WC: 483
They assumed their positions, letting the silence creep back into the forest around them. Colibri let her eyes flutter shut, listening intently to nature. She felt at home in the forest, surrounded by trees and the tranquil sounds of small creatures. Only the gardens she cultivated were more peaceful than this, because her fingers mapped every leaf and petal that she cared for. She shifted her weight, discomfort drawing her back to the present. Her aching joints were passionately protesting this crouch, making her feet go numb, but she had to be patient. It would only be more difficult as the summer dragged on.
Soon enough, there came a young squirrel edging cautiously into their clearing. Her wet nose twitched, catching the scent on the air. Her eyes lingered on where Ink had concealed himself, catching the faintest flicker of movement as he readied the charge. Almost there...
An explosion of movement burst forth at once as the hapless squirrel was ambushed. Coli's stomach lurched abruptly, the surge of adrenaline leaving her lightheaded as she grasped the cloak with trembling fingers. The panicked prey was streaking towards her at top speed, tiny paws scrabbling against the dirt as Ink galloped a hairsbreadth behind. She could hear the click of his fangs closing on air, the rush of his breath, the excited bark he emitted as the chase came barreling straight towards her hiding place.
She tensed before flinging her arms out, the drab leather cloak erupting forth from the bushes like a buff bird taking flight. Coli's momentum carried her forward, crashing down onto the makeshift net while she still held down the corners. She was panting, though she had not run at all; dizzied by the tension and the stress of it all. She wasn't even sure if her timing had been right -- was it under there, or had it reached the tree? Suddenly a sharp pain in her knuckle caused her to yipe unceremoniously, recoiling from the cloak to nurse the spot of blood on her finger.
The squirrel wriggled free from the corner of the garment, chattering its teeth in wild agitation. Before it could leap away, Coli quickly reacted, kicking the cloak over it again and then bundling it up in her arms. Thoroughly winded, the tailless wolf sat back against the tree, hugging the squirming bundle against her heaving chest as she fought to catch her breath. They had succeeded in capturing it, but their prey was still very much alive -- it was a bit of a quandary for Coli, as this was her first attempt at hunting as an Optime. Blue eyes wandered to Ink, and she silently offered him the balled-up cape, holding it out towards him. He was supposed to learn from this anyway, wasn't he? It was easier with jaws and no hands, there was less forethought. It would be his kill.