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The sun hid behind the clouds, forecasting a storm for later. The clouds were darkening only slowly, suggesting it wouldn't be for a hour or two before the downpour would begin. In a small forest off a beautiful meadow an orange speck of color vanished behind one tree after another, the swirl of a long mane and tail drifting behind it. If one looked closely, they would swear they seen what appeared to be the pelt of a dead animal on its back. But that was foolish thinking, wasn't it? The creature was obviously just an orange horse. Why would an orange horse have the furry pelt of another creature on its back, but no tack or rider?

The blur cut through the trees like it was being chased.

Or chasing something.

But that was even more ridiculous than a horse wearing a furry pelt.

Up close, the orange horse's mouth was twisted in a sneer, something one would think to find more commonly on a predator. It made a leap into the air, coming back down to the earth with a quick scream of pain and flash of red at its hooves. Only then did the horse smile. How quickly the white sleeves on her forelegs had become stained with the countless blood of others in her young life. Only when she was spreading the pain to others could she forget her own.

And smile.

Nyomi was still standing smug over her prize when the voice sounded in her ear. She gave an almost predator like growl at being interrupted by someone who didn't sound familiar. Ever since her encounter with that silver stallion she was finding it hard to keep a hold of her true self. A predator she was not. She had hooves. Not paws. She had to keep telling herself that. Keep it engraved in her mind.

The orange mare narrowed her black eyes at the Star. It had to be a stallion whose attention she caught. Were there no mares in this world?

In truth, she didn't hate mice. The new side of her demanded a sacrifice. A sacrifice she would give it, but she wouldn't give it the satisfaction of tasting from the kill. No matter how much the smell of blood made her mouth water.

I am a herbivore. Not a predator.

Attempting a sweet smile-which turned out more a sneer-Nyomi turned towards the stallion, "I hope that mouse wasn't a relative of yours." The tone of her voice was serious. There was no trace of mocking, though it was clearly that's what the comment was meant to be. Amusing coming from a mare smaller than most with a delicate build. It was no mystery why she inspired curiosity in others.

Nyomi stepped back when the strange stallion came closer, not trusting his or any other stallion's intentions. He wasn't shying away from her or pretending she never said what she had. To her, this wasn't a good sign. This meant he had courage. He faced things head on instead of looking the other way.

He wouldn't be easily gotten rid of, either. As he seemed quite keen on getting closer to her, if not physically than also mentally. The orange mare would not allow it. He was not worthy of her company. Less so now that she was also a wolf. Who else could understand her troubles but another wolf? The behavior changes. The looks from other Stars not, and sometimes fully aware, of what she was. And the itchy, itchy pelt.

"Mice are vile rodents," she said in return, as if that explained everything. At the mention of her fur, Nyomi's eyes widened and her mouth twisted into an angry scowl. It was an expression close enough to be called deranged.

Her coat? Her coat? She wanted nothing more than to get this blasted coat off her back.

Before speaking again, the mare managed to soften her face. As soft as she could wear it, anyway. "Nothing but wolf fur would serve for this pelt," she said with more calm than her previous facial expression might have foretold.

The mare resisted the urge to let out a low growl. More and more, she was finding the skill at which she could do this was becoming greater. Nowadays, it was almost lifelike. She had even been returned by a few howls of real wolves. At that point she had run back into the abandoned building that used to be the Kuze shrine, the better to keep the wolf side under control. From running after the real ones to join them.

She was Star. Not wolf. Prey. Not predator. Hoofed. Not clawed.

Yet, it was becoming increasingly difficult to see herself the same as before. She was not hoofed. Or clawed.

She was both.

At the mention of her pelt's color, Nyomi couldn't resist the smirk that spread across her face. "There is but the single one."

Maybe he would put two and two together? It was obvious he was about as well taught on werewolves as she had been. The most teachings she had received was from that grey werewolf.

Nyomi attempted to keep the emotions off her face for the last comment. Or the urge to strike. Keep it down, girl. No need to give out the secret that quickly. As if she wanted to at all, though it was very difficult. Experiencing the more courageous and seemingly fearless of everything side of a predator after being left to grow up in the body of a herbivore was far too intense for her to handle all the time. 'Specially when something was nearby to tempt the violent side. And he was oh so tempting the violent side. Giving into it would get rid of this problem so quickly. Unless he got away. Which he likely would. Stars were so much bigger than the wolf. She'd have to surprise him.

"Of course," was all the answer she gave. As if he would do much better. And no, nor would she. Her battles were not with flesh and blood predators. She didn't need physical strength. She needed smarts. Good observation. And agility.

Her face lost all evidence of sneers and took on a serious expression as she asked, "What do you want?"