darkSpyro

"Yes, I'm aware of that... I'm also aware that you two went to the forbidden part of the forest to meet with that beast, risking your lives so stupidly and not considering the suffering you could've caused if that thing turned out to be hostile to you too." Cairo expressed, still with his back on the two. Cairo was far bigger than the average orca, and seeing such a mountainous being turning his back on you doubled the shame.

"Come on Cairo. You know it's not the first time we have taken risks like that. We would've told you sooner, but we have been so unbearably busy, we couldn't even spare a few minutes to tell you everything that was happening." Sybil expressed, though she knew that wasn't a very good excuse. Cairo remained with his back on them, silent. All that could be heard from him was the rumbling of his hungry stomach, indication that he has been starving himself for a while...

Cairo gave a little growl, not liking being touched when he was still feeling too insulted.
"Just one minute to tell the news... that's all it took... Now will you please get off?" Cairo said, sounding eerily gently, but he lifted his tail just a little bit, threatening to fling Rose if she didn't leave him be.

Sybil, knowing him for years, knew that she had to give him some time to calm himself up, not to mention space.
"Let's go Rose. He'll understand eventually." Sybil said, hoping that was just a phase. It isn't the first time Cairo has been angry, but it is the first time he took such a calm approach to express himself. Cairo was temperamental, and she knew they were testing his patience.

Before Rose couldget really offended, Sybil spoke up quickly.
"Don't let him get you down Rose. He's moody and proud. This is not so uncommon. All he needs is a little time. You'll see he'll get better." Sybil assured, knowing too well how Cairo could offend and get on nerves easily. She was very proud however, how he didn't turned violent or savage, believing he has finally learned to keep his anger in place.

"I know Rose. But he's a big guy. And he's more than adult. He'll understand, he's just... sensible." Sybil said, with a faint smile. She truly believed things were going to turn ugly, and that wasn't the case. It was tense at most, but nothing else.

She then saw Crocux at the distance, still bonding with the two cockatoos, and decided it was best to leave them be.
"Come on Rose. Let's go home. I want to sleep well if I want to get ready for another showdown with that jerk." Sybil said, referring to Shadow. She had faith in the caracal's work despite just meeting her, and she intended to teach that Komodo dragon a lesson for not leaving her and her friends alone already.

Meanwhile Sayan and the newcomers were getting closer and closer to the swamp, unaware of the drama going on elsewhere...
Quote: Shadow-Cipher

Raul exhaled clearly. "I take life very slowly, prefer to enjoy everything for the entirety of what it's worth, no matter how little that might be." He closed his eyes as he came to a pause, a small smile forming on his face. "I have plenty of tales to tell, but found my herd thinning each and every day. I was hoping I could find solace here, and possibly someone else who would listen to my tales."

Harland bound forward and flicked his tail. "I followed him here. I thought this place could be exciting, fascinating and curious." He was almost shaking from excitement. "It looks beautiful thus far. I bet there are many mysteries here."

"I'm sorry... sorry to hear about your hoard Raul. But know that you not alone and that many here have experienced loss, myself included.," Sayan said with a salumn nod. "But you are indeed right and there are indeed many mysteries here. In fact-- my home was undiscovered until I discovered it myself. There have been many parts discovered on the haven and many parts still to discover.," he then added quickly changing the topic. The smell of the air was beginning to change as they got closer.

Quote: Felines

Nia had listened to the story with her beak half open, almost as if she was in a trance. Instead of being afraid of Crocux like he warned, she seemed more fascinated by him. The same thing couldn't be said about Angus though, who was occasionally looking behind him to see Rose and Sybil unaudibly talking to Cairo, and he would've gone to them if Nia wasn't holding his wing.

"So you saved Marina from humans? I've heard of them, but I've never seen one. They sound horrible though. And I've heard they're dangerous, and you just disposed of many of them like it was no work at all? That sounds awesome! Scary, but awesome. And you named... something The Headhunter? That sounds like a cool name! We should use it as an operation sometime Angus." Nia said with fascination, her eyes sparkling with delight. No one could tell if she was brave or just incredibly weird.
"I do believe that daring rescue. Look at those teeth! Look at that mouth! I bet you could fit our whole nest in there!" Nia said, touching one of his teeth. But poor Angus, who was now released from her grip, simply took a tiny step back, still very afraid of Crocux. He tried to hide it though, but one look at the teenage bird and one would swear he was going to have a heart attack.

Crocux chuckled "well not all human's are bad. at one point in time Guardian was one but that's a more complicated and confusing story for another time. as for The Headhunter it's still here in fact it's over their." he then pointed to the old beached boat that was their ever since Jack arrived. Crocux says "the humans I killed were caught by surprise and I was lucky none of them had any guns at the time. still I would say that, that day was one of the best days ever because I got to meet Marina." Marina says "aww Crocy that's so sweet." Crocux says "but I feel that something's off." as if on cue a stink bomb was in the air heading right for them.

Nia escaped the stink bomb due to have left the place just in time to inspect the broken boat. As she was flying towards it, it was then that she noticed something was attacking them... but as she smelled the air, she immediately came to the conclusion that someone was playing them a rather mean prank.

Angus couldn't even think about what was going on at the moment, but since he was already feeling jumpy due to Crocux's presence, he too avoided a direct hit.
"Hey woah man!" he exclaimed, wondering why they were being attacked if they had no enemies. He still couldn't catch that it was all a prank...

Quote: Spyroconvexity

"You're right we should rest get ready for Shadow if he does come." Rose said.

Sybil and Rose headed their separate ways, with Sybil deciding to head back to her own tree rather than to spend the night at Crocux's home. She thought her tree was safer at the moment, and that she won't bring harm to herself or others if she was alone, or vice-versa. As she watched the sun, still clearly visible but setting slowly, she started to wonder about last night. Shadow visited her, and her alone, and when she talked to Rose about it, she didn't seem to have been visited by him... at least that night. Did Shadow hated her more than Rose now, or was he planning something else? Sybil had no choice but to hope for the better, and pray that whatever ritual the caracal did to her and her friends was genuine...

Sybil took a while to fall asleep. Her thoughts drifted between the python, Shadow and Cairo. Her mind was a blur, but she knew she had to catch some sleep if she wanted to enjoy tomorrow's vacation. Before the sun could set, Sybil also fell asleep, emptying her mind as best as she could.

Elsewhere at the kea tree, there was somebody who was more bitter than ever. Yodel, who was one of the few warblers that decided to stay, since that tree was forever his own home, was reflecting on everything that has happened for the last days. The python's discovery jeopardized his plan on having Crocux banished. Now that it was discovered who the real culprit was behind his fellow warbler's disappearance, he had no more leverage against the crocodile. But then he got an idea... maybe, just maybe... a peace offering? He flew off, with the keas wondering where the heck he was going with night so near. Nobody followed him though, since neither of them liked him, and they couldn't care less if something happened to him for such irresponsible decision...

Harland's eyes flickered at the thought of unknown mysteries lurking on this island. There were things undiscovered, mysteries that perhaps he could one day solve, present to the others. He felt a warmth in his heart, an excitement pumping in his chest. His mind was proposing a million ideas. "Oh, I can't wait to explore this place, divulge it's secrets."

Raul exhaled. "Just don't get into trouble with anyone." He shifted his gaze now to Sayan. "I thank you for your sympathy. Just knowing the others here are alive and happy would already be a grand start. I smile to watch others go about their lives, satisfied to observe and know that I am part of a thriving community. We all deserve to live long and prosper." Raul chuckled a little as he added, "I'm a simple bovine. I need little to be happy."

Sybil took a quick look around her, and everything seemed so... man made. Was she already in the dream world? so fast? that worried her a little. She then looked at the beast, far, far bigger than herself and a marvelous, yet terrifying sight.
"Shadow...?" she said, as she lifted her chest and approached the creature. She thought this was Shadow in another form, trying to scare her like yesterday, but she wasn't going to let tht repeat itself. This time, she was determined to show the big lizard she wasn't afraid of him...

Crocux was hit square on sadly and started crying from the smell "ah! my nose!" Marina wasn't amused "Jack! if I ever get a hold of you, you will be sorry! you know how sensitive Crocux's nose is!" Jack was to busy laughing up in his hiding spot to listen. Marina says "and that kids was Jack getting board, do not try to out prank him."

Sybil didn't know if Shadow was trying to trick her, but following the current and still approaching the giant, she answered.
"Yes..." she said, knowing that in the real world, she wouldn't dare to be that close to a potentially dangerous creature...

Quote: ShadeTheDragon

Crocux was hit square on sadly and started crying from the smell "ah! my nose!" Marina wasn't amused "Jack! if I ever get a hold of you, you will be sorry! you know how sensitive Crocux's nose is!" Jack was to busy laughing up in his hiding spot to listen. Marina says "and that kids was Jack getting board, do not try to out prank him."

"Hah! Are you crazy dolphin? Nobody can beat me!" Nia said, getting psyched up. So the famous Jack was striking. Since poor Angus was still too in shock to know what was going on, Nia was on her own. Not that it mattered. Nia was a cockatoo that didn't mind getting her talons dirty, so grabbing the stink bomb remains from Crocux's nose, Nia based herself on sound to locate Jack, and with all his guffawing, she threw the stinky remains towards his voice, hoping it would land on his mouth...

the remains would hit him but not in the mouth as the foliage hid him well. instead it hit is head. Jack stopped laughing got up and smiled saying "oh a fellow prankster egh? if it's a prank war you want it's a prank war you will get." color drained from Marina's face "oh no, if a prank war actually starts then..." she shuddered at the thought "we have to stop them Angus please stop Nia before it gets to far! if it does the damage would be far worse then your last battle with Shadow!"

"Nothing can be worse than that... but I'll try." Angus said, knowing how impossible Nia could be.

Nia's resources were extremely limited, and not being home, she had some disadvantage. She was resourceful though, and using some Coccoloba uvifera grapes nearby to hit him with. She has practiced holding large seeds with her beak and spit them out with great force throughout her life, and she was determined to show Jack a lesson or two.

Quote: Spyroconvexity

"I not Shadow. I am guardian." The beast said. "Me need help."

"Guardian...? Impossible!" Sybil exclaimed, believing it was Guardian the snake and not an actual guardian.

Jack got all his extra stink bombs and well other types of bombs ready and decided to show Nia a thing or two about is craft.

Sybil looked as well, and she couldn't comprehend what was going on. Was he a guardian angel? Remaining silent, she did decide to help him, and started to nibble on the most delicate part of the chain. Dream or not, she had a bit of knowledge of man made things, having been raised in captivity, though she could use Jack for a job like that. That looked like it was going to take her a little while.

Quote: ShadeTheDragon

Jack got all his extra stink bombs and well other types of bombs ready and decided to show Nia a thing or two about is craft.

Nia was pretty far away, and she was rather small, so she could dodge the stink bombs, although with a little difficulty since the grapes on her beak weighed her down. Angus grabbed her by the chest and tried to make her reason.
"Come on Nia! It's almost night! Don't start a prank war here!" Angus said, trying to move her away, but she was stronger than him. Even though Angus also loved pranks, unlike her, he knew when there were limits.

Sybil was still recovering from the ride. That sudden lift almost made her lose her grip, so when she finally recovered, she proceeded with the questions.
"Alright, first of all, who are you? And what do you want?" Sybil said, not liking this stranger. She was usually someone that accepted new faces in no time, but this particular creature made her very nervous.

This supposed guardian wasn't in Sybil's dream before, so she was starting to believe it was true that Crystal sent him.
"So the caracal sent you? That was what the ritual was about?" Sybil asked, just a little bit disappointed. She had been expected that it was going to be her the one with the power and not another being. It turned out Crystal just sent another soul to her, endangering it as well considering how powerful Shadow seemed.

Sybil found that hard to believe since she doubted magic existed, but given everything that has happened, she decided that there was no other explanation.
"Alright, so you're no soul. How can you protect me from Shadow? His thirst for vengeance has made him incredibly powerful." Sybil warned, not wanting to imagine what Shadow has planned for her and her friends, if he was targeting them as well.

"Do my friends also have a... magical guardian like you?" Sybil asked, wanting to know if it was the same magical being or different entities for each of them.

"And... what is yours?" Sybil asked politely, still feeling a bit nervous around this entity, but better him than Shadow.

OOC: I see what you did there

"Oh... well, hello Trico. I'm Sybil." she greeted politely, believing no conversation was complete without a proper introduction.
"I suppose that y will be my protection until the warblers arrive with the flower?" she asked, when it hit her. She was still as vulnerable to Shadow as she was before if this magical being failed to protect her.

OOC: I know. I want to play that game so badly and I can't

"It doesn't have to be forever. Only until Shadow can be rid of." Sybil assured, not wanting to be a burden to anybody, living, spirit or neither.

"Well, that's good to hear I guess." Sybil said meekly, still nervous about this being. She doubted something like that even existed in the real world. She knew it had to be big to protect her, but it made her feel uneasy that it was someone far, far bigger than her, but then again, almost everything was bigger than her.

Sybil doubted that, but since he was there, she might as well spent some time with him.
"Well, since I'm already here, we might as well do something, won't we?" she said, hoping he was telling the truth since she needed pleasant dreams in order to be well rested for tomorrow.

"I don't know. It's been so long since I've played. Too busy at the Haven." Sybil lamented, having no idea on what to do. So many times she played with Rose, Crocux and the orcas, and all of the sudden finding herself in a position where she doesn't even know what to do to have fun.

Back at the Haven, it was still day, and Angus was still trying to stop Nia. But that wasn't the interesting activity. Yodel has ventured far away from his home, looking for something. Just what was that old, bitter geezer up to?

Sybil thought about it, and she wasn't in the mood for a game in general. Since this creature had wings, maybe he could give her a little lift.
"Well, it's been a long time since somebody flew me around. I want to fly." she explained, knowing that Sozen had a mate now and didn't have the time, and Warren was almost always at the outback looking for food, making him very hard to contact, so the dream world was her better chance to feel at least bigger.

Sybil held on, determined not to slip like she almost did the last time. No sign of Shadow so far, so she was beginning to think that the creature was right and that he wasn't going to show up with him around.