Pride is in the Heart

[Nyanma]

((I hope this is the right area. Please tell me if a date is needed. Open to all savannah folk.))

Nyanma prowled the grasslands quietly. Though she was crawling on her belly beneath the grass, trying to blend in, her ears were perked in case the wind would shift, so she would know. She was hoping to get a gazelle today. Rabbits, cranes, and aardvarks were able to sustain her, but rabbits were awful small and cranes were rather stringy. She wasn't going to even bother thinking about how many calories were in those fatty aardvarks, either. No. Today, she wanted a lean and savory meal of leg of gazelle, and she had all her heart and focus on it.

As the lioness was stalking a small herd, she waited patiently. The conditions had to be just right. So far, she was downwind, the gazelles hadn't seem to have seen her, and she was getting ready to pounce. She just had to wait for one to get in range. If she didn't catch one in the first sprint, the whole herd would vanish.

What the lone lioness didn't know was that someone was coming up behind her as well. This one unforeseen detail may very well ruin the whole hunt.

[Pirate ҉]

[bg=b38944][atrb=width,500,true][atrb=border,0,true] regular, speech, thoughts, other(s) Rounded mounds of cartilage remained erect atop a broad dome, swiveling to and fro as the wind’s gentle caress disturbed the sensitive hair fibers within. Ebony glistened nostrils flared, taking in the messages of the grasslands and causing an inquisitive grin to brighten his features. Nimble pads skipped along the earth and the slender stems of the golden grass brushed against his willowy appendages and stroked his narrow chest. Shoulders protruded as his lithe build was lowered close to the earth, his wispy tail dancing along the pebbles which were embedded in the dirt. Deliberate steps were taken as he advanced forward, an impish glint reflecting off his hazel irises. He was on a mission. Moments before, he had taken sight of a lovely lioness stalking through the grasslands, and it immediately drove him forward. She was obviously hunting, so he decided to make a rather smooth first impression. He was help her take down a gazelle. His plan was perfect and almost foolproof. Subtle growls tickled his vocal cords as he pulled his lips taut of his pair of canine teeth, allowing the enamel to reflect the radiance from the sun. A few more steps transported his physique a few feet from the lion’s haunches as he narrowed his eyes with a saucy grin. However he forced his gaze away from her enticing rump and towards the herd. One of the younger and more succulent gazelle bounded joyfully along the grass -- right in the middle of the herd. Another, rather elderly creature trotted along the outskirts of the group, which immediately caused him to redirect his route towards it. Bean was fairly positive the female was aware of his presence now, however he dismissed such thoughts for now and focused on the task ahead of him. Take down gazelle. Make lion swoon. Seemed simple enough, eh? He seemed almost giddy now, the hackles along his spine quivering with excitement. Offering a flirtatious glance over his shoulder towards the lioness, he took a step forward, closing the distance between himself and his victim slightly. However his durable paw came in contact with a dead twig, causing an abrupt crack to taint the atmosphere. The African dog froze, his ears immediately plastering to his skull and his breath slowing. Nothing happened. No sudden rampage took place, as if nothing had happened. He breathed a sigh of relief then turned back to the herd, readying himself. Alright. Let’s do this.~