Borachio:
The larger male knew the way home by heart. The swamp had been a fluke and one he didnt care to repeat. He had a companion in Johannes and he rather liked the lad. Borachio felt he was in debt to the boy. He only hoped that Fievre liked him too. He smiled looking behind him to see the pelted male. Maybe Fievre would learn why he didnt take the damn thing off. "You ready my boy?" he asked warmly.
Johannes:
Johannes followed the older hyena through lands unfamiliar to him. He would make sure they became familiar soon enough, though. He would have to, especially since he did his hunting at night.
"Yes, sir. I believe I am," he replied, trying to smile but even under his pelt he couldn't manage it. Was the den near? Was his daughter? Would she dislike him? Be afraid of him? Gods he hoped above all things that she didn't fear him. He didn't wear the pelt to be fear, it was just the only thing he had that fit anymore and though he knew time was wearing it out, what more could he really do? It wasn't like he found pelts that could fit him as well as this one had, ones that could cover up every horrid mark.
Borachio & Fievre:
"Ill be surprised if she isnt outside waiting already." he chuckled. He was excited to see his girl again. Something about thinking he was going to die made him incredibly happy to see the girl again. She was a sparkling ray of light. Like clockwork the ebony hyena girl saw her father rather quickly. Her smile spread across her maw as she ran over to nuzzle her father. "Poppa!" she cried happily. His pelt was dirty and gross and she wondered what it was he had been doing. "Where have you been? I was worried.." she frowned, her expression sad. Her bright eyes ticked to the male behind her father and she raised an eyebrow. "Poppa you have someone following you." she said and looked back at Borachio. "Yes my sweet. I know." She nodded her head and smiled pleasantly at the newcomer. "Tis a pleasure sir."
Johannes:
Hannes' eyes widened as she ran up. She was... gorgeous. Her father's description, it paled in comparison. So many fears went through his mind of how she would greet him. The raised eyebrow, the words to her father, and then.
If he had thought her pretty at first, her smile lit her up like a star. Without another thought, he dipped his head low.
"The pleasure is all mine, my lady," he replied softly, his eyes flicking upwards to look at her.
Borachio & Fievre:
"I shall let you two get aquainted. Be nice you two." Borachio smiled warmly, and nuzzled his daughter one last time before retreating back into his den. It was likely he planned on sleeping. Fievre looked at her father, confused with his leaving and trying to fight the awkwardness that was being left iwth a male she didn't even know.
"How is it you came to meeting my father?" She asked, looking the male over and wondering what the pelt was for. She was refined enough to know not to ask, but still she had to make sure to keep looking in his eyes so that she didnt slip and stare at the pelt around him.
Johannes:
Hannes nodded to Borachio, though he was terrified that the older male was leaving, but it was going to happen eventually. It just bothered him that it had happened so soon. All of a sudden it was just himself and Borachio's daughter.
"I found him floundering in my swamp, about to be eaten by a crocodile. I saved him and asked that I could come back with him in return," he said, dipping his head so that he could take the crystal off. Looping it over his paw, he held it up for her to see.
"I brought this for you. He told me what you looked like and I thought you might like this." he sounded rather nervous, but polite as ever.
Fievre:
"So you saved his life? You are a hero indeed if you are saving my father from something so menacing as a crocodile. Dreadful beasts that they are." She growled as if they were right near her. She was never one for being judgemental, and so his personal appearance did little to hinder her. She smiled at him as he handed her the gem, and she approached him, lowering her head so he could slip it around her neck.
"Do me the honors? You really shouldnt have. Im afraid Im not worth it." She chuckled, and kept her eyes on the glittering gem.
Johannes:
Hannes felt even more embarrassed and proud when she dipped her head to allow him to place the necklace over her head. He was ever so careful slipping it on her and jerked back as quickly as he could, surveying his work.
"It pales in comparison to its wearer." The words were out of his mouth before he could stop them and he smiled sheepishly, glancing away slightly.
"Crocodiles are just another creature in our world. I've found no reason to hate them, as long as we stay away from one another."
Fievre:
She smiled, looking down at the glittering emerald and then back up at his sheepish features. "Why thank you.. Thats rather a sweet thing to say. Around here, where the hyenas stay away because of the territory.. its nice to hear." She said, her voice soft. Not that she felt alone, but she did. Living a life with your father and no other male around sometimes made things extremely lonely..
"My mother used to say my father was killed by one. How true it is, Im not suer. She died before I was ever old enough to ask." She responded, but was pleased with his view. He was such a soft, kind male she couldnt help but smile.
Johannes:
She was so kind, he had never met a creature so kind to him besides his father. He wanted to reach out and touch her, he even raised a paw towards her cheek before pulling it back and looking away.
"I'm sorry. I should be honest with you. Your father told me about you, he asked me how he could repay me for saving his life. I asked to come back with him, so that I could meet you and court you," he explained, taking a step back from her. He wouldn't lie to her or keep secrets.
"Please forgive me if I presumed too much."
Fievre:
She stared at him for a moment, at a loss for words. She wasnt sure what to think about it, but when he blushed she couldnt help but smile.
"No, no its fine. Breathe, dear." She said with a gentle voice. "First, I should know your name, yes?" She asked with a chuckle. She wasnt against courting the male. In fact she welcomed it. She was happy that someone had any interest in her.
"I must be some reward if you agreed to that without even meeting me. But.. I do ask one thing from you. You see.. I like honesty. In fact Its something I hold in very high regard. So tell me."
She started, and then stepped closer to him.
"Why are you wearing that pelt?"
Johannes:
"Johannes, and the way your father spoke of you, I couldn't lose the chance," Hannes said, dipping his head with his greeting. But then she moved closer and asked him a question he couldn't answer. If he told her it was because his own pelt had drove other hyenas to murder his father, there was a chance she would want to see it. No, he couldn't allow that. His ears, one of the few things not covered by the pelt, flicked back slightly and he shook his head.
"I have always worn a pelt. It was how I was raised. You may ask me anything you like, but please do not ask me anymore about the pelt."
Fievre:
She frowned, obviously not happy with the response she got. She nodded, turning to head in another direction.
"Ive got a bit of a thirst. Care to join me for a walk to the waterhole?" She asked. Her voice was still warm, but she was obviously a bit off. She wasnt sure if he hid it from her because he didnt trust her (which she couldnt blame him) or if he truly just wouldnt ever tell her. She supposed she had just met the guy, she should give him a chance. So a chance she would give.
"Its right this way, if you arent too tired I mean?" She asked, looking up at him.
Johannes:
"I'm not tired, my lady. I would be honored to escort you," Hannes replied with a nod and stood to walk with her. He was tired, this was true, but he couldn't pass up the opportunity to spend more time with her, maybe to learn more about her. She had seemed put-off by his answer, it pained him that he wouldn't tell her the root of his reasoning. Someday he might, but not now.
"Your father said you were adopted. I was too, or so I was told. My father wouldn't tell me who my parents were. Sometimes I wonder whether or not he was telling me the truth," he said, trying to change the subject. He was grasping at the tail-feathers of so many fleeing birds, though. He sighed and shook his head.
"It may look spiky and it's dirty, but I'll wash when I have the opportunity, I promise it won't look as bad."
Fievre:
She nodded when he agreed to come with her. She was hoping he would, because she wanted to get to know him. Surely he would be honest about everything else.
"Good." She smiled, and walked on so that she could quench her thirst. She turned her head to look at him as she walked, hearing what it was her father had said about her.
"Yes, I was adopted. Mother and father both died when I was far too young to care for myself. Borachio was saved my life." She said fondly. "But I would believe what your father told you. If he told you nothing different, then take his word." She nodded, and smiled warmly.
"Just like I will take you for your word." She chuckeld when he spoke of his pelt.
Johannes:
Hannes walked with her, listening to her speak. Her voice was lyrical, he didn't think he'd heard birds sound as beautiful. He was probably just exaggerating in his mind because he had never met a female so kind and good to him.
"I have. My father and I look nothing alike, so I can't really imagine that he was lying to me. It's just that I don't remember having any other parents, I can't imagine what would have happened to them that I would be orphaned when I was too young to remember anything," he explained as they walked. He couldn't believe that she was being so nice to him. And that she would take a complete stranger for his word. Though, he hadn't given her any reason not to, besides not wanting to tell her about why he wore his pelt.
"I'm glad that you trust me, my lady."
Fievre:
"You seem trustworthy." She explained, and nodded her head so that her tuft of mane fell in her eyes. She was usually one to accept others, or at least..if she had met any others lately. Last creature she met was a lioness and that hadn't been completely unpleasant.
"Just don't give me reason not to." She responded, and smiled when she saw the water. Trotting to the waters edge she leaned down to lap at the liquid. She was thirsty, and worry for her father had made her relatively tired.
Johannes:
"Thank you, so do you," Hannes replied, moving away from her slightly to walk into the water so that he could wash the grime from both his pelt and the false one. Living in the swamp, he had only had his little spring to drink from, so he couldn't really bathe in it. And the swamp water was too dirty to begin with, much less too dangerous. He would have kept himself clean if he could have. He scratched at the pelt he wore, scraping the dirt and tangles from it. it certainly wouldn't make it shine like new, but it would be softer again and cleaner.
He left the water and shook, the way his pelt was on him keeping it in place. He joined her again and smiled a bit.
"I'm sure I never shall give you a reason not to," he said upon his return.
Fievre:
Once she was done drinking from the water, the female moved back so that he could clean his pelt in peace. How she wanted to know why he wore that thing, but it was obvious he wouldn't tell her. She hoped it wasnt anything serious, or life threatening. She would hate to see him having a bug infested fur and thats why he covered it up.
"I would hope not." She chuckled, lying on the earth on her belly and stretching out her legs. The sun was bright, and it clung to her fur. She wanted to bask in the water, but the water was as warm as the sun was making her. It would do her no good.
Johannes:
He moved away from the water to the female, pausing close to her, but not close enough to drip on her.
"Do you wish to remain here for a time, or should we head back?" Her father had almost died, after all, she might be worried about him, wish to get back to him as soon as possible. From what little could be seen of his face, he looked tired under his mask. While sometimes he was a nocturnal individual, to go out hunting without his pelt, the swamp had been too dangerous to hunt in at night. He'd gotten used to the day, but this had been a long one. He did want to rest a bit, but only when he had a safe place to do so.
Fievre:
"I'm feeling rather feeble at the moment." She responded, nodding a bit as he stepped closer. She stood from her lying position, and stretched out her legs, a yawn stretching across her maw. She really wanted to check her father, but she also wanted to finally get the rest she had been unable to achieve in his absence.
"Come, I have a section of the den that is all mine. It's warm and safe and no one can get to you there."
She said warmly.
Johannes:
It was as if she read his mind. He smiled and nodded, leading her back towards the den.
"I would like that. I'll admit, though, I'm not used to having others around..." But she probably already figured that one out by now. He just felt so... awkward. And yet he knew that he was doing the right thing. Staying by himself, all alone in his swamp to grow old and eventually die with only the crocodiles for his companions... It wasn't how he wanted to live his life.
Fievre:
"Neither am I." She respodned with a smile. She motioned with her head to follow her and was thankful that she didnt have to worry about it being too far away. It wasnt long before she reached the den, and she looked at him from the entrance.
"Come on. It will do you some good to have a warm body to sleep next to." The warm smile appearing on her face once more.
Johannes:
They stopped at the entrance and when she smiled at him... Hannes felt his heart quicken. She was offering her own space, her own place to sleep to share with him. It was just not what he was used to.
He glanced upward at the sky for a moment. It would be a moonless night tonight. He could go out hunting and bring breakfast back for his hosts.
With a nod of his shaggy-pelted head, Johannes followed the female into the den, intending to nap a bit before he would have to get up again and hunt a bit once the sun had gone down.
