Who: Cailynn and Philip What: Getting acquainted When: This week Where: On the beach of the City
Cailynn was in the mood to get away from it all. She had taken a sabatical from her job and headed toward the beach. And that's when she smelled him - one of her kind, very nearby.
For Philip, this was just another day. His mind was mostly numbed by the decades of staying solely in his jaguar form. Mostly what was left was his animal instincts. His survival skills. The bit of humanity he held onto was the family that he adopted and protected through the generations. This was one of the rare days when the family needed to go into a city for something, and the shadow of a great cat stalked in the shade behind them, sticking to rooftops and alleyways when they finally entered the city. The city was noisy, hurting his ears. There were too many things moving around, but at least he was spared the malaise of strange-to-him noises since his sense of smell had long since fled in the fire.
Cailynn tuned out the sounds around her, the sights of the beauty that was this city, and even the smells that beckoned her. Instead, she focused on that essence - the one of the were- in animal form. He was very nearby, she was certain. She ducked behind a building, checking with not only her eyes to make sure she was alone. There she shifted quickly and with little pain, eventually ending in her white tigress form. Slowly, keeping close to buildings and in shadows, she made her way toward the other.
Almost totally engrossed in watching the family's two daughters and son being approached with what looked like an aggressor yet ended up being a vendor, Philip almost didn't hear the noise in the alley below him. He flattened his ears and dove down into the darkened pathway, and bared his fangs and let out a warning growl at the place he heard the noise of one of his common jungle prey. His ears perked up curiously a moment later as he saw a snake slither away from a metal bin. Somehow he had thought the noise louder, echoing a constrictor he had slain earlier in the week. With another growl of annoyance, he heard his own "voice" magnified somehow by this metal device. With a shake of his body to focus him, he deftly jumped against the wall onto a roof to continue his vigil.
Cailynn was close enough to see him - the black panther male - jump down from the rooftop. He was magnificent, she could tell. But he seemed wilder than most. He seemed very protective of... something. She was near enough to feel him and sense his movements, and she decided to wait to see if he noticed her as well.
He took a quick scan of his surroundings from his perch as he gathered his senses to take in where the family was, and that's when he felt the eyes up on him. He placidly took a unfocused look around him to find the source. When he found something strange, he kept his head wandering so as not to give up the awareness, but for some reason a part of him tried to feel out the feeling. There was something altogether unfamilar yet familar about it all the same. This was no human, and no typical prey, he knew. He needed to setup an ambush. Feigning sudden interest in an alleyway he remember from the last trip, he dove down and raced across into the shadows, and then took up another perch, turning his muscles to stone.
Cailynn could sense his attentiveness... her senses were honed from being a were- for so many years. And when he raced off, she followed after him, keeping to the shadows again. When he stopped, she did as well, feeling him and knowing he was ready to pounce.
Philip's prey stopped further away than he had planned, as if it sensed something amiss, but little did it know that it was still far within range. With a mightly leap, Philip flew through the air and threw his 343lb bulk against his target, and drew his teeth in for the kill around its throat. Suddenly, the animalistic intent in his eyes fled as he realized that something was terribly wrong, and he jumped back, startled and confused. He paced, staring and agitated at what was suddenly wrong, besides there being a white tiger in a city so close to his home. What did it mean? What were these other feelings?
Cailynn could feel the confusion coming from this panther-man in waves. She paced back and forth, her large paws nearly silent as she did so. Not knowing how he would respond if she tried to reach out mentally, she decided the easiest choice was to shift. When she had reached a certain age, she had felt compelled to protect and aid the younger lycans... especially those of a cat breed. Inhaling, and letting out a tiny roar so he would stay back, she curled into a ball on the ground. Within mere moments, she was back into her woman form, wearing only a smile.
At first Philip just continued pacing, but his hair rose up due to the unexpected action. Then he froze as some part of him understood what was going on, and stared in wonder. A far off part of him told him that this was a rare thing, something that he hadn't known of besides with his parents. She shifted into a human form like he used to do so long ago. Why? Did she want him to do the same? For the first time in a century, he wondered if he could ever go back to being human.
She didn't make any sudden movements, and knew to not approach him. Instead, she knelt down so they were eye level. She did not fear him, and knew he could sense it if she did. Instead, she held out her hand. "I am Cailynn. You can sniff me if you like," she offered, her voice quiet so as not to attract attention.
He stared at the hand, and back up intently into her eyes. What was he supposed to do in this case? Communicate? How would he tell her that he couldn't smell her hand anyway? He thought for a moment, and sat down on his haunches. Figuring it was his best bet, he let himself unfocus, and try to shift back. There was a sudden rippling of pain running through him, but he bit back the roar and stopped. He looked again at her hand. Maybe if he just smelled her hand and shook his head? He stepped forward, cautiously looking into her eyes, then sniffed. He froze again. A faint flowery smell? He had just smelled something. Faint, but he had just smelled something after a century of nothing, he smelled again, forcefully intaking air.
She smiled invitingly. "I am not your enemy. Do you understand what I am saying to you?" she asked, watching him. She kept her hand outstretched, noticing how he seemed to be enjoying the ability to sniff her skin.
Philip was totally immersed in the new feeling, the sense of smell. He never thought that he would miss it so very much. Without realizing it, he started to purr, still sniffing, but not hearing anything.
She let out a small giggle at his purr and slowly lifted her fingers to lightly stroke the tip of his nose. He was very soft, yet seemed to have a hard time responding to her at all. "That a boy," she said reassuringly.
His nose followed her hand, yet when it touched he seemed to snap back into place and realize where he was. An immediate thought came up, about protecting the family, and he looked around desperately. He ran to a wall and scratched furiously and jumped against the opposite wall and raced again to the rooftop to spy for the family. The scrawling scratches were a crudely written request, "wait here."
Cailynn had followed after him, and read the scratches on the wall. So he was curious about their connection, then. Very well, she would hang around. Perhaps this was what had compelled her to travel to this part of the world. She glanced about, taking in her surroundings. No windows faced this alleyway, and no streets faced toward it. She was comfortable in her skin, and so leaned against the wall to await his return.
Everything checked out fine, the family was apparently having dinner. Philip raced back, and after so long remembered how good it felt to enjoy the wind in his face, instead of just acknowledging it. He jumped down, and looked up at this woman. He took a step towards her and tripped, falling to the ground. Somehow between his landing and his step, he had shifted back to a human, and had no idea.
Oh dear! She was concerned for the man, feeling his excitement upon his return. She didn't know how he had turned so quickly - perhaps he was older than he seemed. She ran to his side, and knelt beside him. She didn't touch him, not wanting to upset him even more. "Are you alright?" she asked, her eyes scanning his body for any wounds.
Philip stared up into her eyes, once again too distracted to hear her words. He slowly sat up, and stared dumbfounded at his hands. "I've...I've turned back to human?" He looked up into her eyes again, searching for an answer.
Cailynn smiled reassuringly and nodded. "Yes, you have," she said, standing. "Is this not the norm for you?" She wanted to know more about this man.
He stood slowly with much concentration, then looked down at his body. "Yes...you could say that I've been in that form for long. A century, perhaps? This is...strange."
She frowned, furrowing her brows. "Why would you stay in your animal form for so long? Do you not like being human?" she asked, curious.
A flood of memories came back over him. The scent of heavy smoke and burning straw before the blank of the sense lost. The screams. Philip immediately tried shifting back into his jaguar form. "Why can't I change back?!" he yelled. Then his breathing slowed as he closed his eyes and tried to calm himself. He opened his eyes and stared deeply into this young woman's eyes. He approached her rapidly and pushed her back against the wall without even realizing it. He held her. "How do you change back? I need to change back."
She had watched him go from stunned to panicked to furious. She had inhaled sharply when he slammed her to the wall, but kept her calm. She was not afraid of this man, and knew she was stronger. "You must calm yourself," she said simply, grabbing his hands and pushing him back.
Philip was surprised as he looked down and moved back. "I...apologize. I'm not used to this kind of thing anymore. I must change back soon, or find something to take my mind off of...Something bad." He tried to calm, closing his eyes again and focusing on the jungle.
"Listen. You cannot hide from... whatever it is you're hiding from," she said, walking around him. "It will never go away if you don't confront it." She could tell that was his problem. And, being sympathetic, was compelled to help him.
"I did confront it. It is no longer in existence." He opened his eyes, piercing into hers. "Who are you, and why have you come to my lands?"
"These are your lands?" she asked, looking around at the buildings that surrounded them. "I am sorry to have intruded upon them, but I am only visiting." She knew it was best to not anger him, and really had no reason to. She wanted to help him, but he was very stubborn.
"Not necessarily these...buildings, but the jungles nearby. Why are you visiting?" Philip was concentrating on the jaguar inside of him, letting him focus on the things outside his mind. His thoughts had a way of wavering back, but he supposed that it would get easier. After that thought, he sighed and shook his head. "I must face it at some point."
"I needed to get some perspective..." she said, then cocked her head to the side at him. "Would you like to talk about it?" she offered, spreading her hands in a welcoming gesture.
He eyed her as she spread out her arms, obviously non-threatening. "You've only tried to help, haven't you? I apologize for hurting you. We should definitely talk."
She nodded, smiling. "Would you like to have dinner?" she offered, leaning against the wall. Her blonde locks fell over her eyes, as she pushed them back.
He once again lost his voice, looking at her. "Yes..." and regained it and thought for a moment, "Yes, we should discuss this over a dinner. It will be strange to have something...cooked. What would you like?"
She smiled at him, winking. "I know just the place. Can you meet me back, right here, in an hour?" she asked, thinking in advance of what all she had to do in preparation for their meal.
He smiled for the first time in a long time, then it went away as soon as it came when he realized it. He nodded his head, trying to remember if any humans ever ate in this alley. I should check up on the family I protect. I'll meet you back here in an hour. He started to turn and walk away, figuring he wouldn't be able to climb the walls, then turned back. "What's an hour?"
She hid her smile, knowing it had been a long time since he had to do anything... well... human. "Wait here," she said, then shifted with ease. She ran from the alley and back to where her clothes were. She sniffed there for a moment, then headed back to him. Once there, she dropped her prize on the ground before shifting back. Once in human form, she picked up the watch and took it to him. She held it out, pointing with her free hand at the long hand of the watch. "When this hand goes full circle, then it will be one hour," she explained.
He waited patiently, hearing her paws softly for only a minute, then frowned as his human ears couldn't hear her at thirty meters. He looked around the alley again, then snapped his attention back when he heard her returning. He listened patiently, absently breathing in deeply to smell her once more as she explained. "I will return here then. Thank you, Cailynn" He hugged her, remembering that the family he watches does that when one of them departs. He turned and started to walk towards the noisy streets.
She was shocked by the hug, but soon recovered when he left. She transformed once more, and raced back to her clothes... One hour later, she was standing in the alley, clad in a black dress. There was a slit up the leg all the way to the top of her thigh. It fit her well, and she felt comfortable in it, as if it were just her body. Her hair was loose, falling around her shoulders.
After one painful rotation of the little hand, Philip returns bruised, a little cut up from glass and dirty. Ironically, he was wearing a three-piece black suit. He had a small limp as he walked into the alley, and once again smiled unknowingly when he saw her.
She smiled upon seeing him, but it quickly turned to a frown. "Are you alright?" she asked with concern, walking forward to stand in front of him.
He tilted his head. "You didn't hear the screams as the, 'naked barbarian' stormed through the streets?" He shook his head. The family I protect even ran from me. I was attacked a little in confusion and ran away. There was a kind family that hid me for a little bit and gave me these clothes." He frowned. "They are very stiff."
She bit her lip, completely at a loss. "Alright, then first thing's first. We have to get you some new clothes," she said. She nearly took him by the hand to lead him from the alley, but thought better of it. "Come with me," she said, walking from the alley, the opposite direction from where he had left previously, and down the street.
Phillip allowed himself to be led, catching her scent as he followed behind her was very placating. He almost wasn't even really paying attention to where he was going.
She led him into the first clothing store on a strip of shops they came to. "Philip, I am going to get some clothes for you... I will guess on the size so you don't have to worry about these people touching you," she explained, gently grabbing his wrist and leading him to a chair for him to sit.
"Why is it bad for them to touch me?" he quickly hid his face as he saw someone earlier who had run from him, "ah, nevermind. He sat down, uncomfortable. This was nothing like laying in a tree.
She smiled before walking away, picking out some clothes, purchasing them, then came back to him. "Let's go," she said, extending her hand for him to take. She would explain her reasoning to him later.
He took his hand and went out, guessing that they were returning to the alley, he took the lead this time. He couldn't smell her as well, so he slowed down and walked beside her.
She reached out her hand, placing it on his chest, and pulled him to a stop. "This way," she said, leading him across the street. They walked for only a few minutes before they reached her hotel. "You can change in my room, if that's ok," she said, pausing outside the door.
He watched her hand on his chest and looked at her, "That's fine. Were we not returning to the alley?"
"No. I thought this would be more comfortable for you," she said. She walked through the hotel doors, through the lobby, and to the stairs. She was aware of him behind her, and wanted him to be at ease. She imagined the elevator wouldn't do that, so the stairs were her option. Once in the stairwell, she took them two at a time.
She moved swiftly, more than the humans do, he noticed as they climbed. Climbing was second nature for him and he climbed behind her, looking a little uneasy at the concrete surrounding them.
Cailynn tossed him a reassuring smile over her shoulder. When they reached the second floor, she pushed the door open and continued down the carpeted hall. At her room, she unlocked then opened the door, holding it for him to enter.
He looked at her for a moment, then walked in, enjoying the scent of a room that she had already been in.
She closed the door behind them, then gave him another reassuring smile. "You may try on the clothes here, or in the next room. I don't mind either way," she said, handing him the bags of clothing.
He smiled at her, then started undressing, looking into the bags of clothing. "What exactly do these different clothes signify? What is the difference?"
She shrugged. "Basically, the different clothes are for different events, occassions, and places. I bought you several of each type. You will want to try on these for now," she said, pulling the slacks, dress shirt, and jackets from the bags.
He shrugged, mimicing her and started to pull on the articles of clothing. "At least these are fairly light-weight. It won't get very hot." He put on the jacket. "Well, for the most part." He looked at her again, examining her in her dress. "It looks like you shall keep cool, so that is good." He looked around, wondering if they would have food in what looked almost similar to his adopted family's bedroom.
She nodded. "You can take the jacket off while we travel to the restaurant, then you must put it on while we eat," she said, taking a seat at the edge of the bed.
Suddenly serious, "Must? I am still the predator here, if the norms of this society brings me to rules, then I think that they might go to fearing me falling like a shadow from a tree." He blinked suddenly, and relaxed the muscles that had coiled, looking again at the jacket, then up at her. He tried to see it logically. She wasn't wearing a jacket, but he must? He did not understand.
"Please do not think that this is a conspiracy against you. Philip... this is how the world works now, and if we are to eat in a place that is nicer than others, we must follow their rules," she said, then shrugged. "If you would rather scrounge for scraps, you don't have to come. But I assure you, it will be fun."
"Fun?" he cocked his head and sniffed the air reflexively, curious. There was a good association with this feeling. Looking over her again, he decided that this might be interesting, and put on the jacket, trying to button it up as properly as possible. "A thing worth doing is worth doing right."
She smiled, her eyes shining with amusement. She stood and walked to him, helping him finish the buttons. Once he was fully dressed, she took a step back and gave him the once-over. "It fits well... I have a good eye," she said, winking at him. "How does it feel?"
He stared into them as her eyes glittered, watching her move gracefully with intention. "You have two of them. They are very good, and I enjoy them." He stretched, then leapt across a table, against the wall and leapt back with barely a sound. "Hmmm...a little noisy, perhaps, and not as good as my fur, but it shall do as far as human clothes."
She laughed, watching him move as gracefully as the cat he was. "Be careful in your human clothes. If you wish to change, please take them off first so as not to rip them. They are rather expensive," she said. She sighed, then picked up her credit card. She placed it in her bra, then turned back to him. "Ready to eat?"
"Expensive?" he looked at her blankly. Not understanding the piece of plastics, and utterly dismissing it as unimportant.
She stopped her walk toward the door, and bit her lip as she thought of the best way to explain it. "When you work, you are paid, right? That money is what pays for everything - food, shelter, and clothing. Expensive clothing costs more money," she said, furrowing her brows, hoping he had earned money before.
"When the family works, they make food and craft wood." He thought back, trying to see things from a human perspective.
She frowned. "I don't understand - do they go to a job? Or do they farm for their own food?" she asked, confused.
"They collect from the jungle. Trees, animals that they crave that I do not bring."
"Do they trade their goods with others?" she asked, watching him.
"Hmmmm...perhaps. When they come to town, they bring their crafted wood and come back with silver."
"The silver is their money. They use it to pay for their home and for clothing," she explained, glad that she had finally found something she could use in this explanation.
"Hmmm...so you worked with wood to pay for this clothing?"
She sighed. "No. Many people work in different professions to make their money. Any place you go to, and there are people there to serve and help you, they are getting paid for their services," she said, trying to maintain her patience.
"Ah. Okay then," he watched as her face became a little flush with frustraition, and walked up and hugged her. "Relax, young one."
She laughed. "Young? Oh my dear, you have so much to learn," she said, though she was comforted by his hug. It was odd and unexpected, but nice.
He nodded, knowing full well that, but still was a little surprised at her apparent meaning of age. He guessed that looks only got better with it.
She smiled, then took his hand in hers. "Are you hungry, then?" she asked, pulling him toward the door.
"Very! Ready to run, as well. I've had enough resting and talk." He followed swiftly.
She laughed. "We won't be running to the restaurant. However, if it would please you, we can go into the jungle and shift for some exercise," she offered as they left her room.
"That is fine, after the meal then. I have much energy pent up." He followed, calming himself again.
She nodded. "I would imagine. It has been a long time for you, hasn't it?" she asked, referring to his being in human form.
"Very long indeed." He continued to stretch slowly as they traveled.
She nodded. "I hope this is not too unpleasant for you," she said as they went down the stairs and out the hotel once more. It was quicker to walk, and she enjoyed the fresh air.
He closed his eyes and followed her scent as they went down and out. He tried to remember back when he had origionally sensed her, and tried to focus on the feeling as they walked.
Cailynn led Philip down the streets in silence, taking in the scent of the outdoors that lingered on his skin. He was so raw and masculine, she was intoxicated by the scent. Once they reached the restaurant, she paused. "This is where we will eat. I will order for you, if you like," she offered before they entered. The host led her to a table in the back, in low lighting, away from onlookers.
Philip allowed himself to be led, and still had his eyes closed as he told her that that was fine, he'd probably not know what to do. He felt her suddenly and opened his eyes suddenly as it reminded him of earlier. He would explore this more. He used his hunter's mark on her and saw he skin start to glow dimly with it. He followered to the table in the back, keenly watching her clearly in the dim setting.
She smiled shyly at him... why was she feeling shy? She dismissed it and took a menu from the waiter, sending him away with their drink order. Water seemed adequate, as alcohol was not good for a panther! "Is this seat alright with you?" she asked.
He watched her every move, payed attention as her scent changed. She allowed herself to lose her authority for a moment, then regained it. He smiled. She was thinking about having him lead this little pack, perhaps. "This seat is magnificent, if only for the company to it. Tell me, what separates this place than others when you come to them with a person, for a person?"
She blushed slightly, and blinked several times, trying to decipher what he had said. "I honestly couldn't tell you," she said. "It has never really been something for me to dwell upon." Their water was brought, and she ordered them both steak and potatoes, rare.
He stared intensly into her eyes and watched her moved, listened to her talk to memorize the melody of her voice, and paid no attention to their words. "Tell me, why have you come here?"
"To dine with you, of course," she said, her cheeks pinkening a bit more. He was very direct and attractive, and she couldn't stop herself from staring back into his lovely eyes. Distractedly, she sipped at her water.
He was completely still and focusing entirely on her. "No, why have you come to this land? I hope to find a mate."
She spit out her water, taken aback by his words. "A mate!? I didn't come to find a mate. I came to relax and get away from working so much," she tried to explain.
He was startled by her reaction, and unfocused his eyes. This was his time to blush, and deeply at that. "I...I am sorry. I am still not quite...well...not quite used to this side of the jungle, as it were." He looked down into his water, and dipped his fingers into it. "I think that I have offended you."
"No... Philip... no," she said, extending her hand to lightly grip his chin. She tilted it upward so she could look into his eyes. "I am not offended... I know you are not aware of how culture works now. I think more like a human, and like to be courted and fall in love before choosing a mate," she tried to explain.
He looked again into her eyes, as a human this time yet still intense, and suddenly got lost. There was a deep yearning in his chest. "This is not a subject i am knowledgable on. How do I perhaps court you then, if I might still be allowed?"
She smiled, releasing his chin. "You may court me. This is a part of it... you just have to follow your instincts. Listen to the human side of you," she said, leaning back against the booth.
"Listen to my human side?" He thought for a moment. All he wanted to do currently is to embrace her. He looked around. No one was embracing anyone, yet there were ones who were closer together. He moved around the table to sit beside her, against her. There was a slight purr to him as they touched.
She was beaming now, and leaned against him as he sat beside her. "This works," she said under her breath, feeling the purr in her chest but not releasing it due to the company of humans. Their steaks were brought out at that time, and she realized she should show him how the humans eat. "Have you watched your humans dine?" she inquired.
"Yes, I have watched the family before. Does it matter if these tools gleam more, or that there are more of them?" He leaned back against her and enjoyed her arm moving against him. The senses in human form weren't all that bad, he decided.
She shook her head and reached over her plate to pick up his silverware. She took out the fork and handed it to him, then handed him the knife. "You will only need these two. You cut your food like this," she said, then demonstrated how to cut the meat with the knife and fork.
He copied her exact movements, even the way that she chewed. After a few bites, he started moving a little more fluidly for his larger body. Then he started noticing the taste, and his movements became a swift hunt.
She watched him, still ingesting her own food. When he began hurrying through the food, she reached out her hand and gently placed it on his arm. "Be careful," she cautioned.
He took her message to heart, and started eating more slowly. He decided that he would o this anyway, at it seemed to be more enjoyable. He mentally stuck his tongue out at his inner jaguar.
She watched him slow, then continued eating. He was a quick learner, and very observant. And she was pleased to see that he took heed to her warnings and words. It was nice to have someone listen!
He finished, and rested against her. An arm absently wrapped around her waist as he purred quietly. "This was indeed tasty. Much different...cooked."
She nodded, tensing a little as he rested his arm around her. Then she relaxed, enjoying the feel of it there. It had been so long since any man had touched her... at all. "I enjoy it," she commented, handing the waiter the credit card from her bra when he arrived back.
He started to remove his hand and come to attention se she tensed, looking around intently for the challenge. But nearly as soon as she tensed she relaxed. He looked over at her, watching as she became at ease in his arm and seemed to comment on more than the meal. He watched the card. "That is the silver you paid before as well, is it not? I must work to repay you."
She shook her head. "No... please. It is my treat. Your company is repayment enough," she said, signing the slip when the waiter returned. Placing it away once more, she stretched, arching her back like a cat. "Are you ready to frolick?" she inquired, arching a brow at him.
"I must at some point be able to provide a debt of meat to you as well." He arguement fairly left his mind as he watched her stretch. "Ready to pounce, indeed." He shook his head, focusing on the human side. "Ready for a good run." He gazed into her eyes.
She smiled back at him, wanting to lean up to kiss those delectible-looking lips. However, she refrained, ushering him from out of the booth, and got out after him. "We will discuss this repayment another time, then," she said as she led the way from the restaurant.
He walked out with her and stretched, cracking some of his bones. "Ahhhh...I missed that. Where is the run?"
She looked around, then grabbed his hand. She led him around the restaurant and through a few alleys until they reached the canopy of the trees. "Take off your clothes," she instructed him as she began slipping out of her shoes, then dress.
He undressed hurriedly, then slowed as he remembered that they weren't technically his own. He set his own clothes beside hers.
Once they were both in the nude, she closed her eyes and tilted her head back. Within seconds she was in her white tigress form.
He watched, amazed at the transformation. He hadn't seen her much in this form. But he was more interested in seeing how she did it. "You...just leaned back and closed your eyes. Hmm..." He leaned back and closed his own eyes, focusing on changing. He opened them again and looked down, seeing a still-human form.
She blinked at him, then pawed forward to nudge his leg. She didn't know how else to convey what to do without shifting back. She sat on her haunches and watched him.
He watched her, comfortable with her at this point getting so close in his weaker form. He looked at his leg, then dismissed it having to do with anything. His mind scanned over what had happened today as he absently scratched her head.
She groaned in frustration, then laid down. Mere seconds later, she was a human once again. "Look, Philip, you can't change like I can. I am much older and it comes a lot quicker. Just follow your instincts," she said, standing beside him.
"Instincts...hmmm..." He looked at her suddenly as a thought streaked across his mind. "Jump at me!"
She frowned, considering what he said, then shrugged. She looked away, then jumped toward him, making a meow sound.
He had a shocked expression on his face, as he didn't quite know what to do. He caught her and fell back with a grunt as he hit the ground. He looked up at her. "That was..." He started laughing. "Cute...young one. I meant as a tiger, as I figured that would trigger it as a reflex, but that was enjoyable nonetheless."
She laughed as well. "It did seem ridiculous to me as well," she said, righting herself. "Let's try this again," she said, then quickly shifted to her animal form. She paced away from him, letting him prepare himself, then readied to attacked. She let loose a feral growl and jumped in his direction.
And as soon as he saw the leap, he was back in his jaguar form, leaping under her and turning around to face her. He had as much a grin as he could pull off in this form, and stretched proudly.
She growled loudly, then tramped over to him. She nudged his neck with her head and purred. Her tail twitching playfully, she leapt into the trees and was running.
He raced after her. He sprang off of one tree and dove under a fallen trunk. His claws scraped against a mossy stone as he followed her scent. He was very surprised to find someone or something to actually provide a challenge. He opened his eyes for the first time and wondered where in his familiar jungle she was heading to, if anywhere.
She was headed in a general direction - toward the sound of a babbling brook. She had heard it the first time she had transformed tonight, and was glad to have. She ran with all of her might, knowing he was close to overtaking her. She enjoyed the thrill of running and only stopped once she reached the water's edge.
Phillip had been catching up, and had planned to pounce on her, but he saw where she was going. He was curious and figured she was as thirsty as he was. He was an animal of ambush and stealth, and was not used to the exertion of a long chase. He slowed when her scent did, and he closed his eyes again as he came up behind her, enjoying for the first time in a long time the soft sounds of the water over rocks and beds. He opened his eyes and looked over to her, and realized he was panting harder.
She was barely panting, her eyes on his when he reached her side. After gazing at his strong, panther form, she dipped her head to the water to lap up some of the cool refreshment.
He wondered where this young cat came from. It must have been a long way away to be used to such running. He wondered what was so fast that she'd need such speed at such length to capture it. In his mind he weighed the pride of establishing a better way to hunt to a way that he could train to be better. Her lapping caught his throat's attention and he turned to quench his thirst.
Once she was finished partaking of the water, she playfully pounced on Philip's back. Rolling around, she purred with excitement.
Phillip had sensed the sudden shift and tension in her, and rolled with her as she pounced. He nipped at her playfully and wrestled like a cub, enjoying the rough housing.
She nipped back at him, gently letting her teeth scrape the line of his feline jaw. They rolled around several times, but she was getting tired. It had been a long day, and she let out a yawn while he was atop her.
He took it as a small victory. She had worn him out on the run over, but he had worn her out in wrestling. He growled proudly and nuzzled her, purring loudly as he gave in to her scent and lost all thought.
She purred along with him, glad they were in this together. He seemed so content with her, and she was so comfortable with him. She kicked him off of her and stood, stretching, before taking off toward the edge of the woods once more.
He was suddenly on the ground again, and realized she had just bucked him. He shook the fuzziness in his head away and the turning in his stomach and put on his serious face. Much of the night had elapsed without him realizing it. He took a moment and listened for movement nearby and took nothing in out of the ordinary besides her soft steps. He watched her.
She was aware that he wasn't behind her. She stopped and turned back to look toward him, though she couldn't see him due to the distance she had already put between them. She opened her mouth and let loose a roar, hoping he would hear and come to see her before she went home.
He had been thinking about the sensing-thing she and he had done earlier, and wondered if there was a way to block it. He stealthily started coming towards her from an off-angle in hopes of sneaking up on her. He let out a playful roar when he was almost upon her, and dashed to her.
She chuckled to herself when he crashed into her, sending them both flying through the foliage. She groaned when her shoulder hit a sharp rock, but quickly brushed the pain aside. Once they were at a stop, she licked his cheek before standing and sprinting off once more. The exhaustion was over-taking her, and she didn't want to fall asleep in the jungle, in cat form.
He apparently hadn't been able to sense her very accurately in his efforts, he realized with a crash. He winced as she hit the rock, but saw that she was fine and rubbed against her neck and shoulder. Her lick caught him off-guard and gave her a head-start. He quickly roared and leapt after her, wondering where she was going while so tired.
She reached the edge of the trees and laid down in a ball. Yawning, she transformed back into her human form. She winced at the pain in her shoulder hit her anew - it was so much more unbearable in human form. With a scowl, she slipped her dress back on as she waited for him.
He followed out into the clearing, and watched her scowl. He came up and rubbed against her. He wanted to shift and apologize yet again this night. He braced himself and concentrated on the shift, but he didn't seem to be able to grasp it. It was just out of arms reach.
She knew it was harder on him than it was for her. And he had done a lot today - probably more changing than he had in a very long time. She wasn't surprised when he couldn't. So she just knelt beside him, putting her hand on his head and gently scratching. "Thank you for the fun tonight," she said softly, smiling.
He purred, enjoying the touch and scratches, along with her soothing voice. He scent was different while in human form, but still so much the same entrancing smell of some exotic flower. He figured he'd try to growl a 'thank you' back as well as he could, and attempted. He wondered what to do, if he'd be able to find her the next day. But with a scent like that, the only one he could smell, it might be easier than he thought. He gazed over her with eyes trying to be human, and peered into her own.
She smiled, and leaned forward to place a kiss on the top of his nose. "You'll remember where I am tomorrow, if you wish to see me," she said, knowing he would be able to track their trail from tonight. Hopefully he would find it easy to shift in the morning, and would come to see her. She enjoyed his company. Standing, she gave him once final scratch before turning to leave.
And so he sat on his haunches and watched her leave, enjoying the sinuous sway of her walk and her fluid movements. He watched her for as long as he could, then took a very long run to his protected family's home with a lighter heart than he had for as long as he could remember. He found the family all safe and sound, with no tracks of dangers anywhere near them. He took to climb a tree, and dreamt that night dreams of hope in the pale moonlight.