Nothing Like A Good Run

[Zachary]

Zachary, also known as Zach, was still waking up. He had managed to pass out in the Dead Lands last night, although he wasn't exactly sure how he had gotten there. He had probably wandered around in his half awake-half asleep modes. Ugh, he had to figure out how to stop doing that. Whenever he was like that he would wander around, or say things he didn't mean to say. However, this only happened after staying up for an extremely long period of time. Thankfully he never did that. His joints were ultimately stiff. Not that it was a surprise, he had slept in the middle of nowhere last night. He stretched, a large yawn escaping him.

There was one way he had always gotten himself to wake up. A good run. The wind in his face, the adrenaline rush. It just woke him up. After his stretching he crouched. Instantly, with ease. At first he moved slowly, silently, practically gliding over the earth. Then, without warning, he was speeding like a sports car. Within just a few seconds he was probably going 55-60 miles per hour. But after only a couple hundred feet, he was stopping, easily. He felt dust and small rocks fly up behind him as he skidded to a halt. And the best part, he wasn't even tired. Out of breath a bit, oh yes. But boy was he awake!

He shook his pelt, clearing away dirt. He loved being as speedy as he was. But he knew there weren't that many other cheetahs. Not that he knew anyway. He knew Fiaza, or whatever their name was, but he had only heard of how she was kicked out of her spot as messenger. He would hate if that happened to him. Being a messenger was part of him.

[Renn]

Just keep on walking, until you cant walk anymore. There is no reason to look back, after all; you are you.Words in her mind replaced the sounds around her. The gentle noise of the wasteland early in the morning were muffled by the blasting inferno like sounds ablaze in the head of a certain jaguar. A female jaguar by the name of Renn that stalked the waste land as if it were her backyard.

and indeed, it nearly was. This land, the wasteland was almost within the grasp of her claws. A simple word, a simple yes would be all it took and then it would all be hers. There was no doubt in her mind that this land was hers, and she knew it. This was her home, and one day, her children's.

Children...Children, kits...

Those words, they burned the back of her skull, they echoed inside her brain as if they were a painful blow to her head. She growled to herself, baring her sharp feline teeth and digging her unsheathed claws into the dry earth. The mere idea of kits made her wince with agitation. There was no time for kits, she was too young for that, or was she?

The mere idea of having her own kits was something that had only recently become a new thought in her mind. How unnatural it was for a feline such as herself to be so turned off by the idea. She was mated to nature, but her status spoke other wise.

Loki. The one who even the oracle predicted would be her mate. but why now? Why so soon did she have to surrender her freedom. She was not a limited cat; with her coat she could do nearly anything; why did she have to be tied down.

the idea of mating with Loki was not a bad thought; being bound to each other with a bond that nothing could break, it made her heart warm, but also go cold. That meant kits; the one fear the feline actually had. She did not want to be a mother, not yet at least.

In order to free her mind from these thoughts of what seemed to be suicide she left for the wasteland. Loki would wake soon to find her missing from his side; but that was just fine with this headstrong jaguar. he could wait. Without a moments notice this feline was up and into the wastelands without a second guess. She found it a good place to clear her mind; and hunt easy game. She doubted she would run into any kind of creature; let alone a cheetah.

[Zachary]

If you knew Zach, you would know he was a schmoozer. Doing his best to charm anyone into getting something. Items, rankings, information. Not that he had tried all that. But he was sure with some practice he could get something juicy out of someone. It was the weak of mind that he liked to target. And generally, those felines were slaves. Mm, slaves. He wasn't the biggest fan of slaves. But, he was not about to question the ways of the Feline Kingdom. Anyone dumb enough to do that, well, they were as good as rogues.

Speaking of rogues, what did he have here? A Jaguar, here? Alone? Wow. No guards, nobody else with them. All alone in the Dead Lands. So, either a rogue, or a Royal member that wanted to be caught by a rogue. Luckily, he liked the jaguars. Well, he liked them enough to try and protect. One. Plus, now could be his chance to get high in with the royals, ya know? Why pass on that kind of chance, anyway?

He gave himself a small shake, chin raised, ears pointed, tail low. He had always learned to look his best in the presence of someone important. And he wasn't about to throw that lesson into the garbage. He started with a small trot, holding back a full fledged sprint. If he wanted to, he could get to this jaguar in seconds. But no, he took his time. He didn't want to look desperate to meet this feline, after all.

As he got into range he cleared his throat. "Ah, hello." He said formally, his deep, mellow voice a little calmer than usual, and that was saying something. This jaguar was a female. He totally recognized her. She was royal alright. She was Loki's mate.

(This should be fun. xD)

[Renn]

Just keep calm and maybe it will leave you alone.

The jaguar had a snarl upon her muzzle, not a friendly look in any way; a look that only jaguars could cast. The feline made a slight and gentle twitch to her lip to bare her fangs at the approaching male cheetah. As much as she loved her Loki; she knew she had a flirty side; which she was determined to keep tame. However, this cheetah was out of the question, just as he was out of her rank.

This feline had come a long way in the feline kingdom over the course of many moons. The tides had changed for her as she began a new life not too long ago. An encounter in the bayou only lead to her future mate, Loki. Not long ago was she a rouge looking for something to do, and something to kill. She loved the thrill of the chase, and out here in the wastelands were the perfect place for it.

Right now, however; was not that time. This cheetah must have recognized her, for the look on his face made a smirk leach its way across her lips. She bared the white fangs that she knew very well to use. There was no telling what kind of flesh those daggers had cut through; bear, deer, elk, and other feline as well. they told stories; stories that not many would want to hear.

There was a pause and silence between the two. A silence that was coated with the noises of the wasteland. The occasional kick of dust that sent pebbles into the air without caution. The whipping of the wind was sharp and sent a whistle through the ears of the felines. this was nothing different to the jaguar, as she was not the usual mate to the chief.

many before her who mated with the high ranking officials were of low quality. They had the stunning spotted coat, yes, but lacked the attitude and powerful stature. This cat, was not a pushover.

She knew how to push, and push back harder if she needed to. The idea of submitting to anyone was an idea that was quickly shut down and stomped upon by this jaguar. She was her own being, and did not bend to the will of others easily. This jaguar was a flame, a burning and bright flame that could easily erupt into a blaze if not taken care of. It was easy to tame this beast within the beauty. But someone had to have done it, and that one was Loki.

She was a beauty alright, her slick fur was recently cleaned, something new to her as castle life was just now settling with her. Slowly letting the castle staff make her look presentable. Her eyes were sharp with their green color, and her rose like spots were shimmering in the rays of the sun. Not only was her coat impressive but her build was of wonder; sharp, clean, crisp; powerful.

The feline looked toward the cheetah and tilted her head slightly; teeth still agar.

"...Hello."

Her voice was velvet, that melted along her lips in a clean fashion; making her voice a sound to hear. She didn't quite know how to react to the cheetah; he was a lower class, but not low enough for her to turn her face away from his.

[Zachary]

The pause. During that pause Zach had heard every stone in range flip, every whisper of the wind. If a pin had dropped then and there, he would have heard it. This awkward silence was anything but new. This was what he lived with. Pretty alone. He was only talked to when he was given a message, and then he was off to give and receive. That is the only time he generally talked to anybody. So this silence, this moment of judgment and thought, was simply another minute of his life.

". . .Hello." Charming. Simply charming. That was by far the best hello he had heard in a long time. OK, enough sarcasm. He had to admit, that greeting was dull and simply lacked enthusiasm. But, he didn't blame her. I mean, why would a big bad jaguar want to talk to a messenger personally. Heh, now that would be something to write in the history books.

Judging by her lack of enthusiasm, it was more than likely that she was more of a loner than a socialist. He understood those feelings. However, everyone liked to be alone for different reasons. He simply liked to be alone to run. To not give a crap about the drama of the Kingdom. He simply wanted to live his life being himself. And, if he had to, he would do that. He didn't need to be a messenger. In fact, the only reason he did it is because he did like the feeling of importance at those moment. When he was needed to be as fast as possible. Of course, that's what cheetahs always seemed to be made for though. Send messages across the land. It was a little upsetting, thinking about how all the species were classified as they were. What if a cheetah had better qualities of royalty then a jaguar? Hah! Who was he fooling? A cheetah, a member of royalty? That would be a sight. That would also be a nightmare. Which is why he was more happy about the classification system than he was upset about it.

"So, Renn," He began, voice cool and as charming as he could possibly make it. "What brings you out to the Dead Lands?" He was expecting the general "None of your business!" response. But, that was what he had to start out with. And, in all honesty, he did want to know what brought her out here. He had never seen a jaguar out here. Not alone, anyway.

He knew Renn could kill him. Easily, without much care. He knew she had killed lots of things in the past. And he knew that if he even touched her he would probably be attacked and killed by Loki himself. Which is precisely why he was standing a good ten feet away. Not too close, not too far.

[Renn]

There was nothing in the world that would be less pleasing than standing here in the wide open lands of the dead lands with this cheetah. She had seen him about the castle before, that was true; he was a messenger. The two messengers that ran notes back and forth all day she often saw; but sometimes got them confused for each other. Renn could never tell which was which.

The idea of having this feline speaking to her was very strange; there was no question in it at all. Even though this jaguar spent her early years as a free rouge deep in the bayou; the ways of the castle were starting to leech into her skin. She was smugging her face at other felines that were lower then her. She had done this before yes, but never in the manors she did today. She often puzzled how strange this new feeling was; but didn't ever question it.

So, Renn...

Renn. He knew her name already? Had she really risen in popularity as she took the claim of Loki's mate? Had so much happened in a few moons that she was now royalty? This cat was not made for castle life; even though her coat said other wise.

"A simple walk nothing more, what are you doing about..."

She didn't have much reason in asking, but if they were playing the polite game, then so be it. The cat let her slick body stay strong in front of the male cheetah. she would show no sign of weakness. After all, she had a reputation now. Apparently.

It wouldn't be long until Loki would have her under take manner lessons, no mate of a chief could act so unruly. She was a wild one; but perhaps that was what Loki liked; she wasn't easy.

[Zachary]

It took some self control not to roll his eyes. Why act so tough, so strong of mind? He wasn't about to judge the great-and-powerful Renn. It was rather pathetic at how tense and serious she looked. He himself was sitting, relaxed, bored expression. Whatever, she was free to act however she wanted.

"Nothing, just running around. I have nothing to do right now, so I'm just enjoying my free time." He said calmly, looking into her eyes for any emotion. "Speaking of which, need me to send any messages?" Truly, he didn't want to do a single thing. But it was part of his job to run around giving out these messages, so he was obligated to ask.

(Yay for no muse.)

[Renn]

Renn let out a sigh, as if she was releasing all of her energy that she had built up. This cheetah's calmness almost seemed to bother her. It was in her nature and make up to be a hard shell to crack. She had always been serious on the outside; or had she? Perhaps she wasn't, was she really becoming a serious creature? Something that she strived to not be? She looked back to her days in the wetlands, her rouge life that seemed to be almost yesterday. She didn't have a care in the world; and she liked it that way.
Now look at her; a stuck up jaguar; something that she strived to stay away from with all of her being. Yes, she had a rank now; but no, that didn't mean she had to act like it.
Renn looked at her paws, they were clean, almost shimmering from the sun's rays. She hated being this clean. It took her a moment to gather her thoughts; was this the image she wanted the entire feline kingdom to get of her?
A stuck up, hard head with no feelings...That wouldn't do, no sir.
Renn lifted her head and looked at the cheetah; at first her face read an expression of confusion; but suddenly that changed.
Her body position became low to the ground, her forearms extended as if she was ready to pounce. she flicked her tail; she looked frightening, but playful.
"No messages; but how about a race?" She looked at him with a teeth filled smirk; she knew it would be nearly impossible to beat a cheetah; but it was the fun of it that mattered.