Lucia:
It was still fairly early by the time Lucia came loping back towards the troupe's camp outside of the mistweaver valley. She had loped on just a little ahead of the male so she could asess the situation before throwing a stranger to them in. The cub especially. He'd only learned to get over his fear of hyenas.
Taban:
Taban was standing up on a boarder looking out over the mistweaver valley. The cheetah had a keen interest in the happenings down there... they had a written language. And if they were able to establish the mistweavers as an ally, they gianed that much support, and were that much closer from learning how to write out their own tales in the stone. It was an oppertunity not easily over-looked. "The pride is still divided." He said casually over to a second cheetah. This one was much older, pure white save for a red mantle and red socks on his paws. What would stand out the most on him was a crimson and gold coursing harness, a man device, still straped in place.
Bai Feng:
Hm... and there is nothing you can do to unite them?" The older cheetah spoke with a strange accent, sharp almost.
Fubar:
Fubar, a maned wolf, instantly started to bark at the hyena's approach. It was enough to gain the attention of the other two.
Lucia:
"Angaza." She said simply, stopping to look over her shoulder. "Stay close."
Angaza:
The male Hyena nodded, trotting to keep pace to the female. He intended to make a good impression-- though he had to admit he'd never been so deep in the wild before, and he occasionally stole a glance of the area. It wasn't a long one, however. He dominantly focused on following Lucia-- making sure that he stayed close as advised. Best not to annoy anyone...
Fubar:
The maned wolf was the first to runup and meet them, his tongue flopping out of the side of his parted mouth as he ran. The male paused and sniffed at the newcommer quite a bit before he bounced himself back towards the approaching cheetahs.
Lucia:
"That's Fubar." Lucia explained calmly. "Much as we gather... he doesn't speak. Taban insists that he can, he just hasn't..."
Angaza:
Angaza nodded slowly, taking everything in, but listened attentively. He kept his posture as non-threatening as he could. No need to cause trouble...
Taban:
"Well well. It seems your little morning walks have brought you company, Lucia. Mind introducing us?" The cheetah was fairly young, perhaps just into his adult mantle. He carried himself much the way a noble would and met the newcomer's eyes with confidence. For a cheetah, he had quite the bulk on him. Large shoulders, a broad chest, and powerful limbs. The older white cheetah was taller, but looked more appropreate for his species.
Lucia:
Lucia nodded, "This is Angaza... Angaza, this is Taban. I've raised him since he was hardly able to open his eyes."And now he thinks he rules the world." She snickered a bit.
Taban:
"Hardly." He dipped his head slightly. "I am a tactition. I don't seek to rule the world, rather see that the proper people do. If that makes sense. Where have you come from, might I ask?"
Angaza:
Angaza chuckled softly before responding politely."The Elephant Graveyard, off the Pridelands. Before that...."Angaza rolled his shoulders in a shrug."I suppose before that doesn't matter now. I'm here, at any rate."He did smile, however-- not a saucy one he usually had, but it WAS friendly.
Taban:
"Ah yes.... that land has problems." Taban shook his head, "I don't know their status at the moment, but they lost their king to a tyrant. Thankfully, rumor has it that the tyrant has fallen." He puffed up a bit at that. "But I suppose the lives of lions don't much matter to those of your pack. To either effect, welcome. If my..." He glanced towards Lucia. Ooh he knew she hated this title but he just couldn't resist, "Nanny trusts you then we welcome you."
Lucia:
Lucia shot the cheetah a nasty glare and the corner of her maw twitched a bit, "...indeed... I have extended the offer for him to come and visit the pups that I have agreed to mother here. I wanted ot give him peace of mind that they would be raised well."
Bai Feng:
"Rest assured." Bai Feng smiled a bit at that. He'd always liked the old hyena, the two of them were around the same age and both had played as parents to younglings from time to time. "We have our goal set to become an elete guard...loyal to only those we deem worthy but take no land for ourselves."
Angaza:
"I would feel safe in that knowledge." Angaza smiled. "Better to aid those in need than to become a fool as their father in his youth, due the words and desires of a maniac of an alpha...Better they live in safety, away from scavenging bones... Away from the life they'd find if caught among the bones."If only he could join them... But, he had promised to help Fritt... And Angaza planned to keep it.
Taban:
"Hm..." Taban nodded slowly. Another tyrant it seemed. "I have never been able to involve myself with the tyrants within the canine packs..." He frowned a bit, "But perhaps your pups might gain the skills with us to influence some change where we may not be able to..."
Bai Feng:
"A reasonable cause... but we cannot jump in lightly." Bai warned.
Lucia:
"Either way." Lucia cut in. "We can give them a good life here. They can become something greater than their parents...but a part of us can live on. We're not getting any younger." She glanced sideways to the male, "We agreed that...allowing our legacy to live on in stronger, younger bodies may be the only way we can live up to our ambitions."
Nyack:
Nyack proudly walked up upon the troupe eyeing the hyena suspeciously. He gazed at Taban and found that he seemed alright with the situation so relaxed. In his mouth he carried a carcass of a young waterbuck. He dropped it and held up his head. "Hello... I see I've missed greeting a visitor..." He spoke offering a smile to the newcomer.
Chinedu:
"Dad! Wait up!" Chinedu raced after his father then got between his legs. He was older now and getting better on his paws. He grinnned then skidded to a stop, ears going down as he saw a new hyena. .He put his tail between his legs and slipped behind one of Lucia's paws, peekingo ut at the new male. "Uhm... Hi..."
Angaza:
Angaza smiled to the newcomers, bowing his head politely."I am Angaza... It is a pleasure to met you." The male smiled warmly, then looked to the younger, hiding behind Lucia's paws, and gave him a kind smile. "Hey there, big guy."
Lucia:
Lucia smiled and motioned for the cub to come out. "Come on now, don't be afraid. This is a friend of mine, he'll be visiting us now and then."
Taban:
"We've only just finished introductions." Taban assured the lion with a smile, "This is Angaza, he will be fathering Lucia's pups."
Nyack:
"Lucia's pups? That's great to hear..." Nyack bowed his head to her and grinned. "I'm happy for you... My name is Nyack... the little fluff ball is my son, Chinedu."
Chinedu:
"You can just call me Nedu if you want..." He crept out of his hiding place, looking up at Lucia then to Angaza. He looked confused at the conversation going on but smiled at the male regaurdless. "What's 'pups' mean?"
Lucia:
Lucia dipped her head down to lick back the little fluff of fur that had begun growing on the cub's head. "Little hyenas."
Chinedu:
Nedu's look of mild interest turned into full blown excitement. "You mean other cubs? Can I play with them? Where are they?" He peered around as if they were being hidden from his view. When he received the lick he tried to pat it back down. "Aunt Lucia... I don't need a bath! I just got one!"
Lucia:
Lucia chuckled softly and stepped back, "Not yet. Be patient now, just focus on your training. Did you help your father bring back the kill?"
Chinedu:
"Yup! I did, didn't I dad!" He grinned at his father. He was much to small to be of much use but Nyack had down him how to pounce and let him watch him hunt.
Nyack:
"Yes, he did very well Lucia. I taught him pouncing today. I must say he's almost an expert." He chuckled then shook himself off, laying down in the grass. He was still alert, however. Trusting as he was, he was taught to be warry of everyone and he followed it.
Taban:
"I remember those lessons. I had trouble keeping my back end down for the first few times." He sighed. It really wasn't that long ago either... back when Korvo had been in his rightful frame of mind...back before the fire. The cheetah shook his head and glanced back towards the two hyenas. "I'm glad to have met you. Feel free to join us whenever you like. There's safety in numbers." He turned and walked himself back towards the boulder. There was still a lot he needed to keep an eye on. A civil war in the valley just wouldn't do.
Angaza:
Angaza smiled, allowing the others to speak quietly, but when addressed, he bowed his head gratefully. "I thank you for your kindness.... It warms an old heart to see there are still those whom welcome good manners and manners into their numbers, instead of hatred and death."
Bai Feng:
"We have all come from painful backgrounds..." The white cheetah glanced backwards as Taban took his leave. "Some of us hide our wounds quite well...but we wish to see this place become one that any predator can walk safely through. It seems that far too often the good, peaceful prides, packs, and troupes are put to the claw."
Angaza:
"It must be so... I've not seen much, but what I see, I dislike." Angaza sighed. "Too much good corrupted in a world of hatred..."
Lucia:
"That's why we're here." Lucia scooped Nedu up with a paw and nuzzled the youth a bit. "The next generation will insure that this doesn't happen."
Chinedu:
Chinedu was preocupied. All this adult talk was above his head. He knelt down, wiggling to get himself into position. She'd never see it coming! He gave a small protest when he was scooped up but it quickly changed into a loving purr. "What doesn't happen, Aunt Lucia?"
Nyack:
Nyack licked one of his large paws and smiled at Chinedu. "It'll be good when he has cubs his own age to play with."
Lucia:
She smiled and let him down once more, "That no one has to have a sad life. You keep up with your training."
Bai Feng:
"Indeed." He chuckled, "I don't know if my tail can be used as a toy much longer."
Chinedu:
"Okay, Aunt Lucia!" He couldn't say he understood the purpose of the training. Only that he was supposed to do it. He just shook himself off. Speaking of Xuco's tail. He bounded off and wriggled his hindquaters in the air. He paused, looked back, then pushed himself down completely. After a few seconds he pounced and tried to catch the white cheetah's tail. "So does that mean we'll be staying here longer, Lucia? So you can care for your cubs with him and Taban can keep watch over this pride?"
Bai Feng:
Bai Feng, almost by instinct now, tossed his tail up and down in the air, making it quite a challenge for the cub, but more importantly- evading the claws. "It is a troupe." Feng reminded him again. "And yes, for a time we will...when you get older I'll take you through some of -my- drills. Get your legs strong."
Angaza:
Angaza smiled, watching them interact. He felt secure-- it was a big family, and they cared for one another.... He liked that.. It reminded him of home, and he sighed.
Lucia:
Lucia cleared her throat and nudged Angaza a bit, "Come on... we'll be back. You can stay the night here and in the morning I'll walk you back to our meeting place."
