darkSpyro

Sybil scowled with his words. He sounded so heartless.
"So that's it? He's going to give up just like that? That reality you mention can be avoided. Not sure how, but there has to be a way. There's always a way. If I was in his position, I'd do everything I could to get back to my family and save them from whatever tragedy looms above them." Sybil stated firmly before continuing.
"Look at me! I'm not strong! Or scary! Or sturdy, yet look at this island! Look at the sanctuary I managed to create! Full of animals that get along when in other places they would be enemies. Forming families. Having peace. If I suddenly find myself very far away from this place, I'd do anything I could, miracles if necessary, to get back to them, especially if they are in trouble." she concluded, believing that Fuzma didn't care at all for his troop or he wouldn't be giving up this easily. She still believed he was an opportunist who just found the perfect place to dominate.

Quote: Spyroconvexity

Marble lifted up her head seeing Nia approach with something. “W-What do you have?”

"Mice. It's not much, but it'll help." Nia said, still offering it herself much to Angus' uneasiness. But if something went wrong, Rose could help. At some distance away, some orcas were watching, acting as sentries for the newcomer. They were also ready to push her further to the beach to that the tide wouldn't pull her in.

Devon smiles and says "Plumaria you got all that?"
Plumaria says coming down from a tree "yes I did, I can see how you managed to earn Guzmas respect so quickly, I'll take one of the grunts with me back to Africa and give everyone the news."

Sybil watched Plumeria and realized she has been tricked. How could she have been so loose with information to a bunch of strangers? How could she have been so stupid? Has she really blinded herself by the fact that he was a civet like her?
"Wait, what are you doing? Grunts? HEY!" She screamed, glaring at Devon and pushing him aside. She could barely believe that after so may years of finally seeing another civet and it turned out to be a trickster jerk. Has this all been a plot to find the Haven and bring a bunch of new, savage animals there?

Devon looks surprised by her reaction
Plumaria however though isn't saying "relax fur ball I bent the truth to Guzma, yes a blood bath was going to happen but only if I didn't return within the year with news that Guzma is alive and well, I'm just taking one of the grunts I brought with me back to let everyone know he's okay and to go about business as usual until he returns relax."

Nia smiled, glad that her impression of Marble was correct. Angus still believed in the possibility of the tiger feeling this gentle because she was injured and afraid, or that she was putting a kind face for the sake of healing, but he decided to remain cautious yet silent.
"Sure. Daddy can be a handful, but as long as you don't hurt anybody, it will be fine." Nia assured, knowing her father would say no, but if their island was a sanctuary also, it was time to stop the paranoia.

Quote: ShadeTheDragon

Devon looks surprised by her reaction
Plumaria however though isn't saying "relax fur ball I bent the truth to Guzma, yes a blood bath was going to happen but only if I didn't return within the year with news that Guzma is alive and well, I'm just taking one of the grunts I brought with me back to let everyone know he's okay and to go about business as usual until he returns relax."

Sybil wasn't entirely convinced. She still believed this was al a plot to gather the troop here, but she had no way of knowing if that was the real plan and if Plumeria was telling the truth, but for now, she didn't say anything else, not wanting to give them ideas.
"Ok. Just... please keep the hippo under control. A few are already nervous about his presence, and it's only a matter of time before everyone else knows he's here. This is a peaceful place. We don't want any trouble." Sybil begged, refusing to have the Haven in more hot water than it already was/

Plumaria says "alright, Skrapper when typhoon season is over you want to come back with us?"
Devon says "for the last time my name is Devon, and no I think I'll stay here"
Plumaria doesn't seem surprised "alright" she flies off getting one of the vultures she arrived with and takes off for Africa.
Devon then says "finally a place I can call my own hehe, that'll be a first, so Sybil mind showing me around my new home, that is if you'll still have me here"

"I'm fine here." Angus responded, not wanting to take any risks. Some things just never changed.
"Aww, looks like somebody's afraid of the big, bad tiger." Nia taunted, having expected him to be more willing to take risks in his older age, but his cousin was still as jumpy and cautious as ever.

Quote: ShadeTheDragon

Plumaria says "alright, Skrapper when typhoon season is over you want to come back with us?"
Devon says "for the last time my name is Devon, and no I think I'll stay here"
Plumaria doesn't seem surprised "alright" she flies off getting one of the vultures she arrived with and takes off for Africa.
Devon then says "finally a place I can call my own hehe, that'll be a first, so Sybil mind showing me around my new home, that is if you'll still have me here"

"Where is SHE going?" Sybil asked, having been too focused on Plumeria's goal to listen to what Devon just said. It was already stated that Plumeria was the only one who could control Guzma, and if she left, there was no telling what would happen.

Devon says "Sybil don't you get it yet she lied to Guzma, it was a test of sorts, she wanted to see what kind of leader you are and satisfied with what she learned she's leaving with one of the grunts she brought with her to go back to Africa to tell the knuckle heads that Guzma is alive and will be back after typhoon season, after she tells them she'll be back"

Angus shook his head, still being hesitant.
"Always the coward." Nia commented with a smirk, irritating.
"This ISN'T cowardliness. It's... caution, alright? There's a line." Angus expressed, hating when his cautiousness was mistaken for cowardliness, though he knew by this point, Nia said it to annoy him.
"Please! You sound just like dad." Nia said, sometimes seeing as if Angus was more his dad than hers.
"Says the cockatoo who got eaten by an orca on purpose just to look how it was." Angus blurted out, with Nia still unable to believe he still was unable to get over that event.
"Come on! Nothing happened, see? It was quite the experience." Nia declared, with Angus as usual questioning her sanity.
"You don't seek an experience like that! For heaven's sake Nia, that's just wrong!" Angus scolded, and the cousins began to bicker. It was amazing they hang out so much together despite their overwhelming difference in personality.

Quote: ShadeTheDragon

Devon says "Sybil don't you get it yet she lied to Guzma, it was a test of sorts, she wanted to see what kind of leader you are and satisfied with what she learned she's leaving with one of the grunts she brought with her to go back to Africa to tell the knuckle heads that Guzma is alive and will be back after typhoon season, after she tells them she'll be back"

Sybil raised an eyebrow, or at least the closest thing she had to one.
"A test?" she repeated, not amused.
"You mean to say you all came here on purpose... for a test?" Sybil asked with some frustration, wondering if this bird heard of her and indeed wanted to put her to the test. She was already in enough stress as it was to tolerate this.

Devon says "sort of I kinda figured out that she wanted to test you when she found out Guzma was basically stranded here which is when we got here, she bent the truth with Guzma to make him think there was no hope, when I heard her do that I kinda figured out what she was planning and decided to play along, sooner she found out what she wanted the better and I'm pretty happy with the results personally, I don't have to go back with them when they leave, I find out I'm not the only one of my kind out there and Guzma gets a break from the stress of being in charge all the time"

Sybil scowled again, not sure if she was convinced of what she was hearing.
"So let me get this straight; Guzma came here by accident. You didn't know this was a sanctuary at first yet you decided to put someone to the test?" she asked, not finding sense in Plumeria'a goal. The only thing that brought her relief was the fact that nobody was planning for Guzma to stay forever, so as soon as typhoon season was over, he had the option to leave, and if Plumeria was really someone who could control him, she would convince him to leave. Devon wasn't a dangerous animal, so Sybil didn't mind if he stayed, even though she didn't like him very much for tricking her the way he did.

Quote: Spyroconvexity

“Alright enough you two. Not in front of our friend. Angus there is nothing wrong being cautious. I won’t force you to come closer. Come when you want.”

Angus scoffed to Nia, glad that at least Rose understood. He didn't leave, but kept his distance. Nia on the other hand, got closer to Marble, close enough to be easily captured if the tiger decided to lunge at her. She was interested in getting to know her better. She didn't think tigers came white. There was Snow of course, but she was a hybrid, so she didn't exactly count.

Devon says "hey I only know her enough to figure out what she's doing not why and personally I could care less about it because that isn't really important now. If you don't mind could you um show me around, I'd like to get familiar with my new home that is if you'll have me"

"I'm just trying to be nice." Nia stated, with Angus rolling his eyes. His cousin was so crazy and trusting she felt the need to befriend almost everyone she met.

Quote: ShadeTheDragon

Devon says "hey I only know her enough to figure out what she's doing not why and personally I could care less about it because that isn't really important now. If you don't mind could you um show me around, I'd like to get familiar with my new home that is if you'll have me"

Now that she was paying more attention, Sybil knew what Devon wanted.
"Um, sure. Ok. I'll show you around." Sybil answered as she started to escort him. If Guzma, Plumeria and the crew raised him, why would he want to leave them? Tired of their regimen? Sybil wasn't in the mood for questioning that now, so she didn't say anything.
"Just so you know, despite this being a sanctuary, there are some areas you shouldn't visit." Sybil warned, not wanting Devon to do anything stupid if he was going to live here. He already showed his recklessness by approaching a crocodile cave, so that wasn't a good sign.

Devon nods in understanding saying "fair enough you don't want me to do anything stupid that could get me killed and it's much appreciated"

Sunflame hears voices and sees Whirlpool come and go, but thinks nothing of it, or is just too tired, after refilling the medicinal stock, the last few days, to do anything by rest. Still after a good nap, he yawns and stretches, before getting up to prepare various salves and such, that his companion and friend, Whirlpool have done together. Intently he works away within the labyrinth, grinding, combining and mixing various necessary ingredients from the medicinal supplies that he is making.

Meanwhile Jhen is out hunting for food, not far from the pod. He wonders if Jet has figured things out yet, about their possible relationship. Everything that the old wise octopus had said seems to match perfectly, but coul it really be true. Or was he just trying imagining what he wanted things to be like.

Meanwhile as all things are going on around them, the elephant brothers, Anvor and Bjorn, continue their routine patrolling of Haven, not even knowing, or really seeming to be concerned about the "new" arrivals. Their thoughts are elsewhere as today would have been the birthday of their oldest brother, Ivor. However he had passed away a while ago, protecting Sybil from forces of Shadow, a greedy and evil komodo during the War to defend Haven. Stray tears roll down their cheeks as they walk in silence.

Royal and Jaerl are currently resting in their tree, not far from their warbler friends, They have just returned from an early morning flight and are tired. However if they knew of the danger that was coming, they would be wide awake and on alert, instead of being asleep.

Hearing voices below me, I remain curled up within the safety of my hole and nest. Sholeh is a neighbor of mine, living just below me. Perhaps she was having a visitor, or... My thoughts change to concern as their voices become more animated and "they" raise their voices, as they are fighting. Waiting till I can no longer hear voices, I climb down and politely knock with a paw on the side of Sholeh's hole.

"Sholeh, can I come in? I heard raised voices, so I thought I'd come down. Are you alright, my friend," I ask with concern as I sit on a nearby branch as I wait.

OOC: Great to have you back Wyrstel. You have good memory about the events

AJ called, but his roommate wasn't there. Sholeh was still with Naga. Throughout the years, she has learned to tolerate the margay, but she still didn't like when he felt the need to have company. She was still too much of a loner to have unexpected company that wasn't the python.

Quote: ShadeTheDragon

Devon nods in understanding saying "fair enough you don't want me to do anything stupid that could get me killed and it's much appreciated"

Sybil didn't want him to misunderstood. It wasn't concern. She just wanted to avoid tragedy at the Haven, but she didn't let him know that way.
"There are several predators here. All just want a peaceful life, and a few have families. Nobody wants to hurt us... except the wolves. We've been at war with them for a while now, though fortunately, they can always beat them, especially thanks to the python that lives in the swamp." Sybil explained, pointing to the direction of Naga's home.
"The python is on our side, but he doesn't like unexpected visitors, so don't push your luck." she warned, knowing Naga liked his solitude and only allowed certain visitors, although he did make exceptions if they announced themselves somehow first.

Devon nods in understanding "fair enough, I can respect the loner life style and wouldn't want to be harassed all the time" he said sounding very appreciative

Sybil continued showing him around, telling him about the forbidden swamp, old territory and outback, but everything with some disdain. She was still resentful about the way she was tricked earlier.

Meanwhile, a few warblers were at the edge of the wetland, already eager to meet this hippo. He could indeed be a great protector...

Guzma is sound asleep not waking up any time soon while Devon is enjoys the tour

Sybil continued the tour, telling Devon about the places he shouldn't visit, where to get food, the best resting places, best views, etc. She was thinking of telling him where she lived, but she was still too angry at him for such information. She decided to give him a tour of the beach instead.
"And this is where you arrive I assume? This is one of the best places to relax and play. It has crabs, so be careful. Also, the seagulls and Pelicans are our friends, so you don't need to worry about them." Sybil said, wondering if he ever saw marine birds.

"A little word of caution though. The orcas around here are our friends, but they are very playful, and they are allowed to hunt and play with everybody they catch, so don't be surprised if they take you. Of course, you can tell them that you rather rest and they'll be respectful about the matter and leave you alone." Sybil explained, just in case Devon got too scared and called Guzma or someone if he mistake the capture for an actual attack.

Quote: Spyroconvexity

“No it’s fine. You can come closer if you want.” Marble said. She smiles a little.

Nia remained near, trying to make some conversation.
"So... how did you ended up here?" she asked, figuring that was one's origins was one of the best places to start.

Devon smiles "that sounds like fun" and is about to go into the water for the fun of it

Nia decided to remain quiet for a while, knowing Marble needed some consolation time. There was a certain other big cat that had a very similar story that Nia knew well. Just what was it with humans and their affinity to be cruel to such majestic animals? Were they as evil as most of the Haven residents commented?

Quote: ShadeTheDragon

Devon smiles "that sounds like fun" and is about to go into the water for the fun of it

Sybil scowled again, wondering how much stupidity this civet could come up with.
"You think this is a joke? Are you going to stop the tour for that? It's a very rough game! It can be painful if you're not used to it!" Sybil warned, growing frustrated. First Devon approaches a crocodile to see a scar, and now he was purposely looked forward to getting captured. How was this civet not dead yet? If the rest of her kind were like that, it's no wonder they were so endangered.

Brothers Ricky and Rumble were the only ones nearby, and were shocked by what they were seeing.
"Am I seeing double? Or is there another civet there?" Ricky asked, those fur colors being too unique to be something else. Maybe a raccoon was the closest thing to a civet in appearance, but they were shorter, with a fluffier tail and that mask like spot on their eyes.
"A new guest? I know there's a hippo, but I don't remember anyone transporting a civet here." Rumble commented, knowing that another civet would be the object of hefty news among them. But there was nothing of the sort.
"What is he doing? Looks as if he was drowning." Ricky commented, but Devon was very close to shore and not in risk of drowning, not to mention that if he had been drowning, Sybil would look concerned and try to rescue him, but none of that was happening. It was so confusing.

Devon sighs saying "fine I'll save the fun for later, honestly back in Africa I couldn't relax without risking my life, excuse me for wanting to live a little bit of a childhood I never got to have"

Sybil didn't know whether to find him pitiful or just sad.
"Well here, you don't have to worry about that anymore. Nobody here wants to eat you. The wolves don't live here, although if they do come, we always have surveillance, and great protectors." Sybil assured, knowing that Devon would be happy here as long as he followed the rules and didn't listen to the paranoid warblers so much.

Quote: Spyroconvexity

“Let’s change the subject. Say marble do you like any games?” Rose said.

“Some but I’ve never really played any games before.

Nia nodded, not knowing why didn't it occurred to her a much more pleasant topic like that.
"Well, my cousin and I play many games, though we're not sure what game would suit you best." Nia explained, with Angus not liking the idea of playing with her. Unlike Rose and her family, this tiger was still a stranger, and who know what bad habits she had when healthy.

Devon walks over to her "alright sorry if I come off childish again, let's finish up the tour."

Sybil rolled her eyes when she turned her back to him to continue. But as she continued, she got too curious about something.
"So let me get this straight; you lost your mother at an early age. You arrived to Africa somehow. And then... Guzma and his crew raised you?" she asked, and if that was the case, maybe the hippo wasn't as bad as she thought.

Devon says "not really, my mother said she gave birth to me there and she seemed pretty old so she died when I was just barely old enough to fend for myself, I struggled on my own for a long time, fleeing from hungry preditors, stampeding herds, you name a danger in Africa I had to avoid nearly all of them for years, then I heard about Guzma and his gang and how Guzma seemed to have come from basically nothing like me so I wanted to get stronger and went to him, Plumaria said he apparently took a liking to me because I reminded him of himself so I became an unofficial member so Guzma would toughen me up, it was a couple of years later when I heard about this Haven but I wasn't interested at the time because I was focused on getting stronger and didn't realise you were like me. had I heard there was more of our kind I would have come here sooner."

With what Devon was saying, it sounded like he decided to come to the Haven solely because there was another civet, and nothing else mattered. While she had wanted to meet someone of her kind for very long, it still made her feel offended that the sanctuary she built wasn"5 enough to make him come, even less make him come sooner. Having another civet would've done wonders for her if he had only come sooner... and if he wasn't such a jerk.
"You know, I'm rather surprised you never heard about me. The warblers traveling around the world went to Africa many times, and they sometimes mentioned my name and what I was. Africa has many different animals, so news travel quickly. How come you never heard of this place? Or... me?" she asked, all of this being very hard for her. If he was a Malabar civet, how come he was in Africa? There was an African variety, but how come he wasn't one? How come his mother travelled there? A shipwreck like in her case?

Quote: Spyroconvexity

“Oh? W-what games do you play?” Marble said.

"Well... we have plenty. Like the usual ones, tag, hide and seek, or games we invented ourselves. We sometimes play with the orcas as well. Chasing a moving, flying target gives them more of a challenge." Nia said, almost sounding like she was showing off. She still find it neat that she was friends with a pod of very dangerous animals. Killer whales were powerful, and even more deadly than sharks.

"Oh sure, sure. But... after you rest, ok?" Nia responded, glad to have a new playmate. Angus on the other hand, was very worried. Hide and seek was almost like tag. In either case, the two games involved chasing, and he was afraid it could trigger Marble's hunting instincts.

Devon says "I heard about this place and don't get me wrong I was interested in coming here I was just to focused on getting stronger to consider it, I heard about you but I never heard mention of what you were. After seeing how this place is and you I do wish I came here sooner instead of being so focused on getting stronger"

Sybil thought for a little while and what to say next, and finally knew what it could be.
"Well, I can understand wanting to be stronger. Of course, in a place like Africa, you need to defend yourself constantly." Sybil stated, though finding it strange and a little ironic he chose to keep getting stronger when there was a haven out there where such action was needed. Perhaps it became an obsession.
"Anyway, you need to excercise minimal caution around here. If you follow the rules and avoid certain animals, it will be fine." she said, continuing the tour.

Devon smiles saying "that's nice to hear, it'll be nice to not have to look over my shoulder regularly to make sure someone isn't trying to have me for lunch"

Quote: Spyroconvexity

As Snow was playing with hunter she looked at Sayan. “Hey daddy! Come play with us!”

"Yeah father! Come join us!," Hunter added as Sayan offered an smile. "Well-- it would do good to see just how well you have kept up with your training.," the-large-cat-turned-father than said as he ran into the fray. It had been some time since had truly just had fun...

Meanwhile, Naga had trapped a mouse that wandered too far into his territory. "Well, well, well... look at we have here.," the large serpent said as he eyed the mouse failing to find a way out of the small 'open arena' formed by his coils. "Sayyy Sholeh-- ssshould we have some fun with our little friend here like the good ol' times?," he then said both taunting the poor rodent and thinking of something to pass the time at the same time.

Sholeh looked at the mouse, and smiled sinisterly. Even with her 'redemption' she still enjoyed a good torture.
"Indeed. Let's make it count. After all, it'll be the last time he has fun." she said slyly, smiling at the confused rodent. Naga couldn't do much with a belly full of those antelopes, so these were the only chances he had to play and feed on the smaller creatures the Haven had to offer.

Meanwhile, Sybil continued with the tour, wanting to make sure Devn got everything right.
"You don't have to worry about anyone here. Nobody wants to eat you, except perhaps the wolves, but we keep them in line. You can live peacefully here, especially with the birds and our fellow predators on the watch and protecting though it doesn't hurt to exercise cautious from time to time." Sybil suggested, not wanting Devon to be completely with a lower guard. While the Haven was mostly safe, like with any habitat, it had it's fair share of dangers.

Quote: Spyroconvexity

“O-ok. I’m glad to have meet you guys.” Marble said.

"Us too." Nia answered, looking at Angus, who gave an aside glance and shrank his shoulders, prompting his cousin to shake her head in disapproval. Angus has been spending too much time with her father.

Devon nods in understanding appreciating the information.

After almost a while of walking around, the tour concluded with Sybil's tree. The walking gave her some time to cool off, so she felt calm enough to show him where she lived.
"This is my place in case you need anything else. Now then, if you wish to stay here, you can find a place of your own. As long as it's not a wolf, you can befriend anyone here, but ask permission first. Some of us like our privacy." Sybil explained, climbing her tree, prepared to take a nice, long rest from that heavy tour. She didn't mind Devon's presence even though she was still angry at him for being tricked. But she preferred him to be here than Guzma. She would have to do something about that hippo to prevent him from disturbing the peace, but above all avoid his aggression. She wanted to believe it was exaggerated reputation, but after their disastrous first meeting, she wasn't so sure...

Devon smiles saying "okay thanks Sybil I'll go do that" and he leaves to find a place for himself

Being true to her word, Sybil climbed her tree and rested, exhausted by everything that has happened. After so much time if not having any animals arriving at the Haven, all of the sudden and during the course of one single day, many arrived almost at the same time, and the thing was that nobody planned to stay initially, except perhaps Devon. The only thing that relieved her was the fact that Guzma wasn't going to stay very long, though it confused her the fact that Devon wanted to stay here. If he was raised among Guzma and his crew, they had to be sort of like a family, so why would he abandon them like that? Wasn't he really fond of them? Desperate to change routine? She was going to find out with time for sure.

At Crocux's cave, Mambo was paying him a brief visit. Ever since the hippo arrived and the warblers found out about it, from the little birds he has heard nothing but how much they hated crocodiles, so the kea leader was really worried about his scaly friend.
"Crocux? Crockie! May I come in?" Mambo called from outside the cave, using the nickname he had for Crocux for some time. He doubted Crocux was in a playful mood, but Mambo was still on high alert, mostly because of Jack. He was prankster worse than him and Crocux combined.