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✦ Step 1: Capture. ✦

“So,” Lithian asked, frowning, as he and Casseth pushed through the brush and made their way up the initial outcropping of rocks at the edge of the Terra Expanse, “…what part of a massive, bloodthirsty, hungry carnivore capable of shredding us in two with its bare claws and teeth…made you think, ‘Hey, I think it would be a great idea to go steal some of its cubs!’”

Granted, Casseth had had his fair share of ‘interesting’ ideas in the past, so Lithian was no stranger to some of the less advisable ones when it came to safety and common sense, but one way or another, Lithian generally ended up caving to his friend’s wishes regardless. After all, little as he liked the idea of attempting to capture a young predator from a well-guarded pack of temperamental adults, he liked the idea of Casseth attempting such a task on his own far less. At least this way, he would be around in the event that things might very well go sour. Quickly.

It didn’t help either that one of Lithian’s first, terrifying memories of beast-hunting had involved an unanticipated encounter with a grown baowi when he was barely eleven years old. So, while he knew that rationally, he ought to be capable of handling the creatures now, a part of him still harbored a more irrational, base fear of the beasts. The thought of trying to steal one of their newborns seemed to be begging for trouble.

✦ Step 1: Capture. ✦

Casseth paused, glancing towards Lith and waiting for him to finish his rant. “Mmm, I told you you didn’t have to come.” He shrugged before continuing on, pushing larger rocks out of his way with his magic as he climbed further up into the mountains. “Have you ever seen someone riding them? Think of how much ground you could cover on the back of an adult.” Cas had been thinking about a mount for himself for some time now and just didn’t feel like a hastar would fit him right. The moment he had seen an oblivionite man riding into town on the back of a baowi , though, he had known it’d be the perfect one for him.

He paused again, turning back to face Lith. “You can still turn around and go back to town if you want.” Cas knew this was dangerous and knew the risk that both him and Lith was taking in coming here.

Casseth winced, turning away from Lithian at the inquiring question. Truth be told the only kind of research he’d done on the creatures was asking the oblivionite he’d saw, where to find the baowi. He supposed he should have done a little more reading up on them before dragging Lithian and himself out on this risky adventure but that had never been Cas’ style. He dove headfirst into things and dealt with the consequences as they came. Much as he had when deciding to join the Pit.

He paused, jerking back around at the noise. His eyes widened as a furry snout popped out from between some rocks not too far above them. “It’s one of them.” Casseth said as he grinned at Lith. “See? That was easier than we thought.” He took a step forward, holding his hand out and gesturing for the cub to come towards them. Slowly, Cas made his way closer to the creature. “What do you suppose they eat?” He asked absently as he came within almost reaching distance of the baowi cub.

He reached his hand out and just as his fingers were about to make contact with the cub’s muzzle a shadow loomed over Cas. He gulped, hand frozen in mid air, as he slowly glanced up and saw a slightly larger, more fierce baowi standing over him.. “Mmm…” In an instant, Cas was jerking his hand back, stumbling backwards over his own feet and tumbling to the ground. “I...think we should leave…” Casseth scrambled back to his feet just as two more baowi showed up, towering over the younger two and growly, mouths open and ready to attack. Cas moved, backing up into Lithian. “Should we run? I think we should run.”

Casseth breathed heavily as they finally stopped running. He collapsed to his knees, sweat rolling off of his face as he turned and plopped down into the sand. The baowis had chased them for what seemed like forever, only giving up as Casseth had sent a wave of sand tumbling up and over them as a last ditch effort to lose the creatures. His gaze jerked to Lithian at his words, frowning to himself. He supposed now was just as good a time as any to break the news to him. “So...would this be a good time to tell you I signed up for the Pit?" Casseth grinned sheepishly, waiting for the response he knew would come from his best friend.

Casseth watched as Lith sank down next to him. He diverted his gaze, not wanting to see the expressions playing over Lithian's face. "I am sorry I didn't tell you before. I had just been talking to Takhi about it and things escalated." He rubbed the back of his neck. Cas glanced back, a small smile making its way back onto his face. "You...want to come watch? You're sure? I have my first match next week. Nothing major. Just against a creature as a warm up." He nudged his shoulder against Lith's, smile growing even more. "I'll be fine Lith, promise."

Cas chuckled, shoving Lithian playfully as he stood. "Yes sir. Loud and clear." He grinned as he held his hand out for Lith.