E-What?

[Ixzo]

19th of Winter, 515AV

By the time that Ixzo was well away from the smoke-y smell of Endrykas' campfires, she was already upon the tracks. For two days she had seen these strange prints in the dry grass. Unfamiliar with the animal, she couldn't put a name to the scent, yet it intrigued her. Still, she had brought in small prey to the hunter's allegiance the past few days, her nights taken up with finding this strange creature. It seemed to be moving away from the Run. The ground where Endrykas tents had been laid were so grazed down that this creature would be nowhere near it. So to counteract this issue, Ixzo had been tracking the thing south.

It was then that she was trotting south. She had a purpose, not to bring back quail and vole again. The creatures were harder to hunt than she would have liked and they did not bring in such a good pay as the bigger herbivores did. She didn't want to miss her chance tonight.

The moon was steadying itself in the center of the sky when she reached the shrubbery a few miles south of the run they had been moving along this season. Here, she slowed, recognizing the landmarks from the prior night's tracking. But before she had the sense to track the strange animal once more, the lioness stooped by a small pond. It seemed to be a still water source that welled off of one of the winding rivers further down. But the huntress didn't drink immediately. She may be able to see well in the darkness of night, but she had no hope to see into the black mirror beneath her, and she knew well that she was not the only predator that night.

After a few moments of watching the water, searching for any ripple that may warn her against the action, Ixzo ducked her head, lapping up a few mouthfuls of the cool winter water. It was not the same taste as the flowing stream water, but after her trek, the still water was welcome nonetheless. Something in her mind told her that she should've checked the water for algae or boiled it first, but she brushed the human reaction away, her feline stomach would have no issue with this water.

She only gave herself a few cooling laps before she stepped back from the pond once more, scanning the banks for the predators she feared. Perhaps the reptiles did were not so active during winter? Surely she would have met a crocodile by now? Perhaps not.

The lioness didn't dwell on it longer, her animal mind focusing on the hunt rather than the human philosophies that threatened to distract her.

[Ixzo]

Returning to the place she had the night before, Ixzo took a few chimes to recognize the scent once more. Opening her mouth slightly, the lioness took a few short breaths in to taste the paths around her. The chilly air of the winter night muted some of the lesser scents, but she still recognized the ones she was familiar with. The strong scent of a flock of quail lasted in the high grasses. The more distinct aroma of coyote urine followed, which made Ixzo surmise that she would not be alone once she brought this thing down. There were feces of a bird she did not recognize a few steps away, and the rest of the scents she knew little about. Something had trampled the grass before her, but it was not the strange scent she was looking for, it must have been overridden by the stronger scents that followed its trail. A herd of herbivores she wasn't familiar enough with the recognize.

Eyeing the expanse of well-travelled grass before her, Ixzo took a few steps forward. Large black paws crunching into the frosted vegetation before her and she perked her ears to make sure she was not disturbing another creature, prey or predator. Patient as ever, Ixzo allowed herself two more chimes before continuing forwards. Ahead, she could see the looming shapes of the rock caves that sprouted up from the ground. Even though it was drier and more hilled down south, these strange underworld entrances marked up the entirety of the Sea of Grass. She couldn't fathom what may lay beneath. Instead she took them as a sanctuary to hide. It wasn't as if her black pelt was easily seen in the night anyway, but creeping along the rock formations would afford her an extra layer of stealth. After-all, she wasn't sure how sightful this thing was at night.

When she felt the burn of the creeping movements in her shoulders and hips, she was glad. It had taken a while, and even though it was winter, she had put on more weight. Although she hunted more now, not all the meat went to her. Instead she was paid for her efforts, allowing her to buy more food. It was much better than the seasons of hunting and scavenging, bullying the hyenas or coyotes from their prey because she was too weak, or too lazy, to take down her own.

Of course now, it was not the same.

[Ixzo]

When the lioness reached the rock formation, carefully setting her paws on the sand that bordered the outcropping so that she made as little noise as possible, the huntress risked skirting the rock. Instead of focusing on the formation she hugged, the lioness took her time scanning the hills around her. She didn't much like the geography of the south. It wasn't flat enough, which limited her visibility into the valleys beneath. That and the adding of more shrubbery made it hard. She had gotten so used to hunting in the open grasses of Cyphrus she forgot that she first learned to do so in the trees of the jungle, depending on her knowledge of the creatures around her more than her senses.

Yet Cyphrus forced her to pay attention, of which she was able to. She was built for this after all.

The wind picked up then, and although it blew from the east, bringing the strong highlight of the salty ocean with it, she tasted it anyway. This was not as easy as the still-area to smell, for the cold air whipped scents away faster than she could identify them. All she could tell with the quick gust was that they were fresher… she thought.

When the howl of the midnight wind dwindled, she heard a noise she had been craving. It wasn't distinct, but it was close, close enough for her to pick up. A hoof, stamping into the grass. The image that intruded her brain was the oh-so-common sight of a horse stamping its hind leg to rid the gnats and flies from it. Although that was a sight she had grown used to in the summer and fall, there were hardly any flies to speak of in the winter.

Perking her ears forward, Ixzo tried to find the direction it had found her from, or another noise for her to track. Yet she found none. Turning away from the east, the lioness grazed her eyes across the hills before her. When she reached the trees, she watched closer to the roots, expecting a bison or gazelle to be seen. Yet those would be in such massive herds, she didn't dare risk hunting one of them again. Out of habit, she stepped forward, flexing her shoulder. The hills seemed eerily empty, perhaps she was not as close to this mystery creature as she thought she was.

[Ixzo]

Rounding the rock formation, Ixzo suddenly realized why the sound was so close. To the west of the rocks, there was a cluster of trees resting atop the hill, and inside the trees lay what she was looking for. Immediately, Ixzo shrunk back, hugging herself to the ground as she watched the creatures. This was the source of the hoof, and she suddenly realized why she had heard it. When the wind picked up, it took her scent directly to them. Four, in all, yet Ixzo couldn't name what they were. Some sort of herbivore, of course. A strange mix between the domesticated cows of Endrykas and the gazelle out on the plains.

They were no more than twenty fear from her. Four of them, two were laying at the base of the tree, one was pacing and the other made a ruckus as it began to stand. The pacing one was not the only who had caught her scent. She was ready to wonder, to marvel, at this strange creature, the two large ones closest to her seemed to be bulls. And she couldn't tell if the two that were laying down were females or juvenile. She didn't know enough to be sure, she couldn't exactly see.

But before Ixzo could dwell on it longer, a deep bark shocked her. Unable to stop it, the lions skitted back slightly, doing her best to remain as unnoticeable as possible.

The barking picked up once more, morphing into a strange bleating noise, and she realized it was the bull closest to her, the pacing one.

They'd spotted her.

[Ixzo]

She gave herself only a chime to debate. She wasn't sure how this creature defended itself, or its pack mentality. Clearly it was a small herd, so perhaps they were strong enough to defend themselves against predators? But the two smaller ones, the juveniles by the look of them, were already awake, struggling to their feet at their companion's alarms. It was best not to wait.

Putting as much weight into her hind legs paws she could, Ixzo shot forward. Large paws dug into the ground, bringing up a misty swirl fo sand in her wake. The two that were already standing had a head start and begun to run, not seemingly aware that at least one of their companions was not yet running. The third one stumbled as she shot past it, and she immediately regretted not aiming for that one instead. It was smallest and it had just stumbled. She would have taken it down in an instant.

However, she had already locked onto to the other juvenile, the second smallest and the one still struggling to stand. Not giving the thing a chance to gather its feet, she leaped for it. Large claws dug into its neck as she latched on, fearful it would wrestle her as hogs do. She didn't want to give him a fighting chance. Unfortunately, her claws did very little on the fatty neck, tearing up the winter coat of fur, but not drawing any blood or catching very well.

Her paws met the ground and she was immediately up on her hind legs, reaching for the things face. It wasn't as large as she expected and she had her jaws clamped over his in an instant.

The hot, snotty breathe of the creature filled her senses, but the lioness watched her surrounding with wide eyes, making sure the others were not returning. Of course they were.

[Ixzo]

She gave herself only a chime to debate. She wasn't sure how this creature defended itself, or its pack mentality. Clearly it was a small herd, so perhaps they were strong enough to defend themselves against predators? But the two smaller ones, the juveniles by the look of them, were already awake, struggling to their feet at their companion's alarms. It was best not to wait.

Putting as much weight into her hind legs paws she could, Ixzo shot forward. Large paws dug into the ground, bringing up a misty swirl fo sand in her wake. The two that were already standing had a head start and begun to run, not seemingly aware that at least one of their companions was not yet running. The third one stumbled as she shot past it, and she immediately regretted not aiming for that one instead. It was smallest and it had just stumbled. She would have taken it down in an instant.

However, she had already locked onto to the other juvenile, the second smallest and the one still struggling to stand. Not giving the thing a chance to gather its feet, she leaped for it. Large claws dug into its neck as she latched on, fearful it would wrestle her as hogs do. She didn't want to give him a fighting chance. Unfortunately, her claws did very little on the fatty neck, tearing up the winter coat of fur, but not drawing any blood or catching very well.

Her paws met the ground and she was immediately up on her hind legs, reaching for the things face. It wasn't as large as she expected and she had her jaws clamped over his in an instant.

The hot, snotty breathe of the creature filled her senses, but the lioness watched her surrounding with wide eyes, making sure the others were not returning. Of course they were.

[Ixzo]

She managed to see the horns that came her way before they hit her and immediately gave up on the suffocation method. Releasing her jaw, she fell backward, rolling off her shoulders until she found her feet. A hiss flew out of her mouth as she skitted back from the two grown bulls that now rushed her. Taking no chances, she turned, bounding back to the rock structure. She was out of breath now, but the things didn't follow her. Instead they immediately turned to run their own way. As soon as the last back was too her, she was on their heels once more.

Dreading the chase, since it was how she lost most of her prey, she immediately shot for the slowest one. At this point her mind was no longer caught up with the human preference of bringing in the largest prize, she simply wanted to take one down now. The smallest juvenile was by far the slowest, and it only took two ticks to realize why. The thing was limping rather than running, a pre-existing injury already crippling its escape. She would have been surprised it had even survived this long, if she was no so intent on the hind leg that was so obviously the injury. Knowing a leap would give her more power, she took the faith and pushed off the ground. Extending her claws as far as they would go, she reached for the left hind leg of the strange creature. To her satisfaction, she felt her claws snag. Only half-a-tick later they were both tumbling forward.

Ixzo struggled out of the creatures way, while it was the smallest, this strange thing was still larger than her. Of course she was on her paws quickly than he was and she immediately leapt for the neck. Instead of clamping, she tore at the fatty thing, She was satisfied when she teeth dug in, but nothing came with her yank, she was hardly injuring this thing.

[Ixzo]

Panic seeped into her attack and she scoop down again, trying to dig into where she had before. The winter coat paired with the fatty skin that hung loose at his neck would not give to even her teeth. The creature was still struggling, so Ixzo dug her claws into its back while it tried to stand, hoping her weight would slow its progress. Panic fell into her as she worried how to kill this damn thing. But the hunt didn't give her much time.

A quick glance up revealed that two of the remaining three were still fleeing. The second-largest bull had stopped many feet away, hesitating in the night. Perhaps he couldn't see her as well as she saw him, or perhaps he saw his brother as too far gone to help. The latter idea gave her a surge of courage, she must be doing something right. And the former a surge of comfort, they didn't know she wasn't sure what she was doing.

Except, of course, her prey had different ideas. Seeming to not be very bothered by her weight, he was nearly on his feet now, letting out bleats and cries for help. The noise would surely alert his companions. Shoving as much force into her hind legs as she could, she jumped from his back, hoping the effort would push him down a little bit. It hardly made a difference in his efforts, but the huntress immediately spun on the thing, returning to his face. Just as she had with the other one, she clamped down on his nostrils, effectively cutting off his air.

Wrestling with the weight for a moment, she worked to twist the juvenile around so she could keep an eye on his companions. The third one had stopped hesitating and was now running once more, she finally had this thing to herself.

[Ixzo]

But she knew it was not going to be as easy as she thought. The experienced huntress knew her prey could not breathe, although her position allowed her little air as well. She would simply have to outlast him. On his feet now, the creature began pushing her forward, step by step. He was wobbly and weak and his hind leg wasn't helping, but he was much larger than her. Instead of fighting back, she stepped back with him, holding her clamp on his nose.

This dance continued for a few chimes, although to the lioness it seemed to go on forever, until his front legs gave out. She was tired too, although she could still breathe, so she lowered with him patiently holding on as he laid down. Defeat.

It was the slowest way to kill, and if she had a knife on her, she would have shifted and cut his throat immediately, letting him bleed with as little effort by her as possible. But she didn't have that human luxury, instead she waited until she was sure the thing had stopped moving. She waited through the minor convulsions and when her mouth filed with his warm blood from the wounds her teeth dug. And then she waited a little longer, ensuring the thing would move no longer.

Releasing her grip, she spat out what excess had remained by the suffocating, licking the blood from her whiskers. She took a moment to pant, circling the body, and then she looked for predators that may contend her. The idea of the coyotes from earlier was fresh in her mind, but there seemed no witnesses to her hunt tonight. Time to bring it back.

[Jasmine Stormblood]

Here we are. Let me know if I missed anything on your grades

 

Ixzo

XP

• Observation: 4 XP
• Stealth: 3 XP
• Hunting: 5 XP
• Endruance: 3 XP
• Running: 2 XP
• Tracking: 2 XP
• Planning: 1 XP

Lores

• Reptiles not as active in winter
• Kelvic stomachs are much stronger than human stomachs
• Suffocating is the slowest way to kill