Thrill of the Hunt
a
Trust Machines story
by
clancy688
Attention: This story contains extremely brutal violence. You have been warned!
Silently, Ashley padded through the thick bush. Her black-spotted, yellow fur made it almost impossible to spot her amidst the vegetation and that was just how she liked it. A short breeze tickled her sensitive whiskers, and with the wind came the by now familiar smell of her target. It was stronger, indicating that she was getting closer, and Ashley felt her ears tingling with pleasant anticipation.
Inch by inch, she slowly raised her head until she was just being able to peer over the grass. It was an unnecessary risk, her heightened sense of smell already told her enough information to continue the hunt, but she wanted to fixate her target. Doesn't matter, he is looking into the other direction anyway... she thought amused while she focused upon the impala buck which paced over the clearing.
My, isn't he a twitchy one... Ashley contemplated sardonically while her eyes never left the smallish antelope. The animal's ears were constantly twitching and its eyes scanned the periphery alert and keenly. At one point, it was even looking directly at her, but apparently without spotting anything suspicious! Just be as attentive as you want... it won't help you... Ashley licked her lips and bared her fangs while she thought carefully about her next step. It had taken her an hour to get into the buck's wake, and another two to get as close as she was now. She absolutely didn't want to botch three hours of hard work at the last moment because of a rash thought.
Therefore she battled down her excitement and forced herself to wait motionlessly. Right now, the impala was walking towards her, and the closer it came, the better her chances to catch it were when she decided to move. Come on, a bit closer... the grass is really hefty on this side... Ashley teased the ungulate and had to smirk inwardly. This was quite an unusual train of thought a fully-grown leopard had while stalking its prey. But she wasn't the typical predator... in reality, she was a 35-year old, married business woman, only Venned into the shape of a large cat. Just like her current center of attention was not a real impala antelope, but her 38-year old husband Steven.
At first, she had struggled a bit with regarding the love of her life as prey, but by now this hesitation had all but vanished. Steven... the antelope... was not only her prey now, it was her prize, the bounty for three hours of hard and perfect work. She wanted to close her jaws around the buck's neck, she wanted to battle it down and prove her skill to the world.
Once in her life every wife should be allowed to kill her husband... Ashley smirked while Steven stepped steadily closer on his hooves. He was already well into range, but she decided to bestow a few more minutes onto him. Plus it has been his idea anyway... but how nice of him to give me the predator slot first. I think I'll just have to show to him that he hasn't wasted this gift...
***************************************
Nervously, Steven looked around the clearing, his flexible ears constantly aligning themselves on every unusual sound, howsoever small. Where had this faint rustling come from? Was this strange looking branch near the woods really just a branch? He felt incredibly vulnerable, and that was exactly what he was. His wife was out there, actively looking for him, and while he didn't know what kind of predator she had become, she would almost certainly sport formidable weapons, formidable enough to challenge and kill him. He on the other hand only had his speed and endurance for defense.
He waited for another few seconds. There was... nothing. Absolutely nothing. Don't jump at shadows, Steven... he tried to calm himself and then slowly stepped onto the clearing on his four hooves. The whole thing had been his idea, with Ashley originally having qualms, so he'd offered to take the place of the prey first. But now, after several hours of constant fear of being attacked, he wasn't so sure anymore. One part of his mind was enthusiastic that this adventure indeed proved to be all the thrill he'd been looking for. And the steadily growing other part wondered if it was, maybe, too much thrill.
Yeah, right... too much thrill... that's a phrase I didn't even know I had in my vocabulary yesterday! Steven snorted slightly amused, but almost silently. There was no need to make Ashley aware of his current whereabouts - if she was close enough to pick up the sound anyway. Ashley and him were both successful in their respective jobs, with Ashley being CEO at a fair-sized company and him being chief of a whole department of engineers for a leading car manufacturer. To compensate for their demanding but uneventful jobs, both were enthusiastic adrenaline junkies during their spare time.
What had originally started with rafting and bungee jumping had quickly evolved into all kinds of thrilling (and dangerous) activities such as wingsuit flying, mountain biking and free climbing. Both were constantly on the lookout for better and bigger thrills, and that's when he had stumbled over this semi-private enterprise. The description had sounded crazy at first. Rent a large area for a day. Turn into a predator and hunt, or turn into prey and be hunted. Becoming animals and actively trying to kill a friend or lover who'd become an animal herself? The Venn Machines would ensure that the prey would come back to life again, but still...
But after some time, he'd warmed to the idea. Which bigger thrill was there in the world than the hunt... or being hunted? During all their other extreme sports activities, they'd basically been up against Mother Nature. And Mother Nature wasn't a good opponent. She wasn't out to get you. She... simply didn't care. She was demanding, but what thrill and fun was there if she was indifferent to you challenging her... and winning or failing?
With this game of prey and hunt, though... there'd be such an adversary. An opponent who cared about winning and losing. I just can't fathom how it would be to be a real animal... Steven pondered now. To live in constant fear of predators. I've only been an antelope for a few hours and the fact that Ashley's out there somewhere, looking for me, is driving me crazy. His flanks shuddered at the thought of a deadly predator ripping into his flesh, uncaring and brutal. At the same time, he was feeling as alive as never before. He'd try his damned best to not end on Ashley's diet.
Not that death would be something new. Whenever they started a new sport, out of safety reasons they only did this in a Venned state for the acclimatization stage. And when they'd tried out freeclimbing, he'd actually slipped and broke his neck in the fall. But that was something entirely different from being a helpless victim at the teeth and claws of a skilled hunter. He'd thought he'd been prepared for such a thing, but by now he'd realized that he hadn't.
Not that telling this now will change something... Steven thought and flicked his ears amused. Even if I could speak, before I'd manage to tell Ashley that I've gotten qualms, she'd be hanging on my throat. He was committed, so to speak. Either he survived the day in this form, or he didn't. Well, so be it. This had already proven to be the most thrilling venture he'd ever done, and therefore he was more than willing to drag the experience out for as long as possible. Which was until late afternoon, when the eight hours of both his and Ashley's change would be over and they would turn back into their human selves.
Until then... I think I need a bit of a refreshment... Steven peered around cautiously and sniffed the air, but just like before he couldn't spot or smell any danger. Ashley is probably somewhere on the other side of the area. he speculated, then looked longingly at the green patch of grass growing near a large cluster of bushes. He'd never Venned into an animal before, but it hadn't taken long until he'd learned that, as an animal, you'd inherit all its natural instincts and preferences, including food. And much to his surprise, munching grass in this body was like eating a particularly tasty salad as a human. Hm, daisies... he grinned inwardly as he lowered his snout and started grazing.
The downside of this realization is, of course,... he thought while munching tasty plants, ...that Ashley probably has the same new appetite. And her favorite diet in her current body won't be flowers, but rather cute, juicy antelope asses. Just like mine... just like mine...
He waited for another few seconds. There was... nothing. Absolutely nothing. Don't jump at shadows, Steven... he tried to calm himself and then slowly stepped onto the clearing on his four hooves. The whole thing had been his idea, with Ashley originally having qualms, so he'd offered to take the place of the prey first. But now, after several hours of constant fear of being attacked, he wasn't so sure anymore. One part of his mind was enthusiastic that this adventure indeed proved to be all the thrill he'd been looking for. And the steadily growing other part wondered if it was, maybe, too much thrill.
Yeah, right... too much thrill... that's a phrase I didn't even know I had in my vocabulary yesterday! Steven snorted slightly amused, but almost silently. There was no need to make Ashley aware of his current whereabouts - if she was close enough to pick up the sound anyway. Ashley and him were both successful in their respective jobs, with Ashley being CEO at a fair-sized company and him being chief of a whole department of engineers for a leading car manufacturer. To compensate for their demanding but uneventful jobs, both were enthusiastic adrenaline junkies during their spare time.
What had originally started with rafting and bungee jumping had quickly evolved into all kinds of thrilling (and dangerous) activities such as wingsuit flying, mountain biking and free climbing. Both were constantly on the lookout for better and bigger thrills, and that's when he had stumbled over this semi-private enterprise. The description had sounded crazy at first. Rent a large area for a day. Turn into a predator and hunt, or turn into prey and be hunted. Becoming animals and actively trying to kill a friend or lover who'd become an animal herself? The Venn Machines would ensure that the prey would come back to life again, but still...
But after some time, he'd warmed to the idea. Which bigger thrill was there in the world than the hunt... or being hunted? During all their other extreme sports activities, they'd basically been up against Mother Nature. And Mother Nature wasn't a good opponent. She wasn't out to get you. She... simply didn't care. She was demanding, but what thrill and fun was there if she was indifferent to you challenging her... and winning or failing?
With this game of prey and hunt, though... there'd be such an adversary. An opponent who cared about winning and losing. I just can't fathom how it would be to be a real animal... Steven pondered now. To live in constant fear of predators. I've only been an antelope for a few hours and the fact that Ashley's out there somewhere, looking for me, is driving me crazy. His flanks shuddered at the thought of a deadly predator ripping into his flesh, uncaring and brutal. At the same time, he was feeling as alive as never before. He'd try his damned best to not end on Ashley's diet.
Not that death would be something new. Whenever they started a new sport, out of safety reasons they only did this in a Venned state for the acclimatization stage. And when they'd tried out freeclimbing, he'd actually slipped and broke his neck in the fall. But that was something entirely different from being a helpless victim at the teeth and claws of a skilled hunter. He'd thought he'd been prepared for such a thing, but by now he'd realized that he hadn't.
Not that telling this now will change something... Steven thought and flicked his ears amused. Even if I could speak, before I'd manage to tell Ashley that I've gotten qualms, she'd be hanging on my throat. He was committed, so to speak. Either he survived the day in this form, or he didn't. Well, so be it. This had already proven to be the most thrilling venture he'd ever done, and therefore he was more than willing to drag the experience out for as long as possible. Which was until late afternoon, when the eight hours of both his and Ashley's change would be over and they would turn back into their human selves.
Until then... I think I need a bit of a refreshment... Steven peered around cautiously and sniffed the air, but just like before he couldn't spot or smell any danger. Ashley is probably somewhere on the other side of the area. he speculated, then looked longingly at the green patch of grass growing near a large cluster of bushes. He'd never Venned into an animal before, but it hadn't taken long until he'd learned that, as an animal, you'd inherit all its natural instincts and preferences, including food. And much to his surprise, munching grass in this body was like eating a particularly tasty salad as a human. Hm, daisies... he grinned inwardly as he lowered his snout and started grazing.
The downside of this realization is, of course,... he thought while munching tasty plants, ...that Ashley probably has the same new appetite. And her favorite diet in her current body won't be flowers, but rather cute, juicy antelope asses. Just like mine... just like mine...
***************************************
Ashley couldn't believe how close to her hide her prey had drifted. The grazing buck looked like it was mere feet away, peacefully munching down on green grass and colorful flowers. Its ears were still flicking, sampling the sounds coming from all around it, but its eyes were focused upon the task at hoof. She felt how every muscle in her body tensed, and carefully she made herself ready to jump. Intellectually, she knew that behind the animal's pelt was her husband's mind, but consciousness was made up of more than intellect, and all other parts of her mind, instincts and nature alike, merely classified him as her rightful prey. For now, he... no, it wouldn't be her mate, but rather her dinner... and she already looked forward to gorging herself in its juicy meat.
The transition from silent stalking to explosive hunting, if there'd been one, was fluent, not rapid as she'd expected. All the energy she'd saved up over hours started to come to use in a controlled, efficient way. Her initial leap was perfect, her muscles smoothly accelerating her black spotted body to maximum speed. She'd left the bush which had served as her high seat more than two and a half of her body's lengths behind before her front paws touched the ground again, and only now the impala buck's ears started to swivel towards her in alert. To slow, much to slow... I win! Ashley thought exuberantly while time seemed to slow down to a trickle. The impala could outpace her easily, but it was still standing still and she was already in full flight.
The leopard opened its fanged mouth wide, ready to conclude the hunt with the kill.
The transition from silent stalking to explosive hunting, if there'd been one, was fluent, not rapid as she'd expected. All the energy she'd saved up over hours started to come to use in a controlled, efficient way. Her initial leap was perfect, her muscles smoothly accelerating her black spotted body to maximum speed. She'd left the bush which had served as her high seat more than two and a half of her body's lengths behind before her front paws touched the ground again, and only now the impala buck's ears started to swivel towards her in alert. To slow, much to slow... I win! Ashley thought exuberantly while time seemed to slow down to a trickle. The impala could outpace her easily, but it was still standing still and she was already in full flight.
The leopard opened its fanged mouth wide, ready to conclude the hunt with the kill.
***************************************
Steven didn't think. That would come later. He simply reacted. One moment, he was peacefully munching down on the delicious green stuff, the next moment he found himself in a mad dash for his life. His body had sent him flying at the first sound which somehow had screamed 'danger', before he'd even managed to catch a glimpse of what this danger was. That had come fractions of seconds later, when he saw a blur in yellow and black arrowing towards him. He didn't know what it was, only that its appearance spawned mortal fear in him, and desperately, he dashed towards the open clearing, where he'd have the advantage.
Even though it was a futile gesture. As soon as he was moving, he knew that he'd lose this race, that he'd lost it the moment it had started. The other one was already too close, already too fast, there was no way for him to outrun her. And yet he tried, with all his might. His brain spilled adrenaline into his body, making him hyper aware of everything, and so he could feel almost in slow motion how nemesis crept closer.
The uneven race barely lasted for more than a few yards, then, out of his left eye, Steven saw the yellow and black blur running next to him for a tiny fraction of a second - and in the next moment, a terrible force crushed down on his throat and larynx. With a gurgle, he went down as he was robbed of oxygen and started to roll over the soil, thrashing around madly, but the force on his throat didn't loosen up.
Steven felt sharp teeth penetrating deep into his flesh, felt how his blood started to flow out of neck freely, and he still didn't get any relieving breath. Panicked, he kicked around him with his hooves, but his catcher made sure to stay out of range of these and press his on his back, so that his legs were uselessly milling in the air.
His kicks became weaker and weaker as his body failed to provide the necessary energy, and his muscles started to burn, craving for oxygen. But there was no way to get any, his larynx was clenched shut by a force like a hydraulic press, and even if he'd managed to obtain some, it would spill onto the ground with his pouring blood uselessly. After a minute, he stopped kicking altogether, his muscles oxygen depraved muscles managing not more than uncontrolled twitching at this point. A strange haze started to surround his consciousness, as if his brain was surrounded by cotton. Sight became like a tunnel, just like hearing appeared as if he'd be underwater.
But the more he felt the life of his body slipping away, the more calmer he got and now he even managed to get a glimpse of what had gotten him. It was spotted, a large cat, not as gaunt as a cheetah but not a massive lion either. A leopard then... Steven concluded while the animal continued choking him, its yellow eyes focused on the task at paw. How strange... he mused... Her instincts seem to control her just as much as mine did me... she's not looking at me at all, only intent on killing her prey... such lack of remorse... just like nature... not cruel... uncaring... His thoughts became more ragged as finally the neurons in his impala body's brain started to die one after another. Thinking became difficult, but he could still feel his heartbeat becoming slower. A weak beat. Another weak beat, but later than the one before. And another, even later. And then... nothing...
Even though it was a futile gesture. As soon as he was moving, he knew that he'd lose this race, that he'd lost it the moment it had started. The other one was already too close, already too fast, there was no way for him to outrun her. And yet he tried, with all his might. His brain spilled adrenaline into his body, making him hyper aware of everything, and so he could feel almost in slow motion how nemesis crept closer.
The uneven race barely lasted for more than a few yards, then, out of his left eye, Steven saw the yellow and black blur running next to him for a tiny fraction of a second - and in the next moment, a terrible force crushed down on his throat and larynx. With a gurgle, he went down as he was robbed of oxygen and started to roll over the soil, thrashing around madly, but the force on his throat didn't loosen up.
Steven felt sharp teeth penetrating deep into his flesh, felt how his blood started to flow out of neck freely, and he still didn't get any relieving breath. Panicked, he kicked around him with his hooves, but his catcher made sure to stay out of range of these and press his on his back, so that his legs were uselessly milling in the air.
His kicks became weaker and weaker as his body failed to provide the necessary energy, and his muscles started to burn, craving for oxygen. But there was no way to get any, his larynx was clenched shut by a force like a hydraulic press, and even if he'd managed to obtain some, it would spill onto the ground with his pouring blood uselessly. After a minute, he stopped kicking altogether, his muscles oxygen depraved muscles managing not more than uncontrolled twitching at this point. A strange haze started to surround his consciousness, as if his brain was surrounded by cotton. Sight became like a tunnel, just like hearing appeared as if he'd be underwater.
But the more he felt the life of his body slipping away, the more calmer he got and now he even managed to get a glimpse of what had gotten him. It was spotted, a large cat, not as gaunt as a cheetah but not a massive lion either. A leopard then... Steven concluded while the animal continued choking him, its yellow eyes focused on the task at paw. How strange... he mused... Her instincts seem to control her just as much as mine did me... she's not looking at me at all, only intent on killing her prey... such lack of remorse... just like nature... not cruel... uncaring... His thoughts became more ragged as finally the neurons in his impala body's brain started to die one after another. Thinking became difficult, but he could still feel his heartbeat becoming slower. A weak beat. Another weak beat, but later than the one before. And another, even later. And then... nothing...
***************************************
With all her might, Ashley clenched down her jaw on the impala's throat, just like she'd done a couple of minutes ago when she'd caught her prey. The rush of adrenaline had been invigorating, as she'd dived under the fleeing ungulate and then bit down onto its throat, wrestling the struggling animal down.
It had kicked and trashed around panicky, but she'd only concentrated on chocking it, even smelt and tasted blood as her fangs had penetrated deep into vital vessels. She'd surrendered to her instincts at that first moments, hadn't shed a second thought at the fact that she was basically killing her lover here. But as her prey's strength had started to wither, parts of her mind had been freed to concentrate on other matters than completing the hunt.
This is... that's not just some animal I'm killing here! she realized while the animal below her started to twitch uncontrollably and its salty blood trickled down her throat. That's... Steven! I could still break off... if I now stop, maybe he'll survive... if he doesn't lose too much blood and if I haven't crushed his larynx... But it was only a fleeting idea. Because an instant later she realized that she didn't want to give up her trophy. Yes, Steven, her husband and lover, was her trophy right now, and he'd given his agreement on her claiming him as such the moment he'd let himself being turned into an antelope. And her instincts basically forced her to consume the spoils of her hunt now. She practically couldn't just abandon what she'd strived for over the last few hours.
Therefore she stayed unyielding, clenching down on the buck's throat until it didn't move anymore, and then she waited another few minutes before she released it from her jaw. Spiritless, the head slipped out of her grasp and hit the ground, raising a small cloud of dust. Then she stepped back and looked at her prize.
Steven... the impala laid motionless on its side, its legs stretched away. A large pool of blood had gathered under its neck, courtesy of several deep bite marks in its throat. The mouth was half open, the tongue lolling out and painted in the grey dust of the ground. And its eyes were glassy, staring away into infinity.
Ashley sat down on her hindquarters, simply marveling at her catch for a few minutes. This was what she'd strived for over the last few hours. Her trophy, her prize! The hunt was concluded, but the whole game wasn't, for her body started to complain and demanded compensation for the energy she'd spent while hunting. As a human, a dead animal usually left her gagging. Probably even more so, if it happened to be her husband. But right now, and through her current, Venned eyes, this antelope looked just like a five-course-dinner. She yearned for indulging herself in the flesh of her prize, yet she didn't start to feast yet. Somehow, it didn't seem right and she looked around, until she found what her new instincts had made her look for, a parched tree with a thick branch above ground.
Without shedding another thought at the identity of the impala, she grabbed the dead animal with her jaw again and started dragging it towards the tree.
It had kicked and trashed around panicky, but she'd only concentrated on chocking it, even smelt and tasted blood as her fangs had penetrated deep into vital vessels. She'd surrendered to her instincts at that first moments, hadn't shed a second thought at the fact that she was basically killing her lover here. But as her prey's strength had started to wither, parts of her mind had been freed to concentrate on other matters than completing the hunt.
This is... that's not just some animal I'm killing here! she realized while the animal below her started to twitch uncontrollably and its salty blood trickled down her throat. That's... Steven! I could still break off... if I now stop, maybe he'll survive... if he doesn't lose too much blood and if I haven't crushed his larynx... But it was only a fleeting idea. Because an instant later she realized that she didn't want to give up her trophy. Yes, Steven, her husband and lover, was her trophy right now, and he'd given his agreement on her claiming him as such the moment he'd let himself being turned into an antelope. And her instincts basically forced her to consume the spoils of her hunt now. She practically couldn't just abandon what she'd strived for over the last few hours.
Therefore she stayed unyielding, clenching down on the buck's throat until it didn't move anymore, and then she waited another few minutes before she released it from her jaw. Spiritless, the head slipped out of her grasp and hit the ground, raising a small cloud of dust. Then she stepped back and looked at her prize.
Steven... the impala laid motionless on its side, its legs stretched away. A large pool of blood had gathered under its neck, courtesy of several deep bite marks in its throat. The mouth was half open, the tongue lolling out and painted in the grey dust of the ground. And its eyes were glassy, staring away into infinity.
Ashley sat down on her hindquarters, simply marveling at her catch for a few minutes. This was what she'd strived for over the last few hours. Her trophy, her prize! The hunt was concluded, but the whole game wasn't, for her body started to complain and demanded compensation for the energy she'd spent while hunting. As a human, a dead animal usually left her gagging. Probably even more so, if it happened to be her husband. But right now, and through her current, Venned eyes, this antelope looked just like a five-course-dinner. She yearned for indulging herself in the flesh of her prize, yet she didn't start to feast yet. Somehow, it didn't seem right and she looked around, until she found what her new instincts had made her look for, a parched tree with a thick branch above ground.
Without shedding another thought at the identity of the impala, she grabbed the dead animal with her jaw again and started dragging it towards the tree.
***************************************
Steven felt... peculiar was perhaps the best word. When he'd 'died' during the climbing accident, he'd closed his eyes in reflex, so he hadn't gotten any visual influx after his death. And since Ashley had left him at the spot of the accident, without moving him until he turned back, he hadn't felt that much stimulation as a corpse either. It had been similar to his experiences as Ashley's cocktail dress when he'd used Fantasy Escorts to bestow a special birthday present upon his wife - and he'd spent half a night in the closet after the party had been over.
No, though... he'd died with his eyes open, so he was still seeing blurry shapes of his surroundings. Moreover, instead of lying still on the ground, his wife, the leopard, had taken his maimed body into her jaw and dragged him along. The good news was that it didn't hurt... he truly was an inanimate corpse, after all, and since all the neurons in his body were dead by now, there was nothing left to process pain. The sense of feeling Venn Machines bestowed upon you when you were inanimate tended to enhance pleasant touches, and blanked out unpleasant ones to a degree.
To a degree... that was the operative spelling here, and since he'd heard all these tale of people who'd become shoes and hated it, he was anxious how being consumed by Ashley would feel like. Actually, he hadn't expected his wife to go all the way. Hunt him, absolutely. Kill him, maybe. But in the end, eat him? Somehow, he hadn't thought that she'd pull it off, but right now, the leopard his wife had become seemed to be intent on doing exactly this.
I'm just wondering how much longer she plans on dragging me through- oh! Understanding dawned as the shape of a tree flickered over his blurry visions, and moments later, the leopard started digging its claws into the rippled bark, climbing upwards the dead tree and pulling its meal with it. Steven could only wait helplessly as his limp body was dragged along, his blood- and dirt-soaked fur scratching along the rough bark.
No, though... he'd died with his eyes open, so he was still seeing blurry shapes of his surroundings. Moreover, instead of lying still on the ground, his wife, the leopard, had taken his maimed body into her jaw and dragged him along. The good news was that it didn't hurt... he truly was an inanimate corpse, after all, and since all the neurons in his body were dead by now, there was nothing left to process pain. The sense of feeling Venn Machines bestowed upon you when you were inanimate tended to enhance pleasant touches, and blanked out unpleasant ones to a degree.
To a degree... that was the operative spelling here, and since he'd heard all these tale of people who'd become shoes and hated it, he was anxious how being consumed by Ashley would feel like. Actually, he hadn't expected his wife to go all the way. Hunt him, absolutely. Kill him, maybe. But in the end, eat him? Somehow, he hadn't thought that she'd pull it off, but right now, the leopard his wife had become seemed to be intent on doing exactly this.
I'm just wondering how much longer she plans on dragging me through- oh! Understanding dawned as the shape of a tree flickered over his blurry visions, and moments later, the leopard started digging its claws into the rippled bark, climbing upwards the dead tree and pulling its meal with it. Steven could only wait helplessly as his limp body was dragged along, his blood- and dirt-soaked fur scratching along the rough bark.
***************************************
Carefully, Ashley deposited her catch along on the big branch. That she'd been able to climb the tree had been incredible enough, but that she'd managed it with several dozen pounds of antelope in tow...! As a human, she'd never have been able to climb the seared stump, but as a leopard, it had seemed to be the right thing to do. And almost effortlessly she'd scrambled upwards, her claws digging deep into the trunk for footing, her strong jaw- and neck-muscles dragging the impala along.
Now she was safely above ground, out of reach of bigger predators, and her meal, her spoils of war, laid before her. Ashley felt her mouth watering in anticipation of the feast. By now, almost nothing inside her kicked up against consuming her trophy. She eyed the impala buck's especially juicy looking rump and then buried her teeth deep into the flesh. With a violent jerk, she tore a whole mouth full off, more flesh at once than she'd have been able to turn into a couple of steaks consumable by humans. Without even chewing she swallowed and felt it sliding down her gullet.
She couldn't say that it tasted good. Because she actually didn't taste much at all. But the still warm and bloody flesh sliding down through her mouth towards her stomach felt strangely satisfying, and she already eyed the next best spot among the massive, blood-leaking hole she'd torn into the dead animal before her. Within minutes, the sound of breaking bones sounded over clearing as the leopard Ashley had become consumed the carcass.
Now she was safely above ground, out of reach of bigger predators, and her meal, her spoils of war, laid before her. Ashley felt her mouth watering in anticipation of the feast. By now, almost nothing inside her kicked up against consuming her trophy. She eyed the impala buck's especially juicy looking rump and then buried her teeth deep into the flesh. With a violent jerk, she tore a whole mouth full off, more flesh at once than she'd have been able to turn into a couple of steaks consumable by humans. Without even chewing she swallowed and felt it sliding down her gullet.
She couldn't say that it tasted good. Because she actually didn't taste much at all. But the still warm and bloody flesh sliding down through her mouth towards her stomach felt strangely satisfying, and she already eyed the next best spot among the massive, blood-leaking hole she'd torn into the dead animal before her. Within minutes, the sound of breaking bones sounded over clearing as the leopard Ashley had become consumed the carcass.
***************************************
Steven's vision swayed violently as Ashley gnawed on his already exposed neckbone. Strangely enough, it hadn't been as bad as he'd expected. It had been disconcerting when her strong jaw had made his bones break as if they were small, brittle branches, but the sensation of having bits and pieces of him entering her body had actually been quite... exhilarating. By now, his head and neck was basically all which remained from his impala's body, the middle section had been reduced to nothing more than a bloody, meticulously gnawed off ribcage.
It was a really odd feeling looking down your body, or what had been your body, and only discovering a bloody skeleton. Other parts of him had fallen down during the feast, a couple of his legs for example, and he could already feel ants and other small animals carrying them away in tiny pieces. But most of his flesh had ended up in Ashley's stomach, and he almost felt like being a part of her graceful body right now. They'd never tried out turning themselves into food and eating each other, but now Steven realized while people did it. Never before he'd felt as close to his wife as now, and he relished in becoming the energy to power her figure.
If that's how being eaten always feels like... he contemplated while the leopard continued ripping at what there was left of him, She can hunt and kill me as often as she wants...
It was a really odd feeling looking down your body, or what had been your body, and only discovering a bloody skeleton. Other parts of him had fallen down during the feast, a couple of his legs for example, and he could already feel ants and other small animals carrying them away in tiny pieces. But most of his flesh had ended up in Ashley's stomach, and he almost felt like being a part of her graceful body right now. They'd never tried out turning themselves into food and eating each other, but now Steven realized while people did it. Never before he'd felt as close to his wife as now, and he relished in becoming the energy to power her figure.
If that's how being eaten always feels like... he contemplated while the leopard continued ripping at what there was left of him, She can hunt and kill me as often as she wants...
***************************************
Satisfied, Ashley peered at the product of her feeding frenzy. She'd never felt as bloated and stuffed like now before in her life, and it showed when one looked at her catch. The impala antelope her husband had been turned into was almost completely gone, all what remained on the branch she'd chosen for her dinner was the clean rib cage and its head, the rest had either disappeared into her belly or, in case of his leg bones, was scattered across the floor below.
She still couldn't quite believe that she'd reduced that large an animal that quickly to such a state. As a human, she'd have eaten on such an amount of meat for weeks! Contentedly, she licked her lips, then started crawling down the tree. Other guests who'd invited themselves to her dinner had waited for this moment, and while she slid down towards the bottom, the first crows were already descending on the remains of her meal. Just like the legs which had fallen down to the ground were already infested by ants and tiny rodents.
The leopard uttered an amused growl, then strode towards the exit of the clearing. Behind her, the remains of her Venned husband were swiftly seized by the scavengers, the crows already making a ruckus as they fought over the best of the rest. That's just wow... Ashley thought while she padded silently through the bushes. I've just eaten my husband! Killed and eaten it! And it was one of the best, if not the best experience of my life! This has really been an awesome idea by him!
But a small bit of apprehension shrouded her thoughts as well. But what if the experience has been horrible for him? I hope it wasn't, because I'd really like to share this with him... Ashley pondered this notion. Should she return to their starting point, where the organizers of this adventure were waiting to turn them back? So that she could ask him directly? But at the same time, she wanted to enjoy this body for a bit longer. There were still probably something like a couple or more hours left until they'd turn back on their own. What to do...?
In the end, though, the leopard's instincts prevailed and Ashley decided to surrender herself to them. Whatever his experience, the deed has been done... The girl-turned feline decided while she let her instincts look for a nice place in the sun to relax and digest her meal. And from his point of view, the hardest tasks, being killed and eaten, are over anyway. Who knows, maybe it even feels nice for him to settle in my stomach? With Venn Machines, you never know what feels good and what doesn't...
These were the last human thoughts she produced for the next couple of hours, because right after that, she let her leopard side fully take charge... and a few minutes later, she was nothing more than a big cat relaxing on a warm stone in the sun, cleaning its bloody soiled fur with its tongue and savoring the feeling of a filled belly.
She still couldn't quite believe that she'd reduced that large an animal that quickly to such a state. As a human, she'd have eaten on such an amount of meat for weeks! Contentedly, she licked her lips, then started crawling down the tree. Other guests who'd invited themselves to her dinner had waited for this moment, and while she slid down towards the bottom, the first crows were already descending on the remains of her meal. Just like the legs which had fallen down to the ground were already infested by ants and tiny rodents.
The leopard uttered an amused growl, then strode towards the exit of the clearing. Behind her, the remains of her Venned husband were swiftly seized by the scavengers, the crows already making a ruckus as they fought over the best of the rest. That's just wow... Ashley thought while she padded silently through the bushes. I've just eaten my husband! Killed and eaten it! And it was one of the best, if not the best experience of my life! This has really been an awesome idea by him!
But a small bit of apprehension shrouded her thoughts as well. But what if the experience has been horrible for him? I hope it wasn't, because I'd really like to share this with him... Ashley pondered this notion. Should she return to their starting point, where the organizers of this adventure were waiting to turn them back? So that she could ask him directly? But at the same time, she wanted to enjoy this body for a bit longer. There were still probably something like a couple or more hours left until they'd turn back on their own. What to do...?
In the end, though, the leopard's instincts prevailed and Ashley decided to surrender herself to them. Whatever his experience, the deed has been done... The girl-turned feline decided while she let her instincts look for a nice place in the sun to relax and digest her meal. And from his point of view, the hardest tasks, being killed and eaten, are over anyway. Who knows, maybe it even feels nice for him to settle in my stomach? With Venn Machines, you never know what feels good and what doesn't...
These were the last human thoughts she produced for the next couple of hours, because right after that, she let her leopard side fully take charge... and a few minutes later, she was nothing more than a big cat relaxing on a warm stone in the sun, cleaning its bloody soiled fur with its tongue and savoring the feeling of a filled belly.
***************************************Epilogue***************************************
Cautiously, and without producing even the slightest ripple on the surface of the pond, the massive crocodile peered out of the water, fixating its intended prey. The zebra was looking around nervously while it stepped closer to the precious water.
Interesting... Steven thought with a smirk while he floated closer to the shore gradually. So Ashley's probably remembered that predators tend to lurk at water holes... I'm wondering if I looked that jumpy when I'd been the prey?
For his turn, he'd decided to become a crocodile because he feared that Ashley's time as a leopard had given her vital insights in how big cats hunt, therefore offering her an edge to evade him. And he really didn't want that. No, he wanted to give Ashley exactly the same intriguing experience she'd given him, and for that, he needed her to fall prey to him. The downside of being a crocodile was that he'd effectively had to lie in cover and wait for Ashley come to him instead of the other way around, but it was a hot day and even zebras had to drink eventually.
Apparently, his plan had paid off, because after he'd spent nearly the whole morning waiting, Ashley, now in the form a zebra mare, had finally decided to get something to drink. Even better...! he realized jubilantly, She doesn't even suspect that I may be waiting for her in the water. She's only checking the bushes and shore for threats!
Finally, the zebra seemed to decide that this refreshment came without any trade-offs and trotted into the lake for a few yards until it lowered its equine head to drink.
Without making the slightest sound, Steven's eyes disappeared from the surface and he started to dive towards his prey, his strong tail propelling him forward. His instincts told him how to act from this point on, and he merely obeyed the commands of his crocodile mind.
There was no warning for the zebra that it faced mortal danger, not until a greenish, teeth-sporting creature exploded out of the water next to it. With a shocked neigh, it tried to evade, but it was already too late, and it had foolishly decided to enter its opponents domain for its drink.
With a loud crunch Steven let his teeth-sporting snout close around the zebra's right hind quarters, and he started dragging his catch deeper into the lake. Panicky, the creature treated water, its hooves hitting Steven's head with a force which would have been enough to shatter any human's skull. But a crocodile's scales were a different proposition, and in the heat of the fight, he barely felt the strokes. Instead, he intensified his efforts to drag the zebra underwater, and there was nothing it could his massive powers confront with.
I got you now, love... Steven thought pleased, but not maliciously, while he dragged the struggling figure of his Venned wife down into the for her hostile environment. After all, he was just obeying nature right now. He wasn't killing her out of viciousness. Right now, he was the predator and she was prey, this was merely the way of life. And now I'll return the favor and show you just how pleasurable it can be to land in someones stomach... And with that final human sentiment, the crocodile started its meal.
Interesting... Steven thought with a smirk while he floated closer to the shore gradually. So Ashley's probably remembered that predators tend to lurk at water holes... I'm wondering if I looked that jumpy when I'd been the prey?
For his turn, he'd decided to become a crocodile because he feared that Ashley's time as a leopard had given her vital insights in how big cats hunt, therefore offering her an edge to evade him. And he really didn't want that. No, he wanted to give Ashley exactly the same intriguing experience she'd given him, and for that, he needed her to fall prey to him. The downside of being a crocodile was that he'd effectively had to lie in cover and wait for Ashley come to him instead of the other way around, but it was a hot day and even zebras had to drink eventually.
Apparently, his plan had paid off, because after he'd spent nearly the whole morning waiting, Ashley, now in the form a zebra mare, had finally decided to get something to drink. Even better...! he realized jubilantly, She doesn't even suspect that I may be waiting for her in the water. She's only checking the bushes and shore for threats!
Finally, the zebra seemed to decide that this refreshment came without any trade-offs and trotted into the lake for a few yards until it lowered its equine head to drink.
Without making the slightest sound, Steven's eyes disappeared from the surface and he started to dive towards his prey, his strong tail propelling him forward. His instincts told him how to act from this point on, and he merely obeyed the commands of his crocodile mind.
There was no warning for the zebra that it faced mortal danger, not until a greenish, teeth-sporting creature exploded out of the water next to it. With a shocked neigh, it tried to evade, but it was already too late, and it had foolishly decided to enter its opponents domain for its drink.
With a loud crunch Steven let his teeth-sporting snout close around the zebra's right hind quarters, and he started dragging his catch deeper into the lake. Panicky, the creature treated water, its hooves hitting Steven's head with a force which would have been enough to shatter any human's skull. But a crocodile's scales were a different proposition, and in the heat of the fight, he barely felt the strokes. Instead, he intensified his efforts to drag the zebra underwater, and there was nothing it could his massive powers confront with.
I got you now, love... Steven thought pleased, but not maliciously, while he dragged the struggling figure of his Venned wife down into the for her hostile environment. After all, he was just obeying nature right now. He wasn't killing her out of viciousness. Right now, he was the predator and she was prey, this was merely the way of life. And now I'll return the favor and show you just how pleasurable it can be to land in someones stomach... And with that final human sentiment, the crocodile started its meal.