I'm Tired of Looking for Answers

Sunrise brought the land to life, the light spilling over sparkling rock and the massive caribou herd which grazed on the summer grasses of the wash. Birna crouched low in a shallow part of the river basin, peeking over the edge to watch the herd as she scanned the animals for signs of weakness, eventually fixing on some of the young, season-old calves. She was adapted to hunting rocky and dangerous terrain but her journey had brought her over open land. She was hungry. She'd have to adapt. But as a sprinter she had to figure a good way to get at a caribou calf for she certainly couldn't outrun them. What to do?


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Being a cat so big came with its benefits and detriments. Benefit- very few things messed with her. Detriment- she was always hungry. It took a lot of energy to maintain her massive, regal form. Especially when she was a lone lioness, not having a pride to rely on. Hunting alone took a lot of energy, so when she was able to snare someone else into joining the hunt with her, she did.

Being part of a group, or herd as the others called it, with animals outside of her species had opened doors in the woman's mind. She didn't see other creatures the same way anymore. Why, just last week she'd hunted alongside a wolf. So, when the hulking feline's ruby gaze landed on the crouched form of a rather large snow leopard, she had no qualms in approaching.

"Imagine what we could bring down together," she purred, not getting too close, lest she frighten the other feline. Taiga crouched as well, looking out over the herd. There was a natural funnel in the landscape that all of the deer would have to run through to escape if they gave chase. There was their opportunity. "If you can run the herd that way, I can lay in wait and catch us dinner." Maybe even two if they were lucky and time allowed. The charcoal and snow feline gave her blocky skull a tilt. "What do you say?"

"Tiaga"

I'm Tired of Looking for Answers

Birna's ears flicked back as she caught the soft sound of padded paws. She glanced back and stared in awe at the largest cat she'd ever seen in her life. Birna was considered large by most of her own kind. She easily dwarfed her mother and her father, or so she'd heard. However, next to this great lioness she might as well have been a kitten. The larger cat didn't seem to fixate on her like prey which lent her some ease. She dipped her head in greeting, speaking with a soft voice. "Greetings, great one. Do you also hunt the caribou? The have young. We could split the kill."

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Being used to such looks in this land, Taiga didn't make a big deal out of it. Instead she simply nodded to the other cat, her gaze still fixed on the grazing herd. Being called Great One though... "Tiaga," the cat gave her name with a nod. She then motioned to the dip and shift at the far end of the plain. "Run them there and we'll both eat today."

Parting from the leopard, Taiga crept away just as quietly as she'd arrived. It took her some time to make her way to the other side of the plain, having to be quiet so as not to be detected by the herd. Once there, the cat peeked her head above the foliage just enough to make eye contact with her hunting partner. She was ready.

"Tiaga"

I'm Tired of Looking for Answers

The great cat gave her name as Taiga. "Birna." She gave hers in return and listened intently as the lioness divulged a hunting plan. Birna nodded. It sounded good to her and she slunk off into the brush to get into position. It took time for them both to be ready. As ambush predators it was imperative to get as close as possible without being detected. Birna watched the motions of the herd as well as the progress of her partner. Once Taiga was in position, Birna leapt toward caribou, flying out of her position as she charged for the caribou. The startled creatures turned and fled. She let the large, healthy adults pass by her, instead focusing on the mothers with young. Her tail shifted left and right as she darted graceful after their prey, eventually whittling the offers down to two mothers and two calves, one of which seemed to be suffering from a respiratory ailment. Moment after moment it fell further and further behind.

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The pair of cats locked eyes for a moment and the hunt continued. Birna rushed the field of reindeer and the skittish creatures instantly began to flee. Taiga's muscles bunched in anticipation as she waited for their prey to run within range. The caribou poured into the natural funnel as she had imagined they would and she allowed the first few to run past her, being able to afford a bit of pickiness. In the end, she chose a big, fat cow that appeared to have a recent injury. It's gait was off and she could see its heaving sides as it struggled. When her target was close enough, the giant feline rushed out, clawed paws reaching out for the beast. It bellowed as she crashed into it, bringing the deer down with sheer force and weight. Teeth instantly found the thrashing ungulates throat and clamped down, making short work of the deer. Birna hadn't quite caught up yet, so once the kicking ceased, Taiga looked back over the landscape, searching for the leopard.

"Tiaga"

I'm Tired of Looking for Answers

The caribou neared where Taiga lay in wait. The stronger and healthier animals ran past but a injured cow made the mistake of getting to close to where the lion lay. Taiga pounced and Birna shifted into damage control, herding and scattering the animals to keep the rest of the stampede from running down on Taiga while she finished the kill. Once a space was reasonably clear Birna headed over toward Taiga, panting as she sought to caught her breath. "Good work. Let's-" Her ears flicked back at a sound that didn't belong. Gazing back across the wash she saw a polar bear watching them. Crap… In hindsight she shouldn't have been too surprised. They were far north and she had learned the past winter had made for poor hunting for the predators of this region. She wondered if the shifting weather had pushed the bear farther south. Either way it seemed intent on claiming part of their hard earned kill as it lumbered toward them as if it owned the whole wash.

Speech

With the deer dead, Taiga had looked for Birna and nodded as the other woman drew near. Both felines were catching their breath when the bear came. Rounded ears shifted forward and the giant lioness lowered her head between wide, muscular shoulders. It wasn't smart of the bear to challenge such large felines. Not smart at all. The ursine looked a little thin and had it asked for food, she would have gladly shared. However, in the manner of bears, it sought all or nothing. Unfortunately for it, it would receive nothing.

The hulking, white bear came lumbering towards them somewhat quickly and Taiga stepped up in front of the dead reindeer to protect it. A low growl pulled from the cat and she swiped out at the bear, catching its cheek with the flat of one wide paw, giving it one last chance to turn and flee. It didn't.

"Tiaga"

I'm Tired of Looking for Answers

The bear walked right up to them, expecting the cats to flinch but the didn't. Taiga lashed out, striking the bear across the face. It snarled at the cats and lurched forward, claws flying as it sought to deal damage. Birna swiftly ducked the claws, feeling the rush of cold air as the polar bear's claws just missed her flesh. She took a flying leap, using her powerful hind limbs to launch herself onto the bear's back where she quickly sank her claws in, her fangs digging into the spine in front of the bear's hips. She sought to cling there, doing as much damage as she could and praying she was out of reach of the bear for now.

Speech

The smaller, more nimble cat found her way to the bears back and Taiga focused on keeping the bears attention on her. She had dodged the swipe as well and delivered another of her own, claws extended. In turn, the bear avoided her strike. It then lurched forward, forcing Taiga back a few steps. The front end of the bear wasn't the place to be, but if she ran to the back, she risked the bear deciding to roll, possibly crushing Birna beneath it. Rather than do that, Taiga continued to hold the front, snapping and snarling. She swiped out again as the bear turned to look at the creature biting into its spine. Catching a paw with her claws, Taiga pulled, forcing the bear to fall hard on its stomach, slamming the air out of its lungs. The ursine began to cough and, now that it was on the ground, the massive lioness threw herself upon it as well, slamming its front half into the ground and sinking her long, wide canines into the back of its neck.

"Tiaga"

I'm Tired of Looking for Answers

Birna held on for her literal life, biting and thrashing her head where she could but she remained locked into position with her claws. The bear thrashed and snarled, torn between fighting the cat on its back and the massive cat in front of it. Birna remained alert to the bear's movements, sensing for any indication that it might roll so she could leap out of the way before getting squished. She felt the bear suddenly lurch forward as it was pulled onto its stomach by Taiga who immediately bit into the back of its neck. Birna looked to the larger cat for an indication of what to do next. Whether the larger woman wished to kill the bear or release it Birna would go along.

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Taiga did not want to kill the bear. It was just a hungry beast. The pair hadn't done any lasting damage. The polar bear would be sore for a few days, but it would heal. The great cat gave the bear a shake of warning, her teeth biting into the back of its neck a little harder. The beast lowed and struggled, trying to escape. That was just what Taiga wanted. The charcoal and snow fae planted her paws and pushed, leaping away from the big bear. It instantly pushed to its own paws, seeking to escape. No meal was worth this amount of damage.

The feline stood and watched the bear begin to quickly lumber off. She then turned to Birna and flashed the other cat a grin. "The meal might still be warm."

"Taiga"

I'm Tired of Looking for Answers

Birna tensed, tail lashing as her hind legs shifted ready to spring at a moment's notice. Taiga suddenly pushed the bear and released it. A message Birna understood and she witheld her attack. When she was sure the bear was making a run for it and did not intend to regroup she relaxed and moved back towards the meal which was now dined upon by ravens and crows. She returned Taiga's grin. "Looks that way." She bounded forward with a growl, scattering the scavengers from the area in which she wished to dine. They could eat elsewhere on the carcass.

-end?-

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