, Maori confirmed the species, that it was indeed a cheetah. How delightful! She hadn't seen one of those in ages.
"Hello down there!" she called. She'd startled a good number of animals this way, but her tone was gentle, and not too loud. Maori wore a small smile on her maw; she had yet to see how down and exhausted Mubina was, and so she was cheerful herself. "It's not often I see cheetahs around here. Have you come a long way?" she asked, lapping at the meal which she had only torn a few bites from.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2011 1:55 am
Mubina startled and tripped herself when she heard a voice from high up. Her chin went straight into the ground. She wasn't fazed by the fall though. It was one among many that had happened to her in her attempt to get as far away from him as possible. She couldn't even think his name because it brought too much heartache. She had never known that it could hurt so much to love. Her parents were so lucky, as if forever happy.
That would not be Mubina's fate. No, instead she found herself looking up at a leopard sitting in a tree with a fresh kill. She didn't smile. In fact, there didn't seem to be much emotion on Mubina's face. A feeling of numbness had filled her. She nodded at the question. "Yes, I have." Her voice was raspy and her throat dry.
Perhaps she had gone too long without water. Now that she thought about it, she must be quite dehydrated. A look at her coat confirmed it. Her fur was all dry and dull looking. Her movements were also very slow though Mubina did not realize it herself. Lately everything either went slowly or too fast for her.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2011 2:33 am
Maori stiffened guiltily as she watched the poor cat fall, feeling immediately horrible about calling out. It was never her intention to scare, but she'd managed to do it yet again, and she sat up, squinting down at Mubina. The sound of the other female's voice was what really got her attention. "Oh dear. I'm sorry I startled you...you sound so tired." she murred thoughtfully, and after a moment it was as if she'd made her decision. "I'm coming down. I mean no harm!" she reassured as she set to work at once, and tore a fat hind leg and haunch from the carcass before climbing down with it. She left the rest in the tree, knowing it would be safe in case anything else showed up. Though she did not know Mubina, Maori had come to the aid of enough animals that she could recognize such a weary tone.
Maori's assumptions were confirmed when she'd reached the ground, and had a better look at the pink cheetah. She looked almost gaunt and thirsty, the poor thing, and Maori's heart went out to her, wondering what had happened. Creatures got lost all the time out on the plains, where the watering holes were fewer and far between. She set the haunch down, and stepped back. "This kill is fresh...more than I can eat by myself for days." she fibbed a little...the gazelle wasn't that big, but it would still last, and there was plenty to share. "Please, take some. Are you alright? Any injuries?" the leopardess was careful to talk slowly, gently. Her mannerisms had startled others in the past, and she certainly didn't want to make Mubina's day worse by scaring her off.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Nov 15, 2011 4:16 pm
Mubina felt tired. It was almost a struggle to keep her eyelids open. She shook her head to tell the leopard that she didn't have to apologize. She figured the leopard meant her no harm. No one warned their prey that they were going to attack unless they liked to play sick games like that. Games like making a female think you loved her only to turn around and make another one fall in love with you.
Anger welled up inside of Mubina over the memory of finding her potential mate cheating on her. It sent a rush of energy through her body. She did her best to smile at the kind leopard before tearing into the haunch. Mubina had to close her eyes as more emotion welled up inside of her. She had only taken a few small bites but the kindness of the stranger touched her broken heart. It made sadness wash over her at the same time.
A tear slipped into the fur around her eyes. She didn't mean to look like such a sob story in front of someone so nice. Mubina nearly choked on her next words. "Thank you. I'm fine. Only my heart is injured." That was all she could get out before all the emotions that she had held inside welled up. The leopard seemed so nice. She felt safe enough to let it out. A sob shook her whole body and she let the tears flow freely, giving in to her need to cry. In between sobs, she managed to say, "Sorry."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
