by Hopeflower » Thu May 31, 2012 11:03 pm
Thoroughly irritated by the pest, Xanthe gave a low snarl and picked up the compy by its mutilated tail. He carried it over to Blade, Cirrus, and Alira, bending down and dropping it at just the right height to stun the tiny creature rather than kill it. Cirrus sniffed curiously at it, and made a brave nip at its ankle, his small, needle-sharp teeth piercing flesh and securing a firm grip. Alira was more cautious, but curiosity and excitement made her inch closer to the now-trapped compy.
Steeltalon felt a shudder ripple through her body as Riptide met his violent end. She closed her eyes as if to block out the reality, but the reek of blood and death filled the cave; it was thick enough that she almost choked on it. Somehow managing to wriggle around in the crevasse, she nudged Silver forward, toward the other end and away from the horrific scene. The dazed hatchling stumbled along, bumping into the rock on either side as if she barely knew what she was doing; her dark blue eyes were glazed with shock. It was only then that Steeltalon realized what she was doing and paused, watching the tiny creature. How could she take care of a hatchling? She had no experience with motherhood - her memories of her own mother were hazy. She remembered a feeling of security when she saw her mother, and the anticipation of food...but she really didn't know what else there was to it. With a sudden sinking feeling, Steeltalon remembered something else - she barely managed to keep herself alive up to now. A lone raptor relied mostly on luck to catch a meal, and there was always the chance of missing - or losing the kill to another predator. How could she hope to keep Silver fed, too? It was a problem that would need solving, but there was no time to figure it out now. With a soft sigh, she picked Silver up and carried her the rest of the way, emerging, blinking, into the light.
"Gotta have a little sadness once in a while so you know when the good times come."
"Talent is a pursued interest. In other words, anything that you're willing to practice, you can do." ~ Bob Ross
"The future is always uncertain and painful but it must be lived." ~ Unknown