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 Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2013 7:50 pm
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Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2013 8:00 pm
The sun was in the process of rising to herald the start of another day. Aolani stood silently, like a sentinel as she took in the marvelous colors filling the sky. As ever the same as the days before the sight still took her breath away. Aolani enjoyed the quiet of the moment as she gave a wistful sigh. The mare would have been enjoying the sight with Hina'ea but her mate was not at her side this day.
As the display came to an end Aolani took the path nearest to her that would take her down to the river. Even if she had to spend the day alone it would not stop her from puttering around and taking care of the necessary things that needed doing. She began humming a quiet song as she progressed down the path.
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Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2013 8:07 pm
The dark-pelted panther scowled at the sight before him. A large river winded its way across the path that he wanted to take. Tsaheylu moved towards the water's edge and gingerly dipped his paw into the liquid. He withdrew it almost as quickly. How could anyone bear to think about crossing? Anyone who tried would feel like ice flowed in their veins. Tsaheylu angrily paced back and forth along the icy bank. He would not be denied.
There was a moment were he actually contemplated the shifting of forms to fly across but just as he was about to call the change to him a soft, lilting sound caught his ears. He swiveled his gaze to the path behind him as he spotted a mare emerge into the open.
Hmmm, he thought, this might turn into a very interesting day after all.
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Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2013 8:21 pm
Aolani was so wrapped up in her song that she almost missed the splash of darkness crouched at the river's edge. Her hooves dug into the ground just as the rest of her almost continued in a forward motion. She righted herself almost immediately. Had she not corrected the motion she would most likely have fallen into the water or even landed on the creature that she had spotted.
Chuckling nervously Aolani gave a small cough before observing the creature hunkered down at the edge of the river. It was a panther with a dark colored coat. However spaced all over the panther's coat were splashes of vibrant color. Aolani peered down with an interested gaze as she tried to make sense of the markings. Turning her gaze to the water Aolani caught the thin layer of ice that was present before lowering her head to dip her muzzle into the water. The sudden temperature shock had her swinging her head up in a hurry.
"Brr. That's cold."
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Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2013 8:33 pm
Tsaheylu watched the mare in wary silence. Since she had made no move to flee it meant that she must have felt safe in his presence. What a foolish little thing she was. He could hear the blood pulsing through the mare's body as she fought to right her balance. He dug his claws into the ground. There was a plan coming together in his mind. Could it possibly be easy enough to trick this mare? Perhaps this would give him a chance to get across the river without having to reveal his true nature to this mare. His head swung up to meet the mare's gaze as she commented on the water's temperature. His voice came out rather soft. "Indeed it is."
He needed to draw this mare in. He needed to weave a trap around her so gently that she'd not suspect the danger until it was too late. The first step would to pique the mare's curiosity. If that didn't work well he would have other backup plans to fall upon.
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Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2013 9:15 pm
Aolani had not really expected a reply to her comment on the water's temperature. She glanced down towards the panther and observed it idly lick at it's paw. Well this was an interesting twist in her day. Aolani hadn't seen many wild animals and thus had no experience on whether an animal like this panther should be talking. Instead she merely shook her mane to the side.
It was a curious thing to behold. Here she was wanting to make idle conversation. With Hina'ea away it was no surprise that Aolani would be feeling a little on the lonely side. Aolani gave a small pause before peering down at the panther again. "Well it's obvious that you can talk. What are you?"
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Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2013 9:27 pm
Tsaheylu fought the urge to roll his eyes at the mare's question. Instead he rose to his paws and circled around the mare before resuming his position at the river's edge. He licked his paw before looking into the mare's eyes. Direct contact had been made. His green eyes pierced the mare's seemingly colorful ones before he let his gaze roam the mare's body. "Is it not obvious my dear? I am a panther. Clearly though you should know this."
Tsaheylu's circuit around the mare and his gaze afterwards all told him that this mare was in seemingly perfect health. He would not be able to just outright launch an attack. He cast his gaze to look over the river. His mind was creating scenarios rapidly as he let his words fade into an awkward silence. He rose to his paws again and paced a few steps back and forth before sighing.
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Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2013 12:32 am
If the panther's answer was supposed to get under her skin it wasn't very effective. Aolani shrugged off the brashness of the reply before watching as the panther circled around her. There didn't seem to be any inherit malice in the gesture. Just as she thought that though the panther locked gazes with her. Aolani felt a small chill of unease as she stared down at the panther's sharp green eyes.
To cover up her unease she gazed across the river before glancing back down to the panther. "Okay, so you are a panther. Why are you hanging around out by the river ... if I can ask?"
Aolani was curious as to why the panther would hang around. "Are you okay?"
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Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2013 12:54 am
Tsaheylu gave a silent chuckle. Now he was getting somewhere with this mare. He'd have her completely with a little more subtle acting on his part. He sat back down and gazed across the river before slipping a sly look to the side. The mare was also looking across the water. What did she see when she gazed across the expanse like that? Tsaheylu saw himself crouching victorious over the mare's downed body.
Aware that the mare had asked a question Tsaheylu gave the mare a woeful look before looking down at the ground. His tail whipped back and forth in agitation. Now came the hard part - selling the story.
"As it turns out I'm facing a dilemma. I need to get across the river for a meeting but I'm afraid of the crossing. I was hoping that maybe some kind individual would lend me a hand in getting across."
Tsaheylu had set the bait out. He cast a sly gaze towards the mare before asking his next question. "Do you know of such an individual?"
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Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2013 10:53 pm
Aolani glanced down towards the panther again. She was slowly processing the panther's words. The animal seemed to have a serious plight on its paws. The mare gave a quiet sigh. She didn't want to distress Hina'ea if he were to return suddenly but surely she could aid this poor creature across the river, couldn't she?
Aolani gingerly placed her hoof into the water. While the river displayed no visible signs of danger just the temperature shock alone should have been an issue to decide upon. She withdrew her hoof before backing up a few steps. The river's current seemed rather sluggish at the moment and Aolani knew that the water was maybe, at the most, chest deep. It wouldn't seem to be a problem to transport the panther across the water.
"I suppose that I might be able to ferry you across the water. You would have to be very careful though. One wrong move could spell serious trouble. I suppose that since I'm agreeing to this that you might be able to share your name with me. I am Aolani."
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Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2013 11:06 pm
Tsaheylu crouched at the bank of the river and watched as Aolani tested the water's temperature. He knew that the mare found it cold. That was the plan. If he could get Aolani to exhaust herself with the crossing it would be so much easier to corner her on the far side of the river. Tsaheylu scoffed as the mare graced him with her name. It wouldn't matter what she was called if his plan came to fruition. She'd just be the next victim of his in a long string that spanned quite a ways into his past.
He held back an ominous chuckle as Aolani gave her answer. He had the naive mare right where he wanted her. The frigid water would sap her strength and he'd be able to sink his claws into her back and maybe his fangs into her neck. It'd be over in a heartbeat. Tsaheylu lashed his tail against the ground. "We must hurry then Aolani. I cannot afford to miss this meeting."
Tsaheylu did not need to fake the urgency that was in his words. His stomach rumbled loudly. His gaze pierced the mare's stare ... urging her into action. That he'd left his name out of the equation was intentional.
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Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2013 11:18 pm
Aolani picked up on the panther's urgency. The mare cast her glance over the water once more before gamely lowering herself to the ground. The best idea would be to allow the panther to have access to her back and that way he'd be able to keep his seat as she traversed the frigid waters. Something flashed through her mind briefly before she pushed it back. Surely if the panther was in such a hurry that he didn't have any other sinister motives floating around that head of his. Aolani tilted her head slightly as she contemplated this. Surely he wouldn't ... would he? He’s just looking to get across the river. That’s all.
Aolani pushed the thought from her mind. She would need to concentrate firmly on where she placed her hooves in the next few minutes or however long it took for the crossing. She gave a pointed look to the panther. "If you are ready, climb onto my back. I'll go slow enough that you shouldn't have to worry about falling off. This way you won't need to use your claws to find purchase."
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Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2013 11:28 pm
What a malleable fool this mare was. Tsaheylu fought the instinct to lick his lips in sheer pleasure. Here was a willing fool just offering herself to be his next sacrifice. He glanced away from the tempting image of Aolani kneeling on the ground next to him in order to keep from blowing the ruse now. He wanted the mare cold and exhausted before he attacked. The fun would last longer. He'd draw out her suffering for as long as he could.
With a quick stepping motion Tsaheylu closed the distance between himself and Aolani and gingerly sheathed his claws. They'd come into play soon enough but for now he had to play along with Aolani's concern. She didn't want him clawing her back. Fair enough, if he had done that in the middle of the crossing he'd be in peril too. The temperature of the water was enough to suck the strength from anyone foolish enough to tarry too long in its cold embrace. Tsaheylu gingerly placed his front paws on Aolani's back before hopping lightly to lie down on her back. Was this perhaps a mistake? Tsaheylu inhaled deeply of Aolani's scent and he could see the pulse point in her neck move rhythmically. His tail lashed the mare's side none too gently before he attempted to rein in his baser instincts.
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Posted: Sat Mar 09, 2013 3:02 pm
Aolani felt the weight of the panther on her back and she grew a little alarmed. She had been expecting the creature to weigh less. Would she still be able to make the crossing without dumping the poor animal into the water? The brief lashing of the panther's tail against her side had her twisting her head to watch the animal. She gave it a pointed look before sighing. At least it had taken to heart what she had stated about sheathing its claws. Aolani sighed deeply before concentrating on what was to come next. The mare rose slowly in order to not dump her passenger onto the ground.
Steeling herself for the temperature shock she knew was coming Aolani bravely placed one hoof into the river's water before pushing herself onward. Soon she stood with all four legs immersed. She shivered briefly. It was only going to get worse though if she remained still. "Hold on as tight as you can ... my footing might become a little unstable."
Aolani took a deep breath and pushed forward. The water quickly rose to her chest and she suppressed the gasp that she wanted to voice. The temperature was colder against her flank than she thought it should be. She needed to motor across as fast as she could. Her concern was still on her passenger though as she yelled back to the panther, "are you alright back there?"
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Posted: Mon Apr 01, 2013 3:21 pm
Hold on as tight as he can? Tsaheylu shook the image of himself leaning forward to grip the mare's neck in his teeth. That would come soon enough. He ignored the look that the mare gave to him for lashing his tail before settling down as much as possible. He had to admit that he was impressed with the mare's determination to "help" him across the river. He hoped that his plan would work.
As the mare pushed onwards Tsaheylu could feel her energy level begin to wane. The query that she shouted back to him went unanswered. Of course he was alright. He was perfectly content. The water that lapped at the mare's chest was barely enough to wet his paws constantly. It was a mild annoyance. Tsaheylu was careful as he arched his back in a stretch before deciding to answer. His voice carried to the mare's ears, "Just a little wet but I'm okay. What about you?"
The question was asked merely as a veil. When arching his back Tsaheylu had unsheathed his claws and had dug them into the flesh below him. Faint beads of blood had appeared and he grinned. There had been no signs that the mare had felt the tears in her skin. That would change all too soon. Tsaheylu carefully brought one paw towards his mouth to lick the faint taste of blood off of his claws.
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