Tal thought he heard a noise that sounded eerily like See?, but he couldn't be certain over the sudden fight breaking out nearby.
The first lial had been caught completely by surprise in mid-snack and scrambled helplessly as the second leapt from the lava and landed atop it, crushing the breath from the medium-sized beast and leaving him dazed and helpless as Big Momma scored deep scratches in its rocky hide. The killing bite that she had been about to deliver was diverted as a wave of weakness washed over her and her opponent. The big lial shook her head to try and disperse its effects--
Successfully, as it turned out, and she let out an enraged roar as she took her confusion and discomfort out on the helpless opponent beneath her.
Which was extremely lucky for the third lial, as his stealth wasn't nearly as successful as he'd clearly intended. Impatient and not particularly bright, he scrambled the rest of the way to the second ningo and gobbled it up in a messy rush, sending small rocks tumbling from under his claws as he raised his head and found the third bird, even farther away from the pool.
Greed overrode caution (lessons, Tal?) and he dove for the last piece of bait in a mad rush, skidding across the hot ground as Tal rose out of concealment and - remembering the poor planning of leaping at an ursur - throw the spear with all his might at the beast's side.
And missed, the spear sinking into a soft spot in the crust a few feet short of the little monster as it snapped up the bird.
Well... shit.
The first lial had been caught completely by surprise in mid-snack and scrambled helplessly as the second leapt from the lava and landed atop it, crushing the breath from the medium-sized beast and leaving him dazed and helpless as Big Momma scored deep scratches in its rocky hide. The killing bite that she had been about to deliver was diverted as a wave of weakness washed over her and her opponent. The big lial shook her head to try and disperse its effects--
Successfully, as it turned out, and she let out an enraged roar as she took her confusion and discomfort out on the helpless opponent beneath her.
Which was extremely lucky for the third lial, as his stealth wasn't nearly as successful as he'd clearly intended. Impatient and not particularly bright, he scrambled the rest of the way to the second ningo and gobbled it up in a messy rush, sending small rocks tumbling from under his claws as he raised his head and found the third bird, even farther away from the pool.
Greed overrode caution (lessons, Tal?) and he dove for the last piece of bait in a mad rush, skidding across the hot ground as Tal rose out of concealment and - remembering the poor planning of leaping at an ursur - throw the spear with all his might at the beast's side.
And missed, the spear sinking into a soft spot in the crust a few feet short of the little monster as it snapped up the bird.
Well... shit.
