darkSpyro

"Hey..." the kea answered, not having anything else to say. He just wanted to greet Rose and Sayan, but now that conversation seemed empty, but nevertheless, he felt it was going to be rude if he left them just like that...

"Yes... yes... I already knew..." Mambo answered, looking at different places. There were in front of the memorial after all, but that conversation was one he wanted to avoid...

"Me too..." Mambo responded, trying to be compassionate. He didn't interacted that much with Ivor, but could tell he was almost as happy-go-lucky as himself. Mambo was starting to regret landing. He wanted to avoid that subject, but he should have known better. Mambo may be a leader, but he always wanted to play blind on the troubles of life, thinking that it would make him bitter, and after meeting Barloc, now more than ever.

"Ivor will be missed by all." Sayan then said in a sad tone.

Sayan gave a simple nod, welcoming the presence of Mambo as well.

Mambo gave a faint smile, looking down. Now he really mustn't leave. He stayed for a while to show his respects.

Mambo raised his chest, feeling like a good friend being there for his new comrades. He knew it was going to be too insensible of him if he tried to changed the subject into something more lively, so he decided to stay put.
"Wherever Shadow is... I hope life will make him pay for his crimes somehow." he then commented out of nowhere, sensing there was too much sorrow within his feline friends, especially Rose. He did heard the news about a gigantic eagle swiping him away, and that really angered him. Not knowing what else to do, he remained still on that rock, hoping that at least his presence was enough to bring some peace into the duo.

Mambo was left confused by what Zera said. So Komodo dragon leadership was determined the same way as orcas, but there was only one problem with that;
"Hold it, miss... Zera was it? So you're leader now. I understand that kind of rule..." he said, looking at the ocean, reminded of the big marine mammals;
"But the question is... did any Komodo dragon witness you two fight?" Mambo asked worriedly, believing that Shadow could lie about his defeat. He could say that it was another animal that did those wounds to him, or that he was cheated, anything to maintain his position, since Mambo really thought that he wanted revenge after losing the war...

Mambo was aware that many saw the fight, and even though he only caught a glimpse of it, the other dragons were too busy fighting the Haven residents to notice two of their own kind fighting. Plus, Nero was the only native witness.
"True... but... do you think they will believe a... bird?" he said with doubt, knowing how cruel reptiles could be to birds. Even at that time and place, Mambo couldn't believe that he was standing in front of a good Komodo dragon. Why was Zera helping them? Shadow let such a bad impression on the species that even he was starting to have his doubts, but unlike the now shattered Sybil, he wasn't going to let appearances and doubts get the better of him so soon.

"Well... that's... unusual." Mambo commented, wondering what good Nero had done to them. Maybe he was underestimating him, or maybe there were more Komodo dragons like Zera than he originally thought.
"Well, good luck on the journey home. And as for the eagle, are you sure we can trust him? The other birds here seemed very uneased at his presence." Mambo theme expressed, considering what big gossipers the birds in the Haven were. He hasn't met the giant eagle personally, but someone that impossibly huge was something to be worried about indeed.

The boom was enough to startle even Mambo. His feathers rised that he himself almost looked like a cockatoo. As he looked up, his neck was starting to hurt.
"Holy Hymalayas!" he whispered to himself, not believing the sight. The biggest bird ever recorded was the condor, so there was no way that growth spurt was something normal.

"Hey, good afternoon. I'm Mambo, Leader of the keas." he then introduced himself, after that brief brainstorm. The eagle wasn't about to leave without him being polite first. That was Mambo. He didn't want the eagle's memory of him to be staring, since he found that to be rude.

"Don't worry.. he's a friend of ours.," Sayan said surprised at the sight of the eagle.

Mambo looked at his shoulder, hiding the fact that he found Sozen's self appointed guardianship a bit amusing. Some guard. Couldn't even avoid a war by at least keeping an eye on Shadow. And if Mambo knew how hostile he was to Sybil when they first met, the more he would prove his point.

"Righty then. I must be heading off. Cole is probably going to look for me soon if I don't return. He's just that exaggerated." Mambo then said, preparing to head off. He believed he has spent enough time with Rose and Sayan, and what he said was true. Cole could take his bodyguard status a bit too seriously.

Mambo returned to his home, to the relief of his overprotective bodyguard. The kea tree was nice, but nothing like that bog old tree that Yodel so selfishly wanted for himself. He was quite exhausted, and night was soon to come anyways, though if it wasn't because he was tired, he would have probably follow Sozen all the way to Komodo to get to know him better.

Somewhere nearby the very old tree, Sholeh was wandering by. She just had a feast of lizards combined with crabs, and surprisingly, she didn't took any interest in bird's eggs. It's something quite miraculous, but of course, if your life is on the line, you avoid most temptations. Sholeh had done a wonderful job keeping her crave under control so far, and what was better, that food combination was actually delicious. If that was the case, she was going to continue experimenting like that, and hopefully with time, she was going to lose her obsession with warbler eggs.

All was well at both the Haven and Hunted island. Nightfall was approaching, and everybody was looking forward to a well deserved rest after the heated battle just that morning. However, something was off, and the keas were noticing it. There was not a word of Sybil since early afternoon, and neither of the native birds have seen her, which was odd considering the hundreds of them there were. But Sybil knew every tree and every individual as a result of years and years of living on that island, and she managed to sneak up past them. All of them were pretty sure that she just wander off somewhere to get some time for herself after the heartache she got due to the war. Mambo was growing a bit worried, but he tried to think that there was nothing to it, and that it was all true. Sybil didn't seemed like the type to do something hasty. He associated that more with Barloc.

Nightfall came sooner than expected for the busy keas, since they wanted to help a bit more with the cleaning. The Haven sustained the most damage, and it was still a bit messy, but it didn't matter. They were nocturnal birds anyway, but the others weren't, so they had to keep their cleaning as quiet as possible. Mambo couldn't concentrate on the task, since he was still thinking about Sybil. Maybe she is in the once underground home of Ivor? He was going to check later, since if that was the case, he didn't want to disturb her.

Back at the Haven, Mambo was struggling very hard to sleep. His species was nocturnal, but they were getting use to be diurnal for the sake of the rest. However, he decided to take a stroll around the place, finding out to his amazement that the Haven was far more active than he originally thought. But he didn't have the time to enjoy it for too long. Although he didn't check Sybil's tree, he assumed that she was there anyway, since he was more worried about Zera and the big eagle. For starters, it was the giant bird who released Shadow in the first place, so how could he be trusted? Mambo wanted to, but it was hard. Plus, how would Zera act with her new leadership? How will she punish Shadow? And how will the other dragons react to her new position?

Midnight came, and there was still no sign of Sybil. Mambo went to her tree to search for her, but there was no sign, and the inside looked too tidy. There was no doubt nobody came in a while. Mambo was not one to assume the worst immediately, but even with a long absence, it was the object of worry. However, it was too late to inform everybody, especially since everybody deserved to rest, so Mambo decided to search for her himself.

OOC: Hey. Now we can finally move on. I should have to move it forward a bit. We can't wait for Waaksian to return for so long.

"You..." Sybil said in utter shock. Was that Stripes? After months of never showing up? Yet again, Sybil had lost contact with many of her subjects, since too many of them were too busy with their new lives at the Haven to visit her place.
"No no! You have to get out of here! Don't let them see you!" Sybil whispered, looking at the dingos, who were too busy talking to notice the new face... for now. They have been talking for a while now on wether they should consult their boss or listen to her demands. She was already nervous of the outcome of why their leader wanted to talk to her, and now with Stripes there, she was shivering...

Sybil wasn't sure what to think. She wanted to believe the best, since Stripes has been living around the outback for a while, which meant that he has actually been able to elude the dingos. However, she didn't want him to press this luck.
"Listen, this is too dangerous. And AJ is under very heavy guard..." Sybil explained, looking back at the talking dingos to make sure nobody turned and saw him. Sybil could run away now if she wanted to, but AJ couldn't, and now Stripes was at risk of capture as well. He was taller than the dingos, but there were too many of them.

Sybil simply nodded, moving her paw for him to go. She looked at the sky and couldn't believe it was night already. The dingos really went in deep with their reunions.

Quote: Spyroconvexity

Rose fell asleep curled up next to Sayan.

Sayan fell asleep as well, keeping the sleeping tiger company.

Things were starting to look desperate for Sybil, since she was certain that the dingo leader wasn't going to see her there. The dingo den was a place she has never visited before, and she was sure that, inside, there will be no escape for her unless the great dogs allowed it. In other words, she was going to be completely at their mercy. Lately, Sybil has gone through major risks like these and has survived so far, so all she could do is trust the chain of luck she has been having for the past months...

I have returned to sleeping with Odette and the younger male dingo. Curled up in between them, I feel safe within them warmth. The two have taken such good care of me and both of us have gained affection for one another as time passed. I hope that Sybil will see this as well in time. That with time they will be able to join Haven.

Sybil's rivalry with the dingos made her fail to realize that AJ was well taken care of, but Sybil believed he was being held for ransom, and that the only reason that he was still alive was so that they could get something in return. She was terrified on what could it be. Would they demand Jaerl in return since they couldn't hunt him that day two years ago? Or worse, being allowed passage to the Haven and endanger everyone living there?

After deciding that Sybil should meet the leader in the main den, Sybil's worst fear was confirmed. She was going to be helpless, but what other choice did she had? She could run away, yet that would mean abandoning AJ. Submitting herself at the canine's mercy, she walked towards that outback, beyond terrain she knew, and entered that dark cavity, having no idea where she was in that complicated tunnel.

There it happened, the dingo leader, a fearful yet admirable figure approached her, full of scars and a darker fur than the others. Sybil had the impression that he wanted to strangle her, but instead, he spoke very politely.
"We have had many troubles in the past civet. My companions, my family, many have died for your interference." He said, indeed recalling that day when Jaerl had to be rescued, as Sybil suspected.
"But... we will let you... and your kitty friend..." he then said, looking at Odette, who has grown too fond of the margay, but hoped she would understand;
"... go, if only you make a deal." He then said, with Sybil fidgeting, but urging him to continue.
"Just in case you're wondering, we have no intention of penetrating your silly Haven. BUT... you must allow us free passage nonetheless. Clear a path for us to enter at will, and hunt whenever food becomes scarce in our little arid home." He said, as Sybil feared it would happen. The dingos were a savage pack when it came to hunting, and food was pretty abundant at the Haven. She already allowed Sholeh to live there, so having to welcome the dingos was not a decision she was looking forward to. But unknown to her, the worst part of the deal was yet to come.

"AND one other thing civet! We forgive, but we do not forget. I still remember how your abusive pachyderm friends trampled some of my family to death. However, I will let bygones be bygones... this time. For next time, my last deal is... we are free to kill and eat whoever murders someone from my family again. No exceptions." he said in his most serious expression, taking Sybil by surprise. Didn't he understood that last time was in self defense? The dingo leader understood that, and assured Sybil that he wasn't going to touch any member of the Haven, as long as they didn't mess with them. Biting her paw and his, the leader made Sybil seal the deal with blood, and let both her and AJ go with an escort. But poor Sybil was uneased, and probably wasn't going to get any better in these next days. How will she explain everything to the Haven residents? How could she face Rose and the others now? She will have to tell them everything eventually...

Sybil was so buried in her worries that had completely forgotten about Stripes. A movement from the dry brushes of the outback finally gave her a clue that she and AJ weren't alone.
"I can take it from here thank you. You don't need to follow me." she said bitterly, thinking that the spy was one of the dingos following her.

"Oh, Stripes! You are still here." she said, very happy that it wasn't a dingo that was following her.
"What do you plan to do? Are you going to return to the Haven or are you going to stay here?" she then asked, wanting the company of so done that could defend her in case the dingos erased their temporary politeness at that moment. Plus, she now more than ever hated the idea of having one of her Haven residents living in that awful place.

Sybil simply nodded, being disappointed with that decision. However, she tried to be positive about it, thinking it would be better for him to stay there and spy on the dingos occasionally.
"Alright then. I appreciate the escort. And if you plan to stay here, keep an eye on the dingos for me, will you? I don't trust them one bit. Of course, be careful." Sybil then said, walking with the quiet AJ and letting Stripes behind her so that he could look behind occasionally.