It was a fine, fine day, really. The sin was shining, the grass was rippling under the early evening breezes. All in all there was not a thing to complain about. Well, at least aside from the lack of food lately. Despite the wonderful weather, things had been a bit dry around Halus' home, and she'd had to go further and further afield to find anything worth hunting down. As a huntress that made things a little bit difficult, to tell the truth. She was supposed to help provide, but more and more lately she'd been coming home at the end of the day with empty claws.
That was part of why she'd chosen to go much further afield today than she had before. Maybe things were better just over the next ridge! It made sense too, that animals would get used to being in danger in one area and begin to avoid it. She'd really probably feel the same way if she was an antelope or zebra. It made a lot of sense! Of course, when she had GOTTEN over the next ridge things hadn't been much better. A bit greener here or there maybe, but overall the same. The grass was dusty and a little crackly, and hard to stalk through silently. What a shame.
She'd been just about to turn around when she'd caught the scent of something dead on the shifting wind. Carrion wasn't her thing, not at all, but it still smelled bloody, still smelled fresh. Maybe she could convince whomever had killed whatever it was to share! Then she wouldn't be going home totally empty-clawed, at least. She kicked up to a jog, eager to find the source of the smell. Best not to run though, in case the kill's owner thought she was charging. Best smiles on, now! It wasn't hard to pretend to be friendly when you really were a sweetheart.
She found what she was after in the form of a hulking brown and black lion buried up to the neck in the belly of what looked to be an old rhinoceros. A rhino! How'd he managed that?! Especially alone! A closer look revealed how it was probable though. The bull was old, probably blind by the milky whites of her eyes, and looked like he'd been gored a few times by something decidedly not lion. Another male, perhaps, fighting for mating rights or territory. If the bull was already downed, it wouldn't be too hard to finish it for a robust, healthy, agile young lion. Still, it was impressive.
She slowly trotted down to greet the male, calling out a 'hallo' to get his attention. He turned to stare at her, a rather frightful sight all dripping in blood and gore... But rather than attack he just grunted and returned to digging in the rhino's belly, occasionally tugging free some soft meaty bit or other. She took that as her sign to join him and carefully circled around to the far flank of the behemoth. There really was more than enough food here for both of them. Goodness, this would have fed some smaller prides! But it never hurt to be careful, and she made sure to keep the bulk of the beast between them.
She tore into the rump of the beast with relish, savoring the rare taste that was made even better by the hunger of not having caught anything else on her own for some time. This was perfect. Just perfect! And she could probably tear off a big chunk to take home after. She'd have to memorize where this was, see about coming back tomorrow with others to take more if there was some left. The vague thought of beating the male to do that flickered in her mind, and she felt slightly bad about it. She didn't like to think she'd steal someone's kill, but her people did need it...and he didn't seem to have anyone else with him from any other pride...
The male, for his part, was really just a solo lion. He'd been overly lucky and in the right place at the right time when the rhino had lost its fight. He'd made his move, dispatching it as best he could and digging in. It seemed like a bit too much food, really, but it would have died anyway. This way he'd at least made it clean and quick, not a slow bleed from multiple gore wounds. He'd meant to eat his fill and then leave it for whatever cared to come take their share. Another lioness was welcome, and he wouldn't have minded her plans if she'd voiced them. As it was, he was content just to dig out this bit of liver or that strip of muscle. He'd take what he wanted and needed and then it was none of his business. He never stuck around long enough to revisit a hunt or kill anyways.
He left before the female had finished, standing suddenly and ducking his head at her questioning look before stalking away in his continued silence. He wasn't much of a talker, and he didn't need to be. No single place called to him, and those he left behind now would likely never remember him to begin with. He would only barely remember them, probably. He didn't need a name to go with the faces. Just food in his belly and the wind at his back.
Halus watched him go until he was over the horizon, and then returned to gorging herself. She had her fill and worked a large chunk of meat free. It would be a bother to haul it back to the pride, but that was what she needed to do. Taking a moment to memorize the local landmarks, she took off at a slow jog. She'd be home before it was fully dark, and come morning they'd all come back and gather what they needed from the rest of the over sized corpse. All in all it had ended up being a much better trip than she'd planned. Of course, what she didn't yet know was that she'd never make it home, let alone back to the rhino. In thirty hours this whole scene wouldn't even be remembered.
[Words: 1046]
