Shade felt himself breathe a huge sigh of relief when Winter agreed to stay and help him. “Thank you,” he said, and meant it, gazing at her with his candy corn-colored eyes. “That means a lot. And if…” He paused for a moment. “If there’s anything I can do for you later that would make up for it, just ask.” So I’m not indebted to you for the rest of my life, he added in his head. He really was grateful, it just felt so awkward to be so heartfelt with someone he barely knew. He’d been alone most of his life so far, not making friends, and this interaction was… strange.

@Winter

There was something about this conversation that made Winter feel better then she had ever felt before. Knowing that she had helped someone, that she had made someone grateful, and that she had saved a life, meant more to her then the warmest prey or the safest hiding spot. "I'm happy that I can help!" And she really meant it - she was very happy to help.

However, she wasn't a fool and wouldn't deny Shade's offer. She would not forget this, but she wouldn't hang it over his head. One day, if she was in trouble, she knew that she would find an ally in Shade. Perhaps that was what it meant to help people? No, that seemed too simple and shallow for what she was feeling. It was too confusing for the moment, so she pushed it to the back of her head.

"I doubt that rat filled you up too much, so I'll go find you something else. There's bound to be other prey nearby." She flicked her tongue out to confirm - though it was faint, there was something nearby. She turned and slid off in its direction, trusting in her sense of smell this time.

Not far from the den, she came across a lizard perched just under the shadow of a rock. As she had done with the other rat, she struck out, this time her aim true and her fangs sunk into the creature's neck, killing it instantly. She proudly turned back to give it to Shade. She wondered if cats ate reptiles or if they just at mice and stuff.

She dropped her kill in front of the cat before turning to leave and find more.

When I speak.

When I think.

@Shade

All this genuine nicety was making Shade feel a little sick to his stomach, but he didn’t let that on. He just wasn’t used to much interaction was all. When Winter told him she would go find him more prey, he found himself saying, “Thank you,” again. And then she was gone, slithering out of his little “cave” to go off on another hunt. He lay his chin on his paws again, this time feeling a bit more refreshed, so that he was still awake and alert when she returned.

When she dropped the lizard in front of him, he sniffed at it curiously. Lizards were often harder for him to catch than mice and rats. He’d eaten a few here and there, but since they could climb walls and thus be out of his reach in a matter of seconds, he tended to avoid trying to hunt them. He bit into the reptile, savoring the different flavor, noting that scaly creatures tasted different than furry ones. “Thanks again,” he said, voice muffled from talking with his mouth full. He hesitated, thinking of something. “Maybe you should go hunt for yourself, too. Hunting for other Gembounds must be kind of… tiring.” He ate the rest of the lizard in the next bite.

@Winter

Winter watched Shade tear into the lizard and felt her own stomach rumble. It had been a while since she had last eaten a good meal and it would probably be a good idea to hunt as well. When the cat offered, she smiled. "That's sweet. It's no problem hunting,
I actually like hunting a lot. But I'll get myself something as well, its been a few days since my last meal."

With one last glance at Shade, she turned and sniffed the air again. She had been hunting a lot and the time since her last prey and the smell of juicy meat in her jaws was really pushing her over the edge. Hopefully, she would find something easier this time. She slid forward and almost instantly caught the scent of rat. Happy, she followed it and came across a nice, fat rat that wasn't looking her way. As she curled her body in, she realized that she could make it easier this time and use her venom, since she would be the one eating it.

Once she was in position, she struck, sinking her teeth into the rat's body and injecting a nice sized dose of venom. The rat didn't even have time to squeal as the venom took effect as it was paralyzed within seconds. A few moments after that and its breathing stopped.

Proud of her good catch, she took it back to the little sanctuary where Shade was and set it on the ground. She found a good spot to start and opened her mouth wide, her jaw unhinging as her body engulfed the rat. Eating was a little difficult, especially with a kill this big, but after a few moments of pulling with her muscles and moving around the rat, she finished the rest and there was a considerable bulge in her stomach.

She looked back at herself and frowned. She had forgotten that eating, especially something so big, would make movement uncomfortable. She wouldn't be able to hunt for Shade for the time being. She sighed and turned to the cat. "Is there anything else I can do for you right now?"

When I speak.

When I think.

@Shade