The Hunter-Survivor Instinct

[Laarseerro Reeaarrro]

It wasn’t often that a Cizerack got to hunt on open land, in what would be considered ideal territory, therefore when Laar’s Mistress offered him the chance to venture out with her to do a little sport hounding, he’d jumped at the chance. The two had departed on a small craft, on loan from the ShadowFaene Fortress, to a planet which Nasseeri had hand picked from a long list for its terrain and wildlife. As they had travelled, the female at the helm of the ship with her man-servant knelt at her flank, very little was said in passing conversation, though Laars was content as his Mistress would occasionally give his ears a stroke, running her fingertips over the long tufts of striped fur. Once the craft had landed, at the command of his Mistress he rose and barged out of the exit ramp onto the damp soil of the planet. The scent that filled his nostrils was rich, and he could tell the world was teeming with life. Casting a sideward glance to Nass, he purred:

“Wherrre do we ssstarrrt?”

[Nasseeri Haalleerraa]

Nasseeri had obtained a hunting permit, of dubious nature, from the Naboo government. Admittedly, it had been given in the desire to keep the Cizeracks, as a whole, happy. Haalleerraa wasnt the first nor would she be the last to seek a hunting permit from a planet that was known to cherish its natural resources. The felinoid race wasnt out for a trophy to hang on thier wall. It was the thrill of the hunt, the chase that drew them and the still warm flesh of thier catch that kept them coming back.

As Laar opened the ramp, the various wild scents of the untamed wafted in to where Nasseeri was rising from the command chair. Inhaling deeply, she strides out to join her manservant at the end of the sloping plank.

Sharp blue eyes rake across the open meadow as waves of tall grass ebb and flow like the tides on a sea. To the south the woodland began and beyond that it faded slowly, disintegrating into a swampy marsh.

With a sharp toothed grin to her companion, Nasseeri strips off her clothing of 'humanity', leaving the vestiges of civilization behind on the vessels' metallic flooring. From one pocket of the discarded clothes, Nass produces to large, roughly woven pieces of material. Expertly, she wraps it around her body so that it covers her breasts then ends as a type of loincloth around her lower half.

Steping down onto the warmth of the earth, her clawed toes flex in delight as she digs them into the soft dirt of the meadow, her head lifting to catch the scent of the animal they seek.

"jin the woodlandsss, ji thjink, Laarrr. We arrre huntjing the jiKopji."

[Laarseerro Reeaarrro]

He’d covered his eyes with large paws as Nasseeri had disrobed, and only pulled away them as she spoke. The large Cizerack’s nose twitched and wrinkled as he searched for the scent of the Ikopi on the wind, as a small squall swept past. After a few minutes of sitting on his haunches, both ears flicked upwards. Then, with all of the ferocity of a kitten, he began to lop forward across the dirt and then through into the grass.

[Nasseeri Haalleerraa]

Setting off at a trot Nasseeri followed Laar into the grass, her ears swiveling to pick up the sounds of hooves or perhaps the clashing of antlers as male IKopis fought over territory or females.

It was more likely that she and Laar would see or smell before actually hearing them. IKopi were large deer-like creatures standing over three meters tall with a sharp and dangerous crown of twisted antlers adorning thier heads. Fleet of foot as well, they wouldnt prove an easy prey to bring down.

A herd of Mott scattered before Laar, grunting and splitting off in two groups then gathering back together right before Nass plowed through thier midst. With frightened squeals the small herbivores parted company again to stand and watch as the two felinoids melted back into the tall grass.

[Keerrourri Feessaarro]

Keerrourri stretched in the Naboo sun, letting his robe slide off his body. The hunt was an indulgence that the Cizerack truly understood. It was one of the few things that held a firm connection to the Emissary. He was very cosmopolitan, in most affairs. Yet, he was a Cizerack, and as such, there were certain drives that he had to entertain. Disrobed, he was a figure of classical physique, and his marbled skin glistened around well-toned muscles. He caught a fleeting scent of two others as he began to pace through the woods. Two Cizerack...likely on the same pursuit as his own. He smirked...as it seemed so many minds could think alike.

[Laarseerro Reeaarrro]

The bulky male skidded to a halt as the pack of animals regrouped and whinnied in fear for a moment, before establishing amongst themselves to stay quiet. From their scents, he could sense their apprehension though also an air of stubborn determination seemed to be growing in them too. Not only this, but there seemed to be the smell of pride on the air – and it wasn’t coming from the Ikopi. Laars nose twitched a bit as he looked to Nasseeri to see if she too had felt the other creature, wherever it may be, as it smelled distinctly like a Cizerack.

[Nasseeri Haalleerraa]

Stopping and lifting her nose to the air as Laar had done, she catches the scent, strong and definitely masculine. The newcomers scent was one she remembered though Nass had only been in his presence one time.

Keerrourri Sarrtarroa had joined the hunt. He was the Pride Mother's right hand and her favorite male. As such, Keer was the only male with any power in the Pride. When he spoke, even the female Cizeracks listened.

Nasseeri had sent an open invitation to her Cizerack friends and superiors to join Laar and herself on this hunt and she was immensely pleased that he had chosen to do just that.

Gripping Laarseerro's shoulder, Nasseeri whispers up in his ear.

"Laarrr, do jyou know who jit jisss? jitsss Keerrrrrrourrrrrrji! He'sss jojined the hunt!"