Daring

Walk | Talk | Think

The cat, though already lying comfortably upon the ground, relaxed further and rolled herself onto her side, large paws outstretched as she did so. Eirik's rosy eyes stared at the appendages assessingly, remembering the feel of her forepaw upon his side holding him in place and the feel of her claws as they ensured he had no intentions of trying to get away before she was ready. At least now she did not seem prepared to attack or detain him. She looked much like she intended to sleep now, comfortable and calm and seemingly disinterested. Maybe if he was quiet enough she would even fall asleep and he could slip away without her being any wiser to it.

He felt his body ease a little more as the leopard's ice blue eyes fell shut, feeling then a sudden invisibility. If she was not watching then he could get away, right? The pale grey pup had not even gathered enough courage to take a tentative step away before the cat spoke, surprising him as she said nothing in response to his inquiry that suggested she intended to keep him there longer. I'm free? It was almost too good to be true. But she really did seem not to care anymore... Carefully, still mindful of how she would react, if she would at all, Eirik stepped backward, and then again, creeping further away from his captor and sensing his freedom returning the further he got away from her.

But rather than turn and dart off to the den where he knew he would be safe, the boy hesitated. He wanted to talk about this event later when he was alone with his sisters - how amazed they would be! - but how was he going to get through the telling of the tale if he did not know what or who his momentary captor had been? It was brazen of him to ask, but now that he knew she would let him leave the curious, quiet question came forth with more ease, "Who...what are you?"