darkSpyro

"Fog is just moist air. Nothing to be afraid of." One of the cockatoo said, fog being as normal as rain in their home.

"Don't worry. We got some established roads for Whirlpool that you two can use." the cockatoo explained, understanding Rose's concern.

"Yeah, speaking of that... leader Barloc wants to know when you and Mistress Sybil will pick up that warbler. He's been such a thorn on our friend's side that it's driving him crazy. Not even with his serval roommate helping is enough to ease up the tension." The cockatoo explained, feeling very sorry for the wombat and his companion. He couldn't understand why they bothered with Yodel in the first place.

Meanwhile, back at the Haven's beach, Sybil was trying to communicate with her spirit helper Trico without needing to sleep. She didn't want to lower her guard with the python. Not yet. It was too soon to trust him. She has spoken to Trico once without needing to sleep, so she hoped she could speak to him right now, since she needed help with her next decision...

"Well good. I'll make sure you're true to your word Lady Rose. Cause our Whirlpool needs the rest. It's bad enough he has to treat our own illnesses when we call." the cockatoo said, showing how much respect he had for the wombat. He then escorted Rose to Whirlpool's burrow, oblivious that tigers, cockatoos and warblers were not the only ones at that playground right now...

Sybil tried to quietly call Trico, but still no response. Naga could speak with his spirit guardian without sleeping because this one was very powerful, but perhaps Trico's powers didn't reach that potential. The only time it did was when Sybil was in great peril, so she assumed that meant Naga didn't represent any danger to her, at least at the moment...

"I'm not sure. Whirlpool isn't one to take vacations. He prefers to be at his burrow when he's not doing anything." The cockatoo explained, he himself once having tried to convince him. The fog grew thicker, but the birds still knew the way very well.

The warblers and cockatoos continued to play even with the fog growing thicker. No one could see Snow, but since her fur was already mostly white, they assumed she was still playing with her ball somewhere nearby...

"Oh Trico, I'm so glad you can make it. I'm just... struggling so much with this. The python is actually quite nice, but very intimidating and scary, and I'm still not sure if to trust him. But I have seen how miserable he is. And the only thing that trills him is hunting. But those stupid pigeons don't give him the challenge he wants... I... I'm just not sure whether it's a good idea for me to offer him that thrill. Crocux is gone and the orca game has halted, so I have plenty of free time. But still... I'm not sure if to play that game with him." Sybil said, needing help with a decision for the first time in a very long time.

"Still doubt it, but we'll see." the cockatoo commented, as he continued escorting Rose to the burrow while everyone else was still having fun. The rest of the birds still didn't question where Snow was, but one did. Nia wanted to bond with Snow to compensate the hard time her father brought upon her, but she couldn't find her where she last saw her. He called to her, not so loudly so that she wouldn't draw attention...

"That's not the point Trico. I can set the rules easily, but we're talking about trust here. I can set as many rules as I like, but will he follow them?" Sybil then said, when it hit her. Naga has respected their deal, so perhaps she can trust him with this matter too? Still, it was a scary thought. Seeing Naga up close, she realized he must be like twenty times her own size, maybe less but still. He was probably bigger than Crocux himself, and that was intimidating enough...

OOC: This is new. Are you creating a new character?

Nia was the closest to the scream, and she has never heard anything like it.
"Snow! SNOW! WHERE ARE YOU!?" Nia called, as she tried to find the young tiger hybrid among that unforgiving fog. She was actually a few meters above them. The rest of the birds also heard the scream and they all flew in different directions, since the jungle could create a heavy echo, especially with that fog...

With that conversation, Nia could locate the pair just below her, and her heart skipped a few beats.
"Woah woah! This is SO WRONG! Yo snake! What do you think you're doing!?" she said frantically, never having seen a snake that big at Hunted island. Could that be the python everybody was rambling aboutat the Haven? If it was, how did it got there? Nia didn't know the difference between a python and an anaconda, so she simply assumed it was the same creature.

A rescue party was sent throughout the island between the warblers and cockatoos that were on the playground. Everyone agreed that was no ordinary scream, and many feared that it was a Tasmanian devil. They were their worst enemies, and similarly how the mongooses use to roam at the Haven, they sometimes invaded their territory.

Nia stammered for a bit, but she understood. With Snow free, she knew the snake wasn't going to leave things like that, so she left, and cawing for help, she called as many birds as she could. She couldn't get all of them, for the echo was confusing, but there were a little more than a dozen birds that arrived.
"Lady Rose needs help!" she said, turning to leave to call for more help. The warblers and cockatoos present couldn't believe what they were seeing. A snake that big was something they have never seen at their home. How were they going to stop it?

The warblers and cockatoos weren't sure if that was a good idea, even after more reinforcements arrived. However, they were willing to try, so they used their claws nd what little strength they had to pin the giant snke to the ground and wait for Rose to do something...

When the cockatoos and warblers believed they were going to lose heir grip, more reinforcements arrived. Turned out Nia was great giving directions, so help arrived. Angus was there too, just in time to hear the snake say he was only playing.
"Playing? Snakes don't play!" they teenaged cockatoo said, unable to believe that a snake that big was roaming around their dear home. There were snake on Hunted island, but not anacondas, so where did this one come from?

"That's a... complex name for a snake." Angus commented, almost saying that the name was too beautiful instead of complex. What he feared the most was how his uncle was going to react when he realized a predator this size was on his island...

Elsewhere, Naga slowly began to relax along the edge of the shoreline. "This... this so called Hunted Island? What is it like?," he asked as he looked out upon the ocean and the distant other haven. He realized that he had yet to see and experience the whole Haven, much less the other side of it. As he spoke-- he sounded more relaxed and more calm then he ever had before. Part of him told him to keep an eye out, but another part just wanted to enjoy the new experience while he could.

OOC: You never answered Sybil's question SC. No matter, I can make something work

When Naga spoke, Sybil lost her connection with Trico. Still uncertain about her decision, she proceeded to just answer the python.
"Oh, so you know the name. Yeah, that's Hunted island. It's pretty much the same as the Haven, but the jungle there is far bigger. It doesn't have the variety of habitats the Haven has, and they have Tasmanian devils, which are dangerous." Sybil explained, believing there was nothing wrong with telling him all that.
"There is a flock of cockatoos there, the main owners of the island. But I wouldn't go there if I were you. The leaders hates predators. I barely managed to convince him to let my friends visit. He lost his brother to one, so... you know the rest." Sybil explained, hoping Naga wasn't planning on visiting there.

"Um..." Nia stammered, but she flew away nonetheless. Almost all the birds from the p,aground were pinning down the anaconda, so the only choice was to ask help from the cockatoos and warblers that were still at her father's tree. But she was afraid on how her father would react when he found out there was a big snake at his territory, and that Snow was missing. She didn't know where the cub went to, but she hoped she could find her and avoid going to her father in the first place...

"Oh... I was just-- curious.," Naga said still looking out. "I have to give you credit, my dear Sybil. For better or worse-- you.. you have managed to form and gather a large collective group and form.. a community. And not just one; but two communities and all based around the concept of trust and.. and friendship. It's quite respectable in fact and you have done well.," he then said seeming to give the civet a large compliment.

"Oh.. well, thanks... I guess." Sybil said, being this the first direct compliment she has received from Naga. She really was sorry for him, and how limited his life was. Shadow brought him as a tool for revenge, but he didn't counted on the python having feelings and goals of his own.
"I really didn't think it would go this far. We are not just a community, we're a family, and here, we thrive on prosperity and happiness." Sybil said, and after a long pause... she made her decision.

"Listen Mr. Naga. I understand that, you may be searching for something more in your life. It may take a while for everyone else to get use to you, and for me to find you a more suitable prey, but in the meantime, I... I will help you. You say you need thrill in your life that only hunting can bring? Well..." she breathed hardly before continuing.
"... since the pigeons don't give you that thrill... then... I'll do it. I'm very fast, and... I give you the challenge... you want." Sybil finally said, almost shaking. She was practically allowing Naga to hunt her in order to receive the thrill and entertainment he needed. Crocux was gone and the orca game was postponed, so the civet had plenty of free time now.

There were suddenly a lot of protests from the present birds, especially from the warblers. The old warbler then interfered. He managed to quiet down the crowd, and approached Rose.
"Lady Rose, are you sure you know what you're doing? This is an anaconda. I've seen them on my travels, and they are not nice. Don't you remember this is a snake that almost exterminated my kind back home." the old warbler protested, but quietly so that the other birds wouldn't hear him. There was enough panic as it was.

There were still more protests, but once again, the old warbler calmed them down.
"That is enough! Listen y'all, we'll trust Lady Rose's judgement on this one. Now everybody, split up and search for the little tyke." he said, with everybody obeying. The old warbler left, but not very far. He didn't trust the anaconda, and was going to keep an eye on it.

At the jungle, everybody was calling for Snow. Cockatoos and warblers alike. Many of them hated to be in that situation, but they decided to trust Rose at the old war let's advice. Everybody agreed they should try to keep this a secret from Barloc, for he may go as far as to forbid Rose and her daughter from coming there due to the trouble the latter caused.

Quote: Felines

"Listen Mr. Naga. I understand that, you may be searching for something more in your life. It may take a while for everyone else to get use to you, and for me to find you a more suitable prey, but in the meantime, I... I will help you. You say you need thrill in your life that only hunting can bring? Well..." she breathed hardly before continuing.
"... since the pigeons don't give you that thrill... then... I'll do it. I'm very fast, and... I give you the challenge... you want." Sybil finally said, almost shaking. She was practically allowing Naga to hunt her in order to receive the thrill and entertainment he needed. Crocux was gone and the orca game was postponed, so the civet had plenty of free time now.

"You... you will? I can see why the others choose to follow you-- you are quite brave and risk your life more often then not. I.. I will accept your offer and promise that you will not be harmed.," Naga said serious about what he said. He was willing to give the civet leader a chance and if she could deliver on the challenge-- maybe he could even be happy here. While he suspected he already much respect/fear from the Haven residents, maybe they had more to offer. He had spared the reminding warblers against his own instinct, saved the civet, and even befriended another resident. Maybe, just maybe, this whole thing could work out...

Sybil was very relieved when Naga assured her she wouldn't be harmed, and trusted that he will have enough self control during the hunt. Naga was part of the Haven now, and it was her duty to make him feel welcomed. She didn't know about Sholeh's secret meetings with him, so she believed she was the only thing closest to a friend that the python had.
"Good... good, then. Well now, just to be clear, this is not something I'm intending to make a habit of. This is just until we find you a more challenging prey." Sybil assured, thinking that wasn't an activity she was going to enjoy the same way as the orca game or Crocux's excercise.

The sound of distance thunder indicated they would have to move soon, but while they were still there, Sybil wanted to make other things clear to Naga before leaving.
"Now then, we can start whenever you want. but first, we need to set some rules. No hard squeezing and... no biting." Sybil pointed out, those being the only rules she could think of. She knew snakes had teeth despite not using them for chewing, but since pythons weren't venomous, she wasn't so certain if they had them too, but she assumed they did.

"Snow! SNOW!" Everyone from different directions called, now very nervous of their home. The fog was thick, and were afraid that there were more anacondas from where that one came from...

A female, nearly middle aged cockatoo was the only one near enough to hear Snow's voice.
"Snow! Snow dear, where are you?" she called, also wanting to get out of that creepy fog. She was worried about the huge snake, for they never reached that size there at Hunted island.

Quote: Felines

The sound of distance thunder indicated they would have to move soon, but while they were still there, Sybil wanted to make other things clear to Naga before leaving.
"Now then, we can start whenever you want. but first, we need to set some rules. No hard squeezing and... no biting." Sybil pointed out, those being the only rules she could think of. She knew snakes had teeth despite not using them for chewing, but since pythons weren't venomous, she wasn't so certain if they had them too, but she assumed they did.

"No squeezing and no biting-- understood. We... we should get moving soon. I fear the storm is almost upon us and I doubt you want to get stuck in it.," Naga said acknowledging Sybil's concerns and the approaching thunder. Rather it was the relaxation or the deal or overall improvement in their relationship... his warning seemed genuine. He looked out at the distant island one last time before turning away from the sea.

Elsewhere-- the father and soon duo had done their fair share of fishing ... and enjoying the fruits of their labor. And hearing the distant thunder, Sayan began to grow concerned. "Come on Hunter, we should go.," he said looking up at the sky. "But father! We're having so much fun! Can't we..," Hunter begged. "Come on. We can do this another time.," Sayan replied with a smile and leading his son back home.

"Ok then, let'a head home." Sybil said, as she accompanied the python to his territory. The advantage was that the Haven's foliage was so thick, raindrops were very little, so there was little chance of them getting wet. As they headed to the swamp, Sybil still couldn't believe she went through with her offer and was starting to regret it. There was no turning back though, and knew she had to oblige if she wanted to keep Naga happy. He seemed sincere when he said that he would respect the rules, so Sybil chose to believe him. That was some major progress with him, and she had the hope that with such an extreme offer, it would make the python see how far she was willing to go to help and befriend him. As they walked, she waited for Naga to establish a time for their activity. She wanted to get out of the suspense, and since she didn't know how a snake hunted, she just knew this was going to be a brand new experience for her...

Quote: Spyroconvexity

"Mama is that you?!" Snow said calling out.

"No dear, but I know where she is." the cockatoo replied,continuing with her talk so that Snow could follow her voice while she lead her towards her mother...

"Just calm down cub. You musn't be hasty or you'll get in trouble again." The cockatoo said as she continued leading Snow to his mother.
"Lady Rose! Lady Rose! Your daughter is here." she called from nearby, being more or less on the same place where she left the mother tiger.

Quote: Felines

"Ok then, let'a head home." Sybil said, as she accompanied the python to his territory. The advantage was that the Haven's foliage was so thick, raindrops were very little, so there was little chance of them getting wet. As they headed to the swamp, Sybil still couldn't believe she went through with her offer and was starting to regret it. There was no turning back though, and knew she had to oblige if she wanted to keep Naga happy. He seemed sincere when he said that he would respect the rules, so Sybil chose to believe him. That was some major progress with him, and she had the hope that with such an extreme offer, it would make the python see how far she was willing to go to help and befriend him. As they walked, she waited for Naga to establish a time for their activity. She wanted to get out of the suspense, and since she didn't know how a snake hunted, she just knew this was going to be a brand new experience for her...

As they walked and/or slithered, Naga thought on the matter of exactly when this new 'activity' would occur. "We.. we can start in the late morning or early afternoon, if you wish. That-- that should give us enough time to feed beforehand and... and ensure a good hunt.," Naga said deciding that for the Civet's sake; it would be best to avoid any possible complications. He trusted his own self-control, but he also knew how much instincts would come into play and just how intense such a game could become.

"You mean today?" Sybil exclaimed, having expected it to be tomorrow to give her some time to prepare. She didn't want Naga to think she was having second thoughts, so she agreed.
"Alright then, if that's what you want, then that's what we'll do. It's better if we do it early afternoon though." Sybil said as they neared Naga's home, for later that morning, it was going to rain and late in the morning was too little time to be prepared. The afternoon should give them both enough time to eat and have energy, not to mention that Sybil preferred for Naga to have a full stomach while he hunted her. She knew it was going to be a terrifying experience for her, but if it all worked the first time, then there was going to be no problem. She tolerated many orcas and a mighty saltwater crocodile, so a python shouldn't be any different...

Quote: Spyroconvexity

"Snow?! Snow!" Rose came running and hugged her tight. "Oh I was so scared."

"I missed you mama." Snow said hugging her tight.

With the job done, the cockatoo prepared to leave.
"Now I would suggest you keep this incident to yourself Lady Rose. We don't want leader Barloc to assume it was your daughter that draw the snake here." she warned before flying away. The anaconda's presence had to be informed, but Snow's brief abduction had to remain secret or Barloc could assume it came looking for Snow and would be capable of banishing mother and daughter for it's arrival. An anaconda at their home was very bad news as it was, and the information had to be known immediately...