Beware the Puma (Open)

[Renalee]

3rd of Summer 512 AV

Ren crouched low in the grass shoulders tensing before preparing for the short jump that would send her running out of the short underbrush and upon the intruder who had entered her clearing. Her shoulder blades rose and fell in a slow, almost languid succession as her toe pads felt the spongy soil beneath her paws. Her long claws extended for a second, digging deep into the ground. The flicking of her tail was a whip-like motion that stayed quiet and unnoticed, hidden by the greenery.

The golden fur on her chest and shoulders, as well as around her muzzle was matted with dry blood - the evidence of her successful hunt earlier today. But it was starting to get dark now, the sun dipping towards the horizon on her right where she knew the North Kobrin Road lay, and Ren was tired from the day spent mostly running and stalking. She wanted to go back to the clearing she had claimed for her own yesterday and rest.

And she would have if not for the peculiar scent that invaded her lungs and made her nose twitch as she neared. It was true that she wasn’t far enough from the main road between Ravok and Syliras to guarantee that she wouldn’t be disturbed, but she hadn’t actually expected anyone to wonder on her territory.

Green eyes flashed dangerously, low in the underbrush as she stalked her pray. Her tail flicked impatiently again, but the Kelvic had long learned that impatience didn’t get you anywhere other than in trouble. And this intruder would be damned before they became anything remotely resembling trouble. At most, they’d be from the ‘snack before bed’ type.

There was a shuffle, the sound of dry leaves and a couple of small twigs being crushed and the puma tensed. A soft breeze picked up in the minute stillness that followed, bringing the unfamiliar smell to her nostrils again. Claiming the wind as a temporary advantage Ren let the air fill her lungs before she jumped, a soft growl bubbling deep within her chest.

She felt the movement travel through her whole body, sensing every single muscle contract like she always did after having crouched for a while. Her powerful hind legs shot her forward, front paws reaching out, claws outstretched, to send her flying several lengths of her body forward.

Mid-flight the growl in her chest increased in volume.

[Rothyr Windbourne]

He had been following the trail for some time now. Some time, more like several miles. He was a far ways out of Syliras by now, he figured, but the prey he was following seemed worth the travel. The trail had lead to a clearing, one now stained with blood, and there the trail ended. Although, to be sure, he checked the surrounding areas for more game. Perhaps, he thought, he might find something more valuable to bring back, or, at least something to bring back at all.

Rothyr rode onward atop his steed, Windlass, and before long, after finding the carcass of what he figured was his mark, he got the strange feeling he was being watched. He slowed his pace, and kept his bow handy with an arrow already fitted to the string. He may have found what claimed his kill.

Sometimes, he was unsure of what to think of Windlass. She was not the horse that chose him, he lost that horse long ago when he was toppled by enemies who wanted his head, and Windlass was the closest means of transportation available to escape those enemies. So, he took her, and rode north. Ever since, it seems, at the most inopportune times, she would do something a hunter never should: Make one's self known, because at that moment, with the blood beginning to surge with adrenaline, and the feeling of eyes upon you causing your hair to stand up on end, she stepped on dried leaves and crushed twigs underfoot, saying "Here I am!"

Without missing a beat, time slowed, it seemed. Rothyr could hear his heart in his chest, and things seemed to slow to a crawl as much as time sped forward. He could see, just at the last minute, a large cat-like creature leaping for his throat. In his attempt to dodge, he caused Windlass to rear up on her hind legs. Rothyr could feel the claws just barely scratch against his neck. The cut was but a tiny scratch, but blood came. Rothyr's life nearly flashed before his eyes, but before gaining the chance to reminisce he fell from the saddle on to his back, dropping his bow and arrow. He rolled backwards to evade any further attacks while drawing his Glassbeak axe and knife, and stopped to get a good look at the creature before making any further moves.

Rothyr was no coward, he stood his ground. It seemed the smart thing to do. Running away meant the creature could claw his back and kill him, while attacking further could mean the same thing. He watched, and waited.

[Renalee]

The air swished by her ears, filling them with a buzzing sound as she leaped upon her prey. She had smelt and seen the horse so her legs had shot her that little bit higher to make sure her claws actually reached their mark. And they did.

But while skin split and blood gushed and tainted the air with smell of copper and life Ren hadn’t quite managed to take down her prey. The steed had reared backwards, lifting its front legs in the air. It had been startled and trying to protect its neck and the big vein which, if destroyed, would bring death (or perhaps it had tried to protect its master, who knew), but it delivered a swift kick to the puma’s chest, sending her flying backwards.

She landed on her paws and watched, fur bristling and ears pulled back, as the horse proceeded to throw its rider off. A hiss from the big cat sent it jumping and galloping towards the edge of the clearing and further away. While her attention was occupied by the animal the man that had ridden it seemed to have regained his composure, despite having just been sent flying to the ground.

He had lost his bow in the process which Ren decided was good - she didn’t like those weapons which could reach her and hurt her from far away. However, the man didn’t seem to need his bow, having invaded her clearing rather well armed. He pulled out an axe and a dagger, effectively halting any move she might have made to attack him again. Ren wasn’t sure she wanted to fight him. His axe looked rather big and rather sharp and she wouldn’t be able to get out of this without receiving at least one wound. And the man, albeit looking dangerous with his blades, had yet to try and attack her. It appeared as if he was waiting for her to make a move.

The Kelvic certainly wasn’t about to shift forms with the intruder’s axe so much at the ready to slice her throat. Instead, she forced her fur to smooth and let her lips relax and fall down to cover her sharp canines. Ren carefully sat down on her hind legs, tail flicking over the ground and dragging stray leaves as it moved. She kept her eyes on the man and waited. Surely, he hadn’t seen very many cougars sitting back to engage in people-watching. If he was smart, he would put his weapons away and perhaps then she might shift.

[Rothyr Windbourne]

"What odd behavior..." Rothyr said aloud to himself, "Never seen a cat do that before." He kept his eyes on the cat, and looked around for his bow. It was too far to get to quickly, without leaving himself open to further attack so he left it be. However, the puma seemed to be content just sitting where she was, so he decided to risk it. Rothyr walked over to where the bow had landed. The arrow was broken, but the bow seemed fine. He watches the cat while he sheathes his knife and leans down to pick up his bow.

"You're playing with me, aren't you?" He asked, not expecting an answer. He thought she was just a normal puma. He put his fingers in his mouth to call Windlass over, and sheathes his bow on her saddle. He almost didn't notice the blood running down his neck, until he suddenly realized his neck was wet. Reaching up to wipe away the moisture, he looked at his hand and saw the red. Knowing the scent of blood could bring more predators, he quickly tore a strip from his cloak and tied it over the cut to stop the bleeding.

"Do you topple riders for fun?" He asked, contemplating getting back in the saddle, but instead just stood there beside his horse talking to the creature that just tried to kill him. His adrenaline was starting to die down, and he became complacent, confident the puma would make no further attempts to kill him. Windlass proved her worth that day by fending off the puma, and Rothyr would see her coming this time, at least he hoped he might.

[Renalee]

Ren observed the man carefully as he watched her in return. Other than the scent of blood and sweat there were the familiar ones of horse and grass, making her think the stranger was one of the Drykas. He certainly had the built and the hair of one, the Kelvic considered as she tilted her head to the side in order to see him a little bit better. He didn’t move at first, but rather commented on her behavior to himself, identifying it as ‘odd’, just like she thought he would have.

When he looked towards his bow and made to reach for it Renalee stood up quickly and arched her back, baring her teeth. If he thought she’d allow him to pull out an arrow on her he was sorely mistaken. The expression on his face was an open one however, and his movements slow and deliberate. Somewhat reassured of the lack of bad intentions behind his actions, Ren calmed down, ears straightening again as she watched as the man summon his horse and sheath both his knife and his bow.

It was then that he realized he was still bleeding from the surface wound she had inflicted on his neck and hurried to cover it with a bandage. Ren’s tongue flicked out over her nose, as if trying to get the smell of the red liquid out of her nostrils. The man still didn’t seem in a rush to leave.

"Do you topple riders for fun?"

The puma blinked at the Drykas a couple of times before finally deciding that if he was going to stick around she might as well shift now. Her body went quickly through the familiar transformation and a blonde, green-eyed young woman replaced the golden-furred, green-eyed cat. ”No, I wouldn’t say I do that for fun,” she replied with a grin that showed off her white teeth and sharp canines. “It was still amusing though.”

Without hurrying she made her way to the side of the clearing where her bag was hidden under a pile of rocks. She rummaged through its contents for a moment, pretty sure the man was staring at her naked body, before finding her long white shirt and pulling it over her head. It reached down to around about the middle of her thighs so she decided it was a sufficient amount of clothing. She padded barefoot over to the man afterwards and peaked up at him. “What are you doing in these parts of the world, Drykas? You’re rather far away from the Grasslands.”

[Rothyr Windbourne]

Rothyr nearly jumped out of his skin when the Kelvic shifted forms. It was going to be one of those days. His experience with Kelvics had been limited. He knew they existed, and had seen a few, but never really communicated with one. Not out of distaste for the Kelvics, just never had the opportunity.

"Well, I'm glad somebody benefited from my fall," he took a moment to rub his back, and check for broken bones. He didn't fall hard, so he was sure he would have little else than minor bruises, if that. He was glad none of his clansmen saw. A Drykas being toppled from the saddle? Humiliating.

He took a moment to admire her as she walked off towards a pile of rocks. He tried guessing her age, but was unsure if he could put an actual number to it. He had heard that Kelvics age differently than humans. She looked young, though. She couldn't be a cougar. Well, she kind of was a cougar, but not old enough to be a cougar. He decided to stop before he confused himself, and that was when he noticed she had returned, clothed, and was speaking to him.

Snapped out of his trance, he replied, "What? Huh? Oh! Yes, same as you. Hunting, trying to make a living," he laughed.

[Renalee]

Ren rubbed distractedly at the dried blood on her right arm - an evidence of the young boar she had killed and eaten today. Hunting was life like the stranger had claimed it to be and the Kelvic could respect a Drykas who knew that. Standing as close to him as she was now, she could appreciate the man’s imposing figure and tall and muscular frame. He was probably a force to be reckoned when in battle and Ren congratulated herself on the decision not to fight him and his axe.

Perhaps there could be some use to him. Big prey was easier to hunt with a partner and she would never say no to more meat. She looked at the man, a calculative expression on her face. ”Where are you headed, Drykas? Are you traveling some place or are you one of those who challenge fate and brave living in the wilderness?”

[Rothyr Windbourne]

Rothyr stows his axe in the small of his back, looping it through his belt and letting it hang there. This left his hands open and completely free. Since she is a Kelvic, and they are no longer trying to kill each other, for the moment, he figured it was safe enough to do so. He notes the blood on her, and since his bleeding was not that bad, he reckoned she was the one who claimed his target before he did. But, there could still be speculation on what the true prize may be, the world is an interesting place full of surprises, especially when the puma asked where he was headed.

“Nowhere in particular,” he said, “I started out from Syliras, and picked up the trail in the Wildlands of what seemed to be a good-sized cloven-hoof creature. I never got a good look at it, but the tracks were fresh when I found them,” he motions his hand to the predator cat, “No, miss Kelvic, I don't hunt out of challenge to the wilderness, I am just a humble hunter trying to keep my horse's and my bellies full, and coin in our pockets. My name is Rothyr Windbourne, of the Emerald Clan. I should have introduced myself sooner, but I must've bumped my head when you knocked me from the saddle.” He finished with a laugh.

He should have thought better of it, but his good manners told him he ought offer a handshake. He did so carefully, keeping just out of claw-shot in case she was offended by the gesture. Again, his experience with the Kelvics was limited, people had told him they were animals in human-guise, but of course people talk what they want to say, want to hear, and Rothyr figured he would be learning a bit about Kelvics that day.

[Renalee]

Renalee liked Drykas. They were one of the few human races who fully appreciated nature, the wilderness and all of the creatures that inhabited it. The Kelvic had learnt their language at the insistence of her father who was hoping that one day she could bond to a warrior. ”If you bond to a warrior - ” he used to say, “ - you’ll know that you won’t be throwing your life away to save theirs, because they will be right there fighting with you.” Ren wasn’t too sure about that, as in her heart she knew she would be prepared to sacrifice herself for her bonded. Even so, she had grown fond of the Grasslands race and their love for their striders.

Now she looked at the hand Rothyr Windbourne of the Emerald Clan was offering her with the same discomfort she always regarded attempts at a handshake. She knew what the appropriate response was, but like many of the human behaviors she had learnt it felt wrong. Despite that, Ren reached out to clasp the offered hand and responded with her own name. ”Renalee.” The blonde smiled before letting go. “Your pray could have been mine and unfortunately he can no longer satisfy anyone else’s hunger.” Her voice sounded wild and she looked satisfied as she said that. It had truly been a lovely hunt.

“What brings a Drykas so far away from his homeland. Has your Clan exiled you, Rothyr?” If she knew that the enquiry was too forward and rude Ren didn’t show it.

[Rothyr Windbourne]

"Unfortunate, from what I could tell by its tracks it seemed like a worthy target. May I ask what it was?" Rothyr spoke uneasily, certain he had overstepped boundaries with the handshake. He made a mental note 'Kelvics don't care for handshakes,' and filed it away. He stood with his hands clasped in front of him, not wanting to give the idea he might pull any sudden moves. Rothyr was still unsure of this creature's intentions. Did she aim to get his guard down? Do predatory Kelvics hunt humans? These things were all mysteries to Rothyr. He was sure to learn much of these shapeshifters by the end of the day.

"It's a long story, one I care not to tell. Maybe some time, but not now. And no, my clan did not exile me," he coughed, uneasy and slightly agitated at the prospect of being exiled, "To make a long story short, however, I will say this. My pavilion is no longer existant. All of its people are dead, and I am the only one who remains that I know of. We were attacked by rogues, traveling on the plains."

"By the way, what brings a Kelvic so far into the wood? Chasing game like myself, ey?" He said, with his smile returning.
"I've hunted the areas around Syliras ever since. It was a long journey, but the people are friendly enough, and you get used to the stench. It's not so bad." He said, changing the subject. What happened in Cyphrus, and what happened to his family were still fresh in his memory, and he'd never spoken of it to anyone. In fact, he only brought it up because she asked if he had been exiled. No Drykas could stand for that. "I had considered joining the Knights, but I prefer the freedom to hunt."