First, a pic from back in 2006 or so, when Hatari was probably in her 30s (level-wise). Standing at her side is her constant companion, Wanagi. This cat used to be Dishu. She was my first rare, and I came across her (hunted for her, actually) the day I hit level 13. This was back when her skin was unique below level 40-something. Dishu was the only one who had it at those low levels. I thought she was gorgeous, and I was so excited to find her. My tame succeeded just as her spawned cubs actually killed me. My heart was in my throat, but when I got back to my body and called her, she came to me. And for years after that, we were best friends.
I tamed a lot of pets over those years, and I would hunt and sport with them when the whim took me, or when their specific talents were needed, but I would always come back to Wanagi, and she seemed to be at my side for all the important moments. I was a slow, casual player who took her time leveling--years, in fact. Burning Crusade was out for months before I got high enough to join everyone out there. And then it was a while after that before I actually capped. In Wrath I hit my stride, even raiding a bit. This next screenshot came from that time period, and shows Hatari and Wanagi in the warmth of the Filthy Animal Inn of Dalaran.
Like everyone else, when Cata was released I dove into the new content. But my RL eventually curbed my gaming time, and it wasn't until just a few months before Pandaria was released that I came back to the game. When I did, I went on a taming spree, catching all the rares and spirit beasts I hadn't gotten to before my absence. My collection grew, and I was very proud of my stable. But, always, at my side was Wanagi. Then, well before Mists of Pandaria actually debuted, I'd come to Petopia (no doubt like all of you) to peruse what the expansion would have in store for us hunters. And, while doing so, I saw the new tiger models. Immediately I was drawn to Savage, like so many other hunters. She just seemed...perfect. I hadn't felt like that since, well, seeing Dishu. I determined that I would tame her. I assumed that finding her in those first days would be difficult, so I concentrated first on leveling and exploring the new lands, with Wanagi at my side, of course. Eventually though, just before Halloween, I decided it was time. So I went looking. I had not attempted to find tracks before, so this was my first experience with Blizzard's new hunter game. And I have to say it was enjoyable. The thrill of tracking, flaring, and finding what you're looking for is exhilarating. It took me a while, as I kept losing her tracks, but eventually, as she neared her spawning point and I saw tracks going both ways, and I knew she'd just turned around. I immediately flared behind me, and caught the tail end of her in my flare. I had her. Finally.
I named her Baihu.I thought she would be a whim, like so many other pets I'd tamed over the years. I would play with her for a bit, sure, but I could never be without my Wanagi for very long. That had always been true. But, days stretched into weeks, and our bond grew. There was actual guilt as I eventually put Wanagi in my stable---a place she'd very rarely ever been--to make room for other pets in my active five, as Baihu remained my number one companion. In my head canon, I make sense out if it by saying that Wanagi is growing older, and she can't keep up on the hunts like she used to. And so she is resting comfortably in Thunder Bluff with friends, living the good, retired life. In the meantime, Baihu and I roam Pandaria, facing Mogu and Sha alike. So, here's a recent screen of Hatari and Baihu.
Thanks for reading.
Hatari Proudhorn