Opposite Ends

[This Land]

Another Tranquil and beautiful morning begins in this lush area. A low lying group of small bushes glowing Orange from the rising sun. The leaves lower to the ground seemed to be moving but there is no wind, even stranger there was a soft purring noise. All of a sudden, a yawning mouth appeared out of nowhere from the bushes. Then it seemed all the lower leaves rolled out from the bush and spread onto the ground, but with a clear sharp outline of that of a lioness!.

The green leaf pattern after a few seconds started to fade into a rich white pelt colour. This was Destiny and one of her gifts, active camouflage, but only effective if she stays completely still, or else the effect fades. So naturally she always used it while sleeping as her white pelt can been seen miles away.

She stretched out her legs and yawned once again while extending her claws. She rolled onto her back and wriggled around a bit to wake herself up. She then rolled back over and stood up. Her eyes scanned the area, seeing a Bunyoro rabbit minding it's own business in the distance made her stomach lightly growl.

She was alone and not part of a pride, so big prey was a waste for her, she couldn't eat it all and the leftovers always attracted unwanted scavengers.

She made a hastened trek towards the rabbit and slowed down with her body lowered as she got nearer. She changed her direction to hopefully flank the rabbit's projected route and laid down by a small boulder. After a few moments her body slowly took the colour and texture of the boulder. She hoped that the rabbit would get closer to her so she didn't have to do the work of running after it. Fate was on her side this time and the rabbit happily hopped up to about 5 paces of where Destiny Laid. The rabbit stopped, it's nose was twitching and tilted up in the air, it knew something was wrong but before it could think, the "boulder" to its eyes lept out in the shape of a Lioness, claws extended. It froze in confusion as this "thing" charged towards it, before it realized it was indeed a predator and turned to run, it was too late. The claws had sunk straight into its back, there was no escape.

Destiny happily chewed through her kill. Nothing was left behind after she was done, the bones were small and fragile so easily crumbled in her jaws. It was just the right amount to start her day and her stomach satisfied. She licked her paws clean, stood up and took another stretch. Her white Pelt had returned while eating and reflected brightly in the sun that had started to fully ascend into the sky.

A slight warm smile slowly appeared from the good start to the day, a gentle breeze brushed past her face. She took a deep breath through her nose and slowly exhaled. Her eyes suddenly widened, her ears and smile flattened. Something new was in the air, and she had to be on her guard.

[cheezeegriff]

(I shall join with Figgy if I may, please).

A strange, guttural sound dragged Figgy from the depths of a food-induced coma. He raised his ears first, then his head, gazing about and blinking in the bright sunlight. What in the world?
It sounded like growling, but growling that was moving closer and closer. From his position in the boughs of an extremely large acacia tree, the extremely round lion sat up and looked about.
At first, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. There were gazelles in the distance to the north, below the mountains. To the south he could see a family of painted dogs wandering through the long grass. But the sound was coming from the east.
Then he saw her, coming out of the long grass, a ruddy lioness, well built and tough-looking. But that growl… was she hunting? She was going to scare every potential meal off.
She was going to scare off Figgy’s lunch.
Then he heard a second growl, not as loud as the first. There was another lioness nearby – if his judge of growl was anything to go by – but this one he couldn’t see. It sounded like it was coming from roughly the same direction as the red lioness, however.
Figgy crouched low against the tree branch, or as low as his enormous stomach would allow anyway, watching and waiting to see what would happen next.

[This Land]

As Destiny lay in wait, the scent drifted across her muzzle stronger. She closed her eyes shut and started to panic.
"A Lion? Not now....not now" She thought to herself

Destiny admittingly had a great childhood/adolescent age. It wasn't until adulthood that things started to change and somehow gaining the abilities she had. For the last few years she had grown accustomed to being isolated from everyone else. Instead of using her abilities to defend her pride, her pride seen it as a threat to them. She was soon on her own and kept to herself, ironically the abilities she possessed was perfect for this. They molded her personality and made her became who she is. A loner, but a faint spark of wanting friendship still remained deep down.
This was not the time though, she was becoming overwhelmed with her senses that of this unknown feline. She had to get out of here, Her rear legs instinctively took over and she leapt forward and ran for it.
She kept her eyes closed, she didn't want to see anything or anyone, she had hoped her bearings were correct and the direction she was going was clear the last time she looked before lying by that rock, she was wrong.
She was infact veering off into another direction, still carrying the exact colour and texture of the rock she had started running from.
It only took a few seconds until She suddenly collided with something that felt very large and soft. She flipped over this object and landed on the other side. She opened her eyes to see a larger then normal Lion. Still slightly dazed from her collision - which she would of came off alot worse if it was something more solid or muscular, She shuffled backwards while still lying on the ground to get some sort of minimum safe distance from a paw swipe.

"What.....what do you want, I'm nothing to anyone" she stammered

Destiny's Rocky coloured pelt soon started to shift back to her usual white colour.

[cheezeegriff]

(OOC: Figgy’s in the branches of a giant acacia tree, so I’ll assume you ran into his tree instead of him 😊).

“Ouch, you alright?” Figgy said, wincing as the lioness recovered from bolting headlong into his tree.

"What.....what do you want, I'm nothing to anyone" she stammered

“Err, I don’t want anything. This is my home,” he said. But he could see the other lioness closing in. The red, growling one. “Wait here,” he said, then disappeared back into the tangled knot of boughs and vines only to emerge with a vine in his mouth. “Here!”
Figgy threw the vine down towards the lioness, then gripped it with both hands, ready to pull her up and away from danger.

[This Land]

Occ - whoops, sorry, i misunderstood xD

“Err, I don’t want anything. This is my home,”

How he sounded, for now he didn’t seem too threatening , she noticed the lion was looking at something, she looked behind her to the same direction. She spotted too the red Lioness, which seemed a lot more threatening. Suddenly a vine appeared in front of her.

Here!

Destiny raised a brow, her instinct told her to run, but in her still dazed state she wouldn’t get very far. For the split moment decision she had to trust this Lion. She grabbed the vine and held on tight, giving a nod to say she was ready.

[cheezeegriff]

Figgy pulled with both paws, one paw over the other, like a monkey in a tree. She was much lighter than him and, though he may not look it, Figgy did have quite a lot of strength. He pulled and pulled and pulled until the lioness was hauled up before him, then reached out and pulled her onto his makeshift landing by the scruff of her neck.
“Shh,” he said, crouching down, unceremoniously pushing the lioness’ head down too. Then he slithered to the edge on his belly and peered down.
“Do you see anything?” he whispered, ears swiveling, listening for the growl. But he couldn’t hear anything anymore. The angry lioness seemed to have vanished.

[This Land]

Destiny soon ascended up into the tree, everything being quite fast and a blur, she was soon near the top. She flinched as the Lion went for the scruff of her neck to get her onto the branch. No-one has got this close to her before for a very long time and she wasn't used to such close contact. She then felt her head being pushed down with a "Shh", this Lion felt very strong which she didnt want to admit yet slightly intimidated her. She wasn't at all in her comfort zone but at this moment she had no choice but to put some faith in this stranger. However, she liked her space so she shuffled along the branch a bit.

“Do you see anything?”

Destiny focused her sight in the same general direction, her daze now starting to clear. She scanned around the area but it seemed that the other one in question wasn't to be seen. She shaked her head slightly in response.
Desinty looked towards the Lion that saved her from the corner of her eye, not wanting to seem like she was staring but unintentionally tilting her head a little. This Lion's appearance was alot larger than life it seemed, and had no trouble in keeping himself nourished. Plus she had never seen a lion use vines like they were some sort of aiding equipment. He was unique for sure and this fed her curiosity. Despite his size and strength he had a friendly demeanour about him.

Destiny looked back ahead. She was a lioness of a few words when it came to strangers but she didn't want to seem rude

"You live in a nice Area, how long have you been around here?" She questioned, this time intentionally glancing at him.

[Voidborne]

BATHOMET.

THEY CALL ME DEVIL, AND YOU SHOULD BE AFRAID

Bathomet had heard the other growl, then the quick shuffle of paws running away. The muscular lioness lashed her tail sideways, angrily. Whatever she had found, had scuffled away. However, her sharp eyes caught sight of more movement, and the noise of two others talking. She was curious, of course, but she had to be cautious too. 


Bathomet moved towards where she assumed the noise came from, moving slow and forth, like a snake ready to strike, but that wasn't going to be her intention. . . not until she had to use her claws for self-defense; for now, it was investigation overall. Perhaps, it could lead to some juicy piece of prey; whatever it was, the lioness still prowled. 

Her movementes were eerily quiet and calculated, the way her belly kept low, almost brushing the floor beneath her. Bathomet approached, once again.  

WORDS: .. || TAGGED: @this Land|| Χ Ξ Σ - Rotting Christ.|| NOTES: SORRY FOR THE WAIT.

Table by Nightwing™

[cheezeegriff]

“Er, a few months,” Figgy said, still scanning the scrub. As far as he could tell there was nothing there, though. Predators usually moved on once they were spotted.
He turned to his house (tree) guest, glancing up and down, then smiled.

“I’m Figgy, by the way,” he said, placing his paw on his chest and bowing over his belly. “This is my tree house. Make yourself comfortable for as long as you like. I don’t have any meat to eat, though there are plenty of grubs in the trunk if you’re desperate for a meal.”

He moved away. Despite his size he walked confidently over the network of vines and branches that made a relatively level platform, checking the east, north and west, hungrily eyeing some antelope moving in the distance.

“You can change colour, right?” he said over his shoulder. “That must be handy. I can grow things. Plants and trees. A shame plants don’t grow meat. Huge, juicy steaks hanging like fruit. That’d really be something special, eh?” He turned to his guest and grinned.

[This Land]

“I’ve just eaten thanks, though may take your offer a little later” she replied
Destiny returned a faint smile, getting accustomed to the hospitality of this Lion, he didn’t seemed phased by her abilities. Before she could question this, he explained he had abilities himself which took her by surprise and her eyes widened. She was lead to believe by her old pride she was a freak of nature for having what she has while no one else does. However here she was, sitting next to another Lion who was explaining he can grow plants and trees on demand ! In a sense she somewhat felt more at ease with herself and who she was, with the company of this lion.
“It would make living a whole lot easier, that’s for sure” she replied softly with a single chuckle and a slight lick of her muzzle at his remark, she glanced away at the surrounding lands once more.
“I can change into the colour that my pelt is immediately surrounded by, it does come in handy for certain situations”

Destiny took a long stretch along the branch, almost feeling somewhat comfortable in her surroundings. But wondering still if the Lioness was nearby.
“Do you have a plan B if anything goes wrong here ?” She questioned

[cheezeegriff]

“Charming my way out of trouble?” Figgy suggested, following the lioness’ gaze down to the scrub. He walked across the vines with surprising ease for his size, coming to sit awkwardly besides the smaller lioness, legs splayed out wide from his huge belly. “Or we can throw grubs at her until she goes away sated. Or we can fight. Not my favourite option, mind you. Feel free to run if it comes to it. Not really an option for me, heh-heh…”
He sniffed the air, but perhaps it was the direction of the wind. He smelled nothing.
“Changing colour’s a very clever trick. I’d love to see that some time,” he said gently, as if avoiding being overheard by the predator below. “By the way, would you mind telling me your name? Sorry if you already did. Bad memory.” He rolled his eyes at himself.

[This Land]

Destiny let out a faint chuckle at Figgy’s remarks. It was a change to come across a Lion with a carefree and relaxed demeanour, even in times of peril. This was something she wasn’t very good at, she always felt on edge, having to grow eyes in the back of her head.
“Well, if your charm or grub throwing don’t work, running is always an option, Well if you can’t run, I could just…” she paused, almost letting her mouth get the better of her, changing tact “Yeah, changing colour does have its uses, it’s only the colour of what I’m touching or right next to” .
Destiny motioned her head towards her paws and lower legs, a small spread of brown from the branch had already started to cover over her paws and lower belly, covering her original white colour.
“Most of the time it’s on demand if my mind feels its needed, other times it just…happens” She let out a small sigh, sometimes she didn’t feel proud of who she is. But coming across seemingly accepted by this lion, she soon cracked a smile.
“It’s ok, My name is Destiny. Nice to be be acquainted with you Figgy, It will be interesting to see your gift in action when the time comes” she said curious.
Destiny let her legs hang off the branch, swinging her tail side to side, the white colour soon taking back over her paws again, but the brown remained on her lower belly. Taking in the calm before a potential storm.

[cheezeegriff]

“I’d be happy to demonstrate. Here! Come watch this.” Figgy turned, walking out towards the edge of a long branch which dangled close to the ground. Of course, the thick part he was walking on was nowhere near the ground. Gripping the branch tightly, he closed his eyes.
At first, nothing appeared to happen. But then flowers appeared on the limb of the acacia tree. Small and white, they rapidly developed into fruit. But anyone who knew acacia trees would know that it didn’t bear fruit like this. They were small and round, like grapes, or giant mulberries, a vivid purple in colour, and as they grew larger the branch dipped closer to the ground.
“Prey animals can’t resist these,” Figgy said at last, unhooking his claws from the wood and shuffling backwards along the branch. “I also included a… erm… shaman’s special sauce into the fruit so that any animal that eats it soon falls asleep. Giraffes are especially vulnerable. If we’re lucky dinner will soon come by for a snack!”
He walked back the other way to another branch closer to the centre of the tree. On it grew a red fruit with a rubbery outer skin, though when Figgy broke it open it contained a seedy orange nectar.
“Smells like baboon, which will hide our scent. That way we don’t spook anyone who comes for a nibble. Do you mind?” He held out the fruit as if asking to apply it to Destiny.

[This Land]

Destiny flicked her ears and turned her attention to Figgy’s demonstration, even though she was already told what he could do, she still couldn’t help but gaze in disbelief. The fact she wasn’t alone in possessing special abilities was now cemented. His explanation on how these things easily aided catching food, made her think this lion could prove to be a useful ally. Food was always a difficult task for a lone lioness, normally only catching small prey for a quick snack. Large prey took vast amounts of strength and stamina, and was a huge attraction for packs scavengers. Outnumbered,, she would only manage to eat a little before having to retreat from her kill. She didn’t want to admit it earlier but she was infact still hungry, the rabbit she had earlier only filled a small hole like any small prey would. She had got used to the routine of being constantly hungry, but now with potentially having a full size meal with added protection, for the first time since her adolescence at that, made her stomach growl.

Sticking around this lion would definitely be beneficial, though her morals told her she is not one to take advantage of someone unless she gave something in return. The only thing she had to offer were her other abilities if she would need to use them, these were even more so kept close to her chest. Her survival rate was starting to decline over the last season, this lion could extend or rectify that. She felt that this was necessary , but in due time.

Figgy held out a weird red looking fruit and explained it’s use. When he broke it open the smell pierced through her nose, scrunching it up and wincing. It seemed he was offering to apply it to her, she flinched and her eyes narrowed for a short moment, not out of aggression but out of surprise. This was all new to her since her exile. She soon relaxed her stature and nodded in agreement.

[cheezeegriff]

Figgy dribbled the juice starting near her head and down her back, to the base of the tail. A wave of baboon-like odour erupted as soon as he opened the fruit, enough to make Figgy’s stomach gurgle. Still he rubbed it into Destiny’s back and fur professionally.

It was hard not to notice just how thin this lioness was, however. He could feel her bones beneath his skin. A quick look at her profile showed a recessed stomach where it would usually be flat – at least! But he said nothing. Lionesses were sensitive about such things.

Once finished he applied some juice to himself, as best as he was able anyway, considering his mane and his girth.

“So Destiny… that’s an odd name,” Figgy said, contorting himself to try and reach his back and mostly failing. “Not that mine’s much better. Did your parents name you that? Do they have powers too?” He sniffed at the smelly fruit and then tossed it aside, over the edge of the tree, before going and checking the knots on his ropes and vines. “Where’s your pride, anyway? Do you have a family that’ll come looking for you?” He sat down with a huff, where the vines made a sort-of hammock, roly-poly body straining at the gaps between the ropes as if trying to squeeze through.

[This Land]

Destiny stood still while Figgy worked the juice into her pelt. She couldnt help but flinch at intervals, she still wasn't used to a stranger or even an old friend/family member at that, laying paws on her.

Destiny then concentrated on listening to all the questions Figgy had for her. It felt overwhelming in a way. but she knew it was just honest curiosity. She thought she had nothing to loose so may as well tell him all.

"My parents wanted to give me positive irony. When born I was the only one in the litter that was pure white. They explained it was a symbol of nothing is written for me, so they gave me the name Destiny to always remind me I live what I make it to be. Maybe the only nice thing they gave me"

Destiny turned her head away and her ears dropped

"They don't have powers, I ended up having three. We were all to believe that supernatural was just a myth....however as I grew my parents and the pride witnessed me uncontrollably changing colour. They freaked out"

She paused hesitantly

"They thought I was possesed or something, my dad charged at me. Out of shock, I raised my paws and held him back...but didn't touch him"

A slight sigh escaped through her nose

"Then that freaked everyone out even more, they immediately demanded I leave until I found out a way to be 'cured'" she mimicked

"As for the third..." she paused and turned her head towards Figgy again. almost cracking a grin.

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you, you have to witness it yourself....but in time" her smile growing more, it almost felt strenuous to do such a thing as she hadn't for a long time. Destiny started to almost feel somewhat excited to explain her story and her gifts with this Lion, as like her he had gifts himself, it was a welcome change that she could share it with someone else, and it felt like a release.

She noticed Figgy was struggling with rubbing the juice on his back a moment earlier before giving up. She noticed some had spilt on the branch beside her. She wiped it up with her paw and hobbled over to Figgy laying in his makeshift hammock.

"Allow me ?" she said rhetorically, being he had already applied it to her she thought he would have no problem with her returning the favor. She then went on to rub his back with what juice she had. Her paw - surprisingly to her, easily sank into his pelt. It felt like a big contrast to what he must of felt, just skin and bone. Her thoughts ran and soon a substantial meal suddenly entered her mind, making her stomach growl. She retreated back along the branch.

"Heh, sorry" she smiled sheepishly.

[cheezeegriff]

Jun 18, 2021 22:04:15 GMT This Land said:

"They thought I was possesed or something, my dad charged at me. Out of shock, I raised my paws and held him back...but didn't touch him"

“So… like, moving things with your mind or something?”

Figgy listened to the rest of Destiny’s sad story, looking into the distance, thinking. He waited for her to stop but didn’t speak for a moment, partially because he was surprised by her willingness to help out with rubbing the scent into his fur. Partially also because he didn’t want to trivialise anything she’d just said by running his mouth off.

Jun 18, 2021 22:04:15 GMT This Land said:

Her thoughts ran and soon a substantial meal suddenly entered her mind, making her stomach growl. She retreated back along the branch.

"Heh, sorry" she smiled sheepishly.

“Heh… it’s ok,” he said as she backed away. “I can assure you that my tummy is louder. Anyway,” he pushed himself up then waddled along a branch to the tree’s main trunk. At the top there was a depression, and he moved some sticks and leaves away to reveal a healthy pile of bugs. “Dig in if you want. I know they look gross, and they’re very slimy, but they’re actually not that bad, flavour-wise.” He popped one into his mouth and chewed for effect, then swallowed. “Just until something better comes along, you see.”

He stepped back, looking thoughtful again, his tail flicking this way and that over the branch behind him.

“I’m sorry to hear about your folks. Makes my parents sound like angels. I was born into a pack of painted dogs – adopted, obviously – and they liked my powers but thought I should still hunt in the old fashioned way, too. They didn’t kick me out but the… erm… rounder I got the more tension there was between us. So I left.

“I’d be very interested to learn about your other powers though. The mind-moving one sounds fantastic! It’s a wonder you need to hunt at all. And I’m very keen to learn the third one, when you’re ready to tell me.” He grinned. “Though, if I guess it correctly, will you tell me then?”

[This Land]

Destiny's eyes tracked to where figgy walked and revealed a hidden assortment of bugs and insects. She moved closer and glanced at the squirming and wriggling pile, she scrunched up her nose and turned her head away, She had never even had the thought of eating insects in her life. She watched as he effortlessly ate one himself and a small shiver went down her spine. She then gave her attention to Figgy's short backstory, dropping her ears slightly listening to his struggles.

"The way someone looks shouldn't be judged, it's their actions that shows who they are. That's the very reason why I am still here, on this branch. I'm sorry other animals judged you otherwise. Even if you left on your own accord, it shouldn't of been needed, you seem to have a genuine soul".

Just after saying that she looked away sheepishly, letting her mouth get the better of her. She recited what she just said in her head and glanced back over to the bugs. Yes, they didn't look that appetizing, but they would do the job for now. She lapped a few up in her mouth, trying to ignore the horrid sensation of them moving in her mouth. She quickly chewed and swallowed, her spine shivering again just of the thought. However after that sensation passed, they weren't that bad after all ! She then continued to eat a few more while listening to Figgy's statements about her powers, She then paused to answer his question, she looked at him and grinned.
"Maybe...." she winked
"As about hunting with my second ability, I can move things without touching them, but uses the same amount of stamina or strength of that if i would move them using my own body. So either way, if I take down large prey, I'm tired afterwards, and large prey attract scavengers very quickly, so I don't have time to eat or defend a large kill​" She let out a slight sigh through her nose, not before feeling a an escaped bug crawling on her muzzle, which he quickly lapped up with a swipe of her tongue.

[cheezeegriff]

Figgy grinned, his cheeks burning a little beneath his fur at all of Destiny's compliments.

"Well, thanks. That means a lot, coming from a lioness like..." He cut himself off, an awkward look crossing his face, but then changed the subject completely.

"They weren't really judging me because of the way I looked, though. I wasn't living like them - wasn't running around chasing down prey. I was setting traps, then waiting. I suppose I... I'm pretty lazy, to be honest," he said with difficulty, grinning uncomfortably. "Successful, but lazy."

He watched as she ate the bugs, a look of sympathy crossing his face, then surprise.
"I'm impressed! You're either really starving or really brave. Well done. "Anyway, we should definitely get you something more substantial." Figgy looked over to the setting sun, making its final dive towards the horizon. "It'll be dusk soon. We should be able to catch something then. In the mean time this is where we get to be lazy. Have as many of those as you like. If I doze off, wake me up if you hear something."

Figgy flopped down onto his hammock of ropes and vines and branches, making them creak dangerously with all his plush bulk. The wind blew in the leaves above and the tree swayed gently. Time ticked on.

[This Land]

Destiny raised a brow and curiously smiled when Figgy suddenly cut his words short, she then continued to listen what figgy had to say. Her eyes lit up a little when he mentioned getting a more substantial meal, but not before being lazy for a while. She nodded in agreement to his instructions and lay down on a thicker park of the branch that gave her better support to stretch out and not worry about balancing. The gentle breeze turned the leaves into instruments, playing a soothing melody of nature itself. This calmed her down even more so after the heightened tension of the events of the day so far. She rest her head on one paw acting as a soft pillow while the rest of her legs stretched out, feeling relaxed and content. At the same time, looking forward to a potential full evening meal.

She gazed out to the lands and took in the atmosphere and the beautiful display that nature had to show. Whatever danger was out there seemed to of come and gone. Animals come and go all the time, just like herself. But for a moment she realised that this place wouldn't be such a bad place to stick around in. It was the first time in ages she didn't feel on edge.

[cheezeegriff]

Gradually the sun sank below the horizon. Stars filled the sky, though like most lions Figgy could still see fairly well. He would wake periodically to check for the sounds of nearby prey but nothing was out of the ordinary – just the usual chirping of insects and distant elephant bellows.
But then, once the moon was quite high, he heard footsteps in the grass below the tree. He looked down through the vines, careful not to move too much, as a zebra sniffed about below where he lay.
It whinnied softly, and then some more approached, and in the dark they found the fruit hanging with their sensitive noses and began to eat, nibbling generously until juices ran down their upraised muzzles.
Figgy looked over to Destiny, to see if she was awake too. He put his finger to his lips.
It was all he could do not to drool as the zebras munched away. More time passed, and though worried the zebra might move on, they had certainly eaten a lot of the fruit. He could hear their whinnies becoming more laboured, the movements slower, until one sat down in the grass under a nearby branch. Slowly, Figgy crept over to that branch. He unhooked a nearby vine with a loop in one end and, as the zebra dozed, looped it under its chin.
Then, rope in his teeth, he jumped out of the tree. The zebra was strung up in the vine about the neck, panting for breath, hauled upwards as Figgy came down, though the other two didn’t move either. They simply looked at him in confusion.
“Ha. It worked,” he said aloud, then called up to Destiny. “You can come down now! These ones won’t run off.” He waved his paw before their eyes, and still they didn’t move. Just sat calmly, as if he wasn’t there, and their friend wasn’t hanging from his neck nearby.

[This Land]

Destiny's surprised herself as she stirred from her slumber by the sound of a commotion and Figgy excitingly mentioning something about 'it worked'. She hadn't grasped it completely as she had just woke. She Slowly opened one of her eyes to be met by the blur of darkness. 'Surley i didn't sleep that long' she thought to herself. She blinked a couple of times to regain her vision fully then both her eyes opened, immediately widening from the surprise that it was infact really that dark. It seemed she had woken from quite a deep sleep. She opened her muzzle wide and let out a yawn, then gave her head a small shake.

She then had to blink again in amazement as she seen a Zebra hanging by the neck from the tree branch, looking quite doomed for survival. While 2 others on the ground below seemed completely zoned out, even with Figgy standing right by them. He certainly knew how to catch a meal with ease. Hearing him talking about it earlier is one thing, but seeing that it actually worked in action was still a surprising sight.

She kneaded the branch with her paw to get her paws bedded, then looked down over the branch, calculating the drop distance. She deemed it safe to do so and leapt off,  landing on the ground with a gentle thud right next to the Zebra's. They again wasn't phased by another presence. She gazed at the easy meal then switched her gaze to Figgy, not realizing drool had already started to leak from her muzzle until it was too late for it not to be noticed, however she still lapped it up with her tongue not to seem to eager even maybe rude.

"I must admit, I'm impressed now seeing your talents in action" She smiled, with a slight shyness.

[cheezeegriff]

Figgy grinned with pride in response to Destiny’s compliment.

“Aww, thanks,” he said, nose turning a darker shade of red. “I’m sure your talents are just as impressive. Maybe moreso. Hey, even the way you jumped down from the tree was much better than I could do!”

In fact she’d hardly made a noise as she landed. An incredible feat, but perhaps also another sign that she really did need a few good meals in her belly. So Figgy turned and poked the zebra hanging from his vine.

“He’s dead,” he announced, then loosened the other end of the vine so the zebra was lowered to the ground. Then, from the base of the tree he retrieved what looked like a blanket woven from grass runners. This he cast over the heads of the other zebras. “No need for them to watch this part,” he said, looking a little guilty. Then, with paws and teeth he ripped a neat hole in the dead zebra’s stomach.

“Dig in!” he said, then moved to the haunches to have something for himself.

[This Land]

Destiny smiled at figgy's remarks and looked away. Receiving compliments still was all a bit alien, so was having a whole meal handed her too. When Figgy instructed her to dig in, she could not help but hesitate, she let Figgy eat for a short while first before she approached the kill. It was part of her manners drilled into her head at a young age to let the Males do this.

After a short while when Figgy was properly into feeding. Destiny approached the kill then briskly sank her teeth and paws in. The taste and feel from the flesh of a full large mammal was a welcome one to her maw, and stomach ! The more she gorged on the kill the more frantic her feeding became, using this golden opportunity.

Her surroundings blurred and forgotten as she continued, time seem to passed quickly. A strange feeling was pressing in her stomach, she actually felt like she had eaten for once ! This didn't phase her and she continued to eat, moving to different parts of the zebra, sampling different textures. Some time passed, she paused her eating as her stomach started to protest with sharp pains, even though an uncomfortable feeling as first it soon subsided into a better feeling of just now feeling full.

​Destiny finished off by licking her muzzle and paws, noticing her paws and forelegs had developed stripes from the Zebra. She then rolled onto her back, taking the weight off her belly, that for once in a long time looked alot healthier. She was certain that after this meal had settled she could go for more, after all, lions can eat a vast amount of meat but she just wasn’t accustomed to such a thing in one sitting. While she waited for Figgy to finish himself, she squirmed and rubbed her back from side to side, feeling the cool grass brush against her pelt. She sighed in content while her ear flickered. She gazed at night sky and some of the stars filtering through the gaps of the tree above. This night was turning out to be one of her more memorable ones.

[cheezeegriff]

Figgy kept eating long after Destiny stopped. He was larger, after all, and accustomed to eating many times what a lion rightfully should! But despite his gorging and the disappearing of most of a zebra he didn't seem to get much bigger. He was already huge.

When he finally did step away his belly nearly dragged on the ground, though it wasn't much lower than it was before, really. His expression looked a bit pained and winded, as though overeating had taken its toll.

But then he looked over to Destiny and his eyes widened.

"Hey. You have stripes!"

One of the other zebras then started to rouse, as if trying to stand. Figgy leapt into action. Despite his size it was surprising how quickly he could move when it came to food - he even surprised himself! He quickly retrieved the vines on the trees and hung the other zebras until dead. "No use waiting until they're sober," he said.

Between their gorging there wasn't much left of the first zebra. Just bones, still wet and meaty So he said, "Are you still hungry? I could open the next one, if you want. And if you need something to help with digestion I have a fig for that!"

[This Land]

Destiny still rolled on her back, turned her head to the side and smiled at Figgy's remark

"So it seems.....sometimes it just cannot be controlled"

She let out a faint chuckle, increasingly feeling more comfortable talking about her gift in front of another. Figgy asked if she wanted anymore or something to help her process her meal which she gently shook her head.

"No thanks, I'll let this settle first and see if i feel hungry later".

Destiny glanced over the other way, scanning the area. Noticing in the far distance the moonlight reflecting on a pool of water, just what she could do with now was a nice drink of water. Hopefully been cooled a little by the night.

It seemed such a distance to walk after such a meal, she huffed in disapproval that it was so far away. Then it crossed her mind what she could do, just this one time out of pure laziness and not 'emergencies' wouldn't hurt. She rolled onto her side, still getting accustomed to the added weight of her meal. This just cemented the idea in her head that it was too far to walk and she will get there without it.

"Fancy....going for a drink ?" She questioned, almost hesitant.

[cheezeegriff]

Figgy followed Destiny’s gaze to the water, looking hesitant himself.

“I usually just drink tree sap…” he said, but then shrugged. “But sure! Let’s go stretch our legs. Just let me get these guys somewhere where they won’t attract attention first.”

Figgy spent the next several minutes hauling the zebras higher from the ground, then broke open more of his strange fruits and sprinkled them over the bodies. He did the same with the zebra that was all but eaten, and kicked dirt over it for good measure.

“All done,” he said. “Follow me. I know the trail.”

The grass wasn’t too long this time of year, and so Figgy led Destiny along a path that offered a scenic moon-lit view of the surrounding savannah. A light breeze tousled the leaves of acacia trees, and Figgy would often pause to sniff the air, evidently a little nervous away from his tree.

“I haven’t seen many other predators around here, but after this evening’s excitement, you can’t be too sure,” he said.

Figgy made for a slow but steady pace. Being as massively wide as he was, it was almost a wonder he could move at all, but he didn’t get flushed or breathless from their stroll. However his waddle was quite pronounced, and with every step his flanks would jiggle and fold like an accordion. What was slow for Destiny seemed to be somewhere close to Figgy’s top speed.

[This Land]

Destiny let Figgy lead the way, letting him set the pace. She embraced the atmosphere of a calm and therapeutic night, scenic and lit up by the ever growing stronger moonlight. The strange sensation of carrying a full meal was something she was still getting accustomed to, her stomach now slightly distended, moving along as she walked. Though it dwarfed in comparison to Figgy's Physique.
She nodded to Figgy's statement.
"Tell me about it, things had been pretty trouble free for me until today" she agreed with a nod.

She took a few quicker paces so she was walking by Figgy's side. Even though she already agreed she felt comfortable doing this and in her head that her next action was OK and a way to say thankyou, she still had a glimpse of nervousness. She took a hard swallow
"Let's have a drink without the hassle of walking aye...." She said with a small smirk.

Destiny focused her vision on the water far in the distance, now reflecting stronger in the moonlight. She then closed her eyes and drew up in her mind a vision of her and Figgy standing by the water's edge. She focused her vision, making the picture clearer and clear in her head. She felt her muscles twitch all over her body as she strained, deepening her focus. Her entire body then started to fade transparent, letting whatever light or scenery her body blocked pass straight through her. She then briskly brushed her head over Figgy's shoulder and wrapped her paw around his leg. They then both suddenly vanished.

Destiny's eyes still closed, her vision of the water got stronger and stronger, Until it was almost like she was seeing it with her own eyes. When she opened then, they were both standing by the edge of the water. She legs immediately started to buckle so she flopped down by the edge to cover it up, then quickly proceeded to lap up some fresh water. Now it had been done, she couldn't help but feel nervous at the reaction to follow.

[cheezeegriff]

"Whoa."

For the first little while, that was all Figgy could manage. He sat on his butt, head swivelling back and forth as if to check where he was, eyes as big and wide as the fruits on his tree.

"Whoa," he said again, but then grinned when he looked at Destiny. "Did we just... move without moving?? That's incredible! You are incredible!"

He got up, walking to the water's edge, but then glanced over his shoulder at the tree in the distance.

"That's what happened, right? I didn't hit my head or anything, and you dragged me here? No, that's impossible... though... unless you had super-strength?"

He turned around, lowering his nose to sniff at the dirt. "No bent grass. No footsteps. So, camouflage and... travelling without... moving. How are you not the most accomplished hunter in all of Africa?!"

[This Land]

She contined to lap up water as she watched figgy's reaction from the corner of her vision, keeping her ears perked up. Her nervousness soon turned into slight amusement from what he was saying and doing. She cracked a shy smile when he told her that she was incredible.
She let out a slight chuckle.

"We traveled...without moving, yes" she grinned shyly

"I wish I could use it to hunt.." She started to explain as she slowly stood up back onto all four legs, trembling slightly.
"Problem with this is, I'm not much use when it comes to strength for a while after I've done this, it's quite....draining" she explained, with her grin slightly flattening.

She went to take a few steps before her front leg's buckled, making her faceplant in the soft mud on the water's edge. However she covered up her stupid slip with a single forced chuckle.

"I would wish for super strength anytime over this though, heh"