[PRP] Didn't See This Coming...

[Dagi]

The eerie silence of the graveyard was suddenly broken by the thuds of heavy footfalls. It was no regular hyena that was pacing these barren grounds, it was Mabozi, the village idiot. Or so he had been unanimously dubbed. Not that anyone, other than his mother of course, ever told it to his face. Not that cruel words would offended the male, he would more than likely be flattered that someone wanted to converse with him. That was what the clueless lug really didn't like about his home: there was never anyone to talk to. And boy did he have a lot to say.

The sun was on it's way to setting, casting rays of fierce oranges and yellows about the usually gray land. Being later in the evening, Mabozi was starting to calm down a considerable amount. He had spent the majority of his day prancing about, running here and there, playing amongst the bones. Much like a pup would. Except Mabozi was a massive adult, and his play time only looked ridiculous.

Sighing, Mabozi mindlessly wandered into a collection of old bones. He paused here, sniffing about seemingly aimlessly. Suddenly, a very excited expression befell the creature's face, as he plucked up an old, dusty bone from the pile. Looking rather proud of himself, Mabozi smugly trotted to a clearing and began gnawing away at his ancient treat.  

[Dagi]

Mabozi was completely intent on chewing at this bone. He splintered it into pieces with his strong jaw, licking at the mess happily as he went along. So when he heard a voice echo out, it startled him. A lot. Leaping up, Mabozi let out a short shriek, sending his pile of bone bits scattering amongst the dust. He stood there for a few moments, looking at this intruder with wide, 'raccoon' eyes.

Slowly, he tilted his head. Who was this, who was this? Someone he'd never met before, how terribly exciting! The male looked so much like his mother, it made him even more excited by the meeting. A huge, dopey grin spread on his face as he pounced over to where the older male stood,

"HAY! Oh.. wha'? O, I was jus' eatin'... You wan's?"

As Mabozi posed his question, his ears perked up. Might as well set this meeting off on a good note, he figured. He turned around, gathering the bone bits, muddy from his spit, closer to the two of them. Looking back to the other male, he beamed brightly,

"From M'Bozi, to yoooouuuuu!"  

[Dagi]

Mabozi didn't have the mindset to get offended at the refusal of his gifts. He thought they were wonderful, but alas, not everyone had the imagination of this git. Being a pup, what did that mean? What was he supposed to be? He was a pup! Did this stranger not know? Silly goose. Mabozi looked from his bones back to the male, his dark eyes alive with excitement,

"Heheeeeeeeee! Tha's silly!"

Mabozi angled his chin upward, letting out a cackle that wasn't exactly suited to his personality, but it was the only way he knew how to laugh. Mafa had taught him how to laugh, it was something he valued. Suddenly, as if it had suddenly popped into his head, his gaze darked back to the male, eyes narrowing slightly in inqusition,

"Me M'bozi. Who're tha'?"  

[Dagi]

Mabozi stood there, smiling silently after his question, waiting for a response. He would've stood like that for as long as it took for Tuk to answer, strangely enought. But thankfully, his response was decently swift. His smiled dimmed a little as the male introduced himself.

Tukutu. He knew that name. Mafa said it. A lot. At least when he'd still been around. She usually sounded very grumpy when she did, cold and distant, the kind of tone even Mabozi picked up on as something he wasn't comfortable with. Like she was mad. But Mabozi couldn't fathom why she'd be mad at his new friend, as far as he knew, he was new around here. However, Mabozi felt obliged to fill him in with the news,

"Tu'... Erm, I don' fink MaMa likes tha' ver' much..."

Mabozi sighed deeply, this was proving to be a very insightful experience. Here stood the hyena he'd been hearing about for so long. Long enough, in fact, that he actually remembered the name. It was engrained in his sparse brain. He sat down with a plop, looking back to Tukutu,

"How come?"  

[Dagi]

Mabozi's smile returned as Tukutu laughed. Sure, he was laughing at Mabozi, but he didn't seem to understand that fact. He saw it as a happy moment. The boy gave the other a toothy grin as he spoke, yeah, his MaMa sure was funny, and he loved her so. Mabozi was an overly affectionate creature, though none of his affection had ever been returned. He hadn't noticed.

Something Tuk said caught his attention thought. Mafa didn't like Tukutu because of... Because of him? Sweet little Mabozi, what could he have done wrong?! A look of total confusion swept over him. His eyes got all squinty, head tilting in a ridiculous manner to the side,

"Thas bad, Tu', no goo' when MaMa 'ates.... Hmmm, wha'd I do? May'e I can fix!"  

[Dagi]

The two brain cells in Mabozi's head seemed to have a connection, even if for a second. He twitched a little, as if they firing of some logical synapses in his head caused him some pain.

"Well, if she 'ates tha' coz of so'ethin' I done... Can be my faul'!"

Mabozi seemed slightly worried, he didn't like it when others were in tight situations. Tukutu certainly seemed to be in one. Facing Mafa's dislike was not something Mabozi would wish on anyone. In all reality, Mafa didn't like Mabozi too much at all, she simply tolerated him. Still, he interpreted her insults and put downs as loving words. Typical Mabozi.

Tukutu's next question was even more puzzling,

"Me Da'? I jus' 'ave MaMa, course."

He shook his head quickly. Now that he actually... Thought about it, he didn't think he had a father. He'd grown up with just Mafa. Tibuka had always been around, but he wasn't his dad, he was just his 'auntie'. And Mabozi was sure of that. Mabozi's head was starting to hurt from all of this thinking. Why did this male come with all these confusing questions?  

[Dagi]

Mabozi's lack of thought processes was mostly the reason why he spent most of his time wandering about alone. Hyenas, with their snappy tempers, really didn't have the patience to have him around. His mother included. However, the past few months, she had taken more of an interest in him. Mabozi didn't know why, but he cherished it.

"Wha's I supposa get, Tu'? Wha's am I ta wai' for? Su'prise?!"

Mabozi sprang up, his eyes wide with joy. Did Tukutu have some kind of joyous surprise for him? Sure sounded like it! Mabozi sure loved surprised. Had he known the impact of this 'surprise', he certainly wouldn't have been this thrilled about it, however, for the moment, he could barely contain himself. Mabozi said nothing more, however, he stared at Tukutu anxiously, his goofy grin now wider than ever, simply waiting for his surprise.  

[Dagi]

Mabozi kept his smile until his brain actually processed the words. And then, just like that, his expression went blank, like a light going out. All was silent for a moment as Mabozi stared intently. He then backed away a little, not exatly sure on how to react.

"My Da'... tha?"

He kept running the words over and over in his dim little head. The figure that had eluded him all his life now stood before him. Just like that. He suddenly had a father. He was a little shocked, to be honest. He'd never even assumed he had a father, the thought never wandered through his mind.

Suddenly, Mabozi's face brightened again, eyes sparkling with delight. He had a father! A real father! Not just MaMa, not just his 'auntie'. A Dad. Mabozi didn't bother worrying about where where Tuk had been his whole life, or why he'd never even come to see him. No, he lived in the moment. And at this moment, he officially had two parents, and he just loved his parents. Mabozi lept forward with glee, pacing a few circles around Tukutu in an excited fashion,

"O', my Da'! I so 'appy tha's 'ere! Love thaaaa'!!"