The winter was slowly receding from the lands, however cold the northern reaches would remain throughout the year. Still, signs of spring were quite literally springing up. The massive deer was resting within a south facing meadow, the sun hit it from the time it rose to the time it set which melted the snow, greened the grass, and coaxed up little wildflowers all over the little glade. This was a rare place to find up here in the mountains. Personally he preferred grasses but you had to know how to forage when the snow covered the plains areas. The mountains here held heavy forests, and while he enjoyed the spring growth on the foliage, this was a little haven he didn’t even deserve.

The day had progressed past noon, it was as close to the heat of the day as it got this time of year. Rannoch had his long legs folded beneath him as he chewed his cud and watched over the sleeping cat beside him. His big ears twisted and turned, careful of any sound that was alarming. This was a peaceful place though, not many predators especially with the scent of Taiga lingering in the area. Still, the great elk was far more cautious without his antlers.

Rannoch was bald, reduced to his most vulnerable this time of year as well. Though he was not without his defenses being without them he could much more easily traverse the forests. For right now though, he was enjoying soaking up the sun with Taiga beside him. Maybe his herd was gone, but one he gained was enough. Taiga became incredibly special to him, though he would likely never find doe or hind for his mate, the lioness was everything he needed as a partner in this strange life. The difference in species be damned.

Verdant gaze shifted to the white marked cat, every time he looked at her he was taken aback to where he was now. The last of his kind alongside the beautiful lioness. She was supposed to be his enemy and yet here they were, curled against each other under the spring sun. It was surreal.


"Rannoch"

Waterfall Peak

The cold winter months were coming to and end and spring was starting to take hold on the land. Taiga spent the majority of her time with Rannoch and the others, but of course she had to go away to hunt. The lioness had become a little thin due to often forgoing her meals in sake of staying with the group. There was no way in hell that she could eat grass and leaves, though she'd tried in secret. That morning she'd killed a very plump boar and had feasted until she felt like she'd burst, so today was just for relaxing.

The giant elk lay with legs curled in a patch of spring grass and blooms. The huge feline lay sprawled out beside him, her side against his while she lay on her back. Taiga caught little snatches of sleep here and there but even then she was still rather alert. The steady sound of Rannoch chewing his cud was soothing. The woman was still surprised that she and a hoofer had connected so quickly and completely. It was a total unknown where she was from. It would be a blasphemy among her kind to be associated with dinner. Taiga didn't care either way. Rannoch was hers. This herd was hers.

Waking up from another stint of nap, the lioness rolled into her full belly before placing her legs beneath her. She stretched, curved killing claws sinking into the floor of the meadow while she yawned. First she stretched front legs then hind before standing and rubbing her cheek against the top of the elk's bald head. His antlers had fallen as antlers do but it didn't make him look any less dashing. Taiga's rough pink tongue protruded and she pulled it over the round nubs where Rannochs antlers had been, knowing that the spots were itchy still. That deep, lowing of content pulled from Taiga as she cleaned her elk.

"Taiga"

He was thankful that Taiga didn’t eat around him, he could hardly stand the sight and scent of blood. Rannoch’s fight or flight response was triggered in those instances, and instinct took over. He handled himself well enough around the massive predator, but was glad that she took him into consideration. Her care for him and the herd showed in how frequently she went without eating, how well she avoided them while she was hunting and consuming flesh. Taiga really loved them to go to such lengths. He only hoped that he could return that sweet love to her. He would keep awake and alert as they lay there, and she could enjoy her cat nap.

He enjoyed the sound of her little snores when she did fall sleepy, but they were few and far between. Like the elk there weren’t many moments when she could truly relax and let her guard down. She may have been the largest of the predators, but she had her herd to worry about. The elk tilted his head to catch her from the corner of his eye as she began to stir. She lifted herself and pulled away from him and his emerald gaze followed her.

Rannoch watched as she stretched her languid body, reviving herself from sleep as the sun bathed her. It peeked through the light clouds in the blue sky. It covered their tiny meadow as much as the thick forests that covered the sides of the mountain. This place was unique even in the northern reaches. There was a gentle gust, and the temperatures were chill enough he was comfortable while his coat held to its winter density.

Taiga shifted again, gathering all of Rannoch's attention as she returned to his side and rubbed her cheek across his skull. The feeling of her rubbing against the nubs where his antlers would regrow had him closing his eyes in delight. Rannoch leaned into her affections as she shifted from her cheeks to her rough tongue. His chest rumbled as he enjoyed the relief she brought to the itching feeling. "Mmm.” There weren’t many words needed as he lay quietly, simpling enjoying this strange relationship with the lioness he held dear.

"Rannoch"

As she licked at Rannochs crown, the big elk made a sound of pleasure and leaned into her. Taiga's chest was pressed against him as she continued to lick at the itchy nubs. A big paw settled over the man's shoulders and she rubbed her cheek against him once more, spreading her scent upon him. A predator was less likely to mess with an herbivore that smelled like a lioness. Something harming the elk was the last thing that Taiga wanted.

In true feline fashion, the cat unceremoniously thumped back to the ground, rolling a little bit in the grass and flowers before coming to rest against Rannochs side, on her back once more. She looked up at him, ruby eyes fixed on his broad snout. "Enjoying your taste of spring?" She didn't know how he felt about his antlers missing other than knowing that their absence made his head itchy. She imagined all three of them were enjoying the break in the icy chill of winter. Oscar was for sure. The little donkey had a rough time in deep snow and bitter cold.

"I wonder where we should go next." The world was their oyster, so to speak. The quartet could travel wherever they wanted and see whatever they wanted. Nothing tied them to the north other than Taiga's love of snow and all things cold. The cat focused on the elks green eyes once more. "Is there anything in the world that you'd like to see? Anywhere that you'd like to go?"

"Taiga"

There was a tiny part of him that wondered if this was how it felt to be consumed. Taiga held him against her, with her pale paw draping lightly over his shoulder as her rough tongue drifted over his skull. He could feel the brush of her teeth against his skin, and the hint of dangerous claws in her toes. However, Rannoch also felt safer nowhere else but right here. He could very nearly let his guard down and relax and th beautiful day passed over them. The gentle breeze rustled the tasty new foliage around them. The green shoots that rejoyced for the spring and the sun.

The land was changing just as he did with the seasons every year. The snow melted and began to collect and wash down the sides of the mountain to water the thick trees and collect within the powerful waterfalls that flowed off the mountain and drained to the rivers below. Eventually reaching the seas.

His mind drifted like the waters into the ocean as Taiga pulled away again to flop onto the soft green grass. Rannoch shook his thick neck and settled back in beside her as she peered up at him. Looking far too much like a feisty kitten. "I am. You wouldn’t know but the spring greenery is always the most tender.” He chuckled. He did belong in the ice and snow, he was most comfortable up here in the cold northern reaches, this was most like the land he was made for.

She mentioned where they would go next and Rannoch tilted his head, confused. They weren’t migratory beasts, the northern reaches were their home. Taiga pushed him though, and his thoughts made him avert his deep green gaze. There was only one place his heart desired to go, and that was an impossibility. "You know where.” He returned to her sadly. He wanted to go to the great north, their homeland. For all he knew though, it had disappeared with the ice bridge. They really were the last of their kind.

"Rannoch"