[SRP] Gotta catch 'em (Rayn, Céleste & Aurore)

[Tanakako]

Rayn had decided it was high time she had a thrall of her own, as her brother had just brought back a new female as his second thrall, one that was a seer to boot. It wasn’t that Rayn wanted to be the same as her older sibling, but she had seen how useful Reisele was to her brother and since she did plan on having cubs and still going out on vikings, she figured it was time to fetch one for herself.

She had come out into the roguelands in order to select the very best thrall for herself. She was doing it on her own because it felt personal, and honestly she didn’t want her brother knowing about it until she had come home with exactly the kind of thrall she desired..

Lifting her head she looked around. She was some distance from the pride, far enough into the roguelands that she hoped she would have a decent chance at finding what she wanted.

 

[Tanakako]

The two sisters had been part of the Nguvu Tamaa for some time now. While they were technically acolytes, their Mistress had given them a task to do that was separate from their general training. It was certainly not the first time the two cheetahs had been sent on special missions for Lady Lumiya. And neither of them minded either. The pride had been everything the lioness had originally promised. Shelter and food were plentiful, younger acolytes did their bidding, fetching and carrying things at the bidding of their Lady. In return they took on extra tasks beyond their training. Nothing too stressful, and in fact they were nice little breaks from the more monotonous daily structure of training.

Currently they had been sent out in search of a particular plant. Just why their Mistress desired this plant was unknown, but their job wasn’t to ask questions, but to obey. Luckily both sisters were more than happy to do these small favours in return for the security the pride offered.
 

[Tanakako]

After a moment a scent came to her, that of another feline. Sniffing carefully she hummed low under her breath. Cheetah. Certainly a possible prospect for a thrall. They were skinny and so fragile, but their speed was truly impressive. One would make a good messenger and spy. Nodding slightly she turned and followed the trail, soon enough she came within sight of her target. Or make that targets, for there were two of them. Their colouring were so similar, and their scents a perfect match, which meant siblings. Two for the price of one? How could she say no to that? Grinning she lowered her head and sank into a crouch, moving forwards carefully but steadily. She could easily handle two cheetahs, so long as she didn’t let them start running. If she subdued one, she could force the other to obey her easily enough. All she had to do was get close enough.

 

[Tanakako]

Céleste glanced at her sister, head tipping slightly. Aurore had paused, dropping her muzzle and sniffing at the dead grass. She whispered carefully under her breath, voice uncertain. “Can you hear it?” The long grass, though dead, provided the perfect cover for her to speak without arousing suspicion. Céleste flicked her tail casually, the pair resuming their long-strided walk. She didn’t need to reply verbally for her sister to understand. There had been someone drawing closer to them for a while now, but their path had been oblique to the two cheetahs, until a moment ago where it had altered and headed directly at them.

Céleste was fairly sure they were now being stalked, but it was difficult to look without being obvious to it. Narrowing her eyes at Aurore in warning, she paused to casually lick at her side, as if annoyed by an itch. The brief glimpse she got of the thing stalking them made her fur stand on end. Lion. The tawny coat and the distinctive flick of a fluffy-tipped tail. Resuming their walk she shifted a little closer to Aurore.

“When I say… run.” She motioned with her gaze towards where the lion was stalking them. It was more of a feeling than anything, but both cheetahs were well acquainted with being hunted, despite being top predators themselves, and knew what they had to do.
 

[Tanakako]

Unaware that her targets had already tagged her, Rayn carefully crept closer, moving silently but swiftly. Gradually she closed the gap between herself and her prey. The cheetahs were in decent condition, their blue star-speckled fur was pretty and they looked fit enough. Being cheetahs they were sure to be fast, so she bided her time, crawling closer in stages. Finally she judged that she was close enough and with a sudden burst of raw power she launched herself out of the grass and raced full speed at the two felines.

 

[Tanakako]

The very second the lion sprang out of its hiding place, Céleste shouted at her sister and the two sleek felines shot forwards, racing flat out, putting their incredible speed to full use. They both knew their only possible defence was to keep their distance between themselves and the lion attacking them. A moment later they split in different directions, Céleste veering off to the left while Aurore swerved to the right. It was a tactic they used a lot, forcing the lion to pick one of them to follow, winning a fraction of time as the lion hesitated. Then a moment later, the one not being chased cut across the lion’s path sharply, throwing them off their stride and gaining another tiny advantage.
 

[Tanakako]

Muscles bunching she strained forwards, driving herself forwards with great powerful strides. Bright blue eyes narrowed in focus on the two fleeing shapes. Suddenly the pair split, forcing her to pick one over the other. Latching onto the darker of the two she struggled to force more speed from her stinging paws. So close! Suddenly the paler blue one flashed across her path right under her nose, breaking her attention and forcing her to check her stride for the briefest moment. Growling in frustration at the tactical manoeuvre, she was forced to continue chasing the darker cheetah. But the distance between them was growing, and pain screamed through her muscles, breath rasping in her throat roughly. Damn they were fast!

 

[Tanakako]

Céleste put on a burst of speed as the lion zeroed in on her, long legs bounding across the dry ground as she dived and weaved. Out of the corner of her eye she saw her sister slow slightly and shift her leading paw before suddenly cutting across the lion’s path. Céleste’s heart squeezed in her chest as her sibling dashed right past the lion’s open maw. But thankfully the lion hesitated, confused by the sudden move instead of switching to chasing Aurore. Grinning as the lion dropped back a little further, Céleste glanced at her sister as Aurore circled a second time, drawing up alongside her. They had been through this so many times they didn’t even need to consciously think of the next move. Suddenly Céleste jinked to the side and shot off at a sharp angle, leaving the lion scrambling after Aurore. By now there was a good distance between them, allowing the sisters to run at less than their maximum so they could catch their breath.

Performing the same move as her sister a moment ago she circled round and dashed across the lion’s path, coming close enough to feel the hot breath puff against her fur. As she sprinted away she glanced back and smirked, the lion was definitely flagging so she curved her path to rejoin her sister. With a brief look they put on a burst of fresh speed and burst away from the lion.

 

[Tanakako]

The second time one of the cheetahs dashed in front of her made the lioness snarl in fury as the manoeuvre worked once again, forcing her to slow even more and loose her momentum. With a roar of frustration she was finally forced to pull up, her breath rasping in her chest as she watched the two slim felines race away, tails flicking. Frustration coursed through her as she roared her anger at their departing shapes. She had been so close! Huffing still from the fast run she turned her back on the pair and flopped down. Her quest was far from over, and just because she had failed the first time, she would not give up. She would simply rest a little here and then move on.

 

[Tanakako]

Aurore risked a glance back as the sound of thundering paws faded behind them, breathing a heavy sight of relief at the sight of the lion slowing down. Evidently it had given up the chase. Slowing slightly but still galloping at a good pace she looked across at her sister. Céleste nodded slightly, knowing that look on her sibling. They had escaped safely once again. Slowing to a steady run she angled their path towards a small watering hole they had used before. That would be a good place to rest and recover, far enough away from the lion to avoid running into it again.

They would have to rethink their destination for today… At least there were several places that Lady Lumiya had spoken of so they would just have to go to another one today.