ORIGIN

"Speech" | 'Thoughts' | @Xerxes
The lion rose to his paws and Cure found herself smiling in a quiet fondness. She, too, rose to her paws and without even the slightest hesitations bumped her head against the bottom of his chin before she turned on paw. "Come on then," There was a new tone in her voice. Filling her with a vibrancy that hadn't been there for such a long time. She was so happy right now. He had forgiven her, though she truly did not deserve it, and that ever familiar smile had returned to his features. Even if it did not last long.

A smile curled across her features as she padded along the barren path that had been worn down by paws of old. The single shard of garnet chrysalis swayed back and forth around her neck. Though she had originally thought it to be something else, she now knew the truth. It was only a piece of his old chrysalis. It contained the memories in it the first day that Cure had come across the beast of a lion behind her. She had no idea back then that they would have grown so close, but she was thankful. Even if it was a series of tragic events that brought her to Eridanus Cure was happy to have been led here regardless. Had Hasira not taken her captive, she would have never met her most dearest friend.

A strange fluttering rose up in her chest and Cure lost her balance for only a brief moment. Catching her balance the hybrid leopard tried to play it off as if she was leaning her head down to sniff around for some kind of meal they could catch. Much to her joy she actually found a trail and she perked up. "This way," She murmured quietly as she quickened her pace all the while making sure she kept her paw steps silent. They would be upon the herd of large cave deer soon. She was sure.

He followed in suit with Cure, letting her lead the way yet walking by her side. He hadn't gone hunting in a long time, so with the loss of his Magick, he wondered if he could still hunt larger game or if he was limited to cave rabbits. Time would only tell, however, and he was a bit nervous about it. He didn't want to embarrass himself.

She picked up on the scent of something after she had stumbled and made it look like she meant to do it. A small smile graced his lips, but faded before she could notice, hopefully. He leaned down to pick up the same scent she had, then nodded, agreeing. It'd been some time since he'd even seen a cave deer, much less a herd of them. He walked slow, following the scent trail, wondering how far away they were. Just in case, Xerxes started to move slower through the brush, in hopes of possibly hearing the percussive sound of hooves hitting dirt, rocks, and plants.

Suddenly, he saw movement. His body lowered instantly but quietly, and he peered at the herd behind foliage. "There they are." He whispered, keeping his black body hidden for the most part, though giving Cure room to do the same. Eyeing the herd, he looked for a good one to single out and inevitably kill. Thankfully, it wasn't a massive herd, but it wasn't small either, about twelve or so, more or less. They needed a plan, but coming up with one when they were so close may be difficult. While stealth may be a feline's strong point, especially with their dark coats, they could still be easily discovered.

"Speech" | 'Thoughts' | @Xerxes
It was hard for the hybrid to keep the instinct to purr in her happiness as Xerxes walked beside her. Her tail continued to sway, brushing against Xerxes here and there as they continued to look for the Deer that would surely be around. In a situation that she had assumed would be a disaster, she was so grateful it had gone how it did. Her thoughts were a jumbled mess. Going from pondering over Xerxes to how she should have handled going away better and then just bouncing from one thing to the next.

It wasn't until Xerxes' voice calling softly that they were near did she snap out of it. Instantly she crouched down low. Searching the bushes where Xerxes had indicated that the lesser gembounds would be. When she finally caught site of them she began to smirk. She shifted, preparing herself to move in. They were far too close to discuss anything, so hopefully Xerxes would see the same one she did. A bigger male stood a good foot or so away from the small herd. It was further away from them, but at least he was alone. They could potentially heard him away if not just catch him now. She supposed they would find out soon enough!

With only a small glance to Xerxes to let him know she was about to go, Cure sprung from the underbrush. The cave deer instantly reacted. All looking at her as if they were looking at death himself, hich they kind of were if she got her claws in them, before they all began frantically moving. Even in the chaos Cure did not lose sight of the buck that was stupid enough to stray away from his herd. No, she weaved in and out of those running around and quickly made an attempt to just catch the thing right there. Hopefully Xerxes was still with her and would help in a next rush of an attack should Cure miss..

The cave dear were unsuspecting, which was great. Crouched in the underbrush, he noticed Cure picking one out of the herd. He figured since he found the herd, she should pick the deer. Following her gaze, he settled on the same buck standing off from the collective. Cure launched before he, but soon he followed behind, leaping out from the underbrush like Cures shadow. His heavier body was slower than Cures, but he made good time keeping up with her as they rushed the buck, weaving in and out of the herd as they ran in the opposite direction.

His weakened body felt ancient as he ran, but seeing Cure lunge for the attack gave him the courage to do so too. His body was large even while he was skinny, adding a greater mass in the force to take the buck down. Finally at a good position, Xerxes leapt at the deer, aiming from the general neck region, hoping to drag the buck down should his attack land.

"Speech" | 'Thoughts' | @Xerxes
With her barely successful attempt Cure was a little irritated, but it all washed away as Xerxes came in and easily threw the odds into their favor. His assault was successful and as he brought down the cave deer with one final killing chomp to the things neck Cure grinned broadly. "We make a good team," She laughed a little as she playfully swatted at Xerxes' face. A rumbling in her stomach quickly drew her attention to the deer that would now be their meal and she nearly purred with anticipation. "You brought it down though, so you get first bite!" Her smile was broad and happy. Her tail swished and flicked about as she waited for him to take his first bite so that she too could dig in right beside him.