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 Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 2:27 pm
 Darkness was beginning to fall heavily on the landscape. Shantanu's eyes found it extremely hard to adjust too. Birds did not see well in the dark, unless of course...they were owls. Being a simple avian of fine, brown, white, and black fletching she had no such luck. So as quickly as she could she landed in a young tree, tucking her wings in and reaching out her claws to take a branch.
She could feel her small heart beating rapidly as she glanced around, catching her breath. She ruffles her feathers, noting how low to the ground this tree was. If she hadn't been the cool headed sort she would have been fearful and fled to find a better perch. But instead she braved the spot, keeping a sharp eye out with warm, orange eyes.
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Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 2:35 pm
The silver eyed serpent slithered around the savannah to find him and his new mate a good dinner for the night before bed. He failed twice on two different mice so he looked elsewhere. Mkarag's tongue flicked now and again, picking up scents that his weak nose could not. But his attention was not on food but rather what Nyoka and he talked about earlier. A family.
The cyan snake's tongue flicked again and this time sensing something other than the smells of nocturnal scavengers. He looked up with his unblinking eyes to a low branched tree where a small common bird perched. "Hello, there my featherly friend." he hissed softly. Mkarag gathered up his body and coiled it, sitting. "I show you no harm. My name'sss Mkaragaro, Mkarag if you may." he greeted with a bow.
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Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 2:40 pm
Tanu tilted her head sharply, glancing down with the speed most Avian's had in their body. She hopped along her branch to the left slightly, wanting to get a better look at him. Her feathers shifted softly with gentle flicks of her wing and she settled to gaze down at him with calm, warm eyes. Despite the fact that he was a creature that could eat her, she had little fear of him. It came with growing up in a flock bonded to lions and other creatures-you were wary, but you weren't afraid.
"Hello!" She chirped, her voice a mature alto. "I'm Shantanu." She bobbed her head up and down, fanning out her tail feathers, "It's nice to meet you, Mkarag."
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Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 2:51 pm
Mkarag glazed at her with his pale silver eyes, "Shantanu. a very nice name. Out of all my journeys I have never heard of such a nice name." he praised. It was a nice name, perhaps he would name a daughter that, perhaps. Mkarag made it a self rule not to eat anything that would not take one try to eat it, that meant most. He never ate birds, they were so featherly, and the way they flew was elegant and graceful.
"Sso, what are you doing out here thisss late at night?" he asked looking up at her, tongue flicking. "I have never sseen many avianss out at night, poor eye ssight from what I can recall." he spoke.
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Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 3:03 pm
Tanu settled back on her feet, shifting her feathers to fluffle up slightly for warmth. He was right about her eyesight. Right now it was getting harder and harder for her to see him as a the sun faded. "I've been traveling," She told him, preening her feathers absently as she felt her heart swell at the compliment. Well wasn't he a gentleman! She approved of that greatly. "I suppose I should have stopped early," she agreed, bobbing her head in a nod, "But I had to find a perch. I don't like nesting in the grasses."
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Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 3:07 pm
"Then I musst implore you to find yoursself a higher branch for your night resst." he spoke. He slithered to the base of the tree and extended his body. Extended, he could reach her easily if she was sleeping. "If I could reach you, my dear, I fear that another may hurt you while you slumber." he added. He was sincere to his words, he did fear that this bird may be hurt by any of the other nocturnal creatures that ventured for food.
"If you like, I would accompany you to another place." he offered. He didn't know what trees out there that are high enough since he only has his own hieght to judge by. But if he can't see or hear her well enough, then it must be high enough.
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Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 3:14 pm
She hadn't planned on sleeping on her current branch, but he was right. The young tree was too small, even in the higher branches, for her to nest in safely. But she didn't really think it smart to go flying blindly into the dark either. But...perhaps this snake could led her a tail, so to speak. "Yes, that would probably be a good idea," She agreed with flick of her wing and a dip of her beak. "Perhaps you could...lead me to other nearby trees and I could check them out?" she questioned hopefully. He might not be able to tell their height, but she could once she was close enough.
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Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 3:32 pm
Slowly, Mkarag nodded, "Follow me." he replied as he slithered through the savannah.
The first tree was too short, roughly the same as the one she was on. The next one had no branches at all, ripped down by elephants perhaps. Mkarag looked back now and again to see her still following him, fortunately. Up ahead he saw a rather large tree nicely planted on a hill. "There!"he shouted out. He moved as fast as he could to the Acacia tree.
On the hill, there was another adjacent to hit and between them was a stone den. Looking down he saw something black move around and then dart off. His curiousity hit, but he let it pass. He looked up at the tree, it was massive. It was perfect for the bird. "Shantanu, here!" he called out.
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Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 3:45 pm
Tanu hopped after him on the ground. She didn't trust herself to be able to follow his movements from the air. But she kept her wings spread, feeling the drafts carefully every time she landed. She would be ready to take flight at any moment. At each tree they reached she took to the air to inspect it. When the first to failed she flew back to the ground to follow him again.
At the third tree she chirped in joy, landing on a nice thick branch high above the ground. "This is a very good spot!" She told him, her voice warm and thankful. She smiled slightly, though even if he could see it he probably wouldn't recognize it as such. A bird's smile was far different for that of other creatures, due to it's beak. She ruffled her feathers, making herself comfortable. "Thank you ever so much. I think I can rest here without a worry at all."
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Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 3:52 pm
Mkarag smiled in return, "I musst be returning home ssoon." he said, "And before that I musst find something to eat." Mkarag dipped his head, "I bid you farewell and until we meet again, Shantanu." The snake bowed again. He should really be getting home to Nyoka. Mkarag started back to the den, turning now and again to see if the bird would be alright. He smiled softly, was he growing to become a father?
"Good-bye, Tanu."
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Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2006 5:08 pm
Tanu flicked her wing at him in a sort of waving motion. "Good bye! Have a good night!" She chirped warmly, spreading her tail feathers and shifts so that she sat in a more huddled position. It had been nice to make a friend, even one so strange as a snake. And now she was comfortable with going to sleep. The day's travel soon took it's toll on her and she drifted off, her eyes closed and her wings folded at her side.
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