[PQ] Get you to the finish line

When it rains, look for rainbows.

Noah's warning came just as Nova caught sight of the deer. She watched as their ears twitched, heads raising and tails flicking in preparation to flee. The jaguar shifted lower on her haunches, ready to leap the moment they moved. And luckily, she didn't have to wait long before the small grouping was scattering into the various brush of the Greenwing, trying to escape the dog at their heels. 

Instinct spurred her on. At first, she sprinted forth without any apparent reason, giggling gleefully through the bond as she embraced the rush of adrenaline. One might have thought she was frolicking through the grass if her eyes didn't dart dangerously between the three luxere. She was about to pursue the one closest to her when she spotted Lyra's choice weaving into the trees. 

With a snap of her streaming tail, Nova pivoted with one step, moving to intercept their prey before it could get too far into the forest. 

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Nova lunges after the doe that heads straight!

When it's dark, look for stars.

Nova

NOAH

i've been waiting far too long
staring at the sun

The scent of fear was sharp now, flooding his senses from the luxere. Through the Attuned bond he felt the burst of thought and instinct from both Lyra and Nova as the three does split—one crashing downhill, another veering left into denser brush, the third bolting straight ahead through a narrow corridor between trees.

Noah did not call the choice. Instead he watched, senses wide open, letting them decide. Their attention snapped toward the same path.

The doe had speed, but the terrain ahead favored a predator that could cut distance quickly. Noah pivoted and followed behind them, not charging to overtake but moving fast enough to stay within reach if the hunt turned dangerous. Rain rolled from his fur as his massive paws struck the ground in steady rhythm, crashing through brush while ahead the chase unfolded.

Lyra drove the luxere forward, her canine form darting through the trees with sharp purpose, keeping pressure on the fleeing doe. The animal tried to zigzag through the trunks, but fear pushed it faster than caution. And then Nova struck. The tide jaguar came from the side like a falling shadow, rainbow-flecked rosettes flashing once through the rain before she collided with the luxere’s flank. The impact dragged the doe sideways in a spray of mud and leaves, hooves scrambling desperately as Nova’s weight and claws brought it crashing to the ground.

By the time Noah reached them, the struggle was already ending. Shiting, he removed a knife to end the luxere. Swift a quick and merciful in th wake of all of his, Noah finally sighed. ”Sometimes it doesn’t go as planned. We said we’d take what we were given, you and two did well.” he said, the offered to show them how to field dress the luxere for travel. They could choose to learn, or to step aside. Noah showed respect for either choice.

Once it was complete, he lifted the field dressed luxere over his shoulders, and with them began back towards the sign post that would take them to where each wanted to go.

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And that finishes us out! Great work!

FIN

waiting for the night to come