Chaira stood tall atop the rooftops of Serum. The orange glowing sun setting behind the pyramids in the far distance as she scoured the city looking for any sighs of trouble. Begging for a fight. She had never felt so bored in her life.
After hours of standing up like a well tuned sentry she at last had to lay down. One leg hung off and dangled of the side of the tiled roof beneath her as she began to fiddle with her tail and count clouds and airships flying just overhead. She had never been in one before but she could only imagine how the endless city looked from up there.
Serum had grown ten fold since she was a child, in both magnificence and in density. The sovereignty capital was overcrowded then and it was stuffed to the brim now. Their nation's territory was at it's peak of populace and power but things had to change soon. She hoped they would. She was itching for a fight.
As well as something else.
Her stomach began to growl hungrily at the scent of the nearby food market below her. The sweet succulent flavor of unevolved meat was being grilled among open fires and charcoal pits. She was right about one thing, she had plenty of time before she had to return to the palace for dinner with the other janissaries. Too much time. She decided to get a quick bite to eat to keep her fed until then. But she would still keep her eye's peeled for any trouble.
Chai'ra released a faint series of grunts as she summersaulted and parkoured down the vertical walls and landed in the packed street filled with hungry guests. Some looked at her confused as she landed beside them but paid her no mind. Chai'ra walked toward the food stall's sniffing the air hungrily with a grin on her face, inspecting the different flavors for the best cheap one she could afford.
Ahhhh hello there! A vulture street vendor said to her as she stopped at his stall, his voice raspy and sniveling. You my dear have a fine taste in food. This I can tell! What is it you desire?! The best food in the city lies before you! As well as the best chef!
She chuckled, barely able to stop herself from correcting him based on his poor messy attire and stained apron. "I'm just a bit hungry. I'm on a stakeout right now and I need something to hold me over until later.
Ahhh! I seeeee!" the vulture smiled. Perhaps a steak to go with your steak out? Pretty young cheetah needs strength to grow. To grow swift. Strong! Hmmm?
Chai'ra rolled her eye's at the horrible joke before finally nodding her head in acceptance unable to wait any longer. "Fine one small steak to go, and make it quick I've got a lot to get to this evening. She tossed him a coin into his feathered fingers which he began to turn and eye eagerly. For here or to go? He asked as he flipped the coin into his pocket and began preparing the ingredients in his stall.
"To go. Always" She responded bluntly sounding very annoyed. Just chop it up in pieces and put it on a stick I can carry. So please just hurry it up. I'm very busy.
Very well my dear! He replied, fiddling with spice cannisters in his fingers. You shall have it soon enough! This I promise!
Soon enough wasn't soon enough. As the sun began to set behind them both after about thirty minutes, Chai'ra began tapping her foot impatiently against the sandy street's beginning to eye multiple passerby's for any suspicion or criminal activity, trying to keep herself busy while the blasted cook finished making her snack. If they were living in the past she might have just eaten him and be done with it he was taking so blasted long. But then again, she had no idea where he had been.
Any time now!!? She grunted annoyed. Her stomach and voice growling further at the alluring smell.
"Patience little one." He replied calmly still in high spirits, slowly turning the sizzling steak above the grill as it dripped juices that evaporated into the smoldering fire. "You can't rush great flavor." After finally seasoning the steaming meat and skewering it as a cabob for her. She snatched it out of his hand and ran off with it in her teeth not willing to waste any more time.
The youth today. So rude. And so impatient. He grunted displeased while folded his wings closer in, before suddenly smiling again at another customer approaching, his attention instantly diverted sensing fresh profit.
Chai'ra climbed up disgruntled and sat sprawled atop an orange tent tarp chewing on her snack. She ripped the warm flesh straight from the bone and tasted it on her tonge. It tasted alright, but it wasn't worth the time wasted. After belching and flicking the empty stick downward out of her fingers and out of sight. She heard it hit the head of a passerby below. She smiled slightly at hearing their amusing sound's of confusion, anger, and stubborn ignorance before walking off disgruntled not realizing she was right above them. Almost like old times she thought fondly, tormenting these rich stuck up types who wouldn't have given a shit about her starving on the street. But she had to keep herself in line for master Serasi's sake. But that didn't mean she couldn't have a little fun if it wasn't illegal. But the trouble right now was just finding it in a maze of every day mediocrity.
As she stretched her limbs wide apart and jumped down off the canvas she leaned her back against the wall, and waited. And waited. And waited to the point of sheer madness. Nothing. Most crowded spot in the city, and not a single thief or troublemaker in sight. She wished someone would try and mug her so she could have an excuse to go all out. But still nothing. As she sat by the wall bored beyond description, an armored city guard walked past her and suddenly stopped. Her calm expression didn't change as he backed up and looked her in the eye.
Do I know you? She responded.
"Nahh But...You look familiar. The leopard responded tapping his chin and squinting in closer. Have we met before?
Not that I'd know of. She replied.
He looked in closer, trying to put the pieces together. Wait...I know you. You're that famous little thief that caused me and my men so much trouble a few years back!"
She grinned proudly.
Yep.
The leopard began to snarl face to face above her. She smiled coyly at him unafraid. "I Swear..." he said enraged grinding his fanged teeth against each other. "If that snake hadn't taken you in. I'd have dealt with you myself.
That seems unlikely. You never even could catch me you were so slow. She mocked.
The leopard growled further at the words. "Why are you even out here in the first place?! Hasn't this city had enough of you?!!"
I'm just doing my part as a responsible citizen to keep the peace. Said Chai'ra. Surely that isn't a bad thing. Helping those less fortunate souls?
" No it's not..." The leopard grunted in defeat. Fine. Just stay out of trouble! I've got enough trouble on my hand today and I don't need you apart of it!"
Chai'ra's eye's widened.
"As the leopard turned her back on the former thief to go about his duties. Chai'ra tapped him on the shoulder before he could leave her sight.
What kind of trouble? She purred attentively. Maybe I can help?
The leopard looked her in the eye and scratched his ear awkwardly as he gave it a thought, not trusting her entirely. "....That's...It's against regulation's to reveal sensitive information to the public, even janissary candidates.
"Come on...". She moved in closer batting her eyes and brushing her tail gently against his for added effect. Surely I can be of assistance? As moral support? You must be so frustrated and tired of dealing with one measly little thief all by yourself."
The leopard sighed aloud. "Fine...Just don't get in my way."
Chai'ra released a wicked smile at having him in the palm of her clawed hand. "Wouldn't dream of it. She purred. Lead the way.
The two walked along the city streets in silence. She had played her card's expertly, now it was time to find out what deadly threat he had in store for her to test her might.
So....what prey tell has been causing trouble? She asked. Wanting to know everything to have an advantage over the target.
He grunted. "Some thief."
Chai'ra chuckled.
"That's funny?" He asked upset.
"No..it just." She stiffed her laugh. "I'm just laughing at the irony of it all."
"Well don't. Sooner we catch them. Sooner you can leave and I can be free of you for good." She nodded. She would let him believe he was the boss right now.
The two passed by the crowds out into the open market square she had robbed years ago. This the place? She asked. Looking around.
Yep. Thief come's here often.
What species? She asked curious.
Some hereabove. Skinny but quick. But not nearly as quick as you though.
"Awwwww! Thanks! She grinned mockingly. That's so sweet of you to say that!
Ugh. Just Shut up and focus. He snapped at her annoyed. "I've been having trouble catching them. But knowing you far too well, they won't escape you no matter what trick's they try to pull."
"Right on that one." Chai'ra flexed her legs eagerly stretching them ready for a sprint. So? What now?
Now? Now we wait for them to show.
Ugh! Waiting I hate that word. Chai'ra winned. Lowering her head and shoulders in an exaggerated slump.
Well it's the best option we got. Come on. Let's stand over by the fountain, we'll have a pretty good view of our surroundings.
Lead the way captain! She saluted as he walked past her.
Lieutenant. He corrected in a deadpan voice.
The leopard guard stood with his back against the sandstone water fountain with his spear folded in between his arms. Chai'ra however was laying lazily on her back atop the perimeter of the fountain's circular base, her hand swaying gently in the water beside them glowing blue in the light and reflecting the first stars of the night across it's surface.
I catch you stealing any of the coin's in there. You're in trouble." He glanced behind briefly at her.
Hah funny. She said aloud. Putting a coin back in the fountain sneakily. "Don't worry those day's are long behind me.
They better. He said. A slight deadly smirk forming across his teeth that signified he meant the threat seriously. Chai'ra hoisted herself back up and scooted in beside him bored. He shifted away ever so slightly, barely able to tolerate her obnoxious presence.
What's you're name? She asked.
I don't see how that's relevant to the mission at hand. He responded.
Well...if we're going to be working together, I'd like to at least know the name of the guard I've caused so much trouble to in the past.
He hesitated.
Korum. He grunted.
Well Korum. She smiled, arching her back and tucking her legs underneath her. It is a pleasure to meet you! You were a worthy guard for me to outsmart time and time again and it's nice to finally put aside you past humiliating failing's against me to rest. Chai'ra reached out her hand in a firm friendly hand shake of peace. He eyed it with much suspicion and glanced back at her putting on an innocent face he knew all to well was fake.
Don't push it. He snarled. Looking back to surveying the crowd.
Ok ok! She raised her hands up in the air like she was in trouble. Just trying to make conversation. Geez. So uptight.
Have to be. You're a joke.
Ouch. Harsh.
It's the truth. You of all people are training under the tutelage of a great master you are clearly underserving of serving under.
Well I am. Deal with it. She smiled smugly. "He see's something in me. And i'll be on top fo the world one day thanks to him. Who knows? I might one day be your boss..."
"Ugh! He snarled. You are just the absolute most annoying person I have ever...." He trailed off. His keen eye's looking in front past her shoulder. She stopped fooling around and snapped at attention atop her feet.
Got em? She asked hopefully.
Oh yeah He grinned. I got em alright.
Where?
By the jewelry cart. On the right.
Chai'ra followed his gaze toward the cart and saw a little boy. A small weak gazelle that was attempting to steal a gold necklace while no was one looking from the stand. As if this night wasn't good enough. She could test her skill against her natural prey.
That's the thief? Chai'ra asked.
Yea. He glanced down at Chai'ra, unsure if she was able or willing to proceed with this given her past. "Got a problem with that?
Chai'ra unsheathed her claws. Giving him his answer.
Alright then..."The leopard rolled his shoulders and cracked his neck ready for the chase. But they would both do it their specialized way for better odds of success. Stealth and speed.
"I'll go high. He whispered. I'm better at climbing. You go low since we both are painfully aware of you're pretty dam fast." The guard then reached behind his back for something.
"Here" He handed her a earpiece communicator. If we get separated we can keep up with each other's update's about where she's heading.
"Got it." She put it snugly in her ear. Shall we partner?
He nodded and unsheathed his claws. "Ready to go."
No kiss for good luck? She smirked.
Just shut up and trail them. I'll be right above. Don't do anything stupid until either of us are close enough to attack. Keep up to date and follow my lead. Tire her out and take her into custody if you can. If not, i'll jump in and catch them by surprise once their tuckered out. Again. No stupid actions.
She cracked her knuckles. A devilish sick grin widening under her face.
"Wouldn't dream of it."
The two big cat's then began to sneak silently toward the little thief in their preferred styles as he walked nervously away. Korum by climbing up the cracks in the walls to have the high ground on the rooftops and drop on their target when they weren't expecting it, and Chai'ra by sneaking around the sides on flat ground to prepare for a sudden dash. Every time the little gaze turned their head. The two slunk behind cover quickly. Their natural reaction when hunting still as strong as ever. The gazelle rotated their head behind every so often. Their large orange ears flicking back and forth as they kept walking away. Chai'ra had a sense the kid knew he was being followed. Sure enough her instincts proved right yet again.
Suddenly and without warning, the child began a full on sprint through the crowds, pushing aside dozens of people getting in their way into the dirt. Chai'ra began her sprint in close pursuit but began to grow frustrated by the confusion the thief was causing. With so many people in her way knocked to the ground or running in her direction hindering her charge, it made it difficult to reach her top speed as she needed plenty of room and uninterrupted space to do so.
The thief turned left and began to evade through narrow cracks in alleys she was all to familiar with. After some time giving chase. The thief led her to large abandoned warehouse standing out in the open of the slum district before disappearing through the rotten doorway at it's center wall. Chai'ra waited just outside the towering shanty for a long time for her reluctant partner but he hadn't yet shown. She decided to check in.
You lost em? He asked a bit worried on the comm. His breath was strenuous as she could still tell he was running to find her.
Nope. chai'ra calmly replied. They went in to some warehouse. Just wanted to provide a quick update. She smiled.
Korum seemed genuinely grateful. Thanks He replied. Good work. Just wait for me until I arrive. Then we can go into together.
Yea about that..
Oh no..don't you dare!..."
Chaira turned off her comlink and tossed it behind into the dirt. She creaked open the unlocked door silently. It was dark inside. With boxes of stolen goods packed away in parts of the large open room. Chai'ra smelt the sweat of the child hiding in the corner as well as four others thinking they were still in hiding. She played along and approached the child acting unaware of the danger she knew she was in. She looked down to resume her focus on her target.
The little Gazelle was malnourished. With bruises covering their entire body. An unpleasant reminder of what she herself had been in the past. She paid him no mind. And unsheathed her claws as she approached to stand above him, her arm raised in the air.
"Now!" The little child suddenly blurted out from beneath her.
Chai'ra's ear twitched as she heard a percussion of large footsteps charging toward her from behind shaking the ground beneath them all. Chai'ra leapt above and backflipped over the form of the advancing stranger before landing atop her feet at the center of the warehouse room, scattering dust throughout the dimly lit arena. She sniffed the air. And saw that four full grown frightening looking men had begun to surround her, wearing cheap and mismatched armor fitting of bandits.
Chai'ra began to eye her enemies all around. The largest was a rhino. With broad powerful arms wielding a crude steel hammer. He looked to be the muscle of the group. Two others were both skinny and ugly looking meerkat twins wielding daggers. Both common thug's by the looks of it. The last was an enemy that admittedly made Chai'ra a bit nervous. A black and white honey badger weilding a short sword. Despite being much shorter than her. His species had a much feared reputation for their ferocity and toughness against all others. No wonder he was the one in charge.
Hello there. Chai'ra said calmly to all her attackers as they begun to move in. Just the type of fellows I was looking for today."
You should have looked elsewhere. The badger smiled brandishing his sword which reflected the faint moonlight seeping through the cracks of the roof. "Curiosity killed the cat didn't you know that gorgeous? Well you will soon enough."
Well it's a good thing I brought a little help. Chai'ra said eyeing the roof.
Nothing happened.
Is the roof supposed to save you? The badger asked confused.
Just give it a sec. She said. Still not taking her eye off the roof. Wait for it...And...
Suddenly Korum after climbing hasity up above the top exhausted, then crashed through the roof with his claws and pounced down atop the closes unsuspecting opponent sending splinters and debris scattering through the room. One of the meerkat's shrieked like a baby at the leopard drove it's spear with both hands deep into the top of the meerkat's head before letting go to unsheath his claws and stand back to back beside Chaira in the center of the room.
Stupid little brat! The honey badger said enraged. Turning his sharp gaze toward the gazelle child beneath him "You said it was just the one following you!"
I...I didn't know! The boy wailed terrified. I didn't see anyone else who fol...
The honey badger bandit cut the child off by striking him hard across the face.
I'll deal with you after. He snarled. The bandit leader turned to his two remaining allys and gestured for them to move in cautiously.
What took you? Chai'ra said to Korum behind her as they prepared to fight.
Like I said before. Korum said, struggling to catch his breath before reaching into his pocket. You're pretty damm fast." Next time don't turn off your fucking comlink! He threw her back her comlink she had left in the dirt and she caught it sharply in the center of her palm before putting it back snugly into her ear.
So there's a next time then? She purred coily.
Maybe. Assuming we both survive this. I'll take the little guys. You take the horned fat guy.
"Hey! The rhino huffed in front of them preparing to charge enraged.
Thanks. I appreciate you letting me do my job. Said Chai'ra. Shall we?