Duck Lake waterside

If I wanted to kill you, you'd be dead already.

The words did not so much as hang in the air as they dropped like a stone down a hole. If the panther-woman remained silent afterwards they surely would have heard an echo.

It wasn't particularly comforting, no. This was evident upon Vale's face with a wince and drop of her ears. Doubt seeded itself in her mind. Perhaps this endeavor wasn't worth it. Vale studied the larger woman's expression before softening. Not everyone was skilled at conversation, and this woman did not seem like she meant harm.

A gentle smile found a place on her lips, even if a tension remained in her brow. Whether it was from her own nerves or the determination to go home after a successful hunt, it was difficult to tell. Vale's tail waved gently at her new hunting partner. Well, if all else fails, I think between the two of us can find a nest together, right?

Vale's eyes returned to the ducks, searching for individuals that lingered near the tree line. They had little chance with birds near the water and those in the open space between were a gamble. Being spotted was not an option if they wanted to succeed.

Her eyes landed to a mallard that separated from the raft and meandered out of the water. A tremor of excitement travelled down her legs. A nesting bird, perhaps. As Vale's eyes followed the hen, she noted that it passed other fowl settled upon the shore.

See her? Vale extended a paw to point out the hen for Grackle. She might be going back to her eggs, ducks like to sleep on the water.