I’m abandoning the branding | sweeney

[Simon F.M.]

Take what you need while there's time
The city will be earth in a short while
If I'm not mistaken it's been in flames
You and I will escape to the seaside

The snowy feline moved through the Neutral Grounds quietly, hears pricked as she slowly stalked. She ignored the sting in her eyes, the pain in her heart as the moonless night hid her form. Her throat constricted as she thought back to her fearful daughter and girlfriend, understanding why she had to go but begging her not too. It hurt her to leave them there, but she knew it had to be done. Better know then to risk them seeing the monster that clawed at her mind, begging to be released out upon the world. How dare she believe she had a right to the joy that surrounded her, the right to have children of her own.

She didn't, if she was being honest. She may not deserve them but, they didn't deserve to have someone leave them. She had made commitments and promises. She was a selfish creature. She wouldn't ever abandon Roxanne, she would protect her family until her dying breath. But, she had to go in this moment. Just for a few hours, and then she would be back. It had been too long, verging on two months since her last meal. Something she was supposed to do every two weeks, she had been putting of for far too long. With the children on their way, she needed to be much more prepared.

The sound of rustling caught her attention and she dropped into a crouch, slowly crawling her way into a nearby tree. With unnatural silence, she crept up the bark, perching herself atop a branch. A scent she recognized, one that had mingled with her girlfriend's after her return from being kidnapped, from the hell she'd gone through. A name flickered through the vampire's mind but, she was gone.

There were few thoughts within the beast as it stared down upon its prey, tail flicking behind it as slitted eyes watched the kitsune. It bit back a snarl, razor sharp claws digging into the branch that held it. In the blink of a light it was still, tense and watch full. When the opportunity presented itself it launched, claws outstretched in an attempt to wrap around her shoulders while open maw aimed for the pittian's neck, hoping to clamp down.