Sadiki had taken a break from his duties within the Intaba’Umbekezeli. Well, not really. He was on a mission for his pride, one that he would endure only because the pride needed more bodies to fill its ranks. Sadiki was on a mission, yes, one to find a female cheetah who would allow him to impregnate her so that he might return to his pride with offspring in tow. She’d have to be a bit dim, Sadiki realized this, but he would suffer through and endure the process so that his pride might benefit because of his actions.
He was unfamiliar with the landscape outside of the pride. He’d not traveled from his mountain home in quite some time, and really had no idea what to expect. Thankfully he was muscled and lean, and it was easy to lope across the savanna for short distances. Doing this, he covered ground at a fast pace. Sadiki really had no idea where he was running to, but he figured he would have to run into someone or something. He would keep the mountain at his back so that he could remember which way was home, and wouldn’t stray too far.
Bekeli had been wandering for a bit, having been sent out by Dikeledi and Bahari to do a bit of scouting. He wasn’t sure what for; they weren’t lost, and Sudaj seemed to know where they were heading. That made Bekeli feel a bit better; though he still didn’t like or trust the other male much, having the weight of being the group navigator lifted from his scrawny shoulders allowed him to breathe a bit easier. If things went wrong, it wouldn’t be Bekeli they turned to. No, it would be Sudaj to deal with the wrath of the females.
Sadiki slowed, his nose twitching. A strange, almost foul scent wafted toward him on a slight breeze. He could tell it wasn’t female, or even feline. Following his nose he followed the scent.. yes, just on the other side of the outcropping of rocks in front of him. Quietly and with the grace only a cheetah could have, Sadiki hefted himself onto the top of the rocks and peered down below him.
Bekeli scented the stranger before he saw him. He wasn’t sure who or what it was, but it was unfamiliar and that meant possible danger. With a breathless whine he spun in a half-circle, unaware that he was being watched from atop the outcropping he paced below. It frustrated the scraggly hyena, not being able to see the smell that tainted his nostrils, and he was afraid to stray too far from the protection of the rocks. He ran a circle around the base of the rocks, whimpering softly to himself before coming to a stop where he stood previously.
Sadiki was always amused by the stupidity of some species. While hyenas were supposedly known for their cunning and relentless behavior, the specimen he watched with golden eyes was anything but typical. Sadiki knew the hyena could smell him. Oh, how Sadiki wanted to burst with laughter, but he didn’t. This was too amusing to ruin right now, and it had been a long, long time since Sadiki had been so amused. It was awful of him, and he recognized that, but this stupid hyena so frantically trying to figure out where his scent was coming from… well, he would accept his awfulness gracefully and with dignity, and he would continue to watch the stupid hyena.
Bekeli was feeling more and more frantic. Was he being haunted? Was a god toying with him? What was going on? Why couldn’t he see where the smell was coming from? Letting out a loud, feeble whimper, Bekeli sat on his haunches with his back against the rock. It was eerie and unsettling, this entire situation, and Bekeli knew he couldn’t very well sit here forever and wait for something awful to befall him. He knew that Bahari and Dikeledi were likely wondering where he’d gone to, and the sky was starting to turn dark and… well, he was here alone and there was no sense lying to his self. Bekeli was scared. He was afraid that something out there would get him if he made a move to run away, and he was afraid that something out there would get him if he decided to stay where he was.
Sadiki couldn’t hold in the snort of laughter that burbled up in his throat. Oh, this stupid, pathetic creature below him. Running in circles, crying, huddled against the rock that Sadiki perched on. And once his laughter started, it wouldn’t be stopped. Sadiki uncharacteristically howled with laughter. He laughed until tears swept down his furred cheeks, leaving wet traces behind. Sadiki fell to his stomach at the pinnacle of the rock, his body wracked with laughter. Feet in the air, most undignified, Sadiki didn’t care. This hyena was just… too stupid for words. Nothing could describe the hilarious sight of the blue and brown hyena tripping over himself in fear.
Bekeli heard the laughter and he bolted. No thank you, he was not sticking around to be struck down by a mighty god. He ran, tail tucked between his legs and nose to the ground, letting out unearthly screams as he ran, faster than he ever had in his life. There was no shame in saving your hide, and since that rock was clearly haunted, he figured the only thing he could do was run away from it. Far, far away, and he wouldn’t look back to make sure he wasn’t being followed. The sounds of laughter haunted him as he ran, echoing across the quiet plains. Bekeli felt as if he couldn’t run fast enough or far enough and he wouldn’t stop until he was near his Queens once more.
Sadiki laughed until his poor stomach was sore. His sides ached, and his throat was raw from the deep belly laughs that had wracked his body. He’d never seen such a stupid creature, and he truly doubted he would ever see such an imbecile again in his life. These things happened only once in a great while, and he was fortunate enough to have come across such an idiot.
Jumping down from the rock he was stationed on, Sadiki chucked once more before picking up speed again. His mission wouldn’t be forgotten, but he was thankful for the stupid hyena that had given him a distraction.
