Despite the growing numbers of the pack Alnitak was still set on continuing her trips outside the territory in order to find others willing to join. The last few had been successful enough, and she was sure that this one too would end with another dog accompanying her back to the Nyota lands. So far her trip had not been a long one, starting her journey out halfway through the night, and the sun was just starting to rise above the horizon. She took but a moment to watch as the moon lost her reign over the sky once more to the sun and scowled. Such an insult it seemed to have to give away the sky each day, but there was nothing that could be done.
Not wanting to stand idle for too long she had continued to move, ears perked forward and eyes open for any signs that another wild dog was near by. The scent of some caught her nose, but they smelled old, perhaps a few days at least, so the trails were not worth following as they would likely lead her further along than she wished to travel. Instead she stayed on her path. Perhaps if it did not pan out she could follow one of the older trails.
Kerke was awake far earlier than perhaps he would have liked to be, but the cheetah shrugged the thought away as he made his way towards the small watering hole he had seen the previous day. The cheetah crouched beside it and slowly lapped up the cool water, mulling over any plans he had for the day. Nothing really important popped up, though his mind couldn’t help but wander back to the female cheetah. For now though he shook it off and quickly stood. There may not have been anything he had exactly wanted to do, but it was sure to be a fine day and he didn’t want to waste it sitting around by the water. After another couple laps of the cool water he bounced around it and started out. Perhaps he would scope out a possible meal, there was bound to be a herd of something near here.
As he made his way out towards more open area he started to smell signs that herds had been around, and quite recently it seemed. If they were not nearby, then they surely would not be too far away for him to follow. However as he stepped forth in to the grasses, leaving his previous rock hiding spot behind, he saw that he was not the only predator here. To his right he saw a wild dog, a red and black one. She seemed not to be paying any attention to him, however he decided to keep an wary eye out just in case there were more.
Alnitak had left the path she had been on, as it faded off in to a more open area. Herds of various beasts could easily be smelled, as well as the scents of a number of predators. The latter smells seemed older than the former, and if not by at least a few hours then longer. Not an immediate threat to her, so she ignored them. However she did focus on the other smells. Perhaps with an abundance of prey around she might spot some other wild dogs. it was not a guarantee, but certainly not the worst plan for finding them. Another smell caught her attention as a shifting breeze brought it her way. She glanced sideways and found her stare met by that of a cheetah. Not close enough to warrant action, and she was sure she could take on a cheetah if it, for some reason, decided to attack, however for now she turned away, ignoring the feline.
Suddenly the wild dog looked his way. He couldn’t help but continue to stare, body tensing slightly, however she looked away, seemingly uninterested in his presence. This he was quite glad for. Curiously he turned his attention around. Surely if there were more dogs with her they would have come forward by now. Perhaps she was some sort of scout or was simply alone. With a flick of his tail he moved forward, deciding to greet this wild dog as he would any other feline he came across. While he didn’t normally converse with wild dogs, or hyenas, it perhaps could not hurt to try. Well it could, if they did not like him there, but worth a shot anyways.
With mild hesitation he moved towards the red and black wild dog, a lop-sided smile on his face. “Hello there, friend. Are you looking for something?” He tried his best to sound friendly, and was sure he had managed to do so.
Alnitak could hear the grass moving and crunching as something moved towards her. it was obviously the cheetah she had been keen to ignore, and this assumption was confirmed when a greeting was called out. She slowly turned her head to look at the feline, lips curling back slightly as she sized the beast up. He was certainly not an impressive sight, though no cheetah really was in her opinion. “My business is none of yours, cat!” Aln barked back at him. With a huff she turned her attention away from the annoyance and started out after the scent of the herds.
Kerke was slightly taken aback as her tone. While perhaps he should not have been, given that it was not that uncommon for him to receive an unfriendly reply when he came across other rogues out in the lands. He watched as she started to leave. Kerke stood for a moment, mulling over whether or not he should still try to talk to her. It was possible she did need some help, perhaps he had just asked in the wrong way. After another moment of hesitation he hurried forward, bringing his pace along hers, but still keeping his distance form her just in case. At least if she did get angry and attacked he would have the distance o get away.
“I apologise is perhaps I came off sounding a bit nosy or some such. However perhaps if there is something you need help with I will be able to assist you in finding it.?”
A low growl escaped her through at the cat’s persistence, however she did not slow her pace. Alnitak turned her head to look at the cheetah. “I do not require your aid, cat. If you continue to pester me then I shall not continue to be so kind.” The female wild dog looked away from him, hoping he would listen this time. She was not about to stoop so low as to ask this feline for help, help that she did not even need. Aln was quite capable on her own.
Kerke slowed his pace at the wild dog’s reply. She certainly did not seem to like him very much. The cheetah watched as the wild dog left him behind, focused on whatever it was she was off to do. He certainly was not going to try pushing and end up with her after his throat, and he was not fond of that idea in the least. With a sigh he changed direction slightly to put more distance between him and the wild dog, quite wishing she was not going to keep heading in the same direction, otherwise they would end up in the same place eventually.
(Word Count: 1249)
