[PRP] That isn't food! [Talib/Aarbei x Muista]

[NymiiNym]

Aarbei was out on his own, as he was wont to do. He had untangled himself from Talib's paws in the early morning and kicked off on his own adventure while his giant friend slept, intent on finding breakfast without the help of the lion. Don't get him wrong -- he really enjoyed Talib's company, but he also liked to remind himself he was his own hare sometimes.

Usually, when out on his own, Aarbei made sure to avoid more populated areas like the plague. Talib had told him time and time again that he was not only small but also considered delicious to his people, which was unsettling in its own right. Talib, the kind soul he was, had followed it with the assurance he himself didn't eat hares or even know what they tasted like, but Aarbei had been content to end that discussion right away.

So, usually, he was more cautious than right that moment. Today was different, however. He wanted to stop by the watering hole and didn't want to turn around and wake Talib to do so. It'd only be five minutes, Aarbei had reasoned, although he had already spent ten beside the water's edge, languidly enjoying the rays of sun and peace.

No one was going to see him, he followed with. It was too early for anyone else to be awake! It'd be fiiiiiiine!  

[Avid_RPer18]

Muista didn't always get up at the crack of dawn, but this morning she had found herself out roaming, checking the growth of a few different clusters of herbs and flowers she'd need for some medicinal concoctions she was planning, but only when said flora was in an appropriate state of maturity for ideal potency for the final product. One of said plants only bloomed in the wee hours around dawn and the delicate blossoms were always closed up safely during the peak heat of the day, so the best time to check them was very early. They were nearly there, only a few more days before they would be perfectly ready to harvest.

With her mission for the morning complete for the day, the mason weighed what she wanted to do next. She could return back home among the Khazad, maybe grab a short nap before resuming her day, but she was also a little hungry. Not enough to warrant hunting down something large. Muista figured perhaps she could nab a small something or other to tide her over and then proceed with the rest of her plan. Honestly, a couple of birds or a rabbit or something similarly sized would probably do just the trick.

This thought in mind, the lioness walked slowly, softly, listening as she walked, sniffing the wind to see if any scents caught her attention. There was a small flock of birds twittering quietly amongst themselves as they only just began to stir for the day. They'd be too high up for her to try climb up, plus doing so would give them time to simply fly away. That wouldn't work. Turning down a path towards a nearby watering hole, the wind shifted to blow across her face. Her ears perked and she lowered her head, scanning ahead of her. There was a lone hare from the scent of things. If she was careful, that'd work for her.

Keeping her body low as she crept into the grass around the watering hole, Muista scanned the waterline. Ah, there! A single brown and white hare seemed to be basking in the early morning sun. Quietlyyyy. Her tail twitched low behind her as she shifted to be ready for a dash and pounce. When she felt ready, Muista rushed ahead and leapt, pinning the hare to the ground beneath her paws, didn't want to risk skidding into the water and possibly losing grip on her quarry.

NymiiNym

 

[NymiiNym]

Talib woke lazily, stretching out and cracking his joints with a yawn and groan. He was the kind to wake slowly, truly savoring the first moments of the morning for himself and really processing the previous night's sleep; which was code for he was lazy. If he had it his way he'd sleep for much longer, but he had lion things to do. When you were just one lion without a partner or pride you needed to wake at a decent hour to ensure you got your daily to-do's done, even if you preferred the idea of sleeping in.

And, usually, Aarbei was around impatiently thumping his foot, ready for the day. Except, once Talib pried an eye open and rolled onto his back to finish his stretches, he couldn't help but notice the hare was nowhere to be seen. Had he gone out? By himself? This early in the morning, when predators had the same thought? Now, Talib wasn't a controlling friend, but he was a worried one. Aarbei was fast but small, and hares were a delicious snack for many lions around the way.

So, despite being oh so tired, Talib flipped upright and onto his legs, padding out of the den and immediately heading to the first location he had in mind; the watering hole. That was Aarbei's first stop in their morning routine, after all.

- - -

Today was a day of unusualities, Aarbei would later recount. Going out on his own to the watering hole, not paying attention when he knew the risks, and not even warning Talib of his whereabouts. He just wanted to express individuality for a moment -- have a part of his day that was his. Ever since he met Talib he had stuck to the lion's side, and truthfully while he liked the lion he also missed his alone time. It was only going to be for a minute, he had rationalized, but that minute would cost him.

He just didn't know how expensive it'd be.

Claws dug into him and the world suddenly felt so heavy. He knew the scent right away, gasping in harshly and thrashing his body with a loud shriek. A lion -- and not his lion.

"Please- wait-no-!"

And then, almost as fast as he felt grounded into the dirt, something else slammed into the force above him. He scrambled upright and heaved dryly as grey mixed with brown, coming to a still to reveal him; his best friend.

Talib had arrived at the exact right second, thrown into action when he heard the cries of his friend and spotted a lion pinning him to the dirt. He wasn't a violent sort, he'd later plead, but he had found himself thrust into action, tossing the lioness to the side and pinning her down, pushing the mass of his large frame down in an attempt to keep her still. Oh, deities- he hoped he wasn't hurting her, but Aarbei came first.

"He's my friend!" Talib managed out while struggling to keep control of the situation, doing his best to sheath his claws to dissuade a fight and instead hold her with just his paws. Oh, he really didn't want a fight.