//------------------------------// // 41: "Hunting" // Story: My Little Fortress: Dawnpick // by Paaaad //------------------------------// Kat had returned home from her guard duty, done with the day already. It was great that they allowed her to keep her uniform, weapons and bolts at her own house rather than the barracks. Already at night where not many ponies are awake, She stares blankly at her crossbow as she places it down on her bed. "Tonight's the night..." she said to herself, coldly. She wanted to let out a sigh. She wanted to just blow it off and go to sleep now so she'll wake up all happy and ready tomorrow... But it can't wait any longer. Kat changed her uniform for her usual casual dress, putting her armor into the cabinet. Her expression was blank and cold. Because she knew what she'll be doing soon. After changing into something more comfortable, She picked her bolt quiver up and attached it to her side, then pick up her steel guard's crossbow and slung it. In her mind, she wanted to just drop it all into the chest and drop herself onto the bed. But no matter how much she wants it, she found herself already leaving her apartment, locking her room... She spread her wings, and started to fly away into the night sky. Above the lights of the city, letting cold night air wash over her. She couldn't believe she hadn’t stopped. She was weak. She flew and flew. Finally, over the walls, hoping that nopony saw her leaving Dawnpick's safety. Glyph leaves his house quietly, and then sees Kat fly overhead. Looking around, he decides to follow her, down the path, and out of the walls. He keeps his distance, wondering what she was going off to do. Kat flew quite a distance away from Dawnpick, but not far enough to get herself lost. After all she wasn't looking forward to get herself killed or anything. She lands inside the sparse woods. Finally being able to let out a soft sigh for herself. She frowns as she unslings her crossbow into her hooves, pulls it's string back and loads one of her iron bolts into the slot. "You’re a Monster Kat... you know it..." she says quietly to herself as she inspects her crossbow like she does every morning. Glyph moves in, keeping out of sight. He hears her words, and cocks his head. "Monster? Why would she think that..." He mumbles to himself, watching close. Kat has that absent-minded look on her face, not the smiling blushing Kat. Her eyes were somewhat sparkle-less from how low the lights are, Kat began to sneak, her crossbow pointed out and ready. Already seeing her first prey tonight... a good-sized hare just nibbling away carelessly. Kat took her aim down the sight... whispers "I'm sorry..." then pulls the trigger mechanism of her crossbow, sending the bolt flying away with force, hitting the hare in the head, fracturing it's skull and tearing apart the brain, making it flip and roll from the force before eventually ceasing to move and live. "Wow... she's a good shot..." Glyph keeps following her, trying to keep quiet and out of sight. Kat reloaded her crossbow again before walking over to the dead hare, opening her saddle bag that she brought with her and put the dead hare in there, extracting her bolt from it's head. She had to grab the bolt by it's head with her own mouth, tasting the blood made her shudder... and is that... a blush? No... Probably not... can't be. "A blush? Cou-... no... no way..." Glyph watches Kat move with interest, chewing his lip as he sees the blood on her muzzle. Kat placed the bolt into her quiver; she didn't bother wiping her muzzle clean from the dribble of blood that it made. Rising her Crossbow again, she continues her hunt for a new prey... It wasn't too long before a new prey was found, this time, a white bunny, smaller than the hare that she just killed. Kat sneaks quietly until she has a clear shot, aiming down her sight, this time, without even a sorry, she pulls the trigger. Sending her iron bolt flying straight into the bunny's midsection, sending it flying back a good couple of feet, It didn't die instantly, in fact, it squirmed and wiggled, struggling to breath and trying to escape whatever monster that might be hunting it. Kat slowly walks up to its dying body. It looked up at her with it's black beady eyes, gasping for air. No doubt begging for mercy... And Mercy she gave... she raises a hoof up and positions it above it's head... then bringing it down. Making a loud audible sickening *Crunch* Glyph watches, and hears the crunch... he moves slightly closer, moving a little bit out of his cover. Kat picked the bunny up, and removed the bolt from it. Grabbing it at it's head again as she pulls it out. This time, Glyph could see her face easier, and that... look on her... it really looks like she's blushing when she tastes the blood... but... it can't be! He seems almost entranced by the sight, taking another step closer before realizing he could be seen and hiding again. After removing the bolt, Kat frowns again, heavily, before putting the bunny into the same saddlebag with the hare and reloading her crossbow with that bolt. She lets out a heavy sigh, and mumbles to herself, "You're a sick, sick mare, Kat...” At that moment, while mumbling to herself, Kat saw another thing move. Seeing that it's a wild cat, she aims down her sight and fires. But the thing was too fast, making her shot miss and it bolting away Fast like a... well... cat. Heading directly towards... where Glyph is hiding. Glyph tenses, seeing the cat run towards him. Seeming almost asleep, he raises a hoof and stomps down as the cat runs by. With a sickening crunch, the cat's spine snaps, and it falls to the ground paralyzed, but still mewling pitifully. Kat was surprised to hear the stomp and the Cat's painful mewling. She quickly reloads her crossbow again, fearing that whatever was finishing her job might be dangerous to her as well. Or worse... Glyph grabs the cat’s tail in his mouth, dragging it behind him as he walks out from his hiding place. Kat almost dropped her crossbow when she saw who it was, seeing Glyph dragging the Cat by its tail "G... Glyph?" "Hello Kat..." He flicks his head and tosses the cat down between them, the poor thing still mewling. "I wasn't expecting you to miss... but I caught it for you." Kat wasn't expecting to see what she's seeing at all. Her eyes were wide, looking down between the mewling cat and Glyph, who doesn't seems to be shocked by what she's doing at all. "W... what? W... why?" "Why what? Why did I catch it?" He shrugs, "It was running towards me... why were you shooting things in the night?" Kat sighs heavily. She aims her crossbow down at the Cat's head and puts it out of its misery, splattering blood and pinning it to the ground. Kat whimpered, looking down shamefully. "Because... I’m a bad pony..." "A bad... you're not a bad pony..." Glyph moves closer and places a hoof on her withers. Kat closes her eyes, whimpering quietly, her body slightly shaking already "Y... yes I am... if... if I’m not.. I... wouldn't be out here... doing... This..." she forced out, finding it harder and harder as she says each word as tears threaten to burst out of her eyes. "K-kat... mein wenig Liebe... you're not a bad pony... I... I know it..." Glyph pulls Kat into a hug, nuzzling her, not seeming to mind the blood at all. Kat couldn't hold it in anymore. Tears began to form in the corners or her eyes, and her words began to get mixed in with sobs "B... but... I... I killed... things... defenseless... things... and... And... I liked it... I’m... a sick... and *hiccup* bad... pony. It’s... it's not right!" she said, hugging tightly onto Glyph, dropping her crossbow onto the grass. "And? I... I enjoy that too... even... even that cat, I just crushed it... and enjoyed the feeling..." He hugs her tight, trying to give her some comfort. "I-it... it's just something we have..." Kat continues to whimper, sniffing softly, she looks up at him with teary eyes "R... really? B... but... it's... wrong... and... bad..." she said, looking down shamefully again. "The... goddesses wouldn't... want ponies to... d... do this..." "W-well... t-they c-created us... a-and we're like this... s-so... maybe... maybe I-it's okay? I... I never really t-though about it... but... either way, you aren't a bad pony... you joined the guard, you swore to protect the ponies of Dawnpick... a bad pony wouldn't do that." Kat sobs softly, slowly feeling better. "They... they created... us... and... gave us... the ability to choose... I... I choose to be... doing... *whimper* this... while I can... choose to... not... I... if I weren't... out here... tonight... these critters..." she began whimpering again "they wouldn't... die so soon... by me..." "T-they... I... I don't k-know much... I never really l-listened to G-grapple... and t-there wasn't a-any... any w-worship in Ironbridle... but, if... if they made it s-so we l-like..." He swallows, looking at the cat again. "Like this... then why is... why is it wrong?" Kat whimpers and shakes her head softly, shuddering lightly, not wanting to look at the cat for the moment "T... they just... made us exist... a... and... let us... choose w... who we want to be... T... they were kind... to give us a choice... a... and... I..." she sobbed softly, "I choose poorly..." "Then... then... but, this is how we feel... why... why c-can't that be... be alright... I never... never chose... I just always felt..." Glyph closes his eyes, taking a breath, and then carefully wipes the tears from Kat's eyes. "At... at least now I know I'm not the only one..." Kat shudders as he wipes away her tears. She sighed softly and give him a soft nuzzle to the nose "Let's... let's go back... a... and clean... I... I don't want to stay here anymore.." "I... but... okay..." Glyph gives Kat a kiss, tasting the blood on her muzzle, trying not to blush. He breaks the kiss, and gives her one last nuzzle. "Just... don't come out here alone again okay? I wouldn't be able to bear it if something happened to you..." Kat sniffed softly, looking down again "W... why should you? I’m... " She couldn't bare to finish the sentence and just walks with him instead, not forgetting to pick up her crossbow and retrieve her bolts as well, but leaving the poor dead cat there for whatever carnivore to find. "You're mein wenig Liebe, and you're perfect like you are... now stop beating yourself up... please..." He stays close to Kat as they begin to return to Dawnpick, watching for anything moving. Kat finally let out a smile, feeling considerably better pretty fast with Glyph close to her like this... She smiles up at him, then nuzzles him on the side of his head "Thank you." They arrive at the river, and Glyph leaves Kat's side for a moment. "We... we should probably get cleaned up here, better than tracking blood into the village." Kat nodded, she searching for a dry patch of grass, she puts her crossbow down, followed by her quiver, then her saddlebag. She seems pretty okay now, not crying or anything. But she also doesn't seem over-joyous either. "Ponies used to think I’m a Vampire or something..." "A vampire? Heh, I suppose I can see why..." Glyph places his axe next to her gear. "Blood on your muzzle... do... do you like... the taste too?" Kat blushed softly from the question. "A... a little..." "Y-yeah..." Glyph blushes a bit, thinking of how she looked pulling the bolts out of the creatures. "I... I don't know why but... I do. And... and kinda how you look... like this." He looks away, hoping he hadn't gone too far. That made Kat blush even more, and she didn't even bother to wipe the blood away either. She pawed at the ground shyly for a moment, biting her lower lips softly and looking down as she ponders something, then began to unbutton the top part of her dress rather... slowly... "K-kat..." Glyph swallows, knowing how much that meant. "A-are you sure about..." Kat perk her ears up from the question, then smiles as she undoes another button.. "Yes.. I’m not going to wash with my clothes on now... Am I?" she said, blushing. Clearly knowing how much it meant for them "I... I see... guess you're right..." He reaches up and undoes a few buttons on his coat. "Can't get clean with my clothes on..." Kat didn't stop blushing; in fact, she blushed slightly brighter seeing that Glyph is joining her in the undoing of cloths. As Kat unbuttoned enough buttons on her top dress, it was revealed that some blood has trickled down to her chest slightly, and it stands out in her coat even in the night like this Glyph swallows again, something about the crimson standing out from her coat making him blush more. He undoes more buttons, shuffling a bit with nerves. Kat finally undoes enough buttons, and pulls the top part of her dress off above her head, revealing her clotheless coat. She blushes from this and tried to use her wing to cover as much of her as she could Glyph undoes the last button, sliding his overcoat off, showing his bare coat as well, and trying not to stare at Kat, having a bit of difficulty. "Y-you... you look really... nice." Kat blushes deeper from the compliment. "T... thanks..." she replies as she fidgets shyly for a moment, before deciding to continue her stripping, undoing her skirt so she can pull it off. Rather slowly, finally revealing her hind legs, flank, and Cutie mark. Glyph swallows and shifts, still trying his hardest not to stare. "I... I like your Cutie mark..." He slowly undoes his pants and slides them off, placing them next to his coat, giving Kat a view of his cutie mark as well. "Crossed swords... a talent for fighting?" Kat blushes down as she folds her cloths together; her tail trying it's best to offer her some covering. "N... not a really... good talent... Is it?" "I don't know... seems more on how you use it... as long as you enjoy what you're doing..." Kat nodded softly, now being fur-naked. She couldn't help but to blush at this fact, even if normally ponies don't have problem walking around naked. But this, she feels somewhat embarrassed about this. "I... I guess..." Glyph blushes a bit as well, moving closer and cautiously brushing against her side. the pegasi mare doesn't seems to mind much from brushing, she's blushing more than usual when clothed though. But not a single hint of uncomfortableness was given. "Your fur is... soft..." He presses his side against Kat, nuzzling her a bit. Kat let out a soft coo as she continues to blush, softly pressing herself back against him "Mmm... yours as well.." titling her head slightly to nuzzle it against his nuzzle, swishing her tail softly from side to side "U-umm... I-it's nice to... to feel your fur..." His tail swishes as well, and he kisses her cheek, and her mouth, smiling softly. Kat gulps softly, blinking and blushing lightly from the kisses, then smiles softly up to him, nuzzling his nose with her own... and presses her muzzle against his for a kiss.. Glyph leans into the kiss, enjoying her taste, mixed with the lingering flavor of blood. Kat closes her eyes fully as she kisses... enjoying it just as much as their first kiss. Letting out a happy sigh, she warps both of her forelegs over Glyph's shoulders for a hug, pressing her bare chest against his. He pulls her close, making a happy little noise. He keeps the kiss held, loving every moment. Kat couldn't help but to let her wings pomf up slightly, revealing herself just that much more, no longer embarrassed that she's clothless and is being held close by Glyph like that. She tilts her head slightly to the side, opening a chance for him to deepen the kiss if he wanted to. Glyph takes the opening, gently deepening the kiss, pulling Kat as tight as he could. Kat gulped and shudders lightly, her blush returning as she begins to pant softly, feeling Glyph deepen the kiss, her wings fully pomf'd. Glyph begins to brush her mane, gently caressing her as he kisses her, he shakes slightly and blushes a bit, enjoying the closeness. Kat mmnms softly into the kiss, feeling him gently caressing her like that, making her forelegs pull tighter onto him, holding onto him closer, pressing more of herself against him, blushing hard and enjoying it just as much as him. Glyph begins to breath a bit harder, and slides his hooves along her back and along the joint of her wings. Kat gasps in softly, as she feels his hooves touching the joint of her wings, shivering softly and letting out little eeps and soft Mmmms, already panting slightly harder. Glyph, emboldened by the fact that she wasn't pulling away, begins running his hooves along what of her wings he could reach. Kat shivers hardly when she feels Glyph's hooves running along her wings, making them stiffen even more, almost painfully, her blush intensifies and she holds even tighter onto him, letting out soft little moans from her sensitive wings being played with. Glyph breaks the kiss for a second, looking deep into Kat's eyes. "Are... are you okay w-with me doing this? I... I don't want to make you uncomfortable again..." Kat pants for air for a moment, before smiling up to Glyph, having that blush and dreamy looks on her face. "Yes... I’m okay with this... After all... " she said, giving him a soft nuzzle "You're my love..." she continued. nuzzling softly down his neck, nibbling at his fur lightly. Glyph smiles, then brings his mouth back to hers, and again he starts to gently rub along her wings Kat shudders softly, letting out soft coos, she didn't held the kiss for very long, and when it broke, she presses her forehead against his, looking at him in the eyes as she whispers to him "I’ve got a secret to tell you.." "What? Y-you can tell me... anything." She smiles softly, nuzzling at him lightly at his neck again, happily, before whispering back. "I’m a vampire." She chomps at his neck skin with her mouth, hard enough to break the skin to make him bleed, but not hard enough to really REALLY hurt him badly. She holds tightly onto him and latches her muzzle on the bleeding spot that she made on his neck, suckling softly to make him feel as if she's really drinking him... and in fact, she IS... Blushing from his taste of blood, it tasted like what blood tasted like... but much better than any animal she has ever tasted before... it was... much more enjoyable for her. Glyph tenses up, panic flashing in his mind for a second. He relaxes quickly, holding her close. "I... I see... e-eat what you need then... I know you wouldn't hurt me..." He holds still, letting her suckle. Kat Mmnms into his neck from her suckle, she holds it for a little while, then while still having some of his blood in her muzzle, nuzzles up at him and gave him another kiss, sharing his blood for him to taste. He kisses her, tasting his blood on her lips, enjoying the taste, even though it was taken from his own body. Kat nuzzles at him lightly again after sharing his blood and breaking the kiss, still holding closely "Aren't you... afraid of me?" "I'd never be afraid of you... I love you, and I know you love me. You wouldn't kill me, so I have no reason to fear." He nuzzles Kat. "And many reasons to stay right here." Kat murmured softly as she smiles, leaning herself fully onto him and nuzzles lovingly, sighing happily "Mmm... Thank you... my love..." "Did... did you enjoy your meal mein wenig liebe... did... did you get enough?" She giggles happily and prods his nose with her hoof lightly "Silly, I’m not really a vampire... I don't drink blood for food normally." Glyph blushes at being tricked. "Oh... I... you g-got me with that... but..." He swallows, and looks away. "Did... did you like it?" That delivers another blush to Kat's face, making her shy away slightly "Y... yes... I did." "That's... that's good... A-actually... it kinda felt nice... thinking I was feeding you... Didn't taste bad either." He chuckles, "Maybe I should try some of yours." He nips at her gently, not even hard enough to hurt, then nuzzles her again. Kat eeped and giggles, blushing softly "Mmm... w... well... I guess... I wouldn't mind... " "Really? You sure? I... I'd try not to hurt you too much..." "W... well... I don't really like getting hurt too much... but I wouldn't mind if it's from you..." she said and nuzzles him softly, licking at his muzzle "Okay... t-thank you..." He kisses her, then moves his mouth down to her neck, licking it once, and then biting down just hard enough to break the skin. He begins to gently suckle and lick at the blood. The taste was even better than his own, better than any animals. He blushes and closes his eyes, enjoying her taste. Kat gasped, blushing and whimpering softly from the pain, shuddering lightly but overall she seems fine enough, holding closely onto him. Glyph licks at her for a while longer, than does the same as she had, smearing her blood on his muzzle and raising it for a kiss. She accepts the kiss, shuddering softly as she tastes her own blood. Holding tightly onto him. Letting out soft Mmnms.. Glyph holds the kiss for a moment, then breaks it, nuzzling her gently. "I... I didn't hurt you too badly did I?" Kat smiles softly, having a single drop of tear on her eye from pain reflex "Mmm... Not really." She sits down on the patch of grass. Some time later... Glyph and Kat have gone to Glyph's house to end the day. Glyph has just entered and is on the bed. Kat followed in, making sure the door is closed and locked, she puts away her crossbow and bolts before joining him on the bed, staying really really close to him, and curled up slightly "Mmm... feels great to be here with you again.." Glyph pulls the covers up over them both, nuzzling in close to her. "Yeah... I love being close to you... m-maybe... maybe we c-could do this more often? S-spend the night?" He yawns a bit, laying his head right next to hers. "And... Next time you go out for... for that... can you bring me?" Kat blushes softly as she nuzzles onto Glyph, tucking her head in between them as she curls up comfortably, still shivering lightly from the warmth inside her "mm... yes... we can.. And yes... I will," she answered. Wrapping her legs around him to hold closely onto him, oh how she wants him to know so much of how great his gift for her feels. "Good... I'll be looking forward to it... both of those..." He kisses her, closing his eyes and slowly drifting off to sleep. Kat was quick to drift into sleep as well. Snuggling closely onto her love. Once again... she was happy.