An Afternoon Run [open]

[bliss]

The sun stretched bright and lazy over the horizon, just off to the west as it began its daily descent. It was another hot sort of the day, the kind Bliss would not mind seeing the tail end of, though if the dark clouds gathering eastward were any indication, that end might be coming sooner than expected. Eying the horizon as she left camp, the Lioness measured that she had just enough time for a good stretch before the rare, and all too slight, rain shower fell over the territory.

Striking out from camp, Bliss turned her paws in the direction of the Territory border, cutting a path away from the oncoming clouds. In no time at all, the petite she-cat found herself at the edge of the bare and rolling slopes.

It was on days like today—when the fresh kill was well out of its hiding, the borders secure, the patrols sent out, and a brief respite from hot weather was on the horizon—that Bliss liked to take a moment to run. Run and hunt and test her speed and skill against the kind of prey she otherwise rarely hunted: rabbits. Antalope would always be her favorite, A lionness as she was, but could not deny there was a sort of thrilling joy in testing the pace of one’s paws against an uncommon quarry. And so, shooting out from the treeline, paws churning on the ground, Bliss raced over the gentle hills in a blur of brightly colored fur.

It wasn’t long until she slowed her pace to a steady lope, kicking her hunting instincts into high gear, senses sharp and alert. She knew that the slopes were covered in rabbits, for she rarely hunted them and so they felt relatively safe and at ease here. Sure enough, as she crested the next hill, three popped into sight in the minute valley below. With scarcely a pause, Bliss was off again, tearing down the hill and racing time and instinct to bear down upon her prey. With a leap, a rabbit scream, an assault of claws and two quick bites, it was over. Thanking the stars for the life of the animal, Bliss dragged the fresh kill back toward camp, pausing by the stream’s edge for a much needed drink of water, feeling content with the afternoon and her run.


[ooc: just a random idea that came to me. feel free to join]

[taran]

[bg=black][atrb=width,400,true] Click for Pic! Taran Beautiful, simply beautiful. The most stunning yellow eyes watched her race across the hillside, swallowing the ground with each powerful bound of her strong legs. The rabbit was taken in a matter of seconds, and Taran felt his heart skip when the deathblow was delivered. He had not had th pleasure of meeting one of his own kind since he left his fathers Pride those years ago, let alone a female. The lioness, though much lither than the average, was still a visage of perfection. Her tawny coat was a bit darker than his own bright golden one, more the color of sand, and she stood a considerable bit shorter than he as well- but such was typical for teir kind. Taran, however, wasn't. He hadn't had the pleasure of being able to lounge around while women hunted for him his entire life, and he didn't want it now. No, if here was one thing te massive, handsome feline wanted, it was to prove that he was not the greedy, sloth like sex monger that others assumed he should be- but did that mean he could not hold inhatuation in his chest? That he could not be drawn to his own kind? Part of him told him yes, that by giving in to this he was taking astep in the very direction he wished to avoid. Another part of him however said otherwise, that to long for companionship was normal and acceptable- after all, if the leopards could have partners and not be deemed lesser, than surely he deserved the chance. With a shake of his thick, dark mane the Lion shook the loose bits of dirt and debree from his coat. Taking a moment to groom the fur on his back, Taran then stepped up the the hills edge. Below the lioness had carried her catch to the river, and was now drinking. Well, it was now or never. Jaws parted to emit a partial roar, something that, though powerful and resonating, lacked in aggression or command. Knowing that he know had her attention he gingerly slipped from the hills ridge on to the slope, making his way toward her. When his paws hit the even ground he set off toward her at a gente lope, massive paws crushing the grass where they landed. By all means he was an impressive specimen; large, well muscled, dark maned, brilliant yellow brown eyes. "Greetings lioness," he called out when he stood a few strides away, keen on giving her the space she'd no doubt require. Though he was larger he knew all to well how dangerous an angered lioness could be, and as she had her kill near her he didn't want hr to assume he was here for her food- he could hunt for hself, a feat most males could not, or would not do."I hope my approac is welcome- I have not seen one of my own kind in many months." he explained quickly, hoping she would excuse his unorthadox arrival.