darkSpyro

Quote: Felines

Peepers didn't know what to believe. Like his fellow warblers, he wanted to return to their normal lives.
"Are you sure it wasn't something else? The rumor has gotten everyone nervous, and the mind an play tricks on you." Peepers said, not wanting to be nervous about the news.

"I thought the same and that was partly why I didn't say anything. But thinking back to it... I know definitely saw something.," he added sounding confidant in his own senses.

"Hmm..." Peepers thought for a moment, and realized that it was finally time to reveal if this so called predator really existed, so he was going to do something crazy;
"Listen, it's time to put this paranoid rumor to rest. We won't tell Miss Sybil about this, but I have decided to move here with you again. If this predator indeed only targets warblers, then perhaps if I can be away from the rest, then it will target me, and we will finally know if it exists, and if it does, then you can finally take a closer look, and perhaps even capture it." Peepers recommended, wanting to solve that mystery once and for all.

Quote: ShadeTheDragon

Jack nodded "you got it. have a nice day."

Sholeh then leaved, relieved that if that headgear indeed eliminated sound, then Sybil didn't hear her. She remained very close to the trees around the caves, which fortunately lacked warblers.

Sybil continued to sleep peacefully, even rolling around, falling off the rock she was sleeping on and accidentally getting closer to the equally slumbering Crocux. It was quite a deep sleep, one that she hasn't had in a very long time.

"Hmm...," Sayan said thinking it over. It was a sound idea and Peepers would have not one-- but two predators to protect him. It also meant they could finally get a glimpse of the strange creature, but it also put Peeper's life at risk. And if anything happened-- no-one other then themselves would come to Peeper's aide. It was a risky move to say the least, but perhaps a necessary one. He looked to Rose, wanting to get her thoughts on the matter.

Peepers firmly believed that Rose wasn't going to agree to it, but whether she accepted it or not, Peepers wanted to have the Haven the way it use to be when Sybil recently found it, without worries or paranoia. Peepers was a rather old warbler after all, so if he was going to die, at least he wanted to do it honorably.

"Please Miss Rose. It's not like you're exposing me. I'm taking the decision myself. Besides, you know I'm not getting any younger by the day. If this old, decrepit body can be useful for something, then at least let it be useful to set everyone's minds at ease." Peepers explained, trying to convince Rose to let him do it without feeling any guilt herself.

Peppers knew how sentimental Rose was, but even if it was hard for her, he still tried to convince her.
"Come on Miss Rose. You would still have plenty of friends. Besides, look at me. I don't have a mate, I don't have children, and my feathers are already messy from old age. I have served the Haven with a lot of pride and gratitude, and I still want to. I don't want to die alone in some small, poorly built nest. This rumor has to be solved eventually, so let me do the only honorable thing to be done." Peepers lectured, trusting that if this so called predator attacked, Sayan and Rose will be able to save him, but even though if they were unsuccessful in protecting him, at least he was ready to die for the sake of a glimpse from this creature that has been terrorizing the mind of his friends for so long.

"I know." Peepers said calmly, knowing how hard it was to the young tiger, but it was some thing that he wanted to do no matter what. There was no way he was going to back down from his decision.

"Don't worry about me. I have you two, and I'm already experienced in caution." Peepers assured, hating to see Rose like that. He knew he was distressing her, but he wasn't going to back down just because of that. He then flew away, ready to move his nest near Sayan's den...

"I'm worried about him. I know we can probably keep him safe but..," Sayan said looking at Rose.

After halfway to his temporary home, Peepers realized he wouldn't be able to move his nest without help, and since he wanted to keep his move a secret, he decided that the only way to do it was to build a brand new nest near Sayan's home, so he started right away...

Peepers built his nest little by little, a task that was going to take him all day. He didn't want anything fancy, and since there was a hurry, he had to build a nest just to fit his size, since a proper once could take several days.

Crocux continued to sleep as Jack kept an eye on things.

Sybil slept for a few minutes more, when Crocux's breathing woke her up. She got up with a jump, since it wasn't common to open your eyes and be greeted with a set of big teeth. After realizing how deep she slept if she rolled around without noticing, she wondered if he was finally feeling better. She took off her headset but couldn't tell with his snores if he was still having a raspy breathing.

She got out of the cave to receive the warm light of the morning sun, and glad to see Jack was already awake.
"Good morning Jack. Lovely morning." she greeted with a yawn, still feeling a little tired.

Jack smiled and said "morning aunty, it is a alovly morning."

"Yes." Sybil said, looking at the rays of sunlight through the trees.
"Well, I'm off to find breakfast. Take care of Crocux while I'm gone, and if he wakes up before I'm back, tell him not to move and that I will bring his breakfast for him." Sybil said, as she headed to her tree to fish from the creek. She didn't want any, so after eating berries, she was going to catch a fish for Crocux...

Jack nodded and said "you got it."

Sybil left the cave and reached her tree, eating a few berries since a fish was too strong of a meal that early in the morning. Not for Crocux though, so after her breakfast, she set her eyes on a catfish half as big as her and wrestled to catch it.

Sholeh was in the meantime, on a tree just behind Crocux and Jack's home, antagonizing a lizard while she waited for Crocux to wake up. She saw Sybil leave, and hoped she would be away for a long while, since she suspected the annoying civet was going to return eventually to check on the sick crocodile.

around that time the snoring stopped and Crocux was awake. Jack came out and gestured for Sholeh to come in.

Sholeh smiled with the fact that it didn't take Crocux long to wake up, but felt embarrassed when Jck noticed her up the tree. She was trying to remain hidden after all.
"Hey Mr. Crocux. Good morning." she greeted politely, hiding the fact that she was in a hurry, since she didn't want Sybil returning while she was still there.

Crocux rolled over to get on his feet and said "morning Sholeh. what a pleasnt surprise to see you here."

"Yeah, I know my visit is unexpected, but this is a bit urgent." Sholeh said, excusing her unusual behavior.
"Listen, we need to talk. But can we do it in the cave?" Sholeh said, wanting the conversation to be private. Even though Jack knew what she was going to talk about, Sholeh didn't want to risk any warblers being nearby, since they could be quite the gossipers. It wasn't a Yodel behavior only.

Name: Naga
Gender: Male
Species: Indian Python [INFO][MORE INFO]
Appearance: About 10ft/3m long [IMAGE] with a yellow/brown(ish) blotch pattern
Personality: Curious but self-centered. Feels he is doing "good" to the world, but mainly interested in himself.
Goal: To feed itself over the long term and "help" the overpopulation of the warblers.
History: Brought to the Haven by Shadow as a form of revenge-- Naga has been feeding only when needed and when he could do so without being noticed. Able to fast for weeks at a time (after a good meal), he has also been observing the Haven residents and their ability to seemingly live in some sort of harmony. Although his species can also eat mammals, Naga had been previously raised in captivity and fed a healthy diet of birds. Thus-- he actually prefers them.

OOC: At least you guys know I'm not dead.

Sayan stayed up a well; both to keep an eye on the tired Rose and on the vulnerable Peepers.

Meanwhile... something, someone watched from somewhere in the nearby bushes/grasses. 'Why.. why do these mammals protect such a nuisance?,' it wondered as it observed the two cats. He was also hungry-- which made waiting for the large cats to lose their guard that much more annoying.

OOC: Perfect! Now this could really set the story to a more interesting turn

Peepers was done with the nest that afternoon, hiding very well the fact that he was absolutely terrified on what could happen. An animal avoiding detection for so long is deadly, and now that Sayan claims to have seen it, even he started to believe the rumors were true after all...

After her meal of berries, Sybil climbed to the top of her tree to see the position of the sun, and realized it was afternoon and not morning as she believed. Both she and Crocux overslept, though the latter was more understandable. Imagining he was hungry, she took the catfish she managed to subdue and walked to Crocux's cave, though she knew it was going to take her a while cause it was heavy and still alive...

Crocux nodded "come on in. and speacking of Sybil, she's very proud of you, you've done so well that the only one that probably needs fixing is Yodel, and he's apperently damaged beond repair. oh and don't mind any random statues of the Haven's residents, it's one of Jack's hobbies." Jack says "and I thought i got off topic." Crocux blincked and said "sorry, anyways please make your self at home."

"Alright. Let's go on a corner. Yodel isn't the only warbler who can't mind his stupid business." Sholeh said annoyed, clearly hating all warblers in general.
"And what you said about Sybil, she probably pretends sympathy out of pity or for the young Rose's sake. Maybe Terrence's as well. That concern of hers? I really doubt it's genuine." Sholeh expressed, thinking Sybil was never going to like her for real no matter how hard she tried.

"But look at me. Now it is I who is getting off topic here. You see, I already talked to Jack, but I need to hear it from you and you alone. You see, I may have been avoiding the temptation of warbler eggs for a long time, but you must know that natural instincts can never be fully quenched." she said with a little pause, and then continued.
"You see, I don't know why Terrence is allergic to them, or even if he is the same species as me. The point is, my kind here depends a lot on them, and clearly having to change my diet dramatically for those warbler's sake has affected me. I can't avoid the temptation forever, and if I flinch again, there is no doubt the warblers will want a severe punishment, maybe even a death sentence. They almost did it to Terrence once, didn't they? And Sybil almost agreed. As you see, the civet is quite weak willed when it comes to them, which is why I needed to ask you if you are willing to defend me even from her should I succumb to temptation once more. I know you owe mongooses a debt of gratitude, and I already had a life full of false friends." Sholeh explained, still remembering Jet's betrayal with pain.

Peepers gave a small chuckle, imagining that Rose was going to constantly ask him that.
"Yes Miss. I'm right here." Peepers assured, and then had the solution.
"Listen, if it makes you better, I will move the nest close to the ground so you can see me from the den." the warbler said, moving the small nest by himself. It was unlike warblers to nest so close near the ground, but if this predator existed and targeted warblers, it must have climb trees, so he felt safer if he was under the big cat's eye view.

Peepers didn't like the idea of believing in such horror, but he knew that you couldn't ignore potential dangers. When Shadow returned, nobody believed it, and it almost meant doom for everybody.

'What are they doing?!,' thought the mysterious creature as he observed. Part of him was confused, but part of him was also thankful. 'Maybe they came to their senses and decided to offer me the poor warbler. That poor fool.,' he then thought. After all-- the two cats could just eat the warbler themselves if he refused. He had a feeling it was probably his hunger thinking for him-- and he was probably right.

Sayan kept an eye out for any sign of movement or being watched. 'Come on... show yourself already.,' he thought.

Crocux nodded with understanding "i understand Sholeh. as for Terrence he's same spicies as you and his father loved eggs so for him to be allergic is bizarr. as for Sybil, i know when someone's genuine or not by the look in their eye and in Sybil's eyes I see genuine pride. as to defending you I would defend you with my life, I know your trying and many others see it too, so if you make a mistake I'll gladly defend you."

Peepers nodded, liking the idea, though feeling sorry for Rose since that would meant she would have to sleep uncomfortably.


Quote: ShadeTheDragon

Crocux nodded with understanding "i understand Sholeh. as for Terrence he's same spicies as you and his father loved eggs so for him to be allergic is bizarr. as for Sybil, i know when someone's genuine or not by the look in their eye and in Sybil's eyes I see genuine pride. as to defending you I would defend you with my life, I know your trying and many others see it too, so if you make a mistake I'll gladly defend you."

Sholeh looked at Crocux to see if he was being sincere, but it was hard to tell with those vertical eyes. She had nothing to lose though, and she was so desperate for protection that she decided to trust him.
"Alright. Just make sure you stay true to your word. Sybil's care may be genuine, but the warbler's ain't. I already had a bad experience with someone that was my friend and betrayed me at the end. That's an experience I am not looking forward to repeat." Sholeh expressed, involuntarily twitching her face with the reminder.
"Now, I know you are growing very fond of Sybil, which is why I needed to know if you are willing to defend me even from her. The two of us may not have the greatest history, but even you should know I had my reasons for that. I know about your fascination with that strange looking fish with the yellow colors... just imagine yourself being in a river full of those and can't eat a single one of them because somebody forbids you..." Sholeh said with an eerie tone, wanting Crocux to have a very good idea the agony she has went through.

Sayan nodded-- agreeing with the idea.

Meanwhile-- the mysterious creature was growing more and more tired of waiting. If only the other warblers hadn't safeguarded themselves..

Crocux's eyes widened "you can count on me."

Peepers rolled his eyes, knowing he would have to get accustomed to the fact that Rose was probably going to be on to him at all times, though he knew it was understandable her worry if Sayan did indeed saw something that labored concern.

Quote: ShadeTheDragon

Crocux's eyes widened "you can count on me."

Sholeh wasn't sure whether to believe him or not, but since Terrence's dad saved him and also ate eggs, then perhaps there was hope that Crocux would act as her bodyguard due to his dept to mongooses.
"That's all I ask. I'm not sure what you will be able to do though if something goes wrong, so let's just hope nothing happens." Sholeh said looking down, believing that if something did indeed happened, not even Crocux's words would be enough to calm the warblers down.

Sybil was nearby, still far from Jack view, but she had to pause for a while since the catfish slapping her face many times made her stop to try to kill the fish once more so that he would stop the struggling...

While the other residents have been going about their day, Speckles was making conversation with the keas at their tree. His visits were becoming more and more frequent, and some of the birds joked that he now practically lived there. His comfort level with them had reached surprisingly close to that of which he had with Skaliscin, and it showed, and not just with the parrots alone. The previously frazzled and worried velvet worm taken on a more snarky, confident attitude. Maybe it was from hanging out with his sarcastic serpent companion, or helping her rear her kids, or being exposed to the keas' antics. Most likely a combination of those things.
Regardless, his company with them was quite popular, especially since he was the most open about the snakes' family affairs. Skaliscin had been nearly absent, Voracivenom often kept the topic of his children away from discussion, and the young serpents themselves had yet to even make a conversation outside of their circle. But Speckles didn't shy away from any curious inquires, like with the current conversation.
"Well, I'm not sure if she really had any cravings, since she's kind of on a strict diet. I mean, there's different kinds of centipedes, but she never started favoring one over the other when she was carrying. But I don't know, she's secretive about her hunts."

While his flock was busy, Mambo was in the meantime trying to think of new pranks he could pull on Sybil that late afternoon. He wondered what kind of joke a tiny little worm could have think of, but since Speckles was busy with the rest of the birds, he kindly and patiently waited his turn. It was both miraculous and amusing to him how such a tiny animal could bring such entertainment to his beloved comrades. Keas were parrots that delighted in entertainment and mischief, so Speckle's visits were welcomed and needed as well, especially since the parrots now lived in a place where there were no humans to antagonize or their weird thingamajigs to destroy.

Terrence walks in and says "well he wont be the only one to defend you." Terrence's eyes still held anger towards Sholeh for the way she treated him but insted of mentining that he said "I was passing by to gather some supplies when I over heard you two talking. I may not remember my mother and since dad died before i was born I'll assume that my allergy is a rare accurence. anyways you have my support even if i don't like it." and with that Terrence left. by the time Sholeh would turn her attention back to Crocux she would be at the end of his snout and Crocux says "what did you do to get him so angry at you." curiosity evedent.

"Because he wanted more than just a friendship, and I'm not up to that." Sholeh quickly explained, being terribly calm. It wasn't the first time others butted in on her private conversations, so she was getting use to it. She was, however, just a little intimidated by Crocux, which is why she answered fast, not to mention hat she wanted to leave fast before Sybil returned...

The velvet worm and his current group of listeners, having long abandoned their game of Beetle Bash, continued with the gossip until he noticed Mambo had arrived.
"I mean, she is a snake, so the biology there's probably different anyway-- Oh, hey, Mambo. What's new?" Speckles greeted. It was clear that his favorite kea to hang out with was the leader himself. His energy and playfulness really helped him come out of his shell, and he himself was his most exuberant around him.

The rest of the keas gave their beloved leader space when he flew down to be in front of the little velvet worm.
"Hey wriggly. Just the usual here. I'm running a list of the pranks I could play to the dear Sybil, but alas, I am running out of ideas. You know that crocodile guy is my accomplice, but even he doesn't have any new tricks. Not the same when your target already knows something's up. You should have seen her face when we pulled quite a large prank in her like three weeks ago." Mambo said chuckling, still remembering how nervous Sybil was back then. That was a prank that surprised even Mambo himself, since it was Crocux the one with the initiative. Mambo was willing to pull up anything just to get another glance at Sybil's funny, terrified face.