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 Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2012 9:25 pm
It had started with a simple rumor. A rumor that Toshka had brought back from conversations with other venomous snakes as the pair traveled across the diverse terrains. Granted, it was more than a rumor to the community of disturbed serpents and most likely would have been up in arms--if they'd had any.
Somewhere in Africa there was a lion immune to the poison that flowed from their fangs. And he was making himself known in a rather... unexpected way.
For Hatari it had become far more than simple gossip. It was something to aspire to. Someone that she needed to meet and learn from. For Hatari, finding him had become an obsession.
Much to Toshka's dismay. Despite their strange bond the collared female didn't understand the hybrid's fixation of toxins of the natural world. From years spent with the little leotah's step-father learning about the numerous combinations of plants and herbs that created lethal combinations to wandering the continent searching the best way to utilize the natural sting of Africa's most dangerous insects. Knotted around Hatari's tail which was kinked to prevent the snake from slipping off, her coils swayed loosely as they traveled through the treetops of the jungle, following a fresh trail. Why you do this, Hatari? Toshka doesn't want to meet the scary grass cat.
You don't have to come. A distracted voice reassured, flicking her tail to assure the viper that she didn't appreciate Toshka's negativity.
Toshka only flattened grimly in response, sticking out her forked tongue. Toshka can't leave. Hatari might do something stupid. Get into trouble.
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Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2012 11:46 pm
How long had she been following him? Granted Strychnos couldn't prove it was a female, but he couldn't imagine why any such male would have taken such a keen interest in him to follow all this way. He'd even thought he'd lost her a ways back after swinging back through the river to prevent leaving a trail and far less of a scent with the water washing across his pelt, carrying the musk of of the male with it. Yet there she was--the assumed she--nearly over his head with fur a shade of teal that was too blue to blend very well into the darker green tones of the canopy.
Clearly a far more capable tracker than the brooding purebred would have liked to give the strange critter credit for, he finally turned to face her. Making it blatantly clear that he was aware of her presence. You've been following me for hours, either tell me what the hell you want or get lost.
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Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2012 11:49 pm
Things had been going relatively well thus far, even at one point when Hatari had thought she'd lost sight of her quarry the clever little hybrid had somehow managed to locate him again. If she didn't know any better she would have thought he was trying to shake her, but there was no possible way he could know that she was---
You've been following me for hours, either tell me what the hell you want or get lost.
s**t! She'd been caught! So much for making an entrance! Staring down into pale eyes that narrowed sharply a her, their color muted and difficult to read from her distance in a high tree branch Hatari tried not to appear completely embarrassed. Slowly tracing her way to the jungle floor around the various obstacles in her way. She didn't speak until all four paws were solidly placed upon the ground, squaring small shoulders with determination. I've been following a rumor carried on the tongues of venomous snakes across the land. I've hit a lot of dead ends in my travels, but it was all worth it.. because I think my search is finally over.
Whether she thought this was a good idea or not really didn't mean much of anything really, Toshka was reluctantly along for the ride given how stubborn the little leotah female was. She was determined to find the Poison King for reasons that the viper simply couldn't wrap her brain around. And now here they were, face to face with a rather ominous looking lion. For some reason Toshka couldn't help but stare at his vibrant jungle-esque markings, he didn't seem the sort of feline she would have wanted to accidentally cross paths with. Keeping a safe distance as she remained loosely coiled around the loop of Hatari's tail.
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Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2012 11:52 pm
..because I think my search is finally over.
Was she implying that he was the one that had the serpent population in an uproar? Cht. That was a laugh. As if he gave a s**t. Then again.. why did she? There was something like awe in her amber stare when she looked at him though Strychnos couldn't understand why. Nor did he particularly care. Kids today, they had some strange hobbies. Ironically, Stryc couldn't help but notice that as excited as the hybrid seemed to be to have finally found him, her companion was less than thrilled. In fact she certainly looked down right wary of him, apparently his appetite preceded him. A dark grin quivering the corner of his maw as he maneuvered his head in her direction for just a moment, pleased to see her flinch.
Righting himself a discarding glance was cast across the pair dismissively. He didn't have any interest in rumors. I don't know anything about a rumor. Don't give a s**t either, so run along home before I start getting pissed.
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Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2012 11:57 pm
W-What?! No way! No freakin' way I'm going home now that I'm so close! I've been busting my tail trying to track down leads to find the source of all the stories! Hatari cried out indignantly, stamping her paw on the soft earth rather childishly, yet she pressed forward stubbornly determined. You know, they also say that he can kill other animals with his bite, that the reason he's immune to their venom is because he produces a venom of his own. If that.. if that were true, that's amazing and I need to meet him!
Hatari, we listen to grass cat? We leave now? Toshka queried hopefully, tightening her hold on the leotah's tail in an attempt to get her companion's attention. She felt her scales crawl every time moonlight pale orbs drifted towards her, always with a devilish expression that the viper would have swore was filled with the intent to do her harm. Hatari, as usual, seemed clueless while absorbed in her desire to track down the namesake of the legend that was being formed by whispering reptiles.
Toshka! Enough! Whipping her head around, sleek tail lashed in blatant frustration. Annoyed by the repeated request. It wasn't as if she was holding the snake hostage and the independent creature had never made it a point to stick around before. All and all it left Hatari wondering just what was going on with the strange viper, she'd been acting unusual since the beginning of this whole adventure. Turning her attention back to the tall male who stared almost mockingly down his nose at her a slender brow arched in question as she approached closer. Nearly leaning up to touch their noses. This is really important.. I need to know if you're the one known as the Poison King. I don't want to waste my time here if you're not the one I'm looking for.
Behind her Toshka sulked. Resting her triangular head on the teal, spotted rump, reluctant to take her usual place as a decorative necklace. A quiet voice muttering sour words under her breath.
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Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2012 11:59 pm
"The what...?"
Stryc seems amused by the title if a bit perplexed by it. He had no clue that he had been given such a title, though it does have a certain ominous ring to it that makes his fur prickle in pleasantly. It's overshadowed by annoyance though given that Hatari was the one who attempted to ambush him, so to act like she doesn't have time to waste on him after the fact gets under his fur.
"I don't know anything about a Poison King, but I am immune to a viper's bite."
He gives Toshka a purposeful look. > u>
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Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2012 12:03 am
"How do you do it?!"
Hatari is as breathless with anticipation and excitement! After searching high and low she had finally found him and whether he wants to entertain her or not she isn't going anywhere until she leans his secrets.
Toshka seems horrified, but she's trying to keep it together.
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Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2012 12:16 am
"It's not something that can be taught."
Styrc reassures with a derisive snort, turning to begin walking away. He was pretty much done entertaining this quirky little hybrid. Adding in a way that was meant to clear up any mystery about him and perhaps give Hatari closure.
Even if she wanted to be like him. It would never be possible.
"I've been eating venomous snakes since I was a cub. Maybe I was born immune, maybe it built up over time. Whatever the case.. it is not a feat you can accomplish."
And he adds finally. "Go home."
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Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2012 12:20 am
"Eat venomous snakes..?"
Giving the revelation a moment of thought, she causes Toshka to cry out in outrage. Hatari wouldn't actually consider eating snakes, would she?
Hatari reassures her that she wouldn't laughingly. The follows the lion telling him her name and how as a cub she "used to be poisonous" but it wore off with age. She assures him she's determined.. though would probably have to substitute snakes with spiders and scorpions-- a gross sacrifice she is willing to make.
Either way she isn't letting him get away and Toshka is stuck along for the ride.
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Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2012 12:23 am
Admittedly surprised to find Hatari still in high spirits and utterly determined to adapt her body to possess similar, unique attributes like his own after the story about her youth he realizes the girl may not be right in the head.
But.. not particularly looking for a new BFF or some nutty worshipper he quickly makes his get away (or so he thinks).
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Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2012 12:25 am
Outline complete. Just need to fill in the posts as necessary--probably tomorrow.
Final word count will be popped in here too once everything is written up. Huzzah!
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