by Flame » 12/17/2016 9:07 PM
It was faint, but Cordelia could just make out the sound of something rustling through the undergrowth some distance ahead. Up until this point, the tracks on the ground had been steady and evenly spaced, but as the creature picked up its pace, the prints grew deeper, leaving more evidence for her to follow between the tracks and trail of disturbed leaves and branches her quarry left behind. If there had been any doubt that her presence was no longer hidden, it was dispelled now. As such, Cordelia dispensed with her pretense of remaining unseen and unheard as well, picking up the pace as she dashed through the forest after her elusive prey. However, two feet would rarely ever outstripped four paws, especially those made to traverse these dense woods, and she knew full well that the creature had a distinct disadvantage over her on this terrain. Now, she could only hope that her companion might have better luck heading their quarry off, otherwise, today’s hunt could be considered a wash.
Mnemosyne heard the pawsteps as well from where she stalked, partially through Cordelia’s link as well as through her own ears. The sound was growing gradually louder, and she adjusted her course accordingly, ensuring that she remained downwind of the oncoming creature. She had no idea what to expect when she finally came up on it, but there were very few things in this world that a Lusikross like herself had to fear. Judging by what she could hear, it was only moments before the creature would reach her, and as such, Mnemosyne angled herself directly at the oncoming sound, raising herself to her full height. She didn’t intend to immediately incapacitate the creature – she wanted to know what they were facing first before acting. Plus, experience told her that it was always wiser to evaluate exactly what she was dealing with first before doing anything about it. After all, it would be far too easy for her to accidentally paralyze or otherwise seriously injure a creature or person if she struck without warning.
Her patience was quickly rewarded as a figure came barreling out of the forest ahead of her, a blur of blue and gray fur that all but ran full into her chest in its hurry to get away from what Mnemosyne could only assume was Cordelia. The lizard actually took one small, somewhat hesitant step back, somewhat concerned that the creature might actually crash into her, but it seemed to spot her just as soon as she did, backpedaling in a flurry of fallen leaves. It took a moment, but her gaze quickly registered the creature as some sort of lupine being – a wolf, with a blue pelt. Perhaps this was the creature the locals had spoken of – it was certainly large and odd-colored enough to spark all manners of rumors, but at the end of the day, it looked like nothing more than just a wolf, and no signs suggested any evidence of supernatural forces at play here.
At least, that was until the thing opened its mouth and spoke. That alone was enough to give Mnemosyne pause. Well, perhaps this wasn’t as simple a dismissal as she originally assumed, she thought as she cocked her head curiously at the creature. Quickly, she reached out to it, forming a brief telepathic pathway between their two minds and hoping that didn’t spook the individual in question too much. “I mean you no harm.” The words were plain and simple, her meaning as clear as she could think to make it. Of course, just because she said that didn’t mean that the creature didn’t mean her harm anyway, and as such, she remained with her claws firmly planted where she stood, prepared for whatever might happen next. She could only assume that this was a first for both of them, and as such, some adjustment period would be necessary for each to puzzle what the other was out.