The black and white Hyena had been out in the roguelands for what felt like weeks. In truth, it probably was. Itzal never did like keeping track of time. It wasn't like anyone was keeping tabs on him or needed to know where he was at all moments of the day. And if they did, that was their problem. He wasn't about to make reports on his daily activities to anyone. Not a soul. It wasn't like he wasn't getting his work done, anyway. Being away for days at a time wasn't anything unheard of for Itzal to do. In order to truly get new and wonderful things, sometimes one had to go the extra mile to obtain them. Besides. There were many different kinds of packs or prides out there. Even if it meant dealing with felines, he wanted to visit as many as he could. They must have lots of different kinds of treasures, with their many different cultures. He had met a few of them, so far. As a rogue, he thought nothing of it. Now that he had a pack and a job to do, he saw things differently. Each pride was a new market. A new trading post. A new opportunity to increase his wares or trade for something better. It was much easier for one to collect things now that they had a more protected area to keep said things. Even if they had other creatures like the black and white female Hyena back at the graveyard who liked to poke her nose into things that didn't belong to her.
Thoughts of the female brought a twist to his lips, not anything like a smile. It hadn't been the last time they'd crossed paths, of course. The pack wasn't very large, even with the few litters having been born in it or to a member. The sight of the pups made him about as happy as Itzal could become. More canines into the world, to help outweigh all the feline influence. He hated how difficult it was to leave Mava'Bunda and not run into a lion. Or leopard. Or cheetah. Being the business enthusiast he was, he always made sure to head for them, despite their species, and see if he could strike a bargain with them. If not, he went his separate way. It was their loss.
A small noise brought the Hyena out of his thoughts. He stopped in his tracks, the twin pouches over his back clinging together. There was an assortment of things inside the hides. Sharpened bones, mostly by the Hyena's own claws and teeth. Sharpened, but plain looking rocks. A few strands of what looked like a really tough grass tied together into a rope. Some pieces of hides. Broken jewelery. Nothing truly amazing had come up, yet. The jewelery would be useful for trading or to decorate the bodies of his pack mates.
The sound he had heard continued until something hit one of his back paws. Startled, Itzal spun around, a deep growl coming from his throat. A little mouse was cowering against a rock, its tail tied to a very pretty and sharp object.
"I'm sorry, sir!" it squeaked in a high pitched voice. Damn these rodents, it was always difficult to tell gender by voice alone. Such small voice boxes were really a tragedy. "Please don't eat me!"
Such a typical thing for prey to say. Itzal looked the mouse over, deeming it not large enough for even a little snack. Not that he was hungry. His stomach still felt a little full from his meal a few hours ago. Baby hoof feet of the larger variety were a fitting meal for the lone traveler.
No. He wouldn't eat this creature. But a little toying might be in order. It had been a while since Itzal had come across something entertaining.
"Why shouldn't I do that?" the Hyena asked in a snarl, edging closer to the rodent. He got much satisfaction from the mouse trying to flatten itself against the rock behind it.
"Because..." The little eyes looked on all sides of the terrifying Hyena, not seeing an escape, nor a savior. It tried to pull its tail closer to its body, than seemed to remember the rock tied to it. "I have this." Jerking its body, it moved the rock closer to itself, stationing it slightly in front so it was as much between it and the canine as it could get in fear of drawing the Hyena's jaws down upon it. It didn't want the predator to think it was trying to get away. Or else it would be eaten quicker. Under some circumstances, that would be a good thing. Seeing as the Hyena wasn't physically toying with it, it saw a more likely escape with its life than if the beast had a paw over the tiny body. "I've noticed you are carrying many other trinkets. I give you this for your collection, in return for my safe escape."
Itzal thought on this a while. The offer was tempting. And he agreed, it was a very pretty rock. Too pretty for one of his piles. Too pretty for its own pile. If he had a rock like that, he wouldn't risk the others stealing it out in the open, by leaving it out in the open. Since he had joined the pack, he hadn't taken any of the treasures and junk he found for himself. He was due some sort of reward for all his work, he thought.
"Very well," he answered slowly, making it sound like it was a reluctant agreement. Itzal often fed more off the fear of prey than the actual meat. "For that pretty pebble, you may go free. Leave it on the ground and I won't give chase when you go."
With many thank yous and a few apologies for bumping into the Hyena in the first place, the little mouse scampered off, the weight free from its tail. Whether it was truly something precious to the creature or whether it was much less important than its own life-not that Itzal disagreed with this thought-he didn't care. He got the pretty stone and the mouse didn't. To further ensure no one else but he got the pebble, Itzal picked it up and carried it over to a tree. From a low hanging branch, the male picked out a large sized leave. Rolling the stone in it, he picked it up with his teeth and placed it delicately in one of the bundles on his back, as if he expected it to break.
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Word Count: 1096
