Cat and Mouse (Asher)

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High winds buffeted the small kestrel as she flew high above the rocky crags. Carefully maneuvering to avoid being smashed against the mountain Kari let out a fierce call, daring the wind to bring it on. Wings partially folded, Kari flew between a small rock spire and the huge gray bulk of pure stone. Pulling free, she felt a smug sense of satisfaction that she had made it out alive that quickly changed to fear when the shadow of a very large bird managed to cross her wingtip.

Sending a quick glance upward, the sight of an enormous golden eagle flying high above her made her narrow her eyes with fright. Her cry must have caught its attention and now she was going to die. Great, just great. She hadn't even been in this new land for a week and she wasn't even going to have a chance to meet the others in Lawaii. But wait! Maybe it was another retro like she was! Being careful to not fly directly underneath the predator, Kari shouted up the the eagle. "Hey up there! I'm not food! If you're a retro like me call off the hunt!" The complete lack of any response confirmed her suspicions that this eagle was 100% animal and was all too happy to try and eat her.Knowing that she wouldn't be able to outrun it, Kari prepared for the inevitable and dived.

Swerving around the sharp rocks and under arches, she dodged in and out, hoping that her natural agility would make her too much effort to catch. Apparently it didn't work. The loud hunting cry of the eagle rang in her ears and it was only a sharp jerk to the right that saved her from her immenant death. "Ha! You're going to have to do better then that if you want to eat me!" Waving her tail in a mocking wave, Kari pumped her wings in an effort to fly faster, knowing that it would make little difference to the great predatory bird and that she was going to die.

Fatigue plagued her small frame as she had already been flying for hours before this nuisance came up. Feeling her wings slowly turning to lead, she flipped onto her back and outstretched her tiny talons, ready to go down fighting although realistically the eagle would break her tiny legs before she would have any chance to strike.

[Asher]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, width: 492px; height:473px; background:url(http://i1312.photobucket.com/albums/t538/evkav/Menagerie%20-%20Asher/fullonecopy_zpse352a005.png) no-repeat;] It was not a normal occurrence for Asher to be anywhere near the main areas of Lawaii territory. Usually he could be found in a cave, hiding away from all other life forms. Every now and then the great eagle left his little hole and headed out to help with a hunt or to fulfil his duties as a konducteur. It was nearly midday and the black eagle had just finished his usual rounds, up through the mountains, down towards Bellator and Nilda territory, and then back up to his hideaway in the crags. There was a large cave there, towards the top of the mountains that almost reminded the young bird of home. It was the perfect place for him, away from all the other birds of his flock. As an eagle, he never really needed the company of others, but being in the Menagerie was a totally different ball game. Safety in numbers, that’s the way it worked in there. Alone he didn’t stand a chance. Heading through the rocky areas, Asher’s great wings pounded heavily against the wind, propelling his large bodice forwards and upwards. He was nearing his cave when his mind was entered by thoughts of others. Halting, Asher let himself glide slowly as he filtered through the voices in his head. One of them he could tell was a young female, a retromorph like himself. The other was completely bird, a golden eagle, ready to go in for the kill. The female was a smaller bird, not predatory, her thoughts racing with her heartbeat. She was fleeing from the large creature, trying to protect herself. Asher felt her speak, almost mocking the predator. Eagles don’t like smart arses, Asher thought to himself, pressing his wings against the air once more, throwing himself towards the source of the voices. The black eagle soared through the air at a great speed, the voices becoming louder as he approached them. The golden eagle was the first bird that he spotted, closing in on its kill. Its thoughts were completely consumed by those of hunger and death and greed. It could almost feel the bones in its talons and the blood in its mouth. Monster. Asher spied the kestrel, a tiny bird in comparison, turning on its back and preparing for a fight. You don’t stand a chance, he directed the thought towards her, a slight hiss in his mind. He hoped to scare her into fleeing, but it didn’t look as though she would. A great screech escaped the bird’s beak as he folded his wings beside his body, torpedoing down towards the other eagle. Just as the golden eagle’s talons stretched out, ready to rip into its prey, Asher thrust his own out. Knocking the other eagle’s claws away, Asher let out another screech of warning. In such close proximity, he could tell that he was a few inches larger, and certainly a few years older than the animal before him. You will not take this kill today. Leave now before my talons find your throat. The thoughts were uncontrolled, shooting straight at the golden eagle and most likely finding their way into the mind of the kestrel. Asher was in no mood to be dealing with cruelty and he was certainly not ready for a fight. The other bird was intelligent though and let out a small squawk before swooping lower into the mountains, heading into the distance. Breathing heavily, Asher swivelled around to face the kestrel, his wings beating to steady himself. “You alright?”