[PRP] Ignorance Is...? [Helvegr & Zulaica]

[ChexaRain]

Helvegr had offered his strength and time into helping a fellow lioness get revenge on their family, something he knew a great deal about. But, as Hel is prone to do, he did exactly what he wasn't supposed to do; avoid the 'mission' and, instead, wander off to do whatever he wanted, so long as they didn't leave without him.
The rogue lands were vast, and though he'd long since earned his title as a Reaver, he hadn't spent much time enjoying it since the one lioness escaped him as an adolescent. He wrinkled his nose at the memory, only to scent the air and pick up on something.
It wasn't her, no, but it was.... something.
The idea came to mind of bringing back a thrall, but he shoved it away and sought out the creature the scent belonged to.
He really, really didn't care to bring home another mouth to feed when he only had one that was necessary; his own.

He was just going to break all the rules of what he was supposed to do today.

What he would come to find, however, was a rather enticing group of prey beasts, the thought of which caused his stomach to growl. He could always bring something down as his excuse to be wandering off and bring some back as proof, he mused, looking for proper cover to inch closer. Though the grass swayed tall, he was hesitant, but temptation was far too great.
He stepped into the cover and sought out the best vantage point, planning out every step before he took it to get closer.  

[[Eskimo]]

Gazelles.

Small enough to take down on her own, but big enough to fill her belly for a long time. But there was a catch: the catch. Their speed was no match for Zulaica. She had to choose her target carefully. The young ones sometimes wandered. Those made for excellent meals. The older ones, feeble, or sick--easy pickings. But she had to get them on the peripheral. It was all about calculations. She had to be precise--perfect. There was no room for error. There never was. She wouldn't fail today.

Zulaica stretched along the ground so low, her belly nearly dragged against the earth. Her eyes were wide and hungry, catching light through the long grass as she watched the herd closely, gathering information, watching for signs, waiting, waiting...

She shuffled closer, waited...shuffled...watched...shuff--

?!

Zulaica nearly screamed, but found all sounds and air had been robbed from her chest. She was very nearby another lion, so close she was sure she could've reached out and touched him. She hadn't even realized she'd been creeping closer to him! Hadn't smelled him, hadn't seen him. How?! The male was dark coated and bright-eyed, and Zulaica was momentarily distracted by his appearance before she snapped back into reality. She mouthed voicelessly for a few moments, not knowing what to say, if she should continue her hunt, if he would be angry...

ChexaRain

 

[ChexaRain]

For all his focus, Hel was quick to pick up on the fact there was movement in his peripheral, and he quickly turned a glare to the culprit, half expecting a smaller animal.
Finding a lioness, however, he managed to raise a brow, though his expression was still hardened in a scowl. She seemed to be just as shocked to run into him as he had been to see her there, a stupid look on her face and he had half a mind to chase her off.
But then, he got an idea.
He quickly took a silent step back and gestured with his head for her to continue, his burnt golden orbs bearing down on her and conveying that he was going to be watching for a mistake, and whether or not he would accept it, he'd figure out later.
He had food, this one was probably rogue and had to work for it. Let's see if she was worthy of at least catching it on her own.

[Eskimo]

 

[[Eskimo]]

Zulaica's heart skipped a beat at the quizzical glare the male gave her. It reminded her very much of someone she knew--someone she missed very much...someone she was desperate to see again, but never would...because he was gone. Forever gone.

Zulaica met the male's eyes and found herself pretending he was that certain someone else. When she realized what she was doing, she turned her head roughly to watch the herd again. She knew the other lion's implications. If she didn't catch something, she may be attacked, or even killed. Still, the situation did give her a strange kind of nostalgic thrill, but it caused her heart to ache at the same time.

Rallying herself, the lioness watched the herd grow closer, hiding all the while, watching and waiting for the perfect moment. As the minutes stretched on, she felt herself become more and more nervous. What if she didn't catch anything? What if she tripped again? What if she messed up and embarrassed herself? What if it was sloppy? What if he wasn't happy with her peace offering either way?

Mind buzzing with negativity, Zulaica saw her chance and leapt out of hiding to snatch a frail-looking gazelle who had wandered dangerously close to the pair of lions. The rest of the herd scattered in clouds of dust and terrified bleats, but Zulaica was deaf and blind to her surroundings. Fueled by desperation and a determination to be perfect, the lioness sunk her claws deeply into the beast's chest from behind, jaws gripping and gnashing the side of its neck. It collapsed under her weight and Zulaica fell on top of it, finishing it off until it moved no longer. But she had no time to feel proud of her accomplishment. She stood, panting and dripping blood from her maw, and turned to watch the male's reaction.

ChexaRain

 

[ChexaRain]

He watched her silently, though as time ticked on, he found himself pointing out minor flaws the longer she took.
An opportunity missed here, a delay in her reaction there...
When she had finally decided on a prey to take down, he stood by and let it occur, watching as the rest of them scattered with a slight frown.
Why had he done this, again?

By the time his gaze drifted back to the lioness, she was looking at him expectantly, and he snorted, though he had to admit her willingness to comply was a bit of a shock. He was so used to the bullheaded viking women he grew and traveled with, they rarely avoided a moment to tell you exactly what they thought.

His gaze dropped to her prize, giving it a once over before standing, his eyes meeting hers, "Not fantastic, but not bad. You actually caught something after all that fidgeting." The last dig was intended for a reaction, mostly to see if she truly was as compliant as she first seemed. He had half a mind to make a comment on her prey itself, but he held back, holding onto it in case he needed it for a snarky retort when she got angry.
She WOULD get angry, somehow, someway. Women usually did.

[Eskimo]