Reaching Stones Valley

[Pitou]

Tinker sniffed the fresh scent wafting up from the open wound and her mouth watered. She bit off a chunk and rolled it over in her mouth.

"It's so warm," she mewed around her mouthful. "And it's crunchy!" She swallowed. "You're right! It's so tasty! You've got all kinds of experience. I can't wait to know all of the things you know about!"

She took another bite then pushed the remaining bit to Torro.

( @Toodle )

[Toodle]

He finished the mouse happily, his heart so full he thought he couldn't possibly get any happier.

But, as he swallowed, he heard voices echo over the grass. He looked toward the voices and spotted a small group of housefolks walking straight towards them. They were slightly hunched into one another and each carrying various items. He hissed urgently to Tinker, "Come on, we need to get out of here."
@Ravensong

[Pitou]

The clumsy noises of the housefolk caught her attention just before Torro warned her. "I wonder what they're doing here." She could see Torro wanted to leave but curiosity pulled her towards the strange new housefolks and she padded straight towards them.

( @Torro )

[Toodle]

Torro's heart dropped. She was walking towards the housefolk?! He ran after her and whipped his body in from of her to cut off her path. He stared her in the eyes. "We have to go. Not all housefolk are as nice as yours. They may try to take you or...or hurt you."
@Ravensong

[Pitou]

Tinker rolled her eyes with a good-natured smile. "You worry too much. I've never met one that didn't like me." Then, as an afterthought, she added, "Besides, they're slow anyway so I can get away." She peeked around Torro's body at the group of housefolk. "And they seem upset, not mean. I can go cheer them up!"

She pounced quickly around Torro and quickened her pace towards the group.

She reached out with her senses to get a feel for what these housefolk were like. They smelled of salt and grief, definitely worse at grooming than her own housefolk. She was concentrating so hard on the group that she didn't hear the monster, nor Torro's warnings, heading towards her until it was nearly on top of her.

She jumped straight up, the fur standing straight up from her skin.

( @Toodle )

[Toodle]

Everything unfolded faster than Torro could react. As he turned to watch Tinker's feathered tail bob away after passing him his ears rattled at the sound of a monster louder than it should've been. The drone of monsters was not uncommon here but never so close. His eyes widened and locked on the source of the growling. It was slow and lumbering but its path was perfectly intercepting with Tinker's. A wave of nausea swept over him. He called out instinctually to warn Tinker but she didn't hear him.

The monster was nearly on top of her when he saw her head turn and her body launched upwards. He could smell her fear scent radiating and something ignited inside him. Without thinking he shot forward, flashing past Tinker then he skidded to a halt, doubled back, and nearly barreled into her as he tried to push her into a run out of the way.
@Ravensong

[Pitou]

The black streak that sped past Tinker pulled her out of the shock she'd fallen into at the sight of the monster. When it turned, it was Torro's wide yellow eyes staring into her; the fear sparkling in them was nearly overlaid by a deep determination. As he ran back towards her Tinker started to turn away. His heavy body pushed against her side and her momentum was jump started.

The two cats streaked across the open grass. Tinker didn't dare to look around for shelter, much less to check behind them to see if the monster was pursuing. A deep exhilaration was set afire in her chest, mingling with the burning of adrenaline.

They raced over a hill and finally a tree loomed up ahead of them. Tinker saw Torro fall back just slightly and she bounded up the tree's trunk in a few swift bounds to reach the lowest branch. She turned to check on Torro.

( @Toodle )

[Toodle]

The growl of the monster no longer filled the air, but Torro couldn't hear anything above the roaring of blood rushing through his ears. The light brushes of Tinker's pelt on his as they sprinted side by side brought him some comfort.

When the tree came into view he looked at Tinker to make sure she saw it too. Then he slowed just enough as they approached the tree to let her bound up first. He was quick on her tail and just caught the flash of her blue eyes as she watched him pull himself onto the branch beside her.

He looked down. The monster was still lumbering its way lazily down the grass, seemingly uninterested in pursuing them.

He struggled with regaining control of his breath as the adrenaline slowly eased out of his body. His lungs and legs were on fire from the sudden exertion. He pulled his gaze away from the now-distant monster and stared at Tinker perched beside him.
@Ravensong

[Pitou]

Tinker could feel Torro's eyes boring into her. When she glanced over, his eyes were wide and his tongue was out as he panted. She was sure she looked similar. Her tongue lolled out, her eyes wide, and her ears erect atop her head.

Slowly she started to laugh through her panting. "That...was amazing!"

( @Toodle )

[Toodle]

Amazing?!

"You...that was fun to you..." He didn't need to ask the question, the exileration was slowly becoming more apparent in her eyes.

He was dumbfounded and speechless, still trying to ease his own hammering heart.
@Ravensong