A muddy-looking hyena grumbled, limping slightly across the plans. He wasn't exactly being so heroic right now; in fact, some would say he was being cowardly. Many would say so. He was, after all, more or less abandoning his mate and their sons. But they wouldn't know of it like that. See, before leaving he'd been attacked,by the same lion he and his mate had ran into shortly after meeting. The lion was enormous, and signs of a fight were definitely left behind. He'd also been dragged away somewhat.
It was perfect; the pack would think he was dead. Simple.
Aware of what he was leaving behind, though, Tibuka did wonder if this was the right choice. There was Mafa, his pack leader, who he'd been infinitely loyal to, and had even established a great rank in the pack. Head guard; it was something to be looked up to. Thinking of it all made him stop his walking, look back and start to turn around, before catching himself.
Nope, he was leaving. It was a sudden decision, yes. He might regret it. In fact, he probably would. But he was gone like the wind, and didn't plan to go back. As for why he was leaving.. that one was tougher. In truth, he wasn't sure. He just felt it wasn't what it once was to him. Tibuka had always been somewhat tough to satisfy, perhaps it was amazing that he'd stuck with the pack for so long. He tilted his head slighly, before turning once more and continuing heading away.
He couldn't go back to the pack, probably. He'd be killed for leaving just like that. But he didn't mind; that couldn't be the only graveyard ever, and besides, graveyards got boring. Perhaps, ironically, they were too... dead.
As for his wounds? They were pretty well healed by now. In fact, the whole lion-attack and leaving had happened about a month ago. The limp leg was persistent, though. He hoped it'd go soon.
And she was leaving her old home too. Funny coincidence, perhaps. The petite female was trotting along, head high, proud. Or trying to be proud and fearless. She was raised as a common farm-dog, which had resulted in being a bit smaller than a typical hyena, and after running away, also a thing dogs did, she found herself thrown into a world of giants.
She'd already ran into a small group of lions that'd almost killed her, a herd of beasts that'd almost trampled(and impaled!) her.. this place sucked. She grumbled, pausing in her steps to scratch at the leather collar on her neck. It was wearing out, she could feel it! soon she'd rip it off. Yes, soon.
And thats when she saw another hyena. Yipping, she dashed over, not noticing the limp. "Heeey! Hey yooo! " She shouted, leaping energetically before getting close, bouncing around him until she heard a growl. When that happened, Fido immediately shrunk back, ears lowered and head tilting slightly to the side, making herself look smaller and submissive. That worked, usually.
"Hey-hey. Can ya help me 'ere? " She whined slightly, still keeping a mostly submissive stance, but he'd stopped growling.
"With what? " Tibuka demanded, ears perked and head raised. He must amdit.. he liked the submissive-ness. As far as the hyena-world went, though, Tibuka was impressive, perhaps, to girls, a catch. He was largish, in very good shape.. and he liked to think handsome.
Fido grumbledslightly, looking form one side to the other, fur fluffing out. "Aahn, the collar. I want it out. Not a pet anymore. " She twitched an ear toward sher nack, indicating slightly with her eyes as well. She saw the muddy male's eyes blink and he leaned forward, examining the collar. "What? " she asked, why did he seem fascinated?
"Whats that, anyway? " He stepped to the side, walking around the female to examine her. Really odd, that thing on her neck. "Its a coller! " She said impatiently, but caught herself. This guy was clearly the boss-sort, she had to be nice with the boss-sorts. "Ya never seen one? "
"No, I haven't. Whats it for? " Now he sounded impatient. Of course he'd never seen one, if he asked what it was. "Well, ah.. The two-leggers use it to tag me as.. um.. theirs. I ran away, tho'. So I ain't anybody's anymore. So I want it off. " she stated simply, tail wagging slightly. Tibuka listened, pondering for a moment. To tag her as.. theirs? Like.. slave?
"And boy, 'm I hungry! when do you folks get fed? " That made Tibuka blink once more. "What do you mean 'fed'? " She stared at him for a moment. Where was this guy born, in a cave?! "Ya know, when someone brings ya food. Or ya fight off the other pups for their food. " She had a feeling she wouldn't fight anyone off here, though.
"... We don't do that here. We hunt. " What a sad creature, it didn't even hunt for itself? Fido paused. "Oh.. right. " She had heard that before.. was hardly excited about it. "Oh.. right. " She muttered. "Well, can ya-- " She couldn't finished, the male had leaped onto her, and she squealed, suddenly flat on her back.
"Hey-hey-hey! " she shouted, then felt something tugging at her neck, and raised her paws out, whining slightly as it squeezed against the back of her neck, until he puller it upwards and finally-- it was out. Leaving a bit of a rope-burn, but that was merely a small irritation.
She remained there a bit longer, seeing as he hadn't got off. "There, I took your collar off. But you're sticking with me. " Tibuka growled. He'd decided that just now, in fact. He was a hyena, hyena were pack-animals, and though he was a good hunter, he couldn't do it completely alone forever. And though this female obviously didn't know-how.. he could teach her.
"Got it? " He growled, the collar still in his maw. "Y-yes. " Her ears were flat against her skull, and Fido shrunk against the floor, finally letting out a breath once he was off.
Tibuka seemed pleased with himself. He was actually the boss now,and he liked that. A male being the boss, in his world, was somewhat odd. Females led the packs, and ironically, now he had his own female-follower. And she was certainly going to be easy to keep in line.
"Come on, then. " He said, turning, though he kept the collar. He wanted to hold on to that, actually. Fido hesitated, but rolled to her paws and kept her head low, tail tucking slightly. As Tibuka limp-trotted away, the smaller shape of Fido could be seen taking small paces after him. Fido wasn't totally unpleased, she was much more a follower than a leader, but...
From one chain to another, was it?
