Ziwa wasn’t a happy dog right now. She was required to tail Tibuka today, and he was hardly her favorite person out there. But, for whatever reason, Jiska had decided she should follow and ‘learn’ something. And Jiska was her boss, so she kind of had to listen to him. At least she didn’t have to be subtle about it. “I’m following you.” Now that that was out of the way, Ziwa plopped down on the floor beside the muddy male hyena, scowling the entire time.
Tibuka, on his part, seemed mildly amused. He quirked a brow, glancing briefly at the female wild dog before rolling his eyes. Really, what did that spotted idiot expect to learn? “Fine. Whatever.” He snorted, and decided then and there that he’d do the most interesting thing he could think of. He stretched out and lay down. He didn’t really know too much of Ziwa, but she definitely wouldn’t enjoy this.
And, just as he suspected, it didn’t take long for the female to begin to fidget. He tail twitched, then outright began flicking and thumping on the floor in random intervals. She shifted her weight, and looked around, desperately wanting something better to do. He smirked to himself, turning his head away and closing his eyes, as if to take a nap.
“Come on, really? Really?” Ziwa groaned, flopping onto her back lamely. This would be the longest day ever. She was stuck here watching a dumb hyena take a nap. That was just wonderful. But then another sound came and made her hopeful. Until she looked up and realized what it was. Then she frowned and groaned again. This was so ridiculous even Tibuka, mister the biggest stick in the mud I’ve ever known, was laughing at her.
“What, following me isn’t as fun as you thought it would be?” Tibuka chuckled, crossing his front paws and glancing back at the female. “No. You’re extremely boring.” Though Tibuka didn’t really mind being called boring, it didn’t offend him at all, he figured it was as good a time as any to remind the little blue dog that Jiska wasn’t the only one that had authority over her.
Within moments, Tibuka had gotten up and was over Ziwa. She flinched and tried to get up, but soon found a paw on her throat, that rather effectively thwarted any attempt to rise. Her ears flattened against her skull and she whined miserably, not sure what had gone wrong. She was sure Tibuka would answer that question soon enough.
“Listen to me, pup. It’s not like you hurt my feelings or anything. I honestly couldn’t care less about what you think of me.” She didn’t think it looked that way, but Ziwa held her tongue. Tibuka was quite a bit bigger than her and… “Remember, I’m your boss too.” Ziwa involuntarily showed her teeth at this. She liked Tibuka even less now.
So she was pretty happy when Jika decided to come along.
“My my, what are you doing to my wild dog, Tibuka?” Not that Ziwa particularly appreciated being referred to as his wild dog, but she couldn’t complain. Tibuka let her get up and she immediately scrambled a safe distance away from him. But once she turned around, Tibuka didn’t seem embarrassed or even uncomfortable. In fact, neither did Jiska. How disappointing.
“Oh, well, your wild dog had to learn a few manners, that’s all.” Tibuka said calmly, despite putting an emphasis on the ‘your’, making note. Jiska really was possessive of his little troupe. “Ah, I see.” The spotted male nodded like he knew exactly what the hyena meant, and Ziwa scowled. This was getting stupid. Hello? Tibuka kind of just attacked me?
“Just make sure you don’t go around breaking my lovely little puppies, they’re not much use if injured.” Ziwa hated it when they called them such names. They weren’t puppies, let alone his puppies. They were wild dogs, members of his pack. She was sure he called them that just to annoy them. And Tibuka wasn’t helping either. “Oh, of course not. I wouldn’t dream of harming your little darlings! That wouldn’t help me in any way. Or, maybe some ways, but…”
This didn’t seem to please either Ziwa or Jiska. But while the female was openly staring at Tibuka, clearly uncomfortable with where this was going, Jiska recovered quickly. “Ah, yes. Well, there are plenty of us to spare, I suppose.” It might not seem like much, but Ziwa did catch on to what Jiska was doing. Tibuka hated that he and his two hyena companions were outnumbered. Ziwa was rather glad, on her part. Hyenas were bigger, stronger than wild dogs. If they didn’t have numbers, they might be in trouble. She wasn’t entirely convinced they weren’t in trouble.
But Jiska’s word had the desired effect. Tibuka frowned, and shrugged nonchalantly. He couldn’t argue that the wild dogs had more. “It’s a good thing we’re on the same side.” But he didn’t say it with the same kind of tone. To Ziwa it was like his words were perfectly pleasant but his voice was still holding some menace, annoyance. Like he sometimes wondered if they really were on the same side, or he was challenging Jiska to oppose him.
…Now, Ziwa didn’t know about her leader, but she sure didn’t want to get on the hyena’s bad side. “Yes, it’s a very good thing! I agree!” And both Jiska and Tibuka were suddenly staring at her. Jiska seemed angry. Tibuka seemed both pleased and amused. Neither expression made Ziwa particularly happy, so she shrunk back. “…Yes, uninvited. Sorry. Won’t happen again. Boss…es.” She apologized lamely, and looked away. Her last peek at Jiska revealed he wasn’t exactly very happy, but it couldn’t be helped.
“…Yes, it is a good thing.” She heard her alpha agree, grudgingly. “I like this one of yours, Jiska. What is her name again? Ziwa, I believe?” She gulped. She was definitely in trouble with her leader. Hopefully he’d have mercy. “Yes, she’s quite the treasure.” Jiska didn’t even try to hide that he was unhappy with her. Ziwa just kept her eyes downcast and avoided interfering with the conversation, which was, mercifully, close to being done.
“Well, Tibuka, I’m afraid my little treasure and I are going to go for a walk. This was a pleasure.” Of course, all three of them knew this had been no such thing. But all, under their little mask of friendliness, smiled and bid their goodbyes. Things seemed okay for now.
Sadly, Ziwa reminded herself as she was led away by Jiska, this was essentially how things went between their two leaders every day.
