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 Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 8:33 am
Ahead of her it ran. So it had been for a while now. If she leapt, she might be able to put a halt to its flight with a hoof on its plumy tail...but that was not her way. About thirty paces ahead, there was a clearing, more hard mud and sand than water. All around was brush. Forty degrees right, then twenty left - a silent turn, and they would be face-to-face. Where would the little creature go?
It was time to find out. She cut right - but, wait, they were not alone.
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Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 9:02 am
A measured, just distinct ripple came through the brush opposite, a sharp rustle that indicated speed and purpose. The sound of snapping twigs got louder. Something was making its way towards her; rather, her prey, and it was approaching fast.
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Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 9:09 am
She abandoned her original plan. Whatever it was - another kimeti by the sound of it, and a strong one too - would get to the mongoose before her, and it would have to cut through the clearing to do it. It obviously had some sort of aim in mind, much better to get a ringside seat instead. She darted her way through towards the edge, maintaining her silent steps. The other, however, was louder still, and now -
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Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 9:25 am
A shadow emerged, full-bodied, with prominent slashes of gold - the buck's red eyes were focused on the mongoose they had both sought, and with swift, dramatic movement, he swept the mongoose up by the tail and slammed it full force into hard ground. It swung, helpless, and he spun to drag it across his back spines.
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Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 9:30 am
Sharply, she stopped. Just before she broke through to the clearing, she stood, watching.
This was no ordinary hunter.
This, she thought, might not be a hunter at all.
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Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 9:43 am
Its ragged body continued to shudder, there were desperate, weak squeaks - it was not yet dead. He dropped it, a bundle on the ground, and prodded. Its pulsing granted him a neat spurt of blood, it pooled as he laid his hoof upon it once more, rhythmically pumping. A brief considered pause, then he scratched distinct channels in the dirt, miniature red rivers branching almost ritualistically from the source.
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Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 9:58 am
Still, she stood, watching.
This, indeed, was no hunt.
What was it? Was it ritual? Was the mongoose a hapless sacrifice? Was it...the more she watched, the more she suspected...merely play? Was it...meant to be...art?
Still she watched. The buck was good, not a drop was wasted, not once did he need to move the carcass, all channels connected for just enough blood to stain dark lines into the ground. She could see the pattern from here. Very pretty.
Her judgement hovered. A note of appreciation, certainly, in the observation of a master at work - even the kill (or maiming, the thing was not quite yet entirely just a thing even now) had been exquisite. But...not that she was alarmed, but any means. But. There was something about it. Something about the way her sharp hunter's ears could still pick up the rattling rasps of fading breath. Something...unnecessarily...cruel.
She had not thought she still had heart to pause and frown at cruelty.
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Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 10:02 am
Sometimes the little cries were louder, sometimes softer. They were distinctly winding down now. He seemed to find this unacceptable, and plucked it up in his mouth. Quickly, a few bold strikes into the ground again: the splatters were to his satisfaction, laid artfully about the crimson lines. His jaw clamped down, making sure that it had been spent. It had.
He neatly placed it upon a bush and said, "you can come out now."
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Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 10:04 am
Her eyes narrowed, disgusted beyond belief that she had been discovered. But fair was fair, and so she stepped into the light.
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Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 10:12 am
The buck did not move, only his head tilted up and down, examining her in her entirety, before he spoke once more. "You were watching the whole time, weren't you." A smirk touched the corners of his mouth. "Did you enjoy the show?"
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Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 10:17 am
So he had known, all along. She considered this. She kept her eyes on his crimson gaze. She let long moments of silence pass before she finally decided to speak. "I presume you aren't going to eat that."
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Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 10:22 am
"It is - was - an implement." He affirmed, clipped. "As proven, about the right size to sustain this piece. Though it could have afforded to be a little bigger."
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Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 10:25 am
"That's a waste of a good mongoose."
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Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 10:33 am
This time, he truly smiled, eyes lazy and indulgent. "Well then, young lady, you didn't look like you were hunting it for food."
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Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 10:37 am
It was a struggle to keep her eyes from narrowing again.
Truth be told, she had not yet decided, throughout her mazy pursuit, what she sought to do with the poor beast. She wouldn't say 'lunch' had been ruled out outright, but in all honesty, sustenance had not been high on her list of priorities.
Not that she would admit to it, not now. "And how could you know that?"
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