Between a Rock and a Hard Place

[Snoutt]

The feline grounds were not the usually place to find a nagetier. A rodent Nagetier; that was for sure. The small rodents that did call this place home were cruel and fowl; eat or be eaten. The majority of the nagetier here were serpents, which was another reason as to why rodents were not common here. they were pests, and often were not much liked by the felines. Perhaps the felines kept the snakes around in order to keep the pesky rodents out. That was a thought to think on.
With a hop, skip, and a jump it wasn't but a days journey to the feline kingdom for a certain little dormouse. The idea of going to a feline kingdom was not a pleasant one; and often didn't end well for most. This was different however; or at least, she thought that to herself.
There was a reason why the little critter was here, not just a vacation. The small mouse like creature was on the look out for a rare piece to complete her invention. She couldn't seem to find it in the equine kingdom or the canine kingdom, so it had to lie in the feline kingdom. the worst place for a small mouse; but she didn't care, she would be in and out without worry.
The small rodent made leaps with her steps; her small hind legs barely touching the ground with each step as she sped through the halls of the feline kingdom. It was early morning, perhaps they were still asleep; perfect.
She tiny body ran through the halls, her incredibly speed and ability to jump making her appear as if she was a small kangaroo. She made her way through the hollow halls, her small pitter patter of foot steps making the faintest sound through them; all she had to do was find that one piece, and she could go home.

[Emorossa]

The early morning rays of sunshine felt like needles in her fur. Lack of sleep clouded her mind. Servals were night hunters typically, and this one was just about through. It had been a horrid night for hunting. Not a single animal was caught. Emorossa was fed like a servent, which means she hardly got any food at all. Maybe some scraps of something every once in awhile. Nothing good enough to keep her healthy. As for now she padding quietly within the kingdom walls. Was she suppose to be here? Probably not. But hunger kept her going. The knot in her stomach tightened as she barely slid past some sleeping tigers.

This would have to be quick on her part. If it was between here and those big hunks of meat she'd be gone within a few minutes. Feather-light paws danced along the shadows of the corridors. The dark spots on her pelt helped her blend in a bit better, even her tan coloring matched the wall paint as well. Large round ears swiveled on her head. Incredibly long and lean legs helped her move like wind through the trees. Her body was built to catch mice, birds, and other small mammals. For now she was sniffing around. Until she heard just the tiniest little sound of skittering along the floor.

Emorossa's large light brown eyes went wide, even her ears looked as if they grew. Her mouth watered in anticipation. Just a few feet in front of her was a dormouse hopping along the ground. She stepped closer one paw at a time. Stomach fur touched the ground in a low crouch as she began stalking the mouse.

Just a little closer mouse. . . just a little closer. . . she thought to herself.

[veraj]

Needless to say, Veraj was tired. His sleeping was one of an actual baby, he awoke often and was a very light sleeper that night. Thoughts of war and spirits shook his dreams all night long and it was too much to handle. So the python went for an easy stroll, or slither for that matter, down the hall. He wasn't ready to see what he say. It was too early, right? Veraj was angered by the presence of the slave, the poor thing. Yes, slavery was not something that the snake encouraged but that particular slave pushed his buttons.

She was stalking a mouse. Great, even the slave got more food than he did. Time to intervene. The snake was very rarely in a crappy mood and when he did he liked to conceal them. They never came at the right times and were very unprofessional. That mood though stroke a nerve and Veraj had the sensation to lash out on someone and what other thing than a slave. Yes, cruel but dog-eat-dog world, well cat-eat-cat world. But it really would be snake-eat-snake world.

"Servant," his voice was strong for once. The usual passive one was replaced by something else. Confidence in his actions but why? He was a therapist. He made other's problems better not worse. Sometimes he had to make himself feel better for he could help others, right?

"I did not hear from Loki or Paxx that in the near future that we would have a visitor. Or a visitor of much less rank." Veraj's eyes that were usually happy were filled with coldness. He was not in his usual state of mind. It was like a spirit over took the body of the snake.

"Now," he evaluated the situation real quickly. "Tell me why you are here in the castle, slave?" Yes, Veraj knew Emorossa's name. But in the castle, slaves were slaves and anything higher had a name. He was abiding by the rules of the castle. They were easy to follow at that moment.

"And, why are you chasing the poor mouse. The thing probably has a higher rank than you anyway." A cold remark from the cold blooded. He watched the mouse the poor thing probably had no clue what was going on before the snake came. Your welcome.

OOC: Sorry that, that was really mean I kind of feel bad lol

[Snoutt]

The small mouse made the most cautious steps to avoid any contact with the sleeping felines. Felines, they were lazy creatures she thought. Always sleeping the day away when they could be doing something of more important use. There was no reason to be sleeping for so long, Snoutt did not understand the reason for it. She always was an early riser, and those who weren’t were so strange to her. It took a moment for her to realize that she was being watched. The small mouse made a quick turn to face who was stalking her. Her whiskers suddenly flared and quickly wrinkled her nose. The stench of feline entered her nostrils and she quickly let out a sneeze as if attempting to rid herself of the smell. Snoutt’s nose was highly sensitive to the smells around her and she easily could smell and realize that the feline and the mouse were not alone.
To the left of her and the feline came a snake. A large snake; or at least it was to her. The slithering serpent slowly crept up near the feline and scolded her in a rude and royalty like fashion. So, this was a servant cat; no wonder it was hungry and starving looking. The little mouse looked back and forth from the cat and the serpent, two enemies to her species. She was a mouse, cats and snakes ate mice for breakfast, but that didn’t matter to her because she was not the common dormouse.
The mouse stood in a stance like position, ready to flee if needed to be. Snoutt’s breath was always quick and fast, as her tiny heart beat beat was much faster then the larger creatures. The snake radiated with a powerful figure over its head, he must have been important. He was not like the other snakes she had encountered, he was much more calm in the face of a small snack. Snoutt looked back to the feline, it must have been a servant. The cat constantly eyed the mouse even though she was being scolded by the snake.
“Ya da’m right I am. I got a ranki’ fathe’ up then you, ‘ittle kitty!”
Snoutt had picked up the acent of the classic nagetier in the equine kingdom. The mouse’s words were almost similar to a ceratin polecat she knew. In the equine kingdom things were placid and calm for most of the days, everything was collected, organized. Snoutt spoke with fire in her breath, and her accent almost mocked the style of cockney and british from a world not their own.
“I’ll have yu’ know I was simply lookin’ for a piece for me invention, well, I was until ‘is kitty tried to eat me!”
Snoutt let out a huff and spat what seemed like fire. She ruffled her fur coat and then turned her attention to the cat, giving her a violent look; this meal would fight back.

[Emorossa]

She moved back quickly and layed on the floor, her nose touching the ground. Emorossa couldn't see them anymore since her eyes were directed at the floor. Out of all things she knew she wasn't suppose to be in here. The only thing she prayed for was that her stomach wouldn't growl. Right on cue, it did. Fine fur on the back of her neck pricked up in embarrassing. Taking in a gulp of warm air she spoke.

"I apologize, Master. My judgment was clouded with hunger."

Short and straight to the point. Make sure that even if it isn't your fault, you make it sound like it's your fault. Don't look them straight in the eye. Get as low to the ground as possible to look less threatening. If all else fails allow them to beat you.

Her mother's voice scolded her in her mind. She shouldn't be here, she shouldn't even be hunting without permission. Yet the weak heart of hers throbbed inside. Even the very thought of her mom made her feel horrible. Her mom was long dead, she would have to remember that. For now all she could do was take slow deep breathes and pray that Veraj or the dormouse would take pityt on the Serval.

[veraj]

His usual calm personality was fogged with anger from lack of sleep and hunger. Veraj was cold and irritated. He did not want to be talked to let alone a slave and a simple mouse. If he had to talk to anyone, he hoped that it would be someone that got along with him like Loki or Paxx. Veraj's body swayed with simple annoyance. Every part of his body radiated how he felt and usually he was calm but now that everything had changed he gave off a feeling of crossness.

"Shut up!" He spat at the annoying mouse. What it was saying was cloudy. It's accent was so thick that it was hard to even listen to. Veraj's head started to pound with a headache that was bound to come in the next 30-40 minutes. The snake's bodily aches were that predictable.

"You know the rules, slave." His voice hinted a threat but it was very subtle. "So, why are you here?" The serpent's small eyes followed every sudden movement that came from either of the animals. Veraj was not in a good mood obviously and he was very aloof.

[Snoutt]

The small mouse flicked her tail in a twitching ilke manner. The snake both sent fear and anger down her spine. She knew her limits and that the snake could easily swallow her up; but parts of her wanted to attack him anyway. The cat was another story, she was submissive and quiet; perhaps she was just clouded by hunger….Snoutt wiggled her tiny nose in an attempt to get the smell of feline out of her nostrils. She looked to the snake who seemed to be addressing her.
The snake showed a sense of pride and kindness; to a certain dregree. Snoutt could tell he was from the feline kingdom; there was an air about the snake that made her shiver. Felines always frightened the mouse; and yet she would never show it, on the outside.
“I’ll have ye know tha’ I was merely lookin’ for a piece for me inventin’. Must be sum sorta good fit of the part around ‘ere somewhere…”
Her nose twitched as she attempted to sniff the air. Her small body had an incredibly fast heart beat; which made her itch to move. Standing still was not in a mouses list of to do’s.
keep running, just run, move, move move. it was almost all a mouse could do; just keep moving.
The small mouse looked to the cat and almost began to take pity on the thing. The felines were always so cruel to their slaves and servants, it made Snoutt feel proud to live where she did. The equines were caring creatures; those who cared for both big and small. There were a lot of things she could be grateful for; but they didn’t even cross her mind at the moment.
‘hy you so mean to da ‘ittle kitti’? wut had it dun to ye before. Eh?”
She moved in place, her small mouse ears listened the surroundings, and she constantly moved just to satisfy the need. She looked to the snake; almost challenging him, it was strange: a mouse protecting a cat.