[Flashback] The Jaws of a Viper

[Annassena]

Winter 17th, 508 AV, Midday


Even in Winter Syna roasted the Cliffs, but the Dhani snaking her way across stony bluffs didn't care. She loved the heat. It put more energy into her body, gave her more zeal, and made her more efficient. Currently, she slithered in her Dhani form with her belongings concealed in a little cave tucked where only a serpent like her should be able to reach. Her green eyes glittered with predatory lust as she hunted. The one downfall of hunting by day was that Syna heated everything up, and the colours clouded the Dhani's vision. She saw by heat in her serpentine forms. It was difficult when everything radiated warmth. But, she had taste and scent to use, as well as the shadows that darkened her footsteps wherever they could.

Strafing through the sand on her great coils, Annassena flicked out her tongue to taste the air, catching just the faintest whiff of mountain goat. The Dhani paused, her long, sleek body tensed as she listened and tasted some more for whatever out there was huntable prey. She head hooves clopping on hard soil and turned in that direction, tasting even more fiercely as she began to slither after the trail of that beast. She didn't totally dismiss her surroundings, however, for it was the knowledge of every predator to keep wary for the arrival of another.

Soon, the Dhani was close enough she could hear the goat's fur rustling as it walked. It should be able to scent her soon, and Annassena waited for that moment, for she knew the scent of pure fear would increase her hunger a hundred-fold.

Annassena waited in silence, her tongue flicking out against the scales of her mouth. Her lidless eyes kept their attention on the heat source picking its way through brambles before her. A few chimes passed before the goat suddenly released a frightened bleat and bolted, hooves clambering over stone and dirt. Annassena released a serpentine chuckle and lunged after her quarry, the scent of fear fueling her on and increasing every hunger she felt. When she returned to the Nest, she'd make sure her desires after this hunt were known to her select few consorts.

Pale scales flashed under Syna as the writhing mass that was Annassena lunged after the stumbling beast, hisses passing her jaws. She seized the frightened animal and launched herself at it after coiling back. Her arms took the beast in a death hold as her jaws sought out its warm flesh, sinking in to its side and injecting the venom hidden in the sharp points. Annassena, contrary to most others, held the goat to her form in an embrace as it stilled. She dropped it once she was sure it was dead and flicked her tongue at her lips absently. What followed the hunt was the feast, and the Dhani went to work on devouring the young goat whole, unhinging her jaws and snaking up to it.

--------------------------------------------

Dusk was settling on the land when Annassena had finished her meal and returned to the cave, heavy from the goat settled in her stomach. She couldn't return to human form until she had digested this buffet, but she had no desire to anyway. It was darkening out, and she wanted rest.

The Dhani slipped into the darkest, deepest part of her cave with her belongings and settled down for a nice sleep. If her eyes had lids, they would have drifted shut, but as they were, the green only dimmed to show slumber, and the Dhani walked the paths of whatever dark dreams she had.