darkSpyro

While the python resolved to distance himself from the residents as much as possible, something else was following him. It was small, tiny, even. It hadn't been around until after the encounter, but was now on his tail. After a long time, it finally spoke up.

"Hey, are you supposed to be some kind of snake?" The voice was higher-pitched and childlike, both in sound and tone.

OOC: What are the chances?

Sybil went to the kea tree and was about to climb up. Cole was about to help her by giving her a lift, but then she stopped him.
"Wait, Cole, have you seen Crocux?" she asked, wanting to know if he was still around.
"Well, he was here just a few minutes ago." he answered, believing he left.
"Save me the lift for later. Crocux is sick and I want to make sure he is in his cave like he suppose to." Sybil said, heading to Crocux's home. She didn't want to risk the crocodile taking advantage of this little free time and expose himself even more.

Quote: Spyroconvexity

"They haven't to my knowledge. I've ordered them to stop for the time being to let the haven recover from the drought and war." Jet said. "Why do you ask?"

Randy thought of an excuse quickly, since he didn't want to get Sybil in trouble with Jet.
"Well, I suppose she wondered why she hasn't received anyone even though the drought is over." he said quickly, having quick wit just like his sister.

Crocux already was back their knowing Sybil would want him to. he felt embaressed for being so blunt.

Sybil entered Crocux's cave, for the first time without permission. She had so much on her mind to even ask.
"Oh, good. You're here. And here I was thinking you took advantage of your little rescue mission to wander around." Sybil said rather sarcastically, still a little angry that Crocux's presence made the python leave earlier.

Crocux glanced at her a little sadly "i'm sorry"

Sybil shrank her shoulders, knowing that what was done was done.
"Well, maybe I can make contact again. This... python seems interested in warblers alone, so I guess I'm safe for now. I asked Sayan to fetch me a pigeon, and hopefully, he will stop pursuing the warblers." Sybil explained, full of hope. She wanted to keep Crocux updated so that he wouldn't feel left out.

Crocux seemed uniterested and sad saying "okay that's nice." like he wasn't paying attention.

Sybil gave a quiet sigh, imagining Crocux was too sick to be interested in anything. It startled her a little how he didn't seemed worried about her at all.
"Well, try to remain here for a couple of days please. If you get any sicker for your recklessness, you kmow I'll have to give you more of that unpleasant soup, even if I have to shove it down your throat." Sybil said very firmly, having enough confident now to scold a crocodile in such a harsh way.

Jack says "actually Mambo came by with some soup he whipped up that they have when they're sick. even added some fish and seal meat to taste better. maybe there's yellowtail in it." but Crocux continued to be disinterested saying "okay, got it."

Sybil was quite surprised when she heard Mambo was there to help him with some soup, but she figured that since the parrot himself was sick not so long ago, he knew what it felt like.
"Alright then. I'll see you by tonight." Sybil said in a much more gentle voice, seemingly somewhat ashamed that she scolded Crocux like that. She left the cave without apologizing though, and headed to Sayan's den to see if he already caught the pigeon. If not, she was going to help him in the wetland, since her second meeting with the python needed to be done as soon as possible...

ooc: i'm surprised Sybil didn't notice that Crocuxdidn't go insane at the mention of yellowtail.

Crocux says "ok that's nice."

OOC: That's because she is too deep in thought, not to mention that it was he the one who mentioned it and not her. But if that was your intention, I can come up with something

As Sybil headed her way, there was something that Jack said that somewhat bothered her.
"Wait... did you say that Mambo put yellow... well, that fish in his soup? Since when does he knows the fish's location?" Sybil said as she entered the cave yet again, actually that detail surprising her more than Jack mentioning the fish's name without Crocux going hungry.

Randy went to the beach to inform Sybil what Jet just told him, but she wasn't there. He didn't know why would she leave without waiting for his return, but remained near the shore to wait for her return...

At the kea's meeting room, the uproar had finally stopped, but there were still a lot of tension and alarming whispers among the small birds. They had all been hunted down, and would have probably been even fewer than they are now if it wasn't for the decision for them to be moved near the kea's home. Now they didn't miss their old routines that much anymore. The parrots could tell the warblers were now utterly terrified, and who wouldn't? I's not everyday you find out a humongous predator is devouring your entire species. The python's odd behavior and very limited diet was even more startling, but the keas vowed to protect their little neighbors even if that meant they will endanger their own lives.

Quote: Waaksian

While the python resolved to distance himself from the residents as much as possible, something else was following him. It was small, tiny, even. It hadn't been around until after the encounter, but was now on his tail. After a long time, it finally spoke up. "Hey, are you supposed to be some kind of snake?" The voice was higher-pitched and childlike, both in sound and tone.

"Yes... little voice.," he spoke looking around for the source. He soon spotted the unfamiliar speck on his tail. "And what are you supposed to be... little one? Some kind of... bug?," he asked in a sly snake-like voice.
Quote: Felines

Sybil ... left the cave without apologizing though, and headed to Sayan's den to see if he already caught the pigeon. If not, she was going to help him in the wetland, since her second meeting with the python needed to be done as soon as possible...

Sayan soon returned-- slightly wet and with pigeon in mouth.

"It's for our new friend.. Sybil wants to try and reason with him again. A peace offering of sorts.," Sayan replied dropping the bird while he waited for Sybil.

Visiting Rose and Sayan was Cheryl, who couldn't stand being in that loud reunion.
"Ugh man! Those tiny birds are scandalous!" she complained, having heard from Peepers a while ago that Sayan's den was peaceful and quiet. She was about to have a conversation with the couple to get her mind off things, but one look at the pigeon made her look away and cover her beak to avoid getting sick. She knew like the rest that pigeons were part of the carnivore's diet in the Haven, but it still hurt seeing a fellow bird in such a state, even if she did find pigeons annoying.

"It's for the snake. Sybil wanted it as a peace offering.," Sayan explained quickly hiding it in nearby shrubbery.

Cheryl kept looking by the side, but when she realized the pigeon wasn't there anymore, then she made eye contact.
"The snake? You mean the python everybody is talking about?" Cheryl asked, but then she knew there couldn't be another.
"Well that civet must have a death wish. Us keas may live in cold isolation, but we do know many things about the world. Associating with a snake that big is asking for trouble. And you are just gonna let her do it?" Cheryl asked, thinking there was no chance of reasoning with that particular predator. Sybil was very looked out for, so Cheryl thought there was going to be more opposition to the civet risking her life like that.

"That's nice and all, but don't you think that by following her you won't progress? I mean, I don't even know how Sybil even managed to have contact with the python in the first place if it kept hidden for so long..." Cheryl said, really wanting the answer to that question.
"Besides, what are you complaining about? It's not like you haven't run this Haven before." Cheryl then said out of the blue, though she later realized the comment might have been insensible.

Cheryl simply rolled her eyes, seemingly annoyed by Rose's lack of confidence.
"Well whatever. I think this peace offering nonsense is a waste of time. Haven't you learn your lesson with that stupid Komodo dragon? You won't go anywhere trying to reason with that python! Predators like that never change! That snake hasn't hunt a warbler in a long time since they moved with us. And how long do you think that will last? If it can camouflage, I'm afraid the flock's protection won't be enough! Heaven help us if that python runs out of warblers!" Cheryl said pessimist, thinking that if the python hunted birds only, they could be next...

Cheryl wasn't sure if a tiger could win a battle with a python, but that was one situation she didn't want to get involved in.
"Well good luck with that. I'll stay Hereford a while, away from that annoying scandal at the tree, but don't you think I'm going to tail Sybil along with you two." Cheryl assured, hating the fact that the Haven wasn't as peaceful as everybody had expected.

Cheryl simply shrank her shoulders as response, really didn't caring who ran the Haven. Though Rose was now an adult, she was still young, and her lack of confident was cause of worry. She didn't express it, so Cheryl simply remained put to rest and wait for the meeting to be over, but also keeping a watchful eye around since everyone knew the python was observed around Sayan's den.

At the beach, the orcas were starting to notice how Randy was roaming near the Haven's shore, and mistakenly believed that he was waiting for someone to show up and play. Randy pretended that was it so that nobody would suspect a thing. It has been nearly three days straight since they last played, and since the game had become a vital part of their routine, it was driving them crazy. Since they were unaware of the current predicament, some even planned to give the Haven residents the hardest time of their lives for keeping them waiting for so long...

Quote: redwes

"Yes... little voice.," he spoke looking around for the source. He soon spotted the unfamiliar speck on his tail. "And what are you supposed to be... little one? Some kind of... bug?," he asked in a sly snake-like voice.

Coiled around the tip of the python's tail, was yet another snake. It was tiny, only a few inches long, and sported a dull brown and orange color scheme. "No, I'm a snake, too. I didn't think that we could get so big," it continued, fully curious and showing no signs of fear.

Sybil talked with Crocux and Jack for a little while, but she didn't let the latter finish his yellowtail sentence, knowing that there wasn't any more time to lose.
"Listen you two. I need to go now. But I'll return tonight and talk a little more. Please don't leave this place." she begged, wanting her next meeting with the python to go without any further interruptions. She then gave a quick whisper to Jack.
"We'll talk about Mambo's special soup later." she said, wanting to know if that was true, and how Mambo knew about the yellowtails.

She would have to find out later though. Walking fast, practically running, she immediately headed to Sayan's den to see if he had retrieved the fish she asked for.
"Sayan! Are you there?" she asked from inside the den, not knowing if he was in there or somewhere outside...

ooc: Jack mentioned that yellowtail could be in the soup lol

OOC: Sorry about that. Got the names mixed up. I changed the two posts so that it would make sense

At the kea's tree, the meeting was over, but now, every warbler was utterly terrified for their lives. They were fidgeting, looking around everywhere and whispering to each other. Nobody but Yodel was feeling safe, even if they lived close to the watchful eyes of the nocturnal parrots.

Even though the meeting was over, Peepers stayed behind to talk to Mambo, who had something to say to him.
"Look Mr. Peepers, I know you love this island, and that this is your home, but this is important now. The warblers that disappeared... now we know why. It is important for any leader to protect it's flock. You and the other warblers must move away until we can do away with this python." Mambo urged, always having believed that Peepers was a sort of leader to the other warblers. Even though Peepers was going to try to reason with them, he wasn't going to leave.
"I will talk to them, but it is their decision. Me on the other hand, I'm not going anywhere. I'm going to help somehow. Besides, if we all leave, the python may start attacking you guys instead." Peepers expressed, believing that the python wasn't going to starve itself to death just because there wasn't any more warblers. It will move on to something else. What a moral dilemma that was...

Quote: Waaksian

Coiled around the tip of the python's tail, was yet another snake. It was tiny, only a few inches long, and sported a dull brown and orange color scheme. "No, I'm a snake, too. I didn't think that we could get so big," it continued, fully curious and showing no signs of fear.

"It would seem we come in all shapes and sizes...," The large snake spoke looking down upon his tail. He seemed to be equally curious.
Quote: Felines

She would have to find out later though. Walking fast, practically running, she immediately headed to Sayan's den to see if he had retrieved the fish she asked for.
"Sayan! Are you there?" she asked from inside the den, not knowing if he was in there or somewhere outside...

"I'm out here!," Sayan said from outside the den. He picked up the pidgin and placed it once again in sight.

Sybil was very glad with Sayan's progress, and took the pigeon, which was quite hard to carry since they were heavy.
"Thank you so much Sayan. I can take it from here. Please, tell everyone not to follow me. The python seemed a bit upset when Crocux came running his way. I need as much time alone as I can with that snake... I think I can get through to him." Sybil ordered, thinking that if it wasn't for Crocux and his rescue, she would have convinced the python to stop pursuing the warblers. At least it seemed like she was making a little progress on that matter when they were talking. Sybil then noticed that Rose wasn't with Sayan, so she simply assumed that she was at the beach or with the keas, and trusted that Sayan was going to tell the tiger what she just said to him...

AJ: Knowing I can't stay too long, I bid farewell to Odette and the male dingo, who are like and mother and father to me, as well as their friend, Savannah. I will see them again soon, but I really hate living this double life behind others backs. Sneaking back to my tree, I climb up and vanish in my nest. I hope that all this sneaking around will end soon, so I can live with the pair.

Sunflame busies himself making and arranging the medicines and poultices that he and Whirlpool have made up together. The male serval enjoys Whirlpool's company very much. Neither he or Whirlpool probably have any idea what is going on at Haven.

Jhen sneaks up and pounces on Randy from behind, before vanishing under water again with a chuckle. The other orca wants to play and Jhen is more that happy to oblige. He is glad to have someone like Randy.

Since Sybil was in a hurry, she trusted Sayan to let in the information she just had given him, so she went on her way before letting him reply, bidding him goodbye as she left with the pigeon.

Sybil returned to the spot where she last spoke with the python, heading towards where the snake ran away when Crocux arrived. After arriving into a denser part of the forest, Sybil believed the python could be there somewhere, hiding. It was quite a scary place, but Sybil called anyway.
"Mr. Python? Sorry I didn't get your name. And I apologize for my friend's rude interruption earlier, but I need to talk to you! I brought you a peace offering." she said, placing the pigeon on the ground.
"I just want to talk to you." Sybil said, having faith that the python wasn't going to hurt her and that he was going to listen, and hopefully with the pigeon, he was going to start hunting them and not her beloved warbler friends.

Quote: Wyrstel

Sunflame busies himself making and arranging the medicines and poultices that he and Whirlpool have made up together. The male serval enjoys Whirlpool's company very much. Neither he or Whirlpool probably have any idea what is going on at Haven.

Whirlpool was shown to be more cheerful lately now that Sunflame was living with him. The wombat, even though he was friends with the cockatoos, was usually very lonely in that humongous underground maze, so having Sunflame as a roommate has made wonders for him. Even finding the serval every time he got lost in his home was fun for him, and the cat didn't seem to mind his huge speech impediment. But as they tidy up, he realized that they had been spending too much time underground, so it was time for Sunflame to experience the outside world.
"Playground... outside.... we out... cockatoos... playground." Whirlpool said to the serval, that little sentence taking him almost a minute to complete.

Quote: Wyrstel

Jhen sneaks up and pounces on Randy from behind, before vanishing under water again with a chuckle. The other orca wants to play and Jhen is more that happy to oblige. He is glad to have someone like Randy.

Randy was happy that Jhen finally was back to his old, spirited self, and since there wasn't any signs of Sybil returning, he decided to play along. The Haven residents seemed to had been taking a long rest from the intensity of their game, so it was better if they played among themselves. Randy has waited for Sybil long enough, so if she did came back, it was fair if she waited for him as well.

With the unsuspecting Sybil still waiting for the python's reply, and also making sure she wasn't in for a surprise attack, back at Hunted island, things were all the contrary. There was happiness and exitement, and no worries at all. The drought's effects were finally ending in that island as well, and the playground was getting spectacular. The cockatoos received the arriving Whirlpool and his new roommate with warmth and kindness, and even Barloc found in his heart to greet this strange looking cat. He was still very wary of predators, but he was getting more open into accepting them, particularly because he knew he had to with his alliance to the Haven.

Sybil waited for almost two hours for the python to appear, calling and calling, but when the big snake didn't answer, Sybil decided to do something risky and, carrying the pigeon, entered even deeper into the forest. It was a place so dense in foliage that in all her years living on the island, she never entered until now. The drought didn't affect it much, but even the warblers avoided the place due to rumors of ghost and venomous insects living in that particular place. It made it appear as if it was already dark outside, and Sybil came to realize this was most certainly the place that helped the python remain well hidden for so long.

Even though Sybil was starting to be terrified of the place, she gathered the courage to remain there until the python made an appearance. In her mind all she had was the safety of the warblers, and if there was a way to repay all the kind help and service they have been doing for her all these years, this was it.
"Listen sir! I know you're somewhere around here! I come here with a peace offering, and I know you want it!" Sybil called, with a terrifying echo thundering through. She knew that in a place so dark and thick as that, she was at the complete mercy of the snake, and that nobody was going to be able to help her should he decide to attack...

Sybil had heard the sound of the foliage of Rose following her, but when she looked around to see if it was the python, she couldn't see a thing. Even with her nocturnal Visio, the thickness was just too much. When the python didn't appear, she started to wonder if it was out hunting for more warblers. It couldn't be... not if it wanted to avoid the detection of the ever watchful keas.
"Listen! I know you're in here somewhere! I came all alone! I gave instructions! I know you're upset because that crocodile interrupted us earlier, but not anymore! Come on!" Sybil said, still oblivious to the fact that she was indeed followed. She was more worried thinking if the python was really the only one dangerous in that thick part of the forest...

OOC: Apologies for my absence. Snake action in 3... 2... 1...

The large snake was indeed nearby-- watching and listening as Sybil got deeper and deeper. "You and your friends have a close ... bond. It's almost admirable. ...Almost.," it said its slithering voice once again getting closer. The peace offering, it's smell strong in the air, was almost tempting with how hungry he had grown to become. Almost. "It isn't a wise move ... being alone this deep into the woods. Your little Haven may have more creatures then you think. Many spots for one to hide and not be seen...," it said again its voice closer but seemingly moving around from all directions. "But... you will not be touched here not as long as I am here. And I see... I smell you have... something. Not the something I desire, but something vaguely related...," its voice got closer and a faint shadow began to form. Though its full form was not yet visible.

Sybil's heart skipped like two or three beats when she finally heard his voice. After all, she had been searching for him for two hours, so she was losing all the hope for a response. But when he finally did, Sybil was wishing it would have stayed silent.
"Li..." Sybil began to say, but she had to pause for a while to get her voice back.
"Listen... I believe now this is where you live. My apologies for my friend's interruption earlier, but I come alone this time. I came with a peace offering. A pigeon. It's a bird too, and what's better, they are bigger than the warblers. And they are also numerous. So please, stop hunting my friends. If you need to eat something, eat the pigeons. They are not hard to catch." Sybil begged, hoping that once the python took the taste of the pigeon, it will stop hunting her beloved warblers, though it still made her feel guilty how late she was with many other warblers.

Sybil remained there, keeping the pigeon close to her so that when the python got to it, she could finally get a close look. She was planning to leave the place as soon as she saw him though, since she wasn't going to take any unnecessary risks. But as she saw the huge shadow approaching, she tried very hard not to run away at that very moment...

The large snake got closer and closer-- almost coming entirely in sight. More so then before. "And if I stop hunting your friends... as you call them. What guarantee do I have that your... friends won't try and come after me?," it said with a slither keeping an close eye on their surroundings.

Sybil didn't believe a python his size would be intimidated by the warblers it hunted, but she went along and answer anyway, seeing the snake almost eye to eye and realizing how really big it was and how easily it could overpower her if it wanted to right now.
"I will make sure they don't come after you. They are a very cautious bunch anyway, and once I tell them that you will stop pursuing them, they will leave you be." Sybil assured, though she knew how sensitive and vengeful the warblers could be. They have obeyed her in the past though, and she was sure he could convince them not to come after a creature that could hide so well and kill them with one snap of it's jaws or even one little squeeze.

As the enormous python got closer to her and the offering, Sybil started to back away, getting ready to make a run for it once the snake started eating. She has seen Skaliscin and Voracivenom in action, and she knew they could take quite long consuming prey, so Sybil wasn't going to linger around there and risk the python still being hungry once he was done. Now that she had more or less seen the size, she knew that small pigeon wasn't going to be enough to satisfy the creature...

"I will... try it. But I advice you make yourself scarce. It's dangerous for your kind here.," it said once again fully revealing himself looming large over the offering-- and the civet. He made a move towards the offering-- his stomach and his hunger taking priority.