ORIGIN

DOVEFEATHER

Dovefeather waited directly in the middle of the still pools of Eridanus, her muzzle curved towards the sky, ears coned out towards each eye at her right and left. It was here that she sat, tail curled around her paws.

"O All Mother, I am here to see as you see, to grow strong in not only vision but in ambition, to prove that I am worthy of your gifts."

Her voice was soft, but in the absolute silence of the crystalline water, it echoed around her clearly.

"Although I am young, and although I cannot see beyond, I know that with your guidance I will one day transend my feline limitations and become one with you."

This was her thrice daily ritual.

The words sometimes changed, but when she woke, when she ate, and when she went to sleep, she returned to this precise place and spoke her prayer.

"Praise to you, All Mother, and may I become blessed to see your praise in my own time. Blessed be, All Mother, O."

Her ritual finished, she let out a huge yawn and batted her lashes at the ceiling which-- to her-- looked the same as it always did.

She was alone for now. Leon was off patrolling and she? Well, she was going off to hunt. It was a fun past time of hers and she enjoyed bringing large game back for the others in Maji Walezi to feast in. It was like an instinctual pool that lead her to go hunting for food that everyone could feast on. The best place in the cave to hunt by far was Eridanus! Cetus had an abundance of prey in it too but she had to spend hours afterwards cleaning herself. So, yes, Eridanus was far better.

The lioness stalked through the think undergrowth, padded paws silent upon the earthy cushion. Unlike the algid environs of Pisces this place was far warmer and it felt even more welcoming. Possibly another reason she liked to come here to hunt.

The lioness was on the scent of her prey, nose twitching as she tried to locate the cave deer. Her sharp eyes quickly came upon the creatures as they grazed in a little clearing. Perfect. The feline crouched down and edged closer, using rocks and shrubs for cover as she neared. Clear blue eyes searched the animals for weakness and there, she found one with a slight limb. It would be slower than the others and easier to catch up to. The lioness' claws slid out of their sheaths as she kneaded them on the ground in anticipation.

After a moment of calculation she sprung out of cover, long legs carrying over the ground to her prey with ease. The deer bleated in fear and charged away. Makyna's eyes never left the lame deer as it stumbled along behind after its herdmates. She was no distance runner so time was of the essence. Her legs pumped harder, carrying her over rock and earth alike as she charged forward. Then, the moment came when the lame deer could no longer keep up.

She saw her chance and sprang--

She landed right on the back of the deer, bringing it down with he weight. It gave a bleat of fear as Makyna grabbed its head with her paw and twisted it around towards her muzzle where she clamped down on it. Her intention was to suffocate her prey, classic lion style.

What Makyna didn't know was that her prey had brought her directly to the pools. For now she was too focused on killing her prey to even notice her scenery or even notice the little life that sat not too far away from her.

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DOVEFEATHER

Dovefeather nearly sprang out of her own fur, screeching a horrible yowl as a massive Sister came springing from the bushes. There was another huge animal, which she was killing, and it filled the poor kitten out of her wits.

"No no no! Stop! Careful! You'll disrupt the pools!"

Her voice rang out as she sprung to her paws, scurrying towards the massive behemoth. She had Seen her Sisters take down mice, but this was another level on to its own.

Her small whisper bubbled out from under her screech as she stood on the edge of the pools, staring with wild, awe struck eyes at the expert kill.

"... A meal like this, and my Sisters could feast for days..."

"--But, but... Not, no, not if the blood gets into the Eyes... Mother would be so mad, oh no, please, back up, don't let it get in the water!"

Her tail lashed and she stood, paws together, as the blood tried to trickle down towards her sacred home. The All Mother's Eyes. She opened her mouth wide and let out a loud, begging wail.

"Quickly!"