darkSpyro

"It's alright. I can save you a few minutes if I continue helping." Sybil assured, knowing that there was barely any work left, and wishing she could have gotten there sooner.

Now Sholeh's curiosity reached it's peak. She just had to know what he meant when he said he overreacted.
"Well, just so you know, Sybil absolutely despises our kind. That's why she banished us to the outback. The only reason why I am now living in this forest is because the tiger allowed it, not her." Sholeh quickly pointed out, not wanting to be too straightforward with the question. Plus, she wanted Crocux to hold some resentment towards Sybil. If his fondness for mongooses was real, Sholeh meant to take advantage of it.

Crocux gave a suprized look "really! I had no idea! Man i really though she cared about you." he said rather confused.

"thanks that's very kind of you." Jr said greatfully. He finally finished the fence and it look stronger then ever and that's because it was stronger then ever. "their. Finally i finished the fence. That should be everything here. Lets see, brought the food i stole back? Check. Cleaned up my mess? Check. fixed the fence and made it better then ever? Check and check. I hope that Sholeh will be happy with this."

"Care about me!?" Sholeh said sarcastically, containing her need to laugh.
"Just because of what I am, or rather, what I use to be, she treats me like a vulgar outcast. Even a tiger has more heart than her." Sholeh expressed, not knowing that she was being grateful to Rose for letting her live there, despite the previous extreme limitations.
"But what can one do? At least you seem to care so far. That really moves me. In this island, so many hate my kind, it's hard to make friends." Sholeh then expressed, putting the crocodile to the test.

"Sholeh happy? Good luck with that." Sybil said with irony, knowing how incredibly bitter the mongoose was, perhaps even. more so than Yodel himself.
"But it is indeed a job well done. I'm not sure if Sholeh will be willing to forgive you considering how stubborn she is, but at least she has her home back. Let's see if that can ease her up, even if it is just a little bit." she then added, finally recognizing that Terrence did indeed wanted to amend things.

Crocux gave her a quizzical look "well when dad attacked you and you ran off Sybil blew her top off at what he did. I cant understand why anyone is so crule like that. Tell yet what come on down i'll take yea back to your tree i'm sure that guy has finished cleaning up by now. And if he hasn't i'll be happy to give him some incentive." bhe offered gland to make a new friend.

It was hard for Sholeh to assimilate that Sybil actually defended her when the cobra attacked her, but she knew that the crocodile had no reason to lie about something like that (especially when it concerned that cobra).
"Well, I suppose she is tolerating me for the same reason she is tolerating that infernal warbler; for the sake of others." Sholeh said, thinking of Warren, whom Sybil grew to like, and Sozen, whom Sholeh has befriended.

But now, as they neared her tree, Sholeh had to ask what she was saving for later.
"Anyway, about what you said earlier... What did Sybil say that made you mad? Why did you overreacted?" she asked, needing to know the answer. She had to assure herself that someone as mighty and scary as a crocodile was there to defend her.

"Sybil said that if we left the haven then the mongooses would take the place back and make things worse. I got upset because Jacks best friend was a mongoose. Heck he was even a part of our wird little family too. He may have been a trouble maker but but whn it came down to it he's always got your back. he was a true friend." crocux sighed sadly "he even saved my life, and to this day i can never repay him for that kindness. when sybil said that mongooses would make the situation worse it infuriated me because it felt like she was disrespecting his memory."

Sholeh was smiling at the possibility that there was finally somebody who genuinely cared for her species.
"I guess you scold that civet badly, didn't you? I bet she was scared." Sholeh said grinning, imagining that even a tiny scold from a crocodile, a saltwater one no less, would have been quite a terrifying ordeal.

"Well then, look at that. Now it's only a matter of minutes before the sun sets. I better get going. Give my regards to Sholeh." Sybil said, leaving the tree, but heading to the beach to see how things were going. Little did she know that one particularly huge orca was roaming around to see if there was somebody out there. He was so happy to be home, he was ready to greet anyone. He hasn't even noticed the signs placed all around the shore.

Crocux blushed "well it was more then a scold actually. It was more of a threat."

"A threat!?" Sholeh asked surprised, now understanding why Crocux said he overreacted. If it was a threat and not a simple scold, Sholeh was really starting to believe that his care for mongooses was genuine.
"My. I bet Sybil was scared to the bones with a threat from the saltwater crocodile." she said, seemingly enjoying the conversation now.
"What was the threat anyway that you said you overreacted?" she then asked, though she was pretty sure the response was obvious. Sholeh didn't wish Sybil dead as she use to in the past, but imagining her terrified gave the mongoose pleasure.

At the beach, Sybil gave a loud gasp when she took a look at the water. An unmistakable, large dorsal fin that she recognized immediately was approaching her, and being too shocked to react, she was quickly grabbed by an exited Cairo, who then placed her on his back.
"Hey miss Sybil. It's so nice to see you. But before you get with the scolding, don't be mad. I'm just here to retrieve a few members that got stranded. I figured they returned here." he quickly explained, but Sybil wasn't sure what to say. She just hoped Cairo didn't plan on staying for a while now that he was there (she knew him that well).

Crocux blushed even more furiously "well... I-i threatened to, um, well eat her." he felt very embarresed about it.

Sholeh blinked hard, feeling strange hearing it from him. But, hiding it from Crocux, she was rather amused by the response.
"Heh heh, I figured. You must really love mongooses to threaten her life like that." Sholeh said, feeling honored to have someone who respected her species despite their naughtiness.
"I can just imagine how scared she was. How did you make peace with her afterwards I will never know. To be honest with you, if someone threatened me like that, I don't think I would ever want to see him again." Sholeh confessed, believing that the key to a solid friendship was to speak with honesty, even if the truth could hurt.

Crocux smiled shyly "she can be suprizingly forgiving really."

Sholeh knew that, and she hated it. That was one of the reasons why Sybil was so annoyingly loved by many.
"Heh, maybe so. Or maybe she just doesn't want to be on your bad side." Sholeh said slyly, and then decided to make the most of that conversation.
''So she has forgiven you. Good for you... but does she trusts you?" she asked, as they were now just seconds away from Sholeh's tree. She wanted to plant a few doubts on the crocodile to make him question Sybil's kindness.

Back at the beach, Sybil demanded Cairo to return her to the beach, and he obviously obeyed, though disappointed. He then explained to her how he left Ellen in charge. Sybil knew she could be a good leader when needed, but still didn't like the fact that Cairo left the pod out there.
"Does Jet knows you're here?" she asked, wit Cairo replying a simple no.
"Well report yourself to him! And about the orcas you are going to retrieve... I'm not sure they have the strength to go through the current." Sybil said sadly, knowing how the lack of food could have drained them of their energy by now. After Cairo talked to Jet, she was going to demand him to leave. She didn't want another orca to worry about, especially him.

Back at their den, Sayan continued to comfort his mate unaware of Cairo's arrival.

Quote: redwes

Back at their den, Sayan was enjoying the company of his mate. "One of these days, we'll all be free of this mess and can do whatever we want.," he gently said laying aside Rose and soaking in the sunlight that illuminated the top of their cave.

Quote: Spyroconvexity

"And I hope it is soon." Rose said rubing her head against Sayan.

"Until that day comes, I will be here for you... for as long as it takes.," Sayan said rubbing against the tiger.

Crocux thought about it. even though he was little when Jr's father was alive he still remembered how sneaky he was. He knew Sholeh was trying to trick him but now that she mentioned it he couldn't help but wonder if Sybil did trust him or not.

Having arrived at Sholeh's tree, she seemed at least pleased with the results.
"Well, that will do. Worse is nothing." she said bitterly, climbing up and completely ignoring Terrence Jr and whoever else was around.
"And Crocux, don't feel ashamed about the threat. You were just acting based on what you believed it was right." she said, before entering the tree.
"Oh, and don't worry. Sybil deserves a fright once in a while." she then added, demonstrating that she still had some resentment towards the civet.

Quote: redwes

Back at their den, Sayan continued to comfort his mate unaware of Cairo's arrival.

Quote: redwes

Back at their den, Sayan was enjoying the company of his mate. "One of these days, we'll all be free of this mess and can do whatever we want.," he gently said laying aside Rose and soaking in the sunlight that illuminated the top of their cave.

Quote: Spyroconvexity

"And I hope it is soon." Rose said rubing her head against Sayan.

"Until that day comes, I will be here for you... for as long as it takes.," Sayan said rubbing against the tiger.

With Cairo begrudgingly looking for Jet, Sybil headed to Sayan's den.
"Darn. Wait until I tell Sayan about this! He'll faint." Sybil said, needing to get off her chest how angry she was at Cairo was there. She wanted to believe him when he said that he just wanted to retrieve the stranded orcas, but she couldn't help to think that was just a simple excuse to return to the Haven. After all, he was the one who wanted to stay and have Jet leave.

When Sholeh walked by Jr bowed and said "I hope it's to your liking. I even took the liberty of making your fence stronger." even though she ignored him he awaited to do what he could to please her. Shi huffed "well. that was rude. Oh Crocux since your here meet your nephew Terrence Jr, the son of the mongoose that saved your life once." Crocux grew wide eyed. so that's why i recidnised him. he thought.

Sholeh raised her ears from the cavity of the tree to listen better. Not that she did have to, they were talking right there in front of her home. And that weird family kept growing, yet Sholeh has grown use to weird things happening around the Haven. Ever since Crocux and his group arrived, that's all it has been. One thing was for certain; she wanted to be around Crocux more often now, as she use to do with Sozen.

Warren was returning to her tree now that it was night, leaving the decoration just as it was. He almost approached Sholeh's tree, but after hearing Shi and her friends talking, he went out of earshot, unlike Sholeh, respecting the privacy that some conversations could have.

Jr sighed "so your that croc that dad died to save eh?" he was looking at Crocux now. Crocux reponded with a nod. "well, in spite of your size I can tell your only an adolesent croc. not much older then me but still an adolesent none the less. well it was nice to have met yea uncle but if you'll excuse me i need to go get Sholeh more food. I may have returned the food that i stole but she's going to need some more incase this drought lasts longer then it should." and with that Jr ran off to gather some food for Sholeh. Crocux was very suprized "man he is so much like his father it's unreal. So Sozen, did he give you any trouble?"

Sholeh was pleased that she was going to get more food without the need to hunt. She was going to tolerate Terrence from now on, but she wasn't still willing to forgive him. As she prepared for her slumber, she wondered what happened to Warren. She hasn't seen him all day, and the two were usually together. She wasn't exactly fond of him, but was too use to his presence.

Warren, while waiting for the odd family to leave, he fell asleep right there where he was waiting. He was pretty sure that Sholeh was going to be fine anyway.

Without any distractions on the way, Sybil reached Sayan's den. She was a bit away just in case Rose went rogue, since it was already sunset.
"Hey Sayan! Sayan! You won't believe who I just saw!" she called, still not getting over the anger she felt.

Quote: Spyroconvexity

Meanwhile Jet saw Cairo. "What in the world are you doing here?"

"Now now, before you flip your fin, there is an explanation. I just came to retrieve a few orcas that got sidetracked, so I figured they had returned here." he explained, not sure how many members were missing. The pod was so big and still growing, and since he wasn't leader anymore, he couldn't keep perfect track of them all.
"Don't worry about the pod. They are safe. I let Ellen in charge. You know how good she is." he quickly added, knowing there wasn't a more suited orca. She was usually the one to gather the meeting and make the toughest of decisions, so she was a good leader in her own way.

Crocux smiled "good. The last thing we need is for him to be a troublsome as his father, if not more so." crocux turned to head back to his den "it's late though. good night." Shi smiled at him "good night Crocux." Shi looked at Sozen "lets go home."

Quote: Felines

Without any distractions on the way, Sybil reached Sayan's den. She was a bit away just in case Rose went rogue, since it was already sunset. "Hey Sayan! Sayan! You won't believe who I just saw!" she called, still not getting over the anger she felt.

"I'll be back-- I think Sybil is calling me.," Sayan said soon hearing his name being called.

Sayan quietly dismissed himself and made his way towards the civet. "Who is it?," he asked not sure what to expect.

"That idiot!" Sybil said furiously, before getting straight to the point.
"Cairo! He's right there at the beach! I just talked with him." she explained to Sayan, quite humiliated that his greeting was catching her so easily.

Shi smiled "i sware Warren and Sholeh are like fire and ice."

"Cairo?! He came back... now?!," Sayan said surprised. As much as he liked Cairo, the last thing they needed was another orca to feed.

"Yes. He said he came to retrieve the orcas that got stranded here, but I know better. He wanted to stay here from the beginning and he just took that as an excuse. Besides, I doubt Heede and Jhen have the strength to pass that incredibly strong current now." Sybil said, extremely angry at Cairo. He knew that his intentions are good, but he simply was too stubborn to understand the gravity of the situation at hand.

"He never wanted to go-- he only left because of Jet's orders. And now... he's obviously found an excuse to come back and I doubt he plans to leave again.," Sayan said with a sigh. "And now... we have not one, not two, not three, but FOUR orcas that will all eventually starve to the point of desperation. I know he missed us, but why now?! Now is not the time to come back and he knew the dangers any remaining orcas would face!.," Sayan said equally angry at the orca. 'Four starving orcas, one starving tiger, and one potential thief-- the list of dangers was increasing rapidly.,' he thought to himself.

"He's just too stubborn! That's what happens. He thinks he can bear it. He doesn't realize that he will do more harm than good if he stays." Sybil explains, knowing Cairo way too well.
"I'm not suppose to be worried about us... It is them. Jhen, Heede and Jet will have to stay. But him... he can stay for the night. He's had a long journey. But tomorrow, he has to leave. I must convince him. He's not only endangering us, but himself." Sybil finally said, knowing how difficult it was to persuade Cairo to do otherwise of what he has planned. He was one particularly large orca, and could become the most dangerous. The signs were not suppose to be ignored, but she knew how tempting those calm waters could be. She herself has found herself struggling to stay very far away from the shore.

"He needs to know that while we admire his devotion to us, the best thing he can do right now is be as far away as possible. If he turns and something happens-- we won't stand a chance.," Sayan said sternly. He hated how they had to treat the orcas now.
All it took was one single resident being tempted by the open waters-- and it would be open season. And he knew Cairo would never forgive himself if something happened ether...

"It's going to be hard to convince him. I should know. He thinks just like Jet. He firmly believes he won't succumb to his instincts. Jet has done a wonderful job controlling his so far, but I don't think that not even he is that strong." Sybil said with sadness, with Rose being the living proof that, no matter what a strong friendship they may had, instincts take over in desperate times.
"Maybe you should come with me tomorrow to try to convince. He has grown fond of you after all. Perhaps it will be less difficult to convince him if we both go." Sybil suggested, wondering if Sayan was willing to take the risk.

"Agreed. That would probably be best.," Sayan said with a nod. After all, it was him that Cairo had said his final goodbye to.

Before she left, there was something else bothering Sybil.
"I'm very worried about us too Sayan. We have put signs. We are all fully aware that we should stay away from the water, but it's so hard. It has become part of our lives. When I'm stressed, a little dip on that water is the only one to calm me down." Sybil said sadly, knowing she would have to find another way to relax that didn't involve the ocean. If only she could have spent the time to look for more variety.

Jhen is far, far away from either island. If one looks carefully they may see a black and white blur far off in the distance. The young male fights to survive this drought and his hunger. Every day the hunger, his survival instincts, grow stronger and stronger.

Back at Hunted, Sunflame, the male serval, remains resting within Whirlpool's home. It will be some time before he can move, let alone move on his own. The mystery behind his injuries will continue to haunt his caretakers as they continue to tend to him.

Right there at Hunted island, Whirlpool was continuing treating the injured serval. He couldn't tell it to Jack, but he was very glad that he decided to stay behind. Whirlpool could usually do treatments of his own, but the help was very welcomed, especially since the chimp had thumbs and made it easier to grab and transport containers. He felt a bit sorry though, that he wasn't going to be able to be with his family due to Sybil's worries about the orcas turning. That sounded like a very serious matter, and it was through an event so eerily similar to that that Barloc lost his brother.

Quote: Felines

Before she left, there was something else bothering Sybil.
"I'm very worried about us too Sayan. We have put signs. We are all fully aware that we should stay away from the water, but it's so hard. It has become part of our lives. When I'm stressed, a little dip on that water is the only one to calm me down." Sybil said sadly, knowing she would have to find another way to relax that didn't involve the ocean. If only she could have spent the time to look for more variety.

"I know what you mean-- it is hard for me too.," Sayan said. He hesitated, trying to think of a solution. "When I first returned to the Haven, I first found comfort in the creek and the seclusion it offered at the time. But... it was nothing compared to the gentle waves of the ocean or the cool breeze of the air. And even now-- the creek is only getting lower and is no longer a valuable option.," he said aware of Rose's presence now affected the local area. Not even the birds came anymore and unlike the past-- that thought was not very comforting. He was the only one Rose truly had anymore and seeing the others meant leaving the tiger alone and afraid.

"It's true. If only there was another way." Sybil said with melancholy, but all that talk about the ocean made her remember about something truly terrifying.
"Oh no Sayan!" she exclaimed, proceeding to tell him.
"Light Beach! It's in two months! We will have to miss it! But what about the new members!? They could be distracted!" Sybil explained, not knowing what was worse; having to miss such beautiful spectacle or keep an eye on the residents to avoid them from getting mesmerized by it and having them dumbly approach the water for a better view.

"And by then, the signs will have faded!," Sayan said worried. "We'll have to make new signs or even a fence, unless we wish to babysit them.," he then added.

"Yikes! I hope we don't need to get to the extreme!" Sybil exclaimed, knowing that a fence would take too long, and would drain them of the energy they already had limited.

"Anyway, we will worry about that later. We can give an orientation to the newer guests. We will reunite them and make a meeting this week.' Sybil said, believing that was the best option.
"In the meantime, the priority is to think on how we will convince Cairo to leave... WITHOUT telling him what happened to Rose. We will only use that as a last resort." Sybil expressed, not wanting Cairo to have a bad image of Rose.

"With any luck-- we won't have to. He claims to have to come back for the others, but he has to see that they are already too weak to make it back over the current. And if he stays, he has to know that the same will happen to him and that he'll pose a threat to everyone he cares about. We just need to make him see that and draw upon those feelings--- his devotion towards us. If he truly cares for us-- he won't want to put us in danger.," Sayan suggested knowing that his idea could also backfire. He also knew that Cairo was protective of them and that he might want to stay anyway to protect them against the others.

Skali listened intently to the margay's words. "Yeah, I've heard all the gossip from the birds. She's been getting snitchy, hasn't she? Well, I can't blame her, with the drought and all. It's probably nothing personal," she encouraged. "Besides, if you're feeling lonely, you can come over to our place anytime. There's something there you'd like to see."

Voraci didn't have the chance to speak with Sybil, as immediately a warbler came to question her. What was said couldn't be believed. That mongoose was being given the entitlement to take the lives of helpless eggs? Shocked and horrified, he abruptly fled to the woods, out of sight. He didn't see any of the future events that transpired.

Quote: redwes

"With any luck-- we won't have to. He claims to have to come back for the others, but he has to see that they are already too weak to make it back over the current. And if he stays, he has to know that the same will happen to him and that he'll pose a threat to everyone he cares about. We just need to make him see that and draw upon those feelings--- his devotion towards us. If he truly cares for us-- he won't want to put us in danger.," Sayan suggested knowing that his idea could also backfire. He also knew that Cairo was protective of them and that he might want to stay anyway to protect them against the others.

"I'm not sure he will see it that way, but it's worth a try. He's pretty sure he won't turn, but that is not a risk I'm willing to take. Jet also says the same, and thankfully, he has been right so far, but we must consider that he was an outcast orca and that he is use to harsh conditions." Sybil pointed out, believing that was the only reason why Jet in particular was still his normal self.
"However, we must consider that it's only been days since the drought started. That's practically nothing. If only the current wasn't that strong, but then again..." Sybil paused, knowing that the next food source for the orcas was miles away from that current, and that even animals as mighty as them had trouble going through it. The current was protecting them from human voyages, but now, it has become a prison for their weakened marine friends.

"Only days...," Sayan repeated not believing how much had already happened. "Jet is strong and he's been through alot-- but you are right. Everything that we used to take for granted or that used to protect us-- is now turning against us. We can't take any chances-- and he has to see that. Even if he doesn't want to admit it.," he then said. He couldn't help but think how similar him and Jet were in this situation. Rose, who had hardly left the Haven, was the first to turn. He had been out there before and experienced a lot-- and he was still holding strong. But if the weaker one can turn, so too can the stronger one eventually. He knew the same would happen with the weaker orcas and eventually Jet.

Sybil then realized that it was late, and knowing there wasn't anything else to do, decided that it was time to rest.
"We'll sleep our worries out Sayan. Let us both think things through tonight and hope for the best." she said, already feeling exhausted.
"I hope Cairo is in a reasonable mood tomorrow. I think the main reason why he wants to stay is because he is jealous of Jet. I just figure that he can't stand the fact that he is the one here helping us and not him." Sybil believed, knowing how Cairo never got along with Jet. She was partially right. That was indeed one of the reasons, but it wasn't the only one.

Quote: Spyroconvexity

"Good. They all can't stay. They must return to the pod. The food here is scarce." Jet said.

While Sybil was busy talking with Sayan, Cairo left Jet, meaning to get the two stranded orcas. If only he could stay a while, but knew well that Sybil wouldn't want them to suffer like that. Unfortunately for both Jet and Cairo, the other two were already struggling too much to feed, and they probably didn't have the strength to over swim the current tomorrow. And what was worse, Cairo didn't know that all of the seals already left, making the situation even more perilous.

AJ:

"Alright, that actually does sound nice. Lead the way, Skali. I will follow you," I say with a smile as I slowly begin to climb down my tree.

"Let's hope you're right about Cairo being in a good mood. Sleep well.," Sayan said before quietly returning to his den.

"I'm sorry for leaving you again.," he gently said laying down beside Rose. It was ironic that at the moment the two truly became one-- one could no longer follow the other.