An Unexpected Catch [Private / Invite]

A soft thump alerted the closing of his book, effectively cutting the flow of the story and bringing Azriel back into reality. The storm that the words brewed, a story they wove... it was all so endlessly fascinating, but he had things to tend to. No, nothing related to his job -- he had made sure to check on his guards before picking up the book, knowing that he would hate it if he had to put it down for something like that. He needed food, the burning in his stomach indicating this, and with a great sigh turned and headed out.

Of course, he could always go down to the kitchen and steal some food, but it was about time he had a full meal, not just bits and pieces here and there. So he pattered down the stairs, out the back door of the castle that rose high into the sky, as if groping for a treasure they could never be given, never possess. He didn't wish to be spotted, and did a good job of it, an unnoticed streak of black darting across the evening sky, painted red and orange as the old sun exhaled its last breaths.

Azriel hated to admit this, but he wasn't the best at hunting. Night had fallen, a dark blanket with only the moon to light up the world. He angled downwards, descending from the sky and landing onto the ground, where he put his nose to the ground the way a dog would. He would rely on his sense of smell, hoping that it would lead him in the right direction, and sure enough detected a faint smell of... deer. Tiny, but it'd do.

So he walked, wings clasped tight to his sides but ready to unfurl at the first sign of danger. The forest's silence was occasionally disturbed by the sounds of life, night animals waking and skittering about.

The dusk quickly dropped down into the dark, the moon incredibly bright overhead. A full moon which threw its gorgeous light down across the lands, lighting up the crystalline dragon's path with ease. Of course, she didn't particularly mind the bright light as it was easily used to scout out nocturnal prey. Something that she was rather grateful for. Currently, the blue dragoness took to the trees, hiding at their base from the moon. Her appearance would have easily scared away potential sources of food and, truly, she didn't want that. In fact, Ignacia wouldn't have even been here in the shadow of the trunks and greenery if she had a choice in the matter. Her stomach growled, and that was when she slowly decided to start moving once more.

Almost like a shadow, the crystal dragoness kept to the darkness given by the trees, hiding her form completely, even from the birds in the trees above her. The dragoness kept her wings tightly against her side, feet silently taking her forward through the forest. Her tail moved only small amounts, to keep her stable and that was all. Branches, rocks, twigs, nothing moved in her presence, her form keeping completely silent. Her paws carried her forward with grace, claws certain wherever they went.

Her eyes were fixed on a target. Something that she had been tracking for quite some time.

Several deer were deep in these forests, and Ignacia knew exactly where she was going to find them, having tracked them several times previously. And she was all but eager to dig her fangs into them.

With those thoughts in her mind, Ignacia quickened her pace, the thoughts of a decent meal keeping her mind occupied in a way. The track of the deer quickly led her to a semi open clearing, a shallow pool of water near the far edge. The deer were nestled for the night, and that was when Ignacia grinned, watching eagerly as they continued to sleep, undistrubed by her presence. . .

Now she just needed to wait for the right time to strike them.

Azriel hoped there weren't anyone else up and about, as he didn't really want to feel the weight of many eyes on him, nor did he want to hear forced politeness and formalities. He just wanted quiet, to reflect on that day, to learn from his errors. To ponder a problem he could have solved, to let his thoughts wander. But now... Now was the time for hunting, and his thoughts would be distractions. It would make him miss small but vital details, like the half-visible print of a deer's foot against the earth. Which he noticed, and he lifted his head from the ground with relief, because his neck was starting to cramp.

His steps were silent, quick and sure, a stealthy shadow slipping closer to its target.  Then he paused, as a light breeze huffed towards his way, carrying the smell of another dragon. Female. Were her eyes focused on the same object as his was? He couldn't tell -- he couldn't see her. Maybe it was the angle he was from, maybe she was a master of concealment. His eyes wandered over to the prey: several deer grouped close together, eyes closed, sleeping peacefully, not knowing of the two predators stalking them.

Moonlight shimmered off the still pool of water, completing the picture of peace. He decided that now wasn't really the time to admire the works of nature, so he shrunk back into the shadows cast by the greenery around him, his black scales effortlessly blending into the shadows. Whoever she was, she could go first. As long as she didn't eat them all, Azriel was fine with it. He took a few silent steps back, waiting for the other dragoness to strike first.

( Oh man!! I'm so sorry for the late reply! Studies have been happening ;^; )

Ignacia could hear something off, just on the outskirts of her hearing. Someone else was here, perhaps stalking the same prey that she was after? Either way, it wouldn't stop the masculine dragon from doing exactly what she wanted to do. Her headache slightly pained her, an indication of the gender of the other dragon. Male. Grand. Shrugging it off the best that she could, Ignacia quickly approached a killing distance for the deer, before her fangs and teeth caught three of the small group at once. One for each paw, the other in her mouth. None of them made a sound, and she silently pulled the victims of her attack away.

Striking first wasn't always something that this dragoness would do willingly, however, she ensured to leave an amount of deer that would mean the other dragon wouldn't be left out. There were still at least eight in the clearing, plus a few more who were beginning to trickle in from the far side of the clearing from where Ignacia was.

At the moment, the dragoness would wait, bunkering down into the shadows and to hide in the protection of the trees. However, she didn't want to kill the entire herd of the deer. Skillfully, she had chosen an elderly female, and two younger males. Their deaths wouldn't influence the herd too much, however... If this other male decided to try and kill the male deer in their prime, and the doe, then she was going to have to step in to protect the future source of food. She didn't want them to kill everything and have nothing to hunt...

As such, she waited, silently and unmoving.

Of course, he would be able to see a slight shimmer of her crystalline hide as she waited for him to pick his meal for the night.

It's alright lol. Everyone has their own lives. --

Azriel watched as the stranger finally revealed itself – herself – for a brief moment, swiftly darting forward to catch three of the herd in what seemed like a random decision. But in the short span of time she had leaped out and vanished back into the shadows again, he had noticed how one of the deer in her paws seemed elderly. Had she targeted the old on purpose, instead of the young and fresh that most went for?

Here was a female who thought ahead, Azriel realised; she had made sure not to affect the herd too much, nor had she greedily devoured everything the way he had seen some did. She probably wanted to ensure there was still enough when she came back again; and she was probably watching him, waiting for him to make his move. Her appearance had been quite unusual too, giving him the impression of crystal, but it could be the trick of the light. Her skill, however, was clear. The herd was not one bit disturbed, sleeping on peacefully, unaware of the disappearance of their members.

He looked around, and he could've sworn he saw shining light wink at him...

Azriel noted the few deer trotting in, and waited til they settled down and drifted to sleep – not joining the the other herd from which the other female had snatched away three members of their herd. There were, however, a greater number of elderly deer among the newer herd, and, similar to what the female had done, darted out to grab two particularly old ones that looked ready to die in their sleep. He retreated back to where he had been originally, holding the two deer – necks already snapped – but not eating them. Looking out for the other female. Wondering what she was thinking.