Closed Too Early For This

[Estraki]

66 Spring 517 AV Beach Dawn She'd been sitting in the shallow water nearest the sand. Well, laying. Her nose was held just above the water. The water lapping at her pelt was cold; she was enjoying herself. Her gaze had been drifting to different parks of the sky, watching the white clouds drift and the sun rise. Estraki did things for the sake of enjoyment and survival; she likes to feel good, to run, feel the wind, the water- and, to eat. She felt the onset of a stomach growl. A sigh escaped her maw. Her mouth began to water. She blinked, her head lazily turning to face the shore. She had scented something amazing, and just in time- she was beginning to feel hungry. A ripple of excitement extended down her spine, her brows raised in anticipation of what she'd see. The scent was familiar, but not something she knew well. A horse! and then, the realization. Is that a human? How large. How unappetizing. a low growl rumbled from within. Estraki had the understanding that any horse than belonged to a human, was not going to be her meal. This frustrated her. Humans had legs to travel on. Why not walk or run? If they didn't ride the horse, they could eat it. It's not like they would have to hunt it or anything. It would be simple survival. Instead, they rode them. For what reason? To be fast? They don't have anything to run away from, or to chase! The tiger snorted. The incompetence! Despite this, she decided to get a closer look. If she was going to stay here a while, she should learn about her... coexisting organisms. "Now, Raki," a memory of her mother floated to the surface of her thoughts. "You need to remember, the way things are in the city, won't be the way they are out here. All animals aren't to eat, not everyone is a threat. Okay?" Usually her mother was right. She'd learned that most of all on their journey. But when she said that, Estraki wasn't sure she even wanted to go to Riverfall. What kind of city is it, if you don't hunt the prey? Why isn't everyone a threat? Pulling herself out of the water, she watched, eyes peered at the duo. They were making their way towards the waterfall, their pace casual. They were far enough past her, that the horse wasn't bothered by her presence- not that she could tell. She intended to keep it that way. Once on the sand, she shook herself. Water droplets were sent everywhere. She couldn't help but roll in the sand; it wasn't hot, like she'd hoped, but it wasn't terrible. Her eyes never left the horse and the rider. She loped forward, strides slow, but keeping her distance. She couldn't help the drool that began to drip from her jaws. Though this was a purely 'observational', 'educational' experience, she couldn't help the hunger that gradually gripped her stomach more each moment.

[Makah'a]

It had been a restless night for Makah'a- one with more on his mind than he wished. He decided against sleep early on in the evening when he realized it was useless to toss and turn in bed with no intention of ever resting his mind. A stroll would be nice, he had thought. He never imagined what Riverfall would be like when everyone was sound asleep in the midst of twilight, just before the sun would arise again into the new day.

But a simple walk did not suffice. His Gilding may have been restless too, or maybe he caught her just when she arose from her slumber. Either way, he thought it was best to walk with her out of the city and towards the Valkalah waterfall, just so that he would have someone by him. His restlessness left him in such an anxious mood, that he needed his companion's attention more than he'd like to admit. At least to have her distract him with her antics- even at such an ungodly hour, Taini never failed to jester.

Just as he entered the far end of the beach he climbed onto her back and gestured her into a leisurely walk. The wind was relatively calm and the waves rolled softly onto the shore. As a child, Makah'a would never have dreamed to see the ocean, and here he was, allowing its peacefulness to soothe his mind. Eventually the sun broke the horizon into dawn, and he could sense the warmth of the sun coming soon.

As Taini and him strolled further towards the glowing red of the lava there was the faintest sense of presence. Nothing threatening, and likely another Akalak or human wandering the shoreline just as he was. In that moment he dismounted, guiding his horse with the palm of his hand under her chin to the water. Its cool temperature shook his nerves- the feeling of ocean water so unfamiliar but refreshing. Taini, seeing her owner tense slightly from the coolness of the water, nudged Makah'a with her nose further into the water. He stumbled slightly and ducked, glancing over his shoulder back at her with a playful scowl. He pushed her nose away abruptly and she huffed in return, trying to fight back. "What's wrong with you?" Makah'a scolded in Tawna, but could not hold back a chuckle.

[Estraki]

They stopped, so she, too, stopped. She had immediately pressed her stomach to the granules, also lowering her head so as to not be seen. Even as his gaze wandered behind him to his horse, Estraki began her slow advancement. Her slow, agonizing movements slowly progressed into a sort of stalk. She felt the sight change in direction of the wind on her pelt, her fur tips being led to push in one direction more than another. Her shoulders dancing as she moved, one up, one down, she felt her muscles ache with the desire to canter at the four-legged creature, to make it her meal, to feel the sensation of a hunt that she knew so well. She felt she was getting too close, so again, she paused in her motion. It was almost funny; her left leg outstretched, as if to take another step- this step had been thought of before she had thought to stop, and so, you could almost see her thought process on her body. Her eyes narrowed. Had their actions been playful? Like she had been with the beetles in the grass as a kit, playing with one another? She scoffed. Why play with your food? and then, another reminder to herself, They do not view the horse as food. As friend? Companion? a more disbelieving snort. She remembered seeing her mother with her.. father, or bondmate. Her mother had enjoyed the way the humans did things; their mannerisms, etiquette, beliefs. Even thinking about it, Estraki felt disgust. Her mother had told her, "When I was young, I did not enjoy the human ways... it grows on you." Like this horse? Estraki's eyes flashed daggers at the mount, replaying the playful interaction in her head. This horse was wild. Horses are wild. Yet it follows this massive human, willingly, with no clear intent of escape. Foolish, she thought, scowling. She couldn't help it! She had to see closer. Slowly, her body began to move again. She felt the gradual warmth of the sun begin to warm her pelt, otherwise damp and still dripping a bit with the water from the large body.

[Makah'a]

Makah'a knelt down, his knees pushed into the silt of the shore and dampened by the water. Taini's nose curiously sniffed at his hair, and a sly smirk curled his lips. Quickly, he cupped water into his hands and threw it over his shoulder to her face in one fluid motion. She whinnied at him, and Makah'a laughed, but just as he pressed his hand into the ocean soil readying himself for another mischievous plan to prank his companion; he felt something off. The freckles on his fingertips sensed unfamiliar movement that neither flowed like the ocean nor carried the weight of his horse. It was something bigger. He glanced up, his bright eyes narrowing to find a creature stalking them closely.

With caution and power in his stride, Makah'a stood; staring down the animal to deter it from approaching. He learned it was best to show dominance in an encounter with a predator, and he had a sense this animal was either hunting to eat him, or the horse, more likely the latter for the meat on her bones. He did not show hesitation to fight, and in fact stood with his feet apart and hands ready to grab the animal if it attempted to come closer.

Taini on the other hand, seeing her rider tense and spotting the creature as well; gave a shrill whinny, standing on her hind legs while Makah'a stood a few feet in front of her between herself and the creature. As she got back on all fours she pawed the ground, shaking her head and, in an attempt to protect her own, cantered around him and charged towards the creature preemptively, only halting just a foot away from its face and stomping her front hooves into the ground.
"Taini! Back here!"He scolded, running up to hopefully catch the creature's strike before it would take advantage of Taini's loyal, but foolish heart.

[Estraki]

66 of Spring 517 A.V.

He wanted to fight? Oh, nuh uh. No way he thought he was stronger than her!

Estraki hadn't been careful enough. She had become too anxious, too excited. Anticipating that she wouldn't be caught by the company she found herself in. Whatever it was she did, it didn't matter now.

The horse had ridden up upon her- stupid- she had though. If it had actually wanted to do damage, then it shouldn't have stopped. It should have trampled her. Instead, it was putting on a show, similar to its companion. The brute had stood tall, trying to give a show of dominance. She didn't care what impression they were trying to give; she hadn't actually been hunting. Simply exercising her skills, watching and observing. Whether or not she had actually wanted to hunt them, didn't matter if she had no intention to kill.

She opened her mouth, wide, a gurgling roar erupting from her throat. She was irritated with him already. She desired to come in contact with his fear scent. She sheathed her claws, and rose onto her hind legs. Her roar had only died down for a moment, before she pulled it up again, louder than before. She was looking for a good scuffle, something interesting. She fell down onto the ground, onto all fours. Surging forward, and pushing up onto her hind legs again, she challenged him.

She didn't take a moment to think about maybe, he wouldn't notice her claws were sheathed.

[Makah'a]

The creature stood on its hind legs and roared, and Makah'a could not help but widen his eyes in slight fear. The adrenaline surged through his veins, and for a moment he wasn't sure what to do next, whether to engage or to back off. If he fought, he could not guarantee the survival, even with all his brute strength. He had never seen a creature like this before, only things similar to it. To gauge how fast or powerful it could be was hard to say, and he didn't like the uncertainty. Yet the creature did not look like it was going to back down, even if he ran with Taini, there was no knowing if it would chase after them in an attempt to hunt and kill rather than to show off its intensity.

But the creature surged forward, and Makah'a's gawking quickly turned into a harsh snarl. The turn of events decided his fate as he watched the creature roar then leap from its hind legs towards him. He ducked and rolled to one side, quickly getting back onto his feet before turning around to see the beast on its paws. With a growl he lunged forward, aiming to get on its back and wrap his arms around its neck. If he managed to get his arms around it, Makah'a would attempt to lock his arms tightly and cut its circulation, either until it would calm down, or pass out. It was not the most feasible option, but it was an opportunity to potentially subdue it, and he would rather have that than be its dinner.

[Estraki]

66 of Spring , 517 A.V.

She could not express her distaste. She was furious. How had he dodged her? She was a tiger. This type of thing... was in her blood!

Raki, being three, technically a sexually matured tiger... still yet, had much to learn. Often times, she is under the impression that there is no one faster, or stronger than she is. At this particular point in her life, she has no idea what is really out there.

When she landed, missing him, she turned her head, looking behind her, where he stood. She held close, the recent memory of realization on his face- when he realized who he was dealing with. She reminded herself, I am a tiger. She watched his face, seemingly angry... Or was that focus? She listened to his growl as he came at her, with obvious intent to get atop her.

This technique was familiar to Estraki. In fact, when hunting, she tended to mount the back of her prey... and take things from there. As he lunged to her, the thought crossed her mind- Is this human trying to hunt me? she would have scoffed, had she the time- but rather than let him onto her back, she fell purposefully onto her back.

So, had things gone according to plan, there she would be.. on her back, a large brute atop her, trying to suffocate her around her neck. She wouldn't help the desire to growl into his ear, and wrap her forelegs around the brute.

A... dangeous hug. Kind of.

She had no intent to hurt him, of course. This was all play to her.

[Makah'a]

As Makah'a leaped in the air aiming for the creature's back, the creature suddenly turned onto its back its chest facing up towards him. He didn't expect it to have caught him mid air, and as when he fell he made an effort to roll off and dodge its grasp. His plan may have worked, if the creature wasn't already a step ahead of him and now he was trapped within its grasp, growling.

Makah'a, now regretting the opportunity to subdue the creature; was stuck without much of a way out. He tried to wriggle free, growling as he pushed with his might, but it was far bigger than him. In his subconscious, he realized now would have been the perfect opportunity for the creature to kill its prey while it was still within its paws, but it showed much less hostility. With his head so close to its jaws, what animal wouldn't have already chowed down on its dinner?

Blinded by his vulnerable position and lack of trust in believing the big cat would not waste its dinner, Makah'a still ferociously tried to get free. With his legs still free he thrust his heel back, kicking its stomach in hopes it would let him free.

[Estraki]

66 of Spring , 517 A.V.

Holding the man close, she sniffed his hair, and his ears, shoving her nose into different parts of his face. He smelled funny. As of right now he smelled of the sand and light winds, and his horse, but there were other, muskier scents that she couldn't identify. As of right now she could only sense them to be body odor, and though not awful, he didn't smell like daisies.

Estraki did not enjoy the trashing by the man, and it was more annoying than much else. A pain here and there when he kicked. Since she was just playing around, she didn't see the point in just sitting here. She didn't have to let him go, but what was the point in keeping him? The fun had already died, to her, and she was not only bored... but if she allowed for him to keep hitting her, she knew there was only her impending irritation. And then, she might not have the patience to simply play. He could become her food.

The tiger knew that killing, of many kinds in this area, was not alright. So, finding some self control, she released the man. She pushed him off of her, and rolled up onto her legs. She shook herself, similarly as a dog would do after a bath, and whined a bit. She had not been satisfied with their play, as he was simply just too large to have any fun with. Her gaze slowly shifted to him, a sad, pouting expression across her face.

[Makah'a]

He grew annoyed with the creature's antics, its nose burying itself into his hair and sniffing him around. Was it trying to see if he was edible? If that were the case, it clearly did not seem to make up its mind. In the end it did not matter as he was suddenly thrust forward and he rolled onto the sand. Quickly he got to his feet, glaring at it with a snarl yet again and anticipating it to fight back, but it was no longer hostile. Instead it shook its body of all the sand and water from its fur and looked to him with a sadness in its eyes.

Makah'a's tense body gradually relaxed and he looked to its eyes, his head tilted slightly. Judging by the look of the creature it was not happy, but it also did not seem like it wanted to eat him, or Taini, who was keeping her distance and only inching forward occasionally.

"What?" he huffed sternly, nodding his head towards it. He did not like that just a moment ago it was ready to eat him and now it was suddenly calm. Slowly, he inched forward, a hand extended to pet its head while he lowered himself a bit to not come across as threatening, but still wary. "What do you want, whatever you are..?" he asked, not quite sure what to call it. It had magnificent black and orange stripes, with a long tale and huge paws. He recalled seeing something similar to it, like a feline creature, but he could not think of the name.