Fireflies

[Kura]

The rock beneath her was cold, but the grizzly paid it no mind. All her attention was on the flashing lights that surrounded her, blinking as she did. It was like flipping a switch on and off.

Beautiful.

Was there any other way to describe it? She didn't think so.

A cold breeze ruffled her fur, she snorted softly as she pulled her knee's to her chest, glad that she had worn pants. It was just to bad she hadn't worn a long sleeved shirt. Breathing the cool air into her lungs she pulled her gaze away from the blinking bugs and turned the brown orbs to the night sky. The stars were just as beautiful. Made her jealous. Sort of.

A small smile curled her lips and she twitched her round ears. It was getting late. It would be best if she returned to her cabin. She needed to lock up. Sliding off the rock, she landed on her feet with a grunt. Stilling when a stick cracked not far off.

"Who's there?"

[Glyph]

Something flashes in the moonlight, something cold and metallic, something totally foreign amongst the soft glow of the fireflies. In the darkness, something hisses, almost silent against the slight rustle of the trees, but nothing steps forward to answer the demand.

Yet.

[Kura]

Her heart speed it's pace, and fear made her break out in a cold sweat, but she fisted her hands and glared out into the darkness, lit up only by the stars and fireflies.

Great, she decided to go out from her cabin, her yard, and didn't bring weapons. How stupid could she get, she knew the dangers, the risks. Even this far out. She took a careful step back, brown eyes still scanning the area around her.

[Glyph]

The woods grow eerily, deathly silent. Even the wind seems to sense the intruder and stills, leaving the haggard branches of the trees tense and motionless. There comes another metallic hiss, an almost undetectable whoosh of air, but still nothing appears from the shadows of the forest.

Something is watching, however; perhaps several somethings. They can be felt in the air, a tangible presence of not-right, intruding upon the still and the wary trees. They're not supposed to be here, and the forest knows it, the very earth feels it, though there is little it can do on its own.

But still they wait.

[Kura]

Another hiss and she twisted toward the noise. But of course whatever was lurking in the shadow of the trees was not to be seen. She glared, backing away once again, "I'm out of here."

Despite who cowardly it might have looked she turned tail and ran. She wasn't the fastest of creatures, but hopefully she was fast enough. The wooded fence that circled her yard came into view as she cleared the trees, her heart racing faster then before. If she could get to her weapons inside, she'd be okay, she could protect herself. Hopefully.

[Glyph]

Silence followed, hot on the grizzly's trail, but nothing emerged from the trees. In fact, it would have seemed as though the bear was running from nothing--until a flock of birds, frightened from their roost, burst from the trees in fear. As she reached her yard, something dark and metallic slid from the cover of the trees, glinting sharply in the pale light.

The Beetle's on-board computer flickered, signalling the others of its group wirelessly. This was not their Primary Mission, but the organic had been more perceptive than they'd originally predicted...

[Kura]

]She skid to a halt, cursing under her breath. It was as she feared. Now, however, was not the time to hesitate. She had trained for this moment. Giving a roar she lunged forward, slowing only to bunch up her muscles, leaping over the metal thing with ease.

If she could get to her house, she could get to her weapons. She would need those, she couldn't do without. Or at least, not well.

]

[Glyph]

The Beetle hung motionless, suspended in the moonlight as if time stood still around it, broken only by the movement and the roar of the grizzly. Seconds later, its LED's flared to life, and it swerved, flashing with a single thought. The two others in its group slid from the forest, and then all three shot off after the bear. The mission had been put in jeopardy by that single roar--the bear had seen too much.