A deep rumbling purr came from Nida as Seliarus stroked her muzzle. She leaned forward a bit at that contact, relishing its gentleness. It seemed like they were always like this with each other, always looking for an opportunity to touch. But that kind of human gentleness was not to be found in the hunt. This was about speed and the kill, and the red blood of victory coating your fangs.
No, as much as she yearned for that simple touch, it had no place here.
She nudged him gently, and pointedly looked toward the horizon, far away from the loud sounds and smoky smells of Endrykas. Her huge paws took her forwards in the leopard version of a trot, and she turned to see if Seliarus could keep up. If he could not, she'd slow down.
As they traveled forwards, Nida's mouth open to catch any scent of wildlife, the Sea of Grass swallowed them whole. Without the clamor of Endrykas around them, it was almost dreamlike. As if there was no barrier between the sky and Sea, for she could see no landmarks nor distinguishing features that interrupted the horizon.
It felt like she and Seliarus were the only ones alive.
It was a chilling thought, but somehow it also managed to comfort Nida. But she reminded herself not to be distracted, and pushed it out of her mind. That was unimportant, a useless fancy. All that mattered was the hunt.
After they had run for what seemed like an eternity in the never ending grass, the Kelvic picked up a scent. It was vastly different than the smell of deer, bears, or cats. Those kinds of creatures lived in the artic climes, and she was well familiar with their scents. This, however, was nothing like theirs. In a brief second, Nida's mind compared it to that of an eagle or another bird. She hadn't had much opportunity to smell birds before, and the scent of one confused her. Was there nothing that had more meat on its bones here on the Sea of Grass? Nida hardly wanted to bring a tiny little chicken back to Endrykas.
The scent grew stronger, and a rustling in the grass before her made Nida's eyes narrow in wariness. A tiny bird should not move that much grass as it walked. Something was very wrong here.
In a flash, the strange animal was upon them. It was
nothing like the oversized chicken or crow that Nida had guessed at. The Glassbeak sped towards the smaller of the two creatures - Seliarus - but was promptly met by the snarling maw of a furious leopard.
As soon as the Glassbeak had erupted from the grass, Nida had thrown herself in front of Seliarus. He was too vulnerable in his human form! He needed time to shift! The brief moment of elation at protecting her Bondmate passed as the powerful legs of the Glassbeak kicked up and fastened their talons to her flesh.
Nida roared in pain and fury, lashing out with her claws and lashing at the Glassbeak's body. But it too was focused on killing her quickly, raising its beak to tear at her even as Nida prepared to fasten her teeth around it's neck.
Controlling its actions is up to you too!