leave no trace behind

Maea

And I only needed one more touch
Another taste of devouring rush

It was admittedly a strange sight to see. This massive, lumbering tiger, glowing white-hot in the sunlight, graceful as can be - pretending to be a sheepdog and herding horses like it was the most natural thing in the world. Maea was surprised by how easily it came to her, how a childhood of rearing livestock remained as the foundation of her whole character.

When the foal was all that remained between herself, the dogs and the fence, she watched it carefully for any sign of wanting to follow the herd. And right enough, there it came; a last desperate spurt to the left, just past the tiger. The Ancient being lunged forward with outstretched paws, and even as she moved through the air, Maea shifted back to her mortal form; catching the young horse around the neck.

"Whoa, there," she soothed, "easy. I'm not gonna hurt you, tiny. I just want to help." Pushing back all impulse to hunt and rip and tear, wrapped up in nostalgia so strong she almost wept, Maea focused all her attention on the young animal. It's body warm and rippling with life under her hands, it was the most precious thing she had experienced in many years.

But the room was so quiet
Whose side am I on?

Base by Skylark, Art by Midjourney